border of the old park, just described, is a capital mansion in which Sir
Henry Wright Wilson resided for many years, the entrance to it being in
the Fulham Road, and which is still designated as Chelsea Park. The
pleasure grounds attached to it were some years since much more extensive
than they are at present. Sir Henry married a daughter of the Earl of
Aylesbury, who was left a valuable estate in Hampshire, said to be worth
about £3000 a year, under the most singular circumstances. Lady Frances
Wilson was informed in the year 1824, while at breakfast, that an
eccentric person named Wright, who had died a few days previously at an
obscure lodging in Pimlico, had appointed her and Mr. C. Abbot his
executors, and after some legacies had bequeathed to Lady Frances the
residue of his property by a will dated as far back as 1800. As Lady
Frances declared herself unacquainted with the name of the testator, she
at first concluded that there was some mistake. After further
explanation, the person of Mr. Wright was described to her, and Lady
Frances recollected that the description answered that of a gentleman she
had remembered as a constant frequenter at the Opera many years
previously. To satisfy herself of the identity she went to Mr. Wright’s
late lodgings, and saw him in his coffin, when she recognised the
features as those of the person whose eyes had so often persecuted her
when she was Lady Frances Bruce, but who had never spoken to her, and of
whom she had no knowledge whatever. {72} Lady Francis was never
considered by her friends to be beautiful, and the general opinion at the
time was that the legacy was intended for a lady who occupied a box next
to that in which Lady Frances sat when at the Opera. Sir Henry was in
Parliament when the above estate came into his wife’s possession, but he
afterwards had to contest his seat, and lost it.
* * * * *
SIR HENRY WRIGHT WILSON AND THE POOR CARPENTER.—The following anecdote
will no doubt amuse many readers. Sir Henry’s establishment was large,
and he had been accustomed to employ at times a jobbing carpenter, who
had at one period been in better circumstances. This person had received
specific instructions to do certain work, which required a little
trifling assistance, such as to help him to remove something which stood
in the way, and which the carpenter could not possibly do without
temporary aid. He asked several of the grooms and others to assist, but
they all made frivolous excuses, and consequently the work was not done
by the appointed time. When Sir Henry returned home he noticed that his
orders had been neglected, and, on ascertaining the particulars, without
making any remarks, he quietly entered the house. The next morning,
however, he gave instructions for his carriage with four horses to be
immediately got ready. He then sent for the carpenter, and after a short
time the carriage was at the entrance door, when, to the great surprise
of the servants, he desired him to take a seat in it. Sir Henry then
mounted his horse, and, notwithstanding the dirty state of the roads,
took them through Fulham, over Putney Bridge, round by Wandsworth and
Battersea, back to Chelsea. On their return he insisted that the horses
and carriage should be immediately cleaned, or else to be dismissed from
his service. Sir Henry being esteemed a good master they preferred
obedience, and it was said that although the carpenter was afterwards
subject to an occasional jeer, he never had again to complain of their
conduct towards him.
* * * * *
QUEEN’S ELM.—This is situated at the top of Upper Church Street, but the
spot for some time past seems to be merged into the Fulham Road, and is
either so called, or else it is described as being near to it. The
original name, Queen’s Elm, which it is to be hoped will still be
retained, is said traditionally to have derived its origin from the
following circumstance. Queen Elizabeth was walking out with the great
Lord Burleigh, and being overtaken with a heavy shower of rain, took
shelter under an elm tree growing on this spot. After the shower was
over, she said, “Let this henceforth be called the Queen’s Tree.” This
tradition is remarkably confirmed, as will be seen by the following
extract:—“It appears by the Church Book, beginning 1586, and in the 28th
Elizabeth, that the tree at the end of the Duke’s Walk is in Chelsea
parish called the Queen’s Tree; and that there was an arbour built round
it by one Bostocke, at the charge of the parish.”
The Jews’ Burial Ground, &c.
The Jews’ Burial Ground is at Queen’s Elm, and was erected in 1816 by the
individuals whose names are inscribed on the wall of the entrance
building, and to their descendants. There is also inscribed the 16th
Psalm in Hebrew. The lower part of the building is called the hall, the
upper part is intended for the keeper. Unlike the arrangement in the
Moravians’ Burial Ground, the graves are in rows, without any distinction
as to sex. At burials the mourners do not approach the grave, but stand
at a distance, so that they may hear sufficiently to join in the prayers.
