Landed families of Britain and Ireland

This site, which was short-listed for the Society of Architectural Historians (GB) Colvin Prize in 2019, presents my research into the landowning families of the British Isles and the country houses which they owned. Comments, especially in the form of corrections, additional information or new illustrations, are very welcome. Please use the Contact Form in the right hand side bar to contact me privately or the comments facility at the bottom of the page to make a public comment.

Sunday, 13 August 2023

(553) Bendyshe of Barrington Hall and Broomford Manor

Bendyshe of Barrington

Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1448), with whom the genealogy below begins, was the first of this family to acquire property at Barrington in Cambridgeshire, when he came into possession of his father-in-law's estate there. He handed this property onto his son Edward Bendyshe (d. 1474) during his lifetime, while his patrimony in Essex descended to another son, Thomas (d. 1485) [for whom see my previous post on the Bendish family of Bower Hall]. The Cambridgeshire branch of the family gradually standardised the spelling of their surname as Bendyshe, and this form has been used in this article, although in the 16th century a variety of spellings are found; the Essex branch preferred the form Bendish. The coats of arms used by the two families were similar but not identical.

Little is known about the early generations of the Cambridgeshire family, whose status was close to the borderline between yeomen and gentry. In the time of William Bendyshe (d. 1492) his lands were regarded as a distinct manor, although the property ran to only around 110 acres. Acquisitions through marriage and purchase resulted in the expansion of the estate later in the 16th century, and it included about 215 acres in 1610. It was reduced by the need to make provision for younger sons in the 17th century, but still included some 200 acres in 1664. Thereafter, expansion was more rapid, and Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1710) bought another 200 acres at Barrington between 1695 and 1700 as well as the manors of Orwell (Cambs) and Mortimers in Foxton (Cambs), while after inclosure in 1798, Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825) owned nearly 1,000 acres in Barrington and both manors in Foxton.

William Bendyshe (d. 1492) was succeeded by his son Thomas (d. 1520) and grandson William (d. 1546). The latter's son Thomas (d. by 1577) is the first of whom much can be said. It was apparently he who began the expansion of the estate, and he was able to send all four of his sons to Jesus College, Cambridge. His successor, Andrew Bendyshe (c.1560-1615), became a Fellow of Jesus in 1583, but resigned his fellowship in 1590 in favour of his next brother, William (c.1566-1626). The Alumni Cantabrigiensis suggests his resignation was prompted by inheriting the Barrington estate, but his father had died by 1577 and he probably came of age in about 1581: it was more probably an intention to marry that prompted his resignation, although I have not been able to trace Andrew's marriage and his first recorded child was born in 1600. Both William Bendyshe (c.1566-1626) and the third brother, Thomas (c.1572-1633), entered the church, while Francis Bendyshe (c.1575-1618) inherited a portion of the Barrington estate.

Andrew Bendyshe's only surviving son was Thomas Bendyshe (1602-84). His tenure of the estate seems to have been untroubled during the Civil War, so his sympathies - like those of most Cambridgeshire gentry - probably lay with the Parliamentarians. His son, Robert Bendyshe (1638-87), married three times but only survived his father by three years, and left the estate to his son Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710). Perhaps because his father's three marriages had brought some useful capital to the family, Thomas was able to expand the estate, and pay for the construction of a new country house at Barrington, built by his father-in-law, who was master bricklayer to the king. These developments significantly increased the status of the family in the 18th century.

Thomas and his wife had a large family, all of whom were minors when he died at the early age of forty. He left the house at Barrington to his widow for life, but the estate seems to have passed to his eldest son, Thomas Bendyshe (1699-1775), who came of age in 1720. The younger Thomas seems to be almost invisible in the records, as there is no record of him playing any part in public life and he was unmarried. Indeed, he seems almost to have been airbrushed out of history, with no reference to him in Burke's Landed Gentry or the Victoria County History, which mistakenly shows the estates descending to his younger brother, Maj-Gen. Richard Bendyshe (1700-77), who in fact was a career army officer and only inherited them when Thomas died in 1775. When the General died, also unmarried, in 1777, the properties passed to his nephew, Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825), who was one of the parties to the inclosure of Barrington in 1798. He outlived his two elder sons, so on his death the Barrington estate passed to his youngest son, John Bendyshe (1790-1855), who had entered the Royal Navy as a volunteer in 1805 and retired as a Lieutenant in 1819. He largely rebuilt the Georgian house at Barrington in 1827-28, apparently on a smaller scale than before, and was the only member of the family to serve as High Sheriff (of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire). His first wife was Catherine Matcham, the niece of Admiral Lord Nelson (a fact of which succeeding generations of the family were remarkably proud). They had nine children in eleven years, and the Barrington estate was inherited in turn by his sons John Bendyshe (1821-65) and the Rev. Robert Bendyshe (1822-1914), both of whom died unmarried. Next in line was their nephew, Lt-Col. Richard Nelson Bendyshe (1866-1915), a career army officer who had been born in Canada but brought up in England. He inherited in 1914 but was killed in a tragic but bizarre 'friendly fire' incident at Gallipoli just a few months later. The estate thus came unexpectedly to John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962), who in the early 1920s remodelled and enlarged the house at Barrington but soon afterwards decided, for reasons which are unclear, to sell it and move to Devon, buying Broomford Manor, Jacobstowe in 1929. Broomford remained his home until his death, after which his widow Margaret (1907-88) made it her home until her death. By then the house was in poor condition due to lack of maintenance and it was sold soon afterwards by her heirs, bringing the family's lengthy record as landowners to a close.

Barrington Hall, Cambridgeshire

The manor house of Bendyshe manor, which was occupied by the Bendyshe famiily from the 15th-20th centuries. Almost nothing seems to be known of their first house here, which was taxed on seven hearths in 1664. It probably occupied a partially moated site (384 ft x 184 ft) north-east of the present building, although this could have been a garden feature associated with the later house. The manor house was rebuilt in 1702 by Richard Stacey, master bricklayer to William III, for his son-in-law, Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710), and it is said to be the seven bay, three storey house of brick with stone dressings, featured in the background of a portrait of Richard Bendyshe (1753-1824) and his favourite hunter by Sawrey Gilpin and Henry Walton.

Barrington Hall: the new house built c.1700 is said to be the building depicted in this portrait of Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825) and his favourite hunter by Sawrey Gilpin & Henry Walton.

Some of the structure of this early Georgian house was retained when the house was again rebuilt in 1827, as a villa with a three-bay entrance front framed by rusticated quoins, with a service wing to its right. Surviving 18th century details include the principal and back staircases and a chimneypiece in an upstairs room with a pulvinated frieze. In about 1920 the house was yet again remodelled, this time by Kieffer & Fleming for Capt. John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962).

Barrington Hall: the entrance front today is largely a creation of the 1920s.

Barrington Hall: garden front, as altered and enlarged in the 1920s.

They added the canted bays on the entrance front and extended the house to the rear, creating the garden front at right-angles to the entrance front, with two rectangular bays linked by a loggia. The house was sometimes let after 1900 and the Bendyshes moved to Devon in 1928, before selling their Cambridgeshire lands in 1937 to Sir Charles Davis, managing director of a local cement company. After his death the hall was used by his company as offices, and it is now a wedding venue.

Descent: Thomas Bradfield (d. c.1413); to son-in-law, Thomas Bendyshe (d. c.1447), who gave it to his son Edmund Bendyshe (d. 1474); to son, William Bendyshe (d. 1492); to son, Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1520); to son, William Bendyshe (d. 1546); to son, Thomas Bendyshe (d. by 1577); to son, Andrew Bendyshe (c.1560-1615); to son, Thomas Bendyshe (1602-84); to son, Robert Bendyshe (1638-87); to son, Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710); to son, Thomas Bendyshe (1699-1775); to brother, Maj-Gen. Richard Bendyshe (1700-77); to nephew, Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825); to son, John Bendyshe (1790-1855); to son, John Bendyshe (1821-65); to brother, Rev. Richard Bendyshe (1822-1914); to nephew, Lt-Col. Richard Nelson Bendyshe (1865-1915); to son, John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962), who sold 1937 to Sir Charles Davis (d. 1950), kt.; to Eastwoods Ltd., cement manufacturers; sold 1962 to Rugby Portland Cement Co.; sold by 2005 to Cemex UK Properties Ltd, which closed the adjoining cement works in 2008.

