(506) Bearcroft of Mere Hall

Bearcroft of Mere Hall

By the late 17th century, this family (whose name was spelled in many different ways, including Barecroft, Barcroft, Berecroft and Bearecroft) were claiming to have been of gentry status from the late 14th century onwards. There seems little doubt that they owned a freehold estate in Hanbury parish in the late middle ages, but it did not have the status of a manor and may originally have been quite small, and they should perhaps be regarded as yeomen until the 16th century. The genealogy below begins with John Bearcroft (c.1550-1620), who was perhaps the first of his line to be described as 'esquire'. It would seem that he was responsible for building the present Mere Hall (then known as Mere Green Hall) in about 1611, although he would then have been quite an elderly man to take on a major building project. John married twice, but the eldest son of his first marriage died before him, and the surviving younger sons made careers in trade in Worcester. The heir to Mere Hall was the only son of his second marriage, Philip Bearcroft (c.1589-1643), who was educated as a gentleman at Oxford - where he took a degree - and the Middle Temple. Philip married the daughter of a neighbouring landowner who was also one of original members of the Virginia Company, and his eldest surviving son, John Bearcroft (c.1618-85) also went to Oxford and then to Grays Inn. He did not qualify as a barrister but was regarded later as 'learned in the law though not a public advocate'. During the 17th century the family's property gradually expanded as a result of sensible marriages and judicious purchases, and extended into both Droitwich and Feckenham parishes. John Bearcroft (1649-1700) lived at Shurnock Court in Feckenham during his father's lifetime, and there is little evidence that he ever moved into Mere Hall, although he does appear to have been responsible for some updating of the house.

Little is known about the career of his son, John Bearcroft (1681-1723), who does not seem to have attended a university or one of the inns of court, and who was living in Bristol at the time of his marriage in 1711. It seems possible that he was apprenticed to a Bristol solicitor and later followed that trade, but I have not found any clear evidence for this. He and his wife produced nine children in the twelve short years of their marriage, but of these only five survived to maturity. The heir to the Mere Hall estate was Edward Bearcroft (1715-93), who more certainly had a legal training but used it almost entirely as a tool to promote his own interests at the expense of his clients and even his own family. He has been described as 'cunning, violent, unscrupulous, and deliberately and systematically dishonest', and although he was not always successful in his schemes, his wickedness - which may well have extended to infanticide - never met with the come-uppance it deserved. Perhaps fortunately, he had no legitimate children, and when he died his estate passed to his niece, Frances Dickenson (1751-1820), who later married Capt. John Weir (d. 1812). She had no children either, with the result that the estate passed under her uncle's will to her third cousin once removed, Edward Henry Longcroft (1790-1832), on condition that he took the name Bearcroft.

Longcroft's father was a naval officer who retired on health grounds in 1784 and took up coastguard duties in Pembrokeshire, where he was involved in repulsing the attempted French invasion in 1798. Edward Henry Longcroft (later Bearcroft) was brought up in Haverfordwest and became a militia officer there. After he inherited Mere Hall he moved to Worcestershire and carried out an updating and remodelling of the old house which must have been much needed. His eldest son, Edward Bearcroft (1816-86) inherited Mere Hall in 1832 and only came of age five years later. His wife, from a Pembrokeshire family, died from complications following childbirth in 1852, and he never married again. He was a typical Victorian gentleman, filling a role in the militia and, more enthusiastically, on the magistrates' bench, and serving his term as High Sheriff. His only son, Edward Hugh Bearcroft (1852-1932) was from a similar mould, although in his case the militia was his main field of operations, and he saw active service in South Africa. He had no surviving children, and let Mere Hall to his wife Catherine (1855-1933) for life and then to his first cousin, once removed, Lt-Col. Ernest Charles Lister Bearcroft (1899-1970), an officer in the Royal Marines. His only son, Charles John Edward Bearcroft (1935-2003) found it impossible to maintain the house and estate, and was made bankrupt in 1972, after which the estate was sold out of the family.

Mere Hall, Worcestershire

The estate, originally known as Mere Green Hall, is reputed to have belonged to the Bearcrofts since the 14th century, and a much later bressumer on the current entrance front has the carved date 1337, which may be intended to refer to their acquisition of the property. The present house is a large and well preserved timber-framed manor house, consisting of a central hall range with two large gabled cross-wings, the timbers of which have provided a dendro-date of c.1611, which accords well with the stylistic evidence. The whole house is built of close studding, with large diagonal struts, although the jettied second storey of the hall range has herringbone struts and five charming little gables set above a continuous row of mullioned windows which either lit a long gallery or were intended to suggest that they did. The rear of the hall range has a stone chimney-breast with four star-shaped stacks, now surrounded by later additions. Inside, the house preserves much 17th century panelling, the best in the dining room in the west wing, which also has a fine wooden chimneypiece with arches and caryatids.

Mere Hall, Hanbury: the house in about 1910. Image: Country Life.

