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Version date: 10 April 2013

The Three Mistresses of

Insole Court

Richard L. Ollerton

Mary Ann Jones Marian Louisa Eagle Jessy Ann David 1818-1882 1846-1937 1853-1938

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The Three Mistresses of Insole Court

Insole Court is an interesting Victorian pile set in picturesque grounds in

Llandaff on the outskirts of Cardiff, Wales. It was built by coal owner and

shipper James Harvey Insole (1821 Worcester-1901 Llandaff) on the

proceeds of the Welsh coal mining business founded by his father George

Insole (1790 Worcester1-1851 Cardiff) after the family moved to Cardiff in

the late 1820s. Built in 1856-7, the Court was initially a relatively modest

twin-gabled residence known as Ely Court.2 However, the building

subsequently underwent various additions and transformations which

reflected the growing affluence and aspirations of its owners. The Court

was eventually acquired by the Cardiff Corporation in 1932 as part of the

development of the Cardiff orbital road system, although the Insoles

continued to live there until 1938.

Three women presided over the Court during its eighty-one years as

residence to the Insole family:

Mary Ann Jones/Insole (1818-1882),

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole/Aitchison (1846-1937) and

Jessy Ann David/Insole (1853-1938).

1 Possibly born in nearby Wichenford and brought to Worcester for baptism.

2 It was renamed ‘The Court’ after the 1906-9 renovations and was sold under that

name in 1932. Although known locally as ‘Insole Court’ by the late 1930s, it was not until much later that this name became official. (While technically anachronistic, it is hoped some literary licence will be allowed for the title of this article.)

Insole Court from the garden (photo A Salisbury)

Watson (1997) comments that ‘most of the ladies of the Insole family are

shadowy characters owing to the lack of family records’. Recent research

has revealed much about these women and events associated with their

lives. This article summarises what is currently known from primary

evidence held on file, including parish and civil BMD records, wills and

probate records, newspapers, passenger lists etc. Text in quotes is taken

directly from the relevant record. The following accounts involve a large

number of people, most may be found on the accompanying family trees.

Hopefully, the three Mistresses of Insole Court can now be seen more

distinctly.

The Three Mistresses of Insole Court Mary Ann Jones (1818-1882)

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Mary Ann Jones (23 September 1818 – 4 May 1882)

Mary Ann was born in Birmingham, the

third of six children and eldest daughter

of Thomas Jones (~1790 Birmingham-

1844 Edgbaston) and his wife Ann Jukes

(~1785 Birmingham-1851 Edgbaston)

who were married in St Martin

Birmingham on Christmas Day 1813.

Mary Ann’s father was a Birmingham

saddler’s ironmonger who, by at least

1828, was in partnership with James

Harvey Insole’s great-uncle George Insole

(1764-1831). George lived in Bristol Road

Edgbaston and Mary Ann’s grandmother

Mary Webb/Jones was his housekeeper before her death in 1830.

The Jones family lived in Cannon Street3 Birmingham from at least 1816.

Mary Ann was baptized at St Martin’s Birmingham in October 1818.

Between 1830 and 1835 the family moved to Priory Cottage, Bristol Road

Edgbaston. The house was described (in 1844) as ‘very genteel’,

‘comfortable and well fitted-up’, ‘consisting of entrance-hall, three

parlours, six lodging-rooms, best and secondary kitchens, brewhouse, wine

and beer cellars, Carriage-house, Stable, and all suitable Out-offices with

large Garden, walled around, in which is a commodious Green-house and

an elegant Summer-arbour, and the ground in front is very ornamental’.

In June 1837 Mary Ann’s eldest brother Frederick Watkin died at age 22

‘after a long illness’.

3 Probably where Mary Ann was born.

In June 1841 Mary Ann (22) was living in Bristol Road (probably Priory

Cottage) with her mother Ann (~56) and siblings James (1817-1872,

engraver; later also printer), John Jukes4 (1820-1895, law stationer; later

factor, saddler’s ironmonger and coal merchant), Thomas Webb (1822-

1893, saddler’s ironmonger) and Sarah Lill[e]y5 (1824-1895). A seamstress

and two female servants were also living in the house.6

Two and a half years later, on Thursday 28 December 1843, Mary Ann

Jones (25) and James Harvey Insole (22) were married in the parish church,

Edgbaston. Mary Ann was living in Edgbaston, James Harvey in St Mary’s,

Cardiff. The marriage register was witnessed by Mary Ann’s father Thomas

and sister Sarah Lilly. How did Mary Ann of Birmingham/Edgbaston and

James Harvey of Worcester/Cardiff meet? James Harvey is likely to have

visited his great-uncle George in Birmingham with his father George Insole.7

Did she meet her father’s business partner’s great-nephew while he was

visiting from Worcester as a young boy (two and a half years her junior)? Or

did she see James Harvey at his great-uncle George’s funeral in 1831 while

he was a school-boy? Or did Mary Ann meet James Harvey when he visited

his uncle James Insole (who took over the Birmingham saddlers’

ironmonger business after 1831) as a young man? Any, or indeed all, of

these scenarios may have occurred.

Just six months after Mary Ann was married, in July 1844, the family

suffered a shock with the death of Mary Ann’s father, aged 54.8 Mary Ann

4 Middle name not surname, similarly for his brother Thomas Webb.

5 Spelt ‘Lilley’ in the baptismal register (possibly a family-related name as Jukes and

Webb) but ‘Lilly’ elsewhere. 6 Mary Ann’s father has not been found in the 1841 Census.

7 Great-uncle George Insole’s 1831 will and Death Duties file show there was a

strong relationship between the two Georges. 8 So the death certificate but possibly in his 54

th year. Occupation is given as factor

but his will gives both saddler’s ironmonger and factor.


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would probably have travelled from Cardiff back to Birmingham to mourn

with the family.9 The death certificate indicates that Thomas committed

suicide ‘in a state of Insanity’ by hanging at Priory Cottage. The property

was put up for sale in August 1844 and Thomas’ will left Mary Ann a share

of the estate. [death duty file]

Between 1845 and 1847 Mary Ann and James Harvey had three children,

James Walter (1845-1898), Mary Ann Lilly10 (1846-1917) and George

Frederick11 (1847-1917). All were baptized at St John’s, Cardiff while the

family was living at Crockherbton,12 probably either with or next door to

James Harvey’s parents.

Mary Ann’s father-in-law George Insole died on New Year’s Day 1851 in

Crockherbton aged 60.

By March 1851 Mary Ann (32)13 and James Harvey (29, ‘Coal Miner or

Merchant’) were living next door to James Harvey’s mother in

Crockherbton. Mary Ann’s brother Thomas Webb was also visiting the

Insoles in Cardiff at this time. The house was described (when sold in 1881)

as a ‘large and commodious Freehold Residence’.

In June of the same year Mary Ann’s mother Ann Jukes/Jones died at her

home in Grey Place, Bristol Road Edgbaston aged 66, so Mary Ann would

probably have again travelled to Birmingham for the funeral. The estate

sale included a large amount of household furniture: beds, wardrobes,

9 Probably accompanied by James Harvey who was also an executor of the will.

10 Named after Mary Ann’s sister Sarah Lilly?

11 Named after Mary Ann’s brother Frederick Watkin and/or a reference to James

Harvey’s younger brother George Frederick who died in infancy? 12

Then a fashionable area on the outskirts of Cardiff, now part of the central shopping precinct. 13

Mary Ann’s age is consistently reduced by one year in the 1851-81 Censuses.

carpets, dining tables, bookcases, a grand piano-forte, maple and gold

framed prints etc. Mary Ann was left a share of the estate in her mother’s

will.14

By July 1852 James Harvey’s address (and presumably that of Mary Ann and

family also) was ‘Old Penhill, Llandaff’.

In October 1853, Mary Ann (35) attended the wedding of James Harvey’s

sister Julia Ann Insole in Llandaff Cathedral. Mary Ann signed the marriage

register as a witness.

In 1855 the Insoles’ address was ‘Old Penhill, near Llandaff’.

1856-7 – James Harvey builds a modest residence known as Ely Court15

The Insole family moved into Ely Court in 1857 and Mary Ann (28) became

the first Mistress of the Court.

In April 1861 Mary Ann (42) and James Harvey (39, ‘Colliery Proprietor’)

were living at Ely Court. Her sister Sarah Lilly was also with them but their

now teenage children were attending schools in England – Walter and Fred

at Cheltenham, Mary Ann at Bath. Three female house servants were also

living at Ely Court.

In September 1862 ‘Mr and Mrs JH Insole, Ely Court, Llandaff’ stayed at

Queen’s Hotel, Llandudno.

Mary Ann’s son Fred completed his schooling at Cheltenham in June 1865.

14

The will left £200 to the eldest son and the residue was to be divided between the other four children. Unfortunately, after the £200 was paid there was no residue. 15

Information about the house and its remodelling is based on John Isaacs’ account of a talk given by Matthew Williams, Curator of Cardiff Castle.


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Mary Ann’s mother-in-law Mary Finch/Insole died at her home in

Crockherbton in August 1866 aged 74.

In May 1867 Mary Ann’s son Walter was married in St Stephen’s Church

(parish of St Peter, United Church of England and Ireland), Dublin. James

Harvey attended the wedding and it is to be expected that Mary Ann

accompanied him. Walter’s bride was Maria Georgina Lillie Eagle (~1847-

1901).16

‘Mr & Mrs Insole from Cardiff’17 stayed at The Langham Hotel, Portland

Square, London in June 1870.

In April 1871 Mary Ann (52) was at ‘Ely Court House’. With her were James

Harvey (49, ‘Colliery Owner’) and children Mary Ann (24) and Fred (23,

‘Colliery Owner’). Her sister Sarah Lilly was visiting, as was family friend

Charlotte Bradley.18 A cook, parlour maid and house maid were also

resident. Son Walter (25, ‘Annuitant’) was nearby with his wife Maria

Georgina at Pencisley House.

