The Wilcox Family
.jpg)
Charles Walford WILCOX Esquire J.P.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(Photographs very kindly loaned by Mrs C. H. W. Gillan, daughter of Captain and Mrs Hoffgaard)
12th August, 1911
INTERESTING WEDDING AT WOLSTON
A wedding, in which a great deal of interest was taken, was solemnized at the Wolston Parish Church, early in August, the bride being Miss Mary Hilda Wilcox, daughter of Mr. C. W. Wilcox, J.P., and the bridegroom Mr. Eric Hoffgaard, of Welham Green, Hatfield.
The bride is well known throughout a wide district, and has always enjoyed considerable popularity, while the bridegroom, a young barrister-at-law of the Middle Temple, was the Unionist candidate for Bethnal Green both in the December and a recent bye-election. On the latter occasion he had the help and support of his fiancé, and the Liberal majority was very greatly reduced.
The weather on the Wednesday afternoon, when the wedding took place, was intensely hot, and although, in consequence of the state of health of the bride’s mother, the wedding was somewhat quiet, and only immediate relatives and friends living in the neighbourhood were invited, the church was crowded, many of the principal residents of the district being in attendance.
The path from the churchyard gates to the door was carpeted, and the chancel was prettily decorated. The service was choral. Mr. W. S. Lole being at the organ, while the officiating clergy were the Rev. Archdeacon Meredith, vicar of Wolston, and the Rev. W. H. Payne Smith of Rugby.
The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a dress of white satin, trimmed with Brussels lace, and she wore diamond and pearl brooches, the gifts of the bridegroom and her mother.
She carried a bouquet of white roses and lilies, the gift of the bridegroom.
Her bridesmaids were Miss Hoole, Miss Pechell, Miss Milne Redhead, Miss Lowsley-Williams, and Miss Dorothy Bacon. Their costumes were of blue silk, with hats to match, and they carried baskets of pink carnations and maidenhair fern. The bride’s Court train was borne by two little pages: Master P. Clarke and Lesley Lowsley-Williams.
As the bride entered the church the hymn “Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us,” was sung, and the other hymns used were: “Love divine, all love excelling,” and “How welcome was the call.”
While the register was being signed, the bells were ringing, and as the bridal party left the church the organist played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March”.”
Showers of confetti greeted the newly wedded couple as they emerged from the church and proceeded down the path to the gate, and everywhere heartfelt wishes for their future happiness were expressed.
On their return to Wolston Manor there was a reception, and subsequently Mr. G. A Dean, photographer, of Rugby who had been sent for, took several photographs of the bride and bridegroom, bridesmaids, etc.
Afterwards a reception was held at the Manor, and those who accepted invitations were: Count and Countess Wratislaw, Mr. Rex Lancaster, Mr. and Mrs. Lister Kaye, Dr. Mrs. and Miss Milner Moore, Mrs. and Miss Sumner, Colonel, Mrs. and Miss Woollcombe-Adams, Mrs. Lowe, Admiral and Mrs. Bacon and party, Mr. and Mrs. Lowsley Williams, Colonel, Mrs. and Miss Hoole, Mrs. Lancaster, Mr. and Mrs. Bower, Mr. Baird, M.P., and Lady Ethel Baird, Mr., Mrs. and Miss J. Boughton-Leigh, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Hoffgaard, Mr., Mrs. and the Misses Moon, Mr. and Mrs. Brooke-Robinson, Doctor, Mrs. and Mr. B. C. Kelton, Miss Molesworth, Dr. and Mrs. Martin Richardson and party, Mrs. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Rose, Mr. and Mrs. Coape-Arnold, Mr. Clark, Miss Winstanley, Mrs. Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Charters, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, Capt. and Mrs. Pellier, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Kittermaster, the Rev., Mrs. and Miss Barrows, the Misses Barton, the Rev. S.G. and Mrs. Collier, Colonel Mrs. and Miss Redhead, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Lole, Mr. and Mrs. Morris, Mr. J. V. Morgan, Mr. and Mrs. Mulliner, Major, Mrs. and Miss M. Pechell, Canon, Mrs. and Miss Sitwell, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sitwell, Mrs. Trower, Mrs. Henry A. M. Wilcox, the Ven. Archdeacon Meredith, the Rev. W. H. Payne-Smith, Miss Gray, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Rhodes, Sir de Capell Brooke, Lord and Lady and Miss Rosmead, Miss MacDonald, Mrs. and Miss Princep, the Hon. Geoffrey Dundas, and most of the principal tenants of the Wolston Manor Estate.
