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This tree has been compiled with the help of many contributors. Sincere thanks to all, and apologies to those whose information has not been added yet.
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I still have a lot of data and feature pages to add, and many of the notes need tidying up but any new information is welcome. If you find any errors or would like to update your line please let me know. Bean
Author and biographer of William Shakespeare. He occasionally gave lectures on British and Italian art.
George "of Pinner"
It is mentioned in Lena Ashwell's biography, "Myself a Player", that her Great uncle was Nicholas Pocock the marine painter. This means George should be Nicholas' brother, but the ages do not tie up.
It seems more likely that George could be the Son of Nicholas, especially as Nicholas was living in London in 1795. To add to the confusion the Family Tree in a biography by David Cordingly shows that George, 1788 - 1845 was a barrister married to Frances AsKwell. There are other references to Lena (Lady Simson) and her brother Captain Roger Pocock in the same book.
ABODES:
Ayot St. Lawrence, Herts.
Grenada
Died unmarried
Notes from T.I. Pocock:
Charles, of Isle of Grenada and Ayot of St Lawrence, Herts.
Charles Ashwell Boteler Pocock
According to family records, Charles was the Grandson of Captain Nicholas Pocock, the marine painter, but in his daughter, Lena's, biography "Myself a Player" she states that Nicolas was his Uncle.
His wealthy Pocock ancestors owned a large amount of land, in Berkshire, from Cookham to Maidenhead and beyond. Many are buried in the family vault at the Holy Trinity church, Cookham.
Charles first began his life at sea, at the early age of eleven, as a midshipman. He became a Commander in the Royal Navy and was also a Clerk in Holy Orders. He spent some time in Burma, where he was wounded with a shot in the neck.
He kept a scrapbook, called "The Father Book" by the family, which was left in his daughter Lena's will to the Church of the Old Catholics, to which she was closely associated. Their records are at Cambridge College but her brother Roger's biographer, Geoffrey Pocock, reports that they have no record of it. The book contained his pedigree and stories of his past. It also had his portrait and many other of his sketches including an early drawing of San Francisco as a small village. He had blue eyes and, sported a pointed silver beard. The play, "Heartbreak House" by George Bernard Shaw, featured an old sea-captain who was based on Charles.
In 1854 he married Sarah and then, a few years later, moved to New Zealand after the birth of their first son, Francis. They may have been in Bombay during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59, although Francis was born in England in 1858. They built a house called "Gables" at Motueka, in the Nelson district of New Zealand. Whilst there they had two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Money soon ran out and they returned to England with Francis and surviving daughter, Rosalie.
Charles then took command of the Royal Navy training ship, "Wellesley", where he prepared young destitute boys for a life at sea. During this period the ship was nearly destroyed by fire with his family on board. The ship was saved but was later destroyed by another fire in 1914.
After the rest of their children were born the family sailed to Quebec, on the S.S. Peruvian, about 1881-82, and lived in a log built cottage on the cliffs of the St. Lawrence River near to Brockville. They stayed there for two years before moving into Brockville and then Toronto. Charles became a deacon and established the Society of the Treasury of God.
Whilst there, the eldest daughter, Rosalie, at the age of 23, became the second wife of Canadian civil engineer, Samuel Keefer, who designed the suspension bridge across the Niagara gorge. He was 72 when they married in 1883.
His wife, Sarah, was tragically killed, in May 1887, he became very distraught and gave up his church work. As soon as Lena completed her term at Toronto University he took Ethel, Lena and Hilda to Lausanne, Switzerland. He was suffering from one of his attacks of Bright's desease, at the time, and nearly died on his arrival. He then moved back to Bayswater, London when Lena was accepted at the Royal Academy of Music. He made a brief return to Canada, in 1890, after the death of Rosalie's husband and may have brought her back to England.
He suffered another almost fatal attack of Bright's disease in 1892 but managed to survive for another seven years. A rule prevented him from being buried in the family vault at Cookham so he was buried at Maidenhead. The reason is presently unknown but it did not prevent his daughter, Lena, from being buried at Cookham.
