The Hissem-Montague Family
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The Hissem-Montague Family
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Elizabeth was the youngest daughter of Gyles Heysham and Elizabeth Thornton. She was born in about 1667 in Lancaster. On 9 February 1695 Elizabeth Heesham married Edmd. Thornton, of Oxcliffe, at St. Mary's, in Lancaster. He was probably her cousin. Elizabeth's brother, Robert, married Mary Thornton, the daughter and co-heir of Edmund Thornton, draper, of London. Is it possible that Elizabeth's husband was a son of Edmund as well? It was fairly common, after all, for sets of siblings to marry.
| The Thornton Family
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"Elizabeth w. of Edmd Thornton of Ostcliffe" was buried on 06 May 1709. "Edmd Thornton gen : Oxcliff" was buried on 04 August 1713 - both from "Lancaster Parish Register, 1691-1748." When Elizabeth died her son, Giles, would have been only about 9. When Edmund died Giles would have been only 13 and his brother, Robert, only 8. I suspect they were subsequently raised by their uncles, Robert, who died in 1723, and William Heysham, who died in 1716.
In the will of Elizabeth's brother, Robert Heysham, of 1722 he noted ". . . John, Giles, and Robert Thornton the three children of my brother in law Edmund Thornton and Elizabeth his wife, both deceased, . . . " Edmund and Elizabeth's children were,
(20) John Thornton (1697)
(20) Giles Thornton Heysham (c1700)
(20) Robert Thornton Heysham (c1705)
"John s. of Edmond Thornton of Oxcliffe" was baptized on 09 Sep 1697 - from Lancaster Parish Register. He outlived his mother and father, who died in 1709 and 1713, respectively, but himself died before he was very old.
John was mentioned in the will of his cousin, Elizabeth Heysham, the daughter of William Heysham of Barbados, which was signed in January 1720.
"To my cousin John Thornton I give one hundred poundsJohn was also mentioned in the will of his Uncle Robert Heysham, signed on 20 October 1722. John would have been 25 years old at the time.
To my cousin Giles Thornton his Brother the life [Issue?] of One hundred pounds
Item I give and bequeth to my Cousin Robert Thornton their younger Brother one hundred pounds in Money
. . .
Item I give to my Cousin John Thornton and his Wife ten pounds each for Mourning."
"Item, I give and bequeth unto John, Giles and Robert Thornton the three children of my brother in law Edmund Thornton and Elizabeth his wife both deceased the sume of twenty pounds apiece for Mourning."He was mentioned again later in the same will.
"Item, as for and concerning my Real Estate both Free hold and Copyhold I give devise and bequeth unto my said Nephew John Thornton All that Messauge or Tenement called Castlehill house and a Field called Kellett's Croft and the Barn there with the Appurtenances Situate and being in the Town and parish of Lancaster formerly my late wife's Father's Estate, now in the Occupation of my said Brother Robert Carter, or his Assignes To hold the said Croft and Barne with the Appurtenances from and immediately after my decease to my said Newphew John Thornton his heirs and Assignes for ever which premisses being part of the Estate settled on my said late wife my Will is that my said son Robert and his heirs shall confirme this my Bequest to the said John Thornton and his heirs And in default thereof my Will is that there be paid to my said Nephew John Thornton his heirs and Assignes the sume of five hundred pounds."John was also mentioned in the 1736 will of his younger brother, Giles, but was identifed as deceased. According to Angela Heysham, John died in 1720, but this may only be a guess. John's wife, still living at that time, was Elizabeth Haydock. Apparently John had inherited the Oxcliffe estate of his father which had devolved to Elizabeth. John and Elizabeth clearly had no children because Giles expected to receive the estate upon Elizabeth's death. (20) Giles Thornton Heysham (c1700)
Giles Thornton of Aldgate. The son of Edmund Thornton and Elizabeth Heysham, which I infer through his inheritance as a "cousin" of Robert Heysham. His mother, Elizabeth, died when he was 9. When his father, Edmund, died Giles would have been only 13 and his brother, Robert, 8. I suspect Giles and Robert were subsequently raised by their uncles, Robert Heysham, who died in 1723, and William Heysham, who died in 1716.
As an adult he was living in St. Botolph’s, Aldgate, London. I suppose his residence there had something to do with his uncle's success as London merchants and Members of Parliament. He may have been given a position in the firm, perhaps as a clerk in the compting house, or a government office. Giles' cousin, Robert Heysham, lived on Billiter Square, off Fenchurch avenue, just three blocks away. His cousin, William Heysham, lived downriver in Greenwich, but also had a townhouse in Bloomsbury. Note that William had married into the Perry family in 1719, making Micajah Perry, an important tobacco merchant and Lord Mayor of London in 1738, his brother-in-law.
St. Botolph’s, Aldgate
The parish of St. Botolph Without Aldgate was part in the City of London and part in the County of Middlesex, the East Smithfield Liberty. It extends from Aldgate High Street to the junction of Fenchurch Street and Leadenhall Street and gets its name as one of the eight gates to the walled City of London. |
The grant of arms William Heysham received in 1723 would have applied to Giles as a descendent of Gyles Heysham, via the female line.
On 7 December 1726 Giles' cousin, William Heysham, was the plaintiff in a trial for forgery against William Rhodes held at the Old Bailey. Giles was a witness, though when he deposed that William was out of town when a contested power of attorney was supposedly drawn up, written evidence was entered contradicting this. Did Giles perjure himself or was he simply mistaken?
Giles married Anne Beckerton in about 1726 in St. Dionis, London. A daughter, Elizabeth, was born in 1727, and a son, Robert, in 1729. Both were baptized in St. Dionis Backchurch, on Fenchurch street, in London.
In 1732 a son, Giles, was born in St Botolph Without Aldgate, London, but he soon died.
Giles' cousin, William Heysham, had died in 1727, but his wife, Sarah Perry Heysham, undoubtedly inherited his estate. Giles' other cousin, Robert Heysham, who had no family, died in 1734, at the age of 22. Robert's will, dated 6 July 1734, gave Stagenhoe, Hertfordshire, with other estates, which included those at Little Munden and Weston, to Giles Thornton of St. Botolph’s, Aldgate, for life, with the remainder to his son, Robert [I believe that to be (21) Robert Thornton Heysham, below], for life, remainder to the first and other sons of the last named Robert successively intail male, remainder to Robert Thornton the elder, Giles Thornton's brother, upon his taking the additional name of Heysham.
Note that by 1734, when Robert Heysham Jr. died, the surviving descendents of (18) Giles Hyshame (1635) were,
- Anne's daughter, Margaret Carter (1687), who married Foster Cunliffe, a wealthy Liverpool merchant, and received a 1000l portion from her uncles.
- Geyles' daughter, Elizabeth (1691). who married William Robinson, the heir to the Lytton fortune and Knebworth house.
- Hester's daughter, Jane Barker (1703), who married Matthew Hall, a "woollen draper in ye Strand," in 1721. Their daugther, Susan Hall (1722), would marry Fitz-William Barrington, the son of Sir John Barrington, Baronet, and great-grandson of Sir William Lytton, of Knebworth. So many connections . . .
- Robert Heysham's children had all d.s.p.
- William Heysham's children had all d.s.p.
- Elizabeth's sons, Giles and Robert Thornton, who inherited Robert Heysham's fortune.
Giles Thornton Heysham thereafter resided at Stagenhoe in the parish of St. Paul’s Walden.
| Stagenhoe Park
There are two great 18th century mansions in the village, St. Paul's Walden Bury, home to the Bowes Lyon family since 1725 and birthplace of the late Queen Mother, Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, and Stagenhoe Park. The Stagehoe estate was owned by the Pilkington family during the 15th century. The old manor house was built in the 17th century by Sir John Hale. He was a younger son of William Hale, Esq., whose father, Richard, had made the family fortune in London as a grocer and bought an estate in King's Walden. John's only daughter and heir, Rose, married Sir John Austen, the eldest son of Sir Robert Austen, baronet, of Hall Place, in 1661. They inherited the estate upon Sir John Hale's death in 1672. Rose died in 1695 and John died in 1699, when the manor passed to their son, Robert. Note that John's London residence was in Bloomsbury Square. William Heysham also lived in Bloomsbury Square. Could this be the same place, procured at the same time as the Stagenhoe estate? Robert Austen sold the estate in 1703 to Giles Thornton Heysham esq. when the Austen family fell into debt. The old house was consumed by fire on 29 November 1737 "occasioned by the carelessness of some workmen employed thereon in leaving some shavings in a room in which was a fire." The present house, in the Georgian style, was built by Giles Thornton Heysham in 1740. Originally of two storey's, it was later extended with a third floor on top. Giles' grandson, Robert, sold the manor of Little Munden to Nathaniel Snell Chauncy, Esq., in 1816, and in 1833 he sold Stagenhoe to Richard Sparkes. Of the many family's that owned the estate another researcher has observed that, "they had a tendency to die without heirs or be killed before their time in wars."Captain Arthur Duncombe (1806-1889), later Admiral, RN, Member of Parliament and, in 1852, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, was in possession of the manor when he sold it to Henry Rogers in 1843. Henry died in 1866 and was succeeded by his son, Henry Jr., who sold the manor to James Sinclair in about 1869. James Sinclair (1821-1881), made 14th Earl of Caithness in 1856, and his wife, Marie de Pomar, were the owners of record in 1871/2. James was succeeded by his son, George, 15th Earl from 1881 to 1889, who was succeeded by his cousin, James Alexander Sinclair. John Sutherland Sinclair, who became 17th Earl of Caithness in 1891 when his father, James Alexander, died, wrote a lecture while living at Stagenhoe Park in 1875, apparently while a guest of his uncle. By the way, before he became Earl John lived in North Dakota where he ranched 3040 acres near Lakota. Sir Arthur Sullivan, of Gilbert & Sullivan fame, rented the home as a summer retreat between 1884 and 1886 and wrote one of his "serious" operas, "Golden Legend," there. He tried to buy the estate when it was put up for sale 7 years later, in 1893, but was outbid. The estate was sold to William B. Hawkins. During World War II Stagenhoe Park was used as a maternity hospital and afterwards it was a boys prep school. The philanthropist Sue Ryder then bought the estate in 1969 and established it as a nursing home. Today it comprises only 8 acres, but I believe it was originally of 567 acres, including a farm and adjacent cottages. |
I can't be certain where this fits, but in 1735 Alexander Pope wrote a poem, "A Sermon Against Adultery," with the following closing lines,
"Me, naked me, to posts, to pumps they draw,
To shame eternal, or eternal law.
Oh Love! be deep tranquility my luck!
No mistress H-ysh-m near, no lady B-ck!
For, to be taken, is the devil in hell;
This Truth, let L-l, J-ys, O-w tell."
Another son named Giles, perhaps in honor of the earlier one that died in 1732, was born at Stagenhoe in 1736 in Saint Pauls, Walden, Hertford, England. Other children followed.
