BUTLEIGH PEOPLE - N

Napier

1) Martha Napier b. 1753, bur. 3 Aug 1831 Butleigh - nfi – probably Napper, mother of (2) and (3)?

Napper

1) Robert Napper bur. 4 Mar 1756 Butleigh (father or son?)

Robin (?) Napper paid 2/3d in 1754-55 (OOP). In 1755/6 the OOP paid for cure of Robert Napper. A Joan Napper of 'Botley' was bur. 5 Aug 1757 Glastonbury St. John. A Robert Napper married Mary Hodges in Charlton Mackrell on 6 May 1754 [witnesses Edward Lye and John Caswell].

2) Mary Napper Chr. 14 Mar 1784 Babcary, d.o. Joseph and Martha Napper, married Butleigh 15 Oct 1811 John Allen b. 1878 Shepton Beauchamp, both described as sojourners. Witness was her brother Robert Napper, next.

3) Robert Napper shoemaker of Compton Dundon, Chr. 2 Jul 1786 Babcary, s.o. Joseph and Martha Napper, d. 22 Aug, bur. 27 Jul 1859 (Sep Q 5c/271 Langport) Compton Dundon

The first mention of Robert in Butleigh is in Aug 1808 when he made a pair of shoes for John Pollet's wife. The witness Isaac is probably the person who married Jane Ring of Baltonsborough in Compton Dundon on 19 Oct 1819.

In 1841 the family lived in Compton and Robert was a shoemaker. By 1851 he was widowed and his daughter Sophia had married William Whitcombe in Compton Dundon on 19 Jun 1845 (Jun Q 10/699 Langport). Her brother Joseph married William's sister Susan Whitcomb three years later (2b). Robert married Sarah Whitcomb (aged 22) in Compton Dundon on 9 Jul 1844 and ran the Fox and Hounds Inn at Compton Dundon by 1861. In 1858 he had been fined £1 for selling drink within the proscribed hours [Wells Journal 18 Sep 1858]

Robert Periam Napper died 8 Feb 1899 and his wife Sarah on 3 Feb 1899 and their son Henry died in S. Australia on 29 Nov 1901.

DD/S/BT/26/11/120 - File on R. v. Napper, a case of poaching in Butleigh.. [Somerset Archive and Records, BUTLEIGH COURT PAPERS] Date: 1853.

3a) William Napper Chr. 13 Jul 1820 Compton Dundon, cordwainer bur. 31 Jul 1872 Compton Dundon

In 1861 and 1871 Abraham had lived with his parents in Compton Dundon.

3a1) Abraham Napper Chr. 23 May 1852 (Jun Q 5c/484 Langport) Compton Dundon, bootmaker, d. 1937 (Mar Q 11a/449 Cardiff) 91-122

Emma lived with her parents in Meare in 1861 where her father was a smith. In 1871 Emma was a servant at Pill Ham Theale, Wedmore, aged 12 and in 1881 a servant aged 22 lodging in Northover, Glastonbury. In 1881 Abraham lived at 20 St. James Market, London where he was a foreman greengrocer. Abraham married Emma in Glastonbury later the same year and they returned to London where Bert was born. They then moved back to Somerset and lived in Butleigh where Sidney was born. Sidney was named after a child which had been born and died the previous year, 1889. In November 1888 Abraham was summoned with Robert Napper of Compton Dundon for being drunk and disorderly on the Cross, Compton Dundon on 13th November and fined 1s and 6s costs each. Abraham was further charged with assaulting Joseph Gregory of the Salvation Army the same evening and fined a further 1s and 7s costs. He appears in Kelly's Directory of 1889 as bootmaker. In 1891 Abraham and family lived in four rooms in Sub Road (?) at or near No. 54. George Harvey was summoned for assaulting Abraham on 28th March 1891 but the case was dismissed as a drunken affair. [Bristol Mercury 21 Apr 1891, Taunton Courier 22 April 1891].

The Nappers had moved on by 1901 to 30 Merthyr Street, Central Cardiff, where Abraham was then described as a horse driver. Bertie was a private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and died 1 Sep 1918, buried Caterpillar Valley cemetery, Longueval.

3b) Joseph Napper b. 1823 Compton Dundon, servant, died 1897 (Mar Q 5c/285 Langport) 41-14

Joseph served at the home of John Tucker in 1841. He married Susan Whitcombe and by 1851 had two daughters - and had returned to live in Compton Dundon. In 1861, with three more children he lived next door to his brother William Napper (1a) and remained there for subsequent censuses. Joseph was summoned for not sending his children to school [Western Gazette 16 Aug 1878]

Eli married Julia Pocock in Compton on 23 Aug 1875. He became the under-gamekeeper to the Earl of Ilchester. Julia died 16 Apr 1934 Compton Dundon.

4) Eliza Jane Napper Chr. 24 Feb 1898 Butleigh as an adult - nfi

Napris?

1) Alice Napris bur. 17 Jun 1632 Butleigh

Nettle

1) William Nettle Chr. 1 Sep 1793 St. Agnes, Cornwall, carpenter and clerk of works, s.o. William and Susannah Nettle, bur. 9 Mar 1869 (Mar Q 5c/452 Wells) Butleigh 51-24, 61-48

William Nettle was born in St. Agnes, Cornwall and had been a Clerk of Works (carpenter). He must have worked in Pimlico at some time since James was born there in 1834. His wife Harriet was on the 1841 census in Belgrave with their five children - William was working away. Next door neighbour was Mills family. On the 1861 census a Harriet a tailoress b. 1804 St. George, Hannover Sq., was living at 29, Rochester Street, Westminster with her son John b. 1837. Son Richard, a tailor's apprentice was lodging in Westminster.

The Elizabeth Mary Nettle is a conundrum If the marriage is as it seems then it was bigamous unless the first marriage didn't actually take place.

In 1851 William Nettle and his son James were probably working on the construction of Butleigh Court and lived next to Charles Dyer at 17, High Street. William appeared in a court case as expert witness regarding a complaint about building work in Glastonbury [Wells Journal 8 May 1858]. In 1861 they were actually Charles Dyer's lodgers and James Nettle, who was a mason, became a harness maker and his father 'retired'.

William died in 1869 and afterwards James returned to London (Westminster - 128 Vauxhall Bridge Rd) where he and his younger brother John (a tobacco pipe maker) lodged with a bookseller, Thomas Barnes (1871). By 1901, still unmarried at 66, he was a bridle cutter and saddler living in Vauxhall Bridge Road, No. 83, with his unmarried sister Harriet (73) and niece Fanny (40).

Neville

[Neville-Grenville] - see FAMILYTREE

DD/BR/ho – 9 Boxes at SRO - This collection consists mainly of deeds relating to properties acquired 1827-1848 by Rev'd Geo. Neville Grenville of Butleigh Court. Unless otherwise stated the terminal date for each bundle is the date of acquisition by Grenville. Covering dates 1574 - 1942

A) Richard Aldworth Griffin [formerly Richard Aldworth Neville], second Baron Braybrooke, politician, b. 3 June, Chr 22 Jun 1750 Duke Street, Westminster, Chr. Richard Aldworth at Windsor, on 29 June, only s.o. Richard Neville Aldworth and Magdalena Calandrini [d.o. Francis and Susanne (nee Barnouin) Calandrini, ancient Cyndic [Mayor] of Geneva]. Died at Billingbear on 28 February 1825 and was buried on 8 March with his wife at Laurence Waltham, Berkshire PHOTO

Richard was the only son of Richard Neville Aldworth (1717–1793), politician, later Neville {from 1762), of Stanlake and Billingbere, co. Berkshire (by his wife Magdalen Calandrini (c. 1718–1750), daughter of Francis and Susanne (nee Barnouin) Calandrini, Cyndic [Mayor] of Geneva), only son of Richard Aldworth, of Stanlake, co. Berkshire, by his wife Catherine Neville, only dau. of Richard Neville MP, of Billingbere, co. Berkshire (by his wife Hon Catherine Grey, only dau. of Ralph Grey, 2nd Baron Grey of Were, 1st son of Richard Neville, of Billingbere, co. Berkshire (by his wife Anne Heydon, dau. of Sir John Heydon), who was also father of Anne Neville, wife of Richard Rainsford, of Dallington, co. Northampton, mother of Ann Rainsford, wife of James Griffin, 2nd Baron Griffin.

Educated at Eton College (1759–67) and Merton College, Oxford, from 1768 (MA 1771). From 1762 he held the sinecure of provost-marshal of Jamaica, which was said, towards the end of his life, to have brought him in all about £120,000. He had six sons, of whom twins died at birth and two survived him, and four daughters. On 21 Feb 1782 he was elected MP for Reading by 267 votes to 179.. On 25 May 1797 Neville succeeded a third cousin, John Griffin Griffin, Lord Howard de Walden, as second Baron Braybrooke, changing his surname from Aldworth Neville to Griffin on 27 July. This brought him, once his benefactor's brother-in-law (Dr. Parker) died in 1802, the grand residence of Audley End, Essex, the lord lieutenancy of Essex (1798), of which he became vice-admiral in 1809, and the recordership of Saffron Walden. Audley End to this day contains most of the Neville portraits including one of his son George, next. MPs and Peers were allowed free postage up to 1840 – called Free Franks and the entitled person was obliged to write and sign the envelope sent, himself. FF This is one sent from [Billingbear] Wokingham [where he was High Steward], Berkshire 17 Sep 1816 to Miss Cornwall, 4 Stanhope Street, London. Free strike 18 Sep 1816. Wokingham 35, mileage mark in black – written and signed by Braybrooke..

Caroline, the Dowager Lady Wenlock PHOTO visited Charlotte Neville-Grenville at Orchard Neville in Baltonsborough in 1863 PHOTO as is evidenced by an envelope addressed to her c/o Lady Ch. Neville. ENVELOPE

Mary Aldworth Neville Griffin married Sir Stephen Glynne of Hawarden Castle and their daughter Catherine (b. 6 Jan 1812 Hawarden) married the future Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone on 25 Jul 1839. Gladstone visited his relative Ralph Neville-Grenville in August 1866 and stayed a few days at Butleigh Court. He and his wife later acquired Hawarden Castle from the Glynne family.

The title Lord Braybrook had been created and conferred on John Griffin, Lord Howard of Walden by George III on 30 Aug 1788 but he died without issue. The title subsequently passed from Richard Aldworth Neville to his eldest son Richard and down his line until the present 10th Baron Robin Henry Charles Neville (1932 - ) who has had eight daughters by two wives but no male heir and so the title goes to a descendant of George Neville-Grenville [see FAMILT TREE above] – Richard Ralph Neville b. 1977 [see below].

Another portrait of Richard Aldworth Neville was sold by Sotheby's for £91,250 in New York in June 2008. In the Picture Gallery, portrait 22 by Thomas Gainsborough is of George Nugent-Temple-Grenville, 1st Marquis of Buckingham (17 Jun 1753 – 11 Feb 1813) the second son of George Grenville, Prime Minister. He was uncle to George Neville-Grenville and his portrait from Butleigh Court was exhibited at Bristol Art Gallery 1937 – 1949 then sold by Richard Neville to Newhouse Galleries, New York and is now in an American private collection. IMAGE

1) George Neville-Grenville b. 17 Aug 1789 Stanlake, s.o. Richard Griffin, 2nd Lord Braybrooke and Catherine Grenville, died 10 June 1854, bur. 17 Jun (Jun Q 5c/388 Wells) Butleigh PHOTO

George Neville Grenville, dean of Windsor, was born George Neville at Stanlake, Berkshire, on 17 August 1789. He was educated at Eton College from 1802 and Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1807 (M.A. in 1810). His father being, since 1797, hereditary visitor of Magdalene College, Cambridge, he obtained the mastership of that college in October 1813 and held it for forty years. He was ordained a deacon on 31 Oct 1813 by the Lord Bishop of Bristol. He was presented by his brother-in-law [Sir. S. Glynne] to the rectory of Hawarden, Flintshire, which he held from December 1813 to 1834. There he created two chapelries and substantially altered and added to the Hawarden Rectory. He married on 9 May 1816 Lady Charlotte Legge, [second half-cousin once removed] daughter of George Legge, third earl of Dartmouth, and [his second cousinonce removed] Frances Finch; they had six sons and five daughters. The last child, William was named after William Grenville, 1st baron Grenville (d. 12 Jan 1834 - Prime Minister) who had married Elizabeth Wyndham. In November 1818 George was elected Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University. A history of George's period in Hawarden and an example his wife's artistic accomplishments is given in an article on the website of Flintshire County Council. HAWARDEN

While George lived at the rectory in Hawarden in the 1820's and early 1830's Butleigh Court was rented out to the Hall family [the latter had a contract for 1829 – 1834] and occupied by the Phipps family [c. 1830 - 33] . George was appointed as Chaplain to the King in 1833. George lived some time at Butleigh Court from 1835 – see Letter from Francis Lunn. In 1829 George donated a copy of 'An account of the Castle and town of Ruthin, 1829' to his first cousin, Lady Henrietta Delamere, - their mothers were sisters. Ruthin is 16 miles west of Hawarden and Vale Royal Abbey, home of the Delameres, 24 miles east of Hawarden. (RCS collection).


In 1825 George's uncle Thomas Grenville conveyed to him the Somerset estate, based on Butleigh Court, that he had just inherited from James Grenville, Baron Glastonbury (bur. 6 May 1825 Butleigh aged 82), whereupon George took, on 7 July, the additional surname of Grenville. The previous month, in June 1825 the publication of Samuel Pepys' Diary [kept in Magdalen College, Cambridge] was announced by Lord Braybrooke and it was reported that his brother George had superintended the decipherment of the shorthand script. Note A substantial investment of £500 in the Sedgmoor Turnpike in 1826 was probably made on behalf of George by his bailiff William Ryall – a contemporary note refers to the transaction. NOTE

George was a member of the Roxburghe Club [world's oldest bibliophile club, founded 1802] from 1827 – 1854. He donated an important copy of 'Gaufridi Arthurii Monemuthensis Archdiaconi, postea vero Episcopi Asaphensis, de Vita et Vaticiniis Merlini Calidonii Carmen Heroicum' to their library in 1830.

George took out a mortgage on his property at Norwood Park Farm [East side of Glastonbury Tor, the Abbey's hunting Park] in 1835 against a loan of £7,000 from his cousin Lord Fortescue [renewed in 1845 – see below for document]. He qualified as a Justice of the Peace for Somerset in 1836 [Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 6 Feb 1836]. In 'Parliamentary papers Vol.42 1835 mention is made of “Butleigh (population 952) having Five Daily Schools containing 23 males and 50 females whose instruction is paid for by their parents – A National School was established in this Parish at the expense of the Hon. And Rev. George Neville Grenville, but the parents could not be brought to send their children with regularity, consequently it was abandoned. The Vicar also made efforts to establish Sunday Schools, but farmers are not disposed to contribute towards raising funds.” George was admitted to the vicarage of Butleigh with Baltonsborough in 1839.

In 1841 George Neville-Grenville (51) and his wife Charlotte were living in St. George Hanover Square together with Ralph (24), William (22), Frances Catherine (20), Georgiana (19), Cicelie (19), Edward (16) and Harriet Louisa (13). From May 1846, already a queen's chaplain, he was created Dean of Windsor by Sir Robert Peel's nomination. He was also registrar of the Order of the Garter. A previous Dean of Windsor from 1805 – 1816 was Edward Legge (1767 – 1827), his wife's uncle. As master of Magdalene College George was expected to reside there for part of the year and as Dean was also expected to spend up to eight months in Windsor – which lead to a question in Parliament on 22 Jun 1846 when Mr. Rich queried of Sir R. Peel how the Dean could fulfil both appointments satisfactorily. A picture by Joseph Nash published 1848 shows St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle during the Dean's tenure. Image

In 1851 [Hansard 19 Jul] there were questions in parliament from Sir Benjamin Hall about corruption in the Church of England, its income and fees charged [e.g. for the laying of the Queen Dowager in St. George's chapel Royal] – at the time George Neville-Grenville as Dean was paid £1,200 p.a. besides what he received as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, chaplain to Queen Victoria, and Registrar of the Order of the Garter. The family often spent the 'season' in London, Leamington Spa or other popular haunts in the period up to George's death.

