Charles Thorp of Motueka, NZ : Parents & Siblings.

Charles Thorp (1820-1905)

Parents & Siblings

Genealogy of Rev Thomas Thorp 
and his family with Frances Topp nee Lee.

Parents

Charles Thorp was the seventh of eleven children

Thomas, William, Robert, John, Frances, Mary, Charles, Anna, Louisa, Harry and Frederic.

Charles' mother was Frances Topp Lee  (b. Burton Overy, Leicestershire, on 15 August 1790– died last qtr 1856 at Burton Overy. Note there is a discrepancy in the exact date of her death- St  Andrew's Church records give it as 21 November 1856, probate records as 30 December 1856). She was the daughter of the Rev. William Southworth Lee, Rector of Burton Overy, Leicestershire, from 1786–1801, and his first wife, Frances nee Dyott (known as “Hannah”), who  married at St Mary’s, Leicester, on 3 April 1786. Her second name was a nod to the Rev. Samuel Topp, an earlier Rector of Burton Overy and family friend. There is an unconfirmed suggestion that the younger Frances may not have been the only child born of this marriage but that she had an older brother, Peter Southworth Lee, who emigrated as a young man to New York. 

Frances Topp Lee married the Rev. Thomas Thorp, who served as Rector of Burton Overy from 1811–46. Their sons Robert (d. 1851) and Frederic (d. 1916) followed him in turn as Rectors of Burton Overy, Through their mother Frances Topp Thorp nee Lee, they were the last in a long family line of rectors of Burton Overy dating back to the 16th century.

Charles' father was Rev. Thomas Thorp (born 14 September 1786 at  Sheepshead (now Shepshed), Leicestershire, died 26 July 1846 at Burton Overy). Interestingly, given a long association on his father’s side with the Church of England and his own later choice of occupation, his birth was registered in Baptist records. However, Sheepshead had a strong Baptist presence from the mid-17^th century and the Bentleys were known to be followers. Thomas attended Charterhouse School and then graduated from Emmanuel College, University of Cmbridge, with an M.A.  He was inducted into the Rectory of Burton Overy on 19 August 1811.

The Rev. Thomas Thorp was the only son of Thomas Thorp Snr (b. 3 February 1754-d.15 January 1840) and his first wife, Mary Bentley, both from Sheepshead (now Shepshed) Leicestershire. They had married at Holborn St Andrew, Middlesex, on 19 November 1782. Thomas Snr, who had 3 brothers, John, Josiah and Robert, established a bank at nearby Loughborough – "Twigg’s Corrected List of the Country Banks of England & Wales”, published in 1830, lists Thorp & Co, principals Thomas Thorp & William Middleton, operating a bank at Loughborough, Leicestershire, underwritten by London bankers Barnett & Co., who would later became absorbed in Lloyds Bank. Thomas Thorp Snr  lived at “Burleigh Hall", Overseal -  now in Derbyshire but then in Leicestershire. He remarried to a widowed cousin,Mary Wilkes nee Flavel, but they had no chldren. Thomas Thorp Snr died at home and and was buried after his death at Netherseal, probably at the St Peter's Churchyard. 

The ongoing Thorp family association with the Gresley baronets of Drakelowe came about because the Gresleys were neighbours - they held land at both Overeal and Netherseal.

Clergymen ran in the Thorp family as well – Charles’ Thorp’s paternal gt-gt-grandfather, the Rev. Thomas Thorp, was the incumbent at St Luke’s Church, Gaddesby, Leicestershire, about 1626.

Thomas Thorp Jnr  (Charles’ father) was one of two children – he had an older sister, Mary Thorp (ca 1783-1869), who married on 29 August 1811 (as his second wife) the Rev. William Gresley, Rector of Netherseal just 2 days after her brother’s wedding.  Rev William Gresley was already father by his first wife of one daughter and a son, who became the Rev. Sir William Nigel Gresley, 9^th Baronet Gresley of Drakelowe. After their marriage, the Rev William Gresley and Mary nee Thorp had six children together and lived at Netheseal, Leicestershire, but Mary returned to her father’s home at Overseal following her husband’s death in 1829. Mary herself died in 1869.

See Collections for a history of Staffordshire,”Gresleys of Drakelowe” pgs 122 & 152

https://archive.org/stream/collectionsforhi01staf#page/122/mode/2up/search/thomas+thorp+

How did Rev Thomas Thorp and Frances Topp Lee meet?

