APPENDIX 359 



APPENDIX 



Some detailed notice of the Palmer family will have 

 interest here. Mischance long ago destroyed many 

 genealogical documents relating to John Palmer's 

 ancestors, but family tradition still points to the 

 " John Palmere " who, in 1384, represented Bath in 

 Parliament, as a distinguished forbear. Of ancient 

 and honourable origin, the matrimonial alliances of 

 the Palmers are found among the old county families 

 of Somerset and Wilts. The postal reformer's mother 

 was one of the Longs, to this day seated in the latter 

 county. She and her husband, John Palmer the elder, 

 lie at Weston, two miles from Bath, and in the village 

 church their memorial tablets may yet be seen. 



A tradition tells how the reformer himself might 

 have become a Long, had he desired. His kinsman, 

 Walter Long, who died unmarried at the age of ninety- 

 five, proposed to make him heir to extensive estates 

 in Wilts, on condition that he assumed the name ; 

 but, with the pardonable arrogance of one who owned 

 an ancient and honourable ancestry. Palmer declined^ 

 and satisfied his pride even though he relinquished a 

 rent-roll. 



He received his education at Colerne, Wilts, and at 

 Marlborough Grammar School. Of his three sons, John 

 proceeded to Cambridge and took holy orders ; Charles 

 and Edmund, educated at Eton, went respectively into 

 the Army and Navy. It is curious to note how strong 

 has been the militarj^ tradition in the family. Charles 



