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Blennerhassett family connection with
de Courcy, LORD KINGSALE (a.k.a. Kinsale)
Baron Kingsale, Baron Courcy of Courcy and Baron Ringrone,
premier baron in the Peerage of Ireland
(the de Courcy ancestral seat is Ringrone, Kinsale, Co.Cork, Ireland)
VINCIT OMNIA VERITAS - "truth conquers all things"
Lord Kingsale enjoys the unusual hereditary privilege of
wearing his hat in the presence of the monarch
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two sisters: Susan and Anne Blennerhassett
daughters of Conway Blennerhassett Jr
of Castle Conway, Killorglin, Co.Kerry, Ireland and of Kinsale, Co.Cork, Ireland
married two brothers: Michael & John de Courcy
sons of John de Courcy, 25th (18th, 20th) Baron Kingsale, of Kinsale, Co.Cork,
Baron Courcy of Courcy and Baron Ringrone (b.c1717 d.3-Mar-1776).
Susan Blennerhassett (d.13-Dec-1819 Kinsale, Co.Cork)
married the elder so, John de Courcy * 26th (19th, 21st) Baron Kingsale (d.24-May-1822 Cork).
Anne Blennerhassett (d.21-Mar-1828 Stoketon House, Saltash, Cornwall)
married the 3rd son, Michael de Courcy R.N. (d.22-May-1824 Stoketon House),
Admiral of the Blue (1821-1824) and KTS (Knight of the Portuguese Order of the Tower and the Sword).
Susan and Anne were sisters of Harman Blennerhassett, of Castle Conway and of Blennerhassett Island in the Ohio River, West Virginia, USA
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* "26th (19th, 21st) Baron Kingsale" indicates that John de Courcy was:
26th Baron according to "Burke's Peerage" [BP] up to 105th edition (1960)
19th Baron according to"Burke's Peerage" [BP] 106th (1999) and 107th (2003) editions
21st Baron according to "The Complete Peerage" [TCP vol.7 p.290, note (d)]
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Michael Constantine de Courcy, Lord Kingsale
33rd (26th, 28th) Baron Kingsale 1895
b.1855 Duncree, Kingstown, Ireland
d.1931 Coffinswell, Devon.
great-grandson of Anne Blennerhassett
and the Hon.Michael de Courcy RN, Admiral of the Blue
On 17-Jan-1880 Michael C. de Courcy married his cousin Emily de Courcy,
dau. of William Sinclair de Courcy, they having one son and four daughters.
"Stoketon House", Saltash, Cornwall
In 1895 Michael Constantine de Courcy, a tea planter at Assam, India,
inherited the family seat, Stoketon House, near Saltash.
Built c1770, it had come to his family in 1809, purchased by his g.g.father Admiral Michael de Courcy R.N. who rebuilt or completely remodelled the house in Gothic style. In 1901 Lord Kingsale sold Stoketon House, residing with his family at "St Bordeaux", Devonport, Devon until December 1904, when they moved to Cheltenham.
Stoketon House is grade II listed (did it later burn down?). |
"The Grange", Cheltenham. photo: BJ |
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"The Grange" Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
From 1904 to 1924 Lord Kingsale resided at "The Grange", Evesham Road, Marle Hill, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (located a few yards around the corner from "Dunboyne", home of his 2nd cousin Thomas de Courcy Hamilton VC whose funeral he attended at All Saints, Cheltenham, in 1908). "The Grange" was later (before 1961) sub-divided into four homes.
"Stoketon" Cheltenham
In 1924 Lord Kingsale purchased "Stanley Lodge" (a fine villa built 1863 on Stanley Road, Battledown Hill, as part of the Battledown Estate development at Charlton Kings, Cheltenham). The previous owner took the name "Stanley Lodge" with him to his new house on Greenhills Road, Charlton Kings, so Lord Kingsale named the house "Stoketon", after his family seat in Cornwall. He was there until with his wife and daughters Beryl Madeline de Courcy, Violet Gladys de Courcy and Estelle de Courcy, until 1928. The subsequent owner in 1929 renamed the house "Avalon".
