Portrait of Catherine Holden, Mrs Sherwin Gregory. by BROWN, Thos

Carlisle, 1869. Original photograph, carte de visite, albumen print, 10 x 6 cm. John Sherwin Gregory (1803 - 1869) was born John Sherwin Longden. His father was John Longden and his mother was Charlotte Mettam. His father had inherited Bramcote Manor from his uncle who was from the Sherwin family. He built a new house called Bramcote Hills House. When his father died in 1818 John inherited the Bramcote property and changed his surname to Sherwin thus becoming John Sherwin Sherwin. In 1829 he married Catherine Holden, daughter of Robert Holden of Nuthall Temple which was a large house in Nottinghamshire. The couple lived at Bramcote Hills House[ until John inherited Harlaxton Manor in 1860. The 1851 Census describes John as a "landed proprietor". When he inherited the property he changed his surname to Gregory thus becoming John Sherwin Gregory. Portraits of John and Catherine by the famous painter Thomas Phillips are shown. John died in 1869 and Catherine continued to live at Harlaxton Manor until her death in 1892 at the age of 86. In her obituary it was stated that "to the parishioners of Harlaxton Mrs Sherwin-Gregory was a kind and considerate friend and amongst her tenants she was held in high esteem. The poor always found in her a generous benefactor the deceased lady evincing a special interest in any who were sick." When she died in 1892 Thomas Sherwin Pearson who was the second cousin and godson of John Sherwin Gregory inherited the Manor. Thomas added Gregory to his surname and so became Thomas Sherwin Pearson Gregory (1851-1935). KEYWORDS:united kingdom/photo