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The Webb Family in Stuart and Georgian Times David Rawlings January 2016 Unless stated otherwise photos by David Rawlings The origins of the Webb family in Stuart and Georgian Box are shrouded in uncertainty. Yet the Webbs became one of the most important families in the village, related to the vicars of Box and major landowners. David fills in many of the gaps in our knowledge as well as explaining how wealth and society evolved in these times, based on nepotism, patronage and inter-connected marriages to preserve a family's estate. Left: David Rawlings under the memorial to Rev Samuel Webb with the silver plate which was donated by the family. |
Previous Knowledge
The Victorian antiquarian, SJ Elyard, claimed that land at Coles was purchased by Peter Webb of Box in 1633 and that Coles Farm had remained in the Webb family ever since.[1] Elyard thought it probable that Peter Webb was a descendant of the Webbs of Marshfield in Gloucestershire as his coat of arms were similar to those used by the Marshfield family. As we shall see there is evidence that the owners of Coles Farm were related to the Webb's of Marshfield by marriage in 1728 but the coat of arms for both families are completely different and the early connection cannot be through this route.
The Victorian antiquarian, SJ Elyard, claimed that land at Coles was purchased by Peter Webb of Box in 1633 and that Coles Farm had remained in the Webb family ever since.[1] Elyard thought it probable that Peter Webb was a descendant of the Webbs of Marshfield in Gloucestershire as his coat of arms were similar to those used by the Marshfield family. As we shall see there is evidence that the owners of Coles Farm were related to the Webb's of Marshfield by marriage in 1728 but the coat of arms for both families are completely different and the early connection cannot be through this route.
Tudor and Early Stuart Webbs
A family called Webb are clearly evident in Box considerably before Elyard's belief. There are no baptisms for Webb in the Box parish register in the 1500s but there are three children (presumed to be brothers) baptised in Ditteridge: John Webb 25 March 1584, William Webb 11 June 1587, and Peter Webb 8 May 1589.
I assume that the latter person is the same Peter Webb who is mentioned in important references in Box in the 1620s and 1630s. The Rate and Valuation List of 1628 shows Peter Webb as a major landowner in Box and Ditteridge.[2] Peter paid rates of £72 for his farmes and land in Box (the fifth highest out of 56 people listed) and Peter Webb for filx (son) £8 in Ditteridge (sixth in the list).
A family called Webb are clearly evident in Box considerably before Elyard's belief. There are no baptisms for Webb in the Box parish register in the 1500s but there are three children (presumed to be brothers) baptised in Ditteridge: John Webb 25 March 1584, William Webb 11 June 1587, and Peter Webb 8 May 1589.
I assume that the latter person is the same Peter Webb who is mentioned in important references in Box in the 1620s and 1630s. The Rate and Valuation List of 1628 shows Peter Webb as a major landowner in Box and Ditteridge.[2] Peter paid rates of £72 for his farmes and land in Box (the fifth highest out of 56 people listed) and Peter Webb for filx (son) £8 in Ditteridge (sixth in the list).
The Webb family are shown as holding much land around Ditteridge (shown in black) in Francis Allen's map of 1630, below.
The map is not definitive because it was drawn to show the Speke lands in Box and references to Peter Webb are incidental. But we can make some deductions about the origins of the Webb estate and wealth.
The map is not definitive because it was drawn to show the Speke lands in Box and references to Peter Webb are incidental. But we can make some deductions about the origins of the Webb estate and wealth.
Francis Allen's 1630 map with the Webb fields shown in black (courtesy Wiltshire History Centre)
The land held is centred on Coles but is mostly held as piecemeal fields. It appears to have been acquired out of land enclosed on the outskirts of the Ditteridge common fields, Dichridg Upper Feilde and Lowe Feilde. Some of the land is referred to in a derogatory way and may reflect poor quality, such as two fields he held called Hollayes (probably uneven shrubland with holes). We don't know if Peter Webb enclosed the common fields or if he bought them so, and the field Newlands was enclosed in medieval times probably before the Black Death of 1348.
The picture which emerges is that Peter Webb was a Tudor yeoman farmer, who probably borrowed heavily and invested in land around Ditteridge, some of which he farmed personally and other which he let out to tenants. The respect given to Peter Webb's holdings in 1628 and 1630 implies that he was aspiring to be a gentleman, probably one of the voluntary parish officials like Overseer of the Poor or Highways Surveyor who exploited his contacts and influence to make himself even wealthier.
