James and Mary Shield of Tytherington
SHIELD FAMILY OF TYTHERINGTON
Readers may wish to consult Sue Stead’s blog ‘Shield Family of Gloucestershire’
Henry Shilde (-1569) alias James and Jane (-1579)
of Pamington, Ashchurch
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John Shilde alias James (1532-1582) and Elinor (-1615)
of Pamington, Ashchurch
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Henry Shield (1565-1609) and Edith Higgins (-1637)
of Ashchurch and Tytherington
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William Shield (-1670) and Catherine Webb (-1664)
of Tytherington
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Henry Shield (-1684) and Sarah (-1705)
Husbandman of Tytherington
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Thomas Shield (-1720) and Ann Smith
Shearman of Tytherington
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James Shield I (1710-1773) and Mary Pullen (1713-1798)
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James Shill (Shield) II (1745-1816) and Sarah Luce (1763-1824)
Farmer of Tytherington
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James Shield III (1790-1875) and Mary Isaac (1797-1881)
Farmer of Barber’s Land, Tytherington
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Ann Shield (1837-1934) and James Eley
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Ernest Edward Eley and Emily Yarnold
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Grace Margaret Eley and William Edward Terrett
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JAMES SHIELD III, Great III Grandfather of Richard Barton
Son of James Shield II and Sarah (nee Luce)
Husband of Mary Isaac
Father of Anne Eley
Also Father of Sarah Daniell, Mary Bailey, James, John, infant Henry, Catherine Anne Isaac, Susannah, Henry and Luke
James Shield III was baptised at Tytherington on 1st August 1790, the son of James Shield and Sarah Luce. His father was a farmer of Tytherington and for forty-three years he was also the Parish Clerk. James had three brothers and five sisters.
On 18th May 1826 he married Mary Isaac of Hall End Farm, Yate by licence at Yate Parish Church. On 5th July in that year his father, James Shield II, died and was buried at Tytherington. In 1827 and again in 1829, at the baptism of his children and also in the will of his Uncle Thomas Shield of Lark’s Farm, Iron Acton, he was described as a Farmer of Stidcutt (Stidcote).
According to Allan Baddeley, by 1830 he was a Farmer of Barmer’s Land or Barber’s Land Farm in Tytherington (certainly they were there by 1838). In the 1841 census return James Shield III was described as a fifty-year-old farmer with nine children and three servants – two male and one female.
In 1851 he is described as a sixty-one-year-old farmer of two hundred acres with seven children living at home and his granddaughter Susannah Daniels. His wife Mary, was aged fifty-three-years and described as a farmer’s wife.
The 1861 census return describes James Shield as a seventy-one-year-old farmer of 205 acres and employing two men and a boy. Six of the Shield children are still at home. Susannah Daniell, now aged thirteen years, is still living with them together with a house servant and a ten-year-old farm servant, Luke Jones.
Their eldest daughter, Sarah Daniell, emigrated to Australia and their youngest son, Luke, died in 1871, aged thirty years. The elder Henry died in 1834, aged twenty-one months.
The 1871 census return describes James Shield III as an eighty-one-year-old farmer who is living with his three unmarried sons – James, Henry and Luke Shield. Their married sister, Catherine Isaac, was staying at Barber’s Land on the night of the census.
Kelly’s Directories record James Shield III as Farmer at Barber’s Land from 1863 until 1874 and then from 1879 to 1880 the directories record his sons, James and Henry Shield.
James Shield was Overseer of the Poor of Tytherington in 1843, 1844, 1855 and 1866.
James Shield III made his will on 28th October 1872 and he died on 8th January 1875, aged eighty-four years. He was buried at Tytherington and his will was proved on 9th February 1875, his estate being valued at under £1500.
His death certificate records that he died on 8th January 1875 at Barbers Lands Tytherington aged eighty-four-years. He was described as a farmer and the cause of death was given as Bronchitis which was certified by W.G. Salmon M.R.C.S., L.S.A.. Thomas Harney, Registrar, registered the death on 14th January and the informant was his son-in-law William Isaac of Barbers Lands, Tytherington, who was present at the death.
Allan Baddeley in 1994 in ‘Tytherington in the Past’:
‘Barmersland Farm: The name in a document of 1592 means ‘broad pools’. Bradmears has become Barmers-land, and the two ponds at the farm are among the largest in the limestone plateau. The farmhouse is thought to be 17th century, together with the attached granary. Extensive barns, shelter sheds and the cobbled yard are perhaps late 18th century or early 19th century. The whole has been listed (grade II) by English Heritage. An indenture of 1778 reads ‘…commonly known as Stowell Hill House or Stowell Hill Farm.’ Later, it was often called The Home Farm, being attached to the Grange.
The farmhouse may have been built following the enclosure of much of the Open field named Upfield. This was named in a document of 1546, and also in the 1584 Terrier: ‘A common field butting upon Milbury Heath’. Only small fragments remained unenclosed by 1839. At this time, almost the whole farm was arable; pasture lay in the wetter land below the dry limestone plateau.
By 1728, most of the land comprising Upfield belonged to the family of Lord Willoughby de Broke, some having been previously owned by Sir Nicholas Poyntz of Acton Court, Iron Acton. In that year, it was sold, together with the Manor of Tytherington, to Peter Hardwicke, Doctor in Physic, of Bristol. The farm remained in the possession of the Hardwicke family until after the 1914-1918 War, when H.L. Hardwicke was forced to sell some of his properties. Bought by the Rymers (Gilbert first, then William), half the land, and the buildings, were sold in 1923 to William Hetherington. Succeeded by his son Robert in 1946, the farm, though now much reduced in size, is still run by Robert and his brother Claud. The construction of the M5 took the motorway close to the farm buildings and cut off the easternmost fields. Meanwhile, quarrying absorbed the southern part of the farm, and fields on the west and north have been sold. In 1881, the farm consisted of 250 acres – probably the peak size.
While the farm was in the Hardwicke estate, there were tenant farmers in the farmhouse. The list that follows is as complete as possible at present:
Middle of the 18th century – John Cox, followed by Timothy Roach.
Last part of the 18th century – Jonathan Sainsbury (died 1829 age 89) (his son farmed Boyts Farm, his grandson Edwards Farm).
C1809-18 – Thomas Always (his uncle and cousin farmed Edwards Farm)
1821 – Stephen Togwell
1825 – No tenant
by 1830 – James Shield (died 1875 aged 84)
1870’s – James’ sons, James and Henry
by 1888 – John Creed, farm bailiff (died 1913 age 72)’
MARY SHIELD, Great III Grandmother of Richard Barton
Daughter of John Isaac and Catharine (nee Brown)
Wife of James Shield III
Mother of Anne Eley
Also Mother of Sarah Daniell, Mary Bailey, James, John, Henry, Catherine Anne Isaac, Susannah, Henry and Luke
Mary Isaac was baptised on 23rd August 1798 at Wickwar Parish Church, the daughter of John Isaac, Farmer of Hall End Farm, Yate, and his wife Catharine, the daughter of Charles Brown, Farmer of Gearing Frith, Yate. She was the eldest of twelve children.
