Children of William Brook Northey Kor Bosch December 2024
Emily, Alfred and Agnes Brook Northey in 1855 (photo by Jacob Wothly, courtesy Kor Bosch)
I work as collection manager at the Gelders Archief in Arnhem, the Netherlands. We recently digitised the extensive photographic archive of the Schimmelpenninck van der Oye family, a noble family in the Netherlands. Amidst this collection we found an 1855 photograph of the Brook Northey family that had ended up in their possession due to (somewhat distant) ties of kinship.
As far as we can tell, the photograph shows the children of William Brook Northey and Agnes Boreel - Sarah Emily Brook Northey (1846-1922), Alfred Edward Brook Northey (1838-1911) and Agnes Mary Brook Northey (1844-1912). As Agnes Boreel came from a family with ties to the Schimmelpenninck van der Oyes, this would explain how the photograph came into their possession. The photograph can be dated to 1855 exactly thanks to the photographer's label.
As far as we can tell, the photograph shows the children of William Brook Northey and Agnes Boreel - Sarah Emily Brook Northey (1846-1922), Alfred Edward Brook Northey (1838-1911) and Agnes Mary Brook Northey (1844-1912). As Agnes Boreel came from a family with ties to the Schimmelpenninck van der Oyes, this would explain how the photograph came into their possession. The photograph can be dated to 1855 exactly thanks to the photographer's label.
Brook Northey Family
Lieutenant-Colonel William Brook Northey served in the Coldstream Guards. In 1829 he married Agnes Boreel, Grand Ecuyer of King William II of the Netherlands.[1] After he retired from the army, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Kent and a Commissioner of Inland Revenue, as well as his responsibilities as Lord of the Manor of Box and Hazelbury. William died in London when his normal residence was The Mount, Sevenoaks, Surrey. Agnes Boreel Northey predeceased him, dying in 1870 at the family's London residence, Upper Brook Street, Mayfair. The couple had four children:
Lieutenant-Colonel William Brook Northey served in the Coldstream Guards. In 1829 he married Agnes Boreel, Grand Ecuyer of King William II of the Netherlands.[1] After he retired from the army, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for Kent and a Commissioner of Inland Revenue, as well as his responsibilities as Lord of the Manor of Box and Hazelbury. William died in London when his normal residence was The Mount, Sevenoaks, Surrey. Agnes Boreel Northey predeceased him, dying in 1870 at the family's London residence, Upper Brook Street, Mayfair. The couple had four children:
- William Brook Northey (1834-1855) of the 71st Highland Light Infantry, who died of cholera in 1855, at Yenikale during the Crimea War.[2]
- Alfred Edward (1838-1911) was ordained as a minister before 1867 when he officiated at his cousin Florence’s wedding. He married Alice Hatton in 1880 was appointed curate at Offley, Hertfordshire, in 1881. He died at Torquay, as an elderly man, possibly recuperating from illness.
- Agnes Mary Brook Northey (1844-1912) never married, She and her sister Emily bought a house on the edge of Sevenoaks which they renamed Oak End. Agnes and her sister Emily were presented at Court to Queen Victoria in 1867. Agnes died in 1912 and her ashes interred in the family vault at St Nicholas’ Church, Sevenoaks.
- Sarah Emily (usually called Emily) (1846-1922) never married. She devoted herself to good works, including treasurer of the Kent Needlework Guild, the Girls’ Friendly Society, St Nicholas’ Missionary Association and a District Visitor to the sick and ill. They were a very close family and in 1914 Emily dedicated a plaque in St Nicholas’ Church to her brother Alfred and sister Agnes.[3] At her funeral she was described as “The best sort of the old Sevenoaks gentry”.[4]
References
[1] Illustrated London News, 24 July 1880
[2] Illustrated London News, 23 June 1855
[3] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 1 May 1914
[4] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Courier, 27 October 1922
[1] Illustrated London News, 24 July 1880
[2] Illustrated London News, 23 June 1855
[3] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 1 May 1914
[4] Sevenoaks Chronicle and Courier, 27 October 1922