(620) Bidlake of Great Bidlake

Bidlake of Great Bidlake 

The manor of Bidlake in Bridestowe parish (Devon) was acquired by Ralph de Combe in 1268, and his grandson John took the name Bidlake as a surname. It then descended through several generations to Thomas Bidlake (c.1461-1531), with whom the genealogy below begins. Throughout the medieval period, the family seem to have been very minor gentry, kept above the status of yeomen largely by virtue of being tenants in chief of the Crown. Even as late as the 16th century, when they rebuilt or enlarged their house at Bidlake (the name Great Bidlake was not adopted until the late 18th century, but is used throughout this account for clarity), the heads of the family described themselves as 'gentleman' rather than 'esquire'. 

Thomas Bidlake (d. 1531) married twice and had children only by his second wife, who were all still very young when he died, aged about seventy. His elder son, Henry Bidlake (c.1527-1604), was made a ward of Sir George Rolle, who brought him up with his own sons, but when he was a teenager, Rolle sold the wardship to Roger Denys of Lodsworth (Sussex), who married Henry to his daughter Anne in about 1546. Henry and Anne had one son and two daughters who reached adulthood and have been recorded, and Great Bidlake descended to their son, John Bidlake (c.1547-1625), whose short biographical notes about himself and his family formed the basis, with other family papers, for a short account of the family in Devon Notes and Queries, 1905. The article helps to compensate for the fact that the Bridestowe parish registers do not survive before 1696, so many genealogical details of the family have been lost. John's notes state that Henry undertook work to extend and improve the house in 1575 and there was evidently further work in 1594. John Bidlake married Elizabeth Langsford, and through his marriage acquired a property at Germansweek, where he lived in preference to Great Bidlake. In 1610 he settled Great Bidlake on his eldest son, William Bidlake (c.1585-1625) on the latter's marriage; William and his wife seem to have been prickly and litigious characters, and John had occasion to write to his son begging him to " seeke peace" and warning him that "suits of law . . . are as variable as the turnings of a woadercock [weathercock]." As it happened, William died a few weeks before his father, when the Great Bidlake estate descended to his eldest son, Henry Bidlake (1612-59).

Henry Bidlake was of the generation most closely involved in the Civil War, and although his wife belonged to a family which declared for Parliament, he became a zealous Royalist, who took an active part in the fighting in the south-west between 1642 and 1646, and was heavily fined by the victorious Parliamentarians. It took him some seven years to borrow enough from friends, relations and neighbours to pay off his sequestration fine and the accrued interest, and recover his estates, and he died just five years later, shortly before the Restoration of the Monarchy. His eldest son and heir, William Bidlake (1639-70), was also left in straightened circumstances, and attempted to repair the position by marrying an heiress, Elizabeth Furlong, who gave him two sons. Sadly William died after less than ten years of marriage and long before his wife came into her inheritance; moreover, when Elizabeth secured her own future by marrying again in 1677, her second husband became entitled to her eventual inheritance, cutting out the sons of her first marriage. To try and compensate for this, Elizabeth's father took William's two sons into his own household, and did his best to provide for their futures, including apprenticing the younger son, Thomas Bidlake (c.1669-88?), to a wine merchant kinsman. The young man was unlucky enough to be injured when the powder magazine of the ship he was on exploded while the vessel was in Plymouth harbour, and he died not long afterwards, presumably from the injuries he received.

The elder son, Henry Bidlake (c.1664-1718), came of age in about 1685 but did not gain possession of Great Bidlake until 1697, when he reached an agreement with his grandmother for her to hand over most of the house. This Henry was married twice, and produced five daughters but only one son, who died aged two, a few months after his father. By Henry's will, the estate thus passed to his widow and her three daughters, and the two daughters of his first marriage were excluded from a share in the inheritance. They were married off by their stepmother within a year of Henry's death, but her own children were almost a generation younger, and lived with their mother at Great Bidlake for the next twenty years. Two of the three eventually married, leaving the youngest, Philippa Bidlake (1717-92) looking after Henry's widow until she died in 1755. She then stayed on in the house, eventually sharing it with a tenant farmer, who ran the estate, and a companion who had come to her as a pauper apprentice in the domestic arts. From the 1730s, the three sisters and later their husbands, had to fight off a series of challenges to their inheritance from an audacious fraudster calling himself 'Sir Richard Bidlake' and his relatives. 'Sir Richard', who was really a man of humble origins called Richard Becklake or Beckalake, had cleverly laid the groundwork for his claim by creating forged title deeds and altering entries in parish registers. He claimed to be a descendant of the Thomas Bidlake who had been blown up in Plymouth harbour, but although he garnered quite a lot of support for his claim, he was never able to make it stick. Moreover, he tried the same thing - with rather more success - on the heirs of Sir Richard Combe of Hemel Hempstead (Herts).

Of the three sisters, only Elizabeth Bidlake (1714-1802) produced any children. She married John Hiern (c.1720-90) of Great Torrington, a solicitor, and they had two sons and five daughters. The two sons both died in their father's lifetime, so on Elizabeth's death the estate came into the hands of her eldest daughter, Mary (1746-1835), who was the wife of Col. Thomas Stafford Woollocombe (1742-1814), whose descendants owned Great Bidlake until the mid 20th century. The Woollocombes will be the subject of a future post.

Great Bidlake (formerly Wester Bidlake), Bridestowe, Devon

The house appears to be a plain, two-storey Tudor E-plan manor house with a later wing to one side, but while it does have genuine Tudor origins, much of what exists today was created in the 19th and 20th centuries. The manor was acquired by Ralph de Combe, from whom the Bidlakes traced their descent, in 1268. Nothing is known of the medieval house on the site, but the core of the present building was a great hall, perhaps of early Tudor date, which was enlarged in 1575 by Henry Bidlake to create 'the newe parlour and chamber over it'. Further work may have taken place in 1594 and in the early 17th century, but the family were heavily fined for their support of the Royalist cause in the Civil War, and are unlikely to have made many changes after 1640. In 1674, Philippa Bidlake was taxed on eight hearths, and in 1693 a deed lists the accommodation as 'the kitchen, the dairy, the brewhouse, the new house or wash house, and chambers over the hall, the great parlour, the chamber over the said greate parlour, the chamber over the little parlour, the malthouse, the larder and the little house at the higher end of the sayd malthouse, and chambers over the same'. It is clear from this list that the house was little more than a large farmhouse, and some of the chambers were probably unheated.

Great Bidlake: entrance front.

In 1792 the house descended to Thomas Woollocombe (d. 1829), who let it as a farmhouse. He or his brother, the Rev. John Stafford Woollocombe (d. 1866), seems to have demolished 'the greater part of the old mansion', but in the 1840s there was a rebuilding in fairly convincing Tudor style to recreate the appearance of an E-plan manor house. The surviving original work lies to the left of the porch and is constructed of rubble stone, whereas Woollocombe's new building is in coursed rubble, and includes the porch and everything to its right, and the upper parts of the bays left of the porch. The lintels and sills on the new work have helpful dates and initials, but the old part of the house also has a reused lintel with the date 1594 and the initials AB. On the far left of the facade, and disturbing its symmetry, is an additional bay of the 1880s that also incorporates some reused stonework. This addition was designed to link the main block with the early 19th century south-east wing and the three-storey tower with a pyramid roof. 

Great Bidlake: rear elevation. Image: Historic England.

The rear of the house is also gabled, but is more irregular in form, and retains a few early windows, including a reused 15th century cinquefoil-headed one. The central two bays on this side may be an early 20th century addition, and the bay its left the remnant of a gabled stair turret. On this side, the approach to the house is framed by a fine pair of gatepiers, apparently those supplied in 1701 by John Doidge and Richard Gunn, stonemasons.

Great Bidlake: entrance hall, now used as a dining room.

Inside, the house has few surviving pre-19th century features, and those that do exist are mainly in the south-east wing and adjoining room. The latter room may have been the hall in the 16th century, and although it was later divided horizontally, the roof supported on five trusses is still visible in the upper room. The next room, which was perhaps originally the parlour, has a 17th century granite fireplace which was reconstructed in the 19th century and the massive lintel of which is now carved with the Woollocombe arms. The granite heraldic fireplace in the entrance hall, bearing the Bidlake and Woollocombe arms, and the carved granite fireplaces in the north wing are all 20th century. The house was used as a school during the Second World War but returned to private occupation in 1946. For twenty years after 1985 it was the home of Professor John Robinson, an aerospace engineer who composed musicals, some which were performed in a natural wooded amphitheatre in the grounds. The house was restored, re-roofed and given a new main staircase in 2007, and in 2015, in a remarkable twist of fate, was bought back by members of the Bidlake family. At the time of writing it is available for short-term lets.

Descent: Thomas Bidlake (c.1461-1531); to son, Henry Bidlake (c.1527-1604); to son, John Bidlake (c.1547-1625); to son, William Bidlake (c.1570-1625); to son, Capt. Henry Bidlake (1612-59); to son, William Bidlake (1639-70); to son, Henry Bidlake (c.1664-1718); to daughters, Anne (1712-38?), wife of John Herring, Philippa (1717-92) and Elizabeth (1714-1802), wife of John Hiern (c.1720-90), whose daughter Mary Hiern (1746-1835) was their heir and married Col. Thomas Stafford  Woollocombe (d. 1829); to brother, Rev. John Stafford Woollocombe (1776-1866); to son, Rev. John Bidlake Woollocombe (1823-1903); to son, Rev. John Henry Bidlake Woollocombe (1854-1930); to son, Cdr. Henry Bidlake Woollocombe (1894-1944); used as a school during the Second World War; sold 1946 and returned to private occupation; sold 1985 to Prof. John Robinson; sold 2005 to Moya and Richard Connell; sold 2015 to James & Alex Bidlake.

Bidlake family of Great Bidlake

Bidlake, Thomas (c.1461-1531). Son and heir of John Bidlake and his wife Joan Come, born about 1461. He married 1st, Elizabeth [surname unknown] and 2nd, 1523, Katherine, daughter of Thomas Hadde of Canterbury (Kent), and had issue:

(2.1) John Bidlake; died young;

(2.2) Edward or Edmund Bidlake; died young;

(2.3) Alice Bidlake; married William Smallacombe of Smallacombe, and had issue one son and two daughters;

(2.4) Henry Bidlake (c.1527-1604) (q.v.);

(2.5) James Bidlake (d. by 1606); married [forename unknown], widow of [forename unknown] Denys, and had issue one daughter;

(2.6) Dorothy Bidlake (fl. 1605).

He inherited Great Bidlake from his father.

He died in 1531. His first wife died before 1523. His widow married 2nd, John Coke of Thorn in Ottery St Mary (Devon) and 3rd, William Trent of Ottery St Mary; she died after 1555 and was buried at Aylesbeare (Devon).

Bidlake, Henry (c.1527-1604). Elder surviving son of Thomas Bidlake (c.1461-1531) and his second wife Katherine, daughter of Thomas Hadde of Canterbury (Kent). After the death of his father when he was aged four, the Crown granted his wardship to Sir George Rolle, 'who most honestly brought him up among his sons at school and in his house fifteen years or thereabout' and then granted his wardship to Roger Denys of Lodsworth (Sussex), who married him to his daughter. He was churchwarden of Bridestow in 1596. He married 1st, c.1546, Anne, daughter of Roger Denys (d. 1550) of Lodsworth, and 2nd, Jane, widow of Richard Denys, and had issue including:

(1.1) John Bidlake (c.1547-1625) (q.v.);

(1.2) A daughter; married Robert Stokes (fl. 1604);

(1.3) Thomasine Bidlake (d. 1621); married William Langsford (d. 1603) of Bratton Clovelly (Devon), and had issue at least one son and one daughter; died 13 April 1621.

He lived at Broadwoodwidger (Devon) from the time of his marriage until his mother gave him possession of Great Bidlake in 1555. He altered and improved the house and reconstructed Bidlake Mill.

He died 20 April 1604 and was buried at Bridestowe; his will was proved at Totnes (Devon), 1 May 1604. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His second wife's date of death is unknown.

Bidlake, John (c.1547-1625). Only recorded son of Henry Bidlake (c.1527-1604) and his wife Anne, daughter of Roger Denys of Lodsworth (Sussex), born about 1547. He left short autobiographical notes about himself and his family. He married, c.1566, Elizabeth, daughter of Roger Langsford of Germansweek, and had issue including:

(1) William Bidlake (c.1570-1625) (q.v.);

(2) John Bidlake (fl. 1627), of Germansweek; married Mary, daughter of Oliver Denham, and had issue one daughter;

(3) Grace Bidlake; married John Davy (b. 1585?), attorney, of Sanford by Crediton (Devon), and had issue at least three sons and five daughters.

He lived at Germansweek. He inherited Great Bidlake from his father in 1604 but never lived there, giving it to his elder son on his marriage in 1610.

