Nelson & His World

On this date in 1803 Sir William Hamilton died at his home, in Piccadilly. He was 72. Both Emma and Nelson were of course present, Sir William being in her arms, with Nelson holding his hand. He wrote to Alexander Davison soon after:

'My Dear Davison,

Our dear Sir William died at ten minutes past ten, this morning, in Lady Hamilton's and my arms, without a sigh or a struggle. Poor Lady Hamilton is, as you may expect, desolate. I hope she will be left properly; but I doubt. Ever yours most affectionately,

Nelson and Bronte.'

So ended one of the better-known 'ménage à trois' in British history, although there were others, such as that of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and Lady Elizabeth Foster.

Hi Kester,
I didnt realise the significance of the date but yesterday as the weather was fine I did think about visiting the churchyard where he is buried, but got way-laid.
The thought was in response to an email exchange with Stephen Evans, as I live about 4 miles from the derelict church at Slebech, Pembs, West Wales.
I will try in the near future to take a pic of the grave if still exists.
EMP

EMP,

That would seem a bit of a coincidence and it's a pity you didn't manage to get there.

You say the church is derelict, so I imagine it has been deconsecrated. How long ago was it last used? It sounds as though it might be very run down, which probably means that the churchyard and the graves are as well. When you go again it might be worth documenting Sir William's grave and, if I remember rightly that of his previous wife, and notifying the 1805 Club as I feel sure they would like to know of it's condition (if they don't already.) Perhaps they might consider it as a possible future restoration – I had a brief look, but it doesn't appear that his grave is either on their 'to do' list, or that of the graves they have restored.

The Dyfed Family History Society should have a Monumental Inscription on their Records, I could make some enquires if interested as I am a member.

I'm sure many will know this ,but anyway Sir William Hamilton's first wife was Catherine Barlow, born at Colby Lodge, Pembrokeshire in 1738. Her father was the Wig Politician Hugh Barlow who represented the county.
Catherine married Sir William Hamilton on the 25th January 1758, at Colby, Pembrokeshire. She died in Naples, Italy on the 25th August 1782 and was buried at St.John's, Slebech, later to be joined by Sir William.

Stephen,

Thanks, any enquiries might turn up some interesting information.

Although any restoration to Sir William's grave, and that of his first wife, would not be of that immediate interest to myself 'geographically speaking', it would be good to know that it is being looked after – either by the 1805 or locally. It's restoration might perhaps 'put it on the map' tourist wise.

The Barlow Family had much land in the area, much of the family related history now kept at the National Library of Wales. St John's Church, Selbech belonged to the Knights of St John of Jerusalem and would appear to have been established before their time in Malta, 1530. The Barlow family and for that matter Sir William Hamilton must have been Catholics. Hense his friendship with Prince Henry, the brother of Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie), who Nelson met at Naples.

Stephen,

Well, that is interesting – the fact that Selbech Church belonged to the Knights of St John. I wonder how that came about? I presume they must have owned land around there as well and are you saying this later passed to the Barlow Family, although perhaps not directly?

Hi
I don't think Hugh Barlow could have been a Catholic - he was an MP so he wouldn't have been able to be a Catholic. Is this church really a Catholic one? I have not read anywhere that William Hamilton was a Catholic, (though I have only ever read anything about him in connection with Emma). It will be interesting to find out about the graves and their condition. Good luck!

Caitlin

Hi all,
I have just visited Sir William and Lady Hamilton’s vault in Slebech Park today and took a few photos which I am afraid can’t be done justice to with the 250kb restriction but I can email jpegs if anyone requires.
The church which is in a spectacular setting, is kept in a natural state of safe decay with grass floors inside whilst the grave yard is covered in ground ivy where very few headstones remain in place. There is no Memorial tablet to the couple but outside the walls to mark the 200th anniversary of Sir William’s death in 2003, the 1805 Club have erected a plaque mounted on a post. Just a small criticism I have here is that when you walk up to read the plaque you have your back to the church, so instead of ones eyes being led through an open arch to the chancel containing the vault, it looks away to an ivy covered compost heap!

The Plaque states:
In a vault within this church are buried
Sir William Hamilton, K.B.
1730-1803
and
Catherine, Lady Hamilton
1738-1782
Sir William Hamilton was the British Envoy in Naples from 1764 to 1800.
A vulcanologist, art connoisseur and expert in classical vases,
he was a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Society of Antiquaries.
Catherine, his first wife whom he married in 1758,
was the daughter of John and Anne Barlow of Slebech.
She died in Naples and her body was brought back here for burial.
Sir William promised that he would be buried beside her.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Sir William Hamilton,
The 1805 Club erected this plaque in April 2003.

The 2 pix show the front and back of the vault which extends through the chancel wall also a small vase of fresh flowers.

An addition to Stephens last post: From references I am just reading, "The Tudor period brought great changes to the remote Parish of Slebech, for with the dissolution of 1540 the brethren had to surrender their titles and were no longer allowed to wear the habit of the order, many of the Knights fled the country to Malta."
EMP

EMP,

Many thanks, both for the photos and the information – and especially the news that the 1805 Club have been involved.