The ISTEDs of Ecton
By Bruce Isted (September 2007)
Introduction
As part of my one name study on ISTED and variants, I was interested to learn about the ISTEDs of Ecton in the
I will begin this paper by briefly covering the ISTEDs of Ecton ancestry in family groups starting with the pre Ecton links (ie pre-1712 which covers three generations). Then I will mention the four generations of ISTEDs that settled at Ecton with emphasis still on the direct line, rather than siblings, unless of course there is something of interest. Where possible I have listed the families in chronological order and state when/where born, married, died, any probates, any issue. To keep things simple I have in most cases only stated a year of birth, marriage, death but I do have several baptisms/christenings and burial records so I can give fuller dates if you contact me by email; or you may find a link to a more detailed family tree here (as a downloadable pdf file).
This paper is heavily based on “genealogical references” as you will see within each family group. It is not intended to give readers an in-depth study on the times and places and conditions they lived in. I leave that up to others who perhaps wish to further their interests in these matters. However, near the end of the paper is a section on Ecton parish and Ecton Hall; plus I show a few photographs from my visit to this place in September 1989. While searching online I came across a very interesting website that provides some useful background history (including ISTED info) along with images of Ecton village, etc: www.ectonvillage.co.uk . So to save too much duplication and copyright issues it is easier for you to go straight to the website to get more info. I have to confess that in many cases I have not rechecked all original references, nor done complete searches in various record offices/archives, so there are bound to be errors &/or omissions. For those that have an interest in the ISTEDs of Ecton, you may wish to follow-up some of the many references listed.
Please note: that transcriptions and/or quotes from a document/publication, are usually in keeping with original – ie same spelling, punctuation, etc. However as it is common practice to use uppercase for surnames, I have in most cases adopted this method. An asterisk “*” denotes I have sighted and/or have a copy of the document or record. Text in [square brackets] usually contains the actual reference number if known. Text in {braces} are usually my additional comments &/or explanation which in many cases helps to identify the person. A dotted line and question mark “…?..” denotes word(s) unable to decipher/transcribe.
Background
This ISTED branch (covering seven generations) became wealthy, l argely through the practice of the law, and members of the gentry in Northamptonshire through acquiring the Manor of Ecton Hall. The last ISTED of Ecton was Ambrose - born 1797 Ecton, died 1881 Ecton. Going back seven generations we come to Ambrose’s 4x paternal great-grandfather, Thomas ISTED who was baptised on
Family of Thomas ISTED (1577-1649) & Elizabeth TWINE (c1570s?-1654) married c1604? place unknown:
1 Richard ISTED, born 1605
2 Elizabeth ISTED, bc1607 Framfield; m1627 Lewes to Robert MILLS; dc1654+. Had issue.
3 Thomas ISTED, 1617 Framfield; mc1650? Lewes? to Elizabeth OLIVER; d1662
Had issue: 1 son, 1 daughter.
Not much is known about Thomas & Elizabeth ISTED and family. But I do have record of his interesting probate which is transcribed below plus a couple of references to other members of the family.
The Will of Thomas ISTED, gentleman of
‘In the name of God Amen. I Thomas ISTED of Hastings in the County of Sussex and being praised by God of sound mind and perfect memories do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following “viz. Imprimis” I commend my soul into the hands of my merciful redeemer and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to the earth from whence it came to be (in sure and certain hope of a glorious resurrection into eternal life) decently buried at the discretion of my wife and overseer hereafter nominated. Item I give unto the poor of the Parish of Saint Clement twenty shillings. Item my will and testament is that Elizabeth my wife have possession and usage all my goods, chattels and personal effects whatsoever during her natural life and after the decease of the said Elizabeth my loving wife my will and testament that Thomas ISTED my Son shall have possession and usage all those my said goods chattels and personal effects whatsoever to him and his heirs forever and also my mind and will is that my said son Thomas have the bringing up duration?, keeping and tuition of Margaret SAXBY? during her natural life. Item I give unto my said son Thomas my grey mare to have and enjoy. immediately after my decease. Item I give unto Richard my eldest son the sum of twenty shillings to buy him a ring to be paid him within three months after my decease and to everyone of the children of the said Richard which shall be living at the time of my decease I will and bequeath the sum of ten shillings a piece to be paid unto them when they shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years. Item I give unto Elizabeth MILLS the wife of Robert MILLS my daughter the sum of five pounds to be paid unto her within one twelve month after my decease and to everyone of the children of the said Robert & Elizabeth which shall be living at the time of my decease I will and bequeath the sum of twenty shillings to be paid unto them when they shall accomplish the age on one and twenty years. And after I make Thomas the second son of Robert MILLS the sole and lawful Executor of this my last will and testament unto whom I will and bequeath the sum of ten pounds to be paid unto him when he shall accomplish the age of one and twenty years. All which my said legacies bequeathed my will and testament so that Elizabeth my wife shall satisfy content and payout of these my goods and chattels and personal effects unto my respective children and grandchildren if she be living as they shall ...?..... and ....?.... to be ...?... unto them and if it shall happen the said
{NB I am unable to decipher the Probate Proved paragraph as it appears to be mostly in Latin.}
Memorials of Old Lewes -
‘Beyond the railway bridge is one of the most delightful buildings in High Street which has been widely illustrated in books on architecture. It is Dial House, a stone-faced building now divided into two, which derives its name from the sundial in its pediment with the motto of the ISTED family “Nosce Teipsum”. In the 17th century it belonged to the OLIVER’s who intermarried with the ISTED’s, but its present character is 18th century.’
[Sussex Archaeological Collection Volume 93 page 32 & 33*]
{see ISTED website paper/link “ISTED Coat of Arms” for picture of the sundial & motto.}
Abstracts of
Mostly Richard, Thos & Samuel ISTED of Lewes. Many were witnesses in Deeds, Mortgages, etc. [Sussex Records Society : Vol 29 pages 66, 67, 170, 171*]
Family of Richard ISTED (1605-1654) & Anne GOODWIN/GOODWYN (c1605-1662) married 1631 Dorking,
1 Henry b1631/2 Framfield; unmarried; dc1632/3 Framfield.
2 Charles b1631/2 Framfield; unm; dc1632/3 Framfield.
3 Richard b1634 Framfield; unm; d1696 Lewes. Made Probate. No Issue.
4 Anne bc1637 Framfield; unm; d1700/1 Waldron. Made Probate.
5
6 Thomas b 1641 Lewes; unm; d1641-51? Lewes?
7 Ambrose b1642 Lewes; mc1675
8 Samuel b1643/4 Lewes; 1674
9 Anthony b1644/5 Lewes; possibly died in infancy?
10
11 John b1647 Lewes; d1647 Lewes.
12 Charles b1648 Lewes; d1648? Lewes.
13 Mary b1650 Lewes; d1657 Lewes.
14 Thomas b1651 Lewes; m1693 Wartling to Elizabeth TRAYTON; d1718 Lewes. No issue. Made Probate.
15 Edward b1652 Lewes; unm; d1701+.
16 Jane b1654 Lewes; m c1677
Not much is known about Richard/Anne ISTED and family other than what I have listed above plus a few references below. Both Richard and Anne made probates and I have transcribed them but have not added them to this paper as the emphasis is on the families that settled at Ecton.
Richard ISTED, gent of St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, bachelor, 25 and Anne GOODWIN, spinster, age 20, daughter of Edward GOODWIN, gent of Dorking, Surrey who consents at St Antholin or St Thomas-the-Apostle on 26 Sep 1631 at Bishop of London’s Office.
