The Blencowe - Sitwell Connection

All of those who attended the Blencowe Reunion on May 25th 1996, will be sad to hear of the death on January 14th 2004 of Francis Sitwell. Francis, and his wife Susanna, entertained over fifty of us at Weston Hall on that day, and we were able to admire many of the Blencowe treasures that are housed in that very beautiful home.

Francis Sitwell was a member of a very talented literary family. His grandparents were Sir George and Lady Ida Sitwell, and their children were the brilliant but eccentric trio of poets and writers, Osbert, Edith and Sacheverell. Francis was the younger son of Sacheverell, always known as Sachie, and Georgia, a tempestuous and beautiful Canadian. He inherited Weston Hall and restored it into the gem of an English Country House that it is today.

Weston’s connection with the Blencowe Family goes back to 1714. Sir John Blencowe, the Judge, first leased the original farmhouse in that year for his recently widowed, youngest and favorite daughter, Susanna, at a cost of £14 a year. Susanna married Richard Jennens of Princethorpe, co Warwick in 1708, but he died in 1710, leaving Susanna to face a widowhood of 47 years. As Weston is within a few hours riding distance of Marston St Lawrence, it was a convenient arrangement and Sir John, as a devoted father, was, no doubt, able to keep a close eye on Susanna and her young family, Mary and another Richard. In 1721, Sir John went a step further and bought Weston for £999 for his much-loved Susanna as a Valentine present. It was later enlarged and renamed Weston Hall.

Susanna was remarkably skilled at needlework; her needlework bed and the six contemporary chairs, which she designed and covered, can all be seen at Weston Hall today, along with an oil painting of Susanna from the school of Sir Godfrey Kneller. Next to this portrait, is one of her son, Richard, known to have been given her by her elder brother John's father-in-law, William Holbech of Farnborough, co Warwick.

Weston Hall has the unusual distinction of having had seven female owners and only one male in over 200 years between 1714 and 1923, never having been bought or sold since 1721. Francis took a great interest in the history of the house, and in his retirement, lectured on the Sitwell Family and did much to encourage the literary and artistic talents of young people.

I know the Blencowe Family Association will want to express their condolences to the present Susanna and her family on their sad loss.

Peter Blencowe, Walderton,
January 2004