See also

Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet (c. 1588-1666)

1. Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet, son of George CLIFTON (c. 1567-1588) and Wynyfride THOROLD ( - ), was born circa March 1588. He married Frances CLIFFORD on 7 September 1613. He died in 1666. He married Penelope RICH. He married Maria EGIOKE. He married Isabella HODGES. He married Anna SOUTH. He married Jane EYRE. He married Alice UNK. He married unk UNK.

 

The young Gervase was looked after by his grandmother, Lady Anne Thorold and grew into a much loved eccentric ( he often worked on his accounts in his pew during Church services ). He was universally popular for his generosity, hospitality and charity. He avidly enjoyed bowling and built a bowling green on one of the four grass terraces that still exist today behind Clifton Hall. During his visit, King Charles I played bowls with the Baronet and according to a royal communique sent to Sir Gervase 'the greatest pleasure the King took in his entertainment' was a boating trip on the River Trent. Sir Gervase served as a member of Parliament eight times. He was knighted at just 16 years of age and was the first Clifton to achieve true aristocratic status with a title of Baronet. A baronet is the lowest rank in the English aristocracy, it is hereditary title of honour that does not in itself hold any more power than a knighthood. The title was purchased by Gervase from James I for ?,000. James I set up the baronet titles to raise money for his army.

Sir Gervase supported the Royalist Cavaliers during the English Civil War ( 1642 - 1651 ) and supplied them with pistols, saddles, pikes and muskets. After Cromwell's Roundheads had defeated the Cavaliers, Gervase was for a while imprisoned in the Tower Of London. He was eventually released and fined an astronomical sum by Cromwell's parliament. He lived to see the collapse of Cromwell's government and the Charles II crowned king. The Baronet married several times, outliving all but one of his wives. Local historians believe this could be due to Gervase deliberatly marrying older, wealthy women to help pay off his debt to Parliament. Gervase died in the same year as the great fire of London in 1666. Memorials to Gervase the Great and his 7 wives ( including a bust of Sir Gervase ) are still to be found in St.Mary's Church. Frances was his second wife.



Thoroton says: "This Sir Gervase was certainly more gentle than his grandfather being generally the most noted person of his time for courtesy, he was very prosperous and beloved of all. He generously, hospitably and charitably entertained all from King Charles himself (of whom he was an active supporter) to the poorest beggar. He served eight times in several Parliaments. He was an extraordinary kind landlord, and good master.

His hospitality exceeded very many of the Nobility, and his continuance in it, most men; being almost fourscore years Lord of this place, of a sound body, and a cheerful facetious spirit."

HIS DEATH.

"His last part was miracle enough to convert an Atheist, to see his Christianity so far prevail over his nature that without the least shadow of fear, he left the choicest things of this world with as great pleasure as others enjoy them.

He received from me the certain notice of his approaching death as he was wont to do an invitation of his good friends to his own Bowling Green (one of the most pleasant imaginable) and thereupon immediately called for his old chaplain, Mr. Robert Thirlby, to do the office of his confessor, and when he had done with him, for his children, whom Patriarch-like he particularly blessed and admonished, with the smartness and ingenuity of a practised and well-studied orator. The day following he received visits from divers friends, in the old dining-room near his bed-chamber (in which room his portrait hangs to this day), who were not so sensible of his danger, because he entertained them after his usual manner, yet that night (as I easily foretold him) his sleepiness began which could never be taken away."—So wrote Dr. Thoroton.

This Sir Gervase was made a K.B. at the coronation of James I., and a Baronet in 1611, his name being third in the first list of creations to the new Order.

Born in Queen Elizabeth's reign before the collapse of the Spanish Armada and before the publication of Shakespeare's Plays, and Bacon's Essays, Sir Gervase lived to see Charles II. restored after the collapse of Cromwell's Long Parliament, and to hear of the publication of Newton's theory, and the establishment of the Royal Society; and throughout he was in vital touch with the affairs of his time.

Among the miscellaneous papers recently discovered is a very neatly made little book, in which is a beautifully written catalogue of "My Mr.'s books remaining in the study at Clifton, taken in order as they stand, July 23rd. 1650." It runs to 18 pages of entries, about 20 to 25 on a page. There is a good collection of ancient classics, the writings of Calvin and other theological writers, and a list of other books, which is of great interest to antiquarian book lovers.

 

There is a series of letters of the greatest interest to Sir Gervase Clifton (1st Bart.) from Thos. Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, before and during the time he was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, when he practised the policy of "Thorough" for which he was impeached, and finally with King Charles' consent (the darkest act and the most bitterly repented in all his kingship) beheaded. These letters begin "My dear brother," for Sir Gervase to whom they are addressed and Strafford married sisters, and are of a most frank and intimate nature.