[
It is possible but not proven that Richard ISTED (1605-1654) was one of the first ISTEDs to bear the official ISTED Coat of Arms {see Coat of Arms paper on the ISTED family history website}.
There are 2 interesting references in an article titled, Memorials of Old Lewes -
i) ‘...There is no further notice of this property in the Court Books until 1739, when Elizabeth ISTED held the “Turk’s Head” on School Hill.’ [ Sussex Archaeological Collection Vol 13 p38*]
{possibly Elizabeth ISTED nee TRAYTON widow of Thomas ISTED}
ii) ‘Among persons appointed in 1667, feoffes of the Broken Church, there are the following gentleman, some if not all of whom had at that time residences in Lewes: …. {among list of 11 names was} Richard ISTED, gent.’ {1634-1696} [Sussex Archaeological Collection Vol 13 p42*]
Middlesex Calendar Sessions Books 1689-1709
‘Appointment of Ambrose ISTED of St James’s, Clerkenwell, Esquire, as treasurer for the maimed soldiers within the hundreds of Ossulston,
Manor Court Records [Aber & Abe (for Abergavenny) held in ESRO]
Minutes
{NB Mr ISTED most likely Richard ISTED b1634 Framfield son of Richard/Anne; Thomas ISTED b1651 Lewes son of Richard/Anne}.
Family of Ambrose ISTED (1642-1692) & Sarah FELTHAM (c1656-1740) married c1675
1 Thomas b1677
2 Richard b-d c1679
3 Sarah b-d c1681
4 Anne b1683
5 Richard b-d c1685
6 Sarah b-d c1687
7 Ambrose b-d c1689
Not much is known about Ambrose & Sarah ISTED and family. It is not known exactly when and why Ambrose moved from
A2A Archives lists at least five files on Ambrose ISTED:
1 Bargain and
2 Counterpart of the last Deed 22 Jan 1670 [SAS/PN/652]
3 Fine 1670 [SAS/PN/654]
4 Lease for a year,
5 Release
‘ … between the same parties by way of Mortgage – for £150 – of the messuage and premises described in Lease for a year. The mortgage money to be paid at the dwelling house of Ambrose ISTED, citizen and stationer of London, in Fleet Street known by the sign of Golden Anchor.’
References in Northamptonshire Record Office (NRO) on Ann(e) ISTED {b1682 d/o Ambrose/Sarah d1763}:
Ann ISTED of Ecton – spinster 1734 [BH (K) 294]
Ann ISTED of Ecton – died 1763 copy of MI in
Family of Thomas ISTED (1677-1731) & Anne ROSE (1684-1723) married 1703 Paddington,
1
2 Sarah b1705 Clerkenwell; m1734 Ely, Cambridgeshire to Charles STURGESS (Rector of Orlingbury). Issue not known.
3 Anne b1707 Holborn,
4 Anne b1714 Ecton, Northamptonshire; unm; d1722/3 Ecton.
5 Mary b1716 Ecton; unm; d1797
6 Ambrose b1717/8 Ecton; m1746 Lathbury, Buckinghamshire to Anne BUCK; d1781 Ecton. Made Probate. Issue of 10 – see next family group.
7 Philippa b1719 Ecton; unm; d1778 Ecton. Made Probate.
8
There are many records on Thomas ISTED and family. He obviously was well educated and had money and still owned land/property in
A Fellow of the Royal Society is only accorded to eminent scientists. The members elect a limited number of new members every year, from nominations proposed by members. Most of these are from the Commonwealth but some places are specifically reserved for the rest of the world. It is full of scientific Nobel Prize winners, and probably after the Nobel prize, election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society is regarded as the highest scientific honour. The Royal Society was founded in 1660 by Christopher WREN (1632-1723) and a few of his friends who before that used to meet in a coffee house to discuss scientific issues. Of course, in the early days of the Society, when Thomas ISTED was a member (and probably even when his grandson, George ISTED was a member) it was more like a gentleman’s club for those interested in science. It is quite possible that Thomas could have rubbed shoulders with the greatest scientific genius of his day, if not all time – Sir Isaac NEWTON (1643-1728) who was a member of the Royal Society at the same time as him. It is also interesting to note that one of the proposers was a person of some distinction. Samuel PEPYS (1633-1703) was an extremely famous diarist and Secretary to the Admiralty. It is quite possible that Thomas and Samuel were friends. However it could be that theirs was more of a professional relationship. PEPYS was put on trial on a couple of occasions towards the end of his life and could have faced the death penalty. He, therefore, would have needed a good lawyer and perhaps it was Thomas? The other proposer was Sir Hans SLOANE (1660-1753) – he was not as famous as PEPYS but in his long life he was a noted physician, scientist and collector (of plants, animals, antiquities, coins and other objects). He also discovered cocoa which he used to make milk chocolate while he was living for a brief time in
The Royal Society records –
Authority Entry: ISTED Thomas (1677-1731)
Surname: ISTED
Forenames: Thomas
Dates: 1677-1731
Nationality: British/English
Dates & Places: Birth
Address: St John's Square, Clerkenwell, Middlesex; Ecton, Northamptonshire; Brick Court, near the
Activity: Profession: Barrister, Virtuoso Education:
Career: Called to the Bar (1702).
RS Activity: Membership: Fellow; Election Date:
Proposers: Samuel PEPYS; Sir Hans SLOANE.
Relationships: Son of Ambrose ISTED of the parish of St Dunstan in the West, London; Thomas ISTED married Anne ROSE, daughter of Mrs SLOANE of St Giles-in-the-Fields, and step-daughter of Sir Hans SLOANE (FRS 1685).
Source: Bulloch’s Roll; HUNTER; FOSTER; MT
Code: NA7769.
Marriage of Thomas ISTED recorded in [London Marriage Licences & Allegations 1521-1869] -
‘Thomas ISTED of the Middle Temple, Esquire, bachelor, 25 and Anne ROSE of St Giles in the Fields, Middlesex, spinster, 19, daughter of Mrs SLOANE wife of Dr SLOANE who consents at St Giles aforesaid 19 July 1703 at Faculty Office of Archbishop of Canterbury.’
