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George Wilbraham Northey, 1835 - 1906: Family Man Alan Payne Family photos and research Diana Northey December 2019 George Wilbraham Northey settled permanently in Box, residing at Ashley Manor in the censuses of 1891 and 1901. The property had been owned by the Northeys for a long time but was sometimes empty and sometimes rented out. In 1871 it was let to the Nash family, the physicians at Kingsdown Lunatic Asylum, and in 1881 to the Winthrop family. The Rev Edward and George Wilbraham came into ownership of the estate in 1878, on the death of their father, Edward Richard, and their joint ownership of the properties continued throughout their lives. But whilst the Rev Edward settled in Epsom, George Wilbraham came to live in the West. Right: Calling card signed G Wilbraham Northey |
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George Wilbraham Northey
George Wilbraham Northey had been trained for a life in the army. He went to Eton as a boy, trained as a cadet at Sandhurst in 1851, and was an officer in the Cameronian Highlanders rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.[1] This was the so-called period of peace (Pax Britannia) when there were no major wars in Europe and he was responsible for a long time in the Discharge Depot, assisting soldiers to adjust to civilian life after the services.[2]
In 1860 he changed his name to Wilbraham-Northey by deed poll but we have never found the reason for this. Perhaps it was the birth of his first son, George Edward, and it may have been that he wanted to found an independent family line. He retired from the army in 1881 and moved to Bath before settling at Ashley Manor. In 1891 he lived there with his wife Louisa, various of their thirteen children, other family, friends and visitors and seven servants. It was the family home and the centre of their life.
As an ex-military man, George was usually ready to help the army if he could. The splendid plateau of Kingsdown, which he owned (debateable) was freely placed at the disposal of the Volunteers and Yeomanry for their encampments.[3] We see more of this support when soldiers returned home from the war in South Africa in 1902.[4] We might question his imperialistic wording to the men who went forth to the front to bear their part in the defence of the Empire in the hour of its need, but the 150 men who were wined and dined welcomed the attention. George was honoured as the one man in Box who they all would have welcomed that evening. Thirty-six Box men (out of an adult male population of probably 500 or 600) had served in that war, including Jack Watson, who lost his life at Lindley.
George Wilbraham Northey had been trained for a life in the army. He went to Eton as a boy, trained as a cadet at Sandhurst in 1851, and was an officer in the Cameronian Highlanders rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.[1] This was the so-called period of peace (Pax Britannia) when there were no major wars in Europe and he was responsible for a long time in the Discharge Depot, assisting soldiers to adjust to civilian life after the services.[2]
In 1860 he changed his name to Wilbraham-Northey by deed poll but we have never found the reason for this. Perhaps it was the birth of his first son, George Edward, and it may have been that he wanted to found an independent family line. He retired from the army in 1881 and moved to Bath before settling at Ashley Manor. In 1891 he lived there with his wife Louisa, various of their thirteen children, other family, friends and visitors and seven servants. It was the family home and the centre of their life.
As an ex-military man, George was usually ready to help the army if he could. The splendid plateau of Kingsdown, which he owned (debateable) was freely placed at the disposal of the Volunteers and Yeomanry for their encampments.[3] We see more of this support when soldiers returned home from the war in South Africa in 1902.[4] We might question his imperialistic wording to the men who went forth to the front to bear their part in the defence of the Empire in the hour of its need, but the 150 men who were wined and dined welcomed the attention. George was honoured as the one man in Box who they all would have welcomed that evening. Thirty-six Box men (out of an adult male population of probably 500 or 600) had served in that war, including Jack Watson, who lost his life at Lindley.
Ashley Manor probably in the 1890s
Administrative Work
After leaving the army, George didn't retire but undertook considerable civic duties. He took seriously his role as Lord of the Manor of Box, Ashley and Ditteridge, being resident in the village meant that he was in frequent contact with the farming tenants and the estate manager.
He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire by Queen Victoria and Justice of the Peace for Wiltshire. In these roles he processed, witnessed and judged the behaviour of other people, sometimes known to him and his family, possibly neighbours. The range of judicial cases that he heard was extensive: in one session alone in May 1885, pub licenses, careless handling of firearms, failure to send children to school, application for paternity payments and theft of a shawl for which the Bench were inclined to take a lenient view and gave a sentence of 14 days in Devizes Gaol.[5]
As the manorial estate was beginning to be broken up, there were occasional wrangles over ownership. In 1893 a dispute came to court over the removal of a wall in Kingsdown.[6] The wall was claimed to define the area owned by the Northey family as distinct from the garden of Albert Brown, the occupier of an adjacent cottage. The issue was complicated by George Northey's generosity in allowing Michael Ford, the elderly former resident and relative of Mr Brown, to occupy the cottage rent-free. The case was decided in favour of Colonel Northey.[7]
After leaving the army, George didn't retire but undertook considerable civic duties. He took seriously his role as Lord of the Manor of Box, Ashley and Ditteridge, being resident in the village meant that he was in frequent contact with the farming tenants and the estate manager.
