Ralph Thrale, M.P.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Land: Crowmarsh Battle Farm, Oxfordshire, England; Ralph Thrale MP bought the Crowmarsh Estate for £24,000 from the trustees of the Duke of Wharton to expand his landholdings and secure a prestigious country estate. On Ralph's death, it passed to his son Henry Thrale, and following Henry's death, was sold in 1783 to Thomas Walker for £18,000.
• Obituary: Upon his death a popular London Magazine of the time described Ralph as "the greatest brewer in England". Grand Magazine I, 203.
• Occupation: Anchor Brewery, Southwark, Surrey, England; Brewer
• Occupation: Surrey, England; High Sheriff
• Occupation: Between 1693 and 9 Apr 1758, Anchor Brewery, Southwark, Surrey, England; Master of The Brewers Company
• Election: Between 1741 and 1747, Southwark, Surrey, England; Member of Parliament
• Property: 25 Feb 1747, Old Bailey, Middlesex, England
• Physical Description: 1748
• Adopted: 29 Mar 1752; After receiving bequests, Ralph Thrale became Guardian (akin to adoption) to Jeremiah Crutchley aged 6 after the death of his father (his mother died earlier), on account of their friendship initiated through their shared interest in brewing (Crutchley was a coppersmith specialising in brewing equipment).
  
  Ralph died when Jeremiah was aged 13, and Henry Thrale became his guardian.

Family/Spouse: Mary Dabbins. Mary died about 1760. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: According to James Boswell, Henry Thrale was …

  Tall, well-proportioned, and stately in appearance. He was deeply religious and a good sportsman.

  .
• Hobbies: Croydon, Surrey, England; Kept a pack of hounds and a hunting box near Croydon.
• Note: Henry Thrale and Jeremiah Crutchley ran the Thrale and Crutchley Copper Company. After Thrale’s in 1781, Crutchley continued to be a leading manufacturer of brewing equipment.
• Education: Abt 1733, Eton, Buckinghamshire, England; Eton Colleage.
• Residence: Abt 1737, Stowe House, Buckinghamshire, England; As a child, Henry was sent to stay with Richard Temple, 1st Viscount Cobham at Stowe.
• Education: 4 Jun 1744, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; Matriculated from University College, giving age as 15.
• Note: abt. 1746, Paris, Île-de-France, France; As a young man, he travelled on the European continent to Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence with Lord William Henry Lyttleton Westcote (1724-1808), the expenses of both being met by the generous £1,000 annual allowance that Henry received from his father.
• Godparent / sponsor: Oct 1749; Henry Thrale was godfather to John Crutchley
• Adopted: 29 Mar 1752; After receiving bequests, Ralph Thrale became Guardian (akin to adoption) to Jeremiah Crutchley aged 6 after the death of his father (his mother died earlier), on account of their friendship initiated through their shared interest in brewing (Crutchley was a coppersmith specialising in brewing equipment).
  
  Ralph died when Jeremiah was aged 13, and Henry Thrale became his guardian.
• Land: 10 Apr 1758, Crowmarsh Battle Farm, Oxfordshire, England; Ralph Thrale MP bought the Crowmarsh Estate for £24,000 from the trustees of the Duke of Wharton to expand his landholdings and secure a prestigious country estate. On Ralph's death, it passed to his son Henry Thrale, and following Henry's death, was sold in 1783 to Thomas Walker for £18,000.
• Property: 10 Apr 1758, Streatham Park, Streatham, Surrey, England
• Property: 10 Apr 1758, 78 West Street, Brighton, Sussex, England; Inherited from his father Ralph Thrale MP.
• Occupation: 10 Apr 1758, Anchor Brewery, Southwark, Surrey, England; Inherited from his father Ralph Thrale MP.
• Note: 13 Jul 1763; A few months before his marriage, Henry was robbed by highwayman, Samuel Beaton, whilst travelling between London and Streatham in his coach. He was robbed of 13 guineas, his watch and silver shoe buckles. On 13 July 1763, Beaton was found guilty by trial at the Old Bailey and hanged on 12 August 1763 on Kennington Common.
• Note: 10 Jan 1765
• Election: 20 Nov 1765, Southwark, Surrey, England; Member of Parliament. 20 Nov 1765 -13 Sep 1980.
• Election: 1775
• Physical Description: Jan 1776
• Note: 1 Apr 1777; His death was falsely reported by newspapers and this threw James Boswell into …

  a state of very uneasy uncertainty.

• Land: 1778, Bardsey Island, Gwynedd, Wales; In 1778 Henry Thrale considered - but did not complete - the purchase of Bardsey Island.
• Note: 26 Nov 1778; Fanny (Frances) Burney first met the Thrales at a dinner party at her father’s house on 26 November 1778, aged 26. She became a close friend of the Thrale family.
• Medical: Between 8 Jun 1779 and 11 Jun 1779; On the 8^th or 11^th of June 1779, Henry visited his youngest sister Susannah to comfort her after the death of her husband, Arnold Nesbitt MP who died on 12 April 1779. There Henry suffered his first stroke. Hester later speculated that this was brought on by the shock of hearing about Nesbitt’s insolvency which had potentially calamitous implications for Henry.
  
  Hester Thrale wrote …

  Mrs Nesbitt is very silly She always was; but any fool might have had Wit enough to send for a Surgeon one wd think when they saw a Man drop down in a Fit: but No; She called the Carriage to bring him home-& so lost Time in wch He might have been bled: We were forced to send back to London for help, little Kitchen¹ could not be found; the Apothecary of the Village. Bromfield² came in two Hours, but two Hours is an Age in such a Case. What a Natural that Mrs Nesbitt is! Duce take her!

  
  Hester later wrote in Thraliana …

  11: June 1779.] Here is a dreadful Event indeed in the Thraliana! Mr Thrale suddenly struck with the palsy as he sate at Dinner sister Nesbitt last Tuesday: his Brain is apparently loaded if not for ever injured by the blow. poor dear Master! this day I been married sixteen Years and eight Months: & last Tuesday was he brought me home apparently Paralytick.
  
  I am not yet able to write about it I see, though he has mended ever since the Attack; thanks to Bromfield who first administered Relief, & afterwards called in both Huck³ & Heberden. I’m confident he will recover, he has Youth and Strength, and general Health on his Side; but his Temper is strangely altered: so vigilant; so jealous, so careful lest one should watch him, & so unfit to be left unwatched.—Oh Lord have mercy on us! this is a horrible Business indeed. five little Girls too, & breeding again, & Fool enough to be proud of it! ah Ideot! what should I want more Children for God knows only to please my Husband, who now perhaps may be much better without them.
  
  —Distress shews one’s Friends; Seward⁴ was the first to fly to our Assistance⁵; fetch Physicians, carry Reports, turn out troublesome Enquirers, attend Mr Thrale in all his Operations: Dear Creature how kind he is!
  
  Johnson is away-down at Lichfield or Derby, or God knows where, something always happens when he is away; but Mr Seward has supplied every body’s neglect. I expected more Attention from Burney!⁶ Murphy's a dissipated Rogue & loves his Friends while they can talk & hear; but Dr Burney’s Indifference disgusts me.
  
