Joan Frederica Mathewana Granville (known among close friends and relatives as Mathewana) was the daughter of Bernard Granville of Wellesbourne Hall, Warwickshire. She was born at Calwick Abbey Staffordshire about 1830 a direct descendant of Admiral Sir Richard Grenville, the naval hero of Elizabethan days.
On August 10th 1850 she married the vicar of Wellesbourne, the Reverend Lord Charles Paulet (born 13th August 1802). He was the second son of Charles Ingoldsby Paulet 13th Marquess of Winchester and Anne Marchioness of Winchester. At the time of the marriage Charles was aged 42 and Mathewana aged 20. She was his second wife, he previously having married Caroline Margaret Ramsden the daughter of Sir John and Lady Ramsden.
Charles and Mathewana had three children. They were Ernest Ingoldsby Paulet born August 22nd 1851 who died on February 5th 1853 aged 18 months; Adela Paulet born February 22nd 1854 at Wellesbourne; and Eleanor Mary Paulet also born at Wellesbourne in May or June 1858.
On July 23rd 1870 Charles, aged 67, died at 34 Regency Square Brighton leaving approximately £45,000. The result was that Mathewana at the age of 40 needed to find somewhere for herself and her two daughters to live. Lady Paulet seems to have been financially secure and in 1871 they were lodging with Hannah Ravenhill at Leamington Hastings in Warwickshire. Over the next four years the family seem to have based themselves in the Manor or Clarendon hotels in Leamington Spa. They also stayed for the ‘season’ in various resort hotels such as at Buxton and Torquay. After moving to Adderbury Lady Paulet and her daughters continued to winter on the south coast or across the channel. Torquay and Cannes were two of her favourite destinations.
Towards the end of 1874 the Paulets arrived in Adderbury but why they choose here is unknown. During the twenty year period 1874 to 1894 the family played an important part in the life of the village including the church. The Paulets moved into Hall House in West Adderbury, known today as Le Halle Place. This was rented from the Risley family. The first thing Lady Paulet did was to change the name of the house to the Manor House. Although the house had never been a Manor presumably the new name was more in keeping with her status. The change of house name was quickly followed by a change in the name of the road from Mud End to Manor Road.
The first record of the Paulets in Adderbury comes in the Adderbury Parish Magazine for January 1875 when the ‘Misses Paulet gave their talents for a concert for the benefit of Mr Wells the organist and in February 1875 the Magazine stated that Lady Paulet entertained a large gathering of aged guests on the 6th January, who sat down to a good dinner, the women afterwards being entertained with tea, while the old men enjoyed their pipes. The Miss Paulets with Mr Crow were very active in attending to the wants of all present.
The Paulet’s generosity was a feature of their life in Adderbury and the wider world. Lady Paulet was involved in a lot of charitable work as a patron as well as an organiser of events.
Whilst living at Wellesbourne and Leamington she gave donations to a variety of charities, orphanages and causes such as the Girls Industrial School. She was patron of St James the Less church and school building fund in Liverpool and these good causes continued to be supported by her after the move to Adderbury. In 1877 £5 was given to the Stafford House committee for the relief of sick and wounded Turkish soldiers and The Freeman’s Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser for 26th January 1880 noted that Lady Charles Paulet had sent a present of twelve pairs of blankets for the Duchess of Marlborough’s Relief Fund.
Whilst living at Adderbury she continued her earlier connections by supporting national charities as well as those in Leamington and Birmingham. Lady Paulet was particularly keen on helping women in need. At Leamington she ran an annual stall to raise funds for the Charitable Repository for the benefit of gentlewomen in reduced circumstances and she also supported the Royal Patron of Temperance – a house for women inebriates.
