At present we have not conclusively identified Henry’s baptism record. He may be Henry son of John Wordingham and Susanna his wife of Little Walsingham baptised 1686. There are however other possibilities which make this identification uncertain.

That Henry is closely related to the Wordinghams of Little Walsingham is proved beyond doubt. Ie:

1. Henry’s eldest son Thomas inherited copyhold property in Little Walsingham from John Wordingham of Little Walsingham who died in 1773, and in the manor court records recording Thomas’ admission to the property he is described as John’s Cousin.
2. John Wordingham of Little Walsingham died intestate, and in the administration bond Thomas is described as Cousin.
3. In the will of Henry Wordingham of Little Walsingham made 30^th September 1725, he leaves the sum of £5 to his kinsman Henry Wordingham of Stiffkey

The first mention of Henry Wordingham of Stiffkey is found in the parish register of Stiffkey, which records the baptism on 14^th February 1715 of Henry son of Henry Wordingham and Katherine his wife.

Later on 6^th May 1722 the register records the baptism of Susanna daughter of Henry Wordingham and Anne his wife. Manor records show that Henry’s wife Katherine was alive at this time, and possibly a clerical error is responsible for the anomaly.

At present we haven’t found the record of Henry’s marriage to Katherine.

Henry had at least two other children. Thomas his eldest son, and his (eldest?) daughter Ann. To date we have not found a record of their baptisms. According to the parish registers of Wells next the sea Thomas was 67 years old at his death in 1781, which would make his birth date c1714.

The manor court records of Stiffkey Netherhall with Stowes show that Henry and his wife Catherine acquired at least two copyhold properties in Stiffkey.

The details are obscure but the Courts held 19^th December 1723 and 25th September 1728 record that Henry and his wife Catherine acquired on 27^th October 1722 and 27^th May 1726 respectively the copyhold property of Bacon Hibgame and his wife Hester. Records of a later court held 14^th October 1763 describe the property as follows:

"………..All that Piece of Meadow, containing by Estimation three Roods, with a Messuage thereupon built in Stiffkey formerly of Gilbert Greeves, next the Lord's Lands, late of Anthony Hingham before Isaack's East, The King's Highway West, The Lands late of John Wells Clerk now of Stephen Winn South, and James Lake's Land North, held at the ancient annual Rent of four pence half penny (Which Premises the said Henry Wordingham, had and took up to him and his heirs of the Surrender of Bacon Hibgam and Hester his Wife at a Court here held for the Manor aforesaid the 25th Day of September 1728 As by the Rolls of that Court may appear)……..…."

Later at a court held 14^th June 1732, Henry and Catherine acquired a copyhold property from William Churchman and Susanna his wife. Records of a later court held 14^th October 1763 describe the property as follows:

"………..All that Messuage or Tenement called Whitmer's situate in Stiffkey aforesaid, next the Messuage or Tenement late of John Brightmer now of Mary Brightmer North, the Messuage or Tenement late of Ann Doughty now of Richard Coppy South, abutting upon the King's Highway towards the East and upon the Land of William Churchman Esq towards the West, held at the ancient annual Rent of three Pence (Which last mentioned Premises the said Henry Wordingham had and took up to him and his Heirs of the Surrender of William Churchman Esq and Susanna his Wife, at a Court here held for the Manor aforesaid the said 14th Day of June 1732, As by the Rolls of that Court may appear)…………."

The court records also show that Henry lent money to several manor tenants (secured on their copyhold property)

29^th October 1739 – loan to William Jary of £20 10s repayable on 29th May 1740.

16^th October 1741 – loan to William Pond and Elizabeth his wife of £15 repayable on 16^th April 1742. A later court records that the loan with 6s interest was repaid on 2^nd March 1742.

Following the burial of his wife Katherine on 25^th February 1759 at Stiffkey, Henry appears to have settled in Wells, either with his son Thomas or with his daughter Ann Bloom. Henry Wordingham who had been a regular juror at the Manor Courts of Stiffkey is absent after 1759.

On 27 Nov 1761 Henry was buried at Wells next the sea. His will dated 24^th January 1761 is as follows:

In the name of God Amen I Henry Wordingham of Wells next the sea in the County of Norfolk, Carpenter being weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament as follows

First I give and devise unto my son Thomas Wordingham all and singular my messuages lands and tenaments whether freehold or copyhold lying and being in Stiffkey in the said county to be sold by him as soon as can be after my decease and the money arising from the sale thereof part to be applied towards the payment of my debts and funeral charges and the residue to be equally divided between my four children that is to say to my son Thomas Wordingham my son Henry Wordingham my daughter Ann the wife of John Bloom and my daughter Susanna the wife of John Allbord share and share alike and my will further is that the rents that shall become due from the time of my death to the time of sale shall be equally divided to my four children share and share alike

And whereas my son Thomas have forty pounds in his hands now due to me I give and bequeath unto him thirty pounds of the said money with all interest due to me at the time of my decease the other ten pounds I give and bequeath unto Ann Bloom my daughter to be paid to her within six months after my decease

I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Wordingham the twenty pounds which he have now in his hands due to me with all interest of the same due at my decease

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susanna the wife of John Allbord all the rest and residue of my personal estate of what nature or kind soever she paying unto Ann my daughter the wife of John Bloom the sum of ten pounds within six months next after my decease

Lastly I do constitute and appoint my sons Thomas Wordingham and Henry Wordingham joint executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made In witness whereof I have my hand and seal this twenty fourth day of January in the first year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one.

(Signed) Henry Wordingham

Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Henry Wordingham to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have here under subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator

(Signed) James Fuller (Signed) John Buck (Signed) John Hall

At Wells the fifth day of December 1761 Thomas and Henry the Executors within named were sworn in due form of law before me J Robinson.

Date of birth unknown, but before 1715. According to Wells next the sea PR, Thomas was aged 67 at the date of his burial, which would make his birth date before 18^th October 1714.

The first reference to his father Henry is in Stiffkey Parish Registers for 14 Feb 1715 which records the christening of Henry son of Henry and Katherine. It’s not proven that Katherine is also the mother of Thomas (or of his sister Ann).

We know nothing of Thomas’s early life, but can guess that he grew up with his family in Stiffkey, and probably learnt his trade in his father’s carpentry shop. Thomas appears to have been the eldest son of four surviving siblings.

Thomas married Ann (maiden name unknown) before 17^th May 1745, and settled in Wells next the sea a few miles West along the coast from Stiffkey. His sister Ann who married John Bloom also settled in Wells next the sea.

17 May 1745 John son of Thomas & Ann Woodingham bapt
20 May 1747 Thomas son of Thomas & Ann Wordingham bapt
27 May 1747 Thomas Wordingham inf buried
14 Aug 1748 Thomas son of Thomas & Ann Wordingham bapt/buried?
15 Mar 1752 Ann wife of Thomas Wordingham buried
24 Mar 1752 Ann Wordingham inf buried

[Wells PR need re-checking as there are inconsistencies in various transcriptions]

Thomas doesn’t appear to have remarried after the death of his wife.

"…………………...To all that Messuage or Tenement late in the occupation of Taylor Mussitt situate in Wells aforesaid with the Stable Outhouses yards and appurtenances to the same belonging or appurtaining next the Buttland Lane on the South part and the House of Thomas Wordingham on the North part and abutt upon the Butland towards the West And the House of Blyford Cooper towards the East And also to all that Tenement now or late in the occupation of John Whitaker situate in Wells aforesaid next the House of the said Thomas Wordingham on the North part and upon the aforesaid yard on the South part and abutt upon the Buttlands towards the West and the said yard towards the East with their and every of their appurtenances……………"

Later, upon the admission of Thomas’ son John, the records of the court held 4^th November 1783 describes the property as follows:

"………….To a Messuage or Tenement late in the Tenure of Bridget Swan with a little piece of Land holden of this Manor by Copy of Court Roll lying in Wells next the Sea aforesaid And also to a Cottage lying in Wells aforesaid next the said Messuage or Tenement formerly in the Tenure of the said Bridget Swann as the said premises are now in the occupation of Thomas Potts and John Webber and abutt upon the Buttlands towards the West the house and grounds of Thomas Hall and Elizabeth Wilson towards the East the house and grounds [late – written above in different hand] of John Clamp [& now of the Widow Clamp – written above in different hand] towards the North and the house and ground of Henry Musset towards the South (Which premises the said Thomas Wordingham late had and took up to him and his heirs at a Court held for this Manor on the twenty first day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty eight on the Surrender of Edward Bird…….."

