Rev William Patrick Lennard HAND [9529]

  General Notes:

1881 William was serving as chaplain on HMS Euphrates, his brother Henry was Captain.

WILTS AND GLOUCESTERSHIRE STANDARD,
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 1900
COLN ST ALDWYNS
THE LATE REV. W. P. L. HAND
It is with very sincere regret, shared by the inhabitants of the village and of the neighbourhood generally, that we have to record the death of the Rev. W. P. L. Hand, which took place at the Vicarage, Coln St Aldwyns, on March 16, from double pneumonia following upon influenza. It will be remembered that Mr Hand took up his residence in this pretty Cotswold village in January, 1896, and the good work carried on for so many years by the late Canon Kent has since been well maintained. The churchyard is still a pattern of neatness, while the interior of the church has been considerably improved and beautified by the removal of the organ to an organ chamber, and the restoration of the somewhat rare oak rafters which were formerly ceiled over. The Rev. W. Hand was a model parish clergyman. He was an excellent preacher, he took great interest in the school, kept in touch with his parishioners, and did his best to promote the welfare of all. He occupied a difficult place after such a predecessor, but he filled it with ability and success. The Co-operative Society has lost one of its best supporters, and the Parish Council its able chairman.

The Rev. William Patrick Lennard Hand was born on January 1 1849, and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his degree of B. A. He was ordained deacon in 1872, and priest in 1873, during which years he was curate of Moulsham, Essex. He became vicar of St John Taynton OXF and St Mary Great Barrington in 1873, and was appointed vicar of Coln St Aldwyns 1895 to1900. In 1873, he married Amy Augusta Mary, daughter of the later Hon. and Rev. H. Rice, vicar of Great Rissington, by whom he leaves four daughters. In November 1880, Mr Hand, for the benefit of his health, left England as chaplain on a troopship for India, and during his absence of three or four months he spent some time in South Africa. In fact, we believe he was at Durban just after the disaster of Majuba Hill, and witnessed the manifestations of indignation and disgust with which the news of the conclusion of peace was received by the reinforcements that had been despatched to re-establish British supremacy.

On Sunday evening the service was of a character suitable to the occasion, and the Rev. Dr. Browne, vicar of Kempsford, preached from the text, "Into Thy hands I commend my spirit." He made touching allusion to the last hours of the late vicar, his earnestness in his work, and the lessons which his death conveyed to the people of Coln. At the conclusion of the service the remains were taken into the church, where they remained during the night. The bearers were H. Weaving, F. Smith, C. Legg, W. Rossiter, W. Webb and G. Moaby.

THE FUNERAL
Took place at 3.30 on Monday, amid every manifestation of respect and sorrow. The flag floated half-mast high from the church tower, and the drawn blinds betokened a sorrowing village. In spite of the cold snowstorms, the church was crowded with parishioners and residents from near and far, thus paying their last sad tribute to their departed friend and counsellor. The following clergy of the deanery robed in the schoolroom and walked in procession to the church:- The Revs. D. G. Compton (rural dean), Barnsley; Hon. F. G. Dutton and T. A. B. Cardus, Bibury; G. H. Barrett, Aldsworth; F. R. Carbonell, Fairford; F. D. Bateman, Ampney St. Peter; F. R. Steavenson, Quenington; R. P. Davies, Hatherop; H. P. Sketchley, Marston Maisey; W. H. T. Wright, Eastleach; Dr. Browne, Kempsford; and the Revs. J. Rainey, T. Johnson, and R. W. Sharp. The coffin, made of polished oak with brass fittings, was the work of Mr. Frank Baldwin, of Fairford, and the plate bore the following inscription:- "Rev. William P. L. Hand, born 1 January 1849, died 16 March, 1900." The relatives present at the funeral were Mrs. Hand, Miss Hand, Miss Mary Hand, Miss Winifred Hand, Miss Sybil Hand (daughters); Mr. J. Hand, Mr. B. Hand, Mr. R. Talbot Rice, Miss Rice, Rev. J. S. Lyle, Sir Pery and Lady Pole, Mr. G. Pole, Mrs. Van Notten Pole, Mr. R. Coombe, Mr. J. Eastwood, Mr. H. Eastwood, Rev. J. Hamlet, Mr. W. Grane, Mr Wingfield (Barrington Park). There were also present Rev. H. Madan Pratt, Rev. A. Clementson, Mr. W. Stephens, Mr. H. J. Barrett and party (representing the parishioners of Taynton and Great Barrington), Mr. Gardner Bazley (Hatherop Castle), Miss Jones and Miss Ella Jones (Williamstrip Park), Mr. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Barton, Mr. W. Barton, Mrs. Pinegar, Mr. R. J. Collett (churchwarden), and others. As the clergy walked up the aisle, the opening sentences were said by the Rev. F. G. Dutton. Hymn 197, "The king of love," was sung, and the choir chanted the 39 psalm to a suitable chant by Dr. Croft. The lesson was read by Mr. Dutton, and after singing hymn 537, "Peace, perfect peace," it still being very stormy the remainder of the service except the committal prayers were said in the church. As the coffin was borne from the sacred building, the organist, Mr. J. G. Quick, who had charge of the musical arrangements, played the Dead March in "Saul." Round the open grave, decked by loving hands with evergreens and white flowers, gathered the hushed concourse of people, while the Rural Dean completed the solemn funeral service.