Their son Lt. Michael de Courcy, of the Connaught Rangers was, on joining the Indian Staff Corps in 1904, assigned to the 32nd Pioneers on the Tibet expedition as his first experience of active service. In January 1905 he returned with his regiment to England. |
"Stoketon" (now "Avalon") Cheltenham, from:
"Battledown: The Story of a Victorian Estate"
by David A. O'Connor 1992, p.89 fig.30
(image used with permission) |
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MOVE TO CHELTENHAM A PASSAGE TO INDIA
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"Cheltenham Looker-On" 17-Dec-1904, p.1279
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"Cheltenham Looker-On" 28-Oct-1905, p.1139
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Lord Kingsale was from 1874 a tea planter at Assam, India, also director of several tea companies and Managing Director of Moran Tea Co. Ltd, London. In October 1905, with "one of his twin daughters", he sailed for India on P&O line SS "Syria" intending while there to visit his son Michael, serving in India with the 32nd pioneers.
In this photograph of 1914 he is on board P&O SS "Caledonia". This fine ship, built by Caird & Company of Greenock, Yard No 273, with engines by "Shipbuilders", was launched in 1894 and worked the London-Bombay Mail Service 1914-1917.
Seated at the table are a Mr Blakelock (probably Mr Cyprian Blakelock Blakelock) and two ladies, one of whom is probably Lord Kingsale's daughter who accompanied him. These three photographs were taken by Kathleen Davidson (later Mrs Kathleen Hadow), daughter of Samuel Cleland Davidson (1846-1921), also a tea planter in Assam and inventor of tea drying machinery manufactured at the Sirocco Engineering Works in Belfast, Ireland.
NOTE: During WWI, in 1916 off Marseilles, the Caledonia struck two mines but was quickly repaired and put back into service. In 1917 she was commissioned as a troop transport (No. C.6021) in which capacity she carried over 104,000 troops without loss. She was broken-up in 1925 after the propeller shaft was found to be cracked.
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photo: courtesy of Wendy Pratt, grand-daughter of Kathleen Davidson Hadow click on image to enlarge
Lord Kingsale on board SS "Caledonia" in 1914
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extracts from Kathleen Davidson's
diary on board SS "Caledonia" 1914
"There is a very nice man sits opposite me at meals, and I had an idea he had something to do with tea, so this morning at breakfast I managed to find out that he was going to Assam to inspect tea gardens and when I asked him if he had any of my father’s Sirocco machines on the gardens he said, 'Are you a daughter of Sam Davidson, who is an old friend of mine?' He is Lord Kinsale and was de Courcy when he knew you first. We had a great chat about you and your inventions and also about cousin Jim and cousin Maud. He was a great admirer of the latter and said she was the most charming and most popular woman in Assam and the kindest. His daughter is with him. Lord Kinsale is very nice and I’m glad he is at our table and that he knows you. He was telling me that he still has machines running that were put in 22 years ago, and that he sent in a fairly large order just a short time ago.""There was a meeting today to appoint a sports committee, and I was appointed to look after the music and concerts and help in anything that was necessary. There are 3 girls, 4 men and Lord Kingsale as President."
"If there is good news about home rule, Lord Kingsale says we’ll have to have an Irish evening to celebrate the occasion."
"After lunch we had a very amusing game of quoits. Lord Kingsale and I against Mrs Stevenson and Mr Davidson - the latter is an Assam tea planter and such a comical man, rather Mr Fold’s style. He has been asked by numerous people if I am his sister, so he generally calls me Sis now! "
"Lord Kingsale sends his salaams to you and hopes he may meet you sometime. He is one of the most thoughtful men I have ever met, and it has been very nice for me having him next to me at table." |
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photo: courtesy of Wendy Pratt click on image to enlarge
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photo: courtesy of Wendy Pratt click on image to enlarge
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SS "Caledonia" at Port Said 1914 |
SS "Caledonia" coaling at Port Said 1914 |
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Lord Kingsale attended St Paul's Church, Cheltenham, serving as Churchwarden 1915-1916.
