By Rosemary Jewers 2019
I sometimes receive some really intriguing emails; the following synopsis was taken from one sent by Nathan, who lives in the USA.
He told me that about 20 years ago he was living in Norwich, England and a friend of his had given him a suitcase full of ancient books. Inside were two 17th century volumes of Homer’s Odyssey written in Greek, and inside their front covers was the name, “Shovell Brereton” and a Brereton family shield bearing the coat of arms without the crest. Nathan said he treasured these books, taking them with him when he moved to the United States... and ever since receiving them he had wanted to know more about Shovell Brereton and the history of the books.
A flurry of emails followed with one containing photos of the books. The first puzzle was to find out which Shovell Brereton had owned them. I suspected it was Shovell, the son of John and Anna Margretta of Brinton Hall. Later this Shovell was to build Briningham House, Norfolk - Briningham is about a mile from Brinton.
After much speculation about the bird on the shield at the front of the book (not part of the coat of arms), I decided to write to the College of Arms. The answer came back - it was the cadency mark of a fourth son, a martlet. This confirmed that the books had indeed been owned by Shovell Brereton of Briningham.
Shovell entered Queens' University Cambridge in 1813. The following section is taken from the university Alumni.
'Jan. 18, 1813. Of Norfolk. [4th s. of John, Esq., of Brinton.] Michs. 1813; B.A. 1817; M.A. 1820. Ord. deacon (Gloucester) Jan. 25, 1818; priest (Norwich) Nov. 29, 1818; C. of Castle Rising, Norfolk, 1818. Chaplain at Rome, 1827; at Versailles, 1831-4. R. (and patron) of Gt Poringland, Norfolk, 1837-61. V. of Briningham, 1861-81. Married Maria, dau. of Edward Colwell, Esq., of London. Died Apr. 21, 1886, aged 91, at Briningham House, Norfolk. Brother of Charles D. (1808); father of the next and of Charles J. (1857). (Burke, L.G., 1862; The Guardian, Apr. 28, 1886.) '
Shovell had a full life and I am sure I will be adding more about him to this blog. I suspect he gave these books to one, George Dusgate in 1857, as he was probably a clever and deserving student.
Here is a little information about Maria Colwell, wife of Shovell. They were married on 10th April 1832 at Speldhurst, Kent.
I'm grateful to Marlene Broomhurst who has been researching Benjamin Brecknell and wrote to me about Elisabeth Hale who married Shovell's brother, William John Brereton. Between us we identified Maria Colwell, who was the niece of Elizabeth. Marlene put together the following table.
The Brecknell to Brereton reads:
Children of John Hale and Penelope (nee Brecknell) married 11 Feb 1764 at Belbroughton, Worcs
1. Sarah christened at Bromsgrove 27 Mar 1765
2. Jane christened at Bromsgrove 20 Apr 1767 m Edward Farnell Colwell
3. Mary christened at Bromsgrove 30 Dec 1768
4. Sarah christened at St Mary's, Hanley Castle, Worcs. 5 Jan 1777
5. Thomas christened at St Mary's, Hanley Castle. Worcs. 5 Jan 1777
6. John christened at St Mary's, Hanley Castle, Worcs. 17 Oct 1779
7. Elizabeth christened at Cofton Hackett, Worcester 4 Jul 1782 m William John Brereton
1. Sarah married ? Harbour
2. Jane Hale married Edward Farnell Colwell on 31 Oct 1793 at St Martin in the Fields, London. They had the following children:
a. Elizabeth Colwell christened 9 Apr 1797 at St James, Westminster
b. Thomas Garnell (?) Colwell christened 22 May 1798 at St James, Westminster
c. Maria Colwell christened 18 Sep 1803 at St James, Westminster. She married Shovell Brereton 10th April 1832 - died in 1876
7. Elizabeth Hale married William John Brereton 29 Jan 1811 at St James, Westminster. They had the following children:
a. John Brereton born 1813 at Brinton
b. Anna Margaretta Brereton born 1815 at Brinton
c. Elizabeth Brereton born 1817 at Brinton
d. Mary Brecknell Brereton born 1819 at Brinton
e. Emma Frances Brereton born 1821 at Brinton”
If you have enjoyed reading this article you might consider donating to www.fosalm.org which will help restore St Andrew's Church Little Massingham. This church has been very important to the Brereton family.
