James Lockhart

26 J–6 Ja

**James Lockhart** was born on the 26 July 1763 and baptised 19 August 1763 at St. Dunstan's-in-the-East, London, England. His father, also James Lockhart, of Melchett Park, County Wilts and Shortfield House, near Rumsey, Hants, was formerly a partner-banker at the west end of London. He was a descendant of the old Scottish family of that name, and on the female side from the sister of Oliver Cromwell - Miss Gray (a member of the Society of Friends). He married Mary Harriot L. and they had three children. John Lockhart [b.1763] was the eldest child, and received early education at Reading School, whence sometime after he went to Eton College, and was there at the same time with the late Duke of Wellington, and his own younger brother John Ingram Lockhart (1766-1835) who was later a Member of Parliament for Oxford. John Lockhart was, from his earliest youth, fond of study, and when he left Eton College (after an apparently unsuccessfully standing (1)) was considered a very proficient scholar in Latin and Greek, and noted for his Latin versification, a fondness for which he retained throughout his life. On leaving Eton he entered his father's bank, in which he subsequently became a partner. While here, he originated Castle Insurance Company. Being of cheerful and communicative disposition, and possessed early ample means, he entered much into society. On retiring from the banking business in 1799, he settled with his family amidst the romantic scenery of the lake district on th