Tall Trees and Tiny Acorns
THE LANGSTAFFS OF TEESDALE AND WEARDALE
BY
GEORGE BLUNDELL LONGSTAFF
Transcribed
by
CAROLE A.M. JOHNSON
COPYRIGHT 2001
All Rights Reserved
P. 517- (cccxix .) Appendix XVIII.
BLUNDELL OF LIVERPOOL AND LINCOLN
Mr. Joseph Birkbeck Blundell [b. 1788, d. 1868] made some investigations into the pedigree of this family, about the year 1820 it is said.
He claimed, on what authority is not known, that his family was a branch of the Blundells of Ince. However, in a manuscript pedigree attributed to him he placed at the head one Andre Blondel of Roquincourt, b. 1501, bur. at Les Petits Augustins .Paris, 1558. Roquincourt, consisting of a chateau and a few cottages, is between Versailles and St. Germaine-en-Laye ; Les Petits Augustins is now a stable. I know of no foundation for the idea of a descent from this man. There have been many French Blondels since his time; among others, one David, a Protestant writer, 1591—1655. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes was in 1685, and one of these Protestant Blondels might conceivably have fled to England and settled in Lancashire to continue his race. On the other hand, there are many yeomen Blundells in Lancashire. It is quite likely that many, or all, of these may be descended from the great houses of Ince or Crosby.
In 1881 the learned antiquary and historian of the Blundell families, the Rev. T. Ellison Gibson, wrote the author as follows :— '
" I am amused at the care with which the chief houses at Ince and Crosby have excluded collaterals from their family pedigrees. In Henry VI.'s time Henry Blundell of Crosby occurs, and only one or two children are given. I find a note, however, by William Blundell, his descendant, temp. Jas. I., to this, effect: 'This Henry Blundell had 31 children by two wives, who for the most part marrying neighbours begot a beggarly kindred to the family.' This will account for .the existence of many Blundells in the neighbourhood."
Amongst these obscure descendants may well be the family under consideration, and also the Bryan Blundells of Liverpool, whose pedigree the author printed in the Northern Genealogist, vol. vi.
The first two lines of Pedigree No. 60 are believed to be due to Mr. J. B. Blundell, and are apparently founded on the Standish Parish Registers.
It is quite certain that the family descends from John Blundell, or Blundal, and Elizabeth his wife.
The late Mr. Earwaker found the following entries in the Warrington Parish Registers:—
October 14, 1751. John Blundal, Breeches meaker, to Elizabeth Patten, spinster, both of Warrington, by virtue of a License granted by the Rector.
Feb. 2, 1753. William, son of John Blundal, skinner, and Elizabeth his wife, baptized. Feb. 21, 1808. Frances Leyland, widow, buried, aged 72.
There can, I think, be no doubt that these entries relate to the family.
P. 518- (cccxx .) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln
It is a tradition in Mr. J. B. Blundell's family that John Blundell kept a school in or near Parr, and that the bringing up of her large family of boys was left to the mother, " who had to use the cane pretty freely to keep them in order."
Another tradition is that Elizabeth, who was married at fifteen or sixteen, was a daughter of the family of the Wilson Pattens of Bold Hall, near Parr. There may be some truth in this, but the actual particulars given in Mr. J. B. Blundell's papers are entirely at variance with the facts. Again, the statement that the first John Blundell, at the head of the pedigree, was " a noted character in the Scotch. Rebellion of 1702" (!) may be founded upon fact, but as it stands the statement is not convincing. The following letter from the author's maternal great-grandfather is curious :—
"grantham.
"21st Octr,1778.
" Dear Parents,
" This will serve to inform you I have altered my situation by taking a Wife, which hope you will have no objection to when you know the party. I shall get with her about £500, which think was a very good offer for me, and in short more than I could expect as having little of my own. I was tied yesterday to the worst plague or best comfort. My Wife is sensible, amiable, and of a Good Family, about my own age; but what will most please you, she dotes on me—never saw a Woman so fond of a man before. This is a proof of it, she refused on my account a Gentleman that would have kept her a Chariot. I purpose bringing her to Liverpool next summer to see you. She has a very great Inclination to see you, and, whenever you see her, you'll, I am certain, approve of my choice. She's very affable, sensible (I repeat the word over again), good-natured and much the Gentlewoman. The marriage was very sudden & very agreeable to her friends. I am with her on a visit here at a Gentleman's house. She's a Lincoln Lady. Beg you will give me a line to Mrs Gough's in the course of 8 days. I crave your blessing and remain;
" Your Dutiful Son,
"J. BLUNDELL.
" Mr. John Blundell,
" Moore Street, Liverpool."
The family tradition is that Miss Straw refused a baronet, to the great indignation of her parents.
There is no reason to doubt the family story that Sarah, wife of the second John in the pedigree, expressed a desire for an apple. Her brother-in-law Joseph forthwith climbed up an apple-tree, but fell and was killed. The next day Sarah was prematurely confined of a son, whom she named Joseph, in consequence of the accident.
Edward Straw Blundell, as assistant staff surgeon, was attending the wounded on the field of battle the day after Waterloo, and in those days real teeth were used to supply vacancies in the mouths of the well-to-do. The opportunity was unusual and not to be lost. Accordingly the dentists of Brussels came out on to the field, and were able to gather from the dead sound teeth of every shape and hue ! Truly a gruesome idea.
The author has Edward's Waterloo medal. He would appear to have settled in Belgium, and to have held a post under the Government.
