Emma Hart – or Carew as she became known – was the first daughter of Emma Hamilton, born in 1782.
The identity of her father is uncertain, but itwas probably Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, the dissolute dandy who had abandoned his lover, enraged that she had become pregnant.
Greville agreed to take her in as a mistress on condition that she send the child away, and set out to transform ‘the wild unthinking Emma’ into ‘a grave thoughtful phylosopher’.
Romney’s first portrait of her dates back to that period, portraying her as “Nature”, sitting with a spaniel on her lap, perhaps to hide her still bulging belly.
The baby was immediately placed with her great-grandmother until she was three and then she was moved to Manchester with schoolmaster John Blackburn and his wife, to receive “a good education”.
After her mother’s marriage in September 1791, Greville transferred the cost of Emma’s upkeep to Sir William. Lady Hamilton tried to persuade him to allow her daughter to go and live with them in the Palazzo Sessa, introducing her as her mother Mrs Cadogan’s niece, but he always refused.
Therefore she remained under the Blackburns’ tutelage until her mother’s return from Italy in 1800 . Initially, she hoped to be able to go back to the kingdom of the two Sicilies and planned to place her as ‘a camerist’ (i.e. court chambermaid assigned to the princesses) with the Sicilian Royal Family in Palermo, but it was impossible due to the scandal of the betrayal of the agreements stipulated with the revolutionary patriots.
When the young woman visited her mother at Merton, she came to be accepted and liked by Nelson who, in a letter to Lady Hamilton announcing his return to England in August 1805, after two and a half years spent at sea, included the hope of being able to see the girl too: ” and I would not have my Emma’s relative go without my seeing her.”
At Merton however she had to change the incriminating surname of Hart (like her mother) to Hartley.
After Nelson’s death, realizing that her only chance was to become a governess or companion, she finally made that journey to Italy that had been planned for her five years earlier.
She probably stayed for a while in Bronte, the Dukedom of Nelson, similar to a character in the eponymous Charlotte Brontë’s novels , a poor relative relegated to the borders of the family.
In 1810 Emma who had now become definitely Carew wrote a letter to the woman she believed her mother, begging her to clearly reveal the truth about her birth:
“… Had you felt yourself at liberty so to have done [confirm their relationship], I might have become reconciled to my former situation … I had nothing to support me but the affection I bore you; on the other hand doubts and fears by turns oppressed me, and I determined to rely on my own efforts rather than submit to abject dependence, without a permanent name or acknowledged parents…”
There was no known answer: her mother probably cruelly chose to ignore this eloquent and emotional plea to know the truth.
After Lady Hamilton’s death there are no further details about her, and for a long time it was assumed that she was dead. Recently, however, it was discovered that an article on the fashionable people and places in Tuscany (Italy) published in 1839 by an American correspondent also mentioned her in a curious combination of truth and (a lot of) fiction
“Among the residents of Florence I must not fail to mention Emma Carew, the unfortunate daughter of the too celebrated Lady Hamilton. Her father, Sir William Hamilton (she was born previous to the marriage of her mother), left her a respectable provision: unfortunately it fell into the hands of her improvident parent, who was her guardian, and, as may be imagined, was speedily dissipated in her career of extravagance. Her unfortunate daughter, long struggled to procure an existence by teaching the English language, during which her privations must have been numerous … “ (The Corsair, 19 October 1839)
Emma Carew died in 1856, struck down by a fatal attack of asthma, and was buried in the English Cemetery on the outskirts of Florence, in whose archives she is listed as governess.
to be continued
Emma Hart – o Carew, cognome con cui fu nota- fu la prima figlia i di Emma Hamilton, nata nel 1782.
L’identità del padre è incerta, ma probabilmente si trattava di Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, il dandy dissoluto che aveva abbandonato la sua amante infuriato perché era rimasta incinta
Greville accettò di accoglierla come amante a patto che mandasse via la bambina . e decise di trasformare “la selvaggia e sconsiderata Emma ” in “una filosofa seria e premurosa”.
A quel periodo risale il primo ritratto effettuato da Romney, che la ritrae come “Natura”, seduta con uno spaniel in grembo, forse per nascondere il ventre ancora un po’ prominente.
La neonata fu collocata dalla sua bisnonna dove rimase fino all’età di tre anni e poi fu trasferita a Manchester, presso il maestro di scuola John Blackburn e sua moglie, per ricevere “una buona educazione”.
Dopo il matrimonio della madre nel settembre 1791, Greville trasferì a Sir William le spese per il mantenimento di Emma: lady Hamilton cercò anche di convincerlo a permettere alla figlia di andare a vivere con loro a Palazzo Sessa, presentandola come la nipote di sua madre Mrs Cadogan, ma lui oppose sempre un rifiuto.
