Rev Herbert Hamilton Brown

[BGB]

My late uncle, Herbert Hamilton Brown became Vicar of Wix in 1934. Sadly he died in 1935 and is buried in the churchyard. For the previous 20 years or so he had held church appointments in Canada and USA. So it seems strange that he should become vicar at a small Essex parish.

I was wondering if someone might be able to visit the County Record Office to check the Diocesan records to see if the background to Herbert's appointment is mentioned? There seem to be no records of why Herbert came at Wix.
BGB

[lizdb]

I dont know, but it looks like he came back to England to retire. His death entry in the indexes in  Oct/Nov/Dec 1935 shows he was 68. His birth can be found in the birth indexes in April/May/Jun 1867, Kensington reg district.
So if he took up office at Wix early in 1934, he would be 67 - maybe he had lived such an exciting life he found retirement boring so took up a little quiet country parish job to fill his time and be an interest.

[BGB]

Lizdb's analysis has some merit but I think there is more to the Wix appointment than meets the eye. In those days parish vicar jobs were much sought after. There were more priests than parishes! Not like today.
Herbert had had a succession of 2-3 year posts in Canada and USA. This was the time of the Great Depression.
His sister, who was a farmer's wife, lived in the Wix area. I think the likely scenario is Herbert, possibly on account of age, couldn't find another USA appointment. Meanwhile, his sister or possibly some other close friend or relative, had heard about the vacancy at Wix and managed to get Herbert appointed. Church jobs in those days were for life so Herbert, at long last, would have a secure job. But sadly, he didn't live long enough to enjoy it, poor chap. I may be being fanciful - which is why I should like a check. Another interesting thing about Herbert is after being a widower for many years he married, in 1929 in Utica NY an Emily B. who was 28 years his junior and had come out from England to marry him. But when he died his sister was the signatory on the death certificate. Where was Emily, I ask?
BGB

[nanny jan]

Hi BGB,

Possibly Emily could not face registering the death.   I have a few death certs where the informant is not the "nearest and dearest" but a son/daughter or in-law.

I registered my mother's death as my dad could not face doing it.

Can you find Herbert and Emily travelling together from America?

Nanny Jan

[BGB]

Hello Nanny Jan

Thank you for your comments. How do establish if Herbert and his wife, Emily B. travelled from USA to England c.1933? (There was a temporary appointment as Vicar of Thame, Oxon before taking up the Wix appointment in 1934).
I have established Emily's name is not on Herbert's tombstone and I've been in contact with the Wix historian.
With kind regards
BGB

[nanny jan]

Hi BGB,

Is there perhaps a website listing passengers from USA to England?  I know there is one for passengers from England!

Two more ideas;  could Emily have died in USA?  Did Herbert leave a Will mentioning her?


Nanny Jan

[BGB]

Hello again, Nanny Jan
I am aware of sailing lists England to USA but not the reverse.
I suppose it is possible Emily B. died but unlikely because in 1930 she would have been aged only 35. But she might have died in childbirth in USA - who knows. Herbert's first wife did. I am checking out the marriage in Utica NY so I'll check deaths, too.
I hadn't thought about a will. Can they be obtained via the Internet? I doubt, though, the poor chap had much to leave.
Best wishes
BGB

[lizdb]

see

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm

for how to order a will online

or if you can get to Holborn in London, you can search the indexes free - still £5 to order a copy of the will if you find that there is one

[nanny jan]

Hi again,

I've been looking for USA to England lists but not been successful; perhaps a posting on the Common Room board might yield an answer.

Nanny Jan