Guestbook

Pam short wrote on 12th September 2022

Hi ,I have my mother in law living with us and have a photo of post box cottage. Mum's granny opened it in 1930 mrs Emily hambidge .if you would like a copy of the photo Please let me know how I can upload it.

Ray short wrote on 11th September 2022

Hi my mothers grandmother opened the post office in the village in 1930 her name was Emily Hambidge I have a postcard photo of the post office and wonder if you would like a copy for your history pages

Diana Leitch wrote on 25th September 2021

Alison Foster had responded a few years ago to a message I had left about my Harris ancestors of Elsfield. She said she was related to my gtgrandfather John Bridges of Drayton St Leonard in Oxfordshire who had married Ann Harris of Elsfield. If she sees this message please could she get in touch so we can compare Bridges notes.

Admin Reply by: alberon

I have forwarded on your message to the email address we have on file for Alison. best wishes Tim, Elsfield

Floriane BALLIGE wrote on 16th May 2021

I visited the Cotswolds in 2013 and this village was on my to-see list. It's such a lovely place! Hope to go back when travelling will be possible again.

Kathleen Elliott wrote on 16th August 2020

I am interested to see a previous entry regarding Mobley ancestors in Elsfield. I beleive my 3xgt grandfather John Mobley lived in the village in the early 1800's before moving into central Oxford to follow his trade as a butcher. I was born in Oxford, but now live in Wales. I will put Elsfield on my to do list next time I "go home".

Admin Reply by: alberon

Thanks for your message!

Alyson Morse wrote on 2nd January 2020

I am looking into my family history and it appears my paternal grandfather lived on forest farm Elsfield according to the 1939 registry, he had a wife ELSIE MAY BERRY and my father DESMOND WALTER also living with him. I just wondered if anyone might have any old photos of the time or any information regarding either place or people. Many many thanks for any response.

Tim Ault wrote on 22nd December 2019

Great that the new website is live! Also great that this guestbook is (hopefully) now working again after a short "break"!

anon wrote on 24th September 2015

very interesting page. kind regards

anon wrote on 12th December 2014

Very interesting and entertaining to learn all about my home village.

Malcolm wrote on 13th August 2013

Just visited this site and notice comments made by Alison Foster regarding the marriage John Bridges of Drayton St Leonard where the roots of my family stem. Would be interested to hear more.

Deana Decker wrote on 24th March 2013

Very interesting site. My Great Great grandfather and grandmother Thomas John and Mary Ann Berry are listed as living here in the 1881 Census. He is listed as a gardener. They left for Canada in 1884. Any info about their time in Elsfield would be appreciated.

Angie Smith wrote on 7th February 2013

Interested in the Allams Elstons and Gammons of Elsfield

Jo Paige wrote on 5th November 2012

My mother Lesley lived in Elsfield as a child with her parents - lawrence and Gertrude - just seen a picture of them in the gallery. Came to visit Elsfield a couple of years ago to look at the mosaics in the church. since then Mum made contact with Rosie lane - who unfortunately died a couple of years ago. Lovely to look at the pictures.

Judith Brand wrote on 19th April 2012

Brilliant site, my father was William Hambidge, brother of George so I know the area quite well, and remember when Mr & Mrs Hambidge Snr were living in a cottage at Sescut. My mother and aunt worked at the Manor during the time John Buchan was there, their father was also a gardener there at some point.

Patricia Hanks wrote on 8th April 2012

What a lovely site. I lived at Sescut Farm from 1954 to 1958ish! Then in Last Cottage Elsfield until about 1963. My maiden name was Burt. I was friends with Rose Pinker, Lesley Chandler, Rosie Lane, The Beddings, The Jones and Fred Maltby. Also the Willis' and Lois Watts. Also the Benson girls, daughters of the Vicar.

Rebecca Comley (Brown) wrote on 26th March 2012

My parents used to live at Post Box cottage in Elsfield, I had two brothers Mark and Darren Brown, my parents were called Shirley and George. i only lived there for until i was 2 years old. We were and still are friends with the Bradfords, who used to run the farm. and also Mrs Sandford who used to live next door to us. i can still remember going up to play with Sally, Vicky and Phillip Bradford when i was a little girl and enjoy looking at the animals on their farm... that was the good old days.

