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With most families of the era in question, it was common for fathers to give their first born son the same first name as their own. The Seely family were no different, resulting in several generations with the given name of Charles.

Charles Seely (1768-1809). This Charles Seely lived in Lincoln and married Ann Wilkinson.

Charles Seely (1803-1887). The son of the above Charles was born and educated in Lincoln. It was this Charles who became a wealthy 19th century industrialist. He joined the Liberal Party and served two terms as the Liberal MP for Lincoln, between 1847-1848, and 1861-1865. He was also appointed the Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire. By 1864, when he played host to the Italian revolutionary Giuseppe Garibaldi, he had already acquired houses at Prince’s Gate, London and Brook House on the Isle of Wight. Seely made his fortune through a contract that he had with the Royal Navy to supply pig iron as ballast for its warships (he served on the House of Commons Committee on Admiralty Reform as Chairman in 1868). He also invested in land and property, and acquired coal and ironstone mines. By 1883 he owned 9,264 acres on the Isle of Wight alone. His investments also covered land and property around Birchwood and Somercotes.

Sir Charles Seely (1833-1915) 1st Baronet. This Charles Seely was the son of the above Charles Seely. Like his father, he joined the Liberal Party and became an MP for Nottingham 1869-1874 and again from 1880-1885. He was MP for Nottingham West 1885-1886 and served as a Liberal Unionist MP for the same constituency from 1892-1895. He increased the family wealth through investment in industry and became a noted philanthropist. In October 1895 he was the first person to be given the Freedom of the City of Nottingham for “Eminent services and noble generosity towards the philanthropic institutions of the City." In February 1896 he was made a baronet. He lived at various addresses, including Langford Hall and Sherwood Lodge in Nottinghamshire, Brooke House and Brook Hill House on the Isle of Wight and owned property in London. He was appointed Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff of Nottingham and was Colonel of the 1st Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood) Rifle Volunteers.

It was Sir Charles Seely who was responsible for the building of Seely Terrace on Somercotes Common, in order to house the workers that were employed in the collieries that he owned at Birchwood, perhaps the most well-known of which is Shady (New Birchwood) Colliery. The Working Men’s Institute and Club (situated on Seely Terrace) was also owned by Sir Charles. Kelly’s Directory of 1895 states “The Working Men's Institute and Club, in Seely terrace, is the property of Col. Seely, and has now 83 members: there are reading and news rooms, a well-lighted and fitted billiard saloon, with two full-sized tables, and a good library of 517 volumes: lawn tennis, football and cricket clubs are maintained here”.

On his death, he left an estate worth over one million pounds and was one of the richest men in the country.

IMAGE: Sir Charles Seely (1833-1915)

Sir Charles Seely (1859-1926) 2nd Baronet. The 2nd Baronet was the eldest son of the above Charles Seely and had the given names Charles Hilton. Like his father and grandfather before him he became a Liberal MP Lincoln, and also later for Mansfield. He served as a JP for both Hampshire and Nottinghamshire and was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire. His eldest son, Charles Grant Seely was killed in action in 1917 during the First World War, and the baronetcy was interested by his second son, Sir Hugh Seely  

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Evelyn Seely (1864-1928). Lieutenant Colonel Seely was the man who unveiled the Somercotes War Memorial in 1927. He was the son of Sir Charles Seely, 1st Baronet. After attending Cambridge University he joined the family business, working at Babbington Colliery.

PHOTO: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Evelyn Seely (1864-1928)

He joined the army and served as a captain in the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. During the First World War he fought in Egypt and Gallipoli with the 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment before reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The London Gazette of 10 October 1922 reported “The undermentioned Officers., having attained the age limit, are retired, 11 October 1921, and retain their rank with permission to wear the prescribed uniform: … Lt.-Col. F. E. Seely, T.D. …”.

He was known for his philanthropic work throughout the county and in 1922 was made High Sherriff of Nottinghamshire. He represented Calverton on the County Council.