Thomas appears to have owned another property freehold? (free soccage) of the manor of East Wells late the Duke’s now Turner’s. A court held 20^th November 1752 records the following:

"…….To this Court comes Thomas Woodingham and acknowledges to hold of the Lord of this Manor in free Soccage a Messuage late John Hills formerly Plummers next a packway East Faircloth Estate West a footway North Richard Webbers Lands South at the annual rent of Eight pence and paid Eight pence for a Relief etc……."

In 1764 Thomas appears to have mortgaged for £60 part or all his property held of the manor of ‘Wells Late the Prior of Walsingham’s’. A court held 1764 records the following:

Following the burial of Thomas’ father’s wife Katherine (Thomas’ mother?) on 25^th February 1759 at Stiffkey, his father Henry appears to have settled in Wells, either with Thomas or with his sister Ann Bloom. Henry Wordingham who had been a regular juror at the Manor Courts of Stiffkey is absent after 1759.

On 27 Nov 1761 Thomas’ father Henry was buried at Wells. In his will dated 24^th January 1761, Henry made the following bequests:

First I give and devise unto my son Thomas Wordingham all and singular my messuages lands and tenaments whether freehold or copyhold lying and being in Stiffkey in the said county to be sold by him as soon as can be after my decease and the money arising from the sale thereof part to be applied towards the payment of my debts and funeral charges and the residue to be equally divided between my four children that is to say to my son Thomas Wordingham my son Henry Wordingham my daughter Ann the wife of John Bloom and my daughter Susanna the wife of John Allbord share and share alike and my will further is that the rents that shall become due from the time of my death to the time of sale shall be equally divided to my four children share and share alike

And whereas my son Thomas have forty pounds in his hands now due to me I give and bequeath unto him thirty pounds of the said money with all interest due to me at the time of my decease the other ten pounds I give and bequeath unto Ann Bloom my daughter to be paid to her within six months after my decease.

I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Wordingham the twenty pounds which he have now in his hands due to me with all interest of the same due at my decease.

I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susanna the wife of John Allbord all the rest and residue of my personal estate of what nature or kind soever she paying unto Ann my daughter the wife of John Bloom the sum of ten pounds within six months next after my decease.

Lastly I do constitute and appoint my sons Thomas Wordingham and Henry Wordingham joint executors of this my last will and testament…….etc.

The will was proved at Wells on the 5^th December 1761.

In accordance with the will, Thomas inherited his father’s copyhold properties in Stiffkey. The will required Thomas to sell the properties and share the proceeds with his brother & sisters. We don’t know the details but arrangements were made which resulted in his brother Henry acquiring the properties.

The properties were copyhold of the manor of Stiffkey Netherhall with Stowes

COURT HELD 14th OCTOBER 1763 - Whereas it is presented by the Homage of this Court that Henry Wordingham lately died seized of and in Certain Lands and Tenements holden of this Manor by Copy of Court Roll ………………Now to this Court comes Thomas Wordingham Eldest Son of the said Henry Wordingham in his proper Person and brings into Court a Copy of the last Will and Testament of the said Henry Wordingham bearing Date the Twenty fourth Day of January One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty one…………….And by Virtue of the said Will ……………. humbly prays of the favour of the Lord of the said Manor to be admitted Tenant to the ……………….. To All that Piece of Meadow containing by Estimation three Roods with a Messuage there upon built in Stiffkey formerly of Gilbert Greeves next the Lord's Lands late of Anthony Hingham before Isaack's East the Kings Highway West the Lands late of John Wells Clerk now of Stephen Winn South and James Lakes's Land North held at the ancient annual Rent of four pence halfpenny ………………. And also to All that Messuage or Tenement called Whitmer's scituate in Stiffkey aforesaid next the Messuage or Tenement late of John Brightmer now of Mary Brightmer North the Messuage or Tenememt late of Ann Doughty now of Richard Coppy South abutting upon the King's Highway towards the East and upon the Land of William Churchman Esq towards the West held at the ancient annual Rent of three………………… And thus he is admitted Tenant and so forth………………

COURT HELD 18th OCTOBER 1765 - Whereas it is presented by the Homage of this Court That on the second Day of April One thousand seven hundred and sixty four Thomas Wordingham a Copyhold Tenant of this Manor Did out of Court………

………. duly surrender by the Rodd All and singular the Messuages Lands Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever of him the said Thomas Wordingham holden of the said Manor …………… To the Use and Behoof of Henry Wordingham of Stiffkey in the County of Norfolk Carpenter his Heirs and Assigns forever absolutely…....………

Thomas inherited further property upon the death of his cousin John Wordingham of Little Walsingham, Carpenter. John a widower died intestate "without Child or Children Father Mother Brother or Sister" in Little Walsingham circa 1772. Administration of his estate was granted to Thomas and his brother in law John Bloom of Wells, Mariner.

The property was copyhold of the manors of Granges in Little Walsingham & Little Walsingham late the Queen’s. A few years later in 1775 Thomas mortgaged the property for £300.

COURT HELD 14th MAY 1773 - Recite the Death of John Wordingham found by the Homage of this Ct. Now to this Court comes Thomas Wordingham Nephew Cousin and next Heir of the sd Jno Wordingham & Craves the favor of the Lord to be admitted to the places? of which the sd John Wordingham died seized to wit To all that Cott See places? in book F fo 121 & 122 And also to 1a 1r See places? in book G fo 86 And also to 3a 1r See places? in book G fo 99 and also to 1a See places? in book H fo 126 And the sd Thos Wordingham is admitted to the places? To hold to him & his Heirs

COURT HELD 9th MAY 1775 - Enter a Condnl. Surrendr. From Thomas Wordingham to Henry Hall of North Elmham Miller for 300L & Int found by the Homage

COURT HELD 25th JULY 1780 - Enter a Condl. Surrdr. From Tho Wordingham to Henry Hall found by the Homage

About 1777 Thomas’ youngest son Thomas died. Thomas Junior was also a Carpenter. Administration of his estate was granted 2^nd January 1778 to Thomas the "natural and lawful Father" and James Hancock of Wells, Yeoman.

18 Oct 1781 Thomas Wordingham ( late carpenter) buried aged 67 yrs

13 Aug 1769 Thomas son John & Mary Wordingham bapt

9 Jul 1809 John Wordingham married man buried
12 July 1812 Mary Wordingham widow buried

John married Mary Ransom [Ranson] on October 20, 1768 in Saint Nicholas Church, the parish church of Wells. They were both single, and John is described as a carpenter, apparently following the family trade. The marriage was by licence perhaps indicating that either or both parties came from outside the parish.

Their first child, born within a year of their marriage, was Thomas (baptised in Wells on August 13, 1769). They seem to have moved immediately thereafter to Wood Dalling, roughly 15 miles from Wells by road, where it appears that on October 7, 1769 Thomas died. He was only 2 months old.

Their second (recorded) child John was baptised in Wood Dalling Parish Church on November 3, 1771, just before their third wedding anniversary.

The churchwarden's accounts and parish registers show John to have been actively involved in parish affairs between 1772 and 1789.

Johns first appearance in the Wood Dalling churchwarden's accounts shows him as one of four witnesses to the appointment on April 20, 1772 of the two churchwardens for the year ensuing.

Churchwardens accounts show that John was appointed churchwarden for the following terms:

• Michaelmas 1773 to Michaelmas 1774 (with John Starling)
• Easter 1775 to Easter 1776 (with Robert Smyth)
• Easter 1783 to Easter 1784 (with William Dey)
• Easter 1784 to Easter 1785 (with David Barwick)

The record of churchwarden's disbursements for Michaelmas 1773 to Michaelmas 1774 (John's first term as churchwarden) include the following:

For Mr Wordingham's 2 journeys to Aylsham 4s 6d

Mr Wordingham paid for hegehogs 6d

Later, the accounts show John's disbursements in his second term to be £1 3s 712d, and in his fourth term £17 4s 312d. The accounts appear to show further disbursements up to Easter 1788, but this is not clear. (It seems that churchwarden's accounts were drawn up from records of disbursements in the Overseer's Books.)

