This post has been divided into two parts. Part 1 gives an introduction to the family and describes the houses which they have owned over several centuries. This second part provides detailed genealogical information about the family.
Biddulph of Ledbury
Biddulph, Anthony (1585-1651). Fifth son of Simon Biddulph (d. 1632) of Elmhurst Hall, Lichfield (Staffs) and his wife Joyce Floyer, baptised at Lichfield (Staffs), 23 January 1584/5. Citizen and haberdasher of London, and a member of the Company of Merchant Adventurers and East India Company. He supported the parliamentary side in the Civil War and was a member of the Committee of Accounts of the Kingdom, 1644. Alderman of the City of London, July 1651, but died soon afterwards. He married, c.1616, Elizabeth (b. 1599), daughter of Robert Palmer, alderman of London, and had issue including:
(1) Elizabeth Biddulph (c.1617-90), born about 1617; married 1st, Henry Crisp (d. 1654), citizen and haberdasher of London, and had issue three sons and two daughters; married 2nd, Alderman Sir James Edwards (d. 1691), grocer, Lord Mayor of London in 1678-79, son of John Edwards of Garton (Yorks), yeoman, and had issue one daughter; buried at St Michael Bassishaw, London, 23 December 1690;(2) Robert Biddulph (c.1618-78) (q.v.);(3) Joyce Biddulph (b. c.1619), born about 1619; married, 1642 (licence 16 January), Richard Wynn (d. 1688), and had issue seven sons and one daughter; living in 1651 but evidently died in or before 1687 as she is not mentioned in her husband's will written in that year;(4) Michael Biddulph (fl. 1661), born about 1620; married, 19 July 1655 at Sibson (Leics), Frances Kingston; living in 1661;(5) Mary Biddulph (b. 1621), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 23 October 1621; married, 1st, by 1646, Richard Burren (1616-56), son of Richard Burren of Reading (Berks), and had issue two sons and one daughter; married 2nd, as his second wife, Alderman Richard Chiverton (1616-79), Lord Mayor of London, 1657-58; death not traced;(6) Sarah Biddulph (d. 1660?); married, 1654, as his second wife, Sir John Musters (1623-89) of London and Colwick Hall (Notts), and had issue one son; probably the woman of this name buried in the chancel at Hornsey (Middx), 14 August 1660.
He lived in London.
He died in September or October 1651; his will was proved 28 October 1651. His wife's date of death is unknown.
Biddulph, Robert (c.1618-78). Elder son of Anthony Biddulph (1585-1651) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Palmer, alderman of London, born c.1618. Citizen and merchant of London. He married, 3 August 1652 at Stoke Newington (Middx), Mary (1631-86?), daughter of Sir Abraham Cullen (c.1624-68), 1st bt., of East Sheen (Surrey), MP for Evesham, 1661-68, and had issue including:
(1) Mary Biddulph (1655-64), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 29 May 1655; died young and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London, 30 December 1664;(2) William Biddulph (b. 1657), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 13 November 1657; died young;(3) Anthony Biddulph (1659-1718) (q.v.);(4) Elizabeth Biddulph (1660-64), born 5 November and baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 20 November 1660; died young and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London, 30 May 1664;(5) Robert Biddulph (d. 1663); died young and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London, 13 June 1663;(6) Jane Biddulph (1662-1715?), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 28 August 1662; married, 1681 (licence 1 November), Anthony Tournay (1648-1726), citizen and skinner of London, and had issue eight sons and five daughters; said to have died 20 May 1715;(7) Robert Biddulph (b. & d. 1664), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 26 January 1663/4; died in infancy and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London, 1 November 1664;(8) Michael Biddulph (1664-83), baptised at St Alban, Wood St., London, 9 March 1664/5; died unmarried, 26 August and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London, 29 August 1683.
He lived in London, but also owned property at Essondon (Herts).
He died 26 May, and was buried at St Alban, Wood St., London 4 June 1678; his will was proved in the PCC, 15 June 1678. His widow married 2nd, 1680 (licence 27 January), Dr. Thomas Tymme, physician, and is said to have died in 1686/7; her will was proved in the PCC, 22 October 1687.
Biddulph, Anthony (1659-1718). Eldest surviving son of Robert Biddulph (c.1618-78) and his wife Mary, daughter of Sir Abraham Cullen, 1st bt., of East Sheen (Surrey), born in London, 24 February 1658/9. Merchant in London. High Sheriff of Herefordshire, 1695-96. He married, 15 June 1680 at Ledbury, Constance (1650-1706), daughter and co-heir of Francis Hall of New House, Ledbury, and had issue:
(1) Anthony Biddulph (1681-89), baptised at Ledbury, 30 June 1681; died young, 20 December and was buried at Ledbury, 28 December 1689;(2) Robert Biddulph (1682-1772) (q.v.);(3) Francis Biddulph (1683-1744), baptised at Ledbury, 22 November 1683; married, 28 July 1715 at Newent (Glos), Mary (1682-1720), daughter of William Rogers of Okle, Newent (Glos), and had issue two daughters; married 2nd, 13 June 1723 in the chapel of St Oswald's Hospital, Worcester, Anne (1699-1732), daughter of Dr John Bagley of Worcester, and had further issue two sons and three daughters; married 3rd, 1 July 1733 at Madresfield (Worcs), Margaret (d. 1736), daughter of William Lygon of Madresfield Court (Worcs) and widow of Rev. Reginald Pyndar; buried at Ledbury, 22 October 1744, where he is commemorated by a floor slab and his three wives by a mural monument;(4) Michael Biddulph (1685-1758), baptised at Ledbury, 20 August 1685; educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1700) and Lincolns Inn (called 1711; bencher, 1740; treasurer, 1750); barrister-at-law; married, 31 July 1738 at St George-the-Martyr, Bloomsbury, Mary (c.1682-1764), daughter of George Jarvis and widow of Gilbert Browne of Shimpans, North Mimms (Herts), but had no issue; died 15 October and was buried at North Mimms (Herts), 23 July 1758, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 25 October 1758.