Broomford Manor, Jacobstowe, Devon

There was evidently a manor house at Broomford before the present house was built, but very little is known about it. The present house was built on a new site for Col. Sir Robert White-Thompson (d. 1924), who commissioned George Devey to design it in 1871. The result was a large and roughly square neo-Jacobean stone-built house with determinedly asymmetrical elevations and an extremely complex roofscape. It has two storeys with attics, with groups of tall brick chimneystacks to give the facades vertical emphasis, while the north-east front has a pedimented Dutch gable over the entrance. A large service wing is attached at the south-west corner. Even before construction of the shell was complete, White-Thompson began to run out of money, and the planned tile-hanging and external semi-timbering were curtailed, while the interiors were minimally finished with plain plate glass windows, no window shutters or cornices, and a standard design used for the chimneypieces in the reception rooms. The staircase was minimally decorated with turned balusters and square newel posts, while upstairs the six principal bedrooms were equally spartan.

Broomford Manor: the entrance front.

The house was left in this state, as something of a blank canvas inviting a sensitive scheme of enhancements, for more than a century, for neither White-Thompson nor his successors, the Bendyshes, ever made any significant improvements to the interior. Indeed, after the Second World War the house slowly decayed, so that when it was sold in 1989 it was described as 'in need of modernisation and improvement' - so often a chilling phrase. It was taken on by the television personality, disc jockey and businessman, Noel Edmonds (b. 1948), who undertook a conservative restoration of the exterior and a more radical internal remodelling with 'an unconvincing muddle of Edwardian pastiche fittings', including new chimneypieces and decorative plaster ceilings, and a repositioned imperial staircase. In 2005, Edmonds' much-publicised financial and other difficulties forced the sale of the estate.

Descent: built for Col. Sir Robert White-Thompson (d. 1924); to son, Rt. Rev. Leonard White-Thompson, bishop of Ely, who sold 1929 to John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962); to widow, Margaret Elliott Bendyshe (1907-88); sold 1989 to Noel Edmonds (b. 1948); sold 2005 to James Michael Egan (b. 1941).

Bendyshe family of Barrington Hall and Broomford Manor

Bendyshe, Thomas (d. 1448). Son of Edmund Bendyshe (d. 1392) of Radwinter (Essex) and his wife Alice, daughter and heir of John de Bennington. He married 1st, Alice (d. by 1413), daughter and co-heir of Thomas Bradfield (d. c.1413) of Barrington (Cambs), and 2nd [name unknown], and had issue including:

(1.1) Edmund Bendyshe (d. 1474) (q.v.);
(1.2) Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1485) [for whom see my previous post on the Bendish family of Bower Hall]

He lived at Steeple Bumpstead (Essex). He inherited in right of his deceased first wife, his father-in-law's property at Barrington (Cambs).

He died in 1448. His first wife had died before 1413. His second wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendyshe, Edmund (d. 1474). Son of Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1448) and his first wife, Alice, daughter of Thomas Bradfield of Barrington (Cambs), born before 1413. He married Elinor St. George, and/or Isabella [surname unknown], and had issue, possibly amongst others:

(1) William Bendyshe (d. 1492) (q.v.);
(2) Isabella Bendyshe (fl. 1474).

His father gave him the Barrington estate by the 1430s.

He died in 1474; his will was proved in the PCC, 2 May 1474. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Bendyshe, William (d. 1492). Son of Edmund Bendyshe (d. 1474) of Barrington (Cambs) and his wife Elinor St. George or Isabella [surname unknown]. He married Alice [surname unknown] and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1520) (q.v.).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1474.

He died 4 December 1492. His widow's date of death is unknown.

Bendyshe, Thomas (d. 1520). Son of William Bendyshe (d. 1492) and his wife Alice. Educated at Thavies Inn, London. Escheator for Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, 1511. He married Alice, daughter of Sir F. Farrington of Farrington (Lancs), and had issue:

(1) William Bendyshe (d. 1546) (q.v.).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1492.

He died at Barrington, 18 December 1520. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendyshe, William (d. 1546). Son of Thomas Bendyshe (d. 1520) and his wife Alice, daughter of Sir F. Farrington of Farrington (Lancs). He married [forename unknown] Freville of Cambridgeshire, and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendyshe (d. by 1577) (q.v.).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1520.

He died in 1546. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendyshe, Thomas (d. by 1577). Son of William Bendyshe (d. 1546) and his wife [forename unknown], daughter of [forename unknown] Freville of Cambridgeshire. Perhaps the man of this name educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge (matriculated 1548). He married Joyce, daughter of Thomas Skeffington (d. 1543) of Skeffington (Leics), and had issue*:

(1) Andrew Bendyshe (c.1560-1615) (q.v.);

(2) Margaret Bendyshe; married, 1586 at Barrington, Thomas Brady and had issue at least one son;

(3) Rev. William Bendyshe (c.1566-1626); educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1584; BA 1588; MA 1591; BD 1598); Fellow of Jesus college, 1590-1606; vicar of Ugley (Essex), 1596-1600 and All Saints, Cambridge, 1603-06; vicar of Bishops Stortford (Herts), 1604-16 and rector of Elton (Hunts), 1615-26; married, c.1606, Elizabeth [surname unknown] (d. 1631), and had issue two sons and five daughters; died 13 May and was buried at Elton, 8 June 1626;
(4) Rev. Thomas Bendyshe (c.1572-1633); educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1590; BA 1594; MA 1597); ordained deacon and priest, 1597; vicar of Thriplow (Cambs), 1599-1612, Bishops Stortford (Herts), 1616-32 and Arkesden (Essex), 1617-32; married, 19 July 1608 at Cambridge, Jane Halfhead, and had issue at least one son; died 14 July 1632; will proved at London, 1633;
(5) Francis Bendyshe (c.1575-1618); educated at Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated c.1594; BA 1598; MA 1601); married, 1595, Joan How, and had issue two sons and three daughters; buried at Barrington, 18 September 1618; will proved in the PCC, 27 November 1618.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1546.

He died in or before 1577. His wife's date of death is unknown.

* The will of Francis Bendyshe proved in 1618 appears to refer to another daughter,then called Margaret Reynolds, and implies the existence of another son, then deceased, whose widow Thomasine Bendyshe was living at the time.

Bendyshe, Andrew (c.1560-1615). Eldest son of Thomas Bendyshe (d. by 1577) and his wife Joyce, daughter of Thomas Skeffington of Skeffington (Leics), born about 1560. Educated at Ely and Jesus College, Cambridge (matriculated 1578; BA 1582; MA 1585); Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, 1583-90. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Halfhead of Histon (Cambs), and had issue:

(1) Dorothy Bendyshe (1600-44), baptised at Barrington, 15 June 1600; married, 15 June 1620 at Hauxton (Cambs), Rev. Cuthbert Dale (d. 1638?)*, vicar of Branston (Lincs), and had issue; buried at Barrington, 5 October 1644;
(2) Thomas Bendyshe (1602-84) (q.v.);
(3) William Bendyshe (d. 1603), buried at Barrington, 5 September 1603;
(4) Jane Bendyshe (1605-16), baptised at Barrington, 17 November 1605; died young and was buried at Barrington, 14 January 1615/6;
(5) Francis Bendyshe (1609-16), baptised at Barrington, 13 March 1608/9; died young and was buried at Barrington, 17 February 1615/6;
(6) Elizabeth Bendyshe (b. 1610), baptised at Barrington, 30 September 1610; possibly the woman of this name who married, 1635 at Grimston (Norfk), Henry Boyton;
(7) Joyce Bendyshe (b. 1613), baptised at Barrington, 5 September 1613; perhaps the woman of this name who married, 21 October 1645 at St Nicholas, Cole Abbey, London, Agricola Waylett of Springfield (Essex).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father by 1577 and came of age about 1581.

