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History of the
Vernon Family
The town's
coat of arms
They
represent three watercress bunches tied with a golden bond. They were
granted to the town by Saint-Louis who was offered bunches of watercress to
refresh himself after a long ride.
The
upper part is blue with three golden fleur de lis for it was a royal town.
Vernon's motto "Vernon Semper Viret" means "Vernon Always
Green."
The Vernon Family of Vernon
in Normandy and Shipbook in Cheshire c.1000-1350
The founder of the Vernon Family in Chesire came to England with the
Conqueror in 1066. Settled in the Palatine Earldom of Chesire, Richard de Vernon
was created Baron of Shipbrook by Hugh Lupus, the 1st Earl of Chester (from whom
we are also descended, through his illegitimate son Robert FitzHugh, Baron of
Malpas). This family after marriage with the heiress of William Avenell were
also seated at Haddon Hall, in Derbyshire, which is still in the hands of their
senior heirs, the Dukes of Rutland, and is open to the public. The Wedgwoods
have mutiple lines of descent from this family, from which also descend the
Vernon of Hanbury in Worcestershire, and the present Lord Vernon. The principle
sources for this pedigree are in Burkes Peerage, Ormerod's Cheshire
and the Heralds Visitations of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
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The Palatine
Earls of Chester 1071-c.1230
The Palatine Earldom of Chester is now vested in the British Crown, and is
traditionally a title held by the Prince of Wales. In 1071, William the
Conqueror made his nephew, Hugh Earl of Chester, giving him the whole of the
county Palatine of Chester "...to hold as freely by the sword as he [the
King] himself held the kingdom of England by the crown" As Count or Earl
Palatine he had extraordinary authority within his provinces - this was seen
as necessary due to the need to defend the Marches from the incursions of the
Welsh - and as such he had his own Court and hereditary barons who each had
their own jurisdiction, and power of "life and death" - legend has it
that the Barons of Malpas, (later the Egertons from whom the Wedgwoods of
Harracles etc. descend) were particularly prone to sentence the latter. The
hereditary Barons created by Hugh are as follows, after the reversion of the
Earldom with the crown, these dignities became only titular.
The "Vernon Family" story begins back around 888-906 AD when the
Vikings under "Marching Rollo" invaded and conquered Normandy
including the ancient town of Vernon. The Town dates back to Gallo-Roman
times and is located in a beautiful valley on both sides of the Seine River, 30
some miles northwest of Paris.
Rollo's son, William Longsword, became Duke of Normany in 925. The
family became very powerful and wealthy holding many large estates in Normandy.
Richard de Reviers, the first Vernon, was a good and loyal officer serving
the Duke of Normandy, William the Bastard, future William the Conqueror. He was
such a good and loyal officer, that in 1050 he was given the little town of
Vernon-sur-Seine as a reward. From then on, Richard de Reviers and all his
descendants to come, took the name of their town for their name. The VERNON
family was born. Richard de Reviers changed has name to Richard de Vernon.
Sixteen years later, William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 at least
two of his high ranking officers were Vernon's. Richard de Vernon definitely
took part in the invasion. Many others of the family also accompanied him.
For the service more great estates in Normandy and England were granted to the
Vernon family and its members were ranked among the wealthiest and most powerful
in both counties. Several members became Barons and were Knighted.
Shortly following the Battle of Hastings the area round Chester County,
England became a Norman stronghold. William the
Conqueror awarded Chester to his nephew Hugh Lupus in 1070. Hugh
immediately appointed four great Barons, one of them being Sir Richard De Vernon
Baron De Shipbrook. He and his brother Sir Walter were both at the Battle
of Hastings. Their Father was Sir William De Vernon of Vernon castle in
Normandy.
Prior to the Norman Conquest there were no surnames used in England.
Many of the families coming from Normandy eventually changed their names to a
more Anglo-Saxon name. The Vernon's, however, made no such change.
The Quaker Vernon's descended from Sir Richard De Vernon, Baron De Shipbrook. They
were not only friends of the Quaker William Penn but related to him through
marriage. William Penn's father was owed a great deal of money by the King
of England and to settle that debt gave the area of Pennsylvania to William
Penn.
Thomas Vernon made
the surveying voyage to Pennsylvania with William Penn in 1681 and returned
later that year to England. He and his brothers were among the first to
obtain property in the newly acquired land. Land Titles in Delaware County
Records the Three Vernon Brothers purchase of 625 acres each in March 1681.
Randall Vernon purchased a further 829 acres in 1711 and 1712. Robert
Vernon purchased a further 330 acres in 1684.
