(634) Birch of Clare Park

This family descends from the Rev. Jonathan Birch (1684-1735), who was rector of Bakewell (Derbys) and lived at Holme Hall in that parish as a tenant of the Eyre family. It seems likely that he was a descendant of the Birchs of Birch Hall in Rusholme (Lancs), but although his father and grandfather can be identified, the connection to the stem of the family is unclear.

Birch Hall, Rusholme (Lancs): a view of the semi-timbered part of the house,
which dates from the time of the Birchs.

That there was a connection is made more probable by the fact that in 1802 a Robert Birch, who certainly belonged to the main line of the Rusholme Birchs, purchased the freehold of Holme Hall and held it until 1820. 

Holme Hall, Bakewell: the dates chiefly from 1626 but has been much altered.

The Rev. Thomas Birch (1731-1806), with whom the genealogy below begins, was the third son of Jonathan Birch (d. 1735) and followed his father into the church. He became minister of a group of parishes around Alford (Lincs), and he settled at South Thoresby. He and his wife had a large family of ten sons and three daughters, and several of his sons continued the family tradition by pursuing clerical careers: the most successful was the Ven. Dr. Thomas Birch (1766-1840) who was Dean of Battle (Sussex) and Archdeacon of Lewes; while Rev. William Birch (1767-1848) was both rector of Burford (Oxon) and a schoolmaster at Rugby, and Rev. Walter Birch (1774-1829) was a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford and later held livings in Essex and Wiltshire. A fourth clerical son was Rev. Henry Birch (1780-1857), who was ordained deacon in 1802 but then abandoned the Church of England and became a minister in the Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion. Other sons went into the army or took to the sea, and the most successful of these were Lt-Gen. John Francis Birch (1776-1856), who served throughout the Napoleonic wars; Jonathan Birch (1772-1848), who retired from a career as captain of an East Indiaman and purchased Pudlicote House (Oxon) in 1822; and Maj. George Birch (1781-1855), who joined the East India Company's Bengal army and eventually returned from India with a substantial fortune. It was George who purchased the recently remodelled Clare Park in Hampshire and moved the family into the landed gentry.

George Birch (d. 1855) married twice but his only children were a son and daughter by his first wife. His son, George Francis Birch (1834-1908), was the heir to Clare Park, while his daughter, Lydia Caroline (1832-81), married the rising politician, George Sclater Booth (1826-94) of Hoddington House (Hants), who after thirty years as an MP became a privy councillor and was raised to a peerage as Baron Basing. George Francis Birch succeeded his father at Clare Park in 1855 and may have remodelled the house soon afterwards. He pursued a career in the Hampshire militia (retiring as an honorary Lieutenant Colonel) and was a JP for fifty years. In 1861 he married Katherine Montgomery Campbell (c.1835-86), who bore him three sons and one daughter. Their eldest son suffered from learning disabilities, so it was their second son, Francis Herrick Birch (1866-1932) who inherited Clare Park. He was a barrister and JP, who also oversaw school attendance officers in Surrey in the years before the First World War. Despite these sources of earned income, he decided he could not afford to maintain Clare Park and sold it in 1921, while retaining a smaller house on the estate. He married in 1903 and had issue two sons, who both went abroad, ending up in Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), where they died in the 1970s.

Clare Park, Crondall, Hampshire

The estate can be identified with the manor of Badley, which for much of the medieval and early modern period was held jointly with the manor of Pury or Perryland in Bentley parish. The name Clare or Clere Park is first recorded in 1215, when grain was sent from the estate to Waverley Abbey (Surrey), and in 1246, when timber from the estate was selected for building work in London. There seems not to have been a principal residence here, however, until about 1725, when Elizabeth Harding, widow, is said to have built a new house, much of the fabric of which probably survives with the current three-storey building. To all appearances, however, the present house is early 19th century, and when the house was advertised for sale in 1827 it was described as 'a perfectly modern mansion or villa, of stone coloured brick, slated, elegantly fitted up, and replete with every desirable accommodation for a good establishment', on which 'very considerable sums have been expended by the late proprietor during the last four years, in making many important additions to the house; in improving the approaches to the estate; and in bringing the whole into its present perfect and delightful order'. The work was therefore presumably undertaken for Philip Raoul Lemprière (1785-1859), a Jersey landowner, who intended to settle permanently in England but changed his mind and returned to Jersey, where he was Seigneur of Rozel Manor.

Clare Park: the house in 1921. Image: Country Life.

Clare Park: entrance front today.

Clare Park now consists of a stuccoed principal block five bays by four, with a three-bay, two-storey service wing to the left of the entrance front. The central bay of the entrance front is stepped forward and has a semi-circular porch with slender Tuscan columns. The wide eaves of the oversailing hipped slate roof are supported on coupled curved brackets which have an Italianate feel and probably date from later in the 19th century, when the stucco coating of the walls may also have been applied. It seems likely that these were modernisations undertaken by G.F. Birch after he inherited the estate in 1855, but documentary evidence is lacking. Inside, the house is said to have a well-detailed entrance hall and staircase. A century of institutional use has left the house with extensive ancillary buildings, some attached and some detached, which are now used as additional sheltered housing and a private hospital.

Descent: William Blount, Lord Mountjoy, sold 1532 to William Thorpe; to Michael Lyster of Kinnersley (Herefs); sold 1579 to William Peake (d. 1597); to kinsman, William Walle (d. 1639); to son, Joseph Walle (d. 1644); to son, William Walle (fl. 1657)... William Harding (d. 1707); to son, John Harding; to widow, Elizabeth Harding, who built the present house c.1725...Edward Gibson; sold 1753 to John Jennings... sold c.1805 to Philip Raoul Lempriere (1785-1859) of Rosel Manor (Jersey); sold 1827 to Maj. George Birch (1781-1855); to son, George Francis Birch (1834-1908); to son, Francis Herrick Birch (1866-1932), who sold 1921 to William Butler; sold 1923 to Clare Park School (closed 1969); sold 1970 to Active Elderly Housing Association, later Clare Park Private Retirement Residences.

Birch family of Clare Park

Birch, Rev. Thomas (1731-1806). Third son of Rev. Jonathan Birch (1684-1735) of Holme Hall, Bakewell (Derbys), and his wife Elizabeth (1688-1756), daughter of John Rayner (1662-1746) of East Drayton (Notts), baptised at Bakewell (Derbys), 27 August 1731. Educated at Repton School and Hertford College, Oxford (matriculated 1750; BA 1755). Vicar of Saleby with Thoresthorpe (Lincs), 1764-1806; rector of South Thoresby (Lincs), 1771-1806; rector of Well with Dexthorpe and Claxby (Lincs), 1772-1806. He married, 12 August 1765 at Algarkirk (Lincs), Mary (1743-1807), daughter of Thomas Wright of Algarkirk, and had issue:

(1) Ven. Dr. Thomas Birch (1766-1840), born 23 July and baptised at Alford (Lincs), 25 July 1766; educated at Merchant Taylors School and St John's College, Oxford (matriculated 1785; BCL 1792; DCL 1797); ordained deacon, 1789 and priest, 1790; an 'amiable, learned and pious' clergyman who was perpetual curate of Northmoor (Oxon), 1801-33; dean of Battle (Sussex), 1801-36 and vicar of Bexhill, 1836-40; archdeacon of Lewes, 1825-40; and vicar of Westfield (Sussex), 1828-40; married, 31 January 1804 at Hampton (Middx), Maria Rosaria (1783-1866), third daughter of Charles Edward Gordon (1750-1832) of Wardhouse (Aberdeens.), and had issue four sons and five daughters; died 25 February and was buried at Bexhill (Sussex), 1 March 1840, but is commemorated by a monument in Battle church; will proved in the PCC, 21 May 1840;