He was buried at Barrington, 8 April 1615. His widow's date of death is unknown.

* The Clergy of the Church of England Database has, I think, conflated Cuthbert's biography with that of his son of the same name (d. 1668).

Bendyshe, Thomas (1602-84). Eldest son of Andrew Bendyshe (c.1560-1615) and his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Halfhead of Histon (Cambs), baptised at Barrington, 12 September 1602. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1620) and Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1625). He married, 16 September 1628 at Chesterton (Cambs), Constance (1607-41), daughter of Robert Castell of East Hatley (Cambs), and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendyshe (b. 1629), baptised at East Hatley, 21 June 1629; died in the lifetime of his father;
(2) Elizabeth Bendyshe (b. 1630), baptised at Barrington, 4 November 1630;
(3) Constance Bendyshe (c.1633-64); married, 29 August 1654 at Barrington, Rev. Thomas Gyles (fl. 1660), rector of Downham (Cambs); died 3 February, and was buried at Barrington, 24 February 1663/4, where she is commemorated by a monument;
(4) Robert Bendyshe (1638-87) (q.v.);
(5) Andrew Bendyshe (1641-42), baptised at Barrington, 19 June 1641; died in infancy and was buried at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), 26 December 1642.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1615.

He was buried at Barrington, 1 May 1684, where he and his wife are commemorated by a monument. His wife was buried at Barrington, 15 September 1641.

Bendyshe, Robert (1638-87). Second, but only surviving, son of Thomas Bendyshe (1602-84) and his wife Constance, daughter of Robert Castell of East Hadley (Cambs), baptised at Barrington, 10 April 1638. Educated at Lincoln's Inn (admitted 1660; called 1667). Barrister-at-law. He married 1st, 23 August 1664 at Great Oakley (Northants), Margaret (d. 1673), daughter of Thomas Brooke of Great Oakley; 2nd, 4 May 1674 at St Dunstan-in-the-East, London, Frances (c.1646-75), daughter of Francis Pochin of Barkby (Leics); and 3rd, 19 May 1676 at Holy Trinity, Minories, London, Elizabeth (d. 1698), daughter of Thomas Harding, and had issue:

(1.1) Margaret Bendyshe (b. & d. 1665), born 26 June and baptised at Great Oakley, 2 July 1665; died in infancy and was buried at Great Oakley, 20 August 1665;
(1.2) Margaret Bendyshe (1668-1704), born 18 February and baptised at Great Oakley, 15 March 1667/8; died unmarried and was buried at Barrington, 28 April 1704;
(1.3) Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710) (q.v.);
(1.4) Elizabeth Bendyshe (1672-73), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell (Middx), 12 March 1671/2; died in infancy and was buried at St Martin, Ludgate, London, 12 February 1672/3;
(3.1) Elizabeth Bendyshe (b. 1677), baptised at St Bride, Fleet St., London, 1 May 1677; possibly the woman of this name who married, 1699 at Barrington, William Webb;
(3.2) Edmund Bendyshe (1678-80), baptised at Barrington, 10 October 1678; died in infancy and was buried at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), 24 September 1680;
(3.3) Frances Bendish (b. 1681), baptised at St Margaret, Westminster (Middx), 12 July 1681.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1684.

He was buried at Barrington, 23 June 1687, where he and his first wife are commemorated by a monument. His first wife was buried at Barrington, 6 May 1673. His second wife was buried at Barrington, 6/8 March 1674/5; administration of her goods was granted in the PCC, 13 March 1674/5. His widow was buried at Barrington, 10 February 1697/8.

Bendyshe, Thomas (1670?-1710). Only son of Robert Bendyshe (1638-87) and his first wife, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Broke of Great Oakley (Northants), said to have been born in 1670. He was sometimes described as 'of Lincolns Inn' but as his name does not appear in the register of admissions to the inn he may have simply lived in chambers there inherited from his father. He married, 28 May 1696 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), Catherine (1679-1750), daughter of Richard Stacey, master bricklayer to King William III, and had issue:

(1) Katherine Bendyshe (1697-1735), baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 21 February 1696/7; died unmarried and was buried at Barrington, 14 June 1735;
(2) Margaret Bendyshe (1698-1780), born 2 November and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 13 November 1698; died unmarried and was buried at Barrington, 18 September 1780; will proved in the PCC, 25 September 1780;
(3) Thomas Bendyshe (1699-1775) (q.v.);
(4) Maj-Gen. Richard Bendyshe (1700-77) (q.v.);
(5) Elizabeth Bendyshe (1702-03), born 16 June and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 14 July 1702; died in infancy and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, 12 February 1702/3;
(6) Ralph Bendyshe (1703-04), born 3 July and baptised at St Martin-in-the Fields, 23 July 1703; died in infancy and was buried at St Martin-in-the-Fields, 22 July 1704;
(7) Ralph Bendyshe (1704-66) (q.v.);
(8) Rev. Robert Bendyshe (1707-83), born 14 June and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 18 June 1703; educated at Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1725; BA 1729; MA 1732; BD 1750); Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, 1731; ordained deacon, 1735 and priest, 1737; vicar of Shalford (Surrey), 1745-55 and rector of Dickleburgh (Norfk), 1755-83; died unmarried and was buried at Barrington, 26 March 1783; will proved in the PCC, 4 April 1783;
(9) Martha Bendyshe (1709-85), baptised at Barrington, 9 October 1709; died unmarried and was buried at Barrington, 15 October 1785; will proved in the PCC, 14 October 1785;
(10) twin, Elizabeth Bendyshe (b. & d. 1710), born posthumously and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 2 October 1710; died in infancy and was buried at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster, 25 October 1710;
(11) twin, Henry Bendyshe (b. & d. 1710), born posthumously and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 2 October 1710; died in infancy and was buried at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster, 25 October 1710.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1687 and came of age in 1691. He expanded the Barrington estate and also bought the manors of Mortimers in Foxton and Orwell (Cambs). His father-in-law built a new house for him at Barrington by 1702. At his death he left the house to his widow for life.

He was buried in the south chapel of St Peter, Cornhill, London, 31 May 1710. His widow was buried at Barrington, 12 October 1750; her will was proved in the PCC, 13 November 1750.

Bendyshe, Thomas (1699-1775). Eldest son of Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710) and his wife Catherine, daughter of Richard Stacey, born 26 September and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster, 12 October 1699. He was evidently unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1711 and came of age in 1720. He gained control of Barrington Hall on the death of his mother in 1750.

He was buried at Barrington, 11 November 1775; no will has been traced.

Bendyshe, Maj-Gen. Richard (1700-77). Second son of Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710) and his wife Catherine, daughter of Richard Stacey, baptised at Barrington, 29 September 1700. An officer in the army and later the marines (Ensign, 1721; Cornet, 1722; Capt., 1733; Maj., 1745; Lt-Col., 1755; Col., 1762; Maj-Gen, 1770), who commanded the bodyguard of King George II at the Battle of Dettingen. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Barrington estate from his elder brother in 1775.

He died 14 April 1777 and was buried at Barrington, where he is commemorated by a monument; his will was proved in the PCC, 15 July 1777.

