Henry Edward Duke PC (1855 - 1939)

Born 5 Nov 1855 in Walkhampton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Jane (Shorland) Duke — married 1876 in Bath Registration District, Somerset, England

Died 20 May 1939 at age 83 in London, England, United Kingdom

Conservative politician. Chief Secretary for Ireland 1916-1918

Biography

Henry Duke PC is Notable.

Henry's birth was registered in the Oct-Nov-Dec quarter of 1855 in the Tavistock district.^[1] His parents were William Edward Duke and Elizabeth Ann (Lord) Duke. Henry was the third of twelve siblings.

Henry was bright enough to be employed as a 'Pupil Teacher' aged only 15. He later trained as a journalist, working on the Western Morning News.

Henry's marriage to Sarah Jane Shorland was registered in the Jan-Feb-Mar quarter of 1876 in the Bath district.^[4]

Henry and Sarah Jane, with their three-year-old daughter Violet travelled to London as part of his work for the newspaper included covering the House of Commons. The family stayed in London so that Henry could study law.

Henry was 'called to the bar' at Gray's Inn, London, in 1885,. He set up a legal practice in London which was very successful. His son Edward joined the family.

From 1897 to 1900, Henry was the recorder for Devonport and Plymouth. (A recorder is a judicial officer.) Henry was made a Queen's Counsel in 1899. He won the election for the 1900 election as a Unionist (Conservative). He then lost the seat in 1906, but regained it in 1911 and held it until 1918. Henry then resigned, and was appointed Lord Justice of Appeal.

In 1915, Henry was admitted to the Privy Council (group of advisers to the monarch). In 1916, he was appointed as Chief Secretary for Ireland, which was a cabinet position.

Henry was knighted in 1919. ^{[citation needed]} Also in 1919 he became President of the Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division of the High Court of Justice. In 1925 he was created Baron Merrivale of Walkhampton, Devon. ^[9] Here is his blazon ^[10]:
Arms:
Argent an Anchor fouled Sable between three Chaplets all within a Bordure engrailed Azure
Crest:
Issuant from a Chaplet fesswise Argent a Demi-Griffin holding between the claws a Fasces erect Or
Supporters:
On either side a Griffin Or the dexter gorged with a Chain Sable pendant therefrom an Escutcheon Argent charged with a Saltire between four Castles Sable and the sinister gorged with a like Chain suspended therefrom an Escutcheon per pale Gules and Sable charged with a Castle triple towered Or
Motto:
Gradatum Vincimus (We conquer by degrees)

Henry's death (age 84) was registered in the Apr-May-Jun quarter of 1939 in the Holborn district.^[11] His son Edward inherited the barony.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Birth (accessed 3 May 2022)
   Duke, Henry Edward (Mother's maiden name: Lord).
   GRO Reference: 1855 Oct-Nov-Dec in Tavistock Volume 05B Page 295.
2. ↑ 1861 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1861"
   Citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: M7BH-2MT (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry E Duke (5) son in household of William E Duke (31) in Tavistock registration district.
3. ↑ 1871 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1871"
   Citing The National Archives of the UK
   FamilySearch Record: V5TS-189 (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry E Duke (15) brother in household of William G Duke (17). Born in Walkhampton, Devonshire.
4. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriage Index"
   FreeBMD Entry Information (accessed 4 May 2022)
   Duke, Henry Edward.
   GRO Reference: 1876 Jan-Feb-Mar in Bath Volume 5c Page 882.
5. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881"
   Citing p. 19, Piece/Folio 594/40, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,305.
   FamilySearch Record: QK6Y-FFPW (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry E Duke (28), married boarder head, in household of Charles A Kelly (60) at Chester Place in Lambeth registration district. Born in Lidford, Devon, England.
6. ↑ 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
   Citing PRO RG 12, London county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: Q9Y6-YMM (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry E Duke (36), married head of household in Lambeth registration district. Born in Devonshire, England.
7. ↑ 1901 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1901"
   Citing Dulwich subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: X9CJ-249 (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry E Duke (45), married head of household in Camberwell registration district. Born in Wallhampton, Devonshire.
8. ↑ 1911 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1911"
   Citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
   FamilySearch Record: XW5T-86X (accessed 3 May 2022)
   FindMyPast Image
   Henry Edward Duke (55), married head of household in Camberwell registration district. Born in Walkhampton, Devonshire.
9. ↑ Barony: London Gazette
10. ↑ Blazon: Cracroft's Peerage
11. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
    GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 3 May 2022)
    Duke, Henry Edward (Age at death: 84).
    GRO Reference: 1939 Apr-May-Jun in Holborn Volume 01B Page 450.

See Also:

• Wikipedia: Henry_Duke,_1st_Baron_Merrivale