(581) Berkeley of Cotheridge Court

Berkeley of Cotheridge

This family are a cadet branch of the Berkeleys of Spetchley (who will be the subject of a future post), who were in a turn a cadet branch of the Berkeleys of Berkeley Castle. This branch begins with William Berkeley (1583-1658), son of Rowland Berkeley of Worcester and Spetchley, a wealthy clothier. William purchased the Cotheridge estate near Worcester in 1615, and settled it on his only son, Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613-96), kt., on the latter's marriage in 1635. He served as High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1617-18, a clear mark of his newly-minted landed status, but his marriage was to Margaret Chettle, the daughter of another Worcester citizen, who served as mayor and MP for the city.

Sir Rowland Berkeley was educated at Oxford and the Middle Temple, and was knighted in 1641. By 1643 he was a justice of the peace and was evidently managing the estate at Cotheridge. He was an active Royalist in the Civil War (being a Commissioner of Array and also High Sheriff in 1644-45), but after the siege of Worcester in 1646 he compounded for his delinquency and took an oath not to take up arms against Parliament again. This oath he seems to have taken seriously, for he took considerable risks to avoid involvement in the Battle of Worcester in 1651. His resolution does not seem to have cost him royal favour, however, for his name was on the list of men to be included in Charles II's proposed Order of the Royal Oak in 1660, and he was restored to the magistracy and lieutenancy in the same year. He had married, in 1635, Dorothy Cave (1619-77), the teenage daughter of Sir Thomas Cave of Stanford Hall (Northants), and probably had a large family, but our knowledge of his children is probably incomplete as the Cotheridge parish registers do not survive before 1653. We do know, however, that he had only one son who survived to adulthood, Thomas Berkeley (c.1639-69), who died while travelling in south-east Europe, long before his father's death. Sir Rowland therefore adopted as his heir Rowland, the second son of his eldest daughter, Elizabeth Green (c.1645-c.1688), on condition that he took the name Berkeley in lieu of Green.

Rowland Green (later Berkeley) (1680-1731) came of age in 1701 and was High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 1711-12. He and his wife, Mary Bohun, had a large family, although several of his children died young. His heir was Rowland Berkeley (1705-59), who married Lucy Lechmere from Severn End (Worcs) a few months after his father's death and produced an even larger family (nine sons and five daughters) than his father, although once again, several of them died young. Rowland seems to have played little part in public affairs, and he thus lacked other sources of income to supplement the resources of the estate, making it difficult for him to provide for his younger sons and daughters, several of whom remained unmarried. His eldest son and heir, Rowland Berkeley (1732-1805) inherited the Cotheridge estate and made major changes to the house there in about 1770, which were perhaps financed by his marriage in 1768 to the daughter of a London merchant. They had no children, however, so at his death the estate passed to his younger brother, the Rev. Henry Rowland Berkeley (1740-1832), who had none either, having married only in middle age to a woman already past childbearing age. Henry was the last survivor of his father's large family, and on his death Cotheridge passed to his nephew, the Rev. Richard Tomkyns (1768-1840), once more on the condition that the heir took the name Berkeley, which he had royal licence to do in 1832.

The Rev. Richard Tomkyns (later Berkeley) also made a very late marriage, and at his death left only a daughter, Louisa Anne (1823-90), who could not inherit Cotheridge as the estate was entailed on the male line. It passed instead to Richard's second cousin, the Rev. John Rowland Berkeley (1781-1850), who descended from a younger son of Rowland Berkeley (1680-1731). This branch of the family had been clergymen through several generations, and John was vicar of Much Cowarne (Herefs). He never married, so at his death Cotheridge passed to his younger brother William Berkeley (1784-1869), who spent most of his life in Essex and London. His eldest son was the Rev. William Comyns Berkeley (1810-85), who was appointed as rector of Cotheridge in 1850 and after his father's death became a classic Victorian squarson, combining the roles of squire and parson until his death in 1885. Comyns Berkeley, as he seems to have been known, married a daughter of the famous early 19th century antiquary, John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), and the couple had four sons, of whom the eldest, and the heir to Cotheridge, was Rowland Comyns Berkeley (1845-1925). It was in this generation that the combined effect of the Agricultural Depression and progressive taxation first made it impossible for small estates like Cotheridge to continue to support a gentry family in a leisured existence, and his sons all went into careers in engineering or colonial planting. Their careers were, of course, interrupted by the First World War, and the eldest son, Rowland Broughton Berkeley (1883-1957) served at different times in the army, the navy, and the air force. He inherited Cotheridge in 1925, but sold most of the land in 1932 and eventually parted with the house in 1949, after which it was converted into flats. He had no children, and his siblings left no surviving issue either, so he was the last of the Berkeleys of Cotheridge.

Cotheridge Court, Worcestershire

The house is essentially a late 16th century timber-framed house of two storeys and attics, which was much altered in 1770. The plan consists of a central block containing the entrance hall and principal staircases, with the kitchen and offices at the rear, a shallow L-shaped wing on the north, and a longer wing on the south, both wings projecting symmetrically on the east front.  As a result of the changes of 1770, the original building is now only apparent from the west, where the Tudor close studding and carved bargeboards are visible. However, in the early 20th century the Berkeley family retained a drawing showing the house in its original form, with the east front crowned by four gables - one on each wing and two over the recessed centre - while a small porch with a gabled room over it stood in the centre of the range. 

Cotheridge Court: the rear of the house from the north-west in 1932, prior to the removal of  lime render. Image: R.J. Collins/Historic England 

Cotheridge Court: recent aerial view of the house from the south-west, showing the semi-timbered range

More survives inside of the Tudor house, including the principal staircase, north of the hall, which rises in three flights to the first floor round a square (but probably reduced) well, and has massive newels crowned by moulded finials, and heavily moulded handrails, supported by square raking balusters joined at their heads by small semicircular arches.

Cotheridge Court: the Tudor staircase, c.1920
Image: Victoria County History/University of London

In the early 20th century, the dining room, at the east end of the north wing, had Elizabethan panelling, while the room to the west of it, known as the 'brown parlour', had a plaster ceiling of the same date with a rose in the centre, and contemporary panelling, although an earlier painted panel behind this indicated that this part of the house may contain some fragments of the previous house on the site. To the north of the dining room is a small panelled room, traditionally called 'the sot's hole,' which is rather quaintly said to have been where drunk and disorderly prisoners brought before the Berkeleys in their capacity as magistrates, were locked up until they had sobered up! It seems more likely that this was a small parlour, and the room above has good late 16th century plasterwork.

Cotheridge Court: the house from the south-east soon
after re-fronting c.1770.

In 1770, a new red brick entrance front was created as a thin skin over the timber-framed house; the recessed five-bay centre was given sash windows and a new classical doorcase in place of the Tudor porch; the south wing was rebuilt in brick and both wings were given Venetian windows on the ground floor; and the gabled attics were concealed by a solid brick wall with blind glazed windows and a plain parapet. The entrance doorway has a moulded architrave and consoles supporting a pediment containing a shield with the Berkeley arms. Inside, the hall, apparently always a single-storey space, was divided to enable the creation of a new staircase at its southern end, and a new drawing room was created at the eastern end of the south wing, which has a plaster ceiling, doorcases, and wooden chimneypiece in the Adam style.

Cotheridge Court: watercolour view from north-east by E. Doe, 1847. Image: William Drummond/Historic England

Cotheridge Court: east front c.1920. Image: Victoria County History/University of London

Further changes were made to the house in the mid 19th century, probably in the early 1870s. At this time, a balustrade with vases was added to the parapet of the entrance front, and the stepped tripartite windows on the first floor of the wings were inserted in place of earlier semi-circular tripartite ones. 

Cotheridge Court: renovation and partial demolition works in progress in 1950. Image: H.E. Sergeant/Historic England

After selling much of the estate in 1932, the Berkeleys finally sold the house in 1949 to an Irish entrepreneur, who felled the timber in the park, and divided the house into two dwellings and three smaller flats. During the renovation works the timber-framing on the west front, which had been plastered over, was exposed, a gabled range of outbuildings, perhaps including a brewhouse, which stood behind the south range, was largely demolished, and many old oak beams from the interior were removed and sold. The house was formerly approached along a noted avenue of lime trees, which were felled in 1961 when they were deemed to be unsafe.

Descent: Thomas Vaux (1510-56), 2nd Baron Vaux of Harrowden, sold 1534 to Sir Robert Acton (d. 1558), kt., to younger son Charles Acton; to son, Sir John Acton (d. 1621), kt.; sold 1615 to William Berkeley (1583-1658); handed on in his lifetime to Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613-96), kt.; to grandson, Rowland Green (later Berkeley (1680-1731); to son, Rowland Berkeley (1705-59); to son, Rowland Berkeley (1732-1805); to brother, Rev. Dr. Henry Rowland Berkeley (1740-1832); to nephew, Rev. Richard Rowland Tomkyns (later Berkeley) (1768-1840); to second cousin, Rev. John Rowland Berkeley (1781-1850); to brother, William Berkeley (1784-1869); to son, Rev. William Comys Berkeley (1810-85); to son, Rowland Comyns Berkeley (1845-1925); to son, Rowland Broughton Berkeley (1883-1957), who sold 1949 to Charles Lewsey, who converted the house into two dwellings and three flats.

Berkeley family of Cotheridge Court

Berkeley, William (1583-1658). Eldest son of Rowland Berkeley (1548-1611) of Worcester and Spetchley and his wife Catherine, daughter of Thomas Heywood, baptised at St Martin, Worcester, 30 July 1583. High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1617-18. He married, about 1607, Margaret (1586-1649), daughter of Thomas Chettle (c.1552-c.1640) of Worcester, MP for Worcester in 1614, and had issue:

(1) Katherine Berkeley (c.1608-55), elder daughter, born about 1608; married, 12 July 1632 at St Saviour, Southwark (Surrey), John Verney (d. 1680) of Compton Murdock alias Compton Verney (Warks), probably the younger son of Sir Richard Verney (1563-1630), kt.; buried at Chesterton (Warks), 28 June 1655;

(2) Jane Berkeley (c.1611-65), born about 1611; married, before 1635, as his second wife, William Jeffreys (c.1595-1658) of Ham or Homme Castle, Clifton-upon-Teme (Worcs), and had issue five sons and four daughters; died 8 March and was buried at Clifton-upon-Teme, 10 March 1664/5;

(3) Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613-96), kt. (q.v.).

He inherited the manors of Cowleigh (in Mathon (Worcs)) and Acton Beauchamp from his father in 1611 and purchased the manor of Cotheridge from Sir John Acton (d. 1621) in 1615. He sold Cowleigh in 1624 and the remainder of the estate was settled on his son on the latter's marriage in 1635.

He died 4 December 1658; his will was proved in the PCC, 1 January 1658/9. His wife died 29 September 1649.

