1772/3 The birth and parentage of Theodore Gwinnett is still unclear. According to his age given at death, he was born c. 1772/3. In a Committee of Privileges inquiry into a Berkeley claimant in 1799, Theodore said he was born in Barnwood. No baptism has been found that fits this date. His mother, according to his articles of clerkship, was called Sarah Gwinnett. However, this record did not specify whether she was married, widowed or single. It is believed that Theodore was the illegitimate child of Sarah Gwinnett (b. 1746), the daughter of Henry Gwinnett and his wife, Susannah (nee Martin) of Churchdown.
1790 April 10th. Theodore Gwinnett, son of Sarah Gwinnett, was articled to Charles Evans, of Gloucester, gentleman, one of the Attorneys of His Majesty’s Court of Kings Bench at Westminster and a solicitor in the High Court of Chancery. His mother was named as Sarah Gwinnett of Wootton, near the city but in the county of Gloucester. For a consideration, Charles Evans was to take Theodore Gwinnett for five years and teach and instruct him in the practice of an Attorney at Law and Solicitor in Equity. Witnesses were: James Butt of Minsterworth, Mary Prosser, and sworn before W. Holder.
1799 November 19th. Theodore Gwinnett married Mary Watmore at Ribbesford, Worcestershire. He was described as being ‘Theodore Gwinnett of Stottesdon’ which is in Shropshire, about ten miles from where the marriage took place.
1800 Between 16th August and 8th October, Theodore Gwinnett became Steward of the Manor of Cheltenham. He held this position at least till 30th March 1808.
1800 Sep 23rd. Thomas Theodore Gwinnett, son of Theodore and Mary, was born in Cheltenham and baptised at Cheltenham St Mary’s on 2nd March 1801. Sadly, Thomas Theodore did not live to adulthood but died in November 1810 and was buried on 25th November 1810 at Prestbury. [Does the fact that Theodore’s first son was called Thomas imply that that was the name of Theodore’s father?]
1800 November 15th. Theodore Gwinnett of Cheltenham, in the county of Gloucester, attorney, took on an apprentice called William Turner.
1802 May 15th. Elizabeth Gwinnett, daughter of Theodore and Mary, was born in Cheltenham and, eventually, baptised at Cheltenham St Mary’s on 17th March 1810. Elizabeth grew up, married in Bombay, at the tender age of 18, to Captain D. McLeod. Elizabeth died in Cheltenham on 13th November 1825 and her baby son, Donald Gordon Theodore McLeod died a couple of months after her. Elizabeth was buried at Prestbury on 28th November 1825.
1803 August 16th. Edwin Gwinnett, second son of Theodore and Mary Gwinnett, was born in Cheltenham and baptised at St Mary’s church on 17th March 1810. Edwin was, supposedly, buried in March 1812, in Prestbury.
1804 November 13th. Theodore Henry Gwinnett was born, the third son of Theodore and Mary Gwinnett. He was privately baptised. No baptismal entry was made for him. He died in May 1809 and was buried at Prestbury on 15th May 1809.
1806 May 15th. James Gwinnett was born, the 4th son of Theodore and Mary Gwinnett, and was baptised at St Mary’s church on 17th March 1810 with several siblings. James entered the military as a cadet and died in Bombay on 26th February 1829, aged 23 years.
1807 September 22nd. Mary Ann Gwinnett was born to Theodore and Mary Gwinnett, and was baptised with her younger siblings on 17th March 1810. She was in Cheltenham on the 1841 census, living with her widowed mother and her brother, William Henry. After her mother died in 1843, Mary Ann went to live with Mary Palmer in Chelsea and stayed there until her death in 1890.
1808 March 30th. The first stone of a new market house paid for by the Lord of the Manor of Cheltenham was laid by ‘Francis Welles and Theodore Gwinnett, his Stewards.
1809 The devisees of Richard Browne, M.D. sold Avening Manor estate to Theodore Gwinnett. Later that year, he conveyed it to Edward and Thomas Davies. Edward died in 1816, Thomas was imprisoned for debt in 1817.
1809 March 9th. William Henry Gwinnett was born to Theodore and Mary Gwinnett and was baptised on 17th March at St Mary’s church with his surviving siblings. William Henry followed his father into his profession, becoming a solicitor. He was apprenticed to Edmund Lambert of Cheltenham in 1824. William Henry died on 30 July 1891. His will, with 7 codicils, was proved on 7th October 1891 at the Principal Registry.
1809 May 15th. Theodore Henry Gwinnett, aged 4, was buried at Prestbury.
1809 December 28th. Theodore Gwinnett was Town Clerk of Cheltenham.
1810 March 17th. Theodore and Mary Gwinnett went to St Mary’s church in Cheltenham with their children, Elizabeth, Edwin, James, Mary Ann and William Henry, and had them all baptised at the same time. Their birth dates were recorded in the parish registers. The register entry also mentioned their deceased son Theodore Henry who had been privately baptised.