Later that April daughter Mary Ann Lilly (24) married George Richard

Burness (1835-1925, almost eleven years her senior) in Llandaff Cathedral.

The Burnesses lived in London.

In September 1871 the house surgeon of the Infirmary, Cardiff

acknowledged (amongst others) a gift of fruit from ‘Mrs Insole, Llandaff’.

Mary Ann’s brother James Jones died in Derby in August 1872 aged 54.

1873 – James Harvey commences Ely Court’s Gothic-style ‘rebuilding and

redecorating scheme that was to last for much of the decade, and

16

Whose older sister would be the next Mistress of the Court. 17

Probably JH & MA but possibly Walter and Maria Georgina. 18

The Bradley family had lived a few doors from the Insoles in Crockherbton.

transform the whole building’

James Harvey retired from the coal business in 1875 aged 5419 and

presumably spent more time at home working on the gardens or at the

newly purchased 7,000 acre Luxborough estate in Somerset.

Mary Ann’s sister-in-law, wife of her brother John Jukes Jones, died at

Bangor in October 1875 aged 42.

‘Mr & Mrs Walter Insole, Mr & Mrs Insole’ were invited to the opening of

the Philharmonic Hall, St Mary Street, Cardiff in December 1877.

Mary Ann (59) attended son Fred’s wedding to Jessy Ann David20 (1853-

1938) in August 1878 in Llandaff Cathedral. Newspaper accounts described

it as the ‘most fashionable and the gayest wedding which has occurred at

Llandaff for many years’. Mary Ann gave the couple a silver salver (along

with James Harvey’s case of plate). ‘Mrs Carey’ (Marian) was also a guest.21

Fred and Jessy lived nearby at Fairwater House.

In December of the same year ‘Mrs Insole of Ely Court’ contributed £1 to

the ‘Ely Schools Christmas Tree’ fund.

Mary Ann’s four Burness grandchildren were born in London between May

1872 and January 1879.22 The happiness of this period would have been

punctuated by grieving with Fred and Jessy Ann after their first child, a

daughter, was stillborn at Fairwater House in March 1879.

19

According to an 1888 newspaper account, although full retirement probably came more gradually. 20

Who was to be the last Mistress of Insole Court. 21

Marian would become the second Mistress of the Court. This wedding is the major documented event involving all three living Mistresses of the Court. 22

Marian Lylie (1872-1956), Harriet Maud (1873-1959), George Walter Insole (1876-1935) and James Frederick William (1879-1925).


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‘Mrs JH Insole’ contributed £1 to the 1879 ‘Ely Schools Christmas Tree’

fund. ‘Mrs W Insole’ and ‘Mrs F Insole’ contributed 10s and 5s respectively.

In April 1881 Mary Ann (62) and James Harvey (59, ‘Retired Colliery

Owner’), Fred (33, ‘Colliery Owner) and wife Jessy Ann (27), and Mary Ann’s

sister Sarah Lilly (56) were at Ely Court. Two housemaids, a kitchen maid

and a lady’s maid were also present. Walter (36, ‘Colliery Prop[rieto]r’) and

Maria Georgina were at Pencisley House along with her mother ‘Marian A

Eagle’ and sister ‘Marian L Carey’. Mary Ann Lilly (34) and George Richard

Burness (‘Export Coal Mer[cha]nt’) were in Kensington, London with three

of their four children.

From April to June 188123 Mary Ann and James Harvey holidayed in Italy for

two months. Returning via Paris they purchased a number of antiques and

artworks along the way.

In January 1882 the last of Mary Ann’s grandchildren to be born in her

lifetime arrived, Fred’s daughter Jessie Gwendoline Mary (1882-1932).

Two months later Mary Ann underwent a tracheotomy. She had suffered

from an enlarged thyroid for two years and had ulceration of the

oesophagus and paralysis of the vocal chords. Mary Ann Jones/Insole died

at her daughter’s residence at 21 Pembridge Square Kensington, London on

4 May 1882 aged 63.24 Her son-in-law was in attendance. Mary Ann was

buried at Llandaff (churchyard) on 10 May 1882.25

In 1883 James Harvey erected a window in Llandaff Cathedral with the

dedication ‘To the Glory of God and in loving memory of Mary Ann the

beloved wife of James Harvey Insole Llandaff’.

23

Not 1880 as Watson (1997). 24

Age given as 62 on the death certificate. 25

She does not appear to have left a will.

The Court would be without a Mistress for eight years.

In loving memory of

Mary Ann

the beloved wife of

James Harvey Insole of Ely Court in this Parish

who died May 4th 1882

So He giveth His beloved sleep Psalm CXXVII

Also of the above named

James Harvey Insole

who died January 20th 1901

in His 80th year.


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Baptism register - St Martin Birmingham October 1818

Marriage register (GRO) - St Bartholomew Edgbaston 1843

Marriage notice - Birmingham Gazette 1 January 1844

Death notice - The Times 6 May 1882

Death certificate - registered Kensington 6 May 1882


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Burial register - Llandaff Cathedral 1882

Monumental inscription detail - Llandaff Cathedral cemetery (photo R Ollerton)

Grave - Llandaff Cathedral cemetery (photo R Ollerton)

The Three Mistresses of Insole Court Marian Louisa Eagle (1846-1937)

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Marian Louisa Eagle (6 April 1846 – 15 January 1937)

Marian was born in Dublin, the eldest of

three daughters (and also a son) of

George Eagle (~180426-1858 Kingstown)

and his wife Marian Annette27 (~1812

Cork-1886 Llandaff). Marian’s father

was a commercial agent and merchant

in Dublin, and he was the Insole’s

agent.28 When Marian was born the

family was living at ‘16 Sinnott-place’

Dublin but moved to Apsley House, 79

Waterloo Road in about 1851. When

Marian was just 12 years old her father died at Kingstown, Co. Dublin in August 1858 aged 54. He was buried at

Mount Jerome Cemetery, South Dublin.

The Eagle family had strong military, medical and migratory traditions.

George Eagle’s grandfather was at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, then

British Army apothecary and Regimental surgeon in North America in the

1760s including the Siege of Quebec, then a surgeon in Limerick (d. 1794

Limerick). One of George’s uncles was a British Army officer killed in the

American Revolutionary War (d. 1776 New York), another was a British

Army brevet-major, Bengal Establishment (1764-1811 India), another

immigrated to New York and fought in the War of 1812 as the major of an

Irish brigade (1767-1851 New York), another was Staff Surgeon, Irish 26

Probably born in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin. 27

Maiden name probably Millner. 28

Certainly by April 1854 and possibly from much earlier. His son took over the business sometime after 1858 and probably maintained the Insole connection. The Insoles probably visited the Eagle family on various occasions over the years while travelling on business in Ireland.

Establishment (1770-1839 Dublin). An aunt immigrated to Tasmania in

1823 (1772-1832 Tasmania). Farther back, the Eagle family had been

famers near Dublin for many generations. However, George’s father Eyre

Massy Eagle (~1773-1843 Dublin) was an Excise man (gauger) in Dublin and

his cousin was a Church of Ireland minister (1797- 1883 Dublin).

Marion’s grandfather Eyre left her a part of his estate even though she was

born after his death. A court case over the interpretation of his will

involving Marian and a cousin versus her father and aunt was eventually

resolved in Marian’s favour in 1862.

In April 1863 ‘WG Eagle, Mrs Eagle, Miss Eagle’29 attended the Grand

Masonic Ball at the Rotunda, Dublin ‘in honour of the marriage of the

Prince of Wales’.

On 4 May 1867 Marian Eagle (21) married widower and father of two Dr

Samuel Orby Carey (~27, surgeon) in St Stephen’s Church (parish of St

Peter, United Church of England and Ireland), Dublin. Marian was living at

21 Waterloo Road Dublin. The marriage register witnesses were probably

her maternal uncle and her brother.30 In the same church just two weeks

later Marian’s sister Maria Georgina Lillie31 (~1847-1901) married James

Walter Insole (1845-1898).32 As Marian and Samuel immigrated to South

Australia in June, it is likely that Marian also attended her sister’s wedding,

as did James Harvey and (probably) Mary Ann Insole.33

29

Marian’s brother (William George who took over his father’s business), Marian’s widowed mother and probably Marian (being the eldest daughter). 30

‘Robert Millner’ (1797-1882) and ‘W Geo Eagle’ ( -aft 1884). 31

Known as Lillie. 32

Marian’s other sister Elizabeth Maude Mary (b. October 1847) died before 1867. 33

James Harvey and sons Walter and Fred had probably visited the Eagle family previously at their home in Dublin while travelling on business – which is presumably how Walter and Maria Georgina met.


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The Careys had settled in Ireland from England in the mid-17th century,

their seat becoming Careysville, Cork. The youngest son of a Newport, Co.

Tipperary doctor, Samuel (~21) had previously married the daughter of

another medical man in Dublin in October 1861. Samuel graduated in

medicine from Trinity College Dublin and their daughter Clara Sophia

(~1863-1956) was born in Cork. The young family sailed from England in

August 1863 and arrived in Adelaide, South Australia that November.

