Furse (surname)
Encyclopedia
Furse is a Devon
surname as well as one of several names for the evergreen shrub more widely known as Gorse
. The name is believed to be derived from Old English: fyrse (meaning "gorse"). the name is often compared to that of Furze that is also found in Cornwall
.. The first Furse is recorded in the South-west circuit of the Domesday book
(known as the Exon Domesday) as Robert Furse.
(Map of Devon with Halsdon marked) from 1680 until the early 1980s . Up to 1680 the family was resident at Morshead, this being established before the first Visitation to the county of Devon in 1534.
The farm Morshead passed to the John Furse in 1525 when the only daughter of John Morshead (whose ancestors had changed their family name from Le Bon to Morshead soon after they occupied the farm.), Johan married John Furse. This was recorded by John Furse's son Robert in the "Furse Diary" written in 1593.
exist, conclusive proof of lineage of the Furses of Halsdon in Parish records is not found until the end of the 17th Century with Philip Furse (1650-1720) who acquired Halsdon from a maternal uncle . Parish records before this time do not exist as the local churches were subject to attack during the English Civil War
(1642-1651). The area was a royalist stronghold and fighting was particularly bitter, leading to the destruction of a number of important local buildings.
The family's working lives mostly consisted of one or more of Church of England duty, public service in the armed forces (except for the RAF) and oil painting. See section below of more notable members of this period. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the family was generally restricted in marriage to a handful of other large families from the same part of the country, but that were of the same sphere, those being Chadwyck-Healey
, Marriott
, Lubbock
, one of the Church of England (English) Abraham
families, and Maud
(see John Redcliffe-Maud). Others include the French name Dolignon
, and Addington Symonds.
, Ashreigny, Beaford
, Bideford
, Dolton
, Fremington, Great Torrington
, Hartland
, High Bickington
, Poughill
, St Giles in the Wood, Weare Giffard, Winkleigh
and Yarnscombe
. Despite this success during the 18th century, the Estate as it was became unsustainable. How much of this can be blamed on poor transport facilities and few natural resources in the area, and how much on a failure of the family to adapt to the changing climate of the Industrial Revolution
is debatable, however the result was that it was no longer retained at this and so was sold off over a period of time during the 19th century.
These decisions proved prudent for the changes in the law brought in by socialist and liberal
governments in the early part of the 20th century that changed the way property was owned and could be inherited, statuting the requirement of the payment of Death Duties. The burden of payments on inheritance was therefore diminished significantly and the Estate remained much as it was until it was finally broken up in 1983.
The house is now owned by Charlie Watts
, drummer of the Rolling Stones, whose wife Shirley breeds Arabian horse
s on nearby land that was part of the Estate throughout its history (Halsdon Arabians). The farms owned by the Estate were sold to their tenants and remaining woodland donated to the Devon Wildlife Trust
(Halsdon Nature Reserve). The Estate was photographed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by James Ravilious
(James Ravilious' website and BBC Tribute to JR) for the Beaford Archive (http://www.beaford-archive.org.uk/). Parts of it were photographed again, with the surrounding area, by his son Ben Ravilious in 2005 (Ben Ravilious' professional website). James Ravilious had a personal connection with the Furse family, marrying Caroline (Robin) Whistler, a daughter of Sir Laurence Whistler
by his first wife, the late Jill Furse.
The house also gave its name inexplicably to a variation of the Bloodhound
cocktail, made with gin, vermouths and raspberries.
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
surname as well as one of several names for the evergreen shrub more widely known as Gorse
Gorse
Gorse, furze, furse or whin is a genus of about 20 plant species of thorny evergreen shrubs in the subfamily Faboideae of the pea family Fabaceae, native to western Europe and northwest Africa, with the majority of species in Iberia.Gorse is closely related to the brooms, and like them, has green...
. The name is believed to be derived from Old English: fyrse (meaning "gorse"). the name is often compared to that of Furze that is also found in Cornwall
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
.. The first Furse is recorded in the South-west circuit of the Domesday book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
(known as the Exon Domesday) as Robert Furse.
Introduction
The Furse Family was resident on the Estate of Halsdon in North DevonDevon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
(Map of Devon with Halsdon marked) from 1680 until the early 1980s . Up to 1680 the family was resident at Morshead, this being established before the first Visitation to the county of Devon in 1534.
The farm Morshead passed to the John Furse in 1525 when the only daughter of John Morshead (whose ancestors had changed their family name from Le Bon to Morshead soon after they occupied the farm.), Johan married John Furse. This was recorded by John Furse's son Robert in the "Furse Diary" written in 1593.