He died after 27 May 1625 and his will was proved in 1626. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bidlake, William (c.1570-1625). Elder son of John Bidlake (c.1547-1625) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Roger Langsford of Germansweek, born about 1570. His wife was evidently quick to detect a slight and highly litigious, and she picked fights with the rector of Bridestowe and the neighbouring Ebsworthy family, who had been in disputes with the Bidlakes before. He married, 1610 (settlement 20 April), Agnes (d. 1651), daughter of Richard Sture of Morley (Devon), and had issue:

(1) Henry Bidlake (1612-59) (q.v.)

(2) Anna Bidlake (b. c.1614); married John Taverner; living in 1652;

(3) Thomas Bidlake (b. 1619); died young; living in 1625;

(4) William Bidlake, born after 1620; married, 27 July 1658 at Germansweek, Tabitha Rundle (d. 1671), and had issue five sons and four daughters.

His father settled Great Bidlake on him in 1610, and his widow retained it until 1641. She then moved to south Devon, where she is said to have indulged in more costly law suits.

He died in the lifetime of his father and was buried 2 May 1625; administration of his goods was granted to his widow, 23 May 1625, and an inquisition post mortem was held on 24 August 1627. His widow died in 1651; administration of her goods was granted to her daughter, 22 January 1651/2.

Bidlake, Henry (1612-59). Eldest son of William Bidlake (c.1570-1625) and his wife Agnes, daughter of Richard Sture of Morley (Devon), born 1612. His wardship was first granted to Sir Thomas Wise of Sydenham House (Devon), but was bought back by his mother who was reluctant to lose control of her son and the estate. A zealous Royalist in the Civil War, in 1642 he joined Sir Ralph Hopton and Edmund Fortescue who were mustering men at Modbury (Devon), but the event was surprised by a party of Parliamentarian dragoons who arrested many men, including Henry Bidlake, who was taken to London and imprisoned for treason, although he seems to have merely been fined and released. He rejoined the Royalist army (Capt. of Horse, 1643 in Sir Thomas Hele's regiment), and was probably present at the Battle of Sourton Down in April that year, after which the defeated Royalists withdrew to Bridestowe. In 1645-46 he was one of the defenders of Pendennis Castle (Cornw.), where he was among the starving survivors who eventually accepted honourable terms of surrender. His estates were sequestrated and he was fined three times the annual value of the estate. Because he seems already to have been in debt before the start of the Civil War he was unable to pay, and he was obliged to borrow widely from friends and neighbours. His mother-in-law, Philippa Kelly, repaid some of these creditors, in return for which Bidlake signed over to her all his goods and chattels except his clothes. He later sold some land, raising enough to finally pay off the fines and accrued interest and recover his property in 1654. Churchwarden of Bridestowe, 1659, He married, 1633, Philippa (c.1614-1701), daughter of William Kelly of Kelly, and had issue:

(1) William Bidlake (1639-70) (q.v.);

(2) Henry Bidlake (fl. 1663); living, unmarried, in 1663;

(3) Charles Bidlake (d. 1705); solicitor in Crediton (Devon); married and had issue two sons; buried at Crediton, 12 November 1705; will proved at Exeter, 1706;

(4) Margery Bidlake (d. 1663); died unmarried, 1663; will proved at Exeter, 19 January 1663/4;

(5) Philippa Bidlake (d. 1706); married, by 1660, Peter Manaton (1640-1708) of Manaton (Devon), son of Sampson Manaton (d. 1657), and had issue three sons and five daughters; buried at Stoke Climsland (Cornw.), 15 February 1705/6;

(6) Elizabeth Bidlake (fl. 1663); living, unmarried, in 1663;

(7) Mary Bidlake (fl. 1663); living, unmarried, in 1663.

He inherited Great Bidlake from his father in 1625 and came of age in 1633. After his death his widow remained in occupation of the house until 1697, when she ceded most of the property to her grandson, Henry Bidlake (c.1668-1718).

He died in 1659; his will was proved 31 December 1659. His widow was buried at Bridestowe, 7 March 1700/1.

Bidlake, William (1639-70). Eldest son of Henry Bidlake (1612-59) and his wife Philippa, daughter of William Kelly of Kelly, said to have been born 2 September and baptised 29 September 1639. He was in straightened circumstances because of the family's role in the Civil War, and in an attempt to repair the situation he married and heiress, but her father outlived him and so he never came into possession of her fortune, which passed instead to her second husband. He married, 1661 (settlement 20 July), Elizabeth (c.1637-82), only child of Anthony Furlong (d. 1690) of Carbeel, Antony (Cornw.), and had issue:

(1) Henry Bidlake (c.1664-1718) (q.v.).

(2) Thomas Bidlake (c.1669-88?), born about 1670; apprenticed to a wine importer; was injured in 1688 when a ship he was aboard blew up and sank in Plymouth harbour; he died unmarried soon afterwards;

He inherited Great Bidlake from his father in 1659, but his mother remained in occupation.

He was buried 22 November 1670. His widow married 2nd, 1677, Roger Collings, and had further issue one son; she was buried at Antony, 30 September 1682.

Bidlake, Henry (c.1664-1718). Elder son of William Bidlake (1639-70) and his wife Elizabeth, only child of Anthony Furlong of Carbeel, Antony (Cornw.), born about 1664. After his mother's remarriage, he and his brother were placed in the care of their grandfather, Anthony Furlong (d. 1690). He married 1st, 12 February 1693/4 at Shillingford (Devon), Mary (d. 1706), daughter of Edward Greenwood and widow of Edward Kneeboone, and 2nd, 8 February 1710 at Throwley (Devon), Anne (d. 1755), daughter of Rev. Edward Seddon, rector of Throwley, and had issue:

(1.1) Agnes Bidlake (c.1694-1747), said to have been born in 1694; married, 1 June 1719 at Launceston (Cornw.), Richard Beare of Sourton; died without issue and was buried at Bridestowe, 8 April 1747;

(1.2) Mary Anne Bidlake (b. 1698), baptised at Bradstone (Devon), 21 March 1697/8; married, 16 October 1719 at Stoke Climsland (Cornw.), William Warne of Bridestowe; died without issue;

(2.1) Anne Bidlake (1712-38?), baptised at Bridestowe, 18 December 1712; married, 1738, John Herring of Langstone; died without issue and was perhaps the woman of this name buried at Newton St Cyres (Devon), 8 December 1738;

(2.2) Elizabeth Bidlake (1714-1802) (q.v.);

(2.3) William Bidlake (1716-18), baptised at Bridestowe, 17 April 1716; died young and was buried at Bridestowe, 24 October 1718;

(2.4) Philippa Bidlake (1717-92), baptised at Bridestowe, 18 August 1717; lived at Great Bidlake with her widowed mother and later with a companion who had been her pauper apprentice; died unmarried and was buried at Bridestowe, 19 July 1792.

He inherited Great Bidlake from his father in 1670 and came of age about 1685, but his grandmother remained in occupation of the house until 1697.

He was buried at Bridestowe, 14 February 1717/8; his will was proved at Exeter in 1718. His first wife was buried at Bridestowe, 14 July 1706. His widow was buried at Bridestowe, 15 July 1755.

Bidlake, Elizabeth (1714-1802). Second daughter of Henry Bidlake (c.1664-1718) and his second wife, Ann, daughter of Rev. Edward Seddon, rector of Throwley, baptised 9 March 1713/4. She married, 14 July 1741 at Bridestowe, John Hiern (c.1720-90) of Great Torrington (Devon), attorney, and had issue:

(1) Mary Hiern (1746-1835), baptised at Great Torrington, 21 May 1746; married, 7 May 1774 at Great Torrington, Col. Thomas Stafford Wollocombe (1742-1814) of Lifton (Devon), and had issue three sons (from whom descended the later owners of Great Bidlake) and three daughters; died 8 April and was buried at Bridestowe, 15 April 1835; will proved at Exeter, 1835;

(2) Elizabeth Hiern (1747-85?), probably the person of this name baptised at Langtree, 10 September 1747; living in 1766 when she was named as an executor of her father's will, but perhaps died in his lifetime as three Elizabeth Hearns were buried at Langtree between 1779 and 1785;

(3) James Hiern (1753-79), baptised at Langtree, 15 March 1753; died unmarried and was buried at Langtree, 22 January 1779;

(4) Bidlake Hiern (1755-1810), baptised at Great Torrington, 17 September 1755; married, 13 August 1798 at Great Torrington, Rev. Richard Slade (1767-1823), curate of Gt Torrington, 1791-98 and vicar of Thornbury (Glos), 1798-1823, son of Rev. Richard Slade of Westwell (Oxon), but had no issue; died 14 August and was buried in the chancel at Thornbury, 18 August 1810;

(5) Anne Hiern (b. 1756; fl. 1790), baptised at Langtree (Devon), 4 March 1756; living in 1790, when she was an executor of her father's will;

(6) Frances Hiern (1759-64), baptised at Langtree, 17 April 1759; died young and was buried at Langtree, 7 March 1764;

(7) Thomas Hiern (b. & d. 1767), baptised at Langtree, 11 November 1767; died in infancy and was buried at Langtree, 1 December 1767.

She and her sisters inherited Great Bidlake jointly from her father in 1718, but she was the only one to leave issue, and the estate therefore passed to her daughter's husband, Col. Wollocombe, and his descendants.

She was buried at Great Torrington, 7 July 1802. Her husband was buried at Great Torrington, 4 August 1790; his will was proved in 1791.

Principal sources

Devon Notes and Queries, vol. 3, 1905, pp. 241-48; H. Meller, The country houses of Devon, 2015, pp. 451-52; E. Babbage, 'The Bidlakes of Bridestowe and the Young Pretender', The Devon Historian, vol. 87 (2018), pp. 37-48; E. Babbage, The Bidlakes of Bridestowe, 2018;

https://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/ss4tz/stafford06.php#lk2; 

https://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/bb4fz/bidlake1.php#dau1.

Location of archives

Bidlake of Bridestowe: deeds and papers, 13th-18th cents. [Devon Archives & Local Studies Service 189M]; papers of Richard Bidlake, claimant of Bidlake estates, 18th cent. [The National Archives, E192/6]

Coat of arms

Gules, a fesse argent between martlets of the second (two and one).

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 12 December 2025.

(619) Bidgood of Rockbeare Court

Bidgood of Rockbeare Court 

The Bidgoods originated as a family of merchants in Exeter and Tiverton (Devon) in the early 17th century. One of them, Humphrey Bidgood (d. 1640) was an apothecary in Exeter who was poisoned by his apprentice, Peter Moore (who was executed for the crime, as although he maintained it was an accident, he admitted that he had intended to murder Bidgood's wife). Humphrey's son, John Bidgood (1624-91), with whom the genealogy below begins, was then a student at Exeter College, Oxford, where he became a Petreian Fellow in 1642. He was a Royalist in sympathies, and in 1648 he was turned out of his fellowship by the Parliamentary visitors, after which he went to Padua University (Italy), where he took a doctorate of medicine in 1650. He then returned to England, and after practising for a few years at Chard (Som.) he moved back to Exeter, where his skills earned him a large and profitable practice. With the proceeds of his work he bought the Rockbeare Court estate a few miles east of the city before 1680 and probably built a house on the property, to which he is said to have retired a few years before his death. 

Dr. Bidgood was unmarried and left his estate and most of his wealth to a kinsman, Humphrey Bidgood (1654-91), who was a merchant in Tiverton. Humphrey died just a few months after his benefactor, leaving a widow and young family, who were all still minors when his widow died in 1697. His son, John Bidgood (1681-1720), inherited his property, was sent to Exeter College, Oxford, and married in 1702. He was succeeded in turn by his sons John Bidgood (1705-70), Nicholas Bidgood (1709-72), who was an apothecary in London, and the Rev. Charles Bidgood (1710-97), who was rector of Stoodleigh near Tiverton (Devon) for more than half a century, and who was the only one of the three to marry and have children. After he inherited the estate he seems to have moved here and put a curate into Stoodleigh to perform the services there. In 1797 the estate came to his son, Charles Bidgood (1749-1813), who had been apprenticed to an Exeter grocer and no doubt expected to spend his life as a tradesman and merchant in the city, but who found himself at the head of a gentry family because of the childlessness of his uncles. It was probably he who remodelled Rockbeare Court to create the house that exists today.

In 1801, Charles married Ann Sloane (née Fisher), the widow of a Caribbean planter with estates in Demerera (now Guyana) and perhaps also on the island of Tobago, who had four children by her first marriage. She was only 36 when they married, but she and Charles Bidgood had no children, leaving Charles with no close male relative to inherit his estate. When the time came to make his will, therefore, he left his property to his widow for life, with remainder to the elder son of her first marriage, Henry Fisher Sloane (1788-1851), on condition that he took the name and arms of Bidgood, which he did shortly after his mother's death in 1822. Henry Fisher Bidgood also inherited from his mother the John plantation in Demerera, but he seems to have disposed of this before the Government began paying compensation for the emancipation of slaves in the 1830s. The dual inheritance, and the £30,000 that his wife inherited from her father, meant that Henry Fisher Bidgood was probably wealthier than any of his predecessors at Rockbeare Court, but for reasons which are obscure, this wealth seems not to have been transmitted to the later generations.

