Blackmore: Petrie Connection?

One of the stained glass windows in the Priory Church of St Laurence Blackmore commemorates a victim of the First World War. His name is Herbert John Brown, who I think might be related to the Vicar at the time, Revd. Walter Layton Petrie. I had an E mail from Keith Doree, a descendent of WLP, so thought I would ask. Unfortunately we are not much further forward. Does anyone know the answer to solve this mystery?


7 June 2008

Hello.

Thanks very much for posting a picture of The Rev. W. Layton Petrie.

The Rev. W. Layton Petrie was my great-great-great uncle. He was the son of Charles Adolphus Petrie (1814-1893) and Ann Elizabeth Lea (1815-1907). My Great-great grandmother Lavinia Elizabeth Petrie was his elder sister. Lavinia married John Hunt Doree.

W. Layton Petrie and his wife Amelia "Minnie" Soames had a son, Stanley Layton Petrie, who was also a minister. He was vicar of Holy Trinity Parish Church, Stockton on Tees, having left the parish of St. Barnabas, Hendon, in 1929.

I don't know if Stanley had any descendants.

Regards,
Keith Doree
Sydney, Australia


8 June 2008
Response

Hello Keith.

Nice to hear from you. It's good to hear from a descendant of W Layton Petrie. I am a church member at the place where your gt-gt-gt-uncle was Vicar for 34 years so have found him, through reading minutes of meetings etc, to be an interesting character. He was hugely energetic in the restoration of his two churches at Blackmore (Essex) and nearby Norton Mandeville. (No doubt you have seen the more recent posting of a photograph taken at Blackmore Vicarage in 1902. Presumably his wife, Amelia, is sitting to his left).

During the period 1900-1920 nearly all the windows in St Laurence, Blackmore, were stained. One is a war memorial window specifically in memory of Herbert James Brown. The text on the window reads:

"I have not found so great faith in Israel.
"In memory of Herbert James Brown Lieut. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Killed in action in Palestine Nov. 6th 1917. Given by his widow".

I found out that Herbert Brown was not a Blackmore resident but husband of a Grace E Petrie (formerly Brown) of St Barnabas Vicarage, Sunderland.

I conclude that she is related to WLP. Could you solve a problem and tell me whether this is the case please?

Regards
Andrew Smith

8 June 2008
Reply

Thanks for the reply. I had not seen a photo of my ggg uncle before, so it is terrific to see his memory and works live on. Thank you!

The Petrie family was a very interesting group. W. Layton was the youngest of 9 children, my gg grandmother being the eldest (18 years older than W. Layton). One of their siblings, Edward "Ted" Petrie was a publican and their sister Ellen "Nellie" was the wife of Rev. George C. Daw, the vicar of St. Mark's, Dalston. My gg grandmother was widowed very young and was a linen draper. She 2nd married an assistant of hers, John Doree, who was 5 years younger than she. They had 5 children, one who was named after Lavinia's first husband.

I don't find a Grace E. Petrie on the tree, although I will dig a bit deeper. I will continue to check and let you know what I find.

I am not sure who Stanley Layton Petrie's wife was. I will see if it was Grace.

I am travelling to London next week and will see my cousin who has a photo album with many Petrie’s included-- I will look for your Grace.

All best wishes,
Keith Doree


9 June 2008
Reply

Keith. Many thanks. Look forward to hearing from you.

I looked at the window this morning while in church. The left hand side is as written but the right hand side has a different commemoration.

"Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me.
"To the memory of Rowland Richard and Clara Rebecca Pratt. Given by their three children."

Any relation?
Andrew

10 June 2008
Response

Another puzzle, Andrew! I will see what I can find, but no immediate connection that I can see.

Regards,
Keith


15 August 2008
Further response

Hello, Andrew!
Well, it already seems a long time ago that I was in London. Had a wonderful time.

I haven't found a connection, but I can give you more information about the Pratt family.

Rowland Richard Pratt was born in Navestock, Essex, in 1848. His wife, Clara (nee Patmore) was born in Takeley, Essex about 1855.

Rowland was the son of Charles & Charlotte Pratt.

Clara was the daughter of William & Phoebe Patmore.

Rowland & Clara's three children were Clifford, Ethel & Grace.

I will let you know if I find anything else, but there doesn't seem to be a link to the Petrie family at the present time.

Hope you are well.
All best wishes,
Keith