Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham
Twickenham, Richmond is in Richmond, Surrey [Map].
Pepy's Diary. 16 Jan 1660. Monday. In the morning I went up to Mr. Crew's (age 62), and at his bedside he gave me direction to go to-morrow with Mr. Edward (age 12) to Twickenham, Richmond, and likewise did talk to me concerning things of state; and expressed his mind how just it was that the secluded members should come to sit again. I went from thence, and in my way went into an alehouse and drank my morning draft with Matthew Andrews and two or three more of his friends, coachmen. And of one of them I did hire a coach to carry us to-morrow to Twickenham. From thence to my office, where nothing to do; but Mr Downing (age 35) he came and found me all alone; and did mention to me his going back into Holland, and did ask me whether I would go or no, but gave me little encouragement, but bid me consider of it; and asked me whether I did not think that Mr. Hawly could perform the work of my office alone or no. I confess I was at a great loss, all the day after, to bethink myself how to carry this business. At noon, Harry Ethall came to me and went along with Mr. Maylard by coach as far as Salsbury Court, and there we set him down, and we went to the Clerks, where we came a little too late, but in a closet we had a very good dinner by Mr. Pinkny's courtesy, and after dinner we had pretty good singing, and one, Hazard, sung alone after the old fashion, which was very much cried up, but I did not like it. Thence we went to the Green Dragon, on Lambeth Hill, both the Mr. Pinkney's, Smith, Harrison, Morrice, that sang the bass, Sheply and I, and there we sang of all sorts of things, and I ventured with good success upon things at first sight, and after that I played on my flageolet, and staid there till nine o'clock, very merry and drawn on with one song after another till it came to be so late. After that Sheply, Harrison and myself, we went towards Westminster on foot, and at the Golden Lion, near Charing Cross, we went in and drank a pint of wine, and so parted, and thence home, where I found my wife and maid a-washing. I staid up till the bell-man came by with his bell just under my window as I was writing of this very line, and cried, "Past one of the clock, and a cold, frosty, windy morning". I then went to bed, and left my wife and the maid a-washing still.
Pepy's Diary. 18 Jul 1666. Thence with him home; and there by appointment I find Dr. Fuller (age 58), now Bishop of Limericke, in Ireland; whom I knew in his low condition at Twittenham. I had also by his desire Sir W. Pen (age 45), and with him his lady (age 42) and daughter (age 15), and had a good dinner, and find the Bishop the same good man as ever; and in a word, kind to us, and, methinks, one of the comeliest and most becoming prelates in all respects that ever I saw in my life. During dinner comes an acquaintance of his, Sir Thomas Littleton (age 45); whom I knew not while he was in my house, but liked his discourse; and afterwards, by Sir W. Pen, do come to know that he is one of the greatest speakers in the House of Commons, and the usual second to the great Vaughan (age 62). So was sorry I did observe him no more, and gain more of his acquaintance.
On 19 Sep 1708 Francis Newport 1st Earl Bradford (age 88) died at Twickenham, Richmond. His son Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford (age 64) succeeded 2nd Earl Bradford, 2nd Viscount Newport of Bradford in Shropshire, 3rd Baron Newport of High Ercall in Shropshire. Mary Wilbraham Countess Bradford (age 47) by marriage Countess Bradford.
On 22 Oct 1710 Fulke Greville 5th Baron Brooke (age 67) died at Twickenham, Richmond. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His grandson Fulke Greville 6th Baron Brooke (age 17) succeeded 6th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On 30 Jun 1742 James Aston 5th Baronet (age 19) and Barbara Maria Talbot (age 22) were married at Twickenham, Richmond.
On 09 Aug 1761 Archbishop George Gilbert (age 67) died in Twickenham, Richmond.
On 23 Sep 1790 William Graham 2nd Duke Montrose (age 78) died at Twickenham, Richmond. His son James Graham 3rd Duke Montrose (age 35) succeeded 3rd Duke Montrose. Caroline Maria Montagu Duchess Montrose by marriage Duchess Montrose.
On 27 Jul 1866 Charlotte Herbert Duchess Northumberland (age 78) died at Twickenham, Richmond. She was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Eel Pie Island Twickenham
On 31 Jul 1963 the Rolling Stones played Eel Pie Island Twickenham.