When Henry died in 1851, he left two sons and a daughter (two more daughters having died young). His heir was his elder son, Charles Henry Bidgood (1823-84), who seems to have cut no figure in the county and who never married. In 1870 he sold the contents of Rockbeare Court, leased the house, put a manager in to run the estate, and moved to London to live with his widowed sister; the family never returned to live at Rockbeare again. When he died in 1884, C.H. Bidgood's personal estate was valued at less than a thousand pounds. His real estate passed to his younger brother, Thomas Edward Bidgood (1827-1901), who had settled in the Isle of Wight. He continued to let the house at Rockbeare, and in about 1887 his eldest son, Harry Walter Bidgood (1860-1916), emigrated to the United States, where he acquired a farm in Minnesota and married. Harry was still in America when his father died and the Rockbeare property came into his possession, but soon afterwards he returned to England, where he made his home in Lincolnshire - first at Boothby Hall, Welton-le-Marsh, and later at Partney Grange - both of which he apparently rented, while continuing to lease out Rockbeare. During the First World War he joined the Territorial Army, and when his unit was mobilised in 1916 as part of the Lincolnshire Regiment he was given a commission as a temporary Captain. Later that year, however, he suffered an attack of influenza and when he was partially recovered, he made the mistake of going out shooting with his neighbour at Gunby Hall. He suffered a heart attack and died a few days later. His will made provision not only for his own wife and daughter, but also for the family of his brother, Maj. Thomas Edward Wingfield Bidgood (1866-1952), who appears to have suffered brain damage in a polo accident in India in 1908. To meet these demands on the estate the house and lands at Rockbeare were sold at auction in 1917-18.

Rockbeare Court, Devon

The house stands in its own grounds immediately north of the church, and has a seven-bay stuccoed brick front of about 1790, with sash windows, a broad Doric porch, and a panelled parapet. On the east end there is a shallow curved full-height bow with tripartite windows on both floors. The house has a loosely U-shaped plan, and from each end of the front block short wings project to the rear, each containing two rooms; that on the west containing the original kitchen. The front block contains two large rooms separated by an entrance hall that leads through a large round-headed archway to the staircase hall between the rear wings. The house is generally of two storeys with attics, but the older kitchen wing has only two storeys.

Rockbeare Court: entrance front

Rockbeare Court: east side elevation in 1977.

Inside, the house retains most of its Georgian detail. In the staircase hall is an  open well stair with open string, stick balusters, mahogany handrail, scrolled wreath and curtail steps. The right front room has a high ceiling with a good moulded plaster cornice and a marble chimneypiece with a carved panel in the centre depicting a vase of flowers. The front left room also has a Georgian marble chimneypiece, but is lined with late 17th century bolection-moulded panelling, which appears to be in situ. This suggests that the generally late 18th century appearance of the house is merely a superficial remodelling of an earlier house, perhaps built for Dr John Bidgood in the 1680s. Further evidence for this can be found in the roof space, where the top of the rear wall of the front block over the left room is exposed, and can be seen to be 17th century brickwork and to contain a blocked oak four-light window frame with ovolo-moulded mullions that is apparently in situ. The roof over the main block also appears to be late 17th century, with a series of plain A-frame trusses with pegged and nailed lap-jointed collars. On the first floor of the west wing a cupola marks the site of a former service stair that has been removed.

Descent: sold c.1678 to Dr John Bidgood (1624-91), who probably built the house; to kinsman, Humphrey Bidgood (1654-91); to son, John Bidgood (1681-1720); to son, John Bidgood (1705-70); to brother, Nicholas Bidgood (1708-72); to brother, Rev. Charles Bidgood (1710-97); to son, Charles Bidgood (1749-1813); to step-son, Henry Fisher Sloane (later Bidgood) (1788-1851); to son, Charles Henry Bidgood (1823-84); to brother, Thomas Edward Bidgood (1827-1901); to son, Harry Walter Bidgood (1860-1916); sold 1917-18 to Maj-Gen. Sir Edward Sinclair May (1856-1936), kt.; to widow, Lady May (d. 1956); sold 1953; sold 1977; sold 2002 to Colin Slater (d. 2019) and Elaine Slater, who converted the house into a retirement home.

Bidgood family of Rockbeare Court

Bidgood, Dr. John (1624-91). Son of Humphrey Bidgood of Exeter, apothecary, and his wife, born 13 March 1623/4. Educated at Exeter College, Oxford (matriculated c.1640; MA 1644/5; MB 1647; admitted to practice medicine, 1647/8) and was a Fellow there, c.1642-48, when he was removed by the parliamentary visitors for refusing to submit and drinking healths to the confusion of the reformers. He then went to Italy and completed his education at the University of Padua (MD 1650). After taking his doctorate he returned to England and set up in practice at Chard (Som.) before removing a view years later to Exeter. At the Restoration he resumed his Fellowship at Oxford (finally resigning in 1662) and was incorporated MD there. In 1664 he was admitted an Honorary Fellow of the College of Physicians. In Exeter, his skills earned him a large practice and enabled him to accumulate a fortune estimated at £25-30,000. He was a JP for Devon by 1662, and in the summer of 1685, following the duke of Monmouth’s invasion, he played a prominent role in marshalling the loyalist troops in Exeter and supplied the Devon militia with £1,000 ‘by which meanes they were soone ready’ to face the rebels. As a young man he seems to have had atheistic leanings, and in 1657 he was prosecuted by the godly magistrates of Exeter for swearing in public, but he is said to have become a regular churchgoer later. Despite his professional success, his good qualities were marred by a haughty and morose disposition, a satirical vein of humour and repulsive manners, so it is perhaps not surprising that he remained unmarried.

He had a house in the Cathedral close at Exeter, and purchased the Rockbeare Court estate, probably in the late 1670s, as in 1680 the bishop of Exeter confirmed his exclusive right to the north aisle of Rockbeare church as a burying place for him and his descendants. He may have rebuilt the house at Rockbeare Court, the earlier parts of which seem to date from the late 17th century, and is said to have retired there a few years before his death. At his death his estates passed to his kinsman (probably nephew), Humphrey Bidgood (1654-91).

He died at his house in Exeter, 13 January 1690/1, and was buried in Exeter Cathedral, where he is commemorated by a monument erected by his heir. His will was proved in the PCC, 27 March 1691, and left several charitable bequests, as well as making provision for Anne Somers, widow, who is thought to have been the mother of at least one disinherited illegitimate son.

Bidgood, Humphrey (1654-91). Son of Humphrey Bidgood of Fulford (Devon), baptised at St Peter, Tiverton, 3 September 1654. Merchant in Tiverton in partnership with his father-in-law, George Davey (d. 1690), and later his brother-in-law, Thomas Davey. He married, 21 June 1680 at Calverleigh (Devon), Elizabeth (d. 1697), daughter of George Davey of Tiverton, and had issue:

(1) John Bidgood (1681-1720) (q.v.);

(2) Mary Davey Bidgood (1683-1730), baptised at Tiverton, 16 August 1683; married, 7 January 1695/6* at Exeter Cathedral, Francis Drewe (c.1674-1734) of The Grange, Broadhembury (Devon), barrister-at-law and MP for Exeter, 1713-22, 1727-34, son of Canon Edward Drewe of Exeter, and had issue two sons and four daughters; died 1729 and was buried at Broadhembury, 22 February 1729/30; 

(3) Elizabeth Bidgood (1687-1737), born 26 September and baptised at Tiverton, 13 October 1687; married, 4 August 1707 at Exeter Cathedral, the Rev. Dr. Peter Foulkes (1676-1747), canon and precentor of Exeter Cathedral and sub-dean of Christ Church, Oxford (who m2, 26 December 1738, Anne (d. 1783), daughter of Rt. Rev. Offspring Blackall (1655-1716), bishop of Exeter, and widow of William Holwell), and had issue at least two sons; died 1737 and was buried at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford.

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his kinsman (probably uncle), Dr John Bidgood, in January 1690/1, but died later the same year.

He died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Rockbeare, 19 May 1691; his will was proved in the PCC, 1 December 1691. His widow was buried at Tiverton, 24 April 1697.

* When she was evidently only twelve or thirteen.

Bidgood, John (1681-1720). Only son of Humphrey Bidgood (1654-91) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of George Davey of Tiverton (Devon), baptised at Tiverton, 29 June 1681. Educated at Exeter College, Oxford (matriculated 1699). He married, 1 October 1702 at Exeter Cathedral, Anne Hall of Exeter, and had issue:

(1) John Bidgood (1705-70), baptised at Rockbeare, 21 April 1705; educated at Balliol College, Oxford (admitted 1724); died unmarried and without issue and was buried at Rockbeare, 7 June 1770; his will was proved in the PCC, 18 July 1770;

(2) Anne Bidgood (1706-07); baptised at Rockbeare, 25 December 1706; died in infancy and was buried at Rockbeare, 12 January 1706/7;

(3) Nicholas Bidgood (1709-72), baptised at Rockbeare, 16 March 1708/9; apothecary in London; probably died unmarried and was buried at Rockbeare, 28 December 1772;

(4) Rev. Charles Bidgood (1710-97) (q.v.);

(5) William Bidgood (1713-33?), baptised at Rockbeare, 17 September 1713; probably the man of this name buried at Rockbeare, 26 September 1733.

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his father in 1691 and came of age in about 1702.

He was buried at Rockbeare, 19 April 1720. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bidgood, Rev. Charles (1710-97). Third son of John Bidgood (1681-1720) and his wife Anne Hall, baptised at Rockbeare, 1 October 1710. Educated at Balliol College, Oxford (matriculated 1729; BA 1732; MA 1735). Ordained deacon, 1734 and priest, 1736. Rector of Stoodleigh (Devon), 1744-97. Chaplain to Henry Howard, 12th Earl of Suffolk & Berkshire, 1757.  He married, 1 October 1745 at Alphington (Devon), Dorothy (1721-81), daughter of John Pitman of Alphington, and had issue:

(1) Dorothy Bidgood (1747-1834), born at Stoodleigh, 25 April 1747; married, 24 January 1774 at Rockbeare, John Rose Drewe (1747-1830) of The Grange, Broadhembury (Devon), and had issue one son (who died young) and one daughter; died aged 88 and was buried at Broadhembury, 18 December 1834, where she and her husband are commemorated by a monument;

(2) Charles Bidgood (1749-1813) (q.v.).

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his elder brother in 1772.

He was buried at Rockbeare, 1 April 1797; his will was proved in the PCC, 26 April 1797. His wife was buried at Rockbeare, 8 March 1781.

Bidgood, Charles (1749-1813). Only son of Rev. Charles Bidgood (1710-97) and his wife Dorothy, daughter of John Pitman of Alphington (Devon), born at Stoodleigh, 1 July 1749. Apprenticed to Henry Hitson of Exeter, grocer, 1766. An officer in the Devonshire militia (Capt., 1790) and the Bicton Gentlemen and Yeomanry Cavalry (Capt., 1800). DL for Devon, 1791. He married, 3 February 1801 at Rockbeare, Ann Falkingham Burke (1765-1822), daughter of Henry Fisher and widow of William Sloane (d. 1797)*, but had no issue.

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his father in 1797, and was probably responsible for the extensive remodelling of the house. At his death he left his property to his widow for life and then to her eldest son by her first marriage, on condition that he took the name and arms of Bidgood.

He was buried at Rockbeare, 15 January 1813; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 November 1813. His widow died in 1822; her will was proved in the PCC, 23 October 1822.

* William Sloan and Ann Fisher were married, 30 July 1785 in St Michael's (Barbados), and had issue two sons and two daughters.

