(452) Bathurst of Lechlade, baronets

Bathurst of Lechlade

The various branches of the Bathurst family all claim descent from a Sussex family which was of gentry status until Laurence Bathurst sided with the Lancastrians in the Wars of the Roses and was executed and dispossessed of his estates by King Edward IV after the defeat of King Henry VI at the Battle of Hexham in 1463. Laurence's descendants lived afterwards at Canterbury and Cranbrook (Kent). His grandson, Lawrence Bathurst, had three sons, of whom the eldest, Edward, moved to Staplehurst (Kent) and was the ancestor of the Bathursts of Franks, Hothorpe and Cirencester. Lawrence's second son, Robert Bathurst (d. 1576), with whom the genealogy below begins, settled at Horsmonden (Kent), where he was a clothier and had an extremely large family, probably by two wives. His eldest son, John Bathurst (fl. 1606), also a clothier, married the daughter of Edward Dodge of Wrotham (Kent). Her brother, also Edward Dodge (d. 1597), was childless and made John's son, Robert Bathurst (d. 1623) the heir to a substantial estate at Lechlade (Glos) which he had recently purchased. Robert had to defend his title against claims by the descendants of previous owners, but was eventually confirmed in his title by royal letters patent and an Act of Parliament. He also obtained a grant of a market and fair at Lechlade, and the right to a free wharf on the River Thames. Since Lechlade was the highest navigable point on the Thames and also on a major road to London, it seems likely that Robert, with his background in the cloth industry, envisaged becoming a major player in the Cotswold wool trade, but the importance of wool production was already declining, and the major export through Lechlade in the later 17th century was actually cheese, not wool. The estate at Lechlade was said to be worth £1,400 a year, and we know from Robert's will that he had enlarged the manor house there before his death. In 1623 his three surviving children were all minors, and his elder son Robert died in 1628 before coming of age. It was therefore his younger son, Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74) who came into possession in about 1635.

Edward Bathurst was a Royalist in the Civil War, and is said to have been in the King's garrison at Oxford. In 1643, when the King was much in need of funds to sustain his campaign, he bought a baronetcy for £170 and paid a further £20 for knighthood, although after the Parliamentarian victory he claimed that whatever aid he had given the king's forces had been given under duress. He was fined £720 but pardoned when the fine was paid. After the Restoration he seems to have rebuilt the manor house at Lechlade again, creating what seems to have been a striking tall building with a cupola visible from far away across the meadows. In 1668 he made over this house and the Lechlade estate to his eldest son, Lawrence Bathurst (1631-71) in return for an annuity, but Lawrence unexpectedly predeceased his father, leaving an infant son and three daughters. Lawrence left the estate to his widow Susanna (1637-87), in trust for his son, and if his son should die, for his daughters as co-heirs. The son, Sir Edward Bathurst (1665-76), 2nd bt., inherited the baronetcy but died young, and Lawrence's will therefore operated to separate the title from the estate, with the baronetcy passing to his son's heir male, Lawrence's younger brother, Sir Edward Bathurst (1635-88), 3rd bt., and the Lechlade estate to his daughters as co-heirs. Only two of Lawrence's daughters, Anne and Mary, survived to inherit, and they both married in 1686. In 1690 they and their husbands agreed a partition of the estate, with the house being included in the property allocated to Mary and her husband George Coxeter (d. 1701); Anne (d. 1693) and her husband John Greening built a second house on their portion of the estate. The two moieties of the manor remained in separate ownership until 1775 when they were reunited by Sir Jacob Wheate (d. 1783), 5th bt., who pulled down both the existing manor houses and built a new one on the original site.

Sir Edward Bathurst (1635-88), 3rd bt., had inherited the baronetcy and lived at Lechlade on one of the farms. He was not well off, and when he died left a young family. The baronetcy passed to his eldest son, Sir Edward Bathurst (1672-90), 4th bt., who died before coming of age, and then devolved on his younger brother, Sir Francis Bathurst (1676-1736), 5th bt., 'a debauched man in his time', who quickly ran through whatever inheritance there was and was reduced to indigence. In 1732 he was living on the pennies earned from basic schoolteaching and on the charity of some of the local gentry families, most notably Lord Bathurst of Cirencester Park, who seems to have paid for the cost of Sir Francis' elder surviving son attending Westminster School, but he 'grew loose and my Lord has entirely discarded him'. He seems, in fact to have run away from school and gone to America in about 1728. Shortly afterwards, his father followed his example and emigrated with his wife and younger children to the newly-founded colony of Georgia. Here, he was granted a few hundred acres of land, but it proved to be swampy and probably malarial, and within a couple of years he and his wife and two of his daughters were dead. His son Robert (1719-39) abandoned the landholding and went to Virginia, where he was 'killed by the Negroes' or, according to some accounts, by Native Americans. His surviving sister and her husband attempted to conceal the family's few remaining assets, were detected, and ran away back to England, where they disappear without trace. Sir Francis' eldest son, Lawrence Bathurst, seems to have made a more successful new life as a tutor and later an attorney in Pennsylvania. Although he never used the baronetcy title, one of his sons survived until 1845 and married, so it is possible that there are living  descendants in America who could claim the title. For this reason it is regarded as dormant, not extinct.

The eldest son of the 1st baronet's second marriage was Robert Bathurst (c.1644-92), who appears to have received a portion of his father's property at Lechlade, on which he built a modest country house which he called Clayhill House in the late 17th century. The Clayhill estate descended to his son, Robert Bathurst (1671-1726), and then to the latter's son, Robert Bathurst (1698-1765), who was married but had no issue. After his death, the property was sold out of the family, to John Day, and his widow moved to Hereford, although when she died many years later she chose to be buried at Lechlade rather than in the city which had become her home.

Lechlade Place (aka Lanthorn House), Gloucestershire

The manor house of Lechlade was recorded from 1270 and was used by the Earls of Cornwall on occasion in the 13th century. In about 1500 the hall of the manor house was dismantled and moved to Barnsley (Glos) - then in the same ownership - but in the late 16th century there was still a manor house at Lechlade, known as the Place. This was occupied by the Bathursts as their principal residence in the 17th century, and was evidently enlarged by Robert Bathurst (d. 1623), who refers in his will to 'the three Roomes of the new building of my nowe dwelling house'. The Tudor and Jacobean house is believed to have been rebuilt by Sir Edward Bathurst (d. 1674), 1st bt. It was later known as the Lanthorn House, on account of a large glazed cupola on top of it, and although no illustration of it is known, it sounds as if it was an early post-Restoration building with a tall hipped roof and central lantern, perhaps rather in the manner of Ashdown Park (Berks). It seems very possible that it was designed by Thomas Strong, who completed nearby Fairford Park (begun in 1661 to the design of his father, Valentine Strong), and who in 1665-66 built the first part of a new quadrangle at Trinity College, Oxford to the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. The man behind the work at Trinity was the college's President, Dr. Ralph Bathurst, a third cousin of Sir Edward and much the most distinguished of his contemporary relatives. 

At the partition of Lechlade manor in 1690 the new house seems to have been included in the Coxeters' moiety and so it was presumably the house north-east of the town later occupied by their successors the Pullens. In 1695 the other moiety also included a newly-built house, probably erected by John Greening, and that was presumably the house near the river south-west of the town where Sir Jacob Wheate lived in the mid 1770s. After he reunited the manor in 1775, Sir Jacob pulled down both houses and built a new one by the Burford road near the site of the Pullens' house.

Lechlade Manor House: the Georgian house built in the 1780s for Sir Jacob Wheate with the wings added by Richard Pace for George Milward, c.1820.

This began as a fairly modest square five-bay, three-storey house and stood beside the drive to the present Lechlade Manor. After the Lechlade estate was sold c.1819 to George Milward (d. 1839), he enlarged the manor house by the addition of lower, two-storey wings lit by a Diocletian window above a Venetian window. These were almost certainly designed by Richard Pace of Lechlade, since he added almost identical wings to Lushill House, Wiltshire, and depicted them on his trade card, shown here (top row, middle image). 