Earliest recorded history
Although various records for short periods after the C.11th Domesday bookDomesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
exist, conclusive proof of lineage of the Furses of Halsdon in Parish records is not found until the end of the 17th Century with Philip Furse (1650-1720) who acquired Halsdon from a maternal uncle . Parish records before this time do not exist as the local churches were subject to attack during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
(1642-1651). The area was a royalist stronghold and fighting was particularly bitter, leading to the destruction of a number of important local buildings.
Nineteenth century to the present day
Despite the lack of Parish records, other sources exist for lineages of the landed gentry, enabling genealogists John Green (John Green's Genealogy Website, Furse Family 1650-C.20th) and Carina Robins, to compile family trees.The family's working lives mostly consisted of one or more of Church of England duty, public service in the armed forces (except for the RAF) and oil painting. See section below of more notable members of this period. Until the middle of the twentieth century, the family was generally restricted in marriage to a handful of other large families from the same part of the country, but that were of the same sphere, those being Chadwyck-Healey
Chadwyck-Healey Baronets
The Chadwyck-Healey Baronetcy, of Wyphurst in the County of Surrey, is a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. It was created on 6 May 1919 for the lawyer Charles Chadwyck-Healey. He died in the same year and his eldest son inherited the baronetcy, becoming the second Baronet...
, Marriott
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
, Lubbock
Lubbock (surname)
Lubbock is a surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Alfred Lubbock , Kent county cricketer* Edgar Lubbock , four times FA Cup Finalist who became a banker and Master of the Blankney Hunt...
, one of the Church of England (English) Abraham
Abraham (name)
This is a list of people named after Abraham, the Biblical patriarch ; the father of the Abrahamic Religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam:...
families, and Maud
Maud
As a feminine given name:As a placename:* Queen Maud Land , an area of 2.5 million square kilometers claimed by Norway in 1938* Queen Maud Gulf, Nunavut, Canada* Maud Island, the second largest island in the Marlborough Sounds* Maud, Aberdeenshire, a small town in the Buchan area of the county of...
(see John Redcliffe-Maud). Others include the French name Dolignon
Dolignon
Dolignon is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France....
, and Addington Symonds.
The Halsdon Estate (1680-1983)
The earliest moves towards creating the Halsdon Estate were made by Philip Furse of Spreyton (1650-1720) and various records held by the North Devon Records Office show how the Estate was added to, showing title deeds for a considerable area surrounding the house. These included parts of AlverdiscottAlverdiscott
Alverdiscott is a village and civil parish in the Torridge district of Devon, about seven miles south of Barnstaple. The parish had a population of 281 according to the 2001 census....
, Ashreigny, Beaford
Beaford
Beaford is a village and civil parish in the Torridge district of Devon, England. It is about five miles south-east of Great Torrington. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 393....
, Bideford
Bideford
Bideford is a small port town on the estuary of the River Torridge in north Devon, south-west England. It is also the main town of the Torridge local government district.-History:...
, Dolton
Dolton, Devon
Dolton is a small village in the Torridge District of Devon, in the South West of England. It has a population of around 900 inhabitants, including the Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts.Dolton is twinned with Amfreville in France and Hillerse in Germany....
, Fremington, Great Torrington
Great Torrington
Great Torrington is a small market town in the north of Devon, England. Parts of it are sited on high ground with steep drops down to the River Torridge below...
, Hartland
Hartland, Devon
The town of Hartland, which incorporates the hamlet of Stoke to the west and the village of Meddon in the south, is the most north-westerly settlement in the county of Devon, England....
, High Bickington
High Bickington
High Bickington is a small rural village in Devon, England. It is set in the picturesque North Devon landscape, between Exmoor, Dartmoor and Bodmin moor...
, Poughill
Poughill
Poughill is a hamlet in north-east Cornwall, United Kingdom. It is located one mile north of Bude .-History and notable buildings:Poughill is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Pochelle. Notable old houses in Poughill include Burshill Manor , an open hall house, and Church House, dated 1525.The...
, St Giles in the Wood, Weare Giffard, Winkleigh
Winkleigh
Winkleigh is a small village in Devon, England. It is best known outside Devon as the birthplace of Inch's Cider. Inch's Cider was bought by Bulmer's, who then closed the plant down...
and Yarnscombe
Yarnscombe
Yarnscombe is a small village at the centre of the Yarnscombe parish in the Torridge area of Devon, England. Yarnscome is approximately from Great Torrington and from Barnstaple. In the year 2001 census the population was recorded at 300. Yarnscombe has a church by the name of St Andrews, and a...