At a vestry meeting held on April 8, 1789 it was agreed to make a rate for the repairs of the parish church of Wood Dalling @ 1s 3d to the £. This was witnessed by John Wordingham and Robert Ives (Overseers) and David Barwick, John Clarke and Robert Bacon. The rate was subsequently made ('with the consent of the chief inhabitants' of the parish) by William Dey and John Bishop, churchwardens. A total of £109 16s 3d was collected, of which £4 was collected from John. The valuation put on the parish for the purpose of the rate was £1,757, John's share being £64 (£64 x (1s 3d) = £4). It appears that John was comfortably off, the average collected per person being about £2.

Wood Dalling parish records suggest that John was also a churchwarden in 1781. The same parish records show that John witnessed the marriages of Charles Seaman and Lydia Jacob by licence on May 30, 1780 and of William King and Margaret Wake by banns on October 25, 1787.

In 1781 John's father Thomas died and on October 18 was buried at Wells-next-the-sea. John inherited various copyhold properties from his father:

At the General Court Baron held on August 28, 1782:

'Recite the death of Thomas Wordingham a Copyhold Tenant of the said manor found at this Court. Now to this Court comes John Wordingham Farmer only Son and heir of the said Thomas Wordingham in Person and Craves to be admitted to such Lands and Tenements as his Father died Seized to wit To one Cottage' 'and the said John Wordingham is admitted to hold to him and his heirs'.

This Manor's Court records are a 'copy' of those of the Manor of Granges in Little Walsingham and it's Courts were held on the same days.

John did not attend the General Court Baron of the Manor of Wells-next-the-sea (late the Prior of Walsingham's) held on October 23, 1782. However, at the General Court Baron held on November 4, 1783:

'Now at this Court came here into Court John Wordingham of Wood Dalling in the County of Norfolk Farmer only son and heir of the said Thomas Wordingham by John Kendall his Attorney and humbly prayed the favor of the Lord of this Manor to be admitted Tenant to the lands and tenements copyhold of this manor which his said father so as aforesaid died seized as his right and Inheritance (that is to say) To a Messuage or Tenement late in the Tenure of Bridget Swan with a little piece of Land holden of this Manor by Copy of Court Roll lying in Wells next the Sea aforesaid And also to a Cottage lying in Wells aforesaid next the said Messuage or Tenement'.

John thus appears to have inherited 3 properties from his Father. The Cottage in Little Walsingham appears to have been mortgaged by Thomas for £300 back in 1775 and remained so mortgaged at his death. John entered into an arrangement as recorded in the General Court Baron of Granges in Little Walsingham held on May 22, 1786 as follows:

'It is testified by the Steward and found by the Homage that on the 9th day of February last, John Wordingham of Wood Dalling in Norfolk Timber Merchant a Copyhold Tenant of the said Manor Did out of Court Surr? All his Messuages Lands Tenements @ Heredits holden of said Manor by Copy of Court Roll To the use of Mary Bricliffe Elgar of Hempton in said County Widow and her Heirs Upon Condition that if the said John Wordingham and his Heirs should pay or cause to be paid unto said Mary B. Elgar her [Executors?] £350 with lawful Interest for same / from the 26th January then last / on the 26th day of July then @ now next ensuing / It being the same Sum of Money mentioned in an assignment of Mortgage of three parts dated 26th January last and made between John Moy @ Henry Hall of the first, the said John Wordingham of the second, and the said Mary Bricliffe Elgar of the third part / Then the said Surr? should be void, or else remain in force.'

At the General Court Baron of the Manor of Granges in Little Walsingham held on July 12, 1791 the following was recorded:

'It is presented by the Homage that on 8th April last John Wordingham Did out of Court surrender by the hands of Ben [Hittmer?] in the presence of James Codham and [Henry?] Andrews (all Copyhold Tenants) by the rod All the Messuages Lands etc of said John Wordingham holden of said Manor by Copy of Court Roll To the use of William Groome of Little Walsingham Butcher and his Heirs'.

'It is presented by the Homage that Mary B. Elgar of [Colkirk?] in Norfolk Widow Did by a certain Paper Writing under her hand Dated 8 April last acknowledges to have received £368 in discharge of John Wordinghams Conditional Surrender passed to her use on 9 February 1786'.

On November 11, 1788 John bound his son John to John Clarke, surgeon, etc of Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk for 5 years at a premium of £50. Subsequently, possibly on John Clarke's death, John Jr. was bound to Henry Girdlestone, surgeon, etc of Wells, Norfolk for the remainder of 5 years at a premium of £12.

It seems likely that sometime before 1790 John and his wife moved back to Wells-next-the-sea.

John died aged 65 in 1809, he was buried on 9th March [July?] at Wells Parish Church. In the Burial Book his grave is described as on the south side of the chancel and east of the walk, with a stone.

Mary Wordingham died aged 72 in 1812, she was buried on 12th July. From the burial book it appears that she was buried near to or in the same grave as John.

John the second child of John Wordingham of Wood Dalling, farmer and Mary, nee Ransome, his wife was baptised in Wood Dalling Parish Church on November 3, 1771, just before his parents’ third wedding anniversary.

It seems John grew up in Wood Dalling an only child, his brother having died before he was born, and there appear to have been no other children.

On November 11, 1788 when John Jnr was just turned seventeen, he was apprenticed to John Clarke, surgeon, etc of Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk for 5 years at a premium of £50. Subsequently on April 9, 1789, he was bound to Henry Girdlestone, surgeon, etc of Wells, Norfolk for the remainder of the 5 years at a premium of £12. These dates are probably the dates the tax on the premium was received in the office at London.

John gained membership of the Company of Surgeons on March 1, 1792. The Company of Surgeons 1745-99 was the immediate predecessor of The Royal College of Surgeons of England. His name appears in the printed lists of members from 1792 to 1799 with no place of residence given; from 1800 to 1840 he gave his address as Reepham, Norfolk; and thereafter with no address.

In 1796 John earned himself two mentions in the diary of James Woodforde. James Woodforde was parson at the Parish of Weston Longeville, Norfolk from 1774 until his death in 1802 aged 63.

March 21, Monday. "We breakfasted, dined, &c. again at home. Miss Priest breakfasted, dined, &c. here again. A Mr. Wordingham of Reepham, Surgeon, a young man, and who pays his Addresses to Miss Mary Priest & have been accepted by all Parties, called at my House about Noon & he stayed, dined, & spent the Afternoon at Weston Parsonage. Left us about 7. this Even'. About one o'clock Mr. Custance with his Brother Mr. Press Custance called on us and stayed more than an Hour with us. They requested myself & Niece to be witnesses to their signing some Letter of Attorney or &c. Dinner to day, Fillet of Veal rosted &c. Mr. Wordingham & Miss M. Priest were walking in the Garden when Mr. Custance & Brother called, they did not make their Appearance."

June 16, Thursday. "... Charles Priest, youngest Son of Mr. Priest's of Reepham called here this morning with a Note of Invitation to dinner on Thursday Next at Reepham. Charles is about 15, he was on horseback & a servant with him on two blind Coach Horses. He ate a small cake and drank a Glass of Sherry Wine...."

June 23, Thursday. "...About Noon I drove Nancy over to Reepham, thro' Alderford & Booton, to Mr. Priest's where we dined and spent the Afternoon, with him, Mrs. Priest, their two Daughters Mary & Sally, their Brother Charles, Mr. and Mrs. Barnwell of Mileham and Mr. Wordingham of Reepham, Apothecary, who is to have Mary Priest. We had for Dinner, some boiled Maccarel but no Gooseberries, a fore Qr. of Lamb rosted, a Couple of very small Ducks rosted, a rich boiled Plumb Pudding, Blamange, and Gooseberry Tarts. Port & Sherry Wines to drink, with a nice Dish of Strawberries, and Almonds and Raisins. We drank Coffee & Tea about six o'clock, and at seven or there about, we got into our Curricle and after having a pleasant ride the way that we went in the Morning, we got home by half past 8. I like Mr. & Mrs. Barnwell very well, He is about my Age, Mrs. Barnwell rather older by her looks. Mr. Barnwell is a gentleman of considerable Property much afflicted with the Gout, has travelled a good deal over England, & well acquainted with Families."

