v March 30 2011 When this site was updated recently with new images, some of the print fonts became overlapped. I have sorted most of it out but if you would like to view the words as a Word doc(80 pages) & the 250+ images in a clearer format plse email me--address below-- and I will send them to you. Lt Col Ernest George Ffrench M.D, Ch.B, FRCS(Edinburgh),FRCP(London)   "a distinguished son of Jamaica"    "I am proud of him as a Jamaican"                                    Just 24 months ago in March 2009, I knew very little about my grandfather Dr Ernest G Ffrench. He died 11 years before I was born and my own father died nearly 30 years ago. If only I had talked to him about his parents before he died.  I had been told that Ernest had been an eminent Harley Street Doctor, who had eloped with a young American society girl and that for some reason he had been born in Spanish Town, Jamaica--the son of Arthur Ffrench a "Customs Official" and Jane Victoria(Nee Smith) his wife who apparently came from a prominent Irish family. I supposed they had been expatriate civil servants, posted temporarily to Jamaica. It was only after a trip to Ireland with my siblings, to research our "Irish roots" that it became apparent that all was not what it seemed. There were simply no records either of Jane, Arthur or their marriage. So I decided to do a little research on my grandfather and get his birth/baptism record-- from Jamaica. Imagine my surprise when it read "Illegitimate and colored"! Little did I expect that the Ffrench's were a long established Jamaican family,(there was even a Lieut Thomas French in the 1655 Penn/Venables force which took Jamaica from the Spanish) with variously coloured members, some of whom appear descended from slaves; that Ernest's mother Jane(also illegitimate!) was a serious business woman and Lodging House keeper in Kingston, with links to Mary Seacole, "the black Florence Nightingale" and that Ernest's father Arthur had actually married another woman & had 5 other Jamaican children with her, all of whom he abandoned,& fled Jamaica to a working mens' hostel in East London, eventually dying alone in a poor part of Clapham, London. And Ernest's Jewish-American wife Adele Carvalho, had a famous father, David Carvalho a handwriting expert who had testified in the Dreyfus trial in Paris, and a grandfather Solomon Carvalho who had crossed the US on horseback with Col Fremont's expedition  and painted Abraham Lincoln! The more I discovered about Ernest the more impressed I became by his journey from such an unpromising start in life. We keepsearching but this is the story uncovered--so far.        I do hope you enjoy it!  Nancy Atkinson(Nee Ffrench) email me if you have  thoughts or input at  kandn.atkinson@tiscali.co.uk   Firstly my thanks to my sister Susan Lamb & my brother Simon Ffrench, plus my “new family”;  Michael Ffrench, Canada + Big J and Aubrey Ffrench & Don Kemeel Jones in Jamaica, Donna Marie Jones-Cover in Florida, Sally Graff(Carvalho) in Louisiana, Brenda, Roseanne & Lana(Smith) Ireland/UK And the following who encouraged me, or gave me leads or contributed to finding out "the truth":-  Prof Elizabeth Anionwu(Seacole Memorial Statue Foundation), Nicole Bryan(Library of Jamaica) Steve Campbell(RGD,SpanishTown), Terri England(Family History Researcher),  Mara French( French Family Association), Brenda Grey(Ffrench family friend Ocho Rios) Patricia Jackson(Jamaica Family Search), Dr Aleric Josephs(University of the West Indies, Mona,Jamaica), Dorothy Kew(Genealogist, Jamaica Family History Research Canada), Paulette Kerr(Author of Lodging House Keepers of Jamaica), Paul Kerr (TV producer--The Real Heroine of the Crimean war), Donald Lindo(Genealogist and Historian,Kingston,Jamaica),  Dr Joy Lumsden (Historian,Kingston, Jamaica),  Madeleine Mitchell(Genealogist/Jamaican Historian), Stephen D Porter(Historian & Friends of Georgian Jamaica Society), Michael Prescod(Glave family researcher, Jamaica), Helen Rappaport(Author & Mary Seacole Researcher), Jane Robinson(Mary Seacole Biographer), Cynthia Rosers(Jamaica Family History Researcher), Racquel Stratchan(Jamaica Archives, Spanish Town), Leovia Taylor(RGD SpanishTown), Sharon Tomlin(LDS London Jamaica Family History Researcher) and Cleo Sylvestre for her one-woman Mary Seacole show!. Now lets set the scene!  1                    Jamaica per Noel Coward!    Chapter 1 The Cast of Characters in order of appearance!   