Berkeley, Sir Rowland (1613-96), kt. Only son of William Berkeley (1583-1658) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Chettle of Worcestershire, born in 1613. Educated at the Middle Temple (admitted 1627) and Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1632). Knighted, 30 June 1641. JP for Worcestershire, 1643-46, 1660-80, for Worcester City, 1660-80, and for Worcester and Worcestershire, 1689-96. High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1644-45. DL for Worcestershire, 1660-88. During the Civil War he was an active Royalist, but at the surrender of Worcester on 23 July 1646 he obtained a written pass to return home in return for taking an oath not to bear arms against Parliament again, and he compounded for delinquency the following month and paid a fine of £2,030 (about four times the annual value of the estate). He evidently regarded himself as still bound by his oath in 1651 for he left an account of his conduct during the Battle of Worcester in that year, when he was 'brought to Worcester, much against his will, from Cotheridge, where he had this time remained at home 'resolved not to meddle.' He wrote to his father-in-law, Sir Thomas Cave, that he was fetched to the King from Cotheridge by a major with a party of horse. Having learnt that a commission had been issued to him and other gentlemen of the county to assist Major-General Massey, then governor of Worcester, and 'not liking the employment,' he, while waiting for audience with the king, got to his horse and fled home with what speed he could, the battle being already hot on both sides of the town. He got in about nine that night, after an exciting ride through the army, being captured once by the Scots, and escaping from them again. The next morning by sunrise a party of the Parliamentary horse rode to Cotheridge and told Sir Rowland he must come with them to their general. They carried him off and took his dun colt with them, but by the time they reached St. John's he found they had no order for what they did, and again escaped home. He was one of the gentlemen chosen by King Charles in 1660 to be invested with the order of the Royal Oak, but the order was never set up. MP for the City of Worcester, 1661. He married, 26 November 1635, Dorothy (1619-77), daughter of Sir Thomas Cave, kt., of Stanford Hall (Northants), and had issue, probably among others:

(1) Thomas Berkeley (c.1639-69), born about 1639; who 'out of a generous curiosity to see foreign countries, went with... Sir Daniel Harvey, ambassador extraordinary... to Sultan Mahomet Kan, emperor of the Turks, and travelling with [him] from Constantinople towards Thessalonika, where the ambassador was to receive his audience from the emporor, fell sick by the way' and died unmarried aged 30 at Megara (Greece), 25 October 1669, where he was buried among the Greek Christians; commemorated by a monument at Cotheridge;

(2) Elizabeth Berkeley (c.1645-c.1688) (q.v.);

(3) Anne Berkeley (c.1648-77), born before 1653; died unmarried and was buried at Cotheridge, 23 October 1677;

(4) Penelope Berkeley (c.1650-96), born about 1650; married, 23 September 1686 at Cotheridge, as his second wife, Sir Thomas Street (1625-96), kt., a justice of common pleas and MP for Worcester, 1659-79, son of George Street (1594-1643), mayor of Worcester, but had no issue; buried at Cotheridge, 25 April 1696;

(5) Mary Berkeley (c.1653-1707); married, 6 October 1675 at Cotheridge, Richard Nash junior (c.1653-96) of Droitwich, and had issue at least one son* and two daughters; buried at Droitwich, 11 June 1707, where she is commemorated on the monument to her husband and father-in-law;

(6) Dorothy Berkeley (b. 1654), baptised at Cotheridge, 15 May 1654; probably died young but death not traced;

(7) Margaret Berkeley (1657-1707), baptised at Cotheridge, 9 March 1657; married, 1675 (licence 25 April), William Bromley (1656-1707) of Holt Castle (Worcs), MP for Worcester, 1685-1700 and for Worcestershire, 1701-02, 1705-07, eldest surviving son of Henry Bromley (1632-70), and had issue three daughters; died on 23 August 1707 at Horseheath Hall (Cambs), evidently of an infectious disease which also killed her husband and one of her daughters, and was buried with them at Holt, 25 August 1707;

(8) Rebecca Berkeley (1659-89?), baptised at Cotheridge, 25 October 1659; married, 24 November 1686 at Cotheridge, as his second wife, Henry Townshend (c.1653-1707) of Elmley Lovett (who m3, 24 November 1690 at Ombersley (Worcs), Penelope (c.1657-99), daughter of Samuel  Sandys of Ombersley), but had no issue; possibly the woman of this name buried at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), 3 March 1688/9.

He had taken over the management of the Cotheridge estate by 1646. 

He was buried at Cotheridge, 7 April 1696; his will was proved 11 April 1696. His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 4 May 1677.

* The Worcestershire historian, Dr. Treadway Russell Nash, was the grandson of Richard and Mary Nash.

Berkeley, Elizabeth (c.1645-c.1688). Eldest recorded daughter of Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613-96), kt., and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Sir Thomas Cave, kt., of Stanford Hall (Northants), probably born about 1645. She married, 1668 (licence), Henry Green (1640-94) of Wyken (Warks), a trustee of Rugby School from 1687, and had issue:

(1) Henry Green (1669-1744), baptised at Wyken, 9 March 1669; inherited the Wyken estate from his father in 1694; married, 26 October 1697 at St Paul, Covent Garden, Westminster (Middx) Margaret (1664-1724), eldest daughter of Sir William Craven (1638-95) of Benham Valence (Berks) and Coombe Abbey (Warks), and had issue at least one son and one daughter (who died young); died without surviving issue and was buried at Wyken, 23 June 1744;

(2) Dorothy Green (b. 1671), baptised at Wyken, 5 October 1671; living in 1691 and probably the woman of this name who married, 29 December 1697 at St Michael, Coventry, Thomas Burgh*, and had issue at least one son and two daughters; death not traced;

(3) Penelope Green (b. 1672), baptised at Wyken, 10 October 1672; married, 10 August 1696 at Cotheridge, Benjamin Jeffries (1649-c.1708) of Clifton-upon-Teme (Worcs), but had no issue; 

(4) Elizabeth Green (b. 1673), baptised at Wyken, 6 November 1673; married, 1703 (licence 11 September), Henry Green (b. c.1663) of Ashley (Northants), son of Henry Green of Rolleston (Leics), and had issue at least one son;

(5) Mary Green (1674-1744), baptised at Wyken, 13 October 1674; died unmarried at Wyken; will proved 12 October 1744;

(6) Anne Green (1675-1710), baptised at Wyken, 4 December 1675; died unmarried and was buried at Wyken, 6 November 1710;

(7) Maria Rebecca Green (1677-1729), baptised at Wyken, 24 May 1677; married, 6 December 1704 at Clifton-upon-Teme (Worcs), Hon. John Craven (1673-1726) of Whitley (Warks), and had issue four sons** and two daughters; buried in Binley (Warks), 16 August 1729;

(8) Margaret Green (b. 1678), baptised at Wyken, 9 September 1678; living in 1691;

(9) Jane Green (b. 1679; fl. 1740), baptised at Wyken, 2 October 1679; living unmarried in 1740 but death not traced;

(10) Rowland Green (later Berkeley) (1680-1731) (q.v.);

(11) Bridget Green (1683-99), baptised at Wyken, 3 April 1683; died unmarried and was buried at Wyken, 15 September 1699.

She died between 1683 and 1691. Her husband was buried at Wyken, 3 May 1694, but his will was not proved in the PCC until 21 May 1697.

* Entered in the parish register as Birgg. Many other variations of the name seem to be recorded, including Burr and Baugh.

** Their son William succeeded to the barony of Craven as 5th Baron in 1764.

Green (later Berkeley), Rowland (1680-1731). Second son of Henry Green (1640-94) of Wyken (Warks) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Rowland Berkeley (1613-96), kt., of Cotheridge (Worcs), baptised at Wyken, 19 January 1680/1. He was adopted by his maternal grandfather and brought up as heir to the Cotheridge estate. He took the name Berkeley on succeeding to the estate in 1696, but was sometimes referred to as 'Mr Berkeley Green'. High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1711-12. He married, 1700 (licence 10 August), Mary (d. 1731), daughter and co-heir of George Bohun of Newhouse and Coundon (Warks), and had issue:

(1) George Berkeley (b. 1701), baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 22 April 1701; predeceased his father and probably died young;

(2) Mary Berkeley (b. 1701), baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 26 December 1701; died in infancy;

(3) Mary Berkeley (b. 1702), baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 30 November 1702;

(4) Dorothy Berkeley (1704-77), baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 3 March 1704; married, 16 June 1725 at Cotheridge, William Calcott (d. 1738) of Berwick (Shrops.), and had issue three sons and three daughters; buried at Atcham (Shrops.), 11 June 1777;

(5) Rowland Berkeley (1705-59) (q.v.);

(6) Elizabeth Berkeley (1707-49), baptised at St Michael, Coventry, 28 May 1707; died unmarried and was buried at Cotheridge, 3 December 1749;

(7) Susanna Berkeley (1709-20), born 2 March and baptised at Cotheridge, 9 March 1708/9; died young and was buried at Cotheridge, 12 June 1720;

(8) Margaret Berkeley (1710-80), born 15 November and baptised at Cotheridge, 17 November 1710; married, 21 August 1740 at Atcham (Shrops.), Scarlett Lloyd of Harlescott, Shrewsbury (Shrops.) and was buried at St Mary, Shrewsbury, 30 April 1780;

(9) Penelope Berkeley (b. 1712), born 30 May and baptised at Cotheridge, 8 June 1712; married, 21 July 1731 at Doddenham (Worcs), John Green; possibly married 2nd, 9 March 1742/3, George Watts; death not traced;

(10) Rev. Lucy Berkeley (1713-93) (q.v.);

(11) Jane Berkeley (1715-91), born 25 September and baptised at Cotheridge, 2 October 1715; married, 27 April 1749, William Craven (1705-69), 5th Baron Craven of Coombe Abbey (Warks), MP for Warwickshire, 1746-64, but had no issue; died October 1791; will proved in the PCC, 23 November 1791;

(12) Catherine Berkeley (1717-69), born 14 September and baptised at Cotheridge, 17 September 1717; married, 22 December 1747, as his second wife, Thomas Leigh (1713-49), 4th Baron Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey (Warks), and had issue one daughter; buried at Stoneleigh, 12 April 1769; will proved at Lichfield, 1769.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his grandfather in 1696.

He was buried at Cotheridge, 17 July 1731. His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 27 April 1731.

Berkeley, Rowland (1705-59). Second, but eldest surviving son of Rowland Green (later Berkeley) (1680-1731) and his wife Mary, daughter and co-heir of George Bohun of Newhouse and Coundon (Warks), baptised at St Michael, Coventry (Warks), 9 October 1705. He married, 2 December 1731 at Hill Croome (Worcs), Lucy (d. 1769), daughter of Anthony Lechmere of Severn End (Worcs), and had issue:

(1) Rowland Berkeley (1732-1805) (q.v.);

(2) Anne Berkeley (1734-72?) (q.v.);

(3) Edmund Berkeley (1735-37), born 21 June and baptised at Cotheridge, 3 July 1735; died in infancy and was buried at Cotheridge, 2 April 1737;

(4) Lucy Berkeley (1736-1812), born 27 August and baptised at Cotheridge, 24 September 1736; died unmarried and was buried at Cotheridge, 9 March 1812;

(5) Thomas Berkeley (1737-38), born 7 December and baptised at Cotheridge, 9 December 1737; died in infancy and was buried at Cotheridge, 6 March 1738;

(6) William Rowland Berkeley (b. & d. 1739), baptised at Cotheridge, 9 February 1738/9; died in infancy and was buried at Cotheridge, 26 February 1738/9;

(7) Rev. Henry Rowland Berkeley (1740-1832) (q.v.);

(8) Rev. Thomas Rowland Berkeley (1741-1825), born and baptised at Cotheridge, 23 December 1741; educated at New College, Oxford (MA 1769; BD and DD, 1786); Fellow of New College; ordained deacon, 1765, and priest, 1766; rector of Rugby (Warks), 1767-1825 and Wootton (Oxon), 1786-1825; domestic chaplain to his aunt, Lady Craven, 1769; died unmarried, 1 February, and was buried at Wootton, 9 February 1825; administration of his goods granted to his brother Henry, 1826;

(9) Dorothy Berkeley (b. & d. 1744), baptised at Cotheridge, 30 March 1744; died in infancy and was buried at Cotheridge, 8 May 1744;

(10) Mary Berkeley (1745-1833?); baptised at Cotheridge, 9 August 1745; married, 12 August 1773 at Hallow (Worcs), Joseph Severne (d. 1805) of Mundersfield House, Bromyard (Herefs), and had issue; probably the woman of this name whose will was proved in the PCC, 5 August 1833;

(11) Margaret Berkeley (1746-87), born and baptised at Cotheridge, 6 January 1746/7; married, 10 November 1778 at Cotheridge, William Yeomans of Worcester; buried at All Saints, Worcester, 24 January 1787;

(12) Anthony Rowland Berkeley (b. & d. 1748), born 10 March and baptised at Cotheridge, 13 March 1747/8; buried at Cotheridge, 9 April 1748;

(13) William Rowland Berkeley (1750-75), baptised at Cotheridge, 18 November 1750; died unmarried and was buried at Cotheridge, 19 May 1775;

(14) Robert Rowland Berkeley (1754-1808), baptised at Cotheridge, 5 February 1754; attorney in Worcester (bankrupt, 1799); died unmarried and was buried at Cotheridge, 15 January 1808.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate fom his father in 1731.

