Allan Nugent Chaplin

Allan Nugent Chaplin

b: 8 JUN 1871
d: 1917
Biography
From autobiographical notes by Edward Holroyd Pearce (Lord Pearce) 1989:

My favourite Uncle was already [in 1917] becoming an invalid, in a fatal illness, though none of us was then aware of that. [When did he die?]


From Effie Irene Pearce's scrapbook: My mother included a newspaper cutting which read in part:

"Volunteer Training Corps
A Good Start

Wooburn has entered with patriotic enthusiasm into the movement for the formation of a local Company of the Volunteer Training Corps - the body which is to enlist for national defence those who are disqualified by age or other sufficient reasons from joining the regular forces of the Crown. The parish has got to work with characteristic energy. An influential Committee has been formed... [19 names including Nugent Chaplin, who is also on the small Executive Committee and is Honorary Secretary. There followed an account of the first meeting....] Mr Nugent Chaplin was appointed Platoon Commander by the Lord Lieutenant of the County, and sent round word that informal musters would be held on Saturday at Upper Bourne End and on Sunday at Wooburn House....... etc etc".


Alan Ray-Jones writes:

He was a friend of Somerset Maugham and was given a part as Hamley by Sir Henry Irving in the Lyceum

He was the author and publisher of the book "A Short Account of the Families of Chaplin and Skinner and Connected Families" from which much information in this family file was taken. The title page has on it "An edition of 50 copies only, of which this is number .... printed for private circulation in Advent, MCMII." And at the foot of the page "Printed in December 1902, by Farncombe & Son, of Southbridge Road Croydon for Nugent Chaplin, of 19 Lincoln's Inn Fields, and Campden House Chambers, Campden Hill W.
The book is about the families of his four grandparents. On his paternal grandfather's side, the Chaplins and Theodoricks, on his paternal grandmother's, the Ayrtons and Nugents. From his maternal grandfather, the Skinners and Macleans, and from his maternal grandmother, the Hardings.......


From 'Olive & Stepniak THE BLOOMSBURY DIARY OF OLIVE GARNETT 1893-1895' published by Bartletts Press 1993:

p.92. Friday June 22nd [1894]. A court day. Arthur and I went down to the court early. We sat in the gallery; when re Martindale was mentioned the judge said he would take the more important cases first. ....... The time dragged very much till our case was reached at last. Mrs Hueffer, Jerrold, Mamma, Oliver, Chaplin & Harry Martindale [Elsie's brother) came in . Mrs Hueffer was hot and agitated. Mamma on receipt of a telegram from Oliver had torn herself away from an affecting meeting ........ I met Oliver coming up. He introduced me to Chaplin the son of the Rt Hon & therefore called "Young Chaplin." I had been studying the top of his head; it is just like O's but the hair is darker in colour. He is shorter than O., has a rounder fatter face, a paler complexion & a stouter figure & is precise as to dress & manners & form. NOTE 9 (p.110): The use of the term "Right Hon." suggests that "Young Chaplin" was Eric (b. 1877), the only son of Henry Chaplin, who was a minister in several Conservative governments in late Victorian times and was created a viscount in 1916. But in the entry for July 19th, the same young man is identified as "Nugent Chaplin"; and in a later entry, he is said to have had a sister who "was a Girton girl." The Girton College Register, 1869-1946 shows that the only Chaplin who was at the college in Victorian days was Ursula (b. 1869) - the daughter not of Henry Chaplin, the politician, but of the Revd. Ayrton Chaplin, a schoolmaster! Ursula Chaplin nevertheless had a cousin called Nugent, who was born in 1871 (the same year as the diarist); who had several sisters and was unmarried in 1894; and who later wrote 'A Short Account of the Families of Chaplin and Skinner and Connected Families' (fifty copies privately printed in 1902). It seems probable that this was the Nugent Chaplin who figures in the Diary; and that it suited Oliver Hueffer to give the impression that he knew the son of a well-known Conservative politician of the day.

