Years ago when I researched “The Budgetts of Kingswood Hill” I worked my way manually through local newspapers of the 19th century. Regrettably but inevitably I missed some entries. Now that Bristol Mercury (BM) and other papers have gone  on-line through the Library Link, here are some of the missing bits of the family’s history:

Married: “Saturday at St Bride’s Church, Mr Henry Hill Budgett of Kingswood Hill near Bristol to Miss Burkitt of this town.” (Liverpool Mercury 24.8.1832)

As readers already know, Mr Henry Hill Budgett was Secretary of the Kingswood Benevolent Society. Amongst the list of subscribers in January 1834 was “a lady” who had donated 25 pair of stout cotton sheets. Whilst this was a welcome gift Henry asked for “Rugs and Blankets to save the poor perishing with the cold.” (BM 4.1.1834)

Sarah Budgett, nee Burkitt died in the Spring of 1839 and the next year Henry remarried for what appears to be the fourth time!

“May 14th at Burslem, Staffordshire, Henry Hill Budgett esquire of Kingswood Hill to Sarah, daughter of Enoch Wood, esquire of the former place. (BM 23.5.1840.) 

In September, H.H. was entertaining his brother in law, Enoch Wood junior in Kingswood, when the horse, “a mettlesome creature” pulling the phaeton in which the two were riding took fright on being whipped, bolted, tripped over a stone and threw them out. H.H. in particular was said to be seriously injured to the great consternation of all Kingswood. The fate of the horse is not stated, though the phaeton was dashed to pieces. The Rev John Gaskin of Holy Trinity, Henry’s son in law arrived and took charge and the casualties were conveyed home. In the event H.H. suffered only concussion and a dislocated shoulder. (BM 20.9.1840). The employees of H.H. & S. Budgett made a collection and three weeks later Samuel Budgett on behalf of his brother, who was still not fit enough to attend,  accepted a gift of “a richly chased silver inkstand “in thankfulness of his deliverance from the alarming accident”. (BM 17.10.1840) 

A robbery when “On the 2nd instant the premises of Mr Samuel Budgett of Kingswood Hill were plundered of a lead pump and 5 cwt of coal.” (BM 26.3.1842)

A wedding of the younger generation: “the 23rd instant at Ealing, James Smith, eldest son of Samuel Budgett, esquire of Kingswood Hill to Mary Bolton, youngest daugh5te of Thomas Farmer, esquire of Gunnersbury House, Middlesex.” (The Standard, 25.8.1849)

Samuel Budgett died in 1851 and in 1852, his biography, “The Successful Merchant” by the Rev. Arthur was published. A long article eulogises S.B. (BM 13.1.1852)

An interesting wedding took place on 29th November 1865 at Calcutta Cathedral: Edward E. Meakin, esquire of Almorah, North India to Sarah Ann, daughter of the late Samuel Budgett, esquire of Kingswood Hill, (B.M. 14.1.1865)  (NB. The groom’s name appears as “Ebenezer” Meakin in the register of Bengal marriages.)

Sometime ago I was sent the following information about a family called Blatchley who with various friends had strong Bitton connections. I had not come across them before and therefore they do not appear in my KINGSWOOD INDEX.  I was reminded of them following my recent posting concerning the Box Tunnel. This is the letter I received from Mr Guy Hirst:

“BLATCHLEY

“The Blatchleys came to the area in the 1820s from the Longleat Estate.

William the father (1771-1854) was an Innkeeper and may have been the 'William Blatcham' who appears as landlord of the Tennis Court Inn at Deanery Road, Warmley in Pigot's Directory of Gloucestershire, 1830. He had retired back to Longleat to a rent free cottage by 1839.

Charles Blatchley, (elder son), (1796-1879), Half Pay Lieutenant RN - paid off from the navy in 1825, began a new career as a railway civil engineer possibly at first with the local Bristol & Gloucestershire Railway from Coalpit Heath. His first child was born at Mangotsfield in 1828. Charles went back to sea 1830-4 and then returned to Kingswood, where his second son was born in 1836.That year Charles found a job with Brunel on the Box Tunnel and left to live at Box. Charles’ lifetime friend and colleague William Glennie was living at Bitton in the 1830s and also moved from the Royal Navy to Brunel. Glennie's wife was the daughter of the great art publicist Henry Aston Barker* (inventor of the panorama and son in law of Captain Bligh of the Bounty) who retired from London to Bitton at this period.

