A.D. 1600 - 1794

JOHN DANVERS OF CULWORTH

Samuel Danvers15.1 died in the year 1603, and was followed at Culworth by his brother John, who, as we learn from the parish register, was baptised on October 10, 1579.  John matriculated at Hart Hall, Oxford, on October 10, 1594, and became a student of the Middle Temple in 1596.  He was knighted on June 1, 1624, and was Sheriff of Northampton for the year 1627.  On October 1, 1604, John Danvers married, at Thorpe Mandeville, Dorothy, fourth daughter of Gabriel Pulteney, of Misterton, Leicester, Esq.

Pulteney Family

His wife’s family had long been seated at Misterton, a manor which they acquired by the marriage of Adam de Pulteney with Maude de Napton.  Adam’s son, Sir John Pulteney, five times Lord Mayor of London, was high in favour with King Edward III.  Eighth in descent from him was Gabriel, father of Dorothy Danvers.  The manor continued in the family till the year 1637, when John Pulteney, the last male heir of the elder branch, died, leaving four sisters as his coheiresses.

Family of John Danvers

John Danvers and his wife Dorothy had seven daughters: Anne, Mary, Susan, Fortitude, Elizabeth, Katherine, Margaret, and three sons: John, Samuel, William.  John, the eldest son, was baptised at Culworth on March 18, 1609 (NS); he died young.  Samuel, baptised October 29, 1611, succeeded his father at Culworth.  William, baptised July 8, 1613, was killed at Banbury in the year 1643, fighting for his King, and was buried in the chancel of Banbury Old Church.15.2  William’s estate was administered to by his brother Samuel in October 1646.  Lady Dorothy Danvers was buried at Culworth, February 15, 1644.

Daughters

Of the daughters, Anne, the eldest, was baptised at Thorpe Mandeville, in the year 1605; Mary, baptised at Culworth in December, 1607, married at Culworth, January 1, 1640, Lawrence Manley, of Spratton; Susan, baptised at Culworth, February 20, 1619, married at Culworth, February 21, 1637, Edmund Bray, of Fifield.  Her will was proved in 166815.3 by her son, Reginald Bray,  She mentions her eldest son, John, and her nieces, Dorothy and Anne Danvers, and her kinsman, John Fiennes.  Fortitude, the fourth daughter of Sir John, was baptised in 1615 and died March, 1617; Katherine was baptised in 1619.  Elizabeth, baptised December 30, 1617, as we learn from a probate document attached to her father’s will, married Richard Zouche.  This was probably Richard Zouche, Judge of High Court of Admiralty, died in March, 1660; who, according to Anthony Wood, was a subtle logician, an expert historian, and, as regards civil law, the chief person of his time.  Margaret, on June 5, 1634, married at Culworth, Thomas Ryslye, of Chetwode.  Lipscomb’s History of Bucks vol. iii, p. 3. states that Thomas Risley, Sheriff of Bucks, 1662, ob. 1671; married Margaret, daughter of John Danvers of Culworth.  Their son, John Risley, married Christian Temple, sister to the Sir William Temple who married Dorothy, daughter of Sir Peter Osborne.  We also learn from the will of Sir John Danvers, he had a daughter, Greswold, who was the Katherine, baptised in May, 1619, married, May 14, 1638, John Greswold.  Amongst some Danvers deeds which were in the possession of Mrs Roberts of Wokingham, is one dated November 3, 1633, which gives to John Blincoe the guardianship of John, son and heir of Edward Greswold, deceased.

Like his grandfather, Sir John Danvers attempted to increase his domain at the expense of the villagers, and a deed now amongst those belonging to Culworth Church shows that in the year 1609 he enclosed lands then lying open and in common fields, but on the protest of the freeholders and others agreed to pay as compensation one hundred pounds, to be employed for the relief of the poor as the minister and churchwardens should appoint.  Additional Charters, Culworth series, 38899, 38900, 38904 and 38905, all relate to John’s misdoings with reference to the lands of the Culworth freeholders, and they include a pardon under the Great Seal for his transgressions.

