Elizabeth Fyson (1717-1803)
The Witch of Holme Hale, Norfolk, England
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Elizabeth Robinson (1717-1803)
The wife of
Thomas Fyson
&
Richard Parfrey
~ 1717
1. ELIZABETH ROBINSON was born in Shipdham, Norfolk, England and was baptized 7 Jul 1717 at the church in Shipdham.
Father: Edward Robinson
Mother: Ann ---?---
From the parish register of Shipdham:
Image No. 79 left side
Baptisms 1717
Elizabeth of Edward & Ann Robinson July. 7.
The Robinson family lived in Shipdham, Norfolk for about 2 or 3 generations before Elizabeth Robinson was born.
~ 1723
Elizabeth Robinson's brother, John Robinson, was baptized 7 May 1723 in Shipdham, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Shipdham:
Image No. 82 left side
Baptisms 1723
John of Edward & Anne Robinson - May. 7.
~ 1720's to 1730's
Somewhere in the period of 1720's to 1730's, Edward and Ann Robinson and their children moved to East Bradenham, Norfolk which is about 2 1/2 miles west of Shipdham.
They were in East Bradenham by 1739.
~ 1739
Elizabeth Robinson married THOMAS FYSON 1 May 1739 at East Bradenham, Norfolk.
From the parish register of East Bradenham:
Image No. 16 left side
Marriages 1739
Thos Fyson Single Man of Holme Hale & Eliz Robinson Single of this Parish Mar: by License May 1st.
Thomas Fyson was mentioned as of being from Holme Hale, Norfolk which is about 2 1/2 miles west of East Bradenham.
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson lived in Holme Hale after their marriage where Elizabeth will live until she died about 64 years later.
~ also in 1739
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's daughter, Elizabeth, was baptized 28 Oct 1739 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1742
Elizabeth Fyson's brother, John Robinson, married Mary Rose 19 Aug 1742 in East Bradenham, Norfolk.
From the parish register of East Bradenham:
Image No. 20 left side
Marriages 1742
John Robinson & Mary Rose both Single were married by Banns Aug: 19:
John and Mary Robinson had several children born and baptized in East Bradenham from 1743 to 1759.
~ 1744
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's son, Thomas, was baptized 9 Oct 1744 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1747
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's daughter, Ann, was baptized 14 Feb 1746/1747 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1749
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's daughter, Margaret, was baptized 31 Dec 1749 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1756
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's daughter, Sarah, was baptized Feb 1756 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1758
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's daughter, Sarah, was baptized 10 Mar 1758 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1762
Both of Elizabeth Fyson's parents died a few days apart in June of 1762.
Edward Robinson was buried June 4, 1762 and Ann Robinson was buried June 8, 1762 both at East Bradenham, Norfolk.
From the parish register of East Bradenham:
Image No. 30 left side
Burials 1762
Edward Robinson bur June 4
Ann ye Wife of Edwd. Robinson bur June 8.
~ 1764
Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson's son, William, was baptized 1 Jan 1764 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
~ 1765
Elizabeth's husband, Thomas Fyson, died and was buried 30 Mar 1765 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 40 left side
Burials 1765
Thomas Fyson March 30
Elizabeth Fyson remained a widow for 34 years until her 2nd marriage in 1799.
~ 1760's to 1790's
This would be the period of where widow Elizabeth Fyson was building her reputation as a Doctress and having many clients. And she saved all her money.
Also it would appear that by the late 1770's, that her family has disappeared from Holme Hale.
Her daughter Ann Fyson married and have 3 children, two of them were illegitimate. The last entry about Ann was in 1777. So she must have left Holme Hale with her three daughters.
And for the other children of Elizabeth Fyson, there were no more mentioning in the records about them after their baptisms. So it appears that as soon as they were old enough they left Holme Hale and married and died elsewhere.
Perhaps their mother, because she was a widow, was too overbearing and the children left as soon as they can.
So Elizabeth Fyson was alone for many years.
And then in 1799, she was 82 years old and probably couldn't do some of the heavy work around the home anymore and she then probably felt that she needed help from a man again.