Tradecard of Robert Pace, builder, c.1820. Image: Bodleian Library MS. Eng. hist. c.298

George was succeeded by his son (d. 1871) and grandson of the same name, and the third George Milward rebuilt the house on a new site in 1872-73. Three marble chimneypieces from the old house were moved to Southrop Manor. An account of the new Victorian building is reserved to a future post on the Milward family. 

Descent: Crown granted 1550 to Dennis Topps (d. 1578); to son, Thomas Topps who sold by 1581 to Nicholas and George Rainton of London; who sold 1581 to Benedict Bartholomew and John Weaver of London; sold 1588 to Edward Dodge (d. 1597) and Peter Houghton, who sold his share to Dodge in 1595; to nephew, Robert Bathurst (1563-1623); to son, Robert Bathurst (c.1612-28); to brother, Sir Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74), 1st bt.; given 1668 to son, Laurence Bathurst (1631-71); to widow Susanna (1637-87) (later wife of Sir John Fettiplace and Sir Thomas Cutler) in trust for his son, Sir Edward Bathurst (1665-76), 2nd bt. and then for his sisters Ann (d. 1693) and Mary (d. 1742?) as co-heirs. Ann (from 1686 the wife of John Greening) and Mary (from 1686 the wife of George Coxeter (d. 1702)) agreed a division of the manor in 1690. Ann's moiety passed to John's niece Elizabeth (d. 1737) (the wife of Nicholas Harding (d. 1736)), who granted it to trustees in 1718 and in 1737 Sir Francis Page (d. 1741), the surviving trustee, took possession of the estate, and bequeathed it to Sir George Wheate (d. 1751), 3rd bt.; to son, Sir George Wheate (d. 1760), 4th bt.; to brother Sir Jacob Wheate (d. 1783), 5th bt. Mary Coxeter gave her moiety of the manor to her son, Thomas Coxeter, who sold 1741 to the trustees of the will of Edward Colston of Bristol; it was then divided among various beneficiaries before being reunited by John Pullen (d. 1769); to son, John Pullen, who sold 1775 to Sir Jacob Wheate, 5th bt., thus reuniting the manor. Wheate left the manor to his brother, Sir John Thomas Wheate (1749-1816), 6th bt. who sold 1794 to Samuel Churchill of Deddington (Oxon); sold 1807 to William Fox; sold c.1819 to George Milward (d. 1839); to son, George Milward (d. 1871); to son George Milward, who demolished the house c.1873.

Clayhill House (now Claydon House), Lechlade, Gloucestershire

Claydon House, Lechlade: the 17th century south front.

During the later 17th century the manorial estate of Lechlade was considerably subdivided as Sir Edward Bathurst (d. 1674) made provision for his younger sons and as a result of their testamentary arrangements, and this led to the development of a number of minor gentry houses and large farmhouses on sites away from the village. Perhaps the most important of these was Claydon House (originally Clayhill), built for Sir Edward's son Robert Bathurst (d. 1692). The house is formed of three parallel ranges of different sizes and a long rear 17th century service wing, forming a loose U-shape, but with the inner well mostly filled in with small buildings. It retains a roughcast three-gabled 17th century south front with three cross-gables, four-light mullioned windows on the first floor and a 19th century square projecting porch with embattled parapet on the ground floor.  Inside, this block preserves one good panelled room of the late 17th century. 

Claydon House, Lechlade: the west front. Image: Vieve Forward. Some rights reserved.

The return elevations of this main block have a two-storey canted bay on the west and a single-storey bay on the east. The house was enlarged and remodelled in neo-Tudor style in the mid 19th century, when the castellated porch and wings extending to the north were added for G.A. Robbins. The west side of the house was further encased to the designs of F.W. Waller of Gloucester in 1896-97 for Capt. Tosswill, with crenellated parapets and mullioned and transomed windows. The house was divided into three dwellings in the mid 20th century.

Descent: built for Robert Bathurst (c.1644-92); to son, Robert Bathurst (1671-1726); to son, Robert Bathurst (1698-1765); sold after his death to John Day (d. 1779)...sold c.1827 to George Robbins (d. 1837); to son, George Augustus Robbins (d. 1887); let to Mr Vaisey; sold 1888 to Capt. Walter Fox Tosswill (c.1855-1922); sold 1899 to J.A. Jefferies; sold c.1901 to Maj. Chichester (d. 1905); sold before 1908 to Thomas Theophilus Secundus Metcalfe (1850-1941); sold after his death and divided c.1951 into three properties, known as East Claydon, South Claydon and West Claydon.

Bathurst family of Lechlade

Bathurst, Robert (d. 1576). Second son of Laurence Bathurst of Cranbrook and Canterbury (Kent) and uncle of Launcelot Bathurst (1529-96) from whom descend the Bathursts of Cirencester. Clothier at Horsmonden. He married 1st, about 1535, [forename unknown], daughter of William Saunders, and 2nd, about 1557, Alice [surname unknown] (d. 1596), and had issue:

(1.1) John Bathurst (fl. 1606) (q.v.);

(1.2) Edward Bathurst (fl. 1576); living in 1576;

(1.3) Paul Bathurst (c.1542-1626) [for whom see my previous post on the Bathurst family of Finchcocks]

(1.4) Stephen Bathurst (fl. 1576); living in 1576;

(1.5) Robert Bathurst (fl. 1576); living in 1576;

(1.6) Timothy Bathurst; probably died young before 1576;

(1.7) Margery Bathurst; married William Sarre and had issue one son and one daughter; died before 1576;

(1.8) A daughter; married, before 1559, Thomas Bishop; probably died before 1576;

(1.9) Jane Bathurst; married, before 1559, Giles Francklin; living in 1576;

(1.10) Mary Bathurst; married, 21 June 1563 at Horsmonden, Barnaby Nepekar; living in 1576;

(1.11) Frances Bathurst; married, before 1559, Robert Clampard; living in 1576;

(1.12) Grace Bathurst (d. 1566); died unmarried and was buried at Horsmonden, 24 November 1566;

(2.1) Susanna Bathurst, born before 1559; unmarried in 1576;

(2.2) Patience Bathurst, baptised at Horsmonden, 31 August 1561; married, 25 June 1582 at Goudhurst, Peter Colman;

(2.3) Katherine Bathurst, baptised at Horsmonden, 9 April 1564; married, 26 September 1580, William Baker; 

(2.4) Grace Bathurst, baptised at Horsmonden, 26 October 1567; living in 1576.

He lived at Horsmonden (Kent).

He was buried at Horsmonden, 22 September 1576; his will was proved in the PCC, 5 October 1577. His widow was buried at Horsmonden, 27 August 1596.

Bathurst, John (fl. 1606). Eldest son of Robert Bathurst of Horsmonden (Kent) and his first wife [forename unknown], daughter of William Saunders. Clothier at Horsmonden. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Dodge of Wrotham (Kent), and had issue:

(1) Robert Bathurst (1563-1623) (q.v.);

(2) Elizabeth Bathurst; married [forename unknown] Heylyn, and had issue three sons and six daughters; died before 1623;

(3) Katherine Bathurst; married [forename unknown] Spencer, and had issue; living in 1623.

He lived at Horsmonden (Kent).

He died after 1606. His widow married 2nd, Francis Champneys of Wrotham, but had no further issue; her date of death is unknown.

