William Seagram
William Seagram


William Heathcote Frowd Seagram inherited Bratton House from his cousin once removed, Thomas Seagram, who died in 1878. William Heathcote also maintained an apartment at 86, Piccadilly, London. Even so, he became very interested in both the spiritual and physical welfare of the Bratton villagers. He opened a reading room for working men and he began a clothing club for the villagers, and to each member’s savings he added 5% at Christmas. Also at Christmas, he sent his butler, Henry Humphrey, to give gifts of meat, tea and coal to the poorer villagers.

Part of William Heathcote’s inheritance was the White Horse Inn (which is now called the Duke Inn). Being a supporter of the Temperance Movement, he felt embarrassed owning an ale house and, so, in 1883 changed it into a coffee house.

In 1890, together with Mr Edward Smallcombe, who owned the original Duke Inn (located between Bratton House and Sands Lane), William Heathcote swapped inns. Mr Smallcombe renamed the White Horse as the Duke and converted it back to an ale house while William Heathcote demolished the old Duke and incorporated the land into the gardens of Bratton House.

William Heathcote never married and, when he died at the age of 70 in 1914, he left Bratton House to Wadham Diggle, a cousin on his mother’s side, rather than to other existing members of the Seagram family, much to their dismay. Many heirlooms and silver were lost to the Seagram side of the family.




[Return]
Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

Copyright Bratton History Association 2015-2026

Bratton History Association Privacy Statement
Web Design by Blue Engine Web Development © 2008-2026