Muriel Evelyn Robb (1878 - 1907)

 

Who is Muriel Evelyn Robb I hear you ask.  Well, according to Wikipedia, Miriel Evelyn Robb was an English female tennis player who is best remembered for winning the ladies singles title at the 1902 Wimbledon Championships.  She also won the Irish and Scottish singles titles in 1901 and the Welsh singles title in 1899.  Sadly she died at a young age in 1907 in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne from, according to her death certificate, exhaustion and heart failure.  Her singles match in 1902 set a record for the longest women’s final.

It is coming up to tennis season so I thought I would look into her background as, yes, we are related.  What I discovered is that as well as Muriel Evelyn Robb there is also another strong woman…but more of that later.

We start with my 4th great aunt Anne Routledge who was born in Farlam, Brampton, Cumberland, England in February 1814.  Her parents were Thomas Routledge and Eleanor Richardson.  From what I have discovered I am descended from true Border Reivers!  In 1839 at the age of 25 Anne married Thomas Clark who was from Thornton, near Crosby in Lancashire.  According to the 1851 Census Thomas was a Farmer.  They would go on to have eight children and it is their son George Clark who takes us on our very interesting journey.  Admit it…aren’t all my journeys interesting!

George, who was born in 1839 in Farlam, would marry Mary Jones and their daughter Isabella Harriet Clark would start our journey to India with Emma Elizabeth Leicester.  Emma was born in Calcutta, Bengal, India in December 1840 to Henry George Leicester and Jessie Maria Bartlett.  The Leicester family had moved to India as part of the East India Company.  

The East India Company was an English joint-stock company formed for the purpose of establishing trade with the East Indies (now known as the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia). It was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I on December 31, 1600, and was initially known as the Governor and Company of Merchants of London trading into the East Indies.

The company was established during the era of European exploration and colonization, and its primary goal was to profit from the lucrative spice trade with Asia. Over time, the East India Company expanded its activities and became involved in various aspects of trade, including textiles, tea, opium, and other commodities.

The company played a significant role in the British Empire's expansion in Asia. It established trading posts and forts in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, including present-day India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. These trading posts eventually grew into larger territories and played a crucial role in shaping British control and influence in the region.

Back to Leicester’s!  Emma’s brother James Everard Leicester who would marry Janet Melville Smith in St Andrews, Calcutta, Bengal, India in 1871.  They would go on to have seven children.  It is Janet’s mother Julia Hammond Leslie Melville that takes us onto the next part of our journey.  Julia was born in India and her father was William Henry Leslie Melvile, who was born in 1788 in Spring Gardens, Middlesex, England.  Julia’s mother is unknown but she is believed to be a local woman. Julia would marry Charles Richard Smith in 1836 at St Andrew’s Church in Calcutta, India.  Charles’ family descended from John Charles Smith who was born in Scotland in 1766

William Leslie Melville’s father was Alexander Balgonie Leslie Melville who was born in 1749 in Edinburgh and died in 1820 in Melville House, Fife, Scotland.  The fact that the family lives in Melville House got me interested and this is where the family tree starts to get even more interesting.  Out of interest Alexander Balgonie Leslie Melville in the great grandfather of the wife of the great granduncle of the wife of my 4th cousin 1 time removed.  Now who was he I hear you ask?

Alexander Leslie-Melville, 7th Earl of Leven (7 November 1749 – 22 February 1820) was a Scottish Whig politician and peer.  As the eldest son of David Melville, 6th Earl of Leven, he succeeded his father as Earl of Leven and Earl of Melville on 9 June 1802. Between 1806 and 1807 he sat in the House of Lords as a Scottish representative peer.  On 12 August 1784 he married Jane Thornton (11 February 1757 – 13 February 1818), daughter of John Thornton, and they had five sons and three daughters:

• David Leslie-Melville, 8th Earl of Leven (22 June 1785 – 8 October 1860), married Elizabeth Anne Campbell, daughter of Sir Archibald Campbell, 2nd Baronet, of Succoth, and had issue

• John Thornton Leslie-Melville, 9th Earl of Leven (18 December 1786 – 16 September 1876), married firstly his first cousin Harriet Thornton, daughter of Samuel Thornton, and had issue, and secondly his first cousin Sophia Thornton, daughter of Henry Thornton, and had further issue

• The Hon. William Henry Leslie-Melville (1788 – 1856)

