Rowland Alston

MP and husband of Rose Milles (d. 1824), the daughter and heiress of Jeremiah Milles, and father of Rowland Gardiner Alston (q.v.). Son of Thomas Alston and Elizabeth Raynsford.

1. Born 1782. Married Rose Milles St Marylebone 26/05/1810. In 1841 Rowland Alston was living at 48 Harley Street aged 45 [sic] with sons R.G. 30 Wm 25, Francis 20 and daughters Rose and Harriet (both given as 25). In 1851 he was at the same address aged 68 Landed Proprietor born Bedfordshire with sons Rowland G. Alston 39, W.V. [?] 'Clerk in the British [sic] Office' 34 and daughter Rose 32. Death of Rowland Alston registered Q4 1865 St George's Hanover Square. There is no apparent entry in the National Probate Calendar.

2. Sir Francis Beilby Alston KCMG (1820-1905), diplomat, was the son of Rowland and Rose Alston. He died at 69 Eccleston Square, London, 24 August 1905, leaving effects of £58,530 1s 4d.

1. Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online]; 1841 and 1851 censuses online; FreeUKGen, England and Wales Free BMD Database, Deaths, 1837-1983 [database online].

2. National Probate Calendar 1906; Ancestry.com, London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 [database online] shows his baptism (at St Marylebone 06/12/1820) and parenthood.

The following information was sent by Susan Snell of the Museum of Freemasonry in London; some must apply to Rowland Alston the father not Rowland Gardiner Alston (q.v.) the son. Rowland Gardner Alston, born 7 June 1782. Lived at Pishiobury, Sawbridgeworth. Died 21 November 1865. Ensign in 30th Regiment of Foot. MP for Hertfordshire 1835-1841.

Masonic career - Craft (Lodge freemasonry); initiated 7 August 1832 Stortford Lodge, No. 409, in which he became Worshipful Master (W.M.) in 1834; 16 May 1836 joined Angel Lodge, No. 51, Colchester; 9 June 1836 joined Lodge of Friendship, No. 6, London in which he became Worshipful Master in 1845, 1846, and 1853. 1835 Appointed Senior Grand Warden of the United Grand Lodge of England and Wales; 1836 Appointed Provincial Grand Master for Essex, resigning in 1854.

Masonic career - Royal Arch (Chapter freemasonry); 26 November 1833 Exalted in Mount Lebanon Chapter, No. 630, (now Salisbury Chapter, No. 435); 23 May 1845 joined Chapter of Friendship, No. 6, in which he served as Z (equivalent of W.M.) in 1848, 1849 and 1850. 1835 Appointed Assistant Grand Sojourner in Supreme Grand Chapter of England and Wales. 1836 Appointed Grand Superintendent for Essex. 1845 Appointed 3rd Grand Principal in Supreme Grand Chapter of England and Wales, resigning in 1854.