The first recorded baptism of a Webb family member in Box is on the 15 December 1617, that of Peter junior, son of Peter Webb (presumably Peter senior who was baptised in 1589). There are a further nine baptisms recorded for children of Peter Webb senior between 1618 and 1637 but it is difficult to establish a family tree for these people.
Peter Webb (about 1617 - 1646)
The National Archives hold a copy of the will of Peter Webb junior, Yeoman, of Ditcheridge, Wilts which was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 28 May 1646 (see extract below).[3] It lists his children in his bequests but, made shortly before his death, it gives little information about the Box holdings.
There is, however, a significant reference which I presume to be of Peter Webb junior (b 1617) in a famous trial of 1646.[4] The trial record says, Peter Webb before sworn, saith, That sometimes before two years past, he have played (cards) with Mr Bushnell (Walter Bushnell, vicar of Box) at tables in his own house; but for no money.
The picture which emerges is that Peter Webb was a Tudor yeoman farmer, who probably borrowed heavily and invested in land around Ditteridge, some of which he farmed personally and other which he let out to tenants. The respect given to Peter Webb's holdings in 1628 and 1630 implies that he was aspiring to be a gentleman, probably one of the voluntary parish officials like Overseer of the Poor or Highways Surveyor who exploited his contacts and influence to make himself even wealthier.
The first recorded baptism of a Webb family member in Box is on the 15 December 1617, that of Peter junior, son of Peter Webb (presumably Peter senior who was baptised in 1589). There are a further nine baptisms recorded for children of Peter Webb senior between 1618 and 1637 but it is difficult to establish a family tree for these people.
Peter Webb (about 1617 - 1646)
The National Archives hold a copy of the will of Peter Webb junior, Yeoman, of Ditcheridge, Wilts which was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on the 28 May 1646 (see extract below).[3] It lists his children in his bequests but, made shortly before his death, it gives little information about the Box holdings.
There is, however, a significant reference which I presume to be of Peter Webb junior (b 1617) in a famous trial of 1646.[4] The trial record says, Peter Webb before sworn, saith, That sometimes before two years past, he have played (cards) with Mr Bushnell (Walter Bushnell, vicar of Box) at tables in his own house; but for no money.
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Webbs of Winford, Somerset
The seventh son of Peter Webb junior and Elizabeth was called Samuel Webb and the name appears frequently in the family.
It is difficult to be absolutely certain of the parentage of the Webb family at this time because of the repetition of the same Christian names but we can see how the family protected its assets by nepotism as well as close marriages.
The seventh son of Peter Webb junior and Elizabeth was called Samuel Webb and the name appears frequently in the family.
It is difficult to be absolutely certain of the parentage of the Webb family at this time because of the repetition of the same Christian names but we can see how the family protected its assets by nepotism as well as close marriages.
Another Samuel (possibly the grandchild of Peter junior, 1617 - 1646) is recorded in Box parish register when he was baptised on 6 October 1654 to parents Peter and Susan Webb. By chance, I found details of Susannah Blanchard who married another Samuel Webb of Bristol around 1680.[5] Samuel must have moved to Bristol as a young man but later returned to the village because all his children were baptised there. Susannah's father, William Blanchard (d 7 November 1686) came from St Catherines, Batheaston.[6] The Blanchards were patrons of the church at Winford and the Webbs took over the right of advowson (the right to nominate the vicar and to receive much of the tithe income).[7]
Four members of the Webb family served in succession as rectors of Winford: Peter (1687 - 1724) who was rector until his death; Samuel Webb (1654 - 1737), the son of Peter and Susan; his son also Samuel Webb (1696 - 1737) who married Anne of Ashwick and held the position for a very short time and; and his son, Rev Samuel Webb (1733 - 1797) who took the Winford living in 1758.
