The Grand - daughter's Story

The Granddaughter's Story
By Roma Christine Andrew (nee Richmond)

Note: To see the pictures use the link to the page of photographs.

Others could - I am sure - write the story - but - recently I have realised I am, perhaps, one of the few members of Haidee and Maude Barret's family with clear memories of the tall, cold house ("Cruxton" No 11 Park Drive, Harrogate, Yorkshire) where the family lived after the early death of my grandfather, Maude Barret. My mother was the last to leave home and was very close to her mother and another remarkable woman - Grace Witty - who kept the family together and it would be true to say that, without her, they would have had a very different life.

Luckily, we have lived in the West Riding of Yorkshire for a long time and thus able to research and visit sites connected with our family.
What follows is a hotch-potch of my memories and accurate research done by my patient husband - Mark - through extensive use of computers and local records.

"Cruxton" 11 Park Drive, Harrogate

Each section has an opening paragraph (in italics) taken from the computerised Family Tree Records. These are the bare bones and I (with my love of history, stories and words) have clothed these where possible from memory.

This is your family history too !. Each will have stories and perhaps, photographs of your own Branch. And if you would like to add these to my story - then please write to me.

I was ill last year and it was brought home to me that unless I added "flesh" to the bare bones from the Records, a large part of the story of our shared ancestors would be forgotten.

MAUDE BARRET was born January 24, 1857 in Otley Yorkshire West Riding, and died January 29, 1906 in Harrogate He married HAIDEE JANE JOHNSON, daughter of CHARLES JAMES JOHNSON and SARAH LEWIS WILLIAMS. She was born 1859 in Dorchester Dorset, and died October 10, 1935 in Harrogate.

Maude Barret and his wife, Haidee Jane, were indeed fascinating people - I am sad that I never asked my mother more about them, but, in truth, in my childhood one did not enquire deeply about families (the "not done" syndrome! and my lovely mother ( Doris Mary ) was a private, shy person.
I never knew my grandfather as he died very young at South Leigh" Rutland Road, Harrogate.

"South Leigh" 10 Rutland Road, Harrogate

He was the younger son of Edward BARRET, Attorney at Law, and Mary DEIGHTON. His grandfather, John BARRET, the elder, founded the firm of Barret when he was admitted to the legal profession in 1779.

He had an elder brother Edward Deighton BARRET (1855 - 1936) and two unmarried sisters, Mary Deighton BARRET (1858 - 1904) and Emily Ramsden BARRET (1860 -1861) who had her Ramsden first name given after her Gt Grandmother Anne RAMSDEN

The DEIGHTON's were long established Wine & Spirit Merchants in Otley and after the death of the father - John - Mary ran the business from the family home at The Vaults (Still a popular pub today where Mark and I have sat, drank a toast, and remembered the stories of this family) until the elder son - Edward Deighton Barret - was able take over.

Maude Barret was educated privately at Thorpe Grange near Wetherby. (Now the Training HQ for Leeds United Football Club!) He attended Leeds University and graduated as a lawyer, and in 1880 joined the family firm in Otley, Royal Oak Chambers, and in Leeds at 41 Albion Street, then Tennant,Barret & Wimbush

The Otley firm is still there, in the same offices, and although the name was changed over past years, it has now reverted to an early name - BARRET & Co. It is recorded as one of the, if not the, oldest law firm in Yorkshire.

Maude Barret was a Commissioner to administer oaths. From May 1890 he acted as Clerk to Burley in Wharfedale Board of Guardians & Rural District Council while still practising as an active lawyer in the local courts.

From photographs, it is evident that Maude Barret was a very handsome, attractive man with a wide variety of interests and attributes - A Member of Otley Athletics Club and we have the clock presented by them to him on his marriage. He took an active interest in the Wharfedale Agricultural Society, for many years on the committee and at Otley Show, one of the oldest in Britain, he sponsored the Airedale Terrier section.