John Blatchley, (younger son), (1803-1862), was a butcher. He married Ruth Fudge in 1828 and had 3 children at Kingswood Hill. Ruth died in 1834. By 1836 the family had moved to Newport, Monmouthshire. When his second wife died in 1847, John and the children struck hard times and ended up in 1851 in the Keynsham Workhouse as John seems to have had a 'settlement' at Oldland. After another spell in Newport he died back in the Keynsham Union House in 1862.

Clara, John's eldest child born 1829 at Warmley remained in the area and appears not to have gone to Newport. In 1851 she was servant to the Moravian Minister Peter Cornelius West at Siston. She married in 1858 at Bitton and left for Liverpool in the 1860s.

John's second wife was Mary Ann James (1809-1847) daughter of George James (b Mangotsfield c1779) and Hannah Ponting (b. Stapleton 1778)

George James was a pork butcher and moved to Newport in the 1830s probably from Bristol where he had lived since his marriage in 1802.

Finally Sophia Grace nee Blatchley (1794-1880) sister of John and Charles, lived from about 1821 to 1835 at Warmley, Bitton, Kingswood with her Exciseman husband William.

“Kind Regards

Guy Hirst.”

I was intrigued by the connection with Bligh of the “Bounty” and decided to check out the information provided.

WILLIAM BLATCHLEY (1771-1854)

William Blatcham is listed as the Landlord of the Tennis Court in 1830. see warmley history. It seems clear from the note concerning John Blatchley (below) that he is indeed the same as William Blatchley.

William Blatchley married Joyce Scriffen Crokett at Longbridge Deverill, Wilts, 4.12.1792.

In 1841 William Blatchley and his wife Joyce aged “69 & 67” respectively are living at Horningsham, Wiltshire. William is said to be of independent means. In 1851 they are at Cock Road, Horningsham, as follows:

William Blatchley, 80, occupation “Old Huntsman” born Bath, and Joyce, otherwise Joycey, his wife aged 71.  The death of William Blatchley was registered at Warminster, Wilts in 1854 and that of Joycey at Kensington in 1859.   

CHARLES BLATCHLEY (1796-1879)

C.B. promoted Lieutenant, RN, 2.4.1824, “Morning Post”.

Charles Blatchley & Charlotte Gale married Kingswood, Bristol 18.12.1827.

(Yet to be checked: Blatchley baptisms at Mangotsfield.)

In 1841 living at Box, Wilts:

Charles Blatchley, 41, Navy Half Pay, born Wilts

Charlotte, 38, not born in Wilts, with Frederick, 5 & Alfred, 4, plus a maidservant.

In 1851, Charlotte, aged 50, born Southleigh, Oxon., is living at Ivy Cottage, Victory Parade, Dawlish with Alfred, her son aged 13, born Box whilst

Charles, 55, born Longbridge Deverill, now a Civil Engineer and Charles, his son, 22, also a Civil Engineer are living at Chipping Campden, Glos.

I can find no trace of any of them in 1861. Charlotte, wife of Commander Blatchley, RN,  died on 31.12.1864 at Saltash (obit 6.1.65, Royal Cornwall Gazette) and in 1871, Charles, a widower, aged 75, Greenwich Pensioner, Commander retired, was living at St Germans.  

His death at Saltash, Cornwall, December 3, 1879, “Commander, RN, aged 84” is recorded in the R. Cornwall Gazette 5.12.1879.

Frederick Blatchley esq, of Port View Saltash, s.o. the late Cdr Blatchley married Mary Kate eldest d.o. Rev Edward Polwhele, Rector of Pillaton. (Morning Post 13.7.1882)

JOHN BLATCHLEY (1802-1862)

“the son of the Landlord of the Tennis Court Inn” gave evidence at the Inquest on Isaac Gorden who was murdered after leaving the pub. (see Morning Chronicle, 6.12.1824) James Caines Bush and Mark Whiting of Kingswood were later hanged for the crime.

