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Text Box: We are always looking for more museum custodians, and if you are interested in coming along and finding out more, call Hazel Copsey on 0117 9571438.  Whether you help once or twice a month, or once of twice a year you will be welcome. 
 
        Website News

 The Priscilla Fry Mystery.

Our Family History website attracts visitors from around the world, and we receive emails from many far-away places.

A recent email arrived from Maryann Mussared, living in Canberra, Australia, enquiring about Priscilla Fry, daughter of Joseph Storrs Fry, the famous chocolate manufacturer who lived at Riverwood House, Frenchay for a while.

Maryann claims to be a descendant of Priscilla Fry and has details from Australian records showing that (a) Priscilla married John Hillier in Horsley, Gloucestershire; (b) she was born 28 May 1798; (c) died in Australia 27 March 1859 [aged nearly 61]; and (d) was a daughter of Joseph Storrs and Ann Fry.

Beryl and Gordon Cole, on behalf of Frenchay Village Museum, checked the Gloucester records and verified that John Hillier did indeed marry Priscilla Fry in Horsley Parish Church on 1st June 1820, but names of parents were not recorded. Priscilla signed the register with an X, which is usually a sign that the person cannot write. There was a further reference to John emigrating to Sydney, Australia.

 

Now, here is the mystery. According to our own records her name was Priscilla Hannah Fry, daughter of Joseph Storrs & Ann Fry, and was born 28 May 1798; so far so good! But – Priscilla Hannah Fry died at Frenchay in 1826 [aged about 28], was unmarried, and you can visit her grave at the Friends Meeting House, Frenchay. Also, she was a competent writer and we have an example of her handwriting.

To date, no solution to this mystery has come to light. Did Priscilla Hillier tell a fib about her parents? Did Priscilla Hannah Fry marry below her station, prompting the family to disown her and concoct her burial? – surely not! Or are the Australian records simply incorrect or misleading?

 

Answers on a postcard please.

For full details visit… www.frenchaymuseumarchives.co.uk

 

Text Box:         Website News
 The Priscilla Fry Mystery.
Our Family History website attracts visitors from around the world, and we receive emails from many far-away places.
A recent email arrived from Maryann Mussared, living in Canberra, Australia, enquiring about Priscilla Fry, daughter of Joseph Storrs Fry, the famous chocolate manufacturer who lived at Riverwood House, Frenchay for a while.
Maryann claims to be a descendant of Priscilla Fry and has details from Australian records showing that (a) Priscilla married John Hillier in Horsley, Gloucestershire; (b) she was born 28 May 1798; (c) died in Australia 27 March 1859 [aged nearly 61]; and (d) was a daughter of Joseph Storrs and Ann Fry.
Beryl and Gordon Cole, on behalf of Frenchay Village Museum, checked the Gloucester records and verified that John Hillier did indeed marry Priscilla Fry in Horsley Parish Church on 1st June 1820, but names of parents were not recorded. Priscilla signed the register with an X, which is usually a sign that the person cannot write. There was a further reference to John emigrating to Sydney, Australia.
 
Now, here is the mystery. According to our own records her name was Priscilla Hannah Fry, daughter of Joseph Storrs & Ann Fry, and was born 28 May 1798; so far so good! But – Priscilla Hannah Fry died at Frenchay in 1826 [aged about 28], was unmarried, and you can visit her grave at the Friends Meeting House, Frenchay. Also, she was a competent writer and we have an example of her handwriting.
To date, no solution to this mystery has come to light. Did Priscilla Hillier tell a fib about her parents? Did Priscilla Hannah Fry marry below her station, prompting the family to disown her and concoct her burial? – surely not! Or are the Australian records simply incorrect or misleading?
 
Answers on a postcard please.
For full details visit… www.frenchaymuseumarchives.co.uk
 
Text Box: Frenchay Hospital Redevelopment.
 We have had private meetings with NBT officials, and attended public meetings during the consultation on the future plans for the Frenchay Hospital site, and the message coming back seems to be that the museum will feature in the plans for the future of the site.  At this stage we can only put our case for the museum to be retained, and trust that those making the decisions will agree with us. As soon as there is any definite news members will be contacted

 

 

 

Text Box: Vintage Vehicle Extravaganza
in conjunction with Frenchay Flower Show Sat 14th July from 2 to 5pm. 
 In the car park next to the museum. If you have an old vehicle to display, call Alan Freke on 0117 9570942 beforehand. 
The Vehicle Show and Frenchay Flower Show are linked by a free vintage bus service. 

 
 
 
Text Box: Contacts
Chairman Alan Freke 0117 9570942
Secretary Roger Angerson 0117 9569490
Treasurer Martin Longbottom 0117 9566393
Archivist Ray Bulmer 0117 9569324
Custodian Co-ordinator Hazel Copsey 0117 9571438
The Frenchay Tuckett Society
Frenchay Village Museum
Begbrook Park
Frenchay, South Glos. BS16 1SZ
Email frenchaymuseum@hotmail.com

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