The Reverend Sydney Herbert Williams of Great Linford
Sydney Herbert Williams was born August 25th, 1844 at Llanwenith in Wales, the third son of Philip Williams Esq (a Justice of the Peace) and Sarah. He was educated at Cheltenham College and Queen’s College, Cambridge. He took a LL.B (Bachelor of Laws) in 1865 and a LL.M (Master of Laws) in 1871, though never seems to have practiced law, having being ordained a Deacon in 1868 and Priest in 1869 by the Bishop of Lichfield. He was curate at High Ercal in Shropshire (1868-71) and Belchamp St. Paul in Essex (1871-72.)
In 1871, Sydney married Ellen Maude Gaselee, the sister of General Alfred Gaselee, who became something of a celebrity for his participation in a number of military campaigns in India and China. Sydney was appointed to the living of Great Linford (estimated to be then worth £400pa) on October 9th, 1876 and served until his death in 1900. He and Ellen had two daughters, the second of whom, Evelyn, was born at Great Linford in December of 1874, which is two years prior to his promotion as Rector. This can easily be explained, as he was Curate of St. Andrews for some four years previously to his appointment as Rector; so would have been appointed by the then Rector, Francis Litchfield. Mabel, the eldest daughter of Sydney had been born in Essex in March 1872, just before the arrival of the family in Great Linford.
Ministering to his flock
It is possible from various newspaper accounts to gain some insight into Sydney’s priestly activities. A particularly good example which speaks well for him is to be found in a report of a Harvest Festival service held on Sunday 23rd of 1877, the sermon of which he dedicated to a famine then ravaging India. The Reverend made the point to the congregation that while they were celebrating a harvest, they should sympathise with those then suffering in the East. After dwelling upon the results of the year’s harvest, he proceeded with a graphic description of the terrible sufferings caused by famine and extolled the congregation to dig deep. This resulted in a collection for the Mansion House Indian Famine Relief Fund of £5, 5 Shillings and 5p. Sydney was clearly a man adept at pulling on the heartstrings to good effect.
Reverend Williams seems to have had a particular interest in and affection for the church choir, as is amply demonstrated from a newspaper story published in Croydon's Weekly Standard of January 15th, 1881.
Reverend Williams seems to have had a particular interest in and affection for the church choir, as is amply demonstrated from a newspaper story published in Croydon's Weekly Standard of January 15th, 1881.
On Saturday Last, the Rev. S. H. Williams entertained his church choir with an excellent supper at the rectory. After doing justice to the things provided, an adjournment was made to the schoolroom, where they with the Sunday school children were treated to a magic lantern entertainment, under the management of Mr. Taplin, of Emberton, which gave great satisfaction. The amusements terminated with hearty cheers to the rev. gentleman and Mrs. Williams for their kindness, and also to Mr. Taplin.
An odd thing to be found concerning the Reverend Williams is that he applied for a license in June of 1890 to perform stage plays at the Rectory, said license to be valid for a period of one month from July 14th. There is an explanation to be found, as on August 1st following, a Bazaar was held in the Rectory grounds, with many stalls and entertainments. Mentioned in the account published of the day’s activities, we find reference to some indoor entertainments by a Mr Walter Helmore of Terry’s Theatre. Nothing is said as to the nature of the performances, but Terry’s Theatre was located on the Strand in London, and Walter Helmore appears to have specialised in farces, so one can imagine a rather merry gathering to have taken place before an appreciative audience.
We also know that William was the school correspondent for St. Andrew’s School on the High Street, a position that entailed regular visits to the school and updating of the school log book; hardly surprising of course that he would be closely involved in the running of a school with an avowed religious character.
Outside of his ecclesiastical duties, we know that he was a member of the Board of Guardians and Rural Council, a fact noted in a declaration of sympathy issued by the Newport Pagnell Board of Guardians upon his death in 1900. He was also involved in the Conservative Association active in Great Linford at the time of his tenure, so it is clear that he was very much a pillar of the establishment.
We also know that William was the school correspondent for St. Andrew’s School on the High Street, a position that entailed regular visits to the school and updating of the school log book; hardly surprising of course that he would be closely involved in the running of a school with an avowed religious character.
