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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cambridgeshire => Topic started by: HUmfrey on Wednesday 09 May 12 09:55 BST (UK)
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Hello, Cambridge , I hope someone might be able to help.I am looking for any information about Charles Humfrey born 1772 - 1843 . He was mayor 1837 - 1838
who did he marry and how many children did he have?
Thank you HUmfrey
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Possible 1796 marriage to Mary Cowdell.
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Hello Millipede, thank you, but Charles was born in 1772. I am sure of this because there is a blue plaque in the city.
I also know that he had a daughter called Mary Ann, she married professor Robert Willis.
I would like to know if Charles had a son also called Charles,this may be the connection I am looking for.
HUmfrey
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Have you checked the baptism index 1801-37 on http://www.cfhs.org.uk/Search.html . There are two Charles Humfrey/phrey sons of Charles and Mary baptised in St Andrew the Great in 1805 and 1811. The burial index on the same site shows the first one died aged 2 in 1807 and there's also another Charles age 3 son of Charles and Mary buried in 1802
Why the "but"? If he was born in 1772 a marriage in 1796 looks perfect
David
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Hi HUmfrey
I have an interest in Charles Humfrey although I have not done a great deal of research into his private life - there is a lot about his professional work as an architect online.
His parents were Charles Humfrey and Elizabeth nee Cotton and Elizabeth was the sister of my husband's 4 x Gt. Grandfather's third wife. (They were William Cotton and Jane nee Cotton). Charles senior and William Cotton were carpenters and worked on several projects together for the University.
Charles Humfrey junior was baptised 22 May 1772 at St. Andrew the Great, Cambridge and buried 16 March 1848 at Kensal Green All Souls Cemetery, stated to be of St. Andrew's Close, Cambridge aged 75.
His wife's name was Mary and they had a number of children, many of which died.
At St. Andrew the Great is a white marble tablet on black painted ground engraved as below:
"In the tomb beneath are deposited the mortal Remains of Charles, John, Frederick and Henry the children of Charles and Mary Humfrey in the full vigor of health they were assailed by diseases fatal and malignant.
In their nature similar and in the effect the same.
The eldest having scarcely attained the age of 7 years.
To their memory their sorrowing parents have placed this monument.
Mary their mother, the beloved and affectionate wife of Charles Humfrey.
Born on the 8th Feby 1778
Married on the 11 December 1796.
Died on the 12th March 1828 and was buried in the same grave with her children"
There is a photo of him on http://www.rootschat.com/links/0m7z/ another portrait of him when younger is in 'Down Your Street' Cambridge Past and Present Vol 2 East Cambridge by Sara Payne.
I will come back to you on this later with baptism/burial details of the all children I believe to be theirs.
Regards,
Selina
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Marrying at 24 was perfectly acceptable HUmfrey :)
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Sorry Millipede,you are right I get my dates in a muddle .i shall try to improve
Humfrey
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Marriage 1796 Hunts AS & St. J
Chas Humfrey of St. Andrew the Great Cambridge to Mary Cowdell
and as posted above we know it was on 11 December 1796.
Selina
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Hi Seina,
My family has Humfrey as a middle name.It started with
Charles born London 1834 married Annie Florence whitten 1858
Children.
Charles 1860 born London
Marian 1864
William Augustus 1869
Frank Granville. 1871
Florence Mary. 1875
Sidney Adolfe. 1873
Louisa Phillis. 1877
John Charles willis 1880
They all moved to the Wirral.
I then found Charles father of the above born abt 1807 he married Mary Ann.
But I do think he was born in Cambridge
The other thing that ties Mayor Charles Humfrey is his daughter Mary Ann Willis,I found this on university alumni
Also the youngest child of Charles 1834 has willis in his name. Could all be totally wrong.
Regards. Humfrey
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Charles and Mary baptised a Charles at St. Andrew the Great on 31 January 1811.
Mary Ann(e) Humfrey baptised 18 June 1802 aged 1 year 7 months.
Married by licence at St. Andrew the Great 26 July 1832 to Robert Willis clerk of St. Michael and Caius College. Witnesses: Elizabeth Humfrey, William Clark and Mary Elizabeth Cumming.
Selina
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Selina,
Do you think I am on the right track? Was the Charles in your last post--
mayor Charles?
Thank you for your help
Humfrey
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Charles baptised 1811 was son of Charles the Mayor and his wife Mary and Mary Ann baptised 1802 was daughter of Charles the Mayor.
Don't know at present if you are on the right track.
You apparently have Charles Humfrey (poss born c. 1807) who married a Mary Ann - do you know where?
Their son Charles Humfrey born 1834 London married Annie Florence Whitton
and had the children you list and then moved to Wirral.
I don't think it is worth listing more Cambridge details until the connection is established, I have to go and cook now but will look back at this a bit later.
Selina
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Hi Selina,
I have finished in the kitchen.
Charles and Annie Florence moved north after the 1861 census, Charles 1807ish went as well. He died in1773. I found his will he mentions Mary Anne, but she is in Birmingham. Widow in relict.
