A reading of the Prophets gives me the impression that it seems impossible to separate Messianic prophecy from its civic context.
For example, the prophecy “…he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many…” is immediately followed by: “…thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and THY SEED SHALL INHERIT THE GENTILES and make the desolate cities to be inhabited…” (Isaiah 53:12, 54:3)
And, the prophecy “…in an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee…” (which Paul applies to the Gospel age, in IICor. 6:2) is followed without contextual break by “…to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth…” (Isaiah 49:8,9).
So the Gospel was to achieve much in hearts, and in society - this side of the second coming.
Here is some history about the Buxton family which illustrates this.
The influence of Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet and his thousands of descendants has reached across Britain, to China, Japan, Canada, Africa, Israel, Cyrprus, Australia and Japan.
The Buxtons' heritage includes blessings like: entire sanctification and all of its applications to nearly every area of life, including: theology, revival, spirituality, missions, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost, salvation, evangelism, real estate, banking, business, generational succession, technological advances, science, production, Anglicanism, Methodism, Quakerism, social reform, politics, philanthropy, education, medicine, government, Bible colleges (several of them), church planting, military action, diplomacy, heroism, publishing, travelling, starting organizations, being members of parliament, government ministry, pioneering para-church organizations and societies, they negotiated on behalf of nations, they received and organized funding from a Sovereign, and they were members of Orders which traditionally were created to facilitate the colonizing, settling, or establishment of foreign lands, plantations or amicable protectorates, and in these matters the family rose to no less than the sixth highest rank in the British honour system, sixth only to the king, which gave them privileges, including the right of access to Sovereigns, and more.
The Buxtons influenced far further afield than Britain and Japan – they influenced Africa, China and other nations – procuring reforms which changed the world.
Plus, there was even an Australian connection. The Buxton’s influence on society extended even as far as the welfare of the Australian aborigine.
Not all the Buxtons had the same calling – each one had his own gift, one after this sort and another after that. Yet between them, as the generations rolled on, I found that the Buxton family exemplifies all the values you’ve been talking about recently: they combined the pillars of family, church, and civil government upon the foundation of Christ, in the building of not one, but many nations: and their work is ongoing!
Godfrey Barclay Buxton
Godfrey Buxton, brother of Alfred Buxton, was awarded the British Military Cross for bravery in World War I.
Unable to serve on the mission field due to wounds sustained in the war, Godfrey started Bible colleges which trained nearly 300 young men for pioneer missionary work.
He was a leader of too many organizations to list here, one of his role’s being Chairman of the JEB for 30 years and he frequently lectured at All Nations Christian College, which is now the largest mission-oriented ministry training college in Europe.
Through Godfrey Buxton, All Nations Christian College moved into the Buxton Estate family home, fulfilling a prayer of his ancestors that the home would always be used to influence world missions.
Barclay Fowell Buxton
Co-founder (with A. Paget Wilkes) of the Japan Evangelistic Band.
What a beautiful man Barclay Buxton was – missionary, Apostle to Japan, proponent of Entire sanctification, co-founder of The Japan Evangelistic Band, revivalist, church planter, tent evangelist, author, pioneer, reformer, founder of Bible colleges, meek, humble, gentle, powerful, fruitful, teacher, founder of nations, governments have been corrected by him.
There was one Thomas Fowell Buxton, then there was a Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet.
Notice the title “Sir” and “baronet”. I’ll mention something about their meaning, as they have relevance to some of the themes you’ve been writing about lately.
The Significance of Baronetcy
A baronetcy is a hereditary title of honour originally introduced by James I of England in 1611 (the same year the Authorized Version was published.)
King James erected the hereditary Order of Baronets for the settlement of Ireland in 1611.
Notice that historically, the Order (of baronetcy) had to do with settling a new territory. Originally it was erected specifically to settle Ireland. King James I originally offered this dignity to 200 gentlemen of good birth, with a clear estate of £1,000 a year..
King Charles I erected the baronetage of Scotland in 1625 for the establishment of the plantation of Nova Scotia.
Notice the Order now extended to the purpose of establishing a plantation in new territory.
So my understanding of the Baronetcy to which the Buxtons are heirs is that the Order was erected by Sovereign decree for the purposes of:
1) Settling new territory;
2) Establishing a new plantation in new territory;
3) Conferring a hereditary honour on gentlemen of good birth, in order that they and their families may administer the above two purposes; and
4) To raise money (the raising of money was achieved because, in return for the honour, the barons agreed to raise a sum equivalent to three years’ pay for 30 soldiers at 8d per day per man, and they paid it into the King’s judicial revenue)
All Baronetcies are distinguished by having a territorial designation, and originally, they were also administrators of the territory.
