The continuing saga of the Sterleys of Oakland Par

Chapter One

The Sterley’s of Oakland Park in the county of Surrey had for a long time been genteel nobility the first Sterley to rise to the nobility was Sir John having been in the

service of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Having served the virgin queen well he had risen and after many years of service he had been knighted and invested

with lands. Queen Elizabeth always a grudging giver of favor’s had at first wished to bestow only a small portion of land upon this nobleman. However in the end

better judgment prevailed the queen been served by many sensible and loyal men who tempered the queens greed with wise council For Sir John had been around

the world with Drake and had his own ship which had fought with Drake and Hawkins on those fateful days when English hearts and solid walls of stout English Oak

had been the only defense against the might of the armada of King Philip of Spain. For his service a sizable grand was made to Sir John The descendent of Sir John

had played there part in making England what it was at the time of our narrative. For this, they were most amply rewarded by the crown for there service. From time to

time a member of this illustrious family would in some extraordinary way perform some act of bravery which would so delight the reigning monarch that a special

favor would be granted thus the estates of Oakland was added to through out successive generations to these lands. thus at the turn of the 18th century Oakland

Park had attached to it a number of farms which paid rents annually in arrears bringing a certain measure of well being and a sense of wealth.

To the family for although they were wealthy they retained a certain sense of value to there property further more they valued life and in particularly the lives of those

whom fate had placed in there care The current master of Oakland’s sir Thomas was a man of quite disposition who after a lifetime of service to England in the naval

service had returned to contemplate the beauty of country life. Sir Thomas has always been fond of birds and thus he spent his days in quite contemplation of the

birds of Southern England of which he was making a study, in the hopes of some time soon having a publication done at his expense. It was not that sir Thomas

sought fame for he was already quite well known and had riches enough for the needs of his family and for the next generation when they arrived. For Sir Thomas

and Lady Ann although aware of there place in society and made attempts to keep up appearances lived for the most part frugally; or at least not beyond there

means.

Sir Thomas had served the previous government well both in parliament and as a captain in that, service of which Nelson was a great example. for sir Thomas had

been bread to the sea, his own father following in the steps of sir John of ancient memory Sir Thomas had only retired to the country once it became apparent that

the King would not recover, thus Sir Thomas had taken the time to think it better to retire from politics, as he had no wish to serve in a government over which the

prince Regent held sway. For Sir Thomas and the regent had at one time been the best of friends however a imagined slight had caused the prince to snub Sir

Thomas and Lady Ann publicly thus there friendship had ended the prince taking great pains and many occasions to cause disservices to Sir Thomas. Even to

having a heated argument with the King upon occasion. The quarrel between the prince and the King had so upset the King that he had taken to his bed muttering

about ingrates and unlovable children.

Thus Sir Thomas had retired from the service for which he still held a great fondness in his heart. He read with keen interest the gazettes to see who had been

mentioned and if perchance a son of a near by neighbor had received a distinction of merit in the gazette. Sir Thomas would take to writing a letter or two to the

relatives and even some time to the gentleman in question wishing them a hearty congratulations and an invitation to call upon him at Oakland Park when they

should again be in the county. Of the people that Sir Thomas loved most dearly were of course his wife of many years Ann who had been born Lady Moorcroft  (Her

Father Lord Moorcroft now an ancient relic who had served in the government of George II had of late passed away thus the family was still in a time of mourning.)

Then there daughters Lydia, Mary Sophia Elizabeth, and of course Mary, the youngest of his daughters his sons who brought him great pride were in order of age

Thomas, John, William, and finally James who was but a small precocious little boy.

Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had for more then a generation planed the arrival of there children in accordance with the dedication of an admiral of the service as he

planed his Battle plan in the same spirit as the great sea Lord of Blessed memory Lord Horatio Nelson.. Thus over a period of two and twenty years Lady Ann had

brought forth in due season a little bundle of joy

To say that Sir Thomas was a doting father would have been an understatement for of an evening he could be found on his hands and knees playing with the

younger children. He even on occasion took a lively interest in the doings of his older children Thomas his son was a young man of the world who was of a

melancholic disposition and prone to moodiness. In which state he would take up his pen ands retire to his room where he would compose sonnets and the like

some of which he would on occasion read to the family for an evening’s entertainment. The somberness of the younger Thomas did in no way have an effect on the

younger sons of the house who would spend there days in Boxing Boating on the river and riding some times even enjoying a hearty game of cricket. The daughters

of the house where an altogether lively group who loved attending assemblies and dancing was always a favorite pastime. Indeed Lay Ann had mad sure that all her

daughter could play the harpsichord and of late the urgency of Lady Ann to procure a piano Forte for the house had been made known to Sir Thomas. “My dear is

the harpsichord broken?” he had enquired of her when she made the wish for a pianoforte to him. “No Tom it is all the rage and is played in all the best houses in

