John Berners. JP DL 1800 -1886

John, eldest son of Rev. H. D. Berners, was born in July, 1800. He attended Westminster School between 1810 and 1814. However, an academic path through university was not to be. John continued his education in Germany where a lifelong passion for botany developed. In 1820, he took a commission as Ensign in the 3^rd Regiment of Foot Guards (Scots Guards), a regiment he stayed with until reaching the rank of Captain in 1827. In this year, while serving at the Tower of London, John suffered an acute illness which nearly killed him. He survived, but for the rest of his life suffered from a severe lameness which meant he was unable to participate in many strenuous activities, especially field sports. 

John married Mary Henrietta Rowley, only daughter of Rev. Joshua Rowley, at East Bergholt Church on February 21^st 1832.

The couple lived in Reed Hall, Holbrook for the next twenty years.

John was an inaugural member of the Ipswich Conservative Association in 1832. He remained a staunch Conservative for the rest of his life. A year later his name was added to the Commission of the Peace in the county of Suffolk and a long period as Commissioner and later Justice of the Peace ensued.

In the next two decades, John Berners threw himself into projects to forward his political Conservatism but also to help the poor. His name was associated with many worthy causes: The Suffolk Society of the Education of the Poor; the East Suffolk Hospital in Ipswich; the Mutual Assurance Benefit Society in and for the Town and Neighbourhood of Ipswich; the Samford Association. He became Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk in 1844. 

John developed a keen interest in yachting, something he held for the rest of his life. He was a member at the Royal Yacht Squadron from 1858 – 1885 as well as the London Yacht Club. His first yacht was a 70-ton yawl, Edith.

Social responsibility was also part of John Berners’ character. He sought to improve the conditions at Ipswich Gaol and House of Correction through the Court of Presentment.

When the Venerable Archdeacon Henry Denny Berners died in 1852, John Berners had been married for 20 years to Mary Henrietta Rowley. They had not been blessed with children.

Woolverstone Hall and Park had become tired. The Hall itself stood as “an immense mass of white and therefore cold-looking brick that seemed to crush the fine round headed and other short Oaks into the very earth. The whole thing was heavy, bleak-looking and cold…the exterior looked comfortless…ruminants in the park grazed up to and poked their heads into the windows…the garden was nearly a quarter of a mile distant…Even the view of the river was nearly shut out.”

The Gardeners Chronicle. Feb 9^th 1867

There was about to be a  Great Transformation.

John Berners – the later years

John Berners was in his early seventies when his great project at Woolverstone was near completion. By 1872, the carriageway, gardens and building projects were largely implemented. He seems to have spent the ensuing years enjoying his leisure pursuits in particular. He led the life of a quiet country gentleman, improving his farms, erecting good healthy dwellings, planting trees and rendering his land some of the most valuable in Suffolk. The kindness and interest he showed in his tenants was almost paternal. 

John Berners was a keen yachtsman and a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron. His first boat was a yawl named Edith,  a regular “storm-defier”. She was at Cowes during the summer months. In early February 1859, he bought a custom-made 73-foot schooner, 83 tons, Egret, which had been built at Berthon boatyard in Lymington, Hampshire. She was adapted for voyages on the East Coast and “was envied all long this coast.” Egret had a crew of six and yachted six to eight months out of twelve. 

In early August 1886, John  Berners cruised on the Egret across to Felixstowe where he and his wife often stayed at Vernon Villa on Maybush Road, only a stone’s throw from the sea. During the short crossing, John caught a chill and despite the best efforts of his physician, Dr W A.  Elliston, his health steadily deteriorated. John Berners passed away at four in the morning of Tuesday 31^st August 1886 at Vernon Villa. 

His funeral was held on Friday 3^rd September in St Michael’s Church at 1:30. The weather was fine. At the appointed time, Capt. Mills and the crew of the Egret, emerged from the Hall carrying beautifully designed wreaths and crosses. In silence, they took up positions on either side gates immediately outside the mansion. The tall doors were then thrown open and the massive oak coffin with handsome brown furniture, laden with wreaths and crosses, came into view. It was carried across the forecourt by six men who were servants of the estate. They were flanked by six more men who were ready to take their places should their strength flag. They proceeded through the parkland. The procession was led by the rector, Rev. Frederick Wood and the curate, Rev. T G Earnshaw. A number of labourers from the estate followed behind. 

The coffin was made of oak that had been grown on the estate. His coffin was placed in a brick grave next to the grave of his mother-in-law, Mary Rowley. The grave was lined with soft green moss and variegated trailing ivy, arranged with great care by his gardener, Mr Sheppard. A brass plaque on the coffin read:

Captain Hugh Berners RN, John’s younger brother by nine months, laid the first wreath. 

The devolved estates, £10,000, the furniture, effects, horses and carriages not given to his wife, were left to his brother, Hugh.

Mary Henrietta outlived her husband by less than a year and died at her home in  London, 35 Upper Brook Street, on Sunday 2^nd January 1887. It was reported that she never recovered from the loss of her husband. The couple were devoted, supremely happy, “her constant thought being for him”. They had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1882. She was buried beside her husband in St Michael’s churchyard.