(521) Becher of Howbury Hall

Becher of Howbury

The Becher (sometimes Bechar, Beecher or Beacher) family were settled in western Kent in the 15th and 16th centuries as yeomen and minor gentry with landholdings in Leigh, Penshurst, Chiddingstone, Cowden, Mereworth and Wrotham. John Becher of Powndrowen House, Penshurst (which he sold to a relative) is said to have had no less than eleven sons, the youngest of whom, Henry Becher (c.1511-71) (with whom the genealogy below begins), was apprenticed to a London haberdasher and became a freeman of the city of London in 1534. A career as a merchant followed, and in due course Henry joined the Common Council, becoming an alderman in 1567 and serving as one of the sheriffs of London in 1570. He became sufficiently wealthy to invest in the purchase of lands, although his acquisitions were scattered around the country rather than being concentrated in a particular area. He was succeeded in his business by his eldest son, Henry Becher (c.1544-1608), who seems to have retired in about 1597, when he bought the Fotheringhay College estate in Northamptonshire.

Fotheringhay College: the buildings as shown on a 16th century estate map.

This property consisted of the ruins of the claustral buildings of the a college of secular priests attached to Fotheringhay church, which had served as the mausoleum of the Dukes of York in 15th century. The college had been dissolved in 1549 and the college buildings were unroofed and partly demolished soon afterwards. It seems likely, since the Bechers were resident in the early 17th century, that they either repaired part of the ruined buildings of the college or built a new house on the site.

Henry Becher died in 1608 and was succeeded by his eldest son, William Becher (1574-1640), who was knighted in 1619. He was brought up as a gentleman, being educated at Cambridge and becoming MP for Huntingdon in 1601. He lived at Howbury Hall in Bedfordshire, and although he does not seem to have bought the freehold of it until about 1624, he was evidently living there during his father's lifetime, for in 1603 he exercised his right to appoint a new minister at the local parish church of Renhold, and in 1612-13 he was High Sheriff of Bedfordshire. He probably built the Jacobean house which was recorded by Thomas Fisher in about 1815. After buying the freehold of Howbury, he proceeded to sell the Fotheringhay College property in 1629, although some land at Fotheringhay probably remained in the possession of his siblings, as members of the family continued to be buried there into the mid 17th century.

Sir William Becher seems to have been of a Puritan persuasion, and he married a daughter of Oliver St. John, 1st Baron St. John of Bletsoe, whose family were among the leading Presbyterians in the country. They had an enormous family of at least 17 children (some sources say 19!) and their sons included a Puritan minister and a Presbyterian academic who was intruded into Peterhouse, Cambridge in 1644 (but expelled in 1650, after the Presbyterians fell out among themselves). The heir to Howbury was Oliver Becher (1598-c.1659), who inherited the estate just before the outbreak of the Civil War and held it through the two troubled decades of the war and Commonwealth. He was an officer in the Parliamentarian army during the Civil War, and played an active part in the fighting between 1642 and 1644. His exact date of death is uncertain, but he was succeeded in about 1659 by his eldest son, William Becher (1628-94), who may have held more moderate views than his father. He seems to have been popular with the restored monarchy, being knighted in 1660 and appointed as a militia officer, JP and Deputy Lieutenant in the same year. In 1661 he was one of the magistrates who tried John Bunyan for offences under the Conventicle Act of 1593 and sent him to Bedford Gaol, and this also suggests that he was relatively comfortable with the emerging limits to religious toleration. Against this must be set the fact that his first wife was a St. John; so perhaps the reality is that Sir William recognised the need for compromise if the religious and political wounds of the Civil War and Commonwealth were to be healed.

Sir William's eldest son and heir was William Becher (1661-1724), who was apprenticed to a London mercer and became a freeman of London in 1691, although it seems likely that his business career was cut short when he inherited the Howbury estate from his father in 1694. He became a justice of the peace for Bedfordshire, but did not fulfil the wide range of public responsibilities which his father had taken on, and he remains a comparatively obscure figure. His only surviving son, William Becher (1697-1751) is even more obscure: all that is known of him is that he married in 1726 an Elizabeth Clarke (d. 1766), who may have been a relative of his father's second wife. When he died in 1751 he left the Howbury estate to her for life, with remainder to a succession of distant cousins.

The man who actually came into possession on the death of William's widow in 1766 was John Becher (1711-c.1779), a great-great-grandson of Sir William Becher (1574-1640). The intervening generations had all been London merchants, but John went abroad and became a merchant first at Alicante (Spain) and after about 1740 at Livorno (Italy), where there was a large expatriate community of English merchants. He married in Livorno in 1744 and all his children were born there, and although he returned to England in 1766 to claim his inheritance, his complex business affairs took him back to Italy, and he was still there in 1776, shortly before his death. He was a partner in a hemp manufactory which was described in 1775 as "gone by ye Devil, the partners are all by the Ears and gone to law together, and poor old Becher will be trick'd out of all". He was also associated in business with his son William (b. 1748), who contracted a gambling habit and ran up large debts. Either on that account or because his son remained in Italy to manage the family interests there, John left the Howbury estate to his younger brother, Richard Becher (1721-82), who had recently returned from India with a modest fortune. Unfortunately, Richard was persuaded to place his 'modest fortune' at risk, either to help a friend or to guarantee his nephew's gambling debts (accounts differ) and he was obliged to sell the Howbury estate to the Polhill family (who still own it) in 1781 and to return to India to resume earning a living. He died soon afterwards, and his sons all made careers in the service of the East India Company. The gambling ne'er-do-well William Becher (b. 1748) was married and in Paris by 1790, but is said later to have emigrated to the West Indies, where he had died by 1809. 

Howbury Hall, Renhold, Bedfordshire

The estate belonged in the late 16th and 17th centuries to the Gostwick family of Willington Hall, and it seems unlikely that they had or needed a house of any great consequence at Howbury. It is likely, however, that a new mansion was built for Sir William Becher after he acquired the estate, and this would appear to be consistent with the appearance of the house recorded by Thomas Fisher c.1815. 

Howbury Hall: watercolour by Thomas Fisher, c.1815, showing the Jacobean house. Image: Cheffins Fine Art.

Sir William's new house consisted of a hall range with two cross-wings and a central porch between two tall and symmetrically placed dormer windows. Mullioned or mullioned and transomed windows survived in the dormers and the wings in the early 19th century, but the fenestration of the centre had been regularized with sash windows, probably in the early 18th century, when the surviving U-plan stables and the dairy/laundry building near the house were built. An irregular service wing adjoined the main building on the east, part of which survived until c.1960, when it was taken down after an outbreak of wet and dry rot and death watch beetle.

In 1847 the Jacobean house was seriously damaged by fire after a thoughtless workman lit a fire in the roof to destroy a nest of bees. The house was unoccupied and unfurnished at the time, and the books had been removed, but the entrance hall, drawing room, library and many bedrooms, comprising the left-hand wing were burned to the ground, with nothing but the chimneystacks and small sections of wall attached to them surviving. The billiard room, dining room, some further bedrooms, and the service accommodation in the right-hand wing, remained standing, though considerably damaged. 

Howbury Hall: engraving of 1851 showing the house with only one wing.

Howbury Hall: the entrance front today

The house was rebuilt in 1849 for Frederick Charles Polhill-Turner (1826-81) by James Horsford of Bedford with a rendered five-bay front of two storeys, plus wings with two-storey canted bay-windows, although an engraving of 1851 shows only one wing. The wings have cast iron balconies on the first floor. The design is still entirely pre-Victorian in feeling, and the interior decoration is still in a delicate classical style. The elegant central hall has a screen of Ionic marble columns and an imperial staircase behind it lit by an arched window. In the east wing, there is some surviving earlier work, including a reset staircase with rustic columns as balusters and walls with stucco that seems to date from c.1730-40. 

Descent: Sir John Nevill; granted 1538 to Sir John Gostwick (d. 1545); to son, William Gostwick (d. 1545); to uncle, William Gostwick (d. 1549); to son, John Gostwick (d. 1581); to son, Sir William Gostwick (d. 1615), 1st bt.; who leased it about 1603 and whose son, Sir Edward Gostwick (d. 1630) sold it c.1624 to Sir William Becher (1574-1640); to son, Oliver Becher (1598-c.1659); to son, Sir William Becher (1628-94), kt.; to son, William Becher (1661-1724); to son, William Becher (1697-1751); to widow, Elizabeth Becher (d. 1766) for life and then to distant kinsman, John Becher (1711-c.1779); to brother, Richard Becher (1721-82), who sold 1781 to Nathaniel Polhill (1723-82); to son, Nathaniel Polhill (1756-82); to son, Nathaniel Polhill (d. 1802); to uncle, John Polhill (1757-1828); to son, Thomas Polhill (1794-1828); to brother, Frederick Polhill (1798-1848); to son, Frederick Charles Polhill-Turner (1826-81); to son, Frederick Edward Polhill-Turner (1858-1903);to brother, Cecil Henry Polhill-Turner (1860-1938); to son, Cecil Charles Polhill (1890-1957); to nephew, Anthony Nathaniel Polhill (1921-2007); handed over 1995 to nephew, Arthur Julian George Polhill (b. 1956).

