(629) Bingham of Bingham's Melcombe

Bingham of Bingham's Melcombe 

The Bingham family are thought to have originated at Bingham in Nottinghamshire, and to have come to Dorset by way of Sutton Bingham in Somerset. Robert de Bingham (d. 1246), Bishop of Salisbury, was one of the family. They acquired the Bingham's Melcombe estate through the marriage of Robert de Bingham (d. 1295) to Lucy, daughter and heiress of Sir Robert Turberville of Melcombe in the mid 13th century, and remained settled in this quiet valley in the Dorset uplands for more than six hundred years. The medieval generations of the family did little to attract the attention of the historian, and the most prominent was probably Sir John Bingham, a Yorkist who was knighted by Edward IV after the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. The earliest part of the present Bingham's Melcombe house, the gatehouse, may date from his time, but the majority of the building dates from the time of his nephew, Robert Bingham (d. 1524) - with whom the genealogy below begins - and the latter's son, also Robert Bingham (d. 1561), although it was much altered by later generations of the family. The second Robert Bingham had a large family, with eight sons, at least four of whom took to a military life and saw service under Queen Elizabeth I in Ireland. Sir Richard Bingham (c.1528-99), the most senior of them, who was Governor of Connaught for the last fifteen years of his life, was an effective military commander who largely succeeded in keeping the rebellious Burkes in check, through a brutality little tempered by justice or mercy. His younger brother, Sir George Bingham (d. 1599) was the founder of the Irish branches of the Bingham family, later baronets and Earls of Lucan, who will be the subject of future posts.

The Bingham's Melcombe estate passed on the death of Robert Bingham in 1561 to his eldest son, Robert Bingham (d. 1593), who like his brothers spent some time as a soldier in Ireland, although little seems to be known about his career there. He married a daughter of Robert Williams of Herringston near Dorchester and had seven children. His eldest son, Robert Bingham (d. 1587), who predeceased him, married Anne Chaldecott, who brought him Quarleston Hall in Winterbourne Strickland, where they settled, and had an only child, Richard Bingham (c.1586-1656), before Robert's untimely death. Young Richard thus inherited both Quarleston and Bingham's Melcombe before he came of age in about 1607, but he was raised at Quarleston and seems to have made it his principal residence in preference to Bingham's Melcombe. In about 1608, Richard made a socially advantageous marriage to Jane, daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton, kt., of Witham Friary (Som.), and together the couple had at least fourteen children, only one of whom is known to have died young. In 1638-39, he was the first of the family to serve the office of High Sheriff of Dorset, at a time when resistance to the collection of 'ship money' by those opposed to King Charles I's personal rule was making life difficult for the sheriffs responsible for its collection. Richard himself was probably politically in agreement with the ship money objectors, for when the Civil War broke out he seems to have sided with the Parliamentarians. It was left to his eldest son and heir, John Bingham (1610-75), to take an active and prominent part in the revolution, however, as both a military commander in 1642-46 and as a member of successive parliaments thereafter. He was in charge of the Parliamentary force which laid siege to Corfe Castle and plotted to capture it by subterfuge, and he carried away goods (allegedly to the value of £1,000) after it was taken, although he was obliged to return them to the Bankes family after the Restoration. In 1651 he was appointed Governor of Guernsey, and although he did not spent a great deal of time on the island, he was assiduous in bringing the islanders concerns to the attention of the Commonwealth authorities. John must have greeted the Restoration with deep disappointment and resignation. He was abruptly dismissed from all the offices he had held under the Commonwealth, and spent the rest of his life in quiet retirement at Quarleston. Only in 1674 did he return to the public stage, being pricked as High Sheriff for 1674-75, and he died soon after completing his term.

John Bingham left Quarleston to his daughter Grace, but Bingham's Melcombe, which was entailed, passed to his nephew, Richard Bingham (1667-1736), the only son of his younger brother, Strode Bingham (1622-73) of Henstridge (Som.). Richard, who was sent to Oxford University, came of age in 1688 and soon afterwards became an officer in the Dorset militia. He married, in 1695, Philadelphia Potenger, the daughter of a lawyer and Treasury official who was also known as an author and poet, and together they produced thirteen children. He was a Tory in politics, and became an MP, at first for Bridport and later for the county, but neither of his stints in parliament lasted terribly long, and with the eclipse of the Tories after 1714 he did not stand for parliament again. He carried out repairs and improvements at Bingham's Melcombe, which had been neglected for much of the 17th century, and in the 1730s, he was named as one of the commissioners for the rebuilding of Blandford Forum after the devastating fire there.

Richard Bingham's eldest son and heir, Richard Bingham (1698-1755) was educated as a lawyer and was active in his profession, becoming a bencher of the Middle Temple shortly before his death, and being a leading and respected figure among the Dorset justices of the peace. He and his wife had three sons, of whom the youngest is said to have died in India at the age of fourteen, though that seems improbable. His second son, the Ven. William Bingham (1743-1819) of Gaddesden Cottage, entered the church and became vicar of Great Gaddesden (Herts) and Archdeacon of London, 1789-1813; he was succeeded in the former post by his son, Rev. Robert Batt Bingham, who held it until his death in 1872. However, the eldest son and heir to Bingham's Melcombe was Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824), who became the commanding officer of the Dorset militia. With him, the military tradition of the family was revived, and by his two wives he produced five sons, four of whom pursued careers in the regular army or the Royal Navy. His eldest son, Lt-Gen. Richard Bingham (1768-1829) was married but had no children, so on his death the estate passed to his nephew, the Rev. George Bingham (1803-38), who seems to have given up a career in the church on inheriting Bingham's Melcombe. He was married but his only child died in infancy, so at his untimely death in 1838 the estate passed to his brother, Richard Hippisley Bingham (1804-91). He left the army on inheriting the estate, although he subsequently played a leading role in the Dorset militia, ending up as its honorary colonel. He was married but had no issue, so on his death the estate came to his first cousin once removed, Richard Charles William Bingham (1845-1902), who was the last of the family to own Bingham's Melcombe. He seems to have found the house in poor condition, and between 1891 and 1895 he repaired and remodelled it, reputedly at a cost of £3,000. He found, however, that he could not afford to live in it, and in 1895 he sold the house and surrounding land for £4,200. By 1898 he was bankrupt, and he moved, with his large but young family to a cottage at Appledore (Devon). His last years were oppressed by money worries, and he experienced increasing heart trouble, which he unwisely concealed, leading to his sudden death from a heart attack in 1902.

Bingham's Melcombe, Melcombe Horsey, Dorset

A compellingly attractive manor house in the heart of rural Dorset, which belonged to the Bingham family from around 1250 until 1895. The house consists of a completely irregular series of ranges surrounding three sides of a courtyard, with the fourth side closed by a wall, and close scrutiny of the plan and fabric reveals a complex story of development over some six hundred years, although some parts cannot be accurately dated.

Bingham's Melcombe: an early photograph of the house from the south, taken by John Pouncy in 1857.

Bingham's Melcombe: the gatehouse range in 1947. Image: Country Life.

The earliest section seems to be the gatehouse at the south-east corner of the courtyard. This stands at an angle to the rest of the south range, but is now thought to be roughly contemporary with it. Smoke blackening on the roof timbers west of the gatehouse suggests that this may have been the site of an earlier open hall, perhaps with lofted areas at either end. This part has been dated to the 15th century, and the bold triangular-headed entrance arches of the gatehouse would fit reasonably well with that. The windows of the gatehouse block were all altered to sashes set in architraves with keystones in the early 18th century, no doubt at the same time as alterations were made to the hall range in the 1730s.

Bingham's Melcombe: phased plan of the house, c.1970. The western section of the south range is now also believed to be late medieval in origin.
Crown Copyright.

Bingham's Melcombe: the north (hall) range from the courtyard in 2024. 

The hall range, which forms the northern side of the courtyard and stands on a slightly raised terrace, is the part of the house which has been altered the most. Its core seems to date from the early 16th century, when Robert Bingham (d. 1524) may have had a little more money to spend on building than most of his predecessors, but it was probably unfinished when he died. As first built, it may have been open to the roof, but later alterations have made this uncertain. It may also have been an example of an 'end hall' plan with no parlours beyond the dais end of the hall. If so, this soon changed. Robert Bingham (d. 1561), who inherited in 1524, was financially stretched by the scale of his father's legacies and funeral costs, but he later married well and by the 1550s was able to complete work on the hall range and build, or rebuild, most of the west range. An inventory of the house taken after his death in 1561 gives a very clear idea of its layout at this time. The porch, which was cheaply made up from earlier material, led into the low end of the hall, with the kitchen and service rooms to its right, at the east end of the range. 

Bingham's Melcombe: the hall bay in 1977. Image: Nick Kingsley. Some rights reserved.

From the hall opened a large bay, almost a separate room, added in the 1550s when the parlours and newel staircase to its west were also built. The hall bay (often referred to in the literature as an oriel) is the most architecturally distinguished part of the house. It is closely related stylistically to Sir John Horsey's work at Clifton Maybank (some parts of which are preserved at Montacute House (Som.) and elsewhere), and also to work of similar date at Athelhampton Hall and Sandford Orcas Manor House. The whole group is built using Ham Hill stone (here mixed with a silvery grey limestone ashlar) and was no doubt designed by a mason associated with the quarries there. Stained glass in the window of the hall bay at Bingham's Melcombe incorporating the arms of Philip & Mary allows the work here to be closely dated to c.1554-58. The carved details are all executed in the fine Ham Hill stone, and incorporate precocious Renaissance motifs: the coat of arms forming an apron below the first floor window is held by vigorous putti, and its surround involves scrolls, acanthus leaves and voluted corbels and finials to the side-shafts. The side-shafts are carried up, framing the window above, to project higher than the gable, and are echoed by the octagonal angle-shafts at the outer edges of the bay. The shafts have volutes and leaf-bulbs, and the shafts themselves change their section at every stage, a conceit which is also found at Clifton Maybank. Curiously, the decoration is focused on the upper window of the bay, although this now serves only a small chamber of no particular importance. 

Bingham's Melcombe: the overmantel in the gatehouse chamber, photographed in 1947. Image: Country Life.

The next phase of improvements can probably be dated to the time of Richard Bingham (d. 1656), great-grandson of the builder of the hall bay. He was no doubt responsible for the series of Jacobean overmantels around the house, including that in the room over the gatehouse. His most important change was to move the kitchen from its position east of the hall to the south-west corner of the courtyard, and to convert the buildings between the kitchen and the gatehouse into a service range. A little later again, perhaps in the time of his son, John Bingham (1610-75), a small alleyway between the kitchen and the main west range was filled in, and a covered way built along the inner face of the west range to directly link the kitchen and the hall, where meals were evidently still being taken at this time. 

Bingham's Melcombe: the library created in the early 18th century out of the former service rooms in the east range.

In the 18th century, Richard Bingham (1667-1736) converted the former service rooms at the east end of the hall into a smart new bolection-panelled library, added a new staircase hall to the north side of the hall range to provide polite access to the first-floor drawing room, rebuilt the hall porch and installed sash windows in his new rooms and the gatehouse. Richard's son, another Richard Bingham (1698-1755), created a new dining room west of the hall with Rococo plasterwork decoration and a marble fireplace, although since he installed a Jacobean overmantel (perhaps from elsewhere in the house) over the fireplace, his sophisticated room retained a rustic edge.

Bingham's Melcombe: the fireplace wall of the  dining room created in the mid 18th century. Image: Historic England.

Bingham's Melcombe: the window wall of the dining room. Image: Historic England.

In the later 19th century, the Bingham family let the house to tenants, and it may have been showing its age as a result. When Richard Charles William Bingham (1845-1902) inherited the house in 1891, he commissioned a thorough programme of repairs and modernisation from the architect Evelyn Hellicar (1862-1929), which is said to have cost £3,000. His work including rebuilding the north wall of the hall range and completely remodelling the hall. His is the moulded arch separating the hall and hall bay, supported on moulded shafts and foliate capitals which are imitated from the external details of the bay. Since then, the house has seen only minor changes, including the addition of a north porch, incorporating a pedimented Classical doorway dated 1583 from Tyneham House (Dorset), installed here c.1967, and the raising of the east courtyard wall.

Bingham's Melcombe: the hall, as remodelled by Evelyn Hellicar in c.1893. Image: Country Life.