As such, all baronets were granted Arms of the specific territory over which they were erected as barons; and they were granted permission by King George V to wear the appropriate badge as armorial bearings.
That’s what the Buxtons had hereditary title to – membership to an Order, created by Sovereign decree, for the purpose of settling or establishing new territories or businesses, for administering them, and for returning a revenue to the King from them.
A baronetcy ranks above all knighthoods except two, which illustrates the honour of the role.
Baronets use the title “Sir” before their name. Wives of baronets are not baronetesses; only females holding baronetcies in their own right are baronetesses; nevertheless, wives of baronets use “Lady” by longstanding courtesy.
Whereas Knighthoods apply to an individual only, a baronetcy is hereditary. The eldest son of a baronet who is born in wedlock is entitled to accede to the baronetcy upon the death of his father. With a few exceptions, baronetcies can be inherited only by or through males.
So the baronetcy, to which the Buxtons were heirs, is a perpetual membership for endless generations, unlike Knighthood.
The Buxton family were perpetual members by inheritance of a Sovereignly created Order which existed specifically for the purpose of settling, administering, and establishing new territories, and for deriving revenue from them on behalf of the King.
According to Law, baronets have some other privileges too, like having a “pall supported by two men, a principal mourner and four others” assisting at his funeral.
Originally baronets had other rights, such as the right to have their eldest son knighted on his 21st birthday.
Barclay’s Grandmother
Barclay Buxton’s grandmother’s maiden name was Anna Hanbury. She was a Quaker.
Being a Quaker, she influenced her son Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet (who later became Barclay’s dad).
Through her, Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet, became close friends with the Quakers Joseph John Gurney and his sister, Elizabeth Gurney (later, Elizabeth Fry), when he was still single – and he ended-up marrying one of the sisters, Hanna Gurney.
So not only was Barclay Buxton’s grandmother a Quaker, but so was his mother.
So now let’s look at Barclay Buxton’s mother’s side of the family, the Gurneys, to further understand what kind of stock Barclay Buxton was made from, then we’ll come back to his Buxton heritage and influence.
The Gurney family were bankers – they had founded a family-owned bank named Gurney’s Bank.
(Quakers were often into business. Cadbury was a Quaker family. Quakers were also into politics after William Penn virtually prompted the founding of the Jury system and founded Pennsylvania).
Incidentally Barclay Buxton’s grandmother’s family were also bankers – they founded the Barclay Bank. So Barclay got that from both sides.
Barclay’s Uncle and Auntie
Barclay’s uncle on his mother’s side Joseph John Gurney was recorded as a Minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and both he and his sister, Elizabeth Fry, became social reformers, after she was deeply moved at the age of 18 through the preaching of an American Quaker.
She started a Sunday school and took an interest in the poor, leading to prison reforms and much, much more.
She taught prisoners to sow, requiring them to learn to read the Bible, and she fed and clothed and educated their children, and she urged reforms in society, through means such as publishing a book with her brother and through starting organizations. She started all sorts of homes and schools such as a nursing school which inspired Florence Nightingale.
She was supported in her efforts by the reigning Monarch Queen Victoria who admired her, granted her an audience a few times, and supported her financially.
Like her brother, she was registered as a Minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The man she married was a Quaker, and also a Banker, owner of the Fry Bank, like both her father’s and mother’s sides of the family and her brother-in-law’s mother’s family (also a Quaker).
Barclay Buxton had bankers and Quakers and social reformers on both sides of his family.
And his father, after having an evangelical conversion, was greatly influenced by Josiah Pratt of the Church Missionary Society which in its 200-year history has attracted upwards of 9,000 men and women to serve as missionaries.
There is a large manor house in Norfolk, England which was occupied by Barclay Buxton’s mother’s family for more than eight generations. Today the home is part of the University of East Anglia.
Many of the Buxtons and related families had eight to 13 children and today, according to a secular encyclopaedia called Wikipedia: “there are thousands of descendants” of this family, “many of whom have made their mark on British society”.
And as we shall see, their mark goes beyond just British society to the whole world.
Barclay’s father Thomas Buxton became elected to Parliament, so he recommended his sister-in-law (Elizabeth Fry’s) work to his fellow MPs and he helped finance her work. As a result, Barclay’s auntie (Elizabeth Fry) became the first woman in history to present evidence in Parliament.
Since 2002 she has been depicted on the Bank of England £5 note. She is honoured in the UK and in Canada by plaques, by streets named after her, and by an annual Elizabeth Fry Week in Canada.
Barclay Buxton has Quakers, Bankers, and Reformers on both his father’s and mother’s sides.
Now we will see how the Buxton family was able to aid in the Gurney’s social reform work through two means: through their rich business acumen, and through their involvement in government.
