Totton and Eling Family History

31/03/2025

A Rushington Manor’s family link to an American Founding Father.

Colonel William Bayard Sr was born in New York in 1729, son of Stephen Bayard and Alide Vetch.

William raised a regiment at his own expense among his tenets of which he became the Colonel. He served the cause that deemed right, staying loyal to the crown during the American Revolutionary War assisting the British troops that occupied New York City in 1776. After the war and losing all of their large estates in America, William and his family fled to England. Arriving in the port of Southampton they set up their new family home at Rushington Manor where they became honoured and well known. He died on 24th December 1804 and is buried in Hollybrook Cemetery, Southampton.

One son stayed behind in New York, William Bayard Jr. This William became a prominent New York City Banker, a member of the Society of the New York Hospital, and a founding member of the mercantile firm Leroy, Bayard & McEvers.

Now on to the link. Some of you may have heard of Alexander Hamilton, a musical of his life is currently on at the Mayflower Theatre. For those who have yet to see it I won’t give much away and ruin things for you. Alexander was dedicated to his beliefs and became an American Military Officer, Statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1789 to 1795 during the presidency of George Washington, the first president of the United States. A very telling story for even those who are not interested in history. Sadly Alexander’s life ended on 12th July 1804 the day after a duel with Aaron Burr in Weehawken, New Jersey at the home of his very close friend William Bayard Jr.

So, although it is very small link, a link is still a link. Founding Father Alexander Hamilton was very close friends with the son of the owner of Rushington Manor.

The photo below is a very rare photo of Rushington Manor taken circa 1900s.

Written by Natalie Thompson

Photo courtesy of Yvonne Hanvey

24/10/2024

Can anyone help identifying the people in this photo or a location?

21/12/2023

A BALLARD OF CHRISTMAS

Twas long ago in the darkness,
Upon a donkey mild,
Mary rode into Bethlehem,
When winds were howling wild.

Old Joseph walked beside her,
Leading the ass along,
Fearsome he was for her comfort,
Although he sang a song.

Amidst the clash of the people,
The tumult of the din,
He knocked at the inn for lodging,
And there was none within

No one could give her shelter,
Only the stable bare,
Twas where she bore her nursling,
Her hope and Israel’s heir.

Shepherd and sage, they brought her,
Presents both rich and poor;
They laid them at His Infant feet,
Inside the manger door.

The Christ child is among us,
But we behold him not,
Through countless little acts of love,
Reveal His Form forgot.

He shines in the eyes of children,
Who strive His Will to do,
Through good and faithful souls who dare,
And fight for what is true.

Amid the cold and darkness,
The tumult of the din,
Joseph walked with Mary astride,
Unto the friendless inn.

Veiled in her maiden loviness,
Clothed in her robe of blue,
Nothing but virtue to guide her,
Lead her paths anew.

And because she reared her Baby,
Unto the Perfect Man,
Mothers! The world is at your feet,
For in her Christ began!

Copied as written from Easter and Christmas Poems by Ruth Abraham

24/07/2023

Update - Due to illnesses and holidays amongst the team we have been a little slower than planned to get things up and running. First on our list is to finish writing a full transcript of the Burial Registers for St Marys Churchyard and Cemetary. Once this is complete we endevour to make a searchable map to show the exact final resting place of your Ancestors. Plot numbers wernt recorded untill early-mid 1900's but with some very steady feet and a clipboard or two going back to basics, we will not give up untill we have a location for everyone. Rest assured all graves will be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

14/04/2023

TGIF!!

18/06/2022

A Brief History of Totton and Eling Carnival.

The earliest record I can find is way back in 1898, some 124 years ago. Although it is suggested the Carnival has been going since 1797.

