(4) Abdy of Albyns, baronets - part 2

This post is divided into two parts; part 1 gives the introduction and an account of the houses owned by the family; this part gives the genealogy of the family.

The Abdy baronets of Felix Hall

Abdy, Anthony (1579-1640).  Seventh and youngest child of Roger Abdy (d. 1595) and his wife Mary, daughter of Richard White of Hutton (Essex), baptised at All Hallows, Bread St., London, 18 October 1579.  Clothworker and East India merchant of London; appointed director of East India Co., 1617 and deputy governor, 1639; member of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers (master, 1632).  Alderman of London; sheriff of London, 1630-31. He married, 14 August 1610 St Mary Aldermary London, Abigail (d. 1640), youngest daughter of Sir Thomas Campbell, kt., ironmonger, Governor of the East India Company and Lord Mayor of London in 1609-10, and had issue:
(1) Alice Abdy (1611-48), baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, London, 2 June 1611; married. 19 November 1635 at St Andrew Undershaft, London, Sir John Bramston, kt. (1611-69) of Skreens (Essex) and had issue six sons and four daughters; died in childbirth, 9 February 1647/8 and was buried at Roxwell (Essex);

(2) Sir Thomas Abdy (1612-86), 1st bt. (q.v.);

(3) Anthony Abdy (1615-22), baptised at St.Dionis Backchurch, London on 16 March 1614/5; buried at St Dionis Backchurch, London, 16 January 1622;

(4) Sir Robert Abdy (1616-70), 1st bt. [for whom see below, under Abdy of Albyns and Moores];

(5) Sir John Abdy (1617-62), 1st bt. [for whom see below, under Abdy of Albyns and Moores];

(6) Nicholas Abdy (1618-48), baptised at St. Dionis Backchurch, 30 August 1618; merchant; died unmarried at Livorno (Italy), 1648; will proved 9 March 1648/9;

(7) Roger Abdy (1620-42); baptised at St.Dionis Backchurch on 9th May 1620; died unmarried; will proved 3 September 1642;

(8) Abigail Abdy (b. 1622); baptised at St.Dionis Backchurch on 21st February 1622; probably died young;

(9) Sarah Abdy (b. 1624), baptised at St.Dionis Backchurch on 18th October 1624; probably died young.

He lived in Lime Street, London, in the house where William Dockwra’s Penny Post was established in 1680. He inherited lands at Colliers Row, Havering atte Bower (Essex) and property in Red Lion Gate, London from his father, 1595 and purchased the Felix Hall estate at Kelvedon (Essex), 1630.

He died 10 September 1640 and was buried at St Andrew Undershaft, London, 1 October 1640; his will was proved PCC 4 December 1640. His wife was buried at St. Andrew Undershaft on the same day as her husband.

Abdy, Sir Thomas (1612-86), 1st bt. Eldest son of Anthony Abdy (1579-1640) and his wife Abigail, daughter of Sir Thomas Campbell kt.; baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, London, 18 May 1612.  Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (Fellow Commoner, 1629) and Lincolns Inn, London (admitted, 1631/32); travelled in France and Italy, 1632-5. Practised as a lawyer; High Sheriff of Essex, 1651; sought a lease from the Crown of the duty on sugar imports, c.1661. He was created 1st baronet of Felix Hall, 7 July 1641 and knighted at Whitehall by King Charles I, 8 July 1641.  He married 1st, 1 February 1637/38 St Peter le Poer, London, Mary (d. 1645), daughter and co-heir of Lucas Corsellis of London; and 2nd, 16 January 1646/47 at St Bartholomew the Less, London, Anne (d. 1679), daughter and co-heir of Alderman Sir Thomas Soame, kt., and had issue

(1.1) James Abdy (b. 1639), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, London, 1 January 1638/9; died young;

(1.2) Rachel Abdy (1640-89), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, London, 25 May 1640; married, 28 August 1679 at Kelvedon, as his third wife, Philip Gurdon (c.1630-90) of Assington Hall (Suffk), but had no issue; buried at Kelvedon, 1689, where she is commemorated by a monument;

(1.3) Abigail Abdy (1643-79), baptised at St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, 20 June 1643; married, about 1664, as his second wife, Sir Mark Guyon, kt. (1635-90) of Dynes Hall (Essex) and had issue two daughters; died 24 June 1679;
(2.1) Abigail Abdy (b. & d. 1647), born October 1647; died in infancy and was buried at St Pancras, Soper Lane, London, 26 October 1647;
(2.2) Abigail Abdy (b. & d. 1651), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, London, 7 November 1651; died in infancy and was buried at St Andrew Undershaft, London, 8 November 1651;

(2.3) Joanna Abdy (1654-1710); baptised at Kelvedon, 28 June 1654; lived at High Ongar (Essex); died without issue, and was buried at Kelvedon, 22 September 1710;

(2.4) Sir Anthony Abdy (1655-1704), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(2.5) Thomas Abdy (1657-97), baptised at Kelvedon, 27 March 1657; educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1674/75); died without issue, 12 April 1697; buried at Kelvedon;

(2.6) William Abdy (1659-82), born 1 January 1659; buried at Kelvedon;

(2.7) Alice Abdy (b. 1661), baptised at Kelvedon, 30 June 1661; married, before 1691, William Stane of Folyetts alias Forrest Hall, Ongar (Essex) and had issue one daughter; died after 1725;

(2.8) Anna Abdy (d. 1692) of Forest Hall, High Ongar (Essex), died unmarried and without issue, and was buried at Kelvedon, 1692;

(2.9) Judith Abdy (1663-65), baptised at Kelvedon, 21 June 1663; died in infancy and was buried at Kelvedon, 26 January 1664/5;
(2.10) Mary Abdy (d. 1740), married, May 1686 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), as his second wife, Wentworth Garneys (d. 1712) of Boyland Hall (Norfolk) and Ealing (Middx), but had no issue; buried at Norwich, 17 January 1739/40; will proved 23 January 1739/40;

(2.11) Sarah Abdy (d. young);

(2.12) Elizabeth Abdy (fl. 1723); died unmarried; living in 1723.

He inherited the Felix Hall estate from his father in 1640 and the property of his cousin, Sir Christopher Abdy of Uxbridge, kt. in 1679.

He died 14 January 1685/86 and was buried at Kelvedon, where he is commemorated by a monument (perhaps by William Stanton) with an inscription on a draped stone curtain; his will was proved 11 February 1686.  His first wife was buried at Kelvedon, 1645. His second wife was buried at Kelvedon, 1679.