The above marriage licence does not mention her father, but further research shows she was born in 1684 possibly at
The ISTED, ROSE & FULLER families had large plantations (sugar) in
‘The impact of Government demand for ordnance undoubtedly laid a substantial basis for the improved fortunes of the family. These further benefited from the marriage in 1703 of John FULLER (1680-1745) heir to the FULLER estates, to Elizabeth ROSE (1681-1728) daughter of Dr Fulke ROSE, a merchant and landowner of
{another passage further down in article} -
‘For the ISTED family; B.L. SLOANE [MSS RF15/25]. There were three daughters from the FULKE-ROSE & Elizabeth LANGLEY marriage, one of whom, Anne married Thomas ISTED (1677-1731). Anne and Elizabeth shared the “Penn” estate in
In the article “The Fuller Letters, Guns, Slaves & Finance 1728-1753” by David CROSSLEY & Richard SAVILLE, there are several references to the ISTED name. In particular there is document in the Letter Book with Mr CROSSE’s estimate of the Jamaican estate of Thomas ISTED (John FULLER’s brother-in-law) including valuations of slaves in 1731/2. He valued the estate at £7,573. Thomas also had half share of John FULLER’s estate which was valued at £2,241. Also of interest is a page on the Pedigree of FULLER family 1590-1800s. This shows Thomas ISTED married Anne ROSE 1703. [Sussex Record Society Volume 76, page 53*]
Thomas ISTED (1677-1731) who was a great-grandson of Thomas ISTED (1577-1649) increased the families wealth and moved away from
References in Northamptonshire Record Office on Thomas ISTED {b1677 d1731} & family:
Thomas ISTED of Ecton Esq – Marriage Settlement etc 1716-1725 [W7 435-444]
Thomas ISTED of Ecton Esq – quit claim 1721 [W7 404]
Thomas ISTED – Election 1722 [NPL 142]
Thomas ISTEAD of Ecton – marriage settlement 1725 [YZ 6773]
Illuminated ISTED Pedigree dated 1725/6 showing many quartered arms and shows Welsh ancestry of the MIDDELTON family (ancestors of Anne ISTED nee ROSE – she married Thomas ISTED 1703). {The ISTED Pedigree only goes back to John ISTED of
Thomas ISTED of Ecton – Executorship 1731 [BH (K) 293-5]
Elizabeth ISTED – 1731 [BH (K) 293] {
Sarah ISTED – 1731 [BH (K) 293] {Sarah b1706 dau of Thomas/Anne nee ROSE, d1758}
Mary ISTED – 1737 [BH (K) 395] {b1716 d/o Thomas/Anne nee ROSE, d1797}
Philippa ISTED – 1745 [MC18483, 646x9] {b1719 dau of Thomas/Anne nee ROSE, d1778}
The following is to be found on the A2A archives website –
DRURY of
Creator(s): LOTHIAN family of Blickling,
‘ Letters to Sir Thomas DRURY bart., M.P., at Queen Square, London, and at Overstone, Northants., mainly on financial matters and public and City affairs inc. the change of Ministry but also inc. a letter from his mother Joyce DRURY at Colne and letters from his bailiff John OWEN there on estate matters and reporting on his bladder complaints in great detail. There is much on the '45 Rebellion and the raising of volunteer forces in response. Other correspondence include - Champion BRANFILL, Upminster and
{also see the 1745 letter from Philippa’s brother, Ambrose ISTED re Jacobites}
The Jacobites (the faction seeking the restoration of the Stuart monarchs) rose in rebellion again in 1745, which after some initial success was put down at the Battle of Culloden, by the Royal Army which included many Scottish Lowland Regiments and
Family of Ambrose ISTED (1717-1781) & Anne BUCK (1720-1800) married 1746 Lathbury, Buckinghamshire:
1 Thomas b1747 Ecton; d1749 Ecton.
2 Samuel b1750 Ecton; m1795 St George Hanover Square MDX to Barbara PERCY; d1827 Ecton. Made Probate. Issue of 1 – see next & last family group.
3 Anne b1751 Ecton; m1792
4 Harriet b1752 Ecton; unm; d1809
5 George b1754 Ecton; unm; d1821
6 Rose-Sarah b1756 Ecton; unm; d1842
7
8 Mary b1759 Ecton; m1780 Ecton to William SOTHEBY (Esq Stewardstone, Essex); d1834 Ecton. Had issue – heirs of Ecton Hall after Mary’s nephew, Ambrose died in 1881.
{NB The SOTHEBY’s are not apparently linked to the famous auctioneers of the same name.}
9 Charles b-d 1761 Ecton.
10 Hester b-d1762 Ecton.
Out of all the ISTEDs of Ecton it was Ambrose (1717-1781) that developed the estate the most by buying land nearby and rebuilding parts of Ecton Hall and building new farmhouses (lodge farms), developed the gardens and created a landscape park on the estate. The 1759 Inclosure Acts certainly helped Ambrose achieve his ambitions. He offered land in Little End near The World’s End (located at the entrance of the village near the A4500) in exchange for property in Little Ecton (towards the south-east of Ecton). This certainly helped to extend his park. Probably before 1745, Ambrose petitioned in the Court of Chancery for permission to close the road (Church Street) which ran in front of his house and the top end of Middle Street and East Street in Little Ecton. His petition was granted so long as he made alternative access; this resulted in a new road and footpath. He also built a Gazebo which was oval shaped, in a classical design and supported on Tuscan pillars with an outside staircase leading up to a room. A suitable place for either a picnic or cup of tea. Sadly Ambrose suffered from an illness which caused him intense pain for many years and was only endured by taking quantities of laudanum. Laudanum is a mixture of alcohol and opium and is highly addictive, requiring ever increasing doses to get the same effect. It was both a medicinal and a recreational drug during this period.
In the A2A archives website there are three interesting references to Ambrose ISTED (1717-1781):
i) Additional Manuscripts; Catalogue X, Catalogue Ref. AMSX; Creator(s):East Sussex Record Office, Lewes; Copies of wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, the Principal Registry and other out-county probate jurisdictions. File - Will of Thomas ISTED of Ecton in Northamptonshire, esq – [ref. AMS6326/122] date 1730-1732; (from Scope and Content) -
‘.. Son Ambrose ISTED to continue at Fulham School until 16 then to the university of Leyden in Holland for four years to master French and other modern languages, literature and the civil law, then to return to be placed in chambers in the Middle Temple to be not 'only a student but a practitioner of the common law'; estate in Jamaica and America; manor of Hampden in Smarden, Kent; messuage and land in Smarden occupied by John JELL; messuage and stable in St John Clerkenwell occupied by Mary WARNER, widow; messuage in two with two closes in East Tilbury, Essex, occupied by [blank] Bury; land in Ecton, Church Brampton, Chapel Brampton and Doddington Magna, Northamptonshire; 14 Aug 1730, undated codicil; affidavits concerning the authenticity of the codicil by Richard LECHMERE of St Swithun, citizen and salter of London, 5 Nov 1731, and Samuel BAXTER of St Clement Dane, coffee-man, 11 Jan 1732; proved 1 Feb 1732.’
ii) Additional Manuscripts; Catalogue N, Catalogue Ref. AMSN; Creator(s): East Sussex Record Office, Lewes. File – Deeds of 6 Little East Street All Saints Lewes (SX 124854) [ref. AMS5857/1] - date: 1793-1970 (from Scope and Content) ‘... by his {Samuel ISTED 1675-1745} will of 20 Apr 1745 proved in PCC on 14 Nov, ISTED left the house in which he lived with a stable and land to his cousin, Ambrose ISTED of Ecton, Northants, Esq, who sold the property to the occupier William DURRANT, mercer on 23 & 24 Jun 1748...’
iii) LOTHIAN of Bickling (additional); Catalogue Ref. MC 184; Creator(s): KERR family, Marquesses of LOTHIAN; DRURY of London and Overstone, Northants. File - Letters – [ref. MC 184/8/4, 646 x 9] - date: 1746-1747 (from Scope and Content) ‘ Letters to Sir Thomas DRURY on subjects as last and also on parliamentary elections, cattle plague and other justice's business and with news from abroad especially on the course of the war and re the crushing of the '45 Rebellion. Correspondents include Charles BRANFILL, Essex County election, foreign news, small pox; Henry FOX, asking him to attend the Commons; Chauncy TOWNSEND, funeral of 'Tome', parliamentary debate, change of ministry; Ambrose ISTED, cattle plague, justice business; Robert DRURY jun. a protege and apprentice surgeon; Rev. Charles BEAUMONT, Witnesham and Ipswich, a friend; William CUSTANCE, DRURY's Somersham bailiff.’