The carnival originally being held in November by torch light (similar to our modern day Lantern Parade). The Committee at the time was JW Fletcher (Chairperson), HW Powell (Hon. Treasurer), J Childs and E Moore (Hon. Secs.), FJ Holloway, J Player, H Chilcott, J Lovell, FG Player, WH Booth, P Sutton, W Blundell, FM Holmes, J Wyatt, VT Moore, and C Abrahams. Prizes were given similar to today for fancy dress, the winners of which were dressed as three dominos. Second prize awarded to Misses Olive Chilcott and B Weaver for ‘Mary had a little lamb’, with third prize going to Miss de Lara for ‘Buttercup’. Awards were also presented for categories including best decorated cycle, best decorated car, best decorated premises, highest amount collected by a child under thirteen and one for adults. The procession was also joined by 2nd Hants Fife and Drum Band. A big bonfire and fireworks ended the evening. It was discussed at a meeting at Oddfellows’ Arms that the Charities the money collected would be distributed between the Royal South Hants Infirmary, the Eye and Ear Hospitals, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Shipwrecked Mariners and Fishermans Society, the inmates of the Totton Almshouses, and Totton Soup Kitchen.

By 1913 the Carnival had grown considerably with more categories having been added. Prizes were awarded for best tradesman’s turnout being won by F Blake, Fruiterer. Mounted tableau was won by W Bolton, with Italian Family winning first prize in the unmounted tableau. Other categories were mounted costume, Ladies comic costume, Gents comic costume, Ladies fancy costume, Children’s fancy costume, and Children’s decorated cycle. The procession was joined by Ashby’s Ragtime Band led by Drum-Major H Abraham, Totton Band, Cadnam Band, Totton Fire Brigade and Totton Troop of Boy Scouts. Headed by a mounted Policeman and the Police, under Sergt Tilling the procession made its way down Rumbridge St, Bagber Rd, Water Lane, Commercial Rd, High St, Eling Lane, Fishers Rd and into Rushington Park. Prizes were awarded on arrival and then an evening of sports events and entertainment pursued. There were 27 entries in the baby competition, with each entry being presented with a Bible as a souvenir by Miss Hony. Tea was provided Mrs Shone and other refreshments by Mr E Harris of the Station Hotel. The evening finished at 10pm with the National Anthem.

In 1923 a successful Carnival dance was held at St Marys Hall. The hall was filled to its utmost and dancing continued well into the early hours. Balloons and streamers distributed in profusion produced much merriment. Mr A Powell was MC.

Married vs Single – Part of the festivities in 1925. A comic costume football match took place in Downs Park. Both teams marched into the grounds under es**rt of The Dark Horse Jazz Band. Upon arrival the married men captioned by Mr P Barter opposed the single men captioned by Mr LA Coleman in a weird interpretation of a game of football. There were no set rules and the antics of the players in their varied costumes entertained a crowd of some 600 spectators. The married men won 4 goals to 3.

In 1926 it was agreed by the Committee to move the Carnival from November to September 8th for the advantage of holding the procession in daylight, although the glamour of a torchlight parade will be missed by those who favour that attractive form of display.

Skip forward to today, 18th June 2022 and the parade will leave Calmore Industrial Estate at 4pm. The weather is looking good although there has been a few drops of rain this morning. Tanya and her Committee have worked splendidly to bring back the Carnival after a trying two years. I for one will be stood roadside to enjoy the procession as it passes by.

16/06/2022

A steam traction engine falls into the mill pond at Eling 1917. Photographer unknown

26/04/2022

And so The Great Cemetery Survey begins!

09/04/2022

Not quite Totton but considering its Grand National day, did you know there was a race track just down the road in Lyndhurst? Part of the golf course is now in its location with one of the small roads off the A337 named Racecourse View. The race track was there in the 1800's but by 1907 was no more.

13/03/2022

1888 to modern day, side by side map of the area showing how built up the area has become.

01/03/2022

The youngest & oldest person in the parish were buried at the same time, side by side.

Rosina Amelia Davies aged 5 days and George Arnold aged 96. The youngest and oldest in the village were buried side by side on 11th April 1904 at Eling.

26/02/2022

A new piece of History. Welcome Pete to Eling Tide Mill Experience

We are delighted to introduce our new miller - Pete. He has an engineering background and an interest in the local area, it's history and the environment. We are delighted to have you as part of the ETME team