(2) Rev. William Birch (1767-1848), born 23 August 1767 at Alford (Lincs); educated at Rugby School and Corpus Christi College, Oxford (matriculated 1783; BA 1787; MA 1792); ordained deacon, 1790 and priest, 1792; a schoolmaster at Rugby School (assistant master, 1788), where he was noted for 'a fist like a sledgehammer, which he pretty freely made use of'; perpetual curate of Astley (Warks), 1808-32; rector of Burford (Oxon), 1826-36; married, 14 August 1790 at Rugby (Warks), Sarah Bucknill (1759-1835) and had issue two sons and one daughter; buried at Rugby, 12 September 1848; will proved in the PCC, 16 November 1848;

(3) Edward Birch (1770-1800), born 15 May and baptised at Alford, 16 May 1770; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1794); died 22 May and was buried at St Giles, Oxford, 25 May 1800; will proved in the PCC, 26 June 1800;

(4) Elizabeth Birch (1771-84), born 18 June and baptised at Alford, 19 June 1771; died young on 1 April, and was buried at South Thoresby, 3 April 1784;

(5) Jonathan Birch (1772-1848), born 17 August and baptised at Alford, 19 August 1772; a merchant navy captain in the service of the East India Company; a friend of William Charles Macready, the actor and theatre manager, who mentions him in his diaries; lived in retirement at Pudlicote House, Chilson (Oxon), which he purchased in 1822 (and which his son sold in 1864); married, 9 May 1805 at St. Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn (Middx), Mary Elizabeth (1773-1822), daughter of William Morrice*, and had issue two sons and three daughters; died at the Windmill Inn, Alford (Lincs), while on a visit to his childhood home, 20 September, and was buried at South Thoresby, 23 September 1848; his will was proved in the PCC, 13 December 1848;

(6) Rev. Walter Birch (1774-1829), baptised at South Thoresby, 8 February 1774; educated at Rugby, St. John's College, Oxford (matriculated 1791) and Magdalen College, Oxford (demy, 1791; BA 1795; MA 1798; BD 1805); ordained deacon, 1797 and priest, 1798; Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, 1797-1818; vicar of Stanton St Bernard (Wilts), 1812-29 and Stanway (Essex), 1817-29; married, 12 November 1818 at Stonehouse (Glos), Elizabeth (1787-1872), daughter of Nathaniel Dimock of Stonehouse, and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 8 December 1829 and was buried at Stanway (Essex), where he was commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 26 January 1830;

(7) Samuel Birch (b. & d. 1775), baptised at South Thoresby, 30 May 1775; died in infancy and was buried at South Thoresby, 8 June 1775;

(8) Lt-Gen. John Francis Birch (1776-1856) born 20 August and baptised at South Thoresby, 31 August 1776; an officer in the Royal Engineers (2nd Lt., 1793; Lt., 1796; Capt., 1801; Maj., 1811; Lt-Col, 1813; Col., 1825; Maj-Gen., 1837; Lt-Gen., 1846), who served throughout the Napoleonic Wars;  author of A memoir on the national defence (1808); married, 25 April 1808 at Edinburgh, Clementina (1777-1844), daughter of Sir James Hunter Blair (1741-87), 1st bt., of Dunskey (Wigtowns.), banker and politician, and had issue two sons and three daughters; died at Folkestone (Kent) and was buried at Crondall (Hants), 3 June 1856, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 19 June 1856;

(9) Samuel Birch (1777-78), born 5 October and baptised at South Thoresby, 12 November 1777; died in infancy and was buried at South Thoresby, 13 April 1778;

(10) Henry Birch (1780-1857), born 18 June and baptised at South Thoresby, 31 July 1780; educated at St John's College, Oxford (matriculated 1797) and Magdalen College, Oxford (BA 1801; MA 1804); ordained deacon, 1802; curate of Well with Dexthorpe and Claxby (Lincs), 1802, but left the Church of England and became a minister in the Countess of Huntingdon's Connection chapel at Dane House, Brighton (Sussex); married, 11 June 1812 at St Pancras (Middx), his cousin, Penelope Yorke (c.1771-1838), daughter of Rev. John Neville Birch, rector of Leasingham (Lincs), and had issue one son; died 31 May, and was buried at Cranbrook (Kent), 5 June 1857; will proved in the PCC, 10 July 1857;

(11) George Birch (1781-1855) (q.v.);

(12) Mary Birch (1784-1865), born 22 January and baptised at South Thoresby, 2 March 1784; married, 11 January 1815 at Battle (Sussex), as his second or third wife, Samuel Bucknill FRCS (1783-1863) of Rugby, general practitioner, and had issue four sons and one daughter; died 12 November 1865;

(13) Elizabeth Frances Birch (1785-1864), baptised at South Thoresby, 30 March 1785; married, 20 June 1820 at St Andrew, Rugby (Warks), Rev. Charles Eddy (c.1790-1830) of Guilsborough (Northants), and had issue one son and three daughters; died 27 March 1864.

He lived at South Thoresby (Lincs).

He died 22 September, and was buried at South Thoresby, 27 September 1806. His widow died 28 August 1807 and was buried at Battle (Sussex).

* Not John Morrice FSA, as stated by O'Neil; he was her brother.

Birch, George (1781-1855). Tenth and youngest son of Rev. Dr. Thomas Birch (d. 1806) and his wife Mary Wright, born 25 August and baptised at South Thorsby (Lincs), 28 August 1781. An officer in the East India Company's Bengal army (Cadet, 1798; Ensign, 1799; Lt., 1799; Capt., 1810; Maj., 1823; retired 1824), who obtained a staff appointment on the basis of his command of native languages, and held both military and diplomatic postings in the northern provinces of Bengal. He returned to England in the 1820s with a considerable fortune. JP for Hampshire. He married 1st, 15 June 1831, Lydia Diana (d. 1837), daughter of Samuel Francis Dashwood of Stanford (Notts), and 2nd, 23 August 1849 at St Michael, Pimlico (Middx), Louisa (c.1802-83), daughter of John Edwards of Edgbaston (Warks), and had issue:

(1.1) Lydia Caroline Birch (1832-81), baptised at Crondall, 9 April 1832; married, 8 December 1857 at Crondall, Rt. Hon. George Sclater Booth (1826-94), Conservative MP for North Hampshire, 1857-85 and for Basingstoke, 1885-87, and later 1st Baron Basing, son of William Lutley Sclater of Hoddington House (Hants), and had issue four sons and six daughters; died 5 July, and was buried at Upton Grey (Hants), 11 July 1881;

(1.2) George Francis Birch (1834-1908) (q.v.).

He purchased Clare Park in 1827.

He died at Folkestone (Kent), 23 February and was buried at Crondall, 2 March 1855. His first wife died 10 January and was buried at Crondall, 14 January 1837. His widow died 4 November and was buried at Crondall, 8 November 1883; her will was proved 15 March 1884 (effects £1,416).