He purchased New House, Ledbury (later Ledbury Park) from his father-in-law in 1688.
He died 10 May 1718 and was buried at Ledbury, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 5 July 1718. His wife's date of death is unknown.
Biddulph, Robert (1682-1772). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Anthony Biddulph (1659-1718) and his wife Constance, daughter of Francis Hall of New House, Ledbury, baptised at Ledbury, 12 October 1682. He married, 26 May 1715 at Cofton Hackett (Worcs), Anne (1690-1760), daughter of Benjamin Jolliffe (1645-1719) of Cofton Hall (Worcs), and had issue:
(1) Anthony Biddulph (1717-18), baptised at Ledbury, 25 April 1717; died in infancy and was buried at Ledbury, 15 May 1718;(2) Robert Biddulph (1718-49), baptised at Ledbury, 20 February 1718/9; educated at Worcester College, Oxford (matriculated 1737); died unmarried and was buried at Ledbury, 9 May 1749;(3) Thomas Biddulph (1720-21), baptised at Ledbury, 22 September 1720; died in infancy and was buried at Ledbury, 3 February 1720/21;(4) Anthony Biddulph (c.1722-24), born about 1722; buried at Ledbury, 11 October 1724/5;(5) Michael Biddulph (1725-1800) (q.v.);(6) Rev. Benjamin Biddulph (1727-76), baptised at Ledbury, 20 October 1727; educated at St John's College, Oxford (matriculated 1745; BA 1748; MA 1751); ordained deacon, 1750, and priest by 1753; rector of Corringham (Essex), 1753-76; married 1st, 11 February 1762 at St Chad, Shrewsbury (Shrops.), Mary Bennett (1740-63), and 2nd, 13 January 1767 at Ludlow (Shrops.), Mary Poole (1741-1821)*, (who m2, 3 July 1794 at Bishops Frome (Herefs), as his second wife, Rev. Ralph Cope Hopton (1726-97) of Canon Frome (Herefs)), and had issue one son (who settled at Burghill (Herefs)) and two daughters (who died in infancy); buried at Burghill, 27 March 1776;(7) Mary Biddulph (b. & d. 1731), baptised at Ledbury, 28 September 1731; died in infancy and was buried at Ledbury, 13 October 1731;(8) Francis Biddulph (1733-1800), baptised at Ledbury, 3 March 1733; banker, who founded Cocks, Biddulph & Co. in 1757; died unmarried and intestate at Brighton (Sussex), 24 October 1800, when 'a considerable part of his immense fortune' devolved upon his brother Michael, to whom administration of his goods was granted 13 November 1800, but who died soon afterwards.
He inherited Ledbury Park from his father in 1718.
He died 10 March and was buried at Ledbury, 14 March 1772; his will was proved in the PCC, 5 June 1772. His wife was buried at Ledbury, 25 February 1760.
* His second wife appears as a witness to his first marriage and was presumably a friend or relation of his first wife.