"The Three Quaker
Brothers"
The three Quaker Brothers came to America, arriving on a Liverpool ship, the
"Friendship" Robert Crossman, Master, which is presumed to have
arrived 14 August 1682 at Upland, Pennsylvania. It is recorded that he shipped
the following goods on "The Friendship of Liverpool": 1 fardel
(parcel) qty 30 lbs. woolen cloth; 10 ells English linen; 1/4 cwt. wrought iron;
2 dozen stockings for men.. The Friendship of Liverpool was one of the 24
known ships that sailed from England, arriving December, 1681 through December,
1682 with passengers to establish William Penn's "Holy Experiment" in
Pennsylvania. These 24 ships made up "William Penn's Fleet", and
descendants of the passengers are eligible to become members of the
"Welcome Society". Descendants of both Randal and Thomas Vernon are
already listed among members. Their Father was James Vernon and their Mother was
Esther or Hester of Cheshire, England who probably lived in the neighborhood of
Davenham, between Northwich and Middlewick. She died April 1, 1675.
Thomas Vernon of "Stanithorne", near Middlewick, County Palatine,
Chester England was the eldest son. He had been persecuted for
being a Quaker in 1678/9. He brought with him to America his wife,
Elizabeth, and a son Thomas, aged about 12 years. He settled near Upper
Providence, PA., and died Dec. 25, 1698, buried at Chester, PA. His widow
died May 24, 1714. The son, Thomas, married August 13, 1702 Lydia Rolf/Ralfe.
He was born about 1670 and died Nov. 4, 1754 or Apr. 11, 1754.
Randall Vernon of Sandivway, in the Parish of Weaverham, County Cheshire,
England, believed to be the second son, was born in England about 1640. He
married (being then the son of Maron) Sept. 14, 1670 at the home of Thomas
Vernon in the parish of Middlewick, Sarah Bradshaw of Stanithorne. Sarah
Bradshaw was probably related to John Bradshaw, who was appointed Premier of
England after Charles I was beheaded. She died Dec. 18, 1718/9.
They settled in Lower Providence Tsp., PA. Randall served as a member of the PA.
assembly in 1687 and was a Justice of the Peace in 1692. He died in 1734.
Robert Vernon of Stoke in the Parish of Aston, County Cheshire, England, the
third son, came with his wife, Elinor Minshall. daughter of John Minshall
and their sons John and Jacob. Robert was born around 1642 and died in
Jan or Feb. 1709/10. His wife Elinor died July 24, 1720.
The Brothers occupied the same house for sometime after settling in Nether Providence.
Chester (now Delaware) county, PA. and a good deal of the surrounding
area. The each build large homes. Thomas Vernon's home was destroyed
a few years ago, however, the large two story stone house built by Randall and
Robert around 1690 are still in excellent repair and presently occupied in the
exclusive are of Rose Valley near Media, PA.
This was the beginning of the Vernon Family in America. During the next
one hundred years the Brothers prospered and their families grew and spread
throughout several states.
Vernon : Origins
of the town name
Several historians have tried to explain the origin of the town's name.
From "History of the town and district of Vernon" By Theodore
Michel. First edition - 1851.
According to us, it is in those days (around 911 under the reign of Roll)
that we can go back to the foundations of Vernon, and the opinion that we give
is confirmed by a manuscript dating back to the 15th century in which Roll is
quoted as first lord of the town. (...) It therefore appears quite probable that
adventurers passing through, found the site of Vernon to their liking, built
dwellings which became the center of this small city. This, in fact, being
analogical with an ancient local chronicle today nearly forgotten, which says
that, one day "in the times where woodlands covered the grounds occupied by
this town, a troup of strangers charmed by the freshness and beauty of the site,
decided to stay and because they could see nothing all around but trees and
greenery decided to name their new country VERNON."
There is a second tradition, which is better known : "In the ancient
days, Vernon was called "Poirée" (Perry). A traveller passing
through, asked the inhabitants, the name of the town. After having been told, he
exclaimed : "Ah, that is a Green Name (Vert being Green and Nom being
Name).
From "History of Vernon-sur-Seine... Giverny and Vicinity" by
Michel de Decker, a more scientifically explanation
According to Francois de Beaurepaire (Names of towns of the County of
Eure, Editor Picard) it is undeniable that in the name of Vernon, can be
identified the pre-latin theme "Vern" which we can find isolated in
Vern-surSeiche (in the County of Ille et Vilaine), Ver-les-Chartres (County of
Eure-et-Loir), Ver-sur-Launette (County of Oise), Ver-sur-Mer (County of
Calvados), etc.
Whereas, Dauzat-Rostaing (dictionary of names and places of France), believe
that it can't be excluded that the Gallic term of "Verno" to designate
the Alder tree, is at the origin for naming the town. It is possible indeed,
that the banks of the river Seine, in the times of our ancestors, flourishing in
Alder trees left their name to our site.
