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Hester's death

Posted 24 September 2009 - 10:11pm by David Thrale

Hester Lynch Thrale 1818: by RocheHester Lynch Thrale 1818: by RocheLater in 1820 Hester took residence in Royal York Crescent, Clifton, Bristol. Clifton was the home of her friend Penelope Sophia Weston (1752-1827), wife of William Pennington. For a short while after this she took temporary residence in Regents Terrace, Penzance whilst repairs were made to her house in Clifton. On her journey of return to Clifton in March 1821, she fell and hurt her leg in Exeter.

Just before she died, she wrote to Madame Fanny D'Arblay 1752-1840 (née Burney). In it she says…

You would not know poor Streatham Park, I have been forced to dismantle and forsake it; the expenses of the present time treble those of the moments you remember; and since giving up my Welsh estate my income is greatly diminished. I fancy this will be my last residence in the world, meaning Clifton, not Sion Row, where I only live until my house in the Crescent is ready for me … The village of Streatham is full of rich inhabitants, the common much the worse for being spotted about with houses.

 

She was, in truth, a most wonderful character for talents and eccentricity, for wit, genius, generosity, spirit and powers of entertainment.

— Madame d’Arblay on Hester Thrale.

Hester was ill for ten days, At her side were her daughters Lady Keith1, Sophia Hoare, and Susan Thrale. On hearing of her daughters arrival, she said…

Ah! now I can die in state!

When her doctor - Sir George Gibbs - arrived she was too weak to speak and traced the shape of a coffin with her fingers in the air. Hester died in Clifton on 2 May 1821.

Hester has many obituaries, including those by Madame d’Arblay, Sir James Fellowes, Edward Mangin and The Dictionary of National Biography. Long after the death of both Hester Thrale and Samuel Johnson, William Ernest Henly alluded to their relationship in his Double ballade of life and fate.

Hester Lynch Piozzi: Mourning tabletHester Lynch Piozzi: Mourning tabletHer will dated 29 March 1816 was read by Sir James Fellowes in the presence of Lady Keith, Sophia Hoare, and Susan Thrale. Her other daughter, Cecilia Mostyn was absent. Almost everything was left to Sir John Salusbury Piozzi Salusbury. 

She was buried on 16 May 1821 near Brynbella in the churchyard of Corpus Christi Church, Tremeirchion. A plaque inside the church is inscribed…

Dr. Johnson's Mrs. Thrale. Witty, Vivacious and Charming, in an age of Genius She held ever a foremost Place.

  1. 1. Queeney