Several McLaughlins benefited from the Honorable Frederica's connections with the Rushouts of Northwick Park, whose fortune was due to the success of John Rushout, a Flemish merchant who traded in London. The family had owned Northwick Park in Blockley, Worcestershire, since 1683. This sketch shows it a century later, with its fine beeches and oaks, a herd of fallow deer, and a pool stocked with trout.

The Reverend Hubert McLaughlin's benefice was originally in the gift of his brother-in-law Reverend Hon. George Rushout-Bowles, born in 1772 to Sir John Rushout, 1st Baron Northwick of Northwick Park and Rebecca Bowles. Baptised George Rushout, his name was changed in 1817 to George Rushout-Bowles by Royal Licence.

In 1803 he married Frederica Crofton’s aunt, Lady Caroline Stewart, by whom he had a son and three daughters. The family resided at Burford House, noted for its seven acres of gardens on the banks of the River Teme. George became Rector of Burford (first portion) in 1799 but resigned the living in favour of Alexander Stewart, M.A. in 1834.

Four years later Mr. Stewart resigned and Hubert became rector. After another four years, in 1842, George died. His son, also named George Rushout-Bowles (left), had been elected in 1837 to be Conservative Member of Parliament for Evesham,leading to a dispute over which he fought one of the last duels in England. He succeeded to the title of Third Baron Northwick in 1859.

Lord Northwick nominated Reverend Crofton McLaughlin’s nephew, Hubert W. C. McLaughlin, for admission to Cheltenham College. The Northwick title became extinct at the Third Baron's death in 1887. In his will he bestowed the benefice of Burford third portion on Crofton.

Sir George’s sister, the Honourable Georgiana Rushout (1804-91), who remained at Burford House, helped to finance the ambulance run by my great-aunt Louisa McLaughlin during the Franco-Prussian war. Georgiana painted the watercolor below showing the dining room at Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham, about 1850. It was the home of her uncle, the connoisseur John Rushout, Second Baron Northwick (b.1770), and his collection of 1,881 pictures which was dispersed at his death in 1859. The house was bought by Cheltenham College in 1947.

© 2006 G. Harry McLaughlin.
Reproduction or transmission, in whole or in part, for other than personal use is prohibited without advance permission from Dr. G. H. McLaughlin.