Bathurst, Robert (1563-1623). Only recorded son of John Bathurst and his wife Mary, daughter of Edward Dodge of Wrotham (Kent), baptised at Horsmonden, 9 May 1563. JP for Gloucestershire; High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1611. He obtained letters patent from the Crown and subsequently an Act of Parliament confirming his title to the manor of Lechlade, and also had a grant of a market, fair and free wharf at Lechlade from King James I. In 1623, at the heralds' visitation of Gloucestershire, he applied for and was granted a variation on the family coat of arms, resulting in the coat above. He married 1st, 7 February 1598/9 at St Giles Cripplegate, London, Benetta (b. 1573), daughter of Roger Twysden of Roydon Hall (Kent) and 2nd, 19 June 1608 at St Augustine, Watling St., London, Elizabeth (d. 1656?), daughter and heir of Ralph Waller of Clerkenwell and widow of Sir John Lawrence (d. 1604), kt., of St. Ives (Hunts), and had issue:

(2.1) Mary Bathurst; living in 1623; died unmarried;

(2.2) Elizabeth Bathurst; died young in the lifetime of her father;

(2.3) Robert Bathurst (c.1612-28), born about 1612 as he was aged 10 at the heralds' visitation in 1623; inherited Lechlade from his father as a minor in 1623 and died unmarried, 1628;

(2.4) Sir Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74), 1st bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the manor of Lechlade from his maternal uncle, Edward Dodge (d. 1597). After his death it passed to his two sons in turn.

He died between September and November 1623; his will was proved in the PCC, 10 November 1623. His first wife died before 1608. His widow was evidently still living in 1652, when her son by her first marriage dedicated a book to her, and is said to have died in 1656.

Bathurst, Sir Edward (c.1613-74), 1st bt. Second son of Robert Bathurst (1563-1623) and his second wife Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Ralph Waller and widow of Sir John Laurence, kt., of St. Ives (Hunts), born about 1613. He was knighted and made a baronet on 15 December 1643*. He was a Royalist in the Civil War and his estate was sequestered, but he later claimed that whatever help he had given to Royalist cause had been given under duress; he paid a fine of £720 and was pardoned and readmitted to his estate in 1648. In 1664 he obtained a confirmation of the grant of a market, fair and free wharf at Lechlade which had been made to his father. He married 1st, by 1630, Anne (d. 1640), daughter of Thomas Morris of Great Coxwell (Berks), 2nd, before 1644, Susan, daughter of Thomas Rich of North Cerney (Glos) and widow of Thomas Cooke of Staunton Court (Worcs), and 3rd, 18 January 1669  at St Marylebone (Middx), Dorothy Nash of Worcestershire, widow, and had issue:

(1.1) Lawrence Bathurst (1631-71) (q.v.);

(1.2) Mary Bathurst (b. 1633; fl. 1684), baptised at Great Coxwell, 30 December 1633; married John Cooke (d. 1684) of Whitechapel (Middx) and Barborne, Claines (Worcs), surveyor of the Customs, son of Thomas Cooke of Redmarley Oliver, Great Witley (Worcs), and had issue three sons; living in 1684;

(1.3) Sir Edward Bathurst (1635-88), 3rd bt. (q.v.);

(1.4) Elizabeth Bathurst (b. c.1637); married, 16 January 1665/6 at Lechlade, Capt. Edward Gibbs (d. 1709?) of Gloucester, Customs Comptroller of Gloucester port, 1680; Commissioner of Excise and Hearthmoney Arrears in north and south Wales, c.1685-90 and deputy governor of Chepstow Castle (Mon.);

(1.5) Anne Bathurst (1639-c.1704), baptised at Lechlade, 16 July 1639; perhaps to be identified with the author of a two-volume diary of 'Rhapsodical Meditations and Visions' covering the years 1679-96, now in the Bodleian Library; died unmarried, in or just before 1704;

(1.6) Robert Bathurst (1639-40), baptised at Lechlade, 21 March 1638/9; died in infancy, 26 November 1640;

(2.1) Robert Bathurst (c.1644-92) [see Bathurst of Clayhill below];

(2.2) Lancelot Bathurst (1646-c.1701); emigrated to New Kent County, Virginia (USA); attorney in Virginia by 1680; Deputy Attorney General for Virginia, 1684; Clerk of the Council of the Virginia colony, 1689; JP for New Kent County by 1699; married [name unknown] and had issue one son and three daughters; his descendants are said to have settled in Jamaica; he was dead by 1701;

(2.3) Edward Bathurst (c.1647-1719); educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1667; BA 1670; MA 1673); Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1673; ordained priest, 1677; vicar of Arrington (Cambs), 1687-94, Chesterton (Cambs), 1694-95; Trumpington, 1695-1719 and Bottisham (Cambs), 1708-16; died unmarried, 25 February, and was buried in Trinity College chapel, 1 March 1718/9; will proved in the PCC, 16 April 1719;

(2.4) Charles Bathurst (b. c.1649) of Covent Garden, London, draper;

(2.5) Susanna Bathurst (c.1650-1716); married 1st, 18 September 1674 at Lechlade, Robert Jordan of Lechlade, 2nd, 13 January 1683 at Buscot (Berks), Rev. John Orchard (d. 1694) of Eaton Hastings (Berks); and 3rd, 7 April 1695 at Buscot, Rev. Richard Parsons LLD (c.1640-1711), vicar of Norton St Philip (Som.), 1669-1705, St Mary de Lode, Gloucester, 1674-87 and Driffield, 1674-1711 and Chancellor of the diocese of Gloucester, 1677-1711; died 1716; will proved 30 November 1716;

(2.6) Annabella Bathurst (b. c.1653), born about 1653; married 1st, 24 April 1672 at Lechlade, William Goodenough (d. 1675) of Broughton Poggs (Oxon) and had one daughter (who died young); married 2nd, 12 August 1676 at Broughton Poggs, Rev. Thomas Kingston (d. 1711), vicar of Shrivenham (Berks), 1676-82 and rector of Buscot, 1682-1711, and had further issue three sons and two daughters; living in 1718;

(2.7) Elizabeth Bathurst (b. c.1654), born about 1654; married, 15 January 1673/4 at Broughton Poggs (Oxon), Henry Willet of Broadwell (Oxon) and Lechlade;

(2.8) Maria Bathurst (c.1656-1706), of Lechlade, born about 1656; died unmarried; administration of goods granted at Gloucester, 17 October 1706.

He inherited the Lechlade estate from his elder brother in 1627/8 but made it over to his eldest son in 1668 in return for an annuity of £350 a year.

He died 6 August and was buried at Lechlade, 7 August 1674. His first wife was buried at Lechlade, 1 October 1640. His second wife died before January 1669. His widow died 18 March 1683/4 and was buried at Spelsbury (Oxon); her will was proved 1684.

* According to Cokayne, there is said to have been a royal warrant under the privy seal for the creation of the baronetcy dated 15 December 1641, but this seems likely to be a convenient fiction, designed to place the creation a few days before 4 January 1641/2 when the disallowing acts of Parliament came into effect: the fact that both the warrant and the grant are dated 15 December is also suspicious.

Bathurst, Laurence (1631-71). Eldest son of Sir Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74), 1st bt., and his first wife, Anne, daughter of Thomas Morris of Great Coxwell (Berks), baptised at Great Coxwell, 23 June 1631. Educated at Grays Inn (admitted 1658). He married, 11 February 1657 at St Peter, Paul's Wharf, London, Susanna (1637-87), daughter of Thomas Cooke of Staunton Court, Staunton-by Ledbury (Glos), and had issue:

(1) Susannah Bathurst (b. 1660), baptised at Lechlade, 2 September 1660; died unmarried;

(2) Anne Bathurst (d. 1693), born before 1665; inherited a moiety of the manor of Lechlade from her brother in 1676; married, 1686 (licence 9 February), John Greening, but had no issue; 

(3) Sir Edward Bathurst (1665-76), 2nd bt., probably the child of this name baptised at St Bartholomew the Great, London, 2 February 1664/5 (although the register gives the father's name as Edward Bathurst esq. of Lechlade); succeeded his grandfather as 2nd baronet, 6 August 1674; died aged 12 on 21 March, and was buried at Lechlade, 23 March 1675/6;

(4) Mary Bathurst (d. 1742?); inherited a moiety of the manor of Lechlade from her brother in 1676; married, 28 January 1685/6 at Lechlade, George Coxeter (c.1659-1701) of the Middle Temple and Kennington (Berks), and had issue two sons and three daughters; living in 1721 and possibly the widow of this name buried at South Leigh (Oxon), 30 January 1741/2.

