George Higgin, Civil Engineer - In The Ray, Ray Park Avenue - and his wife Helen Pattison Higgin.

 

Monument to George Higgin, All Saints's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead Berkshire.

"I Am

The Resurrection

And The Life

Grant Him O Lord

Eternal Rest And Let

Perpetual Light

Shine Upon Him 

George Higgin

Born 16 January 1833

Died 8 November 1892"

George Higgin was born on 16th January 1833 in Lancaster, Lancashire, to Thomas Housman, a cotton mill owner, and his wife Sarah Winfield. He was christened on 17th June 1833.

George first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 8, living at 3 Greenfields, Lancaster, Lancashire, with his parents and siblings. George spent considerable time out of the UK during his career, mainly occupied with railway and civil water engineering projects, George's father Thomas Housman Higgin was to pass away on 27th March 1861 just before the Census was taken. 

1861 finds George living with his widowed mother Sarah, and his siblings at 16 Clifton Villas, Kensington, London. George's occupation is listed as a civil engineer.

On 4th January 1870 in Marylebone, London, George married Helen Pattison De Bertodano, daughter of Ramon Roman De Bertodano y Lopez, Marquis de Moral, and his wife Herrietta Pattison.

On 1891 Census Helen can be found living at In The Ray, Ray Park, Maidenhead. Visiting her at the time is her younger sister Alice De Bartodano. George out of the country on the night of the Census

George was to pass away on 8th November 1892 at In The Ray, Ray Park, Maidenhead.  On 12th November the Berkshire Chronicle carried the following announcement:

"Deaths

Higgin—Nov. 8, The Ray, Maidenhead, George Higgin, Mem. Inst C E."

On 16th November the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"FUNERAL OF CIVIL ENGINEER

 —On Saturday last, at the Cemetery, the remains were interred of Mr. George Higgin, of Ray-park, who died on Tuesday last. The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths and crosses, was conveyed in an elegant open funeral car drawn by four horses, and was followed by six mourning coaches containing relatives and friends of the deceased. A choral funeral service was that held at St. Luke's church, the Vicar (Rev. H. G. J. Meara) officiating. The hymns sung were " Lead kindly light " and " Abide with me." As the procession left the church, the organist (Mr. Absolum) played the Dead March in Saul very effectively. 

The Vicar of St. Luke's conducted the service at the grave-side. Amongst those present were Major-General Davies, General A. Bunbury Thompson. Mr. Stearns, Mr. Tudor Johnson, Mr. George Wethered, and Dr. Mason. 

The funeral arrangements were admirably carried out by Mr. J. C. Webber, High-street.

—Mr. George Higgin was a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, and was born the 16th January, 1833, at Lancaster. He was the son of the late Mr. Thomas Houseman Higgin, who succeeded his father as Governor of Lancaster Castle. Mr. George Higgin served his apprenticeship under Sir Charles Lanyon, and was well-known in connection with Spanish and South American engineering enterprises."

The widowed Helen appears again on the 1911 Census, still living at In The Ray, Ray Park Avenue, Maidenhead. Helen was to pass away on 18th October 1912 at In The Ray. On 25th October 1912 the Berkshire Chronicle carried the following announcement:

"Deaths

 HIGGIN.—On Ooctobor 18, at Intheray, Maidenhead, Helen Pattison, wife of the late George Higgin, Mem .lnst. C.E" 

Helen's funeral took place at St Luke's Church, Maidenhead, on 23rd October 1912.