One of his major interests was in the breeding and showing of the famous Airedale Terrier. An Obituary in 1906 recorded Mr Barret practically made the Airedale Terrier what it is today; and at the time the breed wanted a lift, . it is not improbable that the Airedale would never have risen above the old Waterside Terrier
His work as a fancier and Judge is recorded in the Kennel Club archives with his dogs taking major awards at local and national shows.
One year he was the final judge for the Airedale Breed at what is now known as Crufts Show

Maude Barret [ on the right ] with Tommy Tucker

His most famous dog - "Tommy Tucker" took all prizes and I remember that we had at our childhood homes a large oil painting of the dog
We have a photograph of Maude and "Tommy Tucker" which has even been published by the Airedale Society of Japan. On his death, "Our Dogs" magazine carried a moving obituary.

After their marriage in the Parish Church, Chirk, North Wales, on 7th November 1885, Maude and Haidee Jane lived at Pool in Wharfedale, and then, with a growing family, moved to South Leigh, Rutland Road. Harrogate.

HAIDEE JANE JOHNSON was the daughter of Charles James JOHNSON, a regular Cavalry soldier in the 13th Hussars. His two elder brothers also served in this Regiment, Uncle Thomas George in the Crimea where he rode and survived in The Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. A younger brother, Francis, of the 12th Lancers in the Crimea died at Scutari Hospital.
Her mother - Sarah Lewis WILLIAMS - was the daughter of a doctor who lived in Ferryside, Carmarthen, South Wales but we have been unable to trace any other members of this family.

Haidee Jane was born in Dorchester when her father was stationed at the Cavalry Depot, one of five children - who were born at various army depots in Ireland and Scotland. Her father retired to Llangollen, North Wales, where he served with the Denbighshire Yeomanry.

After his death, the family lived with the eldest son, Sydney Frederick, the Great Western Railway Station Master at nearby Chirk.

Sydney Frederick JOHNSON

I knew Uncle Sydney slightly - met him years ago and I am delighted to have established contact with his grand-daughter, Barbara (HODGKISS) and her family who now live in Dorset. She has fascinating stories to tell and memorabilia to show about Sydney when he became the Station Master at Windsor and Queen Victoria, in her old age, would only travel if "the nice Mr Johnson" was on duty. He was good looking - tall and gracious.

A younger son, Charles JOHNSON, of whom we have a photograph in naval uniform, died at sea according to family tradition.

Haidee Jane had three sisters - Agnes Jessie, (married John James LEANING - Station Master at Ruabon), Sarah (married George Henry HOGG) and Selina, who also married a lawyer with the unusual name of Reader Mourilyan WHITTELL who, after their marriage, went to live in Leeds where he was in practice.

The story goes that my grandmother was staying in Leeds with her sister, when Maude Barret (a lawyer friend of her husband) was invited to dinner the rest is history!

Mark has researched the WHITTELL family history with interesting connections in Kent, Bermondsey, Devon and, amazingly, to Halifax and Keighley in Yorkshire.
My mother told us stories about the Whittells There were 3 children, the only son died in a swimming accident when very young, and the two daughters - Vera and Maud Holt - never married. They retired to Minehead, Somerset. My mother was fond of the sisters and Maud came to stay with us when we lived in Cheadle Hulme (Cheshire) - she was elegant with a beautiful voice and lovely clothes -or so it seemed to a young girl.
My mother was given a leather travelling case - hand luggage but too heavy for today - it has just the inscription "WHITTELL LEEDS".

There are gaps in the JOHNSON story that, sadly, now I think can never be filled in, especially with their connection to Portarlington in Ireland where Haidee Jane's grandfather John Thomas JOHNSON was born in about 1767. He settled in Maidstone, Kent and served in the Cavalry as a Schoolmaster and Accounting Sergeant. 11 children were all born in Maidstone.

My grandmother Haidee Jane BARRET was extremely good looking, tall, slim and with beautiful, thick hair.