Biddulph, Michael (1725-1800). Fifth, but eldest surviving, son of Robert Biddulph (1682-1772) and his wife Anne, daughter of Benjamin Jolliffe of Cofton Hall (Worcs), born 24 January 1724/5. Educated at Worcester College, Oxford (matriculated 1742) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1742; called 1749). Barrister-at-law. Steward of the Hereford Infirmary. He married, 14 September 1757 at Great Malvern (Worcs), Penelope (1735-1818), daughter of John Dandridge of Balden's Green, Malvern (Worcs), and had issue:
(1) Penelope Biddulph (b. & d. 1759), baptised at Colwall (Herefs.), 8 January 1759; died in infancy and was buried at Ledbury, 19 January 1759;(2) Thomas Biddulph (1759-93), born 9 December and baptised at Colwall, 14 December 1759; lived at Cofton Hall (Worcs) from 1791; an officer in the Herefordshire militia (Capt.); died unmarried, 3 August, and was buried at Cofton Hackett, 6 August 1793;(3) Robert Biddulph (later Myddleton-Biddulph) (1761-1814), baptised at Colwall, 29 March 1761; as a young man he went to India, where he worked very profitably as a merchant in Calcutta before returning to England in 1795; succeeded his uncle Francis as a partner in Cocks, Biddulph & Co., 1800; Recorder of Denbigh, 1795-96, 1802-14; Whig MP for Herefordshire, 1796-1802 and Independent MP for Denbighshire Boroughs, 1806-12; officer commanding Chirk Volunteers (Lt-Col., 1803); took the additional surname Myddleton, 1801; was given Cofton Hall by his father but sold it in 1812; married, 24 December 1801, Charlotte (d. 1843), daughter of Richard Myddleton (d. 1795) of Chirk Castle (Denbighs) and co-heir of her brother, Richard Myddleton (d. 1796) of Chirk, and had issue two sons (from the elder of whom subsequent owners of Chirk Castle descended) and one daughter; died 30 August 1814 and was buried at Ledbury; will proved in the PCC, 1 October 1814;(4) Michael Biddulph (1762-68), baptised at Colwall, 7 November 1762; died young and was buried at Ledbury, 3 August 1768;(5) Penelope Biddulph (1764-1851), born 11 May and baptised at Colwall, 20 May 1764; married, 2 April 1793 at St Andrew Undershaft, London, Adam Gordon (1758-1800) of Dulwich Hill House (Surrey), ironfounder and shipbuilder, and had issue one son (William Gordon (1794-1836), later of Haffield House (Herefs.); died in Cheltenham (Glos), 16 December 1851, and was buried at Ledbury, where she is commemorated on a headstone; will proved in the PCC, 15 November 1852;(6) Francis Biddulph (1766-94), baptised at Colwall, 28 January 1766; educated at Rugby and St. John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1784; MB 1790); physician at St Bartholomew's Hospital; died unmarried of a violent fever, 20 January 1794;(7) John Biddulph (1768-1845) (q.v.);(8) Mary Anne Biddulph (1769-1839), baptised at Coddington (Herefs), 17 December 1769; married, 18 September 1794 at Chislehurst (Kent), Robert Phillips (1749-1822), barrister-at-law, MP for Hereford, 1784-85, of Longworth Hall, Lugwardine (Herefs), and had issue two sons and four daughters; died at Cheltenham, 27 December 1839; will proved in the PCC, 12 May 1840;(9) Anne Biddulph (1772-1841), baptised at Claines (Worcs), 29 March 1762; married, 15 June 1789 at Ledbury, David Gordon (1753-1831) of Abergeldie and Dulwich Hill House (Surrey), banker and later ironfounder and shipbuilder, and had issue four sons and three daughters; died at the Manor House, Sevenoaks (Kent), 26 February and was buried at Camberwell, 5 March 1841; will proved in the PCC, 11 March 1841;(10) Harriet Biddulph (1775-1863), born 20 April and baptised at Claines, 30 April 1775; married, 22 September 1818 at Great Malvern, Thomas Woodyatt (1791-1841) of Worcester (Worcs), son of Dr George Woodyatt of Ledbury, and had issue one son; lived at Holly Mount House*, Great Malvern; died 31 January and was buried at Great Malvern, 5 February 1863; will proved 18 March 1863 (effects under £4,000).
He inherited Ledbury Park from his father in 1772 and Cofton Hall from his mother's family in 1791. He commissioned designs for rebuilding Cofton Hall from George Byfield in 1796, which were not executed, although the house was partly rebuilt more simply around that time. He settled Cofton on his elder son, Robert Biddulph (1761-1814), who sold it to the Earl of Plymouth in 1812.
He died 6 December 1800 and was buried at Ledbury; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 December 1800. His widow died in 1818; her will was proved in the PCC, 17 March 1818.
* Which they loaned to the Duchess of Kent and her daughter, Princess Victoria, when they visited Malvern in 1830.
Biddulph, John (1768-1845). Fifth son of Michael Biddulph (1725-1800) and his wife Penelope, daughter of John Dandridge of Balden's Green, Malvern (Worcs), born 17 March 1768. Banker with Cocks, Biddulph & Co. in London. High Sheriff of Herefordshire, 1821-22. He married, 9 September 1797 at Ledbury, Augusta Roberts (1775-1854), and had issue:
(1) Anne Penelope Biddulph (1798-1874), born 5 July 1798; lived with her unmarried younger sister at Round House, Ross Rd., Ledbury; died unmarried, 31 January and was buried at Donnington-by-Ledbury (Herefs), 5 February 1874; will proved 9 March 1874 (effects under £9,000);(2) Michael Francis Biddulph (1799-1801), born 28 June and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 25 July 1799; died in infancy and was buried at St Giles, Camberwell, 17 February 1801;(3) Robert Biddulph (1801-64) (q.v.);(4) Katherine Biddulph (1802-88), born 22 October and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 16 November 1802; lived at Park Cottage, Ledbury; died unmarried 18 January 1888, and was buried at Great Malvern (Worcs), but commemorated by a monument at Ledbury; will proved 5 March 1888 (effects £11,211);(5) Augusta Eleanor Biddulph (1804-74), born 19 April and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 10 May 1804; married, 20 May 1830 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Edmund John Jones (1805-50) of Kings Caple (Herefs), and had issue five sons and four daughters; lived latterly at Manorbier House (Pembs) and Llyswen House (Brecons.); died 20 November 1874 and was buried at Kings Caple; will proved 15 March 1875 (effects under £4,000);(6) John Biddulph (1806-81), born 14 January and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 8 February 1806; educated at Harrow and Clare College, Cambridge (matriculated 1822; BA 1828); banker with his brothers Robert and Francis Thomas until 1838, and later iron and tinplate manufacturer in Swansea (Glam.); had houses in London and Great Malvern (Worcs); married, 7 September 1836, Emma Maria (1816-1903), only daughter of William Chambers (1774-1855) of Bicknor (Kent) and Llanelly House (Glam.), and had issue one daughter; died in London, 20 July, and was buried at Donnington-by-Ledbury (Herefs), 25 July 1881; will proved 18 November 1881 (effects £31,870);(7) Mary Anne Biddulph (1807-92), born 19 May and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 25 June 1807; married, 20 April 1837 at Ledbury, Robert Martin (1808-97) of Overbury Court (Worcs), chairman of Martin & Co., bankers, and had issue two sons and two daughters; died 24 November and was buried at Overbury, 29 November 1892;(8) Penelope Biddulph (1809-88), born 15 September and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell (Surrey), 24 October 1809; married, 14 July 1838 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, Rev. Thomas Phillipps (1800-83), vicar of Dewsall (Herefs), 1838-76, and had issue four sons and three daughters; died at Cheltenham (Glos), 17 August 1888; will proved 7 November 1888 (effects £1,184);(9) Francis Thomas Biddulph (1812-76), born 10 January and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell (Surrey), 13 February 1812; partner in Biddulph Bros. & Co. of Pembroke, bankers; married*, 16 September 1846 at Monkton (Pembs.), Catharine (b. c.1820), daughter of John Lewis, gent., and had issue at least two sons and two daughters; became eccentric in his later years and lived apart from his family in lodgings in London; died suddenly, 27 October and was buried at Highgate Cemetery East, 31 October 1876; his death was the subject of an inquest which found he died of natural causes;(10) Ormus Biddulph (1813-87), born 6 January 1813; banker with Biddulph, Cocks & Co. of London; a director of Weber & Biddulph, merchants (failed 1864) and the Westminster Brewery Co.; married, March 1846 at St John the Evangelist, Clifton (Glos), Caroline Margaret (1822-96), daughter of Sir John Godfrey Thomas, and had issue three sons and seven daughters; lived in Chester and later at Exton (Hants); died 25 August 1887; will proved 11 November 1887 (effects £1,703);(11) Constance Petronella Biddulph (1816-81), baptised at St Giles, Camberwell, 22 February 1816; lived with her eldest sister at Ledbury; died unmarried, 12 January, and was buried at Donnington-by-Ledbury, 17 January 1881; will proved 18 February 1881 (effects under £7,000).
He lived at Champion Hill, Camberwell (Surrey). He inherited Ledbury Park from his father in 1800, and added the north wing in 1818-19 to the designs of H.H. Seward.
He died 25 November 1845 and was buried in the family vault at Ledbury, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument, 3 December 1845; his will was proved in the PCC, 12 February 1846. His widow died 9 May 1854 and was buried at Ledbury.
* There may have been an earlier marriage which proved to be irregular in some respect, as the couple were living together as husband and wife by 1841 and their first child was baptised in 1843, with no suggestion that he was illegitimate.
Biddulph, Robert (1801-64). Second, but eldest surviving, son of John Biddulph (1768-1845) and his wife Augusta Roberts, born 3 March and baptised at St Giles, Camberwell (Surrey), 8 April 1801. Educated at Harrow, 1813-18, and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1818). Banker in London with Cocks, Biddulph & Co., Chairman of the Economic Insurance Society, and a governor of the Canada Company. Whig MP for Hereford, 1832-37; JP and DL for Herefordshire; High Sheriff of Herefordshire, 1857-58. He was interested in improvements in farming methods, and a keen promoter of proven techniques. He was also a Fellow and Vice-President of the Royal Geographical Society. He married, 25 February 1830, Elizabeth (1805-99), daughter of George Palmer MP (1772-1853) of Nazeing Park (Essex), and had issue:
(1) Augusta Biddulph (1830-34), born 29 November 1830 and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 4 January 1831; died young, 10 October, and was buried at Ledbury, 15 October 1834;(2) Elizabeth Biddulph (1832-82), baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 8 March 1832; died unmarried and was buried at Brompton Cemetery (Middx), 10 June 1882; will proved 5 July 1882 (estate £1,324);(3) Michael Biddulph (1834-1923), 1st Baron Biddulph (q.v.);(4) Gen. Sir Robert Biddulph (1835-1918), GCB GCMG, born 26 August and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 22 October 1835; educated at Twyford and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1853; Lt., 1854; Capt., 1860; Maj., 1861; Lt-Col., 1864; Col., 1872; Maj-Gen., 1883; Lt-Gen., 1887; Gen., 1892); High Commissioner to Cyprus, 1879-86; Inspector General of Recruiting, 1886; Quartermaster General to Forces, 1887 and 1893; Director-General of Military Education, 1888-93; Governor of Gibraltar, 1893-1900; Army Purchase Commissioner, 1904 (in which capacity he abolished the purchase of commissions); Master Gunner of St