The Lambert Chronicles include family members who fortunately for us left letters, books and documents which had been kept at High Buston Hall and Buston Barnes by Cicely Lambert and her descendants. Further research has added to the history of the family.
Anthony (1758 − 1800) is pictured in the Lambert Lineage from an engraving based on the original portrait shown above. He is dressed in a three-quarter length jacket and seated at a table with writing materials and books and holding the mouthpiece of a hookah in his left hand. Anthony was born in Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland and travelled to India in 1781 as a cadet in the service of the East India Company. He resigned the following year and became a highly successful and influencial merchant and trading agent in Calcutta where he founded the merchant house of Lambert & Ross. He was sheriff of Calcutta in 1792. Shown below is a document signed by Anthony as sheriff which was recently found in the archives, despite most of the records from those days being destroyed. In a letter written at sea to his brother Charles he complains of headaches and digestive problems as well as his sadness at having to return to England because of poor health. He died at his home in Devonshire Street, Portland Place, London on the 17th January, 1800 at the age of 41.
The portrait was painted by Robert Home in November 1797 and cost 1000 rupees, about £20K at today's prices. Anthony had three daughters and two sons with two native women, Nancy from Delhi and Saim Bhegum]from Calcutta. In his will the children are described as "natural children" so would probably have been born outside of a formal marriage.Traditionally the name Bhegum or Begum for a Muslim woman denoted high social status. However it was commonly used as a given name by Muslim men for their own wives as a mark of respect.
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The Anthony Lambert Letterbooks. The following is an extract from a synopsis of the two books.
The subjects covered by Lambert include family matters, letters to his sisters Mary Ovans and Jane Gilchrist, his brothers Thomas and Charles, his uncle Anthony senior, life in India, his precarious health, social occasions, views on marriage, the political situation in India and Europe, and the wars in India (the third Anglo-Mysore war against Tipoo Sultan of 1789- 1792) and Europe (the French Revolution and its aftermath), but mostly concerning all aspects of trade, within India itself, with England, with China, as conducted by Lambert, a partner in the very powerful agency house of Lambert and Ross; the indices list 2 letters to Gabriel Gillett; 38 letters to John Prinsep; 21 letters to Jacob Wilkinson; 4 letters to Major Samuel Shaw; 18 to Patrick Heatly; 17 to Richard 'Rupee' Johnson. Original Indian red roan covers bordered in blind, the upper cover of the first volume with manuscript ink titling in ink "Private Letters commencing 3d. May 1786 ending - 20 January 1792" (one cover detached). Housed in a red morocco-backed box. A remarkable unpublished collection of retained letters offering a powerful insider's view of the development of trade in India in the late 18th century, and an educated and articulate contemporary reaction to the events of the third Anglo-Mysore War. These albums constitute an apparently unrecorded primary source whose importance rests chiefly in the information it gives about the interwoven operations of Lambert & Ross, a major merchant house in India, at the time when the East India Company's monopolies were beginning to come under attack. A widespread network is revealed controlled by a few key figures who continue to do business and prosper enormously against the background of the ongoing operations against Tipu Sultan in India and revolutionary France in Europe and on the maritime routes home. On a micro level, Anthony Lambert offers insights into his long-distance management of his family most of whom remained in England, friends and colleagues. He also was aware of the dreadful attrition rate amongst Europeans who lived and worked in India: only one in ten long-term East India Company employees survived long enough to retire to England. A recurring theme is his slowly failing health, with occasional frank and clear-headed appraisals of the gamble he took when he pitted his health against the opportunity of creating an enormous personal fortune. He understood that the key decision was to know when it was time to leave before the damage became irreparable .Anthony Lambert was born in Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland, England. Little is known of his early years in England, but a contemporary obituary (in The Asiatic Annual Register, vol.I, pp75-76) noted that he was not born into money, and that he was largely self-educated. He joined the East India Company as a cadet, arriving in India in 1781, but resigned the following year to pursue a very successful trading career in Calcutta. By 1790, the firm of Lambert & Ross, which he founded, was one of about 15 agency houses which collectively came to rival the East India Company itself in terms of its commercial power. In particular, Lambert was very involved in the setting up of the highly lucrative opium trade between India and China ("To his exertions, the opium trade of India owes its principal support and improvement") , and he fought a successful battle against the restrictive shipping policies of the East India Company "His judicious and persevering representations to government, contributed in no small degree to induce the East India Company to abandon the old policy in their shipping concerns". On a theoretical level he also made a valuable contribution to the economics of the region: the present collection includes a copy of a covering letter dated 2 November 1795 he sent to Lord Cornwallis with a copy of Henry Thomas Colebrooke's "Remarks on the husbandry and internal commerce of Bengal"privately printed in Calcutta in 1795. In this letter he notes that "it is from the pen of Mr. Colebrooke except the first and third sections of the Chapter on foreign commerce, of which I must take the responsibility". The present collection ends with an unfinished record of letters he wrote from St. Helena in March 1798, on the voyage home. Unfortunately, as he had speculated might be the case, Lambert did not live to enjoy his success for very long: Mr Lambert, since his return to England in 1798, had been struggling with the disease which prematurely closed his useful and exemplary life and it is at Calcutta, where he passed the best years of his life, his memory will long be cherished Some of the key figures with whom he corresponds at length are: Patrick Heatly (1753-1834), born in Newport, Rhode Island, joined the East India Company as a cadet, but quickly transferred to the civil branch, before going into business on his own. By 1785 he was in a position to offer to supply 3200 chests of opium of guaranteed quality, from the province of Bahar, to the Company at a fixed rate. He returned in England in 1788 but the present letters show that he negotiated a deal with Lambert before doing so.John Prinsep (1748-1830), arrived in Bombay in 1771, but resigned his commission in 1772 in favour of the commercial world. Prinsep was extremely successful, and by the time he returned to England in 1788 he was one of the wealthiest Europeans in India. The present letters cover the period when he had set up as an East India agent, and when he was most vocal in his call for free trade. He later served as a Member of Parliament. Jacob Wilkinson (d.1799), another successful merchant: he was elected a Director of the East India Company in 1782. The present letters cover a period after he had returned to London. He died at his house in Bedford-row, London, June 24, 1799, shortly after Lambert returned to England
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Charles Lambert (1769 − 1837) was Anthony's younger brother and followed him to India where he joined Lambert & Ross as a partner in Calcutta. He lived with Anthony and David Ross and the following extract from The Journals of Major Samuel Shaw the First American Consul of Canton provides a picture of life there. Of the expenses the servants wages constitute a large part. No servant will do what properly belongs to another, the man who cuts grass for your horse and feeds him will not clean or saddle him, nor will the one employed for the latter purposes give him his food. Every horse has two attendants. Besides servants are restrained by their religion from performing many of the common offices about house and a man who will wash your feet will not put on or take off your table a dish of meat or soup on account of his cast. This necessarily occasions a multiplicity of servants. Mr Lambert's family consists only of himself his brother and Mr Ross his partner. They have seven horses, a post chaise a phaeton and a buggy, each has also his palanquin or chair. The number of servants they are obliged to keep amounts to ninety seven. I say obliged because on enumerating them and their occupations we could not find a single supernumerary.
On his return to England as a wealthy man he rented Osborne House on the Isle of Wight before it was sold by the owner to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1824 his second son Charles drowned there while bathing, presumably in the sea.
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This is an engraving of Osborne House on The Isle of Wight as it was when Charles Lambert held his 21 year lease. It was bought in 1844 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as their holiday retreat but replaced by a new building in 1851.
Charles invested in the Stag Brewery in Pimlico and in 1831 became a partner in the business. Within a few years he helped to double production and in 1837 was joined as a third partner by James Watney. However Charles died later in that year and subsequently Watney took over the brewery and together with his sons turned it into a national brewing business and a leading company on the London Stock Exchange.