• The Hon. and Rev. Robert Samuel Leslie-Melville (d. 24 October 1826)

• The Hon. Alexander Leslie-Melville (18 June 1800 – 19 November 1881) of Branston Hall, married Charlotte Smith, daughter of Samuel Smith, and had issue

• Lady Lucy Leslie-Melville (d. 23 December 1865), married Henry Smith, son of Samuel Smith, and had issue

• Lady Jane Elizabeth Leslie-Melville (d. 25 April 1848), married Francis Pym, son of Francis Pym, and had issue

• Lady Marianne Leslie-Melville (d. 22 March 1823), married Abel Smith, son of Samuel Smith, no issue.

It is the last child Lady Marianne Leslie-Melville and her husband Abel Smith that accompanies us on the next part of the journey.  Mariaane and Abel married in 1822 in Monimail, Fife, Scotland.

Abel Smith (17 July 1788 – 23 February 1859) was a longtime British Member of Parliament.

He was the eighth child but eldest son of Samuel Smith, also a Member of Parliament, and Elizabeth Frances (née Turnor).  He was the nephew of Robert Smith, 1st Baron Carrington. The family had grown wealthy through banking in Nottingham.  Abel Smith entered Parliament in 1810 as a member for Malmesbury, and subsequently also represented Wendover and Midhurst, both pocket boroughs controlled by his uncle Lord Carrington, sitting in the Commons for 20 of the last 22 years before the Great Reform Act. He and his father were Wendover's last MPs, as they sat together as its members for the last two years before the borough's abolition. Three years after the Reform Act, he was elected for Hertfordshire, and served another twelve years as its MP. He was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1849. His wife Marianne died in 1823 and he married Frances Anne Calvert, the daughter of General Sir Harry Calvert, in 1826 in London, England. Their son Abel Smith also became MP for Hertfordshire.

Abel’s son Robert, from his second marriage, married Isabel Adeane in 1857 at Linton, Cambridgeshire, England.  Now if you think the Leslie Melville’s were interesting then the journey that Isabel’s daughter takes us on is bonkers.  Isabel’s mother was Matilda Abigail Stanley or should I say The Honourable Matilda Abigail Stanley.  The Honourable because her father is John Thomas Stanley 1st  Baron Stanley of Alderley and MP for Wootton Bassett…it would be wouldn't it!  Her great-grandfather was James Whorwood Adeane (1740 - 1802) .  James Whorwood Adeane (1740 – 15 April 1802), of Babraham, Cambridgeshire and Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, to give him his proper title, was an English Tory politician.

He was the only son of Simon Adeane of Chalgrove and Mary Brydges, niece of James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. He entered the British Army in 1755, rising to the rank of colonel of the 45th Foot in 1788, Lieut-General in 1796 and full General in 1801.[1]

He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of Great Britain for Cambridge 1780 to May 1789 and for Cambridgeshire 19 May 1789 – 15 April 1802. He was appointed a Groom of the Bedchamber to King George III from 1784 to his death.

He died in 1802. He had married Anne, daughter and heiress of Robert Jones, with whom he had a son Robert Jones Adeane of Babraham, Cambridgeshire (who fathered MP Henry John Adeane) and three daughters.

Let’s talk about some members of the Stanley family:-

Edward Lyulph Stanley 1839 - 1925 married Mary Katherine Bell.  They would have eight children. Mary’s father was Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell 1816 - 1904; but more about the Bell family shortly.  Two of their children were as follows.

Oliver Hugh Stanley was the son of Edward Lyulph Stanley, 4th Baron Sheffield and Mary Katherine Bell.  ]He was born on the 23rd of October 1879 in Marylebone, London, England.  He married the Lady Alice Kathleen Violet Thynne, daughter of Violet Caroline Mordaunt and Thomas Henry Thynne, 5th Marquess of Bath on the 8th of July 1919 in St George Hanover Square, London, Middlesex, England.[3]He died on the 13th of February 1952 at the age of 72.  The 1911 Census shows that he was a Captain in the Royal Horse Artillery.  

Edward John Stanley was born in 1878 and would die in 1908 in Sokoto, Nigeria during the Boer War.

