(50) Affleck of Dalham Hall, baronets

Affleck of Dalham Hall coat of arms

In 1714 John Affleck (c.1651-1718) purchased the Dalham estate previously owned by the Stuteville family (1416-1702), on which the Rt. Rev. Simon Patrick, Bishop of Ely, had recently built a new Dalham Hall.  One of his younger grandsons, Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-88) was created a baronet in 1782.  The title passed by special remainder to his nephew, Sir Gilbert Affleck (1740-1808), and thereafter descended with the estate.  In 1901 Sir Robert Affleck (1852-1919) sold Dalham Hall, reputedly after being defrauded by his solicitor of as much as £10,000.  At the time of the sale, Affleck had commissioned new terraced gardens from T.H. Mawson and C.E. Mallows, and the plans were handed over to the purchaser, Cecil Rhodes, the South African diamond magnate, who, however, died before he could occupy it or lay out the gardens; it was later sold to the 1st Baron Milford.  At Sir Robert’s death, the title passed to his cousin, Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck (1856-1939), a Queensland fruit farmer.  He had two sons, who were both in jail in Brisbane at the time for a particularly sordid blackmailing operation (see here for details, towards the bottom of the page), and the baronetcy was never claimed and is regarded as having died out in 1939.  The Australian press at the time, however, credited the elder son with the title, and Sir Frederick James Siddartha Affleck (1905-75) was probably the last of his line; his younger brother is not heard of after 1941 and presumably predeceased him.

Dalham Hall, Suffolk

Dalham Hall before the fire in 1954, after which the top storey was removed.

Dalham Hall in Suffolk is a seven bay red brick house, originally of three full storeys with a hipped roof, with white painted quoins at the angles and no pediment. The ground floor on the entrance front has lost its glazing bars and now has an early 19th century doorway. It was built for Simon Patrick (1626-1707), Bishop of Ely in 1704-05, who bought the estate from the Stuteville family in 1702. Early photographs show that the house had richly carved panelled interiors.

Dalham Hall: a fine carved wood overmantel recorded in the house c.1900. Image: Historic England

Patrick's widow sold the house in 1714 to John Affleck (c.1651-1718), and it descended in this family to Sir Robert Affleck, 7th bt. (1852-1919). In 1901, Affleck obtained plans from C.E. Mallows for remodelling the house and raising the 19th century service wing to three storeys, and for the layout of formal gardens to the design of T.H. Mawson. In that year, however, he discovered that he had been defrauded by his solicitors, and was forced to sell the estate to repay loans taken out for estate improvements. 

The purchaser was the colonial administrator, Cecil Rhodes (d. 1902), who died before he could move in. His executors abandoned the plans for altering the house, but brought in Lutyens to propose changes to the main house, which also remained unexecuted, apart from a new lodge of 1903, and perhaps some alterations of 1906 to the fine ten-bay stable block.

In 1928 Rhodes sold the estate to Sir Laurence Philipps, 1st bt. and later 1st Baron Milford (1874-1962), who established a racing stud here. He remodelled the Victorian service wing c.1927-28, possibly to the designs of H.S. Goodhart-Rendel. The interior of the main block was remodelled at the same time, including much rather lightweight new panelling and moulded plasterwork in 18th century style. In 1954 there was a serious fire, and when the house was restored the top floor was removed, completely altering the proportions of the design. Between the 1920s remodelling and the fire, most of the original woodwork in the interior seems to have been lost.

Dalham Hall as rebuilt after the fire. Image: Bob Jones.  Licenced under a Creative Commons licence.

Lord Milford left Dalham to his third son, Maj. The Hon. James Philipps (1905-84); he established a family trust which sold the estate in 2009 to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of UAE), who had bought the racing stud in 1981. The sale agreement allowed Charles Philipps and his family to continue to live in the house for a further five years, and the house was let after he moved out.

The house has a fine large walled front garden, long avenues in several directions, and an informal yew avenue leading to the church.  There are also the remains of a garden canal, possibly later in date than the house, although it is tempting to see in it the influence of the Dutch wife of John Affleck (d. 1718).