Charles the Mayor his daughter definitely Mary Anne .Married Robert Willis of (Caius college) July 1832.
I just cannot find where and when Charles the mayors son went and if he is the father of my Charles 1834 .
Humfrey
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Hello again HUmfrey
I have spent some time looking into this and now feel that there is a reasonable chance that Charles circa 1808/1811 who was married to Mary A. is the son of Charles the mayor.
It would be good to find the marriage of Charles and Mary A, as she came from Great Yarmouth it could be that they married in Norfolk.
I am still reading various bits published in the London Gazette which mention both of the two older Charles', they seem to hold the clues.
Selina
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Hi Selina,
You seem to have worked till late last night, thank you.
I still cannot find much more. Charles ( son of mayor) I think he may have gone to Downing College Cambridge.
I shall keep digging.
Humfrey
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Hi HUmfrey,
Strangely enough I was reading some references to the Humfreys in another book I have and it said Charles was the only son of Mayor Charles and that he, the son, went to Downing! Sadly the other 4 sons had died very young. 3 daughters appear to have survived. For some reason the writer of the diary I was reading nicknamed the son Charles 'Enthusiasm', this was around 1833/36 so he was in Cambridge then.
I will write more this evening, I started to draft out the case to prove the relationship - I feel certain now that you are on the right track!!
Selina
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Hello Selina,
Fantastic, I do hope you are enjoying the search as much as I am. I don't think you are a novice like me.
I shall be away for a few days, but will reply when I return.
Thank you so much
Humfrey.
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Hello Selina,
Thought you might like to know why I am so interested in the Humfrey family.
My great grandfather was Walter Welsby, so Annie Kate daughter of Charles HUmfrey (b.1860) would be my great grandmother.
I have discovered a bit more, will let you know.
Humfrey.
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Hi Humphrey,
When you get time a search on http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search brings up many entries.
We know that Charles the Mayor was an architect and banker (his father was a carpenter and joiner and I have never seen any mention of him being involved in the banking business).
A piece in the London Gazette on 12 September 1844 mentions Charles Humfrey and Charles Humfrey junior carrying on the business of bankers at Cambridge.
15 Nov 1844 a partnership in an oil and candle business is dissolved between Charles Humfrey and another person. They traded as E. Manning and Co.
31 July 1848, 19 September and 17 October 1848 references to Charles Humfrey the younger, late of Cambridge, banker and of Manor-street, Camberwell and mentions Manning and Co.
5 December 1848 and 12 January 1849 mention Charles Humfrey the elder, late of Cambridge, banker, deceased.
There are many more later mentions of Charles and a Charles junior/the younger who relate to Charles (1808) and Charles (1834) to do with oil/candle type businesses.
So from the above we have Charles the Mayor and his son involved in the Cambridge Bank in 1844. Around that time or just before the Cambridge business or Humfrey was in serious financial trouble.
From the next we know learn that Charles the younger and late of Cambridge, banker was in Camberwell and in the oil and candle trade.
And in 1848 Charles Humfrey is described as the elder and late of Cambridge.
The articles then show a move to Chester.
We also know from census records that Charles (1808) was living in Camberwell in 1851 and 1861 and was in the oil and candle business and Charles (1834) was in Newington in 1861 also in the oil trade.
So to my mind the connection is pretty clear.
Selina
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Hi Selina, just seen your post.In a very sunny Burgandy France, looking for boat moorings.
You have been busy,the Chester business was also oil and candles.
I took my I pad so I could Skype my daughter.
No kitchen for me tonight.
Contact you soon.
Regards Humfrey.
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Hi Humfrey,
Hmmm not sure deserting the kitchen is allowed!!
Hope you have a nice time, at least weather here has brightened up.
I don't have much on the father of Charles the Mayor, there is a burial that might be his but need to see if parish register offers information to confirm or otherwise. I do have more on his mother's side (Elizabeth Cotton) but will come to that when you have had chance to sort out a bit.
Selina
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Hello again Selina, I am back but this beautiful weather has kept me in the garden.
I have did read all the London gazette bits, and searched their names on the web, what an interesting.
The Dee oil company on the Wirral was part owned by Charles ( 1834 )
But it's John Charles Willis born 1879 Annie Kate's brother who is worth reading about.
I am in London this coming week but will keep in touch.
Kind regards Humfrey
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Hello,
Charles Humfrey 1739-1796 and his wife are buried at lolworth church between Cambridge and Huntingdon
Thank you
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Kyle Parrish, thank you , still working on the Humfrey family, all information gratefully received.
Humfrey.
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Hello HUmfrey
Charles Humfrey (born 1772) was mayor of Cambridge when Queen Victoria was crowned in 1838 and there was a big Coronation dinner on Parker's Piece in Cambridge. Someone wrote a booklet about it in which Charles as mayor features in the preparations. If you google The Coronation Remembrancer it should take you a few entries down to google books and you can read it.
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Sue, thank you for the information, found it. Charles is the only member of my family with a blue plaque ( so far). Humfrey.