There was music and tea on the lawn and after four o’clock Mr. and Mrs. Hoffgaard motored to Rugby en route for Scotland, where the honeymoon is being spent.
The presents were very numerous and many were extremely handsome. They included two public presentations – one a silver rose bowl from the tenants on the Wolston Estate, which was made to Miss Wilcox by Mrs. W. S. Lole, Mr. G. Simpson, and Mr. W. S. Lole on Saturday last on behalf of the subscribers: and the others was presented by the scholars of Wolston School, a very nice silver mounted tray which was presented to Miss Wilcox by Miss A. Billingham.
Among the other presents were:
Mr. Owen Meredith, silver butter knife
Miss Boughton-Leigh, two silver ashtrays
Miss M. Boughton-Leigh, onyx patch box
Mr. and Mrs. Oswald, pair of silver vases
Mr. and Mrs. J. Boughton-Leigh, cushion footstool
Mr. and Mrs. Twist, pair silver dessert spoons
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, silver mounted salts bottle
Misses G. and E. Ullathorne, gilt and embroidery photo frame
Mr. and Mrs. Leese, silver and enamel puff box
Mr. and Mrs. Duff, blue leather purse bag
Miss Moon, pearl and aquamarine pendant and chain
Mrs. and the Misses Lancaster, two tall silver bon bonnieres
Mrs. Hoole, a dessert service
Mrs. Guizzard, a fan and case
Col., Mrs. and Miss W. Adams, dozen coffee cups
Canon and Mrs. Sitwell, half dozen Coalport coffee cups
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Sitwell, blue and gold Crown Derby vase
Rev. and Mrs. John Sitwell, an entrée dish
Miss Sitwell, book
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Balfour, silver handled tea knives
The Rev. W. H. Payne-Smith, antique brass
Miss Molesworth, Venetian vase
The Rev. F. W., Mrs and Miss Barrows, tea cloth
Col., Mrs. and Miss Beech, silver mirror
Col., Mrs. and Miss Daniell, large aluminium framed mirror
The Rev. R. S. and Mrs. Mitchison, pair china vases
Mr. S. Mitchison, firescreen
Miss Alice Drinkwater, two pin cushions
Miss Townsend, silver butter dish
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend, silver jam dish
Mrs. E. K. Berry, pair silver bon bonnieres
Mr. Joseph, Amy, and Mrs. Harris, pair silver salt cellars
Nurse Everton, tea cloth
Mr. and Mrs. Hutton Squire, silver photograph frame
Mrs. Jackson, antique china plate
Capt. and Mrs. Pellier Henson, Sybil and Winnie, Sheffield tea caddy
Miss Sarah Wells, pair of cake doilies
Admiral Powlett, hearth rug
Mr. and Mrs. W, W. Grantham, antique silver loving cup
Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Matthews, umbrella
Mr. Nevett, purse, one dozen dessert doilies, and early morning tea set and tray
Miss V. and Miss E. Barton, embroidered bag
Admiral and Mrs. Bacon, clock
Mrs. Henry Wilcox, Chippendale clock
Mrs. W. H. Berry, real Lace collar and cuffs
Mr. and Miss Newcombe, silver handbell
Mrs. E. Maurice, set of enamel Decanter labels
Mrs. H. Gilbertson, pair of silver Pepper pots
Mrs. Sharpe, memorandum and almanac stand
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Milne-Redhead set of silver teaspoons and sugar tongs
Mr. Percy Tatham, set of tea knives and plates
Mrs. and Mrs. Eales, feather pillows and bolster
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Fulton, two Oak armchairs
Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons, table-centre
Mr. and Mrs. Pearce, Wedgwood china vase
Dr. and Mrs. Milner Moore, pair of old Sheffield wine coolers
Miss K. Hoffgaard, set of silver gilt dessert spoons
Capt. and Mrs. W. F. Manley, travelling clock
Mr. and Mrs. Colquhoun, opera glasses
Miss Hilda Verney, pair white china flower vases
Master Harry Kenney, fancy glass jug and tumblers
Miss Eyden, pair china candlesticks
Mr. and Mrs. Lord, silver mounted sugar basin
Mr., Mrs., and Miss Moon, ivory paper knife
Miss Nita Morris, fine drawn linen sideboard cloth
Mr. and Mrs. Relton, pair Sheffield wine stands
Masters Jack and Peter Clarke, A. and M. hymn book with music
Mr. and Mrs. Trower, jewel and dressing case
Mrs. Boughton-Leigh, ormolu brass blotter and notepaper case
Mr. and Mrs. Rose, Sheffield inkstands and tray
Miss Wray, antique cut glass pot-pourri vase
Mrs. Bennett, antique Sheffield mustard pot
Major Lancaster, silver inkpot
Sir Forrest and Lady Fulton, silver muffin dish
Mrs. and Miss Bacon, Battersea enamel snuff box