Wreaths and crosses were sent by Mr. H. Hand, Mr. and Mrs. Talbot Rice, Coln Church Choir, Coln Co-operative Society, Mrs Cresswell, Miss Cresswell, Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Kent, H. and F. Cholmonderley, W. M. Molyneaux, Miss Wortham, Rev. F. Dutton, Rev. Podmore Clark, Miss Wroe, Mr. and Mrs. Bloxsome, Mrs. Thornton, Rev. Madan Pratt, E. R. Wingfield, Miss Clark, Hon. Mrs. Rice and family, Rev. and Mrs. Compton, Mrs Cecil Price Jones, Rev. F. and Mrs. Steavenson, Vice-Admiral Hand, Mrs Hodges, Sir Pery and Lady Pole, and Miss Rice.

Owing to a confirmation at Taynton, the vicar of Taynton was unable to be at the funeral, but held a special memorial service at Taynton at 3.30 p.m.
A muffled peal was rung on the evening of the funeral.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, HMS Euphrates. William is recorded as rank Clergyman C of E married aged 32 born Ireland

2. Census: England, 5 Apr 1891, Taynton OXF. William is recorded as Head of house married aged 42 Vicar of Taynton & Gt Barrington born Ireland Plus one servant

3. William Patrick Lennard Hand: Will, 15 Sep 1899.
THIS IS THE LAST WILL of me WILLIAM PATRICK LENNARD HAND of Coln S Aldwyn's Vicarage Fairford in the County of Gloucestershire Clerk in Holy Orders I bequeath all my furniture silver plate plated goods to my daughters Sylvia Amy Rhys Hand subject to the use of such portion of the same as she may require during the life of my wife I bequeath all my pictures to my daughter Mary Violet Rhys Hand subject to the use of such portion as she may require during the life of my wife I bequeath all my books to my daughter Winifred Rhys Hand also subject to the same conditions as stated above I bequeath to my daughter Sybil Rhys Hand the sum of twenty pounds
The greater part of my small property is under my marriage settlement and after the death of my wife & myself will naturally he the property of my four daughters in equal shares Any property real and personal otherwise than stated above I leave to my four daughters in equal shares absolutely feeling sure that they will share the same with their mother during her life I appoint my daughter Sylvia Amy Rhys Hand sole EXECUTRIX of this my will And I revoke hereby all former wills and Codicils Dated this fifteenth day of September 1899
WILLIAM P L HAND
Signed by the testator in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his and her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses
JOHN GEORGE QUICK Coln St Aldwyns
ELEANOR QUICK Coln St Aldwyns.
Affidavit of due execution filed.
ON the 14th day of May 1900 Probate of this Will was granted to Sylvia Amy Rhys Hand the sole Executrix.

Hand William Patrick Lennard of the vicarage Coln St Aldwyn's Fairford GLS clerk died 16 Mar 1900 Will Proved London 14 May 1900 to Sylvia Amy Rhys Hand spinster.
Effects £1723 8s 4d.
Mational Probate Calendar

William married Amy Augusta Mary RICE [9530] [MRIN: 3296], daughter of Rev Hon Henry RICE (RHYS) [9531] and Hon Emma LOWNDES [9685], on 2 Oct 1873 in Gt Rissington GLS. (Amy Augusta Mary RICE [9530] was born Mar Qtr 1853 in Biddenham BDF and died on 30 Mar 1929.)