Person Page - 61

     William Bernake was born circa 1350 in Tattershall, Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of John Bernake and Joan Marmion.

     George Bernard was born before 1660 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.
     George Bernard married Prudence Popplewell, daughter of George Popplewell and Catherine Unknown, on 1 June 1682 in St Paul's, Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The marriage bond described them as George Bernard of Gainsborough and Prudence Popplewell of Gainsborough, spinster. The other bondsman was George Popplewell.

     Alfred Raymond Berry was born in 1894 in Fitzroy North, Victoria.
     Alfred Raymond Berry married Alma Lilian Hannah Cocksedge, daughter of William Charles Cocksedge and Grace Levina Parrott, in 1935 in Victoria.
     Alfred died in 1976 in Yarram, Victoria.

     Alicia Berry was born. She was the only surviving daughter of Francis Berry, of English Castle, Kings Co..
     Alicia Berry married William Fetherstonhaugh, son of William Fetherstonhaugh and Elizabeth Orme, on 28 February 1834. She was the daughter of Francis Octavius Berry by his first wife Alicia Adams, William was the brother of her step-mother Susanna.
     Alicia died on 17 May 1883.
     The administration of her estate was granted to Susanna Fetherstonhaugh on 4 July 1883 Admon was granted to Susanna Harris of 38 Marlborough Rd, Dublin, the daughter and next of kin.

     Francis Berry married Susanna FetherstonHaugh, daughter of William Fetherstonhaugh and Elizabeth Orme, on 22 September 1836 in Moylisker, Meath, Ireland.

     Richard Berry was christened on 11 June 1750 in Chagford, Devon. A Richard Berry was baptised in 1750.
     Richard Berry married Elizabeth Leach, daughter of Edward Leach and Dinah Murch, on 6 August 1782 in Chagford, Devon. Was a sergemaker.

     Susan Berry was born on 4 February 1810 in Tiverton, Devon. She was the daughter of John Berry & Sarah ..., aged 36 at marriage - therefore born c. 1817. Susan was a housekeeper.
     Susan Berry married Edmond Colbert, son of Patrick Colbert and Bridget A'Hearn, on 6 August 1855 in St James Church of England, Melbourne, Victoria. They were aged 29 & 36, both of North Melbourne.
     Susan died on 28 July 1885 in Tiverton Cottage, 14 Rowena Pde, Richmond, Victoria, aged 75. She was buried in Kew, Victoria.

     Agnes Bertram married Sir Thomas FitzWilliam, son of William FitzWilliam and Maud Unknown (Fitzwilliam).
     Agnes died after 1266.

