Friday 21 June 2013

(50) Affleck of Dalham Hall, baronets

Affleck of Dalham Hall coat of arms
In 1714 John Affleck (c.1651-1718) purchased the Dalham estate previously owned by the Stuteville family (1416-1702), on which the Rt. Rev. Simon Patrick, Bishop of Ely, had recently built a new Dalham Hall.  One of his younger grandsons, Rear-Admiral Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-88) was created a baronet in 1782.  The title passed by special remainder to his nephew, Sir Gilbert Affleck (1740-1808), and thereafter descended with the estate.  In 1901 Sir Robert Affleck (1852-1919) sold Dalham Hall, reputedly after being defrauded by his solicitor of as much as £10,000.  At the time of the sale, Affleck had commissioned new terraced gardens from T.H. Mawson and C.E. Mallows, and the plans were handed over to the purchaser, Cecil Rhodes, the South African diamond magnate, who, however, died before he could occupy it or lay out the gardens; it was later sold to the 1st Baron Milford.  At Sir Robert’s death, the title passed to his cousin, Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck (1856-1939), a Queensland fruit farmer.  He had two sons, who were both in jail in Brisbane at the time for a particularly sordid blackmailing operation (see here for details, towards the bottom of the page), and the baronetcy was never claimed and is regarded as having died out in 1939.  The Australian press at the time, however, credited the elder son with the title, and Sir Frederick James Siddartha Affleck (1905-75) was probably the last of his line; his younger brother is not heard of after 1941 and presumably predeceased him.

Dalham Hall, Suffolk

Dalham Hall before the fire in 1954, after which the top storey was removed.
Dalham Hall in Suffolk is a seven bay red brick house, originally of three full storeys with a hipped roof, with white painted quoins at the angles and no pediment. The ground floor on the entrance front has lost its glazing bars and now has an early 19th century doorway. It was built for Simon Patrick (1626-1707), Bishop of Ely in 1704-05, who bought the estate from the Stuteville family in 1702. Early photographs show that the house had richly carved panelled interiors.

Dalham Hall: a fine carved wood overmantel recorded in the house c.1900. Image: Historic England

Patrick's widow sold the house in 1714 to John Affleck (c.1651-1718), and it descended in this family to Sir Robert Affleck, 7th bt. (1852-1919). In 1901, Affleck obtained plans from C.E. Mallows for remodelling the house and raising the 19th century service wing to three storeys, and for the layout of formal gardens to the design of T.H. Mawson. In that year, however, he discovered that he had been defrauded by his solicitors, and was forced to sell the estate to repay loans taken out for estate improvements. 


The purchaser was the colonial administrator, Cecil Rhodes (d. 1902), who died before he could move in. His executors abandoned the plans for altering the house, but brought in Lutyens to propose changes to the main house, which also remained unexecuted, apart from a new lodge of 1903, and perhaps some alterations of 1906 to the fine ten-bay stable block.

In 1928 Rhodes sold the estate to Sir Laurence Philipps, 1st bt. and later 1st Baron Milford (1874-1962), who established a racing stud here. He remodelled the Victorian service wing c.1927-28, possibly to the designs of H.S. Goodhart-Rendel. The interior of the main block was remodelled at the same time, including much rather lightweight new panelling and moulded plasterwork in 18th century style. In 1954 there was a serious fire, and when the house was restored the top floor was removed, completely altering the proportions of the design. Between the 1920s remodelling and the fire, most of the original woodwork in the interior seems to have been lost.



Dalham Hall as rebuilt after the fire. Image: Bob Jones.  Licenced under a Creative Commons licence.
Lord Milford left Dalham to his third son, Maj. The Hon. James Philipps (1905-84); he established a family trust which sold the estate in 2009 to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of UAE), who had bought the racing stud in 1981. The sale agreement allowed Charles Philipps and his family to continue to live in the house for a further five years, and the house was let after he moved out.