Descent: Stuteville family from 1416; sold 1702 to Simon Patrick (1626-1707), Bishop of Ely; to widow, Penelope Patrick (d. 1725) who sold 1714 to John Affleck (c.1651-1718); to son, Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764); to son, John Affleck (1710-74); to son, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt. (1740-1808); to cousin, Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck, 3rd bt. (1759-1838); to brother, Rev. Sir Robert Affleck, 4th bt. (1765-1851); to son, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 5th bt. (1804-54); to brother, Sir Robert Affleck, 6th bt. (1805-82); to son, Sir Robert Affleck, 7th bt. (1852-1919), who sold the estate in 1901 to Cecil Rhodes (d. 1902); to nephew, Col. Francis William Rhodes (1898-1938), who sold 1928 to Sir Laurence Philipps, 1st bt. and later 1st Baron Milford (1874-1962), who established a racing stud here; to third son, Maj. James Philipps (1905-84); to family trust which sold 2009 to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of UAE), who had bought the racing stud in 1981.  The sale allowed Charles Philipps and his family to continue to live in the house for five years.

The Affleck family of Dalham Hall

Affleck, John (c.1651-1718), of Dalham Hall.  Son of Thomas Affleck and his wife Ann, daughter of Matthias Petersen of Ocland (Sweden), born c.1651.  He married Neeltje (1663-1729), daughter of Gilbert Schape of Amsterdam, merchant, and had issue including:
(1) Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764) (q.v.).
He purchased the Dalham Hall estate in 1714.
He died 26 March 1718, aged 67.  His will was proved 9 April 1718.  His widow died in 1729.  They are both commemorated by a monument in Dalham church.

Affleck, Gilbert (c.1684-1764), of Dalham Hall.  Son of John Affleck (c.1651-1718) and his wife Neeltje, daughter of Gilbert Schape, born c.1684. MP for Cambridge, 1722-27, 1737-41.  He married, 3 November 1705 in Westminster Abbey, Anne (d. 1744), daughter of John Dolben MP of Finedon (Northants), and had issue (with five other children who did not survive infancy):
(1) John Affleck (1710-74) (q.v.);
(2) Rev. Gilbert Affleck (1711-63), born 15 November 1711; educated at Rugby and Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1731; BA 1734/5; MA 1738); ordained deacon, 1735/6 and priest, 1736; rector of Dalham; m. 1740, Elizabeth (1721-75), daughter of Richard Clopton and had issue two daughters; died 24 April 1763;
(3) Charles Affleck (1712-31); born 6 December 1712; died unmarried 10 October 1731;
(4) Thomas Affleck (1715-29); born 13 April 1715; died unmarried, 25 December 1729;
(5) Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) (q.v.);
(6) Rev. William Affleck (1717-1806); born 30 October 1717; educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1733; BA 1736/7; MA 1740; BD 1747); ordained deacon, 1742 and priest, 1744; Fellow of Emmanuel College, 1737; Junior Proctor, 1745/6; rector of North Luffenham (Rutland), 1755-1806; m. Catherine, daughter of Richard Dalton and had issue two sons and three daughters; died 8 September 1806;
(7) Samuel Affleck (1721-47); born 11 August 1721; died unmarried in Bengal, 25 January 1747;
(8) Robert Affleck (1722-35); born 26 August 1722; died unmarried, 9 March 1735;
(9) Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-88), MP, 1st. bt. (q.v.);
(10) Admiral Philip Affleck (1726-99), born 2 May 1726; joined East India Company but soon transferred to Navy (Lt., 1755, Commander, 1759, Captain, 1759, Rear-Admiral, 1787, Vice-Admiral, 1792, Admiral, 1795; retired 1796); Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica station, 1790-92; a Lord of the Admiralty, 1793-96; died unmarried and without issue, 21/26 December 1799; will proved 11 January 1800;
(11) Jermyn Affleck (1729-43); born 26 March 1729; died unmarried, April 1743;
(12) Anne Affleck (d. 1794); died unmarried;
(13) Elizabeth Affleck (d. by 1748), m.1 16 March 1737, Robert Trefusis (1708-42) of Trefusis (Cornwall) and had issue one son and one daughter, and m.2 Charles Charleton of Kensington Gravel Pits;
(14) Catherine Affleck (d. 1760), m. 1733, William Metcalfe of Fordham Abbey (Cambs); died May 1760;
(15) Mary Affleck (c.1724-73), m. Rev. Dr. William Danby of Swinton Park and had issue; buried at Masham (Yorks NR), 8 July 1773;
(16) Louisa Affleck (d. 1737); died unmarried;
(17) Charlotte Affleck (d. 1820), m.1 John Scotchmer (d. 1786) of Troston Hall (Suffolk) and m.2, 14 October 1789, Sir William Dolben bt. of Findon.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1718.  
He died 12 November 1764.  His wife died in December 1744 when she fell into an open fire at Dalham Hall, apparently after having a stroke.

