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THE HIPPISLEY FAMILY OF CHEWTON MENDIP AND
BRISTOL, ENGLAND
 

CONTENTS

Introduction

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

Meaning Of The Name

William HIPPISLEY (1693-1783)

William HIPPISLEY (1722-1804)

George HIPPISLEY (1725-1771)

Edward HIPPISLEY (1763-1834)

William HIPPISLEY (1748-1827)

Richard HIPPISLEY (1753-1786)

Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY (1821-1909)

Mary Martha HIPPISLEY (1822-1898)

William HIPPISLEY (1797-1854)

George HIPPISLEY (1802-1873)

Henry HIPPISLEY (1803-1833)


The HIPPISLEY-COX Arms
(click image to enlarge)

Introduction

When my grandparents, Roy and Winifred MATTHEWS, were sorting out their wills, their solicitor noticed my grandfather's name and asked whether he was related to the family of the same name who lived at Ston Easton. My grandparents had no idea what he was talking about.

My grandfather's full name was Alfred William Hippesley MATTHEWS - "Roy" was just a nickname. His parents, William MATTHEWS and Amy Gwendoline CURTIS, apparently never told him why they had given him the middle name Hippesley, and nobody in my family knew how important the name was.

The HIPPISLEY family were lords of the manor of Ston Easton for nearly 400 years. They also owned estates in Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Devon and Ireland.  In the 18th century they built the impressive mansion known as Ston Easton Park, which still stands today.  They were a family of lawyers, scientists and churchmen; some became MPs, others served as County Sheriffs, while the diplomat John Cox HIPPISLEY was knighted and created baronet in the late 1700s for his services to King George III.

One of my objectives when I first started researching my family tree was to find out what the connection was between my family and the HIPPISLEYs. My grandfather's brother, George, had already discovered that Amy Gwendoline CURTIS had an aunt called Mary Hippesley CURTIS and an uncle called Hippesley CURTIS, so my connection to the HIPPISLEYs was clearly through my CURTIS ancestors. I soon found a record on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints website of a Lamrock CURTIS marrying Ann HIPPISLEY in 1798. Lamrock and Ann had six children, including Thomas, born in 1808. I then discovered that my great-great-great-grandfather was also called Thomas CURTIS, and his marriage certificate was the final piece in the puzzle, as it revealed that his father's name was Lamrock.

I have not yet been able to conclusively prove that my HIPPISLEY ancestors were related to the Ston Easton HIPPISLEYs, but the fact that Chewton Mendip lies less than three miles from Ston Easton makes it incomprehensible that the two families were not somehow connected.

Acknowledgements & Disclaimer

This webpage would not have been possible without the assistance of DIANE LAWRENCE, who has done a considerable amount of work on the HIPPISLEY family, and TONY POOLE, who has carried out extensive research in the Somerset Records Office on my behalf. I am also grateful to my cousins BRIAN CLAVEY, ROSEMARY MEADOWS, ROGER HIPPISLEY-COX, NICOLAS HIPPISLEY-COXE and SUSAN SHAW for providing me with information about their branches of the family. I'd also like to thank JOHN HIPPISLEY for suggesting a possible origin of the surname, CATHERINE HAILL of the Victoria & Albert Theatre Museum for providing details of Antony Hippisley COXE's circus collection, RICHARD HARRISON for information about Alfred Edward HIPPISLEY's role in the development of America's Open Door proposals, TIM CHEW for his notes on the HOWARD family and FENELLA PRINGLE of Gregory Rowcliffe Milners . Some of the information about William Frederick HIPPISLEY came from "Pioneer Passengers - To Nelson by Sailing Ship, March 1842-June 1843" by JUNE E. NEALE. The brief history of Court de Wyck is based in part on information found on the Claverham Village website. Certain details about the HIPPISLEY family of Ston Easton as well as information about Turner's Court were taken from "Ston Easton Perambulation" and "Emborough Perambulation", both by GEOFFREY A. J. LOXTON, while certain information about the families of Edward HIPPISLEY and Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY was taken from "Some Notes on the Hippisley Family", collected by ALFRED E. HIPPISLEY and edited and extended by I. FITZROY JONES. Further information about Alfred HIPPISLEY's role in the Open Door affair came from "American Diplomacy" by GEORGE F. KENNAN. The photograph of Gournay Court was kindly provided by DAVID WEATHERILL of the Virtual West Harptree website. I am also indebted to the members of the Gloucester, Bristol & Somerset and Wessex Genealogy Mailing Lists. Much of the information on this page has no primary source and while I believe that it is accurate, I cannot take responsibility for any errors or omissions. I will be updating this page regularly as new information comes to light.

Meaning Of The Name

According to JOHN HIPPISLEY the surname HIPPISLEY derives from HIPP-YES-LEIGH meaning "A Field of Wild Rose-Hips". Apparently the family was once involved in the production of rose-hip syrup.

However, according to "Ston Easton Perambulation" by G. A. J. LOXTON and "A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames" by CHARLES WAREING BARDSLEY the name may simply have been a corruption of "Ipsley", a village in Warwickshire from where the family may have originated.


Chewton Mendip Parish Church
(click image to enlarge)

William HIPPISLEY (1693-1783)

In 1553 Queen Mary I gave the manor of Chewton Mendip to her Privy Councillor and Master of the Great Wardrobe, Sir Edward WALDEGRAVE. James Sherbrooke WALDEGRAVE, the 13th Earl, still lives in Chewton Mendip. His younger brother William, Lord WALDEGRAVE of North Hill, was a prominent Conservative M.P. in the 1980s and was also a governor of my old school.

The neighbouring manor of Ston Easton was bought by John HIPPISLEY in 1544 for the sum of £457-3s-4d. The manor had previously belonged to Bruton Abbey, but the land became available as a result of the Dissolution in 1539. The HIPPISLEY family retained the manor for the next four centuries. Ston Easton Park, now owned by von Essen Hotels, was built by the HIPPISLEYs in 1740.

In 1559 John HIPPISLEY's son, also called John, purchased the manor of Whitnell near Emborough. Whitnell had been owned from the 13th to the 15th centuries by the TONER family. They would have been responsible for maintaining law and order in their domain and manorial courts would have been held at their manor house, Toner's Court. Over the years that followed the name of the building seems to have become corrupted. The present Turner's Court Farm is almost certainly on the site of the TONER family's manor house in Whitnell.

John HIPPISLEY was a senior lawyer at the Middle Temple in London, served as MP for Bridport and later represented Wells as MP between 1562 and 1566. He was also Recorder of Bristol - the City's senior Judge - from 1551 until his death in 1570. In his will his younger brother William is described as being "of Binegar", and despite being in the parish of Emborough Turner's Court actually lies near Binegar church. Also, a survey of Whitnell in 1580 shows a William HIPPISLEY paying the highest rent of all the tenants, suggesting he was living at the manor house. So it seems that William, and possibly his descendants, may have lived at Turner's Court.

My ancestor William HIPPISLEY was born on 26th May 1693 in Emborough. The parish registers record that he was the son of Edward HIPPISLEY "lately of Turner's Court". This, according to "Some Notes on the Hippisley Family", suggests that my William was a direct descendant of John HIPPISLEY's younger brother William. "The Hippisley Family" also suggests that his parents may have been the Edward HIPPISLEY and Hannah CUTTING who married on 18th October 1683 in Chewton Mendip.


Turner's Court Farm
(click image to enlarge)

William HIPPISLEY married Sarah CHANT on 26th December 1721 in Chewton Mendip. Sarah was born in about 1690 and was the daughter of John CHANT. William and Sarah had only one son together - William, born in 1722 in Chewton Mendip. Sarah died on 28th October 1722, just two days before young William's baptism. The proximity of Sarah's death to her son's baptism suggests that she may have died as a result of his birth. She was buried in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene at Chewton Mendip.