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham, Marble Hill House [Map]
Around 1734 Henrietta Hobart Countess Suffolk (age 45) was provided with a significant financial settlement for having provided services as his mistress. She purchased land on the banks of the River Thames and commissioned the architect Roger Morris to construct Marble Hill House, Twickenham [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham, Orléans House
Adeline Horsey Recollections. I made the acquaintance of the Count Montemolin (age 29) in 1848, when he was staying with the Due (age 33) and Duchesse de Nemours (age 25) at Orléans House, Twickenham. He was a very distinguished-looking man, but his good looks were marred by the hereditary defect of the Bourbon Eye, peculiar to the family.
The Count was a beautiful dancer, and we danced together a great deal at the numerous balls where we met, and after Montemolin had made my father's acquaintance he used often to visit us at Upper Grosvenor Street.
We had many tastes in common; the Count was passionately fond of music, so we sang together in French and Spanish, and thus gradually friendship became love, at least on his part. I, myself, was dazzled by the romance of the affair, and by the rank of my would-be suitor, for I do not think any girl in my position could have been quite unmoved if a Prince of the Blood selected her for his wife instead of one of the Royalties he could have chosen.
The Count proposed to me in February '49, but I quite appreciated the difficulties that beset such a marriage, and, after the Count's declaration, I hesitated to definitely consent to become his wife. He apparently was greatly distressed, and sent me the following letter:
Mademoiselle, - I am taking the liberty of writing to you to open my heart, but under the greatest secrecy, as without that I shall be completely lost. I was the most unhappy man in the world after what you said to me at the last ball. How could you believe me capable of deceiving you ! I should never have any peace of mind were I to do so. I did not dare to speak to you again, and nevertheless I sought by every means to meet you, because I could not live without at least seeing you, and also because I hoped for the chance of speaking to you and proving to you that I am a man of honour, and not such a one as people would have you believe. But your kind and gracious manner on Thursday last has dispelled all my fears.
Now, I am going to tell you what you must have felt for a long time; it is that I love you. You alone can make my happiness; any other marriage is impossible for me.
I hope you will grant me the happiness of marrying you one day, because I dare think you too love me. But above all things I desire your happiness, and if I thought you would ever become unhappy with me, I would rather suffer alone, although the greatest and most terrible sacrifice I could make would be to renounce your love. I should, however, wish before you decide definitely that you would grant me a secret interview in the presence of your father, in order that I can say certain things to you. I trust that you will grant me this interview, as it will decide my future happiness.
I beg you again to maintain the greatest reserve in the matter. It must be a secret from everybody, even from my own family, Nobody except your father must know anything about it; for if they did, believe me, I should be completely lost.
I will call at your house at three o'clock in the afternoon, and if you cannot be alone then with your father, you can send me word by him to the following address when it will be convenient to you.
M. LE COMTE DE MONTEMOLIN,.
Travellers Club [Map], Pall Mall.
I shall be there until two o'clock exactly. I am, with the deepest respect and attachment,.
Your devoted,.
Le Comte de Montemolin.
My father and I therefore saw the Count, who successfully overcame our doubts about the wisdom of his marriage to an Englishwoman in view of the political situation in Spain. Montemolin was so much in love that he easily waived every obstacle my father placed in the way, and at last it was settled that we were to be formally engaged, subject to certain conditions which my father insisted on the Count complying with.
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, St Mary's Church Twickenham [Map]
On 09 Jul 1677 William Berkeley (age 71) died at Berkeley Square, Mayfair. He was buried in St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map].
On 05 Sep 1678 John Berkeley 1st Baron Berkeley (deceased) was buried at St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map].
On 27 Jan 1788 William Tryon (age 58) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map].
On 23 Nov 1808 Francis Leggatt Chantrey (age 27) and Mary Ann Wale (age 21) were married at St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map]. She is described as his cousin although it isn't clear how they related. There is a reference to Chantrey staying with his uncle Wale in 1802 which suggests they may have been first cousins through a sister of his father who married Wale or his mother may have been a Sarah Wale. She brought £10,000; this money enabled him to pay off some debts he had contracted, to purchase a house and ground, on which he built two houses, a studio and offices, also to buy marble to proceed in the career he had begun, with a reasonable chance of success.
On 14 Apr 1829 Captain George Marlay (age 81) died. On 22 Apr 1729 he was buried at St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map].