Here is a fragment from one of Stafford's letters written from Westminster in 1631, in reply to a letter from Sir Gervase, suggesting resignation from King Charles' service:—

"To counsel his Maty to remove yourself, whose abilities and affections are soe well knowen unto me, I may not doe itt with faithe to my maister when soe doing my owne understanding tells me I should doe him a great disservice in laying aside soe able a Minister. Nay when you thinke better of itt, lesse inwards vpon your owne ease, more outwarde vpon the duties we oughe the publicke. I asseure myself you will not desire itt. I desire my service may be remembered to my Lady, with my wifes respects to you both."

Here is the conclusion of another written from Ireland in 1638, when Strafford was Lord Lieutenant:—

. . . Here am I in my hermitadge, a place of retirement wher my greatest conuersation woodes and deare. and I should thinke me self happy if I could longer hide myself from the importunity of my imployment, but for the present that must not be. but to laboure and trauell I must soe againe, being the portion only I looke for in this life. I thanke god his Maty is graciously pleased with my poore indeauoures, wch sustaines me all along, els had I fainted long agon in the blacke streams of mallice and enuy, in wch I have soe long waided vp to the chinn. This is my comfortt alsoe that all my ennimies are not able to deade me in my affection to my friends, but that I can serve them wth chearfull and quicke spiritts, and amongst thos your self in the immutable qualety of

Yor euer most faithful brother
And humble seruant
WENTWORTH.

Sir Thomas Wentworth. Bart., K.G.. Baron Raby and Earl of Strafford was mo.it ignobly delivered up, and executed in May, 1641, at the age of 47. "The Strafford Club" at Oxford, which claims early, if not contemporary origin, perpetuates his memory, and endeavours to foster among future legislators the same unswerving devotion to loyalty and sound principles : the present writer cherishes with tender satisfaction the memory of having been president of this club in 1895.

Here is a letter from King Charles I. written from Nottingham in 1642 and addressed "To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gervase Clifton, Knt."

CHARLES R.

Trusty and well beloved. Wee greet you well. Much it concerns vs now to provide for our owne personall and ye publique safety. Our Enemies have of late so Traitrously declared themselves and declined all Accomodacon that Wee are assured that Our loyall and well affected Subjects wil bee as ready to give vs as Wee to crave all timely assistance. And because by ye seizing of our Magazine our great want is of Armes Wee have thought fit to pray you (of whose good affecion Wee are very well assured) out of your Store to spare Vs as many as conveniently you can leaving onely a competent number for defence of yr house from some small party. All our loving Subjects security being now more involved in ye defence our Army can give them than any particular resistance they can make. What you furnish us with Wee intend for ye guard of Our person and to procure ye peace of this Our King-dome, and shall cause to bee carefully restored or a valuable satisfaction to be given for them at ye end of ye Service. Given at our Court at Nottingham ye last day of August 1642.

All ye armes you shall thinke fit to send Vs Wee desire may bee sent to Nottingham Castle, to bee delivered to our Storekeeper there.

The response made to His Majesty's appeal is acknowledged in the following terms:—

"September the 3, 1642

For the daie and yeare abovesaid inte his Mates Magazine at Nott Castle for his Mates use, of Sr Gervase Clifton Kt and Baronett eight great saddles with bittes, bridles and other accoutremts belonging to them and eight compleate currissiers wth six cases of pistolls and 2 cases of petronells wth Holsters, 6 Musketts wth rests 20 compleate corsletts and 20 spikes. I saie Recd as aforesaid these by me
THO. HOLWELLS.

When Oliver Cromwell's Parliament overcame the Royalists Sir Gervase Clifton was fined £4,000 (a very large sum then) for his devotion to the Royal Cause. This was paid in four instalments during the years 1649 and 1650, and there are among the papers the receipts signed by Cromwell's Treasurers for the money paid by Sir Gervase "as a fine for his delinquency to the Parliament."

KING CHARLES AS MATCH-MAKER.

There is an interesting letter to Sir Gervase from King Charles I. dated October 16th, 1634, in which he approves of a proposed marriage between Sir John Suckling, the poet, and Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Willoughby, and a great heiress, but complains that Sir Henry does not allow Sir John to pay his addresses to his daughter, and bids Sir Gervase and Sir Thomas Hutchinson intervene to further the King's wishes, and particularly to ascertain the disposition oi the gentlewoman herself. The delicacy of this mission will be understood from a contemporary description of Suckling provided by his friend Davenant. "He was the greatest gallant of his time, the greatest gamester both for bowling and cards so that no shopkeeper would trust him for sixpence, as to-day for instance, he might by winning be worth £200, and the next day he might not be worth half so much, or perhaps he sometimes minus nihilo. He was of middle stature and slight strength, brisk, round eye, reddish faced and red-nosed (ill-liver) his head not very big, his hair a kind of sand colour."