Death and Will of Sir John Danvers

Sir John Danvers, æt. 63, was buried at Culworth on February 17, 1642.  The will of Sir John Danvers; it is registered at Somerset House.15.4  He does not mention his eldest son, Samuel, but makes provision out of his personal estate for his wife, for his son William, and for his daughters Anne and Elizabeth, and leaves legacies to his daughters Rysley, Bray, and Greswold.  The will was made on December 2, 1641.  The executors, his ‘noble cousins,’ Sir John Danvers of Chelsea, and Sir Peter Osborne.

SIR SAMUEL DANVERS

Sir John Danvers was succeeded by his son Samuel, born October 29, 1612 (NS), who at the time of his father’s death was over thirty years of age.  In the year 1634 Samuel Danvers married Anne, daughter of Sir William Pope, eldest son of William, first Earl of Downe.  The Earl built, besides the mansion of Wroxton, another large house at Cogges, near the site of the ancient Priory, and in this house Sir William died, and here, after his death, his daughter was betrothed to Samuel Danvers.  The allegation of marriage (1634) is in the Bishop’s registry at Oxford—‘Samuel Danvers of Culworth, aged about twenty-three, bachelor, to Anne Pope of Cogges, aged eighteen, spinster, with consent of the father of Samuel and the mother of Anne.’

Anne’s brother, Thomas Pope, born at Cogges in 1622, was second Earl of Downe in succession to his grandfather, but he, like his brother-in-law, Samuel Danvers, suffered severely for his activity in the Royal cause, and was obliged to sell his house and estate at Cogges.

Imprisoned

Amongst the Domestic State Papers of the years 1640-41 are several notices of Samuel Danvers.  In May, 1640, he, together with John Rye of Culworth, Sir Thomas Pope of Aynho, William Pargeter, John Danby Mayor of Northampton, and Braye of Farthinghoe, were apprehended on council warrant, and were imprisoned for refusing to pay coat and conduct money, one of the illegal exactions which were made at this period.

Created Baronet

In July Samuel Danvers paid his assessment and was released; nor does his conduct appear to have been displeasing to the Crown, or, at any rate, it was forgiven, for in March, 1642-43, he was made a baronet.  On the breaking out of the Civil War Sir Samuel took the Royalist side, and his brother William obtained a commission as lieutenant in the Earl of Northampton’s horse.

Charles I at Culworth

In the year 1644, as we learn from the Iter Carolinum15.5 the King slept on Thursday, June 27, at Sir Samuel’s house at Culworth, and, to tell the tale briefly, it was in this way that the King came to be at the village.  Pressed at Oxford by the Parliamentary forces under Essex and Waller, the King escaped with his army and made a rapid march to Worcester, deceiving and eluding Waller, who followed him.  On his return the armies became opposed to one another at Banbury, where Waller strongly established himself in and around the town, while the King’s army was posted on the other side of the Cherwell.  On June 27, the King, in order to draw Waller from his strong position, made as if he would further enter Northamptonshire, and his first day’s march brought him to Culworth, where he slept.  The move had the desired effect, and Waller with his army coasted along the high ground through Little and Great Bourton, while the King with his army marched northward along the Northamptonshire side of the valley.

Battle of Cropredy Bridge

It was when in the neighbourhood of Cropredy that the King, hearing that a reinforcement for his enemies was crossing to the north of his army, hastened forward with a view to cutting it off, and this he did so hastily that the main body of the army became separated from the rear.  Waller, from the heights of Bourton, perceived the error, marched down upon Cropredy Bridge, forced it, and endeavoured to interpose his forces between the divisions of the King’s army.  Then followed the battle of Cropredy Bridge, in which the gallantry of his cavalry retrieved the King’s error, and inflicted upon Waller a severe defeat.  On the road from Cropredy Bridge to Williamscote may still be seen, extending for some distance, double hedges which Waller lined with his troops, and from which they were driven by the King’s horse.

