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on the life and achievements of eighteenth-century inventor Henry Cort. Please email site controller Eric
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Early
life of John Becher
John Becher comes from Bristol, where his grandfather was
mayor. His father has followed a
distinguished career in the church: chaplain to London Alderman Sir Edward
Becher, a distant relation (although described as his uncle in one newspaper
report); rector of St James, Duke Place (London) and of Temple and St Stephen
(Bristol); chaplain to Frederick Prince of Wales (George III’s father). Sir Edward’s nephew Richard Becher will have
a role in the story of John’s family.
Many of John’s siblings appear to die young, but there is a
mystery about a “sister Ann Becher widow” named in his brother Michael’s
will. Eighteenth-century widows do not
normally revert to their maiden names, so it appears that her first husband was
also a Becher. Or could Michael’s
“sister” actually be a sister-in-law, widow of his eldest brother Henry?
There is a further record of interest concerning this Ann Becher.
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18th
April 1773 At St Augustine The Less, Robert Frampton Of St James in this
County of Gloucester and Ann Becher of this Parish. Married in this Church by licence. Witnessed by Mary Becher and P.R. Matthews.
From St Augustine’s
parish record, Bristol. |
P.R.Matthews is
the brother of John’s mother Mary. Is
it likely he would be so close to Ann if she were merely his nephew’s widow?
There may,
however, be significance in the bridegroom’s surname, Frampton.
John and his
elder brother Michael join the navy, where they come under the wing of Thomas Smith, who
becomes an admiral.
Smith is one of
Thomas Bell's clients. Protégés who also use Bell as their agent later become clients of Henry Cort.
A visitor to
Smith's Worcestershire home in 1753 records meeting three naval officers there:
Michael Becher, George Hamilton and Alexander Hood.
Hood is
destined to become another admiral and Viscount Bridport to boot.
Hamilton's career will be less
distinguished. But in 1756 he marries
widow Susanna Wood, one of the Attwick family of Gosport. He sails off to Canada, is involved in the
fighting around Quebec, and dies in March 1760.
Michael Becher participates in the 1758 expedition which captures the island of Goree, off the west coast of Africa, from the
French. There he is appointed captain
of a sloop also called Goree, and dies on board in December 1760.
One can imagine
a memorial event for both officers being held in Gosport, attended by Becher's
brother John and Susanna Hamilton's relations.
What is
documented in another marriage, between John Becher and Susanna's niece Ann
Haysham. This union will produce seven children and have a big influence on the life of Henry Cort.
The wedding
takes place on 26 September 1761 at Hagley, near Stourbridge. Thomas Smith is one of the witnesses.
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