* * * * *
The Rev. J. B. Owen, M.A., Vicar of St. Jude’s Church, Chelsea, in an
admirable lecture delivered by him in 1862, in the Vestry Hall, King’s
Road, related the following anecdote:—“An Hebrew friend amused and
puzzled me with a sentiment he had once given at a festival of one of the
London Guilds. Being pressed for a toast, he gave ‘The Queen of the
Jews, and of no other nation.’ Many conjectures were hazarded, as wide
of the mark as Jezebel and the Queen of Sheba. The company confessed
themselves beaten, and at last my friend gave the answer—‘Queen
Victoria.’ But this only darkened the enigma more than ever. After some
time, he said, J. (or I.) E. W. S. makes Ireland, England, Wales, and
Scotland, and J. E. W. S. spells Jews, and makes Victoria ‘Queen of the
Jews, and of no other nation.’”
* * * * *
“England,” said Mr. Owen, “owes a great national debt of amends to their
Hebrew brethren. For several centuries they were bought and sold as
chattels, plundered and exiled, as if they were outlaws. In the
sixteenth year of Edward I. all the Jews in England were imprisoned, and
though they redeemed themselves for a vast sum, three years after, the
fraudulent tyrant banished them all; and they remained in banishment 364
years, till the rough justice of old Oliver Cromwell restored them to
their trade and worship. The proverb ‘worth a Jew’s eye’ alludes to the
barbarities practiced on the Jews, whose money was commonly extorted from
them by drawing their teeth, or putting out their eyes. There are no
judgments in Scripture more terrible than those denounced against the
oppressors of Judah. We may be thankful that we have lived to witness
the last vestige of injustice to our Hebrew fellow-citizens erased from
our statutes. Have we also honestly received the social and religious
interests of the Jews into the unreserved sympathy of Christian hearts?”
* * * * *
Francis Hargrave, Esq., a barrister, resided in York Place, (the houses
of which are now nearly all converted into shops, and which is situated
near to the Jews’ Burial Ground), for a considerable period. He
particularly distinguished himself in the _Habeas Corpus_ case of James
Somerset, a negro, for whom he was counsel, and his argument was the
occasion of a precedent being established for the freedom of slaves the
moment they set foot on English land. He possessed a very extensive and
most valuable library, which Parliament purchased for £8000, in order
that it might be placed in the British Museum. He died here in 1821,
aged 80.
* * * * *
Sydenham Edwards, Esq., F.L.S., an eminent botanical draughtsman, lived
in Charles Street, Queen’s Elm, and afterwards removed to Barrossa Place,
where he died in 1819. The Flora Londinensis, Rees’ Encyclopædia, &c.,
were greatly indebted to his masterly pencil.
CHURCH STREET.
Alexander Stephens, Esq., built and resided in Park House, Upper Church
Street, for a great many years. He was the author of several popular
works, was born at Elgin, about 1757, and completed his education at the
University of Aberdeen, which he left at the early age of 18 years, for
the purpose of proceeding to the West India Islands, principally with a
view to add to his stock of useful information and knowledge of the
world. Mr. Stephens purchased a Commission in the 84th regiment, but
never joined in consequence of the sudden reduction of that corps. At
the age of 21, he entered himself a member of the Middle Temple, where he
continued his vigorous pursuit of legal studies for several years. His
earliest production was “Jamaica,” a descriptive poem; and his next,
published within a few years afterwards, “The Temple,” a kind of law
journal. But of his printed works, undoubtedly, the most approved are
the volumes of the “Public Characters;” also a “Life of John Horne Took,”
and the “History of the Wars, which arose out of the French Revolution.”
* * * * *
The industry of Mr. Stephens in the collection of the materials for his
biographical works has not often been surpassed. He was accustomed to
commit to paper the most trifling memoranda illustrative of the history
of any eminent individual the moment they were communicated to him.
* * * * *
Mr. Stephens enjoyed the confidential friendship of the late Duke of
Kent, and was in habits of unreserved intimacy with many other
distinguished characters of the age. He was related to the Duke of
Roxburgh, whose claim to that title he pleaded with memorable success in
the House of Lords.
* * * * *
Although generally of retired habits, Mr. Stephens often felt interested
in the parochial concerns of Chelsea, and distinguished himself by the
manliness and zeal with which he supported measures which to him appeared
likely to prove beneficial.
