My teacher is always telling us to find out more about our family history. So that is what I did. I knew that I had family ancestry at Patterdale Hall which is now used as a YMCA residential adventure learning centre. On the 6th January 2020 I wrote to them, and 7 days later a letter arrived in the post.
In the letter the centre administrator had attached a lot of interesting information for me which I have found great fun to read. I found out that they have records from 1624. The first Mounsey (my family) was Joan Mounsey, and she is said to have bought the lordship of Patterdale for her son John Mounsey (a miner). John Mounsey and his wife Dorothy rebuilt the hall in 1677. A throne for the king was made, bearing his initials, coats of arms and the date 1677. This chair is now in the Tullie museum, Carlisle.
A later John Mounsey, probably the grandson of the second John, was said to be a great miser who allowed the property to fall into decay. When he died in 1793, his son John refurbished the house and added the south wing in 1796. John Mounsey died in 1821 and his then considerable estate was divided among his many children. His son and wife were left only the hall the stock at Grisledale farm, and he provided two of his sisters with £1000 each. His son then sold it to john Marshall, a wealthy linen manufacturer of Headingley, Leeds. The new owner was married to Jane Pollard, a good friend of Dorothy Wordsworth. Dorothy’s renowned brother William Wordsworth stayed on a number of occasions. It is whist staying at Patterdale Hall that he is rumoured to have conceived his most famous Lake District poem. Today Bolton School owns the Hall buildings, gardens and about 80 acres of estate land. When not working with Bolton School groups, Patterdale Hall accommodates many other groups for residential and outdoor learning experiences.
Thank you very much for reading my blog, and I hope I have inspired many more people to find out more about their family history.
Olivia Hall, Year 8
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Hi Olivia
I just read your blog and was delighted to find a Mounsey descendant.
I am also a Monsey descendant……..unfortunately much older than you at 77 years.
I do hope you don’t mind my replying to your blog. My grand daughter is 15 years old.
I live in Australia.
I have some information that may peak your interest even more re portrait…..assuming you have not come across this yourself.
Re: John Mounsey d. 1793. see your grave image.
John the King of Patterdale and his wife, Elizabeth Nicholson d. 1800 Queen of Patterdale
. Elizabeth’s unflattering portrait by John White Abbott is at the Victoria and Albert Museum. It may not be on view. The Portrait is called The Queen of Patterdale. I am John and Elizabeth’s descendant. John and Elizabeth’s grand daughter, Ann Mounsey married Thomas Holme. I am descended from this line.
I trust you are keeping safe re current crisis.
Kind regards
a cousin Lesley Ann Eller
0473964938
lesley3113r@gmail.com
Box 1012 Randwick 2031
NSW Australia
Dear Lesley, how very kind of you to share your story with us! We have passed on your details to Olivia, and we are sure that she will be in touch in due course. Thank you again, and hope you are keeping safe and well. Kindest regards!