Plus Ernest George Ffrench’s Family Trees                Ernest's Paternal ancestors; Chapter 2 -early Ffrench's in Jamaica ; inc Thomas, Peter & Catherine Chapter 3  George I Ffrench & Miss Jane Charlotte Beckford, + their sons George II & Edward I ("the white quadroons"),Robert and dau Ann Eliza Chapter 4  Robert I Ffrench & his wife Letitia Dunn Lindo & their children Arthur I,  Robert II, George III, Edward II, Maria Moore & Alexander Dunn Chapter 5 George III Ffrench (Arthur George’s father?) & wife Eliza Minot Chapter 6 The known children of George III & Eliza; Robert Burke, Anna Maria, Edward III Shafto Burke, Letitia Emily, Hedley John Cecil and Alfred Ernest Chapter 7 Arthur George Ffrench—Ernest’s father—parents unknown                Ernest’s Maternal ancestors; Chapter 8 Lieut Michael Edward Smith , his life, & the Smith's of Ireland Chapter 9 Eliza & Louisa Grant, & the Mary Seacole connection Chapter 10 Miss Jane Victoria Smith, & her life                Ernest George Ffrench HIMSELF; Chapter 11 Ernest, his wife Adele Carvalho and his life Chapter 12 Ernest's in-laws, the Carvalho's, especially Solomon & David Chapter 13 Ernest & Adele’s children, Violet & Geoffrey, + grandchildren Jonathan, Susan, Simon & me! Chapter 14 A personal interview with Ernest by the Hartford Courier 1935 Chapter 15 Carvalho's Journey A TV Documentary Proposal  web address   http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/pdf/Fiscal%20Sponsorship/Carvalho_proposal.pdf Appendices; 1)Timeline Arthur George Ffrench 2)Timeline Carvalho’s 3) Burke’s Landed Gentry  Beckfords 4) Burke’s Landed Gentry  Smiths of Annesbrook  5) Burke’s Landed Gentry  Ffrench of Monivea 6) Monumental Inscriptions  The Beckfords in Spanish Town Cathedral 7) Map  Kingston 1745 8) Map Kingston 1890    9) History of the 64th Regiment (1834-52excerpt)- published by Leo Cooper 10) Mary Seacole’s Will (4 pages)     11)Jane Charlotte Beckford’s Will Inventory of 1829  (Lodging house contents) 3 pages  with  many thanks to the Jamaica Archives for this 12) The Beckford story     Chapter 1  THE CAST OF CHARACTERS--in order of appearance! Index of family names(born/died)            m= met or married            Underline = direct line         F(f)rench                        Smith/Grant/Beckford                 Carvalho        X.1 Thomas? 1680?/?                                                                 x.2 Isaac Nunes b abt 1690                      1.1 Peter 1700-15/1785                                                               1.2 Samuel Nunes b 1715 1.11 m Catherine 1716/                                                              1.21 m Bathsheba de Meza                    2.1 Catherine 1734/?                                2.2 Bethiah 1736/?                                2.3 Anthony John 1738/?                                2.4 Elizabeth Sarah 1740/?                                2.5 GeorgeI 1742/1795                                2.51 m Jane Charlotte Beckford 1759/1825                                2.52 m Elizabeth Ann Jackson                                                                                        2.6 Henry Smith of Beabeg                                                                                                                        2.7 Solomon1 Nunes 1740/bef1835                                                                                                                2.71 m Judith Henriques Pimental 1744/?            3.1 GeorgeII 1777/?                                3.2 EdwardI 1782/?                                3.3 RobertI 1784/?                                3.31 m Letitia Dunn Lindo                                3.4 Ann Eliza 1787/?                                3.5 John 1790/1795                                3.6 Henry 1793/1820?                                                                                     3.7 Henry Jeremiah Smith 1783/1857                                                      3.71 m Elizabeth Radcliffe                                                      3.8 James? Grant                                                                                                                        3.9 DavidI Nunes 1784/1860                                                                                                                3.91 m Sarah d'Azevedo ?/?            4.1 ArthurI 1813/?  4.2 RobertII 1817/? 4.3 GeorgeIII 1819/1897 4.31 m Eliza Minot 1824/1898 4.4 EdwardII 1822/1880                        4.5 Maria Moore 1825?/?                                                                             4.6 Michael Edward Smith 1814/1903                                                                   4.61 m Eliza/Louisa Maria Grant 1815/1905                                                             4.62 m Jane Grace Syme 1829/1913                                                             4.7 Mary Seacole/Grant 1805/1881                                                                 4.8 SolomonII Nunes 1815/1897                                                         4.81 m Sarah Miriam Solis 1824/1894       5.1 Robert Burke 1849/50                        5.2 Anna Maria 1853/1881                        5.3 EdwardIII Shafto Burke 1855/aft1923                        5.4 Letitia Emily 1856/1869                    5.5 Hedley John Cecil 1857/1864                    5.6 Alfred Ernest 1861/1926                    5.61 m Isadora Maud Burke Moodie ?/?                    5.7 Arthur George 1851?