Sloane (later Bidgood), Henry Fisher (1788-1851). Elder son of William Sloane (d. 1797) and his wife Ann Falkingham Burke, daughter of Henry Fisher, born in Tobago, 1788. He took the name and arms of Bidgood under the terms of his stepfather's will on inheriting the Rockbeare Court estate from his mother in 1822. He married, 6 October 1821 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Sarah (1793-1890), eldest daughter of Thomas Porter of Rockbeare House, and had issue:

(1) Charles Henry Bidgood (1823-84), born 22 January and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), 22 April 1823; inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his father in 1851, but sold the contents in 1870 and let the house, moving to live with his sister in London; died unmarried and without issue, at his sister's house in London, 14 July, and was buried at Rockbeare, 18 July 1884; his will was proved 16 October 1884 (effects £997);

(2) Sarah Ann Bidgood (1824-93), baptised at Rockbeare, 4 September 1824; married, 10 December 1844 at Rockbeare, Lt-Col. Francis Dermott Daly (c.1797-1857) of Gatcombe House (IoW), son of Francis Daly, and had issue one daughter; lived latterly at Queen's Gate, Kensington (Middx) and Winscott, Beer (Devon), where she died, 19 December, and was buried at Rockbeare, 22 December 1893; will proved 24 January 1894 (effects £1,974);

(3) Harriette Eliza Bidgood (1826-40), baptised at Rockbeare, 29 April 1826; died young, 12 April, and was buried at Rockbeare, 18 April 1840, where she is commemorated on her father's monument;

(4) Thomas Edward Bidgood (1827-1901) (q.v.); 

(5) Christina Bidgood (1829-30), baptised at Rockbeare, 3 November 1829; died in infancy and was buried at Rockbeare, 28 January 1830.

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate and the John plantation in Demerara (Guyana) from his mother in 1822, but he evidently sold the latter in his lifetime. His wife inherited £30,000 from her father in 1815.

He died at Teignmouth (Devon), 3 July, and was buried at Rockbeare, 10 July 1851, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 18 August 1851. His widow died aged 97 and was buried at All Hallows on the Walls, Exeter, 19 March 1890.

Bidgood, Thomas Edward (1827-1901). Younger son of Henry Fisher Sloane (later Bidgood) (1788-1851), and his wife Sarah, eldest daughter of Thomas Porter of Rockbeare House (Devon), baptised at Rockbeare, 12 August 1827. An officer in the army (Ensign, 1844; Lt., 1847). He married, 4 August 1859 at Nether Wallop (Hants), Emily Anna Maria (1833-1915), daughter of Rev. Walter Blunt (d. 1868) of Wallop House, and had issue:

(1) Harry Walter Bidgood (1860-1916) (q.v.);

(2) Isabel Sarah Bidgood (1862-1946), born 21 July and baptised at Nether Wallop, 31 August 1862; died unmarried, 19 July 1946; will proved 10 October 1946 (estate £10,740);

(3) Marion Christina Bidgood (1864-1934), born 17 February and baptised at Nether Wallop, 3 April 1864; died unmarried, 14 December 1934; will proved 2 March 1935 (estate £12,026);

(4) Thomas Edward Wingfield Bidgood (1866-1952), born 5 March and baptised at Nether Wallop, 29 April 1866; educated at Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; army officer (Lt., 1884; Capt., 1894; Maj., 1903; retired 1909 and did not return to service in First World War*); married 1st, about 1892, Jessie Eliot (c.1861-1919), daughter of William Ferguson of Forres (Morays), and had issue one son and four daughters; married 2nd, Jul-Sept. 1921, Glory Barrington Nash (1892-1949); died 28 February 1952; will proved 10 November 1952 (estate £176).

He lived at Gatcombe and later Shanklin (IoW). He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his elder brother in 1884, but continued to let it. 

He died 12 January and was buried at Rockbeare, 18 January 1901; his will was proved 8 March 1901 (estate £8,855). His widow died in Richmond (Surrey), 21 January 1915; her will was proved 1 April 1915 (estate £1,439).

* Official records give the reason for his retirement as 'insane', but his retirement appears to have been occasioned by a polo accident in 1908 in which he suffered severe concussion, and perhaps some brain damage; he was placed on sick leave for twelve months and subsequently retired. He may have separated from his first wife before her death as in 1919 she was living in Dover (Kent) and he was farming in Co. Sligo. His second wife was confined in the Kent County Mental Hospital at Chartham (Kent) by 1939, and the later references to him show him living in rented accommodation or as a boarder with agricultural labourers; a sad life.

Bidgood, Harry Walter (1860-1916). Elder son of Thomas Edward Bidgood (1827-1901) and his wife Emily Anna Maria, daughter of Rev. Walter Blunt of Wallop House (Hants), born 6 December 1860 and baptised at Nether Wallop, 27 January 1861. An officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1881; retired 1882). He emigrated to America in about 1887, where he became bookkeeper for a land fraudster called N.C. Fredericksen, with whom he was charged for conspiracy to defraud, although in the absence of Fredericksen (who disappeared) the matter seems never to have come to trial; he later settled as a farmer at Springfield, Minnesota. In about 1904 he returned to England. He volunteered for a territorial regiment at the outbreak of the First World War and was given a commission (Capt., 1916). 'A man of great energy and industry', he was a keen cricketer and tennis player. He married, 14 October 1891 at Windom, Minnesota (USA), Zoe (c.1862-1938), daughter of Richard Harrison of Scarthorpe (Yorks) and Hackthorpe (Cumbld.), and had issue:

(1) Beatrice T. Bidgood (b. 1893), born in Minnesota, 11 May 1893*; probably died young;

(2) Marjorie Emily Theodora Bidgood (1893-1982), born in Minnesota, 5 November 1893*; emigrated to Zimbabwe; married, 21 August 1919 at Partney (Lincs), Capt. Frank Frederick Shipster (1895-1964), only son of Harry Reginald Shipster, and had issue three sons and one daughter; died at Bulawayo (Zimbabwe), 8 August 1982.

He inherited the Rockbeare Court estate from his father in 1901, but continued to let the house. He lived about from about 1887 until about 1904, when he settled in Lincolnshire, first at Boothby Hall and later at Partney Grange (Lincs). The Rockbeare Court estate was broken up and sold after his death, in 1917-18.

He died of heart failure after an attack of influenza at Partney Grange (Lincs), 26 December 1916, and was buried at Gunby (Lincs), 2 January 1917; his will was proved 27 February 1917 (estate £33,011). His widow died in 1938.

* The dates of birth cannot both be correct. I can find only Beatrice in the Minnesota birth records and only Marjorie in subsequent ones, so I wonder if it is possible that there was only one child, and the parents informally changed her name, perhaps on their return to England? At the time of her marriage, Marjorie was the 'only daughter' of her parents.

Principal sources

ODNB article on Dr. John Bidgood (1624-91);

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1141391?section=official-list-entry;

https://practitioners.exeter.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Devon-medics.pdf

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Argent, on a chief engrailed azure, a tortoise proper.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide further information about the ownership of Rockbeare Court in the late 20th century?
• 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 5 December 2025.

(618) Biddulph of Elmhurst Hall, Westcombe Park and Birdingbury Hall, baronets

Biddulph of Elmhurst

This family stems from the Biddulphs of Biddulph Old Hall (Staffs), of whom I have previously given an account. The genealogy below begins with Simon Biddulph (c.1517-80), who is usually said to have been the younger brother of Sir Richard Biddulph of Biddulph Old Hall, although his dates suggest that he is more likely to have been Sir Richard's son, and thus the brother of the Richard Biddulph (d. c.1553), with whom I began the genealogy of the Old Hall family. Simon was a mercer in Lichfield, and thrice senior bailiff (mayor) of that city. In 1571 he purchased an estate at Elmhurst, about a mile and half north of the city, which passed at his death in 1580 to his son, Simon Biddulph (c.1550-1632). The younger Simon was also a merchant in Lichfield and, like his father, was three times senior bailiff. His eldest surviving son was Michael Biddulph (1580-1658), who paid a fine to avoid knighthood in 1626 and was granted a coat of arms in 1635. He evidently held Puritan religious views and sided with Parliament in the Civil War, serving as MP for Lichfield from 1646-48, although he was excluded after Pride's Purge for reasons which are unclear. Michael had a large family, several of whom died young, and his heir and successor was another Michael Biddulph (1610-66), who, after serving with the army in Ireland, intended to join the Royalist army in England but was dissuaded from doing so by his family and friends. He may have begun building a new house at Elmhurst Hall before his death, when he left his servant (and presumed mistress), Elizabeth Amos, a life interest in it. Elizabeth was bought out by his affronted brother, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), kt. and 1st bt., a London merchant and alderman, who had served as MP for the city of London under the Commonwealth and who was MP for Lichfield from 1661-79.

Sir Theophilus was the man whose career and wealth elevated the family from being provincial minor gentry to the greater gentry and a baronetcy. A silk merchant and mercer, he amassed a considerable fortune from trade during the Civil War and was a member of the East India Company by 1647. Although he deliberately avoided aldermanic status - and thus the Lord Mayoralty - he was elected to represent the city of London in Parliament in 1656. Although a supporter of the Parliamentary cause in the Civil War, he seems to have been a moderate in politics, and he was one of the city commissioners sent to wait on Charles II at The Hague in May 1660, where he was knighted. After the restoration of the monarchy he gave evidence for the prosecution at the trial of the regicide, Thomas Scot. He was returned as MP for Lichfield in 1661 and raised to a baronetcy in 1664. Already by 1652 he had begun to invest in land, buying the Westcombe Park estate at Greenwich in that year, and after 1660 he purchased additional manors and lands in the Lichfield area to augment the Elmhurst estate. If Elmhurst Hall had not already been rebuilt by his brother, it was constructed soon after he inherited the estate.

Sir Theophilus had a large family but only two surviving sons, both of whom were educated as gentlemen at university. The elder, Sir Michael Biddulph (1654-1718), 2nd bt., inherited the Elmhurst estate, while Westcombe Park was left jointly to Sir Michael and the younger son, Simon Biddulph (1660-1736). In 1687 Simon purchased the Birdingbury Hall estate in Warwickshire, and in 1709 he sold his moiety of Westcombe Park to his brother. He played an active part in politics, sitting as MP for Lichfield intermittently between 1679 and 1710, and no doubt divided his time between Elmhurst Hall and Westcombe Park, although he probably also had a house nearer to Westminster. He married twice, although his only surviving son was the product of his first marriage. At his death in 1718, he left Westcombe Park to his widow (who sold it in 1724) and only Elmhurst Hall descended to his son, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1683-1743), 3rd bt. Sir Theophilus had strongly Whig political views and early in 1713 he became involved in a dispute about the Sacheverell affair with Henry Pine MP, which led to a duel in which Pine was killed and Biddulph seriously wounded. Sir Theophilus was tried for murder but convicted only of manslaughter and there is no record of his suffering any condign punishment, but perhaps because of this episode he did not pursue a political career, but lived in retirement at Elmhurst, where he created a walled garden in which to pursue his botanical interests. He was married, but had no children, so at his death the baronetcy and Elmhurst Hall passed to his second cousin, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt., the grandson of Simon Biddulph (1660-1736).

The 4th baronet subsequently inherited Birdingbury Hall (Warks) on the death of his grandmother in 1755, but even before then he had determined to make his home in Warwickshire, buying land near to Birdingbury at Frankton, Napton-on-the-Hill, Stockton and elsewhere. In 1754 he also obtained a private Act of Parliament allowing him to sell the Elmhurst estate, although the sale was not actually achieved until 1765. He does not seem to have lived at Birdingbury - which had an old-fashioned Jacobean house that may have been let - and in 1781 was resident at Stockton. After his death, his widow and unmarried sisters moved to Southampton, while his heir, his son Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1757-1841), 5th bt., lived in various rented houses around Banbury (Oxon) and later at Nursling (Hants), so presumably Birdingbury continued to be let. On his death the estate passed to his eldest son, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1785-1854), 6th bt., who was High Sheriff of Warwickshire in 1849-50. His son, Sir Theophilus William Biddulph (1830-83), 7th bt., does seem to have lived at Birdingbury, but in 1859 the house suffered a serious fire in which one wing was completely gutted. The damage was quickly repaired, but the architect who had undertaken the repairs was then engaged to remodel the rest of the house, creating the building that exists today. The 7th baronet suffered latterly from poor health and went to live abroad, where he died at the young age of 53. His only son, Sir Theophilus George Biddulph (1874-1948), 8th bt., was orphaned when his mother died in 1889, and was raised subsequently by his uncle, Sir William Biddulph Parker (1824-1902), 2nd bt., at Blackbrook House, Fareham (Hants). Although he married in 1907, he had no issue, and he went to live at a house called Pavilion at Melrose (Roxb.) in Scotland, which he had inherited from his mother's family. In 1914 he sold the Birdingbury estate. At his death in 1948 the baronetcy passed to a distant kinsman in Australia and Pavilion passed to his widow, being sold after her death in 1969.

Elmhurst Hall, Lichfield, Staffordshire

A manorial estate based on Elmhurst may have been created by the later 12th century, but little is known about the property until the beginning of the 16th century, when it was held by William Clerkson (d. 1501). By 1571 the estate had passed to Simon Biddulph (d. 1580), a Lichfield mercer who was several times bailiff of the city, though he and his successors may not have been resident until the time of Michael Biddulph (1580-1658), who was granted a coat of arms in 1635 and served as MP for Lichfield in 1646 and 1648. In 1658 the house apparently contained only a hall, parlour, dining room, and four or five chambers, but it was rebuilt soon afterwards, perhaps by Michael's son, another Michael Biddulph (1610-66), who was taxed on 12 hearths in that year, although Stebbing Shaw says the rebuilding was the work of Michael's brother, Sir Theophilus Biddulph, who succeeded him. Plot describes it as "one of the chief seats of the family, and as uniform, splendid, and commodious, a building, as most in the county", and provides an engraving of the entrance front by Burghers, in gratitude for 'favours received', which Stebbing Shaw says were for promoting the publication of Plot's book.

