Francis Englehart

Born:

Died: 3 Feb 1773

Married: Ann Dawney

Mother:

Father:

Descendant: George Engleheart

Francis was the first member of the Engleheart family to settle in England. He was born in 1713 in Germany and was believed to have been orphaned in a bridge collapse. He came to England in the years around 1722.

He was a modeller in plaster, and many of the ceilings in Hampton Court palace were created by him.

He made enough money from this, which at the time was an esteemed artistic role, to be able to buy land in Kew and the districts of London.

Name

In the parish records of St Anne, Kew he is recorded as Francis Ingleheart for the birth for two of his children (1738,1740), then the birth of Thomas in 1745 has this initial letter overwritten as an E, so Englehart, and his later children (1746 onwards) have Englehart. After his death the family angicised the name to Engleheart.

Origins - adapted from George Engleheart 1750-1829 Miniature Painter to George III

The artistic genius of the Engleheart family had various phases, some members excelling in modelling, some in sculpture, some in drawing, some in painting, and some in the kindred arts of penmanship and pure design. Its origin must have been earlier than we are able to trace, but it is to be found in Francis, the first member of the family to settle in England, and from him as immediate ancestor it passed on to receive its fullest achievements in the person of George, his son.

The family is said to have come from Franconia, and Francis, born in 1713, is believed to have sprung from an ancient Wendish family, members of which were to be found scattered throughout Franconia. In Upper Austria, between Ischl and Passau, there is a village called Engelhart, and the name is still not an uncommon one in that same district. An Engelharat (sic) is mentioned as the personal friend of Charlemagne, and in the early Middle Ages many of the Engelharts rose to distinction, while the name is not unknown to Continental fame in more recent times.

It is not known why Francis Engelhart came to this country. He is said to have arrived when quite a youth, brought by a compassionate stranger, a fugitive from political reasons, and his earliest recollections, which were of a very indistinct character, were connected with a great commotion, a crowd of persons rushing over a bridge, the breaking down of the bridge and the loss in the waters of some of his nearest relations, and then a mysterious hiatus which he was never able to fill up.

A brother who is said to have come from the family home at the same time as Francis, was reported to have returned home again to Germany, and to have died leaving a considerable fortune to his widow, which she was anxious, it is said, to leave back again to the Engleheart family if they could but be found. This story was told many years later to Colonel Engleheart, the son of George the miniature-painter, when he was stopping at a house near to Cape Town enjoying the hospitality of a settler who knew the old lady referred to. He urged Colonel Engleheart to go at once to Worms, make friends with the rich widow, and secure the reversion of the estate ; but the Colonel's health at the time, and his unexpected decease soon after, prevented the adoption of this plan.

Another branch of this family seems to have settled in Russia, where Christine Engleheart married a Prince Potemkin, and had one daughter, who married her cousin Paul, and had in her turn a son Paul, who died quite recently at the age of eighty-two unmarried, and thus closed that line of the family.

Francis Englehart seems to have believed that he was from eight to ten years old when he reached England. At the age of twenty-one he was married. He had settled down in the royal domain of Kew, and it was the daughter of the Vicar of the parish, Anne Dawney, whom he married at that early age. He was by profession a modeller in plaster, and many of the ceilings at Hampton Court Palace owe their beauty to his handiwork.

The craft which Francis practised lost much of its repute until quite lately, and the demand for less expensive work — plain ceilings and machine-made cornices and mouldings— had caused the artistic side of the work of the plasterer to be ignored and overlooked. In the olden days, when elaborate ceilings were reckoned as important works of decoration necessary for the completion of the room, and when ornate strap-work and rich mouldings and ornaments were introduced into the ceilings of the reception-rooms in great houses, there was an important field for the exercise of artistic feeling, and for the execution of plaster work, which could take high position in the world of art.

By his profession, which was then in its palmy days, Francis Engelhart appears to have made a fair independence, and to have wisely invested his savings in landed estate at Kew, and in the districts around London, which is still in the possession of his great grand- nephew.

It is believed that he was never naturalized, as real estate was devised to his wife, in his lifetime, by his brother-in-law, John Dillman, who had come from Dillingsburg in Nassau, and was naturalized by Act of Parliament (lO George II.). He, however, was able to acquire leasehold estate, and it included a house in Hertford Street, which he eventually bequeathed to his son Paul. He died in 1773, in the sixtieth year of his age, and was buried at Kew in what afterwards became the family vault, leaving his wife Anne and three sons out of a family of eight.

The Vicar of Kew had two other daughters beside the one whom Francis married. Of these, the second married the John Dillman just mentioned, who was styled Master Gardener to the Prince of Wales, and seems to have been responsible for the laying out of the original gardens of Kew Palace. He died in 1760, and by his will left to his nephew, the eldest son of Francis, considerable property both in Kew and in London, chiefly in and about Mayfair. He was evidently a very successful man, and was able to bequeath quite an extensive estate. The third daughter of the Vicar, Mary, married one John Bone, who does not appear to have been any relation to the well-known artist in enamel who attained to such celebrity. They had a daughter Anne, who married one Richmond, in or about 1737, and their son, Thomas Richmond, an artist, was the father of George Richmond, the well-known painter and the grandfather of the present Sir William Richmond, R.A., K.C.B.