Sarah's widowed husband soon remarried. On 25th April 1723 he married Ann DUDDING in Chewton Mendip. She was born in about 1689. Ann produced only one son for her husband - George, who was born in about 1725 in Chewton Mendip. Ann died on 10th January 1761 and was buried on 22nd day of the same month in the churchyard at Chewton.

In the 1760s and 1770s William HIPPISLEY obtained leases for various tenements in the East End division of Chewton Mendip parish, including property in the hamlet of East End itself. He may have been the tenant at what later became known as Hippisley Farm. He died on 11th July 1783 in Chewton Mendip. His will gives a clear indication that he came from a prosperous family, as amongst the items bequeathed to his children and grandchildren were numerous freeholds, tenements, messuages and pastures. He even gave Chewton Wood to his grandson Thomas! William was buried alongside his wives in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene on 15th July 1783.

William HIPPISLEY (1722-1804)

William HIPPISLEY was baptised on 30th October 1722 in Chewton Mendip and was the only son of William HIPPISLEY and Sarah CHANT. From the early 1740s until around 1758 he appears to have lived at Court de Wyck in Claverham near Yatton, Somerset, about 13 miles from Chewton Mendip. The original Court de Wyck was built before 1338 but was enlarged between 1660 and 1670. However by 1814 the original building had become uninhabitable and was pulled down. The present Court de Wyck was completed in 1819 and incorporates features of the earlier house. William returned to Chewton in about 1760 where he lived out the remainder of his years at East End.

Like his father, William married twice. His first wife was Prewdence BISDEE, whom he married on 9th November 1743 in Yatton. William and Prewdence had two children together, both born in Yatton - John, baptised 11th December 1745, and Sarah, born in about 1748, died 25th March 1761 in Chewton Mendip. Prewdence HIPPISLEY (nee BISDEE) died in 1748 and was buried in Yatton on 20th February of that year.

William subsequently married Martha YERBURY on 19th June 1748 in Chew Magna, Somerset, with whom he had a further eight children - Ann, baptised 6th September 1749 in Yatton; Martha, baptised 26th July 1751 in Yatton; Mary, baptised 18th June 1755 in Yatton; William, baptised 2nd April 1758 in Yatton; Thomas, baptised 1st October 1760 in Chewton Mendip; Edward, baptised 20th December 1763 in Chewton Mendip; John, baptised 4th May 1766 in Chewton Mendip, and Sarah, baptised 24th August 1770 in Chewton Mendip.

William's wife Martha died in April 1803 and was buried on the 19th day of that month in Chewton Mendip. William himself died on 25th December 1804 in East End, Chewton Mendip. Like his father he bequeathed various tenements, pasteurs and messuages to his children. He was buried on 27th December 1804 alongside his wife and children. A memorial tablet erected by his grandson Edward Burgess HIPPISLEY inside St Mary Magdalene commemorates William and his family.

Ann HIPPISLEY (b. 1749) died on 5th March 1760 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on the 9th day of the same month.

Martha HIPPISLEY (b. 1751) married her half-cousin Richard HIPPISLEY on 28th December 1775 in Chewton Mendip. Richard died in 1786 and Martha subsequently married Richard ABBOTT on 7th April 1790 in St John Baptist, Bedminster. Martha and Richard had at least one child together - William.

Mary HIPPISLEY (b. 1755) never married. She died in 1837 and was buried on 17th January of that year.

William HIPPISLEY (b. 1758) married Martha DANDO on 28th August 1783 in Chewton Mendip. Martha was born in about 1759 and died on 2nd January 1831. William died in Chewton on 31st October 1838. They were both buried in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene at Chewton Mendip.

Thomas HIPPISLEY (b. 1760) died in 1794 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on 11th July of that year.

John HIPPISLEY (b. 1766) died on 30th May 1775 in Chewton Mendip and was buried there on 2nd June of the same year.

Sarah HIPPISLEY (b. 1770) died on 18th August 1792 in Chewton Mendip and was buried there on 22nd August of the same year.

George HIPPISLEY (1725-1771)

George HIPPISLEY was baptised on 14th May 1725 in Chewton Mendip and was the only child of William HIPPISLEY and Ann DUDDING. He married Elizabeth CARY on 11th May 1747 in Emborough. She was born in about 1728.

George and Elizabeth had six children together, all baptised in Chewton Mendip - William, baptised 15th September 1748; Ann, baptised 7th October 1750; Richard, baptised 10th September 1753; Mary, baptised 17th September 1755; Hannah, baptised 2nd January 1758, and Elizabeth, baptised 17th October 1762.

George HIPPISLEY died on 4th June 1771 and was buried three days later in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene at Chewton Mendip. His widow Elizabeth (nee CARY) died on 24th August 1791 and was buried alongside her husband.

Ann HIPPISLEY (b. 1750) married Henry VAGG on 2nd July 1772 in Chewton Mendip.

Mary HIPPISLEY (b. 1755) married John WILKINS on 18th February 1783 in Chewton Mendip.

Hannah HIPPISLEY (b. 1758) married William SHEPPARD in 1778. She died sometime before 1783.

Elizabeth HIPPISLEY (b. 1762) never married. She died in 1821 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on 13th April of that year.

Edward HIPPISLEY (1763-1834)

Edward HIPPISLEY was baptised on 20th December 1763 and was the son of William HIPPISLEYand Martha YERBURY. He married Mary TOWNSEND on 30th December 1802 in West Pennard, Somerset. Mary was born on 18th November 1770 in West Pennard and was the daughter of the Reverend Robert TOWNSEND and Jane TOWNSEND. Mary provided Edward with no living issue - she died in 1816 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on 2nd May of the same year. There is some evidence to suggest that Edward may have fathered an illegitimate child while married to Mary TOWNSEND. The child was Edward Hippisley PORCH, baptised on 7th August 1808 in North Wootton, Somerset, the son of Ann PORCH.

Edward subsequently married Mary BURGESS on 13th March 1817, also in West Pennard. Mary was baptised on 4th February 1780 in West Pennard and was the daughter of John BURGESS and Ann TOWNSEND. Edward and Mary had five children together, all born in Chewton Mendip - Edward Burgess, born 20th December 1817; John Burgess, born 26th December 1818; William Frederick, baptised 2nd July 1820; Robert Townsend, born 9th July 1821, and Mary Martha, born 5th December 1822.

Edward HIPPISLEY died on 26th November 1834 in East End, Chewton Mendip and was buried alongside his father in the churchyard at St Mary Magdalene. In 1841 his widow Mary was living on Dudwell Farm in Chewton Mendip with her children, as seen here in the census for that year:

Dudwell Farm, Chewton Mendip, Somerset

Edward HIPPISLEY aged 20 Farmer Born in County
John HIPPISLEY 20 Farmer Born in County

Mary HIPPISLEY 55 Born in County

Mary HIPPISLEY 15 Born in County
Edward DYER 15 Male Servant Born in County
Ann CLARE 15 Female Servant Born in County

Mary then moved to Clifton in Bristol, as seen here in the 1851 census:

Westbourne Place, Clifton, Bristol

Mary HIPPISLEY widow aged 71 Annuitant born Somerset
Edward HIPPISLEY son 33 Corn Merchant born Somerset
Clarinda BURGESS sister-in-law 53 born Somerset
Elizabeth BALL servant 20 born Somerset

Mary HIPPISLEY (nee BURGESS) died on 2nd February 1860 and was buried in St Andrew, Clifton.

Edward Burgess HIPPISLEY (b. 1817) worked as a corn merchant, living at 13 Westbourne Place in Clifton and later at 24 Elgin Park in Redland. He died on 6th February 1881 and was buried with his father in the churchyard at Chewton Mendip. By his direction a memorial tablet commemorating his father and grandfather was erected inside St Mary Magdalene church, and two adjacent windows were filled with stained glass.

