This time last week I was at "Englefield Green" but having just made the connection I was unfortunately in the position of having to be ast Heathrow for a 4.30 pm departure for New Zealand and home.

I have a desperaste nedd to contact any local historian who would be willing to helpme in my search for any 18th or 19 c families with the surnames of : WICKS John Harris; DOLBY Harriet and Elizabeth (sisters) CHANDLER Sophia, Louisa and Elizabeth Mary; BRITTAN William and Joseph.

The purpose of my search is to give these people the due credit they deserve in a publication to celebrate the 150 years of sthe founding of the Canterbury Colony established by the Canterbury Association London. It was founded on the principle of transferring a vertical slice of society the would be established on Anglican religious principles. The patron was the Archbishop of Canterbury and headed by Lord Lyttelton (after who our chief port is named). As was the habit of the imes all the somewhat aristocratic persons were very well reported and their activities but have overlooked many of those of "lesser birth" but who nevertheless made some of the most significant contributions of all. My husband and I purchased (1972) the house built by William Guise Brittan. It was derelict and had been marked for deomolition by the Christchurch City Council to make room for an expressway. We set about restoring it and after 15 years eventually shad the city council modify the expressway in order to save this house. It was built on the farm Willima had called "Englefield Farm" and the house was originally known as "Englefield Lodge".

We know that in some way John Harris Hicks was associated with William Guise Brittan and that they had close associations with Englefield Green as on Harriet's gravestone which is to be found inside the church of St Mary Magdalene at Castleton (adjoining Sherborne). She was buried there in 1846 and her tombstone acknowledges her husband as being John Harris Wicks of Englefield Green. In some ways John Harris Wicks influenced William Guise Brittand and his brother Joseph to emigrate under the banner of the Church of England. Although it would appear the Wicks died before Harriet shifted to Castleton to be with the Brittans and Chandlers and have good reason to believe he was buried in the graveyard or in the church of St Michael and All Saints at Sunninghill (the church where he married Harriet).

Because time is of the esssence here I need to find someone with a charitable heart to help me find when Wicks died, is buried, and what his contribution to the area was. The book is to be published prior to the celebrations and must be savailable early in the year 2000. Can you help me with this problem? I managed to get your e.mail address from the WWW only this morning. I cannot afford to come back to England. At 29c NZ for an English Pound we operate under difficult research conditions. I would gladly supply any further details that might be useful should there by anyone who sill help with this matter. But apart from knowing they were married at Sunninghill (probably prior to 1800) there is only scant references to go upon. Incidently William Guise Brittan is recognized as the "Father of Cricket in Canterbury". He did many other things as well but has received either a bad press or what is more devastating - no press at all. I plan to place him and his connections squarely centrestage for the 150 year celebrations. Hoping you might find some way of aiding me

Yours sincerely Frances
"Englefield Lodge" 230 Fitzgerald Avenue Christchurch New Zealands

Many thanks for your offer to help - I am at a loss to know how to progress any further. I also need to find anyone who is active in the Sunninghill area, especially interested in a John Harris Wicks who I believe to be buried at Sunninghill's Church of St Michael and All Angels. I am not computer literate Shaun and I make more mistakes than I manage "hits". Many of my requests go out into outer space and never seem to return. However, I persist and keep trying so that your reply has been really appreciated. I do know that he and Harriet Dolby were married in that Church and I do know that his wife, Harriet Wicks (nee Dolby) was buried in the Church of St Mary Magdalene in Castleton (adjoining Sherborne) in 1846 and was aged 78.

It would appear that she had been widowed and the tombstone which is on the floor of the Church states she was the wife of John Harris Wicks of Englefield Green. It would appear that after being widowed she and her sister Elizabeth went to live with Willim Guise Brittan and his brother Joseph in Castleton. They were the proprietors of the newspaper SHERBORNE MERCURY. This information is needed to contribute to a publication in the year 2000 when it will be the 150 years celebration of the founding of the Canterbury Colony in New Zealand under the auspices of the Archbiship of Canterbury and the Church of England. Frances"Englefield Lodge" 230 Fitzgerald Avenue Christchurch NEW ZEALAND