Bendyshe, Ralph (1704-66). Fourth son of Thomas Bendyshe (1670?-1710) and his wife Catherine, daughter of Richard Stacey, born 15 November and baptised at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster (Middx), 3 December 1704. An officer in the army and later the marines (2nd Lt., 1720; 1st Lt., 1730; Capt. after 1740; retired on half-pay, 1748/9). He married, 21 October 1729 at St Benet, Paul's Wharf, London, Mary (1707-66), daughter of John Ayleff, and had issue:

(1) Mary Ann Bendyshe (1744-45), baptised at East Dereham (Norfk), 9 October 1744; died in infancy and was buried at East Dereham, 20 March 1744/5;
(2) Ralph Bendyshe (1745-72), baptised at St Mary, Dover (Kent), 20 November 1745; an officer in the Marines (Lt.); died unmarried, 28 March 1772;
(3) Catherine Bendyshe (d. 1818), born before 1752; married, 27 November 1782 at St James, Piccadilly, Westminster (Middx), as his third wife, Rev. Alleyne Walter LLD (c.1724-1806), rector of Bisley and Chobham (Surrey), 1748-79 and Crowcombe (Som.), 1779-1806, but had no issue; died at Bath (Som.), 26 September 1818;
(4) Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825) (q.v.).

He seems to have lived at different times at East Dereham (Norfolk), Dover (Kent) and Chester (Ches.).

He was buried at St Martin, Chester (Ches.), 13 November 1766. His widow was buried at St Martin, Chester, 24 November 1766.

Bendyshe, Richard (1753-1825). Second son of Ralph Bendyshe (1704-66) and his wife Mary, daughter of John Ayleff, born August and baptised at Holy Trinity, Chester (Ches), 21 September 1753. An officer in the Royal Engineers (2nd Lt., 1772) and later in the Cambridgeshire provisional cavalry (Capt., 1797). He received a faculty in 1784 for the establishment of a family vault in Barrington church. He married, 17 February 1783 at St Swithin, Walcot, Bath (Som.), Jane (1759- 1824), daughter of John Jervis of Darlaston (Staffs), and had issue:

(1) Richard Bendyshe (1784-1806), born 19 February and baptised at St Swithin, Walcot, 13 April 1784; educated at Rugby, Eton and St John's College, Cambridge (admitted 1802 but did not matriculate); an officer in the 1st Foot Guards (Ensign, 1803); died at Chatham Barracks, 21 April, and was buried at St Mary, Chatham (Kent), 25 April 1806;
(2) Robert Bendyshe (1785-1807), born 14 January and baptised at St Swithin, Walcot, 11 February 1785; an officer in the Royal Navy (Lt., 1806); died unmarried when he drowned in the wreck of HMS Blenheim, 1 March 1807;
(3) Mary Anne Elizabeth Jane Bendyshe (1787-1863), baptised at Barrington, 12 February 1787; married, 15 September 1821 at Eling (Hants), Capt. William Stewart RA of Weedon (Northants); died at Pau (France), 6 January 1863; will proved 14 April 1863 (effects under £4,000).
(4) John Bendyshe (1790-1855) (q.v.).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his uncle, Gen. Richard Bendyshe, in 1777, but lived at Bath (Som.).

He died at his house in Bath (Som.), 30 January 1825, and was buried at Woolley (Som.). His wife died 16 March and was buried at Woolley, 24 March 1824.

Bendyshe, John (1790-1855). Third, but only surviving, son of Richard Bendyshe (1753-1825) and his wife Jane, daughter of John Jervis of Darlaston (Staffs), born 10 April and baptised at St Swithin, Walcot, Bath (Som.), 9 May 1790. He joined the Royal Navy in 1805 (Midshipman, 1806; Lt. 1811; retired on half-pay, 29 November 1819). In the early 1820s he spent several years travelling on the continent with his wife. One of the Conservators of the River Cam (resigned 1850). JP and DL for Cambridgeshire; High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, 1831-32. A Conservative in politics. He married 1st, 10 August 1820 at the British Embassy in Paris (France), Catherine (1792-1831), eldest daughter of George Matcham of Ashfield Lodge (Sussex) and niece of Admiral Lord Nelson, and 2nd, 21 October 1833 at West Wratting (Cambs), Anna Maria (1795-1864), third daughter of Sir Charles Watson, 1st bt., of Wratting Park, and had issue:

(1.1) John Bendyshe (1821-65) (q.v.);
(1.2) Rev. Richard Bendyshe (1822-1914) (q.v.);
(1.3) Nelson Bendyshe (1823-77) (q.v.);
(1.4) Caroline Bendyshe (1824-1908), baptised at Bathwick (Som.), 13 October 1824; married, 28 January 1864 at St James the Less, Westminster (Middx), Rev. John Gibson (1816-92), Dean of Jesus College, Cambridge and rector of Kings Stanley (Glos), 1857-86, son of John Gibson, but had no issue; died 22 July 1908; will proved 9 September 1908 (estate £5,453);
(1.5) Laura Bendyshe (1825-1910), baptised at Bathwick (Som.), 24 December 1825; married, 18 April 1855 at Affpuddle (Dorset), Rev. Charles Richard William Waldy (1825-1901), poet and vicar of Gussage All Saints (Dorset), 1857-75 and later rector of Sutton-on-Derwent (Yorks), 1875-1901, son of Richard Waldy, and had issue two sons and three daughters; died 22 October and was buried at Southminster (Essex), 26 October 1910;
(1.6) Thomas Bendyshe (1827-86), born 7 July and baptised at Bassingbourn (Cambs), 6 August 1827; educated at Eton, King's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1845; BA 1849; MA 1852) and Inner Temple (admitted 1848; called 1857), and visited the United States of America, 1848; a Fellow of King's College, Cambridge, 1848-86, where he proved a reactionary colleague who obstructed necessary financial reforms for nearly 20 years; as a barrister-at-law he practised for some years on the Northern Circuit; in the 1860s he became a director of the Victoria Hotel, Ramsgate (Kent) and the London & Provincial Mortgage Bank and purchased a failing periodical called The Reader, which he edited, 1866-67; he was a vice-president of the Anthropological Society of London, for which he edited and translated several anthropological works in European languages including The Anthropological Treatises of Johan Friedrich Blumenbach (1865); his writings, including an article 'On the extinction of races' in the Anthropological Journal, show that he held racist views, although he stopped short of supporting the view that Africans were a different species of human, held by some of his colleagues at the society; he was a member of the Conservative Club until he was expelled for voting for his friend, the Liberal John Stuart Mill, at the Westminster election in 1865; a friend of Algernon Charles Swinburne (1837-1909); died unmarried at Dover (Kent), 21 July 1866; administration of goods granted to his elder brother, 8 June 1887 (effects £60);
(1.7) Susanna Bendyshe (1829-1915), baptised at Bassingbourn, 14 July 1829; married, 14 April 1855 at St George, Hanover Sq., Westminster (Middx), Rev. William Crowther (c.1821-1915), perpetual curate of Claines (Worcs), 1855-70 and vicar of Norton near Faversham (Kent), 1870-1901, son of Rev. Thomas Crowther, and had issue seven sons and two daughters; died at Bournemouth (Hants), 26 December 1915; will proved 1 April 1916 (estate £2,683);
(1.8) George Bendyshe (1830-38), baptised at Bassingbourn, 30 July 1830; died young and was buried at Barrington, 30 August 1838.
(1.9) Catherine Bendyshe (1831-1904), born 3 November and baptised at Bassingbourn, 8 December 1831; lived at Claines (Worcs); died unmarried, 1 August 1904; administration of her goods was granted 3 December 1904 (estate £7,894);
(2.1) Anna Maria Bendyshe (1836-76), baptised at Bassingbourn, 20 December 1836; married, 27 July 1874 at St Paul, Wilton Place, Westminster (Middx), as his second wife, Col. Robert Gregory Wale (1820-92) of Little Shelford (Cambs), son of Gen. Sir Charles Wale, kt., but had no issue; died 11 June 1876; administration of goods granted to her husband, 26 July 1876 (effects under £450).