Giles also inherited Robert Heysham's properties of Little Munden and Weston.
| Little Munden
In 1602 the manor was sold to Michael Woodcock, who is said to have settled it upon his son Michael on his marriage with Dorothy Woodhall. He sold it in 1607 to Peter Vaulore, who conveyed it in 1614 to his son-in-law, Sir Charles Caesar, and his daughter Anne. The title, however, was defective. Finally the manor was bought by Edmund Woodhall, brother of Dorothy Woodcock. He died seised of it in 1639, leaving two sons Edmund and John. Edmund died without issue and in 1675 Little Munden was held by his brother John, from whom it passed to his youngest sister Mary Thornton. She had two daughters Mary and Jane, who possessed the manor in 1700, and who both in succession married Robert Heysham. Robert and Jane had a son, Robert, who died unmarried in 1734, bequeathing Little Munden to his kinsman Giles Thornton on condition of his assuming the name of Heysham. He was succeeded by his son Robert Thornton Heysham and his grandson of the same name, who in 1816 sold the manor to Nathaniel Snell Chauncy. In 1844 the latter conveyed it to his brother Charles, from whom it passed upon his death in 1866 to his daughter Elizabeth and her husband Henry Edward Surtees. It was acquired in about 1895 by Mrs. Edwin Prodgers, the owner in 1912. - paraphrased from "British History Online" The manor house, a 16th century construction known as Lordship farm, shown to the left, still exists today, now a bed and breakfast. It is situated about halfway between Dane End and Green End. |
| Weston and Weston Argentien Manors
Weston is a village in the north of Hertfordshire. In the 13th century Sir Richard de Argentein [Argent], a crusader, held a manor near the village, which thus became Weston Argentein. At about the same time "the Hertfordshire manor of Weston" was held by the Bigod family, earls of Norfolk. Both estates passed through many hands after this, eventually together after 1596. In 1654 Sir John Hale bought the property. John's daughter, Rose, married Sir Robert Austen, baronet, and he sold the manor to Robert Heysham in 1703 at the same time as he did the Stagenhoe properties. Weston remained in the Thornton-Heysham family unti 1852 when it was sold to Samuel Adams. |
There is a court case in 1737, Heysham and Bowyer v. Trubey, in which it was held that a bankrupt had no interest and that his assignees only could oppose a will. So what do we think this means?
From the UK Archives are the records of Houghton, Craven and Co., Solicitors of Preston:
24 September 1738 - "Release for £140:"John Thornton late of Preston, esq" was probably the son of John Thornton of Oxcliffe.
(i) Giles Thornton Heysham of Stagenhoe in the parish of St. Paul's Walden, co. Hertford, esq., cousin and heir of Charles Richard Thornton, late of Preston, gent., decd., who was the only son and heir of John Thornton late of Preston, esq., decd., Anne his wife and Robert Thornton of Stagenhoe, gent., his brother,
(ii) Charles Gibson of Preston, gent.,
(iii) John Walshman of Preston, innkeeper
-- 2 closes called the Marfield or Narfield and further field, 6ac., in Preston, on the north side of a lane leading to a place called the two yates formerly in the possession of Agnes Patten, widow, William P., her son and John Melling, late in the possession of John Thornton
-- also Release for £600:
-- a dwellinghouse with a dyehouse and stable in Preston and near a place called the Schoolhouse, 1 close at the back of the messuage called the Millfield, 1ac., in the tenure of John Sturzaker, the above two closes and 1 close in Fishwick called the Fishwick Field formerly 2 closes called the Intack and Kellet wife Croft, 2ac.1r., the inheritance of John Bostock, now in the possession of G.T.H., also a pew in the Gallery on the South side of the parish Church of Preston adjoining E. to a pillar that separates the same from another pew belonging to the Rev. Samuel Peploe, clerk, Vicar of Preston, and adjoining W. another pew late belonging to Robert Chaddock of Preston, esq., decd.
-- Witn. Thomas Starkie, Robert Bridge, Ralph Assheton. Seals."
"Gray's Inn Admission Register," 1 December 1691 - "John Thornton, second son of John T., of Oxcliffe, parish of Lancaster, gent."That would explain the family relationship; Giles and Charles Richard were both Oxcliffe Thorntons.
On 27 January 1753 the following was signed,
"Lease for a year at peppercorn rent: for 5/-: Giles Thornton Heysham of Stagenhoe, co.Hertford, esq., Fitzwilliam Barrington of Lilley, co. Hertford, esq., & Elizabeth Barker of Lilley, gentlewoman, to John Loxham of Kirkham, gent. -- Wesham Hall alias Wesham House, & closes as 81 & cottages as 80 called Lawsons, Southworths, & Greenalghs -- Witn: William Townsend, John Pierce. Heraldic seals"Wesham House is in Preston, Lancashire. Fitzwilliam Barrington (1708-1792) was the eighth Baronet, the son of Sir John Barrington. He married Susan Hall, the grand-daughter of Hester Heysham (1661). See a connection to the Viscount Barrington family in the marriage of Robert Thornton Heysham and Francis Price, below.
1755, George II. "Sheriffs Appointed for the Present Year . . . Hertfordshire, G. T. Heysham, esq. . . ." - from "The chronological historian; or A record of public events illustrative of the history of Great..." by William Toone
A Giles Thornton Heysham, esq., of Hertfordshire had a subscription to the Gentleman’s Magazine.
Giles died on 14 December 1767, per "Musgrave's Obituaries," and was buried at Stagenhoe on 20 December 1767. His will was proved in January 1768. In the will he was named as Giles Thornton Heysham of Saint Paul's Walden, Hertfordshire.
"In the Name of God Amen,
Giles Thornton Heysham of Stagenhoe in the parish of Saint Pauls Walden in the county of Hertford Esquire being in perfect health and of sound Mind, Memory and understanding blessed be God and considering the uncertainty of human life and being desirious to settle my temporal affairs do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
Whereas I am intitled to the Reversion in fee expectant upon the Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Thornton Widow of my late Brother John Thornton deceased of and in a certain freehold Estate at Oxcliffe in the parish and County Palantine of Lancaster and Whereas I have lately purchased to me and my heirs of and from Joseph Gregoy certain freehold and Copyhold Lands situate in or near Bendish in the parish and Manor of Saint Pauls Walden in the said County of Hertford and have also lately purchased to me and my heirs of and from Thomas Hurst Esquire and Jane his Wife and Thomas Hurst their son a certain freehold Estate situate in the several parishes of Harvard, Stork, Butterbury, East Harringfield and West Harringfield or some or one of them in the County of Essex and also a small Copyhold held of the Manor of East West Harringfield aforesaid Which several Copyfholds I have surrendered to the use of my Will And whereas such purchases where so made by me for the convenience and Advantage of my other estates which I now enjoy in the said Countys of Hertford and Essex and by which means the same are and will be considerably increased in Value and,
Whereas I being Tenant for Life only of my said other Estates which I enjoy under the Will of my kinsman Robert Heysham Esquire deceased and at my coming into possession thereof I found greatest part of the Houses, Devises and Buildings belonging to several of the farms at Hoddeston, Munden, Weston, Stevenage and Harringfield in the Countys of Hertford and Essex aforesaid in a ruinous and decayed condition some of which I was necessarily obliged to rebuild and others to repair at a very great Expense which I did nevertheless which I did nevertheless [repeat in original] in full expectatin that my first Son Robert Heysham and on whose Issue Male such the said Estates whereof I am Tenant for Life as aforesaid are entailed by the said Will of the said Robert Heysham and whom I hope will reap the full Benefit of my Improvements shall reimburse such my Expenses to my dear Wife and children in manner hereinafter mentioned.
Wherefore my Will is and I do hereby Give and Bequeth unto my said Son Robert all and Singular my aforesaid Estates Lands Tenements and Hereditainments both freehold and Copyhold in the said several Countys of Lancaster Hertford and Essex with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances whatsoever and all other my Lands Easements and hereditainments whatsoever and wheresoever whereof I am any ways seized in possession Reversion Remainier or expectation to hold the same unto my said Son Robert and his Heirs for ever and,
I also Give and Bequeth unto my said Son Robert his Executors and Admrs [Administrators] all my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever which I shall dye possessed of or interested in Under this Restriction and the said Devises of my said Real and personal Estate are so made unto my said Son Robert as aforesaid upon this express Condition that he my said Son Robert shall and do within one Calendar Month after he shall have attained his age of One and Twenty years pay or secure to be paid unto his Mother my dear Wife Ann Thornton Heysham and unto his Brother and Sisters my dear Children Giles Ann Elizabeth and Jayne the Sum of One Thousand five hundred pounds apiece which I do hereby Give and Bequeth unto them respectively for their respective portions and for their better support and Maintenance in the world together with Interest for the same in the mean time at and after the Rate of four pounds per cent per annum to be computed from the Time of my Death and in Case my said Wife or any of my said last named Children shall happen to die before my said Son Robert shall have paid or secured their respective Shares portions of Interests in manner before mentioned Then I will order and direct that the Share portion and Interest of him her or them so dying shall go and be divided unto and amongst the Survivor and Survivors of them equally, each Survivor and Survivors to take as Tenants in Common and not as joint Tenants,
But in case my said Son Robert shall as soon as he shall have attained his said Age of One and Twenty years or within one Calendar month afterwards neglect or refuse to comply with this my Will Then the Devises and Bequests hereby made unto him as aforesaid shall and I do hereby declare the same to be absolutely void And In that Case I do hereby Give devise and Bequeth all and whatsoever I have hereby given or intended to have given unto him as aforesaid unto and amongst my said dear Wife and other children or unto such and so many of them as shall be then living equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike and,
I do hereby make ordain constitute and appoint my said Wife and my dear Brother Robert Thornton Executors and Trustees of this my Will for the purposes before mentioned to whom I also this Guardianship [Cgreane] Management of the persons fortunes and Education of all my said Children during their respective Minoritys.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Eighteenth Day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and thirty six
--
Giles Thornton Heysham
--
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Giles Thornton Heysham as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in the said Testators presence and at his request have set our hands as Witnesses thereto --
Wm. Townsend, Edmd. Wilson, Willm Daniell
On the Eighth day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and sixty eight Administration with the Will [amexed] of all and Singular the Goods Chattles and Credits of Giles Thornton Heysham late of Stagenhoe in the county of Hertford Esquire deceased was granted to Robert Thornton the Natural and lawful son of the said deceased and residuary Legatee named in the said Will he having been first sworn ready to administer Ann Thornton Heysham the Wife of the said Deceased and Robert Thornton the Brother of the said Deceased and Executors named in the said will dying in the Life Time of the said Testator.
The following are children of Giles and Ann Thornton Heysham,
(21) Elizabeth Thornton Heysham (1727)
(21) Robert Thornton Heysham (1729)
(21) Anne Thornton Heysham (c1730)
(21) Jane Heysham (c1730)
(21) Giles Thornton (1732), who was born on 10 July 1732 at St Botolph Without Aldgate, London and died on 20 September 1732.
(21) Giles Thornton Heysham (1736), the first child born after the "great inherititance."
(21) Sarah Heysham (1737), born after the will, above was written
(21) Edmund Heysham (1740), born after the will, above was written
"Elizth Thornton, dau. of Giles & Anne Thornton." - from the parish register of the St. Dionis Backchurch, "Christenings Since John Smith was Parish Clerk." She was born on 4 September 1727 and baptized in St. Dionis Backchurch, on Fenchurch street, London on 29 September 1727. It is interesting to note that in 1726 Robert Heysham, who was to die in 1734 and leave Elizabeth's father a fortune, lived in London at Billiter Square, just off Fenchurch avenue [not street]. That would be about three blocks from the church.
| St. Dionis [Dionyse] Backchurch
The shop so prominently shown in the print at right facing onto Fenchurch street was the bookstore of William Newman. |
"Elizabeth Thortnon Heysham, dau. of Giles Thornton, H, of Stagenhoe Coftan [?]; married" Frederick Young, Esq on 5 October 1765 at St. Pauls Walden, Hertfordshire, England. Frederick was born in June 1732 in Welwyn, the only son of Edward Young, the poet. Welwyn is a village 22 miles north of London.
