Overview of the Durnfords
The Durnford links to the Military begin with the marriage of Elias Durnford and Martha Gannaway and then through their sons.
Our Durnford's ancestors were Saxon and lived in various areas of United Kingdom, in particular in the Deerhurst region of Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
Some early records of the name include, Hubert de Derneford Benefactor of Sibton Abbey in Suffolk in 1149 and Philip de Derneford a wine merchant of London, Thomas Arundell b1394 of Lonhadron Cornwall, b 1394 m Mary (Francis) Durnford b1398
In the 13th century were several noted men, Sir William de Derenford, Roger de Derenford, Thomas de Derenford, Walter de Derenford and John de Derenford, to name a few. This was the period in history where there were no surnames. People merely took the name of their area to identify who they were. Every family named their child in a particular naming pattern, making positive identification of a particular lineage quite difficult to unravel.
Mention is made ..... The sheriffs of 1259–60 and 1260–1 were no longer royal nominees holding during ..... Hamon of Beckhampton, Richard de Haselden, and William of Durnford. ...... leading to the removal of the chancellor, treasurer, and many lesser officials, ...
Gaols were similarly delivered by four local knights, often the same men as were being commissioned for assizes. The first such commission for the delivery of Old Salisbury gaol dates from November 1236, sixteen years later than the earliest known examples of this type of commission. Perhaps so long as the Longespees were at the castle, they appointed their own justices to deliver the gaol. The 'four justices' of 1236, who were also appointed to try a petty assize at Devizes in the following August, were Reynold of Calne, Hamon of Beckhampton, Richard de Haselden, and William of Durnford.[1][i]
Gaols were similarly delivered by four local knights, often the same men as were being commissioned for assizes. The first such commission for the delivery of Old Salisbury gaol dates from November 1236, sixteen years later than the earliest known examples of this type of commission. Perhaps so long as the Longespees were at the castle, they appointed their own justices to deliver the gaol. The 'four justices' of 1236, who were also appointed to try a petty assize at Devizes in the following August, were Reynold of Calne, Hamon of Beckhampton, Richard de Haselden, and William of Durnford.[1][i]
Survey of the manor of Clarendon and of the Forest was carried out in 1272 by Sir William de Deneford Knight and others for Edward the First a list of repairs was noted
1277 William de Dernefod (Willielmus de Derneford) Knight performing Military Service due from R. le Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England - Muster at Worchester, in Eight Days of St John the Baptist 1st July
There is also another set of arms for a William de Derneford, in St George's Roll, E318. Sir William lived in Crick Manor.
Overview of the Isaacsons
The Isaacsons are likely to have been sons of Vikings - son of Isaac - the earliest known records are in the 15th century, so it has been said.
The Durnford links to the Military began with the marriage of Jemima Isaacson.
Jemima Isaacson's family links to King William the Conqueror were through her maternal lineage Captain John Rogers (1627 - 1684) was the grandson of Ruth Herrick of Leicester. The family followed those lines explicitly, with their direct links to King William and King Arthur.
The Herricks were landowners, goldsmiths, merchants, and Mayors. They lived on the land on which King Richard was buried in Leicester. William Herrick placed a marker on the spot of the burial, indicating, "Here lieth the last King of England" Later generations sold that land to the Leicester Council, who constructed a car park.
Their ancestors were Knights and fought in most Mediaeval battles. The family were goldsmiths to King James.
Good marriages were essential to the continuance of family traditions, as some of the Herrick papers reveal. They chose the husbands for their daughter's, much to the disappointment at times, of the ladies in question.
Various members of the family were Sheriffs in London, and a great many followed their parents theological pathways. Rev William Isaacson[1] who was the Chaplain at Surat, in 1647 moved to the Fort St George, and later was appointed as first Chaplain in Madras, with the English East India Company [2]
Jemima Isaacson's family were wealthy. That wealth was attributed to their interests in coal mines in Newcastle UK, and from an inheritance from her aunt's marriage to John Montague. However due to a court ruling regarding a will, in 1812, those wealths vanished.
