Smedmore House

[5] Initially he attempted the production of alum, but this infringed a monopoly granted by James I, and his works were confiscated.

The chief disadvantage of burning shale was the smell - one of Clavell's neighbours compared it to a "close stool".

[5] In order to be closer to — but upwind of — these works Sir William set about building a new house at Smedmore.

Sir William therefore effectively disinherited all of his immediate family, and left Smedmore House to a distant cousin, Roger Clavell of Langcotes, near Winfrith Newburgh.

[4] John Clavell-Richards, who had previously been the rector of Church Knowle, is chiefly remembered for building the Clavell Tower, a folly on the cliff-top near Kimmeridge which was relocated and restored in 2008.

Instead a deal between his surviving Heirs-in-Law ensured that Smedmore House remained in the family, under the ownership of his niece, Louisa Pleydell (1790–1863), and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel John Mansel (1776–1863).