Bingham's Melcombe: the interior of the hall bay, seen from the hall, in 1912. Image: Country Life.

The gardens are a rare survival of a mid 16th century garden layout, and they consist of a series of garden compartments with different themes and purposes. North of the house is a flower garden or 'ladies' garden', where rectangular borders are edged with box, while to the west of the house was a bowling green - now just a lawn - for the men of the house. The bowling green is backed by a massive ancient yew hedge which the Dorset historian Hutchins already called 'stupendous' in the 1770s, and at the far end there is a semicircular brick alcove dated 1748, which has a basket arch and an original curved fitted seat. The circular dovecote, built of rubble stone, seems to date from the late 17th century. The gardens were restored for Lady Grogan in the 1930s by Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe, who called them the best surviving example of the 'Stonehenge of English gardening'. He introduced a new garden of three compartments parallel to and below the bowling green and also bounded by yew hedges.

Descent: Sir Robert Turberville; to daughter Lucy, wife of Richard de Bingham (d. 1295); to son, Robert de Bingham (d. 1304); to son, Richard de Bingham (d. 1317); to son, Richard de Bingham; to son, Richard de Bingham (d. by 1408); to son, Robert de Bingham (d. 1431); to son, Sir John Bingham (d. 1471), kt.; to brother, Richard Bingham (d. 1480); to son, Robert Bingham (d. 1524); to son, Robert Bingham (d. 1561); to son, Robert Bingham (d. 1593); to grandson, Richard Bingham (c.1586-1656); to son, John Bingham (1610-75); to nephew, Richard Bingham (1667-1736); to son, Richard Bingham (1698-1755); to son, Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824); to son, Lt-Gen. Richard Bingham (1768-1829); to nephew, Rev. George Bingham (1803-38); to brother, Richard Hippisley Bingham (1804-91); to cousin, Richard Charles William Bingham (1845-1902), who sold 1895 to Reginald Bosworth Smith (1839-1908); to widow, Flora (d. 1927); to daughter, Ellinor Flora Bosworth (1867-1948), wife of Sir Edward Grogan (1873-1927), 2nd bt.; sold 1948 to Hon. Francis Hopwood (1897-1982), later 3rd Baron Southborough; sold 1980 to Mr. & Mrs John Langham; sold 2024.

Bingham family of Bingham's Melcombe

Bingham, Robert (d. 1524). Son of Richard Bingham (d. 1480) and his first wife Margaret, daughter of Henry Marbyn. Bailiff of Royal Demesnes of Canford, 1520-24. He married Joan, daughter of John De La Lynde, of Winterbourne Clenston (Dorset), and had issue:

(1) Robert Bingham (d. 1561) (q.v.);

(2) William Bingham;

(3) Katherine Bingham; married William Canterton;

(4) Anne Bingham; married Mark Hayes;

(5) Alice Bingham.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1480.

He died in 1524, and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, where his tomb is in the Bingham aisle. His wife's date of death is unknown, but she was buried at Melcombe Horsey.

Bingham, Robert (d. 1561). Elder son of Robert Bingham (d. 1524) and his wife Joan, daughter of John De La Lynde, of Winterbourne Clenston (Dorset). He married Alice, daughter of Thomas Coker of Mappowder (Dorset), and had issue:

(1) Robert Bingham (d. 1593) (q.v.);

(2) Christopher Bingham (fl. 1565);

(3) Sir Richard Bingham (c.1528-99), born about 1528; soldier who fought in Scotland and in Spanish service before being sent to Ireland in 1579; knighted 1584; Governor of Connaught, 1584-99, where he exercised a brutal authority with little justice or mercy in the face of almost continuous rebellion; married, 11 January 1587/8, Sarah (1565-1634) (who m2, Edward Waldegrave of Lawford (Essex)), daughter of John Heigham of Gifford's Hall, Wickhambrook (Suffk), and had issue one daughter; died in Dublin, 19 January 1599, but was buried at Westminster Abbey, where a monument to his memory was erected by his former servant, Sir John Bingley (d. 1638), kt.; will proved in the PCC, 12 June 1599;

(4) Sir George Bingham (d. 1599), a soldier in Ireland who went to Connaught after his brother's appointment as Governor in 1584; sheriff of Clare, 1584-85; acting Governor of Connaught in his brother's absence, 1587-88; knight marshal in Ireland; married, 1569, Cecily (d. 1598), daughter of Robert Martyn of Athelhampton (Dorset), and had issue two sons (including Henry (b. 1573)) [for whom see my forthcoming post on the Binghams of Castlebar House and Laleham House, baronets and Earls of Lucan]; died in Dublin and was buried in Christ Church Cathedral there, 1599;

(5) Roger Bingham (fl. 1565); died without issue;

(6) Sir John Bingham (fl. 1609); served in Ireland with his brothers; obtained a grant of Castlebar (Co. Mayo) and in 1609 had a licence for a weekly market and annual fair there; married Alice Mills, but had no issue; at his death his property passed to his nephew, Sir Henry Bingham (1573-1659), 1st bt.;

(7) Thomas Bingham (fl. 1565);

(8) Rev? Charles Bingham (fl. 1565); possibly the man of this name who was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA 1570; MA 1573) and became vicar of Croft (Lincs), 1576;

(9) Mary Bingham (fl. 1565);

(10) Joan Bingham (fl. 1565); according to some sources she married 1st, John Willoughby and 2nd John Goldesborough, but the latter marriage took place in 1625 so both events probably relate to a Joan Bingham of a later generation;

(11) Cecily Bingham (fl. 1565); married 1st, Christopher Martyn of Athelhampton (Dorset) and 2nd, Sir George Paulet.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1524 and made significant additions to it in the 1550s.

He died in 1561. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bingham, Robert (d. 1593). Eldest son of Robert Bingham (d. 1561) and his wife Alice, daughter of Thomas Coker of Mappowder (Dorset). He served in the wars in Ireland with his brother George. He married Jane, eldest daughter of Robert Williams of Herringston (Dorset), and had issue including:

(1) Robert Bingham (d. 1587) (q.v.);

(2) Gyles Bingham (fl. 1565); named as second son at the heralds' visitation of 1565 but probably died before 1588 as he is not mentioned in his brother's will;

(3) Rev.? John Bingham (fl. 1588); possibly the man of this name who was licenced as a curate in 1590;

(4) Thomas Bingham (fl. 1599); probably the nephew of this name mentioned in his uncle Sir Richard's will in 1599, who inherited Connaught Tower at Athlone from him;

(5) Francis Bingham (fl. 1588);

(6) Anne Bingham (fl. 1588); married, before 1588, [forename unknown] Jones.

(7) Mary Bingham (fl. 1565);

(8) Joan Bingham, probably born after 1565 as she is not named in the herald's visitation of that year;

(9) Cecily Bingham, probably born after 1565 as she is not named in the herald's visitation of that year.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1561.

He died in 1593 and was succeeded by his grandson. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bingham, Robert (d. 1587). Eldest son of Robert Bingham (d. 1593) and his wife Jane, daughter of Robert Williams of Herringston (Dorset), born before 1560. He married, c.1585, Anne (d. 1621), daughter and heiress of William Chaldecott of Quarleston in Winterbourne Strickland (Dorset), and had issue:

(1) Richard Bingham (c.1586-1656) (q.v.).

He inherited Quarleston Hall in Winterbourne Strickland in right of his wife.

He died in the lifetime of his father, in November 1587; his will was proved in the PCC, 27 November 1588. His widow married 2nd, 1590, as his first wife, Sir John Strode (c.1561-1642), kt., of Parnham House, Beaminster (Dorset), but had no further issue; she died 8 August 1621.

Bingham, Richard (c.1586-1656). Only child of Robert Bingham (d. 1587) and his wife Anne, daughter and heiress of William Chaldecott of Quarlestone in Winterbourne Strickland (Dorset), born about 1586. High Sheriff of Dorset, 1638-39. He married, c.1608, Jane (d. 1635), seventh daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton (c.1540-1607), kt., of Witham Friary (Som.), and had issue*:

(1) John Bingham (1610-75) (q.v.);

(2) Richard Bingham (1611-1659); buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 22 June 1659; 

(3) Robert Bingham (b. 1612); living in 1623;

(4) Arthur Bingham (b. 1613); living in 1623;

(5) Dorothy Bingham (1614-62); married De La Lynde Hussey (b. c.1610) of Winterbourne Tomson (Dorset), son of Thomas Hussey (d. 1657) of Shapwick (Som.) and Winterbourne Tomson; buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 1662;

(6) Rachel Bingham (b. 1615); married, 7 June 1636 at Winterbourne Strickland, William Shergall, gent.;

(7) Christopher Bingham (1616-79) of Houghton; apprenticed to a London skinner, 1637/8; died without issue and was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 1679;

(8) Anne Bingham (b. 1617); married, 1643 (settlement 3 October), Rev. Roger Clarke, rector of Todber (Dorset) and perhaps the man of this name who was rector of Ashmore (Dorset) in 1662;

(9) Elizabeth Bingham (b. 1618); married, 4 July 1637 at Winterbourne Strickland, Thomas Bennett of Shaftesbury (Dorset);

(10) Henry Bingham (b. 1620); living in 1623;

(11) Strode Bingham (1622-73) (q.v.);

(12) Francis Bingham (b. 1625);

(13) An unnamed son (b. & d. 1626), baptised at Winterbourne Strickland, 11 July 1626; died in infancy and was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 10 August 1626**;

(14) Jane Bingham (1627-77), baptised 18 November 1627; married, 16 October 1657, Christopher Twininhoe (d. 1676) of Turnworth (Dorset), and had issue at least two sons and one daughter; said to have died in 1677.

He inherited Quarleston Hall from his father in 1588 and Bingham's Melcombe from his grandfather in 1593, where he made further alterations to the house. 

He was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 29 August 1656; his will was proved in the Principal Probate Registry, 28 June 1658. His wife was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 23 February 1635/6.

* Dates of birth are calculated from the ages of the children reported at the herald's visitation in 1623.

** Curiously, a blank space is left for the forename in both the baptism and burial entries in the register.

Bingham, John (1610-75). Eldest son of Richard Bingham (c.1586-1656) and his wife Jane, daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton, kt., of Witham Friary (Som.), born 1610. Educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1631) and Middle Temple (admitted 1633). A leading Dorset Parliamentarian, he was Col. of a regiment of foot, 1641-46?; Governor of Poole, 1643-?; and commander of parliamentary forces involved in the siege and slighting of Corfe Castle (Dorset), from which he looted goods worth £1,000, which he was obliged to return to the Bankes family after the Restoration in 1660. He was a member of the Dorset sequestration committee, 1643 and of the County Committee, 1644-50; MP for Shaftesbury, 1645-53 and for Dorset, 1653-60; a Counsellor of State, 1653; one of the Commissioners for the security of the Protector, 1656-58 and Governor of Guernsey, 1651-60. JP for Dorset, 1642-60; DL for Dorset, 1642-47; Colonel of Dorset militia, 1659-60; High Sheriff of Dorset, 1674-75. A Puritan in religion. He married 1st, c.1639, Frances (1617-58), daughter and co-heir of John Trenchard (d. 1662) of Warmwell House (Dorset), and 2nd, Jane (1616-80), daughter of Henry Norwood of Leckhampton Court (Glos), and had issue:

(1.1) Elizabeth Bingham (d. 1673); died unmarried and was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 1673;

(1.2) Jane Bingham (d. 1680); buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 30 August 1680;

(1.3) Penelope Bingham (d. 1684); married John Mitchell (c.1642-1717) of Kingston Russell (Dorset), and had issue one son and four daughters; buried at Long Bredy (Dorset), 5 June 1684;

(1.4) Frances Bingham (d. 1681); lived at Dorchester; died unmarried and was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 27 March 1681; administration of goods granted to her sister Penelope, 25 April 1683;

(1.5) Grace Bingham (d. 1691); inherited Quarleston Hall from her father in 1675; married, after 1680, Thomas Skinner (1662-1732) of Dewlish (Dorset), MP for Wareham, 1689-90 and High Sheriff of Dorset, 1703-04, and had issue three sons and one daughter; buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 13 November 1691;

(1.6) An unnamed daughter (b. & d. 1659); buried at Winterbourne Strickland (Dorset), 23 January 1658/9.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe and Quarleston from his father in 1656 and evidently lived chiefly at the latter. At his death his property was divided: Quarleston passing to his youngest daughter and Bingham's Melcombe, which was entailed, to his nephew, Richard Bingham.

