This Tuesday (6th May 2014) I going to the North Devon village of Clovelly to meet The Princess Royal. "Interesting" you might think, "but what has that got to do with this forum?" Well ... it's as a direct result of the help that I have had from one of our members, Debbie Durrant doing research into my gggg Grandfather Charles GEE JONES.
Charles Gee Jones was born in Weston during the Summer of 1806, being baptised in St Johns church on 4th August of that year. His father, Thomas, was also born in Weston, his mother, Mary GEE was from Long Ashton. He was the eldest of 5 children and also had 2 half brothers from Thomas's first marriage. It would appear that the family had a small home roughly where Argos is today (and a store I worked in when it first opened!!).
Charles married Eliza WATERS (from over the water in Chepstow) in Weston, on the 26th January 1826 and it was about this time, from anecdotal evidence, that he started working as a ships pilot in the ports of Bristol. Charles and Eliza's first three children (Charles, George and William ... spot the Royal connection?) were all born in Weston between 1829 and 1834. Is it possible that Charles worked in Bristol whilst Eliza stayed in Weston?
By 1841, the family had moved to Bathwick (now part of Bath), where Sarah and Thomas were born. Charles Gee Jones was now the publican of the Poultney Arms, Bathwick (which is still a popular pub today with Bath rugby fans) and Man Servant to Dr John RYE, a retired doctor from London. Quite possibly due to his failing sight, Dr Rye would have Charles read him the papers and it was whilst he was carrying out this duty that Charles read about the terrible lost of the Clovelly fishing fleet in November 1838 due to hurricane force winds. The impact on the families in the village and surrounding areas was devastating and following a conversation between John and Charles, they decided that something had to be done to help them. They set about raising money from the people of Bathwick which they gave to the people of Clovelly.
The reaction and support they got seems to have inspired them to do more for all of the fishermen, seafarers and their families around the Country and the following year they formed a society, The Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Benevolent Society. Queen Victoria was the first patron and there has been a Royal patron ever since. Many of you will remember the old mines that could be seen on seafronts, and in some places can still be seen, that we're used as a collection box ... this was for their Society.
Charles died in Poultney Arms after a short illness, on the 20th May 1851, aged just 45. His tomb, I suspect paid for by Dr Rye, has the inscription : "In Memory of Charles Gee Jones who died 20th May 1851 aged 45 years. He lived in the service of J.Rye Esq of this city nearly twenty years and through his exertions the Shipwrek'd Fishermen and Mariners Society was first formed. This tribute is erected by his bereaved widow and family who have lost a most kind husband and an affectionate father. In public and private life he was deservedly respected by all who knew him. Who so walketh uprightly shall be saved."
This year is the Societies 175th year, they still give millions of pounds each year to fishermen, seafarers and their families who are in need, The Princess Royal is the current Patron. This Tuesday morning, in Clovelly, a plaque will be unveiled by HRH to commemorate the men who lost their lives that November day and also the anniversary of the Society. My wife and I have been invited along as direct descendants of one of the founders and I'm told that a number of descendants of the fishermen have also been invited, it should be a fascinating, and quite emotional day.
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