The house has a fine large walled front garden, long avenues in several directions, and an informal yew avenue leading to the church.  There are also the remains of a garden canal, possibly later in date than the house, although it is tempting to see in it the influence of the Dutch wife of John Affleck (d. 1718).

Descent: Stuteville family from 1416; sold 1702 to Simon Patrick (1626-1707), Bishop of Ely; to widow, Penelope Patrick (d. 1725) who sold 1714 to John Affleck (c.1651-1718); to son, Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764); to son, John Affleck (1710-74); to son, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt. (1740-1808); to cousin, Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck, 3rd bt. (1759-1838); to brother, Rev. Sir Robert Affleck, 4th bt. (1765-1851); to son, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 5th bt. (1804-54); to brother, Sir Robert Affleck, 6th bt. (1805-82); to son, Sir Robert Affleck, 7th bt. (1852-1919), who sold the estate in 1901 to Cecil Rhodes (d. 1902); to nephew, Col. Francis William Rhodes (1898-1938), who sold 1928 to Sir Laurence Philipps, 1st bt. and later 1st Baron Milford (1874-1962), who established a racing stud here; to third son, Maj. James Philipps (1905-84); to family trust which sold 2009 to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of UAE), who had bought the racing stud in 1981.  The sale allowed Charles Philipps and his family to continue to live in the house for five years.

The Affleck family of Dalham Hall


Affleck, John (c.1651-1718), of Dalham Hall.  Son of Thomas Affleck and his wife Ann, daughter of Matthias Petersen of Ocland (Sweden), born c.1651.  He married Neeltje (1663-1729), daughter of Gilbert Schape of Amsterdam, merchant, and had issue including:
(1) Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764) (q.v.).
He purchased the Dalham Hall estate in 1714.
He died 26 March 1718, aged 67.  His will was proved 9 April 1718.  His widow died in 1729.  They are both commemorated by a monument in Dalham church.

Affleck, Gilbert (c.1684-1764), of Dalham Hall.  Son of John Affleck (c.1651-1718) and his wife Neeltje, daughter of Gilbert Schape, born c.1684. MP for Cambridge, 1722-27, 1737-41.  He married, 3 November 1705 in Westminster Abbey, Anne (d. 1744), daughter of John Dolben MP of Finedon (Northants), and had issue (with five other children who did not survive infancy):
(1) John Affleck (1710-74) (q.v.);
(2) Rev. Gilbert Affleck (1711-63), born 15 November 1711; educated at Rugby and Westminster and Trinity College, Cambridge (admitted 1731; BA 1734/5; MA 1738); ordained deacon, 1735/6 and priest, 1736; rector of Dalham; m. 1740, Elizabeth (1721-75), daughter of Richard Clopton and had issue two daughters; died 24 April 1763;
(3) Charles Affleck (1712-31); born 6 December 1712; died unmarried 10 October 1731;
(4) Thomas Affleck (1715-29); born 13 April 1715; died unmarried, 25 December 1729;
(5) Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) (q.v.);
(6) Rev. William Affleck (1717-1806); born 30 October 1717; educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1733; BA 1736/7; MA 1740; BD 1747); ordained deacon, 1742 and priest, 1744; Fellow of Emmanuel College, 1737; Junior Proctor, 1745/6; rector of North Luffenham (Rutland), 1755-1806; m. Catherine, daughter of Richard Dalton and had issue two sons and three daughters; died 8 September 1806;
(7) Samuel Affleck (1721-47); born 11 August 1721; died unmarried in Bengal, 25 January 1747;
(8) Robert Affleck (1722-35); born 26 August 1722; died unmarried, 9 March 1735;
(9) Sir Edmund Affleck (1725-88), MP, 1st. bt. (q.v.);
(10) Admiral Philip Affleck (1726-99), born 2 May 1726; joined East India Company but soon transferred to Navy (Lt., 1755, Commander, 1759, Captain, 1759, Rear-Admiral, 1787, Vice-Admiral, 1792, Admiral, 1795; retired 1796); Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica station, 1790-92; a Lord of the Admiralty, 1793-96; died unmarried and without issue, 21/26 December 1799; will proved 11 January 1800;
(11) Jermyn Affleck (1729-43); born 26 March 1729; died unmarried, April 1743;
(12) Anne Affleck (d. 1794); died unmarried;
(13) Elizabeth Affleck (d. by 1748), m.1 16 March 1737, Robert Trefusis (1708-42) of Trefusis (Cornwall) and had issue one son and one daughter, and m.2 Charles Charleton of Kensington Gravel Pits;
(14) Catherine Affleck (d. 1760), m. 1733, William Metcalfe of Fordham Abbey (Cambs); died May 1760;
(15) Mary Affleck (c.1724-73), m. Rev. Dr. William Danby of Swinton Park and had issue; buried at Masham (Yorks NR), 8 July 1773;
(16) Louisa Affleck (d. 1737); died unmarried;
(17) Charlotte Affleck (d. 1820), m.1 John Scotchmer (d. 1786) of Troston Hall (Suffolk) and m.2, 14 October 1789, Sir William Dolben bt. of Findon.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1718.  
He died 12 November 1764.  His wife died in December 1744 when she fell into an open fire at Dalham Hall, apparently after having a stroke.