"MARRIED. -- A few Days since, Frederick Young, Esq. only Son of the late celebrated Dr. Young, Author of Night Thoughts, to Miss Hessham, of Hertfordshire." - from London, Tuesday, October 22, "Some Selected Reports from Berrow's Worcester Journal"
Her father died in 1768 and she would have inherited her share of the estate, probably about 2000l by that time.
They had a single child, Elizabeth. Elizabeth Heysham Young died in 1774 - from "The Correspondence of Edward Young." Frederick died on 28 May 1788.
| The Young Family
(18) Joseph Young (c1610) Gentleman. Of Woodhay, Berkshire. (19) Edward Young, LL.D. (1642)(18) Joseph Young (c1610) Fellow of Winchester College. In 1682 collated to the prebend of Gillingham Manor, in the church of Sarum. Appointed chaplain to King William and Queen Mary. Queen Anne was godmother to his son, Edward Jr. Made Dean of Sarum [Salisbury]. Rector of Upham parish, Hertfordshire. He married Judith. Dean Young died at Sarum in 1705, at the age of 63. (20) Edward Young, LL.D., Poet (1681)(18) Joseph Young (c1610) (19) Edward Young, LL.D. (1642)
"He was the typical eighteenth-century adventurer of letters, truculent and yet obsequious, without a trace of self-respect in the presence of the great, but arrogant and presuming with his own class. Yet Young was not without certain stately virtues; he could be penetrating, dignified, and extremely polite." - from "English literature: an illustrated record" by Richard Garnett, Edmund GosseHe was a friend of Voltaire, though mocked by Alexander Pope. He took significant losses in the collapse of the South Sea bubble, with which William Heysham was involved. Was Edward Young acquainted with William in this period? Note that his son married William's niece around this time. Edward finally took his holy orders at the age of 47 and was appointed chaplain to George II. In 1730 Young was appointed to the rectory of Welwyn, a college living, where the rest of his life was passed. on 27 May 1731 he married Elizabeth Lee, the daughter of the Earl of Lichfield and widow of Colonel Lee [Leigh], her cousin. By his wife he had one son, Frederick. He continued to write, but what he produced was inferior to his early work with the exeption of his masterpiece, "Night Thoughts," written at the age of 60. Edward died 5 April 1765. - from "The Poetical Works of Edward Young" by Edward Young, John Mitford. This death occurred some some months before his son's marriage. (21) Elizabeth Lee
(18) Joseph Young (c1610) (19) Edward Young, LL.D. (1642) (20) Edward Young, LL.D., Poet (1681) The only child of Edward and Elizabeth Young. He was born in June 1732. Esq., of Welwyn. He was named after the Prince of Wales. Educated at Winchester and Balliol, Oxford. However "he behaved so imprudently as to be forbidden the college." A later biographer of his father reproached Frederick for leading a "debauched and and reprobate life." Supposedly his father refused to see him again because of this, but on Edward's death Frederick was bequethed the bulk of Edward's fortune, "which was considerable." So considerable that his house-servant got 1000 pounds. I suppose what Frederick did was drink, gamble and wench while at school, which was not uncommon among the priveleged youth of the time. When the Earl of Litchfield died in 1776 he remembered his nephew and left Frederick 1000 pounds. Samuel Johnson had considered writing an essay on "the genius and writings of Dr. Young" and Johnson and Boswell did visit Frederick in Welwyn in June 1781 to try to gain some interesting details about his fathers' private life. However, the essay was never written. Samuel Johnson found Frederick "very unknowing" with "uncouth manners." |
Frederick and Elizabeth had a single child, Elizabeth, who was born on 18 October 1767 in Welwyn. She married Joseph Hankins on 26 December 1781 and had a single child, Anne, who lived only a day. Elizabeth, died on 11 April 1794.
(21) Robert Thornton Heysham (1729)"Robert Thornton, son of Giles & Ann Thornton." - from the parish register of the St. Dionis Backchurch, "Christenings Since John Smith was Parish Clerk." Robert was born on 11 August 1729 and baptized on 4 September 1729 at St. Dionis Backchurch, in London, the son of Giles and Ann Thornton. Subsequently of Stagenhoe Park, Hertfordshire. In one reference named Robert Thomas Heysham, but I think that's a mistranscription for Thornton.
His father died on 14 December 1767 and Robert inherited all of his father's estates, including Stagenhoe.
"496 Hertfordshire.--Admission of Robert Thornton Heysham, Esq. to a Copyhold Messuage and Premises in the Manor of Paul's Walden in the County of Hertford, on Vellum, signed [ ]. - 25 May, 1768.Another similar reference notes "Admissions of Robt. T. Heysham, Esq. to Lands, &c. at Bendish, in the Manor of Paul's Walden, 1768." - from a catalogue of manuscripts by Thomas Rodd of Sotheby & Co. Bendish is a town in Herfordshire, population today: 120.
497 Hertfordshire. -- Admisssion of Robt. T. Heysham, Esq. to Lands in the Manor of Paul's Walden in the County of Hertford, upon Vellum, 5s. - 25 May, 1768." - from "The Established Church of England"
He married Hannah Harriet Jepp, the daughter of Jonathan Jepp of St Paul’s Walden. In a listing of subscribers to the Gentleman's Magazine, September 1768, a Robert Hysham [sic], Esquire, is the husband of Miss Chipp [error for Jepp?], married 18 September 1768, address Paul's Walden, Herfordshire. Hannah was born in about 1745, according to her obituary, below.
There is a coat of arms listed as borne by Robert Thornton Heysham, esq, of Stagenhoe Park, Hertfordshire, that is the same as for William Heysham of Greenwich, Kent. He would have inherited these arms along with the estates.
"[Robert] Heysham v [William] Hampson: Exhibits A-C: Hampson's accounts with Thornton Mar 1769-Dec 1773; deed between Robert Heysham of Harpenden, Herts, and William Hampson of Luton, Beds, for securing money owing to Hampson. [Robert] Heysham v [William] Hampson. Date range: 1771 - 1774." - from "Court of Chancery: Examiner's Office: Town Depositions.
I also have the following subcriptions to books & magazines under his name. These are for a Robert Heysham, sometimes identified as living in Stagenhoe, Hertfordshire.
- A View of Sir I. Newton's Philosophy, 1728, PEMBERTON, Henry. London;Robert wrote and signed his will on 17 October 1775.
"I Robert Thornton Heysham of Harpenden in the County of Hertford in the Kingdom of Great Britain But now at St. Omer in French Flanders Esquire being in perfect health of body and of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding but considering the uncertainty of this life Do make and publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament as followsDoes it sound like Robert didn't trust his son to take care of his mother, or to even act as a dutiful son? See below for evidence he may have been right to be worried.
I devise and direct that all my just debts be paid and satisfied and from and after payment thereof and as to all the rest residue and remainder of my Estate and Effects that I have a Right or Power to give devise or dispose of both real and personal copyhold or customary that I am seized or possessed of or in or to which I am any ways interested in whither unto either in Possession Reversion Remainder or Expectancy or in or to which any person or persons hath or have or may have in In Trust for me or for my use I give devise wave and bequeth the same and every part and parcel thereof unto my dearly beloved wife Hannah Harriot Heysham and to her heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns absolutely for ever
and I hereby constitute and appoint my said dear wife sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and also Guardian of my son Robert Thornton Heysham during his minority
and I hope and expect that he will behave in a Dutifull and respectfull manner to his Mother and that in consideration of the many great Improvements I have made to the several Estates that will descend to him on my decease whereby the yearly value will be considerably increased I hope and desire that he will on his attaining the age of twenty one years allow or repay his Mother all such Sum and Sums of Money as she may [insert: or be liable to pay] pay in discharge of any debt or debts I may owe or be engaged to pay at the time of my decease
and I do and hope and desire that my said Son will also allow to his said Mother and make her such a yearly addition to the Finance of the Estate and Effects I have above devised and bequethed to her as will enable her to liver genteely and comfortably and support maintain and Educate my Daughter Elizabeth Thornton Heysham and any other Child or Children I may have at the time of my decease and advance her or them in Marriage or any Trade of Business she or they may choose or be fit for
and I also hope and expect my said Son will make my said wife a further genteel Allowance for managing and taking care of his Estates during his Minority
and Lastly I do hereby revoke and make void all former or other Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth Day of October in the fifteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy five
[signed] R. T. Heysham (L.L) Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Testator Robert Thornton Heysham as and by his last Will and Testament who of his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subsribed our Names and witnesses thereof
James Jepp, Tho. Fowler, A. Corbett
This will was proved at London on the twentieth Day of February in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two before the Right Worshipfull Peter Calvert Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury constituted by the Oath of Hannah Harriot Heysham Widow the Relict of the deceased and sole Execturix named in the said will to whom administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattells and Credit of the said deceased -- she having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer."
Robert died at Yarmouth, in Norfolk and was buried at Paul’s Walden on 15th September 1781. I suppose he was vacationing at the beachside resort. In a will in the national archives, he was named Robert Thornton Heysham of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Harpenden is a parish just southwest of St Paul's Walden. The will was proved on 20 February 1782.
On 15 March 1785 a lease was drawn up for the property at Harpenden.
"Jenkyn Reading and Francis Pym to Robert Prescott of Mortimer Street. Term 21 years. Rent £40. Messuage formerly occupied by Robert Thornton Heysham now the Rt Hon Lady Leonora Wimston. With schedule of fixtures, includes wall paper and garden seats" - from Title Deeds and estate papers of the Pym Family of Norton BuryIts not clear where Robert's widow and children moved.
There was a court case involving Robert's will that indicates Robert Jr. was not happy with the short leash his mother kept on him.
The next are extracts discussing the applicability of this finding to later cases.Heysham versus Heysham
At the Rolls
March 17,
1785.The plaintiff, who was an infant, filed his bill for an account of the rents and profits of real estates, to which he was entitled,and for a proper allowance to be made for his maintenance and education.
By order of 2d day of May 1783, it was referred to the Master to inquire, what was proper to be allowed for the maintenance and education of the plaintiff for the time past from the death of his father and for the time to come, and the Master was to state the same with his opinion thereon to the court.
The Master, by his report of 22d March 1784, certified that a proposal had been laid before him for the maintenance of the plaintiff, the infant, whereby it was set forth, that the plaintiff's father died on the 31st of August 1781, having by his will appointed the defendant Hannah Harriet Heysham executrix thereof, and also guardian of the plaintiff and his estate during his minority : and that he left the plaintiff his only son and heir at law, and Elizabeth Thornton Heysham an infant, his daughter, him surviving : that the plaintiff attained his age of 14 years, on the 15th of October 1783, that the plaintiff was seized in tail male of several estates in the counties of Hertford and Essex, of the clear yearly value of 1600l. or thereabouts; and the Master found that the sum of 315l 6s 5d theretofore expended for the maintenance and education of the infant by the defendant Hannah Harriet Heysham his mother, ought to be allowed her, and that considering the circumstances and situation of the said defendant, Hannah Harriet Heysham (a), and of the said infant, the said Master conceived the sum of 250l. per annum was proper to be allowed for his maintenance and education, from the 25th day of December 1783 to that time, and for the time to come.
On the 5th of April 1784, this report was confirmed.