Samuel set up his medical practice in Angaston, some 50 miles north-east

of Adelaide. Sadly, Samuel’s wife died there in September 1865 aged 26,

just three weeks after the birth of their second child, Anna Mabel (1865-

1942). Samuel sailed from Adelaide about four months later and had

probably returned to Ireland by the middle of 1866 where he married

Marian the next year.34

Marian and Samuel left Ireland in June 1867. Sailing from London per City

of Adelaide in July, they arrived in Adelaide in October.35 Samuel set up his

medical practice once again.36 Their daughter Lylie Evelyn (1868-1958) was

born in Angaston the following May. Samuel’s health deteriorated and the

family of five plus Samuel’s sister departed Adelaide for London per Darra

in November 1872. By 1874 and living in Paddington, Samuel’s financial

position had also deteriorated. An appeal was placed in the Lancet asking

for support for Samuel, afflicted by paralysis and ‘in humble lodgings,

suffering both mentally and physically, and wholly dependent on charity’.

He wished to continue treatment for his condition in England rather than

being forced to accept free-passage back to the colony where he felt ‘all

34

It seems that Samuel’s two daughters remained in South Australia with his sister Clara. 35

A detailed newspaper account of the voyage was printed in the local newspaper with a description of an incident where Dr Carey’s medical skills were required. 36

Announced in the local papers accompanied by a glowing testimonials from colleagues in Dublin and passengers of the City of Adelaide.

chance of recovery will be lost’.37 Marian, her daughter and two step-

daughters were ‘temporarily provided for’, probably by living with her

sister Maria Georgina (Insole) near Llandaff.38 Either the appeal was

successful or he received other support but Samuel remained in England.

Dr Samuel Orby Carey died at Weston-super-Mare in January 1877 aged 36.

The death certificate indicates that Marian’s brother-in-law Walter Insole

was in attendance. Samuel was buried at Weston. Marian was 30 years old.

In August 1878 Walter Insole’s younger brother George Frederick (1847-

1917) married Jessy Ann David39 (1853-1938) in Llandaff Cathedral. ‘Mrs

Carey’ gave Fred and Jessy ‘silver muffineers in case’ as a wedding present.

Marian’s mother ‘Mrs Eagle’ gave them a Venetian mirror.

In April 1881 Marian (almost 35)40 and her mother were living with Maria

Georgina and Walter Insole at Pencisley House, near Llandaff. Marian’s

daughter Lylie Evelyn (12) was at school in Bristol and step-daughter Anna

Mabel (15) was at school in Buckinghamshire.

Marian’s sister’s mother-in-law Mary Ann Insole died and was buried at

Llandaff in May 1882 aged 63. Marian probably attended the funeral.

Marian’s step-daughter Clara Sophia Carey (19) married Henry George Hall

(~1842-1915, Surgeon-Major later Lt-Colonel in the India Medical Service,

some twenty-two years her senior) in Co. Galway in August 1882. Their son

and two daughters were born in India from 1883 to 1886. The family had

returned to England by March 1901 when they were living in Gloucester. By

37

A correspondent to the Editor of a South Australian newspaper, commenting on the Lancet appeal, notes that ‘Mr Carey had one near relative at least in easy circumstances’ – presumably the Insoles. 38

Why this arrangement did not include Samuel is not known. 39

Who was to be the last Mistress of Insole Court. 40

Age given as 33 in the Census.


10

April 1911 they were living in Topsham Devon. In October 1920 Clara

Sophia and her three adult children immigrated to South Africa. She died at

Maritzburg, Natal in August 1956. Her sister Anna Mabel married Trinity

College Dublin assistant registrar Charles Henry Miller (~1849-1923, sixteen

years her senior) in Carnarvonshire in August 1888. They brought up their

two daughters, born 1890 and 1894, in Dublin where Anna Mabel died in

April 1942.

In July 1885 ‘Carey Mrs and Miss’, ‘Insole Mr JW and Mrs; Insole Mr GF and

Mrs’ were (among the many) guests at ‘Lord Windsor’s Party at Penarth’ to

meet members of the British Medical Association.

Marian’s mother Marian Annette Millner?/Eagle died at Pencisley in July

1886 aged 74.41 She was buried in the Llandaff municipal cemetery. Marian,

still living at Pencisley, and was granted administration of her mother’s

estate.42

In September 1889 ‘Mrs Walter Insole’ (Maria Georgina) and ‘Miss Carey’

(Lylie Evelyn) attended the ‘Prize-giving’ at the National School.43

‘Carey, Mrs and Miss (Orby)’ (Marian and Lylie Evelyn) and ‘Insole, Mr W

and Mrs; Insole, Mr GF and Mrs’ (Walter, Maria Georgina, Fred and Jessy)

were invited to the Military Ball held in the Cardiff Town Hall in July 1890.

Over the years 1882 to 1890 widow Marian had continued to live at

Pencisley House with her sister and brother-in-law. They would have visited

and been visited by widowed James Harvey on numerous occasions.

41

Calculated from age given as 69 in April 1881, but one death notice gives 72 and another 73. 42

£145 0s. 8d. 43

Llandaff Parochial, Parish and Diocesan Magazines (hereafter LM) transcribed by V Cunningham (2010).

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey (44) and James Harvey Insole (‘Gentleman’,

twenty-five years her senior44) were married in London on Thursday 25

September 1890. Marian’s residence was given as 12 Park Place St James.45

The marriage witnesses were Alfred Savill (1829-1905),46 Marion Tennant

(1850-1930)47 and Marian’s daughter Lylie Evelyn Carey. The marriage

made for some interesting family relationships between Marian, James

Harvey, Maria Georgina and Walter as Walter’s sister-in-law Marian, a year

his junior, also became his step-mother. The wider family dynamics would

also be affected. In 1890 James Harvey’s son Fred’s four children were aged

from one to eight and his last child would be born five years later. Living

close by, it was Marian who would be the grandmother figure for these

children as they grew up.

The April 1891 Census contains an intriguing reference to James Harvey. He

is the only person named at Chargot House in Luxborough Somerset estate

purchased in 1875 upon his retirement. However, no details are given other

than his name ‘J Hervey Insole’ (sic), and the house is also noted as being

uninhabited. Sarah Lilly Jones and her niece were living at Ely Court (with

three female domestic servants and a groom) but no mention of Marian (or

Maria Georgina and Walter) has been found in the Census.48 This

combination of evidence suggests that Marian and James Harvey may have

been travelling, possibly abroad.

44

Not forty-five as Watson (1997). 45

James Harvey’s residence was given as 13 Brook St. 46

Founder of Savills, estate agents. 47

Believed to be ‘Mrs Charles Tennant’ who appears with Marian in photographs at The Court in the late 1890s. Marian and Marion Hanson (1850-1930) had probably first met in Adelaide. Marion’s mother died soon after Marion was born in London. Marion’s father immigrated to South Australia where he became Chief Engineer. Her uncle became Chief Justice and Premier. Married in London in July 1881, Marion was widowed just three months later and never remarried. 48

There were only two caretakers at Pencisley House.


11

‘The Countess of Dunraven, Lady Windsor, Lady Spearman…’ and ‘Mrs

Insole (Ely Court)’ gave a Military Ball held at the Cardiff Town Hall in May

1892 in honour of the officers of the Glamorganshire Militia.

‘Mrs Insole’ of Ely Court Llandaff wrote that she was ‘quite satisfied’ with

the [Ball] supper provided by Mr George of Cheltenham [and Cathays] on

the 10th [January] 1893.

‘Mrs Insole’ joined the Ladies’ Grand Council, Primrose League49 in May

1893.

‘The high sheriff’s ball, which is one of the most brilliant civic functions of

the year in the county, was given on Tuesday [9 January 1894] in the

Assembly rooms of the Cardiff Town-hall.’ Of ‘the élite of Cardiff and the

surrounding district’, the newspaper account specifically mentions Lady

Hill,50 Mrs David of Llandaff,51 ‘Mrs Insole, of Llandaff, in black velvet with

shaded beads, and on a white silk ground’ and Miss Carey ‘in pale blue silk

dress… with gold trimming’.

In January 1895 Marian’s daughter Lylie Evelyn Carey (26) married Captain

Hector Corbyn (1864-1909) RHA in Llandaff Cathedral. The service was

conducted by the Ven. Archdeacon of Monmouth and the bride was given

away by her step-father James Harvey. Fred Insole’s ‘two dear little boys’

Claud (7) and Eric (5) were pageboys. Marian and Maria Georgina carried

‘exquisite bouquets of lilies of the valley’, Marian ‘wore dark blue velvet

with a bonnet trimmed with violets’. ‘After the wedding the bridal party

returned to Ely Court, where Mr and Mrs Insole [James Harvey and Marian]

held a reception’. ‘Mr and Mrs Insole’ gave the couple house linen while

49

Probably Marian but possibly Jessy. The League was founded in 1883 to spread Conservative principles in the UK. 50

Aunt of Marian’s daughter’s future husband. 51

Probably Jessy Ann David/Insole’s sister-in-law.

‘Mr Insole’ added a diamond and ruby ring and a cheque and ‘Mrs Insole’

an ‘ivory etui’. Also present was a certain ‘Colonel Aitchison’.

Marian’s step-grandson (Fred’s son) Alan Vyvyan Insole (1895-1964) was

born in February 1895 at Fairwater House.

The Corbyns made their home in Cheltenham. Over the next ten years Lylie

Evelyn made numerous trips to Ely Court.52

‘Mrs Insole, Ely Court, Llandaff’ contributed foodstuffs towards the 1894

Christmas dinner for Workhouse inmates.

In March 1895, as requested by the Bishop of Llandaff in lieu of wreaths

being sent to the funeral of his wife, ‘Mr and Mrs Insole, Ely Court; Mr and

Mrs Walter Insole, Pencisley; Mr and Mrs GF Insole, Fairwater House’

contributed to the ‘mayor’s fund for the relief of the sick and suffering poor

of Cardiff’.

The same month, while England and Wales were in the grip of an influenza

epidemic, ‘Mr JH Insole, Ely Court, Llandaff, who is suffering from influenza

and acute bronchitis, passed a restless night… , and his medical adviser…

reported that the patient was not so well’.