John Blatchley makes no further appearance in newspaper articles. I have yet to check his marriage to Ruth Fudge or the baptisms of his children. 

In 1841, described “brewer” (not butcher) he is living at Charles Street, St Woolos, Newport, aged 38, with his wife Mary, 32, and children William, 4, Mary 16 months, and Emma, aged 10, who must be the child of his first marriage.

In 1851, he is not in Keynsham Workhouse but in premises belonging to William Williams, a shipping labourer, and is described as a “painter, journeyman”, born Crockerton, Wiltshire. With him is his son William aged 14, “painter’s boy”, born Newport.   However, in the Keynsham Workhouse are Mary A. Blatchley, 11 and Charles Blatchley, 5, “pauper scholars”, birthplace unknown.

In 1861 John is not in the list for Keynsham Workhouse, but William, now 26, seems to have gone to Droylsden, Manchester, where he says he was “born Gloucestershire” and is living at 9 Durham Street, with his wife Jane aged 25. In 1871, William is still living in Lancashire, now aged 35, a shopman, and says he was born “Monmouthshire”. He has a different wife, Eliza, and five children. Things are looking up for they have a servant, Eleanor Ascroft, aged 15.

It is intriguing to notice the contrast in fortune in the lives of the brothers Charles and John Blatchley.

CLARA BLATCHLEY, (ca1829-1903) the daughter of John Blatchley was a maidservant at the home of the Moravian Minister, Peter Cornelius West at Potters Wood, Kingswood in 1851.

She married Robert Stone, junior, a paper maker, and in 1861 they were living at Oldland Common with their baby son, Frederick, aged one. By 1871 they had moved to Everton, Liverpool where Robert was now working at an india-rubber factory and the family had grown to six children. In 1881 he was an outdoor officer for the Local Marine Board, and in 1891, a Restaurant Manager! A Jack of All-Trades! Robert died aged 56 in 1892 and in 1901, the widowed Clara was staying with her son William, his wife Ethel and their large family at Lambeth. She died in 1903, aged 73, back home in Liverpool.

SOPHIA GRACE, nee Blatchley (1794-1880)

sister of William & Charles Blatchley, married William Grace and in 1841 was at Husbandman’s End, Shipton on Stour, Worcs. William aged 50, (born ca 1791) not born Worcs, Sophia aged 45 (bca 1796) not born Worcs, and their ten children!

In 1851 they were at 12 Caroline Place, Marylebone:

William Grace, 63 (b.1788), retired Inland Revenue Officer, born Enford, Wilts

Sophia, 57 (1794) born Longbridge Deverill

Eliza, daughter, 15, born Cirencester, plus a visitor, nine year old William Hurford, born Brighton.

In 1861, they are still at the same address: William, now 73, “Officer Inland Revenue” though the family business seems to be taking in washing: Sophia, now 66, Louisa, 35 (b.Bitton), Caroline, 28, (b. Kingswood Hill) and Eliza, 25, (b. Cirencester) are all described “laundress”, whilst so Thomas, 25, “assists at home.” The only exception to the enterprise is Maria, 26, (b. Kingswood Hill) a governess.

Sophia Grace, 85, died in London in 1880.

WILLIAM GLENNIE

On Nov. 26 at Bitton, Lt. William Glennie RN  to Elizabeth Catherine eldest daughter of Henry Aston Barker, esquire of Willsbridge. (Marriage announcement Bristol Mercury 12.12.1833)

1841 census at Box, Wiltshire:

William Glennie 40 Lieut RN & Civil Engineer, Not born Wilts

Elizabeth Catherine, 30, Not born Wilts

& 4 children, Walter, 6, Harriet, 5, William, 3 & Catherine Sophia, 1, & 2 servants

1851 census at 23 Devonshire Terrace, St Andrew, Plymouth

William Glennie, 53, (1798) Lieut RN, Half Pay, b. Camberwell

Catherine Glennie, 45 (1806) b. St Geo. Southwark

William, 13, scholar, b. Bitton, Catherine, scholar, 11, b. Bitton, Isabella, 9, b. Sampford Arundel, Som,

Alexander W. 7 b. Sampford Arundel, Mary E. 5, b. Dawlish, Margaret G. b. Plymouth.

