REVEREND PETER ELERS

Reverend Peter Elers (died 1820) is my fourth great granduncle. The original portrait of Reverend Peter Elers is in the Elers family collection held in New Zealand. 

Reverend Peter Elers was the uncle of Reverend Carew Thomas Elers (my fourth great grandfather). Reverend Peter Elers was from an aristocratic pedigree. Although his great, grandfather was German, Reverend Peter Elers' grandmother was Dorothy Carew of Carew Castle, Pembrokeshire. Accordingly, Reverend Peter Elers was a direct descendant of King Edward 1. His name is mentioned in several books about the Royal family lineage. As an example, here is an extract from the Burke 1851 book on the Royal family genealogy. Here is a different extract from another book. Reverend Peter Elers' mother (Mary Elers nee Charon or Charron) was from a French Huguenot family. Huguenots were French Protestant Christians.

CHAPLAIN TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CLARENCE

Reverend Peter Elers graduated from the University of Cambridge and was ordained to the diaconate on the 10th of June 1781. He was ordained to the priesthood on the 24th of March 1782.  From 1805 to 1821 he served as a chaplain to HRH The Duke of Clarence, who became King William IV.  After his death, his nephew Reverend Carew Elers was appointed as chaplain to HRH The Duke of Clarence.

RECTOR OF ADDINGTON AND RISHANGLES

Reverend Peter Elers served curacies at Knapwell, Rishangles, Birling, Trottiscliffe and Addington. He was a long serving Rector of both Rishangles in Suffolk and Addington in Kent until his death in 1820 aged 62.

This is the grave of Reverend Peter Elers at Addington. The inscription on the grave says: "BENEATH this Stone rest the Remains of the Rev PETER ELERS Rector of this Parish who died on the 7th day of November 1820. Aged 62."

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