* * * * *
Mr. Stephens wrote much and well for the periodical press. The pages of
the Analytical Review abound in important articles from his pen. To the
Monthly Magazine, also, he was a frequent contributor. Besides the
composition of papers on the Belles Lettres, he was in the habit of
furnishing biographical notices for that journal. In extent of
information touching the lives and actions of the cotemporary generation,
he was equalled by few writers of his age. Mr. Stephens’s sound
constitution was gradually impaired by intense study, added to the
immoderate use of coldiam, on the efficacy of which he placed implicit
reliance. For the last two years of his life he suffered severely from
the gout, and at last died somewhat suddenly at his house in Upper Church
Street, in 1821, aged 64, and was interred in the burial ground attached
to St. Luke’s Church.
* * * * *
A. H. Haworth, Esq., occupied a house in Upper Church Street in 1825, and
for some time previous to that year. He possessed an unrivalled Museum
of Entomology and Natural History, the collection of 40 years laborious
research. It would be impossible here to give any thing like an adequate
notice of what it contained. There were about 40,000 insects, arranged
in systematic order, and about 20,000 dried plants, arranged in natural
order, and glued. His contributions to the Linnæan Society and
Horticultural Society, Philosophical Magazine, &c., were greatly
esteemed.
* * * * *
I. N. Sartorius, Esq., so long celebrated for his faithful delineations
of animal life, resided in this street in 1830, and for some years.
* * * * *
Philip Reinagle, Esq., R.A., celebrated for his beautiful specimens of
landscape paintings, and whose family were eminent for their proficiency
in the fine arts, resided also here about the same period.
* * * * *
W. H. Davis, Esq., at a much later period, resided also for many years in
Upper Church Street, near the King’s Road; he was considered to be one of
the best animal portrait painters, and was constantly employed every
Smithfield Cattle Show, his works being very highly prized.
* * * * *
Crossing the King’s Road, we enter into that portion of Church Street
which leads direct to the Old Church. This ancient thoroughfare was
built upon at a very early period, and many eminent persons have resided
here at various times; but principally since the Rectory was removed
hither, in 1569, from Milman’s Row.
* * * * *
William Tebbs, Esq., Proctor, resided nearly opposite the Rectory House,
in Church Street, for many years; he was highly respected professionally,
and much esteemed for his kindness and liberality to the poor. Mr.
Tebbs, sen., dwelt here in 1819, and his name appears subsequently and
previously for a long time as a contributor to most of the local
charities.
* * * * *
Henry Virtue Tebbs, Esq., son of the preceding, and who was in
partnership with his father, resided in a commodious detached house, with
large enclosed garden, in Cooks’ Ground, for a long time. Like the rest
of his family he was greatly respected by the inhabitants, and ever ready
to promote every good work in the parish. Of him it may truly be said
that he was the constant friend of the needy and helpless. He was a
zealous supporter of the Chelsea Auxiliary Bible Society, and he devoted
most of his leisure hours in promoting the various societies connected
with Park Chapel, especially the Day and Sunday Schools. Some few years
since he removed from the parish to the deep regret of a numerous circle
of friends, whose sincere hope is that his benevolent heart may still
beat for many a year to come.
* * * * *
One of the most ancient mansions (pulled down some few years ago) was
called Church Place. It was said to have been the residence of various
eminent persons; and some have confidently asserted that it was the
palace of the Earl of Essex. It was also said to have been used by Queen
Anne as a laundry. In the back front there was a date, cut in brick,
“1641.” This old house is first mentioned in the parish books in 1696;
it is also mentioned repeatedly in the Inquests of Court Leet, and Court
Baron, before and after that period.
* * * * *
Dr. Atterbury resided facing the river, near the Old Church, in 1695, as
appears by the parish books, and afterwards in Church Street, for several
years; one of his letters is dated from hence in 1698. There he became
acquainted with Swift, in 1711, to whom he was before unknown.
* * * * *
Francis Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was born in 1662, and was
educated in Westminster School, and afterwards was elected a Student of
Christ Church, Oxford, where he soon distinguished himself by his wit and
learning, and gave early proofs of his poetical talents. In 1687, he
made his first essay in controversial writing, and shewed himself an able
and strenuous advocate for the Protestant religion. In 1691 he took holy
orders, and was elected in the same year Lecturer of St. Bride’s, London,
and Preacher of Bridewell Chapel.
* * * * *
Upon the accession of Queen Anne, in 1702, Dr. Atterbury was appointed
one of her Majesty’s Chaplains in Ordinary; and in 1704 was advanced to
the Deanery of Carlisle. In 1713, at the recommendation of Lord
Chancellor Harcourt, the Queen promoted him to the Bishopric of
Rochester.
