The Wyke Family

"Fatum Praevaleo."

-Wyke Family motto: "Destined to Prevail".

Tracing their roots back to the Wickes or Weekes families near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, The Wyke Family has a long history in Cornwall near Bristol, however Julyan Wyke, the illegitimate son of Joseph Wickes and his mother, Anabella settled near Malton in 1679. From this humble beginning, the Wykes were soon elevated to some importance in the region, and in the 20th century became an economic powerhouse, the driving force behind the creation of Wyke Hills.

Julyan Wyke

Julyan Wyke was always protectively cared for by his mother Anabella, who told the locals near the village of Malton that she was a widow and had come to Malton to be nearer to relations.

Julyan was apprenticed to a cooper and following his time as a journeyman became known through the region as a fine cooper. After a time his work became known throughout England, and some of his casks were among the few to survive the Boston Tea Party. Julyan continued his trade, expanding his business, and training up his son, John Francis Wyke in the family business.

Gerard Wyke

The long-begrudged "black sheep" of the Wyke family, Gerard was born with a mind for getting what he wanted. Obstinate, persuasive, and debonair, Gerard shot to the top of the heap in just twenty-two years after his birth, quickly becoming noticed by the city and hired on subsequently as their chief expansions negotiator. In a long and illustrious career (changing his name to the historic Wicks after being effectively disowned by the family), Gerard was single-handedly responsible for most all of the eastern portion of the city coming into existance, using his skills as a negotiator to ramrod bills and funding through a heavily congested Parliament.

John Francis Wyke

John Francis followed in his father's fine business dealings, and further expanded his influence into the bottling and selling of Scotch Whiskey, and family historians often credit John Francis for the solidification of the family's fortunes that would see them through until the 20th century, when through chronic mismanagement and the failings of family businesses brought on by the Great Depression the family treasury had been greatly depleted.

Adolphus Wyke

Following his father Albertus Wyke's catastrophic management style the family fortunes were in ruins when Adolphus Wyke was finally granted control of the family's business interests. Adolphus fought to keep the family solvent, and sold off and developed much of their land north of Wykewood in the former Wyke Grove. The only remnant of this is found in the Wyke Grove Fire Station, which is found in Ruddlebank. It was the active firestation during the time of the existence of Wyke Grove and was on the easternmost edge.

In 1934 Adolphus married Eustenia Marple Abot at the end of her career, her children's inheritance helping to infuse the seemingly moribund Wyke Family fortunes with new life, allowing the creation of Wyke Hills. Wyke Hills was witness to one of the worst travesties of the Outbreak in the Wyke Hills Incident. The Wyke family was reputed to have escaped amid the groups of local rich who evaded the quarantine.