Birch, George Francis (1834-1908). Only son of George Birch (1781-1855) and his wife Lydia Diana, daughter of Samuel Francis Dashwood of Stanford (Notts), born 6 January and baptised at Crondall, 11 March 1834. Educated at Brighton, Rugby and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1852; BA 1856). An officer in the Royal East Middlesex Militia (Capt., 1856) and later in Hampshire Militia (Capt., 1858; Maj., 1875; hon. Lt-Col., 1881; retired 1882). JP (from 1858) and DL for Hampshire and JP for Surrey; he was chairman of the Aldershot and Odiham Petty Sessions. He married, 29 October 1861 at Woodhouse (Leics), Katherine Georgina Montgomery (c.1835-86), daughter of Hugo Montgomery Campbell of The Hollies, Enville (Staffs), and had issue, with a premature, stillborn daughter born in 1863:

(1) George Reginald Birch (1864-1930), born 27 August and baptised at Crondall, 29 August 1864; suffered from learning disabilities and lived at Normansfield Hospital, Teddington (Middx); died unmarried, 12 April 1930;

(2) Francis Herrick Birch (1866-1932) (q.v.);

(3) Lydia Mary Birch (1868-1953), born 2 February and baptised at Crondall, 15 March 1868; self-employed gardener; died unmarried, 21 June and was buried at Crondall, 25 June 1953; will proved 21 November 1953 (estate £11,742);

(4) Arthur Charles Birch (1870-1936), born 24 September and baptised at Crondall, 23 October 1870; an officer in the Royal Artillery (2nd Lt., 1890; Lt., 1893; Capt., 1900; retired 1901 but returned to colours, 1914; Maj., 1915), who served in Boer War (when he was a prisoner of war) and First World War; died unmarried, 25 August 1936 and was buried at Crondall; will proved 22 October 1936 (estate £9,747).

He inherited Clare Park from his father in 1855.

He died 18 August and was buried at Crondall, 20 August 1908; his will was proved 5 December 1908 (estate £3,756). His wife died at Thurmaston Hall (Leics), 6 October 1886.

Birch, Francis Herrick (1866-1932). Second son of George Francis Birch (1834-1908) and his wife Katherine Georgina, daughter of Hugo Montgomery Campbell of The Hollies (Staffs), born 23 February and baptised at Crondall, 8 April 1866. Educated at Winchester, Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1884; BA 1887) and Inner Temple (admitted 1888; called 1891). Barrister-at-law on the Western circuit and at Hampshire area Quarter Sessions until c.1914; Superintendent of School Attendance in Dorking, Reigate and Godstone divisions of Surrey, 1903; JP for Hampshire from 1912. He married, 25 July 1903 at Holy Trinity, Chelsea (Middx), Constance Somerville (1864-1956), daughter of Gen. Sir Charles Cameron Shute, kt., MP for Brighton, 1874-80, and had issue:

(1) Charles Francis Birch (1904-74), born 13 September and baptised at Ewshot (Hants), 23 October 1904; educated at Charterhouse; racehorse trainer at Ogbourne (Wilts); served in Second World War with Royal Air Force, but evidently emigrated to Southern Rhodesia later; married, 3 January 1934, Catherine Alice Anne (k/a Nancy) (1909-88) (who m2, 1979, Charles Alexander Kennedy (1900-81)), only daughter of William John of Marlborough Grange, Cowbridge (Glam.), and had issue one son and two daughters; died at Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), 19 August 1974; administration of goods granted 17 May 1975 (estate in England & Wales, £860);

(2) George Arthur Birch (1909-70), born 13 January 1909; educated at Winchester; had a varied career including being a tobacco planter in Southern Rhodesia and later a stockbroker in England and a shipping merchant in South Africa; served in Second World War with Royal Artillery; married, 3 March 1934 in Southern Rhodesia, Margaret (1910-75) (who m2, Abel Lawrence Peirson jr. (1897-1983) of Dorset, Bennington, Vermont (USA)), second daughter of William Smith-Wilson of Sao Paolo (Brazil), and had issue one son; died in Zimbabwe in October 1970.

He inherited Clare Park from his father in 1908, but sold it in 1921 and lived subsequently at West Kennett Farm, Marlborough (Wilts) and Beaumont House, Crondall. His widow lived latterly at Bognor Regis (Sussex).

He died 6 November 1932; his will was proved 15 December 1932 (estate £40,106). His widow died 16 February 1956; her will was proved 2 August 1956 (estate £4,405).

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1952, p. 182; J.B. Payne, A monograph of the house of Lempriere, 1862, pp. 10-11; J.S. Buckley, The history of Birch in Rusholme, 1910, pp. 9-15; VCH Hampshire, vol. 4, 1911, pp. 5-14, 27-30; B.L. O'Neil, The Birch family history, 1998; M. Craven & M. Stanley, The Derbyshire country house, 2001, pp. 120-21; M. Bullen, J. Crook, R. Hubbuck & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Hampshire - Winchester and the North, 2010, p. 234;

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

None recorded.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits or photographs of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 4 May 2026.

(633) Binning of Wallyford and Pilmuir

Binning of Pilmuir

Binning of Wallyford

The origins of the Binnings (sometimes Binny or Binney or Bining) are obscure, but in the 17th century the family claimed descent from a peasant called Bunnock who is said to have aided the capture of Linlithgow Castle by the Scots in 1308, during Robert the Bruce's war of independence. The story goes that Bunnock had been employed by the English garrison to gather hay and bring it to the castle, but when he approached with his laden wagon the hay concealed armed men. When he came under the gatehouse, he cut the ropes allowing the portcullis to be raised and lowered, and the armed men leapt out and overpowered the garrison, with the help of others waiting in ambush nearby. The story was first recorded in the poem 'Bruce' by John Barbour in about 1370, but there is very little evidence to connect the 17th century merchant Binnings with the Bunnock of the poem. 

The authentic records of the family seem to begin with Thomas Binning (d. 1606), who was a retainer of Lord Torpichen, and was rewarded for his service with a grant of the house and lands of Carlowriehaugh near Kirkliston (West Lothian). His son, James Binning (d. 1663), became a merchant in Edinburgh, and married twice; his eldest son, another James Binning (d. 1681), became an advocate and seems to have sold Carlowriehaugh, but his issue had died out before 1700. The only child of James's second marriage was Sir William Binning (1637-1711), kt., with whom the genealogy below begins. Like his father, he followed a mercantile career, and was also active in civic politics in Edinburgh. After serving a term as Lord Provost, however, he largely abandoned city affairs and became a government contractor and a farmer of tolls and customs. He bought the Wallyford estate with its recently-built new house in 1675, but it is not clear how much time he spent there, since his main residence always seems to have been in Edinburgh. Since Wallyford was only about seven miles from the city, however, he could have moved frequently between the two.

Like his father, Sir William was twice married, but all his ten children were borne by his first wife. His eldest son, Laurence Binning (1665-1708), died in the lifetime of his father, so it was his next surviving son, William Binning (1669-1734), who inherited Wallyford. He was educated at Edinburgh University and married into the rising Dundas family, but his only surviving child was William Binning (1710-91), who became an advocate and a director of the Bank of Scotland, but who never married. He inherited Wallyford from his father in 1734 but sold it in 1757 and lived subsequently in Edinburgh, and this branch of the family died out on his death.