Leah Chandler wrote on 10th January 2012

I just read the article of my meeting with Lady Tweedsmuir, and I do want to give thanks to the Elsfield archivist, for being instrumental in seeing that my story will be shared with anyone who is interested in learning of the kindness of this very nice Lady to a little girl. Speaking of kindness, my family and two very dear friends were welcomed into the home of two villagers where we all spent a most enjoyable afternoon, before being taken to the gravesite. We are all so appreciative. My Grandson was thrilled to see his picture, and is so happy people all over the world will be able to see him in England.

Alison Foster wrote on 30th December 2011

Hi. In response to a very old post, from Dr Diana Leitch, I can confirm that her Gt Grandma Ann Harris (bapt 1843) in Elsfield, did indeed marry John Bridges of Drayton St Leonard. John is my 1st cousin 4 x removed. Ann died in the March Qu of 1900, in Runcorn Cheshire. Her father, Robert Boddington Harris married Jane Mortimore, of Oakley Bucks, and the Harris' finished their days in Sutton Courtney. I had the pleasure of visiting Elsfield churchyard when I was researching my husband's family tree, and strangely coincided with the anniversary of one of their deaths. I returned a few days later and place a single rose on the grave. It was an honour to remember Elsfield's past residents, and to ensure they were not forgotten.

Mary Bridge wrote on 14th November 2011

my great grandmother Mary (Edith) Cox worked as a housemaid at Elsfield Manor during the 1890's. Any record of her would be appreciated.

Roger Sweet wrote on 6th March 2009

In my retirement I am travelling round Oxfordshire villages to take photographs. I havent visited Elsfield yet, but I hope to soon as I can.Good to see you have a village website. Many villages dont!

Mary Warner (Simmonds) Mansell wrote on 9th January 2009

to Christine Hatt: my email as follows was returned- Just visited the website and viewed your request; my mother Kathleen is 91 and grew up there until 1940, she remembers the 'gentleman farmer' Jonny Hatt at Church Farm: he had 2 sons- Mervin, a doctor, and one who worked for Reuter; and 2 daughters- one (Gladys) married a Dutoit...the other was named Eileen. any use?

beverly briscoe wrote on 29th August 2008

my great grand mother lived and worked in elsfield her name was francis gemima beckett taylor burns it was great to beable to see where my great grand mother lived her nick name was fanny gemima

Derrick Mutton wrote on 11th April 2008

I visited Elsfield last summer, I wished to get a feel of the place as my mothers people had come from here in the 1790's Their name is Mobley and they worked on the Sescot Farm. I found Elsfield very quiet and peaceful. Regards Derrick Mutton

Nicola Topsom wrote on 29th February 2008

Hello My maternal grandmother, Kathleen Mary Simmonds, nee Warner, was born in Elsfield.

David Toon wrote on 5th November 2007

trying to find any information about my wifes father,he sadly died while she was still a baby.the only information we have got is from her birth certificate. his name is gordon alfred willis he lived at 2 terrace cottages elsfield and he was an excavator driver ,he died around 1962,my wife and her mother moved to nottingham soon after the death.we think he may be buried in the churchyard at elsfield. thank you, david toon

zurrik wrote on 20th August 2007

Great people. We have a marvelous time.

Geoffrey Clark wrote on 13th January 2007

I saw mention of the name Ellsfield in Boswell's Life of Johnson. It seems to have lost an L along the way but appears as beautiful as ever.

Charles Firman wrote on 14th November 2006

I made an entry some time ago but it apparently didn't register. My Grandfather (also Charles Firman) was born at Elsfield Manor in the late 1800's. His father was the butler. If anyone has any info from this period it would be greatly appreciated.

Carol Derisi wrote on 24th October 2006

I am looking forward to visiting Elsfield as my great great great grandparents lived there in the 1800s. Their names were Joseph (born in 1809) and Mary Lock and they had 14 children. I am descended from their daughter Matilda who was born in 1854 and married Thomas Stopp from Islip.

Becky wrote on 15th March 2006

WALKER, Joseph was a Gamekeeper in Elsfield in 1861. I believe him to be my great great grandfather. I am assuming he was a Gamekeeper on the Manor estate, but I am not sure. Is anyone able to advise? Many thanks

Ellen Bauer wrote on 14th September 2005

God Bless you all for your part in restoring/maintaining the Elsfield church. Thank you for putting the pictures & history online. A family of my ancestors were baptized & married in that church & no doubt buried on the grounds. I'm sure they would be pleased to know that their place of worship is still cherished & cared for. May your efforts be blessed. Are there any descendants of Anthony Clay & Elizabeth Roberts among the current parishioners?

william john buchan wrote on 30th January 2005

my interest is self evident in my name (buchan). just read the presbyterian cavalier and thought i'd search on elsfield, might visit someday

Vicky wrote on 26th January 2005

Nice site! I came here through browsing for John Buchan stuff, as I'm a bit of a fan. I went to his school in Glasgow, where, of course, we proudly read The 39 Steps, and I'm now a student at Oxford University - not at Buchan's college, Brasenose, but living within a stone's throw of it. I must come and see Elsfield one day.