He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire by Queen Victoria and Justice of the Peace for Wiltshire. In these roles he processed, witnessed and judged the behaviour of other people, sometimes known to him and his family, possibly neighbours. The range of judicial cases that he heard was extensive: in one session alone in May 1885, pub licenses, careless handling of firearms, failure to send children to school, application for paternity payments and theft of a shawl for which the Bench were inclined to take a lenient view and gave a sentence of 14 days in Devizes Gaol.[5]
As the manorial estate was beginning to be broken up, there were occasional wrangles over ownership. In 1893 a dispute came to court over the removal of a wall in Kingsdown.[6] The wall was claimed to define the area owned by the Northey family as distinct from the garden of Albert Brown, the occupier of an adjacent cottage. The issue was complicated by George Northey's generosity in allowing Michael Ford, the elderly former resident and relative of Mr Brown, to occupy the cottage rent-free. The case was decided in favour of Colonel Northey.[7]
The Northeys with father August 1900
Family Man at Ashley Manor
The family photographs show a genial, contented grandfather. In the family he was affectionately known as the Governor, a Victorian patriarch and a gentleman. His obituary described him as most considerate to his tenants and generous to the public.[8] His colleagues in the judiciary called him a kind, considerate magistrate.[9]
Ashley Manor was the family estate home for use in the summer and George kept a property at 9 Cavendish Place, Bath, where he entertained many friends and was one of the senior members of the Bath and County Club.[10] He was President of the Lansdown Cricket Club and of the Box Cricket Club for many years.
The closeness of the whole family was demonstrated when they joined together in grief at the accidental death of Mrs Coney in 1900. She was run over by a railway engine whilst walking from her home in Sunnyside (now ByBrook House) to visit Lilian Northey and her fiancée Douglas Hunter.[11]
Public Work
George was the chairman and leading advocate of the Loyal Northey Ancient Order of Oddfellows. For many years they provided a vital role in Box - social security payments, an insurance society and friendship group. But they were much more than this through their organisation of a family event, the August Bank Holiday Fete. The 1883 fete gives a good example of the event: triumphal arches at the Chequers Inn (the headquarters of the Oddfellows), at the entrance from Bath (now traffic lights) and the Lamb Inn.[12] A procession led from the Chequers to the Church for a service there stressing the importance of living good, Christian lives, then dinner at the New Schools for the organisers, toast to the Queen and singing of the National Anthem and off on another procession to Fete Field (now Bargates) for children's sports and entertainment from three local bands, including the Box Fife and Drum Band.
The family photographs show a genial, contented grandfather. In the family he was affectionately known as the Governor, a Victorian patriarch and a gentleman. His obituary described him as most considerate to his tenants and generous to the public.[8] His colleagues in the judiciary called him a kind, considerate magistrate.[9]
Ashley Manor was the family estate home for use in the summer and George kept a property at 9 Cavendish Place, Bath, where he entertained many friends and was one of the senior members of the Bath and County Club.[10] He was President of the Lansdown Cricket Club and of the Box Cricket Club for many years.
The closeness of the whole family was demonstrated when they joined together in grief at the accidental death of Mrs Coney in 1900. She was run over by a railway engine whilst walking from her home in Sunnyside (now ByBrook House) to visit Lilian Northey and her fiancée Douglas Hunter.[11]
Public Work
George was the chairman and leading advocate of the Loyal Northey Ancient Order of Oddfellows. For many years they provided a vital role in Box - social security payments, an insurance society and friendship group. But they were much more than this through their organisation of a family event, the August Bank Holiday Fete. The 1883 fete gives a good example of the event: triumphal arches at the Chequers Inn (the headquarters of the Oddfellows), at the entrance from Bath (now traffic lights) and the Lamb Inn.[12] A procession led from the Chequers to the Church for a service there stressing the importance of living good, Christian lives, then dinner at the New Schools for the organisers, toast to the Queen and singing of the National Anthem and off on another procession to Fete Field (now Bargates) for children's sports and entertainment from three local bands, including the Box Fife and Drum Band.
Bazaar at Bath 1897
The Northeys promoted hospital improvements, particularly fundraising in the years before the National Health Service. In 1880 George was appointed a Governor of the Bath Mineral Water Hospital.[13] Both George and Louisa were long-term supporters of the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath. Louisa supervised a stall decorated as The Northey Arms pub at the Fairyland Bazaar in the Assembly Rooms, Bath, in 1886.[14] In 1897 the theme was nursing.