The first alterations were made to the house in about 1691, presumably for John Bearcroft (1649-1700). These included replacing the porch, originally set off-centre at the end of a screens passage, with the current open central porch, with thin barley-twist Corinthian columns and an open pediment; adding the pretty fretted central lantern that crowns the house; and laying out the attractive forecourt, which had brick walls topped with iron railings, two square corner pavilions with elegantly sweeping ogee roofs, and fine iron gates. The carved date of 1337 on the front of the house may have been cut at this time, since it is known that the family began asserting their ancient gentility at this time.

Mere Hall, Hanbury: the house from the north-east in c.1910, across the octagonal fish pond. Image: Country Life. 

The house was next altered in the early 19th century, when there were two phases of work. In the first, the delicate Gothick glazing on the entrance front was inserted, and soon afterwards, in 1828, Matthew Habershon carried out substantial alterations for Edward Henry Bearcroft, adding a large south-west service wing of painted brick and creating a new staircase hall. 

Mere Hall, Hanbury: the house from the north in 2019. Image: Jeff Gogarty. Some rights reserved.

In the 20th century, the forecourt lost its original late 17th century gates and railings, presumably as Second World War salvage. In their place, new more widely spaced brick piers were constructed, supporting simplified iron gates  and a lower overthrow. The house has been restored more recently by the present owners. 

Descent: Thomas Bearcroft (fl. 1542); to son, John Bearcroft (c.1550-1620); to son, Philip Bearcroft (c.1589-1643); to son, John Bearcroft (b. c.1618-85); to son, John Bearcroft (1649-1700); to son, John Bearcroft (1681-1723); to son, Edward Bearcroft (1715-93); to niece, Frances Dickenson (1751-1820), later the wife of Capt. John Weir (d. 1812); to third cousin once removed, Edward Henry Longcroft (later Bearcroft) (1790-1832); to widow, Elizabeth Bearcroft (1786-1848) for life and then to son, Edward Bearcroft (1816-86); to son, Edward Hugh Bearcroft (1852-1932); to widow, Catherine Elizabeth Bearcroft (d. 1933) and then to first cousin once removed, Lt-Col. Ernest Charles Lister Bearcroft (1899-1970); to son, Charles John Edward Bearcroft (1935-2003), who sold 1975 to Mr. & Mrs. Duggins; sold 1983 to Mr & Mrs Edward Stearn; sold 2000 to Edward Dean Butler (fl. 2021).

Bearcroft of Mere Hall

Bearcroft, John (c.1550-1620?). Eldest son of Thomas Bearcroft (fl. 1542) of Mere Hall and his wife Anne, daughter of Thomas Laker alias Foxley of Foxley (Lancs), born about 1550. He married 1st, 1 June 1579 at Leigh (Worcs), Margery (d. c.1587), daughter of Humphrey Archer (1528-62) of Tanworth in Arden, and 2nd, 6 May 1588 at Hanbury, Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Humphrey Jennetts of Norgrove (Worcs), and had issue:

(1.1) John Bearcroft (d. 1595); he is said to have married Mary, only daughter of Sir John Herbert (c.1540-1617), Secretary of State and one of the Masters of Requests, and had issue a daughter, but her only recorded marriage (in 1595/6) was to Sir William Dodington (1572-1638), kt. and it seems likely that he was not old enough to marry before he died in the lifetime of his father, and was buried at Hanbury, 1 December 1595;

(1.2) Thomas Bearcroft (b. 1579), baptised at Hanbury, 3 December 1579; probably died young;

(1.3) Anne Bearcroft (b. c.1580), born about 1580; married, 26 October 1607 at Hanbury, Thomas Wylde of Hanbury Astwood and had issue three sons and one daughter;

(1.4) Richard Bearcroft (b. 1581), baptised at Hanbury, 22 December 1581; probably died young;

(1.5) Andrew Bearcroft (b. & d. 1583), baptised at Hanbury, 25 January 1582/3; died in infancy and was buried 7 February 1582/3;

(1.6) Margery Bearcroft (b. 1584), baptised at Hanbury, 14 March 1583/4; married, 26 January 1606/7 at Hanbury, Robert Hanley;

(1.7) Thomas Bearcroft (1584-1651), baptised at Hanbury, 30 March 1584; draper; married 1st, 10 June 1607 at Hanbury, Joan Cooke, and 2nd, 13 June 1613 at Hanbury, Bridget (d. 1656), daughter of John Hanbury of Hanbury (Worcs), and had issue nine sons and two daughters; died 1651;

(1.8) Richard Bearcroft (b. 1585), baptised at Hanbury, 6 February 1584/5; married and had issue one son and four daughters;

(1.9) Edward alias Edmund Bearcroft (1587-1639), baptised at Hanbury, 1 May 1587; clothier in Worcester; married but died without issue; buried at Hanbury, 13 July 1639;

(2.1) Philip Bearcroft (c.1589-1643) (q.v.);

(2.2) Elizabeth Bearcroft (d. 1595); buried at Hanbury, 29 January 1594/5;

(2.2) Elinor Bearcroft (b. 1593); married, 1 July 1617 at Hanbury, Philip Dobbins.