The Buxtons become Involved in Social Reform
Before being elected to Parliament, Barclay Buxton’s father became a partner in his uncle’s brewery which had beginnings way back in 1666.
Barclay’s father improved the brewing process, and converted the works to steam power, so that by the time he became the company’s sole owner when his uncle died, the company had become famous all over Britain and produced over 200,000 barrels of beer a year.
The development of train transportation all over England was a factor in the creation of the Buxton’s wealth.
Even one of Charles Dickens’ fictional novels entitled David Copperfield notes the affluence of these brewers!
In 1888 the company went public with shareholders, and it continued operating as Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Co. until 19 years ago when it closed.
But today the buildings owned by what was Barclay’s father’s company house over 250 businesses ranging from cultural venues to art galleries, restaurants, and retail shops.
Such was the business acumen of Barclay Buxton’s father, and it extended for generations, from 1666 to 1988.
In politics, as a result of his conversion, he campaigned for the emancipation of slavery, and reduced the death penalty from 200 crimes to eight, and financially supported the work of his brother and sister-in-law the Gurneys and Fry, and served as a member of their organization.
He stood up for the rights and well-being of native people wherever the British colonized. He argued that the best way slavery could be eliminated would be for Africa to use its natural resources to rise up to an equal commercial status as other countries, and his view that Christianity and commerce could intersect and that both create the conditions that are favourable to each other, was exemplified in the Christian communities in the Caribbean and Sierra Leone.
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet was a mission theorist and moralist.
A representation of Buxton can be seen today on the current five pound note, wearing glasses in the group on the left-hand side of Elizabeth Fry.
There is a monument to him in Westminster Abbey honouring his work towards the emancipation of slaves; there is also a Buxton memorial fountain (originally in Parliament Square, now in Victoria Gardens); a couple of streets are named after him including Buxton Road, which runs past his former house; and I read somewhere once that a statue exists in Nigeria, honouring his role in emancipating slavery.
William Wilberforce and others worked with the Buxtons to achieve the emancipation of slavery in Africa and throughout the Empire around the world.
Now the Buxton Story Gets Interesting
Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet had other sons besides Barclay. One of Barclay’s brothers – Charles Buxton – was also elected as a Member of Parliament, and was a writer, reformer and philanthropist.
He married the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria’s personal doctor, who became President of the Royal Institution (an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London, founded in 1799 by the leading British scientists of the age.)
As an MP, Charles Buxton erected a memorial fountain which now stands in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, which I think reads:
“Erected in 1865 by Charles Buxton MP in commemoration of the emancipation of slaves 1834 and in memory of his father, Sir T Fowell Buxton, and those associated with him: Wilberforce, Clarkson, Macaulay, Brougham, Dr Lushington and others.”
You should see a picture of this Buxton Memorial Fountain – it’s enormous!
an awesome piece of architecture – designed and built by one of England’s
most notable architects.
Barclay Buxton’s Nephews
Charles Buxton’s son – Sydney Buxton First Earle – Barclay’s nephew, was also an MP.
He served as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies; as President of the Board of Trade; he asked for an inquiry to be commissioned into the sinking of the Titanic; and – get this – he became Governor-General of South Africa!
This is Barclay Buxton’s nephew we’re talking about!
During World War I, he planned and executed South African actions in the war including invading the German colony of South West Africa.
He travelled extensively in South Africa so that by the time he retired, the people of Africa loved him and demonstrated their affection for him.
When he returned to England he served as President of the Africa Society, and was made Earl Buxton in 1920.
Prior to that, the year he became Governor-General of South Africa, he had been raised to the peerage as Viscount Buxton.
I’ll explain my understanding of peerage.
Peerage is the state of nobility which the Sovereign (who is regarded as “the fount of honour”) can admit a person to, meaning the person is no longer a commoner. The state of “honour” or peerage “springs” from the Sovereign.
The lowest rank of peerage is Baron (Sydney Buxton was already a baron, by inheritance down the line from Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet). Baron means freeman.
The next rank of peerage Sydney Buxton was raised to was Viscount: then after that, to Earl. Earl means military leader. The rank of Earl is only two ranks down from Duke, which is the highest rank of peerage.
Peerage titles often have a territory associated with it in the title. During the Middle Ages, a peer administered the place associated with his title. By the Buxton’s time, peers no longer administered their territory, but in Sydney Buxton’s case, he really did administer the territory associated with his title – because he was the Governor General of South Africa, and partner with the Prime Minister and the military General during World War I.
As a peer, Sydney Buxton would, I think, have been referred to as “The Right Honourable” and addressed as “Lord.”