A list of churchwardens painted on a wooden panel in the church porch includes this:
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S. PAUL'S CHURCH
PEOPLE'S WARDEN.
1915-16 LORD KINGSALE
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photo: BJ
St Paul's Church, Cheltenham |
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photo: BJ
click on image to enlarge |
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Lord Kingsale died 24th January 1931 at Coffinswell, Devon,
his funeral at St.Paul's Church, Cheltenham held "with quiet simplicity" ["Gloucestershire Echo" ?-?-1931, p.?].
interred at Cheltenham Municipal Cemetery, Bouncers Lane: section L, vault 966A
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GILLIAN M. J. ASHE
1932 - 2005
JOHN DE COURCY ASHE 1927-2014 |
MICHAEL CONSTANTINE DE COURCY,
33RD BARON KINSALE.
BORN MAY 8TH 1855, DIED JANUARY 24TH 1931. |
ESTELLE E. S. ASHE
1889 - 1984.
C.R. |
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FRANCES ANNE DE COURCY, ELDEST DAUGHTER OF
THE REV. M. DE COURCY, D.D. RECTOR OF DRUMCREE, CO WESTMEATH.
DIED 4TH DECEMBER 1911, AGED 90 YEARS
"SATISFIED." PSALM XVII.15. |
PATRICK CONSTANTINE, THE BELOVED SECOND SON OF
CAPTAIN MICHAEL AND CONSTANCE DE COURCY,
TAKEN HOME 24TH FEBRUARY 1912, AGED 2 YEARS.
"SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN TO COME UNTO ME." LUKE XVIII.16. |
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MICHAEL H. St.G. ASHE
1927 - 2000 |
VIOLET GLADYS DE COURCY,
TWIN SISTER OF BERYL MEDELINE,
DIED OCTOBER 31ST 1933, AGED 49 YEARS. |
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BERYL MADELINE DE COURCY,
THE DARLING CHILD OF LORD AND LADY KINGSALE.
TAKEN FROM OUR CARE JANUARY 29TH 1908 AGED 23 YEARS.
"WITH CHRIST." PHIL.1.23. "WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM." EPH.1.4. |
EMILY FRANCES ANNE DE COURCY,
DEARLY LOVED WIFE OF LORD KINGSALE.
TAKEN HOME AUGUST 10TH 1926. AGED 73 YEARS.
"FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH." REV.2.10. | |
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succession of title - de Courcy, Lord Kingsale
Baron Kingsale, Baron Courcy of Courcy and Baron Ringrone
Almericus de Courcy (d.1719/20) - 23rd (16th, 18th) Lord Kingsale
outlawed in 1691 for giving his support to King James II.
succeeded by his cousin (a grandson of Patrick de Courcy, 20th Baron):
Gerald de Courcy (d.1759) - 24th (17th, 19th) Lord Kingsale 1719/20
succeeded by his cousin (descended from David de Courcy, 4th son of John de Courcy, 18th Baron):
John de Courcy (b.c1717 d.1776) of Kinsale, Co.Cork, Ireland - 25th (18th, 20th) Lord Kingsale 1759
succeeded by his eldest son: John de Courcy (d.1822) - 26th (19th, 21st) Lord Kingsale 1776
who married Susan Blennerhassett (d.1819 Kinsale, Co.Cork)
the elder brother of Michael de Courcy R.N. "Admiral of the Blue",
who married Anne Blennerhassett (d.1828 Stoketon House, Saltash, Cornwall), sister of Susan.
