Cecelia Betham as depicted in Arthur’s Illustrated Home Magazine, October 1865.
The Betham family of Montpelier House, Stradbrook House and Rockford.
William Simon Betham, eldest son of Rev William Betham and Mary Damart born 22 May 1779 at
Stradbrook (Stradbroke) in the County of Suffolk. One of fourteen children, he was educated by his
father and apprenticed to a printer in London when he was 14. William married Martha Norton
daughter of M Norton of Camberwell, Surrey on 22 Jul 1801 at Lambeth. They had one daughter
Mary Norton Betham born 16 Sep 1803 who died at birth. Martha died on 22 Sep 1803 just one week
after their baby died. By 1803 he had established himself as a printer at Holborn and was declared
bankrupt. Having lost all his personal effects due to the bankruptcy and following a disagreement
with his father, he moved to Ireland in 1805. He offered to work as a clerk for Sir Chichester
Fortescue, Ulster King of Arms at Eustace Street in Dublin. He was paid twelve guineas a year which
he supplemented by carrying out searches for solicitors on the records at his disposal. These he
indexed and created nearly 100 volumes of his 'References to Records'.
He secondly married Elizabeth Crampton, daughter of the Rev Cecil Burleigh Crampton, Rector of
Headford, Galway at St Thomas's Church, Dublin on 25 Nov 1807. He received a Knighthood on
15 Jul 1812 and was appointed Ulster King of Arms in 1820 on the death of Sir Chichester. He had
his own specially built chariot which had 6 bespoke mahogany cases with leather covers and locks
and keys to hold his paperwork. This was built for him by Henry Anderson of the Royal Horse Bazaar
at 94/95 St Stephens Green South.
William is often described as a 'great Irish genealogist' which is a misnomer as he was not Irish and
never considered himself a genealogist. He described himself as an antiquary with an interest in
ancient Irish history and a vegetable grower. While he managed to get three crops of cabbage a
year, his transcribing of family information from the Prerogative Wills of the propertied Anglo Irish
took years. He worked on these 40 volumes from 1807 to 1827. Little did he know that the
majority of the Wills he was working from, would be destroyed and that future researchers
would be dependant on his abstracts written in his private notebooks. He was appointed a sub
commissioner of the Irish Record Commission in 1811 and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in
1824. His sister Elizabeth had moved to Ireland and lived with the family at Montpelier House.
Elizabeth died in 1835 after Typhus struck the household and was buried at Monkstown. Sir
William also contracted the fever and although he made a good recovery, he was left lame.
William got chest pains on the morning of the 27th October 1853, the doctor was called but by the
time Dr Plant arrived at Rockford, he had passed. His manuscripts were put up for sale in 198 lots
by Sothebys after his death and sold for £900 mainly to Sir Frederick Madden for the British
Museum. A letter signed by Cromwell addressed to his son Harry was purchased by Mr Monckton
Milnes, MP for £17. Elizabeth died 30 Dec 1856 at Killiney and was buried at Carrickbrennan with
William.
In the 1860's Archery became very popular amongst the fashionable Dublin set, providing fetes and
fine dining by way of entertainment after competitions. The County Dublin Archers met at Monkstown
gardens (the grounds of Monkstown Castle). Both of William's sons were members of this club which
was for both men and women. Although separate competitions were run, the scores of the sexes were
frequently compared. His granddaughter Cecilia won competitions on the international circuit
culminating in her victory at the UK's Championships of Crystal Palace in 1864.
William Simon Betham Martha Norton Elizabeth Crampton
born 22.05.1779 Suffolk born circa 1782
married 22.07.1801 married 25.11.1807
Lambeth Church St Thomas’s Church
died 27.10.1853 (74) died 22.09.1803 died 30.12.1856
at Rockford, Stradbrook at Killiney
buried at Carrickbrennan buried at Carrickbrennan
1 Molyneux Cecil John Betham eldest son born circa 1814 of Rockford married Elizabeth Ford
only daughter of Sir Richard Ford Chief Magistrate at Bow Street, London on 17.06.1837 at St
George’s, Hanover Square. Elizabeth died on 16.10.1868 at Rockford and was buried at
Deansgrange.
Molyneux secondly married Esther Jane Carey Macnamara widow of late Connell Wilkins
Macnamara who had died in 1853 of York Street on 05.08.1869 at the Parish Church,
Leamington. Molyneux died on 31.01.1880 aged 66 years at Rockford and was buried at
Deansgrange.
1 Cecil William Betham only son of Belgrave Square married Emily Isabel Williamson
eldest daughter of John Mallet Williamson of Knoyle Lodge, Brighton Avenue,
Monkstown on 29.04.1869 at Monkstown Church. Cecil late of 9 Belgrave Square
died on 26.09.1910 at Fullbrooks, Worcester Park, Surrey.