His father made over the Lechlade estate to him in 1668 in return for an annuity of £350 a year. At his death it passed to his widow subject to the annuity, in trust until his son came of age at 22, and if he died then for his surviving daughters, who were ultimately his co-heirs. Also subject to his wife's life interest, he bequeathed the rectorial tithes to the vicars of the parish, and this bequest took effect after her death in 1687.

He died in the lifetime of his father, 15 September 1671; his will was proved 15 February 1671/2. His widow married 2nd, June 1672 at St Cross, Oxford, Sir John Fettiplace (1623-72), 1st bt., of Childrey (Berks), and 3rd, 14 October 1675, Sir Thomas Cutler (c.1642-1711) of Lechlade, by whom she had one son; she died 2 November 1687 and was buried at Lechlade.

Bathurst, Sir Edward (1635-88), 3rd bt. Second son of Sir Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74), 1st bt., and his first wife, Anne, daughter of Thomas Morris of Great Coxwell (Berks), baptised at Great Coxwell (Berks), 23 May 1635. He succeeded his nephew as 3rd baronet, 21 March 1675/6. He married, before 1672, Mary (d. 1712), daughter of Francis Peacock of Chawley, Cumnor (Berks), and had issue:

(1) Sir Edward Bathurst (1672-90), 4th bt., born about 1672; succeeded his father as 4th baronet, May 1688; educated at Winchester College; died unmarried before achieving his majority, 1690;

(2) Walter Bathurst (1674-78), baptised at Lechlade, 8 December 1674; died young and was buried at Lechlade, 30 September 1678;

(3) Sir Francis Bathurst (1676-1736), 5th bt. (q.v.);

(4) Robert Bathurst (b. c.1677); married and had issue one daughter;

(5) Charles Bathurst (b. 1679), baptised at Lechlade, 28 July 1679; educated at Gloucester Hall, Oxford (matriculated 1700; BA 1703); died unmarried;

(6) Mary Bathurst (b. 1681), baptised at Lechlade, 1 August 1681; probably died unmarried.

He lived at Lechlade.

He was buried at Lechlade, 4 May 1688; administration of his goods was granted at Gloucester, 1688. His widow was buried at Lechlade, 19 January 1712.

Bathurst, Sir Francis (1676-1736), 5th bt. Third son of Sir Edward Bathurst (1635-88), 3rd bt., and his wife Mary, daughter of Francis Peacock of Chawley, Cumnor (Berks), baptised at Lechlade, 11 or 18 February 1675/6. He succeeded his elder brother as 5th baronet, 1690. In 1732 John Loveday describes him living in poverty at Lechlade, where he 'once had an Estate of about £40 per annum which is now gone, he having been a debauched man in his time; he now teaches a few Children their A.B.C. which is his only means of subsistence except from Gentlemen’s Benevolence'. He emigrated to the newly founded colony of Georgia (USA) on the "Prince of Wales" in October-December 1734 with his wife and all his children except his eldest son, who was already in America, and obtained a grant of 200 acres of swampy land at Westbrook, but his crops failed three years in a row and most of his servants and perhaps his family died of fevers. He married 1st, about 1710, Frances (1679-1736), daughter of Rev. William Peacock of Aston Tirrold (Berks), and 2nd, 18 July 1736 in Georgia, Mary Pember (d. 1736), widow, and had issue:

(1.1) Edmund Bathurst (d. 1719); died young and was buried at Lechlade, 3 October 1719;

(1.2) Sir Laurence Bathurst (1712-c.1780?), 6th bt., baptised 3 March 1712/3; educated at Westminster School (admitted 1721; King's Scholar, 1727); according to Loveday, when he was a child the 1st Lord Bathurst 'took him [in]..and would have given him the same education as his own Children, but he grew loose and my Lord has entirely discarded him'; he emigrated to America* and worked as a notary and as tutor for Jonathan Roberts of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania (USA); he married, 21 April 1741 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, one of the daughters of this family, Anne Roberts (1718-72), and is said to have had issue five sons and two daughters, most of whom predeceased him; some accounts state he was survived by one son and one daughter, and if so there could be descendants entitled to the baronetcy; said to have died about 1780 or alternatively in 1792;

(1.3) Mary Bathurst (c.1715-36?); said to have died unmarried in Georgia in 1736; 

(1.4) Robert Bathurst (1719-39), baptised at Lechlade, 25 March 1719; 'ran away to Charleston', South Carolina (USA), 'to avoid paying his father's debt to the Trustees, and was killed by the Negroes', 9 September 1739;

(1.5) Elizabeth Bathurst (b. c.1723), baptised at Lechlade, 19 October 1723; but said to have married**, 9 February 1734/5 in Georgia, Francis Piercy, gardener, who attempted to conceal her brother Robert's goods after he ran away from Georgia; they subsequently 'ran away to England', but no further record of them has been traced;

(1.6) Martha Bathurst (c.1725-36??); said to have married**, 1 February 1734/5 in Georgia, William Baker; dead by September 1736.

He lived in Georgia (USA).

He died of a fever, 19 December 1736. His first wife died at Bathurst Bluff, Georgia (USA), 2 April 1736 and was buried at Savannah, Georgia. His second wife died in October 1736.

* According to some sources he ran away from Westminster School, stowed away on a boat to America and was sold as an indentured labourer on arrival to pay for his passage. An even more lurid version of the story has him kidnapped from school and sold into service in America. But there seems no evidence to suggest he did not go of his own volition or that he was not free to develop his career in America.

** These marriages are very doubtful as Elizabeth would have been 11 or 12 and Martha probably even younger.

Bathurst of Clayhill

Bathurst, Robert (c.1644-92). Eldest son of Sir Edward Bathurst (c.1613-74), 1st bt., and his second wife, Susan, daughter of Thomas Rich of North Cerney (Glos) and widow of Thomas Cooke of Staunton Court, Staunton-by-Ledbury (Glos), born about 1644. He married, 29 December 1665 at Lechlade, Mary (c.1649-1718), daughter of Robert Oatridge of Butler's Court, Lechlade, and had issue (with one further daughter who died in infancy):

(1) Robert Bathurst (d. 1670), buried at Lechlade, 30 May 1670;

(2) Robert Bathurst (1671-1726) (q.v.);

(3) Laurence Bathurst (b. 1672), baptised at Lechlade, 24 March 1671/2; died young before 1682;

(4) Charles Bathurst (1674-1715), baptised at Lechlade, 13 July 1674; overseas merchant by 1700; will proved in the PCC, 12 January 1715;

(5) Margaret Bathurst (1675-78), baptised at Lechlade, 6 January 1675/6; died young and was buried at Lechlade, 19 November 1678;

(6) Mary alias Miriam Bathurst (1676-80), baptised at Lechlade, 14 December 1676; died young and was buried at Lechlade, 28 February 1679/80;

(7) Susanna Bathurst (c.1677-78), born about 1677; buried at Lechlade, 18 December 1678;

(8) Hannah Bathurst (b. 1679), baptised at Lechlade, 15 January 1679; died young before 1693;

(9) Edmund Bathurst (b. 1680; fl. 1750), baptised at Lechlade, 21 September 1680; apprenticed to Thomas Truston, distiller; distiller at Queenhithe, London; Master of the Distillers Company, 1738; married, 28 August 1705 at Taunton, Elizabeth Ware, and had issue three sons and five daughters; living in 1750;

(10) Laurence Bathurst (1682-83), baptised at Lechlade, 1 November 1682; died in infancy and was buried at Lechlade, 27 September 1683;

(11) John Bathurst (1683-1715), baptised at Lechlade, 29 July 1683; apprenticed to Robert Nicholson of London, pewterer, 1697; later a distiller in London; married, 13 September 1710 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Anne Taylor, and had issue two sons; buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 20 November 1715;

(12) Thomas Bathurst (b. c.1685); living in 1693;

(13) Daniel Bathurst (1687-1705), baptised at Lechlade, 9 June 1687; died unmarried and was buried at St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, 6 June 1705;

(14) James Bathurst (b. c.1688); living in 1693;

(15) Susanna Bathurst (c.1690-1715), born about 1690; will proved in the PCC, 1715.

