E. Percy Thompson
(1837-1879)
16 May 1862

Volume 6, page 314, sitting number 8125.

[Identified in the Silvy daybooks as 'E. Percy Thompson,' this is probably Edward Percy Thompson.]

Born on 29 January 1837 at Moresby in Cumberland, Edward Percy Thompson was the son of the Reverend Edward Thompson of Duddon Hall, Alverston, Lancashire. His maternal grandfather was Hugh Percy, Bishop of Carlisle. His uncle was the Earl of Amherst. 

He served in the 7th Hussars and saw action during the Crimean war before he went up to Trinity College, Cambridge. 

On 13 April 1858 at Odiham in Hampshire Edward Percy Thompson of the 7th Hussars married Charlotte Alice, youngest daughter of the late Vice-Admiral Josceline Percy, CB.' A detailed account of the wedding was published in the Hampshire Chronicle (17 April 1858). The groom quit the Army soon after his entry into the state of matrimony. 

The couple appear on the 1861 census living at Wargrove House in Herstmonceux with their seven-month-old son, Edward Leonard, and eight servants. In the column headed 'Rank, Profession or Occupation' Edward answered 'Gentleman.'

Edward Percy Thompson died on 10 October 1879 at Uxbridge House near Gosport. He was 42 years old. An inquest held at the Anglesey Arms in Alverstoke on 11 October 1879 established that the cause of death was suicide. The poor man had hanged himself 'by the neck from the bed-post with a silk handkerchief.' His doctor gave evidece that 'the deceased was not in his usual state of mind. [...] He was aware that the deceased was in pecuniary difficulties, which he imagined caused his depression.' This was corroborated by a friend, who stated that 'He had noticed of late that the deceased had been depressed in spirits, but during the last few days he seemed better. Witness knew that he had suffered from pecuniary difficulties, which he observed had a great effect on him. [...] The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased committed suicide whilst in an unsound state of mind' (Portsmouth Evening News, 13 October 1879). 

He nevertheless left an estate valued at 'under £20,000.'