Under the Commonwealth

To return to Sir Samuel, in the year 1648-49 he was Sheriff of the county, and the London papers of the time report that after the King’s death he rode to the assizes, himself and his retinue, clothed in black.  He is not found amongst the number of those who compounded for their estates, but the tradition is that he had to pay very heavily for his loyalty, probably in the way of taxes laid upon him by Cromwell’s Major-General of the county.  Anyhow, like many other Royalists, he became impoverished, and was obliged to leave Culworth for a time, retreating to the smaller manor-house of Fritwell, which a few years previously he had bought after the death of its previous owner, Colonel Sandys.  Sir Samuel sold the manor to Samuel Cox, Esq.

Parish Accounts at Culworth

In the year 1653 we again have the Culworth parish accounts, and Sir Samuel’s contribution heads ‘the levies made by the minister and churchwardens.’  The total receipts in the year 1654 are £6 9s., and the disbursements £6 8s.  The principal charges are to the house of correction, 12s.; bread and wine for Holy Communion at Michaelmas, Christmas, and Easter, 16s., 14s., and £1 17s.  In another place we find that the latter sum represented the purchase of four gallons of wine, which the churchwardens must have used for other purposes than that for which it was purchased.  Other ordinary charges about this period are for the bell-ropes, which cost 13s., and for attendance on visitations at Brackley.

In the year 1657 there is a charge of £11. 7s. for ‘casting the bell and metell to put to it.’  For carrying the bell and bringing it back, £1. 4s.  For the carpenter for his work, 17s.; and the smith for his work, 8s.

But there is, besides the book for the charges of the churchwardens and work about the church, a book of accounts for the ‘overseere for the poore.’  At this time £3 half-yearly was the sum disbursed in the way of outdoor relief and to goodwives for looking after old and sick people.  The sums allowed varied from one to twelve shillings, and about twenty poor people received relief.  Five shillings is charged for making the grave of a pauper and for his burial, and eight pence for ‘toleing the bell and registering his death.’

In the year 1661 are many entries of charges contingent upon the happy return of his Majesty.  £2 4s. for setting up the King’s arms; a form of prayer for his Majesty’s return, 1s.; a form for January 30, the day of the late King’s martyrdom; £2 7s. for a surplice which now at last the minister, Mr. Gilbert, may use; 10s. for a hood; 6s. for a book of Homilies; 10s. for a new Book of Common Prayer.  It may be noted that in the year 1661-62 Sir Samuel Danvers, Sir T. Cave, and O’Brien Cockayne, Esq., were deputy-lieutenants for the county of Northampton.

Death of Sir Samuel Danvers

In the years 1680 and 1681 Sir Samuel Danvers still heads the list of ratepayers, but in the latter year Pope d’Anvers signs the accounts, and in the year 1682 Sir Pope d’Anvers takes his father’s place at the head of the list.  Sir Samuel died on January 27, 1683, and was buried at Culworth on the 30th.  He left no will, and his estate was administered to by his son, Sir Pope Danvers, on April 27, 1683.  His wife, Ann, predeceased him, and was buried at Culworth on March 27, 1678.  They had several children, of whom John, the eldest, died young, and was buried on June 23, 1643.  Samuel, the second son, also died young.  Pope, the third son, was baptised December 12, 1644; he succeeded his father.  Ann, baptised February 10, 1642.  Mary, baptised September 6, 1643, died an infant.  Dorothy survived her father, and died unmarried in September, 1710.

Ann Danvers and Sir John Marsham

Ann, the eldest daughter, became the first wife of Sir John Marsham.15.6  They married 11 January 166415.7.  This Sir John was the eldest son of the first Sir John Marsham, an eminent loyalist and a learned antiquary and historian.  His son, the second Sir John, husband to Ann Danvers, was also a very learned gentleman.  Ann died in the year 1672, aged thirty, and was buried at Cuxton, near Rochester.  She left no children.  Her husband after her death married Hester, daughter of Sir George Sayer, and had a son, who, however, died young, and Sir John was succeeded by his brother, Sir Robert Marsham, from whom are descended the family of Marsham, Earl of Romney.