He built Clayhill House at Lechlade in the late 17th century.

He died 30 May 1692. His widow died 20 March 1718.

Bathurst, Robert (1671-1726). Eldest surviving son of Robert Bathurst (c.1644-92) and his wife Mary, daughter of Robert Oatridge of Lechlade, baptised at Lechlade, 1 March 1670/1. He married, 6 June 1693 at Minchinhampton (Glos), Elizabeth (c.1667-1748), daughter of George Small of Minchinhampton, and had issue:

(1) Robert Bathurst (1698-1765) (q.v.);

(2) Susannah Bathurst (c.1700-77); married, 25 April 1728 at Coln St Aldwyn (Glos), Henry Bampton (1702-69), and had issue two sons and four daughters; died 8 June and was buried at Lechlade, 12 June 1777;

(3) Mary Bathurst (1702-06), born 14 March 1701/2 and baptised at Lechlade; died young and was buried at Lechlade, 10 July 1706;

(4) Ann Bathurst (b. 1703), born 14 October 1703 and baptised at Lechlade; married, 1753 (licence, 23 April) Robert Morgan of Lechlade, gent.;

(5) Edward Bathurst (1705-62), born 9 February 1705; apprenticed to Benjamin de la Fountain of London, merchant, 1724; lived latterly at Cirencester (Glos); married, 1744, Barbara (1701-85), daughter of Richard Coxeter of Bampton (Oxon), but had no issue; died 29 August and was buried at Lechlade, 4 September 1762;

(6) Katherine Bathurst; married Charles Bennet; living in 1765;

(7) Elizabeth Bathurst; born before 1704??.

He inherited Clayhill House from his father in 1692.

He died 6 October 1726 and was buried at Lechlade, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved at Gloucester, 20 July 1727. His widow died 5 February 1748.

Bathurst, Robert (1698-1765). Second son of Robert Bathurst (c.1667-1726) and his wife, born 22 April and baptised 28 April 1698. Gentleman farmer at Lechlade. He married, 4 July 1729 at St Benet, Paul's Wharf, London, Elizabeth Godfrey (c.1711-88) of Hailey (Oxon), but had no issue.

He inherited Clayhill House from his elder brother in 1762 but it was sold after his death to John Day.

He died 28 February, and was buried at Lechlade, 5 March 1765; his will was proved in the PCC, 15 October 1765. His widow died at Hereford, 7 May, and was buried at Lechlade, 14 May 1788; her will was proved in the PCC, 23 May 1788.

Principal sources

Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 45-47; Rudge, Glos, 1803, vol. i, p. 265; C. Williams, History of Lechlade, 1888, pp. 48-49; E.M. Coulter & A.B. Saye, A list of the early settlers of Georgia, n.d. [c.1949]; VCH Glos, vol. vii, 1981, pp. 111-12;  E. Cuss & B. Rushby, Fairford and Lechlade in old photographs, 1987, p. 145.

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Bathurst of Lechlade: Azure, two bars ermine, in chief three crosses pattée or.

Can you help?

• Can anyone provide a view of Lechlade Place alias the Lanthorn House prior to its demolition in the 1780s?
• Can anyone fill in the gap in the ownership history of Claydon alias Clayhill House, Lechlade (between 1765 and 1827)?
• I should be most grateful if anyone can provide photographs or portraits of people whose names appear in bold above, and who are not already illustrated.
• Any additions or corrections to the text above will be gratefully received and incorporated. I am always particularly pleased to hear from descendants of the family who can supply information from their own research for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 6 April 2021 and was updated 7 April 2021 and 10 March 2024. I am grateful to Mel Fidler for additional information about Clayhill House.

(451) Bathurst of Finchcocks

Bathurst of Finchcocks 

The Bathursts of Finchcocks were descended from Paul Bathurst (c.1542-1626) of Horsmonden (Kent) and Northiam (Sussex), with whom the genealogy below begins. He was a younger son of Robert Bathurst (d. 1576) of Horsmonden, whose eldest son, John Bathurst (fl. 1606), was the ancestor of the Bathursts of Lechlade. Robert was also the uncle of Launcelot Bathurst (1529-96), the ancestor of the Bathursts of Franks, Hothorpe and Cirencester. 

Paul Bathurst married Elizabeth (d. 1594), the daughter of Edward Horden, who was a member of the Board of Green Cloth - the body which audited the accounts of the Royal Household - under Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I. Horden left his property to his daughters as co-heirs, and they and their husbands agreed a division of the estates, as a result of which the Bathursts received the Finchcocks estate at Goudhurst. In addition to Finchcocks, the Bathursts seem to have inherited from Horden the tradition of royal service. One of Paul's younger sons, Richard Bathurst (1575-1629) was in charge of the royal stables (as king's avener), and Paul's grandson and heir Edward Bathurst (1599-1651), was 'Gentleman Harbinger' to Charles I, a post at Court which involved responsibility for arranging accommodation for the king and his retinue as it moved around the country. Edward was a Royalist in the Civil War, but apparently not a very active one, and there seems to be no record of his being fined for delinquency. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward Bathurst (1639-90), who did not come of age until 1660, the year in which the monarchy was restored. The younger Edward was called to the bar in 1665 and perhaps lived chiefly in London. In 1678 he felled timber in the park at Finchcocks for the use of the Navy. He was married but had no children, and so at his death the Finchcocks estate passed to his younger and unmarried brother, Thomas Bathurst (1642-1718). Hasted, in his history of Kent, says Thomas was also a barrister, but there seems to be no trace of him in the records of the inns of court, so it is perhaps more likely that he was a solicitor or even a merchant in London. On coming into his inheritance, he is said to have quickly withdrawn from business to live 'a retired, country life'. When he died in 1718 he left Finchcocks to his nephew, Edward Bathurst (1681-1772), another London barrister, who in 1727 also inherited the Barnend estate at Wilmington (Kent) from his father.

Edward Bathurst (1681-1772) married twice. His first wife died in 1715, leaving him three sons and one daughter, and within a few years he had found a new partner in Mary Gyles, the daughter of a surgeon from Lamberhurst. Rather curiously, their marriage cannot be traced, and there is a tradition that she was his 'common law' wife, but given his occupation and her social status this seems improbable. She certainly describes herself as a widow in her will, and it may be that the marriage took place in Jamaica, where Bathurst had a plantation, and where some of their children were probably also born. One reason for the trip to Jamaica may have been that at just this time, Finchcocks was being rebuilt: the rainwater heads on the new house are dated 1725. Although it seems strange to a modern way of thinking to absent oneself from a major building project, it was quite commonly done (sometimes with disastrous results), especially if there was a steward or equivalent senior servant who could be trusted to supervise the works. Edward may anyway have been a rather restless soul. By 1731, he was back in England and living at Finchcocks, but he didn't remain there for very long. In 1743 he built another new house, called Common House, on the estate at Wilmington which he had inherited from his father, and moved there. A few years later, he sold that property to Thomas Motley (from whom it descended to Francis Motley Austen) and returned to Finchcocks. Finally, he sold Finchcocks to the eldest son of his second marriage, Charles Bathurst (c.1723-67), and apparently retired to chambers in London, where he died aged 91.