Hall End Farm
Mary married James Shield III on 13th May 1826 at Yate Parish Church and they settled in Tytherington, first at Stidcote and then at Barber’s Lands Farm. Mary bore him at least ten children.
According to Allan Baddeley, by 1830 James Shield was a Farmer of Barmer’s Land or Barber’s Land Farm in Tytherington (certainly they were there by 1838). In the 1841 census return James Shield III was described as a fifty-year-old farmer with nine children and three servants – two male and one female.
In 1851 he is described as a sixty-one-year-old farmer of two hundred acres with seven children living at home and his granddaughter Susannah Daniels. His wife Mary, was aged fifty-three-years and described as a farmer’s wife.
The 1861 census return describes James Shield as a seventy-one-year-old farmer of 205 acres and employing two men and a boy. Six of the Shield children are still at home. Susannah Daniell, now aged thirteen years, is still living with them together with a house servant and a ten-year-old farm servant, Luke Jones.
Their eldest daughter, Sarah Daniell, emigrated to Australia and their youngest son, Luke, died in 1871, aged thirty years. The elder Henry died in 1834, aged twenty-one months.
The 1871 census return describes James Shield III as an eighty-one-year-old farmer who is living with his three unmarried sons – James, Henry and Luke Shield. Their married sister, Catherine Isaac, was staying at Barber’s Land on the night of the census.
Kelly’s Directories record James Shield III as Farmer at Barber’s Land from 1863 until 1874 and then from 1879 to 1880 the directories record his sons, James and Henry Shield.
James Shield was Overseer of the Poor of Tytherington in 1843, 1844, 1855 and 1866.
James Shield III made his will on 28th October 1872 and he died on 8th January 1875, aged eighty-four years. He was buried at Tytherington and his will was proved on 9th February 1875, his estate being valued at under £1500.
His death certificate records that he died on 8th January 1875 at Barbers Lands Tytherington aged eighty-four-years. He was described as a farmer and the cause of death was given as Bronchitis which was certified by W.G. Salmon M.R.C.S., L.S.A.. Thomas Harney, Registrar, registered the death on 14th January and the informant was his son-in-law William Isaac of Barbers Lands, Tytherington, who was present at the death.
In the 1881 census return William and Catherine were farming at Rangeworthy. William was described as forty-six-years-old and born in Berkeley. Catherine was aged forty-six-years-old and born at Tytherington. On the night of the census her mother was staying with them. Mary Shield was described as an eighty-four-years-old widow and born in Yate.
She died on 27th November 1881 at Barber’s Land Farm, Tytherington, aged eighty-four years, and was described as the Widow of James Shield, Farmer. The cause of death was given as ‘Decay of Nature’ and was certified by W.G. Salmon MRCS LSA. The informant was Selina Shield, her daughter-in-law, who was living at Barber’s Land Farm and was present at the death. Registration took place on 30th November and the registrar was E.M. Grace.
Mary Shield was buried at Tytherington.
Extracts from Letters to Ken Marling from Mary Brayley 1981-85:
‘I showed my History class the Eley 1858-60 needlework and they thought the V & A might be interested. There are about 16 baby bonnets, beautiful lace in some, a Bodeine Anglais bedjacket, linen or stiff cotton, a large nightie (Grandma Eley needed it!), a baby cotton vest, drawers (open!) and three pairs of most beautiful fine Brod. Ang. Sleeves, dated 1858 and 1859 and some long white lock-knit stockings (’58) and a silk sash of 1875 and fan calendar. With the mother-of-pearl inlaid workbox, family Bible with her texts etc. and extracts from Grandpa Marling’s and your reminiscences it makes a good talk. … I have the Annie Shield brooch do you remember it? A heavy thing with intertwined metal-work round the photo of a forbidding looking woman. It says Annie Shield on the back but is it her or her mother?’
‘This is the Eley family brooch – who is the lady pictured? Sean Khan our museum curator thinks the date is around 1850 if I remember rightly because of the type of photograph.’
Their children were Great III Aunts and Uncles:
James and Mary Shield’s Children Two of James and Mary’s ten children died when very young. Henry, born in 1833, died when he was just over a year old and Susannah, born in 1836, died of hydrocephalus in 1845 aged nine years. Another two died in early adulthood.
- SARAH DANIELL, Great III Aunt of Richard Barton
Sarah Shield was baptised on 19th May 1827 at Tytherington. In 1841 she was aged fourteen years and living at home. She married Henry Daniell at Tytherington on 9th September 1847. He was described on the marriage certificate as a bachelor of full age, a farmer of Tortworth, son of William Daniell, farmer. Sarah was described as a minor, a spinster, daughter of James Shield, farmer. Their witnesses were Charles Daniell and Mary Shield.
Henry and Sarah had a daughter, Susannah, who was born in 1848 at Cromhall. In the 1851 census return they were living at Little Sodbury House where they farmed sixty-seven acres. Henry was described as a twenty-eight-year-old farmer who was born in Tortworth. Sarah, aged twenty-four, was born in Tytherington. Their children at home for the census were Sarah, aged two, who was born at Cromhall and Henry William, aged one, who was born at Little Sodbury. Their eldest child, Susannah, aged three, was staying with her grandparents James and Mary Shield, at Barber’s Lands, Tytherington. She too was born at Cromhall. F. G. Marling said that Sarah and her husband lived at Chipping Sodbury Manor (???)
Henry and Sarah Daniell emigrated to Australia some time after 1851 and had ten or twelve further children including Sarah, Elizabeth and Henry. Their eldest daughter, Susannah, was left behind and was brought up by her grandparents, James and Mary Shield.
Notes on the back of an old envelope produced by Frank George Marling, probably after discussion with his mother-in-law, Anne Eley (nee Shield).
‘Sarah Shield lived at Chipping Sodbury Manor and married William Daniell (went to Australia) 10-12 children. Susie (left in England) – Mrs Edwin Smith then Mrs Bob Drew. Her son Gilbert Drew. (21 Shield (Eley) bought house off him).’
- MARY BAILEY, Great III Aunt of Richard Barton
Mary Shield was baptised on 6th January 1829 at Tytherington. She was aged twenty-two years and living at home at the time of the 1851 census.
Mary married William Slade Bailey of Woolgaston at Tytherington on 29th March 1856. He was described on the marriage certificate as a bachelor, aged twenty-nine-years, a yeoman of Berkeley, son of Henry Bailey, a yeoman. Mary was aged twenty-seven-years, a spinster of Tytherington, and daughter of James Shield, a farmer. The witnesses were James, John, Catherine and Anne Shield. The Bristol Mercury for 5th April 1856 reported: ‘March 29th, by license, at Tytherington, by Rev. W.H. Robertson; Mr William Slade Bailey, eldest son of Henry Bailey Esq of Berkeley, to Miss Mary Shield, 2nd daughter of Mr. James Shield, Barber’s Lands’ farm, Tytherington.’
In Frank Marling’s notes there is reference to an unnamed daughter. Sue Stead has found that William Slade Bailey was born in 1816 at Berkeley and that Mary, his wife, died on 29th December 1856 at Tytherington.