The Lady Anne was determined to thwart the scheme, and appealed to another suitor, Sir John Digby, a powerful man and an expert swordsman, to help her to obtain Suckling's written renunciation of all claim to her hand. The rivals met in London on the road, argued, quarrelled and proceeded to blows and the unhappy Suckling was "cudgelled into a handful." Suckling died in 1642 unmarried, and a "man of broken fortunes.".

 

Sir John was born in 1583, and his chief work "Bosworth Field" was published two years after his death which happened in 1627, the year after Charles I. made him a baronet. He deals at length with the old traditional understanding between the Cliftons and the Byrons of Newstead, who, though warmly attached to each other in affection, were on opposite sides in the Wars of the Roses. Beaumont says that Sir Gervase Clifton was slain at Bosworth Field, fighting on Richard's side against the Duke of Richmond (King Henry VII.) and that Byron, though on the other side, procured the restoration of his lands to his son.

Here are some of the lines written nearly 300 years ago:—

"Recount, thy muse, how Byron's faithful love.
To dying Clifton did itself approve
For Clifton lighting bravely in the troop.
Receives a wound and now begins to droop.
Which Byron seeing though in arms his foe
In heart his friend and hoping that the blow,
Had not been mortal guards him with his shield
From second hurts and cries ‘Dear Clifton yield.
Take this my counsel.' 'Clifton' thus replied.
It is too late for I must now provide.
To seek another life, live thou. sweet friend
And when thy side obtains a happy end,
Upon the fortunes of my children look.
Remember, what a solemn vow we took,
That he whose part should prove the best in fight
Would with the conqueror try his utmost might
To save the other's lands from rav'nous paws.
Which seize on fragments of a luckless cause.'

Testimony is not wanting that the solemn undertaking between the two families was something more than subject for Sir John's muse.

 

Penelope RICH, daughter of Robert RICH ( - ) and Countess of Warwick ( - ), died in 1613. She was born in 1690. She and Gervase CLIFTON had the following children:

 

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Gervase CLIFTON ( -1676)

 

Lady Frances CLIFFORD, daughter of Francis CLIFFORD 14th Lord Clifford, 4th Earl of Cumberland (1559-1641) and Grizel HUGHES ( -1613), was born in 1594. She died in 1627. She and Gervase CLIFTON had the following children:

 

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Margaret CLIFTON (c. 1628-c. 1697)

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Clifford CLIFTON ( -1673)

 

Isabella HODGES, daughter of John HODGES ( - ), died in 1637.

 

Anna SOUTH, daughter of Sir Francis SOUTH ( - ), died in 1639.

 

Jane EYRE, daughter of Anthony EYRE of Rampton ( - ), died in 1655. She and Gervase CLIFTON had the following children:

 

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Robert CLIFTON ( - )

 

Alice UNK, daughter of Earl of Huntington ( - ) and Countess of Huntington ( - ), died in 1666.

Second Generation

2. Gervase CLIFTON Baronet, son of Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet and Penelope RICH, died on 14 January 1676. He married Sarah PUSEY.

 

Gervase, a youth of singular beauty and unfortunately of most wild disposition, who as "Mr. Clifton" nearly broke his father's heart, and finally after succeeding to the title in 1666, died without issue in 1676, "the wretched unfortunate, who was his father's greatest foil;".

 

Sarah PUSEY was the daughter of Timothy PUSEY of Selston ( - ).

 

3. Lady Margaret CLIFTON, daughter of Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet and Lady Frances CLIFFORD, was born circa 1628. She died circa [Julian] 10 February 1697 in Westminster. She married John SOUTH. She married William WHICHCOT. She married Robert CARY.

 

THE CLIFTONS OF CLIFTON.

The heading of this chapter is an ambitious one; to fulfil its claim to its title completely, it must almost needs contain a history of the county for more than eight hundred years; it must be considered enough if reference is made to those facts only, the knowledge of which make an ordinary visit to the village and Church of more intelligent interest.

SEVEN HUNDRED YEARS AGO.

We must pass rapidly the early account recorded by Thoroton of "Alveredus de Clifton, miles, dom. Manerii de Wilford et guardianus Nott. Temp Will Peverell" which shows that in William the Conqueror's time, the chief Clifton held a very responsible position and was Lord of the Manor of Wilford, though apparently not yet of Clifton. This Alveredus. son of Robert, held the same office and position. In 1186 we come to the first Gervasius de Clifton, with whose name is coupled that of the village of Glapton. which stills survives as the name of that part of the village, which lies east of the Nottingham Road. Unlike most names which have survived eight hundred years neither Clifton nor Glapton show any great variation in spelling, since 1086, when the former was Cliftune in the Domesday Survey. There has also been a similar conservatism about the Christian names in the family, for out of 26 who have held the property. 12 have been Gervases and 8 Roberts.

