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.

Mary Dafter was employed by the Newtons of Barrs Court (who were rarely at home) as their steward – remarkable in itself for the time – and wrote to her master or mistress on a weekly basis for ten years between 1713 and 1723 with the nitty gritty business details of the workings of a large estate. Mary’s letters are preserved at the Gloucester Record Office and a transcription came into my possession following the untimely death of Mollie Ashley of the Kingswood Local History Society. This correspondence is a story in itself, but during a period when Mary was at her wit’s end, she unburdened herself to her employers with the personal details of her life. What they thought is not preserved. The family background is as follows:

Thomas Dafter, a yeoman of "Wollen" (i.e. Oldland in the parish of Bitton) in Gloucestershire, took out a marriage licence on 8th November 1684 to marry Mary Pollen, of St Augustine’s, Bristol. (The groom's parish is given as "Woolastone?, Glos" in the published version of Bristol Marriage Licence Bonds, which is incorrect.) The marriage was to be in the bride's parish church.

Their sons John, William and Thomas were born during the next few years and Mary Pollen must have died sometime in 1690 or early 1691 for Thomas senior obtained a licence on 30th May 1691 to take a second wife, Mary Davis, again of St Augustine's parish. Mary Davis would become the Mary Dafter of the letters. The bondsman to the licence was Richard Davies, of Bitton, clothier, who made his mark on the document. This Richard Davies or Davis was the father of the bride.

Thomas and Mary II had two children, Mary, baptised on 17th April 1692 who grew up to marry Joseph Long, Richard, born ca 1701 and Sarah.

Thomas Dafter of Barr’s Court made his will in 1713 leaving his “dear wife” his goods and estate with instructions to bring up their daughter Sarah until she was 21 or married whichever was first and after his wife’s  decease the estate was to go to his son Richard.  His daughter Mary Long was to receive £50, as was Sarah when she became 21. The bequests to the elder sons were £20 to John, a token sum of twenty shillings to William (he was to be let off his debt of £25 which he had borrowed from his father the year before ) and £20 to Thomas.

Thomas Dafter senior duly died and Mary took over his business as steward at Barr’s Court.

HER GREAT TROUBLE began on 17th December 1720, when she wrote:

"It is a very sickly time here. I thank God that I and my family is all pretty well at present. Mr Liddiart is dead this week; he was sick about a fortnight and some days was taken with shivering fits and vomiting."

On 19th April 1721, she apologised for not writing sooner, as "my father have been very ill and I was in great fear I should have lost him, but now I thank God he is able to ride out again." Richard Davis, though now a very old man, (he had been born about the year 1638) was obviously a great support to Mary.

On 10^th June she reported the death of a Mrs Warner (or Wornell), and said three heriots were due, but she had so far failed to collect them……and then the bombshell drops: "I should have gone before this, but she is next neighbour to Mrs Liddiart and she and I are now at a great dispute for my son courts her, or else she courts him. I have got very good gentlemen to try and break it, but I find it has gone too far before I knowed of it. My greatest reason that I upgate (sic) against it is the disagreeable (sic) of age for she is now 43 years and he is going in 21 years. I thank God he have a very good character and be need not to (have) wanted a wife according to his age but what God have ordered it shall be whether for a cross or comfort. She is counted a very sharp, sensible woman, but I think comes short in this."

On 26th July, Mary had been busy with the hay harvest, made more difficult owing to "my son being from me about this intended disagreeable matter." The happy couple had apparently asked her to baby-sit whilst they got married, for she notes crossly "Liddiard's son have had the small pox so that I could not suffer him to come to me in the house on my account and some of the servants, but now the child is well."

Richard Dafter, described "yeoman of Bitton", duly took out a licence in Bristol, to marry Martha Lydiard, of St Philip & St Jacob, Bristol, with his half brother John, a cooper of St Peter's, as bondsman, (and more of him later). The happy couple were married at St Augustine’s which seems to have been the family’s favourite church on 12th September 1721.

October 14^th, and Richard Davis was ill again: "I must beg your pardon for not writing sooner but my father have been very ill this 6 weeks but I thank God he is got up again, though very weak, but I am glad to keep him (even) if it is in his chair."

On December 2nd, she appended a postscript, (with which most of us who have children can readily identify): "I beg the favour to let one of your servants write a line to Frances Lewton which is Madam Archer's under cook’s-maid, and to tell her that her mother takes it very undutiful that she have never sent to her since she have been gone."  I hope the wretched Frances responded and put her mother’s mind at rest.

