History and This & That
The Coxhead family can trace their ancestors back to the ancient territories of England between the 11th and 12th centuries.
The Coxhead family traces their ancestral roots back to Anglo Saxon origin, and first appeared in ancient medieval records in Sussex. Find a more indepth account on the Coxhead Family Scroll
That from very early on the Coxhead family not only held lands and estates in England but were also actively allied with other influential families. They also branched out into other territories and holdings, before taking the long voyage to the new world. Your Family History Scroll holds so much more interesting data.
Learn more about your Coxhead heritage with this beautifully illuminated Coxhead History Scroll Highly recommended by historians and genealogist, alike, as an information guide or roadmap for building your Family Tree.
St. Michael's Church Aldbourne
The twice widowed LUCY ANN COXHEAD of Aldbourne
The Saddest of Days
by Graham Palmer
During the winter months work was as always scarce and men were often forced to take on any work that was offered for to accept the village benefit was for most not an acceptable option and only then used as a last resort.
Early one January morning in 1890 William Stacey along with one of his sons and another youth arrived at farm buildings at Littledown in the parish of Baydon. William Stacey had been asked to clean out a well for Mr Pembroke a farmer and had taken the two boys along to help him. Although the Marlborough Times does not name the son it is probable that he was Charles who later became the founder of Charles Stacey builders.
Prior to descending into the well William Stacey had tested for the presence of "damps", this was also known as carbonic acid, a gas often found in mines, wells etc. By throwing a bundle of burning straw down the shaft he thought it would show him if it was ok to descend its depths or not but unknown to him the straw had given a false reading. It would appear that the speed of the falling bundle of straw had dragged down with it sufficient oxygen to keep it alight until it was doused by the water. If he had lowered a lighted candle slowly, as recommended by a writer in a newspaper a couple of weeks later, it would have been snuffed out if it had passed through any problem area.
Happy that things were OK William Stacey had the two boys lower him until he was a good way down the well but then William thought he sensed the presence of damps and had himself brought back up. He tested again using a bundle of straw and William even questioned after his own safety but nevertheless he decided to descend for a second time but yet again he shouted to be hauled back up to the surface.
You will have by now probably guessed at what happens next for if only William Stacey had heeded his own words of warning we would not be now reading this story.
At around 11.00am and for the third time the boys lowered William down into the darkness only on this occasion he actually reached somewhere near the level of the water some 150 foot (50 metres) down. Straining to breath, he shouted in panic for the boys to pull him up but he was all too quickly overcome by the airless conditions and as he had not tied himself on William fell off the wooden seat into the water and drowned.
The young boys up top realised that William was in serious trouble and both shouted and screamed for help. William Herring, an Aldbourne shepherd who was working close by heard their cries and rushing to their aid had the two lower him down in order to try and save William. William Herring never stood a chance either and he too was overcome by the airless conditions and drowned.
The two men's bodies were recovered some hours later by use of grappling hooks and the two doctors who were called to the scene, Dr Burman from Ramsbury and Dr Connor from Lambourn, both had the grim task of pronouncing the two men dead.
William Stacey left a wife and six children and so the next time you walk past the Methodist Chapel you may like to pause a moment to read the stone in the front wall that was laid in memory of William Stacey and his wife Ruth.
William Herring was only 23 (b c1867) and had only married Mrs Lucy Coxhead some four months earlier, 1890. Lucy was already a widow and tragically was left to bring up her newly born baby and her two other Coxhead children, there is no stone for William Herring for I doubt if his wife could afford one.
As far as I have been able to tell neither Lucy Coxhead Herring or Ruth married again.
~ THE END ~
I had LUCY ANN COXHEAD in my records, marrying William Herring 1890 so after finding and reading the above story I thought I’ll show you the data on her.