In 1281 King Edward I. confirmed the manors of Clifton and Wilford to Sir Gervase Clifton. Kt. (who was Sheriff of Nottingham and Derby in the years 1281, 1285, 1292) in consequence of a further acquisition made by purchase from the de Rodes family. The first Rector of whom we have record is William de Rodes. who was instituted in 1242, the patron being Ralph de Rodes: and the second is John de Clifton his successor, whose patron was Sir Gervase de Clifton, Kt., who held the manor in 1336. Of this Sir Gervase it is recorded that he got a jury to enquire what damages he sustained by reason of trenches being made to bring the water of the Trent out of the ancient course, to Nottingham Castle for the benefit of the King's mills, and then on to Wilford meadows. The Jury found £100 of which £52 7s. satisfied his "arrearages when he was last Sheriff."

Fifty years later another John de Clifton was Rector being presented by the next Sir Gervase; and again in 1506 Silvanus Clifton was instituted to succeed Robert Yole (page 17), another Sir Gervase presenting him.

In modern times too a Reverend William Clifton was appointed in 1803 by Sir Gervase;

in this last case the Rector was in no way related to the family, for his patron met him by chance at an inn. and offered him the vacant living, partly no doubt on account of his name.

CLIFTON MONUMENTS.

The earliest monument in the Church is a small slab, on which the name "Isabelle" was until recently legible, which is credibly believed to commemorate the wife of Sir John Clifton, who fell at the battle of Shrewsbury, in defence of King Henry IV. when Hotspur, the heir of the ever-dangerous house of Northumberland, joined the Scots and Welsh in rebellion against the King in 1403.

The next is a mutilated slab bearing the figure of a woman, which has an inscription, now only legible in parts but which Thoroton preserves-It records in Latin the burial of Isabella, daughter of Sir Robert Franceis, wife of Sir Gervase Clifton, Knight, who died June 13th, 1457.

Then there is a large slab to the memory of the Lady Alice Clifton, who was sister of William Bothe. Archbishop of York (1452-1464), and half-sister to Lawrence Booth or Bothe, who was also Archbishop of York 1476-1480, after being suspended from the bishopric of Durham (1462-1464). Lady Alice was wife of Sir Robert Clifton she died in 1470.
One of the brasses: Sr Gervase Clifton, 1491. Rubbing by H. Belcher, Esq.

One of the brasses: Sir Gervase Clifton, 1491. Rubbing by H. Belcher, Esq.

Near to this are two beautiful brasses to the memory of her husband (1478) and her eldest son Sir Gervase (1491). Both bear Latin inscriptions, which bid us pray for their souls, and refer to the founding of a college of chaplains in which father and son took part. The figure of the former, Sir Robert, bears the shorter inscription and represents a knight in full armour with a greyhound at his feet; unfortunately only one of four shields or arms, which once existed, remains.

The latter brass, dated 1491, is to the memory of the Sir Gervase, who was Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Richard III.; and the King in recognition of faithful service added to his already vast property (which included manors so distant as Hodsock and Downe Hall in Lincolnshire and Belton in Yorkshire) the manors of Ratcliffe-on-Soar, all the lands in Kingston and Kegworth which were the Duke of Buckingham's, Sir Roger Tocote's forfeited land in Huntingdon, and all the lands in the county of Derby, which were the late Duke of Exeter's.

The recumbent effigy of a lady in the North East corner, Thoroton says, "is a very good tomb of alabaster," and it is to the memory of Alice, daughter of Thomas Nevell, and wife of this Sir Gervase Clifton, whose brass, dated 1491, lies just below. On this altar tomb are the arms of Clifton and Nevell each twice. At her head lies a singularly beautiful recumbent effigy of a knight in armour, at his feet is a crouching lion, beneath his head a peacock, on his surcoat a lion rampant and upon his helmet the Clifton crest. As to the date of this alabaster altar tomb there is much uncertainty. Thoroton, Godfrey and others suppose that it is later than the brasses,—the son indeed of the Sir Gervase, of -the latter brass— modern experts, however, put it at a date nearly a century earlier, and the point is undecided. There is a pattern, which has seemed to some people to be an undeciphered inscription, on the helmet just above the forehead.

"GERVASE THE GENTLE."

Then there is the large altar tomb hearing the recumbent effigy of a knight ("Sir Gervies Clifton") and two ladies, on which the date 1564 looks rather like 1764 to those unaccustomed to old English lettering.

The inscription gives the full name and date of death of all three and concludes "whose soules we hope rest in God our Saviour."

On the South side are the figures of three sons who died in childhood, and two daughters, and on the other variously quartered coats of arms, and on the West end are the arms of Clifton, with the arms of his two wives (Thwaites and Nevell) on either side.

A TROUSSEAU IN 1530.

