Stanford Rivers by H. M. Scott – The Smith Family

The Smith Family

The lineage of this family, which was associated with Stanford Rivers from 1786 until 1959, can be traced back to Dundee in 1535. The neighbouring "Suttons" was purchased by Charles Smith, M.P., in 1786.

The Smith Baronets

The baronetcy descended as follows:

1st Baronet – Sir Drummond Hamilton Spencer Smith

Sir Drummond Hamilton Spencer Smith, of Tring Park, Tring, Hertfordshire. The baronetcy was created in 1804. He died on 22nd January 1816.

Having no issue, the title was conferred upon the issue of his niece, Augusta, who married the above-mentioned Charles Smith of "Suttons".

2nd Baronet – Sir Charles Joshua Smith (1800–1831)

Sir Charles Joshua Smith was born in 1800 and died in 1831. He was the grand-nephew of the 1st Baronet and was succeeded by his son.

3rd Baronet – Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith (1827–1905)

Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith was born on 15th September 1827 and succeeded to the baronetcy when aged four.

In 1855 he married Miss Agnes Capel Cure of Blake Hall (see "Bobbingworth"), who died on 7th March 1913.

Sir Charles died on 31st July 1905 and was succeeded by his son.

4th Baronet – Sir Drummond Cunliffe Smith (1861–1947)

Sir Drummond Cunliffe Smith was born in 1861. He served as High Sheriff of Essex in 1915.

He died unmarried on 8th May 1947 and was succeeded by his kinsman.

5th Baronet – Sir Drummond Cospatric Smith (1876–1955)

Sir Drummond Cospatric Smith, O.B.E., was born in 1876. He served as Military Secretary to the Government of New Zealand from 1910 to 1913.

He died on 18th December 1955.

6th Baronet – Sir Thomas Cospatric Smith (1917–1959)

Sir Thomas Cospatric Smith was born on 8th December 1917 and died on 13th October 1959.

He married Lucy Ashton Ingram, who survived him. He was the last member of the family to be Lord of the Manor.

7th Baronet – Sir John Hamilton-Spencer-Smith (born 1947)

Sir John Hamilton-Spencer-Smith was born on 18th March 1947. At the time of the original account, he resided at "Priory Orchard", Easebourne, Midhurst, Sussex.

Family Connections and Local Influence

Since the late 18th century the Smiths have intermarried with many of the best-known and wealthiest families in England, such as the Curries (bankers), the Goslings (bankers – later incorporated with Barclays Bank Ltd.), Le Marchant (bankers), Capel Cure, Remnant, Austen-Leigh, Seymour, Culme-Seymour and Hotham.

Very many members of the family took a leading part in County affairs and at least nine served as High Sheriffs of Essex since 1799.

In many sections of this work, you will find references to good works done by the family in our village and older members of the community will agree that the severance of their connection was a grievous loss.

At the entrance of Christ Church, Spitalfields, London, stood – or at least it did in 1932 – a marble slab recording the death of Judith, widow of Charles Smith of Stratford Langthorne and daughter of Isaac Lefevre.

Her sister, Magdalen, married Wm. Currie, a banker, and was an ancestress of Lord Currie.

Miss Laura Cunliffe Smith, daughter of Sir Charles C. Smith (3rd Baronet), married Mr. Charles Hotham in 1891.

Extracts from Local Newspapers

The following extracts from local newspapers provide a glimpse into the family's standing within the community and the affection in which they were held.

5th August 1905 – Death of Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith

"Death – On Monday, 31st July, at Suttons, the ancestral home he loved so much and so dearly – Sir Charles Cunliffe Smith, Bart., passed away and the County, yea, the Country is poorer by the death of an English Landlord of an early Victorian School which is gradually dwindling away.

He was indeed a Squire of the good old-fashioned type, yet welcomed innovations of modern science which he believed were for the good of the land and they that dwell thereon.

He was at his best and happiest at home on his land surrounded by a loving family and affectionate tenantry.

He took a real interest in his estate and in the welfare of his servants and tenants.

Only last week his tenant Mr. Richard Waltham of Mitchells Farm stated, 'If every landlord were as good as Sir Charles, it would be a grand thing for the Country'."

12th August 1905 – Tribute from the Rector

The Rector, Rev. J. S. Thomas, preaching at Stanford Rivers, said:

"A good and just man has been removed from our midst, one whose memory will be long and gratefully cherished by the whole Parish."

Personal Recollections of the Smith Family

Note by the original author:

One of the very oldest local inhabitants who can still remember Sir Charles has informed me that he can remember him "doing the rounds" of his farms in a four-wheel carriage driven by his coachman.

He also advised me that Sir Drummond (the 4th Baronet) visited his farms on horseback accompanied by a groom and that when he reached within about 100 yards of his call he would blow a whistle to advise his tenants and the farmworkers of his approach.

15th March 1913 – Funeral of Lady Agnes Smith

The funeral of Lady Agnes Smith (widow of the 3rd Baronet) took place at Stapleford Tawney on the previous Saturday.

The principal mourners were Sir Drummond C. Smith and Mr. Reginald Cunliffe Smith (sons), Major Capel Cure (nephew), Miss Lilian Capel Cure and Mrs. Tupper (nieces).

Others present included the Rev. Charles Hotham, the Rev. J. I. Thomas, the Duc de Moro, Sir William Bowyer Smith, Messrs. A. Millbank, A. Green, and many others.