      Ruth Bertrand was also known as Merfield in some records. She was born circa 1717 in Dublin, Ireland. She was the daughter of Pierce [Peter] de Bertrand, a Huguenot refugee, said to be kindred of the Bourbons. Samuel Handy fell in love with her as a schoolgirl of 14, but her father disallowed the marriage. Both married and had two children, who all four died. She married a Mr Merfield & at 18 she came to Bracca, a bride, She and Sam were Godly people. He invited John Wesley to Ireland. J Wesley stood on foundation of the new house and dedicated it to the glory of God - a crowd being assembled. When she died their son (Wesley Bawn?) was about 10 years old.
Her sister was probably, Mrs Meecham who was widowed before 1767 and introduced the Handy family to Methodism.
     Ruth Bertrand married Thomas Merfield on 21 October 1732 in St James, Dublin.
     A marriage settlement between Ruth Mirifield and Samuel Handy was made on 31 August 1742 in Ireland. Deed between Samuel Handy of Coolelaugh co Westmeath, esq & Ruth Mirifield alias Bertrand of Dublin city, widow, daughter of Peter Bertrand of Dublin city, merchant who is a party to the settlement of which the trustees are John Bertrand & J... Bred? both of Dublin city, merchants, the bride is entitled to £200 under will of her uncle J John Bertrand of Dublin city merchant deceased & now gets £300 from her father in addition to what she owns in her own right. Handy owes £1400 to Brabazon Newcombe as mortgage of his 1/2 of Coolelough in Moycashel barony, co. Westmeath bought by his father Samuel Handy senior from Jas Clerk which he settles, also his 1/2 of Aughrim ... in Kilconnel barony co Galway held on lease of lives for ever from Richard Warburton dew by Sam Handy senior. Aghrim, Brackareah Asers...lane and Collelaugh have been divided between the bridegroom Handy Handy junior and his brother John Handy. Coolelough being 1/2 of the whole lands of Brackareah, Coolelaugh & A..ras..lane. Memorial gives a very full description of the boundaries of Coolelaugh & Aghrim. Witnesses William Wade of Killervally co. Westmeath, gent, Chas Heatley gent & Gilbert Allason notary public, both of Dublin city, memorial signed by Sam Handy.
     Samuel Handy married secondly Ruth Merfield on 7 September 1742 in St James, Dublin, Ireland. It is said that he fell in love with her as a schoolgirl of 14, but her father disallowed the marriage. Both married and had two children - who all died. She married a Mr Merrifield/Merfield & at 18 she came to Bracca Castle a bride. Her travelling dress being a green cloth habit with cloth cap to match with gold band. She and Sam were Godly people.
     The wife of Samuel Handy, a resident of Coolalough, County Westmeath, and a member of the Methodist society there. In early May 1748, from her sick bed, Mrs Handy requested a visit from John Wesley, having "an earnest desire to see me once more before I left the kingdom. She could not avoid praying for it [John Wesley's visit], though her sister checked her again, telling her it could not be. Before the debate was concluded, I came in [on 10 May 1748]. So they wondered, and praised God." See Journal, ed. Ward and Heitzenrater, 3:225-226..
     Ruth died in 1757. The wife of Samuel Handy, a resident of Coolalough, County Westmeath, Ireland, and a member of the Methodist society there. In early May 1748, from her sick bed, Mrs Handy requested a visit from John Wesley, having "an earnest desire to see me once more before I left the kingdom. She could not avoid praying for it [John Wesley's visit], though her sister checked her again, telling her it could not be. Before the debate was concluded, I came in [on 10 May 1748]. So they wondered, and praised God."
See Journal, ed. Ward and Heitzenrater, 3:225-226. Samuel J Rogal's Biographical Dictionary of 18th Century Methodism.

     Thomas Besby was born circa 1782.
     Thomas Besby married Elizabeth Popplewell, daughter of John Popplewell and Ellen Madan, in 1809 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.

     Ellen Besnard was born on 17 October 1839 in Kangiaroo, Yass, New South Wales. She was the daughter of Nicholas & Frances.
     Her family were well known in the Yass/Young/Burrowa region as Nicholas was appointed magistrate there in 1837, a position he held for over 25 years. His family property was situated between Burrowa & Yass was called "Kangiaroo" which is where most of his family including Ellen (and most of her family) were born.
Further Besnard family information may be found at Lorraine Egan's websie: [EMAIL:]www.radleysofcork.bigpondhosting.com[:EMAIL].
     Ellen Besnard married Edward Augustus Phillips, son of James Phillips and Lydia Ballard, on 14 June 1859 in Kangiaroo, Yass, NSW.
     Ellen died in 1917 in Young, New South Wales.

     Elizabeth Best was born. She was the daughter of Sir Elias Best, Knt who was Lord Mayor of Dublin 1683-4.
     Elizabeth Best married Rev Matthew Handcock, son of William Handcock and Abigail Stanley, in Ireland.
     Elizabeth died before 16 April 1728 in Dublin. She was buried on 16 April 1728 in St Patrick, Dublin. Late wife of the Revd Dr Mathew Handcock, interrd in the Cathedral Churchyard.

      Elizabeth Odell Best was also known as Betha in some records. She was born before 9 July 1828 in Hampton, Middlesex. She was christened on 9 July 1828 in St Mary, Hampton, Middlesex. She was the daughter of Rev George Best and Elizabeth Stanser.
     Elizabeth Odell Best married Maj Walter Lawrence Ingles in October 1855 in St Nicholas, Rochester, Kent.
     Elizabeth Odell Best and Elizabeth Stanser appeared on the 1861 census in 23? Clarence St, Portsea, Hampshire. Elizabeth Best, widow, 63, annuitant, born Nova Scotia; Elizabeth O Inglis, daughter, married, 33?, wife of Captain in the Army, born Hampton, Mdx; Henry S L?, grandson aged 1, born Ceylon, with a nurse.
     Elizabeth Odell Best lived at Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire.
     Elizabeth Odell Best appeared on the 1881 census in 49 Warwick Gardens, Kensington, Middlesex. Elizabeth O Ingles, married aged 51, born Hampton, Middlesex was living with her children Edith St Cyr Ingles, aged 14, born Nova Scotia and Walter C S Ingles, aged 12, born Colchester, Essex.