/1903  5.71 m Jane Victoria Smith 1840/1927                    5.72 mFrances Ann Glave                                                                                                                               5.8 DavidII Nunes 1848/1925                                                                                                            5.81 m Annie Abrams 1857/1903 6.1 Kathleen Ann Glave 1875/?                    6.2 Ernest George 1876/1937                    6.21 m Adele Miriam Carvalho 1876/1958                    6.3 Frances Eliza 1878/?                    6.4 St George Moore 1879/1922                    6.5 Arthur Peter 1881/1868                    6.6 Stephen Shirley 1884/1896                    6.7 Nellie 1885/1944                    6.8 GeorgeIV Burke A 1886/1957                    6.9 Shafto Moodie 1889/1979                    6.10 Ernest Minott 1890/1926?                    6.11 Enid Clare 1896/?                    6.12 Leslie St Clair 1900/1987                    6.12 Shirley Lorraine 1902/1969                    6.13 Corinne E 1905/1993                                                                                                                       6.14Leslie Russell Nunes 1885/?                                                                                                      6.15 BertramI Nunes 1878/1975                                                                                                      6.151 m Jessica Pierce                                                                                                      6.16 Dayton 1880?/?                                                                                                      6.17 Maie 1882-1974                                                                                                      6.171 m Carl Sturhahn                                                                                                      6.18 Claire 1889/?                                                                                                      6.181 m Herb Weiller 7.1 Violet 1916/2003                    7.11 m George Davis ?/?                    7.2 Geoffrey Ernest 1917/1980 7.22 m Marjory Grace Godfrey 1918/2008    8.1 Me! Nancy Rosalind Atkinson Nee Ffrench b 1948 m Keith Atkinson 1970   8.2 Susan Adele Lamb nee Ffrench b 1947  8.3 Simon Geoffrey Ffrench b 1950 8.4 Jonathan Ewart Ffrench b 1944 2 & 3  Paternal & Maternal Ancestors of  Ernest George Ffrench Ernest's Paternal Ancestors Ernest's Maternal ancestors; Chapter 2 Generation x         Way back & traditionally, according to my father, we Ffrench’s originated from Monivea and Ffrench Castle, near Galway in western Ireland, which had a regular shipping route via Spain to the Caribbean--but so far the only  connection we have made between the Jamaica Ffrench's and the Irish ones is this dated 1823; DIED In December last, at Paradise Estate, Jamaica, Anthony FfRENCH, Esq., aged 23 (or 25) years, son of R. FfRENCH, Esq., of Beagh, in this County. Those only who knew Mr. FfRENCH and appreciated his merits, can judge of the regret of his parents, and his friends must feel at the loss of so amiable a young gentleman. But the French’s must originally have left Ireland about 100+ years earlier because as far back as the 1700's there were F(f)rench's in Jamaica, West Indies, mostly as  Government Officials, civil servants,lawyers. Possibly they arrived as soldiers--one Lieut Thomas French was with Colonel Richard Fortescue's Regiment(the Third) , who under Penn Venables,  invaded Jamaica in 1655, taking it from the Spanish. Fortescue had been a Lt Col under the Earl of Essex and a Colonel in Cromwell's New Model. Fortescue's Regiment was stationed in Spanish Town. Fortescue thought Jamaica "a fruitful and pleasant Island and a fit receptacle for honest men" "there is accomodation and worke for them.Here they may serve God, their countery and themselves". Fortescue died 3 Oct 1655 but maybe he convinced Lieut Thomas to stay.   A second Thomas French b 1680 d 1758 had with Esther(coloured?); son  Thomas (b 2 Feb1697), George (b 2 Sept 1699),Jeremiah(b 7 Dec 1701) and Elizabeth (b 5 May 1705) 4   Thomas & esther’s Son Thomas   A third Thomas French  married in 1741 Mary Mathews & had  Thomas (b 1 Nov 1742 bap 26 Nov 1742). 5 Thomas & Mary’s Son Thomas  He also had with Eleanor Peete (mulatto); dau Susanna(b 5 Mar 1754), son George(b 4 Mar 1759) and dau  Mary(b 4 May 1763). He died 1783 6 7 8 9 Susannah, George (x 2)  and Mary A fourth Thomas French was acting Governor Jamaica 1702. A (fifth) Major General Thomas French is mentioned in "Fuertado's Official Personages (in Jamaica) 1655-1790" & in the Jamaica Almanacs  as JP 1751, M.A. Kingston 1753, Custos for Kingston in 1780 ,Speaker pro tem in 1781 and Chief Justice in 1788.The 1782 Almanac calls him the Hon Thomas French. One of the Jamaica French’s—or a later immigrant English/Irish French?