He inherited the Mere Hall estate from his father and probably built the present house c.1611.

He may be the John Berecroft, gent., buried at Hanbury, 27 September 1620. His first wife must have died in 1587 or early 1588. His second wife's date of death is unknown.

Bearcroft, Philip (c.1589-1643). Only son of John Bearcroft (c.1550-1620?) by his second wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heiress of Humphrey Jennetts of Norgrove Court, Feckenham, born about 1589. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1607; BA 1609) and Middle Temple (admitted 1610). He married, reputedly in 1614 but perhaps a few years later, Elizabeth (fl. 1647), daughter and co-heiress of Sir Francis Egiock (d. 1622), kt., of Egiock in Inkberrow (Worcs), and had issue:

(1) John Bearcroft (1619-85) (q.v.);

(2) Francis Bearcroft (b. 1622), of Tibberton (Worcs), baptised at Hanbury, 23 June 1622; married, before 1649, Mary (b. c.1610; fl. 1682), daughter of Thomas Harris of Crowle (Worcs) and widow of Rev. Walter Glisson (d. c.1639) of Marnhull (Dorset), and had issue three sons and six daughters; living in 1682;

(3) Anne Bearcroft (b. 1628), baptised at Hanbury, 17 February 1627/8; married Edmund Coucher of Clifton and Ledbury (Herefs), and had issue three sons and at least one daughter;

(4) Philip Bearcroft (1630-69), of Worcester, baptised at Hanbury, 29 March 1630; married Edborow (d. 1681), daughter of Giles Smart of Gloucester, and had issue one son; buried at St Michael, Worcester, 28 September 1669;

(5) Eleanor Bearcroft (b. 1633), baptised at Hanbury, 23 May 1633; married John Tombs of Worcester;

(6) Humphrey Bearcroft (1635-69), of Bristol, baptised at Hanbury, 20 May 1635; married Alice, daughter of [forename unknown] Martin of Bristol, apothecary; died 1669;

(7) Mary Bearcroft (b. 1636), baptised at Hanbury, 24 August 1636.

He inherited Mere Hall from his father, probably in 1620.

He was buried 8 August 1643. His widow was living in 1647 but her date of death is unknown.

Bearcroft, John (1619-85). Eldest son of Philip Bearcroft (c.1589-1643) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Sir Francis Egiock (d. 1622), kt., baptised at Feckenham, 7 March 1618/9. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1635) and Grays Inn (admitted 1641). His allegiance in the Civil War is uncertain. JP for Worcestershire. He married, 5 September 1644 at Hanbury, Frances (c.1619-84), daughter of Edward Vernon (d. c.1658) of Hanbury Astwood (Worcs), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Bearcroft (b. 1645), baptised at Hanbury, 19 May 1645; married, 6 August 1674 at Hanbury, Rev. George Fayting, rector of All Hallows in Worcester;

(2) Philip Bearcroft (1646-74), baptised at Hanbury, 31 December 1646; educated at Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1672); died unmarried in the lifetime of his father, 1674;

(3) John Bearcroft (1649-1700) (q.v.);

(4) Eleanor Bearcroft (1651-77), baptised at Hanbury, 18 September 1651; married, 24 April 1676 at All Saints, Worcester, Thomas Lacy of Feckenham (Worcs); buried at Feckenham, 30 January 1676/7;

(5) Frances Bearcroft (1654-91?), baptised at Hanbury, 22 April 1654; married, 23 September 1680 at Hanbury, John Mence of Woodrow Green, Hanbury, gent; perhaps the 'Frances Mence of Stoke Prior' buried at Hanbury, 20 July 1691;

(6) Edward Bearcroft (1656-57), baptised at Hanbury, 22 November 1656; died in infancy and was buried at Hanbury, 16 January 1656/7;

(7) Edward Bearcroft (1657-1744) (q.v.).

He inherited Mere Hall from his father in 1643.

He died 11 March and was buried at Hanbury. 13 March 1684/5, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument. His wife died 16 November and was buried at Hanbury, 18 November 1684.

Bearcroft, John (1649-1700). Second, but oldest surviving, son of John Bearcroft (1619-85) and his wife Frances, daughter of Edward Vernon of Hanbury Astwood, baptised at Hanbury, 15 February 1648/9. Educated at Wadham College, Oxford (matriculated 1667; BA 1670; MA 1673). He married, 16 October 1677 at Wolverhampton (Staffs), Sarah (c.1659-1700), daughter of Richard Bracegirdle (d. 1677) of Wolverhampton, apothecary, and sister of the actress, Anne Bracegirdle (c.1663-1748), and had issue:

(1) Frances Bearcroft (b. 1678), baptised at Hanbury, 3 September 1678; living in 1711;

(2) John Bearcroft (1681-1723) (q.v.);

(3) Philip Bearcroft (b. 1685), baptised at Hanbury, 10 June 1685; died without issue.

He lived at Shernock Court (Worcs) and inherited Mere Hall from his father.