Mary makes no mention of the fact that Richard and Mrs Lydiard were now married though she refers to her son riding out on her behalf, so she had decided to grin and bear it. In April 1722, Richard engages with Squire Trye, the local Justice of the Peace, to prosecute a gang of robbers who among other depredations in the district had stripped the lead from the roof at Barr's Court, and stolen several horses from Mary herself. She names three men, King, Kanton & Harvor and says briskly that they were hanged but another called, Fortis and two women were transported. Although Fortis was condemned with the rest, she says he, "met a great friend in Squire Trye and in my son", and they spoke up for him. "His mother was a cook to my old master many years and is now very sensible among her neighbours when they be sick and no-one can accuse her of anything of these crimes, so her son have friends for her sake."

In this month too, Mary gets handed a parish orphan, one of a family of four, "from poor honest parents. The grandmother was my lady's washerwoman….I desire to know whether I shall take to him. It is a sprake (sprack) boy, but he is but small. Mr Merredith have gave him some clothes once, but that is gone and he is all in lice and rags."

By January 15^th 1723, Mary wanted to discuss personal business with Sir John Newton, even suggesting a visit to London, but he vetoed the idea. She wrote "As for my coming up to London, I should have been very glad if you would have admitted me to come; the reason is my son was of age the 12^th February last and he was left joint executor with me and is willing to have something from me and would willingly come to Barr's Court to take to the business if your Honor please, which I am very willing and nothing shall be wanting in me to assist him, provided we can agree on terms and we have a discharge from him, which I have no friend but your Honor to advise me, because I am not willing anyone should know my circumstances." These were not in a very good state, for she goes on, "My son do not know how things lie and I am not willing his wife shall know nothing of it. I have praised my stock and do find myself near the same as when my husband died. It would have been better but everything runs very low with renters. This five or six years have had bad crops and this year have lost by sheep near £40 by a bane which was general with us."

February 17^th 1723

"….as for my son coming to Barr's Court to assist me, he is very compliable to do what your Honor and I shall desire. I do want him very much, my father being ancient and cannot ride out as he did, and though he (the son) is young he understands the business very well and he never was undutiful till this unfortunate match."

November 11^th 1723

"I am still in a great deal of trouble. My son have been very ill and he and I have not put things right between us relating to his father's will. We had deferred ourselves to Squire Trye to end all disputes between but he is much biased by a wife and she have had an own councillor and I feel she will not let him agree to it. I fear that my family and myself will be ruined……there are a great many loopholes for trouble…I must rely on your Honor to advise me. I have no other friend in the world…".

January 8^th 1724

"My father is taken very ill that I have been up with him all night and day. My daughter have lay in and been very bad. I feared I should have lost them both but thank God both is better but very weak still."

February 26^th 1724

"I am ill with a swelling in my face occasioned by a cold, unable to hold up to do business."

April 19^th 1724

"Very ill again this month, and more like an ague and fever, but now this week, I thank God, much better."

July 25^th 1724

"My son and I not agreed as yet. Once more proposed to put it into Squire Trye's hands. It is agreed to be done soon after the fair if his wife do not alter her mind."

October 7^th 1724

"My son & I have not agreed and I am afraid never shall, for through a wicked instrument he proposeth unreasonable."

November 4^th 1724

"My son is very bad and like to die and my friend Squire Trye is once more a trying to make up our business which is the greatest trouble I ever knew and I think my son have laid to heart what he have done, but still being biased by a wife he do not consent yet to reasonable terms."

November 18^th 1724

"My dear son is dead the 12^th of this instant and I cannot express my trouble, but I desire I must go to him, for he cannot return to me. As soon as I compose myself, I shall go on with my accounts. I cannot tell you how his wife will deal with me which is a trouble because we had not agreed before his death."

(Richard Dafter was buried at Bitton, November 15^th 1724.)

November 30^th 1724

"Squire Edwards & Mr Offield both in London and I am waiting to have them advise me on my husband's will to know what was my son's right and where there is not the survivorship belonging to me by reason there has been no contract between us since he was of age. My son have made a will and made his wife executrix so she is very urgent to know his right so she is best to administer for she have been and is still to get what she could from me."