Marriage announcement: INGLES/GLENNIE. On 8th inst at Stoke Church, Devonport, Lieut John Ingles RN & Catherine Sophia, 2nd daughter of the late Lieut William Glennie RN of Nelson Villas, Stoke, Devonshire. (Hampshire Chronicle 20.1.1866)

HENRY ASTON BARKER 

Henry As(h)ton Barker & Harriet Maria Bligh married 1802. (Harriet Maria, daughter of William & Bligh and Elizabeth Betham was baptised at Douglas, Isle of Man 14 November 1782.

Henry Aston Barker Gazetted 2nd Lieutenant, Southward Volunteers, 26.8.1807 (announcement, Morning Post)

The following comes from Wikipedia:

Henry Aston Barker (1774 - 19 July 1856) was a Scottish landscape and panorama painter and exhibitor, the son of Robert Barker whose business he continued.^[1]

Life and works

Barker was born in Glasgow, the younger son of Robert Barker, the famous panoramic painter, whom he assisted as a boy. When only 12 years old he was set to work making outlines of the city of Edinburgh from the top of the Calton Hill Observatory, and a few years later made the drawings for the view of London from Albion Mills. These drawings he afterwards etched.^[1]

In 1788 he came with his father to London, and soon afterwards became a pupil at the Royal Academy. Barker continued to be his father's chief assistant in the panoramas till the latter's death in 1806, when, as executor, he took over the business, and for 20 years carried on the exhibitions with great success.^[1]

He frequently travelled in the course of his work, and in August 1799 left England for Turkey, to make drawings for a panorama of Constantinople. When he arrived at Palermo, he called on Sir William Hamilton, the English ambassador at the court of Naples, and was introduced by him to Lord Nelson, of whom, he wrote, "took me by the hand and said he was indebted to me for keeping up the fame of his victory in the Battle of the Nile for a year longer than it would have lasted in the public estimation" (Barker's memoranda). The panorama of Constantinople was exhibited in 1802, and the drawings were engraved and published in four plates.^[1]

In 1801, Barker went to Copenhagen to make drawings for a picture of the battle, and while there he was again received by Lord Nelson. In May 1802, during the Peace of Amiens, he went to Paris and made drawings for a panorama of the city. After this many other panoramas were exhibited, the later ones being chiefly from drawings by John Burford, who shared with Barker the property in a panorama in the Strand, purchased in 1816 from Mr. Reinagle. Barker, however, still travelled from time to time, and visited, among other places, Malta, where he made drawings of the port, exhibited in 1810 and 1812; Venice, of which a panorama was exhibited in 1819; and Elba, where he made the acquaintance of Napoleon.^[1]

After the battle of Waterloo, Barker visited the field, and went to Paris, where he obtained from the officers at headquarters all necessary information on the subject of the battle. A series of eight etchings by Mr. J. Burnett from Barker's original sketches of the field of battle were printed and published, as were also his drawings of Gibraltar. His last grand panorama was the coronation procession of George IV, exhibited in 1822. Of all the panoramas exhibited, that of the battle of Waterloo was the most successful and lucrative. By the exhibition of this picture Barker realised no less than £10,000.^[1]

About 1802 he married the eldest of the six daughters of Rear-admiral William Bligh, who commanded the Bounty at the time of the celebrated mutiny. By her Barker left two sons and two daughters. In 1826 he transferred the management of both the panoramas to John and Robert Burford, and went to live first at Cheam, in Surrey, and then in the neighbourhood of Bristol.^[1]