Francis Engelhart appears to have always spelt his name in the Franconian fashion, and in a deed dated 1752 it so appears. In 1757 his son was admitted to copyhold, in the Manor of Kew, as John Dillman Inglehart ; but in 1760 Mrs. Engleheart and her son were admitted as copyholders, under the name of Engleheart.

After his father's decease, George Engleheart was admitted as heir to his mother Anne, at a court held April 21, 1780, under the quaint tenure of Borough English, by which the youngest son succeeds. Queen Charlotte was at that time Lady of the Manor, and the name was spelt in the accepted manner, and has ever since been so spelt.

Of the family of Francis Engleheart, as for the sake of convenience it will be well in future to spell his name, there survived the three sons John Dillman, Thomas, and George, five sons having died in infancy. Thomas, another son, left a son called Francis, after his grandparent, who, became a line-engraver, and who will be mentioned later on. He, again, had 'two sons, Timothy Stansfeld Engleheart, who was a line- engraver, as was his father, and also was known for his powers of etching (he was born in 1803, and died in 1879), and Jonathan John, who also 'became an engraver. Francis had married twice, his second wife being Jane, daughter of Le Petit, the well-known engraver. Thomas was a sculptor by profession, and was noted for the beautiful work which he did in wax. His portraiture in that dainty medium was very popular, and year by year after 1773 he exhibited his models at the Royal Academy, twenty exhibits in all, as will be seen by the list in the Appendix to this work. One only of his portrait models is mentioned by name in the Academy catalogues, that which he sent in 1773, and which was a bust of Thomas Fuelling, of His Majesty's Board of Works. At that time the sculptor was residing in Little Carrington Street, Mayfair, in that part of London which the Englehearts appear to have made specially their own, and where they have always had important possessions. Two years later we find Thomas had moved his studio to 4, Old Bond Street, in 1779 he was at 28, St. James Street, and in 1786 his address is given as Richmond ; and in that year he died, but it is not known where he was buried. He was a very religious man of enthusiastic Evangelical opinions. His talents from an early age were of a very high order, as he took the gold medal of the Royal Academy from John Flaxman and other competitors, the subject for competition being Ulysses and Nansicaa.

In a manuscript account of him, written by Nathaniel his nephew, and now in the possession of the Rev. G. H. Engleheart, there is the following passage : " Flaxman assured me that, when fellow-students at the Royal Academy, he had no rival whom he envied so much as Thomas Engleheart, and that such feelings assumed actual jealousy when the latter gained the Academy annual gold medal in a competition which lay only in point of fact between those two."

But little of Thomas Engleheart's work remains to be seen. Most of it was in the then fashionable, but very perishable, medium of wax, and has long since vanished. There is a medallion portrait of Edward, Duke of York, modelled in 1786, in the National Portrait Gallery, but it has been much damaged, and the only other works which we can definitely assign to him are the three beautiful portraits of

Marriage

Francis Inglehart (bachelor) married Ann Dawney (spinster), the daughter of the late vicar of the parish.

They obtained a marriage license (avoiding banns) dated the 2nd April 1733 at St Anne, Kew Green, Surrey.

The guardian of Francis was given as John Tillman of the parish of Kew in the county of Surrey (Gardiner).

The guardian of Ann was given as Ann Dawney of the same parish and county (widow).

A bond of Two hundred pounds was promised to be paid to the Bishop of Winchester in the situation where the information given for the license was false.

Children

Francis had the following children with Anne:

• John Dillman Engleheart, c.8th June 1735, St Ann, Kew
• Francis Inglehart, c.20 Dec 1738, St Anne, Kew. Buried 12 Jan 1739 (o.c.1738) (St Anne)
• Francis Inglehart, c.31 Aug 1740, St Anne, Kew. Buried 5 Oct 1740 (St Anne)
• Francis Inglehart, Infant Buried 28 Oct 1742 (St Anne, Kew)
• Thomas Englehart, c.15 Apr 1745, St Anne, Kew.
• William Englehart, c.22 July 1746, St Anne, Kew. Buried Sep 8th 1747 (St Anne, Kew)
• George Englehart, c.26 Oct 1750, St Anne, Kew (son of George and Ann Englehart)
• Thomas Engleheart (according to the NPG).

Interestingly George Engleheart's father is written as George Englehart, whether this is an error by the vicar, or whether Francis was now being called George, is unclear.

Death

Francis died on the 3rd of February 1773, and was buried in St Anne churchyard, Kew, London on the 11th February 1773. He was 60 years old.

The original inscription (before being replaced) on the family vault in the churchyard of Kew read:

In memory of Francis Engleheart of this Hamlet, who died February the 3rd, 1773, aged 60 years

Will of Francis Engelheart otherwise Engleheart:

In the name of God Amen.