In 1885 at the Adderbury Flower Show Lady Paulet showed her support for the elderly people of the village by supplying tea for those who were on Parish Relief and she also paid for them to have free entry to the show. At the same show she paid and arranged for children from the Banbury work house to attend. Again in 1887 she sent and paid for the transport, attendance and tea at the show of 30 Banbury workhouse children. During the winters of the 1880s soup kitchens were begun in the village to which Lady Paulet gave monetary donations. Between 1881 and 1894 Lady Paulet also made an annual donation to the village school’s clothing fund. By 1889 her daughter Eleanor had become secretary of the local district for the Oxfordshire Working Guild. This charity made garments for the poor and these were distributed around the parishes of the county.
Some other village groups that benefitted from Lady Paulet’s generosity were the Drum and Fife band (a donation for new musical instruments) and the fire brigade (new uniforms). She also gave £20 towards the parish room fund. The Milton Branch of the C of E Temperance Society was given a donation and there were several donations towards the Reading Room Club over the years. She regularly invited various village groups to the Manor House for a meal. These included the choir, the bell ringers and the farmers.
Both Adela and Eleanor followed in their mother’s footsteps by supporting what was happening in the village. They were involved in raising money and supporting the church. During the Paulets’ time in Adderbury the daughters made various things for the church. These included white silk offertory bags, two alms bags for Milton church and on another occasion some green embroidered silk hangings for the church. The daughters, along with Lady Paulet and Mrs. Cobb, produced a set of altar carpets for church festivals.
In 1878 at the Choral Association gathering of the local Deanery a new banner for the church, was given as a gift by Eleanor and Lady Paulet presented a violet Pall to the parish. This was a cloth that was spread over a coffin or hearse at a funeral.
Regular donations were made to the Sunday School between 1877 to 1894 and in 1889 a reredos for the side chapel was planned. Lady Paulet offered a piece of oak for a Triptych, i.e. a centre frame picture with sides to fold over. Miss Grace Wilson undertook to paint the picture, and when the organ needed retuning and cleaning Lady Paulet gave £2 towards the cost. She was also very generous in supporting the restoration of the church and hosted public sales of work at the Manor House to raise funds. In 1888 the Churchyard was improved on the north side by turfing the edge of the border, and by putting up fences to keep people off the grass. This was paid for by Lady Paulet as was the cost of repairing a seat which was originally a gift from her Ladyship.
In 1887 the village celebrated the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and decided to install a new clock and chimes to mark the occasion. The following article appeared in the The Bell News and Ringers Record for January 14th 1888.
“ADDERBURY, OXFORDSHIRE – DEDICATION OF THE NEW JUBILEE CLOCK AND CHIMES.
In June Adderbury celebrated Her Majesty’s Jubilee in the manner that was followed in most places—viz.: by a substantial dinner to all the residents—but a movement was set on foot for the purpose of securing some permanent memorial of the occasion, and it was resolved a new clock and chimes in the tower of the parish church would be a fitting memento of one of the most memorable events of our time. Lady Charles Paulet took the greatest interest in the proposal, and through her well-directed efforts and those of others of the parishioners, the movement took a practical shape, and now in the old tower of Adderbury church there is a clock and chimes of the most modern construction. To celebrate the dedication of the new clock, and also as a memento of the Jubilee year, on Saturday week trees were planted at Adderbury East and West, and also near Milton by Masters Gepp, Master Cecil Granville, the Misses Bennett, the Misses Gardner, and the Misses Turner and the tree planting was the occasion of much interest.
In the evening Lady Charles Paulet entertained at her residence a number of the leading farmers and others to a supper of the most liberal description. The chair was occupied by the Rev. H. J. Gepp, and the vice-chair by Lieutenant Granville. At the conclusion of the repast, the Chairman proposed “The Queen,” which was loyally drunk..….In proposing the health of their generous hostess, Lady Charles Paulet, the Chairman said it was a very fortunate day for them when her ladyship determined to settle at Adderbury. She took the greatest interest in the parish, and in every possible way endeavoured to promote the welfare of the inhabitants. Among her many other acts of kindness they had only to look at the assistance she gave them in the restoration of their noble church, which by her generous help they were able to carry out.
