Gerrard Fortescue and Mary Pashler and Their Descendents
INTRODUCTION
Our personal research into the family of Gerrard Fortescue and Mary Pashler started in 1997
when Bee Fortescue, my wife, and I went on a tour of Fortescues who had lived in
Huntingdon and Northants. We stayed at New Manor Farm, Woolley, Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire an excellent Bed and Breakfast where Bee’s Grandfather, Frank Fortescue,
once farmed. Bee’s brother, Peter Fortescue, and their cousin Joan Sigsworth (nee Thackray)
had visited George Ernest Fortescue in Irchester the year before and George remembered
Joan as a small girl when she lived at Little Irchester Lodge with her mother Katheen (Kit)
Thackray (nee Fortescue) who was housekeeper there. We were to visit George and I had
generated a chart of George’s Ancestors to give to him.
During our visit George told us that his father was one of many children born to Gerrard and
Mary and their gravestones were in the nearby church at Wilby. He also gave us details of the
family but as he was the son of the youngest child he did not know too much about the older
children’s families as there was a generation gap between them.
Gravestones at Wilby Church
We left George and visited Wilby Church and then the Northampton Records Office and
managed to come up with 16 children of Gerrard and Mary. However this was proved to be
wrong due to use of nicknames confusing us. It was Robert Peter Woodcock, another
descendent of Gerrard and Mary, who helped us to correct this to fourteen children. He is also
responsible for providing the majority of the Photos and items in this document for which I
am very grateful.
Grave Gerrard and Mary
Lewis,
Cyril’s Grave, eldest son of Willey and Sarah
Samuel and George Herbert
GERRARD and MARY
Gerrard Fortescue was born 1st September 1833 in Leighton Bromswold, Huntingdonshire,
the son of Lewis Fortescue and Ruth Bateman. Lewis farmed Salome Lodge for many years
and with Ruth had nine children. Gerrard was the seventh child and the fourth son of five. He
was apprenticed to John Brawn, at a Farm at Great Giddings, just 8 miles north of Leighton
He married, at the age of 30, Mary Pashler at Molesworth when she was 24. Mary was born
2nd Sep 1839 in Molesworth, just 4 miles from Leighton. She was a distant relative: they were
both descended from William Fortescue (1650–1712) and Elinor Gilbert (1664-1736). Their
first child, William Lewis Bateman Fortescue, was born in Barham as were the next three.
The next seven were born in Wilby and the last two were born at Little Irchester Lodge Farm.
Mary was 43 when she had her last child. Their marriage lasted 52 years until 1915 when
Gerrard died at the age of 82. Mary died at 99 and it is the celebrations of her old age that we
owe the existence of many of the photos.
St Peters Church, Molesworth
THE CHILDREN
William Lewis Bateman
Thomas Pashler (Tom)
Gerrard Frederick (Fred)
Samuel
Mary Jane (Jenny)
Frank
George Herbert
Lewis Henry (Harry)
Octavius
Albert Edward (Bert)
Florence Emily (Flo)
Ruth Ellen
Harold
Walter Ernest
b. 5 Jan
b. 30 Nov
b. 4 Jan
b. 29 Nov
b.1 Feb
b. Mar Qtr
b. 29 Aug
b. 22 Feb
b. 18 Jan
b. 16 Mar
b. 15 Mar
b. 11 Apr
b. Jun Qtr
b. 15 Jun
1865 Barham
1865 Barham
1867 Barham
1868 Barham
1870 Wilby
1871 Wilby
1872 Wilby
1874 Wilby
1875 Wilby
1876 Wilby
1877 Wilby
1878 Wilby
1881 Lt. Irchester
1882 Lt. Irchester
d. 12 Nov 1915 Wilby
d. 26 Aug 1942 Wilby
d. 11 May 1874 Wilby
d. 17 Jan 1949
d. Sep Qtr 1938 Wilby
d. 29 Nov 1872 Wilby
d. 25Jun 1946
d. 5 Feb 1955 Bodmin
d. Jun Qtr Horsham St Faith
d. 2 Mar 1967 Wilby
d. 1947
d. 1949 Manitoba, Canada
d. 1 July 1951, Irchester
Family Groups.