August 1895 saw the Welsh Regiment (41st/69th) march into Cardiff amidst

much fanfare. As part of the arrangements for the ceremony for depositing

the Crimean Colours at Llandaff Cathedral, ‘Mrs Walter Insole (Pencisley),

Mrs Insole (Ely Court), Lady Hill and Mrs Evan Lewis have most kindly

consented to decorate, with flowers, the memorial tablet which has been

erected to those who fell in the Crimea’.53 While waiting for the entrance of

the Regiment into Sophia Gardens Field, ‘Mrs Insole, Mrs Walter Insole,

52

As listed in the Cheltenham Looker-On Arrivals and Departures column. 53

A cousin of James Harvey fought at the Charge of the Heavy Brigade in 1854.


12

Mrs Corbyn, …, in fact, a long procession of all the well-known faces around

the neighbourhood’ were observed.

Later that month ‘Mrs Insole and Mrs Walter Insole’ attended a meeting at

the Park Hotel, Cardiff convened by Lady Windsor and chaired by Lord

Windsor to consider ‘the advisability of holding a bazaar in Cardiff with a

view to assisting to augment the funds of the National Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Children’.54

Also in August 1895 ‘Mrs Insole, Mrs Walter Insole, Captain and Mrs

Corbyn’ were among the guests of Lord and Lady Windsor ‘at home’.

Marian’s first grandchild, Dorothy Lylie Corbyn (1896-1958), was born at Ely

Court in April 1896.

In June 1896 ‘Mrs Insole, Ely Court’ and ‘Mrs Walter Insole’ donated £2 and

10s respectively to the Llandaff Church Melanesian Mission. Over the next

decade Marian, James Harvey, Walter and Fred made numerous donations

to the Llandaff Parish organ fund, the Day Schools, the Curate’s Fund,

Diocesan Funds, Diocesan Sunday Fund, Christmas festivities for ‘their

poorer neighbours’ etc. [LM]

In March 1897 ‘Mr and Mrs Insole (Ely Court)’ sent a wreath to the funeral

of ‘old Cardiff resident’ Colonel CH Page.

1898 – Ely Court is again extended as James Harvey adds ‘the octagon and

circular wings’

Marian’s only other grandchild, Vernon Hector Corbyn (1898-1914), was

born at Ely Court in January 1898.

54

It was agreed to hold the bazaar at a time which did not clash with forthcoming bazaars in aid of ‘the friendless girls’ and the Infirmary.

Marian’s brother-in-law (and son-in-law) James Walter Insole died at his

London residence in May 1898 aged 52. He had undergone an apparently

successful operation for cancer of the mouth and jaw ten days previously

but contracted an infection and had a sudden ‘relapse from which he never

recovered’. Walter was buried in Llandaff municipal cemetery [date] with

his mother-in-law Marian Eagle. ‘There was a large attendance at the

graveside’, including ‘Mrs Insole, Mr and Mrs Fred Insole, Mrs JH Insole,

Captain and Mrs Corbyn, and Mr and Mrs GR Burness”.

In October 1898 ‘Mrs Insole’ attended the annual meeting of the

Needlework Guild55 held at the Infirmary.

The Cardiff Dramatic Society gave a series of amateur theatrical

performances at the Theatre Royal in November 1898. ‘Amongst those that

have taken tickets are Lord and Lady Windsor, Lord Tredegar, Mrs

Mackintosh of Mackintosh, Mrs Insole, Mr Wilson Barrett, and others’.

‘Mr and Mrs Insole, Mr and Mrs F Insole and Mrs W Insole’ (James Harvey,

Marian, Fred, Jessy and Maria Georgina) attended the Reynolds-Williams

wedding held at St Margaret’s, Roath in April 1899.56 ‘Mrs Walter Insole

was exquisitely dressed in pale grey coat and skirt and black and white tulle

hat with black wing’. Marian’s step-grandson ‘Master Allan Insole’ (sic) (4)

attended as one of the pages who carried the train. ‘Colonel Aitchison’ also

attended.57

‘Mr and Mrs Insole (Ely Court)’ sent a wreath to the funeral of the widow of

the late Dean of Llandaff in August 1899.

55

A philanthropic society which provided clothing for the ‘sick and suffering poor in the wards’. 56

The bride was Jessy’s cousin. 57

Both he and the groom were from the Welsh Regiment.


13

‘Lord Tredegar brought several ladies with him [to the Cardiff Horse Show

of September 1899] who were more or less sombrely attired. Mrs Lewis…,

Lady Hill…, Mrs Morgan Lindsay… [and] Mrs Insole wore grey coat and skirt,

beautifully braided; grey toque, with mauve velvet and tips’.

In January 1900 ‘Mrs Insole (Ely Court)’ attended a meeting convened by

the Mayor of Cardiff at the Town Hall to raise funds for a ‘Yeomanry

hospital’ in Cape Town. ‘Mrs Insole, Ely Court’ subscribed £50 to the cause

and ‘Mr and Mrs F Insole’ gave £10.

Marian’s son-in-law Hector Corbyn was promoted to Major in February

1900.

‘Mrs Insole’ was part of Lord Tredegar’s party attending the Cardiff Horse

Show of September 1900 and wore ‘a becoming costume of grey

embroidered chiffon and black toque’, and the next day a ‘hat of Tuscan

foulard and toque of fawn chiffon’.

Marian (54) suffered a double blow as she was widowed for a second time

when her husband James Harvey Insole died at Ely Court in January 1901

aged 79, and her sister Maria Georgina Lillie Eagle/Insole died just a month

later aged ~53, also at Ely Court. James Harvey was buried with his first wife

Mary Ann at Llandaff. ‘The cortege arrived at the cathedral at noon, and

was met by the Bishop and clergy at the cathedral doors… The mourners

present were Mrs Insole (widow), Mrs Burness (daughter), Mrs Corben

[sic], and Mr Fred Insole (son) and family.’ The funeral was also attended by

a ‘large number of commercial and professional gentlemen’. James

Harvey’s will confirmed the settlement made prior to his marriage to

Marian58 and also left her all his wines, spirits and consumables as well as

an annuity of £2,000, the income from houses in Queens Street Cardiff and

58

Details not specified.

the use and enjoyment of Ely Court and its facilities while she remained his

widow. The probate value of James Harvey’s estate was £245,388. Maria

Georgina was buried in Llandaff municipal cemetery with her husband

Walter Insole and mother Marian Eagle. Her estate was valued at £22,824,

most of which went to Marian including her (originally Walter’s) interest in

the coal business.

At the end of March 1901 the only occupants of Ely Court were two male

and two female domestic servants. Marian (almost 55), daughter Lylie

Evelyn (32) and the two grandchildren (almost 5 and 3) were staying at the

Landsdown Grove Hotel, Bath accompanied by a governess and a lady’s

maid.59 Major Corbyn was with his Regiment in South Africa.

In August 1902 Major Corbyn was given a hero’s welcome on his return

from South Africa to Ely Court. In his speech he alluded to ‘the welcome he

had received seven years ago, when he came to take away one of Llandaff’s

fairest daughters’. ‘Loud cheers were given for Major and Mrs Corbyn, and

for Mrs JH Insole’. [LM]

In her will, Maria Georgina, ‘a true friend of the Parish’, had bequeathed

£500 to the National Schools. In November 1902 Marian, as executrix,

expedited the payment and included interest. [LM]

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole (59) married William Andrew Aitchison

(1843 Poona Bombay-1915 Guildford) in London on 31 August 1905 – thus

ending her tenure as Mistress of the Court. Marian’s husband was Lt-

Colonel, late 69th Regiment.60 The quiet wedding was held at St Paul’s,

59

The Census entry contains numerous errors for this family. 60

So two wedding announcements and Marian’s death notice, but another account of the marriage says late 41

st Regiment (transcription V Cunningham). A 1908

biography has ‘formerly Major 2nd

Batt Welsh Regt (late 69th

Regt)’. There is no conflict – the 41

st and 69

th Regiments became the Welsh Regiment in 1881 and


14

Knightsbridge on a Thursday afternoon.61 Marian was given away by her

son-in-law Major Corbyn. Among those present were ‘Mrs Corbyn, Mr and

Mrs Fred Insole, Mr Claude [sic] Insole, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Burness,

Major and Mrs Eustace Hill, Mrs Tennant… and Kaid Sir Harry Maclean’.

Following a reception held in Piccadilly the couple left for Scotland.

‘By the departure of Mrs Insole from Llandaff, we are losing one of the

kindest women, who was always ready to do good, and was a cheerful and

generous giver’ and ‘when Mrs Aitchison leaves Ely Court we shall lose

another kind giver of £5 [to the Curate’s Fund]’. [LM]

Marian’s daughter Lylie Evelyn (39) and her two children returned from

Cape Town in September 1907 (possibly en route from India).

Marian’s son-in-law Major Hector Corbyn (44) was killed as a result of an

accident in Sialkot Punjab India in April 1909 while serving with the Royal

Horse Artillery.

Marian (almost 65) and her husband William Andrew have not been found

in the April 1911 Census so perhaps they were travelling. The Aitchison

residence of Whitwell Hall in Yorkshire was occupied by a housekeeper and

other domestic servants. Lylie Evelyn (42) was visiting Rev. Henry West in

Wokingham while her daughter Dorothy Lylie (almost 15) was at school in

Hertfordshire and her son Vernon Hector (13) was a cadet at the Royal

Naval College, Isle of Wight.

The Great War began in July 1914. Two months later Marian’s grandson

Major Aitchison retired with honorary rank Lt-Colonel in 1884. Another interesting connection is that William attended the same school at Cheltenham as Walter and Fred, although he would have been a few years ahead of them. 61

They were married by the Ven. Archdeacon Bruce, presumably the same who had conducted James Harvey’s funeral at Llandaff four years earlier.