He died between June and December 1675; his will was proved 2 December 1675. His first wife died in childbirth and was buried at Winterbourne Strickland (Dorset), 9 January 1658. His widow was buried at Winterbourne Strickland, 30 August 1680; her will was proved in the PCC, 2 November 1680.

Bingham, Strode (1622-73). Seventh son of Richard Bingham (c.1586-1656) and his wife Jane, daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton, kt., of Witham Abbey (Som.), born 21/24 February 1621/2. An officer in the Commonwealth army (Capt., by 1654). He married, c.1660, Cecily (1628?-1725?), daughter of Thomas Chapman of Henstridge (Som.) and had issue:

(1) Jane Bingham (b. 1662), baptised at Henstridge, 19 January 1661/2; married [forename unknown] Boucher;

(2) Dorothy Bingham (1664-1746), baptised at Henstridge, 19 July 1664; married, 14 February 1690/1 at Winterbourne St Martin (Dorset), as his second wife, Thomas Chaldecott (d. 1745), tanner, and had issue six or seven sons; buried at Morden (Dorset), 29 February 1745/6;

(3) Richard Bingham (1667-1736) (q.v.);

(4) Rachel Bingham (1670*-1726); married, 18 May 1695 at St Benet Fink, London, Dr George Mullens MD (c.1664-1738), of Salisbury, and had issue one surviving daughter; died 31 November [sic] 1726 and was buried in Salisbury Cathedral, where she is commemorated by a floor slab.

He lived at Henstridge.

He was buried at Henstridge, 19 December 1673. His widow is said to have died aged 97 in 1725, but no burial has been traced.

* Rachel's age at death on her gravestone makes it clear she was born in or about 1670, but she is probably not to be identified with the Rachel Bingham baptised at Henstridge in that year, whose parents' names are given as George and Ann.

Bingham, Richard (1667-1736). Only son of Strode Bingham (1622-73) of Henstridge and his wife Cecily, daughter of Thomas Chapman of Henstridge, baptised at Henstridge, 8? September 1667. Educated at Exeter College, Oxford (matriculated 1683). An officer in the Dorset militia (Capt., c.1689). Tory MP for Bridport, 1702-05 and for Dorset, 1711-13. JP for Dorset. In 1732 he was appointed one of the commissioners for the rebuilding of Blandford Forum after the town was destroyed by fire. He married, 26 December 1695 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Philadelphia (d. 1757), daughter and heiress of John Potenger (c.1646-1733)* of the Inner Temple, comptroller of the pipe, author and poet, and had issue:

(1) Philadephia Bingham (1696-1754), born 5 November and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 19 November 1696; married, 12 September 1749 at Sixpenny Handley (Dorset), as his second wife, George Borlase of Penzance (Cornw.), but had no issue; buried at Madron (Cornw.), 22 May 1754;

(2) Rachel Bingham (1697-1740), born 13 October and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 2 November 1697; died unmarried and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 28 May 1740;

(3) Richard Bingham (1698-1755) (q.v.);

(4) Annabella Bingham (b. 1701), born 17 February and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 13 March 1700/1; married Robert Hann of Corfe Castle (Dorset); living in 1746 but death not traced;

(5) Susanna Bingham (1707-86), born 29 March and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 24 April 1707; died unmarried and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 25 January 1786;

(6) twin, Elizabeth Bingham (1708-51), born 17 December 1708 and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 14 January 1708/9; died unmarried and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 26 February 1750/1;

(7) twin, Rev. John Bingham (1708-35), born 17 December 1708 and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 14 January 1708/9; educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1725; BA 1729; MA 1732); Student (i.e. Fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford, noted for being the first to coin the term 'Methodists' for the new sect or 'Holy Club' formed in Oxford by Charles Wesley, 1732; ordained deacon c.1730; died in Oxford, 17 August 1735 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 25 August 1735, where he is commemorated by a monument with a long and erudite Latin inscription, transcribed in Hutchins' History of Dorset;

(8) Thomas Bingham (1710-11), born 13 November and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 7 December 1710; died in infancy, 26 June 1711, and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, where he is commemorated by a monument;

(9) Robert Bingham (1712-13), born 28 June and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 24 July 1712; died in infancy, 18 April 1713 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey;

(10) William Bingham (b. & d. 1713), born 31 October and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 20 November 1713; died in infancy, 24 December 1713 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey;

(11) George Bingham (1715-1800), born 27 October and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 25 November 1715; educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1732; BA 1736); Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford (MA 1739; BD 1748); rector of Pimperne (Dorset), 1748-1800 and of More Crichel, 1755-1800; proctor in convocation for the diocese of Salisbury on several occasions; a good Hebrew scholar, respected divine and amateur archaeologist; he assisted Hutchins with his History of Dorset, in the second edition of which a lengthy account of his life is given; married, 1748 (licence 12 November), Sarah Beale (d. 1756) of Worcester, and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 11 October, and was buried at Pimperne, 17 October 1800, where he is commemorated by a monument;

(12) Leonora Bingham (b. 1718), born 17 May and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 19 June 1718; after her father's death lived at Serjeant's Inn, London; married, 'with a fortune of £5,000', 20 January 1741, in the precincts of the Fleet Prison, John Wheeler of Bridport (Dorset) and Chelsea (Middx), apothecary, and had issue two sons and one daughter; death not traced;

(13) Mary Bingham (1719-42), born 28 November 1719 and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 1 January 1719/20; died unmarried, 31 May, and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 14 June 1742.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his uncle in 1673, and came of age in 1688.

He was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 26 March 1736, where he is commemorated by a monument designed by Peter Scheemakers, erected in 1750. His widow died 8 September 1757 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, where she is commemorated by a tomb in the churchyard; her will was proved in the PCC, 8 September 1757.

* John Potenger is said to have lived much of his long life at Bingham's Melcombe with his daughter and son-in-law, but he was buried at Highworth (Wilts).

Bingham, Richard (1698-1755). Eldest son of Richard Bingham (d. 1735) and his wife Philadelphia, daughter and heiress of John Potenger, born 4 November and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 12 December 1698. Educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1718; called 1723, Bencher, 1755) and New Inn Hall, Oxford (matriculated 1719). Barrister-at-law; JP for Dorset. He married, 9 July 1740 at Stratford Tony (Wilts), Martha (1721-65), daughter of William Batt of Salisbury, and had issue:

(1) Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824) (q.v.);

(2) The Ven. William Bingham (1743-1819), born 10 February and baptised at Melcombe Bingham, 15 March 1743; educated at Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1761; BA 1765; MA 1769; BD & DD, 1790); ordained deacon, 1767, and priest, 1768; vicar of Stebbing (Essex), 1768-78 and Upminster (Essex), 1770-78; vicar of Great Gaddesden (Herts), 1777-1820 and Hemel Hempstead, 1778-1820; Archdeacon of London, 1789-1813; honorary chaplain to King George III, 1792-1819; married, 16 November 1775 at West Ham (Essex), Agnes (c.1747-1827), daughter of Liebert Dorrien of London, merchant, and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 31 December 1819 and was buried at Great Gaddesden; will proved in the PCC, 26 May 1820;

(3) John Bingham (1746-60), born 1 June and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 7 July 1746; said to have died at Calcutta (India), 1760.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1735.

He died 30 December 1755 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 6 January 1756. His widow married 2nd, 3 January 1759 at Winkfield (Berks), Pery Buckley (1701-70) of Winkfield Place, and had further issue one son; she was buried at Nunton (Wilts), 24 February 1765.

Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824)
Image: National Portrait Gallery 

Bingham, Col. Richard (1741-1824). Eldest son of Richard Bingham (1698-1755) and his wife Martha, daughter of William Batt of Salisbury, born 14 December 1741 and baptised at Melcombe Horsey the following day. An officer in the Dorset militia (Lt-Col., 1778; Col., 1799). He was pricked as High Sheriff of Dorset for 1777-78 but substituted before his term of office began, for unknown reasons. He married 1st, 2 April 1766 at St Clement Danes, London, Sophia (1744-73), daughter of Charles Halsey of Great Gaddesden (Herts), and 2nd, 26 October 1775 at Witchampton (Dorset), Elizabeth (1753-1813), daughter of John Rideout of Dean's Lease (Dorset), and had issue:

(1.1) Sophia Bingham (1767-1841), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 17 March 1767; married, 30 March 1797 at Melcombe Horsey, William Richards (later Clavell) (1755-1817) of Smedmore (Dorset), son of William Richards of Warmwell (Dorset), but had no issue; died 12 February 1841 and was buried at Kimmeridge (Dorset); her will was proved in the PCC, 31 March 1841;

(1.2) Lt-Gen. Richard Bingham (1768-1829) (q.v.);

(1.3) Martha Bingham (b. & d. 1770), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 5 February 1770; died in infancy and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 4 March 1770;

(1.4) Rev. William Bingham (1771-1810) (q.v.); 

(1.5) Col. Charles Cox Bingham (1772-1835) (q.v.); 

(2.1) Maj-Gen. Sir George Ridout Bingham (1777-1833), born 21 July and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 18 August 1777; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1793; Lt., 1795; Capt., 1796; Maj., 1801; Lt-Col., 1805; Col., 1813; Brig-Gen., 1815; Maj-Gen., 1819); Colonel Commandant of a brigade of the Rifle Corps, 1831-32; he had the distinction of being the senior military officer on St. Helena when Napoleon Bonaparte was imprisoned there, 1815; knighted (KBE), 1815; married, 1 September 1814 at Winterbourne Whitechurch (Dorset), Emma Septima (1794-1874), youngest daughter of Edmund Morton Pleydell (1756-1835) of Whatcombe House (Dorset), but had no issue; died in London, 3 January 1833; will proved in the PCC, April 1833, and further grants of administration made 1 July 1864 (effects under £20,000) and April 1874;

(2.2) Mary Bingham (1778-1870), born 30 September and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 30 December 1778; married, 11 December 1804 at St Anne, Soho, Westminster (Middx), Maj. Nathaniel Tryon Still (1782-1862), militia officer, and had issue one son and one daughter; died aged 92 and was buried at Beer (Devon), 15 October 1870;

(2.3) Leonora Bingham (1780-1844), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 7 February 1780; married 1st, 12 January 1815 at Melcombe Horsey, Capt. William Birchall RN (c.1769-1817) and 2nd, 28 October 1819 at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster (Middx), George Emery (1784-1852) of Banwell (Som.), millowner and Chief Constable of Somerset, 1830, but had no issue; buried at Banwell, 2 April 1844; will proved in the PCC, 4 December 1844;

(2.4) John Bingham (1785-1863), born 18 March and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 28 June 1785; joined the Royal Navy in 1798 (Lt., 1806; Cdr. on retired list, 1839); he was captured by the French in 1807 and held prisoner at Verdun (France) until 1814; he never held naval command again; married, 22 December 1824 at St Stephen, Exeter (Devon), Frances Eleanora (alias Norah) (1795-1871), daughter of Rev. William Woollcombe, rector of East Worlington (Devon), and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 25 June 1863.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1755 and came of age in 1762.

He was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 12 April 1824, where he and his two wives are commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 30 June 1824. His first wife died at Paris on 12 February 1773, while on a journey to the south of France. His second wife died 30 December 1813, and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 7 January 1814; she is also commemorated by a monument at Witchampton.

Bingham, Lt-Gen. Richard (1768-1829). Eldest son of Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824) and his first wife, Sophia, daughter of Charles Halsey of Great Gaddesden (Herts), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 8 April 1768. An officer in the army (Ensign, 1787; Lt., 1790; Capt., 1793; Maj., 1795; Lt-Col., 1795; Col., 1804; Maj-Gen., 1810; Lt-Gen., 1814). He married, 17 April 1793 at St Canice, Kilkenny (Co. Kilkenny), Priscilla (1770-1848), daughter of Paul Carden, but had no issue.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his father in 1824. At his death it passed to his widow for life and then to his nephew, Rev. George Bingham (1803-38), but his widow seems to have given the house up and moved to Cheltenham (Glos).