  I kept Sir Philip⁷ away, or he would have done all in his Power. he has sent, & written, & run about with honest and unaffected Agitation, but I shall never love Doctor Burney as I have loved Him, for there I expected Kindness, & deserved it-his Daughter⁸ has behav’d better than he, but Seward⁹ & Mrs D’Avenant), daughter of Sir Lynch Salusbury Cotton, later Lady Corbet. shew’d the true Concern; they came directly & have staid with me ever since: Seward’s Sensibility & Attention is the Cordial of my Heart-a Friend in Distress is the sweetest of Things—he came I remember when my Son died.—Good Creature! he would not have come to a Concert or a Dinner, but when there is Sorrow to be assisted, alleviated rather; then he Can come; & put off a Journey to Cornwall, by way of devoting himself wholly to the Duties of Friendship.
  
  Sir Philip Jennings Clerke is a Conquest I shall long be proud of, he is a Conquest made by Virtue; his Regard for me is boundless, & it is founded in a Notion that I am better & wiser than other Women are; while I continue good & wise therefore, I shall have his Esteem, & he is an extremely amiable respectable Character.— Touched by God’s Grace
  
  I think in the latter part of his Life, & brought to a Conviction of Sin by the Affliction of his Daughter’s untimely Death, he flies to Religion & to Friendship for Comfort, & he shall never want one to speak Peace to his Soul while Life is lent to H:L:T.¹⁰
  
  NB—I will make him leave off wearing Black so; ’tis a Singularity that can do no good; is I should fear displeasing to God, & at best but an ill Compliment to his other Children:—

  
  Hester wrote in Thraliana on 22 June 1779 …

  Mr Thrale has recovered his paralytick Stroke: Doctor Heberden thinks him now wholly out of Danger, as so much Time has elapsed, & the Attack has not been renewed. his Head is as good as ever, his Spirits indeed are low, but they will mend:
  
  few People live in such a State of Preparation for Eternity I think, as my dear Master has done since I have been connected with him; regular in his publick & private devotions, constant at the Sacrament, Temperate in his Appetites, moderate is Passions-he has less to apprehend from a sudden Summons than any Man I have known, who was young and gay, & high in health & Fortune like him.
  
  -I think he will have another of these Strokes sometime, but perhaps I may not live to see the Day; let us not then anticipate Misfortune, nor when God sends a chearful hour-refrain.

  1. A “young surgeon” who was “not very experienced.” who lived in Streatham.↩︎
  2. An “older and more experienced surgeon” who was “the only surgeon in the village who was qualified to treat serious conditions.”↩︎
  3. Huck is a more experienced surgeon who was called in by Dr Bromfield.↩︎
  4. William Seward 1747-1799 was an anecdotist and son of a wealthy brewer of the firm Calvert and Seward.”↩︎
  5. Seward came at five o’clock in the morning.”↩︎
  6. Dr. Charles Burney.”↩︎
  7. Sir Philip Jennings-Clerke.”↩︎
  8. Fanny Burney.”↩︎
  9. William Seward.”↩︎
  10. Hester Lynch Thrale.”↩︎
• Medical: 19/21 Feb 1780; On 19 or 21 February 1780¹, Henry Thrale suffered a second stroke and received the contemporary medical treatment of ‘bleeding’. He was delirious for five days, only speaking again when receiving a visit from Sophy Streatfeild. Hester wrote in Thraliana on 13 August 1780 …

  My Master is got into most riotous Spirits somehow; he will go here & there, & has a hundred Projects in his Head, so gay, so wild; I wish no harm may come on’t.

  1. Thraliana states Monday 21 February on page 432, Dr Johnson’s Own Dear Master states Saturday 19 February on page 212.”↩︎
• Medical: 10 Sep 1780; Hester wrote in Thraliana on 29 August 1780

  Mr Thrale would go to Mitchel Grove¹ the Seat of Sir John Shelley; I did not half like the Expedition, but Pepys² bled him first 13 ounces, & gave some rough Medcines too—We just pulled up in Time the Dr says, or here would have been another Stroke.

  On Sunday 10th September 1780, Henry had minor a third stroke while canvassing - ultimately unsuccessfully - constituents at St. George’s church.
  
  
  1. Michelgrove House, Sussex.↩︎
  2. Sir Lucas Pepys - physician to the King 1742-1830.”↩︎
• Will: 17 Mar 1781
• Medical: 2 Apr 1781, Grosvenor Square, Middlesex, England; Hester Thrale wrote …

  On the Sunday 1st of April I went to hear the Bishop of Peterborough preach at May Fair Chapel: & though the Sermon had nothing in it particularly pathetic, I could not keep my Tears within my Eyes: I spent the Evening however at Lady Rothes’s, and was chearful; found Sir John Lade, Johnson and Boswell with Mr Thrale at my return to the Square: on Monday Morning Mr Evans came to breakfast, Sir Philip and Dr Johnson to Dinner – so did Baretti: Mr Thrale eat voraciously–so voraciously – that encouraged by Jebb & Pepys who had charged me so to do – l checked him rather severely, & Mr Johnson added these remarkable Words:

  Sir—after the Denuniciation of your Physicians this Morning, such eating is little better than Suicide

  He did not however desist, & Sir Philip said he eat apparently in Defiance of Controul, & that it was better for us to say nothing to him: Johnson observed that he thought so too, & that he spoke more from a Sense of Duty than a Hope of Success. Baretti & them two spent the Evening with me, & I was enumerating the People who were to meet the Indian Ambassadors on the Wednesday — I had been to Negri’s & bespoke an elegant Entertainment.

• Medical: 3 Apr 1781, Grosvenor Square, Middlesex, England; Hester Thrale wrote …

  On the next day Tuesday 3d Mrs Hinchliffe called on me in the Morning to go see Webber’s Drawings of Francesco Roncaglia,: Sea Rareties–we met the Smelts, the Ords, & numberless Blues there, & displayed our Pedantry at our Pleasure: going & coming however I quite teized Mrs Hinchliffe with my lowspirited Terrors about Mr Thrale, who had not all this while one Symptom worse than he had had for Months; tho’ the Physicians this Tuesday Morning agreed that a Continuation of such dinners as he had lately made, would soon dispatch a Life so precarious & uncertain. When I came home to dress–Piozzi,–who was always admitted to the Toilette, & sate in the next Room teaching Hester to sing; began lamenting that he was engaged to Mrs Locke on the following Evening when I had such a World of Company to meet these fine Orientals: he had however engaged Roncaglia & Sacchini to begin with–and would make a point of coming himself at nine o’Clock if possible.
  
  I gave him the Money I had collected for his Benefit 35£ I remember, it was—a Bankers Note, and I burst out o’crying & said I was sure I should not go to it: the Man was shocked, & wondered what I meant; Nay—says I—‘tis mere lowness of Spirits, for Mr Thrale is very well now, & gone out in his Carriage to spit Cards as I call’d it—sputar le Carte.
  
  Just then came a Letter from Dr Pepys, insisting to speak with me in the Afternoon; & tho’ there was nothing very particular in the Letter considering our Intimacy—I burst out o’crying again, read the Letter to Piozzi who could not understand it, & threw myself into an Agony, saying I was sure Mr Thrale would dye. The tenderhearted Italian was affected, bid me not despair so, but recollect some precepts he had heard Dr Johnson give me one Day; & then turn’d to me with a good deal of Expression in his Manner, rather too much-it affected me.—and sung Rasserena il tuo bel Ciglio &c &c Well! he left us in a quarter of an hour, & Miss Owen came to Dinner, and Mr Thrale came home so well! & in such Spirits! he had invited more People to my Concert or Conversatione or musical party of the next day, & was delighted to think what a Show we should make. He eat however more than enormously;—six things the Day before, & eight on this Day, with Strong Beer in such Quantities! the very Servants were frighted, & when Pepys came in the Evening he said this could not last—either there must be legal Restraint or certain Death. Dear Mrs Byron[^8] spent ye evening with me, & Mr Crutcheley came from Sunninghill to be ready for the morrow’s Flash. Johnson was at the Bishop of Chester’s.
  