Henrietta Blanche Stanley who was born in 1830 at Brook Street, Hanover Square, London and would die in 6 York Terrace, Regent’s Park, London.  She would marry Lord David Graham Drummond Ogilvy,5th Earl of Airlie in 1851 in Macclesfield , Cheshire, England.  They would have six children and their eldest son was…wait for it…Lt Colonel David Stanley William Ogilvy 6th Earl of Airlie, 6th Lord Ogily of Alith and Lintrathen and 14th Lord Ogilvy of Airlie.  Now that’s a mouthful!  He was born in 1856 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy and died in 1900 in Diamond Hill, Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa during the Boer War.    He married Mabell Frances Elizabeth Gore in 1886 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London.  Their daughter Kitty Edith Blanche Ogilvy is who we look at next.

Edith was born in 1887 in Kensington, London and died in 1969 in Wynberg, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.  She would firstly marry Brig-Gen Sir Berkeley Vincent KBE CB CMG in 1906 at Cortachy Castle, Angus, Scotland; and secondly Lt-Col Ralph Gerald Ritson in 1926 at St Martin-in-the-Field, London.  Ralph Ritson is of interest to us and he was the son of Annie Ridley and Annie was born in 1842 in Hexham, Northumberland, England and died in 1919 in Newcastle upon Tyne.  She would marry Utrick Alexander Ritson, a mine owner, in 1867 in Hexham.  Annie’s father was a Mason and her mother made gloves.

So where do we go now…how about a little amble into the family of Mary Katherine Bell, who married Edward Lyulph Stanley..  The Bell family may not be part of the peerage but they are an important family in the north east of England.  It all began with Sir Isaac Lowthian Bell.  Isaac was born in Washington Hall in 1816 to Thomas Bell and Catherine Lowthian.  He married Margaret Pattinson in 1842 in Newcastle upon Tyne.  They had five children, one of which was Mary Katherine.  

Isaac was a Victorian Ironmaster who was described as being “as famous as Isambard Kingdom Brunel”.  He was the son of Thomas Bell, one of the founders of the iron and alkali company Losh, Wilson and Bell, and his wife Katherine Lowthian.  He was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and educated at Dr Bruce's academy in Percy Street, Newcastle, followed by studying physical science at Edinburgh University and the Sorbonne University, Paris.  He gained experience in manufacturing alkalis at Marseilles before returning to Newcastle in 1836 to work in his father's Walker iron and chemical works.  For 30 years from 1850, Bell was active on the town council of Newcastle upon Tyne. He became sheriff of the town in 1851, mayor in 1854 and alderman in 1859. Once again he was elected mayor for Newcastle in 1862

Bell was elected as the Member of Parliament for North Durham from February to June 1874, and for The Hartlepools from 1875 to 1880. He lost his seat in North Durham in 1874 on the grounds that his agents were guilty of intimidation.

Isaac Bell’s father-in-law was Hugh Lee Pattinson who was born in 1796 in Alston, Cumberland, and died in Gateshead in 1858.  Pattinson was an English industrial chemist. He was also an entrepreneur, sharing the risk of major industrial developments with famous ironmaster Isaac Lowthian Bell and cable manufacturer Robert Stirling Newall.

Although known in his time for his 1833 patent "An improved method for separating silver from lead", a process that bears his name, he is best remembered today for his daguerreotype photographs taken in 1840. Among these is the earliest known photograph of the Niagara Falls.

Their children were Sir Thomas Hugh Bell, 2nd Baronet, known as Hugh, who was father of the explorer and diplomat Gertrude Bell, Florence, Mary Katherine, known as Maisie, who in 1873 married Edward Stanley, 4th Baron Stanley of Alderley,[36] Ada, Charles, and Ellen (who died in infancy). He had about 60 grandchildren.[16]

The eldest son Thomas Hugh Lowthian Bell who was born in 1844 in Longbenton, Northumberland, England and died in 1931 in 95 Sloane Street, London.  Now that is a big jump in addresses.  Thomas would marry Mary Shield in 1867 in Washington Hall.  Following her death in 1871, Thomas would marry Florence Eveline Eleanor Oliffe in 1876 in Kensington London.  Thomas would have five children, two with Mary and three with Florence.  He was an English industrialist, landowner, Justice of the Peace, and administrator. A Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham, he was High Sheriff of Durham in 1895 and Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire from 1906 to 1931.[1] He joined his family firm, Bell Brothers, and became director of its steelworks at Middlesbrough.

So where does Muriel Evelyn Robb come into our story I hear you ask.  Well we need to go back to Annie Ridley following our little detour into the Bell family.