Seeing "Englefield Green" was a great thrill for me - since 1972 I have been wondering why he called his house "Englefield Lodge"? I never recognized the linkage until I saw the tombstone of his sister-in-law who had been buried with the wife of John Harris Wicks of - yes! "Englefield Green". Any help you can give me would be so much appreciated. Regards Frances No! I it not "Englewick". Nor is it the "Castle" one either. But I hope you have the pictures by now. I got Blair to come over and send them through to you. Now as to which ones to prioritize - you must take that which is the least expensive, and one that fits in with what ever you are doing or going to do. I am just so excited about the "Englefield Lodge" news that I can hardly believe my luck. In addition that he should be a schoolmaster is very interesting - surely there will be some kind of information on him. Moreover, there are some strange coincidences here. That it should have been turned into a school, by the teacher himself, that the daughter of W.G.B of "Englefield Lodge" as a girl of 10 - 15 have been the teacher of the children of Joseph, (they apparently came here from their nearby farm for their lessons) and should also become, by dint of bloody hard work and persistence, also a qualified teacher, of Classics, English and also finish up as the head of the whole school is quite wierd. But that in addition, without knowing any of this background that I, who fought so hard to save the "Lodge" from "wipeout" by the City Council, should then have also, by dint of hard work and perseverance have not only also become a qualified teacher, but also have built on a school room and set up my own teaching Classics in "Englefield Lodge" on "Englefield Farm". The Wicks venture had also been a farm. Strange indeed.

I know that you advised me that the Surrey Records Office was shifting to Woking and would not be open until sometime in October. I would be grateful if you would advise me of the date it will open and also if you would be able to find someone in ENGLEFIELD GREEN itself with whom I could correspond. I was indeed grateful for your photos of Englefield Lodge and will be making good use of them. However, I would be grateful if you would keep me in mind and your eye on the books from where you got that information. I recently had a computer 'meltdown' and much of my material was lost. Fortunately I did regain some of it - but not all. Thanks for what you did for me.
Regards, Frances Ryman, Christchurch, New Zealand.

I am so please to hear from you. I thought I must have done something wrong (nothing unusual for me)and "stuffed" up either the address or my computer did it for me (and that would be nothing unusual). Yes! I have made considerable progress - but progress that has raise more questions than answers BUT Egham is (without doubt) the centre of of operations. You provided me with the first clues that brought about some very interesting hypotheses. There is a book held by either the Egham Museum or the History Research Centre (if that is the correct name)written by C. C. Wetton which has the most promising information. However, it has to be read to 'SCYTHE' off the pearls it no doubt contains. Written in the "1830s" (and that is all they could give a lady who lives over 200 miles away but was visiting her elderly father and gave the place a quick run over for me). Incidentally I do not know her - just (like you) a wonderful internet connection.

But, dear heart, I do need a "my man in Egham". As there was no church in Englefield Green, the parish patronized by the Wicks (and his school) would have been in Egham and Anglican. However, in the Wetton book is evidence that Thomas Love Peacock (the literary satirist 1785-1866 and just found that out not 10 minutes ago) had been a pupil at the "Wick's Academy" and that it had made a tremendous impression on him. There is also a letter from someone written in 1981 which gives more details but has also added information. I need to find WHEN WICKS DIED. I CANNOT FIND HIS WILL WITHOUT THAT DATE.

Moreover, I have good reason (but not yet sufficient proof) that firstly Wicks money was probably the source of the finance that launched the Brittans (principle research family) on their way to New Zealand. In addition, the widow of John Harris Wicks, born in 1763, married to Harriet Dolby in 1790 at Sunninghill Church St Michael and All Angels, is buried inside the church of St Mary Magdalene at Castleton, adjoining Sherborne death day being 8 May 1846 aged 78 and the widow of "John Harris Wicks of Englefield Green". In the Sherborne Mercury dated 8 May 1846, there is a death notice which states that she died "in the home of Mr Brittan". Now I have established that, at the most she could only have been there from 1841 at the earliest and until she died. I believe that the land that was the very first purchase made here in Christchurch, New Zealand, and logged in the Canterbury Association books as having been entered and paid for on 9 January 1850, is none other than the land on which the house from which I am typing you this letter and which is called "Englefield Lodge" on what was "Englefield Farm" is called that because the Brittans in some way or other OWE their eventual emigration to something done by John Harris Wicks and sanctioned by his wife Harriet. They appear to have died without issue (or the children had all died prior to the parents). I feel that William Guise Brittan, rather than his brother Joseph, lived at Englefield Green for some time between 1825 and 1841, and practiced as a surgeon. May be he was their doctor? The Brittans certaianly seem to have taken responsibility for the care of the widow. However, it is possible that they could not emigrate until AFTER SHE and her sister, Elizabeth, who died in 1848 (and is buried with Harriet) had released them from such responsibility. But to their grave is added in 1849 (Feb) the first wife of Joseph Brittan, Elizabeth Mary Brittan, who died aged 35. I simply must find out when John Harris Wicks died in order that I have the slightest hope of finding his will. All wills have been registered from 1837 onwards and his name does not appear. Therefore it must have been prior to that date. I feel that, the church will hold the evidence I need.
But I do not know the name of the Church, nor how to access their records. Sue Daws, the lady who went there on my behalf, (and for reasons of her own) saw, in the churchyard, the grave of a John Wicks who died 1865, but it is certain that he is not the one I am looking for. It states on the gravestone, in side the church at Castleton, that Harriet was a WIDOW IN 1846. I feel as though I am on the dark side of the moon, aiming at stars with a pea-shooter.
This is a cheeky question - but would you be "my man in Egham"? Wetton wrote "Egham and its Environs" - and the 1981 letter, hold all the clues that give me any chance of establishing just about when Wicks died. If only I could lay my hands on that book - the historical details and snippets of lateral evidence will somehow advance my quest. If not - never mind - I am so glad you established contacts once more - and I have written to the man in the Blacklocks Bookshop to assure him that I would carefully observe all the protocol regarding copyright as he seems to be concerned that I am not familiar with procedures.
What I would dearly love to find out - is - WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY CALLED 'ENGFIELD LODGE' now.
They might have details of DATES of sales. Glad to meet you again Shaun; when next you raise your glass of wine I wish you secret dreams.
Regards, Frances