—must have  produced Peter French 1.1 (b abt 1710 d abt 1785)   Generation 1  Peter French1.1  born abt 1710 married abt 1733 Catherine1.11 ( b abt 1716). They had Catherine 2.1(b 21st Oct 1734, bap 23rd Feb 1735); Bethiah 2.2, (b 5th Feb 1736, bap 24th Feb 1736); Anthony John2.3 (b18th March 1738, bap 14th Apr 1739; Elizabeth Sarah2.4,(b 3rd Oct 1740, bap 28th Oct 1740; GeorgeI2.5 (b 2 Jun 1742 and bap on 23rd June 1742) 10 11 12 13 14 Catherine, Bethiah, Anthony, Elizabeth & GeorgeI’s KINGSTON baptisms  Peter became Government Coroner in 1751 per the Jamaica Almanac—at that time a coloured could not aspire to such a post. Peter died abt 1785 Chapter 3 Generation 2 2.1 GeorgeI Ffrench,(above 2.5) b 1742, is listed in the Fuertado Official Personages 1655-1790 and the 1790 Jamaica Almanac as the Crown Solicitor/Clerk of the Jamaica Assembly around 1780/5, aged 38.By 1782 George is in the High Court,Assistant Judge,Solicitor for the Crown and Clerk of the Peace in Spanish Town,St Catherine's on a fat salary! So was he a lawyer? Did he have legal training in London or Dublin? There's a George French in the 1782 List of Attorneys-at-Law admitted to practice at His Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature.   His  long-term mistress was Miss Jane Charlotte Beckford2.51  "a free mulatto woman” of Spanish Town, Jamaica, born abt 1755; presumably the illegitimate daughter of either Richard Beckford (Speaker St Catherine's 1747) or Ballard Beckford (Member of the Council St Catherine 1754). 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 SPANISH TOWN TODAY Ballard Beckford was  somewhat notorious , having figured prominently as co-respondent in a much publicized divorce case, which resulted in the passing of Jamaica’s first Divorce Act and his expulsion from the House of Assembly 3 years earlier. Many of the Beckfords are buried in the Spanish Town Cathedral.  George must have been besotted by Jane and/or his 2 young quadroon sons GeorgeII 3.1 b 1777 & EdwardI 3.2 b 1782 as he had a Private Act of the Jamaica Parliament passed in 1784 (he wld be 42) giving her and his sons (then aged 7 and 2) equal rights to those born of wholly white parents & sent them to England for their education. Jane  Charlotte Beckford's  Act  of  the  Jamaica  Parliament  1784 Jamaica Is. An Act to entitle Jane Charlotte Beckford of the Parish of Saint Catherine a free Mulatto Woman and George French and Edward French Free Quadroons the Children of the said Jane Charlotte Beckford to the same Rights and Priviledges with English subjects born of White Parents under certain Restrictions Whereas the said Jane Charlotte Beckford hath been Baptised Educated and Instructed in the principles of the Christian Religion and in the Communion of the Church of England as by Law Established and hath caused her said children to be Baptised the elder of whom hath been sent to England and where it is intended that the younger of them shall also be sent at a proper age to be brought up in the like principles and Educated in such manner as to make them useful to the Community which with the assistance that will be afforded them will raise them above the level of people of Colour in general But by reason of their being Mulattoes they are Subject and liable to the same pains and penalties to which free Negroes and Mulattoes are in this Island who have neither education nor property    Wherefore We your Majesty’s dutiful and loyal Subjects the Lieutenant Governor Council and Assembly of this Island humbly beseech your Majesty that it may be Enacted and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority of the same that the said Jane Charlotte Beckford and her issue begotten by White Men and the said George French and Edward French and their Issue born of White Women shall from henceforth be deemed and taken for free and Natural born Subjects of this Island and shall be Tried and adjudged for all Crimes Misdemeanors and Offences which they or either of them shall be hereafter Charged with in the same manner as if they and every of them were free and Natural born Subjects of great Britain and in no other manner whatsoever and that they and every of them shall be entitled to have and enjoy all Rights Priviledges Immunities and Advantages whatsoever as if they and every of them were born and descended of and from White Ancestors any Law Custom or Useage to the Contrary in any wise notwithstanding.Provided always that nothing in this Act contained shall be construed or understood to confer upon the said Jane Charlotte Beckford and the said George French and Edward French or any or either of them any Capacity or Ability of Sitting or Voting either in the Council or Assembly of this Island or of holding or enjoying any Office Civil or Military or serving as Jurors or Vestrymen or of voting at any Election whatsoever. But that they the said Jane Charlotte Beckford George French and Edward French and each and every of them shall be totally excluded therefrom any Law Custom or Usage to the Contrary in any wise notwithstanding./-                    Passed the Council- I Consent- Passed the Assembly This 15th day of December 1784 This 14th day of December 1784 This 23rd day of December 1784 Will Dunlop Clk Speaker               Cncl Alured Clarke           I W Slaughter 27 The Jamaica Act of Parliament making the Quadroons “white”! A mulatto is half-European, half-African; a quadroon