P. 519- (cccxxi.) Appendix XVIII. - Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
The next letter, from a great-uncle of the author, begging from his brother and sister, tells a very common tale; but the sequel is happily no longer common. Lieutenant Blundell was married in the same month in which he admitted that his ready cash was limited to ten shillings. He never reached Jamaica; but a quarrel over some trifling matter led to a duel, and young Blundell died within a month of his marriage :—
"Army depot, Isle of Wight,
" 8 June, 1818.
"Dear Brother,
" You will no doubt be surprised in receiving a Letter from me when most probably you thought me ere this in the West Indies. I hare done everything in my power to get out but without effect.
"There is a Fleet coming round from the Downs very soon, and by it every officer here will go out.
" Henry, I am very sorry to be under the necessity of requesting from you a little pecuniary aid, but in consequence of the expences attending the purchasing of Regimentals, shirts, stockings, &c., I am most deplorably situated. I have drawn from the Agents my pay for more than two months to come to purchase the above articles, which were absolutely necessary for so long a voyage to Jamaica. My Dear Brother, I well know how you are situated and that I am already yr Dr & Henry you may depend on myrepaying you, as I shall have it in my power so to do when I arrive at the Regt., the allowances from the Island being nearly equal to the Pay.
" Cou'd not your Brother get Mr Spence to assist me with a few pounds; tho' he is not friendly with me yet I think he would not see me so very much distressed as I am, without giving a little aid. As I observed to you before Henry, I cannot get any Pay from the Agents, having drawn three months in advance for the purchase of necessaries, &had 1 sailed at the time I expected to have done I shou'd now have been comfortably with my Regiment. Dear Brother £10 wou'd enable me to pay what little I have been under the necessity of borrowing— from my Brother Officers & lay in a small sea stock of a little tea, sugar, &c.
" I hope Henry you will speak to my Sister, & request her to mention my situation to Mr S.; the sum is but trifling to him, but wou'd be I can almost say the salvation of myself.
" I have only Dr Henry 10s. in my possession and cannot draw one farthing from the Agents until about the 10th of next month; you can therefore easily conceive my situation.Do pray send me some little, whatever you can get for me & I shall for ever thank you. Give my Love to y' Wife who I hope is well as also yr Child ; I also hope my Brother Joseph & Sister's Family are in health & long may continue so.
" Anxiously waiting yr reply,
" Believe me, Dear Brother,
"Affectionately yours,
"J. BLUNDELL,
" Lieut. 101 Regt.
" PS.—I would have written to London for a little aid but I well know their inability. God bless you.
" Mr Henry Blundell, Merchant, Hull."
P. 520- (cccxxii.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
THE CARISBROOKE DUEL.
THE INQUEST.
depositions re death of john blundell.
Isle of Wight, to wit.
July, 1813. informations of Witnesses severally taken and acknowledged on the behalf of our Sovereign Lord the King touching the. death of John Blundell at the dwelling-house of Wm. Kingswell, known by the sign of the Wheat Sheaf Inn, in the Parish of Newport, in the Borough of Newport, in the Isle of "Wight, on the twelfth day of July, and from thence continued by adjournment to the 13th day of July, in the Fifty-third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, before me, Thos. Sewell, His Majesty's Coroner for the said Isle, on an Inquisition then and there taken on view of the Body of the said Jn° Blundell then and there lying dead, as follows, to wit:—
William Davis, Esq., Captn. in the 1st West India Regiment, being sworn on his oath, saith that he has been the Commanding Officer at Niton Barracks from the 24th day of March last to the present time; that Mr. McGuire, an Ensign in the 6th West India Regt., went to Niton Barracks with him; that about a month or six weeks after wards Lieut. Blundell of the 101st Regt. came as an Officer to the Barracks at Niton, and continued there to the 25th of June last. And this Witness further sayeth that about a week or ten days since he heard Mr. McGuire say he was much hurt by Mr. Blundell's having set abroad a report of his having given Mr. McGuire some Clothes, which Mr; M'Guire said was not true. And this witness further saith that he has known the said Mr. M°Guire for four Months very intimately, and that he has always found him of a quiet and peaceable Disposition.
W. DAVIS,
Capt. 1st W.I. Regt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Rev. Jno. Barwis :of Niton, in the said Isle, Clerk, being sworn on his oath, saith that on Thursday night, the eighth inst., about nine o'clock, a Mrs. White applied to this Deponent, and informed him that she feared that there was some ill blood amongst the Officers, and she wished this Deponent would advise her what to do. That this Deponent then went out into the Village of Niton; that he there saw Ensign McGuire walking before the door of the Inn called the White Lion. That he spoke to Ensign McGuire and told him. that he feared he was disposed to quarrel. That Ensign McGuire told this Deponent that he had been very ill-used by Lieut. Blundell, for that Lieut. Blundell had set about a report that he (Lieut. B:) had supplied him (Ensign McG.) with Clothes. That he (this Deponent) told the said Ensign M'Guire that this was not worth his Notice, and that he had better go home, which Ensign McGuire promised to do, and gave this Deponent his word of Honor that he would not challenge Lieut. Blundell. That this Deponent then called at the White Lion and spoke to Lieut. Blundell; that Lieut. B. waived as much as possible answering this Deponent's Enquiries. That this Deponent then went into a room at the White Lion with Lieut. Blundell, in which room were four other Officers. That this Deponent told them he was a Magistrate; that he feared they were inclined to commit Breaches of the Peace;
P. 521- (cccxxiii.) Appendix XVIII. - Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln
that he must not allow it. That an Officer at the head of the table whose name he has heard is Dillon replied to this Deponent, and in an Harangue of considerable length attempted to justify the practice of Duelling, and said that it was absolutely necessary . that Officers should fight when they were insulted, and that if any Officer should refuse to fight the Commander should be informed of it. That this Deponent considered that the purport and intent of these observations was to provoke and incite Lieut. Blundell to fight. And this Deponent further saith that the said Mr. Dillon promised this Deponent that no Duel should take place within this Deponent's District, and this Deponent then left them.