p.103. Thursday July 18th (ie 19th). Oliver and Juliet (Hueffer) came at 7.30 & escorted me to the Lyceum (in the Strand). Nugent Chaplin joined us in the box. Oliver had put on his dress clothes & aristocratic manners together. Juliet who adores Irving was very outspoken. Mr Chaplin was very polite.... I enjoyed the performance immensely. Our box was No. 1. I had never seen Irving & Ellen Terry at such close quarters before. I had not seen the play "Becket" either. It did not move me much, but I enjoyed it. I like Mr. Chaplin; he wanted to take me home, but Oliver, Juliet and I.......

p.104. Saturday July 22nd (1894). After various contretemps we reached Brook Green. Oliver was playing "For Auld Lang Syne." Mrs Hueffer made us very welcome & we had supper together. Nugent Chaplin arrived soon after & we spent the evening talking & laughing in the drawing room. Oliver was very amusing & made a very good host, it was amusing to hear him say "Mamma." He wore a bright red tie and Chaplin a blue one.

p.189. Friday June 21st (1895). I had intended going to a performance of Twelfth Night, by the Elizabethan Stage Society....... Nugent Chaplin was steward, his face had more in it than it had this time last year. He looks a thoroughly good fellow.........

p.226. Saturday 7th December (1895). After dinner Robert & I went to Gray's Inn Hall (Holborn) to a performance of "The Comedy of Errors" by the Elizabethan Stage Society. At the door we met Nugent Chaplin & someone seeing us speaking to him gave us seats in the second row, where we saw & heard very well. Bernard Shaw and William Archer sat together. Theodore Watts with a blooming damsel of vivacious manners sat in front of the front row. F G Stephens, George Moore (the novelist) & the Gosses were there. It was a most delightful performance; in retrospect the Lyceum Shakespeare revivals seemed vulgar by comparison. It was followed by Elizabethan music given by the Dolmetsch family.

END 1911 Census: Nugent Chaplin, solicitor, 39, his wife Mildred, also 39, and their servant Daisy Tranter, 18. [There are references in the letter to Uncles Frederick and Acton and to ‘the girls’, so this must be from Nugent (Allan Nugent Chaplin) to his mother, when he was not more than 18, to judge from the activities he describes, so say 1889. The letter also mentions Uncle (Great Uncle) Frederic Wickham, whose wife was Louisa Margaret Chaplin, born 1810. So he might have been about 79 by 1889, or he might have had a son called Frederic Wickham who would have been Nugent’s cousin, not an uncle.]

Royal Academy, Gosport

My dearest mother,

I couldn't make it out at all how your letter could have reached me with a penny stamp on it. I am sure that I wrote a very respectful letter to Admiral Dundas: I suppose that if I cannot get an appointment in the British Navy Uncles Frederick or Acton can easily get me one. I tend to enter the Indian Navy if possible and I cannot enter the British do. There is no examination and after leaving this place with an appointment I should go on board a training ship in Bombay. I have begun to like doing Euclid: they get you on very fast in that. I have got to say the last proofs in the first book.

Will you please to write to Uncle Frederick Wickam about my going there in the Easter Holidays. I hope Mattie is not taught to blow her nose in her pocket. We have a great deal of exercise. I have been out in the boat twice. I have been on board the Royal Yacht, there are such beautiful apartments for the Royal Party. Prince Alfred has a house along the sea-shore, we pass it sometimes when we go out a walk here. I saw him the other day. He is going up for his exam for the Navy in June. I have not been out by myself yet.

I hope the girls’ colds are better. When is Uncle Acton coming? I am looking forward to it.

I went out the other day with a boy whose brother came to take him out. When we were out a walk the other day we passed one of the forts along the shore. I, and some of the boys, thought we would go in the barrack yd. We had scarcely got in but we heard a man shouting to us to be off. We thought we would have a spree first so we unhooked the drawbridge and then made off as hard as we could round the ramparts: the soldiers climbed down and (?) with a sergeant at their head came single file double quick after us after rushing about for ever so long looking our way. We found our way the sea shore to the great disappointment of the sodgers. We then after half a mile (run?) rejoined the main body. We have had very cold weather.

Pegtops are all the rage. We don't have (?) ones though: we pay about 8d for ours - they are made of polished box and cherrywood (?).