I am writing to see if there was anything you might have found in Egham Institute re the book by on "Egham and its Environs" written in the 1830s. If you are too busy just slip me a note and tell me to buzz off. Regards, Frances

> > Hello Frances,
> The book Egham and its Environs is very very rare I know of only two
> copies, neither of which is for sale.
> However the book itself is only a small volume and not very detailed. The
> following is an extract which talks about Wicks etc.
> > Englefield Lodge, built by Mr J H Wicks in a situation of incomparable
> beauty for prospect. The house is a handsome ediface of brick, with
> extensive premises attached for a school, which was conducted by the late
> Mr. Wicks for many years, with an ability and aliberality eminently and
> lastingly evinced. This elegant establishment is now conducted by Mr. King.
> These, with residences, interspersed and embowened in wood, occupy the
> viciage of Englefield Green.
> > 1830 - Egham and it Environs.
> > More details to follow on Wicks .....
> Best wishes,
> Shaun
> > Frances Ryman wrote:
> > > Dear Shaun, I am writing to see if there was anything you might have > > found in Egham Institute re the book by on "Egham and its Environs" > > written in the 1830s. If you are too busy just slip me a note and tell
> > me to buzz off. Regards, Frances Dear Shaun - I am over the moon with that extract - just what I needed to keep up the flagging spirits. When this book is finished I am sure that your Institute will be pleased with a copy. por old Wicks seems to have been a good guy but sadly overlooked (just like the ones who came here) by the historical records. I am intrigued with the "More to come on Wicks" - sounds full of promise. Crumbs of information have ways of adding up and marrying with the crumbs I already have. Gratefully, Frances

I am looking everyday but have not heard from you and concerned that I might have missed a message from you. I shall have to do something very soon as the publishers are now asking me for a date to submit the script. I have already deferred them and publishers are very touchy people. They seem to think that I am playing mind games with them. Around the Wicks family lies so much that would make a real contribution to the book and a difference to the nature of a whole chapter. Your cryptic message hints that you do have some clues but of course I cannot come over and put you through a wringer to get them. If however, you feel that the enquiry has come to an end it would be cruel to have me waiting for things that can never be. Regards, Frances Dear Shaun, I have just received your e.mail (4 pm Thursday) and am over the moon at your news. But did you mean that you had posted the will snail mail or on the net! If on the net then I did not receive it - and am most concerned if this is the case. However, if snailmail then OK - I will wait with a path beaten to the mailbox. I do appreciate what you have done - but what did he do on the 17 March 1803? I shall think of some way of repaying you for all your help - just give me time. I am wondering what the local newspaper would contain by way of an obituary. Would the Englefield Green have a newspaper?

