Nathaniel Ireson facts for kids

Nathaniel Ireson (born 1685 – died 18 April 1769) was a very talented English craftsman. He was known as a potter, an architect (someone who designs buildings), and a mason (a skilled builder who works with stone). He is most famous for his amazing work in and around Wincanton in Somerset, England.

He was likely born in a place called Ansley, Warwickshire.

Early Life and Career

Nathaniel Ireson started his career in the early 1700s. He was a churchwarden at St Peter's church in Stourton, Wiltshire during the 1720s. This role might have given him the chance to work on the church building himself.

In 1707, a big fire damaged much of the center of Wincanton. Nathaniel Ireson played a key role in rebuilding the town. This shows he was a trusted and important builder even early in his career.

Life and Work in Wincanton

Around 1726, Nathaniel Ireson moved to Wincanton. He even owned a pottery business there from 1738 to 1750. This shows his skills weren't just limited to building!

You can still find a special monument dedicated to him in the Churchyard of St Peter and St Paul in Wincanton. This monument includes a statue that many believe he carved himself.

Nathaniel Ireson's Famous Buildings

Nathaniel Ireson worked on many important buildings across Somerset and Wiltshire. Here are some of his most notable projects:

• Crowcombe Court: He finished work on this grand house, taking over from an earlier builder.
• Stourhead: He worked on parts of this famous estate between 1720 and 1724.
• Ven House, Milborne Port: He helped make this house bigger and more impressive around 1725 to 1730.
• The Church of St Peter in Redlynch, Somerset: He worked on this church in 1750.
• Park House, Mells Park, Somerset: Another one of the grand homes he helped create.
• Meadow Court, Tockenham, Wiltshire: A project in a different county, showing his wide reach.
• Shanks House, Cucklington: He contributed to this important building.
• The Dogs, Wincanton: He worked on this specific building in Wincanton between 1740 and 1750.
• Church of St Mary, Bruton: In 1743, he rebuilt the chancel (the part of the church near the altar) of this church.
• Corsham Court: He helped to update the front of this historic building in 1747.
• St Peter and St Paul, Wincanton: He made changes to this church in 1747. He even paid for the construction of the chancel himself (though it was later removed). He also created several monuments inside the church.

Nathaniel Ireson's work left a lasting mark on the architecture of his time, especially in the Somerset area.