Haidee Jane BARRET nee JOHNSON

I knew and respected her. She was very strict with children - manners were always important and children were, indeed, to be seen and not heard. I stayed with her and Nan (Grace Witty) as did my brother Hugh. I have a charming memory of Hugh wearing a grey felt hat as boys did then - and I with a panama hat, walking to The Valley Gardens in Harrogate with Nan to sail our small boats!

Hugh and I often visited but my sister, Gillian, was not born until Gran Barret was having a difficult time. When Grace Witty, died in 1934 Gran could not really manage and there followed a sad time of "companions" and we thought she just did not want to bother living any more without the total support of her friend Grace Witty.

Grace WITTY, Nan - to the family was an inspirational woman. Born in North Ferriby, East Riding of Yorkshire, she entered service straight from school with the Barret Family in Harrogate.

At South Leigh there were three living-in servants ( 1901 Census ) but following
the premature death of Maude Barret, Haidee Jane and her family became relatively poor.

Nan baked bread, cakes, teacakes, made all meals, supervised the work of the "cleaning woman" Mrs Wright, elderly but fiercely loyal and loving. (She would tell me stories about the Barret children when young but I was told off for "stopping her working"..)
I can still see my grandmother and Nan - with black hats and gloves, walking together into Harrogate.

Nan had a bedroom and sitting room at the top of this tall house - up dozens of stairs - and coal was carried up and ashes taken down daily. The roaring fire and the well-stocked bookcase made this a haven for me along with the toasted teacakes and homemade strawberry jam!

My grandmother always had breakfast brought up to her bedroom; I was allowed to sit and talk to her ( having enjoyed porridge, toast and honey with Nan in the warm, vast kitchen with its open range with shiny brass bits.
Gran (she did not like the word Granny)... read the Yorkshire Post newspaper propped up in bed, every morning I was allowed to stay and talk to her as she dressed. Putting on her stockings was an elegant operation.

There was a vast attic at the top of the house; I do not think much had been discarded. Heaven for a young girl with a vivid imagination; Kashmir shawls, old dolls prams, trunks, books, china and endless bric-a-brac! Furniture too, old tennis racquets. It must have been a tremendous job for Aunt Lilla and my mother to sort out when Gran died in 1935.

Maude and Haidee Jane BARRET were both buried in Otley Cemetery with a monument engraved with both names.

Nan (Grace WITTY) was buried in Stonefall Cemetery, Harrogate. We have recently placed a new headstone Nan Grace Witty 1861 - 1934.

The Children of MAUDE BARRET and HAIDEE JANE JOHNSON were:
i. EDWARD BARRET, b. November 7, 1886, Otley; d. July 3, 1955, Nairobi
ii.LILLA MORTON BARRET, b. April 23, 1888, Otley; d. July 1, 1965, Hexham
iii.JOHN DEIGHTON BARRET, b. July 16, 1889, Pool; d. 1980. Navan, Ireland
iv.MAUD STEPHANIE BARRET, b. September 4, 1891, Pool; d. February 20, 1935, Malton.
v.DORIS MARY BARRET, b. December 11, 1895, Pool, d. September 27, 1972, Bradford.

My Uncle and Godfather, EDWARD BARRET - was educated at Leeds University with a degree in Law. He was athletic, played Rugby for the University, handsome and my mother had many amusing tales about the boys (her two brothers). After joining the family firm in Otley, he decided to seek wider horizons and in 1912 joined the Land Office in Kenya. During the First World War, he served in the East African Mounted Rifles and the Kings African Rifles.

In 1920, he joined the well-known Nairobi law firm of Shapley and Shwartze, which became Shapley, Shwartze & Barret becoming the senior partner in 1951.
He obviously was successful and acted as Solicitor General to The Kenya Government.

Edward Barret in Kenya

I have a photograph album he gave my mother - who was close to both her brothers - showing some glimpses of that interesting time in British history in Africa. He took a prominent part in The British Legion and amateur dramatics.
He married firstly in Nairobi November 7th 1921, ADA ALBERTA CARLOTTA RODRIGOE but they were divorced after the death in 1930 of their only child, Erica Jane b.1923. She died of blackwater fever and the death deeply affected Edward and Ada.

