Bishop and Freeth Families in Wadswick
Jill Mansfield
December 2020
I’ve just found your history of Wadswick which has information about my grandfather Vincent Bishop. He was born in 1889 at Broughton Gifford to parents John Henry Bishop and Anne Eliza Spackman, both from farming stock. Vincent lived with them until after World War I when he married Frances Maud (known as Maud) Freeth in Swindon in 1925. They took their own tenanted farm in the Box area at Wormwood Farm, after which they moved to Wadswick Farm. I know they lost the tenancy at Wormwood so they moved around the corner to Wadswick. But by 1939 Vincent and Maud had left the area and were living in Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of Estate. In other words, he had given up trying to earn a self-employed living and was an employee. He was serving as an air raid warden in Luton North area.
Earlier Bishop Family in Devizes Area
I can trace my farming ancestors back to another Vincent Bishop (born in 1810) and his wife Elizabeth. They may have struggled to survive because in 1838 Vincent was charged with stealing game birds on the Urchfont Estate who lived at Worton, Devizes, in 1851. This was close to Elizabeth’s family as she had been born at Potterne just a mile away. My father used to say the generations in their family were alternate farmers and publicans so that no farm had to support three generations.
This is true of Vincent and Elizabeth because in 1851 they farmed 64 acres, employing 3 labourers. They needed to diversify their business to increase their income. So, by 1861 Vincent took on a pub and was listed in the census as Inn keeper and Farmer of
90 acres employing 3 men, possibly brewing their own beer. The Devizes income tax records record that he was innkeeper of
The Royal Oak, Potterne and a charming pub of this name still exists in Easterton, a village just outside of Potterne.
Jill Mansfield
December 2020
I’ve just found your history of Wadswick which has information about my grandfather Vincent Bishop. He was born in 1889 at Broughton Gifford to parents John Henry Bishop and Anne Eliza Spackman, both from farming stock. Vincent lived with them until after World War I when he married Frances Maud (known as Maud) Freeth in Swindon in 1925. They took their own tenanted farm in the Box area at Wormwood Farm, after which they moved to Wadswick Farm. I know they lost the tenancy at Wormwood so they moved around the corner to Wadswick. But by 1939 Vincent and Maud had left the area and were living in Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of Estate. In other words, he had given up trying to earn a self-employed living and was an employee. He was serving as an air raid warden in Luton North area.
Earlier Bishop Family in Devizes Area
I can trace my farming ancestors back to another Vincent Bishop (born in 1810) and his wife Elizabeth. They may have struggled to survive because in 1838 Vincent was charged with stealing game birds on the Urchfont Estate who lived at Worton, Devizes, in 1851. This was close to Elizabeth’s family as she had been born at Potterne just a mile away. My father used to say the generations in their family were alternate farmers and publicans so that no farm had to support three generations.
This is true of Vincent and Elizabeth because in 1851 they farmed 64 acres, employing 3 labourers. They needed to diversify their business to increase their income. So, by 1861 Vincent took on a pub and was listed in the census as Inn keeper and Farmer of
90 acres employing 3 men, possibly brewing their own beer. The Devizes income tax records record that he was innkeeper of
The Royal Oak, Potterne and a charming pub of this name still exists in Easterton, a village just outside of Potterne.
The Royal Oak, Potterne today is a charming pub
By 1871 Vincent was concentrating on farming again described in the census as Farmer of 120 acres with 3 men, 1 boy. After Vincent’s death in 1882 Elizabeth remained in Worton living on private means but probably not farming and her address varied in 1891 at Mount Pleasant and 1901 at Near Park Farm.
So much for my two-times great grandfather. His only son John Henry Bishop (1859-19 August 1935) continued in farming and on 13 April 1887 he married Anne Eliza Spackman (1864-), both coming from farming families. in 1901 and 1911 they farmed at Church Farm, Broughton Gifford, described in the 1901 census as Left-hand side from the Church to the Common. Interestingly, by 1890 they were listed in the Parliamentary Voting List as freeholders of the farm cottage.
My Freeth Grandmother
John Henry’s eldest son, Vincent Bishop (born 14 November 1889-3 May 1966) married my grandmother Frances Maud Freeth (born 1 December 1889) in Swindon 1925. She was descended from a long line of North Wiltshire artisan families. Her family can be traced back to William Freeth (1845-1909), a master butcher, who lived at The Shambles, Chippenham in 1881 with his wife Ellen Whale. They had at least seven children, the oldest son being Charles William Freeth who married Alice Maud Glastonbury on 22 December 1894.