He died in London, 18 November, and was buried at St Mary Abbots, Kensington, 27 November 1829; his will was proved in the PCC, 13 January 1830. His widow died 1 February and was buried at St Philip & St James, Leckhampton (Glos), 4 February 1848; her will was proved in the PCC, 10 February 1848.

Bingham, Rev. William (1771-1810). Second son of Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824) and his first wife, Sophia, daughter of Charles Halsey of Great Gaddesden (Herts), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 15 April 1771. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1788; BA 1792; MA 1796; Fellow). Ordained deacon, 1794 and priest, 1795. Rector of Cameley (Som.) and Melbury Bubb (Dorset), 1796-1810. He married, 20 April 1797 at Hampstead Norris (Berks), Sarah Emily (1771-1852), daughter of Gen. William Wynyard, and had issue*:

(1) William Wynyard Bingham (1798-1821), born 18 January and baptised at St Mary Abbots, Kensington (Middx), 18 March 1798**; educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1816; BA 1820; Fellow); died unmarried 28 June 1821 and was buried at Sidmouth (Devon), 3 July 1821, but is commemorated by a monument at Melcombe Horsey; 

(2) Emily Georgina Bingham (1799-1823), born 6 March and baptised at Cameley, 20 April 1799; died unmarried and was buried at Hinton Blewitt (Som.), 30 October 1823;

(3) Richard Bingham (b. & d. 1800); died in infancy and was buried at Cameley, 29 January 1800;

(4) Sophia Matilda Bingham (1801-85), born 25 January and baptised at Cameley, 10 March 1801; married, 3 August 1826 at Hinton Blewitt (Som.), her step-brother, Robert Francis Wright (1798-1884), attorney, of Hinton Blewitt, and had issue two sons and one daughter; buried at Hinton Blewitt, 15 January 1885;

(5) Rev. George Bingham (1803-38) (q.v.);

(6) Richard Hippisley Bingham (1804-91) (q.v.);

(7) Henry Edward Bingham (1807-13), born and privately baptised at Cameley, 13 December 1807; died young and was buried at Fordington (Dorset), 21 June 1813;

(8) Caroline Leonora Bingham (b. & d. 1809); died in infancy and was buried at Cameley, 5 April 1809;

(9) Canon Charles William Bingham (1810-81), born 28 September 1810 and privately baptised, but received into the church at Melcombe Horsey, 20 January 1811; educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1828; BA 1833; Fellow; MA 1836); ordained deacon, 1835 and priest, 1836; vicar of Sydling St Nicholas, 1838-46; rector of Melcombe Horsey (Dorset), 1842-81; rural dean, 1868; honorary canon of Salisbury Cathedral, 1876-81; JP for Dorset; author of religious works published by the Calvin Society; married 1st, 28 May 1839 at West Rounton (Yorks NR), his cousin, Caroline Damer (1810-52), second daughter of Rev. Montague John Wynyard, and 2nd, 31 July 1855 at Fordington (Dorset), Mary (1816-91), daughter of Rev. Daniel Campbell, rector of Crowcombe (Som.), but had no issue; died 1 December 1881; will proved 13 April 1882 (effects £4,856).

He died at Kensington (Middx), 27 May 1810; his will was proved at Bath, 12 November 1810. His widow married 2nd, 1 May 1820 at Fordington (Dorset), Francis Bowcher Wright (1771-1840) of Hinton Blewitt; she died at Dorchester, 14 June, and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 18 June 1852; her will was proved in the PCC, 27 July 1852.

* Some internet sources add another son (Francis Buckley Bingham (b. & d. 1806), who is said to have been buried at Cameley, but who does not appear in the baptism or burial registers.

** When his father's address was given as Kensington Palace; perhaps because he was staying with his uncle and namesake, who was a royal chaplain. The baptism was also noted in the Cameley register as having taken place at Kensington.

Bingham, Rev. George (1803-38). Second son of Rev. William Bingham (1771-1810) and his wife Sarah Emily, daughter of Gen. William Wynyard, born 4 June and baptised at Cameley (Som.), 19 July 1803. Educated at Worcester College, Oxford (matriculated 1823; BA 1828). Ordained deacon, 1828. Curate of Kingston Seymour (Som.), 1828-30. He may never have taken priest's orders and seems not to have sought preferment after inheriting Bingham's Melcombe. He married, 5 July 1836 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Frances Margaret Anna Byam (1809-49), only daughter of Anthony Blagrave (d. 1860) of Barrow House, Barrow Gurney (Som.), and had issue:

(1) George Henry Bingham (b. & d. 1837), born 25 May and privately baptised at Bingham's Melcombe by his father, 6 June 1837; died in infancy and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 10 June 1837.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his uncle in 1829. At his death it passed to his younger brother. His widow lived latterly at Ilsington House, Puddletown (Dorset).

He died 5 May 1838 and was buried at Melcombe Horsey. His widow married 2nd, 2 July 1840 at East Harptree (Som.), as his second wife, Charles Wriothesley Digby (1802-73), eldest son of Rev. Charles Digby, canon of Windsor and rector of Bishops Caundle (Som.); she died in Paris (France), 22 August 1849; administration of her goods was granted 5 August 1858 (effects under £8,000).

Bingham, Richard Hippisley (1804-91). Third son of Rev. William Bingham (1771-1810) and his wife Sarah Emily, daughter of Gen. William Wynyard, born 1 October and baptised at Cameley (Som.), 26 November 1804. An officer in the Indian army (Cadet, 1820; Ensign, 1821; Lt., 1824; Capt., 1835; retired c.1839) and later in the Dorset Militia (Col., 1852; retired 1873 and was subsequently Hon. Col.). JP and DL (from 1852) for Dorset. He married, 6 April 1836 at West Rounton (Yorks NR), Harriet Georgina (1810-81), a temperance campaigner, third daughter of his maternal uncle, Rev. Montagu John Wynyard, rector of West Rounton, but had no issue.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his elder brother in 1838. At his death it passed to his first cousin once removed, Richard Charles William Bingham (1845-1902).

He died 10 March and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 17 March 1891, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved 28 October 1893 (effects £15). His wife died 27 March and was buried at Melcombe Horsey, 31 March 1881.

Bingham, Col. Charles Cox (1772-1835).  Third son of Col. Richard Bingham (1741-1824) and his first wife, Sophia, daughter of Charles Halsey of Great Gaddesden (Herts), baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 30 September 1772. An officer in the Royal Artillery (2nd Lt., 1793; Lt., 1794; Capt-Lt., 1803; Capt., 1810; Maj., 1812; Lt-Col., 1814; Col., 1825), who lost an arm while on active service. He married, 3 September 1798 at Stoke Damerel (Devon), Sarah Osmond (1777-1862), daughter of Samuel Hayter of Wareham (Dorset), and had issue:

(1) George William Bingham (1801-50), born 15 September and baptised at Falmouth (Cornw.), 28 September 1801; an officer in the Dorset Militia (Ensign, 1814) and later the Royal Artillery (2nd Lt., 1824; Lt., 1827; 2nd Capt., 1840; Capt., 1845); died unmarried at Colombo (Ceylon, now Sri Lanka), 10 November 1850;

(2) Sarah Bingham (b. 1802), born 10 November and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 3 December 1802; presumably died in infancy;

(3) Mary Frances Bingham (1805-54), baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 29 September 1805; married, 10 September 1833 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), Rev. Henry Stevens (1808-77), vicar of Wateringbury (Kent), eldest son of Very Rev. Robert Stevens, Dean of Rochester Cathedral, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 6 July, and was buried at Wateringbury, 12 July 1854;

(4) Sarah Bingham (1807-08), born 11 February and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 7 March 1807; died in infancy and was buried at Plumstead (Kent), 4 April 1808;

(5) Elizabeth Ann Bingham (b. 1808), born 11 December and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 30 December 1808; presumably died in infancy;

(6) Elizabeth Ann Bingham (b. & d. 1809), baptised at Marlborough (Wilts), 29 September 1809 but died in infancy and was buried at Marlborough on the same day;

(7) Richard Clavell Bingham (1810-41), born 10 May and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 29 May 1810; an officer in the infantry (2nd Lt., 1828; Lt, 1832; retired 1838); probably emigrated to Cape Colony, and died unmarried at Graaf Reinet, Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), 1 May 1841;

(8) Col. Charles Bingham (1815-64) (q.v.);

(9) Emma Bingham (1816-74), born 18 November and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 10 December 1816; married, 19 May 1846 at St Margaret, Rochester (Kent), as his second wife, Thomas Hermitage Day (1802-69), of Frindsbury (Kent), banker, and had issue one son and three daughters; died 26 February and was buried at Frindsbury, 4 March 1874; administration of goods granted to her daughter, 20 March 1874 (effects under £1,500);

(10) Sophia Bingham (1818-81), born 2 May and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 22 May 1818; married, 8 May 1845 at St Margaret, Rochester (Kent), as his first wife, her kinsman, Maj-Gen. George William Powlett Bingham CB (1817-99), son of Capt. Arthur Batt Bingham RN, and had issue four daughters; died at The Vines, Rochester (Kent), 3 December, and was buried at St Margaret, Rochester, 7 December 1881;

(11) Edmund Hayter Bingham (1820-56), born 18 January and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 10 February 1820; an officer in 1st West India Regt. (Ensign, 1837; Lt., 1839; Capt., 1848); married, about April 1845 at Demerera (Georgetown) Cathedral (Guyana), Cecilia Lewis Pauline (d. 1889) (who m2, 22 May 1860 at Shinfield (Berks), Dr Henry Hutson MD of Georgetown, Demerera, and had issue), third daughter of William Bertie Wolseley, but had no issue; died at Woolwich (Kent), 9 October, and was buried at Plumstead, 13 October 1856.

He died 4 June and was buried at St Nicholas, Deptford (Kent), 11 June 1835; his will was proved in the PCC, 22 June 1835. His widow died 5 April 1862.

Bingham, Col. Charles (1815-64). Third son of Charles Cox Bingham (1772-1835) and his wife Sarah Osmond, daughter of Samuel Hayter, born 1 June and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich (Kent), 20 June 1815. Educated at Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. An officer in the Royal Artillery (2nd Lt., 1832; Lt., 1834; 2nd Capt., 1843; Capt., 1848; Maj., 1854; Lt-Col., 1854; Col., 1857; and Deputy Adjutant-General, 1858-64). He married, 17 March 1841 at Duddingston, Edinburgh (Midl.), Williamina Henrietta (1815-89), daughter of John Mackintosh MD, and had issue:

(1) Justina Jane Bingham (1842-53), born 28 April 1842 at Portobello, Dublin; died young, 20 April, and was buried at Plumstead (Kent), 23 April 1853;

(2) Mary Frances Alice Bingham (1844-1921), born 31 March and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 1 May 1844; married, 29 August 1872 at St George's (Garrison) Church Woolwich, George William Lowther (1837-90), eldest son of Sir Charles Hugh Lowther (1803-94), 3rd bt., of Swillington House (Yorks WR), and had issue two sons and four daughters; died 2 December and was buried at Swillington, 6 December 1921; will proved 19 June 1922 (estate £1,091);

(3) Richard Charles William Bingham (1845-1902) (q.v.);

(4) Emma Sophia Caroline Bingham (1847-1928), born 3 April and baptised at Trinity church, Rathmines, Dublin, 11 May 1847; married, 10 June 1886 at St John, Woolwich (Kent), Lt-Col. Francis Arthur Whinyates (1836-1906), but had no issue; died 1 June 1928; will proved 18 August 1928 (estate £8,290);

(5) Brig-Gen. Edmund George Henry Bingham (1848-1904), born 26 November 1848 and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 11 April 1849; an officer in the Royal Artillery (Lt., 1869; Capt., 1879; Maj., 1885; Lt-Col., 1892; Col., 1901; Brig-Gen., 1901), who served on the General Staff continuously from 1875; married, 14 October 1886 at Prahan, Victoria (Australia), Beatrice Helen (1861-1949) (who m2, 27 March 1905 at Holy Trinity, Chelsea (Middx), Maj-Gen. Hugh Palliser Hickman CB (1856-1930)), daughter of Francis Sydney Stephen of Melbourne, New South Wales (Australia), and had issue three daughters; died in Brussels (Belgium), 24 January 1904; will proved 22 March 1904 (estate £1,220);

(6) Sarah Ida Henrietta Bingham (1851-91), born 27 November 1851 and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 14 January 1852; lived at Chaddesden Moor (Staffs); died unmarried, 23 June 1891 and was buried at Chaddesden; will proved 8 December 1891 (effects £1,004).