And now, there was even more trouble for Mary's stepson was in prison for debt.

"John Dafter my son in law, severely used by his creditors and no-one can say but that he is an honest man, and have a good trade as a cooper, free of Bristol, but having the misfortune that belongs to our family. Not having a good wife to manage what he gets to the right use occasions this confinement. The debt is but £10 but they have proceeded in law in his absence at sea, and it is amounted to £25. I have employed Mr Edward his clerk to see if he can bring it to some compassion."

December 16^th 1724

Opinions of legal men were sought about Mary's dispute with her daughter in law, but Mary thinks "…the case is back on my side. I do know he have had from me more than his right but I have nought to show for all he have had…. my son's widow is not respected by poor nor rich for her ruining such a boy and she have brought the debts that was with Will Liddiard's (her previous husband) that she created to be my son's now, so I fear it will be very hard on us, but I shall trust in God in the midst of my trouble will remember poor Mary and deliver me out of the Lion's Mouth".

December 19^th 1724

"As to my son in law John Dafter, he is still soliciting me to work for his redemption. I have employed Mr Edward, his clerk and he have brought the whole debt and law suit that amounted to £28 and his creditor now being in want and is in confinement in the goal (sic) with him (!) Now he will take £14 and £4 is due for his fees and debts in the prison, so £18 the whole to clear him out. I have been helpful to my husband's former children according to my ability and to do more is to give that as is not mine. Their father was a good husband to me and I cannot say that his former children was but very respectful to me, so was I of ability, I would soon have him out, but my troubles is now so great."

January 20^th 1725

As relating to my son-in-law in prison, I have offered two months ago £10 to release him, but they will not take under £14, besides his (keep?) in the prison. I am informed there is an Act of Grace that will come out for debtors in a little time, but that was in Midsummer last. The keeper have offered to take his note for his debtor which makes it. I desire your Honor's advice in this. "

(Nothing further is heard about John Dafter. I am somehow doubtful that Sir John put his hand in his pocket.)

March 13^th 1725

I am to wait on Squire Edward on Monday next about the Bond of Ward between my son's widow and me and I hope he will end it."

April 14^th 1725

But the meeting was postponed … (as legal proceedings always are)… "Squire Edward have sent for me this day and I am now going to wait on him to see to the bond that is between my son's widdow and me to be ended by the 1^st day of May next. Her lawyer have been out of town and would do nothing on it."

April 24^th 1725.

Squire Edward tells Mary her troublesome business is not ended, "they brought it to the threshold of the door and then stumbled". (again, Plus ca change)

May 26th 1725

"Squire Edward have not ended my troublesome business as yet."

June 23^rd 1725

"My dear father I have lost this last Sunday which was aged 87 years, had but 3 days sickness, the tenderest father that ever child had, and as good a Christian, in that I do comfort myself that he have reaped what he have sowed from his youth."

August 16th 1725

"Squire Edward is very sensible on the account he have to make up with my son's widow, that he have hurted me very much and this last 3 years have been so dry that it have pulled me back. I have a good stock of old wheat which will now bear 5s 6d - 6s a bushel which I will make out and other money I expect to raise and as fast as possible will pay it in. I have always ate the bread of carefulness."

September 13^th 1725

"….I am mighty busy it being a catchly time and likewise with my son's widow, she now threatens me that she will come to your Honor to inform you of all the affairs and then she will prefer her bill and swear herself not to be worth £5, and to have her law for nothing, suing under the King. I hope God will in his good time deliver me out of her hands, is my daily prayers."

October 20^th 1725

"I have been very ill with a pain in my side. My adversary threatens me with a bill in Chancery. I sent to Squire Edward and told him my circumstances that I had no money and he professed himself extremely kind. He said that it had not cost me much and it should not, for he will take care of it to my satisfaction."

December 1^st 1725

"I have paid in to Squire Edward the 30^th November £50, and I hope to pay in next week £100 more, for I am making out of old wheat and other stock to raise money. I am to wait on Squire Edward on Saturday to give him the best account I can relative to my encumbrances which it would not have been so with me had I not had three bad years together and likewise an undutiful child in my son being biast by a wife which hath hurted me very much."

April 9^th 1726

"My daughter is a widow and liveth with me and is my right hand to assist me, which was the same when her father was living, being brought up to keep the markets, which I hope your Honor will not dislike of, for she is a careful industrious woman which is a great comfort to me being left a widow so young."