. Despite this success during the 18th century, the Estate as it was became unsustainable. How much of this can be blamed on poor transport facilities and few natural resources in the area, and how much on a failure of the family to adapt to the changing climate of the Industrial Revolution
Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times...
is debatable, however the result was that it was no longer retained at this and so was sold off over a period of time during the 19th century.
These decisions proved prudent for the changes in the law brought in by socialist and liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
governments in the early part of the 20th century that changed the way property was owned and could be inherited, statuting the requirement of the payment of Death Duties. The burden of payments on inheritance was therefore diminished significantly and the Estate remained much as it was until it was finally broken up in 1983.
The house is now owned by Charlie Watts
Charlie Watts
Charles Robert "Charlie" Watts is an English drummer, best known as a member of The Rolling Stones. He is also the leader of a jazz band, a record producer, commercial artist, and horse breeder.-Early life:...
, drummer of the Rolling Stones, whose wife Shirley breeds Arabian horse
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
s on nearby land that was part of the Estate throughout its history (Halsdon Arabians). The farms owned by the Estate were sold to their tenants and remaining woodland donated to the Devon Wildlife Trust
Devon Wildlife Trust
The Devon Wildlife Trust is a member of The Wildlife Trusts partnership covering the county of Devon, England. It is a registered charity, established in 1962 as the Devon Naturalists Trust, and its aim is to safeguard the future of the county's urban, rural and marine wildlife and its...
(Halsdon Nature Reserve). The Estate was photographed in the late 1970s and early 1980s by James Ravilious
James Ravilious
-Early life:Ravilious was born in Eastbourne, the second son of the neo-romantic artist Eric Ravilious.Having previously studied as an accountant, Ravilious made a career change and entered into St Martin's School of Art, London, in 1959 under the assumed name of Souryer...
(James Ravilious' website and BBC Tribute to JR) for the Beaford Archive (http://www.beaford-archive.org.uk/). Parts of it were photographed again, with the surrounding area, by his son Ben Ravilious in 2005 (Ben Ravilious' professional website). James Ravilious had a personal connection with the Furse family, marrying Caroline (Robin) Whistler, a daughter of Sir Laurence Whistler
Laurence Whistler
Sir Alan Charles Laurence Whistler, CBE was a British poet and artist who devoted himself to glass engraving, on goblets and bowls blown to his own designs, and on large-scale panels and windows in churches and private houses...
by his first wife, the late Jill Furse.
The house also gave its name inexplicably to a variation of the Bloodhound
Bloodhound (cocktail)
A Bloodhound is a cocktail made with gin, vermouth and strawberry coulis.-Story:This drink was at its most fashionable in London in the 1920s, and is regarded as an acquired taste by many.-Variations:...
cocktail, made with gin, vermouths and raspberries.
Currently living
- Clara FurseClara FurseDame Clara Hedwig Frances Furse DBE was the Chief Executive of the London Stock Exchange between 2001 and May 2009, and was the first female to occupy the position. In 2005 she was ranked 19th in Fortune magazine's Most powerful women in business list.Furse was born in Canada to Dutch parents, and...
(née Siemens), current CEO of the London Stock ExchangeLondon Stock ExchangeThe London Stock Exchange is a stock exchange located in the City of London within the United Kingdom. , the Exchange had a market capitalisation of US$3.7495 trillion, making it the fourth-largest stock exchange in the world by this measurement...
(LSE) - Elizabeth FurseElizabeth FurseElizabeth Furse is a small business owner and faculty member of Portland State University. She was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1993 to 1999, representing Oregon's 1st congressional district...
, former member of Congress, Oregon First Congressional District 1992-1999). Born in Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.tribalgov.pdx.edu/fursebio.php (Grand-daughter of Charles Wellington and Dame Katharine Furse (neé Addington Symonds)) - John FurseJohn FurseJohn Furse may refer to:*John Furse , , film director*John H. Furse, , officer in the US Navy...
, film and television director/writer. Notable films include Blind FlightBlind FlightBlind Flight is a 2004 British film, directed by John Furse, starring Ian Hart and Linus Roache. It is based on the true-life story of the kidnapping and imprisonment of the Irish academic Brian Keenan and the English journalist John McCarthy, two of the hostages in the Lebanon hostage crisis...
, the true story of journalist John McCarthyJohn McCarthy (journalist)John Patrick McCarthy CBE is a British journalist, writer and broadcaster, and one of the hostages in the Lebanon hostage crisis...
and teacher Brian KeenanBrian KeenanBrian Keenan may be:*Brian Keenan , Provisional Irish Republican Army member*Brian Keenan , United States musician...