He died in Brighton (Sussex), 6 April and was buried at Plumstead (Kent), 12 April 1864; administration of his goods was granted to his widow, 14 July 1864 (estate under £4,000), and a further grant was made 28 October 1893 (effects £4,550). His widow was awarded a civil list pension of £150 a year in recognition of her husband's service and her straightened circumstances, and died 29 December 1889; her will was proved 19 February 1890 (effects £8,212).

Bingham, Richard Charles William (1845-1902). Elder son of Col. Charles Bingham (1815-64) and his wife Williamina Henrietta, daughter of John Mackintosh MD, born 17 June and baptised at Trinity church, Rathmines (Co. Dublin), 17 September 1845. An officer in the Dorset Militia (later the 3rd battalion, Dorset Regiment) (Lt., 1867; Capt., 1869; Maj., 1881; hon. Lt-Col., 1887; retired 1897); JP and DL for Dorset. He was declared bankrupt in 1898. He married, 9 August 1888 at Charlton Musgrove (Som.), Georgina (1871-1940), youngest daughter of Capt. William Stuckey Wood, banker, of Charlton House, Charlton Musgrove, and had issue:

(1) Richard Charles Otto Bingham (1889-1958), born 24 August and baptised at Charlton Musgrove, 13 October 1889; educated at Clifton College; emigrated to Canada and lived there 1906-11 and later in Ceylon, 1911-14; served in First and Second World Wars with Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (Maj.); in 1920s lived in Ceylon, Kenya and USA before returning to Canada in 1930; a Roman Catholic in religion, and a freemason from 1915; married, 21/24 March 1913 at St Paul, Kandy (Ceylon), Ethel Norah (d. 1963), daughter of William Andrew Fausset of Sidmouth (Devon), and had issue two sons and one daughter; died 23 August 1958 and was buried at Mont-Real Cemetery, Montreal (Canada);

(2) Doris Mary Bingham (1891-1958), born 6 July and baptised at Charlton Musgrove, 23 August 1891; served with Auxiliary Fire Service in Derby, 1939-40; married, 19 April 1923 at St Andrew, Fulham (Middx), Ernest Gabriel Boissier DSC (1886-1976), of Derby, chartered engineer, son of Rev. Frederick Scobell Boissier, and had issue three sons; died 2 March 1958; will proved 8 May 1958 (estate £6,310);

(3) John Richard Bingham (1892-1957), born 4 October and baptised at Charlton Musgrove, 30 October 1892; educated at King's School, Worcester; served in Royal Air Force in First World War (2nd Lt., 1915; Lt. by 1918; Capt., 1918; retired 1919; mentioned in despatches); lived for a time in Ceylon; married, 12 July 1948, Catherine Mabel (1899-1986), second daughter of George Frederick Moore, excise officer, and formerly wife of Pierce William Crosbie (1901-72), but had no issue; died 22 August 1957; administration of goods granted to his widow, 3 February 1958 (estate £4,689);

(4) Charles Jeffrey Slade Bingham (1893-1915), born 12 December 1893 and baptised at Melcombe Horsey, 11 February 1894; educated at Clifton College; emigrated to Canada, 1910; served with 10th Canadian Expeditionary Force in First World War (Private); died unmarried of meningitis at Plymouth (Devon), 6 January 1915, and was buried in Plymouth Corporation Cemetery, Egg Buckland (Devon); administration of his goods granted to his mother, 26 June 1915 (estate £424);

(5) Richard Humphrey Bingham (1895-1929), born 15 September and baptised at Charlton Musgrove, 20 October 1895; educated at Clifton College; an officer in the Royal Field Artillery (2nd Lt., 1916; Lt., 1916; twice mentioned in despatches; awarded MC, 1916; retired as Capt., 1921); suffered from partial paralysis as a result of war wounds; died unmarried at St Mary's Hospital, Roehampton (Surrey), 25 January 1929, and was buried at Putney Vale Cemetery; administration of goods granted to his mother, 22 March 1929 (estate £397);

(6) Victor Paul Bingham (1897-98), born 22 June  and baptised at St Saviour, Bath, 9 July 1897; died in infancy, 23 July, and was buried at Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath, 27 July 1898;

(7) William Philip Bingham (1898-1964), born 4 August and baptised at St Cross & St Faith, Winchester, 11 September 1898; educated at King's School, Worcester; served in Royal Air Force in First and Second World Wars and was awarded Croix de Guerre with palms; employed by Standard Motor Car Co.; lived at Richmond (Surrey); married 1st, 3 November 1921 at St Peter, Ealing (Middx) (div. 1929 on the grounds of his adultery), Olga Horatia (b c.1898), daughter of Horace Bremner of Ealing, bank manager, and had issue one son and one daughter; married 2nd, 11 December 1929 (div. 1946), Constance Audrey (1903-70), fourth daughter of William Burdett Irvin of Ormskirk (Lancs), timber merchant and bobbin mfr, and had issue two sons and one daughter; married 3rd, Apr-Jun 1952, Agnes Cooper Crabbe, an officer in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force; died 19 April 1964; will proved 21 August 1964 (estate £2,286);

(8) Christopher Bingham (1899-1963), born 13 August and baptised at Charlton Musgrove, 10 September 1899; educated at King's School, Worcester; served in First World War with Royal Field Artillery and Royal Air Force from 1916, but later became a professional ballroom dancer and host at the Savoy Hotel, London; married 1st, 18 April 1927 at St Stephen, Kensington (Middx) (div. 1932 on the grounds of her adultery with William McElroy, coal merchant), Kathryn Lilian (b. 1905), professional ballroom dancer, daughter of Henry Burgess, and 2nd, 3 April 1947, Doris Catherine (1916-78), daughter of Frederick William Cameron and widow of Laurance Thomas Titchener (1910-44), and had issue one daughter; died 21 January 1963; administration of goods granted to widow, 3 April 1963 (estate £3,152);

(9) Ruth Bingham (1901-83), born 9 November 1901 and baptised at Appledore (Devon), 26 January 1902; married, 8 June 1927 at Queens, New York (USA), Lewis Henry Albert of New York, clerk in an investment house, and had issue one son and one daughter; died at Citrus, Florida (USA), 17 February 1983.

He inherited Bingham's Melcombe from his first cousin once removed in 1891, repaired and remodelled the house (reputedly at a cost of £3,000), and sold it in 1895 for £4,200. He lived latterly at Cliff Cottage, Appledore.

He died suddenly following a heart attack outside his house in Appledore, 23 June, and was buried at Appledore, 25 June 1902; administration of his goods was granted to his widow, 17 November 1902. His widow died in Chelsea (Middx), 25 June 1940, and was buried at Appledore; her will was proved 9 August 1940 (estate £1,205).

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1969, pp. 47-48; F. Hutchins et al., The history and antiquities of Dorset, 2nd edn., vol. 1, pp. 198-202 and v0l. 4, pp. 198-207; R.E. McCalmont, Memoirs of the Binghams, 1915,  M.J. Hill, West Dorset Country Houses, 2014, pp. 96-101; M.J. Hill, J. Newman & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Dorset, 2nd edn., 2018, pp. 397-99; ODNB entry for Sir Robert Bingham (d. 1599) and Dictionary of Irish Biographu entries for Sir Robert and Sir George Bingham (d. 1599).

Location of archives

Bingham of Bingham's Melcombe: a small group of deeds and family papers, 1631-1825 [Dorset History Centre, D-335].

Coat of arms

Bingham of Melcombe Bingham: Azure, a bend cottised between six crosses formée or.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide 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 17 March 2026 and was updated 28 March 2026.

(602) Best of Wynford Eagle, Barons Wynford

Best of Wynford Eagle, Barons Wynford 

The story of this family, and the genealogy below, begins with William Draper Best (1767-1845), who was born at Haselbury Plucknett (Som.) near Crewkerne on the Somerset/Dorset border, as the third son of Thomas Best and his wife Betty Draper. Thomas Best seems to have belonged to the 'parish gentry' strata of society, a small-scale landowner who also held leasehold and copyhold lands. William was intended to make a career in the church, and with this in mind he was sent to Oxford, but in 1784 his cousin, Samuel Best of Burton Bradstock (Dorset), died and left most of his property to William and his brothers. The windfall was sufficient to allow William a greater choice of career, and he decided to abandon the university and study for the bar at the Inner Temple. Given his 'lively and clever' manner, it was probably a good decision, and although his knowledge of the law was questionable, his ability to argue a case quickly brought him a large practice. In 1800 he was made one of the serjeants-at-law, and in 1806 king's serjeant, positions which gave him access to plead in the highest courts at Westminster. From 1802-06 and 1812-19 he was also a member of parliament, initially as a Whig and later as a Tory; his allegiance being dictated less by principle than by personal advantage. His ready wit made him socially successful, and he was soon a member of the Prince of Wales' circle, a connection which bore fruit when the prince became Regent, with his appointment as Solicitor-General and then Attorney-General for the Prince, before in 1818 he became a judge. The latter stages of his career were blighted by an increasing affliction with gout, and it was probably this that eventually forced his retirement from judicial office in 1829. Having been knighted in 1819, he was made a peer as 1st Baron Wynford on his retirement, and he also became deputy speaker of the House of Lords, where in a concession to his infirmity, he was allowed to sit in an armchair. Eventually, even getting to Parliament became impossible, and he spent his last years in complete retirement at his house at Chislehurst (Kent), which he had rented from 1800, and of which he bought the freehold in 1824. He also bought the Wynford Eagle estate in Dorset. I have not been able to discover the precise date of this purchase, but it was in the family's possession by 1823, when his eldest son, William Samuel Best took out a game certificate. This suggests that the property may have been acquired for William Samuel, and it is therefore tempting to associate the acquisition with the latter's marriage in 1821, but it could equally well have been bought a few years earlier, when William Draper Best was MP for nearby Bridport, in 1812-17.

William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford, followed in his father's footsteps and became a barrister and, briefly, an MP, but he did not have his father's skills or motivation to build a career in either the law or parliament. Nor is he known to have spent much time on his estates. He sold his father's house at Chislehurst - then called Leesons - in about 1850, and lived chiefly at his house in Hanover Square, where he and his wife raised their family of four sons and one daughter. His four sons all went into the services; three of them into the army and one into the Navy. The eldest, William Draper Mortimer Best (1826-99), 3rd Baron Wynford, retired from the army in 1856, and was married soon afterwards to a daughter of the rich Scottish landowner and banker, Evan Baillie (1798-1883). He does seem to have been occasionally resident in Dorset, and was probably responsible for building the modest gabled house (originally called Wynford House but now Higher Wynford Farm) further up the valley from the old manor house, the first reference to which appears to date from 1863. The 3rd Baron and his wife had no surviving children, and so on his death the estate passed to his younger brother, Henry Molyneux Best (1829-1903), 4th Baron Wynford, whose career is something of a mystery. Although he clearly joined the Royal Navy and was a midshipman by 1845, he seems never to have gone on to become an officer. He lived most of his life in quiet, late Georgian Connaught Square, and devoted his time to botany and horticulture. He never married, and so at his death the peerage and Wynford Eagle estate passed to his nearest male relative, who was the eldest son of the 1st baron's fourth son, the Hon. & Rev. Samuel Best (1802-73). This was George Best (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford, who had settled at Charlton House, Donhead St Mary (Wilts), which he rented (although his widow and daughter later purchased the freehold). He only held the title for a year before being succeeded by his eldest son, Philip George Best (1871-1940), 6th Baron Wynford.

The 6th Baron does seem to have been resident on his estate (at Higher Wynford) after retiring from the army and the Dorset yeomanry, and between the First and Second World Wars he played a prominent role in local administration. He and his wife had three daughters, who all married and moved away, and at his death during the Second World War the estate passed to his younger brother, Samuel John Best (1874-1943), 7th Baron Wynford, most of whose career had been spent running tea plantations in India. By the time he inherited the estate he had retired to a mansion flat in Putney, and although he was eventually buried at Wynford Eagle he can have spent very little time there. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Robert Samuel Best (1917-2002), 8th Baron Wynford, who was a career soldier until retiring from the army in 1960. It was he who, in the early 1980s, moved the family seat back from Higher Wynford to the Manor House of Wynford Eagle and restored the property. The estate now belongs to his son, John Philip Robert Best (b. 1950), 9th Baron Wynford, who is a chartered surveyor, and who has a son and daughter to succeed him.

