British landowner (1810–1900)
Sir Walter Rockcliffe Farquhar, 3rd Baronet JP DL (4 June 1810 – 15 July 1900) was an English landowner of Scottish heritage.
Early life.
Farquhar was born on 4 June 1810 in St James's Street, London. He was the son of Sir Thomas Farquhar, 2nd Baronet and Sybella Martha Rockcliffe, a daughter of the Reverend Morton Rockcliffe. Among his siblings were Barbarina Sophia Farquhar (wife of Mark Milbank, MP for Camelford who was a grandson of the 1st Duke of Cleveland), Ann Sybella Martha Farquhar (wife of George Clive, MP for Hereford who was a grandson of the 2nd Baron Archer), Caroline Eliza Farquhar (wife of Lt.-Gen. Hon. Charles Grey, son of the 2nd Earl Grey), and Harvie Morton Farquhar (who married Hon. Louisa Ridley-Colborne, daughter of the 1st Baron Colborne).
His paternal grandparents were Anne (née Stevenson) Harvie, widow of Dr. Thomas Harvie, and Sir Walter Farquhar, 1st Baronet, a prominent Scottish physician whose clientele included the Prince of Wales (later King George IV) and the Prime Minister William Pitt. Among his extended family were uncle Robert Townsend Farquhar, who was also created a baronet of Mauritius in 1821. His first cousin, Sir Walter Townsend-Farquhar, 2nd Baronet, was a Conservative MP for Hertford. Through his sister Barbarina, he was uncle to Frederick Milbank, an MP who was created a baronet of Well and Hart. Through his sister Caroline, he was uncle to Sybil Beauclerk, Duchess of St Albans, Albert Grey, 4th Earl Grey, Louisa McDonnell, Countess of Antrim, and Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, Countess of Minto. Through his brother Harvie, he was uncle to Helen Farquhar, the prominent British numismatist.
Farquhar was educated at Eton College.
Career.
Upon the death of his father on 12 January 1836, he succeeded as the 3rd Baronet Farquhar. He held the office of High Sheriff of Surrey in 1859. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for Middlesex and Surrey and Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey. Sir Walter was also a member of the banking firm of Herries, Farquhar and Co.
According to his obituary, he "was connected from his early days with many philanthropic objects, and was the friend of Mr. Gladstone and Bishop Wilberforce."
In 1853, Sir Walter acquired Polesden Lacey, located on the North Downs at Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey, who held it until his death. After his death, it was acquired by Margaret Greville who expanded it and extensively remodelled the home in 1906.
Personal life.
On 28 November 1837, Sir Walter married Lady Mary Octavia Somerset (1814–1906), daughter of Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort and Lady Charlotte Leveson-Gower (a daughter of the 1st Marquess of Stafford). Together, they lived at Cadogan House, London and were the parents of:
Sir Walter died on 15 July 1900 and his funeral was held at Great Bookham Churchyard, near Polesden Lacey. He was succeeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son, Henry. His widow died on 7 September 1906.
References.
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