Isaac Robley was born at Woodhouse, Wreay on March 17th 1708. He was the third son of John Robley and Ann Dixon, a prosperous couple who were to rebuild Woodhouse in 1730. Isaac was the nephew of William Robley, a former curate of Cumwhitton.
In 1727 Isaac Robley entered Queen's College Oxford, where he matriculated 8th June 1727, aged 19. This was the College preferred by aspiring clergyman from the Diocese of Carlisle, as it had strong connections with Cumberland and Westmorland. Isaac graduated B.A. in 1731.
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On 22nd of May, 1732 Isaac was licensed as Curate and Schoolmaster at St. John's in the Vale, Crosthwaite and he remained there until his death. St. John's was one of the five Chapels in the Crosthwaite Parish. The Chapelry was originally within the nomination of the Vicar of Crosthwaite. Dr. Gaskarth of nearby Hilltop in the Vale of St. John had, however, purchased the ability to nominate, alternately with the parishioners.
Two views of Hilltop Farm. |
"On a donation of 200 pounds by Dr. Gaskarth, and 100 pounds, by the inhabitants, the vicar, with the consent of the bishop, gave up his right, that the doctor and his heirs should thereafter present a curate of his own choice, and that of the inhabitants alternately. Lord Lonsdale has lately purchased Mr. Gasgarth's right of nomination." (William Hutchinson, History & Antiquities of Cumberland. Vol.2. 1794)
On 8th July 1732 Isaac married John Gaskarth's daughter Mary.
Isaac and Mary had a family of six children: John in 1733, William in 1734, Isaac in 1736, Ann in 1738, Mary in 1739 and Joseph in 1742. More about these children and their descendants, will be added later. Only a brief account of two of the best known will be given here.
ROBLEY DUNGLISON, born at Keswick on 4th January, 1798, the son of William and Elizabeth Dunglison, became a medical writer, professor and teacher of exceptional ability. His descent was as follows:
Isaac Robley m. Mary Gasgarth (8th July, 1732)
Mary Robley m. Richard Jackson (22nd July, 1770)
Elizabeth Jackson m. William Dunglison
ROBLEY DUNGLISON
He was, therefore the great-grandson of the Revd. Isaac Robley.
Robley had his early education at Brisco Hill, and at the Green Row Academy in Cumberland. On leaving school he went on to the Royal College of Surgeons, and then attended lectures in Edinburgh and Paris. He obtained the M.D. from Erlangen in 1823.
Just before he took up an appointment as Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia, he married Harriet, daughter of Dr. John Leadam of London. The wedding took place on 5th October, 1824 at Saint Olave, Southwark, London and they left for America on 27th October 1824. They had five sons and two daughters, and two of their sons followed Robley into the medical profession. The best known is Dr. Richard J Dunglison.
Robley Dunglison remained at the University of Virginia from 1825 to 1833. Subsequently, he held professorships at the University of Maryland (1833-1836), and Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia (1836-1868). There is an excellent account of his writings, appearance and character in H. Lonsdale's book, The Worthies of Cumberland (London: George Routledge, 1875).
He died on 1st April, 1869 and was buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia.
HORATIO GORDON ROBLEY was born at Funchai, Madeira on 28th June, 1840, the son of Capt. John Horatio Robley and Augusta June Penfold. In Alumni Oxonienses it is recorded that Horatio John matriculated at Exeter College, Oxford 16th May, 1823, aged 17. There is nothing, however, about his graduation. Augusta Penfold is remembered for a beautifully illustrated book called, A Selection of Madeira Flowers, drawn and coloured from Nature. It is dedicated to her mother, Mrs Penfold of the Achada, Madeira (London: Reeve Brothers, 1845). Horatio Gordon may, then, have inherited his artistic talent from his mother, Augusta. His descent from Rev.Isaac Robley is as follows:
Rev. Isaac Robley m. Mary Gaskarth (8th July, 1732)
John Robley m. Mary Lodington (15th Oct. 1767)
John Robley m. Caroline Blake (2nd. July 1799)
John Horatio Robley m. Augusta June Penfold (Abt. 1839)
HORATIO GORDON ROBLEY
He was, therefore, the great great grandson of Rev, Isaac Robley.
Horatio Gordon was an artist, but also a professional soldier. He served in Burma, 1859-63, the Maori War, 1864-66, in Zululand, 1884 and Ceylon, 1886-87 and attained the rank of Major-General. During his time in New Zealand he met Herete Mauao, and they had a son whom they named Hamiora Tu Ropere. There are three descendants of Horatio Gordon Robley and Herete Mauao living in New Zealand at the present time. Their names are Googs Tapsell, Huna Broughton and Harete Teki.
Horatio Gordon's most successful book is called Moko; or, Maori Tattooing (London: Chapman & Hall, 1896). As well as demonstrating and explaining the art of Maori tattooing, he also wrote chapters on Mokomakai which is the name given to a dried head. The Maori people cured and embalmed the heads of members of their families, and the chiefs of their tribes in order to keep them alive in their memory. Horatio explained that they fulfilled the same kind of role with the Maori that Europeans give to statues and pictures. Families kept their relics in boxes, or baskets scented with oil.
In 1908 Horatio Gordon attempted to sell his own collection of preserved and tattoed Maori heads, to the New Zealand Government, for one thousand pounds. When the offer was refused, they were purchased by the Natural History Museum, New York. In 1998 successful attempts were made, by his descendants to have these heads returned to New Zealand.
As a caricaturist, Horatio Gordon sent his drawings to Punch, and some were accepted for publication (1873-78). He was one of the artists who sent suggestions to Charles Keene (1823-1891), who sometimes improved on his caricatures before they were offered for publication. There are seventy of his paintings in the Dominion Museum, Wellington. L.W. Melvin published a book about him entitled, Robley - A Soldier with a Pencil (Tauranga Historical Society, 1957)
He died in London on 29 October, 1930.
Isaac spent his whole working life at St. John's in-the-Vale. It is difficult for present-day visitors to imagine from where he got his congregation. The road up to the Chapel is only wide enough for one car, with no passing places.
The chapel has lovely views, but is well hidden in the hills and is very isolated. A pamphlet collected from the chapel explains:
"However, the road which passes the church was once an important route, part of a track which leads from Matterdale over to Warthwaite, and passing the church, continues on into the Naddle Valley. Thus the church was conveniently placed for people on both sides of the fell." (The Parishes of St. Johns-in-the-Vale and Wythburn: Notes of Interest to Visitors).
Isaac was buried in front of the altar in St. John's Church. The inscription on the stone reads:
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Alma Rasheed who visited St. John's, and found this information, also discovered the gravestone of Isaac's wife Mary. She writes:
"We went to Keswick and found this lovely church, St. Kentigerns, open every day of the year.
With many thanks to John Robley (Western Australia), Alma Rasheed (Cumbria, UK) and Mag Youngman (New Zealand) who helped with the research for this article.
Marian Robley 2001