Sir Gervase Clifton married Miss Mary Nevell on January 17th,, 1530, when Henry VIII. was king, and her father, Sir John, kept an account of the wedding which he provided. Here are a few of the items:—

A DINNER PARTY IN 1530.

Again "the expense of the dinner" shows,

3 Hogsheads of wine … …





5


5


0

2 Oxen … …





3


0


0

Besides these, there are 12 yards of camblet, 6 of cotton, 4 of satin, 3 of lawn, 4 of carley, 2 rolls of buchram, 12 white hare skins, 12 black rabbits' skins, and 30 white lambs' skins which latter however cost but three halfpence each.

" For the apparel of the said Gervase and Mary": —


£


s.


d.

27 yards of damask, every yard 8/-


10


16


0

6 yards of tawney velvet, every yard 14/-


4


4


0

A white fur


2


0


0

3 pairs of gloves


0


2


5

A wedding ring of gold


0


12


4

Besides these, there are 8 cranes, 16 herons, 10 bitterns. 36 capons, 6 wethers, and many wildfowl.

So that the wine for this dinner cost as much as 250 pigs !

The pepper, of which 6 pounds were needed cost 11 shillings, and among the "spices" used were 'sugar, ginger, currants, prunes, dates, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, mace, saffron, isinglass caraways, liquorice, aniseed, green ginger, sucket orange buds, and orange syrup, besides marmalade, comfits and biskits.'


£


s.


d

12 Swans, every swan 6s.


3


12


. 0

60 couple rabbits, every couple 5d.


1


5


0

10 pigs, every pig 5d.


0


4


2

7 calves


0


19


0

7 lambs


0


10


0

4 dozen chickens


0


4


0

This Sir Gervase was, Thoroton says, "An excellent person and of great authority in peace and war, and was so courteous that -he was generally styled Gervase the gentle" a name given originally, it is believed, by the maiden Queen Elizabeth, at whose court Sir Gervase was a favourite, though he had been almost equally eminent at the courts of Henry VIII., Edward VI. and Mary.

A DIM PARENTAGE.

Just beneath this monument on the North side is a beautiful little brass representing a little gentleman dressed as a civilian in a large ruff and a short cloak and a little lady very daintily clad in Elizabethan costume; it is a pathetic little memorial to George, the only son of Sir "Gervase the Gentle;" he died in 1587 at the age of 20, but six years before, at the age of fourteen, he had married Wynyfride, daughter of Sir Anthony and Lady Anne Thorold, and three months after his death she bore to him another Gervase, who was destined to be very celebrated.

A CHARACTERISTIC CLIFTON.

And now we come to the history of this baby Gervase, probably one of the most remarkable in all family history. His father, George, died as we have seen, under twenty-one years of age, a few months before Gervase himself was born when he was four months old. his grandfather, Sir Gervase died too, leaving no children at all : shortly after, his mother married again, and (as Mrs. Kervile) had other children. It would appear that her mother Lady Anne Thorold, therefore took charge of the little Sir Gervase, for a stone dated 1611 refers to her as "the most loving and careful grandmother of Sir Gervase Clifton, Kt., and Bart., who laid the same, for her piety and exemplary virtue 5 worthy to be had in perpetual remembrance." It was well for him that she was available, for he came into the title and estates in 1587 at the age of four months, without a Clifton relative in the world, the sole hope of the family.

The monument on the West wall reveals how he proceeded to alter this state of things, for it records the existence of his first three wives, while an elaborate mural monument and bust on the South side of the chancel adds to them the memory of four more ; the bust is surmounted with his own arms and around it are arranged, seven shields, bearing the armorial bearings of his wives ; so that this Sir Gervase, who lived to be nearly 80, is often known as the "Sir Gervase with seven wives" this is a list of them :—

1. Penelope, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Warwick. "A lady conspicuous for extraordinary beauty of body and mind " who died in 1613 at the age of 23 and was buried at Clifton.

2. Frances, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Cumberland. "A most noble, wise and pious lady." who died in 1627, aged 33, and was also buried here.

3. Maria, daughter of John Egioke of Egioke, widow of Sir Francis Leeke of Sutton. "A very excellent lady,"—buried in 1630 at St. Giles Church, London.

4. Isabella, widow of John Hodges Alderman of London, who was buried here in 1637.

5. Anna, daughter of Sir Francis South, also buried here in 1639.

6. Jane, daughter of Anthony Eyre of Rampton. Whose son Robert was the father of Sir Gervase the eventual successor as 4th Bart. She died in London in 1655, but was buried at Clifton too.

7. Alice, daughter of the Earl and Countess of Huntington, who died after her husband, but in the same year (1666) and was buried at St. Giles Church, London, where "on a gravestone in ye chancell" was found
"Here rests hopefull of a glourious resurrection the Lady Alice, the eldest dau. of Henry Lord — Hastings, Earle of Huntington and relict of Sir Gervase Clifton, Kt., Baronet, whose constant pietye assures her happiness. Obut 12 Martii 1666 aetatis 61."