jno barwis
James FitzGerald, Servant to Joseph Gilchrist, an Officer in the 6th West India Regiment, being sworn on his Oath, saith: That on Friday last; the ninth inst., he took & Box from his Master's Room in the Barracks of Parkhurst, in the Isle of Wight, to Mr. Pragnell's, a Baker in Newport; that he then went back to his Master and met him on the Road; that his Master directed him to return with him to Newport. That he went with his Master to Carisbrooke Castle. That Mr. McGuire, an Officer in the same Regiment, went with this Witness's master. That John Blundell, the deceased, shortly came, and a Mr. Hemming, an Officer, with him. That this Witness saw the four meet together. That he saw Mr. Blundell and Mr. McGuire both fire off a Pistol. That Mr. Blundell's Pistol burst. That Mr. Blundell asked Mr. McGuire if he had any objection to let him have a shot out of one of his Pistols, and Mr. McGuire replied, "Yes, with the greatest pleasure." That Mr. Hemming went for the Pistol and brought it to Mr. Blundell. That he saw the Pistol loaded on the Ground before the Parties fired. That the Pistols were loaded by Mr. Hemming and Mr. Gilchrist, seconds. That he saw Mr. Hemming give one Pistol to Mr. Blundell and Mr. Gilchrist gave the other Pistol to Mr. McGuire. That he then heard Mr. Hemming say, "Make ready, present, fire"; that Mr. McGuire and Mr. Blundell both fired and Mr. Blundell then fell. That Mr. B. and Mr. McG. stood about twelve or thirteen yards apart. That after Mr. Blundell fell he sent this Witness for a Surgeon; that having procured a surgeon he returned to the Castle, and there saw Mr. Blundell lying (wounded) on the ground, but that neither Mr. ,McGuire, Mr. Hemming, or Mr. Gilchrist were there. That at the time the first Pistol was fired two Officers, namely, a Mr. .Slater and a Mr. Kingsley of the 101st Regt., were in sight of this Witness, but at some distance off; that they may have seen Mr. Blundell and Mr. McGuire if they had looked, that way. That Mr. Slater and Mr. Kingsley did not come up after the first fire, but that they came up as soon as Mr. Blundell fell. That when Mr. Blundell fell Mr. McGuire went up to him, and Mr. Blundell said: " I'm dying now and forgive you, Mr. McGuire, from my soul and heart." That Mr. Blundell and Mr. McGuire shook hands. That Mr. McGuire, Mr. Hemming and Mr. Gilchrist all left the ground immediately. And this Witness saith that he did not know there was any Duel to be fought till he got to the Castle or he would not have gone. And this Witness saith that Mr. McGuire appeared perfectly cool and collected during his walk from Newport to the Castle, lastly this Witness saith that after Mr. McGuire and Mr. Blundell had fired the first time he saw Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Hemming go up to both of them and speak to them, but what they said he did not hear.
His Mark
JAMES X FITGERALD
P. 522- (cccxxiv.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
Donald McCleod a Private in the 78th Regt., Servant to Mr. Hemming, a Lieut. in the 101st Regt. being sworn on his oath, saith: That his Master was stationed at the Barracks at Parkhurst, near Newport, on Friday, last, the ninth inst. That about twelve o'clock at noon he was sent by his Master to Carisbrooke Castle with two pistols in a basket. That when he arrived at the Castle he saw his Master, three other Officers, and a private Soldier there. That he has heard and believes that the names of the said three Officers were McGuire, Blundell, and Gilchrist. That Mr. Gilchrist and Mr. Hemming each loaded a Pistol. That one Pistol was given to Mr. Blundell and the other to Mr. McGuire. That Mr. Hemming said, "Make ready, present, fire." That Mr. McGuire and Mr. Blundell both fired at the same time. That at this time this witness was standing by the other servant. That after this Mr. Hemming and Mr. Gilchrist loaded pistols again and delivered them to the parties as before. That Mr. Hemming again said, "Make ready, present, fire." That Mr. McGuire and Mr. Blundell both fired. That Mr. Blundell then fell. That this Witness then went up to him, as did Mr. McGuire, Mr. Hemming, Mr. Gilchrist, and the other servant. That Mr. McGuire asked Mr. Blundell to forgive him; that Mr. Blundell said he did With all his heart. That at the time this transaction took place there were two other
Gentlemen standing a considerable distance off, but this witness cannot say whether they could or could not see Mr. Blundell and Mr. McGuire. That these Gentlemen did not come up after the first Fire, but did immediately after the second Fire, as did several other persons about five minutes afterwards. That Mr. McGuire, Mr. Hemming, and Mr Gilchrist all left the ground shortly after Mr. Blundell fell. That neither Mr. McGuire or Mr. Blundell appeared angry at the time they fired. That at the time Mr. Blundell and Mr. McGuire fired Mr. Hemming and Mr. Gilchrist were standing very near to them, but that the other two persons stood a considerable distance off. And this Witness further saith that he did not see either Mr. Hemming or Mr. Gilchrist try to prevent Mr. McGuire and Mr. Blundell firing a second time after they had fired the first time.
DONAI.D X MCCLEOD.