George was also keen on improving his land and employed the services of Robert S. Graburn # to turn his heavy clay soils into more fertile ground – [Lincolnshire Chronicle 3 Apr 1846]. The Court maintained their link with Robert Graburn and he was still visiting the family over 40 years later. Frances Catherine married Edmund Peel a priest, s.o. Robert Peel, in Butleigh on 28 Nov 1849 (Dec Q 10/775 Wells). #

In the Sherborne Mercury 14 Sep 1844 there is a report on the 'Butleigh Court School Fete about the squire's annual treat for the children of the Church Schools of Butleigh and Baltonsborough. The Dean and his son were unable to attend the celebrations of the Queen's birthday in 1847 due to an expected outbreak of violence by the local population due to the high price of bread! Ralph commanded a troop of yeomanry from Chard who were to be used to quell the outbreak on the morning of 25 May 1847. The Dean remained at Butleigh because he expected a disturbance on the estate. [London Standard 25 May 1847]. Several ancestral paintings were acquired by George at the Stowe Collection sale of March 1849 [see also Bucks Herald Saturday 23 Sep 1848 and details under Picture Gallery]

'An account of the state of the peasantry in Somerset described the condition of labourers on the estate of an Honourable and Reverend Aristocrat in the Leeds Times [10 Jan 1846] – two cases taken at random; 'Charles Vincent works for the Hon. and Rev. George Neville-Grenville; has a wife and four small children, has 8s per week, has but one bed and scarcely any furniture in the house; a steady and industrious man. 'James Oldis works for the above G. N. Grenville; has an unhealthy wife and family; his labour is getting done, has 7s per week, a steady and industrious man. The Hon and Rev. George Neville Grenville, a country magistrate, and rector of the village of Butleigh, is owner of nearly all the property in the village, except land owned and occupied by Richard Holman, Esq who is a violent opponent to the repeal of the Corn Laws. G. N. Grenville has very extensive game preserves in the parish and sells by far the greater part of it to the dealers in Bath &c [see leading article elsewhere] consequently two of his farms are in hand, and another of his largest tenants is leaving in the spring because, as they say, they cannot afford to pay him the rent of land which he stocks with game,.'

In 1851 George was at 'Adelaide House', St. Mary Magdalen, St. Leonards, Hastings, Sussex living with Charlotte, Georgiana, Cicely, Harriet and his married daughter Frances Peel. Fourteen servants were in attendance! A notice in the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of Thursday 12 June 1851 notes “The Dean of Windsor has invited the whole of his tenantry and the principal tradespeople of Butleigh to the deanery of Windsor, in sections, that they may have an opportunity of availing themselves of day tickets for seeing the Exhibition of Industry of All Nations, returning to Windsor in the evening.”

Harriet Louisa married Rev. Charles Arundel St. John Mildmay [son of the late Paulett St. John Mildmay Esq of Haslegrove House Som.] on 17 Jan 1854 in Butleigh (Mar Q 5c/905 Wells). #

George died at Butleigh on 10 June 1854 and was buried there on 17 June. An obituary notice occurs in the Bridgwater Times on 22 Jun 1854. An account of the Dean's funeral appears in the Wells Journal 24 Jun 1854. It noted that the coffin had been made by Mr. Higgins of Butleigh. A fuller biography appears in the Bucks Herald of 17 June 1854. The Wells Journal 5 Aug 1854 reported that George's Will was proved and he had left £70,000. A Memorial plaque was put in St. Deinols Church, Hawarden.

Edward joined the Scots Fusilier Guards and was Ens. 1 June 1841; Lieut. 29 Sept 1843; Capt. 30 Sept. 1850; Brev. Maj. 12 Dec 1854; Capt. & Lieut.-Col. 28 Nov 1856. As aide de campe to Major General Sir Richard England KCB, Scots Fusilier Guards, took out a loan for £450 from a James Archibald Stuart Wortley [later became Solicitor General] in April 1854 prior to embarking for Constantinople and this debt was assigned to his brothers Ralph Neville Grenville and William Frederick Neville on 30th April 1861*. served in the Eastern campaign of 1854-55 as Aide-de-Camp to Sir Richard England, including the battles of Alma, Balaklava, and Inkerman, and the siege of Sebastopol (Medal and Clasp, Knight of the Legion of Honor, 5th Class of the Medjidie, and Turkish Medal). Letters from Edward and Glastonbury Neville to Thomas Porch of Edgarley on their return from the Crimea campaign are printed in the Sherborne Mercury 30 Sep 1856. Edward brought back from the Crimea the two iron cannon balls that stood before the Court entrance and Glastonbury brought back the two banners displayed in the Hall which he had bought from a sailor for a pound. Glastonbury, Capt. of the Royal Engineers and aide-de-camp to Sir H. Rose was killed at Ratgurh, ten miles south of Baroda, in the aftermath of the Indian Mutiny, on 30 Jan 1858. He was knocked from his horse by a cannonball. PICTURE

Edward seems to have served as observer of the American Civil War in 1862 alongside General McClellan and the Federal Army of the Potomac (though retired from the Scots Guards inn 1858). His photo is in the Imperial War Museum [Q 71528] Edward married Georgiana Frances Corbett [b. 1843 Thurgoland, sole d.o. late Vincent Corbett of Hathwaite Hall] at Wortley Church 10th Apr 1866 – they had no children. Edward died 28th Dec 1908 at Eastfield House, Thurgoland, Sheffield where he had retired to in 1871. [near Wortley Hall, Yorks where his friend James Archibal Stuart Wortley lived] and his wife died in 1919.. Obit -Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 31 Dec 1908. He was secretary of Mr. Gladstone's Free Convalescent Home for the Poor, Woodford Hall, Essex. A deed* signed by Ralph and his brother Frederick plus the Rt. Hon. Archibald Stuart Wortley dated 30th April 1861 for the 'Butleigh Building Fund' was witnessed by J(oseph) Hickman.

George had died before the Court was fully completed and on the 1861 census his widow Charlotte is found living with Cicely in 'Northfield Orchard' [Orchard Neville] Baltonsborough [built c. 1860]. Carte de Visite They were both still there in 1871, and Charlotte died in 1877 – her obituary appearing in all the local newspapers.

After her death the terms of her husband's will were amended [1st Feb 1878] to invest money for, and transfer property to her unmarried twin daughters Georgiana and Cicely, and again on 11th Oct 1882 after the death of their brother William Frederick Neville. After the death of Georgiana just over two weeks later, Cicely became quite wealthy from her inheritances and in 1894 invested the £9,000 which came to her from her father's will, in the Bank of Ireland, the interest from which was to be paid into her account with Stuckey's Bank, Glastonbury. [Docs in my possession] Cicely according to her obituary was practically a life-long invalid. In 1881 both Georgiana and Cicely were lodging at St. Raphael's Home, Tormoham with Torquay, run by the Sisters of Mercy, a Catholic organization. This was a home for disabled and mental patients and other Butleigh residents had been catered for there [see Beatrice Pike b. 1875]. In 1891 Cicely lived alone at Orchard Neville but on census night was visited by Geraldine D'arcy (b. 1824 Ireland) one of the Sister of Mercy from St. Raphael's, Tormoham. [After Cicely's death a branch of the banking Hoare family [Charles V. Hoare] rented Orchard Neville and in 1901 Blanche Frances Hoare and daughter Rose with son Charles Morgan lived there. On 1911 census Orchard Neville rented by George Gough and his wife Caroline from London.

A bust by Edward Hodges Baily (1788-1867) of the Dean of Windsor, dated 1849, which was later owned by Philip Eliot, Dean of Windsor from 1891 – 1917, was acquired by myself from Bonhams 21 Nov 2012. BUST [see also the image on title page]

DD/S/BT/22/2/1-2 Ordination certificates as deacon and priest for George Neville [-Grenville], Master of Magdalen College, Cambridge. 1813

DD/S/BT/22/2/3-1 Act for confirming annexation of rectory of Ellingham, Norfolk to Magdalen College, Cambridge 1814.

DD/S/BT/21/1/21 1] Thomas Grenville of Cleveland Square, Msex, devisee of Lord Glastonbury 2] Revd George Neville of Hawarden, Flints, second son of Richard, Lord Braybrooke decd and devisee of Lord Glastonbury 3] Anthony Goodeve of Grays Inn Lease and release of life interest in late Lord Glastonbury's freehold estate in Butleigh and elsewhere in Somerset, Surrey and Bedford, and an undertaking to hold the contents of the mansion house at Butleigh in trust with proviso that if Thomas has any sons they shall inherit on his death.  1825

DD/S/BT/27/3/4 & 28/8/19 - 1] Revd. George Neville Grenville of Hawarden, Flints 2] Henry Hall of Butleigh Draft lease of Butleigh House for five years, grape house, greenhouse, icehouse, stables, gardens, gravel walks, Cooks orchard (20, Beggars well (12a), Berril (11a), part of the Park, contents of house, (except steward's room, deed closet, a cellar and the stillroom cupboard etc), the books in the library and sporting rights. Rent £433. Date: 1829.

DD/S/BT/22/2/5 Appointment of Revd. George Grenville as Chaplain to the King. 1833

DD/S/BT/16/4/7-8 1] Revd. George Neville Grenville of Butleigh 2] Hugh, Earl Fortescue of Castle hill, Devon and son George Mortgage of Norwood Park farm (60a), Cutlers Close (8a), chief rent of Justins, 40a and plots 17-18, 548-64 and 682 in Heathmoor, Glastonbury. 1835

DD/S/BT/13/3/35 1] Revd. Francis Lunn of Butleigh 2] Revd. George Neville Grenville of Butleigh 3] Hugh, Earl Fortescue of Castle hill, Devon and son George 4] Henry Karslake of St. James's, Westminster Assignment of terms in trust to attend the inheritance of Whites farmhouse and land in Butleigh as further mortgage, with schedule of lands. 1838

DD/S/BT/13/3/34 – 41 various documents relating to Whites farmhouse and other properties in Butleigh Hugh Earl Fortescue and Revd. George Neville-Grenville 1838

DD/S/BT/24/10/1-6 Rough account book of Revd. George Neville Grenville by subject including son Ralph, Butleigh rents and purchases, university expenses, new Magdalene College lodge, Cambridge 1836-7, audits of his assets and debts, also general historical notes, verse by George Withers on walking boundaries, list of college bed makers. Back of book also used for 16th-century genealogical notes on Browne, Wood and Ireland families and alphabetical list of aristocracy. Loose items include the address of Mr Sheppardson a copier of pictures and the duties of Master and Mistress of a National school. 1815 - 39

DD/S/BT/22/2/6 Institution and papers relating to Revd. George Neville-Grenville's admission to the vicarage of Butleigh with Baltonsborough 1839


DD/S/BT/27/3/3  1] William Porch of Wells2] Revd George Neville Grenville of Butleigh Draft deed of Norwood Park farm, Glastonbury, 8a in Edgarley field and a chief rent out of Tustin's estate.1827 [see under Fortescue – detail of Rockes Lower farm 1849] NORWOOD PARK FARM DOC


Appointment of Funds subject to the Trusts of their Marriage Settlement 28 Nov 1849 - Deed of Revocation and New-Appointment 14 Jan 1854 - DOC documents illustrated but 'SADLY MISLAID' according to the Ebay seller KINGJUMBLER after I bought them, - I suspect that he has sold them on or decided to retain them and returned my payment, despite my objection and offer to wait until they are found. Please contact me if you are offered them.

PROB 11/2194/308 - Will of The Honorable and The Very Reverend George Neville Grenville Dean of Windsor and Master of Magdalene College in the University of Cambridge Butleigh Court , Somerset . Date: 1854.

DD/S/BT/13/3/43 Lady Charlotte Neville Grenville Probate of will (1871) and codicil (1875) of, with detailed legacies of personalty.. Date: 1877.

1a) Ralph Neville-Grenville born 27 Feb 1817, Chr. 7 Apr 1817, died 20, bur. 25 Aug 1886 (Sep Q 5c/320 Wells) Butleigh 51-35, 71-72, 81-94 OBIT PHOTO PHOTO2

Julia Roberta Frankland Russell's father was an artist and he painted her as a child (now belongs to the Nation, at The Chequers Trust) Portrait At least two of her children, Agnes and Louis also painted. Julia was the 4th dau. of Sir Robert Frankland later Frankland-Russell, 7th Bt., of Thirkleby, co. York, by his wife Louisa Anne Murray, 3rd dau. of Rt Rev Lord George Murray DD, Bishop of St David's 1800-03(by his wife Anne Charlotte Grant, Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Charlotte, only dau. of Lt Gen Francis Grant MP (by his wife Catherine Sophia Cox, 1st dau. of John Cox, of Stanford-in-the-Vale, co. Berkshire, by his wife Katharine Sophia Herbert, 2nd illegit. dau. Of John Sheffield, 1st Duke of Buckingham & Normanby, by his mistress Frances Stewart), 4th son of Sir James Grant of Grant, 6th Bt., by his wife Anne Colquhoun, only child and hrss. of Sir Humphrey Colquhoun of Luss, 5th Bt.), 4th but 2nd surv. son of John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl, by his wife and cousin Lady Charlotte Murray, suo jure Baroness Strange.

A full account of the wedding and festivities at Butleigh Court on 18th Sep 1845 appears in the Sherborne Mercury on Saturday 29th Nov 1845 and Bucks Herald on 6th December. Wedding One unfortunate consequence of the marriage was that in the Post Office in Glastonbury on 11th Dec 1845 some servants in the absence of their master Mr. Way, were making squibs to celebrate the marriage when a small fragment of ignited touch paper fell upon the 10lbs of powder which exploded blowing the shop window into the street and destroying everything in it. A young lady member of the party was entirely enveloped in flames and every article of her dress consumed and her person shockingly burnt. She lingers in a state of indescribable suffering … the rest of the party escaped with slight injury. [Bath Chronicle 18 Dec 1845]. An ancestor of Ralph's wife Julia Frankland-Russell was Oliver Cromwell [through his fourth daughter Frances who married Lord Robert Rich and their daughter Elizabeth who married Thomas Frankland] and the family owned relics connected with him, including an original portrait [according to Commander Neville of Charlton Adam]. These relics were exhibited from time to time.

The Exeter Flying Post printed the rumour on 5 Apr 1849 that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert would pay a visit to Butleigh Court and the Dean of Windsor – probably unlikely since the new Court was not finished, though Prince Albert is supposed to have made suggestions on the design of the new Court. Ralph was living in Butleigh at Holmans, no doubt supervising the construction of the Court, in 1851. His wife Julia with children Robert, Agnes and George, was living in London at the time of the census, with her mother.

A case in the Bridgwater Times – 10 Aug 1854 – refers to Staples and Chapman v Lansdell concerning the building of Butleigh Court. The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette reporting the activities of the SANHS mentions 'the architechtural and interesting place Butleigh where a noble squire is erecting a mansion that his ancestors in the fifteenth century might be proud of'. The cost of building the new Court was reported to be £80,000 [Bath Chronicle 20 May 1939]. The family were entertaining guests in the Court in 1858 – the Bristol Mercury reported 6 Nov 1858 the vist there of the new Earl and Countess of Ilchester. After his father's death Ralph joined the Roxburghe Club and was a member 1855 – 1886.

In 1861 Ralph, Julia and seven of their children; Robert, George, Hugh, Louis, Beatrice, Ethelreda and Claud, were living at 3 Buckingham Gate House, St. Margarets, Westminster. Simpson's Chelsea Directory of 1863 still lists them as maintaining that property. The Court was maintained in their absence by three servants. Ralph was appointed Sheriff for Somerset in 1862. Ralph also exhibited a couple of banners taken during the Russian War at the Bath and West Agricultural Exhibition in May 1862. Other items exhibited were carvings by William Britton and field gates made by Silas Higgins of Butleigh.

In July 1865 the local newspaper reported a cricket match held in Butleigh Court Park between Butleigh (who won) and Baltonsborough on ground given to the Butleigh Club by the squire. The Butleigh team sheet in August 1879 indicates the rank of the players – Captain Hastings, Captain Stopford, E. Laver, Rev. C. D. Malet, Capt. Rawlinson, W. Taylor, G. Graham, G. Neville, C. Duffil, W. Watts and A. Harford. Messrs Laver and Watts were the demon bowlers of the team! 1865 also saw Ralph playing the 'cello at the Handel Festival at the Crystal Palace!

In January 1867 [Dorset County Chronicle 17 Jan] the Court saw Christmas Festivities in the theatre erected in the saloon with 'Beauty & the Beast' performed by the squire's children and 'Ici on parle Français' performed before the tenants, tradesmen and servants. It was followed by a supper and dance and the whole repeated the following night before the neighbouring county families [Hoods, Dickinsons, Luttrells, Porches, Austins etc.] The Western Gazette of 15th November 1867 reported firstly that the Lord Bishop of Oxford visited Ralph and was accompanied round the ruins at Glastonbury by Miss Grenville and was the 'object of some observation' there on being recognised. More amusingly is the report in the same newspaper that 'A FENIAN OUTRAGE was committed at Butleigh, on the 5th – an icehouse, on the estate of R. N. Grenville, Esq. M.P., was set on fire. Nobody but an Irishman would think of trying to set fire to an icehouse, and no one but a Fenian would do so dirty a trick. Therefore we put it down among Fenian outrages. A reward of £10 is offered for the offender – Sherborne Journal'. No prejudice there then!

