Lyn Nunn (genielynau @t yahoo.com) of Deagon, Queensland, Australia writes: I am wondering if you have any info on the inhabitants of Pimlico House which seems to be on the border of Barnet and Hadley? I have some info on the house itself and its history from the book Georgian Hadley and from the very kind registrar at Barnet RO.

I have Edward Beavan Esq (son of Henry Beavan mentioned in my question about WILLIAMS, Totteridge, 18th century) who died there 15 April 1824 aged 70 (Source The Times) and his son also Edward Beavan, Gentleman Commoner of Oxford (who was resident there in 1841 -source family notes dated c 1841 - 1860) who also died there 2 Jan 1862 aged 82 (Source Barnet RO Death Certificate). The informant was Charles Bryant owner of the Red Lion Hotel Chipping Barnet.

From the point of view of the genealogist the county border was most inconveniently drawn at this point. I have checked the records I have and Edward Beavan is listed as being in Hadley in the Barnet section of the 1839 Pigot's directory and the 1851 Post Office Directory. This would seem to put Pimlico House in Middlesex, and there seems to be no mention of the house or the Beavan family in Hertfordshire reference works such as Cussans or the Victoria County History. I suspect most of the research will need to be done in Middlesex records.

Charles Bryant, of the Red Lion Hotel, Chipping Barnet is mentioned in both the directories, and there many Bryant memorials listed for Chipping Barnet in Cussans, including the children of a Charles and Emma Bryant, who may well be the same Charles. 

According to the Oxford Alumni Edward Beavan, son of Edward Beavan of Chelsea, MDX, armiger, Pembroke College matriculated 12 July 1799 aged 19. (Re Armiger - Family notes claim the Arms of Bevan in Carmarthenshire but I am still trying to find the missing link to that claim.)

During the 19th century (and earlier), when genealogical records were far less accessible than now, the fashionable thing to do was to claim relationship to someone with a similar names who carried Arms. In fact some modern genealogical businesses will sell copies of "your Arms" to which the purchaser has absolutely no entitlement. Considerable care must be taken with any unsubstantiated claims.

I have yet to check census records to find the household constitution (Xmas break at LDS) but I am also looking for social information to understand their lifestyles in the times and the relationship between Charles Bryant and Edward Beavan jnr. Charles Bryant was also the executor of his Will (source National Probate Calendars). His effects were less than £100 but I have yet to order the complete Will. Under £100 seems to indicate that he was not particularly well off. I have his father's Will dated 1823 and it is written in general terms with no specific real estate or assets mentioned except plate, views etc. His son was not married at that time and to date I can find no evidence that he did ever marry. A comment made to me was that Edward Beavan jnr might not have achieved much in his lifetime for his occupation to be listed as Gentleman Commoner of Oxford on his death certificate i.e. that was his greatest claim to fame.

The laws of inheritance and the tax rules have changed over the years, particularly regarding property which automatically passed from father to eldest son, so was sometimes not mentioned, but I am afraid I don't have details. I suspect then, as now, many of the better off arranged their affairs to pay as little death duty as possible so one should be careful not to jump to conclusions.

I have no knowledge of the honours given out by the City or University of Oxford, but I am sure that many successful business men and landed proprietors would have been delighted to have such a title, and might well use it as an "occupation" in preference to saying that they were a merchant or a farmer. In fact one of the difficulties of the census returns is that many of the well-to-do are described with terms such as "gentleman", etc., so that you have no idea how they did anything as disgustingly common as earning their living.

February, 2004

Lyn Nunn (genielynau @t yahoo.com) reports: Thanks for your comments re Edward Beavan. I have not had any luck with the census - looks like Pimlico house was in Hadley for the 1841 and 51 census so I need to order more films. Found Hadley Green in 1861 which is the address I was given for Pimlico House but no Edward Beavan ... he might have been away that day. I did find Charles Bryant and he was recorded as living in the Red Lion in the 1861 census - before that it was just High St and he was an Innkeeper. I have picked up his family from the census and the IGI and noticed one son born 1848 was baptised Edward Beavan Bryant. More evidence they were good friends. If you ever have anyone contact you researching Charles Bryant and think of it would you please give them my contact details.

March, 2004

Pymlicoe House, Hadley
from Georgian Hadley, by W H Gelder

There is a web page for Barnet 

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

HOME