Edward Bouverie (senior)

Edward Bouverie was born 5 Sept. 1738, the second son of Sir Jacob Bouverie, MP, 1st Viscount. Folkestone, and Mary Daughter and heiress of Bartholomew Clarke of Delapré Abbey and Hardingstone, Northants. Married Harriet Falkner, daughter of Sir Evarard Falkner, ambassador to the Porte, 30 June 1764. They had 3 sons and 5 daughter. Educated at Eaton 1753-6 and Christchurch, Oxford 1757

As the second son, Edward had to some extent make his own way in the world which he did by his marriage to Harriet, a renowned London beauty and socialite. On his marriage Edward bought Delapré for £22,000 from Sir Charles Hardy, Governor of New York, the husband of the Mary Tate who was the last of the Tate family, who had owned the estate since their purchase of the former nunnery on its dissolution.

Politics

Edward was first elected to parliament for Salisbury in 1761, a seat under the patronage of the Bouverie family, which he occupied until his nephew Viscount Folkestone came of age and could take up the seat in 1771. In Parliament he followed an independent line. In 1763 he supported the radical MP John Wilkes when he was charged with seditious liable for an article attacking George III, but voted with Administration on the expulsion of Wilkes from parliament in 1769. At various times he was listed as a Whig supporter and at others as a Tory.

Edward attempted to return to parliament in 1774 offering himself at Northampton hoping for the support of the Compton interest, but withdrew without making the canvass. Although he considered standing at a by-election in 1782 and general election in 1784 he did not stand again until 1790 when he won one of the Northampton seats.

Following his return Bouverie became a staunch supporter of Charles James Fox and voted with him consistently. He was supported by his wife who became a political hostess and close friend of other aristocratic supporters.

Family Life

Edward and Harriet's eldest son was also called Edward Bouverie and he inherited Delapré estate. Their second son was Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Frederick Bouverie KBC GCMG, Governor of Malta from 1836 to 1843. The third son was John Bouverie rector at Midhurst from 1808 until his death in 1855. The couple also had five daughters.

At home Edward worked to develop the Delapré estate. In 1765/6 he enclosed the open fields at Hardingstone, making him one of the pioneers of the early inclosure movement in Northamptonshire.

In early 1770s Hunsbury Hill farm, which was part of the estate and an early ‘model farm’, was built. We may never know were Edward Bouverie got the design for his new farm but it is clear that his architect provided quite an innovative, and effective solution.

Contributions were also made for re-roofing and rebuilding the chancel and the top of the tower local church of St Edmonds, Hardingstone.

The youngest child, Diana Bourverie, born on the 19th September, 1786, although acknowledged as a Bouverie was, in fact, a Spencer. Harriet had begun an affair with Lord Robert Spencer, third son of the 3rd Duke of Marlborough and Diana was his child. She was referred to as the ‘tell-tale Bouverie’ as she looked so much like her natural father, and he left virtually everything he owned to her in his will.

Edward died on the 3rd September, 1810, aged 72 years, leaving behind him a disorganized mess and debts which his family knew little about. From his will he seems to bear no ill feelings towards his wife and asks that if he dies in Sussex he be buried at Woolbeding, where Lord Robert Spencer’s estate was.

External Links

History of Parliament Online