Back Row: Albert(Bert), Lewis Henry(Harry), Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Frank, Octavius
Seated: Florence Emily(Flo), Will, Mary, Gerrard, Mary Jane(Jenny), Thomas Pashler(Tom)
Front Row: Walter Ernest, Ruth Ellen, Harold
Gwen Eldred, Bert’s daughter, identified everyone on the back of the photo shown. It is the full adult family
Harold looks about 21 and Ruth is engaged, but not married, making it about 1903. So Gerard and Mary had been married 40 years
Back Row:
Middle Row:
Front Row:
1
2
Frank, Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Walter, Lewis Henry(Harry)1, Harold2, Albert(Bert), Octavius
William(Will), Mary, Gerrard, Mary Jane(Jane), Thomas(Tom)
Florence and Ruth
Harry looks more formally dressed than his brothers so perhaps this Photo is for Gerrard’s retirement and Harry taking over the farm.
The photo of Harold and Fred have been superimposed.
THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING 1913
“Mr. & Mrs. G. Fortescue of the Lodge Farm, Little
Irchester, celebrated their golden wedding on
Wednesday, having been married on November
19th, 1863 at Molesworth, Huntingdon. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Fortescue are very well known and
esteemed in the Wellingborough district, and will
receive the congratulations and good wishes of
numerous friends. Mr. Gerrard Fortescue attained his
80th year in August, and, although he retired from
farming two years ago, he still resides at the farm,
which he has held for 33 years. The farm is at
present carried on by his son, Mr. Harry Fortescue.
Before coming to Little Irchester he occupied a farm
at Wilby, prior to which he was at Barham, Hunts.
Mr. Fortescue is a Conservative, and at one time was
a guardian for Wilby and Little Irchester, but of late
years he has taken no prominent part in public or
political life. He has a family of nine sons and three
daughters, most of whom, however do not reside in
the district. Mrs Fortescue, whose maiden name was
Miss Mary Pashler, is 74 years of age.”
Little Irchester Lodge
NINETY CANDLES ON A CAKE!
OLDEST INHABITANT OF IRCHESTER WHO STILL
CROCHETS.
Little Irchester’s oldest inhabitant, Mrs. G. Fortescue, widow of Mr.
G. Fortescue, of Little Irchester Lodge, Wellingborough, on
Monday gave a party to celebrate her ninetieth birthday.
The old lady looks a well-preserved sixty years of age person, and
walks about quite well doing her household duties.
On Monday, at the celebration, eleven of her children were present,
a son being absent in Canada. Those present included 23
grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, and altogether there
are 54 descendants, the youngest being ten-week-old twins.
A large birthday cake had ninety candles, and was made by her
youngest son, Mr. W. E. Fortescue, of Rushden. The old lady was born at Leighton, in
Huntingdonshire. She is a remarkably good walker, and recently her doctor told her she was in
excellent health, and should accomplish her century. Mrs Fortescue celebrated her golden wedding
fifteen years ago. She has been an enthusiastic Church worker. She told our representative that she
attributes her old age and good health to travelling. She always visits her children in turn, and this
change of scene and society keeps her young. Mrs. Fortescue’s hobby is crocheting, and even at this
age she does fine and clever work, her sight being very good. Mrs. Fortescue has lived in the present
house for thirty years, and previously was at Wilby. (Newspaper Report Sept 1929)
NURSING THE TWINS
Mrs Fortescue, of the Little Irchester Lodge, who was
90 on Monday, photographed with some of her
youngest descendents which include a set of Twins.
