January 2023

1. Dame Martha Glode's Will and Probate

1.1 Introduction

It is possible that the probate is incomplete. However, the purpose of this study is to place Dame Martha Glode in various locations at various times at which Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker (neé Douglas) may have been living with Martha and thus to determine locations at which J.M.W. Turner's first oil picture 'Rochester Castle and the Adjacent Ground' may have been located. Minor missing detail from the will and probate is therefore not material in this context.

Illustrated in the left panel:

• The transcript from the Probate Office.
  Two pages, handwritten.
• The handwritten will and probate divided into short sections and annotated with typed transcriptions each numbered and referred to as 'notes' below. Not all words are clear. Nine pages.
  The clause which names Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker and Edward Mortimer Tucker is highlighted. (Whiteman is spelled 'Wightman' in the will)

1.2 Information Extracted from the Will and Probate

• Date of will was 1817 (note 44)
  Martha was around 58 years old and had by this time established a presence in London and Bath. Curiously, however, she refers to herself as 'Martha Glode of Orpington' (note 1) without reference to her current address. Clearly she regarded Orpington as her permanent home.
• She gives £100 to James Edward Moreton Douglas who was 23 in 1817. (notes 7 & 8)
  This is Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker's brother, the eldsest surviving son of Rev. James Douglas. Rev. James Douglas is sometimes referred to as 'one of Turner's earliest patrons.
• Rev. James Douglas' second surviving son, Richard William Glode Douglas, age 19 at this time does not feature in the will at all.

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• The remainder of the estate is left in trust for the benefit of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker. (note 15)
  This confirms that both Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker, age 35, and her husband, here referred to as 'Edward Mortimer Tucker of Exeter', were alive in 1817. This is the only primary document found that includes the name 'Edward'.
• It should be noted that the original will (ie: Martha's original - not this probate office transcript) was adjusted by the witnesses to show Margaret Tucker's full name. (notes 46-48)
• Dame Martha Glode was living in Bath at the time that this will was written. Both witnesses were Bath residents. (note 48)
• The Trustees were Easter Rudsdell and one other whose name is unclear. (notes 9 & 10)
  Easter Rudsdell, age 60 in 1817, was Martha's sister. Easter was living in Bath. (note 9). She was widowed in 1814 and had one daughter, Mary, age 25; not yet married.
• Mary Rudsdell does not feature in the will.

• Probate was granted on 7th November 1824. (note 49)
  Dame Martha died in Bath.
• By this time Mortimer had died and Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker was 42. (note 50)
• Probate was granted directly to Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker. The trustees never acted. Easter Rudsdell was 67; she died in 1839

Easter wrote her will in December 1834 at which time she was resident at Great Stanhope Street, Bath. Her daughter had since been married in 1829 and separated in 1831 (the separation due to domestic abuse). There was no mention of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker in Easter's will.

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1.3.(1) Reading the Transcript (1)

Our attempt at reading this transcript is reproduced here. There are likely to be mistakes and there are many gaps.

It will be noted that it was initially thought that the second executor was 'Charles'. Later the word 'Mrs.' was found preceding it which makes 'Charles' unlikely.

The transcript is repeated here in plain text to make it searchable. Updates from readers are welcome:

"This is the last will and testament of me Dame Martha Glode of Orpington in the county of Kent widow which I make in manner and form following that is to say I first *** all my just debts funeral and *** expenses be first paid and discharged and it is my will and *** that I should be buried in the vault which was built for that purpose in the parish church of Orpington in the county of Kent and that my body be deposited as close to the side of my late husband Sir Richard Glode as *** may be but not to be placed upon his coffin as I have been told was intended and my sister is *** tenant of Mayfield *** situated in Orpington aforesaid may be requested to permit my funeral to pass through the paddock belonging to *** *** *** *** with which I *** no doubt of *** *** *** I give and bequeath to my nephew James Edward Moreton Douglas of Preston near Brighton in the County of Sussex Esq. ***"

The sister Elizabeth was Tenant of Mayfield

This is Martha writing in 1817, which sister is she referring to? Margaret was living with Rev. James Douglas and the two sons in Preston. Easter (and her daughter, Mary) was living in Bath close by if not with Martha. That leaves only Elizabeth as the Tenant of Mayfield.