Affleck, John (1710-74), of Dalham Hall.  Eldest surviving son of Gilbert Affleck (c.1684-1764) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 12 February 1710.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1727).  MP for Suffolk, 1743-61 and Amersham, 1767-68.  He married Sarah (d. 1776), daughter of James Metcalfe of Roxton (Beds) and had issue:
(1) Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt. (1740-1808) (q.v.);
(2) Rev. John Affleck (1744-81); born 22 January 1743/44; educated at Bury St Edmunds Grammar School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1763; BA 1767; MA 1776); ordained deacon, 1767 and priest, 1768; rector of St. Columb Major (Cornwall), 1776-81; died unmarried;
(3) Capt. William Affleck RN (d. 1792); served in Royal Navy (Captain, 1774); m. Harriet/Henrietta Anne Crawley (b. 1752) but died without issue, 21 December 1792; commemorated by a monument in the porch of St Mary, Bryanston Square, London.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1764.
He died 5 March 1774.  His widow died 17 February 1776.

Affleck, Sir Edmund (1725-88), 1st bt.  
Sir Edmund Affleck, 1st bt.
Son of Gilbert Affleck (fl. 1705-41) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 19 April 1725.  Entered the Navy, c.1740 (Lt. 1745; Capt. 1757); given command of HMS Bedford, 1778; served at relief of Gibraltar, Battle of St. Vincent, 1780; promoted Commodore, 1781; created 1st baronet of Dalham Hall, 10 July 1782, with special remainder to the heirs of his father; retired as Rear-Admiral, 1784; MP for Colchester, 1782-88.  He married 1st, Esther (d. 1787), daughter of John Ruth and widow of Peter Creffield of Ardleigh Hall (Essex), and 2nd, 14 May 1788, Margaret, daughter of Mr. Burgess of New York and widow of Rev. William Smithers of Colchester (who m.3, 1792, Major John MacKinnon).
He lived at Fingringhoe Hall (Essex).
He died without issue, 19 November 1788, when his title passed under the special remainder to his nephew, Sir Gilbert Affleck (1740-1808), 2nd bt. (q.v.).  His will was proved 24 November 1788.

Affleck, Sir Gilbert (1740-1808), 2nd bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of John Affleck (1710-74) of Dalham Hall and his wife Sarah, daughter of James Metcalfe of Roxton (Beds), born 24 December 1740.  Educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (admitted 1759).  He married, 18 July 1796, Mary (1748-1835), daughter of Thomas Clark of New York and widow of Richard Vassall of Jamaica and London, but had no issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate from his father in 1774 and the baronetcy from his uncle in 1788.  At his death, the title and estates passed to his cousin, Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck (1759-1838), 3rd bt. (q.v.).
He died 17 July 1808.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 7 October 1808.  His widow died in 1835; her will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 23 March 1835.

