Cemetery Sunday - Cliveden War Cemetery

 

 

Cliveden War Cemetery was built in the grounds of Cliveden House in Taplow Berkshire and contains 40 World War I burials and 2 World War II burials.  The burials are predominately Canadian.

At the out break of World war I, Waldorf Astor, the owner of Cliveden at that time, offered the use of some of the grounds to the Canadian Red Cross for the building of the HRH Duchess of Connaught Hospital.

Waldorf Astor gave up the use of his Italian Sunken Garden to be used as a burial ground for the men who were treated at the hospital, but did not survive their injuries.  The Bucks Herald reported on 12th April 1919-

"Sir Robert Borden, Canada's Premier, came down to Cliveden, near Taplow to perform the ceremony of unveiling a Canadian Red Cross memorial.  It is a female feature representative of Life, and bears an inscription beginning with the words, 'The souls of the righteous are in the hands of God.'  In the Italian Garden in Cliveden is the cemetery in which are interred the bodies of the heroes of the war who died in the Canadian Hospital adjoining.  In four years no less that 24,000 patients passed through this hospital, provided by Major and Mrs. Astor in their beautiful grounds close to the Thames, one of the most charming spots in the most lovely reach of that river."

At the end of the hostilities the HRH Duchess of Connaught Hospital was dismantled.

At the outbreak of World War II the Astors again offered the use of the land for the rent of one shilling a year to the Canadian Red Cross and the Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital was built.  After the war the hospital was donated to the UK to use as a general hospital and research centre.  Sadly in 1985 the hospital closed and remained empty and derelict until 2006 when the buildings were demolished to make way for a housing estate.  A large part of Maidenhead and Taplow's history was lost.

This post is dedicated to those brave men and women who gave their lives so that we could live ours.

 

 

 

 

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Peter George Stanhope Payne, Barrister at Law, and His Wife Maud Payne, Parents of Captain Major Lionel Guy Payne R.A.F. WWII War Hero.

Monument to Peter George Stanhope Payne and Maud Payne, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham Berkshire.

"Peter George Stanhope Payne 28th May 1928.  Maud Payne 2nd July 1937."

 

Peter George Stanhope Payne was born in Woburn Sands, Bedfordshire in 1862 to Sir Salusbury Gillies Payne, Justice of the Peace for Bedfordshire, and his wife Catherine Ann Chadwick.

Unfortunately, I cannot find Peter or his mother on the 1871 Census. Peter's father and siblings are listed as living in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire.

In 1881 Peter aged 19, is listed on the census as an Undergraduate of Oxford University, before going on to become a barrister. He is living with his parents and his six siblings at Blunham House, The Park, Blunham, Bedfordshire. The family at the time had two governesses, and ten domestic servants.

Blunham House, Blunham, Bedfordshire

The 1891 Census finds Peter living at the home of his younger sister Winifred Eva and her husband Reginald Arthur Tatton, a civil engineer, at Rode Side House, Chelford, Cheshire.

In 1892 Peter married Maud Banbury, daughter of Frederick Banbury, a stockbroker, and his wife Cecilla Laura Cox.  The Bedfordshire Mercury reported on Saturday 23rd July 1892:

"BLUNHAM. 

Mr Peter Payne’s Wedding. —The marriage of Peter George Stanhope Payne, of the Middle Temple, third son of Sir Salusbury Payne, Bart., of Blunham House, with Maud, youngest daughter of Mrs F. Banbury, of Cadogan-square, London, was celebrated on Saturday afternoon, St Peter's Church. Eatonsquare. The bride was given away her brother and Mr Hughes attended his cousin (the bridegroom) as best man. The ceremony was performed the Rev. E. Ibbotson, vicar of Walthamstow, Essex, assisted by the Rev. T. W. Mylne, vicar Addington, Surrey. A reception was afterwards held by Mrs Banbury, and during the afternoon Mr and Mrs Peter Payne started on their honeymoon." 

Maud was born at 32 Holland Park, London in 1868. Maud first appears on the 1871 Census, aged 3, living with her parents and siblings at 32 Holland Park, London. By 1881 the family had moved to Shirely House, Shirley Park, Croydon, Surrey. On the 1891 Census, Maud can be found living at the house of her sister Edith, and her husband Thomas Snow, a banker, at Franklyn, 4 Cowick Lane, St Thomas, Devon.