Becher family of Howbury Hall

Becher, Henry (c.1511-71). Said to have been the eleventh and youngest son of John Becher of Powndrowen House, Penshurst (Kent) and his wife, born in or before 1511. Apprenticed to William Gressant of London, haberdasher, and was made free of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, 1534. He became a member of the Russia Company and of the Company of Merchant Adventurers, and traded extensively in fine cloths, dyes, books and haberdashery items including pins. He was elected to the Common Council of the City of London (Alderman for Bridge Ward Without, 1567-71; Sheriff, 1570-71*). He married 1st, about 1540, Alice, daughter of Thomas Heron of Edgcumbe House, Croydon (Surrey), and 2nd, 16 May 1566 at St. Christopher-le-Stocks, London, Jane (d. 1588), said to be the daughter of Geoffrey Gittons of Wrexham (Flints) and the widow of Oliver Lovibond of London, and had issue:

(1.1) Elizabeth Becher (c.1542-1612), born about 1542; married 1st, 5 October 1560 at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, Clement Kelk (1523-93) of London, haberdasher and merchant adventurer; married 2nd, 7 January 1594 at St Helen, Bishopsgate, London, as his third wife, Thomas Harrison (1530-1602) of Finchampstead (Berks), surveyor of the staple; apparently died without issue and was buried at Finchampstead, 10 September 1612; will proved 1612;

(1.2) Henry Becher (c.1544-1608) (q.v.);

(1.3) Edward Becher (c.1545-1607?), of Allhallows, London; said to have been an esquire of the body to Queen Elizabeth I; possibly the man of this name admitted to Lincoln's Inn, 1595/6; married, 1580 (licence 5 October), the Hon. Frances (b. 1549), daughter of William Brooke, 10th Baron Cobham, and widow of Thomas Coppinger (d. 1580) of Davington (Kent), and had issue three sons; said to have died at Finchampstead, 1607;

(1.4) Phane Becher (c.1546-92) [for whom see my post on the Becher family of Aughadown and Hollybrook]

(1.5) Mary Becher (c.1549-1600); married, 4 September 1569 at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, Chideock Wardour (1542-1611) of Plaitford (Hants), Clerk of the Pells in the Exchequer and MP for Stockbridge (Hants), 1589 and Ludgershall (Wilts), 1593, and had issue one son and three daughters; died 19 September 1600 and was buried at Chiswick (Middx), where she and her husband are commemorated by a monument;

(1.6) Margaret Becher (c.1551-1621); married, 23 July 1571 at Stratfield Saye (Hants), Sir Thomas Dabridgecourt (c.1546-1614), kt., of Stratfield Saye, eldest son of George Dabridgecourt (and whose sister Susan married her brother Phane), and had issue at least three sons and two daughters; buried at Stratfield Saye, 30 October 1621; her will was proved 29 November 1622;

(1.7) Mabel Becher (b. c.1553); married, 3 February 1575/6 at East Tisted (Hants), Sir Richard Norton (c.1552-1611) of Tisted (Hants) (who m2, after 1598, Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Capell of Rudgwick (Sussex) and widow of Humphrey Adderley (1511/2-98) of Weddington Hall (Northants)), and had issue three sons and two daughters; died about 1590-95;

(1.8) William Becher (c.1554-1631), born about 1554 (aged 16 in 1571); made free of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, 1577; admitted to the Inner Temple, 1597; married, 14 April 1578 at Islington (Middx), Judith (c.1561-1630), daughter of John Quarles of London, and had issue four sons and six daughters (including Sir William Becher (1581-1651), kt., MP, Clerk of the Privy Council and diplomat); buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 21 October 1631;

(1.9) Dorothy Becher (c.1555-58), born about 1555; died young and was buried at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 8 April 1558;

(1.10) Bartholomew Becher (b. c.1556), born about 1556; educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1572) and Middle Temple (admitted 1573; called to bar, 1589); barrister-at-law; married Alice Miller; living in 1592 but death not traced.

He lived in Walbrook Ward in 1541 and at a house known as 'The Worm on the Hoop' next to St. Christopher-le-Stocks church by 1548. He purchased manors and other property in Devon, Somerset (Huntspill), Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire (the manor of Caldecott in South Weald), Wiltshire, Surrey (the manor of Palmers in Croydon), Essex and Suffolk, and inherited property at Penshurst (Kent) from his father.

He died 15 January and was buried at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 29 January 1570/71, where he was commemorated by a monument. His will (proved in the PCC, 3 February 1570/1) made charitable bequests for the poor of Penshurst and Chiddingstone. His first wife died in or before 1566 and was buried at St Christopher-le-Stocks. His widow married 3rd, 9 August 1571 at St John, Hampstead (Middx), Sir Richard Pipe (d. 1587), alderman and draper of London; she died at his estate in Wallingwells (Notts) in 1588; her will was proved in the PCC, 30 November 1588.

* Not 1569-70, as is often stated.

Becher, Henry (c.1544-1608). Eldest son of Henry Becher (c.1511-71) and his first wife, Alice, daughter of Thomas Heron of Edgcumbe House, Croydon (Surrey), born about 1544 (aged 26 in 1571). He was made free of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in London, 1565 (Second Warden, 1584; First Warden, 1586). He married, 14 May 1571 at St Mary Woolchurch Haw, London, Judith (c.1548-1615), daughter and sole heiress of John Rich MD, apothecary to Queen Elizabeth I, and had issue including:

(1) Jane Becher (1572-75), baptised at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 23 November 1572; died young and was buried in the same church, 16 August 1575;

(2) Sir William Becher (1574-1640), kt. (q.v.);

(3) Edward Becher (1577-c.1658), baptised at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 3 August 1577; educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1592) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1596); died unmarried and was buried at Fotheringhay, 24 September 1658; will proved in the PCC, 15 October 1658;

(4) Elizabeth Becher (1580-1652), baptised at St. Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 28 August 1580; inherited her father's property at Huntspill (Som.); married, 17 August 1602 at Fotheringhay, as his second wife, Thomas Anscell (d. 1623) of Great Barford (Beds), and had issue at least three sons and two daughters; lived latterly at Kempston (Beds); buried at Great Barford, 19 September 1652; will proved in the PCC, 7 May 1653;

(5) George Becher (b. 1587; fl. 1640), baptised at St. Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 17 April 1587; lived at Clavering (Essex); married, 2 September 1618 at Battersea (Surrey), Elizabeth Whitney, and had issue at least two sons and two daughters; living in 1640 but death not traced;

(6) Ursula Becher (b. 1589; fl. 1640), baptised at St. Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 5 January 1589; married, 26 February 1608/9 at Fotheringhay, Matthew Robinson (fl. 1647) of Longthorpe (Hunts), and had issue at least one son and two daughters; living in 1640;

(7) Dorothy Becher (1590-1651), baptised at Southill (Beds), 25 October 1590; married, 27 November 1610 at Fotheringhay, George Kimpton (d. 1656) of Weston (Herts); buried at Weston, 9 June 1651.

He purchased the rectory and college buildings at Fotheringhay (Northants) from Gamaliel Crays in 1597. He also had property in Bedfordshire and Somerset (Huntspill).

He was buried at Fotheringhay, 1 June 1608; his will was proved 15 December 1608. His widow was buried at Fotheringhay, 4 October 1615; her will was proved 7 December 1615.

Becher, Sir William (1574-1640)*. Eldest son of Henry Becher (c.1544-1608) and his wife Judith, daughter of John Rich MD, physician to Queen Elizabeth I, baptised at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 12 September 1574. Educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated c.1592). MP for Huntingdon, 1601. High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, 1612-13. He was knighted by King James I at Kirby Hall (Northants), 27 July 1619. He married, 25 February 1594/5 at Southill (Beds), the Hon. Elizabeth (c.1578-1658), daughter of Oliver St. John (d. 1582), 1st Baron St. John of Bletsoe, and had issue:

(1) Olive Becher (b. 1596), baptised at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, 23 May 1596;

(2) Oliver Becher (1598-c.1659) (q.v.);

(3) twin, Dorothy Becher (1600-59?), baptised at Bletsoe, 15 April 1600; married 1st, 16 January 1626/7 at Fotheringhay, as his second wife, William Conyers (d. 1639) of Walthamstow (Essex), serjeant-at-law and 2nd, 8 August 1654 at Walthamstow, Stephen Harvey of London; probably the woman of this name buried at Toppesfield (Essex), 29 October 1659;

(4) twin, Judith Becher (b. & d. 1600), baptised at Bletsoe, 15 April 1600; died in infancy and was buried at Bletsoe, 5 August 1600;

(5) Henry Becher (1602-c.1660), baptised at Fotheringhay, 2 May 1602; married, 31 July 1623 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Anne Silvester (fl. 1666), and had issue one son and six daughters; died between 1657 (when he was named in the will of an uncle) and 1666 (when his brother Francis' will says he was deceased);

(6) Anne Becher (1603-59), baptised at Renhold, 9 October 1603; married, 26 August 1625 at Fotheringhay, Edmund Harding of Aspley Guise (Beds); buried at Aspley Guise, 10 August 1659;

(7) Elizabeth Becher (1606-c.1655), baptised at Renhold, 9 March 1605/6; died unmarried and was described as 'lately deceased' in the will of her uncle Edward Becher in March 1655/6;

(8) William Becher (b. & d. 1607), baptised at Renhold, 26 July 1607; died in infancy and was buried at Renhold, 17 November 1607;

(9) Rev. William Becher (1608-61), baptised at Renhold, 20 November 1608; possibly educated at Oxford University; ordained 1636; rector of Woodford (Northants), 1638-61, and probably a Puritan as the owner of the advowson held Puritan views; died, probably unmarried, about September 1661;

(10) Edward Becher (1610-c.1635), baptised at Renhold, 5 August 1610; educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1628; BA 1631); said to have died in Germany before 1640;

(11) St. John Becher (1611-59), baptised at Renhold, 14 November 1611; probably the man of this name buried at Renhold, 20 April 1659;

(12) Judith Becher (b. 1612), baptised at Renhold, 29 November 1612; died unmarried;

(13) Francis Becher (1614-97) [for whom see below];

(14) Fane Becher (1615-c.1619), baptised at Fotheringhay, 21 December 1615; died aged about four years;

(15) Katherine Becher (b. 1618), baptised at Renhold, 23 December 1618; living unmarried in 1655/6;

(16) Howard Becher (1620-95), baptised at Fotheringhay, 29 June 1620; educated at Emmanuel College and Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1637; BA 1639; MA 1643); intruded as a Presbyterian Fellow of Peterhouse, 1644 and was one of the Taxors of the University, 1646, but was one of three Fellows ejected by the visitors in 1650; he transferred to Oxford, where he was incorporated in 1655; and died unmarried at the house of Samuel Clark in Oxford; will proved 16 March 1694/5.

(17) John Becher (b. 1622), baptised at Fotheringhay, 9 May 1622; living in 1695, when he was executor of his brother Howard's will.

He inherited Fotheringhay College from his father in 1608, but sold it to John Browne, 1629. He leased the manor of Howbury in or before 1603 and purchased the freehold in 1624.

He was buried at Renhold, 22 December 1640; his will was proved 2 April 1641. His widow was buried at Renhold, 15 September 1658.

* He is frequently confused with his cousin and namesake, William Becher (1580-1651).