Rev Samuel Webb (1733 - 1797)
Rev Samuel Webb became rector of Winford a day after he was ordained on the 26 September 1757 and he served there for forty years until his death. He married Ann Gresley of Bristol in 1778 and his epitaph in the chancel at Winford (below left) shows him to have been a man of fine character and he oversaw the rebuilding of the church, completed just before his death. He died a very wealthy man and his will mentions properties at Box, Ditteridge and North Wraxall in Wiltshire, and at Westwood, Freshford and Farleigh Hungerford in Somerset, also Broadfields at Compton Martin, Somerset. The properties at North Wraxall and Compton Martin were inherited from the Blanchard family.[8]
Rev Samuel Webb became rector of Winford a day after he was ordained on the 26 September 1757 and he served there for forty years until his death. He married Ann Gresley of Bristol in 1778 and his epitaph in the chancel at Winford (below left) shows him to have been a man of fine character and he oversaw the rebuilding of the church, completed just before his death. He died a very wealthy man and his will mentions properties at Box, Ditteridge and North Wraxall in Wiltshire, and at Westwood, Freshford and Farleigh Hungerford in Somerset, also Broadfields at Compton Martin, Somerset. The properties at North Wraxall and Compton Martin were inherited from the Blanchard family.[8]
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He appeared to have no surviving heirs on his death but he kept the estate within the family. His will, which was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 5 May 1797, left all his properties to his wife, Ann, during her natural life. She died in 1797 and gave Winford Church a silver salver (below right) of 1691 bearing the family crest.[9]
The arms on the left hand side are as described by Elyard and similar arms are present on two Webb memorials in the church at Painswick, Gloucestershire, which suggests a link to that family. The arms on the right hand side probably belong to the Blanchard family. It was the custom to combine the arms when the wife brought considerable property to the union. |
Family crest on the silver salver
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After Ann's demise, the properties at Box, Ditteridge and North Wraxall went to Edward Webb, son of Rev Samuel's late cousin, James Webb. The nomination to the Winford living went to Isaac William Webb Horlock.
Rev Samuel Webb's epitaph in Winford Church
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Silver Salver dated 1691 in Winford Church
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Webbs of Ashwick, Marshfield
Samuel Webb (1696 - 1737) was the link to the Webb family of Ashwick, Marshfield because there is a record in Somerset Record Office of a settlement for the marriage of Samuel Webb of Box and Anne Webb of Ashwick in 1728. This Samuel appears to have died in the same year as his father and without making a will. Records exist in the Somerset Record Office dated 1765 between Rev Samuel Webb and his mother, relating to the disposition of the personal estate of his late father, who died in 1737.
The Webbs of Marshfield are members of the Richmond-Webb family and their arms appear to be based on those of the Richmond family. These two families were joined in 1430 when William de Richmond married Alice Webb of Draycott, Wiltshire and for many years called themselves Richmond alias Webb. The Richmond family lived at Rodbourne Cheney but John Richmond Webb bought Biddesden House, Ludgershall, in 1692. He died in 1724 and was buried at Ludgershall.
Samuel Webb (1696 - 1737) was the link to the Webb family of Ashwick, Marshfield because there is a record in Somerset Record Office of a settlement for the marriage of Samuel Webb of Box and Anne Webb of Ashwick in 1728. This Samuel appears to have died in the same year as his father and without making a will. Records exist in the Somerset Record Office dated 1765 between Rev Samuel Webb and his mother, relating to the disposition of the personal estate of his late father, who died in 1737.
The Webbs of Marshfield are members of the Richmond-Webb family and their arms appear to be based on those of the Richmond family. These two families were joined in 1430 when William de Richmond married Alice Webb of Draycott, Wiltshire and for many years called themselves Richmond alias Webb. The Richmond family lived at Rodbourne Cheney but John Richmond Webb bought Biddesden House, Ludgershall, in 1692. He died in 1724 and was buried at Ludgershall.
Webbs of Painswick
The Webbs were very wealthy clothiers of Painswick and in 1641, Webb was the richest clothier there.[10] The clothiers of Painswick had for many years been making coarse red cloth but about 1605 Webb began to make finer cloths, and to dress it better; at the same time dyeing it with grained and bastard stammels, which were found very good and merchanteable. Thomas Webb was one of this family, first recorded in Stroud in 1607 and died there in 1645. The Webbs owned a large estate at The Hill, Painswick (now in Stroud) for 200 years. In 1682-83 Thomas Webb of The Hill, Painswick, had a similar coat of arms to that recorded on the memorials in Painswick Church.[11]
The Webbs owned woollen mills along the river in Stroud and Painswick, Gloucestershire. By the end of the 1100s, Wiltshire was also an important centre for the developing wool trade and there were many mills along the By Brook. At this time mills were converted to the cleaning and thickening of wool, a process known as fulling. By the 1600s the woollen trade was declining and many mills returned to grain. Could it be that a branch of the Webb family moved from Painswick to Box and carried on their clothiers trade there? The cadency marking of the crescent on the coat of arms may indicate this, referring to the marking for the second son, differentiating his arms from that of his father and brothers.