By an order made in the cause, dated the 18th day of June 1784, it was referred to the said Master to appoint a proper person to have the care of the maintenance and education of the infant, and that he should inquire in what manner the plaintiff had been maintained and educated, and also to consider what part of the said sum of 250l. per annum, allowed for the maintenance and education of the plaintiff, would be necessary to be applied to that purpose, and that so much of the said sum of 250l. per annum, as the Master would find necessary for the maintenance and education of the plaintiff, should be applied for that purpose accordingly; and that the residue of the said 250l. per annum should be paid to the said Hannah Harriet Heysham, until further order.
In pursuance of this order the Master, by his report of 14 November 1784, certified that he approved of Nehemiah Winter esquire to have the care of the maintenance and education of the plaintiff and that he conceived the sum of 130l. per annum, part of the said sum of 250l. per annum, to be necessary to be applied for that purpose.
By order of 17th March 1785, this report was confirmed, and it was ordered "that 130l. per annum, part of the said 250l. per annum, should be paid to the said Nehemiah Winter, for the maintenance and education of the plaintiff and that the residue thereof should be paid to the said Hannah Harriet Heysham, till further order."
Footnote: (a) It appeared by the proceedings that Hannah Harriet Heysham was insolvent, and she had on that ground been objected to as guardian.
"In Heysham v. Heysham the father of a female [sic] infant was dead, and her mother was living. The Court had passed over the mother and appointed another person to be the guardian of the infant. An order was made that 130l. should be paid to the guardian for the maintenance of the infant, and that 120l., part of the infant's income, should be paid directly to the mother." - from "The Law Journal for the Year 1832-1949"Also,
"In Heysham v. Heysham (x), where the mother was insolvent, out of 250l maintenance allowed [a year], 130l was paid to the guardian of the infant and the remainder to the mother till further order." - from "A Practical Treatise on the Jurisdiction of the High Court of Chancery" by John David ChambersThere was a further suit, "Hannah Harriet Heysham v Keen Corbett; Robert Thornton Heysham and Attorney-General, re will of Robert Thornton Heysham dated 17 Oct 1775: Chancery, 13 Apr 1805." Was Keen Corbett the court-ordered guardian of Robert Jr? Note that an A. Corbett had been a witness to the original will.
On 21 March 1822 "At Hinton-house, aged 77, the relict of Rob. Thornton Heysham, esq. of Stagenhoe Park, Herts" died - from "The Gentleman's Magazine." Hinton House was where Hannah's son, Robert Jr., lived so if there had been any animosity deriving from the court case above, it had been by then resolved.
While I used to think that Robert and Hannah had three children, the case of Heysham v. Heysham, above, clearly says there were only two, Robert Jr. and Elizabeth.
(22) Robert Thornton Heysham (1769)
(22) Elizabeth Thornton Heysham (1772)
He was christened on 2 November 1769 in Saint Pauls Walden, Hertford, England, the son of Robert Thornton and Hannah Heysham, per the LDS database.
| Saint Paul’s Walden
An ancient manor in Hertfordshire, called Waldene under the Saxons. Part of it was held by the crown, now known as Kings Walden, and the rest was given to the church. This part was at first known as Abbot’s Walden. After the Abbey’s were dissolved by King Henry VIII, the manor was given to the rector of Saint Paul’s Cathedral and became known as Saint Paul’s Walden. |
His father died in September 1781, when Robert was only 12 years old. He was subsequently involved in a court case against his mother in which his guardianship was transferred to a Nehemiah Winter, esquire, apparently a lawyer.
Robert's guardian sent him to Oxford College.
"Heysham, Robert, s. Robert Thornton, of Stagenhoe, Herts, arms. Magdalen Coll., matric. 12 April 1788, aged 18; of Weston Lordship, near Baldock, Herts." - from "Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886"
Robert Thornton Heysham, Esq., of Stagenhoe Park, Hertfordshire, married Sarah Hawkins on 10 November 1790 in South Warnborough, Hampshire, England - from "Hertfordshire 1731 to 1800" by Arthur Jones. Sarah, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Hawkins of Harpenden, Hertsfordshire, was christened on 18 September 1770 in Harpenden [or "of William and Sarah Hawkins, was christened on 31 July 1772 in Harpenden"]. Harpenden is a parish just southwest of St Paul's Walden.
| The Hawkins Family
William Hawkins (c1740) He married Elizabeth [or Sarah]. The will of William Hawkins, Gentleman of Harpendenbury in Harpenden, Hertfordshire was proved on 17 January 1783. He may have had a son and brother, John, who was mentioned in his son-in-law's will. The wills of the other Hawkins in Harpenden were yeomen. Sarah Hawkins (1770)She married Robert Thornton Heysham in 1790. The manor of Redbourn may have passed into the Heysham family through Sarah. A William B. Hawkins bought the Stagenhoe manor in Hertfordshire in the late 19th century, though I don't know if there was any relationship. |
On 15 October 1792 Robert's attorney, James Willey, delivered seisen, i.e. possession, of the "Manor of Weston Free Lands and a cottage near Church Close, opposite Red Lion." In a lease dated 1 August 1799 he was referred to as "Robert Thornton Heysham, esq, of Stagenhoe Park, Lord of the Manors of Weston and Weston Argentine." The latter name refers to the de Argentine family that owned the manor in the 12th/13th centuries.
The following probably fits here. It relates the activities of the Hitchin [Hitchen] Loyal Volunteers, a home guard unit raised to defend the country during the Napoleanic Wars. Hitchin is a village in Hertfordshire.
"Hitchin and the Threatened Invasion of 1803The book is a compendium of 16 vignettes about life in England, including "Portrait of an English Country Squire" and "The Story of a Country Inn."
. . . and one man were 'sent in search of deserters.' Those offenders who were apprehended were, of course, court-martialled. Private Halsey, 'when approached by Lieutenant Heysham for being out of his place, tossed his head and whistled in a contemptuous manner . . . " - from "Relics of an Un-common Attorney" by Reginald Leslie Hine and Richenda C. Scott, page 109
| Napolean's Threatened Invasion of 1803
Throughout the Napoleonic Wars it was England that constantly frustrated the Empereor's ambitions. Any enemy that he could engage army-to-army, that is, any on the same continent as France, he could defeat. But England lay protected by a few miles of sea, and the Royal Navy. So, when the Peace of Amiens of 1802 broke down, Napoleon immediately began to plan an invasion of the island. An army was mustered and trained at Boulogne, Bruges and Montreuil, and a flotilla of barges was built. To guard the barges in their transit across the Channel Napoleon planned a complex movement of his Atlantic and Mediterranean fleets to both concentrate his forces in the Channel and confuse and draw off the Royal Navy. Napoleon said, "Let us be masters of the Channel for six hours and we are masters of the world." The prospect of invasion threw the British into a panic. Old defenses were hastily reinforced and new fortifications were constructed along the coasts, militias were raised and trained, but it was in the dispositions of the Royal Navy that the nation chiefly relied. British Admiral Jervis said of the invasion, "I do not say they cannot come - I only say they cannot come by sea." Though Napoleon had already abandoned his invasion plans by that time, any prospects were wrecked when a combined French-Spanish fleet, enroute to the Channel, was decisively defeated by the British at Trafalgar in 1805. Napoleon, frustrated by the thin width of the Channel, took his army and moved east, where he continued to win victories against any army with which he could come to grips. |
At some point Robert moved to Marcham Park, in Berkshire, and then, in 1810, moved to Hinton House, in Hampshire.
"Then, in 1807, Mr. Robert Thornton Heysham, who then lived at Marcham park, bought the hounds from his friend Mr. Symonds, after dining together at the Old Hummums in Covent Garden, and kept them for three seasons. Will Harrison was his huntsman; and the whip was a very long, thin man. On Mr. Heysham leaving Marcham in 1810 to reside at Hinton House in Hampshire, he resold the hounds to Mr. R. Symonds . . . " - from "Bally's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes"". . . the house appears to have been often let, since in the aquatint dated 1819 of the Hampshire Hounds meeting in the park on the south side of the house, Hinton is called "The Seat of R. Heysham, Esq." - from "A Hampshire Manor: Hinton Ampner" by Ralph Dutton.
There are a number of references to Robert, Frederick and William Nunez Heysham in Bally's Magazine, at the hunt, selling horses and other hunt-clubish stuff. All very tony, in a country way.
| Marcham Park, Berkshire
|
In 1813 Mr. Robert Thornton Heysham was described as of Hinton House, Hertfordshire, "afterwards, in 1828, Newplace, Alresford" - from "Sporting Reminiscences in Hampshire" by Aesop [William Nunez Heysham].
In 1816 Robert sold and conveyed the manor of Little Munden to Nathaniel Snell Chauncy, Esq. This included Green End House and Dane End House.
| The Chauncy Family & Green End House
Nathaniel, the youngest son, born at Theobalds on 29 December 1789, married Ann Oram Bannerman on 29 August 1814, the daughter of Colonel J. Alexander Bannerman, at Hackney Parish Church and on arrival at Little Munden they began to take a leading part in Hertfordshire social life. Having rich West Indian investments he entertained lavishly at Green End. In 1844 a West Indian financial crash drove him to forsake Little Munden for a smaller house in Maida Vale, London. To help redress his loss of fortune, Nathaniel sold the manor, together with an estate known as Lordship Farm, to his brother Charles, who had arrived in Dane End as a bachelor and had married Elizabeth Beale of Fitzroy Square, London, in 1817 at St. Marylebone Parish Church. Twelve years later, still in economic straits, Nathaniel committed suicide by jumping from an upstairs window of his house in Westbourne Terrace, London. Charles Snell Chauncy's only child, Eliza, died in 1854. |
 Dane End House
This country house, located in the village of Dane End in Hertfordshire, near Munden, was listed as having been owned by the following families: Woodhall, Thornton, Heysham and Chauncy. The Thornton-Heyshams sold it in 1816 to Nathaniel Snell Chauncy. Nathaniel, in financial trouble in the mid-1840's, sold the house to his brother, Charles, who was holding it in 1855. Its rose garden was included in “Rose Collections of Merit” in 1850. In the recent past it was used for a time as a boarding school and now may have been converted into apartments. |
The following is from a discussion of the Hambledon Hunt, of Hampshire, a fox hunting club.
"In 1816 Mr. A. F. Nunez, of Warnford Park, became the Master, and removed the kennels from East Meon to Warnford, where he began with Will James first, and them Will Reeves as huntsmen, with whom the subscribers were not satisfied; who was followed by John Neal, a stout, big man, who hunted the hounds during the rest of the time that Mr. Nunez was Master . . . Hunting with these hounds in this period were . . . Mr. Robert Thornton Heysham of Hinton House, and his three sons--Robert, who had just left Oxford, where he kept a pack of harriers, William and Frederick . . ." - from "Baily's Magazine of Sports and Pastimes"Note that Mr. Nunez's daughter was to marry William Heysham, see below.
While Robert moved to Hinton House, Hampshire in 1810, oddly, his eldest daughter was wed in Saint Pauls Walden in 1819. This estate was the best "backdrop" for a wedding and they did still own it. Robert resided at Hinton House from 1810 to 1826, and was listed as a gentleman. His mother, the widow Hannah, was apparently living with him.
21 March 1822 "At Hinton-house, aged 77, the relict of Rob. Thornton Heysham, esq. of Stagenhoe Park, Herts" died - from "The Gentleman's Magazine."Since he still owned Stagenhoe and Weston, I suspect Robert was renting those out for the income (and to avoid the cost of maintaining such large establishments). I used to think the following reference applied to the original Robert Heysham, of Stagenhoe, but now I think it more properly belongs here.