He died 1 January 1699/1700, and was buried at Hanbury, where he is commemorated on his father's monument. His widow died 19 December 1700 and was buried at Hanbury, 22 December 1700.

Bearcroft, John (1681-1723). Elder son of John Bearcroft (1649-1700) and his wife Sarah, daughter of Richard Bracegirdle of Wolverhampton (Staffs), baptised at Feckenham (Worcs), 23 March 1681. He married, 3 April 1711 at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, Jane (1686-1768), daughter of Benjamin Perrott of Oldswinford (Worcs) and later of Bristol, glass maker, and had issue:

(1) John Bearcroft (b. & d. 1712), born at Temple Gate, Bristol, 28 July 1712; died in infancy and was buried at Hanbury, 20 September 1712;

(2) Jane Bearcroft (1713-51), born 21 July, and baptised at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, 26 July 1713; married, 9 August 1748 at All Saints, Evesham (Worcs), Thomas Dickenson (1717-51) of Worcester, grocer, and had issue a daughter (Frances Dickenson (1751-1820), who inherited Mere Hall for life from her uncle, married Capt. John Weir (d. 1812) and died without issue, whereupon the estate passed under her uncle's will to Edward Henry Longcroft (c.1790-1832), on condition that he took the name Bearcroft); buried at St Nicholas, Worcester, 11 August 1751;

(3) Edward Bearcroft (1715-93) (q.v.);

(4) Frances Bearcroft (1716-41), baptised at Hanbury, 19 July 1716; died unmarried and was buried at Hanbury, 30 July 1741;

(5) John Bearcroft (b. 1717), baptised at Hanbury, 6 August 1717; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt. 1746); died unmarried;

(6) Mary Bearcroft (b. 1718), baptised at Hanbury, 22 July 1718; living in 1758 but probably died unmarried;

(7) Benjamin Bearcroft (1719-23), baptised at Hanbury, 3 October 1719; died young and was buried at Hanbury, 10 March 1722/3;

(8) Elizabeth Bearcroft (b. 1721), baptised at Hanbury, 2 November 1721; living in 1758 but probably died unmarried; 

(9) Sarah Bearcroft (1723-36), baptised at Hanbury, 18 November 1723; died young, 3 December 1736.

When first married he lived at Temple Gate, Bristol. He inherited Mere Hall from his father in 1700.

He was buried at Hanbury, 15 November 1723, where he is commemorated by a monument erected c.1800 to the design of W. Stephens of Worcester (which says, presumably incorrectly, that he died in September 1723). His widow is said to have been confined in asylum for a time as a result of her son's attempts to overturn the provision of her jointure; she died 26 January and was buried at Hanbury, 28 January 1768 (though the monument to her husband gives her year of death as 1769).

Bearcroft, Edward (1715-93). Second, but eldest surviving, son of John Bearcroft (1681-1723) and his wife Jane Perrott, born at Temple Gate, Bristol, 29 May and baptised at St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, 1 June 1715. A solicitor, who has been characterised as "cunning, violent, unscrupulous, and deliberately and systematically dishonest", although he could evidently be charming and plausible when it suited his purpose. As a young man, he was charged at Bristol Assizes with the murder of his own illegitimate child, though he was evidently not convicted, reputedly because his mother spent a large sum of money on his defence. He subsequently challenged his mother’s jointure and this upset her so much that she was deemed insane and committed to an asylum. In 1754 he set up in business as a solicitor in Droitwich and set out to batten on the Compton family of Hindlip (Worcs) and Hartpury (Glos), for whom he acted for some years, scheming to gain control of their estates by exercising undue influence on the young Compton baronets, whom he had encouraged in drunkenness and dissipation.  In 1762 he eloped to Gretna Green with, and married, their sister, Catherine Maria (1741-75), daughter of Sir William Compton (d. 1758), 3rd bt., of Hartpury Court (Glos) and Hindlip Hall (Worcs), but they had no issue and separated after he became violent towards her and threw her out of his house. After her brother's death in 1773 he inherited a moiety of the Compton estates in her right. A chance meeting with his wife in 1774 led him to attempt to abduct her and force her to sign over property she held in her own right to him, but in this he was foiled. In his later years, he established a mistress called Betty Heming at one of his properties, Broughton House, Broughton Green, but there is no evidence they had any children. 

He inherited Mere Hall from his father in 1723, and progressively enlarged the estate through the purchase of adjacent farms. He lived in Droitwich rather than at Mere Hall, which was probably let to farming tenants.

He was buried at Hanbury, 11 January 1793; his will was proved in the PCC, 29 April 1793. His wife was buried at Hindlip (Worcs), 8 May 1775.

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Bearcroft, Edward (1657-1744). Fourth and youngest son of John Bearcroft (1619-85) and his wife Frances, daughter of Edward Vernon of Hanbury Astwood, baptised at Hanbury, 10 January 1657/8. A lawyer at Clements Inn and an official in the Chancery Office. He married, 1691 (licence 28 April), Susanna (b. 1668), daughter of Henry Byne (1629-97) of Carshalton (Surrey), and had issue:

(1) Edward Bearcroft (c.1693-1721) (q.v.).

