Emily Petyt

• General Notes
  • @NI746@
    Emily Petyt was born at Bolton Abbey in 1859, the daughter Of Joseph Petyt, Agent to the Duke of Devonshire, and his wife Alice Read.
    
    She was very talented artist, painting in both oils and watercolours and she was a musician. She was described on the 1891 census returns as a landscape artist and sculptor.
    
    She was married to Alfred Downs who was Agent to the Duke of Devonshire for 52 years.
    
    The following is part of an obituary printed in the Craven Herald 15th March 1929.
    The death on Friday last, at the age of 70, of Mrs Alfred Downs, of The Beeches, Bolton Abbey, removed, one of the best-known figures from the village.
    Prior to an illness lasting a considerable time, Mrs Downs had taken an active part in public affairs in the district, and was well-known and highly respected. The daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph Petyt of Stank House, Bolton Abbey, Mrs Downs was a native of the district and had lived there all her life. She was actively identified with Bolton Abbey Church, being for many years a member of the choir, and had acted on numerous occasions as deputy organist at the Abbey.
    For many years she had held office as a Sunday school Teacher, and about 20 years ago founded the Bolton Abbey Girl's Club, which she carried on in the capacity as President up to her illness
    
    
    Alfred Downs who was born at Edensor in Derbyshire in 1862 died at Beamsley in 1951. His obituary in the Craven Herald of 27 September 1961 included the following.
    
    Formerly Agent for the Duke of Devonshire's Bolton Abbey estate with which he had an association of nearly 60 years, Mr Alfred Downs died at his Beamsley home on Saturday aged 88.
    A man of wide interests he had been a Justice of the Peace since 1930 and gave loyal and zealous service to religious, local government and recreational organisations.
    He was greatly esteemed in Bolton Abbey and district.
    Mr Downs retired in 1937 after being estate agent at Bolton Abbey for 52 years and before that assisted in the estate office for seven years before going to Bolton Abbey from Chatsworth, Derbyshire.
    He served under three Dukes of Devonshire. He was responsible for the outside arrangements when the late King George V visited Bolton Abbey for the grouse shooting, and helped to provide sport for many other distinguished guests at various times.
    A devout churchman, Mr Downs had been associated with the Priory Church, Bolton Abbey for almost 70 years, for the first 31 years of which he was a chorister.
    He was a sidesman for 64 years, and for nine years he was the Rector's Warden.
    In 1887 Mr Downs became a Foundation member of the Boyle and Petyt School, Beamsley, and in 1917 was appointed chairman of the school's trustees, a position he held for many years.
    He was also a trustee of the Silvester Petyt Trust. At one time Mr Downs served on the Addingham Education Sub -committee, he was at one time chairman.

Click here for details of Emily's family with Alfred Downs

¹ 1881 England Census
Sources/Citations 1861 England Census, 1891 England Census

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