Barker died on 19 July 1856 at Bitton near Bristol. A list of most of the panoramas painted and exhibited by Henry and Robert Barker were published in The Art Journal (1857, p. 47).^[2][1]. His brother, Thomas Edward Barker, though not an artist, also ran the family business, but later set up a rival panorama exhibition with artist Ramsay Richard Reinagle at 168/9 The Strand, London.^[3]

Panorama of Constantinople (1813, aquatint)

The Morning Post of 1.1.1823 contains the following: “Mr Henry Aston Barker has completed his magnificent panorama of the coronation of the present king. It is one of the most happy as well as undoubtedly the most splendid of his performances and (establishes) him as the first artist of the day in this line, The picture is exhibited  in the Great Circle at Leicester Square occupying 10,000 feet of canvas and between 30 & 40 thousand figures.”

1841 census: at Golden Valley Bitton

Catherine Barker 90 (1751) b.Ireland

Henry Ashton (sic) Barker, 66 (1775) b. Scotland

Harriet Barker, 58 (1783 b. Scotland* (*presumably there was no column for the IOM)

Mary Barker, 25 (1816) b. Glos.

Catherine Barker, Henry’s mother, and the widow of Robert Barker, died at Bitton in 1842.

On July 29 at Bitton, North Prichard esquire, of Norwood Surrey to Mary, youngest daughter of Henry Aston Barker, of Bitton. (Marriage announcement, Worcester Journal. 5.8.1847)

In 1851, Henry, & Harriet were still living at Golden Valley.

Harriet Maria Barker died at Bitton in the spring of 1856 and Henry survived her by only a few months. His obituary appears in “the Standard” of 24.7.1856 ”the 19th inst at Bitton, Henry Aston Barker, in the 83rd year of his age.”

In response to my blog of 1st August “Barry Turton” in which I mentioned the pantomime at Bristol South Baths and one of the numbers, "Open the Door, Richard" Giles Oakley has contacted me with the history of this song which I recall from the 1950s but in fact goes much further back.

Giles says it is “an old African American vaudeville comedy routine from the mid-1930s created by a man called John 'Spider Bruce' Mason, later turned into a hit record by Dusty Fletcher in the '40s. It was one of the biggest hits of the era, covered by many different jazz and rhythm & blues artists, becoming so popular at one point in February/March 1947 no less than five versions of it were in the 'Billboard' Race Records charts simultaneously, including Fletcher's original together with brilliant versions by Jack McVea, Count Basie, the Three Flames and Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five. I would guess that it was the latter recording that made the biggest impact in Britain since Jordan, the biggest selling black artist in the USA in the '40s, had several of his humourous 'jump blues' recordings issued here. (I was amazed to find one of his Decca 78s amongst my grandmother's classical music collection in the 60s).  The alto-sax playing Jordan was also very popular in the Caribbean and perhaps West Indians settling in Bristol spread the word. I would imagine that Bristol as a a port city was where many American records entered the UK, brought in by sailors in exactly the same way as happened in Liverpool, as attested by John Lennon and many others.

“I had no idea I'd get onto such a topic when I entered your site, my interest being based on family history. My mother's family, nee Martin, came from Bristol in the 19th/early 20th century, and before that an Oakley ancestor owned Pen Park House in the 1830s.”

Giles’ account intrigued me, as did his Bristol connection. Of course, I had no option but to look for the Oakley ancestor! Pen Park, the mansion house was an imposing Georgian pile in extensive grounds built mid to late 18th century at the end of Charlton Road near Westbury on Trym. The house was burnt in 1961 and again in 1964. It was finally demolished in 1969 and a photograph of the frontage is in Reece Winstone's “Bristol as it was: 1960-2. The name lives on in Pen Park Road and (of course) Pen Park Hole! This cavern boasts the earliest caving fatality in Great Britain and Ireland, one Thomas Newman, who on March 17, 1775 fell to his death whilst trying to plumb its depth.