Abdy, Sir Anthony (1655-1704), 2nd baronet.  Eldest son of Sir Thomas Abdy (1612-86), 1st baronet of Felix Hall, and his second wife Anne, daughter and co-heir of Alderman Sir Thomas Soame, kt.; baptised at Kelvedon, 4 July 1655.  Educated at Trinity Coll., Cambridge (admitted 1672). JP for Essex by 1684; stood unsuccessfully for Parliament, 1689, and petitioned against the result, alleging early closure of the poll. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet of Felix Hall, 14 January 1686.  He married, 9 June 1682, Mary (d. 1744), daughter and heiress of Rev. Dr. Richard Milward, canon of Windsor and rector of Great Braxted (Essex) and his wife Mary, daughter of Sir Anthony Thomas of Chobham Place, and had issue:

(1) Thomas Abdy (d. 1684), died in infancy and was buried at Kelvedon, where he was commemorated by a monument;

(2) Mary Abdy (c.1684-1737) of London, 'eldest daughter', born about 1684; died unmarried; will proved 2 May 1737; buried at Great Braxted, near to her maternal grandmother, Mary Milward, where she was commemorated by a monument;

(3) Joanna Abdy (1686-1765), baptised at Kelvedon, 12 August 1686; lived at Kelvedon Easterford; died unmarried, 1 October 1765; will proved 10 April 1767;

(4) Elizabeth Abdy (1687-1760), baptised at Kelvedon, 30 September 1687; died unmarried and was buried at Kelvedon, 10 April 1760; will proved 17 July 1760;

(5) Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (1688-1733) (q.v.);

(6) Sir William Abdy (1689-1750) (q.v.);

(7) Rachel Abdy (1690-1744), baptised at Kelvedon, 21 January 1690/91; lived in London; died unmarried; will proved 7 May 1744;

(8) Anna Abdy (c.1692-1738), born about 1692; married, 18 April 1724 at Kelvedon, Bezaleel Sherman (d. 1737) of Dorewards Hall, Kelvedon (Essex), surgeon; said to have been buried at Kelvedon, 1738, where she is commemorated by a monument (but there is no entry in the parish register for her burial);

(9) Charles Abdy (1693-99), baptised at Kelvedon, 27 May 1693; died young and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 15 June 1699;

(10) Richard Abdy (b. 1694), baptised at Kelvedon, 21 September 1694; probably died young before 1704;

(11) Alice Abdy (b. 1695; fl. 1760), baptised at Kelvedon, 3 September 1695; living in 1760 and probably died before 1765;

(12) Margaret Abdy (1696-1779), baptised at Kelvedon, 1 January 1696/7; died unmarried, 7 October 1779;

(13) Martha Abdy (1700-80), baptised at Kelvedon, 15 June 1700; lived at Kensington (Middx), died unmarried, 31 January 1780. 

He inherited the Felix Hall estate from his father in 1686. His widow lived latterly in London with her unmarried daughters.

Died 2 Apr 1704 aged 49; buried at Kelvedon (Essex), where he is commemorated by a monument by Edward Stanton; will proved 12 September 1704. His widow died 18 August and was buried at Chobham, 24 August 1744; her will was proved 12 October 1744.

Abdy, Sir Anthony Thomas (1688-1733), 3rd bt.  Eldest surviving son of Sir Anthony Abdy (1655-1704), 2nd bt., and his wife Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. Richard Milward, canon of Windsor and rector of Great Braxted; baptised at Kelvedon, 5 October 1688.  Educated at Felsted School (1702-06), Trinity Coll., Oxford (matriculated 1707) and Lincolns Inn (admitted 1708). He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, 2 April 1704.  He married 1st, 5 May 1717 at St Mary the Virgin, Colchester (Essex), Mary (1693-1717), daughter and heir of Hope Gifford of Colchester; 2nd, 1720 (licence 4 June), Charlotte (1699-1731), daughter and co-heir of Sir Thomas Barnardiston, 3rd bt. of Ketton (Suffolk); and 3rd, 16 August 1731 at Little Sampford (Essex), Anne (d. 1745), daughter of Thomas Williams of Tendring Hall by Elizabeth Barnardiston, a relative of Sir Anthony’s first wife, and had issue:

(2.1) Charlotte Maria Abdy (1723-1801), baptised at Kelvedon, 11 June 1723; married, 1744, John Williams Onslow (1717-79) of Tendring Hall, and had issue three sons; co-heir to her father at Felix Hall (sold 1761) and lived subsequently at Spetisbury (Dorset); buried at Spetisbury, 28 October 1801; will proved 10 February 1802;

(2.2) Elizabeth Abdy (1726-55), baptised at Kelvedon, 22 April 1726; co-heir to her father at Felix Hall, but sold her share to her sister and brother-in-law; married, 17 April 1749 at Hampton Court Palace (Middx), Thomas Ryves (1721-88) of Ranston (Dorset) (who m2, 29 September 1757 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Anna Maria Graham (d. 1814), and had further issue three sons), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died 27 January 1755 and was buried at Iwerne Courtenay (Dorset).

He inherited the Felix Hall estate from his father in 1704.  On his death it was divided between his daughters, but Charlotte and her husband seem to have bought out Elizabeth’s interest; the estate was sold to pay their debts in 1761.

He died 11 June 1733, when the title passed to his brother, Sir William Abdy (1689-1750), 4th bt.; his will was proved 19 June 1733. His first wife was buried at Kelvedon, 25 June 1717. His second wife died 17 February 1731. His widow died 21 September 1745; her will was proved 7 November 1745.

