Born	1791
Died	1870
Son of Edward Shewell and Mary Warner

Edward Shewell

Hi, I'm not sure if you are aware that Shewell, who became the vice principal and then headmaster of Burney's, was vaguely linked by marriages to the Burneys. In case you don't, & so that I can get the facts as I know them sorted out, here's the story. Shewell was the son of Edward Warner Shewell and Emma Poole. Emma was the sister of Henry Poole who married Julia Burney. I've no idea what this relationship translates into in genealogical jargon, but the link must surely account for Shewell's joining the family business. Edward Lewis Lucy Shewell - Was born in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, ca 1831: he was the 7th of 14 children. His family was well off. - He entered Wadham College, Oxford, in 1849 (BA 1852; MA 1861). - He appears to have started working at Burney's Gosport in about 1858; he shows up in subsequent documents as assistant master, master, vice principal, partner and headmaster. - His father died in 1878; Shewell was one of the executors. - In the 1881 Census (April 3) he was enumerated with his widowed mother and two unmarried sisters at 18 Royal Crescent, Cheltenham - occupation teacher of classics (no school or whatever shown). There were six live-in servants including a sick nurse. His mother Emma died June 14 1881 so I assume Shewell had returned to Cheltenham to be with her. - In 1883, with his oldest brother Henry, he inherited Lewes House, Lewes, Sussex. It doesn't appear that he ever lived there. - In 1886 he witnessed Edward Burney's will in Gosport (April 1): he is described as Vice-principal of the Royal Academy. - In an advert in The Times Jan 17 1887 Edward Burney states that "Mr. Shewell, who has been Vice-principal for the last 29 years, will rejoin the school as partner and resident Head Master." - Shewell died May 5 1887 (age 56) in the collision of two ships in the Mediterranean. - He did not marry. What is intriguing is the partnership announced in the 1887 advert. Shewell is not mentioned in Edward Burney's will (1886) in which Burney appears to have left the school lock, stock & barrel to his son Edward Amyatt-Burney. Burney, who had been the principal since 1837, died Aug 8 1888 at age 72 "after a protracted illness". His will was probated Oct 4 1888 with no hint that Shewell or his heirs might have, or have had, a financial interest in the school. Edward Burney seems to have been innovative, adapting well to changing markets and diversifying the school's offerings. I assume for the moment that he was planning for his succession at the school and that Shewell seemed to fit the bill. Three of Shewell's brothers were senior officers in the Indian Army and and a fourth was a Lt RN when he died at sea age 27. My principal source for the Shewells is the Swinhope Burn families website. I accessed the relevant pages by googling "Edward Warner Shewell & Emma Poole". The story of Lewes House can be found on the Lewes District Council website. Ruminating on Shewell prompts reflection on the Henry Poole-Julia Burney marriage. I'll send a separate email about that. Best wishes,