Elmhurst Hall: engraving of the entrance front from Robert Plot's Natural History of Staffordshire (1686).

The new house, three storeys high with a parapeted roof, was seven bays wide, with the three central bays projecting and having a centrepiece in Artisan Mannerist style. The new house stood on a platform backed by walls, and along the front there was a balustraded terrace with steps down to what was presumably a lawn or pasture ground. In 1744, when it was advertised to let, the ground floor consisted of a hall, three parlours, a drawing room, and a servants' hall.

Francis Perceval Eliot, who acquired the estate in 1790, had moved to Lichfield by 1800, and demolished the house in 1806, when the house was 'now taking down' and the building materials were offered for sale. A new house was built after 1808 for John Smith, which was of brick with stone dressings, in an Elizabethan style. It had a gabled front of seven bays and an off-centre entrance porch. It was probably on the same alignment as the former house, facing north-east, and there was a haha in front of it. 

Elmhurst Hall: engraving of the house built c.1808, made in 1874.

The new house had more generous accommodation: a sale notice in the mid 19th century recorded it as "perhaps one of the strongest-built houses in the kingdom, [containing] the following rooms : the hall 42 feet by 24; library 21 by 18, breakfast room 22 by 21; drawing room 28 by 18, dining parlour 34 by 24, and two other rooms on the ground floor; all 14 feet high. Five large bedrooms, with dressing-rooms, on the first floor, 12 feet high ; eleven very good atticks, &c.; kitchen 42 by 24 and 18 feet high, &c.". In 1894 George Fox let the house to the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland so that they could entertain the Prince of Wales there when he visited Lichfield for the centenary of the Staffordshire Yeomanry, and this led to some publicity for the house, including photographs in The Sketch. 

Elmhurst Hall: entrance front and side elevation in 1894, from The Sketch.

Elmhurst Hall: drawing room at the time of the Prince of Wales' stay in 1894, from The Sketch.

Fox died of an infection while staying in London during the Sutherlands' tenancy, and the house was subsequently sold to Henry Mitchell, a partner in the Smethwick brewery, Mitchell & Butlers, who let it. After his death, his executors made efforts to sell the property in 1918, but failed, and it was demolished in 1921. The site, including a surviving stable block, was sold to a local farmer, who converted the stables to form a new farmhouse. The other major surviving feature on the site is a large walled garden, south of the site of the house, which existed by the 1740s and was probably created for the 4th Biddulph baronet, who had horticultural and botanical interests. In 1808 it included a hot house and a greenhouse. In the later 18th century the hall was approached from the west along a drive from Tewnals Lane, where a small lodge existed by 1832. High Field Lodge south of the hall was built in the mid 1870s, and survives today.

Descent: William Clerkson (d. 1501); to son, John Clerkson (d. 1533); to son, Richard Clerkson (d. 1552); to daughter Anne, later wife of Humphrey Everard, who was dispossessed of the estate by her guardian John Otley or his son Thomas Otley; sold by 1571 to Simon Biddulph (d. 1580); to son, Simon Biddulph (c.1550-1632); to son, Michael Biddulph (1580-1658); to son, Michael Biddulph (1610-66); to brother, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), kt. and 1st bt.; to son, Sir Michael Biddulph (1654-1718), 2nd bt.; to son, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1683-1743), 3rd bt.; to second cousin, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt., who sold 1765 to Samuel Swinfen (d. 1770); to brother, Thomas Swinfen (d. 1784); to son, John Swinfen, who sold 1790 to Francis Perceval Eliot (1755-1818), who pulled down the house c.1806 and sold the estate in 1808 to John Smith (d. 1840), who built a new house on the old site; to widow and son, Charles Smith, who sold 1856 to Newton John Lane (d. 1869), whose trustees sold 1874 to George Fox (d. 1894); sold 1895 to Henry Mitchell (d. 1914) of Smethwick, brewer; whose executors failed to sell the hall in 1918 and demolished it in 1921; the estate was sold in 1922 to Joshua Rymond, who sold the site of the house with some 30 acres to Patons & Baldwins, wool manufacturers, who established an angora rabbit farm on the site; sold 1934 to William White; sold 1939 to James Dawson; sold 1956 to Arthur Hollinshead; sold 1962 to Leonard Brookes (fl. 1987). The hall was let to Maj. St George Bowles, 1765-90, and in the 1840s to Isabella, Dowager Lady Cawdor.

Westcombe Park, Greenwich, Kent

The earliest Westcombe Manor House is thought to have stood near the junction of Foyle Road and Westcombe Park Road. Unfortunately, nothing seems to be known of its size or appearance. In the 16th century it was the home of William Lambarde, a lawyer who was the first historian of Kent, but although he mentions Westcombe he does not give any description of it. The Lambardes held it until 1649, when the estate having been sequestered by Parliament, they were obliged to sell this part of it to pay off the fine on the rest. It was sold to Hugh Forth, a London mercer, who in 1652 sold it to Sir Theophilus Biddulph, 1st bt.

In 1724, the 3rd baronet sold the Westcombe estate to Sir Gregory Page of nearby Wricklemarsh Park, who leased it in sections. The Westcombe manor house was leased with about 40 acres in 1725 to Captain Galfridus Walpole (1683-1726), the brother of Sir Robert Walpole, the Prime Minister. On his death the following year, Henry Herbert, 9th Earl of Pembroke took over the lease and built a new house on a different site in 1727-30. This house, which was known as Westcombe House, was described by Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough in terms which make it clear that Lord Pembroke was his own architect, almost certainly in conjunction with Roger Morris, as elsewhere; the house was actually built by William Townsend of Oxford. It stood on a site between today’s Humber Road and Coleraine Road. 

Westcombe Park: the entrance front from an engraving of 1779, after a drawing by Paul Sandby. Image: Royal Academy of Arts.

The house is recorded in a number of views and maps in the 18th and early 19th centuries. These make it clear that the house was built on the crest of a low rise in the park, and had a south-west facing entrance front of three bays, with a basement, piano nobile, and attic. Slightly recessed one-bay wings consisting of a single storey over the basement stood to either side, and a porch with a small room built above it projected from the central bay. The hipped roofs of the wings gave a pedimental feel to the composition, but actually the house was not pedimented on any side.

Westcombe House: drawing by John Charnock (d. 1807) showing the rear elevation of the building,
with the original house on the right and the later wing on the right. Image: Royal Museums Greenwich.

From the rear, the house appeared larger, for a three-storey link with a curiously blank rear wall connected the main block to a three-by-three bay block of three storeys that stood forward of the rear of the house and presumably contained service and guest accommodation. It looks from the disparity of style between the Palladian main block and the rest as though the original modest villa, strongly reminiscent of the house Roger Morris designed at Whitton Place for the Earl of Islay a few years later, was extended by a less skilful designer to make it functional as a house for full-time residence. If so the change was made very early, for the additions seem to be present in a painting by George Lambert in the collection of the Earls of Pembroke at Wilton House (Wilts), which is datable to 1752. The addition was perhaps made when the Duke of Bolton took on the house as a home for his mistress Lavinia (who became his second wife in 1751). The long lease was sold on frequently in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with few of the occupants staying for more than a few years, and there may have been many changes to the building which have gone unrecorded.

Westcombe House: view of the house from the side by George Lambert. The painting is not dated but his pencil sketch of the same scene is dated 1752.

The parish map of 1834 shows the ground plan of the house clearly, and suggests that by that date an additional block had been built at right-angles to the first addition. I have not yet found any illustration which shows this, and would be interested if anyone knows of any 19th century views of the site. The growth of Greenwich suburbs to the north of Westcombe Park and the gradual extension of gravel extraction in the park to the west of the house gradually made the area a less desirable place of residence in the early 19th century, and by 1843 there was only ten years left of the long lease. It stood empty from then until it was demolished - apparently by the Page-Turner family - in 1854. The site was later included in the lands sold for suburban development by the Page-Turner family in 1876.

Descent: John Lambarde (d. c.1550); to son, William Lambarde (1536-1601), historian; to son, Sir Multon Lambarde (1584-1634), kt.; to son, Thomas Lambarde (1615-75), who sold 1649 to Hugh Forth; sold 1652 to Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), 1st bt.; to sons jointly, of whom Sir Michael Biddulph (1654-1718), 2nd bt. bought out his brother in 1709; to widow, Dame Elizabeth Biddulph (d. 1740), who sold 1724 to Sir Gregory Page (c.1695-1775), 2nd bt.; to great-nephew, Sir Gregory Turner (later Page-Turner) (1748-1805), 3rd bt.; to son, Sir Gregory Osborne Page-Turner (1785-1843), 4th bt; to brother, Sir Edward George Thomas Page‑Turner (1789-1846), 5th bt.; to son, Sir Edward Henry Page-Turner (1823-74), 6th bt.; sold after his death 1876 to Midland Land & Investment Corporation Ltd.; sold c.1878 to Westcombe Park Estate Co., which began the process of residential development and sold off the estate in small lots.

The estate was let on a long lease to Capt. Galfridus Walpole (1683-1726); Henry Herbert (1693-1751), 9th Earl of Pembroke; Charles Powlett (1685-1754), 3rd Duke of Bolton; his widow, Lavinia (1708-60), Duchess of Bolton; her son, Rev. Charles Powlett (1728-1809); Robert Clive (1725-74), 1st Baron Clive; Gen. William Henry Kerr (1710-75), 4th Marquess of Lothian; his widow, Caroline Louisa (d. 1778), Marchioness of Lothian; Charlotte Murray (1731-1805), Duchess of Atholl and 8th Baroness Strange; John Halliday (d. 1805), banker; William Petrie (1747-1816); William Holmes MP (1779-1851); and Thomas Brocklebank (d. 1843). The house was unoccupied from his death until its demolition.

Birdingbury Hall, Warwickshire

The house stands next to the tiny Georgian parish church on a low ridge above the River Leam, a little north of the village of Birdingbury (often written as 'Birbury' or 'Burdbury'). The medieval manor house was presumably on the same site, but seems to have been completely replaced by a new U-shaped mansion in the early 17th century, which must have been built for Henry Shuckburgh (d. 1626) or his son John (d. 1644), and which was taxed on 19 hearths in 1666. 

Birdingbury Hall; view by Rev. Thomas Ward, early 19th century. Image: British Library Add. MS. 29264-65.

Birdingbury Hall: the 17th century staircase. Image: Historic England

It is built of stone, and consists of a central hall range with two long, three-bay projecting wings and a central porch decorated with Tuscan columns. It seems that the family rooms were in the south wing and the service accommodation in the north wing. The house is recorded in a number of 18th and early 19th century drawings, which indicate that both the hall block and the wings had hipped roofs and balustraded parapets, and that the ends of the wings had square two-storey bay windows with six-light windows on each floor. Inside, the chief survival from the 17th century is a fine staircase with a thick openwork balustrade and carved finials.

Birdingbury Hall: painting of the house in the late 18th century. Image: Birmingham Museums Trust.

Birdingbury Hall: another painting of the house, 1800. The architectural details appear less trustworthy than in the previous view,
but the Georgian stable block is shown clearly. Image: Birmingham Museums Trust.

In 1742-45, the Staffordshire builder and architect, Richard Trubshaw, carried out work at Birdingbury for Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt. This is thought to have been the building of the brick stable block with its cupola, although it is possible that improvements were made to the house at the same time. The stable block was converted to residential use in about 1979. In 1774-75 the parish church was rebuilt in a charming Georgian style with another cupola, although it was much altered in Victorian times.

Birdingbury Hall: a dramatic artist's impression of the fire that destroyed the north wing in 1859.

On 2 February 1859, a fire broke out in the service wing of the house, and although it was discovered at an early stage the time taken to bring fire engines from Rugby and Southam meant that the north wing was largely gutted before it was brought under control. Happily, the fire was prevented from spreading to the rest of the house, and the property seems to have been fully insured. John Bromwich of Rugby was commissioned to rebuild the damaged portions of the house to the designs of John Croft (1800-65) of Islington (Middx), architect, with work beginning in April 1859. Croft, who was one of the so-called 'rogue architects' who broke through the conventions of Gothic architecture in search of greater stylistic freedom, was obliged to curb his more wayward impulses and to 'keep in keeping' with the Jacobean house. In August 1861 it was reported that 'the west front has been entirely taken down and re-built', but that the hall was to undergo further restoration and renovation, and it is clear from the comparison of pre-fire images of the house with later photographs that the eventual extent of the remodelling encompassed almost the entire house. A Georgian staircase in the house is said to have been removed from Kenilworth Castle (Warks).