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1.3.(2) Reading the Transcript (2)

"sum of one hundred pounds I give and bequeath all the *** residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever & *** I am now possessed of or may *** entitled to and of what nature and *** both *** and personal unto my dear sister Mrs. Easter Rudsdell of Bath in the county of Somerset and to my friend Mrs. *** *** in the City of London *** to hold to *** said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** their *** Executors and *** assigns according to the nature of the estate upon the *** trusts for the interests and purposes and under & subject to the *** *** hereinafter *** *** the same that is to say upon trust that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** do and shall as soon after my decease as *** may be *** in amount of my property left and upon this further trust that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** do and shall pay and apply the *** *** dividends and yearly profits of the said estate and effects both real"

Easter

Martha refers to Easter as her 'dear sister'

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1.3.(3) Reading the Transcript (3)

"and *** yearly and *** year unto my beloved niece Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker wife of Edward Mortimer Tucker of Exeter for and during the *** of her natural life to and for her own and sole & *** use independant of her present or any future husband who shall in no *** *** therewith or be entitled thereto or to any part or parts thereof and I so hereby direct that such payments shall be made by my said trustees to the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker half yearly on the twelfth day of January and twelfth day of July in every year the first payment thereof to be made on such of those days as shall happen next after my decease and I do *** *** that the receipt or receipts of the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker alone for such yearly dividends interest & profits shall be a good and sufficient discharge or good and sufficient discharges to the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** or the survivors of them for *** *** without the present or any future husband of the said Margaret Martha"

Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker

Dame Martha refers to Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker as her 'beloved niece'. Mortimer was still alive at the time this will was written in 1817.

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1.3.(4) Reading the Transcript (4)

"Wightman Tucker joining therein and after the *** of the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker upon trust that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** or the survivor of these do and shall assign *** transfer pay and apply the said estate effects both real and personal to such person & persons and in such parts shares and proportions as the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker my niece by any *** or *** writing or writings *** and *** in the presence of two or more *** witnesses or by her last will and testament in writing signed published and delivered in the presence of and attested by them or more credible witnessess shall *** and appoint the same or any part thereof and in default of such *** *** *** appointment upon trust that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** or"

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1.3.(5) Reading the Transcript (5)

"the survivor of them do and shall *** assign *** transfer & *** *** the said estate and effects in manner following that is to say that they the Easter Rudsdell and *** *** or the survivor of them do and shall *** assignand *** such part of the said estate and effects which shall at the time of the decease of the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker *** of *** estate to the right heirs of the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker to *** or their own proportion and *** for *** and upon trust that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** or survivor of them do and shall *** assign and *** such part or parts"

Provisions are made for the death of Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker.

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1.3.(6) Reading the Transcript (6)

"of the said estate and effects which shall at the time of the decease of the said Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker consist of personal estate to such person or persons who under the statute of distributions would be entitled thereto to his or her or their proportion and *** for *** and I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** joint executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will or wills by me *** made for the purposes of indemnifying & *** *** the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** *** *** *** *** *** Executors and advisors in the capacity of Trustees and Executors as aforesaid I hereby *** that they the said Easter Rudsdell and *** *** *** and *** of *** & *** *** *** Executors & advisors and assigns shall be *** and *** only for such and so much money as they"

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1.3.(7) Reading the Transcript (7)

"shall *** *** by virtue of this trust *** *** in them *** notwithstanding his or their giving or signing or joining in giving or signing any receipt or receipts *** *** and that any of them shall not answerable or accountable for the other of them or for the acts receipts or *** or defaults of the other of them but *** of them *** *** Executors and advisors for himself and themselves only & for his and their own *** *** *** or defaults nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of any security or securities in or upon which any of the monies which shall *** into their hands as trustees & executors as aforesaid or any part thereof shall or may be *** *** nor for any other misfortune loss or *** which may happen in the execution of any of their aforesaid trusts or in relation thereto except the same shall happen by or through their or his wilful default ***"

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1.3.(8) Reading the Transcript (8)

In witness whereof I the sait Testratrix have hereunder set my hand and seal the twenty second day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventeen Martha Glode & Signed sealed and published & delivered by the said Testratrix Dame Martha Glode as for her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of such other have hereunder subscribed our names as witnesses to *** *** *** therein of Mrs. Margaret Tucker's two additional Christian names of Martha Wightman being first interlined 11th line page 2 so through the whole witnesses J Ricard Surgeon Bath Ann Randall Lambridge."