Sir William Binning's fifth son, Charles Binning (1674-1758), studied law at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, and was admitted an advocate in 1698. In the early 18th century he became associated with the 'Squadrone Volante' - a group of families with much power in Scotland who were allied to the Whig government in London. Through this connection, and although he was never a member of parliament, he was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in Walpole's government in 1721, but when Walpole ditched the 'Squadrone' in 1725 and allied himself instead with the Campbells, he lost office. He nonetheless remained an important figure in the Faculty of Advocates, where his association with the Dundas clan may have given him influence, and at the end of his life he was appointed Vice-Dean of the Faculty (the Dean then being generally absent on business in London and unable to fulfil the duties of his office in Edinburgh). Charles married in 1706 and in 1722 he purchased the Pilmuir estate at Bolton (East Lothian), which stood only a few miles from Wallyford. He and his wife had only one son, but several daughters, and in around 1750 he sold Pilmuir to his son, William Binning (1716-51), in order to provide funds to make provision for his daughters. William died unexpectedly in 1751, leaving as his heir an infant son who was just a few months old, and who in turn died in 1754. The estate thereupon reverted to Charles' three surviving daughters, but it became apparent that William had died leaving large concealed debts, and in 1761 the estate was sold at the instance of his creditors.

Wallyford House, Musselburgh, Midlothian (now East Lothian)

Wallyford House: entrance doorcase
from MacGibbon & Ross

An externally plain but symmetrical three-storey, gabled, stone-built house with projecting wings on the entrance front, apparently built for John Falconer (1636-86), who inherited the estate in 1670, as the classical doorcase in the centre of entrance front was dated 1672. Some previous authors have speculated that the house may have had earlier origins, but while it is possible there was a previous house on the site, there seems nothing in the plan and decoration of the building to suggest that it was not completely rebuilt.

The ground floor contained the service accommodation and a corridor leading to a handsome square staircase at the west end and thence to the principal rooms on the first floor. The staircase had a solid stone newel finished with attached moulded shafts at either end. The large room at the western end of the first floor was probably the dining room, with a withdrawing room next to it; certainly these were the most important apartments, as they were panelled and had ornamented plaster ceilings. The house was laid out so that these principal rooms had a southern aspect, and a wide corridor or gallery on their north side provided easy communication between the different rooms. 

Wallyford House: plan of principal floor, from MacGibbon & Ross

On the second floor were bedrooms and a large gallery with a boarded ceiling that extended into the roofspace and had sloping sides, as at Pinkie House nearby, although the gallery at Wallyford never received the decorative painting found at Pinkie.

Wallyford House: the ruins from the south-west, shortly before demolition in 1948.

The house was still 'in complete repair' and 'fit for the accommodation of a large and genteel family' when it was advertised to let in 1781 and 1793, but in the 19th century the house ceased to be occupied as a single dwelling, and was used as a store for the Aitchison family's distillery, and later to house 27 families of coal miners brought into the district as additional labour. At the time when it was destroyed by fire in 1884 it was empty apart from a small section which was used as a private school. The absence of water in the locality prevented the fire being contained, and the house seems to have been reduced to bare walls, but happily the plan and some information about the interior had been recorded shortly before the fire by MacGibbon & Ross. The ruins were demolished in 1948 to make way for the construction of a housing estate.

Descent: Sir John Falconer (1612-70), kt.; to son, John Falconer (1636-86), who built the house but sold 1675 to Sir William Binning (1637-1711), kt.; to son, William Binning (1669-c.1734); to son, William Binning (1710-91), who sold 1757 to James Finlay (d. 1782); to son, Robert Finlay (d. 1808); sold c.1811 to [forename unknown] Wilson; sold to Maj. William Aitchison (d. 1846); to Col. Aitchison of Drummore, who sold, by 1856, to Francis Charteris-Wemyss-Douglas (1795-1883), 9th Earl of Wemyss & 5th Earl of March. 

Pilmuir House, Bolton, East Lothian

A small but characterful harled laird's house of 1624, consisting of a single range of two storeys with a dormered attic, and in the centre a square staircase tower with a crowstepped gable that rose a storey higher than the rest of the house. A fat stair-turret which bulges so far out as to need the support of a squinch in the angle was attached to its north-east corner. The harling is now a striking but not traditional burnt orange colour. 

Pilmuir House: the north front in 1975. Image: Crown Copyright.

The ground floor of the stair tower has a moulded doorway with a datestone over it and the initials W.C. and A.B. for William Cairns and Agnes Brown, his wife, who were the builders. In the early 18th century, a new front door was formed on the principal floor in the centre of the south front, and the windows were given their thick glazing bars. Internally, the house had the kitchen and service accommodation on the ground floor, the living rooms on the first floor, and the bedrooms in the attics. The drawing room at the west end of the main floor retains an early 17th century plaster ceiling with moulded ribs and applied moulded decoration, but all the main rooms were given pine panelling in the 18th century. The top floor of the tower is occupied by a room with a coved ceiling.

Pilmuir House: south front in 1975. Image: Crown Copyright.

The house now has a formal, symmetrical approach through a walled courtyard which was presumably created in the 18th century when the south entrance was formed. There are bee-boles in the garden wall and a large 17th century doocot 100 metres south-east of the house.

Descent: built for William Cairns (d. 1653); to son; to cousin, William Borthwick (1641-89) of Johnstounburn... sold c.1722 to Charles Binning (1674-1758); sold to son, William Binning (1716-51); to son, Charles Binning (1751-54) and then to the latter's aunts, Elizabeth (1708-82), wife of Andrew Buchanan of Drumpellier, Catherine (1711-69), wife of David Inglis; and Isabella (d. 1806); sold 1761 to Adam Fairholm; sold 1770 to James Maitland, 7th Earl of Lauderdale; sold c.1777... sold c.1927 to Sir Henry Wade (1876-1955); to Sir Henry Wade's Pilmuir Trust; at the time of writing let to Mr & Mrs Christopher Cruden.

Binning family of Wallyford

Binning, Sir William (1637-1711), kt. Only son of James Binning (d. 1663) of Carlowriehaugh and Edinburgh, merchant, and his second wife Euphemia (d. 1670), daughter of [forename unknown] Baillie of Jerviston, born 11 March 1637. Apprenticed to his cousin, Alexander Brand of Edinburgh, merchant, 1655. He was admitted a burgess and guild brother of Edinburgh, 1664, and became a leading and successful merchant in the city, operating chiefly as a linen manufacturer but also as a financier and government contractor; in 1679 he supplied timber joists to the value of over £2,000 for the rebuilding of Holyroodhouse. During the two Dutch wars he joined forces with Sir Robert Baird of Saughton and Sir Robert Barclay of Perceton to fit out privateers. He was a member of the Town Council, 1666-79, and served as Treasurer, 1668-71, Bailie, 1671-72, and Lord Provost, 1675-77. He obtained a grant of arms in 1675 and was knighted while Lord Provost, in January 1677. His later years were marked by several notable instances of bribery and corruption, which, as Inglis puts it, "were a scandal even in a generation not squeamish about public morality". From 1693 he farmed the Scottish customs and excise for five years in partnership with Sir Robert Dickson and Sir Thomas Kennedy, at £20,300 per annum. He was a Commissioner of Supply for Midlothian in 1678, 1685, 1689, 1690 and 1696, and for both Midlothian and East Lothian in 1704, and was a JP for Midlothian in 1708. He was a seat-holder in the Tron Kirk, Edinburgh. He married 1st, 26 December 1662 at Edinburgh, Elspeth alias Elizabeth (1639-98), daughter of Laurence Scott of Bavelaw, and 2nd, 13 April 1701 at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, Mary, second daughter and co-heir of George Livingston of Saltcoats and widow of James or Alexander Menzies of Culterallers, and had issue:

(1.1) Euphame Binning (f.) (1664-65), baptised at Edinburgh, 10 January 1664; died in infancy, November 1665;

(1.2) Laurence Binning (1665-1708), baptised at Edinburgh, 19 November 1665; educated at Edinburgh University (MA 1686); farmer of the Edinburgh excise duty on ale, 1706-08; married, 24 September 1697 at Edinburgh, Margaret, daughter of Sir David Home (1643-1707) of Corserig, a Lord of Session, and had issue two daughters; died of a high fever, 17 May 1708, in the lifetime of his father;

