The Organ Inn, Warminster

FAMILY CONNECTIONS WITH OLD ORGAN INN AND WARMINSTER:

Timothy Furlonger is said to have been an Inn Keeper in Warminster, Wiltshire. In fact we now know that there were three Tim Furlonger�s who were Inn Keepers.
1. Timothy Furlonger who married Ann was Inn Keeper of the Castle Inn, George St Warminister � our Timothy.
2. His son , also a Timothy was an Inn Keeeper � we think this was Timothy and Caroline Furlonger
3. His son, another Timothy Edward was Inn Keeper of the Old Organ Inn, in 1895 and we think he was Timothy and Caroline�s grandson

We understand that the Old Organ Inn was in existence for many years and was at the lower end of the High Street on the south side of the road. In 1835 the boys of the Common Close School were taught at the rear of the Inn. We also understand that the Old Organ Inn was finally closed in 1913 under an Act of Parliament when many Inns were closed in the country. At the time it had a tenant, a J. Lidbury who was probably related to Caroline Furlonger who was also married to one of the Timothy Furlongers of Warminster. He was paid 70 pounds when the Inn was given a change of use. We understand that just a few years ago it was still standing and was a Fruit and Veg shop and a Fishmongers for many years and in 2003 was up for sale. The Timothy Furlonger from the Old Organ Inn, married a Caroline Lidbury and we understand Lidbury is still a well known name in the area. Caroline ran a dressmaking business in George St, Warminster and is listed in 1852 and 1880 but not after that date.

Timothy (1) and Ann had several children. Eliza Ann Furlonger married William Curtis, and we believe the Curtis family are still living in the Bristol/Warminster area today. Nothing is known of the second child and Sarah married a William Chinn who may have been a brother or cousin of Elizabeth Chinn. Their son John Hill married Elizabeth Chinn of Bristol. All their children were baptised at the one time in the Charterhouse, Finsbury, London before the family emigrated to Australia. The Charterhouse was situated almost opposite Hatfield Street, where the family resided. John and Elizabeth had six children: Louisa, Julia, Emily, Mary, Maria, and John Henry. John Henry was born in London where his father had an undertaking business. Another child, Frederick Ambrose was born in Australia and died as a child, leaving my GG Grandfather John Henry William Furlonger to carry on the family name.

In summary, my name is Elizabeth Ann Furlonger. I am descended from John and Elizabeth Furlonger who travellled to Australia. John was born in Warminster and Elizabeth in Bristol. John was the son of Timothy Furlonger. My GGG Grandfather is John Hill Furlonger. (I get quite confused by the number of Greats). He and his wife Elizabeth had a son John Henry Furlonger and this is my GG Grandfather.

When I was corresponding with a member of the Warminster History Society a few years ago, she sent me a video recording of a news item about the restoration of the Old Organ Inn.
I would love to visit Warminster when I am in the UK in November 2011 and visit the �restored to original condition�, Old Organ Inn and perhaps even meet some of the people from your History Society.

Kind regards from Australia

Elizabeth Ann Furlonger

1 Jun 2011 06:49