Edward then married in Eastbourne on September 28th 1933, actress, GWEN ALLIN, another amazing person in this story. When I worked in Uganda, I had fascinating visits to Nairobi.

Gwen was beautiful, stylish, a great friend of the actress Sonia Dresdel (who inherited a portion of her estate) and she took me to the Nairobi Club at Muthega, the large elegant family home before Edward retired.
I did see my Uncle in Nairobi, just before he died. He had the aquiline nose of the Barret family, and even though old and frail then, was an impressive Uncle !.

Mark and I afterwards visited Aunt Gwen in her flat in Nairobi, she took us to the famous Donovan Maule Theatre, which she and Uncle Edward had helped to establish.
She asked that, if we ever had a son, would we give him the family name EDWARD. Mark's family name of WILLIAM, had first place - but when our firstborn was a boy, it was agreed he be called William Edward Andrew.

Later, when on my way to join Mark at the Kariba Dam in Southern Rhodesia, I was able to stop over in Nairobi and visit Gwen with our small son.
The final twist in this saga was when Gwen died; I was notified that I was an executor to her Will.

My Aunt and Godmother LILLA MORTON BARRET, b. April 23, 1888, in Otley; d. July 1, 1965, Hexham.

Lilla Morton BARRET

The elder sister, named MORTON, after her gt. great-grandmother - often used in the Barret family, never married but had an interesting life - many incidents - we knew her well because after my grandmother died and the house in Harrogate was sold, she spent a great deal of time with us. My mother had promised Gran she would do this. Aunt Lilla's life, again, is full of stories - she was engaged to a (good looking) officer in the Royal Medical Corps, from Harrogate, and he was killed on November 11th 1918 at 12 noon, which was just another of those tragic stories from that time..

She went to live and work in South Africa - and was engaged to a wealthy 'Boer' - and I have the silver cigarette case he gave her. She never married and worked as a Matron in various girls' schools on returning to England, we remember visiting her at Kent College, near Tonbridge, Kent when we lived in London. She spent the holidays with my parents and retired to a furnished flat in Carlisle.
She ended her days in a nursing home near Hexham, Northumberland. We visited her, but, as always, it was very sad to see her thus.

My Uncle Jack, JOHN DEIGHTON BARRET, was born July 16, 1889 in Pool in Wharfedale, and died at their family home in Navan, County Meath, Ireland. He married PHYLLIS WALL. at the Brompton Oratory, London on November 21st 1928. She was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, July 27th 1900, and died March 18th 1984 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Captain John Deighton Barret

Jack was educated in Yorkshire and was commissioned Captain in the West Yorkshire Regiment during WWI. He was a delightful man - good looking, witty and much loved by all. He had a real skill with horses and, indeed is the reason my parents married - he introduced them at Doncaster Races!

His work with horses took him, after his marriage, to live in Ireland at Redesdale just outside Dublin. At one stage in our lives, my parents, Hugh and I lived very happily with Uncle Jack and Aunt Phyl where I remember their famous horse "Monstrous"

After he retired they bought a delightful cottage near Navan, he was well known by the locals as Captain Barret. He died in Navan in 1971 and is buried there. Mark and I lived in Dublin in 1957 and greatly enjoyed our contacts with Uncle Jack and Aunt Phyl - especially visits with Uncle Jack to the local "bar" in Navan.
Only space for one of many Uncle Jack stories.. One day he told us, he had witnessed a rare sight in the fields near his home - a Gathering of weasels/stoats, which he told us, was said to be for a funeral " ceremony of their leader.

Aunt Phyl - Mark and I got to know her better when we lived and worked in Dublin (1957-8). Her mother, Johanna Arnalda Maria (nee JURGENS) had married Arthur WALL who was connected with the famous Birkenhead firm of Jurgens/Van den Burgh (now Unilever)
A remarkable lady - we were invited to afternoon tea, served by her two maids in black afternoon uniforms, at her large house in Ballsbridge, Dublin.

