THE SPEAK SPEAKE SPEAKES SPEAKS

Family Association Bulletin Fall 2013

Volume 34, Issue 3 Speak/e/s/es Family Association Officers PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT ARCHIVIST Susan Sills Jerry Draney John Payne 637 W. Main Street 4320 Forest Hill Dr Unit 104 4802 Guilford Rd Brownsville, TN 38012-2534 Fairfax, VA 22030 College Park MD 20740 (731)772.2026 (703)591.1095 (240)463.7671 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] SECRETARY TREASURER HISTORIAN Pat Wiltfong Bonnie Speake Alexander Phyllis Speak Danner 119 Essex Lane 4944 Corte Playa DeCastilla 99 Glenmoor Lane Georgetown, TX 78633 San Diego, CA 92124-4126 Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 (970)988.9461 (858)573.1745 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

PATRON MEMBERS Jones, Norman E. Love, Ruth Speak Mullins Sr., Major William G. Speake Sr., Johnny T. & Patricia Tibbets, Nancy Speakes Zeigler, Edward T.

SPONSOR MEMBERS Alvarez, Dawn Savell, Alwilda Speake A WARM WELCOME TO Bartley, Francis & Janice Sparkman, Roy D. NEW SFA MEMBERS Bannister, Bruce Speak, Georgia M. Brown, Virginia Speaks Speak, Melinda J. 2013 New Members Chalk, Virginia Speak, Michael • Thomas Kreun, Smithburg, MD Cobey, Dr. James C. & Janet H Speake, Jo Ellen • Carol and Carl Cooper, Crater, Doug & Loretta S. Speake, Robert E. & Charlott Turtletown, TN Danner, Dr. Paul & Phyllis Speak Speake, Dale E. • Michael Speak, Rolla, MO Danner, Todd R. Speake, Elizabeth Peck 2012 New Members Draney, Jerry & Maxine Speake, Harold L. Galvin, John A. & Anne A. GA Speake, Melissa R. • Rebecca Payne McClanahan, Ham, Don & Dolores Speake III, Dr. Dan W. & Mary (sister to John Payne), Kirksville, MO Hentschel, Wolfram H. & Mary F. Jane • Reva Mae (Speak) Payne, Hurst, Roger & Linda Speaks, William E. (Roscoe) (mother to John Payne), Kirksville, Hurt, LaVerne Speaks, Paul Dwayne MO Kuren, Thomas Kreun Speaks, Bob • Steven E. Speaks, Montgomery, Mahannah, Jan Speaks, Fred A. AL Martz, Dale & Lillian Speaks, Glenn L. • Linda Speake, Santee, CA Matthews, Ruby Speaks Speaks, Melvin P. & Pat McCue, John & Susan S. Speaks, Steven E. • Shauna Teeter, Quapaw, OK Miller, Susan K. Speaks III & IV, John C. • Chris Morey, (son of Susan Sills), Mollway, Paul & Lin Spillman, Jane Speakes Arlington, TN Morris III, John S. Sills, Susan Speake • Paul Danner lll, (son of Phyllis & Payne, Dr. John H. Waters, Margaret Speaks Paul Danner), Jacksonville FL Prague, Linda Belle Wiltfong, Patricia • Todd R. Danner (son of Phyllis & Rawls, Bessie L. Speake Paul Danner), Olathe, KS Rote, Cindie The Speak/e/s/es Family Association was organized in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis, on Saturday, August 25, 1979 (under the Name Speak/e/s/es Historical Society), for the purpose of exchanging information with others researching Speak/e/s/es geneaolgy.

We welcome new members into our organization. Annual membership dues are as follows: Regular ~ $15; Sponsor ~ $25 - $99; Patron ~ $100 or more. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Please send your dues to the Treasurer listed above. A membership in SFA is an excellent Gift for any member of your family. Thanks to all of the Patron and Sponsor Members! We appreciate you! If you were left off this list and should be on it, please notify the editor. The bulletin is published quarterly by the Speak/e/s/es Family Association. Items for publication are needed and your help in meeting the deadlines is much appreciated. The Deadlines for 2013 are Jan. 1, April 1, July 1 and Oct. 1. -2- 2013 FALL EDITION the SPEAK/E/S/ES FAMILY ASSOCIATION

village of Charnock Richard, where the Bowling family lived, and on to the town of Standish to visit A Word From St. Wilfrid’s Church. The Bowling family was known to be Catholic recusants in the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Catholics associated with the The President church at Standish, while the protestants remained By Susan Sills, President in Chorley. Dear Speak/e/s Family, In Cambridge, we visited with John Speake, who Our long anticipated trip to England was an has researched the Speak/e family extensively awesome experience—at times even surreal! The throughout England and who has written numerous Ribble Valley in Lancashire, where our ancestors articles for the SFA Bulletin through the years. It lived, and worked, raised families and worshipped is was fantastic to finally meet him!! John has given an exquisitely beautiful place. There are rolling us a synopsis of his research along with a detailed hills, meandering streams, sheep grazing in the digital record of his findings. These will be kept in fields, and stone cottages everywhere-- and all our archives. surrounding a landmark known as Pendle Hill. Members of Doug Speak’s family joined us in Cambridge and Gisburn. It was delightful to meet them! Also joining us in Gisburn and Downham were several local Speaks who were also researching their family history. Two of those families have trees that connect at the top. Perhaps DNA will determine if we are also related. We are hopeful that some of these Speaks will participate in our DNA project. Planning ahead to our next convention, John Payne will host next year’s SFA Convention in Kirksville, Putnam County, Missouri, about a three hour’s drive from St. Louis. Dates and information We visited churches in the villages of Gisburn, will be announced in the next SFA Bulletin. Downham, and Whalley where Speak/e marriages, baptisms, and burials took place in the 15th and 16th (See article on page 16 for additional details.) centuries. We were greeted most warmly by Lord Your cousin, Clitheroe, Canon Nicholson, and numerous Susan parishioners at St. Leonard’s in Downham. We learned there that the neighboring village of Twiston was most likely where the Catholics would have lived during those turbulent religions times and that that village was also the site of a Quaker movement in the 1600’s. Thomas, baptized 1633/34 in Downham was from Twiston. Also on tour were the towns and villages of Elizabeth Bowling’s family. Jeffrey Wills, Bowling descendant and researcher, joined us in Chorlely at St. Laurence Church, home of Myles Standish (Pilgrim!!). He carried us on a route through the