DUEL AT FRITWELL

Letter of Robert Marsham

In September of the year 1678, Robert Marsham, in a letter still extant, states that he was on a visit to Sir Samuel Danvers at Fritwell, and was witness of a fatal quarrel which occurred there between Pope Danvers, Sir Samuel’s eldest son, and a Mr Jackman.  The letter, apart from its connection with the Danvers history, is interesting as an illustration of the manners and customs of the time, and runs as follows:

‘The ninth of September I going to Fritwell to visit Sir Samuell Danvers, he carried me to an alehouse, and after some time wanting company, sent for one Mr. Jackman, who came to us, and immediately after him Mr. Pope Danvers, who had been enquiring before for me.  After we had all drunk too freely, Mr. Danvers began a whole flaggon, which every one pledged, and then began two flaggons in a hand, which every one refused but Mr. Jackman.  When Mr. Jackman’s flaggons were filled, Mr. Danvers denying that they were so full as his, Mr. Jackman gave him the lye, whereupon Mr. Danvers struck him, and they fought.  I parted them twice in the house, afterwards they went out of doors, I followed them, but coming into the air I doe not well remember what happened afterwards. The witnesses swear that they were down one on the top of another, and that I was standing by with my sworde drawne.  Afterwards I went home with Sir Samuel and his son.  The next morning, being the tenth, Mr. Danvers having been very ill, desired me to go out with him to take the aire.  I knowing nothing of any other desyne, went along with him into the common field, when I saw four or five men walking together, and att some distance foure more, whereof one was Mr. Jackman.  I not suspecting any thing of a duell in the presence of so many men, went to talk with some of the men.  In the interim Mr. Jackman and Mr. Danvers met and fought, and after three or four brisk passes, before that we could come to part them, Mr. Jackman fell down dead.  After which I went about my affairs, and staid three or dour days in the country without any disturbance, and then came away.  The Coroner’s inquest have found it wilful murder in Mr. Danvers, but nothing concerning me.’ 15.8

Petition of Robert Marsham

On November 9 following the duel, administration15.9 of the goods of William Jackman, of Fritwell, Co. Oxon., was granted to his widow.  The story of the duel is carried on by a petition (undated) of Robert Marsham to the King, which is as follows:

‘Petitioner had misfortune to be present when Pope Danvers, Esqre., killed William Jackman, (but your Petitioner had no hand in the fact), neither had he his sword drawn.  That the Coroner’s Inquest hath since found that fact to be murder, and the law being very strict in such cases, your Petitioner may be in danger of the punishment, though not guilty, and therefore begs his Majesty,’ 15.10 etc.

On June 30, 1679, Mr Marsham’s petition was granted, and by the King’s command, under the Privy Seal, letters patent were issued granting his royal pardon to Robert Marsham concerning the death and killing of William Jaqueman, alias Jackman.15.11

Pardon of Pope Danvers

On November 29 following, by the King’s command,15.12 under the Privy Seal, letters patent were issued granting his royal pardon to Pope Danvers concerning the death and killing of William Jackman, late of Fritwell.

SIR POPE DANVERS

Family

Sir Pope Danvers succeeded his father in the baronetcy.  He was educated at Oxford, where he matriculated at Trinity College in December, 1661.  In the year 1664 he entered as a student of the Middle Temple.  He married Anne, daughter and co-heiress of William Barker,15.13 of Sunning, Berks, Esq., and by her had several children.  Barker, the eldest, died young, in January, 1694.  Rowland  also died young, on November 22, 1697.  (A C. F. Rowland, aged 11, of Culworth, was admitted to Winchester College in 1692.)  John, born July 10, 1673, succeeded his father.  Daniel, the next son, born June, 1681, also survived his father.  Elizabeth died young, buried October 16, 1691.  Ann also died young, buried February 4, 1702.  Mary survived her father, and died unmarried, August 1715.  Frances, born January, 1684, died July, 1750.  Finetta, born February, 1687, died March, 1730.

Will of Sir Pope Danvers

Sir Pope Danvers’ will15.14 was proved in the year 1712.  He does not mention his eldest son and heir, John, but mentions his son Daniel, and states that at the time of his marriage he had settled on him a moiety of the rectory of Sunning, with its appurtenances, including land in Berks and Oxon, and the tithes of the parish.  The other moiety he bequeaths to his wife Anne for her life, and after her death to his daughters, Mary, Frances, and Finetta.  All his household goods he leaves to his wife.