Abdy, Sir William (1689-1750), 4th bt.  Third son of Sir Anthony Abdy (1655-1704), 2nd bt. and his wife Mary, daughter of Rev. Dr. Richard Milward, canon of Windsor and rector of Great Braxted (Essex), baptised at Kelvedon, 1 September 1689. His education is obscure as he does not seem to have attended either university or any of the inns of court. Barrister and legal agent; acted as London agent for the 3rd Earl of Ailesbury, who was the son of a prominent Jacobite exile, and this led to his being suspected of Jacobite sympathies himself. He succeeded his elder brother, Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (1688-1733) as 4th baronet of Felix Hall in 1733. He married, 20 May 1714 at Westminster, Mary (1695-1743), only daughter and heir of Philip Stotherd of Terling (Essex) and had issue:
(1) Mary Abdy (b. 1715), baptised at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster, 9 March 1715; married, 24 September 1748 at the Chapel Royal, Westminster, Ambrose Dickins (d. 1783) of Wollaston (Northants), barrister, son of Ambrose Dickins, sergeant-surgeon to Queen Anne and King George I, and had issue;
(2) Francis Abdy (b. 1717), baptised at St James, Piccadilly, 5 May 1717; died young;
(3) Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (1721-75) (q.v.);
(4) Charlotte Elizabeth Abdy (1722-88), baptised at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 22 January 1722; married, 11 April 1752 at St Anne, Soho, Westminster (Middx), Rev. Dr. Thomas Rutherforth (1712-71) [for whom see below under 'The later Abdys'] and had issue two sons; buried at Barley (Herts), 12 December 1788;
(5) Priscilla Abdy (b. 1727), born 17 May and baptised at St James, Piccadilly, 4 June 1727; probably died young;
(6) Rev. Stotherd Abdy (1728-73), born 15 and baptised 28 July 1728; educated at St John's College, Cambridge (admitted 1745; BA 1748/9; MA 1752); ordained deacon, 1750 and priest, 1752; rector of Theydon Garnons and Stapleford Tawney (Essex); prebendary of St Paul's Cathedral, 1771; Archdeacon of Essex, 1771-73; married 1st*, 1752, Theodosia (d. 1758), daughter of Sir Robert Abdy, 3rd bt., of Albyns (Essex), and 2nd, 7 August 1759, Harriott (1727-92), daughter of Peyton Altham (1695-1741) of Mark Hall, Latton (Essex), but died without issue, 5 April 1773;
(7) Sir William Abdy (1732-1803), (q.v.);
(8) Ann Hester Abdy (1734-1805), baptised at Chobham, 3 January 1734/5; married, 1770, Charles Nalson Cole (1723-1804) of the Middle Temple, legal antiquary and registrar of the Bedford Level Corporation, and literary executor of his friend Soame Jenyns; lived at Edward Street, Cavendish Square, London and at Sunninghill (Berks); died at her home in London, 27 December 1805; will proved 1 February 1806.
He inherited the Chobham Place (Surrey) and Horselydown in Bermondsey (Surrey) estates under the will of Gaisford Thomas in 1721, but did not inherited the Felix Hall estate from his brother, as this was divided between his neices and later sold; in 1729 he was living in the parish of St James, Westminster.
He died 18 January and was buried at Chobham, 21 January 1749/50. His wife died 6 April 1743.

* The Gentleman's Magazine, followed by Venn, Alumni Cantabrigiensis, records a marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Ambrose Dickins, in 1748 in Northamptonshire, but I have been unable to trace such a marriage and Stotherd Abdy was described as a batchelor when he married his cousin in 1752.

Abdy, Sir Anthony Thomas (1721-75), 5th bt. Eldest surviving son of Sir William Abdy (1689-1750), 4th bt., and his wife Mary, only daughter of Philip Stotherd of Terling (Essex), baptised at Westminster, 5 December 1721. Educated at Felsted School (1733-37), St. John’s College, Cambridge (matriculated, 1738) and Lincolns Inn (admitted 1738; called to bar 1744; bencher 1758). He succeeded his father as 5th baronet of Felix Hall, 18 January 1750. Barrister-at-law and legal agent; appointed KC, 1765; practised in chambers, specialising in cases concerning landed property; legal adviser to Lord Thanet and managed the parliamentary borough of Appleby (Westmorland) on his behalf; legal agent to Lord Burlington; his father’s connections with the Jacobite cause led to caution about his election to Parliament or judicial office, but he was Chief Justice of the Isle of Ely 1757-58 and a JP for Surrey by 1767 and was elected as MP for the Cavendish borough of Knaresborough (Yorks) 1763-75, where his speeches dealt with legal questions and he assisted with the drafting of at least one Bill. In his latter years he suffered badly from gout. He married, 13 August 1747 in St Paul's Cathedral, London, Catherine (d. 1792), daughter and co-heiress of William Hamilton of Chancery Lane, London, but had no issue.

He built a grand town house at 36 Lincolns Inn Fields to the designs of Sir Robert Taylor in 1754-57, which remained his principal residence. He inherited the Chobham Place and Horselydown estates from his father in 1750 and enlarged the property by buying part of the tithes at Chobham, 1774. In 1767 he also inherited the Albyns estate under the will of his distant cousin, Sir John Abdy (1714-59), 4th bt of Albyns, following the expiry of the life interest of Mrs. Jane Crank (née Abdy). He further inherited the Twickenham Park (Middx) estate on the death of his kinswoman, the Countess of Mountrath. At his death, the title, and the Chobham and Horselydown estates passed to his younger brother Sir William Abdy (c.1732-1803), 6th bt. and the Albyns estate passed, under the will of Sir John Abdy (1714-59), to his nephew, Thomas Abdy Rutherforth [later Abdy] (1755-98). Twickenham Park and some other property passed to his widow for life with remainder to Sir William and his heirs.

He died 7 April and was buried at Chobham, 14 April 1775; his will was proved 28 April 1775. His widow was buried at Chobham, 10 October 1792; her will was proved 24 October 1792.

Sir William Abdy, 6th bt.
Image: National Maritime Museum.

Abdy, Sir William (1732-1803), 6th bt. Youngest son of Sir William Abdy (1689-1750) and his wife Mary, daughter of Philip Stotherd of Terling (Essex), born 3 January and baptised at St James, Westminster, 24 January 1732.  Educated at Felsted School (1741-45). He entered the service of the East India Company c.1750 and served as midshipman of True Briton, 1750-52 and fourth mate of Stafford, 1753-55, before transferring in 1755 to the Royal Navy (Lt., 1758; Cmdr., 1761; Capt., 1766), where he was commander of HMS Beaver in home waters and West Indies, 1761-65 and HMS Acteon, 1765-66, but is not known to have had a later command. He succeeded his elder brother, Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy as 6th baronet of Felix Hall, 7 April 1775.  He married, 4 January 1776 at St George, Hanover Square, London, Mary (d. 1829), daughter of James Brebner Gordon of Moor Place (Herts) and had issue:

(1) Catherine Mary Abdy (1776-1817), born 23 November and baptised at St Marylebone (Middx), 27 December 1776; married, 9 November 1813, Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Fellowes (1778-1853) (who married 2nd, 24 August 1819, Mary Anne Catherine (1799-1858), daughter of Col. Isaac Humphreys, and had further issue) and had issue two sons and one daughter; died at St Germain-en-Laye (France), 1817;

(2) Sir William Abdy (1778-1868), 7th bt. (q.v.);

(3) Charlotte Anne Abdy (1783-1858), baptised at Chobham, 27 March 1783; married, 1 December 1808 at St George, Hanover Sq., London, Charles Andrew Caldwell (1785-1859) of New Grange (Co. Meath), son of Admiral Sir Benjamin Caldwell, and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 29 March 1858; will proved 28 April 1858 (effects under £100);

(4) Harriot Abdy (1786-1830), baptised at Chobham, 20 July 1786; married, 4 December 1817, Rev. George Caldwell (c.1783-1848) of Cheltenham (Glos), sometime Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, son of Charles Caldwell of Liverpool, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 15 September 1830.

He inherited the Chobham Place and Horselydown estates from his brother in 1775 and in 1776 obtained a private Act of Parliament for the sale of property in Bishops Cannings (Wilts), timber on his estate in Essex, and a collection of coins and medals formed by Sir Robert Abdy (1688-1748) (q.v.), 3rd baronet of Albyns.  In 1799 he was living at Great Waltham (Essex).

