Gentleman of Reading. Mayor of Reading 1685 and later J.P.
Richard married Susannah ——— 1. Susannah ——— died in 1688 1.
Their children were:
2 F i. Elinor Johnson 1 was born in 1656 1 and died in 1659 1.
+ 3 M ii. Samuel Johnson 1 was born on 4 May 1659 1 and died in 1691 1.
4 F iii. Mary Johnson 1 was born in 1662 1 and was baptized on 22 Dec 1662 in St. Lawrence, Reading, Berkshire 2.
Mary married William Lake 1.
5 F iv. Susannah Johnson 1 was born in 1666 1 and died in 1666 1.
Second Generation
Gentleman of Reading 1
Samuel married Susan Webb.
Their children were:
+ 6 M i. Revd. Samuel Johnson 3 was born on 2 Jan 1685/86 in Reading, Berkshire 3,4 and died on 13 May 1745 in Great Torrington, Devon 5.
7 M ii. Richard Johnson 1 was born in 1687 1 and died in 1688 1.
8 M iii. William Johnson 1 was born in 1688 1 and died <1765> 1.
Of Chippenham
9 M iv. John Johnson 1 was born in 1689 1 and was baptized on 28 Oct 1689 in St Lawrence Church, Reading, Berkshire 2.
10 M v. Richard Johnson 1 was born in 1690 1, died in 1755 1 and was buried in Great Torrington, Devon 1.
Richard married Mary Hiern 1. Mary Hiern died in 1744 1 and was buried in Great Torrington, Devon 1.
Third Generation
Perpetual Curate of Great Torrington and Rector of Little Torrington
Eade-Kyte Page 816
Johnson, Samuel, s. Sam., of Reading, Berks, gent. CHRIST CHURCH, matric. 25 Jan 1702-3, aged 17; B.A. 1706, M.A. 1710; born at Reading 2 Jan 1685-6, vicar of Great Torrington, Devon 1713, rector of Little Torrington 1719, until his death 10 March 1745-6. See Rawl. v. 405, xvii. 343, xix. 280, & Foster's Index Eccl. 4,6
Samuel married Jane Skinner 3 on 2 May 1714 in Saint Edmunds, Exeter, Devon 2. Jane Skinner was baptized on 12 Jul 1696 in Great Torrington, Devon 2 and died on 28 Jun 1778 in Great Torrington, Devon 3.
Their children were:
11 F i. Mary Johnson 6 was born on 11 Feb 1715/16 7 and died in 1727 6.
She never married.
12 M ii. John Johnson was born in Jan 1718/19 and died on 19 Jul 1719 in Great Torrington, Devon.
13 M iii. Revd. Samuel Johnson 8 was baptized on 17 Jun 1720 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 9 and died on 8 Aug 1746 10.
Perpetual Curate of Frithelstock
14 F iv. Joanna Johnson was born on 4 May 1722 in Great Torrington, Devon, died on 18 May 1722 in Great Torrington, Devon and was buried on 20 May 1722 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 11.
+ 15 M v. Richard Johnson 6 was baptized on 13 May 1723 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 12.
+ 16 M vi. William Johnson 6 was born <1726> in Great Torrington, Devon, died on 15 Nov 1793 in Great Torrington, Devon and was buried on 22 Nov 1793 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 13.
+ 17 M vii. Daniel Johnson 6 was buried on 16 Oct 1789 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 15.
18 F viii. Frances Johnson 6.
Frances married Cawley 6.
19 F ix. Dorothy Johnson .
20 F x. Sarah Johnson .
21 F xi. Patience Johnson 6.
She never married.
22 F xii. Jane Johnson 7.
died at the age of 85
She never married.
Fourth Generation
Surgeon/Apothecary of Exeter 6
Richard married Loveday Courtice on 19 Jun 1758 in Sidmouth, Devon 2,6.
Richard next married Elizabeth Sesse 2 on 2 Nov 1763 in Ottery Saint Mary, Devon 2. Elizabeth Sesse was baptized on 11 Jun 1740 in Ottery Saint Mary, Devon 2 and died in 1804 16 Another name for Elizabeth was Martha Sess.
Their children were:
23 M i. Samuel Johnson 6.
Samuel married ——— Butler.
24 M ii. Capt. John Sesse Johnson 6 was baptized on 18 Sep 1765 in Ottery Saint Mary, Devon 2.
He never married.
25 F iii. Elizabeth Johnson 2 was baptized on 29 Sep 1766 in Ottery Saint Mary, Devon.
26 M iv. William Johnson 6, died in 1868 6.
27 F v. Mary Johnson 6.16. William Johnson 6 was born <1726> in Great Torrington, Devon, died on 15 Nov 1793 in Great Torrington, Devon and was buried on 22 Nov 1793 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 13.
Mayor of Great Torrington 1757-58, 1764-5, 1772-73 and 1792-93. 17
William married Elizabeth Reynolds 6,18, daughter of Revd. Samuel Reynolds and Theophila Potter, on 7 Jan 1753 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 14. Elizabeth was born in 1720 18 and was buried on 18 May 1800 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 19.
Their children were:
28 M i. Revd. Samuel Johnson 6 was baptized on 20 Feb 1754 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 20, died on 13 Mar 1778 in Great Torrington, Devon 21 and was buried on 16 Mar 1778 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 22,23. The cause of his death was consumption.
Reynolds Exhibitioner of Exeter[or Pembroke] College, Oxford 24
He never married.
+ 29 M ii. William Johnson was baptized on 10 Sep 1755 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 25, died on 4 May 1799 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 26 and was buried in South Park Street Burial Ground, Calcutta.
+ 30 F iii. Elizabeth Johnson 6 was baptized on 17 Dec 1756 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 29 and died in 1841 6.
31 M iv. Richard Johnson 30 was baptized on 24 Feb 1758 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 31 and died in India.
Went out to India and he is believed to have become an indigo grower. He died there.
+ 32 F v. Mary Johnson 6 was baptized on 21 Aug 1759 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 32, died on 10 Dec 1845 in Great Torrington, Devon 33,34 and was buried in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 34.
+ 33 F vi. Frances Johnson 6 was baptized on 25 Nov 1762 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 35.
34 F vii. Jane Johnson 6 was baptized on 30 May 1764 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 36, died in Jun 1782 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 37 and was buried on 15 Jun 1782 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 38.
Jane married Phillip Yonge 6 <1781>. Phillip was born <1755> 39 and died on 21 Dec 1788 39.
17. Daniel Johnson 6 was buried on 16 Oct 1789 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 15.Jane next married Phillip Yonge 6, son of Revd. Henry Yonge, <1781>. Phillip was born <1755> 39 and died on 21 Dec 1788 39.
Apothecary and Mayor of Great Torrington in the years 1767-68, 1774-75, 1780-81 and 1786-87. 16,17
Daniel married Bridget Cory 6, daughter of Revd. John Cory and Dorothy, <1764> 6. Bridget Cory was baptized on 18 Apr 1740 in Marhamchurch, Cornwall 40 and was buried on 15 May 1791 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 9.
Their children were:
35 F i. Bridget Johnson was born on 3 Sep 1765 in Great Torrington, Devon, was baptized on 2 Oct 1765 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 41 and was buried on 27 Aug 1767 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 42.
She never married.
36 M ii. Daniel Johnson 6 was born on 14 Mar 1767 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 9 Apr 1767 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 43, died on 12 Sep 1835 6,44 and was buried in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 45.
Surgeon H.E.I.C 1805-1809; author of "Sketches Field Sports as followed by the Natives of India" (1822) the frontispiece of which was taken from a drawing by his niece, Anne Elizabeth Palmer, later Mrs W. E. Price. 46
Daniel married Penelope Phipps. Penelope was born <1776> 47, died on 22 Mar 1814 47 and was buried in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 47.
37 F iii. Bridget Johnson 6 was born on 27 Oct 1768 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 23 Nov 1768 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 48 and was buried on 26 Apr 1789 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 49.
She never married.
38 F iv. Dorothy Johnson 6 was baptized on 12 Sep 1770 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 50 and was buried on 21 Nov 1779 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 51.
She never married.
+ 39 F v. Jane Johnson 6 was born on 31 Oct 1772 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 26 Nov 1772 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 52 and died on 5 Apr 1843 6.
40 M vi. John Johnson 6 was born on 12 Aug 1775 in Great Torrington, Devon 6 and was buried on 2 Jan 1808 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 53.
He never married.
41 M vii. Samuel Johnson was born on 14 Oct 1777 in Great Torrington, Devon 54, was baptized on 21 Nov 1777 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 55 and died <1795>.
He never married.
42 F viii. Dorothy Johnson 6 was born in 1779 6.
There is no record of a Johnson called Dorothy being baptised in Great Torrington in 1779 or in the years either side of that date. It is possible that the burial entry for the Dorothy who died in Nov 1779 has been mistaken as a baptismal entry for another child for this family.