Some of his extensive privileges would have included:
The right to personally access the Sovereign
The right to be exempt from civil arrest
The right to be tried by fellow peers in a special Court
His family would have had special positions or order of precedence; he would have had the right to wear special robes and a small crown during coronations and he could have worn armorial achievements
The Plot Thickens
As I will now show, members of the Buxton family became appointed to more and more senior levels in the British honours system, as the generations progressed.
For example, another of the Buxton nephews related to Barclay was Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG.
GCMG means The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
The Order was created by George IV to honour individuals who have rendered important services in relation to Commonwealth or foreign relations.
People are appointed to the Order rather than awarded it.
The Order’s motto is – I think you will like this – Auspicium melioris aevi (Latin for “Token of a better age”).
The privileges of the Order also extended to the person’s family. Therefore we can say that the entire Buxton family were tokens of a better age.
(One of the symbols of the Order is Michael trampling on Satan.)
The Order has three ranks, and Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG was appointed to the most senior of the three.
Not only was he appointed to the most senior rank of the three, but this Order is itself the sixth most senior rank in the British honours system! (Sixth below the Sovereign).
I didn’t realize the extent of the nobility of the Buxtons before.
Now notice this point of history, which has relevance to your ideas on colonization:
The Order to which the said Buxton was appointed was originally founded to commemorate the British amical protectorate over the Ionian Islands and Malta.
I thought you might like that term, amical protectorate.
In international law, an amical protectorate is a political entity (a sovereign state or less developed native polity, such as a tribal chieftanship or feudal princely state) that formally agrees by treaty to enter into an unequal relationship with another, stronger state, called the protector, which engages to protect it (diplomatically or, if needed, militarily) against third parties, in exchange for which the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship).
Membership in the Order was said to be granted to those who “hold high and confidential offices with Her Majesty’s colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire”.
That’s the Buxtons!
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet CGMG and his family were appointed to this sixth most senior position under the King! And the Order had everything to do with one’s role in a colony or in foreign relations.
Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet was appointed to this Order in honour of services which he had rendered on behalf of the Commonwealth or one of its colonies.
But can you guess where? Where do you guess this nephew of Barclay Buxton served, and in what role – to be so honoured as to be appointed to such an Order – the sixth highest rank in the nation?
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet was – governor of South Australia!
Yes that’s right – Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG – nephew of Barclay Buxton – was governor of South Australia (1895-1899).
They had 13 children.
In one encyclopaedia I found a glowing tribute to his character during his role as governor.
But before I quote it – to set the stage – understand this: that the Prime Minister of South Australia apparently made life as hard as possible for Buxton and his family because I think the Prime Minister was angry that Governors weren’t democratically elected. The Governor’s allowance was reduced, customs duty was charged on their household items (including the invalid carriage of his wife, who wasn’t well). Buxton took up the job anyway, and later he was described thus:
“…the most genial, sociable and common-sense governor, due to his gentle and unassuming friendliness. He visited gaols and hospitals, and showed genuine interest in Aboriginal culture during his time as governor…”
One of his sons, Noel Buxton, was senior aid to his father during his governorship of South Australia.
During World War I, Noel Buxton, with his brother Charles Rodden Buxton, went on a political mission to secure the neutrality of Bulgaria. He was wounded and his brother was shot through the lungs by a Turkish assassin.
Noel Buxton wrote several books and, back in England he ended-up becoming a Member of Parliament and a member of the House of Commons and appointed a Privy Counsellor. He served as a government Minister and also served on numerous other Boards. He was raised to the peerage as a Baron.
Other Buxtons
I haven’t even begun to mention the education of some of these guys – Eton and Cambridge College included, just like Derek Prince.
I’ve only mentioned the family of one of their wives – but many of the other families of the wives of various Buxtons were high-ranking and were themselves achievers in Christian work, in education, politics, business, banking, and social reform. They touched nations.
Time would fail me to speak of Rufus Alexander Buxton who succeeded Noel Buxton; of Sir Thomas Fowell Victor Buxton 4th Baronet; Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 5th Baronet; and of Sir Thomas Fowell Victor Buxton 6th Baronet (who only died recently in 1996).
Theirs is a perpetual inheritance to baronetcy – an Order created for the purpose of settling new territory.
Only they showed Britain the true way to do it – that is, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by love for one’s fellow man. The Buxtons were instrumental in mancipating slavery worldwide – both physical and spiritual slavery.
And they achieved it by God’s grace through an “intersection” of commerce and the Gospel (both of which create an environment conducive to each other, said Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet).
They also achieved it by God’s grace through their involvement in government.
Barclay Buxton stands out as a person who achieved beautiful things through the preaching of the Gospel.
Between them the Buxtons applied a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and they applied entire sanctification, to all areas of society.