He was buried at Cotheridge, 26 April 1759; his will was proved at Worcester, 12 July 1759. His widow was buried at Cotheridge, 13 June 1769; her will was proved in the PCC, 4 July 1769.

Berkeley, Rowland (1732-1805). Eldest son of Rowland Berkeley (1705-59) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Anthony Lechmere of Severn End (Worcs), born 12 November and baptised at Cotheridge, 14 November 1732. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1750). Bailiff of Droitwich, 1756. High Sheriff of Worcestershire, 1764-65; MP for Droitwich for a few weeks in 1774. He married, 28 June 1768, Sarah (1733-95), probably the daughter of William Carbonell of Hampstead, but had no issue.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his father in 1759.

He was buried at Cotheridge, 13 April 1805; his will was proved in the PCC, 25 June 1805. His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 17 April 1795.

Berkeley, Rev. Henry Rowland (1740-1832). Fifth son of Rowland Berkeley (1705-59) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Anthony Lechmere of Severn End (Worcs), born 21 April and baptised at Cotheridge, 22 April 1740. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated, 1759; BCL 1766; DCL, 1782); Fellow of New College, Oxford. Ordained deacon, 1763 and priest, 1765. Rector of Onibury (Shrops.), 1765-1832, Shelsley Beauchamp (Worcs), 1783-1832 and Acton Beauchamp (Worcs), to 1820; perpetual curate of Cotheridge, 1808-32. He married, 22 November 1794 at Woodstock (Oxon), Mary (1751-1816), daughter of David Jones of New Woodstock (Oxon), but had no issue.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his brother in 1805, and at his death it passed to his nephew, Rev. Richard Tomkyns (later Berkeley).

He died aged 92 on 17 September, and was buried at Cotheridge, 25 September 1832; his will was proved in the PCC, 18 March 1833. His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 26 February 1816.

Berkeley, Anne (1734-72?). Eldest daughter of Rowland Berkeley (1705-59) and his wife Lucy, daughter of Anthony Lechmere of Severn End (Worcs), born 10 March and baptised at Cotheridge, 4 April 1734. She married, 18 July 1765 at Cotheridge, Rev. Richard Tomkyns (1721-89) of Henwick House (Worcs), vicar of Whitsbury (Wilts), 1748-77, youngest son of Packington Tomkyns of Bromyard (Herefs), and had issue:

(1) Rev. Richard Tomkyns (later Berkeley) (1768-1840) (q.v.).

She was living in 1769, and may be the woman of this name buried at Martin (Hants), 23 August 1772. Her husband died 'after an illness of about ten years', 29 July, and was buried at Cotheridge, 5 August 1789.

Tomkyns (later Berkeley), Rev. Richard (1768-1840). Only recorded son of Rev. Richard Tomkyns (1721-89) of Henwick House (Worcs) and his wife Anne, eldest daughter of Rowland Berkeley (d. 1759), baptised at Claines (Worcs), 2 May 1768. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1787; BA 1791; MA 1797). Fellow of New College, Oxford. Rector of Great Horwood (Bucks), 1816-40. He took the name Berkeley in lieu of Tomkyns by royal licence on succeeding his maternal uncle in the Cotheridge estate in 1832. He married, 1822, Louisa (1788-1872), daughter of Rev. James Preedy of Winslow (Bucks), and had issue:

(1) Louisa Anne Tomkyns (1823-90), baptised at Great Horwood, 31 March 1823; married, 13 September 1849 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Edward Russell Ingram (1819-56), tenant of Waresley House, Hartlebury (Worcs), and had issue two sons and two daughters; died at Tenby (Pembs), 14 January 1890; will proved 15 April 1890 (effects £3,382);

(2) Rowland Berkeley Tomkyns (b. & d. 1826), born 25 August and baptised at Great Horwood, 26 August 1826; died in infancy and was buried at Great Horwood, 8 September 1826.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his uncle, Rev. Henry Rowland Berkeley, in 1832. At his death it passed to his kinsman, the Rev. John Rowland Berkeley (1781-1850).

He died 2 January and was buried at Cotheridge, 10 January 1840; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 February 1840. His widow died 13 April 1872; her will was proved 19 August 1872 (effects under £450).

Berkeley, Rev. Lucy (1713-93). Third son of Rowland Green (later Berkeley) (1680-1731) and his wife Mary, daughter and co-heir of George Bohun of Newhouse and Coundon (Warks), born 21 November and baptised at Cotheridge, 8 December 1713. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1733; BA 1737; MA 1741). Ordained deacon, 1739 and priest, 1740. Rector of Great Witley, 1741-93, Acton Beauchamp (Worcs) and Allington (Wilts), 1774-93; also domestic chaplain to Baroness Leigh, 1765 and Baroness Craven, 1769. He married, 18 November 1741 at Lincoln's Inn Chapel, Jane (1710-69), daughter of Robert Coxe of London, and had issue:

(1) Rowland Berkeley (1742-1814) (q.v.);

(2) Jane Berkeley (1749-1826), baptised at Great Witley, 9 October 1749; married, 18 December 1783 at Worcester, Rev. William Calcott (1757-c.1820) of Caynham Court (Shrops.); buried at Atcham (Shrops.), 29 August 1826.

He was buried at Cotheridge, 18 July 1793; his will was proved in the PCC, 27 July 1793. His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 3 March 1769.

Berkeley, Rev. Rowland (1742-1814). Only recorded son of Rev. Lucy Berkeley (1713-93), rector of Great Witley and Acton Beauchamp (Worcs), and his wife Jane, daughter of Robert Coxe of London, baptised at Great Witley (Worcs), 15 August 1742. Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1759; BCL, 1765; LLD, 1775). Fellow of New College, Oxford. Ordained deacon, 1765, and priest, c.1767. Curate of Clifton-on-Teme (Worcs), 1766-70; and Stockton-on-Teme (Worcs), 1777-79; rector of Allington (Wilts), 1767-74; vicar of Writtle and rector of Rochford (Essex), 1775-1814. He married Elizabeth (1752-1827), daughter of John Wathen of Clapham (Surrey), and had issue:

(1) Rev. John Rowland Berkeley (1781-1850) (q.v.);

(2) Lucy Berkeley (1783-1851), baptised at Writtle, 11 February 1783; married, 5 December 1811 at Writtle, Dr Clement Hue MD FRCP (1779-1861), physician to the Foundling Hospital, St. Bartholomew's Hospital and Christ's Hospital, son of Jean Hue of Jersey, and had issue two sons; died 8 March 1851 and was buried at the Foundling Hospital, London;

(3) William Berkeley (1784-1869) (q.v.);

(4) Henry Comyns Berkeley (1785-1846), baptised at Writtle, 13 August 1785; articled to Hanson & Birch of Chancery Lane, 1802; solicitor in private practice in partnership with his brother Charles (partnership dissolved, 1836), after which he appears to have gone to live abroad in Bruges (Belgium); married, 29 May 1810 at Rochford (Essex), Charlotte Matilda (1789-1848), daughter of Thomas Swaine of Rochford, and had issue several children; died intestate, 6 May 1846 and was buried at Dusseldorf (Germany), where he is commemorated by a monument;

(5) George Berkeley (b. 1786), baptised at Writtle, 15 December 1786; living in 1814 but death not traced;

(6) Thomas Berkeley (1788-1819), baptised at Writtle, 19 February 1788; lived in London; buried at Writtle, 22 January 1819;

(7) Mary Anne Berkeley (1789-1871), baptised at Writtle, 5 December 1789; married, 18 November 1830 at St George, Bloomsbury (Middx), Capt. Thomas Kersteman (1789-1853) of Canewdon (Essex), son of Jeremiah Kersteman of Prittlewell (Essex), but had no issue; died 6 January 1871; will proved 27 January 1871 (effects under £3,000);

(8) Emily Berkeley (1791-1837), baptised at Writtle, 19 June 1791; married, 25 September 1821 at St George, Bloomsbury, James Bishop, and had issue; probably the woman of this name buried at St Marylebone (Middx), 22 May 1837;

(9) Charles Berkeley (1794-1869), baptised at Writtle, 20 May 1794; solicitor in practice with his elder brother, Henry, until 1836; married, 13 October 1829, Susan (1806-88), daughter of Thomas Clarke, and had issue three sons and two daughters; died 8 February and was buried at St James, Swains Lane, St. Pancras, 15 February 1869; will proved 4 March 1869 (effects under £12,000).

He lived at Writtle (Essex).

He was buried at Writtle, 1 July 1814; his will was proved in the PCC, 20 July 1814. His widow was buried at Writtle, 6 March 1827.

Berkeley, Rev. John Rowland (1781-1850). Eldest son of Rev. Rowland Berkeley (1742-1814) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Wathen of Clapham (Surrey), baptised at Writtle (Essex), 22 December 1781. An officer in the Writtle Volunteers (Capt., 1803; Capt.-Commandant, 1804). Educated at New College, Oxford (matriculated 1800; BA 1805; MA 1808). Fellow of New College, Oxford. Ordained deacon, 1806 and priest, 1807. Rector of Acton Beauchamp, 1807-20; vicar of Much Cowarne (Herefs), 1813-50 and perpetual curate of Cotheridge, 1841-50. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his kinsman, Rev. Richard Tomkyns (later Berkeley) in 1840.

He died 1 April 1850; his will was proved in the PCC, 22 April 1850.

Berkeley, William (1784-1869). Second son of Rev. Rowland Berkeley (1742-1814) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of John Wathen of Clapham (Surrey), baptised at Writtle, 18 June 1784. He married, 12 April 1809 at St Pancras (Middx), Lucy Frederica (1784-1878), third daughter and co-heir of John Richard Comyns of Hylands (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Rev. William Comyns Berkeley (1810-85) (q.v.);

(2) Comyns Rowland Berkeley (1811-1904), born 4 March 1811; solicitor; married, 18 December 1845 at St John, Notting Hill (Middx), Mary Ann (1826-1905), daughter of Rev. Frederick James Lateward, rector of Perivale (Middx), and had issue six sons and one daughter; died aged 93 on 9 August 1904; will proved 22 September 1904 (estate £135);

(3) Charles Clement Berkeley (1812-92), born 16 July and baptised at High Ongar, 18 August 1812; educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1831; BA 1835) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1831; called 1836); barrister-at-law, equity draughtsman and conveyancer; he was unmarried but had issue by his housekeeper, Susannah E. Fowler*, at least two sons and one daughter; died 18 January 1892; will proved 12 February 1892 (effects £2,153);

(4) Frederica Comyns Berkeley (1813-16), baptised at High Ongar (Essex), 27 October 1813 and again 26 July 1815; died young and was buried at Writtle, 23 February 1816;

(5) George Brackenbury Berkeley (1815-89), baptised at High Ongar, 26 July 1815; clerk to an attorney at Clement's Inn, London and later farmer, grocer and wine merchant; married, 26 August 1839 at Hornsey (Middx), Jane Abigail (1816-99), only daughter of Samuel Chymish of Abridge (Essex), shopkeeper, and had issue seven sons and five daughters; died 18 October 1889; administration of goods granted to his widow, 3 February 1890 (effects £75);

(6) Emily Comyns Berkeley (1818-92), born 5 September and baptised at Stanford Rivers, 30 October 1818; died unmarried at Isleworth (Middx), 25 August 1892;

(7) John Berkeley (1819-37), baptised at Stanford Rivers, 28 October 1819; died unmarried and was buried at Writtle, 23 December 1837;

(8) Julia Berkeley (1820-50), baptised at Stanford Rivers (Essex), 6 October 1820; died unmarried and was buried at Writtle, 2 March 1850;

(9) Augustus Berkeley (1821-1901), baptised at Stanford Rivers, 17 November 1821; coal merchant and farmer; married, 5 October 1847 at Holy Trinity, Mile End, Stepney (Middx), Matilda Joan, daughter of Henry Owen, of White Hall, Abridge (Essex), and had issue two sons and three daughters; died 25 October and was buried at Stanford Rivers, 31 October 1901;

(10) Henry Leeds Berkeley (1824-27), born 25 January and baptised at Theydon Garnon, 17 July 1824; died young and was buried at Writtle, 5 December 1827;

(11) Thomas Algernon Berkeley (1825-43), born 5 April and baptised at Theydon Garnon (Essex), 17 August 1825; died young and was buried at Writtle, 13 January 1843.

