Paul Edward Rainford 1825-1890 British Vice Consul

[robinrainford]

During which years did Paul Edward Rainford, native of Kent, serve as British Vice Consul in Messina, Sicily, Italy?

-The probate document proved 26 Nov 1890 at Principal Registry said he was formerly of 1 Burnt-Ash-Lane Lee in Kent but late of Messina in Sicily.

-The listing at the English Cemetery in Messina said he served 10 years as British Vice Consul, died 14 Sep 1890 in Messina at age 65 and was buried there by his only son.

-There is a reference to meeting 'English Consul Mr Rainford' in Messina by Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower in his book "Old Diaries 1881-1901"  The excerpt confirms that Rainford lived in Messina and his son (unnamed) runs a hotel with his wife in nearby Taormina called Casa Ingles.  Gower mentions that Mr Rainford is 'a bit of an artist' and a dealer in old paintings and had lived in India and other places.

-An oil painting auctioned last year was signed by Paul Edward Rainford of Messina.

I would like to know Paul Edward Rainford's parentage but barring that, the term of his service would help me work backward.

Many thanks for any ideas, Robin Rainford

[CatOne]

Could this be him??

Edward Rainford lodger widower 34 Historical Painter Kent England

1861 RG9/4 Folio 107 Page 34
4 Prospect Place, St Mary Paddington Middlesex

[purp72]

There are a number of articles in the Gale 19th Century British Newspapers concerning an incident where Mr Rainford and another English gentleman were arrested in September 1876.  I am not sure whether you have access to these (if you are a member of a UK library, many of them provide online access to this collection).  One of the articles is a letter written by Mr Rainford himself (PM me if you want me to send you a copy) in which he refers to having lived in Taormina for 7 years.

[purp72]

An entry from The Standard (London, England), Monday, October 13, 1884:
Deaths
CARLEY - At 39 Radipole Road, Fulham, deeply lamented Harriett Dora Ellen, wife of Thomas Carley, youngest daughter of E Rainford Esq HM Vice Consul in Messina in the 33rd year of her age.

[purp72]

Another entry from The Standard (London, England), Saturday, June 05, 1880
Marriages:
AMORY-RAINFORD - May 31st, by licence, at St John's Church, Stockton on Tees, by the Rev TW McCririck, Andrew Amory of Alnwick, Northumberland, to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward P Rainford of Taormina, Sicily.

[purp72]

There is an advertisement in The Morning Post (London, England), Saturday, October 12, 1878 for the sale by auction of Messrs P and F Rainford's Wine Factory, Giardini situated on the east coast of Sicily about 3 1/2 days journey from England.

A further advertisement in The Pall Mall Gazette (London, England), Thursday, June 12, 1879:
Upset price £2500 - Notice of Sale at the Mart, Tokenhouse Yard, Bank of England, EC on Wednesday July 16 1879 at one o'clock precisely by Hadley Prestage and Cleary of Messrs P E Rainford's Wine Growing Establishment at Faormine, Sicily. The property is freehold direct from the Crown. The business is old established and very lucrative; the residence is delightfully situated, sketches of which, in connection with the Duke and Duchess of Connaught's visit, were published in the Illustrated London News of May 24.

[avm228]

Welcome, Robin

An entry from The Standard (London, England), Monday, October 13, 1884:
Deaths
CARLEY - At 39 Radipole Road, Fulham, deeply lamented Harriett Dora Ellen, wife of Thomas Carley, youngest daughter of E Rainford Esq HM Vice Consul in Messina in the 33rd year of her age.

The 1881 census (Lambeth) shows the birthplace of Harriet D E CARLEY (28) as Clerkenwell:RG11 piece 614 folio 28 page 3.

Birth, Jun qtr 1852

Harriet RAINFORD

Clerkenwell 1b 413.

Also (oddly?):

Birth, Mar qtr 1852

Dora Ellen RAINFORD

Clerkenwell 1b 444

[CatOne]

And is this him in 1841? with his sister?

Maria Rainford 19 Y
Edward Rainford 16 Y

St Andrew Holborn (above the bars)

[avm228]

In 1861 the girls Elizabeth (12) and Harriet RAINFORD (9) are with their NICKOLDS grandparents in Clerkenwell: RG9/190/136/26.

So this seems to be the marriage of their parents:

Marriage, St John Clerkenwell, 11 June 1848

Edward RAINFORD Full age Bachelor Artist of Woodbridge St; father Edward RAINFORD, merchant.
Elizabeth NICKOLDS Full age Spinster of Woodbridge St; father John NICKOLDS, engineer.