Gerrard Fortescue and Mary Pashler and Their Descendents INTRODUCTION Our personal research into the family of Gerrard Fortescue and Mary Pashler started in 1997 when Bee Fortescue, my wife, and I went on a tour of Fortescues who had lived in Huntingdon and Northants. We stayed at New Manor Farm, Woolley, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire an excellent Bed and Breakfast where Bee s Grandfather, Frank Fortescue, once farmed. Bee s brother, Peter Fortescue, and their cousin Joan Sigsworth (nee Thackray) had visited George Ernest Fortescue in Irchester the year before and George remembered Joan as a small girl when she lived at Little Irchester Lodge with her mother Katheen (Kit) Thackray (nee Fortescue) who was housekeeper there. We were to visit George and I had generated a chart of George s Ancestors to give to him. During our visit George told us that his father was one of many children born to Gerrard and Mary and their gravestones were in the nearby church at Wilby. He also gave us details of the family but as he was the son of the youngest child he did not know too much about the older children s families as there was a generation gap between them. Gravestones at Wilby Church We left George and visited Wilby Church and then the Northampton Records Office and managed to come up with 16 children of Gerrard and Mary. However this was proved to be wrong due to use of nicknames confusing us. It was Robert Peter Woodcock, another descendent of Gerrard and Mary, who helped us to correct this to fourteen children. He is also responsible for providing the majority of the Photos and items in this document for which I am very grateful.
Grave Gerrard and Mary Lewis, Cyril s Grave, eldest son of Willey and Sarah Samuel and George Herbert
GERRARD and MARY Gerrard Fortescue was born 1 st September 1833 in Leighton Bromswold, Huntingdonshire, the son of Lewis Fortescue and Ruth Bateman. Lewis farmed Salome Lodge for many years and with Ruth had nine children. Gerrard was the seventh child and the fourth son of five. He was apprenticed to John Brawn, at a Farm at Great Giddings, just 8 miles north of Leighton He married, at the age of 30, Mary Pashler at Molesworth when she was 24. Mary was born 2 nd Sep 1839 in Molesworth, just 4 miles from Leighton. She was a distant relative: they were both descended from William Fortescue (1650 1712) and Elinor Gilbert (1664-1736). Their first child, William Lewis Bateman Fortescue, was born in Barham as were the next three. The next seven were born in Wilby and the last two were born at Little Irchester Lodge Farm. Mary was 43 when she had her last child. Their marriage lasted 52 years until 1915 when Gerrard died at the age of 82. Mary died at 99 and it is the celebrations of her old age that we owe the existence of many of the photos. THE CHILDREN St Peters Church, Molesworth William Lewis Bateman b. 5 Jan 1865 Barham d. 12 Nov 1915 Wilby Thomas Pashler (Tom) b. 30 Nov 1865 Barham Gerrard Frederick (Fred) b. 4 Jan 1867 Barham d. 26 Aug 1942 Wilby Samuel b. 29 Nov 1868 Barham d. 11 May 1874 Wilby Mary Jane (Jenny) b.1 Feb 1870 Wilby d. 17 Jan 1949 Frank b. Mar Qtr 1871 Wilby d. Sep Qtr 1938 Wilby George Herbert b. 29 Aug 1872 Wilby d. 29 Nov 1872 Wilby Lewis Henry (Harry) b. 22 Feb 1874 Wilby d. 25Jun 1946 Octavius b. 18 Jan 1875 Wilby d. 5 Feb 1955 Bodmin Albert Edward (Bert) b. 16 Mar 1876 Wilby d. Jun Qtr Horsham St Faith Florence Emily (Flo) b. 15 Mar 1877 Wilby d. 2 Mar 1967 Wilby Ruth Ellen b. 11 Apr 1878 Wilby d. 1947 Harold b. Jun Qtr 1881 Lt. Irchester d. 1949 Manitoba, Canada Walter Ernest b. 15 Jun 1882 Lt. Irchester d. 1 July 1951, Irchester
Family Groups. Back Row: Albert(Bert), Lewis Henry(Harry), Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Frank, Octavius Seated: Florence Emily(Flo), Will, Mary, Gerrard, Mary Jane(Jenny), Thomas Pashler(Tom) Front Row: Walter Ernest, Ruth Ellen, Harold Gwen Eldred, Bert s daughter, identified everyone on the back of the photo shown. It is the full adult family Harold looks about 21 and Ruth is engaged, but not married, making it about 1903. So Gerard and Mary had been married 40 years
Back Row: Middle Row: Front Row: Frank, Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Walter, Lewis Henry(Harry) 1, Harold 2, Albert(Bert), Octavius William(Will), Mary, Gerrard, Mary Jane(Jane), Thomas(Tom) Florence and Ruth 1 Harry looks more formally dressed than his brothers so perhaps this Photo is for Gerrard s retirement and Harry taking over the farm. 2 The photo of Harold and Fred have been superimposed.
THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING 1913 Mr. & Mrs. G. Fortescue of the Lodge Farm, Little Irchester, celebrated their golden wedding on Wednesday, having been married on November 19th, 1863 at Molesworth, Huntingdon. Both Mr. and Mrs. Fortescue are very well known and esteemed in the Wellingborough district, and will receive the congratulations and good wishes of numerous friends. Mr. Gerrard Fortescue attained his 80th year in August, and, although he retired from farming two years ago, he still resides at the farm, which he has held for 33 years. The farm is at present carried on by his son, Mr. Harry Fortescue. Before coming to Little Irchester he occupied a farm at Wilby, prior to which he was at Barham, Hunts. Mr. Fortescue is a Conservative, and at one time was a guardian for Wilby and Little Irchester, but of late years he has taken no prominent part in public or political life. He has a family of nine sons and three daughters, most of whom, however do not reside in the district. Mrs Fortescue, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Pashler, is 74 years of age. Little Irchester Lodge
NINETY CANDLES ON A CAKE! OLDEST INHABITANT OF IRCHESTER WHO STILL CROCHETS. Little Irchester s oldest inhabitant, Mrs. G. Fortescue, widow of Mr. G. Fortescue, of Little Irchester Lodge, Wellingborough, on Monday gave a party to celebrate her ninetieth birthday. The old lady looks a well-preserved sixty years of age person, and walks about quite well doing her household duties. On Monday, at the celebration, eleven of her children were present, a son being absent in Canada. Those present included 23 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and altogether there are 54 descendants, the youngest being ten-week-old twins. A large birthday cake had ninety candles, and was made by her youngest son, Mr. W. E. Fortescue, of Rushden. The old lady was born at Leighton, in Huntingdonshire. She is a remarkably good walker, and recently her doctor told her she was in excellent health, and should accomplish her century. Mrs Fortescue celebrated her golden wedding fifteen years ago. She has been an enthusiastic Church worker. She told our representative that she attributes her old age and good health to travelling. She always visits her children in turn, and this change of scene and society keeps her young. Mrs. Fortescue s hobby is crocheting, and even at this age she does fine and clever work, her sight being very good. Mrs. Fortescue has lived in the present house for thirty years, and previously was at Wilby. (Newspaper Report Sept 1929) NURSING THE TWINS Mrs Fortescue, of the Little Irchester Lodge, who was 90 on Monday, photographed with some of her youngest descendents which include a set of Twins.
FAMILY GROUPS AT MARY S 90 th BIRTHDAY Back Row: Octavius, Frank, Ruth, Albert(Bert), Walter Front Row: Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Florence, Harold 1, Mary, Lewis Henry(Harry), Mary Jane, Thomas(Tom) 1 Believed to be Harold visiting from Canada he is not in photo below but is given pride of place next to Mary. GREAT GRANDMAMMA. Mrs. Fortescue, of Little Irchester, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren on the occasion of her 90 th birthday on Monday. (Caption under photograph in newspaper) FORTY-NINE RELATIVES AT NONAGENERIAN S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Mrs. Fortescue, widow of the late Mr. G. Fortescue, of Little Irchester Lodge, Wellingborough, celebrated her ninetieth birthday on Monday. Eleven of her children were at the party (the other one, who is in Canada, was unable to attend), twenty-three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three sons-in-law, four daughters-in-law, and her cousin, Mr. S. Dorrington. Mrs. Fortescue has lived in Wellingborough for 49 years. Mary on her 93 rd Birthday at the Boathouse in Evesham owned by Walter Collins who married Flo. Written on the back of the photo by Robert Woodcock s mother Joyce Fortescue Grandma Fortescue taken Xmas 1937 aged 98 years Part of report in newspaper 10, 1938 (POSSIBLY Monday January 10 1938)