The witnesses do not appear in Gye's 1819 Directory.

The will was originally written with Margaret referred to as 'Margaret Tucker'. The witnesses appear to have inserted the names 'Martha Wightman' with 'Wightman' being the spelling associated with Dame Martha's Mother, Elizabeth Oldershaw (neé Wightman) (see below, 'Insertion of the Two Christian Names and Another Margaret Tucker' ). Other documents show that Margaret herself used the 'Whiteman' version as originally shown in the register of her birth:

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1.3.(9) Reading the Transcript (9)

1.3.(9).a Probate

"On this 7th November 1824 administration (with the will annexed) of the goods chattels and *** of Dame Martha Glode formerly of Orpington in the county of Kent but late of the City of Bath widow deceased was granted to Margaret Martha Wightman Tucker widow (formerly the wife of Edward Mortimer Tucker) the niece and the residuary legatee for life named in the said will having first been sworn only to administer *** Easter Rudsdell widow the sister and *** *** the executors and residuary legatees in trust named in the said will having first ***"

Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker, widow, took possession of the estate.

1.3.(9).b The Insertion of the Two Christian Names and Another Margaret Tucker

We saw above that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker's two middle names were inserted in Dame Martha Glode's will. These insertions were made in 1817 when the will was written.
The probate above shows that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker was alive and took possession of the estate in 1824.

However, another Margaret Tucker, spinster, was resident in Stanhope Street Bath. Her will was made 7th March 1821 and probate granted 26th March 1822 in London.

We will see in the following pages that Dame Martha and family lived close by the junction of Stanhope Street and Norfolk Crescent (after moving from 1 Lambridge). It seems too much of a coincidence that this second Margaret Tucker should be unrelated and living close by.

This could be Mortimer's sister, Mortimer's daughter by a previous marriage or some other relation. 'Spinster suggests that she was not the mother of the writer of the 'Nephew's Letter' but an illegitimate child is possible.

The existence of another Margaret Tucker explains the peculiar insertions in Dame Martha's will.

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2. Lady Glode's Final Year in Bath
(1824)

2.1 Lady Glode, her Title

The will was written in 1817 and Dame Martha died in 1824. 'Dame Martha' was her self-styled title. Her legitimate title was 'Lady Glode'. Her husband, Sir Richard Glode, had died in 1804. It appears that she spent the last year or so of her life in Bath.

2.2 Paintings in the possession of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker in 1824

Since the purpose here is to follow the whereabouts of J.M.W. Turner's first oil, 'Rochester Castle and the adjacent Ground', in the possession of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker, we work backwards from the time of Martha's death. In doing so it is also necessary to include some details about Easter Rudsdell between 1824 and her death in 1839 and her daughter. Easter's husband, Richard, had died in September 1814, their daughter, Mary was born in 1792 (died 1878).
By 1824 Margaret Martha had probably already given Turner's 'Rochester Castle and the adjacent Ground' to her nephew. However, in 1824 the 'Portrait of the Rev. James Douglas' by Thomas Phillips RA (1770-1845), was definitely in Margaret Martha's possession; it is inscribed "This portrait of the Revd. James Douglas, Author of the Nenia Britannica belongs to his daughter Mrs. Margaret Tucker, 1824". [Jessop, 'Man of Many Talents' page 170][The portrait is currently (2023) in the Ashmolian Museum]. It is not clear how or when this portrait came into her possession; it does not appear to have been exhibited. Jessop is certain that it was not amongst Rev. James Douglas' effects at the time of his death in 1819.
The evidential value of this inscription lies in its proof that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker owned at least one other painting.

