A Hampshire National Trust property is one of 93 that has connections to colonialism and historic slavery.

The survey, commissioned by the Trust last year in September, is part of a wider plan to ensure links to colonialism and historic slavery are properly represented.

It shows that approximately one third of National Trust properties have historic links to with slavery and colonialism.

Hinton Ampner country house in Hampshire is one of the properties that has been identified in the report.

The research looked at properties with:

  • Wealth that can be traced back to the proceeds of slavery and colonialism
  • Ownership of a company or business that was connected to the enslavement of people
  • Ownership of a company/business that has a history of opposition to the abolition of slavery or campaigns against colonial oppression

According to the report, Hinton Ampner's links date back to the 1768, when Mary Bilson-Legge, 1st Baroness Stawell married her second husband, Wills Hill, Lord Hillsborough, who was President of the Board of Trade and Plantations and Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Mary and her first husband Henry rarely lived at Hinton Ampner and as a result, the house was leased from 1765 to 1772 to William Henry Ricketts, his wife Mary Jervis, their three children, and eight indoor servants.

The Ricketts’ lifestyle was supported by his ownership of a plantation in Jamaica, which he visited on several occasions.

His son, Edward Jervis Jervis, 2nd Viscount St Vincent, was an awardee of three compensation claims for estates in Jamaica.

Dr Tarnya Cooper, the National Trust’s Curatorial and Collections Director said:

“The buildings in the care of the National Trust reflect many different periods and a range of British and global histories, - social, industrial, political and cultural.

“A significant number of those in our care have links to the colonisation of different parts of the world, and some to historic slavery.

"Colonialism and slavery were central to the national economy from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

"Around a third of the properties now in our care have direct connections to wider colonial histories, often in a way that’s reflected in collections, materials and records that are visible at those places.

“As a heritage charity it’s our job to research, interpret and openly share full and up-to-date information about our places.

"This includes information about colonialism and slavery where it is relevant. This is part of caring for our properties in a historically responsible and academically robust way.

"The work helps us all understand what's gone before; now and for future generations."

John Orna-Ornstein, the National Trust’s Director of Culture and Engagement added: "These histories are sometimes very painful and difficult to consider.

"They make us question our assumptions about the past, and yet they can also deepen and enrich our understanding of our economic status, our remarkable built heritage and the art, objects, places and spaces we have today and look after for future generations."