Category Archives: Mansel family

Mansel records at The London Archives

Posted on December 28, 2025 | Leave a comment

Records relating to the Mansel family held at The London Archives – to be ordered in advance of visit:

Insured: Caroline Phillips, 22 Seymour Street, Portman Square, wife of Richard Mansel Phillips
Created Jan 12 1810
Reference code CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/453/839743
From Collection: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Insured: Lady Elizabeth Mansel 21 Seymour Street, Portman Square
Created Sep 30 1831
Reference code CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/533/1128728
From Collection: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Insured: Lady Elizabeth Mansel 21 Seymour Street, Portman Square
Created Feb 1 1833
Reference code CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/538/1150330
From Collection: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Insured: Lady Elizabeth Mansel 21 Seymour Street, Portman Square
Created Mar 18 1835
Reference code CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/545/1194918
From Collection: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Insured: Lady Elizabeth Mansel of Wrotham Heath, Kent
Created Jan 3 1838
Reference code CLC/B/192/F/001/MS11936/564/1263550
From Collection: Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance Group

Daring Burglary at a Rectory from Liverpool Daily Post (Chubb safe belonging to the Reverend T. Mansel Playdell carried away from Bergen Rectory, near Hertford, Hertfordshire)
Created May 25 1888
Reference Code:CLC/B/002/10/01/041/057B
From Collection: Chubb & Son Limited

Bookplate collection: Iscoed Quod Vult Valde Vult
Reference code: SC/GL/BPL/01/M/002/006/001

Matrimonial cause: Mansel, Dame and Baronet
1827-1828
Reference code: DL/C/0944
Collection: Diocese of London
Bundle includes: cover slip, decree, citation, decree to see proceedings, proxy of Lady Mansel, court act to lead decree to see proceedings, document concerning production of witnesses, act to lead compulsory, compulsory, court act to lead compulsory, bond, libel with one exhibit, depositions of 12 witnesses. Cause; divorce or separation by reason of adultery

 

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St Pancras Gardens

Posted on December 27, 2025 | Leave a comment

Last week I dragged my son for a walk around St Pancras Gardens. These gardens are the burial ground attached to St Pancras Old Church. The burial ground contains some architecturally significant tombs, including that of Sir John Soane (one of only two Grade I listed monuments in London).

Sir John Soane tomb

The Hardy Tree

This was a famous landmark in the gardens. Thomas Hardy (the author) had worked on relocating the grave stones around Old St Pancras when the Midland Railway line was being built as part of the development of St Pancras station in the 1860s. Unfortunately the tree fell down in 2022.

the Hardy Tree

I know that my relative Sir William Mansel, 10th Baronet, was buried in the churchyard in 1829.

Death Notice in the Cambridge Chronicle and University Journal, Isle of Ely Herald and Huntingdonshire Gazette, Friday, September 4, 1829, Page 2.

His body was probably moved elsewhere when the cemetery closed in 1854.

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Posted in London, Mansel family

More about the Church of St John, Milborne Port

Posted on April 22, 2025 | Leave a comment

Following on from my post yesterday I wanted to write a little more about the Church of St John, Milborne Port. The church is full of memorials to different members of the Medlycott family. It was really exciting to walk around and spot them.

The first memorial I found was to George Medlycott, Gent, First Lieutenant in Colonel Moretes Regiment of Marines. Also of Thomas Medlycott, son of Thomas Medlycott of Ven, who died 1741.

Medlycott family memorial

A memorial to Sir William Coles Medlycott; his wife Dame Elizabeth Medlycott; Sarah Jeffrey, wife of Sir William Coles Medlycott; Sir William Coles Medlycott, 2nd Baronet.

Medlycott family memorial

In memory of Ann Medlycott, relict of James Medlycott of Ven (died 1758); of Elizabeth, second wife of Thomas Medlycott of Ven (died 1763); of Thomas Medlycott, eldest son of James Medlycott of Ven (died 1763); of Thomas Mervin Medlycott, second son of T.H. Medlycott of Ven (died 1793); of T.H.Medlycott of Ven, eldest son of John Hutchings of Sherborne; Thomas Mervin son of William Coles Medlycott (died 1798); of Elizabeth eldest daughter of William ….; of Mary Hutchings Medlycott ….