The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of 26 December 1867 reported the celebrations at the Court on Monday 16th December when Robert came of age and returned home from Cambridge. The article mentioned that the Saloon had recently been decorated by Mr. Crace [probably John Dibblee Crace 1838 – 1919 a Gothic specialist] with the armorial bearings of the Neville family and their alliances' from the Norman conquest to the present time'. A Grand Ball took place on Thursday 19th December and mention was made of the 3 great chandeliers, each of 56 lights purchased by Ralph from India House and made for a Sultan.

William Ewart Gladstone visited Glastonbury and the Abbey Ruins on Saturday 18th August 1866 while in Opposition and spent a few days as the guest of Ralph Neville-Grenville at Butleigh Court. He also attended the funeral of Ralph in August 1886 [Bristol Mercury 27 Aug 1886]. A strange case came to court at Bath {Bath Chronicle 27 Apr 1871] when a Mr. Flukes [Edwin Flukes b.1837 of 41, Milsom Street, Bath] sued the Great Western railway Company for having destroyed the negative of a photograph being sent from Liverpool to Bath.. Mr. Flukes had been commissioned to take a photograph of Butleigh Court. The negative of the photograph was shown at the court. The commission was for 3 guineas exclusive of travelling expenses. Due to bad weather he had to make five trips to Butleigh and his cost was a total of eight guineas – which he claimed from the GWR. The latter said they should pay just what the negative cost. He was awarded the 8 guineas.

In 1871 Ralph Neville Grenville MP, JP Colonel of the West Somerset Yeomanry etc. was in residence at Butleigh Court with his wife Julia and six of their children;

Robert, the future squire, b. 16 Dec 1846 Windsor Castle (1a1)

Agnes b. 1849 Butleigh - She married India Office Clerk William James Maitland on 7 August 1878 (Sep Q 5c/777 Wells) – Western Gazette 9 Aug 1878 carried a full report.. On the 8th August 1878 a Ball to celebrate the wedding took place in the saloon of Butleigh Court for the tenants of the estate – listed in the W. Gazette 16 Aug with details of the dances played by Summerhayes Band. Agnes and William appeared in London on the 1881 and 1901 censuses but lodging at Wingate Farm, Countisbury, Devon in 1891. He was Deputy Governor of the Indian Railways. The couple had two children, Alexander James (died young) and Marjorie Maitland.

Hugh b. 9 Jun 1851 Westminster. Studied at Magdalen College from July 1st 1870. B.A. 1874 [M. A. 1878] Admitted to the Inner Temple Apr 27 1872. Called to the Bar 30 Apr 1875. Author of "Game Laws of England for Gamekeepers" [London 1884, pub. John Van Voorst]. IMAGE He broke his collar bone in a fall from his horse whilst hunting in March 1886. On the electors register of 1884, though of Butleigh Court, he also owned freehold house and premises Late Jane Higgins. In May 1892 Hugh became a member of the Somerset Agricultural Association. A wedding was announced Jan 1893 to Laura Frances Handley, only child of the Rev. Edward Handley of 19, Royal Crescent, Bath rector of Winthorpe, Notts. The wedding never took place and Laura married Lieut. Dayrell Davies R.N. in 1894 (Jun Q 5c/1005 Bath) while Hugh remained single all his life.

In September 1896 he was appointed a member of the Commission on Horse Breeding in Ireland by the Lord -Lieutenant, the Right Hon. Earl of Cadogan.* He was well known as the Revising Barrister in Bath. He died 30 Jun 1938, at the Cottage, Milborne Port, where he lived for 50 years, buried Butleigh. On 2 July 1939 a marble memorial tablet was erected at Milborne Port Parish Church in his memory – attended by his brother Claude and nephew Philip Neville RN. [Western Gazette 7 Jul 1939] see OBIT above. Left estate gross £16,859 8s 10d – left £300 to the Bath and Wells Diocesan Board of Finance upon trust to apply the income for the vicar of St. Leonard's at Butleigh for the upkeep of the church, churchyard and certain graves.

*Reports by the Commissioners Appointed to inquire into the Horse Breeding Industry in Ireland. Bound with Minutes of Evidence taken before the Commissioners to inquire into The Horse Breeding Industry in Ireland with appendices. Hugh Neville pub. Alexander Thom &Sons Dublin 1897. PAGE

Beatrice b. 10 Nov 1853 Windsor Castle - died unmarried after a long and painful illness at 'the Cottage', Iwerne Minster in 1926. [Western Gazette 16 Apr 1926]. In WWI she had been an active member of the Red Cross.

Etheldreda (Eda) born 1857 - she married Vice Admiral Robert Wilbraham Stopford [b. 24 Jun 1844, d. 9 Jun 1911] on 23 Sep 1885 (Sep Q 5c/805 Wells) Butleigh # Died at Boscombe, June 1938.

Percy b. 1869 Westminster. He was at Camacha College, Bournemouth in 1881. Created a Lieut.in the 4th Battalion the Prince Albert's [Somerset Light Infantry] 26 Sep 1885. He was at The Barracks, Mount Street, Taunton in 1891 but whilst there in Dec 1890 his watch and that of Lieut. Berkeley Portman were stolen from their bedrooms while they were asleep. [Western Gazette 26 Dec 1890]. He was a lodger at the Swan Hotel, Brightlingsea living on his own means in 1911. He never married.

They family were served by fourteen servants in 1871. Of the other children:

George - see (1a2)

Louis – see (1a3)

Claud He appeared in 1861 with his parents in Westminster and in 1871 as a pupil of 'Temple Grove Grammar School', Mortlake, Surrey. He married Frances Cromwell Frankland, daughter of Colonel Sir William Adolphus Frankland, 9th Bt. and Lucy Ducarel Adams, on 12 June 1897 (Jun Q 1a/890 St. George Hanover Sq.) St. Paul's Church Knightsbridge. Claud went to live in the Abbey, Charlton Adam, which he later modified from 1902 and bought in 1905. PHOTO He was a talented pianist and at the funeral of his sister-in-law Gertrude Agnes in 1936 he played the organ for the hymns. Claud was executor to his brother Hugh's estate. Claud's son and only child, Edward [b. 1 Nov 1904] succeeded to the house and died on May 10th 1988 aged 84. I met him around 1980 and he was still devastated at what had happened to Butleigh Court, especially the sale of its contents and family portraits about which he had not been informed (he was away in service with the Navy at the time). Edward married GabrielleNaomi Helen Vandy (nee Collins) d.o. Ellis Taylor Collins on 30 Jan 1960. Edward was Naval Attaché to The Hague and Brussels between 1947 and 1949. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for Somerset in 1952.

In February 1871 the Western Gazette reported that the Glastonbury Fire Brigade were invited to the Court to practice their drill. They also ascertained that sufficient water was in the ornamental pond on the lawn to extinguish a fire at either the Court, Church or the Rectory. Ralph donated £5 to the Brigade's Captain. Morris' 1872 Directory mentions that 'the remains of an encampment of the Duke of Monmouth was in existence' in Butleigh at that time. Mary Dickinson of Kingweston met Thomas Charles Agar-Robartes of Lanhydrock at a Ball held at Butleigh Court in 1875 and they married in 1878 (Jun Q 1a/704 St. Geo. Hanover Sq). In the summer of 1876 Ralph was seriously ill and had to be absent from parliament but recovered sufficiently by the winter to go abroad and later return to work [Manchester Courier 20 Oct 1876]

In the Western Gazette of 8 Mar 1878 it was stated ' upon fairly good authority that Ralph Neville Grenville... had been elevated to the peerage with the title of Lord Glastonbury' – erroneous information from a correspondent of the Bristol Times! Country pursuits were often carried out – on the 26th November 1879 twelve brace of greyhounds were used in hare coursing – 78 hares found, 54 courses and 20 hares killed. On 19 April 1878 the Western Gazette reported that Ralph took out a loan of £3000 for 25 years under the provisions of the Land Loan and Enfranchisement's Company Act to improve the land [and drainage, water supply, enclosing etc] of Butleigh Court estate. At a Grand Bazaar in Ilchester in August 1879 Lady Smith's stall had some very handsome plates, the figures on which were painted by Mrs. Neville-Grenville of Butleigh [Western Gazette 15 Aug 1879]. In 1878 Ralph accepted the 'Chiltern Hundreds' and resigned his seat as MP due to his poor health. In the Somerset County Gazette of 22 June 1878 it was reported that Ralph was a member of the Carlton Club and his acreage was 3,434 worth £5,770. The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 16 Oct 1879 also reported that the painting of Ralph made by Cyrus Johnson (above) was presented to him by his constituents and friends on his retirement.

In 1881 Ralph and Julia had just two daughters left with them, Beatrice and Ethelreda. The servants now numbered just eight. The squire allowed his park to be used for drill exercises by the West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry on the 19th Oct 1882 after which his son Robert entertained them to dinner. Ralph Neville-Grenville died on the 20th August 1886. Probate on his personal estate was £29,389 6 10d. He left Corville House, all the lands and heriditaments etc amounting to over £6000, certain carriages, horses, furniture, plate and effect to the value of £500 to his wife: his house in St. James' Place is directed to be sold and the proceeds to pass with his residuary personal estate and the residue of his personal estate to pass to his son Robert. There are many pecuniary and specific gifts to children and other relatives friends and servants and the residue of his personal estate he gives to all his children, except his eldest son, equally.

This generation of the family were quite musical: The Western Gazette reported on 23 May 1884 a concert at the National School, Baltonsborough on May 15th where Miss Beatrice Neville sang several pieces alone or with Mrs. R. Neville and Robert Neville (who did a comic song) and George Neville played the violin. George was an accomplished pianist too.

In 1891, though Robert was now the squire, he still resided at Corvyle in the village while the Court was occupied by his sister Beatrice alone. Her mother Julia was temporarily absent but returned to die there on 17th October, 1892. Probate on her estate was £6732 14s 10d. Her age was given as 67 at death and on later censuses her birth year given as 1825 but on earlier censuses it was given as 1817, the same as her husband.

Addenda: The Western Daily Press 16 June 1932 quotes Captain Storr, secretary of the Bath & West Show as saying that the first steam engine ever displayed at the Bath & West was purchased by Ralph Neville-Grenville, Robert's father. No date given, but that it was still working in 1932. The Hampshire Advertiser 8 Jun 1872 commented that Ralph Neville Grenville exhibited his six horse power engine built by Messrs Aveling and Porter at the 1872 Bath and West Show. In the Lancaster Gazette 6 Mar 1875 Robert Neville-Grenville gave an account of the efficiency and use of this engine – which was let out for threshing. He also described the uses of an 8 horsepower Hornsby portable engine which was then 17 years old.

The National Portrait Gallery [ref. NPG D132] has a watercolour portrait of Sir Peregrine Fuller-Palmer-Acland, 2nd Bt. by Julia Neville-Grenville. They also have two albumen carte-de-visite of Ralph [NPGx1498 and NPGx21300] and one of Glastonbury Neville.

DD/S/BT/22/3/10 Ralph Neville's commission asLieutenant of the West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry 1835 DD/S/BT/22/3/11 Commission as Captain of the WSYC 1849 DD/S/BT/22/3/12/Lieutenant Colonel WSYC 1863

DD/S/BT/19/3/10-11 - 1] Ralph Neville Grenville of Butleigh Court, Revd. William Frederick Neville, vicar of Butleigh, Revd. Seymour Neville, canon of Windsor, Major Edward Neville, Lieut. Glastonbury Neville, William Wyndham Neville of Magdalen College, Oxford, sons of Revd. George Neville Grenville decd., 2] Ralph Neville Grenville, 3] William Waller, Earl of Dartmouth and William Wells of Holmwood, Hunts, trustees of James Lord Glastonbury decd., Conveyance of Church moor (6.2.5), Baltonsborough. Receipt enclosed. 1856

DD/S/BT/27/5/2-38 - Abstracts of marriage settlement of Ralph Neville Grenville and Julia Roberta Frankland, with correspondence, copies of accounts for the purchase and mortgage of 15 St James's Place.. [Somerset Archive and Records, BUTLEIGH COURT PAPERS] Date range: 1845 - 1851.

DD/S/BT/24/16/1-59 Letters to Ralph Neville Grenville mainly from family and friends, including many from his wife at Tring on domestic matters, from his mother Charlotte and from his children, and some copy replies, circulars and a letter to Arthur Kinglake concerning placing the Blake memorial in Shire Hall, Taunton. (1860). 1849-66

DD/S/BT/24/7/42 - Will (1871) with letters of administration annexed of General Sir George Bowles of Mayfair listing his personal estate and legacies and leaving residue to Mrs Fowler for charitable purposes, administration granted to Julia wife of Ralph Neville Grenville, Sir George's sister Ann Fowler being a lunatic.

C 16/867/G121 Gallway v Walsingham Plaintiffs: Sir William Payne Gallwey bart and Dame Emily Anne Payne Gallwey his wife. Defendants: Hon Thomas Baron Walsingham, Ralph Neville Grenville, Julia Roberta Neville Grenville his wife, Rosalind Alicia Frankland Russell Astley widow, Ralph William Payne Gallwey, Edwin John Payne Gallwey, Lionel Philip Payne Gallwey, Wyndham Harry Payne Gallwey infant by Lewis Llewellyn Dillwyn his guardian, Robert Neville, George Neville, Hugh Neville, Louis Neville, Claud Neville, Percy Neville respectively infants by William Frederick Neville their guardian, Bertram Frankland Astley, Hubert Delaval Astley, Reginald Basil Astley respectively infants by Edward Bowyer Sparke their guardian, Leonora Emily Payne Gallwey and Bertha Louisa Payne Gallwey respectively infants by William Mousell their guardian, Agnes Magdalen Neville, Beatrice Neville, Etheldreda Neville infants by William Frederick Neville their guardian and Jasper Henry Selwyn, Charles Lloyd, Charles Edward Murray, Herbert Harley Murray and William Hilliard Dunster. 1873

DD/S/BT/22/15/1-3 Catalogue of the books in Butleigh Court Library. Contains minutes of the Roxburghe Club meetings 1859-60 1860

DD/S/BT/24/11/1-23 Fire insurance policies with covers on properties in Butleigh including brick kilns and drying sheds, public house, a farm at Compton Dundon and farm house at Shillington, Beds. A valuation of Butleigh properties for insurance 1881. 1855-81

DD/S/BT/24/1929 Letter from Charles Hoare to Ralph Neville Grenville concerning his overdraft of £3,303 7s 6d. 1878

DD/S/BT/24/19/30-47 Correspondence concerning Howard Simcox who claimed descent from the Symcockes family, lords of Butleigh and deplored the destruction of their monument in Butleigh church, writing to the Shepton Mallet Journal on the subject, and summons for removing marble from the church. 1879 – 80

DD/S/BT/24/19/71-98 Miscellaneous letters to Ralph Neville Grenville including from his son Louis at Forth Bridge Works, Queensferry, Scotland about leaving New Zealand and his marriage, and from Serel at Wells about Cathedral affairs and complaining about Salvation Army. 1884-86

See below and http://www.william1.co.uk/w53.html#w53l2 for later descendants.

1a1) Robert Neville-Grenville b. 16 Dec 1846 Windsor Castle, Chr. 26 Jan 1847 St. George's Chapel, Windsor, d. 13 Sep, bur. 17 Sep 1936 Butleigh 71-72, 81-100, 91-123, 01-134 NEWSCLIPS NEWSCLIPS MEMORIAL P P2 P3 P4(1884)

Henry Fitzharding Berkeley Portman was the Rector of Staple Fitzpaine in Somerset, brother of Edward Berkeley, 1st Viscount Portman, and Gertrude had appeared with her parents in the Manor House there in 1851, '61 and '71. Robert was Christened in St. George's Chapel, Windsor on the morning that his father's brother, the Rev. William F. Neville married Fanny Grace Blackwood.