(Extracts from the Oxford University Press edition of James Woodforde's Diary.)

John Wordingham, Bachelor of the Parish of Hackford and Mary Priest, Spinster of the Parish of Reepham were married in St. Mary's Church, Reepham by licence on 25th October 1796 by Mary’s half brother Saint John Priest, Minister deputed, in the presence of R. Priest, Rebecca Priest and Sarah Priest.

We know little about John's medical practice. On October 29,1796 shortly after his marriage to Mary Priest, John took an apprentice, Philip Rackham, for 5 years at a premium of £60. Later on 29 Jan 1804 John took another apprentice, Henry S Forster, for 5 years at a premium of £125. (As mentioned above these dates are probably the dates the tax on the premium was received in the office at London.)

The apprenticeship records describe John as Surgeon etc.. The abbreviation etc. meant he was a surgeon-apothecary or general practitioner. He was probably a man midwife as well. Surgeon & Apothecary was the correct title but the two words were becoming interchangeable by the end of the 18th century, with the term Surgeon taking over almost entirely in the 19th century, to be replaced itself by the expression General Practitioner.

White's Norfolk Directory for 1836 lists John Wordingham, Surgeon of Hackford on or near the Market Place.

John and Mary lived in the Parish of Hackford (most of Reepham Town Square is in Hackford) and their children were baptised at St Michaels, Hackford Parish Church. Unusually Reepham had 3 churches in what now appears to be one churchyard. St Mary the Virgin is the Parish Church for Reepham, St Michaels is the Parish Church of Whitwell and Hackford. Hackford's own Parish Church All Saints was burnt down in 1544. The two remaining churches are situated end to end.

John and Mary had many children, all baptised privately at St Michael’s:

Mary born 13th September, baptised 14th September 1797

John born & baptised 22nd June 1798 buried 20th July 1798, aged 1 month

John born 1st July, baptised 7th July 1799

Rebekah born 21st February, baptised 24th February 1801

Richard born 6th January, baptised 7th January 1803 buried 17th December 1811, aged 8 years

Saint John born 13th May, baptised 20th May 1804

Robert born 22nd April, baptised 28th April 1805

Charles born 4th May, baptised 8th May 1806 buried 22nd May 1811, aged 5 years

Sarah born 20th April, baptised 22nd April 1807 buried 28th May 1811, aged 4 years

Charles born 29th June, baptised 30th June 1811

William baptised 24th April 1814 buried 1st June 1814, infant

In their first 15 years of marriage, Mary gave birth to at least 10 children. Only 6 survived into adulthood. 1811 was a particularly tragic year for the family in which three of the children died.

William’s baptismal entry is puzzling, as his mother’s name is given as Rebecca, not Mary. This may be a clerical error.

In 1799 Mary’s father Richard Priest died leaving her £500 in his will. (Her mother lived until 1812.)

John’s father & mother died in 1809 & 1812 respectively. Neither John’s father nor mother appear to have left wills, however from court records of the Manor of Wells - late the Prior of Walsingham’s we know that John inherited copyhold property in Wells.

Court held 19th September 1811: Now at this Court came here into Court in his proper person John Wordingham of Hackford next Reepham in the County of Norfolk Surgeon only Son and Heir of the said John Wordingham deceased and humbly prayed the favor of the Lord of this Manor to be admitted Tenant to the lands and tenements copyhold of this Manor of which the said John Wordingham deceased so as aforesaid died seized as his right and inheritance (that is to say) To a Messuage or Tenement late in the tenure of Bridget Swan with a little piece of land holden of this by Copy of Court Roll lying in Wells next the Sea aforesaid And also to a Cottage lying in Wells aforesaid next the said Messuage or Tenement formerly in the tenure of the said Bridget Swann as the said premises were late in the occupation of Thomas Potts and John Webber and are now in the occupation of the said John Webber only and abut upon the Buttlands towards the West the house and grounds late of Thomas Hall and now of Robert Hall and the house and grounds late of Elizabeth Wilson and now of Thomas Wright towards the East the house and ground late of John Clamp and now of the Widow Clamp towards the North and the house and ground of Henry Mussett towards the South....

A few years later under "An Act for allotting lands in the Parishes of Wells next the Sea Warham All Saints Warham Saint Mary Magdalen and Warham Saint Mary the Virgin in the County of Norfolk" John was allotted:

Court held 25th July 1814 .........One piece of land lying in Wells next the Sea containing by measure three roods and thirty perches marked on the Map or Plan annexed to the said Award with the Number 629 bounded by land allotted to Thomas William Coke Esquire towards the North by land allotted to George Jickling towards the East by the therein twenty fourthly described private road towards the South and by land allotted to Abigail Haycock and Richard Hardham respectively towards the West And it further appears that the said Commissioner did determine that thirty seven perches part of the said allotment lying on the East side thereof and marked on the said Map or Plan with the Letter W should be held of this Manor by Copy of Court Roll the same being allotted to the said John Wordingham in respect of the right of common appurtenant or appendant to hereditaments copyhold of this Manor........

At this same court it is recorded that on 7th October 1813 John sold his copyhold property, except the lands allotted to him under the Act above, to John Webber of Wells next the sea, Schoolmaster for £360.

Finally in 1818 John sold the copyhold land (37 perches) which had been allotted to him to William Ballard of Holkham aforesaid Gamekeeper for £10, together with certain freehold land:

Court held 23rd May 1818: ....... on the twenty fourth day of February now last past John Wordingham of Hackford next Reepham in the County of Norfolk Surgeon a copyhold Tenant of this Manor came before him the said Deputy Steward and in consideration of the Sum of Ten pounds of lawful English money paid to the said John Wordingham by Thomas William Coke of Holkham in the said County Esquire being the apportioned purchase or consideration money for the copyhold land therein mentioned to be surrendered and the entire price or consideration money for which said copyhold land together with certain freehold land in the Parish of Wells next the Sea in the said County is specified and set forth in an Indenture of Release of three parts bearing date on the thirty first day of October now last past and expressed to be made between the said John Wordingham and Mary his Wife of the first part William Ballard of Holkham aforesaid Gamekeeper of the second part and the said Thomas William Coke of the third part.......................

From this last it appears John also possessed certain freehold land in Wells, presumably also inherited from his father.

On 31st January 1826 at the age of 54 John’s wife Mary died. It appears she left no will.

Three of John’s sons followed him into the medical profession.

In 1823 John’s eldest son John Priest was a Doctor in the employ of Messers Thompson & George, Surgeons in Church Street Kensington. John Priest married Hannah Alldridge on 15th November 1823, and in the few months before the wedding John lent his son a total of £200, presumably to prepare a house in Kensington for his bride.

Shortly after the wedding, in December 1823, John’s third son Robert died at Kensington. An East Anglian newspaper "The Bury and Norwich Post" dated 17 December included Robert's death notice: 'Last week, in London, after a few days' illness contracted in the pursuit of his medical studies, Mr Robert Wordingham, aged 18, son of John Wordingham, Esq of Reepham, in this county.' It seems probable that Robert was staying with his brother, during his studies.

6 weeks after the wedding, on Christmas Eve, John lent John Priest another £500 and then on 1st January 1824 a further sum of £2,500 to finance the purchase of the practice of 'Messrs Thompson & George' from Doctor Henry Urmston Thomson. The cost of the Practice appears to have been £2,500 plus an annuity of £50/100? payable to Dr Thomson.

John’s youngest son Charles also followed a medical career. He was apprenticed to his father for 5 years at the age of 13 in 1824. In 1830 he stayed with his brother at Kensington, probably whilst he undertook studies at St Thomas’s Hospital in order to obtain his certificate to practice as an apothecary. In an affidavit dated 10th December 1831 it is recorded that John Priest paid Charles various sums and settled bills etc on his behalf totalling £38.5.9.