+ 43 M ix. Charles William Johnson 16 was born on 3 Oct 1780 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 18 Dec 1780 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 56, died on 21 Sep 1854 in 42 South Street, Great Torrington, Devon 16,57 and was buried on 25 Sep 1854 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon.
44 F x. Sarah Johnson was born on 22 Jan 1784 in Great Torrington, Devon 54, was baptized on 16 Nov 1784 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 59 and was buried on 2 Nov 1806 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 60.
She never married.
Fifth Generation
William was an Attorney at Law and Clerk to the Crown in the Supreme Court of Judicature of the Bengal Establishment.
"Clerk to the Crown" was the person who framed and read indictments against public offenders; a sort of state prosecutor 61
William married Anna Maria Theresia Tolly 6, daughter of Col William Tolly, on 12 Jan 1788 in Fort William, Bengal, India 27,28.
Their children were:
45 F i. Elizabeth Mary Anne Johnson 62 was born on 11 Oct 1789 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 62 and was baptized on 12 Jan 1790 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 63.
She never married.
46 F ii. Frances Reynolds Johnson 64 was born on 20 Aug 1793 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 64, was baptized on 12 Jan 1794 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 65 and died in 1853 in Devon 66.
Fanny married Revd. Robert Charles Kitson 67,70 on 5 Dec 1837 in Rattery, Devon 67,68,69. Robert was born <1801> in St Mary Church, Devon and died on 25 Mar 1866 in The Vicarage, Dean Prior, Devon 71.
1. Probate Granted: 7 Aug 1866, Exeter 72. Effects under £5,000
+ 47 M iii. Revd. Joshua Reynolds Johnson 67,73 was born on 8 Sep 1797 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 73, was baptized on 12 Jan 1798 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 74, died on 13 Dec 1841 in The Vicarage, Rattery, Devon 75 and was buried on 20 Dec 1841 in St Mary's Churchyard, Rattery, Devon 76.
48 F iv. Theresa Johnson 76 was born on 9 Sep 1799 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, India 76, died on 14 Jan 1875 76 and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Rattery, Devon 77.
30. Elizabeth Johnson 6 was baptized on 17 Dec 1756 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 29 and died in 1841 6.She never married.
Betsey married Revd. William Deane 6. Revd. William Deane died in 1818 6.
Their children were:
+ 49 M i. Anthony William Johnson Deane 2 was born <1800> and died on 26 Jul 1851 in Okehampton, Devon 78.
Mary married Revd. Peter Wellington Furse 6,79, son of Philip Furse and Grace Wellington, <1789> 6. Revd. Peter Wellington Furse was baptized on 23 Dec 1755 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2, died on 8 Feb 1832 6,79 and was buried in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 80.
Their children were:
50 F i. Theresa Johnson Furse 16,58 was born <Jul 1790>, was baptized on 28 Aug 1790 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2 and died on 30 Jul 1851 in Sidmouth, Devon 81.
Theresa married Charles William Johnson 16, son of Daniel Johnson and Bridget Cory, on 5 Sep 1811 16,58. Charles was born on 3 Oct 1780 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, baptized on 18 Dec 1780 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 56, died on 21 Sep 1854 in 42 South Street, Great Torrington, Devon 16,57 and was buried on 25 Sep 1854 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon.
For more details about Charles, see 43 below
51 M ii. Wellington Furse was baptized on 15 Oct 1791 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2.
He never married.
+ 52 F iii. Elizabeth Furse 6 was baptized on 1 Feb 1793 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2 and died in 1876.
53 M iv. John Henry Furse 84 was born in 1795 79, died on 1 Aug 1854 in Halsdon, Dolton, Devon 79,85 and was buried in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 86.
33. Frances Johnson 6 was baptized on 25 Nov 1762 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 35.John married Anna Sophia Buller 6, daughter of Revd. Richard Buller and Anna Sophia Marshall, on 18 Jun 1831 in Saint Peter's Cathedral, Exeter, Devon 3. Anna Sophia Buller was baptized on 20 Apr 1802 in Colyton, Devon 87 and died in 1872 6.
Fanny married Revd. William Yonge 88, son of Revd. Henry Yonge. William was born <1753> 88 and died on 2 Dec 1845 in Swaffham, Norfolk 88.
Their children were:
54 M i. Revd. William Johnson Yonge 6 was born on 15 Oct 1785 in Great Torrington, Devon 88, was baptized on 20 Dec 1785 88 and died on 2 May 1875 88.
Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Chaplain of Rockbourne, Hants.
William married Elizabeth Furse 6, daughter of Revd. Peter Wellington Furse and Mary Johnson. Elizabeth Furse was baptized on 1 Feb 1793 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2 and died in 1876.
+ 55 F ii. Eliza Yonge 67.
56 F iii. Charlotte Yonge 67.
Charlotte married Revd. William Dowell 67. William was born <1783> and died on 1 Mar 1826.
57 F iv. Fanny Yonge
She never married.
58 F v. Jane Yonge 89.
+ 59 F vi. Emily Yonge 89 was born <1795> 89 and died on 1 Feb 1882 89.
60 F vii. Caroline Sarah Yonge 89.
Caroline married Captain John Pyke, R.N. 89 on 18 May 1827 90. John was born <1795> 90.
39. Jane Johnson 6 was born on 31 Oct 1772 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 26 Nov 1772 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 52 and died on 5 Apr 1843 6.
1. Naval Service: 1810-1858, Various places. Entered the Navy on 7 Jul 1810; Midshipman, 7 Aug 1816; Lieutenant, 18 Nov 1821; Commander, 28 Nov 1841; Captain, 15 Aug 1858.
Jane married Revd. John Palmer 91, son of John Palmer and Mary Reynolds, <1798>. Revd. John Palmer was baptized on 7 Nov 1752 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 92 and died on 17 Feb 1827 91.
Their children were:
61 M i. John Nicholas Palmer 93 was born in 1799 93 and died on 8 Dec 1858 93.
62 M ii. Revd. Charles Edward Palmer 93 was born on 17 Sep 1800 93.
63 M iii. Robert Samuel Palmer 94 was born on 16 Mar 1802 94.
Robert married Anna Maria Deane Spread 94 on 15 Oct 1835 in Dover 94. Anna Maria Deane Spread died on 1 Dec 1867 94.
64 M iv. Sir James Frederick Palmer 95 was born on 27 Jun 1803 95 and died on 23 Apr 1871 in Melbourne, Victoria 95.
Was the first President of the Legislative Council of Victoria, Australia in 1856. 96
James married Isbella Gunning 94.
65 M v. Albert Johnson Palmer 95 was born on 27 Jun 1803 95 and died on 23 Apr 1882 95.
He never married.
66 F vi. Betsy Palmer 95 was born on 2 Jan 1794 95.
She never married.
67 F vii. Mary Palmer 95 was born on 28 Feb 1795 95, died on 3 Jun 1860 95 and was buried in Greenwich Hospital Cemetery, Greenwich 95.
Mary married Captain Thomas Colby, R.N. 95,97 on 26 Apr 1826 97. Thomas was born on 6 Jan 1782 in Great Torrington, Devon 97 and died on 21 Sep 1864 in Great Torrington, Devon 97.
68 F viii. Anne Elizabeth Palmer 95 was born on 28 Jun 1797 95 and died on 24 Nov 1848 95.
Anne married William E Price 95.
69 F ix. Louisan Jane Palmer 95 was born in 1807 95.
She never married.
70 F x. Clara Jane Palmer 95 was born on 15 Dec 1811 95.
43. Charles William Johnson 16 was born on 3 Oct 1780 in Great Torrington, Devon 6, was baptized on 18 Dec 1780 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 56, died on 21 Sep 1854 in 42 South Street, Great Torrington, Devon 16,57 and was buried on 25 Sep 1854 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon.Clara married Edward Pearce.
After their mother died in 1791 Charles and the other younger members of the family were looked after by relatives in Great Torrington, probably the Palmers -- not a happy time by all accounts -- but Charles eventually escaped to India in 1797, aged 17; sailing from Portsmouth on the "Montrose".
India was an obvious choice for Charles, being a younger son and with out much prospect in Great Torrington, India held out the opportunity of making a fortune and, besides, Charles had a very successful older first cousin there in William Johnson (Clerk to the Crown — Public Prosecutor — in Calcutta) and his elder brother, Daniel, who was later a surgeon with the H.I.E.C., may also have been out there at that time, as well.
Charles made his fortune, either producing or trading in indigo which at that time was the only source of blue dye and, consequently, a very valuable commodity; he returned home to Portsmouth aboardthe "Lady Lushington" c.1810 . He then went back to Great Torrington, bought two adjacent houses in South Street and preceded to join them together internally, and externally at the rear with an extremely handsome, covered balcony most of which remains to this day (1999). It was here at No 42 South Street that he lived for the rest his days.