An obituary notice in the Bristol Mercury dated 3rd January 1857 states: ‘Dec 29 at Woodford-hill-farm, near Berkeley, aged 28, Mary, the wife of Mr. William Slade Bailey, and daughter of Mr. James Shield of Barber’s Lands Farm, Tytherington. In life beloved and in death lamented’.
Their daughter Mary, born in 1829, married William Slade Bailey a farmer of Berkeley in March 1856 but died in December the same year, probably in childbirth.
The inscription on Mary’s tomb at Tytherington reads:
Sacred to the memory of Mary wife of William Slade Bailey of Woodford Hill Farm in the parish of Berkeley daughter of James and Mary Shield of Barbers Land Farm in this parish who departed this life December 29th 1856 aged 29 years
In the 1861 census William Slade Bailey was farming 57 acres at Little Sodbury Common (next to Henry and Sarah Daniell). He was described as aged thirty-five-years and born in Berkeley. His wife Eleanor was aged thirty-one and born in Little Sodbury. They had children – Thomas P. Bailey aged two years; Henry aged one year and Rachel aged two months.
- JAMES SHIELD, Great III Uncle
James Shield was baptised on 15th June 1830 at Tytherington. He was at Barber’s Land for all the censuses from 1841 to 1871. In 1851 he was described as a twenty-one-year-old farmer’s son and like all the family as born in Tytherington. In the last of these he was described as being forty-years-old and unmarried. He was mentioned in Kelly’s Directory for 1879-80 as farming at Barber’s Land with his brother Henry.
In the 1881 census return James was farming 250 acres and employing three men at Barber’s Land Farm, Tytherington with his brother Henry. James was described as a fifty-one-year-old farmer, born in Tytherington. His brother Henry was then forty-two-years-old and his wife Selina, aged twenty-eight-years was born in North Nibley. Their children were James T. aged four years; Lawford H. aged three years and Eliza M. aged one year. All of these were born in Tytherington
In the 1891 census return James Shield was farming with his brother Henry. James was described as a sixty-one-year-old farmer, born in Tytherington. Henry was aged fifty-two-years and his wife Selina, born in North Nibley, was aged thirty-eight-years. Their children were James T. aged fourteen, Lawford H. aged thirteen; Eliza M. aged eleven and Gladys S. aged one year. All the children were born in Tytherington. They had two servants.
In the 1901 census return Catherine Isaac was living with her brother, James Shield, at Falfield. He was described as a seventy-one-year-old man living off his own means and born in Tytherington. His sister was then aged sixty-seven-years and described as a widow and born in Tytherington. With them was their niece, Catherine B. Shield who was now aged nineteen and still described as born in Tytherington.
James died on 13th November 1903, aged seventy-three years, and was buried at Tytherington with his sister Catherine Isaacs.
The tombstone of Luke in the churchyard also commemorates his sister Catherine and his brother James.
- JOHN SHIELD, Great III Uncle
John Shield was baptised on 26th December 1831 at Tytherington. He was living at home at Barber’s Land for the 1841-1861 census returns. In the 1851 census he was described as a nineteen-year-old farmer’s son and born in Tytherington. He married Ann Tratman at St Paul’s Bristol in December 1864. Ann was born on 17th January 1847. They emigrated to Australia and had eleven children. Frank Marling simply mentions ‘10 children in Aust.’
- HENRY SHIELD, Infant Great III Uncle of Richard Barton
Henry Shield was baptised on 1st June 1833 at Tytherington and died on 2nd September 1834 aged one year and nine months.
- CATHERINE ANN ISAAC, Great III Aunt of Richard Barton
Catherine Ann Shield was baptised on 14th September 1834 at Tytherington. She was shown as living at home at Barber’s Land in the 1841 to 1861 census returns. In the 1851 census she was described as a seventeen-year-old farmer’s daughter, born in Tytherington.
Sue Stead: Catherine married William Robertson Isaac from Berkeley in 1861 in Birmingham where he was a railway porter: William and Catherine later returned to Gloucestershire and took up farming in Rangeworthy and they had a daughter born in 1864 in Birmingham, Sarah Ann, who probably died young.
In 1861 William Robertson Isaac was a 27 yr old railway porter at Duddeston, Aston, Warks, unmarried
There is a Catherine Ann Shield married at Birmingham Dec 1861 Birmingham 6d 210?
We know Catherine Ann was seriously ill in Birmingham in 1864 from a letter of her niece Susannah Daniell
A Sarah Ann Issac was born Birmingham Mar 1864 6d 13?
William Robertson Isaac was a first cousin of Catherine and was born at Wanswell Court, Berkeley, in 1834 and baptised on 14th January 1835 at Berkeley Parish Church. He was the second son of Joseph and Harriet Isaac who had married in about 1828. His mother had previously been married to a Mr Clark and the Clarks had had three children who were born at North Nibley between 1823 and 1827.
William was at home with his family at the time of the 1841 census and was referred to by his full name, William Robertson Isaac, and his age was given as seven years.
At the time of the 1851 census his parents were still farming at Wanswell Court and William was listed as a farmer’s son, aged fifteen years and born at Berkeley.
On the night of the 1871 census Catherine Isaac was staying at Barber’s Land. Her husband was at home with his family at Stidcott, Tytherington. William Isaac was described as aged thirty-six-years, married, and born in Berkeley.
In 1875 William Isaac was present at the death of his father-in-law, James Shield. His residence was given as Barbers Lands, Tytherington.
In the 1881 census return William and Catherine Isaac were farming at Rangeworthy. William was described as forty-six-years-old Farmer who was born in Berkeley. Catherine, aged forty-six-years-old, a Farmer’s Wife, born at Tytherington. On the night of the census her mother was staying with them. Mary Shield was described as eighty-four-years-old and born in Yate.
William Robertson Isaac of Vilner Farm was buried at Thornbury on 24th March 1891.
In the 1891 census return Catherine was living at Vilner Farm, Kington with her brother and sister-in-law, John Clarke and Hester Shepherd. She was aged fifty-years, living off her own means, and born at Tytherington. John Clarke was a sixty-six-year-old farmer born in North Nibley and his widowed sister, Hester Shepherd, was described as sixty-three-years-old housekeeper and born in North Nibley. Staying with them on the night of the census was her niece, Catherine B. Shield, aged nine-years and born in Tytherington.
Catherine Isaac was at the wedding of Ernest Eley in 1893 and attended the wedding repast at Wotton-under-Edge.
In the 1901 census return Catherine Isaac was living with her brother, James Shield, at Falfield. He was described as a seventy-one-year-old man ‘living off his own means’ and born in Tytherington. His sister was then aged sixty-seven-years and described as a widow and born in Tytherington. With them was their niece, Catherine B. Shield who was now aged nineteen and described as born in Tytherington.
Catherine Isaac died on 13th August 1901 aged sixty-seven years and was buried at Tytherington with her brother, James Shield.
The tombstone of Luke (Shield) in the churchyard also commemorates his sister Catherine and his brother James. James remained a bachelor all his life and farmed Barmers Land with his brother Henry until about 1885. He then moved with Henry to Over Court Farm at Over. By 1901 he had retired and was living with his widowed sister Catherine Isaac at Falfield. James died in 1903 aged 73.