Mr. and Mrs. Woolley, silver mounted sugar basin and tongs
Mr. Rex Lancaster, dozen Silver dinner forks
The Misses Darlington, set of silver tea knives
Miss Baker, silver puff box
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mackenzie, japanned box and bunches of white and pink heather
Miss Winstanley, writing case
Mr. and Mrs. C. Wodehouse, silver muffin dish
Miss Kitty Satchwell, china teapot
Master Willie Wells, china pin tray
Dr. and Mrs. Richardson, Thermos bottle and leather case
Mrs. Powlett, silver mounted scent bottle
Wolston School Teachers and Children, Oak Tea tray
Tenants and tradesmen of Wolston, silver rose bowl
Mr. Starkey, “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens,” illustrated by A. Rackham
Mr. and Mrs. Collier, Royal Worcester china vase
Mr. and Mrs. Bayley-Worthington, silver clock
Mr. Brock Bayley-Worthington, silver pepper pots
Miss M. Caldecott, oxidised necklace
Miss Francis, table centre
Mr. and Mrs. Brooke Robinson, Silver bon bonniere
Miss F. V. Harrop, embroidered table centre and pair of doilies
Mr. J. Vaughan Morgan, Sheffield bon bonniere
Mr. and Mrs. Charters, cut glass flower vase
Col., Mrs. and Miss Longmore, Silver plated fruit dish
Mr. Forest Fulton, silver fish knives, forks and carvers
Baroness Goldsmid, pair of silver mounted decanters and breakfast egg pots with stand
Mrs. Hoffgaard (mother), silver centrepiece
Dr. and Mrs. Elsdale Moleson, silver cigarette box
Mrs. Lowe, silver tea service and silver flask
Mr. Eustace Fulton, silvered copper rose bowl
Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Salkield Green, silver-plated hot water jug
Mr. and the Hon. Mrs. Hill Wood, silver mounted decanter
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Christie, silver cigarette box
Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, pair of silver candlesticks
Mrs. Lawrence Prior, gold pencil
Mr. and Mrs. Swaine, silver ashtray and match stand
Mrs. Erica Robertson, silver fruit dishes
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sandeman, sugar sifter
Lovell Smeathman, clock
Arthur and Lady de Capell Brooke, silver inkstand
Miss Bainey, Cheque
Capt. Whalley, Worcester coffee service
Mr. and Mrs. Maddocks, crocodile blotting pad
Miss Dunnage, bridge box
Mr. Phillip Longmore, pair silver dessert spoons
Miss Wormald, Pair silver dessert spoons
The Primrose Habitation of S.W. Bethnal Green, china rose bowl
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Redfern, silver sugar sifter
Mrs. and Miss Princep, cut glass decanter
Mrs. Wood, embroidered cushion
Mrs. Wilson Rooke, tea caddy
DEATH OF MR. C. W. WILCOX, J.P. SENIOR MAGISTRATE AT RUGBY AND COVENTRY
On 25th March 1926, the death at Wolston Manor, at the advanced age of 79 years, of Mr. Charles Walford Wilcox, J.P., Lord of the Manor of Wolston and patron of the living, occurred. Mr. Wilcox had been in failing health, on and off, for a considerable period.
As recently as February 14th he celebrated his 79th birthday. He was the second son of Mr. William Wilcox, who married on April 23rd, 1845, Miss Francis Eliza Harrop, daughter of Mr. Joseph Harrop, of Broughton Hall, Staffordshire. Mr. and Mrs. William Wilcox died within a month of each other in 1853, in which year their youngest daughter, Harriet, was also buried. They left a young family, two sons and two daughters. There were three sons altogether, and the eldest, William, died at the age of two years in 1847, when Charles Walford became his father’s heir.
Mr. C. W. Wilcox received part of his education at Magdalene College, Cambridge, and on May 14th, 1873, received a commission of Lieutenant in the Warwickshire Yeomanry, in which regiment he served until 1884. He had previously been a Cornet in the 2nd Warwickshire Militia. In 1871 he married Miss Catherine Hoole, daughter of Mr. Francis Hoole, of Edgefield, Bradfield, Yorkshire, and of a family of three sons and four daughters only one survived, namely, Mrs. Hoffgaard, wife of Mr. Eric Hoffgaard, barrister-at-law, who unsuccessfully fought several Parliamentary elections at Bethnal Green. Practically the whole of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Wilcox’s family, with one exception, died young. His brother, the Rev. Henry Augustus Mortimer Wilcox, B.A., was Vicar of Wolston from 1876 to 1908, and at Cambridge got his “Blue” for jumping.