2.3 Press and Directories

Just before Martha's death in 1824 there are several recorded addresses. From press reports of her death we see that she died in Bath at her house in Queen Square.

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A newspaper report together with an entry in Hunt's Bath Directory 1824 shows that Lady Glode was living in Bath and socially active in 1823. However, Hunt gives her address not in Queen Square where she is said to have died but at 12 Norfolk Crescent.

The same directory also has entries for Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker (as Mrs. Mortimer Tucker) and Easter Rudsdell (as Mrs. Rudsell) at 12 Norfolk Street ('Street' is a mistake for 'Crescent') and 12, Stanhope Street respectively:

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2.4 Maps

Maps drawn in c.1818 show Queen Square ('Queens' on this map) and Norfolk Crescent as two distinct places. If the news reports are correct it appears that, during the last year of her life, Dame Martha lived first at Norfolk Crescent and later at Queen Square.

'Norfolk Street' (mentioned above in Hunt's directory as the address of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker) did not exist.

It is clear therefore that both Dame Martha and Margaret Martha lived at 12 Norfolk Crescent.

Queen Square is close by and it is possible that there was a move from Norfolk Crescent to Queen Square just before Martha's death.

We now look at a report of Easter's death fifteen years later, in 1839, and we see that the addresses at Great Stanhope Street and Norfolk Crescent may not be distinct.

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This 1818 extract of the Great Stanhope Street and Norfolk Crescent area shows about the same area as the modern map on the left.

On the modern map of the Great Stanhope Street and Norfolk Crescent area house numbers are shown in small typeface at the roadside edges of the buildings. The green spots belong to a different study and are not relevant here.

House numbers have changed over time and the buildings have been extended and some converted into flats.

However, there is no No. 12 Great Stanhope Street facing the road; on the north side the numbers run from 1 to 7, on the south side 17 (a comparatively large area) to 26. In 'old' Norfolk Crescent if there were 18 houses as indicated by the modern numbering system then No. 1 would be the northernmost property now in the block shown as '2 to 13'. This leaves the house on the corner now shown as No. 1 (Norfolk Crescent). This corner house has frontage both in Norfolk Crescent and Great Stanhope Street.

This corner house and No. 17 Great Stanhope Street taken together are sufficiently large in comparison with adjacent properties to have accommodated at least five addesses; possibly more. Similarly Nos. 5,6 & 7 on the north side could have ccommodated six or more addresses.

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Pigot 1830 page 680 extract, Mrs Rudsdell 14 Great Stanhope Street
Mary had married in 1829 so was not present in 1830 (She returned in 1831)
There is no entry for Margaret Martha in Pigot 1830

Extract from the Will of Easter Rudsdell
written 1834 and probate 1839
shows 'Great Stanhope Street'

2.5 Summary of the Various Addresses 1823 Onwards

Over time Dame Martha's family have been shown residing at:

• 12 Stanhope Street, Easter Rusdsell and Mary her daughter must have been there too. [Hunt 1824, above]
• 12 Norfolk Crescent, Dame Martha and Margaret Martha. [Hunt 1824 above]
• Queen Square, Dame Martha. [Bath Chronicle 15th July 1824 et al, above]
• 14 Great Stanhope Street, Easter Rudsdell. [Pigot 1830, left]
• Great Stanhope Street, Easter Rudsdell. [Her will, written 1834, left]
• Great Stanhope Street, Norfolk Crescent, Easter Rudsdell. [Exeter Flying Post 10th October 1839, above]
• 10 Stanhope Street, Mary Rudsdell now as Mrs C Rookes (her estranged husband was Rev. Charles Rookes). [Silverthorne 1846, below]

Queen Square is sufficiently nearby to give a general indication of the area in which they lived. Over time it seems that properties were renumbered, this is not unusual.

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In Silverthorne Directory 1846 Mary Rudsdell as Mrs. C. Rookes; Charles Rookes was her husband; married 1829, separated 1831. The address quoted was 10 Stanhope Street. Mary was 54. (Margaret Martha would be 64 if still living). The directory was carefully checked for any entries that might be Margaret Martha but none were found. Mary Rookes' death was recorded in Bath in the first quarter of 1879.