(1.3) Catherine Binning (1667-1746?), baptised at Edinburgh, 24 February 1667; married, 13 February 1697, William Baird (1668-1737), sixth son of Sir Robert Baird (1630-97), 1st bt., of Saughtonhall (Midl.), and had issue seven sons and two daughters; probably the person of that name buried at Edinburgh, 6 October 1746;

(1.4) twin, James Binning (1669-89), baptised at Edinburgh, 30 July 1669; died unmarried and was buried at Greyfriars, Edinburgh, 31 October 1689;

(1.5) twin, William Binning (1669-c.1734) (q.v.);

(1.6) Hugh Binning (b. 1670), baptised at Edinburgh, 28 October 1670; died young;

(1.7) Elizabeth Binning (b. 1672), born 1 October 1672; probably died young;

(1.8) Charles Binning (1674-1758) [for whom see below, Binning family of Pilmuir]; 

(1.9) Richard Binning (1676-96), baptised at Edinburgh, 13 July 1676; died unmarried and was buried at Greyfriars, Edinburgh, 12 June 1696;

(1.10) John Binning (b. 1677), baptised at Edinburgh, 25 December 1677; probably died young.

He purchased the Wallyford estate in March 1675. He lived chiefly at his town house in Parliament Close, Edinburgh, which burned down in 1700, and then moved to a house in Canongate, which also burned down in 1708. After his death, his widow succeeded to the estate of her brother George Livingstone of Saltcoats near Gullane in East Lothian.

He died 8 January 1711 and was buried at Greyfriars, Edinburgh. His first wife was buried at Greyfriars, Edinburgh, 6 December 1698. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Binning, William (1669-1734). Third, but eldest surviving, son of Sir William Binning (1637-1711) of Wallyford and his first wife, Elspeth alias Elizabeth, daughter of Laurence Scott of Bavelaw, baptised at Edinburgh, 30 July 1669. Educated at Edinburgh University (MA 1688). He married, 1709 (contract 25 March) at Abercorn (West Lothian), Isabella (1677-1724), daughter of John Dundas of Duddingston (Midl.), and had issue:

(1) William Binning (1710-91) (q.v.);

(2) Elizabeth Binning (b. 1712), born 26 June 1712; died without issue;

(3) Ann Binning (1715-86), born 18 January 1715; died unmarried at Duddingston, 20/29 January 1786;

(4) John Binning (b. 1716), born 5 June 1716; died without issue;

(5) Laurence Binning (b. 1717), born 19 December 1717; died without issue.

He inherited Wallyford from his father in 1711.

He died 16 July 1734. His wife died 21 February 1724.

Binning, William (1710-91). Eldest son of William Binning (1669-1734) and his wife Isabella, daughter of John Dundas of Duddingston (Midl.), born 27 August and baptised at Inveresk (Midl.), 28 August 1710. He was admitted an advocate, 24 December 1740. He was for many years a director of the Bank of Scotland, and one of the founder managers of the Society for the Relief of the Honest and Industrious Poor, founded in 1773. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Wallyford from his father in 1735 (served heir 3 January 1735), but sold the estate to James Finlay in 1757.

He died unmarried at Edinburgh, 2 February 1791; he left his entire estate (some £13,700) to his kinsman, Dr Alexander Munro, on the condition that he assumed the name and arms of Binning and invested the legacy in lands; in consequence of which Munro-Binning purchased the 500 acre Wester Softlaw estate near Kelso (Roxb.) in 1794.

Binning family of Pilmuir

Binning, Charles (1674-1758). Fifth son of Sir William Binning (1637-1711) of Wallyford and his first wife, Elspeth alias Elizabeth, daughter of Laurence Scott of Bavelaw, born 4 November and baptised at Edinburgh, 12 November 1674. He evidently studied at the University of Utrecht under the distinguished academic lawyer, Cornelis van Eck, and was admitted an advocate, 4 February 1698. He was appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in Walpole's government (though he never had a seat in parliament), 1721-25 and Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, 1755-58. Evidently a man of wide interests and activities, he was a member of the Hon. Society of Improvers in Agriculture, and of the Copartnery of Freeman Burgesses for establishing a fishing company; and a director of the Bank of Scotland. The Faculty of Advocates appointed him one of the managers of the Charity Workhouse, and he was an original trustee of George Watson's Hospital from 1724. He married, 28 July 1706 at Edinburgh, Margaret, daughter of Hugh Montgomery (1645-1728) of Broomlands (Ayrs.), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Binning (1708-82), born 10 January 1708; married, 1 July 1744 at Edinburgh, as his second wife, Andrew Buchanan (1691-1759) of Drumpellier, merchant and provost of Glasgow, 1740-41, but had no issue; died at Edinburgh, 6 November 1782; her will was confirmed 10 December 1782;

(2) Jean Binning (1709-10), born at Edinburgh, 11 October 1709; died in infancy, 1 June 1710;

(3) Catherine Binning (1711-69), born at Edinburgh, 9 May 1711; married, 4 June 1738 at Edinburgh, David Inglis (1702-67), merchant and treasurer of the Bank of Scotland 1757-67, and had issue one son (who died young) and two daughters; died at Edinburgh, 14 December 1769;

(4) Barbara Binning (1712-13). born at Edinburgh, 13 June 1712; died in infancy, 9 February 1713;

(5) William Binning (1716-51) (q.v.); 

(6) Margaret Binning (1717-24), born at Edinburgh, 12 December 1717; died young, 21 February, and was buried at Edinburgh, 23 February 1724;

(7) Isabella Binning (c.1719-1806), probably born about 1719; died unmarried, 28 July, and was buried at Edinburgh, 31 July 1806.

He purchased the Pilmuir House estate in 1722, but lived chiefly at his town house in Edinburgh. At some point around 1750 he sold the Pilmuir estate to his son in order to make financial provision for his daughters.

He died at Broomlands, 14/15 September 1758. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Binning, William (1716-51). Only son of Charles Binning (1674-1758) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Hugh Montgomery of Broomlands (Ayrs.), born at Edinburgh, 27 August 1716. He was admitted an advocate, 12 December 1739. He married, March 1750, Elizabeth (d. 1772?), daughter of Archibald Stuart WS (d. 1767) of Torrence, and had issue:

(1) Charles Binning (1751-54), born 29 March 1751; died young, 1754.

He purchased the Pilmuir estate from his father. After his death the property passed to his infant son and, on this child's death in 1754, to his three surviving sisters. It later emerged that he had contracted large debts unknown to his family and the estate was sold in 1761 at the instance of his creditors.

He died at Kelso (Roxb.) in the lifetime of his father, 30 August, and was buried at Edinburgh, 4 September 1751. His widow lived latterly at Edinburgh, and was probably the 'Mrs Elizabeth Binning' buried there, 3 February 1772.

Principal sources

G. MacGregor, Red Book of Scotland, 2nd edn., 2018, vol. 1, p. 538-41; D. MacGibbon & T. Ross, The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland, 1887, vol 4, p. 64; J.A. Inglis, The Munros of Auchenbowie and cognate families, 1911, pp. 139-57; J.A. Inglis, 'Edinburgh during the Provostship of Sir William Binning', The Scottish Historical Review, 1915, pp. 369-87; M. Coventry, The castles of Scotland, 4th edn., 2006, pp. 525, 621; M. Coventry, Castles of the clans, 2008, p. 40; J. Geddes, I. Gow, A. MacKechnie, C. Tabraham & C. McWilliam, The buildings of Scotland: Lothian, 2nd edn., 2024, p. 732.