Mr. C, W. Wilcox had been a county magistrate for Warwickshire for nearly 51 years. He had been entitled to sit on the Rugby Bench since 1875. He was also the senior J.P. of the Coventry County Petty Sessional Division. He was at one period a member of the North Warwickshire Hunt, and a prominent follower, and his coverts usually held some stout foxes.
AN HISTORIC HOUSE
Wolston Manor, the ancestral home of the Wilcox family, was situated amid a wealth of artistic and well-wooded grounds, and many Rugby people became acquainted with the sylvan beauty of the surroundings by visiting the Annual Flower Show there.
Some years ago, the late Mr. Wilcox let the Manor to Admiral Sir Reginald Baron, and during that time he occupied the Gate House.
On the Wolston Manor estate at that time there was a delightful old stone structure - Priory Farm - that for many years was tenanted by the late Mr. John Cave. The ancient arched doorway leading to the entrance hall was one of its chief delights; and the quaint dormer windows in the upper storeys, with their equally picturesque gables and pinnacles, were amongst the best preserved in the district.
There was a quaint chamber beneath the broad oaken staircase, where one of the earliest printing presses was employed. It is a matter of history that at Wolston Priory (now the Priory Farm) some of the Martin Marprelate tracts were surreptitiously printed.
BACK TO HENRY VII
The Wilcox family had been settled in the Brandon and Wolston district since the reign of Henry VII. The lordship of Wolston in Dugdale’s time was owned by Mr. George Warner, but it came into the possession of the Wilcox family about the close of the seventeenth century. Mr. C. W. Wilcox was the head of the sixth generation to be Lord of the Manor. A prominent member of the family was Mr. Robert Wilcox, who flourished in the early years of the seventeenth century. His “seate” in Wolston Church (adjoining those of the Vicar and Sir Peter Wentworth) is shown on a plan, dated 1635, deposited at the Records Office. He was a Commissioner for the County, with the Earl of Denbigh and Sir Peter Wentworth, for raising monies to fight various wars, including one in Ireland.
A grandson of Mr. Robert Wilcox claimed in the year 1682, on behalf of the family, the right to bear arms on the occasion of the third Visitation to Warwickshire of the Heralds. His pedigree and arms were then recorded, with the following note: “Taken from Mr. Wilcox’s seal, but he must make better proofe before he can be permitted the use of them.”
Mr. C. W Wilcox became a widower in 1911, in which year he also lost his eldest sister, who married Mr. John Lancaster, of Bilton Grange
THE FUNERAL
The funeral took place on Saturday, in St. Margaret’s Churchyard, the body being buried in a brick grave near the late Mrs. Wilcox. The Reverend S.G. Collier, the Rural Dean of Dunchurch, assisted by the Reverend Johnson Barker, Vicar of Wolston, conducted the first part of the service. The mourners were: Mrs. Hoffgaard (daughter), Captain Eric Hoffgaard (son-in-law), Master Robert Hoffgaard (grandson), Major Mortimer Pechell (cousin), Mr. William Wilcox (nephew), Mr. G. Lowsby Williams, Mr. Leonard Fulton (nephew), Mr. W.S. Lole (agent) and Mrs. Lole, and Dr. E.C. Abraham.
Amongst the tenants on the estate present were: Messrs. Wm. Gray, J. Frame, W. Frame, J. Jones, W. Parratt, H. Brierly, H. Berry, A. Berry, Miss Newcombe, and Misses Brierly.
The principal residents attending were: Messrs. W. Snell, T.P. Coleman, J. Poxon, F. Harris, F.W. Channing (Brandon), Mrs. S. Walton, Mr. and Miss Page, Mrs. Holden, Mr. O. Eales, Mr. W. Eales. The local branch of the British Legion was represented by its Honorary Secretary, Mr. F. Golder.
The service was fully choral. A full choir chanted Psalm 39 and sang the hymn “Abide with me”.” Mr. W.S. Lole ably played organ music. It was requested that no flowers be sent except from the nearest relations, but several friends, who had not heard of the wish, sent beautiful tributes. Amongst the flowers were: In loving memory of Father, from Eric and Hilda; With love to Grandpa from Bobbie, Betty, and Geraldine; Beatrice and Willie; Captain and Mrs. Douglas Beech; In remembrance from Mrs. E.G. Ford; In affectionate remembrance from Dr. and Mrs. Abraham; In remembrance from Nurses Ridley and Blackmore.