In 1901 Peter and Maud can be found living in Mortlake, Surrey with their children, Marjory Enid, and Lionel Guy Stanhope.  By 1911 the family had moved to 5 Sloane Court East, Chelsea, London.

Peter served in the Great War, with the King's Overseas Dominions Regiment, rising to the rank of Second Lieutenant. 

It seems that Lionel had a very interesting military career and was awarded the military cross.

"Citation for the award of the Military Cross

Capt. Lionel Guy Stanhope Payne, Suff. R. and R.F.C.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On four occasions he bombed important enemy railway stations, obtaining direct hits on each occasion. He also carried out a long-distance raid on an enemy aerodrome, which he bombed from 1,100 feet, making the return journey at a height of 800 with, his machine damaged. He has taken part in many night bombing raids, always at a low altitude, and has set a fine example of determination to all ranks of his squadron."

Lionel Guy Stanhope Payne

Rupert Ernest Neve - Killed in an aeroplane accident, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve, and Anthony Holloway

Monument to Rupert Ernest Neve, Peggy Neve, Marjory Edith Neve and Anthony Holloway, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"In humble submission to the will of God and in happy memory of Rupert Ernest Neve R.F.C killed in an aeroplane accident jan 26th 1918 aged 24 years - For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we die, we die unto the Lord, whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.  Rom 14. 8

Also Peggy, daughter of H. H & B Neve died Feb 21st 1915, aged 27 hours.

And Marjory Edith Neve, died July 29th  1947 aged 56 years.

Also Anthony Holloway died March 29th 1948 aged 2 days."

Rupert Ernest Neve and his twin brother Arthur Osmond Neve were born on 15th September 1893 in Maidenhead Berkshire to Alfred Hovenden Neve, a draper and clothier operating from 57-61 High Street Maidenhead, and Emma Hankin Skillman.  Rupert attended Desborough School for Boys in Maidenhead, the school has a private memorial to him in their building.

Rupert first appears on the 1901 Census, aged 7, living with his parents and siblings, including his elder sister Marjory Edith, at 57-61 High Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1911 Rupert was boarding at 121 Castle Hill, Reading with the Venn family.  His occupation is listed as an ironmonger's apprentice.  On 23rd April 1913 Rupert was involved in a motorcycle accident, the Slough, Eton & Windsor Observer on 26th April 1913 reported:

"A motorcycle and van collide-

About 8:30 Wednesday evening, a horse and van, driven by George Haines, of 17, Grenville [sic] Place, Maidenhead, was proceeding to London, when a motorcycle, ridden by Mr. Rupert Ernest Neve, of High Street, Maidenhead, who was going in the same direction, collided with the rear of the van.  Neve sustained a cut lip and was attended by Dr. Sadler, of Slough.  Mr. William Egleton, of Bray Mills, near Maidenhead, was riding on the carrier of the cycle and received a bruised head and cut fingers."

 .

Rupert was one of the first groups of young men to volunteer at the outbreak of World War I.  He first enlisted on 15th September 1914 in the Public Schools Battalion of The Royal Fusiliers and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in the 9th King's Shropshire Light Infantry but shortly transferred to the R.F.C (Royal Flying Corps).  Ruperst twin brother served as a Lance Corporal in the Royal Army Medical Corps.  Rupert passed is flying certificate on a Maurice Farman Biplane on 6th July 1916.  During an aerial fight over France sometime in March 1917, Rupert was severely injured but was able to bring his plane back behind British lines. The Reading Mercury reported on 19th May 1917:

"Two Maidenhead officers in hospital in England have visited the town. They were Lieut. Rupert Neve, the Royal t lying Corps (son Mrs. A. Neve), who was badly wounded in an aerial fight in France, and Lieut. John Webber, Royal Sussex Regiment (son the late Mr. J. Webber), who was wounded in France a short time ago. Each is making a good recovery."  

Rupert had only just been reported fit to for active service when on 26th January 1918, his Sopwith Camel B.5235 biplane collapsed midair over Croydon, Surrey due to excessive vibration.