(...) But there are also Vernon in England, Canada, the United States and
even in New Zealand ! This is quite a story :
There was once, Richard de Reviers, a good and loyal officer serving the Duke
of Normandy, William the Bastard, future William the Conqueror. He was such a
good and loyal officer, that he was given in reward, the little town of Vernon-sur-Seine.
This was in 1050. From then on, Richard de Reviers and all his descendants
to come, took the name of their town for their name. The VERNON family was born.
Sixteen years later, that is to say in 1066, William, as his nickname shows,
sails to conquer England. His victory is at the battle of Hastings. Richard of
Vernon, ever faithful knight to William plays a part in this success.
Victorious, he lands in England and is overwhelmed ! The Vernons' are even more
charmed because it must be said that they receive many seigniorial estates. They
settle and have descendants. The English branches of the Vernons' from then on
increase and have ramifications in far away countries, as we have seen (the
famous Mount Vernon of Georges Washington for example).
Famous people
called "Vernon"
In this same famous family there was Admiral Edward Vernon, born in
Westminster in 1684. This officer after many victories, but for having disobeyed
to the orders of the Admiraulty and for having forced his crew to serve in
unbearable conditions, was ruled off the list of admirals. His crew feared him,
and this rightly so, his character not being easy. They gave him the name of
"Old Grog" in relation with his coat which he wore in all weathers, a
coat made in a thick silk material which in England is called
"grogram" and in Italian "grossagrana". As we have
been told, he was ruled off the list of admirals for having been too severe with
his men. It must be said that in those days, rhum was drunk like water on the
vessels and it wasn't always easy to command a crew pickled in rhum.
Had "Old Grog" the simple but genius idea, this being in 1740, to
add hot water to the alcohol... The first grog was served... And to this day,
many more have flowed, the recipe becoming very soon quite successful. It
is baptised grog after the nickname of the Admiral Edward Vernon, the inventor
of this beverage. Today we have added sugar and lemon juice and it is a strong enemies
of colds and influenza... May a tribute be paid to this grand Vernon, friend of
humanity who died in the year 1757 on his land of Nancton in Suffolk.
The village of Giverny
The origin of the village is very distant as Gallo-Roman graves are said to
have been discovered there in 1838. In 1860 coffins made out of plaster and
dating from the first centuries of our era were found while restoring the
churchyard. A ruined megalithic monument close to the church and called
"Saint Radegonde's grave" also testifies that neolithic people used to
live there.
As early as the Merovingian time grapes were cultivated in Giverny, which was
spelt "Warnacum" in old deeds. Saint-Wandrille Abbey owned several
vineyards granted by Chilperic.
The church is a strange monument of Romanesque origin. It was modified
at the Gothic period and during the XVth century. It is dedicated to Saint
Radegonde who was reputed to cure scabies.
Giverny and Impressionism
: 
But Giverny rises to fame in 1883, when the
painter Claude Monet discovers the village while looking out of the train
window (the line has closed down). Monet is enthusiastic about the spot. He
finds a large house to rent, "the Press House". He moves in by the end
of April with Alice Hoschedé, his lady-friend, his two sons and her six
children. The house is a farmhouse with a vegetable garden and an orchard over
one hectare.
At the time there are about 300 inhabitants in Giverny, most of them farmers,
and a few middle-class families. One farm only is still operating nowadays.
The village consists in two streets on the hillside lined with low houses in
a pink or green roughcast with slate roofs, their walls covered with wisteria
and Virginia creeper. These streets are crossed by narrow lanes running down the
hill. The Claude Monet Road runs straight to the village. The "Chemin du
Roy" (Secondary Road 5) follows the banks of the River Epte. Claude
Monet's house lies between the two roads.
In 1890 he becomes the owner of the house and gardens and transforms them
completely. In front of the house lies the Clos normand, full of flowers, (100,
000 plants replaced each year and 100, 000 perennials) on the other side of the
road he has the waterlilies pond dug. To achieve his aim he doesn't hesitate and
diverts a branch of the Epte River.
At the beginning of its stay in Giverny, Monet finds inspiration in the
surrounding countryside. But he gradually limits himself to his water garden and
depicts tirelessly the Japanese bridge and the waterlilies.
From 1887 on, a colony of foreign painters, mainly Americans settles in
Giverny. But it seems to be chance and the charm of the place rather than the
presence of Monet (which they did not know of). The painters Sargent, Metcalf,
Ritter, Taylor, Wendel, Robinson, Bruce et Breck came first. They rented a large
house and had their meals at the café Baudy.
For thirty years about a hundred artists stayed one after the other in
Giverny. But they didn't have a lot of contacts with Monet who considered their
presence a nuisance. However their art will be deeply influenced by
impressionist techniques.
Monet died on 6th December 1926. He is buried in the family vault near the
village church.
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