Lucy Eleanor Le Blanc Smith, wife of Stuart Le Blanc Smith, Stockbroker, of St George's Lodge Cookham - Grandmother of Beatrice Le Blanc Smith - Sinking of the Tanjong Penang

 

Monument to Lucy Eleanor Le Blanc Smith, All Saints's Maidenhead Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory of

Lucy Eleanor

The Beloved Wife Of

Stuart

Le Blanc Smith

Died 30th March 1914"

Lucy Eleanor Le Blanc Smith was born Lucy Eleanor Smith on 2nd October 1836 in Richmond, Surrey, to Robert Smith, a solicitor, and his wife Sally Wheler Hume. Lucy's mother Sally was to pass away on 10th October 1837. On 30th April 1839 Lucy's father Robert married Caroline Ann Charlotte Grange.

Lucy first appears on the 1841 Census, aged 4, living with her father, stepmother, and older sister Agnes at Richmond Green, Surrey.  She remained with her family at Richmond Green until her marriage to Stuart Le Blanc Smith. On 14th January 1868 Lucy's father Robert passed away.

On 31st March 1869 Lucy married Stuart Le Blanc Smith, a stockbroker, at St Peter's Church, Leeds, Yorkshire.  On 7th April 1869 the following announcement appeared in this Derbyshire Times:

"MARRIAGES. Smith—Smith. —March 31, at the Parish Church, Leeds, by the Rev. F. G. Hume Smith, M.A., brother of the bride, assisted the father of the bridegroom, Stuart Le Blanc Smith, Esq., of Derby, oldest son of the Rev. T. Tunstall Smith, M.A., Vicar of Wirksworth, to Lucy Eleanor, youngest daughter of the late Robert Smith, Esq., of Richmond, Surrey."

On 30th October 1870 Lucy and Stuart celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter, Mary Ann Le Blanc Smith. I have been unable to trace the family on the 1871 Census. It is possible that they were abroad at the time the Census was taken. Their second child, a daughter, Ethel Georgina Le Blanc Smith, was born on 9th November 1872 in  Hastings, Sussex. A third child and first son , Graham Le Blanc Smith was born on 4th December 1873 in Sydenham, Kent. On 28th December 1875 their fourth child and second son, Frederic Stuart Le Blanc Smith was born in Sydenham, Kent.

1881 finds the family living at 53 Longton Grove, Sydenham, Kent. Sadly Graham Le Blanc Smith was to pass away in December 1888, aged just 14 years. By 1891 they had moved to 84 West Hill, Sydenham, Kent.

In 1901 the family was living at The Chestnuts, Hayes, Middlesex. On 18th October 1910 Lucy and Stuart's son Frederic Stuart Le Blanc Smith married Gladys Haig. On 19th October 1910 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"MARRIAGE OF MISS GLADYS HAIG

Few more interesting and pretty weddings have been solemnised in this district than that which took place yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, at 2.15, at the church of All Saints'. Boyn Hill, between Miss Gladys Haig, daughter of the late Mr. John Haig, Bray Court, and Mr. Frederic Stuart Le Blanc Smith. son of Mr. Stuart Le Blanc Smith, of St. George's Lodge, Cookham. Both bride and bridegroom are well-known and very popular in the district, and consequently much interest was taken in the wedding, which was attended by a large number of relatives and friends of the happy pair. 

Miss Gladys Haig, A.R.C.M.. a soprano vocalist of distinguished ability. has for some years been a welcome contributor to programmes at high-class concerts in Maidenhead and neighbourhood, while her services have been in much request in other places. When her engagements have permitted, she has most readily assisted at concerts, &c., in aid of charitable and religious objects, and her kindness has been very keenly appreciated. 

The bridegroom is better known at Cookham than in Maidenhead, taking as he has done an an active part in the village pastimes, and especially in aquatic meetings, whereat he has frequently officiated in various capacities. 