1810 March 29th. Theodore Gwinnett was recorded as being the Town Clerk of Cheltenham.
1810 November 25th. Thomas Theodore Gwinnett, aged 10, was buried at Prestbury.
c.1811 Another son, called Theodore, was born to Theodore and Mary but no baptism has been found – I assume he was privately baptised as others had been before him. A burial for him took place in 1818.
1811 March 1st. Partnership dissolved between Theodore Gwinnett and Stokes Heynes of Cheltenham, wines and spirits merchants.
1811 June 28th. Partnership dissolved between Theodore Gwinnett, Charles Newmarch and Francis Welles of Cheltenham, Attorneys and Solicitors. Also, Partnership dissolved between Theodore Gwinnett and Benjamin Newmarch of Cheltenham, common brewers.
1811 August 29th. Theodore Gwinnett of Cheltenham, money scrivener, made bankrupt.
1811 September 28th. The Gloucester Herald printed details of an auction to be held at the Plough Hotel in Cheltenham on 2nd October 1811 of several desirable estates belonging to Theodore Gwinnett. It listed 22 separate properties including Sandford House, (See below), two areas of pasture land, shares in the Gloucester and Cheltenham Railway, the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal.
1812 March. Edwin Gwinnett, aged about 8, was buried (at Prestbury?). Cheltenham Chronicle said “Edwin Gwinnett, aged 9, eldest son of Theodore Gwinnett, esq., a youth who to unusual strength of mind added amiableness of disposition which, had it pleased God to spare his life, bid fair to realize the fondest hopes of his afflicted parents.”
1812 May 13th. Rosa Matilda Gwinnett was born to Theodore and Mary Gwinnett and baptised on 13th May at Cheltenham St Mary’s. She grew up, married Thomas Gill Palmer in 1839 and died in Cheltenham in 1893.
1814 March 24th. Theodore Gwinnett was Clerk to the Paving Commissioner.
c. 1815 Theodore began a suit in Chancery on behalf of Rebecca Lightbourne who was claiming Sandwell Park as part of a legacy from Mary Tracy. It was said to have lasted seven years.
1819 April 15th. Theodore Gwinnett was Town Clerk of Cheltenham.
1823 Theodore was left a legacy of £12,000 in the final codicil of the will of Rebecca Lightbourne of Sandwell Park.
1825 Around this time, he appears to have acquired the house and some of the estate of Brockhampton Park from Walter Lawrence Lawrence, executor of Rebecca Lightbourne’s will.
1827 April 13th. Theodore Gwinnett died suddenly during the night, of an attack of apoplexy, at Green’s Hotel, Portugal Street, Lincolns Inn Fields, London.
1827 April 20th. Theodore Gwinnett, aged 54, was buried at Prestbury. His memorial inscription states that he was ‘of Brockhampton Park and Albion House’.
1827 September 15th. The will of Theodore Gwinnett was proved in London. He left everything to his wife, his sole executrix, except for an annual payment for his mother (not named) amounting to £1 per week.
1829 December 1st. Sarah Gwinnett, aged 83, of Wotton St Mary, was buried at Barnwood. [This is believed to be Theodore’s mother. It ties in perfectly with Sarah Gwinnett, daughter of Henry and Susannah Gwinnett, who was baptised in October 1746].
1832 The trustees of Theodore Gwinnett’s estate sold Brockhampton Park to Fulwar Craven, Esq..
1839 July 9th. Rosa Matilda, youngest daughter of Theodore Gwinnett, deceased, of Cheltenham, married Thomas Gill Palmer, esq., of Cambray, Cheltenham.
1843 Jul 29th. Mary Gwinnett of Cheltenham was buried at Prestbury, aged 66.
1889 September 9th. Gloucester Citizen stated: Cheltenham. A new memorial window in Old Parish Church, Cheltenham, a gift of Mr. W. H. Gwinnett, President of the Conservative Club, memorial to his parents. ‘To the glory of God in memory of Theodore Gwinnett died 13 April 1827 aged 54 and of Mary, his wife, who died 25th July 1843 aged 66. Erected by his last surviving son, Wm. Hen. Gwinnett, 1889’.
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The Assets of Theodore Gwinnett
from The Glocester Herald, Saturday, September 28th, 1811
CHELTENHAM
TO be SOLD by AUCTION, in separate Lots, at the Plough Hotel, in Cheltenham, on Wednesday, the 2nd day of October next, at twelve o’clock precisely, (and on Thursday 3rd, at the same hour, if the whole should not be sold on the preceding day, the following very
DESIRABLE ESTATES, situate in the Town of Cheltenham, viz:-
All that rural and delightful RESIDENCE, called SANDFORD VILLA, with the Coach-house, Stables, Barn, Granary, Mill-house, Cider-mill, garden, Pleasure Ground, capital Orcharding, and excellent Meadow-land adjoining; containing in the whole about ten acres, situate near the Chalybeate Spa, and within five minutes’ walk of the town of Cheltenham.
The house has been lately improved and fitted up at a great expense, and contains a Dining-room and Drawing-room with a bow window to each; a Breakfast-parlour, nine bedrooms, a water-closet; a Servant’s hall, Kitchen, Scullery, Dairy, Laundry, Brewhouse and various other convenient offices.