2 Cecilia Maria Eleanor Betham only daughter born circa January 1843 in Kent. She
was a noted archer and won competitions on the international circuit
culminating in her victory at the UK's Championships of Crystal Palace in 1864. Cecilia
married her 1st cousin William Sheffield Betham in July 1874. William died on
12.04.1876 at Rockford. Cecilia a widow then married John Edmond Corbett 2nd son
late Rev Robert Corbett of Leamington on 23.06.1891 at St Mary’s Market Drayton,
Shropshire. Cecelia died at Market Drayton in April 1913.
1 Gertrude Cecilia Betham born 02.07.1875 at Rockford House.
2 Sheffield Grace Philip Fiennes Betham of Stradbrook House married Elizabeth Carey
youngest daughter of late Henry Carey of Carysfort Avenue on 03.02.1842 at St Peter’s Church.
Eliza died on 07.03.1867 aged 47 years at Myersville, (Wynberg House) Blackrock and is buried
at Deansgrange. Captain Betham was on the finance committee of the Dublin Poor Law
Unions Board.
Sheffield a widower then married Isabella Frances Whitla daughter of Rev John Hammond
on 10.12.1868 at the Parish Church in Bathwick. Isabella had previously been married to
Captain George Alexander Whitla of the Antrim who had died on 03.08.1867 at Torquay.
Isabella died on 12.07.1870 aged 42 at Belgrave Hall, Monkstown and was buried at
Deansgrange.
Sheffield a widower then married Georgina Isabella Cotter Exham, a widow and daughter of
James L Cotter of Monkstown on 13.10.1874 at the Parish Church, Monkstown. Sheffield late
of 1 Tobernea Terrace, Monkstown died on 02.07.1890 and was buried at Deansgrange with
his first wife Eliza.
1 William Sheffield Betham eldest son born 29.01.1843 of 15 Lower Mount Street
baptised at St Stephen’s Church married his 1st cousin Cecilia Maria Eleanor Betham
in July 1874. William died on 12.04.1876 aged 33 years at Rockford, Blackrock and is
buried at Deansgrange.
2 Alfred Henry Betham 2nd son born circa 14.12.1845. Alfred married 1893 Evelyn
Matilda Exham daughter of Richard Exham on 24.07.1893 at Monkstown Church.
Alfred died on 22.05.1909 aged 64 years at his residence 4 Richmond Hill,
Monkstown and was buried at Deansgrange.
3 Emily Adela Betham eldest daughter married Alberic E Knox son of Col John Knox of
Mount Falcon, Mayo on 04.06.1868 at Monkstown Church. Emily then married Arthur
Richard Frederic Exham on 16.11.1880 at Monkstown Church.
4 Clementina Roberta Valentina Betham born 14.02.1870 at Monkstown.
3 Nicola Mary Betham born circa 1809 died 17.12.1896 aged 87 years late of Mona Cottage,
Bray and is buried was Deansgrange.
4 Frances Jane Charlotte Betham married Rev Henry Siree Hardinge of Kilmacud on
02.02.1831 location unknown, but possibly at St Anne's Church as they were married by
the Rev G W Goddard who was then incumbent of St Anne's. He was insolvent a
few months after their marriage. Henry thought to be the son of Thomas Harding and
Jane Siree, was the Rector of Theberton in Suffolk. Frances (Fanny) died on 15.06.1848 at
Albert Terrace, Knightsbridge. Henry died 28.01.1865 at Theberton.
1 Son Hardinge born 2 Feb 1832 at Montpelier House.
2 Heber Thomas Hardinge eldest son born 23 May 1836 at Theberton. He was
Superintendent of Police and married Minnie Mead on 5 May 1858 at St John’s
London. He died 9 May at Beccles just three weeks after the death of his wife
Minnie.
3 Isabella Marie Fitz-Hardinge eldest daughter born circa 1839 in Suffolk. She
married Rev George Wilkinson Kershaw, vicar of Egmanton on 28 Sep 1858 at
Theberton.
4 Molineux Sheffield Crompton Fitzhardinge Hardinge born 1840 in Suffolk. He
married twice and died in 1890.
5 Letticia Elizabeth Louise Fitz Hardinge born 2 Jun 1843 at Theberton. She was a
governess and annuitant and died unmarried on 15 Feb 1907 at Dalkey. Her
nephew Noel Kershaw the informant.
6 Woolfield Henry Fitzhardinge Hardinge youngest son born 14 Mar 1846 in Nice.
He married Isabelle Jane Thompson on 2 Apr 1872 at Kirton, Notts.