The church was very effectively decorated with palms, Liliums, &c., by Mr. J. W. Bunn, manager at the Castle Hill Nurseries. where also the handsome bouquets were made. As the guests arrived. Miss Alice Ibbetson, who presided at the organ, played appropriate music, The service was fully choral. The bride—who arrived in a light blue motorcar. No. BL 1839, which was tastefully decorated with white chrysanthemums entered the church leaning on the arm of her eldest brother, Mr. Thomas Haig, of Hinton House, Twyford. She looked charming in a dress of white satin duchesse, trimmed with a flounce of exquisite old duchesse lace (the gift of her mother) and draped with ninon de sole. A tulle veil, trimmed with lace to match that on the gown, was worn over a tiara of myrtle and white heather. A beautiful sheaf of white lilies was carried. She was attended by one bridesmaid—Miss Rubie Warner, niece of the bride, who wore a turquoise blue satin gown veiled with mauve ninon de sole, with a large black picture-hat. A bouquet of pale pink carnations and lilies of the valley was carried, which, with a gold flexible bracelet, was the gift of the bridegroom. The "best man" was Mr. Norman C. King, who ably discharged his responsible duties. The officiating clergy were the Rev. W. S. Mahony, senior curate of St. Giles', Reading, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Batchelor, Vicar of Cookham, and the Rev. Canon Drummond, Vicar of All Saints', Boyn Hill. The hymns sung were "Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us," and "O, perfect Love." Whilst the register was being signed, the organist played Tannhauser's inspiriting march, while the bride and bridegroom passed down the aisle to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March, smilingly acknowledging the salutations and congratulations of their assembled friends. 

A reception was held at 7, Bovn Hill-avenue, the residence of the bride's mother, and was largely attended. The catering by Messrs. E. Spindler and Sons was excellent. Later In the day the newly-wedded pair left for London. en route for South Devon, where the honeymoon is being spent. The bride's going-away costume was a gown of dove-grey cloth and ninon, embroidered with handsome oxidized trimming. She wore a large beaver hat, trimmed with ostrich plume to match the gown. The dresses were made by Miss Myra Salter, Queen-street; and the millinery by Tidy and Tidy, High-street. During the afternoon a merry peal was rung from All Saints' belfry in honour of the happy event." 

The 1911 Census finds Lucy, Stuart, and their two daughters Mary Ann and Ethel Gorgina living at St. George's Lodge, Cookham Berkshire. On 2nd August 1913 Frederic Stuart Le Blanc Smith's wife Gladys died of childbirth complications after giving birth to twin boys Edward and Graham Le Blanc Smith.

On 30th March 1914 Lucy was to pass away at her home, Lindworth, Cookham Berkshire. On 1st April 1914 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported:

"DEATH OF MRS. LE BLANC SMITH.

We deeply regret to record the death of Mrs. Le Blanc Smith,of Lindworth, Cookham, who passed away in the early hours of Monday last. The deceased lady had suffered from a long and wearing illness borne with heroic fortitude and uncomplaining patience. Sincere sympathy will be felt for Mr. Le Blanc Smith and his family in their sad bereavement. The funeral is fixed for this (Wednesday) afternoon. The service will be at Holy Trinity Church, Cookham, at 3.15, and the internment at Maidenhead Cemetery." 

In 1915 in Kingsbridge, Devon the widowed Stuart Le Blanc Smith married Evelyn Caroline Mary Ellis, 36 years his junior. The family including their infant son Stuart Ralph Le Blanc, can be found living in Kingsbridge, Devon. 

Lucy and Stuarts daughters never married. In 1921 Mary Ann Le Blanc Smith was living with her widowed brother Frederic Stuart Le Blanc Smith and his children at Cairns, Laburnham Road, Maidenhead, where she passed away on 20th May 1928.  Ethel Georgina Le Blanc Smith can be found at Inglkenook, Cookham Rise. She was to pass away on 26th April 1932 at 32 Cooden Drive, Bexhill-on-sea, Sussex.

Stuart Le Blanc Smith passed away on 24th October 1933 at his home, Waypark, East Portlemouth, Devon.

Family Connections: Daughter-in-law Gladys Le Blanc Smith and Granddaughter Beatrice Le Blanc Smith.