He evidently lived in London and later at Carshalton.

He was buried at Carshalton, 2 May 1744; his will was proved in the PCC, 28 May 1744. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bearcroft, Edward (c.1693-1721). Only recorded son of Edward Bearcroft (1657-1744) and his wife Susan, daughter of Henry Byne of Carshalton (Surrey), born about 1693. Educated at Queen's and Merton Colleges, Oxford (matriculated 1709; BA 1712; MA 1715) and the Inner Temple (admitted 1713), and then undertook a Grand Tour, visiting Venice and Padua in 1717, when he was described as 'fellow in Oxford'; he was probably briefly a fellow of Merton College, Oxford. While in Venice he had a meeting with the Old Pretender, and was suspected of Jacobite sympathies. He married, c.1718, Elizabeth [surname unknown] (c.1692-1780), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Bearcroft (c.1720-c.1790) (q.v.).

He lived at Merton (Surrey).

He was buried at Carshalton (Surrey), 15 August 1721. His widow died aged 88 and was buried at Kew (Surrey), 31 May 1780.

Bearcroft, Elizabeth (c.1720-c.1790). Only recorded daughter of Edward Bearcroft (c.1693-1721) of Merton (Surrey), and his wife, born about 1720. She married, 12 April 1743 at Charterhouse chapel, Finsbury (Middx), Robert Longcroft (1714-85), a grocer, merchant and privateer of Portsmouth (Hants) (bankrupt, 1745), who was later a potter at Brentford (bankrupt again, 1754) and later of Kew (Surrey) and Strand-on-the-Green, Chiswick (Middx), son of Thomas Longcroft, and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Longcroft (1745-1816), baptised at Portsea (Hants), 2 August 1745; married 1st, 12 July 1763 at Chiswick (Middx), James Powell (c.1733-67), and had issue two sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 11 December 1777 at St Clement Danes, London, Rev. John Smythies (1733-1816), rector of St Mary Magdalene, Colchester and younger son of the Rev. Palmer Smythies of Colchester, and had further issue one son and one daughter; died soon after her husband, 30 October 1816;

(2) Mary Longcroft (1746-1834), baptised at Kew, 16 September 1746; died unmarried and was buried at St Swithin, Walcot, Bath, 27 December 1834; 

(3) Edward Longcroft (1750-1812) (q.v.);

(4) Susan  Longcroft (1756-1847), born 16 August and baptised at Chiswick (Middx), 4 September 1756; died unmarried in Bath aged 91 and was buried at St Swithin, Walcot, 13 November 1847; will proved 2 December 1847;

(5) Thomas Longcroft (1760-1811), born 24 February and baptised at Chiswick, 4 March 1760; travelled to India as personal assistant to the painter, Johann Zoffany (who was a neighbour of his parents in Chiswick), 1783, and became his pupil and a talented amateur artist; after several years he quarrelled with Zoffany and bought some land on which to establish an indigo plantation at Koil near Aligarh, which seems to have been moderately successful; he took an Indian mistress (Moburrick Johan), to whom he left much of his property when he died, 31 July 1811, but there is no evidence that he had any children.

She and her husband lived first at Portsmouth, and later at Kew and Chiswick.

She probably died before 1792. Her husband died 10 September and was buried at Chiswick, 21 September 1785.

Longcroft, Capt. Edward (1750-1812). Elder son of Robert Longcroft of Kew (Surrey) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Bearcroft, baptised at Kew (Surrey), 9 January 1750/1. An officer in the Royal Navy (Midshipman, 1769; Lt., 1778; Cmdr., 1782; Capt., 1809); retired from active service on health grounds, 1784, and was subsequently a Coastguard officer in Pembrokeshire, where he was involved in repelling the attempted French invasion of 1797. He may have married 1st, 28 May 1775 at Bermondsey, Mary White, and 2nd, 30 May 1782 in Kingston (Jamaica), Elizabeth (c.1760-1809), daughter of [forename unknown] Baylis, reputedly of the Lloyney, Beguildy (Radnors.), and had issue:

(1.1) Edward Longcroft (b. 1776), baptised at St Olave, Bermondsey, 7 January 1776; died young;

(2.1) Richard Thomas Longcroft; perhaps born in Jamaica; said to have died in infancy;

(2.2) Edward Henry Longcroft (later Bearcroft) (1790-1832) (q.v.);

(2.3) Elizabeth Augusta Longcroft (1792-1869), baptised at Laugharne, 16 March 1792 and again at Haverfordwest, 12 June 1799; married, 7 May 1815 at Haverfordwest, Capt. William Butler (c.1792-1867), an officer in the Royal Pembrokeshire Fusiliers, and had issue six sons and five daughters; died 22 December and was buried at Haverfordwest, 28 December 1869; administration of goods granted to a daughter, 3 May 1870 (effects under £100);

(2.4) Frances Longcroft (d. 1799); died in infancy and was buried at Haverfordwest, 22 April 1799;

