Page:Notes and Queries - Series 10 - Volume 10.djvu/40

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NOTES AND QUERIES. rio s. x. JULY n, im


WE must request correspondents desiring in- formation on family matters of only private interest to affix their names and addresses to their queries, in order that answers may be sent to them direct.


SIB GEORGE SOMERS, 1554-1610. On the 25th of this month, the 299th anniversary of the shipwreck which brought about the colonization of the Bermudas, a handsome memorial brass, by Singers of Frome, will be unveiled in the historic church of White- church Canonicorum, Dorset, where the gallant sailor Sir George Somers was buried in July, 1611. The funds for its erection have been collected by General Sir H. Le Guay Geary, K.C.B., ex-Governor of Ber- mudas, the Rev. H. Stubbs, and the Rev. A. Welch, the last being the present Vicar of Whitechurch. The Bermudians con- template a Somers pageant for the approach- ing tercentenary.

Somers is essentially a Dorset worthy. He was M.P. for Lyme Regis in 1603-4, and Mayor of that town in 1605. His heart was buried in the Bermudas, but his nephew Matthew Somers brought his body home, and the entry of its burial is clearly recorded in the Whitechurch registers. In all pro- bability he was interred below the chantry which belonged to his manor house of Bearne or Berne, and is now used as a vestry. A great portion of Somers' s abode is still in existence, although the front is modern- ized. Besides the Whitechurch property, he left three messuages in Lyme Regis and the manor of Upwey, " alias Waybay House." His estate was bequeathed to Matthew Somers, although a cousin Nicholas Somers was stated heir-at-law. There are portraits of Somers and his wife in existence, painted by Vansomer.

I am anxious (1) to discover whether Sir George Somers married once or twice, as the name of his wife is stated to be Joanna, whereas on the portrait she is described as Winifred ; (2) to be able to identify clearly the manor of Up way, " alias Weybay [sic] House " ; (3) to learn some details of Rose, daughter of Sir George Somers, and of her marriage to a member of the Bellamy family, as the Somers portraits are still in possession of their descendants or kinsmen ; and (4) to ascer- tain if any descendants of Matthew or Nicholas Somers are in existence. (5) If Sir George Somers married twice, it would be interesting to know whether his daughter was the child of Joanna or Winifred Somers.


Any other particulars of the Dorset family of Somers and its connexion with the Bellamys would be gratefully received.

A. M. BROADLEY. The Knapp, Bradpole, Bridport.

WINDLE FAMILY. Can any of your readers give me information about the- Windle family at the end of the eighteenth century ? I believe they came originally from Lancashire, and used for arms Azure, a lion rampant argent ; crest, a demi-lion,. in the dexter paw a shield ; and they quar- tered Maxwell of Monreith. Replies may be sent to me direct. MRS. SAINTHILL.

East Worlington, N. Devon.

AUTHORS OF QUOTATIONS WANTED.

Guests of the ages, at To-morrow's door Why shrink we ? The long track behind us lies ; The lamps gleam and the music throbs before, Bidding us enter ; and I count him wise Who loves so well man's noble memories, He needs must love man's nobler hopes yet more. ANGUS MACDONALD.

Where can I find the line (referring to onion in a salad)

And, half detected, animate the whole?

ALFRED WEBB.

ANONYMOUS WORKS. Who was the- author of the following book ?

" Animadversions upon a Letter and Paper, first sent to his Highness by certain gentlemen and others in Wales : And since printed, and published to the world by some of the Subscribers. By one whose desire and endeavor is to preserve peace and safety, by removing offence arid enmity. Printed in the year 1656."

It is a small quarto of (iv)-f 104 pp.

A. B. C.

" Marriage Rites, Customs, and Ceremonies of the Nations of the Universe." Signed A. H. 1824.

F. G. H.

MASON OF STAPLETON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE. Wanted information of the ancestors of Dr. Joseph Mason of the parish of Staple- ton, Gloucestershire, born 1711, died 28 Sept., 1779. He married three times,, his third wife being Sarah Collins, b. 1709. He owned much property in the neigh- bourhood of Bristol, and was a great philan- thropist. Arms used by him : lion rampant gules. Is there any mention of him in the Rev. Francis Bromby's ' Hist. Norfolk,' William Mason of Necton Hall bearing the- same crest ? No information required of the descendants of the above Dr. Mason.

What arms were borne by Robert Mason, Lord of the Manor of Tedstone Delamere,.