Annie Ridley’s great aunt is Elizabeth Ridley who was born in 1816 in Cawfields, Northumberland, England and died in 1889 in Hexham, Northumberland.  She married William Robb in 1847 in Newcastle upon Tyne.  They had four sons and it is their second eldest son , William David Robb who was born in 1851, is  Muriel Evelyn Robb’s father.  Her mother was Ellen Mary Ritson who was born in 1856 in Bridgewater, Somerset and died in Worthing, Sussex in 1944.  Following her birth, according to the 1881 Census, the Robb’s lived in Victoria Villa, Newcastl.  According to the 1911 after Muriel’s death her parents lived in Grosvenor Villas, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.

Ernest Shackleton

 

• I am currently reading a book called ‘The ship beneath the ice’ about the discovery of the ship ‘Endurance’ that Ernest Shackleton sailed to Antarctica with.  So, as usual, I checked the line of ancestry…and yes…you’ve guessed it…I’m 31 degrees away from Ernest Shackleton.  This trawl through my ancestry proved to be very interesting.  Going from blacksmiths in Bishopwearmouth to South Africa and then to the Spencer-Churchill family.  So let's begin…

  
  

  First of all…who is Ernest Shackleton.  Ernest Shackleton was a British explorer who is best known for his leadership during the Antarctic expeditions of the early 20th century. Born in Ireland in 1874, Shackleton was drawn to exploration from an early age and joined the merchant navy at the age of 16.

  Shackleton's first Antarctic expedition was with Robert Falcon Scott's Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904. He later led his own expedition, the Nimrod Expedition, in 1907-1909, during which his team came within 97 nautical miles of the South Pole.

  Shackleton's most famous expedition was the Endurance Expedition of 1914-1917. The goal of the expedition was to cross the continent of Antarctica on foot, but the mission was cut short when Shackleton's ship, the Endurance, became trapped in ice and was eventually destroyed. Despite the harsh conditions and constant setbacks, Shackleton managed to lead his crew to safety, without losing a single life, through a remarkable feat of endurance and leadership.

  After his return from the Endurance Expedition, Shackleton continued to pursue exploration and leadership roles. He served in World War I and led several additional expeditions to Antarctica. Shackleton died in 1922 of a heart attack while on another Antarctic expedition.

  Ernest Shackleton's leadership during the Endurance Expedition and his remarkable feats of endurance in the face of adversity have made him a legend in the annals of exploration. His story has inspired generations of adventurers and leaders, and his legacy lives on as an example of the importance of perseverance, courage, and leadership in the face of adversity.

  
  
  
  

  We have to start our journey somewhere so let’s start with mining in the North East, mainly in Whickham, Tanfield and Bishopwearmouth.  Andrew Clark and his father William who were both blacksmith’s in the pits near Bishopwearmouth.  I wondered why they would need blacksmith’s in the pits, but I had forgotten that pit ponies were used down the mines to transport the coal from the pit face.

  
  

  The person who is interesting here is Barbara Wakinshaw (1821 - 1914).  Barbara is the sister-in-law of 2nd cousin 1x removed of husband of 1st cousin 1x removed of wife of 2nd great-granduncle (I like to keep you informed) who was born in Bedlington, Northumberland but died in 1914 in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa.  She married Barnabus James Shaw in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1843.  Reverend Barnabas James Shaw was a prominent figure in the early history of the Methodist Church in the United Kingdom. Born in 1821 in Rotherham, England, Shaw grew up in a religious family and was educated at Woodhouse Grove School in Leeds.

  Shaw began his ministry in the late 1840s and quickly gained a reputation for his powerful preaching and evangelism. He was a charismatic and energetic preacher, and his sermons were marked by their passion and urgency.

  In 1861, Shaw was appointed to the position of Secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, a role in which he played a key part in the expansion of Methodist missionary work around the world. He was also heavily involved in the temperance movement and advocated for the prohibition of alcohol, which he saw as a major social evil.

  Throughout his career, Shaw remained committed to social justice and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor and oppressed. He was a strong advocate for workers' rights and was involved in campaigns for better working conditions and the establishment of trade unions.

  Reverend Barnabas James Shaw died in 1885, leaving behind a legacy of passionate preaching, tireless advocacy for social justice, and a deep commitment to the Methodist faith. His contributions to the early history of the Methodist Church and the broader social justice movement continue to be remembered and celebrated today.