Charles Bathurst was, like his father, a barrister at law, but he was unmarried and had no children to inherit Finchcocks. When he died unexpectedly a couple of years after buying Finchcocks, he left it to his younger brother, the Rev. Richard Bathurst (c.1727-1803). Richard was ordained in 1753 but the early years of his career seem completely obscure. In 1773 he was appointed rector of Llangeler (Carmarthenshire) but he probably paid a curate to perform his duties there and lived in Kent. In 1784 he became a minor canon of Rochester Cathedral and in the 1790s he accumulated a number of benefices around that city which must usefully have augmented his income. He appears to have let Finchcocks, but in 1796 or 1797 he sold it to Robert Springett, reputedly in order to pay off the debts his eldest son, Edward Bathurst (1774-1829), had incurred gambling (at least partly on snail racing) with the Prince of Wales. In his will, Richard left all his other children £1,000 each, but carefully deducted from the legacies to his younger sons the expenses he had incurred in establishing them in a profession: understandably, Edward received nothing further.

Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent

The estate of Great Finchcocks belonged in the 16th century to Edward Horden, a member of the Board of Green Cloth under successive monachs from Edward VI to Elizabeth, and at his death passed to his daughter Elizabeth, the wife of Paul Bathurst (c.1542-1626?). Almost nothing is known about the house which existed at this time, but it was probably a semi-timbered Wealden hall house. A will of 1651 refers to a 'new parlour' in the house, so there were evidently mid 17th century alterations, but nothing of this house survives today.

Finchcocks: the east front of the house built for Edward Bathurst in 1725. Image: Finchcocks.com.

In 1718 the estate descended to Edward Bathurst (1681-1772), a London barrister whose first wife died in 1715, leaving him a widower with four young children. In the early 1720s he built a grand new house at Finchcocks, in the fashionable Baroque style, which was then just entering the repertoire of the provincial mason-architects, one of whom must have been employed here. Christopher Hussey - who himself lived only a mile or so away at Scotney Castle - has pointed out the similarities to a number of other houses in the locality, particularly Matfield House, Brenchley, which must surely be from the same unidentified hand. Finchcocks is said to have cost £30,000, but this seems excessive. The house, which is dated 1725 on the rainwater heads, is relatively modest in scale but is made to appear grand by the panache with which the Baroque manner is handled. It is built of red brick, with brighter red dressings and darker red chimneys and parapets, enlivened with little touches of white stone for the capitals and pediment. The entrance front faces east, and consists of a three storey, seven bay main block with a three-bay breakfront, linked by convex quadrants to projecting two-storey wings which step down at the outer ends to terminate in curved walls. The top storey of the main block sits above a cornice, and the pediment over the slightly projecting three bay centre is set against this attic and filled with carvings of martial trophies; the space to either side being filled with two round windows. The main chimneystacks continue the vertical lines of the edges of the breakfront, materially contributing to the drama of the composition. On the lower floors, the middle three bays have round-headed windows and, on the ground floor, a plain Doric doorcase with unfluted half-columns carrying an entablature. Above this is a rubbed brick niche, which was not intended to be occupied but which now holds a 17th century statue of Queen Anne from the Royal Exchange. At the angles of the main block are Doric pilasters with brick shafts that are continued in the attic as pilaster strips supporting the deeply modelled brick parapet. The pilasters, cornice and pilaster strips are repeated on the projecting wings but on a smaller scale, so that the parapet of the wings reaches only to the entablature of the main block. For all the grandeur of this long facade, the central block is only three bays deep, with arched chimneystacks on the end elevations. The west front is built of chequered brick, and is a quieter but more severe echo of the east front, lacking the pediment and pilasters, but with a more deeply modelled parapet.

Finchcocks: the west front in 1946. Image: Country Life.

Finchcocks: the hall in 1946, with the Bathurst family group portrait by Maubert in position over the chimneypiece. Image: Country Life.

Inside, the hall runs the depth of the house, and has an unusually wide fireplace, presumably designed to accommodate the overmantel painting of Bathurst, his first wife and their four children by James Maubert in mind which hung here until the late 20th century. The staircase, with three turned balusters per tread, runs up from the north-west corner of the hall and leads to a spacious upper landing with a fireplace. 

Finchcocks: the drawing room in 2015, when the house was a museum of keyboard instruments. Image: Savills/BNPS

In the south-east corner is a drawing room fully panelled in oak, from which opens a large room in the south wing converted into a picture gallery by F.D. Lycett Green, who also formed a library in the upper part of the north wing after 1935. After wartime use for military purposes and a period of institutional use in the 1960s, the house was acquired in 1971 by Richard and Katrina Burnett, who restored it and in 1976 opened it as both a museum housing their collection of historic keyboard instruments and a centre for concerts and other musical events.  When they decided to retire and downsize in 2015, much of the important collection was dispersed at auction, but Finchcocks itself was sold to another musical couple, Neil and Harriet Nichols, who run courses for pianists at the house, as well as making it their home.

Descent: Edward Horde

n; to daughter, Elizabeth (d. 1594), wife of Paul Bathurst (c.1542-1626?); to grandson, Edward Bathurst (1599-1651); to son, Edward Bathurst (1639-90); to brother, Thomas Bathurst (1642-1718); to nephew, Edward Bathurst (1681-1772); sold 1765 to son, Charles Bathurst (c.1723-67); to brother, Rev. Richard Bathurst (c.1727-1803), who sold 1796 to Robert Springett (1753-1826)... sold 1863 to Edward Hussey of Scotney Castle; sold 1918 to Capt. A.W.J. Cecil; sold 1935 to Mr. Francis Lycett Green; requisitioned by the army in Second World War; sold 1950 to David & Antonia St. Clair-Erskine; sold 1960 to Legat Ballet School; sold 1970 to Mr & Mrs Martin Page; sold 1971 to Richard & Katrina Burnett; sold 2016 to Neil & Harriet Nichols. The house was leased in the late 19th century to Sir James Stirling.

Bathurst of Finchcocks

Bathurst, Paul (c.1542-1626?). Third son of Robert Bathurst (d. 1576) of Horsmonden (Kent) and his first wife [forename unknown], daughter of William Saunders, born about 1542. Educated at Queens' College, Cambridge (matriculated 1555). He married, 19 July 1568, Elizabeth (d. 1594), daughter and co-heir of Edward Horden of Horden and Finchcocks (Kent), a member of the Board of Green Cloth under Edward VI, Mary and Elizabeth, and had issue:

(1) Mary Bathurst (b. 1569), baptised at Horsmonden, 24 February 1568/9; probably married, 20 September 1591 at Goudhurst, Christopher Tylman (b. 1570) of Selling (Kent), and had issue;

(2) Elizabeth Bathurst (1571-1612?), baptised at Horsmonden, 11 February 1570/71; probably married, 12 November 1592 at Chillenden (Kent), Rev. Anthony Field (d. 1626), vicar of Chillenden; probably the woman of this name buried at Nonington (Kent), 12 September 1612;

(3) Edward Bathurst (1573-1619) (q.v.);

(4) Joan Bathurst (1574-80), baptised at Horsmonden, 4 August 1574; died young and was buried at Horsmonden, 23 June 1580;

(5) Richard Bathurst (1575-1629) of Bromley (Kent), baptised at Horsmonden, 25 September 1575; king's avener (chief officer of the royal stables, under the Master of the Horse); married Elizabeth (who m2, 13 July 1629 at St Mary le Strand, London, Sir Robert Vernon, kt. of Camberwell (Surrey), avener), daughter of Rev. Richard Hicks of Chichester, prebendary of York Minster, and had issue two sons and three daughters; will proved 10 June 1629;

(6) Robert Bathurst (1578-c.1616), baptised at Horsmonden,15 March 1578; married, 2 July 1611 at Rodmersham (Kent), Elizabeth (fl. 1616), widow of Arthur Self; apparently living in 1615 but dead by 1616;

(7) Alexander Bathurst (b. 1582), baptised at Horsmonden, 29 July 1582; probably died young;

(8) Patience Bathurst (b. 1585), baptised at Horsmonden, 8 August 1585; married, 24 January 1608/9 at Chillenden, Rev. Ralph Partridge of Sutton by Dover (Kent), and had issue two sons and two daughters;

(9) William Bathurst (b. 1586), baptised at Horsmonden, 11 December 1586; living in 1625;

(10) Thomas Bathurst; mentioned in 1619 visitation and still living in 1625.