Mark
Thomas Baylis, Esq., Captain and Adjutant of the Army Depot Staff, being sworn on his oath, saith that he saw the Deceased, John Blundell, on Friday afternoon, the ninth inst., about five o'clock. That the said Jno. Blundell was then in bed in the Wheat Sheaf Inn in Newport. That the said John Blundell informed this Deponent that he believed he waa mortally wounded, and that he did not believe he should live. That he had been wounded in a Duel with Lieut. McGuire. That this Deponent asked him who the Parties were, for that he was sent down by General Taylor to enquire into the affair; he said that Lieut. Hemming was his second, and that Edward Gilchrist was second to Mr. McGuire; that he then said: "I had no wish to meet McGuire; I had no animosity against him whatever, but I was in a manner compelled to it." That this Deponent then asked him in what way. That he then told him the Officers of his Regiment had come out to Niton, hearing that there was some difference between him and McGuire, and insisted, that he should call McGuire out. That he said: "It was no wish of mine to fight McGuire, for that, as I had obtained leave of absence from the Adjutant-General for the purpose of going on half-pay, it was my intention to have gone to London and to have left the business to itself, but, situated as I was, I could
P. 523- (cccxxv.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
not do otherwise." That this Deponent then asked him the names of the Persons who came out to Niton, and he said they were Lieut. Dillon, Lieut. Slater, Lieut. Kinsley, Lieut. Hemming, and Lieut. O'Brien. That the deceased told this Deponent that some of the said Officers told him that unless he met McGuire they could not keep his Society, and he must quit the Regiment. And this Deponent further saith he believes that at the time the Deceased was conversing with this Deponent he, the said deceased John Blundell, considered himself to be mortally wounded, but that the said Jn° Blundell was in his perfect-senses and well knew what he said. And this Deponent on his Oath further saith that he saw the said Jn° Blundell again on the Saturday, the tenth inst., when he thought himself better, and that the said Jn° Blundell then repeated to this Deponent the statement he had made the preceding day.
Thomas Baylis.
Henry White of Portsmouth in the County of Southampton, Esq., being sworn on his Oath, saith that he saw the Deceased Jn° Blundell on Saturday last, at which time he was lying in Bed at the Wheat Sheaf Inn and was wounded. That this Deponent conversed with him. That the said Jn° Blundell told this Deponent that it was a bad business, that it was all malice and spite, and had it not been that Dillon, O'Brien, and them came out to Niton, he should have got through it. And this Deponent further saith that he asked the said Jn° Blundell whether any attempt had been made after the first shot to compromise the Business and that the said Jn° Blundell replied, "None." And this Deponent further saith that he verily believes that at the time the said Jn° Blundell made these declarations he considered himself mortally wounded.
Henry White.
William dunlop, Assistant Surgeon of the 89th Regt., being sworn on his Oath, saith that on Friday afternoon, the ninth inst., he was called on to attend the deceased Jn° Blundell, whom found lying on the Ground behind Carisbrooke Castle; that he found him wounded. That there was a wound on the right side of the Back of the said Jn° Blundell about two inches from the backbone, between the backbone and the shoulder blade. That he dressed the wound and attended the deceased to the day of his death, which happened on Sunday, the llth inst. That he has since opened the Body of the deceased and extracted there from a leaden Pistol Ball, which he found under the left armpit, and which had penetrated from the backbone through the left lung, struck the sixth rib, which it had broken and had also injured the spinal marrow, and this Deponent further saith that he has no doubt that the wound given by the said ball was the immediate cause of the death of the said Jn° Blundell.
W. Dunlop.
THE TRIAL.
extract from the "hampshire courier" of the 2ND of august, 1813.
(Also-in "annual register," 1813, p. 310.)
Duelling. Winchester Assizes, Saturday, July 31, 1813, before Mr. Justice Gibbs.
Edward Mc.Guire, AndrewDillon, Joseph Gilchrist, and Daniel O'Brien, charged with the wilful murder, of Lieut. Blundell, in a duel, in the. Isle, of Wight. The Rev. John. Barwis is a magistrate residing at Niton in the Isle of Wight. On the 8th of July, about eight in the
P. 524- (cccxxvi.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
evening, he was informed that Mrs. White, mother in law to Lieut. Blundell, the deceased, wished to see him; he went to her about dusk in consequence of what she said he went to the White Lion, and asked the landlord for Mr. McGuire, who came to him, and they walked backward and forward near the Inn. He told McGuire, in consequence of information he must bind him to keep the peace. McGuire replied, he was a peaceable man, and that he had been ill-used ; that Blundell had raised a report that he had supplied McGuire with clothes. Witness said he must do his duty if he persisted in his intention of fighting, and requested him to go to the barracks immediately. He replied he should be happy to oblige him, and he repeated his request, and required his word and honour that he would not fight "Blundell." McGuire replied: " I give you my word of honour that I will not challenge Blundell, on which they parted, and McGuire went towards the barracks. Witness returned to the White Lion and desired Blundell might be brought to him. He waited a considerable time, but he did not come; went to the house where he was, and saw Blundell in company with Lieuts. Dillon and Andrew O'Brien. Mr. Blundell came to him, and they had some conversation. Mr. Blundell returned, and so did the Witness, Addressing himself to the company, Lieut. Dillon sitting at the head of the table, said he feared they were there at no good; that he was a magistrate, and that he came to keep the peace; that if there was any disposition to a duel he should bind them over. Mr. Blundell then took the lead in the conversation, and said in certain situations gentlemen in the army were obliged to fight duels. Dillon observed if an officer in his regiment refused to fight he should feel it his duty to inform the commanding officer. The rest, with the exception of Blundell, followed, but did not say so much about it. Witness then repeated that he would have no fighting, and asked if there was no intermediate course. He was told by Mr. Dillon that fighting there must be in some situations. After a little more conversation he retired, saying there should be no fighting. Mr. Dillon said to him, "There shall be no fighting in your district." They were then eating and drinking freely. Witness then went home.