Her father Anthony Isaacson, was the Customs Officer in Newcastle, who married Margaret Creagh. Her maternal great grandfather was Sir William Creagh, who was a favourite of King James, and was appointed Lord Mayor of Newcastle.
Many members of the Isaacson lineage were Clergy in the Anglican Church.
However the advent of technology and DNA may provide a different perspective on those previously published statements as to the early history of the Family of Isaacson.
It is highly likely that the Isaacsons, written in some form or other were descendants of those same band of Conquerors from 1066. It has been established that their early beginnings may have been in Scotland, where one "Isaac" married King Robert (The Bruce)'s daughter Matilda.
His name was Sir Thomas Isaac Esq, son of Sir Thomas Isaac, Knight. They had as son, John, who was, at one time, destined for the throne, had King David, not survived.
John died young, but no commoner could father a future King. This Sir Thomas Isaac was the direct ancestor of Bonnie Prince Charles.
An excerpt from Scotlands Electric Blue - Regarding the Isaac Scottish lineage.
....He explained the legend that there were two Danite youths from Ireland whose families had become Christians during the time of Saint Patrick, 390-467 A.D. and had resisted the British invaders back in the twelfth century. They were set afloat in an open boat; likely from the port of Drogheda, County Meath, into the Irish Sea, form where the tides still flow strongly up through the northern channel.
The story was that they soon drifted north into the Sound of Sleat, between county Knoydart and the Isle of Skye. Not knowing any language but the Irish Erse and being of obvious Jewish parentage, they were readily given the surname “Isaac”, this being the best known Jewish name among the uneducated local populace. Their sons and descendants became known as “MacIsaac”, in line with local name, customs and traditions.
During the next three or four centuries the clan was to multiply rapidly and spread all throughout the western islands and coastal regions of Scotland. During this time they seemed to have divided into three branches.
One group became known as “McKeesic”. Those were fishermen; apparently a very hardy and successful race who worked for the fish merchants who owned the boats and gear. On the rough seas of the west coast, these McKeesic clan were tough and successful fisher folk. Education came second to hard work for the hired help of the lords and chieftains of the isles who dominated the lucrative fishing and farming operations even then.
The other group, the MacIsaac or McIsaac, seem to retain more the traits of their ancestors. They became gifted artisans, tradesman, and business people. Some of the categories listed are tax collectors, sheriffs, jailers, policeman, and soldiers. As tradesmen they were known as brewers, boat builders, carpenters, stone masons, stone cutters, bricklayers and builders.
The other group which seemed to have moved farther inland to the highlands became shepherds and farm hands, and eventually their name was spelled McKissock. All of these families, however, had their roots on the west coast from the Isle of Mull through Moidart, north to Knoydart and over to the southern part of Skye[3].
What strengthens this theory, for me, is the results of my DNA. All my life, my assumption was my ancestors were English and Scottish. Until the advent of technology. That disproved my assumptions, because a huge 61% of my ethnicity was from Western Europe. That took a while to work out the logical reasons. Most of the conquerors did not marry any person below their own social standing, mistresses excluded, until around the 17th century.
Jemima Isaacson's family followed precisely the traits of the MacIsaac's of Scotland.
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Overview of the Durnfords
The Durnford links to the Military begin with the marriage of Andrew Durnford to Jemima Isaacson.
Our Durnford's ancestors were Saxon and lived in various areas of United Kingdom, in particular in the Deerhurst region of Gloucestershire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
Some early records of the name include, Hubert de Derneford Benefactor of Sibton Abbey in Suffolk in 1149 and Philip de Derneford a wine merchant of London, Thomas Arundell b1394 of Lonhadron Cornwall, b 1394 m Mary (Francis) Durnford b1398
In the 13th century were several noted men, Sir William de Derenford, Roger de Derenford, Thomas de Derenford, Walter de Derenford and John de Derenford, to name a few. This was the period in history where there were no surnames. People merely took the name of their area to identify who they were. Every family named their child in a particular naming pattern, making positive identification of a particular lineage quite difficult to unravel.