succeeded by his 2nd son:
Rev Thomas de Courcy (b.1774 d.1832) - 27th (20th, 22nd) Lord Kingsale 1822
no issue, succeeded by his nephew:
John Stapleton de Courcy (b.1805 d.1847) - 28th (21st, 23rd) Lord Kingsale 1832
succeeded by his son:
John Constantine de Courcy (b.1827-1865) - 29th (22nd, 24th) Lord Kingsale 1847
no male issue, succeeded by his brother:
Michael Conrad de Courcy (b.1828-1874) - 30th (23rd, 25th) Lord Kingsale 1865
no issue, succeeded by his cousin:
John Fitzroy de Courcy (b.1821 d.1890) - 31st (24th, 26th) Lord Kingsale 1874
no issue, succeeded by his cousin:
Michael William de Courcy (b.1822 d.1895) - 32nd (25th, 27th) Lord Kingsale 1890
of Stoketon House, Saltash, Cornwall.
son of Rev Michael de Courcy DD of Stoketon House (b.1787 d.1860).
g.son of the Hon. Michael de Courcy R.N. "Admiral of the Blue" (d.1828 Stoketon House) & Anne Blennerhassett.
succeeded by his son:
Michael Constantine de Courcy (b.1855 d.1931) - 33rd (26th, 28th) Lord Kingsale 1895
Tea planter at Assam, India from 1874 and director of several tea companies. Managing Director, Moran Tea Company Ltd., London 1901.
of "Stoketon House", Saltash, Cornwall (1895-1901); of "St Bordeaux", Devonport, Devon (1901-1904);
of "The Grange", Cheltenham (1904-1924); of "Stoketon", Battledown, Cheltenham (1924-1928).
succeeded by his son:
Capt. (Michael) William Robert de Courcy (b.1882 India, d.1969) - 34th (27th, 29th) Lord Kingsale 1831
of "Stoketon", Battledown, Cheltenham (1924-1928).
succeeded by his grandson:
Johnde Courcy (b.1941 d.2005) of Nunney, Somerset - 35th (28th, 30th) Lord Kingsale 1969
succeeded by his cousin:
(Nevinson) Mark de Courcy (b.1958) of Auckland, New Zealand - 36th (29th, 31st) Lord Kingsale 2005
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Notes on the ancient family de Courcy,Lord Kingsale
Baron Kingsale, Baron Courcy of Courcy and Baron Ringrone
Premier Baron in the peerage of Ireland
with thanks to Tim Powys-Lybbe for the "The Complete Peerage" [TCP] references.
1. The reference work for de Courcy family genealogy is the "The Complete Peerage" (edition of 2000);
[TCP vol.7 pp.279-293] for older generations and [TCP vol.14 p.415 Addenda et Corrigenda] for 20th century generations.
For earlier periods [TCP] is better researched than is Burke's Peerage [BP].
NOTE: "The Complete Peerage", first published in eight volumes between 1887 and 1898 by George Edward Cokayne (G.E.C.), was replaced by an enlarged edition of 12 volumes (with vol.12 in two parts) published between 1910 and 1959. Vol.13 1940 is a supplement covering changes and additions occurring between 1900 and 1938. A reprint in six volumes was published in 2000, with a new v.14 as an appendix updating to 1995.
2. de Courcy, Baron Kingsale (a.k.a. Kinsale) is the longest surviving hereditory title of any Irish Peerage and as a consequence Lord Kingsale is considered to be Premier Baron in the Peerage of Ireland.
3. THE KINGSALE HAT PRIVILEGE
Tradition has it that the Lords Kinsale enjoy a unique hereditary privilege, said to have been granted to their ancestor John de Courcy, Earl of Ulster by King John (1199-1216), of being permitted to wear their hat when in the King's presence.
["Bourke's Peerage" 1938 p.1445] tells us that Almericus de Courcy, 23rd (16th, 18th) Baron Kingsale, in 1682 "claimed and was allowed the privilege of remaining covered in the Royal presence by King William III"; also that Gerald de Courcy, 24th (17th, 19th) Baron Kingsale, was allowed his hereditory privilege by King George I in 1720 and again by King George II in 1727; and that John de Courcy, 25th (18th, 19th) Baron Kingsale, was allowed his hereditory privilege by King George III in 1762.
["The Gentleman's Magazine 1824, vol. XVIV, part I, supplementary issue, pp.640-641].