The Chairman then gave ” Success to the new Church Clock,” and said that as Adderbury had now a railway station, it was only fitting that they should have a clock showing the correct time. If any one there took the trouble to go up to the belfry they would see that the clock was really a work of art. He was pleased that they had such a permanent memorial of the Queen’s Jubilee as the clock and chimes would form’, and considered they had a great deal to be proud of in Adderbury.
The same evening the choir and ringers were entertained to supper by Lady Charles Paulet, and at 11 o’clock the dedicatory service in the church began. The building was brilliantly lighted, and there was a large congregation. After prayers, the vicar gave a short but appropriate address upon the words—”Redeeming the time.” After the address, the choir and clergy proceeded to the end of the church near the tower, and the hymn ” O God, our help in ages past,” was sung, and then the Vicar said—” I do solemnly dedicate the clock placed in this tower as a memorial of the jubilee of our Queen, and to the glory of God, for the use of the inhabitants of this parish.” At five minutes to twelve Miss Paulet set the new clock going by pulling a rope in the tower, and the intervening five minutes were spent in silent prayer. At twelve the new clock in sonorous and melodious tones proclaimed the advent of a new year, and the Hymn “Father let me dedicate all this year to Thee,” was sung. The service then ended. Near the tower a brass has been placed on the wall bearing the following inscription:-” This clock with quarter chimes was erected in this tower by the inhabitants’ of Adderbury to the glory of God and in memory of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. December 31st, 1887. ‘Redeeming the time.’ The memorial plate, which is nicely engraved, was presented by Miss Paulet. The new-clock is replete with all the modem improvements so as to make a very accurate timekeeper, and form a standard for time in the village. The main frame of the clock is of one solid casting of iron, planed smooth and true, with all the various wheels, levers, and other working parts a fixed to it by screws in such a manner that any separate one may be removed without interfering with any of the rest. All the brass wheels have had their teeth cut from the solid, so as to he perfectly accurate and smooth. The clock shows time on two dials, facing east and west. It chimes the “Cambridge” quarters upon four bells, and strikes the hours upon the largest bell. The movement is nicely enclosed in a glass fronted case in the ringing room. Messrs. J. Smith and Sons, Midland Clock Works, Derby, carried out the work. The cost was about £130. Most of the inhabitants are bent upon adding the carillon machinery to their Jubilee clock, and are very anxious to have the Coronation Hymn at their next flower show. A considerable sum is already guaranteed for the purpose.”
The Adderbury Flower Show was first held in 1877 and Adderbury Horticultural Society was under the patronage of Lady Paulet and other notable gentlemen!! Competition entries were staged in a large marquee, and the appearance of the tent was added to by a number of pot plants being sent for decoration only. These were supplied annually by Lady Paulet, the Rev. H. J. Gepp, and others. During the years that Lady Paulet was in Adderbury she strongly supported the Flower Show. On five occasions the Manor House grounds were used for the event. In addition to the prizes given by the show committee extra prizes were given by her ladyship and her daughters. In 1878, for example, Lady Paulet gave a wheel barrow for the best 12 round white potatoes whilst Adela gave a basket for 8 culinary apples, and a basket for a collection of fruit. Eleanor gave a garden-line for the best lettuces and a garden line for the best marrow by weight.
Her Ladyship also entered exhibits through her head gardener, winning classes that included the best collection of Roses and best collection of Asters. Besides supporting the Adderbury Flower Show Lady Paulet also entered other local Flower Shows such as the one held annually at Banbury.
The first of the Adderbury Horse Races was run on the field at the back of the Manor House at the same time as the Flower Show took place on the Manor House grounds. Lady Paulet was a supporter of the races and two of her male relatives Lieut. C. D. Granville and George Granville were patrons. Being seen at events was an important aspect of Victorian Society and Lady Paulet and her daughters were often recorded in the local and national papers as guests at gatherings. For example they attended the County Ball at Banbury Town Hall, a garden party held by the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough at Blenheim Palace and a garden party held by Holford Cotton Risley at Deddington. In 1888 they attended the Warwickshire Hunt Ball and H. Duc Norris’s daughter’s wedding at Chacombe House.