Sopwith Camel B.5235

Peggy Neve was born on 20th February 1915 to Harold Hovenden Neve, Rupert's elder brother and Beatrice Rolfe.  Sadly she was to pass away on 21st February 1915 just 27 hours after her birth.

Marjory Edith Neve, known as Madge, Rupert's elder sister, was born on 29th May 1891 in Maidenhead Berkshire.  She lived and worked at her father's drapery store at 57-61 High Street Maidenhead. Marjory can be found at 57-61 High Street on the 1911 Census, living with her widowed mother Emma, and her two elder brothers, Alfred Edgar now managing the Gentleman's Outfitters shop, and Harold Hovendene now managing the Drapery Shop. On the 1939 Register, Marjory is living at Priesthaus, East Road, Maidenhead, with her elderly mother. She never married and died aged 56 on 29th July 1947.

Marjory Edith Neve

Anthony Holloway was born on 27th March 1948 to Dennis G Holloway, and his wife Margaret Ann Neve, Alfred Edgar Neve's daughter. Sadly, little Anthony was to pass away aged just 2 days old on 29th March 1948.

Neve Bros 57-61 High Street, Maidenhead,
Berkshire

Cemetery Sunday - Gardens Of Rest

 

 

Braywick Cemetery in Berkshire opened in the July of 1953 and was set out as a lawn cemetery with specific sections for different religions; Church of England, Non Conformist, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Muslim and a section for the burial of babies and children.

 

The Gardens of Rest are for the interment of cremated remains. 

 

Cremation has been around for centuries, but fell out of favour in Great Britain when Christianity came to its shores.  However interest in cremation was reawakened in Victorian Britain when it became apparent that local cemeteries and churchyards were running out of space.  Cremation finally became legal in Great Britain in 1882.  On the 26th March 1885 he first 'legal' cremation took place, that of Mrs Jeannette Caroline Pickersgill at Woking Crematorium, Surrey England. 

The Hampshire Advertiser reported on Sunday 28th March 1885-

 

"Cremation In Surrey.

 

On Thursday morning the crematory erected at St. John's, Woking, Surrey, was made use of for the first time, the body reduced to ashes being that of Mrs, Pickersgill of Clarence-gate, London.  It had previously been subjected to an autopsy. The deceased was well know in literary and scientific circles, and expressly stipulated in her will that her body should be cremated.  With a view to this she had previously become a subscriber to the Cremation Society of England.  The cremation, which lasted one hour, is said to have been eminently successful from every point of view." 

 

Two further cremations took place that year.  Those of Mr Charles W. Carpenter in October and Mrs Grattan in December.  Ten cremations followed in 1886.  Today cremation is a popular alternative to full burial and there are many crematoriums around the country.



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donovan "Shorty" Foster Smart, a Promising Career in Film Ended, and his Grandmother Mary Ann Foster.

Monument to Donovan Foster Smart 'Shorty' and Mary Ann Foster, All Saints Churchyard, Bisham, Berkshire.

"Donovan 
Foster Smart 

'Shorty' 

December 1 1934 

Aged 28 years
Mary 

Ann Foster 

September 11 1936 

Aged 81 years."

Donovan Foster Smart was born in Chingford, Essex in 1906, eldest child of Harry Casimir Smart, an Australian working in the publicity branch of the Australian Government Office in the UK, and Daisy Hope Foster.

Donovan can first be found on the 1911 Census, aged 4, living with his parents, siblings, maternal grandmother Mary Ann Foster, and maternal aunt Grace Foster, at Claremont Villas, Snakes Lane, Woodford, Essex. Donovan worked in the film industry during his short life. He was to pass away after an extended illness on 1st December 1934. The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 12th December 1934:

"Pinkney's Green.

Death and Funeral of Mr. D. F. Smart.

The funeral took place on Tuesday last week in Bisham Churchyard, following a service in the historic parish church at which the organist was Mr. J. A. Mason (organist at Sydney Town Hall and formerly accompanist to Madame Melba), of Mr. Donovan Foster Smart, Elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Smart, Hyde Farm, who after an illness extending over six months, passed away on 1st inst. at the age of 28 years. Mr. Donovan Smart, whose death has ended so prematurely, has brought to a close a promising career in the film industry, had been associated with Paramount Films and Publicity Films."