In 1843 James Marlay (age 13) drowned. He was buried at St Mary's Church Twickenham, Richmond [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham, Strawberry Hill House
Letters of Horace Walpole. 04 Mar 1749. Strawberry Hill. To Horace Mann 1st Baronet (age 42).
I have been so shut up in the House of Commons for this last fortnight or three weeks, that I have not had time to write you a line: we have not had such a session since the famous beginning of last Parliament. I am come hither for a day or two of rest and air, and find the additional pleasure of great beauty in my improvements: I could talk to you through the whole sheet, and with much more satisfaction, upon this head; but I shall postpone my own amusement to yours, for I am sure you want much more to know what has been doing in Parliament than at Strawberry Hill. You will conclude that we have been fighting over the peace; but we have not. It is laid before Parliament, but will not be taken up; the Opposition foresee that a vote of approbation would pass, and therefore will not begin upon it, as they wish to reserve it for censure in the next reign-or perhaps the next reign does not care to censure now what he must hereafter maintain-and the ministry do not seem to think their treaty so perfect as not to be liable to blame, should it come to be canvassed. We have been then upon several other matters: but first I should tell you, that from the utmost tranquillity and impotence of a minority, there is at once started up so formidable an Opposition as to divide 137 against 203.(1) The minority is headed by the Prince, who has continued opposing, though very unsuccessfully, ever since the removal of Lord Granville (age 58), and the desertion of the patriots. He stayed till the Pelhams had brought off every man of parts in his train, and then began to form his party. Lord Granville has never come into it, for fear of breaking with the King; and seems now to be patching up again with his old enemies. If Lord Bath has dealt with the Prince, it has been underhand. His ministry has had at the head of it poor Lord Baltimore (age 49), a very good-natured, weak, honest man; and Dr. Lee, a civilian, who was of Lord Granville's admiralty, and is still much attached to him. He is a grave man, and a good speaker, but of no very bright parts, and, from his way of life and profession, much ignorant of, and unfit for, a ministry. You will wonder what new resources the Prince has discovered-why, he has found them all in Lord Egmont (age 38), whom you have heard of under the name of Lord Perceval; but his father, an Irish Earl, is lately dead. As he is likely to make a very considerable figure in our history, I shall give you a more particular account of him. He has always earnestly studied our history and constitution and antiquities, with very ambitious views; and practised speaking early in the Irish Parliament. Indeed, this turn is his whole fund, for though he is between thirty and forty, he knows nothing of the world, and is always unpleasantly dragging the conversation to political dissertations. When very young, as he has told me himself, he dabbled in writing Craftsmen and penny-papers; but the first event that made him known, was his carrying the Westminster election at the end of my father's ministry,-which he amply described in the history of his own family, a genealogical work called "The History of the House of Yvery,"(2) a work which cost him three thousand pounds, as the heralds informed Mr. Chute and me, when we went to their office on your business; and which was so ridiculous, that he has since tried to suppress all the copies. It concluded with the description of the Westminster election, in these or some such words, "And here let us leave this young nobleman struggling for the dying liberties of his country!" When the change in the ministry happened, and Lord Bath was so abused by the remnant of the patriots, Lord Egmont published his celebrated pamphlet, called "Faction Detected," a work which the Pitts and Lytteltons have never forgiven him; and which, though he continued voting and sometimes speaking with the Pelhams, made him quite unpopular during all the last Parliament. When the new elections approached, he stood on his own bottom at Weobly in Herefordshire; but his election being contested, be applied for Mr. Pelham's support, who carried it for him in the House of Commons. This will always be a material blot in his life; for he had no sooner secured his seat, than he openly attached himself to the Prince, and has since been made a lord of his bedchamber. At the opening of this session, he published an extreme good pamphlet, which has made infinite noise, called "An Examination of the Principles and Conduct of the two Brothers," (the Pelhams,) and as Dr. Lee has been laid up with the gout, Egmont has taken the lead in the Opposition, and has made as great a figure as perhaps was ever made in so short a time. He is very bold and resolved, master of vast knowledge, and speaks at once with fire and method. His words are not picked and chosen like Pitt's, but his language is useful, clear, and strong. He has already by his parts and resolution mastered his great unpopularity, so far as to be heard with the utmost attention, though I believe nobody had ever more various difficulties to combat. All the old corps hate him on my father and Mr. Pelham's (age 54) account; the new part of the ministry on their own. The Tories have not quite forgiven his having left them in the last Parliament: besides that, they are now governed by one Prowse, a cold, plausible fellow. and a great well-wisher to Mr. Pelham. Lord Strange (age 33),(3) a busy Lord of a party by himself, yet voting generally with the Tories, continually clashes with Lord Egmont; and besides all this, there is a faction in the Prince's family, headed by Nugent, who are for moderate measures.
