Francis Perceval Eliot (September 1755 – 23 August 1818) was an English soldier,

auditor An auditor is a person or a firm appointed by a company to execute an audit.Practical Auditing, Kul Narsingh Shrestha, 2012, Nabin Prakashan, Nepal To act as an auditor, a person should be certified by the regulatory authority of accounting an ...

, and

man of letters An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about the nature of reality, especially the nature of society and proposed solutions for its normative problems. Coming from the world of culture, either ...

. In 1814 he succeeded his half-brother as Count Eliot, however he did not feel it was proper to assume the title.Marshall, John, ''Royal Naval Biography'', Volume 3, Part 2, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London, 1832

Life

Eliot was the son of General

Granville Elliott Major-general, Major-General Granville Elliott, 1st Count Elliott (7 October 1713 – 10 October 1759), was a Kingdom of Great Britain, British military officer who served with distinction in several other European armies and subsequently i ...

(1713–1759) and his second wife, Elizabeth Duckett (1724–1804). He was born at

Kew Green Kew Green is a large open space in Kew in west London. Owned by the Crown Estate, it is leased to the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames. It is roughly triangular in shape, and its open grassland, framed with broadleaf trees, extends to abo ...

Richmond-upon-Thames The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames () in south-west London, England, forms part of Outer London and is the only London borough on both sides of the River Thames. It was created in 1965 when three smaller council areas amalgamated under ...

Surrey Surrey () is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Greater London to the northeast, Kent to the east, East Sussex, East and West Sussex to the south, and Hampshire and Berkshire to the wes ...

, and baptised on 9 October 1755 at St Anne's Church, Kew Green. Following his father's death on 10 October 1759, the family moved on 15 April 1760 to

Richmond Richmond most often refers to: * Richmond, British Columbia, a city in Canada * Richmond, California, a city in the United States * Richmond, London, a town in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, England * Richmond, North Yorkshire, a town ...

. In 1762, Francis lodged at Hargreaves in

St Martin's Lane St Martin's Lane is a street in the City of Westminster, which runs from the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields, after which it is named, near Trafalgar Square northwards to Long Acre. At its northern end, it becomes Monmouth Street, London, Mo ...

London London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...

. On 17 April 1764, he lodged with Mrs Bathurst,

Charterhouse Square Charterhouse Square is a garden square, a pentagonal space, in Farringdon, in the London Borough of Islington, and close to the former Smithfield Meat Market. The square is the largest courtyard or yard associated with the London Charterhouse ...

and attended the public school of St Bartholomew. In 1770, he went to Mrs Betesworth's Academy in Kingston, near Portsmouth,

Hampshire Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, ...

, leaving in 1772 to join Mr Lockee's Military Academy,

Little Chelsea Little Chelsea was a hamlet, located on either side of Fulham Road, half a mile southwest of Chelsea, London. The earliest references to the settlement date from the early 17th century, and the name continued to be used until the hamlet was surr ...

, London, and later to Colonel Gallatin's School of Equitation for 7 months. On 15 December 1773 he was commissioned as an

ensign Ensign most often refers to: * Ensign (flag), a flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality * Ensign (rank), a navy (and former army) officer rank Ensign or The Ensign may also refer to: Places * Ensign, Alberta, Alberta, Canada * Ensign, Ka ...

in the

14th Regiment of Foot 14 (fourteen) is the natural number following 13 and preceding 15. Mathematics Fourteen is the seventh composite number. Properties 14 is the third distinct semiprime, being the third of the form 2 \times q (where q is a higher prime). ...

. On 28 March 1774 he joined his regiment, moving to quarters in Dover on 13 May 1774. In March 1775 he left for America, where, on 25 August 1775, he was promoted to

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

in the 14th Foot. By 28 November 1778, he had returned to

St George's, Hanover Square St George's, Hanover Square, is an Church of England, Anglican church, the parish church of Mayfair in the City of Westminster, central London, built in the early eighteenth century as part of a project to build fifty new churches around London ...

, London, where he married

Anne Breynton John Breynton (1719 – 15 July 1799) was a minister in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was born in Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire, Wales to John Breynton (born 1670 Llanidloes) and his second wife, and baptised on 13 April 1719. He spent his f ...

( 1756 – 15 August 1829), the daughter of the famous minister in

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, located on its east coast. It is one of the three Maritime Canada, Maritime provinces and Population of Canada by province and territory, most populous province in Atlan ...

, Rev Dr

John Breynton John Breynton (1719 – 15 July 1799) was a minister in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was born in Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire, Wales to John Breynton (born 1670 Llanidloes) and his second wife, and baptised on 13 April 1719. He spent his f ...