In 1851 Robert Neville aged just four was staying with his grandmother Lady Frankland Russell at 15 Cavendish Sq. together with his mother Julia Neville, sister Agnes (2) and brother George (1). He then became a student at Eton, in Evans House. In 1861 he was with both parents in Westminster. Robert Neville-Grenville graduated in 1868 from Magdalene College, Cambridge University, Cambridge, with a Master of Arts (M.A.). He studied engineering and was one of the first students to do so – heading the list of the first Applied Science Degree. While there he built and sailed his own 'Puffing Billy' steamboat on the Cam. He was apprenticed to Messrs. Easton, Amos and Anderson, engineers of London who were concerned with developing the Great Western Railway. He was registered as a Civil Engineer (C.E.). His great friend was George J. Churchward who designed the steam train named after his house – the Butleigh Court. Robert's coming of age and celebrations reported in the Bath Chronicle and Western Gazette on Thursday 26th Dec 1867.

By 1871 he lived at Butleigh Court with his parents where he was listed with the titles B.A., J.P., Lt. of the West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry. He had become a J.P. in 1870. He held the office of Deputy Lieutenant (D.L.) of Somerset - for which he qualified after having served in the Yeomanry for 14 years (retiring as Captain in 1884). He was an original Commissioner for the Somerset Drainage Act, 1877 and was chairman for many years. He was an Alderman of Somerset County Council from its inception. He married Gertrude Portman in 1879 and at the annual meeting of the Butleigh Friendly Society on the last Thursday in May 1879 Mr. W. B. Knight presented Robert, as treasurer, with a handsome pair of silver fish carver to celebrate his wedding. A report of the wedding appeared in the Western Gazette on Friday 2nd May 1879. On 18th May 1878 a great storm lashed Butleigh for two hours. Some houses were inundated to a depth of 3 feet and hailstones one inch in diameter smashed the glass in the squire's greenhouses. [Western Gazette 24 May 1878]. Robert became a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1879.

On Friday 2nd March 1880 the Glastonbury Council heard from the surveyor that the damage done to the roads by the traction engines of Robert Neville-Grenville could be estimated at £15 per year. The engines had caused extraordinary traffic but RNG stated that if the Council wished to restrict the trade of Glastonbury he would be quite willing to take it elsewhere. On the motion of Alderman Bulleid further consideration was deferred! [Western Gazette 5 Mar 1880]

In 1881 Robert and Gertrude lived at Corville, Wood Lane. Robert had moved in there in 1878 after the owner William Dyke died [aged 98, and 6' 3” tall!] and prior to his marriage to Gertrude. They were still there in 1891 and visited by Rachael N. Mildred, a niece. Robert assumed the surname Neville-Grenville on the death of his father in 1886 but didn't immediately move into the Court. That was still occupied by his mother and sister, though his mother was absent on census night 1891. She died in 1892. In Kelly's Directory of 1889 Robert is listed at Corvyle and also separately, as Robert Neville (only) as engineer and steam ploughman! Robert made a point of having a toast made to the Queen/King preparatory to every meal at the Court. Robert held the office of High Sheriff of Somerset in 1900 and the office of County Alderman for Somerset. A letter dated 14 Mar 1894 addressed to Mrs. W. P. Monckton at Corvyle [from Eastbourne] would suggest that Robert had left by that date – or she was a visitor [possibly the wife of Dr. Monckton from Bridgwater, born in Kent?]. By 1901 he lived at Butleigh Court with his wife and uncle Seymour Neville and was visited there on census night by a niece, Catherine Portman, who been born in Iowa in the USA. In 1911 Robert and Gertrude lived alone in Butleigh Court with 9 servants. Robert listed the Court as having 43 rooms (apart from kitchen, bathrooms, lobby, closets etc.). In November 1915 there was a serious outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease on the squire's farm alongside the farms of Messrs, Knight, Burroughs and Swanton. [Western Gazette 26 Nov 1915]. In 1917 August serious floods occurred at Meare-Road, Ashcott corner, Shapwick Heath and Smart's Heath, Baltonsborough and caused severe damage. Robert had a weather station and noted that 6.2 inches of rain had fallen in 24 hours. In 1860 Mr. Clark at Street had recorded 2.2 inches, the previous heaviest [Taunton Courier 22 Aug 1917], Robert presided over the Somerset Drainage Commission during the War.

Newspapers carry accounts of several hunts, festivals and bazaars held in the Court grounds such as; 22nd June 1887 Jubilee Festival at Butleigh Court – apart from the sports RNG bore all the expenses. Tea provided, fireworks and Jubilee medals for the children – about 800 attended and the caterer was Mr. Silcox [Bristol Mercury 25 Jun 1887]; A precursor to the Butleigh Revel was the Garden Fete on Wednesday July 5th 1893 in the Court gardens when a Pastoral Play was performed There were two performances The first performance was 2s the second 6d; On 9th and 10th July 1895 in aid of a fund to build a new Vestry for St. Leonard's Church:-

BUTLEIGH COURT GARDENS (By kind permission of R. Neville-Grenville, Esq.). GRAND FANCY FAIR & RURAL FETE Will be Held on TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY, JULY 9th & 10th, In Aid of Building a Vestry for the PARISH CHURCH. A LARGE AND VARIED ASSORTMENT OF HOME AND FOREIGN GOODS. Moderate Prices. INSTRUMENTAL, VOCAL AND DRAMATIC PERFORMANCES. Numerous Amusements. including a Miniature Bisley. A Loan Exhibition, including Relics of Oliver Cromwell. Butleigh Maypole Dancers. Handbell Ringers. Photography. DANCING in a Large Tent, lighted by Electricity. The Celebrated STREET BRASS and REED BAND will Attend. The ANGLO-BAVARIAN BREWERY Co.'s FIRE BRIGADE will give various EXHIBITION DRILLS with their STEAM FIRE ENGINE each Afternoon and Evening. On Wednesday Evening, at 7.30, there will be a BICYCLE WHEEL-SPINNING CONTEST. Prize, a Lito Lamp, value 12s 6d. Presented by Messrs. Croom & Co. Entries 6d each. For particulars apply to Mr. N. HADDOCK. REFRESHMENTS at popular prices. Ample protection against inclement weather. Admission :- Tuesday, 2.30 to 5. 1s ; from 5, 6d. Wednesday, 2.30 to 5, 6d ; from 5, 3d. The Gardens each night will be closed at 10 o'clock.

Robert set up a Cheese School on his estate which was run by Mary Cannon, daughter of Henry Cannon of Milton Clevedon until it closed Nov. 1893. The squire carried out experiments on cider making at Butleigh with chemist Mr. F. J. Lloyd (viz.) from that time until 1902. He was instrumental in the founding of the National Fruit and Cider Institute at Long Ashton. [see Western Daily Press 7 May 1921] He was awarded a gold medal from France for his work. Formerly he was on the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society and also the Bath and West of England Agricultural Society. He was also head of the Drainage Board for the County of Somerset, chairman of Somerset Catchment Board and chairman of the Upper Brue Drainage Board. He was a pioneer in the use of steam powered engines, tractors and ploughs. The Grenville Carriage [see Picture Gallery] was built in 1875 and in that same year Robert also began building a steam plough which cost £2000 and would earn him a return of 15 to 25% [Western Gazette 29 Oct 1875]. His use of steam rollers to compact surfaces from 1879 was an innovation and revolution in road building. The local Highways Board were looking for steam rollers to pack the surface of various roads and applied to RNG – he offered to let them have the use of a roller in the district at 22s per day for three years from Lady day next for not less than 200 days work per year. Work done up to Lady Day would be at a reduced rate. The Board accepted the offer [Western Gazette 13 Jan 1893]. In 1886 his charges were £1 15s per day over a month [or £2 per day if less than a month] for hire of steam roller with the authority finding coke and water. In the Western Gazette 12 Apr 1889 is a detailed account by Robert of how advantageous steam rollers were for the building of roads. Robert had his own fleet of steam rollers which bore his nameplate - Robert Neville, Butleigh, Somerset. IMAGE

Robert was sometimes called as an expert witness e.g. is the case of the Yeovilton Boiler Explosion where two men were killed and one seriously injured [Bristol Mercury 12 Jun 1896]. In late 1894 Robert opened a new quarry for the purpose of obtaining stone for highways, on his estate. [Wells Journal 8 Nov 1894]

In July 1902 Robert was returning home from a meeting of the County Council at Taunton on his motor tricycle when he ran into a cyclist going in the opposite direction, in Langport. No serious injury was incurred, though both were thrown to the ground, and Robert took out is cheque-book and paid for the immediate repair of the cycle and then continued home, albeit with a seriously wobbly wheels. [Western Gazette 11 Jul 1902] Robert made suggestions as to how one could reduce accidents at cross-roads [Western Gazette 27 Aug and 17 Sep 1926] and instituted his system in Butleigh as a trial – where one road would be considered the main road and the other the subsidiary road with appropriate markings warning the motorist to slow down or stop before the junction. He advocated 'magpie' black and white posts to warn the motorists – or in Butleigh where he painted white and black markings on the stone walls of the village. [the origin of then name Sub Road now given to what was originally called the New Road?] When the Land Drainage Act was passed in 1930 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries elected Robert Neville-Grenville as one of the first members of the Somerset Rivers Catchment Board. Bath Chronicle 31 Jan 1931.

Gertrude was presented in 1898 with a silver key by the Mayor of Glastonbury when she opened the Jubilee 'Glastonbury Victoria Nursing Home'. [Bath Chronicle 14 Jul 1898]. The Western Daily Press 17 Mar 1919 notes she was presented with a diploma by Countess Waldegrave for her honourable service [and that of Butleigh Red Cross] – she played a large part in the activities of the Somerset Red Cross Society during the Great War. She became Vice-President of the Somerset Red-Cross Association and a photograph exists of her c. 1919 (? - the Wells meeting at the Cedars Red Cross Hos[pital] with a large group of members.

Robert had a master's certificate and often sailed his steam yacht The Otter in the Baltic, Norwegian Fiords and Mediterranean. 'Bob' also set up a successful trout fishery from which he helped stock Blagdon Lake with both common and rainbow trout. The Western Daily Press [26 Jul 1939] reported that RNG had presented Mr. Donald Carr nr. Ubley with rainbow trout yearlings in 1905 which went into the Lake. Robert and Gertrude both died in 1936 and the Court was unoccupied thereafter, becoming a ruin by 1972. It was partly demolished and the remainder restored as four separate dwellings which were occupied from 1978 onwards. The Squire had sold the Abbot's Tribunal in Glastonbury to the National Trust and Glastonbury Tor was soon to go to them after his death. Robert Neville Grenville and Gertrude had no children. They died and were buried within a month of each other. Probate on Robert's estate was £9732 4s 2d and Gertrude's was £7316 1s 5d. The Bath Chromicle 14 Aug 1937 reported a further grant of £60,000 in respect of settled lands was issued making the total £69,732. Funeral service [Western Morning News 18 Sep and Bath Chronicle 19 Sep 1936 carry accounts of the funeral and attendees]. Before Robert's death. a notice to the Upper Brue Drainage Board in December 1934 noted that the 'Squire', the greatest authority on the Somerset drainage system, 'has been lying seriously ill at Butleigh Court'. However, he was still elected as chairman. [Western Daily Press 3 December 1934]

An interesting advert in the Western Gazette, 9 May 1890, placed by Mrs. Neville Grenville, was for “Girl (strong), about 18, as scullerymaid. Must have been out before. Used to scrubbing and able to cook vegetables well. Wages £12 and all found except beer.” Most girls hired tended to be young – Western Gazette 4 Aug 1922 Mrs. Neville-Grenville advertised for a third housemaid aged about 17 [with some experience] and a scullerymaid aged 15.

The squire was quite a raconteur and a tale he regaled to Mr. Dan Pidgeon who wrote about cider making in Glastonbury was repeated in the Morning Post 6 Jan 1891:

Not many years ago some shallow muddy pools, hollowed in the Lias formation of the neighbourhood, formed the only water-supply of a certain Somersetshire village. These, in pre-scientific days excited no man's fears but housewives scrubbed and cooked in happy ignorance of the microbe and his wily ways. At length there came a new sanitary inspector, Pasteur bitten, and a microscopist, who shocked at the state of things he found, could not rest until he had brought down Mr. Bailey Denton to inspect and report. The authority arrived and was duly horrified at the mudholes whence, he presumed, the village drank. Turning to the hale old native who had shown him the way he said, 'And is this the water you drink, sir?' 'Whaat did you zay, zur?' was the surprised reply, and the question had to be repeated more than once before the Western man could catch its drift. At length he caught on and with a burst of hearty laughter exclaimed 'Oh, Lord Bless 'ee, noa, zur, we doant drink no watter down here, we've got plenty o' good zider in Zummerzet!'.

Robert penned 'The birth of engineering at the University of Cambridge' which gives an account of his career and that of Frank C. Simpson.

On 22nd June 1909 the future King George V and his wife, the Princess of Wales, paid a visit to Glastonbury Abbey on the occasion of the restoration of the Abbey to the Church of England and Robert was photographed along with the other dignitaries including Mr. Ernest Jardine of Nottingham [appears with RNG on his steam yacht The Otter in other photographs].. PHOTO

The Bath Chronicle 17 Aug 1912 reported that “The mayor of Bath [Alderman Thomas Forder Plowman] is taking advantage of a lull in Civic affairs to absent himself for a short rest and change. He started for Dartmouth this morning for a cruise aboard Mr. R. Neville Grenville's steam yacht “Otter”, and unless some unforseen municipal business should necessitate his earlier return, he proposes to be away about ten days. His worship for many years past has taken a holiday in this way, and some years ago particulars of his experiences aboard were published under the title “Notes of a Yachting Cruise, by a Landsman” Vinton & Co. 1900 London].

Robert was President of the Wells Division of the Conservative Party and somewhat reactionary in his advancing years. In 1921 speaking at a Somerset farmer's Meeting at Wells he declared that trade unions were “the biggest tyrants on God's earth”. The curse of England today was due to bad teeth and trade unions – one caused indigestion and irritability, and the other, with their teachings of idleness, ruined their souls. The shortened hours were worse than high wages. Nature never stopped. On Saturday afternoons they had to go round to their cows and whisper in their ears “please don't calve till nine o'clock on Monday morning, when Bill will be back – if he is sober”. How could agriculture survive on this rot! [Western Daily Press 28 Mar 1921] In 1926 he made a speech at their September garden party and asked when would people see that the better and cheaper they could do work, the more of it there would be to do! This during the miner's strike when wages had been lowered beyond what a miner could survive on. He was also elected President of the Somerset Archaeological Society for 1927. Robert was chairman of the Wells Conservatives when Capt. Anthony Eden visited on Saturday 12th May 1928 and gave a speech on how their government had supported the League of nations and disarmament. [Western daily Press 14 May 1928]

The heir to the Butleigh Court Estate was Captain Richard Neville (1a2A (2)) of the Grenadier Guards [formerly of Queen Anne Cottage, Windsor, then of Shelley Court, Tite St., London SW1 according to the sale catalogue] who disposed of it in 1947. PHOTO of the Squire's nephews Robert Stopford and Geoffrey and Philip Neville (1a2 (2,3)) in 1905 and (2) other relatives meeting for a dance.

The Western Gazette 13 Mar 1931 records that there was a 'rainfall' [weather] station at Butleigh Court. Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries June 1924 illustrates the medieval dove-cot at Butleigh.

Robert Neville-Grenville had greatly supported the staging of 'The Butleigh Revel' in 1906 which took place in his grounds. He played several parts including Parson Radford. P1, P2, P3

NOTE – In the Hall of the Court were two banners taken from Sebastopol by Glastonbury Neville, having acquired them for £1 from a sailor who had annexed them. There were also small banners from the trumpeters which belonged to first Ralph then Robert Neville-Grenville when High Sherifs of Somerset. These and the sundial given by Robert's brother George were taken to Henstridge in September 1946 by Richard Neville. The Saloon and dining room were decorated by Crase in the early 1860's at a cost of £500.The cannon balls at the front door were brought by Edward Neville from the Crimea and also taken to Henstridge. The statue of Alfred the Great, originally by the West garden wall (now moved to before the old stables) was placed there by Ralph Neville-Grenville who bought it from the sculptor of statues which were being placed in the West Front of Wells cathedral. The same sculptor made a statue of Julia Neville-Grenville which stood in the West Front of the Court in a niche. It was done from life and was regarded as a remarkable likeness.