* * * * *
In 1722, Dr. Atterbury, on suspicion of being concerned in a plot in
favour of the Pretender, was apprehended and committed to the Tower.
Shortly afterwards he was condemned to perpetual exile. Just before
this, a large fine dropped to him as Dean of Westminster, but he could
have no right to receive it without the seal being set to it in full
chapter. Sir Robert Walpole earnestly enquired whether a Chapter could
not be held in the Tower, that he might receive the benefit of the fine.
A chapter was accordingly there held, and the Bishop received a £1000 for
his share. This anecdote, which is well authenticated, does great credit
to the liberality of Walpole.
* * * * *
Dr. Atterbury, in his private character, was most amiable and exemplary;
as a preacher he was eloquent, and as a writer, his sermons, letters and
other tracts, proved most decidedly that he possessed piety, genius, and
erudition. On the 18th of June, 1723, having the day before taken leave
of his friends, this eminent prelate embarked on board the Aldborough
man-of-war, and landed on the Friday following at Calais.
A prelate for wit, and for eloquence fam’d,
Apollo soon miss’d, and he need not be nam’d;
Since amidst a whole bench, of which some are so bright,
No one of them shines so learn’d and polite.—_Sheffield_, 1719.
The celebrated Dean Swift came to Chelsea in the year 1711, and took up
his residence facing Dr. Atterbury’s house in Church Street.
* * * * *
Dr. Jonathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick, in Dublin, an illustrious poet,
and political and satirical writer, was born in Dublin in 1667, and died
in 1745. Of a life so various and so full of business as Swift’s, we
know not what part we could select consistent with the limits of this
work that would not excite rather than gratify curiosity.
The company of Swift was courted by persons of the first rank in life and
literature; the following peculiarities may be related:—He made to
himself a rule never to speak more than a minute at a time, and to wait
for others to take up the conversation. He was singularly happy in
punning; and used to say, that none despised that talent but those who
were without it. He also greatly excelled in telling a story; but, in
the latter part of his life, used to tell the same rather to often.
Though to strangers he appeared churlish, and austere to his servants, it
is said he was a kind and generous master; he was also very charitable to
the poor.
Swift has been very minute and circumstantial in describing the
particulars relative to his residence here, and his acquaintance with Dr.
Atterbury. I will select one instance of it:—“I got here,” says he,
“with Patrick and my portmanteau for sixpence, and pay six shillings a
week for one silly room, with confounded coarse sheets. I lodge just
over against Dr. Atterbury’s house; and yet, perhaps, I shall not like
the place the better for that.”
* * * * *
Thomas Shadwell, Esq., Poet Laureat, another resident of Church Street,
was born at Stanton Hall, Norfolk, and received his education at Bury
School, and Caius College, Cambridge. His father, who held a place of
profit and distinction in the law in Ireland, bestowed the learning and
exercises of a gentleman upon him. Notwithstanding that, Lord Rochester
has said,
“None seem to touch true Comedy
But hasty Shadwell and slow Wycherlye,”
yet that lord had a better opinion of his conversation than his writings
when he said “that if Shadwell had burned all he wrote, and printed all
he spoke, he would have shewn more wit and humour than any other poet.”
In the reign of William III. he succeeded Dryden, as Poet Laureat, under
whose lash he had previously fallen. His works, consisting of seventeen
plays, were published in three volumes 12mo. in 1720, with a short
account of his life written by his son, Sir John Shadwell, Knight, who
was physician to Queen Anne, and resided in a house at Chelsea, which had
been previously occupied by Dr. Arbuthnot. Shadwell died at Chelsea in
1692, aged 52, and was buried in the Church, November 24, when a funeral
sermon was preached by his friend Dr. Nicholas Brady, in which he assures
us that “his natural and acquired abilities made him sufficiently
remarkable to all that he conversed with, very few being equal to him in
all the becoming qualities and accomplishments of a gentleman.” His
widow, who had been an actress, survived him, and resided at Chelsea some
years.
* * * * *
Dr. John Arbuthnot, a native of Scotland, had his education in the
University of Aberdeen, where he took the degree of Doctor of Physic. He
came to London about the year 1695, and at first taught the mathematics
for his support. His facetious and agreeable conversation introduced him
by degrees into practice; and he became eminent in his profession. Being
at Epsom when Prince George of Denmark was suddenly taken ill, he was
called in to his assistance; his advice was successful, and his Highness
recovering, employed him ever afterwards as his physician.
