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 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.