( 1719–1799). In 1790, he bought

Elmhurst Hall Elmhurst Hall was a country house in the village of Elmhurst, Staffordshire. The house was located approximately 1.5 miles north of the city of Lichfield. First hall (1683-1806) The original hall was built by Sir Michael Biddulph after his succ ...

and various other properties in

Staffordshire Staffordshire (; postal abbreviation ''Staffs''.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England. It borders Cheshire to the north-west, Derbyshire and Leicestershire to the east, ...

, while still maintaining a house in London. In 1794 he raised the Staffordshire Yeomanry Cavalry and was appointed its

major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

and commander of the Lichfield Troop on 20 September. He left the regiment when he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant of the new 3rd Staffordshire Militia on 25 April 1798. He was promoted to

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

on 15 January 1799, but the regiment was disbanded later that year. On 28 June 1803 he was appointed colonel of a new 2nd Staffordshire Militia, but this was also disbanded in 1805. In 1797, he tried to sell off his Staffordshire estates and by 1800 he had moved to

Lichfield Lichfield () is a city status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in Staffordshire, England. Lichfield is situated south-east of the county town of Stafford, north-east of Walsall, north-west of ...

. In 1806, he finally disposed of his Staffordshire properties, pulling down the derelict Elmhurst Hall. He moved back to London full-time, and took an oath as a Commissioner of Public Accounts, based at

Somerset House Somerset House is a large neoclassical architecture, neoclassical building complex situated on the south side of the Strand, London, Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The Georgian era quadran ...

in the

Strand Strand or The Strand may refer to: Topography *The flat area of land bordering a body of water, a: ** Beach ** Shoreline * Strand swamp, a type of swamp habitat in Florida Places Africa * Strand, Western Cape, a seaside town in South Africa * ...

. Around this time he became a man of letters, addressing the foremost politicians of the time, while also writing for a magazine – The Aegis. The next year, he attempted to be elected as MP for Westminster in the

1807 United Kingdom general election The 1807 United Kingdom general election was the third general election after the Acts of Union 1800, held from 4 May 1807 to 9 June 1807. The third United Kingdom Parliament was dissolved on 29 April 1807. The new Parliament was summoned to m ...

. On Friday 8 May 1807, he attended a meeting at

Covent Garden Covent Garden is a district in London, on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit-and-vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist sit ...

, London where he was introduced to the meeting, by Col. Robinson who at that time commanded London Recruiting District, and the Pimlico battalion of the Queen's Loyal Volunteers from about 1803. His election was unsuccessful and he returned to his literary pursuits. He died at his home at 22 Portman Street, London on 23 August 1818 and was buried on 28 August in or by the western wall of the

St Marylebone Marylebone (usually , also ) is an area in London, England, and is located in the City of Westminster. It is in Central London and part of the West End. Oxford Street forms its southern boundary. An ancient parish and latterly a metropoli ...

burial ground on the south side of Paddington Street, London – near to his father-in-law, the Rev Dr John Breynton.

Family

On 28 November 1778 at

, London, Francis married Anne Breynton ( 1756 – 15 August 1829), the daughter of Rev Dr

, and had by her 7 sons and 3 daughters: #William Granville Eliot (7 September 1779 – 26 August 1855), Lieutenant-Colonel RHA, who married firstly Harriet Ann Mann (30 June 1776 – 30 December 1812), a daughter of

Gother Mann Gother Mann (21 December 1747 – 27 March 1830) was an English army officer and military engineer in the Royal Engineers. He commanded a body of militia on Dominica when the island was captured by the French in September 1778, and his small ...

(21 December 1746 – 27 March 1830) Lieutenant-General of the Royal Engineers and Inspector General of Fortifications, and secondly Ann Heywood (24 May 1791 – 17 October 1857), a daughter of Samuel Heywood #Francis Breynton Eliot (1 April 1781 – 5 May 1855), Captain, who married Maria Sweet, was posted to Canada where they became the progenitors of the Canadian branch of the Eliot military family # Edward John Eliot (20 September 1782 – 6 November 1863), Captain, who married Margaret James (died 10 September 1881) #George Augustus Eliot (19 February 1784 – 6 August 1835), Lieutenant-Colonel RSC, who married Jane McCrea (9 March 1794 – 30 November 1877). George Augustus Eliot's army career progressed from the 62nd Foot, 103rd Foot, 68th Foot until arriving at Lower Canada. Here, his regiment is described variously as RSC or Royal England Province of Lower Canada District of Quebec. He described his rank as Brevet Colonel or Lieutenant-Colonel of Brigade. #Elizabeth Mary Eliot (11 October 1785 – 21 July 1872) who died unmarried #Lionel Ducket Eliot (27 March 1787 – March 1855), who married Charlotte Russell (1791 – 16 August 1851) #Ann Cathrina Eliot (8 November 1789 – 30 October 1891) who died unmarried #Henry Algernon Eliot (18 May 1790 – 17 August 1857), Rear-Admiral RN, who married firstly Jane Crombie (died 27 January 1846), daughter of