The Webbs were very wealthy clothiers of Painswick and in 1641, Webb was the richest clothier there.[10] The clothiers of Painswick had for many years been making coarse red cloth but about 1605 Webb began to make finer cloths, and to dress it better; at the same time dyeing it with grained and bastard stammels, which were found very good and merchanteable. Thomas Webb was one of this family, first recorded in Stroud in 1607 and died there in 1645. The Webbs owned a large estate at The Hill, Painswick (now in Stroud) for 200 years. In 1682-83 Thomas Webb of The Hill, Painswick, had a similar coat of arms to that recorded on the memorials in Painswick Church.[11]
The Webbs owned woollen mills along the river in Stroud and Painswick, Gloucestershire. By the end of the 1100s, Wiltshire was also an important centre for the developing wool trade and there were many mills along the By Brook. At this time mills were converted to the cleaning and thickening of wool, a process known as fulling. By the 1600s the woollen trade was declining and many mills returned to grain. Could it be that a branch of the Webb family moved from Painswick to Box and carried on their clothiers trade there? The cadency marking of the crescent on the coat of arms may indicate this, referring to the marking for the second son, differentiating his arms from that of his father and brothers.
Comparison of Coat of Arms
The coat of arms on the 1691 silver salver at Winford is the same as that described by Elyard for the left hand side and therefore I'm confident we have the right family for the Webbs of Box. But the coat of arms for the Webbs of Painswick is slightly different to that, in that their eagle has one head instead of two, and there is no crescent. The three images are given below.
The coat of arms on the 1691 silver salver at Winford is the same as that described by Elyard for the left hand side and therefore I'm confident we have the right family for the Webbs of Box. But the coat of arms for the Webbs of Painswick is slightly different to that, in that their eagle has one head instead of two, and there is no crescent. The three images are given below.
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Left: Webb coat of arms as given by Elyard in his book; Middle: Painswick Webbs; and Right: the Webbs of Marshfield.
The arms of the Webbs of Painswick arms are very similar to the arms given by Elyard, apart from the fact that the Painswick eagle has only one head, and therefore they probably come from the same family of clothiers. Neither of them are anything like the Webbs of Marshfield.
The arms of the Webbs of Painswick arms are very similar to the arms given by Elyard, apart from the fact that the Painswick eagle has only one head, and therefore they probably come from the same family of clothiers. Neither of them are anything like the Webbs of Marshfield.
The Webb Horlock Connection in Box
We have seen how Isaac William Webb Horlock inherited the post of rector of Winford in 1797. His patron was John Morris, vicar of Box and it would seem that Isaac William was resident in Box, not Winford, because of a reference that A relative named Horlock followed him (Rev Samuel Webb) but only as an absentee.[12]
The family of John Morris seem to figure quite prominently in the Webb family history and the families became linked when Rev John Morris married Mary Webb, daughter of William Webb of Marshfield, in 1728. Mary Morris died in 1737 and John Morris in 1774, aged 75. They had a son, also John Morris, who was a solicitor and served as an executor of Rev Samuel Webb's Will in 1797 and died in 1814 aged 79. They all have monuments in Marshfield church and the coat of arms on the memorial to John Morris (died 1814), incorporates the arms of the Richmond branch of the family, not the Webbs of Box.
Isaac William's father, Isaac Horlock, had made his money from the slave trade and was one of the founders of the Bath & Somerset Bank.[13] The Horlock connection with the Webb family came on 11 May 1754, when the slave trader married Lucy Webb, heiress of Ashwick. They, and their descendants, adopted the name of Webb-Horlock, including their son, Isaac William. It was this son who became rector of Winford as well as rector of Box until his death in 1829, continuing in the post after the Webb family had sold the advowson of Winford in 1801 for £1,680.
Isaac Horlock was well known in the area and, on the marriage of his daughter to John Denison, Esq of Leeds at St. George's, Hanover Square, London he was called Isaac Webb Horlock, Esq, Ashwick House, Gloucestershire, High Sheriff to Wiltshire and partner in the Bath & Somersetshire Bank.[14] But the family fortunes were squandered and in 1793 there are newspaper articles about the bank in Milsom Street, Bath closing down.
The partners went bankrupt and various auctions of property were announced:
15 August 1793 - All agricultural goods and stock, and household goods, at Ashwick House. Goods, the property of Mr Isaac Webb Horlock, bankrupt, at the Rock House.
5 September 1793 - Life interest of Messrs Horlock and Anderdon and their estates in Marshfield (Glos), Wingfield & Box (Wilts) & Sutton Montague (Som).
