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Name: HAMILTON, Genesta Mary 'Genessie', Lady
Nee: Heath
Birth Date: 5 May 1899 Marylebone, London
Death Date: 20 Nov 1990 Kensington, London
First Date: 1923
Profession: Author of several books inc. 'A Stone's Throw'
Area: 'Nderit Estate', Elmenteita
Married: 1. In Camden, London 16 Dec 1919 Arthur McNeill Farquhar (1894-1964) (div. 1924); 2. Ernest Caswell 'Boy' Long (1892-1950); 3. 21 Feb 1946 Lord Claud David Hamilton (1907-1968)
Children: 1. Arthur Eden Callum (21 Nov 1921 Chelsea-1 Feb 1993 Camden); Heather Eva Genesse (Bullen) (12 Sep 1920 Chelsea-2002 Teignbridge) 2. Robert Eden Charles Caswell 'Robin' Long (1926-2007, m. Elizabeth Lisa Leeke)
Book Reference: Midday Sun, Rhodora, Debrett, Hut, Stud, Burke, First Wheel, Web
General Information:
Midday Sun - 1933 - 'Genessie Long was slim, elegant and rich; she wore long pendant ear-rings, had a well developed sense of drama and was tougher than she looked. She had come to Kenya as a bride in 1923 on safari with her first husband - Blix was their white hunter - and fallen in love with Africa, the safari life and the prospect of adventure. Subsequently she also fell in love with Boy Long, and they married.
She bought the ranch Nderit on the shores of Lake Nakuru, where she designed a splendid house with enormous rooms built round a patio with a fountain playing in the middle. Even larger stables accommodated, she told me, about 70 horses. She was an accomplished horsewoman and a good shot. A semi-tame hippo used to share the cattle's drinking troughs.
Boy and Genessie lived in style and entertained generously ........... house-boys in dark red kanzus with beautiful gold-embroidered waistcoats and scarlet turbans. She had a penchant for travel in the world's remoter regions, inspired by Rosita Forbes ...…
There was an occasion when Genessie arrived for lunch with mutual friends in Nakuru clad in beautifully cut white jodhpurs and a white silk shirt, a neat little revolver with a mother-of-pearl handle tucked into her belt.' .........
Later she married Lord Claud Hamilton ........... they took over Nderit, and Boy Long also found another wife.
Pembroke - 'The first war casualty was a former Master - Richard Dyson, known to the boys as 'Dicky Ducky'. As soon as he had arrived at Pembroke House he had been taught to fly by Genessie Long (mother of Pembroke pupil Robin Long)
EA Stud Book 1954 - Thoroughbred Stallions - Lady Claud Hamilton, Nderit Estate, Elmenteita
First Wheel - 1929 - "the farm bordered on Lord Delamere's acres, and several times his general manager, Boy Long and his wife, Genesta, came riding past by horseback. They were a very handsome pair and were always on very fine horses and were very gaily dressed. Corduroy slacks, bright-coloured shirts, large cowboy hats and a Somali shawl draped over their shoulders. ……… Boy Long died fairly early on. A great loss to the country; he was a premium man.
Genesta went on from better to better, and as I write she is still going on, thank God. She is a wonderful woman. She encouraged me [Bunny Allen] so much and was so understanding. Genesta got a grip of things immediately. She knew me very little, yet she had quite an influence on my life's work, namely safari and hunting, just because she talked to me with enthusiasm always, and such interest. Women like Genesta are few and far between."
Rhodora - 1950 - Lady Claud Hamilton prinked onto the lawn - conversation about two Lord 'Claud's. ... while we were on leave tried to pinch our head houseboy!
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