Sewell Barn Theatre space for presentations, meetings and other private hire uses. Originally the barn belonged to Clare House which was owned by Philip Sewell, a local benefactor, from 1864 to 1906. Anna Sewell, author of the children’s story "Black Beauty", was Philip’s sister and lived in the White House, Spixworth Road, Spixworth. Philip owned a mare called Black Bess which used to draw his carriage along Spixworth Road and it might be supposed that Bess was the original inspiration for Black Beauty, and the barn a prototype for Black Beauty’s stable. The book was published by Jarrolds in 1877. Philip Sewell died
S. Anna Gordon S. Anna Gordon S. Anna Gordon (born January 9, 1832) was a physician and author of "Camping in Colorado with Suggestions to Gold Seekers, Tourists and Invalids" (1879). S. Anna Gordon was born in Charlemont, Massachusetts, on January 9, 1832. On her father's side she was a descendant of John Steele Sr (1591-1665), who established the town, now city, of Hartford, Connecticut. Among the distinguished persons in her family lineage was Noah Webster, the son of Noah Webster Sr. and Mercy Steele, a descendant of Governor William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. On her mother's side she is a descendant of