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Messages - lleigh01

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Surrey / Re: Levi LEIGHS Bankrupt 1827
« on: Wednesday 28 December 11 20:35 GMT (UK)  »
A decade ago, when I last explored my Leigh family, I read "August Leigh-Byron's Half-Sister" written by Michael and Melissa Bakewell. It's an excellent book. I communicated with Melissa Bakewell and the conclusion with respect to my Leigh family was that the connection is possible but probably illegitimate. If anyone would like copies of her letters I can send them. Another good book about the poet is "Byron Life and Legend" by Fiona MacCarthy. Byron was officially living at Burgage Manor, Southwell from 1803-1809. Because he demonstrated during his lifetime that distance was no issue and because he had upwards of 2000 relationships of all sorts, anything is possible from the perspective of Byron. The apparent fact that our Harold/Levi was born about 70 miles from Southwell in 1803 is not necessarily an obstacle. Ten years ago when I looked into this connection my real hope was to find a Leigh presently living in England with some information passed down through the family.
My connection is Harold Leigh/John Byron Leigh/Oliver Leigh/Bernard Leigh/Ardis Leigh/Laura-me.

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Surrey / Re: Levi LEIGHS Bankrupt 1827
« on: Saturday 24 December 11 02:28 GMT (UK)  »
I researched the Leigh side of my family more than a decade ago. My GGG Grandfather was Harold Leigh born in Stanley in 1804. His son, my GG Grandfather was John Byron Leigh and he was born in 1837 at 12 King Street, Hammersmith Middlesex. He married Mary Griffin at St. Mary's at Lambeth. After Harold died, they moved to London, Canada. My G Grandfather, Bernard, was born in England and he made his way to the United States which is where I was born and live (New York). My Aunt told me that my G Grandfather said Lord Byron, the poet was a Great Uncle. This is the reason that I started researching. There were too many coincidences and I believe this story. Byron's half sister was Augusta Leigh. Byron lived not far from Stanley in 1804. Does anyone know of this connection? A geneologist that I hired in England tracked down the information about Harolds wife (Mary Ann Blishin) and his oldest son living in Sutton. PLEASE send me any information that you can. I also wanted to connect with a relative in England as I don't know of any. I have a copy of a daguerreotype of Harold. My Aunt has the original.

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Surrey / Re: Levi LEIGHS Bankrupt 1827
« on: Saturday 24 December 11 02:14 GMT (UK)  »
Quote from: Deeoz on Tuesday 10 May 11 00:38 BST (UK)
My connection to Levi Leighs is via Mary Ann Blishen.
Mary Ann Blishen was the daughter of William Blishen & Martha Blishen ( distant cousins)

Levi & Mary Ann married on 30 June 1826 at Sutton Surrey (by License) Minister Charles Gardiner. Present at marriage William Blishen (Mary Ann’s Father) and John White.

Son John Henry Levi Leigh was born on 24 Sep 1829 at Sutton and baptised on 9 Sep 1832 at Sutton Surrey. Levi was listed as a China Dealer.

John Henry Levi also went by the name Henry Leigh(s). In 1841 Henry was living with his grandmother Martha Blishen and Great Aunt Mary Blishen at Chream Road Sutton. The Blishens at Sutton were market gardeners.

After this time Levi went by the name Harold. This may have something to do with the excommunication from the Quakers or the insolvency.

According to Census Levi was born in Stanley Staffordshire in about 1804.

William Blishen became bankrupt in 1806 in London. Somewhere between 1806-1813 William & Martha separated and Martha with daughter Mary Ann returned to Sutton.  William joined the Royal Marines in 1813 and somewhere around 1822 William Blishen began a new relationship with Caroline Glover but never married her. William obviously kept contact with his daughter as he was witness to her marriage to Levi.

Mary Ann Leigh nee Blishen was present at her mother Marthas Death in 1856 as Mary Ann Leigh.
In 1862 Mary Ann was the executor of her aunt Mary Blishen’s estate. Noted as Mary Ann Leigh (wife of Levi Harold Leighs a house agent) niece and sole executor of 80 Waterloo Bridge Road Southwark.

There is a news article in 1852 regarding Martha Malster who claimed she once lived with Levi Leigh and he fathered a child with her. This Levi was a tradesman living at Epsom. The article was about not having made payments to her although the payments were registered. This may relate to son John Henry Levi Leigh but there is an odd gap between the births of John Henry Levi Leigh 1829 and John Bryan or Byron Leigh 1837. Levi and Mary Ann may have been separated and the above news article may relate to Levi. If so Mary Ann & son John Henry Levi may have returned to live at Sutton and John Henry Levi (Henry) had remained with his grandmother Martha & Great Aunt Mary after any reconciliation.

The family were in Liverpool Lancashire in around 1839 when daughter Emma Elizabeth was born and may have been there in 1841.

In 1851 Levi/ Harold was a gas engineer and fitter living at 10 Penton St Finsbury with Mary Ann, children John Bryan, Elizabeth (married as Emma Elizabeth), Ralph Stafford, Mary Jane (married as Amy Amelia Jane).

In 1861 Levi/ Harold was a house & commercial agent living at Waterloo Rd Lambeth with Mary Ann, children John Bryan, Elizabeth, Ralph Stafford, Mary Jane.

I have supporting documents, BDM, including the marriage of Levi and Mary Ann and the marriages of their children. Census, Newspaper, Probate.

Levi appears to have died in 1865 death registered in 1st Qtr and Mary Ann 1867. Although I haven’t obtained the deaths records yet to confirm. On the marriages of 2 chidren in 1868 he is listed as deceased.

Hope this helps.

GG Grandaughter-in-law of William Blishen & Caroline Glover


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