Mary Ann Foster was born Mary Ann Scudamore in Bishopsgate, Middlesex 1856 to Robert Scudamore, a Lithographic Printer, and his wife Elizabeth Bryne.  Mary first appears on the 1861 Census, aged 5, living with her parents and siblings at 24 Wellington Street North, Bethnal Green, Middlesex. In 1871 Mary Ann is a domestic service in the house of William Holmes, a Nurseryman, at 2 Frampton Park Road, Hackney, London. On 21st November 1880 Mary Ann married Henry William Foster at St John's Church in Hackney, London.  Along with Henry's five children from his previous marriage, Helen, Symons, Mary Ann, Ethel, Gertrude and Harold, Henry and Mary Ann had four children of their own, Henry Thomas, Sidney Kirkman, Daisy Hope, and Grace. 

The newlywed couple can be found on the 1881 Census living at 5 Union Square, London. By 1891 the family had moved to 75 Ridley Road, West Hackney, London. Sadly, Mary Ann's husband Henry was to pass away in 1898. In 1901 the widowed Mary Ann can be found living with her stepson Harold, and her children, Sidney, Daisy, and Grace. Visiting the family at the time of the census is Harry Casimir Smart, Daisy's future husband, and father of Donovan Foster Smart. Mary was to pass away on 11th September 1936.

Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock D. S. O, Royal Artillery - His Lovely Life Ended

Monument to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In devoted memory of 

Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock

D.S.O (distinguished service order) 

Royal Artillery t

he beloved husband of 

Constance Nash Sherlock   

Born June 6th 1879  

His lovely life ended 

February 18th 1938  

Constance Nash Sherlock 1900 - 1959."

David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock was born 6th June 1879 in Tullamore, County Offley, Ireland to David Joseph Sherlock J.P., and his wife Mary Zeena Elizabeth Murphy.  

David enlisted with The Dublin City Artillery (southern division), on the 24th November 1897 he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. David joined the British Army in 1900 and served in the Great War, first with the Royal Horse Artillery and then later with the Royal Field Artillery. In 1917 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the 1917 Birthday Honours for operational gallantry for highly successful command and leadership during active operations.  In 1930 David married Constance Nash. David was to pass away just 8 years later in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, on February 18th 1938.  The Maidenhead Advertiser reported on 23rd February 1938:

"Death of Col. Sherlock, D.S.O.

We much regret to have to record the death which took place early on Friday morning last at "Bredward," Burnham of Col. David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, D.S.O., R.A., at the age of 58 years. Col. Sherlock who was born on June 6th, 1879, had a very distinguished career. He joined the Army in 1900 and was a member of the Royal Artillery for 30 years. He went to France in August 1914 as Captain of the 50th Battery, 2nd Division, during the Great war, and he was wounded in October of that year. He returned in February, 1915 as Brigade Major of the 47th Division of Artillery and in June, 1916, took over command of 115th Battery R.A.F., 1st Division. In this Battery he won the D.S.O. and the Legion of Honour, and served until 1917. 

He then west as Brigade Commander of 310th Brigade, 67th (West Riding) Division, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1918. He was mentioned six times in dispatches. He commanded the Brigade on the Rhine, and returned to England in 1919 and commanded the 38th Battery at Woolwich and Colchester, and later the Brixton Brigade R.F.A., T.A. He then proceeded to India and took over the 34th Brigade at Jhansi, returning after four years he was appointed Divisional Commander of the Liverpool Division Territorials. He Retired in 1930.

Col. Sherlock was the eldest son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Rahan Lodge, Tullamore, Ireland, and was educated at Beaumont College and Clongoweswood College. He married about nine years ago Miss Constance Nash, of New York, and came to "Bredward," Burnham, about six years ago. He was dearly loved by all his brother officers and men. When he came to Burnham his genial and breezy disposition soon gained him a wealth of friends and he crept into the hearts of everyone by his bluff and jovial manner. He also had a valuable asset of being able to assess the qualities of the ordinary "man in the street" and the solider on and off parade. He stayed int he hearts of Burnham people and will be greatly missed, and the sympathy of everyone will go out to Mrs. Sherlock. He soon associated himself with many activities in Burnham. He was a vice-president of a number of associations and took a specially live interest in the Royal Artillery Association (South Bucks branch) and the Burnham branch of the British Legion, of which he was president. He was also hon. treasurer of the Burnham branch Conservative Association, president of the branch of the Junior Imperial League. He was a subaltern under the late Sir Francis Bingham in Egypt, and the friendship was sustained on their both coming to live in Burnham.