Becher, Oliver (1598-c.1659). Eldest son of Sir William Becher (1574-1640) and his wife, the Hon. Elizabeth, daughter of Oliver St. John (d. 1582), 1st Baron St. John of Bletsoe, baptised at Bletsoe, 31 December 1598. Educated at Queens' College, Cambridge (matriculated 1615) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1617). An officer in the Parliamentary Army in the Civil War (Capt., 1642; Maj., 1643). He married, 24 July 1627 at East Haddon (Northants), Elizabeth (c.1599-1663), daughter of Sir William Tate (d. 1617), kt., of Delapré Abbey (Northants), and had issue:

(1) Sir William Becher (1628-94) (q.v.);

(2) Oliver Becher (1629-80), born 4 July and baptised at Fotheringhay, 16 July 1629; educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1666); lived at Brill (Bucks) and later at West Lynn (Norfk); married, 15 December 1670, Sarah Wyan (b. c.1640) of London, but apparently had no issue; buried at Renhold, 16 October or 12 November 1680*;

(3) Edward Becher (1630-35), baptised at Fotheringhay, 25 October 1630; died young, 13 December 1635 and was buried at Hardingstone (Northants);

(4) Elizabeth Becher (1632-80), born 14 March and baptised at Renhold, 22 March 1631/2; died unmarried at the home of her brother-in-law, Oliver Williams, and was buried at St Faith by St Paul's, London, 25 April 1680;

(5) John Becher (1633-34), born 30 July and baptised at Renhold, 20 August 1633; died in infancy, 28 February and was buried at Renhold, 1 March 1633/4;

(6) Francis Becher (1634-97), born 2 August and baptised at Renhold, 10 August 1634; died unmarried, 3 January and was buried at Renhold, 12 January 1696/7;

(7) Mary Becher (1635-59), born 12 September and baptised at Renhold, 13 September 1635; died unmarried and was buried at Renhold, 11 May 1659;

(8) Judith Becher (1636-55), born 14 October 1636; died unmarried and was buried at St. Bartholomew the Great, London, 17 December 1655 'from the house of the Countess of Bolingbroke';

(9) St. John Becher (b. 1637), born at Howbury, 8 November 1637; possibly the man of this name who married, 17 November 1670 at St Alphage, London Wall, London, Elizabeth Hunton, and had issue one son;

(10) Catherine Becher (1640-1704), born 8 August and baptised at Renhold, 17 August 1640; married 1st, 6 April 1680, Oliver Williams (d. 1693) of London, apothecary, and 2nd, 8 April 1695 at St Dunstan, Stepney (Middx), Richard Becher (c.1653-1701) [for whom see below]; she died without issue and was buried at St Faith by St Paul's, London, 3 November 1704; her will was proved 6 November 1704.

He inherited the Howbury estate from his father in 1640. His wife is said to have been co-heir (with her sister) to her grandfather, Edward La Zouche, 11th Baron Zouch of Harringworth.

He was apparently living in 1658 but dead by 1659, but his burial has not been traced. His widow was buried at Renhold, 20 March 1662/3.

* The original register gives the dates as 16 October; the bishop's transcript as 12 November.

Becher, Sir William (1628-94). Eldest son of Oliver Becher (1598-c.1659) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Tate of Delapré Abbey (Northants), born 24 April and baptised at Fotheringhay (Northants), 5 May 1628. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1645) and the Inner Temple (admitted 1647). He was nominated as one of the Knights of the Royal Oak in 1660 and when this order was abandoned, was knighted at Whitehall, 16 November 1660. JP for Bedfordshire (in which capacity he was one of the magistrates who sent John Bunyan to prison), 1660-80, 1689-94; and DL for Bedfordshire, 1660-79, 1688, 1689-94. MP for Bedford, 1667-79. An officer in the Bedfordshire militia (Capt-Lt., 1660). He married 1st, 15 February 1655/6 at Renhold, his second cousin once removed, the Hon. Frances (1626-58), daughter of Oliver St. John, Baron St. John of Bletsoe, son of Oliver St. John, 4th Baron St. John of Bletsoe and 1st Earl of Bolingbroke; married 2nd, 24 December 1660 at St Paul, Paul's Wharf, London, Elizabeth (d. 1705), daughter of John Huxley of Edmonton (Middx) and Eaton Bray (Beds), and widow of Thomas Hillersdon of Elstow (Beds), and had issue:

(1.1) Arabella Becher (1657-1700), born 17 January and baptised at Renhold, 30 January 1656/7; married, 1684 (licence 14 June), Thomas Huxley (c.1638-94), of North Mimms (Herts), the brother of her father's second wife, and had issue at least two daughters; buried at Renhold, 13 October 1700;

(1.2) St. John Becher (1658-85), born 2 August and baptised at Renhold, 17 August 1658; educated at Queens' College, Cambridge (matriculated 1677) and Inner Temple (admitted 1678); died unmarried and was buried at Renhold, 17 March 1684/5;

(2.1) William Becher (1661-1724) (q.v.);

(2.2) Elizabeth Becher (1663-1701), born 4 March and baptised at Renhold, 12 March 1662/3; died unmarried, of smallpox, 17 April, and was buried at Renhold, 22 April 1701, where she is commemorated by monument attributed to Edward Stanton;

(2.3) John Becher (1664-73), born 22 June and baptised at Renhold, 21 July 1664; died young and was buried at Renhold, 11 May 1673;

(2.4) George Becher (1667-1740), born 28 October and baptised at Renhold, 11 November 1667; apprenticed to an attorney and educated at Inner Temple (admitted 1688); a member of the South Sea Company; lived at Stepney and Hammersmith (Middx) but latterly in London; died unmarried and was buried at Renhold, 12 November 1740; his will was proved 21 November 1740.

He inherited Howbury (Beds) from his father in about 1659. His widow moved to Bow (Middx) after he died.

He died 5 December and was buried at Renhold (Beds), 9 December 1694, where he is commemorated by a monument attributed to William Stanton; his will was proved 1 January 1694/5. His first wife was buried 17 September 1658. His widow died at Bow (Middx), 12 January, and was buried at Elstow, 20 January 1704/5; her will was proved 24 January 1704/5.

Becher, William (1661-1724). Eldest son of Sir William Becher (1628-94), kt., and his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Huxley of Edmonton (Middx) and widow of Thomas Hillersdon of Elstow (Beds), said to have been born 4 January 1661. Apprenticed to Samuel Moyer of London, mercer, 1679, and made free of the Mercer's Company, 1691. JP for Bedfordshire. He married 1st, 3 September 1695 at Kempston (Beds), Mary (1673-97), daughter of Matthew Dennis of Kempston; and 2nd, 10 August 1699 at St Benet, Paul's Wharf, London, Jane (c.1669-1741), daughter and heir of George Clarke MP (c.1626-89) of Watford (Northants), and had issue:

(1.1) William Becher (1697-1751) (q.v.);

(2.1) Jane Rachel Becher (1700-70), born 12 July and baptised at Kensington (Middx), 3 August 1700; married, 28 January 1719/20 at St James Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), as his third wife, Thomas Lewis (1685-1732) of St. Pierre (Mon.), MP for Monmouthshire, 1713, 1715-22, and had issue two sons and five daughters; buried at St George-the-Martyr, London, 25 June 1770; will proved in the PCC, 26 June 1770;

(2.2) Mary Becher (1702-03), born 3 July 1702; died of convulsions in infancy, 13 January, and was buried at Renhold, 17 January 1702/3.

He inherited the Howbury estate from his father in 1694. His widow lived latterly in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

He was buried at Renhold, 5 June 1724; his will was proved in the PCC, 16 June 1724 and included a bequest of money to support a schoolmaster at Renhold. His first wife died following the birth of her son, 17 November and was buried at Renhold, 20 November 1697. His widow was buried at Lamb's Conduit Burial Ground, Bloomsbury (Middx), 25 April 1741; her will was proved in the PCC, 22 April 1741.

Becher, William (1697-1751). Only son of William Becher (1661-1724) and his first wife Mary, daughter of Matthew Dennis of Kempston (Beds), born 2 October and baptised at Renhold, 8 October 1697. He married, 16 June 1726 at St John, Clerkenwell (Middx), Elizabeth (1696?-1766), daughter of John Clarke of Hackney (Middx), but had no issue.

He inherited the Howbury estate from his father in 1724. In his will he left his estate to his widow for life, with remainder to his nephew, Craven Lewis, second son of his sister, Jane Rachel Lewis, provided he took the name and arms of Becher. In the event, which transpired, that Craven did not survive his widow, the estate was to pass to the oldest surviving male child of his cousin John Becher (1683-1744), for whom see below.

He died 12 June and was buried 24 June 1751 at Renhold, where he is commemorated by a monument erected in 1753; his will was proved in the PCC, 1 July 1751. His widow lived at Red Lion Square in London, and died 3 July 1766; she was probably buried at Renhold in accordance with her will, though she does not appear in the register; her will was proved in the PCC, 6 August 1766.

---

Becher, Francis (1614-97). Seventh son of Sir William Becher (1574-1640) and his wife, the Hon. Elizabeth, daughter of Oliver St. John, 1st Baron St. John of Bletsoe, baptised at Renhold, 29 May 1614. Citizen and skinner of London. He married, 22 June 1647 at St Christopher-le-Stocks, London, Anne Dawson (1628-1700), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Becher (c.1650-85), born about 1650; died unmarried and was buried in the family vault at St Stephen Walbrook, London, 7 March 1684/5; will proved 15 January 1686/7;

(2) Richard Becher (c.1653-1701); grocer and druggist of London; married, 1st, 30 October 1676 at St Mary Woolnoth, London, Lydia (1653-94), daughter of William Marston of London, and 2nd, 1695 (licence 8 April), Catherine, daughter of Oliver Becher and widow of Oliver Williams, and had issue six sons and three daughters; buried at St Stephen, Walbrook, London, 30 December 1701;

(3) Edward Becher (c.1654-1711) (q.v.)

He died 3 January and was buried at Renhold, 12 January 1696/7. His wife died in 1700.

Becher, Edward (c.1654-1711). Younger son of Francis Becher (1614-97) and his wife Anne Dawson, born about 1654. Citizen and draper of London (freeman, 1676); warden of the Draper's Company, 1706. He married 30 January 1680/1 at St Stephen, Coleman St., London, Joyce (c.1656-94), daughter of William Marston of London and sister of his brother Richard's wife, and had issue:

(1) Francis Becher (c.1681-82), born about 1681; died in infancy and was buried at St Botolph Bishopsgate, London, 10 July 1682;

(2) Sir Edward Becher (1682-1732), kt., baptised at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London, 2 March 1681/2; citizen and draper of London; Master of the Draper's Company, 1719-20; a director of the South Sea Company, 1724-32; common councilman for Bishopsgate Without Ward, 1711-18, and alderman, 1718-32 (sheriff, 1721-22; Lord Mayor, 1727-28); knighted, 8 May 1722; married, 6 May 1707 at St Saviour, Southwark (Surrey), Ann (b. 1684)*, daughter of James Becher, and had issue two sons and three daughters; died 2 September and was buried at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London, 10 September 1732; administration of his goods granted  26 September 1732;

(3) John Becher (1683-1744) (q.v.);

(4) Mary Becher (1687-1766), baptised at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London, 30 December 1687; married, 7 February 1709/10 at St Stephen, Coleman St., London, Richard Samborne (1684-1758) of New Inn and later of Hatfield, and had issue one son and one daughter; buried at Hatfield (Herts), 13 February 1766;

(5) Unnamed son (c.1688-89), probably born in December 1688; died in infancy and was buried at St Botolph Bishopsgate, 1 January 1689;

(6) Elizabeth Becher (1692-1746), baptised at St Botolph Bishopsgate, London, 25 February 1691/2; married, 14 April 1713 at St Anne & St Agnes, Aldersgate, London, Thomas Ange (d. 1733), and had issue one daughter; buried at Wanstead (Essex), 10 February 1745/6; 

(7) George Becher (b. 1693), baptised at St Botolph Bishopsgate, London, 17 October 1693; living in 1711, but no further reference found.

