I have been researching the life and background of a local rector who in his time at the parish of North Tuddenham, Norfolk carried out a lot of work in the community, yet after his death the parish was left with nothing, no records not even a picture of him or his family, if you have any information I would love to hear from you.

Ray Taylor - ray@raytaylor.com.
01362 858203

Rector of St Mary’s Church, North Tuddenham, Norfolk

Robert Barry was born December 19th 1820 and Christened 1st January 1821 in Whitby, Yorkshire, the second son of Robert Barry and Dorothy Heaviside, Robert Barry (the older) was a Ship builder and landowner.

Rev Robert Barry’s mother died when he was only 3 shortly after giving birth to his sister Dorothy. We have no information at this time on his earlier years but he was admitted to St John’s College, Cambridge in 1844 at the age of 24. Their records show that he obtained a B.A. in 1848 - M.A. in 1851 - Was ordained as deacon 1847 - Priest (ordained by the Bishop Blomfield in St Paul’s Cathedral, London) 1848 - Curate of St Pancras, London 1847 – 50 - Rector of Hinderwell, Yorkshire 1850 – 1 - Rector of North Tuddenham, Norfolk, 1851 – 1904.

In 1850, 18th June at Camerwell, London, Robert married Mary Ann Page, eldest daughter of Robert Page, of Peckham Rye, shortly after they were to move to North Tuddenham in Norfolk (his father Robert was patron). In 1852 Robert built the rectory adding the coach house a year later. The Rev. Robert Barry made many alterations to the church, such as the East Window, the tiles, the tower arch screen and the stained glass, carrying on what appears to be a family tradition as records show other members financing similar works in Yorkshire and Blisworth Northampton. He also gave the village its school and some cottages built with napped flint work.

There are several entries reflecting on Rev Roberts’s life and work in 2 books called ‘The Norfolk Diaries’ by the Rev Benjamin Armstrong. There are also records that Robert was also a landowner in North Ridings, Yorkshire of 101 acres, 1 rood & 2 Perches with a gross annual rent of £104.

Sadly as with his earlier life we have little records or mementoes left behind of Robert’s life at North Tuddenham but we are still searching.

He died on August 15th 1904 and is buried in St Mary’s churchyard with a very simply headstone, from records ‘On Friday afternoon the remains of the late Rev. Robert Barry rector of North Tuddenham, were laid to rest in the churchyard, with some manifestation and respect. The first part of the service took place on Thursday evening when the body was brought from the rectory to the church and the opening sentences of the burial service were chanted by the clergy and choir in procession At the burial service which was held a 3 o’clock the church and churchyard was full’

He was very well respected and had done a lot of work in the parish but sadly everything was cleared from the church and rectory after his death and we have nothing not even a picture of Robert or his wife. His wife returned to Yorkshire with his nephew John Warren Barry J.P. where she died 1½ years later on May 11th 1906 at Ravendene (could be a nursing home) near Scarborough. We can only assume that everything went with them. Any information would be truly welcomed.

A brief look at The Rev Roberts family background.

Going back two generations to John Barry (grandfather of the above) John was a very successful ship builder in Whitby dating back to the early 1700’s. John and later his son Robert had a reputation as hard headed business men, with a robust style of management. Their first vessel was registered in Whitby in 1787. The firm had been running for many years before this. As late as 1830, the firm had been run from a large town house, the address of which was Bagdale, Whitby. The property, with its late eighteenth century facade, stood in what later became Station Squire and was adjacent the Barry shipyard. Demolished in the 1920s to make room for the present bus station, it was for a time the residence of the Whitby station master. The ’Earl of Eldon’ was the last ship built by them at Whitby.

John Barry bought the Fylingdales Estate at Robin Hood Bay, Yorkshire in 1819, from Lord Hotham whose family had had the lands since 1634. Land advertised for sale as a “freehold estate of 2000 acres ... with eleven desirable farms with homesteads and necessary buildings and a water corn mill” With his son Robert he began an extensive programme of rebuilding. This included replacing Old St. Stephens Church in 1822, building a New Hall and fine planned farmsteads, as well as improving all the other farms on the property.
Their family home is now the Fyling Hall School. In 1840, Robert Barry is listed as of Park Gate and of Westside and the shipyards in Whitby. The tithe award indicates that Robert Barry owned eleven other farms in Fylingdales as well as Fyling Hall Lodge, of which he is listed as both landowner and occupier.

The Barry Firm concentrated on Ship-owning and trading. It was shortly after Robert Barry (the older) succeeded his father John, as head of the firm that offices were acquired in New Chambers, Bishopsgate and all the business associated with the family fleet of ships was conducted from the City of London. In 1841 Robert was also living in London at Taverstock Square. Rev Robert, his sister Dorothy together with their father travelled and lived between London and their family home in Fylingdales. We can only assume that it was in London that Rev Robert met the young girl (Mary Ann Page) who would later become his wife as her parents lived in Endsleigh Street, which is a continuation of Taverstock Square. Virtually marrying the girl next door.

There is a very good book which is out of print now giving more details on the Barry’s business activities called ‘Master Mariner Extraordinary’ ‘The life and times of Captain Edward Theaker’ (one of the Barry’s sea captains) by John Howard.

John Warren Barry born 1851 (mentioned above) was the son of the Rev Robert’s older brother another John who was rector at Great Smeaton, Yorkshire. Rev Robert’s brother died in 1856 when he was just 36, shortly after his widow and the children moved into the Rev Roberts father’s home at Fylingdale. On 30th September 1871 Robert Snr died leaving all his estate to his grandson (John Warren Barry) who was then only 19. John who was still in education at Winchester and then Oxford took over the patronage of North Tuddenham and this continued until his uncle’s death in 1904 and the transfer to the Rev. Benjamin Armstrong. John was a very prominent man holding the position Squire and Justice of the Peace, he is famous for the Neo-Grecian pigsty (now owned by the Landmark Trust) which must surely be the only pigsty in the country to be built in the style of a Grecian temple! At a nearby farm the squire built a cow shed which looked more like a small church than a simple shed. John died in 1920 leaving the whole estate to his brother Army Captain Robert Mercer Barry who then sold up in 1921. The Barry family were the caretakers of their Fylingdales estate for a period of 100 years.

I have discovered virtually a carbon copy of North Tuddenham at Blisworth, Northamptonshire where Robert’s uncle (his fathers brother) Rev William Barry carried out similar works, again we would assume from the proceeds of the Barry’s wealth. (John Barry, William’s father was Patron). Two further generations of the Barry’s were to follow William as rectors.

Ray Taylor