Free BMD: Marriages Jun 1854
Stevens Sarah Margaret Portsea I. 2b 589
Pocock Charles Ashwell Bolelar Portsea I. 2b 587
Passengers arriving at Auckland, New Zealand
Lieut.Charles POCOCK; Vessel SPRAY OF THE OCEAN: Sept 1 1859
Sarah was proud of her sea-faring Cornish ancestors, Stevens and Cole. One ancestor, Captain Christopher Cole, was knighted for taking control of Banda Neira on 9th August 1810. He overcame a garrison of 2,000 with just 200 men.
Sarah had a sister, Ellen, who married a dean; and a sister, Mary, who married an Admiral. When both were widowed they lived together at Southsea, Hampshire. The sisters were said to have been childhood friends of Lily Langtry.
Sarah travelled the world with Charles and was said to have been in Bombay during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59, although their first son, Francis, was born in England in 1858. Charles retired and they moved to New Zealand with young Francis. They built a house called "Gables" at Motueka, in the Nelson district. Whilst there they had two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Money soon ran out and they returned to England with Francis and surviving daughter, Rosalie. The rest of their children were born in England.
The family sailed to Quebec, on the S.S. Peruvian, about 1881-82, and lived in a house on the cliffs of the St. Lawrence River near to Brockville. They stayed there for two years before moving into Brockville.
Whilst there, the eldest daughter, Rosalie, at the age of 23, became the second wife of Canadian civil engineer, Samuel Keefer, who designed the suspension bridge across the Niagara gorge. He was 72 when they married in 1883.
The rest of the family moved to Toronto but Sarah became ill and moved back to stay with the Keefers, who owned a large house on the outskirts of Brockville.
On 28th May 1887 she was travelling into the town of Brockville, in a horse drawn carriage, when the horse suddenly bolted throwing Sarah out of the carriage. She died instantly.
Free BMD: Marriages Jun 1854
Stevens Sarah Margaret Portsea I. 2b 589
Pocock Charles Ashwell Bolelar Portsea I. 2b 587
Author, Pioneer and Founder of the Legion of Frontiersmen in 1904.
Extract from the West Australian newspaper, Perth Western Australia. Wednesday, July 31st , 1935
More info found at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1124/legion/histaust1935.htmlThe son of a commander in the Royal Navy, he was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and as a youth he served in the Royal North-west Mounted Police during the second Riel rebellion.
Pensioned off because of the effects of having been frozen when on duty, he became a missionary in New Caledonia. Later he shipped as a seaman with a Yokohama pirate craft.
In the years that followed, during the close of the last century, he was engaged in various times in some 30 trades and callings associated with outdoor life.
In 1899, he rode along the Rocky Mountains from Canada to Mexico. Then he became a scout in the South African Field Force. Next he travelled to Greenland.
He founded the Legion of Frontiersmen in 1904. Service in the Great War followed. When the armistice was signed he undertook research work with deep-sea fisheries and until 1923 he continued to move about.
In recent years he has been occupied with authorship and in attending to the affairs of the Legion. He has written many works, including plays, an autobiography and stories of adventure and crime. He now lives in London. (1935)
Review of "Following the Frontier" by Roger Pocock
from http://www.thelongridersguild.com/Following_the_frontier.htmRoger Pocock was an Englishman whose tales of wanderlust and equestrian adventure were 19th century travel classics. “Following the Frontier” is considered his best work describing as it does his early adventures in North America.
Although the autobiographical account reads like fiction, it is in fact only the first half of his remarkable life. Pocock begins his tale by explaining how he came to join the Canadian Mounties in 1885. When the Saskatchewan Rebellion broke out soon afterwards, Pocock’s unit was ordered to march from Regina to Fort Albert during the height of the Canadian winter. The author’s feet were severely frost-bitten, leaving him crippled for life.
Never one to be put off by physical adversity, Pocock went on to become one of the 19th centuries most influential equestrian travelers. One of the highlights of “Following the Frontier” is the detailed account of Pocock’s horse ride along the infamous Outlaw Trail, a 3,000 mile solo journey that took the adventurer from Canada to Mexico City. During this trip Pocock not only visited Robber’s Roost and Hole in the Wall, he also spent many a night with the hunted American outlaws then inhabiting this lawless section of the Old American West.