John Burgess HIPPISLEY (b. 1818) died on 23rd August 1841 in Chewton Mendip aged 22 as a result of some unknown accident.

William Frederick HIPPISLEY (b. 1820) was one of the early emigrants to New Zealand. He left England aboard the Sir Charles Forbes which sailed from Gravesend, Kent on 1st May 1842 and arrived in Nelson, New Zealand on 22nd August after four months at sea. William immediately began buying livestock in Waimea West and soon became a highly respected farmer. "Gentleman's Magazine" described him as "one of the most enterprising and active of the early migrants to Nelson."

On 17th June 1843 twenty-two European colonists were killed by Maori natives in what became known as the Wairau 'massacre'. Their fellow settlers called for revenge, but the New Zealand Government refused to take action, and in February 1844 the new Governor, Captain Robert FITZROY, declared that the massacre had been caused by the bellicose attitude of the colonists. William HIPPISLEY was one of numerous settlers who signed a petition sent to the New Zealand Government to protest against the response to the massacre.

Sadly William's time in New Zealand was short-lived as on 28th September 1844 he drowned in the Waimea River along with his faithful bailiff John GRIFFIN. A report in the "Nelson Examiner" of 5th October 1844 described the events that led up to the tragedy:

"It is with great regret that we have to record the loss of two lives in the Waimea River. On Saturday last, Mr W. F. Hippisley, a highly respectable farmer, residing on the western side of the river, Mr J. Griffin, a young man who accompanied him out from England, and Mr Bolton, another farmer residing in Waimea West, attempted to cross the river in a bullock cart, for the purpose of looking after some sheep belonging to them, which were running on the eastern plain. The heavy rains which had fallen during the week had considerably swollen the river; and the ford which they attempted was a very bad one; but to have crossed at a better would have taken them a mile and a half out of their way. Previous to going into the river, Mr Bolton expressed some fears, but Mr Hippisley assured him he had crossed it when the water had been higher. About the middle, they found the current very strong, and, when within five or six yards of the eastern bank, one of the bullocks got into a deep hole and drew the other after him, which immediately swamped the cart. Mr Bolton, with some difficulty, reached the shore, but saw nothing of his unfortunate companions, both of whom, he believes, went down immediately the cart filled, as neither of them could swim. The bodies were not found until Wednesday, one about two, and the other three hundred yards from the spot where the accident occured." A jury returned a verdict of 'accidental death'.

William HIPPISLEY (1748-1827)

William HIPPISLEY was baptised on 15th September 1748 in Chewton Mendip. He was the eldest son of George HIPPISLEY and Elizabeth CARY. He married Betsy MORSS on 4th December 1777 in Kenn near Yatton, Somerset. Betsy was born in about 1750. William and Betsy had at least three children together, all born in Chewton Mendip - George, born 8th August 1779, buried 23rd February 1780; James, buried 4th September 1780, and Ann Mary, born 14th November 1781.

Betsy HIPPISLEY died on 27th November 1792 and was buried in the churchyard at  Chewton Mendip. William subsequently married Mary DUDDEN on 17th November 1795 in St Denys, Warminster, Wiltshire. William and Mary had three children together, all born in Chewton Mendip - William, born 25th March 1797; George, born 3rd January 1802, and Henry, born 28th March 1803. William HIPPISLEY died on 5th February 1827 and was buried alongside his first wife in Chewton Mendip. His second wife Mary died on 6th September 1837 and was buried in Chewton Mendip four days later.

Richard HIPPISLEY (1753-1786)

Richard HIPPISLEY was baptised on 10th September 1753 in Chewton Mendip. He was the son of George HIPPISLEY and Elizabeth CARY. He married his half-cousin Martha HIPPISLEY on 28th December 1775 in Chewton Mendip. She was baptised on 26th July 1751 in Yatton and was the daughter of William HIPPISLEY and Martha YERBURY.

Richard and Martha had only one child together - Ann, born 7th January 1777 in Chewton Mendip. Richard HIPPISLEY died on 9th May 1786 and was buried on the 14th day of the same month in Chewton Mendip. His widow Martha subsequently married Richard ABBOTT on 7th April 1790 in St John Baptist, Bedminster, Bristol.

Ann HIPPISLEY (b. 1777) married Lamrock CURTIS on 1st February 1798 in Chewton Mendip. One of the signatories on their marriage bond was Ann's uncle, Edward HIPPISLEY. Lamrock and Ann were my great-great-great-great-grandparents. For more information about their descendants please see my CURTIS Family of Chewton Mendip and Bristol, England page.

Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY (1821-1909)

Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY was born on 9th July 1821 in Chewton Mendip. He was the youngest son of Edward HIPPISLEY and Mary BURGESS. After the death of his father in 1834 his widowed mother moved the family to Clifton in Bristol. Here Robert married Harriette Gibbs WYLD on 29th July 1847 in St George, Brandon Hill. Harriette was born in Bristol in about 1826 and was the daughter of John Hopton and Charlotte WYLD.

Robert and Harriette had twelve children together, all born in Clifton, Bristol - Alfred Edward, born 9th December 1848; Florence Taylor, born 31st January 1850; George Wyld, born 11th February 1851; Robert Townsend, born 28th July 1852; Harriette Constance, born 1st April 1854; Frederick Ernest, born 16th May 1856, died 9th September 1856; Mary Beatrice, born 19th August 1857; Frederic William, born 20th June 1859, died 1st April 1865; Charles Ernest, born 1st June 1861; Clara Minnie, born 3rd January 1863, died 9th August 1864; Reginald, born 4th September 1865, and Kate Evelyn, born 2nd December 1867.

Robert was admitted an attorney in 1846 and by 1850 he was working from an office at 7 Nicholas Street, Bristol. His London agent at the time was Gregory, Faulkner, Gregory & Skirrow of 1 Bedford Row, London. This firm remained his agent for over fifty years, although by the time Robert retired it had become Rowcliffes, Rawle & Co. The firm still exists today as Gregory Rowcliffe Milners, and is still based at 1 Bedford Row. In 1848 Robert and his family were living at 10 Frederick Place, Clifton, which would be their home for over twenty years. This is how they appear in the 1851 and 1861 censuses:

Frederick Place, Clifton, Bristol (1851)

Robert HIPPISLEY aged 29 Attorney & Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Harriet HIPPISLEY wife 25 born Bristol
Alfred HIPPISLEY son 2 born Clifton, Bristol
Florence HIPPISLEY daughter 1 born Clifton, Bristol
George HIPPISLEY son 1 month born Clifton, Bristol
Ellen PRITCHARD servant 23 born Oldbury, Gloucestershire
Charlotte JONES servant 32 born Bristol
Elizabeth CROCKER servant 18 born Bristol

10 Frederick Place, Clifton, Bristol (1861)

Robert T. HIPPISLEY aged 39 Attorney & Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Harriette G. HIPPISLEY wife 35 born St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol
Alfred E. HIPPISLEY son 12 Scholar born Clifton, Bristol
George W. HIPPISLEY son 10 Scholar born Clifton, Bristol
Robert T. HIPPISLEY son 8 Scholar born Clifton, Bristol
Mary B. HIPPISLEY daughter 3 born Clifton, Bristol
Frederick W. HIPPISLEY son 1 born Clifton, Bristol
Susan KNIGHT servant 40 Nurse Maid born Sampford Peverell, Devon
Fanny LANGLEY servant 28 Domestic Servant born Wells, Somerset

By 1871 the family had moved to 2 Leamington Villas in Redland Park:

2 Leamington Villas, Redland Park, Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire

Robert T. HIPPISLEY aged 49 Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Harriette G. HIPPISLEY wife 45 Solicitor's Wife born Bristol, Gloucestershire
Florence T. HIPPISLEY daughter 21 born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Robert T. HIPPISLEY son 18 Merchant's Clerk born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Harriette C. HIPPISLEY daughter 17 born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Mary B. HIPPISLEY son 13 Scholar born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Charles Ernest HIPPISLEY son 9 Scholar born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Reginald HIPPISLEY son 5 born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Kate Evelyn HIPPISLEY daughter 3 born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Susan KNIGHT servant 50 Nurse born Sampford Peverell, Devon
Selina A. CHARD servant 28 General Servant born Keynsham, Somerset

Harriette HIPPISLEY (nee GIBBS) died on 26th June 1879. In the same year Robert's office moved to 41 Nicholas Street, which is now a cafe bar called Tantric Jazz. In 1881 the family was still living at 2 Leamington Villas, as seen here in the census for that year:

2 Leamington Villas, Redland Park, Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucestershire

Robert T. HIPPISLEY widower aged 59 Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Florence T. HIPPISLEY daughter 31 born Bristol, Gloucester
Robert T. Junr. HIPPISLEY son 28 Bank Clerk born Bristol, Gloucester
Mary B. HIPPISLEY daughter 23 born Bristol, Gloucester
Charles E. HIPPISLEY son 19 Clerk In Loan Office born Bristol, Gloucester
Kate E. HIPPISLEY daughter 13 Scholar born Bristol, Gloucester
Emma J. BLACKMORE servant 21 Housemaid born Little Stoke, Somerset
Emma PAUL servant 26 Cook born Bristol, Gloucester

Robert became a Perpetual Commissioner in 1882, and in 1884 he moved to 14 Burlington Road, Redland. By 1891 he had moved to Alma Road in Clifton, as seen here in the census for that year:

1 Alma Road, All Saints, Clifton, Bristol

Robert T. HIPPISLEY widower aged 69 Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Florence T. HIPPISLEY daughter 41 born Clifton, Bristol
Robert T. HIPPISLEY son 38 Insurance Agent born Clifton, Bristol
Mary B. HIPPISLEY daughter 33 born Clifton, Bristol
Reginald HIPPISLEY son 25 Solicitor born Clifton, Bristol
Kate E. HIPPISLEY daughter 23 born Clifton, Bristol
Emily SHALLISH servant 20 Domestic Servant born Banwell, Somerset
Ellen CLIFFORD servant 28 Domestic Servant born Bristol

By 1901 Robert had retired from the legal profession but was still living in Alma Road:

1 Alma Road, All Saints, Clifton, Bristol

Robert T. HIPPISLEY widower aged 79 Retired Solicitor born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Florence T. HIPPISLEY daughter 51 born Bristol
Robert T. HIPPISLEY son 48 Stock & Share Broker born Bristol
Mary B. HIPPISLEY daughter 43 born Bristol
Kate E. HIPPISLEY daughter 33 born Bristol
Ann KING servant 42 Cook (Domestic) born Redruth, Cornwall
Emma L. MARTIN servant 28 Housemaid (Domestic) born Bristol

Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY died on 4th July 1909 in Clifton and was buried in the churchyard at Redland Green, Bristol. In his will he left property amounting to £99,594, which would be the equivalent of almost £6m today. The memorial tablet inside St Mary Magdelene in Chewton Mendip records that the altar rails in the church were given in his affectionate memory in October 1910.

Alfred Edward HIPPISLEY (b. 1848) attended Bristol Grammar School and married Cornelia HOWARD on 21st October 1885 in Peking, China. Cornelia was born on 27th November 1855 and was the daughter of Charles Ridgely HOWARD of Waverly, Baltimore County, USA and Elizabeth Ann WATERS. Cornelia's grandfather George HOWARD was Governor of Maryland from 1831-33 and her great-grandfather John Eager HOWARD was Governor from 1789-91. On January 1st 1867 Alfred was appointed to the Imperial Chinese Maritime Customs Service and served in various capacities at Chinkiang, Peking, Amoy, Canton, Shanghai, Tamsui, Wenchow, Lappa, Tientsin and Hankow. In April 1875 he was appointed a Deputy Commissioner in the role of Assistant Statistical Secretary, and in April 1882 he was made Commissioner. He served as Chinese Secretary from May 1882 to May 1885, as Chief Secretary from April 1896 to October 1897, and as Postal Secretary from April 1907 to April 1908. By Imperial decree of 1st October 1901 he was appointed an Assistant Delegate to the Treaty and Tariff Commission, in the work of which he played a prominent part over the following four years. He was made Chevalier of the Order of Francis Joseph of Austria in 1874 and was awarded the orders of Double Dragon and Rising Sun in 1904 and Dragon of Annam in 1908. Alfred was also the leading candidate to succeed Sir Robert HART as Inspector General of Customs in China, but was ultimately overlooked in favour of another individual. He resigned from the Customs Service in 1910.

During his time in China Alfred became close friends with the American diplomat William Woodville ROCKHILL. When in 1899 the United States Secretary of State John HAY sought an international agreement on trade in the former Chinese Empire, he turned to ROCKHILL for advice.  However it was seven years since ROCKHILL had last been in China and he was unable to make any recommendations. In June 1899 Alfred visited the Washington area on leave of absence from his post as second-in-command of the Chinese Customs Service. ROCKHILL took the opportunity to seek advice from his old friend, knowing that he had first-hand knowledge of recent developments in China. Alfred subsequently sent a memorandum to ROCKHILL on the "Open Door in China", dated 17th August 1899. ROCKHILL made some minor changes to Alfred's notes before passing them on to HAY, who in turn issued them to Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Russia and Japan. Reluctantly, the Great Powers agreed to the proposals and in March 1900 HAY declared each power's response as "final and definitive." Alfred's role in the development of the Open Door notes was deliberately concealed because there were concerns that the deal would collapse if the Great Powers - and in particular Germany, France and Russia - found out that an Englishman was behind the proposals. Ultimately the Open Door agreement was overtaken by events such as the Boxer Rebellion, and even America showed scant regard for its principles in its later policies towards its own overseas possessions.

Alfred was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple on 26th June 1900 and was a member of the Hakluyt Society. He was the author of "A Sketch of the History of Ceramic Art in China" which was published in 1902 and also collected the material which became "Some Notes on the Hippisley Family". In June 1926 he restored the HIPPISLEY gravestones in the churchyard at Chewton Mendip, which had become badly eroded. Alfred and Cornelia had one son, Edward Howard, who was born and died in 1889. Cornelia HIPPISLEY (nee HOWARD) died on 20th February 1935 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London. Alfred Edward HIPPISLEY died on 7th September 1939.

Florence Taylor HIPPISLEY (b. 1850) never married. She died of pulmonary tuberculosis at 1 Alma Road, Clifton on 14th July 1906 and was buried in Redland Chapel.