-3- Treasurer’s Report

January 1, 2013 – March 31, 2013 by Bonnie K. Speake Alexander, SFA Treasurer

Speak/e/s Family Association Balance as of January 1, 2013 $ 9,318.24

Receipts: Membership Dues $95.00 Total Receipts ...... $ 95.00 Expenditures: Bulletin Printing ($316.23) Postage ($116.48) Transferring Records to DVDs ($300.00) Total Expenditures ...... ($732.71)

Balance as of March 31, 2013 $ 8,680.53

Speaks Chapel Church Fund Balance as of January 1, 2013 $3,466.95

Receipts: None $00.00 Total Receipts ...... $ 00.00 Expenditures: None ($00.00) Total Expenditures ...... ($ 00.00)

Balance as of March 31, 2013 $3,466,95

Nicholas & Sarah Speak Cemetery Fund Balance as of January 1, 2013 $1,122.85

Receipts: Donations $00.00 Dividends $ .29 Total Receipts ...... $ 00.29 Expenditures: Mow Lawn (1 month) ($55.00) Total Expenditures ...... ($71.00)

-4- THOMAS SPEAKE CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

-5- births, marriages and deaths records and located a Speak/e/s Discoveries Jonathan Speak, born in 1923 in Nelson (next door to Blacko). His father was James and his mother’s in Lancashire name was Margaret Ellen Beanland. Further By Susan Speake Sills research would be needed to determine if this is the One of the more exciting aspects of our SFA same Jonathan, but I think that it is highlyprobable. ancestral tour in Lancashire England, was the mini- Since Blacko, and Nelson, are small hamlets within a discoveries that happened along the way. There mile or two of Gisburn, and Doug Speak’s family (our were new “Speaks” for us to meet, and stories about DNA match) resided in Gisburn in the 1700’s, it Speak families, villages or hamlets where Speaks had would be prudent to investigate further into this lived or were the current residences of Speaks, and Jonathan Speak family. farmlands that once belonged to Speaks. As a result of this newly acquired knowledge, we In Cambridge, and in Gisburn, we were joined by altered our travel plans to incorporate the villages of members of Doug Speak’s family. Peter Speak met Sabden and Blacko, photographing the grassy green us in Cambridge, and David Speak and his family hills and valleys, and agricultural sights--through the met us in Gisburn. David brought his great- bus windows! The landscapes were truly amazing— grandfather’s portrait to share with us. Doug had verdant hills, ancient stone fences and centuries old color-coded his family tree to indicate the lines of cottages and barns, and rolling pastures with grazing Peter, David, and himself. We soon had two sheep and cattle. The entire Ribble Valley was a additional family trees of other Speaks to view as photographer’s paradise, and did we have the well. shutterbugs on this motor coach!! Our first evening at the Stirk House in Gisburn, Another anecdote from our trip was the discovery situated in the beautiful Ribble Valley, we were made of the community of Twiston. Twiston is a greeted by about a half dozen Speaks from the small hamlet, perhaps at one time a village, about a Clitheroe area. They had seen an article placed in the mile from the gorgeous village of Downham. While local newspaper about our visit to Lancashire. They visiting in St. Leonard’s Church at Downham, on our came to share their Speak history and family trees. second morning in Lancashire, we were told by Lord These were Speaks completelyunknown to us, and it Clitheroe—Lord of the manor and the village itself— was quite the surprise! This group of Speaks told us that Catholic families would not likely have about the village of Sabden and a church where there worshipped at St. Leonard’s during the 16th century, were Speak burials. Sabden proved quite the but they would have easily been able to “hide out” at adventure in our motor coach over the looming local Twiston. landmark, Pendle Hill. The transcribed church registers for St. Leonard’s We probably would never have heard about indicate that Thomas Speake, born 1633/34 resided Jonathan Speak, a local farmer who had lived at at Twiston. Unable to travel by motor coach to Blacko, near Gisburn, if I had not been a lifelong Twiston, several of us hired a cab late in the lover of antiquing!! Spying the one antique shop in afternoon to explore this area of the Ribble Valley. the tiny village of Gisburn, I was pleased to make the We made inquiries at two stone farmhouses but no acquaintance of the proprietor of the shop who lived one knew the name Speak. We tried to locate a mill on a farm in Blacko adjacent to a farm that had that had once flourished in this valley and did find a belonged to Jonathan Speak. She told me that stream near picturesque limestone farm buildings. Jonathan had passed away a couple of years ago, in his eighties. Further, she stated that he and his wife Interestingly, in notes provided to us by John had married late in life, and that there were no Speake (Cambridge), Twiston can be confirmed as children. She had attended his funeral and said that the residence of at least three Speak/e heads of very few people were present—the family all gone households in the 1600’s. John Speake (Cambridge) before him. It was a story that tugged at my heart. cites the Hearth Tax records circa 1666-(Hearth Who was this Jonathan? Did he live and work on a Taxes for N.E. Lancashire, www.hearthtax.org) farm that had been in his family for generations? entries for Twiston: John Speake; Anne Speake; Could he have been related to us? Blacko is only a John Speake – each one hearth. The hearth taxes mile or two from Gisburn, and Gisburn is the were property taxes levied by Parliament between ancestral home of Doug Speak’s family. 1662 and 1689 based upon the number of “hearths” in each dwelling. The tax was assessed to the In an effort to locate more information about this occupants of the dwelling, whether or not they were Jonathan, I have contacted Dorothy Falshaw, the property owners. Gisburn historian, who assisted us so very much in planning our trip. She has checked the Lancashire DISCOVERIES IN LANCASHIRE CONTINUED PAGE 13

