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Mr Geoff Page, an ex-councillor with extensive knowledge and memories of Arlesey, has lived here his whole life and has become an excellent source of information on the area. On 8th February 2012 he forwarded a document on Arleseybury to 'onthebutton' which he hoped we could use and would be of interest to our readers. We posted the document and found it to be very popular. Out of this several pictures of the ‘Bury’ and its grounds had been unearthed. We had gathered very little information at this time regarding the man who had the bury built – Sir John Jackson, and his family. Sir John was a director of the East India Company and also became an MP.

On the 15th March 2012, onthebutton was contacted by a man named Francis Paku. He stated he was ‘a descendant of Sir John Jackson and Charlotte Spry Jackson nee Gorham’,he also added that he was ‘retired and living at Golden Beach, Queensland Australia’. He signed himself ‘Nib’ a name that has stuck with him from childhood.

Francis wanted to gather information on his maternal ancestors, and had been pointed in our direction by the reverand Susan Edwards, at St Peters Church, Arlesey. The contact couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time. With the information from Geoff and subsequent conversations with Mr Gyula Papp and Mr Eddie Smith, we were building some interesting facts about the house and grounds.

Francis was specifically looking for images of a plaque in the church which he had understood was there regarding his ancestors. With camera in hand I went to church one Sunday morning hoping to speak with Susan after the service. The service finished and an old friend Helen Bardell (PCC Treasurer) came to speak to me. We talked for a while and I asked if it was possible to look around for the plaque. She took me into the Chancel were she pointed at a pair of large engraved pieces of marble on the north wall. Whilst in the chancel she re-introduced me to Mr Derek Ambler and we talked about the Jackson family. He told me that Sir John had been buried under the chancel in the vault after he died.

click here to view a pdf of the lineage from Sir John Jackson to Francis Paku

Francis Paku's Family. Standing L Francis, Angela Sanders nee Paku. Seated L. Michael, Diana Paku nee Quin, Melanie and Richard. Image supplied by: Francis Oaku

onthebutton is now in contact with Mr Paku his family on a regular basis, and swapping information. Also with his relations in New Zealand. The Paku family is hoping to visit Arlesey sometime in the future.

Steve Maddox – onthebutton

 

See our feature on Arleseybury

Arlesey Place from a painting by Fisher To read some history of Arleseybury by Geoff Page please click on the image here to open a pdf in a new window.

Sir John Jackson 1763-1820 click here to open an image of the Jackson crest Image supplied by Francis Paku © Francis Paku – This image is supplied for use of information only and must not be copied or used in any form of reproduction.

Some pictures and maps used in this document have come from unknown sources and no intentional infringment of copyright is intended. The documents have been brought together for the enjoyment of the history of Arlesey Bury. It is not intended for commercial use or reproduction. G P Page - 07 February 2012