Born at Burton Agnes, Yorkshire, on the 16th of May 1828, the son of Sir Henry Boynton, Bart. and his wife, Mary, the daughter of Captain Grey. R.N.
Educated at Eton.
Cornet in the 6th Dragoon Guards: 11th of June 1847.
Lieutenant, 6th Dragoons Guards: 16th of June 1848.
Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars: 30th of November 1848.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 1st of October 1849.
Marriage registered [1st]
George Boynton to Elizabeth Laura Keeling, September Quarter 1849, St George's Hanover Sq.
Birth registered
George Henry Keeling Boynton [son], September Quarter 1851, Kensington.
On the 20th of November 1854 he wrote to the Military Secretary from Burton Agnes, Yorkshire:
"My Lord,
I take the liberty of asking if your Lordship would kindly intervene with the Horse Guards for me in obtaining an appointment in that portion of the Army now serving in the East.
I have no wish to enter any Home Regiment — my chief object is to go at once to the seat of war. I have already served in the X1 Hussars and I regret that my good and late Colonel, Lord Cardigan, is not in England to promote my views.
The reason why I left the regiment was because at that time I saw no chance of my ever seeing any active service and as there are now several detachments of Cavalry under orders for the East, I have no doubt that with your Lordship's interest I could at once receive a commission and be allowed to embark with them as I am capable of taking charge of a Troop, whereas a person who has not been in the service would be obliged to go to the Depot of his regiment to learn his drill. My age is 25.
I need scarcely add that should the Horse Guards allow me to purchase my commission in any Cavalry Regiment under orders for the East I should be only too happy to give up everything and devote myself to a profession which I am proud of and if your Lordship would kindly intercede you will ever oblige.
Your obedient servant,
George Boynton,
Captain, East Riding Militia."
Cornet in the 17th Lancers: 30th of November 1854.
Lieutenant, 17th Lancers: 12th of January 1855.
Retired, by the sale of his commission, on the 29th of August 1857.
He had married twice, his first marriage being to Elizabeth Laura, daughter of Thomas Henry Keeling, Esq., on the 25th of July 1849. This marriage was dissolved in 1860, and he married Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Thomas Prickett, Esq., of The Avenue, Bridlington, at St. George's, Hanover Square, London, on the 1st of October 1865.
A son, George Henry Keeling, was born of the first marriage on the 23rd of August 1851, and a daughter, Eva Mary Julia (date of birth not known) from the second.
His second wife died at Florence, Italy, on the 15th of April 1877, aged 33.
Lieutenant Boynton served the Eastern campaign from the 16th of June 1855, including the Siege and fall of Sebastopol.
He returned to England aboard the "Sarah Sands" on "sick leave" on the 25th of October 1855.
"[To] Lieutenant Boynton, Bridlington Quay, Yorkshire.
Horse Guards,
23rd February 1856.
Sir, — I am directed to signify to you the desire of the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief that you attend at the office of the Army Medical Board without delay, according to the usual form.
I have, etc. etc.,
W. A. Forster, AAG."
"[To] Colonel Blythe, Commanding Cavalry Depot, Brighton.
Horse Guards,
7th March 1856.
Sir, — With reference to your letter of the 20th ultimo I am directed by the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief to acquaint you that his Lordship has been pleased to grant to Lieutenant G.H.L. Boynton of the 17th Lancers an extension of leave of absence from the 20th ultimo to the 30th of April next on the recommendation of a Medical Board.
I have, etc. etc.,
W. A. Forster, AAG.
"[To] Lt. Colonel Benson, 38 Eaton Square.
Horse Guards,
10th June 1857.
Sir, — I have the honour, by direction of the General Commanding-in-Chief to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th inst. and to acquaint you that in compliance with your request, Lieutenant Boynton has been ordered to proceed to Dublin forthwith and to rejoin the 17th Lancers,
I have, etc. etc.,
W.A. Forster, AAG."
"[To] Lieutenant Boynton, 17th Lancers. 28 Connaught Terrace, Hyde Park.
Horse Guards,
20th June 1857,
Sir, — I have to acknowledge your letter of the 10th ins, referring to the leave of absence granted to you on the recommendation of the Medical Board to the 18th of July and to signify to you the orders of the General Commanding-in-Chief that you will obey at once the instructions conveyed to you in my letter of the 9th inst. and to add that should you still require any further treatment then the same will be afforded by the Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon of the 17th Lancers.
I have, etc. etc.,
W. A. Forster. AAG.
P.S. You will report your having proceeded to rejoin."
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish Medal,
1861 Census
Manor Street, Bridlington.
Mary Boynton, 70, widow, Lady Boynton, Gentlewoman, born Bridlington.
George Boynton, 31, unmarried, Captain in the Army, born Bridlington.
Four servants are also shown.
Marriage registered [2nd]
2nd marriage George Heblethwaite Luton Boynton to Elizabeth Ann Prickett, December Quarter 1865 Marylebone.
Birth registered
Evelyn Mary J Boynton [daughter], September Quarter 1867, Bridlington.
1871 Census
The Hall, Haisthorpe.
George H.L. Boynton, 42, late Captain in the Army, born Burton Agnes.
E.A.C. Boynton, 27, born Bridlington.
Evelyn Boynton, 3, born Hailsthorpe.
Five servants are also shown
1881 Census
Haisthorpe Hall, Haisthorpe.
George Benson, widower, 50, late officer of the Army, born Burton Agnes.
Two servants are also shown.
Died at Haisthorpe Hall, on the 18th of May 1888, aged 60 years.
Death registered
George H L Boynton, aged 60, June Quarter 1888, Bridlington.
Extract from the "Bridlington Free Press" for Saturday the 26th of May 1888:
"Death and interment of Captain Boynton
We have to record the death of Captain George Heblethwaite Luton [sic] Boynton, of Haisthorpe Hall, which took place on the 18th inst. at his residence. Captain Boynton, who was 60 years of age, was formerly of the 17th Lancers, and had seen considerable service.
The funeral took place on Thursday in a field adjoining the grounds in accordance with the rites of the Roman Catholic Church. The mournful procession moved from the mansion in the following order, three neophytes, each carrying a cross, the coffin containing the remains of the deceased, and three priests.
The ground in which the vault was placed was blessed, but is not yet consecrated. Previously to the interment both the grave and coffin were sprinkled with holy water. A great number of wreaths and crosses were sent and carefully placed upon the coffin, each testifying to the esteem and respect held for the late departed gentleman.
A large number of visitors were also present and the proceedings were conducted with the utmost decorum and order."
A search of the grounds carried out by the present owners of the property (1985) showed no trace of his grave site. Covering some 2/3 acres, much is now covered by shrubbery, but an area of approximately an acre next to the house is clear, and could have been the "field" which was referred to in the funeral report.
Marriage registered
Evelyn Mary Boynton [daughter], March Quarter 1907, Leicester.
Additional Census information for 1861-1881, and details of a number of registrations of births, deaths and marriages kindly provided by Chris Poole.