-6- on the front wall after a farmer lord of the manor STIRK HOUSE HOTEL ordered the execution of some men in front of it. 16th Century Manor House On 8th February 1935, the newspaper reported that a full license had been granted to Mr. Speak Gisburn, Lancashire despite opposition from the owners of Ribblesdale A fascinating place... Arms, who claimed there were enough licensed By Jerry Draney premises in Gisburn for its population of 409. Mr Speak argued that the hotel had become popular with Note: Upon arrival at the Stirk House where the SFA guests from out of town, and said "the character of group stayed for three nights it was discovered that a Mr Gisburn had changed considerably with the growth Speak purchased the property in 1935. The Speak family of motor traffic." had ties with the property before taking over themselves - in a letter to the hotel's owners, Mr His license application was a response to Speak's granddaughter Susan recalls her mother frequent visitor requests for liquor, which had telling her that the property was owned by her prompted Mr Speak to regularly send his son-in-law paternal great-great-great-great-grandfather who into Gisburn to bring drinks back to the hotel. was named Lancaster. Also Doug Speak from New Disaster strikes Zealand who was on our trip talked to a Gary Speak In 1945, a disastrous fire destroyed much of the from the Clitheroe, UK, area and learned that Gary’s property's main wing, including the original great, great uncle Jacobean staircase and the entire roof. Harry was the Speak who bought the Stork The place to be... House and turned it During the 1950s, the Stirk House had a into a hotel and reputation as an exclusive spot, with waiters sporting retained it for about formal attire of tails and white gloves and Sunday 10 years. Harry was luncheon considered expensive at 5 shillings 6 married to Lottie. pennies. Owner John Bennett was seen as "a See their gravestone character" by staff and locals, regularly singing in the on the right. Garywas restaurant to entertain his guests. present at the Stark House the evening we arrived. In 1964, Mr Bennett sold the hotel to Molcon The following was taken from a booklet Hotels Limited, a business set up by successful available from the hotel. builder George Molyneux and his business partner The hotels owners have spent the last eight years Tom Connor. turning this beautiful building into a warm, They spent £100,000 renovating the hotel, welcoming and luxurious haven that delights guests building a 220-seater ballroom and a luxurious from all over the world. Nestled in the beautiful bridal suite, as well as a service area for the newly Ribble Valley, the Stirk House has a fascinating modernized kitchens. The old ballroom was history spanning more than three centuries. converted into a restaurant, and a staff The Stirk House was built in 1635 using accommodation block was opened, with fashionable stonework from the former Sawley Abbey. The abbey wall-to-wall carpeting, central heating and a was dismantled a century earlier, along with nearby recreation room. Mr Molyneux told the local paper at Whalley Abbey, under Henry VIII's orders to dissolve the time: "When everything is complete, Stirk House the monasteries. Its name derives from its early use - will be an hotel second to none in the area." In 1973, stirk is the name for a one-year-old cow, so a stirk the Haworth family bought the hotel. house was a cow barn - although it was known as A grand family home Grange Moor Manor before the 19th century. The elegant building was originally home to the Legend has it... Lister family, many of whom were local MPs. In The hotel's colorful history has sparked rumors of October 1797, a Thomas Lister became Baron a ghostly presence - some claim to have spotted the Ribblesdale of Gisburn Park after raising the face of Father William Trafford, who was hanged in Yorkshire West Riding Cavalry that fought in the 1537 for his opposition to Henry VIII's dissolution of Napoleonic Wars. The family also had a love of the monasteries. Others believe the building is nature, planting more than a million trees in the area haunted by a 15th century Skipton vicar who was and introducing Sika deer to Gisburn Park. The Stirk brutally murdered in 1401 between Sawley and House passed to the Hartley family for 150 years. Gisburn. Legend also has it that ivy has never grown STIRK HOUSE HOTEL CONTINUED PAGE 16

