The Heathcote family

Prominent landowners and benefactors in the Bourne area in past times were members of the Heathcote family who are frequently mentioned in old documents relating to the locality where they are played a major part in the drainage of the fens.

One of them, Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 4th baronet, was responsible for improvements to the village of Folkingham after becoming Lord of the Manor in 1788 when Richard Wynne, who then held it, had got into financial difficulties. After acquiring the estates, he did much to transform the village into a charming small market town and his changes included clearing the market place of its various encumbrances and equipping it to cater for the stage coaches using the main London to Lincoln road which passed through.

He also contributed generously towards the opening of a village school at Lenton, converting two woodsmen's cottages in the late 18th century into a classroom for five children. The property is now a private residence and a Grade II listed building.

The village school at Rippingale was built in 1856 for the benefit of the community by Lord Aveland, formerly Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 5th baronet and Lord of the Manor, who owned considerable estates in the locality which employed many village people whose children he sought to educate. Until then, classes were held in St Anne’s Chapel in the village church but his lordship decided that a permanent building to accomodate 130 pupils of all ages would be more beneficial and his philanthropy is remembered by a plaque bearing the family crest which can still be seen on the outside wall.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote (1652-1733)

Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 1st baronet, was a member of an old Derbyshire family who rose to become Lord Mayor of London. He was born in Chesterfield on 2nd January 1652, the son of ironmonger, Gilbert Heathcote. and his wife Anne. He was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, afterwards becoming a merchant in London where his trading ventures became very successful.

He was one of the promoters of the new East India Company and emerged victorious from a contest between himself and the old East India company in 1693. He was also one of the founders and first directors of the Bank of England.

In 1702 he became an alderman of the city of London and was knighted, serving as lord mayor in 1711 and was the last to ride on horseback in his procession. In 1700, Heathcote was sent to Parliament as member for the City of London but was soon expelled for his part in the circulation of some exchequer bills. However, he was again elected for the city later in the same year and retained his seat until 1710. In 1714, he was member for Helston, in 1722 for New Lymington, and in 1727 for St Germans. He was a consistent Whig, and was made a baronet eight days before his death.

Although extremely rich, Heathcote's meanness is referred to by Pope and it was this trait that accounts largely for his unpopularity with the lower classes. He died in London on 25th January 1733 and was buried at Normanton, Rutland, a residence which he had purchased from the Mackworths.

Sir John Heathcote (1689-1759)

Sir John, the 2nd baronet, was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 1st baronet, and Hester Rayner. He was elected to the House of Commons as the member for Grantham in 1715, a seat he held until 1722, and later represented Bodmin from 1733 to 1741.

Heathcote married Bridget White, daughter of Thomas White, in 1720. He died in September 1759 and was succeeded by his son Gilbert Heathcote.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote (died 1785)

Sir Gilbert, the 3rd baronet was the son of Sir John Heathcote, the 2nd baronet, and Bridget White, who succeeded to the title on his father's death in 1759. In 1761 he was elected to the House of Commons as the member for Shaftesbury, a seat he held until 1768.

Heathcote married firstly Lady Margaret Yorke, daughter of Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, in 1749. After her death in 1769, he married Elizabeth Hudson, daughter of Robert Hudson, in 1770. He died in November 1785 and was succeeded by his son from his second marriage, Gilbert Heathcote.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote (1773-1851)

Sir Gilbert, the 4th baronet, was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 3rd baronet and Elizabeth Hudson, who succeeded to the title on his father's death in 1785. In 1796 he was elected to the House of Commons as the member for Lincolnshire, a seat he held until 1806, and then represented Rutland from 1812 to 1841.

Heathcote married firstly Lady Katherine Sophia Manners, eldest daughter of John Manners and Louisa, Countess of Dysart, in 1793. After her death in 1825 he remarried the same year. Heathcote died in March 1851, aged 77, and was succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Gilbert John Heathcote, who in 1856 was elevated to the peerage as Baron Aveland.

Sir Gilbert Heathcote (1795-1867)

Sir Gilbert, the 5th baronet, was the son of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, the 4th baronet, and Katherine Sophia Manners, daughter of John Manners. He was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. In 1820, Heathcote was elected to Parliament as the member for Boston, a seat he held until 1830, and again from 1831 to 1832. He later represented Lincolnshire South from 1832 to 1841 and Rutland from 1841 to 1856. The latter year he was raised to the peerage as Baron Aveland of Aveland in the County of Lincoln. He later served as Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire from 1862 to 1867.

Lord Aveland married Clementina Elizabeth Drummond-Willoughby, 24th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby, daughter of Peter Robert Drummond-Burrell, the 22nd baron Willoughby de Eresby, in 1827. He died in September 1867, aged 72, and was succeeded by his son Gilbert Henry Heathcote-Drummond-Willoughby. He also succeeded his mother in the barony of Willoughby de Eresby in 1888 and was created Earl of Ancaster in 1892.

See also     The Earl of Ancaster     The Adventurers   

The Heathcote Tunnel     Lenton village