Birdingbury Hall: entrance front as restored after the fire, from an old postcard.

Birdingbury Hall: garden front in 1926, from the sale notice for the house.

Images of the house before the fire show the wings projecting by three bays from the front wall of the hall block, but they now project by only two bays, so it would seem that the front wall of the hall was brought forward, and refenestrated with three- and four-light mullioned and transomed windows. The Jacobean porch was entirely removed, and replaced by a single-storey porch with rather more orthodox classical detailing, and the bay windows on the ends of the wings were rebuilt with side-lights. Much of the new work was executed in smooth ashlar, whereas the old walls had been of coursed rubble stone. The back of the house was also extensively rebuilt, with regular cross-windows on the first floor, and mullioned and transomed windows on the ground floor, set between the external chimney stacks. All round the house, new diagonally-set and octagonal chimneys were installed. The south side of the house was perhaps the least altered area, as the two short projecting wings that frame the south front seem to have been little altered. Inside, the house was given many new chimneypieces.

Birdingbury Hall: a panelled room, perhaps the dining room, at the time of the 1926 sale.

Further changes were made to the parish church in 1875, when the roof was raised, new windows were inserted, and a vaulted apse was built by John Cundall of Leamington. Finally, in 1910-11, H.B. Creswell made further alterations to the hall and built a lodge. Soon afterwards, the estate was broken up and sold by Sir Theophilus Biddulph, and over the next twenty-five years the house changed hands frequently, each time with a rather smaller acreage. The house was requisitioned in the Second World War and used to house parts of a Coventry business which had been bombed out of that city in the Blitz, but otherwise it remained in private occupation until 1977, when it was sold to a firm of management consultants who used it as offices and a training centre. The house is still used as offices today, now for a recruitment consultancy.

Descent: Jasper Lake of Gray's Inn; sold 1567 to Henry Goodere of Baginton; sold later the same year to John Shuckburgh (d. 1599) of Napton-on-the-Hill (Warks); to son, Henry Shuckburgh (d. 1626); to son, John Shuckburgh (d. 1644); to son, Thomas Shuckburgh (1621-70), who sold 1658 to Charles Leigh of Leighton Buzzard (Beds); sold 1674 sold to Sir Charles Wheler (c.1620-83), 2nd bt.; to son, Sir William Wheler (1654-1709), 3rd bt., who with his mother sold 1687 to Simon Biddulph (1660-1736); to grandson, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt.; to son, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1757-1841), 5th bt.; to son, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1785-1854), 6th bt.; to son, Sir Theophilus William Biddulph (1830-83), 7th bt.; to son, Sir Theophilus George Biddulph (1874-1948), 8th bt., who sold c.1914; sold 1920 to Lt.-Col. Harry Egerton Norton (1876-1950); sold 1927; sold 1936 to Mrs. Alsagar Pollock; requisitioned in Second World War and sold 1962 to Ashdale Land & Property Co. Ltd; sold 1963 to Quinton Hazell; sold 1977 to a firm of management consultants; sold 1994 to Mr & Mrs Bruce Andrew Whiston.

Biddulph family of Elmhurst Hall, Westcombe Park and Birdingbury Hall, baronets

Biddulph, Simon (c.1517-80). Younger brother, or more probably son, of Sir Richard Biddulph, kt. of Biddulph Old Hall. Mercer in Lichfield; Warden of Lichfield Guild, 1546, and a member of the city corporation by 1553 (Junior Bailiff 1552-53; Senior Bailiff, 1562-63, 1572-73 and 1575-76)*. He evidently had Protestant sympathies, for his wife was one of the women 'who gave comfort to Joyce Lewes of Mancetter (Warks) when she was burnt as a heretic at Lichfield' in 1557. He married Margaret [surname unknown] and had issue including:

(1) Simon Biddulph (c.1550-1632) (q.v.);

(2) Margaret Biddulph (d. 1584); married, 2 January 1570 at St Mary, Lichfield, Michael Lowe (c.1540-93) of Lichfield and Timmor in Fisherwick (Staffs), attorney; buried at St Michael, Lichfield, 1 April 1584.

He purchased the Elmhurst Hall estate in 1571.

He was buried at St Michael, Lichfield, 13 January 1579/80, where he and his wife were commemorated by a monument; his will, proved in 1580, established a charity to provide loans to Lichfield tradesmen. His wife was buried at St Mary, Lichfield, 1 December 1569.

* The office of junior bailiff equated to sheriff; that of senior bailiff to mayor.

Biddulph, Simon (c.1550-1632). Son of Simon Biddulph (d. 1580) and his wife Margaret, born about 1550. Senior Bailiff of Lichfield, 1588-89, 1592-93, 1605-06. He paid a fine of £10 to avoid knighthood, 1626. He probably married 1st, 30 April 1571 at St Michael, Lichfield, Cicely Whatmore, and 2nd, about 1577, Joyce (d. 1635), daughter of Richard Floyer of Uttoxeter (Staffs), and had issue:

(2.1) Simon Biddulph (1578-96), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 17 November 1578; died unmarried and was buried at St Michael, Lichfield, 29 July 1596;

(2.2) Michael Biddulph (1580-1658) (q.v.);

(2.3) Richard Biddulph (b. 1581), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 27 December 1581;

(2.4) Margaret Biddulph (b. 1583), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 7 February 1582/3; died young;

(2.5) George Biddulph (b. 1584), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 17 January 1583/4; possibly the man of this name who married, 12 October 1626 at St Michael Lichfield, Anna Milner; living in 1632;

(2.6) Anthony Biddulph (1585-1651) [for whom see my previous post on the Biddulphs of Ledbury];

(2.7) Humphrey Biddulph (b. 1586), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 28 March 1586;

(2.8) William Biddulph (1587-1661), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 3 January 1587/8; merchant in London; will proved in the PCC, 2 September 1661;

(2.9) John Biddulph (b. 1589), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 14 May 1589;

(2.10) Margaret Biddulph (1591-92), baptised at St Mary, Lichfield, 29 June 1591; died in infancy and was buried at Weeford (Staffs), 25 April 1592.

He inherited Elmhurst Hall from his father in 1581.

He died 26 December 1632, and was buried at St Mary, Lichfield (Staffs); his will, proved in the PCC, 2 January 1632/3, established a charity worth £5 a year to be used for doles for the poor of Lichfield. His first wife must have died before 1577. His widow was buried at St Michael, Lichfield, 5 February 1634/5.

Biddulph, Michael (1580-1658). Second, but eldest surviving, son of Simon Biddulph (d. 1632) and his second wife Joyce, daughter of Richard Floyer, born about 1580. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1598) and Middle Temple (admitted 1599). He obtained a grant of arms in 1635. A Puritan in religion, he was a supporter of Parliament in the Civil War, and was appointed to the County Committee for Staffordshire. MP for Lichfield, 1646-48, but was excluded after Pride's Purge, although what he had done to offend the New Model Army is unclear; JP for Staffordshire c.1647-50. A feoffee of the Lichfield Conduit Lands trust, c.1634-57. At the time of his death his library 'at Elmhurst and Lichfield' was valued at £20. He married, c.1604, Elizabeth (d. 1657), daughter of Sir William Skeffington, 1st bt., of Fisherwick (Staffs), and had issue (with two older sons who died in infancy):

(1) Simon Biddulph (b. 1606), third son*, baptised at Elford (Staffs), 1 July 1606; educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1624);

(2) Elizabeth Biddulph (c.1607-60); married Richard Brandreth (c.1607-58) of Shenstone (Staffs), and had issue at least two sons and one daughter; buried at Shenstone, 1 July 1660;

(3) William Biddulph (1609-16), baptised at Elford, 26 March 1609; died young and was buried at St Michael, Lichfield, 17 January 1615/16;

(4) Michael Biddulph (1610-66), baptised at Elford, 6 November 1610; an officer in the army in Ireland, 1641-43 (Capt.), and intended to join a royalist regiment in the Civil War 'but for the most part his friends were of the puritan party and suddenly called him back'; he inherited Elmhurst Hall from his father in 1657 and was MP for Lichfield, 1660; died unmarried and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 3 November 1666; by his 'base and scandalous' will, proved in the PCC, 9 January 1668/9, he left his servant (and perhaps mistress), Elizabeth Ames, a life interest in the Elmhurst estate, which was bought out by his brother Theophilus;

(5) Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), 1st bt. (q.v.);

(6) George Biddulph; citizen of London;

(7) Anthony Biddulph (c.1619-39), born about 1619; educated at All Souls College, Oxford (matriculated 1635; BA 1638); presumably the man of this name buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 3 March 1638/9;

(8) Joyce Biddulph (fl. 1657); living, unmarried, in 1657;

(9) Richard Biddulph (fl. 1657); living in 1661;

(10) William Biddulph (fl. 1680), youngest son; living, unmarried, in 1680;

(11) Mary Biddulph (b. c.1624); married, 1643 (licence 20 July), John Palmer (b. c.1616) of Temple Hall (Leics), haberdasher, son of William Palmer (d. 1636) of Wanlip Hall (Leics); living in 1666;

(12) Ann Biddulph (fl. 1690?); married 1st, 25 January 1646/7 at St Olave, Old Jewry, London, Peter Birkenhead of London, merchant, partner of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), and had issue at least two sons and two daughters; married 2nd, 28 April 1670 at Coventry (Warks), Sir Thomas Rous (1608-76), 1st bt., of Rous Lench (Worcs); said to have been living in 1690, but death not traced.

He inherited Elmhurst Hall from his father in 1632.

He died 28 January, and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 1 February 1657/8; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 February 1657/8. His wife died 30 August 1657 and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, where she is commemorated by a monument attributed to Thomas Stanton.

* Simon was described as 'third son' on his admission to the Middle Temple. Most of the children were probably baptised at St Chad, Lichfield, for which neither registers nor bishop's transcripts survive before 1635.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus (c.1612-83), kt. and 1st bt. Sixth, but second surviving, son of Michael Biddulph (1580-1658) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Skeffington, 1st bt., of Fisherwick (Staffs), born about 1612. Apprenticed to a London draper, 1628, and was made free of the Draper's Company, 1636 (Liveryman, 1644-50; Assistant, 1654-83; Master, 1657-58). A silkman and mercer by trade, he was a member of the East India Company from 1647 (Committee Member, 1656-57 and 1660-62) and of the New England Company from 1662. He was a member of the Common Council of the City of London, 1654-9, 1660-5, and was auditor of the corporation, 1655-7, but paid a fine to avoid becoming an alderman in 1651. He was one of the city commissioners sent to wait on Charles II at The Hague in May 1660, where he was knighted, 16 June 1660. MP for London, 1656-59 and for Lichfield, 1661-79; JP for Kent, 1660-81, and for Staffordshire, 1668-82?. He was created a baronet, 2 November 1664. He married, 10 May 1641 at Morden (Surrey), with £8,000, Susannah (1621-1702), daughter of Ald. Zachary Highlord of London, skinner, and had issue including:

(1) Zachariah Biddulph (b. & d. 1643), baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 10 April 1643; died in infancy and was buried at St Mary Colechurch, London, 25 December 1643;

(2) Elizabeth Biddulph (1646-1720), born 22 August and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 3 September 1646; married, 29 August 1666 at Charlton (Kent), Sir John Napier (1636-1711), 4th bt. of Luton Hoo (Beds), and had issue eight sons and three daughters; died 9 December 1720 and was buried at Luton, 10 January 1720/1; will proved in the PCC, 14 January 1720/1;

(3) Theophilus Biddulph (1647-50), born 4 October and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 14 October 1647; died young, 20 May 1650 and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, where he was commemorated by a monument;

(4) Susannah Biddulph (1648-1722), born 14 October and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 24 October 1648; married, 24 January 1670, Sir Edward Littleton (c.1632-1709), 2nd bt., of Pillaton Hall, Penkridge (Staffs); died 25 August 1722 and was buried at Penkridge; will proved in the PCC, 20 May 1723;

(5) Mary Biddulph (1649-1725?), born 6 October and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, 16 October 1649; married 1st, 29 April 1672 at St Alphege, Greenwich, as his second wife, George Vannam (1641-87) of London, merchant; married 2nd, January 1696/7 at Bridewell Chapel, London, Walter Ryon; possibly the 'Mary Ryon' buried at St Bartholomew-by-the-Exchange, London, 22 November 1725;

(6) Sir Michael Biddulph (1654-1718), 2nd bt. (q.v.);

(7) Theophilus Biddulph (1656-73), born 18 February and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 3 March 1655/6; died young and was buried in the Mercers' Chapel at St Mary Colechurch, London, 23 July 1673;

(8) John Biddulph (d. 1674), birth not traced; died young and was buried in the Mercers' Chapel at St Mary Colechurch, London, 27 March 1674;

(9) Simon Biddulph (1660-1736) (q.v.);

(10) Rachel Biddulph (1663-89), baptised at Greenwich (Kent), 19 May 1663; married, 28 September 1685, as his second wife, Sir William Bassett MP (1628-93) of Claverton (Som.), but had no issue; buried at Claverton, 23 March 1688/9.