(2.5) Charlotte Longcroft (1799-1866), baptised at Haverfordwest, 12 June 1799; married, 23 March 1819 at Haverfordwest, Thomas Lloyd (1793-1857) of Coedmore, Llangoedmore (Cardigans.), Lord Lieutenant of Cardiganshire, son of Thomas Lloyd (d. 1810) of Coedmore, and had issue four sons and one daughter; died 5 May 1866; her will was proved 10 July 1866 (effects under £14,000);

(2.6) Charles Richard Longcroft (1804-88), of Llanina House (Cardigans.), baptised at Llanarth, 4 November 1804; High Sheriff of Cardiganshire, 1834-35; inherited Llanina House with his sister Charlotte from their godfather, Edward Warren Jones; married 1st, before 1836, Sarah [surname unknown], and had issue; married 2nd, 12 June 1886 at Llanina (Cardigans.), Amelia, daughter of Petro Dusar, teacher of languages; died 20 May and was buried at Llanarth (Cardigans.), 25 May 1888.

He lived latterly at Llanina House (Cardigans), the home of his close friend, Edward Warren Jones, who left it to his younger son and daughter.

He died 16 August, and was buried at Llanarth, 20 August 1812; his will was proved in the PCC, 27 April 1813. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His widow died 23 February and was also buried at Llanarth, 28 February 1809.

Longcroft (later Bearcroft), Edward Henry (1790-1832). Second but eldest surviving son of Edward Longcroft (1750-1812) and his second wife Elizabeth, daughter of [forename unknown] Baylis, reputedly of the Lloyney (Radnors), baptised at Laugharne (Pembs), 24 July 1790. An officer in the Royal Pembroke Militia (Capt., 1811) and Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry (Capt., 1831). He changed his name from Longcroft to Bearcroft in 1822 after inheriting the Mere Hall estate. He married, 8 October 1812 at Aberteifi (Cardigans), Elizabeth (1786-1848), daughter of James Bowen of Pantyderi (Pembs), and had issue:

(1) Frances Elizabeth Bearcroft (1814-87), baptised at Haverfordwest, 30 March 1814; a keen amateur toxophilist; lived at Broughton Court, Hanbury; died unmarried, 28 November, and was buried at Hanbury, 2 December 1887;

(2) Charlotte Augusta Bearcroft (1815-16), baptised at Haverfordwest (Pembs), 5 April 1815; died in infancy and was buried at Haverfordwest, 9 April 1816;

(3) Edward Bearcroft (1816-86) (q.v.);

(4) Rev. James Bearcroft (1817-98) (q.v.);

(5) Rev. Thomas Bearcroft (1818-77), baptised at Haverfordwest, 26 December 1818; educated at Bromsgrove Grammar School and Queen's College, Oxford (matriculated 1838; BA 1842; MA 1847); ordained deacon, 1844 and priest, 1845; curate of Pontesbury (Shrops.) and rector of Fitz (Shrops.), 1867-77; a keen amateur toxophilist; married, 2 January 1868 at Edstaston (Shrops.), Mary Hester Lilly Rosalie (1828-97), daughter of Sir Orde John Honyman, 3rd bt., and had issue a daughter; died 2 February and was buried at Edstaston, 7 February 1877;

(6) Henry Bearcroft (1820-89), of Droitwich, baptised at Haverfordwest, 6 December 1820; solicitor; clerk to Droitwich Board of Guardians, 1847-89; also farmer and hop-grower; married, 1852, Ellen (1831-1902), daughter of George Vernon of Hanbury, and had issue one son and two daughters; died 26 May and was buried at Hanbury, 30 May 1889; will proved 2 December 1889 (estate £18,832);

(7) twin?, Charles Philip Bearcroft (1824-41), baptised at Hanbury, 1 January 1825; died young and was buried at Hanbury, 14 May 1841;

(8) twin?, Charlotte Augusta Bearcroft (1825-65), baptised at Hanbury, 1 January 1825; married, 1 September 1857 at Hanbury, James William Bowen of Clynfiew (Carmarthens) and Middle Temple, barrister-at-law, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 14 January 1865;

(9) Marianne Bearcroft (1826-1916), baptised at Hanbury, 12 September 1826; a keen amateur toxophilist; married, 26 September 1865 at Hanbury, as his second wife, Rev. Theodore John Cartwright (c.1806-67), rector of Preston Bagot (Warks); died aged 89 on 15 August 1916; will proved 18 October 1916 (estate £286).

He inherited Mere Hall from his distant cousin, Frances Weir, in 1820. After his death the house passed to his widow for life and she let it for some years to Edwin Shelton, a retired Birmingham businessman, before returning to the house at the end of her life.

He died 5 November and was buried at Hanbury, 13 November 1832; his will was proved in the PCC, 31 May 1833. His widow died 14 December and was buried at Hanbury, 22 December 1848.

