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One could not consider a site about Turvey complete unless there was mention of this important, industrious and fascinating family.

The Higgins Family in Turvey

Firstly, it should be explained that there were three Mr Higgins living in Turvey in the mid nineteenth century -

• Charles Longuet Higgins, the owner of Turvey Abbey and Lord of the Manor
• Thomas Charles Higgins, who owned both Turvey House and Turvey Cottage
• Lt-Col William Bartholomew Higgins who lived at Pict's Hill.

All three were Justices of the Peace.  There are more detailed biographies below.

Another Higgins of note is:

• Captain George Francis Higgins who occupied Chantry House in the early 1900's.

The Higgins Family of Turvey

In about 1786 Charles Higgins of London Wall (a rich grocer) and his distant relative, John Higgins of Weston Underwood, together with a gentleman called William Fuller, a banker from Lombard Street, purchased the village of Turvey from Charles Henry, 5th Earl of Monmouth.

Charles Higgins owned the Turvey Abbey estate and died unmarried in 1792.  He was succeeded by his nephew who was another John Higgins, (the artist, see below) who became Lord of the Manor and lived at Turvey Abbey.  His son was Charles Longuet Higgins (see below).

It was Charles Longuet Higgins who, together with his cousin, Thomas Charles Higgins, rebuilt the village and made so many improvements to it in the nineteenth century (from about 1847).

John Higgins of Turvey Abbey

The nephew and heir of Charles Higgins of London. Became Lord of the Manor of Turvey with his inheritance.  He was a County Magistrate and Deputy-Lieutenant and then High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1801.

He was a talented water colour artist and painted some lovely scenes of the village (see the example on the right).  Some were lithographed and sold to the villagers.  His wife was called Teresa. They had two sons, Charles Longuet Higgins who inherited the Abbey and Lord of the Manor title, and Rev. Henry Hugh Higgins who was an eminent naturalist.  He also had a daughter called Mary (bapt 1808) who married Rev E.H. Steventon and went to live in Southborough, Tunbridge Wells.

In 1829 he conveyed 13 acres of land, called ‘Ball’s Pasture’, in trust for the Sunday School.

Painting of Turvey Abbey by John Higgins

Charles Longuet Higgins of Turvey Abbey

1806-1885

This is the gentleman to whom Turvey owes so much of its beauty and wealth. He was the eldest son of John Higgins, the artist, and his wife Teresa. He was baptised in Turvey Church on 2 December 1806.

Charles died on 23 January 1885.

Cartoon of Charles Longuet Higgins from Bedford Bee, a local magazine - 5 November 1879 (click to enlarge)

Thomas Charles Higgins of Turvey House

1797 -1865

Known as TC Higgins, he was a relative of Charles Longuet Higgins.  His parents were John and Martha Higgins and he was baptised 26 January 1798 in Turvey.

In 1838 he married Charlotte Price.

TC was chariman of the county Quarter Sessions from 1848-1865.  He added the upper storey of Turvey House.

In 1857 he established the Turvey Reformatory at Carlton.

Lt Col William Bartholomew Higgins of Picts Hill

1799 - 1878

Known as WB Higgins. Son of John & Martha Higgins, he was baptised 14 January 1799, at Turvey. He was the younger brother of Thomas Charles of Turvey House (see above). He erected the arch over Nell’s Well in 1875.

He died unmarried in 1878.

He left money in his will for the schools and Working Men’s Room in Turvey.

Higgins Entries in the Turvey Parish Registers 1602-1812

1794 Dec 5 - Harriet, dau of John & Martha Higgins baptised

1795 Jun 30 - burial of Elizabeth Granger, servant to John Higgins esq

1795 Dec 28 - Ann Maria, dau of John & Martha Higgins esq baptised

1798 Jan 26 - Thomas Charles, son of John & Martha Higgins esq baptised

1799 Jan 14 - William Bartholomew, son of John & Martha Higgins esq baptised

1806 Dec 2 - Charles Longuet, son of John & Teresa Higgins esq baptised

1808 Feb 26 - Mary, dau of John & Teresa Higgins baptism registered only

Click here to read

the article on Charles Higgins that accompanied the sketch on the left side of this page . . .

Major William Francis Higgins of Turvey House

5 January 1845 - 7 March 1899

The son of Thomas Charles Higgins, William inherited Turvey House.  He was a Justice of the Peace.

He married Fanny Adela Tyringham on 21 January 1873.

He had a son called Gustavus Higgins who was born in 18 November 1873 and became a soldier.

George Francis Higgins of Turvey House

1845 - ?

Owner Nicholas Farm and Northy Farm (which was part of the Reformatory).

Click here for a list of John Higgins’ descendents