Midshipman Vernon Hector Corbyn RN was killed in action during the

sinking of HMS Cressy in the North Sea. He was 16 years old.

By 1915 the Aitchisons had made their home in Willinghurst, Surrey.

Marian (69) was again widowed when her husband Lt-Col William Andrew

Aitchison died at Guildford in July 1915 aged 71. The will named Marian as

one of two executors of the estate valued at £19,612.

In 1919 Marian (73) was living at 80 Brook Street Mayfair.62

In August 1919 Marian entered into a deed of partnership with Eric

Raymond Insole as a partner in ‘George Insole and Son’ which entitled her

to ‘a certain share or interest in the business carried on by such

partnership… and the capital and good-will and profits thereof’.

Marian’s widowed daughter Lylie Evelyn Carey/Corbyn (56) married Lt-

Colonel John Walter Beresford Merewether (1867-1942) in Kensington,

London in the Spring of 1924.63 [date] The couple steamed into London

from Bombay in May 1928, apparently after having been resident there.

Marian’s friend Marion Hanson/Tennant died at Richmond, Surrey in April

1930 aged 79.

In September 1931 Marian (85) was living at 80 Brook Street Grosvenor

Square, London.

In 1933 Marian was living at 7 Devonport Street Paddington.

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole/Aitchison died in London on 15 January

1937 aged 90. She had been living at 7 Devonport Street Paddington.

62

C.f. James Harvey’s address of 13 Brook St at their marriage in 1890. 63

Lylie’s husband spent his military career in India and had been made a Companion of Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire in 1916.


15

[death cert] The funeral was held at Llandaff and she was buried in Llandaff

municipal cemetery with her mother Marian Eagle, sister Maria Georgina

and brother-in-law Walter Insole. Marian’s estate had a probate value of

£29,851 and was left to her daughter and granddaughter.

Marian Eagle

[widow] of

[George] Eagle

[of] Dublin

Sacred

to the loved memory of

James Walter Insole

of Pencisley, in this Parish,

eldest son of James Harvey Insole

of Ely Court.

Born Jan. 6 1845. Died May 4 1898.

also of Lillie Maria Georgina

wife of the above named James Walter Insole

died February 26 1901.

Also of Marian Louisa Aitchison

died Jan. 15 1937.

Looking unto Jesus.


16

Birth notice - Cork Examiner 17 April 1846 [original]

Marriage register - St Stephen Dublin 1867

Marriage notice - The Belfast Newsletter 9 May 1867

Shipping list (arrived Adelaide South Australia 10 October 1867) - South Australian

Register 14 October 1867

Shipping list (departed Adelaide South Australia 18 November 1872) - South

Australian Register 20 November 1872


17

Marriage licence application 1890

Marriage register (GRO) - St George Hanover Square 1890

Marriage notice - The Times 29 September 1890

Marriage announcement - The Cheltenham Looker-On 22 July 1905

South Wales Graphic 7 September 1905 (transcription V Cunningham)


18

Death notice - The Times 18 January 1937

Probate calendar 1937

Monumental inscription detail - Llandaff municipal cemetery (photo N James)

Grave - Llandaff municipal cemetery (photo N James)

The Three Mistresses of Insole Court Jessy Ann David (1853-1938)

19

Jessy Ann David (9 August 1853 – 9 September 1938)

Jessy64 was born at Radyr Court, north of

Llandaff, the only daughter of Evan

Williams David (1815 Llandaff-1872

Llandaff) and his wife Jessy Louisa

Talavera Herring (1825 Bracondale,

Norfolk-1887 Llandaff) who were married

at Cromer, Norfolk on 10 November

1852.65 Jessy had a twin brother Evan

Edgar (1853-1926) and a younger brother

Charles Frederick (1855-1893). She also

had a half-brother, Edward Robert

Llewellyn (1847-1885), via her mother’s

previous marriage to her father’s cousin Rev. Edward David (1818-1850).66

The David family were Llandaff gentry while the Herring family came from

Norfolk (with earlier roots in Cambridge) and had a very strong Established

Church heritage.67 Jessy and her brother were baptized at Radyr the day

after their birth.68

In April 1861 Jessy (7) was living in the family home of Radyr Court, near

64

Changed (at some stage) from ‘Jessy Anne’ to ‘Jessie Anne’ in the baptism register (her mother’s name was left as ‘Jessy’) but she is listed as ‘Jessy’ in the GRO Birth Index. [birth cert] She signed herself ‘Jessy Ann’ in 1878 (marriage) and 1933 (will) and this form is used in her husband’s 1914, but signed ‘Jessie’ in 1906 and 1908 and was buried as ‘Jessy Anne’. 65

Jessy’s father had been widowed in September 1850 when his first wife died after they had been married for only eight months. 66

Making him a five-eighth brother? 67

Jessy’s direct ancestor was Dean of St Asaph 1751-74 and cousin to Thomas Herring, Archbishop of Canterbury 1747-57. Numerous other relatives were also in the ministry. 68

Jessy listed second in the register perhaps indicates she was the younger twin.

Llandaff, with her parents and two brothers. There were also a nineteen

year old Irish governess, a housemaid, a cook, a lady’s maid and a

groom/gardener. Her father was a farmer of 420 acres and employed ten

labourers and two boys. He was also highly skilled at metal-work.

Jessy’s grandfather Evan David died at nearby Fairwater House, Llandaff in

November 1862 aged 73 and was buried at Llandaff. Her father Evan

Williams David was elected Chairman of the Llandaff Board of Governors on

his father’s death. He was particularly concerned for the pauper children of

the Industrial School at Ely.

In September 1863 Jessy’s father was Gazetted Captain, 13th

Glamorganshire Rifle Volunteers.

Jessy’s grandmother Ann Williams/David died at Fairwater House in

September 1867 aged 80 and was buried at Llandaff.

Jessy’s grandfather Robert Herring died at Cromer, Norfolk in October 1868

aged 71.

In April 1871 Jessy (Ann, 17) and mother Jessy Louisa were visiting

grandmother Jessy Ann Herring (formerly Ganning, 1803-1883) in

Marylebone, London.69 Jessy’s father, a ‘Justice of the Peace, Landowner

and Land agent, and Farmer of 437 Acres Emp[loying] 15 Hands’ was at

home in Fairwater House, along with her half-brother, a

coachman/domestic servant, a stable boy, a cook and a housemaid.

Jessy’s father Evan Williams David died at Fairwater House in September

1872 aged 57 and was buried at Llandaff. Jessy was 19 years old. 69

Jessy Ann Ganning was actually born Jessy Ann Lathom, daughter of Gothic novelist and playwright Francis Lathom (1774-1832) and his wife Diana Ganning (1776-1851) who were married in Norwich in 1797. Diana and her children reverted to her maiden name after she separated from Francis.


20

Jessy’s half-brother Edward Robert Llewellyn married the daughter of a

local minister at Whitchurch in February 1873.

In 1876 Jessy’s twin brother Evan Edgar graduated BA from Caius College

Cambridge and became a student of the Inner Temple that April.

Radyr Court and Fairwater House were not far from the Court so Jessy had

probably known the Insoles at least from her teenage years. Five days after

her twenty-fifth birthday Jessy Ann David married George Frederick Insole

(30) in Llandaff Cathedral on 14 August 1878. Jessy was living at Llandaff,

presumably Fairwater House. Newspaper accounts describe it as the ‘most

fashionable and the gayest wedding which has occurred at Llandaff for

many years’. Flags were thrown across the road and arches of evergreens

and flowers erected. The Cathedral was crowded with guests and well-

wishers. Jessy had sixteen bridesmaids, eight of whom were children.70 She

was escorted down the aisle by her brother Evan Edgar. The marriage was

conducted by the Bishop of Llandaff, the Dean of Llandaff and Jessy’s uncle

Rev. William David (1823-1897), rector of St Fagans. The bride ‘was arrayed

in a rich white satin dress, made with an exceedingly long train, with body

cut square, bordered with flowers, trimmed with a deep flounce of Brussels

point lace, and flowers of orange blossom and myrtle, with wreath to

match, and tulle veil, which entirely covered the dress. The bride’s veil was

fastened with a diamond star, the gift of her brother, and amongst other

ornaments worn by her were a gold necklace studded with diamonds, and

a diamond locket presented by the bridegroom; also a gold bracelet with

diamond star in the centre, the gift of her father-in-law’. The marriage

register witnesses were Jessy’s twin brother Evan Edgar and her bridesmaid

70

Including ‘Miss Insole’ (probably Fred’s cousin Helena Mary 1857-1928), ‘Miss Ethel David’ (Jessy’s cousin b.1859, daughter of Rev. William David), other David/Williams and Herring relatives and ‘Miss M Burness’ (probably Fred’s niece Marian Lylie 1872-1956).

Mary Ellen Adeline Pickard-Cambridge (1854-1940). After the ceremony, ‘a

sum of money was thrown amongst the crowd assembled as a kind of

largesse’ as the wedding party returned from the church to Fairwater

House for the wedding breakfast. Jessy and Fred left for the continent later

in the afternoon.71 They then made their home in Fairwater House.

Jessy (25) and Fred’s first child, a daughter, was stillborn at Fairwater House

in March 1879.

In 1879 Jessy’s twin brother Evan Edgar graduated MA from Caius College

Cambridge and was called to the bar that May.

‘Mrs F Insole’ contributed 10s to the 1879 ‘Ely Schools Christmas Tree’

fund. ‘Mrs JH Insole’ (Mary Ann) and ‘Mrs W Insole’ (Maria Georgina)

contributed £1 and 5s respectively.

