The Sterley’s of Oakland Park, SAREJESS [best e reader for epub .txt] 📗

Chapter One


The Sterley’s of Oakland Park in the county of Surrey had for a long time been genteel nobility the first Sterley to rise to the nobility was Sir John having been in the service of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Having served the virgin queen well he had risen and after many years of service he had been knighted and invested with lands. Queen Elizabeth always a grudging giver of favor’s had at first wished to bestow only a small portion of land upon this nobleman. However in the end better judgment prevailed the queen been served by many sensible and loyal men who tempered the queens greed with wise council For Sir John had been around the world with Drake and had his own ship which had fought with Drake and Hawkins on those fateful days when English hearts and solid walls of stout English Oak had been the only defense against the might of the armada of King Philip of Spain. For his service a sizable grand was made to Sir John The descendent of Sir John had played there part in making England what it was at the time of our narrative. For this, they were most amply rewarded by the crown for there service. From time to time a member of this illustrious family would in some extraordinary way perform some act of bravery which would so delight the reigning monarch that a special favor would be granted thus the estates of Oakland was added to through out successive generations to these lands. thus at the turn of the 18th century Oakland Park had attached to it a number of farms which paid rents annually in arrears bringing a certain measure of well being and a sense of wealth.

To the family for although they were wealthy they retained a certain sense of value to there property further more they valued life and in particularly the lives of those whom fate had placed in there care The current master of Oakland’s sir Thomas was a man of quite disposition who after a lifetime of service to England in the naval service had returned to contemplate the beauty of country life. Sir Thomas has always been fond of birds and thus he spent his days in quite contemplation of the birds of Southern England of which he was making a study, in the hopes of some time soon having a publication done at his expense. It was not that sir Thomas sought fame for he was already quite well known and had riches enough for the needs of his family and for the next generation when they arrived. For Sir Thomas and Lady Ann although aware of there place in society and made attempts to keep up appearances lived for the most part frugally; or at least not beyond there means.

Sir Thomas had served the previous government well both in parliament and as a captain in that, service of which Nelson was a great example. for sir Thomas had been bread to the sea, his own father following in the steps of sir John of ancient memory Sir Thomas had only retired to the country once it became apparent that the King would not recover, thus Sir Thomas had taken the time to think it better to retire from politics, as he had no wish to serve in a government over which the prince Regent held sway. For Sir Thomas and the regent had at one time been the best of friends however a imagined slight had caused the prince to snub Sir Thomas and Lady Ann publicly thus there friendship had ended the prince taking great pains and many occasions to cause disservices to Sir Thomas. Even to having a heated argument with the King upon occasion. The quarrel between the prince and the King had so upset the King that he had taken to his bed muttering about ingrates and unlovable children.

Thus Sir Thomas had retired from the service for which he still held a great fondness in his heart. He read with keen interest the gazettes to see who had been mentioned and if perchance a son of a near by neighbor had received a distinction of merit in the gazette. Sir Thomas would take to writing a letter or two to the relatives and even some time to the gentleman in question wishing them a hearty congratulations and an invitation to call upon him at Oakland Park when they should again be in the county. Of the people that Sir Thomas loved most dearly were of course his wife of many years Ann who had been born Lady Moorcroft (Her Father Lord Moorcroft now an ancient relic who had served in the government of George II had of late passed away thus the family was still in a time of mourning.) Then there daughters Lydia, Mary Sophia Elizabeth, and of course Mary, the youngest of his daughters his sons who brought him great pride were in order of age Thomas, John, William, and finally James who was but a small precocious little boy.

Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had for more then a generation planed the arrival of there children in accordance with the dedication of an admiral of the service as he planed his Battle plan in the same spirit as the great sea Lord of Blessed memory Lord Horatio Nelson.. Thus over a period of two and twenty years Lady Ann had brought forth in due season a little bundle of joy

To say that Sir Thomas was a doting father would have been an understatement for of an evening he could be found on his hands and knees playing with the younger children. He even on occasion took a lively interest in the doings of his older children Thomas his son was a young man of the world who was of a melancholic disposition and prone to moodiness. In which state he would take up his pen ands retire to his room where he would compose sonnets and the like some of which he would on occasion read to the family for an evening’s entertainment. The somberness of the younger Thomas did in no way have an effect on the younger sons of the house who would spend there days in Boxing Boating on the river and riding some times even enjoying a hearty game of cricket. The daughters of the house where an altogether lively group who loved attending assemblies and dancing was always a favorite pastime. Indeed Lay Ann had mad sure that all her daughter could play the harpsichord and of late the urgency of Lady Ann to procure a piano Forte for the house had been made known to Sir Thomas. “My dear is the harpsichord broken?” he had enquired of her when she made the wish for a pianoforte to him. “No Tom it is all the rage and is played in all the best houses in London we simple must have one” she replied growing impatient with his reluctance to produce the desired instrument. “Indeed my love and how much do you suppose such an extravagance would cost?” he asked her with a pained expression “Oh I am not sure but what is the matter you have never been so obstinate before when it came to the purchase of an instrument” she replied “Indeed we have recently had the man in to tune the harpsichord and what of the new fiddle I bought John but a twelve month ago?” he asked her “Sir you know that John plays well and he has never neglected the art of music think sir how the instrument would enhance your standing in the county should it be known that you have one of the newest instruments” Lady Ann said. “That is a good point my dear he said with a smile let me consider it and when I have found the right conclusion I will let you know” Sir Thomas said. “In the mean time pray tell me what are the young ladies up to this evening for I believe there is to be a assemble in the village and I have yet to shave and dress for I should very much like to wait upon some of our neighbors at the assembly” he concluded “Why sir one would think that you of all people would dismiss out of hand any frivolity with assemblies for you have grown quite in your later years what now this sudden interest in assembles and balls Pray sir what bedbug have you in your hat” said Lady Ann

The sound of music filled the air and the hall was lit with the light of a thousand candles for tonight was the first of the assembles to be held in Notheringay. Sir Thomas found himself seated next to an old acquiesce Mr. Charles Parker who had served under Sir George Rodney in the early days of there service to King and country “Charles do you remember how crisp the night was?” asked Sir Thomas “Indeed I do sir replied Mr. Parker taking a pull at his pipe. ”Indeed I do,“ he said releasing a vast cloud of smoke from his mouth much to the annoyance of Sir Thomas. It was not that Sir Thomas was against the habit of smoking he felt every one was free to live there lives as best suited them but what he did object to was the fact that the smoke had been expelled in his direction. ”Ah yes I remember well how we fought that battle under the moon light a singular even if I might say so Sir Thomas“ said Mr. Parker ”and our ship our faithful Montague is already and old war horse now. I would not be surprised that when next we hear of her she will have been broken up or a sheer hulk“ said Sir Thomas ”I fancy the lower deck crews would not look back at her with such an air of nostalgia,“ said Mr. Parker. ”Indeed I fancy Don de Lángara will also look back at that battle with an air of discontent,“ replied Sir Thomas

I have an occasion to be in London next week on a matter of some small busyness I trust that you and your good lady will find an occasion to call on Lady Ann. For I fancy there might be some what of a disruption while I am away in town,“ said Sir Thomas. ”I am sure my Emily would be delighted to spend an afternoon in the company of your good lady,“ replied Mr. Parker. ”Pray tell how are those bright young sons of yours?“ asked Sir Thomas who had it mind to arrange a marriage between the elder son and his daughter Lydia. ”George has recently returned from Oxford and is taking the business of my rents in hand quite nicely it relieves me to have some time upon my hands to be at leisure,“ replied Mr Parker. ”Indeed a bright young man“ said Sir Thomas as the object of there discourse weaved his way down the line of dancers his hand firmly on that of Lydia. ”And what of Peter?“ Asked Sir Thomas ”Peter is bound for the