Frances' mother Frances (Hannah) Lee nee Dyott died at the early age of 34 in 1792, two years after her daughter's birth, and her husband, Rev. William S. Lee, remarried. He then put a locum in as Rector of Burton Overy and moved with his daughter Frances and second wife to Netherseal, where he had a second family - William Lee (1802-?), John Lee (1803-1885) & Katherine Hannah Southworth Pomfret nee Lee (1809-1831) - Frances' half-siblings. It's possible that his second wife, named only Anna, was his first wife's sister Anne (see Burke's Landed Gentry: Richard Dyott Esq. of Freeford,1723-1787).  It was not illegal at this time (as it was later) to marry a sister-in-law, but it was certainly frowned upon by the Church, and this could perhaps account for Rev Lee's abrupt move. Netherseal was close to the home at Overseal of Thomas Thorp Snr, owner of a bank at Loughborough and father of Rev. Thomas Thorp Jnr, who would later marry the Rev Lee's daughter Frances. It's likely that both families attended the Anglican parish church of St Peters's at Netherseal. This is no doubt how the connection between the two was made.

The Rev. Thomas Thorp and Frances Topp Lee married at the village of Ravenstone, Leicestershire, on 27 August 1811.

Note that Rev Thomas Thorp was inducted in the Rectory of Burton Overy just 8 days before the wedding - the rectorship came with his bride in the nature of a dowry. Her father Rev. William Southworth Lee held the advowson at this time and had nominated his new son-in-law to the incumbency of Burton Overy.

 The children of Rev Thomas Thorp and Frances nee Lee were born and grew up at the Burton Overy Rectory (still extant), which is described as standing immediately west of the churchyard, and a fine early-18th-century brick house of two stories and attics. Both east and west fronts have recessed central bays which contain the doorways and which are flanked by slightly projecting wings with hipped roofs and dormers. The east front has been altered by additions of the early 19th century and later. Internally there is a good contemporary oak staircase.

Fox-hunting was a popular sport for the county gentry, with a number of Hunts in the vicinity. The Thorp sons were all keen ”riders to hounds”. This probably accounts for Charles Thorp’s notable horsemanship, as displayed during the First Nelson Anniversary steeplechase in Feb 1843 up Church Hill and down again. Note that his older brother, Rev. Robert Thorp, died as the result of a hunting accident.

Siblings

Thomas b. 1812 (died young)

William Thorp, R.N. (b. 1813 at Burton Overy and baptized at St Andrew’s Church on 30 August 1813). Became a Captain in the Royal Navy, entering service as a midshipman in 1826 at the age of 13. Commisioned a lieutenant in 1838 - details of service as a lieutenant here. Recorded as a Commander in the Royal Navy in 1861, while visiting his uncle John Lee (his mother's half-brother), a doctor of medicine, formerly a medical officer serving in India with the Honourable East India Company (H.E.I.C.)  By 1881 William had retired with the rank Captain in the Royal Navy and was living on his own 20 acre property right next door to the Rectory at Burton Overy, where his brother Rev. Frederic Thorp was the resident rector. The advowson for the rectorate of the parish of Burton Overy went to William (the oldest son)  upon his father’s death, and he granted the rectorship in turn toto his brothers Robert (& Frederic (see below). William never married. He died on 1 June 1890 and was buried at the St Andrew’s Churchyard, Burton Overy. See Find A Grave record for his photo. 

Rev. Robert Thorp b. 1814 at Burton Overy and baptized at St Andrew’s Church on 5 September 1814.Attended Rugby School and graduated M.A. from Emmanurl College, University of Cambridge. Qualified as a barrister in at the Inns of Court in London before becoming a clergyman. Served as Rector of Burton Overy from 1846 -1851. Married Ellen Wayman at Melton, near Woodbridge, Suffolk, on 12 September 1843. – 4 children including the Rev. Robert John Thorp of “The Croft”, Armthorpe, Yorkshire, executor of his parents’ wills.

Died 1 February 1851 as the result of a hunting accident 10 days earlier. Burial at St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy, along with his wife, Ellen.

John Thorp b. Burton Overy 1816, baptized  at St Andrew’s Church on  3 June 1816.

He attended Rugby School then joined the British Army as an Ensign with the 63^rd (West Suffolk) Regiment of Foot and served in India as paymaster for the company. Married Ann-Dorothea Wathington at Colaba, Bombay, on 19 November 1845. She was the eldest daughter of the late Thomas Wathington of New Parks, Leicestershire.  Had retired to England by 1861 census

Died in Southampton 1890.

Frances Topp Thorp b. Burton Overy 1817, baptized at St Andrew’s Church 14 July 1817.  No record found of any marriage. The Census of 1851 shows her living at age 33 with her widowed mother Frances Topp Thorp nee Lee at Ilfracombe, Devon, but have not yet found a confirmed date of death. Her mother died in 1856 – where did the younger Frances go then? Possible 1863 death recorded in Leicestershire, which could mean she had returned to Burton Overy following her mother's death.

Mary Thorp , b. 1819 at Burton Overy, baptized at St Andrew’s Church on  9 January 1819.