Bearcroft, Edward (1816-86). Eldest son of Edward Henry Bearcroft (1790-1832) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of James Bowen of Pantyderry (Pembs), baptised at Haverfordwest (Pembs), 1 June 1816. Educated at Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavalry (Cornet, 1836). JP (from 1843) and DL for Worcestershire; Chairman of Droitwich Petty Sessions c.1859-84; High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1854-55. A Conservative in politics. He suffered from blindness in his later years. He married, 11 February 1850 at Cilgerran (Pembs), Eliza (c.1821-52), third daughter of John Colby of Ffynone (Pembs), and had issue:

(1) Edward Hugh Bearcroft (1852-1932) (q.v.).

He inherited Mere Hall on the death of his mother in 1848.

He died 31 December 1886 and was buried at Hanbury, 6 January 1887; his will was proved 8 June 1887 (estate £8,770). His wife died of complications following childbirth on 23 June and was buried at Hanbury, 29 June 1852.

Bearcroft, Edward Hugh (1852-1932). Only child of Edward Bearcroft (1816-86) and his wife Eliza, third daughter of John Colby of Ffynone (Pembs), born 25 March 1852. Educated at Eton. An officer in the Worcestershire militia (Lt., 1871; Capt., 1877; Maj., 1887; Lt-Col., 1897; hon. Col., 1897), who served in South Africa; appointed CB, 1903. JP for Worcestershire. He married, 10 July 1877 at Abergwili (Carmarthens), Catherine Elizabeth (1855-1933), only daughter of Capt. Grismond Philipps of Cwmgwilly, and had issue:

(1) Eliza Mary Bearcroft (b. & d. 1878), born 15 July 1878; died in infancy, 11 August 1878.

He lived at the Manor House, Feckenham until he inherited Mere Hall from his father in 1886. At his death the house passed to his widow, and on her death the following year to his first cousin once removed, Lt-Col. E.C.L. Bearcroft.

He died 27 January 1932; his will was proved 9 August 1932 (estate £47,398). His widow died 5 December 1933; her will was proved 29 January and 4 July 1934 (estate £44,904).

Bearcroft, Rev. James (1817-98). Second son of Edward Henry Bearcroft (1852-1932) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of James Bowen of Pantyderi (Pembs), born 10 January 1817. Educated at Oriel College, Oxford. Ordained deacon 1841 and priest, 1842. Curate of St Peter, Droitwich, 1841-42; Rector of Hadzor (later Hadzor with Oddingley) (Worcs), 1842-98; he also ran a small boarding school in his rectory. He married, 10 October 1848 at Feckenham (Worcs), Margaret Ann (1823-1901), daughter of Rev. Richard Ingram, rector of St Peter, Droitwich, and had issue:

(1) Philip Bearcroft (1849-1912), born about 10 December 1849 and baptised at Hadzor, 7 January 1850; educated at Keble College, Oxford (matriculated 1871; BA 1874; MA 1879); schoolmaster at Giggleswick School (Yorks WR); died unmarried, 1 June 1912; will proved 19 June 1912 (estate £3,424);

(2) Adm. John Edward Bearcroft (1851-1931), born 18 August and baptised at Hadzor, 15 September 1851; an officer in the Royal Navy (entered Navy, 1864; Sub-Lt., 1870; Lt., 1871; Cmdr. 1888; Capt., 1895; Rear-Adm., 1906; Vice-Adm. 1910; Adm. 1913; retired from active service, 1906); Admiral-Superintendent of contract-built ships on River Clyde, 1906-11; in retirement lived at Torwood, Bowling (Dunbartons.); appointed CB, 1900 and MVO, 1904; married, 26 April 1892, Katherine (c.1858-98), daughter of William P. Howell of Mydrim (Carmarthens.), but had no issue; died 5 September 1931; will confirmed in Scotland, 17 November 1931 (estate £4,760);

(3) Reginald Bearcroft (1853-1914), born 24 April and baptised at Hadzor, 25 May 1853; engineer; manager of the Pimlico Wheel Works in 1881; a freemason from 1886; married 1st, 18 September 1879 at St Silas, Glasgow, Elise Jessie (c.1853-80), second daughter of Henry Dubs of Glasgow, and 2nd, c.1885, perhaps in America, and again, 27 August 1908* at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Millicent Agnes (d. 1938), daughter of Henry Wigmore, mining engineer, and widow of [forename unknown] Fullwood, but had no issue; died 24 January and was buried at Smarden (Kent), 30 January 1914; will proved 24 March 1914 (estate £4,041);

(4) Arthur James Bearcroft (1855-1920), baptised at Hadzor, 10 June 1855; solicitor; a freemason from 1893; married, 12 October 1898 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster (Middx), Mary Elizabeth (1859-1920), daughter of James William Bowen, barrister-at-law, but had no issue; died 1 January 1920; will proved 6 February 1920 (estate £1,358);

(5) Henry Ingram Bearcroft (1857-1912), baptised at Hadzor, 6 November 1857; an officer in the merchant navy (apprentice, 1873; second mate, 1877; mate, 1880; master mariner, 1886) and Royal Naval Reserve (2nd Lt., 1881); died unmarried, 10 August 1912; administration of goods granted to his brother Arthur, 19 June 1912 (estate £891);

(6) William Fortescue Bearcroft (1859-1919), locomotive engineer; married, 26 October 1890 in Malta, Catherine (c.1854-1905), daughter of Rev. John Till, vicar of Gnosall (Staffs), and had issue one daughter; died in Egypt, 4 January 1919; will proved 3 September 1919 (estate £2,478);

(7) Charles Richard Douglas Bearcroft (1866-1930) (q.v.).