Affleck, Rev. James (1716-84).  Fifth son of Gilbert Affleck (fl. 1705-41) and his wife Anne, daughter of John Dolben MP, born 18 August 1716.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1735; BA 1739; MA 1742).  Rector of Finedon (Northants) and a prebendary of Southwell Minster and York Minster.  He married, 1757, Mary Procter (d. 1772) of Clay Coton and had issue:
(1) Lt-Gen. Sir James Affleck (1759-1838), 3rd bt. (q.v.);
(2) Capt. Thomas Affleck (1762-1805), RN; born 21 August 1762; died unmarried;
(3) Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt. (q.v.);
(4) Capt. Edmund Affleck (d. 1795), died unmarried;
(5) Mary Affleck (d. 1773); died unmarried;
(6) Anne Affleck (d. 1832); died unmarried;
(7) Philippa/Penelope Affleck (d. 1851), m. Sir Digby Mackworth, 3rd bt. (1766-1838) as his second wife but died without issue.
He died 21 November 1784.  His will was proved 19 January 1785.

Affleck, General Sir James (1759-1833), 3rd bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) of Finedon (Northants) and his wife Mary Procter of Clay Coton, born 29 April 1759.  Entered the Army, 1776 (Captain, 1778; Lt-Col., 1795; Col., 1798; Brig-Gen., 1803; Maj-Gen., 1805; Lt-Gen., 1811; General, 1825); Colonel of 16th Dragoons, 1795-1833.  
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his first cousin, Sir Gilbert Affleck, 2nd bt., in 1808.
He died unmarried and without issue, 10 August 1833.  His will was proved 25 September 1833. For a portrait, see here.

Affleck, Rev. Sir Robert (1765-1851), 4th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Second son of Rev. James Affleck (1716-84) of Finedon (Northants) and his wife Mary Procter of Clay Coton, born 27 January 1765.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1783; BA 1787; MA 1790).  Ordained deacon, 1792 and priest, 1793; vicar of Westow, 1796-1833; rector of Tresswell (Notts), 1796; vicar of Doncaster (Yorks), 1807-17 and of Silkstone (Yorks), 1817-35; domestic chaplain to 3rd Earl Harcourt, 1817; prebendary of York Minster, 1802-51.  He married, 16 May 1800, Maria (d. 1825), daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), formerly Chief Justice of Bengal, and had issue:
(1) Sir Gilbert Affleck (1804-54), 5th bt. (q.v.);
(2) Sir Robert Affleck (1805-82), 6th bt. (q.v.);
(3) Rev. James Danby Affleck (1810-62) (q.v.);
(4) John Affleck (1812-69), born 28 April 1812; died unmarried, 17 March 1869;
(5) George Danby Affleck (later Danby) (1818-91) of Swinton Park (Yorks), which he sold 1882;
(6) Mary Philippa Affleck (d. 1887), m. 7 February 1837, Rev. Thomas Francis Hall (1795-1858), vicar of Hatfield Broad Oak (Essex); died 8/9 April 1887; will proved 7 May 1887 (estate £346);
(7) Charlotte Affleck (d. 1880), m. 28 March 1854, Ven. George Glover (d. 1862), archdeacon of Sudbury (Suffolk); died 27 November 1880; administration granted 4 March 1881 (estate under £5,000);
(8) Harriett Elizabeth Affleck (d. 1897), m.1, 1829, John Thomas Bridges (d. 1853) and had issue, and m.2, 31 October 1854, Rev. Dr. J.E.N. Molesworth (d. 1877), vicar of Rochdale (Lancs); died 14 December 1897; will proved 12 February 1898 (estate £3,722);
(9) Marian Affleck (d. 1893), m. 10 November 1846, Rev Samuel Charles MA (d. 1890) and had issue; died 8 December 1893.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his elder brother in 1838.
He died 7 May 1851.  His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 23 July 1851.