  I went down in the Course of the Afternoon to see after my master as usual, and found him, not asleep, but sitting on his Bed with his Legs up—because as he express’d it. I kiss’d him, & said how good he was to be so careful of himself—he enquired who was above; but had no Disposition to come up Stairs. Miss Owen & Mrs Byron now took their Leave; the Dr had been gone about 20 Minutes when Hester went down to see her Papa, & found him on the Floor. what’s the meaning of this? says She in an Agony—I chuse it, replies Mr Thrale firmly;

  I lie so o’purpose;

  She ran however to call his Valet who was gone out—happy to leave him so particularly well as he thought—when my Servant went instead, Mr Thrale bid him be gone, in a firm Tone: & added that he was very well, & chose to lie so. by this Time however Mr Crutchley was ran down at Hetty’s Intreaty, & I had sent to fetch Pepys back; he was got but into Upper Brook Street, & found his Friend in a most violent Fit of the Apoplexy from which he only recovered to relapse into another, everyone growing weaker as his Strength grew less till six o’Clock on Wednesday Morning 4: April 1781. Sir Richd Jebb, who was fetched at the beginning of the Distress, seeing Death certain, quitted the House without even prescribing; Pepys did all that could be done, & Johnson who was sent for at 11 o’Clock never left him, for while breath remain’d he still hoped. I ventured in once, & saw them cutting his Clothes off to bleed him, but I saw no more.

• Note: 5 Apr 1781; The day after Henry's death, his wife wrote …

  The next Morning early I drove to Streatham but finding myself pursued thither by officious Friendship, I ran forward to Brighthelmstone where Mr Scrase, who like me had lost all he cared for in earnest; was a comfortable & useful Companion. There I had Time to collect my scattered Thoughts, to revise my past Life, & resolve upon a new one. the best Consolation is the perfect Amity in wch we have lived 17 Years together, the few disputes or Subjects of Complaint either of us have endured from the other, & the Notion I always perswaded myself into, of having been an humble Instrument in the Almighty’s hand-to turn the heart of my Husband towards heaven whither he is gone, & whither I hope one day to follow him.
  
  He has been very generous to me in his willl, but my being entangled with the Trade perplexes me greatly–perhaps I may rid my hands of it however, perhaps we may sell it without much Loss: my Coadjutors are all willing to assist while I carry it on, and willing to quit when I wish to part with it: never were Men more obliging to be sure, & I am half inclin’d to hope for Happiness once more, when I see their Disposition to comply with my Desire.
  
  God forbid though that my Pride or Delicacy should so far influence me as to make me quit the Business at any Rate: My Children have a Claim to all that I can do & suffer-yet how will they be benefited by keeping their Money at hazard? Mr Scrase says ’tis Madness to try at carrying on such a Trade with only five Girls; so says Cator, so says Crutcheley: Mr Johnson did wish my Continuance in Business, but I have pretty well cured him of his Wishes; though when I was obliged Yesterday to go & court a dirty Goaler to suffer our Brewhouse to serve his Tap, & when I complained even with Tears to Mr Johnson of the Indignity; Dearest Lady says he your Character is exalted by it; I tell you it advances in Heighth, Yes replied I, it advances indeed, & rises from the Side Box to the upper Gallery.

• Obituary: May 1781
• Note: 6 Oct 1782; 18-months after the death of his good friend Henry Thrale, Dr. Samuel Johnson left Henry Thrale’s library - and family - for the last time, and wrote the prayer …

  Almighty God, Father of all mercy, help me by thy grace, that I may, with humble and sincere thankfulness, remember the comforts and conveniences which I have enjoyed at this place; and that I may resign them with holy submission, equally trusting in thy protection when thou givest, and when thou takest away. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, have mercy upon me. To thy fatherly protection, O Lord, I commend this family. Bless, guide, and defend them, that they may so pass through this world, as finally to enjoy in thy presence everlasting happiness, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

• Note: 11 Jul 1783; Samuel Johnson wrote to Sir Robert Chambers…

  One great abatement of all miseries was the attention of Mr. Thrale, which from our first acquaintance was never intermitted.

• Publication: May 1784

Notes:

Ambitious, with a taste for gambling, and an occasional visitor to Carlisle House, Soho Square - Teresa Cornelys’ lavish assemblies, masquerades and concerts for the rich.

A generous local benefactor, donating to many charities, including:

• Foundling Hospital;
• Magdalen Hospital for the Reception of Penitent Prostitutes; and
• London Hospital - the first hospital in London to be dedicated to the care of the poor.

Died:
Between 5 and 6am, with his wife, Hester, and Dr. Samuel Johnson by his side.

Buried:
The bill for the funeral expenses, including the cost of "6 Men in mourning on horseback, 2 mourning Coaches & Six Horses, and the lining of the pews of St Leonard’s Church in black", amounted in all to £130 5s. 4d. His epitaph was written by Samuel Johnson. In line with the fashion of the day, his friends, were given a mourning ring in a fish skin case.

Henry married Hester Lynch Salusbury on 11 Oct 1763 in Saint Anne's Church, Soho, Middlesex, England. Hester (daughter of John Salusbury and Hester Maria Cotton) was born on 16 Jan 1741 in Bodvel, Caernarvonshire, Wales; died on 2 May 1821 in Clifton, Gloucestershire, England; was buried on 16 May 1821 in Church of Corpus Christi, Tremeirchion, Flintshire, Wales. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Alderman Samuel Plumbe. Samuel and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: Died intestate
• Note: 13 Feb 1776; Fanny Burney referred to Mary Thrale in a letter to Samuel Crisp saying …

  Lady Ladd; I ought to have begun with her. I beg her ladyship a thousand pardons–though if she knew My offence, I am sure I should not obtain one. She is own sister to Mr. Thrale. She is a tall and stout woman, has an air of mingled dignity and haughtiness, both of which wear off in conversation. She dresses very youthful and gaily, and attends to her person with no little complacency. She appears to me uncultivated in knowledge, though an adept in the manners of the world, And all that. She chooses to be much more lively than her brother; but liveliness sits as awkwardly upon her as her pink ribbons.
  
  In talking her over with Mrs Thrale who has a very proper regard for her, but who, I am sure, cannot be blind to her faults, she gave me another proof to those I have already of the uncontrolled freedom of speech which Dr. Johnson exercised to everybody, and which everybody receives quietly from him.
  
  Lady Ladd has been very handsome, but is now, I think, quite ugly–at least she has the sort of face I like not. She was a little while ago dressed in so showy a manner as to attract the doctor's notice, and when he had looked at her some time, he broke out aloud into this quotation:

  With patches, paint, and jewels on, Sure Phillis is not twenty-one But if at night you Phillis see, The dame at least is forty-three!

  I don't recollect the verses exactly, but such was their purport.
  
  "However," said Mrs. Thrale, "Lady Ladd took it very good- naturedly, and only said, 'I know enough of that forty-three? I don't desire to hear any more of it."