Between 1891 and 1911, Charles William was boarding in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon and working as a master letter-printer. He stayed in the Swindon area, married there and he and Alice had one child, Frances Maud (1898-1978), born at Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, who was my grandmother. Charles William was clearly highly-literate and he won a prize of £5 for his entry into a Daily Mail limerick competition in 1908.[1] His work in the printing trade is fascinating. Originally the trade was restricted to those who had served an apprenticeship but the rise of newspapers in the 1800s opened up more general opportunities. The advent of the railway industry in Swindon encouraged skilled, literate men into the area and with increased leisure time in the mid-Victorian period, it led to an explosion of weekly newspapers. The Swindon Advertiser and Monthly Record (later called North Wilts Chronicle) was launched in 1855, the first penny newspaper in the whole country.[2] It must have been an exciting time to be part of the printing industry, the first steam-powered printing press developed by Great Western Railway apprentices from a railway boiler. In 1909 Charles William ran Freeth’s Printing Works, Stratton St Margaret.[3]
So much for my two-times great grandfather. His only son John Henry Bishop (1859-19 August 1935) continued in farming and on 13 April 1887 he married Anne Eliza Spackman (1864-), both coming from farming families. in 1901 and 1911 they farmed at Church Farm, Broughton Gifford, described in the 1901 census as Left-hand side from the Church to the Common. Interestingly, by 1890 they were listed in the Parliamentary Voting List as freeholders of the farm cottage.
My Freeth Grandmother
John Henry’s eldest son, Vincent Bishop (born 14 November 1889-3 May 1966) married my grandmother Frances Maud Freeth (born 1 December 1889) in Swindon 1925. She was descended from a long line of North Wiltshire artisan families. Her family can be traced back to William Freeth (1845-1909), a master butcher, who lived at The Shambles, Chippenham in 1881 with his wife Ellen Whale. They had at least seven children, the oldest son being Charles William Freeth who married Alice Maud Glastonbury on 22 December 1894.
Between 1891 and 1911, Charles William was boarding in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon and working as a master letter-printer. He stayed in the Swindon area, married there and he and Alice had one child, Frances Maud (1898-1978), born at Stratton St Margaret, Swindon, who was my grandmother. Charles William was clearly highly-literate and he won a prize of £5 for his entry into a Daily Mail limerick competition in 1908.[1] His work in the printing trade is fascinating. Originally the trade was restricted to those who had served an apprenticeship but the rise of newspapers in the 1800s opened up more general opportunities. The advent of the railway industry in Swindon encouraged skilled, literate men into the area and with increased leisure time in the mid-Victorian period, it led to an explosion of weekly newspapers. The Swindon Advertiser and Monthly Record (later called North Wilts Chronicle) was launched in 1855, the first penny newspaper in the whole country.[2] It must have been an exciting time to be part of the printing industry, the first steam-powered printing press developed by Great Western Railway apprentices from a railway boiler. In 1909 Charles William ran Freeth’s Printing Works, Stratton St Margaret.[3]
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George Henry Freeth (1877-1946)
We get more insight into the personality of the family on the death of my grandmother Ellen Freeth in 1930. She had been in the congregation of St Paul’s Church, Chippenham, at the time of its consecration sixty years earlier. The whole family were involved in the church, William being the organist there for 30 years, succeeded by his son George Henry Freeth for 37 years.[4] In 1908 they put on a joint organ recital accompanied by soloist singer Miss Lilly Freeth.[5] On William’s death in 1909 a stained-glass window was installed at St Paul’s, paid for by public subscription.[6] |
North Wilts Herald 13 March 1931 and The Wiltshire Times 23 April 1932
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George Henry married Maud Pickwell in 1909. He served in the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry and served as bandmaster for many years.[7] George Henry was a prolific musician, writer of comic operas called Zarina, Haidee and Blunderbore, and conductor of the Chippenham Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company, Malmesbury, Melksham Town and Avon Rubber Company bands.[8] His organ interest including designing and playing the organ at Grittleton and organising a meeting of 100 organists at Chippenham in 1938.[9] He was called Professor of Music in 1939 and recorded as an organist from 1909-46 in a Wiltshire Memorial. He died in June 1946 just after the Second World War, largely forgotten in the aftermath of the war. Rather poignantly, his composition The Wiltshire Moonrakers was performed on the BBC West Region radio a month later in July 1946.[10]
NOT SURE ABOUT THIS – I can’t find any reference probably George Henry? – can you find the inscription please
I think I’m right in saying Charles William Freeth was an organist at Chapel Plaister. My stepmother has a salver which was presented on his retirement, and I don’t think it was John Henry Bishop but I’d need to confirm that.
I think I’m right in saying Charles William Freeth was an organist at Chapel Plaister. My stepmother has a salver which was presented on his retirement, and I don’t think it was John Henry Bishop but I’d need to confirm that.
My Direct Family
By 1939 my grandparents Vincent and Maud Bishop had moved to Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of (an agricultural) Estate. During the war he served as an air raid warden in Luton North area. My father used to tell the tale of how he frightened the life out of Maud one day. The men all stopped for a rest, so my infant father decided the horses need a rest too. He unhitched them and led them back home. He wasn’t given to tall tales so I’ve no reason to doubt him.
I would love some family history as I’m an only child of two only children which limits the options a bit!
I inherited some China from my maternal grandfather and my paternal grandmother, Frances Bishop, nee Freeth. Both batches are the same design, which is rather strange!