- SUSANNAH SHIELD, Great III Aunt of Richard Barton
Susannah Shield was baptised on 6th April 1836 at Tytherington. She was mentioned in the 1841 census as ‘Susan’. She died aged nine years and was buried on 27th August 1845 at Tytherington.
- HENRY SHIELD, Great III Uncle of Richard Barton
Henry Shield was born on 27th October 1838 at Tytherington and this was registered on 7th December. He was baptised at the Parish Church on 25th May 1839. He appeared in the census returns for 1841 to 1871 at Barber’s Land at Tytherington. He was described as a twelve-year-old farmer’s son in the 1851 census and as born in Tytherington. In the last he was described as unmarried and thirty-years-old.
Banns were published at Tytherington in 1876 for the marriage of Henry Shield to his second cousin, Selina Pullin of Yate. The marriage took place at Yate Parish Church on 30th March 1876. Henry was described on the certificate as a Farmer and bachelor of Tytherington of full age, the son of James Shield, a Farmer. Selina was described as a spinster of full age, daughter of Thomas Pullin, a Farmer, and the witnesses were her father and her brother Lawford Pullin.
As the marriage certificate reveals Selina was the daughter of Thomas Pullin, a farmer, and his wife (nee Daniel) and she was born on 7th March 1853 at North Nibley and baptised on 3rd April that year. Henry and Selina had five children who were born between 1877 and 1890 when their youngest daughter, Gladys, was born in Almondsbury.
The Kelly’s Directory for 1879-80 describes him as being a farmer at Barber’s Land with his brother James.
In the 1881 census return James was farming 250 acres and employing three men at Barber’s Land Farm, Tytherington with his brother Henry. James was described as a fifty-one-year-old farmer, born in Tytherington. His brother Henry was then forty-two-years-old and his wife Selina, aged twenty-eight-years was born in North Nibley. Their children were James T. aged four years; Lawford H. aged three years and Eliza M. aged one year. All of these were born in Tytherington
In the 1891 census return James Shield was farming at Barber’s Land with his brother Henry. James was described as a sixty-one-year-old farmer, born in Tytherington. Henry was aged fifty-two-years and his wife Selina, born in North Nibley, was aged thirty-eight-years. Their children were James T. aged fourteen, Lawford H. aged thirteen; Eliza M. aged eleven and Gladys S. aged one year. All the children were born in Tytherington. They had two servants.
In the 1891 census return Aunt Catherine Isaac was staying with John Clarke and Hester Shepherd at Vilner’s Farm, Kington. Staying with them on the night of the census was Henry and Selina’s daughter Catherine B. Shield, aged nine-years and born in Tytherington.
In the 1901 census return Catherine Isaac was living with her brother, James Shield, at Falfield. With them was their niece, Catherine B. Shield who was now aged nineteen and still described as born in Tytherington.
In the 1901 census Henry age 62 and Selina aged 48 were at Floodgates with Lawford aged 23 and Gladys aged 11. They also had Selina’s 84 year-old widowed father, Thomas Pullin, living with them and one servant. Their eldest son James aged 24 and eldest daughter Eliza Mary aged 21 were farming together at Mereford farm, Kingswood and their daughter Catherine Blanche aged 19 was still with her Aunt Catherine Isaac who was now at Falfield, together with her Uncle James Shield.
In 1911 Henry Shield and his wife were at Floodgates Farm, Berkeley living in eight rooms. He was a seventy-two-year-old Farmer married for thirty-five-years with seven children of whom two had died. Henry was born in Tytherington. Selina was aged fifty-eight and born in North Nibley. Servants included Ellery Hoskins a sixteen-year-old single woman, born in Purton, and engaged in housework. Arthur Shatford was eighteen, an assistant on the farm, and born in Berkeley.
A reference in 1914 to a Henry Shield living at “The Villa”, Tytherington may refer to this family.
Selina died on 24th December 1920 at York House, Newport, Berkeley. Henry died on 17th April 1921, aged eighty-two years, at Floodgates Farm, Berkeley. Both of them were buried at Berkeley Cemetery.
The Dursley Gazette for Saturday 23rd April 1921 supplied the following details in an obituary: ‘Death of Mr. Henry Shield’. He died aged eighty-two-years on the preceding Sunday. For a long time he had Flood Gates Farm but had been retired for some years. His son Mr. J.T. Shield succeeded him at this farm and his son Mr. L. Shield occupied Alkington Farm. The wife of the deceased died in the previous December and it was reported that he never rallied from his bereavement. He had a large circle of friends. The funeral took place last Thursday. The bearers were W.A. Pullin; J.W. Pullin, E.E. Eley and P.J. Eley. Among the many who were present mention was made of Mr. J.S. Eley.
Frank George Marling wrote in his notes on the back of the envelope – ‘ Harry – (children) – Jim, Lawford, Cissy – Mrs Chas Westaway, Dolly (Mrs Martin Gazzard), Gladys’.
Berkeley Cemetery: Henry Shield, Floodgates Farm, 17th April 1921 aged eighty-two- years and Selina who died 24th December 1920 aged sixty-seven-years.
- LUKE SHIELD, Great III Uncle of Richard Barton
Luke Shield was baptised on 5th June 1841 at Tytherington. He was living at home at Barber’s Land Farm in all of the census returns between 1841 and 1871. He was described as a ten-year-old scholar in the 1851 census and as born in Tytherington. In the last he was described as twenty-eight-years-old and unmarried. He died on 4th September 1871, aged thirty years, and was buried at Tytherington. His brother, James, and his sister, Catherine, are buried with him.
An obituary notice in the Bristol Mercury for 9th September 1871 records: ‘Sept 4th at Tytherington, near Thornbury, Luke, youngest son of Mr. James Shield, of Barber’s-land-farm, aged 31’.
According to probate records Luke Shield, late of Barbers Land in the parish of Tytherington, farmer, bachelor, died on 4th September 1871 at Barbers Land. Administration was granted on 3rd May 1872 at Gloucester to James Shield of Barbers Land, famer, father, and next of kin.
Their son Luke, born in 1840, who worked as a farmer with his father, died of enteritis in 1871 aged 31. All were buried at Tytherington.
The tombstone of Luke in the churchyard also commemorates his sister Catherine and his brother James.
ANN ELEY, Great II Grandmother of Richard Barton
Daughter of James Shield and Mary (nee Isaac)
Wife of James Eley IV
Mother of Ernest Edward Eley
Also Mother of Florence Mary Caple, Sarah Catherine Marling, James Shield, Walter Henry, Frances Augusta, Annie Selina, Maud Elizabeth and John Park
Ann Shield was born on 15th March 1837 at Barbers Land Farm, Tytherington. She was the eighth child and fifth daughter of James and Mary Shield. Her father was a farmer of the two hundred acre Barbers Land Farm. Anne Shield was baptised on 20th May 1837 at Tytherington Parish Church. Her name appears in the 1841 census when she was at home aged four years and in the 1851 census return she was at home and described as a fourteen-year-old farmer’s daughter born in Tytherington. In 1861 Annie (sic) was at home at Barbers Land Farm and described as unmarried twenty-three-year-old daughter and born at Tytherington.