He seems to have led the life of a gentleman on his return to Great Torrington and, apart from his stints as Mayor and Chief Magistrate, seems to have devoted himself to keeping his fortune intact and sorting out the affairs of his kinsfolk, of which there were many, and neighbours. His son, William, wrote of him to a friend, 20 years after his death, saying "My father was so wonderfully simple, guileless, industrious and unconsciously devoted to all sorts of tiresome little duties to be done for kinsfolk and neighbours. He could not speak, debate, moderate, advise, trim, prune men's minds as I can. But he could go on for twenty years mending or unravelling the broken or tangled threads of family £.s.d. matters, for poor gentlefolk, for the children of spendthrifts, for helpless maundering widows and spinsters."
Like his father, Charles was elected Mayor of Great Torrington on several occasions; he was Mayor under the Charters in 1819-20, 1825-26, 1833-34 and after the Municipal Reform Act , in 1837, 1841 and 1849. 16,99
1. Funeral: 25 Sep 1854, Great Torrington, Devon 82. Charles's funeral was reported in The North Devon Journal as follows:-
PUBLIC FUNERAL. — The inhabitants of this town, on Thursday last, mournfully felt that a public loss had been sustained by the borough in the death of C. W. Johnson Esq. This gentleman, who was in his early days a successful adventurer in India, after his return to this country, settled down in this place, where his public spirit, his active habits, his talent for business, and his high professional character, so won for him the good opinion of his fellow townsmen that, four times under the old municipal system and three times under the new, they conferred on him the highest honour they could bestow by making him their chief magistrate. The corporation, therefore, felt that it became them, on the death of so distinguished a member of their body, to mark the respect they entertained for his character and career, by attending his remains to the "house appointed for all living." Mr. Johnson is extensively known throughout the Northern division of the county, he having been the auditor to the Unions from their formation to within a few months of his death, when illness compelled him to resign his post. The funeral took place on Monday last, at noon, the deceased gentlemen being buried in the churchyard by the side of his beloved wife who had gone down to those "chambers" before him. There was nothing of the "pomp of death" at this funeral; all was chased, solemn, and becoming. The procession of was numerous and respectable; the clergy walked at the head, then the Mayor and Town Council, preceded by the beadles in their picturesque costume, the only uniforms worn. These were followed by the coffin, borne on men's shoulders. The mourners of the family came next, and then a numerous train of the clergy, and professional gentlemen of the town and neighbourhood, who were his personal friends, or respected his character. The funeral service was performed by the Rev. S. Buckland, the vicar. The psalms usually read on the solemn occasion were ably chanted by the choir, accompanied by the organ, at the express desire of the deceased. After the burial service was finished, a knell was rung on the bells.2. Probate Granted: 1 Nov 1854, Canterbury 83. Personal Estate: £14000
Charles married Theresa Johnson Furse 16,58, daughter of Revd. Peter Wellington Furse and Mary Johnson, on 5 Sep 1811 16,58. Theresa was born <Jul 1790>, baptized on 28 Aug 1790 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2 and died on 30 Jul 1851 in Sidmouth, Devon 81.
Their children were:
71 M i. John Furse Johnson 16,58 was born <1812> 16,58 and died on 18 Apr 1817 16,58.
He never married.
72 F ii. Sarah Elizabeth Johnson was born on 15 Feb 1817 100 and died on 1 Oct 1902 in Burridge, Sunningdale, Berkshire 101.
1. Probate Granted: 28 Oct 1902, London 102. Effects: £2585 9s 3d
She never married.
73 F iii. Mary Theresa Johnson was born on 23 Jun 1815 in Great Torrington, Devon, died on 19 Nov 1873 and was buried in Sutton Parish Church, Sutton, Suffolk. The cause of her death was meningitis.
Having two fairly illustrious brothers, Mary does not seem to have been given the prominence which is due to her, yet, in all probability, it is she who will survive in the general consciousness long after they are forgotten. She was an early settler in the pioneering days of New South Wales, a writer, a fine illustrator and painter, a translator, a "Dame", in all but name, of an Eton house and, last but not least, a mother of seven children.
It was probably due to her writing that some of the fortune lost in her and Francis's unsuccessful four years in Australia was recouped. Certainly, it was her connections with Eton (her brother William Johnson, later Cory, was an assistant master there and also ran a college boarding house) which enabled Francis to take over that boarding house from William in 1851 and establish the "Vidal" house in Old Christophers, in Eton High Street, which was to survive for 30 years, being run latterly by their eldest son, Furse, who took it on from 1865. Moreover, she brought to that part of the Vidal family the artistic and commercial talents (the latter seemingly being singularly absent) of the Johnsons and their forebears which later manifested themselves in her children and grandchildren. Above all else, she seems to have had a formidable energy and determination despite suffering, grievously, from Tic Douloureux for many years (see Medical Notes).
Mary will be best remembered for her novels, particularly her first, "Tales for the Bush", which was published in Sydney by D. L. Welch in 1844 in a series of eight, sixpenny monthly parts and which established her as one of the first women novelists in Australia to be published. She later went on to write ten other novels, some set in Australia and some in provincial England, of which the best known is, probably, "Bengala:, or Some Time Ago" which was published in London in 1860 by John W. Parker and Son. How these novels were received when they were first published in England is not known but "Bengala" was moderately well received in Australia in its time. Literary critics and historians of later years have not always been enthusiastic about her work but it is difficult to make a proper judgment 150 years on when tastes and mores have changed. Nevertheless, "Bengala", which was republished in Australia in 1990, still entertains in the year 2000, though its pace is, probably, a little too gentle for modern tastes.
Mary's biography in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, though it contains many factual errors, gives a good account of her work as a novelist and concludes: "To the student of Australian literature her works are of interest historically rather than as novels in their own right."
In 1996 the National Library of Australia acquired from the Vidal family in England, two miniatures of Mary and one of Francis together with a sketchbook of flower specimens. These have been added to their collection of memorabilia. The miniatures of Mary and Francis are believed to have been painted by her and copies of them have been used to provide the pictures of them in this section.
Of Mary's other achievements, perhaps her and Francis's Australian venture would appear the most challenging to modern eyes. The long sea voyage from Plymouth to Sydney with three small children, the oldest of which was 3½ and the youngest only one month, must have seemed very daunting even in those days, not to mention, the prospect becoming a settler in some untamed part of New South Wales. By all accounts, Mary's parents and family were concerned about the venture, no doubt not wanting to see her travel so far away and fearful of the hardships of the journey and the dangers, probably more perceived than real, of an existence in a penal colony. The voyage home cannot have been much better, Mary was nearly seven months pregnant with her sixth child on their return to Plymouth in June of 1845, and there were then five children to care for and amuse during the five months journey. At least she had the prospect of being reunited with her family to sustain her and a children's nurse to help her.
Mary's Reynolds heritage showed through in her painting, particularly her attractive habit of illustrating some subject or other in her letters. According to her brother, William's, letters, she did translation work for London editors on her return from Australia. It is not known what languages she translated from or into to but in all likelihood they included French as she and Francis travelled widely in France and sent Furse and Lily to Paris to further their education.
As for being a "Dame" at Eton in all but name, she initially went there to help her brother, William, run his boarding house. William, at the time, was in a unique position of being an assistant master but also having responsibility for a boarding house. This dual arrangement was fairly unusual, Eton Dames and Dominies rarely taught, and William found it impossible to carry out both duties satisfactorily, so he persuaded Mary to help him run the house. Indeed, for a while, she seems to have been involved in running two boarding houses because in March 1848 she and Francis started a small boarding house in Keate's Lane, just around the corner from Old Christophers and it was not until 1851 that they gave up that house and moved into Old Christophers.
Dames ran most of the boarding houses in Eton and it was said that it was impossible for a man to run one successfully without a wife; hence William's problems and the reason, perhaps, why there were so few Dominies. However, Francis, no doubt, made an elegant and impressive figurehead while Mary made sure that the domestic, and probably the economic, arrangements worked satisfactorily. There are no records of how well Mary and Francis succeeded in making a financial success of running Old Christophers, one hopes it was better than Furse's efforts who managed to lose money in all but three of the first ten years in which he and Lucy ran the "Vidal" house.
Of Mary's sons, Jack and Wellie inherited her skill of illustration, Jack being also an outstanding craftsman in silver and Furse a skilled carver of wood. Leonard became a successful businessman through his purchase of F.P. Baker & Co on his retirement from the Indian Army. Of her grandchildren, Faith Compton Mackenzie was a successful writer as was her brother Christopher Stone and, to a lesser extent, Lois Chatham (née Vidal).
------<<>>------Mary's published works are these:-
"Tales for the Bush.” Sydney: D. L. Welch (serialised 1844; first book edn. 1845)
London: Francis and John Rivington, 1846
London: Joseph Masters, 1876
“Een geschenk uit Australie: onderhoudende verhalen uit het ]even der
Engelsche Kolonisten.”