For example, the prophecy “…he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many…” is immediately followed by: “…thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and THY SEED SHALL INHERIT THE GENTILES and make the desolate cities to be inhabited…” (Isaiah 53:12, 54:3)
And, the prophecy “…in an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee…” (which Paul applies to the Gospel age, in IICor. 6:2) is followed without contextual break by “…to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth…” (Isaiah 49:8,9).
So the Gospel was to achieve much in hearts, and in society - this side of the second coming.
Here is some history about the Buxton family which illustrates this.
The influence of Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet and his thousands of descendants has reached across Britain, to China, Japan, Canada, Africa, Israel, Cyrprus, Australia and Japan.
The Buxtons' heritage includes blessings like: entire sanctification and all of its applications to nearly every area of life, including: theology, revival, spirituality, missions, sanctification, the baptism with the Holy Ghost, salvation, evangelism, real estate, banking, business, generational succession, technological advances, science, production, Anglicanism, Methodism, Quakerism, social reform, politics, philanthropy, education, medicine, government, Bible colleges (several of them), church planting, military action, diplomacy, heroism, publishing, travelling, starting organizations, being members of parliament, government ministry, pioneering para-church organizations and societies, they negotiated on behalf of nations, they received and organized funding from a Sovereign, and they were members of Orders which traditionally were created to facilitate the colonizing, settling, or establishment of foreign lands, plantations or amicable protectorates, and in these matters the family rose to no less than the sixth highest rank in the British honour system, sixth only to the king, which gave them privileges, including the right of access to Sovereigns, and more.
The Buxtons influenced far further afield than Britain and Japan – they influenced Africa, China and other nations – procuring reforms which changed the world.
Plus, there was even an Australian connection. The Buxton’s influence on society extended even as far as the welfare of the Australian aborigine.
Not all the Buxtons had the same calling – each one had his own gift, one after this sort and another after that. Yet between them, as the generations rolled on, I found that the Buxton family exemplifies all the values you’ve been talking about recently: they combined the pillars of family, church, and civil government upon the foundation of Christ, in the building of not one, but many nations: and their work is ongoing!
Godfrey Barclay Buxton
Godfrey Buxton, brother of Alfred Buxton, was awarded the British Military Cross for bravery in World War I.
Unable to serve on the mission field due to wounds sustained in the war, Godfrey started Bible colleges which trained nearly 300 young men for pioneer missionary work.
He was a leader of too many organizations to list here, one of his role’s being Chairman of the JEB for 30 years and he frequently lectured at All Nations Christian College, which is now the largest mission-oriented ministry training college in Europe.
Through Godfrey Buxton, All Nations Christian College moved into the Buxton Estate family home, fulfilling a prayer of his ancestors that the home would always be used to influence world missions.
Barclay Fowell Buxton
Co-founder (with A. Paget Wilkes) of the Japan Evangelistic Band.
What a beautiful man Barclay Buxton was – missionary, Apostle to Japan, proponent of Entire sanctification, co-founder of The Japan Evangelistic Band, revivalist, church planter, tent evangelist, author, pioneer, reformer, founder of Bible colleges, meek, humble, gentle, powerful, fruitful, teacher, founder of nations, governments have been corrected by him.
There was one Thomas Fowell Buxton, then there was a Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet.
Notice the title “Sir” and “baronet”. I’ll mention something about their meaning, as they have relevance to some of the themes you’ve been writing about lately.
The Significance of Baronetcy
A baronetcy is a hereditary title of honour originally introduced by James I of England in 1611 (the same year the Authorized Version was published.)
King James erected the hereditary Order of Baronets for the settlement of Ireland in 1611.
Notice that historically, the Order (of baronetcy) had to do with settling a new territory. Originally it was erected specifically to settle Ireland. King James I originally offered this dignity to 200 gentlemen of good birth, with a clear estate of £1,000 a year..
King Charles I erected the baronetage of Scotland in 1625 for the establishment of the plantation of Nova Scotia.
Notice the Order now extended to the purpose of establishing a plantation in new territory.
So my understanding of the Baronetcy to which the Buxtons are heirs is that the Order was erected by Sovereign decree for the purposes of:
1) Settling new territory;
2) Establishing a new plantation in new territory;
3) Conferring a hereditary honour on gentlemen of good birth, in order that they and their families may administer the above two purposes; and
4) To raise money (the raising of money was achieved because, in return for the honour, the barons agreed to raise a sum equivalent to three years’ pay for 30 soldiers at 8d per day per man, and they paid it into the King’s judicial revenue)
All Baronetcies are distinguished by having a territorial designation, and originally, they were also administrators of the territory.
As such, all baronets were granted Arms of the specific territory over which they were erected as barons; and they were granted permission by King George V to wear the appropriate badge as armorial bearings.
That’s what the Buxtons had hereditary title to – membership to an Order, created by Sovereign decree, for the purpose of settling or establishing new territories or businesses, for administering them, and for returning a revenue to the King from them.