(Mary Long had four children, a daughter of 11, and sons of 9, 6 and 2. The nine-year-old had been taken "at reasonable rates by the week to give him learning" by a Minister in Bristol, and he came home every Saturday. The baby had been ill, with what was thought to be small pox, but turned out to be measles. On April 23rd, he was still "very weakly, and I question his life for a fever attend him every day".)

Things went from bad to worse. Mary was on the verge of a breakdown. On August 13^th 1726, she wrote a begging letter to Sir John:

"Hon'd Sir

I waited on Squire Edward yesterday when he gave me an account of your Honor's orders which is such a trouble to me. I humbly beg of your Honor that you would not expose my trouble to the world and that you would be pleased with the bowels of compassion to look on the widows and fatherless children and you let me continue to be your steward, if not to be a tenant which have been always just and will to the end. I always depended that your Honor would let me continue in it in my lifetime and at my death which cannot be too long in this trouble, my daughter shall be bound to see to everything……and I shall make her sensible of all your business that you may not lose none of your of your rights, for she is an honest careful woman and no-one will say other, but my adversary which have been my great ruin. If your Honor is not pleased that she shall stay with me, she will go back into Bristol or some other place as soon as she can get a convenient place which I thought should not have parted from me but death. I always comforted myself in all my troubles of your kind letter at my husband's death. I cannot tell what to say more, but that my husband often said in a bad year that he had a good master and when you went from Barr's Court that you left a charge to him to be just and his answer was that he would be as true as your own heart to you, and that he did believe that your Honor would never let him want, nor his, which I have and shall be the same, if may be permitted, and if I perish it shall be at your Honor's feet, is all from your almost broken hearted and dutiful servant to death, Mary Dafter. "

On the same date , Mary wrote to Lady Newton, begging her to intercede, to let her and her daughter try for one more year: "parting from my daughter is tearing one limb from the other…..I am almost at my wits end."

In the event she was relieved of her post, but seems to have been compensated in some way, for she writes thanking Sir John for his goodness, and "that I shall always walk worthy of so great a favour. I agree with your Honor that it is not proper for me to continue on the farm, being but a woman and I had never attempted so great affairs had it not been for your goodness to entrust me with your stock, and was persuaded to it for the good of my son, which now he and his wife have been my ruin. I shall conform to your Honor's command and what Squire Edward would have me do in everything and shall always be ready to serve your Honor's interest what lieth in me even if it was to lay down my life."

And then as usual, she goes back to business, She has sent a box to London, carriage paid to be picked up in Piccadilly. Good news that the level where Mr Good and Squire Player have been prospecting for coal is blown up (!) and that the tenant Nicholls, is coming in the middle of the month to have his lease made. At which she finishes as always, "with my hearty prayers for your Honor's health and my good Lady's, I am your dutiful servant to command, Mary Dafter.

The family gravestone in Bitton churchyard reads: Thomas, son of Joseph & Mary Long, and grandson of Thomas & Mary Dafter, died 7.2.1761 aged 41, Mary Bartlett, daughter of Joseph & Mary Long, died 15.10.1760 aged 46, Richard Davis of Oldland, died 29.6.1725 aged 85, Sarah, wife of Richard, died 6.6.1671, Eleanor wife of said Richard Davis, d. 12.5.1696.

Mary’s younger daughter Sarah evidently did not live to be twenty one. If there were memorial stones to Richard and Martha Dafter, Joseph and Mary Long, to Thomas Dafter and either of his two Marys, they did not survive.

Mary Dafter of Barr’s Court made her will on the 5th April 1730 leaving her granddaughter Mary Long (Mary Bartlett, above) a “silver caudle cupp which cup holds about three pints and is markt with three letters, T. D. & C. also the silver cover thereto belonging” and several pieces of land in Bitton when she reached the age of twenty one. All the rest and residue of real and personal estate was left to her daughter, Mary Long, widow and relict of Joseph Long, of Bristol, mariner and also to be executrix.  Mary Dafter died in 1734 and Mary Long proved the will on 15th July that year.  The will may be found at Gloucester Record Office under reference D2957/47/5.

Of Mary’s bitter adversity, her son’s widow, Martha Dafter, I have no further information.

The Mansion at Barr’s Court was burnt down in a later era and all that remains is the moat. http://moat1.homestead.com/homepage.html