Saltram House - Origins and Early Period

Origins and Early Period

The name Saltram derives itself from the salt that was harvested on the nearby estuary and the fact that a "ham", or homestead, was on the site before the Tudor period. The first family to be associated with the house are the Mayes, or Mayhowes, who were yeoman farmers here in the 16th century. The family owned Saltram for about 50 years, their prosperity declining at the end of the century when they began to sell and lease parts of the estate. their holdings were considerable, with a 1588 lease stated the right to farm in Saltram Wood 'and all houses, quays and buildings adjoining or upon the same', and to have fishing rights at Laira Bridge Rock and Culverhole; to hold portions of a quay called Coldharbour ; and to have the use of the Mayhowes' fishing nets. The next family to own Saltram were the Baggs, who were likely responsible for turning the farmhouse into a mansion. Sir James Bagg purchased Saltram in about 1614 and among other roles was both the MP for Plymouth and the city Mayor. On his death the house passed to his son, James Baggs the second. He was a vice-admiral closely aligned to King James the first's favourite, the Duke of Buckingham. Part of the reason why commentators thought so low of him might have been his embezzlement of funds from the Crown, not once, but twice, the first time being a major reason for the failure of Buckingham's attack on Spanish held Cadiz in 1625. For reasons unknown King Charles twice defended him despite his seemingly obvious culpability. James Bagg the second was succeed by his son George in 1638 at which time Saltram was described as comprising 'One great mansion house, one stable, three gardens, two acres of orchard, eight acres of meadows' and over eight acres more. Despite inheriting his father's role as Deputy Governor of Plymouth, George did not share his father's luck. In 1642 the English Civil War broke out and took its toll on Saltram house and the estate, and to make matters worse George was a confirmed Royalist who at the end of the war had to pay the Commonwealth government £582 just to secure his holding on the land.

Despite having held on to Saltram through the war the Baggs lost Saltram in 1660 when it was transferred to Captain Henry Hatsell by the government in lieu of a large debt owed to him. Again, Saltram seemd to be a poisoned chalice as the Parliamentarian Hatsell was stripped of the house upon the Restoration later the same year and the house passed on to Sir George Carteret in lieu of a loan he had given to the King during the Civil War.

In 1712 George Parker of Boringdon Hall, about 2 miles north of Saltram, purchased the manor and in doing so created the dynasty which would reign over Saltram until its days as a private estate were over.