17 October 1793 - Property of Isaac Webb Horlock, mansion house "The Rocks" at Marshfield with 16 acres and two farms. Property of Isaac Webb Horlock, farmhouse "Pany's" or "Upper Ashwicke" at Marshfield, plus 100 acres. Plus close of arable land "Harford's Four Acre" and "Harford's ten Acres" at Marshfield.
We have seen how Isaac William Webb Horlock inherited the post of rector of Winford in 1797. His patron was John Morris, vicar of Box and it would seem that Isaac William was resident in Box, not Winford, because of a reference that A relative named Horlock followed him (Rev Samuel Webb) but only as an absentee.[12]
The family of John Morris seem to figure quite prominently in the Webb family history and the families became linked when Rev John Morris married Mary Webb, daughter of William Webb of Marshfield, in 1728. Mary Morris died in 1737 and John Morris in 1774, aged 75. They had a son, also John Morris, who was a solicitor and served as an executor of Rev Samuel Webb's Will in 1797 and died in 1814 aged 79. They all have monuments in Marshfield church and the coat of arms on the memorial to John Morris (died 1814), incorporates the arms of the Richmond branch of the family, not the Webbs of Box.
Isaac William's father, Isaac Horlock, had made his money from the slave trade and was one of the founders of the Bath & Somerset Bank.[13] The Horlock connection with the Webb family came on 11 May 1754, when the slave trader married Lucy Webb, heiress of Ashwick. They, and their descendants, adopted the name of Webb-Horlock, including their son, Isaac William. It was this son who became rector of Winford as well as rector of Box until his death in 1829, continuing in the post after the Webb family had sold the advowson of Winford in 1801 for £1,680.
Isaac Horlock was well known in the area and, on the marriage of his daughter to John Denison, Esq of Leeds at St. George's, Hanover Square, London he was called Isaac Webb Horlock, Esq, Ashwick House, Gloucestershire, High Sheriff to Wiltshire and partner in the Bath & Somersetshire Bank.[14] But the family fortunes were squandered and in 1793 there are newspaper articles about the bank in Milsom Street, Bath closing down.
The partners went bankrupt and various auctions of property were announced:
15 August 1793 - All agricultural goods and stock, and household goods, at Ashwick House. Goods, the property of Mr Isaac Webb Horlock, bankrupt, at the Rock House.
5 September 1793 - Life interest of Messrs Horlock and Anderdon and their estates in Marshfield (Glos), Wingfield & Box (Wilts) & Sutton Montague (Som).
17 October 1793 - Property of Isaac Webb Horlock, mansion house "The Rocks" at Marshfield with 16 acres and two farms. Property of Isaac Webb Horlock, farmhouse "Pany's" or "Upper Ashwicke" at Marshfield, plus 100 acres. Plus close of arable land "Harford's Four Acre" and "Harford's ten Acres" at Marshfield.
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There is a memorial in Box Church (left courtesy Carol Payne) which reads: Sacred to the memory of Isaac Webb Horlock, Esq of Ashwick House, the oldest Magistrate in the County of Gloucester, who departed this life November 7, 1821, aged 98 years.
Isaac's son, Isaac William, apparently spent some time in Jamaica where he made a fortune in the sugar trade. He used the money to build Box House about 1790 and became Vicar of Box in 1799. Isaac married Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Holled Smith Esq of Normanton Turville, Leicestershire and they had three sons. The first son, Isaac John, (b 31 August 1801, married Phoebe Boode from Lucknam Park and lived at The Rocks with their son, Frederick. The second son, Knightly (b 23 June 1802) lived at Ashwick House until it was sold in 1843, when he and his wife, Mary, moved to The Rocks. The youngest son, Holled Darrell Cave Smith (b 26 March 1807), was vicar of Box, like his father, from 1831 - 74. The marriage of the eldest son, Isaac John to Phoebe, was not happy and in 1834 there was a Private Act of Parliament to dissolve it. |
Webb Aspirations
This was an illustrious family apparently with links to nobility as I found in Burke's Peerage of 1851, which states that Isaac John Webb Horlock, son of Isaac William Webb Horlock, was fourteenth generation in a direct line as a descendant of Edward III, King of England. The Webb-Horlocks were deliberately cultivating status and they needed residences that befitted their ambitions, such as Box House below.
This was an illustrious family apparently with links to nobility as I found in Burke's Peerage of 1851, which states that Isaac John Webb Horlock, son of Isaac William Webb Horlock, was fourteenth generation in a direct line as a descendant of Edward III, King of England. The Webb-Horlocks were deliberately cultivating status and they needed residences that befitted their ambitions, such as Box House below.