He lived in London.

He was buried at Richmond (Surrey), August 1711; his will was proved in the PCC, 15 October 1711. His wife was buried in the family vault at St Stephen, Walbrook, London, 29 December 1694.

* His widow may be the Ann Becher who married, 11 December 1729 at St Lawrence Jewry, London, Samuel King.

Becher, John (1683-1744). Third son of Edward Becher (c.1654-1711) and his wife Joyce, daughter of William Marston, baptised at St Botolph, Bishopsgate, London, 16 October 1683. Dry salter in Watling St., London. He married, 20 November 1707 at Mortlake (Surrey), Jane (b. 1685), daughter of Robert Eyre (1658-1718) of Mortlake, and had issue:

(1) Jane Becher (1708-99), born and baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 7 September 1708; said to have died unmarried, 6 November 1799;

(2) Robert Becher (b. 1709), born and baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 11 August 1709; apparently living in 1750 but died before 1766;

(3) John Becher (1711-c.1779) (q.v.);

(4) Edward Becher (1713-48), baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 1 April 1713; said to have died in 1748;

(5) Anne Becher (b. 1715), born and baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 2 May 1715;

(6) Mary Becher (1717-76), baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 21 January 1716/7; died 31 December 1776;

(7) William Becher (b. 1720), born 14 March and baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 18 March 1719/20; died before 1748;

(8) Richard Becher (1721-82) (q.v.).

He lived in London.

He died 4 November 1744. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Becher, John (1711-c.1779). Second son of John Becher (1683-1744) and his wife Jane, daughter of Robert Eyre of Mortlake (Surrey), born and baptised at St Augustine, Watling St., London, 5 October 1711. Merchant at Alicante (Spain) and later at Livorno (Italy), where he was a partner in a hemp manufactory and a ship-broking firm among other enterprises. High Sheriff of Bedfordshire, 1778-79. He married, 10 March 1744 at Livorno (Italy), Mary (1721-1801), third daughter of Samuel Tucker, formerly consul at Alicante (Spain), and had issue:

(1) Jane Harriot Becher (1745-51), born at Livorno, 25 November 1745; died young, 29 January 1751 and was buried in the English Cemetery at Livorno;

(2) John Becher (b. 1747), born at Livorno, 1747 but died in infancy;

(3) William Becher (b. 1748), born at Livorno, 2 June 1748; engaged with his father in business activities in Livorno by 1775; an officer in the Bedfordshire militia (Capt.), who ran up substantial gambling debts, paying off which may have cost his uncle the Howbury estate; he was living in France by 1790 and emigrated eventually to the West Indies, having married, 30 November 1778 at St Marylebone (Middx), Martha, eldest daughter of John Ford of London, by whom he had one son and one daughter; his death was erroneously reported in the press in 1770 but he was really dead by the time of his daughter's marriage in 1809;

(4) A daughter (b. & d. 1749), born at Livorno (Italy), 2 September 1749 but died the same day;

(5) Jane Harriot Becher (b. & d. 1751), born at Livorno, 20 June 1751; died in infancy, 28 August 1751.

He lived at Livorno (Italy) until at least 1776, but must I think have been in England for his shrievalty. He inherited Howbury from the widow of his first cousin once removed in 1766. At his death it passed not to his son but to his younger brother.

He died in or about 1779, but no record of his death, burial or will can be found. His widow was buried at Putney (Surrey), 24 June 1801.

Becher, Richard (1721-82). Fifth son of John Becher (1683-1744) and his wife Jane, daughter of Robert Eyre of Mortlake (Surrey), born 26 November and baptised at Richmond (Surrey), 4 December 1721. An officer in the East India Company's service in India from 1743-61, when he was dismissed for having signed Lord Clive's letter of remonstrance to the Directors in 1759; in 1767, when Clive was Governor General, he was reappointed to the Bengal Council and in 1769 became the British Resident at Murshidabad. He is said to have made heroic efforts to alleviate the horrors of the Bengal Famine of 1770, and was noted for his honesty and freedom from graft. In 1774 he returned to England with a modest fortune, which he was said to soon afterwards have 'risked and lost in trying to help a friend', although the he may actually have felt obliged to pay his nephew William's gambling debts. He was obliged to sell the family estate which he inherited in about 1779 and to return to India to earn a living, being appointed as head of the Calcutta Mint, 1781. However, his health was no longer up to the stresses of life in India and he died little more than a year later. He married 1st, 29 November 1752 at St John, Calcutta (India), Charlotte (1738-59), daughter of Fenwick Golightly (b. 1702), and 2nd, 21 December 1765 at St Andrew Undershaft, London, Anne (1743-1808), daughter of Samuel Haselby, and had issue:

(1.1) Charlotte Becher (1754-56), baptised at Calcutta, 3 July 1754; died in infancy, 20 November 1756 at Fultah (India);

(2.1) Richard Stephens Becher (1764-1846), born prior to the marriage of his parents, 15 March and baptised at St Andrew, Holborn, 17 March 1764; an official in the Bengal Civil Service (writer, 1781; commercial resident at Commercolly, 1790 and Bareilly, 1802; third member of the Board of Trade, 1805; salt agent at Tumlook, 1809; retired 1815); married, 12 August 1815 at St Marylebone, Frances Wyatt (1773-1855), but had no issue; however, he had four sons and three daughters born in India before his marriage whose mother(s) are unknown; died in Brighton, 9 April and was buried at St Nicholas, Brighton, 16 April 1846; will proved in the PCC, 1846;

(2.2) twin, John Stephens Becher (1765-1830), born  prior to the marriage of his parents, 21 June 1765; an official in the Bengal Civil Service (writer, 1781; paymaster of troops in Bengal presidency, 1791; judge at Moorshedabad, 1797; judge of court of appeal, 1804; retired 1805); after retirement he settled at Chancellor House, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells (Kent); he was unmarried, but had five illegitimate sons in India between 1790 and 1803, possibly by Jane, daughter of Major Thomas Reed, for whom he made provision in his will; died at Speldhurst (Kent), 28 March 1830; will proved in the PCC, 13 April 1830;

(2.3) twin, Robert Stephens Becher (1765-1818), born  prior to the marriage of his parents, 21 June 1765; an officer in the service of the East India Company, 1781-92 (Cadet, 1781; Ensign, 1781; Lieutenant, 1782); indigo manufacturer and merchant in Cawnpore, 1782-1808, when his production facilities were seized by Almas Ali Khan, the principal Amaldar of the Nawab Wazir of Oudh; married, 10 April 1801 at St Marylebone (Middx), Louisa (1781-1847), eldest daughter of Charles John Purling, and had issue six sons and two daughters; died at sea while returning to England, 8 August 1818;

(2.4) Charlotte Becher (1767-1837), born 2 August and baptised at Calcutta, 8 September 1767; married, 31 October 1783 at Epsom (Surrey), Maj. Charles Marsack (1736-1820) of Caversham Park (Oxon), reputedly the illegitimate son of HRH Frederick, Prince of Wales by his mistress Margaret, Countess of Marsac, and had issue seven sons and four daughters; died at Caversham, 26 January 1837, and was buried at Speldhurst (Kent);

(2.5) William Augustus Becher (1772-78), born in India, 26 September 1772; died young, 28 March 1778;

(2.6) Charles Grant Becher (1777-1842), born 5 February and baptised at St Marylebone (Middx), 7 March 1777; joined the East India Company's service, initially in the military branch (Cadet, 1793; Cornet, 1794; resigned 1795), but transferred to Bengal Civil Service (Writer, 1795; Salt Agent for Cuttack, 1795-1826, when he was removed for corruption, possibly unjustly; Commercial Resident at Rungpore from 1826); married 1st, 9 January 1800 at Berhampore (India), Mary Penneck (d. 1805), daughter of Lt. Henry Reid, and had issue two daughters; married 2nd, 10 January 1807 at Calcutta, Charlotte (1790-1816), daughter of Richard Humfrays, and had further issue three sons and three daughters; died at Nice (France), 16 July 1842;

(2.7) Sophia Becher (1779-83?), born 4 August and baptised at St. Marylebone, 14 August 1779;  died young and was probably the child of this name buried at Putney (Surrey), 17 August 1783;

(2.8) George Becher (1780-1837), born 1 September and baptised at Godstone (Surrey), 10 October 1780; an officer in the East India Company's army (Cadet, 1794; Cornet, 1795; Lt. 1800; Capt-Lt., 1805; Capt. 1812; Maj. 1818; Lt-Col., 1824; Colonel, 1829); married, 10 August 1807 at Dinapore (India), Harriet Geldart (1784-1870), daughter of John Barclay of Tain (Ross & Cromarty), and had issue ten sons and one daughter; died at sea while returning to England on furlough, 15 November 1837.

He lived in Bedford Square, London, but inherited the Howbury estate from his elder brother in about 1779. In 1781 he sold the estate to Nathaniel Polhill in order to pay off his debts. He had then 'lately left the United Kingdom for the East Indies'.

He died in Calcutta (India), 17 October 1782. His first wife died in Calcutta, 14 October 1759. His widow married 2nd, 31 December 1784 at Epsom, Maj-Gen. Charles Auriol (1756-1821), and was buried at St Giles, Camberwell (Surrey), 7 July 1808; administration of her goods with will annexed was granted 8 March 1809; her second husband was buried at Littleham-cum-Exmouth (Devon), 31 January 1821.

