Men of Kent. 2. Harvey of Eastry

MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY By COLIN MATSON THE Harvey Family of East Kent is one of ancient lineage and honourable history. In her book 'Under Thirty-seven Kings'—which is a history of the Boys Family written by Lilian Boys Behrens—the author shows a skeleton table of descent which traces the ancestry of the Harvey Family back to the Emperor Charlemagne himself and his marriage to Hildgrade in the year 814. Much of this line runs through the females of it; and it passes by way of Gundrada the wife of William de Warrenne and the reputed daughter of William the Conqueror. The parentage of this lady has never been confirmed; and, both before and for some time after her, the descent has the support of tradition only. In this article no attempt will be made to consider the legendary ancestry. Here it is proposed to introduce the branch of the Harvey family which may be considered conveniently as of Eastry; and then to concentrate upon one particular hne of it. In this case the author has been fortunate in the possession of an authentic pedigree which was prepared by a genealogical expert at the beginning of this century. This pedigree commences with Richard Harvey, who died in 1472, seised of land at Barfield (Barville) in the parish of Tilmanstone, which is to be found at about two miles distant to the south of Eastry. Ten successive generations in the direct male hne—mostly with the name of Richard—foUow; and all these men were yeoman-farmers and landowners based at such places as Barfield, Eythorne, West Studdal, Selson, Dane Court, Farthingloe, and Barston. Richard Harvey (1714-98) was the eldest son of Richard and Margaret of Farthingloe in the parish of Hougham. He was an active farmer at Elvington Farm, Eythorne, during the years 1732-44, and then at Barston (Barfreston) Court until he retired in 1792 to spend his remaining years in retirement at Sandwich. In 1734 he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Nicholls of Barham; and these two had issue nine surviving children—five sons and four daughters. On the north wall of the nave at Barfreston Church we can see a monument to Richard and Elizabeth Harvey 'erected by their surviving children in dutiful and grateful remembrance of their affectionate and revered parents, who had lived together sixty-four years complete.' Those nine children now become the objects of our special interest. Before considering 98 PLATE I „:. f. r. iv,-.v '/ -iwll'fn! '('.tl'lMoiiN r'tlKTI/MT., II.UH'K V. [ face p. 98 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY each individual, we can composite table: Richard Henry John Thomas Samuel Margaret Eliza Catherine Mary Roberta Sarah 1735-1821 1737-1810 1740-1794 1742-1823 1746-1813 1743-1837 1749-1820 1750-1812 1758-1798 obtain a family picture by glancing at this Vicar of St. Lawrence, Thanet, and Eastrywith- Worth, m. Judith Matson, and had issue. Admiral, Royal Navy. Knight Commander of the Bath. m. Elizabeth Boys, and had issue. Captain, Royal Navy. m. Judith Wise, and had issue. Custom House Officer of London and Bristol, d.s.p. Brewer of Sandwich, m. Catherine Maundy and had issue. m. Thomas Freeman, Rector of Old Romney, and had issue. m. William Wyborn Bradley, Brewer of Sandwich, and had issue. m. John Matson, Town Clerk of Sandwich, and had issue. m. John Tucker, Rector of Gravesend, and had issue. We can consider a happy and healthy family at Barfreston Court. Both parents were to live long enough to enjoy the interests and the distinctions of their children in their careers and their marriages. Richard Harvey (1735-1821) was the eldest of this family. He was educated at Corpus Christi CoUege, Cambridge (then known as Benet College on account of its close associations with St. Benet's Church near-by); and there he obtained his Master of Arts Degree. He was ordained in the Church of England; and in due course was appointed as Vicar of St. Lawrence, Thanet, where he continued in service for fifty-five years. In 1772 he succeeded his cousin, another Richard Harvey, as Vicar of Eastry with Worth; and it is assumed that he held the two livings in plurality until the year before his death. In the High Chancel, upon the north wall of the Sacrarium at the Church of St. Lawrence, is a fine monument of white marble, at the base of which is a shield displaying the Harvey arms. The inscription to be read there, and now quoted, is so informative that no attempt will be made to improve