-7- Tower meeting of the witches on Good Friday 6th Gisburn, Lancashire, UK April 1612 to seek help to murder Thomas Lister. by Dorthy Falshaw, Gisburn Historian Jennet was hanged at Knavesmire, York, protesting Talk given at Sunday Night Dinner, Stirk House, Sept.9, 2013 her innocence. Gisburn is a small village dissected by the A59 After the dissolution of the monasteries, the road which stretches from Wallasey near Liverpool to village passed to the Lister family in 1613. (The same York. Lister family from Westby, originally known as In Roman times the road from Ribchester to Arnoldsbiggin). IIkley ran through the village and to the south east of In 1648 Oliver Cromwell met at Lower Hall (now the village a road called Coal Pit Lane used to be Gisburn Park) with Sir John Assheton, his troops known as Long Causeway (Old Roman roads were stabled their horses in the church and broke the often referred to as causeways). In a field just away stained glass windows. from Coal Pit Lane are the remains of a Roman Camp By 1697 the Lister family had acquired Lower Hall (mid 4th century) known as Bomber Camp and a few from Sir John Assheton and Thomas Lister moved years ago a Roman ring was found in one of our fields from Westby to Lower Hall, rebuilding it in 1724. adjoining Coal Pit Lane. This Thomas Lister is reputed to have planted over a Gisburn is mentioned in the Domesday Book of million oak trees on the estate and he kept a herd of 1086 when it was part of The Percy estates, it passed semi wild White Cattle which died out by 1859. The to the abbots of Sawley in 1227. White Bull pub in the village is a reminder of the In the centre of the village is the Church herd. dedicated to St Mary, a very old church whose pillars By 1749 a petition was made to the Lord of the at the front are of 12th centuryorigin. The church had Manor of Gisburn to erect a Market Cross in the Bull many connections with Sawley Abbey just a few miles Ring and in 1759 the first Methodist Church was built away and the Rector of Gisburne was present at the in the village, and in 1784 John Wesley preached to a laying of the foundation stone in 1147. full congregation. In 1260 the Charter for Gisburne Fair was In 1797 Thomas Lister raised and equipped a granted to the Abbots and Monks of Sawley Abbey, a troop of cavalry and yeomanry following a threat of market to be held every Monday and a Fair of three invasion from Napoleon. The reward for this was to days duration to be held on the Eve, Day and Morrow create Thomas Lister as the 1st Baron Ribblesdale of of The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (8th Gisburne Park. He married Rebecca Feilding in 1789 September). and he died in 1826. He was succeeded by his son Gisburne was provided with the ancient Thomas born in 1790 who married Adelaide Lister in Instruments of Justice, the Cuck Stool (a type of 1826. ducking stool for women) and the Stocks for the men. The second Lord Ribblesdale died in 1832 when To the north of the village on the A682 road to he was only 42 , his heir was only 5 years old. Settle is a ringwork or earthen castle of Norman The 3rd Lord Ribblesdale married Emma Mure origin known as Castle Haugh which is surrounded from Ayrshire, in 1853 but had financial difficulties by a ditch 2m deep. and could not afford to live at Gisburne Park, By 15th century there was considerable crime in preferring to live abroad. He died suddenly in the area and in 1401 a Vicar of Skipton traveling Switzerland in 1876 leaving Emma with 5 children. between Gisburn and Sawley was murdered and in The following year she decided to live in Gisburne 1425 Thomas Banastre the Vicar asked the Bishop to where she resided happily at the Dower House until reconcile the churchyard after the shedding of blood. 1894 before returning to London to be nearer her 2 In 1539 a Muster Roll (a record of men who younger sons Reggy and Martin who had joined the would defend the village) was held for the Staincliffe Diplomatic Service. In 1895 her elder son Thomas area and Gisburn had 22 men with horse and harness now the 4th Lord Ribblesdale regained possession of and 19 men with horse, jak and bill. Gisburne Park and Emma was able to visit Gisburne In 1612 the trial of the Pendle Witches was held at again. She died in 1911 and is buried in London, Lancaster Castle when nine supposed witches were having expressed a wish not to be buried in the family hanged. Jennet Preston from Gisburn (which was vault. then in Yorkshire) was tried at York and was found Thomas now 4th Lord Ribblesdale was born in guilty of the murder of Thomas Lister of Westby Hall 1854 in France and married Charlotte Tennant in by witchcraft. Apparently Jennet had been taken to 1877. He took his seat in the House of Lords and was see Lister's body which bled fresh blood, an Master of the Royal Buckhounds from 1892-1895 and indication of witchcraft. According to James Device Lord-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria. 1880-1885. His one of the accused, Jennet had attended the Malkin GISBURN LANCASHIRE, UK CONTINUED PAGE 13

-8- The gorgeous Ribble Valley with views of Twiston (top left) and of Pendle Hill and Downham from the churchyard of St. Leon- ard’s, where we were greeted by Rev. Nichol- son and Lord Clitheroe (top right). The Inn at Whitewell and views of the Ribble Valley from the Inn (center).

(Below) Mary Hentschel and Roberta Estes.

-9- The Stirk House (top left and bottom) in Gisburn, where we were joined by guests David Speak (center, right) who brought a portrait of his great, great grandfather, and Dorothy Falshaw, local historian.

Georgia Speak, Tobie Johnson and Kirk Johnson on the grounds of the Stirk House.

John & Cricket Morris (upper right) dining at Assheton Arms in Downham.

(Above) 10th century Saxon Cross in the churchyard of St. Mary’s and All Saints in Whalley and the ruins of Whalley Abbey.

-10- Walking tour of Cambridge including the awe-inspiring King’s College Chapel (right) and meeting with John Speake, renowned Speak/s/e Family genealogist.

Group photo of descendants of Thomas Speake and Elizabeth Bowling taken in St. Mary’s and All Saints in Whalley, oldest parish church in Lancashire (above).

(Below) Roberta Estes at the Cavendish Lab where DNA was first discovered.

(Below) The alter at King’s College Chapel.

-11- In pursuit of the Bowling family connections, St. Lau- rence Church, Chorley (bottom right), home parish of Myles Standish (Pilgrim).

Stained glass window of Martyr John Finch (lower left), ancestor of Ellen Finch, wife of Hugh Bowling, at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Chorley.

St. Wilfrid’s Church Standish (center), sight of Bowling marriages, baptisms, and burials in the 15th and 16th centuries, including Elizabeth, born 1641.

(Below) Magnifcent Chester Cathedral, where the organ was resounding in full glory!

