"Such a benevolent and tender friend": William Pitt the Elder & RalphAllen

Figure 1: Ralph Allen (1694-1764) by William Hoare, c. 1742

The primary subject matter of this blog is the private life of William Pitt the younger, however it is important to explore his antecedents - particularly his illustrious father's political career - in order to understand the context of Pitt's diplomatic upbringing. One of the main ways this can be done is by investigating the friendships and influential people who shaped the life of William Pitt the Elder before he became the Earl of Chatham.

Ralph Allen's patronage of Pitt the Elder calls for a special mention. Ralph Allen (1694-1763) was a great 18th century philanthropist, reformer of the British postal system, Postmaster, and one-time Mayor of Bath. Indeed, Allen can rightly be said to have built the Georgian city of Bath, as he was heavily involved in the quarrying of the famous Portland stone (Portland, named after the coastal town near Weymouth where the stone originates) used in the building of that city and others throughout eighteenth-century England. Although Allen was only Mayor of Bath in 1742, his widespread political influence in the Town Council was far-reaching [1]. Allen was an active force behind the Mayor and Corporation of Bath during the 1750s and early 1760s. Indeed, it was largely due to Pitt's friendship with Allen that Pitt, at the invitation of the Corporation, resigned his seat at Okehampton in order to become MP (Member of Parliament) for Bath in 1757 [2]. Pitt was even unanimously re-elected for the same seat in the General Election of 1761; this was largely due to Allen's exercise of power and patronage. The "Great Commoner," as Pitt was known before his elevation to the Peerage in 1766, was very thankful to his friend  - and benefactor - Ralph Allen. 

Figure 2: Plaque outside Ralph Allen's summer residence in Weymouth, Dorset (my photo)

Allen had a summer residence built for him at Weymouth around the year 1750. It is located at Number 2 Trinity Street, and is positioned in a prime location on Weymouth harbour. I visited Weymouth recently, and had an opportunity of seeing and photographing Allen's former retreat. 

Figure 3: Ralph Allen's summer residence (1750-1763) at Weymouth (my photo)

The friendship between Allen and Pitt remained unbroken during these years, despite their disagreements over the Peace of Paris in 1763. It is a testament to their individual sense of honour and dignity that such a major political rupture did not shatter their personal relations. When Allen died at Prior Park on June 29, 1764, he confirmed a bequest to Pitt in the amount of £1,000 (approximately £75,000 in modern currency). Allen described this in his will as "a last token of esteem and gratitude" to "the best of friends and the most upright and capable of Ministers." [3] 

In return, Pitt wrote an affectionate letter of condolence to Allen's widow on July 4, 1764: "I will only say that, in Mr. Allen, mankind has lost such a benevolent and tender friend as, I fear, not all the example of his virtues will have power to raise up to the world again. Admiring his life and regretting the shortness of it, I shall ever respectfully cherish his memory, and rank the continuation of the favourable opinion and friendship of a truly good man amongst the happiest advantages and the first honours which fortune may have bestowed upon my life." [4]

Two years later, Pitt became the first Earl of Chatham. There is no doubt that Allen's patronage and kindness - although he did not live to see the result - contributed to Pitt's later elevation.

References:

1. Barbeau, A. (1904) Life & Letters at Bath in the Eighteenth Century. Stroud: The History Press, p. 227.

2. Barbeau, A. (1904) Life & Letters at Bath in the Eighteenth Century. Stroud: The History Press, p. 226.

3. Ibid.

4. Correspondence of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, Volume 2. (1838) London: John Murray, pp. 289-290.

Image Credits:

Figure 1: Ralph Allen by William Hoare, c. 1742. Image Source. It can be seen at The Royal National Mineral Water Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, Somerset. 

Figure 2: A plaque on the frontage of Ralph Allen's summer residence (from 1750-1763) at Weymouth, Dorset (my photo).

Figure 3: Ralph Allen's summer residence at Weymouth (my photo).