Glastonbury Tor which passed from Sir Henry Hoare of Stourhead to James Grenville, Lord Glastonbury was offered to the National Trust in 1935 for £3000. [an article in the Western Gazette 2 Jul 1880 refers to the fact that there were steps leading to the top of St. Michael's chapel tower on the Tor but the squire had them removed “on account of the mischievous propensities of the youths of the neighbourhood.”]. The Tribunal in Glastonbury, bought by Ralph Neville-Grenville in 1850 to prevent it being destroyed was turned over to the National Trust in 1936 by Robert Neville-Grenville. [see Western Gazette 9 Dec 1932 for an appeal by the Glastonbury Mayor H. F. Scott-Stokes to raise £900 to buy land on the Tor not already promised by its owner Robert Neville-Grenville]. Even though the squire had died his promise of the Tor to the National Trust was still valid if they could raise the sum required by Christmas 1936, which they did.

In the herbaceous walk down to the kitchen garden was a thorn tree from a cutting of the celebrated Glastonbury Thorn. The gardens had been open to the public on 8 Aug 1933 in order to fund the Queen's Institute of District Nursing. The Court was used to store nationally important paintings during the War for safety, probably the Neville's pictures included, but also the famous pictures from the Guildhall, Bath which were re-hung for the visit of Princess Elizabeth in October 1945 [Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 27 Oct 1945]. The Bath Council awarded the two custodians of the paintings at Butleigh Court £10 each 'for the care and attention they have given to the property of the Corporation during the last four years'. [Bath Chronicle 14 Jul 1945].

The Newspapers carry many references to Robert Neville-Grenville's winning prizes for his milk, butter, cheese and prized stock, especially his pure-bred South Down rams.

C 14/879/N24 Neville v Fortescue Documents: Bill, demurrer. Plaintiffs: Robert Neville infant by William Frederick Neville his next friend. Defendants: George Matthew Fortescue, Hon Hugh Cholmondeley, George Neville Grenville, Ralph Neville and Hugh [Fortescue] Earl Fortescue. 1848

DD/S/BT/22/3/13 Robert Neville's commission as Cornet in the West Somerset Yeomanry Cavalry 1869

DD/S/BT/24/7/43 Notice and conditions of sale of Corville House, Butleigh and arable in Barton St. David. 1878

1a2) George Neville CVO, KCB, Legion of Honour b. 18 Mar 1850, d. Monday 5 Feb 1923 (Mar Q 1a/540 St. Geo., Hanover Sq.) at 12, Stafford Mansions, Stafford Place, London PHOTO PHOTO2

George Entered the services as a Naval Cadet 14 Jun 1862, became sub-lieutenant 28 Sep 1869, lieutenant 30 Dec 1872. He appeared in 1881 aboard HMS 'Comus' as Lieutenant. He became a Commander 6 Jun 1885 and married Fairlie Florence Lloyd-Jones, younger daughter of David Lloyd Jones [late of Avenel, Victoria, also of Llandovery Carmarthen] on 9 November 1886 at the British Legation, Berne.- in 1891 they lived at 2, Nelson Terrace, Stoke Damerel, Devon, with three children. He commanded the Dolphin (screw sloop) in the Mediterranean from Jan 1888 to Sept 1890 and was promoted to Captain 30 Jun 1892. In the New Zealand Herald 6 Sep 1894 it was reported that Captain George Neville was appointed to the command of the Victorian Naval Defence Forces – he was in command of the Orlando December 1894. He was a member of the United Service and Naval and Military Clubs. He ceased duty in Victoria on 12 January, 1898, and was appointed in command of the second class protected cruiser Dido on 10 May. The Dido made its maiden voyage round the Mediterranean in 1898/9 and on board was George's brother Louis who painted several ports, mountains and views [Dec 1898 – April 1899]. George took command of the battle-cruiser Australia on 3 March, 1900. He was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 11 October, 1901. On 11 December, 1902, he was appointed captain of the pre-dreadnought Mars.

In 1901 he appeared on the census with wife and child at the Albemarle Hotel, Portsmouth (as a Captain RN). Sir George Neville was decorated with the, Legion of Honour, the Order of the Rising Sun of Japan (2nd class) and the Order of Orange-Nassau of the Netherlands. He held the office of Aide-de-Camp to HM King Edward VII between 1903 and 1904 and was invested as a Commander, Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) in 1905. In October 1904 he had been elevated to Rear-Admiral. He was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) in 1909. He was Vice-Admiral of the 3rd and 4th Divisions, Home Fleet between 1909 and 1911, elevated to Admiral and then retired in 1912. He had circumnavigated the world twice with H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh with whom he was associated for over 20 years. He lived at Murtry Hill House, Frome. Left gross estate of £37,264 18s 1d with net personalty of £30,034 3s 9d. He also owned a Mercedes car which he bought new in 1910 with the registration Y3. Y1 belonged to Robert Neville-Grenville [Y was the registration for Somerset] and Y2 belonged to Sir Arthur Thring of Alford. He was Robert Neville-Grenville's heir and this passed to his son Ralph who also died in 1936 leaving his son Richard as heir. It was he who sold the Court in 1947. "Death of Admiral Sir G. Neville" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 7 February, 1923. Issue 43259, col D, p. 13.

Fairlie Florence was a Lady in Waiting to Queen Mary. When aged 74 in August 1936 she travelled to Newfoundland with her niece Margaret Roberta Neville to attend the funeral of her errant son Ralph. She must have been a doughty lady because on the 17 Feb 1939, aged 76 she again travelled alone on the SS “Strathnaver”, to Tangier – her address given as 12, Stafford Mansions, S.W.

Alfred Geoffrey [Capt. British Army Royal Horse Artillery, E. Battery, in Great War] was a General Staff officer of 1st British troops in China 1939-40, Royal Artillery, and became acting Brigadier as Deputy director of Information & Propaganda at the War Office 11th Nov 1940 and a temporary Brigadier on 11th May 1941. He retired in 1945. He was an assistant military attaché in Paris. The three brothers are mentioned in a stained glass window in St. Leonard's church.

1a2A) Ralph Neville b. 4 Sep 1887 (Sep Q 5c/416 Yeovil), d. 4 Aug 1936 Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

During the Great War, according to his epitaph, Ralph commanded destroyers. In August 1917 he had been promoted to Lieut. Commander [Newcastle Journal 1 Sep 1917]. In 1921 Mrs. Ralph Neville was looking for a cook address Butleigh, Thatched Cottage. In 1922 Mrs. Ralph Neville of 31, Eaton Terrace, London SW was looking for a nurse for her 2 year old daughter. In 1924 Mrs. Ralph Neville advertised for a furnished house with six bedroom within ten miles of Glastonbury – address 30, Evelyn Mansions, Victoria, London. In 1930 the Nevilles occupied Corvyle when Mrs. Ralph Neville applied for a maid for two children, girl 10, boy 8 – must be a good needlewoman. [Western Gazette 31 Oct 1930]. She had earlier that year advertised for housemaid and pastry cook. Up to the 1920's officers in the Royal Navy were still able to advance the careers of their sons and nephews by using the 'haul-down' promotion privilege. In 1912 Winston Churchill had noted a minute that this was undesirable and Ralph was even mentioned in a record TNA, ADM 1/8632/162 “Lieutenant Commander Ralph Neville recommended for special promotion – suggestion that Royal Yacht Promotion be discontinued in future, 1922

At a party for naval officers in Newfoundland in 1932 Ralph met a young lady some twenty years his junior, Marjorie Carter [b. 2 Sep 1913, d.o. Cornelius and Ida Carter] and they ran away together and lived for four years in a log cabin in the Newfoundland woods. They had a daughter Nadage but Ralph caught pneumonia and died. His wife had sued him for divorce for restitution of conjugal rights, according to one of the old Butleigh Court servants. [granted 5 Nov 1934 - Sunderland Daily Echo 5 Nov 1934]. Commander Ralph Neville died of broncho-pneumonia, aged 48 and left settled land of the value of £10,000 which together with unsettled property already valued at £3,049 makes the total value of his estate passing at his death £13,049. [Western Daily Press 28 Jul 1937]. A memorial tablet of Hoptonwood stone was placed in St.Leonard's church in his memory in May 1937.

On the death of his father Richard became the heir of Robert Neville-Grenville and owner of the Butleigh Court Estate. Until he came of age it was managed by the estate executors, including the Plantagenet Cary family. Emma Lucy Mildred [Gertrude Neville-Grenville's sister] had spent many visits to Butleigh Court, and was followed by her daughter Beatrice Awdry who carried out nursing duties. A descendant of the latter and her husband informed that they related stories 'that the Estate had been left to a young boy but that the one who had descended upon Butleigh and reduced the estate to ruins was a difficult and disagreeable  woman who had interest only in the money!' - Lettice Neville. She obviously had no love left for her unfaithful husband's estate nor his family history.

The executors sold off the stock and feed from the Home Farm in 1936 and the Home Farm with 131 acres, house, outbuildings and four cottages was to be let from Ladies Day. [Western Gazette 2 Oct 1936] They commissioned Cooper and Tanner to sell some of the contents at the Court on 25th – 27th August 1937 [1158 lots – furniture, silver, plated goods, brass & copper, paintings, engravings, china, ornaments etc]. LIST After the War Richard soon began to sell off his inheritance. Some of the contents were sold in a local auction at Butleigh House on 25 Sep 1946 [ Western Daily Press 13 Sep 1946 – for catalogue see under Picture Gallery] and the estate itself in 1947. Other items were sold individually such as the portrait of General Richard Grenville painted by Gilbert Stuart of North Kingstown, Rhode Island (1755-1828) Boston at Christies, London on 5 April 1946 lot 58 for 380 guineas to Polak, was with Leggatt Brothers 1953. Eventually it was sold to Dr. and Mrs. Francis D. Fowler, sold Christies New York 2012, [2657] Old Masters II, lot 278. [76.2 x 63.2 cm Portrait in red coat, bust-length in a painted oval – oil on canvas]. IMAGE The Western Daily Press also reported 6 Apr 1946 that 'the Gainsborough Portrait of General Neville, Marquess of Buckingham, which was sent to Christie's of London, by Captain Richard Neville of Glastonbury was sold yesterday for 150 guineas. Richard also sold the portrait of Mrs. George Grenville, nee Elizabeth Wyndham in a blue dress (as Diana) on 5 Apr 1946 at Christies for 24 guineas and the portrait of Richard Aldworth Griffin-Neville (lot 37). Many items from the Court Richard transferred to his house at Henstridge – the principal lands of the estate were sold to a London investor, Hawkins, for a reputed £118,000 after the 1947 sale. Capt. Philip Lloyd Neville, his uncle, lived at Henstridge and Richard must have lived with him after the death of his father. Capt. Philip L. Neviile gave the 'Grenville Steam Car' Y1 to the City Museum, Bristol in 1947 – probably on Richard's behalf.

A portion of the Library from Butleigh Court (Including Books on Botany and Natural History, with Coloured Plates; Travel; Topography; Standard Literature; and an Almost Complete Series of the Publications of the Roxburghe Club [world's oldest society of Bibliophiles]) was sold 28/29 Oct 1946 by Sotheby & Co. The Western Daily Press 31 Oct 1946 reported : Books from Somerset fetch £315 A first edition of Samuel Pepys' memoirs sent by Captain R. Neville, Butleigh Court, Glastonbury, fetched £150, at Sothebys, London, yesterday. The memoirs, edited by Richard Lord Braybrookc. were in two volumes, a French book on butterflies, also sent by Captain Neville, realised £165. Published in Amsterdam between 1779 and 1791, contained coloured plates.” [A catalogue of books in Butleigh Court Library is in Somerset Archives and Record Service DD/S/BT/22/15/1-3 1860]

Other items left in the house before the estate sale were appropriated by individuals as souvenirs [private information - concerning a small portrait in oils of Robert Neville-Grenville and a banjo barometer]. Captain Neville of Charlton Adam told me in the early 1980's that he returned home from the Navy and passing the Court in 1946 saw that much of the contents of the house including family portraits being sold to the public and no-one had bothered to inform him. He had a very poor opinion of Richard.

Another picture that Richard sold was of Sir Henry Neville 1564 – 1615. It is dated 1596 and sold at Christies 'Pictures by Old Masters' 5 Apr 1946 Lot 41 and exhibited The Arcade Gallery 1947 [19 Mar – 19 Apr – No. 13]. Sir Henry Neville was a courtier and diplomat. He was appointed ambassador to the Court of Henri IV of France in 1599. As a young man he travelled extensively on the Continent with his tutor Henry Saville, later Warden of Merton College, Oxford and he has been proposed by some modern historians as an alternative source of authorship for the works of William Shakespeare Sold Wooley & Wallis 10 Dec 2014 Lot 42. Sir Henry

A horse called Butleigh Court was an 'also ran' in the 2.30 at Ascot in June 1948 and several other races in 1947/8. Not known if there is any connection to Richard Neville, the last owner of the Court.

1a2B) Capt. Philip Lloyd Neville CVO, RN b. 7 Oct 1888 (Dec Q 6c/296 Upton on Severn) s.o. Sir George and Fairlie Florence (nee Lloyd-Jones) Neville, d. 23 Aug, bur. 11 Sep 1976 (Sep Q 23/1463 Yeovil) Butleigh

Philip was appointed Captain in the RN on 15th Nov. 1903. Capt. Neville fought in both World Wars and was gentleman usher to HM King George VI between 1937 and 1952. Gentleman Usher to Elizabeth II 1952 – 67 and extra gentleman usher to his death. He lived at Keyham, Henstridge. His grandson Richard Ralph Neville will become the next, 11th Lord Braybrooke. The present Lord Braybrooke, Robin Henry Charles Neville, married three times, divorced twice and had eight daughters but on his death the Audley End estate of 6,000 acres and the Neville treasures will pas to Richard Ralph Neville - 35-year-old fourth cousin, once removed. Audley End House belongs to English Heritage but all the contents belong to the Braybrooke family.

1a3) Louis Neville artist and engineer, b. 29 Jul,, Chr. 4 Aug 1852 Butleigh, s.o. Ralph and Julia Roberta (nee Frankland Russell) Neville-Grenville, d. 7 May, bur. 12 May 1919 Timaru, New Zealand

Louis' grandmother Charlotte Neville-Grenville (nee Legge) was a watercolourist, as was his mother Julia, daughter of the artist Sir Robert Frankland Russell, Bart. His sister Agnes also produced watercolours, of Butleigh, and probably some of his other siblings painted too. Louis appears on the 1861 census with his parents at 3, Buckingham Gate House, St. Margaret's, Westminster but the family had moved into the new Butleigh Court around 1860 and Louis spent some years there, appearing in the family photo of 1865 and taking part in the Christmas Festivities and play of December 1867. He played cricket for the local team [Western Gazette 5 Aug 1870].

By the 1871 census he was a boarding pupil at Boyne House, College Road, Cheltenham. In January 1875 he attended the Yeomanry Ball at Exeter [Western Times, 8,9 and 12 Jan 1875]. He sailed to New Zealand in 1876 and at first settled in Dunedin where he exhibited paintings in the first 'Otago Art Society' exhibition. He painted watercolours and exhibited with OAS 1876–80. As a sportsman he was in the first Rugby team to tour New Zealand. In Oct 1879 he moved to Christchurch to work for Lyttelton Harbour Board for whom he drew up the plans for the construction of the dock 1879–82, and exhibited in the Sydney Exhibition 1879 as a Christchurch painter, with the CSA 1881 and 1882. He married Ada Isabel Rouse, daughter of surgeon John Thomas Rouse, on 25 Feb 1879 at Lyttelton. They had a son Bertram Neville b. 20 Jan 1880 Christchurch and also a daughter Margaret Roberta Neville born 8 Jul 1881 Christchurch. Isabel's father died 18 Dec 1884 after a fall from his horse. He was the son of Thomas Rouse, ironmonger of Colchester and had arrived in NZ in 1860 aboard the ship “Roman Emperor” and had married Ada Isabel Lee, d.o. merchant Edward Lee, on 19th Sep 1860 at St. Paul's Church, Redfern, Sydney NSW Australia – they had four daughters and a son.

Louis and his family returned to England in May 1882 [bells were pealed in Butleigh on the occasion – Western Gazette 26 May 1882]. In 1883 he painted a watercolour of GLASTONBURY TOR with the Court and Butleigh Rectory in the middle ground. His return saw him involved in local Somerset events – in Feb 1884 he painted scenery for a play [Western Gazette 22 Feb 1884] and attended the Bath and West of England Show [Western Daily Press 10 Jun 1885]. He was the engineer for Sir William Arrol and Joseph Phillips, contractors in the construction of the Forth Bridge approach railway, Truss Bridge, Hope Street, Inverkeithing, 1883 – 90, and continued as an engineer working at the Oxford Canal Navigation Office, 1893.