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Binning of Wallyford: Argent, on a bend engrailed sable a wagon or, within a bordure of the second.

Binning of Pilmuir: Argent, on a bend engrailed azure a wagon of the first, within a bordure ermine.

Can your help?

• Can anyone provide additional images of Wallyford House, especially any view of the north (entrance) front before the fire of 1884?
• Can anyone provide fuller ownership information about Pilmuir House between 1777 and 1927?
• Can anyone provide portraits of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 27 April 2026.

(632) Binney of Pampisford Hall

Binney of Pampisford 

The Binney family are said to have been resident in the Worksop area for several generations before the time of Thomas Binney (1762-1835), with whom the genealogy below begins. Thomas was a corn merchant and maltster, who acquired Morton Hall near Gainsborough and was eventually in partnership with his sons Richard (1796-1875) and Mordecai (1805-63), who operated branches of the family firm in Wakefield (Yorks WR) and Kingston-upon-Hull (Yorks ER) respectively. In 1830, however, father and sons were declared bankrupt, and although the sons eventually emerged from the stigma of bankruptcy and pursued other careers, Morton Hall seems to have been sold and Thomas himself died in 1835.

Morton Hall, near Gainsborough.

Thomas had married twice and produced seven sons and two daughters, and most of the sons who survived to adulthood took up trades and occupations connected with agriculture. Only one became a farmer as such, and he eventually emigrated to Australia, where the family evidently lost sight of him, for in 1865, two years after his death, they were advertising for news of him or his children. The sole exception to the pattern of agricultural pursuits was Thomas' youngest son, Edward William Binney (1812-81), who was articled to a solicitor in Chesterfield and after completing his legal studies in London, set up in practice in Manchester in 1836. From an early age he manifested an interest in scientific and geological matters, and once settled in Manchester he increasingly applied himself to understanding the complex geology of the Lancashire coalfield. In 1851 he entered a partnership with Dr James Young FRS, another geologist, for the extraction of paraffin from a seam of bituminous coal and shale in Scotland. This was financially highly rewarding and by 1865 he had not only made large profits from the business but was able to sell it to a joint-stock company for £120,000. This was the source of the family's later wealth. Edward himself bought Ravenscliffe House, a large house on the seafront at Douglas (Isle of Man) which had been built in 1849, and used it as an occasional residence, while retaining his main home at Cheetham Hill on the northern outskirts of Manchester.

Guisnes Court, Tolleshunt Darcy (Essex)

Ravenscliffe House, Douglas (Isle of Man)

Edward married in 1856 and produced three sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Edward William Binney (1857-96) settled in London but died relatively young. The second son, Thomas Godfrey Binney (1861-1943) was a militia officer and in 1906 bought Guisnes Court at Tolleshunt d'Arcy (Essex), but after his wife's death in 1923 he emigrated to the USA, where he died at San Diego in California. The third and youngest son was James Binney (1868-1935), who became a barrister in 1894. He evidently had ambitions to enter politics, and twice stood for parliament in the Crewe division in 1908 and 1909, but was unsuccessful. He purchased Pampisford Hall (Cambs) in 1893, and added considerably to the collection of conifers in the grounds, acquiring many specimens during his own adventurous travels. 

James Binney married twice, and although his first wife died after only three years of marriage, she left him a son and heir, Richard Christian Cecil James Binney (1897-1966), who duly inherited the Pampisford estate. Cecil, as he was generally known, went to Oxford, where he became one of the founders of the student magazine Cherwell, and then to the Inner Temple, from whence he was called to the bar in 1923. He stood for parliament in 1929 as a Liberal but was not elected, and had a parallel career as a writer of short stories. During the Second World War he was attached to the War Office and Pampisford Hall was used for a time as a reception centre for evacuees. Cecil remained unmarried until 1953, and had no children. When he died in 1966, the Pampisford estate passed to his much younger half-brother, Hector Binney (1919-86), a larger-than-life character who travelled extensively in Europe buying furniture, ceramics and other works of art for a collection which was largely dispersed by sale after his death. After he inherited Pampisford, he became a passionate speaker about the conifer collection in the grounds, but the gardens themselves were neglected during his ownership. On his death, the estate passed to his daughter Arabella (b. 1952), who soon afterwards married Bo Killander (b. 1958). The grounds of the house were extensively damaged in the storms of 1987 and 1990, and this prompted replanting and the start of a programme of restoration of the house and grounds which continued into the 21st century.

Pampisford Hall, Cambridgeshire

The house was first built about 1830 by an unknown architect, on newly-enclosed farmland, for William Parker Hamond (d. 1873), whose ancestors had owned the estate since about 1710 but had been non-resident. As first built it was apparently a moderate-sized villa with the principal rooms along the south-east front. Shortly after the sale of the family's Haling Grove estate at Croydon (Surrey) in the 1860s, Parker Hamond enlarged Pampisford Hall to the designs of George Goldie, creating a new nine-bay south-west front in Italianate style with the centre recessed behind a loggia of banded columns, and a new entrance front to the north-east. The southern three bays on both fronts represent the earlier house. Inside, Goldie created a new entrance hall with an encaustic tiled floor and a chimneypiece carved by Arthur Hayball of Sheffield, a grand staircase and a dining room. A little later, in 1875, all the principal rooms were redecorated in the Italian and French Renaissance styles, and they have been little altered since that time. 

Pampisford Hall: entrance front before 1912.

The large entrance porch is dated 1893 and must have been added immediately after James Binney bought the house. Further additions came in 1912, when he added a ballroom at the northern end of the house - replacing the servants' hall - and a new west wing and a conservatory projecting from the south-east front. The house was used briefly in 1939-40 as a reception centre for boys evacuated from London, but the property has remained in the Binney family. 

Pampisford Hall: the layout of the grounds in 1895, from the 1st edn 25" map.

Formal gardens in the Italian style were designed by Robert Marnock after 1840, and there are significant remains of this layout, but the layout was considerably enlarged and remodelled between 1869 and 1872. The park was already notable for its trees by the mid 19th century, and visitors were welcome every Sunday in the 1870s. The grounds now contain an even finer collection of conifers than they did 150 years ago, with over 1,000 foreign species, many of them collected by James Binney and his elder son. The site was badly affected by the great storms of 1987 and 1990 and was partially replanted with advice from Alan Mitchell. The timber-framed conservatory was restored in the early 21st century.

Descent: built for William Parker Hamond (d. 1873); to son, William Parker Hamond (d. 1884); to cousin, Col. R.T. Hamond, who sold 1893 to James Binney (1868-1935); to son, Richard Christian Cecil James Binney (1897-1966); to half-brother, Hector Danneskold Brudenell Binney (1919-86); to daughter, Arabella Cecilia Bruce Binney (b. 1952), later wife of Bo A.L. Killander (b. 1958).

