After the death of the Duchess, in 1777, Thomas Dawson, Viscount Cremorne, at that time Baron Dartrey, purchased the villa in 1778. He considerably enlarged and embellished the premises, under the skill of the eminent Mr. James Wyatt. His lordship died in Stanhope Street, Mayfair, in 1813, in his 89th year, greatly respected, and bequeathed the estate to his relict, the late Viscountess. It is stated, in an account published shortly after Lord Cremorne’s death, that “his generosity was unbounded, and his heart, in the most comprehensive sense, charitable. But his most excellent character is, that he was a Christian in mind and practice.”
The Dowager Viscountess Cremorne, born in Philadelphia in 1740, died at her house in Stanhope Street in 1825, in the 86th year of her age. Her ladyship resided at Chelsea a great portion of the year, and kept a large establishment. She was one of the most kind-hearted residents in the parish. For years it was her custom to entertain annually the children of the parochial and other schools, and she patronized the tradesmen of Chelsea as far as it was practicable, giving special orders to that effect to her household. Queen Charlotte occasionally visited her in the summer months, when the children again attended, and received tokens of her benevolent regard for them. She was buried by the side of her husband in the family vault at Stoke. The carriages of the Royal Family followed in the funeral procession for some distance, and most of the tradesmen closed their shops. She bequeathed the villa to her first cousin and executor, Granville Penn, Esq., second surviving son of Thomas Penn, and brother of John Penn, Esqrs., of Stoke Park, Bucks, Hereditary Governors and Proprietaries of the Province of Pennsylvania. Granville Penn, Esq., resided in it for a few years. It would occupy too much space to give a sketch even of the history of this distinguished family.
Lord and Lady Cremorne possessed a very fine and extensive collection of paintings, which were sold by auction, on the premises, in 1827. Amongst them was a copy of Correggio’s picture of the Madonna and Child, and St. Jerome at Parma, by Copley, full size, and accounted the best copy of that celebrated picture. The late Lord Lyndhurst purchased it. The grounds, &c., are now known as Cremorne Gardens, but this once pretty villa can scarcely now be recognised as the favourite residence of Lord and Lady Cremorne.