Jacobitism – Magistrates meeting at Northampton , manuscript dated
[NRO: MC184/8/3//48, 646x9] -
‘To Sr. Thos. DRURY Bart. / at / Overstone
Sir, Ecton, Friday Eveng. 7 o’ clock My Bro: STURGES tells me / that you are so kind as to intend calling / upon me tomorrow Morning at ten / o’ clock that we may go together to / Northampton in order to see what / Business there may be for us as / County Magistrates at this Critical / juncture. The End of my troubling you / with this is, as it may be very pro: / :bable that that Business may require / a more early attendance, to beg that if / it be not too early for you I may have / the pleasure of your Company at Break- / -fast by nine o’ clock; or if it be *too early* that / I may find you at Northampton soon / after ten. My Complim[en]ts. & those / of all our family attend you & yours. I am Sr. Your obed[ien]t serv[an]t A: ISTED.’
In the book, Portrait of Northamptonshire by Peter Gorham WEBB, 1977 [page 37*] it states -
‘Ecton possess two large houses. The Hall, which has been described as the “foremost example of Early Gothic Revival in the county” was begun in 1756. It is an imposing house in spite, or perhaps because, of its curious mixture of styles: the porch, at least, is purely Gothic for it has an ogee head and shafted niches covered with miniature rib-vaults. Ambrose ISTED who built the place, was a classical scholar whose interests are reflected in the medallion ornament of the entrance hall. Sadly the house is now empty and in danger of becoming derelict.’
“Memoirs of the late Richard
i) ‘Among his best friends at this period may be ranked Ambrose ISTED, Esq. of Ecton, who was invariably kind, indulgent, and affectionate to him.’ [Gents Magazine 1811 page 595*]
ii) ‘Though Mr ISTED’s estate was not large, yet by the process of enclosure, and above all by his prudent and well-ordered management, it was augmented without extortion and left in excellent condition to his son and heir.’
[Extracts from Mr CUMBERLAND’s Memoirs quoted on page 40 in The History and Antiquities of Ecton, by John COLE, 1825]
References in Northamptonshire Record Office on Ambrose ISTED {b1717 d1781}:
A ‘birds eye view’ of the Hall and gardens in the 1730s or 1740s drawn for Ambrose ISTED who inherited the estate in 1727, by J FULLER [Map 2162]
Plan of part of the estate of Ambrose ISTED Esq in Ecton, by Mr RICHMOND; not dated but thought to be 18th century (between 1759-1781; before map 2119). [Map 2120*]
Plan of an estate in Ecton lordship belonging to Ambrose ISTED Esq by John COLLIS; not dated but thought to be c1759. [Map 2121*]
Ambrose ISTED - farmer tenant of property in Great Doddington, 1767 [ZB 937/22]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq - 1734 [BH (K) 116], 1760 [BH (K) 412], 1767 [BH (K) 94],
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – lease in Earls Barton 1741 [YZ 3259]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – Day Book re foundations of the Bow at east end laid
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – Trustee 1759-1772 [ZA 2167]
Ambrose ISTED – 1762 [YZ 1287]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – Deed Walgrave 1764 [YZ 1554]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq - executor & trustee of Gabriel GUILLAN of Wellingborough 1764-66 [ZB 104/5-7]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – Deeds re Wodhall, White Lyon, Abington Street,
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton – Estate papers 1778-1882 + Will [FS 19/1-52]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – 1774 [03886]
Ambrose ISTED – settlement of Ecton 1778 [FS 19/43]
Ambrose ISTED the late of Ecton Esq – Assignment 1781 [G (H) 519]
Ambrose ISTED Esq – before 1789 owner of messuage in the East or upper end of Abington Street,
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton Esq – died 1781 aged 64, eulogy to the memory of, by William .?.. of Moulton, 1818 [ZB 215/1].
References in Northamptonshire Record Office on Ann(e) ISTED nee BUCK {b1720 m1746 to Ambrose ISTED d1800}
Ann ISTED – before 1789 inhabited house in the East or Upper End of Abington Street, Northampton [YZ 976]
Anne ISTED – formerly lived Abington Street ,
Anne ISTED – re an abstract of her will [FS 19/46] & her will [FS 19/44].
References in NRO on issue of Ambrose/Anne:
Palmers Index to The Times Newspaper 1790+ ; website: http://history.chadwyck.co.uk/noframes19/
[
{refers to Ann b1751 d/o Ambrose/Anne of Ecton}
Reference in NRO on George ISTED {b1754 d1821}
George ISTED – appointed 1797 agent for
A Fellow of The Royal Society:
Authority Entry: ISTED George ( - 1821)
Dates: -1821 {1754-1821}
Nationality: British/English
Dates & Places: Death:
Address: Ecton, Northamptonshire
Activity: Profession: Barrister, Career: Admitted at
RS Activity: Membership: Fellow; Election Date:
Citation: George Isted Esqr of the Temple Barrister at Law a Gentleman well versed in natural knowledge being desirous of becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society we whose Names are hereunto subscribed do of our personal knowledge recommend him as worthy of that Honor & likely to become an useful & valuable member.
Proposers: Arden; Jos Windham; Wm Marsden; L Dutens; Spencer; C S Lefevre; John Hunter; R Aldersey; Leicester; G Wilson; Craven Ord; Henry C Englefield; Benj Way; P Peirson
Relationships: Second son of Ambrose ISTED, Master of the Bench,
Source: Bulloch’s Roll
Code: NA5230.
Reminiscences of a Literary Life by Thomas Frognall DIBIN, 1836, pages 368-9 -
‘Amongst the guests was my very special friend, the late George ISTED, Esq who once had the temerity to dispute with me the parentage of the Club. Mr George ISTED was originally a bencher of the
PIGOTS & Co Directory of Bath, Somersetshire 1844 from website www.historicaldirectories.org/
ISTED Mrs Rose, 15 Catherine Place {ie Rose Sarah ISTED b1756 Ecton NTH d/o Ambrose/Anne nee BUCK; why was she listed as “Mrs” when she died a spinster in 1842! Could this record be another Rose ISTED?}
Family of Samuel ISTED (1750-1827) & Barbara PERCY (c1761-1834) married 1795 St George Hanover Square, Middlesex:
1 Ambrose ISTED b1797 Ecton, married 2x (1832 & 1853), d1881 Ecton. Made probate, no issue.
Samuel continued some of the work his father did in expanding and beautifying the estate.
‘The elegant
In another passage of text is written -
‘attached to the house are flower gardens, plantations, and grounds otherwise diversified by ornament, and laid out in a style worthy of the tastes of BROWN.’
[page 31 & 42, The History and Antiquities of Ecton, by John COLE, 1825]
Samuel bought many valuable and rare books for the library in Ecton Hall. The large billiard room had the ISTED family arms carved over the fireplace with the motto, “Nosce Teipsum” - “Know Thyself”. He was known to be a keen huntsman (as was his son, Ambrose). It is not until the latter part of Samuel’s life that he appears in various records (mainly Military) some of these are mentioned below.
I don’t know whether there were any ISTEDs who took part in the American War of Independence (1776-1782), or any other of the wars at the time (stop/start wars against the French). However, I discovered the following reference in the National Archives & A2A Archives website to a Captain ISTED. He could have been a Royal Navy Captain, although I suspect he was probably in the Army. I also suspect that he was one of the Ecton ISTEDs - probably Samuel ISTED 1750-1827; or his brother George ISTED 1754-1821.
Catalogue Ref. Th; Creator(s): THORNTON of Brockhall, Northamptonshire. File [no title] - ref. [ Th 2774] - date:
‘Has met in London Mr. & Mrs. COCKAYNE, Mr. & Mrs. MAUNSELL, Capt, ISTED, Capt. Supple, Henry SAWBRIDGE, etc.’
The National Archives,
‘Petition to the King from the 3 Deputy Lieutenants of Northamptonshire seeking confirmation of their decision to promote Captain Samuel ISTED to be major of the Northamptonshire Militia on the resignation of Major Grey HESILRIGE.’
