Mary Hiley (1722-1778) mother of a Prime Minister

Mary Hiley was the great great granddaughter of William and Eleanor (see the last post). Mary was born in Fringford in Oxfordshire in 1722. She was one of the seven children of  the Reverend Dr. Haviland John Hiley and Eleanor (nee Terrell). In 1745 Mary married Anthony Addington, also from Fringford, in the St Mary At Hill church in London.

  

Dr Anthony Addington
Royal Physician 

Anthony Addington's career as a physician attracted considerable public attention when he appeared as an expert for the prosecution of Mary Blandy for the poisoning of her father Francis Blandy in 1752. He was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 1756.  He obtained a good general practice and a special reputation for the treatment of mental disorders, and built a house next to his own for the reception of his insane patients. He devoted his attention particularly to the treatment of insanity, and was one of the physicians called in to see George III when he first showed symptoms of mental illness.

Memorial to Anthony and Mary in Fringford church

Mary is mentioned in 'A chronicle of the ancient and noble Norman family of De Havilland : originally of Haverland in Cotentin Normandy, now of Guernsey, including the English branches of Havelland of Dorsetshire, now extinct, Haviland of Hawkesbury, Gloucestershire, also extinct : and Haviland of Somersetshire with the documentary evidences by Havilland, John von Sonntag de, 1826-1886.

The Doctor married Miss Mary Hiley................and to his marriage with Miss Hiley may the Doctor's surprising success in life be primarily attributed.

Dux femina facti  (A woman was the author of the achievement)

Henry Addington, Prime Minister

Mary and Anthony had nine children. Amongst these was Henry, born in 1757. Henry studied law at the University of Oxford and became an MP in 1784. He was elected Speaker of the House of Commons in 1789 and became Prime Minister in 1801, serving for three years. During his term, Parliament overhauled the whole tax system and Addington secured the Treaty of Amiens with France. He was elevated to the House of Lords as the 1st Viscount Sidmouth in 1805.