-12- DISCOVERIES IN LANCASHIRE FROM PAGE 6 still remains and trains go through Gisburn from In an additional document cited by John Speake Clitheroe to Carlisle. (Cambridge), dated November 7, 1670, John Speake, Since the granting of Royal Charter in 1260 Constable of Twiston, was called upon to break up an weekly markets had been held in the street in unlawful assembly of Quakers at the house of James Gisburn but in 1905 Lord Ribblesdale erected a Whipp in Twiston. (Early Stages of the Quaker building near the railway for the newly formed Movement in Lancashire. By the Rev. B. Auction Mart Company. The last street market was Nightingale, MA., Lift.D., 1921, London,. 127-128). held in 1911. Therefore, we conclude from the research of John The Auction Mart has gone from strength to Speake (of Cambridge) that there were Speak/e/s strength and twice weekly markets are still held. living in Twiston during the 1600’s, apparently of The 19th century brought many changes to Catholic faith, and holding a respected position of Gisburn, the cottage industries were in decline due to leadership within the community. the industrial revolution and many families left the As always, there is more to explore in this quest for village to seek employment in Colne, Nelson and our genealogical roots. There is more to learn about Burnley. This left the agricultural industry as the Gisburn—and Blacko—and Twiston! And, perhaps main source of employment, incorporating the someday, perhaps even through more DNA testing wheelwrights, millers and blacksmiths and all four of results, we will know for sure who our Thomas of the inns in the village had land attached to them Lancashire truly was! where the carriers could leave their horses. In 1821 there were residing in the village 4 GISBURN LANKSHIRE FROM PAGE 8 butchers, 4 Grocers, 7 Tailors, 7 Boot and two sons Thomas and Charles were both killed Shoemakers, 3 Victuallers, a Linen Draper, a Milliner fighting for their country. Thomas died in and Dressmaker and a Sprit Merchant. Somaliland in 1904 and Charles died from wounds in The population of Gisburn has never varied a Gallapoli in 1915. great deal usually between 400 and 500, increasing Charlotte died in 1911 and by 1919 Thomas had when the railway was opened and in 1861 census married Ava Willing former wife of John Jacob Astor there were 80 people present in the village, attending (who died aboard the Titanic in 1912). Thomas died the auction mart., whose homes were elsewhere. in 1925 after which the Ribblesdale Barony became The heavy flow of traffic through the village has extinct. Ava died in New York in 1958 always presented a problem in the 20th century and After the death of the 4th Lord Ribblesdale the as long ago as 1937 plans were made to by pass the estate was sold and eventually bought by Reginald village. We are still waiting. Hindley who continued to live at Gisburn Park. His When we moved to Gisburn 42 years ago there son Christopher inherited the estate and later sold were 4 pubs, 3 cafes, 2 banks a post office, a butchers the mansion to a Private Hospital Group, moving to a shop and the doctor had 2 surgeries a week. In 2013 smaller house on the edge of the village. Christopher we are left with 1 pub, 1 cafe and a delicatessen, a built up a residential lodge complex on his land hairdressers and an Italian restaurant. Two of the which is now owned by his son Guy. three pubs are now houses and one has been In 1845 3rd Lord Ribblesdale cut the first sod of demolished and a new housing estate built. the excavations for the new Railway Line at Coplow A few years ago we had a new village playing field Hill Clitheroe but it would be another 40 years before built and the village hall is currently being brought the railway was extended to Gisburn in 1885. The 4th into the 21st century and the village school is still Lord Ribblesdale wasn't too happy with the trains thriving and celebrates its centenary this year, the going through his parkland so he insisted that trains church is still active although we are currently traveling though his estate had to go underground without a vicar. A lot of the farms have been and a tunnel had to be built with ornamental stone amalgamated together and now there are only a portals. The Railway Company at this time dropped handful of working farms in the village. the e from the spelling of Gisburne stating that many Unfortunately as with many villages in England, hours could be saved by so doing. Gisburn has now become a commuter village with In 1905 20 trains per day either passed through many of the residents working away from the area in or stopped in Gisburn. As well as passengers, cattle either, Manchester, Leeds or Bradford. were shipped by the railway either to be sold or In conclusion I must stress that we live in a most bought at the Gisburn Auction Mart adjoining the beautiful part of Lancashire (although until 1974 railway. The Railway was closed in 1960 as part of Gisburn was part of Yorkshire) which is steeped in the Beeching cuts, the station was sold but the line history. GISBURN LANKSHIRE CONTINUED PAGE 15

