Charles Hoskins Master
Charles Hoskins Master | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1846 Bilting House, Godmerstham, Kent, England |
| Died | 1935 |
| Occupation(s) | Brewery proprietor, landowner, High Sheriff of Surrey |
| Known for | Chairman of Friary Brewery; proprietor of Barrow Green Court; High Sheriff of Surrey (1901) |
Charles Hoskins Master (1846–1935) was a proprietor of Barrow Green Court, served as chairman of Friary Brewery in Guildford, and held the office of High Sheriff of Surrey.
Family
Charles was born on 24 October 1846 at Bilting House, Godmerstham, Kent, as the eldest child of Charles Hoskins Master (1816–1885) and Emily Borrer (1821–1892), among thirteen siblings. On 9 October 1877, he wed Amy Morgan Bissett, daughter of General J.J. Bissett CB. Together, they had five children:
- Charles Edward Hoskins Master (1878–1960), Captain in the 1/5th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- Arthur Bisset Streynsham Hoskins Master (1880–1939), Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy
- Herbert Francis Hoskins Master (1882–1967), Major in the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
- Amy Charlotte Emily Hoskins Master (1885–1940)
- Legh Chichele Hoskins Master (1890–1991), Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery
Familial Links
The family's ancestry traces back to Sir William Hoskins (1629–1712) and includes ties to prominent individuals such as Catherine Hoskins, spouse of William Cavendish, 3rd Duke of Devonshire, and Susannah Chicheley, descended from William Chicheley—brother to Archbishop Henry Chichele (1364–1443). Susannah married Charles Hoskins (1728–1768) and was sister-in-law to Katherine Hoskins, heiress of Barrow Green Estate who united with Legh Master, thereby founding the Hoskins Master lineage. This heritage influenced the naming of Charles’s youngest son, Legh Chichele Hoskins Master. The family's enduring impact on the area is commemorated through local names in Oxted such as Barrow Green Road, Hoskins Road, Master Close, Chichele Road, and Master Park.
Education
Charles received his education at Eton and later at Clare College, Cambridge from 1867 to 1870. He was admitted as a barrister to the Inner Temple in November 1869 but did not pursue a legal career.
Barrow Green Court
Constructed in the early 1600s, Barrow Green Court was part of the Hoskins family holdings. The estate passed into the Hoskins Master line following Legh Master's marriage to Katherine Hoskins, the estate's heiress, in 1753. After nearly two centuries of family ownership, it was sold in 1963 and eventually came under the possession of Mohamed Al-Fayed, proprietor of Harrods.
Charles held several local titles including Lord of the Manor of Oxted, Justice of the Peace, Deputy-Lieutenant for Surrey, and served as High Sheriff in 1901. His contributions to the community include donating Master Park to the village. His eldest son Charles established residence at Barrow Green Court in 1925.
Brewery history
On 1 January 1874, Charles Hoskins Master acquired a controlling stake in Friary Brewery located in Guildford. In 1890, he combined it with Holroyd's Brewery from Byfleet and Healy's Brewery to create Friary Holroyd and Healy's Brewery. He became managing director in October 1891, with the company incorporating by 1895.
In 1956, Friary Holroyd and Healy's merged with Meux's Brewery to form Friary Meux Limited. The brewery went into liquidation in November 1961 before being taken over by Allied Breweries. The original brewery premises were demolished in 1974 and replaced by what is now known as The Friary Centre.
Hoskins Arms Hotel
Motivated by Charles Hoskins Master’s involvement in brewery and land ownership, the Hoskins Arms Hotel was established on Station Road West and initially promoted by Friary Brewery in 1886. By 1889, it had become a popular community venue, boasting over two acres of landscaped grounds that included Lawn Tennis courts, a Bowling Green, Quoits playing areas, a cycling track, and stabling facilities for hunters. The hotel served as a venue for various activities such as flower exhibitions, banquets, and auctions.
In 1913, the hotel grounds were the site of the first film screening, which later developed into "The Kinema" cinema. Recorded as a Friary Meux public house in 1968, the original hotel building was demolished in 1974 and replaced by a unique sixteen-sided structure featuring bars, a coffee shop, a restaurant, and twelve guest rooms for rent. The establishment ceased operations in early 1993 and subsequently suffered fire damage; currently, residential apartments occupy this location.
Philanthropic gifts
In 1914, he donated Foxenden Quarry to Guildford as a public green area. Following the conclusion of the Great War, he urged brewery shareholders to present Pewley Down to Guildford as an expression of gratitude for peace; the property was officially handed over to the Mayor on 29 July 1920. In 1918, he provided land on Oxted Recreation Ground for a hut dedicated to the Comrades of the Great War, which later became the Oxted Branch of the British Legion.
In 1923, nearly twelve acres were contributed by him to establish Master Park within the Oxted Parish. Additionally, he donated church organs to St Mary's Oxted, Exbury, and Sandgate. The Oxted Branch Clubhouse overlooking Master Park was inaugurated in December 1926 by Sir Charles Madden, 1st Baronet. The transfer of both land and building between Charles Hoskins Master and Francis Morton Thrupp was formalized on 22 January 1927.
Death
He passed away at Shakespeare House in Sandgate and was laid to rest in the family vault at St Mary's Church, Oxted.