Possibly Captain Francis Blake Delaval, RN (1692 – 1752)
British (English) School
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1715 - 1720
Materials
Oil on canvas
Measurements
889 x 686 mm (35 x 27 in)
Collection
Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland
NT 1276851
Caption
The sitter is probably the son of Edward Delaval (1664 – 1744) of Dissington and Mary Ord (c.1664 – 1711), née Blake. He inherited the Ford Estate in Northumberland from his maternal grandfather, Francis Blake, in 1718, on condition he replaced his name with ‘Blake’ - a condition he did not fulfil, only using it before the ‘Delaval’. He married Rhoda Apreece (d.1759), heiress to Sir Thomas Hussey of Doddington, her maternal grandfather. They did not move into Delaval Hall until 1728. Accommodating their twelve children (eight sons and four daughters) into a house designed for a bachelor Admiral, was difficult, and some of them were sent to stay with relatives in other Delaval houses. The unruly brood became unknown as the ‘Gay Delavals’, renowned for their exuberant lifestyle and theatrical productions. Sir Francis was succeeded by his first son, the rakish Sir Francis (1727 – 71).
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Possibly Captain Francis Blake Delaval, RN (1692 – 1752), English School, 1715-20. A half-length portrait, facing right, wearing a blue coat and white undershirt, with a red mantle, his right hand outstretched.
Full description
Son of Edward Delaval (1664 – 1744) of Dissington and Mary Ord (c.1664 – 1711), née Blake. He inherited the Ford Estate in Northumberland from his maternal grandfather, Francis Blake, in 1718, on condition he replaced his name with ‘Blake’ - a condition he did not fulfil, only appropriating it before the ‘Delaval’. Prior to his inheritance he was a naval captain in the impress service, and by 1714 was lieutenant aboard H.M.S. The Lyon. He resigned his commission abruptly when he returned to Northumberland to run for election as M.P., in which he was successful. By 1719 he had returned to the Navy, but resigned in 1723 when he inherited Seaton Hall from his uncle, Admiral Sir George Delaval (1668 – 1723). In August 1724, he married Rhoda Apreece (d.1759), daughter of Robert Apreece and Sarah Hussey, and heir to Sir Thomas Hussey of Doddington, her maternal grandfather. They did not move into Delaval Hall, which had not yet been completed by Sir George, until 1728. Accommodating their twelve children (eight sons and four daughters) into a house designed for a bachelor Admiral, was difficult, and some of them were sent to stay with relatives in other Delaval houses at Dissington and Ford. The unruly brood became unknown as the ‘Gay Delavals’, renowned for their exuberant lifestyle and theatrical productions. Sir Francis was succeeded by his first son, the rakish Sir Francis (1727 – 71) and then his second, Sir John Hussey Delaval, Bt. (1728 – 1808), cr. Lord Delaval 1783.
Provenance
Accepted in lieu of tax from Lord Hastings
Makers and roles
British (English) School, artist