| Valentine Dudley Henry Cary-Elwes (1832-1909) Birth: 26 November 1832 Walcot, Somerset, England, United Kingdom Death: 16 June 1909 Billing Hall, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom Buried: Great Billing Catholic Cemetery, Great Billing Father: Cary Charles Elwes (1800-1866) Mother: Elinor Rye (1805-1859) Married: (1) 28 April 1856 – Henrietta Catharine Lane (c1829-1864) (2) 30 November 1865 – Alice Geraldine Ward (1844-1907) Great Billing Catholic Cemetery On his marriage to Alice the couple moved into the Manor House at Brigg in 1869. They had three children, Gervase, Dudley and Maud. Valentine played a big part in the local community. He campaigned to have a national school built in Brigg. He also developed the water supply granted by his father and was the president of the Choral Society. Valentine was also a keen hunter, organising hunts on his estates for friends and family. In 1874 the family visited Nice in France. Whilst there, they converted to the Catholic faith. At this time there was no Catholic church in Brigg. So, in 1875 Valentine converted the old coach house next to the Manor House into a chapel. It was dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of St. Mary but was known as St. Mary’s. The building served as the Catholic chapel in Brigg until a new church was built in Barnard Avenue in 1965. Valentine provided an income for the priest despite the small number of worshippers. This allowed the Catholic Church to continue in Brigg until its popularity grew. |
Studio portrait of Valentine Cary Elwes (1873) Alice Geraldine Ward Cary-Elwes |
