Robert Falcon 1789-1859

[Grasc]

Looking for the parents of Robert Falcon doctor of medicine, b c 1789 Whitehaven, Cumberland, died 1859 in Melcome Regis, Dorset. He married 1828 in Whitehaven, Margaret Steward (b c 1810 in Whitehaven, died 1887 Torquay, Devon).
Robert Falcon was related to the family of the Michael Falcon, ship-builders & ship owners.
Robert moved from Whitehaven to Cheltenham, Gloucs, between 1841 & 1851.
Any help would be appreciated.
Grasc

[rosie99]

A possibility from familysearch 

Robert Falcon 
Christened 18th June 1789 
St Michael, Workington, Cumberland
Father Thomas Falcon 
Mother Isabella 

How do you know he was born Whitehaven, the 1851 only gives his place of birth as Cumberland and he has died before next census. The 1841 just says Y ie. bn in County (Cumberland)

ADDED - I see he has named two of his children Thomas and Isabella 

Rosie

[Grasc]

Rosie, you're right - he could have been born in Workington or Gosforth or elsewhere in Cumberland. He & Margaret Steward had 9 children that I have found. His eldest son Rev. Robert Falcon-Steward has Falcon Arms quartered with Steward & he died (1887) Newton Manor, Gosforth, Cumberland. Second son Rev. Thomas William Falcon died (1883) Clifton House, Workington. Youngest son Charles William Falcon died (1938) Chichester, Sussex. The Falcon Arms for Rev Robert F-S differ from those of John Falcon of Garston House, Herts, (son of John Falcon of Workington). I haven't found a record of where Dr. Robert Falcon was educated or where he studied medicine but he was practising in Whitehaven by 1828, the year in which he married Margaret Steward.

Grasc

[despair]

The following is somewhat circumstantial and speculative,but for what it's worth:-
The family seem "well connected" and therefore newsworthy.Contemporary  newspapers refer to a Thomas Falcon Esq of Eskmeals near Ravenglass,who may therefore be the husband of Isabella and father of Robert.
In the FamilySearch children listed to Thomas and Isabella,one has the middle name Bacon,suggesting that this may be Isabella's maiden name.There is a record of an Isabella Bacon(father Thomas) christened 1764 in Whitehaven,who may well match the Isabella whose death aged 81,as relict of Thomas, is reported in 1839.This gives a birth date of 1758 not inconsistent with the christening above.The death of Thomas himself is less obvious,though there is a Thomas,son of Thomas at Eskmeals in 1819.

Certainly,Robert Steward Falcon attended Queen's College Oxford.Despite there often being traditions in this respect I can't find a record for Robert himself.

Robert's wife is elsewhere given as daughter of John Steward,Chapelhouse near Whitehaven.
There is a John Steward born 1771 in the 1841 census at Chapel House St. Bees Hensingham ref HO 107  158  6/30 10

Regards
Roger

[Grasc]

Thanks for your help Roger - I have quite a bit of research to do following the names & dates you mentioned. The Falcon, Steward, Spedding, Benn & Bacon families, with more, are interwoven with Curwen/Christian families both in Cumberland & the Isle of Man. Dr Robert Falcon could have done his medical training in Edinburgh or Ireland. 
Your contact is appreciated.
Regards
Stephanie

[despair]

The following suggests that there is a Thomas Falcon of Eskmeals and a (different)Thomas Falcon of Workington:-

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~chevaud/dutoit/images/Falcon_v_Danson.pdf

The document is most interesting at the very end where there is data and speculation on the genealogy of some of the participants

There is also reference to "Jollies Cumberland Guide and Directory 1811" which looks like it could be a useful source of information.

Regards
Roger

[Grasc]

Thanks for that Roger - I have read the document several times. Some names are familiar but none of them have a Robert Falcon MD flavour. I have found information re brothers John & William Bacon who after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, were given pensions & allowed to marry. The descendants of one of these brothers settled in Northamptonshire & they are well documented including the one who settled in the Isle of Man. Descendants of the other brother settled in Brisco/Briscoe near Carlisle and this is the family I'm trying to flesh out as they may have Falcon connections in Cumberland.
Best regards
Stephanie