He died 21 July and was buried at Chobham, 28 July 1803; his will was proved 4 August 1803. His widow died in Rome, 4 March 1829; her will was proved 15 June 1829.

Abdy, Sir William (1778-1868), 7th bt. Only son of Sir William Abdy (c.1732-1803) (q.v.) and his wife Mary, daughter of James Brebner Gordon of Moor Place (Herts), born 8 July 1778.  Educated at Eton (1791-93) and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1796); Lieutenant in South Essex Militia, 1798; 2nd Lieutenant, Southwark Volunteers, 1807. He was a partner in the Middlesex & Surrey Bank, 1810; MP for Malmesbury, 1817-18; churchwarden for St George, Hanover Square, 1828-29; DL for Middlesex, from c.1834.  He married, 3 July 1806 at St George, Hanover Square (div. 1816), Anne (1788-1875), illegitimate daughter of 1st Marquess Wellesley and one of the beauties of Regency London, but they had no issue. They were divorced by Act of Parliament, 25 June 1816, following her elopement in 1815 with his friend, Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck, whom he sued for 'criminal conversation', receiving damages of £7,000. 

He inherited the Chobham Place and Horselydown estates from his father in 1803 but sold the former in 1809; the Horselydown estate in Southwark he bequeathed to his distant kinsman Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77), 1st bt. He lived in Hill St., Mayfair, London.

He died without legitimate issue, 16 April 1868, when the baronetcy expired, and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, 23 April 1868; he is commemorated by a monument in Chobham church (Surrey). His will was proved 21 May 1868 (effects under £1,000,000). His wife eloped in 1815 with Lord Charles Cavendish-Bentinck (1780-1826), whom she married, 23 July 1816, and with whom she had two sons and two daughters; she died 19 March 1875.

The Abdy baronets of Albyns and Moores

Abdy, Sir John (1617-1662), 1st baronet. Fourth son of Anthony Abdy (1579-1640) and his wife Abigail, daughter of Sir Thomas Campbell kt., baptised at St Dionis Backchurch, London, 4 June 1617.  Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1634; BA 1638; MA 1641; Fellow, 1640) and University of Padua (Italy), 1646-47; consul for the English at Padua while studying there, 1646-47; created 1st baronet of Moores, 22 June 1660.

He was bequeathed the manor of Moores at Salcot Virley (Essex) by his father, 1640.

Died without issue, 1662, when the baronetcy became extinct; administration of his goods granted to his elder brother, Sir Robert Abdy (1616-1670), 1st bt., July 1662.

Abdy, Sir Robert (1616-1670), 1st bt. Third son of Anthony Abdy (1579-1640) and his wife Abigail, daughter of Sir Thomas Campbell kt., baptised at St. Dionis Backchurch, London, 23 Jan 1616.  East India merchant*. He served as a Commissioner for a Parliamentary Ordinance to raise £10,000 for the redemption of distressed captives in 1645. He was knighted by King Charles II, 4/5 June 1660 and created 1st baronet of Albyns, 9 June 1660.  He married, c.1642, Catherine (d. 1662), daughter of Sir John Gayer, kt., Lord Mayor of London in 1646-47 and had issue:

(1) Sir John Abdy (c.1643-91), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(2) Catherine Abdy (b. 1645); baptised at St. Andrew Undershaft, 29 July 1645; living and unmarried in 1699; 

(3) Mary Abdy (1647-75), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 27 September 1647; married, 28 July 1675 at St Mary Magdalene, Old Fish St., London, Christopher Smith of Windsor (Berks), gent., but had no issue; buried at Old Windsor (Berks), 3 September 1675; administration of goods granted to her husband, 17 September 1675;

(4) Sarah Abdy (b. 1649), baptised 5 June 1649; married, 18 December 1669?** at Stapleford Abbots, Robert Pennington of Chigwell (Essex), esq.; living in 1670;

(5) Elizabeth Abdy (1650-78), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 5 September 1650; married 8 February 1675/6 at Stapleford Abbots, Thomas Hall of Kettlethorpe (Lincs)  (who married 2nd, Amy (1648/9-1712/3), daughter of Henry Mildmay of Graces, Little Baddow (Essex) and widow of Vincent Amcotts (1625-86) of Harrington Hall (Lincs) and had further issue), and had issue two daughters; buried at Kettlethorpe, 3 January 1677/8;

(6 Abigail Abdy (b. & d. 1651); baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 7 November 1651; died in infancy, 8 November 1651;

(7) Anthony Abdy (1653-54); baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 16 August 1653; died in infancy, 22 May 1654;

(8) Robert Abdy (b. 1656); baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 29 April 1656; living in 1699;

(9) Roger Abdy (b. 1657); baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 7 July 1657; died young before 1670;

(10) Charles Abdy (b. 1658); baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 17 March 1658; living in 1670;

(11) Rev. Edward Abdy (1660-1701), born 13 September and baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 16 September 1660; educated at Brentwood School, St John’s College Oxford (matriculated 1678) and Magdalene College, Cambridge (translated 1679; BA 1681/82; MA 1685; Fellow 1684); ordained deacon, 1684 and priest, 1684; rector of Theydon Garnon in Essex, 1684-1701 and of Salcot Virley in Essex, 1689-90; died without issue, 6 January and was buried at Stapleford Abbots, 13 January 1700/1; his will was proved at London, 22 May [1701];

(12) Roger Abdy (b. 1662), baptised at St Andrew Undershaft, 1 September 1662; died young before 1670.

He inherited the manor of Brandon (Essex) from his father, 1640; and rented the Albyns estate in Essex, perhaps as early as 1638; bought property at Sandon and the manor and advowson of Theydon Garnons (Essex), 1652, and the freehold of Albyns, 1654; and improved the house at Albyns by the addition of panelling.

He was buried at Stapleford Abbots, 16 July 1670; his will was proved in the PCC, 10 November 1670. His wife died 6 September and was buried at Stapleford Abbots, 25 September 1662.
* A series of account books of the East India trade, 1657-59 in the National Archives, catalogued as belonging to Richard Abdy, may perhaps relate to him. (TNA C107/20).
** The entry is given under the heading 1670 in the parish register, but Sir Robert's will, written on 28 April 1670, refers to them as husband and wife.

