GESTINGTHORPE 'THEN & NOW' PHOTOGRAPHIC BOOK - COMING IN 2024!
the story continues
On seeing this video broadcast I immediately felt a familiarity with the image which was confirmed once Philip mentioned the name of Rippingale (a long standing surname in and around Gestingthorpe to this day). Could this be an image I had wondered about for 10 years - having read about it in a book published in 1905 by Alfred Patchett detailing the history of Gestingthorpe through the ages? The book is one I refer to regularly when gleaning interesting snippets to include on this website or the Facebook page that accompanies it.
THE excitement BUILDS
I quickly found my copy of this little book and searched for the entry I had initially read all those years previously - not only was the reference correct but detailed a T. Elliston in the painting (the Elliston family owned Moat Farm from 1712) as well as Joseph Rippingale - holding a ceramic bowl - who's son went on to run the Gestingthorpe pottery factory in the second half of the 18th century (at least 3 of his signed pots are still in existence in Cambridge and Ipswich Museums). The owner of Moat Farm, Mrs Branwhite passed away in 1903 when the contents of the house were sold and the whereabouts of the painting was unknown.
A happy owner
I contacted Philip via his email and explained how and why I knew this picture - needless to say he was delighted that we could extend its provenance back to the time it was painted, but also give a little background to the sitters. This happy chance, that was brought about by the dreadful Corona Virus, is also as fast developing, and Philip hopes to write about his time in isolation, this painting and his enforced online media stardom in the Telegraph newspaper. Given his increased media following, as a result of his broadcasts, he hopes to follow up his overview of this painting (adding this new information we were able to provide) with another video broadcast.
We wait in anticipation. (Friday 3rd April 2020)
july 2020 Update
Gestingthorpe History Group were informed that Henry Joshua Cheffins of 7 Hill Street, Saffron Walden undertook the auction of the contents of Moat Farm over the weekend of the 27th and 28th of February 1903 - it contained 840 lots. Cheffins Auctioneers are still operating and I contacted them to see if they have a record of the auction in their archives. Bruce King, Director of Cheffins informed me that a large portion of the early Cheffins records were deposited with the Essex Records office and I should make an enquiry with them. The online records of the Essex Records office are quite detailed and I was able to find a reference to the sale catalogue that covered the 1903 date - sadly this had been permanently withdrawn by the depositor on the 7th October 1982, at this point I thought the trail had gone cold.
The wonders of the internet never fail to amaze and after blogging about our discovery a local farmer was able to introduce me to Bruce Munro, a local historian in Thaxted - Bruce had tracked down the sale books to a restorer in his home town who is due to repair the bindings.
We were able to obtain a facsimile copy of the pages that detailed the paintings in the sale but sadly (or intriguingly) the 'Gestingthorpe Choir' painting is not included in the sale.
We have a copy of Charles Branwhite's will which is difficult to read, but there appears to be no direct mention of the painting being left to his wife, sadly we have not found a will for Mary as to whether she bequeathed the painting to someone or whether she sold the painting prior to her passing in 1903.
We shall continue with our investigations (August 2020).
The Gestingthorpe 'Choir'
Extract from 'Notes on the Parish of Gestingthorpe' by A. Patchett (1905)
There was for many years at the 'Moat', a large picture about 8 by 4ft., called 'Gestingthorpe Choir', but more probably representing a musical party held at the Moat, as the musicians were represented sitting round a table with their musical instruments. On the table was a large bowl of punch. The name was painted over the head of each individual:- Jn Low, -Godbolt, W. Low, L. (? J.) Hale, T. Elliston, D. Wending, and a dog named Busy. The dress represented the time of knee-breeches and velvet coats. This picture was sold after Mrs. Branwhite's death.
On the 12th May 1712 Samuel Groom conveyed the estate known as the Moat to John Elliston of Overhall, Gent. From John Elliston it devolved upon and through the Walker family in the same manner as the Manor of Overhall, etc., and on the death of Mrs Stephana Walker the estate was sold in 1869 by Mr Walker's Trustees to Charles Hammond Branwhite, of Gestingthorpe. The estate was then described as the Moat and Newhouse Farms, Gestingthorpe and Wickham St. Paul's Farmhouse and buildings at the Moat Farm. Also the Compasses Inn, with yards and premises, the whole containing 240a. 3r. 25p. Mr Branwhite died in 1886 and his widow died in January 1903. The estate now belongs to Mr Frank Nott.
John Elliston made his will dated 21st January 1741 and devised all his manors and other property to his cousin Edward Elliston Esq., during his life. After the latter's death, the testator settled the same upon the sons of the body of the said Edward Elliston, begotten successively according to seniority of age and priority of birth and so forward in tail male, with remainder, in default of such issue, unto his testator's nephew Edward Walker, of the City of London and his heirs and assigns for ever.
John Elliston, the testator died on the 22nd January 1741 and was buried in Gestingthorpe Church. His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on the 10th February following, by Edward Elliston the cousin and the Rev. Thomas Chapman, who was then Vicar of Gestingthorpe, the executors therein named.