     He is not likely to be ours.. George Best was born circa 1847 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of Rev George Best.
     George died before 5 October 1849 in Halifax, NS, Canada. He was buried on 5 October 1849 in St Paul's, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

     Rev George Best was born in 1793 or 1794 in England.
     Church of England clergyman was educated at Westminster School, London, and he also studied architecture, although he may not have received any formal training in the field. In June 1817, as a catechist or perhaps a deacon of the Church of England, he applied to work overseas as a missionary with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and by 30 Oct. 1818 had arrived in the parish of Granville in the Annapolis valley of Nova Scotia, where he served until 1823. He loved Granville and took a particular interest in the schools for black children.
In April 1823, on the death of the Reverend James Milne, the Anglican congregation of Fredericton recommended Best’s appointment as rector there. He began his duties in July, and also acted as his father-in-law’s ecclesiastical commissary in New Brunswick. In September he was ordained priest in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Quebec by Bishop Jacob Mountain. His positions in Fredericton were not confirmed until after the arrival of Sir Howard Douglas* as lieutenant governor of the province in 1824.
Early in 1825 the diocese of Nova Scotia was divided into four archdeaconries and George Best was appointed the first archdeacon of New Brunswick. Thus he became responsible for the province’s ecclesiastical affairs under the direction of John Inglis*, who had replaced Robert Stanser as bishop of Nova Scotia. Best’s energy and enthusiasm in the performance of his duties are illustrated by a long report on the state of religion in the province which he prepared for Sir Howard Douglas in 1825. This study gives figures on population generally and on the number of souls and church buildings in each county. Using late returns which came in after the 1824 census had been published, Best estimated the population of New Brunswick at 79,176. There were 16 resident Anglican clergymen serving 26 churches. Only two of the clergymen, however, served in the eastern half of the province. Best was enthusiastic about the potential for “the Established Church,” and his report points out areas where the condition of religion demanded improvements. More missionaries were required, and they should be “men of mild and humble dispositions, who will assimilate themselves with the people, amongst whom they may be sent and endeavour to unite themselves with their interests, and their hopes.” Best’s study shows a tolerant attitude towards most of the ministers of other denominations, with the exception of the Baptists. It also displays a marked respect for the people among whom he ministered. “The people of this Country who gain a livelihood by their manual labour, for of the lower order there are none,” he wrote, “are in intellect and sagacity superior far to those of the same stamp in the Mother Country – they are, for the most part, shrewd and intelligent, and, generally speaking, well versed in the Scriptures.”
As archdeacon, Best travelled through the province supervising the clergy and schoolmasters. His “active and valuable superintendence” was appreciated by a great many people. Bishop Inglis, who in 1826 made the first Anglican episcopal visitation to New Brunswick in decades, was impressed by the schools for which Best was responsible and found them to be “generally well attended and well appointed.” In describing the need for additional clergymen as “even greater than I had supposed,” Inglis underlined one of his archdeacon’s constant concerns. In February 1827 Best hired the Reverend George McCawley* as his curate and encouraged him to undertake missionary journeys to isolated areas of the province. He also promoted the building of “small temporary churches in remote districts.”
George Best played a significant part in the construction of a new building to house the College of New Brunswick. In 1825 he was one of three people to submit architectural designs to the college council, which decided in October that John Elliott Woolford*’s plan was the most appealing. That December Sir Howard Douglas chose as the site of the new structure a lot owned by Best, who insisted on being paid £500 for his property. Best became a member of the board of the college in January 1826, and the following month he was appointed to determine “what ornamental parts” of Woolford’s plan might “be dispensed without injury to the convenience and comfort of the interior.” In March he formed a committee with William Franklin Odell* to choose “Stone or Brick as they may judge best,” yet not to spend more than £12,000. The committee chose stone but cut costs by replacing the planned dome with a pediment.
In 1828 the College of New Brunswick was reconstituted as King’s College, Fredericton. The royal charter issued at that time designated the archdeacon of the province as titular president of the institution. Best was not happy with the new honour. He protested that he was not a university man and was disturbed that he was being assigned significant responsibilities without being provided with an additional income; Fredericton, he complained, was an expensive place in which to live. Nevertheless, he prepared to assume his new duties, and asked the SPG to make some provision for scholarships.
George Best’s dedication to his ministry made him an able leader of the Church of England in New Brunswick in the 1820s. Described by a contemporary as “full of genuine gentleness and unaffected piety,” he seems to have had the ability to avoid confrontation, and his broadmindedness helped to ease tensions both within his own communion and between denominations. The Reverend Benjamin Gerrish Gray*, for example – a restless, temperamental exponent of broad-church principles – looked upon Best as a fellow spirit who also desired to bring evangelical Christians into the Anglican communion. Best’s bishop was impressed by his activities. “The Archdeacon,” Inglis wrote, “is sometimes a little hurried by his zeal, but he is notwithstanding a very worthy officer, and I have a very warm regard for him.” Best was also on good terms with the administration and was friendly with Sir Howard and Lady Douglas from the time of their arrival in New Brunswick. Although it had already been arranged at the Colonial Office in England that the Reverend Frederick Coster should be transferred from Saint John to Fredericton, the lieutenant governor soon found Best to be “in every way so fit for the situation” that he insisted that he continue as rector of Fredericton. The clergyman was a great favourite with Lady Douglas and her younger children and may have shared their enthusiasm for drawing and gardening.
In April 1828 Best’s request for a leave of absence to visit England was granted. He died at Bath in May 1829 and was buried in Claverton Down churchyard. The Reverend George Coster* succeeded him as archdeacon of New Brunswick.
Carolyn A. Young
PAC, MG 24, A3, 3; C43 (mfm.). PANB, MC 211, MS4/5/1; RG 7, RS75, A, 1828, George Best. PRO, CO 188/32, 188/39 (mfm. at PANB). UNBL, Dennis Harvey to [John Anderson], president of the Univ. of N.B., 11 Dec. 1976; C. McN. Steeves to secretary, SPG, 15 May 1945; UA, “Minute-book of the governors and trustees of the College of New Brunswick,” 1800–28. USPG, C/CAN/NB, 4, folder 181; C/CAN/NS., 3, folder 16 (mfm. at PAC). New-Brunswick Royal Gazette, 21 Oct. 1823. G. H. Lee, An historical sketch of the first fifty years of the Church of England in the province of New Brunswick (1783–1833) (Saint John, N.B., 1880). J. D. Purdy, “The Church of England in New Brunswick during the colonial era, 1783–1860” (MA thesis, Univ. of N.B., Fredericton, 1954).
     Rev George Best married Elizabeth Stanser, daughter of Bishop Robert Stanser and Mary Aust, on 21 August 1820 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. She was described as the second daughter in the newspaper account of her marriage.
     Rev George Best lived at Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was described as the late Archdeacon in Fredericton, New Brunswick at his son Robert's death in Jan 1848.
     George died on 2 May 1829 in Bath, Somerset.