"Thomas Brand, having overspent on improvements to his seat at the Hoo, went and lived abroad for a time, while his wife stayed at home and retrenched. Similarly his neighbor Robert Heysham let [rented out] his seat at Stagenhoe and went to live in France for a time, for the same reason." - from "An Open Elite?: England 1540-1880" by Laurence Stone, Jeanne C. Fawtier StoneThomas Brand of the Hoo, Baron Dacre of Gillesland, was born in 1774, the eldest son of Thomas Brand, esq., of the Hoo, and Gertrude, Baroness Dacre. He was, thus, a contemporary of Robert. When did Robert reside in France? I suppose off and on from 1810 to 1822, but this may also be a mistake, a confusion with Robert's son, another Robert, who removed to the Channel Islands in the 1830's. Note that Robert's father, Robert Sr., wrote his will in 1775 while at St. Omer, in France. Could this comment apply to him just as easily?
Robert was undoubtedly a tenant at Hinton House, renting the house, since the Duttons, and their ancestors, appear to have an unbroken record of ownership.
"At the annual Melon Feast, held at the Bell Inn, Alresford, on Tuesday, the first prize was awarded to Mr.John Merryfield, gardener to Mr.Dunn, Alresford; the 2d to Mr.Wright, gardener to Lord Craven ; and the 3d to Mr.Hedges, gardener to --- Haysham, Esq. Hinton House, near Alresford." - from "Some Selected Reports from the Salisbury and Winchester Journal," 18 July 1825Mr. Hedges shows up again, and took top honors, in 14 July 1826:
"At the annual Melon Feast, held at the Bell Inn, in New Alresford, on Tuesday last, the prizes were awarded as follow :- 1st prize to Mr.Hedges, gardener to Rt.Heysham, Esq. Hinton House."
| Hinton House
Henry Stawel Bilson-Legge, Baron Stawell, the owner of the manor at the beginning of the 19th century, died in 1820. His properties were "entailed male" to a cousin, Henry Legge, but upon his death in 1827 fell to Baron Stawell's daughter, Mary. She married John Dutton, Lord Sherborne. From approximately 1820 to 1827 the house would have been rented out. The house at that time, built in 1793, was a simple square of brick and comprised only the center section of the present-day home, pictured to the left. The grounds are extensive and are today noted for their gardens, created in the 20th century. |
In 1828 Robert was residing at New-place, Alresford. Alresford is in Hampshire near the Itchen river. New-place was a 32 acre plantation near Wickham with a Queen Anne-era mansion, right. Ropley Lodge where so many later Heyshams lived is apparently close by.
In 1833 Robert and Sarah Heysham conveyed Stagenhoe manor to Richard Sparkes. - from "British History Online." By this time they had apparently decided that they would never be moving back.
A Robert Thornton Heysham was referred to as "Lord of Weston Manor" on 10 April 1840.
In the 1841 census of St. Mary, Marylebone, Middlesex as Robert Heysham, 60 [seems young for our man who should be 72]. Living with him were his wife, n.r. [name "not recorded" I assume], 55, and children, Harriett, 39 [?], Charlotte, 34, Sarah, 25, and Frederick, 35. All of these ages seem a little off.
"In Upper Berkeley-st. aged 70, Sarah, wife of R. T. Heysham, esq." died on 29 September 1841 - from "The Gentleman's Magazine." This was in Marylebone, London, Middlesex. Upper Berkeley street defines the north side of Portman Square and is just a block away from Marble Arch. A darn fine part of town.
In a reference to his daughter Sarah's marriage in 1846 it refers to her as "youngest daughter of Robert T. Heysham, esq., late of Stagenhoe-park, and of Weston Lordship, Herts." That is, he had sold Stagenhoe, and Little Munden, but still possessed Weston manor. What does this mean? Was Robert eating through his inheritance or was he simply moving his capital from real estate to some other form of investment?
A will was signed in 1849 by Robert Thornton Heysham of No 21 Montague Street, Portman Square, Middlesex. This is in the Marylebone area in the northwest of London and is one of the finest squares in the city, close to Marble Arch and Hyde Park. The will makes clear that Robert's wife, Sarah, had predeceased him, as had his children, Arabella Elizabeth, Robert Thornton Jr., and Sarah. By the way, this will is in a script that is truly difficult to read.
"This is the last Will and Testament of Mr. Robert Thornton Heysham, late of Weston Lordship in the County Of Hertford but now of Number 21 Montague Street, Portman Square in the County of Middlesex, Esquire.A very confusing document.
Whereas I am entitled to certain manors, messuages, farms, lands, tenements and hereditaments situated in the County of Hertford aforesaid subject to certain mortgages and to certain Annuities of Two hundred pounds charged thereon.
And whereas it is alleged that by Judicature [a court action?] dated on or about the [blank] day of November One thousand eight Hundred and forty three and expressed to be made between myself, of the first part, John Hawkins, of the second part [Note that Robert's wife was Sarah Hawkins, the daughter of William Hawkins. This was probably a relative.], my daughters Anna Maria Harriot Heysham, Charlotte Augusta Heysham and Sarah Heysham, and my son Frederick Heysham, of the third part, and James Gibbons the elder, of the fourth part, I granted certain Annuities and charged the same upon the said manors, messuages, farms, lands, tenements and hereditainments.
And that by Judicature dated on or about the twentieth day of October One thousand eight Hundred and forty three and expressed to be made between myself, of the first part, James Gibbons the younger, of the second part, and my late son Robert Thornton Heysham the younger, of the third part, I appointed and released unto the said James Gibbons the younger his heirs and assigns the said manors, messuages, farms, lands, tenements and hereditainments subject as therein mentioned.
To hold the same with their appurtenances unto and to the use of the said James Gibbons the younger his heirs and assigns As trusts thereinafter declared and that I by the same Judicature assigned unto the said James Gibbons the younger his executors, administrators and assigns, All and singular, the surplus rents, issues, and profits which should remain after satisfying the trusts of the thereinbefore [cited?] Judicature of [devise?] of the twenty fifth day of March One thousand eight Hundred and thirty nine subject to the thereinbefore [cited?] mortage services affecting the same and the therein mentioned four annuities of Thirty six pounds each when they should become payable To hold the same unto the said James Gibbons, his executors, administrators and assigns before the Trusts thereinafter declared [concerning?] the same and that I did by the same Judicature assign unto the said James Gibbons the younger, his executors, administrators and assigns the surplus to arise and be produced by any sale or sales under the trusts of any of the Judicatures thereinbefore recited or referred to after answering and satisfying the trusts thereby respectively declared To hold unto the said James Gibbons, his executors, administrators and assigns upon the trusts therein mentioned.
And whereas my [expectation?] of the said [cited?] Judicature was improperly procured and I intend to take proceedings to set aside the same and I am desirious of recording my instructions to [meet] the [cost] of my [seat] before I am enabled to do so and of disposing of my other property Now I therefore give, devise and bequeth the said manors, messuages, farms, lands, tenements and hereditaments subject to the said mortgages and to the said Annuity of Two Hundred pounds and all other my property, estate and effects both real and personal and of what nature or kind soever which I may die siezed or possessed of or entitled unto after the payment of all my first debts, funeral, and testamentary expenses unto and equally between my three children namely the said Anna Maria Harriot Heysham, Charlotte Augusta Heysham and Frederick Heysham, their heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns share and share alike as Friends in [cousins?] Thus I hereby appoint the said Anna Maria Harriot Heysham, Charlotte Augusta Heysham and Frederick Heysham my Executrixes and Executor and Hereby revoking all other Wills or Codicils by me at any time made So declare this to be and contain my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have set my hand to this and the preceding sheet of paper this first day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight Hundred and forty nine.
[signed] Robt. T. Haysham
Witnesss
William Francis Low Solt. [solicitor]
of Wimpole Street Cavendish Sqe.
Wiiliam Dawn
16 Bridport Street Blandord Square
Clerk to the said William Francis Low."
Robert died in "Jan 1850" in the Marylebone district of London, in Middlesex - per the Civil Registration Index.
Obituary. 18 January 1850. "Aged 81, R. T. Heysham, esq. formerly of Hinton House, hear Alresford." - from "The Gentleman's Magazine."Note that William Henry was not mentioned in the will even though he lived until 1852. He was, however, in the 1851 census shown to be an "annuitant," meaning, I suppose, that his father had already taken care of him, probably upon his marriage. I would assume that Robert Thornton Jr. and the girls who married also received their portions at such time.
| Marylebone
Marylebone, or St. Mary le Bon [the Beautiful], is the fashionable West End of London, just southwest of Regents Park. Marble Arch defines it southern border. The fictional sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, lived in Marylebone, at 221B Baker street. A museum and pub named for him are also located here. Portman SquareThe will of Robert Thornton Heysham has his address as No. 21 Montague Street, Portman Square, Middlesex. Portman Square, pictured below, is in the Marylebone district. The square was built between 1674 and 1684 on the land of Henry William Portman. The garden square is a distinctively British style of urban design, used as a device for linking green spaces with residential areas. It is a particular feature of London, where there are now around six hundred squares. Montague street is only a block long. It is one block west of Portman square, behind Montague House, which is on the northwest corner of the square. Montague House was replaced by the Radisson Portman Hotel. Charles Darwin stayed in London at 16 Montague St., Portman Square. Note there is a more famous Montague street in London, next to the British Museum, in Bloomsbury. 
Portman Square, north side, 1813 |
| James Gibbons
Who were James Gibbons the elder & younger? A guess are the locksmiths of "James Gibbons Ltd., Wolverhapton, England." They are the right time period, of the necessary succession, and were successful enough to fund Robert Thornton Heysham's mortgages and annuities. Wolverton is near Birmingham in the West Midlands. See James Gibbons Ltd for more information about them and their company. 
Left: James Gibbons (1790); Right: James Gibbons (1820) |
The manor of Weston, or Weston Lordship, in the family since 1703, was sold by a "Robert Thornton Heysham" to Samuel Adams in 1852 - from "British History Online." This must be the grandson, home from India, or upon his written request. Robert probably sold the estate to clear his grandfather's debts.
Robert's will has proved on 9 February 1857. How could this be since Robert had died seven years prior? I think what happened is, either, the will was probated in 1850, but that a second probate was instigated in 1857, or that this was a misreading of the will. I admit that it looks like 1857, but it probably meant 1851. A 7 and a 1 do look very much alike.
"In the Prerogative Court of CanterburyNote that by the time the will was proved Charlotte Augusta had died, I don't see her in the 1851 census, leaving only the unmarried Anna Maria and Frederick to inherit. While little seems clear to me out of this, Robert's two unmarried children did get some kind of inheritance or annuity such that Frederick, at least, never had to work a day in his life.
In the Goods of Robert Thornton Heysham Esquire deceased.