Notes:

It is speculated that she bore an illegitimate child for Colonel Sir Philip Jennings Clerke M.P. (died 1788) after the death of her husband Sir John Lade.

Buried:
The Parish Register entry in Warbleton, Sussex for the burial of Lady Ann Lade 31 March 1802 notes that she was brought from St. Albans

Mary married Baronet Sir John Lade, M.P. on 27 May 1756. John (son of John Inskip) was born about 1690; died on 21 Apr 1759; was buried in Warbleton, Sussex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alt. Death: 1781

Susannah married Arnold Nesbitt, M.P. on 28 Nov 1758. Arnold died on 12 Apr 1779. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Charles Salusbury. Charles died in 1777. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thomas Scott, M.P.. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Note: Fanny Burney described Hester Maria Cotton as …

  Smart and proud, but cold and proud.

• Note: 9 Apr 1771; Dr. Samuel Johnson was devoted to Queeney and referred to as…

  Sweet, dear, pretty, little Miss.

• Note: 8 Dec 1774; She produced a mock-solemn covenant …

  Streatham December the 8th at night, 1774;,
  I promise to work for two full hours at her Italian every day as Mr. Barretti shall instruct me. And I promise further, that, whether I am in good humour or out of humour, I will be in earnest and very attentive to my lesson, as if I were in the very best humour, nor will I look about me with a vacant and weary countenance, so that the said Mr. Barretti (alias Taskmaster) shall have no reason, no, not the least shadow of a reason to complain of my disattention, unwillin(gn)ness, and reluctance.
  
  signed by Hester with her full name and her seal, and witnessed by:
  

  • Sam. Johnson, LL.D;, and
  • Hester Lynch Thrale;

  Tutor Barretti left Streatham a month later.
• Note: 14 Sep 1775, Paris, Île-de-France, France
• Physical Description: 1777 - 1778
• Note: 26 Nov 1778; Fanny Burney first met the Thrales at a dinner party at her father’s house on 26 November 1778, aged 26. She became a close friend of the Thrale family. Burney wrote …

  Miss Thrale is a very fine girl, about fourteen years of age, but cold and reserved, though full of knowledge and intelligence.

• Note: 20 Jan 1779; Her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  My second Daughter Susanna Arabella who will not yet be nine Years old till next May, can at this moment read a French Comedy to divert herself, and these very holy days her Amusement has been to make Sophy & sometimes Hester help her to act the two or three 1 st Scenes of Moliere)'s Bourgeouis Gentilhomme: add to this that She has a real Taste for English Poetry, and when Mr Johnson repeated some of Dryden's Musick Ode the other day, She said She had got the whole poem & Pope's too upon the same Subject by Heart for her own Amusement.—
  
  Her Knowledge of Arithmetick goes no farther than the four Rules, but She has worked a Map of Europe, and has a Comprehensive Knowledge of Geography that would amaze one.

• Note: Jul 1779; Aged 9, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Susan & Sophy are fine Girls, and promise to be a Credit & Comfort to their Parents, neither do I yet see any Disposition in the Eldest that need give one pain.

• Note: Jul 1780; Hester Lynch Piozzi wrote in Thraliana whilst in Brighton …

  I have picked up Piozzi here, the great Italian singer. He is amazingly like my father. He shall teach Hester.

• Note: 17 Sep 1780; On her 16th birthday, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  It is this day given me by God to see my first born offspring, my dear Hester,—sixteen Years old— virtuous in Heart, prudent in Behaviour, pleasing in Person, & accomplished in Knowledge.
  
  What more would I have! & yet I often catch myself complaining.—Oh God forgive my foolish repining Spirit; and give me Grace to be thankful for, & to enjoy the Blessings I do not deserve.
  
  We always have a Dance on her Birthday for the Servants, and they shall have it this Year too—in spite of past Sorrows. Mr. Johnson's Birthday is the next day to hers, & we keep them together, &. fill the Summer House with Food, Fiddles &c, today being Sunday, the Balls must be tomorrow & Tuesday.
  
  Sure nothing will ever happen that will keep me from rejoycing on the 17: & 18: of September, the Birthdays of my Daughter & my Friend.,—.

• Note: 26 Jul 1781; Her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Doctor Johnson has undertaken to teach my eldest Daughter Latin and has actually undertaken & begun his Work. Fanny Burney, Author of Evelina is to learn with her of the same Master — Mr Thrale says it is better to teach each of them than a Thousand pounds added to their Fortune. Dear Creatures! How earnestly do I wish them Success! they love one another and will improve by studying together—what a Master they have too! Happy Rogues!—

• Note: 17 Sep 1781; On her 17th birthday, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Oh Lord accept my grateful and Heartfelt Thanks for having lived to see her attain this proximity to Womanhood, & permanent Duration. She is however still delicate in her Health I think, & mightily tormanted with Worms.

• Note: 1 Jan 1782; Her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  She is a prudent Child indeed, I would wish to consult her on every occasion: so much sound Judgment, so little Vanity, such proper Notions of this World, & such Aspiration after a better have I yet never seen in a Creature of her Age:
  
  The Marquis of Caermarthen son to the present Duke of Leeds, & elder Brother to. I this Cuckoldly Marquis, appeared to me to be the Person most resembling her for Perfections of Body & Mind:—beautiful, pious, wise and well accomplished was the late Lord Caermarthen.
  
  Hester is however deficient enough in the _petite morale_: not caressing, not even _attentively_polite; never appearing pleased either with herself or Companions, She will not I fancy be a sought-for Character.

• Residence: 4 Jan 1782, Harley Street, Middlesex, England; After Henry Thrale’s death, Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury rented a house in Harley Street between January and March 1782, where she lived with her daughters. The house was too small to accommodate Samuel Johnson. On 4 January 1782, Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

  I have taken a house in harley street for these three months next ensuing, & hope to have some society–not company tho’; crouds are out of the question, but people will not come hither on short days, & ‘tis too dull to live all alone so. the world will watch me at first, & think i come o’ husband hunting for myself or my fair daughter: but when i have behaved prettily for a while, they will change their mind.

• Note: Jul 1784
• Note: 28 Apr 1789
• Note: 17 Sep 1803; On her 39th birthday 17 September 1803, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Here is Miss Thrale's Birthday come round again, the weather beautiful, & I hope my heart grateful for having lived to see my eldest child 39 years old—& just now not unkind at all— She has written once or twice this year, & in the last Letters some Compassion was exprss'd fo Mr Piozzi's Sufferings—They are indeed very great—Well!
  
  God bless her, & him.

• Education: 21 Jun 1805; She told her mother in a letter that she would never have dared to learn Hebrew if she had not been told that:

  The Illeterate and Itinerant Preachers of Methodism up & down, all study Hebrew, to torment the clergy.

• Physical Description: 1822
• Note: 1832, Thrale Almshouses (1832-1930), Streatham High Road, Streatham, Surrey, England; The four daughters of Henry & Hester Thrale established almshouses for poor single women of Streatham.
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Bolsover Castle, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England; Overnight(s) visitor to Bolsover Castle.

Notes:

Christened:
by Rev James Evans

Name:
Had a variety of nicknames used less frequently than Queeney, including Nig. Niggy. Tit. Birdey. Hetty. Samuel Johnson affectionately called her Sweeting.

