Mumbles Families

 Does a place make a person or does a person define a place?

The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, during the 1891 Census, living there was John Vander Horst Rees, 56, who was a Captain of Invalids, J.P., also there is his wife, Lydia Mary, 52. Also daughter Mary Emily Rees, 27; and son, George Hughes Rees, 19, who is an Engineering Student. Employed by the family is the Domestic Servant, Julia Fisher, 16.

1891 British Census
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea

Both Lydia Mary and Mary Emily were born at Mumbles.

The Royal Hospital was founded by King Charles II during 1682.  The initiative is thought to have come from Nell Gwyn.  The hospital coves a 66-acre and now houses 300 veterans of the British Army.

The veterans are known as Chelsea Pensioners, whilst they are within the hospital, they are encouraged to wear a blue uniform, if they travel further afield, they are encouraged to wear distinctive scarlet coats.  It was thought that the idea of the scarlets coats also came from Nell, as she remembered the pensioners of Coningsby Hospital, Hereford, wore coats of the same colour.

John Vander Horst Rees
Lieutenant John Vander Horst Rees, born 1834, Carmarthenshire.  Served with 90th Light Infantry and during the Māori War, 1864-85, served with the 40th Regiment of Foot, the Regiment was raised during 1717.  It was during this conflict that Rees, was injured at Te Arai, New Zealand.    Rees retired from active service.  Following this, Rees was Captain of Invalid Chelsea Hospital, JP.  He remained at the hospital until his death during 1908.

The Māori War was part of the New Zealand wars, that were fought between 1845 and 1875.  They were fought between the New Zealand colonial government and allied Māori on one side and other side Māori and Māori-allied settlers.  The result of the conflict, was the loss of Māori land and the retreat of Kīngitanga to King Country


So, what about Lydia Mary?

John and Emily signatures from Marriage register 
St. Margaret Pattens, London, 1818
Born 1839, at Oystermouth, daughter of John Peachy and Emily Gray. John and Emily were married 1818, St. Margaret Pattens, London.   

Lydia was the second youngest child of 11.  The 1841 Census John’s occupation is that of a Coast Guard.  

1841 British Census
Mumbles

At the time of the 1861 Census, Lydia, 22 and John, 75 address is listed as Mumbles.  John’s place of birth is listed as Sussex.  

1861 British Census
Mumbles

John Peachey grave
All Saints, Oystermouth
A decade later, John is residing with his son-in-law, Thomas Michael and Emily at 6 Park Street, Mumbles.  John’s occupation is listed as Late Coast Guard.   6 years later, John dies aged 91 and is buried at All Saints. 

1871 British Census
6 Park Street, Mumbles

During 1871, Lydia marries John Vander Horst Rees, who is already a widower at London after his first wife dies earlier that year.

With his first wife, Bridget McGowan, John was to have children and with his second wife, Lydia, a further 5 children.

By the time of the 1911 Census, Lydia is residing at Kingston Road, Teddington.  Her occupation is listed as Private Means.  Living also at the address are her daughters Lydia, Caroline and Susie all having taking the surname Grey!

1911 British Census
8 The Pavement, Kingston Road, Teddington

One of their children, John Vander Horst Rees, born 1868, married 1890, Emily Louisa Amanda Michael, who was the grand daughter of John Peachey.  The marriage took place at All Saints, Oystermouth.  

Marriage Certificate
John Vander Horst Rees and Emily Louisa Amanda Michael
All Saints, Oystermouth

John was educated at the Royal Naval School and King’s College London.  Served as a Lieutenant with 6th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, and the Mission to Seaman Chaplain at Antwerp and at Manchester.  1912, was appointed Vicar at St. Mary’s Preston.  

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family are residing in South Manchester.

1911 British Census
Ashley Chorlton Cum Hardy, South Manchester


Electoral Register
1915
15 Carlton Road, Kingston
1916, Lydia Mary Rees, dies at Brentford, Middlesex aged 78 years.

If we look at the inscription on John Peachy grave it mentions William and Elizabeth.

William Peachey grave
Pioneer Cemetery, California

William isn’t buried with his father; however, he is buried at Pioneer Cemetery, California, having died 6 months earlier than his father, January 1877.  William obtained California Naturalisation Records, July 1867.  His occupation was listed as miner.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strombus

Image
 What secrets lie on the seabed? The coordinates 51 34 33N 03 58 21W indicates where the bow of the DS  Strombus lies of the seabed. 51 34 33N 03 58 21W Location of the bow of the  DS  Strombus GoogleMaps DS  Strombus The DS  Strombus  was originally built as a Tanker, by Armstrong Whitworth & Co., during 1900, for Anglo Saxon Patroleum Co., London.  During 1925, was sold to Cia Ballenera del Peru, Peru, and was renamed as Callao .  During 1926, sold again to Hvalf, A/S Africa , Tonsberg, where renamed as DS  Strombus  and was converted as a Whale Factory. March 1940, DS  Strombus , arrived at South Georgia.   Later that month or April, departed South Georgia and travelled independently to Freetown, Sierra Leone, arriving on May 15 th . May 17 th , DS  Strombus , joined Convoy SL 32, departing Freetown for Liverpool, however, detached from the Convoy on the 19 th , and travelled to New Orleans, having travelled independently, DS  Strombus  was carrying a cargo of whale oil
Read more

No. 172 Squadron - 19th August 1942

Image
  Scarweather Point, Porthcawl What other secrets lay on the seabed? We will look at the events that were to take place on 19 th August 1942.   The events at Dieppe, France, where the Allies carried out an unsuccessful amphibious attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe.   6,086 infantry troops notably Canadian, which were supported by a regiment of tanks were put ashore from a naval operation which was protected by RAF fighters. For a short period, the port was captured, and to test the feasibility of the landing and to gather intelligence. German coastal defences, port structures and important buildings were demolished. The Raid was intended to boost the Allied moral.   Sadly, aerial and the naval support was insufficient to enable the ground forces to establish their objectives.   The tanks on the beach were trapped, and the troops were largely prevented to entre the town by obstacles and German fire. In less that six hours and huge number of casualties, the resulted in
Read more

Bristol Blenheim - collision 31st July 1940

Image
 Worm’s Head, Gower  Worm’s Head, Gower.  It is the furthest westerly point of the Gower Peninsula.  The name “ Worm’s Head ” comes from the Old English word, meaning ‘wyrm’ for ‘sea serpent’ the headland comprises of three islands. In the skies over Worm’s Head, this is where a collision occurred July 1940. Taking off from RAF St. Athans, a Bristol Blenheim Mk IF, L1408/J with a crew of 3 from 25 Squadron.   The plane was to undertake in A.I. Radar System trails. AF St. Athans Airborne Interception Radar Bristol Blenheim A.I., is short for Airborne Interception Radar. Radar systems that were used to equip aircraft in air-to-air role.  The radar was used to locate and tracking other aircraft.  The term was first used during 1936, when it was considered how a radar system could be fitted into an aircraft. This led to the formation of the Airborne Interception Mk IV, the first production air-to-air system, which came into service July 1940, which was widespread available on the Bri
Read more