     Rev Robert Stanser Best was born on 6 February 1823 in Granville, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the son of Rev George Best and Elizabeth Stanser.
     Robert studied at Queens' College, Cambridge University, in 1842. Robert was a clergyman at Henley, Suffolk. Stipendiary Curates licences - Rev. Robert Stanser Best, curate at £50 p.a. dated 24 Aug. 1846.
     Robert died on 12 January 1848 in Malta aged 24. Died 12th January 1848, the Reverend Robert Stanser Best, B.A., aged 25 years, of CaiuisCollege Cambridge. Born at Granville, Nova Scotia, the son of Archdeacon Best of New Brunswick. Grandson of the Bishop of Nova Scotia. Born 6th February 1823.

     On the 12 inst., at Malta, aged 25, th Rev robert Stanser Best, BA, of Queen's College, Cambridge, eldest on of the late Archdeacon Best, of Fredericton, New Brunswick, and grandson of the late Right Rev. Robert Stanser, DD, formerly Bishop of Nova Scotia.

     Maria Bestwick was born circa 1775?.
     Maria Bestwick married William Wafford, son of William Patriarch? Wafford and Ann Nicol, on 16 May 1796 in St Anne, Soho, Westminster. By banns.
     Maria Bestwick and Maria Aberey appeared on the 1841 census in John St, Hackney South, Middlesex. John Brown, carpenter aged 40, Mary Brown 40, Maria Wafford aged 70, Independent, Y, Catharine Wafford 8 (in male column), all born in the county/ Which Maria? Is the Brown significant - but they were Scottish.
     Maria died on 17 July 1854 in Hackney, Middlesex. Which Maria Abery or Bestwick?.