~ 1799
Elizabeth Fyson married 2nd to RICHARD PARFREY on 10 Dec 1799 at the church in Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 17 left side
Marriages 1799 -- Page 30, No. 118
Richard Parfry of this Parish Singleman and Elizabeth Fison of this Parish Widow were Married in this church by Licence this tenth Day of December in the Year One Thousand seven Hundred and ninety nine by me William Young Minister
This Marriage was Solemnized between Us
Richard Parfrey this mark [ ] is the mark of Elizabeth Fison
In the Presence of
Phebe [cyson or fyson ?] Thos Child
The marriage drew attention because of the age difference of the couple. Apparently there was a big celebration when they got married.
From the newspaper, Oracle and Daily Advertiser, Tuesday, December 17, 1799:
… where there was great festivity, a vast quantity of punch, ale, &c. having been given away in consequence of the marriage of Mr. Parfrey, aged 24, to Mrs. Fyson, the celebrated Doctress, aged 80.
From the Monthly Magazine and British Register of February 1, 1800:
Page 92
Norfolk.
Married.]
At Yarmouth, Mr. Parfrey, aged 24, to Mrs. Fyson, aged 80.
Actually base on her baptism date, Elizabeth would have been 82 years old at the time of the marriage. And Richard Parfrey was about 23 to 24 years old.
Also notice the newspaper mentioned that Mrs. Fyson was called "the celebrated Doctress". This is proof of her being well known when she was alive.
It sort of hints that she probably was mentioned before in the newspapers. The Oracle and Daily Advertizer was a London newspaper. And in this collection of newspapers online, the 17th-18th Century Burnley Collection, it seems to be mostly London papers.
She may have been mentioned more in a Norfolk paper in the late 18th century. But so far I haven't come across some Norfolk newspapers of that time period that would be available for viewing online.
~ 1803
Elizabeth Parfrey died at the age of 85 on 14 Mar 1803 and was buried 30 Mar 1803 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the Norfolk Annals by Charles Mackie on a website:
1803.
March.
14. -- Died, Mrs. Parfrey, aged 80, wife of Mr. R. Parfrey, of Holme Hale, near Swaffham. "The public will best recollect her, as a doctress, by her former name of Fyson, and for the many cures she made in dropsy and other complaints."
From the parish register of Holme Hale :
Image No. 43 right side
Burials 1803
Elizabeth Parfree late Fysen aged 85 March 18
From the Monthly Magazine and British Register of June 1, 1803:
Page 497
Died.]
- Aged 80, Mrs. Parfrey, formerly known by the name of Fyson, of Holm Hale, near Swaffham.
She was in high refute as a sort of medical practitioner, having performed many remarkable cures in the dropsy; and such was the opinion generally entertained of her skill, that she had continually a great many patients from all parts.
Within a few months of Elizabeth's death, Richard Parfrey married again, this time to Penelope Powley and they had 12 children.
To read further about Richard Parfrey <=== click on the link.
~ 1858
A book with a title of "Notes and Queries" published in 1858 contained a letter written by an anonymous person who mentioned about Mrs. Fyson who died about fifty years before in Holme Hale.
Page 427
Mrs. Fyson (2nd S. v. 315.) - The late Mrs. Fyson of Holme Hale, who died about fifty years since, was considered to possess the power of witchcraft. I never heard of any person having felt the effects of her power in that "black art."
Persons having lost articles by being stolen went to her, considering she had the power of restoring them, compelling the thief to return them secretly.
I have heard speak of two persons going on such an occasion, and just before they arrived at her house, one said to his companion, "I wonder if we shall find the old w____ at home." He knocked at the door, was told to come in, as "the old w____ was at home," and informed him he might return immediately, as she would not give him any information on the business he came about.
Mrs. Fyson was a doctress, and I well remember taking a female cousin to her who had a very sore ankle, which had been under a surgeon's care a considerable time, without deriving any benefit from his attendance.