John Priest continued to borrow money from his father £300 on 15th May 1824, £300 on 29th December 1824, £300 25th May 1826, and further smaller sums in 1829.

Finally when on 12th November 1831 a commission of bankruptcy was issued against John Priest, he owed his father over £5,500. Following the bankruptcy, there seems to have been little contact between John in Norfolk and his son John Priest and family in London.

John’s second son Saint John and wife Catherine settled in West Barsham at Barsham Oaks Farm where they farmed 400 acres. They appear to have been tenant farmers, or perhaps John was the Farm Manager. Both John’s surviving daughters Mary & Rebekah married.

In the Reepham section of White’s 1836 Directory of Norfolk, are listed: Wordingham John & Charles (on or near the Market Place) - it appears that after qualifying Charles joined his father practice.

The Tithe Apportionment of Hackford next Reepham of 28th March 1844, shows John occupying a House & Yard, just off the Market Place, rented from ‘Rodham’ - Property No. 285 on the Apportionment Map (circled red in the extract above).

The Apportionment also shows John to have rented a small field or ‘Pightle’ of 3 roods and 20 perches, from Reverend Frederick Field - Property No. 172 on the Apportionment Map (not shown in the plan above).

The House & Yard identified above appears to be the same as that mentioned in an "Abstract of Title of the Trustees under the Will of Mrs Frances Ann Leeds deceased to a piece of building land at Hackford next Reepham" drawn up in 1911. (In my possession).

This includes an abstract of an Indenture dated 3rd January 1840 between Peter Frankland Prior of Lowestoft, Suffolk, Saddler, Henry Frederick Prior & Edward Augustus Prior both of Hackford, Saddlers, Mary Elizabeth Prior and Emily Maria Prior both of Hackford, Spinsters of the first part William Leeds of Hackford, Yeoman of the second part & the said H F Prior of the third part & Robert Dench of Foulsham, Gentleman of the fourth part. The Indenture concerns title to three cottages abutting upon premises in the occupation of John Wordingham.

The same abstract also mentions premises belonging to John’s neighbour Mrs Mary George, (No. 286 in the plan above).

...................All those three cottages or tenements with the outhouses & appurts thereto belongg situate in Hackford & Reepham afsd or one of them late in the occon of John Frankland, Saml Blogg & Robt Fox and then of Wm Fisher Saml Blogg & Robt Frankland abutting upon premises in the occon of John Wordingham on the South,theyard and premises of the parties of the first part lately sold to the said H F Prior on the North And a passage leading to the Market Place there in part and a passage or roadway leading to the street in part on the East and adjoining premises belonging to Mrs Mary George on the West...............

Today the property is occupied by Ewings, Estate Agents, see photograph below.

The 1841 census shows John living with his youngest son Charles in the Market Place, Hackford. They had two live-in servants, Anne Digby aged 20 and William Easton aged 15.

Charles died in Hackford aged 32, and was buried 2nd October 1843.

After Charles’ death John went into partnership with a Mr Perry.

John died on Saturday 20th June 1846. His death is recorded in two newspapers, the "Norfolk Chronicle" and the "Norfolk News", both published the following Saturday:

On Saturday last..............

..............same day, at Reepham, in the 75th year of his age, John Wordingham, Esq, to the great grief of his family, and the regret of his numerous friends. For fifty years he had been in extensive practice as a surgeon.

John left a will as follows:

The Last Will & Testament of me John Wordingham Surgeon of Hackford next Reepham in the county of Norfolk. I appoint St John Wordingham of West Barsham, Luke Clarkson of Saxlingham & John Waite of Sibsy my Executors. I give and bequeath unto St John Wordingham Mary Clarkson & Rebecca Waite the sum of £530 to be equally divided between them & unto Mary Clarkson & Rebecca Waite all my Personals not otherwise disposed of in equal shares Witness my hand this 7th day of November 1843 - John Wordingham - Witnesses to the signing of the said John Wordingham - William George, seed merchant & Mary George.

The will was proved at London on 22nd July 1846 and administration was granted to the Executors named in the will.

(Mary George was John’s next-door neighbour.)

Shortly after probate, two advertisements appeared in Norfolk newspapers:

Mr John Wordingham deceased.

All persons having any claim or demand upon the estate and effects of John Wordingham, late of Reepham, in the County of Norfolk, surgeon, deceased, or upon the late firm of Wordingham and Perry, of Reepham aforesaid surgeons, are requested to send an account there of forthwith to Mr Perry, in order that the sum may be examined and discharged. And all persons who are indebted to the said John Wordingham, or to the late firm of Wordingham & Perry, at the time of the said decease of the said John Wordingham, are requested forthwith to pay the amount of their respective debts to Mr Perry, who is authorised to receive the same.

Foster, Uthank, Burroughes and Robberds, Solicitor to the Executors of the said John Wordingham. (Norwich, 20th July, 1846)

Reepham

To be sold at auction

By Robert Ansell

On Monday & Tuesday, 27th & 28th of July 1846

By direction of the Executors

All the household furniture and effects, late the property of John Wordingham, Esq of Reepham, deceased, comprising parlour, tea-room, and kitchen furniture, eight bedsteads with moreen and other hangings, six feather beds and bedding, and the usual bedroom furniture; Kitchen and store-room effects, washing and brewing utensils, glass, china, earthenware & a few books; Capital bay mare, five years old, perfectly sound and quiet, and remarkably fast in all her paces, two gigs (one nearly new) two sets of gig harness, cart harness, sundry implements, and a small stack of hay.

First day - Outdoor effects, mare, parlour, kitchen, and two bedrooms.

Second day - Washhouse, store-room, tea-room and remaining bedrooms.

Each day’s sale will commence at twelve o’clock.

Born 13^th September 1797 , and baptised privately a day later on the 14^th at St Michael’s the Parish Church for Hackford and Whitwell.

On 8^th September 1825 Mary married Luke Hall Clarkson, batchelor of West Barsham, at St Mary Abbots, Kensington. The marriage was witnessed by her brother John Priest and his wife Hannah.

Their marriage was recorded in an East Anglian newspaper ‘The Bury and Norwich Post’ for Wednesday, 14^th September 1825 as follows:

MARRIED: At Kensington, Mr. Luke Hall Clarkson, of West Barsham Hall in this county, to Mary, eldest daughter of John Wordingham, Esq of Reepham.

In November 1843 when her father John Wordingham wrote his will, Mary and her husband were living in Saxlingham, Norfolk. John appointed Luke Clarkson one of the three executors, and left £530 to be equally divided between Mary, her sister Rebekah, and brother St John. The rest of the estate not otherwise disposed of was to be equally divided between the two sisters.

John Priest Wordingham was born 01/07/1799, and baptised privately at Hackford Parish Church 5 days later. John was the 3rd child of John Wordingham of Hackford, Surgeon and his wife Mary, nee Priest.

We know nothing more of John till 1823, when he is mentioned in letters written by his future father in law Thomas Alldridge RN. [Letters to Mrs Elizabeth Morice preserved at PRO, see PROB 37/8/3]

In his letter of 30/08/1823, Thomas Alldridge writing on board HMS Superb at Plymouth, thanks Mrs Morice for her kindness to his future son in law:

"Having received a very pleasing letter from (my good say Son in law that is to be) Doctor Wordingham acquainting my dear Hannah of the very kind and handsome reception he met with at your hospitable mansion I feel so much gratified by your goodness as well as Mrs Alldridge my Daughter and Family that I feel it incumbent on me to unite with them in returning you our most

sincere thanks and to repeat our assurances of real friendship respect and esteem..................

I have many apologies to offer for thus importuning you with my Letters or my friend Dr. W but I could not bear the thought of my Daughter marrying with any one you might not approve and I do trust you think the Dr a fine Young Man likely to cure any Young Lady of the heart Ache and should you want an Physician which I pray You may not for many years I can with Confidence recommend Dr W of the House of Mesrs Thompson & George Surgeons in Church Street Kensington - as I know he possesses what Sir Ashley Cooper stiles excellent Medical & Chirugical Abilities

We are all delighted to hear you are bound to Bath and hope you will pay us a visit at this Post - and name a Day about October or Novr for the Wedding - as we should be happy to see you of the Party and if your Ancle is too weak for travelling so far, I would come to Woolwich or London with my

Daughter upon so joyful an Occasion..............."