George Coxhead b 28-07-1850, Aldbourne, ag-lab of West Str married Lucy Ann Smith, 12-5-1875, (Lucy Ann Smith, b 27-7-1856 Woodsend, Wilts.) (George Coxhead died 9-11-1885, 35 yrs old, his wife Lucy Ann was a widow for over four years, then marrying William Herring who was 11 years younger then her)
Children
Elizabeth Ann b c1876 in Woodsend
Sarah Ann b 25-12-1877
Martha Mary b 17-11-1878,
Frederick George b 30-3-1884,
Frederick George Coxhead married Rose Elizabeth Barnes, 2-8-1913 in Aldbourn. Had 4 sons
At The National Gallery of Victoria Australia
Sir Galahad and the Pale Nun.
Julia Marg. Cameron
Sir Galahad by model Mr Coxhead
Models for this photograph are Mary Hillier and Mr Coxhead
The photographs:
Idylls and Fancy Subjects
Julia Margaret Cameron, British born, 1815–1879
Sir Galahead and the Pale Nun, 1874
From Idylls of the King and Other Poems, volume I, plate IX
albumen silver photograph, 35.0 x 45.0 cm
The Wilson Centre for Photography
96:5406:02
The text that accompanies this photograph is from The Holy Grail, published in 1869. It is the eighth book of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. On the interleaving page to Cameron's illustration she has underscored the following lines by Tennyson:
My knight, my love, my knight of heaven,
O thou my love, whose love is one with mine.
I, maiden, round thee, maiden, bind my belt.
According to legend, the belt that is referred to here was woven from the maiden's cut hair. The models for this photograph are Mary Hillier and Mr Coxhead
Hidden Quietly in the San Francisco Peninsula's reflective past, you'll find this Historic 1891 Tudor Revival Bed & Breakfast offers rustic pleasures of days gone by. A bit of England comes alive in a leisurely atmosphere with gardens to enjoy and comfortably elegant accommodations.
Pat Osborn & Steve Cabrera ~ Innkeepers
The Coxhead House History
l. Two historically significant aspects of Coxhead House:
Architects
Inhabitants
ll. History
During 1891, San Francisco was in turmoil and rapidly changing. At the time of the gold rush, a great deal of money poured into the city. Ernest A. Coxhead, a noted English architect, decided to build his family's country retreat here,in San Mateo. Coxhead used the English rural vernacular, with a double bowed roof and delicate leaded windows, to add charm to his English cottage. The idea of the rustic suburb quickly gained popularity around the Bay Area, influenced by Coxhead and his colleagues, Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck. They added new Arts & Crafts techniques and innovations to English country homes. This rustic Tudor Revival home has survived, almost untouched, for over a century. Coxhead House creates its current ambiance by paying tribute to all three architects.
lll. How did we come to do this?
Purchased in 1991 and began to update, starting with the kitchen and electrical system. Became fascinated with the rich history of the house, sharing it with others, and began to consider the prospect of conversion to a Bed & Breakfast. In 1996, hired an architect, Martin Dreiling, to design the project, and then a contractor, Stanley Acton, to carry out the plans.
lV. What is our theme?
The architects themselves, with the Ernest Coxhead, Julia Morgan, and Bernard Maybeck rooms. Hand-painted murals of their work, Wyntoon illustration, and sustaining the house, as is. (Brick from a crumbling fireplace was used to create a courtyard floor - the copper shower pans were used to create an Old English sign.)
V. Inhabitants
Ernest Coxhead - lived here 1891 - 1924 (1903 wife died in childbirth, 1906 S.F. earthquake), wife active in Mills Auxiliary. Coxhead designed the original S.F. civic center along with Maybeck and Morgan (?) and several Episcopalian Churches as well as homes.
Arthur Pope & Phyllis Ackerman - lived in the house nicknamed scholar's cottage from 1924 to 1943. Founded the Asia Arts Foundation, foremost authorities on Persian art, architecture and Persian rugs (she catalogued the Hearst collection, they authored 36 volumes). Only Americans honored in Iran with a park and mausoleum in their names.
Laughlin Family lived in the house from 1943 - 1951 - modernized the kitchen. Marian and James Hemingway - lived in the house from 1951 to 1991. They were founders of the San Mateo Unitarian Church which met in the living room until they purchased a building. She was very active in the Democratic Party and became the 1st female City Council member in San Mateo. Pat Osborn & Steve Cabrera - purchased the house in 1991. 1994 San Mateo centennial -house catalogued as eligible for National Register. 1996 San Mateo City declared Coxhead House a local historical landmark. 1997 opened as a B&B. 1998 application as National Register property - honored by the City of San Mateo as "most improved small business-rehabilitation" and owners awarded "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce.