In the 1880s both of the daughters got married. In 1886 Adela married Frederick Lecoq Thorne who lived in the Manor House in Mill Lane. Adela was his second wife. She had not been very well in the early 1890s and died in London on July 15th 1893 where she was being treated. The Deanery magazine records that …….”Mrs. Thorne having died in London was brought to Adderbury, and taken at once to the Church….The coffin, covered with purple velvet and brass ornaments, was placed on the wheeled bier, where it remained from Monday till Wednesday with standard lights at the foot and head. Relatives and friends kept constant vigil beside the beloved form, and many visited the Church to say a prayer and to shew their interest and sympathy on the occasion……. the Church being nearly full, and the coffin being borne to its final resting-place—a simple earth grave lined with moss situated on the west side of the Church—by choirmen vested in cassock and surplice. There was a wealth of beautiful flowers in cross and wreath round the bier and some way down the nave. The Choir sent a letter of condolence and sympathy to Lady Charles Paulet, signed on their behalf by Mr. Ward.”
In memory of his wife and daughter Dr Thorne paid to have a Lych Gate erected. This was dedicated on January 11th 1895 and the Deanery Magazine records that…”It has been built from designs by Mr. Webb…. and forms a very ornamental way of approach to the Churchyard and Church: The oak woodwork supports a Stonesfield slated roof, and rests on piers of Hornton stone. The ridge of the roof is of lead, and in the centre is a brass cross enclosed in a circle. On the upper beam facing east runs the inscription. “In memory of Adela Thorne, died July 13, 1893;” and on that facing west “In memory of Winifred Lillie Thorne, died July 26, 1892. “The gates themselves are low, of pretty design, and with brass fittings. Mr. Thorne has also given us a new gate for the side path. The whole harmonizes well with our fine old Church and well-kept Churchyard, and while standing as a suitable memorial to those who are gone, is a beautiful object for the passers-by and the parishioners to look at……”
In memory of her daughter Lady Paulet presented a stone figure of the Blessed Virgin to fill the large niche on the north side of the east window of the church. The work was entrusted to Messrs. Farmer and Brindley of London.
On June 4th 1889 the Morning Post recorded Eleanor’s marriage of June 1st to Edward Thomas Henry Hutton. The Parish Magazine also recorded the event.
“The people of Adderbury have taken so much interest in the marriage of Miss Paulet and Colonel Hutton, which took place at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, on the 1st of this month that they will doubtless approve of their good wishes to the newly married pair for a long and happy life being expressed in the Parish Magazine. Miss Paulet belongs to a family which has for a long time been resident in Adderbury, and the members of which have always acted as kind neighbours as well as good friends to the church and the poor. She has herself been most kind and thoughtful for others, and always ready to assist in the various works which are carried on for the good of the parish.- Now that she is leaving Adderbury, she may be sure that she takes with her the good wishes and gratitude of many in the place.”
Parish Magazine July 1889
“The Bride and Bridegroom paid a short visit to Adderbury on the 14th and 15th of June and a triumphal arch was erected not far from the Green in Adderbury East, and another near the bride’s former home in Adderbury West. The bells rang out a merry peal as Colonel Hutton and his lady drove through the street, where many were assembled to greet them. To celebrate the event Lady Paulet gave a series of entertainments, on Friday to the Choir and Ringers, and on Saturday, in the afternoon to the women of Adderbury West, and in the evening to the men. All enjoyed very much her Ladyship’s hospitality, and responded most heartily to the toast of “Health and Happiness to the Bride and Bridegroom. By the kindness of the family, the people of Adderbury had an opportunity of inspecting the handsome wedding-presents, which filled a large room and were on view for two days. Although Mrs. Hutton has left us, we feel sure she will not forget her Adderbury friends in her new life and home.”
