The family of my maternal 2nd great grandmother Abigail Paice lived all around this area for many, many years. On 17 Mar 1776 her great grandparents Jonathon Paice and Elizabeth Skeates were married at Whitchurch (my 5th great grandparents). Our direct line ancestors lived in the surrounding villages of Kingsclere, Tufton, Longparish and Longstock. There have been several clues emerge in the area too, as to the identity of her mysterious husband George Courtney – my genealogical nemesis!
Kingsclere is a large village near the Berkshire border. In 1716 , my maternal 6th great grandfather Thomas Paice was born here and his son, my 5th great grandfather Jonothan thirty years later in 1746. Our connections to Kingsclere extend a couple of more generations further back to the 1600’s.
Tufton is a small village a mile from Whitchurch, the St Mary’s Church dates from the 13th century. Our connection to Tufton is from 1778, with the birth of my maternal 4th great grandfather Isaac Paice.
Longparish remains a small village today. It is situated on the River Test and has an abundance of thatched and period properties, bordered to the north by the remains of Harewood Forest. In 1756 my maternal 5th great grandfather Thomas Monk was born here and many others in the Paice and Tarrant families also resided.
Longstock is another small village, it is where my 7th great grandmother Sarah Isron was born around 1698. She married Thomas Carter who was from nearby Leckford, probably at St Mary’s Church in Longstock, however the church was largely rebuilt in the 1880s.
Nearby Andover is also an attractive market town.
Barton Stacey and Hurstbourne Tarrant are also of interest due to my longstanding Courtney research (refer Finding George Courtney for more information).
- 1820 – Silas Cole, born in Chilbolton – the convict we are somehow related to!
- 1841 – Courtneys of Bramsbury, Barton Stacey. Gentlemen. Involved in the Swing Riots.
When we visited
We plan to visit in 2024.
Read more about our family:
Read more about our visits:
Links to rayver33
See also:
- Kingsclere, Wikipedia, accessed 8 Mar 2024
- Kingsclere, Myths and Legends, accessed 8 Mar 2024
- Tufton, Hampshire Genealogy, accessed 8 Mar 2024
- Whitchurch, Wikipedia, accessed 8 Mar 2024
- Whitchurch Hampshire Genealogy, accessed 9 Mar 2024
Present day map:
Featured image: Whitchurch. Courtesy Rich and Calum, Orchard Blog 2024
Our Genie Places 