He died 26 March 1898; his will was proved 23 July 1898 (effects £3,430). His widow died 17 October 1901; her will was proved 28 December 1901 (estate £1,259).

* The marriage in 1908 appears to have been regularising a long-standing but perhaps informal or undocumented relationship; in the 1911 census the couple say they have been married for 26 years.

Bearcroft, Charles Richard Douglas (1866-1930). Seventh and youngest son of Rev. James Bearcroft (1817-98) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Rev. Richard Ingram, born 21 January and baptised at Hadzor (Worcs), 1 April 1866. Electrical engineer. A freemason from 1903. He married, 10 May 1894 at Yaverland (IoW), Marion Emily (1862-1930), daughter of James Brown Simpson (later Lister) (d. 1871) of the Inner Temple and Dunsa Bank, Kirkby Ravensworth (Yorks NR), and had issue:

(1) Margaret Nora Bearcroft (1895-1968), born 5 March and baptised at Teddington (Middx), 1 April 1895; served in Second World War with Red Cross (Commandant, Surrey); married, 10 August 1921 at Wimbledon (Surrey), Raymond Charles Tottenham (1890-1967), son of Rev. Charles Francis Bosvile Tottenham, but had no issue; died 6 June 1968;

(2) Lt-Col. Ernest Charles Lister Bearcroft (1899-1970) (q.v.).

He died 19 February and was buried at Wimbledon (Surrey), 22 February 1930. His widow died 26 March and was also buried at Wimbledon, 29 March 1930.

Bearcroft, Lt-Col. Ernest Charles Lister (1899-1970). Only recorded son of Charles Richard Douglas Bearcroft (1866-1930) and his wife Marion Emily, daughter of James Lister of Dunsa Bank, Kirkby Ravensworth (Yorks NR), baptised at St James, Hampton Hill (Middx), 4 February 1899. An officer in the Royal Marines, who served in the First and Second World Wars (2nd Lt., 1916; Lt., 1919; Capt. 1927; Maj., 1936; Lt-Col., 1940; retired 1943); JP (from 1939) and DL (from 1963) for Worcestershire; High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1947. A freemason from 1920. He married, 21 December 1926, Enid Frances Charlotte (1902-73), eldest daughter of Dr. John Llewellyn Rees of Pontardawe (Glam.), and had issue:

(1) Joan Enid Lister Bearcroft (b. 1931), born in Malta, 25 September 1931; emigrated to Kenya; married, 24 October 1957, Peter Bayley Ransom (1934-2001), farmer and amateur jockey, and had issue one son;

(2) Charles John Edward Bearcroft (1935-2003) (q.v.).

He inherited Mere Hall from his first cousin once removed in 1933.

He died 21 May 1970; his will was proved 11 January 1971 (estate £13,656). His widow died 22 April 1973; her will was proved 10 September 1973 (estate £17,279).

Bearcroft, Charles John Edward (1935-2003). Only son of Lt-Col. Ernest Charles Lister Bearcroft (1899-1970) and his wife Enid Frances Charlotte, eldest daughter of Dr. John Llewellyn Rees of Pontardawe (Glam), born 8 April 1935. Farmer; made bankrupt, 1972 (discharged 1977). He married, Apr-June 1963 (div.), Caroline F. Pereira (b. 1942), and had issue:

(1) Edward Patrick Charles Bearcroft (b. 1964), born 9 June 1964; IT consultant; married, Oct-Dec 1994, Catherine A. Marriott (b. 1966), and had issue one son and one daughter;

(2) Catherine Elizabeth Bearcroft (1966-67), born Jan-Mar 1966; died in infancy, Jan-Mar 1967. 

He inherited Mere Hall from his father but was obliged by bankruptcy to sell it in the 1970s.

He died 2 May 2003. His ex-wife is now living.

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1952, p. 137; J. Nash, History of Worcestershire, vol. 1, 1781, p. 553; R.H. Silcock, 'County Government in Worcestershire, 1603-60', PhD thesis, University of London, 1974; A.D. Harris (ed.), Registers of the church of St Mary the Virgin, Hanbury (Worcestershire), 1577-1715, 1981; J. Berkeley, 'The Compton family of Hartpury Court', Trans. Bristol & Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, vol. 131 (2013), pp. 13-24; J. Phillips-Evans, The Longcrofts: 500 years of a British family, 2014;

Location of archives

Bearcroft of Mere Hall: deeds and family papers, c.1300-20th cent. [Worcestershire Archives, 705:95 3964; 16050]

Coat of arms

Sable a chevron between three bears' heads razed argent with three swans sable upon the chevron.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide photographs or 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 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 31 January 2022 and updated 1-2 February 2022.