London we simple must have one” she replied growing impatient with his reluctance to produce the desired instrument. “Indeed my love and how much do you

suppose such an extravagance would cost?” he asked her with a pained expression “Oh I am not sure but what is the matter you have never been so obstinate

before when it came to the purchase of an instrument” she replied “Indeed we have recently had the man in to tune the harpsichord and what of the new fiddle I

bought John but a twelve month ago?” he asked her “Sir you know that John plays well and he has never neglected the art of music think sir how the instrument

would enhance your standing in the county should it be known that you have one of the newest instruments” Lady Ann said. “That is a good point my dear he said

with a smile let me consider it and when I have found the right conclusion I will let you know” Sir Thomas said. “In the mean time pray tell me what are the young

ladies up to this evening for I believe there is to be a assemble in the village and I have yet to shave and dress for I should very much like to wait upon some of our

neighbors at the assembly” he concluded “Why sir one would think that you of all people would dismiss out of hand any frivolity with assemblies for you have

grown quite in your later years what now this sudden interest in assembles and balls Pray sir what bedbug have you in your hat” said Lady Ann

The sound of music filled the air and the hall was lit with the light of a thousand candles for tonight was the first of the assembles to be held in Notheringay. Sir

Thomas found himself seated next to an old acquiesce  Mr. Charles Parker who had served under Sir George Rodney in the early days of there service to King and

country “Charles do you remember how crisp the night was?” asked Sir Thomas “Indeed I do sir replied Mr. Parker taking a pull at his pipe. ”Indeed I do,“ he said

releasing a vast cloud of smoke from his mouth much to the annoyance of Sir Thomas. It was not that Sir Thomas was against the habit of smoking he felt every one

was free to live there lives as best suited them but what he did object to was the fact that the smoke had been expelled in his direction. ”Ah yes I remember well how

we fought that battle under the moon light a singular even if I might say so Sir Thomas“ said Mr. Parker ”and our ship our faithful Montague is already and old war

horse now. I would not be surprised that when next we hear of her she will have been broken up or a sheer hulk“ said Sir Thomas ”I fancy the lower deck crews

would not look back at her with such an air of nostalgia,“ said Mr. Parker. ”Indeed I fancy Don de Lángara will also look back at that battle with an air of discontent,“

replied Sir Thomas

I have an occasion to be in London next week on a matter of some small busyness I trust that you and your good lady will find an occasion to call on Lady Ann.  For I

fancy there might be some what of a disruption while I am away in town,“ said Sir Thomas. ”I am sure my Emily would be delighted to spend an afternoon in the

company of your good lady,“ replied Mr. Parker. ”Pray tell how are those bright young sons of yours?“ asked Sir Thomas who had it mind to arrange a marriage

between the elder son and his daughter Lydia. ”George has recently returned from Oxford and is taking the business of my rents in hand quite nicely it relieves me to

have some time upon my hands to be at leisure,“ replied Mr Parker. ”Indeed a bright young man“ said Sir Thomas as the object of there discourse weaved his way

down the line of dancers his hand firmly on that of Lydia. ”And what of Peter?“ Asked Sir Thomas ”Peter is bound for the service this coming fortnight Monday“

replied Mr Parker; I have managed to buy him a commission in the 52 foot. ”Indeed a strange choose replied Sir Thomas raising an eyebrow. It was I am afraid the

best that can be got at present, he is no horseman unfortunately I would have liked to get him a commission in the guards but he refused to hear of it preferring to be

among the men as he put it“ continued Mr Parker.

Just then Lady Ann returned to her seat she had been dancing with your Lord Kilgrew “Dear husband remind me later to impart to you a certain knowledge that has

of resent been rewarded me” she said “Indeed it must be of some importance that you would not speak before our dear and old friend Mr. Parker”. “No sir it is some

what of a private nature and is fit only for the ear of a husband ”she replied sharply. Just then Mrs. Parker joined there company having spent the last round on the

arm of an officer of the rifles. “Hot work but most invigorating said” she The music begun again and the two couples sat watching the young people of there

respective houses dance a new dance which had recently been introduced to the country some thing called a waltz. I perceive that this new fad of a dance does not

hold much in it “said Lady Ann with a frown on her broad face for she was watching with some manner of displeasure the figure of her daughter Lydia and young

Peter Parker, who to her mind seemed a little to closely embraced in each others arms. ”Ann let them be we were once young don’t you recall? Said Sir Thomas Later

that night Sir Thomas before retiring for the night spent a few moment s writing in his great day journal, this had long been his practice for he was a fastidious man

who would not allow a day to pass lest he make a few pre-functionary notes on the events of the day. Of late, the mood of his eldest son had been somewhat of a

concern to him as Tom was showing more and more signs of becoming more caught up in a world of his own with little sense of the realities of life.

Sir Thomas considered buying him a commission in the Kings own regiment of guards for surely the life of a guards captain would be one which would fully occupy

the full four and twenty hours of the day. Thus leaving little time for Tom to occupy himself with less fruitful pursuits. Further, more Thomas with the right training

could rise in the world and the thought of this delighted Sir Thomas. As sir, Thomas said his prayers and snuffed out the candle the thought of his son in a uniform of

the guards made his lot content and he was at peace with the world.
In the distance an owl hooted but by the time the sound was recognized by the sleepy Sir Thomas he was beginning to slip into the arms of Morphus