He lived at Coopersale Hall (Essex) and later in London before inheriting the Cotheridge estate from his elder brother in 1850.

He died 13 November and was buried at Cotheridge, 20 November 1869; his will was proved 1 December 1869 (effects under £5,000). His widow died aged 94 on 12 December 1878; her will was proved 15 January 1879 (effects under £450).

* The 1891 census gives her name as Berkeley and states she was married to C.C. Berkeley, but I can find no evidence of a marriage.

Berkeley, Rev. William Comyns (1810-85). Eldest son of William Berkeley (1784-1869) and his wife Lucy Frederica, third daughter and co-heir of John Richard Comyns of Hylands (Essex), born 24 February and baptised at Writtle (Essex), 6 March 1810. Educated at Woodford Grammar School and Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1831; BA 1835). Ordained deacon, 1837 and priest, 1839. Curate of Great Stainton (Co. Durham), 1837; rector of Cotheridge, 1850-73. He married, 26 June 1844 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Harriet Elizabeth (1819-75), daughter of John Bowyer Nichols FSA, the eminent antiquary, of Hanger Hill, Ealing (Middx), and had issue:

(1) Rowland Comyns Berkeley (1845-1925) (q.v.);

(2) Rev. William Nichols Berkeley (1846-1938), born 25 October and baptised at Harlington, 4 December 1846; educated at Brighton College and Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1867; BA 1871); ordained deacon, 1870 and priest, 1871; curate of Holt (Worcs), 1870-73; vicar of Cotheridge, 1873-91; retired to Charlton Lawn, Charlton Kings (Glos); married, 30 April 1878 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster, Janet Berkeley Calcott, daughter of Rev. John Gaskin, rector of St Cuthbert, Bedford, and had issue two daughters; died aged 91 on 4 June 1938; will proved 2 August 1938 (estate £8,497); 

(3) Edmund Robert Berkeley (1848-1906), born 28 August and baptised at Harlington (Middx), 24 September 1848; an officer in the army (Ensign, 1867; Lt., 1870; Capt., 1877; retired 1878) and the East Yorkshire militia (Capt., 1878; Maj., 1885; hon. Lt-Col., 1887; retired 1888); a freemason from 1878; in retirement lived at Netherley (Kincardines.) and later at Chittenden, Edenbridge (Kent); died unmarried, 16 April 1906; will proved 13 August 1906 (estate £1,387);

(4) Herbert Bowyer Berkeley (1851-90), born 26 March and baptised at Cotheridge, 17 August 1851; chemical manufacturer; lived at Glengowan, Shortlands (Kent); died unmarried, after a long illness, at Birmandreis, Algiers (Algeria), 26 May 1890; will proved 11 July 1890 (effects £12,221).

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his father in 1869.

He died 7 August and was buried at Cotheridge, 14 August 1885; his will was proved 22 October 1885 (effects £9,631). His wife was buried at Cotheridge, 23 September 1875.

Berkeley, Rowland Comyns (1845-1925). Eldest son of Rev. William Comyns (1810-85) and his wife Harriet Elizabeth, daughter of John Bowyer Nichols FSA of Hanger Hill, Ealing (Middx), born 8 June and baptised at Harlington (Middx), 17 July 1845. Educated at Marlborough College, Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1865; BA 1869) and the Middle Temple (admitted 1869). He married, 1 January 1880 at Holt (Worcs), Mildred Caroline (1857-1944), an antiquarian* and opponent of blood sports, third daughter of Rev. Archibald Paris, rector of Ludgvan (Cornw.), and had issue:

(1) Evelyn Mary Berkeley (1880-1953), born at Broadwas (Worcs), 11 October and baptised at Cotheridge, 23 November 1880; emigrated to Canada, 1913, after her engagement to a clergyman was broken off, and married, 6 October 1914 at Mission City, British Columbia (Canada), Wyndham Russell Saker (d. 1930), son of William Saker of Assam (India), and had issue one son (who died on active service in 1944); returned to England in 1932; died 27 January 1953 and was buried at Cotheridge; will proved 19 March 1953 (estate £13,934);

(2) Mildred Sybil Berkeley (1882-1955), born 21 February 1882; died unmarried, 25 May 1955; will proved 7 July 1955 (estate £29,409);

(3) Rowland Broughton Berkeley (1883-1957) (q.v.);

(4) Harold Sale Berkeley (1886-1919), baptised at Cotheridge, 30 July 1886; died unmarried, 4 May 1914;

(5) Egbert Paris Berkeley (1888-1957), baptised at Cotheridge, 8 November 1888; planter in Surinam; died unmarried at Paramaribo (Surinam), 6 May 1957; administration granted to his younger brother, 25 June 1957 (estate £7,314);

(6) Wilfrid Nichols Berkeley (1889-1964), born 26 November 1889 and baptised at Cotheridge, 16 January 1890; apprenticed to Alday & Onions of Birmingham, motor engineers; served in First World War with Australian Imperial Force; farmer at Cotheridge and later at Great Malvern (Worcs); married, 7 September 1921, Helen Mary (1897-1984), only daughter of Arthur John Lucy of Cotheridge, engineer; died 9 April 1964; will proved 14 July 1964 (estate £16,450).

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his father in 1885.

He died 4 May 1925; his will was proved 25 September 1925 (estate £24,287). His widow died 19 May 1944; her will was proved 8 July 1944 (estate £986).

* She published several papers in the Transactions of the Worcestershire Archaeological Society.

Berkeley, Rowland Broughton (1883-1957). Eldest son of Rowland Comyns Berkeley (1845-1925) and his wife Mildred Caroline, third daughter of Rev. Archibald Paris, rector of Ludgvan (Cornw.), born 29 June and baptised at Cotheridge, 2 August 1883. Educated at Shrewsbury School and apprenticed at LNWR Locomotive Works, 1902-05. Automobile engineer. He served in the First World War with the Warwickshire Regt., 1914-15; the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (Lt., 1915; Lt-Cdr., 1918); and the Royal Air Force (Maj., 1918; retired 1919) and in the Second World War as Billeting Officer for Martley Rural District. He married, 16 December 1911 at Wistaston (Ches.), Ada Constance (1888-1975), daughter of Henry Fairhead of Little Hayward (Staffs), but had no issue.

He inherited the Cotheridge estate from his father in 1925, but sold much of the land in 1932 and the house itself in 1949. He lived latterly at Shanklin (IoW).

He died at Shanklin, 31 August 1957; his will was proved 17 October 1957 (estate £29,298). His widow died 15 May 1975; her will was proved 29 August 1975 (estate £44,229).

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1952, pp. 164-65; T.R. Nash, Collections for the history of Worcestershire, 1781, pp. 257-59; VCH Worcestershire, vol. 4, pp. 255-60; A. Brooks & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Worcestershire, 2nd edn., 2007, pp. 241-42;

Location of archives

Berkeley family of Cotheridge Court: deeds, manorial records, estate and household papers, 1463-1927 [Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service, 705:93]

Coat of arms

Quarterly, 1st and 4th, Vert, three bucks trippant within a bordure or (for Green); 2nd and 3rd, Gules, a chevron argent between ten crosses pattée, of the second (for Berkeley).

Can you help?

• Does anyone know who now owns the drawing of Cotheridge Court before the 18th century alterations?
• 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 16 August 2024 and was updated 26 August 2024.

(577) Beridge and Sparrow of Algarkirk Hall and Gosfield Place

Beridge of Algarkirk

This post tells the intertwined stories of two families: the Beridges of Algarkirk (Lincs) and the Sparrows of Gosfield Place (Essex), who became connected through the marriage of James Goodeve Sparrow and Dorothy Beridge in 1817. The Beridges were a clerical family for at least three centuries. The genealogy below begins with the Rev. Dr. John Beridge (c.1572-1632), precentor of Lincoln Cathedral and rector of Shelton (Beds) and Kibworth Beauchamp (Leics), but it could be taken at least one generation further back, since his father William was also rector of Shelton and Kibworth Beauchamp. Four of John's sons became clergymen, with the eldest, William (1608-40) succeeding him at Kibworth, Basil (1613-78) acquiring the rich living of Algarkirk, Ferdinando (1609-1702) Great Paxton (Hunts) and John (1624-90) Great Massingham and Pensthorpe (Norfolk). The Rev. Basil Beridge also acquired the advowson of Algarkirk (the right to present future rectors) and bought freehold land in the parish to add to the glebe land which came with the living; and he rebuilt Algarkirk Hall. From then until 1894, the rectory was held almost continuously by members of the Beridge family, in a remarkable record of squarsonical continuity. Since he had no surviving children, Basil bequeathed the hall, the advowson and his lands to his nephew, the Rev. Charles Beridge (1655-93), one of the sons of the Rev. Ferdinando Beridge, who duly presented himself to the living in 1678. When Charles died, his son and intended heir, Basil, was only seven, so the rectory and hall were briefly separated, only to be reunited in 1716 when Basil (c.1686-1737), having been ordained, presented himself to the living. One of Basil's sons, the Rev. Charles Beridge (1711-82), succeeded him and also held a prebend in Lincoln Cathedral. He had no surviving children, so left Algarkirk to his nephew, the Rev. Basil Bury Beridge (1736-1808), who remodelled the hall, adding canted bay windows and redecorating the interior. He settled his property, including the advowson, on his male heirs. He married twice, but his only children were from his second marriage, and they were all still minors when he died in 1808. The hall and rectory were therefore again briefly separated before his eldest son, the Rev. Basil Beridge (1797-1881) was able to present himself in 1822. He added a new block to the house soon afterwards, perhaps around the time of his first marriage in 1823. His wife having died only a few months later, he tried again in 1828, but he was destined to remain childless. He invested heavily in the parish, restoring the church, building schools, creating endowments to support maintenance and services, and making over the hall to the benefice as a rectory house.

Dorothy (1794-1833), the older sister of the Rev. Basil Beridge, connected the Beridge and Sparrow families when in 1817 she became the second wife of James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838). James was the youngest of the three sons of James Sparrow (1725-77), who had bought an estate called Biggs at Gosfield (Essex) in the 1750s, but who also owned farms across nearly a dozen parishes in Essex and Suffolk. His elder brothers inherited their father's lands and James pursued a career in banking, becoming the senior partner in the largest Essex bank. However, both of the elder brothers died young and without issue, so by 1794 most of his father's property had devolved on him. In 1799 he married his first wife, Anne Crowe, and set about remodelling the 'ruinous mansion' of Biggs as a smart new neo-classical villa designed by Richard Elsam, which he renamed Gosfield Place, and laying out the grounds to the designs of Humphry Repton. Anne died in 1813, after giving him six children, and when he married Dorothy in 1817 he started a second family. For reasons which are unclear they did not at first live at Gosfield, but settled in Bristol, where Dorothy evidently had connections to the Weare family: William Weare (1750-1836) stood godfather to their eldest son in 1819 and her younger sister, Frances Beridge, was buried on his estate at Abbots Leigh (Som.) in 1808. By 1828, however, they were living at Gosfield again, and they remained there until their deaths in the 1830s. The Gosfield estate then passed (the only son of James' first marriage having predeceased him) to their eldest son, Henry Weare Sparrow (1819-94), whose behaviour gave increasing cause for concern in the years following his inheritance. When his eccentricities became too manifest to be concealed, he was sent to live at Brighton in the care of his old nurse, but incidents in 1842 caused him to be declared insane and his affairs to be managed by the Lord Chancellor. He never recovered his wits, and his younger brother, Basil Sparrow (1820-80), who had inherited his father's banking interests, took over the Gosfield Place estate and rebuilt the house in the 1860s, almost certainly to the designs of J.T. Knowles senior.