His address in 1887 is listed as South Queensferry, Scotland. Louis Neville appears in Directories in Limerick and Wexford between 1885 and 1891. He was exhibiting his paintings in 1890 at the Bath and West show ['by River Awe, near. Tynalt', 'estuary of the Thames', 'outward bound', 'Glastonbury'] where he was stated to be 'of Glastonbury'; in 1892 and 1894 he exhibited at the Oxford Art Society [Oxford Journal 20 Oct 1892]. In November 1897 he again exhibited 'Running before the Wind' and 'Barges off Sheerness' at the Oxford Art Society. The Isle of Wight Observer of 13 Aug 1898 reported his attendance at the Royal Victoria Club Regatta. On the 1901 census Isabel Neville b. 1862 New Zealand, boarded at 17, Eaton South Place, St. George Hanover Sq., An L. Neville appears in Court & legal references in Dublin in 1906. In 1907 he was in Sutton, Co. Dublin and in 1910 at the Infantry Barracks, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. He exhibited 4 paintings at the Royal Hibernian Academy, 1 at the Royal Society of Artists, 70 at the Walker Gallery London, 10 at the Walker Gallery Liverpool and 1 at the New Gallery. His main subjects were landscapes and seascapes in watercolour. PHOTO of Louis on 'The Otter' 1906 or 1909

On the 1911 census Louis was described as an 'artist (painter)' when he was a visitor at Boley Hill House, Rochester, Kent, home of Thomas Lake Aveling 'Civil and Mechanical Engineer'. His wife was a guest of William Maitland in Chelsea (widower of Louis' sister Agnes M. Neville) on the 1911 census but she may have then returned to New Zealand - an Ada Neville appears on the electoral roll in NZ in 1911 as does son Bertram, and an Ada Isabel Neville then appears on the electoral roll in New South Wales Australia in 1913 as again does her son Bertram. Bertram was still there in 1915. Louis' wife seems to have called herself Isabel, not Ada. In 1891 Louis' daughter Margaret Roberta was a boarder at St. Annes School, Martins Street, Baltonsborough and on the 1901 census she lived with her aunt Agnes M. Maitland (née Neville) at 18, Lennox Gardens, Chelsea. She was absent from the 1911 UK census.

The dates on paintings might indicate where Louis was in particular years but the paintings may have been completed from earlier sketches. On 29 Sep 1911 an L. Neville appears on the passenger list of the 'Remuera' sailing from London to Wellington, New Zealand arriving on 13 Nov 1911 when he is described as 'artist'. Louis sailed home from Wellington on 7 Mar 1812 to London. His two 'Seascapes' of Cape Horn, signed and dated 'March 1912' were painted on this return journey. PICTURE Other dated 1912/3 paintings would place him in Ireland though on 6 Dec 1912 Louis sailed from Southampton to Buenos Aires, Argentina, bound for Montevideo in Uruguay on the 'Avon'. The 'Magellan Straight' dated 1913 suggests this was on his return to New Zealand.

His health had caused his return to New Zealand and two paintings of 1915 suggest that he might have been there then. William John Cotterill, his executor, stated, regarding his will, that Louis last arrived in New Zealand on 4th Jan 1917 and was in Timaru since Easter 1917. His will is dated 25th September 1917 and was witnessed by two nurses, and he died on 7 May 1919.

Obituary Timaru Herald, 12 May 1919, Page 5 Mr. Louis Neville. The funeral took place on Friday, last at Timaru, of Mr Louis Neville, who passed away on Wednesday. Mr Neville, who was the younger son of the late Mr. Ralph Neville-Grenville, of Butleigh Court, Glastonbury, England, was born in England in 1852. In 1877, Mr Neville arrived in Otago, where he remained for some time. During his residence in Otago he took a prominent part in rowing and football, and was a member of the first Rugby team which toured New Zealand. Later on Mr Neville went to Lyttelton, where he was engineer to the Lyttelton Harbour Board during the time of the construction of the Lyttelton where he afterwards Mr Neville returned to England, and was engaged as one of the engineers on the construction of the Forth bridge, and later on took up the position of permanent engineer on the Oxford canal. His health compelled him to relinquish his profession as a civil engineer, and at the end of 1916 Mr Neville returned to New Zealand, coming to Timaru. Mr. Neville intended to return to England but war conditions prevented him, and, he remained in Timaru until his death. Mr Neville took a keen and active interest in art, and his paintings have been favourably and widely known throughout Canterbury for the past 40 years. During his stay in Timaru he produced many bright pictures of scenes about the Bay, and a number of Alpine views, which were much admired for the excellence of their drawing and the clearness of their colouring. In 1879, Mr Neville married Miss Rouse, daughter of the late Dr. Rouse, of Lyttelton, by whom he is survived and who is in England, and by a son and a daughter, both of whom saw service at the front.'

There is a small headstone in the Timaru cemetery. Probate granted 25th Aug 1919, estate less than £3400, his will;

Dear Jack (William John Cotterill of NZ Shipping Co.), In the event of my death in N.Z. Will you please – as my executor – carry out thusly;

1) Expend the least possible sum on my funeral - & nothing on a head stone etc.

2) The money to my credit at the Bank of Australasia and the voucher which you hold for my return fare for England, should be more than sufft to pay all just debts, funeral ex.s and my legacy of £10 to you – there may also be a small sum due to me at Radcliffe's – the balance if any please send to Isabel.

    3) Please send Isabel my sketch books & other drawing effects – my camera – rods & fishing tackle – watch, chain & other jewellery.

  1. My clothes, boots etc. I leave to you to do what you please with, also such trunks etc as are not required to send the other effects in

    5) Do what you please with any drawings of mine at Radcliffe's or Fisher's. [witnessed Elizabeth and Colina M. Shanks, nurses]

1b) William Frederick Neville b. 3 Jul, Chr. 18 Sep 1818 Hawarden, Prebendary of Wells, Rural Dean and Vicar of Butleigh, died 18 Apr, bur. 22 Apr 1882 (Jun Q 5c/354 Wells) Butleigh 51-30, 61-55, 71-81, 81-102 OBIT

In 1841 Fanny lived with her parents at 68, Eaton Place, Belgrave, Westminster, her father worked in the Ordnance Office. She married William just after 2 pm on 26 Jan 1847 in what was the first marriage in St. George's Chapel for over 80 years. Robert Neville [-Grenville] had been baptized there the same morning. [Sherborne Mercury 30 Jan 1847] In 1851 the western end of the present High Street must have been called Church Street and the rebuilt vicarage was included under the heading 'Church Street'. The Vicar, William Frederick Neville was the brother of the squire, Ralph Neville-Grenville and became vicar of Butleigh in 1845. He lived in the Vicarage with Fanny Grace and their three children

On census night in 1851 William and Fanny had a visitor - Fanny Charlotte Montgomery (30) #. There were also eight servants, all unmarried and none born in Somerset.

In 1861 at the 'Parsonage' the Rev. William F. Neville and Fanny had three additional children;

In 1871 at the 'Vicarage'. the Rev. Neville and Fanny had just four children at home, Constance, William (back from Oxford University), Grace and Frank. There were five servants, all unmarried. W. F. Neville often entered agricultural shows and had some prize animals. One sow is recorded in 1873 as having 169 pigs in 12 litters and another in 1874 as having had 203 piglets in 14 litters, the latter over the period of seven years. William is recorded as a brother of the Society of the Holy Cross in their roll for 1876-77.

In 1881 the house was not identified by name. The Reverend Neville and Fanny now had Mary home again plus Grace and Frank (2nd Lieutenant of the 5th Foot). William was away boarding with the Curate of Wantage. There were four servants, none Somerset born and all single. William F. Neville died on 18 April 1882 after a painful illness and was succeeded as vicar by his son William.

William: In 1881 he was at the Priory, Wantage - boarding with the Curate, Herbert Woodward. An announcement in the Western Gazette 19 May 1882 states “The Rev. William Neville, vicar of Watlington, has been appointed vicar of Butleigh in place of his late father”. William graduated from Magdalen College Oxford, B.A. In 1873, M.A. In 1875. Ordained deacon in 1875, priest 1876. William was absent from the Vicarage in 1891 [occupied by Rev. James Salter Barrett] taking over the living of St. Mary's Monmouth in June 1892 and by 1901 was vicar of St. Mary's Reading married to Muriel Somerset the daughter of General Edward Somerset [married 1894]. He had been replaced in Butleigh in 1892 by the Rev. G. W. Berkeley. # After serving 15 years at Reading William became vicar of Knoyle, Salisbury and remained so until his retirement to Guildford. He died 27 Jun 1939 aged 88 and an obituary in the Western Morning News [Thurs 6 July 1939] refers to his beautiful tenor voice and musicianship.

Mary married the Rev. Frederick Augustus Brymer (b. 1851 Fordingbridge, Hampshire, d. 8 May 1917 Charlton Mackrell) in Butleigh on 3 Oct 1882 (Dec Q 5c/1003 Wells) – see Bristol Mercury 4 Oct 1882. They lived in the Rectory, Charlton Mackrell with two children by 1891. They were still there in 1901. He became the Archdeacon of Wells and their children Wilfred and Constance Brymer appeared in the Butleigh Revel. Neither child married.

Constance married Captain (Royal Artillery) Arthur John Bigge in Butleigh 10 Feb 1881 (Mar Q 5c/703 Wells). He was groom-in-waiting to Queen Victoria. Their marriage had been announced on his return from Zululand in August 1880 where he had accompanied the Empress Eugenie. In 1901 they lived in St. James Palace, St. Martins in the Fields. A son John Neville Bigge (b. 1887) died in WWI in 1915 # (on Butleigh Memorial). They also had two daughters. Arthur Bigge as Groom in Waiting and Assistant Private Secretary to Queen Victoria was created a baronet, Lord Stamfordham in 1911. On the 1911 census Sir Arthur was 'private secretary to the king' and they lived at Warren Lodge, Thursley, Godalming. He was Private Secretary to george V until his death in 1931. It was Bigge who advised the King to change the family surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor, to deny Tsar Nicholas II and his family asylum and who interprested the King's response of 'Bugger Bognor' as assent to the renaming of Bognor as Bognor Regis.

Augustine died of smallpox in Canada aged 22. Grace died aged 54 at Wilton Place, London, and Francis died aged 33 [Capt. Frank – died of fever in Cairo). The Bristol Mercury 6 Jun 1868 recorded that the Lord Bishop of Cape Town visited the Rev. W. F. Neville at Butleigh vicarage. Grace had appeared in a few concerts playing her guitar, violin and singing [Western Gazette 31 Jan 1890]

An example of servant's wages – in 1883 Mrs. Neville advertised for a scullerymaid - £10 and all found – must be a churchwoman. In Sep 1892 Mrs.Frederick Neville left an advert in the Western Gazette “on leaving the neighbourhood” - to place her gardener.

1c) Seymour Neville b. 5 Feb 1823 Hawarden, Flint, died 14 Dec, bur. 19 Dec 1905 (Dec Q 5c/306 Wells) Butleigh 01-134

Seymour Neville became a vicar and in 1859 married Agnes Proby. She gave birth to a child in the spring of 1860 but the child died soon after and she herself followed a short while later. The widowed Seymour was then cared for by his sister-in-law, Frances Susan Proby, and they first appeared together in 1861 in Wraysbury Bucks. In 1871 he was Rector of Ockham, Bucks and lived in the Vicarage, still with his sister-in-law. They were still there in 1881 and 1891. Frances died in 1899 and Seymour resigned the living and presumably that is when her went to live at the Court where he appeared in 1901. He died in 1905 and is buried in Butleigh. He appears on some Butleigh PR's as vicar early in his career.

Newborough

1) Roger Newborough of Butley [bur. 1 Jun 1680 Berkley]

Mary married Edmund Liversedge of 'Vallis and Lye of Froomezelwood' on 31 Jul 1634 Berkley and they had several children: Edward of Vallis, William, Roger, Margaret and Ann. [An Edmund Liversidge had daughters Sarah Chr. 27 Mar 1673 and Hester Chr. 27 Dec 1675 in Frome].

The Visitation of the County of Somerset in the Year 1623 p. 78

Newcoate/Newcourt

1) Jerrard (Gerard) Newcourt Gent, d. 17 Mar, buried 24 Mar 1703 Street

In 1691 a 'Mr. Newcoate' started paying rates on land previously known as Okey Close until 1706 when he becomes the late Mr. Newcoat. By marrying Mary Whittington he acquired Ivythorn Manor around 1680 and in 1711 it passed to Thomas Rooke on his marrying Sarah Whittington, daughter of John Whittington. Jerrard/Gerard Newcourt appears in several Gloucestershire documents in the 1790's acting as a trustee for leases of properties in the South-West.

An Elizabeth Newcourt bur. 31 Oct 1690 Street is probably a daughter – of a first marriage? An un-named son was buried shortly after birth on 31 Dec 1684, a product of this marriage.

Jewers notes: 127. Mr. Jerrard Newcourt bur. 24 March 1703. (P.C.C. (Ash 152) Will of Jerrard Newcourt of  Ivythorne, in the parish of Street, co. Somerset, gent., dated 17 March 1703-4. To be interred at the discretion of execx. In my Father’s inclosed burying place in the Church yard of Somerton. Unto my brother Richd. Newcourt £20 to buy him a mourning Suit. Unto my sister Spicer the like sum of £20. Unto my Cozen James Newcourt my best suit of cloathes & £20. Unto John Newcourt, junr., my kinsman, £50. Unto Thomas Draper £10. Unto my loveing friend and Neighbour John Strode of Compton Dunden, all the determinable terme and Interest which I have to come in Okey [Olley] Close in the parish of Butleigh, and two of the best trees growing on Ivythorne ffarme, and which I have the power to fell and cut downe pursuant to the bargaine or agreement I made with my Cozen Rooke. Unto Mrs. Elizabeth Collier £10. Unto Mr. John Isham, who drew my Will, £5. I remit and give unto William Foster the sume of £50, being the moiety of £100 which now remaine due unto me of his purchase money for the Estate he bought of me in Aller. Unto Mr. Pitt, Vicar of Compton dundon, £5. Unto the Cathedrall Church of Wells £10. Unto Mr. Redman, Minister of Walton, Mr. Colmer, Minr. Of Babcary, Mr. Wren, Minr. of Somerton, and to Mr. Carter, Minister of Charleton, 20 shillings apiece to buy mourning Rings. Unto poor of Somerton £10, of Walton, Aller, Streete, & Compton Dundon, £5. £100 in trust to buy 10 coats yearly for 10 poor persons of p’sh of Somerton. Whereas I have a debt of £400 due to me from Mr. Thomas Rooke and Sarah his wife, by Mortgage on Ivythorne ffarme, I give same, if ever it shall become payable, to the Church of Somerton for the erecting an Organ there. After death of my dear wife, I give unto the Ministers of the severall parishes of Somerton, Walton, Babcary, and Charleton, and to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor of sd parish of Somerton all my Lands in the Towne and Parish of Somerton aforesaid, In trust towards maintenance of an Organist in Somerton. Rest of goods unto my dear and loveing wife, whom I make my sole execx. In case sd wife happen to dye of the distemper whereof I am now ill. Then I give unto her Bro. and Sister Taylor £100 apiece. Residue of my goods I give to my Relations to be distributed amongst them as the Law directs. (Signed, Jer. Newcourt.) Witns. I. Tayler, Anne Prew, J. Isham. Pd. P.C.C. 20 July 1704, by Mary Newcourt, the relict and execx.

Newman

1) Joane Newman

In 1686 two warrants were taken out against Joane Newman by the OOP – one for disturbance and one should she cause a nuisance to anyone at a later date!

2) Sir Samuel Newman of Queen Camel [bur.17 Feb 1782?]

Held estates in Butleigh and Street 1737-9 together with Cox.

3) John Newman

John supplied 30 yards of Dowlas for the village poor in 1773/4. In 1775 the OOP paid Sarah Newman's bill for clothing.

DD/S/BT/16/2/23 1] Samuel Newman of Glastonbury stockingmaker 2] John Swanton of Glastonbury Conveyance of plot (3a) in Heathmoor, Glastonbury. 1781 (?)