  
  

  Barnabus’ father was also called Barnabus and was born in Elloughton, Yorkshire, England in 1788. Barnabus was one of the early Wesleyan Missionaries to come to the Cape, arriving in 1816 and along with the Rev. E. Edwards and the Rev. T. Hodgson, they set up a mission to minister to the black nomad tribes. Barnabas played a major role in the growth of the church in the Cape, and this culminated in the erection of the Wesleyan Methodist Church on the corner of Burg and Church Streets, Cape Town, in 1829 (Methodist House now stands on this site). A memorial tombstone is still in place, in memory of Barnabas Shaw, who is regarded as the founder of South African Methodism.

  
  

  Barbara Wakenshaw and Barnabus Shaw’s daughter was Susanna Shaw and she was born in Wynberg, Western Cape, South Africa in 1845. In 1867 she would marry Frederick Gilfillan who was a Scottish poet and literary critic born in 1824. He was the son of a Presbyterian minister and grew up in the town of Comrie in Perthshire.

  Gilfillan attended the University of Glasgow and then trained for the ministry in the Scottish Church. However, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in literature and became a prominent literary critic, writing for a number of prominent publications including the Edinburgh Review and the North British Review.

  As a poet, Gilfillan was known for his romantic and lyrical style, which drew inspiration from the natural beauty of his native Scotland. He published several volumes of poetry over the course of his career, including "The Gallery of Literary Portraits" and "The Bards of the Bible."

  Gilfillan was also a well-respected literary critic and was known for his passionate and often controversial opinions on the works of his contemporaries. He was a strong advocate for the Romantic poets, including Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Shelley, and was critical of the prevailing literary trends of his time.

  Despite his reputation as a talented poet and critic, Gilfillan's personal life was marked by tragedy. He lost his wife and several of his children to illness, and struggled with depression and alcoholism throughout his life.

  Frederick Gilfillan died in 1863 at the age of 39, leaving behind a legacy as one of Scotland's most promising young literary talents. Though his career was tragically cut short, his contributions to the world of literature continue to be celebrated today.  

  
  

  The Gilfillan family was a prominent Scottish family that produced several notable figures in literature and religion. The family's roots can be traced back to the town of Comrie in Perthshire, where they were known for their strong Presbyterian beliefs.

  One of the most prominent members of the Gilfillan family was Robert Gilfillan (1798-1850), a poet and songwriter who was known for his contributions to Scottish literature. He was a prolific writer and published several volumes of poetry over the course of his career, including "The Harp of Perthshire" and "The Whistle," a collection of Scottish songs.

  Robert's son, George Gilfillan (1813-1878), was also a noted literary figure. He was a minister in the Scottish Church and became known for his passionate and often controversial sermons. He was also a respected literary critic and writer, and contributed to several prominent publications including the Edinburgh Review and the North British Review.

  Hugh Ferrier Griffiths (1869 - 1944) was the nephew of Frederick Gilfillan and was the person on whom Edgar Wallace's character Sanders in 'Sanders of the River' was based. He was a Native Commissioner at Graskop and later at Rustenburg.  He would marry Florence Caldecott who was born in 1874 in Southsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.  Her sister Ivy Maud Caldecott who was born in 1879 would marry Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace who was an English writer born in 1875. He is best known for his prolific output of detective and mystery novels, which made him one of the most popular and successful authors of his time.

  Wallace began his writing career as a journalist, working for several newspapers and magazines in London. He later turned his attention to writing novels, and over the course of his career he produced more than 170 books, including thrillers, crime novels, and adventure stories.

  Many of Wallace's novels feature detectives and investigators who are called upon to solve complex and often violent crimes. His most famous creation is probably the character of J.G. Reeder, a detective who appears in several of his novels.

  Despite his success as a writer, Wallace was also involved in a number of other ventures during his lifetime. He worked as a war correspondent during World War I, and later founded his own film production company. He also wrote several plays and screenplays, and his work was adapted for radio and television.

  Wallace's writing was enormously popular during his lifetime, and he was one of the best-selling authors of the early 20th century. His influence can be seen in the work of later writers in the detective and mystery genres, and his books remain popular with readers today. He died in 1932, but his legacy as one of the most important and successful writers of his time continues to be celebrated.  We now look at his son Bryan Edgar Wallace, a British author born in 1904. 