HIS CHILDREN.

Although the first wife had a son Gervase, a youth of singular beauty and unfortunately of most wild disposition, who as "Mr. Clifton" nearly broke his father's heart, and finally after succeeding to the title in 1666, died without issue in 1676, "the wretched unfortunate, who was his father's greatest foil;" and the second also had five children and many grandchildren, it was a descendant of the sixth ("Jane Eyre") who was the ancestor of the surviving descendants. Now this Sir Gervase of the seven wives, of whom an excellent contemporary picture hangs over the mantelpiece in the Hall dining room, was very far from being the "Bluebeard" we might believe, as the next few paragraphs will show.

HIS CHARACTER.

Thoroton says: "This Sir Gervase was certainly more gentle than his grandfather being generally the most noted person of his time for courtesy, he was very prosperous and beloved of all. He generously, hospitably and charitably entertained all from King Charles himself (of whom he was an active supporter) to the poorest beggar. He served eight times in several Parliaments. He was an extraordinary kind landlord, and good master.

His hospitality exceeded very many of the Nobility, and his continuance in it, most men; being almost fourscore years Lord of this place, of a sound body, and a cheerful facetious spirit."

HIS DEATH.

"His last part was miracle enough to convert an Atheist, to see his Christianity so far prevail over his nature that without the least shadow of fear, he left the choicest things of this world with as great pleasure as others enjoy them.

He received from me the certain notice of his approaching death as he was wont to do an invitation of his good friends to his own Bowling Green (one of the most pleasant imaginable) and thereupon immediately called for his old chaplain, Mr. Robert Thirlby, to do the office of his confessor, and when he had done with him, for his children, whom Patriarch-like he particularly blessed and admonished, with the smartness and ingenuity of a practised and well-studied orator. The day following he received visits from divers friends, in the old dining-room near his bed-chamber (in which room his portrait hangs to this day), who were not so sensible of his danger, because he entertained them after his usual manner, yet that night (as I easily foretold him) his sleepiness began which could never be taken away."—So wrote Dr. Thoroton.

This Sir Gervase was made a K.B. at the coronation of James I., and a Baronet in 1611, his name being third in the first list of creations to the new Order.

Born in Queen Elizabeth's reign before the collapse of the Spanish Armada and before the publication of Shakespeare's Plays, and Bacon's Essays, Sir Gervase lived to see Charles II. restored after the collapse of Cromwell's Long Parliament, and to hear of the publication of Newton's theory, and the establishment of the Royal Society; and throughout he was in vital touch with the affairs of his time.

Among the miscellaneous papers recently discovered is a very neatly made little book, in which is a beautifully written catalogue of "My Mr.'s books remaining in the study at Clifton, taken in order as they stand, July 23rd. 1650." It runs to 18 pages of entries, about 20 to 25 on a page. There is a good collection of ancient classics, the writings of Calvin and other theological writers, and a list of other books, which is of great interest to antiquarian book lovers.

THE LAST SIR GERVASE.

Under the pulpit in the body of the Church lies a stone which covers the grave of Sir Gervase Clifton, 6th Bart., who was unwilling to be laid with his ancestors in the family vault, humbly estimating himself unworthy of such an honour.

There is a fine marble monument on the South wall of the South aisle, to this Sir Gervase, surmounted by his arms and crest, which records the following facts: the creation of the baronetcy (third among those created) by King James I.; the fact that Sir Gervase wished to be buried where he lies, the inheritance of Trelyden (a Welsh property sold by the present Sir Hervey Bruce) from his wife's family, the Lloyds of Aberferchan in Wales; the birth of his seven children (who included Sir Robert, Sir Juckes, and Sir Arthur) and his death in 1815. A very vivid picture of this old gentleman wearing a red coat is preserved in the red room at the Hall.

 

Sir William WHICHCOT of Fotherby, son of Hamen WHICHCOT (1576- ) and Millicent MARKHAM (1596- ), died circa 1657. He and Margaret CLIFTON had the following children:

 

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George WHICHCOT (1653-c. 1720)

 

Robert CARY had the title '6th Lord Hunsden'. He died in 1692.

 

4. Clifford CLIFTON, son of Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet and Lady Frances CLIFFORD, died in 1673. He married Frances FINCH.