4) Henry Brown Newman curate of Butleigh, b. 29 Apr 1798 Shepton Beauchamp, d. 11 Jan 1878 (Mar Q 4a/201 Tendring, Essex), s.o. Henry and Ann (nee Underwood) Newman

Henry had matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford 6 Dec 1815 aged 17, scholar 1816-25, B.A. 1819, M.A. 1825, Elected Fellow 1825. Henry signed the record of baptisms, marriages and deaths for 1822 to 1827 of the Bishop's Transcripts. He also officiated at many baptisms, burials and weddings between 1822 and Feb.1828. His brother Edwin Sandys Newman, Rector of Sparkford, performed some baptisms in Butleigh in 1823.and 1827. He seems to have served in Glastonbury which he left in 1834. Presented to Babcary, Somerset in 1838 - trustee of land in Blandford Forum (Reg. of Voters), Rector of Little Bromley, Essex 1838 until his death in 1878. He appears in Little Bromley on the censuses 1841 – 1871. The couple had no children – in 1871 a niece, Elizabeth Hooper (24) visited them from Kent.

Henry's wife had lived at Hendford House [the present Manor Hotel] and nearby Hendford Manor was purchased by Henry's nephew Edwin Newman in 1833/4 and became the office of “Newman Paynter & Co” a law firm. The manor House is now Yeovil Town Council offices and its old stable block the town museum.

DD/S/BT/27/8/17 1] Richard Higdon of Glastonbury 2] Revd John Dickinson of Littleton, Compton Dundon 3] Revd Henry Brown Newman of Babcary 4] John Bale of Yeovil 5] James Matcham of Babcary 6] James Walsh of Somerton Draft release and assignment of close at Redland, Babcary. 1833

5) Eli Newman gardener to George Gascoyne at Holmans in 1914 [Kelly's Directory]

Newport

1) Edward Newport

In 1756 the OOP paid £1 in expenses and journeys going for Edward Newport

2) James Newport

In March 1766 the OOP paid for a gown for Sarah Newport – a child of this couple [or adult?]

3) John Newport bur. 13 Sep 1788 Butleigh

In 1775/76 John Newport and John Wheller paid rates on property previously rated to Thomas Holman and John Wheller. Rates were paid in the name of John Newport up to 1791 and in1791/92 were paid by Mary Newport and Wheller. The Wheller/Wheeler connection was mostly dropped in 1794/95 and Mary paid until the record ends in 1828 [mother then daughter?] though John Wheeler was joint ratepayer again from 1825. Mary Newport and John Wheeler paid rates on the Kings Sedgemoor Ground from 1796 until 1815 and from 1815/16 to 1827 rates paid by John Newport.

Mary Homan is probably Mary Holman Chr. 17 Feb 1749 Butleigh d.o. Thomas and Mary Holman. A Mary Newport married William Isaac in Butleigh on 16 Mar 1800. In June 1779 John Newport travelled to Wells on behalf of the OOP for warrants for the examination of Jane Withers and Bridget Look.

DD/S/BT/12/1/11 - 1] James Grenville, lord of Butleigh manor 2] John Newport of Butleigh, yeoman Lease for 6 years of Rowley tenement and Woods plot (3a), Butleigh. Rent £46. [Tied together with DD/S/BT/12/1/9-10 and 12]. [Somerset Archive and Records, BUTLEIGH COURT Date: 1776.

DD/S/BT/10/8/2 - 1] William Ryall, William Eades, Richard Holman, Nathaniel Look and Mary Newport of Butleigh, John Wheller of West Pennard, William Look of Butleigh, John Castle of Butleigh, glazier, Thomas Dominey of Butleigh Wootton, yeoman, William Callow of Butleigh Date: 1805.

3a) John Newport Chr. 2 Oct 1776 Butleigh Wootton, yeoman, bur. 15 Apr 1858 (Jun Q 5c/397 Wells) Butleigh 41W-17, 51W-40

John occupied and farmed the land owned by Rev. Henry Gould, on Sedgemoor Ground from 1807. John paid rates on his own land on the Kings Sedgemoor from 1815/16 to post 1827 and in the rate assessment of 1827/8 paid rates on Butleigh property jointly with Mrs. Hood.

John lived in 1841 and 1851 in Butleigh Wootton with his housekeeper Elizabeth Hawkins, until his death in 1858. Elizabeth had predeceased him in 1855. Probably the John, s.o. John and Mary (née Homan) Newport Chr. 2 Oct 1776 Butleigh, brother of the next.

3b) Stephen Newport Chr. 13 Sep 1789 Butleigh Wootton, s.o. John and Mary Newport, labourer, bur. 30 Aug 1864 (Sep Q 5c/382 Wells) Butleigh 51W-40, 61W-64

In 1827 the OOP paid for Stephen's rent. Stephen and Elizabeth had previously lived at Ashcott, in 1841, where they, had besides Caroline, another daughter Sarah b. 1835. She is probably the Sarah who died in 1844 (Mar Q 10/418 Wells) since there is no further trace of her.

Mary was a servant in Joseph Bishop's Drapery Store in the High Street, Glastonbury in 1851. She married toll collector Stephen Newport (Chr. 29 Jan 1826 Baltonsborough) in 1856 (Mar Q 5c/896 Wells) and they lived in Ashcott with baby Kate but Mary, widowed, later became a boarding house keeper in Watford, Herts.

In 1851 Stephen, his wife Elizabeth and daughter Caroline and grandson Thomas all lived in Butleigh Wootton. They remained there in 1861 except for Caroline who married George Balsom in Butleigh on 21 Apr 1851 (Jun Q 10/883 Wells) but he died in 1855. # Caroline was then a widow aged 33 living at 5, Godswell Lane, Street in 1861. She married next John Turner in Butleigh on 8 Feb 1866 (Mar Q 5c/858 Wells) and they then lived in Butleigh Wootton #. Thomas is the same as William T. Newport (3b2).

Matilda married James Horler (b. 1818 Ston Easton) in 1841 (Sep Q 10/116 Clutton) and in 1851 they lived in Ston Easton with their three children. They later lived in Street.

3b1) John Newport Chr. 30 Jun 1822 Butleigh, labourer, died 1874 (Sep Q 5c/269 Bridgwater)

John had been a servant, aged 15, in Ashcott in 1841. He lived with his wife Susan in Ashcott in 1851 and in Shapwick in 1861, latterley with three children, the oldest of which, Henry (8), had been born in Ashcott. By 1871 the widowed John still lived in Shapwick but died in 1874 aged 54.

3b2) William Thomas Newport Chr. 26 Dec 1841 Ashcott - Butleigh Wootton, s.o. Mary Newport, Railway Inspector 51W-40, 61W-64

This couple lived in Deptford St. Paul 1871 - 91, firstly at 39, Warwick Street with 6 months old Henry b. Kent. In 1901 they were at 19, Conington Rd., Greenwich

4) Thomas Newport

In Feb 1784 the OOP paid for a letter from Thomas Newport.

5) Thomas Newport b. 1791 Somerset, farmer, died 1849 (Mar Q Wells 10/359) 41-11 [Chr. 7 Jun 1789 Baltonsborough s.o. Daniel and Mary Newport?]

Thomas occupied Sedgemoor land belonging to George Neville-Grenville from 1823. In the rate assessment of 1827/8 Thomas paid rates on three properties – Grenvilles, South side of the Common (Moor) and Worthy (Goulds). He was Overseer in 1825.

In 1841 Thomas and family lived in Bridge Farm in the High Street though son Henry lived a few hundred yards west at Corner House.

After Thomas' death in 1849 Jane may have rented the property out and she had moved into the Corner House, High Street by 1851 where she lived with Thomas (28) and Samuel (26) plus granddaughter Eliza (11) visiting from Clevedon (1a-1) while her son Frank was staying with her son Henry in Clevedon but returned to Butleigh by 1861.

Albert had married Sarah Maria Moore (b. 1821 Norfolk) in 1846 (Mar Q 11/70 Bedminster) and was a railway guard in Derbyshire in 1851. William was an unmarried footman working in Kent. Sarah (21) was staying in Shepton Mallet with her uncle William Kelly and Aunty Amy but then also returned to Butleigh by 1861.

Samuel married in 1853 (1b). Eliza went to live with her father Henry in 1861 - he was already a widower by then.

Jane went back to Bridge farm and lived there in 1861 with sons Thomas and Francis while daughter Sarah A. lodged with Frederick Eades (at Park Farm - renting it) as a dairywoman. Sarah married him in 1863 (Dec Q 5c/1045 Wells).# Jane died in 1863 and her son Frank died in 1865. Thomas then died in 1867. Samuel was living in Nodway in 1861 with Louisa and his niece Rose but took over Bridge Farm after the death of his brothers.

5a) Henry Newport Chr. 25 Aug 1816 Lovington, farmer, died 1889 (Jun Q 5c/444 Bedminster) 41-10

In 1841 Henry lived with his wife Susan and daughter Butleigh at Corner House. Henry was the son of Thomas and Jane Newport (at Bridge Farm) and born in Lovington, as was his younger brother Thomas. Susan was the daughter of the butcher John Lucas (possibly the sister of Elizabeth b. 1811 and Jane b. 1821?).

By 1851 Henry and Susan had moved to Clevedon where he was a bailiff of 150 acres. His mother took over the property at Corner House. In 1851 Henry's daughter Eliza visited her grandmother there. Henry had two more children by 1851 and his brother Francis (19) visited him in Clevedon (as a servant).

In 1861 Henry, now widowed, lived with Eliza in Cairey Lane, Clevedon. By 1881 Henry, alone, farmed in Clevedon. Eliza married Edward Parsons in 1862 (Mar Q 6a/54 Bristol) and they too lived in Clevedon.

Rose married cabinet maker Thomas Cook in 1867 (Dec Q 5c/1259 Bedminster) and they settled by 1871 in St. George, Russell Town, Glos., with two baby sons.

5b) Samuel Newport Chr. 6 Jun 1824 Butleigh, farmer, d. 5 Jul, bur. 9 Jul 1892 (Sep Q 5c/289 Wells) Butleigh 41-11, 51-25, 61-57, 71-74, 81-95, 91-119

In 1851 Louisa Davis was visiting Esau Jacobs at Pilton, who had previously lived in Butleigh. She married Samuel in 1853 and in 1861 they lived at Oddway where they were visited by Rose (17) the daughter of Samuel's brother Henry. # In 1871 they were found at Bridge Farm farming 86 acres and in 1881 farming 80 acres. Samuel's cat achieved some notoriety when it was reported in the W. Gazette 5 Dec 1884 that it had killed in one night 23 rats and seven mice! On 25 May 1878 the Somerset County Gazette reported that Samuel lost five young pigs drowned in a terrible storm.

Samuel and Louisa went to live at 22/3 High Street where they appeared in 1891 and where Samuel died in 1892. Louisa was still there, in four rooms, in 1901 - she died 1904. The contents of the farm, animals etc. were sold by auction 4th August 1892 by Mr. Dan Knight.

5c?) Matilda Newport 'b. 1825' Butleigh [Chr. 11 Oct 1818 Lovington d.o. Thomas and Jane Newport?]

A Matilda Newport of Butleigh was listed as a cured patient at Bath [from lumbago] in 1838 [Bath Chron 7 Jul 1838]. Matilda (given dob 1825) married farmer (of 276 acres) Richard Morris (b. 1827 Long Stanton, Cambs.) in 1849 (Jun Q 14/75 Chesterton, Cambs) and lived by 1851 with him and their one year old child in Kingston Cambs. They later lived in Bury, Huntingdonshire. She could have been a daughter of Thomas Newport. Not the same as the Matilda Chr. 26 Apr 1818 Butleigh, d.o. Stephen.

Niblett

1) Edwin Herbert Niblet b. 1874 (Mar Q 6b/536 Wolverhampton) Kinver, Staffs., domestic gardener, s.o. Thomas H. and Ann E. Niblett, d. 1943 (Dec Q 2b/976 Isle of Wight) aged 69

In 1911 the couple lived in 3 rooms at 22 Butleigh Wootton. They had no children.

Nicholas

[Nicholls, Nichols]

1) James Nicholas Chr. 27 Jan 1839 Weston Zoyland - of 'Middlezoy', labourer, s.o. James and Elizabeth Nicholas

The family lived at 1, Overleigh, Street between 1861 and 1891 and had several more children in addition to the above. .

Frederick joined the Royal Marines as a private and in 1891 was at the Barracks, Stonehouse, Devon. He married Elizabeth Kent Eagles (b. 1850, Hope Canon, Devon) in 1891 (Dec Q 5b/602 Plymouth) and by 1901 lived at 35, All Gold Rd, Charles, Plymouth, with a nephew and niece. By then Frederick was living 'on his own means'. Alice had died in 1879 aged just 15. In 1911 Frederick was a beer retailer living with his wife at 71, Cecil St., Plymouth – they never had children and living with them was his brother-in-law, a widower with two children.

Nicholson

1) John Nicholson b. 19 Aug, Chr. 19 Oct 1800 West Lydford, s.o. Joseph and Mary Neckelson, bur. 13 Aug 1879 Barton St. David aged 79

Elizabeth was married to John Nicholson and appeared in Greinton with her family in 1841. In 1851 John, a tailor, lived in Barton St. David with daughters Sarah (18) and Emily (5) plus sons George (11) and Ebenezer (7) while Elizabeth had moved to Butleigh with her four oldest sons to find employment.

Elizabeth served at the house of James Gilbert in Water Lane in 1851. Joseph was a labourer and lodged in Silver Street with Thomas Gare, Thomas was a farm servant at Rowley Farm, Butleigh Wootton, Caleb was a servant at Higher Rockes Farm and Benjamin was a servant to the farmer William Tucker at Kingweston.

Elizabeth died in 1859 and her widower husband John became a 'hawker' living in Church Lane at Barton St. David.

Joseph married Susan from Buxton and lived in Staffordshire from around 1868.

Thomas married Elizabeth from Curry Rivel and in 1871 lived in Saltmoor Rd., Stoke St. Gregory. They were in Keinton Mandeville by 1881 - 1901.

Caleb married Mary A. and lived at Barton until 1891 when he is found at Keinton Mandeville.

Benjamin married Elizabeth from Meare, where they lived around 1871 but in 1891 they lived at 5, Somers Square, Glastonbury.

2) John Evel Nicolson b. 1835, Chr. 29 Sep 1836 Keinton Mansfield, painter, s.o. Henry and Harriett Nicholson

John boarded with George Hallett in 1911 at 2 Rood Cottages. In 1891 he had lived with his brother-in-law Henry Lester and sister Jane in Glastonbury when his surname was given as Nicols. In the PR his baptism given as John Esill Nickelson and his father a stone cutter. An earlier child John Evil Nicholson Chr. 1 Feb 1835 Keinton Mandeville with the same parents would seem to be this John but I assume he must have died, unless there really were two of them who differ only in their middle name. No death traced for 'Evil'.

Noah

1) Betsy Noah Chr. 17 Sep 1815 Butleigh d.o. Rebecca Noah, a servant – probably should read Noale and refers to the child of Rebecca Knowle. #

Nockler (Sockler?)

1) Edward Nockler

Chosen by lot to serve in the Militia in March 1793 and paid 3 guineas by the OOP – possibly a substitute since neither he nor the other chosen person John Torrell seem to be from Butleigh.

Noble

1) Joseph Rayson Noble b. 1845 (Dec Q 11/66 Bedminster) Bath Road, Bristol, engine fitter and turner, s.o. Martha Noble, d. 1908 (Sep Q 3b/267 Portsmouth) 01-143

In 1861 Joseph had lived with his mother and siblings at 7, Simeon Street, Portsea, Hamps. He married Margaret (daughter of a Solicitor's managing clerk) in 1868 but must have spent much time at sea. He is missing from the 1871 census. In 1881 he was an E.R. Artificer on the Royal Navy ship 'Hiberius', though not on board on census night. His wife must have lived on Malta where their daughter Ethel was born. Joseph was missing from the 1891 census while Margaret and seven of their children including Ethel (like her sister Kate b. 1883, born during their parent's stay in Malta) lived in Portsea, Hampshire in 1891 - Rose was absent. Joseph and Margaret moved to Butleigh.before 1895 when one of the daughters was the Miss Noble of Butleigh who attended a Band of Hope conference in the Victoria Hall, Yeovil, to consider the advisability of forming such a Temperance group for the County. [Western Gazette 20 Sep 1895]. In 1899 both Margaret and Ethel died in Butleigh

Joseph was a widower living with his daughter Rose in Water Lane in 1901. In 1911 Rose unmarried (aged 41) lived with her sister Ellen Maud and husband Frederick John Crew, a milk roundsman, in Portsmouth. Rose eventually married in 1915 in Portsmouth, to John A Grundy.

