Chelsea, in the Olden & Present TimesBryan, George
History
Chelsea, in the Olden & Present Times
Bryan, George
Chelsea (London, England) -- History
* * * * *
In 1787 he instituted the Chelsea Sunday Schools, with the sanction of
the Rev. W. B. Cadogan. His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent had a great
regard for Mr. Butler, and appointed him one of his domestic chaplains.
Hardly one charitable Society in London existed, to which his popular
oratory did not essentially contribute credit and profit. He died in a
good old age, and his remains were placed in the family vault at Chelsea.
The Rev. Weeden Butler, his eldest son, occupied the same house for many
years afterwards, as also the son of the latter, Thomas Butler, Esq., who
was much esteemed by a numerous circle of friends while he resided in
Cheyne Walk. The whole of this family were remarkable for their
classical attainments and love of literature. The Rev. T. Helmore,
Precentor, St. Mark’s College, has since resided in Mr. Butler’s house.
* * * * *
A very fine portrait of Dr. Dodd, painted by Gainsborough, and a large
quarto volume of the doctor’s unedited poems, in MS., bound, including a
tragedy, called “The Syracusans,” and a comedy, called “Sir Roger de
Coverly,” were left by Mr. Butler, to his legatees. The portrait is the
only likeness extant The Rev. Philip Dodd, and the Rev. Weeden Butler
(eldest son of Mr. Butler), possessed all the Doctor’s unprinted sermons.
* * * * *
James Neild, Esq., who resided at No. 4, Cheyne Walk, was born in 1744,
at Knutsford, in Cheshire, in the neighbourhood of which his family had
some good estates. He came to London, and was placed with Mr. Hemming,
the King’s goldsmith, but after a short time, he removed to a jeweller’s.
In 1770 he settled in St. James’s Street, and continued there till the
year 1792, when finding his health declining, and having recently lost
his wife, he retired from business to Chelsea, with an ample fortune.
* * * * *
The attention of Mr. Neild, very early in life, was drawn to the
distressed state of persons imprisoned for debt; the endeavour to
alleviate which soon became his favorite pursuit, and one which he
followed with intense application.
* * * * *
In 1773, having previously visited most of the prisons in England, and
many on the continent, he was, together with his benevolent friends, Dr.
John C. Lettson, and the Rev. Weeden Butler, chiefly instrumental in
instituting the Society for the Relief and Discharge of Persons
imprisoned for small debts. In 1812 he published “The State of the
Prisons,” in a quarto volume, a work teeming with valuable information.
Mr. Neild died in 1814, and was buried in Battersea Church. He married a
daughter of John Camden, Esq., of that parish.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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