Box House and outbuildings seen from the parapet of St Thomas a Becket Church (photo courtesy Carol Payne)
The history of the Horlock family is well documented because Sir James Horlick (sic) made a fortune from the Horlicks' beverage and commissioned the production of a family history, published in 1922. This showed that Isaac Horlock was baptised at Trowbridge on the 24 August 1728 to Benjamin and Sarah.
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The family originated at Bamstaple in Devon but one branch had lived at Trowbridge since the 1500s which is why Isaac and Lucy had their children baptised there while living at Ashwick.
Of course, the coat of arms mentioned by SJ Elyard is another indication of the Webbs' importance. The coat of arms is a gold (Or) shield, quartered by a cross in red (gules) and black (sable). There is a two-headed eagle in the top left hand corner (dexter chief) and a crescent in the top right hand corner (sinister chief). The crescent is a mark of cadency (distinctive emblem) used to indicate the arms of a second son. This coat of arms appeared on the silver salver given to Winford church by the widow of Rev Samuel Webb in combination with another. There are very similar coats of arms for other Webbs, especially at Painswick, Stroud.[15] The arms shown on the memorials for the Webbs of Ashwick are not similar to those described for Peter Webb by Elyard but appear to be a combination of the arms of the Richmond-Webb family of Marshfield and the Horlock family. |
Epitaph of Webbs of Painswick (courtesy David Rawlings)
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Subsequent History
The Webb family remained connected with Box through their ownership of Coles Farm. I have an Abstract of Title for the farm, prepared in 1928, and covering the period 1843 to 1912 which indicates that the property passed to Edward Webb, solicitor, of Sion Hill. Bath. Edward died in 1850 and left the property to his son, Edward, also a solicitor of Bath. Edward married Hellen Ettrick in 1837; she had an illustrious pedigree and Burke's Peerage gives the pedigree of her brother Anthony Ettrick, which shows that he was a direct descendant from Edward III. The eldest child of each of Edward's sons was given the name Ettrick as a forename. Edward died in 1858 leaving two sons, Anthony Edward Webb (b 1839), and William Webb (b 1841).
The 1881 census showed Anthony Webb, age 42, living at 10 Grosvenor, Walcot, Bath with his wife, Ellen, and one son, Ettrick Lovell Webb, age 6. Anthony died in 1885 and his widow, Ellen Mary Webb remarried to Edward Vere Walwyn, a newspaper proprietor, at Bath in 1887. In January 1900 Ellen divorced Edward Vere Walwyn and then assumed the name of Webb again. There is an advert in the Bath Chronicle of 17 November 1898 for the sale of the valuable life interest of Mrs E M Vere Walwyn, then aged 47 years, or thereabouts, in various freehold properties, one of which was Coles Farm. I guess that she may have wanted to raise money for her divorce.
William Webb died in 1875. His daughter, Olive Ettrick Webb died in 1905 and left her property to her cousin Ettrick Lovell Webb but Letters of Administration were granted at Bristol in 1911 to her mother, Louisa Webb as Ettrick Lovell had renounced her inheritance.
Conclusion
The Webb family of Box demonstrates the financial value of the advowsons of English parish churches in Stuart and Georgian times. This is a perception of the role of the church completely alien to us today and at most other times. The proprietorship reflects the emerging economic understanding which developed in the Georgian period. It is probable that Box advowson was bought by loan bonds (mortgages) in the case of the Webbs and, even more so, of the Horlocks. It was a roller coaster economy. The Webbs' story shows how it could succeed for a while, but the Horlocks' tragedy is proof that the wealth could be lost even more quickly.
The Webb family remained connected with Box through their ownership of Coles Farm. I have an Abstract of Title for the farm, prepared in 1928, and covering the period 1843 to 1912 which indicates that the property passed to Edward Webb, solicitor, of Sion Hill. Bath. Edward died in 1850 and left the property to his son, Edward, also a solicitor of Bath. Edward married Hellen Ettrick in 1837; she had an illustrious pedigree and Burke's Peerage gives the pedigree of her brother Anthony Ettrick, which shows that he was a direct descendant from Edward III. The eldest child of each of Edward's sons was given the name Ettrick as a forename. Edward died in 1858 leaving two sons, Anthony Edward Webb (b 1839), and William Webb (b 1841).