He purchased Westcombe Park, Greenwich in 1650 and Frodshall manor (Staffs), c.1660 before inheriting Elmhurst Hall from his elder brother in 1666. Later he acquired the manors of Lapley and Aston (Staffs) and Frankton (Warks). Either he or his brother rebuilt Elmhurst Hall. At his death Elmhurst passed to his eldest son and Westcombe was left jointly to his two sons.

He died 11 April, and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 14 April 1683; his will was proved 8 May 1683. His widow, who is said to have been the inspiration for the character Lady Bountiful in George Farquhar's play The Beaux's Stratagem, was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 17 November 1702; her will was proved in the PCC, 13 November 1702, and includes remarkably detailed provision for the payment of her children's debts and for many charitable bequests.

Biddulph, Sir Michael (1654-1718), 2nd bt. Third, but eldest surviving, son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), 1st bt., and his wife Susannah, daughter of Ald. Zachary Highlord of London, born 6 May and baptised at St Mary Colechurch, London, 18 May 1654. Educated at St Paul's School, London, and Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1670); Whig MP for Lichfield, 1679-81, 1689-90, 1695-1705 and 1708-10; JP and DL for Staffordshire (from 1689) and JP for Kent, 1716-18. He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, April 1683. He married 1st, with £8,000, 31 December 1673 in Westminster Abbey (Middx), Henrietta Maria (d. 1689), daughter of Col. Roger Whitley of London and Peele Hall (Ches.), and 2nd, 7 March 1697/8 at Battersea (Surrey), Elizabeth (d. 1740), daughter of William Doyley of Westminster, milliner, and had issue:

(1.1) Charlotte Biddulph (1680-1736), baptised at St Helen, Bishopsgate, London, 1 October 1680; died unmarried and was buried at Wargrave, 25 May 1736;

(1.2) Susannah Biddulph (1682-1743), baptised at Tarvin (Ches.), 21 April 1682; died unmarried and was buried at St Peter, Petersham, 5 August 1743;

(1.3) Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1683-1743), 3rd bt. (q.v.);

(1.4) Roger Biddulph (d. 1686), baptism not traced, but probably died in infancy and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 5 April 1686;

(1.5) Mary Biddulph (1686-1713), baptised at St Chad, Lichfield, 11 September 1686; died unmarried and was buried at St. Alphege, Greenwich (Kent), 17 May 1713;

(2.1) Annabella or Arabella Biddulph (1699-1739), baptised at Wargrave, 28 September 1699; married, 26 February 1731/2 at St Anne, Soho, Westminster (Middx), Thomas Young, and had issue two sons and two daughters; buried at Wargrave, 5 July 1739; will proved in the PCC, 9 June 1740;

(2.2) Sarah Biddulph (b. 1700), baptised at Wargrave (Berks), 24 November 1700; probably died young;

(2.3) Bridget Biddulph (b. 1701), baptised at Wargrave (Berks), 1 January 1701/2; married, 8 May 1740 at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), as his second wife, Harry Leigh of Cheshunt (Herts); death not traced;

(2.4) John Biddulph (1703-04), baptised at Wargrave, 19 August 1703; died in infancy and was buried at Wargrave, 10 January 1703/4.

He inherited Elmhurst Hall and a moiety of Westcombe Park from his father in 1683, and purchased the other moiety from his brother in about 1709. At his death Elmhurst passed to his son but Westcombe was bequeathed to his widow, who sold it in 1724.

He died 20 April and was buried at Greenwich (Kent), 1 May 1718; his will was proved 26 May 1719. His first wife was buried in Westminster Abbey, 15 October 1689. His widow died at Sonning (Berks) in April 1740; her will was proved in the PCC, 13 May 1740.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus (1683-1743), 3rd bt. Elder son of Sir Michael Biddulph (1654-1718), 2nd bt., and his first wife, Henrietta Maria, daughter of Col. Roger Whitley, baptised at St Chad, Lichfield, 15 April 1683. In February 1712/13 he became involved in a political argument with Henry Pine MP which led to a duel in which he was wounded but Pine was killed. He and his seconds were tried for murder but found guilty only of manslaughter; their punishment is unknown. He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, 20 April 1718. He was a noted gardener and plant collector, specialising in auriculas and carnations, and probably created the large walled garden behind the house at Elmhurst Hall; his plant collection was dispersed at auction after his death. He married, 24 September 1702 at Sutton-on-the-Hill (Derbys), Carew (1676-1741), fifth daughter of Sir Charles Lyttleton, 3rd bt., of Frankley (Worcs), but had no issue.

He inherited Elmhurst Hall from his father in 1718.

He died 16 May 1743, when his estates and baronetcy passed to his second cousin, Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt., and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 18 May 1743; his will was proved at Lichfield, 25 July 1743. His wife died 18 April and was buried at Brewood (Staffs), 21 April 1741.

Biddulph, Simon (1660-1736). Sixth, and younger surviving, son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (c.1612-83), 1st bt., and his wife Susannah, daughter of Ald. Zachary Highlord of London, born 4 December and baptised at St Lawrence Jewry, London, 27 December 1660. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1677) and Middle Temple (admitted 1678). JP for Warwickshire; a trustee of Rugby School, 1712-36. He married, 28 February 1681/2 at Norton Canes (Staffs), Jane (1661-1755), daughter of Edward Birch (1635-1704) of Leacroft Hall, Cannock (Staffs), barrister-at-law, and had issue:

(1) Theophilus Biddulph (1685-1703), baptised at Frankton (Warks), 9 June 1685; educated at Rugby (admitted 1692) and University College, Oxford (matriculated 1702); died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 10 November 1703;

(2) Edward Biddulph (1686-1730) (q.v.);

(3) John Biddulph (1687-1772), baptised at Birdingbury, 30 December 1687; educated at Rugby (admitted 1693); married 1st, his first cousin, Jane (d. 1729), daughter of Thomas Birch of Leacroft (Staffs), and 2nd, 10 June 1736 at Budbrooke (Warks), Mary (d. 1772), daughter of Andrew Murcott of Cubbington (Warks); buried at Cannock, 22 April 1772; will proved in the PCC, 12 June 1772;

(4) Thomas Biddulph (b. & d. 1689), baptised at Birdingbury, 9 August 1689; died in infancy and was buried at Birdingbury, 16 August 1689;

(5) Susannah Biddulph (1690-1768), baptised at Birdingbury, 16 September 1690; died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 12 February 1768;

(6) William Biddulph (b. & d. 1692), baptised at Birdingbury, 30 January 1691/2; died in infancy and was buried at Birdingbury, 1 February 1691/2;

(7) Rev. Michael Biddulph (1693-1727), baptised at Birdingbury, 25 May 1693; educated at Rugby (admitted 1700) Hart Hall, Oxford (matriculated 1709), and Magdalen College, Oxford (BA 1713; MA 1716); ordained priest, 1717; rector of Ripple, 1719-27 and vicar of Blockley (Worcs, now Glos), 1724-27; canon of Lichfield Cathedral, 1727; married, 15 April 1725 at Hartlebury Castle (Worcs), Elizabeth (1700-59?), daughter of James Stillingfleet (1674-1746), and had issue one daughter (Jane (1726-1818), who married Sir Theophilus Biddulph, 4th bt.); buried at Cannock, 2 September 1727;

(8) Jane Biddulph (1694-1770), baptised at Birdingbury, 2 August 1694; died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 25 January 1770;

(9) Mary Biddulph (1696-1742), baptised at Birdingbury, 19 March 1695/6; died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 7 September 1742;

(10) Charles Biddulph (1697-1752), of Rugby (Warks), baptised at Birdingbury, 6 December 1697; educated at Rugby (admitted 1704); married, 12 April 1743 at Barby (Northants), Judith Holyoake (d. 1762), but had no issue; buried at Birdingbury, 8 November 1752; will proved in PCC, 3 February 1753, by which he left £500 for the rebuilding of the parish church at Birdingbury;

(11) Anne Biddulph (1699-1760), baptised at Birdingbury, 19 March 1698/9; married, 8 May 1744 at Birdingbury, John Byrche (d. 1745), third son of Thomas Birch of Leacroft, but had no issue; buried at Birdingbury, 6 August 1760;

(12) Frances Biddulph (1701-02), baptised at Birdingbury, 7 January 1700/1; buried at Birdingbury, 26 September 1702;

(13) Margaret Biddulph (1702-69), baptised at Birdingbury, 17 March 1701/2; died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 5 January 1769;

(14) Walter Biddulph (1705-75), of Sutton-in-Ashfield (Notts) and Barton-under-Needwood (Staffs), born 18 July and baptised 18 August 1705; educated at Rugby (admitted 1718); married, 24 September 1745 at Radford (Notts), Mary (d. 1779), daughter of John Adcock (d. 1746) of Shenstone (Staffs) and had issue three sons (from the youngest of whom descend the 9th and later Biddulph baronets) and three daughters; buried 20 August 1775.

He purchased Birdingbury Hall in 1687 and inherited a moiety of Westcombe Park from his father in 1683, but sold the latter to his elder brother in about 1709.

He died 19 October and was buried at Birdingbury, 22 October 1736; his will was proved in the PCC, 29 November 1736. His widow died aged 94 and was buried at Birdingbury, 15 August 1755.

Biddulph, Edward (1686-1730). Eldest son of Simon Biddulph (1660-1736) and his wife Jane, daughter of Edmund Birch, barrister-at-law, born 20 October and baptised at Frankton (Warks), 26 October 1686. Educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1702) and Middle Temple (admitted 1703). He married, 29 January 1718 at Cannock (Staffs), his first cousin, Anne (1697-1756), eldest daughter of Edward Birch of Leacroft, and had issue:

(1) Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt. (q.v.);

(2) Jane Biddulph (1721-52), baptised at Sutton Coldfield (Warks), 24 July 1721; died unmarried and was buried at Sutton Coldfield, 31 August 1752;

(3) Edward Biddulph (b. 1723), baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 11 July 1723; of Clement's Inn; attorney in Nottingham; living in 1757 but death not traced;

(4) Lt-Col. John Biddulph (1725-98), born 13 February and baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 25 February 1724/5; an officer in the army (Lt., 1746; Capt, 1756; Maj., 1760; Lt-Col., 1763; retired 1775); subject of a published engraving; married and had issue at least two sons; buried at Kenilworth (Warks), 9 June 1798;

(5) Anne Biddulph (1726-99), baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 10 May 1726; married, 8 April 1760 at Brighton (Sussex), Rev. James Stafford (c.1715-94), rector of Farthinghoe (Warks), 1770-94 and vicar of Penkridge (Staffs), and had issue at least one son; died at Bitterley (Shrops.), 1 January 1799; will proved 28 February 1799;

(6) Michael Biddulph (b. 1727), baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 5 October 1727; probably died young as he is not mentioned in his mother's will;

(7) William Biddulph (1729-63), baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 23 September 1729; an officer in the Marines (Lt., 1757); will proved in the PCC, 2 February 1763;

(8) Charles Biddulph (1731-47), born posthumously and baptised at Sutton Coldfield, 2 January 1730/1; died young and was buried at Sutton Coldfield, 9 November 1747.

