This section starts with Michael Butt, 1813-1899. Michael was a farmer in Somerset. He married Sarah Wyatt and they lived adequately. However Michael had a sister called Elizabeth and she married John Hardwick. When Michael had his first child he passed him over to John to raise and so William Butt got a good start in life. He went on to have 6 more children, who all went on to have families of their own.

That leads me nicely to William Butt (1837-1912). He had an amazing life, having been born to a very poor farming family in Somerset, then being raised by John Hardwick. He married Sarah Randall and her father was quite wealthy. He gave William a large farm to start him off and that left him on a good footing. William ended up renting the King’s Farm at Maulden from the Duke of Bedford and that’s where he saw out his life. I have many papers on file from both the purchase of the lease and the sale after William died. It’s all fascinating stuff.

The farm had a good description, which included the grounds, several buildings and a good supply of clean water!

His obit makes very interesting reading one from the Bedford Mercury is reprinted here.

“THE LATE MR. BUTT.-The remains of the late Mr. William Butt, of King’s Farm, who passed away on July 9th, at the age of 75, were laid to rest in the churchyard on Friday last in the presence of many mourners and sympathising friends. The service was conducted by the Rev. C. Bromley (rector), and the body was followed to the grave by the bereaved widow; Mr and Mrs.  A. W. Barratt and the Rev. E. A. and Mrs. Martin (daughters and sons-in-law);

Mr. J. W. Flatt, (son-in-law); Mrs. Bransome (West Bromwich); Mr. and Mrs. C. Featherstonehaugh (Woburn Sands); Mr. Hy. Butt, Bristol. and Mr. Wm. Butt, Somerset (nephews); Miss Randall, Mrs. Carr. Mr. John Randall, Mr. Alf Randall, Miss Nettie Wooding and about twelve of his farm hands. In. addition there were many well-known people of the district present, among these being Mr. W.P. Gordon, J.P. the Rev. J.W. Mayo. Miss Moore.  Mr. C. Brightman, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Crisp, Mr. F. Brightman, Mrs. Gray, Mr. G.W. Hoare, Mr. J. Kirby, Mr. J. Billington and many others from Maulden. Ampthill was represented by Mr. and Mrs. F. Stearn. Dr. Taylor. Messrs. H. Swaffield, H. Fountain, and. F. N. Tansley: and Mr. S. Street came from Flitwick. There was large number of beautiful wreaths. Mr. Butt was widely known and respected in the district and will be much missed by many. He was interested in all matters concerning the welfare the parish and had served on most of the public bodies such as the School Board, Parish Council etc. He was a churchwarden and a Conservative, but was liked by everyone whether they were of the same opinions as himself or not. He had lived at King’s Farm 34 years and for seven years previously at the Old Farm. Having therefore been a tenant of the Duke of Bedford for 41 years. His first wife died in August 1909 and he married again in December, 1910. He was buried in the same grave as his wife, near the base of the church tower and the massive oak coffin bore the words “William Butt. Born June 2nd, 1837; died July 9th, 1912, aged 75 years.”

His memorial is a huge granite obelisk in the grounds of St Andrew’s Church, Ampthill. One day I will visit it.

There is mention there of his first wife dying. Shortly before Sarah died they took on a companion for her Maria Featherstonhaugh. Now when Sarah died Maria insisted that if William wanted her to stay as housekeeper they would have to get married. Maria was over 30 years younger than William! This they did, much to the disgust of his daughters. They did not approve and this lead to bad blood in the family for may years after.

Anyway this brings me nicely on to his daughters. He had four and each of them in turn will be discussed here.

Kate Elizabeth Butt (1870-1901) is my great grandmother. She married John William Flatt (from the previous chapter) and had two children. Lily Flatt married Alex England and had children of their own. Constance married Dudley Ebdon. A few days after Constance was born, Kate died, for which Lily did not forgive Constance as she thought that was her fault. Obviously it was not. Martha Mary Flatt then brought up the children in Kate’s place. When Lily and Constance were young apparently they stayed on the Farm for holidays.

Florence Annie Butt (1871-1944) had an interesting life. She was a Rosicrucian. In 1919 she married Valentine O’Hara. He is an extremely interesting man. Born in Ireland, he was educated at Stonyhurst College and was an author. He wrote mainly books on Russia and the Baltic states. His own history is as interesting as anyone’s. in fact there is a good chance he was a spy. He had an entry in the British Biographical index, from the Catholic Who’s Who.