  Like his father, Bryan Edgar Wallace also became a successful writer of crime fiction. He wrote over 170 novels during his career, many of which were popular with readers for their fast-paced action and intricate plots.

  Wallace was also a screenwriter and contributed to the scripts of several films, including the 1932 horror classic "The Old Dark House."

  Despite his success as a writer, Wallace's life was marked by tragedy. He suffered from ill health for much of his life and struggled with alcoholism. He died in 1941 at the age of 36, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most prolific and popular crime writers of his time.

  Today, Bryan Edgar Wallace is remembered for his contributions to the crime fiction genre and for carrying on the legacy of his famous father. His books continue to be read and enjoyed by fans of the genre, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary writers of crime fiction.

  
  
  
  

  Wallace would marry Margaret Winifred Lane who was born in Cheshire in 1907. Margaret Lane studied at St. Hugh's College of Oxford University, worked as a reporter for some years and went on to become a critic as well as an author. Her 1934 marriage to Bryan Wallace, son of the writer Edgar Wallace, was dissolved in 1939. In 1944 she married Francis Hastings the 15th Earl of Huntingdon, a mural painter. He died in 1990. They had two daughters. Margaret Lane's two books, "The Tale of Beatrix Potter: a Biography" (1946) and "The Magic Years of Beatrix Potter" (1978), were widely praised. When "The Tale of Beatrix Potter" was published in the United States, it was lauded for its deep understanding of Beatrix Potter, who helped Margaret with the book, and for its vivid depiction of Miss Potter walking the hills and moors, gathering material for stories and pictures. Her 1975 book "Samuel Johnson and his World" has been called one of the very best modern works on Johnson. Her 1953 book about the writer Charlotte Bronte and members of her family, "The Bronte Story," won praise as an outstanding literary biography. And her 1965 novel "A Night at Sea" was lauded for its poignancy and narrative suspense. She wrote more than two dozen books in all and also wrote books for children. In 1994, Margaret, by then Dowager Countess of Huntingdon, died in Southampton, England. She was 86.

  
  

  Margaret’s daughter Caroline Hastings, born in 1946, would marry The Honorable Charles Edward Ernst Shackleton who is the grandson of Ernest Shackleton.  

  
  

  Margaret Lane’s first husband, Francis Hastings, leads us to a few interesting people.  His mother was Maud Margaret Wilson, who was born in Melbourne, Victoria in 1868.  Her father was Samuel Wilson (1832 - 1895) married Lady Jean Campbell, who was born in 1841, and Lady Jean’s father was William Campbell, a prominent figure in Australian history. Born in Aberfoyle, Perthshire, Scotland in 1810, he migrated to Australia in 1839 and settled in the Port Phillip District (now Victoria).

  Initially working as a stockman, Campbell quickly made a name for himself as a successful pastoralist, acquiring large tracts of land in the region. He also became involved in the banking industry and was a founding director of the Bank of Victoria.

  In addition to his business interests, Campbell was also active in politics. He was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1856, serving as a member for several years. He was also a strong supporter of the movement for Australian federation, and played a key role in the creation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

  Throughout his life, William Campbell was known for his intelligence, shrewdness, and dedication to the growth and development of Australia. He passed away in 1896 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential figures in Australian history.

  
  
  
  

  Samuel’s brother Gordon Chesney Wilson (1865 - 1914) married Sarah Spencer-Churchill.  This is a whole new story…follow for more!

  (1865 - 1929)

  
  

  Back to Francis John Clarence Westenra Plantagenet Hastings, known as Lord Hastings.  Hewas a British soldier and politician who served in World War II. Born in 1901, he was the son of the 16th Earl of Huntingdon and grew up in a prominent aristocratic family.

  Hastings joined the British Army in 1922 and served in various capacities throughout his military career. During World War II, he was appointed as a Brigadier and commanded the 4th Infantry Brigade during the Allied invasion of Italy. He later served as a Major-General and was involved in the planning of the Normandy landings in 1944.d

  After the war, Hastings turned to politics and was elected a Conservative Member of Parliament for Mid-Bedfordshire in 1945. He served in several positions in the government, including as a Junior Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and National Service.

  Hastings was also a noted author and historian, and wrote several books on military history and the British aristocracy. He was a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Royal Geographical Society.

  Hastings died in 1990 at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy as a distinguished soldier, politician, and scholar.