Principal sources

Burke's Irish Family Records, 1976, p. 100; J. Ingamells, A dictionary of British and Irish travellers in Italy, 1701-1800, 1997, p. 70; C. O'Brien & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough, 2nd edn., 2014, pp. 270-71;

http://www.all-saints-church-renhold.org/becherfamilyhistory.html; 

https://the-bechers-in-india.weebly.com/richard-becher-1764-1846.html

Location of archives

No significant archive is known to survive, although some miscellaneous deeds, manorial records and estate papers are to be found among the archives of the Polhill family [Bedfordshire Archives, PO] and others have been purchased by Bedfordshire Archives.

Coat of arms

Vairé, argent and gules, on a canton or, a stag's head couped, sable.

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 July 2022 and updated 2 August 2022.

(520) Becher of Aughadown House and Hollybrook House

Becher of Hollybrook

The Irish branch of the Becher (sometimes spelt Beecher) family traces its origins to Phane Becher (c.1546-92), a younger son of the Bechers of Penshurst (Kent) and later of Howbury (Beds.), who will be the subject of a future post. Phane Becher was a London merchant, one of the few men of the merchant class who were tempted to invest in the plantation of Munster that took place after the death of the last Earl of Desmond in rebellion in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Phane received a grant of 12,000 acres around Castle Mahon in 1587, but his title was challenged by the dispossessed former owner, Daniel O'Mahony, and when judgment was given in Becher's favour in 1588, O'Mahony ransacked and burnt Castle Mahon and reoccupied the lands for some months. This action seems to have effectively discouraged settlers from taking leases of Becher's land, and when he died in 1592 his will ordered the property to be sold. His son, Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) ignored this instruction, and persevered with the development of the estate, only for it to be overrun in the 1598 rebellion. After recovering possession, he leased the seignory to Capt. William Newce and John Archdeacon, who assigned his portion to Richard Shepherd. Newce and Richard Shepherd's son John founded the town of Bandonbridge, and in 1609 Henry Becher secured the grant of a market and two fairs for the new town.

In 1610, Henry Becher was succeeded by his son, Henry Becher (fl. 1655), who was probably born in the early 1590s and was thus not yet of age. He gave the site for a new church in Bandon in 1614, but by 1620 had sold both halves of Bandon town and much of the rest of his land to Sir Richard Boyle (1566-1643), later 1st Earl of Cork. In 1637, the younger Henry Becher inherited Aughadown House from his wife's father, and this later became the family seat. Aughadown was a fortified manor house, but it did not offer sufficient security for the Bechers in the troubled years of the 1640s and Becher, who was a merchant at Baltimore (Co. Cork), seems to have decamped to Bristol when his pleas to Parliament for a detachment of 500 men to main security in south-west Ireland fell on deaf ears. By 1655 Henry Becher had recovered his estates, and he was probably still alive in 1659, but his death has not been traced. His son, Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709), eventually succeeded to his estates, and at the time of James II's invasion of Ireland in 1689, he too felt it prudent to slip away to Bristol with his wife and family. The family were in Bristol long enough to apprentice one son to a Bristol merchant and to bury another, but Thomas himself is said to have joined the army of William III and been the King's aide-de-camp at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, being rewarded for his service there with the gift of the king's own watch. There is, however, no trace of him in the surviving army lists and commissions under King William before his appointment in 1692 as Governor of Inisherkin. He was MP for Baltimore in the Irish Parliament for three terms between 1692 and 1709. He and his wife had fifteen children between 1666 and 1688, and at least two of the younger sons made careers in England, one as a barrister and the other as a merchant in Bristol. Aughadown and his other properties passed to his eldest son, Henry Becher (1666-1738), who took an English wife (who probably died soon after 1710), and then to Henry's son, John Becher (c.1700-78).

It was John Becher who built a new seat for the family in the mid 18th century at Hollybrook near Skibbereen. The estate seems to have been acquired by his father in the early 18th century and there was probably an earlier house on the site which John replaced. Hollybrook became the family's principal seat and John's son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) split the two properties, leaving Hollybrook to his grandson, Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882) and Aughadown to his second son, Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841). Aughadown seems to have been abandoned after Henry's death, if not before. Unfortunately, Richard Hedges Becher had a reputation for profligacy and left the estate severely incumbered with debt. His grandson seems to have lived a rather hand-to-mouth existence but kept his head above water until the 1840s, when the collapse of rental income at the time of the Famine pushed him into insolvency. The 17,000 acre estate was sold through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1851, but Hollybrook and its demesne were acquired then by R.H.H. Becher's cousin, John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901), the son of Henry Owen Becher. He too found it impossible to afford the upkeep of the estate and in 1858 it was again sold through the Incumbered Estates Court. However, the purchaser was a local solicitor who seems to have been acting as a bare nominee for J.R.H. Becher himself. The purpose of this maneouvre is not entirely clear, but it was probably done to achieve a refinancing of his debts. After the sale, the estate was usually let until in 1893 Becher finally sold it to Col. & Mrs. Murray. 

John Richard Hedges Becher had a large family of twelve children, of whom the eldest, the Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929), abandoned a mercantile career to enter the church, and became rector of Castlehaven, 1891-1914 and Dean of Ross, 1914-26. His only surviving son, Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard Becher (1896-1979) bought the former rectory at Castlehaven, in which he had been brought up, after retiring from the army in 1947, and lived there until 1972, when he sold it and moved to Drumearn House in Perthshire, which was sold by the family in 2002.

Aughadown House, Co. Cork

Aughadown House: Ordnance Survey of Ireland 6" plan, c.1840,
showing the footprint of the house more clearly than is apparent on the ground today.

An early 17th century fortified house, perhaps built for Thomas Notte (d. 1637), which consisted of a single-pile central block with four spear-shaped flanking wings at the angles. The entrance was probably on the north side, where the string-courses between the floors are more elaborate. The house was replaced as the principal family residence by Hollybrook House after 1751, but was evidently occupied until the mid 19th century, when it was abandoned and allowed slowly to collapse and fall into ruin. All that survives today is the west gable end and the two adjoining flankers, heavily mantled in ivy. In its heyday, the house had gardens with gazebos and other ornamental buildings.

Descent: Thomas Notte (d. 1637); to daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Henry Becher (fl. 1655); to son, Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709); to son, Henry Becher (1666?-1738); to son, John Becher (c.1700-78); to son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825); to younger son, Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841); probably abandoned after his death.

Hollybrook House, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

There was probably a 17th century house on the estate, but the earliest building of which anything is known was a seven-by-three bay Georgian house, said to have been built in 1751, which faced south. This had a three-bay projecting centre under a pedimental gable, with a porch across all three bays. A plan of 1851 shows that the house had front and back halls with a square open-well staircase between them. The dining room was to the left of the front door and the drawing room and sitting room to the right of the hall. Near to the house are the surviving early 19th century stables, arranged around two courts with pedimented gateways.

Hollybrook House: engraving of the Georgian house from the sale particulars at the time of the 1852 sale.

This Georgian house burned down in 1902, and was rebuilt in 1902-03 by Robert Shekleton Balfour of London for Lt-Col. A.H. Morgan, whose wife had inherited a Scottish industrial fortune. The new house is H-shaped and roughcast, with tall brick chimneys and a lower service wing to one side, and has windows of various sizes and types to suit the interiors, but which all seem rather small in proportion to the external elevations. The entrance front has a central Venetian window, an open segmental pediment and a low doorway with an oak canopy supported on elaborate wrought iron brackets. The garden front has a colonnade between the wings supporting a first floor balustraded terrace. Above the cornice, the Arts & Crafts style of the building is strengthened by a big roof with tile-hung gables, containing attic rooms lit by Diocletian windows. 

Hollybrook House: garden front of the new house

Hollybrook House: entrance front of the new house

Inside, the house is arranged around a domed two-storey galleried 'Living Hall' of the kind that was particularly fashionable in the Edwardian period, with oak panelling and carving and plasterwork in a 17th century manner. The dining room, study and drawing room are also richly decorated with Wrenaissance style decoration, and the drawing room has elaborate marquetry panelling on the dado and ceiling carved by Col. Morgan's aunt, Jane Morgan, which was made originally for her sister Middy's house on Staten Island, New York. Alongside the building of the new house, the Morgans built an elegant new lodge, on an elongated octagonal plan (also designed by R.S. Balfour, 1905), and laid out an important, though now overgrown, Japanese water and island garden, after Mrs Morgan sailed to Japan in her yacht Boadicea and brought back stone lanterns and two Japanese gardeners.

Descent: sold c.1720 to Henry Becher (1666?-1738); to son, John Becher (c.1700-78), who rebuilt the house c.1751; to son, Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825); to grandson, Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882); sold through Incumbered Estates Court in 1852 to John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901), who offered it for sale through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1858, but bought it himself through a local solicitor, Noble Johnson; sold 1893 to Lt-Col. and Mrs. A.H. Morgan; bequeathed 1950 to niece, Cornelia (1894-1974), wife of Brig. Morgan John Winthrop O'Donovan (1893-1964), The O'Donovan; to son, Morgan Gerald Daniel O'Donovan (1931-2016), The O'Donovan; to son, Morgan Tiege Gerald O'Donovan (b. 1961), The O'Donovan. The estate seems usually to have been let between 1858 and 1893.

Becher family of Aughadown House and Hollybrook House

Becher, Phane (c.1546-92). Third son of Henry Becher (d. 1571) of Penshurst (Kent) and his first wife, Alice, daughter of Sir John Heron alias Hearne of Edgcumbe House, Croydon (Surrey). A merchant in London, who administered his Irish estate through an agent. He married, 12 May 1572 at Stratfield Saye (Hants), Susan (1549-1615?), youngest daughter of George Dabridgecourt of Stratfield Saye (Hants), and had issue:

(1) Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) (q.v.);

(2) Jane Becher; married Hugh Prescott of Staffordshire;

(3) Edward Becher (1576-1617?), baptised at Hartley Wespall (Hants), 20 July 1576; escheator of Munster, 1606-17; lived at Crookhaven (Co. Cork); married Alice Walche of Dublin, and had issue two sons; will proved 13 August 1617;

(4) Margaret Becher (1577-1609?), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 12 November 1577; probably died unmarried and was buried at Statfield Saye, 27 May 1609;

(5) Judith Becher (b. 1579), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 6 January 1579/80; perhaps died young;

(6) Elizabeth Becher (b. 1582), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 23 March 1581/2; married Randal Warner or Wardner (fl. 1617) of London and Kilcoleman (Co. Cork);

(7) Fane Becher (1582-1649), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 25 November 1582; Quartermaster General of forces in Ireland, 1649; married Susanna [surname unknown] (fl. 1649) (who is said to have married 2nd, John Godsuffe (d. 1670) of Kinsale), but apparently had no surviving issue; died in September or October 1649; will proved at Bristol and at Dublin, 1656; 

(8) Stephen Becher (b. & d. 1585), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 23 January 1584/5; died in infancy and was buried at Hartley Wespall, 28 January 1584/5;

(9) William Becher (b. 1585), baptised at Hartley Wespall (Hants), 25 July 1585; 

(10) Catherine Becher (b. 1588; fl. 1623), baptised at Hartley Wespall, 27 August 1588; married Richard Richmond alias Shepherd (fl. 1617), and had issue five children; living in 1623.