An 1824 obituary for Admiral Michael de Courcy R.N. tells us that he was "...the third and eldest surviving son of John, the 25th (18th) Lord Kingsale, Baron Courcy, of Courcy, and Baron Ringrone, premier Baron of the Kingdom of Ireland..." and "...which nobleman, on being presented to his late Majesty (George III, 1760-1820), Sept.15, 1762, had the honour of asserting the ancient privilege of of his family, by wearing his hat in the royal presence, granted to his ancestor, John de Courcy, Earl of Ulster, &c. by John, King of England..."
[The New York Times" 26-Feb-1894] elaborates: "...It is stated that the Lord Kinsale of the day remained covered in the presence both of George III and his consort. He was rebuked with dignity by the King, "...No doubt you are entitled to remain with your hat on in the presence of your sovereign, but you should be uncovered in the presence of a lady..."
["Cheltenham Looker-On" 21-Jan-1905 p.59] has:
"His Lordship, says the Daily Telegraph, is the premier baron of Ireland, his peerage dating from early in 1200, and he has the so-called privilege of standing covered in the presence of the Sovereign - conferred upon an ancestor by King John. It came about in this way. John de Courcy, the founder of the family, after conquering Ulster, incurred the displeasure of the monarch, was deprived of his estates, and condemned to perpetual imprisonent in the Tower of London. When he had been about twelve months in a dungeon a dispute arose between England and France, which, as was not uncommon at the time, was referred to the ordeal of single combat, and John de Courcy offered to represent his Sovereign in the duel. He and the French champion accordingly entered the lists, but the latter was seized with panic and fled. Victory was awarded to the Englishman, and King John promptly restored him his estates and offered to grant him anything besides within his gift. De Courcy only asked that his successors might have the privilege (their obeisance having first been paid) to remain covered in the presence of his Majesty and all future Kings of England, a request that was immediately granted." (this has the feel of an "Irish fireside tale" to it...)
["The Complete Peerage"]
is unconvinced, telling us there is no evidence for the Kingsale hat privilege and that it is probably a concoction that no peer ever exercised, only talked about when outside the area of the Royal Court, but there are suggestions that such a privilege is not completely unknown elsewhere:
a) [The New York Times" 26-Feb-1894] as above tells us also that Lord Kingsale shared the privilege with one other peer, Lord Forrester, whose ancestor "...John Forrester of Watling Street, County Salop, had a grant from King Henry VIII of the privilege of appearing covered in the presence of the King, and the original of that grant is now (1894) in the possession of his descendant, Lord Forrester...".
b) ["Report to the Brown Association, USA, made by Columbus Smith A.D.1868" p.21, Note 3] also ["Family memorials: Genealogies of the families and descendants of the early settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, including Waltham and Weston; to which is appended the early history of the town" 1860 - BROWNE family, p.119 Note 3] both tell us in identical words:
"This Christopher Browne was Sheriff of Rutlandshire, 8th and 16th Henry VII (1492 and 1500) and 1st Henry VIII (1509). He came over with Henry VII and assisted him against Richard III, for which good service King Henry VIII, on the 6th day of July in the 18th year of his reign, granted to his eldest son Francis Browne, of counsel to Lady Margaret Beaufort (mother of Henry VII) Countess of Richmond and Derby, a patent exempting him from holding the office of Sheriff or Escheater, and authorizing him to appear with his head covered in the presence of the King, his heirs, and successors, and of all great men, lords spiritual and temporal, and all other persons whomsoever of the kingdom" [Fuller's "History of the Worthies of England"].
4. There is no evidence to support the oft repeated tale that the family descend from a de Courcy who came to England from Normandy in with William the Conqueror in 1066 [TCP vol.7 p.279].
5. The first member of this family about whom anything is on record is Patrick de Courcy, living in 1221 [TCP vol.7 p.280].