     Emily Bettesworth married Charles Baddeley.

     Ann Elizabeth Bettison married Robert Sigsworth Martin, son of Robert Duncan Martin and Eliza Frances Ball, in March 1865 in Charlton RD. Ann Elizabeth Bettison and an unknown person were divorced between 1873 and 1874. She and Robert Sigsworth Martin were divorced on 26 May 1874. Martin v Martin and Beaver. Petition 6/5/1873; R S Martin Fitter and Brass Finisher; Married 1/2/1865, lived various addresses in Plumstead, no issue.
On or about 1/4/1873 at 9 North Street Portsea A E Martin committed adultery with one Dennington Beaver. D B, in default of appearance as co-respondent for citation issued against him, ordered to pay costs.
AEM appeared in person, her address 17 Hardings Manor Way Charlton. Oral evidence has been given before court today. Decree Nisi 11/11/1873; Final Decree 26/5/1874.

     Frances Betts was born before 1615 in Suffolk.
     Frances Betts married Edward Bland, son of Edward or Edmund Bland and Barbara Hynard, on 29 December 1631 in Fornham St Martin, Suffolk.

      Martin Alfred William Betts was also known as Martin Alfred Willis in some records. He was born in 1881 in Hadleigh, Suffolk.
     The marriage of Martin Alfred William Betts and Mary Maud Bullett, daughter of James Bullett and Susannah Osborne (Firman), was registered in the quarter ending in December 1906 in Cosford RD, Suffolk.

     Rebecca Betts was born circa 1766 in Brentwood, Essex.
     Rebecca Betts married Francis Cocksedge, son of Richard Cocksedge and Elizabeth Baxter, on 28 January 1796 in Gt Ashfield, Suffolk.
     Rebecca died before 22 October 1826 in Woolpit, Suffolk. She was buried on 22 October 1826 in Woolpit.

     Baldwin was Earl of the Isle in Flanders. Earl of Albemarle jure uxoris.
     Hawise le Gros married thirdly Baldwin de Betune in 1195. He was buried in 1212 in Meaux Abbey, Yorkshire.
     Baldwin died in 1212 in Yorkshire. 13 John.

     Alice Betune was the daughter of Baldwin de Betune and Hawise le Gros.
     Alice Betune married William Marshall Earl of Pembroke in 1203. According to The Honour of Skipton by Farrer, she married in 1203 William, son of William Marshal, earl of Pembroke, she died before 1221.

     Ruth Bevan was born in 1879 in Tool..., Victoria. Daughter of Henry Bevan and Elizabeth Flack.
     Ruth Bevan married Christopher William Colbert, son of Edmond Colbert and Catherine MacRae, in 1904 in Victoria.
     Ruth died on 15 November 1940 in Middle Brighton, Victoria. She was buried in Burwood.

     William Bevan married Elizabeth Horn in March 1897 in Okehampton RD.

     Samuel John Bever married Frances Armstrong, daughter of George Armstrong and Constantia Maria Armstrong, on 25 April 1805 in Parsonstown or Birr, Offaly, Ireland.

     Mary Beville was born in Gwarnick, Cornwall. She was the daughter of John Beville of Gwarnick.
     Mary Beville married Sir John Arundell, son of Sir John Arundell and Jane Grenville.

     Marie Louise Bevis was born circa 1822.
     Marie Louise Bevis married Ebenezer Mackglew, son of Robert Mackglew and Anna Maria Sleight, on 3 June 1843 in St Bride, Fleet St, London.      
Marie Louise Bevis and Ebenezer Mackglew emigrated in 1852 to USA. Ebenezer Mackglew 38, Louisa Mackglew 30 & Maria Louisa Mackglew 7, emigrated to New York with the Bevis family.

     Ann Bickley was born circa 1630 in Hallaughton, Warwickshire. She was the daughter of Richard Bickley of Hallaughton, Warwickshire & Sarah his wife (daughter and co-heir of John Rugeley); niece of Sir Francis Bickley, 1st Bt.
     Ann Bickley married Rev Dudley Ryder, son of Robert Ryder of Wisbech.