Nelson & His World

In the latest issue of the Nelson Dispatch (January ), the editor invites comments on a snippet about a claim in correspondence in ‘Family History Monthly’ that Horatio William Spencer, born 1800, was an illegitimate son of Nelson and Emma.

According to research by the East Leake and Gotham history groups, the records show Horatio William Spencer as the son of Thomas Spencer, Nelson’s steward in the Vanguard and Foudroyant, who married Mary Heber, who was Portugese. The marriage was at Palermo in May 1799, and was witnessed by Nelson, Sir William and Emma Hamilton. Horatio William was recorded as ‘born at sea’, but further research had shown him to be the illegitimate son of Nelson and Emma, born in the middle of 1800, around when Thomas Spencer was discharged from the Foudroyant and returned to England. On his return he was given a farm to rent by Lord Howe, and he was also given a monthly stipend to bring up Horatio William. After Nelson’s death, the Spencers were asked to leave the farm and moved to nearby Bunny (near Nottingham).

It is difficult to comment on this without knowing exactly what evidence exists, but there is a fairly obvious issue with a birth in the middle of 1800 if Horatia was born at the beginning of 1801. There is also the point that has been made before of why Nelson would have acknowledged an illegitimate daughter but not a son.

Can anyone shed any light on any of this?

I can't lay my hand on my Nelson Dispatch (we've got the builders in and all is confusion) to re-read the piece, but I do think it is very fanciful. Whether Horatia was born in October 1800 (as Emma and Nelson claimed) or January 1801 (her actual date of birth) it's obvious, on both arithmetical and biological grounds, that Horatio William Spencer, if he was born in the middle of 1800, could not have been Emma's child.

It's also inconceivable, on the evidence of his attitude towards Horatia, that Nelson would have been able to refrain from involving himself closely in the upbringing of any child of his and Emma's, or from mentioning him in his private letters to Emma, as he mentioned Horatia.

Nelson was the greatest hero of the day and many children were named after him, often by those who had little personal connection (as the 'Other Horatio Nelson' thread confirms). He was also very generous to those who served him (he volunteered to help with the education of the child born on the Minotaur mentioned on another thread) and may well have made some provision for the child if the parents were in difficult circumstances.

I'd need much more evidence to convince me that there is anything in this.

Yes, I was wondering what evidence there is, apart from financial assistance, and especially what evidence there is for Emma being the mother?

Anna, Tony,

A little belatedly, I would agree with you that the story would seem a little far-fetched given the dates of Horatia's birth and the obvious problem! I would suggest that this is just a bit more wishful thinking, coupled with the magic name of Nelson. I note the editor requests comment, and Frank Bland and the East Leake and Gotham History Groups may not know of this site. I would imagine, however, others may reply prompted by the same concerns.

This post was prompted by my re-reading the article again!