2.6 Possible Residence in the Corner House

The possibility that they were living together in the corner house at the junction of Great Stanhope Street and Norfolk Crescent seems reasonable and would explain the apparent contradictions.

2.7 Last Sighting of Margaret Martha

The last sighting of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker was 7th November 1824 when she was granted administration of Dame Martha Glode's estate. Mortimer had died in Bath in December 1818, six years previously. It seems very likely that Turner's 'Rochester Castle and the Adjacent Ground' had already been given to his Nephew (or Niece) by the time of Dame Martha's death. She was, however, in possession of 'Portrait of the Rev. James Douglas' by Thomas Phillips RA [Jessop]. She may have written the inscription to distinguish it from Dame Martha's property.

It seems likely that, at the end of 1824 she was living in the corner house between Norfolk Crescent and Great Stanhope Street with Easter Rudsdell and Mary Rudsdell, Margaret Martha's Aunt and cousin respectively.

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3. London and Bath 1811 to 1823

3.1 Lambridge and Mortimer Tucker

We saw that the final year of Dame Martha's life was spent in the Norfolk Crescent and Stanhope Street area in Bath.
In 1818 Mortimer Tucker died in Bath. A press report shows his previous address in London; York Street, Portman Square. It will be seen that Lady Glode also previously lived in York Street and suggests that, both in London and in Bath, Lady Glode, Margaret Martha and Mortimer Tucker lived together. Furthermore, the later evidence above suggests that Easter, widowed in 1814, and Mary also lived with them. Throughout the period 1811 to 1823 there are references to Lady Glode and it is from these that we determine the whereabouts of Margaret Martha and thus of Turner's first oil.
Jessop reproduced a list, which he attributes to Prince Hoare, of 'Various Property left by the late Revd. James Douglas'. [Jessop pge 168][Jessop page 169]. On page 169 in paragraph 7 of the list is written, "...for the sake of sending a little money to Mrs. Tucker (Mr. Douglas's daughter and Heiress) as I know she was in Distress."
This list clearly must have been written after Rev. James Douglas died on 5th November 1819. Assuming then that it was written some time in 1820 it implies that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker was 'in distress', financially, in 1820. This is inconsistent with the suggestion that Margaret Martha was living a comfortable life with Lady Glode who in 1817 had written, of Margaret Martha as, "my beloved niece".
Lady Glode was definitely present in Bath in 1816 and was tenant at No. 1, Lambridge. [Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette]. Mortimer Tucker was definitely present in Bath in 1818. It follows that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker was also present in Bath, at the very least in 1818 and probably from 1816 to 1824 also.

!822 saw the death of the other Margaret Tucker, spinster of Stanhope Street. [see 1.3.(9).b above]. Her will was written in March 2021. Being 'spinster' she is most likely to be Mortimer's sister. She cannot be the letter writer, but an illegitimate child of hers could be.

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The same address, 1, Lambridge, is shown in Gye's Bath directory of 1819. No entries were made for Easter or Mary Rudsdell or Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker.

It is therefore established that Mortimer Tucker lived at 1, Lambridge, Bath and died there in 1818.

His death represents another point which could be the reason for the gift of the painting to the nephew.

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However, Mortimer had duties in London; he was treasurer of 'The Endeavour, & Benevolent Lying-In Society, for the Delivery of Poor Women at their own Habitation'. [Royal Kalendar and Court and City Register 1818]

A letter of November 1813 by Rev. James Douglas [Jessop page 276] shows that Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker and Mortimer were not living with her parents.

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4. London 1811

4.1 Marriage of Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas

Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas married Mortimer Tucker on 23rd May 1811. This is how the marriage was described in the nephew's letter:

Turner's first oil was likely to have been in the possession of Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas at this time.

4.2 Lady Martha Glode's London Address

Martha's address is quoted in a brochure for 'The National Religion The Foundation of National Education' for an event at 'St. Paul' on June 13th 1811. At that time Martha Glode was living in 42, York Street, Portman Square.

