St Andrews Women's Group – May Meeting Report

It was a pleasure to welcome Jill Burton as the speaker at our May meeting. Her research on the lives and influence of these 3 Victorian ladies revealed many details not included in any guide book to Erddig.

Victoria, married in 1846 to Simon Yorke was a god daughter of Queen Victoria so introduced many new contacts to the social life of Erddig.

Harriet Rogers, daughter of the estate carpenter was lady's maid to Victoria Yorke . She stayed with the family all her working life and travelled throughout Europe with them. She never married and eventually became housekeeper. On her retirement she was able to purchase a large house in Wrexham where she lived with her sister and to own 6 more houses that she rented out.

The third Victorian lady was Annette the wife of Phillip Yorke, causing a great scandal when she refused to consummate the marriage and ran away with her ladies maid to live in France. She died at the age of 46 and Phillip then remarried and had 2 sons, Phillip and Simon. Neither married and the estate was bequeathed to the National Trust by Simon.

A very enjoyable and informative evening enjoyed by us all. Followed by homemade refreshmentls, including Empire biscuits to celebrate the Coronation. Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday June 7th.

Ed: Click on the photographs to enlarge them.