Mention is made ..... The sheriffs of 1259–60 and 1260–1 were no longer royal nominees holding during ..... Hamon of Beckhampton, Richard de Haselden, and William of Durnford. ...... leading to the removal of the chancellor, treasurer, and many lesser officials, ...
Gaols were similarly delivered by four local knights, often the same men as were being commissioned for assizes. The first such commission for the delivery of Old Salisbury gaol dates from November 1236, sixteen years later than the earliest known examples of this type of commission. Perhaps so long as the Longespees were at the castle, they appointed their own justices to deliver the gaol. The 'four justices' of 1236, who were also appointed to try a petty assize at Devizes in the following August, were Reynold of Calne, Hamon of Beckhampton, Richard de Haselden, and William of Durnford.
Survey of the manor of Clarendon and of the Forest was carried out in 1272 by Sir William de Deneford Knight and others for Edward the First a list of repairs was noted
1277 William de Dernefod (Willielmus de Derneford) Knight performing Military Service due from R. le Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshall of England - Muster at Worchester, in Eight Days of St John the Baptist 1st July
There is also another set of arms for a William de Derneford, in St George's Roll, E318. Sir William lived in Crick Manor.
At the time of the invasion, their Wiltshire lands were taken from them, and later in Sir William successfully applied for their return.
1282 Walter de Derenford (Walterus de Derneford) Serviens performing Military Service due from Robertus fil Pagani Muster at Rhuddlan on Sunday the Morrow of St Peter and Vincula 2 Aug
1301 Willielmus de Derenford Summonsed from the Counties of Oxford and Berkshire to perform Military Service against the Scots. Muster at Berwick upon Tweed, on the Navity of St John the Baptist 24th June, ie The Wars of Scottish Independence.
King Edward III granted William de Derneford to be the bailiwick of Isle of Wight
Around 1642 a Civil War raged across England.
One William Durnford, a Royalist Musketeer, although heavily indebted and with many children was the most heavily fined local man, probably because he was a constable and had been active against Parliament and supporters. His son was in arms at Bruton.[5]
William was a known delinquent and his tenants may have had Royalist sympathies. His tenant at Cadbury, Hon Alice Willoughby had Parliamentary troops billeted in her home.
By now, there are Durnfords recorded all over England, but some were common to particular area or profession.
Many Durnford family members were also members of the Clergy.
[1] http://anglicanhistory.org/india/chatterton1924/02.html
[2] http://www.marinelives.org/wiki/MRP:_24th_March_1662/63,_Letter_from_William_Isaacson_to_Sir_GO,_London
[3] www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/macisaac.htm
[4] http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol5/pp1-43
[5] An English Civil War Family History Essay John Bull of North Cadbury
www.southwilts.com/site/My-family-history-by-Mark-Wareham/BullJohn1622.pdf
Wm. Durnford, North Cadbury, Somerset.
“March 1647. Compounds for delinquency in setting forth a musketeer against Parliament. Is a man of weak estate, is greatly indebted, and has many children.
25 March. Fine at 1/6, 58l. 10s. 6d.452 From: 'Cases before the Committee: March 1647', Calendar, Committee for Compounding: Part 3 (1891), pp. 1676-1716.
URL: http://www.britishhistory. ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=59716&strquery=durnford cadbury Date accessed: 01 July 2013.
[i] http://edurnford.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/4032-researching-durnfords-wiltshire.html
1. Captain Anthony Isaacson
Anthony's nephew was Captain Anthony Isaacson, grandson of John Isaacson, Esq., recorder of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Anthony Isaacson was a captain in the 41st Foot, and subsequently in the Royal Veteran or Invalid Battalion for a period of some 40 years, between 1745 and 1785.
He was one of the committee of officers selected by the Government of the day and sent over to Prussia to view and report on the system of Infantry drill which had been brought to such a state of perfection by Frederick the Great, the author and inventor of marching in step, which is the basis of all precision of movement on parade, and of what soldiers understand by the term '* drill."