Anne Shield received adult baptism on 28th April 1861 at Thornbury Baptist Church and she became a Member of that church in 1871.
On 12th May 1863 the Reverend John Morgan at Thornbury Baptist Church married James Eley to Ann Shield of Tytherington. He was described as a twenty-seven-year-old carpenter of Morton, son of Thomas Eley, a yeoman. Ann was described as a twenty-five-year-old spinster of Tytherington, daughter of James Shield, a yeoman. The witnesses were Henry Shield her brother and Susannah Daniell, her niece. The Bristol Mercury for 16th May 1863 reported: ‘May 12 at the Baptist Church, Thornbury, by the Rev. J. Morgan, Mr. James Eley of Moreton (sic), to Ann, youngest daughter of Mr. James Shield, of Tytherington’.
When James was only twenty-three his mother died and his father died four years later in 1864. He inherited Whites Garden, House and garden and Homefield at Morton from his father in 1864. In the 1861 Census James Eley was described as a Carpenter and then in later life as a Farmer of Lower Morton.
In 1871 the census return states that the Eleys were at Duckhole, Lower Morton. James Eley was a thirty-five-year-old farmer of thirty-three acres and employing one man. His wife Annie was aged thirty-one-years and born at Tytherington. Florence Mary was aged seven years and a scholar; Sarah Catherine was aged five years and a scholar; James Shield Eley was aged four years and a scholar; Walter Henry was aged two years and Ernest Edward aged one year. The children and their father were all born in Thornbury. Servants included Rosa Baker aged fourteen and born at Aust, a domestic servant; and Charles Willevise (sp?) a sixteen-year-old farm servant (indoor), born at Arlingham
On 7th October 1873 James Eley’s uncle, John Trotman Park of Merry Ford, or Mireford Farm, Kingswood, died aged 61 years. Probably, it was as a result of this death that James and Anne Eley left Morton and moved to the 100 acre (1871 census) Merry Ford Farm. Their youngest son, John Park Eley was born at the farm on 27th July 1874 and their choice of name probably indicates that their uncle (who left property in excess of £5,000) had helped them in some way.
James and Ann Eley had nine children between 1864 and 1874. According to the 1881 census return all their children were born at Thornbury except the youngest, John Park, who was born at Kingswood. None of the children were baptised as infants.
Sadly, in 1871, James and Anne lost their infant son, Francis Augustus and in 1873 two more young children, Annie Selina and Maud Elizabeth.
Obituary Card: ‘In Affectionate Remembrance of Francis Augustus who died March 2nd 1871, aged 11 weeks, Annie Selina who died September 8th 1873, aged 1 year and 8 months, Maud Elizabeth, who died October 9th 1873, aged 8 months, the beloved children of James & Ann Eley of Merry Ford Farm, Kingswood. ‘Not gone from memory, not gone from love. Only gone to the Father’s house above.’’
After the death of her husband, James Eley, in 1874 Annie Eley continued farming. In the 1881 census she was still at Merryford Farm, Kingswood where she farmed 74 acres assisted by two labourers Emma and David Field.
1881 Census:
Merryford Farm, Kingswood. Annie, Head, Farmeress of 74 acres, aged 44 years, Tytherington; Florence M. Eley 17 years, born Thornbury; Kate. S. Farmer’s daughter, 16 years; James S. Scholar, 14 years, Thornbury; Walter H. Scholar, 12 years, Thornbury; Ernest E. Scholar, 11, Thornbury; John Park Scholar, 6 years, Kingswood; Emma Field, General Servant, 18 years The Gibb, Wiltshire; David Field Farm Servant (Indoor) 16 years, Grittleton, Wilts.
In 1881 Annie had the children baptised at St Mary’s Parish Church in Kingswood. Some of them returned to Nonconformity in later life.
At the time of the 1891 census the return lists Ann Eley as farming at Merryford Farm, Charfield Road, Kingswood. Ann was described as a forty-four-year-old farmer born in Tytherington. Sarah K. was aged twenty-five, a farmer’s daughter, born at Morton; James S. was aged twenty-four, a farmer’s son, born at Morton; Walter H. was aged twenty-two, a schoolmaster-in-training, born at Morton; Ernest E was aged twenty-one, a farmer’s son, born at Morton and John P. was aged sixteen years, an ironmonger’s apprentice born at Kingswood. Their general domestic servant was Amelia F. Greenwood, aged twenty-five-years and born in Abergavenny.
In 1892 Annie moved to Tortworth where she farmed with her sons Shield and Ernest and in 1894 she is described as a dairy farmer. Ernest married in 1893 and Shield married in 1896 and at this time Annie decided to retire from farming, leaving her eldest son Shield and his wife, Minnie, at Tortworth. By this time Ernest and Emily were probably living at Hengaston Farm, Berkeley.
There is confusion as to the location of Tortworth Farm and its relationship with Brook Farm
In 1901 Anne Eley was staying at Kendleshire with her son, John Park Eley, a twenty-six-year-old farmer. She was described as a sixty-three-year-old widow, born at Tytherington.
Grandma Eley moved to a town house in Montpelier, Bristol where she remained until 1905. In the Kelly’s Directories for 1905 and 1906 she is living at 8 Sefton Park Road, Montpelier which is in St Bartholomew’s Parish. She was living at Kendleshire Farm with her elder daughter Florence Caple from 1905 to 1908, and then with her youngest son, John Park Eley, at The Chestnuts, Mays Hill, Frampton Cotterell until her death.
In the 1911 census she was listed as being at Mays Hill, Frampton Cotterell with John Park Eley. She was described as a seventy-four-year-old widow born in Tytherington.
Ann Eley died in her ninety-seventh year at the home of her eldest son, Shield Eley, at Whitfield near Falfield, on 27th December 1934. She was described as widow of James Eley, farmer. The cause of death was given as a cerebral haemorrhage and Arterio-scierosis (No PM) and was certified by E.M. Grace MRCS. The death was registered on 28th December. J. Shield Eley was present at the death and was the informant and the registrar was W. May. Her body was laid to rest with her late husband at Kingswood Congregational Church on 1st January 1935.
Genealogical Notes of Annie Eley, dated Whit Monday May 28th 1917:
‘James Eley & Anne Shield were married at the Baptist Chapel Thornbury by the Revd John Morgan May 12th 1863.
James Eley born March 10th 1836. Died Sept 17th 1874
Anne Eley Born March 15th 1837
Florence Mary Eley, Daughter of James & Anne Eley Born Feb 16th 1864
Sarah Catherine their daughter born April 17th 1865
James Shield their son born Feb 7th 1867
Walter Henry their son born Oct 3rd 1868
Ernest Edward their son born Nov 26th 1869
Francis Augustus their son born Dec 15th 1870 died March 2nd 1871 aged 11 weeks
Annie Selina their daughter born Dec 24th 1871 died Sept 8th 1873 aged 1 year 8 months
Maud Elizabeth their daughter born Feb 18th 1873 died Oct 9th 1873 aged 8 months
John Park their son born July 27th 1874’
1871 Land Tax etc. in Thornbury (source?):
James Eley – Morton 8-2-4 acres £2-0-8d
Extract for ‘The Way I Came’ by Kenneth George Marling:
‘James Eley of Morton, carried on his father’s farm there to which he brought his bride, Anne Shield. Her father, James Shield, farmed at Barbers Lands, Tytherington, and was born in 1780. I have photographs of him and his wife Mary Isaac, born in 1798.