Appeared Personally William Dawn of Nr. 20 Shroton Street Blandford Square [this is in Marylebone] in the County of Middlesex Gentleman and made Oath that He is one of the subscribed Witnesses to the last Will and Testament of the said Robert Thornton Heysham late of Montague Street Portman Square in the County of Middlesex Esquire deceased bearing date the first day of October One thousand eight Hundred and forty nine and . . . [attested?] And He further made Oath that on the first day of October One thousand eight Hundred and forty nine aforesaid the said Testator duly asserted His said Will by signing His name at the foot [ordered?] thereof in manner as . . . appears thereon in the presence of this [Appearer?] and of William Francis Low the afore subscribed Witnesses thereto both of which were produced of the same time and both of whom also at the same time too attested and subscribed the said Will in the presence of the said Testator and of each other -- William Dawn. -- On the 24th day of January 1857 [or 1851] (the said William Dawn was duly sworn to the truth thereof before me --
[signed] F. T. Pratt Sec Pres -- Reginald Appach Not. Pub. [notary public]
Proved at London the 9th February 1857 [or 1851] before the worshipful Maurice Charles Merttins Swabey Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oaths of Anna Maria Harriot Heysham Spinster the daughter and Frederick Heysham Esquire the son the surviving Executors to whom Administration was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.
Robert's sister, Elizabeth, lived until 1861, the wife of the Reverend John Benn.
Robert had the following children,
(23) Arabella Elizabeth Heysham (1792)
(23) Anna Maria Harriett Heysham (1794)
(23) Robert Thornton Heysham (1795)
(23) Charlotte Augusta Heysham (1796)
(23) John-William Henry Heysham (1797)
(23) William Henry Heysham (1798)
(23) Frederick Heysham (1800),
(23) Sarah Heysham (1803)
She was christened on 6 June 1792 in Saint Pauls Walden, Hertford, England. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Robert Thornton Heysham, of Stagenhoe Park, Hertfordshire, married the Reverend Charles Fox Winnington on 10 April 1819 in Saint Pauls Walden, Hertford, England. He was the fifth and youngest son of Sir Edward Winnington, of Stanford Court, the second Baronet, and the Honorable Anne Foley, the youngest daughter of Thomas Lord Foley. Charles was the Rector at Stanford-on-Teme, Worcestershire and Vicar of Clifton-0n-Teme. He took the degree of B.A. at Christ church, Oxford and was presented to both his livings by his brother; to Clifton in 1817, and to Stanford in 1822 - from "The Gentleman's Magazine" by Sylvanus Urban. He d.s.p. in June 1841, aged 49. She died in February 1842.
| The Winnington Family
(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) temp Charles I. 
(18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) A lawyer of the Middle Temple. Solicitor General for England, 1674-1679, left. (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) The second son. His elder brother, Salwey, held Stanford Court and was a Member of Parliament. Francis married Anne, the daughter of Thomas Jackson of London. (20) Edward Winnington of Broadway (c1695)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665) He married Sophia Boote of Wantage. (21) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1728)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665) (20) Edward Winnington of Broadway (c1695) Created first Baronet of Stanford Court in 1755. Member of Parliament for Bewdley, Worcestershire. He married Mary, the daughter of John Ingram of Ticknell. (22) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1749)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665) (20) Edward Winnington of Broadway (c1695) (21) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1728) He was born on 14 November 1749. Second Baronet. He married Anne, the daughter of Thomas Foley, first Baron Foley, and Grace Granville, on 12 September 1776. Member of Parliament and Storekeeper of the Ordnance 1762-1765. He died on 9 January 1805 at the age of 55. His children were Thomas Edward, Edward, Charles Fox, Sophia, Elizabeth, Harriet, Francis, Henry Jeffries, Mary Anne, and Annabella. (23) Sir Thomas Edward Winnington, Bart. (1780)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665) (20) Edward Winnington of Broadway (c1695) (21) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1728) (22) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1749) He was born in 1789 and died on 24 September 1839. Third Baronet and Member of Parliament. The fifth Baronent married the grand-daughter of the Duke of Marlborough, a Churchill. The sixth Baronet, Sir Francis Winnington, died in 2003 without a male heir and the baronetcy passed to a nephew, Anthony Edward Winnington. (23) Charles Fox Winnington (c1785)(17) Colonel Francis Winnington (c1600) (18) Sir Francis Winnington (1635) (19) Francis Winnington of Broadway (c1665) (20) Edward Winnington of Broadway (c1695) (21) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1728) (22) Sir Edward Winnington, Bart. (1749) The Rector of Stanford. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of Robert Thornton Heysham of Stagenhoe Park, on 16 April 1819. He d.s.p. in June 1841. She died in February 1842. |
She apparently went by the name Harriett. She was christened on 21 January 1794 in Saint Pauls Walden, Hertford, England. In the 1841 census of St. Mary, Marylebone, Middlesex as Harriett Heysham, 39 [?]. She was a single woman, living at home with her parents. Mentioned in her father's will of 1849, and still living at the time it was proved in 1857 [or 1851]. Apparently she never married.
In the 1861 census of Paddington, Middlesex as Harriett Heysham [Keysham in Ancestry.com], 61 and unmarried, of Hertfordshire, England. Her occupation was listed as "Independent" and she kept one servant.
(23) Robert Thornton Heysham (1795)He was born at Stagenhoe Park and christened on 23 March 1795 [I have another document that indicates 23 November 1800] in Saint Pauls Walden, Hertfordshire, England, the son of Robert Thornton and Sarah [Hawkins] Heysham.
Like his father and brothers, he went to Oxford.
"Heysham, Robert Thornton, s. Robert Thornton, of Walden, St. Paul's, Herts, arm. Brasknose [Brasenose] Coll., matric. 7 Feb., 1812, aged 17." - from "Alumni Oxonienses: the Members of the University of Oxford, 1715-1886"
In 1816 his father sold the Little Munden estate and moved to Southampton in about 1820. Robert would have been about 21 years old at the time of the sale and 'probably' accompanied his family on the move.
Circa 1816. Robert had "just left Oxford, where he kept a pack of harriers," which refers to hounds since the citation was about hunting. - from "Bailys Magazine."
Robert married Frances Price on 12 August 1824 in Haslemere, Surrey, England. The marriage licence was recorded 6 August 1824. She was born on 4 May 1796 and died in 1871, the daughter of Colonel Barrington Price and Lady Maria Jane Bowes-Lyon, who was the eldest daughter of John Bowes-Lyon, the 9th Earl of Strathmore. This is the family of the old Queen Mother. Frances Price was the niece of the Right Reverand the Honorable Shute Barrington, the Bishop of Durham. The Bishop's will:
June 1826. "He gives 4000l. to be laid out in the stocks, in trust for all the children of Barrington Price (except the before named and Frances wife of Wm. Heysham [sic], Esq.) to be divided in equal shares and paid on their coming of age, accumulating in the mean time . . . To Frances Heysham 500l. only, he having already given 500l. to her father for her use on her marriage." - from "The Gentleman's Magazine"Note that the Bowes-Lyon family lived at St. Paul's Walden Bury, which was nearby Stagenhoe. See the Bowes family page for more information about this family's descent.
| The Viscount Barrington Family
(17) Sir Francis Barrington The first Baronet Barrington, was uncle by marriage to Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England. Their seat was Barrington Hall, in Hertfordshire. His sons were Sir Thomas, his heir, Robert, an MP, Francis, who settled in Jamaica, and John, a gentleman of Oliver's bedchamber and MP who retired to Germany. (18) Sir Thomas Barrington(17) Sir Francis Barrington His second wife was Joan, the daughter of Sir Rowland Lytton of Knebworth House [small world]. By his first wife, Joan Gobert, he had sons Sir John, his heir, Oliver, and Sir Gobert, of Tofts. (19) Sir Gobert Barrington(17) Sir Francis Barrington (18) Sir Thomas Barrington His surviving sons were Thomas, his heir, and Francis. (20) Francis Barrington(17) Sir Francis Barrington (18) Sir Thomas Barrington (19) Sir Gobert Barrington His brother, Thomas, "injured his fortune" in the Civil War and requested Francis, who was a rich merchant of Tunis, to purchase it, meaning I suppose his estate. Francis married the daughter of Samuel Shute, an Alderman of London, in 1681. A proviso of the marriage was that if Francis d.s.p., which he did, his brother-in-law, John Shute, would inherit. The Shute-Barrington's(20) John Shute-Barrington (19) Samuel Shute Of Hertfordshire, was the son of Benjamin [Samuel?] Shute, a merchant. He inherited the estate of Francis Barrington, of Tofts, and assumed his name by an act of Parliament. He also inherited an estate in Becket and considerable property in Berkshire from a John Wildman. A member of Parliament, on the accession of George I John was raised to the peerage as the 1st Viscount Barrington. John Swift called him "the shrewdest head in England." The elder Pitt had no use for him. 
(21) William Wildman Shute Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington The 2nd Viscount, left. Lord of the Admiralty, Master of the Wardrobe, Secretary of War, Chancellor of the Exchequer. (21) Major General the Honorable John Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington Major General and governor of Berwick. He served several campaigns in Flanders and commanded the force that took Guadaloupe in 1758. His sons assumed the title after his elder brother died dsp. (22) William Wildman Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington (21) Major General the Honorable John Barrington The third Viscount. (22) Richard Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington (21) Major General the Honorable John Barrington The fourth Viscount. (22) George Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington (21) Major General the Honorable John Barrington The fifth Viscount, Prebendary of Durham and Rector of Sedgfield [you can tell they never expected him to be Viscount]. His son and heir was William Keppel Barrington, sixth and last Viscount. 
(21) The Honorable Daines Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington Marshall of the High Court of Admiralty, Secretary of Greenwich hospital, and Judge of Chester. 
(21) Admiral the Honorable Samuel Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington Admiral of the Blue in 1787 and of the White in 1794, right. (21) The Right Reverand the Honorable Shute Barrington(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington Bishop of Durham, left. (21) Sarah Barrington (c1715)(19) Samuel Shute (20) John Shute-Barrington She married Robert, the son of Uvedale Tompkins Price, of Foxley estate, Hertfordshire in June 1746. She died on 17 March 1759. |
| The Price Family
(21) Robert Price (1717)(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) Esq., of Foxley estate, Hertfordshire, left. A Baron of the Exchequer and, later, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, he was also a collector, musician and gentleman artist. He married Sarah Barrington, the daughter of the first Viscount Barrington, in June 1746. He may have also married Catherine Wroughton. He made extensive improvements to his estate at Foxley, always emphasizing the natural qualities of the existing landscape. Sarah died on 17 March 1759. Robert died in 1761. 
(22) Sir Uvedale Price (1747)(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) (21) Robert Price (1717) Eldest son of Robert Price was Sir Uvedale Price (1747-1829), right, the Baronet of Foxley, and a famous early landscape architect and theorist of the "Picturesque" movement. He had a son and heir, called not surprisingly, Robert. There's a pattern here. (22) Colonel Barrington Price (1757)(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) (21) Robert Price (1717) A seventh son. Barrington married Lady Maria Jane Bowes-Lyon, the eldest daughter of John Bowes-Lyon, the 9th Earl of Strathmore, on 11 May 1789. Their daughter was Francis Price. Maria died in 1806. Her brother, George Bowes-Lyon, died the same year dsp and his widow, Mary Thornhill, married Barrington Price in 1811. Clerk of the Peace for Durham county. He died on 5 April 1839 at Sparsholt House, aged 82. His children included Samuel [RN Captain], George, Maria [who married Cholmeley Edward John Dering, prebendary of St. Paul's, chaplain to Queen Victoria], Ann [who married John Lyon], Francis [who married Robert Heysham]. (23) Captain Barrington Price(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) (21) Robert Price (1717) (22) Barrington Price A Captain Barrington Price, an aide-de-camp to Sir Thomas Picton, was mortally wounded at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, ridden over by a charge of French cuirassiers. He died a few months later. (24) Barrington Price (1841) & George Barrington Price(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) (21) Robert Price (1717) (22) Barrington Price (23) Captain Barrington Price A later Barrington Price, perhaps a son of the above, settled in British Columbia. He ran a store at an old Hudson Bay trading post, then built the Grist Mill, which has been restored by the Canadian governmentt as an historic site. This Barrington eventually returned to Portsmouth and lived with his brother, Captain George Barrington Price, of the Royal Scots Greys. (23) Francis Price(19) Robert Price (1655) (20) Uvedale Tompkins Price (1685) (21) Robert Price (1717) (22) Barrington Price She married Robert Thornton Heysham on 12 August 1824 in Haslemere, Surrey, England. |
The next two items are from the UK Archive, the Correspondence of Thomas Tilbury, of Edward Tilbury and Company, Marylebone High Street, who maintained storerooms for warehousing:
- "Heysham, Mr. R.J. [I'm assuming the J is a transcription error] of Brighton. His waggon will be in town next Tuesday to collect remainder of his furniture. Advance notice given so that waggon may be loaded as quickly as possible. Mr. Heysham wants his man to get as far as possible on return journey to Brighton on Tuesday. - date: 12 July 1829"That last line sounds like the comment of a inpecunious man - "the check is in the mail." Robert apparently maintained two homes, one in the fashionable Marylebone district in London, see his father's house, above, and the other his country place, in Brighton, between which he commuted.