A baronetcy ranks above all knighthoods except two, which illustrates the honour of the role.
Baronets use the title “Sir” before their name. Wives of baronets are not baronetesses; only females holding baronetcies in their own right are baronetesses; nevertheless, wives of baronets use “Lady” by longstanding courtesy.
Whereas Knighthoods apply to an individual only, a baronetcy is hereditary. The eldest son of a baronet who is born in wedlock is entitled to accede to the baronetcy upon the death of his father. With a few exceptions, baronetcies can be inherited only by or through males.
So the baronetcy, to which the Buxtons were heirs, is a perpetual membership for endless generations, unlike Knighthood.
The Buxton family were perpetual members by inheritance of a Sovereignly created Order which existed specifically for the purpose of settling, administering, and establishing new territories, and for deriving revenue from them on behalf of the King.
According to Law, baronets have some other privileges too, like having a “pall supported by two men, a principal mourner and four others” assisting at his funeral.
Originally baronets had other rights, such as the right to have their eldest son knighted on his 21st birthday.
Barclay’s Grandmother
Barclay Buxton’s grandmother’s maiden name was Anna Hanbury. She was a Quaker.
Being a Quaker, she influenced her son Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet (who later became Barclay’s dad).
Through her, Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet, became close friends with the Quakers Joseph John Gurney and his sister, Elizabeth Gurney (later, Elizabeth Fry), when he was still single – and he ended-up marrying one of the sisters, Hanna Gurney.
So not only was Barclay Buxton’s grandmother a Quaker, but so was his mother.
So now let’s look at Barclay Buxton’s mother’s side of the family, the Gurneys, to further understand what kind of stock Barclay Buxton was made from, then we’ll come back to his Buxton heritage and influence.
The Gurney family were bankers – they had founded a family-owned bank named Gurney’s Bank.
(Quakers were often into business. Cadbury was a Quaker family. Quakers were also into politics after William Penn virtually prompted the founding of the Jury system and founded Pennsylvania).
Incidentally Barclay Buxton’s grandmother’s family were also bankers – they founded the Barclay Bank. So Barclay got that from both sides.
Barclay’s Uncle and Auntie
Barclay’s uncle on his mother’s side Joseph John Gurney was recorded as a Minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and both he and his sister, Elizabeth Fry, became social reformers, after she was deeply moved at the age of 18 through the preaching of an American Quaker.
She started a Sunday school and took an interest in the poor, leading to prison reforms and much, much more.
She taught prisoners to sow, requiring them to learn to read the Bible, and she fed and clothed and educated their children, and she urged reforms in society, through means such as publishing a book with her brother and through starting organizations. She started all sorts of homes and schools such as a nursing school which inspired Florence Nightingale.
She was supported in her efforts by the reigning Monarch Queen Victoria who admired her, granted her an audience a few times, and supported her financially.
Like her brother, she was registered as a Minister of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The man she married was a Quaker, and also a Banker, owner of the Fry Bank, like both her father’s and mother’s sides of the family and her brother-in-law’s mother’s family (also a Quaker).
Barclay Buxton had bankers and Quakers and social reformers on both sides of his family.
And his father, after having an evangelical conversion, was greatly influenced by Josiah Pratt of the Church Missionary Society which in its 200-year history has attracted upwards of 9,000 men and women to serve as missionaries.
There is a large manor house in Norfolk, England which was occupied by Barclay Buxton’s mother’s family for more than eight generations. Today the home is part of the University of East Anglia.
Many of the Buxtons and related families had eight to 13 children and today, according to a secular encyclopaedia called Wikipedia: “there are thousands of descendants” of this family, “many of whom have made their mark on British society”.
And as we shall see, their mark goes beyond just British society to the whole world.
Barclay’s father Thomas Buxton became elected to Parliament, so he recommended his sister-in-law (Elizabeth Fry’s) work to his fellow MPs and he helped finance her work. As a result, Barclay’s auntie (Elizabeth Fry) became the first woman in history to present evidence in Parliament.
Since 2002 she has been depicted on the Bank of England £5 note. She is honoured in the UK and in Canada by plaques, by streets named after her, and by an annual Elizabeth Fry Week in Canada.
Barclay Buxton has Quakers, Bankers, and Reformers on both his father’s and mother’s sides.
Now we will see how the Buxton family was able to aid in the Gurney’s social reform work through two means: through their rich business acumen, and through their involvement in government.
The Buxtons become Involved in Social Reform
Before being elected to Parliament, Barclay Buxton’s father became a partner in his uncle’s brewery which had beginnings way back in 1666.