(1) Upon the last clause of the Mutiny-bill, an amendment to render half pay officers subject to the act, only in case of actual war, insurrection, rebellion, or invasion, was rejected by 203 to 137.-E.
(2) Compiled principally for Lord Egmont by Anderson, the genealogist. It was printed, but not published, in 1742. "Some," says Boswell, in his Life of Johnson, "have affected to laugh at the History of the House of Very: it would be well if many others would transmit their pedigrees to posterity, with the same accuracy and generous zeal with which the noble Lord who compiled that work has honoured and perpetuated his ancestry. Family histories, like, the imagines majorum of the ancients, excite to virtue." Vol. viii. p. 188.-E.
(3) James, Lord Strange, eldest son of Edward Stanley, eleventh Earl of Derby (age 59). In 1762 he was made Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and died during his father's life-time, in 1771. He always called himself Lord Strange; though the title, which was a barony in fee, had in fact descended to the Duke of Atholl, as heir general of James, seventh Earl of Derby. D.
Letters of Horace Walpole. 27 Jul 1752. There are great civil wars in the neighbourhood of Strawberry Hill: Princess Emily (age 41), who succeeded my brother in the rangership of Richmond Park, has imitated her brother William's (age 31) unpopularity, and disobliged the whole country, by refusal of tickets and liberties, that had always been allowed. They are at law with her, and have printed in the Evening Post a strong Memorial, which she had refused to receive-.322 The High Sheriff of Surrey, to whom she had denied a ticket, but on better thought had sent one, refused it, and said he had taken his part. Lord Brooke (age 32)323 who had applied for one, was told he could not have one-and to add to the affront, it was signified. that the Princess had refused one to my Lord Chancellor-your old nobility don't understand such comparisons! But the most remarkable event happened to her about three weeks ago. One Mr. Bird, a rich gentleman near the park, was applied to by the late Queen for a piece of ground that lay convenient for a walk she was making: he replied, it was not proper for him to pretend to make a Queen a present; but if she would do what she pleased with the ground, he would be content with the acknowledgment of a key and two bucks a-year. This was religiously observed till the era of her Royal Highness's reign; the bucks were denied, and he himself once shut out, on pretence it was fence-month (the breeding-time, when tickets used to be excluded, keys never.) The Princess soon after was going through his grounds to town; she found a padlock on his gate; she ordered it to be broke open: Mr. Shaw, her deputy, begged a respite, till he could go for the key. He found Mr. Bird at home-"Lord, Sir! here is a strange mistake; the Princess is at the gate, and it is padlocked!" "Mistake! no mistake at all - I made the road: the ground is my own property: her Royal Highness has thought fit to break the agreement which her Royal Mother made with me: nobody goes through my grounds but those I choose should. Translate this to your Florentinese; try if you can make them conceive how pleasant it is to treat blood royal thus!
There are dissensions of more consequence in the same neighbourhood. The tutorhood at Kew is split into factions: the Bishop of Norwich (age 50) and Lord Harcourt (age 38) openly at war with Stone (age 49) and Scott, who are supported by Cresset (age 38), and countenanced by the Princess and Murray-so my Lord Bolinbroke dead, will govern, which he never could living! It is believed that the Bishop will be banished into the rich bishopric of Durham, which is just vacant-how pleasant to be punished, after teaching the boys a year, with as much as he could have got if he had taught them twenty! Will they ever expect a peaceable prelate, if untractableness is thus punished?
Note 322. The memorial will be found in the Gentleman's Magazine for this year. In December the park was opened by the King's order.-E.
Note 323. Francis Greville, Earl Brooke.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. After 1842 Lady Waldegrave (age 20) resided at Strawberry Hill with her third husband, and she was very fond of the place and its associations with Horace Walpole.
The Strawberry Hill estate and the Walpole Collection had been sold in 1842, but Lady Waldegrave was always trying to obtain any objects from it which came into the sale-rooms from time to time, in order that she might restore them to their old home.
