I will use this space to share with you some of the information about the Childers/ Childress families in York County, England, where the Childers name seemed to be well known.
From History and Antiquities of Doncaster and Its Vicinity by Edward Miller,
Mus. D., believed to have been published in 1804, found in the York Central Library at York, V 942.74. Section X (page not numbered) under the heading of CARR HOUSE - "This house is situated about half a mile south of Doncaster, but within the parish of Warmsworth. It was built in the year 1604 by Hugh Childers Esq. he was that year Mayor of Doncaster, the estate has been in the possession of his descendants from that period. Leonard Childers, Esq., grandson of the above Hugh, bred here the famous running horse called Bay Childers out of a mare, which it is said, cost him only seven pounds. Bay Childers when young, became the property of the Duke of Devonshire, and is supposed to have been the "fleetest racer ever bred in England."
"Colonel Childers of Cantley Lodge, the present possessor of Carr house estate, has lately built upon it an elegant mansion for the abode of the widow of his late worthy father, Childers Walbank Childers, Esq." *
* "It appears from some old writings, that the Childers were a respectable family in the reign of Edward HI, when he married Phililpa at York, in the year 1330: also, that one of the family was appointed to attend the person of Henrietta, Queen of Charles L - - The loyalty and attachment of this family to the unfortunate house of STUART was so conspicuous, that they were obliged to procure an especial pardon from Oliver Cromwell, to render them secure, in their person and property during the commonwealth."
From another book: "Doncaster is an ancient Roman town, named by the Romans. Anything with Caster as an ending is a Roman name, like Lancaster, Doncaster etc. CABR HOUSE was used by the Childers family for several generations, when they acquired CANTLEY HALL - a larger and then more modern house situated two miles or so away, but still in the Doncaster suburbs. At Cantley later, was born Childers Walbank, son of one of the daughters of the house. In order to inherit the property and perquisites in direct Childers line, Watbank changed his name to Childers Walbanks Childers. CARR HOUSE was purchased by the borough to use as a fever hospital." CARR HOUSE was used as a hospital for generations, and it was deemed so germ ridden by the close of World War I, it was destroyed by fire.
On our recent trip to Doncaster, members of the Childers/Childress Family Association found Cantley Hall very beautiful, well maintained and the spacious grounds were immaculate. It is occupied by a ninety year old lady (who was related to the owners of the Doncaster Brewery), her companion and six servants.