Abdy, Sir John (c.1643-1691), 2nd baronet. Eldest child of Sir Robert Abdy (1616-70), (q.v.) and his first wife, Catherine, daughter of Sir John Gayer kt., born about 1643. Educated at Trinity Coll, Cambridge (matriculated 1660) and Middle Temple (admitted 1665); travelled in France 1664. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, July 1670.  He married, 10 May 1687 in Westminster Abbey (Middx), Jane (1666-1721), only daughter of George Nicholas MP (1635-1707), youngest son of Sir Edward Nicholas, kt. (1593-1669), Secretary of State to King Charles I and King Charles II, and had issue:

(1) Sir Robert Abdy (1688-1748) (q.v.);

(2) Ann Abdy (b. 1689), baptised at Westminster, 20 March 1688/9; probably died young;

(3) Jane Abdy (1690-1767), baptised at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster, 19 March 1689/90; inherited a life interest in the Albyns estate from her nephew Sir John Abdy (c.1714-59), 4th bt. of Albyns (q.v.), and after her death it passed to Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (c.1720-75), 5th bt. of Felix Hall (q.v.); married 18 February 1732, Rev. Edward Crank (1676-1756), son of Edward Crank of Birmingham (Warks), rector of Hatford (Berks), 1721-56 and vicar of Stanford-in-the-Vale (Berks), 1732-56, but had no issue; buried at Hatford (Berks), 26 October 1767; her will was proved in the PCC, 31 October 1767.

Lived in Covent Garden.

He died in 1691 and was buried at Stapleford Abbots; administration of his goods was granted 9 Mar 1692 and again 7 July 1721. His widow died in 1721.

Abdy, Sir Robert (1688-1748), 3rd bt. Only son of Sir John Abdy (c.1643-91) (q.v.) and his wife Jane, daughter of George Nicholas, baptised at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster (Middx), 8 Apr 1688. He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet of Albyns, 1691, as an infant. Educated at Trinity Coll, Oxford (matriculated 1705); perhaps brought up in London as described as ‘of Covent Garden’ in 1705. Tory MP for Essex, 1727-48; described by Morant in his History of Essex as ‘a man of deep knowledge in antiquity and natural history, a great connoisseur in medals, of which he had a fine collection, and, what is more, a true patriot and a person of unshaken integrity and remarkable humanity’; as this description hints, Abdy was a Jacobite, and seems to have been one of the leaders of the planned Jacobite rising in Essex in 1744; he was apparently privy to the details of the planned French invasion of that year. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and acted as a trustee of Lord Petre, 1732-33.  He married, 5 July 1711 at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, Theodosia (d. 1732), daughter and heir of Dr. George Bramston, Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge and had issue:

(1) Jane Abdy (b. 1712), born 26 May and baptised at St Giles in the Fields, Holborn (Middx), 3 June 1712; died young;
(2) Sir John Abdy (1714-59), 4th bt. (q.v.);

(3) Robert Abdy (1715-35), baptised at Stapleford Abbots (Essex), 7 May 1715; educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1732); died unmarried and without issue, December 1735;

(4) Theodosia Abdy (1719-58), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 18 October 1719; married, 17 March 1752, her kinsman, Rev. Stotherd Abdy (1728-73) (q.v.), but had no issue; died 1758.

He inherited the Albyns estate (Essex) from his father in 1691.

He died 27 Aug 1748. His wife died 8 August 1732.

Sir John Abdy, 4th bt.,
by Thomas Hudson

Abdy, Sir John (1714-1759), 4th baronet. Only son of Sir Robert Abdy (1688-1748) and his wife Theodosia, daughter of Dr. George Bramston, Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge, born 24 April and baptised at St Giles in the Fields, Holborn (Middx), 1 May 1714. Educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1731) and Trinity Coll, Oxford (matriculated 1732). He succeeded his father as 4th baronet of Albyns, 27 August 1748.  Tory MP for Essex, 1748-59. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the manor of Chigwell (Essex) from Elizabeth Bramston, 1745 and the Albyns estate (Essex) from his father in 1748. He almost certainly employed Sir Robert Taylor to remodel Albyns in the 1750s. His estates at Albyns were bequeathed for life to his aunt, Jane Crank (1690-1767), with remainder to Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (c.1720-75), 5th bt. of Felix Hall; then to Rev. Stotherd Abdy (c.1728-73), and eventually on the failure of the issue of both to Thomas Abdy Rutherforth (later Abdy) (1755-98), who in fact succeeded on the death of Sir A.T. Abdy in 1775.

He died 2 April 1759, when the baronetcy of this creation became extinct; and was buried at Stapleford Abbots (Essex), where he is commemorated by a standing wall monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 19 April 1759.

The later Abdys and the second baronetcy of Albyns

Rutherforth, Rev. Dr. Thomas (1712-71).  Son of Rev. Thomas Rutherforth, rector of Papworth St Agnes (Cambs) (1675-c.1733), born at Papworth St. Agnes, 3 October 1712.  Educated at Huntingdon and St. John’s College, Cambridge (sizar 1726; BA 1730; MA 1733; BD 1740; DD 1745). Fellow of St. John’s College, Cambridge 1733-52, tutor from 1736, and a candidate for the mastership in 1765. Ordained deacon, 1733, and priest, 1737.  Rector of Barley (Herts) 1751-71, Brinkley (Cambs) 1751-67, Somersham (Hunts) 1756-71 and Shenfield (Essex) 1767-71; Archdeacon of Essex 1752-71; chaplain to Frederick, Prince of Wales and the Princess Dowager. Regius Professor of Divinity at Cambridge University 1756-71; author of scientific and theological works. He was a member of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society from 1742 and a Fellow of the Royal Society from 1743. He married, 11 April 1752 at St Anne, Soho, Westminster (Middx), Charlotte Elizabeth Abdy (1722-88), daughter of Sir William Abdy (1689-1750), 4th bt [for whom see above] and had issue:
(1) Thomas Rutherforth (b. & d. 1753), born 13 May and baptised at Barley (Herts), 21 May 1753; died in infancy and was buried at Barley, 26 July 1753;

(2) Thomas Abdy Rutherforth (later Abdy) (1755-98) (q.v.).
He died 5 October 1771 at the house of his wife’s brother, Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy (c.1720-75) (q.v.) and was buried in the chancel of Barley church; a memorial slab placed over his tomb was removed in 1871 to the west wall of the south aisle.  His will was proved in the PCC, 26 March 1772. His widow was buried at Barley, 12 December 1788.

