450 NOTES AND QUERIES. tn s. v. JUNK s, 1912.
Count Dillon.—Who was, or is, Count Dillon, the supporter of General Boulanger in 1888-9? Was it to him that Mr. Hurlbert referred when he spoke of
"a French nobleman of an ancient historic family, who has married a very wealthy American wife, and who has long been known to entertain the most extreme, not to say revolutionary, notions in politics"?—'France and the Republic,' p. 108.
William Shakespeare of Mansfield, 1561.—He was son of Robert and grandson of Richard Shakespeare. Was he related to the poet, whose grandfather was Richard?
Fitzwhymarks or Fitzwymarks.—This is an old Essex or Sussex family. I should be greatly obliged for any information as to its origin or fate.
Replies.
BRODRIBB OF SOMERSET:
SIR HENRY IRVING.
(11 S. v. 71, 251.)
The immediate ancestors of Sir Henry Irving resided at North End, near Glutton, Somersetshire, and at High Littleton, two miles from Glutton. John Brodribb, Sir Henry Irving's grandfather, occupied an old manorial house called North End Farm, near Glutton. No Brodribbs are living at Glutton or North End at present. The last of them was James Brodribb, who died a year ago. Mr. E. Filey, now living at Glutton, has reminiscences of them; and Mr. M. H. Parfitt of Moatlands, Burghfield, near Reading, is a great-grandson of John Brodribb (supra). Mr. Parfitt's mother was the daughter of William Brodribb, and William Brodribb and Sir Henry Irving's father were brothers. Several other Brodribb Parfitts are living to-day in Caversham and Reading, and are descendants of the Brodribbs of Glutton.
North End is half a mile from Glutton, on the way to Bristol by the "lower" road. A by-road turns off by a pool and leads to North End Farm. This is an old and well-preserved building, suggesting substantial comfort. The house has a wide frontage with central doorway. Shortly before he died, Sir Henry Irving wrote to Glutton to inquire into the truth of a story that an ancestor of his was stopped by highwaymen and robbed. This incident really occurred to an uncle (who lived where Glutton railway station now stands) when riding to Bath. It is asserted locally that long before Irving had attained fame he appeared before a small gathering of Cluttonians in a room in the village.
I am able to give copies of the numerous Brodribb inscriptions which are found in the churchyards of Glutton and High Littleton. In some cases they are partly obliterated, and the exact details cannot be given in full. There are no monuments in either church. The stones and monuments in the churchyards are well cared for.
The following are from Glutton, and I give first those on the east of the churchyard:—
1. Stone near the chancel of church.—Here lieth the body of Samuel Brodribb of Compton Dando who died June 11th 1792 Aged 76.
Also Mary his Wife who departed this life M… 8th 1798 (?) A…
Also Betty Brodribb Their daughter Who Departed this life Jany 13th 1814.
Here resteth the body of John Perry Minister of Stailfford in the County of Leicester, eldest son of John and Alice Perry of this Parish who departed this life the 4 day of Sept Anno Dom 1714.
I cannot discover why the Brodribb inscriptions are on the same tomb as the inscription of the Rev. John Perry. The family connexion, if any, does not seem discoverable.
2. Stone from which, it is said, John Wesley preached. This is an ancient tomb, and the old inscriptions are gone.—In Memory of Abraham Purnell died Novr 26th 1812 Aged 89 years.
Also Hannah his wife died Augst 12th 1814 Aged 87 years.
See next tombstone inscription for connexion between Purnells and Brodribbs.
3. Stone.—In Memory of Joseph Brodribb who died May 20th 1804. Aged 78 years.
Also of Elizabeth his wife, daughter of William Purnell of Havyott Manor, Wrington, who died Octr 19th 1803 Aged 73 years. Grant O Lord rest and Light A Joyful Resurrection and a Merciful Judgment.
Beneath this Tomb lies the bodies of John and Wm. Brodribbs Gents, sons of John & Mary Brodribb. John died … Aged … Wm. died … Aged 39.
4. Stone.—In Memory John Brodribb of Woollard who died June 15th 1802 Aged 58 years.
Also of Samuel Brodribb of Woollard who died May 30th 1829 Aged 69 years.
Also of Ann Brodribb of Woollard died October 29th 1829 Aged 82 years.
Also of Ester Brodribb widow of Henry Brodribb of Woollard who died November 16th 1835 Aged 88 years.
5. Stone.—In Memory of Mary the wife of William Brodribb of this parish who died on the 31st day of Oct. 1793. Aged 31 years.