- "Heysham, Mr. R.J. of Brighton, regrets he has just returned to find two letters asking for payment of an account he thought paid. Inclement weather prevented him visiting London and he encloses a draft for the amount dated six days ahead to avoid loss. P.S. says that he has observed that the limit for a draft is £20. 17/6 will therefore be sent at the first opportunity. - date: 17 Feb. 1830."
The next reference may be for Robert. The square named is in Brighton.
"Haysham, R. Esq. 33, Brunswick-square, Hove" - from "The Watering Places of Great Britain" of 1831The book also says of the area that the ". . . beauty of the range is much increased by the line being relieved by two handsome squares (Regency and Bedford), and by its terminating in Brunswick-square, which, with its noble terrace, vies with its eastern rival, Kemp Town. This grand continuation of the town is situated in the parish of Hove . . ."
| Brunswick Square
|
Robert seems to have moved around a lot. He had children born in London, Brighton, Hampshire (3 of them) [I may be overstating the case; Brighton is in Hampshire.], and on the island of Guernsey. Their three boys went to secondary school on the island of Guernsey, from at least 1833 to 1844. Did Robert have a government posting there or was he just trying to conserve the family resources?
Robert and his family moved to the Channel Islands in about 1834. His son, Russell Henry, was born in Hampshire in 1834, while his eldest son, Robert Jr., entered the Elizabeth College, at St Peters Port, in the 1834 term, at the age of 8. I assume the term began in the fall. Interestingly, his two other sons, Barrington and Charles, did not enter the school until the 1844 term, when they were 13 and 12 years old, respectively. Why the delay? Robert's daughters, Maria and Rosa, were born on the island in 1836 and 1837.
This was just a year after Robert's father sold Stagenhoe. Was this move out of England an attempt to husband their resources? I have to think that the family fortunes were suffering, at least to a degree. Two of Robert's sons, Robert Jr. and Barrington, joined the army of the East India Company, while the third, Charles Augustus, joined the Royal Navy. These are all normally the professions of sons not inheriting. Was there little left to inherit by that point? If the family were living just off their dividends, or annuities, their condition may have been some what straightened.
| The Channel Islands
The Channel Islands lie within the English Channel and the Gulf of St Malo within sight of the French coast. There are six main isles - Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm and Jethou - and numerous islets and rocks such as Les Minquiers, Les Ecrehou. Guernsey was once a part of Normandy, as were the other Channel Islands. This changed in the early 13th century. In the 15th century Guernsey, Sark and Alderney were placed under the control of a Governor, a role which later became the Lieutenant Governor, a post that still exists to this day. The island's Royal Court is presided over by The Bailiff, who is also president of Guernsey's legislative body, the States of Deliberation. Both positions are Royal appointments. If one of the Thornton-Heyshams were on the island in a political position, they would have owed their position to one of the below: Governors of Guernsey:1797 - 14 Nov 1807, Charles Grey, Earl Grey of Howick (b. 1729 - d. 1807) 1807 - 26 Oct 1827, George Augustus Herbert Pembroke (b. 1759 - d. 1827), Earl of Pembroke 1827 - 1834, Sir William Keppell, (d. 1834), the last Governor Lieutenant Governors: 1796 - 1802, Sir Hew Whitefoord Dalrymple (b. 1750 - d. 1830) 1803 - 1816, Sir John Doyle (b. 1750 - d. 1834) 1816 - 1821, Henry Bailey 1821 - 1828, Sir John Colborne, Baron Seaton (b. 1778 - d. 1863) 1828 - 1837, John Dawes Ross 1837 - 1842, Sir James Dawes Douglas (b. 1785 - d. 1862) Feb 1842 - Dec 1847, William Francis Patrick Napier (b. 1785 - d. 1860) Bailiffs: 1800 - 1810, Robert Porrett Le Marchant (b. c.1739 - d. 18..) 1810 - 1821, Sir Peter de Havilland (b. 1747 - d. 1821) 1821 - 1843, Daniel de Lisle Brock (b. 1762 - d. 1842) 1843 - 1845, Jean Guille (b. 1788 - d. 1845) |
Did Robert die before 1841? In the 1841 census of St. Peter Port, Guernsey, the Channel Islands, his wife was reported as Francis Heissham, 35, of Independent means. Living with her were Francis [this would be Frances Mary], 13, Caroline, 15, Robert, 14, Georgina, 11, Barrington, 10, Charles, 8, Russell, 7, Maria, 5, and Rosa, 4. Maria and Rosa were born in Guernsey while everyone else was from England. Ann Bennet, Matilda Suanders, Jane Knowles, and Eliza Le Gruet were F.S. [female servants], Sophia Bonifield was the Governess, and John Hughes was an M.S. [male servant]. While the family may have moved to Guernsey to save money, they weren't suffering greately.
Robert Jr. left Elizabeth College in 1841, aged 15, to join the HEIC school at Addiscombe. Charles left in 1845, at 13, to join the Royal Navy, and Barrington left in 1846, at 15, also going to Addiscombe. I assume Robert Sr. and family lived on the island at least through that time.
Robert died before October 1849, when his father's will reported him as his "late son." Robert's daughter, Caroline Arabella, was also noted in 1851 to be the daughter of the "late R.T. Heysham, esq., of Bath." Does the latter mean that after 1846 he had moved to Bath? Or, was he vacationing at Bath at the time of his death? Or, was that an English address, held while he actually lived on the Channel Islands?
In the 1851 census of Devonport, Stoke Damerel parish, Devonshire was Robert's widow, Frances Heysham, 56 years old, of Srivenham, Berkshire. Her occupation was listed as Landed Proprietor & Fund Hold. I assume that means she inherited some property and had deposits "in the five percents", as they used to say. Her address in 1851 was 3 Park Place, Devonport, Devonshire, England. Residing with her were four servants, a lady’s maid, cook, house maid and parlour maid. So, though the family fortunes may have sunk somewhat, they were by no means "broke." With her were also her children, Caroline A., 25, of St. James, London, Frances M., 23, of Somerset, Bath, Barrington F., a 20 year old Ensign E.I. [East India] Company Service, of Farringdon, and Maria J. B., 15, of St. Peter, Isle of Guernsey.
Note that Frances' son, Charles, was a Midshipman in the Royal Navy at this time. Living in Devonshire, near the great naval base of Plymouth, may have kept Frances near her son. However, I can't confirm where Charles was assigned prior to 1852, when he was on the AGAMEMNON, out of Portsmouth, which is further to the east.
| Stoke Damerel, Devonshire
Stoke Damerel is a parish in the Devonport borough, in the county of Devon. The major town is Devonport, a garrison, seaport and market town, just 2 miles north of the great naval base at Plymouth. It was, before 1824, known as Plymouth Dock. The first dockyard was built on the banks of the Hamoaze, the lower reaches of the River Tamar, in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Workers for the dockyard came from neighbouring towns and villages for originally there were no houses for the workers. Eventually houses were built parallel with the north dockyard wall at a place called North Corner and then Cornwall Street. By 1712 there were 318 men employed and by 1733 Plymouth Dock, as the new town was called, had 3000 people. Plymouth Dock was a working-class town. Within fifty years it grew from nothing to having nearly half as many people as its older neighbour, Plymouth. The parish church, Stoke Damerel, was three-quarters of a mile from the town surrounded by fields. The major expansion of the dockyard came in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries as a direct result of war with France. Other notable buildings were erected throughout the area. At Stonehouse Creek a Naval hospital was built with landing steps down to the water's edge so that the sick and wounded seaman could be landed directly from boats. Later a Military hospital was built on the opposite shore of the creek. New barracks were built for the Royal Marines at Stonehouse. Government House, but since 1934 known as Admiralty House, was built at Mount Wise. |
In the 1861 census of West Teignmouth, Devonshire as Frances Heysham [Harpham in Ancestry.com], a 64 year old Fund Holder, of Strivenham, Berkshire. Living with her was her daughter, Maria, 25, unmarried, of Guernsey. Frances had 5 servants living in the house. Teignmouth is about 25 miles northeast of her previous home in Stoke Damerel, just north of Torquay.
Frances Heysham died in January-March 1871 in Newton Abbot, Devonshire at the age of 75. Newton Abbot is just upriver from Teignmouth.
From the tomb of a servant (Ann Bennett was a lady’s maid for Frances Heysham in the 1851 and 1861 census, above.):
Northam, Devonshire, England monument inscriptions:
Yj 12: (Upright - Thick Cross With Square, Stepped Base), (Gap Of 1 Then This Stone), Ihs (On The Cross)
In Loving Memory Of
Anne Bennett,
For Over 60 Years The
Faithful And Devoted
Servant And Friend In The Family
Of The Late
Robert Thornton Heysham, Esq.
Died At Quarry House, March 25th
1885 Aged 85
(On The North Face Of Base)
"He That Is Faithful In That Which
Is Least, Is Faithful Also In Much."
Luke Xvi C. 10 Verse.
Robert and Frances had the following children:
(24) Caroline Arabella Heysham (1825)
(24) Robert Thornton Heysham (1826)
(24) Frances Mary Heysham (1828)
(24) Georgina Heysham (1830)
(24) Lieutenant General Barrington Frederick Heysham (1831)
(24) Charles Augustus John Heysham (1832)
(24) Russell Henry Heysham (1834)
(24) Maria Jane Bowes Heysham (1836)
(24) Rosa Heysham (1837)
The eldest daughter of Robert Thornton. She was born in 1825 in St James, Middlesex. In the LDS database she is shown as christened on 14 May 1825 in Saint James, Westminster, London, England.
In the 1841 census of St. Peter Port, Guernsey, the Channel Islands, as Caroline Heissham, 15, of England. She was living with her mother, Francis.
In the 1851 census of Stoke Damerel, Devonshire as Caroline A. Heysham, 25, of St. James, London. She was living at home at 3 Park Place, Devonport.
She married Fleetwood Patten [sic] Drury, Captain H.E.I.C.S. [Honorable East India Company Service], at Stoke, Devonshire on 12 September 1851. Her widowed mother, Frances, had settled in Devonshire after her father's death. In the announcement of the wedding Caroline's father was referred to as "the late R. T. Heysham, esq., of Bath."