The funeral service was held quietly at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Maidenhead, yesterday (Tuesday), and the internment was at Maidenhead Cemetery. By the expressed wish of the deceased only the immediate members of the family and relatives, attended, and also by his wish there were no flowers."

Colonel David J. C. E. Sherlock

The New York Times reported on 18th February 1938:

"Colonel David E. Sherlock, retired commander of the Fifty-fifth West Lancashire Division of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Liverpool, died early this morning Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England, after a short illness, according to word received here."

The Catholic Herald printed a small notice of death for David on 28th February 1938 -

"Gallant service during the European War, in which campaign he was wounded and was six times mentioned in despatches. brought high honour, both from Britain and from France to Colonel David John Christopher Eustace Sherlock, who died on the 18th inst. at his home at Burnham, Buckinghamshire. The Royal Honours List awarded him the D.S.O., while France made him a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour and gave him also the Croix de Guerre.

Colonel Sherlock was in his fifty-ninth year. The son of Mr. David Sherlock, D.L., of Tullamore, he was educated first of all in Ireland, at Clongowes Wood College, and afterwards at Beaumont. He joined the Army in 1900. In the Great War he served with the R.H.A. and the R.F.A. He retired about eight years ago."

Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt
Where Right and Glory Lead

Cemetery Sunday - Vault

This beautiful ornately carved vault in St James the Less churchyard, Stubbings, Burchetts Green, Berkshire bears no inscription or indication, save the carved coast of arms, as to who may be buried here.

They must have been someone of some importance to have such an elaborate resting place.



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Musical Comedy Actress Edith Marion Rosse - Natural Death or Murdered by Arthur Maundy Gregory for Her Money?

Memorial to Edith Marion Rosse (Milady), All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In love ever remember Edith Marion Rosse [Milday] who peacefully fell asleep in London on the 14th day of September 1932"

Edith Marion Rosse was born Edith Marion Davis to Frederick Davis, a factory foreman, and his wife Eliza staff, around 1873 in Edmonton, London. Edith can first be found on the 1881 Census aged 7, living with her mother, grandmother Sarah Staff and siblings at 19 Victoria Road, Hornsey, Middlesex. In her early life Edith worked as a teacher in Ludlow, Shropshire. Later she decided to move to America and lived in Wisconsin for a while

Edith's first husband was Harry Hobart Shepherd, a ship's purser, who she met on the ship she was returning to England on. Unfortunately, Harry was to die suddenly at Las Palmas, Spain, in 1900.

In 1907 Edith, now a musical comedy actress, married her second husband musician and composer Frederick Rosse.  

On the 1911 Census Edith can be found with her husband Frederick at the home of the mutual friend journalist, and theatre producer Arthur Maundy Gregory, at 32 High Street, 11 Walden House, Marylebone, London. Edith and Frederick were to separate in 1923, Edith continued to live with Arthur. Arthur was embroiled in the 1920s Honours for Sale Scandal and in 1932 Arthur was being sued by the estate of Sir George Watson for £30,000 for a baronetcy he had never received. Arthur had originally approached Edith for a loan, but she had refused, saying her money was for her old age.

On 19th August 1932, just after having lunch, Edith became suddenly ill with sickness and diarrhoea. Edith was visited by a doctor who initially diagnosed Edith with heat stroke. Arthur, who was away from the house at the time was sent for, and according to witnesses, the doctor and a housekeeper, Edith dictated a new will stating, 'Everything I have, if anything happens to me, to be left to Mr. Gregory, to be disposed of as he thinks best and in accordance with what I should desire.' This new will had been written in pencil on the back of a menu card from the Carlton Hotel. However, after a second doctor was sent for, Edith recovered. On the night of September 3rd 1832, Edith again was taken ill suddenly, the doctor was again sent for, but Edith remained in a semi-conscious state until she passed away on 14th September. Her cause of death was recoded as cerebral haemorrhage, and bright's disease, an old term for inflammation of the kidneys. 

