Frances Margery Hext

Frances Margery Hext (1819–1896) was a local historian and author from Lostwithiel, Cornwall, best known for her work Memorials of Lostwithiel [and of Restormell], which continues to be referenced in studies of the history of Cornwall.

Frances Margery Hext
Frances Margery Hext
Born1819
Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England
Died10 January 1896
Lostwithiel, Cornwall, England
NationalityBritish
Parent(s)John Hext
Elizabeth Staniforth

Biography

Frances Margery Hext was born in 1819 to John Hext and his wife Elizabeth (née Staniforth). Her mother was the daughter of Thomas Staniforth, Lord Mayor of Liverpool from 1797–98 and her brother Samuel Staniforth held the same position in 1812–13.[1] Her father is described as having inherited the family estates from his brother, and was also deputy lieutenant and deputy warden of the Stannaries. He was also a magistrate for Cornwall.[2] Hext was also the great grand niece of Reverend Cox Macro, notable for the Macro Manuscript.[3]

In 1882 the head of a 14th century cross was discovered in a garden in Lostwithiel. Hext paid to have the cross restored and fixed to its former shaft in the churchyard of St Bartholomew's Church.[4]

Hext never married. She died at her home on Queen Street, Lostwithiel on 10 January 1896.

Writings

Hext wrote and published a number of books of local significance, not only regarding the Staniforth and Hext families, but also regarding Cornish life more generally. In 1891 she published Memorials of Lostwithiel [and of Restormell]: collected and contributed. Taken from the writings of Leland, Carew ... and others.[5] This book continues to be referenced in historical studies of Cornwall, particularly its church monuments,[6][7] and royal buildings.[8][9][10] Other notable writings include her 1863 book Staniforthiana: or, Recollections of the family of Staniforth of Darnall, in Yorkshire[11] which combined research provided by Joseph Hunter with personal family stories.[12]

Publications
  • Staniforthiana: or, Recollections of the family of Staniforth of Darnall, in Yorkshire (1863)
  • Memorials of Lostwithiel [and of Restormell]: collected and contributed. Taken from the writings of Leland, Carew ... and others (1891)

References
  1. John Lambrick Vivian, The Visitations of Cornwall: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1530 ..., 1887
  2. John Burke, A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland..., Volume 2, 1835
  3. Burke, A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland..., Volume 1
  4. A concise history of the church of St Bartholomew, Lostwithiel
  5. "Memorials of Lostwithiel [And of Restormell] by F M H, Frances Margery Hext". www.readings.com.au.
  6. Church Monuments Society (1995). "Church Monuments: Journal of the Church Monuments Society". 10: 36. Retrieved 22 December 2018. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. Cockerham, Paul (2006). Continuity and Change: Memorialisation and the Cornish Funeral Monument Industry 1497-1660. Archaeopress. p. 58. ISBN 9781841719450. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  8. Hull, P L. (1 January 1963). "THE STATUTE MERCHANT SEAL OF LOSTWITHIEL". Archives. 6 (29): 40–?. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  9. Colvin, Howard, ed. (1963). The History of the King's Works: The middle ages. H.M. Stationery Office. p. 983. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  10. Pounds, N.J.G. (1979). "The Duchy Palace at Lostwithiel, Cornwall". Archaeological Journal. 136 (1): 203–217. doi:10.1080/00665983.1979.11020502.
  11. Staniforthiana: or, Recollections of the family of Staniforth of Darnall, in Yorkshire. Collected and arranged chronologically by F. M. H. [i.e. Frances Margery Hext.] British Museum Catalogue
  12. "Frances Margery Hext, Lostwithiel". search.openlibrary.artstor.org.
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