PART OF THE WHITLOCK TREE
If there is a picture behind a name then click the name to read more

THOMAS
(1812 - 1896)

Born in Milton Malsor.
Married Prudence Palmer of Blisworth.
Set up as Carpenter in a yard behind nos. 41,43 Stoke Road
[This is 1952 numbering - the location is now Pandloss House, approximately]

Played the clarinet in the church band before the church organ was obtained in 1889
and was a farming small-holder on the Parish field for many years.
 

JOHN
(1835 - 1910)

Born Blisworth. Continued Carpenter trade and moved to lodge with the Goodes by West Bridge and married their daughter Mary in 1860.  Later became the village Undertaker.  At some stage he moved to a "Grafton" Cottage in the Stoke Road not far from Home Farm.

WILLIAM JOHN
(1873 - 1966)

Born in the "Grafton" Cottage, he continued Carpenter & Undertaker trades and became Sexton, for 35 years, late in life.
He married and thus gave rise to continuing Whitlocks in the village.  He was nicknamed "Witty".  One of his sons, Edwin, managed to escape the village! - read more here.
 

WILLIAM
(1836 - 1905)

Born in Blisworth.
He married and set up family in Rose Cottage, High Street.
A Carpenter and Sexton and also a Clockmaker, he was nicknamed "Clocky".  He received a salary of £6 to £8 per annum as a sexton.

WILLIAM THOMAS
(1874 - 1935)

Born and buried in Blisworth but married and became settled in north Kent.  Both were inclined towards the Theatre and Music.

    PERCY WILLIAM
         (1903 - 1946)

EMMA
(1838 - ? )

Born in Blisworth and remained in the same house as her father - that being the house now named Pandloss House.  With her daughter Clara she set up a beer house there known as "Bevey House".

CLARA
(1855 - 1934)

Born in Blisworth - continued with the beer house with the help of her Aunt Mary (who may well have succeeded her).  A few village gentlemen still remember the beer house.
 

 

Witty Whitlock retired from duties of Sexton n 1956 after 35 years of devoted service. He was also a village craftsman and carpenter - the two oak book cupboards and the oak processional cross are examples of his good workmanship.  He was a colourful character and his escapades and 'fireside' stories will become legendary.  He was the last of the village boys to receive their education at the Old Grammar School in Courteenhall.  He was also a dreadful leg-puller and, apparently possessing a "classic" Northamptonshire accent, he was taped in interviews by George Freeston.  A transcription of part of one of these interviews is available on this website as is a poem by Rev. Ussher about Witty's bellringing.  Witty appears on numerous group photographs on this website.

 

 

Percy Whitlock was born in Chatham in 1903.

His inclination was towards music from a very young age and he became well known as an organist.  The caption picture shows him at the Blisworth Church organ which he played when on holiday here.  He also composed for the organ and orchestra and, in the 1930s particularly, performed for the BBC.  He also wrote a few short pieces and one, which was thought to be lost, has turned up in the George Freeston Collection (1996) at the Northampton Record Office.  Since that piece recalls his holiday in Blisworth in pre-WWI times, it has been reproduced on this website.  He died rather young having had poor health all his life.  The memory of his life and music is maintained by the Percy Whitlock Trust.  The secretary of that trust, Malcolm Riley, has written a biography on Percy Whitlock, a copy of which has been kindly given to me and will be kept by the Blisworth Heritage Society.