Affleck, Sir Gilbert (1804-54), 5th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Eldest son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 9 June 1804.  He married, 20 December 1834, Everina Frances (d. 1865), daughter of Francis Elliot of Bath (who m.2, Rev. Dr. William Whewell), but died without issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his father in 1851.
He died in November 1854.

Affleck, Sir Robert (1805-82), 6th bt., of Dalham Hall.  Second son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 28 July 1805.  JP and DL for Suffolk; High Sheriff of Suffolk, 18xx.  He married, 9 April 1850, Maria Emily (c.1825-1902), daughter of Edmund Burton of Churchill (Northants) and had issue:
(1) Katherine Maria Affleck (c.1851-1893), m.1, 1878, Lt-Col. Charles Willaston (d. 1882) and m.2, 1891, Richard Frewen of Innishannon (Cork);
(2) Sir Robert Affleck (1852-1919), 7th bt. (q.v.);
(3) Edmund Affleck (1854-75), RN; born 30 March 1854; died unmarried, 8 May 1875;
(4) Gilbert Affleck (b. & d. 1855); died in infancy, October 1855;
(5) Anna Maria Affleck (c.1857-1924); died unmarried in Germany, 16 June 1924; will proved 10 November 1924 (estate £2,624);
(6) Frances Caroline Affleck (c.1858-1923); died unmarried in Worthing, 3 December 1923; will proved 26 February 1924 (estate £425);
(7) Helen Affleck (1859-1943), born 28 April 1859; m. 1883, Rev. Henry Bruce Pugh, rector of Dalham and rural dean of Thurlow, and had issue; died 13 December 1943; will proved 9 March 1944 (estate £12,194)
(8) John de Linden Affleck (1860-1917), born 18 July 1860; m. Blanche Euphemia, daughter of Alexander A. Robson of Sydney (Australia) but died without issue;
(9) Philip Burton Affleck (1862-1916), born 2 January 1862; died unmarried and without issue, 24 July 1916; will proved 19 September 1916 (estate £1,415);
(10) Mary Elizabeth Harriett Affleck (1863-1921), born 4 June 1863; m. 1893 John William Rudd (d. 1922) of Anerley, London SE and had issue; died 12 September 1921.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his elder brother in 1854.
He died 9 October 1882.  His will was proved 25 April 1883 (estate £18,179).  His widow died 9 November 1902.

Affleck, Sir Robert (1852-1919), 7th bt., of Dalham Hall. Eldest son of Sir Robert Affleck (1805-82), 6th bt., and his wife Maria Emily, daughter of Edmund Burton of Churchill (Northants), born 4 March 1852.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1871).  JP for Suffolk.  He borrowed heavily to invest in estate improvements at Dalham Hall but was eventually obliged to sell the estate to repay the loans.  He claimed his solicitor had defrauded him of at least £10,000 skimmed from these and other transactions, and in 1903 he was involved in bankruptcy proceedings.  His wife took a situation as a saleswoman in Selfridge's newly-opened store in Oxford Street, London to supplement the family income, initially incognito; see here for an account of this episode.  He married, 9 March 1886 (div. 9 February 1915), Julia Georgina, daughter of John Sampson Prince, but died without issue.
He inherited the Dalham Hall estate and the baronetcy from his father in 1882, but sold the estate to Cecil Rhodes in 1901. He purchased a hunting box at Somerby (Leics) and ran a racing stable there.  
He died 4 December 1919, possibly abroad; no will has been found for him.