Schoonkoven: S. E. Van Nooten, 1850 (Dutch edition of
Tales for the Bush)
“The Convict Laundress” (extracted from Tales for the Bush and published separately)
London: Francis and John Rivington, 1852
“Winterton.” London: Francis and John Rivington, 1846
“Esther Merle and Other Tales.” London: James Burns, 1847
“Cabramatta, and Woodleigh Farm.” London: Francis and John Rivington, 1850
“Florence Templar,. or My Aunt's Story.” London: Smith Elder, 1856
"Home Trials." London: Joseph Masters, 1858
“Ellen Raymond; or Ups and Downs.” London: Smith Elder, 1859
"Bengala: or, Some Time Ago." London: John W. Parker and Son, 1860
“Lucy Helmore.” London.. John Morgan, n.d. [c. 1863]
“The Trials of Rachel Charlcote.” London: John Morgan, 1864
“Deb Clinton, the Smuggler's Daughter.” London: William Maclntosh, 1866 103,104,105,106
Mary suffered from Tic Douloureux, otherwise Trigeminal Neuralgia*, after Jack's birth in 1839, episodes of which gradually became worse and more frequent through the rest of her life and gave her a great deal of pain and misery. (See Aunt Ellen's letter to Mary's son, Jack, of Sept 7, 1910. The latter writing about the death of her sister, Fanny, in 1845 said "...& yr own Mother was not fit for any worry - she had acute Tic often...").
She must have been feeling particularly miserable and unwell sometime in c.1860 when she wrote this letter to her son Jack:-
It was addressed: For Johnny
My dearest Johnny
When this reaches you I should be out of my pain & thro' Jesus X's sake I shall be at rest.
I wish I cd have seen your dear old face once more but my sufferings have been so great I can't wish to live. I don't forget you I pray to God to watch over you & guard you from all Sin & the Devil Seek God by prayer & often take Holy Communion it only can help & strengthen you.
I commend to yr love & care yr poor Father - comfort him all you can for my sake - Lily too & the younger ones - poor little motherless Leonard!
We shall meet again I hope where is no more trial or pain.
God bless you
Yr loving Mother
Jack Vidal received this letter in April 1874, after she had died. He was serving in Barbados at the time.
*Trigeminal Neuralgia is a neurological condition of the trigeminal facial nerve, characterised by paroxysms of flashing, stab-like pain around the eyes or over the forehead, around the upper lip, nose and checks or along the side of the tongue and lower lip, depending on which branch of the nerve is affected. Momentary bursts of pain recur in clusters lasting many seconds, paroxysmal episodes of pain can last for many hours. 107
1. Memorial: c.1876, Sutton Parish Church, Sutton, Suffolk. Mary's life was commemorated in a porch built for this church in which the following inscription appeared:-
“This Porch was built A.D. 1876 to the Glory of God and the Memory of Mary Theresa Vidal wife of Francis Vidal, Vicar of this Parish, who was born June 23rd 1815 and died November 19th 1873.”
Sadly, the porch has been replaced and this inscription has been lost (1999).
Mary married Revd. Francis Vidal 58, son of John James Vidal and Elizabeth Wade Allwood, on 25 Apr 1835 in St Michael and All Angels Church, Great Torrington, Devon 108. Francis was born on 26 Nov 1805 in Berkshire Hall, St Thomas in the Vale, Jamaica 58, baptized on 15 Feb 1806 in St Thomas in the Vale, Jamaica 109, died on 20 Jun 1884 in 29 Royal Crescent, Bath, Somerset 110,111 and was buried in Sutton Parish Church, Sutton, Suffolk 112.
1. Education: ????-1818, Camberwell, London 113. According to Francis's details in the Cambridge University Alumni, he was educated in/at Camberwell before going to Eton. However, the school he attended has not been identified.
2. Education: Jan 1819-Jul 1822, Eton College 114,115. It was later said by his granddaughter, Faith Compton Mackenzie (née Stone), that he had more pocket money than any other boy at Eton at that time. What truth there is in this remark is hard to judge as Faith was rather prone to unsubstantiated statements in her writings about the Vidals. Unfortunately, there is no evidence that Francis distinguished himself in any other way at Eton.
3. Occupation: 1823-1827, Jamaica 100. After leaving Eton, Francis returned to Jamaica in January 1823 shortly before his father died in England. There is no record of what he did between that time and his return to England in 1827 to go up to Caius College, Cambridge. However, he did take a commission as an Ensign in the St Catherine's Militia in 1826.
It has been suggested that a decline in the family's fortunes following the death of Francis's father (see Notes) forced Francis to return to England and to take holy orders. Like all younger sons whose elder brothers have inherited the bulk of the family estate, Francis needed an occupation that produced some income. Presumably, he was not attracted to the legal profession like his elder brother Gale and his younger brother Robert and the prospects of being a successful planter in Jamaica were rapidly diminishing.
Having been educated in England, he would know that being a schoolmaster or in the Church were regarded there as perfectly acceptable occupations for younger sons but he needed a degree and to be ordained before he could embark on either career.
His father had left him £2000 in his Will, which he inherited on attaining his majority in November 1826, so he was able to use that money to return to England and fund his undergraduate days at Cambridge.4. Education: 1827-1831, Cambridge 116. Admitted to Caius College May 31, 1827; Matriculated Michaelmas term 1827; B.A. 1831. Did not take his M.A. until 1863 when he was no doubt thinking about retiring as a Dominie at Eton and becoming an incumbent.
5. Ordination: 1831-1832, Various places 100,117. Ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Gloucester (for the Bishop of Exeter) at Gloucester and Priest by the Bishop of Exeter at Exeter.
6. Occupation: 1832-1838, Various places 117. Francis was appointed to two stipendiary curacies: First, at Roborough (near Great Torrington) from 25 June 1832 at a yearly stipend of £75 and then at Ideford (near Newton Abbot) from 30th September 1834 at the same stipend. He was living at Ideford when he married Mary.
In the spring of 1836, about a year after he was married, he applied for the post of Chaplain to the Goal & House of Correction & Sheriff's Ward at Exeter. His reasons for applying for this rather depressing position can only be guessed at; it may because he needed more money or because Mary was unhappy in the rather isolated village community of Ideford. Whatever the reason, he was successful and became Chaplain from 30th July 1836 and his letter of thanks to the Magistrates of Devon for selecting him was published in the Exeter Flyer Post of April 14, 1836.
He resigned in the autumn of 1838. His resignation letter saying that he was suffering from an "organic affection of the throat" which had not been amenable to treatment and which " .. rendered my duties as your Chaplain most painful to me..".
It may be that Francis did indeed have serious throat problems because they seem to have persisted for some years causing him to lose his voice from time to time. However, from the accounts of his time there given by various of his children, it seems likely that he was also affected by the depressing role that he had to play as Chaplain to the inmates of the Prison and that he was moved by the stream of minor offenders who had been sentenced to transportation to the colonies.7. Emigration: 29 Oct 1839, Plymouth 100,118,119,120. Sailed on board the "Earl Grey" from Plymouth with his wife and three small children bound for Australia, accompanied by his brother George.
The Vidal party are reputed to have taken with them two maids from Great Torrington and a couple of New Forest Hounds (a cross between blood and stag hounds). Arthur Manning's account of the voyage makes mention also of a manservant and confirms that Mary had servants with her.
Arrived at Sydney on 25th February 1840 after a voyage of 3 months and 27 days. A voyage not without its tensions, tragedies and drama, which, no doubt, was typical of long sea voyages at that time.
A passenger died in Cape Town leaving a pregnant widow and two small children; George and one or two other young, unmarried, men upset other cabin passengers by holding evening "tea parties" at which they played cards and were suspected of drinking; George got involved in a contretemps with another passenger, Lewis Whitaker, over a piece written by George in a newspaper, produced onboard, which threatened to lead to a duel.
It is unclear what brought about Francis's decision to emigrate to Australia. Certainly, he had been unhappy as Chaplain at Exeter Gaol and perhaps Mary had not settled well in Ideford or Stokeland (Exeter) and the opportunity for a new start in a burgeoning colony was, therefore, attractive. The more so because free passages were being offered to clergy to encourage them to emigrate to Australia. It seems very likely that Francis availed himself of that offer though, presumably, George had to pay his own passage.
His cousin, the Revd. Robert Allwood, had been induced by the Bishop of Sydney to go to Australia earlier in 1839 and maybe his enthusiasm and the idea of carrying the Church's message to distant parts persuaded Francis and his brother, George, to embark on this adventure.