-13- to allocate funds for further testing. John Morris Speak/e/s Family moved that $1,000 be allocated. John Payne Association: Minutes Annual seconded. The motion carried. Speaks Chapel- Delores Ham informed us that Meeting there is a new road sign at the intersection where Chester, West Yorkshire, England Speaks Chapel is, Blue Hollow Road and Speaks Branch. She gave a short history, and then told us September 11, 2013 there was concern about donations for the mowing. By Mary Speaks Hentschel The church still meets and there are a few members. The annual meeting of the Speak/e/s/es Family Old Business Association was called to order at 8 p.m. by President Historian Phyllis Danner sent an updated report Susan Sills. The minutes of the 2012 meeting were regarding, EKA- Earliest Known Ancestor. She has read. Wolf Hentschel moved the minutes be had little response from members to update their approved. Susan McCue seconded. Motion carried. descendency chart or sending in a new one. There Treasurer, Bonnie Speake Alexander, presented was some discussion regarding the descendency the annual financial report. It was also noted that the charts and how the numbers were originally assigned bank account for mowing at Speake Chapel is no relating to ancestors. The early years were longer, and that it has been moved to savings. Wolf fragmented and numbers assigned. (Phyllis Hentschel moved it be approved. Jerry Draney Danner’s report will be included in this issue of this seconded. Motion carried. It was also briefly newsletter or the next.) discussed when the fiscal year would begin and end. Archival Records- Former Archivist Wolf Wolf made the motion for the fiscal year to start July Hentschel reported that original documents of the 1st to June 30. Delores Ham seconded the motion. Speak/e/s/es Family Association have been scanned The nomination of officers for 2013-2015 was and the project is complete. The boxes have been read by President Susan Sills as follows: sent to Archivist John Payne. The original President, Susan Sills documents have been sent to Joyce Candland who Vice-President, Jerry Draney will deliver them to Southern Maryland University, as Secretary, Pat Wiltfong the repository. Wolf made the motion for no more than $200 for replication of disks and postage. Treasurer, Bonnie Alexander Delores seconded Wolf’s motion. Motion carried. Archivist, John Payne A short discussion followed and John Payne Historian, Phyllis Danner stated that he would like to receive data in a Editor, Jerry Draney GEDCOM file. With a compatible format, data can be There was no nomination from the floor. John moved to the next Archives. Morris made the motion to accept current slate of New Business officers for 2013-1015. Motion approved by members John Payne will host the 2014 conference with his present. sister Rebecca McClanahan in North-east Missouri. Book Project- John Morris provided an update for The conference will center on Putnam County, MO the book project. Where should the work of Jerry (Unionville is the county seat) where hundreds of Draney on the Bowling Speak line be included, descendants of Benjamin Speak (1799-1880) live. additional chapters such as Elizabeth Bowling, the Benjamin was the onlyson of George Speak of Mercer DNA projects, and the history of Speakes Chapel? County Kentucky (EKA 6). Because Putnam County How far should the generations extend? It was also has limited hotels, we will gather and stay in a hotel noted that what the current association has done and in the adjoining county in Kirksville, MO, traveling by what we learned from this trip to Lancashire, bus to historical Speak family sites in Putnam England should be included. Roberta Estes County. The Putnam County historical society and commented that Historical Records and Time Lines other local institutions will participate as resources to should also be included. There was a further the SFA. Because of the large number of Speak discussion of the 100 year privacy law and that DNA descendants in the area, it is a great opportunity for should be the last written chapter. (Please see John’s SFA to reach out to potential new members. report in this issue or the next.) Thinking ahead to 2015, John Morris, agreed to DNA- Roberta Estes reported that two SNP tests host the conference in Richmond, Virginia. Susan for our Bowling people had been done from previous McCue volunteered to assist. The Library of Virginia funds that the scholarship offered. Ten kits were given out the other night. Roberta asked for $1,000 SFA MINUTES ANNUAL MEETING CONTINUED PAGE 17

-14- children. However, it has nothing about any 2013 REPORT OF subsequent descendents. We had decided to cut off these various lines at 1900, although we would list all BOOK COMMITTEE children of a Speak ancestor if any of them were born before 1900. I will talk with Delores and other By John S. Morris, III Chair, Book Committee Nicholas descendants on this trip about where we go Progress has slowed down on the book during the from here on this chapter. The next most significant last two years, largely due to other commitments by line, at least among our members, is that of Basil your editor. Much work has been done by members Speak. Paul Mollway has submitted an outstanding of the Association in a couple of areas and hopefully draft of the chapter on Basil. There are many other the trip to Gisburn will result in a new and greater lines of Speak/e/s, but I am not familiar with any push towards completion. that have been researched as extensively and broadly John Speake of Cambridge submitted a couple of as Nicholas and Basil. If you are interested in having drafts on "Our English Roots" in 2011. another line included in the book, please let me know and let me know who will be writing it. He was going to update that based on the DNA and other new information obtained. I have not The next chapter will be on "Life in Maryland in talked to him since then, but will do so in Cambridge. the 171n and 18m Centuries, Particularly Catholics". Hopefully, with what we have learned from the DNA This subject is part of the story of Thomas ofSt. and what we learn on this trip, we will soon have a Mary's and the next four generations in Maryland. fairly complete chapter on this subject. Based on my research for a presentation at a prior convention, I will probably write most of this I have written an extensive paper on Col. Thomas chapter. Speke. It has been revised a couple of times and published in the Bulletin. It will not take long to edit The next chapter will be on "Migration Patterns". to fit the needs of the book. I will probably add items Harold Speake has submitted a draft showing the learned from John of Cambridge. migration of Basil's line. John Payne had offered to write a part of the chapter highlighting the migration Joyce Candland and I will write the third chapter of other lines, but I have not heard from him in more on the ancestor of most of our members: than two years. Thomas of St. Mary's. Some of it has already been I learned some information that can be added to written in my paper on Col. Thomas Speke. Joyce that chapter from a book dealing with the impact of Candland will be adding to that information. We will the Revolutionary War on Charles County. add Jerry Draney's findings regarding "Mistake", the home of Bowling Speak, in the book. I have not We plan to have a chapter on A. Howard Speake, decided whether it should be in this chapter, the next the legendary researcher of the Speak/e/s family in chapter or a chapter unto itself. My leaning at this the first half of the 20th century. One of the first stage is a separate chapter on the property, but to initiatives of this Association was to locate as many of include much of his research on Bowling himself in his letters as possible. Our former President, Laura the next chapter. Speakes, tracked down and corresponded with his granddaughter in the 1990s, so we have much Joyce has done extensive research on the "Next 4 material for this chapter. However, we need someone Generations". Joyce and I were listed as the potential to volunteer to write it. authors, although Joyce will write most of it because she is much more familiar with those generations. I Phyllis Speak Danner is drafting the "SFA expect we will put Jerry Draney's information on History". She has provided one version already. Her Bowling Speak into this chapter. Since Joyce and I version is excellent on the initial meeting and origins have information on at least one of the properties of the Association. She informed me this spring that owned by John the Inn Keeper, we may be able to she had learned some new information that she flesh out a reasonable amount on the two sons of would like to add to what she has written. I will also Thomas of St. Mary's. be adding information about our officers, at least our presidents and editors, over the years and also a list With the fifth chapter, we will begin writing some of all the places where we have had our annual of the "Major Lines". Our Association's most meetings to the extent they are not included in significant line is that of Nicholas Speak. Delores Phyllis' revisions. Hamm submitted the beginnings of a chapter on Nicholas Speak last year. It has an excellent narrative Given the focus of the Association on Speaks about Nicholas, which is well documented. It also has Chapel, we plan to add a chapter on it. a fair amount of information about each of his eleven REPORT BOOK COMMITTEE CONTINUTE PAGE 16