Affleck, Rev. James Danby (1810-62).  Younger son of Rev. Sir Robert Affleck (1765-1851), 4th bt., and his wife Maria, daughter of Sir Elijah Impey, kt., of Newick Park (Sussex), born 16 February 1810.  Educated at Christ Church, Oxford (matriculated 1828; BA 1832).  Ordained deacon and priest, 1835; rector of Dalham, 1835-62.  He married, 19 April 1853, Sophia, daughter of Edward Dyson of Dalham and had issue:
(1) Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck (1856-1939), 8th bt. (q.v.);
(2) Arthur Edward Highlander Affleck (b. 1857)
(3) Adolphus Reginald Affleck (1862-63), died in infancy;
(4) Eleonora Affleck, died unmarried;
(5) Florence Affleck, died unmarried.
He died 27 December 1862.  His will was proved at Bury St Edmunds, 13 March 1863 (estate under £300).

Affleck, Sir Frederick Danby James (1856-1939), 8th bt.  Eldest son of Rev. James Danby Affleck (1810-62) and his wife Sophia, daughter of Edward Dyson of Dalham, born 3 February 1856.  Emigrated to Australia in the 1880s and became a fruit farmer in Brisbane, Australia.  He married, 1918 and again (after it was discovered that the first marriage was unintentionally bigamous), 21 June 1939, Lilley, daughter of Alfred Quarm Ross and formerly the husband of [name unknown] (d. c.1925) from whom she was legally separated in 1903, by whom he had issue:
(1) Frederick James Siddartha Affleck (1905-75), born 29 March 1905; for newspaper reports of his criminal convictions see here; claimed the baronetcy in 1939 but whose claim was rejected on the grounds of illegitimacy in 1949; died unmarried and without issue;
(2) Dalham Roger Affleck (1906-75?), born 3 May 1906; for newspaper reports of his criminal convictions see here; married and had issue (see comments below);
(3) Pansy Gabrielle Affleck (b. 1909), born 17 January 1909.
He died 24 July 1939. His widow was living in 1949.

Sources

Burke's Peerage & Baronetage, 1924; Ipswich Journal, 29 December 1744; Grantham Journal, 3 October 1903; J. Kenworthy-Browne et al., Burke’s & Savill’s Guide to Country Houses: vol. 3, East Anglia, 1981, p.227; E. Martin, 'Garden canals in Suffolk' in Harper-Bill, Rawcliffe & Wilson, East Anglia's history, 2002, p. 232;  http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/949686;  https://www.maltagenealogy.com/LeighRayment/baronetage/baronetsA1.htm.

Where are their papers?

Affleck family of Dalham Hall: family correspondence and papers, 18th-19th cents (Suffolk RO HD714/1348; Acc. 966/4/2-3); papers of 2nd bt, 18th-19th cents (BL Add MS.51807-08)


Revision and acknowledgements


This post was first published on 21 June 2013 and revised 1 January 2015, 18 April and 12 October 2016, 27 January 2017 and 3 April 2021. I am grateful for the assistance of Jessamy Carlson with research for this post.

19 comments:

  1. Welcome to Geneabloggers!! This is a great blogging community.

    Regards, Grant

    http://thestephensherwoodletters.blogspot.com

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  2. Nick, what a magnificent concept for a blog! Impressive!

    I found mention of your blog today on GeneaBloggers. Best wishes as you continue this project. I imagine many from around the world would, indeed, take an interest in your research!

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  3. Outstanding! And the arms show the linkage with the Auchinlecks of Ayrshire. Really first rate. Many thanks.

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  4. hello Nick, my son Dalham has been looking for our history and found your site
    my name is Frederick, my fathers name was Dalham, my grandfathers name was Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck.
    my father was set up by corrupt police, and the evidence wasn't allowed in court.
    my father was innocent, he wanted to reopen the case after the corruption in Queensland police was uncovered, but he died before he could.
    he was a good father to me and my brother and two sisters, and a good family man.
    the line is still going Nick, I have five children, and four grand children.
    I hope to hear from you one day.
    Frederick

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for getting in touch. Since publishing my post I have always wondered whether this story was quite as portrayed in the Australian press, and whether the line was indeed extinct. If you can document the family relationships you mention, either you or your brother (whichever is the elder) would seem to have a good claim to the baronetcy. I would be particularly interested to know when your father died, and whether you agree that your uncle was indeed unmarried and childless.

