Newspaper Accounts of Henry Cornwallis Eliot, 5th Earl of St. Germans
These article transcriptions are arranged in chronological order. To see a full biography and portraits of Henry, 5th Earl of St. Germans, just click on the button in the right-hand column.
"Morning Post" Friday, 13 Feb 1835:
In Dover-street, on the 11th inst., the Lady Jemima Eliot, of a son.
"Bell's New Weekly Messenger" 16 Jan 1848, page 3:
Appointments.– . . . The following young gentleman have been appointed cadets:– The Hon. H.C. Eliot, son of Earl St. Germans, in his 13th year, to the Prince Regent, 90, at Portsmouth.
"London Daily News" 17 Jan 1848, page 3:
Admiralty, Jan. 15.– Appointments.– Naval Cadets. . . Hon. H.C. Eliot, to Prince Regent.
"Morning Post" 27 Jan 1848, page 6:
The Earl of St. Germans comes to Dover-street early next week from Port Eliot. His Lordship's third son, the Hon. Henry Cornwallis Eliot, embarks shortly on board the Prince Regent ship of the line, as a naval cadet.
"West Kent Guardian" 27 Sep 1851, page 3:
APPOINTMENTS.
Midshipman Hon. H.C. Eliot, to the Bellerephon, 78, at Portsmouth.
"Portsmouth Times and Naval Gazette" 27 Nov 1852, page 8:
PROMOTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS.
Midshipmen – Hon. H.C. Eliot, to the Victory
"Glasgow Herald" 2 Mar 1855, page 6:
Promotions and Appointments.–
Mr. Maurice W. Midlane is appointed first-class clerk, Mr. Thomas C. Grant second-class clerk, the Hon. H.C. Eliot third-class clerk, in the Admiralty, Whitehall.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 16 May 1856, page 5:
Among the presentations at Her Majesty's Levee, on the 7th instant, were the following:– . . .
Hon. H. Eliot, by the Earl of St. Germans.
"Morning Post" 07 Jun 1856, page 5:
HER MAJESTY'S VISIT TO THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.
Her Majesty last night honoured the directors of the Royal Academy of Music by attending a fancy dress ball, given in aid of this institution, at the Hanover-square Rooms.
. . . The Countess of Harewood and Mrs. Mills' quadrille was thus supported:–
. . .BLUE FLOWERS.
Lady Louisa Thynne with Hon. Henry Eliot.
. . . To say that the style of this quadrille was the Bergere de Watteau, will sufficiently express its appearance. The ladies were all dressed alike, except in their satin petticoats, some of which were pink, some blue, some green, and some cerise.
"Illustrated London News" 19 Sep 1863, page 7:
. . . The Hon. H. Eliot was presented to her Majesty at an audience.
"London Evening Standard" 14 Apr 1864, page 6:
The Ladies Cornwallis received the following company at dinner last evening, at their residence in Charles-street, Berkeley-square: – Viscountess Holmesdale, Lord Hotham, Lord and Lady Braybrooke, Hon. Henry Eliot, Captain Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley, Miss Cockerell, Mr. Jervoise, &c.
"The Sportsman" 02 Jan 1866, page 7:
Cornwall.– The Hon. H.C. Eliot and Dr. Burton left Port Eliot, Cornwall, on Tuesday last, for Malvern, having been at Port Eliot with Capt. Eliot and friends, on a shooting excursion. The quantity of game killed during the seven days they were shooting is something enormous, it being as follows:--- Pheasants, 1248; hares and rabbits, 304; woodcocks, 17; making a total of 1569. These have been generously distributed to the inhabitants of St. Germans and the tenantry of St. Germans estate. The old widows in the almshouses at St. Germans have each been presented with a rabbit.
"London Evening Standard" 29 Aug 1866, page 3:
Hon. Henry Eliot will leave town on Friday to join the company assembled at Port Eliot, Cornwall, on a visit to the Earl of St. Germans.
"Lancaster Gazette" 6 Jul 1867, page 3:
The Hon. H. Eliot, of the Foreign Office, has been appointed secretary to the special mission that is to proceed to St. Petersburg to invest the Emperor of Russia with the Garter.