-15- REPORT OF BOOK COMMITTEE FROM PAGE 15 Dolores Ham has already written a brief history of Start Planning to Attend the SFA Speaks Chapel for an application for historical status Annual Meeting Next Year in recognition. Hopefully, she can modify that into a Missouri chapter on Speaks Chapel. John Payne will host the 2014 conference with We will also add a chapter about the information his sister Rebecca McClanahan in Northeast we have learned from the DNA project. Missouri. The conference will center on Putnam That is particularly important since it ties our County, MO (Unionville is the county seat) where family to the SpeakJe/s in the Lancashire/Gisburn hundreds of descendants of Benjamin Speak live. area where we had already believed Thomas of St. Benjamin is the only son of George Speak of Mercer Mary's originated. Roberta Estes has agreed to write County Kentucky (EKA 6). this chapter. Indeed, she has probably alreadywritten Because Putnam County has limited hotels, we most of it in her several articles published in the will gather and stay in a hotel in the adjoining Bulletin. county (Adair) in Kirksville, MO, traveling by bus to historical sites in Putnam County. The Putnam Finally, we still hope to be able to include a County historical society and other local institutions complete version of the descendancy charts that Rob will participate as resources to the SFA meeting. Speake published a number of times in the Bulletin. Rebecca and John are also talking to a local theater The potential book publisher did not like that idea, troop who re-enact local and family history to see if but the committee feels it is important for our they can participate. members, which is the chief target audience of the Although John lives in Maryland, his co-host and book. For privacy reasons, we will use the same cut- sister, Rebecca McClanahan, lives in Kirksville, MO, off date for the descendancy charts that we are using where she can help with the details of local planning. with the Major Lines. However, we will separately Rebecca represented the district that included both develop the descendancy charts to bring all known Kirksville (Adair County) and Putnam County for family lines down to the present and make those two terms in the State House of Representatives. She charts available to our members even though the is looking forward to meeting all of you. separate charts will probably not be published in the We are considering meeting in the first week of book. Neither descendancy chart will give any October, because the weather is often pleasant that detailed information other than birth, marriage and time of year, and the trees are usually in fall color death dates and places, and of course lineage. In about that time. Please give us feedback on the order to include the descendancy charts, it will be timing before we make firm commitments. Provide necessary to send them to all members and ask them your feedback to John at [email protected]. to be checked for accuracy and to be updated fully as Because of the large number of Speak we approach publication. descendants in the area, it is an opportunity for SFA As I indicated in 2011, I have changed my mind to reach out to potential new members. on some of the formatting issues that I had previously STIRK HOUSE FROM PAGE 7 sent our authors. Paul Mollway prepared his chapter Riches and rumors... on Basil using the fonts and margins that I had After this, the property was bought by a requested. While that might make the book more millionaire banker from London, Alec Ormerod. He attractive to non-members researchers, the principal spent a small fortune renovating the house, turning purpose of the book is to publish something for our it into a magnificent country home complete with members and descendants. We believe that our servants' quarters, tennis courts, a billiard room, members will prefer a larger size page and a larger gallery, ballroom and bathrooms with large baths font. If you are drafting a chapter, it is not necessary and beautiful fittings. No expense was spared - and to match any particular font and size, because, if it is modern innovations like central heating and an done in Word, they can be easily adjusted. electric generator to power lights were installed in Advances in publishing technology may enable us the building. Despite his efforts, Mr Ormerod's wife to publish the book without going through a refused to move there and stayed in London. publishing company. Those options will be explored During Mr. Ormerod's time at Stirk House a as we get closer to having the material to publish. We fellow financier, game of Jimmy White, came to visit want a quality book, but we also want to make it as During a billiards, the two men had a violent affordable to our members and the Association as argument which led to a stock market crash - possible. rumour has it, Mr Ormerod blamed himself for the STIRK HOUSE CONTINUE PAGE19