At the time of his death on 6 Oct 1837 age 68 Charles owned and lived at No 1 Fitzroy Square London where his second wife Lucy Tough Fubor nee Dalley, lived on until 1844. They also leased Blendon Hall in Bexley which they would use as their country seat for rest and relaxation.
Charles was first married in 1800 to Louisa Elizabeth Poignand with whom he had 15 children up until 1819.
One of those, Robert b.1815 is worthy of further mention and an episode in his life is told here by Lindsay Lambert a direct descendant who lives in Ottowa,Canada.
Robert Lambert inherited the shares in what was now Walney's Brewery from his father Charles. However Robert was a very moral and spiritual man and dispensed with the shares because of the effect that drink had on the poor.
He took a commission in the Navy where he befriended an ordinary seaman. He fell overboard one day and his friend dived in and saved him. Bizarrely the sailor was condemned to be lashed for risking his own life. Robert threatened to resign his commission if the sentence was carried out. It was, and he did!
Cicely Lambert and Charles Hutchinson were married in 1801 and it was clearly a love match, as shown in a letter to his father in law Anthony Lambert written on the 16th January 1801 while in Edinburgh with Cicely and her youngest sister Jane..
Edinbgh 16th Jun 1801
My dear Sir
It is time that I have to acknowledge the inestimable jewel you presented me with when you gave me your daughter - it shall be the study of my whole life to make her happy and
prove myself worthy of so much purity and innocence. I have the pleasure to inform you that she is well and that her heart and mind seem to be particularly
at ease - it is not
more than she deserves, for indeed she is more than my much sanguine wishes ever hoped to possess.
We are now pleasantly situated but not in that manner you exactly wished. The lodgings are elegant and exceedingly moderate. I fancy two or three weeks will even almost tire
Jane who is ta present quite delighted with the gay throng, but thinks Alnwick will be hereafter very dull. Cicely is ever the same and of a disposition I have all my life envied and
endeavour to resemble, I hope with some little success.
Many thanks for your introductory letter to Lord Ankerville which I shall do myself the honor to deliver-.
As a most particular favour I beg you will let John come and stay the last week with us. Remember me in affectionate terms to Mrs Lambert, not forgetting Sarah with compliments to friends, and believe me.
my dear Sir
Yours most sincerely
Charles Hutchinson
Pooles Hotel
Charles Hutchinson was a career soldier who served in Fort Marlborough, Bencoolen, Sumatra before going to India as an officer with the East India Company.
He met Cicely through his sister and brother-in-law John Davidson of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Tragically Cicely was only to live a few months as Capt Hutchinsons wife and following her death he returned to India to fight in the Second Anglo-Maratha War which lasted until 1805. He was an exceptional officer and fought under General Gerard Lake throughout all the battles of that conflict.
The Maratha nation was a confederacy supported by the French which opposed the power and influence of the British as they moved towards eventual rule in India. However they faced formidable military opposition under the leaderships of Arthur Wellesley, who was to become the Duke of Wellington, and in the northern arena of battle General Lake.
Hutchinson was appointed Captain in 1802 and commanded the guns and men one of whom was his brother-in-law Lieutenant Anthony Lambert.
One of Captain Hutchinsons sad duties was to inform relatives of serious injury or death of their loved ones. The following letter written by him to his uncle Charles Lambert living in Calcutta, gives first hand account of the horrors of war including the death of Anthony at the battle of Laswaree on 1st November 1803. He was aged 19 years.
Grand Army. Camp near the [ ? ] nulla
2 Nov. 1803
My Dear Sir
It is with the utmost concern that I acquaint you of a most severe battle that took place between us and 17 regular battalion of the enemy yesterday
We have lost killed and wounded I believe upwords of thirty officers among whom is my much lamented young friend A Lambert. The only consolation to his Relations and Friends is that he died with much honour and lived greatly esteemed. You will oblige me by taking melancholy task upon yourself of written to his relations. I write upon some future occasion do the same. Besides private Friends the public loss in this Engagement has been very great, among the killed are General Ware, Colonel Vandeleur,Major Griffith, Major Wm Campbell, Captain Duval , Wounded, Colonel White, Major Gregory, Colonel Gerrard, Major Lake, Colonel McDonald, Captains Campbell, Robertson, Lt Meuth killed, Lt Ryan wounded, Capt Fletcher ,. These are what I have heard of. The 76th Regt and some of the Sepoy Corps suffered very much. We marched yesterday morning before 3 o clock and attacked the enemy about one, the fire from their artillery was terrible and destructive, we have taken upwards of 50of their cannon of 6, 12 k 10 mortors mounted as Howitzers and Howitzers of [ ? ] and 10 inches diameter. Our Cavalry also suffered considerably. The whole plain for miles around is covered with killed and wounded and I am tired in body and distressed in mind. The escape I had at my guns was narrow and almost wonderful.
Almost all the army told upon the cold wet Ground last night and the wounded all yet brought in --such is a soldiers Life-- he has either nothing to do or something horrible to endure.
Comps to Mrs Lambert
Yours sincerely
C Hutchinson
I attend my Brother in Laws Funeral this evening who will be Interred with the rest of his Brothers Officers who fell in front of the 76th Regt. The whole Army will also attend.
After her marriage to Charles in Feb. 1801 Cicely fell into a period of sickness which she touched on in a letter to her sister Jane written from Kendal on the 21st and 23rd October together with an earlier letter from her mother, also Cicely, both on the same sheet of writing paper. It seems that mother was staying to care for her while she was ill.
Kendal 21st
How sorry I am my Dear Jane to think you
should have been disappointed of so much
pleasure as you would have had at the Assembly
and Concert if it had not been owing to my illness.
I hope however my Dear Father will not again refuse
you if there should happen to be another. Life ought to
be enjoyed and I keep up my spirits as well as
I can. I cannot almost stand from weakness, but
the Dr thinks me better. Oh how we wish to get
home, but God only knows when that will be,
you can easily my Dear Jane get one little [ ? ]
out of the Bookcase which you must wear for
my sake. It is my complement as I shall not wear
it myself -- Oct 23 your letter my dear Jane was
a great treat, indeed you ought to write
me often with every particular. I will not
show Hutchinson it if you will write me a long letter.
The people here dress very well, and there appears
to be some good shape but I have been in none..
This last medicine I have got I think has had
a better effect than the former tho'I cough at
times very much, this I write on my knees having
my legs up. I have got a sprain in one, which hurts me
a little but on the whole I hope I am better.
C.Hutchinson [ Cicely ]
Mr Dear Jane
As writing is not all fit for your dear sister I
made her give [over] yesterday. We still think
the last medicine is doing more than the
others. She still continues to gain every day and
her pulse to [lose] a little every day
altho the searing cough is much the same.
I wish to God she could only gain
strength to get her home when I hope a change
of scene and air might do her good. I expect a
long letter from your father
soon, do some of you write often you
cannot think
what amusement your letters give us. I am with
love to you all in which H
and my darling join ever your Affectionate
mother.
C Lambert
Saturday 2 October
This is the last letter ever written by my Dear Beloved sister Cicely Hutchinson.
Cicely Hutchinson died at Kendal in November 1801. Charles returned again to India before his leave of absence expired, and arrived in time to enter upon most of the active service in which the East India Company's forces have been employed. An extract from an obituary in the Gentlemans Magazine of February 1806 recorded the following was with the Lord Lake in all his severe engagements, to the capture of Delhi, whence he was detached with a division of the army under the command of the Hon.Col.Monson, to co-operate with the Bombay army in the reduction of Holkar's capital, and received ftom Col.Monson most public marks of approbation'. When the Colonet was unfortunately obliged to retreat he left Captain Hutchinson in command at Rampoorah with part of his force to cover his retreat in hope of keeping Holkar employed against whose force of upwards of 50,000 cavalry, besides infantry, he `successfully maintained a short but vigorous slege. At the same time he had to contend with famine within; "and after receiving, In this command, repeatedly, the public thanks of Lord Lake, the commander in chief, and the approbation of the most Noble the Governor-general, he at length, worn out by mental and bodily exertions, closed with honour his mortal career. As a man and soldier, he was esteemed by all who knew him; and those only could estimate his worth, and most sincerely lament his death. He was 37 years of age.
