Mary Abney facts for kids

Mary, Lady Abney (born Gunston; 1676 – 12 January 1750) inherited a large property called the Manor of Stoke Newington in 1701. This property was about eight kilometers north of St Paul's Cathedral in the City of London. She greatly influenced the design of Abney Park, including planting two long rows of elm trees that led to Hackney Brook.

She is famous for giving a home to Dr Isaac Watts for 36 years. Dr. Watts was a Nonconformist (someone who didn't follow the official Church of England). He is known as the father of English hymnody because he wrote hundreds of hymns (religious songs). Her park inspired him to write many of his hymns and poems.

Who Was Lady Abney?

The Manor of Stoke Newington was a small farming area north of St Paul's Cathedral. For a long time, the cathedral owned and managed it. Later, it was given to private owners called Lords of the Manor.

Early Life and Marriage

Mary Gunston was born in 1676. Her brother, Thomas, became the Lord of the Manor of Stoke Newington in the late 1600s.

In 1700, Mary married Thomas Abney (1640–1722). He was 36 years older than her and was the Lord Mayor of London that year. Sir Thomas was already renting a large house in Hertfordshire. This is where they began their married life and had three daughters.

They often invited guests to their home. One special guest was Isaac Watts. He was first invited for a week but ended up living with them for 36 years! He became a very famous writer of hymns.

Inheriting Stoke Newington

In 1701, Mary's brother, Thomas Gunston, passed away. Lady Mary Abney then inherited the Manor of Stoke Newington. Because of the laws at that time, the property officially belonged to her husband during his lifetime.

The couple decided to live in both places: their home in Hertfordshire and their new home in Stoke Newington. Lady Mary started to finish building her late brother's new manor house at Abney Park. This house later became known as Abney House. She designed it to fit her own ideas and style.

Abney House was closer to London than their other home. So, the Abneys often stayed there with their family. Soon, Dr. Isaac Watts also became a long-term guest. Lady Mary gave Watts his own study room, a special room at the top of the house. From there, he could look at the stars and see all of Abney Park.

Lady of the Manor and Her Park

At Abney Park, Lady Abney ordered the first map and survey of the Manor of Stoke Newington. People say she planned much of the park's planting and design herself. The park had two big avenues of elm trees. These were Dr. Watts' favorite places to walk. They led to a quiet island where herons nested, and these walks inspired his writings.

After her husband Sir Thomas died in 1722, Lady Abney became the official Lady of the Manor. She was one of the few women to hold such an important position in England during the early 1700s.

In 1736, Lady Abney moved completely from her husband's mansion in Hertfordshire. She chose to live full-time at the more modest Abney House. Her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth Abney, and Dr. Watts joined her there. In Stoke Newington, they had many neighbors who were also Nonconformist and enjoyed reading and writing.

Her Faith and Famous Friends

Lady Abney was a Congregationalist, a type of Independent Christian faith. Her husband, Sir Thomas, and Dr. Isaac Watts also shared this faith. When Sir Thomas was Lord Mayor, and Mary was Lady Mayoress, they had to follow the rules of the Church of England sometimes, as the law required.

Lady Abney was a close friend of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. The Countess was a leader in a religious movement called Methodists. She helped pay for many religious causes, including supporting a preacher named George Whitefield. Later in her life, the Countess also helped Olaudah Equiano, an African man who had been freed from slavery. He became an abolitionist (someone who worked to end slavery) and settled in England.

Lady Abney is mostly remembered for supporting Isaac Watts. He lived in her home for 36 years. Watts is known as the first important English hymn writer. He wrote new Christian songs instead of just using words from the Bible. Some of his famous hymns include "Joy to the World" and "Our God, Our Help In Ages Past". Through her friendship with Watts, Lady Abney became part of a group of many independent religious thinkers.

Lady Mary helped Watts greatly, especially from 1734 until he died in 1748. She allowed him to work as a poet and scholar. His writings became very popular in Great Britain and other parts of the world. After Watts died in 1748, Lady Mary helped build a memorial for him at Bunhill Fields.

Later Years and Legacy

Mary Abney passed away in 1750 at the age of 73. She was buried near her brother, Thomas Gunston, in Old Stoke Newington Church. This church is now called St Mary's Old Church and is near Clissold Park.

Her daughter, Elizabeth Abney (born around 1704, died 1782), inherited the Manor of Stoke Newington, including Abney House and Abney Park. Elizabeth managed the property. When she died in 1782, she asked that her estates be sold. All the money from the sale was given to charities that supported Nonconformist causes.

Later, in 1824, a Quaker school called Newington Academy for Girls opened next door to Abney House. The students from this school were allowed to use Abney Park. The opening of Abney Park Cemetery later gave a new purpose to Lady Mary's beautiful landscaped grounds.

Sources

• Whitehead, Jack (1990). The Growth of Stoke Newington
• Joyce, Paul (1984). A Guide to Abney Park Cemetery
• Shirren, A.J. (1951). The Chronicles of Fleetwood House
• Corporation of London (1902). History of Bunhill Fields Burial Ground