Pheasant Grove (alias Leesons), Chislehurst, Kent

A modest house, hardly more than a suburban villa, which was probably built in the mid 18th century and seems at first to have been called Pheasant Lodge. It was evidently of seven by two or three bays and may originally have had only two storeys. 

Pheasant Grove: the entrance front in 1824, from sale particulars.

By the time it was first recorded in 1824 the house was of three storeys, with a three-bay pediment set against the attic storey. Although 18th century architects did use this form, it was never common, and the drawing shows the proportions of the top floor were a little more generous than those below, which quite strongly suggests the top floor was a later addition. In 1840, when the house was advertised for sale, it offered six principal bedrooms, three dressing-rooms, a morning room, a bow drawing room 27x24 feet with a handsome marble chimneypiece; a 30x22 ft dining room; a breakfast room; and an entrance hall, and stood in some fifty acres of grounds. The house was not sold on that occasion, but in 1850 the contents of the house were dispersed at a four day sale and it was probably sold soon afterwards.

Pheasant Grove alias Leesons, Chislehurst: site plan from 1st edn 6" map of 1868.

The house was evidently altered in the mid 19th century, for by 1868, when it was recorded on the 1st edition 6" Ordnance map, it had acquired an asymmetrically placed porch, but thereafter the footprint remained much the same. The house stood empty from about 1914, and was destroyed by a fire which started in the roof in May 1918. It was insured, but was replaced by a smaller building on the same site, which reverted to the original name of Pheasant Lodge. This in turn was pulled down in the mid 20th century and replaced by suburban housing.

Descent: Mr Taggart, who leased it from 1800 and sold it 1824 to Rt. Hon. Sir William Draper Best (1767-1845), 1st Baron Wynford; to son, William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford, who sold c.1850 to Richard Paterson (d. 1865); to daughter, widow of Joseph Busk, who let it 1881 to Sir Neville Lubbock (1839-1914) and later to Maj. Heales; to daughters, who sold 1900 to Joseph Brailsford, owner at the time of the fire in 1918.

Wynford Eagle Manor House (now Manor Farm), Dorset

According to the date on the porch, the present house was built in 1630 for William Sydenham (1593-1661), but although the compact plan and symmetrical west front date from that time, his works were actually a remodelling of a smaller, probably late 16th century house, which may have been built for his grandfather, Richard Sydenham (1534-1607). The earlier building was a south-facing single-depth house built of pale grey limestone rubble which remains visible on the south and east elevations. The evidence for the two phases of building is technical and was summarised by Gomme & Maguire in 2008. The most telling evidence is that the south front has two blocked doorways which had clearly already been blocked by the time that the plinth of the new house was built, for it continues across them; the south wall must therefore belong to an earlier building. Evidence in the roof suggests that the earlier house extended north more than half the depth of the present building, but its north wall was not reused in the remodelling of 1630. 

Wynford Eagle Manor House: the west front in 1944. Image: Historic England

The work of 1630 moved the main entrance and the axis of the layout through ninety degrees, and saw the creation of a new entrance front on the west side, faced in fine-jointed Ham Hill ashlar; the new north side of the house was built more cheaply, with alternating bands of limestone and flint. At the centre of the west front is a projecting, three-storey porch with a small gable crowned by a large carved eagle finial, above two-light mullioned windows on the upper floors and a round-arched doorway. The house is unified by string courses above the ground and first-floor windows that extend across the whole frontage and continue onto the other elevations.  The house is given a distinctive character by the gables either side of the porch, which are asymmetrical because the pitch of the roof on the inner side is steeper than that on the outer side. It is possible that this unusual arrangement was a consequence of retaining parts of the roof structure of the 16th century house over the south front; and that the north side was simply built to match. The ground floor of the west front has mullioned and transomed windows, but elsewhere the windows are simple three-light mullioned windows. Matching chimneystacks, with four diagonal-set shafts and built off the the central transverse wall, increase the symmetrical effect. 

Wynford Eagle Manor House: the west front and 16th century south elevation, Image: Brian Kingsland/Historic England

The south front of the house is continued further east by a once-separate block, which seems to belong to the late 16th century phase, but wich was incorporated into the house in 1630 and became the kitchen.

Wynford Eagle Manor House: ground floor plan (after Gomme & Maguire).
Key: H=Hall; CP=Common Parlour; K=Kitchen/Winter Parlour; GP=Great Parlour

This allowed all four rooms on the ground floor of the main block to be used for family and reception purposes. There are two rooms on the north side and two on the south, while between them is a circulating space comprised of a fairly narrow entrance passage, which broadens out into a vestibule and staircase hall. The staircase now rises only to the first floor, but may once have continued to the attic rooms, which are lit only from the west. One room on the first floor is panelled and has a four-centred arched stone fireplace with moulded jambs and a timber overmantel of two bays with attached Ionic columns. The flat panels under the arches between the columns were painted later in the 17th century with fantasy landscapes.

In the late 19th century, the Best family moved to a new house, Wynford House, which they built further up the valley, and the old manor house declined into a farmhouse. However, after many years the 8th Lord Wynford moved back in c.1981. 

Descent: John La Zouche (c.1486-1550), 8th Baron Zouche; sold 1545 to Thomas Sydenham (d. 1577); to son, Richard Sydenham (1534-1607); to grandson, William Sydenham (1593-1661); to son, William Sydenham (1615-61); to son, William Sydenham (1640-1718); ... sold to George Richards (d. 1746); to brother, Rev. John Richards (fl. 1774)... sold by 1823 to Sir William Draper Best (1767-1845), 1st Baron Wynford; to son, William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford; to son, William Draper Mortimer Best (1826-99), 3rd Baron Wynford; to brother, Henry Molyneux Best (1829-1903), 4th Baron Wynford; to cousin, George Best (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford; to son, Philip George Best (1871-1940), 6th Baron Wynford; to brother, Samuel John Best (1874-1943), 7th Baron Wynford; to son, Robert Samuel Best (1917-2002), 8th Baron Wynford; to son, John Philip Robert Best (b. 1950), 9th Baron Wynford.

Best family of Wynford Eagle

1st Baron Wynford

Best, Rt. Hon. Sir William Draper (1767-1845), kt., 1st Baron Wynford. Third son of Thomas Best of Haslebury Plucknett (Som.) and his wife Betty Draper, born 13 December 1767. Educated at Crewkerne School, Wadham College, Oxford (matriculated 1782), and the Middle Temple (admitted 1784; called 1789). He was initially intended for the church, but left Oxford without taking a degree when he inherited a substantial legacy from a cousin, and trained instead for the law. He became a barrister on the Home circuit, where he attracted the attention of Lord Kenyon to whose patronage he owed his early professional success. He was made a Serjeant-at-law, 1800; King's Serjeant, 1806; and first achieved judicial office as Recorder of Guildford, 1809. Whig MP for Petersfield, 1802-06, and Tory MP for Bridport, 1812-17 and Guildford, 1818-19; Solicitor-General to the Prince of Wales, 1813-16; Attorney-General to the Prince of Wales, 1816-19; Second Justice of Chester, 1817-18; Chief Justice of Chester, 1818; a Judge of King's Bench, 1818-24; Chief Justice of Common Pleas, 1824-29. He was knighted, 1819, sworn of the Privy Council, 1824, and raised to the peerage as 1st Baron Wynford, 5 June 1829, becoming Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords, 1829. He was awarded an honorary degree by Oxford University (DCL, 1834). Best was described in an obituary in the Law Magazine as a 'man of pleasure' whose devotion to the opposite sex 'amounted to a controlling passion' and in 1805 he was charged with a sexual assault on a client, but acquitted. The same writer said: 'he seems to have been governed but by one rule of action in politics, to aid that side from which most might be expected', an attitude in which he was far from being alone in his generation. As a barrister, it was said of him that 'though superficial in legal knowledge, his readiness of comprehension and fluency of speech' led to his having a large practice and appearing in important criminal trials. As a judge, 'his hasty and questionable opinions' and 'his summing up so much to one side' led to his being nicknamed 'the judge advocate'.  According to Lady Louisa Stuart, 'he is too lively and too clever to put on gravity and speaks his mind outright on all subjects', and it has been suggested that he was offered a peerage and the deputy speakership of the Lords to induce him to give up judicial office, but his retirement was more probably the result of an increasing affliction with gout. He married, 6 May 1794 at St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, Mary Anne (1768-1840), second daughter of Jerome Knapp, Clerk of the Haberdashers Company, and had issue:

(1) William Chapple Best (b. & d. 1795), born 7 July 1795; died in infancy and was buried at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), 9 July 1795;

(2) Hon. Grace Anne Best (1796-1868), born 31 July and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), 24 August 1796; married, 23 July 1814 at St Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn (Middx), Philip Lake Godsal (1784-1858) of Iscoyd Park (Flints.), son of Philip Godsal, coach-maker, and had issue at least one son and three daughters; buried at Malpas (Ches.), 25 February 1868; will proved 11 March 1868 (effects under £3,000);

(3) William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(4) Vice-Adm. the Hon. Thomas Best (1799-1864), born 12 August and baptised at Croydon (Surrey), 6 September 1799; an officer in the Royal Navy from 1812 (Midshipman, 1814; Lt., 1822; Cdr., 1828; Capt., 1830; Vice-Adm., 1855; retired on half-pay, 1830); married, 25 August 1835, Marianne (1807-66), second daughter of George Kenyon, 2nd Baron Kenyon, and had issue at least two sons; died in Kensington (Middx), 4 September 1864; administration of goods granted to his widow, 18 October 1864 (effects under £40,000);

(5) Mary Anne Best (1801-02), born 3 April and baptised at St Pancras (Middx), 10 May 1801; died in infancy, 5 April 1802;

(6) Rev. the Hon. Samuel Best (1802-73) (q.v.);

(7) Sarah Betty Best (1804-05?), born 18 June and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), 6 July 1804; said to have died in infancy, 23 July 1805;

(8) Jerome Best (1806-18), born 18 March and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury, 21 April 1806; educated at Eton (admitted 1817); died at the school and was buried at Eton, 28 October 1818;

(9) Hon. Anne James Best (1808-36), born 7 February and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury, 30 March 1808; married, 25 July 1826 at St Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn (Middx), Adm. Sir William Fanshawe Martin (1801-95), 4th bt., KCB (who m2, 21 May 1838, Sophia Elizabeth (d. 1874), daughter of Robert Hurt of Wirksworth and had further issue one son and five daughters), of Lockinge (Berks), and had issue two sons (who died young) and two daughters; died 1 April 1836 and was buried at Hastings (Sussex);

(10) Hon. John Charles Best (1809-40), born 9 December 1809 and baptised at St Giles-in-the-Fields, Holborn (Middx), 18 January 1810; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1827; Lt., 1829; Capt., 1834); drowned off Norfolk Island (Australia) by the upsetting of a boat, 13 February 1840.

He leased Pheasant Grove, Chislehurst (Kent) from 1800 onwards and bought the freehold in 1824, changing its name to Leesons. He purchased the Wynford Eagle estate before 1823.

He died at Leesons, 3 March 1845; his will was proved in the PCC, 8 April 1845. His wife died 5 March 1840 and was buried at Foots Cray (Kent).