Following his death a letter to Anthony Lambert, his father in law, was sent from London by Charles Lambert telling him the sad news. Within the letter he includes copies of the correspondence sent from Calcutta including the last Will of Capt Hutchinson. Its interesting to see how formal members of the same family addressed each other in those days.
Capt Hutchinson's son Frank was well looked after and went on to success in life qualifying as a doctor of medicine at Edinburgh University in 1824. He married Francis Losh of Wreay, Cumberland and they had 11 children.
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My Dear Lambert
It is with extreme concern that I have to inform you of the loss of my friend Charles Hutchinson. The Medusa Frigate which brought the intelligence of the death of Marquis Cornwallis conveyed also an account of the death of poor Hutchinson from Mr Scott one of my late partners, copy of whose letter of the will of the deceased, is on the other side for your satisfaction. I have sent the melancholy tidings to his Brother in Law Mr Davidson of Newcastle. I can only sympathise with all those who were interested in the subject of this communication.
Mrs Lambert desires her Kindest respects to you & yours.
I am always affect yrs
London 1 February 1806 C Lambert
( Copy )
Calcutta 17th October 1805
Dear Lambert
I am concerned to have to inform you of the death of our Friend Captain Charles Hutchinson. He died at Rampoora, Lahore, where he has gallantly distinguished himself during the present War on the 16th of last month ________ About three months ago he sent us his Will under a blank cover which on hearing of his death we of course opened and of which enclosed you will find a Copy____ you will perceive that Mr Alexander and myself are left his sole Executers. Unless there should be Claims to some amount on the Estate, and which I do not apprehend is the case. the Estate will realize about Sixty Thousand Rupees and which will be a very handsome provision for the young man he mentions who apprehend is an Illegitimate Child._____ As you probably know Captain Hutchinsons mother. I wish you to make her acqainted with this unpleasant matter. The Friends of the deceased have lost in Him an excellent man, and the East India Company one of its best Officers_____ It is Mr Alexanders intention and mine as soon as we can, close the Accounts of the Estate, to vest the balance in one of the Thos Couts Loans of this precedency, of which the Interest is payable half yearly in England, and we shall make ample remittances for the support and education of the Boy until he comes of age________
I am dear Lambert
Yours truly
( signed )
J Scott
( Copy of C Hutchinsons Will )
Tonk 29th June 1805
From the uncertainty of my Life I make this my last Will and leave the interest of five Thousand Rupees to Elizabeth Williams my former housekeeper at Bencoolen during her natural life, and at her death this 5 Thousand Rupees is to go to Frank Hutchinson now living under the care of my Mother and Brother in Law Mr Davidson Esq of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and every thing I own as may be possessed of is to go to Him______ I request my Friends J Alexander and J Scott Esq Agents at Calcutta will be my Executors, and that my Mother and Brother in Law will remain Guardians of the Boy____ Chas Hutchinson
I revoke all other Wills
Captn Commdg
Chas Hutchinson
Rampoora
Witness / Thomas Grant- Lt 3rd Regt Bombay Army
Chas Assey__Asst Surgeon__ Bengal Establishment
My last Will recommended to the care of Messrs Scott Wilson & Co: 29th June 1805
Tonk 29th June 1805
C Hutchinson
[ ? } Copy ( signed ) J Scott one of the Executors named in the Will
Anthony Lambert was born in 1785 and was the third son of Anthony. He must have been influenced by his brother in law Charles Hutchinson who was in Alnwick during the time Anthony would have been considering his career options. Subsequently he followed Hutchinson to India joining the East India Company's military arm. On the 28th August he wrote a letter to his father from northern India, as a lieutenant in the Bengal Infantry, near Aligarh clearly anticipating action within a few days.
Camp near Kota 28th Aug 1803
My Dear Father,
As I am now with the Army which has marched
against the Marathas, and being now within
sight of their Army I think it my duty to write to
you these few lines, which I request to be sent to
you in case of any accident happening to me
in the engagement which we have every reason
to expect will take place in a few days. I am sorry
to say that from the number of things I have
been under the necessity of purchasing since
I joined my Regt and the total cost of
2 Bungalows I find myself about 2000 Rupees in
debt, but do not doubt but my things will be
more than adequate to that sum. However
should they not sell for as much as I have reason
to expect they will I can have no doubt but you
will give orders for the payment of the remainder
of my debts when I inform you that real necessity
was the reason of my being involved, the most
part of the bills are signed by me.
Our Army consists of near 10,000 men and the
park of 75 pieces of cannon, Captain Hutchinson
is appinted to command the Guns of our Brigade,
I see him every day. He really looks very well. I
hope my dear Father you will excuse the
shortness of this, as we are just now arrived at
one Ground and have already had one false
alarm - Give my love to my dear Mother, Jane,
John, Betsy and Sarah and believe me.
ever my Dear Father
your affectionate Son
Anth Lambert
Remember me kindly to all my old friends.
Give my love to my Dear Grandfather
On the same day Anthony wrote a short will naming his superior officer and brother in law Captain Charles Hutchinson as his executor.
In case of accident happening to me I request that my Brother in Law Captain Charles Hutchinson of the Bengal Infantry will take charge of all my things and dispense of them as he may think best for the payment of my debts on account of which is [ ] inclosed. I [ ] he will keep my gold ring in a remembrance of me and forward the enclosed letter to my father
Ironically Captain Hutchinson was unable to prove the will due to his own death and so it passed on to Anthony's father.
As reported by Captain Hutchinson in a letter from the battlefield on the 2nd November 1803, Anthony had been killed the previous day In the battle of Laswarree. He was the only officer lost from the Bengal Infantry.
William Francis Lambert was born January 1828. His parents were John and Juliana Lambert of Alnwick where John was a solicitor, But as did most of the male Lamberts, into the Army William went, in this case the Royal Engineers.
Being from a middle class family William was introduced to horse riding from an early age and eventually became an owner. He entered his horses in steeplechases in Britain and Canada and won the Montreal Steeplechase in 1852 with one of his horses Broker.
William became a Captain in the Royal Engineers. One of his fellow officers was Captain Charles Lutyens and they became good friends. Charles was also a painter and loved painting horses; in fact thats all he painted to the exclusion of everything else and so he accepted Williams invitation to paint Broker. The painting, show below, hangs on a wall in my daughters Cotswold cottage.
Charles Lutyens eventually left the Army to take up full time painting. He was moderately successful and exhibited at the Royal Academy although was never elected to the R A. Never the less he painted some 12 or more Derby winners for various owners and also helped Edwin Landseer on the design of the lions in Trafalgar Square. He was the father of 13 children the 11th being Edwin who became Sir Edwin Lutyens, architect.
Meanwhile William continued his service in the Royal Engineers and
was posted to China in 1857 where another opium war had broken out. He
was attached to the 59th Infantry Regiment which went to the aid of the
ship "Arrow" resulting in the storming of Namtow on 11th August 1858.
William was wounded by gunshot in his left thigh and the next day died
at the age of 30 years.
Cicely Lambert and Roger Buston married
and marked the merging of the two families. On the death of her husband Roger she sold Buston Hall to the Duke of Northumberland and went to live at Whitby, North Yorkshire where she died in 1899.
John and George Craster Lambert were brothers and also both served
within the same regiment the 1st Bengal European Light Infantry, renamed
the Royal Bengal Fusiliers in recognition of its service in India.
They were the sons of John and Juliana Lambert of Alnwick.
George had a glittering career rising from Ensign in 1845, through
Lieutenant, Captain. Major and then to Lt Colonel on 30 Oct. 1869. He
served in India in the Sutlej and Sobraon campaigns, usually called the
1st Sikh War, restoring order and fighting insurrection in northern
India. He distinguished himself there and also later in Burma, as well
as in the N. W Frontier War of 1863.