Norfolk

1) James Lambert Norfolk b. 1847 (Jun Q 5/197 Greenwich) Deptford, rug manufacturer, son of the brewer Thomas Norfolk of the Deptford Bridge Brewery, died 1917 (Mar Q 2b/943 Portsmouth)

James' father, already a widower, ran a large brewery, and from the 1851 census until 1871, James stayed at home. Quite what he was doing in Butleigh after his marriage in 1871 is uncertain, but his only son was Christened there. He appears as a resident gent. in Butleigh in Morris' Directory of 1872. His occupation as 'Rug manufacturer' was probably only temporary since at 24 he was 'unemployed' and at 34 an 'annuitant' on the proceeds of the brewery. Despite the fact that his wife was still alive in 1891 and living with their only son James in Greenwich, James senior appeared also in 1891, 'married' to Jessie (b. 1844 Blackheath) and living with her two sons Hermann (17) and Fritz (13) - no births registered.

Hermann and Fritz appeared in 1881 as the sons of Kate Beck, now 'married' to an engineer [no marriage traced, either to an engineer nor to J. L. Norfolk] (these boys later became railway construction workers). There was probably no marriage and Jessie died as Jessie Beck in 1915 (Dec Q 1d/789 Wandsworth).

1a) James Norfolk Chr. 25 Mar 1873 (Mar Q 5c/589 Wells) Butleigh, surveyor , s.o. James and Victoria Norfolk, d. 1932 (Mar Q 1d/412 Lambeth)

In 1881 James had lived with his parents at 7, Morden Terrace, Greenwich West. His father was described as an annuitant. His mother was b. 1854 Bexley Heath, Kent. In 1891 James lived with his mother at 114, Lewes Road, Greenwich West. By 1901 James was a land surveyor, married to Emily, with two small children, and they lived at 46, Davenport Rd., Lewisham. In 1911 James and Emily lived with his father James Lambert Norfolk at Burndale, New Brighton Rd, Emsworth, Hamps. James was a poultry farmer and had two children and his father-in-law living with him in 1911.

Norman

1) Jane Norman b. 1827 Butleigh ? widow?

Jane married William Rolls in 1854 (Sep Q 5c/581 Wellington) - and in 1871 they lived at 9, St. John St., Wells. Possibly related to James Allen b. 1818 Butleigh. #

Norris

1) Thomas Norris Chr. 6 Jan 1839 (Mar Q 10/419 Langport) Compton Dundon, labourer, s.o. George and Ann Norris, bur. 30 May 1902 (Jun Q 5c/333 Wells) Butleigh 71-81, 81-102, 91-113, 01-134

In 1861 Thomas Norris was still single and living in Compton Dundon with his parents George and Ann [father a mason]. Martha Higgins, who was born in Butleigh, was a servant in Street (John Coole, Drapers in the High Street). They married in 1865 and their daughter Matilda was born in 1866 to be followed by William in 1869 and Rose in 1871. In 1871 they lived at No. 13, High Street together with Martha's mother Jane Higgins (71) a widow.

In 1881 Thomas (43) lived with his wife Martha (39) and mother-in-law Jane but she died the following year 1882 aged 82. In addition to the previous three children they had now added Harry and Lily b. 1878. The family then seem to have moved to No. 9 High Street. By 1891 Thomas and Martha lived with daughter Rose and sons Harry and Melbourne b. 1882.

Daughter Matilda became a nursemaid at Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire in 1891 but by 1901 had married George Joy and lived with him and his parents in St. Lawrence, Reading, Berks. #

Lily became a servant by 1891 at the 'Old Blue Anchor Inn' in Cannington run by Albert Silcox # and in 1901 she served at a clergyman's house (Alfred Potts) in Windlesham, Chertsey, Surrey.

In 1901 Thomas, Martha (59) and Melbourne, a carpenter, were still together. Thomas died in 1902.

Harry was fined 1s for riding his bicycle without lights in August 1894. He [mispelled Morris] joined the Royal Navy and on census night 1901 was aboard the "Philomel" off the Cape of Good Hope.

William [Horris] was a gardener on the 1901 census and lived at Edgarley, Glastonbury with his wife Rose Trott (b. 1872 Drayton) who he had married in 1896 (Sep Q 5c/617 Langport), and daughter Lily Violet (3). In 1911 they lived at Over Stowey, Bridgwater with two children. William was gardener at Park House, Over Stowey for 21 years and was buried in Over Stowey, aged 79 in December 1948. He had died at 16, Bath Road, Bridgwater the home of his daughter Lily Norris, being a widower for some 12 years.

Rose died in 1899 (Jun Q 5c/323 Wells) aged just 28.

Lily married local boy and servant John Burt Higgins (b. 1872) in Butleigh on 20 Oct 1904 (Dec Q 5c/991 Wells). #

In 1911 Martha lived with Byrt and Lily at 8 Butleigh. Martha died at 13, Tucker Street, Wells in 1918 aged 75. Melbourne married Alice Mary Woods (b. 1887 Blackford, Som) in 1910 (Jun Q 5a/711 Sherborne) and appears on the 1911 census at Restmore 4 Butleigh. Melbourne was listed as a carpenter working at a rug factory. In the 1935 and 1939 Kelly's directories he is listed as a carpenter at Butleigh Wootton – he was foreman carpenter for 40 years to John Acland-Hood on Wootton Estate – he died in 1954.. Alice Mary died in January 1962, address given as No. 6 Estate Yard, Butleigh – cremated at Wells Crematorium.

2) Elizabeth Norris b. 1776 Somerset, nurse, died 1847 (Jun Q 10/382 Wells) 41W-17

Elizabeth lodged at the home of Joseph White in Wootton in 1841. Possibly the Elizabeth Norris Chr. 12 Sep 1775 Kingsdon d.o. Thomas and Martha Norris

3) Elizabeth Norris b. 1854 Meare, servant, d.o. John and Eliza Norris 71W-84

Elizabeth came from Meare like her employer's wife, Ruth Mogg of Sedgemoor Farm, Butleigh Wootton, and her parents also registered her as at home in 1871. Nfi.

4) Reginald Herbert Norris Chr. 30 Aug 1867 (Sep Q 5c/579 Wells) West Pennard, farmer, s.o. Henry George and Eliza Norris, d. 1934 (Dec Q 5c/482 Wells)

In 1901 Reginald, still single at 33, lived with a sister and brother at Woodland farm, West Pennard - his parents were deceased. Eva Millard married Reginald Herbert Norris in 1901 in the same month that her cousin Annie Gane married Reginald's neighbour, William John Roe of West Pennard.

They were still in West Pennard at Woodlands Farm, in 1911, without children. Eva died in 1913 aged just 48.

North

1) Eli North Chr. 5 Oct 1845 Chaffcombe, abode Lidmarsh, groom, s.o. Lucy and John North 71-71

In 1851 Eli lived with his parents in Chard Elm, Chaffcombe, his father was a labourer. In 1861 he was a servant on a farm in Chardstock, Dorset. Eli was groom for the squire at Butleigh Court in 1871 and lived in the Court Lodge. Nfi

Norton

1) Dorothy Norton bur. 15 Nov 1590 Butleigh

2) Agnes Norton married Butleigh 29 Jun 1589 Thomas Talbott #

An Agnes Norton was Chr. 4 Jun 1564 Evercreech d.o. Raffe and her sister Dorothie was Chr. 17 May 1573 Evercreech – related?

3) John Norton

John appears amongst the list of commoners in 1672 and continued to pay rates from 1673 – 1679.

DD/S/BT/23/4/1 Summons addressed to John Norton in a suit over Southmoor 1659

DD/S/BT/6/4/1 1] Robert Talbot of Butleigh, yeoman 2] John Norton of Stoke St. Michael Mortgage of Broadclose (4a) and 1.5a in Newmead, Butleigh. [Somerset Archive and Records, BUTLEIGH COURT PAPERS] Date: 1665. Also DD/S/BT/6/4/2

Exchequer: Kings Remembrancer: Depositions E134/23&24 Chas 2 - Richard Cabell, Richd. Helyar, John Rock, clerk, John Norton, Robt. Talbott, John Raymond, John Chasey. v. Sir Thomas Mack-worth, Bart., John Webb, Richard Tomlyns, Gawen Lowry.: Manors of Butley, Street, and Glastonbury, and the moore or waste ground Date range: 1671 - 1673.

4) William Norton of Bridgwater

The OOP paid £6 12s 0d to William's family as a replacement for Nathaniel Look to serve in the Militia in Sep 1782 – paid to the Bridgwater Overseers.

Nourse

Nurse/Noarse

1) William Nourse Esq

In 1796 a property in Butleigh owned by Ann Hood passed to her sister Elizabeth Walker and from 1800 it was occupied by a Mr. Nourse. The two girls buried in 1803 listed as daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Nourse'. A Henrietta Charlotte Nourse b. 1803 died in Bath in 1877 – may be related? William is possibly the William Nourse granted commission as Captain of the Battalion of the Bourne, Southampton Militia in Oct 1804 [Hampshire Chron. 15 Oct 1804] Son George married Catherine Turner on 24 Jun 1826 Berkshire.

1a) Henry H. Anderton Nourse b. 1814 Butleigh, Lessee of Coal Mines [died 1897 (Jun Q 1a/304 Westminster)?]

In 1841 Henry seems to be living with his mother in Wolstanton & Burslem, Staffs, as a surgeon, and Sophia Burnel (55 – his mother's sister?) lived with them. In 1851 Henry lived in Cheltenham with his wife Mary Ann (b. 1812 Cheltenham). In 1861 Henry was called 'guardian for tenant' and lived at Tump House Ave., Newland, Glos., with Ellen Whitehouse and her niece. In 1871 he lodged at 55, North Road, Wolverhampton and called himself 'Miner'.

Nowell

1) Edward Nowell died 1679?

Edward was Overseer in 1653. Edward Nowell and his wife tended in their sickness 1673 by Mary Dalton - Overseers of the Poor (OOP). Edward received a year's relief in 1674. In 1675 he received the same plus his rent, a pair of shoes and attendance by Luce Talbot in his 3 weeks sickness. In 1676 he received relief, rent, shoes repaired and a shirt and his goods were transported to the house of Robert Stroud. He received relief and rent again but the 1679 disbursements are missing and since he never appears again one can assume that he died in that year.

It is possible that there is a connection to Edward Knolls # – father and son?

2) Willam Nowell son of last?

3) Rebecca Nowel b. 1781 Somerset, bur. 16 Feb 1856 (Mar Q 5c/396 Wells) Butleigh 41-8

Possibly the Rebcak Nowel Chr. 12 Aug 1781 Paulton, d.o. George and Rachel [nee Harish] Nowel [who married 20 Apr 1772 Paulton]. Her mother died in May 1788 and father in May 1806. There seems to be some confusion with Rebecca Rowley [viz.] who also had illegitimate children and who is last mentioned by the OOP in 1801. It might have been the latter who on 1 Jun 1812 Butleigh married Robert Marks [surname given as Rowley] - he died in the December. The forename of child (2) might suggest that this was a child of Robert Marks and that the Rebecca who had married him might have really been this Rebecca and who gave birth after her husband had died and reverted to her maiden name?

In 1809 Rebecca [Noel] had her rent paid by the OOP and received assistance periodically thereafter. In Dec she is recorded as lodging with Unity Burton. In May 1812 Rebecca was paid for tending John Craft's wife.

Rebecca seems to have had another child in 1813 and received pay for the child up to Sep 1814. In Jan 1815 she was paid for caring for James Ruddock's wife. In August 1815 Jane Gill was paid for delivering Rebecca Knowls. (OOP). In October Martha Ayres was paid for bread, butter, tea, candles, sugar and putting Rebecca to bed. Rebecca was also summoned to Somerton 'to be examined to the father of her bastard child'. Rebecca is severally mentioned in the OOP accounts as receiving assistance and Sarah appears from Dec 1821 receiving assistance and in April 1822 when the OOP bought her 4½ yards of calico. Sarah appears in her own right from the late 1820's and often received assistance from the OOP as does her mother. From then on and an entry in October 1830 for 'Rebecca Knowl & daughter' would suggest that she was still caring for Betsy and the above scenario regarding her children is correct. In 1833 Sarah and Rebecca received assistance from the OOP together [no mention of Betsy nor indication of what happened to her in the 1830's]. In the late 1830's Rebecca was in regular receipt of OOP assistance. In Dec 1829 when 'no work' was to be had the OOP called her Bekey Knoll.

Nov 1829 OOP paid Rebecca Knowle for [Elias] Hutchings bastard.(started paying in Nov 1815). Last payment March 1830? In Aug 1830 Elizabeth (Betsy?) was paid for looking after her mother. There are several references to a Robt Knowle and in Nov. 1830 he is clearly identified by name as Robert.

Rebecca lodged with her eldest daughter Sarah and the rest of the Russell family at the home of James Wilcox in the High Street/Water Lane (?) in 1841. At her second marriage, to Charles Andow # Sarah gave her father's name as Ambrose Higgins # which suggests that Sarah was his illegitimate daughter. Ambrose was paying bastardy pay around the time of her birth and for some years after.

Nudds

1) Herbert Nudds b. 1867 Burnham, Norfolk, stud groom, d. 1953 (Dec Q 9a/186 Shrewsbury, Shrop)

No marriage presents itself for Elizabeth Lye to Herbert Nudds.

Herbert was coachman in Butleigh when he placed an advert in the Western Gazette 31 Jul 1891 'Coachman or Groom (single) wants situation. Good references'. This would seem to imply that no marriage exists for Herbert?

Lizzie was the granddaughter of Edmund Lye and was visiting him on census night 1901. She was the daughter of Edmund's daughter Elizabeth (b. 1864) who had married (not traced) Herbert Nudds. In 1901 Elizabeth Nudds lived at High Street, West Side, Great Burstead, Billericay, Essex. with her other five children. Her 'husband' was absent. In 1911 the family were at 85, Carve St., Ludlow, Salop. with 7 of their eight surviving (of 9) children.

Nugent

1) Mary Ann Nugent married Butleigh 11 Jul 1753 Freke Dilks #

Nunn

1) Lawrence Douglas Nunn b. 17 Oct 1898 (Dec Q 3a/682 Amersham, Bucks), butler, s.o. John and Mary J. Nunn, d. 1981 (Mar Q 22/0978 Bristol)

Lawrence had come from Welwyn, Herts. His father was a beerhouse keeper, proprietor of 'The Black Cat', Latimer, Lye Green Amersham in 1901. No children.

Nurse

1) Charles Nurse labourer of Butleigh

Charles was charged at Somerton Police Court on 18 Dec 1893 with trespassing in search of game in Butleigh – case dismissed though two others fined £1 each. [Bristol Mercury 19 Dec 1893]. Could be the father of the next?

2) Clara May Nurse b. 1893 (Dec Q 5c/456 Wells) NorthWootton, servant, d.o. Charles and Ada (nee Head) Nurse

In 1901 Clara lived with her parents in North Wootton and two younger siblings. In 1911 she was a servant to James Gane at Higher Rocks farm. In 1914 (Sep Q 5c/893 Wells) she married William G. Andow.

Nutt

Not – Noot – Note – Noote - Naite

1) Edward Nutt of Compton Chr. 20 Jan 1751, s.o. Edward and Jane Nutt, bur. 18 Jan 1840 Somerton?

First mentioned in the OOP accounts for Dec 1778 'To Mary Corpe examination and warrant for Edwd Nut'. In June 1779 the Overseer travelled to Wells to obtain an order against him for bastardy. In May 1780 the OOP 'received of the Overseers of Compton for Ed Nutts bastard 31 weeks pay to ye 25th Decemr 1779 at 1s pr week. The OOP records his subsequent payments of bastardy pay. In July 1783 Edward was summoned to East Pennard [probably regarding non-payment of bastardy pay]. In Jul 1794 a William Nutt received relief from the OOP – William Corp adopting his father's surname?

[A Miriam Nutt who married in Compton Dundon in 1789 may have been Edward's relative (half-sister), and an Edward Nutt had married an Ann Pollett in Somerton on 9 Apr 1778]

Nutty

1) Elizabeth Nutty Chr. 14 May 1865 (Jun Q 5c/635 Wells) Wells, servant, d.o. John and Emma Nutty, d. 13 Aug 1920 (Sep Q 6a/16 Bristol)

Elizabeth lived with her parents in St. John Street, Wells as a child – her father was a haulier. By 1891 she was a domestic cook in Wells and in 1901 a cook in Burnham. She is absent from the 1911 census. In May 1916 she advertised in the Western Gazette for a kitchenmaid for Wootton House and in Feb 1919 at Wootton House she was advertising for a house-parlourmaid [Western Gazette 21 Feb 1919]. Death notice in the Western Gazette 20 Aug 1920. Died in a nursing home aged 54 years “For many years a trusted and faithful friend in the household at Wootton House, Butleigh”.