History Of Orleans

Orleans is a beautiful, Grade II listed, Dower house dating back to the 1760s, and reportedly housed captured French naval officers during the Napoleonic wars of the 1700s and 1800s

The word Dower, is the amount allowed to a widow from her husband's estate. When the lady of a titled person is widowed she becomes the "Dowager" or widow with a dower. The Dower House, found on many landed estates was the residence of the Dowager.

The name Orleans first appeared in the old title deeds during the 1800s, and originated from the captured French naval officers held prisoner in this house.

During this period French families came to Dartmouth to be with their imprisoned husbands and hence many houses in the town have French names.