He helped to capture Craig Piguil in North West India and would have
fought alongside George Vincent Fosbery and Henry William Pitcher both
whom were awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in that action. Major
Lambert also distingushed himself and was awarded a Medal with Clasp in
the Unbeyla campaign.
He retired after 28 years service with the rank of Major General. He
married Isabella Browne, daughter of Alexander Browne of Doxford Hall,
now a country hotel. He lived with his wife and three daughters Mary, Helena and Lavinia and a son John Mounsey at
Bolton Hall close to the village of Edlingham near Alnwick, where he died
in 1898. His death is duly noted in the Death Book.
Lieutenant John Lambert also fought at the battle of Sobraon and no doubt would have met with brother George at some point. Tragically John was fatally wounded at Ferozepore and died on 4th March 1846 five days before the Lahore Treaty was signed and hostilities ceased.
A tablet in the Parish Church of St Michael, Alnwick commemorates John Lamberts death and his brother officers and the men of his regiment.
Though young he had seen much service; in the campaigns in Afghanistan, at the storming and capture of Chirzni; at the first occupation of Kabul,in the battles of Ferozeshah in December 1845 and in subsequent operations of the army of the Sutlej. His death came at Sobraon where he was mortally wounded while leading his company in the charge of the enemy's entrenchments.
It is stated that he possessed the qualities of a good soldier; active, talented, generous and brave. He was much loved and the termination of his short but brilliant career was deeply lamented by all who knew him.
Verses, commemorating the battle and the deaths of fellow officers and men of the regiment by an unknown author were published in the 1871 book Thoughts of Leisure Hours by Henry Vernon.They are included here, with my apologies for the poor reproduction.
John Mounsey Lambert was the only son of Major General George Lambert and Isabella and was born in 1883. He joined the Army and served in the Great War as a Captain in the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was posted to France in 1914 and engaged the enemy at the 1st Battle of Ypres under the command of Field Marshall Sir John French. This was a defining battle as it heralded the beginning of trench warfare.
The battle was unsuccessful and the troops lost ground as the Flander offensive failed under the numerically superior forces of the Germans. John was killed during the unsuccessful attack on the village of Neuve Chapelle on the 28th October 1914. He was aged 30 years.
John is commemorated on a plaque in Bolton Chapel close to where he lived at Edlingham, Northumberland.
Adam Scott married Mary Lambert in 1910. He was the son of Sir Henry H Scott a coal owner. He was born at Alnham, Northumberland and like his brother in law William owned and trained steeplechasers including Jazz Band, winner of the Northumberland Plate.
He became one of the top amateur riders in the North and it was when riding his own horse Command in a chase at Kelso that he met his death. He was buried in his racing colours.
The Death Book tells us he broke his neck riding a steeplechase - aged 50. March 31st 1925 - buried at Alnham, April 3rd.
Dudley de Crespigny Buckle married Helena Lambert on Dec 21st 1906. Another military man he was a Major in the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers. He fought and was wounded in one of the last battles of Arras towards the end of the Great War in 1918. He was twice mentioned in despatches.
He died of his wounds at the home of his father in law Bolton Hall on 24th April 1919
A commemorative tablet is on the north wall of Edlingham Church.
.
Captain J. G. G Rea married Lavinia Lambert October 29th 1919, so the Death Book states. He was appointed Temp, Maj but relinquished his commission in 1921.
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John and Cicely Proctor of Chatto on the Scottish boarders had a daughter also Cicely who eventually married Anthony Lambert in 1777. Cicely, the mother wrote to her daughter on March 5th 1768 from Berwick to Major Proctor at Chatto who was caring for his grandaughter aged 14 years. The letter was kept and ;passed down through the years safe in the confines of the Oak Box.As with all the letters I have followed the original as closely as possible.
My Dear Cice
I was happy to hear you mead out your journey so well and had catched no cold you got a sad day. I was alwise in hope your pappa would have turned
back again when the rain came so soon once he got well home Wednesday night about 7. I have ceapt [ kept ] out pretty well and the berns all as you left them they wearied as have to have you home as they dided to get you away.
Your pappa and I suped at Doctor Pattersons on Thursday night one invitation where was Mrs & Miss Maird and Mrs Robson and Wilson and Dr Redpath we was
very merrie and they all regreated you was not one of the company. Mrs Robson Wilson sent hear the day you went a way but I did not recieve them as your pappa was not at home. Thay were will hus yersterday and Captain Patterson came and he had his Fiddle with him so the berns had a merrie dance you could have laffed to see your Father and the two old ladys dancing minnewals and realis with as much spirit as they had not been fifteen and your Dull mother sitting with the tears in her eyes all the while. I believed I shall never get up my spirrets at least so as to relish devershions.
I have got a fine; promise of peaces of cottons for your Patch work so member and gather where you go I hope you work some if Aunt Peggy has anny
thing for hersel for your grandfather that you cane dou be shour mind nothing of your own but do it.
I send this to Jedbrough in hope youll get it one thursday be shour neglect no opportunity of writing and all your news be shour my Dear write with the same
ease to me you ould to a companion as there is a great Butity in that and the best way to improve you and I dont know a finner accomplishment for a woman then to be a good scribe you'll offer our Duty to Grandfather and manny thanks for the Mutton and Compliments to Aunt with the same for the Hame which is really good.
Member me to all friends where you go and be shour take care of cold as you have ben so much confined of leat [ late ] will be very [ ] to cach it your pappa is up at
Halls seling Horses I hear he has got quit of one I shaint be ill pleased the outher two follows as my [ ] is alwise to ceape two goodons and no more I had almost forgot to tell you the fine flower was raffeld for one thursday when your pappa and Mrs Hall at the Red Lion win it thay threw both the highest number Mrs Hall did not chuse to part with it so paid your father 2 Guinas for his half which he gives me to bestow as I chuse and indeed I think he had the Best of it one of the small plours was Likewise win by.Mrs Hall and your pappa was Likewise to have it but there was same mistake in giving it a way to the next Highest thrower by which means the woman is
obliged to make a nouther for has so I dare [ ] will think we are very luckie to get 2 Guinas [ ] for a venture of 3 shilins I can think of nothin els to entertain you with. We expected Mr Meling but he's not mead his appearance yet May God bless you my Dear for I am quite wearred with writing and so long.
I am
My Dear Cice
you ever affect Mother
Cicely Proctor
Berwick March 5 1768
pray put Pappa in mind of the old clothes he promised for your brothers
Mr Meling is just now come and desirs to be membered to you and all at Chatto
Anthony Lambert born 1754 and who married circa 1780 must have hankered after a holiday in the Highlands of Scotland.
Richard Dowes presumably a friend sent the this letter in 1788 to Anthony, which ended up in the Oak Box It provided an itinerary which probably could be followed today, although whether the inns are still standing I have yet to establish, but hopefully the roads are better now.
Click image to Enlarge
long route 3014 to tyndrum
Aberdeen Route 2077 to De—
Fort George 17th March 1788
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 7th instant only reached me two days ago, it must therefore have met with some delay.
Whenever you make the Highland tour I think I may promise it will afford you much satisfaction..... The route I pursued and which I can recommend from experience and the best information, was a follows. I shall suppose you advanced to Perth, Dunkeld 15, Blair in Athol 20 3/4, Dalnacan dock 10, Dalwinnie 13, Pitmean 13, Avimore 13, Dalmagany 18, Inverness 12 1/2, Fort George 12,.... Or from Avimore you may strike off to Grantown 13 1/2, Bridge of Dulsie 13 1/2, Fort George 16 1/2.
The only bad piece of road is between Perth and Dunkeld and the worst house is at Dalmagany.... At Dunkeld put up at Inver Inn before you cross the ferry.... I have distinguished those which are generally esteemed the best lodging houses and you can requlate each days journey accordingly.
