The cemetery in Potton, Bedfordshire, contains a gravestone to the memory of three members of a PARRY family.
Bedfordshire is not an area where the PARRY surname occurs frequently, so the grave prompted questions about who the family were, where they had come from, and why had they moved to Potton.
This post is the result of the subsequent research. It is a long post, and I imagine there is still more that could be discovered, but I trust the headings will make the story easier to navigate.
A potential beginning
Their story begins up in Northup, in Flintshire, North Wales, with the birth of an Elias PARRY, in about 1806.1
It is possible that he was the Elias who was born in Northop on the 12th October 1805, and baptised in the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Northop, on the 15th April 1806.2
If he was, then future researchers are very fortunate, since the church records contain a level of detail not generally found in baptism records. As well as both the birth and baptism dates, they indicate that the baptism had taken place in a house, rather than in a chapel, and that the ceremony was performed by a Reverend Mr Williams.
This Elias was the son of a John PARRY, a schoolmaster, and his wife, Catherine, formerly BELLIS. Their residence was in Caerfallwch, a township in the parish of Northop.3
In addition to the residence, the record also includes a parish for each of the parents - in John's case, this was Holyhead and, in Catherine's, prior to her marriage, it had been Northop. These parishes were possibly included because of the Poor Laws - under those laws, if someone fell on hard times and needed parish assistance, it wasn't necessarily the parish where they lived that would provide the support, it was the parish where they had a 'right of settlement'. The settlement parish was usually the parish of birth although, in the case of a married woman, her's then became the same parish as her husband's.
But, whatever the reason for this information being included, if the baptism is the correct one,4 then such details could help in tracing the earlier generations.
Occupation and family
In 1831, Elias PARRY became a student at Cheshunt College, in Hertfordshire.5 Cheshunt was a training college for nonconformist ministers. It had originally been set up in Trevecca, Breconshire, in 1768, by the Countess of Huntingdon but, after the death of the Countess in 1791, the college relocated to Cheshunt.6
When his term of study had finished, Elias moved to Cheltenham in Gloucestershire, where he became a minister in the Portland Chapel House. This was one of the nonconformist chapels belonging to the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion.
But relationships had clearly been formed while he was at the college and, on the 14th May 1833, Elias PARRY married Sarah JEEVES back in Cheshunt. Elias was described as a bachelor, and of Cheltenham. Sarah, who was a minor, was described as of Cheshunt. Her father was deceased and the marriage was noted as taking place with the consent of "Elizabeth JEEVES - widow - the natural & lawful mother of the said minor."
A licence for the marriage had been issued by the Faculty Office the previous day, the 13th May 1833, and it is possible that the licence might give additional information about Elias and Sarah.7
As well as those official records, the marriage was reported in at least two newspapers.8
In these, Elias was described as the eldest son of Mr PARRY, a bookseller of Chester - which means, either, the above baptism is not the correct one, or his (potential) father, John PARRY, the schoolmaster, had moved from Caerfallwch to Chester, and changed his occupation, in the intervening years.
After their marriage, Elias and Sarah lived in Cheltenham, where their first child, Catherine, was born on 22nd March 1834. She was baptised on the 4th June 1834, the ceremony being performed by a John PARRY. There were two other children baptised that day by the John PARRY and, while Catherine's baptism was witnessed by a James DOWNING, her father, Elias, witnessed the baptisms of the other two children.9
It is not known whether there was any connection between the John and Elias, other than them both serving as ministers, and both having the same surname.
"Success" leads to a move
Later, it was reported that Elias had "so distinguished himself" at Cheltenham, that he was invited by a large number of members of a chapel in Spa-fields to become their minister.10 This he did and, from January 1835, records show him as the minister at the Providence Chapel, Chadwell Street, in the parish of Saint James, Clerkenwell.11
The congregation increased and, as a result, a new chapel building was proposed. In order to achieve this, an area of ground was rented, and loans were taken out to construct the building, after which a trust deed was executed, specifying the conditions for the management of the chapel, and the relationships between the Trustees and the minister. An account of the laying of the foundation stone of the "New Tabernacle for the Seceders of Spafields Chapel, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Elias Parry" was advertised as being in the edition of "The Evangelical Register" published on the 1st May 1835.12
The "Northampton Tabernacle", in Upper Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell opened later in 1835 and one of the first baptisms was that of Thomas PARRY, the son of Elias and Sarah. This time, the ceremony was performed by Elias. Thomas had been born on 27th October 1835, and the family were living at No.6 River Street, Myddleton Square, Middlesex.13
More children followed - first, Sarah, born on the 28th August 1837, and baptised on the 17th December, and then, Selina, born on the 20th September 1840, and baptised on the 6th January 1841. The family were still living in River Street for Sarah's birth but, by the time Selina was born, they had moved to No.11 Vincent Terrace, River Terrace, City Road.
And it is in Vincent Terrace that they can be found in the 1841 census,14 with the family consisting of Elias, aged 35, whose occupation was recorded as a "dissenting minister", Sarah, aged 25, Catherine, aged 7, Thomas, aged 5, Sarah, aged 3, and Selina, aged 7 months. With them are Elizabeth JEEVES, aged 60, and Thomas JEEVES aged 25, potentially Sarah's mother and a possible brother. There were also two servants.
The birth of Elias and Sarah's fifth child, Mary Elizabeth, was registered during the second quarter of 1842, and she was baptised on the 12th March 1843 - the entry is out of sequence, coming between entries for the 9th July 1843 and 26th November 1843, so perhaps it had initially been missed out, when the other baptisms on that day were written up. Her birth date isn't recorded but the address for the family was now 2 Holford Square, Pentonville.
