John Emilius Daniel Edward Finch-Hatton

John Emilius Daniel Edward Finch-Hatton was born on 19 May 1755 and died in January 1841. He was a barrister-at-law and a Bencher of the Inner Temple in London.

Family Background:

Finch-Hatton was the second son of Honorable Edward Finch and Anne Palmer. His paternal grandfather was Daniel Finch, the 2nd Earl of Nottingham and 7th Earl of Winchilsea. His mother was a member of the Palmer family. In 1764, Finch-Hatton, along with his brother George and their father, adopted the additional surname of Hatton. His name was commonly recorded as Edward Finch-Hatton in contemporary newspapers and among acquaintances.

Siblings:

He had five siblings, of whom only his older brother George Finch-Hatton had children.

Inheritance and Collecting:

In 1771, upon the death of his aunt Lady Isabella Finch, she left him her collection of Latin books from her London townhouse. It is presumed that Finch-Hatton later transferred this collection to his brother George for use in his library at Eastwell Park. Eastwell Park was a notable family estate where Finch-Hatton was known to visit frequently, along with his sisters—Lady Gordon, Miss Mary Finch, and Miss Anne Finch.

Connections with Notable Figures:

In 1805, the author Jane Austen visited Eastwell Park and met Finch-Hatton. Austen's correspondence mentions her favorable impression of him, noting that he was seated near her during dinner and that her experience at Eastwell was agreeable. Austen described the manners of Lady Gordon as pleasing and noted that the Misses Finch were very civil to her.

Later Life and Death:

Finch-Hatton spent his later years at Sandhurst, Kent, where he lived with his youngest niece, Lady Emily Finch-Hatton, born in 1797, and her husband, Reverend Alfred Lawrence. He died unmarried on 10 January 1841 at the age of 85. His reputation was that he was well-regarded by those who knew him.

Will and Legacy:

In his will, Finch-Hatton bequeathed approximately £5,000 each to the families of his nieces and nephews from his brother George and to the family of Honorable Reverend Daniel Heneage Finch-Hatton. He appointed his nephew, George Finch-Hatton, the 10th Earl of Winchilsea, as his sole executor. Following his death, the Earl, Countess of Winchilsea, and the Finch-Hatton family observed a period of mourning.

References:

The biographical information is based on historical records and correspondence from the period, including Jane Austen’s letters and family archives.