Mary married firstly on 31 July 1840 at St Andrew’s, Church, Burton Overy, by her father the Rev Thomas Thorp to Francis Russell Kendall, known as Russell (1819-1847), son of Peter Kendall Esq. of Walthamstow, Essex and “Gifford’s  Hall” Suffolk, England. (Mary & Russell were 5^th cousins via the Dyott family connection). They had 2 daughters and one son, Clarence Peter Trevelyan, who served as an officer with the Life Guards, and married Catherine, daughter of Lord Brabazon. Mary’s husband died in Venice on 9 Feb 1847. Oldest daughter Gwenillian was born in 1841 at Genova, Italy. Possibly Russell Kendall had removed with his family to Italy for the sake of his health, which is noted as being very poor at the time of his death.

Marriage recorded  “Chelmsford Chronicle” Essex, 4 Sept 1840.

Mary married secondly  on Sept. 19 1848 at Ilfracombe, Devon, to Major Francis Gresley (1807-1880) an officer in the employ of the East India Coy (retired to England in 1844). 4^th son of Richard Gresley - 8 children born of this marriage mostly at “Gifford’s Hall”, Suffolk, which Mary inherited after her first husband’s death. Although living in London by then, Mary died at Flax Bourton, Somerset, on 10 Aug 1894, possibly while visiting her daughter Caroline ”Queenie” Edwards nee Gresley, but is thought to have been buried in London.

Note: Mary’s aunt, also Mary Thorp, had married in 1811 as his second wife to the widowed Rev.William Gresley (1760-1829) father of the 9^th Baronet Gresley of Drakelowe. .


Charles, b. 26 July 1820 at Burton Overy, Leicestershire, England, and baptized at St Andrew's Church the following day, 27 July 1820. Died 20 March 1905 at his home, "Burton Farm", Motueka, Tasman District, New Zealand.

See: Charles Thorp of Burton Overy, England, and Motueka, New Zealand.
https://rustlingsinthewind.blogspot.com/2020/03/charles-thorp-of-burton-overy-england.html

Anna, b. 1824 at Ilfracombe, Devon, England and baptized there 31 October 1824. Anna married  Anglican clergyman the Rev. James Gavin Young , b. West Bengal, India & 2^nd son of Capt.. Peter Young, H.E.I.C.  The Rev. J. Young was a descendant of James Young, Merchant Burgess of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a number of members of this family served with the armies of the Honourable East India Company. Marriage at Ilfracombe, Devon, 9 January 1849.  Had 7 children- 1 son (Harry Gavin Young), 6 daughters. Died  Hursley, Hampshire, England, in January 1900.

See “A Short Memoir of James Young, Merchant Burgess of Aberdeen, Scotland. pg 33.

https://archive.org/details/ashortmemoirjam00youngoog/page/n9/mode/2up

Louisa b ca 1825- 6 ? Possible twin? The Census of England 1841 shows Louisa staying at Netherseal with her aunt Mary Gresley nee Thorp - the only record of her existence found to date.

Harry (b. 1826 at Ilfracombe, Devon, and baptized there 14 February 1826.) Attended Rugby School ca 1828 then Oxford University. Was living in Liverpool  - his last will and testament gives his occupation as a merchant (of what commodity is unknown). Was in Victoria, Australia, at the time of the Victorian goldrushes, and married at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne on 1 June 1853 to Mary Anne Catherine Lane, known as Catherine  (1831-1866), daughter of John Lane Esq. of “Lane’s Park”, Thurles, Tipperary, Ireland.

See: “Kilkenny Jounal, and Leinster Commercial and Literary Advertiser Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland”

11 Jun 1853

Harry Thorp died 4 September, 1854 on board he Royal Mail steam ship “Tamar” during the return trip to England with his pregnant wife, “Leicester Chronicle”, 29 September 1854.

His widow Catherine gave birth to their son (Christian name unknown) after arrival in England at the Rectory, Burton Overy, on 26 November 1854. It's not clear whether this child survived or not.

See “Leicester Journal” 8 December 1854

Catherine Thorp nee Lane died 23 February 1866 in Mells County, Somerset, at the age of 35 and the executors of her will were her brothers-in-law, the Rev. Frederic Thorp and William Thorp, Captain in the Royal Navy, both of Burton Overy.

See “Frome Times”, Somerset, England, 28 February, 1866.

Rev. Frederic Thorp, born Burton Overy, 1827, baptized there 24 June 1827. Attended Uppingham School. Divinity Student at Cambridge University (Emmanuel College),  awarded B.A. 1846, M.A.1854. Ordained deacon 1891, priest Curate of Morley, Derbyshire, 1852-

 Following his brother Robert’s death in 1851 Frederic became Rector of Burton Overy though a locum (Rev. Henry Corrance) held the incumbency on his behalf from 1851 until he completed his M.A. in 1854. Frederic (also written Frederick) served as Rector of Burton Overy until his death in 1916. A keen member of the local Hunt, Frederic was known as “the hunting parson” – the accidental death of his brother Robert while hunting doesn’t appear to have been a deterrent.