Rutherforth (later Abdy), Rev. Thomas Abdy (1755-98).  Only child of Dr. Thomas Rutherforth (1712-71) and his wife Charlotte Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Abdy (1689-1750), 4th bt., born 5 December 1755 and baptised at Barley (Herts), 5 January 1756. Educated at Eton and St. John’s College, Cambridge (admitted 1772; BA 1776; MA 1786). In 1775 he took the name and arms of Abdy in lieu of Rutherforth by royal licence on inheriting the Albyns estate (Essex). He was ordained deacon, 1777 and priest, 1779. Rector of Theydon Garnons and Coopersale (Essex) 1780-98. He married, 13 January 1778 at Bray (Berks), Mary (d. 1820), daughter of James Hayes of Holyport (Berks), a bencher of the Middle Temple, and had issue:

(1) John Rutherforth Abdy (1779-1840) (q.v.);

(2) Capt. Anthony Thomas Abdy (1780-1838) (q.v.);

(3) Charlotte Ann Abdy (1781-1804), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 6 August 1781; died unmarried and was buried at Stapleford Abbots, 13 November 1804;

(4) Maria Henrietta* Abdy (1782-1862), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 10 November 1782; married, 9 May 1808 St Mary Abbotts Kensington, James Sykes (1780-1816) of London, Navy agent, and had issue two daughters; died 15 March 1862 at Bristol; will proved 21 May 1862 (effects under £6,000);

(5) Rev. Charles Boyd Abdy (1788-1843), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 9 November 1788; educated at Felsted and Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1806; BA 1811; MA 1814); ordained deacon, 1811 and priest, 1812; rector of Coopersale and Theydon Garnon, 1812-43; Rural Dean; JP for Essex; inherited property at Waltham St. Lawrence and Wargrave (Berks) under will of Charles Hayes, 1831; died unmarried at Coopersale Rectory, 20 August 1843; will proved in the PCC, 30 September 1843;

(6) Lt-Col. James Nicholas Abdy (1789-1855), born 18 December 1789 and baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 19 August 1790; officer in the Hon. East India Company’s Madras service (invalided home, 1838; retired 1844); inherited property at Waltham St. Lawrence and Wargrave (Berks) from his brother Rev. Charles Boyd Abdy, 1843 but lived at Fulham (Middx); married, 8 July 1818 at Woolwich (Kent), Georgina Charlotte (1790-1848), daughter of Thomas King of Eltham (Kent) and had issue three sons (the eldest of whom was the lawyer, Prof. John Thomas Abdy) and one daughter; died 8 November 1855; will proved in the PCC, 7 December 1855;

(7) Edward Strutt Abdy (1791-1846), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 7 August 1791; educated at Felsted, Jesus College, Cambridge (BA 1813, MA 1817) and Middle Temple (admitted 1813). Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge. He held progressive political views and was part of a delegation which undertook a tour of American prisons, 1833-34; his experiences made him a campaigner against slavery and racism, and he wrote a Journal of a residence and tour in the United States of North America from April 1833 to October 1834 (1834) about the visit; he also published Cases of disease cured by cold water (1842) and American Whites and Blacks: in Reply to a German Orthodermist (1842); he died unmarried at Bath (Somerset), 12 October, and was buried at Bathwick (Somerset), 19 October 1846; his will was proved in the PCC, 28 October 1846;

(8) Mary Abdy (1792-1870), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 1 January 1793; married, as his second wife, Rev. James Williams JP DL (1770-1846) of Mathern (Monmouth) and had issue one surviving son; died 31 December 1870; will proved 8 March 1871 (effects under £6,000);

(9) Caroline Abdy (1795-1870), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 23 July 1795; married, Rev. Henry Middleton (d. 1844) of Wanborough (Wilts) and had issue; died 13 April 1870 at Bath (Somerset); will proved 9 May 1870 (effects under £200).
He inherited the Albyns estate in 1775 under the terms of the will of Sir John Abdy (1714-59), 4th bt. of Albyns, and following the death of Sir Anthony Thomas Abdy.

He died at the Crown Inn, Reading, while on his way to Bristol, 14 October 1798, and was buried at Stapleford Abbots. His widow died 8 December 1820.
* The (very faint) entry in the parish register for her baptism however appears to give her forenames as Maria Margaretta.

Abdy (alias Hatch-Abdy), John Rutherforth (1779-1840). Eldest son of Rev. Thomas Abdy Rutherforth (later Abdy) (1755-98) and his wife Mary, daughter of James Hayes of Holyport (Berks), born 22 January and baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 24 February 1779.  Educated at Eton, Felsted, Middle Temple (admitted 1789) and Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1796; scholar). An officer in the Royal Ongar Hundred Volunteers (Lt. Col., 1804) and West Essex Militia (Capt.); JP and DL for Essex; High Sheriff of Essex, 1809; appointed Chief Forester of Lambourne & Chigwell Walk, in Waltham Forest, 1812.  He married 17 July 1800 at Barking (Essex), Caroline Elizabeth (1779-1838), eldest daughter of James Hatch of Clayberry Hall (Essex) but had no issue.

He inherited the Albyns estate (Essex) from his father, 1798; may have employed Humphry Repton to remodel  the grounds there, as the house was depicted in Peacock’s Polite Repository in 1801. He carried out the inclosure of Stapleford Abbots (Essex), 1821. On his death, his estates passed to his nephew, Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77), 1st bt.

He died without issue 1 April 1840 and was buried at Stapleford Abbots (Essex); his will was proved in the PCC, 28 April 1840. His wife died 5 May 1838.

Abdy, Capt. Anthony Thomas (1780-1838). Second son of Rev. Thomas Abdy Rutherforth (later Abdy) (1755-98) and his wife Mary, daughter of James Hayes of Holyport (Berks), baptised at Stapleford Abbots, 17 November 1780. An officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1800; Commander, 1802; Capt., 1809; retired 1810). He became a freemason in 1814. After his retirement, he lived at Naples (Italy) for some years, but in 1821 the concerns of the British consul there about his mental health led to his repatriation to England and his being placed in the care of Dr. Burrowes at The Retreat, Clapham, and he remained there for the rest of his life; in March 1832 he was formally declared to be a lunatic. He married, 23 August 1808 at Sonning (Berks), Grace, illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir Thomas Rich, 5th and last bt., of Sonning, and had issue:
(1) Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77), 1st bt. (q.v.).
He died in the Retreat Asylum, 9 June 1838 and was buried at Holy Trinity, Clapham (Surrey), 14 June 1838. His wife was buried at St Andrew, Plymouth (Devon), 28 March 1811.