In 1901 George agreed to pay for a new iron water-pipe to be laid from Washwells supplying the Fountain in the High Street, the Box Schools, Pinchin's Brewery and hydrants in the centre of Box, replacing an old and broken earthen pipe.[15] It was believed that a substantial and perpetual benefit will be conferred upon the inhabitants of Box. Unfortunately, the Chippenham Rural District Council took a different view to Box Parish Council and wanted to dispute the arrangement until it was agreed that the matter be dropped.[16]
In 1901 George agreed to pay for a new iron water-pipe to be laid from Washwells supplying the Fountain in the High Street, the Box Schools, Pinchin's Brewery and hydrants in the centre of Box, replacing an old and broken earthen pipe.[15] It was believed that a substantial and perpetual benefit will be conferred upon the inhabitants of Box. Unfortunately, the Chippenham Rural District Council took a different view to Box Parish Council and wanted to dispute the arrangement until it was agreed that the matter be dropped.[16]
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Ashley Manor Box (called My Home by Arthur Cecil)
Funerals, 1906 and 1908
George was in failing health for some time and he died on 16 March 1906. His obituary reads with some sincerity: His death has caused the greatest sorrow at Box where the Colonel was held in the highest esteem for his genial and kindly nature, and as possessing all the best attributes of an English gentleman.[17] Walter J Bradfield gave his personal tribute to George at a meeting of the Oddfellows: The late Colonel Northey was a man they all respected ... His pleasant face and genial manner they all remembered.[18]
George was in failing health for some time and he died on 16 March 1906. His obituary reads with some sincerity: His death has caused the greatest sorrow at Box where the Colonel was held in the highest esteem for his genial and kindly nature, and as possessing all the best attributes of an English gentleman.[17] Walter J Bradfield gave his personal tribute to George at a meeting of the Oddfellows: The late Colonel Northey was a man they all respected ... His pleasant face and genial manner they all remembered.[18]
Arthur Cecil, George Wilbraham and Louisa
George's funeral was a tribute to a man of his importance. The body was conveyed in a glass panelled hearse and the cortège was borne upon an open car (carriage) drawn by a pair of beautiful black horses.[19] The procession from Ashley Manor was headed by 25 members of the family, then the principal tenants (22 of them), representatives of the Wiltshire Constabulary, and the Box Lodge of the Ancient Order of Oddfellows (17 of them). At the gates of the Cemetery the dignitaries of the village joined the procession, representatives of the Lansdown Cricket Club and the Box Cricket Club (30 of them). All this despite the weather being very inclement, rain commencing to fall about the hour fixed for the ceremony. George was buried under the shade of a yew tree. Outside were 94 floral tributes.
Louisa Northey died two years later in December 1907 and her service was conducted by William White, vicar of Box, and her son-in-law Rev Walter Barlow in front of many of her family and her baby grandchildren: Arthur, Betty, Bobby, Peter and Billy.[20] It was a suitable goodbye for a family as close as the Northeys. Below a house party at Ashley Manor in September 1899 shows the extent of the family that George Wilbraham and the Northey estate were trying to finance.
Louisa Northey died two years later in December 1907 and her service was conducted by William White, vicar of Box, and her son-in-law Rev Walter Barlow in front of many of her family and her baby grandchildren: Arthur, Betty, Bobby, Peter and Billy.[20] It was a suitable goodbye for a family as close as the Northeys. Below a house party at Ashley Manor in September 1899 shows the extent of the family that George Wilbraham and the Northey estate were trying to finance.
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References
[1] The Wiltshire Times, 17 March 1906 [2] Army & Navy Gazette, 17 March 1906 [3] The Wiltshire Times, 17 March 1906 [4] The Wiltshire Times, 11 October 1902 [5] The Wiltshire Times, 9 May 1885 6] The Bath Chronicle, 10 August 1893 [7] The Bath Chronicle, 24 August 1893 [8] The Wiltshire Times, 17 March 1906 [9] The Wiltshire Times, 17 March 1906 [10] The Bath Chronicle, 15 March 1906 [11] The Bath Chronicle, 12 July 1900 [12] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 11 August 1883 [13] The Bath Chronicle, 6 May 1880 [14] The Bath Chronicle, 6 May 1886 [15] The Wiltshire Times, 17 August 1901 [16] The Wiltshire Times, 17 June 1905 [17] The Wiltshire Times, 17 March 1906 [18] The Wiltshire Times, 7 August 1909 [19] The Bath Chronicle, 22 March 1906 [20] The Wiltshire Times, 4 January 1908 |
George Wilbraham as an elderly man
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