Married 4 August 1868 at Radway, Warwickshire, to Mary Edith Hildebrand (1847-1899) 3 children.

One of his sons, Charles Frederick Thorp (1869-1954) ,served as an officer in the Royal Navy and rose to the rank of Admiral.

http://dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php/Charles_Frederick_Thorp

Rev. Frederic Thorp died 8 December 1916 and was buried at St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy, along with his wife Mary.

See “Aspects of Burton Overy” below. This details the clerical dynasty of Thorps - father Thomas and sons Robert and Frederic - whose service as Rectors of Burton Overy, one after the other, is recognized by a set of stained glass windows installed in their honour at St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy. In actual fact the family connection with the rectorship of Burton Overy lasted 334 years.They held the advowson - right to nominate the successors to the benefice of Burton Overy – and making judicious use of locums paid to fill in the odd gap, chose to keep the incumbency more or less continuously in their own hands right from the time when Frances Topp Thorp nee Lee's ancestor, Rev. William Burdett,  became Rector of  Burton Overy in 1582 until the death of Rev. Frederic Thorp in 1916.

The only real break came in 1649, following the end of the English Civil War, when the Rev William Burdett's son, the Rev. Theophilus Burdett, was deposed as rector of Burton Overy and Parliamentarian sequestrators put a Puritan preacher in his place. 

How Burton Overy felt about this outrage is reflected by a curt note in the parish registers  recording this unwelcome preacher as "Thomson - an intruder"! When King Charles II  became monarch in 1660, he restored Rev Theophilus Burdett to the benefice of Burton Overy and life carried on as before.

 “Aspects of Burton Overy”.

http://www.burtonoverypc.org.uk/uploads/aspectsofburtonovery.pdf

Re locums- the "place holders"  Down the long line of Rectors of Burton Overy descended from William Burdett  here would occasionally be a gap when one family member who was the Rector died and his nominated successor was too young to take over the incumbency straight away. In these cases another clergyman would agree to serve as Rector on the understanding that he would retire when the next in line became old enough to assume the Rectorship himself. These men, usually clerical friends near retirement doing a favour, were locums - the original phrase "locum tenens" translates as "place holder". The Rev. Samuel Topp, whose name was given to Charles’ mother Frances Topp Lee, was one of these obliging placeholders, filling in the lengthy gap which followed the death of her her grandfather Rev John Lee until her father, the Rev. William Southworth Lee was ready to take over.

Odds & ends

The Ilfracombe connection . A bit of a mystery - perhaps relatives there? The Thorps clearly visited Ilfracombe on a number of occasions  & son Harry & daughter Anna were both born there. Anna was married there, also Mary when she married for the second time. The widowed Frances Topp Thorp nee Lee retired there with her unmarried daughter Frances after her husband died in 1846.

Possible Yorkshire connection? Did they have relatives in Yorkshire? Note an earlier Thomas Thorp who married a Mary Bentley in 1777 in Yorkshire. 

Another Rev. Thomas Thorp born ca 1791 at Loughborough, Leicestershire, also attended Cambridge University. He served as Rector of Wilford, Nottinghamshire from 1819-1864. This Thomas Thorp was cousin to Rev.Thomas Thorp of Burton Overy, being a son of his uncle John Thorp of Loughboroough, Leicestershire.

The Dyott  connection

“Dyott“ was the maiden name of Charles Thorp’s maternal grandmother, Frances Lee nee Dyott, (known as Hannah), daughter of Richard Dyott Esq, of "Freeford Hall".  It was given as a second name to Charles Thorp's' daughter Mary Dyott Thorp and his granddaughter Helen Dyott Thorp, younger daughter of his son Frederick William Thorp. The Dyotts of Freeford Hall in Staffordshire were an old and distinguished family and the Thorps were no doubt proud of the connection with them.

Note that the Dyott and Gresley families were also linked by marriage to each other independently of the Thorps.

The name "Herrick" also appears in the Thorp family -  see Charles Thorp's oldest son, who was named Charles Herrick Thorp. This name is also connected to the Dyotts. Herrick was the maiden name of Charles Thorp's maternal great-grandmother Katherine Dyott nee Herrick, wife of Richard Dyott Esq.

The one who followed his great-uncle Charles Thorp to Motueka, near Nelson, in New Zealand. 

Charles William Thorp  b. 1^st qtr 1890 at Malton, Yorkshire - d.  4 April 1961 at Nelson, NZ, was the son of the Rev. Robert John Thorp and Evelyn Willoughby, and grandson of the Rev. Robert Thorp (see above). He emigrated to New Zealand in 1910 and settled in Motueka where his cousin Frederick William Thorp (son of early Motueka settler Charles Thorp from Burton Overy) still lived with his family.  Charles W. Thorp taught at the Motueka District High School, then at Wellington College, retrained as a lawyer, and became a well-known Motueka solicitor for many years. Clearly the English Thorps & the NZ Thorps kept in touch. C.W. Thorp married Ivy Mabel Coote  (b. 23/2/1892 at Feilding, Manawatu, NZ) at the Nelson Cathedral on 2 September 1916. He died in 1961 at Nelson Hospital and a plaque at Marsden Cemetery in Nelson marks the place where his ashes were deposited.