James' Park, 1914; appointed KCMG, 1880; GCMG, 1886, and GCB, 1899; married, 11 August 1864, Sophia (1835-1905), daughter of Rev. Anthony Lewis Lambert, rector of Chilbolton (Hants) and widow of Richard Stuart Palmer (1821-62) of Calcutta (India), and had issue four sons and six daughters; died 18 November 1918 and was buried in Charlton Cemetery, Woolwich (Kent); will proved 28 December 1918 (estate £34,192);(5) George Biddulph (b. & d. 1836), baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 9 November 1836; died in infancy and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, 11 November 1836;(6) Anna Maria Biddulph (1838-90), born 1 February and at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 14 March 1838; became a Sister of Mercy between 1871 and 1881; died unmarried at St Mary's Home, Wantage, 19 December 1890; will proved 5 January 1891 (estate under £500);(7) John Biddulph (1840-1921), born 25 July and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 5 August 1840; educated at Twyford and Westminster, 1853-58; an officer in the Indian army (Cadet, 1858; Cornet, 1858; Lt., 1858; Capt., 1871; Maj., 1877; Lt-Col., 1884; Col. 1888; retired 1895), who was ADC to the Viceroy, 1873-77 and thereafter held posts in the political department of the Indian administration; returned to England in 1897; JP for Surrey; author of The tribes of the Hindu Kush (1880), and other works; married, 1882, Julia Errington (1844-1933), daughter of Sir James Ranald Martin (1796-1874), kt., surgeon, but had no issue; died 31 December 1921 and was buried at St Andrew, Ham (Surrey), 3 January 1922; will proved 4 March 1922 (estate £16,664);(8) Georgiana Joyce Biddulph (1842-1920), born 19 March and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 16 March 1842; married, 12 July 1866 at Ledbury, Rev. William Henry Lambert, rector of Stoke Edith (Herefs.), and had issue one son; died 14 March 1920; will proved 23 April 1920 (estate £445);(9) Anthony Biddulph (1843-1911), born and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 2 March 1843; educated at Winchester; articled clerk to Arthur Walker of Grays Inn, solicitor, but was later a secretary and a manufacturing brassfounder; lived in a boarding house in Edgbaston, Birmingham; died 20 February 1911; adminstration of goods granted to his eldest brother, 21 March 1911 (estate £2,684);(10) George Tournay Biddulph (1844-1929), of Douglas House, Petersham (Surrey), born 23 May and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 13 July 1844; banker with Cocks Biddulph & Co.; treasurer of House of Charity, Soho, Westminster, 1867-1907 and of Church House, Westminster; and a trustee of the Dysart estates; married, 3 October 1883 at Blackmoor (Hants), his second cousin, Lady Sarah Wilfreda Palmer (1854-1910), daughter of Roundell Palmer (1812-95), 1st Earl of Selborne, and had issue one son; died 8 July and was buried at Petersham (Surrey), 11 July 1929; will proved 22 August 1929 (estate £128,925);(11) Louisa Biddulph (1845-1926), born 4 December 1845 and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 11 February 1846; died unmarried and was buried at Brompton Cemetery, 1 July 1926.
He inherited Ledbury Park from his father and acquired a town house at 31 Eaton Square, Westminster.
He died 28 February 1864 and was buried at Ledbury; his will was proved 27 May 1864 (effects under £20,000). His widow died 25 January 1899 and was buried at Ledbury; her will was proved 20 February 1899 (estate £7,197).
Biddulph, Michael (1834-1923), 1st Baron Biddulph. Eldest son of Robert Biddulph (1801-64) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of George Palmer MP of Nazeing Park (Essex), born 17 February and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 22 March 1834. Educated at Harrow. Banker; partner in Cocks, Biddulph & Co, which was sold to Martin's Bank in 1919; a director of Economic Life Assurance Ltd. Liberal MP for Herefordshire, 1865-85 and South Herefordshire, 1885-86; Liberal Unionist MP for Ross-on-Wye division of Herefordshire, 1886-1900; JP and DL for Herefordshire; JP for Gloucestershire. He funded the building of Ledbury Cottage Hospital in 1891 to mark the coming of age of his eldest son. He married 1st, 9 August 1864 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster, Adelaide Georgiana (1836-72), daughter of Gen. Rt. Hon. Jonathan Peel MP, and 2nd, 16 July 1877, Lady Elizabeth Philippa (1834-1916), Woman of the Bedchamber to HM Queen Victoria and author of a biography of her father, daughter of Charles Philip Yorke (1799-1873), 4th Earl of Hardwicke and widow of Henry John Adeane MP (1833-70) of Babraham (Cambs), and had issue:
(1.1) Hon. Adela Margaret Mary Biddulph (1865-76), baptised at St Michael, Chester Sq., Westminster (Middx), 2 December 1865; died young and was buried at Donnington-by-Ledbury (Herefs), 22 September 1876;(1.2) Hon. Edith Mary Biddulph (1867-1939), born 14 February and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 27 March 1867*; married, 31 March 1891 at All Saints, Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge (Middx), Charles Wentworth Bell (1857-1929)** of Bronsil Castle, Eastnor (Herefs), only son of Charles Bell of Chapel Allerton, Leeds (Yorks WR), and had issue four sons (of whom one died in infancy); died 16 November 1939 and was buried at Eastnor; will proved 2 March 1940 (estate £8,342);(1.3) Hon. Violet Maud Biddulph (1868-1960), born 31 May and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 4 July 1868; artist; lived at Ewen House (Glos); died unmarried, 7 March 1960; will proved 30 December 1960 (estate £47,331);(1.4) John Michael Gordon Biddulph (1869-1949), 2nd Baron Biddulph (q.v.);(1.5) Hon. Claud William Biddulph (1871-1954) [for whom see below, Biddulph of Rodmarton Manor].