Their daughter Anne was a remarkable woman. She bore eight children in ten years, losing her husband and two children from fever within a year, but carried on the farm and brought up the remaining six, settling all the boys up well, and survived to the age of 97! She was an excellent organiser, as her children sometimes complained, for she worked them hard to keep on the farm with 40 milking cows, and butter and cheese to make and market. During my childhood she was always immaculately dressed, with beautiful caps of velvet, lace and ribbons, and a long gold chain and ivory and gold charms, with which we loved to play. A keen whist player, scathing to anyone who revoked, she maintained a lively, adventurous spirit until her 90s. At 92 she fell downstairs and broke her collarbone, but it set well and she completely recovered, to enjoy rides in a motorcycle sidecar. Seeing a large dock crane she wished she could have a ride in its bucket – at that age. Her health failed in the last two or three years, and she looked forward to being released – not relishing an inactive existence – dying in 1934.
James Shield was one of the earliest motor oil agents, for Mobiloil, and an early car owner. Walter was second master at Latymer High School, Chiswick, retiring to Thornbury to work 5 acres as a market garden, and driving to London with produce until nearly 90, while the youngest son, John Park, a farmer and Chairman of the Gloucestershire War Agricultural Executive Committee 1914-18, made a pioneer of farming radio – predating “The Archers” by a series with his family in 1935 on Western Region, as “Gunters Farm”. I have a photograph from the Radio Times of that year of them in the rickyard, at “Mays Hill”, Frampton Cotterell.
Extracts from the Reminiscences of Frank George Marling:
‘It was perhaps somewhat earlier (late 1860’s ?) than this when the wife of my Mother’s cousin, Mrs. James Eley of Moreton, near Thornbury, called to see my Mother. Ushered into the sitting room, there was young Frank discovered seated upon the floor close to the coal scuttle, busily engaged in playing with the coal, to the detriment of his nice clean pinafore and frock! The horror of my dear Mother, and the exclamations of the visitor can easily be imagined! Little did either of them think how close the future relationship between the grubby little boy and the smartly dressed lady from Moreton would be (mother-in-law!). But that was for many years ahead.’
‘When I was about four and a half years old I had my first outing and met one who was destined to have a great influence on my life, the paramount influence. My Mother’s Mother, my maternal grandmother, had become a widow before I was born. In the early summer of 1867 she had to go to Thornbury on some business connected with her husband’s estate, about which she had to consult her solicitor, I believe. Having to hire a trap, a dogcart, to take her to Thornbury and back, she asked my Mother to accompany her. My Mother took me, and I have very vivid recollections of the event. We drove via Hill. I know this because I remember some white railings alongside the road that branched off from our road where it led up to Bevington. At Moreton we saw the Maypole, where a few days before there had been Mayday revels.’
‘In Thornbury we went to the house of Mr. Vaughan, the Chemist, at the corner house looking out on The Plain, where was the Town Pump, from which the inhabitants of surrounding houses were continually fetching buckets of water. This seemed to me to be very queer.’
(First Account) ‘After we left Thornbury on the return journey we drove through Moreton in order to call on my Mother’s cousin, who was a farmer there. To get to his farm we turned down a lane and the farm house stood back from the lane. A large pool with a big horse-chestnut tree towering over it was on the same side, and just beyond the pool was the garden gate opening on to a path which led up through the front garden to the front door. Having been ushered in we found the cousin’s wife (the same lady who some time before called on us at Berkeley, and found me playing with the coal) engaged in nursing her baby. She was sitting near the centre of the room to the right of the front door as you entered and was facing the window. Presently I was sent out to play with my cousins (second cousins). These were two little girls, one aged about three and a half, the other not much over two. They were playing on the right hand side of the house as you faced it, under, in and out of a very high, thick, box hedge. What fun it was! I did not go there again until I had been married some thirty five years, but on my honeymoon I correctly described to my dear wife the lane, the pool, the tree, the garden gate, path up to the house, the box hedge, and my playing with the two little girls. She did not remember my visit, it was not to be expected, but the fact remains that she was the younger of the two little girls, her sister Florrie the elder, while her brother Shield was the baby in arms! What I cannot claim is that I then and there fell in love with her – it would be splendid if I could – and determined one day to make her my wife, but I claim that she and her sister are the first girls I remember! How I came to meet her again belongs to later days and will be told later.’
(Second Account from 1950’s) ‘We first met when I was four years, four months old, the first week in May 1867, and I have a vivid recollection of same, but as Kate was then only just past her second birthday (being born on 17 April 1865) she does not remember it. My Grandmother, who then lived in Berkeley, had occasion to go to Thornbury about some property of her late husband, and asked my Mother, also then living in Berkeley, to go with her – Mother took me. We drove in a dog cart driven by my Uncle Henry, who had taken over the saddlery business formerly carried out by my Grandfather (his father, James Eley) in Canonbury Street, Berkeley. I remember the white railings at the side of the road leading up to Bevington, so that shows we took the route through Hill. Next I remember seeing the Maypole at Moreton, and Uncle saying “A few days ago they were dancing round the Maypole.” Then I remember being in a house in Thornbury at the bottom corner of High Street as you turn round for Gloucester, and looking out of the window across “The Plain”, and seeing people fetching water from the pump there. When we were ready to start for home someone said “Why not call at Moreton and see cousin James?” James was a first cousin of my mother and Uncle Henry, and kept a farm at Moreton, which was near Thornbury. I remember the left hand turn in the lane, then a big pond on the right overhung by a big tree (walnut, I think), then the garden gate and path up to the house (a double fronted one). As we walked up the path we could see through the right hand window on the ground floor, where in that room was cousin James’ wife sitting on a chair with a baby on her lap (this was Shield, the eldest boy). I was sent out to play with the two little girls, those would be Florrie (three the previous February) and Kate (just gone two), the first girls I ever remember seeing. They took me into their “house”, the interior of a huge hedge of box, hollowed out in the centre where was a bare branch on which I sat and jogged up and down. We did not see cousin James as he was out in the fields and did not come in whilst we were there. I do not remember anything about the drive home.’
‘On the day that Grandma Eley died (18th July 1877), Mrs. Anne Eley of Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, (the widow of my mother’s first cousin, James Eley) with two or three of her children, including Kate and John, called to see us, they having been down to the Plantation for a picnic. Going to the station to see them off we found the Lock Gates were open, so we had to walk across on the “Baulk”, a floating wooden structure across the entrance to the locks. John was quite a little boy and I carried him across! In later years he far topped me in height, size and weight!’