If you shop at Kinross go to Donaldsons about 1/2 mile beyound the Town... At Perth I found them very civil and attentive at Campbells new Inn.... The accommodation I
met with through the highlands was much better than I had anticipated, in a more favourable season I doubt not that you will meet with every convenience.... At InvernessI will recommend you to Beverleys where you may sleep as luxuriously as at Walkers Hotel.... About a mile on this side of Dalwinnie the road to Fort Augustus branched off to the left and frequently misleads the traveller as it did me... You cannot mistake the way in any other part... I cannot spare time to be more particular, Engagements both public and private crowd upon me and leave me but little leisure... At this season of the year the country assumes its most disadvantageous appearance. I shall not therefore trouble you with the reflections that occurred to me on passing through it but leave it to your better observation.
Let me know when you set out that I may give you the meeting and escort you a stage or two... My best compliments attend Mrs Lambert and I am
Dear Sir Yours sincerely
Richard Dowse
Anthony (1758 − 1800) is pictured in the Lambert Lineage from an engraving based on the original portrait shown above. He is dressed in a three-quarter length jacket and seated at a table with writing materials and books and holding the mouthpiece of a hookah in his left hand. Anthony was born in Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland and travelled to India in 1781 as a cadet in the service of the East India Company. He resigned the following year and became a highly successful and influencial merchant and trading agent in Calcutta where he founded the merchant house of Lambert & Ross. He was sheriff of Calcutta in 1792. Shown below is a document signed by Anthony as sheriff which was recently found in the archives, despite most of the records from those days being destroyed. In a letter written at sea to his brother Charles he complains of headaches and digestive problems as well as his sadness at having to return to England because of poor health. He died at his home in Devonshire Street, Portland Place, London on the 17th January, 1800 at the age of 41.
The portrait was painted by Robert Home in November 1797 and cost 1000 rupees, about £20K at today's prices. Anthony had three daughters and two sons with two native women, Nancy from Delhi and Saim Bhegum]from Calcutta. In his will the children are described as "natural children" so would probably have been born outside of a formal marriage.Traditionally the name Bhegum or Begum for a Muslim woman denoted high social status. However it was commonly used as a given name by Muslim men for their own wives as a mark of respect.
The Anthony Lambert Letterbooks. The following is an extract from a synopsis of the two books.
The subjects covered by Lambert include family matters, letters to his sisters Mary Ovans and Jane Gilchrist, his brothers Thomas and Charles, his uncle Anthony senior, life in India, his precarious health, social occasions, views on marriage, the political situation in India and Europe, and the wars in India (the third Anglo-Mysore war against Tipoo Sultan of 1789- 1792) and Europe (the French Revolution and its aftermath), but mostly concerning all aspects of trade, within India itself, with England, with China, as conducted by Lambert, a partner in the very powerful agency house of Lambert and Ross; the indices list 2 letters to Gabriel Gillett; 38 letters to John Prinsep; 21 letters to Jacob Wilkinson; 4 letters to Major Samuel Shaw; 18 to Patrick Heatly; 17 to Richard 'Rupee' Johnson. Original Indian red roan covers bordered in blind, the upper cover of the first volume with manuscript ink titling in ink "Private Letters commencing 3d. May 1786 ending - 20 January 1792" (one cover detached). Housed in a red morocco-backed box. A remarkable unpublished collection of retained letters offering a powerful insider's view of the development of trade in India in the late 18th century, and an educated and articulate contemporary reaction to the events of the third Anglo-Mysore War. These albums constitute an apparently unrecorded primary source whose importance rests chiefly in the information it gives about the interwoven operations of Lambert & Ross, a major merchant house in India, at the time when the East India Company's monopolies were beginning to come under attack. A widespread network is revealed controlled by a few key figures who continue to do business and prosper enormously against the background of the ongoing operations against Tipu Sultan in India and revolutionary France in Europe and on the maritime routes home. On a micro level, Anthony Lambert offers insights into his long-distance management of his family most of whom remained in England, friends and colleagues. He also was aware of the dreadful attrition rate amongst Europeans who lived and worked in India: only one in ten long-term East India Company employees survived long enough to retire to England. A recurring theme is his slowly failing health, with occasional frank and clear-headed appraisals of the gamble he took when he pitted his health against the opportunity of creating an enormous personal fortune. He understood that the key decision was to know when it was time to leave before the damage became irreparable .Anthony Lambert was born in Berwick-on-Tweed in Northumberland, England. Little is known of his early years in England, but a contemporary obituary (in The Asiatic Annual Register, vol.I, pp75-76) noted that he was not born into money, and that he was largely self-educated. He joined the East India Company as a cadet, arriving in India in 1781, but resigned the following year to pursue a very successful trading career in Calcutta. By 1790, the firm of Lambert & Ross, which he founded, was one of about 15 agency houses which collectively came to rival the East India Company itself in terms of its commercial power. In particular, Lambert was very involved in the setting up of the highly lucrative opium trade between India and China ("To his exertions, the opium trade of India owes its principal support and improvement") , and he fought a successful battle against the restrictive shipping policies of the East India Company "His judicious and persevering representations to government, contributed in no small degree to induce the East India Company to abandon the old policy in their shipping concerns". On a theoretical level he also made a valuable contribution to the economics of the region: the present collection includes a copy of a covering letter dated 2 November 1795 he sent to Lord Cornwallis with a copy of Henry Thomas Colebrooke's "Remarks on the husbandry and internal commerce of Bengal"privately printed in Calcutta in 1795. In this letter he notes that "it is from the pen of Mr. Colebrooke except the first and third sections of the Chapter on foreign commerce, of which I must take the responsibility". The present collection ends with an unfinished record of letters he wrote from St. Helena in March 1798, on the voyage home. Unfortunately, as he had speculated might be the case, Lambert did not live to enjoy his success for very long: Mr Lambert, since his return to England in 1798, had been struggling with the disease which prematurely closed his useful and exemplary life and it is at Calcutta, where he passed the best years of his life, his memory will long be cherished Some of the key figures with whom he corresponds at length are: Patrick Heatly (1753-1834), born in Newport, Rhode Island, joined the East India Company as a cadet, but quickly transferred to the civil branch, before going into business on his own. By 1785 he was in a position to offer to supply 3200 chests of opium of guaranteed quality, from the province of Bahar, to the Company at a fixed rate. He returned in England in 1788 but the present letters show that he negotiated a deal with Lambert before doing so.John Prinsep (1748-1830), arrived in Bombay in 1771, but resigned his commission in 1772 in favour of the commercial world. Prinsep was extremely successful, and by the time he returned to England in 1788 he was one of the wealthiest Europeans in India. The present letters cover the period when he had set up as an East India agent, and when he was most vocal in his call for free trade. He later served as a Member of Parliament. Jacob Wilkinson (d.1799), another successful merchant: he was elected a Director of the East India Company in 1782. The present letters cover a period after he had returned to London. He died at his house in Bedford-row, London, June 24, 1799, shortly after Lambert returned to England
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On his return to England as a wealthy man he rented Osborne House on the Isle of Wight before it was sold by the owner to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. In 1824 his second son Charles drowned there while bathing, presumably in the sea.
This is an engraving of Osborne House on The Isle of Wight as it was when Charles Lambert held his 21 year lease. It was bought in 1844 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as their holiday retreat but replaced by a new building in 1851.
Charles invested in the Stag Brewery in Pimlico and in 1831 became a partner in the business. Within a few years he helped to double production and in 1837 was joined as a third partner by James Watney. However Charles died later in that year and subsequently Watney took over the brewery and together with his sons turned it into a national brewing business and a leading company on the London Stock Exchange.
At the time of his death on 6 Oct 1837 age 68 Charles owned and lived at No 1 Fitzroy Square London where his second wife Lucy Tough Fubor nee Dalley, lived on until 1844. They also leased Blendon Hall in Bexley which they would use as their country seat for rest and relaxation.