upon it: Near this place are deposited the mortal remains of the Rev. RICHARD HARVEY, A.M. Vicar of Eastry and Worth, 99 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY One of the Six Preachers of the Cathedral of Canterbury. Curate of Ramsgate Chapel. Formerly Vicar of this Parish and a Magistrate for the County of Kent and the liberties of the Cinque Ports, who closed a long, useful and exemplary life and a ministry of sixty-three years (fifty-five of which were dedicated to this Parish) on the 29th day of July, 1821, aged 86 years. In grateful testimony of whose worth as a Christian Pastor, upright Magistrate and benevolent neighbour, this tablet was erected by his numerous friends as a sincere (though inadequate) memorial of his value and their loss. St. Lawrence's Church was then one mile distant from the growing town of Ramsgate; and in 1793 Richard Harvey was responsible for the erection of a mission chapel to serve the new parts of the parish with himself as the curate there. In 1766 Richard Harvey was married to Judith, eldest daughter of Charles and Judith Matson of Wingham Court in the parish of Wingham. These two had one son Richard, who after obtaining his degree at Benet College and becoming a Clerk in Holy Orders, was to succeed his father as Vicar of St. Lawrence, and to remain there until his death in 1836. Two more Richard Harveys in the direct male line were to follow as ministers of the Church—Richard Harvey (1806-61) was the first Vicar of Ramsgate and held the appointment for thirty-four years; and his son Richard (1826-1907) became Vicar of Sarisbury in Hampshire, and died there without issue. Thus ended a direct line of four successive Richard Harveys, each an eldest or only son, and each a Clerk in Holy Orders. With the second son of Richard and Ehzabeth at Barfreston Court, we commence our consideration of what may be described correctly as a very remarkable sequence of service and distinction in the Royal Navy. Admiral Sir Henry Harvey (1737-1810), K.C.B., received his early education in the Royal Marine School at Calais, and entered the Royal Navy in 1751 when he was still within two months of his fourteenth birthday. His earher years of service were both active and interesting, and were spent on the North American stations, in the Enghsh Channel, and the North Sea. In 1791 he was placed on half-pay for two years, after which he was promoted to Commander and given the command of various ships of increasing importance. In 1793 he was appointed 100 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY to command the 'Ramillies' and joined the Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe, to take a distinguished part in the battle of 'The Glorious First of June, 1794,' when a decisive victory was gained over the French Fleet off the Island of Ushant. In the following month he was promoted to Rear-Admiral in command of a squadron in the North Sea; and two years later he was Commander-in-Chief in the Leeward Islands. Throughout the course of these commands, and others, he was often engaged in action against the French. In 1800 Vice-Admiral Harvey hoisted his flag on the 'Royal Sovereign' as second-in-command of the Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord St. Vincent. In 1804 he was again promoted; and at about this time Admiral Harvey was created Knight Commander of the Bath. In 1768 Henry Harvey married Elizabeth, daughter of Commodore William Boys, then Lieutenant-Governor of Greenwich Hospital; and these two had issue four sons and one daughter. Two of these sons were lost at sea at an early age; and Elizabeth the daughter was married to Colonel William Henry Boys of the Royal Marines. The youngest son is considered in the following paragraph. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Harvey (1775-1841), K.C.B., entered the Royal Navy at the age of twelve years. Seven years later he was serving as a Lieutenant under his father on the 'Ramillies,' and so was present in action on the 1st June, 1794. Promotions to Commander and Post-Captain were to follow until, in 1805, he was appointed to command the 'Standard' (64 guns). In 1837 he was promoted to Vice- Admiral; and two years later he was appointed as Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies. He died at Bermuda in 1841 during his tenure of office. In 1805 Thomas Harvey married his first cousin Sarah, daughter of his uncle John; and they had issue a large family, including these four sons—Rear-Admiral Thomas (1810-68), whose home base was at Eastry Court—Rear-Admiral Henry (1812-87), who died at Walmer— William, a Clerk in Holy Orders—and John, a Lieutenant in the 54th Foot, who died in the East Indies. Captain John Harvey (1740-94) was the third son of Richard and Elizabeth of Barfreston Court. On account of his gallantry and his mortal wounds received in action, he was to achieve undying fame and so become the best-known member of this family. At the age of fourteen years he joined the 'Falmouth' under Captain Brett; and four years later he was promoted to Lieutenant. In 1768 he was a Commander; and then he had a spell of several years on half-pay. During this period he was engaged as a Councillman of Sandwich: he became a Jurat in 1772; and was Mayor of the Borough two years later. In 1776 he returned to his naval duties; and for a period of four years, he was Flag-Captain on the 'Panther' (60 guns) to Rear-Admiral Duff in the Mediterranean, and then in the West Indies under Sir Samuel Hood. Various commands and appointments were to follow until, in February, 101 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY 1793, Captain Harvey was appointed to command the 'Brunswick' (74 guns), then of the Channel Fleet under Admiral Lord Howe. This ship was heavily engaged in action on the 1st June, 1794 and was severely damaged, after having sunk one French ship and wrecked two others. The casualties on board were killed 44, Wounded 114; and Captain Harvey himself was mortally wounded by musket-ball and shot. For some hours the 'Brunswick' was grappled to the French ship 'Le Vengeur'; and the fighting between them was desperate. On the extreme left of the picture which faces this page the two ships can be seen. On board the British ship was a detachment of the 29th Foot (Worcestershire Regiment), the soldiers of which were engaged in shooting the Frenchmen out of the rigging of their ship. To this day a Naval Crown, superscribed '1st June, 1794,' is a treasured badge of this distinguished county regiment. After the battle Captain Harvey was taken to Portsmouth, where he died on the 30th June. His body was conveyed to Eastry with much pomp and ceremony. There he was buried; and at the western end of the north wall of the church we can see the monument erected to him. It displays a realistic battle scene of the famous engagement, which was carved in relief by John Bacon the Elder. During the last ten years of his life Captain Harvey's home base was at Heronden (Hernden), an important property which is to be found at one mile distant to the south-west from Eastry Church. There is httle doubt that, but for his untimely death, this gallant sailor would have received promotions to higher ranks. The 27th day of September, 1763 must have been a day of much social goodwill in the Town and Port of Sandwich. On that day at the Church of St. Peter in the heart of the ancient borough a triple marriage ceremony was celebrated. The three brides were Mary, Sarah, and Judith, daughters of Henry Wise, Haberdasher of Sandwich and Mayor of the town in 1757; and the three grooms—John Matson (1741-1817), Odiarne Coates, and John Harvey—were young men of character, promise, and local standing. Here we are concerned with the third of these pairs. John and Judith Harvey had surviving issue three sons and three daughters, all of whom claim our present attention. Henry Wise (1768-1852) was the eldest son who succeeded his father as the owner of Heronden, where he settled down as a farmer. He married Margaret Dilnot of Patricksbourn; and they raised a family of boys and girls, including Captain John (1793-1882)—Lieutenant Henry Wise (1798-1861), R.N., who retired to Heronden to farm and practise his hobby as a water-colour painter—and Elizabeth, who was maried to Captain George Hilton, R.N. The two other sons of John and Judith are considered in the next paragraph. Of the three daughters—Sarah, the eldest, was married to her cousin Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas—Mary, the second daughter, married Wilham Boteler (1745-1818), a member of 102 PLATE II 5\ ^ B r * i?pP^\ 9gks0? £ I ^^ JHLIL^ ';' tt^flSSl&WtWT' -mgf jPI » - I 3£g& ISP- ^H*^ • • I - ^- iSISBKSB^t '?'v //*( mLA 1' f | ' 1 1 3t'; 1 |JBy t f i IT i« •%' t 1 1 1 n • Is [/ace p. 102 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY a noteworthy Eastry family of long standing in that parish—and Fanny, the youngest, married Robert Curling, a surgeon of Sandwich and Mayor of that town in 1800. Admiral Sir John Harvey (1772-1837), K.C.B., was the second son of Captain John and Judith. He began his career in the Navy as a Midshipman on the.'Rose' with his uncle Henry in command. In 1790 he was a Lieutenant, and four years later a Post-Captain. In 1795 he was Flag-Captain on the 'Prince of Wales,' and was present in action off the coast of Lorient and again in the West Indies. Various commands were to follow until he was promoted Rear-Admiral in 1813. Three years later he was Commander-in-Chief in the West Indies, where he remained until 1819. In 1833 he was promoted to the rank of Admiral; and four years later he died at Deal. As a Captain in 1797, John Harvey married his cousin Elizabeth, daughter of William Wyborn Bradley of Sandwich; and these two had issue one daughter only. Admiral Sir Edward Harvey (1783-1865), K.C.B., was the third son of Captain John and Judith. He was serving with his father as a first-class volunteer—at the age of eleven years!—On board the 'Brunswick' on the 1st June, 1894. Promotions and commands were to follow in due course—with one long period on half-pay—in such stations as the Cape of Good Hope, East Indies, West Indies and the Mediterranean until, in 1847, he was appointed as a Flag-Captain. During 1857-60, as a Vice-Admiral, he was Commander-in-Chief at the Nore, after which he was promoted to Admiral. Edward Harvey married Ehzabeth Cannon of Deal; and these two had issue, including Captain John of the 5th Foot, and Captain Henry, R.N.; and there was a grandson, Commander John William Francis. The Royal Navy tradition in this branch of the Harvey Family was continued in successive generations to an expansive and remarkable degree. Certainly, we have been able to consider and appreciate three successive 'waves' of Admirals and Captains; and there were other naval members of this family who were of junior ranks and cannot be considered with introductions in this short article. The brief notes available to the author reveal them as having died of wounds, been lost at sea, or having been 'invalided out' after honourable service. Two more sons, who were brought up at Barfreston Court, remain to be considered briefly. Thomas Harvey (1742-1823) was a Custom House Officer at London and Bristol. He married: but appears to have died without issue. Samuel Harvey (1746-1813) was a Brewer of Sandwich, where he was Mayor in 1795 and again in 1810. In 1773 he was married to Catherine, daughter of Robert Maundy, Timber Merchant of Sandwich; and the family pedigree definitely records the ceremony as having taken place at Gretna Green, Scotland, and so suggests a runaway romance. These two had issue three sons and 103 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY three daughters; and presently we shall be giving our special attention to the eldest and only surviving son, who became a soldier of some distinction. Four surviving daughters of the Harvey Barfreston family claim our consideration. Margaret the eldest was married to the Rev. Thomas Freeman, Rector of Old Romney and later of St. Martin's, Canterbury, and a minor of the Cathedral there. A direct line descendant of these two is Mrs. Rosa Whiteman, now living as a widow at Hythe. This lady is the daughter of the Rev. G. P. M. Fielding who, in his later years, retired to live at Dover and pursue his hobby as an expert genealogist. In 1912 he prepared and presented to the Council of Sandwich a meticulous and comprehensive pedigree of the Harvey Family. A second copy of it has been presented to the author and hangs upon the wall of his study as he types these lines and often makes an appreciative reference to it. In 1773 Eliza Catherine married William Wyborn Bradley, Brewer of Sandwich and twice Mayor of the town; and these two had issue sons and daughters. In 1768 Mary Roberta married John Matson (1746-1805) the youthful Town Clerk of Sandwich, who must not be confused—as genealogists have done in the past—-with his first cousin of the same names and resident in the same parish, who was mentioned in an earlier paragraph of this article. The Sandwich attorney later became Chief Justice of Dominica; and he was the subject of an article in Volume LXXXV (1960) of this journal. Three of the' sons born to John and Mary Roberta Matson entered the Royal Navy and there achieved some measure of distinction as Paymaster, Admiral of the Blue, and Captain. Doubtless, their choice of a career had been influenced by their relationship with the two distinguished Harvey uncles. Sarah the youngest of the Barfreston daughters married the Rev. John Tucker, Headmaster of King's School, Canterbury, and later Vicar of Gravesend and then of Ifield in the same area. These two had issue, of whom no record is available. With such a galaxy of distinction in the senior service, the author has been pleased to realise that one member of the Harvey Family was a worthy representative in the British Army. William Maundy Harvey (1774-1813) was the son of Samuel and Catherine of Sandwich, as before mentioned. He was first commissioned in 1794 as a Second- Lieutenant in the Royal Marines; and three years later he was appointed Captain in the West India Regiment. In 1803 he was acting as Brigade- Major to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Dominica, at the same time that his cousin John Matson was serving as Secretary to the same responsible official. These two became great friends as they worked together and, doubtless, shared the same office and quarters. In September of that year Major Harvey was appointed to be Deputy- Adjutant-General at Barbados; and three months later he was promoted 104 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY to be Lieut-Colonel in the British Army. In 1806 he exchanged into the 79th Foot (later The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders); and he served with them at Corunna and elsewhere in the Peninsula. Three years later he was lent to the Portuguese Army with the rank of Brigadier-General; and 'for his meritorious services in that Kingdom, the Prince Regent of Portugal conferred upon him the honour of a Knight-Commander of the Order of the Tower and Sword.' In 1813 Brigadier Harvey died at sea on his return from the Peninsula, and was deservedly lamented. In 1805 William Maundy Harvey married Ann Isabella, daughter of William Pinder, Merchant of Barbados. These two had an only son, William Maundy, who was to become Rector of Little Mongeham near Deal. On the south wall of St. Peter's Church at Sandwich is a large stone tablet with inscriptions which testify to the memory of William Maundy Harvey who died in his 39th year—his wife Ann Isabella who came from the West Indies and died of a dechne at the age of 28—and his younger sister Katherine who died at the age of 23 years on the eve of her intended marriage. What a record of sorrow for those concerned! Various other branches of the Eastry Harveys are shown on their pedigree: but it is not proposed to expand upon them in this short article. On it, too, we can spot the names of many other families which have been well-known in East Kent during the past centuries and have shared marriages with the Harvey Family—such as Boteler, Boys, Curling, Elwyn, Emerson, Hayward, Manwood, Matson, Musgrave, Paramore, Philpot, Rolfe, Sayer, SoUey, Verier, Wood. The Arms borne by the different branches of the Harvey family in East Kent were uniformly the same before 1802. In that year a fresh and slightly amended grant was made to the Eastry branch by the CoUege of Heralds: Arms Argent, on a chevron embattled gules, between three bears' gambs erect and erased ermines, as many crescents erminois. Crest Two bears' gambs erect and erased, supporting a crescent erminois. Motto 'Esse quam videri' (to be rather than to seem). The arms of Admiral Sir Henry Harvey were based on the main charges of the family arms, and were varied with naval and personal differences. * * * * Even a casual visitor to the town of Folkestone soon becomes conscious of William Harvey (1578-1657), the famous physician who first discovered that the blood circulates in the body. He was born in this town and spent his boyhood in the county. The pedigree of the, Folkestone Harveys starts with Thomas (1549-1623) of Folkestone 105 MEN OF KENT. 2. HARVEY OF EASTRY Yeoman, Jurat and Mayor of the town for four separate years. He married Joane, daughter of Thomas Halke of Hastingleigh, Kent; and their eldest son was the celebrated William. On the Leas at Folkestone, we can see the statue of the great physician; and in the parish church is the Harvey memorial window. At an early stage in his research the author came to the conclusion that there is no recorded connection between the two Harvey families of Eastry and Folkestone; and nothing has been heard or read to vary that opinion. None the less, it is quite possible—and, indeed, probable—that at some time prior to the sixteenth century, these two families sprang from a common stock in East Kent. 106