Henry Edward Beville

Trustee of Maria Charlotte Sperling (q.v.), probably his relation by marriage as his mother's maiden name was Sperling. Compensation records identify him as of the 5th Dragoon Guards.

1. Born 26/01/1802 and baptised 07/05/1802, the son of Rev. William Beville and his wife Elizabeth.

2. Admitted to Peterhouse College, Cambridge, 26/06/1819 age 17; son of William, clerk, of Calcot Park, near Reading. Attended Harrow and Eton. Gained a BA 1824 and MA 1828. Became a fellow, 1825. 23rd Wrangler, 1824. Joined the 95th regiment and then transferred to the 5th Dragoon Guards; retired as a Captain in 1837; of the Manor House, Edmonscote, and of Calcot Park, Reading; died August 1873.

3. His father's entry in reads: "B. Aug. 4, 1755, at Hempswell, Lincs. School, Sleaford. Matric. Michs. 1774, as Bevil; Scholar, 1775. Migrated to Peterhouse, Mar. 17, 1776; B.A. (7th Wrangler) 1778; M.A. 1781. Fellow of Peterhouse, 1781. Ord. deacon (Lincoln) Mar. 15, 1778; priest, 1779; C. of Knipton, Leics., 1779-80. Settled in London and gained a great reputation as a preacher. Held appointments successively at the Chapel of Gt Queen Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and in Spring Gardens. R. of Exford, Somerset, 1788-1822. Chaplain to the Duke of Manchester. Married Mrs Rochford, widow of William Rochford, Esq., of Upper Berkeley Street, and dau. of Henry Sterling, Esq., of Dynes Hall, Essex, Feb. 9, 1801, at Marylebone Church, London. Author of several works, published anonymously. An appreciative obituary notice in G. Mag. suggests that his advancement to the highest honours of his profession was hindered only by his excessive modesty: ‘to scientific and classical attainments of the highest order he united an extensive knowledge of modern literature; and to the purest morals, the most liberal principles.’ Died July 16, 1822, at his residence, Calcot Park, near Reading, Berks."

4. His parents' marriage took place by licence in Marylebone, 09/02/1801, following banns at Halstead, Essex, 05/02/1801. His mother was listed as Elizabeth Rochford, widow. She had married William Rochford in Hanover Square, Middlesex, 14/05/1788 when her maiden name was Sperling. These family relationships are proven by a summary of family papers held at Essex Record Office.

5. Henry Edward Beville was found guilty of trespass, assault and criminal conversation with Charlotte nee Thomson, wife of John Hadley D'Oyly, in 1830. Charlotte had married D'Oyly in Calcutta but returned to England in 1826 for the benefit of her own health and that of her youngest child, who was six months old at the time. She was given an allowance of around £750 to £1000 a year by her husband. In 1828 she was discovered by the husband of her brother's sister, living in Leeds and heavily pregnant, having been living with Henry Edward Beville as his wife. Her three children with D'Oyly were taken from her and D'Oyly was granted a divorce in 1830.

6. Henry Edward Beville married Charlotte Thompson at St Mary's, Bryanston Square, 16/06/1831.

7. Living at Edmonscote House, Milverton, Warwickshire, in the census of 1851, age 49, "Late Capt 5th Dragoon Guards" with his wife Charlotte (48), children Elizabeth (17), Charles Walton (14), George Francis (13), Catherine Grace (12), Edward L. (10), Frederick A. (9) and Hamilton Douglas (7). Living at Old House, Great Horkesley, Essex, in 1871, age 59, with his daughter Elizabeth (37), son-in-law Vincent Pears (37), grandson Reginald Pears (9), 3 female servants and 2 male servants. The birth of his daughter Elizabeth places Henry and Charlotte in Dublin c. 1833.

8. An index of the monumental inscriptions at All Saints, Great Horkesley, Essex, gives Henry Edward Beville as "Fellow of Peterhouse, Cambridge and Captain 5th Dragoon Guards".

9. The will... with a codicil of Henry Edward Beville late of the Junior United Club and of the Old Hall Great Horkesley near Colchester in the County of Essex Esquire a Captain in Her Majesty’s Army who died 4 August 1873 at the Old Hall was proved at Ipswich by George Francis Beville of the Old Hall a Major in Her Majesty’s Army the Son one of the Executors. Effects under £16,000. Resworn June 1874 under £25000.

T71/895 Barbados claim no. 555B.

1. Ancestry.com, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 [database online].

2. Ancestry.com, Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900 [database online], sourced to Harrow School Register.

3. ibid.

4. Ancestry.com, London and Surrey, England, Marriage Bonds and Allegations, 1597-1921 [database online]; Ancestry.com, London, England, Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 [database online]; Seax - Essex Archives Online, D/DGd C1-44, Sperling Family of Dynes Hall, Great Maplestead, available at https://secureweb1.essexcc.gov.uk/seaxpam2012/ViewCatalogue.aspx?ID=124165 [accessed 25/11/2013].

5. House of Lords Journal Vol. 62 pp. 223-247 (27/04/1830).

6. Ancestry.com, London, England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1921 [database online].

7. 1851 and 1871 censuses online.

8. Seax - Essex Archives Online, T/Z 151/12/2, Monumental inscriptions at All Saints, Great Horkesley available at http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Result_Details.aspx?DocID=534409 [accessed 25/11/2013].

9. National Probate Calendar 1874.