Projects

Of whom Augusta Anne (Gussie) (nee Des Voeux) – wife of Augustus Fredrick Arthur 4^th Baron Sandys – was, little is known. Possibly a talented ceramicist, she lived in Brighton and Leamington prior to her marriage, where she was ‘lightly spoken of’ on account of rumours she had given birth to a child and acted improperly with a married man. Such ‘dreadful falsehoods’ her family emphatically denied.

When Augustus and Augusta married in 1872, the so-called Sandys affair scandal saw members of the former’s family refuse to attend their wedding, and meant Augusta was socially shunned. Quite unfairly, too, given her husband later fathered a son with his chambermaid. Indeed, the rumours about Augusta were never substantiated, whilst Lord Sandys’ love child lived nearby.

Born in 1892, Frederick Richard Warner, known as Richard, was raised by his grandparents in Uphampton Lane, in Ombersley. After his birth, his mother Rose Warner – previously employed at Ombersley Court – moved away and married. We know that on Lord and Lady Sandys’ request, Richard would occasionally visit them with his grandmother. However, after Lord Sandys death any involvement (and any assets paid) between Richard and the Sandys family ended. Richard’s birth contradicted Augusta’s, perhaps naïve, assumption that her husband was in fact impotent since they seemed unable to have a child.

Our archive holds correspondence between Lord Sandys, Lord Lyttelton, Sir John Pakington, Sir Charles Douglas and Sir William Paulet relating to the ‘most serious of rumours in Worcestershire [that] Lady Sandys, when a single woman, [had] had a child.’ In the first letter in a subsequently printed copy intended for Lord and Lady Sandys private consultation, Lyttleton writes to Sandys’ mother, Louisa, that it is ‘with the utmost regret…that after much consideration and consultation with others – Lady Lyttleton and myself will not be able to receive or visit Lady Sandys’.

In response, Douglas (Augusta’s white knight) and Paulet (her uncle) ask Lyttelton to speak personally with Lord and Lady Sandys before arriving at any prejudicial conclusion. What follows is a fierce back and forth that ultimately descends into a tit for tat on ‘mere matters of opinion’. Whilst Douglas argues Augusta did ‘nothing to forfeit her station in society’, Lyttelton and Pakington claim they ‘acted according to well established rules of much importance to social morality’. ‘We do not deny that “rumours” such as you have described exist’, Douglas writes to Lyttelton, ‘[but] you will find that some are false and others exaggerated’. But ‘what were we supposed to do?’, Lyttelton protests, ‘the lady who was the subject of these disparaging rumours and family differences was coming to us as a nobleman’s bride’. In handwritten letters from Lord Sandys to Lyttelton, Sandys refers multiple times to the rumour Augusta had a child before they were married as ‘a wicked untruth’.

First page of a letter from Lord Sandys to Lord Lyttelton – Reference: 705:56 BA15492/160/2/51

Second page of a letter from Lord Sandys to Lord Lyttelton – Reference: 705:56 BA15492/160/2/51

Although we know Pakington wrote to Lady Sandys regarding the ‘disparaging rumours’, it tells us something of the attitudes towards women and their place in nineteenth century British society, that it was discussed in great depth by ‘gentlemen’ in order to arrive at ‘truth and justice’.

“I conceive that one of the vital safeguards for the morality of our upper class…is the rule that no woman who has gone astray before marriage or after, shall ever again be received into society – I speak of actual and sufficiently established criminality…I conceive that a woman, who has unhappily so fallen, has made [a] gulf between herself and respectable society, and it is in her fault, though it may be also her misfortune, if that condition should be unfavourable to her.”

Lord Lyttelton, 26^th August 1872

Reference Number: 705:56 BA15492/160/2/4

You can read a partial transcript of the letters, here: Sandys Affair Correspondence

Of the catalogued records already held in our collection that relate to the Sandys family of Ombersley, those from the English Civil War are particularly notable. Worcestershire has strong links to the Civil War – a series of mid-seventeenth century battles between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians that saw members of the titled family fight in opposition to one and other.

Of particular interest is Colonel Samuel Sandys (1615-1685) – the eldest son of Edwin Sandys MP for Droitwich (1591-1623) and Penelope (nee Bulkeley) (1586-1680) and an eminent supporter of Kings Charles I and II. Before the war, Samuel was himself an MP, yet at its outbreak he sided with the King – ensuring his exclusion from the House of Commons until Charles II, restored to the throne, appointed him MP for Worcestershire. Our archive holds handwritten letters to Samuel from his ‘assured friend’ Charles I. In one, written in September 1645 at Bridge North, the King assures ‘Sam Sandys’ of his good opinion of him:

‘Sam Sandys,

I am told that some malicious person both to you and my Service hath endeavoured to give you misapprehensions of my good opinion of you…Yet I have thought fit…to assure you in this particular way that there is no gentleman in England upon whose faithfulness and entire affections to my person and cause I do more confidently rely…and whenever it please God to restore me you shall be please to find the effects of my being your assured friend

Charles R’

Letter to Colonel Samual Sandys from King Charles I, 30th September 1645 – Reference: x705:56 BA13825/1/12

In another, he writes that ‘whatsoever idle or malicious people tell you, be confident that I am, your assured friend’. In this second personal letter sent a few months later, ‘Sandys’ is asked to send what assistance he can to the Duke of Richmond.