He inherited Ledbury Park and 31 Eaton Square from his father in 1864, and the Kemble estate from his cousin, Anna Gordon, in 1884. The latter included 600a. at Rodmarton, which he gave to his second son in 1894.
He died 6 April 1923 and was buried at Ledbury; his will was proved 9 August 1923 (estate £211,320). His first wife died 22 May and was buried at Donnington-by-Ledbury (Herefs), 29 May 1872. His second wife died 13 January and was buried at Babraham (Cambs), 18 January 1916.
* The parish register gives her date of birth as 14 February 1866, but a delay of over a year in baptism would be unusual, and the press reported the birth of a daughter on 14 February 1867, so the register is likely to be incorrect.
** Bell suffered for five years with a terminal illness, but in that time had an affair with his nurse, as a result of which a child was born (who grew up to be the noted photographer, Jane Bown (1925-2014))
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| 2nd Baron Biddulph |
(1) Michael William John Biddulph (1898-1972), 3rd Baron Biddulph (q.v.);(2) Hon. Adelaide Mary (k/a 'Dig') Biddulph (1901-85), born 9 December 1901 and baptised at St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington (Middx), 23 January 1902; married, 25 July 1929 at St Margaret, Westminster, her second cousin, Henry Vincent Yorke (1905-73), better known as the novelist 'Henry Green', son of Vincent Woodhouse Yorke of Forthampton Court (Glos), and had issue one son; died 25 June 1985 and was buried at Forthampton; will proved 7 January 1986 (estate £243,841);(3) Hon. Rupert Arthur Biddulph (1904-75), born 1 July 1904; educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford; a member of the Mercers' Company, made a freeman of the city of London, 1930; suffered from mental illness and was a patient at Old Cannon House, Hailsham in 1939 and later at Ticehurst House (Sussex); died unmarried, 26 January 1975; administration of goods granted 25 April 1975 (estate £3,671);(4) Hon. Mary Constance Biddulph (1907-91); married, 9 July 1929 at Royal Military Chapel, Wellington Barracks, Westminster (div. 1938), Capt. Montagu William Lowry-Corry (1907-77), only son of Gen. Noel Armar Lowry-Corry DSO, and had issue one daughter (Josephine, later the wife of Prince Rupert zu Löwenstein-Wertheim-Freudenberg); died 2 January 1991 and was buried at Kemble (Glos).
He inherited Ledbury Park and Kemble House from his father in 1923. He leased Ledbury Park from 1941 to a stationery manufacturer and moved to Underdown House. He sold Kemble House in 1948 to S.J. Phillips.
He died 17 December 1949; his will was proved 13 March and 3 June 1950 (estate £147,758). His widow died 9 November 1961; her will was proved 27 March 1962 (estate £17,920).
Biddulph, Michael William John (1898-1972), 3rd Baron Biddulph. Elder son of John Michael Gordon Biddulph (1869-1949), 2nd Baron Biddulph, and his wife Marjorie Caroline Susan, daughter of Col. William Mure of Caldwell, born 6 March and baptised at St Peter, Cranley Gardens, Kensington (Middx), 31 March 1898. Educated at Eton and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. An officer in the Coldstream Guards (2nd Lt., 1916; Lt., 1916; retired on half-pay due to illness caused by wounds, 1920; fully retired 1925). He married, 21 October 1925 at Ellingham (Hants), Lady Amy Louise (1905-83), daughter of Sidney James Agar (1865-1933), 4th Earl of Normanton, and had issue:
(1) Hon. Marjorie Amy (k/a Molly) Biddulph (1927-2014), born 17 December 1927; married, 15 January 1947 at Holy Trinity, Brompton (Middx), Thomas Ian Michael Walker-Munro (1922-65), eldest son of Major Ian Charles Ronald Walker-Munro, and had issue one son and one daughter; died at Easter Logie (Perths.), 22 June 2014;(2) Hon. Susan Louise Biddulph (1929-2009), born 24 August 1929; died unmarried at Teignmouth (Devon), 23 September 2009; will proved 31 December 2009;(3) Robert Michael Christian Biddulph (1931-88), 4th Baron Biddulph (q.v.);(4) Hon. Edward Sidney Biddulph (1934-2001), born 18 November 1934; educated at Eton; an officer in the Royal Horse Guards (Lt.); inherited the Ledbury Park estate from his father in 1972, and lived at Much Marcle (Herefs); sold Underdown House after the fire there in 1983; died unmarried and intestate, 25 October 2001; administration of goods granted 2002 (estate £1,187,518).
He inherited Ledbury Park and Underdown House from his father in 1949, but sold Ledbury Park House to the tenant in 1952. The remainder of the estate passed to his younger son at his death.