When the Rev. Basil Beridge died in 1881, the operation of his father's settlement ensured that the Algarkirk Hall estate and the advowson of Algarkirk passed to Henry Weare Sparrow, and as a consequence of his lunacy the patronage of the living was exercised by the Lord Chancellor, who appointed the third son of James Goodeve Sparrow, the Rev. John Beridge Sparrow (1828-97), who was then rector of Great Cornard (Suffk), one of the parishes where the Sparrows held land. On the death of Henry Weare Sparrow in 1894 the advowson and lands descended to the eldest son of Basil Sparrow, the Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow (1853-1929), on condition that he took the name Beridge, which he duly did. He then sought to present himself to the living of Algarkirk, but the bishop of Lincoln declined to induct him, as he thought him insufficiently experienced. He had been a clergyman since 1878, but had never progressed from early career curacies to having a parish of his own. Shocked and disappointed to be turned down, he decided to sell the advowson, and doubtless with the object of enhancing its value presented the oldest available clergyman he could find, so as to sell the advowson with a short life in possession. Changed conditions in the late 19th century and the prospect of taking on a large rectory in poor condition in an undesirable part of the country meant that no clergyman could be found to buy the advowson, even of a rich living, with a view to presenting himself, and in the end a benefactor was found who purchased the advowson, apportioned part of the glebe to the support of a newly-constituted parish in Lincoln, and then vested the patronage in the bishop of Lincoln.

On the death of Henry Weare Sparrow in 1894 the Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow Beridge had also inherited Gosfield Place. His mother, who had been living in the house, moved out, and Basil and his wife and son moved in. Within a few years, however, he had separated from his wife and disowned his son, and from 1907 Gosfield was let. Basil moved to Clacton-on-Sea, where he again briefly held a curacy. In 1920 he tried to sell the estate, but although the farms were bought, the house and park found no takers. He remained estranged from his son, but it may be no coincidence that it was after his son's death in 1923 that he again tried to find a buyer for the house. In the end, he sold in 1924 to a demolition contractor, who pulled the house down in 1924-25 and sold the materials. His wife died in 1925 and Basil himself in 1929, bring to an end one of the longest squarson traditions in England.

Algarkirk Hall, Lincolnshire

From 1637 until 1897 the rectory of Algarkirk was held almost continually by members of the Beridge family, and successive rectors built up a significant land holding in the parish in addition to the 130 acres of glebe land which came with the rectory. As a result, the family house, Algarkirk Hall, came to be regarded as the rectory long before it was formally made over to the benefice in the mid 19th century. Sadly, the house was demolished in 1954-55, and much of what is known and conjectured about its appearance and development is derived from photographs and observations made just prior to, and during, the demolition process. No documentation relating to the building works of different generations is known to survive.

Algarkirk Hall: conjectural phased plan by the late Hilary Healey, based on observations made during demolition in the 1950s

The earliest house, described as 'a faire mansion howse' in 1633, was evidently timber-framed, but it seems to have been replaced in the mid- or later-17th century by an east-facing hall house with two cross-wings, set in a small park lying west of the house. The hall was probably entered centrally from the start, for a massive chimneystack serving the hall and what was no doubt the adjoining kitchen stood at the north end of the hall, where a screens passage would have stood in a more traditional layout. The hall was separated by a lobby and staircase from a pair of parlours in the south wing, which also shared a large chimneystack. A further large room behind the hall, perhaps a great chamber or dining room, appears to have been contemporary with the 17th century rebuilding.

Algarkirk Hall: view of the house in 1791 by J.C. Nattes (Image: Lincolnshire Archives)

The next alterations of which anything is known would seem to date from the time of the Rev. Basil Bury Beridge, who inherited in 1782 and died in 1808. These included a redecoration of the interior, and the addition of canted bay windows to the ends of the cross-wings on the east front, and also to the side and rear elevations. The bay windows had been constructed by 1791, when J.C. Nattes drew a view of the house now in Lincolnshire Archives. At the same time, the grounds would seem to have been landscaped, for Nattes shows young trees and a glasshouse, and it is known that there was an ice house and a pond ('the ice pond') from which it was stocked, near to the church. The drive which led east across the park from Sutterton to the house was probably laid out as part of these works, and the pair of circular lodges which stood either side of the drive at the edge of Sutterton village were perhaps built at the same time, or just a little later. Both lodges were extended later in the 19th century, but one of them was needlessly demolished by Boston Rural District Council in the 1950s. The other was damaged by fire in the early 1950s but restored, and survives as a cottage known as The Roundhouse.

Algarkirk Hall: lodges either side of the drive from Sutterton village, from a 1930s postcard

Algarkirk Hall: west front in c.1951.

On the Rev. B.B. Beridge's death in 1808, the family's property descended to his son, the Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1797-1881), who was only about eleven years old. As a result, the rectory and its lands passed out of the family until 1822, when Basil was ordained and able to present himself to the living. Soon afterwards, he seems to have made further improvements to the house, adding a three-bay, two-storey south-west block to the house, with floor-length windows on the ground floor, which contained a large drawing room. 

Algarkirk Hall: east front in c.1951. 

After the death of the Rev. Basil Beridge, his nephew, the Rev. John Beridge Sparrow (1828-97) was appointed to the living. His nephew, the Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow Beridge (1853-1929) inherited the advowson, but sold it in 1903, and he probably disposed of his freehold lands in the parish at much the same time. The hall continued to the used as a rectory until the 1950s, and at some point in the early 20th century a large conservatory was built between the wings on the east front. 20th century rectors did not have the means to maintain the house, however, and after wartime neglect it was in very poor condition. A new rectory was therefore built in the grounds, and the old house was pulled down in 1954-55.

Descent: Rev. Basil Beridge (1613-78); to nephew, Rev. Basil Beridge (d. 1686); to brother, Rev. Charles Beridge (c.1655-93); to son, Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1686-1739); to son, Rev. Charles Beridge (d. 1782); to nephew, Rev. Basil Bury Beridge (1737-1808); to son, Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1797-1881); to Henry Weare Sparrow (1819-94), a lunatic; to nephew, Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow Beridge (1853-1929), who sold the advowson c.1898.

Gosfield Place, Essex

The house, previously known as 'Biggs' after the family which owned it in the middle ages, stood three-quarters of a mile south-east of the village, and was described as ‘a ruinous mansion’ by Richard Elsam, who was appointed by James Goodeve Sparrow after his marriage in 1799 to remodel and update it. His designs were published in 1803 in An essay on rural architecture, but he admits in the associated text that they were not closely followed when the house was remodelled. 

Gosfield Place: design for the front of the villa by Richard Elsam, published in 1803.

Gosfield Place: plan of the house as published by Richard Elsam, 1803

Gosfield Place: landscaping proposal by Humphry Repton, 1811, showing the house had a block plan similar to that suggested by Robert Elsam.

Humphry Repton provided designs for landscaping the park c.1811, which were apparently partly followed, and his scheme gives a block plan of the house which is broadly consistent withe Elsam's proposal. He created a small piece of water immediately west of the house and a drawing by him was engraved in 1818 for Cromwell's Excursions in Essex shows a typically Reptonian covered walkway leading to a large summerhouse or conservatory with trellised walls, although it is not certain that this was ever built. He also proposed a lake to the north which was not created until the 1830s.

Gosfield Place: engraving from a drawing by Humphry Repton, published in Cromwell's Excursions into Essex, 1819.

However, an early 19th century view exists which is said to be of Gosfield Place, showing a battlemented Gothic house. Does this represent an unexecuted project for rebuilding or has it simply have been mislabelled? (Mislabelling seems possible because yet another view purporting to show Gosfield Place, which came from a family source, actually shows Kingston Lisle House in Berkshire!). Between 1832 and 1843, the lake proposed by Repton was created to the north of the house by the damming of Bourne Brook, although probably not to his design. This was later spanned by a cantilevered bridge with stays suspended from four cast-iron towers, probably built c.1865. The bridge survives but is now in very poor condition and has lost most of its decorative cast-iron balustrades.

Gosfield Place: the house as rebuilt on a new site for Basil Beridge in 1863-65

Gosfield Place: the side elevation of the house built in 1862-63.

In the mid 19th century the estate was administered under a Commission in Lunacy, and it would seem that for a time the house was not occupied and fell into disrepair. In the late 1850s Basil Sparrow, the banker brother of the owner, wished to put the house into repair and live there, but successive reports by Mr Stock, the Chancery surveyor, and Sparrow's architect Mr. Abrahams (presumably H.R. Abrahams) drastically underestimated the scale and cost of the repairs required. By 1860 parts of the house had been pulled down, perhaps in an attempt to excise the dry rot which had been found earlier, and in the end the decision was taken to completely rebuild the house on a site a little further east and uphill from its predecessor. The work was undertaken in 1863-65 for Basil Sparrow (1820-80), reputedly at the stupendous cost of £62,000. No documentary evidence survives to prove the identity of the architect, but the centre was so similar to the centre of J.T. Knowles senior's Hedsor House (Bucks) that it can be attributed to him with some confidence. The house was an H-shaped building consisting of a two-storey central block and taller wings, all liberally decorated with two-storey canted bay windows. The wings were more sober than those of Hedsor House, lacking the corner towers with pavilion roofs. The house was even larger than its predecessor - there were 23 principal bedrooms in 1907 - and far beyond the needs of the Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow Beridge (1853-1929), who inherited it in 1894, and whose family consisted only of his wife and one son. Inside, the house is said to have had a circular hall, but little else is known of the internal arrangements or decoration.

In the early 20th century, Sparrow Beridge separated from his wife, and was estranged from his son, whose debts led eventually to bankruptcy, and in 1907 the house was let. Sparrow Beridge moved to Clacton-on-Sea, and in 1920 he began selling the estate. His first efforts to sell the house and park failed but after the death of his son in 1923 he tried again and eventually in 1924 he sold the house to a local builder, A.D. Letch, for demolition, which had been completed by the spring of 1925. It is said that Letch more than recovered the cost of purchasing the estate from the sale of the materials.

Descent: sold to James Sparrow (1725-77); to son, James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838), who remodelled the house; to son, Henry Weare Sparrow (later Beridge) (1819-94), a lunatic, whose brother, Basil Sparrow (1820-88) and his wife Julia (c.1826-97) occupied and rebuilt the house; to son, Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow (later Sparrow Beridge) (1853-1929), who sold it 1924 to A.D. Letch, who demolished it.

