Lily Style, founder of the Emma Hamilton Society, gave us a compelling talk in April exploring the life of Horatia Nelson, daughter of Admiral Lord Nelson and Emma Hamilton, focusing on her later years in Pinner. Prompted by contact with an adopted elder brother, Lily was inspired to delve into her family history and Horatia’s legacy.
Horatia lived more than a quarter of her life in Pinner, yet remained silent about her famous parentage. This secrecy stemmed from the scandal surrounding her mother, Emma Hamilton, who was vilified both during and after her life. Horatia’s illegitimacy was hidden by Nelson and Emma, who created a fictitious backstory naming her as the daughter of a deceased officer, "Thompson," and fabricated a birthdate to mask Emma's pregnancy.
Despite this, Nelson clearly cherished both Emma and Horatia. Just before Trafalgar, he added a codicil to his will praising Emma’s intelligence work and service to the nation and requesting lifelong support for both her and his "adopted" daughter, Horatia. However, after Nelson's death, the government ignored his wishes, giving his estate to his brother and leaving Emma to die in poverty in 1815.
Horatia was passed between relatives before marrying local curate Philip Ward in 1822. They had ten children, of whom eight survived into adulthood. Among the sons were clergymen, lawyers, and soldiers - two youngest, William and Philip, eventually joined the East India Company army but returned sick from service.
In 1849, the publication of Nelson’s letters confirmed Horatia’s true parentage, causing public sympathy and financial aid for her children. When Philip died in 1859, Horatia moved to Pinner with her son Nelson Ward and her unmarried daughter Ellen who later died after being knocked down in the High Street. They lived in several homes in Pinner, including Elmdene where her son Philip died after returning ill from India, West End Lodge, and later, after Nelson Ward married and left his mother’s home, in Woodridings.
Lily’s ancestor, William Ward, married his cousin Tori, and their life was also marked by illness, return from India, and early death - William died in Hastings in 1878. Lily highlighted the physical and emotional toll of military service on the family, suggesting that Horatia’s younger sons might have lived longer if not steered into the military.
Horatia’s life in Pinner was dominated by her family. William and Tori, and later her son Marmaduke also lived for a time in Woodridings. Nelson Ward played a public role, helping form the Pinner Cricket Club and living nearby first in Woodridings and later at West House with his growing family. In contrast, Horatia lived quietly, concealing her feelings about her mother and background. Her long-serving butler, Honeysett, tragically died by suicide in 1880.
Horatia died in 1881 at the age of 80. Though newspapers hinted that she was Nelson’s daughter, she herself never publicly acknowledged this. Lily believes she bore the burden of public judgment silently, yet lived a life of dignity and quiet resilience.
Lily closed her talk with reflections on Emma Hamilton, defending her as a capable and loving mother, contrary to the judgment of some biographers.