6. The first peer probably Miles de Courcy [TCP vol.7 p.281] although "...there is nothing to indicate whether he became a peer, and, if so, when or how he acquired peerage rank, but possibly circa 1340 he became LORD COURCY of Kinsale..." [TCP vol.7 p.282]. The title Baron Kingsale was not officially confirmed to the de Courcy family until 1327.
7. The account of the barons previous to the middle of the 16th century, and of their succession, is very unsatisfactory [TCP vol.7 p.280] but the peers appear to be more firmly grounded in historical documents from around 1500 and certainly sat in Irish Parliaments from 1475 [TCP vol.7 pp.283-4]. John de Courcy (who married Susan Blennerhassett) sat in the Irish Parliament of 1777.
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8. * Older editions of "Burke's Peerage" [BP] up to & including the 105th ed. (1960)
style John de Courcy (who m. Susan Blennerhassett) as 26th Baron Kingsale;
whereas 106th (1999) and 107th (2003) editions of [BP] style John de Courcy
as 19th Baron Kingsale, losing seven generations.
The numbering used by [TCP] differs from that used by [BP] (both old & new editions),
[TCP] stating that the title Baron Kingsale was not officially confirmed to the family until 1397, hense John de Courcy (who married Susan Blennerhassett)
is perhaps more correctly numbered as the 21st Baron, although they do state
that the [TCP] numbering is based on a few assumptions [TCP vol.7 p.290 note (d)].
The numbering shown in this "Blennerhassett Family Tree" website is:
firstly that in [BP from 1999], followed in brackets by that in [BP until 1960] and that in [TCP]; thus John de Courcy is styled as "26th (19th, 21st) Baron Kingsale". |
9. Under the "Union with Ireland" Act of 1800, Ireland ceased to have its own independant Parliament at Dublin. Irish Peers could not sit in the UK House of Lords at Westminster [TCP vol.7 p.287 note (c), p.293 note (b)] but, under the act, 28 members of the Irish peerage were elected to sit in the House of Lords at Westminster as representatives of their class. They were known as "Representative Peers for Ireland" and once elected served for life. When a representative peer died their replacement was chosen by vote of the members of the Irish peerage, Lord Kingsale being recognised as one of those able to vote.
The 32nd (25th, 27th), 33rd (26th, 28th), and 34th (27th, 29th) Barons Kingsale in the Peerage of Ireland each re-established their succession to the Barony of Kingsale and their right to vote in Elections of Representative Peers for Ireland in 1893, 1896 and 1937 respectively.
No Lord Kingsale was chosen to be a Representative Peer for Ireland, therefore none were invited to sit at Westminster [TCP vol.7 p.291] and the title ceased to have meaning politically, although it remained significant socially and in their own community. As with most Irish peerages, from 1800 the Lords Kingsale became (much like the hereditory chieftains of gaelic Irish Septs and the Geraldine Knights of Munster **) a memorial to Irish aristocracy, history and tradition, the heads of these ancient families retaining their traditional titles and respect but having no real power or authority.
Peers eligible to sit in the UK House of Lords (including those chosen as Representative Peers for Ireland) were not eligible to be elected as Members of Parliament in House of Commons at Westminster; but Irish Peers who had not been chosen as Representative Peers were entitled to seek election for any UK constituency, if they wished, and many did so.
** the three Geraldine knights are the White Knight (extinct 1611 with the death of Maurice FitzGibbon, 12th Knight), the Knight of Glin or "Black Knight" (extinct 2011 with the sad passing of Desmond FitzGerald, 29th Knight of Glin and a fine man), and the Knight of Kerry or "Green Knight", the title presently held by Adrian FitzGerald, 24th Knight of Kerry.