The fine oak coffin bore the inscription: Charles Walford Wilcox, died March 25th, 1926, aged 79 years.
The bearers were: F. Mumford, Messrs. Wr. Clarke, J. Holt, G. Reader, E. Robbins, and C. Robbins.
.jpg)
VICAR’S TRIBUTE TO “THE SQUIRE”
On Sunday, at St. Margaret’s Church, the Vicar, the Reverend Johnson Barker, made the following remarks:
“You will wish me to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of the Squire, whose body was laid to rest in our Churchyard yesterday, and to express our sympathy with his family.
He belonged to a class characteristic in the life and making of our country – a class that, to the deep regret to many, is being rapidly superseded by modern changes in our social and economic order. The English Manor has made its mark on every English countryside, and played a notable part in English history. In English village life it has been an influence that, notwithstanding modern changes, will long remain. From our Manor Houses have come men in whom public spirit has burned strongly. As a class they have given freely of their time, generously of their means, and ungrudgingly in personal service. They have filled offices of state and of local administration, always without regard to self-advantage, and often with conspicuous ability and success. They have been careful to maintain a high standard of honourable action, and have seldom fallen short of their understanding of noblesse oblige. To that class, as history bears witness, England owes an undying debt and to that class the Squire belonged inheriting its traditions from many generations back. He was a typical example of English gentlemen, as all who knew him will testify. His interest in his own territory none will dispute. There are none in the parish who did not know him and whom he did not know. His passing leaves a gap. We pray the Christian prayer that he may rest in peace and that on him perpetual light may shine. “
6th June, 1930
DEATH OF CAPT. E. A. HOFFGAARD - THREE TIMES A PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE
HIS ACTIVITIES AT WOLSTON
On the 6th June 1930, Wolston people heard with regret of the death at his residence, The Wood House, Princethorpe of Capt. Eric Alfred Hoffgaard, who had been ill for only three days, and had moved from Wolston to Princethorpe as recently as six months before.
The youngest child of the late Mr. John Hoffgaard, for many years Danish Vice-Consul in Manchester, Capt. Hoffgaard was born on the 21st July, 1878, and received his education at Elstree and Harrow. About the year 1905 he was called to the Bar at Middle Temple, and practised until some time before the outbreak of the 1914-918 war. In this capacity he was concerned in the George Archer Shee case, which aroused great public interest at the time.
At the Parliamentary election of January, 1910, Capt. Hoffgaard fought the South-West Division of Bethnal Green in the Conservative interest, and he renewed the contest at the General Election in December of that year. In July, 1911, he again contested the seat, and came within a few hundred votes of defeating so formidable an opponent as Mr. C. F. G. Masterman, then Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Capt. Hoffgaard may, indeed, be said to have laid the foundations of a Conservative victory, for at the succeeding election, in which, though not standing as a candidate, he took a very active part, the seat was captured from the Liberals.
Shortly after the outbreak of war, Capt. Hoffgaard joined the Warwickshire Yeomanry, and was general recruiting officer to the Yeomanry up to the time that conscription was put into force. He was subsequently attached to the Air Force, being Inspector of Quarter Master Services until 1919, when he was mobilised with the rank of captain.
For five years he resided at Wolston, where he became widely known and took a sympathetic interest in the various social activities of the village, especially in the work of the British Legion.
He married, on August 9th, 1911, at Wolston, Miss Mary Hilda Wilcox, the only surviving daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Wilcox of Wolston Manor, Archdeacon Meredith performing the ceremony.
Manor House Staff 1892 -
.jpg)
Alfred Gibbons Sarah Rees Lizzie Eyden Ada Drinkwater Mary Walker Herbert Ellis
Mrs Matthews
.jpg)
Joseph Drinkwater - Coachman to C.W.Wilcox for 50 years at Wolston Manor.
Father of Amy, William, Lizzie, Eunice and three others.
Emily Compton - was with the family for 40 years first at Wolston Manor and stayed with the family when they moved to The Woodhouse at Princethorpe.
At Wolston Manor she would summon any of the family who were outside by ringing a school type bell when meals were ready.
She also used to endeavour to get bats out of the hall by standing at the front door with an oil lamp in one hand and a white napkin in the other.
She was greatly loved by all the family.
Back Row - left to right
Robert Wilcox (nee Hoffgaard), Capt. Teague, Dr Campbell, Revd. Johnson-Barker, Mrs Dorothy Campbell
Front Row - left to right
? Mrs M H Hoffgaard ? ? Douglas Beech, Mrs Beech, Mrs Johnson-Barker, Mrs Teague
.jpg)