In April 2000, the Coxhead House was designated a "National Historic Landmark". This status is the highest level of recognition given by the United States government and is reserved for places that "possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating and interpreting the heritage of the United States." Coxhead House is also now a "California State Historic Landmark".
TIM COXHEAD ‘The Stockbroker who loves Melbourne’
Tim Coxhead, a stockbroker, has been back to Melbourne twice. He originally planned to stay only for a couple of months but then "just kind of got stuck". These days he is staying at the Stork Hotel, a city pub that offers budget accommodation and where he helps outdoing everything from ordering the beer to painting the building.
He has been seduced by the city and says he would live in Melbourne permanently if he could. "I went home for six months and couldn't wait to get back basically", he says. "It's a perfect size. It's relaxed and laid back. It's like a smaller, chilled-out version of London." Znaty agrees that Melbourne is reminiscent of London. "I really love London, and this reminds me of it because there's almost English architecture, but it's much more laid back. People are more easy to get in contact with. But in the inner city it is still quite busy."
They combine their time between a friend's flat in South Yarra and the Stork Hotel, where Znaty works. They have experienced both sides of the city and say the south side of the Yarra is "very different" from the north. "It's for the 'beautiful' people" says Helene. "You go to the supermarket and feel under-dressed."
"Everyone is so well-coiffed," says Harris. "I took some friends from Sydney down Toorak Road and I knew enough to know I wasn't supposed to be there."
But Znaty says it's not all bad. "You have the snobbish area of Chapel Street where people go out to show how much money they've got, but if you go down Commercial Road you've got the gay strip and all the cool places as well."
Paul Madden, who runs the Stork Hotel in Elizabeth Street with his partner Helen, says the city is now a rival to the traditional backpacker haven south of the Yarra.
Their hotel is around the corner from an interstate bus terminal, on the road to the airport and next to the Victoria< Market. The 16 rooms have themes, like The Ned Kelly room, and are usually full by 9pm. At least a couple of backpackers are always working on the staff.
The Maddens say they were conscious of keeping the local element at the Stork Hotel when they took over four years ago. They estimate that up to three-quarters of the patrons are travellers, but on Thursday and Friday nights Melbournians flock to the Stork for the live rhythm and blues.
"We always intended to have it as a budget accommodation and a friendly place for locals and travellers alike," says Helen Madden. "We wanted to provide a place for visitors to be able to come across some nice local Oz culture; that's why we're in it."
The travellers say locals are one of the most reliable sources of information, but they recommend looking at hostels, brochures and the trusty Lonely Planet for more.
Harris also recommends the Melbourne Events Book she picked up from the public bar of the Stork Hotel. "I'm on a tight budget and I looked through that and found about 29 free things I could do," she says. "Actually, I thought public transport was free until I got fined for it."
Coxhead nominates the Dandenong Ranges as his favorite place. He's got a Kombi van and has been up there five times, but the girls are still struggling to name one stand-out.
"It's so difficult to name one thing," says Znaty. "It's got pretty much everything. It's got all the culture, it's got the theatre scene, the music scene, all the markets and the gardens."
Coxhead says all Melbournians should know "how lucky they are to live here. "There's the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and the Dandenongs and it's all so easy to access. It's blown my mind this country. I love it, love it to bits."
Brig. – Gen. James Alfred Coxhead
RAWALPINDI PARADE 1905
The following is a programme of a parade held in Rawalpindi, India on 8th December, 1905 to honour the Prince and Princess of Wales. The programme for this parade was handed down to John Feltham from his maternal Grandfather, Sgt William Reader of the 9th Queens Royal Lancers, who was present on parade.
PROGRAMME OF THE REVIEW IN HONOUR OF THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES THE PRINCE & PRINCESS OF WALES. HELD AT RAWAL PINDI ON 8th DECEMBER, 1905.