Hester married Admiral George Keith, Elphinstone, GCB, 1st Viscount Keith on 10 Jan 1808 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, England. George was born on 7 Jan 1746 in Elphinstone Tower, Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland; died on 10 Mar 1823; was buried in Overton Kirkyard, Tulliallan, Fife, Scotland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Christening: 3 Oct 1765, St Saviour's Church (now Southwark Cathedral) Southwark, Sussex, England

Notes:

Name:
Named after maternal aunt Frances Salusbury.

Birth:
During and after the birth Mrs. Thrale was under great stress from rushing around as part of Mr. Thrale's successful parliamentary election campaign, the death of the incumbent MP Alexander Hume. Mr. Thrale announced his running four days before Frances was born.

Buried:
Buried without gravestone or monument.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: His mother, in Thraliana described him as …

  Strong made, course and bony: - not handsome at all, but of perfect Proportion; and has a surly look with the honestest and sweetest Temper in the World.

  … and very intelligent for his age, with an attractive personality and was lively, dutiful and loving.
• Christening: 3 Mar 1767, Saint Leonards Church, Streatham, Surrey, England
• Education: 1770; By age three Henry had already memorised many facts about religion and was able to recite:
  
  
  • the different heathen Gods;
  • the muses;
  • his Catechism;
  • grammar;
  • facts, and various other trivia.
• Education: abt. 1772; Attended St Thomas's School as a day student, having refused to board.
• Physical Description: 1775; He was an avid reader and had a forward nature, so much so that his mother had to warn him about age-appropriate conversation topics.
• Obituary: 25 Mar 1776; Dr. Samuel Johnson, learned of his death, in a letter received whilst having breakfast with James Boswell and Miss Porter. Johnson exclaimed …

  Sir! one of the most dreadful things that has happened in my time! Mr. Thrale has lost his only son. It is a total extinction of the family. He'll no more value his daughters than … why sir, he wishes to propagate his name … I would have gone to the extremity of the earth to have preserved this boy.

Notes:

Name:
Named after his father.

Died:
The day before he died he went with a family party to the Tower of London

Jumping in and out of every Mortar till he was black as the ground.

.The next day he breakfasted with his father's clerks, bright as a berry. Later during the day, he suffered intense pain. A physician administered a medicine Daffy's Elixir. As he became desperately ill, his mother rushed to his bedside where he lay in agony. He spoke to his nurse and said:

Don't scream so, I know I must die.

He died between 3 and 4 p.m.

Buried:
His mother slowly recovered from his sudden death, but was disappointed in the behaviour of her friend Herbert Lawrence following her son's death, leading to the ending of their friendship.

In contrast, although his father lived for a further five years after the death of his son, he never really recovered from the shock of his son's unexpected death.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Christening: 17 Apr 1768, Saint Leonards Church, Streatham, Surrey, England; Rector: James Tattersall officiated.
  Godparents:
  • Hester Maria Salusbury née Cotton (maternal grandmother);
  • Anna Thrale (paternal great aunt - widow of Richard Smith, who had come with her nephew on his courting visit to Offley Place nearly six years before); and
  • Jeremiah (Joseph) Crutchley.
• Godparent / sponsor: 17 Apr 1768; Jeremiah Crutchley was Godfather to Anna Maria Thrale.
• Physical Description: 11 Jul 1776; Her mother described her as:

  Remarkably small bon'd & delicately framed, but not pretty, as she has no plumpness … her spirit uncommonly high, wonderfully passionate from the very first & backward in her Tongue tho' forward in general Intelligence: She could kiss her hand at 9 months old, & understand all one said to her: could walk to perfection, & even with an Air at a year old, & seems to intend being Queen of us all if she lives which I do not expect she is so very lean.

• Physical Description: Jul 1780; Her mother described her as:

  Very thin, not very pretty, but wonderfully passionate and intelligent.

Notes:

Name:
Named after Lady Anna Maria Salusbury (née Penrice) 1718-1759.

Died:
On the day of her death, her mother's Children's Book described Anna as having died from "a dropsy of the brain". Since she suffered for a while, the sickness may have originated in tuberculosis. She also may have lacked sweat glands, a rare congenital condition.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: Described as a sickly child but abundant in softness and kindness. Very pretty and wonderfully active with her feet, but not very talented in English and grammar.

Notes:

Name:
Named after Samuel Johnson's late wife Elizabeth (known as ?Tetty).

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Kensington, Middlesex, England; : Mrs Cumyns's boarding school
• Education: London, England; She was knowledgeable and had a talent for reading elegantly. She was able to speak French and English by age five.; : Mrs Stevenson's school; Address:
  Queens Square
• Medical: She had crooked legs and an umbilical rupture which made her irritable. Because of this she was called Little Crab by the other children and Gilly by her father from a Gilhouter, the Cheshire word signifying an owl.
• Note: Dr Samuel Johnson said of her…

  I was always a Suzy, when nobody else was a Suzy.

• Physical Description: 30 Mar 1777; Her mother described Susannah in Thraliana as …

  Small, ugly & lean as ever; her Colour is like that of an ill painted Wall grown dirty.

  Dr. Samuel Johnson defended her as being strong and beautiful, against the opinion of her mother.
• Note: 26 Nov 1778; Fanny (Frances) Burney first met the Thrales at a dinner party at her father’s house on 26 November 1778, aged 26. She became a close friend of the Thrale family.
• Note: 20 Jan 1779; Her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  My second Daughter Susanna Arabella who will not yet be nine Years old till next May, can at this moment read a French Comedy to divert herself, and these very holy days her Amusement has been to make Sophy & sometimes Hester help her to act the two or three 1 st Scenes of Moliere)'s Bourgeouis Gentilhomme: add to this that She has a real Taste for English Poetry, and when Mr Johnson repeated some of Dryden's Musick Ode the other day, She said She had got the whole poem & Pope's too upon the same Subject by Heart for her own Amusement.—
  
  Her Knowledge of Arithmetick goes no farther than the four Rules, but She has worked a Map of Europe, and has a Comprehensive Knowledge of Geography that would amaze one.

• Note: Jul 1779; Aged 9, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Susan & Sophy are fine Girls, and promise to be a Credit & Comfort to their Parents, neither do I yet see any Disposition in the Eldest that need give one pain.

• Note: 14 Jul 1780; Her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  Susan is three parts a Beauty, & quite a Scholar for ten Years old: few passages in History or poetry,—I mean English Poetry—are new to her, & She is a Critick in Geography & French.

• Note: Jan 1781; When Susannah was eleven - her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  Susan has a surprising turn for Letter writing; her compositions are relly elegant, & She delights—odd enough—in reading Voiture & Sevigné. They both [Susannah and sister Sophia] have obtained the French Accent very completely, considering they have never been out of England. I should like to treat them to with a run to the Continent.

• Physical Description: 17 Dec 1781; Her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  Susan is already taller than me, & three parts a Beauty.

• Residence: 4 Jan 1782, Harley Street, Middlesex, England; After Henry Thrale’s death, Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury rented a house in Harley Street between January and March 1782, where she lived with her daughters. The house was too small to accommodate Samuel Johnson. On 4 January 1782, Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

  I have taken a house in harley street for these three months next ensuing, & hope to have some society–not company tho’; crouds are out of the question, but people will not come hither on short days, & ‘tis too dull to live all alone so. the world will watch me at first, & think i come o’ husband hunting for myself or my fair daughter: but when i have behaved prettily for a while, they will change their mind.