Yr very affec son,
A Chaplin
[Letter from Nugent Chaplin to his mother, 1882]

M Hampton
Sunday July 2nd 1882, 8pm


Dear Mama

I have just come back from Dursley, about an hour or two ago. I went with Charlie. I wrote to Irene this morning, from Dursley. Unky has got two little pigs which he bought only a few days ago. On our way to Dursley on Saturday we had a thunderstorm; when we were about a mile from Dursley it began to rain a little, we then walked a little faster, but when we got within a quarter of a mile of Dursley it began to thunder and lightning, and to rain very hard, so we sheltered under a sort of gate for about 20 minutes, until the rain abated a little, then we ran to Unky's as hard as we could.

I slept in the same room (ie the Pink Room) as before. Ernest, the boy, who had the rabbit, is still there; I do not know if he has still got his rabbit. On Friday I went to a sort of Tea Party; Mrs Fitz-Arthur Playne was the hostess; it was a very juvenile thing; I was amongst the eldest. We had a very nice tea; we then went and played in the hay. I went with C. Henvey.

Give love to Phyllis and Theod.

Your loving son
A N Chaplin
[From Nugent Chaplin, no date or address]

Dear Mama,

This is a very goergeus sheet of paper for my last one this term, I am very sorry that I have broken the wing of the butterfly. The train arrives at Victoria at 11am.

I hope you will enjoy Bank holiday (which is on Monday). I am so glad that we are coming home on Tuesday instead of Friday. I can swim very decently now and I expect I shall frequent the Paddington Baths very often, I can swim on my back and side and dog paddle and of course I can do the breast stroke, that is why I want to go to Nairn because I know of the nice baths there and Irene could complet her swimming. I suppose Phyllis and Thod are not quite old enough to begin.

Is Papa going with Mr McGill to Switerland or going to Scotland again? I am going home with one of the boys called McDougal (he is one of Mr Willianson’s boys) I think I have told you about him. I shall be at the house between 11 and 12 o’clock. I suppose you have got my postcard. Be sure you get Monthly part of the Boys (for July) Illustrated News directly or else they will all be sold out.

Your loving son
A N Chaplin.

PS: Next time I shall be my own post-man. I enclose the wings of one of the sparrows that I killed.


From who? Dublin

Nugent does great credit to your raising and makes a capital travelling companion, as he observes everything and examines all that is new and is always cheerful. Except a little weeping on being separated from me to go into the ladies cabin he has not cried since we started and is very obedient. At Lands End the sea became rough. .Nugent was less affected than many of the passengers and thoroughly enjoyed the (?) until some half dozen attacks of sickness had weakened him too much and then I took him downstairs, but he insisted upon coming to dinner and it was only after two rapid retreats from table that I induced him to lie down, when he was soon fast asleep. [Letter from Nugent Chaplin, from The Hermitage. No year given. Uncle A is probably Uncle Ayrton]

The Hermitage
Minch
September 28th


Dear Mama,

I hope you got home all right on Friday, and that the baby’s thrush is better. We had the thanksgiving at Nailsworth. Mrs Oldfield died on Wednesday. Miss Cole is stopping here she came the other day, do you know Miss Cole? They live at Clevedon.

Pop tells me that he has engaged rooms and that you will meet me there, I suppose I shall come back here directly it is over. Uncle A says that when October begins I shall have to work up. I expect I shall do different work from that which I am now doing. Ulla and Charlie are both going up for the Cambridge locals at the beginning of next holidays, they are both going to the Ealing centre, because Charlie is going to live there, Mrs Hendry has got a house there; the others will be very much startled when they hear that I am going up in October. Willie is the only one who knows at present.

Uncle A, Willie and I were going for a walk this afternoon and as we were passing through Box an old man called Uncle A from the window, I went in with Uncle A. There was an old man in his night-gown and stockings and night cap, he was wandering about, and kept saying Oh dear! Oh dear! He said he could not find the way into the next house, he wanted the woman, so Uncle A half carried him upstairs and sat him on his bed and covered him up, he would shaking all over and said he was very cold, he was evidently weak in his mind; we went next door and the man said that he had had two paralytic strokes and then he went up to him, he told that one time the same old man had got out of the window with a sheet round him; he was a second Lear.