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    2. interesting ey?
      my father didn't talk about it much. he died 1975. I found out from my mum after getting some money from my uncles estate. it was only a few dollars, but my mum explained who he was, and the story about the family.
      I told my son Dalham when he was 10, or 11 years old. he has been interested, and tried to find out more.
      my father changed his name to Lawrence after getting out of jail, but kept his first name, Dalham
      I looked in births deaths and marriages for Queensland, historic, and Frederick Danby James, and Elizabeth Annie, were listed as his father and mother. also, you could check the money I received from the estate. I'll keep in touch Nick, as will my son Dalham, and as far as I know, my uncle had no family.
      Regards, Fred


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    3. Year

      Reg#

      First name(s)

      Last name

      Father

      Mother


      1975 C1098 Dalham Lawrence Frederick Danby James Affleck Elizabeth Annie Ross

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    4. Happy new year Nick
      did you find anything useful?
      my son and I would like to know what you think
      regards Fred

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    5. Happy New Year to you! My access to Australian genealogical sources is limited so if you want to try and establish a claim to the baronetcy you will need to obtain certificates from the Australian authorities to evidence each step in the chain of evidence, including the change of surname from Affleck to Lawrence, and to demonstrate that your uncle had no male descendants (his will may help here). The guidance here may be helpful: http://www.baronetage.org/succession-to-baronetcy-2/

      Searching on Ancestry, I have found a marriage on 3 January 1928 in Queensland between Dalham Robert Affleck and Mary Reeding and also a marriage in 1942 in Burrowa NSW between Dalham Lawrence and Rita Sheppeard. Is the latter the marriage of your parents? If so, you would need to show that the earlier 1928 marriage produced no surviving male desendants and that your father's first wife died or divorced him before 1942.

      Best wishes for good luck with your search!

      Nick

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  5. Hi Nick, this is great fun! In Australia the press tend to refer to certain disreputable characters as "colourful identities" - sunglasses are recommended regarding the Antipodean Afflecks. My very colourful ancestor was George Danby Affleck, brother of the 4th baronet, Rev James Danby Affleck. Our George inherited his (apparently third) fortune through William Danby who was childless and had married an Affleck. William, who predeceased his wife, had stipulated that the very large estate of Swinton Park (complete with fake Stonehenge, umpteen thousand acres etc) should go to George. Now, our George was working in a fellmongery peeling the wool from deceased sheep at the time so a change in fortune was no doubt welcome. The widow died in 1879 and by 1882 Swinton Park was sold, massive mansions were built and George was well on the way to dispersing his fortune by the time of his death in 1891. George had a lot of fun with titles variously dubbing himself Sir George Danby (a condition of the inheritance was that he change his name) and my favourite, George, Earl of Danby. I've inherited a bit of silverware and some quite lovely bibles all awash in 'Earl of Danby' crests. Alas the fortunes didn't come anywhere near me. Thanks for the info, and thanks also to my second cousin twentieth removed 'Anonymous'. Cheers Matt

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  6. A correspondent has drawn my attention to a file at The National Archives in London (ref. TS16/1) which shows that Frederick James Siddartha Affleck did claim the baronetcy in 1939. His claim was finally rejected in 1949 on the grounds of his illegitimacy.

    F.J.S. Affleck was born on 29 March 1905 when his mother was still married to (but legally separated from) her first husband; his two younger brothers were also born under the same circumstances. In 1918, having seen press reports of the death (as she thought) of her first husband, she and Sir Frederick Danby James Affleck went through a form of marriage. In 1931 she met her first husband's sister by chance, who told her that although her first husband was then dead he had only died a few years before; the 1918 marriage was, therefore, bigamous in effect. On 21 June 1939 Sir F.D.J. Affeck and his wife were legally remarried, which under Queensland law at the time had the effect of legitimating her three children by Affleck. The claim to the baronetcy was made on the basis of this second marriage having legitimated the sons.