He lived at Horsmonden and Northiam (Sussex) and later inherited Finchcocks in right of his wife.

He was probably the man of this name buried at Sutton Valence (Kent), 10 March 1625/6. His wife was buried at Goudhurst, 31 May 1594.

Bathurst, Edward (1573-1619). Elder son of Paul Bathurst (c.1542-1626?) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Edward Horden of Horden and Finchcocks (Kent), baptised at Horsmonden, 1 April 1573. He married, 28 December 1597 at Boxley (Kent), Nazaretha (d. 1634), sister of Sir John Levison, kt., and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bathurst (1598-1638), baptised at Goudhurst, 10 January 1598/9; educated at Inner Temple (admitted 1617; called 1626); barrister-at-law; married, 4 March 1632 at Cranbrook, Elizabeth (fl. 1658) (who m2, 24 July 1645 at Birchington (Kent), Robert Darell or Dorrell of Minster-in-Thanet (Kent)), daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury (Kent); buried at Goudhurst, 18 August 1638;

(2) Edward Bathurst (1599-1651) (q.v.);

(3) William Bathurst (1600-58), of Eltham (Kent), baptised at Goudhurst, 28 December 1600; merchant and alderman of London; married, 1635/6 (licence 29 December), Elizabeth Mauditt of London, and had issue two sons [from whom descended the Bathursts of Edmonton (Middx)] and six daughters; died 8 July 1658; will proved 10 March 1658/9;

(4) Richard Bathurst (1602-33), baptised at Goudhurst, 28 February 1601/2; married, 26 September 1631 at St Dunstan-in-the-West, London, Elizabeth Conden (c.1605-79), and had issue one daughter; buried at Goudhurst, 18 January 1632/3;

(5) Elizabeth Bathurst (1605-39), baptised at Goudhurst, 27 January 1604/5; married, 30 November 1623 at Goudhurst, Edward Maplesden (1596-1668), son of Edward Maplesden of Marden (Kent), and had issue one son and three daughters; buried at Marden, 2 September 1639;

(6) Anna Bathurst (1606-c.1652), baptised at Goudhurst, 14 December 1606; married, 21 May 1628 at Farnborough (Kent), George Maplesden (d. 1654), son of Edward Maplesden of Marden (Kent), and had issue three sons and three daughters; died between 1651 and 1653.

He died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Goudhurst, 10 July 1619. His widow was buried at Goudhurst, 3 March 1634.

Bathurst, Edward (1599-1651). Second son of Edward Bathurst (1573-1619) and his wife Nazaretha, sister of Sir John Levison, kt, baptised at Goudhurst, 6 January 1599. Gentleman Harbinger (an officer responsible for reserving accommodation for the court when it was on progress) to King Charles I. He married, 17 May 1635 at Horsmonden (Kent), Martha (1611-75), daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury (Kent), and had issue*:

(1) Elizabeth Bathurst (1637-1711), baptised at Bromley (Kent), 20 February 1636/7; died unmarried, 12 February 1710/11;

(2) Frances Bathurst (1638-65), baptised at Bromley (Kent), 22 February 1637/8; died unmarried and was buried at Goudhurst, 18 November 1665;

(3) Edward Bathurst (1639-90) (q.v.);

(4) John Bathurst (1640-1726), baptised at Goudhurst, 29 April 1640; died unmarried, 24 September 1726;

(5) Thomas Bathurst (1642-1718) (q.v.);

(6) Martha Bathurst (b. 1645), baptised at Goudhurst, 8 June 1645; predeceased her mother and probably died in infancy;

(7) William Bathurst (1646-1727) (q.v.);

(8) Richard Bathurst (c.1649-1707); sought a position in HM Customs, 1680; mentioned in the will of his brother Edward; died 7 April 1707 and was buried at St Nicholas, Great Yarmouth (Norfk), where he was commemorated by a floor slab with a memorial inscription;

(9) Charles Bathurst (b. c.1651; fl. 1675), probably the child his mother was carrying when her husband wrote his will; mentioned in the will of his mother; married, perhaps 24 October 1669 at Petersham (Surrey), Anna Coney[?], but was separated from his wife by 1675.

He inherited Finchcocks from his grandfather in 1626. After his death it passed in turn to his sons Edward and Thomas.

He died 20 August, and was buried 23 April 1651 at Goudhurst, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved 23 October 1651. His widow was buried at Goudhurst, 10 December 1675; her will was proved 28 January 1675/6.

* According to his monument at Goudhurst he had eight sons and six daughters, but I have not found any documentary evidence for further children. The others were perhaps stillborn or died without being baptised.

Bathurst, Edward (1639-90). Eldest son of Edward Bathurst (1599-1651) and his wife Martha, daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury (Kent), baptised at Goudhurst, 26 April 1639. Educated at Inner Temple (admitted 1656; called 1665). Barrister-at-law. He married, 17 June 1680 at Tonbridge (Kent), Judith (1634-90), daughter of Robert Oliver of Leybourne (Kent), but had no issue.

He inherited Finchcocks from his father in 1651 and came of age in 1660.

He died 9 June, and was buried at Goudhurst, 17 June 1690; his will was proved in the PCC, 14 June 1690. His widow died a few days later and was buried at Goudhurst, 27 June 1690.

Bathurst, Thomas (1642-1718). Third son of Edward Bathurst (1599-1651) and his wife Martha, daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury (Kent), baptised at Goudhurst, 8 August 1642. Said to have been a barrister-at-law, but there seems to be no record of his training in the Inns of Court. He gradually withdrew from business after he inherited the Finchcocks estate from his brother to live a retired country life.

He inherited Finchcocks from his elder brother in 1690, but later let it to Alice Oades, the widow of a friend who had died in poverty. 

He died unmarried, 29 September 1718; his will was proved in the PCC, 8 October 1718.

Bathurst, William (c.1646-1727). Youngest son of Edward Bathurst (1599-1651) and his wife Martha, daughter of John Hooper of Stockbury (Kent), baptised at Goudhurst, 2 August 1646. A merchant in London. He married, 23 February 1679 at Savoy Chapel, London, Anne (c.1650-1708), daughter of Richard Gamon and widow of Lancelot Bathurst (1610-77) of Franks Hall, and had issue:

(1) Edward Bathurst (1681-1772) (q.v.).

He inherited the manor of Pullens from his elder brother, and the Barnend estate at Wilmington in right of his wife.

He was buried at Wilmington (Kent), 4 July 1727; his will was proved in the PCC, 24 February 1727/8. His wife was buried at Wilmington, 16 July 1708.

Bathurst, Edward (1681-1772). Son of William Bathurst (c.1646-1727) and his wife Anna, born 18 July and baptised at Wilmington (Kent), 2 August 1681. Educated at the Middle Temple (admitted 1686; called 1704; bencher, 1722; reader, 1731; treasurer, 1743) and Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1696). Barrister-at-law. He may have spent part of the 1720s in Jamaica. He married 1st, 9 July 1708 at Goudhurst (Kent), Elizabeth (1684-1715), daughter of Stephen Stringer of Triggs, Goudhurst, and 2nd*, Mary (d. 1776), daughter of Charles Gyles of Lamberhurst (Kent), surgeon, and had issue:

(1.1) Edward Bathurst (1709-51), baptised at Goudhurst, 18 July 1709; educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1725; called 1731) and Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1726; BA 1729); Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford (MA 1733); Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London; said to have lived in Jamaica to manage the family estate there; married, 24 June 1742 at Alveley (Shrops.), Dorothy (c.1716-94), daughter of Lancelot Lee of Coton (Shrops.), and had issue one son and one daughter (Dorothy Bathurst (1743-1837), died unmarried); he died in Jamaica, 1751;

(1.2) John Bathurst (c.1711-27); apprenticed to Anthony Kingsley of London, grocer, 29 March 1726/7, but died young and was buried at Goudhurst, 2 December 1727;