‘In the spring of 1893 I asked our choir at Union Church, Sharpness, if they would like to repeat a Service of Song that they had given at Sharpness, at a country place of worship. They were willing, I arranged with Shield Eley, who had the management of Stone Room (where I sometimes conducted services) to give the Service of Song there, he to take the choir. I arranged conveyance and took the choir over, and I did the reading. Shield brought his sister Kate, and seeing her again, unexpectedly, brought all my love back again, and I determined to try and win her. Her Mother, some time widowed, had not long before taken a large farm at Tortworth with the help of Shield and Ernest. Soon I found excuses for going to the farm and found…’
Extract from Walter Eley’s Journal of 1900:
‘Sister Emily joined us for tea and afterwards went with us to see Mrs. James Eley, widow of our cousin James. She lived in Montpelier. There were seven of us altogether, us four brothers, sister Emily Alice, Henry’s wife and her sister. We went a long distance by tram, then walked the rest of the way.
Arriving at her house we found she was not at home. After waiting some little time we decided to make enquiries among the neighbours. Alice knew the person opposite was her friend so we asked of her if Mrs. Eley was there. “No, but she may be down at Mrs. … house.” She kindly directed us. “No, she had not been down there,” said the lady, “but she might be down at my brothers’.” Off trotted the lady to her brothers’ came back saying she was not there. As a final effort we were directed to a little general shop. “They may know.” “No”, they had no idea where she was. So there was nothing for us but to wait. In the meantime brother Edward left us to spend the remainder of the evening with his daughter. He had not been gone long before his future son-in-law came for him. We waited and waited until our patience was well nigh exhausted, and just as we were leaving Mrs. Eley and her daughter Florrie arrived on the scene. They were quite distressed at keeping us waiting. But we were soon at our ease and spent a very pleasant and jolly evening together. “If only I had known you were coming I’d stopped at home, for I have only been down to the shops selecting wallpapers for the house,” We broke up at about 10.30pm, and we had to part for the night.’
Extract from a letter from Betty Randall to Ken Marling:
‘I have heard Dad say when they lived at Mereford Farm, Kingswood, they used to get up to all manner of mischief & his Mother used to give them all the strap so as to be sure of getting the right one, sound logic??’
Extract from a Letter of Kenneth Marling:
‘My mother (wife of F.G.M.) took me to Kingswood to see “Aunt Park” widow of John Park, who was a brother of Sarah Park. Aunt Park, nee Mary Witts was born at Haroldsfield later the home of Ernest Eley. Her nephew Charlie Witts, took Tortworth Farm after Grandma Eley left’
Extracts from Letters to Ken Marling from Mary Brayley 1981-85:
‘I showed my History class the Eley 1858-60 needlework and they thought the V & A might be interested. There are about 16 baby bonnets, beautiful lace in some, a Bodeine Anglais bedjacket, linen or stiff cotton, a large nightie (Grandma Eley needed it!), a baby cotton vest, drawers (open!) and three pairs of most beautiful fine Brod. Ang. Sleeves, dated 1858 and 1859 and some long white lock-knit stockings (’58) and a silk sash of 1875 and fan calendar. With the mother-of-pearl inlaid workbox, family Bible with her texts etc. and extracts from Grandpa Marling’s and your reminiscences it makes a good talk. … I have the Annie Shield brooch do you remember it? A heavy thing with intertwined metal-work round the photo of a forbidding looking woman. It says Annie Shield on the back but is it her or her mother?’
‘This is the Eley family brooch – who is the lady pictured? Sean Khan our museum curator thinks the date is around 1850 if I remember rightly because of the type of photograph.’
Letter of Anne Shield to her son-in-law, Frank George Marling:
The Chestnuts, Mays Hill May 25th 1917
My dearest Frank,
In answer to yours of Saturday, I do hope it has not put you to any inconvenience by not writing before today being holiday. I could not very well manage to write on Saty or yesterday. I was anything but well – my head very bad at time & my eye is giving me a lot trouble. I ought to see the Dr but put it off from day to day hoping each day it will be better. Glad to say all here are well. And I am well in body. God it is my poor old head that I suffer so much god only knows.
I will tell you what I know but I have forgotten so much. Peter had seven sisters and they all married. John Pinnell’s mother was one. John Bell’s another, Emma Dalton; another but I cannot remember her name just now. She had one daughter dead some years ago. Mrs Dalton’s daughter I don’t know if she is still living. Mrs Bell had two sons and a daughter – all dead. Mrs Pinnell had two daughters Pollie – Mrs Bell and Bessie dead some years. Aunt Pinnell had two sons John and Thomas. I don’t know Thomas dead years ago, left any children and I never knew how many children Aunt Philpott had. I know Willie the one in London and one of his sisters or I did many years ago. Tom Eley’s family now – Ernest and wife came to see us when they are at Bristol 2 or 3 times, as for the girls I know that they married that’s all.
What a day yesterday. I felt sorry for Shield and Minnie and the Mount Pleasant people and the young folk at the Bank at Sharpness. I hope that they are all in the best of health and enjoying themselves with their loving mum and dad. I went down on the road hoping to see you when you returned home. Some one told me you had gone by so I was disappointed. Glad you found things going on alright, garden and all. Well done. Ruthie and how are you now my two darlings. I hope you are well and my dear K quite herself again. I was so sorry she has been so unwell. Now I will close this jumble. I dare say you will be able to understand the most of it with the help of your better half. With all good wishes for a good round sum for my dear children etc. goodbye dear with fondest love to dear Katie yourself and each dear child. Ever your loving and affectionate Mother. Annie Eley.
Extract from the Running Tide by Kenneth Marling:
‘The stairs lay between the office and the sitting room, and were very steep. I took pride in coming down at breakneck speed, in two or three leaps, and enjoyed Mother’s horrified protests. Grandma Eley fell down them when she was 92 and broke her collarbone, but it set well and she lived to be 97. She was a fine old lady, who had been left a widow with six surviving children at the age of thirty-seven. My grandfather died of fever in 1874, and three of the children had also died in the previous year or two. Grandma carried on farming for many years, at Mireford Farm, Kingswood, and eventually at the Home Farm, Tortworth. She was an excellent organiser, and saw to it that the children did their full share, and in due time set all the boys up well. She always wore beautiful caps of velvet and lace, trimmed with ribbons, and wore a long gold chain, from which hung an ivory drum, hand, pistol and several gold charms. We loved to sit on her lap and play with them. She much enjoyed a game of whist, at which she was very good, and had a low opinion of anyone who revoked. At over ninety she still enjoyed a ride in a car, or a motorcycle sidecar, and, viewing one of the tall cranes at work on the dock one day, she said she would like to go up in the bucket! She was then ninety-two, but I think she would have been game. Once when she was visiting us, Mother was called away for a while when preparing lunch, and set me to watch that the cauliflower did not boil over, and was horrified on her return to find that I had ensured this by stirring it so vigorously that it was minced up to fine particles! From time to time Grandma Eley sent us 1/-, in the form of twelve 1d stamps stuck on a printed Post Office slip issued by them to encourage savings. “Look after the pennies and the pounds will look after themselves.” However, one could get a quarter of most sweets for 1d, and that is how it went.