He died in the lifetime of his father, and was buried at Sutton Coldfield, 29 April 1730; his will was proved at Lichfield, 20 April 1732. His widow was also buried at Sutton Coldfield, 16 June 1756; her will was proved in the PCC, 28 July 1756.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus (1719-98), 4th bt. Eldest son of Edward Biddulph (1686-1730) and his wife Anne, eldest daughter of Edward Birch of Leacroft, baptised at Sutton Coldfield (Warks), 8 December 1719. Educated at University College, Oxford (matriculated 1736). He succeeded his second cousin as 4th baronet, 16 May 1743. A trustee of Rugby School, 1765-98. He married, 9 September 1748 at Hartlebury (Worcs), his first cousin, Jane (1726-1818), only child of his uncle, the Rev. Michael Biddulph, prebendary of Lichfield, and had issue:

(1) Jane Biddulph (1749-72), baptised at Lichfield Cathedral, 17 August 1749; died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 18 September 1772;

(2) Ann Biddulph (1753-54), baptised at Lichfield Cathedral, 9 March 1753; died in infancy and was buried at St Chad, Lichfield, 4 March 1754;

(3) Susannah Biddulph (1755-1838), baptised at Lichfield Cathedral, 26 June 1755; died unmarried and was buried at All Saints, Southampton (Hants), 24 August 1838; will proved in the PCC, 11 September 1838;

(4) Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1757-1841), 5th bt. (q.v.);

(5) Elizabeth Biddulph (1758-1835), born 12 November and baptised at Birdingbury, 17 November 1758; died unmarried and was buried at St Mary Extra (the Jesus Chapel, Peatree Green) Southampton, 10 February 1835; will proved in the PCC, 28 February 1835;

(6) Charlotte Mabella Biddulph (1762-1820), born 8 April and baptised at Birdingbury, 10 April 1762; died unmarried and was buried at All Saints, Southampton, 25 December 1820;

(7) John Biddulph (b. & d. 1763), born 16 November and baptised at Birdingbury, 17 November 1763; died in infancy and was buried at Birdingbury, 30 December 1763;

(8) Rev. John Biddulph (1764-1826), born 30 October and baptised at Birdingbury, 31 October 1764; educated at Rugby (admitted 1776) and University College, Oxford (matriculated 1785; BCL 1792); ordained deacon and priest, 1791; rector of Birdingbury, 1791-1826 and Frankton (Warks), 1805-26, where he built a new rectory house c.1820; inherited the manors and advowson of Frankton from his father in 1798; married, 26 September 1800 at Leamington Hastings (Warks), Sophia (1778-1863), daughter of Rev. Sir Charles William Wheler (1730-1821), 7th bt., and had issue five sons and four daughters; died 16 January and was buried at Birdingbury, 23 January 1826; administration of goods granted to his widow in the PCC, 22 March 1826;

(9) William Biddulph (1766-1807), born 16 October and baptised at Birdingbury, 17 October 1766; educated at Rugby (admitted 1778) and University College, Oxford (matriculated 1786); died unmarried and was buried at Birdingbury, 6 May 1807; will proved at Lichfield, 9 October 1807 (effects under £450).

He inherited Elmhurst Hall from his second cousin in 1743 and Birdingbury Hall on the death of his grandmother in 1755. He obtained a private Act of Parliament permitting the sale of the Elmhurst estate in 1754, although the sale was not achieved until 1765. He purchased the manors and advowson of Frankton and Stockton (Warks), and in 1756 also lands at Napton-on-the-Hill. In 1781 he was living at Stockton (Warks). His widow lived latterly at Southampton (Hants) with her unmarried daughters.

He was buried at Birdingbury, 26 March 1798; his will was proved in the PCC, 14 April 1798. His widow died aged 91 on 14 August, and was buried at Birdingbury, 27 August 1818; her will was proved in the PCC, 31 October 1818.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus (1757-1841), 5th bt. Eldest son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1719-98), 4th bt., and his wife Jane, only child of Rev. Michael Biddulph, prebendary of Lichfield, born 12 January and privately baptised at Birdingbury, 13 January 1757. Educated at Rugby (admitted 1765) and University College, Oxford (matriculated 1775). An officer in the Edge Hill Gentlemen and Yeomanry (Lt., 1798). High Sheriff of Warwickshire, 1800-01. A trustee of Rugby School, 1800-41. He succeeded his father as 5th baronet, March 1798. He was noted for his devotion to field sports and hunting of all kinds, and was regarded as a leading scourge of poachers, being chairman of the Southam Association for the Prosecution of Felons. Although never himself a MFH, he kept a pack of harriers for hare hunting and was a notable shot and fisherman. He was also an excellent mechanic, and noted for his skill in turning wood, metal and ivory, and for his inventions, which included an 'artificial pheasant' for deceiving poachers and a humane man trap. He married, 24 January 1785 at East Barnet (Herts), Hannah (c.1755- 1824), daughter of Edward Prestridge of East Barnet, and had issue:

(1) Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1785-1854), 6th bt. (q.v.);

(2) Capt. Charles Biddulph (1786-1815), born 28 December 1786 and baptised at St Mary, Banbury (Oxon), 5 January 1787; educated at Rugby (admitted 1798); brought up under the patronage of Adm. Sir Samuel Hood and became an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1806; Cdr., 1812; Capt., 1815); died unmarried 'of a pulmonary complaint caught in the execution of his duty' off Cochin (India), 22 April 1815, and was buried in the Old Cemetery at Cochin (now Kochi)*;

(3) Lt-Col. Edward Biddulph (1788-1858), baptised at St Mary, Banbury, 4 July 1788; educated at Rugby (admitted 1802); an officer in the East India Company's Bengal army (Cadet, 1805; Lt., 1807; Capt-Lt., 1818; Capt., 1818; Maj., 1834; Lt-Col., 1839; retired, 1846; hon. Col., 1854), appointed CB; married 1st, 14 October 1837 at Bareilly, Louisa (1818-46), daughter of Surgeon-Col. John Kelly, and had issue one son and two daughters; married 2nd, 28 July 1847 at Leamington Priors (Warks), Mary Anne (1823-1903), daughter of Thomas Marriott of Marton (Warks), tailor, and had issue three further daughters; died 3 December 1858; will proved 14 January 1859 (effects under £600);

(4) Charlotte Biddulph (1789-1853), baptised at St Mary, Banbury, 27 July 1789; living in Malta in 1847; died unmarried, 30 September and was buried at Birdingbury, 6 October 1853; will proved in the PCC, 24 February 1854;

(5) Frances Anne Biddulph (1791-1871), born 28 September, and baptised at Arlescote (Warks), 15 November 1791; married, 9 June 1810 at Marton (Warks) or Birdingbury, Admiral Sir William Parker (1781-1866), 1st bt., of Shenstone Lodge (Staffs), and had issue two sons and six daughters; died 9 January 1871 and was buried at Shenstone; administration of goods granted 20 February 1871 (effects under £5,000);

(6) Capt. Simon Biddulph (1793-1823), baptised at Warmington (Warks), 2 October 1793; educated at Rugby (admitted 1804); an officer in the army (Lt., 1811; Capt., 1818); married, 8 September 1821 in Dublin, Anne (b. 1798) (who m2, 1827, James Moilse (1798-1830), of Dublin, solicitor; and m3, 1835 Robert Frederick Grahame), daughter of Francis Harrison Biddulph (1774-1827) of Annaghmore, Co. Offaly, and had issue one daughter; died of tuberculosis, 25 April 1823;

(7) Rev. Henry Biddulph (1796-1867), baptised at Warmington, 2 June 1796; educated at Rugby (admitted 1805), St John's College, Oxford (matriculated 1813) and Magdalen College, Oxford (BA 1817; MA 1819); Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford; ordained deacon, 1819 and priest, 1820; curate of Old Alresford (Hants), 1823-26; rector of Birdingbury, 1826-67 and Standlake (Oxon), 1832-67; married, 1 July 1834 at St Oswald, Chester, Emma Susan (d. 1873), only daughter of John Nuttall of Newton Hall, Chester, and had issue one daughter; died 19 September and was buried at Birdingbury, 25 September 1867; will proved 5 November 1867 (effects under £6,000).

He inherited Birdingbury Hall from his father in 1798 but lived latterly at Nursling (Hants) and at various places in and around Banbury (Oxon).

He died at Ryde (IoW), 30 July, and was buried at Birdingbury, 9 August 1841; his will was proved in the PCC, 17 September 1841. His wife died 20 August and was buried at Birdingbury, 25 August 1824.

* However his monument there gives his date of death as 20 August.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus (1785-1854), 6th bt. Eldest son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1757-1841), 5th bt., and his wife Hannah, daughter of Edward Prestridge, born 28 March, and privately baptised at East Barnet (Herts), 31 March 1785. Educated at Rugby and Oriel College, Oxford. An officer in the army (Cornet, 1805; Lt., 1806; Capt., 1814; retired 1816). He succeeded his father as 6th baronet, 30 July 1841. DL for Warwickshire; High Sheriff of Warwickshire, 1849-50. He was a trustee of Rugby School, 1844-54 and a Vice-President of the Birmingham Music Festival. He married, 12 April 1825 at Wappenbury (Warks), Jane Rebecca (1802-43), daughter of Robert Vyner of Eathorpe (Warks), and had issue:

(1) Laura Biddulph (1826-27), baptised at Wappenbury, 7 June 1826; died in infancy and was buried at Shenstone (Staffs), 31 March 1827;

(2) Jane Constance Biddulph (1828-79), born 16 March 1828 and baptised at Wappenbury, 27 August 1829; married, 6 June 1855 at Stoke Damerel (Devon), Sir William Biddulph Parker (1824-1902), 2nd bt. (who m2, 22 November 1887 at Newborough (Staffs), Kathleen Mary (d. 1917), daughter of Lorenzo Kirkpatrick Hall of Holly Bush and Barton Hall (Derbys) and had issue two sons and one daughter), of Shenstone Lodge (Staffs) and later of Belmont Castle, Meigle (Perths.), but had no issue; died 20 July and was buried at Shenstone, 29 July 1879; administration of goods (with will annexed) granted 13 July 1917 (estate £13,299);

(3) Sir Theophilus William Biddulph (1830-83), 7th bt. (q.v.).

He inherited Birdingbury Hall from his father in 1841.

He died 15 July, and was buried at Birdingbury, 21 July 1854; his will was proved in the PCC, 7 September 1854. His wife died 19 March and was buried at Birdingbury, 27 March 1843.

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus William (1830-83), 7th bt. Only son of Sir Theophilus Biddulph (1785-1854), 6th bt., and his wife Jane Rebecca, daughter of Robert Vyner of Eathorpe (Warks), born 18 January and baptised at Nursling (Hants), 24 January 1830. Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1847; BA 1850). JP and DL for Warwickshire; an officer in the 2nd Warwickshire militia (Capt., 1849; Maj., 1855; retired 1858). He succeeded his father as 7th baronet, 15 July 1854. He married, 18 June 1872 at St Mary, Bryanston Sq., Westminster (Middx), the Hon. Mary Agnes (1837-89), third daughter of Kenelm Somerville (1787-1864), 17th Lord Somerville, and had issue:

(1) Mary Biddulph (1873-95), born 4 April and baptised at Birdingbury, 6 May 1873; died unmarried at Portsea (Hants), 8 January 1895; her will was proved 23 April 1895 (effects £19,424);

(2) Sir Theophilus George Biddulph (1874-1948), 8th bt. (q.v.).

He inherited Birdingbury Hall from his father in 1854 and reconstructed it after a fire in 1859. He lived latterly at Mentone (France). His widow lived at Arnewood, Bournemouth (Hants).

He died at Mentone (France), 1 March, and was buried at Birdingbury, 13 March 1883; his will was proved 13 June 1883 (effects £7,018). His widow died at Southsea (Hants), 16 June, and was buried at Birdingbury, 21 June 1889; her will was proved 23 October 1889 (effects £2,349).

Biddulph, Sir Theophilus George (1874-1948), 8th bt. Only son of Sir Theophilus William Biddulph (1830-83), 7th bt., and his wife the Hon. Mary Agnes,  third daughter of Kenelm Somerville, 17th Lord Somerville, born in France, 3 April, and baptised at St John, Mentone (France), 25 April 1874. He succeded his father as 8th baronet, 1 March 1883, but appears not always to have used the title. He married, 21 September 1907 at Muckamore (Co. Antrim), Eleanor OBE (1877-1969), youngest daughter of Samuel Thompson of Muckamore Abbey (Co. Antrim), but had no issue.

He inherited Birdingbury Hall from his father in 1883, but sold it in 1914. He lived subsequently at Pavilion, Melrose (Roxburghs.), which he inherited from his mother's family.

He died 31 January 1948, when the baronetcy passed to his distant kinsman, Sir Francis Henry Biddulph (1882-1980), 9th bt., a grazier in Australia, whose great-grandson is the present holder of the title; he was cremated at Edinburgh, 3 February 1948 and his will was confirmed in June 1948 (estate £148,754). His widow died aged 92 on 19 August 1969 and her ashes were scattered at Birdingbury.

Principal sources

Burke's Peerage and Baronetage, 2003, pp. 374-75; R. Plot, Natural History of Staffordshire, 1686, p. 30; S. Shaw, The history and antiquities of Staffordshire, vol. 1, pt. 2, 1798, pp. 350-51; VCH Warwickshire, vol. 6, 1951, pp. 37-39; VCH Staffordshire, vol. 14, 1990, pp. 229-37; G. Tyack, Warwickshire Country Houses, 1994, pp. 229-30; S.K. Roberts, The history of Parliament: 1640-60, 2023, vol. 3, pp. 501-04.

Location of archives

Biddulph of Elmhurst: no significant accumulation is known to survive.

Biddulph of Birdingbury: miscellaneous papers, 18th-20th cents [Warwickshire Record Office CR1319]

Coat of arms

Vert an eagle displayed argent armed and langued gules, a canton of the second.

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 25 November 2025 and updated 27 November 2025.