Will of Dorothy Danvers

We have also the will of Sir Pope’s sister, Dorothy,15.15 made in 1709, proved in 1710.  She desires that she may be buried near her father and mother, and leaves £40 to be laid out in a marble or stone monument to their memory and that of her nieces, Elizabeth and Anne, to be placed above their graves on the pier between the east and south windows in the chancel of the church.  The monument, if ever erected, has disappeared.  Dorothy also mentions her beloved friend, the Dowager Countess of Lindsey, to whom she leaves her grandmother Wentworth’s picture, and to her son, the Hon. Charles Bertie, she leaves £50.  To Brigadier Thomas Poulteney, her godson, she leaves twenty guineas ‘to buy a repeating clock, that he may be punctual to count the hour.’  To her niece, Mary Danvers, she leaves £100 ‘to show her charity, though she never loved me.’  To her nephew, Daniel Danvers, she leaves £800.  Her niece Dorothy is her residuary legatee and executor.  Dorothy was the eldest daughter of Sir Pope and married Moses Baxter of Portsmouth.  She died October 18, 1711, æt. 32, and a monument to her memory remains on the north wall of the chancel of the parish church.

Daniel Danvers of Eydon

Daniel Danvers mentioned in Dorothy’s will was fourth son of Sir Pope, and was of Eydon, Northampton, and Lower Worton, Oxon.  He married, in 1712, Martha, daughter and co-heiress of the Rev. Moses Hodges, of Sulgrave.  His will15.16 was proved in 1743 by his son and executor, John Danvers of Thorpe Mandeville.  In it he mentions his wife, Martha, his eldest son, Barker Danvers, other sons, John and Moses Hodges, and a daughter, Anne.  Apparently another child was expected at the time of his death.  A monument formerly existed to his memory in Lower Worton Church, but was removed, and lost at the time of the restoration of the church.  None of Daniel’s sons left children, but his daughter, Martha, married, September 17, 1746, at Thorpe Mandeville Church, Daniel Rich, of the Temple, son of Sir Robert Rich, of Sunning.  They had children, Daniel, Martha, and Frances.  To Martha and Frances, Mrs Meriel Danvers devised the manor of Culworth.

John Danvers

The will of John Danvers of Thorpe Mandeville15.17 was made 11 Feb 1744 and proved by his sister Martha, 11 Feb 1746.  In it he mentions his sister Martha, aunt Frances, cousins Henry, Michael, and Meriel.  The testator desires that he may be buried in Culworth Church.  His lands in Crockwell, in Green Park, in Stoke Talmage, in Sunning and in Wiltshire, he leaves to his sister Martha; should she die without issue, to his aunt, Frances Danvers, spinster, and at her death, to his cousin, Sir Henry Danvers; legacies to his cousins Michael, Meriel, and Martha Danvers.

SIR JOHN DANVERS

Sir Pope Danvers was followed at Culworth by is eldest surviving son, Sir John Danvers, born July 10, 1673.

Marriages

Sir John Danvers was three times married: (1) To Meriel, daughter of Sir Robert Leicester, of Tabley, Chester; (2) to Susan, sister and co-heiress of Sir Edward Nicolls, of Faxton and Hardwick; (3) to Mary, daughter of the Rev. John Hutchins, rector of the neighbouring village of Eydon.

Sir Robert Leicester, father of Meriel, descended from a very ancient Cheshire family, long seated at Tabley.  His wife’s name was Meriel Watson, and they had, besides the daughter, a son, Sir Francis, who followed his father.  Sir Francis had but one child, another Meriel, from whom the present family of de Tabley is descended.  Sir John Danvers and Meriel had one child, Samuel, born at Tabley in December, 1701, at whose birth Meriel died.  Samuel died unmarried, February 5, 1723.