In April 1881 Jessy (27) and Fred (33, ‘Colliery Owner’) were staying with

her parents-in-law at Ely Court.

In January 1882 Jessy gave birth at Fairwater House to Jessie Gwendoline

Mary (1882-1932). She was baptised at St Fagans in February by Jessy’s

uncle William.

Three months later Jessy’s mother-in-law Mary Ann Jones/Insole died in

Kensington, London aged 63 and was buried at Llandaff.

Jessy’s grandmother Jessy Ann Herring (formerly Lathom then Ganning)

died in London in April 1883 aged 79.

In December 1883 Jessy and Fred’s next daughter Violet Lilly (1883-1932)

71

Rather than the Davids marrying into the Insoles, this wedding should probably be understood as the Insoles’ entré into the local gentry – some fifty years after arriving in Cardiff.


21

was born at Fairwater House.72 [St Fagans baptisms of children]

Jessy’s brother Charles Frederick married the daughter of the Deputy

Lieutenant of Monmouthshire at Abergavenny in June 1884.

Jessy (31) and Fred’s son, Frederick Harvey, was born at Fairwater House in

January 1885. He died only nineteen days later and was buried at Llandaff.

In July 1885 ‘Insole Mr JW and Mrs; Insole Mr GF and Mrs’, ‘Carey Mrs and

Miss’, were (among the many) guests at Lord Windsor’s party at Penarth to

meet members of the British Medical Association.

Edward Robert Llewellyn David, Jessy’s half-brother, died at Radyr Court in

October 1885 aged 38.

Jessy’s mother Jessy Louisa Talavera Herring/David/David died at Fairwater

House in April 1887 aged 61.

Jessy’s twin brother Evan Edgar married the daughter of a barrister and

High Sheriff of Glamorgan in Kensington, London in June 1887. His wife

died in July of the next year, two weeks after the birth of their son.

In August 1887 Jessy (34) and Fred’s second son George Claud Lathom73

(1887-1918) was born at Fairwater House.

In October 1889 Jessy (36) and Fred’s third son Eric Raymond (1889-1946)

was born at Fairwater House.

72

At some stage Violet seems to have acquired the additional middle name of Adeline. Her year of birth is incorrectly given as 1884 on her gravestone. 73

A 1915 copy birth certificate gives 'Latham' but 'Lathom' is preferred as it is likely derived from his mother's ancestor, author Francis Lathom, and GCL himself used this latter spelling. His army issued death certificate gives ‘Lathom’ as do his Cambridge University, GWR share and Probate Index records as well as his father’s 1914 will, but he was buried and commemorated using ‘Latham’.

‘Insole, Mr W and Mrs; Insole, Mr GF and Mrs’, ‘Carey, Mrs and Miss (Orby)’

(Walter and Maria Georgina, Fred and Jessy, Marian and Lylie Evelyn) were

invited to the Military Ball held in Cardiff Town Hall in July 1890.

Jessy’s father-in-law James Harvey Insole married Marian Louisa

Eagle/Carey (1846-1937) in London in September 1890. Living nearby at Ely

Court, Marian would become the grandmother figure for Jessy and Fred’s

children as they grew up.

In April 1891 Jessy (37) and Fred (43, ‘Colliery Proprietor’) were living at

Fairwater House with their four children Jessie (9), Violet (7), Claud (3) and

Eric (1) as well as a parlour maid, a cook, a nurse, an under nurse, a serving

maid and a kitchen maid.

Jessy’s brother Charles Frederick died at Abergavenny (the Golf Club,

Llanfoist) in November 1893 aged 38.

Fred’s step-sister Lylie Evelyn Carey (1868-1958) married Captain Hector

Corbyn (1864-1909) RHA in Llandaff Cathedral in January 1895. Jessy’s ‘two

dear little boys’ Claud (7) and Eric (5) were pageboys. Gifts included a pearl

necklace from ‘Mr and Mrs GF Insole’ and a silver sealing-wax holder from

‘Master Claude Insole’ (sic).

In February 1895 Jessy (41) and Fred’s fourth son Alan Vyvyan (1895-1964)

was born at Fairwater House. He was baptized at St Fagans in March by

Jessy’s uncle William.

In March 1895, as requested by the Bishop of Llandaff in lieu of wreaths

being sent to the funeral of his wife, ‘Mr and Mrs Insole, Ely Court; Mr and

Mrs Walter Insole, Pencisley; Mr and Mrs GF Insole, Fairwater House’

contributed to the ‘mayor’s fund for the relief of the sick and suffering poor

of Cardiff’.

The same month, while England and Wales were in the grip of an influenza


22

epidemic, Jessy’s father-in-law ‘Mr JH Insole, Ely Court, Llandaff, who is

suffering from influenza and acute bronchitis, passed a restless night… , and

his medical adviser… reported that the patient was not so well’.

Jessy’s niece Jessie Primrose Josephine Vera David74 (1887-1971) came to

live with the Insoles sometime after her mother died in June 1897.

Jessy’s brother-in-law James Walter Insole died suddenly at his London

residence in May 1898 aged 52. ‘There was a large attendance at the

graveside’ (Llandaff municipal cemetery), immediate family being ‘Mrs

Insole, Mr and Mrs Fred Insole, Mrs JH Insole, Captain and Mrs Corbyn, and

Mr and Mrs GR Burness’.

Jessy’s sons Claud (11) and Eric (9) boarded at Cothill School Abingdon,

Oxfordshire from 1899 after having briefly attended the Cathedral School

Llandaff (Claud for two years, Eric for one).

‘Mr and Mrs Insole, Mr and Mrs F Insole and Mrs W Insole’ (James Harvey

and Marian, Fred and Jessy and Maria Georgina) attended the Reynolds-

Williams wedding held at St Margaret’s, Roath in April 1899.75 ‘Mrs F Insole

was in fawn cloth, with beautiful gold and white garniture, yolk of bodice of

pale blue, brown hat with pink rose and brown tips’. Jessy’s son ‘Master

Allan Insole’ (sic) (4) was one of the pages who carried the train.

In January 1900 ‘Mr and Mrs F Insole’ gave £10 and ‘Mrs Insole, Ely Court’

gave £50 towards a Yeomanry hospital in Cape Town.

Jessy’s father-in-law James Harvey Insole died at Ely Court in January 1901

aged 79 and was buried at Llandaff with his first wife Mary Ann. ‘The

mourners present were Mrs Insole (widow), Mrs Burness (daughter), Mrs

74

Daughter of Charles Frederick David. 75

The bride was Jessy’s cousin.

Corben [sic], and Mr Fred Insole (son) and family.’

Jessy’s sister-in-law Maria Georgina Lillie Eagle/Insole died at Ely Court in

February 1901 aged ~53 and was buried with her husband and mother in

Llandaff municipal cemetery.

In March 1901 Jessy (47) and Fred (53, ‘Colliery Proprietor’) were living at

Fairwater House with children Jessie (19), Claud (13) and Eric (11) and Alan

(6). Violet (17) was at school in Aldenham, Hertfordshire.76 Fred’s cousin

Marion Lilly Jones (1863-1946) was visiting. Also in the house were a cook,

a lady’s maid, a parlour maid, two house maids, a nurse and a kitchen maid.

Claud (14) attended Harrow from January 1902 to the summer of 1906.

Eric (13) attended Harrow from September 1903 to the summer of 1907.

Alan (9) attended Cothill School Abingdon, Oxfordshire from 1904.

Fred’s step-mother Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole married Lt-Col

William Andrew Aitchison (1843-1915) in London on 31 August 1905 – and

so Jessy became Mistress of the Court.77

1906-9 – Ely Court becomes The Court as Fred remodels it in a ‘somewhat

plainer, English Renaissance style’ and adds ‘a vast new service wing’78

The Llandaff parish magazines record many donations made by Fred from

1896 to 1917. In May 1906 ‘Mrs Insole’ (Jessy) is noted separately as

subscribing £3 to the ‘New Mission Room, Llandaff North’. [LM]

76

Jessy’s niece Vera (13) was also at the same school. 77

Although John Isaacs’ article indicates that Jessy and family moved in at this time, the builder’s accounts suggest that they remained at Fairwater House until the renovations were (at least almost) complete (corresp. V Cunningham). 78

Now thought to have also been a guest wing (corresp. V Cunningham).


23

Jessy (53) and Fred’s daughter Jessie Gwendoline Mary (24) married

Captain Richard Grainger Dennis O’Callaghan (1879-1943) in Llandaff

Cathedral in September 1906. The bride’s family was living at Fairwater

House. The ceremony was performed by the Bishop, assisted by

Archdeacon David (cousin of the bride) and the vicar of Llandaff. The

bridesmaids included Violet Insole (sister) and Vera David (cousin). ‘Mrs

Insole, the bride’s mother, was dressed in blue velvet, chiffon, and stripes,

and velvet hat and blue feathers, and carried a pretty shower bouquet.’

The reception was held at Fairwater House. Gift givers included

‘Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs [Marian] Aitchison, muffin dish’, ‘Mr, Mrs

[Lylie Evelyn] and Miss Corbyn, glass jugs and glasses’, ‘Mr and Mrs [Jessy]

Insole to bridegroom, dressing bag; Mr and Mrs [Jessy] Insole to bride,

pearl and diamond pendant’ as well as numerous members of the Insole,

David and Herring families. The O’Callaghans made their home at Swords,

North Dublin.

Claud (19) entered Trinity College Cambridge in 1907.

Jessy’s first grandchild, Jessie Maureen O’Callaghan (1907-1970), was born

at Llandaff (probably Fairwater House) in June and baptised in Llandaff

Cathedral in July 1907.