Major P.J.R. Waller, MBE, DL, JP in a letter to the Western Daily Press on May 30, 1956 says “it might amuse you to know that the oldest house near the traffic lights at the Southmead end of Pen Park Road was an isolated gamekeeper’s cottage in my father’s boyhood. I myself shot partridges close by. Also one walked to church in Henbury down country lanes in the 1940s. My great great grandfather was an ironmaster and owned the Eagle Steel Works in Bristol” (another story for investigation perhaps?) “and in the 1850s or so decided to become a country gentleman. He sold the steelworks and bought Pen Park.  All that is identifiable now is a Wellingtonia tree. I have childhood memories of cider making, hay making, an old home with no electric lights ever” (so do I – it was next door to where I lived as a child in Victoria Park, Kingswood!) “and well water until 1937 and very primitive sewage arrangements. Yet in the 1850s an enormous amount of money had been spent and it was the acme of luxury.” 

The Oakley dwelling had been advertised for sale in June 1841, and in response to this information, Giles emailed again attaching more details and a rough copy of the will of his ancestor, Richard Oakley of Pen Park. Richard was…….

…….“the (much richer) older brother of my Great Great Great Grandfather George Oakeley, a yeoman farmer who seems to have emigrated at some unknown date and fallen on hard times in Nova Scotia ('my poor afflicted brother...' named in a codicil of his will dated  March 23, 1832) Richard was born and buried in Wigmore in Herefordshire. How he came by Pen Park isn't clear, possibly by marriage. His first wife, perhaps a Frances Banner, died (in childbirth?) and he then married Mary Banner in 1810, presumably a sister or cousin. There is a memorial to Richard in Wigmore church put up by his widow, Mary. I have never quite sorted out all the relationships, which straddle across into Lambeth in London and Kent as well as Herefordshire and Bristol. What adds to the confusion is that there is more than one Richard Oakley around at that time.”

“I inherited a lovely Roman intaglio ring via my father and great aunt which originally belonged to Richard. It's setting is Georgian, but the engraved image is of the Goddess Hope, an early Christian symbol, as in 'Faith , Hope and Charity'.”

The idea that Richard Oakley married two sisters is possible but unlikely. Marriage to a deceased wife’s sister was within the “prohibited degrees” and not permissible in Canon Law up to 1907.  Until 1835 such marriages were not void but could be voided by legal action and any one likely to be found out would be reluctant to take the chance. It appears that Richard’s first marriage which has not yet been found was either to a Frances Swayne or Frances Banner. There were five children of the marriage of whom only one daughter and a son, Edward Banner, survived. Richard’s first wife died giving birth to Edward and the boy’s second Christian name suggests that if she was not a Banner, at least she was connected to the Banner family. Richard’s second marriage to Mary Banner of Broadstairs took place on the Isle of Thanet in 1810. In a newspaper announcement he is described as a solicitor.

It maybe that Richard and Mary Oakley moved into Pen Park following the death, announced in the Bristol Mercury on March 8, 1819,  of John Lambert, esquire. This gentleman, described as “formerly of Pen Park, Gloucestershire”, was a retired solicitor who died at his lodging in North Parade, Bath. Alas the famous waters could not save him,  but at the age of 81, he had had, certainly for those times, “a good innings” as my Dad would have said.  Mr Lambert’s chief claim to fame was that “he was master to the unfortunate Chatterton.” Thomas Chatterton

He was evidently the attorney to whom Chatterton was apprenticed aged 14 in 1766 and the above is said to be a likeness of the young Chatterton. In the famous “dead” portrait of the poet by Henry Wallis, the model was the actor George Meredith.

As to Richard Oakley, he was living at Pen Park when the marriage of his only daughter Frances to Dr Robert H. Graham of Bath by the Rev Carrow MA took place at Westbury on Trym on September 18, 1827. It was announced in the press a few days later.

We can perhaps deduce that even at that stage Richard did not altogether approve of the match, though maybe gritted his teeth and smiled for show. By the time he made his will, 17th March the following year, it is clear that all was not well. He did not care at all for his son in law and the substantial sum left to Frances by way of annuity was “ not to be subject to his (Doctor Graham’s) debts, control or interference.” Graham was provided for however with a life interest should he survive Frances. The business of Frances’ inheritance took up much of the testament so that the other items almost seem tacked on: a bequest to his son, Edward Banner Oakley when he should reach the age of 26; mention of his “excellent and dearly loved wife” who had been “amply provided for under a will of Mrs Thompson”; his sister Elizabeth and brother in law Benjamin Hills whose children, Richard’s nephews and nieces, unnamed, were to be rewarded with 10 guineas each.