• Note: 1790; John Fuller, better known as "Mad Jack" Fuller, proposed marriage but was rebuffed.
• Note: 1832, Thrale Almshouses (1832-1930), Streatham High Road, Streatham, Surrey, England; The four daughters of Henry & Hester Thrale established almshouses for poor single women of Streatham.
• Residence: June 1807 - Nov 1858, Ash Cottage, Knockholt, Kent, England

Notes:

Susannah Arabella was aged:

• 11 when her father died; and
• 14 when her mother remarried.

Susannah Arabella remained unmarried.

Buried:
Has a monument inside Knockholt Church and St Leonards Church, Streatham.

Susannah married William Frederick Wells in 1796 (Unmarried & living together), and was divorced in 1816. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: Winchester, Hampshire, England; : Winchester College
• Education: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England; : Christ Church College
• Adopted: 1777; Adopted by Henry & Hester Thrale after the death of his mother (Henry's sister) in 1781. His father having already died in 1777.
• Residence: 1777, Streatham Park, Streatham, Surrey, England; After becoming orphaned.
• Ordained: 1793
• Employment: 1821-abt.1845, Bishopstone, Wiltshire, England; Rector

Notes:

George Salusbury was a close friend of Henry Thrale Jr, having been close in age and grown up in the same household.

George Salusbury was a kind and generous man. He was also a scholar and a writer. He published several books on religious and historical subjects.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Physical Description: 1771; Dr. Samuel Johnson said of Hester's pregnancy with Sophia …

  This naughty baby stays so long that I am afraid it will be a giant, like King Richard.

• Christening: 11 Aug 1771, Saint Leonards Church, Streatham, Surrey, England
• Education: 1775, Queens Square, Middlesex, England; Attending Mrs Stevensons school and was memorising hymns, multiplication tables and Psalms, at the aged of four.
• Physical Description: 20 Dec 1776; She was a favourite of Dr. Samuel Johnson who described her as:

  Dear, sweet, pretty, lovely, delicious Miss Sophy.

• Note: 20 Jan 1779; Her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  My second Daughter Susanna Arabella who will not yet be nine Years old till next May, can at this moment read a French Comedy to divert herself, and these very holy days her Amusement has been to make Sophy & sometimes Hester help her to act the two or three 1 st Scenes of Moliere's Bourgeouis Gentilhomme: add to this that She has a real Taste for English Poetry, and when Mr Johnson repeated some of Dryden's Musick Ode the other day, She said She had got the whole poem & Pope's too upon the same Subject by Heart for her own Amusement.—
  
  Her Knowledge of Arithmetick goes no farther than the four Rules, but She has worked a Map of Europe, and has a Comprehensive Knowledge of Geography that would amaze one.

• Note: 30 May 1779, Streatham Park, Streatham, Surrey, England
• Note: Jul 1779; Aged 9, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Susan & Sophy are fine Girls, and promise to be a Credit & Comfort to their Parents, neither do I yet see any Disposition in the Eldest that need give one pain.

• Note: 6 Aug 1780; Her mother wrote in Thraliana

  Sophy has a Turn for making Verses, bad enough to be sure, yet such a Turn shews Genius in a Girl who was nine Years old only a fortnight ago.

• Note: Jan 1781; When Susannah was eleven - her mother wrote of her in Thraliana …

  Susan has a surprising turn for Letter writing; her compositions are relly elegant, & She delights—odd enough—in reading Voiture & Sevigné. They both {Susannah and sister Sophia} have obtained the French Accent very completely, considering they have never been out of England. I should like to treat them to with a run to the Continent.

• Note: 17 Dec 1781; Her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  My Sophy Thrale has begun to study Musik in good earnest; She will learn to play & sing very well I fancy, Piozzi has great hopes of her. Sophy is an Epitome of all the Cotton family—'tis odd that none of my children should resemble my Father.

• Education: Abt 1782, Kensington, Middlesex, England; Mrs Cumyns' boarding school
• Residence: 4 Jan 1782, Harley Street, Middlesex, England; After Henry Thrale’s death, Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury rented a house in Harley Street between January and March 1782, where she lived with her daughters. The house was too small to accommodate Samuel Johnson. On 4 January 1782, Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

  I have taken a house in harley street for these three months next ensuing, & hope to have some society–not company tho’; crouds are out of the question, but people will not come hither on short days, & ‘tis too dull to live all alone so. the world will watch me at first, & think i come o’ husband hunting for myself or my fair daughter: but when i have behaved prettily for a while, they will change their mind.

• Physical Description: 11 Mar 1782; Her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Handsome enough, though not eminant for beauty.

• Medical: 19 Nov 1783, Bath, Somerset, England; When Sophia was 12, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Heavens! a new Distress! my Child, my Sophia will dye: arrested by the hand of God—apparently so: She will die without a Disease—Fits, sudden, unaccountable, unprovoked; Apoplectic, lethargic like her Father. Woodward and Dobson are called: they say her Disorder should be termed Allonitus. 'tis an instant Cessation of all Nature's Pow'rs at once. I saved her in the first Attack, bya Dram of fine Old Usquebough given at the proper Moment—it reviv'd her, but She only lives I see to expire with fresh Struggles.
  
  Oh spare my Sophia, my Darling, oh spare her gracious heaven—& take in Exchange the life of her wretched Mother!
  
  She lives, I have been permitted to save her again; I rubbed her while just expiring, so as to keep the heart in Motion: She knew me instantly, & said you warm me but you are killing yourself—I actually was in a burning Fever from exertion, & fainted soon as I had saved my Child.
  
  Hester has behaved inimitably too, all our Tenderness was called out on this Occasion: dear Creatures! they see I love them, that I would willingly die for them; that I am actually dying to gratifie their Humour at the Expence of my own Happiness: they can but have my Life-let them take it!”;

• Medical: 27 Nov 1783; Johnson's letters show that he, and perhaps the physicians, regarded this attack of Sophia's as hysterical. He wrote…

  I had to-day another trifling letter from the physicians. Do not let them fill your mind with terrours which perhaps they have not in their own; neither suffer yourself to sit forming comparisons between Sophy and her dear father; between; whom there can be no other resemblance, than that of sickness to sickness. Hystericks and apoplexies have no relation.

• Medical: Mar 1784; Samuel Johnson wrote about his concerns of her recurring illness …

  Poor Sophy has been very ill again. I am afraid she makes no progress.

• Physical Description: 1795
• Note: 1832, Thrale Almshouses (1832-1930), Streatham High Road, Streatham, Surrey, England; The four daughters of Henry & Hester Thrale established almshouses for poor single women of Streatham.

Notes:

She was aged:

• 10 when her father died; and
• 13 when her mother remarried.

Sir Joshua Reynolds portrait of Sophy is now at believed to be at Bowood House.

Buried:
A mourning tablet in her memory is located inside St Leonards Church, Streatham.

Sophia married Henry Merrick Hoare on 13 Aug 1807 in Saint Marylebone, Middlesex, England. Henry (son of Baronet Sir Richard Hoare) was born in 1770; died in 1856 in Barnes, Surrey, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
Born at 1pm

Died:
It was said that Mrs Thrale had driven herself to total exhaustion during her previous pregnancy and had not recovered by the time Penelope was born.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Godparent / sponsor:
  • Lord William Henry Lyttleton Westcote 1724-1808. Lawyer, MP, Governor of South Carolina and of Jamaica. Ambassador to Portugal;
  • Lord Edwin Sandys: 1726-1797). MP, Lord of the Admiralty.
• Medical: His mothers' Children's Book records that she had suspected that Ralph was imbecile since 31 December 1773 and that Dr Pott the surgeon confirmed this in April 1775, suggesting that the cause was congenital. Ralph was said by Hester to have suffered from confluent smallpox.