Not all of the baptisms in the register have the final column, "By whom the ceremony was performed," completed but, for those that do, Elias's is the only name that occurs. So it seems that he was the sole minister at the chapel, which, later, would be described as having been built "especially for the purpose of securing the services" of Elias.15
There are quite a few references to Elias in the newspapers, because of his activities as the minister of Northampton Chapel. He is involved in the publication of tracts, and is listed as a speaker at various meetings. An article about the history of the chapel is also published, along with a portrait of Elias.16
Unfortunately, such success did not continue, and court cases reported in the newspapers in 1848 reveal a change in Elias's fortunes.
It appears that, in 1842, there were some disagreements in the church and an accusation was made, by two individuals, against Elias, an accusation that he "had been guilty of indecent conduct with some girl." Several articles indicate the rumours were started by one of the trustees, who "entertained some bad feeling against" Elias, although the reason for such feeling was never discovered. An enquiry was held, but there was no proof brought against Elias and he was "honourably acquitted", with two thirds of the congregation expressing their opinion that the charges were "totally unfounded."
However, perhaps annoyed at continued rumours, Elias resigned in September 1842. A meeting of the congregation was promptly held but, since this did not meet the requirement for three months notice of any such meeting, any decisions were set aside and another meeting was arranged for January 1843. At this second meeting, the majority of the congregation expressed their gratitude for the manner in which Elias had "discharged the duties of his sacred office, and their entire confidence in him." Following this, Elias agreed to continue as their minister.17
But the damage was done.
In such independent, nonconformist chapels, the money to pay, not just the minister's salary, but also all the running costs, and loan repayments etc, predominantly comes through the members' activities and contributions. But, because of the rumours, the congregation numbers decreased from around 700 to 200. The consequent reduction in income made the financial situation impossible, and the trustees found themselves unable to meet the interest payments on the building loan. A decree was made by the Chancery Court, on the 18th July 1845, that accounts for the chapel should be drawn up and, if the Chancery Master found that the income was insufficient to cover the expenditure, then the chapel was to be sold.18
In February 1846, the trustees, and Elias, both had a man in the chapel, to be 'in possession' of it. But on the 11th February, the trustees forcibly ejected the man Elias had given authority to, boarded up the windows, stripped Elias’s pew of its furniture, and locked the doors.
Thus the chapel was closed.
An initial attempt at selling the chapel failed, but an offer was later made, which the Court of Chancery sanctioned in March 1847.
In 1848, newspapers carried reports of a case before the Court of Queen's Bench, which was the result of the incident in February 1846. This was for an 'action of trespass', which Elias PARRY brought against the trustees, for improperly turning him out of possession, and for having seized and sold property belonging to him, which was in the chapel at the time of the alleged trespass. The judge ruled that, based on the initial trust deed, Elias did not have the right of possession and therefore dismissed the 'trespass'. He left the question of the items that were seized, and sold, by the trustees for the jury to decide, and they found in favour of Elias.
However, there were continued legal arguments over whether, even if the items had belonged to Elias, an action of 'trespass' was the correct one to have been brought.19 Following a ruling on that, it was then discovered that the defendants had actually sold the items after the initial action had been brought against them, which meant the judge declared that there needed to be a new trial, unless Elias consented to what was called a "stet processus" - in other words, a halt to the proceedings.20
At the same time, there was a case going through the Vice Chancellors' Court, concerning the salary due to Elias, in which the mortgagees were looking to have a declaration by the court regarding whether their claim, as mortgagees, took priority over the minister's claim for his salary, when it came to distributing the sale proceeds. The case was likely to have implications for any dissenting minister. Elias's counsel put forward the opinion that his claim was "equal to that of a seaman, who, although the purpose of a voyage may fail, is entitled to his wages" and that, without the service of Elias, the property would have been unproductive.21
Unfortunately, for Elias, the judge ruled that "there could be no doubt about the mortgagees' priority" and directed that the mortgage, and the legal costs, should be paid first and then, only if there was any residue, would Elias be paid the money due to him (which included, not just £161 14s 10d for his salary down to the time of his resignation, in September 1842, but also £639 as remuneration for his services as 'temporary minister' from September 1842 until February 1846.)22
From the figures quote in the article, it seems unlikely Elias would have received the total amount due to him and, depending on the legal costs, might have received very little.
The absence of later newspaper reports for either case, after November 1848, would suggest that neither Elias, nor the Trustees, continued to argue them.
And Elias certainly had other concerns - for, on the 13th February 1849, his wife, Sarah, died. She was not yet 35 years old.
Her death was registered by a neighbour, Ellen DRAYTON, from 1 Holford Square, who had been present when Sarah died. The PARRY family were still living at 2 Holford Square, Clerkenwell. Sarah, described as the "wife of Elias Parry Dissenting Minister," died from convulsions (17 hours) and coma (6 hours). No further cause of death was given and, despite having her exact death date, her burial has not yet been identified.23
Sarah's death was also reported in some newspapers.24
Another move
Perhaps it is not surprising, after all these events, that Elias would seek a new start and, soon after Sarah's death, he moved to Kent where, in August 1849, after five months of being with the congregation at the Zion Chapel in Dover, he was invited to be their minister.25 The Zion Chapel was on the corner of Last Lane and Queen Street and, at the time, seems to have been a Congregational Church.26
His role at the chapel was confirmed through the 1851 census, where his occupation is recorded as "Independent Minister of Zion Chapel." The family were living at Camden Cottage, Folkestone Road, Hougham, in Kent. Elias was the head, a widower aged 45, born in Northop, Flintshire. With him were his four daughters, Catharine, aged 17, Sarah, aged 13, Selina, aged 10, and Mary E., aged 9. All of the children were shown as born in London, Middlesex, although that was obviously incorrect for Catherine, who had been born in Cheltenham.27
It is likely that Thomas, the son, was the 15 year old scholar, born London, Middlesex, who is in the household of Theophilus HEWLETT, in Eythorne, Kent.28
Although there is no address given, this is clearly a school - the occupation for Theophilus is "Head master & classical tutor," and his wife is recorded as a "Preceptress." As well as their own children, and domestic staff, the household contains two other teachers, one, a teacher of French, the other, of mathematics & drawing, as well as twenty five, 'non-family,' scholars, whose ages range from seven to fifteen.
