Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2011
The uncertainty about Sir Hans Sloane's maternal family already existed in his own lifetime, and it is clear that both Sir Hans, and his brother William Sloane of Chelsea, had hazy knowledge of their mother's family. In 1726, both brothers applied for a grant of arms, almost thirty-five years after their mother's death. Sir Hans's scholarly biographer, Dr E St John Brooks, states that the associated pedigree records Sir Hans's mother as one Sarah Hickes, daughter of ‘Dr Hickes, an eminent divine, prebendary of the cathedral church of Winchester, and chaplain to Dr Laud, archbishop of Canterbury; and accompanying to Ireland Anne, the eldest daughter of Henry, earl of Monmouth, and wife of James Hamilton, Lord Viscount Claneboy and earl of Clanbrazil.