The mysterious changing lady - help please

[Redroger]

I wonder if it is a transcription problem, but the only similarity seems to be that both surnames start with S. What ages were shown in 1881 and 1891?

[alpinecottage]

In 1851, the decade before Eliza was at 18 Lodge Rd, the house seems to have been a lodging house, so perhaps not as posh as it appeared at first sight.

It is possible that Eliza was a servant to someone who left her some money in their will - have you looked when the Landers died and whether they left wills?

It is also possible that Eliza was mistress/lover of someone called Seymour who gave her or left her some money

The fact that George Griffin Cook's occupation is gentleman on the wedding cert may simply mean that he was not working at that time or maybe Daisy Cook said he was a gentleman to elevate her status - no-one ever checked what was recorded on marriage certs.

[jancis]

I have checked the transcriptions and they seem fine.

The ages show some 'creative licence' however:

1851 - Eliza Squire,     unmarried,  23
1861-  Eliza Seymour, unmarried,  33
1871-  Eliza Squire,     unmarried,  42
1881-  Eliza Seymour, unmarried,  48
1891-  M. Eugenie Seymour, widow, 63
1901- Eliza Squire,      unmarried,  73
1911 - Eliza Squire,     unmarried,  84

If M Eugenie Seymour (1891 census) is a different person, then I am unable to find Eliza Squire in 1891, and Eugenie comes from the same birthplace as Eliza Squire, and is also aunt to Eliza Frederika Butler.

I remain perplexed!

Jill

[jancis]

Alpinecottage,

Perhaps Eliza did go into the lodging house trade. The fact that in the first census at LOdge Road she is 'proprietor' suggests that she kept an establishment of sorts.

Charles Booth wrote about Lodge Road that some of the houses here and in North Bank had been inhabited for years by prostitutes, one or two to a house, particularly at the east end, though Lodge Road was more respectable than North Bank.
 
Perhaps there was a Mr Seymour who provided the means for Eliza/Eugenie to live in such a manner as to provide lodgings for all these nieces and nephews...

Jill

[alpinecottage]

Since you have mentioned prostitutes, and "boarding house" was often a euphenism, I did wonder if M Eugenie Seymour was her...hmm...business name, M standing for Madame  (apologies for casting aspersions on your ancestors!)

I tried to look on historicaldirectories.org last night to see who was living at Lodge Rd between the censuses, but the site wasn't working.  It may be useful to have a look when it's back up again.

[Redroger]

Remember too that at that time the Empress Eugenie of France was living in Britain as a refugee. Could it be that Eugenie Seymour with the same Christian name was thought more "upmarket" than plain Eliza?

[myghael]

I dont have any direct interest in this family, but your posts caught our attention as we have an ancestor born 1828, Jane JOHNS nee COOK, living Saltash Cornwall on every census from 1851, listed as a widow, and having children (my gg grandma in 1854). She married in 1846, and I believe was widowed in 1850. Jane takes charge in 1861 of an Adelaide COOK born 1856 in the Paddington/Marylebone area (possibly Albert Terrace). There have long been stories about someone in this generation being a mistress in London, hence our interest in your story.

Looking at the census returns my attention was caught by M. Eugenie SEYMOUR's next door neighbour in 1891. He was Robert Richardson GARDENER, "living on MY own means"! Presumably he was the enumerator. Further investigation shows him listed in 1881 living on Grosvenor Sq, Robert RICHARDSON-GARDENER, Member of Parliament, and I believe in 1851 and 1861 he is Robert RICHARDSON student at Middle Temple(1851), and Barrister not practicing(1861).

Additionally there appears to be a split on this road of 'normal' families and occupations, and of young people in their 20's employing servants and working as artists/painters/ musicians.
Maybe this is of no relevance, but food for thought?
Mike

[Redroger]

I think that would be fairly typical of the area, regarding the MP living on his own means. At this time and until much later, there was no such thing as a Parliamentary salary, MPs were either of independent means or dependent on their sponsors for their livlihood.