Binney family of Pampisford Hall

Binney, Thomas (1762-1835). Son of Thomas Binney (1726-83) of Worksop (Notts) and his wife Elizabeth Hannah, daughter of Thomas Casson of Thorne (Yorks WR), born 23 January 1762. Corn merchant and maltster, in partnership with his sons Richard and Mordecai; the firm became bankrupt in 1830. He married 1st, 3 November 1791 at Worksop, Elizabeth (1772-97), daughter of Robert Cowley of Worksop, and 2nd, 19 May 1804 at Gringley-on-the-Hill (Notts), Elizabeth (1772-1843), daughter of James Cross of Gringley-on-the-Hill, and had issue:

(1.1) Eliza Cowley Binney (1792-1875), born 11 August and baptised at Worksop, 13 August 1792; married, 6 May 1813 at Gainsborough (Lincs), Johann Christian Mann of Rostock (Germany), but had no issue; died at Rostock, 27 September, and was buried there, 30 September 1875;

(1.2) Ann Binney (1793-1876), born 15 November and baptised at Worksop, 17 November 1793; married, 15 May 1827 at Gainsborough, Robert Hesleden (1790-1867), and they emigrated to Australia in 1838-39; died without issue at Kew, Victoria (Australia), 18 June, and was buried there, 21 June 1876;

(1.3) Thomas Casson Binney (1795-1865), born 3 May and baptised at Worksop, 6 May 1795; grain and timber merchant of Hull (Yorks ER) and corn factor at Wakefield (Yorks WR); married, 14 November 1822 at Rochdale (Lancs), Isabella Holt of Rochdale, and had issue two sons and four daughters; died 21 June and was buried at Worksop, 24 June 1865; will proved 26 January 1866 (effects under £100);

(1.4) Richard Binney (1796-1875), born 10 June and baptised at Worksop, 19 June 1796; corn merchant in Wakefield (bankrupt, 1830) and later a stockbroker in Leeds; lived in Leeds and later Doncaster; married, 5 May 1823 at Halifax (Yorks WR), Jane (1803-42), daughter of Joseph Walker of Mearclough House, Halifax, and had issue nine sons and two daughters; died in London, and was buried at Bethnal Green Cemetery (Middx), 1873;

(2.1) Mordecai Binney (1805-63), born 19 June 1805; corn merchant in Hull, bankrupt in 1830, who lived later at Retford (Notts); married, February 1841 at Hull Registry Office (and previously in Hamburg), Mary Anne Krumbhaar (1816-56) of Hamburg (Germany), and had issue four sons and one daughter; died 1 June 1863 and was buried at Worksop, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument;

(2.2) James Cross Binney (1807-63), born 20 April 1807; farmer at Pilham (Lincs); married, 12 August 1831 at Pilham, Susanna (1806-53?), daughter of Rev. William Dunkin, rector of Pilham, and had issue two sons and one daughter; after his wife's death he emigrated to Brisbane, Queensland (Australia); died 13 December 1863;

(2.3) Henry Casson Binney (1809-38), born September 1809; tanner (bankrupt, 1837); married, 29 January 1835 at St John the Baptist, Chester, Mary Ann Oxley (d. 1837), and had issue one daughter (who died in infancy); died 29 October and was buried at Worksop, 3 November 1838;

(2.4) William Edward Binney (b. & d. 1811), born 13 March and baptised at Gainsborough, 2 April 1811; died in infancy, 16 May, and was buried at Gringley-on-the-Hill, 19 May 1811;

(2.5) Edward William Binney (1812-81) (q.v.).

He lived at Morton Hall, Gainsborough (Lincs), which was probably sold after his bankruptcy, although he was still described as 'of Morton' in 1831; he lived subsequently at Wakefield (Yorks WR).

He died at West Stockwith (Notts), 16 November, and was buried at Worksop (Notts), 23 November 1835. His first wife died 17 December 1797. His widow died 10 July 1843.

Binney, Edward William (1812-81). Fifth and youngest son of Thomas Binney (1762-1835) and his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of James Cross of Gringley-on-the-Hill (Notts), born 7 December 1812 and baptised at Gainsborough, 1 March 1813. Educated at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar Sch., Gainsborough and articled to a solicitor in Chesterfield (Derbys). Solicitor in Manchester from 1836, but he became increasingly occupied by scientific and geological affairs and entered in 1851 into a partnership with Dr James Young FRS for the extraction of paraffin from bituminous coal and shale, with works at Bathgate in Scotland and Leigh (Lancs), which they subsequently sold for £120,000 in 1865. He had an expert knowledge of the Lancashire coalfield, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1856 and also of the Geological Society, 1853. He was one of founders of the Manchester Geological Society (President, 1857-59, 1866-67) and the Manchester Literary & Philosophical Society, of which he was successively secretary, vice-president and thrice president. He married, 28 August 1856*, Mary Christiana (1827-82), fourth daughter and co-heiress of Rev. David Jones (d. 1868), rector of Hope Bagot (Shrops.), and had issue:

(1) Edward William Binney (1857-96), born 13 December 1857; educated at King William's College (IoM) and Manchester University; law student; married, 14 February 1888 at St Dunstan's-in-the-West, London, Anne Alexandra Efford (1863-1906), daughter of William Henry Weekes, of Lambeth (Surrey), builder, but had no issue; died 13 October 1896 and was buried at Heston (Middx), where he is commemorated by a monument;

(2) Thomas Godfrey Binney (1861-1943), born 27 May and baptised at Hope Bagot (Shrops.), 15 September 1861; an officer in the North Irish Militia brigade of Royal Artillery (Lt., 1884; Capt.); owned Guisnes Court, Tolleshunt d'Arcy (Essex), 1906-23, but made it available as a VAD Hospital in First World War; married, 31 October 1882 at Douglas (IoM), Susan Lockhart (1865-1923), eldest daughter of Rev. Canon W.T. Hobson, incumbent of Douglas (IoM) and later rector of Playden (Sussex), and had issue six sons; after his wife's death he emigrated to the USA and died at San Diego, California (USA), 27 December 1943; his will was proved 14 September 1944 (estate in England, £2,863);

(3) Maud Elizabeth Binney (1863-1937), born 1 July 1863 and baptised at Hope Bagot, 11 May 1864; married, October 1884, Francis Sowerby (1856-1931) of Hawerby Hall, Coxwold Hall and Beelsby Hall (Lincs), son of J. Sowerby, and had issue three sons and three daughters; lived latterly at Hatfield (Herts); died 10 April 1937; will proved 5 July 1937 (estate £715);

(4) Alice Hannah Binney (1864-1955), born 6 September 1864 and baptised at Hope Bagot, 18 June 1865; married, 8 July 1885 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster (Middx), Col. Samuel Richard Grubb (1855-1921) of Kiltinan Castle (Co. Tipperary), son of Richard Davies Grubb, and had issue one son and one daughter; died at Clonmel (Co. Tipp.), 29 August 1955; will proved at Waterford, 8 November 1955 (estate £100)

(5) Joan Cross Binney (1865-1939), born 10 November 1865 and baptised at Hope Bagot, 15 April 1866; married, October 1888, Lt. George Bailie Guthrie (1861-1900) of Craigie (Angus) and had issue one daughter; died 14 January 1939; will proved 2 March 1939 (estate £25,375);

(6) James Binney (1868-1935) (q.v.).

He lived at Morton Hall, Gainsborough (Lincs) and later at Cheetham Hill, Manchester. After he made his fortune, he invested in a large seafront house, Ravenscliffe House, at Douglas (IoM), which was sold in 1884, following his death.

He died 19 December, and was buried at Worksop (Notts), 23 December 1881; his will was proved 31 March 1882 (effects £109,278 in the UK). His widow died at Ludlow (Shrops.), 4 May and was buried at Hope Bagot, 10 May 1882; administration of her goods was granted to her second son, 30 May 1883 (effects £241).

* The date is given thus in Burke's Landed Gentry, but I have been unable to trace the marriage, which seems not to have been recorded at Hope Bagot.