She was a very handsome Jewess, with a perfectly fascinating manner, and she was a great favourite in Society owing to her infinite tact, which made her say and do exactly the right thing at the right moment.
She possessed a keen sense of humour, and one evening when she was at the Dublin theatre with Mr. Chichester Fortescue (age 18) a wag in the gallery who recognised her called out, "Arrah, my Lady, and which of the four husbands did ye like the best?" Without a moment's hesitation Lady Waldegrave stood up and, turning in the direction of the speaker, called out with delightful sang-froid, "Why, the Irish one, of course". Loud applause greeted this rejoinder, and she was very popular in Dublin afterwards.
On 28 Sep 1846 George Edward Waldegrave 7th Earl Waldegrave (age 30) died. His uncle William Waldegrave 8th Earl Waldegrave (age 57) succeeded 8th Earl Waldegrave, 9th Baron Waldegrave Chewton Somerset, 12th Baronet Waldegrave of Hever Castle. His wife Frances Braham Countess Waldegrave (age 25) inherited Strawberry Hill House.
Letters of Horace Walpole. I now entirely credit all that my Lord Leicester and his family have said against Lady Mary Coke and her family1; and am convinced that it is impossible to marry any thing of the blood of Campbell, without having all her relations in arms to procure a separation immediately. Pray, what have I done? have I come home drunk to my wife within these four first days? or have I sat up gaming all night, and not come home at all to her, after her lady-mother had been persuaded that I was the soberest young nobleman in England, and had the greatest aversion to play'! Have I kept my bride awake all night with railing at her father, when all the world had allowed him to be one of the bravest officers in Europe? In short, in short, I have a mind to take COUNSEL, even of the wisest lawyer now living in matrimonial cases, my Lord Coke * * * If, like other Norfolk husbands, I must entertain the town with a formal parting, at least it shall be in my own way: my wife shall neither 'run to Italy after lovers and books306, nor keep a dormitory in her dressing-room at Whitehall for Westminster schoolboys, your Frederick Campbells, and such like.307 nor 'yet shall she reside at her mother's house, but shall absolutely set out for Strawberry Hill in two or three days, as soon as her room can be well aired; for, to give her her due, I don't think her to blame, but flatter myself she is quite contented with the easy footing we live upon; separate beds, dining in her dressing-room when she is out of humour, and a little toad-eater that I had got for her, and whose pockets and bosom I have never examined, to see if' she brought any billets-doux from Tommy Lyttelton or any of her fellows. I shall follow her myself in less than a fortnight; and if her family don't give me any more trouble,-why, who knows but at your return you may find your daughter with qualms and in a sack? If you should happen to want to know any more particulars, she is quite well, has walked in the park every morning, or has the chariot, as she chooses; and, in short, one would think that I or she were much older than we really are, for I grow excessively fond of her.308
Note 305. Now first published.
Note 306. Alluding to the wife of his eldest brother, Lord Walpole, Margaret Rolle, who had separated Herself from her husband, and resided in Italy.-E.
Note 307. Lady Townshend.-E.
Note 308. All this letter refers to Ann Seymour Conway, then three years old, who had been left with her nurse at Mr. Walpole's, during an absence of her father and mother in Ireland.-E.
Note 1. Mary Campbell had married Edward Coke son of Thomas William Coke 1st Earl of Leicester.
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham Bridge [Map]
Twickenham Bridge [Map] is a bridge over the River Thames.
On 03 Jul 1933 Twickenham Bridge [Map], Hampton Court Bridge [Map] and Chiswick Bridge [Map] were opened by the Prince of Wales (age 39).
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, Twickenham Park
On 04 May 1609 Bridget Harrington (age 30) died at Twickenham Park which house belonged to her cousin Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 29).
Evelyn's Diary. 23 Mar 1676. To Twickenham Park, Lord Berkeley's (age 48) country seat, to examine how the bailiffs and servants ordered matters.
Europe, British Isles, South-East England, Surrey, Richmond, York House Twickenham
On 19 Mar 1844 William Lowther 1st Earl Lonsdale (age 86) died at York House Twickenham, Richmond. On 19 Mar 1844 His son William Lowther 2nd Earl Lonsdale (age 56) succeeded 2nd Earl Lonsdale, 3rd Viscount Lowther, 3rd Baron Lowther.