Guild of One-Name Studies
One-name studies, Genealogy
Study: Fermor
Variants: Farmor, Fermer, Fermour
Category: 3 - A study where research using core genealogical datasets and transcriptions is well under way on a global basis.
Website: www.fermor.org.uk
Contact: Mrs Sheila Fermor Clarkson
In 1575, Alexander Fermor of 'Walshes', Rotherfield, Sussex, a Yeoman of substantial status and also a Churchwarden, acquired a coat of arms.
On 8 October 1596, the marriage took place between Jane Fermor, daughter of Sir George and Lady Mary Fermor of Easton Neston, Northamptonshire and the fourth Sir John Killigrew of Arwenack, Falmouth. The family name 'Killigrew', signified 'a grove of eagles' - the title of Winston Graham's novel about the family.
The marriage took place c.1628 between James Calthorpe of East Barsham, Norfolk and Mary, daughter of William and Ann Fermor. James became High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1643. He dedicated a splendid monument in All Saints' Church, East Barsham to his wife Mary, his two young children and to his father-in-law William Fermor.
Sir Henry Fermor, founder of Sir Henry Fermor School, Crowborough, East Sussex was born at Walsh Manor, Rotherfield, Sussex on 23 June 1667. We held our first Fermor Family Reunion at the school in 1994 as part of its 250th Anniversary.
While on a Grand Tour of Europe in 1758, William Fermor of Tusmore, Oxfordshire, sat for the Italian painter, Pompeo Girolamo Batoni. He also sat 'for Batoni's younger contemporary, the German-born Anton Mengs'.
On 18 June 1758, Empress Elisabeth of Russia, bestowed upon Governor-General William Fermor, the merit of Count of the Roman Empire. I understand that a book on the Russian families of Fermor and Stenbok-Fermor is currently being written in 2010.
Lady Charlotte Finch, daughter of Thomas Fermor, Earl of Pomfret, was appointed Governess of the newly-born Prince of Wales, son of King George III and Queen Charlotte.
Lady Juliana Fermor, younger sister of Lady Charlotte Finch (nee Fermor) above, married Thomas Penn, son of William Penn, founder of Pennsylvania, USA. Current research has traced the portrait 'Group of Four Children' by Sir Joshua Reynolds to Bristol Museum Art Gallery where it is in store.
In 1855, Henry and Elizabeth Fermor together with their young family, emigrated to Australia where Henry managed the Australia Hotel in Sydney. In a ceremony on 8 October 1855, Henry's father, Edward Fermor of Hastings, was appointed Provincial Senior Grand Warden, Sussex.
In 1908, the Fermor XI of Ulcombe, Kent played their first cricket match against neighbouring Rumwood Cricket Club, Langley.
Sir Lewis Leigh Fermor will be remembered in geological circles for his work on manganese and the discovery in 1911 of 'Fermorite' at Sitapar, Chindwara district, Central Provinces, India. Fermorite is an apiate-type phosphate-arsenate of calcium and strontium. He also 'liked the races and his tall straight figure might often be seen dancing in Calcutta' - (Directory of National Biography).
Sir Patrick Leigh Fermor, son of Sir Lewis Leigh Fermor, who died on 10 June 2011, aged 96 was the celebrated travel writer whose books include Mani; A Time of Gifts; Between the Woods and the Water; Three Letters from the Andes and Words of Mercury published 2003. His biography, Patrick Leigh Fermor: An Adventure by Artemis Cooper is a compelling read and The Broken Road: From the Iron Gates to Mount Athos by Patrick Leigh Fermor, edited by Artemis Cooper and Colin Thubron marks the completion of his walk from the Hook of Holland to Constantinople.
Like many families in the early 1900s, the Fermors of Kent had large families and as a result, formed their own Fermor Cricket XI in 1908. Uncle Laurence played in the 1946 Fermor XI against the local village team at Ulcombe, Kent and organised further matches until 1964.
Several years ago, a photograph of the 1908 Fermor XI team, which played against Rumwood XI, Langley, formed the basis of an Open University course project. I've recently used the same photograph as the inspiration for Over Half a Century of Fermor Family Cricket:1908-1964 which combines three books in one volume of the 1908, 1946 and 1963/4 teams. It comprises 168 pages, including 83 photographs and is published by www.lulu.com available direct from me.
The Tregellas Tapestry - see centre panel bottom row - Lady Jane Killigrew (née Fermor)