George, who had just left Cambridge, was unencumbered but for Francis the decision must have been hard. Mary's parents are said to have been very much against the idea and are supposed to have extracted the promise from Francis that he would bring the family home within five years (some accounts say seven). In the event he did return within five years and eight months but whether that was because of a promise to the Johnson parents, or because the venture had not worked out as he had hoped (see later), is not known.8. Occupation: 1840-1845, New South Wales, Australia 117,121,122,123,124. Francis served for a short time between August 1840 and March 1841as the incumbent at the Church of St Mary Magdalene , South Creek , near Sydney. Then, according to the SPG archives, he was sponsored by them to work in the Port Philip district (later the Melbourne area) which he did for some time in 1841 following in his cousin, Robert Allwood's, footsteps.
According to the "Blue Books" Francis was appointed as incumbent to the parish of St Stephens, Penrith in 1841 and later, in June 1844, to the parish of Denham Court, Liverpool where he stayed until he and the family returned to England in Jan 1845. He may have been responsible for the Port Philip district while he was the incumbent of St Stephen's, Penrith.
It is by no means sure that Francis remained the incumbent at St. Stephens until he took up the appointed at Denham Court. The family appears to have been living in Balmain, not far from the centre of Sydney, in 1943, when Wellie was born and there is a view that Francis's pastoral duties in 1842 were limited to the occasional service in his brother's parish and ceased altogether when the family moved to Balmain.
Francis bought a smallholding of 93 acres in the County of Melbourne, in the parish of Bourke (Jika Jika south by Yarra river) on the 23rd September 1840 at a price of £3 per acre. It is difficult to see how Francis could have farmed this properly himself given that it was quite some way from most of the parishes in which he was the incumbent, so it was, presumably, it was either managed for him or leased to someone. It is said to have formed part of his estate when he died.
Francis was also a trustee for the Savings Bank of N.S.W. in the Penrith district for a while. This is rather ironic as he (and George) are reputed to have lost substantial sums of money when the Bank of Australia failed in 1843.9. Immigration: 17 Jun 1845, Plymouth 123,125. Left Sydney on 22 Jan 1845 on the "Pestonjee Boomanje" barque, under the command of Captain Binnie, with his wife and five children, together with his brother George (now a deacon) and arrived back in Plymouth on 17 June; a journey of 4 months and 26 days.
It is not known what caused the family to return to England. Certainly, Francis does not seem to have taken enthusiastically to being an incumbent, indeed, in later life he seems to have avoided parochial duties whenever possible. Also, the depressed economic conditions in NSW and Francis's losses when the Bank of Australia failed in 1843 must have all contributed to the urge to go home.10. Occupation: Mar 1848-Apr 1865, Eton College 100,126,127. Francis was a Dominie (the male equivalent of a Dame who was someone who ran a school boarding house at Eton) first at a house in Keate's Lane and then at Old Christopher's in the High Street, which he took over in 1851 from his brother-in-law, William Johnson ( later Cory).
Faith Compton Mackenzie suggests in "As Much as I Dare" that Francis took a house in Eton because he wanted his sons to be educated there but could not afford to pay their board as oppidans. However, it is also likely that he went to live in Eton because his wife, Mary, was there running her brother's boarding house and because there was an opportunity to make a reasonable, and not too strenuous a living. Dames and Dominies (of whom there were very few) ran their boarding houses independently of the College and were paid directly by the boys' parents and it was very unusual for them to teach at that time.
Francis handed over Old Christopher's to his son, Furse, when the latter got married in April 1865. Mary had not been well for a number of years (her tic douloureux had been getting worse year by year) and, no doubt, the running of Old Christopher's was becoming quite a burden. Furse's acquisition of a wife (a vital necessity for someone running a school boarding house) provided an ideal opportunity, therefore, for some other member of the family to take over the running of the "Vidal" house.11. Occupation: Aug 1866-Jul 1867, Beachley, Gloucestershire 100. Priest-in-charge
12. Occupation: 1872-1884, Sutton, Woodbridge, Suffolk 117. Francis took the living at this parish, which was in the gift of Eton College, and became Vicar there with his son, Wellie, as his curate. He does not seem to have spent all of this period actually in the parish. While Mary was alive, they travelled widely in Europe seeking a cure or respite from Mary's Tic Douloureux and other ailments and, when Mary's health permitted, enjoying the delights of the countryside and culture.
Later in the 1870's, Francis is reputed to have had a stroke which affected his right side (his writing in a letter to his son Jack in c.1877 giving his blessing to Jack's engagement confirms this) and left the parish totally in his son's care, at least until 1881, whilst he lived in Brighton. So we find Wellie describing himself as "Curate in charge" in the 1881 Census.
How Francis ensured that the parochial duties were carried out when Wellie moved to Bayford in Hertfordshire in 1881 is unclear. Perhaps, another curate looked after the parish.13. Will: 3 Dec 1881 128. Francis made a short Will and one which is interesting because he distributed his estate amongst his children in accordance with their needs as he saw them.
The Will read as follows:-
I The Reverend Francis Vidal vicar of Sutton in the County of Suffolk hereby revoke all Wills and other testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last Will and testament I bequeath the following legacies free of duty To my son Charles the sum of five hundred pounds To my son John the sum of three thousand pounds To my daughter Elizabeth Teresa the Wife of the Reverend Edward Daniel Stone the sum of two thousand pounds and to each of my sons The Reverend Robert Wellington Vidal George Vidal and Leonard Vidal the sum of five hundred pounds I devise and bequeath all the residue of my property real and personal including estates vested in me as trustee or mortgagee to my son Francis Furse Vidal absolutely and appoint him sole Executor of this my Will and I declare that in bequeathing the foregoing legacies of unequal amount instead of dividing my property between my children equally I have taken into consideration the different pecuniary circumstances and prospects of my several children with the view of making as far as possible a fair and equitable division of my property between them In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand this third day of December 1881 — Francis Vidal
Francis Furse Vidal, his eldest son, received approximately £10,000 from his father's estate.14. Probate Granted: 26 Jul 1884, London 129. Personal Estate £17,055 9s.
+ 74 M iv. Ven. Charles Wellington Furse 16,58,130 was born on 16 Apr 1821 131, died on 2 Aug 1900 in 1 Abbey Garden, Westminster, London 132 and was buried on 4 Aug 1900 in Westminster Abbey, London 133.
+ 75 M v. William Cory was born on 7 Jan 1823 and died on 11 Jun 1892 in 4 Rosslyn Villas, Pilgrims Lane, Hampstead, Middlesex 135.
76 F vi. Fanny Sophia Johnson 6, died on 7 Sep 1845 in London 6.
She never married.
+ 77 F vii. Ellen Furse Johnson 6 was born <1824> 6 and died on 14 Jun 1912 6.
78 F viii. Elizabeth Reynolds Johnson 6 was born <1831> 6 and died on 6 Nov 1836 6.
She never married.
Sixth Generation
Joshua, and presumably the rest of his family, must have returned to England some time after his father died because he was educated at Eton College and then went on to take a B.A. at Balliol, Oxford in 1820. Later in 1836 he became vicar of Rattery, Devon where he remained until his death at the age of 44 in December 1841. Prior to his obtaining the living at Rattery, Joshua had been the curate in a neighbouring parish, Harberton but there is no record of what he did between leaving Oxford and that curacy. Presumably, for much of that time he served as curate elsewhere.
In April 1835, whilst still curate at Harberton, he conducted the service at the wedding of his first cousin, Mary Johnson, to Francis Vidal in St Michael and All Angels, Great Torrington. Francis, at that time, was the curate at Ideford which was not very far from Harbertonford and in all probability would have known Joshua. Later, in December 1837, he was, no doubt, very happy to conduct the service for the marriage of his rather mature sister, Fanny, (she was 44) to Robert Kitson, the vicar of the neighbouring parish of Dean Prior.
The Alumni Oxonienses has this record for him:-
Johnson, Joshua Reynolds, s. William, of Calcutta, East Indies, arm. BALLIOL COLL., matric 28 June, 1816, aged 18; B.A. 1820, vicar of Rattery, Devon, 1835, until his death 13 Dec., 1841. See Eton School Lists. 67,75,138
Joshua married Sophia Harriette Prescott 67 on 13 Apr 1837. Sophia was born on 26 Aug 1812 in Wood Green, Middlesex 139,140, baptized on 6 Nov 1812 in Cheshunt, Hertford 140 and died on 11 Nov 1891 in Totnes, Devon 141.
1. Grant of Administration: London 142. Effects: £212 11s 5d
Their children were:
79 F i. Anne Maria Theresa Johnson 67 was born <1838> in Rattery, Devon and died on 16 May 1915 in Totnes, Devon 143.
1. Probate Granted: 5 Oct 1915, Exeter 144. Effects: £6889 8s 11d
She never married.
80 M ii. Revd. William Johnson 67,70 was born <1840> in The Vicarage, Rattery, Devon and died in 1884 in 19 East Southernhay, Exeter 145,146,147,148.
