The Minor Family of Somerset

Walter Ramsden Beaumont Hawksworth, who assumed the surname an
d arms of Fawkes, pursuant to the will of his relative, Franci
s Fawkes of Farnley, esquire,who died in 1786, leaving him th
e buil of his property. In that year he removed to Farnley Hall
, which he rebuilt, or rather very considerably enlarged,and di
ed there in October, 1792
A story of singular interest is related of the motive for the ab
ove Francis Fawkes leaving his property to Walter Hawksworth, o
f Hawksworth, instead of to his more immediate relative, Vavasou
r, ofWeston. The story appears to have been first made publi
c in a lecture delivered in 1856 by the Rev. Joshua Hart, vica
r of Otley, who died in 1865. there are several versions, but i
t may be well to give it in Mr. Hart's orginal words. He says:
A very select party, the elite of the valley, was invited to din
e at Weston Hall. The poet Fairfax, from Fewston, the familie
s from Souch and Swinsty Halls, the Gascoignes and the Brearey
, were among the company.The butler was in his pantry arrangin
g the sack glasses and putting the lastpolish upon the loving-c
up; when lo! and behold! he saw Mr. Frank, the bluntsquire of F
arnley, fresh from the hunting-field, and all splashed with mud
, making for the house.
"Show my brother," said Mrs. Vavasour, "into the servants' Hall
," for she had seen his untidy plight, "and I'll be with him i
n aminute; and then perhaps he won't see what we are about." M
eeting her brother, she said, "Well, Frank! I never dreamt of t
he pleasure of seeing you. Let Starkie draw you a tankard of ou
r ale; and tell us what you think of MaryCrook's cream cheese!"
Though no conjuror, the bluff squire saw through his sister's bl
and behaviour, and could see that it was to prevent his mixing w
ith the company present. He would therefore take no refreshment
, but, smothering his anger, trotted across the Forty Shilling P
asture, and made straight for Hawksworth Hall, where a very diff
erent reception awaited him. "Cousin Walter," said he to the ow
ner of Hawksworth, "I'm not fit to go into the parlour. I'll sa
y what I have to say to you in the Hall, or I'll gointo the kitc
hen." "Nonsense, Hall or Kitchen! the best room we have is no
t good enough, my honoured sir, to express how pleased I am to s
ee you. We have some grouse,and a few trout out of the Aire, a
nd if you will only stay, there is a little fawn put down and wi
th a glass of Malmsey, perhaps you can make a dinner.'"Hold m
y dear cousin, I'm in no spirits for feasting. I am short of mo
ne!Nay, look not surprised; It is too true, I have come to bo
rrow. Will youlend me three hundred guineas?"
Mr. and Mrs. Hawksworth, only too glad to oblige, emptied all th
eir little hoards, guineas, nobles, florins, and crowns into a h
ag, and Mr. Hawksworth, ahnding it to him said, "I want no note
, my right trusty cousin; your word is indeed a bond!"
"My business is too urgent," said the blunt English gentleman, "
to stay to-Day. I'll come again shortly."
He rode off, and subsequently several visits passed between them
, but the loan was never mentioned. But after a lapse of thre
e months Mr. Fawkes calledat Hawksworth Hall. He expressed hi
s delight that he had been so cheerfullytrusted, and returned t
he bag untied, explaining that it was a mere ruse to try their f
riendship.
Thus it happened that when the old squire of Farnley died the bu
lk of his possessions was bequeathed to his "cousin" (so-called
) at Hawksworth. But the family affinity is not very clearly de
fined in this story. It will be observed that Mrs. Vavasour spe
aks of Mr. Frank Fawkes as her brother, and the latter addresse
s Walter Hawksworth as his cousin. But asa matter of fact, i
f the story as reference to Francis Fawkes, the Hawksworthbenef
actor, who died in 1786, Mrs. Vavasour would be his aunt, and Wa
lterHawksworth was the grandson of his cousin Frances