Personal Items: Marriage of Charles W. Thorp & Ivy Coote

“Nelson Evening Mail” 4 Sept 1916, pg 4

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19160904.2.26

Burials at St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy.

A number of Burdett, Southworth, Lee and Thorp family members, including Charles Thorp’s parents, were buried at St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy. Charles’ brothers William, Robert & Frederic are buried there as well - Robert & Frederic with their respective wives.

See: Monumental Inscriptions, Church of St Andrew, Burton Overy, Leicestershire.

http://lrfhs.org.uk/documents/gartree/Burton_Overy_Book.pdf

The inscription on the monumental slab in the floor of the Chancel of St Andrew’s Church, Burton Overy, Leicestershire where Rev. Thomas Thorp & his wife Frances Topp nee Lee were buried reads:

Hac Jacet THOMAS THORP M.A Rector Obit XXVi July MDCCCXLVI etat LIV (Here lies Thomas Thorp M.A. Rector, died 26 July 1846, aged 54) Note his age at death was in fact 60 years.
Here lieth also the body of FRANCES TOPP THORP widow of the above & daughter of the Revd WILLIAM SOUTHWORTH LEE by FRANCES his first wife, fourth daughter of the late RICHARD DYOTT Esqr of Freeford in the county of Stafford, born August XV MDCCXV died Nov XXI MDCCCLVI  (Born 15 August 1790, died 21 November 1856)
(Slate Slab  ID no K1) 

Note that probate records give Frances Topp Thorp's date of death as 30 December 1856.

Images of interest

Thorp family genealogy
Image from The Gresleys of Drakelowe, pg 52

Images of St Andrews’ Church, Burton Overy, here.Thorp

https://www.leicestershirechurches.co.uk/burton-overy-st-andrew/

The Old Rectory at Burton Overy
https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101061591-the-old-rectory-burton-overy

A History of Burton Overy, Leicestershire.
https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/leics/vol5/pp68-76

The Ward family of "Langridge", Crediton, Devon, England and the New Zealand Connection.

Grandparents 

Paternal: William & Ann (nee Pope) Ward 

Maternal: George & Elizabeth (nee Tremlett) Huggins

 Parents

Father: Thomas Ward, gentleman, of ‘Langridge” farm, near themarket town of Crediton, 

Devonshire. He was born ca 1783 and died at Crediton 10.2.1838 

Mother: Elizabeth nee Huggins (1-11-1785 to 12-8-1831) 

Thomas & Elizabeth married at Crediton, Devon,  on 24 November 1808,

Both were buried at the Sandford Cemetery, near Crediton, in Devon.  

Their respective parents were for Thomas, William & Ann (nee Pope) Ward.

William Ward, gentleman of the parish of Dalton, Devon married Ann Pope of this parish at Sandford 27.11.1779) 

and for Elizabeth, George & Elizabeth (nee Tremlett) Huggins  George married Elizabeth Tremlett

on 8.9.1784 by licence. .He was from Down St Mary and she was of Sandford, where they married. 

This is where the Ward-Tremlett-Huggins  links come in. 

Elizabeth Ward nee Huggins had a sister Mary who married at Crediton 2.11.1812 to

John Norrish of Zeal Monachorum, Devon. by licence,  and this is where the Ward-Norrish 

link comes from.  It was at John & Mary (nee Huggins) Norrish’s home in Zeal Monachorum

that Edward & Elizabeth Fearon and Elizabeth’s sister Emma Ward were staying in 1841.

Four of Thomas & Elizabeth (nee Huggins) Ward’s children emigrated to Nelson, New Zealand
- Elizabeth, Mary, John & Thomas Jnr.

Complete list of the family of Thomas & Elizabeth (nee Huggins) Ward

1)  Elias Tremlett Ward born 3.4.1810 bapt 2.12.1811, see further info below

 2) Elizabeth Ward born 4.11.1811 bapt 2nd Dec. 1811, (see further info below)

3)  William Ward born June 1813, bapt. 21.3.1815 

Bcame a wine merchant living at Marlborough Terrace, Kensington, London, with an 

import/export business based in London. Apparently never married. Died at “Langridge” 31.3.1851

after a long & painful illness, and was buried at Sandford 5.4.1851.

On their  mother’s side, Tremlett, Huggins &Norris families were closely ssociated with Sandford, 

so this could have been a burial at a family plot.  Note that parents Thomas Ward & Elizabeth nee Huggins were both buried at Sandford as well.

