Chelsea, in the Olden & Present TimesBryan, George
History
Chelsea, in the Olden & Present Times
Bryan, George
Chelsea (London, England) -- History
Joseph Mallard W. Turner, Esq., R.A., resided for some time in a small
house directly facing the Thames, in the road leading to Cremorne, where
he died in 1851. No doubt he selected this spot on account of the
attractive scenery on the river, and the fine view of some parts of
Surrey, as also to enjoy for a time the benefits arising from a more
secluded life. At the age of thirty years, Mr. Turner was recognised as
the first landscape painter of the day. For a period of sixty years he
contributed to every exhibition of the Royal Academy, sending in all 259
pictures. For many years he refused to part with some of the choicest
specimens of his art, and after his death it was found that he had left
those to the English nation, together with a great number of drawings and
engravings. Mr. Turner, while residing here, lived in almost entire
seclusion. He would not see any person, excepting a few very intimate
friends, and, in fact, was extremely anxious not to be recognized. This
inclination, at the close of his life, was very natural. The world is
indebted to him for his productions, and Chelsea is proud to add his name
to its list of distinguished residents.
* * * * *
The roadway in front of the house occupied by Mr. Turner, and along the
front of that part of the river, has been considerably widened, and now
presents a well-formed embankment. A handsome terrace has been erected,
besides a number of houses on the adjoining ground.
CREMORNE HOUSE.
This villa was first formed by Theophilus, Earl of Huntingdon, who died
in 1746. It afterwards belonged, successively, to Richard, Viscount
Powerscourt; to the Countess Dowager of Exeter, relict of Brownlow, the
eighth Earl; and to Sir Richard Lyttleton, who married the Dowager
Duchess of Bridgewater, and died in 1770.
* * * * *
After the death of the Duchess, in 1777, Thomas Dawson, Viscount
Cremorne, at that time Baron Dartrey, purchased the villa in 1778. He
considerably enlarged and embellished the premises, under the skill of
the eminent Mr. James Wyatt. His lordship died in Stanhope Street,
Mayfair, in 1813, in his 89th year, greatly respected, and bequeathed the
estate to his relict, the late Viscountess. It is stated, in an account
published shortly after Lord Cremorne’s death, that “his generosity was
unbounded, and his heart, in the most comprehensive sense, charitable.
But his most excellent character is, that he was a Christian in mind and
practice.”
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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