Affleck, John (1710-74), of Dalham Hall.  Eldest surviving son of Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 12 February 1710.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1727).  MP for Suffolk, 1743-61 and Amersham, 1767-68.  He married Sarah (d. 1776), daughter of James Metcalfe of Roxton (Beds) and had issue:
(1) Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt. (1740-1808) (q.v.);
(2) Rev. John Affleck (1744-81); born 22 January 1743/44; educated at Bury St Edmunds Grammar School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1763; BA 1767; MA 1776); ordained deacon, 1767 and priest, 1768; rector of St. Columb Major (Cornwall), 1776-81; died unmarried;
(3) Capt. William Affleck RN (d. 1792); served in Royal Navy (Captain, 1774); m. Harriet/Henrietta Anne Crawley (b. 1752) but died without issue, 21 December 1792; commemorated by a monument in the porch of St Mary, Bryanston Square, London.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1764.
He died 5 March 1774.  His widow died 17 February 1776.

Affleck, Sir Edmund (1725-88), 1st bt.  

Sir Edmund Affleck, 1st bt.

Son of Gilbert Affleck (fl. 1705-41) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 19 April 1725.  Entered the Navy, c.1740 (Lt. 1745; Capt. 1757); given command of HMS Bedford, 1778; served at relief of Gibraltar, Battle of St. Vincent, 1780; promoted Commodore, 1781; created 1st baronet of Dalham Hall, 10 July 1782, with special remainder to the heirs of his father; retired as Rear-Admiral, 1784; MP for Colchester, 1782-88.  He married 1st, Esther (d. 1787), daughter of John Ruth and widow of Peter Creffield of Ardleigh Hall (Essex), and 2nd, 14 May 1788, Margaret, daughter of Mr. Burgess of New York and widow of Rev. William Smithers of Colchester (who m.3, 1792, Major John MacKinnon).
He lived at Fingringhoe Hall (Essex).
He died without issue, 19 November 1788, when his title passed under the special remainder to his nephew, Sir Gilbert Affleck (1740-1808), 2nd bt. (q.v.).  His will was proved 24 November 1788.

Affleck, Sir Gilbert (1740-1808), 2nd bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of John Affleck (1710-74) of Dalham Hall and his wife Sarah, daughter of James Metcalfe of Roxton (Beds), born 24 December 1740.  Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1759).  He married, 18 July 1796, Mary (1748-1835), daughter of Thomas Clark of New York and widow of Richard Vassall of Jamaica and London, but had no issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1774 and the baronetcy from his uncle in 1788.  At his death, the title and estates passed to his cousin, Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck (1759-1838), 3rd bt. (q.v.).
He died 17 July 1808.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 7 October 1808.  His widow died in 1835; her will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 23 March 1835.

Affleck, Rev. James (1716-84).  Fifth son of Gilbert Affleck (fl. 1705-41) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 18 August 1716.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1735; BA 1739; MA 1742).  Rector of Finedon (Northants) and a prebendary of Southwell Minster and York Minster.  He married, 1757, Mary Procter (d. 1772) of Clay Coton and had issue:
(1) Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck (1759-1838), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2) Capt. Thomas Affleck (1762-1805), RN; born 21 August 1762; died unmarried;
(3) Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt. (q.v.);
(4) Capt. Edmund Affleck (d. 1795), died unmarried;
(5) Mary Affleck (d. 1773); died unmarried;
(6) Anne Affleck (d. 1832); died unmarried;
(7) Philippa/Penelope Affleck (d. 1851), m. Sir Digby Mackworth, 3rd bt. (1766-1838) as his second wife but died without issue.
He died 21 November 1784.  His will was proved 19 January 1785.