By 1939 my grandparents Vincent and Maud Bishop had moved to Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of (an agricultural) Estate. During the war he served as an air raid warden in Luton North area. My father used to tell the tale of how he frightened the life out of Maud one day. The men all stopped for a rest, so my infant father decided the horses need a rest too. He unhitched them and led them back home. He wasn’t given to tall tales so I’ve no reason to doubt him.
I would love some family history as I’m an only child of two only children which limits the options a bit!
I inherited some China from my maternal grandfather and my paternal grandmother, Frances Bishop, nee Freeth. Both batches are the same design, which is rather strange!
I’ve taken the liberty of contacting the current owner of Wadswick and he was kind enough to say he’d ask his family – Alan - ANY INFORMATION PLEASE?
Family Trees
Bishop Family
Vincent Bishop (1810-11 December 1882) married Elizabeth Merrell (1818-). In 1851 they lived at Worton, Devizes, where Vincent was Inn keeper and Farmer of 90 acres employing 3 men. Children:
John Henry (1859-19 August 1935); Sarah Jane (1846-); Elizabeth A (1847-); Amy (1849).
By 1881 they had moved to Hillmarton where they tenanted 300 acres employing 5 men and 3 boys.
John Henry Bishop (1859-19 August 1935) yeoman, married on 13 April 1887 to Anne Eliza Spackman (1864-). They both came from farming families. In 1901 and 1911 they were farming at Church Farm, Broughton Gifford with children:
Amy Leonora (1889-) a teacher; Vincent (1890-) a bailiff; Bruce (1891-); Violet Bessie (1894-); May Augusta (1897-); Geoffrey (1906-).
Vincent (14 November 1889-) married Frances Maud Freeth (1 December 1889-) in 1925. In 1939 Vincent and Maud were living in Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of Estate. He was serving as an air raid warden in Luton North area.
Freeth Family
William Freeth (1845-1909), master butcher, lived in The Shambles, Chippenham in 1881 with his wife Ellen Whale (1845-1930). Children:
Mary A (1869-); Charles William (14 November 1869-) born in Great Somerford; Kate (1871-); Fanny (1873-); Richard (1874-); Florence (1876-); Ellen (1880-). George Henry (1877-30 May 1946). Lillian
Between 1891 and 1911, Charles William was boarding in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon and working as a master letter-printer. He married Alice Maud Glastonbury (1872-1934) on 22 December 1894. They had a child Frances Maud Freeth (1898-1978).
Bishop Family
Vincent Bishop (1810-11 December 1882) married Elizabeth Merrell (1818-). In 1851 they lived at Worton, Devizes, where Vincent was Inn keeper and Farmer of 90 acres employing 3 men. Children:
John Henry (1859-19 August 1935); Sarah Jane (1846-); Elizabeth A (1847-); Amy (1849).
By 1881 they had moved to Hillmarton where they tenanted 300 acres employing 5 men and 3 boys.
John Henry Bishop (1859-19 August 1935) yeoman, married on 13 April 1887 to Anne Eliza Spackman (1864-). They both came from farming families. In 1901 and 1911 they were farming at Church Farm, Broughton Gifford with children:
Amy Leonora (1889-) a teacher; Vincent (1890-) a bailiff; Bruce (1891-); Violet Bessie (1894-); May Augusta (1897-); Geoffrey (1906-).
Vincent (14 November 1889-) married Frances Maud Freeth (1 December 1889-) in 1925. In 1939 Vincent and Maud were living in Luton, where Vincent’s work was described as Surveyor’s assistant in charge of Estate. He was serving as an air raid warden in Luton North area.
Freeth Family
William Freeth (1845-1909), master butcher, lived in The Shambles, Chippenham in 1881 with his wife Ellen Whale (1845-1930). Children:
Mary A (1869-); Charles William (14 November 1869-) born in Great Somerford; Kate (1871-); Fanny (1873-); Richard (1874-); Florence (1876-); Ellen (1880-). George Henry (1877-30 May 1946). Lillian
Between 1891 and 1911, Charles William was boarding in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon and working as a master letter-printer. He married Alice Maud Glastonbury (1872-1934) on 22 December 1894. They had a child Frances Maud Freeth (1898-1978).
References
[1] The Daily Mirror, 4 January 1908
[2] See www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/aboutus/
[3] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 November 1909
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 7 June 1930
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 4 January 1908
[6] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 November 1909
[7] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 1 June 1946
[8] North Wilts Herald, 13 March 1931 and Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 29 April 1939
[9] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 12 November 1910, 8 October 1938
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 27 July 1946
[1] The Daily Mirror, 4 January 1908
[2] See www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/aboutus/
[3] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 November 1909
[4] The Wiltshire Times, 7 June 1930
[5] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 4 January 1908
[6] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 6 November 1909
[7] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 1 June 1946
[8] North Wilts Herald, 13 March 1931 and Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 29 April 1939
[9] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 12 November 1910, 8 October 1938
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 27 July 1946