There is also record of a Major Samuel ISTED (1750-1827) corresponding with William PITT the younger, who was Prime Minister (1783-1801 and 1806). I don’t know when he wrote to William PITT, but it would have been from mid-1794 to early 1800s. [PRO 30/8/147]
‘ Letters to William PITT jun., from: HUDDART, Jos. jun., HUISON, Belton, HUISON, R., HUGGINS, Thomas, Hughes, Sir Edward, HUGHES, Rev. Edward, HUGHES, HUGH, Hull, Burgesses of., HUME, James (Custom House) (17) HUNTER, Anne, HUNTER, Lieutenant Ja:, HUNTER, J., (Tax Office) HUNTER, John, HUNTER, Capt. Martin, HUNTER, Robert, (2) HUNTER, Robert Edward, HUNTER, T., HUNTER, William, HUNTINGFORD, J., (2) Huntley, Marquis of, (George GORDON) son of the 4th Duke of GORDON, (2) HUNTON, Samuel, HURST, John, HURST, Tim., HUSKISSON, William, (16) HUSSEY, Rev. William, (3) HUTCHIN, John, HUTCHINSON, Mrs Albertena, (2) HUTCHINSON, Miss A.A., (2) HUTCHINSON, George, HUTCHINSON, William, HYDE, William, (2) I'ANSON, William Ilchester, 2nd Earl of (Hen. Thos. Fox Strangways) IMPEY, Sir Elijah, (2) Inchiquin, Earl of (Murrough O'BRYEN) (2) Infantry Officers, INGE, Edward, INGILBY, Sir John, (3) INGLEFIELD, Captain, INNES, Alexander, INNES, Col. Sir David, (4) INNES, G., IREMONGER, Joshua, IRLAND, Abbe, (3) IRVING, Lieut-Colonel P. Aemilius (2) IRVING, Thomas (Custom House) (9) IRWIN, Frances, Lady, (2) IRWIN, Thomas, ISTED, George, (2) ISTED, Major Sam., IVERNOIS, Sir F. d', (14).’
Sheep & Wool Correspondence of Sir Joseph BANKS 1781-1820 , edited by Harold CARTER (date of book unknown). Quotes a letter [No.524 & 527] on pages 246 & 247 re Samuel ISTED to BANKS on some ewes of HM George III Spanish flock of merinos dated
Letter 524 - 1793 January 4,
‘Upon looking over your Letter again, I very much doubt whether I have not been remiss in not trobling you with a Line before this, to beg you wou’d be kind enough to order the King’s Shepherd to deliver the Ewes, you have been so kind as to secure me out of his Majesty’s Spanish Flock, to any Person I shou'd appoint to receive them. Whether, I did not in my last request the favour of a line from you to say when I might send for these Ewes, when the Ram was taken from them, or whether the general Alarm that seem’d to pervade the whole Country, did not put every other Consideration out of my Head. I cannot now pretend to say; but I hope I am not too late for my Ewes.
If you will have the Goodness when you go next to
Letter 527 - 1793 February 1,
‘I return you a thousand Thanks for the trouble you have been at in procuring these fleecy treasures which I will send for immediately. You mention three which I conclude were all that cou’d be spared from the Royal Flock, the number I cou’d wish to have been more abundant, if it had so happened that I might have had a few more, without being thought to encrouch upon on the contrary perfectly thankfull, for your kindness in procuring me these Ewes of this valuable Breed.
I shall be happy, if I can under your Directions be at all instrumental in assisting your researches in the woolway: as I have several sorts of Sheep now feeding, and weighing alive monthly, and my Intention is to weigh the Fleeces of the different Sorts, and keep them accurately separate. I have my own breed, which is reckond as good as any of my Neighbours, & is of the long-wool-kind, & yield to the Butcher from 20 to 30 lb pr Quarter kill’d when Shearhogs.
2dly. the new Leicestershire of Mr BAKEWELL’s sort
3rdly South-Down
4thly
5thly Wiltshire
6thly WyWelch
7thly Scots
The Rot has taken fast hold of many of the Flocks of this Neighbourhood, but as yet I have not lost a single Sheep by this Malady, altho’ those of the Farmers all round me are continually dropping. You will be kind enough to give me Credit for the Payment of this Money, for these Ewes ‘till I come to London, and upon these occasions, is it not right to cross the hand of the Shepherd with a bit of money? if it is, may I beg the favour of you to execute that part of the commission also for me & I will repay all with Gratitude.
I am almost afraid that my Attendance upon the Militia, will oblige me to neglect my Farm a little, but as I am in great hopes that the War (if it takes place at all) will not be of long duration. I shall return with the greater Eagerness, to the cultivation of my Land and the care of my Flock. With every Apology for troubling you with so long a Letter, I beg leave to subscribe myself. ... NB Give me leave to add that I think you have procurd me the Ewes at a very cheap rate.
From ISTED, Samuel’
There is a painting of Mr ISTED {ie Samuel 1750-1827} titled “The Woburn Sheepshearing at
In 1814 (at the end of the Napoleonic War) Samuel ISTED arranged a celebration on a grand scale, at Ecton Hall, known as ‘The Festival in Honour of Peace”. Over 500 people, rich and poor attended and were treated to dinner, drinks accompanied with music and fireworks. There was also another well celebrated occasion which lasted a whole week, when son Ambrose turned 21 (1818).
References in Northamptonshire Record Office on Samuel ISTED {b1750 m1795 d1827}
Samuel ISTED of Ecton – Abstract of title 1778, release 1807, case 1813, parties of rentals 1813 [FS 19/34-36 + 43, 46, 47, 48]
Samuel ISTED – lessor Cottingham 1784 [FS 9/15] + Gt Oakley 1795 [FS 9/16]
Samuel ISTED – Trustee of County Hospital lease & release 1794 [X 6189 bundle S]
ISTED to dine 1793 [C(A) 8406]
ISTED Mr – 1793 [C(A) 8466]
Samuel ISTED of Ecton, Esq –
Samuel ISTED - mentioned as Major ISTED:
Samuel ISTED of Ecton, Esq – letter
Samuel ISTED of Ecton – extracts from settlement of moiety and Wharram – the PERCY estate (
Samuel ISTED of Ecton, Esq – 1825 [BRA 641/76, 77, 79]
Barbara ISTED – settlement 1810-12 [FS 19/36], settlement (
Barbara ISTED Collection of Thomas PERCY [GEN MSS465] - has 4 pages on the property of Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library,
website: http://www.webtext.library.yale.edu/sgml12html/beinecke.isted.sgm.html
{Barbara nee PERCY bc1761
Family of Ambrose ISTED (1797-1881) & Elizabeth Eleanor STOPFORD (1802-1851) married 1832 Barton-Seagrave, Northamptonshire & Frances Elizabeth MURRAY (1812-1899) married 1853 St George Hanover Square: No issue from both marriages.