He inherited the Barrington estate from his father in 1825 and remodelled the house in 1827-28, but seems to have lived first at Bathwick (Som.) and later at Kneesworth Hall (Cambs), which he rented for some years from 1827.

He died 17 December 1855, and was buried at Barrington; his will was proved in the PCC, 18 April 1856. His first wife died following childbirth, 3 November 1831. His widow died 23 December and was buried at Barrington, 28 December 1864; her will was proved 25 January 1865 (effects under £2,000).

Bendyshe, John (1821-65). Eldest son of John Bendyshe (1790-1855) and his first wife, Catherine, eldest daughter of George Matcham of Ashfield Lodge (Sussex), born at Sorrento (Italy), 10 May and baptised in Paris (France), 19 June 1821. An officer in the army (Ensign, 1846; Lt., 1850; retired 1851) and later in the Cambridgeshire militia (Capt., 1852). JP for Cambridgeshire. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Barrington Hall estate from his father in 1855.

He died 1 November 1865; administration of his goods was granted to his brother and heir, 10 January 1866 (effects under £8,000).

Bendyshe, Rev. Richard (1822-1914). Second son of John Bendyshe (1790-1855) and his first wife, Catherine, eldest daughter of George Matcham of Ashfield Lodge (Sussex), born at Nantes (France), 8 September and baptised at Paris (France), 26 October 1822. Educated at Shrewsbury and Harrow Schools and Trinity College, Cambridge (matriculated 1843; BA 1847; MA 1850). Ordained deacon, 1848 and priest, 1849. Curate of Eltisley (Cambs), 1848-50, Winnall (Hants), 1850-53, Denham (Bucks), 1853-58 and Harbridge (Hants), 1862-68, but never received (and probably never sought) a benefice. He was unmarried and without issue.

He inherited the Barrington Hall estate from his elder brother in 1865.

He died aged 92 on 24 September 1914; his will was proved 10 July 1915 (estate £132,459).

Bendyshe, Nelson (1823-77). Third son of John Bendyshe (1790-1855) and his first wife, Catherine, eldest daughter of George Matcham of Ashfield Lodge (Sussex), born 17 October 1823 and baptised at Walcot, Bath (Som.), 10 January 1824. Educated at Harrow School. He emigrated to Canada, where he was living and farming at Woodstock, Ontario in 1861, but returned to England soon afterwards. He married, 29 October 1863 at Seend (Wilts), Charlotte (c.1830-78), youngest daughter of Capt. Henry Brodrick of 29th Foot, and had issue:

(1) Lt-Col. Richard Nelson Bendyshe (1866-1915) (q.v.);
(2) Edmund Alan Bendyshe (1867-84), born in Canada, 1867; educated at King's School, Canterbury; drowned while serving as midshipman on a sailing vessel, the Simla, which collided with the City of Lucknow in the English channel, January 1884;
(3) John Montague Bendyshe (1869-c.1960), baptised at Bramshaw (Hants), 5 July 1869; educated at Clifton College, Bristol; emigrated to Australia, where he was involved in mineral prospecting, and lived latterly at Eastwood, Parramatta, New South Wales; married, 11 September 1911, Isabelle May, second daughter of George Pillar of Melbourne, Victoria (Australia); living in 1958;
(4) George Schomberg Bendyshe (1873-1943), baptised at Halberton (Devon), 24 February 1873; emigrated to Australia where he worked as a stockman and served in the New South Wales Artillery (deserted, 1893) and Australian Imperial Force, 1915-17 (Sergeant; discharged due to age and hernia); he also claimed five years military experience in South Africa, presumably during the Boer War; married, 1919 at Waterloo, New South Wales, Hilda J. Short and had issue at least one daughter; died at Sydney (Australia), 28 August 1943.

He lived at Easton House, Bigbury (Devon).

He died at Ramsgate (Kent), 14 June 1877; his will was proved 5 July and 29 August 1877 (effects £200), and a further administration of his goods (with will annexed) was granted 4 March 1893 (effects £1,721). His widow died 11 December 1878.

Lt-Col. R.N. Bendysh (1866-1915)
Bendyshe, Lt-Col. Richard Nelson (1866-1915). Eldest son of Nelson Bendyshe (1823-77) and his wife Charlotte, youngest daughter of Maj. Henry Brodrick, born at Woodstock, Ontario (Canada), 18 January 1866. Educated at King's School, Canterbury and Royal Military Academy. An officer in the Royal Marines Light Infantry (Lt., 1885; Capt. 1895; Maj., 1903; Br. Lt-Col., 1910; retired 1910; recalled 1914). He married, 15 August 1893 at Bekesbourne (Kent), Eleanor Margaret (1867-1949), daughter of Rev. Henry John Wardell, vicar of Bekesbourne (Kent), and had issue:

(1) John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962) (q.v.);
(2) Margaret Charlotte Bendyshe (1900-75), born 1 November and baptised at East Stonehouse (Devon), 30 November 1900; married, 6 September 1924 at Barrington, Clifford Walter Cronin (1900-51) of Thelbridge Hall Farm, Witheridge (Devon), son of Rev. Harry Stovell Cronin, and had issue one son and one daughter; died 19 March 1975; will proved 6 November 1975 (estate £30,721).

He inherited the Barrington Hall estate from his uncle, the Rev. Richard Bendyshe, in 1914.

He was killed in a bizarre 'friendly fire' incident at Gallipoli, 1 May 1915; his will was proved 26 October 1915 (estate £39,313). His widow died 4 March and was cremated at Plymouth, 9 March 1949; her will was proved 24 August 1949 (estate £5,966).

Bendyshe, John Nelson (1894-1962). Only son of Lt-Col. Richard Nelson Bendyshe (1866-1915) and his wife Eleanor Margaret, daughter of Rev. Henry Wardell, born 29 July 1894 and baptised at East Stonehouse (Devon), 26 August 1894. Educated at Kelly College, Tavistock (Devon). Estate agent with Stallard & Meather of Worcester before First World War, when he was an officer in the Worcestershire Regiment (2nd Lt., 1914; Lt., 1915; retired as Capt., 1922 on account of health issues caused by wounds). He was ARP organiser for mid-Devon from 1936 and later served in the Devon Home Guard (with rank of Maj.) in the Second World War. He married, 20 December 1928 in New Zealand, Margaret Elliott (1907-88), eldest daughter of Herbert Elworthy of Craigmore, Timaru (New Zealand), and had issue:

(1) Janet Elizabeth Bendyshe (1929-2013), born 21 October 1929; married, 9 December 1952 at Jacobstowe, Gilbert J. Kennedy Bowling (b. 1927), son of G. Bowling of Poulton-le-Fylde (Lancs), and had issue three sons; died 14 March 2013; will proved 25 October 2013;
(2) Richard Nelson Bendyshe (1932-99). born 29 November 1932; married, 16 November 1962 at St Aloysius RC Church, Oxford, Angela Geraldine Mary (b. 1935; fl. 2005), only daughter of His Honour E.G.H. Beresford of Long Crendon (Bucks), and had issue one son and one daughter; died 1999;
(3) Jacoba Bendyshe (1936-2022), born 29 April 1936; married, Jul-Sept 1958, Brian S. Sherriff of Taunton, and had issue one son and three daughters; died 3 July 2022.

He inherited the Barrington Hall estate in 1915 but sold it in 1937. In 1929 he moved to Devon, buying Broomford Manor, Jacobstowe. It was sold in 1989 after his widow's death.

He died 26 December 1962 and was buried at Jacobstowe; will proved 1 February 1963 (estate £80,111). His widow died 3 May 1988 and was buried at Jacobstowe; her will was proved 5 July 1988 (estate £153,006).

Principal sources

Burke's Landed Gentry, 1952, pp. 154-55; J. Allibone, George Devey, 1991, pp. 99, 164; S. Bradley & Sir N. Pevsner, The buildings of England: Cambridgeshire, 3rd edn., 2014, p. 431; H. Meller, The country houses of Devon, 2015, pp. 188-89.