A newspaper advert, in 1842, for the "Eythorne Classical and Commercial School, conducted by Mr Theophilus Hewlett," indicates that the school is situated in a "beautiful and healthy part of Kent, six miles north-west of Dover; and being near the London Road, is of easy access." The advert refers to ministers being able to supply references regarding the school, and a later advert, in 1855, indicates that "This school is highly recommended by parents who have long tested its efficiency, and who consider Evangelical religion of the highest importance in the training of youth" so, given his father's occupation, it is possible that Thomas had been a pupil at the school before Elias moved his family to Dover.29
The Zion chapel records do not seem to be available on any of the genealogical company sites, so the main evidence for Elias's activities, while in Dover, comes from newspaper reports - which indicate what were, probably, the fairly typical activities of an evangelical minister at the time: He joined other ministers from the Baptist, Independent, and Wesleyan churches at the first public meeting of a branch of the "British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews", in October 1849.30 He was described as "the respected minister of Zion Chapel" when he put forward a resolution at the Wesleyan Missions annual meeting.31 He spoke at a Sunday School Union, "Teachers' Conference."32 He was on the platform for a meeting of the "Dover Ladies Bible Association" in September 1850.33 In October 1850, he officiated at a marriage in the Zion Chapel, Dover.34 He was one of the ministers present at a large meeting of the Dover gentry, councillors, and tradesmen, who were considering an address to Queen Victoria to express their support for her and indignation at papal "insolent aggression on Protestantism, and pretension to supremacy in England."35 He presided at the second Sunday School Festival, in July 1851.36 He was present, and seconded a motion, at the "thirty-ninth anniversary of the Cinque Ports Bible Association" in May 1852.37
At the third Sunday School Union festival in July 1852, not only did Elias speak at the morning meeting, but, in the afternoon, when the students and teachers gathered, they proceeded to the Zion Chapel where he addressed them "most suitably" and the students were described as having paid "deep attention" to the "well-timed remarks of the rev. gentleman."38
Elias also addressed the public meeting in the morning of the fourth Sunday School Union Festival in July 1853.39
However, according to a history of the Congregational churches in Kent, which was published in 1911, Elias resigned from the Zion chapel in Dover, in August 1853, soon after that festival. The article states that he subsequently moved to Hereford, where he became the minister of the Countess of Huntingdon's Chapel there.40
But, in between the time in Dover, and then Hereford, Elias moved back to London, where he was recorded in the electoral rolls, between 1855-1860, as living at 2 Sussex Terrace, Lambeth, and then, in 1860-62, as living at 4 Kennington Street, Lambeth, both addresses within the parish of St Mary, Newington.41
At the time of the 1861 census, Elias, with his two oldest children, Thomas and Catherine, are living at 4 Beresford Street, in St Mary Newington. Elias, aged 55, was recorded as an "Independent Minister & tutor", Thomas, aged 25, was a "private tutor" and Catherine, aged 27 (this time with her correct birthplace) was a "Governess (out of situation)".42
Sarah is difficult to identify in the 1861 census, but the other two daughters are more obvious:
- Selina is in Reading, Berkshire, visiting a William THOMAS and his family, at 31 Castle Street. She is an unmarried, 20 year old, "teacher of music". William THOMAS is a travelling insurance agent.42
- Mary Elizabeth, aged 19, is visiting her uncle, Thomas JEEVES, in Henley-on-Thames. Thomas JEEVES is recorded as being a member of the Stock Exchange.42
Elias's final move
It is not so easy to conclusively identify references to Elias following his move to Hereford, since the surname occurs quite frequently in that area. However, in February 1863, he, along with other ministers, addressed a meeting advocating the cause of the Baptist Missionary Society.43
So he had moved to Hereford sometime between April 1861 and February 1863.
In 1863, he also had problems with a broken water pipe in his house in Hereford - which meant he was charged by the Corporation for "allowing the city water to run to waste in his house." The case was adjourned for a week, during which time the pipe was to be repaired "to the satisfaction of the surveyor". There does not seem to be another reference to the case, so one assumes the pipe was fixed satisfactorily!44
Elias died of "paralysis" on the 8th May 1864, at 38 Bridge Street, St Nicholas, Hereford, aged 58. His occupation was recorded as "Minister of the Gospel Lady Huntingdon" and the informant was a Mary GRIFFITHS, who had been present at his death. He was buried in St Martin's churchyard, Hereford.45
The later life of Elias and Sarah PARRY's children
In 1871, Elias's eldest daughter, Catherine, is possibly boarding in Marylebone, an unmarried milliner, aged 36, born Cheltenham, Gloucester.46 However, it hasn't been possible to identify her in any records after that.
Nor has it been possible to find any further information regarding Sarah, following the 1851 census.