With the drafting of the will approved,  the scribe put down his quill,  the lawyer waited and his satisfied client rang a bell summoning three members of staff waiting patiently, even apprehensively, in the corridor. John Ham, the footman, Philip Mears, the coachman, and Elizabeth Ackland, a housemaid, all dutifully bowed or bobbed, signed as witnesses and the business was complete. It is nice to catch this glimpse of the below stairs staff at Pen Park in this way.

By July 24, 1828, relations between father in law and son in law had deteriorated further. Richard Oakley felt obliged to add a codicil to his will.

“in consequence of the unworthy treatment my daughter has received at the hands of Dr Graham I do hereby revoke the bequest of a life estate interest in the event of his surviving my daughter and revoke power of appointment given him amongst the children of their marriage and entirely exclude (him) from any meddling in my affairs.”

It  would be interesting to know whether Robert Graham was the villain he seems. Whatever “the truth” a son and daughter Joanna and Gerald were born of the marriage. The son, Gerald Graham won the VC in the Crimean War!

Following the worry about his daughter’s happiness, Richard seems to have found solace in gardening. At the Bristol Horticultural Show in June 1829 he won second prize for his grapes and went even better in August the same year, being placed first for his artichokes.

Richard died at Wigmore, Herefordshire on November 17, 1832, though he is stated in the Gentleman’s Magazine notice to be of Pen Park, near Bristol.  There is a memorial plaque at Wigmore erected by his widow Mary who died July 3, 1838 at Oswaldkirk, Yorkshire.

A Thomas Cobham esquire was living at Pen Park on December 29, 1838 when the birth of his daughter was announced. Sadly, this baby, Blanche Elizabeth died aged 10 months in November 1839. The birth of another daughter was announced on July 11, 1840.  Thomas Cobham did not stay long. He moved with his family to Devon and Pen Park was put up for sale in 1841.

The above is merely a summary of the genealogy of the Oakley family and their connection to Pen Park. If anyone is related to this family which belongs to Wigmore, Lambeth as well as Pen Park, Bristol I will be pleased to pass on further information.

Obituaries of Bristol mariners and their families in Bristol Gazette, 1844/45 & Bristol Mercury (BM), 1844

Captain AYSH, died of apoplexy, en route to Dublin, formerly of Africa trade. (19.12.44)

William BODY. chief mate of barque “Congo” en route to Africa, 21st October 1844, aged 27. (14.8.45)

Ellen CUNDY. On June 2nd aged 7 years, Ellen youngest daughter of the Late Mr John CUNDY, master mariner, of this port. (BM 8.6.44)

Captain E. DOBLE of “Ness”, aged 39, twenty years in the service of Baillie and Evans. (19.6.45)

Thomas DUNN, son of Mr Dunn, baker of Bristol, aged 29, died June 6th 1844, due to the upsetting of his ship, “Delphos”, Liverpool on North West Coast. (12.6.45)

Thomas R. GRIFFITHS, mariner, late mate of the ship “George” of this port, died Dec 30th 1843, aged 34. (BM 6.1.44)

Captain George HOLLAND aged 28, of the “John Cabot” died June 5th of consumption, off Africa Coast. (15.8.44)

Captain John JONES, died March 25th en route Mauritius-London, “Anna” of Bristol. (10.7.45)

Sarah JONES. Sarah, wife of J. Jones, mariner, aged 30, most affectionate wife and mother leaving a husband and three children to deplore their loss. (31.7.45)

Maria SMITH, died May 8th aged 23, at Duke Street, of consumption, wife of Captain Thomas SMITH, “Pamona”, Bristol. (May, 1844)

Fanny WAGSTAFFE. Fanny, wife of Captain George Wagstaffe of this port. (30.10.45)