George Wyld HIPPISLEY (b. 1851) married Sarah Morgan NASH on 17th April 1877 in Emmanuel Church, Clifton, Bristol. Sarah was born in Bristol in about 1851 and was the daughter of Henry Shute NASH. George and Sarah had four children together - Evelyn Waters, born 3rd March 1878 in St Pancras, London; Beatrice Nash, born 9th March 1880 in Hampstead, Middlesex; Wilfred Wyld, born 29th September 1881 in Hampstead, and Edward Townsend, born 20th July 1893 in Hampstead. In 1881 George and his family were living in Hampstead, as seen here in the census for that year:

77 Adelaide Road, Hampstead, London, Middlesex

George W. HIPPISLEY aged 36 No Proff Or Calling born Bristol
Sarah M. HIPPISLEY wife 30 No Proff Or Calling born Bristol
Evelyn W. HIPPISLEY daughter 3 born St Pancras, Middlesex
Beatrice N. HIPPISLEY daughter 1 born Hampstead, Middlesex
Hester HOLVEY servant 25 Cook born Paulton, Somerset
Mary J. FISHER servant 16 Nursemaid born Henbury, Gloucester

The family later moved to King Henry's Road in Hampstead, as seen here in the 1891 and 1901 censuses:

120 King Henry's Road, Hampstead, London (1891)

George W. HIPPISLEY aged 40 Banker's Clerk born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Sarah HIPPISLEY wife 39 wife born Bristol
Evelyn W. HIPPISLEY daughter 13 born St. Pancras, London
Beatrice N. HIPPISLEY daughter 11 born Hampstead, London
Wilfred HIPPISLEY son 9 born Hampstead, London
Bessie ASHER servant 23 General Servant (Domestic) born Keysoe, Bedfordshire

120 King Henry's Road, Hampstead, London (1901)

George W. HIPPISLEY aged 50 Bank Clerk born Clifton, Gloucestershire
Sarah M. HIPPISLEY wife 49 born Bristol, Gloucestershire
Evelyn W. HIPPISLEY daughter 23 born London
Beatrice N. HIPPISLEY daughter 21 born London
Edward T. HIPPISLEY son 7 born London

Sarah HIPPISLEY (nee NASH) died on 5th February 1925. Her husband George died on 25th December 1930.

Robert Townsend HIPPISLEY (b. 1852) never married. He died on 19th March 1903. Harriette Constance HIPPISLEY died on 25th July 1871 aged 17. Mary Beatrice HIPPISLEY (b. 1857) died unmarried on 10th April 1926. Charles Ernest HIPPISLEY (b. 1861) disappeared in Australia in the late 1880s.

Reginald HIPPISLEY (b. 1865) followed in his father's footsteps and became an attorney. He was admitted in 1890 and in 1891 he was working alongside his father at 41 Nicholas Street. His London agent was Rowcliffes, Rawle & Co of 1 Bedford Row, London. Reginald was also a Member of the Incorporated Law Society of the United Kingdom.

Kate Evelyn HIPPISLEY (b. 1867) married Edward Brudenell Bruce WILLIAMS, a Captain in the Rhodesia police, on 11th July 1906.

Mary Martha HIPPISLEY (1822-1898)


Mary Martha HIPPISLEY
(click image to enlarge)

Mary Martha HIPPISLEY was born on 5th December 1822 in Chewton Mendip and was the only daughter of Edward HIPPISLEY and Mary BURGESS. Mary married Dr William Abraham COX on 4th June 1844 in Chewton Mendip. William was a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons and was born in Bristol on 24th May 1813. He was the only son of William COX, an attorney-at-law, and Henrietta Jane Hardiman GORDON. According to family tradition, William learned about anatomy by borrowing the local baker's delivery cart, taking the cart into Bristol where he would do a deal with the body snatchers, wheeling his prize back home and then returning the cart to the baker the following day!

William and Mary had thirteen children together - William Frederick Hippisley, born 21st March 1845, died 10th May 1846; William Ashley, born 20th June 1847 in Bath; Hippisley, born 15th August 1849 in Bath; Mary Hippisley, born 30th October 1850 in Bath, died 7th January 1852; Edward, born 31st January 1852 in Bath; Henrietta Gordon, born 12th September 1853, died 20th April 1855; Mary Burgess, born 13th January 1855, died 8th May 1855; Gordon, born 12th March 1856 in Bath; Robert Hippisley, born 7th October 1857; Bessie, born 3rd July 1859 in Bath; Graham, born 26th May 1861; Octavius, born 4th July 1863, died 8th July 1866, and Alice Mary, born 1st April 1867, died 25th May 1868. In 1851 the family was living in Bath, Somerset, as seen here in the census for that year:

New King Street, Walcot Trinity, Bath, Somerset

William COX aged 27 Surgeon born Bristol
Mary COX wife 27 born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
William COX son 3 born Bath, Somerset
Hippisley COX aged 1 born Bath, Somerset
Mary COX daughter aged 4 months born Bath, Somerset
Eliza BABY servant 25 Cook born Batcombe, Somerset
Harriet CLARK servant 21 Nurse born Glastonbury, Somerset
Anna CLARK servant 17 House Maid born Glastonbury, Somerset

By 1881 William and Mary had moved to London, as seen here in the census for that year:

28 York Street, St Marylebone, London, Middlesex

William A. COX aged 68 Retired Surgeon M.R.C.S. born Bristol, Somerset
Mary COX wife 50 born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Eliza MAGGI widow 42 Domestic Servant born Limerick, Ireland


Dr William Abraham COX
(click image to enlarge)

William Abraham COX died on 13th September 1882. In 1891 his widow Mary was living in Mitcham, Surrey with two of her sons:

Brookfield, Mitcham, Surrey

Mary M. COX widower aged 67 Living On Own Means born Chewton, Somerset
Gordon COX son 35 Solicitor born Bath, Somerset
Robert H. COX son 33 Surgeon born Bath, Somerset
Annie BOWLES servant 20 Housemaid (Domestic) born Manchester, Lancashire

Mary Martha COX died on 24th December 1898.

William Ashley COX (b. 1847) called himself William COX-HIPPISLEY. He followed his father into the medical profession and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1881 he was living in Leicester:

18 Highcross Street, St Martin, St Martin, Leicester

Wm. Ashley Cox HIPPISLEY aged 33 General Practitioner M.R.C.S. Edinh. & Kings College born Bath
Ann ROWE servant 27 Domestic Servant born Coston, Leicester

William died unmarried in Leicester on 17th January 1889.

Hippisley COX (b. 1849) became a master mariner. In 1901 he was living in Ebury Street, London, as seen here in the 1901 census:

19 Ebury Street, St George Hanover Square, London

James CRANE aged 46 Daily Milk (Own Account) born St Albans, Herts
Florence CRANE wife 39 born Bridgwater, Somerset
Florie CRANE daughter 18 born St George Hanover Square, London
Violent CRANE daughter 6 born St George Hanover Square, London
Josephine MORGAN servant 23 General Servant (Domestic) born Hornsey, London
Hippisley COX boarder 51 Retired Master Mariner born Bath, Som

Hippisley married Isabel Hart ISAACSON on 12th April 1905 in St George, Hanover Square, London. Isabel was born c. 1851 in Chile and was the widow of Henry Whytehead ISAACSON and the daughter of Spencer Hart WILSON. Hippisley died on 30th December 1912; his widow Isabel died in December 1937.

Edward COX (b. 1852) changed his name to HIPPISLEY-COX by deed poll. He married Sarah CROOK on 18th January 1876. Sarah was born in Clifton, Bristol in about 1853 and was the daughter of Jacob Henry CROOK.


Edward HIPPISLEY-COX
(click image to enlarge)

Edward and Sarah had four children together - Edith Dorothea, born 14th November 1876 in Bath; Arthur, born 11th May 1879 in Bath; Frances, born 28th February 1882, died 25th September 1883, and Edward Geoffrey, born 29th August 1884 in Saltford, Somerset. In 1881 the family was living in Saltford, Somerset, as seen here in the census for that year:

High Street, Saltford, Somerset

Edward H. COX aged 29 Deriving Income From Dividends & House Property born Bath, Somerset
Sarah COX wife 28 born Clifton Bristol
Edith D. COX daughter 4 born Bath, Somerset
Arthur H. COX son 2 born Bath, Somerset
Emily J. BROWN servant 21 Domestic Servant born Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales
Alice HUMPHRIES servant 15 Domestic Servant born Saltford, Somerset


Edward, Dorothea & Arthur HIPPISLEY-COX
(click image to enlarge)

Sarah COX (nee CROOK) died on 29th November 1918. Her husband Edward died on 13th December 1919. Their eldest son Arthur (b. 1879) served in the Benin Expedition of 1897 as a Boy First Class aboard the HMS Forte. He was awarded the Benin Medal, but was lost at sea in the Bight of Benin aged only 20. Arthur's younger brother Edward Geoffrey (b. 1884) was admitted a solicitor in 1907 and specialised in Parliamentary work. He was a member of the Statute Law Committee and senior partner in Dyson, Bell & Co. In World War One he rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and served as Assistant Adjutant General at London District Command. From 1921 until his retirement in 1926 he commanded the Queen's Westminster & Civil Service Rifles and subsequently served as honorary Colonel of the regiment. In World War Two he again served as Assistant Adjutant General at London District Command. He was awarded the C.B.E. in 1919 and made a Knight Bachelor in 1938. In 1928 he purchased Gournay Court in West Harptree. Sir Geoffrey was the father of Peter Denzil John HIPPISLEY-COX, Chairman of Equity & Law Life Assurance Society from 1977 to 1985, and Roger Michael HIPPISLEY-COX.