The Judge censured Mr. Barwis for not acting more promptly.
Cross-examined: Is quite certain Mr. Dillon and Mr. O'Brien were at The Red Lion, when he saw them before the Coroner recognized them. O'Brien did not say much, but what he said accorded with Dillon.
James Fitzgerald, private in the 96th Regt. of Foot, is servant to Ensign Gilchrist; was so on the 9th of this month; was in Parkhurst Barracks on that morning, by order of his master he took to Newport a box ; did not at that time know its contents, went to Mr. Webb's for a hat for him, and afterwards went with his master to where the duel was fought, at the back of Carisbrook Castle. Mr. M°Guire was with his master. Soon after they were there Mr. Blundell and Mr. Hemmings came to the spot. When they met they proceeded to the back of the Castle, and Mr. Hemmings then measured out the ground, taking either twelve or thirteen paces. Hemmings asked Mr. Gilchrist for a pistol. Gilchrist answered, "If you have it, it shall be without my consent and against my wishes that they should be used on that day," on which Mr. Hemmings was desired by Mr. Blundell to get one of his own, and the pistol was produced and loaded. Mr. Hemmings gave the word and both fired together. Blundell stood his ground, and handed his pistol to Hemmings. Hemmings said the pistol was burst, and Blundell asked to borrow one of Gilchrist, as he wished to have another shot. Then Gilchrist and Hemmings went to Blundell and afterwards to McGuire but
P. 525- (cccxxvii.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
he did not hear what passed. After this they loaded McGuire's pistols and each took one. Hemmings gave the word, they fired, and Mr. Blundell fell. McGuire, Hemmings, and Gilchrist came up to him. Blundell said, "My dear McGuire, I am dying, but I forgive you from my heart and soul." Then Gilchrist shook hands with him and said, "Are you satisfied that we have behaved as gentlemen to-day?" He replied, "Yes, my dear Gilchrist; I die in peace with you all." Witness was sent for a doctor, whom he met coming out, and when he returned the parties were all gone.
Mr. Wm. Dunlop is surgeon of the 99th [? 98th] Regiment. On the 9th inst. he was called on to attend Mr. Blundell about one o'clock at Newport. He was lying on his back, his clothes taken off, and a medical gentleman attending., The ball had entered between the backbone and shoulder-blade, had passed through the lungs, and struck the sixth rib on the left side, and finally lodged under the armpit.
Thomas Raylis, Captain and Adjutant at the Army Depot in the Isle of Wight, on the 9th was in company with the deceased; (Blundell). In consequence of a letter witness waited on the deceased, who told him he was mortally wounded. Witness told him he was sent by Gen. Taylor to enquire into the circumstances, and requested him to inform him who were the seconds. He replied Hemmings was his second, Gilchrist the other's. He said that Mr. McGuire and he had had an altercation, but that it was not his wish to meet Mr. McGuire; he would have settled it, but that he was in a manner compelled. He said several officers had been to him; their names were: O'Brien, Dillon, and several others; that he did not owe Mr. McGuire any animosity. It was between four and five in the afternoon when he went down to Blundell, he understood on the same day the duel took place. There were several persons in the room when he went there, but did not particularly observe anyone. He went to Blundell for the purpose of collecting the particulars. He told him it was not his intention to have fought if he could have avoided it; that he had the Adjutant-General's permission to go to London; that he intended to let the business pass over, and to have got on the half-pay, and that he was going off on that day. O'Brien and Dillon told him if he did not meet M'Guire he should be discarded. Witness could not learn how the dispute originated.
Henry White is father-in-law to the deceased; saw him on the 10th inst., and was told by him he had received a wound, which he supposed would be mortal; said he was sorry to be seen by him in such a situation; that it was not his fault; it was a malicious business that he could not help it, and that he did not wish to fight; that O'Brien and Dillon and others had come down to the White Lion the evening before, and he was obliged to do it by the officers he had been conversing with.
Mr. Dillon, in his defence, said he was not aware of being implicated in this charge till yesterday morning, and from the shortness of notice he could not procure the witnesses he could have procured if the time had been longer.
McGuire is a native of Ireland and a stranger in this country; that he was challenged by the deceased, and as a gentleman was obliged to accept it.
Mr. Gilchrist said he was a native of. Scotland, and that, from the shortness of time since the transaction, he had not sufficient time to obtain his witnesses to his character.
Mr. O'Brien is a native of Ireland; said there was not time to acquaint his connections with his situation. .
McGuire received a good character from Capt. Davis and the Rev, Mr. Barwis.
P. 526- (cccxxviii.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
Mr. Dutch, the Surgeon, knows McGuire;_ he has borne a very good character. Capt. Roylis [?]Rayles gave McGuire a favourable character. Lieut. J. Husom of the 89th
has, known Mr Gilchrist since the year 1809; since that period he has borne the best possible character. Dr. Dunlop has known Mr. Gilchrist since he has been at the Depot;
his conduct and character have been most gentlemanly.
Guilty—Death.
Further Extract from same paper.
It will be seen by our report of the trials at Winchester that the parties concerned in the Duel, in which the late Lieut. Blundell fell at Carisbrooke in the Isle of Wight, are all cast for death, but are respited to the 21st August
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"gentleman's magazine," Vol. 83, p. 183, 21st August 1813.
