Harriet Archer-Houblon

Harriet was born on the 28 December 1812, the daughter of John Houblon (Archer-Houblon) and Mary Anne Bramston, who had 9 children in total. Harriet was a spinster and lived at Coopersale House, Theydon Garnon.

She died at The Vicarage, Wanstead, Berkshire on the 29 July 1896, at the age of 83. She left nearly £50,000 in her will.

She did a tremendous amount for the local community. In 1850 she built a National School and teacher's house at Coopersale. During the following years she contributed much of the school's income and took a personal interest in its work. The school was immediately successful. In 1858-9 it had an average attendance of 88 and was described by an inspector as 'a fair village school'. By 1871 attendance was over 100. It continued to rise and in 1879 Miss Archer-Houblon enlarged the school at a cost of £300 to provide total accommodation for 180 pupils.

Coopersale Church, St. Albans, was built in 1852 with land and funds provided Harriet, together with the vicarage, all built by notable architects.

Local resident Fred Brown wrote a booklet on the history of Coopersale, and in it he wrote:

'There was a great frost in February 1895, which caused many problems. Hydrants were frozen up, and the large lake at Coopersale House was frozen over. Miss Archer-Houblon invited skaters to use the lake, around which Chinese lanterns were hung. Trees were also illuminated with fairy lights, tea and refreshments were provided and an Ice Carnival was held in the evening, culminating in a firework display.' What a wonderful sight it must have been.'

The family connection with Coopersale was soon to end the contents of Coopersale House were disposed of in 1908, and the whole estate sold in 1914. Members of a religious order occupied it during the World War I, then in 1920 it was bought by a Mr H J I Camps, who surprised his neighbours by removing the top storey and part of the north-east wing. Like Miss Archer-Houblon, he become a local benefactor and built the Village Institute.
Coopersale House changed hands again several times during the 20th century, its owners including the banker Major Jocelyn Hambro and the media magnate Rupert Murdoch.