After appearing with her uncle in 1861, Mary Elizabeth can be found boarding with a Phoebe KEMPSTER, in Burford, Oxfordshire, in both the 1871 and the 1881 censuses, aged 29 and then 39 respectively, unmarried and with no occupation listed in either. In the 1891 census, she is possibly the 49 year old, unmarried, Mary E PARRY, boarding with a George STEGER and family, in Midford, South Stoke, Somerset. Mary was described as "of Independent Means." But it hasn't been possible to identify her in any records after 1891.47
Selina is the only daughter known to have married - she married a Thomas GORROD, in St. James', the parish church of Great Grimsby, Lincolnshire, on the 11th June 1870. The residence for both Selina and Thomas, at the time of their marriage, was King Edward Street. Thomas was a fisherman and his father, another Thomas GORROD, was a brass founder. Selina's father was listed as Elias PARRY, minister. It was not recorded that Elias was deceased. The witnesses were a James GORROD and a James PARKER.48
Selina can be found in all the censuses from 1871-191149, before she dies in Sculcoates, Yorkshire, in the first quarter of 1913. She does appear in several family trees on Ancestry, and there are living descendants.
And, finally, Thomas... heading towards the Potton connection (at last!)
As indicated above, at the time of the 1861 census, Thomas's occupation was as a private tutor.
He married Louisa Elizabeth WILLIAMS, in the Trinity Church, in the parish of St Mary, Newington, Surrey, on the 24th October 1868. His occupation was recorded as a schoolmaster, but no evidence has been found, so far, for which school he might have been working at (although later information, from Thomas's obituary, has now provided some hints as to where to look). The occupation of his father, Elias, was recorded as a minister and, as with Selina's marriage record, there is no reference to Elias being deceased.50
Louisa had no occupation recorded, and her father, Edward Henry WILLIAMS, was a wine merchant. Thomas and Louisa were both living in Dover Road, at the time of their marriage. It is believed that Louisa had been born on 22nd February 1838, and baptised on the 17th February 1840, at St Paul, Deptford, the daughter of Edward Henry and Elizabeth WILLIAMS.51
The birth of Thomas and Louisa's first child, Ethelwyn Louisa PARRY, was registered in the March quarter of 1871, in Hackney district. This meant she was born in time to be included in the 1871 census, where she appears with her parents, Thomas, aged 34, a school teacher, and Louisa, aged 31, living at Portland Villa, in Hackney, Middlesex. Boarding with them was a married nurse, [Sannah?] MILWARD.
52However, Ethelwyn was not baptised until 1873. A second child, Sarah Elizabeth, was born on 20 April 187253, and the baptisms of both Ethelwyn and Sarah took place in the parish church of Hackney on the 14th December 1873. At this time, the family were living in Grove Street, Hackney, Middlesex.
Thomas and Louisa's third child, Thomas Jeeves PARRY, was born on the 9th October 1874, his middle name, no doubt, in memory of his grandmother. No record of a baptism has been found, so far.
In 1881, all five of the family are present at their home in 64 Lauriston Road, Hackney - Thomas, aged 47, Louisa E, aged 40, Ethelwin L, aged 10, Sarah E, aged 8, and Thomas J, aged 5, along with a 14 year old, Mary A BUCKMASTER, who was a general domestic servant. Thomas was still working as a school master.54
It seems the family moved to Bromley, in Kent, some time between 1881-1886 and there they attended Bromley Congregational Church because, in July 1886, the name "Ethelwyn F PARRY," from that church, appears in a list of scholars being awarded certificates for their writing about "Daniel and his Companions." Although the middle initial is incorrect, no other PARRYs have been found with the first name of Ethelwyn (or Ethelwin) for this date period.55
The move to Bromley is confirmed by the 1891 census, which shows Thomas, aged 55, Louisa E, aged 50 and Ethelwyn L, aged 20, living at 22 Widmore Road, Bromley. Thomas 's occupation is that of a "private schoolmaster." The two younger children are missing from the household - Sarah E PARRY was in Somerset, aged 18, and recorded as a "Governess music" at Townsend House, a school in Shepton Mallet, Somerset. Thomas J(eeves) PARRY, aged 17, was working as a Commercial Clerk in a shop, "The Stores House," in Bath Road, Chiswick. As well as Thomas 'junior', within the household were the stores manager, two cashiers, a butter/cheeseman's assistant, a fishmonger, a butcher, and a housekeeper - perhaps it was a forerunner of the modern supermarket!56
A similar pattern for the family is found in all the later censuses, Ethelwyn staying with her parents until their deaths, the two younger children out in paid employment.
By the time of the 1901 census, Thomas, Louisa and Ethelwyn are living in Haddenham, Cambridgeshire. Thomas, aged 63, is now a "retired schoolmaster." It has not been possible to identify Sarah, but Thomas Jeeves, still working as a commercial clerk, is now in Hornsey, Middlesex, boarding with a SHEEHAN family.57
The move to Potton
In 1903, while they were still living in Haddenham, Thomas's wife, Louisa, wrote her Will, but the family soon moved to Potton in Bedfordshire.
It is possible they were living there by September 1905, when one of the stalls at the "Japanese Bazaar and Feast of Lanterns," held in the Central Hall, was described as "Osaka - Sweet, Fruit, and Ice Cream Stall," and arranged by "Miss PARRY, Mrs PERRY, Miss MARSDEN."58
Was the "Mrs PERRY" a mistake and that should also have been PARRY, it being Ethelwyn and her mother? We'll possibly never know.
