The Winslows are not really a Hempstead family, although the name survives in Wincelow Hall Road. Wincelow Hall was originally known as Crouchmans but was renamed when the provisions merchant John Winslow married into the family in 1375. Although the house retained the name Wincelow Hall (in a variety of spellings) until it was pulled down following a fire early in the 19th century, the Winslows actually only stayed in Hempstead for about 50 years before settling in Gloucestershire. The family surname comes from the Buckinghamshire town of Winslow, where the Winslows were feudal landowners, later expanding into St. Albans and Hunsdon in Hertfordshire, as well as Hempstead and also London.
Nevertheless, although the direct association between the Winslows and Hempstead was relatively short, the family is sufficiently interesting to merit a brief mention here.
Probably the most notable member of the family was Edward Winslow, one of the original Pilgrim Fathers and a leading figure in the foundation of New England. Edward was selected to foster relations with local native American leader Massasoit Sachem and the resultant friendship, based on mutual respect and cordiality, contributed greatly to the Pilgrims’ survival in the early arduous winters. Edward served three terms as colonial Governor and later, under the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, became one of England’s leading diplomats, concluding peace negotiations with Holland and handling related diplomatic issues in the West Indies. Taken sick on the voyage there in 1655, Edward was buried at sea with full military honours.
Hempstead resident Liam Donnelly’s book Edward Winslow’s English Origins, whose second volume is due for publication in 2024, explores the lives of some of Edward’s colourful ancestors in mediaeval England. Thomas Winslow received a royal pardon for homicide due to his meritorious service in France. Wlliam Winslow, operating at a senior level in the military, was attended by the king’sphysician after a botched suicide attempt. John Winslow was humiliated by the Abbot of St. Albans before a meteoric rise to prominence in the City of London, at which point he switched career and joined King Richard on a military campaign in Ireland. Another William Winslow rented farmland from Shakespeare’s John Falstaff before his premature death during the Agincourt Campaign.
Copies of Liam’s book are available from Winslowgov@icloud.com