Prof. Charles Adrian HOPKINS [517]

  General Notes:

Adrian was educated at Trinity College Dublin, then Professor Glasgow University his subject being parasitic diseases. During the course of his work he traveled extensively including Africa, lecturing in the USA and New Zealand. He retired to Dorset.

Adrian & Agnes visited NZ lecturing at Otago University 1985/6 again in 1990.

  Research Notes:

Clarence Square
Cheltenham
February 18, 1975.
Dear Cousin Charles¹
I was so pleased to get your letter and to hear that you may be able to look me up in the summer. My father was very interested in family history and took pains to find out the ancestors of John Alston who married Martha stock but he never could. We only know John kept a public house and his portrait is among the lovely set of pastel portraits painted by Beeston Coyte, the only man with his natural hair, the others had wigs.
I loved Alston Court, it was indeed tragic it should have passed to strangers but I am told they truly appreciate the house. I liked the group [?] You sent me very much, I am sending it to Charlie's daughter Nancy as her father appears in it.
I don't know why I asked in my letter if your branch of the family knew great aunt Margaret. Of course aunt Lucy knew her as much as all the others did! Aunt Lucy was a member of Nayland choir and there is an old photograph of her and aunt Isabella with the choir members it was given to Nayland church and at one time was hung up there. I don't know where it is now.
I enclose an account of my father. I was only 12 when he died but have a great admiration for him.
With affectionate greeting from
Your Cousin Adria

1. Adrian was called Charles until Sept 1937 when he chose to be known by his second name.

Faithful House (Room 100)
Suffolk Square
Cheltenham
February 24, 1978.
Dear cousin Adrian,
You have a wonderful collection of family photographs! I am sorry you have had such difficulty in tracing me. I ought to have left my address at Amberley Court. I rang up the matron yesterday and she was very nice about the matter. I moved in this home as it seemed to safer at the age of 80 odd to be with other people and we are very well looked after.
Now as regards the photographs:
No 1 is not the Fenn family they are the Giles family.
No 18 photo is of my half brother Rev Ernest Vanderzee Fenn.
No 28 Ann Vanderzee married Samuel Alston.
No 34 Stoke by Nayland Church.
No 8 Harold Liveing Fenn.
I am so sorry not to have been more help to you. I wish Dolly Cotes was living, she knew so much about the family. One day she and her mother were seated in the sitting room when Lewis Hopkin's photo suddenly fell on the floor. Dolly exclaimed "I hope Lewis hasn't died" the next day they heard that he had been killed in action! Curious coincidence.
Dossie Fenn is still at Nayland I am glad she appreciates the pastel pictures of the young Fenn's. They descended to me and I gave them to Alston who then lived at Alston Court. Sorry I have run out on notepaper, hence the sheet.
I do hope you and Agnes will have a happy time abroad. I will think up some more family news on your return.
Love and best wishes,
Cousin Adria.

  Other Records

1. Adrian Hopkins: Picture.
Hopkins family with daughter Kirsty

2. Adrian & Agnes Hopkins: On a visit to NZ, 1990, Auckland.
Adrian & Agnes staying with Edward & Jeanette Fenn 2 The Anchorage 1990

3. Adrian Hopkins: In Memory - Oct 2022: Vale View Marnhull Dorset.
Adrian in his beloved garden at Vale View Marnhull, with Dorset fields beyond - as a youth - as a scientist - a most propitious marriage to the wonderful Agnes.

Charles married Living