Notes:

Died:
Ralph died of a brain disorder that caused his head to enlarge. Doctors now think that the cause of death was either congenital hydrocephalus, where there is an increase in the fluid in the ventricles of the brain or hydranencephaly where a bag of clear fluid between the brain and skull distort the shape of the head.

During the last few months of his life, Ralph's state overshadowed the life of the Thrales taking everybody's mind off the fact that Frances Anna Thrale was born two months earlier.

Notes:

Name:
Named after paternal cousin Frances Plumbe Rice.

Died:
At the time, most of the Thrale family had come down with influenza but all recovered except:

• Frances; and
• her wet nurse who also died a few days later.

Mrs. Thrale took death as being normal as then infant mortality was high and death was always half-expected soo after birth.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Christening: 1777; Godparents:
  • Miss Owen,
  • Mrs Hester D'Avenent 1748-1822,
  • William Seward 1747 -1799.
• Note: Jul 1779; Aged two, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Cæcilia improves daily and is a lovely girl of the fair delicate kind … their is not a fault to find with either of them person or Mind; and I thank God who gave them me, their health is excellent.

• Residence: 4 Jan 1782, Harley Street, Middlesex, England; After Henry Thrale’s death, Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury rented a house in Harley Street between January and March 1782, where she lived with her daughters. The house was too small to accommodate Samuel Johnson. On 4 January 1782, Hester Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

  I have taken a house in harley street for these three months next ensuing, & hope to have some society–not company tho’; crouds are out of the question, but people will not come hither on short days, & ‘tis too dull to live all alone so. the world will watch me at first, & think i come o’ husband hunting for myself or my fair daughter: but when i have behaved prettily for a while, they will change their mind.

• Medical: 28 Mar 1783; Her mother wrote in Thraliana…

  Poor Cæcilia has got the Hooping Cough.

• Medical: 14 Apr 1783; Her mother wrote in Thraliana after contracting measles …

  Poor Cæcilia and Harriett; I fear those poor babies will dye, notwithstanding the efforts of Jebb & Pepys to relieve them:—Thank Heav’n they are with Dear Mrs Ray.

  Sir Richard Jebb physician to the King 1742-1830. Pepys physician to the King 1729-87. Mrs Ray Proprietor of Russell House School opposite St. Leonard's Church Streatham.
• Education: 1784; When her mother left England, Cecilia was left with tutor Miss Nicholson.
• School: Summer 1786; She moved to Mrs Stevenson’s school in Queens Square, London.
• Note: 29 Apr 1787; Aged 12, her mother wrote in Thraliana of her second husband Gabriel Piozzi’s relationship with Cecilia …

  The little Cecllia is his Darling, & while She is at School will honour us with her Visits no doubt, but her Tenderness will end there I trust, as her Spirit is the same to that of her Sisters. Well! never mind, my heart is vastly more impenetrable to their unmerited Cruelty than it was when last in England. Let them look to their Affairs, & I shall look to mine: the World is wide enough I’ll warrant it for Miss Thrales and Mrs Piozzi.

• Physical Description: 30 Dec 1789; Aged 12 her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Cæcilia grows more amiable, She has some fondness, & much flexibility:Amica di ognuno, Amica di nessuno should be Cæcilia’s Motto. We teize her, & say She is like her own favourite Spaniel, who fawns upon everybody, & upon ev’ry body alike—but She says Phillis has her Distinctions.

  'Amica di ognuno, Amica di nessuno' translates as 'Friend of everyone, friend of no-one'.
• Physical Description: 3 Jan 1791; Aged fourteen, her mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Every body tells me that Cæcilia Thrale improves, & so I think She does; tho’ not because they say so: were She less altered for the better, no less would be said about her perfections I suppose. but She has lost much of the savage Manners She brought from School: is tamer, & handsomer, and grows very like what her Sisters were when they lived with me.—
  
  The Exterior is best tho’ with Cecilia; her Mind recovers more slowly than her Person, from a severe Shock certainly given to Both in the Year 1783 by the Hooping Cough & Measles together, when her younger Sister lost that Life which was preserved to this Girl only by Sir Lucas Pepys’s extreme Skill & Care.
  
  She will however be a fine Woman, with Accomplishments & Beauty & Virtue enough to accompany forty or fifty Thousand Pounds—although her Memory is far from strong, and her Spirit of Application to any Study much too weak ever to attain at Eminence I think.
  
  Her Temper when unthwarted is sweet, but She arms against opposition even instinctively; and will do nothing because She is commanded, but the contrary, while the same surly Independent Soul inhabits her Bosom with equal Rapacity to obtain, and Rage to appropriate, as in the hearts of any of her Family.
  
  Cecilia seems however to love Mr Piozzi—in her way of loving—but no one accuses her of partiality towards me I believe, whose Company She studiously avoids; & I therefore say nothing, but provide Refuges for her to recur to, that are no less improving Companions than myself—while She has Miss Weston, Miss Williams, Miss Lees, or Dear Siddons only for Confidents—She can hear of nothing but Literature, so I care not.
  
  The Greatheeds too, so much her favourites! with whom can She be better? We keep no Company but that by which something must be obtained to a Young Mind, of Knowledge or of Virtue.—

• Note: 27 Jan 1791; Hester Lynch Thrale wrote in Thraliana …

  Here’s my Birthday returned; the first I have spent at Streatham for many Years, and quite the happiest I ever did spend there: Our daughter who lives in the house with us—Cecilia—much improved, & growing handsome as well as tall & rich; good as her Neighbours too, for ought I see; though without much Love of Study, or Regard for me, all goes well between us; and her Papa as She calls him, has a very solid kindness & true Goodwill towards her. I find he is of Opinion that Cator is no honest Guardian to those Girls, but I suppose they would rather be robbed by him, than saved by us.

• Godparent / sponsor: Aug 1794; Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury became Godmother to Cecilia Siddons, daughter of Sarah Siddons. Cecilia Siddons was named after Cecilia Margaretta Thrale.
• Note: 1 Sep 1794; Aged 17, mother wrote in Thraliana …

  Cecilia does not indeed trouble herself to disguise her Sentiments, She has, and She shews She has, an ineffable Contempt for us both; but why do I say of us? She despises every body, I know, except her own Sisters & her Father’s Family (I suppose‚ twas they taught her to hate us so, She was only indifferent to us till She knew them—but’twas an easy Lesson to any of the Family), Cecilia is however a very charitable Girl, and loves the poor: which will produce her many Blessings I humbly hope, and certainly will cover a Multitude of Faults—for the rest, one can only say with Andromache—

  Youth and Prosperity have made her vain.

• Property: 1821, 78 West Street, Brighton, Sussex, England; Inherited from her mother Hester
• Note: 1832, Thrale Almshouses (1832-1930), Streatham High Road, Streatham, Surrey, England; The four daughters of Henry & Hester Thrale established almshouses for poor single women of Streatham.
• Census: 6 Jun 1841, Sillwood Place, Brighton, Brighthelmstone, Sussex, England; : 60
• Probate: Autumn 1857; Her collection of curiosities and relics of her father's and Dr. Samuel Johnsonwas sold at Silwood Lodge, Brighton.