Best, William Samuel (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford. Second, but eldest surviving son of Rt. Hon. Sir William Draper Best, 1st Baron Wynford, and his wife Mary Anne, second daughter of Jerome Knapp, clerk of the Haberdashers Company, born 19 February and baptised at St Pancras (Middx), 22 April 1798. Educated at Eton, Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1814; BA 1818; MA 1821) and the Inner Temple (admitted as a child, 1805; called 1823). Barrister-at-law; MP for St. Michael's, 1831-32, and unsuccessfully contested the Barnstaple constituency in 1837. He succeeded his father as 2nd Baron Wynford, 3 March 1845. He married, 17 July 1821 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Jane (1803-95), daughter of William Thoyts of Sulhampstead (Berks), and had issue:

(1) Hon. Anne Louisa Best (1825-99), born 11 March and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), 4 May 1825; married, 7 April 1858 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, Maj-Gen. Patrick Yule (1792-1873), son of James Yule, but had no issue; died 22 April 1899; her will was confirmed in Edinburgh, 28 July 1899 (estate £17,267);

(2) William Draper Mortimer Best (1826-99), 3rd Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(3) Hon. Frederic Barnewall Best (1827-76), born 18 August 1827 and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster, 26 April 1828; an officer in the 2nd Bengal Fusiliers (Lt., 1849; Capt., 1863; retired 1863) and later one of the Gentlemen at Arms (the Queen's Bodyguard), from 1867; married 1st, 9 June 1864 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster, Charlotte Elizabeth (1841-65), eldest daughter of Francis Hart Dyke, and had issue one son, who died in infancy; he married 2nd, 24 November 1870 at Melcombe Regis (Dorset), Frances Hinton (1837-1912) (who m3, 19 September 1882 at Melcombe Regis, Sir  Thomas Fraser Grove (1824-97), 1st bt.), only child of Henry Northcote of Okefield, Crediton (Devon), barrister-at-law, and widow of Capt. Herbert Edward George Crosse (1837-65); died at Weymouth (Dorset), 5 January, and was buried at Brompton Cemetery (Middx), 11 January 1876; will proved 25 January 1876 (effects under £12,000);

(4) Henry Molyneux Best (1829-1903), 4th Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(5) Hon. Robert Rainy Best (1834-1903), born 21 August and baptised at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster, 17 September 1834; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1852; Ensign, 1854; Lt., 1854; Capt. 1855?); married 1st, 8 March 1856 at St Mary Abbotts, Kensington (Middx), Maria Addison (1837-81), daughter of Thomas Augustus Swaysland of Crawley (Sussex), but had no issue; and 2nd, 18 April 1882 at Charlton (Kent), Meynella Katherine Hilda (1862-99), daughter of Capt. Frederick Augustus Percy Wood, Royal Marines, and had issue one son (who died in infancy) and one daughter; died at Torquay (Devon), 2 February 1903; will proved 17 March 1903 (estate £21,712).

He lived in Hanover Sq. and later Park Place, St James', Westminster. He inherited Leesons and the Wynford Eagle estate from his father in 1845, but sold the former in about 1850.

He died 28 February and was buried at Brompton Cemetery (Middx), 6 March 1869; his will was proved 24 March 1869 (effects under £120,000). His widow died aged 91 on 23 February 1895; administration of her goods (with will annexed) was granted to her son, Henry, 18 April 1895 (effects £13,066).

Best, William Draper Mortimer (1826-99), 3rd Baron Wynford. Eldest son of William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford, and his wife Jane, daughter of William Thoyts of Sulhamstead (Berks), born 2 August and baptised at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), 19 December 1826. An officer in the army (Ensign, 1844; Lt., 1847; Capt. 1854; retired 1856). He succeeded his father as 3rd Baron Wynford, 28 February 1869. He married, 17 December 1857 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Caroline Eliza Montagu (1829-1913), daughter of Evan Baillie (1798-1883) of Dochfour, and had issue:

(1) Algernon Best (1858-59), born 26 December 1858 and baptised at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), 16 January 1859; died in infancy, 18 January 1859.

He probably built Wynford House (now Higher Wynford Farm) - first mentioned in 1863 - during his father's lifetime, and inherited the Wynford Eagle estate from his father in 1869.

He died 27 August and was buried at Brompton Cemetery (Middx), 30 August 1899. His widow died 16 January 1913; administration of her goods was granted 5 March 1913 (estate £188,869).

Best, Henry Molyneux (1829-1903), 4th Baron Wynford. Third son of William Samuel Best (1798-1869), 2nd Baron Wynford, and his wife Jane, daughter of William Thoyts of Sulhamstead (Berks), born 7 November and baptised at St George, Hanover Square, Westminister (Middx), 11 December 1829. He evidently had a career in the Royal Navy (Midshipman by 1845), which he still felt it relevant to record ('late R.N.') in the 1881 census, but I have been unable to trace any record of him being commissioned and he seems not to appear in the Navy List. He was a Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society from 1867 and the Royal Botanical Society (a member of Council from 1872); and a Member of the Royal Institution from 1869. He succeeded his elder brother as 4th Baron Wynford, 27 August 1899. He was unmarried and had no issue.

He lived at 7 Connaught Sq., Westminster, and inherited the Wynford Eagle estate from his brother in 1899.

He died at Paignton (Devon), 28 October and was buried at Brompton Cemetery, 3 November 1903; his will was proved 15 December 1903 (estate £60,484).

Best, Rev. the Hon. Samuel (1802-73). Fourth son of Rt. Hon. Sir William Draper Best, 1st Baron Wynford, and his wife Mary Anne, second daughter of Jerome Knapp, clerk of the Haberdashers Company, born 2 December 1802. Educated at Eton and King's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1822; BA 1826; MA 1830). Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 1825-26; ordained deacon, 1825, and priest, 1826; rector of Blandford St Mary (Dorset), 1830-34, and of Abbotts Ann (Hants), 1831-73; chaplain to his father, 1831; Rural Dean of Andover, 1854-73; elected by the clergy of the archdeaconry of Winchester as their proctor in convocation, 1859, 1865; honorary canon of Winchester Cathedral, 1872-73. A well-known Evangelical clergyman, he was the author of many works, principally on parochial matters and  collections of sermons, and founded the Abbotts Ann Provident Society in 1831. He married 1st, 11 April 1826, Charlotte Willis (1805-33), daughter of Sir James Burrough, judge of the Court of Common Pleas; and 2nd, 21 February 1835, Emma (1809-91), daughter of Lt-Col. Charles Duke, and had issue:

(2.1) Hon. Mary Margaret Best (1836-1913), born 10 May and baptised at Chislehurst (Kent), 5 June 1836; granted rank of a baron's daughter, 1904; married, 8 May 1859 at Abbotts Ann, Rev. Sir James Erasmus Philipps (1824-1912), 12th bt., vicar of Warminster (Wilts) and canon of Salisbury Cathedral, and had issue six sons (of whom three obtained peerages as 1st Viscount St Davids, 1st Baron Kylsant, and 1st Baron Milford) and five daughters; died 5 September 1913 and was buried with her husband in the cloister of Salisbury Cathedral, in which they are commemorated by a monument; administration of her goods was granted 14 November 1913 (estate £773);

(2.2) George Best (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(2.3) Grace Emma Best (1840-64), born 17 October and baptised at Abbotts Ann, 2 December 1840; married, 27 February 1862 at Abbotts Ann, Rev. Florence Thomas Wethered (1840-1919), vicar of Hurley (Berks), 1868-1919 (who m2, 4 December 1867 at Hurley, Mary Josephine (1840-1931), daughter of Joseph Bonsor, and had further issue), son of Rev. Florence John Wethered, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 10 October 1864;

(2.4) Hon. John Charles Best (1842-1907), born 13 May and baptised at Abbotts Ann, 18 June 1842; an officer in the Royal Navy from 1855 (Lt., 1862; Cdr., 1869; retired as Capt., 1884); JP for Denbighshire and Merionethshire; High Sheriff of Denbighshire, 1888-89; founder of the North Wales Sheep Dog Society, 1867, whose annual trials received the patronage of Queen Victoria and Queen Alexandra; Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, 1871; Conservator of the River Dee Fishery District, 1875; President of the Llangollen Club, 1877-78; granted rank of a baron's younger son, 1904; married, 2 April 1873 at Llangollen (Denbighs.), Mary (d. 1927), daughter of William Wagstaff (d. 1877) of Plas yn Vivod, Llangollen, and had issue one son; died 25 May 1907; administration of goods granted 31 October 1907 (estate £814);

(2.5) Hon. Thomas William Best (1844-1909), born 23 January and baptised at Abbotts Ann, 8 April 1844; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1863; Lt., 1866; Capt., 1876; Maj., 1881; retired 1883); adjutant to Hallamshire Rifles, 1879-83; Chief Constable of Merionethshire, 1883-1907; granted rank of a baron's younger son, 1904; married, 16 September 1879 at Hurworth-on-Tees (Co. Durham), Harriet Royds (1858-1935), third surviving daughter of Henry Anthony Grey of The Hall, Hurworth-on-Tees and Brent House, Meole Brace (Shrops.), and had issue two sons; died at Barmouth (Merioneths.), 3 January, and was buried at Llanaber (Merioneths.), 6 January 1909; will proved 26 February 1909 (estate £784);

(2.6) Hon. Fanny Gertrude Sophia Best (1845-1904), born 3 September and baptised at Abbotts Ann, 1 October 1845; granted rank of a baron's daughter, 1904; died unmarried, 26 November 1904; will proved 17 January 1905 (estate £11,790).

He died 20 January and was buried at Abbotts Ann, 24 January 1873; his will was proved 11 March 1873 (effects under £25,000). His first wife died 23 September 1833. His widow lived latterly at Mentone (France) and died at Aix-les-Bains (France) 7 September 1891; her will proved 27 October 1891 (effects £527).

Best, George (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford. Eldest son of Rev. the Hon. Samuel Best (1802-73) and his second wife Emma, daughter of Lt-Col. Charles Duke, born 14 December 1838 and baptised at Abbotts Ann (Hants), 21 January 1839. Educated at Rugby and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. An officer in the Royal Artillery (Lt., 1858; Capt. 1871; Maj., 1879; retired as Lt-Col., 1883). JP for Wiltshire and Dorset. Chairman of Wiltshire Agriculture Committee. He succeded his cousin as 5th Baron Wynford, 28 October 1903, but only held the title for a year before his death. He married, 7 September 1870 at Weyhill (Hants), Editha Anne (1846-1924), daughter of Matthew Henry Marsh MP of Ramridge, Andover (Hants), and had issue:

(1) Philip George Best (1871-1940), 6th Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(2) Hon. Margaret Mary Best (1872-1941), born 6 October and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich (Kent), 15 November 1872; worked as a Red Cross nurse during and after the First World War, and later as Honorary Secretary of School Empire Tour Committee, and during the Second World War as a postal censor; Fellow of British Empire Society; appointed OBE, 1929 and CBE, 1938; died unmarried, 30 November 1941; her will was proved 3 April 1942 (estate £15,311);

(3) Samuel John Best (1874-1943), 7th Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(4) Hon. Gertrude Emma Best (1876-1953), born 10 November and was baptised at Weyhill (Hants), 24 December 1876; trained as a nurse at St Thomas' Hospital, London, 1903-06; Associate of Royal Red Cross; state registered nurse, 1922; Asst. Matron of St Thomas's Hospital, 1913-24 and founder and matron of Tower House Emergency Medical Service Hospital, Salisbury, 1940-45; Chairman of Wiltshire County Nursing Association; awarded MBE, 1941; inherited Charlton House from her mother in 1924 but sold it and lived latterly at Charlton Parva with her younger sister; died unmarried, 19 October 1953; will proved 15 January 1954 (estate £22,371);

(5) Admiral Hon. Sir Matthew Robert Best (1878-1940), born 18 June 1878; an officer in the Royal Navy from 1892 (Midshipman; Lt., 1900; Cdr., 1911; Capt., 1916; Rear-Adm., 1928; Vice-Adm. 1932; Adm. 1936; retired 1939), who served in the First World War and was decorated for his role in the Battle of Jutland; appointed MVO, 1910; DSO, 1916, and bar, 1918; CB, 1928 and KCB, 1935; awarded Russian Order of St Stanislaus and Japanese Order of Rising Sun; a popular and decisive naval commander who was esteemed by his superiors and many of those under his command, though he did not suffer fools gladly; married, 2 January 1908 at Holy Trinity, Sloane St., Chelsea (Middx), Annis Elizabeth (1880-1971), second daughter of Charles Frederick Wood of West Woodhay House (Berks) and later of Twyford House (Hants), and had issue one son and one daughter; lived latterly at Crockway, Frampton (Dorset); died 13 October 1940 and was buried at Toller Fratrum (Dorset); administration of goods (with will annexed) granted to his widow, 31 January 1941 (estate £9,486);

(6) Grace Edith Best (1879-99), born 1 September and baptised at St Michael, Coventry (Warks), 21 October 1879; died unmarried of pneumonia, 20 May 1899;

(7) Hon. Helen Best (1880-1959), born 5 November 1880 and baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 6 January 1881; married, 12 July 1910 at Holy Trinity, Sloane St., Chelsea (Middx), Arthur Gerald Wilson (c.1870-1918), solicitor, son of Rev. Charles Wilson of Bickley (Kent), and had issue one daughter; died 7 January 1959; will proved 11 June 1959 (estate £15,076);

(8) Hon. James William Best (1882-1960), born 3 May and baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, 15 June 1882; educated at Wellington Coll and Cooper's Hill; an official of the Indian Forest Service and an officer in the Indian Auxiliary Force (Capt.); retired to England and became a dairy farmer at Beaminster (Dorset) and a Verderer of the New Forest; JP for Dorset; awarded OBE, 1919; married, 11 August 1914 at Lytchett Minster (Dorset), Florence Mary Bernarda (1885-1961), daughter of Sir Elliott Lees, 1st bt. of Lytchet Manor, and had issue four sons and two daughters; died 16 July 1960; cremated and ashes buried at Melplash (Dorset), 20 July 1960; will proved 21 October 1960 (estate £22,669);

(9) Hon. Bertha Beatrice Best (1884-1961), born 26 June 1884; married, 7 January 1920 at St Peter, Eaton Sq., Westminster (Middx), Lt-Col. Guy Montague Atkinson DSO (1882-1956) of Penleigh House, Westbury (Wilts), elder son of Lt-Col. Guy Newcomen Atkinson of Cangort (Co. Offaly), but had no issue; died 10 June and was buried at Dilton Marsh, 26 June 1961; will proved 21 November 1961 (estate £31,225);

(10) Hon. Marion Frances Best (1887-1969), born 27 July and was baptised at Donhead St Mary, 17 September 1887; lived at Charlton Parva, Donhead St Mary (Wilts); died unmarried, 6 September 1969; will proved 16 December 1969 (estate £25,273).