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clippings relating to
THE KINGSALE HAT PRIVILEGE |
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Obituary for Admiral Michael de Courcy in "The Gentleman's Magazine" [GM] 1824,
vol. XVIV, part I, supp. issue, pp.640-641
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"New York Times" 26-Feb-1894
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"Cheltenham Looker-On" 21-Jan-1905 p.59
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"Burke's Peerage 1938" The Baron Kingsale p.1445 | |
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also interred at Cheltenham Borough Cemetery, Bouncers Lane, Cheltenham is Lord Kingsale's cousin:
Thomas de Courcy Hamilton, VC (born 20-Jul-1825 at Stranraer, Wigtonshire, 2nd son of James John Hamilton of Ballymacoll, Co.Meath and Anne Geraldine de Courcy of Kinsale, Co.Cork); was 2nd cousin to Michael Constantinede Courcy (b.1855 d.1931), 33rd Baron Kinsale, on both de Courcy and Blennerhassett sides of his mother's family.
33rd Baron according to his gravestone inscription and Burke's Peerage [BP] up to the 105th edition (1960)
26th Baron according to Burke's Peerage [BP] 106th (1999) and 107th (2003) editions
28th Baron according to "The Complete Peerage" [TCP vol.7 p.290, note (d)]
This relationship with Thomas de Courcy Hamilton is because:
Lord Kingsale was great-grandson of Michael de Courcy R.N., "Admiral of the Blue", and his wife Anne Blennerhassett.
Thomas de Courcy Hamilton, on his mother's side, was grandson of John de Courcy, 26th (19th, 21st) Baron Kingsale and his wife Susan Blennerhassett.
Michael & John de Courcy were brothers, Anne & Susan Blennerhassett were sisters. |
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THE "KINGSALE" SHOP ON LOWER HIGH STREET, CHELTENHAM
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TEAS
at
LONDON
PRICES
_______
Fresh Roasted
COFFEE.
_______
HUNTLEY
and
PLAMERS
BISCUITS
_______
SAUCES,
PICKLES,
JAMS,
JELLIES
and
MARMALADE |
an early view, before the second shop front was added,
from "Rowe's Illustrated Cheltenham Guide" by George Rowe, 1850, p.92 |
BECKINGSALE, GROCER
331 High St. (formerly 187-188 High St., formerly 187 High St.) in Cheltenham is an interesting survivor of the old town, a house with late 17th century origins in use as a shop by 1830.
For most of the 19th and early 20th c. this was Beckingsale's grocery shop, by 1870 converted from single to double fronted.
The adjacent alley-way was "Beckingsale's Passage" until c1874 renamed as "Normal Terrace" after the "Church of England Normal College"
(later "The College of St Paul and St Mary") a teacher training college established in 1847 at the other end of the alley by Cheltenham worthy the Rev. Francis Close.
Above the shop windows was a sign "KINGSALE. AND RETAIL 187" made from five glass panels painted with attractive gold lettering, a matching vertical glass panel separating the two shop fronts. These remained in position until the building was renovated in 2017.
When I first noticed these signs the word Kingsale had me speculating if the shop could be connected to Lord Kingsale, tea planter, during his years at Cheltenham, but is not so.
The shop is listed Grade II under
the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act as a building of special architectural or historic interest, English Heritage I.D. 474792.
Until the renovation of 2017 the previous owner had preserved in-situ these unusual glass shop signs from a bye-gone era; the portion of the sign above the alley would have included the "BEC" of BECKINGSALE, but that was already missing unless perhaps it remains hidden under the modern sign of that wonderful Cheltenham institution "Harding's Electronic Compenents" next door. During refurbishment these old painted glass signs were removed.
Thomas Beckingsale was Grocer, Provision Merchant & Pork Butcher at 187 High Street
1830-1847 "Thomas Beckingsale, grocer & tea dealer" 187 High Street
1844-1851 "John Beckingsale, grocer & tea dealer" 426-427 High Street
1856-1861 "Thomas Beckingsale, grocer" 426-427 High Street
1855-1865 "Mrs Ruth B. grocer, bacon curer & cheese factor" 187 High Street
1870-1881 "Mrs Elizabeth Beckingsale, grocer" 426-427 High Street
1870-1907 "Frederic Beckingsale, grocer" 140 & 187-188 High Street
1894 "Edwin Beckingsale, ironmonger" 149 High Street
1901 "Thomas C. Beckingsale, grocer & provisions" 426-427 High Street
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