Sir John’s second wife, Susan Nicolls, was co-heiress with her brother, Edward, to her father, Sir Edward Nicolls, Bart., of Faxton.  Sir Edward the younger died without male heirs, and the baronetcy then became extinct.  Jane, a sister of Susan’s, married (1) John Raynsford, of Bridgworth, Esq., and (2) . . . Kemsey, Esq.  This second marriage of Sir John’s was a very unhappy one, and after much quarrelling,15.18 verbal and epistolary, he and his wife separated, and she returned to her home at Faxton, where she died in June, 1730.  They had no children.  In her will15.19 she leaves the bulk of her property to her nephew, John Nicolls Raynsford, with remainder to his brothers, Stephen Justinian and Francis; she also mentions her sister, Jane Kemsey, of Quarndon.

On Lady Susan’s death, Sir John married his neighbour, Mary Hutchins, daughter of the Rector of Eydon, by whom he had sons, Henry, born April 30, 1731, Anthony, born in 1734, died in infancy, Michael, born September 29, 1738, and a daughter, Meriel, born March, 1732-33.  Mary, born in March, 1737, died young.

Death of Sir John Danvers

Sir John died September 26, 1744, and was buried in the chancel of Culworth Church.  His will15.20 was made in the year 1740, and seems to show that his third, like his second marriage, was not a happy one.  He appoints Nicholas Talbot, his old servant, guardian of all his children, and bequeaths to him all his property—goods, plate, houses, lands, to be divided by him equally amongst the children.  However, as Sir John had not appointed an executor, administration was granted on October 5, 1745, to his widow, Mary.  It is said that shortly after her husband’s death the widow married a villager of humble station.  According to the diary of the then Rector of Thorpe Mandeville, Dame Mary married William Howes of Culworth on February 24, 1754.  She died at Culworth in January, 1785, æt. seventy-five.

SIR HENRY, SIR MICHAEL, AND MERIEL DANVERS

Sir John was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son, Sir Henry, born April 30, 1731, died, unmarried, August 10, 1753.  He was succeeded by his brother, Sir Michael, the last baronet, born September 29, 1738, died, unmarried, on August 20, 1776.  He was Sheriff of Northampton in the year 1763, and the last sheriff of his family for the county of Northampton; the first was his ancestor, Sir John Danvers, of Culworth and Dauntsey, who filled the office in the year 1494.

Sir Michael’s will15.21 was made in the year 1755, proved on February 8, 1777.  He made his sister Meriel his executor, and to her left all his estate.  Miss Meriel Danvers died in 1794, leaving the manor of Culworth and its appurtenances to her cousins, Miss Martha and Miss Frances Rich, of Sunning.  The Rectorial tithes of Culworth Miss Meriel gave to the living, together with twenty-four acres of land.  Also she erected in Culworth a school-house for the poor inhabitants of the village, and in November, 1795, her cousins, the Misses Rich, settled upon trustees this school-house and an annuity of £65 a year, charged on lands in the parish, for the benefit of the school.

Danvers House and the School House

On the glebe land which Miss Danvers gave to the school a large mansion once stood, which was probably built by the last Sir John Danvers.  The house is figured amongst a series of drawings of Northamptonshire houses, which is now in the British Museum,15.22 and is entitled, ‘CVLWORTH The Seat of Sr. John Danvers Bart. taken 14 July 1721.’ (See illustration 15-6 The old Culworth Manor-House in 1721.)

The house was pulled down about the year 1781, and from the materials of the fabric were built a house in the village now known as Danvers house, and the Danvers school-house.

Culworth Manor is sold

The Rich family sold the Culworth estate, and the manor-house became the property of a Mrs Linnell.  On her death her daughters sold it to a Mr John Eaglestone, by whom it was completely dismantled.  He sold the great oak staircase, up which, it was said, eight people could walk abreast, and he also tore down and removed all the oak fittings, fireplaces, mantelpieces, and the lead from the roof.  He entirely altered the rooms, turned part of the house into cottages, opened a door from the parlour upon the village street, and closed the old entrance to the hall.  On the death of Mr Eaglestone’s daughter the house was sold to General Crutchley.

The alterations and modern additions which have been made since Miss Meriel Danvers’ death have robbed the house of much of its picturesqueness, and few who now view it would suppose that for several generations the house was the home of an ancient and notable county family.15.23  Doubtless the walls, or parts of them, are at least as old as the time of William Danvers and his wife Elizabeth Fiennes, and within the house there still remains the well or spring, which probably in Saxon times made the site that of the first manor-house of Culeorde.

