Notes and Queries/Series 10/Volume 6/Number 138/Beldornie Press

Beldornie Press (10 S. v. 269).—Some information on this subject will be found in the Second Series of 'N. & Q.' Before Utterson built Beldornie Tower, in Pelham Field, he resided at Buckland Grange, which before his time had been only a farm and was known as Ryde House (this latter name was transferred to a modern house built nearer to the sea by Mr. George Player for his own occupation).

The following is an extract from The Isle of Wight Observer at the time of Utterson's death:

"This distinguished antiquary, who built Beldornie, Ryde, where he for many years resided expired on the 14th July [1852] at Brighton, in the 79th year of his age. The deceased gentleman was an uncompromising Tory of the old school, and a most implacable enemy to the system of 'retrenchment' which followed in the wake of the passing of the Reform Bill. He was one of the 'Six Clerks in Chancery,' a sinecure of great emolument which the Whigs abolished, pensioning off the then holders for life; and we believe Mr. Utterson was the last survivor of them. On the election of Mr. Dawes in 1851 on Free Trade principles, Mr. Utterson took such umbrage that he removed from Ryde and shortly afterwards his exceedingly valuable library of antiquarian literature was brought to the hammer. For several years Mr Utterson kept up a private printing office, where many scarce works were reprinted, more particularly those of the Elizabethan period. At St. Thomas', Ryde, there are tablets to the memory of Utterson and his wife." G. R. Brigstocke.

Ryde, I.W.

[There must be a mistake in the year Mr. Brigstocke gives for Utterson's death. The very interesting article to which he refers appeared at 2 S. i. 6, and was written by J. Payne Collier, who began his note with the words "The late Mr. Edward Vernon Utterson." The next week, however, 'N. & Q.' contained a letter from Mr. Collier, dated "Jan. 8, 1856," saying that he was "most happy to be informed" that Mr. Utterson was then alive and well. The 'D.N.B.' article on Utterson states that he died at Brighton on 14 July, 1856, and gives a list of his reprints at the Beldornie Press.]