is the issue of a European and a mulatto; an African is someone who had been shipped from Africa; a Creole is someone (of any race) born on the island. GeorgeI & Jane's 4 children were GeorgeII 3.1 born 9 June 1777;EdwardI3.2 born 7 Oct 1782; Robert3.3 born 1784 and  Ann Eliza3.4 born 1787--no Act of Parliament for the later 2 children appears.They were all baptised in St Catherine's. Jane Charlotte Beckford ran a lodging house in Spanish Town called "Miss Ffrench's" at the corner of Ellis Street and Whitechurch Street to which Lady Nugent, the Governor's wife, sent guests in 1803--(She would not have sent her guests to anywhere second-rate so it must have been "upmarket"!). There is a French Street  and a Beckford Street in Spanish Town today . From her birth date of 1759 Jane would appear to be the illegitimate daughter of planter Richard Beckford, or Ballard Beckford Philip Wright's Monumental Inscriptions of Jamaica:  p. 130 -- Spanish Town.  No. 28, Whitechurch St.  Not seen. Recorded by Frank Cundall 1918. Jane Charlotte Beckford, died 23 October, 1825, aged 66.(So born 1759)  Picture of present day building still used as the Freemasons Hamilton Lodge Meeting House 28 Miss Ffrench’s Lodging House today  (Note double ff that early on) 29 COMMENT FROM 1887 GLEANER Jane Charlotte Beckford’s Will inventory of 1829 Beckford Jane C Entrd 14th Feb 1829.  An Inventory and appraisement of all and singular the Goods and Chattels rights and Credits which were of Jane Charlotte Beckford late of the Parish of St Catherine deceased----------------------------- 1 Mahogany Bedstead with Feather bed Hair Mattrass Bolster & Pillows 160/- 1 Mahogany large Chest 40/- 1 Looking glass 13/4 1 Globe 6/8      £11-00-00 1 Mahogany Bedstead with Feather Bed Bolster & Pillows with Nett 106/8 1 Washstand 5/- 1 Mahogany chair 5/- 1 Looking glass 2/6              £ 5-19-02 1 Mahogany Bedstead 58/4 1 Table 6/8 1 Looking glass 6/8 1 Bason stand 6/8 9 large & small Mahogany tables 175/- 2 Sofhas 40/-                      £14-13-04 1 Mahogany desk 10/- 1 Plated Cruet stand 10/- 1 Mahogany Chest 40/- 1 small Chest of Drawers 13/4 1 Basan stand 10/-                            £4-03-04 4 Looking Glass 10/- 4 Bedroom Chairs 40/- 2 pair shoes 20/- 1 pair hand ??? shades 10/- 2 Night Chairs 26/8 1 Liquor cooler 40/-£7-06-08 19 Mahogany Highback Chairs 190/- 3 pair Plated Candlesticks 30/- 1 Mahogany Sideboard Tray 80/- 1 Dripstone ??? 100/-                  £20-00-00 1 Mahogany Bedstead Straw bed Hair Mattrass & 2 Pillows 26/8 1 Table 6/8 1 Chair 6/8 1 Bason Stand 6/8 1 Large Chest 10/-                             £2-16-08 1 Mahogany Bedstead and Feather Bed 80/- 1 Table 5/- 1 Looking glass 5/- 1 Bason stand 5/- a Lot assorted glassware 26/8                              £6-01-08 1 Mahogany Bedstead Hair Mattrass with Bolster & Pillows 100/- 1 Table 6/8 1 Looking Glass 6/8 1 Bason Stand 6/8 4 Water jars 6/8                  £6-06-08 2 doz Large Tablecloths 240/- 1 1/2 Doz middle size Tablecloths 90/- 2 Doz Breakfast Cloths 180/- a Lot Crockery ware 80/-                  £29-10-00 1 Sett Breakfast Cups & Saucers 40/- A Legacy bequeathed under the Will of Christian Allen with Interest from 8 June 1811 £31-10-0             £33-10-00 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------£132-07-06 In obedience to the Warrant of appraisement hereunto annexed we have inventoried and appraised all and Singular the Goods and Chattels rights and Credits which were of Jane Charlotte Beckford deceased as they were shewn unto us by Ann Eliza French her administratix or which we knew belonged to the said Deceased at the time of her death and we do find the same amount to the sum of One hundred and thirty two pounds seven shillings and sixpence Current money of Jamaica as will more particularly appear above Given our hands and seals this 27th day of January annoque Domini 1829--Isaac Lopes--William Oliver Note Very much an ongoing establishment--with 6 Mahogany Bedsteads, 19 Highback Dining Chairs, tablecloths, crockery etc—presumably being run by daughter Ann Eliza Ffrench                (Original in Appendix 11) 30 & 31 1786 Map of old Spanish Town & key Why did so many European men take coloured mistresses? See below from Major Frederick Johnston who wrote to his wife(in England) in 1794; "The English mulatto women are the handsomest, they have all the finest teeth I ever saw and they take a great deal of care of them, cleaning them twice a day with Tamarin wood, indeed I am sorry to say that all together they are more cleanly than my fair Country Women.I can assure you the English women that are here are quite Nasty to look at. They give one the idea of a person that has been buried and risen again. It is quite the fashion for everybody....to have one of these princesses to live with them as housekeepers or Nurses....for I am given to understand that unless you are taken care of by them you must die for as soon as you are ill all your friends desert you for fear of infection..."   