Neeld was one of five brothers born to Joseph Neeld (1754–1828), a solicitor[3] and Mary (née Bond) (1765–1857); the family lived in Hendon, Middlesex.[4]
In 1828, he inherited the substantial sum of £800,000 from his famous great-uncle, Philip Rundell the silversmith, described by James Losh as a "tyrannical miser". The will stated this was a reward to Neeld for giving up a "lucrative profession" to take care of Rundell for thirteen years.[7] With this bequest, Neeld bought the manor of Grittleton, about six miles northwest of Chippenham.[8] He spent from 8 March to 30 July 1830 as Member of Parliament for Gatton,[9] a rotten borough with six houses and one elector but returning two Members,[10] which was abolished by the Reform Act of 1832. Later in 1830 he was elected to represent Chippenham.
Also in 1828, the year that he bought Grittleton, Neeld also bought Kelston Park, a 1760s country house and estate just west of Bath. He made alterations to the house and outbuildings, but in 1844 the estate was transferred to his relatives the Inigo-Jones family.[11]
He married Lady Caroline Ashley Cooper, daughter of the 6th Earl of Shaftesbury on 1 January 1831; however, the marriage did not last for long.[4] This led to a series of legal disputes which ended with Lady Caroline failing to achieve a divorce, but being granted a legal separation.[4] It had been revealed that Neeld already had a daughter by a French woman, and thus at his death Neeld had no legitimate heirs.[4]
His Parliamentary career was less successful; despite being a Member of Parliament for nearly 24 years, he spoke not once in the House of Commons.[1]
Death and legacy
Neeld died on 24 March 1856,[1] causing a by-election in Chippenham. Leaving no legitimate heirs, he willed his property to his brother John (who in 1859 was created 1st Baronet Neeld, of Grittleton, and was elected MP for Chippenham 1865–1868).
Memorial plaque in Grittleton church
Joseph's name is commemorated in the Neeld Hall in Chippenham, as well as a row of cottages in Hendon which was built in 1870.[4] In Grittleton, his name lives on in the name of the village pub, the Neeld Arms, and in the east window of the church of St Mary the Virgin, accompanied by a plaque stating the window to have been "erected and dedicated by his (18) Friends and Tenants (71)". In Maida Hill, North Westminster, formerly the Borough of Paddington, there are also a Neeld Arms[16] and a Grittleton Road.