When we came to Mrs. Fyson and told her the purport of my cousin's coming, she asked permission to see her ankle, which was then much inflamed; asked if it was natural, or if caused by hurt. She applied a plaster to the sore, and gave her others to take home, with directions to apply a fresh one about every two days, and to drink a decoction from stinging-nettles, or, as she expressed it, "You must drink half a teacup of stinging-nettle tea twice a-day," and let me see you again next week.
My cousin attended strictly to her prescription, and in about six weeks her ankle became well, and remained whole to the day of her death.
Young females were frequent visitors to the old woman to have their fortunes told, and to consult her on love affairs, for which she made them pay smartly.
Mrs. Fyson by her mean habits saved a considerable sum, from 500 l. to 1000 l., for which a young fellow of the name of Parfray married her. He built a windmill, and attempted a watermill; soon made away with all the money, and Mrs. Fyson died in penury and want.
I well remember her coming to a village shop, where she bought some shoe oil and oiled her shoes as they were upon her feet.
Having the character of a witch, she attracted a deal of attention wherever she went.
ANON.
~ From a website …
Elizabeth Fyson's home in Holme Hale, Norfolk eventually became a well known coaching inn called the Jolly Farmers Inn.
In the article below it also mentioned that Elizabeth Fyson for a fee she would foretell the sex of an unborn, and if one wanted to be rid of a husband, a wife or a lover, she would be able to supply the correct potion.
From the webpage article "The Holme Hale Story by Alec Hunt":
The Jolly Farmers Inn, on the border with Necton, was a well known coaching inn and was once the home of Old Mother Fyson, the celebrated witch of Holme Hale. For a fee she would foretell the sex of an unborn, and if one wanted to be rid of a husband, a wife or a lover, she would be able to supply the correct potion. She saved the equivalent of £150,000 in today's money and married a young man named Richard Parfray who built a windmill to the west of the house and a watermill on the River Erne. He later squandered all of his wife's money and she died in poverty in 1808.
The Jolly Farmers was also once home to the Holme Hale Moonrakers, who, until recently, would perform the ancient ceremony with a rake at the nearby river.
Because this inn stood partly in Necton an extra hours drinking could be obtained by crossing the boundary when the landlord called time: the two villages enjoyed different opening and closing times. With most of men away fighting in the 1914-18 War, the inn was closed in 1916 because of a lack of customers
Children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Robinson) Fyson
2. ELIZABETH FYSON was baptized 28 Oct 1739 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 10 left side
Baptisms 1739.
Elizabeth Daughter of Thomas & Elizabeth Fyson, was Baptiz'd the 28th Day of October.
3. THOMAS FYSON was baptized 9 Oct 1744 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 11 right side
Baptisms 1744.
Thomas, Son of Thomas & Elizabeth Fyson October the ninth.
4. + ANN FYSON was baptized 14 Feb 1746/1747 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 12 left side
Baptisms 1746.
Ann, Daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson the 14th.
(previous entry Feb.)
( this would be 1746/1747)
Ann Fyson married Robert Brownsell. To see the page on Ann Fyson <=== click on the link.
5. MARGARET FYSON was baptized 31 Dec 1749 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 13 left side
Baptisms 1749
Margaret the Daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Fyson was baptizd Dec 31
6. SARAH FYSON was baptized Feb 1756 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 14 right side
Baptisms 1756
Sarah daughter of Thos & Elizabeth Fyson Feb [ ]
Sarah Fyson probably died soon as the next child baptized is also a Sarah.
7. SARAH FYSON was baptized 10 Mar 1758 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 14 right side
Baptisms 1758
Sarah daughter of Thos & Elizabeth Fyson March 10
8. WILLIAM FYSON was baptized 1 Jan 1764 at Holme Hale, Norfolk.
From the parish register of Holme Hale:
Image No. 16 right side
Baptisms 1764
William Son of Thos & Elizabeth Fyson Jan: 1st
Sources:
1. Parish registers of Shipdham, Norfolk, England. Baptisms: 1717 Elizabeth Robinson, 1723 John Robinson. Online at https://www.familysearch.org, Norfolk Parish Registers collection. Shipdham Bapt, Mar, Bur, 1558-1804, 253 images. Partially searched April 23, 2011 Saturday 8:51 PM.