Charles was first married in 1800 to Louisa Elizabeth Poignand with whom he had 15 children up until 1819.
One of those, Robert b.1815 is worthy of further mention and an episode in his life is told here by Lindsay Lambert a direct descendant who lives in Ottowa,Canada.
Robert Lambert inherited the shares in what was now Walney's Brewery from his father Charles. However Robert was a very moral and spiritual man and dispensed with the shares because of the effect that drink had on the poor.
He took a commission in the Navy where he befriended an ordinary seaman. He fell overboard one day and his friend dived in and saved him. Bizarrely the sailor was condemned to be lashed for risking his own life. Robert threatened to resign his commission if the sentence was carried out. It was, and he did!
Edinbgh 16th Jun 1801 My dear Sir It is time that I have to acknowledge the inestimable jewel you presented me with when you gave me your daughter - it shall be the study of my whole life to make her happy and prove myself worthy of so much purity and innocence. I have the pleasure to inform you that she is well and that her heart and mind seem to be particularly at ease - it is not more than she deserves, for indeed she is more than my much sanguine wishes ever hoped to possess. We are now pleasantly situated but not in that manner you exactly wished. The lodgings are elegant and exceedingly moderate. I fancy two or three weeks will even almost tire Jane who is ta present quite delighted with the gay throng, but thinks Alnwick will be hereafter very dull. Cicely is ever the same and of a disposition I have all my life envied and endeavour to resemble, I hope with some little success. Many thanks for your introductory letter to Lord Ankerville which I shall do myself the honor to deliver-. As a most particular favour I beg you will let John come and stay the last week with us. Remember me in affectionate terms to Mrs Lambert, not forgetting Sarah with compliments to friends, and believe me. my dear Sir
Yours most sincerely Charles Hutchinson Pooles Hotel
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He met Cicely through his sister and brother-in-law John Davidson of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Tragically Cicely was only to live a few months as Capt Hutchinsons wife and following her death he returned to India to fight in the Second Anglo-Maratha War which lasted until 1805. He was an exceptional officer and fought under General Gerard Lake throughout all the battles of that conflict.
The Maratha nation was a confederacy supported by the French which opposed the power and influence of the British as they moved towards eventual rule in India. However they faced formidable military opposition under the leaderships of Arthur Wellesley, who was to become the Duke of Wellington, and in the northern arena of battle General Lake.
Hutchinson was appointed Captain in 1802 and commanded the guns and men one of whom was his brother-in-law Lieutenant Anthony Lambert.
One of Captain Hutchinsons sad duties was to inform relatives of serious injury or death of their loved ones. The following letter written by him to his uncle Charles Lambert living in Calcutta, gives first hand account of the horrors of war including the death of Anthony at the battle of Laswaree on 1st November 1803. He was aged 19 years.
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Grand Army. Camp near the [ ? ] nulla 2 Nov. 1803 My Dear Sir It is with the utmost concern that I acquaint you of a most severe battle that took place between us and 17 regular battalion of the enemy yesterday We have lost killed and wounded I believe upwords of thirty officers among whom is my much lamented young friend A Lambert. The only consolation to his Relations and Friends is that he died with much honour and lived greatly esteemed. You will oblige me by taking melancholy task upon yourself of written to his relations. I write upon some future occasion do the same. Besides private Friends the public loss in this Engagement has been very great, among the killed are General Ware, Colonel Vandeleur,Major Griffith, Major Wm Campbell, Captain Duval , Wounded, Colonel White, Major Gregory, Colonel Gerrard, Major Lake, Colonel McDonald, Captains Campbell, Robertson, Lt Meuth killed, Lt Ryan wounded, Capt Fletcher ,. These are what I have heard of. The 76th Regt and some of the Sepoy Corps suffered very much. We marched yesterday morning before 3 o clock and attacked the enemy about one, the fire from their artillery was terrible and destructive, we have taken upwards of 50of their cannon of 6, 12 k 10 mortors mounted as Howitzers and Howitzers of [ ? ] and 10 inches diameter. Our Cavalry also suffered considerably. The whole plain for miles around is covered with killed and wounded and I am tired in body and distressed in mind. The escape I had at my guns was narrow and almost wonderful. Almost all the army told upon the cold wet Ground last night and the wounded all yet brought in --such is a soldiers Life-- he has either nothing to do or something horrible to endure. Comps to Mrs Lambert Yours sincerely C Hutchinson I attend my Brother in Laws Funeral this evening who will be Interred with the rest of his Brothers Officers who fell in front of the 76th Regt. The whole Army will also attend. |
After her marriage to Charles in Feb. 1801 Cicely fell into a period of sickness which she touched on in a letter to her sister Jane written from Kendal on the 21st and 23rd October together with an earlier letter from her mother, also Cicely, both on the same sheet of writing paper. It seems that mother was staying to care for her while she was ill.
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Kendal 21st How sorry I am my Dear Jane to think you should have been disappointed of so much pleasure as you would have had at the Assembly and Concert if it had not been owing to my illness. I hope however my Dear Father will not again refuse you if there should happen to be another. Life ought to be enjoyed and I keep up my spirits as well as I can. I cannot almost stand from weakness, but the Dr thinks me better. Oh how we wish to get home, but God only knows when that will be, you can easily my Dear Jane get one little [ ? ] out of the Bookcase which you must wear for my sake. It is my complement as I shall not wear it myself -- Oct 23 your letter my dear Jane was a great treat, indeed you ought to write me often with every particular. I will not show Hutchinson it if you will write me a long letter. The people here dress very well, and there appears to be some good shape but I have been in none.. This last medicine I have got I think has had a better effect than the former tho'I cough at times very much, this I write on my knees having my legs up. I have got a sprain in one, which hurts me a little but on the whole I hope I am better. C.Hutchinson [ Cicely ] Mr Dear Jane As writing is not all fit for your dear sister I made her give [over] yesterday. We still think the last medicine is doing more than the others. She still continues to gain every day and her pulse to [lose] a little every day altho the searing cough is much the same. I wish to God she could only gain strength to get her home when I hope a change of scene and air might do her good. I expect a long letter from your father soon, do some of you write often you cannot think what amusement your letters give us. I am with love to you all in which H and my darling join ever your Affectionate mother. C Lambert Saturday 2 October This is the last letter ever written by my Dear Beloved sister Cicely Hutchinson. |
Cicely Hutchinson died at Kendal in November 1801. Charles returned again to India before his leave of absence expired, and arrived in time to enter upon most of the active service in which the East India Company's forces have been employed. An extract from an obituary in the Gentlemans Magazine of February 1806 recorded the following was with the Lord Lake in all his severe engagements, to the capture of Delhi, whence he was detached with a division of the army under the command of the Hon.Col.Monson, to co-operate with the Bombay army in the reduction of Holkar's capital, and received ftom Col.Monson most public marks of approbation'. When the Colonet was unfortunately obliged to retreat he left Captain Hutchinson in command at Rampoorah with part of his force to cover his retreat in hope of keeping Holkar employed against whose force of upwards of 50,000 cavalry, besides infantry, he `successfully maintained a short but vigorous slege. At the same time he had to contend with famine within; "and after receiving, In this command, repeatedly, the public thanks of Lord Lake, the commander in chief, and the approbation of the most Noble the Governor-general, he at length, worn out by mental and bodily exertions, closed with honour his mortal career. As a man and soldier, he was esteemed by all who knew him; and those only could estimate his worth, and most sincerely lament his death. He was 37 years of age.
Following his death a letter to Anthony Lambert, his father in law, was sent from London by Charles Lambert telling him the sad news. Within the letter he includes copies of the correspondence sent from Calcutta including the last Will of Capt Hutchinson. Its interesting to see how formal members of the same family addressed each other in those days.
Capt Hutchinson's son Frank was well looked after and went on to success in life qualifying as a doctor of medicine at Edinburgh University in 1824. He married Francis Losh of Wreay, Cumberland and they had 11 children.
