The remarkable life of John Elwes Esq., member in three successive Parliaments for Berkshire, with singular anecdotes, etc. Supposed to be the greatest instance of penury, that ever existed / [Edward Topham].

  • Topham, Edward, 1751-1820.
Date:
1797
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The remarkable life of John Elwes Esq., member in three successive Parliaments for Berkshire, with singular anecdotes, etc. Supposed to be the greatest instance of penury, that ever existed / [Edward Topham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    JOHN ELWES, Efq. MEGGOT was the family-name of Mr. Elwes ; and his name being John, the con¬ junction of Jack Meggot, induced ftrangers to imagine fometimes that his friends were addrefT- ing him by an affumed appellation. The father of Mr. Elwes was an eminent brewer; and his dwelling-houfe and offices werefituated in South¬ wark ; which borough was formerly reprefented in parliament by his grand-father, Sir George Meggot. During his life, he purchafed the eftate now in the pofteffion of the family of the Calverts, at Marcham, in Berkfhire. The father died when the late Mr. Elwes was only four years old; fo that little of the lingular character of Mr. Elwes is to be attributed to him; but from the mother it may be traced with eafe : (he was left nearly one hundred thoufand pounds by her husband,—and yet ftarved herfelf to death. The only children from the above marriage; were Mr. Elwes, and a daughter, who married the father of the late Colonel Timms—and from thence came the intail of fome partof theprefent eftate. Mr. El wes, at an early period of life, wasfent to Weftminfter School, where he remained tenor twelve years. He certainly, during that time, had not mifapplied his talents-—for he was a good