    However, the lawyers to whom the matter was referred in England determined that under English law, despite the fact that Sir F.D.J. Affleck's children had been legitimated in Queensland where they were domiciled, and were recognised as legitimate in England as a result, this recognition stopped short of affecting their rights to succeed to property or titles of honour under English law. The claim thus failed.

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  7. Rev. Sir Robert Affleck, 4th Bart. (50)
    Succ. to the title 1833 not 1838?
    Vicar of Doncaster 1807-17 (Boase)

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  8. Thanks for the correction to the Doncaster dates, which I have incorporated. I can't see that I ever suggested the 3rd bt. died in 1838???

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  9. My gt.gt.gt.uncle Captain (later Admiral Sir) Thomas Graves R.N., served with Commodore (later Rear Admiral Sir) Edmund Affleck in H.M.S.Bedford at the Battle of the Saints 9th-12th April 1782

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  10. Interesting connection with the Afflecks, Dalham and Cecil Rhodes who eventually bought it; Gilbert (c.1684-1764) had a great-granddaughter that married into the Peacock family. Her husband was the half-brother of Cecil Rhodes' maternal grandfather, and her children were first cousin's with Cecil's mother Louisa (Peacock) Rhodes.

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  11. Hello Nick
    Too bad about the claim for the position of baronet was turned down. Would have been great fun to have one of those in the family. But on to something else.
    I'm writing a short study about the origins of the surname Affleck and in doing so, stumbled across the pub called the Affleck Arms in Dalham, home of the Baronets Affleck. Great looking pub BTW. Love to try it out when this pandemic is over.
    The pubs sign is in fact purported to be the arms of the baronet. However, someone reversed the colors and rather than the three black bars of the Baronet Affleck's arms, there three white ones, separated by black ones.
    Now that was just, I presume, an error and, at least to me, an amusing one.
    The interesting bit is the crest above the arms. It is an eagle with raised wings. The Baronets Affleck of Dalham claimed linage from the shire of Angus just East of Dundee and I've no reason to disbelieve that. And the arms, the three black bars, are certainly those of the Auchinleck Afflecks of Angus and of Auchinleck Afflecks elsewhere in Scotland. But they are always topped by what is called the ear of rye crest, a single stalk of rye or wheat rising from the wreath. The only connections Auchinleck Afflecks have with the eagle crest are with the McVicar-Affleck of Edingham near Dalbeattie in Kirkcudbrightshire in the late 1700's, and with the Auchinleck Afflecks of Glenbervie in Kincardineshire in the 1400's.
    Which begs the question. How did the eagle crest end up on top of the arms of Baronet Affleck (or at least the pub sign displaying those arms) in Dalham England?
    Any thoughts on this greatly welcome.
    Thanks Nick.
    Colin Affleck

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    1. Burke's Peerage and Baronetage describes the crest of the baronets as: "An ear of wheat or, between two fern branches proper", so I think this may be another error.

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  12. Hi all, we have the privilege of looking after the grounds at Dalham hall. The house is soon to be rented out and is currently having some work done. We managed a peek inside and I can say decor wise it’s probably not changed to much from circa 1900, from the bathrooms to the wallpaper. In the boys room downstairs behind a hidden panel is a walk in safe from around the mid 1800’s. It’s a fascinating house and you definitely get the feeling of going back to a different era. There are odd things laying around in the loft notes and train tickets from around 1940-50 . The stable block to the left of the house is much the same. Dating and much unchanged from early Edwardian times. I can upload some pictures if anyone is interested,

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    1. Thanks for the update. Some recent pictures would be splendid but I am afraid you can't upload them directly as the Blogger software doesn't permit this. However, if you care to contact me through the contact form in the sidebar we can establish email communication and you can send pictures to me for incorporation above (with suitable acknowledgements). Many thanks for your help.

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Please leave a comment if you have any additional information or corrections to offer, or if you are able to help with additional images of the people or buildings in this post.