The only clue that I had here (prior to finding the tombstone in the church at Castleton) was one (and only one) brief reference that he was from "Englefield Green near Staines" - this does seem strange because he had been living at Castleton for the 10 years prior to coming to New Zealand. Moreover, having gone to se as a ship's surgeon on the General Grant (and that must have been soon after he had graduated - if that is what they did in those days to be a surgeon) - and when he was 1842 (Feb) he went to live in Sherborne. And Sherborne was where he spent the longest period of time anywhere apart from 1809-1815 Bristol, then from 1815 - ? at Plymouth and after completing school there went on to become a surgeon and off to sea. There has to be some reason that he particularly wanted to have Englefield Green "near Stains" associated with his name and then to reinforce it have his property called "Englefield Farm" and the house "Englefield Lodge". It has me stumpted. However, what ever I find will be gladly deposited at your resource centre. Thanks again Best wishes for your trip to France. Frances

> > Sorry Frances,
> > I've no wish to play mind games.
> > I found a will written by Wicks (a photocopy of which was posted to you
> on Monday).
> It doesn't really say much. He asks Harriet's dad (?) to look after her.
> > Wicks died January 1818. Still some work needs doing at the Records
> office in Woking to see if there is any more information.

It has jsut asrrived in the mail this minute: ripped it open asnd there it was: ON 17TH March 1803 - HE WAS MAKING HIS WILL! I cannot thank you enough Shaun -your blood should be bottled and your DNA spread for the benefit of posterity. This man has "bugged" my conscience since I found the tombstone of his wife at Castleton. I have not had time to "translate" the writing (I am not very experienced at that - but will master it line by line)but the fact that "does not contain much" as you said is in reality a valuable piece of information - at least I am satisfied that he was niether millionaire or pauper. But the fact that he died in 1818 is of paramount importance. His wife must have lived for a consiederable period at Englefield Green, and what ever contact she had with William Guise Brittan is not due to her husband. William born in 1809 and the senior school he went to in Plymouth was not opened until 1823. But the land on which that school was built was surely valuable and as there seems to have been no children of the marriage presumably Harriet received either the property or the money from the sale of it.

I am guessing that William Guise Brittan became a doctor in the area and his association with Mrs Wicks was very much prior to his marriage at Radipole (St Anne's) Anglican Church in Feb 1842. Therefore, whatever that association was was due to neither the husband of Harriet nor the wife of William. But Joseph, his older brother had married (around 1833-34) Elizabeth Mary, the youngest of the 4 Chandler sisters. They lived in London at firstly Lehman Street and then America Square (both street are near the docklands area). The finding of that will has been wonderful - I have much more confidence in what I write. You are a very clever man. I hve noted that the postage of that will was 6 pounds. I shall take good care that you are never out of pocket Shaun. Any costs that are incurred please tell me and will entered it in my "little black book" but incase there are any further costs will wait and send it to you all together. Getting the exchange documents here is a major undertaking and I would rather do it all at once. I do know that Harriet made a will and as she died on 8 May 1846 "at the home of Mr Brittan" (Sherborne Mercury) here reference in the Dorset Records Office is "Harriet Mary Wicks Quire 397 W" But they do not have it there. Have you any idea where it might be found? There is a little problem with dates and the place of Elizabeth, her sister, to that of Harriet in the family records of the LDS. I do not have the list on hand right at this moment but it certainly gives the father as William and the position in the family as Harriet being the last born. On the Tombstone in the Castleton Church, a record of which is in the Dorset Records Office, it gives Harriet as being 78 on 8 May 1846 while the dates of her sister Elizabeth as having died on 1 May 1848 aged 78. That would make Elizabeth 2 years younger than Harriet? What do you think about this Shaun? In the meantime, do have a wonderful time in France. And with the wine I wish you secret dreams. From a joyful Frances

As it standsit would appear that the assests of JHW were not sold up on his death but rented out for the benefit of his widow?
It would also appear that the Brittan brothers were entrusted with the welfare of the two elderly sisters from 1841 onwards?
I do not think the Sherborne Mercury was a very profitable enterprise as many newspapers were amalgamating over the period from 1830 - 1850 ( and until today for that matter.) When I have thought all your information through I will get back to you. I am in your debt man - and I know it. Gratefully yours, Frances Dear Shaun, I am curious to know just how you managed to find that will of JHW! Was it at Woking, London, Dorchester, or Egham? I am afraid to ask you what you think about where Harriet or Elixabeth got their money - could it have been from their father or mother - William Dolby of Easthamstead? All the Dolby children were born there.

Do you think that JhW might have been financed into the school at Englefield Green, having married the very young Harriet (5 years younger than him at least) in 1790 at Sunninghill Church of St Michael and All Angels? Hope you are having a ball in France. Regards, Frances I have just noted from my emails that the cost of searching and copying wills has gone up 6000%. What a fluke that you found JHW just in time. I have also found out from a Thomas Love Peacock enthusiast that TLP had been a day pupil at the school from when he was 6 years old.