Arthur supervised her burial, specifying a riverside plot in the churchyard at Bisham. He ordered the coffin lid to be left unsealed and the grave to be dug unusually shallow, only 18 inches from the surface.

Edith's niece Ethel Davis, who expected to inherit from her aunt's will made a complaint, and inquest was started, and eventually the order was given to exhume Edith's body which happened on 28th April 1933.  The coffin was found to be waterlogged.   Bernard Spilsbury, a forensic scientist used by the police, was in little doubt that the burial arrangements Arthur had made were intentional since, "the effect of water on decaying remains would make it impossible to detect the presence of certain poisons." The inquest gave an open verdict.

On 3rd May 1933 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported on the exhumation:

"Lady's Body Exhumed at Bisham

Last Thursday night the Berkshire police exhumed at Bisham Churchyard the body of Mr. Edith Marion Rosse, the former wife of Mr. Frederick Rosse, composer, from whom for the last ten years of her life she had been living apart. Chief-inspector Askew, of Scotland Yard, was present at the graveside with Dr. Roche Lynch, the pathologist. The body was taken to Paddington Mortuary because Mrs. Rosse died at Hyde Park Terrace." 

According to Edith's younger brother Frederick Davis, who was interviewed by Thompson's Weekly News, his sister went to great lengths to keep her working class roots a secret from her high society friends. Frederick is quoted as saying:

"When the body of my sister, Edith Marion Rosse, was exhumed, I little dreamed that so many stories would be told about her romantic life and her aristocratic upbringing. Unfortunately, my sister was responsible for these glamorous details, although she was as aware of our humble origin as I am."

"Edith was quite open with me and told me why she did not want me at her house. She said the people she associated with were far above the working man. She did not want them to know She was the daughter of poor people."

Arthur was later arrested in Germany for selling honours but was never tried for the suspected murder of Edith.  Arthur died in a German Labour Camp in occupied France on 28th September 1941.

May Peabody Osborne, Daughter of a Chicago Coal Magnate - Dig the grave and let me lie

Memorial to May Peabody Osborne, All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In 

Memory 

of 

May Peabody Osborne 

beloved wife of 

Charles Glidden Osborne. 

April 14th 1936.

Under the wide and starry sky, 

dig the grave and let me lie, 

glad did I live and gladly die.  

And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me, 

here he lies where he longed to be.  

Home is the sailor from sea 

and the hunter home from the hill."

May Peabody Osborne was born May Henderson Peabody on 28th April 1891 at Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, USA to Francis Stuyvesant Peabody and May Henderson.   May first married Addison H Stillwell on 2nd January 1914 at St James Episcopal Church, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA.

They were to divorce 1922, The Pittsburg Sun reported on 22nd December 1922:

"Chicago- Mrs. May Henderson Peabody Stilwell [sic], daughter of the late Francis S. Peabody, wealthy coal operator, was granted a divorce today from Addison Stilewll, wealthy lumberman on her charges of desertion." 

May and her brother c1910

On 1st September 1923 May married her second husband Charles Glidden Osborne and sailed with him and her children from her first marriage, May Henderson Stillwell, Eleanor Allison Stillwell and Frances Peabody Stillwell, on the Leviathan to England in the October of 1923. Charles's father William McKinley Osborne was the American Consul General in England at the time. Charles had two children from his previous marriage to Martha Gardner, William Mckinley Osborne, and Harry Widener Osborne. In 1928 May and Charle's only child, daughter Mahmea Enid Lolita Osborne was born.

May Peabody Osborne died on 14th April 1936 at her home "Highfields" in Marlow, Buckinghamshire aged just 44 years old. At the time of her death her estate was valued at $500,000, around $11,354,820.14, or £8,997,128 today (2024) On the 24th October 1936 the Chicago Tribune reported:

"May Peabody Will Excludes One Daughter

Three Girls in England get bulk of $500,000

Mrs. May Peabody Osborne, sister of Stuyvesant Peabody, Chicago coal operator, left only some jewelery and keepsakes to her eldest daughter, Miss. May Henderson Stillwell, and the bulk of her $500,000 to three other daughters. This was learned yesterday when the will was admitted ancillary probate by Oscar S. Caplan, assistant to the probate judge.

