As part of my women’s studies series on Extraordinary Women, this blog is about Lady Henry Somerset, and her work with the Temperance Movement fits nicely with the New Year and a Dry January theme. Happy New Year everyone.
Born Isabella Caroline SOMERS-COCKS on 21 September 1851. Her father, Charles SOMERS-COCKS known as Earl SOMERS, and her mother was Virginia Pattle, Countess Somers, born in India.[1]
The family, along with Isabella’s sister Adelaine, lived in Eastnor Castle in Hereford.[2]
Isabella married Lord Henry Somerset, born Henry Richard Charles SOMERSET, son of the Duke of Beaufort, on 06 February 1872 in Hanover Square, Westminster.[3]
Following a separation from her husband, Lady Somerset and her son, Henry Charles Somers Augusta Somerset, lived at Eastnor Castle then moved to Reigate Priory.[4]
Lady Somerset had strong links to the British Women’s Temperance Association and the WWCTU (Worlds Womens Christian Temperance Union) and befriended Frances Willard on her visit to England from America. In 1889 Isabella became President of the BWTA (NBWTA) until her resignation in 1903.[5], [6]
Lady Henry was the creator of Duxhurst Colony, alongside Dr Sarah Anderson-Brown who’s idea to create a safe place for women who had been suffering with the effects of alcoholism, to recover and rehabilitate.
Duxhurst Inebriate Farm Colony was opened in 1896 by Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck. It was located on the 180 acre Duxhurst Estate on land which was owned by Lady Somerset’s father, 3rd Earl of Somers, Charles Somers-Cocks (1819-1883).[7] The women residents were given paid domestic work to help to keep a busy and worthwhile occupation which could be transferred once discharged into society.
The 1911 census enumerator’s report details the various buildings, hospital wards, cottages and Manor House within the Duxhurst Colony. The Nest was a hospital building dedicated to children with wards and 27 child patients in 1991.[8]
Described in 1899 as comparable to ‘the Howards, the Fry’s and the Nightingales’, Lady Henry was well respected and admired. Her services as an advocate for the Temperance Movement gained her speaking roles up and down the country and in America. [9]
She always took her maid with her on visits and talks and instructed the maid to wave a white handkerchief when she found it difficult to hear Lady Somerset, thus ensuring that the volume of speech was able to reach the crowd.[10]
Along with her talents as a speaker, Lady Henry Somerset was editor of the Women’s Herald and Women’s Signal, following a split in the BWTA organisation. This periodical was produced alongside the periodical Wings, the official organ of the BWTA/NBWTA. Her influence helped to close the village pub, the Somers Arms in Eastnor, closed which became a Temperance Hotel.
However, her talents were not only connected with the Temperance Movement. Some of her creative works are displayed in Eastnor Church, Hampshire. She made a cross studded with jewels in the suffrage colours and designed sculptures, one being dedicated to a child who died from diphtheria, Lady Henry being her Godmother. [11]
Lady Henry Somerset died on 12 March 1921, at 4 Greys Inn Square, following a short illness following an appendicitis removal.[12]
Her funeral took place on 15 March 1921 at Brookwood cemetery, and a church service in Holborn rather than the family vaults at Eastnor.[13]
[1] Birth records (PR) England. Eastnor, Hereford. 21 September 1851. SOMERS-COCKS, Isabella Caroline. Collection: England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975. Film: 992300/2:QWWZ58. [transcription] www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 09 December 2022.
[2] Census records. England. Eastnor, Reigate. 07 April 1861. SOMERS, Earl. (head) ED1. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 10 December 2022.
[3] Marriages (PR) England. Westminster, London. 06 February 1872. SOMERSET, Henry Richard Charles and SOMERS-COCKS, Isabella Caroline. Collection: Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 08 December 2022.
[4] Baptisms (PR) England. Westminster, London. 13 June 1874. SOMERSET, Henry Charles Somers Augustus. Collection: Westminster, London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1919. Ref: SMNA/PR/6/1. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 10 December 2022.
[5] White Ribbon Association. Our History: Duxhurst Inebriate Farm Colony. https://white-ribbon.org.uk/our-history/duxhurst/ : accessed 10 December 2022.
[6] White Ribbon Association (2022). Our History: Lady Henry Somerset. https://white-ribbon.org.uk/our-history/lady-henry-somerset/ : accessed 31 December 2022.
[7] Cheltenham Chronicle. 21 September 1895. Lady Henry Somerset and the Treatment of Habitual Drunkards. P3. British Newspaper Collection: Findmypast. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 10 December 2022
[8] Census records. England. 02 April 1911. SOMERSET, Isabel (Superintendent). RG: 37/ED: 13-15/3243. www.ancestry.co.uk : accessed 10 December 2022.
[9] The Hereford Times (1899). Lady Henry Somerset; Duxhurst Colony. P17, published supplement. Collection: British Newspaper Collection. Findmypast. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 31 December 2022.
[10] The Bystander. 06 April 1904. People of Interest: Lady Henry Somerset. P12. British Newspaper Collection: Findmypast. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 10 December 2022.
[11] Eastnor Church (2022). https://www.eastnorchurch.org.uk/history/# : accessed 31 December 2022.
[12] Leicester Daily Post (1921). Death of Lady Henry Somerset. 14 March. Collection: British Newspaper Collection. Findmypast. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 31 December 2022.
[13] Death announcements. Brookwood, Surrey. 15 March 1921. SOMERSET, Lady Henry. Pall Mall Gazette. Collection: British Newspaper Collection. Findmypast. www.findmypast.co.uk : accessed 31 December 2022.