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Thank you for your investigations. The lady on Facebook is unconnected to the Dickens family that I am investigating. I have managed to uncover that Courtney John Dickens was born in Doornkop, Natal in the late 1880s.

So I wonder if there is a birth certificate for him? Or when his family arrived from the UK?

Kathleen had 5 children (one was Barbara, and one was William Montague Dickens that you mention below). Not sure what the order of the children was. Interestingly it was this William and his wife who were lost when a plane crashed in southern Africa (not the Helderberg) and they have a memorial in the church at Mooi River.

This was from her boarding school alumni book:

Married – 7th June, 1911 in Noodsberg

1913 VolumeNo: 3 IssueNo: 11
DICKENS.—On September 15th, at Greytown, Natal, S. Africa, the wife of W. Courtney Dickens (kathleen meyler), of a daughter—Doreen.

1911 VolumeNo: 3 IssueNo: 7
Mrs. Courtenay-Dickens (kathleen meyler), Laager Farm, Noodsberg, Natal, S. Africa

This is very exciting thank you. Since reviewing the threads, I have found out that prior to departing to South Africa in 1907, she was at St Catherine's Girls School, Bramley, Guildford. Then went to  Swanley Horticultural College. Before departing to see her brother in Utrecht, Hugh.

There's an excellent archive at the girls school and it shows that she regularly wrote back. Last address for her was Laagersfarm, Noodsberg, Natal.

Correspondence to the school indicated she lost all her possessions in a fire in Ladysmith, then has an address listed in Greytown, the birth of her first daughter and the address on the farm.

She married Courtney John Dickens. Searches have not come up with anything. Where to next?

Gordon

Thanks very much Trish. I think part of the issue is that sons and daughters were regularly named after their parents, to add to the confusion. Your research has certainly filled some gaps in mine.

I will check to see if there is a will at the national archives.

I didn't have the name of TSM's wife, which is Mary. So I agree that his wife took over the business following the death of her husband.

I see Mary Meyler was involved in a libel case in 1828 that was fairly prominent at the time.

William Meyler remarried following the death of his first wife and had possibly 4 children - William Morgan (this is the family line of my wife) Mary, Margaret and John George. Although according to the obituary of William Meyler in 1826, it mentioned there that there were only 2 surviving sons and two daughters.

Do you think WM went on to have more chikdren after the four mentioned above?

Well I read of the updated information with interest. While we wait a response I contacted Bath Abbey to ascertain how many Meylers are interred there. Her response was:

Meylers are buried in Bath Abbey cemetery:

Thomas Salway ( also spelt Solway in the records ) Meyler, died 1824 in Section5, Volume D in their records and Row 13 - a printer bookseller. His daughter ,Mary  1818 - 1877 lies there as well.

William Thomas Meyler 1813 - 1845 and his wife Frances, proprietor of the Bath Herald as well as a printer/ bookseller

Charles George Meyler 1814 - 1871

Edward Milton Meyler 1823 - 1849

This conflicts with the pieces of information that I picked up and would appreciate any elaboration on the above. I thought William Meyler was married to an Alice Hyatt though there is evidence that he was married before.

Thanks

Gordon

Dear all,

This is very interesting. Thanks very much, taking it back a bit further, I found that William Meyler (1755-1821) is my wife's great (x4) grandfather. I read the Spenserian article with fascination. Right towards the end however it says,"Mr. Meyler was twice married his second wife has survived him, who, with two sons, and two daughters, derive every alleviation of their grief from the universal respect which is paid to his memory."

I wasn't aware of these marriages. I know he married Alice Hyatt. But I don't have any reference to the first wife (?). Reason I ask is that a William Meyler was deported to New South Wales, being convicted in Somerset Assizes. He was from Bristol:

 William Meyler, one of 156 convicts transported on the Neptune, 18.03.1820. Convicted at Somerset Assizes for a term of 7 years on 27.03.1819. Arrived in Sydney, NSW 18.11.1820.

MEYLER, William. Per "Neptune", 1820
 1823 Jun 21-1825 Jul 30 - Horseman. On lists of men belonging to the Government Stock Establishment at Bathurst (Reel 6031; 4/7029A pp.22-282)
 1823 Jul 24  Sent to Wellington Valley with stock; appears as James (Reel 6031; 4/7029A pp.31-2)
 1823 Oct 25  Listed in an extract from the Mess Book of persons victualled in the Stock Department, Bathurst, from 28 Jun to 3 Oct 1823 (Reel 6017; 4/5783 p.460)
 1823 Dec 29  On list furnished by John Maxwell of men victualled in the Stock Establishment, Bathurst, between 28 Jun and 3 Oct 1823 (Reel 6017; 4/5783 p.496.

I know he got his certificate of freedom but don't know if he is related to Wlliam Meyler the poet, or someone unrelated, though the Meylers were a small family.

Be keen to know if anyone knows more or if this is just coincidence.

Regards

Gordon