Although considered one of the finest writers of the 19th Century, Pocock’s story is more than just a literary adventure. It takes the reader into backwoods, along forbidden paths, and into the den of danger!
About 1910, Roger was under scrutiny during investigations into the death of Sir Arthur Curtis. He had died in unexplained circumstances some years earlier, when in his company. There are comments about this in his sister Lena Ashwell's biography "Myself a Player". They were given help by the Royal family.
1881 census
Dwelling: 124 Oakfield Road
Census Place: Penge, Surrey, England
Source: FHL Film 1341195 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0825 Folio 40 Page 19
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Charles E. GROSE U 19 M Pattishall, Northampton, England
Rel: Boarder (Head)
Occ: Scholar At School Of Submarine Telegraphy
Henry R. A. POCOCK U 15 M Tenby, Pembroke, Wales
Rel: Boarder
Occ: Scholar At School Of Submarine Telegraphy
Alfred Wm. BROOKER U 20 M Cheltenham, Gloucester, England
Rel: Boarder
Occ: Scholar At School Of Submarine Telegraphy
1901 Census (Index Only): Kensington, London
Lena Ashwell; age 30; born Durham South Shields; Actress
Roger Pocock; age 35; born Tenby, Pembroke; Novelist & Journalist
Ethel Pocock; age 32; born Ludlow, Salop; Living on own means
Ethel was plagued from childhood with a hip disease, which developed after a fall and made her lame. She spent 5 years in traction with heavy weights hanging from her leg to help it straighten. This caused her constant pain. She was always cared for by her mother until her mother's tragic accident in Canada 1887. After this she was looked after by her sister, Lena. They left Canada with father, about the end of 1888, and headed for Switzerland for a while before returning to England.
Ethel was very handy at making clothes out of household items, such as tablecloths etc. She would often make costumes for Lena when she started her acting career.
She was living in Walmer, Kent in 1908 and was visited by Lena and Henry after their marriage.
1881 Census
Dwelling: Queens Road
Census Place: Weybridge, Surrey, England
Source: FHL Film 1341180 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0766 Folio 49 Page 38
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Mary P. WATSON W 49 F Brighton, Sussex, England
Rel: Head
Occ: School Mistress
Ethel G. POCOCK 13 F Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Lina M. POCOCK 11 F Shields, Durham, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Hilda F. POCOCK 9 F Shields, Durham, England
1901 Census (Index Only): Kensington, London
Lena Ashwell; age 30; born Durham South Shields; Actress
Roger Pocock; age 35; born Tenby, Pembroke; Novelist & Journalist
Ethel Pocock; age 32; born Ludlow, Salop; Living on own means
Like her elder sister Lena, Hilda was also born aboard the ship "Wellesley". During her early adult life she would tell people she was older than Lena. She suffered with her health and would often faint.
After her mother died, in 1887, she returned to England and lived with her Aunt Ethel, possibly at Malvern, while her father and Lena went to Switzerland.
She started her nursing career as a probationer at the Alexandra Hospital for children with hip disease and then moved to the children's hospital at Great Ormond Street. She finished her training at the West London Hospital and then went into the Army Nursing Service. She joined the Boer War where she was made Acting Superintendent at the Guard's Hospital and then moved to one of the Stationary Hospitals at Mafeking. She was later transferred to the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
1881 Census
Dwelling: Queens Road
Census Place: Weybridge, Surrey, England
Source: FHL Film 1341180 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0766 Folio 49 Page 38
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Mary P. WATSON W 49 F Brighton, Sussex, England
Rel: Head
Occ: School Mistress
Ethel G. POCOCK 13 F Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Lina M. POCOCK 11 F Shields, Durham, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Hilda F. POCOCK 9 F Shields, Durham, England
Victor's notes:
Christopher was a Commander of one of H.M. Packets and came from Falmouth.
Something is obviously wrong with the date of birth here.