"Western Morning News" 18 Jul 1867, page 4:
The mission to invest the Emperor of Russia with the Order of the Garter, which starts to-morrow, the 18th, is composed as follows:--- Earl Vane, chief of the mission; the Hon. Henry Eliot, of the Foreign Office, secretary; Lord Henry Percy and Viscount Canterbury, specially attached; the Marquis of Blandford and Lieutenant-Colonel Teesdale, attending on the part of the Prince of Wales. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn and Mr. Henry Chaplin will accompany the mission, and Lady Vane will join her husband.
"John Bull" 17 Jul 1869, page 12:
On Thursday there was again a marriage at St. Paul's, Lord Alwyne Compton (assisted by Mr. Liddell) marrying his brother-in-law, Mr. Percy Anderson, to Miss Cuthbert, whose bridesmaids were Miss Treherne, Miss Gorges, Miss Cuthbert, Miss Edith Anderson, Miss Ross Duncombe Shafto, Miss Arbuthnot, Miss Mabel Arbuthnot, Miss Streatfeild, Miss Cust, and Miss Trevenen. The Hon. H.C. Eliot was the best man. The breakfast was given at the Buckingham Palace Hotel.
"Western Morning News" 11 Nov 1870, page 3:
ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE CAMBRIDGE.
A painful accident occurred on board the Cambridge, gunnery ship at Devonport, yesterday. A party of officers and gentlemen, including Admiral Sir H.J. Codrington, Captain the Hon. F.A.C. Foley, and two sons of the Earl of St. Germans, were standing on the sentry walk of the upper deck watching some torpedo experiments. A torpedo charged with 5 lbs. of gun cotton was exploded on a raft, moored about 20 yards from the ship, when either the fragments or the concussion --- it is believed the latter --- broke a window just over the heads of the group of spectators. The face of the Hon. Henry Cornwallis Eliot, second son of Lord St. Germans, was severely cut by the glass, and he was immediately conveyed ashore. Upon the arrival of medical aid it was discovered that although Mr. Eliot's face was much lacerated, he was not dangerously injured, but the sight of his left eye is permanently destroyed.
"London Evening Standard" 14 Nov 1870, page 3:
The Accident to Hon. H.C. Eliot.--- We regret to say that the Hon. H.C. Eliot, second son of the Earl of St. Germans, was so severely injured by the accident on Thursday, that his eye was obliged to be removed on Friday. The young gentleman is going on as well as can be expected considering the nature of the accident and the painful operation he has had to undergo.
"Bideford Weekly Gazette and Devon and Cornwall Advertiser" 22 Nov 1870, page 2:
PAINFUL ACCIDENT. — The Hon. H.C. Eliot, second son of the Earl of St. Germans, has been so severely injured by an accident, that his eye was obliged to be removed. The young gentleman was going on as well as could be expected considering the nature of the accident and the painful operation he has had to undergo.
"Western Times" 07 Sep 1881, page 2:
A marriage is arranged between the Earl of St. Germans and the Hon. Emily Labouchere, youngest daughter of the late Lord Taunton.
"Cheltenham Looker-On" 08 Oct 1881, page 6:
The Earl of St. Germans, who is soon to be married to the Hon. Miss Labouchere, is about to surrender some of the most charming bachelor's rooms in the Metropolis. They are situated in Cavendish Square, and are furnished with a combination of luxury and good taste, which it is to be hoped may be imported to the marital abode. The noble Earl is beginning matrimony rather late in life, as he is in his 51st year; but we have it on high authority that 'there is a future for all men who have energy to atone and grace to repent!'
"Truth" 27 Oct 1881, page 536:
There was great rejoicings at St. Germans last week, in honour of the marriage of Lord St. Germans with the Hon. Emily Labouchere. The bells were rung all day on Tuesday, and 800lb. of beef was given away to the work-people on the estate, as well as large quantities of tea and cake. Lord and Lady St. Germans went to pass the early days of their honeymoon at Quantock Lodge, in West Somerset, the residence of the Hon. Mrs. Stanley, the bride's sister, whence they have since gone on to Port Eliot.
"Abergavenny Chronicle" 03 Nov 1882, page 7:
Lord St. Germans has just purchased a very pretty little paddle steam-yacht, which has been specially made for him with a view to using her on the shallow water between Plymouth Sound and Port Eliot. She is called the Water Lily, and draws only sixteen inches of water. The vessel is built of steel, with teak mountings, and has a raised deck built over a comfortable saloon. Considering her size, the amount of accommodation she affords is quite astonishing.
"Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard" 24 Nov 1883, page 8:
DOWN AMPNEY.
The Schools. – The Earl of St. Germans has lately made several improvements to the village school-room, and has erected a new class-room. The want of such an addition has been pointed out by her Majesty's Inspector for several years. When visiting his estate last year, his lordship was informed of this much needed addition, and with his usual kindness at once said the want should be supplied. The necessary work has been well done by the workmen on the estate, under the direction of Mr. F. Bennett.
"Western Morning News" 30 Sep 1885, page 5:
The Earl and Countess St. Germans, with the infant Lord Eliot, being expected to arrive at home yesterday, a meeting of the tenantry and inhabitants of St. Germans we held on Monday. A congratulatory address was drawn up and sent to Port Eliot to await his lordship's return; but it was thought advisable to postpone any demonstration of rejoicing for a short time, until, in fact, the young lord is christened, when it is intended to present his lordship with an address, and also some other mark of respect. The Earl and Countess arrived at St. Germans last evening, when the station was decorated with flags, and a number of the inhabitants cheered them heartily as they drove from the station. It was remarked that the Countess was looking extremely well. Lord Eliot was born in London on August 30th, and is therefore a month old. The christening ceremony will take place in a few days, when the whole village and Port Eliot will be en fete. The bells of the parish church rang out merry peals during yesterday in honour of the arrival of the noble Earl and Countess, and Mrs. Steed and Mrs. Palmer, occupiers of the farms at Markwell, had bonfires lighted on their ground, which could be seen for a distance of several miles.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 06 Nov 1885, page 5:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have been entertaining a large party of friends at Port Eliot, their romantic residence, near Devonport. The gardens and grounds at Port Eliot are charmingly laid out, and the house contains an admirable collection of pictures, a wonderful circular saloon, and the best billiard table in the West of England. Lord St. Germans, although he has had the misfortune to lose an eye, is one of the best of amateur billiard players.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 17 Dec 1886, page 7:
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans have been entertaining a large shooting party at Port Eliot. On Thursday the home preserves were shot over, and the sport was exceedingly good. The bag was 291 pheasants, 33 hares, four rabbits, and one partridge. The company included the Earl of St. Germans, Earl Clanwilliam, Lord Raglan, Col. the Hon. C.G.C. Eliot, Colonel Edgcumbe, and Messrs. H. Y. B. Lopes, Read, and Martin. The Earl of St. Germans was in capital shooting form, his bag being by far the largest. The gentlemen lunched at Cathacombe Lodge, where they were joined by Lady Raglan, the Hon. Mrs. C.G.C. Eliot, and Mrs. Martin, who afterwards witness the sport.
"Western Morning News" 6 Aug 1887, page 5:
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans arrived at Port Eliot last evening from their town residence, 13, Grosvenor-gardens. The bells of the parish church rang out merrily on their arrival.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 10 Aug 1893, page 8:
The Earl of St. Germans is well known and appreciated locally as a kind-hearted and generous nobleman. It is therefore only in keeping with the characteristic public spirit of his lordship that on being asked by the Parks Committee of the London County Council to sell the manorial rights in Kidbrook Green, an open space of five acres, his lordship expressed his willingness to hand the same over free, but the Settled Land Act prevented him from doing so. He, therefore, named the nominal price of 100 pounds.
"Belfast Morning News" 26 Sep 1893, page 7:
Among the most remarkable entries in the return of pensioned peers just issued is that which stands against the name of Earl St. Germans. This Cornish peer, whose valuable estates near Plymouth and in Wilts bring him in nearly 20,000 pounds a year, and whose seat, Port Eliot, vies with Mount Edgecumbe, in point of situation and structural beauty, still draws a pension of 390 pounds a year as compensation for the Foreign Office clearkship of which he was deprived by a reconstruction scheme twelve years ago. The full salary of his office was 650 pounds. Seeing that his age was only forty-six the compensation was certainly on a generous scale. Moreover, it is a curious coincidence that the discovery that his clerkship would have to be abolished was simultaneous with his succession to the peerage.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 12 Sep 1895, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans, together with Lord Eliot, left Port Eliot on Monday for a fortnight's stay in Ireland with the Earl and Countess of Bessborough, the latter being Lord St. Germans' sister. The present Earl of Bessborough (well-known and esteemed at Port Eliot as the Hon. and Rev. Walter Brabazon Ponsonby) succeeded his brother early in the present year.