Beridge family of Algarkirk

Beridge alias Beveridge, Rev. Dr. John (c.1572-1632). Son of the Rev. William Beridge, rector of Shelton (Beds) from 1564 and Kibworth Beauchamp (Leics) from 1565, born at Shelton (Beds), c.1572. Educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge (matriculated 1586; BA 1590?; MA 1593; DD 1617). Ordained deacon, 1597 and priest, 1601. Rector of Shelton (Beds) and Kibworth Beauchamp (Leics) 1601-32; vicar of Barrow-upon-Soar (Leics) 1617-20; prebendary and precentor of Lincoln Cathedral, 1621-32. He purchased the manor and advowson of Kibworth Beauchamp in 1619 and the advowson of Barrow-upon-Soar in 1622. He married Dorothea (d. 1652?), daughter of Ferdinand Feilding, and had issue:

(1) Mary Beridge (b. c.1605?), born about 1605; god-daughter of her great-aunt, Mary Aglionby (widow of Edward Aglionby (c.1520-91)); died before 1620; 

(2) Gooditha Beridge (b. 1606), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 30 March 1606; living in 1620 but died in the lifetime of her father;

(3) Basil Beridge (b. & d. 1607), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 5 April 1607; died in infancy and was buried at Kibworth Beauchamp, 3 May 1607;

(4) Rev. William Beridge (1608-40), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 24 April 1608; educated at Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1627; BA 1627; MA 1629); succeeded his father as rector and patron of Kibworth Beauchamp, 1632-40; married, 1632/3 Dorothy, daughter of Rev. Ambrose Sacheverell (d. 1647), vicar of Tadmarton (Oxon), and had issue two sons and three daughters; buried at Kibworth Beauchamp, 31 January 1639/40; 

(5) Rev. Ferdinand Beridge (1609-1702) (q.v.);

(6) George Beridge (b. 1611), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 25 August 1611; living in 1620;

(7) Rev. Basil Beridge (1613-78) (q.v.);

(8) Michael Beridge (b. 1614), baptised 24 June 1614; living in 1620 but died in the lifetime of his father;

(9) James Beridge (b. 1615), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 25 July 1615; died in the lifetime of his father;

(10) Jonathan Beridge (b. 1617), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 6 April 1617;

(11) Samuel Beridge (b. 1620), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 6 May 1620;

(12) Rev. John Beridge (1624-90), baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 28 April 1624; educated at Kibworth, Jesus College, Cambridge and Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1642; BA 1647; MA 1651); ordained deacon, 1647 and priest, 1648; rector of Great Massingham (Norfk), 1661-90 and of Pensthorpe (Norfk), 1679-90; married 1st, Dorothy Hewett; married 2nd, Ann Miller (d. 1727), by whom he had issue one daughter; died 9 November and was buried at Great Massingham, 11 November 1690, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 6 July 1691;

(13) Festina Beridge; died in the lifetime of her father.

He lived at Kibworth Beauchamp and later at Barrow-upon-Soar (Leics).

He died in London, 12 May 1632 and was buried at Kibworth, 14 May 1632, where he is commemorated by a monument; administration of his goods was granted to his son William, 1634. His wife was living in 1624 and was probably the 'Dorothy Berrig' buried at Wigston Magna (Leics), 27 December 1652, who was then described as 'above the age of three-score and ten'.

Beridge, Rev. Basil (1613-78). Fifth son of Rev. John Beridge alias Beveridge (c.1572-1632), rector of Kibworth Beauchamp (Leics), and his wife Dorothea, daughter of Ferdinand Feilding, baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 25 April 1613. Educated at Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1630; BA 1634; MA 1637). Ordained deacon, 1636 and priest, 1637. Rector and patron of Algarkirk (Lincs) from 1637. He married, 13 January 1652/3 at Wartnaby (Leics), Judith alias Gooditha (d. 1681), daughter of Sir Thomas Brooks of Gaddesby (Leics), and had no surviving issue, although he is said to have had two sons who died young.

He lived at Algarkirk Hall.

He died 2 November 1678 and was buried at Algarkirk. His wife died 25 November 1681 and was buried at Algarkirk. 

Beridge, Rev. Ferdinand alias Ferdinando (1609-1702*)  Third son of Rev. John Beridge alias Beveridge (c.1572-1632), rector of Kibworth Beauchamp (Leics), and his wife Dorothea, daughter of Ferdinand Feilding, baptised at Kibworth Beauchamp, 29 September 1609. Ordained deacon, 1644 and priest, 1660. Vicar of Great Paxton (Hunts), 1661-1702. In 1654 he published an almanac. He married, c.1650, Anne [surname unknown] (d. 1707) and had issue:

(1) Lucy Beridge (1652-86), baptised at Wartnaby, 4 March 1651/2; married, 10 July 1673 at Great Paxton, Henry Hickuck; buried at Great Paxton, 17 February 1685/6;

(2) Rev. Charles Beridge (1655-93) (q.v.);

(3) Rev. Basil Beridge (1662-86) (q.v.);

(4) Baptius Beridge (b. 1663), baptised at Great Paxton, 20 February 1662/3; perhaps died young.

He lived at Great Paxton (Hunts).

He was buried at Great Paxton, 14 March 1702. His widow was buried at Great Paxton, 11 May 1707.

* I was initially suspicious about the identification of the vicar of Great Paxton with the child baptised in 1609, since if this is correct he would have been 93 when he died. An ordination in 1644 would normally suggest birth about 1620, making him a more plausible 82 at death, and there is no evidence of his pursuing another career before he entered the church. However, I have been unable to find any evidence that there were two Ferdinand(o)s at this time, so I have concluded that Maddison may be right in linking him to the 1609 baptism.

Beridge, Rev. Basil (1662-86). Second son of Rev. Ferdinand Beridge (1609-1702) and his wife Anne, baptised at Great Paxton (Hunts), 13 February 1661/2. Educated at Knotting (Beds) and St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1679; BA 1683; MA 1686). Ordained deacon, 1684 and priest, 1685. He was unmarried and without issue.

He died 28 December 1686 and was buried at Algarkirk.

Beridge, Rev. Charles (1655-93). Elder son of Rev. Ferdinand Beridge (1609-1702) and his wife Anne, born at Wartnaby (Leics), 28 November 1655. Educated at Offord (Hunts) and St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1671; BA 1675; MA 1678). Rector and patron of Algarkirk, 1678-93. He married, 20 April 1681 at Great Paxton (Hunts), Barbara (1659-94), daughter of Richard Naylour of Offord Darcy (Hunts), and had issue:

(1) Barbara Beridge (1682-1713), baptised at Algarkirk, 20 April 1682; married, 11 December 1712 at Pinchbeck (Lincs), Edward Watson (b. 1675) of Pinchbeck; died without issue and was buried at Algarkirk, 22 November 1713;

(2) Mary Beridge (b. 1683), baptised at Algarkirk, 1 November 1683; said to have married [forename unknown] Ranby;

(3) Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1686-1737) (q.v.);

(4) Anne Beridge (1689-93), baptised at Algarkirk, 2 May 1689; died young, 28 April 1693, and was buried at Algarkirk.

He lived at Algarkirk Hall.

He died 2 December 1693 and was buried at Algarkirk; his will was proved 2 January 1693/4. His widow died in January or February 1693/4; her will was proved 10 February 1693/4.

Beridge, Rev. Basil (c.1686-1737). Only son of Rev. Charles Beridge (1655-93) and his wife Barbara, daughter of Richard Naylour of Offord Darcy (Hunts), born about 1686. Educated at Pembroke College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1702; LLB 1708). Ordained deacon, 1708 and priest, 1710. Rector of Blankney (Lincs), 1712-22; rector of Algarkirk, 1716-37 and vicar of Sutterton, 1722-37. He married, 25 November 1708 at Saltfleetby St Peter (Lincs), Mary (c.1687-1752), daughter of John Williamson of Saltfleetby, and had issue:

(1) Basil Beridge (1709-53), baptised at Pinchbeck (Lincs), 3 November 1708; farmer; died unmarried, 27 February, and was buried at Algarkirk, 7 March 1753;

(2) John Beridge (1710-15), baptised at Pinchbeck, 31 August 1710; died young and was buried at Pinchbeck, 11 November 1715;

(3) Rev. Charles Beridge (1711-82) (q.v.);

(4) Rev. John Beridge (1712-44) (q.v.).

He lived at Algarkirk Hall.

He died 13 October and was buried at Algarkirk, 15 October 1737; his will was proved in the PCC, 21 April 1738. His widow died 10 January 1752 and was buried at Algarkirk.

Beridge, Rev. Charles (1711-82). Third son of Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1686-1737) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Williamson of Saltfleetby (Lincs), baptised at Pinchbeck (Lincs), 26 July 1711. Educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1730; LLB 1736; LLD 1749); Fellow of Trinity Hall, 1734-38. Ordained deacon and priest, 1737. Rector and patron of Algarkirk, 1737-82; prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral, 1762-69. He married, by 1742, Lettice (1715-78), daughter of Alderman Thomas Fox of Cambridge, and had issue:

(1) Charles Williamson Beridge (b. & d. 1743), born 22 July and baptised at Algarkirk, 1 September 1743; died in infancy and was buried at Algarkirk, 7 October 1743.

He lived at Algarkirk Hall but also had a house in Trinity Lane, Cambridge.

He died in Cambridge, 12 June and was buried at Algarkirk, 20 June 1782. His wife died 6 November and was buried at Algarkirk, 11 November 1778, where she is commemorated by a monument.

Beridge, Rev. John (1712-44). Fourth son of Rev. Basil Beridge (c.1686-1737) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Williamson of Saltfleetby (Lincs), baptised at Pinchbeck (Lincs), 17 July 1712. Educated at St Catherine's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1731; BA 1735). Ordained deacon, 1735 and priest, 1737. Curate of Sutterton (Lincs), 1735-37; vicar of Wethersfield (Essex), and Barkston (Lincs), 1737-44, but evidently employed a curate at the former as he resided in Lincolnshire. He married 1st, 8 May 1736 at Sproxton (Leics), Ruth (1713-39), daughter of Leonard Bury of Sewston (Leics) and widow of John Scott of Buckminster (Leics), and 2nd, 25 February 1741 at Spalding (Lincs), Susanna (c.1721-49), daughter of Robert Butler of Spalding, merchant, and had issue:

(1.1) Rev. Basil Bury Beridge (1736-1808) (q.v.);

(1.2) Rev. Leonard Beridge (1738-91), baptised at Barkston (Lincs), 5 June 1738; educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1756; BA 1760; MA 1763; DD 1763); Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, 1763-71; ordained deacon, 1766 and priest, 1767; vicar of Sutterton (Lincs), 1770-91; died unmarried at Matlock Bath (Derbys), 4 April 1791; 

(1.3) Charles Beridge (1739-40), born 11 June and baptised at Barkston, 25 June 1739; died in infancy and was buried at Buckminster (Leics), 21 May 1740;

(2.1) Frances Beridge (1743-1817), born 29 May and baptised at Barkston, 1 July 1743; married, 30 March 1772 at Tickhill (Yorks WR), Maj-Gen. Henry Gladwin (c.1730-91) of Stubbing Court (Derbys), and had issue two sons and eight daughters; buried at Wingerworth (Derbys), 4 November 1817; will proved in the PCC, 7 February 1818;

(2.2) John Beridge (1744-88), baptised at Carlton Scroop (Lincs), between July and December 1744; educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1763; MB 1769); physician in Derby; married, 2 October 1775 at Bradbourne (Derbys), Martha (1747-1827) (who m2, 28 April 1792, Rev. Thomas Francis Twigge (1755-1821), vicar of Tickhill), daughter of Rev. German Buckstone of Bradbourne, but had no issue; died 17 October and was buried at Algarkirk, 25 October 1788, where he is commemorated by a monument; will proved in the PCC, 15 December 1788.

He lived latterly at Carlton Scroop (Lincs).

He died 18 October 1744, and was buried at Algarkirk, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 9 February 1744/5. His first wife died 22 June 1739 and was buried at Buckminster. His widow married 2nd, 10 January 1747/8 at Sutterton (Lincs), Henry Boulton of Moulton (Lincs), gent.; she died 10 November, and was buried at Moulton, 14 November 1749.