He died 20 July and was buried at Donnington by Ledbury (Glos), 25 July 1972; his will was proved 22 October 1972 (estate £146,756). His widow died following the fire at Underdown House, 11 November 1983; her will was proved 15 January 1986 (estate £109,915) and was further administered, 28 July 2005.
Biddulph, Robert Michael Christian (1931-88), 4th Baron Biddulph. Elder son of Michael William John Biddulph (1898-1972), 3rd Baron Biddulph, and his wife Lady Amy Louise, daughter of Sidney James Agar, 4th Earl of Normanton, born 6 January 1931. Educated at Canford School and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. An officer in the army (Lt.). Member of Roxburghshire County Council, 1961-70. An underwriting member of Lloyds. A liveryman of the Armourers and Braziers Co., City of London. He married, 9 April 1958 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Lady Mary Helena (1938-2023), a Tweed Commissioner, 1988-2000, eldest daughter of Ivor Colin James Maitland, Viscount Maitland, and granddaughter and co-heir of Ian Colin Maitland, 15th Earl of Lauderdale, and had issue:
(1) (Anthony) Nicholas Colin Biddulph (later Maitland-Biddulph) (b. 1959), 5th Baron Biddulph (q.v.);(2) Fiona Mary Biddulph (later Maitland-Biddulph) (b. 1961), born 28 August 1961; educated at Cortauld Institute; took the additional name of Maitland in 1981; freeman of the city of London; author of Metropolitan: a portrait of Paris (1994); married, 16 April 1994 at St Andrew, Kelso (Roxb.), Anthony Henry Joseph Fraser (b. 1959), and had issue one son and two daughters;(3) William Ian Robert Biddulph (later Maitland-Biddulph) (b. 1963), of Greatridge Hall, Makerstoun (Roxb.), born 27 March 1963; educated at Loretto School, Edinburgh; wine merchant with Berry Bros. to 1999 and subsequently winemaker and viticulturist; freeman of City of London; took the additional name of Maitland in 1978.
His wife and her sisters inherited Makerstoun House (Roxburghs.) from their grandfather in 1953, and he and his wife occupied it from 1960. The house burned down in 1970 and was rebuilt in 1973-74.
He died 3 November 1988; his will was proved 16 March 1989 (estate £435,326). His widow died 16 September 2023.
Biddulph (later Maitland-Biddulph), (Anthony) Nicholas Colin (b. 1959), 5th Baron Biddulph. Elder son of Robert Michael Christian Biddulph (1931-88), 4th Baron Biddulph, and his wife Lady Mary Helena, daughter of Ivor Colin James Maitland, Viscount Maitland, and granddaughter of 15th Earl of Lauderdale, born 8 April 1959. Educated at Cheltenham College and Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. Interior designer and sporting manager. A liveryman of the Armourers and Braziers Co., city of London, since 1995. He took the additional name of Maitland, 1978. He married, 28 August 1993 (div. 2001), Hon. Siân Diana (b. 1961), younger daughter of Rt. Hon. James David Gibson-Watt (1918-2002), Baron Gibson-Watt, and had issue:
(1) Hon. Robert Julian Watt Maitland-Biddulph (b. 1994), born 8 July 1994; educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and Imperial College, London (MSci); land surveyor;(2) Hon. David Michael William Maitland-Biddulph (b. 1997), born 20 October 1997; educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and Exeter University.
He inherited Makerstoun House from his mother.
Now living. His ex-wife is now living.
Biddulph of Rodmarton Manor
Biddulph, Hon. Claud William (1871-1954). Younger son of Michael Biddulph (1834-1923), 1st Baron Biddulph, and his first wife, Adelaide Georgiana, daughter of Gen. Rt. Hon. Jonathan Peel MP, born 8 February and baptised at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, 17 March 1871. Educated at Harrow and Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1889). A stockbroker in London with Steer Lawford & Co., 1899-1903, and later with other firms. He married, 12 December 1906 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, Margaret (1880-1970), only daughter of Alfred John Howard (1848-1916), and had issue:
(1) Anthony Biddulph (1910-84) (q.v.);(2) Marjory Mary Biddulph (1915-95), born 8 January and was baptised at St Paul, Knightsbridge (Middx), 18 February 1915; married 1st, 15 February 1936 at St Ethelburga, Bishopsgate, London (div. 1962), Maj. Philip Wilfred Cripps (1902-65), second son of Maj. Sir Frederick William Beresford Cripps (1873-1961) of Ampney Park (Glos), and had issue one son and two daughters; married 2nd, 28 October 1964, Lt-Col. Sir Roland Lewis Findlay (1903-79), 3rd bt.; died 8 June 1995; will proved 19 October 1995 (estate £190,359).
He was given the Rodmarton Manor estate in 1894, and built a new manor house, c.1909-29. During the Second World War the house was occupied by an evacuated London school.
He died 6 August 1954 and was buried at Rodmarton; his will was proved 11 November 1954 (estate £169,665). His widow died 21 June 1970; her will was proved 13 October 1970 (estate £18,975).