Medlycott family memorial

Thomas Medlycott of Abingdon, died 1716. Of James Medlycott (died 1731). Of James Medlycott (died 1729).

Medlycott family memorial

These were the most significant memorials I could find on my quick visit to the Church of St John at Milborne Port. I can’t wait to see how these fit into my family tree.

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Posted in Dorset, Mansel family

Church of St John, Milborne Port

Posted on April 21, 2025 | Leave a comment

When I was researching one of my Mansel ancestors I discovered a connection to Ven House, Milborne Port. As we were recently holidaying in the area we stopped to take a look around this historic village of Milborne Port and the Church of St John.

Fortunately the church was open so we were able to get inside.

Church of St John, Milborne Port

It was a very pretty church.

Church of St John, Milborne Port

It didn’t take long to find links to the Medlycott family from nearby Ven House (sadly not open to the public). This stained glass window was dedicated to Edward Bradford Medlycott.

Church of St John, Milborne Port

The church was full of memorials to the Medlycott family (more of which later), then we headed to look round the churchyard. Just beyond this was a small area with a very high wall and it was a ball court!

ball court at Church of St John, Milborne Port

According to a plaque on the wall, the ball court was built by Sir W.C.Medlycott in the year 1847. “It is earnestly hoped that this court which is meant for the health and amusement of the town will be protected from injury’.

I have never seen a ball court before. One side of it looked to be built against an old pub. Today it was a public space with benches.

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Posted in Dorset, Mansel family

A little update

Posted on February 27, 2025 | Leave a comment

Since I finished my little Ancestry project I have been enjoying some family history research with the pressure off. I’ve been back to researching people for fun and made some good discoveries:

I did a little research into Sir Edward Bradford Medleycott, who married one of my Mansel triplets, Maria Emma Mansel (2nd cousin 3x removed). Before they were married he travelled whilst in the Army and produced at least two sketchbooks which I found for sale online.

I found a letter written by Captain Thomas Mansel (my third great-grandfather) who wrote to The Duke of Wellington in 1830 seeking a position in the Coastguard. He mentions his ‘melancholy bereavement of losing an amiable wife  in premature labour at the age of 22’. I found this letter by searching his name and the letter popped up in the collection of the University of Southampton.

I discovered that Thomas Mansel had another sister I had not previously discovered. A while ago I went through the parish register for St Ishmael where I believe most of the children of Sir William Mansel has been baptised. I must have missed Francis Henrietta Mansel somehow. I only discovered her as she was mentioned in the will of her brother in law, William Owen Brigstocke who died in 1859 and left her £2000. William Brigstocke had been married to her sister, Harriet Mansel.

A reminder to myself that there is a wealth of information outside of Ancestry!

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Exploring Birdham Parish Church

Posted on August 18, 2024 | Leave a comment

Yesterday we visited the pretty parish church of Birdham in West Sussex. We were camping in the area and I remembered we had a connection with Birdham which is just outside of Chichester.

The parish church was dedicated to St Leonard until about 1900 but is now dedicated to St James. In June 1827 Thomas Mansel married Selina Leigh, witnessed by Catherine Elizabeth Mansel (some relation to Thomas Mansel) and Benjamin Leigh (brides’ father).

Fortunately the church was open so I was able to go inside.

Exploring Birdham Parish Church

The 14th century nave.

Exploring Birdham Parish Church

Exploring Birdham Parish Church

The 16th century West Tower.

Exploring Birdham Parish Church

It is a very pretty church and I was happy to be able to go inside.

On the 24th November 1829 there is a baptism entry for their daughter Alexina Mansell. Unfortunately her mother Selina Mansel died shortly after, an entry of burial for her exists in the register for Newchurch of the Isle of Wight on the 3rd December 1829, stating place on death at Birdham, Sussex. There is no entry of death for Alexina Mansel but as there is no further record of her I presume she also died around this time.

I’m not sure what would have brought the family to Birdham. Thomas Mansel had his occupation listed as Commander Royal Navy in 1829.

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Posted in Mansel family, Sussex