Unfortunately they did not have any more relevant information. But as JHW had purchased the "farm" on which he built the house and school in 1790, (the same year has he married Harriet in the Feb)it just might be possible that the money he used had come from her via an inheritance. JHW seems to have come from very humble origins in Sherston Magna. However, when Harriet made her will 3rd day of July 1841, she had just very recently sold Englefield Green to "Benjamin Torin Esquire" and she was living in her own cottage at "No 3 Portland Place Clapham Road in the County of Surrey". That will is extremely difficult to read but I have "translated" most of it. It resembles some kind of hieroglyphs. But she states "In the next place I give and ? all that my freehold cottage or dwellinghouse garden and premises thereunto ? being called Est Hill Cottage situate and being on Egham Hill in the said Councy of Surrey between certain ? premises lately sold by me unto Benjamin Torin Esquire and a certain ? place ? Corner in Egham aforesaid now in the occupation of Gabriel Carr Esquire as tenant thereof unto and to the use of my niece Sophia Chandler of Portland Place Clapham now in the County of Surrey Spinster. . . . ." I though you might like this for your own records in Egham. I am curious to know if the cottage still stands and if so would it be possible to get a photograph of it? I do not expect you to spend your valuable time serving my interests but if it does no longer exist then there would be no use me persuing it for my book. But it would make a very personal relationship between the Brittans, the Chandlers, and the Wicks tie-up. If you would like, and when I have managed to fill in all the question marked gaps I would gladly send you a translation of the will. Just let me know if you would like that.

I am wondering Shaun if you are in anyway out of pocket doing all this "finding" for me. I know that I owe you for the photocopying but if there is anything more please do not hesitate ot advise me. Morally I also owe you much more than that and shall find some way of honouring that debt. Do you by any chance work for the Egham Institute? By the way if I asked you where abouts "Sonson" was - I know know that I misread the writing and it is London. It was Edward Chandler of London who was the executor along with Charles Dolby of Berkshire. You are right about Edward being a relation of the Chandler "girls" but as to whether it was their father I am not so sure. The will was made in 1803 and for some reason was extremely short. If he was a "good friend" it is more likely that he was the grandfather of those sisters. What do you think?

But Harriet did ask to be placed in the vault with 'my dear husband' and I am almost sure that the "vault" she is referring to will be found in the churchyard of the Church of St Mary in Winkfield. I wish I could be sure as that church has a wonderful historical background. But she was buried - but inside the church of St Mary Magdalene, Castleton, Sherborne, Dorset. She must have (along with her sister Elizabeth, gone tolive with the Chandler girls in Castleton quite soon after she made the will in 1841. But no sooner as they Brittans did not buy the Sherborne Mercury until late 1841. Prior to that Joseph is found living at either Radipole or Weymouth with two servant girls. I know it is a forlorn hope but is there any way of finding out who lived in No 3 Portland Place in 1841 census? That might give me where Joseph's wife Elizabeth Mary was living prior to their shift to Sherborne. Just thought of that! Better be off Shaun, I wish you a wonderful summertime, it is beginning to get quite cold her and we have had the first snowfall for the winter but it is 60 miles from here - up in the Southern Alps and the tips of the Port Hills around Christchurch. The frosts will be here soon. Regards, Frances

I have done everything I can to find out where Sonson, the place referred to in the will as where Edward Chandler lived ("of Sonson" it says), but drawn an absolute blank. Moreover, that Will says it was "Proved at Sonson". I know that I have imposed on your valuable time Shaun and hope you will forgive me. I did try doing without you but it appears you are the "other man in my life" at the moment.
Regards, Frances

For Sonson read London.

Frances Ryman wrote:
> Partners in life should also be best friends: Charlotte and I have been together for 11 years and indeed she is my best friend. We jumped on a plane, did the Vagas marriage, and back home in 3 days.
> it is a flat slab lying athwart the doorway There was a wedding take place during my visit and so couldn't really get to the main doorway.
> And No! I have not been able to
> make contact with the present owners of "Englefield Lodge" but would
> very much like to - it would be a wonderful thing if they had an e.mail
> address - I have had so many letters returned marked "Not Known at this
> Address" I have given up writing. I will hand deliver a letter to the Lodge and see if it generates a positive response.
> what I would dearly love to know is -
> what cottages are adjoining "Englefield Lodge" that might have been
> there in 1841 when Harriet Mary WICKS made HER will. Time to look at some old Egham maps me things ... Bye - bye for now, Shaun

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