Captain Isaacson was Deputy Lieutenant-Governor of Elizabeth Castle, St. Helier, Jersey, when that Island was invaded by the French in 1781
2. Captain Anthony Harvest Isaacson
His son, Jemima's cousin, Captain Anthony Harvest Isaacson was the son of Captain Anthony Isaacson, and grandson of John Isaacson, Esq., recorder of Newcastle-on-Tyne. Anthony Harvest Isaacson, entered the 34th Regiment in March, 1783, and subsequently on the 25th September, 1787, exchanged into the 2nd (Queen's) Regiment,
He joined the 41st on the 24th December, 1787, and remained in it till the month of February, 1792, when he was appointed Adjutant of the Brecknock Militia. In 1798 he became captain by brevet in his regiment. He was also the adjutant of the Monmouth and Brecon Militia till the 27th August, 1802, when he went on half pay.
When the Monmouth was consolidated with the Brecon and embodied in 1803, he became Lieut, and Quarter- Master but resigned the appointment and went on half pay 24th October, 1805. On the 24th September 1808 he was appointed Adjutant of the West Monmouth Local Militia, and so remained until that force was " suspended" by the Act of 1816.
He then went on half pay again, and finally retired in 1826. He had served 25 years and 3 months on full pay, and 1 8 years and 4 months on half pay, making a total service of 43 years and 7 months.
His son Egerton Charles Harvest Isaacson (1795 - 1861) was a Lieutenant in 51st and served at the battle of Waterloo, and later was adjutant of the Brecon militia.
3. Montague Isaacson
Her brother Montague Isaacson served as a mid-shipman with Admiral Boscawen.
4. Lieutenant William Isaacson
It is likely her brother Lieutenant William Isaacson served in the Seven Year War.
Jemima's sister married William King, her nephews included
5. Admiral Sir Edward Durnford King
Admiral Sir Edward Durnford King KCH (1771 – 14 January 1862) was a Royal Navy officer. After taking part in the Glorious First of June he saw action at the blockade of Cadiz before going on to be Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope and Brazil in 1840 and then Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1845.
Naval career
Durnford King[1] joined the Royal Navy in 1786. He took part in the action of the Glorious First of June in 1794 and, having become a lieutenant on HMS Dryad, took part in the capture of the French ship Prosperpine in 1796.Promoted to acting Captain in 1800, he commanded HMS Leviathan and, following his promotion to full Captain, he transferred to HMS Andromeda.
In 1805 he was given command of HMS Endymion and took part in the blockade of Cadiz. He later commanded HMS Monmouth at the capture of Tharangambadi (Tranquebar) in India and was knighted in 1833.
He was appointed Commander-in-Chief, Cape of Good Hope and Brazil in 1840 and Commander-in-Chief, The Nore in 1845.
British warships stationed on the coast of Brazil played a secondary role in the suppression of the Brazilian slave trade during the period after 1839, as they had done throughout the eighteen thirties. When at the end of 1839 the navy' s anti-slave trade powers were first extended the bulk of the squadron on the east coast of the South American station (which was for a brief period 1840 -1 combined with the Cape station under Rear Admiral Sir Edward King.
As early as August 1841 Rear Admiral Sir Edward King had recommended that the navy concentrate all its efforts on the west African coast (King to Admiralty 7 Aug 1841)
Whilst in the Royal Navy he commanded the following ships:
HMS Leviathan
HMS Andromeda
HMS Endymion
HMS Monmouth
Ranks held: Cape of Good Hope and Brazil Nore Command
He was awarded the Royal Guelphic Order.
Captain Edward Durnford King commissioned Monmouth again in March 1807. Rear-Admiral William O'Bryen Drury raised his flag in her on 7 September and then eight days later sailed her with a convoy of nine Indiamen to the East Indies, seven for the coast and two for Bombay.
During the voyage, on 25 January 1808 she captured the Danish ship Nancy. Then on 12 February she arrived off the Danish possession of Tranquebar just in time to observe the landing of troops of the 14th regiment of Foot and the Honourable East India Company's artillery by Russell. The British immediately went on to capture the settlement and fort, which capitulated without resistance.