The newspaper report mentions that the "Central Hall" was called that because of the varied nature of the activities it was used for - "secular (parochial and political,) as well as sacred" - but that it had been built a year or two before, primarily for the Congregational Church Sunday School, and that the purpose of the bazaar, which took place over three days, was to reduce the debt on the building. The PARRYs running a stall at the bazaar would indicate their involvement with nonconformist churches had not ended with the death of Elias.
Louisa Elizabeth PARRY died in Potton on the 24th February 1907, aged 69. The family were living at "Ivydene", a house in Blackbird Street, Potton. Her death was reported in several newspapers, as was the fact that the funeral was taken by the Rev. J F BRADEY, the Congregational Minister.59 One newspaper reported that Louisa had "recently" come to live in Potton - but how long does one need to live in a small town like Potton, where some families have lived for hundreds of years, before you are no longer regarded as a 'recent' incomer?60
Louisa's Will was proved on the 23rd March 1907. Although her husband, Thomas, was still alive, she had made her son, Thomas Jeeves PARRY, the executor. He was probably still living, and working, in North London since, just over a year later, on the 15th August 1908, he married Elizabeth Jane PRESS, in Christ Church, Hornsey. At the time he was living in 7 Birchington Rd, Crouch End, and his father Thomas, was described as a "Retired Schoolmaster." His sister, Sarah Elizabeth PARRY, was one of the witnesses.61
In 1909, at the Potton Flower Show, ("the third annual show under the auspices of the Potton Horticultural Society") Miss PARRY, probably Ethelwyn again, came second in the "Foliage plant" category.62
The 1910 Lloyd George Domesday survey, one of the prompts for this research, took place between 1910-1915. It was a nationwide valuation of land and property, introduced as a result of the 1909-1910 Finance Act. This Act implemented a tax based on the increase in the value of a property as a result of public spending on communal infrastructure. Details for each property are very comprehensive.63
Thomas PARRY is recorded as living at Ivydene, which was no.14 Blackbird Street. The owner of the house was Harry KITCHENER, a prominent landowner in the town. The house contained 3 bedrooms, 2 sitting rooms, a kitchen, a scullery and a wc (possible inside, since it isn't specified as outside, which the washhouse for no.16, next door, was.)
Thomas and his daughter, (recorded as "E.L") are still in Blackbird Street in the 1911 census, when their ages were initially just entered as "over 70" and "full" respectively, but had then been modified to "about 70" and "about 40." Had they declined to be more precise? They would certainly have been literate and numerate enough to know their own ages! Their occupations were noted as "Retired Schoolmaster," and "Housekeeper Domestic."64
There are very few references to Thomas PARRY in Potton, but there are several to "Miss PARRY" - undoubtably Ethelwyn, since they are the only PARRY family in Potton at the time. She clearly took an active part in the Congregational Church, as well as with other Christian organisations.
At some time, she became the treasurer of the local branch of the "British Women's Temperance Association,"(B.W.T.A.) but was not present for the AGM in February 1912, so the balance sheet was read by Miss Emily RICHARDSON instead. At a meeting of the B.W.T.A. in early 1913, Miss PARRY was one of a number of ladies speaking - in her case, she read a paper on "Temperance as an aid to religion."65
Later that year, she was again helping on a stall at a 'sale of work' in the Central Hall, raising funds for the Congregational Church.66
In June 1914, following the reading of an 'interesting paper' on "African Missions" at the Christian Endeavour meeting in the Central Hall, both Miss PARRY, and a Miss BOOTH, were noted as joining in the discussion afterwards (no names were quoted for any men who spoke, apart from the Reverend who initially read the paper.)67
At the Congregational Mothers' Meeting, in February 1916, she made the presentation to two ladies, Mrs BRAYBROOKS and Mrs W BOND SMITH, to thank them for their 'untiring work.'68
On the 17th February, 1919, came a day which Ethelwyn was perhaps dreading, yet knew was unavoidable - the death of her father, Thomas, aged 82 years. As well as a standard notice under the "Deaths," there was an Obituary within the Potton section of the local newspaper, which sheds more light on Thomas PARRYs life69:
We deeply regret to have to record the death of Mr. Parry, who passed away on Monday at his residence, at the advanced age of 82 years. Mr. Parry retired from the scholastic profession on coming to reside in Potton about 14 years ago, previous to which he was principal of schools at South Hackney and Bromley. He received his education abroad and was a man of great abilities. The funeral took place at the Cemetery on Thursday, the 20th inst., where the remains were laid to rest in the same grave as his wife who predeceased him just 12 years. The deceased leaves one son and two daughters, for whom much sympathy is felt.
Of course, newspapers do not always get the facts right - so far, there has been no evidence for Thomas being educated abroad, and he was already described as being a 'retired' schoolmaster in the 1901 census, when he was living in Haddenham.
But he was certainly in South Hackney and in Bromley so, if he was the principal of schools in those places, there will possibly be more records relating to him there.
No Will appears to have been proved for Thomas's estate, which seems a bit surprising, since one might have expected him to have made a Will at the same time as his wife did, arranging their affairs in preparation for the 'inevitable'.
Ethelwyn continued to live in "Ivydene" and, during June and July 1919, placed several adverts in newspapers, under the "Seaside and Country" section:
"FURN'D APARTMENTS, with attendance; home comforts, good cooking, moderate terms. - Miss Parry, Ivydene, Potton"70
It was the only 'country' location among adverts for various seaside places, such as Great Yarmouth, Bournemouth, Brighton Hove, and Lowestoft.
