The following succession is based on an article found on the internet about Ford End Farm & Watermill, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire.
The succession, which I include here, connected to my direct family, although based in the wrong area, is entirely based on the fact that, historically, most of our family members are agricultural workers and the dates are too irresistibly feasible to risk a little speculation.
In the extract below (written in 1996), I have included comments and note reference numbers in square brackets.
The full article can be found at the following website and as well as detailing its history, it also illustrates the working of the mill; it is well worth a read:
FordEndWatermill.co.uk/guide.html
I quote:
“…It is not yet known who had the mill afterwards, but in 1903, Kelly’s Directory gives Charles Jellis as being ‘farmer and miller (water)’[1]. He bought the mill from the Brownlow (formerly the Bridgewater) Estate in 1924[2].
“Since then, as part of Ford End Farm, the mill has been occupied by four generations of the Jellis family, many whom had nick-names as was the common practice in the area. Charles ‘Nippy’ Jellis was followed by his son, Jesse ‘Dick’ [Jellis], in about 1920[3] and he farmed until his death in 1962. Arthur Jellis, Jesse’s son, then took over and continued until his own death, in 1976, when he was succeeded by his son, Richard, who farms today (1996).
“In 1963, the mill was in such a poor state of repair that it was scarcely usable. After coming to an arrangement in 1965 with the farmer, Arthur Jellis, the Society[4] carried out urgent repair work to the wheel and penstock (sluice gate) to enable the mill to be worked – and it [the Society] has been involved with the preservation of the mill ever since…”
Notes:
[1] Charles was probably just the tenant; aged 24 years.
[2] Charles would have been 45 years.
[3] Charles handed over the tenancy of the farm to son, Jesse, when he was 41 years. Four years later Charles bought the farm outright.
[4] The incomplete paperwork that I have to hand does not mention who ‘the Society’ actually is; however, I thank them for restoring part of our great British heritage.
Possible issue and descendants of:
1048 JOHN JELLIS & SOPHIA KENNEDY
1064 CHARLES (Nippy) JELLIS
born 1879 Barnet, Hertford
occ Farmer & Miller (Water) at Ford End Farm
(Kelly’s directory 1903)
more 1914 bought Ford End Farm
married
[unkn]
issues ?1
1065 ♂ JESSIE (Dick) JELLIS
born ~1900
died 1962
1065 JESSIE (Dick) JELLIS
born ~1900
died 1962
occ Farmer & Miller (Water) at Ford End Farm
more 1924 took over Ford End Farm
married
[unkn]
issues ?1
1066 ♂ ARTHUR JELLIS
born ~1920
died 1976
1066 ARTHUR JELLIS
born ~1920
died 1976
occ Farmer & Miller (Water) at Ford End Farm
more 1962 took over Ford End Farm
married
[unkn]
issues ?1
1067 ♂ RICHARD JELLIS
born ~1940
1067 RICHARD JELLIS
born ~1940
occ Farmer & Miller (Water) at Ford End Farm
more 1976 took over Ford End Farm
FIU
Footnote: In spite of all my speculation, I thank the compilers of the above-mentioned site for a very detailed insight into the history of the farm and mill.
I welcome any comments on this hypothesis and even if the connection to this project proves false (as I am sure it will), I sincerely hope that the information will help researchers of another Jellis branch; we are almost certainly connected somewhere in the past and even if it is in Europe, before the Norman era, let’s hope we will find it!
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Finalised for Website 7 May.2010
Updates:
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