Alexander Crombie Alexander Crombie Royal Society of London, FRS (1760–1840) was a Scottish Presbyterianism, Presbyterian minister, schoolmaster and philosopher. Biography He was born in Aberdeen on 17 July 1760, the son of Thomas Crombie. "He left thre ...

, and secondly Maynard Baring (1813 – 15 January 1856), daughter of George Baring and granddaughter of

Sir Francis Baring Sir Francis Baring, 1st Baronet (18 April 1740 – 11 September 1810) was an English merchant banker, a member of the Baring family, later becoming the first of the Baring baronets. Early life He was born at Larkbeare House near Exeter, son ...

#Frances Charlotte Eliot (23 December 1791 – 28 October 1819) who died unmarried #Charles Turberville Eliot (4 July 1794 – 17 February 1875), who married Elizabeth Reed (1809 - January 1863) Many of Eliot's sons went on to play significant roles in the British Armed Forces. His widow died 15 August 1829 at Blackheath, and was buried 19 August at St Mary's Church, Lewisham, Kent.

Publications

* 1791–1800 Common Place Book * 1794 "Letters on the subject of the arm'd

Yeomanry Yeomanry is a designation used by a number of units and sub-units in the British Army Reserve which are descended from volunteer cavalry regiments that now serve in a variety of different roles. History Origins In the 1790s, following the ...

, addressed to the ... Earl Gower Sutherland, etc." by Francis Perceval Eliot, second edition published Stafford 1794. * 1797 "Six letters, etc." by Francis Perceval Eliot – another edition of "Letters on the subject of the arm'd Yeomanry, addressed to the ... Earl of Gower Sutherland, etc." – published London 1797 British Library Shelfmark: 8827.f.30 * 1807 "Demonstration, Or Financial Remarks With Occasional Observations on Political Occurrences" Printed for John Cawthorn, 1807 (London: T. Collins) 117 pages, xi, 0 3folded leaves of plates; 22 cm British Library Shelfmark: 8135.g.11 * 1811 "Observations on the Fallacy of the Supposed Depreciation of the Paper Currency of the Kingdom With Reasons For Dissenting From The Report of the Bullion Committee" by Francis Perceval Eliot Printed for J.J. Stockdale, London 1811. 171 pages, 24 cm British Library Shelfmark: 1028.e.3(4) and 1028.e.5.(1) * 1811 "A Supplement To Observations on the Fallacy of the Supposed Depreciation of the Paper Currency of the Kingdom, &c." Printed for J.J. Stockdale, London 1811 28 pages, 21 cm * 1814 "A series of letters on the Political and financial State of the nation at the commencement of 1814" by Falkland (i.e. Francis Perceval Eliot) – published 1814. British Library Shelfmark: P.P.3557.w * 1814 "Letters on the Political and financial situation of the country in 1814; addressed to the Earl of Liverpool" by Francis Perceval Eliot – published 1814 British Library Shelfmark: P.P.3557.w * 1815 "Three letters on the financial and political situation of the country in the year 1815 ... addressed to the Earl of Liverpool" by Francis Perceval Eliot – published 1815 British Library Shelfmark: P.P.3557.w. These letters proposed a system of measures based on a single weight measure, similar to the metric system used in France at the time * 1816 "Letters on the political and financial situation of the British Empire, in the year 1816 ... addressed to the Earl of Liverpool" – published 1816 British Library Shelfmark: P.P.3557.w and C.T.114(1)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eliot, Francis Perceval 1755 births 1818 deaths 19th-century English non-fiction writers English male journalists English essayists British magazine writers People from Richmond, London People from Elmhurst, Staffordshire British Army personnel of the American Revolutionary War Civil servants in the Audit Office (United Kingdom) Francis Perceval Eliot West Yorkshire Regiment officers Staffordshire Yeomanry officers Staffordshire Militia officers British male essayists Burials at St Marylebone Parish Church Military personnel from the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames 18th-century British Army personnel 19th-century British Army personnel

Life

Family

Publications

See also

References