At the Hampshire Assizes, Ensigns McGuire and Gilchrist, Lieutenants Dillon and O'Brien, principals and accessories in a duel at Newport between McGuire and Blundell of the 101st regiment, were tried for the murder of Blundell (Lieutenant Hemmings, who acted as second to Blundell, did not surrender himself). The variance originated in McGuire supposing that Blundell had reported that he had supplied McGuire with clothes. The deceased, it appeared, would not have fought had he not been influenced by the sentiments of his brother officers. They were all sentenced to suffer death, but reprieved till the 21st instant, and have been since further reprieved.
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"gentleman's magazine," Vol. 83, p. 287, 12th September 1813.
The four officers found guilty of murder and sentenced to death for being concerned in the late duel at the Isle of Wight, in which Lieutenant Blundell was killed (see p. 183), have been pardoned by the Prince Regent. Lieutenant Dillon, Ensigns O'Brien and Gilchrist, are dismissed His Majesty's service; the two latter are left open to restoration. Ensign McGuire, by whose hand Lieutenant Blundell fell, is pardoned. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"THE TIMES," 23rd August 1813.
The four officers sentenced to be executed at Winchester for the murder of Lieutenant Blundell in a duel have received a further respite till the 2nd of September.
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"THE TIMES," 15th September 1813.
The four officers found guilty of murder and sentenced to death for the part they had severally taken in the late duel in the Isle of Wight, in which Lieutenant Blundell of the 101st Regiment was killed, have been pardoned. A special representation on the subject from the Civil Administration to the Commander-in-Chief having, however, been thought proper, and the Commander-in-Chief having, in consequence, made a special military case for the decision of the Prince, in which it is declared, on a full consideration of all the circumstances, that the unfortunate officer who lost his life.
P. 527- (cccxxix.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
and the officer by whose, hand he fell (Ensign McGuire, 6th West India Regiment), are the least guilty, but no such palliation appearing on the part qf Lieutenant Dillon, 101st, Ensign O'Brien, 101st, or Ensign Gilchrist, 6th West India Regiment, these three are dismissed His Majesty's service, Lieutenant Dillon being declared incapable of serving His Majesty again, for not having used the influence of his superior rank over inexperienced minds for the purpose of conciliating rather than inflaming. Ensigns Gilchrist and O'Brien are left open to restoration. Ensign McGuire is pardoned with out condition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Blundell appears to have been about twenty nine; he had been married but a few weeks. The duel was fought on a grass-plot, between two bastions just outside the castle walls, at the end opposite the gate.
The late Charles Edward Blundell, writing 8 April 1893 to Llewellyn Wood Longstaff, said: "I have heard my uncle, Dr. T. L. Blundell, say that when he visited Carisbrooke Castle (date not stated) there was pointed out to visitors the place where the combatants stood, and their respective initials were cut in the grass--'E. M. and J. B.' When I was there in 1855 there was no trace of this, nor could 1, by diligent enquiry, learn where the precise spot was." The author visited the castle in 1897 and found but one man about the. place, an aged gardener, who knew anything about the duel. The story ran that the initials were cut out fresh every year by an unknown hand —conjecture saidBlundell's young widow. The .late Rev. James Edwards Sewell, D.D., many years Warden of New College, Oxford, told the writer that he had often heard his father, the coroner, talk of this, duel, but had little thought that he would ever come across a relative of one of the principals.
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A. Short History of the Firm of Blundell, Spence? and Co., Colour, Paint, Oil, and Varnish Manufacturers, of Hull and London.
Henry Blundell started in business on his own account as a brush-maker 12 October 1810 at Hodgson Street, The Groves, Hull, being then 21 years of age. Shortly after-wards the premises were burned down.
In 1811. he entered into partnership with William Spence of Drypool, Hull, and carried on the business of a colour and paint manufacturer and general merchant at " The Mill," Beverley Street, Beverley Road, Hull, and at the staith and warehouses in Wapping Street, Wincolmlee, Hull, then known as "The Wharf," trading under the name of Henry Blundell. " The Mill " was then, and until 1846, worked by wind.
A new partnership under. the same name was entered into 1 November 1822, but this was superseded 1 November 1837, when Joseph Blundell (brother of Henry) described as "colour manufacturer, of Hull," and Robert Henry Spence (son of William'), described as "gentleman, of Hull," entered the firm, which henceforth traded under the name of " Blundell, Spence, and Co." Additional premises are mentioned in the deed, viz., North Street (Prospect Street, Hull), where "rose pink" was made, and "near Sculcoates Church," afterwards known as "Bankside." The greater
P. 528- (cccxxx.) Appendix XVIII. - Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
part of the capital was supplied by Mr. Spence, but he was a "sleeping partner," leaving the management to the others.
At some time between 1822 and 1838 business was also carried on at Brigg, co. Lincoln, but this was sold prior to 1841.
A patent was taken out 15 September 1886 by John Frederick William Hempel and Henry Blundell for an improved method of operating upon certain vegetable and animal substances in the process of manufacturing candles therefrom.
In 1836 or 1837 a factory was started at Wandsworth by Henry Blundell for the manufacture of Palmitine Candles from palm oil under this patent, and also for the preparation of machine oil from the same. It was as manager of this factory and head of the London house, newly established at 3 Queen Street, Cheapside, that Dr, Longstaff first entered the business. The great extension of railways at about this time, and consequent greatly increased use of palm oil as a lubricant, raised the price of the raw oil to such a point as to make the manufacture of candles unprofitable. The patent was sold to the predecessors of Price's Patent Candle Co., Limited, and the Wandsworth factory handed over to them 21 June 1845.