(1.3) Elizabeth Bathurst (1713-32), baptised at Goudhurst, 10 September 1713; died unmarried and was buried at Goudhurst, 17 March 1731/2;

(1.4) Rev. Thomas Bathurst (1714-97), baptised at Goudhurst, 17 November 1714; educated at the Middle Temple (admitted 1729) and Trinity College, Oxford (matriculated 1731); Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford (BA 1735; MA 1740); ordained deacon, 1737 and priest, 1739; rector of Elmley (Kent) to 1765 and of Welwyn (Herts), 1785-97; inherited that part of the manor of Bokinfold in Goudhurst from his father in 1772 and lived at Brickwall, Goudhurst; buried at Welwyn, 24 April 1797; will proved at Hitchin (Herts), 1797;

(2.1) Charles Bathurst (c.1723-67) (q.v.);

(2.2) Lancelot Bathurst (b. c.1725?), perhaps born in Jamaica c.1725; died young;

(2.3) Rev. Richard Bathurst (c.1727-1803) (q.v.);

(2.4) Mary Bathurst (1731-88), baptised at St Clement Danes, London, 9 September 1731; eloped with and married, 6 November 1749 at Pembury (Kent), John Hodgskin (c.1721-95) of Goudhurst, said to have been 'an architect engaged on work at Finchcocks' and had issue seven sons and seven daughters; died 25 September 1788 and was buried at Goudhurst.

He inherited the Finchcocks (in 1718) and Wilmington (in 1727) estates from his uncle Thomas and his father respectively. He built a new house at Finchcocks in 1725 and a new house, Common House (later Wilmington Hall) at Wilmington in 1743. He also had estates in Jamaica. He sold Finchcocks to his son by his second wife, Charles Bathurst. He later sold Common House to Thomas Motley of Beckenham (Kent). He probably lived in the Middle Temple in his later years.

He died 1 August and was buried at Goudhurst, 6 August 1772. His first wife died 3 June and was buried at Goudhurst, 6 June 1715. His widow was buried at Goudhurst, 12 April 1776; her will was proved in the PCC, 24 April 1776.

* Some sources state that this was a 'common law marriage'; others that they were married in Jamaica 'about 1725'. Mary described herself as a widow in her will.

Bathurst, Charles (c.1723-67). Son of Edward Bathurst (1681-1772) and his second wife Mary Gyles of Lamberhurst (Kent), born, perhaps in Jamaica, about 1723. Educated at Middle Temple (admitted 1744). Barrister-at-law. He was unmarried and without issue.

He purchased Finchcocks from his father in about 1765, and at his death left it to his younger brother. At the time of his death he also owned property, including slaves, in Jamaica.

He was buried at Goudhurst, 9 February 1767; his will was proved in the PCC, 25 February 1767.

Bathurst, Rev. Richard (c.1727-1803). Son of Edward Bathurst (1681-1772) and his second wife Mary Gyles of Lamberhurst (Kent), born, perhaps in Jamaica, about 1727.* Educated at St Edmund Hall and Brasenose College, Oxford (matriculated 1744; BA 1748). Ordained deacon, 1750 and priest, 1753. Rector of Llangeler (Carmarthens), 1773-1803 and vicar of a number of parishes in and around Rochester in the 1790s; canon of Rochester Cathedral, 1784-1803. He married, 8 October 1767 at Northfleet (Kent), Elizabeth Boulter Booker (c.1744-1816), and had issue:

(1) Elizabeth Bathurst (b. & d. 1769), baptised at Goudhurst, 14 August 1769; died in infancy and was buried at Goudhurst, 15 September 1769;

(2) Frances Bathurst (1770-1849), baptised at Goudhurst, 1 October 1770; married, 23 June 1800 at St Margaret, Rochester, Rev. Thomas Fothergill (1759-1821) of Twerton (Som.) and had issue one son and two daughters; buried at St Margaret, Rochester, 30 March 1849; will proved 10 April 1849;

(3) Sophia Bathurst (b. & d. 1771), baptised at Goudhurst, 28 November 1771; died in infancy and was buried at Goudhurst, 18 December 1771;

(4) Harriet Bathurst (1773-74), baptised at Goudhurst, 4 April 1773; died in infancy and was buried at Goudhurst, 29 August 1774;

(5) Edward Bathurst (1774-1829), baptised at Goudhurst, 25 July 1774; articled to John Williams of Dartford, solicitor, 1790, and later to John Simmonds of Dartford, solicitor, 1792; incurred large debts through gambling, reputedly on snail racing with the Prince of Wales (!); married 1st, 13 September 1793 at St Alphege, Greenwich (Kent), Sarah McPherson, and had issue five sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 8 January 1812 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Mary Ann Denyer (d. 1871), and had further issue four sons and one daughter; buried at St George, Camberwell (Surrey), 5 March 1829;

(6) Henrietta Bathurst (1776-1828), baptised at Goudhurst, 4 April 1776; died unmarried, 26 November 1828 and was buried in Rochester Cathedral; will proved in the PCC, 11 December 1828;

(7) Richard Bathurst (1778-1833), baptised at Goudhurst, 5 April 1778; articled to John Simmonds of Dartford, solicitor, 1794, and became a solicitor at Sittingbourne (Kent); married, 29 December 1803 at St Nicholas, Rochester (Kent), Mary (1775-1845), daughter of Thomas Harwood, and had issue five sons and five daughters; died 10 July and was buried at St Michael, Sittingbourne, 17 July 1833;

(8) Thomas Bathurst (1779-c.1800), baptised at Goudhurst, 20 May 1779; died unmarried about 1800;

(9) Charles Bathurst (1780-1833), baptised at Goudhurst, 16 August 1780; apprenticed to a surgeon; practised as a surgeon at Strood (Kent); married, 15 December 1808 at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), Ann Biggar (c.1790-1838), and had issue three sons and three daughters; died 10 July 1833; will proved in the PCC, 4 June 1834;

(10) Lancelot Bathurst (1782-1858), baptised at Goudhurst, 25 July 1782; lived in Hammersmith (Middx) and was a JP for Middlesex; married, 1831 (licence 19 October) at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), Mary Ann Smith (b. c.1790) and had issue one son and two daughters; died 25 November 1858; will proved 20 December 1858 (effects under £14,000);

(11) William Bathurst (1783-1828), baptised at Goudhurst, 6 December 1783; articled to John Simmonds of Dartford, solicitor, 1799 and later practised at Rochford (Essex); married, 22 November 1808 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Mary Anne (b. 1779), daughter of George Blakeway of London, and had issue three sons and four daughters; died 11 June 1828.

He inherited Finchcocks from his elder brother in 1767, but sold it c.1796-97 to Robert Springett (1753-1826). It is said that he was obliged to sell Finchcocks to pay his eldest son's gambling debts. 

He died 16 January and was buried in Rochester Cathedral, 22 January 1803, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 1 March 1803; by this unusual document he gave all his younger sons and daughters £1000, but deducted from his sons' portions the expenses he had incurred in establishing them in a profession. His widow died 14 February 1816; her will was proved 6 March 1816.

* Some internet sources give his date of birth as 5 January 1728, but cite no authority for this.

Principal sources

Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies, 2nd edn., 1841, pp. 45-47; C. Hussey, 'Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent', Country Life, 12-19 April 1946;

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finchcocks; https://crosseyedpianist.com/tag/finchcocks/; https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/musical-legacy-will-continue-at-finchcocks-goudhurst-7232432; https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1318935.

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive.

Coat of arms

Bathurst of Finchcocks: Sable, two bars ermine, in chief three crosses pattée or.

Can you help?

• I should be most grateful if anyone can provide photographs or portraits of people whose names appear in bold above, and who are not already illustrated. 
• Any additions or corrections to the text above will be gratefully received and incorporated. I am always particularly pleased to hear from descendants of the family who can supply information from their own research for inclusion.

Revision and acknowledgements

This post was first published 6 April 2021.