Beridge, Rev. Basil Bury (1736-1808). Eldest son of Rev. John Beridge (1712-44) and his first wife, Ruth, daughter of Leonard Bury of Sewston (Leics), born 4 April and baptised at Barkston (Lincs), 11 May 1736. Educated at Eton and Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1756). Ordained deacon and priest, 1761. A prebendary of Lincoln Cathedral, 1770-1808; rector and patron of Algarkirk, 1782-1808. He married 1st, 7 November 1760 at Mansfield (Notts), Dorothy (d. 1792), daughter of Henry Gladwin (1692-1763) of Stubbing Court (Derbys), and 2nd, 27 June 1793 at St Michael, Paternoster Royal, London, Dorothy (1767-1840), daughter and co-heir of John Tanfield of Carthorpe (Yorks), and had issue:

(2.1) Dorothy Beridge (1794-1833); baptised at Algarkirk, 2 December 1794; married (as his second wife), 18 December 1817, at the house of the British consul in Marseilles (France), James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838) of Gosfield Place (Essex), and had issue three sons and two daughters [for whom see below, under Sparrow of Gosfield Place]; died 12 February and was buried at Gosfield (Essex), 21 February 1833;

(2.2) Frances Beridge (1795-1808), baptised at Algarkirk, 9 November 1795; died young at Cleve Dale, Mangotsfield (Glos), 10 October, and was buried at Abbots Leigh (Som.), 18 October 1808;

(2.3) Rev. Basil Beridge (1797-1881) (q.v.);

(2.4) Tanfield Basil Beridge (1798-c.1819), baptised at Algarkirk, 8 April 1798; an officer in the 4th Dragoon Guards (Cornet, 1813; Lt. 1814); died unmarried in South America, c.1819;

(2.5) Marianna Beridge (1800-84), born December 1800 and baptised at Algarkirk, 11 January 1801; married, 24 October 1820 at Algarkirk, Capt. the Rev. Charles Boothby (1786-1846), vicar of Sutterton, rector of Barnoldby-le-Beck (Lincs) and prebendary of Southwell Minster, third son of Sir William Boothby, 4th & 5th bt., and had issue one son and two daughters; died at Coombe Bury, Kingston-on-Thames (Surrey), 22 December, and was buried at Algarkirk, 30 December 1884; administration of goods granted 13 March 1885 (effects £248).

He lived at Algarkirk Hall and apparently remodelled it and laid out the grounds.

He died 22 February 1808 and was buried at Algarkirk; his will was proved in the PCC, 17 August 1808. His first wife died 4 June and was buried at Algarkirk, 9 June 1792. His second wife married 2nd, 30 March 1814 at Sutterton, John Harriott Roe (c.1768-1833); she died 5 November and was buried at Algarkirk, 12 November 1840.

Beridge, Rev. Basil (1797-1881). Elder son of Rev. Basil Bury Beridge (1736-1808) and his second wife Dorothy, daughter and co-heir of John Tanfield of Carthorpe (Yorks), born 10 January and baptised at Algarkirk, 19 January 1797. Educated at Harrow and Magdalen College, Oxford (matriculated 1815). Ordained deacon and priest, 1822; rector and patron of Algarkirk, 1822-81; prebendary and canon of Lincoln Cathedral, 1872-81. In 1843 he was made responsible for the custody of his nephew, Henry Weare Sparrow, who had been declared a lunatic. He married 1st, 30 October 1823 at Tathwell (Lincs), Bettina Mary Elizabeth (1805-24), only daughter of William Chaplin of Thorpe Hall (Lincs), and 2nd, 21 August 1828 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Judith Pulteney (1808-60), daughter of John Fawcett (later Pulteney) of Northerwood (Hants), but had no issue.

He lived at Algarkirk Hall which he remodelled c.1825.

He died at Coombe Bury, Kingston-upon-Thames (Surrey), 20 July 1881, and was buried at Algarkirk; his will was proved 6 September 1881 (effects £65,627). His first wife died at Clifton near Bristol (Glos), 6 July 1824. His second wife died at Scarborough (Yorks), 10 August 1860; her will was proved in October 1860 but after her husband's death a later will was found and administration was granted to her husband's executors, 1 September 1881 (effects £9,959).

Sparrow, Rev. John Beridge (1828-97). Third son of James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838) [for whom see below, under Sparrow of Gosfield Place] and his wife Dorothy, eldest daughter of Rev. Basil Bury Beridge of Algarkirk Hall (Lincs), born 24 June and baptised at Gosfield, 7 July 1828. Educated privately and at Magdalene College, Cambridge (matriculated 1847; BA 1851). Ordained deacon, 1851 and priest, 1853. Curate of St Thomas, Dudley (Worcs), 1851-53; vicar of Offton and rector of Little Bricett (Suffk), 1853-58; vicar of Great Cornard (Suffk), 1858-81, and rector of Algarkirk with Fosdyke, 1881-97. JP for Lincolnshire (from 1884). He married, 14 July 1859, Louisa Henrietta (1838-1916), daughter of Rev. Samuel Hartopp Knapp, rector of Letchworth (Herts), and had issue:

(1) Constance Julia Sparrow (1860-1933), born 13 April and baptised at Great Cornard, 13 May 1860; married, 9 April 1885 at Algarkirk, Robert Wyndham Jermyn Rushbrooke (1858-1908), of Rushbrooke Hall (Suffk), and had issue three sons and one daughter; died 9 January 1933; will proved 23 May 1933 (estate £6,746);

(2) Mabel Eleanor Sparrow (1861-1947), baptised at Great Cornard, 15 September 1861; married, 9 October 1884 at Algarkirk, Bartholomew Claypon Garfit (1857-1922), son of Thomas Garfit of Kenwick Hall  (Lincs), and had issue five daughters; died 20 January 1947;  will proved 25 April 1947 (estate £10.732);

(3) Violet Dorothy Sparrow (1864-1907), baptised at Great Cornard, 17 July 1864; died unmarried at Thurston (Suffk), 26 July 1907;

(4) Hugh Cuthbert Beridge Sparrow (1867-1943), baptised at Great Cornard, 27 October 1867; served in the Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War; farmer at Chartknole, Beaminster (Dorset);  married, 29 April 1912 at Beaminster, Evelyn Lucy Margaret (1882-1960), daughter of George Frederic Pinney of Brooklands, Beaminster; died 13 October 1943; will proved 17 January 1944 (estate £20,521);

(5) Sylvia Margaret Sparrow (1871-1955), baptised at Great Cornard, 5 February 1871; married, 18 January 1898 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), William Cranford Hurrell, son of S.W. Hurrell of Burgh (Lincs), and had issue four children; lived latterly at Probus (Cornw.); died 18 April 1955 and was buried at Probus; will proved 22 November 1955 (estate £4,994).

He lived at Abbas Hall, Great Cornard from c.1858 and at Algarkirk Hall from 1881.

He died 18 September and was buried at Great Cornard (Suffk), 20 September 1897; his will was proved 25 October 1897 (effects £12,702). His widow died at Thurston (Suffk), 4 July 1916, and was buried at Great Cornard (Suffk).

Sparrow of Gosfield Place

Sparrow, James (1725-77). Only son of John Sparrow (1697-1742?) of Halstead (Essex), and his first wife Jane, only daughter and heir of Robert Sparrow of Offton (Suffk), baptised at Sible Hedingham (Essex), 8 April 1725. Farmer and landowner with property at Sible Hedingham, Gosfield and Halstead (Essex) and several parishes in Suffolk, who described himself as 'gentleman' rather than 'esquire'. He married Margaret (d. 1790), daughter and co-heir of Rev. Thomas Bernard, rector of Little Bardfield (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Jane Sparrow (1751-1800), baptised at Stisted (Essex), 4 June 1751; married, 16 February 1775 at Gosfield, Lt. Fiske Manistre RN (1742-82) of Halstead, son of John Manistre of Halstead, surgeon, and had issue one son; died 31 July 1800, and was buried at Sible Hedingham, where she is commemorated on her brother Thomas' monument;

(2) Rev. John Sparrow (1756-86), of Gosfield, born 7 February and baptised at Gosfield, 2 March 1756; educated at Witham GS and St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1773; BA 1777; MA 1780); ordained deacon, 1780, and priest, 1781; rector of Thorpe Morieux (Suffk), 1781-86 and rector of Kettleburgh and vicar of Parham and Hacheston (Suffk), 1786; died unmarried and was buried at Sible Hedingham, 30 August 1786;

(3) Sarah Sparrow (1760-1830), born 5 June and baptised at Gosfield, 17 June 1760; married, 11 May 1795 at Gosfield, Rev. Charles Edward Holden (1763-1848), vicar of Great Cornard (Suffk), son of the Rev. Edward Holden of Barsham (Suffk), but had no issue; died 6 April and was buried at Barsham, 14 April 1830; administration (with will annexed) granted to her husband, 15 June 1830;

(4) Thomas Bernard Sparrow (1766-93), born 4 November and baptised at Gosfield, 26 November 1766; educated at Bury St Edmunds GS (from which he was expelled for locking the headmaster out of the school) and St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1784; BA 1788); inherited the Gosfield Place estate from his father in 1777; died unmarried when he was accidentally drowned while bathing near his home, 23 April, and was buried at Sible Hedingham, 2 May 1793, where he is commemorated by a monument;

(5) Martha Sparrow (1768-1861), born 5 February and baptised at Gosfield, 11 March 1768; married, 16 January 1798 at Gosfield, Rev. Newman John Stubbin (1768-1835), vicar of Offton with Little Bricett (Suffk) and perpetual curate of Higham St Mary (Suffk), son of John Stubbin, and had issue two sons; lived latterly at Whitton Villa (Suffk); died aged 93 on 25 April 1861; will proved 20 July 1861 (estate under £4,000).

(6) James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838) (q.v.).

He purchased the Biggs (later Gosfield Place) estate, apparently in the 1750s.

He died 29 October and was buried at Sible Hedingham, 6 November 1777; his will was proved in the PCC, 13 February 1778. His widow died 13 March 1790; her will was proved in the PCC, 26 July 1790.

Sparrow, James Goodeve (1770-1838). Third son of James Sparrow (1725-77) and his wife Margaret, daughter and co-heir of Rev. Thomas Bernard, rector of Little Bardfield (Essex), born 28 January and baptised at Gosfield, 23 February 1770. Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1788). Partner in Suffolk & Essex Bank, later Messrs. Sparrow, Walford, Notledge & Greenwood of Chelmsford and Braintree, bankers. A freemason from 1821. He married 1st, 29 October 1799 at Lakenham (Norfk), Anne (1781-1813), youngest daughter of James Crowe of Lakenham, and 2nd, 18 December 1817, Dorothy (1794-1833), daughter of Rev. Basil Bury Beridge of Algarkirk (Lincs), and had issue:

(1.1) Elizabeth Ann Sparrow (1801-25), born 25 May and baptised at Lakenham, 21 June 1801; died unmarried, 27 July and was buried at Lakenham, 5 August 1825;

(1.2) James Crowe Sparrow (1802-20), born 3 November 1802 and baptised at Gosfield, 23 September 1805; died unmarried 'of a decline' [probably tuberculosis] and was buried at Gosfield, 19 September 1820;

(1.3) Margaret Sparrow (1803-04), born 17 November and baptised at Lakenham, 18 December 1803; died 17 July and was buried at Gosfield, 20 July 1804;

(1.4) Margaret Sparrow (1805-92), born about 1805; married, 10 November 1824 at Lakenham, Col. William Bragge (1788-1863) of Sadbarow (Dorset), and had issue three sons and six daughters; died at Weymouth (Dorset), 16 January 1892;

(1.5) Sarah Augusta Sparrow (1807-31), born 12 August 1807 and baptised at Lakenham, 10 November 1811; died unmarried in Brighton (Sussex), 8 December, and was buried at Gosfield, 21 December 1831;

(1.6) Jane Sparrow (1808-91), born 19 November 1808 and baptised at Lakenham, 10 November 1811; married 1st, 27 March 1826 in the chapel of the British Embassy in Paris (annulled on grounds of non-consummation, 1842), Fiske Goodeve Harrison (later Fiske-Harrison (1793-1872) of Copford Hall (Essex), eldest son of John Haynes Harrison, but had no issue; married 2nd, 13 July 1843 at St Marylebone (Middx), Thomas Pynsent (1809-87) of Pitt House, Chudleigh (Devon) and later of Lakenham House (Devon), and had issue three daughters; lived latterly at Belmont House, Northam (Devon); died in Clifton (Glos), 30 January 1891; will proved 7 April 1891 (effects £104,307);

(2.1) Henry Weare Sparrow (later Beridge) (1819-95) (q.v.);

(2.2) Basil Sparrow (1820-80) (q.v.);

(2.3) Dorothy Emma Sparrow (1821-69), born 4 December 1821 and baptised at Christ Church, Bristol, 1 January 1822; married, 27 April 1847 at the house of the British consul in Florence (Italy), as his second wife, Dr Edward John Tilt MD (1815-93) of Grosvenor Sq., Westminster (Middx), obstetrician and gynaecologist; died 17 March and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, 23 March 1869; will proved 12 May 1869 (effects under £100);

(2.4) Annette Rosalie Sparrow (1825-1910), born 4 September and baptised at St Andrew, Clifton (Glos), 20 September 1825; married, 14 December 1848 at Holy Trinity, Paddington (Middx), William Devoy (c.1811-62) of Woodlands, Potters Bar (Herts) and Gosfield Grange (Essex), barrister-at-law, son of William Devoy; died at Loughton (Essex), 3 January 1910; will proved 8 August 1912 (estate £18,153);

(2.5) Rev. John Beridge Sparrow (1828-97) [for whom see below, Beridge of Algarkirk].

