Peerage Record – 40750

     Thomas Coningsby was the son of Robert Coningsby and Maria Hammond.² He died in 1695.²
     Hereford’s Almshouses

Almshouses have been in existence for over a thousand years. The earliest were founded by the Church or by monasteries, and were dependent on donations of land or money as a result of appeals made by these bodies. Later almshouses sprang directly from the charitable inclinations of the wealthy who provided for them in their wills. They were generally intended to house the parish’s needy – the poor, the sick and the elderly.

Coningsby Hospital

One of the best known of Hereford’s almshouses is the Coningsby Hospital in Widemarsh Street. The site was formerly occupied by a house of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, and parts of the hall and chapel date from this period, the 13th century. The almshouse was founded by Sir Thomas Coningsby of Hampton Court, Herefordshire, in 1614. Here he built twelve cottages with stone from parts of the existing structure as well as from the adjacent Blackfriars Abbey. This religious house had fallen into disrepair following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 by Henry VIII and had subsequently passed by inheritance to Coningsby’s wife, Philippa.

The Hospital was intended as a refuge for eleven ‘worn out’ soldiers or mariners. The twelfth cottage was occupied by a man placed in charge of the pensioners and given the rank of Corporal. There was also a chaplain to administer to the pensioners spiritual needs who, Coningsby stipulated, had to be from Oxford University. They received free food, fuel, clothing and a small weekly allowance which was paid on Monday mornings after prayers. A uniform was provided which they were required to wear. It consisted of a ginger ‘fiston’ suit, a hat with a white and red border, a military style jerkin, a ‘Monaco’ or Spanish-style cap and a sword ‘for when he goeth abroad.’ The ensemble was completed by ‘a seemely gowne of redd cloth reaching downe to the ankle, lined likewise with redd baise.’ The twelve men were known as the Coningsby Servitors.

The Coningsby Hospital is still in use, although no longer a charity. Pensioners are entitled to wear the uniform and are chosen by interview. They must still be of good character and be retired servicemen or women or their surviving spouses. The Chapel is still in use as a place of worship and the old dining hall serves as a medieval museum.² Reference: 292.²

     unknown daughter Coningsby is the daughter of Thomas Coningsby and Katharine Waldiffe.²

     unknown daughter Coningsby is the daughter of Thomas Coningsby and Katharine Waldiffe.²

     Ann Patricia Keane was born on 1 December 1910.² She is the daughter of Captain George Michael Keane and Violet Ida McKenna.¹ She married G/Capt. Christopher Leslie Thompson, son of C. K. Thompson, on 24 July 1934.²
     From 24 July 1934, her married name became Thompson.

     George Raleigh was born circa 1500 at Thornborough, Farnborough, Warwickshire, England^G.^1,2 He married Jane Coningsby, daughter of Sir Humphrey Coningsby and Alice Ferebie, in 1529.² He died before 1 April 1546.²
     Reference: 299.²

     Philippa Wintringham married Terence Morell McKenna, son of Theodore McKenna and Ethel Margaret Morell Mackenzie, circa 1924.¹
     From circa 1924, her married name became McKenna.¹

     Louise Joyce Philipson married Terence Morell McKenna, son of Theodore McKenna and Ethel Margaret Morell Mackenzie, circa June 1926 at St. George Hanover Square, London, England^G.¹
     From circa June 1926, her married name became McKenna.¹

     John Coningsby was born circa 1637 at Aldenham, Hertfordshire, England^G.^2,1 He was the son of Robert Coningsby and Susanna Hicks.¹ He died on 2 January 1696/97 at Aldenham, Hertfordshire, England^G.¹ He was buried at Aldenham, Hertfordshire, England^G.¹
     Reference: 303.¹ Spelt Conisbye in the Parish Records at Aldenham
East Window of Aldenham Church – In Memory of John Coningsby son of Robert C son of Ralph C. Mary his wife d Sept 1719 aged 72.¹

     Mary Aram was born circa 1647.¹ She died on 8 September 1719 at Aldenham, Hertfordshire, England^G.¹
     Reference: 304.¹

     Thomas Coningsby was born before 15 June 1679.^2,1 He was baptised on 15 June 1679 at St. Sepulchre, London, England^G.¹ He was the son of John Coningsby and Mary Aram.¹ He died before 1697, without issue.¹