Letter to Colonel Samuel Sandys from King Charles I to Samuel Sandys, 7th November 1645 – Reference: x705:56 BA18325/1/11

‘Sam Sandys’ raised the best part of two Cavalier regiments during the Civil War. In 1643, he was commissioned by Prince Rupert to raise money to support his regiment of horse. Then in 1644, as Governor of Evesham, ‘the trusty and [well beloved] Colonell Sandys’ received an ‘order from the King’ for his regiment to be sent to Sir John Winter, to replace the forces withdrawn by Charles I in the Forest of Dean. Both of these documents we hold at The Hive.

Samuel fought at the Battle of Powick Bridge in opposition to his cousin, another Edwin Sandys – a fellow colonel but this time leader of the Roundheads, who was badly wounded and later died of his injuries. The victor at Powick, Samuel fought again at the Battle of Edgehill in 1642, where he was himself hurt and his brother Richard killed. He also commanded a troop in the Royalist march on Brentford. A year later, Samuel took command of the prestigious Worcester garrison that withstood siege by the Parliamentarian army. In 1645, he was commissioned by the King to become Governor of Worcester, which gave him the authority to slay any person that threatened the peace and security of the city and garrison of Worcester.

Commission from King Charles I to Colonell Samuell Sandys – Reference: x705:56 BA13825/1/10

A handwritten letter from King Charles I to Sam Sandys regarding him becoming Governor of Worcester – Reference: x705:56 BA13825/1/9

Samuel’s brothers Martin and Henry Sandys were also Cavelier officers. Henry died of injuries sustained at the Battle of Cheriton, Hampshire, in 1644, and Martin was ordered by King Charles and the Council of War at Worcester to enlist the inhabitants of the city to his regiment; and to expel them from it if they refused. An order sent from Charles II to Earl Marshall of Carlise, concerns the precedency of Henry’s children. Dated 10^th July 1673, it allowed them to succeed him following his death as the heir apparent to Edwin Sandys MP.

The involvement of members of the Sandys family in the English Civil War was significant, whether fighting in battles or mustering Royalist armies. Though they fought mainly in defence of English royalty, it is interesting that not all did. Perhaps we shall learn more of the story as we begin to catalogue the many records that make up the Sandys Archive.

An order signed and sealed by Oliver Cromwell to not attack Thomas Winter, 4th September 1651 – Reference: x705:56 BA13825/1/13

Mary Georgiana Carolina Sandys (1878-1916) was the daughter of Arthur Marcus Cecil Hill, 3rd Baron Sandys and the elder sister of 4th Baron, Augustus Fredrick Arthur. She was also a pioneer in the art of photocollage.

Honourable Lady Mary Filmer, Sandys family photo album, 18th cent – Reference: BA16936

A common practice of aristocratic women in Victorian England, photocollage saw armature artists cut and paste photos into elaborate watercolour scenes to produce new images and meanings. Lady Mary’s showcased a skill and wit with which she was able to climb the social ladder. Having grown up in political circles, she was active in London society – organising musical soirees and parties at the country homes she shared with her husband, Edmund.

Mary left a legacy of albums, her most notable of which featured prominently in the exhibition ‘Playing With Pictures: The Art of Victorian Photocollage’ which travelled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 2010. The story goes that this ‘Filmer Album’ was stolen from the family before happily coming up for auction at Christies in 1978. Donated by its buyer, it now sits in the collection of the Fogg Museum in Harvard.

Begun in 1862, the ornate volume contains watercolour collages and albumen silver prints. In one collage, Mary stands in her drawing room next to the large figure of Albert Edward Prince of Wales, with whom she was said to have enjoyed a well-known flirtation despite her marriage. Perhaps it is telling then that Edmund appears, in contrast, smaller and in the bottom corner of the work next to the couple’s dog. On another page, Augustus Fredrick is shown dressed in a lounge suit – the latest fashion at the time.

Mary’s contribution to the Sandys Archive includes several family photographs (of which she was a collector) and some impressive early portraits. Pages from the album exhibited at The Met are identical to those in family photo albums held in the collection. Enhanced with artwork, it therefore seems likely Mary was responsible for at least some of the photomontages within it. Though she may not have been considered an artist in her lifetime, today we recognise the skill and creativity that would have made Mary one.