NEARLY A CENTENARIAN Mrs. G. FORTESCUE of Wilby, is 98, and the oldest resident in the Wellingborough district. Knitting is her favourite occupation. NINETY-EIGHT YEARS OLD Mrs. Fortescue of Wilby Missed Old Folks Treat Although Mr Harry Day (82) and Mrs Baxter (79) were the oldest man and woman at Wilby Old Folks treat on Saturday, by no means do they hold the age record for the village. As the young people of 70 and 80 were taking part in their annual party, Mrs. Gerard Fortescue, of Wilby, who will be 99 years of age next September 2 nd, and who is the oldest lady in the Wellingborough district, sat knitting in front of a glowing fire. A reporter who went to the Old Folks treat called on Mrs. Fortescue for a chat. With a shawl round her shoulders, and her white hair peeping out from beneath a bonnet, she made a charming picture as she sat knitting. Yes, she said, I m 98, a statement which she accompanied with a very merry smile. She laughed again when he reporter said at the end of the chat that he would be on his way to the young folks treat. Twelve Children Mrs. Fortescue resides with her daughter, Mrs Saxby, who is the wife of Mr. T. H. Saxby, who formerly lived at Irchester. Mrs. Fortescue s husband, Mr Gerard Fortescue, was for many years at Irchester Lodge Farm. He died over 20 years ago. They had a family of twelve (sic) children, and one son, Mr. Harry Fortescue, followed his father at Irchester Lodge Farm. Another son, Mr. Frank Fortescue, lives at Little Irchester. Mrs. Fortescue has 35 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.(compared with twenty three grandchildren and and seven great Grandchildren at her 90 th Birthday) She has possession of all her faculties with the exception of hearing, and knitting is her great hobby. FUNERAL OF MARY FORTESCUE Wilby Funeral of Mrs. G. Fortescue A service was conducted in the church by the Rev. C. W. Light (Rector). The hymn, Jesu, Lover of my Soul, was sung and the Nunc Dimittis, and the 23 rd Psalm chanted. Mr. A. Rixon was at the organ. Many of her numerous descendants attended the funeral on Monday of Mrs. Mary Fortescue, who died on Friday last, in her hundredth year, at Leighton Cottage, Wilby, the home of Mr. and Mrs. T. Saxby, her son-in-law and daughter. She was laid to rest in Wilby churchyard, in a grave next to that of her husband, Mr. Gerrard Fortescue, who died in 1915. Relatives attending were Mr. William Fortescue, Bow Brickhill (son), Mr. and Mrs. T. Saxby, Wilby (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. Harry Fortescue, Irchester (son), Mr. and Mrs. W. Collins, Evesham
(son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Bert (Albert) Fortescue, Norwich (son and daughter-in-law), Mrs. F. Osmond, Fenny Stratford (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fortescue, Wellingborough (son and daughter-in-law), Mr. R. Fortescue, Little Irchester, Mr. Alfred Fortescue, Bolton, Mr. Bernard Fortescue, Little Irchester, Mr. Donald Fortescue, Norwich (grandsons). Mrs. E. Dickens, Oundle, Mrs. J. Richardson, Earls Barton, Mrs. P. Dimmock, Fenny Stratford (granddaughters), Mr. C. Fortescue, Stow-on-the- Wold, Mr. Frank Fortescue, Alconbury Weston, Mr. Leonard Fortescue, St. Neots, Mr. Stanley Fortescue, Fenny Stratford, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Harris, Leicester, Mrs E. Jellis, Leighton Bromswold (nephews and nieces), Mr. and Mrs. G. Lenton, Brampton, Mr. and Mrs. J. Jellis, Leamington, and Miss E. Jellis, Leighton Lodge (friends). Friends in the congregation included Mr. G. E. James, J.P., and Mrs. James (Rushden), Mr. Leonard Parsons, J.P., C.C. (Irchester), Miss Parsons and Miss M. Parsons (Farndish), Mrs. Baker and Miss Baker (Finedon), Mrs. J. T. Field (Ecton), Mrs. Mark Thompson, Mrs. W. Sharp and Mrs. S. Brown (Wilby), and Mr. T. Goosey (Wellingborough). Wreaths were sent from:- Miss Ratcliffe; Ida; Alice and Flo Smith; Tom and family; Fred, Ada and family; Elsie and Irving; C. R. Harris and family; Tom and Jennie; Miss Parsons; Dorothy, Jack and children; St. John s Room, Little Irchester; Flo, Walt, Monty and Mary; Alice, Charlie and Olive; Jennie Bloomer; Cousin Emily; Mr. & Mrs. H. Saxby; Mrs. Mutimer; Ruth and family; Bert, Nell and family; Walter, Florrie and family; Harry and Ted; Gert, Margaret and Bernard; Ruby and Reg; Will and family; Stanley, Annie and children and Mrs. Baker; Snowdrops from Salome Lodge Garden; Gwen, Perce, Joyce and Don; Minnie, Ellen and brothers; Octie and Daisy; Leonard and Kath.
William Lewis Bateman FORTESCUE b 5 Jan 1865 Barham, Hunts d. 1915 Wilby, Northants m. 2 September 1886 Sarah Eliza NICHOLS b. 1868 Stanwich, Northants William Cyril Nicols Mary Elsie Reginald Gerrard Mabel Winifred b. 9 Oct 1888 Raunds, Northants b. 1 Oct 1888 Ruands, Northants b. 14 Jun1894 Wilby, Northants b. 31 Jul 1897 Wollaston. Northants d. 10 Feb 1894 d. 4 Nov 1976 d. 8 Nov 1955 Fenny Stratford, Bucks d. 5 Mar 1973 Simpson, Bucks m. 23 November 1933 Thomas Irving DICKINS m. 1957 Northants Thomas Arthur SLOW William Stanley (Stan) b. 1 May 1903, Wellingborough, Northants m. 1928 Newport Pagnell, Bucks Annie VAUGHAN Ernest William George b. 13 Mar 1930 d. 20 Nov 1980 Geoffrey Sarah Jane Page 1 Rev: 7/09/2012