Click letter to enlarge
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My Dear Lambert It is with extreme concern that I have to inform you of the loss of my friend Charles Hutchinson. The Medusa Frigate which brought the intelligence of the death of Marquis Cornwallis conveyed also an account of the death of poor Hutchinson from Mr Scott one of my late partners, copy of whose letter of the will of the deceased, is on the other side for your satisfaction. I have sent the melancholy tidings to his Brother in Law Mr Davidson of Newcastle. I can only sympathise with all those who were interested in the subject of this communication. Mrs Lambert desires her Kindest respects to you & yours. I am always affect yrs London 1 February 1806 C Lambert ( Copy ) Calcutta 17th October 1805 Dear Lambert I am concerned to have to inform you of the death of our Friend Captain Charles Hutchinson. He died at Rampoora, Lahore, where he has gallantly distinguished himself during the present War on the 16th of last month ________ About three months ago he sent us his Will under a blank cover which on hearing of his death we of course opened and of which enclosed you will find a Copy____ you will perceive that Mr Alexander and myself are left his sole Executers. Unless there should be Claims to some amount on the Estate, and which I do not apprehend is the case. the Estate will realize about Sixty Thousand Rupees and which will be a very handsome provision for the young man he mentions who apprehend is an Illegitimate Child._____ As you probably know Captain Hutchinsons mother. I wish you to make her acqainted with this unpleasant matter. The Friends of the deceased have lost in Him an excellent man, and the East India Company one of its best Officers_____ It is Mr Alexanders intention and mine as soon as we can, close the Accounts of the Estate, to vest the balance in one of the Thos Couts Loans of this precedency, of which the Interest is payable half yearly in England, and we shall make ample remittances for the support and education of the Boy until he comes of age________ I am dear Lambert Yours truly ( signed ) J Scott ( Copy of C Hutchinsons Will ) Tonk 29th June 1805 From the uncertainty of my Life I make this my last Will and leave the interest of five Thousand Rupees to Elizabeth Williams my former housekeeper at Bencoolen during her natural life, and at her death this 5 Thousand Rupees is to go to Frank Hutchinson now living under the care of my Mother and Brother in Law Mr Davidson Esq of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and every thing I own as may be possessed of is to go to Him______ I request my Friends J Alexander and J Scott Esq Agents at Calcutta will be my Executors, and that my Mother and Brother in Law will remain Guardians of the Boy____ Chas Hutchinson I revoke all other WillsCaptn Commdg Chas Hutchinson Rampoora Witness / Thomas Grant- Lt 3rd Regt Bombay Army Chas Assey__Asst Surgeon__ Bengal Establishment My last Will recommended to the care of Messrs Scott Wilson & Co: 29th June 1805 Tonk 29th June 1805 C Hutchinson [ ? } Copy ( signed ) J Scott one of the Executors named in the Will |
Anthony Lambert was born in 1785 and was the third son of Anthony. He must have been influenced by his brother in law Charles Hutchinson who was in Alnwick during the time Anthony would have been considering his career options. Subsequently he followed Hutchinson to India joining the East India Company's military arm. On the 28th August he wrote a letter to his father from northern India, as a lieutenant in the Bengal Infantry, near Aligarh clearly anticipating action within a few days.
Camp near Kota 28th Aug 1803 My Dear Father, As I am now with the Army which has marched against the Marathas, and being now within sight of their Army I think it my duty to write to you these few lines, which I request to be sent to you in case of any accident happening to me in the engagement which we have every reason to expect will take place in a few days. I am sorry to say that from the number of things I have been under the necessity of purchasing since I joined my Regt and the total cost of 2 Bungalows I find myself about 2000 Rupees in debt, but do not doubt but my things will be more than adequate to that sum. However should they not sell for as much as I have reason to expect they will I can have no doubt but you will give orders for the payment of the remainder of my debts when I inform you that real necessity was the reason of my being involved, the most part of the bills are signed by me. Our Army consists of near 10,000 men and the park of 75 pieces of cannon, Captain Hutchinson is appinted to command the Guns of our Brigade, I see him every day. He really looks very well. I hope my dear Father you will excuse the shortness of this, as we are just now arrived at one Ground and have already had one false alarm - Give my love to my dear Mother, Jane, John, Betsy and Sarah and believe me. ever my Dear Father your affectionate Son Anth Lambert Remember me kindly to all my old friends. Give my love to my Dear Grandfather |
In case of accident happening to me I request that my Brother in Law Captain Charles Hutchinson of the Bengal Infantry will take charge of all my things and dispense of them as he may think best for the payment of my debts on account of which is [ ] inclosed. I [ ] he will keep my gold ring in a remembrance of me and forward the enclosed letter to my father
Ironically Captain Hutchinson was unable to prove the will due to his own death and so it passed on to Anthony's father.
As reported by Captain Hutchinson in a letter from the battlefield on the 2nd November 1803, Anthony had been killed the previous day In the battle of Laswarree. He was the only officer lost from the Bengal Infantry.
William Francis Lambert was born January 1828. His parents were John and Juliana Lambert of Alnwick where John was a solicitor, But as did most of the male Lamberts, into the Army William went, in this case the Royal Engineers.
Being from a middle class family William was introduced to horse riding from an early age and eventually became an owner. He entered his horses in steeplechases in Britain and Canada and won the Montreal Steeplechase in 1852 with one of his horses Broker.
William became a Captain in the Royal Engineers. One of his fellow officers was Captain Charles Lutyens and they became good friends. Charles was also a painter and loved painting horses; in fact thats all he painted to the exclusion of everything else and so he accepted Williams invitation to paint Broker. The painting, show below, hangs on a wall in my daughters Cotswold cottage.
Charles Lutyens eventually left the Army to take up full time painting. He was moderately successful and exhibited at the Royal Academy although was never elected to the R A. Never the less he painted some 12 or more Derby winners for various owners and also helped Edwin Landseer on the design of the lions in Trafalgar Square. He was the father of 13 children the 11th being Edwin who became Sir Edwin Lutyens, architect.
Meanwhile William continued his service in the Royal Engineers and was posted to China in 1857 where another opium war had broken out. He was attached to the 59th Infantry Regiment which went to the aid of the ship "Arrow" resulting in the storming of Namtow on 11th August 1858. William was wounded by gunshot in his left thigh and the next day died at the age of 30 years.
Cicely Lambert and Roger Buston married and marked the merging of the two families. On the death of her husband Roger she sold Buston Hall to the Duke of Northumberland and went to live at Whitby, North Yorkshire where she died in 1899.
John and George Craster Lambert were brothers and also both served within the same regiment the 1st Bengal European Light Infantry, renamed the Royal Bengal Fusiliers in recognition of its service in India.
They were the sons of John and Juliana Lambert of Alnwick.
George had a glittering career rising from Ensign in 1845, through Lieutenant, Captain. Major and then to Lt Colonel on 30 Oct. 1869. He served in India in the Sutlej and Sobraon campaigns, usually called the 1st Sikh War, restoring order and fighting insurrection in northern India. He distinguished himself there and also later in Burma, as well as in the N. W Frontier War of 1863.
He helped to capture Craig Piguil in North West India and would have fought alongside George Vincent Fosbery and Henry William Pitcher both whom were awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in that action. Major Lambert also distingushed himself and was awarded a Medal with Clasp in the Unbeyla campaign.
He retired after 28 years service with the rank of Major General. He married Isabella Browne, daughter of Alexander Browne of Doxford Hall, now a country hotel. He lived with his wife and three daughters Mary, Helena and Lavinia and a son John Mounsey at Bolton Hall close to the village of Edlingham near Alnwick, where he died in 1898. His death is duly noted in the Death Book.
Lieutenant John Lambert also fought at the battle of Sobraon and no doubt would have met with brother George at some point. Tragically John was fatally wounded at Ferozepore and died on 4th March 1846 five days before the Lahore Treaty was signed and hostilities ceased.