He obtained a grant of 12,000 acres in Co. Cork by royal warrant, 3 February 1586/7.

He was buried at St Olave, Silver St., London, 29 September 1592. His widow is said to have died in 1615.

Becher, Henry (c.1573-1610). Eldest son of Phane Becher (c.1546-92) and his wife Susan, youngest daughter of George Dabridgecourt of Stratfield Saye (Hants). Probably the man of this name educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1589; BA 1591; MA 1595). He and his lessees founded the town of Bandon (Co. Cork) and he secured the grant of a market and two fairs there in 1609. Some accounts state he was Lord President of Munster, 1604-10, but if he was not merely an Acting President,  his tenure was probably both shorter and contested. He married, as a child, 14 March 1586/7, Mary (fl. 1617), daughter of Rt. Rev. William Lyon (d. 1617), first Protestant Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, 1583-1617, and had issue:

(1) William Becher (d. 1601?), possibly the child of this name buried at Stratfield Saye (Hants), 16 April 1601;

(2) Henry Becher (b. c.1595; fl. 1655) (q.v.);

(3) Elizabeth Becher (d. 1601); buried at Stratfield Saye (Hants), 9 February 1601;

(4) Fane Becher; nicknamed 'Lying Becher'; left Ireland in 1639 for St Christopher's in the Caribbean, where he proceeded to organise a rebellion against the authorities in 1642;

(5) Edward Becher (b. 1601), baptised at Stratfield Saye, 2 August 1601; 

(6) Lionel Becher (d. c.1676); married, 29 November 1642 at Youghal (Co. Cork), Julian, daughter of [forename unknown] Budde of Bideford (Devon) and widow of Capt. Thomas Williams, and had issue at least two sons and one daughter; died about 1676;

(7) Alice Becher;

(8) Catherine Becher (fl. 1631?), possibly the person of this name who married, 1631, John Woodroffe (fl. 1641), provost of Bandon;

(9) Abigail Becher; lived at Castle Mahon (Co. Cork), which she and her husband sold to the Bernard family; said to have married Charles James;

(10) Susan Becher;

(11) Mabel Becher;

(12) Mary Becher; probably the woman of this name who married, 1641, Thomas Maddox.

He inherited his father's lands in the barony of Kinalmeaky and lived at Castle Mahon (Co. Cork).

He died in 1610. His widow was living in 1617; her date of death is unknown.

Becher, Henry (b. c.1595; fl. 1655). Second, but eldest surviving son of Henry Becher (c.1573-1610) and his wife Mary, daughter of Rt. Rev. William Lyon, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, born about 1590. Merchant at Bandon and later Baltimore (Co. Cork); gave the site for a church at Bandon in 1614. JP for County Cork. He petitioned Parliament for the despatch of 500 soldiers in County Cork to protect English settlers from Catholic rebels in 1641, but later seems to have fled to Bristol. He married, before 1636, Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Notte (d. 1637) of Aughadown House (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Becher (b. c.1637), born about 1637; married, 10 June 1656, Maj. Richard Tonson (d. 1693) of Spanish Island (Co. Cork), and had issue one son and one daughter;

(2) Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) (q.v.);

(3) Henry Becher; married, 1670, Elizabeth Reede;

(4) Mary Becher (fl. 1714); married, 1675, Stephen Fleming, and had issue at least one son; died after 1714;

(5) Susanna Becher; married William Field, and had issue one son and three daughters.

He lived at Bandon (which he sold to the Earl of Cork) and later at Baltimore (Co. Cork).

He was living in 1655 and probably in 1659, but his date of death is unknown. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) 

Becher, Col. Thomas (c.1640-1709). Elder son of Henry Becher (b. c.1595) and his wife Elizabeth Notte of Aughadown House (Co. Cork), born at Baltimore (Co. Cork) about 1640. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (matriculated 1658). An officer in the army (Ensign, 1663) and in the Cork Militia (by 1666); JP for Co. Cork, 1665. In April 1689 he and his family fled to Bristol to avoid the fighting between James II and William III, but he is said to have later obtained a commission in the army of King William III (Col., 1690), and to have been ADC to the King at the Battle of the Boyne, 1690, after which the king presented him with his watch. There is, however, no reference to him in the commission lists for the period until his appointment as Governor of Sherkin Island off Baltimore in 1692, although he was then described as 'Col. Thomas Becher'. MP for Baltimore (Co. Cork) in the Irish Parliament, 1692-93, 1695-99 and 1703-09. He married Elizabeth (d. c.1721), eldest daughter of Maj. Henry Turner of Bandon Bridge (Co. Cork), recorder of Limerick, and had issue:

(1) Henry Becher (1666-1738) (q.v.);

(2) Thomas Becher (1667-1707), said to have been born 10 February 1667; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1685); sometimes recorded in error for his father as MP for Baltimore, 1703-09; died, probably unmarried, in the lifetime of his father, 1707;

(3) William Becher (b. 1670), said to have been born 10 March 1669/70; probably died young and almost certainly before 1695 when his brother Edward was 'fourth son';

(4) Elizabeth Becher (1671-c.1707), said to have been born 17 February 1670/1; married 1st, 1697, Capt. Horatio Townshend (d. 1698?) and had issue one daughter; married 2nd, 1701, as his third wife, Rt. Rev. Dive Downes (1653-1709), Bishop of Cork & Ross, and had further issue one daughter; died between 1705 and 1707; will proved 4 August 1707; 

(5) Michael Becher (1674-1726), said to have been born 8 April 1674; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1690; BA 1695); admitted as a burgess at Clonakilty (Co. Cork), 1711; MP for Baltimore, 1713-14, 1715-26; described in 1715 as Lt-Col, so perhaps an officer in the militia; married, 1698, Peniel (c.1682-1759) (who m2, 1730, Col. Richard Tonson), daughter of Col. Gates, and may have had issue one son, though he is not mentioned in his will; died after 8 March 1726;

(6) Richard Becher (b. 1675); said to have born 24 May 1675; probably died young and almost certainly before 1695 when his brother Edward was 'fourth son';

(7) Edward Becher (1676-1750), born 27 June 1676; educated at Trinity College, Dublin (admitted 1694) and Inner Temple (admitted 1695; called 1702); barrister-at-law; tenant of of Norwood Park, Southwell (Notts), 1731-47; married 1st, 1 September 1702, Bridget (1678-1735), daughter of Samuel Lowe the elder of Southwell, and had issue six sons and five daughters; married 2nd, 24 January 1738/9 at North Muskham (Notts), Mary, only child of William Booth and widow of William Law of Southwell, and had further issue one son; died 25 June 1750*;

(8) John Becher (1677-1743), of Bristol and Stapleton (Glos), born 1 September 1677; apprenticed to his future father-in-law at Bristol, 1690; merchant, shipowner, and slave trading agent in Bristol; sheriff of Bristol, 1713; mayor of Bristol, 1721; Master of the Bristol Merchant Venturers, 1722; married 1st, 17 October 1695 at St Werburgh, Bristol, Hester (c.1676-1705), daughter of Sir John Duddlestone, 1st bt., and had issue six sons [from the eldest surviving of whom descend the Wrixon-Becher baronets, who will be the subject of a future post] and two daughters; married 2nd, 1710 (licence 26 October), probably at Bitton (Glos), Mary Cranfield (d. 1753), and had further issue five sons and two daughters; died 9 July 1743; will proved in the PCC, 10 August 1743;

(9) George Becher (1678-89), said to have been born 6 September 1678; died young, October 1689 and was buried at St Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol, 2 October 1689;

(10) Dorothy Becher (b. 1679), said to have been born 22 November 1679; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(11) Martha Becher (b. 1681), said to have been born 31 July 1681; married Dillon Newman (d. 1733) of Newbury and Dromineen (Co. Cork) and had issue at least four sons and three daughters; she predeceased her husband but her death has not been traced;

(12) Ann Becher (b. 1682), said to have been born 8 March 1682; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(13) Mary Becher (b. 1683), said to have been born 16 December 1683; probably died young and almost certainly before 1705 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;

(14) Lionel Becher (1686-1770), of Sherkin House, born 9 March 1686; ran a prosperous fishery on Sherkin Island with his son-in-law, Randall Westropp; married, 1712, Catherine Dunscombe (fl. 1769), and had issue at least two sons and three daughters; died 10 February 1770; will proved 1772;

(15) Susannah Becher (1688-c.1738); said to have been born 16 March 1688; married 1st, 1709, Thomas Hungerford (c.1681-1715), and had issue one son and four daughters; married 2nd, 2 August 1719, as his first wife, Samuel Jervoise (c.1685-1764) of Braade House (Co. Cork) (who m2, 1741 Elizabeth Lapp and had another son), son of Joseph Jervoise, and had further issue one son; living in 1737 but will proved 1738.

He inherited estates at Aughadown, Sherkin Island and Castle Mahon (Co. Cork) and lived at Sherkin House and Aughadown House. Before 1686 he bought the barony of West Carbery (some 3,000 acres)

He died 10 October 1709 and was buried at Aughadown; his will was proved 11 March 1709/10. His wife died about 1721; her will was proved 31 March 1721.

* Some sources say 25 January 1750/1.

Becher, Henry (1666-1738). Eldest son of Col. Thomas Becher (c.1640-1709) and his wife Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Henry Turner of Bandon Bridge (Co. Cork), recorder of Limerick, said to have been born 29 March 1666. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin (matriculated 1684). He married, 1698 (licence), Henrietta Margaret (fl. 1710), daughter of Col. Henry Owen of Stadhampton (Oxon), and had issue:

(1) John Becher (c.1700-78) (q.v.);

(2) Elizabeth Becher (d. c.1745); married, 1724, as his second wife, Richard Townsend (1684-1742) of Castle Townsend, son of Bryan Townsend, and had issue three sons and three daughters; died between 1743 and 1745;

(3) Henry Becher (fl. 1708); living in 1708 when he was mentioned in his grandfather's will, but probably died young.

He lived at Aughadown House, and bought the Hollybrook estate near Skibbereen in the early 18th century.

He died in 1738. His wife was living in 1710 but may have died soon afterwards.