Your loving son,
A. N. Chaplin
[From Nugent to his mother somewhere on the continent. The address in italics is printed, but ‘Hopetown Dormitory’ is handwritten. I deduce from other letters by him that he was writing from Wellington College, Wokingham, perhaps on his mother’s notepaper]

Hopetown Dormitary
1 Courtfield Gardens
South Kensington, S. W.
May 27th 1887

Dear Mama, I was very glad to get your letter on Saturday. I am sorry you had such a bad crossing but how fortunate you were, the first time. You have not told me what you have seen and where you have been, except that you went to Delft. I was very glad at getting the postcard from the Hague.

I should very much doubt if there are any spiders (domestic spiders of course) in Holland, but still if there are any that have escaped all the "domestic apparatus" that you describe, they must be first-class examples of the theory of the survival of the fittest. You say that the special costumes are dying out, but I suppose that they can still be seen in great quantities at village fairs and other festivities. I remember seeing a great many of them, when I passed through Holland on my way to Hanover (Easter ‘87) on Easter Monday, which was of course a high holiday, and as I did not have time to go outside any of the stations, I conclude that I only saw a very small proportion of what could have been seen in remoter parts.

You had not told me of Daphne’s cat before, on the whole it was a very good investment on the part of that young person. By the way, the last letter which I received, posted on Friday evening or Saturday morning came without a stamp, and as far as I can make out it had never been stamped at all. I have just finished the Indian clubs, and they look better than I had expected.

Last night, i.e. Saturday I went to a lecture on the "Vagaries of Investors", some of the things were very funny, but I will reserve it till my next letter, when I daresay I shall have less to say about other things.

Give my love to all.

Your affectionate son
A Nugent Chaplin
[From Nugent Chaplin, no date, on notepaper with a printed address: Abbotsham Court, Bideford. Possibly about 1882.]

Dear Uncle Ayrton

My train was very punctual so I had a great deal of time at Bristol. Papa's was about half an hour late. I tried to book my bicycle at Bristol in the cloakroom so I had to take it on; when we got out at Barnstaple I couldn't find the cycle anywhere, so at Barnstaple they said they would wire to Bristol about it; I hope it will turn up.

We had to change at Taunton, where we happened to meet Mitney. We had a walk of three miles in the rain from Bideford to this house. There is a large pond near the house and a boat. Do you remember that when they were at Walland a little tiny boat was washed on to the shore in the storm; and as grand papa was lord of the manner it belonged to him; this is the same boat. I want to go in it, but I have not had time, it is very wee, and I doubt if it could hold two men.

Today it is very fine; and we are going to walk to Hartland Point or to Clovelly; we shall take one of the dogs with us, there are two; one a large one, the other a small one; the large one is a short-haired colley, it is the terror of all beggars, one day a beggar came and when Scott barked as him, he tried to hit him, so soon after, when the beggar was standing still, Scott came up behind him, and standing on his hind paws caught hold of the man by the collar of his coat, and pulled him to the ground, and then the man could not get up, for if he did Scott would fly, at last someone came out and called him off, when they heard the mans shrieks. The smaller dog is rather smaller than Joe and is a cross between a begle and a terrier. We shall take Scott (no more has been found).
[Letter from Allan Nugent Chaplin to his mother, Euphemia Isabella Chaplin (‘Dear’) written – I deduce – in 1887]

Wellington College, Wokingham. June 29th

Dear Mama
The boy I walked away with on the platform was Birley. The fourth fellow in the club is Harington. Goodchild rather like's our club and often gives us strawberries or melons or other things. I have found out who Graham is, but I have not yet had an opportunity of speaking to him. He very likely recognises me, but I have not the least recollection of his face, though I seen to remember meeting a little chap at Mrs Wiseman's who talked about kittens. He is in the Lynedoch (not Lyndoch). And I have found out that he was at Temple Grove before he came here.