Notes from T.I. Pocock:
John, of Lincoln's Inn Fields of St. Katherines, Middlesex. Member of Inner Temple, J.P. Glos. Resided latterly near Tewkesbury. Died without issue.
Captain of H.M. Packet (Lapwing)
Notes from T.I. Pocock:
Lived at Sidmouth, Pinhoe nr Exeter & Bournemouth, where she died 28 oct 1894.
Article mentioning a John Innes Pocock found at:
http://mss.library.nottingham.ac.uk/cats/port_londonplf_trusteeships.html
concerning a catalogue of papers concerning the Dukes of Portland as trustees for other families. 1744-1914
It has occurrences of John's name from 1845 - 1847 as "John Innes Pocock of Lincoln's Inn Fields, Middlesex, gentleman."
Henry studied at Edinburgh University. He was Honory Consulting Surgeon to the Hospital for Women at Soho Square, London, where he first met his future wife, Lena Ashwell. She went to see him for a medical consultation after he was recommended by her cousin, Sir Alfred Downing Fripp. She was instantly enamoured by him and new they would marry one day. Her marriage to Arthur Playfair had already fallen apart due to his alcoholism.
Sir Henry was a noted obstetrician who attended royal births, including Queen Elizabeth II and the late Princess Maragaret. He stayed at Glamis castle during these births while his wife, Lena, stayed at St. Andrews.
He was a keen golfer and often played at Walton Heath with Lloyd George. He had two aunts, Ann and Mary, who lived at the same house, in Edinburgh, for 50 years.
After his death, in 1932, Lena received letters of sympathy from many notabilities, including King George, Queen Mary and other Royal families from around the world.
Lena Margaret Ashwell Pocock O.B.E.
NOTES: She had a nephew named Henry Macnicol
LENA ASHWELL OBE by Fmn Geoff Blackburn
Lena Ashwell (real name Lena Margaret Pocock) was the younger sister of Roger Pocock. She was born on 28th September 1872 on board ship in the River Tyne, England and died in London on the 13th March 1957.
A well known Edwardian actress and theatre manageress she was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1917 for her services in organising entertainment for the troops at the front.
Lena Ashwell Pocock was born on the "Wellesey" on the 28th September, 1869. This date is also shown on the family placque in Cookham Church, Surrey. An insertion in the "Shields Daily News" dated the 29th Sep. 1869 announces the birth. On page fifteen of her book, "Myself a Player", she tells how she had an agreement with her sister Hilda, "to be the younger one." Actresses, even in the making, are usually vain! Hilda was born on 27th April, 1871 - also on the ship. (Shields Daily News - 27th April, 1871)
Lena Ashwell was raised and educated in Canada, studying at the University of Toronto. She seemed to set her mind early on a singing career so she later studied music at the Lausanne in Switzerland and at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Her voice however proved inadequate and she turned her talents to acting.
She had several notable acting successes in the early 1900s after which she managed the Kingsway theatre in London from 1905-1915. During the First World War she organised the Lena Ashwell Concerts for the troops at the Front. She wrote of these experiences in her book Modern Troubadours published in 1922.
Following the War she formed and managed the Lena Ashwell Players and produced drama at London's Century Theatre from 1924 to 1929. She later wrote her autobiography, Myself a Player which was published in 1936.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1124/legion/histlena.html
1881 Census
Dwelling: Queens Road
Census Place: Weybridge, Surrey, England
Source: FHL Film 1341180 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 0766 Folio 49 Page 38
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Mary P. WATSON W 49 F Brighton, Sussex, England
Rel: Head
Occ: School Mistress
Ethel G. POCOCK 13 F Ludlow, Shropshire, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Lina M. POCOCK 11 F Shields, Durham, England
Rel: Pupil
Occ: Scholar
Hilda F. POCOCK 9 F Shields, Durham, England
1901 Census (Index Only): Kensington, London
Lena Ashwell; age 30; born Durham South Shields; Actress
Roger Pocock; age 35; born Tenby, Pembroke; Novelist & Journalist
Ethel Pocock; age 32; born Ludlow, Salop; Living on own means