7 Betham Melbourne FitzHardinge died an infant on 29 Jun 1848 at Albert Terrace,
Knightsbridge.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – January 2019
Return to Stradbrook House page
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William Simon Betham, eldest son of Rev William Betham and Mary Damart born 22 May 1779 at
Stradbrook (Stradbroke) in the County of Suffolk. One of fourteen children, he was educated by his
father and apprenticed to a printer in London when he was 14. William married Martha Norton
daughter of M Norton of Camberwell, Surrey on 22 Jul 1801 at Lambeth. They had one daughter
Mary Norton Betham born 16 Sep 1803 who died at birth. Martha died on 22 Sep 1803 just one week
after their baby died. By 1803 he had established himself as a printer at Holborn and was declared
bankrupt. Having lost all his personal effects due to the bankruptcy and following a disagreement
with his father, he moved to Ireland in 1805. He offered to work as a clerk for Sir Chichester
Fortescue, Ulster King of Arms at Eustace Street in Dublin. He was paid twelve guineas a year which
he supplemented by carrying out searches for solicitors on the records at his disposal. These he
indexed and created nearly 100 volumes of his 'References to Records'.
He secondly married Elizabeth Crampton, daughter of the Rev Cecil Burleigh Crampton, Rector of
Headford, Galway at St Thomas's Church, Dublin on 25 Nov 1807. He received a Knighthood on
15 Jul 1812 and was appointed Ulster King of Arms in 1820 on the death of Sir Chichester. He had
his own specially built chariot which had 6 bespoke mahogany cases with leather covers and locks
and keys to hold his paperwork. This was built for him by Henry Anderson of the Royal Horse Bazaar
at 94/95 St Stephens Green South.
William is often described as a 'great Irish genealogist' which is a misnomer as he was not Irish and
never considered himself a genealogist. He described himself as an antiquary with an interest in
ancient Irish history and a vegetable grower. While he managed to get three crops of cabbage a
year, his transcribing of family information from the Prerogative Wills of the propertied Anglo Irish
took years. He worked on these 40 volumes from 1807 to 1827. Little did he know that the
majority of the Wills he was working from, would be destroyed and that future researchers
would be dependant on his abstracts written in his private notebooks. He was appointed a sub
commissioner of the Irish Record Commission in 1811 and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in
1824. His sister Elizabeth had moved to Ireland and lived with the family at Montpelier House.
Elizabeth died in 1835 after Typhus struck the household and was buried at Monkstown. Sir
William also contracted the fever and although he made a good recovery, he was left lame.
William got chest pains on the morning of the 27th October 1853, the doctor was called but by the
time Dr Plant arrived at Rockford, he had passed. His manuscripts were put up for sale in 198 lots
by Sothebys after his death and sold for £900 mainly to Sir Frederick Madden for the British
Museum. A letter signed by Cromwell addressed to his son Harry was purchased by Mr Monckton
Milnes, MP for £17. Elizabeth died 30 Dec 1856 at Killiney and was buried at Carrickbrennan with
William.
In the 1860's Archery became very popular amongst the fashionable Dublin set, providing fetes and
fine dining by way of entertainment after competitions. The County Dublin Archers met at Monkstown
gardens (the grounds of Monkstown Castle). Both of William's sons were members of this club which
was for both men and women. Although separate competitions were run, the scores of the sexes were
frequently compared. His granddaughter Cecilia won competitions on the international circuit
culminating in her victory at the UK's Championships of Crystal Palace in 1864.
William Simon Betham Martha Norton Elizabeth Crampton
born 22.05.1779 Suffolk born circa 1782
married 22.07.1801 married 25.11.1807
Lambeth Church St Thomas’s Church
died 27.10.1853 (74) died 22.09.1803 died 30.12.1856
at Rockford, Stradbrook at Killiney
buried at Carrickbrennan buried at Carrickbrennan
1 Molyneux Cecil John Betham eldest son born circa 1814 of Rockford married Elizabeth Ford
only daughter of Sir Richard Ford Chief Magistrate at Bow Street, London on 17.06.1837 at St
George’s, Hanover Square. Elizabeth died on 16.10.1868 at Rockford and was buried at
Deansgrange.
Molyneux secondly married Esther Jane Carey Macnamara widow of late Connell Wilkins
Macnamara who had died in 1853 of York Street on 05.08.1869 at the Parish Church,
Leamington. Molyneux died on 31.01.1880 aged 66 years at Rockford and was buried at
Deansgrange.
1 Cecil William Betham only son of Belgrave Square married Emily Isabel Williamson
eldest daughter of John Mallet Williamson of Knoyle Lodge, Brighton Avenue,
Monkstown on 29.04.1869 at Monkstown Church. Cecil late of 9 Belgrave Square
died on 26.09.1910 at Fullbrooks, Worcester Park, Surrey.