Affleck, General Sir James (1759-1833), 3rd bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) of Finedon (Northants) and his wife Mary Procter of Clay Coton, born 29 April 1759.  Entered the Army, 1776 (Captain, 1778; Lt-Col., 1795; Col., 1798; Brig-Gen., 1803; Maj-Gen., 1805; Lt-Gen., 1811; General, 1825); Colonel of 16th Dragoons, 1795-1833.  
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his first cousin, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt., in 1808.
He died unmarried and without issue, 10 August 1833.  His will was proved 25 September 1833. For a portrait, see here.

Affleck, Rev. Sir Robert (1765-1851), 4th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Second son of Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) of Finedon (Northants) and his wife Mary Procter of Clay Coton, born 27 January 1765.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1783; BA 1787; MA 1790).  Ordained deacon, 1792 and priest, 1793; vicar of Westow, 1796-1833; rector of Tresswell (Notts), 1796; vicar of Doncaster (Yorks), 1807-17 and of Silkstone (Yorks), 1817-35; domestic chaplain to 3rd Earl Harcourt, 1817; prebendary of York Minster, 1802-51.  He married, 16 May 1800, Maria (d. 1825), daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), formerly Chief Justice of Bengal, and had issue:
(1) Sir Gilbert Affleck (1804-54), 5th bt. (q.v.);
(2) Sir Robert Affleck (1805-82), 6th bt. (q.v.);
(3) Rev. James Danby Affleck (1810-62) (q.v.);
(4) John Affleck (1812-69), born 28 April 1812; died unmarried, 17 March 1869;
(5) George Danby Affleck (later Danby) (1818-91) of Swinton Park (Yorks), which he sold 1882;
(6) Mary Philippa Affleck (d. 1887), m. 7 February 1837, Rev. Thomas Francis Hall (1795-1858), vicar of Hatfield Broad Oak (Essex); died 8/9 April 1887; will proved 7 May 1887 (estate £346);
(7) Charlotte Affleck (d. 1880), m. 28 March 1854, Ven. George Glover (d. 1862), archdeacon of Sudbury (Suffolk); died 27 November 1880; administration granted 4 March 1881 (estate under £5,000);
(8) Harriett Elizabeth Affleck (d. 1897), m.1, 1829, John Thomas Bridges (d. 1853) and had issue, and m.2, 31 October 1854, Rev. Dr. J.E.N. Molesworth (d. 1877), vicar of Rochdale (Lancs); died 14 December 1897; will proved 12 February 1898 (estate £3,722);
(9) Marian Affleck (d. 1893), m. 10 November 1846, Rev Samuel Charles MA (d. 1890) and had issue; died 8 December 1893.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his elder brother in 1838.
He died 7 May 1851.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 23 July 1851.

Affleck, Sir Gilbert (1804-54), 5th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 9 June 1804.  He married, 20 December 1834, Everina Frances (d. 1865), daughter of Francis Elliot of Bath (who m.2, Rev. Dr. William Whewell), but died without issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his father in 1851.
He died in November 1854.

Affleck, Sir Robert (1805-82), 6th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Second son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 28 July 1805.  JP and DL for Suffolk; High Sheriff of Suffolk, 18xx.  He married, 9 April 1850, Maria Emily (c.1825-1902), daughter of Edmund Burton of Churchill (Northants) and had issue:
(1) Katherine Maria Affleck (c.1851-1893), m.1, 1878, Lt-Col. Charles Willaston (d. 1882) and m.2, 1891, Richard Frewen of Innishannon (Cork);
(2) Sir Robert Affleck (1852-1919), 7th bt. (q.v.);
(3) Edmund Affleck (1854-75), RN; born 30 March 1854; died unmarried, 8 May 1875;
(4) Gilbert Affleck (b. & d. 1855); died in infancy, October 1855;
(5) Anna Maria Affleck (c.1857-1924); died unmarried in Germany, 16 June 1924; will proved 10 November 1924 (estate £2,624);
(6) Frances Caroline Affleck (c.1858-1923); died unmarried in Worthing, 3 December 1923; will proved 26 February 1924 (estate £425);
(7) Helen Affleck (1859-1943), born 28 April 1859; m. 1883, Rev. Henry Bruce Pugh, rector of Dalham and rural dean of Thurlow, and had issue; died 13 December 1943; will proved 9 March 1944 (estate £12,194)
(8) John de Linden Affleck (1860-1917), born 18 July 1860; m. Blanche Euphemia, daughter of Alexander A. Robson of Sydney (Australia) but died without issue;
(9) Philip Burton Affleck (1862-1916), born 2 January 1862; died unmarried and without issue, 24 July 1916; will proved 19 September 1916 (estate £1,415);
(10) Mary Elizabeth Harriett Affleck (1863-1921), born 4 June 1863; m. 1893 John William Rudd (d. 1922) of Anerley, London SE and had issue; died 12 September 1921.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his elder brother in 1854.
He died 9 October 1882.  His will was proved 25 April 1883 (estate £18,179).  His widow died 9 November 1902.

