Orsmond Family

Caroline Armstrong Orsmond who married Edward Jollie was born in Tahiti, where her father was a missionary for the London Missionary Society. Rev. John Muggridge Orsmond, Caroline's father was descended from an English Catholic family; the name may originally have been spelled Ormonde. Family tradition tells that one of the Ormonde family married a French lady and their son, destined for the priesthood was educated and trained in France. While in Holy Orders he met and fell in love with a wealthy Spanish lady. They eloped to England and were married in a Protestant church. So the Catholic Church excommunicated them. His family, incensed at his conduct, required him to alter his name to Orsmond and renounce all claim to the family titles and land. He became a Protestant.

His son Thomas Orsmond married Anne Muggridge at St. Mary's Church, Portsea, Hants on 5th November 1785. Their son John Muggridge Orsmond was educated for the Ministry at Gosport, Hants, England. He was ordained on the 23rd December 1815 at the King Street Chapel, Portsea. He decided to offer his services to the London Missionary Society to go to Tahiti. For this he incurred the displeasure of his parents and also lost his claim to his share of their wealth, which on their deaths was lodged with Chancery.

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