Location of archives

No significant accumulation is known to survive, but some records may remain with the family.

Coat of arms

Argent, a chevron azure between three rams' heads erased azure.

Can you help?

Can anyone explain why Thomas Bendyshe (1699-1775) has left so few traces in the historical record, or why his brother James Bendyshe (1704-66) was married in 1729 but had no recorded children before 1744?
Does anyone know what prompted John Nelson Bendyshe (1894-1962) to relocate to Devon so soon after remodelling Barrington Hall?
Can anyone provide portraits or photographs 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 13 August 2023 and was updated 3 January 2026. I am grateful to Rick Watrous for a correction.

Thursday, 3 August 2023

(552) Bendish of Bower Hall, baronets

Bendish of Bower Hall

This family was a cadet branch of the Bendyshe family of Barrington (Cambs). Thomas Bendish (d. c.1342) seems to have been the first to acquire land at Steeple Bumpstead (Essex), but his great-great-grandson, Thomas Bendish (d. 1485), seems to have been the first to settle at Bower Hall. This Thomas, with whom the genealogy below begins, was the second son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1448) of Barrington, and the family's lands in Essex seem to have been separated from the property of the senior line in the mid 15th century to make provision for him. Thereafter, the property descended from father to son over many generations: this branch of the family seems fairly consistently to be have been called Bendish, whereas the senior line more frequently adopted the older spelling of Bendysh or Bendyshe. Thomas (d. 1485) married twice, but both of his wives were called Joan, and there is some uncertainty about which he married first. I have assumed below that Joan Fitzwilliams was his first wife, as it was their son, Richard Bendish (d. 1487), who inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate. His son and heir, Richard Bendish (d. 1523), married Margaret Newport from Furneux Pelham (Herts), but the marriage may have been short-lived as only two children are recorded. Their son, John Bendish (c.1514-85) married Margaret Crawley of Wendon Lofts (Essex) before 1540 and had a sizeable family, of whom the eldest was Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603).

Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) seems to have done his best to increase the wealth and social status of the family, and was no doubt helped by the fact that he was married four times. He both expanded the estate and paid for a monument in Steeple Bumpstead church to his father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and either he, or more probably his son and heir, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt., is thought to have rebuilt or remodelled the house at Bower Hall. Sir Thomas received one of the second batch of baronetcies to be created by King James I in 1611, which speaks both of his social position and of his ability to afford the substantial fees required. He was twice High Sheriff of Essex, and his only surviving son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. was educated at Cambridge and the Middle Temple. The second baronet is much the most interesting figure in the family. A Royalist in an overwhelmingly Parliamentarian county, at the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of a group of Essex gentlemen who attempted to promote a compromise between the two sides, and he was imprisoned and his estates sequestrated by Parliament for his pains. After some two years in the Tower of London, he was released and paid the composition fine to recover his estates. Although he later sent money to support the king's cause he did not take part in the fighting, and he was sufficiently rehabilitated in the eyes of the Parliamentary leaders to be acceptable as a compromise candidate when a new ambassador to Constantinople was sought in 1647. The merchants of the Levant Company, desperate to get rid of the existing Royalist ambassador, who was threatening to seize their goods in aid of the Royalist cause, asked to have Bendish, who had experience as a merchant trading with the eastern Mediterranean, as a replacement, and both Parliament and King were able to accept the suggestion. He accordingly made his way, with his family, to Constantinople, where he proved an effective although not always popular representative. There were several attempts to remove him, but distance from London and consummate political skills ensured his survival until the Restoration, when he returned to England.

Sir Thomas was succeeded at Bower Hall by his second son, Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt., his eldest son having died at sea when the ship he was on was attacked by the French in 1649. Sir John was a merchant in London, acquired a plantation in Barbados (perhaps from his father-in-law, who had Barbadian interests). and was a farmer of taxes, but either he was unlucky or not sufficiently engaged with his enterprises, for he ended his life in bankruptcy and a debtor's prison. The family only retained the Bower Hall estate and the plantation in Barbados because they were entailed and Sir John was thus only a tenant for life, with no power to sell. He was succeeded by his only surviving son, Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt., who seems mysteriously to have recovered the family's finances, for just a few years later he was able to rebuild Bower Hall. It seems most likely that his wife, the daughter of a former Lord Mayor of London, brought him a large dowry. The couple had no surviving children, and when Sir Henry died in 1717 the baronetcy became extinct and the Bower Hall estate passed to his widow, Dame Catherine Bendish (d. 1739) and then to his widowed sister, Sarah Pyke (1676-1752). Although it continued to pass by descent until 1888, Sarah was the last Bendish to be associated with the property.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead, Essex

Almost nothing seems to be known about the Jacobean house which stood on this site, which was rebuilt by Sir Henry Bendish (d. 1717), 4th bt., but only completed in the year he died. This Georgian house was a tall, two-and-a-half storey block with a recessed five bay centre and projecting two-bay wings. Giant pilasters defined the angles and there was a shallow three-bay pediment over the centre, which was oddly without decoration or enrichment. The house bore a marked similarity to the new front added to Langleys, Great Waltham, in 1719, which was designed by the mason, William Tufnell, and he may also have worked here on a slightly smaller scale. Two 18th century bird's eye view paintings show the house almost exactly as it appears in later photographs.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: detail of bird's eye view attributed to Leonard Knyff. Image: Essex Archives.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: a naive mid 18th century painting of the house. Image: Colchester & Ipswich Museums Service.

Inside, among the new panelling of the interior, fireplaces and woodwork from the previous house were reused, largely in less important rooms on the first and second floors, but including a dark marble chimneypiece in the hall with carvings of military trophies in the frieze and a panel painting of Audley End House in the overmantel, while a similar chimneypiece in the room over the hall was carved with a jungle scene, depicting monkeys, lions, a dragon, an elephant and squirrels. In 1887, when the house was offered for sale, it was described as having 20 bedrooms and 2 dressing rooms, a magnificent old staircase, lighted by a stained glass window, a large landing leading to a noble saloon and a pretty drawing room; a grand entrance hall, drawing or morning room, library, dining room, second dining room, breakfast room, gun or smoking room, and good domestic offices.

Bower Hall, Steeple Bumpstead: the house in the early 20th century, shortly before demolition.

The panelling and interior fittings were removed for sale before demolition and two general demolition sales of the building materials, including doors, stone paving, floor boards, windows and bricks were held in June and July 1926. An early Georgian room with giant fluted Corinthian pilasters flanking the chimneypiece was acquired by William Randolph Hearst in December 1926 but sold by the Hearst Foundation in 1955 and installed in the offices of an oil company at 460 Park Avenue, New York. Since demolition, much of the northern part of the park has been developed for suburban housing, but the actual site of the house remains unoccupied. A pretty brick and flint lodge survived the demolition of the principal house and has been incorporated into a late 20th century house.

Descent: Thomas Bendish (d. 1485); to son, Richard Bendish (d. 1487); to son, Richard Bendish (d. 1523); to son, John Bendish (d. 1585); to son, Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603); to son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt.; to son, Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt.; to son, Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1706), 3rd bt.; to son, Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt.; to widow, Catherine, Lady Bendish (d. 1739); to sister-in-law, Sarah Pyke (1676-1752); to kinsman, Sir Stephen Anderson (1708-73), 3rd bt; to sister Anne (b. 1704), wife of Rt. Rev. Dr Anthony Ellis (1690-1761), bishop of St. Davids; to daughter, Frances Elizabeth (d. 1814), wife of John Stevens; to son, Ellys Anderson Stevens (c.1766-1845); to daughter, Mary Anne, wife of Maj. Charles Walton; to son, Bendyshe William Ellys Walton (1855-85); after his death sold 1888 to Edward Molyneux of Twickenham (Middx); sold c.1900 to W.B. Gurteen (d. 1913); sold? to G.R.C. Foster (fl. 1922) of Cambridge, banker, who demolished 1926.