A tablet in the Parish Church of St Michael, Alnwick commemorates John Lamberts death and his brother officers and the men of his regiment. Though young he had seen much service; in the campaigns in Afghanistan, at the storming and capture of Chirzni; at the first occupation of Kabul,in the battles of Ferozeshah in December 1845 and in subsequent operations of the army of the Sutlej. His death came at Sobraon where he was mortally wounded while leading his company in the charge of the enemy's entrenchments. It is stated that he possessed the qualities of a good soldier; active, talented, generous and brave. He was much loved and the termination of his short but brilliant career was deeply lamented by all who knew him.
Verses, commemorating the battle and the deaths of fellow officers and men of the regiment by an unknown author were published in the 1871 book Thoughts of Leisure Hours by Henry Vernon.They are included here, with my apologies for the poor reproduction.
John Mounsey Lambert was the only son of Major General George Lambert and Isabella and was born in 1883. He joined the Army and served in the Great War as a Captain in the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers.
He was posted to France in 1914 and engaged the enemy at the 1st Battle of Ypres under the command of Field Marshall Sir John French. This was a defining battle as it heralded the beginning of trench warfare.
The battle was unsuccessful and the troops lost ground as the Flander offensive failed under the numerically superior forces of the Germans. John was killed during the unsuccessful attack on the village of Neuve Chapelle on the 28th October 1914. He was aged 30 years.
John is commemorated on a plaque in Bolton Chapel close to where he lived at Edlingham, Northumberland.
Adam Scott married Mary Lambert in 1910. He was the son of Sir Henry H Scott a coal owner. He was born at Alnham, Northumberland and like his brother in law William owned and trained steeplechasers including Jazz Band, winner of the Northumberland Plate.
He became one of the top amateur riders in the North and it was when riding his own horse Command in a chase at Kelso that he met his death. He was buried in his racing colours.
The Death Book tells us he broke his neck riding a steeplechase - aged 50. March 31st 1925 - buried at Alnham, April 3rd.
Dudley de Crespigny Buckle married Helena Lambert on Dec 21st 1906. Another military man he was a Major in the 3rd Northumberland Fusiliers. He fought and was wounded in one of the last battles of Arras towards the end of the Great War in 1918. He was twice mentioned in despatches.
He died of his wounds at the home of his father in law Bolton Hall on 24th April 1919
Captain J. G. G Rea married Lavinia Lambert October 29th 1919, so the Death Book states. He was appointed Temp, Maj but relinquished his commission in 1921.
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John and Cicely Proctor of Chatto on the Scottish boarders had a daughter also Cicely who eventually married Anthony Lambert in 1777. Cicely, the mother wrote to her daughter on March 5th 1768 from Berwick to Major Proctor at Chatto who was caring for his grandaughter aged 14 years. The letter was kept and ;passed down through the years safe in the confines of the Oak Box.As with all the letters I have followed the original as closely as possible.
My Dear Cice I was happy to hear you mead out your journey so well and had catched no cold you got a sad day. I was alwise in hope your pappa would have turned back again when the rain came so soon once he got well home Wednesday night about 7. I have ceapt [ kept ] out pretty well and the berns all as you left them they wearied as have to have you home as they dided to get you away. Your pappa and I suped at Doctor Pattersons on Thursday night one invitation where was Mrs & Miss Maird and Mrs Robson and Wilson and Dr Redpath we was very merrie and they all regreated you was not one of the company. Mrs Robson Wilson sent hear the day you went a way but I did not recieve them as your pappa was not at home. Thay were will hus yersterday and Captain Patterson came and he had his Fiddle with him so the berns had a merrie dance you could have laffed to see your Father and the two old ladys dancing minnewals and realis with as much spirit as they had not been fifteen and your Dull mother sitting with the tears in her eyes all the while. I believed I shall never get up my spirrets at least so as to relish devershions. I have got a fine; promise of peaces of cottons for your Patch work so member and gather where you go I hope you work some if Aunt Peggy has anny thing for hersel for your grandfather that you cane dou be shour mind nothing of your own but do it. I send this to Jedbrough in hope youll get it one thursday be shour neglect no opportunity of writing and all your news be shour my Dear write with the same ease to me you ould to a companion as there is a great Butity in that and the best way to improve you and I dont know a finner accomplishment for a woman then to be a good scribe you'll offer our Duty to Grandfather and manny thanks for the Mutton and Compliments to Aunt with the same for the Hame which is really good. Member me to all friends where you go and be shour take care of cold as you have ben so much confined of leat [ late ] will be very [ ] to cach it your pappa is up at Halls seling Horses I hear he has got quit of one I shaint be ill pleased the outher two follows as my [ ] is alwise to ceape two goodons and no more I had almost forgot to tell you the fine flower was raffeld for one thursday when your pappa and Mrs Hall at the Red Lion win it thay threw both the highest number Mrs Hall did not chuse to part with it so paid your father 2 Guinas for his half which he gives me to bestow as I chuse and indeed I think he had the Best of it one of the small plours was Likewise win by.Mrs Hall and your pappa was Likewise to have it but there was same mistake in giving it a way to the next Highest thrower by which means the woman is obliged to make a nouther for has so I dare [ ] will think we are very luckie to get 2 Guinas [ ] for a venture of 3 shilins I can think of nothin els to entertain you with. We expected Mr Meling but he's not mead his appearance yet May God bless you my Dear for I am quite wearred with writing and so long. I am My Dear Cice you ever affect Mother Cicely Proctor Berwick March 5 1768 pray put Pappa in mind of the old clothes he promised for your brothers Mr Meling is just now come and desirs to be membered to you and all at Chatto |
Anthony Lambert born 1754 and who married circa 1780 must have hankered after a holiday in the Highlands of Scotland.
Richard Dowes presumably a friend sent the this letter in 1788 to Anthony, which ended up in the Oak Box It provided an itinerary which probably could be followed today, although whether the inns are still standing I have yet to establish, but hopefully the roads are better now.
Click image to Enlarge
long route 3014 to tyndrum Fort George 17th March 1788 Dear Sir Your favor of the 7th instant only reached me two days ago, it must therefore have met with some delay. Whenever you make the Highland tour I think I may promise it will afford you much satisfaction..... The route I pursued and which I can recommend from experience and the best information, was a follows. I shall suppose you advanced to Perth, Dunkeld 15, Blair in Athol 20 3/4, Dalnacan dock 10, Dalwinnie 13, Pitmean 13, Avimore 13, Dalmagany 18, Inverness 12 1/2, Fort George 12,.... Or from Avimore you may strike off to Grantown 13 1/2, Bridge of Dulsie 13 1/2, Fort George 16 1/2. The only bad piece of road is between Perth and Dunkeld and the worst house is at Dalmagany.... At Dunkeld put up at Inver Inn before you cross the ferry.... I have distinguished those which are generally esteemed the best lodging houses and you can requlate each days journey accordingly. If you shop at Kinross go to Donaldsons about 1/2 mile beyound the Town... At Perth I found them very civil and attentive at Campbells new Inn.... The accommodation I met with through the highlands was much better than I had anticipated, in a more favourable season I doubt not that you will meet with every convenience.... At InvernessI will recommend you to Beverleys where you may sleep as luxuriously as at Walkers Hotel.... About a mile on this side of Dalwinnie the road to Fort Augustus branched off to the left and frequently misleads the traveller as it did me... You cannot mistake the way in any other part... I cannot spare time to be more particular, Engagements both public and private crowd upon me and leave me but little leisure... At this season of the year the country assumes its most disadvantageous appearance. I shall not therefore trouble you with the reflections that occurred to me on passing through it but leave it to your better observation. Let me know when you set out that I may give you the meeting and escort you a stage or two... My best compliments attend Mrs Lambert and I am Dear Sir Yours sincerely Richard Dowse
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