 4) Twins Thomas & Mary Ward

Thomas Ward bapt 21.3.1815 (see further info below)

 His twin sister Mary died 11.9.1816

5)  The second Mary Ward (named for the earlier twin  Mary who died) baptized 12.2.1817 (see  further info below)

 6) John Ward born 22.1.1818 bapt 10.3.1819, (see further info below)

 7) Ann Ward born 27.12. 1819, bapt 24.2.1820 

Ann is recorded as living/staying with her brother William  in London at his Marlborough, Kensington Terrace address in 1851 married Willam’s friend/business contact Jonathan Henry Price  at Camberwell, Surrey, on 16 Oct 1851 Ann died at her residence, Burstead House, Billericay, Essex, in 1861. She gave birth to 2 sons – Henry Ward-Price (1854-1894) & George Ward-Price (1856-1883)

8) George Huggins Ward born 25th Nov 1822, bapt 17.6.1824

George Ward was the youngest son . He is recorded at school in Crediton in 1841 but by 1851 he is in London working as a wine merchant, visiting at Church Street St Margaret Lothbury.

1861 sees him at Perry Hill Lewisham still unmarried, employing 23 men in his wine business and with one maid Maria Bigley age 23. 
By 1881 he has retired and is lodging with an Irish couple, the O'Connors, at 212 Pavillion Road, ,Chelsea, London. He apparently never married. 

Died 1^st qtr 1891, registration district St George Hanover Square, London.

)  Emma bapt 26.10.1825, see further info below

Further information

Elias Tremlett Ward (1810-1874)
The first-born. Born 5 April 1810, bapt. 2 December 1811. Married Sarah Kingdon at Crediton on 4 December 1832. Sarah (b. Crediton 1 January 1808) (only her mother Sarah listed on birth cert  - unmarried or a widow?)  Died on 17 Sept 1834 “after painful illness patiently borne, age 25 years” - not long after the birth of their only child Elizabeth, born 20.8.1833  & bapt at Crediton 5.3.1834  

(This daughter Elizabeth married a Rev.Luxford). 

As a widower Elias lived at “Langridge” with his uncle William Ward listed as the head of household, but after William died in 1842, Elias took over running “Langridge” himself.  In 1871 he was recorded as head of household at “Langridge” Farm”, described at that time as being 284 acres in size and employing 14 labourers. 

Note that Uncle William Ward does not appear to have married. The farm passed to his nephew Elias and he left his money to Elias’ daughter, Elizabeth Luxford (nee Ward).

Although the Tremletts were mostly associated with Sandford, Elias Tremlett Ward was likely named for his maternal gt-grandfather,

Elias Tremlett of Crediton (!733-1797)  known as Elias of Elston.

Elias Tremlett Ward’s death at Crediton was registered July 1874.

Note: His cousin Charles Norrish and brother John Ward were the

executors of Elias T. Ward’s will.

Elizabeth Ward (1811- 1901) Born 4 Nov 1811, bapt 2 Dec 1811 at Credition. Devon. 

Married master mariner Captain Edward Fearon on 11 February 1840 at St Olave Hart Street, Crutched Friars, London, She likely met Captain Fearon through her brother William Ward who was in the wine import and export trade in London.  She may well have visited William or even stayed with him at his Marlborough Terrace home in Kensington as her sister Ann did later – perhaps because he was unmarried his sisters took turns at looking after his household.  

Elizabeth emigrated to New Zealand on the barque “Thomas Sparks” with her husband Captain Edward Fearon and brothers John & Thomas Ward, arriving at Nelson on 26 February 1843. Her first child, daughter Elizabeth Ludwig Fearon, was born during the outward bound voyage. A few months later the Fearons settled at the nearby settlement of Motueka. Her brothers jointly bought land at Stoke, just outside the city of Nelson and named this property

"Langridge" after their home in Devon.. 

Children of Elizabeth nee Ward and Captain Edward Fearon

1) Elizabeth Ludwig (Lizzie) Fearon 

(b. 1842 on the ship "Thomas Sparks during the outward bound voyage from England, 

never married and died at the fearon family home, “Northwood’, Motueka, 1907,

2) Mary (May) Fearon (1845-1901) married Richmond Hursthouse

3) Emma Fearon (1847-1913) married John Chaytor of “Marshlands”,  Marlborough, 

4) John Hodgson Fearon (1849-1860) died young during a diphtheria epidemic

5) Sara Frances (Fanny) Fearon (1851-1913) married Fred Thomas of ‘Dehra Doone”, Riwaka, 

6) Edward Fearon Jnr (1853-1880). Died in the Nelson Asylum following a psychotic episode

Both the Fearon sons died young; the elder, Edward Jnr, was unmarried at the time of his death..

Elizabeth Fearon (nee Ward) died at her home, “Northwood”, Motueka, New Zealand, on 1 January 1901 and was buried with her husband and sons at the St Thomas Churchyard in Motueka.