Despite all this, a year after their 4th child Ann Eliza was born by Jane Charlotte, George I Ffrench (aged 46)married Elizabeth Ann Jackson 2.52 in Kingston 31 Jan 1788. Was she the daughter of Chief Justice William Jackson? They had son John3.5 in 1790 and Henry3.6 in 1793. George I died “of the dropsy” 13 Feb 1795. Note the causes of death for others at the same time—mainly “fever” but also “age” “decay” “murder” “decline”  and “effects of licquor” Healthy life styles! 32 George I French Clerk of the Assembly died 13 Feb 1795 St Catherine    His Will leaves everything to his "dear wife Elizabeth Ann" and his "minor son Henry" (aged 2)--perhaps older son John had already  died? 1795  Will  of  George  French  Esq    Jamaica Is.   In the name of God Amen I George French of the Parish of Saint Catherine in the County of Middlesex and Island of Jamaica Esquire do make publish this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I will and desire that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid off and satisfied as soon as conveniently maybe by my Executrix and Executors herein after named and as to such estate and Effects that I may die possessed of I give devise and bequeath unto my dear wife Elizabeth Ann French and my beloved son Henry French all such my Estate real personal or mi**(?) of what nature or kind soever or where so ever the same may be at the time of my decease to be equally divided between my wife and son share and share alike to hold as tenants in common and not as joint tenants but in case of the death of either my said wife or my said son before he attains the age of twenty one years then the part and share either of them so dying to go to the survivor her or his heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said wife Elizabeth Ann French and Francis Rigby Brodbilt Esquire and Alexander Aikman of the parish of Kingston Esquire Executrix and Executors of this my last will and testament and Guardian of my said son Henry French until he attain the age of twenty one years, and I do revoke and make void all former and other wills by me at anytime heretofore made and declare this only to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I the said George French have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this thirty first day of January in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five  Signed sealed published and declared by the testator George French  Geo ffrench SEAL as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in each others presence have subscribed our names as witnesses to the same R R Parker                                                    Thos’ Talbot                                   Stevens Wood (The Slave Registers of 1817 also list a George Ffrench, b. ca. 1785, creole,slave living in St. George, Jamaica, the property of Elizabeth Ann Ffrench on 28 Jun 1817. He was then 32 years old. George was one of 12 slaves listed as her property.) When Elizabeth Ann,his widow makes her will she does not mention Henry3.6--as he had died too, aged 7, of a "sore throat". How desperate to lose both sons—there were of course no synthetic medicines then. 33  Henry French child  died 18 Jan 1800 St Catherine’s Will of Elizabeth Ann Ffrench dated 11 Oct 1825 10/- Jamaica Is --   George the fourth by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King  and of Jamaica Lord, Defender of the Faith & so onTo our trusty and well-beloved John Biggar and James Forsyth Esquires Know ye that we have constituted authorised and appointed and by these presents do constitute authorise and appoint ye or either of ye to administer an oath unto George Barnett of the City and Parish of Kingston Gentlemen or any other that are witnesses and can make oath of the signing sealing publishing and declaring of the last will and testament of Elizabeth Ann Ffrench late of the parish of Kingston widow deceased and hereof you or either of you are to make a due return under your or either of your hands and seals unto our Captain General and Governor in Chief of the said Island or to the Governor and Commander in chief of the same for the time with this power annexed Witness His Grace William Duke of Manchester Captain General and Governor in Chief of our said Island at St Jago de la Vega (SpanishTown)  the 26th day of August Anno q Domini 1825 and in the sixth year of our reign          (signed)              Manchester   Passed the Secretary’s office    W. Bullock  Secretary   Jamaica Island  The execution of the within    Dedimus Potestatem appears by the Will and probate thereof hereunto annexed. Given under my hand this 23rd day of September 1825  (signed)      I Forsyth Ffrench Elizabeth A ) Entr’d 15th Oct 1825) Jamaica Is -- In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Ann Ffrench of the City and Parish of Kingston in the County of Surry and Island aforesaid Widow being of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding do make publish and declare my last Will and Testament in manner and form following. That is to say Imprimis I will and direct that all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences be fully paid and satisfied as soon as conveniently can be after my decease And for such purpose I do hereby direct and authorise and empower my Executrix and Executor hereinafter named to enter upon and take possession of my coffee plantation or settlement called The Cottage situate in the Parish of St Andrew in the County of Surry and Island aforesaid and to contract for and actually sell and dispose of the said plantation or settlement as soon as possible after my decease and to grant and execute to the Purchaser thereof good and sufficient title thereto and if need be to allow unto the purchaser thereof a reasonable time for the payment or part payment thereof and I do hereby declare that the receipt of my Executrix and Executor hereinafter named shall be a good and sufficient discharge to the purchaser or purchasers thereof for any monies therein expressed and that such purchaser or  purchasers shall not be answerable or accountable for the non-application or misapplication of such purchase money. And it is my will and desire that my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and discharged out of the proceeds of such Sale in preference to my personal estate. I hereby manumise enfranchise and forever set free of and from all servitude slavery and bondage my Negro Woman Slaves named Elizabeth Dowling and Jane Waters to hold such Manumission Enfranchisement and Freedom unto the said Elizabeth Dowling and Jane Waters and their future issue offspring and increase forever. I give devise and bequeath unto Samuel Bruce Smith my mulatto man slave named George Simpson to hold to his heirs and assigns forever but it is my will and desire and I do hereby direct that in case the said Mulatto slave named George Simpson shall at any time hereafter during the minority of the said Samuel Bruce Smith be able to purchase his freedom either by himself or with the assistance of his friends that such freedom be granted to him upon a reasonable sum being paid to the said Samuel Bruce Smith and I do hereby authorise my Executrix and Executor to execute and deliver all necessary deeds and instruments whatsoever for such purpose but in the event of the said Samuel Bruce Smith departing this life before he shall attain his age of 21 years or before the said Mulatto boy George Simpson shall have purchased his freedom as aforesaid I then give devise and bequeath the said slave unto Rachel Smith (was Rachel Smith her married sister?) of the said city and parish of Kingston Widow the mother of the said Samuel Bruce Smith to hold to her and his heirs and assigns forever but subject to the like condition and power to the said slave to purchase his freedom from the said Rachel Smith.(signed) E A Ffrench Whereas I am entitled under the will of my late uncle John Jackson (Is Jackson her maiden name?) to a legacy of £2000 now I give and bequeath £200 thereof unto Mrs Elizabeth Dallas (another sister?) the widow of the late Stuart George Dallas Esq.I give and bequeath one hundred pounds   thereof to Samuel Jackson Dallas Esq.I give and bequeath £200 thereof to the Rev Robert William Dallas the present Rector of Manchester but it is (my) express will and intention that the said last three mentioned legacies shall be only  paid  and payable out of the said legacy of £2000(if ever the same should be paid) and not out of any other part of my real or personal estate I give and bequeath all my wearing apparel unto the said Rachel Smith. All the rest residue and  remainder of my estate real personal and mixt I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto Elizabeth Martha Smith, Jane Smith, James William Smith, Frances Smith and Samuel Bruce Smith, daughter and sons of the said Rachel Smith or such of them as shall be living at the time of my decease to be divided among them share and share alike to hold to them and to the Survivors orSurvivor of them and to the heirs executors administrators and assigns of such survivor forever. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Rachel Smith and her son James William Smith Executrix and Executor of this my said will hereby revoking all former and other wills by me at anytime heretofore made and declaring this only to be and contain my last Will and Testament. In witness hereof I have to the first sheet of this my Will set and subscribed my hand and to the second and last sheet thereof set and subscribed my hand and affixed my seal this tenth day of August 1825                       (signed)     E A Ffrench  Generation 3  To Summarise-Children of George I Ffrench 2.5;  with Jane Charlotte Beckford, 2.51 3.1 George II Ffrench3.1 , b. 9 June 1777, was the quadroon son of Jane Charlotte Beckford and George I Ffrench. He was schooled in England. 3.2 Edward I  Ffrench 3.2, b. 7 Oct 1782, was the quadroon son of Jane Charlotte Beckford and George I Ffrench. He was schooled in England. 3.3 Robert I Ffrench 3.3 b 1784 m Letitia Dunn spinster,("late Lindo " ie née?) both described as  "Free persons of colour"   d ? 