Colonel Wilson brought Arthur down to the exhibition exam. Of course I was away all Thursday and only just saw them for about 5 minutes, but yesterday (Friday) I had lunch with them at the hotel. They went back to town yesterday afternoon by the same train that you went up by on Speech Day.
The fencing competition is on July 22nd

Your affectionate son
A Nugent Chaplin


[Letter from A Nugent Chaplin to his mother, Euphemia Isabella Chaplin (‘Dear’), written – I deduce from the reference to inventions – in 1887]

Wellington College,
Wokingham.
July 3rd

Dear Mama – What weather! Mon Dieu, qu’il fait mauvais temps. It seems to be getting worse and worse. I have not heard from you for the last week, so I suppose nothing has been settled about the summer, but perhaps you think it better to wait and see if there ever will be one, before you make a any plans. I am just going to send the Wellingtonian in which there is an account of speech day. And now what shall I say? There is absolutely no news. I think I told you Goodchild has just heard from Dickinson who is at Manchester in some business, where Goodchild seems to think he will probably stay a long time.

What have you done with the puppy? Or is it still at home?
Give my love to all.
Your most affectionate sun
A Nugent Chaplin.

I cut the enclosed out of the Standard about a week ago, but forgot to send it before. With the tip you gave me on Speech Day I have bought a small photograph album and some photos of Wellington, next term I hope to get some more.

At the beginning, diagonally: Please keep the Wellingtonian till I come back. On Page 216 is an account of the lecture on inventions. [This is mentioned in the letter in ‘To_Holland.doc’ dated 27 May 1887]


[Letter from A Nugent Chaplin to his mother, Euphemia Isabella Chaplin (‘Dear’)]

Wellington College, Wokingham. June 6th 1888

Dear Mama – I write to wish you and Phyllis many happy returns of the day. I hope she and Irene enjoyed their picnic at Hampstead. What a secluded and romantic spot!! I want Phyllis to come down here some time, but perhaps next term would be better than this. Speech Day would certainly not be the best opportunity, because everything is so crowded.
Today is a horribly wet day, and the weather looks as if it might remain in this sulky condition for some time. I suppose there is no chance of the "Taming of the Shrew" being still on when I come home (July 31st). I suppose the Henveys will stay in their new lodgings for some time. Perhaps I shall not be writing again before you come down on Friday, so I will say what I want you to bring down for me. Some quasha; and the little French dictionary (Bellows), as the one that I have got now is only a very poor one. I think that these two are the only things I want. Give my love to Daphne and Irene.

You're affectionate son
A Nugent Chaplin.
PS: I am just going to begin the frame this afternoon.


[Letter from A? Nugent Chaplin to his mother, Euphemia Isabella Chaplin (‘Dear’)]

Wellington College, Wokingham.
Feb 5th 1889

Dear Mama
I will enclose a dormitory list with this letter. The two who are put first and whose names are printed in italics are both school prefects, and are in the same form as me, the third fellow, Ready, is in the mathematical sixth. At Lock-Up the prefects of the week (we each have a week in turn) has to call over and then sign the list, and take it to the tutor. The head of the dormitory takes the list in chapel (or "darts forward" as you said in your letter). If he is not in chapel the next one takes it, and so on. So I should not take it unless the other three who are senior to me were all absent. This has not happened yet, but of course it may happen any day.
In the evening when fellows are not allowed to speak or be out of their rooms, one of the prefects has "to take the dormitory", that is to say, he has to keep silence. Of course the other prefects may walk about and make as much noise as they like.
But the chief advantage is being able to fag. It is very convenient in all sorts of little ways. Everybody in the middle school has to fag. I have drawn a line to show where the middle school begins on the classical and mathematical sides, on the enclosed list. One of the most convenient ways of calling a fag, is by calling out "Somebody!" or "Fag!” as loud as one can, and then all the middle school have to run as hard as they can to the prefect who calls, the last one is fagged.
I think there are 17 Middle School fellows in the dormitory. I hope you will understand all these facts, but I thought they might interest you. I am glad your cough is better.