Palmers Index to The Times Newspaper 1790+ on website: http://history.chadwyck.co.uk/noframes19/ [
Births: ISTED Mrs, of a son & heir {ie Ambrose ISTED 1797-1881 s/o Samuel/Barbara}
Ambrose ISTED first married Eleanor Elizabeth STOPFORD in 1832 at Barton-Seagrave, Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of Rev Hon. Richard Bruce STOPFORD & Hon. Eleanor POWYS. She died in 1851 at
A cousin of mine claims to have the original portrait sketch of Ambrose ISTED plus his Coat of Arms. The cousin acquired it from his father but did not know how he might have acquired it. He can recall his father referring to Ambrose as “being rich” having made his money from stationery in
References in Northamptonshire Record Office on Ambrose ISTED {b1797 d1881}:
Dairy dated 1823 of a friend of Ambrose ISTED [1288]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton –1825 [BRA 641/76, 77, 79]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton – Abstract of marriage settlement 1832 & 1858 [03791 & 03807-8]
Ambrose ISTED – re Cottingham, Northamptonshire 1840 [FS 9/8]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton – Estate papers 1778-1882 + Will 1854 [FS 19/1-52]
Ambrose ISTED – photocopies {c50 pages} of hunting sketches {by Ambrose} depicting hunting personalities & situations. [1287]. Also the A2A archives mentions, ‘copy sketch of Ambrose ISTED of a riding party at Stoneleigh Abbey, 1829.’ [DR 671/214; in LEIGH family papers].
Plan for alteration of grounds and gardens of Ambrose ISTED Esquire at Ecton, by Mr RICHMOND; no date but is suggested as being 19th century. [Map 2119]
Ambrose ISTED of Ecton – mentioned in M FORTESCUE’s Poem hunting sketches [NNe Q New Series Volume 6 page 150]
Ambrose ISTED – plan of his estate (no date) [FS 72/54]
Kellys Directory, 1847 lists Ambrose ISTED as “Lord of the Manor”.
History of the Althorpe & Pytchley Hounds by Guy PAGET 1938. Illustrated in this book is a Screen at Ecton c1850 painted by Ambrose ISTED depicting 8 panels of hunting scenes*.
The ISTEDs of Ecton were members of the Pytchley Hounds at Brixworth – 5miles nw of Ecton. Northamptonshire had long been one of the chief centres of hunting in
Ambrose ISTED is recorded in the following UK Census Records:
a) 1841 Census parish of
Address: Jenwyn? Street (data states: name, age, occupation, whether born in county).
Mary Ann PAYNE, 50, Hotel Keeper, Yes
Joseph PAYNE, 30, Hotel Keeper, Yes
Mary Ann PAYNE, 21, -, Yes
Emma PAYNE, 18, -, Yes
Ambrose ISTED, 40,
Eleanor E ISTED, 25, -, No
NB there were a lot of people at this hotel but I suspect the ISTEDs were only on holiday &/or visiting. I checked out Ecton parish in 1841 and while I could not locate a dwelling named Ecton House/Hall but there was a “Mansion House” and this surely must be the same place [HO107/801/14 folio 4 page 1]. Here there was 10 servants and one of them was William COCKAYNE, aged 25, who was the butler in 1851.
b) 1851 Census parish of Ecton
Address: Main Street (schedule number 1); main column headings are:
Name, Relationship, Condition (status), Sex, Age, Occupation, Birthplace (parish, county), remark.
Ambrose ISTED, Head, Married, M, 54, Landed Proprietor, Ecton, NTH, born deaf & dumb #
Eleanor E ISTED, Wife, Married, F, 48, Landed Proprietors wife, Barton Seagrave, NTH
Anna WINFIELD, Servant, Unmarried, F, 42, Housekeeper, Walton,
Elizabeth BROWN, Servant, Unmarried, F, 27, Ladys Maid, Stockwell,
Sarah WRIGHT, Servant, Unmarried, F, 25, Cook, Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire
Jane COCKRILL, Servant, Unmarried, F, 28, Laundry maid, Cosgrove, Northamptonshire
Sarah JUDD, Servant, Unmarried, F, 29, House maid, Thorpe Malsor, Northamptonshire
Ann BUTLIN? , Servant, Unmarried, F, 23, House maid, St Giles,
Mary LANY?, Servant, Unmarried, F, 19, Dairy maid, Ecton, Northamptonshire
Rowena BETHAY, Servant, Unmarried, F, 19, Kitchen maid, Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire
Sophia BAIZLEY, Servant, Unmarried, F, 52, Laundry maid, Ecton, Northamptonshire
William COCKAYNE, Servant, Unmarried, M, 41,
George BARBER, Servant, Unmarried, M, 27, Gardener, Burnham, Buckinghamshire
William SPONG, Servant, Unmarried, M, 23, Footman,
Thomas ARMSTRONG, Servant, Unmarried, M, 29, Coachman, Walton, Hertfordshire
Thomas PRIDMORE, Servant, Unmarried, M, 45, Groom, Wilbarston, Northamptonshire
George PRIDMORE, Servant, Unmarried, M, 16, Page, Dingley, Northamptonshire
William PRIDMORE, Servant, Unmarried, M, 13, Scholar, Dingley, Northamptonshire
{NB # it had recorded in last column re Ambrose that he was “born deaf & dumb”. Despite this handicap (perhaps not too severe?) he appears to have coped remarkably well with everyday life and perhaps he must have been able to communicate with limited speech or using sign language or may have relied heavily on the written word. Those who use the websites Ancestry.com or Ancestry.co.uk will find that somebody has transcribed the ISTED surname as JOLIA!}
c) 1861 Census parish of Ecton
Address: Ecton House (schedule number 2)
Ambrose ISTED (Esq), Head, Married, M, 64, Landed Proprietor, Ecton, Northamptonshire, #
Frances E. ISTED, Wife, Married, F, 61, -,
Elenor E MEAD, Visitor, Married, F, 57, W?,
Edward R MEAD, Visitor, Married, M, 55, Landed
Charles WH SOTHEBY, Visitor, Unmarried, M, 41, Landed Proprietor,
James FULSON, Servant, Unmarried, M, 45, Porter,
Francis HARRISON, Servant, Unmarried, M, 89, Gardener, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Sarah WRIGHT, Servant, Unmarried, F, 34, Cook & Housekeeper, Barton Seagrave, Northampt.
Catherine SCHMIDT?, Servant, Unmarried, F, 28, Lady’s maid,
Ellen WIGHT, Servant, Unmarried, F, 24, Visitor’s lady’s maid, Hambledon,
Prudence MANDER, Servant, Unmarried, F, 28, Housemaid, (can’t decipher)
Mary LAW, Servant, Unmarried, F, 21, Laundry maid, Bedfordshire
Elizabeth DICKINSON, Servant, Unmarried, F, 21, …?.. house maid, Gt S..?, Huntingdonshire
Sarah HARRIS, Servant, Unmarried, F, 21, Dairy maid, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Mary PORTER? Servant, Unmarried, F, 19, Kitchen maid, Great Billing, Northamptonshire
George PRICE, Servant, Unmarried, M, 38, Coachman, Great Billing, Northamptonshire
Charles MILNER, Servant, Unmarried, M, 22, Footman, Caushere?,
Edward BELL, Servant, Unmarried, M, 17, Page,
NB # Again it had recorded in the last column that Ambrose was “born deaf & dumb”.