Gournay Court
(click image to enlarge)

In 1871 Gordon COX (b. 1856) and his brother Robert (b. 1857) were boarding pupils at the Moravian School in Ockbrook, Derbyshire:

Moravian Boarding School for Boys, Ockbrook, Derbyshire

Gordon COX boarding pupil 15 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Robert COX boarding pupil 13 born Bath, Somerset

Gordon followed in his grandfather's footsteps and became a solicitor. He lived in London, as shown here in the 1881 and 1901 censuses:

69 George Street, St Marylebone, London (1881)

Gordon COX aged 25 Solicitor born Bath, Somerset
Sandford LESSEY 22 Student Of Medicine born London, Middlesex

161a Piccadilly, St George Hanover Square, London (1901)

Mary ELLIOTT servant widow aged 49 Housekeeper (Domestic) born Hampshire
Charlotte ELLIOTT servant 26 General Servant (Domestic) born Hampshire
George ELLIOTT servant 22 Manservant (Domestic) born Hampshire
Gordon COX boarder 45 Solicitor born Bath, Somerset
Melker F. RYDEN boarder 44 Mining Engineer born Sweden

Gordon COX never married and died on 11th September 1925.

Robert Hippisley COX (b. 1857) served became a surgeon. In 1881 he was living with the Marquis of CONYNGHAM in Belgrave Square, London, as seen in the census for that year:

36 Belgrave Square, St George Hanover Square, Westminster, London

Marquis of CONYNGHAM aged 56 Peer & Major General born London
Jane St Maur. S. CONYNGHAM wife 47 Peer's born London
Blanche CONYNGHAM daughter 24 Peer's Daughter born London
Jane S. CONYNGHAM daughter 20 Peer's Daughter born London
Maud CONYNGHAM daughter 18 Peer's Daughter born London
Florence CONYNGHAM daughter 14 Peer's Daughter born Bridge, Kent
R.H. COX visitor 24 Physician born Bath, Somerset

Robert served as a lieutenant in the medical corps of the Coldsteam Guards from 1886 to 1890, although he saw no active service overseas. He was also vice-chairman of the Prince's Racquets and Tennis Club in Knightsbridge.

Robert married Helen de Lacy LACY on 12th January 1910. She was born in London in about 1880 and was the daughter of Charles Sethward de Lacy LACY of Apsley House, Hurstbourne Priors, Hampshire and Augusta Matilda PATERSON. Robert and Helen had two children together - Antony Dacres, born 21st March 1912, and Tacina Elizabeth, born 21st April 1918. In 1914 Robert's book "The Green Roads of England" was published in which he described the prehistoric earthworks and megaliths of  Southern England and the ancient trackways which linked them. He died on 29th April 1923 and his widow Helen died on 16th April 1968.

Robert and Helen's son Antony Dacres Hippisley COXE went to Dartmouth at the age of 14 but he was unable to join the Navy due to poor eyesight, so instead he joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, serving in the Second World War and rising to the rank of Lt-Commander. He also worked as a freelance journalist and wrote numerous books, including "Haunted Britain", "A Book About Smuggling in the West Country, 1700-1850","Galley Wise" with his sister Tacina and "The Book of the Sausage" with his wife Araminta. He also helped prepare plans for the Festival of Britain in 1951, during which he organised the first tightrope walk across the Thames, worked for the B.B.C.'s Oversees Monitoring Service, was head of press and publicity for the National Farmers Union and later head of media at Shell International. Antony loved going to the circus as a child and became a noted circus historian; he organised the first international exhibition of Circusiana at Simpsons of Piccadilly in London in 1948, was a member of the International Union of Circus Historians, wrote "A Seat at the Circus" and donated his collection of circus memorabilia to the Victoria & Albert Theatre Museum in 1978, of which he had been a devoted supporter. He also trained a troupe of performing cats called Coxe's Catrobats! Antony died in 1988 aged 75 and the following is from the obituary that appeared in The Independent, written by Alexander SCHOUVALOFF of the Theatre Museum: "He loved good food and wine and was a most generous and thoughtful host. He was a totally unpretentious man who always had a kind word for everybody. Adored by young and old, he had that rare quality - an old-fashioned, charming gallantry."

William HIPPISLEY (1797-1854)

William HIPPISLEY was  born on 25th March 1797 and was the son of William HIPPISLEYand Mary DUDDEN. William married Elizabeth WOOKEY on 15th June 1818 in Cameley, Somerset. Elizabeth was born on 29th January 1797 in Hinton Blewett, Somerset and was the daughter of John WOOKEY and Betty EVANS. William and Elizabeth had at least five children together - Louisa, baptised 25th August 1818 in Cameley; Elizabeth, baptised 8th March 1820 in Chewton Mendip; William Thiera, born 23th December 1821 in Chewton Mendip; George, born 26th October 1824 in Chewton Mendip, and John, baptised 5th May 1830 in Wells.

Elizabeth HIPPISLEY (nee WOOKEY) died in 1833 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on 31st January of that year. William subsequently married Esther WOOKEY on 17th August 1833 in Temple, Bristol. Esther was born on 18th May 1806 in Hinton Blewett and was the younger sister of William's first wife. William and Esther had at least four children together - Ellen, born c. 1836 in St Philips, Bristol; Esther, born c. 1842 in St Philips, Bristol; Matilda, born c. 1845 in St Philips, Bristol, and Eliza, born 1st February 1852 at Bow Common, Bromley, Middlesex. In 1851 the family were living in Bromley:

No 1 Bow Common, Bromley St Leonard, Middlesex

William HIPPISLEY aged 54 born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Esther HIPPISLEY wife 44 born Coley, Somerset
Ellen HIPPISLEY daughter 15 born St Philips, Bristol
Esther HIPPISLEY daughter 9 born St Philips, Bristol
Matilda HIPPISLEY daughter 6 born St Philips, Bristol

William HIPPISLEY died of consumption on 21st January 1854 at Bow Common, Bromley aged just 56. This is how his widow Esther appears in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 censuses:

1 Bromley New Town, Bromley, London (1861)

Esther HIPPISLEY widow aged 54 Infant School born Somersetshire
Eliza HIPPISLEY daughter 9 Scholar born Bromley, Middlesex

1 Chapel Row, Bow Common Lane, Bromley St Leonard, London (1871)

Esther HIPPISLEY widow aged 64 born Somersetshire

38 Tidey Street, London (1881)

Hester HIPSLEY widow aged 74 born Hinton, Somerset
Eliza WOODRUFF granddaughter 13 Scholar born Bow, Middlesex
Agnes DIXON widow lodger 63 Nurse born Glasgow, Scotland

Esther HIPPISLEY (nee WOOKEY) died in about 1883.

