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Richard Hartleyc Married: 1835 Sarah Haygarthc | ||||||||
| Caroline Maria Hartley [CFT #3980] Born: 1839 Died: 1907-Apr-22 |
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| d Braintree, Essex Caroline was born in 1839 when her parents owned “The George” on South Parade in Fulham, London. “The George” was a very successful inn/tavern/commercial stable and coach park near the start of the A4 turnpike to Bristol. She had one older sister Mary Elizabeth born in 1833 [6 years older], a step-brother George born in 1824 [15 years older] and a step-sister born in 1826 [13 years older]. Her father made substantial money from his commercial coach park/stable inn and tavern but by 1856 it was no longer the money-generator it had formerly been and he had it demolished. In its place he built four luxurious town houses with stable yards [429, 431, 433, 435 Fulham Road]. This was financially a very successful venture. He also bought [in 1856 when Caroline was 17] a home for his family at 1 Lansdown Terrace [just off Fulham Road]. Caroline’s father Richard died late in 1859 when Caroline was 20 years old. Her sister, Mary Elizabeth, who was 26 at the time took over running of the family finances. Mary Elizabeth was very competent and commercially astute and the two sisters would be very close all their lives. The following year sister Mary Elizabeth married William Johnson ; Caroline and her mother Sarah stayed on at 1 Lansdown Terrace. Unfortunately, brother-in-law William Johnson died in 1863 [age 44] and worse Mary Elizabeth’s only child died in June 1864 [age 3]. Grief stricken Mary Elizabeth returned to 1 Lansdown Terrace late in 1864. Neither Mary Elizabeth nor Caroline ever had financial troubles their whole lives. Their father Richard Hartley left them a considerable estate when he died and Mary Elizabeth inherited a lot of money from her late husband William Johnson. This left Caroline free to pursue her love of music. She was a very talented musician and would go on to be a Fellow of The Philharmonic Society. She played the organ in the Philharmonic Orchestra. The next year Mary Elizabeth moved out of 1 Lansdown Terrace in Sept 1865 when she married the very colourful and larger-than-life Thomas Wesney Stapleton [1811-1872]. Thomas Wesney had a house at 9 Victoria Terrace in Clapham Common which became the new home of Mary Elizabeth. They immediately set about designing a new grand country home which they named “Holmwood” and it was constructed early the following year. Holmwood was a spectacular country mansion set in six acres of land in Clapham Common. In 1866 Caroline’s mother Sarah died. Thomas Wesney and Mary Elizabeth invited Caroline to come and live with them at Holmwood which she did. For the next three years Caroline was engrossed in her music and the Philharmonic Orchestra. At some point during this time a fellow music-lover, Leonard Wilkinson, came on the scene. He was a very wealthy solicitor who split his time between his practise in Blackburn and his partnership in Ridsdale and Craddock in London. She accepted his proposal of marriage. Shortly before their marriage at Wandsworth, London, on 9 Dec 1869, Leonard Wilkinson had bought Dunnow Hall near Slaidburn, Lancashire. There is a temptation to guess that an offer of a great country mansion [even if it was in the remote wilds of Lancashire] was recompense for the loss of a very comfortable life at Holmwood close to her beloved London Orchestra and music scene. Tragically, it was not to happen. Leonard Wilkinson died on 10 March 1870 three months after the marriage, just a few weeks after the honeymoon. He had gone to Blackburn to attend to business with his law practise while Caroline stayed in London. Caroline inherited a substantial life interest from the Manor and Estates of Easington in accordance with Leonard’s will. Leonard was 47 years old when he married Caroline, she was 30. Caroline stayed at Holmwood with her sister Mary for the next three years. Unfortunately, her brother-in-law Thomas Wesney died in May 1872 age 61 leaving Caroline and Mary both widows living in Holmwood. Mary inherited a substantial fortune from Thomas Wesney and choose to continue running his business [T.W. Stapleton at 203 Regent Street] importing and selling wine, etc., Percival Preeston had bought a house, “Crescent House”, in Clapham Common close to Holmwood. Caroline accepted his proposal of marriage and they were married at St. James, Westminster, on 15 oct 1972. He was 25 years old and Caroline was 33. Caroline and growing family lived at Crescent House until early spring 1888 when Percival bought “The Red House” at 10 Chelsea Embankment. As Caroline was an accomplished Organ Player, Percival had a full Organ installed in the Music Room at The Red House, 10 Chelsea Embankment. Caroline and family lived at The Red House for four years until late summer 1891. These must have been golden years for Caroline, having her own Organ, close to her beloved Philharmonic Orchestra. By now Caroline had been elected a Fellow of the Philharmonic Society. Following Percival’s problems in London, the family moved to Braintree, Essex in 1891 where they bought a house, “Marshalls” and remained there until Caroline Maria died on 22 april 1907 age 67. Percival had died the previous year on 9 June 1906 age 58. Rodney Gilbert 2012 |
1: 1873 Madelene Hartley Preestonc 2: 1875 Caroline Stapleton Preestonc H 3: 1877 Olive Haygarth Southwell Preestonc H/C 4: 1879 Phyllis Mary Preestonc H/C 5: 1880 Noel Percival Richard Preestonc W 6: 1883 Philip Southwell Preestonc 7: 1885 Ralph (Shrimp) Septimus Preestonc | |||||||
| 7 Children | ||||||||
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