 

Frances FINCH was the daughter of Sir Heneage FINCH of Kensington ( - ). She and Clifford CLIFTON had the following children:

 

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William CLIFTON ( -1676)

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Catherine CLIFTON ( - )

+9

Arabella CLIFTON ( -1720)

 

5. Robert CLIFTON, son of Sir Gervase CLIFTON Baronet and Jane EYRE, had the title '4th Baronet'.

Third Generation

6. Colonel George WHICHCOT MP, of Harpswell, son of Sir William WHICHCOT of Fotherby and Lady Margaret CLIFTON, was born in 1653. He was christened on 6 June 1653. He was baptised on 8 June 1653 in Fotherby, Lincs.. He married Frances MERES on 11 November 1699 in London. He died circa 5 September 1720. He was buried on 9 September 1720 in Harpswell, Lincs.. He married Frances BOYNTON. He married Isabella ROBINSON.

 


WHICHCOT, George (1653-1720), of Harpswell, Lincs.

MP for LINCOLNSHIRE 1698-1700, 1705-1710
bap. 6 June 1653, Ist s. of William Whichcot of Fotherby, Lines. by Margaret, da. of Sir Gervase Clifton, 1st Bt, of Clifton, Notts., wid. of Sir John South of Kelstern, Lines, educ. Clare, Camb. 1670, MA 1673. m. 4 Dec. 1677, Frances (d. 1682), da. of Sir Francis Boynton, and Bt., of Barmston and Burton Agnes, Yorks., as. d.v.p. 2da.; (2) 26 June 1683, Isabella Robinson, wid. of Darcy Stanhope of Melwood, Isle of Axholme, Lincs., s.p.; (3) lic. I I Nov. 1699, Frances Katherine (d. 1731), da. of Sir Thomas Meres*, and sis. and coh. of Sir John Meres, 2s. 3da. suc. fa. 1662.'

Capt. Ld. Castleton's (George Saunderson*) regt. ft. by 1690 -at least 1692.
Originating from Shropshire, Whichcot's ancestors had first come to prominence in Lincolnshire in the late 15th century, and had acquired Harpswell, their principal seat, by marriage. Although a younger son, his father inherited the family estate in 1658, and only four years later Whichcot himself succeeded to Harpswell. After the Revolution he became a captain under Viscount Castleton, whom he later regarded ass potential electoral ally. He retained his commission until at least 1692, the year in which his regiment was sent to Flanders, and although Lord Godolphin (Sidney+) reported in 1707 thathe'did serve in the last war', it is unclear whether he saw action. In later years he was often referred to as 'colonel', but there is no evidence that this signified anything other than a militia rank.'
Whichcot gained entrance to Westminster in 1698, when standing alongside the Tory Charles Dymoke*, and shortly afterwards was listed as a Country Member. He made no significant contribution to Commons business in that Parliament, and on 24 Jan. 1700 was granted leave of absence. His political sympathies at this time are unclear, since the only surviving assessment of his position, an analysis of the House in early 1700, cited him as 'doubtful'. In September of that year he appeared ready to resign his electoral interest to John Hervey*, who in turn encouraged him to put up, commending his performance at Westminster. Despite such support he did not stand in January 1701, but made interest for the county later in the year, writing to the Duke of Newcastle (John Holles+) in acknowledgement of the Duke's 'interest with Mr Guile, who declares he will bring me in 300 or 400 votes'. In a circular letter he confessed that he had 'no other qualification for so great an honour but a hearty loyalty to my King and a sincere love for my country', but such patriotism did not succeed in making him a serious contender, and he withdrew from the contest, possibly for financial reasons, having complained to Newcastle of a lack of funds. Whichcot did not stand for Lincolnshire in 1702, but three years later was a central figure in a bitter dispute revolving around local cleric Samuel Wesley, a fierce critic of the Dissenters. Wesley had originally intended to support him at the county election of 1705, but then changed his mind, and wrote to him to explain that even though Whichcot "is as firm to the Church of England as any . but yet when it comes to a Party cause, everybody knows how the votes run in both Houses, and that 'twould look ungrateful to disoblige a body of men who had been the chief cause of one's election ... Can any Member be false to his electors, who make him what he is, and if it comes to a division in the House for the Church or against it, which side will he embrace?"
Whichcot passed this letter to his Whig allies, and reportedly published an answer to Wesley, accusing the clergyman of perfidy and ingratitude, The controversy appears to have worked to Whichcot's advantage, since he finished top of the poll. His return was classed as a gain for the Whigs by Lord Sunderland (Charles, Lord Spencer*), and he was regarded as 'Low Church' by an analyst of the new Parliament. He duly voted for the Court candidate for Speaker on 25 Oct. 1705, and supported the government on 18 Feb. 1706 during proceedings on the 'place clause' in the regency bill. In this first session, he was involved with the management of two private estate bills, and was appointed to the drafting committee of a bill to improve river communications with Boston. He was not active in the remaining sessions of this Parliament, but from May 1707 was eager for advancement, his Patron Newcastle striving to secure him the governorship of Tynemouth. His candidacy was opposed by the 'duumvirate', Lord Godolphin describing him as one of Newcastle's 'whimsical' allies, and the Duke of Marlborough (John Churchill+) insisting that a veteran of the current war should get the post. The matter was not finally resolved until February 1708, and such hopes of preferment may have influenced his Political loyalties, for in the winter of 1707-8 he was associated with the 'Lord Treasurer's Whigs', who sought to defend Godolphin against attack from disaffected Junto leaders. A parliamentary list of 1707-8 classed him as a Whig, but he did not gain the Tynemouth governorship.
Whichcot secured an unopposed return for the county in 17o8, and in the House confined himself to matters of local import, being named to drafting committees on the Boston church bill, and on the bill to confirm the estate of the Marquess of Lindsey (Robert Berrie*, Lord Willoughby de Eresby), one of his key electoral supporters. He adhered to the Whig line in
that Parliament, voting for the naturalization of the Palatines in early 1709, and for the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell a year later. In fact, in the course of the trial he was granted a fortnight's absence to return to Lincolnshire, whence he wrote to Newcastle;
"I find all the parsons, who endeavour to incite the people, in greater heats here than the Oxonian parsons in London. And indeed they press their non-resistance doctrine so far that they rather excite the people against themselves than the government, which I tell all my friends they are not only angry at because they cannot have the administration of it themselves; and I do not doubt my arguments out of the pulpit will be as prevailing as theirs in it."

