Robert Hesketh British Consul in Rio De Janeiro 1789-1868

Born: 2 July 1789 in Porto, Portugal, (British Subject), christened 7 December 1789 at the British Factory Chaplaincy, Oporto, Porto, Portugal.  Died 24 May 1868 in Marylebone, Middlesex, England.
Son of: John Hesketh (1765?-18??) and Louisa Ann Beete (1768-1799).
Brother of:
1. Catherine Hesketh (1788-1788).
2. Louisa Hesketh (1789-????).
3. John Hesketh, born 09 May 1791 in Portugal (British Subject).  Lived in Para, Brazil.
4. Mary Ann Hesketh (1792-died after 1851).
5. William Hesketh (1794-1856).
6. Henry Hesketh (1796-1856). Lived in California.
7. Harriet Hesketh (1797-????).
8. Thomas Hesketh (1798-1840). Lived in Liverpool.
Robert married: Georgiana Raynsford (1819-1910), daughter of Charles Raynsford and Carolyn Raynsford of Rio De Janeiro.  They were married at the British Episcopal Chapel in Rio De Janeiro, by the Rev Arthur Maister in 1837.
Robert and Georgina had issue:
1. Robert Raynsford Hesketh (1837-1854).  Ensign 22nd Madras Native Infantry, died in India.
2. William Crosbie Hesketh (1839-????), Lieutenant in the Royal Marine Artillery.
3. George Hesketh (1840- after 1861), Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
4. Eliza Jane Jones (nee Hesketh, 1842-1869) who married Capt Henry Helsham Jones.
5. Henry John Hesketh (1843-1871), Lieutenant in the Royal Navy.
6. Hamilton Maria Hesketh (1845-1895, known as Hammie) who married in 1867 George Edward Langham Somerset Sandford, Capt Royal Engineers, later Lieut General.
7. Georgiana Sarah Hesketh (1846-19??, known as Netta).  Never married.
8. Hanbury Bold Hesketh (1848-1852).
9. Spenser Bold Hesketh (1853-????).
10 Mary Sophie Hesketh (1853-195?, known as Sophie).  Never married.  Born 23 April 1853 and lived to be over 100.
11. Harriet Lucy Hesketh (1854-19??, known as Harrietta).  Never married.
12. Earnest Johnston Hesketh (1856-????).
13. Harold Owen Hesketh (1857-1876).

 Robert Hesketh: An Overview

We know very little about Robert Hesketh except for his portrait, his will, his Bible and his Diplomatic Commission.

His portrait states on the back that he was the British Consul in Rio De Janeiro.

His will confirms the names of his wife and two sons.  His estate was valued at £4,000 and consisted of shares in a number of companies with South American sounding names.  His address was Peartree House near Southampton and later of 22 Carlton Cresent in Southampton.  He died at 30 Weymouth Street, Portland Place, Saint Marylebone, Middlesex.  Pear Tree House still stands and is on Pear Tree Lane in Southampton.  It is now a care home for people with disabilities.

Pear Tree House

Robert's Diplomatic Commission is dated 14 February 1812 in the reign of King George III and is signed at Carlton House by Wellesley.  It appoints him to be the British Consul in the Port of Maranhas and the adjoining provinces of Para and Seara ... Portugueze Dominions in South America.

Another will exists of his wife Georgiana Hesketh (of 6 Castle Road, Bedford), who died 14 July 1910 leaving £625 to her three unmarried daughters; Georgiana Sarah Hesketh, Mary Sophie Hesketh and Harriette Lucy Hesketh.

We know from Robert's bible and from the diary of Elizabeth Helsham that Col Henry Helsham Helsham-Jones married Elizabeth Hesketh in 1867 (died 1869).

If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact me on jj@jjhc.info
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