MA of Exeter College, Oxford
Johnson, William 1s of Joshua Reynolds, of Rattery, Devon, cler. EXETER COLL., matric. 22 Jan., 1858, aged 17 149
1. Education: Bet. 1858-1863, Oxford 150,151. William seems to have gone up to Oxford in 1858 when he was just 17. In keeping with the Johnson (Reynolds) tradition he was initially resident in Exeter College. However, he did not take a degree from there so perhaps he was sent down or could not afford the college's battels. Instead he took his B.A. in 1863 when resident in New Inn Hall.
New Inn Hall was not then a recognised Oxford college though parts of its ancient buildings later formed St Peter's College when the latter was inaugurated in the 1920s. Presumably, New Inn Hall was then a recognised place of residence for undergraduates as William quotes his residency there in his Crockford's entry.
Strangely enough, William's attendance at New Inn Hall is reported against another, younger, William Johnson in the Alumni Oxonienses but in this case the compiler has obviously confused the two Williams. Another ten years were to elapse before he took his M.A.2. Occupation: 1863-1882, Various places 152. After leaving Oxford, William seems to have waited about eight years before taking holy orders as a deacon in 1871; he was ordained a priest a year later by the Bishop of Exeter. What William did in those intervening years is not known but it certainly gave him time enough to travel to United States of America where he is reputed to have met his wife, Frances.
From 1871 to two years before his death in 1884, William held various curacies in Devon. The first was at Heavitree, on the outskirts of Exeter (1871-74), followed by St John, Torquay (1874-75) and finally Allhallows-on-the-Walls, Exeter (1875-82). William was only 42 years of age when he relinquished the curacy at Allhallows-on-the-Walls and, in all probability, he was forced to do so due to ill health.3. Probate Granted: 29 Sep 1884, Exeter 153. Personal Estate: £637 2s 8d; Resworn: £2246. 2. 8
William married Frances Helen Whiting. Frances was born <1844> 154.
81 F iii. Louisa Frances Johnson
49. Anthony William Johnson Deane 2 was born <1800> and died on 26 Jul 1851 in Okehampton, Devon 78.She never married.
Their children were:
82 M i. Major Charles Johnson Anthony Deane was born in 1823 in Devon 2 and died on 17 Oct 1881 in 9 Bouverie Square, Folkestone 16.
1. Probate Granted: 29 Nov 1881, London 155. Personal Estate: £400 19s. 5d.
Charles married Ellen Furse Johnson 6, daughter of Charles William Johnson and Theresa Johnson Furse, in 1853 in St George's, Hanover Square, London 136. Ellen was born <1824> 6 and died on 14 Jun 1912 6.
52. Elizabeth Furse 6 was baptized on 1 Feb 1793 in Saint Edmund's Church, Dolton, Devon 2 and died in 1876.
1. Probate Granted: 14 Jun 1912 156. Effects: £178 2s. 11d.
Elizabeth married Revd. William Johnson Yonge 6, son of Revd. William Yonge and Frances Johnson. William was born on 15 Oct 1785 in Great Torrington, Devon 88, baptized on 20 Dec 1785 88 and died on 2 May 1875 88.
Their children were:
83 M i. Revd. William Wellingon Yonge 157 was born <1828> 157 and died on 28 Sep 1878 157.
Yonge, William Wellington, o.s. William Johnson, of Rockbourne, Hants, cler. EXETER COLL., matric. 3 Feb., 1848, aged 19; B.A. 1851, rector of Shottsbrooke and vicar of White Waltham, Berks, 1857 until his death 28 Sep., 1878. See Foster's "Our Noble and Gentle Families", II, 817; & Eton School List. 157
He never married.
84 F ii. Fanny Johnson Yonge 158, died on 22 Dec 1902 in 39 Cambridge-terrace, Hyde-park, London 159.
Fanny married John Alexander Radcliffe 158 on 26 Apr 1848 160.
85 F iii. Mary Reynolds Yonge 161.
86 F iv. Elizabeth Yonge 161.
87 F v. Theresa Jane Yonge 161.55. Eliza Yonge 67.
Eliza married Revd. John Dolignon 67,162. John was born <1774> 162, died on 12 Dec 1856 in Hilborough, Norfolk 162 and was buried in Hilborough, Norfolk 162.
Their children were:
+ 88 M i. Revd. John William Dolignon was born <1812>.
89 F ii. Fanny Dolignon .
59. Emily Yonge 89 was born <1795> 89 and died on 1 Feb 1882 89.Fanny married Revd. C C Batholomew 67.
Emily married Revd. George Montagu 89,163. George was born in Mar 1793 163, died on 6 Jun 1865 in Swaffham, Norfolk 163 and was buried in Swaffham, Norfolk 163.
Their children were:
90 M i. Revd. Edgar William Montagu 164 was born in 1819 164.
Sometime Rector of Kettlestone 164
Edgar married Isabella Cremer 164. Isabella Cremer died in 1874 164.
Edgar next married Charlotte Adèle Arnold.
91 M ii. Revd. George Montagu 164 was born in 1820 164.
Sometime Rector of Thenford, Oxon 164
92 F iii. Louisa Montagu 164 was born in 1821 164.
93 M iv. General Horace William Montagu, R.E., C.B., K.L.H.M. 164 was born in 1823 164.
Of Hedenhall Hall, Bungay 164
Horace married Catherine Frances England 164.
94 F v. Agnes Montagu 164 was born in 1824 164.
95 F vi. Marianne Fanny Montagu
Marianne married Captain Benjamin Sharpe, R.N. 164. Captain Benjamin Sharpe, R.N. died in 1833 164.
96 M vii. Charles F H Montagu, R.N. 164, died in 1854 164.
Killed in action at Friesland
97 F viii. Grace Montagu 164.
98 F ix. Emily Montagu 67 was born in 1831 164.
Emily married Revd. John William Dolignon, son of Revd. John Dolignon and Eliza Yonge. John was born <1812>.
Wellington's entry in WHO WAS WHO for 1897-1915 is as follows:-
FURSE, Ven. Charles Wellington, MA, JP; Archdeacon of Westminster from 1894; Canon of Westminster, 1883; Rector of St John Evangelist, Westminster, 1883-94; b. 1821; s of C. W. Johnson, Torrington, and d of Rev. P. Wellington Furse, Halsdon; assumed surname Furse in 1854†; m 1st, Jane Diana (d 1877), d Rev. J. S. B. Monsell; ten c; 2nd Gertrude, d of Henry Barnet. Educ.: Eton; Balliol College, Oxford. Ordained 1848; Principal of Cuddesdon Theological College 1873-83; hon. canon of Christ Church, 1873. Publications: Sermons, Helps to Holiness, The Parish Church and the Parish Priest. Address: Halsdon House, North Devon; 1 Abbey Garden, Westminster. Died 2 Aug. 1900.
† a requirement for his inheriting his grand uncle's (Philip Furse) substantial estate. Philip had died in 1847 but Wellington waited until after his father had died in 1854 to take the name of Furse. 165
1. Obituary: 3 Aug 1900, London 132.
ARCHDEACON FURSEThe Venerable Charles Wellington Furse, who died at his residence in Abbey-gardens yesterday morning, was the senior in age of the canons of Westminster, and second only to the sub-dean, Canon Duckworth, in length of service on the chapter. He was born in 1821, his father being Mr. Charles William Johnson, of Great Torrington, Devon, and his mother, Theresa, daughter of the Rev. Peter Wellington Furse, of Halsdon, North Devon. On the death of his father in 1854 Mr. Furse assumed the name by which he has since been known. Etonians will think of him in connexion with Johnson, the Eton master, whose journal, printed privately, has revealed to his friends the extreme conscientiousness which strove with the difficulties and misunderstandings of such work as his.
