On the Trail of Frederick Dunston, Esq., Ewelme
With Florida-based philatelist Barry West shortly to arrive and eager to 're-deliver' the 119 year old letter addressed to Frederick Dunston, the search for the house occupied by the family between 1882 and 1889 stepped up. Barry has already visited Donhead St Mary, the birthplace of Dunston and to where the family moved and stayed after their sojourn in Ewelme. He has sent us photographs of the large family home, Burlton House, a stained glass window in the local church dedicated to the Dunstons, and a brass memorial to a Ewelme-born son who died young in 1901.
As indicated in the write up in the Feb/March News, with the help of many keen researchers it has been possible to put flesh on the Dunston bones, and only the identification of the Ewelme house was missing. As the Dunstons missed the 1881 and 1891 Ewelme census points we tried another avenue, and knowing Dunston's profession to be in the Law we contacted the Law Society's Library. Their research produced no other address but 'Ewelme' but did include further personal information about him. Dunston was educated at Marlborough College and then went up to Wadham College Oxford, became a Law student at Lincoln's Inn and was called to the bar in 1879, the year after he married Louisa Gwatkin, herself a barrister's daughter.
The Benson Librarian helpfully suggested contacting Oxford Central Library for the Electoral Rolls for the period. Unfortunately, their records for the time were incomplete and they advised asking The British Library. Their records again showed no house name, but Dunston was recorded as being a 'freeholder of premises with coach house, stabling and gardens, near the church.' So large a property - near the church narrowed the field down considerably. We examined the 1881 and 1891 Census Returns and found that although only relatively few properties were named, it was possible to retrace the steps of the enumerators using the named ones as reference points, and then to dismiss the unnamed properties occupied by agricultural workers and artisans. Of the 1881 possibilities, The [Old] Rectory was predictably occupied by Rector Walford, Hill House by Robert Franklin and Levers Farm [Church Farm House] by Mr Barcombe. (Large properties checked but not considered to be 'near the church' was the present White House with Helen Franklin and daughter, and The Mount - Edward and Mrs Glanville).
However, in April 1881 an unnamed house in the probable vicinity stood out like a beacon - being occupied by an elderly and ailing widower. Edward Rudge, (his profession was given as 'Dividends & Interest of Money') lived with three of his daughters, two nurses, a cook and a housemaid. Mr Rudge died aged 79 two months after the Census on June 30th 1881, leaving the property available to be sold to Dunston in 1882.
By process of elimination therefore, it seems that the Dunston's Ewelme home can be none other than the present Saffron House.
To find the identifying buildings mentioned, we looked at an old map of 1878 which shows the house footprint and outbuildings almost as they are now, apart from a small square building at the bottom of the garden, and a drive exiting onto Parson’s Lane where now exists The Courtyard. Catherine Hare, the owner from 1966 to 1996 confirmed the existence of the coach house, now converted. Further confirmation came from Carole Knowles Allen and her brother Eric, evacuees who lived in Saffron Cottage during the war. They remembered playing in the coach house with some horse drawn vehicles still inside.
So we are satisfied we have followed the Dunston Trail to its completion. It has been a rewarding journey to momentarily ‘bring to life’ members of a vanished family who lived here for only 7 short years in another age. We thank the professional and amateur researchers for their assistance, and are grateful that the three official archives kindly waived their research fees. Maybe the Deeds would give 100% confirmation one day. However, when Barry West visits Ewelme at the end of May, it is to the old front door of Saffron House that he will be taken - to complete the Dunston circle by 're-posting' the letter written in London April 26th 1888 by Alice Dunston to her brother in law!
In the last issue of the News it was rewarding to read David Winfield’s appreciation of Rector Garner’s speech to the Ewelme Scholars available on audio-CD. The Winfields have reason to be proud of their ancient links with the Chaucer’s and de la Poles. The Archive recently acquired a copy of the October 2001 edition of Family History Monthly which featured the Battle of Agincourt 1415. Among those who followed King Henry V’s banner included Thomas Chaucer and William Wynfield [sic].
Stop Press – the Village Video has just been professionally transferred to DVD and full details will follow in the next News.
Caroline 'Corrie' Hurst - On a sad note, Derek Robinson wrote to say that Mrs Hurst died aged 88 on 19th February. Derek remembers that Corrie was a particularly helpful lady and he is sure that many villagers will remember her and her late husband Bob when they lived in Green Lane.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society will be held on Wednesday, 6th June at 8 pm in the Reading Room. As our committee is getting a bit thin on the ground, and the same willing ‘horses’ are asked to serve each year, we would really appreciate some volunteers to come forward and offer their support.
Carol Sawbridge - for the Ewelme Society