Affleck, Sir Robert (1852-1919), 7th bt., of Dalham Hall. Eldest son of Sir Robert Affleck (1805-82), 6th bt., and his wife Maria Emily, daughter of Edmund Burton of Churchill (Northants), born 4 March 1852.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1871).  JP for Suffolk.  He borrowed heavily to invest in estate improvements at Dalham Hall but was eventually obliged to sell the estate to repay the loans.  He claimed his solicitor had defrauded him of at least £10,000 skimmed from these and other transactions, and in 1903 he was involved in bankruptcy proceedings.  His wife took a situation as a saleswoman in Selfridge's newly-opened store in Oxford Street, London to supplement the family income, initially incognito; see here for an account of this episode.  He married, 9 March 1886 (div. 9 February 1915), Julia Georgina, daughter of John Sampson Prince, but died without issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his father in 1882, but sold the estate to Cecil Rhodes in 1901. He purchased a hunting box at Somerby (Leics) and ran a racing stable there.  
He died 4 December 1919, possibly abroad; no will has been found for him.

Affleck, Rev. James Danby (1810-62).  Younger son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 16 February 1810.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1828; BA 1832).  Ordained deacon and priest, 1835; rector of Dalham, 1835-62.  He married, 19 April 1853, Sophia, daughter of Edward Dyson of Dalham and had issue:
(1) Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck (1856-1939), 8th bt. (q.v.);
(2) Arthur Edward Highlander Affleck (b. 1857)
(3) Adolphus Reginald Affleck (1862-63), died in infancy;
(4) Eleonora Affleck, died unmarried;
(5) Florence Affleck, died unmarried.
He died 27 December 1862.  His will was proved at Bury St Edmunds, 13 March 1863 (estate under £300).

Affleck, Sir Frederick Danby James (1856-1939), 8th bt.  Eldest son of Rev. James Danby Affleck (1810-62) and his wife Sophia, daughter of Edward Dyson of Dalham, born 3 February 1856.  Emigrated to Australia in the 1880s and became a fruit farmer in Brisbane, Australia.  He married, 1918 and again (after it was discovered that the first marriage was unintentionally bigamous), 21 June 1939, Lilley, daughter of Alfred Quarm Ross and formerly the husband of [name unknown] (d. c.1925) from whom she was legally separated in 1903, by whom he had issue:
(1) Frederick James Siddartha Affleck (1905-75), born 29 March 1905; for newspaper reports of his criminal convictions see here; claimed the baronetcy in 1939 but whose claim was rejected on the grounds of illegitimacy in 1949; died unmarried and without issue;
(2) Dalham Roger Affleck (1906-75?), born 3 May 1906; for newspaper reports of his criminal convictions see here; married and had issue (see comments below);
(3) Pansy Gabrielle Affleck (b. 1909), born 17 January 1909.
He died 24 July 1939. His widow was living in 1949.

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, 1924; Ipswich Journal, 29 December 1744; Grantham Journal, 3 October 1903; J. Kenworthy-Browne et al., Burke’s & Savill’s Guide to Country Houses: vol. 3, East Anglia, 1981, p.227; E. Martin, 'Garden canals in Suffolk' in Harper-Bill, Rawcliffe & Wilson, East Anglia's history, 2002, p. 232;  http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/949686;  https://www.maltagenealogy.com/LeighRayment/baronetage/baronetsA1.htm.

Where are their papers?

Affleck family of Dalham Hall: family correspondence and papers, 18th-19th cents (Suffolk RO HD714/1348; Acc. 966/4/2-3); papers of 2nd bt, 18th-19th cents (BL Add MS.51807-08)

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published on 21 June 2013 and revised 1 January 2015, 18 April and 12 October 2016, 27 January 2017 and 3 April 2021. I am grateful for the assistance of Jessamy Carlson with research for this post.