Mr. Furse was educated at Eton and Balliol College, where he took his B.A. degree in 1847, but without distinction in the schools, and was ordained in 1848 by Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, whose son afterwards succeeded him at St. John's, Westminster. After serving curacies at Clewer and Christ Church, Albany-street, Mr. Furse was appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the vicarage of Staines, where he remained from 1863 to 1873. He had been appointed in 1870 chaplain to Bishop Mackarness, an office which he held till the Bishop's death in 1888. In 1873, on the Bishop's nomination, he became vicar of Cuddesdon and rural dean, being the at the same time, according to custom, principal of Cuddesdon College. The ten years of his headship of the college were perhaps the most important of his life; no man can hold that office without exercising a considerable influence of some sort on the Church at large. In 1883 he received from the Crown the residentiary canory in Westminster Abbey which carries with it the charge of the parish of St. John, Westminster, and in 1894, exchanged this stall for one to which no parochial duties attached. In 1895 Bishop Temple nominated him to succeed Dr. Farrar as Archdeacon of Westminster. Canon Furse, who owned property in North Devon, and was on the commission of the peace for that county, was twice married. Among his sons is Mr. C. W. Furse, the well-known painter. The Archdeacon, who perhaps never made any considerable mark as a preacher at the Abbey, had for some time been unable to perform his residentiary duties and there had been some question of his resigning his Archdeaconry. He was the author of a volume of sermons entitled "Helps to Holiness" and of "The Parish Church and the Parish Priest." The funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey to-morrow at 12.30.2. Funeral: 4 Aug 1900, London 133. The Times
Monday, August 6th 1900
The funeral of Archdeacon Furse took place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday. The coffin was received at the Cloister entrance by Canon Duckworth, the Sub-Dean, Canon Wilberforce, Canon Gore, the Rev. H. G. Daniell-Bainbridge, the Precentor, and the minor canons. A procession, headed by the choir and the clergy, was formed into the Abbey, where the first part of the service was conducted by the Sub-Dean and Canon Gore. After the lesson, the hymn "Let Saints on Earth in Concert Sing" was sung and Chopin's "Funeral March" played by the organist while the body was being borne to the grave in the East Cloister. The remainder of the service at the graveside, was conducted by Canon Gore and the Precentor, the concluding hymn being "Praise to the Holiest in the height" (Cardinal Newman).
The principal mourners were Mrs Furse (widow), Mr. J. H. M. Furse, Mr. C. W. Furse, the Rev. M. B. Furse, and the Rev. H. R. Furse (sons), Mr Ralph Furse (grandson), the Rev. J. P. and Mrs. Maud, the Rev. C. T. and Mrs. Abraham, Miss Furse, Miss Katherine Furse, Mrs. W. T. Furse, Mrs. Ward, Lieut-Colonel Monsell, and Rev. Herbert Barnett. Those present included the Rev. Furse Vidal, Mr H. Evans Gordon, Sir William Vincent, Mr J. G. Talbot, M.P., the Rev. F. and Mrs. Gurdon, Mr. John Thynne (Receiver-General to the Dean and Chapter), Mr. Arthur Mackarness, Mr Luxmoore, and Mr Thomas Bond.3. Probate Granted: 4 Sep 1900, London 166. Effects: £19594 4s 6d. Resworn Jan 1902 £20246-7-11 and £20297-12- 4.
Wellington married Jane Diana Monsell 16,58, daughter of Revd. Dr. John S B Monsell, LL.D, on 24 Feb 1859 in St Boniface, Bonchurch, IOW 16,58. Jane Diana Monsell died on 20 Mar 1877 in Cuddesdon, Oxfordshire 167.
1. Grant of Administration: 6 Dec 1885, London 168. Personal Estate £1,000
SEE FURSE FAMILY FOR DETAILS OF DESCENDANTS OF THIS MARRIAGE 169
Their children were:
99 M i. John Henry Monsell Furse 6,170 was baptized on 6 Mar 1860 in Egham, Surrey 2 and died on 5 Apr 1950.
1. Probate Granted: 15 Jun 1950, London 171. Effects: £31116 11s 2d
Harry married Ethel Dolignon, daughter of Revd. John William Dolignon and Emily Montagu, on 16 Dec 1886 in Westminster Abbey, London 172. Ethel was born in 1856 173 and died on 10 Oct 1887 in 8 Gloucester Street, Warwick Square, London 174.
1. Grant of Administration: 26 Jan 1888, London 175. Personal Estate: £289 3s 2d
Harry next married Evelyn Mary Campbell on 11 Mar 1922. Evelyn was born in 1874 176 and died on 18 Mar 1963 in Yeatman Hospital, Sherborne, Dorset.
1. Probate Granted: 10 Jul 1963, London 177. Effects: £30,983 12s
100 M ii. Charles Cyril Furse 6 was born on 19 Jun 1861 6 and died on 21 Mar 1862 6.
He never married.
101 F iii. Elizabeth Diana Furse 6 was born in 1862 178 and died on 7 Feb 1939.
1. Grant of Administration: 22 Mar 1939, London, England 179. Effects: £5943 4s 11d
102 F iv. Mary Theresa Furse 6 was born in 1863 178 and died on 7 Apr 1952.
1. Probate Granted: 27 Jun 1952, London, England 180. Effects: £1176 0s 11d
103 M v. Lieut. General Sir William Thomas Furse, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O. 6 was born on 21 Apr 1865 6, died on 31 May 1953 181 and was buried in All Saints Church, Cuddesdon, Oxon 182.
William's entry in WHO WAS WHO for 1951-1960 is as follows:-
FURSE Lieut.-General Sir William T., K.C.B., cr. 1917 (C.B. 1915); K.C.M.G., cr. 1935; D.S.O. 1900; R.A.; b. 21 Apr. 1865; s. of late Ven. the Archdeacon of Westminster; m. 1899, Jean Adelaide, 2nd d. of late H. Evans-Gordon; two s. one d. Educ.: Eton. Entered army, 1884; Captain, 1893; Major, 1900; Colonel, 1911; A.D.C. to Lord Roberts when Comm.-in-Chief in India, 1890-93; graduated at Staff College, 1897; R.A. Headquarters, 1897-1902; D.A.Q.M.G. 2nd Army Corps,, 1902-4; Army Headquarters, 1905-7; G.S.0. 2nd Grade, Staff College, 1908-11; O.C. 12th Brigade, R.F.A.; G.S.0. 1st Grade, 6th Division, 1913-14; B.G.G.S., II. Corps, France, 1915; G.C.O. 9th (Scottish) Division, 1915-16; served in S. Africa, 1899-1900 (dispatches, Queen's medal 5 clasps, D.S.O.); European War, 1914-18 (dispatches, K.C.B.; prom. Maj.-Gen. and Lt.-Gen.); Master-General of Ordinance, 1916; member of Army Council; retired, 1920; Director of the Imperial Institute, 1926-34. Address: 42 Worminghall, Aylesbury, Bucks. [Died 31 May 1953. 183
1. Probate Granted: 7 Sep 1953, London, England 184. Effects: £517 7s 9d
104 M vi. Charles Wellington Furse, A.R.A. 6 was born on 13 Jan 1868 6 and died on 16 Oct 1904 185.
Charles's entry in WHO WAS WHO for 1897-1915 is as follows:-
FURSE, Charles Wellington, ARA 1904; painter; b 1868; 3rd s of late Ven. C. W. Furse, Archdeacon of Westminster, and of Halsdon House, N Devon; m 1900, Katharine y d of John Addington Symonds of Clifton Hill House, Bristol; two s. Educ: Haileybury Coll. Studied at the Slade School under Prof. Legros; Slade Scholarship; afterwards worked in Paris; gold medal, Munich; member of the New English Art Club. Recreations: shooting, golf, fishing. Club: Savile. Died 17 Oct. 1904. 165
1. Obituary: 18 Oct 1904, London, England. The Times - October 18, 1904
A GREAT PAINTER.
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DEATH OF MR. C. W. FURSE
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NEW NOTE IN PORTRAITUREEngland has to mourn the loss of one of her greatest portrait painters in Mr. Charles Wellington Furse, who died yesterday at the age of thirty-six.
The cause of this sudden snapping of a career of great promise was asthma supervening upon hæmorrhage, the result of long standing pulmonary affection aggravated by getting wet while shooting.
Charles Wellington Furse was the third son of the Venerable C. W. Furse, Archdeacon of Westminster, and of Halsden House, North Devon. He was educated at Haileybury College, studied at the Slade School under Professor Legros, won the Slade Scholarship, and afterwards worked in Paris. He married in 1900 the youngest daughter of Mr. John Addington Symonds, of Clifton Hill House, Bristol.
It is only a few months since the election of Mr. Furse to the associateship of the Royal Academy was hailed by artists throughout the country as a well-merited reward of real distinction and as a hopeful sign foreboding a more liberal policy on the part of this conservative body. The influence of so strong and individual an artist, who was then thought to be only at the beginning of a brilliant career, was expected to be most beneficial in more ways than one. His forceful, charming personality rallied around him a large circle of friends and admirers.
The dead artist's career was meteor-like in its suddenness and brilliancy. Before the opening of the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1903 his name was only known to a very limited circle of fellow-artists and art lovers.
CHORUS OF ENTHUSIASM.When, however, the 1903 exhibition opened he appeared in such commanding strength that not a dissenting voice could be heard in the enthusiastic chorus which welcomed his admirable masterpiece "The Return from the Ride" which had deservedly been given one of the coveted places of honour. It was a portrait group, which combined the essentials of successful portraiture with the colour of true decorative art and with the suavest rhythm of line. Two more pictures shown at the same exhibition - a portrait of Lord Charles Beresford and a portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir J. J. White Jervis - proved that "The Return from the Ride " was not a happy accident, but the outcome of mature artistic skill and taste.
This triple success was followed by Mr. Furse's election for the first vacant associateship, but its true meaning was only disclosed when the gates of the Royal Academy opened for the summer exhibition of the present year and disclosed another quartette of masterpieces from the same brush.