Becher, John (c.1700-78). Elder son of Henry Becher (1666-1738) and his wife Henrietta Margaret, daughter of Col. Owen of Stadham[pton?] (Oxon), born about 1700. He married 1st, 27 March 1740 in Cork*, Frances (d. 1752), daughter of Richard Hedges of Mount Hedges and Macroom Castle; 2nd, 1758, Elizabeth Baldwin (d. 1768), widow; 3rd, 4 February 1769 at Ross Cathedral, Barbara Hungerford, and 4th, October 1771, Barbara (d. c.1787), daughter of John Townsend of Skibbereen, and had issue:

(1.1) Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) (q.v.);

(1.2) Jane Becher (1748-1812), born about 1748; married (aged about 15), 1763 (settlement 2 April), as his second wife, Daniel O'Donovan (1703-78), The O'Donovan, of Bawnlahan (Co. Cork), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died in 1812 and was buried at Myross (Co. Cork);

(1.3) Michael Becher (d. 1778); died unmarried, November 1778;

(1.4) Eliza Becher (fl. 1782); married, 2 September 1777, William Evans (1747-96), third son of Hon. John Evans of Bulgaden Hall (Co. Limerick), and had issue two sons and three daughters; died after 1782.

He inherited Aughadown House from his father but built or rebuilt Hollybrook House near Skibbereen, c.1775.

He died 19 February 1778; his will was proved in 1790. His first wife died in about 1752; administration of her goods was granted to her husband, 28 April 1752. His second wife died 5 November 1768. His third wife died about 1772. His widow died about 1787; her will was proved in that year. 

* The marriage was conducted by the rector of Macroom and entered in the Macroom register.

Becher, Richard Hedges (c.1747-1825). Elder son of John Becher (d. 1778) and his first wife, Frances Eyre of Mount Hedges and Macroom Castle, born about 1747. Described in 1828 as 'a person of very extravagant habits, and... often in pecuniary difficulties'. He married 1st, 1769 (settlement 9 September), Letitia (d. 1774), younger daughter of Richard Hungerford (d. c.1784) of The Island (Co. Cork), and 2nd, 26 August or 1 September 1779 at St Nicholas, Cork, Mary (c.1760-1811), daughter of Thomas Alleyn of Ballyduvane, Clonakilty (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1.1) Frances Eyre Becher (c.1771-1843); married, 8 July 1793 at Bath (Som.), her cousin, Richard Becher Hungerford (1771-1833) of The Island (Co. Cork) and had issue seven sons and two daughters; died 12 September 1843;

(1.2) John Becher (c.1774-1820) (q.v.);

(1.3) Henry Owen Becher (c.1774-1841) (q.v.);

(2.1) Anne Becher (c.1779-1860), born about 1779; died unmarried, 13 June 1860;

(2.2) Thomas Alleyn Becher (c.1780-1830), born about 1780; a freeman of Cork; died unmarried at Skibbereen, 12 March 1830;

(2.3) Richard Becher (c.1781-1804), born about 1781; an officer in West Cork Militia (Lt.); died unmarried, 11 June 1804;

(2.4) Elizabeth Becher (c.1782-1851), born about 1782; died unmarried, at Lakelands, January 1851;

(2.5) Mary Becher (c.1785-1833), born about 1785; died unmarried, 23 May 1833;

(2.6) Letitia Becher (c.1787-1826), born about 1787; married, 16 March 1805, Capt. Henry Richard Orpen (d. 1838) of Gortages and Bridgeville Park (Co. Cork), surveyor of customs, youngest son of Richard Orpen of Ardtully (Co. Kerry), and had issue six sons and three daughters; buried at Kenmare (Co. Kerry), 10 December 1826;

(2.7) Amelia St George Becher (c.1790-1841), born about 1790; married, 5 October 1824 at Creagh, Robert Stowards (c.1786-1849), an officer in the 37th Foot (Lt.) and later 10th Royal Veteran Battalion, who lost a leg at Antwerp, son of George Stowards of Leofana, Kinsale (Co. Cork), and had issue one daughter; died 14 October 1841;

(2.8) Lucinda Becher (c.1793-1848), born about 1793; married, 11 July 1812, Rev. James Hingston (1780-1851) of Aglish (Co. Cork), rector of Whitchurch, Cloyne, 1836-51, eldest son of Rev. James Hingston, vicar-general of Cloyne, and had issue one son and two daughters;

(2.9) Henrietta Becher (c.1795-1837), born about 1795; married, 17 July 1819 at Whitechurch (Co. Cork), Richard Edward Hull (d. 1846) of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork) and had issue one son and two daughters; died 21 March 1837; will proved 1837;

(2.10) Michael Alleyn Becher (c.1799-1850), of Ballyduvant, Clonakilty (Co. Cork), born about 1799; married, 12 February 1831 at Rathcooney, Elizabeth Sherrard (c.1805-87); died 26 March 1850 and was buried at Kilgariff, Clonakilty (Co. Cork).

He inherited Hollybrook House from his father.

He died 8 February 1825; his will was proved in Cork, 1830. His first wife is said to have died 30 July 1774. His second wife died 23 May 1811. 

Becher, John (c.1774-1820). Elder son of Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) and his first wife, Letitia, younger daughter of Richard Hungerford of The Island (Co. Cork), born about 1774. He married, May 1798, Susanna (c.1773-1846), daughter of Thomas Hungerford of The Island and Fox Hall (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Richard Henry Hedges Becher (c.1799-1882) (q.v.);

(2) George Cranfield Becher (b. 1801); living in 1842;

(3) Letitia Hungerford Becher (b. c.1802); married, 1 October 1842 at Creagh (Co. Cork), George Finch of Leap (Co. Cork);

(4) Richard O'Donovan Becher (b. c.1804); married, 5 June 1845 at Skibbereen, Elizabeth Charlotte (d. 1851), daughter of Thomas Hungerford (d. 1849), and had issue two daughters;

(5) Thomas Hungerford Becher (c.1806-66?); possibly the Thomas Becher who died at Skibbereen in 1866;

(6) Susanna Hungerford Becher (c.1807-44); died unmarried, 14 February 1844; will proved in Cork, 1844;

(7) Jane Charlotte Becher (c.1810-84); died 26 April 1884;

(8) Frances Eyre Becher, youngest daughter; married, 18 September 1837 at St Nicholas, Dublin, her cousin, Richard Becher Hungerford (d. 1904), second son of Richard Hungerford of The Island, and had issue one son and two daughters.

He died in the lifetime of his father, 20 February 1820. His widow died 26 December 1846. 

Becher, Richard Henry Hedges (c.1799-1882). Eldest son of John Becher (c.1774-1820) and his wife Susanna, daughter of Thomas Hungerford of The Island and Fox Hall (Co. Cork). JP for Co. Cork. A Conservative in politics. He inherited a large estate that was burdened with very heavy debts, and when the agricultural crisis and famine reduced his rents in the 1840s he became an insolvent debtor, and obliged to sell his estate through the Incumbered Estates Court, though Hollybrook House was bought by his cousin. He married, 1st, 12 February 1839 at Douglas Church, Cork, Melian (1797-1859), elder daughter of the Rev. Morgan O'Donovan, The O'Donovan, rector of Dundurrow (Co. Cork), and 2nd, 2 August 1861 at St Finbar's Cathedral, Cork, Mary Hungerford (c.1799-1878), daughter of Richard Neville Somerville (c.1765-1827), but died without issue.

He inherited Hollybrook House and some 17,000 acres from his father in 1821, but sold it in 1851 through the Incumbered Estates Court; the house and grounds were sold to his cousin, John Richard Hedges Becher (d. 1901) (q.v.). He lived latterly at Lakelands (Co. Cork).

He died 1 September and was buried at Aughadown, 5 September 1882; his will was proved 20 March 1883 (effects £217). His first wife died 28 May 1859. His second wife died 9 August 1878; will proved 20 August 1883 (effects of no value). 

Becher, Henry Owen (c.1774-1841). Second son of Richard Hedges Becher (c.1747-1825) and his first wife, Letitia, younger daughter of Richard Hungerford of The Island (Co. Cork), born about 1774. He was made a Freeman of the City of Cork, 1813. He married 1st, 29 June 1805 at Aughadown, Catherine (c.1783-1815), daughter of Henry Jermyn of Aughadown; and 2nd, Ellen (d. 1865), daughter of Samuel Jervoise of Braade House, Myross (Co. Cork) and probably the widow of Peter Cussen, and had issue:

(1.1) Marie Letitia Catherine Becher (1806-42); lived in Paris and later at Naples (Italy), where she died unmarried, 12 July 1842; her will was proved in Cork, 1843;

(1.2) Henry Owen Becher (b. 1809), born 29 November 1809; died young;

(1.3) Catherine Becher (1814-15); died September 1815 and was buried with her mother;

(2.1) John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901) (q.v.);

(2.2) Lucy Alleyne Becher (c.1830-1910), born about 1830; married, 5 April 1851 at Skibbereen, Very Rev. Dr. Henry Brougham (1827-1913), dean of Lismore, son of Rev. Henry Brougham, and had issue four sons and three daughters; died at Lismore, 28 May 1910;

(2.3) Harriette Ellen Becher (c.1832-75), born about 1832; married, 10 January 1854 at Holy Trinity, Cork, Edmund Waldo Meade-Waldo (1829-96) of Stonewall Park, Edenbridge (Kent) and Hever Castle (Kent) (who m2, 1879, Cicely Eleanor (d. 1935), eldest daughter of Henry Chandos-Pole-Gell of Hopton Hall (Derbys), by whom he had two further daughters) and had issue one son and one daughter; died 24 February and was buried at St Andrew, Hove (Sussex), 4 March 1875;

(2.4) Richard Edward Hull Becher (1836-99), said to have been born in 1836; died unmarried, 23 September 1899; will proved 16 October 1899 (estate £571);

(2.5) Michael Becher (1837-1915), of Corriganear (Co. Cork), said to have been born in 1837; an officer in the West Cork Artillery (2nd Lt., 1856); married 1st, 6 July 1860 at Ballymore (Co. Donegal), Mary (d. 1871), second daughter of Rev. Charles Frederick Stewart of Horn Head (Co. Donegal), and had issue four sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 17 April 1879, Elizabeth (c.1836-1920), daughter of Michael Alleyne Becher of Ballyduvane, Clonakilty (Co. Cork); died 21 January 1915 and was buried at Aughadown; his will was proved 10 April 1915 (estate £213);

(2.6) Ellen Jervoise Becher (c.1840-1913), born about 1840; married, 1873, Arthur Maxwell (1842-1909) of Corduff House, Donabate (Co. Dublin) and had issue four sons and three daughters; died 5 May 1913.