Edward Elliston, the cousin succeeded to this manor and other property of John Elliston the testator, and enjoyed the rents and profits thereof for his life. He died, leaving an only child, a daughter Katherine, before named, and thereupon, in accordance with the limitations of the will of John Elliston, the property passed in fee simple to Edward Walker, the son of testator's sister, Susannah Walker.
joseph rippingale
John Elliston Esq.
joseph rippingale
There is evidence of a Joseph being born in 1730 to a Joseph and Elizabeth Rippingale. He was married in May 1755 to Sarah Hardy with whom he had two daughters (Mary and Sarah) and then to Mary Rayner in 1766 (the Rayner family owned and ran the village brick works) and Joseph Rippingale took over as the potter in the latter years of the
There is evidence of a Joseph being born in 1730 to a Joseph and Elizabeth Rippingale. He was married in May 1755 to Sarah Hardy with whom he had two daughters (Mary and Sarah) and then to Mary Rayner in 1766 (the Rayner family owned and ran the village brick works) and Joseph Rippingale took over as the potter in the latter years of the 18th century. He had two sons with Mary (Samuel and William).
D. Wending
John Elliston Esq.
joseph rippingale
There is a marriage of a Samuel Wenden to Elizabeth Felton in June 1761 in Gestingthorpe, could this face be Samuel's uncle or older brother and the painter's spelling is at fault?
John Elliston Esq.
John Elliston Esq.
John Elliston Esq.
John Elliston (senior) was born in 1659 and had two wives, the first, Mary died in childbirth and both she and her first-born son were buried in Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. His second wife was Anne, daughter of Robert Wrangford of Barwick Hall in Toppesfield, Esquire, by whom he had three sons, John, Peter and Oliver and four daughters - on
John Elliston (senior) was born in 1659 and had two wives, the first, Mary died in childbirth and both she and her first-born son were buried in Steeple Bumpstead, Essex. His second wife was Anne, daughter of Robert Wrangford of Barwick Hall in Toppesfield, Esquire, by whom he had three sons, John, Peter and Oliver and four daughters - one of whom, named Susannah, was married to Edward Walker, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, gent. The sons Peter and Oliver died in 1691. John the father also died on the 26th of June in the same year. John the eldest and only surviving son, succeeded to this manor and the family property. He is seen here playing the Dulcimer.
John Hale
John Hale
John Elliston Esq.
John Hale farmed at New House - the neighbouring lands to Moat Farm, so would have known the Elliston's well. He was also resident at the Moat when he died and his grave is in the garden outside the east window. He married Elizabeth Johnson also from Gestingthorpe in May 1747.
E. Low
John Hale
E. Low
Little is known of the Low family, there is a family listed at this time in Manningtree near Colchester but this would be speculation.
W. Low
John Hale
E. Low
Little is known of the Low family, there is a family listed at this time in Manningtree near Colchester but this would be speculation.
Jonathan Low
Jonathan Low
Jonathan Low
Little is known of the Low family, there is a family listed at this time in Manningtree near Colchester but this would be speculation.
R. Godbolt
Jonathan Low
Jonathan Low
There is a Richard Godbold listed as living in Sudbury in 1722 and marrying Elizabeth Coke in 1729 - could this be our man in the picture?
Buisey
Jonathan Low
Buisey
By all accounts a very loyal and enthusiastic liver and white spaniel!
FROM THE ESSEX ARCHIVES
Indictment of John Elliston of Gestingthorpe, esquire, being seditiously disposed towards King George[I] and his government, and for saying, 1 August 1715, in the presence and hearing of divers persons, "The king is noe better then a foole, and that a great many gentlemen would goe along with the Pretender if it was not for their estates."
Endorsement: Fined £100 and committed to his Majesty's gaol to remain there until he pays the said fine and then until he enters into two separate good sureties, in £1000 and £500 before one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, that he will be of good behaviour towards the king for the space of two whole years.
Puts himself on the country, 18 July 1716, [pleads] guilty, see judgment endorsed.
gestingthorpe CHURCH MONUMENT
The other which is situated in the south aisle, is of a simpler character. It bears an inscription in Latin, of which following is a translation:
"Near this place are deposited the remains of John Elliston Esquire.
"He died on the 22nd day of January in the year of our Lord 1741 (aged 55).
"He knew how to gain and to keep friends.
"He adorned a life spent in a laudable and virtuous retirement with integrity of mind and simplicity of manners.
"His probity and firmness rendered him bravely superior to the envy and rage of the times.
"He died lamented by his friends and by all good men."
THE DULCIMER
Paul Gifford - Author of 'The Hammered Dulcimer - A history'
An anonymous and somewhat primitive painting from about 1740, formerly in the collections of the Nassau County Museums, A Musical Gathering, shows an anomalous group of men posed with instruments; two with violins, the others with oboe, trumpet, and dulcimer. Since each person is identified and some names are rare, it is probable that rural Essex, rather than Virginia, as Phyllis Braff tentatively proposed, was the home of the gentlemen. The dulcimer player, "I.Elliston, Esqr", must have been a landed proprietor as "Esquire" indicates."
The full set of names, from left to right is: Joseph Rippingale (punch bowl), D. Wending (flask), J. Elliston (dulcimer), J. Hale (violin), E. Low (oboe), W. Low (trumpet), R. Godbolt (violin), Jonathan Low (wine glass).
Additional Information
A detailed analysis of this painting was conducted in America by the Colonial Society of Massachusetts when it was thought to be an early colonial work and makes for interesting reading.
Their website can be found here - https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/2028
