General Wilford, who resided for many years at Ranelagh, departed this life in 1822, aged 69.
Mr. William Terwin, died Feb. 24, 1826, in the 74th year of his age. Also, his brother, Mr. John Terwin, died Jan. 8, 1827, in his 69th year.
Joseph How, Esq., of Swan Walk, Paradise Row, (Queen’s Road West,) died in 1825, aged 72. He was much respected.
Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, widow of T. Smith, Esq., of No. 1, Manor Terrace (now No. 167, King’s Road), who, by will, in 1828, bequeathed £500 three per cent. consols, to be expended annually as specified therein.
Thomas Bryan, Esq., of Cadogan Place, a magistrate for the county, died in 1830, aged 66. He was much respected, and was for some time treasurer of the Parochial Schools, and ever ready to promote a charitable object.
G. H. Hopkinson, Esq., died in the year 1829, and Charles Hopkinson, Esq., in 1830 (banker), resided in Cadogan Place for many years.
R. E. N. Lee, Esq., resided for many years in Cheyne Walk, and died in 1833. For 18 years he was Steward of the Manor.
Richard Harmer, Esq., of Sloane Street, died in 1840, aged 80 years. He was benevolent, and his death was much deplored by many of the tradesmen in the locality.
The Rev. G. Clark, M.A., chaplain at the Royal Military Asylum, a clergyman universally esteemed, died in 1848.
Peter Burrard, Esq., of Rayner Place, departed this life in 1842. He was a captain in Queen Charlotte’s Chelsea Volunteers, served the office of churchwarden, and was greatly esteemed by a large number of the parishioners.
Luke Thomas Flood, Esq., was a magistrate for the county, and for a great number of years treasurer of the Parochial Schools. There is a marble monument to his memory, near to the vestry door, in the church, which is a fine specimen of the sculptor’s art. His munificent annual gifts to the deserving and aged poor parishioners, however, is a memorial of greater value than the most costly monument. He died at Brighton, in 1860, at a very advanced age.
The Rev. Charles Kingsley, M.A., the late rector, and father of the Rev. C. Kingsley, the popular author, died in 1860, aged 78. A notice of this kind-hearted clergyman is given in the brief record of the Rectors of this church.
COST OF BUILDING THE CHURCH, &c.
The original sum for the building of the Church, as agreed to at a Public Vestry, held on the 20th of August, 1818, was not to exceed in all £30,000, including every other advance that may be made from the Commissioners of Churches, and others. The interest of this sum, together with the principal, was to be paid out of a church rate, and the rate for this purpose was not to exceed one shilling in the pound. [137] From a statement I possess, shewing the various amounts received and paid by the Trustees for building the church, and including the charges for constructing a sewer from it to the river Thames, from the 21st of July, 1819, to the 27th of October, 1824, it appears that the total sum expended to that period was £34,716 14s. 3d. This amount includes £2,020 paid for the sewer, and £3,595 for interest on annuities, up to the time of the above statement. The entire cost of building the church, &c., is generally estimated as being rather more than £40,000. It is calculated that it will very well accommodate 2,000 persons.
There was a petition signed against the New Church Bill, in which it was acknowledged that there was a total inadequacy of church accommodation in the parish—the population of which the petitioners stated to be 20,000 souls—but they submitted that “it would be better to erect two chapels, capable of holding 1,500 persons each, one to be situated at each extremity of the parish, which might be done for one half the church would cost.” Dr. Anthony Todd Thomson, of Sloane Street, who was one of the most able speakers in the parish, most powerfully advocated the erection of two chapels, but the opposition entirely failed.
RECTORS AT THE NEW ST. LUKE’S CHURCH.
In the account of the Old Church a list of the Rectors connected with that ancient edifice was given, we will now refer to those since the completion of the new Parish Church.
The Hon. and Rev. G. V. Wellesley, D.D., who had been for many years previously Rector, was a brother of the Duke of Wellington, “the great hero of many a hard-fought battle.” Making a deduction for some slight difference in the corporeal appearance of them, there was a great resemblance of features, and in quickness of conception, correctness of judgment, and general determination of character, there was an astonishing similarity. Dr. Wellesley was quick in forming his conclusions, and appeared at times to be somewhat hasty, but generally it would be found that his views were founded on truth and justice. This remark applies more especially to the part he took as chairman of many of the “open vestry” parish meetings, at which there was frequently much contention. It was admitted, however, by those who were at times opposed to his views that his conduct was impartial and conciliatory, and the natural result was that he gained the respect of all classes of the ratepayers, and thus allayed much of that asperity of feeling which is too often manifested by contending parties.
Dr. Wellesley’s appointment of the Rev. Henry Blunt, M.A., then a young clergyman who had gained the esteem of a large portion of the parishioners, as Morning Preacher and Senior Curate, gave great satisfaction, and, as presently will be seen, shewed the correct opinion he had entertained of Mr. Blunt’s piety, zeal, and qualifications to discharge the sacred duties he had so wisely entrusted to him. Dr. Wellesley, after some years had elapsed, resigned, and died at Bishopwearmouth, at an advanced age.
Some few particulars respecting the Rev. H. Blunt may here be very appropriately mentioned. The following opinion of him, as a preacher, given by an avowed infidel, will convey a tolerably good idea of his impressive manner of delivery. I will give it as nearly as possible in the individual’s own words. “I went,” said he, “to your place yesterday, (meaning the church,) and if ever I go again anywhere it shall be to hear Mr. Blunt. I went in and meant to come out shortly, but I had no sooner looked at him than his keen eyes seemed fixed on mine, and as he appeared so sincere in what he said, I remained till he had finished. He certainly was most persuasive, and it spoilt my dinner.” This was afterwards mentioned to Mr. Blunt, who smiled, and said, “I hope there were many others who went home to their dinners equally impressed.”
When Trinity Church, Sloane Street, was completed, the Rev. Mr. Blunt became the Incumbent (the parish at that time was not as at present divided into ecclesiastical divisions). Here he was again greatly beloved by his large congregation, including both rich and poor. Some years afterwards he accepted the Rectory of Streatham, Surrey, where he at length died, as much esteemed by the inhabitants there, as he had been previously at Chelsea. Mr. Blunt was the chief founder of the first Benevolent Society established in this parish, in 1829, entitled the Chelsea Relief Association, and principally through his exertions no less a sum than £163 was collected within a very short period. Hence arose other similar societies, whose benevolent objects are well deserving of support. The Infant School, in Markham Street, might be considered as Mr. Blunt’s cherished offspring, and the National Schools at all times were regarded by him with feelings of deep regard.