Bendish family of Bower House, baronets

Bendish, Thomas (d. 1485). Son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1448) and his first wife, Alice or Margaret, daughter and co-heir of Thomas Bradfield of Barrington (Cambs). He married* 1st, Joan, daughter of [forename unknown] Fitzwilliams, and 2nd, Joan, daughter of John de Thockledon, and had issue:

(1.1) Richard Bendish (d. 1487) (q.v.);

(1.2) Thomas Bendish;
(2.1) Ralph Bendish;
(2.2) John Bendish;
(2.3) Maud Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate (the manors of Bendish, Bowers Hall and Lacheleys) from his father in 1448.

He died in 1484/5. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His widow married 2nd, [forename unknown] Bradbury of Wickham Bonhunt (Essex),

* Some sources state that Joan Fitzwilliams was his second wife, but it seems most likely that his eldest son inherited his estate.

Bendish, Richard (d. 1487). Elder son of Thomas Bendish (d. 1485) and his first wife, Joan, daughter of [forename unknown] Fitzwilliams. He married Anne, daughter of [forename unknown] Rawden or Roydon of Roydon Hall (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Richard Bendish (d. 1523) (q.v.);
(2) Margaret Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1485.

He died 27 February 1486/7 and was probably buried at Steeple Bumpstead. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Richard (d. 1523). Only known son of Richard Bendish (d. 1487) and his wife Anne, daughter of [forename unknown] Rawden or Roydon of Roydon Hall (Essex). He married Margaret, daughter and heir of James Newport of Furneaux Pelham (Herts), and had issue:

(1) John Bendish (c.1514-85) (q.v.);
(2) Margaret Bendish.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1487.

He died 22 September 1523 and was buried near his father, probably at Steeple Bumpstead (Essex). His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, John (c.1514-85). Only known son of Richard Bendish (d. 1523) and his wife Margaret, daughter and heir of James Newport of Hertfordshire, born about 1514. He married Margaret, daughter of Thomas Crawley of Wendon Lofts (Essex) and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) (q.v.);
(2) Barbara Bendish (fl. 1592);
(3) Margaret Bendish (fl. 1592);
(4) Robert Bendish; married and had issue;
(5) Rooke Bendish; died unmarried and without issue;
(6) Francis Bendish;
(7) Elizabeth Bendish; married John Huntingdon;
(8) John Bendish of Great Witchingham (Norfk); married Audrey, daughter of Thomas Harvey and widow of Francis Polstead, and had issue four sons.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1523.

He died 20 August 1585 and was buried near his father and grandfather, probably at Steeple Bumpstead, where all three are commemorated on a monument. His wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Thomas (c.1540-1603). Eldest son of John Bendish (c.1514-85) and his wife Margaret, daughter of Thomas Crawley, born about 1540. Educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge (matriculated 1554) and Middle Temple (admitted 1557). He married 1st, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of John Ford of Frating and Great Horkesley (Essex); 2nd, Thomasine (d. 1590?), daughter of John or Simon Fincham and widow of William Bryan (d. 1573) of Bolingbroke (Lincs); 3rd, 16 February 1590/1 at St Peter-le-Poer, London, Alice Colstone (d. 1591); and 4th, 1592 (licence 7 June), Margery, daughter of Richard Greene of Little Stamford (Essex), and had issue:

(1.1) Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt. (q.v.);
(1.2) Richard Bendish (fl. 1635), of Frating (Essex) and Congham (Norfk); married 1st, 5 November 1594 at Swannington (Norfk), Elizabeth, daughter of William Riches, and had issue four sons and one daughter; married 2nd, Margaret Golding, and had issue one further son; living in 1635;
(1.3) John Bendish; died unmarried and without issue;
(1.3) Barbara Bendish; married Thomas Smyth (who m2, Elizabeth, daughter of Jasper Tryce of Godmanchester (Hunts), and had further issue one son and one daughter), of Wolferton (Norfk), and had issue four sons and one daughter;
(1.4) Mary Bendish (d. 1599?); possibly the person of this name buried at Frating, 16 December 1599;
(1.5) Elizabeth Bendish (d. 1642); married 1st, John Pepys (d. 1604) of Cottenham (Cambs) and had at least three sons and one daughter; married 2nd, 8 December 1607 at Cottenham, Richard Creycroft (1578-1634) of Cottenham; buried at Cottenham, 3 May 1642;
(1.6) Eleanor Bendish (fl. 1635); married, by 1592, her step-brother (who was no blood relation), Robert Bryan (1568-1627) of Bolingbroke, and had issue at least three sons and one daughter; living in 1635;
(1.7) Margaret Bendish; probably died unmarried in her father's lifetime.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1585, and probably bought Great Waltons to add to the estate. He also had an estate at Leverington, Wisbech, Tydd St Giles and Tydd St Mary in Lincolnshire and the Isle of Ely (now Cambs), which he bequeathed to his second son.

He died 23 February 1603/4 and was buried at Frating (Essex); his will was proved in the PCC, 12 March 1603/4. His first wife's date of death is unknown. His second wife is said to have died in 1590 and been buried at Frating but there is no corresponding entry in the parish register. His third wife died in her first year of marriage, 1591. His fourth wife's date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Sir Thomas (c.1568-1636), 1st bt. Eldest son of Thomas Bendish (c.1540-1603) and his first wife, Eleanor, daughter and co-heir of John Ford of Frating and Great Horkesley (Essex), born about 1568. He was created a baronet, 29 June 1611. High Sheriff of Essex, 1618-19, 1630-31. He married, 16 December 1587 at Debden (Essex), Dorothy (fl. 1649), youngest daughter of Richard Cutts of Arkesden (Essex), Debden and the Inner Temple, and had issue:

(1) John Bendish; died in infancy before 1612;
(2) Dorothy Bendish (b. c.1602), born about 1602; married, c.1625, Sir Thomas Hartopp (1600-61), kt. of Burton Lazars (Leics) and later of Normanton (Rutland) (who m2, before 1649, Mary Hopton), and had issue four sons and two daughters; perhaps died before 1635 as she is not mentioned in her father's will;
(3) Eleanor Bendish (b. c.1604); married Miles Fernley of Sutton (Suffk) or John Fearnley of Creeting (Suffk) and had issue; probably living in 1635;
(4) Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1604 and enlarged it considerably. He probably built the Jacobean Bower Hall on the estate.

He died at Bower Hall, 25 March 1636 and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead; his will was proved 26 May 1636. His widow was living in 1649 but her date of death is unknown.