The 1881 census showed Anthony Webb, age 42, living at 10 Grosvenor, Walcot, Bath with his wife, Ellen, and one son, Ettrick Lovell Webb, age 6. Anthony died in 1885 and his widow, Ellen Mary Webb remarried to Edward Vere Walwyn, a newspaper proprietor, at Bath in 1887. In January 1900 Ellen divorced Edward Vere Walwyn and then assumed the name of Webb again. There is an advert in the Bath Chronicle of 17 November 1898 for the sale of the valuable life interest of Mrs E M Vere Walwyn, then aged 47 years, or thereabouts, in various freehold properties, one of which was Coles Farm. I guess that she may have wanted to raise money for her divorce.
William Webb died in 1875. His daughter, Olive Ettrick Webb died in 1905 and left her property to her cousin Ettrick Lovell Webb but Letters of Administration were granted at Bristol in 1911 to her mother, Louisa Webb as Ettrick Lovell had renounced her inheritance.
Conclusion
The Webb family of Box demonstrates the financial value of the advowsons of English parish churches in Stuart and Georgian times. This is a perception of the role of the church completely alien to us today and at most other times. The proprietorship reflects the emerging economic understanding which developed in the Georgian period. It is probable that Box advowson was bought by loan bonds (mortgages) in the case of the Webbs and, even more so, of the Horlocks. It was a roller coaster economy. The Webbs' story shows how it could succeed for a while, but the Horlocks' tragedy is proof that the wealth could be lost even more quickly.
Family Tree
Peter Webb senior (1589 - after 1637)
Peter junior (1617 - 1646); Anne (b 1618); William (b 1619); Elizabeth (b 1620); Elleanor - this name is not clear and there is no record of baptism or birth but there is a baptism at Ditteridge 1623-4, which is around the right time, for a Susannah Webb, no parents name given; Mury (b 1624-25); John (b 1625); Richard (b 1626-27); Sarah (b 1629); George (b 1630); James(?) the name is not clear and I am unable to trace a baptism for him; Samuel (b 1636) to parents Peter and Elizabeth; Thomas (b 1637-38) to Peter and Elizabeth; Joan no record of baptism or birth found;
Samuel Webb (1654 - 1737)
Samuel appears to have married twice: first Susannah Blanchard about 1680; secondly Ann (after 1696).
Children of Samuel Webb and Susan were all baptised in Box:
Elizabeth (b 1682); James (b 1683); Peter (1686 - 1724) who married Mary Harrison of Bath in 1717; Ann (b 1687) who married George Soughton); Katherine (b 1689) who married Joshua Young).
Children of Samuel Webb and his wife Ann were also baptised in Box:
Samuell (b 1696); and Edward (b 1700).
By the end of his life Samuel held property at Broadfield, Compton Martin (probably inherited from the Blanchards), the advowson of Winford and lands in Box and Ditteridge.
Peter (b 1687), son of Samuel Webb of Box, Wilts, Gentleman, matriculated on 9 December 1703 aged 16 from Queen's College. He gained a BA in 1707 and an MA in 1710. He was rector of Winford, Somerset from 1714 to 1724 when he died. The Wiltshire Record Office hold a copy of the marriage settlement between Peter Webb of Winford and Mary Harrison of Bath, dated 1717.
Rev Samuel Webb (1733 - 1797) appeared to have no surviving heirs on his death but he kept the estate within the family. Among the beneficiaries named in his will are:
Edward Webb and his sister, Ann, children of his late cousin, James;
John Morris, a relative and Executor of the Will;
Jemima and Isaac William Webb, children of Isaac Webb Horlock of Ashwick, Marshfield.
Isaac William Webb Horlock
Isaac William Horlock married Lucy Webb of Ashwick on 11 May 1754.
The baptisms of two of their children mentioned in Rev Samuel's will are recorded at St James, Trowbridge:
Isaac William Webb Horlock, baptised 22 December 1756; Susanna Jemima Horlock, baptised 16 March 1770.
Peter Webb senior (1589 - after 1637)
Peter junior (1617 - 1646); Anne (b 1618); William (b 1619); Elizabeth (b 1620); Elleanor - this name is not clear and there is no record of baptism or birth but there is a baptism at Ditteridge 1623-4, which is around the right time, for a Susannah Webb, no parents name given; Mury (b 1624-25); John (b 1625); Richard (b 1626-27); Sarah (b 1629); George (b 1630); James(?) the name is not clear and I am unable to trace a baptism for him; Samuel (b 1636) to parents Peter and Elizabeth; Thomas (b 1637-38) to Peter and Elizabeth; Joan no record of baptism or birth found;
Samuel Webb (1654 - 1737)
Samuel appears to have married twice: first Susannah Blanchard about 1680; secondly Ann (after 1696).