Also, a small detached Gothic COTTAGE and garden lately erected at the extremity of the Orchard.
The purchaser may be accommodated with …. date possession and with a greater quantity of land if required.
All that substantial brick-built messuage, with extensive cellars, vaults, warehouses, compting-house, stable, yard and premises thereto belonging, situate in Albion Street, and called Sydney House, as the same are now in the possession of Mr Stokes Heynes, wine merchant, as tenant thereof.
Also all that messuage, with the court and garden thereto belonging, called Portland House, now used as a boarding house and in the occupation of Mr Protheroe.
Also, all that messuage situate on the south side of the High Street, and near the Plough Hotel, and now in the possession of Mr Williams, jeweller, as tenant thereof.
Also, all that messuage situate in the High Street, aforesaid, in the possession of Mr Evans, pastry-cook.
Also, all that messuage situate on the same street, opposite the Market House, an in the occupation of Mr Hastings, dealer in spirits.
Also, all that messuage situate opposite the Market House, aforesaid, in the occupation of Mr Ryan, pork-butcher.
Also, all that messuage, lying behind the last-mentioned messuage, and adjoining thereto, in the occupation of Mrs Parsloe.
Also, all that messuage, with the gardens, court and Premises thereto belonging. Situate in Portland Row, in the occupation of Mrs Morris.
Also, all that other messuage, garden and court adjoining the last, in the occupation of Miss Hewer.
Also, all those two new-built messuages, with the garden and court thereto belonging, situate at the upper end of Portland Street, and in the occupation of Mr Fisher, builder.
Also, all that new-built messuage, with the garden and Premises, in the same street, in the occupation of Mr Nicholson, linen draper.
Also, all that new-built messuage, with the garden and premises, in the same street, in the occupation of Mrs Tabner.
Also, all that messuage, garden and premises situate at or near the corner of Winchcomb Street, in the occupation of Mr Smith, tailor.
Also, all that new-built messuage, with the garden and premises, in ST James’ Street, in the occupation of Mrs Margaret Wilkes.
Also, all that messuage and premises, situate near to Albion Street, and in the occupation of Mr Philip Rogers, sadler.
Also, all that cottage in Albion Street, and adjoining the last, in the occupation of Mrs Stanch.
Also, all that cottage and premises, adjoining the last and in the occupation of [Blank] Dawes.
Also, all that messuage, with the laundry, wash-house, garden, inclosure of land, and premises thereto belonging, situate at the top of the town, in the occupation of Mrs Stockwell, laundress.
Also, all that messuage, garden and premises in Glocester Street, in the occupation of Mr Pritchard.
Also, all that messuage, garden and premises adjoining the last, in the occupation of Mr McKenzie.
Also all those sixteen acres of arable land or thereabouts, lying together, and most desirably situated for building on, in Cheltenham Upper Field, bounded on the west by Far View Cottage, and the land thereto belonging, and now in the occupation of Mr Gwinnett.
Also all those two ridges of arable land lying together in Sandford Field, near Sandfield Gothic Cottage, bounded by the land of James Wood, Esq., on the east and west sides.
Also, all that piece of building ground, beautifully situated on Mount Pleasant, opposite to WinchcombStreet Terrace, and divided from it by the Prestbury Road, and bounded on the east by the dwelling house and premises of G. Madigan, Esq..
Also the Reversion in Fee, expectant on the decease of two ladies, the one aged sixty-five and the other fifty-six, in all those two cottages with the gardens and premises thereto belonging, called Curran and Mulberry Cottages, situate near the Albion House, and in the occupation of the Misses Best.
Also, all that valuable inclosure of tythe-free arable land, situate on the Bath Road, at the foot of Leckhampton Hill, bounded by the Cheltenham Railway on the south, and containing about nine acres, in the possession of Mr Gwinnett.
Also, all those two inclosures of pasture land one of which is planted with fruit trees, situate at Naunton, in the parish of Cheltenham, and divided by Naunton Green, containing about six acres, now in the possession of Mr Gwinnett.
Also all that enclosure of pasture land, near a place called the Grottens, in the parish of Cheltenham, bounded at the west end by the new Bath Road, containing about two acres and a half, in the possession of Mr Gwinnett.
Also the Reversion Expectant, on the decease of a lady aged about seventy-five, in £1750, three per cent, consolidated bank annuities.
Also, ten shares, of one hundred pounds each, in that improving and increasing concern, the Gloucester and Cheltenham Railway.
Also, twelve shares, upon the new subscription, to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, upon which two hundred and eighty pounds now remain to be paid, by small instalments.
Also, four shares, of one hundred pounds each, in the Glocester and Berkeley Canal.
The different renters of such parts of the above estates as are let are tenants at will, and possession of such parts as are held by Mr Gwinnett may be had immediately.
Further particulars may be known on application to Robt. Morris, Esq., M.P. Glocester; Mr Gardiner, Cheltenham; Mr Thomas Byrch, Cirencester; Messrs Wells & Newmarch, or to Mr Gwinnett, Cheltenham.
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