& two weeks later in a letter to Mrs Morice's solicitor Charles Batsford:

"I am favoured with yours of the 12th Inst and beg to offer the best respects of Mrs Alldridge and Flock and my Self which I rely on your goodness for also making acceptable to our mutual esteemed Friend Mrs Morice, with our sincere assurances of the real concern we feel for her late accident and indisposition, earnestly hoping she will experience benefit from the Sea Coast and that you will soon have the pleasure to inform me of her safe return and recovery, or that she will not hesitate to send for my Young Friend Dr Wordingham of Kensington, whom you will please tell Mrs M does not intend leading my Daughter to the Altar before the latter end of Novr next (as until then their Town House will not be ready)................."

At this time Thomas Alldridge was Purser of HMS Superb, a 74 gun ship of the line, based at the naval dockyard at Plymouth. Thomas his wife Lucy and children lodged nearby at 57 Duke Street, Plymouth Dock. (Thomas was appointed to HMS Superb on 27/06/1722. The ship was based at Plymouth till December 1823, then Jamaica till September 1825, and thereafter Lisbon till the ship was paid off at Portsmouth in September 1825).

Stoke Damerel adjacent to the town of Plymouth contained the naval dockyard around which had grown a new town, called until 1824 Plymouth Dock, thereafter becoming Devonport. In 1820 Plymouth Dock had a population of about 25,000 (Plymouth itself had only about 21,500).

On 15/11/1823 John married Hannah Alldridge, by licence, at the Parish Church of Stoke Damerel. In the marriage register John and Hannah are described respectively as of the parish of Kensington, Middlesex, Gentleman, Batchelor, and of the parish of Stoke Damerel, Spinster.

The marriage was witnessed by Manley Dixon and Frances Elizabeth Dixon. (Thomas Alldridge served under Captain Manley Dixon as Purser aboard HMS Lion and HMS Alexander between 1798 and 1806. One of the Lieutenants of HMS Alexander was Manley Hall Dixon.)

In the few months before his wedding John borrowed a total of £200 from his father, presumably preparing the 'Town House' mentioned in Thomas Alldridge's letter. Presumably the Town House mentioned is No. 4 Church Road, Kensington, rented at a cost of £90 per annum, where the family were living 8 years later in 1831.

Shortly after the wedding, in December 1823, John's brother Robert died at Kensington. An East Anglian newspaper "The Bury and Norwich Post" dated 17 December included Robert's death notice: 'Last week, in London, after a few days' illness contracted in the pursuit of his medical studies, Mr Robert Wordingham, aged 18, son of John Wordingham, Esq of Reepham, in this county.' It seems probable that Robert was staying with his brother.

6 weeks after the wedding, on Christmas Eve, John borrowed a further £500 from his father. (30/08/1823 £100, 10/11/1823 £100, and 24/12/1823 £500).

Thomas Alldridge's letter shows that John was a Doctor in the employ of Messers Thompson & George, Surgeons in Church Street Kensington. It is not clear what kind of doctor John was. No record of apprenticeship, or membership of relevant professional bodies has been discovered. The

registers of St Mary Abbots, the Parish Church of Kensington, describe John variously as MD, Surgeon, and Physician. The register of St Alphage, Greenwich describes him as Physician.

On 1st January 1824 John borrowed £2,500 from his Father to finance the purchase of the practise of 'Messrs Thompson & George' from Doctor Henry Urmston Thomson. The cost of the Practise appears to have been £2,500 plus an annuity of £50/100? payable to Dr Thomson.

Listed in Pigot's London Directories between 1826 and 1829, under "Surgeons" in the Kensington section, is the firm of George and Wardingham, 1 Church Street. No entries were found in the directories for 1822-4 or 1831 (Pigot's 1825 Directory, copy at British Museum, has not been checked).

Family tradition, as related by my grandmother Mrs Patricia Wordingham, is that John was physician to Queen Victoria, and according to Madeline Wordingham an inscription on the gravestone of William Hales Wordingham, described him as the son of John Wordingham, physician to Queen Victoria. According to her this inscription was removed when the gravestone was renovated. The family tradition is inaccurate. John died in 1833, and Queen Victoria's reign began in 1837. John may however have attended her before she became Queen. Messrs George and Wordingham are listed in the Court and City Register, which published lists of Royal Households annually as 'Apothecaries' to the Duchess of Kent, Queen Victoria's mother, from 1825 to 1827. This is confirmed by two entries in the Duchesse's account books showing payments to Messrs George and Wordingham for medicines in 1825 and 1826.

The first of John and Hannah's children Hannah Mary Tudor Wordingham was born on 30th June 1824, and baptised 7th April 1825 at St Mary Abbots.

John remained in close contact with his family back in Norfolk, sending ‘porter’ to his father, and playing host to his sisters Mary and Rebecca who both were married in Kensington at St Mary Abbots. On 8th September 1825 Mary married Luke Hall Clarkson batchelor of West Barsham, Norfolk. The marriage was witnessed by John and Hannah. A couple of months later on 15th

November Rebecca married John Uttin Waite of Sibsey, Lincolnshire. Again the marriage was witnessed by Hannah and John, and also by Thomas Waite and Lucy Alldridge (Hannah's mother). Both Mary and Rebecca returned to Norfolk and Lincolnshire respectively after their marriages.

In September 1825, after almost 2 years at sea, Thomas Alldridge returned to England with HMS Superb. On 28th April 1826 whilst staying with his daughter and son in law at Church Street he wrote to Mrs Morice:

"Will you permit me and (my good Son in law) Doctor Wordingham to have the pleasure of paying you our personal respects on Sunday next or any other morning early next Week when I shall have much gratification in adorning you with the Braganza Shawl alluded to in my last and hope to find your sprained ancle neat & well as usual which I was sorry to hear of being so far from

your comfortable home.................

Mrs W & my grand Daughter would be happy to see you & unite in best regards...................."

Soon afterwards the Alldridge family moved to No 63, Serampore place, Hammersmith to be near Hannah & John. (Thomas Alldridge & John’s visit to see Mrs Morice was thwarted, as is clear from Lucy Alldridge’s letter to Mrs Morice dated 24/07/1826.)

"Having removed from Plymouth to this cheerful situation in order to be near Dr Wordingham’s and my dear Hannah, I can but feel it a mark of respect due to you for the great Kindness you have always shewn me and mine so many years when in your Vicinity, to say nothing of the pleasing recollection I retain of the happy day we passed in the Neighbourhood of Lewisham in the days of our y outh, when the lively Miss Daniel and her good natured late Father accompanied us with my dear Alldridge who from his late Voyage to the West Indies & Lisbon has suffered much from Gout & Rheumatism the last fifty days, and is not yet able to get on a Shoe or he would e’re this had the pleasure of paying you his personal respects, having been disappointed, when he last called in May from your being (as your good House-keeper signified) at Dover..................."

John and Hannah had a further 4 children, all born in Kensington, and all but the last baptised at St Mary Abbots:

John Douglas Pennington, born 13th March 1827, baptised 7th February 1828

William Hales, born 22nd March 1829, baptised 18th September 1829

Robert, baptised 20th December 1830

Edmund Robert Holloway, born 1831, baptised 17th September 1834

John’s brother Charles also followed a medical career. He was apprenticed to his father for 5 years at the age of 13 in 1824. In 1830 John’s brother Charles stayed at Kensington, probably whilst he undertook studies at St Thomas’s Hospital in order to obtain his certificate to practice as an apothecary. In an affidavit dated 10th December 1831 it is recorded that John paid Charles various sums and settled bills etc on his behalf totalling £38.5.9.

John continued to borrow money from his father £300 on 15th May 1824, £300 on 29th December 1824, £300 25th May 1826, and further smaller sums in 1829.

John & Hannah appear to have had a high standard of living, with a £90 a year ‘Town House’ a Horse & Gig, a Groom in livery, and 4 other domestic servants (total salaries of about £65 pa).

