GEORGE ENGLEHEART (1752-1829) - Receive artist alerts » - More items from this artist »

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Watercolour on ivory.

1.50inch high    (  3.81 cm high)

Private collection

Fine

RICHARD BARWELL 1741-1804. By George Engleheart 1786.


Born in Calcutta, the second of four sons of William Barwell (1705-69) Governor of Fort William, Bengal, later a director of the East India Co. and his third wife Elizabeth Pearce. Richard was educated in England but returned to Calcutta and held appointments with the East India Co. from 1756. He became a member of the Council in Bengal under Warren Hastings, Governor General, of whom he was a constant supporter. Having amassed a fortune, he retired to Sussex and bought Stanstead Park for his home. He also bought land and property in the area and a house at St. James’s Square in London. He was M.P. for Helston 1781-4, St. Ives 1784-90 and Fort Winchelsea 1790-6.
His first marriage in India was to Elizabeth Sanderson 1776, who gave him 2 sons before she died aged 23 of fever. He then married in 1785, Catherine Coffin of Boston Mass. She gave him ten children and in his will he left all his property to her.
He also had, in a parallel life, four children by his mistress Mrs Seaforth, (Also known as Rebecca Lyne) She was painted by Reynolds.
Richard died in Stanstead House in 1804. Soon after, the house and properties were sold by his trustees.The miniature is set in a period diamond surround, bracelet clasp frame.