To view pages from the Sandys family photo album, see Fascinating Finds above

Born Cynthia Gascoigne, Cynthia Sandys, wife of 6th Baron Arthur Fitzgerald Sandys Hill, was more than a woman of means and fortunate family connections. She had a variety of interests. She studied physics and chemistry at Leeds University, worked as a nurse during the First World War and as Justice of the Peace. She loved parties and had an interest in politics, sitting as a Magistrate and as Chair of the local Conservative Association. On her mother’s side, Ida Copeland – one of the earliest women MPs – was her cousin. Ida won her seat in 1931 standing against Sir Oswald Mosely – founder of the British Fascist Party.

Lord Arthur FitzGerald Sandys Hill and Lady Cynthia Sandys at their daughter’s wedding, 1954 – Reference: 899:156 WPS5183

Cynthia worked hard for the St John’s Ambulance, Women’s Institute and Girl Guides, but her claim to fame was as a Medium. Known for her ability to channel letters from deceased family members and acquaintances, she first turned to spiritualism following the deaths of her father, and brother in law, Richard. Material relating to Cynthia in the Sandys Archive, includes letters written by her husband Arthur to the couple’s son (also called Richard) in which he refers to Cythina’s abilities as a Clairaudience. Often considered a form on clairvoyance, clairaudience is the ability to hear voices from the spirit world.

In one letter, Arthur reports that Cynthia had been in touch with his ‘dear’ deceased brother:

‘He said that, on leaving his body, he found himself standing beside it and he said Good gracious – Artie was right; I must go and find him, and tell him…I’m not sensitive, so I didn’t feel his presence. It was a most merciful release.’

In 1957, Cynthia and Arthur’s eldest daughter Patricia died, but Cynthia’s gift meant she remained in contact. Arthur’s letters tell us more:

‘Now here’s a queer thing. Your Mother was in the Hall the other day and heard someone calling. It wasn’t my voice, but she came up to enquire, and I denied all knowledge. When writing the next day, Pat explained that she was able to make her voice heard because your Mother was so completely surrounded by wood […] She said it was a great thrill for her, but it was an even better one for her Mama, who got gooseflesh all over and recognised (but disbelieved) the intonation.’

Over a ten year period, Cynthia collected a series of letters from ‘Pat’ – an extensive selection of which she published in the book Letters from our daughters – a copy of which can be found in our Local Studies Reference Library. In it, Pat refers often to her cousin ‘Flo’, as in Florence Nightingale, Cynthia’s first cousin twice removed.

Arthur, too, had an interest in spiritualism. Despite some scepticism, in about 1930 he had himself began attending psychic sessions. ‘I rang up the Little Marchioness [Mary, Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys] several times’ he writes to Richard, ‘It was quite a new affair calling up someone who passed away in 1835’.

‘Letters from our daughters’, volumes one and two can be found at shelfmark 133.90924 in the Local Studies Reference Library on Level 2 of The Hive

Melesina Trench by Francis Holl after George Romney, engraving, published 1862 © Trustees of the Ombersley Conservation Trust

‘She is a travelled person […] very agreeable’ – from the Journal of Ladies Charlotte and Mary Hill

More than an Irish society beauty, Melesina Trench nee Chenevix (1768-1827) was a writer, poet and diarist. Yet it was not until her sons published her work posthumously that she became known for this. She spoke English, French, German and Italian, loved reading and mastered Shakespeare by the age of seven.

She married twice and when her first husband died, travelled extensively – starting a journal that she kept throughout her life. While not every volume survives, several were published in the book ‘The Remains of the Late Mrs Richard Trench’. Her original journal from 1824 – much of it unpublished – is held in the Sandys Archive. It contains many literary references, humorous criticisms, strong opinions and social concerns.

Melesina’s travels began in 1799 when she sailed to Hamburg to meet Lady Edward Fitzgerald and her ‘loveliest little daughter’ Pamela. ‘Pam’ was the second cousin of George Augusta Hill and an admirer of his second wife Louisa’s ‘Aunt Jane’. Melesina travelled on to Brunswick, Dresden, Prague and Vienna before returning for a short while to Ireland.

In Dresden, she befriended the British minister High Elliot. They were playing chess when Sir William Hamilton and Cornelia Knight arrived with ‘little’ Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton (whose scandalous love affair both shocked and captivated Georgian society). In Berlin, Melesina met Napoleon’s brother Lucien Bonaparte – a ‘remarkably serious’ man. ‘His whiskers cover half of each cheek and add to the dinginess of his appearance’, she wrote.

Later, Melesina travelled to Paris where she met and married Richard Trench. Following a breakdown in peace during the Napoleonic Wars, the newlyweds were forced to live in France for five years. The couple had six children, three of whom sadly died in childhood. Melesina’s son Charles was the recipient of many of his mother’s interesting letters. Including one sent three months after the Battle of Waterloo in which she wrote that ‘the material of future history are forming’.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Melesina had many friends in common with Mary Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys. Both moved in the social circle of the then Prince of Wales, though Melesina’s journal tells us she was rather less fond of him. Her other famous friends included the celebrated Ladies of Llangollen, the Duke of Wellington and the politician Lord Castlereagh.

‘Journal belonging to Melesina Trench’ – Reference: 705:56 BA16936/41/2(i-ii)