Servants employed at November 1831:

Harriet Pullen Cook

Elizabeth Evans Housemaid @ 12 guineas a year

Harriet Redman Nurse @ £10 per year

Ann Jackson Nursery girl @ 4 guneas a year

William Curtis Groom & Gardener @ 30 guineas a year

George Sollory Surgery Assistant @ £40 a year

Charles Cox Surgery boy @ 5s a week

On 12th November 1831 a commission of bankruptcy was issued against John.

Based on accounts drawn up by the Official Assignee, the net profit from the Surgery was about £840 pa. But may have been more in the period to 1827, and less in the period leading up to bankruptcy.

All of John & Hannah’s household furniture & possessions were put up for auction on 20^th January 1832. On 9^th February at the Court of Bankruptcy John confirmed that all his goods, wares & merchandize, money, estate & effects, and all books papers & writings, the necessary wearing apparel of him, his wife & children excepted, had been delivered up to Joshua Evans the Commissioner acting under the Commission of Bankrupt. The creditors allowed John to keep his gold watch valued at £10.

About this same time on 14^th April 1831, Thomas Alldridge was Committed to the King’s Bench Prison. Details are sketchy but it appears he was arrested for debt, owing £160 to a Mary Lomas. Perhaps to do with the Probate of Mrs Morice who died …………?

It is possible that John’s problems were related to those of his father in law.

John and family appear to have moved to Westminster, where they lived at 14 Norfolk Street, and subsequently 11 Howard Street.

John died 8^th November 1833 at No. 11 Howard Street, Strand. (Howard Street ran parallel to the Strand, off Norfolk Street, but no longer exists). John was buried 15^th November at St Clement Danes, in which parish Howard Street lies.

John’s death notice was reported in at least 4 London papers, ‘The Times’, ‘The London Packet and Lloyd’s Evening Post’, ‘The Morning Herald’ and ‘The Sun’. The most complete suggesting it was the source for others was in ‘The Times’ which records - Died: On the 8^th inst., at No. 11, Howard-street, Strand, Dr. Wordingham, formerly of Church-street, Kensington, aged 35. The Gentleman’s Magazine, which used to cull its death notices from London and provincial newspapers also recorded his death.

The burial register of St Clement Danes confirms John’s address at the time of his death as 11 Howard Street.

Following this tragedy the family appear to have moved to Conduit Vale, Blackheath as recorded in the register of St Alphage, Greenwich at the time of Edmund’s belated baptism in September 1834. Edmund is recorded as having been born in Kensington.

In 1849 the family were living at 24, Percy Street, Pentonville.

Hannah, John’s widow died of cancer aged 75 years on 29 December 1879, at 17 Blackheath Grove. She was living with her eldest daughter and family at the time of her death. Hannah is buried at Greenwich Cemetary, Shooters Hill.

Born 21^st February 1801, and baptised privately a few days later on the 24^th at St Michael’s the Parish Church for Hackford and Whitwell.

On 15^th November 1825, two months after her sister Mary’s own wedding, Rebecca married John Uttin Waite of Sibsey, Lincolnshire, at St Mary Abbots, Kensington. The marriage was witnessed by her brother John Priest and his wife Hannah, and by Thomas Waite and Lucy Alldridge.

In November 1843 when her father John Wordingham wrote his will, Rebecca and her husband were living in Sibsey, Lincolnshire. John appointed John Waite one of the three executors, and left £530 to be equally divided between Rebecca, her sister Mary, and brother St John. The rest of the estate not otherwise disposed of was to be equally divided between the two sisters.

Born 13^th May 1804, and baptised privately seven days later at Hackford Parish Church.

In 1829 at the time of his marriage St John was living at West Barsham. Perhaps he was staying with his sister Mary, who in 1825 had married Luke Clarkson of West Barsham Hall.

On 19^th May 1829 St John married Miss Catherine Rodwell Kitton at East Barsham Parish Church by licence.

The marriage was recorded in an East Anglian newspaper ‘The Bury and Norwich Post’ for Wednesday, 27^th May 1825 as follows:

MARRIED: Yesterday Se’nnight, at East Barsham, Mr. Saint John Wordingham of West Barsham, to Katharine, eldest daughter of Mr. G. R. Kitton, of the same place.

St John and Catherine settled in West Barsham at Barsham Oaks Farm where they farmed 400 acres. They appear to have been tenant farmers, or perhaps John was the Farm Manager.

The 1851 census records that 10 labourers were employed on the farm, and ten years later, according to the 1861 census, the numbers employed had increased to 12 men and 2 boys. In 1841 at least 4 servants were living with the family, in 1851 the number was down to 2 general servants and a groom.

St John and Catherine had at least 7 children. The following details are extracted from census records and therefore dates are approximate and the list may be incomplete.

Mary born c. 1831

St John born c. 1832

Elizabeth born c. 1833

Rachael born c. 1835

Rebecca born c. 1835

Katherine born c. 1838

Sarah born c. 1841

St John died at West Barsham on 7th May 1853 aged 48 years. In the 1861 census St John Junior is described as Farm Steward and appears to have taken over the management of the farm. His mother Catherine is described as head of the family and as ‘farming 400 acres, employing …..etc.

In his will St John left everything to his wife. He is buried in the churchyard of West Barsham Parish Church. Catherine died at West Barsham on 12^th February 1870 aged 59 years. She was buried in her husbands grave. The grave slab, now set into the grass has the following inscription:

In memory of St John Wordingham

Farmer of this parish who died

May 7^th 1853 Aged 48 years

Also of

Katherine Rodwell

Relict of the above

Who died February 12^th 1870

Aged 59 years

St John Junior took over the farm after his mother’s death.

Born 22nd April 1805, and baptised privately six days later at Hackford Parish Church.

On 15th November 1823 Robert’s brother John Priest married Hannah Alldridge, by licence, at the Parish Church of Stoke Damerel, Plymouth Dock (Devonport). In the marriage register John and Hannah are described respectively as of the parish of Kensington, Middlesex, Gentleman, Batchelor, and of the parish of Stoke Damerel, Spinster.

Shortly after the wedding, in December 1823, Robert died at Kensington.

An East Anglian newspaper "The Bury and Norwich Post" dated 17 December included Robert's death notice: 'Last week, in London, after a few days' illness contracted in the pursuit of his medical studies, Mr Robert Wordingham, aged 18, son of John Wordingham, Esq of Reepham, in this county.'

It seems likely that Robert was staying with his brother at the time of his death.

Born 29th June 1811, and baptised privately the following day. Charles was born just over a month after the death of his brother Charles and sister Sarah.

In 1824 at the age of 13 Charles was apprenticed to his father for 5 years.

On 22nd November 1832, having previously attended 9 months at St Thomas’s Hospital, Charles presented himself as a candidate for the Certificate to practice as an Apothecary. He was examined and rejected. Finally on 11th July 1833 Charles was examined again, and this time was approved.

It appears Charles may have stayed with his brother John Priest Wordingham at Kensington. In an affidavit dated 10th December 1831 it is recorded that in 1827 John paid Charles £5 and in 1830 another £5 plus a total of £28 5s 9d for ‘washing and bills’.

Possibly Charles stayed with his brother whilst studying at St Thomas’s hospital.

[Guildhall Library, City of London - MS 8241/6 (pages 65,209,216)]

November 22, 1832

Mr Charles Wordingham

Apprentice to Mr John Wordingham of Reepham, Norfolk, Apothecary, for five years

Indenture dated 1st September 1824

Testimonial of moral character: John Wordingham

Baptised 30th June 1811

Lectures:

2 courses on Chemistry

2 courses on Materia medica & therapeutics

2 courses on Anatomy & physiology

2 courses on Anatomical demonstrations

2 courses on The principles & practice of medicine

1 course on Clinical medicine

2 courses on Midwifery

Hospital attendance: 9 months at St Thomas’s Hospital

Examined by Mr Hardy & rejected.

July 4, 1833

Mr Charles Wordingham

Did not attend.

July 11, 1833

Mr Charles Wordingham

Examined by Mr Bacot & approved.