I was finally promoted to a bedroom of my own at the back of the house overlooking the garden. On the mantelpiece stood a dainty Staffordshire wafer burner, in the form of a double fronted Gothic villa, with a central turret and red roofs, and gay flowers round the door. This had belonged to Grandma Eley, and, miraculously having survived, is now one of my most treasured possessions.’
Extract from the Flowing Tide by Kenneth Marling:
‘I came of age in November 1925, and with £5 from Father bought a Raleigh 3 Speed cycle, and my brother gave me a hub dynamo. Grandma Eley, then 88, gave me a developing tank enabling me to develop my own, and other peoples, films.’
‘Grandma Eley died at the age of 97, and was buried at Kingswood with her husband, who was interred there 60 years before. During her lifetime she had seen immense changes, but during my life even more dramatic ones have taken place.’
Tribute to Anne Eley:
‘Anne Eley, Born Anne Shield 15 March 1837. We your Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and Relations by Marriage, lovingly greet you on your Ninetieth Birthday and congratulate you on attaining to so great and honourable an age. Assuring you of our warm affection and our delight in still having you amongst us. We herein append our signatures, their number being 42 in all.
Sons: James Shield Eley, Walter Henry Eley, Ernest Edward Eley, and John Park Eley
Daughters: Florence Mary Caple, Sarah Catherine Marling
Grandchildren: Phyllis May Eley, Betty Emily Eley, Grace Margaret Terrett, Ethel Maud Eley, Ruth Millicent Quick, Annie Florence Janet Durn, Donald James Marling, James Ernest Eley, Kathleen Annie Marling, James Bernard Eley, Dorothy Frances Harman, John Wilfred Eley, Kenneth George Marling, Jack Shield Eley.
Great Grandchildren: Mary Doreen Durn, Margaret Daisy Eley, Patricia Ruth Cory Eley, Isobel Joan Eley, Alma Doreen Eley, Richard John Eley, Mary Ruth Quick, William Ernest John Terrett.
Sons’ Wives: Mary (Minnie) Eley, Alma Louise Eley, Emmie Eley, Mary Ethel Eley.
Daughters’ Husbands: George Caple, Frank George Marling.
Grandchildren’s Partners: Ivy Belle Eley, Francis Lionel Harman, William Edward Terrett, Gilbert Edward Durn, Lilian Theodore Marling, Martha Helen Bridget Eley, Frank Ernest Quick, Alice Maud Eley.’
Tytherington 1837-1863 (all illustrated)
Morton 1863-1873
Kingswood 1873-1892
Tortworth 1892-1896
Bristol 1896-1905
Kendleshire 1905-1908
Mays Hill 1908-
Newspaper Article:
‘Congratulations on 90th Birthday. Member of Well-Known Family. Mrs Anne Eley, of Mays Hill, Frampton Cotterell, was the recipient of many congratulations on attaining her 90th birthday on the 15th inst. Mrs Eley, who comes of an old Gloucestershire farming family, was the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James Shield of Barber’s Lands, Tytherington. She had numerous brothers and sisters, some of whom emigrated to Australia, and she is the only one surviving.
Connected with many of the farming community in a wide district, Mrs Eley, herself carried on a farm at Kingswood, Wotton-under-Edge, and later at Tortworth, from whence she retired into private life some thirty years ago. Among the many presents received by Mrs Eley was an album containing a letter of congratulations and good wishes, signed by her children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and the husbands and wives respectively of those married, the signatories numbering 42 in all. The album also contained the portraits of those who signed, and pen and ink sketches of the several houses (seven) in which Mrs Eley has resided, with the relative dates.’
Obituary Saturday 5th January 1935:
‘Aged Ninety Seven Years – Death at Whitfield of Mrs Ann Eley – On Monday the grave of Mr James Eley, formerly of Mireford Farm, Kingswood, was re-opened for the interment of his widow, who outlived him by sixty years. Mrs Ann Eley had attained the advanced age of 97, and except for the lifelong affliction of deafness had retained her faculties to marked degree. Death took place at the home of her eldest son at Whitfield.
On the death of her husband Mrs Eley continued farming at Mireford for some years and when her sons grew up moved to another farm at Tortworth. Since her retirement she had resided with sons and daughters. All who knew her held her in the highest esteem and regard.
As stated the remains were interred at Kingswood Chapel graveyard on Monday, many old friends of the deceased joining with the family in the service conducted by the Rev. A.T. Mills (minister), assisted by the Rev. James Hardyman. Miss Mary Mills presided at the organ. Hymns used were, “There is a land of pure delight,” and “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds”.
Family mourners present were Mr and Mrs J Shield, Mr and Mrs Walter Eley, Mr John Eley and Mr Ernest Eley (sons and daughters-in-law), Mr and Mrs Frank Marling (son-in-law and daughter), Mr and Mrs J.T. Shield, and Miss Shield, and Mr and Mrs L.H. Shield (nephews and nieces), Miss Eley, Mr G.E. Durn, Mr and Mrs B Randall, Wick, Mrs Wm Terrett of Tetbury, Miss Kathleen Marling and Mr Cyril Wyatt (grandchildren) and Miss Touchfield.
Among the large number of others who attended as a mark of respect were noticed Messrs Dan Smith (Winterbourne), E.A. Smith (Tortworth), Mr and Mrs Cordeaux, Mr Herbert Wilcox J.P., Mrs Young and Mr v Young of Mangotsfield, Mrs E Mayne, Miss Tudor, Mr W Rogers (Bristol), Mrs Benson, and Miss Langler (Charfield); Messrs A S Durn, T.A. Daniell (Buckover), J H Weekes, T Jones, C.W. Pearce, T J Powell, A Cox, H.G. Oliver, J.P., Miss Holloway, Mrs Bolton, Mrs J Downs, Miss K Orchard, Miss Stinchcombe, Mr J Holpin (Falfield), Mr and Mrs E Bryant, Mrs W Fennell, Mr L G Matthews, Mr W Cowley, Mrs Wallis, Miss Doris Wilson and others.
Four grandsons served as bearers, viz., Messrs. Bernard Eley, Wilfred Eley, James E Eley, and John S Eley. Messrs Tucker Bros, Thornbury, had charge of the arrangements.
Wreaths of a beautiful description were sent from Jack and grandchildren Maud, Bernard and Wilfred; Shield and Minnie; Dorothy, Frank and Boys; Jack and Annie (Wick House); Ernest and Emmie; James, Nellie and children; Kate and Frank; Phyllis, Cyril and children; Annie, Gilbert and Mary; All at Alkington Farm; Alma and Dick; Billy, Grace and family; Grandchildren Donald and Lily and great grand-daughter Molly; Grandchildren Kenneth, Nancy and great-grandchildren John and Joan; Mrs Hooper & Family; Mr and Mrs E.A. Smith (Tortworth); Mrs H Roach; Betty, Bern and the boys; Miss S.E. Dove and M.H. Dove and the household; Grandchildren Ruth and Frank and great-grandchildren Mary and Muriel; Grand-daughter Kathleen and Miss D. Touchfield; Walter and Alma; H. Savage.’
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS FAMILY CONTACT: btsarnia@gmail.com
See blog ‘Shield Family of Gloucestershire’ by Sue Stead
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