William Thiera HIPPISLEY (b. 1821) also moved to London where he appears to have had at least one illegitimate child by Jane MARTIN - Jane Constance, baptised 23rd October 1842 in Old Church, St Pancras, London. William married Jane MARTIN on 3rd December 1844 in St Dunstan, Stepney, London. Jane was the daughter of John MARTIN, a cooper. William and Jane had at least two more children together - Elizabeth, born c. 1846, and William Thiera, born 18th January 1852 in Devons Road, Bromley, Middlesex. William Thiera (b. 1852) died of pneumonia on 21st July 1852 in Bromley New Town aged just six months. This is how William and Jane appear in the 1851 census:

Mr Smith's Factory, Bow Common, Bromley St Leonard, Tower Hamlets, Middlesex

John CLARK aged 39 Carter born Startford, Essex
Mary A. CLARK wife 37 born Southwark, Surrey
John CLARK son 12 born Southwark, Surrey
Elizabeth CLARK daughter 9 born Southwark, Surrey
Edwin CLARK son 7 born Southwark, Surrey
Arthur CLARK son 4 born Southwark, Surrey
Alfred CLARK son 10 months born Southwark, Surrey
William HIPPISLEY lodger 29 Labourer born Somerset

Gun Row, Devons Lane, Bromley, Middlesex

Jane HIPPISLEY aged 28 Domestic born Middlesex
Jane HIPPISLEY daughter 8 Scholar born Middlesex
Elizabeth HIPPISLEY daughter 4 Scholar born Middlesex
Daniel BRYANT visitor 30 Labourer born Middlesex

Jane HIPPISLEY (nee MARTIN) died of phthisis on 15th February 1853 at Bow Common, Bromley aged only 30.


William Thiera HIPPISLEY
(click image to enlarge)

William then emigrated to Australia where he worked as a miner. He married Margaret Anne ROBERTS on 2nd September 1865 in Sandhurst, Victoria. Margaret was born in about 1832 and was the daughter of Edward ROBERTS and Jane EVANS. William and Margaret had four children together - Amy Annie, born 1866; William Alfred, born 1868; Herbert Kettle, born 1871, and Eveline Ella, born 1874.

William Thiera HIPPISLEY died on 10th November 1889 aged 67. His widow Margaret died on 8th January 1923 aged 90.

George HIPPISLEY (b. 1824) married Ann WALLACE in 1847. She was born in Leith, Scotland in about 1831. George and Ann had at least five children together - George, born c. 1849 in Bromley; Ann, born c. 1850 in Bromley; Elizabeth, born c. 1855 in Bromley; John, born c. 1858 in Bromley, and Esther, born c. 1860 in Barking, Essex. In 1851 George and Ann were living in Bromley:

No 1 Moors Cottages, Bromley St Leonard, Middlesex

George HIPPISLEY aged 26 Labourer born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Ann HIPPISLEY wife 20 born Leith, Scotland
George HIPPISLEY son 2 born Bromley, Middlesex
Ann HIPPISLEY daughter 7 months born Bromley, Middlesex

George HIPPISLEY (1802-1873)

George HIPPISLEY was born on 3rd January 1802 and was the son of William HIPPISLEY and Mary DUDDEN. George had three illegitimate children by Ann YORK, all born in Chewton Mendip - Christiana, baptised 9th March 1825; Samuel, born c. 1832, and Allan, baptised 12th November 1837. George and Ann lived in Nedge near Chewton Mendip as seen here in the 1841 and 1861 censuses:

Nedge, Chewton Mendip, Somerset (1841)

George HIPPISLEY aged 35 Independent Born in County
Ann HIPPISLEY aged 30 Born in County
Christianna HIPPISLEY aged 15 Born in County
Samuel HIPPISLEY aged 8 Born in County
Allan HIPPISLEY aged 3 Born in County

Nedge, Chewton Mendip, Somerset (1861)

George HIPPESLEY aged 59 Proprietor of Houses born Chewton Mendip
Ann HIPPESLEY wife 55 born Wells
Allan HIPPESLEY son 23 Agricultural Labourer born Chewton Mendip
William COLLINS grandson 6 born Wells
Sarah Ann COLLINS granddaughter 2 born Newport

George and Ann finally married on 13th September 1869 in Chewton Mendip when they were both in their sixties. By 1871 they had retired to The Folly in Chewton:

The Folly, Chewton Mendip, Somerset

George HIPPISLEY aged 69 born Chewton Mendip
Ann HIPPISLEY 65 born Chewton Mendip

George died on 9th January 1873 and his widow Ann died on 17th February 1883.

Christiana HIPPISLEY (b. 1825) had an illegitimate son, Owen, who was baptised on 15th March 1852 in Chewton Mendip. Sadly, Owen was buried in Chewton on 11th July of the same year. Christiana married John COLLINS in Wells in 1854 with whom she had two further children - William, born c. 1855 in Wells, and Sarah Ann, born 28th July 1858 in Portland Street, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. Christiana died in Newport on 7th August 1858 aged 33.

Samuel HIPPISLEY (b. 1832) married Eliza NORMAN on 13th July 1852 in Wells, Somerset, England. Eliza was born in Wells in about 1832. The previous year Samuel and Eliza had both been living with the HANCOCK family in West Horrington, as seen here in the 1851 census:

West Horrington, Wells, Somerset

Thomas HANCOCK aged 28 Agricultural Labourer born Horrington, Somerset
Ann HANCOCK wife 27 born Wells, Somerset
Eliza NORMAN visitor 19 born Hillgrove, Somerset
Mary HANCOCK daughter 1 born Hillgrove, Somerset
Samuel HIPPISLEY lodger 18 Agricultural Labourer born Horrington, Somerset

Samuel and Eliza had six children together - James, born c. 1858 in Emborough; Caroline, born c. 1860 in Wells; William, born c. 1863 in Wells; Edward, born 28th February 1867 in Bath Road, Wells; Ellen, born c. 1872 in Wells, and Alice Mary, born c. 1874 in Wells. This is how the family appears in the 1861 and 1871 censuses:

Bath Road, Wells, Somerset (1861)

Samuel HIPPISLEY aged 28 Agricultural Labourer born Wells, Somerset
Eliza HIPPISLEY wife 29 wife born Wells, Somerset
James HIPPISLEY son 3 born Emborough, Somerset
Caroline HIPPISLEY daughter 1 daughter born Wells, Somerset

1 Dells Court, St Cuthbert Out, Wells, Somerset (1871)

Samuel HIPPISLEY aged 37 Gardener born Wells
Eliza HIPPISLEY wife 38 Charwoma born Wells
James HIPPISLEY son 13 Scholar born Wells
Caroline HIPPISLEY daughter 11 Scholar born Wells
William HIPPISLEY son 8 Scholar born Wells
Edwin HIPPISLEY son 4 Scholar born Wells

Eliza HIPPISLEY (nee NORMAN) died of phthisis on 31st August 1880 at 1 Dells Court, St Thomas Street, Wells. In 1881 her widowed husband was living at 1 Dells Court with three of his children, as seen here in the census for that year:

1 Dells Court, St Cuthbert Out, Wells, Somerset

Samuel HIPPISLEY widower aged 48 Agricultural Labourer born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Edward HIPPISLEY son 14 Labourer In Paper Mills born Wells, Somerset
Ellen HIPPISLEY daughter  8 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
Alice M. HIPPISLEY daughter 6 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
John HANCOCK nephew 14 Labourer In Paper Mills born Wells, Somerset

Samuel married Sarah Ann BISHOP on 13th April 1887 in Wells, but by 1901 he was once again a widower, as seen here in the census for that year:

4b Back Lane, St Cuthbert In, Wells, Somerset

Samuel HIPPISLEY widower aged 64 Labourer in Garden born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Emily BISHOP servant widow 42 Housekeeper (Domestic) born Godney, Somerset
Alfred BISHOP son 11 born Blagdon, Somerset