Bendish, Sir Thomas (c.1607-74), 2nd bt. Only surviving son of Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1568-1636), 1st bt., and his wife Dorothy, daughter of Richard Cutts of Arkesden (Essex), born about 1607. Educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1624) and Middle Temple (admitted 1626). He succeeded his father as 2nd baronet, 25 March 1636. JP for Essex, 1638. In the same year he accused one Henry Perry of 'scandalous and uncivill speeches' against him in the Court of Chivalry, and won his case: Perry was obliged to make a humble apology. In 1642 he published a proclamation against the associating of counties, for which he was imprisoned by the Parliamentary faction in the Tower of London for nearly two years, and his estate was sequestered, and only returned to him on payment of a fine of £800. His personal sympathies lay with the Crown and in 1646-47 he sent King Charles I £3,000 while he was imprisoned at Newcastle. In 1647 the merchants of Constantinople, desperate to get rid of the existing English ambassador there, requested his appointment as a replacement, and this was approved by both Parliament and the King, for whom he was probably a compromise candidate; he had a salary of £2,000 a year. He made a leisurely journey to Constantinople, with a long sojourn in Italy, where his eldest daughter was married. He proved to be an able administrator, serving the interests of both the Commonwealth and the Levant Company and doing much to improve the profitability of the latter by reducing corruption. Inevitably he was not universally popular, and had to evade several attempts both locally and from London to undermine or replace him, but he continued to act as the English representative until 1661, when he was recalled by Charles II. He married, 16 October 1627 at Barkway (Herts), Anne (d. 1649), daughter and co-heir of Henry Baker of South Shoebury (Essex), and had issue:

(1) Thomas Bendish (c.1628-49), born about 1628; educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1646); drowned at sea when his ship, The Talent, was attacked by the French, 1649;
(2) Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(3) Richard Bendish (b. c.1632), born about 1632;
(4) Henry Bendish (d. 1663); died unmarried; administration of goods granted to his brother John, 16 June 1663;
(5) Andrew Bendish; employed by the Levant Company as a factor in Smyrna (Turkey) and perhaps later in Cairo (Egypt);
(6) Dorothy Bendish (c.1628-1701?), born about 1628; married 1st, c.1647, at Livorno (Italy), Philip Williams (d. 1650) of Livorno, and 2nd, by April 1650, Henry Bowyer (d. 1675?) of London, merchant; living in 1684, and possibly the woman of this name buried at Willesden (Middx), 2 January 1701/2;
(7) Abigail Bendish (b. c.1634), born by 1634; she and her husband were well-known for their lavish lifestyle at Smyrna (Turkey), hosting balls and concerts followed by feasts almost every night; she married Joseph Edwards (d. 1668), Levant Co. merchant at Smyrna (Turkey) and acting consul there in 1658, and had issue;
(8) Anne Bendish (1643-1718); married Sir Jonathan Dawes (1633-72), kt., a director of the East India Co., the Royal Africa Co. and the Levant Co. (assistant treasurer) and merchant, citizen (Alderman, 1669-72) and fishmonger of London, and had issue at least one son and five daughters; lived latterly at Holborn (Middx); buried at Great Bardfield (Essex), 20 February 1717/8; will proved 4 April 1718;
(9) Elizabeth Bendish (c.1648-1713), born about 1648; married, 1667 (licence 10 July), Gervase Cartwright (1631-95) of London, merchant, son of Timothy Cartwright, and had issue at least two sons (of whom one died in infancy) and two daughters; died 2 December 1713 and was buried at Ash (Kent), where she is commemorated by a monument; will proved 12 January 1714/5;
(10) Diana Bendish (d. 1674); married, 17 May 1674 at St Mary Magdalene, Old Fish St., London, Sir Strensham Masters (1640-1724), kt. of Codnor Park (Derbys) (who m2, 25 September 1690, Elizabeth Legh (1666-1714), and had issue); died without issue, 20 November 1674 and was buried at Great Bardfield (Essex);
(11) Susan Bendish (d. 1709); married, 15? October 1673 at St James, Clerkenwell (Middx), as his second wife, Sir William Hooker (1612-97), kt., Lord Mayor of London in 1673-74; buried at Great Bardfield, 6 January 1708/9; her will was proved in the PCC, 17 January 1708/9.

He inherited the Steeple Bumpstead estate from his father in 1636.

He is usually said to have died at Bower Hall in 1674, but a memorial brass at Steeple Bumpstead is said to give his date of death as 1672; his will has not been found. His wife died of plague in Constantinople in about November 1649 but her husband brought her body back to England for reburial at Steeple Bumpstead on his return from his embassy in 1661.

Bendish, Sir John (c.1630-1707), 3rd bt. Second, but eldest surviving, son of Sir Thomas Bendish (c.1607-74), 2nd bt., and his wife Anne, daughter and co-heir of Henry Baker of Shoebury (Essex), born about 1630. Probably educated at St John's College, Cambridge (matriculated 1646). During the 1650s he was with his father in Constantinople and held a post at the embassy there, before returning to London to work for the Levant Company. He was appointed a commissioner of the militia for Suffolk, 1659. He succeeded his father as 3rd baronet, c.1674. Citizen (freeman, 1672) and draper of London. In 1677 he became one of the farmers of the Law Duties, for which he and his partners undertook to pay £20,000 a year. For reasons which are unclear, at the end of his life he was declared bankrupt and imprisoned for debt in the Fleet Prison. He married, 14 July 1663 at St James Garlickhythe, London, Martha (1641-1705), daughter and heir of Richard Batson (c.1607-67) of London, merchant and cutler, and had issue:

(1) Anne Bendish (b. 1664), baptised at St James Garlickhythe, London, 6 October 1664; died young*;
(2) Thomas Bendish (b. 1668), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 17 December 1668; died young;
(3) John Bendish (b. 1670), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell (Middx), 2 February 1669/70; died young, presumably before 1675;
(4) Richard Bendish (b. 1671), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 9 March 1670/1; died young;
(5) Charles Bendish (b. 1672), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 1 June 1672; died young;
(6) Martha Bendish (b. 1673), born 29 June and baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 18 July 1673; died young;
(7) Robert Bendish (b. 1674), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 13 June 1674; died young;
(8) John Bendish (b. 1675), baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 3 August 1675; died young;
(9) Sarah Bendish (1676-1752), born 30 December 1676 and baptised at St James, Clerkenwell, 9 January 1677; married, 25 May 1710 at St Swithin, London Stone, London, John Crouch (later Pyke) (c.1669-1738) of Baythorne House, Birdbrook (Essex), but had no issue; by her will she bequeathed Bower Hall to Sir Stephen Anderson (1708-73), 3rd bt., of Eyeworth (Beds); buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 26 October 1752; will proved in the PCC, 21 October 1752;
(10) Sir Henry Bendish (c.1677-1717), 4th bt. (q.v.).

He inherited the Bower Hall estate from his father in about 1674, and bought Bide Mill House plantation in Barbados in 1675. He had, however, interests in Barbados as early as 1671, perhaps inherited from his father-in-law.

He died in the Fleet Prison, 22 April, and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 3 May 1707. His wife died 7 December and was buried 20 December 1705; her will was proved in the PCC, 14 January 1706.

* No burials have been traced for the members of this family who died young. It seems likely that they were buried at Steeple Bumpstead, where the registers do not begin until 1676 and appear incomplete in their early years.

Bendish, Sir Henry (c.1677-1717), 4th bt. Seventh but only surviving son of Sir John Bendish (c.1630-1706), 3rd bt., and his wife Martha, daughter and heiress of Richard Batson of London, merchant and cutler, born about 1677*. JP and DL (from 1705) for Essex. He succeeded his father as 4th baronet, 22 April 1707. Appointed High Sheriff of Essex, 1710, but did not act. He married, 6 February 1706/7 at St Paul's Cathedral, London, Catherine (d. 1739), daughter of Sir William Gostlin, kt. of Ealing (Middx), sheriff of London in 1684-85, and had issue:

(1) Henry Bendish (1713-14), born 5 November and baptised at St Andrew, Holborn (Middx), 20 November 1713; died in the lifetime of his father and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 25 March 1714; commemorated on his father's monument.

He inherited the Bower Hall estate and Bide Mill House plantation from his father in 1706, and rebuilt the house at Bower Hall in 1717. He bequeathed the Essex estate to his widow for life with remainder to his sisters, and the plantation in Barbados to his cousin, Henry Roberts.

He died 4 September and was buried 11 September 1717 at Steeple Bumpstead, where he is commemorated by a fine standing monument; his will was proved 1 October 1717. The baronetcy became extinct on his death. His widow was buried at Steeple Bumpstead, 6 March 1738/9; administration of her goods was granted to her brother, Charles Gostlin, 20 March 1738/9.

* His monument states that he died aged 43, but the spacing of his siblings baptisms mean that - unless he was a twin - he must have been born in the mid 1660s or late 1670s; the latter has been preferred here as giving an age nearer to what is recorded on his monument.