Eleanor Oglethorpe facts for kids

Eleanor Oglethorpe (1662–1732) was an important woman who worked for the royal family in England. She served during the time of King Charles II and King James II. When King James II had to leave England, Eleanor followed him to France.

Eleanor and her husband, Theophilus Oglethorpe, later returned to their home near London. But they secretly continued to support the House of Stuart, the royal family that James II belonged to. After her husband died in 1702, Eleanor even advised Queen Anne. At the same time, she kept working for the Jacobite cause. This cause wanted to bring the Stuart family back to the throne. Eleanor Oglethorpe was also the mother of James Edward Oglethorpe. He was a famous person who helped others and founded the American state of Georgia.

Eleanor's Early Life

Eleanor Wall was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1662. She grew up following the Catholic faith. Her family had a long history of supporting the House of Stuart. For example, her father, Richard Wall, bravely defended King Charles I. This loyalty to the Stuarts was a strong family tradition.

Working for the Royal Family

Eleanor Wall started working for the royal family when she was young. She worked in the household of King Charles II. In 1681, she was the head laundress. There, she met a young army officer named Theophilus Oglethorpe. They soon got married.

Both Eleanor and Theophilus were very loyal and skilled. They became more important during King Charles II's rule. They were both present when the king died in 1685.

Changes in Power

After Charles II, his brother, James II, became king. King James II was Catholic. He also believed that kings had a "divine right" to rule. This meant he thought God chose him to be king.

However, many people in England wanted a Protestant king. They also wanted a government that shared power. So, a big change happened, known as the Glorious Revolution. This event brought William III and Mary II to power.

Supporting the Jacobite Cause

After the Glorious Revolution, King James II went to live in France. The King of France, Louis XIV, supported him. Eleanor and Theophilus Oglethorpe stayed loyal to James II. They followed him to Paris.

Soon, they returned to their home in England, Westbrook Manor. From there, they secretly worked to help James II return to the throne. After James II and Theophilus died in 1702, Eleanor continued her work. She supported James Francis Edward Stuart, who was James II's son. He was known as "The Old Pretender" in England.

Secret Meetings at Westbrook Manor

Eleanor Oglethorpe kept working for James III until she died in 1732. Her home, Westbrook Manor, became a secret meeting place. People who supported the Jacobite cause met there. They planned how to bring the Stuart family back to power. They also smuggled goods to get money for their cause. The manor even had a secret trap door. It led to a tunnel that helped the plotters move around unseen.

Eleanor's Children

Eleanor Oglethorpe had many children. They also became involved in the Jacobite cause. They actively supported James III.

Her sons, Lewis and Theophilus Junior, lived with her in London for a while. They even served in Parliament after their father died. Lewis later went to Europe and died in a battle. Theophilus Junior worked for a trading company. He then tried to get a job with James III but didn't succeed. However, he was given the title Baron Oglethorpe, likely to honor his mother.

Eleanor's daughters were also active Jacobites. They included Anne Henrietta, Eleanor, Luisa Mary, and Frances Charlotte. Anne stayed at Westbrook to help her parents. She later moved to Europe and was made Countess of Oglethorpe by James III. Daughter Eleanor married a French nobleman and lived in France. Luisa lived in France and Spain. Frances lived in France and later became a lady-in-waiting in Italy.

Eleanor Oglethorpe's youngest child was James Edward Oglethorpe (1696–1785). He became very famous. He managed to stay far enough away from the Jacobite cause. This allowed him to become a successful Member of Parliament. He was also a well-known person in London society.

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  James Edward Oglethorpe