Angela Fortnum - Pages and Leaflets of North Oxfordshire: My Lineage Pre-1700–1959

PAGES and
LEAFLETS of
NORTH OXFORDSHIRE

My Lineage Pre-17001959

A FAMILY AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY

Angela Fortnum

AuthorHouse UK

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403 USA

www.authorhouse.co.uk

Phone: 0800.197.4150

2018 Angela Fortnum. All rights reserved.

Photographs by Brian Curtis are subject to his copyright.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 09/20/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-9795-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-9796-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-9794-9 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,
and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

A well-researched and written book by a new author that will be of interest to family historians. Sociologists, anthropologists together with religious historians could also find aspects of interest.

The book tells the story of eight generations of her maternal grandfathers. Not only are there some interesting details of the progression from agricultural labourer to self-employed and then small holders but also, the changes in religious beliefs over time.

At the end of the book she has brought the family line up-to-date by including details of the last two generations namely, her mother and herself.

The richness and diversity of the Church and Chapel buildings that were linked in some way to the family tell a story of their own in respect of the local history.

In remembrance of my mother, Muriel Page, who inspired me to research my roots. She often regaled me with tales of life at South Newington Mill and about my great-grandfather Charles when he was getting older and lived at Wigginton.

Thank you to relatives who provided information and to the staff of Banbury Library for their help and patience in answering many questions.

Also, to Katrina Paynton-Gilkes, who acted as my sounding board.

Special thanks go to Brian Curtis for graciously consenting to the use of his church photographs and for providing unadulterated copies.

Last, but not least, I am grateful for the help and guidance given to me by Dorothy Lee, Coleen Medina, and the team at Author House.

My mother, Muriel Page, was born at South Newington Mill in 1916, and I became curious to learn about my roots and began to research my maternal grandparents. I succeeded in getting back to my seven-times-great-grandfather and found that my direct ancestors came from Milcombe and South Newington, two villages in north Oxfordshire, England.

As I progressed, I realised there was a story to tell, not only about the social history but also about the changing religious beliefs and the historic buildings linked to these, a book to appeal to people with differing interests.

For the guidance of the reader, leaving Bloxham, St Marys on your left, take the first left at the roundabout to Barford St Michael. Otherwise, follow the A361. You will find the turn to Milcombe on your right. Back on the A361 continue to South Newington, which has several sharp, dangerous bends; this is the main road for heavy-goods vehicles. Take the left turn opposite the public house, which will take you to the entrance of St Peters Church. From South Newington take the A361 to Wigginton, which is on the right.

Chapter 1

Possible Origin of Name

Perhaps the most obvious origin goes back to when people were named after their occupations, before William the Conqueror introduced hereditary surnames. The surname Page was derived from the Middle English and Old French page .

Spelling variations were commonplace due to the illiteracy of all but the wealthy. The main spellings were Page and Paige, although there are others, including Padge.

Chapter 2

James Page: Seven-Times-GGF

When researching the birth of my seven-times-GGF I only found one record for a James Page. He was baptised at Much Haddon on 28 November 1770 but, unfortunately, he died and was buried three days later.

This led me to believe James was possibly a Quaker. However, there is no paper trail from Quaker meetings to substantiate this theory except the burial details of his son James, born in 1702, who died as an infant. The parish record for St Peter ad Vincula records his burial on 22 February as:

PAGE James s. James and Dorathy of Milcomb [sic] bur. in Ye meeting yard.

A small group of Quakers formed by 1663, but the Friends meeting house, with adjoining land, was not constructed until 1693. It was closed and leased to the Methodists in 1825, although the Quakers occasionally continued to use the building. The property was bought by George Dyson, a local resident, and in 1928, it was given to the village and is still used as the village hall.

South Newington Village Hall, 2016, by Angela Fortnum.

James and Dorathy had six children: four boys and two girls. There is no trace in the parish records of South Newington or Milcombe, however, that any of them were baptised into the Church of England as children, although the three surviving sons all married in the church. The two girls were beneficiaries under the will of John Rymell of London (formerly of Great Tew, a village near South Newington) . John was possibly a brother of Dorathy, as he refers to Mary and Elizabeth as his nieces.

A true and perfect Inventory of all the singular of the Goods and Chattels and Chattels of John Rymell Citizen and Joyner of London late deceased and of late residence in Great Tew in the County of Oxon ___ And appraised by us William Caxton Henery Stowe John Baggs this 27 day of August in the year of our Lord 1730

Oxfordshire Family History Society Transcribed Wills

Chapter 3

John Page: Six-Times-GGF

John was one of four sons born to James Page and Dorathy of Milcombe. I assume the family were Quakers. Due to the lack of Friends meeting records, Jamess date of birth is not available. However, the parish register for 27 April 1727, St Marys Parish Church, Banbury, Oxfordshire, records that he was baptised as an adult.

Later that year, on 26 September, he married Mary White.

John of Milcombe and Mary of South Newington, married by Mr Andrews, Vicar of South Newington (by Banns).

On 9 April 1767, John was buried in the churchyard of St Peter ad Vincula, Newington South. His wife predeceased him in 1764.

John and Mary had four children: one son, John (5GGF), and three daughters. Sadly, one of the girls died in infancy and the others died as teenagers.

Mary Paige 17311733

Elizabeth (Betty) Paige 17331749

Mary Paige 17361749

The Parish Register of St Mary, Banbury:

16 November 1749. PAGE Elizabeth and Mary ds of John, weaver and Mary.