An appendix (see below) in the brochure lists newly admitted members:

"Having been deemed by the board likely to be satisfactory to the Society at large, to see the names of the new members admitted since the ballot of last July ... "

'last July' would be July 1810.

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Page 1 of the appendix shows that it refers to recently admitted members.

Page 2 shows Captain Dundas at Manchester Square.

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Lady Glode's address is shown as 42, York Street, Portman Square.

4.3 Lady Glode and Margaret Martha

In 1811 Lady Glode was resident in London at 42, York Street, Portman Square, clearly having had a presence there since 1810. Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas was probably living with her. Easter Rudsdell and her daughter Mary may also have been resident there.

4.4 Captain Dundas, Charlotte his Wife and (her mother) Elizabeth Wood (neé Oldershaw)

On page 2 of the appendix we see the entry, " 1811 Captain Dundas, R.N. Manchester Street".

Captain Thomas Dundas 1765-1841 was husband to Charlotte Elizabeth Wightman Wood 1779-1848, daughter of Elizabeth (neé Oldershaw, Martha's elder sister) and Lullum Wood. Elizabeth was widowed before 1799; in 1799 she was living in St. Martins in the Field, later [1817 in Dame Martha's will, above] she appears to be a tenant of Mayfield.

4.5 Rev. James Douglas and his wife Margaret

A letter of 19th March 1810 places Rev. James Douglas and his wife Margaret (Oldershaw) (Martha's twin sister) in Barnham near Arundel, West Sussex, with his 'two fine boys' in education. [Nichols 'Illustrations of the Literary History of the Eighteenth Century', page 460 & 461]

We have seen that Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas, their daughter, was not living with them when she married; the bride's parish was registered as 'St. Marylebone'.

At this point we are trying to determine the date on which Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas left the Douglas household and moved in with her aunt (Lady Martha Glode) - her mother's twin sister. It looks as if Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas met Mortimer Tucker as a result of moving to London.

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Extracts from Boyle's Court Guide 1812

4.6 Mortimer Tucker

In Boyle's London 1812 there is an 'M.Tucker' at 35, Manchester Street. Bearing in mind that these directories are compiled during the year before publication this could be Mortimer living close-by to Captain Thomas Dundas. [Illustrated; left]

4.7 Other Entries in Boyle's 1812

In the same directory Captain T. Dundas is shown at 44, Manchester Street and Lady Glode at 42, York Street, Portman Square.

Elizabeth Wood is not found in the 1812 directory; she was a widow at this time. (We know that she was still alive in 1817 since she is named in Dame Martha's will as a 'sister' and 'tenant of Mayfield').

Easter Rudsdell, Richard Rudsdell & daughter Mary (age 20) do not appear in this 1812 directory. They may have been living at 42 York St. Portman Sq. with Martha but this is unconfirmed. [Richard Rudsdell date of death, 1814 - National Archives]

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4.8 Just Before the Marriage of Margaret and Mortimer in 1811

The situation just before the Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas' marriage to Mortimer Tucker is therefore potentially:

• At 44 Manchester Street:
  • Captain Thomas Dundas
  • Charlotte Elizabeth Wightman Dundas (Wood), Martha's niece.
• At 35 Manchester Street
  • M. Tucker (could be Mortimer Tucker)
• At 42 York Street, Portman Square
  • Lady Martha Glode (Oldershaw)
  • Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas, Martha's niece.

This is not without contradictions. Register entries for the Tucker marriage are found At St. George, Hanover Square:

• Groom's parish is shown as St. George, Hanover Square
• Register for St. George shows Mortimer 'of this parish'

However, Manchester Street is not in the parish of St. George, Hanover Square but in St. Marylebone as was York Street, Portman Square.

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5. 1804 to 1810, Orpington to London

5.1 Death of Sir Richard Glode in 1804

Sir Richard Glode died in 1804.

