T.K. Gardner, Esq.
(1830-1919)
25 June 1863

Volume 10, page 313, sitting number 13,622.

[The sitter is identified as ‘F.R. Gardner’ in the Silvy daybooks. He had previously visited Silvy's studio on 1 February 1861 (volume 2, page 182, sitting number 2018), when he was identified as ‘J.K. Gardner, Esq.’ in the daybooks. A portrait from this sitting was sold on eBay in May 2023; an inscription verso, presumably transcribed from an album page, identified the sitter as ‘T. Kynnersley Gardner.’] 

Born at Shrewsbury in Shropshire in or about 1830, Thomas Kynnersley Gardner was the son of Robert Panting who in 1844 assumed by Royal Licence the surname of Gardner. His mother was Jane Eliza, daughter of Captain Anthony Kynnersley of Leighton Hall in Shropshire. 

He completed his education at Trinity, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1854. According to Alumni Cantabrigienses, in 1859 he became a Captain in the Shropshire Militia and he was later a J.P. and D.L. for Shropshire

In 1856 he married Fanny Melita, daughter of Colonel Richard Frederick Hill of Pentre Pant Hall, Shropshire. The couple appear on the 1871 census living at 84 Ebury Street in London with a housekeeper and one female servant. 

In 1887 he assumed the surname Kynnersley in lieu of Gardner.

‘Mr and Mrs Thomas Kynnersley celebrated their golden wedding on Tuesday at Leighton Hall, Salop, where the family have resided since the Norman Conquest’ (Pontypool Free Press, 30 March 1906). 

He appears on the 1911 census, aged 80, living at Leighton Hall near Ironbridge in Shropshire with his wife Fanny and four servants, all female. The couple had been married for 55 years and their marriage had produced one child. 

Thomas Kynnersley Kynnersley died at Leighton Hall on 10 February 1919, leaving an estate valued at £2787. 

‘The death is announced of Mr Thomas Kynnersley (father of Mr T.F. Kynnersley, D.L for Shropshire) who resided at Leighton Hall. Mr Kynnersley was 89 years of age. He was connected with one of the oldest families in Shropshire’ (Staffordshire Advertiser, 22 February 1919).