Abdy, Sir Thomas Neville (1810-1877), 1st baronet. Only child of Capt. Anthony Thomas Abdy (1780-1838) and his wife Grace, illegitimate daughter of Admiral Sir Thomas Rich, bt., born 21 December 1810 and baptised at St Mary Abbots, Kensington (Middx), 14 December 1811.  Educated at Winchester College, St John’s College, Cambridge (matriculated 1829; BA 1833) and Middle Temple (admitted 1831); played cricket for MCC, 1834. JP and DL for Essex. He stood unsuccessfully for Parliament at Maldon (Essex) in 1842, but was MP for Lyme Regis (Dorset), 1847-52; High Sheriff of Essex, 1875. He was created 1st baronet of Albyns of the second creation, 8 January 1850.  He married, 19 October 1841 at St Marylebone, Hariot (1819-77), daughter of Rowland Alston ofPishiobury (Herts) and had issue:
(1) Mary Harriet Abdy (1842-53), born at Geneva (Switzerland), 28 September and baptised at the British chaplaincy there, 28 October 1842 and again at St George, Hanover Square, London, 26 July 1844; died young in Paris, 13 June 1853;

(2) Sir William Neville Abdy (1844-1910), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(3) Grace Emma Townshend Abdy (1846-1923), born 6 June and baptised at St Marylebone (Middx), 6 July 1846; married, 19 March 1872 at St Paul, Knightsbridge (Middx), Lord Albert Leveson-Gower (1843-74), youngest son of George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland, and had issue one son; died at Nice (France), 26 December 1923; administration of goods (with will annexed) granted 10 April 1924 (estate £29,906);

(4) Sir Anthony Charles Sykes Abdy (1848-1921), 3rd bt. (q.v.);

(5) Robert John (k/a Jack) Abdy (1850-93), born 13 October and baptised at St Marylebone, 12 December 1850; an officer in the 4th dragoon guards (2nd Lt., 1872; Lt., 1874; resigned his commission, 1881); suffered from depression; he was unmarried and without issue when he committed suicide, 29 March 1893; his will was opposed by his eldest brother on the grounds that 'he had not sufficient mental capacity to make a will' but it was upheld by the courts and administration was granted (with will annexed), 15 December 1893 (effects £5,975);

(6) Sir Henry Beadon Abdy (1853-1921), 4th bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the Albyns estate from his uncle, John Rutherforth Abdy (c.1779-1840) (q.v.), but appears to have leased it. He inherited the Horselydown estate in Bermondsey (Surrey) from his kinsman, Sir William Abdy (c.1779-1868). His town house at 68 Inverness Terrace, Hyde Park, was probably his main residence, but he also rented The Hermitage at Folkestone (Kent), Swynnerton Park and Beaudesert Parks (both Staffs), at different times. 

He died at 6 Grosvenor Place, Westminster (Middx), 20 July 1877; will proved in Principal Probate Registry 17 October 1877 (effects under £160,000). His wife died 8 July 1877; administration of her goods was granted to one of her husband's executors, 2 November 1877 (effects under £1500).

 

Abdy, Sir William Neville (1844-1910), 2nd baronet.  Eldest son of Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77) and his wife Hariot, daughter of Rowland Alston of Pishiobury (Herts), born 18 June and baptised at St George, Hanover Square, London, 26 July 1844.  Educated at Merton Coll, Oxford (matriculated 1863); student interpreter in China, 1867-68; JP for Essex; High Sheriff of Essex, 1884. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 20 July 1877. He was a freemason from 1866, a Conservative in politics, and stood unsuccessfully for Parliament at Maldon (Essex) in 1878 and 1880. He suffered serious injury in a hunting accident and walked with crutches in later life. He married 1st, 10 July 1883 at St Marylebone (Middx), Marie Theresa (c.1853-1902)*, daughter of Joseph Petritzka of Prague (an apparently mentally unstable woman whose accusations of adultery and theft against her husband and Sir William's alleged lover, an Argentinian widow, Madame de Benites, and whose violence to her husband, twice led to her petitions for divorce being rejected by the courts); after they finally separated in about 1894, he was cited as co-respondent in a divorce case between a German brewer, Oscar Kanow, and his wife Louise; he married 2nd, 6 December 1902 at St James Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx) a former courtesan, Eliza Sarah (1873-), daughter of Oscar William Beech**, but they were divorced on the grounds of her adultery with James R. Ewing, 1905; he married 3rd, 16 February 1909, Florence (c.1874-1922), a keen promoter of aviation, daughter of Lehmann Louis Cohn and widow of Gen. George Palmer Robinson (1827-97); but had no issue by any of his wives.

He lived in Paris after his first marriage. He inherited the Albyns (Essex) and Horselydown (Surrey) estates from his father in 1877; employed Nevinson & Newton to modernise Albyns, 1898-1901.

He died from complications following surgery, 9 August 1910; his will was proved 13 September 1910 (estate £266,120). His first wife died 17 September 1902. His second wife  married, Apr-June 1910, Capt. James Robert Ewing (d. 1915) after her divorce, but her date of death is not known. His widow married 3rd, 7 January 1913 at Holy Trinity, Marylebone (Middx), Maurice Grant (b. c.1887), artist of Slings, Malton (Yorks NR); she died in Monte Carlo (France), May 1922. 
* On her marriage certificate she is described as a widow, but this was an error, as was explained during her divorce proceedings.
** Described as a gentleman on his daughter's marriage certificate but as a coachman at the time of her baptism.

Abdy, Sir Anthony Charles Sykes (1848-1921), 3rd baronet.  Second son of Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77) and his wife Hariot, daughter of Rowland Alston of Pishiobury (Herts), born 19 September 1848.  An officer in the 2nd Life Guards (Ensign, 1868; Lt., 1871; Capt., 1883; retired 1893), who served in the Egyptian campaign, 1882 and was wounded at Rietfontein during the South African War. He was military attache in Vienna, 1885. He succeeded his elder brother as the 3rd baronet of Albyns, 9 October 1910.  He married, 11 November 1886, The Hon. Alexandrina Victoria Macdonald (1860-1953), youngest daughter of Godfrey William Wentworth Bosville-Macdonald, 4th Baron Macdonald of the Isles, and had issue:

(1) Grace Lilian Abdy (1887-1983), born 22 September 1887; married, 6 December 1917 at St Peter, Eaton Square, London, as his second wife, Henry Cavendish Butler (1868-1950), 8th Earl of Lanesborough, and had issue two sons; died aged 95, 9 August 1983; her will was proved 28 December 1983 (estate £44,703);

(2) Violet Abdy (1892-1957), born 2 January 1892; married, 5 January 1925 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., London, Hugh Godsal (1893-1936), elder son of Edward Hugh Godsal of Twyford (Berks), and had issue one son (Alan Godsal (1926-2011) of Haines Hill (Berks)); died 22 August 1957; administration of her goods was granted to her son, 8 October 1958 (estate £44,144);

(3) Constance Mary Abdy (1895-1981), born 4 June 1895; married, 1 November 1941, Harold Frederic Andorsen OBE (1885-1980), barrister, only son of Harald Andorsen, kt. of Order of St Olaf; died 26 June 1981; will proved 11 November 1981 (estate £68,776).

Inherited the Albyns (Essex) and Horselydown (Surrey) estates from his brother, 1910; sold pictures from Albyns at Christies, 1910; lived at 10 Lowndes Square until 1912 and thereafter at 100 Eaton Square. He leased Foss House near Pitlochry (Perths.) from 1911 and his widow continued the arrangement.

He died suddenly at Aix-les-Bains (France), 17 May 1921, and was buried at Stapleford Abbots; his will was proved 9 August 1921 (estate £84,951). His widow died aged 93 on 4 March 1953; administration (with will annexed) of her goods was granted to her eldest daughter, 3 September 1953 (estate £4,884).