Ancestry.com has transcribed the ISTED surname as IRSEDLEY!
d) 1871 Census parish of Ecton
Address: The Hall (150)
Ambrose ISTED, Head, Married, M, 74, Landowner, Ecton, Northamptonshire, #
Frances E. ISTED, Wife, Married, F, 61, (cannot decipher occupation),
Edward R MEAD, Cousin, Married, M, 65, no occupation,
Mary F? MEAD, Cousin, Unmarried, F, 20,
Helen A MEAD, Cousin, Unmarried, F, 17,
Mary PRIDMORE?, Servant, Married, F, 44, Cook Domestic, Garn?, Derbyshire
Sarah HOOPER, Servant, Unmarried, F, 26, Ladys maid, Moorpleton?, Derbyshire
Prudence MANDER, Servant, Unmarried, F, 38, Housemaid Domestic, Frankton?, Warwickshire
Anne MANNING, Servant, Unmarried, F, 25, Housemaid Domestic, Harlestone, Northamptonshire
Maria HOLLOWAY, Servant, Unmarried, F, 19, Kitchen maid domestic, Derbyshire
Richard
Charles HOWELL, Servant, Married, M, 50,
{NB # recorded in last column that Ambrose was “deaf & dumb from birth”.}
e) 1881 Census parish of Ecton
Ambrose ISTED (Esq), Head, Married, M, 84, Landed Proprietor, Ecton, Northamptonshire #
Hanh. Frances E. ISTED, Wife, Married, F, 71,
Elizabeth NEALE, Servant, Married, F, 39, Cook (domestic), Rushton, Northamptonshire
Emma THOMAS, Servant, Unmarried, F, 37, Ladys Maid (domestic), Abingdon,
Ellen WARD, Servant, Unmarried, F, 37, House maid (domestic) Harston, Leicester
Mary A. READ, Servant, Unmarried, F, 16, Kitchen maid (domestic), Folswell,
Louisa BERRY, Servant, Unmarried, F, 16, House maid (domestic), St Giles,
Charles DASH, Servant, Widower, W, 41,
Edward WOULDRIDGE, Servant, Unm, M, 19, Footman (d- servant), Walton-on-Thames, Oxon.
{NB # it had recorded in last column that Ambrose “from birth deaf & dumb”.}
f) 1891 Census parish of Cosgrove
Address: Stratford Road “The Hall” (88)
Frances Elizabeth ISTED, Head, Widow, F, 81, Living on her own means, Piccadilly,
Charles DASH, Servant, Widower, M, 50,
Elizabeth NEALE, Servant, Married, F, 49, Cook domestic servant, Rushton, Northamptonshire
Emma THOMAS, Servant, Unmarried, F, 49, Ladys Maid dom servant, Abingdon,
Ellen WARD, Servant, Unmarried, F, 47, Housemaid dom servant, Harston, Leicestershire
Clara TURNER, Servant, Unmarried, F, 18, Kitchenmaid dom serv, Gt Doddington, Nthants
Henry HARVEY, Servant, Unmarried, M, 16, Footman domestic servant,
{NB parish of Cosgrove was about 12 miles south of Ecton. It would appear that after Ambrose died in 1881 she moved with part of her household of servants to Cosgrove.}
The Return of Owners of Land 1873 for the
There were 4,455 owners listed with approximately 3,900 named individuals. Amongst them was -
Name of Owner: ISTED A {ie Ambrose}; Address of Owner: Ecton; Extent of Lands (A R P): 1,991 acres 3 rods 4 perches; Gross Estimated Revenue: £4,225 10s.
Northamptonshire was pre-eminently a county of landed estates. In the “Return of Owners of Land” in 1873, the so called “New/Modern Domesday Book”, 57% of the land was owned by 102 landlords with estates of a thousand acres or more, and just under half of this was in the hands of 16 persons owning estates of between 5,000 and 20,000 acres. While the ISTED family was one of the landed gentry, they were not in the same league as “noble” Northamptonshire families such as the SPENCERs, ISHAMs, CARTWRIGHTs, WAKES, KNIGHTLEYs.
Ambrose ISTED made his will in 1881; see later in paper, probate listing #25 for a short extract.
ISTED of Ecton GRO Certificates:
1 Death Certificate of Eleanor Elizabeth ISTED* - wife of Ambrose ISTED, gentleman of Ecton Hall, died 12 October 1851 at 19 Lanes, Chaswood?, Brighton (sub district of Kemp Town, Brighton) aged 49 from internal tumour of malignant character certified (probably cancer). Informant was Elizabeth GIDLING? of 30 Devonshire Street,
2 Death Certificate of Ambrose ISTED* - gentleman of Ecton Hall who died 13 May 1881 at Ecton Hall in the registration district of Wellingborough in the county of Northamptonshire. Ambrose died aged 84 from Lumbago (back pain) 14 days & Pleurisy (inflammation near lungs) 3 days & Syncope (dropped down dead/sudden death). The informant was Charles MURRAY a stepson of Ecton; registered
{NB upon the death of Ambrose, the estate came into the hands of Charles SOTHEBY, grandson of William SOTHEBY & Mary ISTED (sister to Samuel ISTED).}
3 Death Certificate of Frances Elizabeth ISTED* - widow of Ambrose ISTED landed proprietor, died 25 December 1899 at Shenley House at Shenley Church End in the registration district of Newport county of Buckinghamshire, aged 89 years. Cause of death was from bronchitis following influenza & senile decay (old age); certified by WH BALL F.R.C.S. Informant was Charles A MURRAY son in attendance of Taymont, Stanley,
SOTHEBY Auction Catalogue of old master paintings and family portraits (
a) no.81 Portrait Thomas ISTED of Ecton and his wife Ann: he is wearing a blue coat and red cloak, she is seated, three quarter length, holding a spray of jasmine, a pair; 49 inches by 39½ inches. Painted by
b) no.83 Portrait of Anne ISTED , half length, in fawn dress & blue cloak; and of Ambrose ISTED, a pair 29 inches by 24½ & 1/2 inches. Painted by
c) no.84 Portrait of Charlotte HOWELL, half length, in a blue and white dress, and another. Painted by
d) no.89 Portrait of Miss Anne ISTED, {1682-1763} three quarter length, seated in a white dress and cap, signed and dated 1756; 44½ inches by 57 inches. Painted by Thomas HUDSON.
{Anne was a daughter of Ambrose/Sarah; painting now in the Fleming Museum, Vermont, USA – see website: www.uvm.edu/~fleming/index.php?category&page=slide&id=1957.12 }
e) no.96 Portrait of Anne ISTED, wife of Ambrose ISTED, half length, in black fur-trimmed dress and cap. oval, pastel; 11½ inches by 9¼ inches. Exhibited:
f) no 97 Portrait of Samuel ISTED, {1750-1827} half length, in brown coat and powdered wig, oval, pastel; 12 inches by 10 inches. Exhibited:
g) no.98 Portrait of George ISTED, {1754-1821} half length, wearing a blue coat and a powdered wig, oval, pastel; 11½ inches by 9¾ inches. Exhibited:
h) no.104 Portrait of Samuel ISTED, {1750-1827} nearly half length, with grey powdered hair and wearing Pytchley Hunt dress; 29 inches by 23¾ inches. Painted in 1780. Exhibited:
i) no.105 Portrait of Anne SEBRIGHT {married Sir Charles BUCK who had a daughter Anne BUCK who married Ambrose ISTED 1746} three quarter length, in red dress, carrying a basket of flowers; 46¾ inches by 38½ inches. Painted by J.
j) no.102 Portrait of Mary SOTHEBY, {nee ISTED 1760-1834, wife of William SOTHEBY} three-quarter length, seated by a table, water- colour; 11 inches by 9½ inches. Painted by Sir Thomas LAWRENCE, P.R.A.
k) no.109 Ambrose ISTED {1718-1781} hunting at Ecton, mounted on his horse Reindeer, Ecton House in the distance, signed and dated 1766, 24¼ by 29 inches. Painted by C W WEBB.