Barclay’s father improved the brewing process, and converted the works to steam power, so that by the time he became the company’s sole owner when his uncle died, the company had become famous all over Britain and produced over 200,000 barrels of beer a year.
The development of train transportation all over England was a factor in the creation of the Buxton’s wealth.
Even one of Charles Dickens’ fictional novels entitled David Copperfield notes the affluence of these brewers!
In 1888 the company went public with shareholders, and it continued operating as Truman, Hanbury, Buxton & Co. until 19 years ago when it closed.
But today the buildings owned by what was Barclay’s father’s company house over 250 businesses ranging from cultural venues to art galleries, restaurants, and retail shops.
Such was the business acumen of Barclay Buxton’s father, and it extended for generations, from 1666 to 1988.
In politics, as a result of his conversion, he campaigned for the emancipation of slavery, and reduced the death penalty from 200 crimes to eight, and financially supported the work of his brother and sister-in-law the Gurneys and Fry, and served as a member of their organization.
He stood up for the rights and well-being of native people wherever the British colonized. He argued that the best way slavery could be eliminated would be for Africa to use its natural resources to rise up to an equal commercial status as other countries, and his view that Christianity and commerce could intersect and that both create the conditions that are favourable to each other, was exemplified in the Christian communities in the Caribbean and Sierra Leone.
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet was a mission theorist and moralist.
A representation of Buxton can be seen today on the current five pound note, wearing glasses in the group on the left-hand side of Elizabeth Fry.
There is a monument to him in Westminster Abbey honouring his work towards the emancipation of slaves; there is also a Buxton memorial fountain (originally in Parliament Square, now in Victoria Gardens); a couple of streets are named after him including Buxton Road, which runs past his former house; and I read somewhere once that a statue exists in Nigeria, honouring his role in emancipating slavery.
William Wilberforce and others worked with the Buxtons to achieve the emancipation of slavery in Africa and throughout the Empire around the world.
Now the Buxton Story Gets Interesting
Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet had other sons besides Barclay. One of Barclay’s brothers – Charles Buxton – was also elected as a Member of Parliament, and was a writer, reformer and philanthropist.
He married the eldest daughter of Queen Victoria’s personal doctor, who became President of the Royal Institution (an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London, founded in 1799 by the leading British scientists of the age.)
As an MP, Charles Buxton erected a memorial fountain which now stands in Victoria Tower Gardens, Westminster, which I think reads:
“Erected in 1865 by Charles Buxton MP in commemoration of the emancipation of slaves 1834 and in memory of his father, Sir T Fowell Buxton, and those associated with him: Wilberforce, Clarkson, Macaulay, Brougham, Dr Lushington and others.”
You should see a picture of this Buxton Memorial Fountain – it’s enormous!
an awesome piece of architecture – designed and built by one of England’s
most notable architects.
Barclay Buxton’s Nephews
Charles Buxton’s son – Sydney Buxton First Earle – Barclay’s nephew, was also an MP.
He served as Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies; as President of the Board of Trade; he asked for an inquiry to be commissioned into the sinking of the Titanic; and – get this – he became Governor-General of South Africa!
This is Barclay Buxton’s nephew we’re talking about!
During World War I, he planned and executed South African actions in the war including invading the German colony of South West Africa.
He travelled extensively in South Africa so that by the time he retired, the people of Africa loved him and demonstrated their affection for him.
When he returned to England he served as President of the Africa Society, and was made Earl Buxton in 1920.
Prior to that, the year he became Governor-General of South Africa, he had been raised to the peerage as Viscount Buxton.
I’ll explain my understanding of peerage.
Peerage is the state of nobility which the Sovereign (who is regarded as “the fount of honour”) can admit a person to, meaning the person is no longer a commoner. The state of “honour” or peerage “springs” from the Sovereign.
The lowest rank of peerage is Baron (Sydney Buxton was already a baron, by inheritance down the line from Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st Baronet). Baron means freeman.
The next rank of peerage Sydney Buxton was raised to was Viscount: then after that, to Earl. Earl means military leader. The rank of Earl is only two ranks down from Duke, which is the highest rank of peerage.
Peerage titles often have a territory associated with it in the title. During the Middle Ages, a peer administered the place associated with his title. By the Buxton’s time, peers no longer administered their territory, but in Sydney Buxton’s case, he really did administer the territory associated with his title – because he was the Governor General of South Africa, and partner with the Prime Minister and the military General during World War I.
As a peer, Sydney Buxton would, I think, have been referred to as “The Right Honourable” and addressed as “Lord.”
Some of his extensive privileges would have included:
The right to personally access the Sovereign
The right to be exempt from civil arrest
The right to be tried by fellow peers in a special Court
His family would have had special positions or order of precedence; he would have had the right to wear special robes and a small crown during coronations and he could have worn armorial achievements
The Plot Thickens
As I will now show, members of the Buxton family became appointed to more and more senior levels in the British honours system, as the generations progressed.
