THE
BLACKETTS OF THORPE
“Nous travaillerous dans l’esperance”
Records of the Blackett family go back to the 14th century. The first Blackett to be created Baronet was William in 1673. He had built up a large fortune from industry and speculation in the Newcastle area. A handwritten history of the Blackett family displayed below tells the story of how, by luck and quick action he made a killing on the London Exchange, laying the foundation of the large family fortune The 4th Baronet Edward (born 1719) succeeded to the baronetcy in 1756. He was, like his father, High Sheriff of Northumberland and an MP. He married Anne Douglas of West Matfen, N-E of Hexham in 1751 and by the marriage became owner of more manors and lands to add to his already numerous properties. His income in 1759 was said to worth upwards of £5,000 per annum. He was Colonel of the Northumberland Militia. In 1757, a year when food was scarce he donated a “fat cow and …rye to be baked and distributed to the poor neighbouring families”
In 1759 he purchased Thorpe Lea House in Surrey for £950, sold it again in 1802 for £1500 and moved into a mansion also called Thorpe Lea or (Lee) House which he had built nearby and where he lived from1802 until his death in 1804, aged 85. Sir Edward took an active part in all the social activities in the area. He belonged to a social club restricted to 20 (later 25) members, where he played cards when they met fortnightly in the Red Lion in Egham. He went to race meetings in Ascot and Runnymede, attended Royal functions in Windsor Castle (meeting Warren Hastings who had bought Beaumont Lodge in Old Windsor). Thorpe was also convenient for Westminster where he represented Northumberland as an MP from 1768 to 1774.
He is buried in
Ripon Cathedral, where a marble monument bears the inscription:- Sacred to
the memory of Sir Edward Blackett… who departed this life Feb 3rd
1804 after a long and painful illness which he bore with exemplary patience and
Christian resignation. If human worth is
to be estimated by the love, esteem and respect acquired in the circle of
society in which it moved no one could possess it in a higher degree than he
did whose remains are deposited here below.
His dearest relations truly sensible of the irreparable loss they have
sustained caused this monument to be erected as a tribute of conjugal, filial
and fraternal affection
The new house, built by Sir Edward in grounds of over 100 acres, included a farm and a pub for the use of the men on the estate. It was occupied after his death by his son Sir William, the 5th Baronet and his large family, until he died in 1816 from the effects of a chill caught travelling to London in a curricle. The 6th Baronet Sir Edward (born 1803) spent most of his time designing & rebuilding the family’s ancestral home, Matfen Hall, near Hexham . He died in 1885 having married 4 times. His widow remarried in 1888 and her ashes are interred in St Mary’s Church, Thorpe. Another son of the 5th Baronet, John Charles (1813-1896) was born in Thorpe Lea House. He was willed the property by his father, and his family lived there until his death in 1896. Over the years he sold various parts of the property to his widowed mother, Dame Mary Anne Blackett, but before her death in 1859 she “gifted” them back to him. John Charles was a naval officer and absent at sea for long periods (both he and his son, Rear-Admiral Henry Blackett served on HMS Victory). It is obvious from the displayed photographs that his children enjoyed a rich social life at Thorpe Lea House, giving large parties, organising amateur dramatics, and travelling abroad.
The estate was sold in 1897
ITEMS ON DISPLAY
1. A letter written from Versailles, dated Feb 4th, 1804 from Mrs Anne Scott, daughter of Sir Edward (the 4th baronet). She is replying to a letter from her brother William telling her that her father is very ill following a fall. She is reproachful about not having been informed of his illness sooner, although the journey home “through Holland… is a long journey by land and a very dangerous and uncertain one by sea” Her father had actually died on Feb 3rd, the day before she wrote the letter.
2. A letter posted in 1882 mentioning a party for 140 people to be held Thorpe Lea House.
3. Thorpe Lea House (The pink shaded area on item 15 shows the exact location)
4. Miss Nesta Blackett, daughter of John Charles.
5&5a. Family theatricals at Thorpe Lea.
6. A large family party at Thorpe Lea showing John Charles Blackett on the right.
7. Photograph album of family holidays from the late 19th C. Page open shows Thorpe Lea House interiors.
8. Verses on Thorpe Lea House, its inmates, and surroundings. Family described are Mr & Mrs John Charles Blackett and their children and grandchildren ca. 1880.
9. Newspaper account of the funeral of the widow of the 6th Baronet. Her ashes are interred in St Mary’s Church, Thorpe.
10. Autograph book belonging to Vera Katerina Blackett 1888-1960, granddaughter of Sir Edward Blackett, 6th Baronet, before her marriage in 1911 to Baron Octave George Lecca. Dated autographs are from 1898-1904. Portraits of the couple are in Egham Museum.
11. John Charles Blackett. Born 1813. Died 1896.
12. Funeral service for John Charles Blackett.
13. Details of John Charles Blackett’s will in which he directs that the Thorpe Lea estate is to be sold after his death.
14. Sales brochure of the Thorpe Lea Estate dated 1831. Under the terms of the will of his father the 5th Baronet, his second son John Charles became “devisee” of the estate. It was not sold at this time but in 1834 Dame Mary Anne Blackett, the mother of John Charles, (perhaps to ensure that it was kept in the family) bought the House and later other parts of the Estate from him. She then “gifted” them back to him before her death in 1859.
15. Sales brochure of Thorpe Lea, Egham 1897.
16. Handwritten description (author unknown), of several Blackett properties, the Blackett pedigree from the 14th century to the 6th baronet, including Matfen Hall, nr. Hexham (their ancestral home), letters from the 4th baronet to his wife, and one long letter to his grandchild Patience Scott signing himself “The Matfen Fairy” The handwritten account states that “This Sir Edward did not live very much at Matfen, for he bought a villa near Egham, called Thorpe Lea, where he and his wife mostly resided. On one occasion he did not come north during a period of six years”
Joan Wintour
February 2010