You're affectionate son
A N Chaplin
Love to Irene and Phyllis.
Facts
  • 8 JUN 1871 - Birth - ; London, Middlesex, England (1881 Census)
  • 1917 - Death - ; London
  • BET 1900 AND 1915 - Residence - ; Bourne End, Buckinghampshire(?)
  • DEC 1902 - Publications - ; Author of 'A Short Account of the Families of Chaplin and Skinner and Connected Families,' printed privately in 50 copie
  • FROM JAN 1915 TO 1917 - Military Service -
  • Occupation - Solicitor ; Lincoln's Inn, London
  • BET 1900 AND 1915 - Residence - ; Bourne End, Buckinghampshire(?)
Ancestors
   
John Clarke Chaplin
25 AUG 1806 - 2 JUN 1856
 
 
Holroyd Chaplin
17 MAR 1840 - 23 DEC 1917
  
  
  
Matilda Adriana Ayrton
1 JUN 1813 - 26 JAN 1899
 
Allan Nugent Chaplin
8 JUN 1871 - 1917
  
 
  
Allan Maclean Skinner , Q.C.
14 JUL 1809 - 23 MAY 1885
 
 
Euphemia Isabella Skinner
7 JUN 1847 - 10 SEP 1939
  
  
  
Caroline Emily Harding
22 OCT 1812 - 12 JAN 1901
 
Family Group Sheet - Child
PARENT (M) Holroyd Chaplin
Birth17 MAR 1840Edgbaston, Warwickshire, England (1881 Census) on St Patrick's Day
Death23 DEC 1917 72 Edith Road, West Kensington, Middlesex
Marriage16 AUG 1870to Euphemia Isabella Skinner at Bickington or Newton Abbott? in South Devon, see Matilda Adriana Chaplin's diary for Tuesday 16 August 1870.
FatherJohn Clarke Chaplin
MotherMatilda Adriana Ayrton
PARENT (F) Euphemia Isabella Skinner
Birth7 JUN 1847Brighton, Sussex, England (1881 Census)
Death10 SEP 1939 Sunnyside, Ralph's Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire
Marriage16 AUG 1870to Holroyd Chaplin at Bickington or Newton Abbott? in South Devon, see Matilda Adriana Chaplin's diary for Tuesday 16 August 1870.
FatherAllan Maclean Skinner , Q.C.
MotherCaroline Emily Harding
CHILDREN
FIrene Kate Chaplin
Birth1 MAR 1873Westbourne Park Villas, Paddington, London, England
Death22 JUN 1962Hampstead, London, England
Marriage16 APR 1898to John William Ernest Pearce at St. Annes? (corner of Church St & Kensington High St.)
MAllan Nugent Chaplin
Birth8 JUN 1871London, Middlesex, England (1881 Census)
Death1917London
Marriage27 NOV 1897to Mildred Hall
FMatilda Effie Chaplin
Birth20 JUN 1874Kensington, London (probably)
Death20 DEC 1874Kensington, London (probably)
FPhyllis Chaplin
Birth7 JUN 1879Kensington, London (1881 Census)
Death27 JUL 1924
Marriage24 JUN 1901to Philip Herbert Cowell
MTheodoric Chaplin
Birth14 FEB 1881Kensington, London (1881 Census)
Death29 OCT 1906Kingston near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, by falling off a cliff.
FDaphne Grace Chaplin
Birth6 SEP 1884Broadstairs, Kent
Death16 FEB 1964
Marriageto Daphne Grace Chaplin
Marriage13 APR 1916to Cecil Arbuthnot Gould at St Barnabas Church, Kensington, London - witnesses E I Chaplin and Holroyd Chaplin - to get marriage certificate see ind
Family Group Sheet - Spouse
PARENT (M) Allan Nugent Chaplin
Birth8 JUN 1871London, Middlesex, England (1881 Census)
Death1917 London
Marriage27 NOV 1897to Mildred Hall
FatherHolroyd Chaplin
MotherEuphemia Isabella Skinner
PARENT (F) Mildred Hall
Birth
Death
Marriage27 NOV 1897to Allan Nugent Chaplin
FatherArthur Hall
Mother?
CHILDREN
MSon Chaplin
Birth29 NOV 1900
DeathABT 29 NOV 1900
Descendancy Chart
Allan Nugent Chaplin b: 8 JUN 1871 d: 1917
Son Chaplin b: 29 NOV 1900 d: ABT 29 NOV 1900