Edmund Nelson (clergyman) - Later Life

Later Life

As his children left the home and went off to their new lives, Edmund remained at Burnham Thorpe. He lived a modest quiet life, but continued to follow the lives and careers of his children with interest. He had a modest income provided by his work as a parson, as well as several small investments and the legacy of his daughter Ann, who had died in 1784. In 1787, Horatio returned to England after serving in the West Indies, bringing with him his new wife, Frances Nisbet, informally known as 'Fanny'. Edmund had by this time come to prefer his seclusion, and did not look forward to the arrival of his extended family. Edmund's health was never particularly strong, and he suffered from 'paralytic and asthmatic' conditions. He took occasional trips to Bath to sample the springs. He wrote

I am not now anxious to see them. Him for a day or two I should be glad of, but to introduce a stranger to an infirm and whimsical old man, who can neither eat nor drink, nor talk, nor see, is as well let alone.

Consequently it was not until late 1788 that Horatio and his new wife arrived at the rectory at Burnham Thorpe. Horatio had spent a considerable amount of time attempting to obtain command of another ship, but finally recognised this was unlikely to occur in the near future, and bowed to Fanny's wishes to settle and start a household. Despite Edmund's initial reluctance to meet them, he found Fanny to be an enduring friend, and Horatio to be a dutiful and caring son. Edmund moved out of the rectory in 1790 to let the couple start to establish their own household. He settled in a cottage at Burnham Ulph, but made frequent visits to the couple. Edmund continued to make trips to Bath during the cold Norfolk winters, and Fanny often accompanied him while her husband was at sea. Edmund's declining health made him more and more dependant on Fanny, whilst he sought to act as her guardian while Horatio was away. The two enjoyed the pace of life at Bath, and became firm friends, with Fanny reading to him and providing companionship. Edmund wrote that

truly supplies a kind and watchful child over the infirmities and whimsies of age.

Edmund soon retired, passing on the parsonage to his son, the Reverend Suckling Nelson. As Horatio's fame grew Edmund followed his son's exploits, and soon came to be accosted by well-wishers on his walks around Bath. Fanny wrote

He is grown young. These blessings in his declining days cheer him.

In 1800, with Horatio's fame continually increasing, Edmund sent Fanny to London to visit the studios of Sir William Beechey, and to ask if Beechey might come to take a sitting. Beechey replied that he would not, as he only travelled to the sitter in the case of royalty. But then he enquired who the sitter was, and on being told it was the father of Lord Nelson, declared 'My God! I would go to York to do it!' Edmund however remained dismayed by the breakdown of his son's marriage and wrote to Horatio on occasion to rebuke him for his neglect of Fanny. He did however visit Horatio at Merton Place, where he was living with William and Emma Hamilton.