Sir William Henry Marling (1835-1919) of Marling and Co
Born the son of Sir Samuel Stephens Marling
1861 Married Mary Emily Abraham and had four sons
1891 Residing at Selsley, Kings Stanley: William H. Marling (age 55), Woollen Manufacturer. with his wife Mary E. and their children Samuel S. Marling (age 26), Woollen Manufacturer, and William J. P. Marling (age 25), Woollen Manufacturer. Also two cousins Gunning.[1]
1911 Residing at Stanley Park, near Stroud: William Henry Marling (age 75 born Stroud), Baronet, Private means. With his wife Mary Emily and their children Samuel Stanley Marling (age 46) and William John Paley Marling (age 45).[2]
1919 Obituary.[3]
It with sincere regret that we announce the death of Sir William Henry Marling, Bart., which occurred on Sunday morning his beautiful home, Stanley Park, near Stroud, after a long illness.
Sir William Marling was born July, 1835, and was therefore in his 85th year. He succeeded his father, Sir Samuel Marling, in the baronetcy (which was created in 1882) in October, 1883. In May, 1860, Sir William was married to Mary Emily Abraham, of Green Nook, Longridge, Lancashire, and the death of Lady Marling in February of last year was a blow from which Sir William never fully recovered. His already enfeebled health completely broke, although his mental capacities were unimpaired, and until quite recently he was able to give some attention to the vast financial and industrial concerns he directed not only in Gloucestershire but in different parts of the country.
Sir William Marling's family bad been associated with the West of England woollen industry for four generations. The business Messrs. Marling and Company, Ltd., Stanley and Ebley Mills, of which Sir William was chairman, was founded by his grandfather. William Marling, towards the end the 18th century, and was continued by his uncle, Nathaniel Marling, Stonehouse Court, his uncle, Thomas Marling, of Rodborough Manor, and last, but not least, by his still well-remembered father. Sir William himself worked hard the business for nearly thirty years, and now in turn the direction the concern devolves upon his two younger sons, Messrs. Stanley and W. J. Paley Marling. To the venerable baronet it was a matter enduring regret that failing sight debarred his personal attendance at the mills, for was devoted his work there and respected all, but he was never tired of expressing his gratitude to the sons who, with the assistance faithful staff, kept Stanley and Ebley Mills running. Sir William often remarked with pride upon fact that for more than fifty years ins relations with the workpeople had been invariably cordial, there had been no strikes, no lock-oats, no disputes, and, he once said, "it was a pleasing reflection that his family had been permitted so long to give steady employment to a considerable number industrious men and women." Many the employees have been the mills for fifty years and more, and the occasion Sir William and Lady Marling's golden wedding celebration in 1910 they presented Sir William with address, which was beautifully illuminated and bore the family coat arms and water-colour sketches of Stanley and Ebley Mills, and a table seal handsomely wrought in gold. Many other industrial concerns were directed by Sir William, and until a couple of years ago he was chairman of the Sharpness New Docks Co.. and the Stroud water Canal.
Sir William Marling was for a great many years president of the Stroud Chamber of Commerce, and it was chiefly through his influence that the Chamber had been able to accomplish much in the interests of the trading community of Stroud and district. His advice and assistance were at all times sought by the trading community, and they were invariably given with a readiness and an appreciation that were much valued. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, the deceased was a man of great culture. He was a member of leading literary societies, and a most acceptable chairman at lectures promoted under the auspices of the Oxford Extension Movement. had also. study astrology and science. With other members of his family. Sir William Marling built and founded the Marling Secondary School 1887, and was chairman of the Marling School Governors. For several years until the Education Act 1902 he was chairman the Stroud School Board, and he subsequently became a member the Gloucestershire County Education Committee.
Until the spring this year he was an alderman of the Gloucestershire County Council, an which body had for upwards of 30 years rendered splendid ear vice, his association with the Council being practically contemporaneous with that of Stroud's other worthy, the late Sir John Dorington, of Lypiatt. He was one of the oldest justices of the peace for the counties of Gloucester and Monmouth, and until advancing years necessitated a curtailment of his public work he eat regularly at Stonehouse Petty Sessions. He was Deputy-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, and a member of the Standing Joint Committee and the Court Quarter Sessions.
The late Sir William Marling was patron of the living of Selsley, the church of which was founded by Sir Samuel, and deceased and the members of his family did much beautify and improve the sacred building. He was also churchwarden of Selsley. which parish his cousin (the Rev. Dr. G. H. West) vicar. In all matters affecting church work Sir William evinced the keenest possible interest, and he was an ever-ready speaker at the Ruri-decanal and the Diocesan Conferences. He was also patron the livings of Woolastone, Llancant, and Alvington.
The deceased was a generous supporter all good and charitable work. One his latest gifts was a subscription £1,000 to the Stroud General Hospital (Peace Memorial) Extension Fund. He was president of the Hospital Governors, and one of the most devoted workers in connection with this Institution and the Stroud District Nursing Association. Until a few months ago he was a member of the Stroud Rural District Council, which body was succeeded Mr. Stanley Marling.
Himself an old Volunteer, Sir William Marling always took warm interest in our citizen soldiers. The work of C Company of the 2nd V.B.G.R. be followed for a great many years with more than ordinary interest. His son, Capt. Stanley, was in command the Company, and subsequently became Major in the 5th Gloucestershire Regt. He was a constant subscriber the Company's prize fund, and always attended the annual dinner when health permitted.
The name of Marling is bound with the political history of Stroud, and Sir William, like his father, was in early life a Liberal. He withdrew hie support in consequence Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule Bill, and Prom that time on he was a leader of the Conservative and Unionist Party Mid-Gloucestershire. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Mid-Gloucestershire Conservative Association and president the Conservative Club.
Sir William was an extensive landowner the counties Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire, and he was esteemed by the tenants of the Park and Sedbury Park Estates. He exercised, a great influence among agriculturists in West Gloucestershire. and in 1910 the tenantry of the Marling Estates presented him with an old Georgian two-handled silver cup, weighing 130 ounces, in commemoration his golden wedding.
Four sons survive. They are the heir. Col. Sir Percival Scrope Marling, Bart., V.C., C.B., Sedbury Park; Sir Chas. Murray Marling, of the Diplomatic Corps, who has seen much service in the Embassies in the East; Major Stanley Marling, J.P., Stanley Park; and Major W. J. Paley Marling, of the Croft, Amberley.