John Williams of Pitmaston

[Fue]

Has anyone any information on the family of John Williams of Pitmaston?

[Tricia_2]

Would it be this?

'Williams family of Pitmaston House'.
This refers to some documents on the National archives site.

[Fue]

Yes that's the right family and I do have a copy of the will.

I thought though that  as John Williams of Pitmaston was quite renowned for his horticulturist endevours and coming from a wealthy family connected to the Wigleys and even the Worcester Sauce, surely someone would have  done some research on him    But as usual with 'Williams' as a surname, it aint going to be that easy.

[Tricia_2]

Well, I have found some things, but you may have them ~ some may be relevant, but some may not:

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42910
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42910
http://www.solihull.gov.uk/Attachments/Malvern__Brueton_Leaflet.pdf
http://ksimmon.sasktelwebsite.net/sim_deak_ogd_cur_web/PS01/PS01_127.HTM
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57106
http://www.thepeerage.com/p21465.htm
http://www.hunimex.com/warwick/mi/mi_solihull.html
http://www.william1.co.uk/w159.htm
http://archive.droitwichadvertiser.co.uk/2001/1/19/340535.html
http://www.england-in-particular.info/orchards/o-worcs-f.html
http://www.pitmastonprimary.co.uk/cms/media/welcome/PROSPECTUS.pdf

http://wbrc.org.uk/worcrecd/Issue7/orchards.htm
There's a quote from Gwilliam in this essay ~ probably from:
'Old Worcester' by Bill Gwilliam (1993)
http://www.amazon.ca/Old-Worcester-Bill-Gwilliam/dp/095135258X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208960978&sr=1-1

"Later on in the 19th Century John Williams (1773-1853), described as being a crusty old Tory of the 18th Century school (Gwilliam, W. 1993), built Pitmaston House along the Malvern Road in St. John's. He was the most advanced of our (Worcestershire's) growers. He distributed the Pitmaston Pine Apple which is described as being a connoisseurs apple with a firm, juicy and slightly sweet, with a distinctive flavour. It was first shown in 1845. It had been raised by Mr. White, of Witley, steward to Lord Foley. Williams also raised Pitmaston Golden Pippin in about 1838 which was described as 'a very nice little fruit now seldom met' and the Pitmaston Nonparpeil (Bunyard, E.A 1920). "

 
 
 

[Tricia_2]

Do you have this?

The manor has since remained with the Greswolds and their descendants, Anne (Henry Greswold's daughter) being lady of the manor in 1750–3, David Lewis (husband of Mary, Marshall Greswold's last surviving child) lord in 1759–66, (fn. 54) his son Henry Greswold Lewis between 1776 (fn. 55) and 1821 (fn. 56) and Capt. Edmund Meysy Wigley Greswold (vouchee in a recovery of 1832 (fn. 57) ) from 1829 to his death in 1833. (fn. 58) He was succeeded by his uncle Henry Greswold, whose executors held the manor in 1850. (fn. 59) By the marriage of Dorothy, Henry's sister, to John Williams of Pitmaston (Worcs.) in 1800, the manor passed to this family, who took the additional surname of Greswolde. (fn. 60) Since the death of Capt. Francis Wigley Greswolde-Williams in 1931 the manorial rights seem to have lapsed.

From: 'Parishes: Harbury', A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 6: Knightlow hundred (1951), pp. 103-108. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57106. Date accessed: 23 April 2008.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=57106

BEDWARDINE (St. John) ... The allotment system has been introduced by the vicar. Among the seats are Pitmaston, Broughton House, and Crow's Nest, with grounds, well planted, attached to each; and in the village are many handsome and substantial houses and shops. A fair is held on the Friday before PalmSunday, on which day ... the mayor and corporation of the city walk in procession through the village.
....  The church is an ancient edifice, partly Norman, but chiefly in the early English style, with a square tower; and stands at the junction of the Bromyard and Bransford roads. ... an organ was presented in 1841 by John Williams, Esq., of Pitmaston, who also gave about £300 towards the repair and enlargement of the edifice.

From: 'Bedminster - Bees, St', A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848), pp. 194-199. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50789. Date accessed: 23 April 2008.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=50789

I do have some info on the Greswoldes ~ in Solihull & Birmingham, but I'd need to go through a few boxes to find it. Most of it is from booksd, whichshould be avaialvble in librariers and I think that the American branch of the family has researched it quite a bit.

[Fue]

Thanks Tricia for all that info, I did have some of it and it will take some time to get through the new info, (some very interesting websites there).  And thanks for the offer of info on the Greswolds but unfortunately my problem is trying to find a link with John Williams of Pitmaston.  I am hoping that my GGrandfather was a descendant of one of his brothers and as they were not as  well known as John, I am finding it very difficult.

His brothers were:

Francis  Williams(Magistrate)
Edward Williams (poss magistrate)
Henry Williams
James(?) Williams
& poss more
 
My family story goes something like 'he  (my GGrandfather) was the youngest of 32 kids (no wonder there are so many Williamses!) and his father was a judge. John Williams of Pitmaston was a magistrate (as was his father).  I tell you all this but I do not hold out much hope that much can be found. I have been trying to track down my grandfather - William Charles Williams for nearly three years now with little success to date.

But hey, its good to get it off your chest anyway and this is such a great website, so helpful.
So thanks   

Sue

[Tricia_2]

Good luck!!

[kpj1968]

Hi Sue

I appreciate its a few years since your original posts on the subject, and whilst for completely different reasons - i neighbour Pitmaston House - I too have been researching the situation.   Are you aware of the deed of trust relating to the House, school,playing field and lodge ?   Its in an off line location (a leather bound book) in a Warwickshire archive and you are not allowed to copy it or even take a pen into the room, but I think does shed some light on the history of the house which came out of the estate and into a separate educationally linked trust hence why your search had gone cold down that avenue.

Hope that helps.   Your material helped me with my search over the history of the house.   Thank you.

Best regards

Paul

[Fue]

Hi Paul

Sorry, I have not done any further research on John Williams of Pitmaston so I cannot add any info. Good to hear though that this thread has been of some help to you +;)

Good luck in your research

Sue