In 1921, Ethelwyn, aged 49 years, 5 months, was still living in Blackbird Street, and was being visited by an Emily Winifred HICKMAN, aged 42 years, 11 months, another unmarried lady, who was born in Hampshire.71
Ethelwyn continued to appear in newspaper articles relating to her church activities - she was one of twelve ladies involved in a 'hat making competition' during a Wesley Guild "gentleman's surprise night" (she came 4th.)72 She also took part in the annual collection for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in December 1928.73
One might have expected Ethelwyn to live out her days in Potton, involved with such Christian, and charitable, activities.
But no!
For, on the 9th April 1932, Ethelwyn Louisa PARRY, a spinster aged 61, resident of Potton, Beds, married Edward Rowland HARPER, a widowed, 54 year old, mechanic, in Great Yarmouth. The wedding was reported in the local newspapers:
MARRIAGE OF MISS E. L. PARRY
An interesting wedding took place on Saturday last, 9th inst., at St. Nicholas Church, Gt Yarmouth, between Miss Ethelwyn Louisa Parry (late of "Ivydene", Potton), elder daughter of the late Mr. Parry (an old and highly respected inhabitant of Potton), and Mr. Edward Roland Harper, of Gt Yarmouth, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Ellwood. The bride, accompanied by her brother, who subsequently gave her away, wore a gown of blue crépe-de-chine, with coat and hat to tone, and carried a bouquet of pink carnations. She was attended by one bridesmaid, Miss Castina Harper (daughter of the bridegroom), who was attired in emerald green lace. with a short musquash coat and black straw hat. Mr. P. T. Barrett, brother-in-law of the bridegroom, was best man. Many useful presents were received by the newly married pair, and the bride carries with her to her new home at Gt Yarmouth the good wishes of her numerous friends in Potton.74
The witnesses were her brother, Thomas J PARRY and Castina A L HARPER. On the parish register, her father, Thomas PARRY was shown as a 'schoolmaster' - again, as with the earlier marriages of her father, and her aunt, Selina, there was no reference to her father being deceased.75
Sadly, the HARPERs did not enjoy many years of married life, since Ethelwyn died on the 15th August 1939 in Gt Yarmouth, as a result of malignant terratomas.76
The Final connection to Potton.
One might imagine that, with Ethelwyn's move to Gt Yarmouth, any link to Potton would have come to an end - but so far, only Louisa, in 1907, and Thomas, in 1919, have been buried in the grave in Potton cemetery.
The third burial is that of their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth PARRY.
From the 1891 census, it was known that Sarah had begun working as a music teacher. Although she has not been identified in the 1901 census, in the 1911 census, she is working as an "assistant mistress" at the Wilton House School, Parkside Road, Reading. Ten years later, in 1921, she is the matron at the "College School, West Promenade, in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. By the time of the 1939 Register, Sarah, now a “retired music mistress”, is living in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, at 78 Northgate Street.77
Sarah Elizabeth PARRY died on the 12th March 1942, at the Mental Hospital, in Upton, Northamptonshire, aged 69 years.78
But the "Rank and Profession" column of her death certificate states:
of 23 Market Square,
Potton Bedfordshire
a spinster.
a Teacher of Music
Daughter of
Thomas Parry
Schoolmaster
(Deceased)
So, at some stage between the 1939 Register and her death in 1942, Sarah seems to have moved from Great Yarmouth to Potton, before going into the hospital in Upton - but when, and why, considering she did not appear in any records for Potton while her parents and sister were living there, remains a mystery.
Perhaps she had moved to Great Yarmouth, after her retirement, to be near to Ethelwyn? Or, depending on when she retired, perhaps she had even moved in with Ethelwyn in Potton, prior to Ethelwyn's marriage, and then followed her to Great Yarmouth, before returning to Potton after Ethelwyn's death?
Sarah did not leave a Will, and probate of her estate was granted to her brother, Thomas Jeeves PARRY, on the 13th April 1942. Thomas was described as a retired company official, "the lawful brother of the whole blood and only person entitled to the estate." At the time he was living at 63 The Ridgeway, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex.
And so, with the third burial, this PARRY family's connection with Potton came to an end.
A final note - Both Elias's daughter, Selina PARRY, who married Thomas GORROD, and Thomas's son, Thomas Jeeves PARRY, are known to have had descendants, some of which are likely to still be living. These branches have therefore not been traced for this research.
However, if they, or anyone else who might descend from, or have information about, the family above, can add to the details about the family, please get in touch, either through the comments below, or by emailing me via the PARRY One-Name Study at https://one-name.org/name_profile/parry/
Thank you
Notes & Sources
(NB any event, such as a baptism, or marriage, which does not have a source entered, should be easy to find on either Ancestry, or on FindMyPast - but not necessarily on both - from the information given above.)
1. Elias's birth place of Northop:
1851 census: HO107; Piece: 1632; Folio: 702; Page: 6;
1861 census: Rg 9; Piece: 339; Folio: 122; Page: 29;
2. Potential baptism of Elias PARRY: FindMyPast "England & Wales Non-Conformist Births and Baptisms", and on Ancestry, "England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936", TNA/RG/4/4495.
3. Caerfallwch being a township in the parish of Northop: https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/FLN/Caerfallwch
4. Reasons why the quoted baptism might not be the correct one:
1. There is a burial of a twenty-one year old Elias PARRY in Llandwrog, Caernarvonshire, on the 4 July 1827, which would make him born about 1806. I haven't found another baptism of an Elias around 1806 so, although Llandwrog is over sixty miles away from Northop, it does mean there were (at least) two Elias PARRYs born around the same time.
2. The change in occupation, and location, for the father, John PARRY, between the baptism in 1806 and Elias's marriage in 1833.