Also in July 1907 a ‘new Frontal for the Communion Table in the Cathedral’

was donated, ‘the gift and handiwork of Mrs Insole, Fairwater House, and

her daughters’. [LM]

In December 1907 Violet (almost 24) took the lead role in Her Own Rival

performed at the New Theatre in aid of the Infirmary.

Eric (18) entered Trinity College Cambridge in 1908.

Jessy and family had moved from Fairwater House to The Court by

September 1908.79

Alan (13) attended Harrow from September 1908 to Christmas 1911.

‘Miss Vera David, … niece of Mr GF and Mrs Insole, The Court, Llandaff’ was

married in Llandaff Cathedral in September 1908. ‘The bride was attended

by Miss Insole [Violet]…’ and leant ‘on the arm of Mr Insole [Fred]’ down

the aisle. ‘Mrs Insole [Jessy] wore a dress of mole charmeuse with fringe to

match and touches of blue in the bodice, and a brown felt hat with mole

coloured feathers. She carried a bouquet of carnations.’ The reception was

held at ‘The Court, Llandaff’ where floral arches had been erected at the

top and bottom lodges.

Violet (25) was presented at Court in the General Circle at Buckingham

Palace in March 1909. [Jessie’s presentation?]

Jessy’s second grandchild, Richard Fredrick Bryan O’Callaghan (1908-1989)

was born at Balrothery, Co. Dublin in July 1909. Jessy was to have only one

other grandchild.

‘Mrs Insole, Ely Court [sic]’ headed a list of ‘ladies and gentlemen [who]

subscribed towards the cost of prizes and refreshment’ for a ‘Whist Drive

and Dance… at the Church of England Schools’ in March 1910. The

proceeds went to the Working Men's Club. [LM]

Claud (22) played polo for Cambridge against Oxford in June 1910 (they

lost). He graduated BA from Trinity College Cambridge in October 1910.

In April 1911 Jessy (57) and Fred (63, ‘Colliery Proprietor’) were living at

‘The Court’ with children Violet (27), Claud (23) and Eric (21) as well as nine

servants. Jessie (29) and her family were living at the O’Callaghan residence

79

Photographs indicate they were still in Fairwater House in December 1907.


24

at Swords, North Dublin. Alan (16) was attending school at Harrow.

In May 1911 ‘Mr John Morgan, who, for 20 years was employed at the

Court, Llandaff, passed peacefully away’. ‘Mrs GF Insole showed her

appreciation of an old and faithful servant by attending his funeral – a

thoughtful act which the relatives evidently valued.’ [LM]

Claud (24) passed Inner Temple law subjects ‘Real Property and

Conveyancing’ in January and ‘Criminal Law and Procedure’ in June 1912.

Eric (22) accompanied Lt-General Sir Robert Baden-Powell on his Scouting

World Tour to America, Australia and South Africa from January to August

1912.80 He had just come down from Trinity College Cambridge.

Alan (18) matriculated to Trinity College Cambridge in 1913.

Jessy’s cousin Ven. Arthur Evan David81 (1861-1913), Archdeacon of

Brisbane, died in Dulwich London in April 1913.

‘Mr, Mrs and Miss Insole’ (Fred, Jessy and Violet) attended the Glamorgan

Hunt Ball at Cardiff Town Hall in January 1914.

In May 1914 ‘Mr and Mrs Fred Insole, of the Court, Llandaff’ donated a new

altar frontal to the Cathedral. [LM]

Claud (27) graduated MA from Trinity College Cambridge in June 1914.

In August 1914 Alan (19) was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery.

He would serve with the 45th Battery.

From September 1914 Claud served as a civilian with the Red Cross Motor

80

He was one of three companions whom Baden-Powell variously described as ADCs or ‘my bodyguard’. 81

Son of Rev. William David

Ambulance Convoy in France.

In October 1914 Eric (25) was appointed Lieutenant, General List.

Jessy’s uncle Gerard Edgar Herring (1834-1915), mayor and alderman of

Ryde Council (NSW Australia), died at Gladesville Sydney in February 1915.

In March 1915 Claud (27) joined the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. He had

been reading for the bar.

Alan (20) disembarked in France at the end of May 1915.

In August 1915 Eric (25) was appointed Lieutenant, Territorial Force

Reserve.

Alan (20) was wounded in action in France in January 1916. A shell had

exploded near him, knocking him down and causing bruising and shell-

shock. He was transferred back to England.

In April 1916 Alan (21) was in hospital in London. [LM] He was transferred

to a desk job at the Woolwich Dock Yard in July 1916.

In 1916 Eric (26) was serving as intelligence officer to Colonel Phillippe.

In early July 1916 Claud (28) was wounded in the foot by a shell fragment in

Ypres, Belgium and transferred back to England. He was awarded the

Military Cross ‘for conspicuous gallantry when in charge of an assault. He

handled his company with great skill and determination, and although

wounded, continued to direct operations till his company was relieved’.

Claud’s leave expired in August 1916.

Jessy’s husband George Frederick Insole died of ‘Cardiac Valvular disease,

Exhaustion’ at The Court in February 1917 aged 69. He was buried at

Llandaff where ‘a large number of representative men came to pay a last

tribute of respect’. His estate was value at £157,060, probate was granted


25

to Jessy and her two eldest sons. Jessy was 65 years old.

In March 1917 Claud (29) was in hospital in London for treatment of his

foot. He was also treated for acute tonsillitis.

Alan (22) was discharged as permanently medically unfit in April 1917.

In 1918 Violet (34) became Commandant of the Lodge Red Cross Hospital,

Llandaff (which closed in March 1919). [LM]

Jessy’s son (Acting) Captain George Claud Lathom Insole MC, was killed in

action ‘near Arras’ France in April 1918 aged 30. A telegram was received at

The Court expressing the Army Council’s sympathy. He was buried at

Bailleulmont Pas de Calais, France. His medals would be sent to his mother.

Jessy placed remembrance notices in The Times in April 1919 and 1920.

In the same month Alan (23) auctioned his ‘important collection’ of British

and Colonial postage stamps.

In July 1918 Eric (28) resigned his commission in the Territorial Force

Reserve and was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant.

In March 1920 ‘Mrs Insole’ donated £1,000 to the Welsh Church Million

Pound Fund. ‘Mrs Insole, The Court’ donated another £500 in November

1922.

The Insoles’ Luxborough Estate in Somerset was sold in May 1920.

In September 1920 Jessy (67) erected a memorial to her son Claud in

Llandaff Cathedral. ‘Visitors as they enter the Cathedral by the West Door,

cannot but have their attention drawn to the very striking monument on

the wall under the Jasper Tower. It has been placed there by Mrs Insole,

the Court, in memory of the son whom she gave for his country. It

represents an Angel, carrying the very sword with which the young officer

was girt, and underneath is a suitable inscription.’ [LM]

Jessy lived at The Court during the 1920s with Violet and Eric. Alan was

travelling abroad in the early 1920s.82 Violet also went abroad a number of

times in 1921-32 collecting plant specimens.

Alan (27) married Denise Annie Du Cros (21) at Marylebone in January

1923.83 His brother Eric was best man. The bridesmaids included ‘Miss

Insole’ (sister Violet) and ‘Miss Maureen O’Callaghan’ (niece). Others

present included ‘Mrs Insole’ (Jessy), ‘Major and Mrs O’Callaghan’ (sister

Jessie) and ‘Major Evan David’ (cousin).

In August 1923 ‘Mrs Insole’ gave £5 to the school-building repair fund. [LM]

A bazaar was held at the Cardiff City Hall in September 1923 in aid of two

‘beneficent institutions’, one at Porthcawl (for men) and another at

Southerndown (for women). ‘Mrs and Miss Insole, the Court, will have a

“Linen Stall”, towards which they invite contributions.’ [LM]

In March 1924 ‘Mrs Insole’ headed a list of subscribers to the Cathedral

Organ and Electric Lighting Fund with £100. [LM]

In February 1926 Jessy’s twin brother Evan Edgar died in Cardiff aged 72.

In November 1927 Alan (32) was divorced ‘due to wife’s infidelity’.

In July 1930 Alan (35) married Elizabeth Dawson Baker (1893-1964) in the

Register Office at St Pancras, London.

Jessy’s daughter Jessie Gwendoline Mary Insole/O’Callaghan died of a

82

He donated a collection of birds and marine invertebrates from Japan to the British Museum in 1921 and was at one stage a confidant of DH Lawrence. 83

The marriage announcement gives Alan’s London address but the marriage certificate gives ‘The Court’.


26

cerebral haemorrhage at Virginia Water, Surrey in January 1932 aged 50.

In July 1932 Jessy’s daughter Violet Lilly Insole died of an intestinal

obstruction (after an appendectomy) at The Court aged 47. She was buried

at Llandaff four days later.

‘The death of Miss Insole, The Court, after two serious operations, was a

great shock to the parish. Miss Insole was a very interesting lady, and was

widely known for her wonderful collection of iris plants. She collected her

specimens in out of the way parts of the earth.84 We offer Mrs Insole and

Mr Insole our deepest sympathy.’ [LM]

1932 – The Court is sold to the Cardiff Corporation under a compulsory

order to make way for the new Western Avenue

Jessy and Eric continued to live at The Court, paying no rent up to 1934

when they had initially intended to leave.85 Thereafter they paid £262 p.a.

Jessy’s cousin, the celebrated geologist and Antarctic explorer Sir Tannatt

William Edgeworth David86 (1858-1934), died in Sydney, Australia in August

1934.

In 1937 the Insoles notified Cardiff Council that they intended to leave The

Court in March 1938. Harrod’s auctioned household ‘property of the late

GF Insole’ on site at The Court over two days in March 1937. The tenure of

the last Mistress of Insole Court ended with Jessy’s departure.