I, Francis Engleheart of Kew Green in the county of Surrey, plasterer, do publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner following: that is to say I will and Prior that all my just debts, funeral and probate of this my last will and testament be paid by my ?? hereinafter named as soon as ?? may be after my decease and subject thereto I give, devise, and bequeath all my freehold, copyhold and leasehold messuages Lands Tenements and Borodiffs? whatsoever and all my ready money money invested in the stocks or public funds Towels? plate china pirhews? Linnen furniture wearing apparel book debts and other debts and all my personal estate and effects whatsoever ( Excepting moulds and scaffolding) unto my Dear Wife Ann Engleheart during her natural life it being my will and Desire that she shall have the sole use and enjoyment of all my Estates and property whatsoever (except moulds and scaffolding as aforesaid) during her natural life without being subject to the cowhowl? or Intermodling? of my children or any Trustee or other person whomsoever and from and after the decease of my said wife then it is my will and mind and foo? hereby give devise and bequeath my said estate in manner hereinafter mentioned that is to say I give Devise and bequeath unto my son Paul Engleheart his

Other Records

Coincidentally the records of St Anne, Kew (which is not very populous) has a Sarah Carrington (from James and Sarah Carringon) born in 1747. There is also a Carter (but that name is not so unusual).

• George Engleheart, buried 14 Dec 1777, St Anne, Infant
• Anne Engleheart, buried 14 Dec 1777, St Anne, Infant

• buried Paul Engleheart 11 Sept 1774, St Anne
• John Engleheart 13 Nov 1775, St Anne

• c. George Dilman Englehart son of John Dilman Engleheart and Jane, born June 5, baptized July 25, 1777
• Lucy Dillman Englehart d of John Dillman & Jane b.13Apr1779, c 1 may 1779 (St Anne)
• John Cox Dillman Engleheart son of Joh n& Jane Dillman Engleheart, b. 2 Jan 1784, c. 29 Jan 1784 (St Anne)
• Mary Dillman Engleheart so of John Dillman Engleheart and Jane, b. 29 Jan 1782, c. 22 feb
• c. Mary daught of Thomas and An Dawney
• c sophia elizabeth auguste albert d. or frederick and dorothea sophia 1775
• John Dillman married Mary Biggs at St Anne, Kew, 10 March 1729
• Mary Dillman buried St Anne, 3 mar 1756
• Rv Thomas Morell married Mary Doweney in 1737 at St Anne Kew.

• Solomon Brown married Sarah Stallard on 26th Feb 1744

Thomas Randall and Sarah Hawkins 4 Au 1761

Burials 1716 15 jun, St Anne, Englehart Iserloo?

Burial 8 Jan 1718 , St Anne, Francis Brown 6 july 1718 Luke Lambeth

• Buried 22 Oct 1742 Elizabeth Stallard. St Anne. Infant.
• Buried John Dillman 20 Mar 1760
• Anne Dawney buried St Anne, 9 april 1760
• 28 sep 1767 Martha Brown
• burial st ann, --- brown wife of solomon 1768, 28 july

Church opened the 12th August 1770 (previously a chapel). p 33

From the book

The family is said to have come from Franconia (an area in Bavaria, Germany) and Francis, born in 1713, is believed to have sprung from and ancient Wendish famaily, members of which wee to be found scattered throughout Franconia. In Upper Austria, between Ischl and Passau there is a village called Englehart, and the name is still not an uncommon on in that same district.

It is not known why Francis Englehart came to this country. He is said to have arrived when quite a youth, brought by a compassionate stranger, a fugative from political reasons, and his earliest recollections, which were of a very indistict character, were connected with a great commotion, a crowd of persons rushing over a bridge, the breaking down of the bridge and the loss in the waters of some of his nearest relations, and then a mysterious hiatus which he was never able to fill up.

A brother who is said to have come from the family home at the same time as Francis, was reported to have returned home again to Germany, and to have died leaving a considerable fortune to his widow, which she was anxious, it is said, to leave back again to the Engleheart family if they could but be found. This story was told many years later to Colonel Engleheart, the son of George the miniature-painter, when he was stopping at a house near to Cape Town enjoying the hospitality of a settler who knew the old lady referred to. He urged Colonel Engleheart to go at once to Worms, make friends with the rich widow, and secure the reversion of the estate ; but the Colonel's health at the time, and his unexpected decease soon after, prevented the adoption of this plan.

Another branch of this family seems to have settled in Russia, where Christine Engleheart married a Prince Potemkin, and had one daughter, who married her cousin Paul, and had in her turn a son Paul, who died quite recently at the age of eighty-two unmarried, and thus closed that line of the family.

Francis Englehart seems to have believed that he was from eight to ten years old when he reached England. At the age of twenty-one he was married. He had settled down in the royal domain of Kew, and it was the daughter of the Vicar of the parish, Anne Dawney, whom he married at that early age. He was by profession a modeller in plaster, and many of the ceilings at Hampton Court Palace owe their beauty to his handiwork.

References

Much of the information (and words) about Francis Englehart comes from the book "George Engleheart, 1750-1829, miniature painter to George III" by George C. Williamson and Henry L. D. Engleheart.