Binney, James (1868-1935). Third and youngest son of Edward William Binney (1812-81) and his wife Mary Christiana, daughter and co-heiress of Rev. David Jones, rector of Hope Bagot (Shrops.), born at Douglas (IoM), 14 August 1868. After being orphaned in 1882 he was made a ward in Chancery. Educated at Giggleswick, Rugby and Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1887; BA 1892; MA 1898) and Middle Temple (admitted 1889; called 1894). Before attending university he travelled in Europe with a tutor. Barrister-at-law. An officer in 3rd battn., King's Regiment (2nd Lt., 1890; Capt., 1892; retired 1901). JP and DL for Cambridgeshire; High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, 1903-04. A Conservative in politics, he stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in the Crewe division, 1908, 1909. He travelled extensively in Europe, India, Egypt, the West Indies and South America, and was a notable collector of conifers which he added to the gardens at Pampisford. Author of a short biography of his father, The centenary of a nineteenth-century geologist (1912). He married 1st, 4 January 1894 at Whiston (Lancs), Cecilia de Anyers (1872-97), younger daughter of Capt. Henry Rudolph de Anyers Willis of Halsnead, Whiston, and 2nd, 9 July 1907 at Great Bedwyn (Wilts), Lady Violet Louisa Marjory (1880-1923), daughter of Henry Augustus Brudenell-Bruce (1842-1911), 5th Marquess of Ailesbury, and had issue:

(1.1) Cecilia Ermyntrude Alice Binney (1896-1941), born 4 February and baptised at Pampisford, 29 February 1896; educated at Girton College, Cambridge; language teacher; married, 1938, Maurice Henry Black (1910-91), musician; died 19 March and was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Oxford, 24 March 1941; administration of goods granted to her brother, 11 March 1942 (estate £920);

(1.2) Richard Christian Cecil James Binney (1897-1966) (q.v.);

(2.1) Merlin Brudenell Binney (1908-76), of St Annes Heath, Virginia Water (Surrey), born 5 August and baptised at Pampisford, 20 October 1908; educated at Radley, 1922-23, and St Catherine's College, Cambridge; died unmarried at the Holloway Sanatorium, Egham (Surrey), 18 May 1976; administration of goods (with will annexed) granted 14 June 1977 (estate £3,109);

(2.2) Olivera Rowena Binney (1910-86), born 3 September and baptised at Pampisford, 20 October 1910; educated at Heathfield School, the London School of Economics and the Open University (BA 1979); Vice-President of Royal College of Nursing; a member of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales; JP for Glamorganshire (from 1954); appointed OBE, 1967; a Dame of Grace of the Order of St John; married, 24 May 1934 at Pampisford, Col. Sir Cennydd George Traherne KG (1910-95), of Coedarhydglyn, Cardiff (Glam.), son of Cdr. Llewellyn Edmund Traherne; died 22 October 1986; will proved 16 April 1987 (estate £187,255);

(2.3) Hector Danneskold Brudenell Binney (1919-86) (q.v.).

He purchased Pampisford Hall in 1893 and also owned property in Lancashire.

He died 3 September and was buried at Pampisford, 6 September 1935; his will was proved 19 December 1935 (estate £115,230). His first wife died 25 March and was buried at Pampisford, 30 March 1897. His second wife died 26 August 1923; her will was proved 29 November 1923 (estate £6,644).

Cecil Binney (1897-1966) 

Binney, Richard Christian Cecil James (1897-1966). Only son of James Binney (1868-1935) and his first wife, Cecilia d'Anyers, younger daughter of Capt. Henry Rudolph d'Anyers Willis of Halsnead (Lancs), born 27 February 1897. Educated at Eton, and then served in the First World War with Royal West Kent Regiment (Lt.), before completing his education at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1919; BA 1923; MA) and Inner Temple (admitted 1921; called 1923). Barrister-at-law with chambers in 6 Kings Bench Walk, London; employed in Second World War as civilian assistant to the General Staff in the War Office, 1940-43. A freeman of the City of London. While an undergraduate at Oxford he became one of the founders of Cherwell magazine. He was a Liberal in politics and stood unsuccessfully for Parliament in the Uxbridge constituency, 1929, and he also enjoyed considerable success as a writer of short stories. He married, 14 August 1953, Elaine (1904-2002), daughter of G.L.K. Finlay of Edinburgh, but had no issue.

He inherited Pampisford Hall from his father in 1935.

He died 2 October and was buried at Pampisford, 6 October 1966; his will was proved 4 November 1966 and 7 April 1967 (estate £379,790). His widow died aged 97 on 26 January 2002; her will was proved 24 October 2002.

Binney, Hector Danneskold Brudenell (1919-86). Second son of James Binney (1868-1935) and his second wife, Lady Violet Louisa Marjory, daughter of Henry Augustus Brudenell-Bruce, 5th Marquess of Ailesbury, born 5 December 1919 and baptised at Pampisford, 9 January 1920. He served in the army in the Second World War. He was a bon vivant and a larger-than-life character, who travelled extensively throughout Europe, amassing an impressive collection of furniture, ceramics and works of art, especially objects with romantic or historical associations; his collection was sold after his death. On succeeding to his family property, he became known as an eccentric conservationist and spoke passionately about his collection of rare conifer trees. He married 1st, (div. by 1960), Jutta Katharina Marie Elizabeth Antonia von Haxthausen (1916-2004), and 2nd, Oct-Dec 1960, Ann Elizabeth (1926-2017), daughter of Lt-Col. Bernard Ewart Hammond-Davies (1894-1969), and had issue:

(1.1) Arabella Cecilia Bruce Binney (b. 1952) (q.v.);

(2.1) Theresa C. Bruce Binney (1958-2013), born Apr-Jun 1958; had issue three sons and one daughter; died at her home at Wolf Hall Manor, Burbage (Wilts), 25 April 2013.

He inherited Pampisford Hall from his half-brother in 1966.

He died 15 May 1986; administration of his goods (with will annexed) was granted 3 December 1986 (estate £1,678,429). His first wife married 2nd, [forename unknown] Bowen and died in February 2004. His second wife died 21 March 2017.

Binney, Arabella Cecilia Bruce (b. 1952). Only child of Hector Danneskold Brudenell Binney (1919-86) and his first wife, Jutta Katharina Marie Elizabeth Antonia, daughter of Walter Paul Wilhelm von Haxthausen, born 23 December 1952 and baptised at Great Bedwyn (Wilts), 23 June 1953. She married, August 1987, Bo A.L. Killander (b. 1958), and had issue:

(1) Calixta Emily M.G. Binney Killander (b. 1989); educated at Ampleforth and Warren Wilson College, North Carolina (USA); created an award-winning regenerative farming and organic vegetable business (Flourish Produce) on 80 acres of the estate;

(2) Karl Frederick Killander (b. 1992), born 6 March 1992; a competitive shooting specialist, who has represented Great Britain in skeet shooting.

She inherited Pampisford Hall from her father in 1986.

Now living. Her husband is now living.

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1972, pp. 67-68; VCH Cambs, vol. 6, 1978, pp. 105-13; S. Bradley & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Cambridgeshire, 3rd edn., 2014, p. 633; T. Mowl & L. Mayer, The historic gardens of Cambridgeshire, 2013, pp. 165-68.

Location of archives

Binney family of Pampisford: deeds, manorial records, estate and family papers, 1672-1925 [Location unknown: for further information contact The National Archives]

Coat of arms

Per saltire, or and azure, four horses' heads couped at the neck counterchanged

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide portraits or photographs of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 22 April 2026.