Outside of his ecclesiastical duties, we know that he was a member of the Board of Guardians and Rural Council, a fact noted in a declaration of sympathy issued by the Newport Pagnell Board of Guardians upon his death in 1900. He was also involved in the Conservative Association active in Great Linford at the time of his tenure, so it is clear that he was very much a pillar of the establishment.
An award winning herd of cattle
As to his personal interests, the Reverend maintained a successful herd of Jersey dairy cattle - so successful that in 1887 he carried away the cup for best butter made in the United Kingdom, presented by the Lord Mayor of London at the British Dairy Famers’ Association show held at Islington. He was also for some time the chairman of the English Jersey Cattle Society, so clearly had a talent for animal husbandry, a fact that was further acknowledged by his appointment as a judge at various farming shows, such as the one held by the Gloucestershire Agricultural Society in July of 1894. It has not become clear where exactly the cattle were kept, though we know that in 1894 the Reverend began a disposal of his herd, with further sales occurring in 1896 (attributed to a loss of “the greater part of the grasslands and buildings) and finally in 1899, the latter citing his retirement due to ill-health.
Clearly he had a significant interest in farming in general, as he also took out a loan in 1881 of £100 for “Great Linford Rectory Glebe Farm”, which we might presume to be Glebe House on the High Street. The loan was acquired through the Land Loan and Enfranchisement Company, an organisation that had been incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1860 for the purpose of providing funds to estates seeking to improve their farm land and buildings. Attesting to his lifelong interest in agricultural matters, Included amongst his possessions sold on his death were a variety of agricultural tools and a “portable foul house on wheels.”
Clearly he had a significant interest in farming in general, as he also took out a loan in 1881 of £100 for “Great Linford Rectory Glebe Farm”, which we might presume to be Glebe House on the High Street. The loan was acquired through the Land Loan and Enfranchisement Company, an organisation that had been incorporated by an Act of Parliament in 1860 for the purpose of providing funds to estates seeking to improve their farm land and buildings. Attesting to his lifelong interest in agricultural matters, Included amongst his possessions sold on his death were a variety of agricultural tools and a “portable foul house on wheels.”
An accident and a tragedy
Newspaper accounts also provide accounts of more unfortunate events in his life. The Reverend was the victim of an accident in November of 1884, when riding with the Oakley Fox Hounds. This occurred on November 17th, when his horse stumbled in the vicinity of a country house called Cranfield Court. The horse fell and rolled over the Reverend, who was quickly extricated, but he was found to have broken his leg. He was conveyed to Cranfield House and attended to, before being conveyed back home and placed under the care of Doctor Hailey.
A tragedy occurred during William’s tenure as Rector, with the death on May 24th, 1897 of a maid in his employ named Jane Ann Butler, whose body was found in the canal at Great Linford. The suspicion must be that this was a suicide, but the evidence presented at the coroner’s inquiry proved inconclusive, and so it was judged to be an accident. The full account of the inquiry into the death of Jane Ann Butler is reproduced on the Coroner’s page, which also provides a glimpse into life below stairs at the Rectory.
Sydney died at the relatively young age of 56, passing away the Rectory on December 30th, 1900 after a long illness that had lasted upwards of 18 months. He left behind an estate valued at £996, 13 shillings and 7p. There was clearly a great deal of affection for their late Reverend Williams in the parish, as on Easter Sunday of April 7th, 1901, a new stained glass window to his memory was dedicated in the church, having been installed at the south side of the chancel.
A tragedy occurred during William’s tenure as Rector, with the death on May 24th, 1897 of a maid in his employ named Jane Ann Butler, whose body was found in the canal at Great Linford. The suspicion must be that this was a suicide, but the evidence presented at the coroner’s inquiry proved inconclusive, and so it was judged to be an accident. The full account of the inquiry into the death of Jane Ann Butler is reproduced on the Coroner’s page, which also provides a glimpse into life below stairs at the Rectory.
Sydney died at the relatively young age of 56, passing away the Rectory on December 30th, 1900 after a long illness that had lasted upwards of 18 months. He left behind an estate valued at £996, 13 shillings and 7p. There was clearly a great deal of affection for their late Reverend Williams in the parish, as on Easter Sunday of April 7th, 1901, a new stained glass window to his memory was dedicated in the church, having been installed at the south side of the chancel.
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