Monument in Culworth Church

Finally, Miss Meriel Danvers placed upon the north wall of the chancel of Culworth Church the monument to the memory of members of her family who were (to her knowledge) buried in the church.  The monument is thoroughly Georgian in design, and is but an imperfect record of the burials of the family within the church.  The inscription it bears is as follows:

Sacred

To the Memory of Those

whose Remains have been deposited

within these Walls,

bearing the Name of D’ANVERS.

Sir JOHN D’ANVERS Knight was buried Feby. 17th. 1642. Aged 63.

Sir SAMUEL D’ANVERS Knight & Baronet was buried Jany. 27th. 1682. Aged 73.

Sir POPE D’ANVERS Baronet was buried May 14th. 1712. Aged 68.

Sir JOHN D’ANVERS Baronet was buried Sepr. 26th 1744. Aged 71.

Sir HENRY D’ANVERS Baronet was buried Augst. 10th. 1753. Aged 22.

Sir MICHAEL D’ANVERS Baronet was buried Augst. 20th. 1775. Aged 37.

“Blessed are the Dead which die in the Lord:

Even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their Labours.

This Monument was ordered to be Erected

by their descendant MERIEL D’ANVERS

1790.

Tomb of Meriel Danvers

 Miss Danvers was buried at Sandford, in Oxfordshire.  The following is the inscription on her tomb in the churchyard of that place:

Underneath
Lie the remains of Miss Meriel D’Anvers, Spinster, of Culworth in Northamptonshire, who died at Mr Heywood’s, of Kingsmill House, in this parish, November 15, 1794, aged 64 years.

NOTES TO CHAPTER FIFTEEN

15.1 See table of descent in Chapter Nine.  Chapter Fifteen is based mainly upon Baker’s History of Northampton vol. i, p. 604 (and following); upon the wills of the family, at Somerset House (1895); and upon entries in the registers of Culworth and Thorpe Mandeville.

15.2 Rawlinson MS., 400 B.

15.3 Will; Hene, 76.

15.4 The Will of Sir John Danvers is among the Culworth Charters (Additional Charter 38906) and is registered at Somerset House as Essex, 7.

15.5 Somers Tracts, vol. v, p. 266.

15.6 The dates for various births and marriages are drawn from the 1992 International Genealogical Index of the LDS. -Ed.

15.7 Brydges’ Collins’ Peerage, vol. v, p. 482.

15.8 Domestic State Papers, Charles II, vol. 133, No. 99.

15.9 Somerset House, Administration Act Book of 1678 folio 132, verso.

15.10 Domestic State Papers, Charles II, vol. 229, No. 157.

15.11 Public Record Office, Privy Seals, 20 Charles II, June, and Signet Office Docquets, vol. xviii, June 1679.

15.12 Public Record Office, Privy Seals, 20 Charles II, 29 November 1679, and Signet Office Docquets, vol. xviii, November, 1679.  For a knowledge of these, and some of the foregoing documents, we are indebted to the courtesy of the Hon. Robert Marsham Townshend, a descendant of the Robert Marsham of the text.

15.13 ‘Barker of Sunning,’ Genealogist, vol. v, p. 231; and Harleian Society, vol. xii, p. 361.

15.14 Will; Barnes, 111.

15.15 Will; Smith, 199.

15.16 Will; Boycott, 6.

15.17 Will; Edmunds, 43. 

15.18 Rawlinson MS. 381.

15.19 Will; Auber, 186.

15.20 Probate Office, Northampton.

15.21 Will; Collier, 62.

15.22 British Museum Additional MS. 32647 f. 87. Neg. No. 67505 268H see illustration 15-6 The old Culworth Manor House in 1721.

15.23 On visiting Culworth Manor House in 1990 and 1993, the current owners (Ann and Geoffrey Davey-Turner and Beth and Richard Soar respectively) were endeavouring to restore the house to its former glory. -Ed.

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Digital edition first published: 1 Mar 2020             Updated: 12 Jul 2023                garydanvers@gmail.com