Jessy Ann David/Insole died of cardiac failure ‘at her home’ at 2 Mansfield

Street Marylebone87 on 9 September 1938 aged 85. She was buried at

84

The Insole Cup was still awarded by ‘The Group for Beardless Irises’ in 2006. 85

Eric was registered to vote in London from at least 1933. 86

Son of Rev. William David. 87

Interestingly, this was Marian’s daughter Lylie Evelyn’s address in September

Llandaff (churchyard) on 13 September 1938. Her estate, valued at £2475,

was left entirely to her son Eric.88

IN MEMORY OF

GEORGE FREDERICK INSOLE,

BORN NOV. 18 1847

DIED FEB. 11 1917

ALSO OF GEORGE CLAUD LATHAM INSOLE,

WELSH GUARDS

KILLED IN ACTION

APRIL 12 1918 AGED 30

HIS ELDEST SON.

ALSO OF

VIOLET ADELINE LILLY INSOLE

HIS YOUNGEST DAUGHTER

BORN DEC. 15 1884

DIED JULY 2 1932.

ALSO OF

JESSY ANNE,

HIS WIFE

BORN AUGUST 9 1853

DIED SEPT 9 1938.

1931, although possibly a different flat within the five-storey mansion block. Electoral registers for 1929-31 show Lylie Evelyn and husband in Flat 21, telephone directories show Jessy at 2 Mansfield St in 1937 and 1938). 88

Some non-binding indications of her desires for the disposal of certain items may also have been made alongside her will.


27

Birth announcement - The Bristol Mercury 20 August 1853

Baptism register - Radyr 1853

Marriage register - Llandaff Cathedral 1878

Marriage announcement - The Times 20 August 1878


28

…

…

…

Marriage article - Western Mail 15 August 1878

Death notice - The Times 10 September 1938

Death notice - Western Mail 12 September 1938

Obituary - Western Mail September 1938 (NB GF’s father is incorrect)[date]

Death certificate - registered St Marylebone 9 September 1938


29

Burial register - Llandaff Cathedral 1938

Probate calendar 1938

Monumental inscription detail - Llandaff Cathedral cemetery (photo R Ollerton)

Grave - Llandaff Cathedral cemetery (photo R Ollerton)

The Three Mistresses of Insole Court Mary Ann, Marian and Jessy

30

The abridged version

The son of a Herefordshire cider farmer, George Insole (1764-1831)

founded a saddler’s ironmongery in Birmingham in the 1790s. By 1828 he

was in partnership with Birmingham-born Thomas Jones (1791-1844).

Thomas’ mother Mary Webb/Jones (~1761-1830) was also George’s

housekeeper before her death. George had no children and his nephew

James Insole (1796-1860) took over the business after 1831. George also

had strong connections with James’ older brother George Insole (1790-

1851) who lived in Worcester in the early 1820s before moving to Cardiff

around 1828-9 where he established his own coal business a few years

later. This George and his son James Harvey Insole (1821-1901) probably

visited their Birmingham relatives on a number of occasions, travelling from

Worcester and then later from Cardiff. Thomas Jones’ eldest daughter

Mary Ann (1818-1882) (aged 25) married James Harvey Insole (22) in

Edgbaston in 1843. Their daughter and two sons James Walter (1845-1898)

and George Frederick (1847-1917) were born in Cardiff.

Mary Ann (38) and family moved into newly built Ely Court, Llandaff in 1857

and she became the first Mistress of the Court.

James Harvey Insole exported his Welsh coal to Ireland. By at least 1854,

and possibly from much earlier, his agent in Dublin was George Eagle

(~1804-1858). (George’s father was an Excise man in Dublin but the Eagle

family also had strong military, medical and migratory traditions.) George’s

son took over the business after 1858. James and son Walter Insole most

likely visited the Eagle family at their Dublin home when travelling in

Ireland on business. Walter married George Eagle’s second daughter Maria

Georgina Lillie (~1847-1901) in Dublin in 1867.

Two weeks earlier, Maria Georgina’s older sister Marian Louisa Eagle

(1845-1937) (21) had married widowed father of two, Irish doctor Samuel

Orby Carey (~1840-1877) (~27) in the same Dublin church. Marian would

then have attended her sister’s wedding, as did James and (probably) Mary

Ann Insole. A month later Marian and Samuel left for South Australia where

their daughter was born in 1868. Samuel became ill and the family of five

returned to England in 1872. In London in 1874, Samuel’s health and

financial situation were both very low. Samuel died and was buried in

Weston-super-Mare in 1877. Walter Insole was present at the death.

Marian was 30.

Walter and Maria Georgina Insole lived at Pencisley House, very near Ely

Court. Marian came to live with her sister, probably from around 1874.

Also near Ely Court were Radyr Court and Fairwater House, seats of the

David family who were well-established Llandaff gentry. Jessy Ann David

(1853-1938) was born and spent her childhood in these houses. She

probably visited Ely Court a number of times as she grew up. Jessy (25)

married Mary Ann’s son Fred Insole (30) in Llandaff Cathedral in 1878. Both

Mary Ann (59) and Marian (32) attended the wedding. Jessy and Fred lived

at Fairwater House where their three daughters and four sons were born

over the next seventeen years. Her first daughter was stillborn and her first

son died when only nineteen days old.

Mary Ann Jones/Insole died at her daughter’s house in London in 1882

aged 63 and was buried at Llandaff.

Widowed Marian continued to live at Pencisley House with her sister,

brother-in-law and mother. They would have visited and been visited by

widowed James Harvey on numerous occasions over the next eight years.

Marian (44) married James Harvey Insole (twenty-five years her senior) in

London in 1890 and so became the second Mistress of the Court. Over the

following years Marian would also have become the grandmother figure for

Jessy and Fred’s children.

Meanwhile, back in the early 1860s, Walter and Fred had boarded at school

The Three Mistresses of Insole Court Mary Ann, Marian and Jessy

31

in Cheltenham where Bombay-born William Andrew Aitchison (1843-1915)

was a few years their senior. He later served with the 69th Regiment of Foot

which in 1881 became part of the Welsh Regiment, based in Cardiff. Lt-

Colonel Aitchison retired from the Regiment in 1884. He was a guest at

Marian’s daughter’s wedding in Llandaff Cathedral in 1895. Later that year

he would likely have attended the depositing of the Welsh Regiment’s

Crimean Colours at Llandaff Cathedral in which Marian was involved in

decorating the ‘memorial tablet’. In 1899 a fellow Welsh Regiment officer

married one of Jessy’s cousins at Roath, Cardiff. Guests included ‘Colonel

Aitchison’ and ‘Mrs Insole’ (Marian).

James Harvey Insole died at Ely Court in 1901 and was buried at Llandaff

with Mary Ann. Marian was 54.

Marian (59) married Lt-Col William Andrew Aitchison (62) in London in

1905 (making Jessy the third Mistress of the Court). Marian’s only grandson

was killed in action in the North Sea in 1914 and her husband William died

in 1915. Marian was 69.

Jessy’s husband Fred died at The Court in 1917, Jessy was 66. Her second

son was killed in action in France in 1918 and her two daughters died in

1932.

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole/Aitchison died in London in 1937 aged

90. Her funeral was held at Llandaff and she was buried with her sister,

brother-in-law and mother in the Llandaff municipal cemetery.

The Court had been sold to the Cardiff Corporation in 1932 after which

Jessy lived there as a tenant. She gave notice that she would leave in March

1938 (although she had probably effectively left in 1937). Jessy Ann

David/Insole died at her home in London in 1938 aged 85. She was buried

at Llandaff with her husband and second daughter.

Marian’s daughter and granddaughter died in 1958 leaving no other

descendants. Both Mary Ann and Jessy have living descendants although

none bear the Insole name. The Insole surname does survive elsewhere;

however, apart from one Canadian branch descended from James Harvey

Insole’s uncle James, any relationship with the Insole Court family almost

certainly dates back to before the 1720s.

Epilogue

Although less obvious in the historical record than their male counterparts,

Mary Ann, Marian and Jessy played significant roles in the lives of those at

Ely/The/Insole Court. From very different family backgrounds, each

influenced and was influenced by the Court – Mary Ann for 25 years,

Marian for 15 years and Jessy for 33 years.

Differences in personality between the three Mistresses of the Court do

seem to be displayed in these accounts. However, the changing styles of

what and how news items were reported and the differing availability of

sources in general over the wide time span covered may also be colouring

the impressions conveyed.

I am particularly grateful to Catherine O’Brien and Vanessa Cunningham for

their contributions to the collection of sources as well as their very helpful

comments and corrections.

October 2012


32

Ely Court entrance (before 1906)

The Court entrance (1909)

The Court entrance (1906-9 renovation)

Insole Court entrance (modern)


33

Main sources

Worcester Heritage Centre: parish records

Birmingham Archives: parish records

Glamorgan Archives: parish records

Cardiff Library: newspaper microfilms

The National Archives: wills, death duty files, service records

General Register Office: BMD records

HM Courts: wills

Ancestry.com: parish, probate, census and passenger records

FindMyPast.com: parish, census and passenger records

Gale Databases: 19th Century British Library Newspapers, The Times Digital

Archive

The British Newspaper Archive

The London Gazette

Other sources: trade directories, County family biographies, Irish BMD and

census records, Australian newspaper records

Other reference: Watson RC, Rhondda Coal, Cardiff Gold (Cardiff 1997)

Appendices

a. Family trees:

Mary Ann Jones/Insole (1818-1882)

Marian Louisa Eagle/Carey/Insole/Aitchison (1846-1937)

Jessy Ann David/Insole (1853-1938)

b. Maps showing Ely Court, Pencisley House, Fairwater House, Penhill,

Llandaff and Radyr (copyright material for personal research only)

version date: 10 april 2013 the three m istresses of ... court three mistresses... · was...

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