Edward Bouverie (junior)

Edward Bouverie was born 26 October 1767, the eldest son of Edward Bouverie senior MP, of Delapré Abbey, Hardingstone, Northamptonshire, and Harriet Fawkener a political hostess and socialite. He married Catherine Castle,[1][2][3] heiress and daughter of William Castle of Suffolk in March 1788. They had 4 sons and 4 daughter. Unlike his father, and other relatives, Edward did not involve himself in national politics but instead served the local community as a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant (18 February 1793)[4] and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire (1800).[5] He spent time in investing in the Delapré estate, in artwork and in horses.

Delapré Estate
Delapré Abbey

Edward inherited Delapré on the death of his father in 1810. Helped with the inheritance of his wife, which included Rougham Hall[6] and Wicken Hall,[7] Edward was able to improve and extend the Delapré Estate. In 1814 Edward Bouverie purchased Weston Favell, which included the two principal farms, from the Ekins family for £23,970.[8]

A model farm, now known as Home Farm, was built on the Delapre estate for the bailiff between 1830 and 1855. Farmstead design during this period was governed by economy of labour and buildings, together with some architectural embellishment. Home Farm followed a typical layout comprising a double quadrangle with the farmhouse at the south end, the barn at the north end, and east and west foldyards.[9]

In 1823, after protracted negotiations Edward purchase charity lands belonging to St. Leonard's (The Leper Hospitals) and the Grammar School in Far Cotton and other lands in Northampton from Northampton Corporation for £2,500 together with £470 in interest. There were some questions over the transaction which were not finally resolved until 1864, after Edwards's death.[10]

Art Collector

As well as the portrait of "Mrs Richard Brinsley Sheridan", by Gainsborough now in the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., which was probably a gift from the Sheridan's to his parents, Edward also had a portrait "Mrs. Edward Bouverie of Delapré and Her Child" by Sir Joshua Reynolds, of his mother, possibly holding himself.

Also of note was a pen & brown ink sketch by Rembrandt of "An Artist in a Studio"[11]

Of more local interest is a watercolour painting produced in about 1850 and details the areas of Far Cotton and Delapré, as they looked at the time. [12]

Racehorse Owner

Edward's racing partner on was George Payne of nearby Sulby Hall. Edward's colours were all black, while those of his friend were all white. They amalgamated their colours, and so originated the famous 'magpie jacket.'[13] The partner's greatest success was with War Eagle, a leggy 16.1 hand tall dark bay. He had a good turn of speed, which his jockey Sam Mann put to use in the Doncaster Cup of 1847.[14] In 1847 War Eagle took second place in The Derby.

Fortunately for Delapré, Edward did not follow the reckless gambling of his partner who squandered the family fortune.[14]

Death and legacy

After 12 years as a widower, Catherine having died in 1846, Edward Bouverie (junior) died 14 April 1858 at the age of 90. He was succeeded by his eldest son General Everard Bouverie

References
  1. An Essay on Uses and Trusts, and on the Nature and Operation of Conveyances, by Francis Williams Sanders, John Warner (of the Inner Temple.) p186
  2. A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 3 p371
  3. Vicissitudes of families: third series online
  4. "No. 13708". The London Gazette. 27 September 1794. p. 987.
  5. A genealogical and heraldic history of the commoners of Great Britain and Ireland
  6. "Landed families of Britain and Ireland: (58) Agnew of Rougham Hall and Great Stanhope St., London, baronets". landedfamilies.blogspot.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  7. "Bardwell Village, Suffolk (Official Web Site) – Wyken Hall – Flower Festival 2007". bardwellvillage.info. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  8. Conservation Area Appraisal & Management Plan
  9. Good Stuff. "Farmhouse at Home Farm – Northampton – Northamptonshire – | British Listed Buildings". britishlistedbuildings.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  10. "The Leper Hospitals of Northampton". cottonites.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  11. European Drawings 2: Catalogue of the Collections- by George R. Goldner, Lee Hendrix, Kelly Pask
  12. "Thrapston records uncovers cucumber theft in 1800s – BBC News". BBC. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  13. Dictionary of National Biography, 1885–1900, Volume 44
  14. "Lanercost". tbheritage.com. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
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