All these pictures introduced a new note in portraiture. Mr. Furse has done away with the "pose" which is so apparent even in some of the masters' masterpieces, and which has been the stumbling-block of so many minor talents. He combined in a perfectly natural way the portrait and the "genre" picture. He avoided the artificiality of the studio atmosphere and the awkwardness of the pose. He showed his models unconscious of being painted, in the pursuit of their favourite outdoor sport or pastime. Their features are keen and expressive, and never express fatigue or boredom. And this is an immense gain to the art of portraiture.
The painter leaves an unfinished portrait of Mr Chamberlain, of which the highest [expect]ations were formed.2. Grant of Administration: 14 Dec 1904, London, England 186. Effects: £3184 5s
105 F vii. Margaret Walter Furse 6 was born <1869> 178 and died on 26 Jun 1963.
106 M viii. Rt. Revd. Michael Bolton Furse, K.C.M.G., D.D. 6 was born on 12 Oct 1870 187 and died on 18 Jun 1955 187.
Michael's entry in WHO WAS WHO for 1951-1960 is as follows:-
FURSE, Rt. Rev. Michael Bolton, K.C.M.G., cr. 1947; D.D.; Prelate of Order of St. Michael and St. George, 1936-51; 4th s. of late Charles Wellington Furse, Archdeacon and Canon of Westminster, Halsdon, Dolton, N. Devon; b.1870; m.1903, Francis Josephine (d. 1947), d. of Capt. James Redfield, U.S. Army. Educ.: Eton (King's Scholar); Trinity College, Oxford. B.A. 1893; M.A. 1896; D.D. (Hon.) 1911; Deacon, 1896; Priest, 1897, by Bishop of Oxford; Fellow and Dean of Trinity College, Oxford, 1895-1903; Archdeacon of Johannesburg, 1903-09; Bishop of Victoria, 1909-1920; Bishop of St. Albans, 1920-44; Member of the House of Lords, 1923-44; Hon. Fellow of Trinity College, Oxford, 1921; Publications: A School of Prayer; God's Plan; Stand Therefore! Recreations: golf, fishing. Address: Framland, Wantage, Berks. [Died 18 June 1955. 183
1. Report of death: 1 Jul 1955, London, England 188. The Church Times had this note about Michael's death:-
Recently, the Right Rev. Michael Bolton Furse, Archdeacon of Johannesburg (1903-09), Bishop of Pretoria (1909-20), of St Albans (1920-44), aged 84.2. Probate Granted: 12 Nov 1955, London, England 189. Effects: £7334 4s 9d
107 F ix. Edith Furse 6 was born in 1874 178 and died on 14 Dec 1960.
1. Probate Granted: 17 Feb 1961, London, England 190. Effects: £13,429 14s 3d
108 M x. John Monsell Furse 6 was born on 12 Mar 1877 6 and died on 28 Feb 1888.
He never married.
Wellington next married Gertrude Louisa Barnett, daughter of Colonel Henry Barnett and Emily Ann Stratton, on 7 Jan 1880 in Glympton Parish Church, Oxon 16,58,134. Gertrude was born on 2 Apr 1848 in London 191 and died on 6 Mar 1912 in Markham House, Wokingham 192.
1. Probate Granted: 1 May 1912, London 193. Effects: £5182 18s 6d
SEE FURSE FAMILY FOR DETAILS OF DESCENDANTS OF THIS MARRIAGE
Their children were:
109 F i. Katherine Emily Furse was born on 21 Feb 1881 and died on 8 Jul 1911 in Halsdon, Dolton, Devon.
1. Probate Granted: 29 Aug 1911, London, England 194. Effects: £2580 7s 4d
110 M ii. Lt. Col. Herbert Reynolds Furse, M.B.E. 3 was born on 31 Jan 1887 and died on 25 Feb 1956.
1. Grant of Administration: 28 Mar 1956, London, England 195. Effects: £262 4s
Alumni Cantabrigienses - Part II
1751 to 1886
JOHNSON [post CORY], WILLIAM. Adm. at KING'S, a scholar from Eton, Feb. 24, 1842. [2nd] s. of Charles [William], of Torrington, Devon [connected with Sir Joshua Reynolds]. B. there Jan. 9, 1823. Matric. Easter, 1842; Chancellor's English medal, 1843; Craven Scholar, 1844; Camden medal 1844; B.A. 1846; M.A. 1849; Fellow, 1845-72. Assistant Master at Eton, 1845-72, where Lord Rosebery was one of his pupils. ' He will long be remembered as the most brilliant Eton tutor of his day' (G. W. Prothero, 'Memoir of Henry Bradshaw'). Took a leading part in the throwing open of King's, 1861-5, and contributed generously towards the creation of a fund for Exhibitions in Natural Sciences. Assumed the name of Cory, by deed poll, Oct. 17, 1872. Two years after inheriting an estate at Haldon, Devon, he resigned his fellowship of King's, and retired from Eton. Went to Madeira for the sake of his health and married there, in 1878, Rosa Caroline, dau. of the Rev. George de Carteret Guille, R. of Little Torrington, Devon, and had issue, a son. Returned to England, 1882, and resided in Hampstead, where he gave 'oral classical instruction' to ladies 'for his own sake as well as theirs.' Very short-sighted, he is said to have pursued a hen down Windsor Hill, under the belief she was his own lost hat. Died June 11, 1892, at 4, Pilgrim's lane, Hampstead. Author, Poems (Latin and Greek verse), 'A Guide to Modern English History from 1815 to 1835'. A volume of extracts from his letters and journals was published by the Oxford University Press in 1897. (King's Coll. Adm. Reg.; H. S. Salt, 'Memories of Bygone Eton,' Chap. xiv.) 196
1. Probate Granted: 9 Aug 1892, London 197. Effects: £10410 6s 10d
William married Rosa Caroline Guille on 1 Aug 1878 in Madeira 16,58. Rosa was born on 31 Jan 1857 198.
Their children were:
111 M i. Andrew Cory was born on 30 Jun 1879 in Madeira.
77. Ellen Furse Johnson 6 was born <1824> 6 and died on 14 Jun 1912 6.Andrew married Mildred ———.
1. Probate Granted: 14 Jun 1912 156. Effects: £178 2s. 11d.
Ellen married Major Charles Johnson Anthony Deane, son of Anthony William Johnson Deane and Sarah Stable, in 1853 in St George's, Hanover Square, London 136. Charles was born in 1823 in Devon 2 and died on 17 Oct 1881 in 9 Bouverie Square, Folkestone 16.
1. Probate Granted: 29 Nov 1881, London 155. Personal Estate: £400 19s. 5d.
Their children were:
112 F i. Florence Deane 70 was born on 16 Oct 1854 70 and died on 13 Oct 1862 70.
113 M ii. Charles Anthony Clare Deane 70 was born on 4 Feb 1857 70.
114 M iii. Harry Furse Deane 70 was born on 8 Dec 1858 70.
115 M iv. Frank William Deane 70 was born on 25 Mar 1861 70.
116 M v. Walter Ernest Deane 70 was born on 1 Jul 1862 70 and died on 6 Jul 1866 70.
117 F vi. Amy Theresa Deane 70 was born on 10 Nov 1863 70.
+ 118 F vii. Ellen Marion Deane 70 was born on 28 Jan 1866 70 and died on 2 Mar 1896 70.
Seventh Generation
Dolignon, John William o.s. of John, of Hilborough, Norfolk,cler. BALLIOL COLL., matric. 6 July 1832, age 19; B.A. 1836, captain of the eleven at Eton, rector of Cockley Cley, Norfolk, 1879. See Eton School lists. 200
John married Emily Montagu 67, daughter of Revd. George Montagu and Emily Yonge. Emily was born in 1831 164.
John married his first cousin, Emily.
Their children were:
119 F i. Ethel Dolignon was born in 1856 173 and died on 10 Oct 1887 in 8 Gloucester Street, Warwick Square, London 174.
1. Grant of Administration: 26 Jan 1888, London 201. Persona lEstate: £289 3s 2d
Ethel married John Henry Monsell Furse 6,170, son of Ven. Charles Wellington Furse and Jane Diana Monsell, on 16 Dec 1886 in Westminster Abbey, London 172. John Henry Monsell Furse was baptized on 6 Mar 1860 in Egham, Surrey 2 and died on 5 Apr 1950.
118. Ellen Marion Deane 70 was born on 28 Jan 1866 70 and died on 2 Mar 1896 70.
1. Probate Granted: 15 Jun 1950, London 171. Effects: £31116 11s 2d
died giving birth to her first and only child, Marion.
May married Frederick W Drummond Hay 70 on 13 Nov 1894.
Their children were:
120 F i. Ellen Marion Drummond Hay 70 was born on 2 Mar 1896 70.