The Budworth Family of Greensted Hall

Captain Philip John Budworth was born on the 27 December 1817. His father was the Revd. Philip Budworth (died 1861), who was rector of High Laver. He had taken over as rector from his father Revd. Richard Budworth, who had been granted the living from his brother-in-law in 1778, holding it until his death in 1805.

The Budworths had originated from Cheshire, but had previously resided in Middlesex for several generations, and were connected by marriage to the Cleeve family who had acquired Greensted Hall in 1695.

Philip (the son) was educated privately, but then studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1839 with a B.A. degree. [M.A. 1843].

From Jesus College he kept terms at the Inner Temple, but was never called to the Bar. In 1840 he stood unsuccessfully as a parliamentary candidate for the Borough of Sandwich. For eight years he travelled in Europe, returning home in about 1848 as a result of the French revolution and the resultant political unrest throughout Europe.

Whilst in England he met and married Blanche Trimmer (born 1820), in 1850 and the couple were to spend a year on their honeymoon travelling through France, Germany and Italy.

On their return the couple lived at the Wilderness, situated in Ongar High Street, before moving to Greensted Hall, which is father had acquired in 1837.

Captain Budworth became a Justice of the Peace in 1850 and was for many years sat as a magistrate for the Ongar Petty Sessional Division. He was High Sheriff for Essex 1878-1879.

He served in ‘G’ Company (Ongar and Epping) 1st Volunteer Battalion Essex Regiment,

Blanche died in 1862 within a few days of giving birth to his first child. He re-married four years later to Annie Emily Thomas (1842-1921), and had four more children.

Although in poor health he remained in public life until his death on the 9 January 1885, aged 67 years. He was buried in Greensted churchyard.

Captain Budworth’s grave in Greensted churchyard

His lasting memorial is of course the Budworth Hall, in High Street, Ongar which was opened in February 1887.

His five children were:

Philip Henry Cresswell Dutton Budworth born 1862 (died 1939)
Richard Thomas Dutton Budworth born 1867 (died
Charles Edward Dutton Budworth born 1869 (died 1921)
David Philip Dutton Budworth born 1871 (died 1941)
Anne Blanche Dutton Budworth born 1873

His son Richard achieved fame playing rugby for England and his biography was covered in our journal ..

Charles Edward was also to lead a distinguished life:

Maj.-Gen. Charles Edward Dutton BUDWORTH

Born on the 3rd October, 1869; he was the third son of Captain Budworth.

He married Winifred, daughter of Sir Patteson Nickalls. Sadly she died in 1914 and there were no children. He married secondly in 1918, Helen, daughter of Major General W. E. Blewitt, of Langley Hill House, King's Langley, Hertfordshire. They had two sons.

He joined the Royal Artillery in 1889, and served in the South African War 1899 - 1901 (mentioned in despatches); First World War, 1914–17, (mentioned in despatches ten times).

He was formerly Adjutant of the Honourable Artillery Company and Chief Instructor of the Royal Horse and Field School of Gunnery;

M.V.O. in 1903, C.B. in 1916, C.M.G. in 1917. Commander of the Legion of Honour; Croix de Guerre; Order of St Stanislaus

He died on the 15th July 1921, whilst in the post of Inspector General of the Royal Artillery in India. He is buried at Simla cemetary.

There is a memorial to him in Greensted church.