See obituary published in the Colonist newspaper at the time of her death.

Mary Ward  (1817-1886) The second child of that name) bapt 12 Feb 1817 at Crediton, Devon – 

Emigrated via ship “Bernicia” arriving at Nelson NZ (aged 31 and single) on 6 November 1848, along with her brother John Ward and his bride Caroline (nee Micklem). Mary Ward ived with the Fearon family at their home, “”Northwood”, Motueka, NZ and married one of their neighbours, Charles Thorp of Motueka, at St Thomas’ Anglican Church, Motueka, on 11 April 1850 – the Rev Thomas.L. Tudor officiating.

Charles Thorp and Mary nee Ward had Three children,

1) Charles Herrick Thorp (1852-1873)), 

2. Mary Dyott Thorp (1854-1867) 

and

3) Frederick WilliamThorp, known as William, (1861-1911) Only William survived his parents.

He married Helen nee Gillad (1865-1946) in 1891 and had 2 daughters, Ethel Mary Thorp (m Samuel Arnold Atkinson) & Helen Dyott Thorp (m. George Arthur Tillson)

Mary Thorp nee Ward died at her home, “Burton Farm”, Motueka, on 8 Aug 1886 and is buried at the old St Thomas Churchyard,

now Pioneer Park on Thorp Street, Motueka. 

Thomas Ward Jnr. (1815-1886) Baptised Crediton 21.3.1815-  known as Tom and travelled to NZ 

with his sister Elizabeth, brother-in-law Edward Fearon and brother John Ward on the barque ‘”Thomas Sparks”, arriving Nelson 26 February 1843.

Thomas and his brother John jointly established a farm at Stoke, just outside the city of Nelson, 

which they worked together until 1848. when John returned to England for a short visit and 

brought back his new wife Caroline.  

Both Tom and John had earlier blotted their copy books

by getting pregnant around the same time 2 daughters of local farmer, 

Thomas Dangerfield Roil,  by whom each brother had a daughter born in 1847 within 

days of each other..Thomas' daughter Lucy by Harriet Roil was born on 15 September ,1847, 

while John's daughter Annie by Mary Anne Roil was born on 28 September, 1847.

. 

Harriet married Charles Walker in Nelson in 1849, while her sister Mary Anne

married John James in Nelson in 1854. Both of their daughters were raised by 

their mothers' husbands and took their respective surnames. It does not appear that 

either John or Tom Ward ever had any contact with their daughters by the Roil sisters

Thomas had moved to Motueka by 1848 before taking over the management of the sheep run 

in the Awatere, Marlborough, NZ, on behalf of his brother-in-law, Edward Fearon. He then acquired 

his own sheep run in the Awatere, which he named “Langridge” after thefamily farm in Crediton. 

In 1859 he sold this run to the Monro brothers, then moved to another Marlborough sheep run 

closer to Blenheim called "Valleyfield", which belonged to the Monro brothers, Alex & George.

When they bought "Langridge" from Tom Ward the Monro brothers bought a large number of cattle from Ward, but got into financial strife and unable to pay for them, used part of 'Valleyfield" as security, 

with Tom Ward as mortgagee."Valleyfield" was likely Ward's base when he was recordedas a stockowner 

in the Wairau in 1870. By 1872 Tom Ward had a coach & horsetransport service operating between 

Blenheim and Renwick.The Royal Hotel in Blenheim was its the start and finish point and 

Tom Ward took over as licensee ofthe hotel in 1877. It could be that Tom developed an 

unfortunate taste for hisown wares, as a Thomas Ward was charged more than once 

in the Blenheim Court for being drunk and incapable in the town around this time. 

Mention in a contemporary newspaper of a death in Nelson, NZ, on 10 January 1882, caught my eye, as the deceased's age matched up. Following this lead I have reached the end of Thomas Ward's story. The death certificate I obtained confirms that this was indeed "my" Thomas Ward - born at Crediton, Devonshire, and recorded as a son of Thomas Ward, gentleman, & Elizabeth (nee Huggins). He died a single man aged 67 at Nelson Hospital, the cause of death being aortic (heart) disease. He was buried the next day at the Wakapuaka Cemetry in Nelson, where a derelict tumbledown headstone marks his resting place. His death certificate confirms that he was unmarried anhd gives his occuption at te time of death as a farmer. Seeing that the notice of his death in the 'Colonist" newspaper describes him as being from Golden Bay, so clearly he must have left Blenheim and moved from Marlborough between 1877 and 1882. A Notice of Deceased Estates  published on 3 May 1882 confirms that his usual place of residence at the time of his death was Collingwood

“Colonist” 11 Jan 1882, pg 2

 Death: Ward

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18820111.2.6

 John Ward (1818 –1907?), Born at Crediton 22 January 18118, bapt. 10 March 1819. 
Came to NZ with Edward and Elizabeth Fearon and brother Thomas Ward on the  ship “Thomas Sparks”, arriving in Nelson 26 February 1843, Bought land at Stoke just outside the

city of Nelson, which he farmed jointly with his brother Thomas (Tom) Ward until 1848

They named this property “Langridge” after the family farm in England. 

