The Croft Family of Stillington

Having researched the history of my wife’s and my own families, I turned my attention to the history of the village we live in.

It was at this stage that I came across the Croft family of Stillington and found them so interesting that I decided to research that family in detail. Being retired I can now devote my time to my hobbies and enjoyment.

I have visited many libraries and Record Offices in Yorkshire, viz: Leyburn, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Beverley and York (including York Minster Library and York City Archives and the Borthwick Institute part of York University. Information and documents have also been obtained from Keele University and the National Archives at Kew and Lambeth Palace Library.

It has taken some twenty years to produce.

The Crofts have been connected with many churches in the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire and the church booklets, in many cases produced by local people have been of great help.

Andrew Jones, who specialises in writing and broadcasting on the subject of wine and the history of those people involved in its production has been of assistance.  He is writing a book on the Crofts’, which goes into much detail about their time in Portugal and I am sure that it will make excellent reading. (Unfortunately, I have since gathered from him that this will not be published). A neighbour of mine, Brian Cobb whose family were involved in the Port trade in Oporto, let me have sight of a book printed in 1899 by Howard and Jones, written by C. Sellers, called Oporto, Old and New. This book contains quite a large amount of information regarding both the Croft and Thompson families and I have used this information extensively.

John Clarke of Great Ouseburn, kindly loaned me a copy of the typewritten Life Story of Lady Meysey-Thompson.

The portrait of Stephen Croft Snr & Jnr were obtained from the National Portrait Gallery and that of John Croft from York Library, also of Thomas Hutton Croft.

I have over the years had the pleasure of meeting a number of descendants of the Croft family, all of whom have freely given me photographs and information regarding their line, both in England and Portugal. These friends are, Laurie Davies, Catherine Croft  Yeo, both of whom live in the USA,  Wanley Simpson of New Zealand, also Sir Tom Croft, John Elverson, Glennys Dalby,  and Kiloran McGrigor all of the U.K.

This document is essentially research and not for sale, only a handful of copies will be printed. It has taken some 20 years to prepare, as no sooner do I run off a final copy, I find more information.

Stillington Hall – Massachusetts USA

Read about the Croft family and Stillington Hall in Massachusetts in the USA by downloading the document below.