Biddulph, Anthony (1910-84). Only son of Hon. Claud William Biddulph (1871-1954) and his wife Margaret, only daughter of Alfred John Howard, born 18 August and baptised at St Paul, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge (Middx), 29 September 1910. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford (MA). An officer in the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars (2nd Lt., 1934; Lt., 1937; Capt., 1945; Maj., 1950). High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1960-61. He married, 4 August 1938 at Cirencester (Glos), Mary Dearman (1909-91), daughter of Maj. Sir John Dearman Birchall MP (1875-1941) of Cotswold Farm (Glos), and had issue:
(1) Clarissa Mary Biddulph (1939-2011), born 16 July 1939; married, 21 July 1962 (div. 1987), James Robert Ferard (b. 1938), only son of Lt-Col. Richard Ferard of Tredean, Chepstow (Mon.), and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 28 November 2011;(2) Simon Biddulph (b. 1942) (q.v.);(3) (Anthony) Jasper Biddulph (b. 1946), of Manor Farm, Tarlton (Glos), born 19 August 1946; educated at Eton and Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester; farmer; married, 18 October 1975, Louise Perrett, daughter of William Sandeman Cox, of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales (Australia), and had issue one son and one daughter.
He inherited Rodmarton Manor from his father in 1954 and converted the service wing into flats.
He died 22 August 1984; his will was proved 15 April 1985 (estate £379,449). His widow died 17 August 1991; her will was proved 22 April 1992 (estate £2,437,350).
Biddulph, Simon (b. 1942). Elder son of Anthony Biddulph (1910-84) and his wife Mary Dearman, daughter of Maj. Sir John Dearman Birchall MP of Cotswold Farm (Glos), born 23 November 1942. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. He married, 3 December 1970, Christina (d. 2011), daughter of George McCorquadale, and had issue:
(1) John Biddulph (b. 1971) (q.v.);(2) (Anthony) George Biddulph (b. 1973), born 4 December 1973; educated at Eton and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; an officer in the army (Capt.); married, 2001, Annabel Georgina, only da of Walter Simpson, of Glendevon, Perthshire, and had issue two sons and three daughters;(3) Sarah Rose Biddulph (b. 1980), born Oct-Dec 1980; married, 7 October 2006 at Rodmarton, William James Pope (b. 1978) of Malmesbury (Wilts), son of James Pope of Didmarton (Glos), and had issue two daughters.
He inherited Rodmarton Manor from his father in 1984, and handed it over to his son in 2013.
Now living. His wife died 27 July 2011; her will was proved 21 May 2012.
Biddulph, John Simon (b. 1971). Elder son of Simon Biddulph (b. 1942) and his wife Christina, daughter of George McCorquadale, born 1 September 1971. Educated at Eton. Farmer. Director of Haresdown Property Ltd. from 2007 and of A. & R. Farming Ltd. since 2018. He married, 3 July 1999 at Melton Mowbray (Leics), Hon. Sarah Margaret (b. 1971), only daughter of John Henrik Gretton (1941-89), 3rd Baron Gretton of Somerby (Leics), and had issue:
(1) Alice Emily Christina Biddulph (b. 2002), born 8 July 2002; educated at Marlborough and Newcastle University (BSc, 2025);(2) Thomas George Henrik Biddulph (b. 2003), born 14 October 2003;(3) Frederick Jack Lysander Biddulph (b. 2006), born 16 November 2006; educated at Cheltenham College.
His father handed over Rodmarton Manor to him in 2013.
Now living. His wife is now living.
Principal sources
Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 2003, pp. 372-73; S. Lysons, A collection of Gloucestershire Antiquities, 1804, pl. 33; P.F. Robinson, Designs for ornamental villas, 1827, plates for 'design 11'; VCH Gloucestershire, vol. 11, 1976, pp. 236-37; C. Aslet, 'Rodmarton Manor', Country Life, 19-26 October 1978; N.W. Kingsley, 'The work of Anthony Keck', Country Life, 20-27 October 1988; J. Allibone, George Devey, 1991, pp. 100-03; P. Davey, Arts and Crafts Architecture, 1995, p.22; D. Ottewill, The Edwardian garden, 1989, pp. 132-34; N.W. Kingsley & M. Hill, The country houses of Gloucestershire 1830-2000, 2001, pp. 214-17; T. Mowl, Historic gardens of Gloucestershire, 2002, pp. 149-51; K. Cruft, J. Dunbar & R. Fawcett, The buildings of Scotland: Borders, 2006, pp. 512-13; S. Pinches, Ledbury: a market town and its Tudor heritage, 2009; A. Brooks & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Herefordshire, 2012, pp. 429-30, 434; B. Byrom, The country houses, castles and mansions of Roxburghshire, 2015, pp. 63-64;
https://www.martinsbank.co.uk/The Banks that Built Martins, accessed 3 November 2025.
Location of archives
Biddulph family, Barons Biddulph: deeds and estate papers, 15th-20th cents; diaries and journals of John Biddulph, banker, 1787-1841 [Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre, D51, G2, D2/3]; Gloucestershire estate deeds, manorial records, estate and family papers, 16th-20th cents [Gloucestershire Archives, D1332, D1348, D5112]
Coat of arms
Biddulph (later Maitland-Biddulph), Barons Biddulph: Vert an eagle displayed argent armed and langued gules, a canton of the second. [The present baron quarters his arms with those of Maitland: or a lion rampant gules couped at all his joints of the field within a double tressure flory counterflory azure]
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 4 November 2025.
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