John travelled to England 1848 and married 22 April 1848 at Kensington, London,  to Caroline Micklem from Hurly, Berkshire.  

Marriage notice

“Nelson Examiner” 4 November 1848, pg 144

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18481104.2.17

Returned with his new wife and sister Mary Ward on the ship “Bernicia”, arriving 6 November 1848 at Nelson, NZ. John Ward and his 

wife Caroline had 4 children – 3 born in Nelson and 1 in England.

Their first child, son John Micklem Ward, was born at Motueka on 5 Jan 1849 – probably at “Northwood”, the home of her sister-in-law Elizabeth Fearon nee Ward. 

See: “Nelson Examiner”, 27 Jan 1849, pg 192: Births. (John M. Ward Jnr)

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18490127.2.13

John Micklem Jnr married Susan Weeks and had 1 child, a daughter. After retiring from 

the family wine & spirit business, by 1891 he had become settled on a farm at 

“Woodland”, Crediton, in Devon.  He died in 1907..

Note that “Woodland Downs” was earlier part of the “Langridge Farm” property.

Three other children were born in the Nelson district, NZ 

Emma Ward (b. 26 June 1850 -possibly 1898) born at Suburban South (now known as Stoke) just outside the city of Nelson

Birth notice “Nelson Examiner” 29 June 1850, pg 72

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18500629.2.9

William Ward (1852-1899) – Note: Neither Wiiliam nor his sister Emma appear to have married & were both living at “Great Leigh Farm” of 287 acres at Crediton before their deaths .

Caroline Ward (b. 20 May 1853 –sometime after 1911) 

Born at Suburban South (is recorded here:

“Nelson Examiner”, 28 May 1853, pg 56 Births ( Mrs John Ward, a daughter)

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18530528.2.19

Caroline married Samuel Snell of “Moore Farm”, Petworth, Sussex , and had 4 daughters.
and

George Elias Ward (b. 1859 at Kent Forest Hill, Surrey, England.

John Ward and his family went back to England to live in 1859.  He had served as a Nelson Provincial Councilor for 2 terms and had a substantial amount of property around Stoke and Richmond, which he advertised for sale or lease in 1858 while arranging his return to England

“Nelson Examiner” 23 January, pg 1: Landed Property

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18580123.2.2.3

He became a wine merchant at Cushion Court, 10 Old Broad-street, London and 20 Weston-street, Bermondsey going into partnership, firstly with a Mr Crimp, then with his son John Micklem Ward from ca 1871 until he retired in 1886, leaving the business to his son.  Business styled at this time “Ward & Son, Wine, Spirit, Beer, and Cyder Merchants” at Cushion Court, 10 Old Broad-street in the city of London and 20 Weston-street, Bermondsey. (Southwark)

Notice of dissolution of partnership between John Ward and his son  

“London Gazette” Feb. 5, 1886

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/25556/page/575/data.pdf

Query - was this linked to the same business that John Ward Snr’s older brother William had earlier owned and his younger brother George was running by 1851?  The wine and spirit business  was also involved in the import/export trade and in an ad in the “Nelson Examiner” in 1864 
John Ward “late of Suburban South” comments that he had 
“succeeded to the above old-established business”.

“Nelson Examiner”, 3 May 1864, pg 1 Merchandise: Crimp & Ward, London

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18640503.2.2.5

John Ward Snr probably maintained a link with Crediton, but does not appear to have lived there again after returning to England, though his sons John Micklem Ward & William both did. Having transferred the wine business to his son John Jnr in 1886, John Snr was living on his own (with a couple of servants) at Withycombe Raleigh in Devon by 1891 and is possibly the John Ward whose death was registered in the parish of East Stonehouse, Devon, in 1907.

Emma Ward (1825-1891) Bapt. 26 Oct 1825. Never married and lived in Devon until  her death in 1891 at the age 66 years. Living in Zeal Monachorum Devon with  the Norrishes and sister Elizabeth (nee Ward) and brother-in-law Edward Fearon in 1841,
Living with brother Elias Ward at “Langridge Farm”, Crediton, in 1871 and recorded living with Skinner cousins in Zeal Monachorum in 1881and 1891 censuses. 
Skinners were Ward relatives via the Norrishes. 

Notice of death “Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post”

Death - March 19, at 59 St. David's-hill, Exeter, EMMA WARD, late of “Langridge”, Crediton, aged 66.

For further discussion about the Ward family see my Rootschat thread  (posting as Arachne)

Re the Wards of “Langridge”, Crediton.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=765549.0