"Cornishman" 17 Dec 1896, page 6:
Lord and Lady St. Germans spend the winter at the Riviera.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" Thursday, 17 Feb 1898, page 4:
LOCAL GOSSIP. The Earl and Countess of St. Germans, the Earl and Countess of Bessborough, the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, Lady Ernestine Edgcumbe, Lady May Ponsonby, Miss St. Aubyn, and Hon. John Eliot attended matins at St. Germans parish church on Sunday.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" Thursday, 23 Feb 1899, page 5:
DEATHS. KNOX — At Plympton, recently, Mr. George Knox, late head-gardener at Port Eliot, St. Germans, aged 77. On the Port Eliot Estate the deceased was held in great esteem, and as a mark of respect the Earl of St. Germans met the funeral procession at the entrance to the church, depositing on the coffin a beautiful wreath.
"Western Times" 23 Jan 1901, page 2:
Lord and Lady St Germans had a party at Port Eliot, Cornwall, last week for their children's fancy dress ball, which took place on Thursday night in the round room. Numerous guests came from Lanhydrock, Boconnoc, and other country seats in the neighbourhood.
"Western Daily Press" 1 Jan 1902, page 8:
Lord and Lady St. Germans are to arrive in Grosvenor Gardens about Tuesday, January 14th, from Port Eliot, Cornwall, but they will not stay long in town.
"Western Times" 2 May 1902, page 14:
Lord and Lady St. Germans and their sons, Lord Eliot and Mr. John Eliot, have arrived in Grosvenor Gardens for the season from Port Eliot, Cornwall, where they had been staying for nearly five weeks.
"Western Times" 18 Sep 1902, page 3:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have given a most successful garden party in the beautiful grounds at Port Eliot. The weather was fine, and there were about 600 guests, nearly all the leading families of South Devon and Cornwall being represented.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 21 Jan 1903, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans gave a fancy-dress ball at Port Eliot, their seat in Cornwall, on Thursday night. Parties were brought by Lady Clifden from Lanhydrock, by Lady Charles Scott from Admiralty House, Devonport, and by Lady Jackson from Pounds. The Round Room was arranged for dancing, and was beautifully decorated. Supper was served in the large dining-room. Most of the county families in East Cornwall were represented, and the costumes were very handsome and varied.
"Kentish Mercury" 13 Mar 1903, page 5:
Lewisham people are now entitled to be buried at Lee Cemetery, and it is for their benefit that the land has to be purchased. It may also be remarked that Lord St. Germans refused some years ago to accept from the South Eastern Railway Company the same sum per acre (600 pounds) as that for which he has now agreed to sell the land to the Borough Council.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 16 Jul 1903, page 2:
The Earl of St. Germans is prevented by indisposition from joining the party at Tregothnan to mee their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Countess of St. Germans has proceeded to Tregothnan.
"The Sportsman" 01 Aug 1903, page 4:
The Earl of St. Germans, who is now staying at Port Eliot, and who was unable to accompany the Countess of St. Germans to join Viscount Falmouth's house party during the Prince and Princess of Wales's recent stay at Tregothnan on account of indisposition, is now much better.
"Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser" 01 Jul 1904, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have returned to Grosvenor Gardens for the remainder of the season, after a few days' visit to Port Eliot, whither they were accompanied by Lady Mary Ponsonby. Lord and Lady St. Germans will go abroad or to the seaside when they leave town, and they intend to return to Port Eliot about the end of August for a residence of several months.
