Francis White of Paterchurch/Pembroke Dock

[Jenny Jones]

Francis White supposedly sold or released rights for a nice sum to allow the Dockyard of Pembroke Dock to be built on his property or property he leased. He is mentioned here and there. The date of the sale was 1813. I have seen in various documentation that Francis White married to Esther Prout had child Margaret White who married Joseph Streets. who was born 1776, possibly in Prittlewell, Essex, but married in Pembroke Dock. He was a navy man, and a joiner.  :DMargaret White was also born 1776.

Now the Francis White I have seen attached as her father was born in the late 1600's, and I just don't think that can be right. Apparently it is the best evidence to date, but there must be a generation in between. Since Francis White was such a significant individual, there must be other descendants who have good information. Please let me know what you know! Thanks.

[Orielbenfro]

Jenny
I have always understood from internet and books, that HM Dockyard came about when the local family the Meyrick’s of Bush House and local M.P., who owned the land of Pater gave over sufficient land to establish the Dockyard and Town.
The building of P.D. started in 1812, I have somewhere on my computer a report of the original planning discussion, the new town at this time was called Paterchurch Dockyard. It was only in 1817 that the name of the town officially changed to ‘Pembroke Dock’.
Pembroke Dock St John only began services in circa 1844 dependent on which of Bapt Mrge and Burial you look at. All services in the established church prior to 1844 happened at Pembroke St Mary or St Michael with many taking place at Monkton St Nicholas. It is known that non-conformist chapels where been held within local establishments and houses from 1813 onwards.

From my transcription of all the Parish Registers of Pembroke St Mary 1711 to the 1950’s for all Bapt, Mrge and Burial ;
08 Aug 1790 Francis White a bach of the parish of Pembroke St Mary married Jane Parry a Spinster of the parish of Pembroke St Mary by licenece in front of Thomas Woods. Both signed their names in the presence of Jane Amson and Henry Amson.
(Note The Amson’s with various corrupt spellings where Ag Lab’s from Castlemartin Hundred, later be around Manorbier and a descendent marry into the Oriel family in S.E. Pembs)
(Thomas Woods was a curate at this time, it is noted that any Mrge of any significant family in the area was carried out by the Rev’d William or John Holcombe, Rev’d Nichs Roch, or Rev’d Richard Carrow)
Francis and Jane had 5 children baptised at Pembroke St Mary between 1792 and 1802, ~ full details known.
I note Francis(Frank or Frans) and Esther(Hester) White had 6 children between 1762 and 1776 baptised at Pembroke St Mary ~ full details known

There are various other White families in the parish at this time one baptism of interest is that of John Oriell White baptised 06 Mar 1808 to Jacob & Sarah White among 4 others to this couple.
(Note ; Jacob’s origins have remained a mystery for years, do you know better?)

From my transcription of the Burial Registers of Pembroke St Mary 1711 to 1950’s I note for your interest
Esther White of the Green buried 28 Feb 1819 aged 86 yrs. C. Philipps
Esther White of the Dock buried 30 Apr 1834 aged 69 yrs by J. Dalton
(C. Philipps was the Rev’d and vicar of Pembroke St Mary, James Dalton was a curate holding services in many and varied places around the Castlemartin hundred. He would later continue his relationship with the Oriel’s from Pembroke with the family at Crunwear whence he became the Vicar of that parish on promotion)
Francis White of Paterchurch buried 15 Oct 1826 aged 28 yrs by C. Philipps

From the same transcription I note the following ;
Joseph Streets of the Green buried 16 Aug 1846 aged 75 yrs by C. Philipps
Margaret Streets of the Green buried 30 Sept 1859 aged 83 yrs by C. Douglas
(Note The Green is to the north of the Mill bridge of Pembroke if you look at Google Maps)
Jennifer Streets of the Green buried 01 Jan 1872 aged 69 yrs by Henry S. Blink
Sarah Streets of the Green buried 24 Feb 1841 aged 24 yrs by James Dalton
William Streets of the Green buried 12 Mar 1854 aged 46 yrs bty W.M.D. Berrington