2 Cecilia Maria Eleanor Betham only daughter born circa January 1843 in Kent. She
was a noted archer and won competitions on the international circuit
culminating in her victory at the UK's Championships of Crystal Palace in 1864. Cecilia
married her 1st cousin William Sheffield Betham in July 1874. William died on
12.04.1876 at Rockford. Cecilia a widow then married John Edmond Corbett 2nd son
late Rev Robert Corbett of Leamington on 23.06.1891 at St Mary’s Market Drayton,
Shropshire. Cecelia died at Market Drayton in April 1913.
1 Gertrude Cecilia Betham born 02.07.1875 at Rockford House.
2 Sheffield Grace Philip Fiennes Betham of Stradbrook House married Elizabeth Carey
youngest daughter of late Henry Carey of Carysfort Avenue on 03.02.1842 at St Peter’s Church.
Eliza died on 07.03.1867 aged 47 years at Myersville, (Wynberg House) Blackrock and is buried
at Deansgrange. Captain Betham was on the finance committee of the Dublin Poor Law
Unions Board.
Sheffield a widower then married Isabella Frances Whitla daughter of Rev John Hammond
on 10.12.1868 at the Parish Church in Bathwick. Isabella had previously been married to
Captain George Alexander Whitla of the Antrim who had died on 03.08.1867 at Torquay.
Isabella died on 12.07.1870 aged 42 at Belgrave Hall, Monkstown and was buried at
Deansgrange.
Sheffield a widower then married Georgina Isabella Cotter Exham, a widow and daughter of
James L Cotter of Monkstown on 13.10.1874 at the Parish Church, Monkstown. Sheffield late
of 1 Tobernea Terrace, Monkstown died on 02.07.1890 and was buried at Deansgrange with
his first wife Eliza.
1 William Sheffield Betham eldest son born 29.01.1843 of 15 Lower Mount Street
baptised at St Stephen’s Church married his 1st cousin Cecilia Maria Eleanor Betham
in July 1874. William died on 12.04.1876 aged 33 years at Rockford, Blackrock and is
buried at Deansgrange.
2 Alfred Henry Betham 2nd son born circa 14.12.1845. Alfred married 1893 Evelyn
Matilda Exham daughter of Richard Exham on 24.07.1893 at Monkstown Church.
Alfred died on 22.05.1909 aged 64 years at his residence 4 Richmond Hill,
Monkstown and was buried at Deansgrange.
3 Emily Adela Betham eldest daughter married Alberic E Knox son of Col John Knox of
Mount Falcon, Mayo on 04.06.1868 at Monkstown Church. Emily then married Arthur
Richard Frederic Exham on 16.11.1880 at Monkstown Church.
4 Clementina Roberta Valentina Betham born 14.02.1870 at Monkstown.
3 Nicola Mary Betham born circa 1809 died 17.12.1896 aged 87 years late of Mona Cottage,
Bray and is buried was Deansgrange.
4 Frances Jane Charlotte Betham married Rev Henry Siree Hardinge of Kilmacud on
02.02.1831 location unknown, but possibly at St Anne's Church as they were married by
the Rev G W Goddard who was then incumbent of St Anne's. He was insolvent a
few months after their marriage. Henry thought to be the son of Thomas Harding and
Jane Siree, was the Rector of Theberton in Suffolk. Frances (Fanny) died on 15.06.1848 at
Albert Terrace, Knightsbridge. Henry died 28.01.1865 at Theberton.
1 Son Hardinge born 2 Feb 1832 at Montpelier House.
2 Heber Thomas Hardinge eldest son born 23 May 1836 at Theberton. He was
Superintendent of Police and married Minnie Mead on 5 May 1858 at St John’s
London. He died 9 May at Beccles just three weeks after the death of his wife
Minnie.
3 Isabella Marie Fitz-Hardinge eldest daughter born circa 1839 in Suffolk. She
married Rev George Wilkinson Kershaw, vicar of Egmanton on 28 Sep 1858 at
Theberton.
4 Molineux Sheffield Crompton Fitzhardinge Hardinge born 1840 in Suffolk. He
married twice and died in 1890.
5 Letticia Elizabeth Louise Fitz Hardinge born 2 Jun 1843 at Theberton. She was a
governess and annuitant and died unmarried on 15 Feb 1907 at Dalkey. Her
nephew Noel Kershaw the informant.
6 Woolfield Henry Fitzhardinge Hardinge youngest son born 14 Mar 1846 in Nice.
He married Isabelle Jane Thompson on 2 Apr 1872 at Kirton, Notts.
7 Betham Melbourne FitzHardinge died an infant on 29 Jun 1848 at Albert Terrace,
Knightsbridge.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – January 2019
Return to Stradbrook House page
Return to Wynberg page
Return to Rockford page