Henry Thrale

A tablet monument to Henry Thrale was erected on 20 September 1782 in St Leonard’s Church, Streatham, London, on the wall of the south aisle between the door of the choir vestry and the window. The monument is close to his mother-in-laws monument, Hester Maria Cotton.

This article tells the story of the west-facing library at Streatham Park, which for several years was venue for many dinners which were attended by many celebrated visitors.

Streatham Park, or Streatham Place, was built in 1730 by Ralph Thrale (1698-1758) on 89 acres of land bought from the local Lord of the Manor - the fourth Duke of Bedford. It was rumoured that the sale price was a ten-year supply of ale and porter for the Duke's home

Henry Thrale died on 4 April 1781 between 5am - 6am, with his wife and Samuel Johnson by his side.

Henry Thrale had been brought into the brewer business by his father in 1748. Ten years later, after his father's death, Henry Thrale inherited the brewery aged 28.

Early toursists, the Thrales went with Samuel Johnson on a tour of Wales and France, most notably enjoyed dinner and an evening at the theatre at the court of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette at Fontainebleau.

Ralph Thrale

Henry, and his father Ralph before him, both owned the powerful Anchor Brewery and were also both Members of Parliament for Southwark. They were wealthy and enjoyed a coterie of servants, maids and valets.

On 11^th October 1763, Henry and Hester were wed by Thelwall Salusbury at St. Anne's Chapel, Soho, London aged 35-39 and 22 respectively.

Henry Thrale was the son of the rich brewer Ralph Thrale (1698 - 1758) and Mary Thrale née Dabbins, Dobbins or Dobbinson. His father was a rich and successful brewer, and Henry continued in this vein, and later becoming a Member of Parliament and host to the notable Streatham Worthies.