He lived at Charlton House, Donhead St Mary (Wilts), which he rented from 1884; his widow and her daughter Gertrude bought the freehold in 1913. He inherited the Wynford Eagle estate from his cousin in 1903.

He died 27 October 1904; his will was proved 12 January 1905 (estate £26,067). His widow died 31 May 1924, and was buried at Charlton (Wilts); her will was proved 17 July 1924 (estate £9,740).

6th Baron Wynford

Best, Philip George (1871-1940), 6th Baron Wynford. Eldest son of George Best (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford, and his wife Edith Anne, daughter of Matthew Henry Marsh MP of Ramridge, Andover (Hants), born 27 August and baptised at Abbotts Ann (Hants), 24 September 1871. Educated at Wellington College and Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. An officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1890; Lt., 1893; Capt., 1900; retired 1904) and later in Dorset Yeomanry (Lt., 1906; Capt., 1906; Maj., 1909; Lt-Col., 1916), who served in the First World War (wounded; mentioned in despatches; awarded DSO, 1917); JP (from 1905) and DL (from 1919) for Dorset; County Councillor for Dorset, 1916-35; Chairman of Mental Hospital Committee, 1931-34; Vice-President of the Bath & West Agricultural Society. A staunch churchman, he was a member of the Salisbury Diocesan Board of Finance, and Chairman of the Dorset Voluntary Schools Association. He succeeded his father as 6th Baron Wynford, 27 October 1904. He married, 16 October 1906 at All Souls, Langham Place, Marylebone (Middx), Hon. Eva Lilian Cecilia (1885-1974), only child of Robert William Napier, 2nd Baron Napier of Magdala, and had issue:

(1) Hon. Grace Janet Mary Best (1907-2002), born 27 August 1907; married, 12 November 1930 at St Paul, Knightsbridge (Middx), Edward Kenneth Macleod Hilleary MVO (1904-73) of Lordington Park (Sussex), second son of Maj. Edward Langdale Hilleary OBE of The Lodge, Edinbane, Isle of Skye, and had issue three daughters; died 4 January 2002; will proved 17 June 2002;

(2) Hon. Eva Constance Edith Best (1909-99), born 11 February 1909; married, 23 April 1932 at Maiden Newton (Dorset) (div. 1961), Philip Valentine Mackinnon (1908-95), only son of Rt. Hon. Sir Frank Douglas Mackinnon, Lord Justice of Appeal, but had no issue; died 1 May 1999; will proved 2 June 1999;

(3) Hon. Mary Jemima Best (1912-2007), born 23 August 1912; married, 2 September 1944, Jack Hendy (1915-93), 'a Communist electrician and trade unionist', and had issue two sons (who both became life peers, in 2019 and 2022 respectively); said to have died in 2007.

He inherited the Wynford Eagle estate from his father in 1904.

In 1939, he emigrated to South Africa for health reasons, and he died at Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 15 December 1940; his will was proved 8 August 1941 (estate £183,714). His widow died in Salisbury (Rhodesia), 23 March 1974; administration of her goods (with will annexed) was granted in Cape Town (South Africa) and sealed in London, 21 April 1975 (effects in England & Wales £5,522).

Best, Samuel John (1874-1943), 7th Baron Wynford. Second son of George Best (1838-1904), 5th Baron Wynford, and his wife Edith Anne, daughter of Matthew Henry Marsh MP of Ramridge, Andover (Hants), born 24 June 1874. Educated at Wellington College, after which he spent some years farming in New Zealand; he then moved to Bengal (now Bangladesh) where became a tea planter with Octavius Steel & Co., and after some years in their Calcutta office returned to England as a partner in the firm. While abroad, he served with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles and the Surma Light Horse (Assam), but during the First World War he was an officer in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (Lt.). He succeeded his elder brother as 7th Baron Wynford, 15 December 1940. He married 1st, 26 August 1914 at Darjeeling (India), Evelyn Mary Aylmer (1887-1929), second daughter of Maj-Gen. Sir Edward Sinclair May KCB CMG, and 2nd, 5 June 1930, Margeurite Jane (1890-1966), daughter of Charles Pratt of the Indian Railway Service, and widow of William Kenneth Allies (1881-1922), and had issue:

(1.1) Hon. Edith Joy Marion Best (1915-93), born in Calcutta (India), 14 August 1915; married, 3 April 1937 at Merrow (Surrey), Cdr. Walpole John Eyre RN (1906-87) of Sadborow Myll, Thorncombe (Dorset), son of Rev. George Frederick Eyre of West Hill, Lyme Regis (Dorset), and had issue one son and one daughter, and also adopted one daughter; died 4 February 1993; will proved 26 October 1993 (estate £725,351);

(1.2) Robert Samuel Best (1917-2002), 8th Baron Wynford (q.v.);

(1.3) John Philip Best (1919-40), born in Calcutta, 14 March 1919; an officer in the Royal Navy (Midshipman, 1937; Sub-Lt., 1939; mentioned in despatches, 1940), who was lost when HM Submarine Spearfish was sunk by U-boat U34, 2 August 1940; administration of goods (with will annexed) granted 5 May 1941 (estate £2,694);

(1.4) Hon. Patrick George Matthew Best (1923-2009), born in Calcutta, 5 October 1923; educated at Wellington Coll; an officer in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (Midshipman, 1943; Sub-Lt., 1943) in Second World War; employed by Wiggins Teape Ltd. from 1946 (director from 1968; deputy chairman, 1978; chairman and managing director, 1979); director of BAT Industries, 1979-84 and of Rank Hovis Macdougall; Master of Ironmongers Company, 1985-86; a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts; appointed an officer of the Belgian Order of the Crown, 1980; married 1st, 29 March 1947 at St Mark, North Audley St., Westminster (Middx), Heather Elizabeth (1924-99), younger daughter of Hamilton Gardner of South Kensington (Middx), and had issue four sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 1 April 2000, Anne Loveday Ayscough (1931-2005), daughter of Kenneth Ayscough England; lived latterly at Monks House, Petersfield (Hants); died 30 October 2009; will proved 6 September 2010.

He lived in a flat in one of the blocks built on the site of Wildcroft Manor in Putney (Surrey). He inhertied the Wynford Eagle estate from his elder brother in 1940.

He died in Putney (Surrey), 29 August, and was buried at Wynford Eagle, 3 September 1943; his will was proved 8 March 1944 (estate £138,855). His first wife died 28 March 1929; her will was proved 12 June 1929 (estate £1,719). His widow died in Cheltenham (Glos), 28 March 1966; her will was proved 20 October 1966 (estate £10,832).

8th Baron Wynford

Best, Robert Samuel (1917-2002), 8th Baron Wynford. Eldest son of Samuel John Best (1874-1943), 7th Baron Wynford, and his first wife, Evelyn Mary Aylmer, second daughter of Maj-Gen. Sir Edward Sinclair May KCB CMG, born in Calcutta (India), 5 January 1917. Educated at Eton and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. An officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1937; Lt., 1940; Capt., 1945; Maj., 1950; Lt-Col., 1957; retired 1960), who served in the Second World War (wounded, awarded Croix de Guerre, 1943); appointed MBE, 1952. DL for Dorset (from 1970). He succeeded his father as 8th Baron Wynford, 29 August 1943. He married, 6 May 1941 at Holy Trinity, Brompton (Middx), Anne Daphne Mametz (1918-2002), only daughter of Maj-Gen. John Randle Minshull-Ford CB DSO MC of Windlesham (Surrey), and had issue:

(1) Hon. Caroline Anne Sabina Best (b. 1942), born 28 March 1942; educated at Trinity College, Dublin; married, 24 October 1964, Edward Patrick Gundry (1935-2013), elder son of Edward Fox Gundry (1909-94), and had issue one son and two daughters; living in 2023;

(2) Hon. Jacqueline Dorothy Mametz Best (b. 1946), born 9 November 1946; married, 7 June 1969, Jeremy James Richard Pope OBE DL (b. 1943), solicitor, of Maiden Newton (Dorset), and had issue three sons; living in 2023;

(3) John Philip Robert Best (b. 1950), 9th Baron Wynford (q.v.).

He inherited the Wynford Eagle estate from his father in 1943.

He died 21 January 2002; his will was proved 20 September 2002. His widow died 25 October 2002; her will was proved 8 September 2003.

Best, John Philip Robert (b. 1950), 9th Baron Wynford. Only son of Robert Samuel Best (1917-2002), 8th Baron Wynford, and his wife Anne Daphne Mametz, only daughter of Maj-Gen. John Randle Minshull-Ford CB DSO MC, born 23 November 1950. Educated at Radley College, Keele University (BA 1974), and Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester (MRAC, 1977). Landowner and chartered surveyor (MRICS, 1979). He succeeded his father as 9th Baron Wynford, 21 January 2002. He married, 10 October 1981, Fenella Christian Mary (b. 1952), only daughter of Capt. Arthur Reginald Danks MBE (d. 1996), and had issue:

(1) Hon. Sophie Hannah Elizabeth Best (b. 1985), born 18 November 1985; management and business consultant in Dorchester (Dorset);

(2) Hon. Harry Robert Francis Best (b. 1987), born 9 May 1987; heir apparent to the barony.

He took over the management of the Wynford Eagle estate from his father in 1981.

Now living. His wife is now living.

Principal sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, 2003, pp. 4256-58; J. Hutchins, History of Dorset, 1774, vol. 1, pp. 526-27; E.A. Webb, G.W. Miller & J. Beckwith, The history of Chislehurst, 1899, p. 263; A. Gomme & A. Maguire, Design and Plan in the Country House: from Castle Donjons to Palladian Boxes, 2008, pp. 211-12; M. Hill, West Dorset Country Houses, 2014, p. 415; M. Hill, J. Newman & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Dorset, 2nd edn., 2018, p. 714; ODNB entry for 1st Baron Wynford;

https://leesonsfields.co.uk/history-of-leesons-estate-1790-present/;

Location of archives

Best family, Barons Wynford: deeds and estate papers relating to Kent and Lincolnshire property, 1551-1845 [Bexley Local Studies & Archives Centre, PEWYN]. Other records may remain with the family.

Coat of arms

Best of Wynford Eagle, Barons Wynford: Sable a Cinquefoil within an Orle of Cross Crosslets Or on a Canton of the last a Portcullis of the first

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide a more exact date for the family acquisition of the Wynford Eagle estate, or their sale of Leesons? 
• Does anyone know exactly when Higher Wynford (also known as Wynford House) was built, or who the architect was?
• 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 May 2025 and updated 13 and 17 May 2025.