Allan HIPPISLEY (b. 1837) married Elizabeth DURBIN on 5th July 1864 in St Philip & Jacob, Bristol. Elizabeth was born in Chewton Mendip in about 1842 and was the daughter of Thomas DURBIN and Ann DIX. Allan and Elizabeth had eight children together - Dora, born c. 1866 in Twerton, Somerset; Rosa Jessie, born c. 1867 in Wells; Bertha Ann Elizabeth, born 12th December 1869 in Wells, Somerset; Hubert Harry, born c. 1871 in Wells; Alice Mary, born c. 1874 in Wells; Arthur George, born c. 1877 in Wells; Dorinda Louisa, born c. 1878 in Wells, and Florry. In 1881 the family was living in the Coach & Horses Inn in Wells, as seen here in the census for that year:

Coach & Horses Inn, 54 St Thomas Street, St Cuthbert Out, Wells, Somerset

Allan HIPPISLEY aged 42 Licensed Victualler & Agricultural Labourer born Chewton, Somerset
Elizabeth HIPPISLEY wife 38 born Chewton, Somerset
Dora HIPPISLEY daughter 15 born Twerton, Somerset
Rosa J. HIPPISLEY daughter 13 born Wells, Somerset
Bertha A. E. HIPPISLEY daughter 11 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
Hubert H. HIPPISLEY son 9 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
Alice M. HIPPISLEY daughter 7 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
Arthur G. HIPPISLEY son 4 Scholar born Wells, Somerset
Dorinda HIPPISLEY daughter 2 born Wells, Somerset
William FOXWELL widower boarder 68 Lime Burners Labourer born Wells, Somerset

Elizabeth HIPPISLEY (nee DURBIN) appears to have died in the late 1800s, as the 1901 census shows Allan married to a lady called Mary, as seen here:

14 Tucker Street, St Cuthbert In, Wells, Somerset

Allen HIPPISLEY aged 64 Gardener born Wells, Somerset
Mary HIPPISLEY wife 67 born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Harry PULLEN boarder 59 Labourer born Wells, Somerset

Allan HIPPISLEY died on 6th February 1917 at 76 Goodhind Street, Bristol.


Allan HIPPISLEY
(click image to enlarge)

Henry HIPPISLEY (1803-1833)

Henry HIPPISLEY was born on 28th March 1803 and was the youngest son of William HIPPISLEYand Mary DUDDEN. Henry married Caroline CLAVEY on 26th November 1826 in Chewton Mendip. Caroline was baptised on 29th July 1804 in Chewton Mendip was the daughter of Thomas CLAVEY and Sarah BETHESEA. Henry and Caroline had at least four children together - Mary Ann Clavey, baptised 2nd December 1827 in Chewton Mendip, buried 4th April 1828 also in Chewton Mendip; Eliza, baptised 18th July 1829 in Hinton Blewitt, Somerset; Anne, baptised 7th July 1831 in Litton, Somerset, and Henry, born c. 1833. Henry HIPPISLEY worked as a shoemaker and later as a labourer. He died in 1833 and was buried in Chewton Mendip on 20th May in that year. In 1841 his widow Caroline was living in Emborough with her three surviving children:

Green Ore, Emborrow, Somerset

Caroline HIPPISLEY age 35 Born in County
Eliza HIPPISLEY aged 12 Born in County
Anne HIPPISLEY aged 9 Born in County
Henry HIPPISLEY aged 7 Born in County

Caroline married John WOOKEY on 27th October 1842 in Chewton Mendip.

Eliza HIPPISLEY (b. 1829) is shown as Eliza Dudding or Eliza Dudden HIPPISLEY on later records. She appears to have been working as a nursemaid at Ston Easton House in 1851, as shown here in the census for that year:

Ston Easton House, Ston Easton, Somerset

John HIPPISLEY aged 45 Magistrate & D.L. for County of Somerset born Lamborn, Berkshire
Georgiana HIPPISLEY wife 42 born Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire
John HIPPISLEY son 19 born Shrivenham, Berkshire
Ann Catherine HIPPISLEY daughter 17 born Watchfield, Berkshire
Charlotte Mary HIPPISLEY daughter 15 born Nice, Sardinia (British Subject)
Frederick Thomas HIPPISLEY son 3 born Ston Easton, Somerset
Martha Sybil HIPPISLEY daughter 2 born Ston Easton, Somerset
Georgiana HIPPISLEY daughter 5 months born Ston Easton, Somerset
Francis DUPONT servant 49 Butler born France
William WILLCOX servant 20 Footman born Ston Easton, Somerset
John WILLCOX servant 17 Errand Boy born Ston Easton, Somerset
Mary WILLIAMS servant 33 Housekeeper born Killgidding, Llanvair, Monmouthshire
Jane WEBB servant 20 Housemaid born Wells, Somerset
Ann PEARCE servant 25 Cook born Ston Easton, Somerset
Eliza Martha ANSTEE servant 21 Housemaid born Timsbury, Somerset
Hannah HIPPISLEY servant 19 Still Room Maid born Litton, Somerset
Lucy HILL servant 25 Housemaid born Ston Easton, Somerset
Eliza Dudden HIPPISLEY servant 21 Nursemaid born Hinton Blewitt, Somerset
Elizabeth STOCK servant 21 Kitchenmaid born Emborow, Somerset

Eliza married Albert SCOTT on 14th February 1857 in the Moravian Chapel, Charlotte Street, Bath, Somerset. Albert was born in Bath on 12th December 1832 and was the son of George and Ellen SCOTT. Albert and Eliza had at least eight children together, all born in Bath - Henry Hippisley, born c. 1858; Fanny Hippisley Fisher, born c. 1862; Edward Hippisley, born c. 1864; Georgina Hippisley, born c. 1865; Laura Caroline Hippisley, born c. 1868; Sidney Albert Hippisley, born c. 1870; Jessie Hippisley, born c. 1872, and Adelaide, born c. 1874, died c. 1882. This is how the family appears in the 1871 and 1881 censuses:


4 Belvedere, Walcot, Bath, Somerset (1871)

Albert SCOTT aged 38 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Eliza D. SCOTT wife 39 born Hinton Blewitt, Somerset
Henry H. SCOTT son 12 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Fanny H. F. SCOTT daughter 9 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Edward H. SCOTT son 6 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Georgina H. SCOTT daughter 4 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Laura C. H. SCOTT daughter 2 born Bath, Somerset
Sidney A. H. SCOTT son 4 months born Bath, Somerset
Frederick BLUNDIN visitor 33 Wine Merchant & Chemist born Basingstoke, Hampshire
Mary Ann BLUNDIN visitor 29 born Lasham, Hampshire
Amelia CURTIS servant 16 General Servant born High Littleton, Somerset

4 Seymour Street, Walcot, Bath, Somerset (1881)

Albert SCOTT aged 48 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Eliza D. SCOTT wife 49 born Chewton Mendip, Somerset
Henry H. SCOTT son 22 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Fanny H. F. SCOTT daughter 19 Assisant born Bath, Somerset
Edward H. SCOTT son 16 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Georgina H. SCOTT daughter 15 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Laura C. H. SCOTT daughter 12 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Jessie H. SCOTT daughter 8 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Sidney A. H. SCOTT son 10 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Adelaide H. SCOTT daughter 6 Scholar born Bath, Somerset
Elizabeth SCOTT visitor 55 born Bath, Somerset

Eliza SCOTT (nee HIPPISLEY) died in Bath in 1889. In 1891 the widowed Albert was still living Walcot with three of his children:

4 Seymour Street, Walcot, Bath, Somerset

Albert SCOTT aged 58 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Henry H. SCOTT son 33 House Decorator born Bath, Somerset
Georgina H. SCOTT daughter 25 Housekeeper for her Father born Bath, Somerset
Laura C. H. SCOTT daughter 22 Foreign Stamp Assistant born Bath, Somerset

Albert SCOTT died in Bath in 1915.


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