* * * * *
The Queen’s death, and the disasters which fell upon his friends on that
occasion, deeply affected his health and spirits; and, to divert his
melancholy, he paid a visit to his brother, a banker, at Paris. He
returned to London, and continued his medical profession with great
reputation, employing his leisure hours in writing papers of wit and
humour.
* * * * *
About this time Dr. Arbuthnot took a house in Church Street, where he at
times entertained a select number of his friends. He died in 1735 in
Cork Street, Burlington Gardens. In his writings he has shewn himself
equal to any of his cotemporaries in humour, wit, and learning. Sir John
Shadwell, son of the Laureat, afterwards occupied the house.
* * * * *
Dr. Edward Chamberlayne, it appears from the land tax book of this
parish, anno 1704, resided next door to Dr. King, the rector, in a house
that is still standing, and which is a few doors north of the White Horse
public house, in Church Street. He was descended from an ancient family,
and born at Odington, in Gloucestershire, in 1616. During the civil war
he made the tour of Europe. After the Restoration he was chosen F.R.S.;
and, in 1669, attended Charles, Earl of Carlisle, as secretary to the
embassy to Stockholm, with the order of the Garter for the King of
Sweden. Shortly afterwards the degree of LL.D. was conferred on him at
Cambridge, and also the same at Oxford at a later period. About the year
1679, he received the appointment of tutor to the Duke of Grafton, one of
the natural sons of Charles II.; and subsequently he instructed Prince
George of Denmark, consort to Queen Anne, in the English language. He
died at his house in Church Street in 1703, having been an active
magistrate in this parish for many years.
* * * * *
John Chamberlayne, (son of Dr. Chamberlayne,) who resided in the house
formerly occupied by his father, was a learned and worthy man. He was
admitted into Trinity College, Oxford, in 1685, and was gentleman usher
to George Prince of Denmark. He translated, from the French and Spanish:
1. The Manner of making Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate. 2. From Italian into
English, A Treasure of Health, written by Castor Durant de Gualdo,
physician of Rome. 3. The Arguments of the Books and Chapters of the Old
and New Testaments, with Practical Observations, written originally in
French by the Rev. Mr. Ostervald, Professor of Divinity, and one of the
members of the church at Neufchatel, in Switzerland, and by him presented
to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, of which society he was
a member. 4. The Lives of the Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences;
translated from the French of M. de Fontenelle; republished since, in
1721, under the title of “Memoirs of the Royal Academy of Sciences of
Paris, Epitomized, with the Lives of the late Members of that Society.”
5. The Religious or Christian Philosopher; or, The right Use of
Contemplating the Work of the Creator; translated from the Dutch of Dr.
Nieuwentyt, with cuts. 6. History of the Reformation in and about the
Low Countries; translated from the Low Dutch of Gerard Brandt. 7. The
Lord’s Prayer, in 100 Languages. 8. Dissertations, Historical,
Theological, and Critical, on the most memorable events of the Old and
New Testaments, wherein the Spirit of the Sacred Writings is shewn, their
authority confirmed, &c. Mr. Chamberlayne was Fellow of the Royal
Society, to whom he communicated several papers on important subjects.
He augmented and improved his father’s book of “The Present State of
Great Britain,” to the latter editions of which his name is prefixed. He
was not only learned but pious, earnest at all times in promoting and
disseminating religious principles. In the old churchyard, facing the
river, are inscriptions to the memory of this distinguished family. {82}
* * * * *
Mr. Bowack, to whom we are so much indebted for his valuable information,
resided near Dr. Chamberlayne’s house in Church Street. In 1705 he began
to publish, in folio numbers, “The Antiquities of Middlesex; being a
Collection of the several Church Monuments in that County; also an
Historical Account of each Church and Parish, with the Seats, Villages,
and names of the most eminent Inhabitants.” The work extended through
the parishes of Chelsea, Fulham, Kensington, Chiswick, and Acton, and was
then discontinued. It is much to be regretted that he could not complete
his design. He has preserved many monumental inscriptions, since
destroyed. Mr. Bowack was writing master to Westminster School. “I
have,” says Mr. Faulkner, in reference to his own work, “carefully
embodied the greater part of the information contained in his (Bowack’s)
folio volume, now become extremely scarce.”
* * * * *