John Opie, R.A., 1761-1807

By family descent

Wonwell Court was named after its first owner, Thomas de Wonwell, who lived there in 1296.  During the reign of Henry VI (1422-1461), Robert de Henderson succeeded and was followed by his son Philip, and thence by his daughter Phillippa, the wife of Robert Ayshford. The property continued in the family name of Ayshford until the marriage of the present sitter's parents, Margaret Ayshford and John Wise.  Upon the death of Margaret in 1780, Wonwell Court  descended to the family Ayshford Wise.