Henry R. Eyre
(1813-1876)
10 July 1861

Volume 4, page 196, sittiing number 4853.

This is probably the Henry R. Eyre who appears on the 1861 census, visiting Dowager Countess Frances E. Nelson at Landford House, Landford in Wiltshire. He gave his age as 47, and for place of birth, he gave 'Scotland.' He described himself as 'Justice of the Peace for Berkshire and Landed Proprietor.'

Henry Richard Eyre was born at Perth in Scotland on 20 September 1813. His parents were Henry Eyre and his wife Frances née Tripp. 

On 20 December 1849 at St George's Hanover Square Henry Richard Eyre 'of Shaw-house, Berks., eldest son of the late Henry Eyre, Esq. of Botleigh-grange, in this county, [married] Isabella Catherine, eldest daughter of the late C.G. Parker, Esq. of Springfield-place, Essex' (Hampshire Chronicle, 22 December 1849. 

The couple appear on the 1871 census living at Shaw House near Newbury in Berkshire. Also present on the night of the census were their five sons and two daughters, a governess, and eleven servants, including a butler, a footman and a groom, with more servants in nearby buildings, including a gamekeeper, a coachman and a laundress. 

Henry Richard Eyre 'of Shaw House in the County of Berks' died, aged 64, on 1 June 1876 at 12 Upper Brunswick Place, Brighton. He left an estate valued at £30,000. 

According to his obituary in the Berkshire Chronicle (10 June 1876): 'Residing so near Newbury and having publicly identified himself with its public business, Mr Eyre was well known to almost every resident, and was highly respected by all classes. To the immediate parish of Shaw will his loss be well nigh irreparable. His charity was freely dispensed to those in need, and his happiness seemed to consist in promoting the social and moral happiness of those around him. Anyone who had the privilege of listening to his remarks at the annual harvest homes on his estate could but feel that he had at heart the social elevation of those whom he was addressing, constantly impressing upon them the value of providence, temperance, and education. He was a prominent member of the magistracy for this division of the county, and in the early days of the Volunteer movement was captain of the Newbury corps, which he continued to support liberally up to the present time. As chairman of the guardians of the Newbury Union [the local workhouse] he will be greatly missed, as he was thoroughly conversant with the duties of that office. The remains of the deceased were brought from Brighton (where his death took place) on Wednesday evening, and conveyed from the Thatcham station to Shaw Church, which adjoins the mansion of the family. The funeral took place yesterday (Friday), and was of strictly private character.'