The first London office and warehouse were at 3 Queen Street, Cheapside, the staff consisting of a manager, one clerk, two men, and a boy—the latter (James Baxter) was in 1898 still in the service as a packer in the warehouse, having served continuously over sixty years—whereas the present office staff consists of twenty-five (not counting travellers and. agents all over the world), while nearly 50 men and boys are employed in the warehouse. In addition about 400 men are employed at Hull.
In 1844 the London office was at 69 Upper Thames Street, but in October 1847 another move was made to Anchor Wharf, 9 Upper Thames Street. The freehold of these premises was acquired by the Company 31 May 1888. In October 1884 a serious fire broke out in the old warehouse fronting the river. The flames burst out to a great height, and in a short time about a dozen land steamers and four floating engines were pumping on the old building. By the skill and energy of the firemen the conflagration was soon got under. There were two remarkable circumstances connected with this fire: (1) Captain Shaw called the attention of the Managing Director the next day to the way in which the old oak posts supporting the floors of the warehouse had resisted the attacks of the flames, and he stated that a modern " fireproof " construction of iron would certainly have collapsed; (2) Of a number of barrels of turpentine standing side by side several exploded, whereas the others were sold with contents uninjured the next week! Also packing-cases containing tins of varnish packed in sawdust were scarcely injured.
Between 1880 and 1833 Henry Blundell patented machinery for the manufacture of oil, the most important element in the invention being the application of Bramah's, hydraulic press to the extraction of oil from the linseed. After much opposition, and under circumstances which demanded the utmost tact and determination, the use of this machinery became general throughout the country, and the old presses with wedges driven by hammers were abandoned. Besides a larger yield of oil at a lower price, the manufacture, from being so noisy as to create a great nuisance became a quiet one. The Groves Oil Mill, rebuilt in 1857, was long a model for the trade, embodying as it did all the latest improvements, and admirably planned so as to economize labour and power. At the Great Exhibition in 1862 one of the special attractions of the machinery court was the crushing of linseed and the extraction of the oil by machinery manufactured
P. 529- (cccxxxi.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
by. Martin Samuelson and Co. of Hull, and worked by Blundell, Spence and Co. Henry Blundell also made a speciality of Brunswick green, and "Blundell's greens" achieved a wide reputation.
1 November 1844. — George Dixon Longstaff appears to have entered into partner ship with Henry Blundell and William Spence for six years, the style of the firm remaining the same— "Blundell, Spence, and Co." Brigg no longer appeared among the places of business, but in its stead 69. Upper Thames Street. As before William Spence provided a large part of the capital, but left the management in the hands of the others.
Dr. Longstaff had not had a commercial training, and attributed much of his success, in business to the fact. Thus, he strenuously opposed the old practice of drawing bills, and substituted therefor prompt payments in cash.
It had always been the custom of the firm to manufacture articles of first-class quality, rather than to aim at low prices; a custom which received the Doctor's strong support. "Blundell's were among the first firms to sell by imperial measure, contrary to the usual practice of the trade.
The same parties continued in partnership till 1. November 1864. Meanwhile in 1860 Mr. Spence had died, aud his place been taken by his executors. In 1862 the seed crushing business and the extensive premises in which it was carried on were transferred to Messrs. Walker and Smith (afterwards turned into a Limited Liability Company).
When the old partnership came to an end George Dixon Longstaff entered into partnership with his elder son, Llewellyn Wood Longstaff (who had been engaged in the scientific department since I860) The style of the firm remained, however, " Blundell, Spence, and Co," and money was for a time left in the concern by Henry Blundell and by Henry Spence Blundell (only son of Henry), who had been for many years in the business with a share in the profits, though, not a partner.
In I865 Henry Blundell died. In 1874 the partnership between the Longstaffs came to an end, and in consequence of the advanced age of Dr. Longstaff, and for other reasons, it was thought desirable to turn the concern into a Limited Liability Company, with a capital of £200,000. This was done, and Dr. Longstaff was the first chairman of "Blundell, Spence, and Co., Limited." Happily, unlike some old firms turned into companies, this one has had a long and prosperous career. In 1884 a system of profit-sharing by gratuities was introduced, which has done much to confirm the previously existing good-feeling between employers and employed. The smallest amount distributed under the scheme was £576, the largest £3688.
It speaks much for all concerned that many of the employes of all grades spent practically all their active lives under the old firm, or the Company that succeeded it. The following deserve mention by name in this connection; the figures in brackets give the number of years' service:-
A. Bateman [Warehouseman, 45], William Bell [Cashier, 52], Thomas Domey [Warehouse foreman, 45], A. Edmonds [Rose pink maker, 50], William Ellis [Warehouseman, 54], William Hill [Managing Director_43] Benjamin Holmes [Sawyer, 60], Robert Livingston [Rose pink maker, 50],
Robert A.Meggitt [Managing
Director, 46] , William Parker [General foreman, 62], Charles Procter [Foreman tinner, 48], James Procter [Traveller, 54], John Purdon [Bankside foreman, 5l], Overton Purdon [57], William Richmond [Traveller, 54], George Thompson [Paint grinder, 51], Arthur Webster (Oil boiler, 50].
Probably the list is not exhaustive.
P. 530- (cccxxxii.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
HENRY BLUNDELL
Henry Blundell who, was Dr. Longstaff's father-in-law as well as his partner, was born at Lincoln 23 July I789 being the fifth son of John Blundell, malster and corn merchant of that city, by his wife Sarah; eldest daughter of Noah Straw, malster of the same.