Tony Dowland wrote on 20th June 2004

I live in Winchester (Hants) and I recently met a man from Seattle USA. He has connections with your village and in anxious to trace his family history (surname : WADLEY). Is that name known to you? Will the Church have any Parish records I might consult on his behalf? He understands that there is a place named "Wadley Hill" in or near Elsfield. Would appreciate any help. Regards - Tony Dowland (0962) 881874

Mark Brown wrote on 23rd March 2004

it is nice to find that there is a sight for the village that i come from.I used to live in post box cottage (next to mrs sandford) for the first nine years of my life.I can just remember the post office and the school (38yrs old).I love the place greatly and visit it and beckley (my school) every once in a while. You are very lucky people to live in a place like this. Mark

sarah shaw wrote on 21st February 2004

wonderful website! A friend of ours sent us this piece of information about Elsfield- It made me wonder if we could paste bits like this together to make a local history? I'll try and fish out what Boswell has to say on Johnson's visit. 'Thought you might like another scrap of Elsfield history. Second World War poet Keith Douglas (1920-44), letter to Toni Bennett, October 1939: 'So I thought to myself ah, I'll go for a walk to see about the riding at Elsfield, and then when I come back there'll be a note waiting for me. So here I come, very tired of walking...' , ed. Desmond Graham, (Manchester: Carcanet Press, 2000), p. 84. Douglas was a keen rider.'

Dr Diana Leitch wrote on 12th February 2004

My gtgtgrandfather Robert Boddington Harris was christened in your church in March 1817. His 7 brothers and sisters were too as the Harris family seemed to live there from about 1786. He married Jane? from Oakley, Bucks and my gtgrandmother, Ann Harris, born 1843 was also christened in your church. The family then seemed to move to Sutton Courtenay where Ann married my gtgrandfather, John Bridges, who came from Drayton St Leonard. They moved to St Helens in Lancashire in 1873 so that he could work in the chemical industry which was developing there. Their descendents are mainly scientists who live in the NW England. Are there any Harris gravestones in your churchyard and any other descendents of this family that you would know of? I hope to visit your village sometime and I think the website is delightful.

christine hatt wrote on 18th August 2003

Just found out that there were some HATT's living in your village at the turn of the 20th century. Do you have a village History Society? Can anybody help me track down where John Daniel and his family lived and farmed? I am doing a talk about HATT ABODES in September and any help would be welcome. I only live in Maidenhead, so it would be easy for me to come and take photos. Many Thanks, Christine

Daphne Edgar wrote on 16th July 2003

Having visited your church today, Wednesday 16th July, to meet the Vicar and Mrs Caroline Brown, I want to thank you for showing us your new rooms and the description of your fundraising etc. We were all impressed, and hopefully those who had fears will have food for thought. Again our sincere thanks. Daphne Edgar/

Andrew Lownie wrote on 13th June 2003

I am John Buchan's most recent biographer and readers might be interested to know that my book 'The Presbyterian Cavalier' will be published by David Godine in August. There should also be a Canadian edition next year. I can also supply the three volume complete short stories published by Thistle Publishing and the complete short stories published by Scottish Cultural Press which I edited.

alberon wrote on 27th October 2002

Great homepage!

Diethelm Wolter wrote on 23rd July 2002

Thank you very muchr these informations. I am a reader from John Buchan since many years and I like his books more than many others.

Tim wrote on 21st June 2002

We'll have to find a nice picture of Echo for the web site...

liz rogers wrote on 1st June 2002

Congratulations on this village site! I think Elsfield is a really friendly village and it's good to see it has it's own website. I own the rather big, hairy cart-horse (Echo), who lives by the old barn! (I know he looks just like a cow!) Keep up the good work:)

Kathleen Simmonds (nee Warner) wrote on 21st April 2002

I lived in Elsfield at Home Close with my Parents Sidney and Mary Warner and my four sisters Hilda, Agnes, May and Emily from 1919 to 1940.

Sue Hine wrote on 30th March 2002

Congratulations on setting up the Elsfield website.

Tim wrote on 24th March 2002

If you visited this site, please leave a nice message!

Welcome to the Elsfield Guestbook!

Post a message