Rimase quindi sotto la tutela dei Blackburn fino al rimpatrio della madre dall’Italia nel 1800. Sperando inizialmente di poter fare ritorno nel regno delle due Sicilie, progettò di collocarla come camerista (cioè cameriera di corte addetta alle principesse) presso la Famiglia Reale Siciliana a Palermo, ma poi il rientro in Italia si rivelò impossibile per lo scandalo del tradimento dei patti stipulati con i rivoluzionari.
Quando la giovane andò da sua madre a Merton, fu accettata e apprezzata da Nelson che, in una lettera a Lady Hamilton per annunciare il suo ritorno in Inghilterra nell’agosto 1805, dopo due anni e mezzo trascorsi in mare, le comunicò la speranza di poter vedere anche la ragazza:”e non vorrei che il parente della mia Emma se ne andasse senza che io la vedessi.”
A Merton tuttavia dovette cambiare il cognome incriminante di Hart (come la madre) in Hartley.
Dopo la morte di Nelson, rendendosi conto che la sua unica possibilità era di diventare governante o dama di compagnia, fece finalmente quel viaggio in Italia che era stato programmato per lei cinque anni prima.
Probabilmente rimase per un po’ a Bronte, la Ducea di Nelson, simile a un personaggio dell’omonima Charlotte Brontë, una parente povera relegata ai margini della famiglia.
Nel 1810 Emma che ora era diventata definitivamente Carew scrisse una lettera alla donna che credeva fosse sua madre, implorandola di rivelarle chiaramente la verità sulla sua nascita:
“… Se ti fossi sentita libera di fare così [confermare la loro relazione], avrei potuto riconciliarmi con la mia situazione precedente … non avevo nulla che mi sostenesse se non l’affetto che ti portavo; d’altra parte dubbi e paure mi opprimevano, e decisi di fare affidamento sui miei sforzi piuttosto che sottomettermi a una dipendenza abietta, senza un nome permanente o genitori riconosciuti … “
Non c’è traccia di risposta: sua madre probabilmente decise crudelmente di ignorare quella sua richiesta
Dopo la morte di Lady Hamilton non si hanno più dettagli su di lei, e per molto tempo si pensò che fosse morta. Recentemente però si è scoperto che un articolo sui personaggi e i luoghi alla moda della Toscana pubblicato nel 1839 da un corrispondente americano si parlava anche di lei in una curiosa combinazione di verità e (tanta) finzione
“Tra i residenti a Firenze non posso non citare Emma Carew, la sfortunata figlia della celebre Lady Hamilton. Suo padre, Sir William Hamilton (era nata prima del matrimonio di sua madre), le lasciò una rispettabile somma: purtroppo cadde nelle mani della sua improvvida madre, che era la sua tutrice, e, come si può immaginare, fu prontamente dissipata nella sua vita di sfarzo. La sua sfortunata figlia, lottò a lungo per guadagnarsi da vivere insegnando la lingua inglese, durante la quale le sue privazioni dovettero essere numerose…” ( The Corsair, 19 ottobre 1839)
Emma Carew morì nel 1856, stroncata da un attacco mortale di asma e fu sepolta nel Cimitero degli Inglesi alla periferia di Firenze nei cui archivi del Cimitero degli Inglesi viene indicata come governante
continua
Image – George Romney – Lady Hamilton (as Nature) – 1782
Emma grows more venal with each passing chapter. She couldn’t love anyone except maybe Nelson more than she lived hers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know … I think the only man she really loved was Greville, the one who “sold” her to his uncle Hamilton 💰💰💰
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very astute, Luisa. Makes sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m new on blogging please read ,like, comment and follow my page.
And also please share to family and friends… peace be unto you
LikeLike
Unfortunately your blog doesn’t open 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
https://bmgfoundation.business.blog/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!
LikeLike
You are welcome ,
LikeLiked by 1 person
A tough childhood and an even tougher adulthood, it would seem. She must have felt abandoned many times. Happy Tuesday Luisa. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with your opinion
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on it, Allan I appreciate it very much🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Goodness, Dear Luisa! This is a riot of fascinating information! I think those people had hearts of stone.
Thank you.
Joanna
LikeLike
I agree. Thanks a million for taking your time to read and comment 🙏🤗🙏
LikeLike
You are more than welcome!