Fleetwood was born on 15 January 1824, the son of Captain Henry Drury, Royal Navy.
| The Drury Family
(23) Captain Henry Drury He married Alice McGee. In 1811 Henry Drury was part of the expedition that captured the island of Java, as the acting captain of the AKBAR (ex-CORNWALLIS). She was a 44-gun frigate, a 4th rate, built in 1800 in Bombay for the East India Company. The ship was purchased by the Royal Navy in 1801. Henry's third daughter, Louisa, married Henry Lockyard Gleig, esq., 2nd Bengal Infantry, the son of the Reverend George Robert Gleig, M.A., Chaplain General. Henry had died by 1852. (24) Fleetwood Pellew Drury (1824)(23) Captain Henry Drury Fleetwood Drury's interesting first & middle names were undoubtedly from 'Fleetwood Pellew,' who was the son of the famous Captain Edward Pellew of the Royal Navy. He was a Navy Captain in his own right, but his harsh measures caused a mutiny and ruined his career. Before this time, however, Fleetwood Pellew had been the captain of the frigate PHAETON during the same Java expedition in which Henry Drury served. Fleetwood Drury was in the Madras Army. Fleetwood Pellew Drury - East India Company's Army, Cadet Papers, 1840-41. He was appointed to the 20th Madras Native Infantry in 1841. "Officers of the Twentieth Regiment Madras Native Infantry, Stationed at Palghat; arrived 1850.Fleetwood was in the Madras Service Army List, 20th NI, 1771-1846, and individually for each of the years 1847-1858. He was also in the Roll of subscribers to the Madras Military Fund [a pension fund], 1824-1866. The 20th Madras Native Infantry was involved in putting down the Mutiny. One of their officers died at Delhi in 1857. |
Caroline's younger brother, Barrington, was in the Madras Army. Did Caroline and Fleetwood meet through him, or did Barrington get his assignment through Fleetwood?
Caroline was probably living in India at the time of the 1861 census. Caroline and Fleetwood had two daughters, Rosa Fanny Barrington Drury and Alice Marion Drury. Fleetwood Drury died in 1866.
In the 1871 census of England as Caroline A. Drury, a 45 year old widow and annuitant, of East India. She and her two daughters, Rosa F., 17, and Alice M., 15, also of East India, were living with her brother, Barrington, and his wife in Paddington parish, in the borough of Marylebone, in London. Could this be the old Marylebone home in which Caroline's father and brother died? Interestingly, old Mrs. Anne Bennett, the servant of Barrington's mother, above, was serving Barrington's family at this time.
In the 1881 census of Bideford district, Devon as Caroline A. Drury, a 54 year old, of independent means, of St. James, London. Living with her was her daughter, Alice M., 25, of East Indies [sic], Carmonore [?]. Her brother, Charles Augustus John, also lived in this district. I assume Rosa married, but I haven't found that reference yet.
Their children were,
(25) Rosa Fanny Barrington Drury, married H. A. Burrowes of Dangan Castle, Meath, and had a son.
(25) Alice Marion Drury
Robert Thornton IV was the eldest son of Robert Thornton Heysham III, of Stagenhoe Park. "1826. Births. May. 21. At Redbourne [Redburn] House, Herts, the wife of Robert Thornton Heysham, jun, esq. a son and heir." - from "The Gentleman's Magazine." What happened to Hinton House? Redbourn[e] is in the region of Harpenden, Hertfordshire.
In 1834 Robert entered Elizabeth College, a secondary school on the island of Guernsey. Note that Robert's youngest sister, Maria, was born in Peters Port, the capital of Guernsey, and his two younger brothers also attended the College at a later date. Did Robert's father have a post there?
| Elizabeth College
The school was founded in 1563 with a grant from Elizabeth I, who gave the school her name. The school had its ups and downs and nearly went out of business a number of times, but was rechartered in 1824. The school's main building was built between 1826 and 1829.  |
| St. Peter Port, Guernsey
Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, and the most Western. It is 30 miles from France and 125 miles south of England. Guernsey is about nine miles long by five miles wide, comprising just 24 square miles in area. St Peter Port, on the island's east coast, is the capital and chief city of Guernsey. It was, during a period of revolutionary turbulence in France, the home of the novelist, Victor Hugo. He once described the Channel Islands as "little pieces of France fallen into the sea and scooped up by Britain." Describing St Peter Port, he wrote, "A gothic church, streets ancient, narrow, uneven, odd amusing, intersected by steps, clambering up and tumbling down, the houses piled on top of one another so that they all have a view of the sea. And a little harbour where the vessels are stacked together, where the yard-arms of the schooners ever risk smashing into the windows that overlook the quay."  |
In the 1841 census of St. Peter Port, Guernsey, the Channel Islands, as Robert Heissham, 14, of England. He was living with his mother, Francis. Robert left Elizabeth college in 1841 - from "Elizabeth College Register, 1824-1873: With a Record of Some Earlier Students. A Chapter of..." by Charles James Durand, Edward Charles Ozanne, Elizabeth college, Guernsey, Kentish Brock, Guernsey Elizabeth College.
Robert attended the East India Company military school at Addiscombe - Cadet Papers: Robert Thornton Heysham 1841-1842. He would have been 15-16 years old at this time. The reason for the short stay at this school was probably related to the recent loss of an entire 16,000 man HEIC army in the mountains of Afghanistan. So great was the need after this military disaster that the Company was ready to take almost anyone into their army and hastened the training of those already in the pipeline.
After graduating from the school Robert was posted to Bengal in India. "Heysham, Robert Thornton" - from "The India Office and Burma Office List." His parents would have been victimized by the outfitters that preyed on the new recruits. They sold the new uniforms and equipment that Robert would have needed, but pushed more gear on the men than they really required, and much of that of poor quality. The same thing occurred in the Royal Navy, which you can read about in the novels of Patrick O'Brian.
At this same time Richard Burton, the great explorer and linguist of the Victorian era, also joined the Company. He did not attend Addiscombe, but was given a direct commission (at the cost of 500 pounds). Note that while he had attended Oxford, he did not finish his degree (he was expelled), so a University education was not a requirement for service. Many of the comments to follow were taken from Burton's travels and observations as a young Ensign.
| Bengal Presidency
The East India Company divided their areas of control in India into three 'Presidencies,' Madras, Bombay and Bengal. The Presidency of Bengal included the modern-day states of West Bengal (including Calcutta), Assam, Bihar and Orissa. At times it extended to Punjab and most of Northern India. The Company established its first settlement in Bengal in 1642 and extended its occupation by conquering the native princes and expelling the Dutch and French. Muslim control of Bengal ended with the defeat of Siraj-ud-Daula by British forces under Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The population, which speaks mainly Bengali, is ethnically homogeneous, but is almost equally divided between Muslims and Hindus. When India was partitioned in 1947, the province was divided along the line approximately separating the two main concentrations of the religious communities. |
The voyage to India took about four months, rounding Africa at the Cape of Good Hope. The new Ensigns, known as "Griffs," short for Griffons, a military slang of the day, would have smelled the port of Calcutta before they could see it. The smell was a combination of the pervasive aroma of curry and the sour stink of untreated sewage. The shock of coming upon an Asian slum is profound, as I can testify. Robert would have met squalor unlike anything he had seen before, even in the worst parts of London. It was, however, exciting as well; exotic, and erotic, in ways he had never experienced.
I have a reference to Robert's arrival in India in a book for which no preview is available. In the Google search it reads as,
January 1843.
:Military Appointments, Promotions, Changes, &c.
. . .
Nov. 1.--Admitted to the service, as cadets of art. and inf., and prom. to 2d lieut. and ensign from dates assigned to them
Artillery.--Mr. G.S. Dundas, date of arrival at Fort William, 28th Oct. 1842.
Infantry.--Messrs H. Baring, E.J. White, W. Irwin, R.T. Heysham, and T.H. Chamberlain, date of arr. Fort William, 8th Oct. 1842."
- from "The Asiatic Journal" of 1818.
Robert's first disappointment would have been that the disaster in Afghanistan had already been avenged by an army under Lord Ellenborough. The prospect of immediate action taken care of, Robert would have spent some time in Calcutta, perhaps 4 to 6 weeks, before he was assigned to his regiment. In Robert's case that was an an Ensign in the Second Bengal Regiment of Native Infantry (BNI).
1842. "RT Heysham (do.) to 2nd (do.)" - from "The Asiatic Journal and Monthly Register for British and Foreign India"Until he arrived at his regiment he would be assigned a munshi, a native teacher to polish the language skills he had supposedly gained at Addiscombe. He would have had a lot of time in addition to explore the city and this new way of life.
1843 "Aug. 2. Examinations.--The undermentioned officers have been pronounced by committees, which assembled at Agra, Needmuch, and Kyouk Phyoo, to have acquired colloquial proficiency in the vernacular language.
Ensigns R. T. Heysam and M.A.F. Thomson, 2nd grenadiers; . . ." - from "The Indian Mail"
Note that the BNI were classified as The Second Bengal Regiment of Native Infantry were classified as Grenadiers, that is, assault troops.
Upon getting his regimental assignment, Robert headed upriver to his new post, probably in the northwest territories, near the frontier at Punjab. The cantonment at Ambala in Haryana is a good guess. This camp was new, founded to replace the cantoment at Karnal which had been abandoned in 1841 due to an outbreak of malaria. Robert would have traveled as a true mensahib, laden with trunks and accompanied by as many servants as he could afford.
| Second Bengal Native Infantry
The 2nd BNI was formed in 1764 and disbanded in 1859. Just before Robert Thornton arrived, the regiment had taken part in the First Afghan War, 1839 to 1842, earning 65 "Kandahar" medals for their bravery in action around Kandahar under the overall command of Major General W. Nott in May 1842. On 10 August 1842 they marched from Kandahar to Ghazni and Kabul. Up to this point the war had gone well for the British. All that was to change. While Afghanistan had been easy to take, it was impossible to hold. In the face of fierce attacks by the populace inside Kabul, fueled in part by the weak response the commanders' permitted, the British were forced to retreat and suffered extermination in the moutain passes.
The 2nd was one of the few regiments in the Bengal Army that did not mutiny in 1857, though they were pre-emptively disarmed. They were nonetheless disaffected. Sepoys of the unit told their Colonel [James Travers?] that there were unmistakable signs that the company was bent on destroying the religion of the natives. They pointed to contamination of salt, ghee [a kind of butter] and sugar of its sepoys with the bones of pigs and cows. Hindu soldiers interpreted the reddish colour of the salt from the dye of the sack as cow’s blood. The entire army was reorganized in the aftermath of the debacle of the mutiny and this regiment was disbanded in 1859. |
Upon checking into his regiment Robert would have been introduced to its officers at the Regimental Mess. This dining hall/officer's club would have been a welcome relief. A long cool hall, fanned by punkahs, its tables set with clean linen and polished silver, a servant behind the chair of each officer, it was quite a contrast to the noisy, squalid Indian cities beyond the cantonment's walls. The officers themselves were cocky and confident. Richard Burton said of his messmates "there was not a subaltern in the 18th regiment who did no consider himself capable of governing a million Hindus."
As a bachelor Robert would have been set-up in a small bungalow of his own and he would have had a large staff of servants. I don't know anything about Robert's proclivities, but it was usual for the hawaldar, the regimental sergeant, to find the new officers a bubu, termed a "black wife." White women, especially single ones, were scarce outside the large cities, even as late as 1843. When t
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