2. Parish registers of East Bradenham, Norfolk, England. Marriages: 1739 Thos Fyson and Eliz Robinson, 1742 John Robinson and Mary Rose. Burials: 1762 Edward Robinson and Ann Robinson. Online at https://www.familysearch.org, Norfolk Parish Registers collection. East Bradenham Bapt, Mar, Bur, 1714-1769, 33 images. Searched April 23, 2011 Saturday 8:51 PM.
3. Parish registers of Holme Hale, Norfolk, England. Baptisms: 1739 Elizabeth Fyson, 1744 Thomas Fyson, 1746 Ann Fyson, 1749 Margaret Fyson, 1756 Sarah Fyson, 1758 Sarah Fyson, 1764 William Fyson. Burials: 1765 Thomas Fyson, 1803 Elizabeth Parfree late Fysen. Online at https://www.familysearch.org, Norfolk Parish Registers collection. Holme Hale Bapt, Mar, Bur, 1709-1812, 46 images. Searched July 26, 2010 Monday 8:43 PM.
4. 1799 marriage of Elizabeth Fison and Richard Parfrey. Parish registers of Holme Hale, Norfolk, England. Online at https://www.familysearch.org, Norfolk Parish Registers collection. Holme Hale Marriage 1755-1812, 22 images. Searched April 27, 2011 Wednesday 5:42 PM.
5. 1799 marriage of Mr. Parfrey and Mrs. Fyson mentioned in the newspaper. Oracle and Daily Advertiser (London, England), Tuesday, December 17, 1799; Issue 22170. Online at 17th-18th Century Burnley Collection Newspapers at http://find.galegroup.com. Searched April 28, 2011 Thursday 5:37 PM.
6. 1800 the marriage of Mr. Parfrey and Mrs. Fyson mentioned in a 1800's magazine. Monthly Magazine and British register, Volume 9; Publisher: Printed for R. Phillips, 1800; Original from: Princeton University; Digitized: Jun 16, 2008. Online at Google Books. Searched May 4, 2011 Wednesday 2:23 PM.
7. 1803 death of Mrs. Parfrey. From a website that has the Norfolk Annals by Charles Mackie extracted and listed. Online at http://www.freefictionbooks.org/books/n/23028-norfolk-annals-by-charles-mackie?start=18. Searched May 4, 2011 Wednesday 2:41 PM.
8. 1803 death of Mrs. Parfrey. The Monthly Magazine and British Register, Volume 15; Publisher: Printed for R. Phillips, 1803; Original from: the New York Public Library; Digitized: Nov 21, 2007. Jeremy T. Dixon of Melbourne, Australia found this and posted on his site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pickingill/. I then searched the original source on May 4, 2011 Wednesday 3:13 PM.
9. 1858 a letter written about Mrs. Fyson. Notes and Queries, Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1858; Original from: Harvard University; Digitized: Mar8, 2007. Online at Google Books. Jeremy T. Dixon of Melbourne, Australia found this and posted on his site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pickingill/. I then searched the original source on May 4, 2011 Wednesday 1:42 PM.
10. Old Mother Fyson's home became the Jolly Farmers Inn in Holme Hale. The Holme Hale Story by Alec Hunt. Online at http://www.copsey-family.org/~allenc/hale.htm. Jeremy T. Dixon of Melbourne, Australia found this and posted on his site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pickingill/, post No. 304. I then searched the original source on May 14, 2011 Saturday 7:55 PM.
1st publication on May 5, 2011 Thursday 1:59 PM
Last updated on May 15, 2011 Sunday 8:37 PM
Researched and Compiled by William Wallworth
Contributions:
Jeremy T. Dixon of Melbourne, Australia. He started looking into Elizabeth Fyson and posting on his email log site: Pickingills and Other Cunning Familes at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pickingill/ . I then started looking into the case afterwards.
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