Elizabeth Cromwell (1650 - 1731)

Born 26 Mar 1650 in Hursley, Hampshire, England

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Stephen Trueblood [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Cromwell was born at Hursley in Hampshire on 26 March 1650, daughter of Richard Cromwell and his wife, Dorothy Major. ^[1] In 1653 her grandfather, Oliver Cromwell, who had been instrumental in ridding the country of the monarchy was made His Highness,1st Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. ^[2] Richard Cromwell and his family continued to live at the Manor of Merdon in Hursley, Hampshire. ^[3]

When Oliver Cromwell died on 3 September 1658 and was buried with regal ceremony in Westminster Abbey, Elizabeth's father was informed that he had been nominated as Protector. Richard was a very different man from his father and on 25 May 1659 was forced by the Rump to leave the Palace of Whitehall and return to Hursley. When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 Richard fled to France leaving his family at Merdon. ^[4] Dorothy Cromwell and her children were left unmolested but suffering presumably from the massive debt that Richard had incurred. ^[3] Elizabeth was then about eight years old.

Dorothy Cromwell died on 5 Jan 1676 and was buried at All Saints, Hursley. With her mother dead Elizabeth's brother Oliver became Lord of the Manor of Merdon. Elizabeth and her father corresponded during his exile and even after his return to England in 1680 he did not return to Hursley but settled in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire. Oliver died in 1705 and Elizabeth and her surviving sister, Ann Gibson, saw themselves as their brothers heirs but their father did not and brought a suit in the Courts which he won, becoming Lord of the Manor. Richard died on 12 July 1712 at the age of 85 and was buried with great pomp at All Saints.^[4] In 1718 Elizabeth and Ann sold the manor to Sir William Heathcote.

Elizabeth died unmarried, the last of her family, ^[5] on 8 April 1731 aged 81 and was buried at All Saints, Hursley ^{[6] [7]} on the 18th. ^[1]

By her wish a monument to her family was placed in the church.

"This monument was erected to the memory of Mrs Elizabeth Cromwell, spinster (by Richard Cromwell and Thomas Cromwell her executors) she died the 8th day of April 1731, in the 82nd year of her age, and lyes interred near this place: she was the daughter of Richard Cromwell Esq: by Dorothy his wife, who was the daughter of Richard Maijor Esq: and the following account of her family (all of whom, except Mrs Ann Gibson, lye in this chancel) is given according to her desire." ^{[6][8] [9]}

Her executors, Richard and Thomas Cromwell, were her cousins and the sons of Henry Cromwell.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Memoirs of the Protectorate-house of Cromwell
2. ↑ Wikipedia: Oliver Cromwell
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} British History online: Manor of Merdon
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Wikipedia: Richard Cromwell
5. ↑ Evans, British Genealogist, book 6 p. F17
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Monumental Inscriptions, All Saints, Hursley
7. ↑ Gentleman's Magazine and Historical Review (1731) Vol. 1, Page 173
8. ↑ The History Civil and Ecclesiastical, & Suruey of the Antiquities ..., Volume 1 John Milner 1809.
9. ↑ A companion in a tour round Southampton By John Bullar page 185