TS 45/42 Claim by Admiral Sir Edward king for share in grant for destruction of Barracoons at Cabinda and Ambriz, Angola 1848 Public record office Kew. The Barracoons, as the buildings are called in which the slaves are confined who ...... had obtained their cargoes at the Sherbro, at Ambriz, Cabinda or Loanda, ...
A copy of Memorandum of letters to and from Admiral Sir Edward King relating to China & French naval movements 1841 - 1842 PRO 30/12/36/17 Public record office Kew
From the Australian records on Trove, there are numerous accounts of his actions, including the fact that he in 1841 brought 148 Negros from the slave ship Ann and took them to Cape Town on the "Accord" and paid for the expenses, as he had no orders.
In 1857 it notes that they were sorry to hear of his "service indisposition"
6. Captain Andrew King
Captain Andrew King, was C.B. Superintendent of Packets at Falmouth. Having entered the naval service at an early age, he served as Midshipman onboard the Bellerophon, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Pasley, in the battle of 1st June 1794. Being then made Lieutenant in the Andromeda frigate, and afterwards first of La Desiree, he was wounded in that ship during the attack on Copenhagen by Lord Nelson in 1801.
He was fourth Lieutenant of the Victory, in the battle of Trafalgar, 21st October 1805 and made Commander on the 222nd January 1806. During the capture of Copenhagen, in 1807 he commanded the Hebe, hired armed ship, and brought home the Waldemar, 80; he was made Post for this service in October of that year. He was next appointed Acting in the Venerable 74, and assisted at the reduction of Flushing in August 1809.
He passed thence to the Hannibal, 74, and Royal George, 100 flag-ships; and subsequently obtained command of the Rainbow, 26 and Iphigenia, frigate, in the Mediterranean. In the latter ship he assisted at the capture of Genoa, in 1814, and sailed shortly afterwards with a fleet of transports under his convey from Gibraltar to Bermuda. In October 1815 he proceeded to India, from whence he brought home the Cornwallis, 74. He was next appointed, December 28, 1821, to the Active, 46, which ship he commanded until September 1824. His last appointment was that of Superintendent of Packets at Falmouth, in May 1834.
Andrew married Mary Lewin, and their son William, was a Lieutenant in Royal Artillery. He served at various locations, including France and Barbados.
[1] https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/A_Naval_Biographical_Dictionary/King,_Edward_Durnford
[2] https://books.google.com.au/books?id=ZSNIAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA332&lpg=PA332&dq=captain+andrew+king&source=bl&ots=e9lKdZl2NE&sig=xqnL0G-BTbBY90ejQxvxk8Njy6g&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjw1dDgydDUAhUDH5QKHaxlCeE4ChDoAQglMAE#v=onepage&q=captain%20andrew%20king&f=false
Following the lineage of the descendants of Jemima and Andrew Durnford, (the son of Elias Durnford) their ancestors began with William Durnford who resided in the Ringwood[i] region, and whose details can be traced.
The original family seems to include Robert, Thomas, John, William, Richard and William, from there each had very large families, and each named their children the same names!
The lineage of Elias Durnford is
1. William Durnford b 1565 - 1658 He was the Church warden
2. John Durnford b 1590 - 1653
3. William Durnford b 1632 - 1675
3. William Durnford b 1632 - 1675
4. Andrew Durnford b 1663- 1720
5. Thomas Durnford b 1682 - 1737
6. Elias Durnford b 1720 - 1774
Both families were traditionalists in the custom of naming of their children. The tradition can be sourced to the marriage of William Durnford to Jane Andrews around 1660, and the birth of their son Andrew Durnford in 1663, in North Cadbury, Somerset England.
This naming pattern has over time resulted in a great deal of confusion.
Andrew was a clothier and they lived in Vernham in Hampshire and he married Martha Phillpotts in 1683 in Andover in Hampshire, and had two sons, Thomas and Andrew.
Thomas married Mary Chater, then Mary Lane, and had son sons, and two daughters.
Mary was the daughter of Elias Lane and his wife Edith. Elias was a church warden in Christchurch
The sons were:
· Elias
2.1 The sons of Thomas Durnford and Mary Lane
Thomas Durnford, was a clothier, and his wife was Mary Lane. Both died in 1737, leaving four young children.