The troops under the Command of :
His Excellency General the Right Honourable Horatio Herbert, Viscount Kitchener of Khartoum,. G.C.B., O.M.,G.C.M.G.., Commander-in-Chief in India.
Present at the Parade was :
Brig. – Gen. James Alfred Coxhead
Brig.-Gen. James Alfred Coxhead was the son of John Coxhead. He married Mabel Howard Butler, daughter of Henry William Paget Butler and Geraldine Sydney FitzGerald, on 28 April 1887. He died on 27 September 1929.
Note: James Alfred Coxhead is a decendant of Raynolds Coxhead of Hungerford. You can read all about Raynolds Coxhead and his decendants in one of the pages in this Site. You'll find more detail about James Alfred Coxhead.
FRANCIS COXEDD
Helping the aged
Francis Coxhead was born 4th October 1607 in East Lockinge, Berkshire. He was the son of George Coxedd and most likely his mother’s name was Judyth or Ellenor. Francis had two brothers, George & Robert and sister, Judyth, Ellenor, and Elizabeth.
Francis Coxedd married Ann Shaadak, in Speen, near Newbury, 28th September 1653. He was 56 years of age.. No children can be found for Francis and Ann.
In 1690 Francis Coxedd built 2 almhouses in Newbury for the support of aged persons, so did his friend Thomas Pearce.
This little story was found in the Topographical Dictionary of England.
By Samuel Lewis, 1842, as shown in write up about NEWBURY TOWN.
In 1690, Francis Coxedd was 83 years of age. A man of kindness and vision.
Sent by Anne Sandford, New Zealand.
Hello Bill.
Thought you might like this for our website. It applies to all of us.It was sent to me by a new found English cousin Carol. Anne Sandford.
STRANGERS IN A BOX.
Come, look with me inside this drawer,
In this box I've often seen,
At the pictures, black and white,
Faces proud,still,serene.
I wish I knew the people,
These strangers in a box,
Their names and all their memories,
Are lost among my sox.
I wonder what their lives were like,
How did they spend their days,
What about their special times,
I'll never know their ways.
If only someone had taken time,
To tell, who, what, where or when,
These faces of my heritage,
Would come to life again.
Could this become the fate,
Of pictures we take today?
The faces and the memories,
Someday to be passed away.
Make time to save your stories,
Seize the opportunity when it knocks,
Or someday you and yours will be,
Strangers in a box.
The Story of Hamstead Marshall ~ Berks
Earning a Victorian living
THOMAS COXHEAD’S CART
Simple pleasures
Village children were taught at the local school until such time as they were employable. Not until 1880 was an official leaving age fixed, and that was a tender 10. There were, of course, ways of earning pocket-money from a much earlier age. In autumn there were pennies to be had by collecting acorns for the park deer, and selling them by the bushel to the sub-agent. Delivery had to be brisk however, because the acorns shrank as they dried, and payment was by volume.
Any good excuse for knocking on the door of the big house or the rectory would usually yield a small profit. A Craven family wedding would mean a whole shilling for any child who presented a bunch of roses at the door of the Lodge, which was also the lucrative high point of the carol-singing itinerary.
Carrier services operated to and from Newbury several times a week, and also to points west. Those wishing to travel to Marlborough had to be at Holt Pound by three in the morning to climb aboard Thomas Coxhead's cart, which made the trip every Saturday. Whilst the gentry travelled by coach or carriage, the ordinary people jolted along in unsprung waggons called vans.
When the First World War broke out Hamstead sent 20 of its young men to fight. Six did not return. The names of Charles Bryant, John Coleman, Walter Coxhead, Aubrey Coxhead, Robert Myram and Henry Rolfe, all privates, are recorded on a white marble tablet in the church. Lord Craven, being past the age for enlistment, served as a King's Messenger and was the most diligent, according to a national newspaper gossip column, and always sporting the longest cigarette holder in London.
Sqd Ldr Thomas W. Grimshaw - R.A.A.F.
The long search for Thomas Wrigley Grimshaw - b 1908 - d 1978.
The Story *Enter Here*
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