Place Name
Elizabeth Anne Parkyns (1767 – 1797) (later Lady Rancliffe), was the only daughter of Sir William James. Sir William was a self-made man rising up through the ranks of the East India Company to the rank of commodore. Such a position also bought him great wealth and he bought a substantial property, Park Farm Place, in Eltham. On the day of her wedding in 1783 to Sir Thomas Boothby Parkyns, also spelt Parkins, 1st Baron Rancliffe, her father, who was also an MP, had a stroke and died. He is remembered by Severndroog Castle, which was erected by his wife to record his heroic exploits, soon afterwards it was called Lady James’s folly.