5. Elias PARRY admitted as a student to Cheshunt: article about the History of the Congregational churches in Kent. Kentish Express 14 October 1911
7. The marriage details, and existence of the licence, are from FindMyPast: Marriage: Hertfordshire Banns & Marriages, Licence: Faculty Office Marriage Licences (no image)
8. Newspaper notices for marriage of Elias and Sarah at Cheshunt: Chester Chronicle 7 June 1833, Stockport Advertiser and Guardian 7 June 1833.
9. Portland Chapel House Register: (Ancestry) Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths surrendered to the Non-parochial Registers Commissions of 1837 and 1857; Class Number: Rg 4; Piece Number: 3951
10. Elias "so distinguished himself" at Cheltenham: Morning Post 8 February 1848 [Note this paper does have a date error in the article, stating it was 1844, rather than 1834, when Elias moved to London]
11. Elias PARRY as minister at Providence Chapel: Rg4; Piece 4492: Clerkenwell, Rosoman St., Northampton, Chadwell St. (Calvinistic Methodist), 1835-1837
12. Advert for publication mentioning the laying of the foundation stone for the new chapel: Patriot 29 April 1835
13. Birth and baptism of Thomas PARRY - baptism date differences noted:
Rg4; Piece 4492 has baptism March 9th (but mistranscribed on Ancestry as May 9th).
Rg 8; Piece 39 has baptism as 27th March.
The RG8 record is potentially the incorrect one, since it appears the baptisms from Rg4; Piece 4492 might have been copied into the register filed under RG8, before later baptisms were then added. So the earlier source is more likely to be correct, especially since Thomas's birth was on a 27th.
The other children's' baptisms are all in the RG8 register.
14. 1841 census: HO107; Piece: 664; Book: 3; Civil Parish: St Mary Islington East; County: Middlesex; Enumeration District: 6; Folio: 6; Page: 7;
15. Northampton Chapel, Upper Rosoman Street, built "especially for the purpose of securing the services" of Elias: Express (London) 8 February 1848. Weekly Chronicle (London) 12 February 1848 (and several other newspapers)
16. Examples of references to Elias as minister:
Publication of tracts: Patriot 26 June 1837
A speaker at various meetings, or preaching on a specific topic: eg
- At the Farewell service of Rev. W Duggan Patriot 29 January 1844,
- As a signatory on an appeal to the Churches in the State of South Carolina regarding the death sentence passed on someone who harboured an escaped slave and deploring "the prevalence of a system which can with impunity make "merchandise of slaves and the souls of men,' and put the same valuation on men and women as upon cattle" Patriot 1 & 3 April 1844
- London Peace Society listing of ministers intending to preach "sermons on the pacific principles of Christianity as condemnatory of war" Patriot 8 May 1845,
- Advert for a history of the chapel, including a portrait of Elias, in the Evangelical Register May No.VIII: Patriot 27 & 30 March 1837, Weekly Chronicle (London) 11 June 1837.
17. The accusations against Elias: Weekly Chronicle 12 Feb 1848. Morning Post 08 February 1848.
18. Chancery Court decree: Saint James's Chronicle 06 June 1848
19. Whether an action for 'trespass' was the correct one: Church & State Gazette (London) 28 April 1848
20. The references to "stet processus": Saint James's Chronicle 14 November 1848
21. The salary of a dissenting minister: Saint James's Chronicle 6 June 1848, Patriot 22 June 1848
22. The mortgagees' priority: Saint James's Chronicle 06 June 1848, Douglas Jerrold's Weekly Newspaper 10 June 1848, Bell's Weekly Messenger 10 June 1848, British Banner 1848 14 June 1848, Patriot 22 June 1848
23. Death certificate for Sarah PARRY: GRO March qtr 1849, St James Clerkenwell, Vol.3 Page 75.
24. Newspaper notices of Sarah's death: Globe 15 February 1848, John Bull 17 February 1849.
25. Elias invited to be the minister at the Zion Chapel: Kentish Express 14 October 1911
27. 1851 census: HO107; Piece: 664; Book: 3; Civil Parish: St Mary Islington East; County: Middlesex; Enumeration District: 6; Folio: 6; Page: 7;
28. Thomas PARRY in 1851: HO107; Piece: 1631; Folio: 493; Page: 23;
29. The school of Theophilus HEWLETT in Eythorne: Patriot 18 July 1842, Patriot 9 July 1855.
30. "British Society for the Propagation of the Gospel among the Jews": Dover Chronicle 13 October 1849.
31. Wesleyan Missions annual meeting: Dover Chronicle 1 June 1850.
32. Sunday School Union, "Teachers' Conference.": Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 06 July 1850
33. "Dover Ladies Bible Association": Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 21 September 1850
34. Officiated at a marriage in the Zion Chapel: Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 2 November 1850
35. The meeting regarding the address to Queen Victoria: Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 23 November 1850, Kentish Gazette 26 November 1850
36. Second Sunday School Festival: Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 26 July 1851
37. The "thirty-ninth anniversary of the Cinque Ports Bible Association":Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 22 May 1852, Kentish Gazette 25 May 1852
38. Third Sunday School Union Festival: Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 24 July 1852
39. Fourth Sunday School Union Festival: Dover Telegraph and Cinque Ports General Advertiser 23 July 1853
40. Newspaper report of Elias's resignation from the Zion Chapel and his move to Hereford: Kentish Express 14 October 1911
41. Lambeth Electoral Rolls: FindMyPast
42. 1861 census entries:
Elias, Thomas, and Catherine: Rg 9; Piece: 339; Folio: 122; Page: 29; [Elias as 'Elies' on FMP]
Selina: Rg 9; Piece: 745; Folio: 48; Page: 9;
Mary Elizabeth: Rg 9; Piece: 881; Folio: 85; Page: 20;
43. Baptist Missionary Society: Hereford Times 21 February 1863
44. Broken water pipe: Hereford Journal 20 June 1863, Hereford Times 20 June 1863
45. Death of Elias PARRY:
GRO (under PURRY) June qtr 1864, Hereford & Dore, Vol. 6A Page 325
Death notice: Chester Chronicle 21 May 1864
Burial: Kentish Express 14 October 1911.