Joanna
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🤗🙏
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luisa ! Fate of a premarital child is always uncertain . Emma Hart’s story was something like that . Her unknown father or little known father or uncertain father left her mother Emma Hamilton long back . Grenville , the new lover of Emma , was not ready to accept her . And when Emma married to Sir William Hamilton , Grenville was not ready to bear educational expenditures of Emma Hart at all . And it was shifted on Sir William . When Emma Hart returned after getting education , she wanted to go to Italy on assignment , but due to technical causes and past actions of Emma Hamilton there , she could not go there . She was only wished by Nelson to meet her as a relative of Emma Hamilton after his return from the sea to Merton where she was staying with her mother (Emma Hamilton) . Sorry to say that this was the fate of a premarital child Emma Hart who even there in Merton had to change her incriminating surname of Hart to Hartley . Thanks for sharing !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Arbind, I agree with you when you say that like many illegitimate children, her fate was also rather sad.
Thank you so much for your constant support ! I’m really grateful for it. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks !
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏🙏🙏
LikeLike
Wow, I never know what you’re going to write next such is the high drama of Emma’s life. Thank you so much for continuing this thrilling series. Your longest yet for sure! Love and light, Deborah.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s the longest because I never finish discovering new fascinating details.
Thanks a lot, as always, for your kind appreciation and encouragement 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Lady Hamilton & Horatio Nelson: Emma Carew (part 32) […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot for this kind reblog 🙏❣️🙏
LikeLike
I think Emma was better off by not being around her parents.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this reflection on which I totally agree❣️❣️❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Lady Hamilton & Horatio Nelson: Emma Carew (part 32) […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks a lot for this kind reblog 🙏❣️🙏
LikeLike
“She was born previous to the marriage of her mother”. That’s one way of putting it I suppose.
LikeLike
Sta roba è complicata Lu
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ancor più complicata anche dalla ragnatela di bugie che sembra circondare Lady Hamilton🕸️
LikeLike
Sì pare anche vittima di certe scelte dunque condizionata
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍🌹🌹🌹
LikeLike
Che storia! Bellissimo il ritratto! Buona serata, Luisa ❣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie di cuore, Dani!
Buona serata a te 🌃❣️🌃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Emma Carew: Yet another victim of Lady Hamilton’s climb to life among the European aristocracy. It could not have been easy for her to face such rejection from her mother.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree with you: some say her mother cared about her, but I have my doubts🌻
LikeLiked by 1 person
You couldn’t expect Lady Hamilton to act like a true mother to her daughter. You could even say that he was cruel to her. One more additive for the story to take on another dimension. Greetings Luisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you wholeheartedly for your comment on which I cannot but agree with you❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome Luisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
დდ
LikeLiked by 1 person
In ogni pagina c’è una nuova complicazione causate anche da bugie su bugie, verità non dette etc. Una storia davvero complessa 😌 B79na se4ata car8ssima Luisa e ancora grazie per queste tue ricerche 🥀🥀🥀😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie a te, Giusy cara. Ti confesso che neppure io, all’inizio, immaginavo che le cose sarebbero state così complicate e ambigue 🙏❣️🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Che triste destino per quella figlia nata da una madre snaturata!!!! Cara Luisa, non avevo mai sentito una storia simile. Questa supera la fantasia alla grande!!! Ciao carissima, buona serata!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vitty carissima, a volte la realtà supera ogni fantasia… e quando lo fa in senso negativo ci lascia sbigottiti
Grazie per il messaggio e buon pomeriggio💞
LikeLike
This tale reminds me how tough life could be in those days, even for the elite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Correct, John
Thank you for visiting and leaving your comment. 🙏
LikeLike
Poor Emma, it’s obvious she was desperate for information or attention from her mother. The portrait of her with the dog is beautiful!
LikeLike
decisamente non fortunate le figlie di Emma.
Comunque questa visse abbastanza a lungo e condusse una vita quasi normale.
O.T. scrivi ‘Nel 1610 Emma che ora era diventata definitivamente Carew’ ma forse l’anno è 1810.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie infinite per la segnalazione!
Lo correggo subito 🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sera Luisa
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙏❣️🙏
LikeLike
This is my first retrospective look at this story. Next time I will start at number one and progress in the correct order.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think that may be for the best
Thanks a lot for your appreciation 🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Povera figliola, buonanotte, carissima Luisa! Un ❤️ abbraccio
LikeLiked by 1 person
Un abbraccio a te, Valy 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie Luisa, a te! 💝
LikeLiked by 1 person
Un po’ come Floriana 🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie per il collegamento 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Io e la mia prof di sostegno ci siamo affezionate a Floriana per la storia che ha e il rapporto che ha avuto con il padre
LikeLiked by 1 person
🌺💞🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Lady Hamilton & Horatio Nelson: Emma Carew (part 32) […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Grazie mille per tale gentilezza. Sono onorata di essere spesso ospitata sul tuo blog.🤗❣️🌹
LikeLike