"Evening Star" 17 Aug 1905, page 3:
[Lord Sherborne] and the Earl of St. Germans are now almost the only well-known men who have not deserted whist for its modern rival -- bridge.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazzette" 21 Nov 1905, page 3:
Lord and Lady St. Germans and Lord Eliot returned to Port Eliot at the end of last week, and will be there until after Christmas. They will entertain several parties for pheasant-shooting and wild fowl shooting on the Lynher. Lord Eliot is a good shot, and is especially fond of duck shooting.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 9 Jan 1906, page 2:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have been entertaining a party at Port Eliot, where they have been since before Christmas. Their eldest son, Lord Eliot, will come of age on August 30th next. He is going into the Army. Lord St. Germans was at one time in the Navy, and afterwards entered the diplomatic service, in which he remained until he succeeded to the title.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 17 Apr 1906, page 2:
Lord and Lady St. Germans are spending Easter at Port Eliot, where they have a small house party, including Dowager Lady Bessborough, Lady May Ponsonby, and Mr. Burton. Dowager Lady Bessborough is a sister of Lord St. Germans.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 16 May 1906, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have arrived in town for the season from Port Eliot, and have taken up their residence at the house in Grosvenor Gardens which Lord St. Germans recently purchased from the Dowager Lady Magheramorne. Lord Eliot, who has just returned from a trip to Madeira, is doing duty at Bodmin with the Cornish Militia. Dowager Lady Bessborough and Lady May Ponsonby came back to town last Tuesday, after having spent a month at Port Eliot with Lord and Lady St. Germans.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 6 Aug 1906, page 2:
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans left 17, Grosvenor-gardens, on Saturday for Port Eliot, where, on the 30th inst., they will celebrate the coming of age of Lord Eliot, their eldest son.
"Cornishman" 25 Oct 1906, page 6:
Lord and Lady St. Germans, who have been residing since the end of July at Port Eliot, removed on Thursday to Down Ampney House, their place in Gloucestershire, where festivities are being held in celebration of their silver wedding.
"Exeter and Plymouth Gazette" 26 Dec 1906, page 5:
Lord and Lady St. Germans are entertaining a family party during the holidays at Port Eliot, their family seat in East Cornwall.
"West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser" 17 Jan 1907, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans concluded their winter series of festivities at Port Eliot with a household ball, which took place on Wednesday night of last week in the Round-room. There were about a hundred and fifty guests, and Lord and Lady St. Germans and the house party joined the company for about an hour before supper, which was served at midnight.
"Royal Cornwall Gazette" 24 Jan 1907, page 4:
According to the 'Court Journal,' Lord and Lady St. Germans have recently had a very successful fancy dress ball at Port Eliot. Nearly 200 guests were present, and the scene in the famous Round Room when dancing was in full swing was very beautiful, the dresses being very handsome, and showing a rich profusion of colours. Music was supplied by the band of the Royal Garrison Artillery from Plymouth, and dancing, which began soon after ten o'clock, was kept up with spirit until the early hours of the following morning. Supper was served in the dining-room, and the decorations of the ball-room were of a most artistic and effective kind. A cotillon was arranged with great success by Lady Mary Dawson and Mr. Christian Eliot. For the ball Lord and Lady St. Germans had a large house-party at Port Eliot.
"West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser" 06 Jun 1907, page 4:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have returned to Grosvenor Gardens after spending a fortnight at Port Eliot, the family seat in Cornwall. They are going to the seaside, probably to Eastbourne, towards the end of July, and will in all likelihood stay afterwards for a short time at Down Ampney, their place in Gloucestershire, before returning to Port Eliot for the autumn.
"Cornishman" 2 Jul 1908, page 2:
Lord and Lady St. Germans have returned to Grosvenor Gardens for the remainder of the season after a stay of ten days at Port Eliot, the family seat in Cornwall.
"Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard" 25 Jul 1908, page 8:
LATTON.
Distinguished Visitors.– The Earl and Countess of St. Germans left Grosvenor Gardens on Friday for their Cornish seat, Port Eliot, but called at their Down Ampney estate en route, being the guests of Miss Beadon, The Corner, Latton. The tenantry on the estate were visited, and the event was marked by merry peals on the bells at Latton and Down Ampney, while the Union Jack, presented by his lordship in commemoration of Empire Day, was flying at the school of each village.
"Sheffield Daily Telegraph" 14 May 1910, page 9:
The Dead King.
Latest Plans for the Funeral.
. . . Prince Henry of the Netherlands will probably stay at 17, Grosvenor Gardens, which Lord St. Germans has placed at the disposal of the Government till the funeral has taken place.
The Western Morning News published a lengthy and detailed biographical obituary when Henry passed away. It's well worth a read, because it was written by someone who obviously knew him personally and respected him for many years during his long and interesting life.
"Gloucestershire Echo" 25 Sep 1911, page 3:
DEATH OF THE EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
A COTSWOLD LANDOWNER.
