| Administrative History | Frederick William Verney (1846-1913) was an MP and Clergyman, and the son of Sir Harry Verney (1801-1894), who was Lord of the Manor of Pleasley. His stepmother was Frances Parthenope Nightingale, the sister of Florence Nightingale. Frederick married Maude Sarah Hay-Williams, daughter of Sir John Hay-Williams, 2nd Baronet and Lady Sarah Elizabeth Amherst, in London on 8 June 1870. They had three children, Ralph Verney (1879-1959), Gwendolen Verney (1881-1932) and Kathleen Verney (1883-1966). Despite living in London, the family continued it's associations with the Pleasley and Lea Hurst areas. Frederick had the Pleasley public library and parish room built in 1906. The building has since been renamed the Verney Institute and is the home of the parish council. Frederick and Maude shared Florence Nightingale's political and religious views. They both gave papers for her. In return, she was godmother to one of their daughters and the whole family corresponded with her. Maude was born on 7 Feb 1847 and died on 28 Aug 1937, aged 90. She is buried at Middle Claydon Cemetery, Aylesbury Vale District in Buckinghamshire. |