Probates (Wills & Administrations) re ISTEDs of
1 Thomas ISTED gent of St
2 Elizabeth ISTED widow of
3 Richard ISTED gent of
{will made
4 Anne ISTED widow of
5 Thomas ISTED citizen & Apothecary of London - PCC Will 4 Mar 1662 [PROB 11/307; “39 Land”] {b1617 Framfield son of Thomas/Elizabeth nee TWINE}
6 Anne ISTED, widow of Lewes, PCC Will 17 Feb 1679 [PROB 11/359*; 19 King] {Anne nee OLIVER = Thomas ISTED}
7 Richard ISTED gent of
8 Ann ISTED, single of Waldron, SSX, PCC will
9 Thomas ISTED gent of
10 Elizabeth ISTED widow of
11 Thomas ISTED gent of Ecton,
12 John ISTED bookseller of St Dunstan in the West,
13 Elizabeth ISTED widow of
14 Samuel ISTED gent of
15 Ann ISTED spinster of
16 Elizabeth ISTED spinster of
17 Philippa ISTED spinster of St Giles,
18 Ambrose ISTED esquire of Ecton Hall,
19 Mary ISTED spinster of
20 Anne ISTED widow of
21 George ISTED, Bencher of the
22 Samuel ISTED, of Ecton,
23 Barbara ISTED, widow of Ecton,
24 Rose Sarah ISTED, spinster of
25 Ambrose ISTED - the Will {1 page*} made
26 Frances Elizabeth ISTED (the honourable) of Shenley House, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, widow died
{NB From some of the above Wills (namely Ambrose ISTED Will of 1781 and his grandson Ambrose of 1881) it appears that these ISTEDs had quite a bit of land outside of Ecton parish: Abington Street in Northampton city mid-late 1700s, Earls Barton c1741, Walgrave c1764, Great Doddington c1767. Most of these places are close to the parish of Ecton, in Northamptonshire.}
A very good description and history on Ecton is to be found in the book [A History of Northamptonshire, Vol IV by L F SALZMAN, 1937] – below is an abridged quote -
‘Echentone, Ekenton, Eketon (xi-xv cent); Ekton, Ecton (xv-xx cent.). The parish of Ecton covers about 2,300 acres. It lies on the side of a hill which rises gradually from the River Nene, the southern boundary, to a height of 360ft towards the parishes of Sywell and Overstone on the north. The soil is light loam and gravel with a clay subsoil; the chief crops are wheat, beans, and roots. The south part of the parish is covered by a part of the irrigation farm of the Northamptonshire Corporation, and land near the river is liable to floods. The
{Benjamin FRANKLIN (1706-1790) was one of the most important Founding Fathers of the
In 1086 Henry de FERRERS held of the manors king 4 hides, value at 100s; in Ecton; Bundi {also spelt as Bondi} had held them in the Confessor’s time, when they had been worth £3. … and FERRERS became merged in the Duchy of Lancaster. {The major tenants of Ecton over five centuries were the
Ecton, according to the 2001 census had a population of 439 {in 1831 it was around 570}. The village is {5 miles} just east of
On the website: www.ectonvillage.co.uk it mentions a great deal along with images on the parish of Ecton, the ISTEDs, FRANKLINS, etc – a fantastic site, so do please check it out. Furthermore in the book, Northamptonshire Past & Present, Vol VIII, 1993-4, pages 335-353 it has an interesting article on “Ecton: its Lost Village and Landscape Park” by Glenn FOARD. Also in the booklet Time to look around Ecton by Bertram KNIGHT 1971, there are several interesting extracts (pages 10-15) on Ecton Hall as well as on the ISTEDs.
Useful maps of Ecton and surrounding area can be seen on the following websites:
www.multimap.com www.streetmap.co.uk www.old-maps.co.uk
The Northamptonshire Record Office has an Ecton estate map of 1703, prepared for Ralph FREEMAN, showing the Hall and its gardens [NRO: Map 2115].
Below are some of the photos I took on
Ecton Hall after being renovated (only the facade remains virtually untouched from 1756
Stained Glass inside Ecton Hall of Coat of Arms re ISTED and spouses
Exterior and interior of St Mary Magdalene, Ecton Parish Church, Northamptonshire
ISTED memorials inside the Lady Chapel of the parish
1 Ann ISTED died 1763 age 80 (sister to Thomas ISTED who bought Ecton Hall)
2 Charles William Hamilton SOTHEBY died 1887 age 67 (grandson of Mary SOTHEBY nee ISTED)
3 Ambrose ISTED died 1881 age 84 (husband of 1st marriage Eleanor; 2nd to
4 Samuel ISTED died 1827 age 77 (son of Ambrose/Anne) and his wife, Barbara (nee PERCY) died 1831 age 73
5 Eleanor Elizabeth ISTED died 1851 age 49 (nee STOPFORD; first wife of Ambrose ISTED)
6 Thomas ISTED died 1731 age 53 (widower of Anne nee ROSE; bought Ecton Hall)
7 Sarah ISTED died 1740 age 84 (nee FELTHAM; widow of Ambrose Esq St Johns Square)
8 Anne ISTED died 1722 age 39 (nee ROSE; wife of Thomas ISTED who bought Ecton Hall)
9 Elizabeth ISTED died 1771 age 66, Philippa died 1778 age 60, Mary died 1797 age 80 -
(all spinsters, daughters of Thomas/Anne nee ROSE)
10 Ambrose ISTED died 1781 age 64 (husband of Anne nee BUCK; s/o Tho/Ann nee ROSE)
11 Anne ISTED died 1800 age 80 (nee BUCK; widow of Ambrose).
In the Northamptonshire Record Office there are references to the MIs re ISTED family of Ecton –
‘Copy of MIs to the family in
Conclusion
The ISTEDs of Ecton certainly led active lives and probably touched many Ecton parishioners in some way. In the 169 years that the ISTED generations lived at Ecton, they sought to improve and expand their property (buildings, land) and in so doing, transformed the landscape, and must have provided work for many locals. Ecton Hall was left derelict in 1955 but had a remarkable turn around in 1989 as the place was renovated and converted into luxurious apartments (12) plus two houses from the ancient Laundry and Game Larder. This paper may give rise to more questions than answers. Further research maybe required and hopefully some of the references I have listed will be useful for those who wish to follow them up. It is rather interesting to see this branch of ISTEDs turning their backs on
Bibliography
1 Record Offices:
2 Publications:
Burke’s Commoners volume II , page 462 (has a written narrative of the family tree from John ISTED of
A History of Sussex by J R Armstrong, 1995; published by Phillimore & Co Ltd ISBN 085033 9464
A History of Northamptonshire and the Soke of Peterborough by R L Greenall, 1979; published by Phillimore & Co Ltd; ISBN 0 85033 349 0.
A History of Northamptonshire Volume IV by L F Salzman, 1937.
Northamptonshire Past & Present, Vol VIII, 1993-4, pages 335-353 re article on “Ecton: its
The History and Antiquities of Ecton, by John Cole, 1825; published in
Time to Look Around Ecton by Bertram Knight, 1971. Pages 10-15 cover Ecton Hall + ISTEDs.
Real Estate Booklet on Ecton Hall produced in 1989 by the joint agents of Jackson-Stops & Staff + Fisher Hoggarth. There are many pages consisting of background information, plans, maps, etc.
3 Websites:
www.ectonvillage.co.uk Useful history and images on Ecton village as well as some ISTED data.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki Free online Encyclopedia.
www.a2a.org.uk Access to Archives; many historical records and where to get fuller data (there are at least 19 catalogues matching Ambrose ISTED; also several re Ecton + many on other ISTEDs.)
www.ancestry.com Accessing UK Census records 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901.
www.historicaldirectories.org/ Historical Directories.
www.multimap.com www.streetmap.co.uk www.old-maps.co.uk Map websites.
www.royalsoc.ac.uk/ The Royal Society (has a searchable library & archive catalogue).