-16- accomplished in the future. And then that Historian report for information needs to be sent to the Historian 2013 SFA Meeting and to the Archivist. "SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT" Please, everyone, send me The declared "purpose of the SFA is to your own lineage chart. (And don't forget to provide a researcher's cooperative for the include yourself and your children and gathering and exchange of genealogical data." grandchildren.) The proper form is obvious as (1979) used in the Descendency Chart which may be found on our web site. However, for ease in Thus, it was decided that each member finding the Descendency Chart, a copy of the would be assigned an Earliest Known Ancestor existing one will soon be mailed to you as a (EKA) number. This was done for the purpose separate mailing. Please find your own name, or of assisting new members in their search for at least the spot where it should be! That will their positions in the ancestral line. Also, to help help you in making your own lineage chart. each of us with identification and the sharing of Note that each generation is numbered, ancestral information about our own specific beginning with our original Thomas Speake as families. Now, after 34 years of study and #1 and sons John and Bowling each #2 and so research, many of us can claim the original on. If you cannot trace your lineage back to Thomas Speake as our "earliest known Thomas, then use your earliest known ancestor ancestor". Therefore, it seems reasonable to use as #1. Include dates of birth, marriage, and the word "early" rather than "earliest" in order death. Also counties, if known. to describe the branch to which we belong. Thus, maintaining the original EKA numbers Thanks for your cooperation in updating our will still be of value in helping new members records! find their places in the ancestral line, as well as Phyllis Speak Danner EKA#12 (from Nicholas reminding each of us how to identify our Speak 1782-1852) particular branch of the family tree. Historian, [email protected] During the early years of the SFA, the EKA system seemed to work well. But in recent years SFA MINUTES ANNUAL MINUTES FROM PAGE 14 there were some lapses in maintaining these is here and offers a great opportunity for research records. And so, I have been attempting to "set among the many sites for visiting. the record straight" by writing some messages The subject of the SFA logo was addressed by in the BULLETIN urging the members to send in President Susan Sills. The logo on the Family their lineage information. Thus far, very few Association Bulletin has been the hedgehog. Many members have responded to these requests. years ago, Laura Speakes, had designed a family This information is valuable not just for logo with that of a tree, its roots, and the various spellings of the surname Speak/Speaks/Speake/ identifying the EKA numbers, but also to Speakes. This is the logo that Jan Mahannah had complete and update our Descendency Chart. printed on the recent shirts. John Payne made a The last chart I know of was published in the motion to accept the change back to Laura Speakes BULLETIN back in 1995/1996 and is missing original design. Delores Ham seconded. The motion many names and dates. carried. Editor Jerry Draney requested that articles and All the members need to be aware of the fact pictures be sent to him soon to include in the next that every new member should submit his Bulletin. The deadline for sending materials is lineage along with his membership request. October 1. The treasurer and secretary , primarily, should Jan Mahannah mentioned that shirts are still be taking care of this responsibility, since they available. Check with Jan for available sizes. are the initial contacts. Hopefully, this will be Wolf made the motion to adjourn. Susan McCue seconded.

-17- Spak/e/s/es Family Membership Dues for July 1, 2013 through June 30, Association2014

Dear Family Members:

It’s time to pay your Speak/e/s Family Association membership dues for the fiscal year July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014. Please make your check payable to the Speak/e/s Family Association and mail it with the enclosed coupon at your earliest convenience.

Or instead of sending a check, you can now directly deposit your dues into the SFA checking account using PayPal. Just log into your PayPal account and send your dues to [email protected].

As always, the Association welcomes your donations to the Speaks Chapel Fund and/or the Speaks Cemetery Fund. We appreciate your continued support.

If you know of other Speak/e/s who may be interested in becoming members, please encourage them to join, or send me their contact information at (858) 573-1745 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Thank you for your continued support! Bonnie K. Speake Alexander Treasurer ! ------

Membership Dues for July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014

Please choose a category of membership: REGULAR - $15 " SPONSOR - $25-$99 " PATRON - $100 or more " Amount: ______Amount: ______

Update any address changes: NAME:______

_____

ADDRESS:______

____

-18- STIRK HOUSE FROM PAGE 16 Our Condolences row and committed suicide because of it. His ashes were scattered In Loving Memory of on the tennis courts, and local legend suggests he still haunts the John E. Waters house. February 1, 1946 - May 31, 2013 Spouse of Margaret Speaks Waters A new era The Stirk House was empty for between 10 and 25 years following Mr Ormerod's death, before being purchased by West Riding County Council, who had kept the land. The council sold the property to Harry Speak in 1933 for £500. He moved in with his wife and two daughters and set to work converting it into a hotel, which boasted 11 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, as well as a ground floor writing room, lounge, dining room and ballroom. Final Resting Place Mr Speak decided to turn the house into hotel after, Rose Hill Burial Park identifying it as "an ideal retreat.... for people nowadays desired Hamilton Ohio I’m Free to get away from the hustle of busier places", according to an Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free article in the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times. The hotel has I’m following the path God laid for me. always been a popular venue for wedding receptions, and in 1995 I took His hand when I heard Him call it held its first ever wedding ceremony. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day Looking ahead To laugh, to love, to work or play. The number of bedrooms has been reduced from 50 to 30 to Tasks undone must stay that way. I found that peace at close of day. create larger and more comfortable rooms and suites fitted with If my parting has left a void luxurious fabrics and furnishings. Then fill it with remembered joy. The hotel continues to win awards for its accommodation and A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes these things I too will miss. food - in October 2010 the Stirk House's restaurant received a But not burdened with times of sorrow rosette for its outstanding and high quality cuisine, all of which is I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. cooked using fresh ingredients sourced from local producers. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, Good friends, good times The Stirk House is an outstandingly beautiful hotel steeped in A loved one’s touch. a unique history. Throughout its long and captivating past, it has Perhaps my time seemed all to brief, been cared for by passionate owners who have shaped it into the Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. magnificent place it is today. Lift up your hearts and share with me God wanted me now. He set me free.

EDITOR’S NOTES

This year the issues deadline for the year will be: January 1, 2013 April 1, 2013 July 1, 2013 Oct 1, 2013 We have set up an email address especially for the newsletter [email protected]. We want to encourage you to send us genealogy, articles, pictures, obituaries, interviews, comments and suggestions. It is preferred that you send photos as JPG files. You can also mail materials to our the editor at the address below: Jerry Draney - 4320 Forest Hill Drive Unit 104, Fairfax, VA 22030 Please, we request that you send copies of documents or photos and not the originals - we would not want anything to happen to those items in transport. When sending articles please include your name as the submitter with your family traced back to the original Speak/e/s/es connection. This will allow the rest of us to get acquainted with you. When sending an obituary please include the name, location and it is important that you also include date and name of the newspaper in which the obituary appeared. It would also be helpful if you would trace the family back to the Speak/e/s/ family connection.

-19- SPEAK/E/S Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Family Association Bulletin Paid 4320 Forest Hill Dr Unit 104 Permit #171 Fairfax, VA 22030 Topeka, KS

2013 FALL EDITION the SPEAK/E/S/ES FAMILY ASSOCIATION BULLETIN