Children of Samuel Webb and Susan were all baptised in Box:
Elizabeth (b 1682); James (b 1683); Peter (1686 - 1724) who married Mary Harrison of Bath in 1717; Ann (b 1687) who married George Soughton); Katherine (b 1689) who married Joshua Young).
Children of Samuel Webb and his wife Ann were also baptised in Box:
Samuell (b 1696); and Edward (b 1700).
By the end of his life Samuel held property at Broadfield, Compton Martin (probably inherited from the Blanchards), the advowson of Winford and lands in Box and Ditteridge.
Peter (b 1687), son of Samuel Webb of Box, Wilts, Gentleman, matriculated on 9 December 1703 aged 16 from Queen's College. He gained a BA in 1707 and an MA in 1710. He was rector of Winford, Somerset from 1714 to 1724 when he died. The Wiltshire Record Office hold a copy of the marriage settlement between Peter Webb of Winford and Mary Harrison of Bath, dated 1717.
Rev Samuel Webb (1733 - 1797) appeared to have no surviving heirs on his death but he kept the estate within the family. Among the beneficiaries named in his will are:
Edward Webb and his sister, Ann, children of his late cousin, James;
John Morris, a relative and Executor of the Will;
Jemima and Isaac William Webb, children of Isaac Webb Horlock of Ashwick, Marshfield.
Isaac William Webb Horlock
Isaac William Horlock married Lucy Webb of Ashwick on 11 May 1754.
The baptisms of two of their children mentioned in Rev Samuel's will are recorded at St James, Trowbridge:
Isaac William Webb Horlock, baptised 22 December 1756; Susanna Jemima Horlock, baptised 16 March 1770.
References
[1] S John Elyard, Some Old Wiltshire Homes, 1894, Charles J Clark
[2] Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History Society, Vol XLIII, p.338-340
[3] The Prerogative Court of Canterbury was a church court responsible for the probate of wills where the property was held in two (or more) dioceses. Canterbury's jurisdiction covered Southern England and Wales. A similar court also existed at York.
[4] William Cobbett, Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and Other Crimes, various reprint houses, "Proceedings of the Commissioners appointed by Oliver Cromwell for ejecting Scandalous and Ignorant Ministers. In the case of Walter Bushnell, Clerk, Vicar of Box, in the County of Wiltshire, AD 1656" p.684
[5] Rev AJH Hobbs, History of the parish of Winford, Somerset, 1954, p.12-17
[6] J Goulstone, The Blanchards of Marshfield, Old Sodbury, Bradford-on-Avon, St Catherines and Batheaston, 1557 – 1759, Bath Reference Library, 1989
[7] The family held the advowson of Winford from 1680 until 1801
[8] Wiltshire Record Office
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 28 February 1799
[10] Welbore St Clair Baddeley, A History of Painswick
[11] A Pedigree of Webb recorded during The Heralds Visitation of 1682-83
[12] Rev AJH Hobbs, History of the parish of Winford, Somerset, 1954, p.14
[13] There is more about the Horlock Family on the website
[14] The Bath Chronicle, 8 March 1787
[15] Burke's General Armory
[1] S John Elyard, Some Old Wiltshire Homes, 1894, Charles J Clark
[2] Wiltshire Archaeology and Natural History Society, Vol XLIII, p.338-340
[3] The Prerogative Court of Canterbury was a church court responsible for the probate of wills where the property was held in two (or more) dioceses. Canterbury's jurisdiction covered Southern England and Wales. A similar court also existed at York.
[4] William Cobbett, Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason and Other Crimes, various reprint houses, "Proceedings of the Commissioners appointed by Oliver Cromwell for ejecting Scandalous and Ignorant Ministers. In the case of Walter Bushnell, Clerk, Vicar of Box, in the County of Wiltshire, AD 1656" p.684
[5] Rev AJH Hobbs, History of the parish of Winford, Somerset, 1954, p.12-17
[6] J Goulstone, The Blanchards of Marshfield, Old Sodbury, Bradford-on-Avon, St Catherines and Batheaston, 1557 – 1759, Bath Reference Library, 1989
[7] The family held the advowson of Winford from 1680 until 1801
[8] Wiltshire Record Office
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 28 February 1799
[10] Welbore St Clair Baddeley, A History of Painswick
[11] A Pedigree of Webb recorded during The Heralds Visitation of 1682-83
[12] Rev AJH Hobbs, History of the parish of Winford, Somerset, 1954, p.14
[13] There is more about the Horlock Family on the website
[14] The Bath Chronicle, 8 March 1787
[15] Burke's General Armory