He inherited Aughadown House from his father.

He died 21 March 1841; his will was proved in Dublin, 3 April 1841. His first wife died 30 September 1815 and was buried at Aughadown, where she is commemorated by a ledger stone. His widow died at Lough Ine House, 1 November 1865.

Becher, John Richard Hedges (1825-1901). Eldest son of Henry Owen Becher and his second wife, Ellen, daughter of Samuel Jervoise of Braade House (Co. Cork), born 2 December 1825. He was an officer in the 27th Foot (Ensign, 1844; Lt., 1847; retired 1850). JP for Co. Cork. A freemason from 1846. He married, 14 September 1850 at St Nicholas, Cork, his first cousin, Lucinda Jane Elizabeth (1829-1908), younger daughter of Richard Edward Hull of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork), and had issue:

(1) Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929) (q.v.); 

(2) Henrietta Anne Margaretta Becher (c.1853-1932), born about 1853; died unmarried, 16 January 1932; will proved 2 May 1932 (estate £322);

(3) Capt. Richard Edward Hull Becher (1854-1940), of Abbots Ann (Hants), born 4 September 1854; educated at HMS Conway, 1867-70; officer in the merchant navy with Union Castle Shipping Line (second mate, 1876; first mate, 1884; master mariner, 1890; retired 1916); became deaf in his later years; married, 25 April 1900 at Christ Church, Sunderland (Co. Durham), Emily Constance (1858-1947), daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson (1813-1908) of Sunderland (Co. Durham), but had no issue; died 13 May 1940; will proved 16 July 1940 (estate £3,268);

(4) Ellen Henrietta Lucinda Becher (c.1856-1942); married, 11 February 1904 at Creagh (Co. Cork), as his second wife, her cousin William Hungerford (1836-1908) of Sun Mount, Clonakilty and Castle Ventry (Co. Cork); died without issue at Sun Mount, 18 January 1942;

(5) Lucy Brougham Becher (c.1857-1925), born about 1857; died unmarried, 6? April 1925 and was buried at Creagh (Co. Cork);

(6) Edmund Waldo Becher (1859-1930), of Ardagh House, Lismore (Co. Cork), born 21 March 1859; land agent to Duke of Devonshire's Lismore Castle estate; married 1st, 23 June 1896 at Monkstown (Co. Dublin), Marcella Ellen (k/a Ella) (b. c.1858; fl. 1911), daughter of Richard Ussher Roberts and widow of Edward Bickers, and had issue one son (who was killed in the First World War); married 2nd, 20 January 1925 at Lismore Cathedral, her sister Martha (1857-1940), widow of Robert Henry Power; died 23 November 1930 and was buried at Lismore Cathedral; will proved 19 October 1931 (estate £1,454);

(7) Ven. John Richard Hedges Becher (1861-1946)*, born 13 March 1861; educated at King William's College, Isle of Man and Trinity College, Dublin (MA); ordained deacon, 1885 and priest, 1886; rector of Kilrush, 1887-90 and of Lorum, 1890-1940; archdeacon of Leighlin, 1922-40 and of Ossory, 1925-40; retired 1940; married, 22 June 1887 at Kilkenny Cathedral, Nicola Sophia, youngest daughter of Sir John Blunden (1814-90), 3rd bt. of Castle Blunden (Co. Kilkenny), and had issue at least two sons; died 11 May 1946 and was buried at Slyguff Cemetery, Bagenalstown (Co. Carlow);

(8) William Henry Hull Becher (1862-1940), born 14 August 1862; educated at King William's College, Castletown (IoM); emigrated to New Zealand; married, 21 November 1901 at St John the Baptist, Hunterville (NZ), Mary Caroline Tennent (1856-1934), but had no issue; died 14 November 1940 and was buried at Levin Old Cemetery, Manawatu-Wanganui (NZ);

(9) Amelia Maria Becher (1864-1941), born 16 May 1864; married, 4 September 1899 at Creagh (Co. Cork), Alfred George Milbanke Hudson (1855-1908), son of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Shotton Hall (Co. Durham); died 20 October 1941; will proved 21 January 1942 (estate £2,052);

(10) Catherine Anna Maria Brougham Becher (1866-1940); married, 13 June 1893 at South Qu'Appelle (Canada), Arthur Atherton (1857-1942) of Fort Qu'Appelle (Canada) and had issue five sons and two daughters; died near Lestock, Saskatchewan (Canada), 9 December 1940;

(11) Lionel Fane Becher (1868-1910), born 25 January 1868; educated at King William's College, Castletown (IoM); emigrated to Medicine Hat, Alberta (Canada), c.1903; died unmarried in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), 14 November 1910, and was buried at Queen Charlotte Cemetery, Graham Island, Vancouver;

(12) Frederick William Becher (1870-88), born 31 July 1870; emigrated to Australia but found it too hot and insect-ridden, and so returned home, but he drowned when he was lost overboard from the Araby Maid en route to the Cape of Good Hope, 1 December 1888.

He seems to have acquired Hollybrook House through the Incumbered Estates Court in 1852. In 1858 he offered it for sale through the same court, but bought it himself through his solicitor. He subsequently let the house until he sold it in 1893. After 1858 he lived at Lough Ine House, Skibbereen (Co. Cork).

He died of pneumonia, 15 April 1901; administration of his goods was granted 19 February 1913 (effects £10). His wife died 24 July 1908; administration of her goods was granted 18 September 1908 (effects £91).

* He needs to be carefully distinguished from another clergyman of the same name who was a near contemporary: John Richard Hedges Becher (c.1866-1929), son of Michael Becher of Ardrain (Co. Cork), who was Archdeacon of Ross, 1921-29.

Becher, Very Rev. Harry (1852-1929). Eldest son of John Richard Hedges Becher (1825-1901) and his wife Lucinda, younger daughter of Richard Hull of Leamcon Manor (Co. Cork), born 4 August 1852. Educated at Midleton College. He became a clerk in a shipbroking company in London, but abandoned a commercial career and entered the church, being ordained deacon, 1883 and priest, 1884. After holding curacies at Lislee (Co. Cork) and Houghton-le-Spring, he became Rector of  Castlehaven (Co. Cork), 1891-1914; Dean of Ross (Co. Cork), 1914-26 and Canon of St Finbar's Cathedral, Cork, 1922-26. He married, 18 September 1888 at Easington (Co. Durham), Zoe Louise (1859-1930), daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Oak Lea, Sunderland and Shotton Hall (Co. Durham), and had issue:

(1) Henry Owen Dabridgecourt Becher (1889-1915), born 14 August and baptised at Houghton-le-Spring, 9 September 1889; educated at Haverfordwest GS, Marlborough and RMA Sandhurst; an officer in the Scots Rifles (2nd Lt., 1910; Lt., 1913; Capt. 1915), who served in the First World War and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons, 13 March 1915; he died unmarried;

(2) Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard Becher (1896-1979) (q.v.).

He died 20 September 1929; his will was proved 7 December 1929 (estate £1,048). His wife died 9 April 1930; her will was proved in London, 30 September 1930 (estate £14,847).

Becher, Brig. Ralph Frederick Richard (1896-1979). Second son of Very Rev. Harry Becher (1852-1929) and his wife Zoe Louise, daughter of Ralph Milbanke Hudson of Shotton Hall (Co. Durham), born 6 December 1896. Educated at Uppingham. An officer in the Scots Rifles (2nd Lt., 1916; Lt., 1918; Capt., c.1922; retired 1937; returned to service as Maj., 1939; retired as Hon. Brigadier 1947), who served in the First World War (mentioned in despatches) and the Second World War (mentioned in despatches twice); Deputy Head of Personnel, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force, 1944; Deputy Director of Organisation (Officers), War Office, 1944-46; appointed CBE, 1946. He married, 4 January 1928, Edith Jessica (1905-2001), only daughter of Albert Edward Cox of Dungarthill, Dunkeld (Perths.), and had issue:

(1) Zoe Louise Becher (b. 1930), born 11 October 1930; married, 11 August 1955, Derrick Roch Penrose (1929-2006) of Park House, Baslow (Derbys), only son of Evelyn Cooper Penrose of Woodhill, Cork, and had issue three sons and one daughter;

(2) Elizabeth Anne Becher (b. 1933), born 18 August 1933; married, 4 July 1964, Charles Allen Budden (1919-93) of Wolfeton Farm, Charminster (Dorset), son of George Allen Budden of Wolfeton and had issue two sons and one daughter;

(3) Diana Mary Becher (b. 1939), born 3 September 1939; educated at Royal School of Music and Royal College of Music (ARCM); married, 6 September 1962, William Phillips Field FICE (b. 1938), son of Duncan Phillips Field (d. 1971) of Northwood (Middx), and had issue one son and one daughter;

(4) Richard Fane Dabridgecourt Becher (b. 1945), born 9 March 1945; educated at Uppingham, High Wycombe College of Art and Royal College of Art (M.Des); designer and joiner; lived at Old Alresford (Hants); married, 22 September 1973, Judith Helen (1949-2008), daughter of Timothy Derouet of Fells Farm, Braintree (Essex), and had issue two sons.

He bought Castlehaven House (Co. Cork), the former rectory in which he had been brought up, in 1947, and made many improvements to it. He sold Castlehaven in 1972, and bought Drumearn House, Comrie (Perths.), which was sold in 2002. His widow lived latterly at Haywards Heath (Sussex).

He died 7 January 1979. His widow died aged 95 on 17 June 2001; her will was proved 21 August 2001.

Principal sources

Burke's Irish Family Records, 1976, pp. 99-103; M. MacCarthy-Morrogh, 'The Munster Plantation, 1583-1641', Univ. of London PhD thesis, 1983; M. Bence-Jones, A guide to Irish Country Houses, 2nd edn., 1988, pp. 70, 94, 154; M.C. Lyons, Illustrated Incumbered Estates, Ireland, 1850-1905, 1993, pp. 200-01; F. Keohane, The buildings of Ireland: Cork - City and County, 2020, pp. 220, 436-38;  http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~becher/genealogy/index.htm

Location of archives

No significant archive of the Irish branch of the family is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Vairé, argent and gules, on a canton or, a stag's head couped, sable.

Can you help?

• If anyone knows why J.R.H. Becher sold the Hollybrook estate through the Incumbered Estates Court but bought it himself through an agent, please let me know!
• Can anyone provide better photographs of the present Hollybrook House?
• 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 acknowledgments

This post was first published 22 July 2022.