For example, another of the Buxton nephews related to Barclay was Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG.
GCMG means The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George.
The Order was created by George IV to honour individuals who have rendered important services in relation to Commonwealth or foreign relations.
People are appointed to the Order rather than awarded it.
The Order’s motto is – I think you will like this – Auspicium melioris aevi (Latin for “Token of a better age”).
The privileges of the Order also extended to the person’s family. Therefore we can say that the entire Buxton family were tokens of a better age.
(One of the symbols of the Order is Michael trampling on Satan.)
The Order has three ranks, and Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG was appointed to the most senior of the three.
Not only was he appointed to the most senior rank of the three, but this Order is itself the sixth most senior rank in the British honours system! (Sixth below the Sovereign).
I didn’t realize the extent of the nobility of the Buxtons before.
Now notice this point of history, which has relevance to your ideas on colonization:
The Order to which the said Buxton was appointed was originally founded to commemorate the British amical protectorate over the Ionian Islands and Malta.
I thought you might like that term, amical protectorate.
In international law, an amical protectorate is a political entity (a sovereign state or less developed native polity, such as a tribal chieftanship or feudal princely state) that formally agrees by treaty to enter into an unequal relationship with another, stronger state, called the protector, which engages to protect it (diplomatically or, if needed, militarily) against third parties, in exchange for which the protectorate usually accepts specified obligations, which may vary greatly, depending on the real nature of their relationship).
Membership in the Order was said to be granted to those who “hold high and confidential offices with Her Majesty’s colonial possessions, and in reward for services rendered to the Crown in relation to the foreign affairs of the Empire”.
That’s the Buxtons!
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet CGMG and his family were appointed to this sixth most senior position under the King! And the Order had everything to do with one’s role in a colony or in foreign relations.
Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet was appointed to this Order in honour of services which he had rendered on behalf of the Commonwealth or one of its colonies.
But can you guess where? Where do you guess this nephew of Barclay Buxton served, and in what role – to be so honoured as to be appointed to such an Order – the sixth highest rank in the nation?
Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet was – governor of South Australia!
Yes that’s right – Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 3rd baronet GCMG – nephew of Barclay Buxton – was governor of South Australia (1895-1899).
They had 13 children.
In one encyclopaedia I found a glowing tribute to his character during his role as governor.
But before I quote it – to set the stage – understand this: that the Prime Minister of South Australia apparently made life as hard as possible for Buxton and his family because I think the Prime Minister was angry that Governors weren’t democratically elected. The Governor’s allowance was reduced, customs duty was charged on their household items (including the invalid carriage of his wife, who wasn’t well). Buxton took up the job anyway, and later he was described thus:
“…the most genial, sociable and common-sense governor, due to his gentle and unassuming friendliness. He visited gaols and hospitals, and showed genuine interest in Aboriginal culture during his time as governor…”
One of his sons, Noel Buxton, was senior aid to his father during his governorship of South Australia.
During World War I, Noel Buxton, with his brother Charles Rodden Buxton, went on a political mission to secure the neutrality of Bulgaria. He was wounded and his brother was shot through the lungs by a Turkish assassin.
Noel Buxton wrote several books and, back in England he ended-up becoming a Member of Parliament and a member of the House of Commons and appointed a Privy Counsellor. He served as a government Minister and also served on numerous other Boards. He was raised to the peerage as a Baron.
Other Buxtons
I haven’t even begun to mention the education of some of these guys – Eton and Cambridge College included, just like Derek Prince.
I’ve only mentioned the family of one of their wives – but many of the other families of the wives of various Buxtons were high-ranking and were themselves achievers in Christian work, in education, politics, business, banking, and social reform. They touched nations.
Time would fail me to speak of Rufus Alexander Buxton who succeeded Noel Buxton; of Sir Thomas Fowell Victor Buxton 4th Baronet; Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 5th Baronet; and of Sir Thomas Fowell Victor Buxton 6th Baronet (who only died recently in 1996).
Theirs is a perpetual inheritance to baronetcy – an Order created for the purpose of settling new territory.
Only they showed Britain the true way to do it – that is, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and by love for one’s fellow man. The Buxtons were instrumental in mancipating slavery worldwide – both physical and spiritual slavery.
And they achieved it by God’s grace through an “intersection” of commerce and the Gospel (both of which create an environment conducive to each other, said Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton 1st baronet).
They also achieved it by God’s grace through their involvement in government.
Barclay Buxton stands out as a person who achieved beautiful things through the preaching of the Gospel.
Between them the Buxtons applied a real relationship with Jesus Christ, and they applied entire sanctification, to all areas of society.
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