Mrs. Osborne died on April 14 at her estate. Highfields, in Marlow, England. She was 44 years old. She was the wife of Charles Glidden Osborne, to whom she married in 1923, the year after she divorced Addison Stillwell, former Chicago insurance man.

Three Girls in England.

May, the eldest daughter lived with her father in California. The other daughters are living with Mr. Osborne in England. They are Eleanor Allison Osborne, 19 years old; Frances Peabody Osborne, 16 years old, and Mahmea Enid Lolita Osborne, 7. The three eldest girls are daughters of Mr. Stillwell, and the youngest is the daughter of Mr. Osborne.

Mrs. Osborne's estate consists of $250,00 in Cook county and a like amount in New York. Her will directs that after specific bequests the remainder of the estate be placed in a trust for the daughters, and that each receive a third of her share of the principal on her 27th, 31st and 35th birthday anniversary. 

Excluded by Codicil

The body of the will was dated March 6, 1935. The eldest daughter was excluded from the trust provision in a codicil dated Jan. 24, 1936. Of the other bequests, the largest, $100,00, was made to Mr. Osborne. The will explained that by antenuptial agreement Mr. Osborne or members of his family were not to share in the fortune of his wife, but the will made the $100,00 gift 'as a slight indication of my love and esteem.'" 

It was the verse on May's gravestone, the poem Requiem by Robert Louis Steverson, that caught my eye first.  The line, 'under the wide and starry sky, dig the grave and let me lie', struck a chord with me.

 

John Bosely, Master Bricklayer of Burchett's Green, and His Daughter Jane Bosley

John Bosley

Jane Bosley

"In loving memory

 of 

John Bosley 

who died January 11th 1865 

aged 77 years. 

My Redeemer Liveth."

***

"Sacred to the memory 

of 

Jane 

eldest daughter of John and Eliza Bosley 

who departed this life 

February 7th 1854 

aged 22 years."

Buried side by side in St James the Less churchyard in Stubbings, Burchetts Green, Berkshire.

John Bosley, a master bricklayer, was born in Heavvitree, Devon around 1793.  He was married to Eliza Stroud and their eldest daughter Jane was born in Bray, Berkshire, in 1833.

John and his daughter Jane can be found on the 1851 Census living in Burchett's Green, Berkshire, along with John's wife and Jane's mother Eliza Bosley, and John and Eliza's other children, James, and Eliza. I have been unable to locate any further documents regarding John or Jane.

Adeline Blanche Young and her husband Thomas Young

Monument to Adeline Blanche Young and Thomas Young, All Saints Church, Bisham, Berkshire.

"In 

Loving Memory 

of 

Adeline Blanche 

wife of Thomas Young 

who Died November 14. 1922.  

Aged 52 years.  

Also of 

Thomas Young 

who Died May 18th 1932 

in his 70th year."

Adeline Blanche Young was born Adeline Blanche Strafford on 3rd February 1870 in Middlesex to Thomas William Strafford, an insurance clerk at Westminster Fire Office, and his wife Eliza Rutland. 

Adaline first appears on the 1871 Census aged 1, living with her parents and older siblings at 140 Adalaide Road in Hempstead, London. By 1881 the family had moved to 2 Sister's Avenue, Battersea, London. I am unable to locate the family on the 1891 Census. By 1901 the family had again moved, this time to "Woodside" King Charles Street, Surbiton, Surrey.

On 2nd June 1904 at the age of 34 Adeline married Thomas Young, a surveyor of insurance, at St George Church, Bloomsbury, London.  On the 1911 census Adeline can be found living with her husband Thomas at Warren House, Bisham, Berkshire.  Eleven years later Adeline was to pass away at the age of 52.

Thomas Young was born in Hackney, London in 1863 to Thomas Young, a gentleman, and his wife Margaret Sherriffs.

Thomas first appears on the 1871 Census aged 8, living with his parents and younger siblings at Junction Road, St Pancras, London.  By 1881 the family had moved to "Ther Orangery", St Margarets, Isleworth. Now 18, Thomas's occupation is listed as an accountant clerk. On the 1891 Census the family is still residing at The Orangery and visiting the family at the time of the census was Alice Gertrude Strafford, Adeline's older sister. I have been unable to locate Thomas on the 1901 Census. Thomas was to pass away nearly ten years after Adeline.