46. Potential 1871 census entry for Catherine PARRY: RG10; Piece: 148; Folio: 59; Page: 49;
47. Potential census entries for Mary Elizabeth PARRY:
1871 census: RG10; Piece: 1454; Folio: 56; Page: 1;
1881 census: RG11; Piece: 1517; Folio: 73; Page: 55;
1891 census: RG12; Piece: 1930; Folio: 78; Page: 10;
48. Selina PARRY's marriage: FindMyPast
49. Selina GORROD, formerly PARRY, census entries:
1871 census: RG10; Piece: 3415; Folio: 48; Page: 8; Clee called New Clee, Lincolnshire [surname as GARROD]
1881 census: RG11; Piece: 4911; Folio: 143; Page: 19; Stranton, County Durham, England.
1891 census: RG12; Piece: 3913; Folio: 17; Page: 28; Sutton with Stoneferry, Sculcoates, Yorkshire
1901 census: RG13; Piece: 4466; Folio: 74; Page: 39; Sculcoates, Yorkshire
1911 census: RG14PN28584 RG78PN1643 RD521 SD1 ED7 SN297 Sculcoates, Yorkshire [Selina's first name mistranscribed on Ancestry as "Schina" )
50. Marriage of Thomas PARRY: Ancestry London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P92/TRI/031
51. Birth details for Louisa Elizabeth WILLIAMS: Ancestry trees
52. 1871 census for Thomas PARRY & family: RG10; Piece: 332; Folio: 35; Page: 66
53. The birthdates for both Sarah Elizabeth PARRY and Thomas Jeeves PARRY come from the 1939 Register: SEP at RG101/6494H/005/16, TJP at RG101/0953J/013/13
54. 1881 census for Thomas PARRY & family: RG11; Piece: 313; Folio: 69; Page: 22;
55. Essay competition: Bromley Record and Monthly Advertiser 01 July 1886
56. 1891 census entries:
Thomas, Louisa and Ethelwyn: RG12; Piece: 629; Folio: 70; Page: 7;
Sarah E: RG12; Piece: 1910; Folio: 60; Page: 6;
Thomas J(eeves): RG12; Piece: 1034; Folio: 80; Page: 26;
57. 1901 census entries:
Thomas, Louisa and Ethelwyn: RG13; Piece: 1543; Folio: 49; Page: 11
Thomas J(eeves): RG13; Piece: 1239; Folio: 132; Page: 24
58. Japanese Bazaar and Feast of Lanterns: Biggleswade Chronicle 29 September 1905
59. Death of Louisa Elizabeth PARRY: Bedfordshire Times & Independent 8 March 1907. Ampthill & District News 09 March 1907.
60. "Recently" came to Potton: Bedfordshire Mercury 15 March 1907
61. Marriage of Thomas Jeeves PARRY: on Ancestry
62. Plant Show: Bedfordshire Mercury 6 August 1909, Bedfordshire Times and Independent 6 August 1909
63. About the 1910 Lloyd George Domesday survey: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/valuation-office-survey-land-value-ownership-1910-1915/, https://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/lloyd-george-domesday/
64. Thomas and Ethelwyn in 1911 census: RG14 PN:8898 RD:175 SD:1 ED:13 SN:16 [The 1911 summary books on Ancestry have the address as Back St, but it is clearly Blackbird St, from the schedule]
65. BWTA: Biggleswade Chronicle 16 February 1912, Bedfordshire Times and Independent 04 April 1913
66. Stall in Central Hall: Bedfordshire Times and Independent 24 October 1913
67. Christian Endeavour Meeting: Bedfordshire Times and Independent 26 June 1914
68. Congregational Mother's Meeting presentation: Bedfordshire Times and Independent 25 February 1916
69. Death of Thomas PARRY: Biggleswade Chronicle 21 February 1919
70. An example of Ethelwyn's adverts: Bedford Record 10 June 1919
71. Ethelwyn in 1921 census: RG 15/7951, ED 12, Sch 52; Book: 07951 [Both FindMyPast and Ancestry initially showed her name as Ethel William Louisa Parry. Corrections submitted]
72. The hat making competition: Biggleswade Chronicle 23 February 1923
73. NSPCC collection: Biggleswade Chronicle 7 December 1928
74. Ethelwyn's marriage: Biggleswade Chronicle 15 April 1932. Also reduced version in Bedfordshire Times and Independent 15 April 1932
75. Marriage entry in parish register: on both Ancestry and FindMyPast
76. Death of Ethelwyn Louisa HARPER: GRO September Qtr 1939 Yarmouth Vol. 4B Page 17
77. Census & 1939 Register entries for Sarah Elizabeth PARRY:
1911 census: RG14PN6564 RG78PN326 RD121 SD1 ED9 SN85
1921 census: RG 15/27921, ED 5, Sch; Book: 27921
1939 Register: RG101/6494H/005/16
78. Death certificate for Sarah Elizabeth PARRY: GRO March qtr 1942 Brixworth Vol. 03B Page 241
.png)