Arabella Heveningham

GEDCOM Note

Arabella was a direct descendant of Erasmus Heveningham of the manor of Aston in Staffordshire and his wife Mary Moyle. Erasmus came to Staffordshire from Ketteringham in Norfolk and inherited by th e right of his wife the Staffordshire estates of Sir John Stanley of Pipe, her maternal grandfather.

It is said that Arabella's father was Joseph Heveningham (pedigree in the William Salt Library, Stafford - marginal entry) son of Christopher Heveningham of Lichfield and his wife Mary Saxelby. Her m other's name is unknown. Arabella was born in Ireland about 1764/5 and was possibly the sister of the Joseph Henningham who was married to Mrs. Mary Harris on 7 June 1789 at St. Martin's, Birmingham . Arabella was clearly very closely related to both Arabella Heveningham (d.1820) and the Rev. Edward Remington (d.1832) of Lichfield who both left legacies to Arabella and her children.

Arabella is believed to be the neice of Arabella Heveningham (d. 1820), the daughter of Christopher Heveningham and Mary Saxelby who, in her will, leaves an annual annunity for life, irrespective o f any future marriage, of Ð20.16s.0d paying an income 8 shillings a week to Arabella Wakelin (formally Arabella Heveningham) of Lichfield, widow and leaves legacies to her three daughters Mary, Ann a nd Susanna and sums of money to her sons by Thomas Wakelin. This was a reasonable sum of money as a house could be rented for Ð8 per annum in those times.

It is believed that Joseph Heveningham was her father. No marriage has been found for Joseph in the Staffordshire Marriage Index and it has been substantiated from the 1851 census that Arabella wa s born in Ireland - this is possibly why no marriage for Joseph has been found. It is possible that Joseph might have followed his elder brother, Edward into the army. On a Heveningham pedigree hel d at the William Salt Library in Stafford is penciled a note that "Arabella Wakelin was the child of Joseph Heveningham, who was the son of Christopher and Mary Saxelby and brother of Arabella Heveni ngham of The Close, Lichfield" (d. 1820). I too have taken this view that her father was indeed Joseph Heveningham. I have subsequently established that Christopher Heveningham's second son Thoma s survived to manhood and was apprenticed to Christopher (a Currier). Thomas is known to have been living aft 1754. Therefore, it is possible that Thomas may have been her father. Irrespective o f who her father was, there is no question that Arabella was descended (probably grand daughter) from Christopher Heveningham and his wife Mary Saxelby and she was obviously a great favourite of her n amesake the other Arabella Heveningham (1737-1820).

Arabella Wakelin nee’ Heveningham was one of the main beneficieries in the will ( (Ref: PRO Ref: PROB11/1637) of Arabella Heveningham (d. 1820), who is believed to be her aunt. In her will Arabella Heveningham , styles herself "Arabella Heveningham of the Close of Lichfield Cathedral, spinster," and was dated 7th September, 1814. She mentions her niece Mary White, and Thomas Henry White son of the sai d Mary. An annunity of "Ð20 and 16 shillings for the life of Arabella Wakelin of Lichfield, widow, for her use and benefit and that the same be paid into her own proper hands by weekly portions o f eight shillings during her life independent of any husband, and for that purpose that ? ? alone shall from time to time be good ?? for ? and that they the said William Remington and Edward Simon Re mington or the survivor of them his Executors or administrators in the meantime? and until such annuity shall be purchased so and shall pay to her the weekly sum of eight shillings on Monday in ever y week and make the first payment thereof on Monday next after my decease".

There were also legacies of Ð10 each to Mary, Ann and Susanna Wakelin daughters of Arabella. The sum of Ð5, to Francis Wakelin, Thomas Wakelin and Samuel Wakelin, sons of the said Arabella Wakeli n. In a codicil to her will she also leaves, in addition to the annuity, Ð5 to Arabella Wakelin. Her will proved in the P.C.C. December 1820. Unfortunately in her Will, Arabella does not mention t he relationship between herself and Arabella (Heveningham) Wakelin. Arabella's three illigitimate children were not included in the will of her aunt Arabella Heveningham of The Close.

In a codical to his will (PCC London. Ref: PROB 11/1798) dated 1831 the Rev. Edward Remington left Arabella Wakelin, widow Ð10. Her son, Francis Wakelin was also bequeathed Ð50 by Rev. Edward Remi ngton. And from the same will it appears that Francis Wakelin occupied a house rented at an annual rent of Ð8 from Rev. Edward Remington. This proves a very close connection between the Wakelins an d the Remington family. The Rev. Edward Remington also officiated at the marriage of Arabella and Thomas Wakelin in 1788.

Arabella's last three children Charles, Caroline and Louis were all born between 1806 - 1811 and were all illegitimate. It is not known who the father or fathers' were. They were certainly NOT the c hildren of Thomas Wakelin, who had died in 1802, although they were given his surname by Arabellla when they were baptised.

The informant on Arabella's death certificate is shown as Susanna Wakelin, her grandaughter. Arabella's occupation is shown as formally an Inn Keeper. This Susanna Wakelin was a ladys maid for the Mot t family of the Close, Lichfield. Mr. Mott was the Mayor of Lichfield. Susanna’s younger sister, Sarah Wakelin also was employed by the Mott family as a housemaid. Susan and Sarah were the daughter s of Arabella's son, Francis Thomas Wakelin.

Lichfield & The Old Coaching Inns

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In 1835, 31 coaches a day passed through the city of Lichfield. They were bound for London, Bristol, Walsall, Birmingham, Chester, York and elsewhere. Five coaches a day used to leave Lichfield fo r London alone. The last mail coach left Lichfield on 11th April 1838. It is not known yet which Inn Arabella was the Inn Keeper of but research into the local history of Lichfield has found the foll owing Inns listed as old coaching Inns: The Swan Hotel, The King's Head, The George Hotel and The Three Crowns.

"Tudor House" and Stowe Street

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The only old houses now still standing in Stowe Street is number 45 and its adjoining house which were built c. 1450. It is now called "Tudor House" and is a delightful black and white timber frame d 15th century house. Unfortunately, It now stands amongst a 1960's housing development. Arabella is shown as living at Stowe Street on the 1851 census with her son and his family but, unfortunate ly, the census returns do not show which houses the inhabitants lived at. It would be nice to think it was number 45 or something like it. Stowe Street was on the coaching route round Stowe Pond.

William Salt Library

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Pencilled in on a Heveningham pedigree is this inscription "Arabella was the child of Joseph Heveningham who was the son of Christopher Heveningham and Mary Saxelby and brother of Arabella Heveningha m od the Close, Lichfield"