From my own compiled database of Burgess of Pembroke Borough 1678 to 2008 I note
Francis White a Farmer of Pembroke St Mary Paterchurch made burgess 12 Jan 1795 Admin Bk 6 Page 176 Minute book page 132
George White a Lieut in the Royal Navy of Pembroke Dock was made burgess 11 Jul 1883 Admin book 19 Page 293, he is noted as the Grandson of Francis White who was made burgess 12 Jan 1795
George White a Tailor of Pembroke St Mary was made burgess 12 Jan 1795 Admin Book 5 Page 06 Minute Bk page 132
(From experience same date made burgess normally indicates either father~son or brother~brother)
Jacob White a Glover of Pembroke made burgess 13 Nov 1809 Admin Book 9 Page 30 Minute Book page 286
Thomas White a Farmer of Lladweylog Parkybrennin was made burgess 16 Oct 1809 Admin Bk 9 Page 08 Minute Bk page 285
Francis Streets a Draper of Pembroke was made burgess 29 Apr 1861 Admin Bk 19 page 38 noted as the son of Josh Streets of the Green Pembroke
Joseph Streets a Joiner of Pembroke Dock was made burgess 29 Apr 1861 Admin Bk 19 Page 39 noted as the son of Josh Streets of the Green Pembroke
William Streets of Pembroke was made burgess circa 1832, no further details known

I must get away to the R.O. to do some of my own research and will return to this subject  this  evening after others will probably have added to your research.

Rgds
Orielbenfro
ORIEL a welsh window on a surname

[Orielbenfro]

Me Again, for your interest ;

Pembroke St Mary Baptism 1748 to 1812
01 Oct 1806 Charloote English Street to Robert & Martha Street baptised
28 Jan 1753/54 Henry to Tom: & Elizabeth Streets baptismed
12 Sept 1756 Mary to Thomas & Elizabeth Streets baptised
21 Jan 1758/59 Margaret Streets to Thos & Elizabeth Streets baptised
17 May 1809 William to Joseph & Margaret Streets baptised
23 Jun 1811 Francis to Joseph & Margaret Streets baptised

From my transcription of the “Register of the Three Parishes” which covers all Bapt Mrge and Burial 1711 to 1748 for St Mary, St Michael and Monkton St Nicholas
Page identified as Pembroke St Mary 09 Oct 1743 Thomas to Thomas & Elizabeth Streets baptised
Page identified as Pembroke St Michael 30 Jan 1736/37 Jane to Thomas & Elizabeth Streets baptised

From the same transcription ; There are no White or Streets mrge’s noted, however there are a number of entries that for various reasons are totally unreadable faded or lost to rats etc.

From the same transcription but for burials I note
Page identified to Pembroke St Mary 09 Mar 1715 Sisly White the daughter of Richard White buried 6 pacis below ye Cross
Page identified to probable Pembroke St Mary David White was buried 24 Jan 1790/21 was buried 3 pacis be west of ye Cross.
Page is unidentified to parish 14 Jan 1728/29 Jane White beneath buried ye Cross (rest is lost probably eaten by rats)
There does not appear to be any Streets listed for Burial in the Register of the Three Parishes but yet again there are a number that are unreadable and part entries lost to being eaten.

What may be significant in future research is the following from my transcription of all the Bapt Mrge and Burial Registers of Stackpole Elidor.
Stackpole Baptism
20 Sept 1767 Sarah to Elizabeth Streets single woman baptised the father is shown as Valentine White
I also note that Dinah was baptised 12 Apr 1747 to John & Mary Streets. Dinah never mrd and her will was probated under SD1810-248, whilst she was residing at St Petrox, however she was not buried there.

Further Streets in abbreviated format can be seen on the following website
http://www.revjones.fsnet.co.uk/stackgrpreg/register.htm

The will of William Streets a Carpenter of Pembroke St Mary mentions his son Joseph Streets and his lease of shop and land from John Francis Meyrick (he of Bush House). Reference number is SD1805-214.

Turning to my transcription of the Monkton Registers 1711 to 1837 (ongoing project) I note Edward and Anne White have two children in the 1760’s and David and Anne White have one in the same period. Edward White of Angle a Gardener had mrd Anne Phillips of Monkton at Monkton by licence 29 Jun 1755 in front of Joseph Hughes. Both had signed their names in the presence of William (worl lost) and Kate Phillips.

From my transcription of the headstones of Park Street Cemetery circa 1817 to 1910, there is no mention of the Streets or White surnames.

From my transcription of the L.T.A.’s Jacob White holds a house in Pembroke St Mary from Sir John Owen and is paying 1shilling and 2pence a year from 1814 to 1822

From my database of Jurors of Pembroke I note
Richd White 1691
Richard White 1696

From my database of Council Officals I note the following were Mayor of Pembroke Francis Parry 1687, Thomas Parry 1706.
Francis Parry is deceased by 03 Sept 1688 and is replaced for the time being by John Courcy.
In Oct 1681 Ffrancis Parry took the following oath ;
Ffrancis Parry doe declare that I hold that there lyes no obligation upon me or any other person from the oath Commonly called the Solemin League and Covernant and that the same was in it self an unlawfull oath imposed upon the subjects of this Realm against the known lawes and liberties of ye kingdom.