In the Reepham section of White’s 1836 Directory of Norfolk, are listed: Wordingham John & Charles (on or near the Market Place) - it appears that after qualifying Charles joined his father in practice.

The 1841 census shows John living with his youngest son Charles in the Market Place, Hackford. They had two live-in servants, Anne Digby aged 20 and William Easton aged 15.

Charles died in Hackford aged 32, and was buried 2nd October 1843.

Born 13th March 1827 and baptised on 7th February 1828 at St Mary Abbots, Kensington. John was the second child and eldest son of John Priest Wordingham and Hannah Alldridge.

John spent his early childhood in Kensington, where his father was in practice as a Surgeon Apothecary. The family lived in a ‘town house’ in Church Street in some comfort with (in 1831) a Horse & Gig, a Groom in livery, and 4 other domestic servants, including a nurse and nursery girl for the children.

This all changed when on 12th November 1831 a commission of bankruptcy was issued against his father.

All of the family’s household furniture & possessions were put up for auction on 20^th January 1832. On 9^th February at the Court of Bankruptcy his father confirmed that all his goods, wares & merchandize, money, estate & effects, and all books papers & writings, the necessary wearing apparel of him, his wife & children excepted, had been delivered up to Joshua Evans the Commissioner acting under the Commission of Bankrupt. The creditors allowed him to keep his gold watch valued at £10.

The family appear to have moved to Westminster, where they lived at 14 Norfolk Street, and subsequently 11 Howard Street. Howard Street ran parallel to the Strand, off Norfolk Street, but no longer exists.

John’s father died 8^th November 1833 at No. 11 Howard Street, and was buried 15^th November at St Clement Danes, in which parish Howard Street lies. John was then aged almost 7 years.

Following this tragedy the family appear to have moved to Conduit Vale, Blackheath as recorded in the register of St Alphage, Greenwich at the time of John’s youngest brother Edmund’s belated baptism in September 1834.

At the age of 16 in 1843, John was appointed secretary to Mr W J Young, the British Consul in Jerusalem. Copies of diplomatic correspondence of the Consul in Jerusalem at the time survive and can be found at the PRO ref FO 617/1. The correspondence includes several statements witnessed by John and signed by him, as Pro-Chancellier. These confirm John’s presence in Jerusalem.

Much of the correspondence deals with Turkish troop movements, and one-up-manship between Mr Young and the French Consul. Several minor diplomatic incidents occurred during the 3 years covered by the correspondence, and Mr Young finally resigned in some disgrace, believing himself unsupported, and unable to justify his position. He appears to have been without ‘connections’, and somewhat jealous of the French Consul’s aristocratic background. Relations between the British and French Consuls appears to reflect the traditional enmity between England and France.

One incident recorded in the correspondence concerns an altercation which began when a Turkish soldier barged rudely into Mrs Young. Mr Young’s Janissary sharply addressed the soldier who struck him. A Turkish Officer came up in the meantime and called off the soldier and so the affair went no further. Mr Young wrote to His Excellency Ali Pasha to complain about the incident, and after a meeting with the Colonel of the Turkish Troops thought the matter amicably settled. However the next evening as he relates in a despatch ‘I was disturbed by the sudden entrance of my Janissary in a very excited state, into my room protesting that he must immediately quit the city, as his life was threatened and he related to me what had just occurred to him in the street’.

The following letter was written following this second incident

14th February 1845

Translation of a letter addressed by Mr Consul Young to His Excellency Ali Pasha.

After the usual compliments

In consequence of the friendly relations which exist between our two Governments, and the friendship between ourselves, I passed more than two hours with your Excellency, yesterday morning, in company with the Colonel, in order to terminate amicably the dispute which had arisen between one of my Janissaries, and a soldier of the Grand Seigneur, and I left the Serail under the impression that the matter had been terminated to our mutual satisfaction.

But last night my Janissary Mohammed Khumse came to my house and stated to me that the Colonel had met him in the street, and had accosted him in the manner related at foot. I regret therefore now to find it to be my duty thus officially to address your Excellency, in order to obtain some explanation of the Colonel’s motives in having thus menaced our Janissary in the presence of two of his soldiers who were with him, in a manner most uncalled for, and in language of a most improper character.

Statement of Mohammed Khumse, made on Thursday, 13th February, 1845, at half past one o’clock in the evening (Arab time).

Met the Colonel of the Troops near the Coffee Shop of the Kange, who said to him, "Come here, what are you?" Mohammed answered, "I am a Janissary". The Colonel said, "are you a Christian ?" the Janissary replied, "No, I am a Turk", the Colonel then said "are you a Turk, is it not then a sin for you to strike your brother for a Christian Woman ?, you are a Christian like her" - the Janissary replied, "I a Christian ? I am a Turk, whoever eats the bread of a Christian ought to fight for him." The Colonel said, "do you think that this affair is finished ?, wait a little, I will take out your eyes, as well as those of the Christians whom you serve." He advanced towards the Janissary, and said to him, "you and I are in the same City, I will yet make your soul leave your body, and let the Christian in whose service you are protect you from me."

Statement made in my presence.

(Signed) J Wordingham

Pro-Chancellier

(Signed) Antonio Chalak Dragoman

Mr Young resigned, but had to remain in his post for some twelve months before a new Consul was appointed. The correspondence makes clear the frustration he felt over the long wait. Eventually he left Jerusalem in 1846, and John aged about 19 returned to England with him.

Upon his return to England John obtained employment as a Clerk to Messrs H Johnston & Co, bankers of Great Bush Lane. Great Bush Lane no longer exists, but was adjacent to Cannon Street Railway Station.

John was with the bank until 1849, when he was ‘elected’ to the service of the Bank of England on 22nd March 1849.

In 1849 John was living with his mother at 24, Percy Street, Pentonville.

John’s career with the Bank of England lasted 42 years until 13th March 1892, when he retired on a bank pension.

His bank career was in the following departments:

Cash Book Office 1849

Bill Office 1849 - 1881

Chief Cashiers Office 1881 - 1892

John’s employment as secretary to Mr Young may have led his sister Hannah’s introduction to Arthur Nicholson Young. In June 1849 Hannah Mary Tudor married Arthur Nicholson Young, an Underwriter at Lloyd’s.

At present I have no proof of a link between WJ Young and Arthur Nicholson Young, but I have in my possession a business letter dated 25th May 1837 addressed to Mr W J Young sent via Lloyd’s which suggests such a link may exist.

John’s youngest brother Edmund Robert Holloway may also have benefited from the link. When Edmund married in 1863 his profession was recorded as Clerk at Lloyd’s.

In August 1863 John witnessed the marriage of his youngest brother to Mary Anne Smallman at Croydon Parish Church, and when Edmund and Mary had a baby son on 8th December 1867 they named him Edmund Douglas, apparently after his Uncle John. Less than a year later in 1868 Edmund Robert Holloway died.

At the age of 36 John married Fanny in September 1873 in the Camberwell Registration District. I have not seen the wedding certificate, so there are few details as yet.

John & Fanny appear to have had at least 5 children:

Ellen Fanny 1874

Walter Henry Douglas 1877

Hannah Mary 1880

William E 1881

Arthur 1885

On 22nd January 1880, John’s sister in law Mary Anne died leaving John’s nephew Edmund Douglas an orphan. Edmund was then 12 years old. The family tradition of the descendants of Edmund (my line) is that John took in his orphaned nephew and brought him up.

There is evidence from John’s will that he favoured his nephew, and in turn Edmund gave his second son the middle name of Douglas, and his youngest son born the year after John’s death was given the name John Douglas. The name Douglas has subsequently been passed down in Edmund’s branch of the family as a "family" name.

In 1904 John made his will. At the time he was living at No. 18 Lewisham Park, Lewisham. He appointed his eldest son Walter Henry Douglas and his nephew Henry Wordingham Young, son of his sister Hannah Mary and Arthur Nicholson Young, Executors.

John bequeathed his watch to whichever of his children wanted it, and if not wanted by any of them then Edmund Douglas was to have it, if it was taken by any of them then Edmund Douglas was to have the ‘old fashioned’ gold watch which had been his father’s (John Priest Wordingham).