FAMILY GROUPS AT MARY’S 90th BIRTHDAY
Back Row: Octavius, Frank, Ruth, Albert(Bert), Walter
Front Row: Gerrard Frederick(Fred), Florence, Harold1, Mary, Lewis Henry(Harry), Mary Jane, Thomas(Tom)
1
Believed to be Harold visiting from Canada – he is not in photo below but is given pride of place next to Mary.
“GREAT GRANDMAMMA.
Mrs. Fortescue, of Little Irchester, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren
on the occasion of her 90th birthday on Monday.” (Caption under photograph in newspaper)
FORTY-NINE RELATIVES AT NONAGENERIAN’S BIRTHDAY PARTY
Mrs. Fortescue, widow of the late Mr. G. Fortescue, of Little Irchester Lodge, Wellingborough,
celebrated her ninetieth birthday on Monday. Eleven of her children were at the party (the other one,
who is in Canada, was unable to attend), twenty-three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, three
sons-in-law, four daughters-in-law, and her cousin, Mr. S. Dorrington. Mrs. Fortescue has lived in
Wellingborough for 49 years.
Mary on her 93rd Birthday at the Boathouse
in Evesham owned by Walter Collins who
married Flo.
Written on the back of the photo by Robert
Woodcock’s mother Joyce Fortescue
“Grandma Fortescue taken Xmas 1937 aged
98 years”
Part of report in newspaper “10, 1938” (POSSIBLY Monday January 10 1938)
“NEARLY A CENTENARIAN
Mrs. G. FORTESCUE of Wilby, is 98, and the oldest resident in the Wellingborough district. Knitting
is her favourite occupation.
NINETY-EIGHT YEARS OLD
Mrs. Fortescue of Wilby Missed Old Folks’ Treat
Although Mr Harry Day (82) and Mrs Baxter (79) were the oldest man and woman at Wilby Old
Folks’ treat on Saturday, by no means do they hold the age record for the village. As the “young”
people of 70 and 80 were taking part in their annual party, Mrs. Gerard Fortescue, of Wilby, who will
be 99 years of age next September 2nd, and who is the oldest lady in the Wellingborough district, sat
knitting in front of a glowing fire. A reporter who went to the Old Folks’ treat called on Mrs.
Fortescue for a chat. With a shawl round her shoulders, and her white hair peeping out from beneath a
bonnet, she made a charming picture as she sat knitting.
“Yes,” she said, “I’m 98,” a statement which she accompanied with a very merry smile. She laughed
again when he reporter said at the end of the chat that he would be on his way to the “young folks’
treat.”
Twelve Children
Mrs. Fortescue resides with her daughter, Mrs Saxby, who is the wife of Mr. T. H. Saxby, who
formerly lived at Irchester. Mrs. Fortescue’s husband, Mr Gerard Fortescue, was for many years at
Irchester Lodge Farm. He died over 20 years ago. They had a family of twelve (sic) children, and one
son, Mr. Harry Fortescue, followed his father at Irchester Lodge Farm. Another son, Mr. Frank
Fortescue, lives at Little Irchester.
Mrs. Fortescue has 35 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.(compared with twenty three
grandchildren and and seven great Grandchildren at her 90th Birthday)
She has possession of all her faculties with the exception of hearing, and knitting is her great hobby.”
FUNERAL OF MARY FORTESCUE
“Wilby Funeral of Mrs. G. Fortescue
A service was conducted in the church by the Rev. C. W. Light (Rector). The hymn, “Jesu, Lover of
my Soul,” was sung and the Nunc Dimittis, and the 23rd Psalm chanted. Mr. A. Rixon was at the
organ.
Many of her numerous descendants attended the funeral on Monday of Mrs. Mary Fortescue, who
died on Friday last, in her hundredth year, at “Leighton Cottage,” Wilby, the home of Mr. and Mrs. T.
Saxby, her son-in-law and daughter.
She was laid to rest in Wilby churchyard, in a grave next to that of her husband, Mr. Gerrard
Fortescue, who died in 1915.
