Ruth's Blog

The name Haddon Owen solicitors is familiar to Louth historians, but I knew little about the firm.  I am grateful to Patrick Purves who gave a us a short history:

In the late 19th century, William Haddon Owen founded a firm of solicitors in Louth at No 1 Eastgate.  Although William had been born in Birmingham, his father was the Rector of Trusthorpe on the Lincolnshire coast.

In due course, William’s elder son Ernest Haddon Owen became a partner with his father, but he died in World War I.  Younger son Henry too was a solicitor; although he was based in Spilsby he was involved with the family practice in Louth.  In the mid-twentieth century, the Louth practice was largely managed by clerk John Goodwin.

In 1959, Roger Bygott purchased Haddon Owen & Son, and Tony Horne joined Roger and became a partner.

In 1980, Patrick Purves, then a recently qualified solicitor, married Roger’s daughter Judy, and joined Haddon Owen & Son.  The firm had a branch office in Mablethorpe, and it included an agency of the Halifax Building Society.

In Louth, the practice did a wide variety of work, including criminal defence, legal aid advice and representation, running probates, conveyancing of property, liquor licensing, company formation, family law and tax matters.

William Haddon Owen lived at Little Grimsby Hall, a few miles northeast of Louth.  Roger Bygott lived at 160 Eastgate, which was subsequently the home of David Robinson.  Patrick and Judy Purves lived at the Old Vicarage in Church Street, until they moved to their present home in Broadbank.

In 2000, the firm of Haddon Owen merged with Bridge McFarland, a larger regional practice.  Patrick worked in the Bridge McFarland office in the Cornmarket, until he retired in 2018.