We regret to state that the Earl of St. Germans died at Port Eliot, his Cornish seat, at four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, from the effects of a stroke, with which he was seized on the previous Friday.
Born in 1835, the late Lord St. Germans, as a fifth son, had very little expectation of succeeding to the title which he came into in 1881, but all his brothers died unmarried. His second brother, Captain Eliot, was killed at Inkerman. The late earl served in the navy as a young man, and later, from 1855-81, was engaged in the Foreign Office. He married in 1881 the Hon. Emily Harriet Labouchere, daughter of the first Baron Taunton. The deceased peer had been in indifferent health since the tragic death of his eldest son, the late Lord Eliot, who was found shot dead in the gun room at Port Eliot on Aug. 25th, 1906. Lord St. Germans was a popular landlord, and always identified himself with the philanthropic movements of Cornwall and the district of which Plymouth is the centre. He was connected with this county by territorial ties, being the lord of the manor and sole landowner of Down Ampney, near Fairford. His heir, the present Lord Eliot, who is an officer in the Army, only came of age a few months ago.
"Western Morning News" 27 Sep 1911, page 5:
For the convenience of those attending the funeral of the Earl of St. Germans today a special train will leav e Millbay at 11.10 a.m., calling at all stations, and a return special to Plymouth will leave St. Germans at 2.30 p.m. The funeral procession will leave Port Eliot at noon, and proceed by way of the short path leading to the west door of the church, the tenants of the estate acting as bearers. From the church to the churchyard the body will be conveyed by employees on the Port Eliot estate.
Further messages of sympathy and condolence have been received at Port Eliot from their Majesties the King and Queen, Lady Stewart, Lady Hardinge, Sir Reginald and Lady Beatrice Pole-Carew, Lady Mary Hope, the EArl and Countess of Bessborough, Lady Kathleen Skinner, Lady Ermyntrude Malet and others.
“Royal Cornwall Gazette” 28 Sep 1911, page 4:
COUNTY COMMENTS.
EARL ST. GERMANS.
“There is not one in this parish who does not but feel that he has lost a very great friend,” was the testimony of Canon Westmacott at St. Germans parish church on Sunday wen alluding to the decease of Earl St. Germans, which took place that day. That is a high tribute to any man; but it is one that can be applied to the deceased earl, not only in his relations with his fellow parishioners and those who lived in the immediate locality of Port Eliot, but in regard to the Earl’s relationship with all who had his acquaintance in whatever rank in life. It is when one by one the old stalwarts of the aristocracy pass away that we hear their true characters delineated; and the testimony of those who know puts to shame the cruel libels with which certain politicians try to delude the unthinking and unknowing people for party ends, as to the character of our aristocracy in general. The late Earl of St. Germans saw less of public life and service, perhpas, because of his serious affliction of deafness and the partial loss of sight as the result of an accident; but as a friend and a neighbour he was, to use a Gilbertian phrase, “The embodiment of everything that’s excellent.” Kind, generous, unassuming, full of desire to help whatever institution he could for the betterment of the condition of those around him, he played a quiet but by no means unimportant part in the circles in which he moved and the neighbourhood in which he lived. The sympathy of the whole county goes out to the Countess of St. Germans in her bereavement, and many Cornish people will look forward to the accession to the title of his father of John Granville Cornwallis Lord Eliot, the sixth Earl, with the hope that in his relations in private and public life he may bear the honoured reputation of his deceased sire.
"Aberdeen Journal" 28 Sep 1911, page 7:
The funeral of the Earl of St. Germans took place yesterday afternoon at Port Eliot, Cornwall. The Bishop of St. Germans and other clergy conducted the service. There was a large gathering at the graveside, including the young earl, the Countess of St. Germans, Sir Arthur Hardinge, Viscount Glifden, Lord Valletort, Lord Seaton, the members of the Cornwall Count Councile, and representatives of institutions with which the late earl was identified.
"Lake's Falmouth Packet and Cornwall Advertiser" 29 Sep 1911, page 2:
We regret to announce that the Earl os St. Germans died about four o'clock on Sunday afternoon at Port Eliot, his Cornish seat.
In the early hours of the previous Friday his lordship had a paralytic seizure, and as he retained consciousness, it was hoped that he would rally and recover. During Saturday night his lordship slept well, but he passed peacefully away the following afternoon.
