Charles Battye of Kensington Gore

This elegant and sensitive portrait by the leading 19th-century portraitist Alfred Edward Chalon RA (1780–1860) depicts C. Battye, presumed to be the prominent London merchant Charles Battye (1781–1852). Charles Battye claimed ownership over a large proportion of the island of San Domingo. He ultimately lost his fortune when during the revolutionary turmoil of the island, he actively backed Henri Christophe (referred to in British records as 'Christopher, negro ruler of that island'). Christophe was a key general in the Haitian Revolution who eventually crowned himself King Henri I of northern Haiti (image 3). Battye freighted an entire fleet of ships loaded with a military regiment, weapons and equipment to assist Christophe's regime. However, the French Fleet captured his ships before they could successfully deliver the aid. Battye subsequently took a position as the Private Secretary to the Earl of Bute.

In 1801 he married Jane Letitia Crispin and they lived at The Gore, Kensington. Their children included Rev William Wilberforce Battye (1822–1890), presumably named in honour of the abolitionist politician William Wilberforce (1759–1833), who lived at Gore House, Kensington from 1808 to 1821 (image 2 bottom © V&A).

VIEW IMAGE 1: Alfred Edward Chalon RA, Portrait of Charles Battye of The Gore, Kensington, London Merchant – Mid-19th-century watercolour painting (STOCK NUMBER: KE-169).
Image 2: 1827 Map of Upper Kensington Gore, a short section of Kensington Road which was fronted by grand houses with large grounds and by Kensington Gardens / Gore House, Kensington, form the south © V&A;
Image 3: Henri Christophe, Portrait by Richard Evans, c.1816