When Joseph Neeld died in 1856, the house was inherited by his younger brother Sir John Neeld (1805–1891), Member of Parliament for Cricklade from 1835 to 1859. In 1845 he married Harriet Eliza Dickson, daughter of Major General William Dickson of Beneham House, Berkshire. They lived at Grittleton House for 35 years and held numerous Balls which were reported in the newspapers. In 1864 one of these events, which was for 400 guests, was described in the following terms:
