Christopher Heveningham 

(d.1737)

of Lichfield

 

Christopher was the third son of Symon Heveningham of Pype Hall, Lichfield and his wife, Katherine Alport.  He was grandson of Nicholas Heveninhgam and his wife Elizabeth Bowes, daughter of Sir John Bowes of Elford Hall. His great grandfather was Sir Walter Heveningham of Aston.  He was educated "a Papist beyond the seas" (Roman Catholic) but later returned and embraced the protestant religion and then was 'cut off' for being a heretick!  Poor Christopher, he just could not win either way so, enevitably he lost almost everything - especially the Heveningham lands and properties (and also those of his wife).

 

Christopher Heveningham married Mary Brooke, only daughter and heiress of William Brooke of Haselour Hall, Haselour, Nr. Tamworth.  Here is the story of how he came to loose his lands and properties. . . 

 

THE CASE of CHRISTOPHER HEVENINGHAM OF LICHFIELD, GENT. 

 

"He is grandson of Nicholas Heveningham, Esq., who was the son of Walter Heveningham, of Pipe, in the county of Staffordshire.  Nicholas had 3 sons, vizt. Walter, Symon and Christopher - Xtopher dyed unmarried.  Walter had no issue male, but two daughters, one married to Walter Fowler, Esq., the other, Sir James Simeon.

 

Symon had issue, John, Henry and Christopher who  is the party claiming.  His brothers John and Henry were both educated Papists beyong the seas, and when grown up returned to England, when Sir James Simeon found means to have them both put into Bethlam (to prevent them claiming the estate belonging to the Heveninghams) where John died in a few weeks, & Henry not of 10 or 12 years.  Sir James also contrived to send this claimant Xtopher into the Indies, where he remained many years (and was said to be dead, to Sir James, his great satisfaction) but has returned and embraced the Protestant Religion of the established church of England - married and hath issue now living 4 sons and one daughter."  He made a claim to the estate in Chancery, and Sir James Simeon told Mr. Lee (who was the claimant's Lawyer) that he had no right to the estate, while his aunt Heveningham was living, but when she died, it was his.  Proceeding in Chancery, he obtained a decree of 50l. per Annum to be paid out of Pipe Estate.  In the begining of Queen Anne's reign (*1702-1714) he brought an Ejectment against Sir James.  Issue was joined, council feed, an Evidence ready for a trial, when Mr. Gatticre, Sir James his attorney, came to Mr. Porter, the claimant's attorney, and said he had a fine and recovery upon the estate, and produced a parchment, which Mr. Porter scarcely perused when he said he would acquiesce in the matter, and he would not try the case.  

 

Sir James has formerly overpowered the claimant by his heavy purse, which occassioned the sale of a good estate the claimant had in right of his wife - and tho' Sir James in his life-time did know & Sir Edward now does know the claimant to be right. . . . he is reduced for want of money & friends to assist him."  (Source:  "Johnsonian Gleanings", Vol. 1 by Aleyn Lyell Reade, 1909).

 

Minster Pool, Lichfield

 

 

 

 

 

My Staffordshire Roots

 

Heveningham of Aston

 

VISIT MY RELATED LINKS PAGE

 

Return to Home Page

 

EMAIL

 

 

 

 

 Bore Street, Lichfield

 

GENEALOGY LINKS