's hostage ordeal in Lebanon (1985-1990)
Deceased members
- C. W. Furse (1820-1901), ArchdeaconArchdeaconAn archdeacon is a senior clergy position in Anglicanism, Syrian Malabar Nasrani, Chaldean Catholic, and some other Christian denominations, above that of most clergy and below a bishop. In the High Middle Ages it was the most senior diocesan position below a bishop in the Roman Catholic Church...
of Westminster and Rector of St. John's, Smith SquareSt. John's, Smith SquareSt John's, Smith Square is a church in the middle of Smith Square, Westminster, London. Sold to a charitable Trust as a ruin following firebombing in the Second World War, it was restored, the internal layout altered somewhat, and is now used as a concert hall.... - John Henry Monsell Furse (1860-1951), British sculptor
- Charles Wellington FurseCharles Wellington FurseCharles Wellington Furse was an English painter.He was born at Staines, the son of the Rev. C. W. Furse, archdeacon of Westminster, and rector of St John's, Smith Square and descended collaterally from Sir Joshua Reynolds; and in his short span of life achieved such rare excellence as a portrait...
(1868-1904), British painter; contributor to the New English Art ClubNew English Art ClubThe New English Art Club was founded in London in 1885 as an alternate venue to the Royal Academy.-History:Young English artists returning from studying art in Paris mounted the first exhibition of the New English Art Club in April 1886... - Rear Admiral John Paul Wellington Furse (1904-1978).
- Bishop Michael Bolton FurseBishop of St AlbansThe Bishop of St Albans is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of St Albans in the Province of Canterbury. The bishop is supported in his work by two suffragan bishops, the Bishop of Hertford and the Bishop of Bedford, and three archdeacons....
(1870-1955) - Lt. Col. Sir Ralph Dolignon Furse (1887-1973), Head of Recruitment at HM Colonial Service, 1931-1948. Married Celia Newbolt (1914), daughter of Sir Henry NewboltHenry NewboltSir Henry John Newbolt, CH was an English poet. He is best remembered for Vitaï Lampada, a lyrical piece used for propaganda purposes during the First World War.-Background:...
; four children (all deceased) - Dame Katharine Furse (GBE)Katharine FurseDame Katharine Furse, GBE, RRC , founder of the English Voluntary Aid Detachment force, was born Katharine Symonds, daughter of the poet and critic John Addington Symonds and Janet Catherine North...
(1875-1952), Director of the WRENS (1917-1919) - Roger Kemble Furse (1903-1972), British film set/scene designer. Married to Margaret FurseMargaret FurseMargaret Furse was an Academy Award-winning English costume designer.-Personal life:She was born Alice Margaret Watts on 18 February 1911 to Punch magazine illustrator Arthur G. Watts and his wife, Phyllis Gordon Watts. She married art director Roger Kemble Furse on 4 December 1936 at Chelsea Old...
(née Watts). - Judith FurseJudith Furse-Career:A member of the noted Furse family, her father was Lieutenant-General Sir William Furse. Her brother, Roger, became a celebrated stage designer and painter who occasionally worked in films....
(1912-1974), British character actress - Patrick John Dolignon Furse (1918-2005), British artist/tutor in enamelling department (1959-83) at the London Central School of Art and Design; his works included collaborations with Stefan Knapp on the Heathrow Airport terminal murals. Married Elisabeth Haden-Guest (1946); four children: John, Katharine, Anna, Sara.
- Theresa Furse (Lady Whistler)Laurence WhistlerSir Alan Charles Laurence Whistler, CBE was a British poet and artist who devoted himself to glass engraving, on goblets and bowls blown to his own designs, and on large-scale panels and windows in churches and private houses...
(1927-2007), British children's writer and authorised biographer of Walter de la MareWalter de la MareWalter John de la Mare , OM CH was an English poet, short story writer and novelist, probably best remembered for his works for children and the poem "The Listeners"....
. Married Sir Laurence WhistlerLaurence WhistlerSir Alan Charles Laurence Whistler, CBE was a British poet and artist who devoted himself to glass engraving, on goblets and bowls blown to his own designs, and on large-scale panels and windows in churches and private houses...
(1950); two children: Daniel and Frances.
Persons who share the surname Furse, but who are not of this lineage, or for whom it is an assumed name
- George Armand FurseGeorge Armand FurseColonel George Armand Furse CB was a British Colonel and author.He was a Colonel in the 42nd Royal Highlanders Black Watch and author of The Art of Marching , Information in War: its Acquisition and Transmission , Mobilization and Embarkation of an Army Corps , Military Expeditions beyond the Seas...
(1834–1906), British Army officer, and author - John H. FurseJohn H. FurseJohn Houseal Furse was an officer in the United States Navy, whose active service lasted from 1901 until his death at sea in 1907....
(1880–1907) AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
officer in the United States Navy.