Louisa ‘Lisma’ Mary Feilding

 

Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research. Thank you to Peter Urwin for additional family research.

Louisa ‘Lisma’ Mary Feilding was born on 11^th February 1864 in St George Hanover Square, London to Sir Percy Robert Basil Feilding and Lady Louisa Isabella Harriet Feilding nee Thynne, she was baptised on 9^th March 1864 at St James’ church in Westminster.

At the time of the 1871 Census, the family lived at 39 Princes Gate, Westminster. The family comprised of Colonel of the Coldstream Guards Percy Feilding, his wife Louisa, and their children: Alice Augusta, Louisa Mary, Grace, Geoffrey Percy Thynne and Percy Henry. The family was looked after by two housemaids, two nursery maids, a footman, kitchen maid, butler, nurse, a coach-horse keeper, governess and domestic servant.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at West Street House, Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire. The family comprised of Percy and Louisa and their children: Alice and Margaret. The family had visitors: Foreign Office Chief Clerk Henry Hervey; 2^nd Lieutenant John Ponsonby and Mary Bidwell. The house staff comprised of three maids, two housemaids, a house keeper, cook, kitchen maid, footman, coachman and groom.

In 1893, Percy bought Broome Park in Betchworth, Surrey for £14,500.

At the time of the 1911 Census, Lisma and her daughters Alice and Louisa lived at 48 Grosvenor Gardens, Belgravia. The ladies were looked after by two housemaids, a housekeeper, cook, lady’s maid, kitchen maid and two footmen.

Lisma Feilding died in an accident on 24^th January 1918. She was 53 years old. According to the 1918 Bath Chronicle, she met with a fatal accident at her home in Broome Park, through being caught in a machine wheel.

She was buried on the 28^th of January 1918 at St Michael’s church in Betchworth.

She left her sister, Alice £3,488, 3s and 3d in probate.

Feilding Family History

Lisma’s father Percy was born on 26^th June 1827 in Monks Kirby, Warwickshire to William Basil Percy, 7^th Earl of Denbigh and Lady Mary Elizabeth Kitty (nee Moreton).

Lisma’s paternal grandfather William, 7^th Earl of Denbigh was born on 25^th March 1796. He married Mary Moreton, daughter of Thomas, Earl of Ducie, on the 8^th of May 1822 in Woodchester, Gloucester. William succeeded his grandfather as 7^th Earl of Denbigh on 14^th of July 1800. He served as Lord of the Bedchamber to King William IV during 1830-1833 and Lord Chamberlain to Queen Adelaide from January 1833 to February 1833. William received the Knight Grand Cross of Hanover in 1833 and became Master of the Horse to Queen Adelaide from 15^th December 1834 to 2^nd December 1849. William died on 25^th June 1865 in Hampstead, London. He is buried at St Edith’s churchyard, Monks Kirby.

At the time of the 1851 Census, Lieutenant Adjutant Percy Feilding resided in the Garrisons of the Tower of London.

Lisma’s mother Louisa Isabella Harriet Thynne was born on 9^th June 1834 in London to Lord Henry Frederick Thynne, 3^rd Marquess of Bath and Harriet Baring, Lady Ashburton. Lisma’s grandparents married on 19^th  April 1830 in St George Hanover Square, London.

At the time of the 1851 Census, the family lived in Muntham House, Findon, Sussex. The widowed Harriet, Marchioness of Bath was a landed proprietor. She and her daughter Lady Louisa were looked after by two governesses, two lady’s maids, two housemaids, two laundry maids, a companion, house keeper, cook, kitchen maid, butler, coachman, under butler, footman, groom, French polisher, carpenter and labourer.

At the time of the 1861 Census, the family were still living in Muntham Hall.  Harriet, her children, poulterer Louisa, legislator Lord Henry Thynne and Harriet’s grandchildren Rachel Thynne and a baby boy Thynne were looked after by two laundry maids, two housemaids, a nursemaid, nurse, lady’s maid, cook, house keeper and secretary-librarian.

Lisma’s parents, Percy and Louisa married in the 2^nd quarter of 1862 at St George’s church, Hanover Square. At the time of the marriage, Percy resided in St Peter, Pimlico and Louisa in All Saints, Knightsbridge.

Sir Percy and Lady Louisa had six children:

• Alice Augusta Feilding born on 9th March 1863 in London. She died on 6th February 1940.
• Louisa “Lisma” Mary Feilding born on 11^th February 1864 in St George Hanover Square, London. She died on 23rd January 1918
• Grace Feilding born on 15th June 1865 in London. She died on 11th May 1946.

• Major-General Geoffrey Percy Thynne Feilding born on 21st September 1866 in London. He died on 21st October 1932.
• Percy Henry Feilding born on 23rd December 1867 in London. He died on 29th June 1929.
• Margaret Agnes Feilding born on 21st April 1871 in London. He died on 14th October 1964.

The 1897 Star newspaper reads: “General the Honourable Sir Percy Feilding drove from his residence at Broome Park, Betchworth to the Hill at Epsom to see the Metropolitan Stables. On arriving there he alighted from his carriage, and was crossing the hill to get a view of the race, when he was tripped up from behind, and at the same time received a blow on the back. As he fell, one man took his watch and another struck him. He sprang up to follow his assailants, but two other men tripped him up again, one giving him a kick on the knee. Sir Percy has been confined to bed ever since, having received injuries which are causing him great pain, and it is feared he will not be able to get about again for 10 days.”

Sir Percy served 32 years in the Coldstream Guards, commanding the regiment for 9 years. He was present throughout the Crimean Campaign, taking part in the battles of Alma Balaklava and Inkerman. His services at Alma were mentioned in despatches and he received the brevet of Major. In Inkerman he was severally wounded.

The 1904 Exeter and Plymouth Gazette reads that while “the late General lay on the field of Inkerman, fearfully wounded, it fell to the lot of Private Bishop, a native of Crewkerne, when in the Guards, to assist in removing him out of the line of fire. Bishop, to relieve the General’s sufferings, took off his overcoat and place it under the wounded officer’s head. This act of kindness was never forgotten by the deceased General, who for the last 6 or 7 years – on the existence of his deliverer becoming known to him – left him a small annuity, which it is to hoped will be continued by the family. Bishop is now an enfeebled man, but pursues his calling as a weaver at Messrs. Bird and Co’s factory, Crewkerne. An effort has been made to secure a pension for him, but some military obstacle has prevented this being conferred.”

Sir Percy commanded Infantry Brigade in Malta from 1879 to 1884 and the S.E. District from 1885 to 1887.

Percy Feilding died on  9^th of January 1904 at 40 Grosvenor Gardens, Middlesex after 3 days of illness. He was 76 years old. He was buried on the 15^th of January 1904 at St Edith’s churchyard, Monks Kirby, Warwickshire. King Edward VII was represented at Sir Feilding’s funeral. Sir Percy left his wife, Louisa, £2,013, 16s and 8d in probate.

Louisa’s mother the Honourable Lady Louisa Isabella Harriet Feilding of Broome Park, Betchworth, Surrey and of 48 Grosvenor Gardens, Belgravia, London, widow, died on the 26^th of June 1919 at Broome Park.

She was buried on the 1^st of July 1919 at St Edith’s churchyard, Monks Kirby, Warwickshire.

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