Such hopes were dashed at the general election held later in the year, when he stood alone against two Tory candidates. His campaign was again hampered by a shortage of money, and he warned Newcastle that he would not stand unless he was assured of receiving ?00. Such assurances were presumably given, and after suffering a heavy defeat at the polls, he sought partial reimbursement of his expenses from the Duke of Newcastle and Lord Dorchester (Evelyn Pierrepont*).
Financial embarrassment probably brought an end to Whichcot's electioneering, In the immediate aftermath of defeat in 1710, he had spoken optimistically of strengthening his local interest, and expressed hope that the High Church 'frenzy' would pass, but he did not stand again. The advent of Hanoverian rule failed to resurrect his parliamentary career yet proved a boon to his fortunes, for in March 1718 he was granted an annual pension of 4400. He did not enjoy this windfall for long, dying in 1720. The exact date of his demise has not been ascertained, but his will was proved on 3 Nov. 1720. In that year his heir Thomas was warned that the family estate had been much impaired by Whichcot's political campaigns, and he was urged not to follow such an example. Nevertheless, Whichcot jun. did emulate his father, representing Lincolnshire from 1740 to 1774.

 

Frances BOYNTON died of Childbirth of twins. She and George WHICHCOT had the following children:

 

10

Frances WHICHCOT (1680-1720). Frances was born in 1680. She died on 31 March 1720.

11

William WHICHCOT (1682-1684). William was born in 1682. He died in 1684.

12

Sherwood WHICHCOT (1682-1682). Sherwood was born in 1682. He died in 1682.

 

Isabella ROBINSON and George WHICHCOT had the following children:

 

13

George WHICHCOT (1686- ). George was born in 1686. He was baptised on 30 March 1686 in Essendon, Hertfordshire.

 

Frances MERES, daughter of Sir Thomas MERES Knight (1634-1715) and Anne de la FOUNTAIN ( - ), was born in 1669. She was baptised on 2 July 1669 in St. Mary Magdalin, Lincoln. She was buried on 10 April 1733 in Harpswell. She died in August 1733. She and George WHICHCOT had the following children:

 

14

Thomas WHICHCOT (c. 1700-1776). Thomas was born circa 1700. He was a Politician. He died on 30 September 1776.

15

Katherine WHICHCOT (1701-1787). Katherine was born in 1701. She was baptised on 21 October 1701. She died on 4 July 1787.

16

John WHICHCOT (1702-1750). John was born on [Julian] 1 January 1702. He was a Clergyman. He died on 29 September 1750.

17

Elizabeth WHICHCOT (1705-c. 1774). Elizabeth was born on [Julian] 24 February 1705. She was baptised on [Julian] 20 March 1705 in Harpswell. She married William BASSETT on [Julian] 19 February 1729 in Glentworth, Lincs.. She died circa [Julian] 14 February 1774. She was buried on [Julian] 19 February 1774 in Glentworth.

 

7. William CLIFTON Baronet, son of Clifford CLIFTON and Frances FINCH, had the title '3rd Bart of Clifton'. He died on 14 January 1676.

 

8. Catherine CLIFTON, daughter of Clifford CLIFTON and Frances FINCH, married John PARSONS in 1686.

 

John PARSONS 2nd Baronet died on 17 January 1704.

 

9. Arabella CLIFTON, daughter of Clifford CLIFTON and Frances FINCH, married Francis WHEELER on 11 November 1685. She died on 10 January 1720.