Abdy, Sir Henry Beadon (1853-1921), 4th baronet.  Youngest son of Sir Thomas Neville Abdy (1810-77) and his wife Hariot, daughter of Rowland Alston of Pishiobury (Herts), born in Paris, 13 July 1853.  He became a freemason in 1905. He succeeded his elder brother Sir Anthony Charles Sykes Abdy (1848-1921) as 4th baronet, 17 May 1921.  He married, 22 March 1894 at St Helier (Jersey), Anna Adele (c.1856-1920), daughter of Louis Coronna of Berlin (Germany), and had issue:

(1) Gladys Erica Abdy (1894-1974), born 23 May and baptised at St Luke, Kensington (Middx), 26 June 1894; a fashionable woman whose dress sense ensured that she regularly featured in Vogue and other magazines; married, August 1919 at St Andrew, Ashley Place, Westminster (Middx), Col. Patrick Campbell Anderson DSO MC (1894-1965), merchant banker and wartime SOE operative, son of Patrick C. Anderson; died 25 April 1974; will proved 6 August 1974 (estate £5,615);

(2) William Neville Abdy (1895-1911), born 10 February 1895; educated at Charterhouse School; died young, 4 November 1911;

(3) Sir Robert Henry Edward Abdy (1896-1976), 5th bt. (q.v.);

He inherited the Albyns (Essex) and Horselydown (Surrey) estates from his brother, Sir Anthony Charles Sykes Abdy (1848-1921) but died soon afterwards.

He died 1 December 1921; his will was proved 4 March 1922 (estate £15,627). His wife died 21 March 1920; her will was proved 15 March 1922 (estate £333).

Abdy, Sir Robert Henry Edward Abdy (1896-1976), 5th baronet. Second but only surviving son of Sir Henry Beadon Abdy (1853-1921) (q.v.), 4th bt., and his wife Anna Adele Coronna, born 11 September 1896.  Educated at Charterhouse and RMC Sandhurst. He served in 15th/19th Kings Hussars, 1915-18 (Lt.). He succeeded his father as 5th baronet, 1 December 1921. In the 1920s he worked as an art dealer in Paris and London, and he was later in partnership with his third wife in London.  He was described in his obituary as ‘a strange mixture of passion and taste and prejudice, of extreme secretiveness and strong self-will’, and with his second wife he was a prominent figure in the most fashionable circles in England, France and the United States. His friends included Lord Berners and Emerald, Lady Cunard (who made him one of her three residuary legatees). He married 1st, 23 June 1923 at Henrietta St. Registry Office, London (div. 1928 on the grounds of his adultery), Iya (1903-93), daughter of George de Gay, dramatist of St. Petersburg (Russia) and formerly wife of Gerrit Jongeyans; married 2nd, 10 February 1930 at Princes Row Registry Office, London (div. 1962), Lady (Helen) Diana Bridgeman (1907-67), 'the most popular girl in London', eldest daughter of 5th Earl of Bradford; married 3rd, 5 Sept. 1962 (div. 1973), Jane (1934-2015), art historian and dealer and author of The Souls (1985), daughter of Dr. John Noble, and had issue:

(2.1) Sir Valentine Robert Duff Abdy (1937-2012) (q.v.);

Inherited the Albyns (Essex) and Horselydown (Surrey) estates from his father in 1921, but sold the Albyns estate, 1926; bought the Newton Ferrers (Cornwall) estate, 1936 and redecorated the house in a sharply fashionable, almost Art Deco, Classical manner, but the house was burnt 1940 and only partly restored afterwards.

He died 16 November 1976; his will was proved 14 April 1977 (estate £30,423). His first wife died in 1993. His second wife suffered brain damage in a car crash in 1956 and died, 7 May 1967. His third wife lived in London after her divorce and died 22 December 2015.

Abdy, Sir Valentine Robert Duff (1937-2012), 6th baronet.  Only child of Sir Robert Henry Edward Abdy (1896-1976) (q.v.), 5th baronet and his second wife, Lady (Helen) Diana Bridgeman, daughter of the 5th Earl of Bradford, born 11 September 1937.  Educated at Eton. He succeeded his father as 6th baronet of Albyns, 16 November 1976. European Representative (1983-95 and 1998-2012) and member of National Board (1995-98) of Smithsonian Institute, Washington; administrator of Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris; Special Adviser to International Fund for Protection of Culture, UNESCO, 1991-2012; member, Scientific Committee of the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Metiers, 1992-2012; FRSA 1998; Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (France).  He married 1st, 4 June 1962 (div. 1964), Catherine Chassin-Briault (b. 1940) (the actress k/a Yori Bertin); 2nd, 1971 (div. 1982), Mathilde Marie Alexe Christianne (b. 1952), daughter of Etienne Coche de la Férte and 3rd, February 1989 (div.) at St. Germans (Cornwall), Leslie Jean Porter (b. 1960), an American artist and film producer, and had issue:

(2.1) Sir Robert Etienne Eric Abdy, 7th bt. (b. 1978), born 22 February 1978; succeeded father as 7th baronet, 27 June 2012.

Inherited the Newton Ferrers (Cornwall) estate and the residue of the Horselydown estate in Southwark from his father in 1976, but sold Newton Ferrers in the 1990s and later lived mainly in France.

Died 27 June 2012, aged 74; his will was proved 5 June 2013. His first wife had four further marriages to three husbands and is now living. His second wife married 2nd, 1982, Edouard Etienne Alphonse de Rothschild (b. 1957) but was again divorced before 1991. His third wife is now living.

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, 1924, pp. 1393-94; VCH Surrey, vol. 3, 1911, pp. 413-19; Country Life, 17 & 24 December 1938, 9 January 1940; J. Harris, ‘The Prideaux Collection of topographical drawings’, Architectural History, 1964, pp. 19-108; J.M. Robinson, The latest country houses, 1984, pp. 45-46; D.E. Pett, The parks and gardens of Cornwall, 1998, pp. 232-33; P. Beacham & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Cornwall, 3rd edn, 2014, pp. 384-85; ODNB entry on Edward Strutt Abdy;  http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~londonaye/abdy_family.htm; http://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/aa/abdy1.php#top; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdy_baronets;
http://www.qualifiedstonemason.com/newtonferrers.php

Revision and acknowledgements

This account was first published 23 February 2013, and was updated 1 May 2014, 3 November 2015, 7 & 16 January, 13 & 16 February, 3 & 11 March, 25 April and 18 June 2016; 29 March and 16 July 2018. It was completely revised 7-15 September 2018 and further updated 31 October 2019 and 9 December 2021. I am grateful to John Venning for his suggestions and corrections to my account of Newton Ferrers and for further information about the Abdy family, and to Richard Garnier for corrections.