“O’Hara Valentine J: b. 1875, 5 s. of late Thomas O’Hara, M.A., Portarlington Queen’s Co.: educ. abroad. at Stonyhurst,  and Queen’s Coll. Galway : long resident in the old Russian Empire, and has traveled extensively all over Europe; served on Anglo-Russian Committee Petrograd and Inter-Allied Trade Commn Stockholm; imprisoned under Bloshevic regime left Russia 1918 : enlisted in Middx Regmt. for N. Russian Expdn ; demobilised 1919 at request of Foreign Office, and apptd to British Polit. Mission to the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) ; m. (1919) FLORENCE,  dau. of late Wm BUTT,  Ampthill,  Beds. Author of Poland (1861-1923) in “The Story of the Nation ” series – Russia in “Modern World” series (with N. Makeev). Contributor to Nineteenth Century,  Contemporary,  Empire,  and National reviews,  Review of Reviews, Studio, etc.: Press Club,  E.C.4.”

There is also his obit from Stonyhurst College magazine, July 1943

VALENTINE O’HARA (O.S. 1890-1892) was born in 1875. He spent two years at Stonyhurst in Rudiments and Grammar. Ten years later he returned and taught languages before leaving to devote himself to literary work. He was a constant contributor to reviews and produced several books, mainly on Russia, a country he knew well. His Anthony O’Hara, Knight of Malta, is an interesting account of a distinguished kinsman of the author, in the writing of which Mr. O’Hara had access to the Tyrawly papers at Annaghmore. He was the donor to Stonyhurst of a collection of valuable books, and it was through him that the late Mr. Hamilton Minchin gave us his large collection of books on art in 1933. Mr. O’Hara was also the donor of the unique painting of King Edward VIII in Coronation robes. He died in February, 1942. R.I.P.

He also wrote several letters to the Times and I have copies of them too.

Lucy Ellen Butt (1875-1958) married Arthur Waters Barratt. His family came from Newtown, Montgomeryshire. They had two children, Arthur Ivor Barratt (known as Ivor – and Eleanor Myfanwy Barratt (known as Myfanwy). I have heard that Lucy Butt went to Kiev to teach English and Piano to the children of a Russian family and as a governess in 1902.

Finally we have Amy Beatrice Butt (1876-1948). She was a ladies’ help in 1901 and married Edward Arthur Martin in 1909. His family is itself interesting. His father emigrated to Australia (Brisbane, Queensland) where he tried his profession of stonemason. However things did not work out there due to a recession and he came back. He had two children there (sisters of Edward Martin) and I obtained their birth certificates. Edward Arthur (who was born back in England) became a Baptist Minister and has an obit worth reading.

… was born at Braintree, Essex on 22nd January 1875, being one of a family of nine boys and girls. His father died when he was a child, and before he was thirteen he had to enter business to help the family finances. He had a keen mind and considerable practical gifts; he was a clever wood carver. As he grew in knowledge of the world he had religious experiences which convinced him he was called to the ministry. In 1897  he applied to Regent’s Park College and was admitted. In spite of early disadvantages and breakdowns in health he persevered and in 1902 gained the A.T.S.Certificate and settled in his first pastorate at Maulden In 1909 he moved to Desford near Cambridge where he had university students and graduates in his congregation. In that year too he married Amy Beatrice Butt, who thereafter became his chief helper in his pastoral work. They had one son and a daughter. In 1917 he volunteered and became a Baptist Chaplain in the Heavy Artillery, where he served with courage and devotion, often near the front line. In 1920 he accepted a call to Baxter Gate church in Loughborough. Here he ministered until his retirement in 1938  after 36 years in the ministry. Martin’s chief talent was a gift for friendship and sympathy with the needs of those about him. He attracted the friendship of brilliant men, and kept it till the end of life. he filled the years of retirement with unnoted acts of kindness, serving for some years as treasurer of a Healing Mission. He died at Clevedon on 9th April 1964. He was one of God’s good men! “

They had two children.

So that’s the Butt daughters. What an interesting lot they are too! And that’s my family. Thanks for reading this and I hope you’ve enjoyed it.