Description: The first mention found of a house on this site was in 1684, after this the property was known as Lord Howe's house, a magnificent mansion, built about 1755. It was erected as the town house of the family of Howe of Langar, whose most distinguished member was Admiral Lord Howe (who celebrated a victory over the French off Brest in 1794). William Stanford completely remodelled or more probably rebuilt 19 Castle Gate around 1775. In 1789 Mr. Stanford, who was a great Royalist, celebrated King George III's recovery from his mental illness by having the house gaily illuminated, and distributed half-a-hogshead of beer to the neighbouring people with which to drink the King's health.