Eight years ago his lordship experienced a similar stroke. A week before he died he walked to St. Germans Church, and a few days earlier he attended the funeral of Sir Reginald Pole-Carew's sister, Mrs. Goring, at Antony. His lordship and the Countess of St. Germans were entertaining Lady Ernestine Mount Edgcumbe and the Hon. Cyril Ponsonby, who is a nephew of the late Earl.
. . . As a landlord of the best description, his lordship will be greatly missed. The most humble of his tenants or workmen knew that they had in him a sympathetic friend. No genuine appeal for help was passed unnoticed. He was a good husband, a kind father, and one who served his day and generation to the best of his ability.
"Exmouth Journal" 30 Sep 1911, page 6:
THE EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
DEATH FROM PARALYTIC SEIZURE
The Earl of St. Germans died on Sunday in his seventy-seventh year at Port Eliot, St. Germans, his Cornish seat.
On Sunday, the 17th inst., he walked to the parish church. Early on Friday morning, after a couple of days' illness, he had a paralytic stroke, but, as he remained conscious and two doctors were in attendance, it was hoped he would rally. This was the second stroke experienced, the first having occurred about eight years ago.
Born in 1835, he began his career in the Royal Navy, but spent more than a quarter of a century in the Foreign Office, during which period he was secretary to the mission to St. Petersburg to invest the Czar Alexander II with the Order of the Garter. In March of 1881 he succeeded to the Earldom, and seven months afterwards was married. He was the fifth son of the third Earl. His eldest brother, who was in the the 1st Life Guards, died in 1864, the second brother was killed at Inkermann, the third enjoyed the Earldom for only four years, and the fourth brother having died in infancy the succession was open to the late Earl. It will be remembered that Lord and Lady St. Germans experienced a great grief by the death through a gunshot wound in Auguster, 1909, of their eldest son and heir. The title therefore devolves upon the present Lord Eliot, of the 2nd Dragoons, who is in his twenty-second year. He was summoned from York, and was present when his father's death occurred.
"Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard" 30 Sep 1911, page 2:
The unexpected death of the Earl of St. Germans will be greatly lamented in Down Ampney, for though he and his family had not resided at Down Ampney House for many years, Lord St. Germans was far from being regarded as an "absentee landlord" in the general acceptance of that term. For few landowners have manifested a keener, more constant, or more beneficent interest in their property than the late peer, who cordially supported his agent and other local representatives in maintaining Down Ampney as one of our model villages, and in promoting in every way the welfare of its inhabitants. Although so far removed from Lord St. Germans' Cornish home, Down Ampney was never overlooked on the occasions of the family rejoicings, and the joint celebration of the coming-of-age of the late Lord Eliot and the silver wedding of his parents will be readily remembered. Down Ampney also joined sincerely in the mourning occasioned by Lord Eliot's tragic death, which cast so deep a shadow over his father's closing years, and it likewise united in the hearty but naturally subdued congratulations offered to the second son, who now succeeds to the title, on his coming of age a few months ago.
"Western Daily Mercury" 22 Feb 1912, page 10:
LATE EARL OF ST. GERMANS
PROPOSED MEMORIAL.
A representative meeting of the inhabitants of St. Germans was held in the Eliot Hall last evening to consider what steps could be taken to perpetuate the memory of the late Earl of St. Germans.
Dr. J.W. Gill was elected chairman of a large committee, who have undertaken to consider the matter further, with the view of making practical suggestions at another meeting to be convened a little later on. The prevailing desire on the part of the villages of St. Germans is to have a better water supply, and this will be considered by the committee.
"Illustrated London News" 2 Mar 1912, page 2:
The will and codicil of the Fifth Earl of St. Germans, of Port Eliot, St. Germans, Cornwall, who died on Sept. 24, are proved by the Hon. Cyril Walter Ponsonby and Eliot George Bromley-Martin, the value of the unsettled property being 38,887 pounds. He gives 2,000 pounds and the use of his town house to his wife; 500 pounds each to the executors; 500 pounds each to his nieces Lady Mary Ponsonby and Evelyn R. Eliot; and legacies to servants. Pictures, plate, jewels, etc., are to devolve as heirlooms with the family estates. The residue of the property he leaves to his son.