Trust this assists your research. If you require anything more please let me know.
Rgds
Orielbenfro

[Jenny Jones]

Thanks very much. This is a lot of information and should be helpful. I do have from the very comprehensive book about the people of Pembroke Dock (I did not write down the title of it when I borrowed it but it was something like Pembroke People)  that William Streets is from Bristol, and married Mary Davies, daughter of Hugh Davies.. Hugh was also not of the area. Son Joseph married Margaret White. The same book shows that Francis White, possibly son of Francis White of Studdock, (the older one born 1698), may have married Hester Prout 1760.  Apparently the latter Francis White , OR the former, as a widower,  if I understand the text correctly, is parent of Margaret White, who married Joseph Streets of the Dockyard. in 1808 (Nicholas Roch officiating). Francis and Esther White were witnesses at the marriage.

I think it is very confusing that one generation got lost, but I will look over all the material you provided and see what I can figure out. Thanks very much.

[Jenny Jones]

What does it mean when someone is made a burgess?
Thanks.

[Orielbenfro]

As you say Joseph Streets of Pembroke St Mary mrd Margaret White of Pembroke St Mary by licence on 07th Feb 1808 at Pembroke St Mary in front of Nicholas Roch, both signed their names in the presence of Francis White and Esther White.
Again one only had to resident in the parish for a minimum of 6 weeks to be of that parish at mrge, and may bear no relation as to the location of birth or baptism of that bride or groom.

Pembroke St Mary Baptism 1748 to 1812
28 Feb 1776 Margaret to Frans & Esther White baptised
The following also to Francis and Esther White ;
Hernry 24 Nov 1762
Francis 06 Feb 1765
Hester 12 Jul 1767
Forename lost 29 Mar 1769
Martha 29 Sept 1773

If this is a 2nd mrge then the following to Francis and 2nd wife Jane Parry
Stephen 22 Oct 1792
George 14 Oct 1794
Elizabeth Parry 31 Dec 1795
Margaret Parry 31 Dec 1795
Francis 02 May 1798
William 14 Aug 1799
James 02 Feb 1802
One man having children over 40 yrs with no indication that in his mrge to Jane that he was a widow raises questionmarks for me.

The book you refer to covers a very limited period of Pembroke and the Dock history, whereas I cover the whole of the available to public Parish Registers.
Richard Rose author of 'Pembroke People' does drop in on this Forum from time to time, perhaps if he sees your post he may comment.
Richard on page 11 of his book makes reference to “fields occupied by Farmer White”, unquote I am sure if you consult L.T.A’s for the period you will find the said fields whilst occupied by Francis White are in fact in the ownership of the Meyrick Family of Bush House. It is quite possible that Farmer White had the farm at Bierspool, which is now Tesco’s supermarket and carpark. Richard also mentions that Bankers Row was also called Dunn’s Row, which I have seen evidence to the contrary, Dunn’s Row was a small row of cottages/hovels going up Westgate from Monkton Quay under the wall of the castle.
There was nothing glamorous  in  being registered Burgess, at the time of your interest many local people and others are fined for not attending to register as required, it was a way of making a list of people to be available to do civil duties for free and more often than not at cost to themselves i.e. Constable of a Ward. Google Burgess and you will find as many different descriptions as there are entries, the only common factor I have noted that is in the depths of history at the sounding of the town bell all burgess must gather with horse saddle and sword to defend the town walls.

Rgds
Orielbenfro

[Jenny Jones]

Thanks very much for the info.
Yes, it certainly appears that Francis White was a tenant. He is called a sheep farmer. He or his family originally leased from Sir John Owen, according to the article "Paterchurch: A Mystery Solved" by M.N.E. Tiffany  in the Journal of the Pembrokeshire Historical Society Vol 5 1992-1993 by M.N. E Tiffany (Welsh Journals Online). By 1820 White was a tenant of the Board of Ordnance, according to the same article.
Another online article says that the White family were tenants of Paterchurch Farm from 1776 to 1812 (this article is from "Gazeteer" material to be found on Cenquest and taken from work originally done  by Basil Hughes. An interesting online article on the  Pembroke  Dock Community Web Project: The History of Pembroke Dock website states that Mr. White accepted over 4000 pounds in 1813 from the admiral in regards to use of the land. The original article was written by Ron W Watts.
I think the Francis White who married Esther Prout in 1760 must have been born about 1730. He can't possibly be the Francis White who was born in the late 1600s. I don't think the Francis who married Esther married a second time, for Esther clearly lived a long time. Francis and Esther are parents of Margaret. I am looking for more information on Francis and Esther.