5.2 Lady Martha Glode and Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas in 1804

Lady Martha Glode was 44, Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas was 22 and we assume was in possession of J.M.W. Turner's first oil painting, 'Rochester Castle and the Adjacent Ground'. The basis of this assumtion is twofold:

• If the painting had been in the possession of Rev. James Douglas its natural succession would be by bequest to his eldest son.
• In the Nephew's letter his statement that his aunt had bought the canvas suggests that this first oil painting exercise was more closely linked to her than to Rev. James Douglas himself. That he had directed the exercise and provided the materials is not in question but he was engaged in the production of his 'Nænia Britannica' and Turner's oil painting would have been of little consequence to him.

There is no evidence to suggest that Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas was living with Martha at this time.

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6. 1793 to 1803, Rochester to Orpington

6.1 Richard Glode and Martha Oldershaw Marriage

Richard Glode married Martha Oldershaw in August 1793

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7. 1792 Rochester

7.1 Canvas Purchase

In September 1792 J.M.W. Turner age 17½ visited Rochester at the invitation of Rev. James Douglas. [Nephew's Letter, left]. The Rochester house did not belong to Rev. James Douglas but was the home of his wife's mother, Elizabeth Oldershaw. [see James Oldershaw]. Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas was only 10 years old. The Oldershaw house was in central Rochester [Jessop page 25], in College Yard, by the Cathedral. It seems unlikely that a ten year old would be sent out for the canvas. However, the shop could have been close by and she could have been accompanied by Turner or a family member.

7.2 Jessop, 'Man of Many Talents'

Jessop mentions Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas only four times. All of these references are after her marriage:

• Page 154, 5th November 1813, Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker (now married, age 31) visited her sick mother in Preston.
• Page 169, c.1820, in the list of Douglas' possessions, Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker (now widowed aged 38) is said to be 'in distress' apparently financially because it is said 'for the sake of sending her a little money'.
• Page 170, In 1824 the portrait of Rev. James Douglas was was inscribed on the stretcher as being the property of Margaret Martha Whiteman Tucker (now aged 42)
• Page 276, This is a transcript of the letter of 5th November 1813.

At other times, where one would expect there to be a reference to his daughter, there are no references at all.

• On page 88 Jessop wrote about the death of Douglas' son in 1785, the year he moved from Conduit Vale to Chiddingfield. Margaret Martha Whiteman Douglas was aged 3 at this time but there is no mention of her being at Conduit Vale or Chiddingfield.

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Probate from James Oldershaw's will shows Martha Oldershaw of Rochester appearing personally on 2nd May 1782:

THIS WILL was proved at London with a codicil the second day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two before the worshipful George Harris *** of *** *** of the right worshipful ***[whole line illegible]*** of the perogative court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by by the oath of Elizabeth Oldershaw widow the relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.

APPEARED PERSONALLY Easter Oldershaw of the City of Rochester and Martha Oldershaw of the same place spinster two of the daughters of James Oldershaw late of the same place deceased and made an oath by *** of having very often seen their said late father write and also write and subscribe his name the became intimately aquainted with his manner and character of handwriting and subscription and that having now with care and attention viewed and perused the codicil written at the foot of the last will and testament of the said deceased hereunto annexed beginning thus, "I also give to my daughter Elizabeth Wood one hundred pounds now which I lent her husband" ending thus, "this makes her fortune equal to her sisters as you may see above in witness hereof I have set my hand again" and thus subscribed "James Oldershaw["] they these appearors do verify in their consciences believe the whole *** or contents of the said codicil beginning ending and subscribed as aforesaid to be of the proper handwriting and subscription of the said deceased & Easter Oldershaw and Martha Oldershaw *** *** the said Easter Oldershaw and Martha Oldershaw were only sworn as [the usual] before me, Geo. Harris ***, present Mark [Holman] *** [Ex O]

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8. Before 1792

8.1 Turner's First Oil

In September 1792 J.M.W. Turner age 17½ visited Rochester and painted his first oil.

8.2 Oldershaw Family in Rochester

Our interest in Martha Oldershaw does not extend to periods before 1792. However, it seems appropriate to demonstrate that she can be placed in Rochester with her father, James, (and other family) from around 1780. (Throughout the literature and on the internet her father's name is often mistakenly recorded as 'John' - there is no explanation for this. His name was definitely 'James' - evident from his will.) [James Oldershaw]

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