Notes:

Cecilia Margaretta was 4 years old. when her father died and 7 years old. seven when her mother remarried.

Cecilia married John Meredith Mostyn on 8 Jun 1795 in Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. John (son of John Mostyn and Anna Maria Meredydd) was born in 1775 in Segrwyd, Denbighshire, Wales; died on 19 May 1807 in Bath, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Godparent / sponsor: Mrs Elizabeth Montagu; Address:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Montagu
• Physical Description: Jul 1779; When Henrietta was one year old - Hester wrote in Thraliana …

  Harriett is brown, rosy, fat and stout--their is not a fault to find with either of them person or Mind; and I thank God who gave them me, their health is excellent;.

• Physical Description: 17 Dec 1781; Hester wrote in Thraliana …

  She is a pretty creature! Harriet much resembles the young Rices I think--She is a pretty creature!

• Medical: 14 Apr 1783; Her mother wrote in Thralianaafter contracting measles …

  Poor Cæcilia and Harriett; I fear those poor babies will dye, notwithstanding the efforts of Jebb & Pepys to relieve them:—Thank Heav’n they are with Dear Mrs Ray.

  Jebb & Pepys were doctors & Mrs. Ray was her school teacher.

Notes:

Died:
She was ill before 22 March 1783, as that day Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote …

I hope, Harriet is well;.

On 28 March 1783 - four weeks before Henrietta died - Hester wrote in Thraliana …

My youngest child Henrietta is ill;.

On 14 April 1783, Hester again wrote in Thraliana, after Henrietta contracted measles …

Poor Cæcilia and Harriett; I fear those poor babies will dye, notwithstanding the efforts of Jebb & Pepys to relieve them:—Thank Heav'n they are with Dear Mrs Ray {Proprietor of Russell House School opposite St. Leonard's Church Streatham}.

On 31 March 1783, Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote …

I hope to hear again that my dear little girl is out of danger;.

On 14 April 1783, Hester again wrote in Thraliana, after Henrietta contracted measles …

Poor Cæcilia and Harriett; I fear those poor babies will dye, notwithstanding the efforts of Jebb & Pepys to relieve them:—Thank Heav'n they are with Dear Mrs Ray.

Mrs Ray was proprietor of Russell House School opposite St. Leonard's Church Streatham.



On 31 March 1783, Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote …

I hope to hear again that my dear little girl is out of danger;.

Hester wrote in Thraliana …

Henrietta’s Death however was inevitable; She came home with a slight glandular Swelling in her Neck which was succeeded by the Measles & Hooping Cough: these united fell very heavy on an Infant so tender, & falling on her Lungs particularly, produced an Abscess which was the immediate Cause of her Death.;.

Surprisingly - by today's standards - during the period of her illness and death Hester was in Bath whilst Henrietta and Cecilia were in Streatham.

Notes:

Died:
Aged 38, Hester Thrale wrote in the Family Book …

I think I am again pregnant.

Hester had a difficult pregnancy, which she prayed was a son. During most of the pregnancy, she was confined to the house. On 10 August 1779, she was a few days away from being full-term, but problems with the clerks had arisen at the brewery.

In Thraliana, she wrote …

Mr Thrale wished me to go, nay insisted on it, but seemed somewhat concerned too, as he was well apprized of the Risque I should run. I went however, & after doing the Business I went to do, beg’d him to make haste home, as I was apprehensive bad Consequences might very quickly arise from the Joulting &c. – he would not be hurried … no Pain, No Entreaties of mine could make him set out one Moment before the appointed hour – so I lay along in the Coach all the way from London to Streatham in a State not to be described, nor endured; – but by me: –& being carried to my Chamber the Instant I got home, miscarried in the utmost Agony before they could get me into Bed, after fainting five Times.

The stillborn child was a full-term, perfectly formed, boy. Henry’s inaction seemed to have contributed to the loss of his last chance to have a male heir. John Perkins who was present at the scene in the brewery, said that Henry seemed to be…

Planet-struck.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alias: Known as Frances Plumbe-Rice after her mother's second marriage.

Frances married John Rice in May 1773 in Holland. John and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Note: 1775; Samuel Johnson wrote some verses on the new Sir John's coming of age, remarking on his extravagance which his life as a friend of the Prince Regent eroded most of his inherited fortune.
• Physical Description: 1778
• Note: 8 Aug 1780; Ode to Sir John Lade (younger) by Samuel Johnson on His Coming of Age ‘A short song of congratulation’

  Long-expected one and twenty
  Lingering year at last is flown
  Pomp and pleasure, pride and plenty
  Great Sir John, are all your own.
  
  Loosened from the minor’s tether,
  Free to mortgage or to sell,
  Wild as wind, and light as feather,
  Bid the slaves of thrift farewell.
  
  Call the Bettys, Kates, and Jennys
  Every name that laughs at care,
  Lavish of your grandsire’s guineas,
  Show the spirit of an heir.
  
  All that prey on vice and folly
  Joy to see their quarry fly,
  Here the gamester light and jolly,
  There the lender grave and sly.
  
  Wealth, Sir John, was made to wander,
  Let it wander as it will;
  See the jockey, see the pander,
  Bid them come, and take their fill.
  
  When the bonny blade carouses,
  Pockets full, and spirits high,
  What are acres?
  What are houses?
  Only dirt, or wet or dry.
  
  If the guardian or the mother
  Tell the woes of wilful waste,
  Scorn their counsel and their pother
  You can hang or drown at last.

Notes:

He was made the ward of his uncle Henry Thrale 1724-1781 and become one of the notorious rakes of the Prince of Wales' circle, going through his own fortune and his mother's, which he inherited in 1802.

He landed in King's Bench prison in 1813, whence Lady Keith (Queeney Thrale) tried to rescue him by appealing, in vain, to his former patron, the Prince Regent.
.

Thanks to Sue Atkinson for her contributions.

John married Lady Letitia Derby about 1787. Letitia died in 1825. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Godparent / sponsor: Duke of Clarence, Later King William IV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_IV_of_the_United_Kingdom)
• Godparent / sponsor: Prince of Wales, later King George IV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_IV_of_the_United_Kingdom)
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Bolsover Castle, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England; Widdow Of The Late Augustus Villiers. Visitor to the household with mother.; : 38

Notes:

Georgina was the last direct descendant of Henry Thrale as she died childless.

Family/Spouse: Lord William Godolphin Osborne. William was born in 1804; died on 28 Dec 1888. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Georgina married Honorable Augustus John Child Villiers in 1831 in St George, Hanover Square, Middlesex, England. Augustus died on 24 May 1847 in St George, Hanover Square, Middlesex, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Had a distinguished career in the Royal Navy.

Family/Spouse: Susan Townshend. Susan and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 6 Jun 1841, Sillwood Place, Brighton, Brighthelmstone, Sussex, England; : 35

Notes:

Bertie was a man of science interested in the latest inventions; and a writer. He wrote a play called "The Regent" in which he persuaded Mrs Siddons to take the leading part, but she miscarried on stage and the play was withdrawn. Bertie was 17th in a direct descent from King Edward 1.

Name:
Named after Bertie Greatheed, second son of Samuel Greatheed, Whig Member of Parliament for Coventry and Lady Mary Greatheed.