John Granville Cornwallis Eliot: Early Years

John was the third child and second son of Henry Eliot and Emily Labouchere, known to family and friends as Mousie.

Mousie was born in London at his parents' house, 13 Grosvenor-gardens. He spent his childhood there, and at Port Eliot, before entering the Royal Military Academy. Even as a child, Mousie loved to ride and hunt. This page chronicles his scantily-recorded childhood, continuing to the time of his succession to the earldom.

The following newspaper-article transcriptions are shown in chronological order.

— "Royal Cornwall Gazette" 17 Jul 1890, page 6:
CHRISTENING OF THE SON OF THE EARL OF ST. GERMANS.
The second son of the Earl of St. Germans was baptised on Saturday afternoon at the Chapel Royal, Savoy. The ceremony was performed by the Earl's brother-in-law, the Rev. and Honble. Walter Ponsonby, assisted by the Rev. Henry White, chaplain. The choral part of the service was rendered by the chapel choristers, who were attired in white supplices and purple cassocks. The font was beautifully decorated with white flowers and ferns. The names given to the infant were 'John Granville Cornwallis,' his sponsors being Lord Northbrook, Lord Beauchamp, Lady L. Ponsonby, and the Hon. Mrs. E.J. Stanley. The Earl and Lady St. Germans, with their eldest son, Lord Eliot, Lord and Lady Beauchamp, and several well known people were also present, and at the close of the ceremony proceeded to 13, Grosvenor-gardens, where a tea party was afterwards entertained.

— "Western Morning News" 08 Jan 1897, page 8:
CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS BALL AT PORT ELIOT.
The children's fancy dress ball given by the Earl and Countess of St. Germans at Port Eliot was a brilliant affair, enjoyed by a company numbering upwards of one hundred. The spacious Round-room of the mansion was converted into an elegant ballroom, and with youth and beauty in charming and picturesque costumes, the scene presented was enchanting and exhilarating. There was dancing from half-past six until half-past nine to the strains of St. Germans string band, and supper was laid in the dining-room. The guests included the Earl of Morley, Lady Mary Parker, the Hon. John Parker, Lady S. Grey, Lady C. Grey, Lord and Lady Vivian, Lord and Lady Cremorne, Lord and Lady Robartes, the Hon. Walter Ponsonby, Miss Ellis, Mrs. Fortescue, Miss C Eliot, Major and Lady Edith St. Aubyn, Lady Kingsale, General Jago-Trelawny, Mr. B. Jago, Miss L. Jago, the Hon. Mrs. R. Dawson, Mrs. Gill, Mr. and Mrs. Westmacott, Mr. Wheeler, Mr. L. Foster, Mr. Glencross, and Mrs. Littleton. Some of the dresses were the following:--- Lady Mary Parker, Normandy peasant; Ladies S. and C. Grey, Italian peasants; the Hon. John Parker, Spanish dress; Hon. C. Dawson, Alsatian peasant; Hon. M. Dawson, Winter; Hon. Alexandra Vivian, Queen of the Fairies; Hon. V. Robartes, Gipsy; Hon. C. Robartes, Bo-peep; Lord Eliot, Court dress Louis XVI; Hon. John Eliot, Court dress Charles I.; Hon. B. De Courey, Holly; Hon. V. De Courey, Mistletoe; Miss Dawson, Incroyable; Miss N. Dawson, Neapolitan peasant; Master George Fortescue, old uniform of the Coldstream Guards; Master Glencross, Prince Persinnet; Miss Westmacott, Geisha; Master T. Westmacott, Li Hung Chang; Master H. Westmacott, Court dress; Mrs. Westmacott's twin babies, Fairies; Miss Gill and Miss J. Gill, Spring Flowers; Miss Foster, Pierrette; Miss Winifred Geake, Dolly Varden; Miss M. Geake, Winter; Master J. Littleton, Jockey; Master H. Littleton, John Bull. A very animated cotillion was led by Major St. Aubyn and the Hon. Edith Dawson; and at the end of it the Hon. Alexandra Vivian, aged 6, danced a pas de seul most gracefully to the admiration of all present.

— "Gloucester Citizen" 24 Aug 1897, page 3:
After spending three weeks at Down Ampney, in Gloucestershire, the Earl and Countess of St. Germans and Lord Eliot and the Hon. John Eliot have arrived at Port Eliot, their seat in Cornwall.

— "Royal Cornwall Gazette" 27 Jan 1898, page 4:
For the enjoyment of Port Eliot household, the Earl and Countess of St. Germans had the annual servants' ball on Friday evening. Amongst those who were present and took part were Mr. and Mrs. Fortescue, of Boconnoc (guests at Port Eliot), the Rev. W. and Mrs. Westmacott, Master and Miss Westmacott, the Hon. Miss Vivian, Dr. and Mrs. Gill, and the Misses Gill. Unfortunately Lady St. Germans was unable to participate in the proceedings owing to indisposition. The first dance was led off, at 10 p.m., by Lord Eliot and Mrs. Webster (housekeeper), together with Mr. Cross (house steward) and Miss Evelyn Eliot (niece of Lord St. Germans), and the Hon. John Eliot and Miss Tuck. As the house party, led by Lord St. Germans, entered the ball room, the band (conducted by Mr. James Goard) played "A Fine Old English Gentleman." The entire company numbered upwards of a hundred. Supper was served in the servants' hall at one a.m., and dancing continued well into the small hours of the morning.

— "Royal Cornwall Gazette" 19 Jan 1899, page 2:
HUNTING.
THE TRETHILL BEAGLES.
This fine pack met at Port Eliot on Friday at 12.30. The weather, unfortunately, was very unpropitious, and in place of the usual crowd of sportsmen, only a small number braved the storm of wind and rain. There were present at Port Eliot to witness the meet the Earl and Countess of St. Germans, the Earl and Countess Dartrey, Ladies Edith and Mary Dawson, and the Misses Evelyn Eliot and B. Ellis. Lord Eliot and Hon. John Eliot very pluckily followed the little pack right through to the end. In addition to the Master (Capt. Dobree Roberts), there were present Dr. Liptrott, and Messrs. G. Bray, jun., and H. Couch, a few strangers, and several gentlemen from St. Germans. Colgear Wood was first drawn, but, to the surprise of all, nothing was found. Branchecombe Wood was next essayed, and puss being at home a run was made by Treboul to Treskilly, where she eluded her pursuers. Another hare was quickly found, and started off towards Retha Wood. Eventually the Master drew off his dogs, and all returned home, thoroughly drenched, without having had a kill.

— "Western Morning News" 02 Mar 1900, page 3:
THE WEST AND THE WAR.
THE RELIEF OF LADYSMITH & RECEPTION OF THE NEWS.
St. Germans Church bells rang out merry peals afternoon and evening. A "Long Tom" gun, made out of a large iron pipe, and mounted on two wheels, was drawn through the village by young men and boys, the Hon. John Eliot riding on the gun. The schoolchildren were given a half-holiday. The Union Jack and other flags were hoisted on the turret tower at Port Eliot, and detonators on the railway were exploded. In the evening a large bonfire was lighted on Penmadown.

— "Western Morning News" 22 Apr 1902, page 5:
The Earl and Countess of St. Germans, Lord Eliot, and the Hon. John Eliot, will leave Port Eliot today, for their London house, 13, Grosvenor-gardens.

— "Royal Cornwall Gazette" 22 May 1902, page 4:
Hon. John Eliot, the second son of Lord St. Germans, is to be page to Lord Waldegrave at the Coronation.