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Francis Percival Eliot Esquire (bef. 1755 - bef. 1818)

Colonel Francis Percival Eliot Esquire
Born before in Kew, Surrey, Englandmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 28 Nov 1778 (to 23 Aug 1818) in St George Hanover Square, Middlesex, Englandmap
Descendants descendants
Died before at about age 62 in Middlesex, Englandmap
Problems/Questions
Profile last modified | Created 10 Feb 2021
This page has been accessed 563 times.


Biography

Notables Project
Francis Eliot Esquire is Notable.
Surrey (historic flag)
Francis Eliot Esquire was born in Kew, Surrey, England.
Francis was in the UK Royal Army

Francis is a son of Major-General Granville Elliott and Elizabeth Duckett. He was baptized on 09 October 1755 at St. Anne in Kew, Surry, England.[1] After attending and graduating from various military academies he received a commission as an Ensign in the 14th Regiment of Foot on 15 December 1773. In March 1775, he left for duty in the British Colonies on the North American Continent. While there, he was appointed as a Lieutenant in that same regiment on 25 August 1775.

After returning to England he married Anne (Breynton) Eliot in St George Hanover Square, Middlesex on 28 November 1778 . Her father was Rev. Dr. John Breynton, a British minister serving at St Paul's Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia.[2][3] They had seven sons and three daughters.

In 1779 their eldest son, William Granville Eliot was baptised in Boughton-Monchelsea, Kent, England. Also in 1779, 24 year old Lieutenant Eliot received a promotion to Captain as published on the third page of the "London Gazette, Num. 11985, Published by Authority, from Tuesday June 8th to Saturday, June 12th, 1779." Under the heading "War Office, June 12, 1779", is a listing by Regiment of advancements in rank of various soldiers, the relevant portion for Francis, states that he currently a Lieutenant, is being promoted to Captain: "14th Regiment of Foot, Lieutenant Francis Percival Eliot to be Captain, vice John Dalrymple. Ditto, Ensign Hon Bute Lindsay to be Lieutenant, vice Francis Percival Eliot. "[4]

In 1790, 35 year old Francis purchased Elmhurst Hall, Litchfield, Staffordshire while maintaining his residence in London. Elmhurst Hall must have been in ill-repair as he had it torn down later. Here is an excerpt from an excellent and extremely detailed article on Elmhurst Hall, (which also contains a handrawn map) on the website "British History Online." [5] The article chronicles the history of Elmhurst Hall, the surrounding area and details the areas' significant Estates: "Francis Perceval Eliot, the writer, apparently attracted to Lichfield by the company of the city's literati, moved to Elmhurst Hall as tenant in 1790. (fn. 59) The same year he agreed to buy the estate from John Swinfen; it then comprised 352 a. (fn. 60) He also acquired the Stychbrook estate, the leasehold of Lea Grange, and the leasehold of land owned by the vicars choral of Lichfield cathedral. Altogether Eliot came to hold over 850 a. (fn. 61) He borrowed heavily to buy the estate, which in 1797 he unsuccessfully offered for sale. (fn. 62) He later sold Stychbrook to Granville Leveson-Gower, marquess of Stafford, and mortgaged the rest of his holding. (fn. 63) By 1800 he was living in Lichfield. (fn. 64) In 1808 the 696-a. estate still held by Eliot was put up for sale. John Smith of Fenton in Stoke upon Trent bought the largest part, amounting to 381 a. It included the site of Elmhurst Hall which Eliot had pulled down. (fn. 65)

In 1806 he began a lengthy career in Civil Service when he was appointed to be an auditor of the public accounts by King George III. Here follows a transcript of the paragraph of interest, excerpted from "Page 1336" of the "London Gazette 1806" : "Whitehall, Oct 10, 1806. The King has been pleased to constitute and appoint William Mackworth Praed, Serjeant at Law; Sir Charles William Rouse Boughton, Baronet; Francis Percival Eliot, Richard Dawkins, Charles Moore, John Sargent, John Anstey, John Whishaw, Phillip Deare, and Lewis Jenkins, Esquires, to be His Majesty's Commisioners for auditing the Public Accounts. " [6] He was serving in this career at the time of his death, in addition to writing and publishing books on finance.

Francis wrote a wonderful draft version of his Will on 24 Sep 1816 which required verification after his death. [7] [8] He was clearly devoted to his God, his wife, and his children as seen in his meticulously detailed, loving and fair division of his belongings. Relevant excerpts:

"To each of my seven sons or to such as may be living at the time of my decease any one book or set of books out of my library that they may choose each in succession according to seniority"
"To William Granville Eliot I give and bequeath the three family portraits of my father General Granville Eliot (taken when a boy), of my Grandfather General Roger Eliot, and one of the Trenchard family (not certain who). Also to William Granville Eliot the best watch and all the seals of which I may be possessed and also the family pedigree and all my manuscripts whatsoever whether bound in books or otherwise and all written papers whatever."
"To my second son Francis Breynton Eliot and my son Edward John Eliot all the wearing apparel of which I may be possessed to be divided between them in such manner as they may choose but in case of any disagreement in such division to be decided by my executrix."
"To my fourth son George Augustus Eliot any other book or set of books he may choose from my library in addition to the claim he is entitled to in turn with my other sons."
"To my fifth son Lionel Ducket Eliot all the snuff boxes of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease."
"To my sixth son Henry Algernon Eliot my book of Maps of the French ports @c. in addition to the book or books he is entitled to take in turn with my other sons."
"To my seventh son Charles Turberville Eliot either my best Greek or Latin Thesaurus the same at his option in addition to the book or books he may be entitled to take in turn with his dear brothers"
"To each of the wives of such sons as may be married at the time of my decease a mourning ring of the value of five guineas or the value thereof in money to be laid out in mourning at their option"
"To each of my three dear daughters Eliza Mary Eliot, Anne Catherine Eliot, and Frances Charlotte Eliot or such of them as may be living at my decease the same bequest of five guineas each for the same purpose trusting that their Mother will to the best of her ability from her slender means provide for their future maintenance"
"To my dear and long valued friend John Breynton Esq. the brother of my wife I also leave the same legacy of five guineas for a ring in testimoney of our old and kind regard"
"And all the rest of my worldly goods and property whatsoever I hereby give and bequeath to my aforesaid dearly beloved wife Anne Eliot as my sole residuary legatee fully trusting to her justice in the distribution thereof."
"At her decease it being my wish and hope that it may be to the following purpose viz. that if the whole amount thereof at her death shall not exceed such sum as may be sufficient to leave to such of my daughters as may be then living two thousand pounds each then the whole to go amongst the said daughters share and share alike"
"and after such distribution of two thousand pounds to each of my daughters then the surplus to go amongst my sons then living or their heirs (the heirs of each deceased son taking amongst them in such portion as would have come to their father if he had been living) until each son (or his heirs in manner aforesaid) shall also have received two thousand pounds"
"After which the sons (or their heirs) and the daughters (or their heirs) in the same manner to go share and share alike"
"In witness whereto I have set my signature this 24th day of September 1816 Fr. Perceval Eliot - 22 Portman Street Portman Square"
"In case it should please God to take me away before this will can be properly and formally copied and executed I desire that this draft thereof may be considered as a full and sufficient declaration of my intentions Francis Perceval Eliot 24th Sept 1816"
"N.B. I had mistaken the day of the month having written 25th September whereas the signature took place on tuesday the 24th September 1816. F.P.E..''

He was about 62 years old when he was buried on 28 Aug 1818 at St Mary-Le-Bone, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom.[9].

Francis' father-in-law, Rev. John Breynton, is mentioned in an additional parish record. The purpose could be as a location reference point for Francis' grave, or in honor of John who may have been buried in Nova Scotia, or it is possible that they actually shared a grave.[10]

More information for Francis' burial are contained within a parish register which recorded his last abode along with the details of the cost, location and type of plot. [11]

On 31 October 1818, the Draft Will was presented for probate and was examined by John Finney, Gentleman and Daniel Gibbon both of whom verified and attested to the validity of his handwritng and his signature. The Will and the attestations were written into the Probate Register. His will was proved in London on 12 Nov 1818. Ann was living at 58 Great Portland St when she executed his will.. [12]

In 1915 an article entitled "The Prince of Wales's (North Staffordshire) Regiment" was published in the 'Staffordshire Advertiser'. It presents a history of the regiment and lists it's commanding officers from inception to the current 1915 leader. The first commanding officer at its inception in 1798 was Francis Percival Eliot.[13]

An overview of his life which was included in the 6th Volume of the Dictionary of National Biography, Vols 1 - 22. [14]

Research Notes

Notes for future researchers:
1. The estate Elmhurst Hall may qualify to be added to the category 'Staffordshire, Listed Buildings' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmhurst_Hall .

2. He has half-siblings - his father had been previously married to a titled French woman. Profiles either need to be connected or need to be made.

Sources

  1. Baptism [Surrey : Kew : St Anne : Transcript : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818155de93790eca371e685 : viewed 20 Apr 2022) baptism Francis Percivall Elliot 09 Oct 1755
  2. Marriage Bond Image of Francis P Eliot's hand signed Bond/Allegation and Bond payment for marriage to Ann Breynton
  3. Marriage Middlesex : St George Hanover Square : St George Hanover Square : Transcript : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58181c25e93790eb7f343ca2 : viewed 20 Apr 2022) marriage Francis Percival Elliott to Ann Breynton 28 Nov 1778
  4. Promotion https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=GBOR/LONDON-GAZETTE/1779/06-08_11986_0003&parentid=GBOR/LONDON-GAZ//28379056
  5. Elmhurst Hall 'Townships: Curborough and Elmshurst', in A History of the County of Stafford: Volume 14, Lichfield, ed. M W Greenslade (London, 1990), pp. 229-237. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/staffs/vol14/pp229-237 [accessed 25 April 2022].
  6. Auditor https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=GBOR/LONDON-GAZETTE/1806/10-07_15964_0004&parentid=GBOR/LONDON-GAZ//28826332
  7. Will Image "The National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; Records of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. (accessed on Ancestry.com 6 June 2022) (Piece Description: Piece 1610: Cresswell, Quire Numbers 486-539 (1818)). [Link to Free Image]
  8. View Ancestry Record 5111 #170101 (requires subscription).
  9. Burial "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6Z2N-85P2 : 11 April 2022), Francis Percival Eliot, 1818.
  10. Burial Location "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZRF-KQK9 : 11 April 2022), Francis Percival Eliot, 1818.
  11. Burial Details "England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6868-BFC5 : 11 April 2022), Francis Perceval Eliot, 1818.
  12. Will Execution https://search.findmypast.com/record?id=BMD/IR27/165/008&parentid=BMD/D/DDUTY/243343
  13. 1915 Regimental Article https://search.findmypast.com/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000252%2f19150320%2f185&stringtohighlight=francis%20percival%20eliot
  14. Biography Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-22 for Francis Perceval Eliot Source Citation London, England: Oxford University Press; Volume: Vol 06; Page: 604. [Link to an Online Version]




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Categories: Staffordshire Yeomanry | Staffordshire, Notables | British Military Officers | 14th Regiment of Foot | Notables