Aunt Phyl - in her younger days - was an excellent horsewoman who often competed in the world-famous Dublin Horse Show. She adored her dogs - Jack Russells, I seem to remember. After Uncle Jack died, she went to live in Tunbridge Wells to be near her elder daughter, Jane. We enjoyed visiting her in her flat - the welcome glass of sherry remembered by Mark..

The family of Uncle Jack and Aunt Phyl are:
JANE PATRICIA BARRET, b. December 24, 1930, Ireland.
JOHN ANTHONY BARRET, b. April 7, 1933, Ireland. married JEAN ELIZABETH CAMPBELL (now living in Cape Town, South Africa) They have 2 sons and 2 daughters.
SUSAN MARY BARRET, b. May 31, 1935, Ireland. married ARTHUR BARRETT
(now widowed living in Pennsylvania, USA) She has a son and daughter.
TIMOTHY JOSEPH DEIGHTON BARRET, b. April 1, 1937, Ireland.

Aunt MAUD STEPHANIE BARRET was born September 4, 1891 in Harrogate, and died February 20, 1935 in Malton.Yorkshire. She had married SYDNEY DANIEL HANCOX. in Harrogate of April 27th 1922. He was a Bank Manager in Malton.

I have beautiful photographs of Aunt Maud as a young girl with my mother - they have a striking resemblance with the long curly hair and white pin-tucked dresses. My mother spoke of her love for this sister and the sadness when Maud died, so young, aged only 44 years. They shared a bedroom and attended dancing classes at The Majestic Hotel, Harrogate. Maud was always described as the beauty of the family.

Maud Stephanie Barret

I have a photograph of our families together on a beach somewhere - probably Scarborough or Filey.

The family of Maud and Sydney are:
VALERIE HANCOX, b. February 6, 1926, Malton, she married D McDOWELL (now living in Australia)
NORMA BARRET HANCOX, b. May 21, 1928, Malton. She married Derek P WILKINSON (now living in Canada)
ERIC HANCOX, b. September 4, 1931, Malton.

My mother, DORIS MARY BARRET, was born December 11, 1895 in Pool in Wharfedale. Yorkshire, and died September 27, 1972 in Bradford. She married Captain TOM RICHMOND son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Richmond of Oldcoates Manor, Notts. He was born October 13, 1889 in Manchester, and died 1961 in Hayton, Brampton, Cumberland. They are buried in Hayton Churchyard.

Doris Mary RICHMOND nee BARRET

They were most wonderful people and remain a constant example to me even all these years after their deaths. I remember their courage in adversity, encouragement of their children, good humour, high standards and belief in families. They had many sadnesses but survived - " Better luck next time Tom" was a sentence familiar to their three (now elderly) children!

My Mother Doris Mary RICHMOND, Hugh and Roma

This story has been written by me in February 2003 - ROMA CHRISTINE ANDREW nee RICHMOND, b.July 12,1925, HeadonManor, Retford, Nottinghamshire.
As a tribute to my late parents and my brother and sister;-
HUGH DEIGHTON RICHMOND, b. November 28, 1923, Headon Manor. Retford. Nottinghamshire. who married Mary JENKINS has
two daughters, and two grandsons.

GILLIAN MAUDE RICHMOND, b. April 2, 1933, Yew Tree House, Ack Lane, Cheadle Hulme, Cheshire, married David RAMSAY ( Divorced ) and has three step-children.

ALSO - and special to me must be my husband of 46 years Mark ANDREW whom I met and married in Uganda. East Africa, without whose painstaking work and detailed knowledge of Record Offices and Census forms, none of this could be founded on accurate research.

And my beloved children -
William Edward ANDREW born 19 March 1958 in London who was killed in a tragic motor accident in June 1982. ( no issue )
Sara Gilly ANDREW, born at the Kariba Hospital, Southern Rhodesia, on 19 January 1960 who was married and is now divorced. She has a wonderful son, our only grandchild William Daniel DAGAN born in Los Angeles USA on November 14th 1987.


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