He inherited Gosfield Place from his elder brother in 1793 and remodelled it c.1800-03. He and his family seem to have lived at Lakenham while the work was in progress. In the early 1820s he and his second wife lived in Bristol for some years.

He died 3 October 1838; his will was proved in the PCC, 30 November 1838. His first wife died at Clifton (Glos) after a long illness, 24 January 1813 and was buried at Gosfield, 7 February 1813. His second wife died 12 February and was buried at Gosfield, 21 February 1833, although curiously the codicil to his will made following her death is dated 1831, presumably in error.

Sparrow (later Beridge), Henry Weare (1819-94). Eldest son of James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838) and his wife Dorothy, eldest daughter of Rev. Basil Bury Beridge of Algarkirk Hall (Lincs), born 5 February and baptised at Christ Church, Bristol, 18 February 1819. Educated at Eton. He became mentally ill in the late 1830s and was found to be a lunatic in 1842 and placed in the custody of his uncle, Rev. Basil Beridge (1797-1881) [for whom see above, under Beridge of Algarkirk] but was confined in asylums from 1848 onwards. His affairs were subsequently under the control of the Lord Chancellor. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited Gosfield Place (Essex) from his father in 1838 and the Algarkirk Hall estate from his uncle in 1881.

He died at Hailsham (Sussex), 18 September, and was buried at Gosfield, 22 September 1894.

Sparrow, Basil (1820-80). Second son of James Goodeve Sparrow (1770-1838) and his wife Dorothy, eldest daughter of Rev. Basil Bury Beridge of Algarkirk Hall (Lincs), born 1 August and baptised at Christ Church, Bristol, 2 September 1820. Educated at Shrewsbury School and Worcester College, Oxford (matriculated 1838). Banker with Sparrow Tufnell & Co. of Chelmsford and other Essex towns. JP and DL for Essex. A Conservative in politics. He married, 28 December 1846 at Gosfield, Julia (1825-97), daughter of James Scratton of Prittlewell Priory (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Amy Julia Sparrow (1850-76), born 9 June and baptised at Gosfield, 25 August 1850; married, 8 October 1872 at Gosfield, Rev. William Edward Lionel Lampet (1841-1921), vicar of Great Bardfield (Essex), 1867-1921, son of Barrett Edward Lampet, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 19 August and was buried at Great Bardfield, 24 August 1876;

(2) Isabel Mary Sparrow (1851-1922), born 10 September and baptised at Gosfield, 23 November 1851; married, 14 December 1876 at Gosfield, Bendyshe William Ellys Walton (1855-85) of Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead (Essex), son of Maj. Charles Walton, but had no issue; lived latterly at Cosgrove Lodge, Lexden (Essex); died 16 October 1922; will proved 13 December 1922 (estate £21,252);

(3) Serena Elizabeth Sparrow (1852-1920), born 16 October and baptised at Gosfield, 26 December 1852; married, 5 June 1888 at St Mary Abbotts, Kensington (Middx), as his third wife, George Courtauld (1830-1920) of Cut Hedge, Gosfield, multi-millionaire partner in Samuel Courtauld & Co. Ltd., cloth manufacturers, and Liberal MP for Maldon (Essex), 1878-85, and had issue one son, who predeceased her; died 4 July 1920; will proved 17 September 1920 (estate £127,948);

(4) Rev. Basil James Harold Sparrow (later Beridge) (1853-1929) (q.v.);

(5) Florence Ellen Sparrow (1854-1937), born 25 November 1854 and baptised at Gosfield, 16 August 1855; lived at Rookwoods, Sible Hedingham (Essex); died unmarried, 3 May 1937; will proved 3 August 1937 (estate £50,979);

(6) Valentine Arthur George John Sparrow (1856-72), born 14 February and baptised at Gosfield, 15 June 1856; died young, 10 July and was buried at Gosfield, 27 July 1872;

(7) Herbert Edward Sparrow (1857-82), born 14 March and baptised at Gosfield, 12 August 1857; educated at Charterhouse and Emmanuel College, Cambridge (matriculated 1874); banker in the family bank; died unmarried following an accident in which he was thrown from a dog cart driven by his brother Reginald near Gosfield, 12 April, and was buried at Gosfield, 17 April 1882; administration of goods granted 20 June 1882 (effects £1,285) and 11 November 1897 (effects £2,265);

(8) Lucy Margaret Sparrow (1858-69), born 30 June and baptised at Gosfield, 14 October 1858; died young, 4 January, and was buried at Gosfield, 8 January 1869;

(9) Beatrice Emma Sparrow (1859-1941), born 22 September and baptised at Gosfield, 30 November 1859; married, 2 April 1891 at Gosfield, Maj. John Charles Lawrie (1859-1915), son of Maj. John Lawrie, and had issue one daughter; died at Glebe House, Stanway (Essex), 10 December, and was buried at White Notley (Essex), 13 December 1941; will proved 25 February 1942 (estate £8,240);

(10) Reginald Bragge Sparrow (1860-82), born 11 December 1860; an officer in the Dublin City militia (2nd Lt., 1878; 'services dispensed with', 1883); died unmarried, 31 December 1882; administration of goods granted, 7 June 1883 (effects £160);

(11) Ethel Bertha Sparrow (1862-1943), born 10 March and baptised at Gosfield, 21 April 1862; a keen member of the East Essex Hunt for more than fifty years; lived with her older sister at Rookwoods, Sible Hedingham (Essex) from 1891; died 28 October 1943; will proved 21 March 1944 (estate £80,504);

(12) Augusta Rosalie Sparrow (1865-70), born 21 March and baptised at Gosfield, 7 May 1865; died young, 6 June, and was buried at Gosfield, 11 June 1870;

(13) Col. Richard Sparrow (1871-1953), born 10 June and baptised at Gosfield, 23 July 1871; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1892; Lt. 1895; Capt., 1899; Maj., 1903; Lt-Col., 1914; retired as Col., 1919) who was appointed CMG, 1916 and DSO, 1918; lived at The Lodge, Colne Engaine (Essex); married 1st, 16 November 1918 at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), his first cousin, Cecily Mabel (1890-1940), daughter of Maj. Bartholomew Claypon Garfit and widow of Capt. Lawrence Heyworth of Dalby Hall, Spilsby (Lincs); married 2nd, 10 September 1941 at Hackthorn (Lincs), Dorothea Barbara (1873-1968), daughter of William Goddard Jackson and widow of Arthur Bruce Peacock (later Willson) of Rauceby Hall (Lincs); died 6 December 1953.

He lived at Gosfield Place (Essex), which he rebuilt on a new site in 1863-65 at a cost of £62,000, probably to the designs of J.T. Knowles senior. He lived at Attwoods, Halstead and later at Twinstead Hall (Essex) while the rebuilding was in progress.

He died 21 September, and was buried at Gosfield, 25 September 1880; his will was proved 18 December 1880 (effects under £60,000). His widow died suddenly, 8 February, and was buried at Gosfield, 12 February 1897; her will was proved 21 April 1897 (effects £5,188).

Sparrow (later Beridge), Rev. Basil James Harold (1853-1929). Eldest son of Basil Sparrow (1820-80) and his wife Julia, daughter of James Scratton of Prittlewell Priory (Essex), born 23 November and baptised at Gosfield, 28 December 1853. Educated at Charterhouse and Christ's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1872; BA 1876; MA 1880). Ordained deacon, 1877 and priest, 1878. He was curate of Chaceley (Worcs), 1877-80, Bocking (Essex), 1880-81 and of Clacton-on-Sea, 1902-03, but was otherwise without clerical employment. He took the name and arms of Beridge in lieu of Sparrow by royal licence, 1895. He appointed an elderly (and, as it proved, eccentric) clergyman who was not a member of the family to the vacant living of Algarkirk and sold the advowson in 1903. He married, 18 July 1882 at Hove (Sussex) (sep. by 1911*), Margaret Louisa (1861-1925), daughter of Henry Capel Elliot of South Kensington (Middx), and widow of Mark Markwick (d. 1881), gent., and had issue:

(1) Basil James Goodeve Sparrow Beridge (1883-1923), born 26 September 1883 and was baptised at Gosfield (Essex), 31 July 1884; an officer in the army (2nd Lt., 1901; resigned 1902); bankrupt, 1906; and later a non-commissioned officer in the army; married, Apr-Jun 1908 at Westminster (Middx), Grace Louise (1880-1967), daughter of Frederick Henry Hurburgh of Limehouse (Middx), master mariner, and had issue one son and two daughters; died at Brighton (Sussex) in the lifetime of his father, 1923; after his death his widow became a boarding house keeper in Brighton.

He inherited Gosfield Place (Essex) from his uncle in 1894, but sold it in 1924 to Mr A.D. Letch, builder, for £1,400 for demolition and lived latterly at Clacton-on-Sea (Essex). Gosfield Place was demolished in 1924-25: Letch is said to have realised more from the sale of the building materials than he paid for the property.

He died at Clacton-on-Sea (Essex), 13 March 1929, and was buried at Gosfield; his will was proved 19 April 1929 (estate £53,429). His wife died April-June 1925.

* He appears not only to have separated from his wife but also to have ceased to acknowledge his son, publishing a notice in 1902 that he would not be responsible for his son's debts and stating in the 1911 census that he and his wife had had no children.

Principal sources

A.R. Maddison, Lincolnshire pedigrees, vol. 1, 1902, pp. 124-27; Burke's Landed Gentry, 1925, p. 120; H. Healey 'Beridges, benefice and bricks: an Algarkirk miscellany' in C. Sturman (ed.), Lincolnshire People & Places, 1996, pp. 43-50; J. Bettley & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Essex, 2nd edn., 2007, p. 381; R. Pacey, Lost Lincolnshire Country Houses, vol. 6, 2010; R. Burrows, St Peter and St Paul, Algarkirk: Conservation Management Plan, 2013, pp. 11-12; D.L. Roberts, Lincolnshire houses, 2018, p. 424.

Location of archives

Beridge and Sparrow families of Algarkirk: estate and family papers, 1782-1910 [Lincolnshire Archives, Beridge]

Sparrow, Tufnell & Co. of Chelmsford etc., bankers: partnership, branch and customer records, correspondence and accounts, 1808-96 [Barclays Group Archives]

Sparrow and Beridge families of Gosfield Place: deeds, estate and family papers, 1460-1925 [Essex Record Office D/DBm]

Coat of arms

Argent, a saltire engrailed between four escallops sable.

Can you help?

• Does anyone have any further views of Gosfield Place before the 1860s rebuilding, or any pictures of the interior of the 1860s house?
• Can anyone provide photographs or portraits of the people whose names appear in bold above, for whom no image is currently shown?
• If anyone can offer further information or corrections to any part of this article I should be most grateful. I am always particularly pleased to hear from current owners or the descendants of families associated with a property who can supply information from their own research or personal knowledge for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 28 May 2024 and updated 12 June 2024. I am most grateful for the assistance of James Bettley, Rory O'Donnell and Phillip Judge with unscrambling the history of Gosfield Place.