Relatives attending were Mr. William Fortescue, Bow Brickhill (son), Mr. and Mrs. T. Saxby, Wilby
(son-in-law and daughter), Mr. Harry Fortescue, Irchester (son), Mr. and Mrs. W. Collins, Evesham
(son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Bert (Albert) Fortescue, Norwich (son and daughter-in-law),
Mrs. F. Osmond, Fenny Stratford (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fortescue, Wellingborough (son
and daughter-in-law),
Mr. R. Fortescue, Little Irchester, Mr. Alfred Fortescue, Bolton, Mr. Bernard Fortescue, Little
Irchester, Mr. Donald Fortescue, Norwich (grandsons). Mrs. E. Dickens, Oundle, Mrs. J. Richardson,
Earls Barton, Mrs. P. Dimmock, Fenny Stratford (granddaughters), Mr. C. Fortescue, Stow-on-theWold, Mr. Frank Fortescue, Alconbury Weston, Mr. Leonard Fortescue, St. Neots, Mr. Stanley
Fortescue, Fenny Stratford, Mr. and Mrs. Reginald Harris, Leicester, Mrs E. Jellis, Leighton
Bromswold (nephews and nieces), Mr. and Mrs. G. Lenton, Brampton, Mr. and Mrs. J. Jellis,
Leamington, and Miss E. Jellis, Leighton Lodge (friends).
Friends in the congregation included Mr. G. E. James, J.P., and Mrs. James (Rushden), Mr. Leonard
Parsons, J.P., C.C. (Irchester), Miss Parsons and Miss M. Parsons (Farndish), Mrs. Baker and Miss
Baker (Finedon), Mrs. J. T. Field (Ecton), Mrs. Mark Thompson, Mrs. W. Sharp and Mrs. S. Brown
(Wilby), and Mr. T. Goosey (Wellingborough).
Wreaths were sent from:Miss Ratcliffe; Ida; Alice and Flo Smith; Tom and family; Fred, Ada and family; Elsie and Irving; C.
R. Harris and family; Tom and Jennie; Miss Parsons; Dorothy, Jack and children; St. John’s Room,
Little Irchester; Flo, Walt, Monty and Mary; Alice, Charlie and Olive; Jennie Bloomer; Cousin Emily;
Mr. & Mrs. H. Saxby; Mrs. Mutimer; Ruth and family; Bert, Nell and family; Walter, Florrie and
family; Harry and Ted; Gert, Margaret and Bernard; Ruby and Reg; Will and family; Stanley, Annie
and children and Mrs. Baker; Snowdrops from Salome Lodge Garden; Gwen, Perce, Joyce and Don;
Minnie, Ellen and brothers; Octie and Daisy; Leonard and Kath.”
William Lewis Bateman FORTESCUE
b 5 Jan 1865 Barham, Hunts
d. 1915 Wilby, Northants
m. 2 September 1886
Sarah Eliza NICHOLS
b. 1868 Stanwich, Northants
William Cyril Nicols
b. 9 Oct 1888 Raunds, Northants
d. 10 Feb 1894
Mary Elsie
b. 1 Oct 1888 Ruands, Northants
d. 4 Nov 1976
Reginald Gerrard
Mabel Winifred
William Stanley (Stan)
b. 31 Jul 1897 Wollaston. Northants b. 1 May 1903, Wellingborough, Northants
b. 14 Jun1894 Wilby, Northants
d. 8 Nov 1955 Fenny Stratford, Bucks d. 5 Mar 1973 Simpson, Bucks
m. 1957 Northants
m. 23 November 1933
Thomas Arthur SLOW
Thomas Irving DICKINS
Ernest William George
m. 1928 Newport Pagnell, Bucks
Annie VAUGHAN
Geoffrey
b. 13 Mar 1930
d. 20 Nov 1980
Sarah Jane
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