Educated in his native city, he went to Hull as a lad, and according to the custom of the time custom of the time served an apprenticeship to Messrs. Piercy, and Thomas, Brush Makers, of Church Street, Hull. He used to say that in those days, during the French war, it was common for the apprentices of the seaport, to oppose the press gangs in their unpopular work—an amusement which led to the exchange of hard knocks.
He married, at 22, Maria, daughter of Bartholomew Porter,* tanner, of Hull, by his wife Mary (23 May I811)** His wife died at "Brunswick House" 8 July 1862 aged 74. So that he enjoyed 51 years of married life.
In the early days of Blundell, Spence, and Co., and for many year after, he lived in a very modest house, No. 49, Spencer Street, Prospect Street, near "The Mill"; later (about 1828), when success seemed assured, he built "Brunswick House" a commodious residence With large garden and land at the back. Here he was able to gratify his taste for pictures as well as to grow pines and grapes. It was pulled down shortly after Mr. Blundell's death, and the land is now covered with small houses.
Henry Blundell took a very active part in local affairs of all sorts; he was for many years an Alderman and was Mayor in 1853, when the meeting of the British Association in Hull gave scope for his liberal hospitality. He was assiduous in his attendance on the Bench, and in the Town Council was an ardent sanitary reformer, having been largely instrumental in securing the provision of baths and washhouses.
He was a member of the Sculcoates Board of Guardians, a Governer of the Infirmary, a supporter of the Rifle Corps and the Botanic Gardens, Chairman of the South Bridge Company, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
In politics he was a staunch Liberal, and an active supporter of his party; his residence in the United States, and later the events connected with the Civil War in America, did much to modify the extreme views of his earlier days. In religion he became a Unitarian by conviction, but .frequently went to Church, and liberally supported the institutions of various denominations. He was kindly and benevolent, some might say almost to the point of weakness, though he was "bold and outspoken in the Council chamber.
His appearance was most venerable. Of medium height, a fair pink face, silver-white hair as fine as floss silk, a long white beard with just a streak of red, closely knit brows, a frequently twitching mouth. The author has two very clear mental pictures of his grandfather; in the one, at a fancy dress ball at "Brunswick House,"
*Bartholomew Porter had 23 children; among the boys were a Bartholomew, a George, and a Peter ; among the girls, besides Mrs. Blundell and Mrs. Spence, were Mrs. Ramsdeny Mrs. Carrick, Mrs. Raines (wife of Robert Raines and mother of Mrs. Garton), and Harriet, who married a man named Rhodes and went out to S. Africa where she became the mother, of Porter Rhodes (no relation to Cecil), in whose claim at Kimberley was found the "Porter Rhodes", diamond, a stone of 150 carats, "in weight exceeded by many other stones, but in purity of colour having very few rivals. "[See Edwin W. Streeter's "Precious Stones and Gems," 6th edition, p. 89.]
** The author has before him a page of Henry Blundell's old account book containing the interesting items of Marriage Licence, Ring, Bride, Cake, Ringers, Fees, Coach hire, etc. !
P. 531- (cccxxxiii.) Appendix XVIII. Blundell of Liverpool and Lincoln.
the old man distaining the false beard supplied by the costumier made a grand Cardinal Richelieu as he swept from room to room, his flowing scarlet robes borne by a page in purple velvet, puffed and slashed (the author!); in the other he sees his grandfather
slowly descending the ample staircase of "Brunswick House," in perfect peace with
himself and all mankind as he played some simple air upon a penny whistle-pjpe. For Henry Blundell was very musical, and had a curious fancy for that instrument, so that
he would spend half-an-hour in a toy shop trying a boxful of penny whistles to find one
more tuneful ,than the rest. Another musical eccentricity was his delight in hearing
the orchestra tuning-up for the opera.
He retired from business on 31st October 1864, and died unexpectedly after a very
short illness 28 January 1865 at the .age of 75. His funeral in the Hull Cemetery on
February 1st was the occasion of a quite extraordinary demonstration of his popularity
with all classes.
He survived his wife but two years and a half, and left one son, sevendaughter’s and twenty one grandchildren.
William Spence, born 1783 at Bishop Burton, near Beverley (where his father farmed his his own estate), served an apprenticeship with- Messrs. Carlill, Greenwood, and Co., Russian merchants and shipowners. He married Elizabeth, sister of Henry Blundell, with whom he shortly after entered into partnership, a partnership that lasted nearly 50 years. He lived 1806—1811, and probably later, at Drypool, Hull; but in 1820 he was living at 40 Dock Street, Hull. For several years he was very subject to severe headache, which was indeed almost continuous, and as a consequence received the special permission of the Commandant to walk on the ramparts of the Citadel, which afforded a quiet and secluded promenade close to his house at Drypool. He appears to have visited Matlock, Clifton, and Leamington in search of health. In 1826, he went to the Continent, where he lived for about eight years. In 1838 he appears to have been living at College Green, Bristol, but in the latter part of his life (after 1843) at 18 Lower Seymour Street, London, where he died 6 January I860, aged 77. His wife died, 5 April 1855. He wrote on Political Economy, and was the first editor of the "Rockingham" newspaper, and 1815—1826, published, in conjunction with his friend the Rev. William Kirby, F.R.S., Rector of Barham, Suffolk, "An Introduction to Entomology," a voluminous standard work that passed through seven editions (the latest 1857). Mr. Spence was a Fellow and a Vice-President of the Royal Society, a Fellow of the Linnaean and several other British and foreign learned societies.
He and Mr, Kirby were two of the. founders and first honorary members of the Entomo logical Society of London, of which he was President in 1847-8.
[For further particulars of his writings see " Encyclopaedia of National Biography,
and for his issue pedigree -No. 60.]