William de Salis Filgate of Lisrenny

Were it customary to speak of the "father" of foxhunting, there would be few claimants to contest the honourable title with Mr William de Salis Filgate, who not only is one of the oldest Masters of Hounds living, but has held office for a period which has seldom been exceeded within the memory of the present generation. That a man who first saw the light in the reign of William IV, and was bloodied in the year of Queen Victoria's accession, should still be hunting hounds is in itself sufficient to command attention; but when it is added that he has never missed a day with his hounds for forty-nine years, Mr Filgate's record becomes one of almost unique interest.

Extract from Baily's Magazine for Sports and Passtimes - May 1909.

Other References

• Burke, Bernard, Sir. A genealogical and heraldic history of the landed gentry of Great Britain & Ireland 6th ed. London : Harrison 1879. Vol I. page 559