The children were two sons, Elias Durnford b 1720 and Andrew Durnford b 1728, and daughters Elizabeth b 1723 and Ann b 1724.
Being under age his eldest son, Elias could not inherit any of the estate from his father.
Elias's brother Andrew, married Joanna Swaine and had 3 daughters and 2 sons.
Those boys were:
· Thomas Durnford 1762
· Elias Durnford. 1771
2.1.1 Andrew Durnford
Andrew Durnford married Joanna Swaine, and had five children,
Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, and two sons
Andrew's sons were also involved in the Military
Thomas b 1762.
His eldest son, Thomas (1762 - 1826) worked as a clerk for the Royal Engineers. He sailed to North America in the year 1776, at the time of the American Revolution with his cousin, Elias Durnford (1739 - 1794) of the Royal Engineers. Elias employed Thomas as a clerk, and he lived in the Lieutenant Governor's quarters.
Thomas found this position gave him understanding and training in the Trade business, between British Florida and New Orleans.
He had a relationship with a mulutto and had a son, Andrew Durnford, who became a very wealthy slave trader, quite an achievement for a mulutto.
and Elias b 1771
His brother Elias (1771 d 1803) in Madras. Perhaps served with the British East India Company and killed at the battle of Assaye in 1803.
2.1.2 Elias Durnford
Within 12 months of his father's death, Elias married Martha Gannaway. She was 6 years his senior.
Martha was the daughter of Thomas Gannaway and Joanna Milledge. She was the beneficiary of her grandfather, John Milledge's estate. He was also a clothier, and the family were Quakers.
They were blessed with four sons. The boys were
1. Elias b 1739
2. Thomas b 1741
3. Andrew b 1744
4. Clark b 1748.
At the time of the birth of the first 3 boys the family were living in Hampshire, and they moved to London prior to the birth of Clark.
These boys were all involved in the Royal Engineers.
Considerable information has been written in the following biographies about Elias Durnford, and Andrew Durnford and their offspring, however, all four boys worked in the Office of Ordinance
Elias Durnford and his son Elias Walker Durnford both served in the Royal Engineers and are briefly mentioned. Two more sons of Elias Junior, Philip and George were in the Royal Artillery.
Andrew Durnford Served in Royal Engineers - he had two sons. Andrew Montague Isaacson Durnford and Anthony William Durnford, both had commissions purchased for them
Andrew Montague Isaacson Durnford who served in the 3rd Foot Guard.
His son Andrew Montague Isaacson Durnford served in 60th Foot and also the Royal Engineers.
Anthony William Durnford,. Anthony William Durnford served in the 1st Foot Guards and later served in the Royal Engineers at Chatham.
Anthony's sons, Edward William Durnford, served in the Royal Engineers and his brother George Anthony Durnford in 27th Regiment
Edward William Durnford had three sons, of whom, Anthony William Durnford, and Arthur George Durnford both served in the Royal Engineers, and Edward Congreve Langley Durnford served with the Royal Marine Artillery.
Arthur George Durnford's son Arthur Cecil Somerset Durnford served in the West India Regiment.
He died in Sierra Leone in 1897
His youngest son Guy Edward Jeroise Durnford joined the Royal Engineers. Guy served in the First World War, and was Commanding Royal Engineer of the Athlone, Ulster and Chatham Districts.
[i] [i] In January 1331, Ringwood and other manors which Isabella had previously surrendered were granted to William Montagu, 1st Earl of Salisbury, whose descendants with some intermission held it for more than two centuries, until the death of Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury in 1541.] It was held by Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset until his execution in 1552, and then briefly by John Gates who was executed in 1553 Queen Mary granted the lands to Francis Hastings, 2nd Earl of Huntingdon, but by the middle of the 17th century the manor had passed to the Arundells of Wardour, and in 1728 was in the hands of Henry Arundell, 6th Baron Arundell of Wardour. His grandson, the eighth Baron, sold it in 1794 to John Morant of Brockenhurst, and the Morant family held the manor throughout the 19th century. Wikipedia