Colonel and Mrs. Hutton continued to support the Flower Show and Races whenever possible with both extra prizes at the races and their attendance. One great attraction for the Flower Show in 1889 was Colonel Hutton bringing a 30 strong band of the 1st Battalion the Kings Royal Rifles. Lady Paulet organized the transport of the band from Banbury Station to the Manor House where they were fed and looked after. Despite heavy rain in the morning, heavy showers in the afternoon and thick fog on the race course in the late afternoon there was a good attendance with visitors coming from as far away as Warwick and Leamington. Those attending were faced with whether to look at the exhibits, listen to the superior playing of the band or attend the horse races.
Most went to the races first!!
The death of Adela meant that Lady Paulet now had no family in Adderbury and as Colonel and Mrs. Hutton were due to travel to Australia in early 1894 Lady Paulet decided to travel with them to be near her daughter Eleanor.
In 1894 the Parish Magazine printed the following:-
The Lady Charles Paulet – Many of the parishioners were unwilling that Lady Charles, who has been such a public benefactress to the place for more than twenty years, should leave us without some acknowledgment in word and act. …. An address, signed by the Vicar and Churchwardens, together, with a framed picture was forwarded to her Ladyship before she left England.
“We, the Vicar and Churchwardens of Adderbury, on behalf of the parishioners, desire to express our sincere regret to your Ladyship at your departure from the parish after your long residence amongst us. We thank you for your many acts of kindness and liberality, and we wish to record our sense of your constant readiness to promote the well-being of the parish and the people of Adderbury, especially your generous help towards carrying out the restoration of the Parish Church. We trust that you may be spared in health and happiness for many coming years, and in the name of the subscribers to the accompanying picture, we ask your acceptance of it as a memento of our regard and esteem. – Henry J. Gepp, Vicar, Nathaniel Stilgoe, W. B. Bennett. Churchwardens – January, 1894.”
Lady Charles replied: –
“My dear Mr. Gepp, – Will you convey to all my friends in Adderbury my heartfelt thanks for their kind remembrance, which has touched me deeply. It is so little I have been able to do for them that I am surprised they should have thought of offering me anything. I shall value the beautiful gift greatly…… Hoping our thoughts and prayers may often unite us, Believe me, my dear Mr. Gepp, yours very sincerely, M. Paulet. – February 2, 1894.”
In 1894 they sailed to Australia where Lady Paulet made numerous friends during her visit there in company with her daughter and son-in-law, General Sir Edward Hutton, Commander of the New South Wales forces.
By May 1896 Lady Paulet, Colonel and Mrs Edward Hutton had taken a lease on 65, Cadogan Gardens, London for the season and between 1897 and 1899 Lady Paulet is recorded in Kingstown, Jamaica and New York.
Lady Charles Paulet died aged 83 on December 10th 1918 at Fox Hills, Chertsey, the home of her daughter and son in law.
“Endowed with great beauty,” wrote a correspondent of the “Times,” “a saintly mind, and a gracious presence. Lady Charles Paulet was a type grande dame whose whole life was spent in thinking of the welfare of others rather than of herself. It has been said of her that in all her long life she had never been known to say an unkind word nor do an unkind act to man, woman, or child about her. Accompanying her daughter and son-ln-law, General Sir Edward Hutton, in Australia and Canada, she exercised a remarkable influence upon all she met.
The funeral took place at Wellesbourne, a requiem service being held at Lyne Church, Chertsey before the body was removed to Wellesbourne, where it was interred in the family vault in Wellesbourne Church.”
References
Adderbury Parish Magazine and Deddington Deanery Magazine 1875-1893 National newspapers
Banbury Guardian and Banbury Advertiser 1875-1893
Barry Davis
2020