3.4  Ann Eliza Ffrench 3.4 b 1787 Jane Charlotte’s Administratix d 1845 Manchester? with  Elizabeth Ann Ffrench 2.52 3.5 John Ffrench3.5 b 1 Jan 1790  d bef 1795 as not in his father’s Will? 3.6 Henry Ffrench3.6 b 21 Oct 1793 d 18 Jan 1800 Chapter 4 Generation 4 RobertI 3.1  "a free quadroon" married Letitia Dunn Lindo Ffrench 3.31 "a free bro(wn)" had 6 children—all baptized Kingston. They were “Free persons of colour”. Arthur I 4.1 born 23rd June 1813; RobertII 4.2,born 2 June 1817; George III 4.3,born 30 Dec 1819;  Edward II 4.4 born 6 Feb 1822 , Maria Moore 4.5 born 8 Dec 1826(at Foster Lane-family home?) & Alexander Dunn b 9 Dec 1828 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Arthur i, RobertII, GeorgeIII, EdwardII, maria moore, Alexander dunn baptisms (Maria’s death notice also shows her to be a sister of GeorgeIII and confirms a birth year of 1826. She became a teacher at Wolmer’s school then matron of the Kingston Naval Hospital in 1875. She married John Moore of Swanswick Estate Trelawney and died in 1918) 43 Maria Moore’s death certificate The matching DNA tests that have been taken by living Michael & Simon Ffrench currently indicate a common ancestor earlier than George III so Robert I’s sons are likely candidates for Arthur George Ffrench’s father At present we know nothing about  Arthur I b 1813 or Robert II b 1817 or Alexander Dunn but they or Edward II or even George III could be  Arthur George Ffrench5.7's father. If we go back a further generation the “white quadroons” George II b 1777 & Edward I b 1781 or their brother Robert I b 1784 could be the common ancestor Edward II Ffrench 4.4 b 6 Feb 1822  Did he school in Kingston and after leaving, work for his father Robert or in the Militia perhaps? His older brother  George III 4.3(Chapter 5)  had joined the Portland Tax Dept in 1847 aged 27;  1851 is when Arthur George Ffrench was born. Before 13 Aug 1851 Edward II was presumably living at the family home in Kingston. Could he aged 28  have fathered Arthur then? Edward spent “2 days out of Jamaica” that year—Cuba?Haiti?  Edward II was appointed on 13 Aug 1851 as "acting clerk to the sub-(tax) collector Port Morant" aged 29 at £150 pa  by the Governor. His £100 security bond was provided by  brother George”Clerk Vestry Portland” & John Joseph Duval of St Andrews. Perhaps George III got him his job? In 1854 he was promoted to Sub-Collector and Lands Waiter and Searcher for Morant Bay @ £225 pa.. His bond was increased to £500 and George Ffrench's name on the bond was replaced by John Burger, watchmaker, Kingston. 20 May 1857 he was   married by Rev John Radcliffe to Sarah Harrison Buchan in the Kingston Kirk(Presbyterian) Witnesses Hon A(lexander) Barclay and Jno Naro(?) 44 Edward II Ffrench & sarah Harrison Buchan marriage certificate In Oct 1858 he is promoted to Sub-Collector, Old Harbour (the other side of Kingston).Security now from John Burger and William Andrews Attorney-at-law. He remained there  till 1860, when he disappears without comment from the Civil Service Blue Books. Perhaps fraud? On 9 June 1866 Edward Ffrench,Kingston is included  in a list of names in the Gleaner of "Insolvents". In Jan 1867 his "bail is enlarged" by the Surry Insolvent Debtors Court. In 1876 Arthur George marries in Manchester Witnesses FW Bonitto + Jno Sawyers ie no Ffrench’s present. December 1879 both George Ffrench in Portland & Arthur St Catherines take long leave on half-pay. Why? Coincidence? To care for dying widower brother/uncle/father Edward II? On 10 March 1880 Edward II dies a widower aged 59, "much & deservedly regretted" per the Gleaner notice. On the death certificate his occupation was “lumber measurer”(probably learned from his time at Port Morant)The informant is George III Ffrench 4.3, brother, of 16 Foster Lane, Kingston  (the Ffrench family home for 50+years). 45 46 EdwardII Ffrench’s death record In May 1896 his name appears on a Government Notice of estates forfeited to the Govt because of non-claimants for £6-13-10d. No will found yet. Curiously in 1850 an unidentified George Ffrench died at Foster lane aged 34—maybe the son of one of Robert & Letitia’s other sons? Chapter 5 GeorgeIII Ffrench,4.3  b.30 Dec 1819, d. 1897 Presumably like brother Edward he grew up in Robert & Letitia’s home in Foster Lane Kingston. Where did he school? What did he do between 1837 & 1847? Ie after leaving school before getting his job in Portland aged 28? George III  moved from Kingston to Portland in 1847 joining the Colonial Administration  as Collector of Taxes --& paid partly on commission! Two years later he gets married to Eliza Minot George III “Clerk of the Vestry of this Parish” was  married by Licence by Rev J Stone Rector to  Eliza Minot 4.31, in Portland on 4 Jan 1849. 47  Marriage Record George Ffrench & Eliza Minot  We think Eliza may have been the daughter of a slave…     The 1817 return of Slave Registers of former British Colonial Dependencies shows a Maria Kirkland 11, "sambo"& “creole”; her mother Betty 29  as"negro"& "african"--- owner Francoise Adelaide Lebrun (African ie off a slave ship); 9 years later the 1826 return shows an Eliza Minot 1 1/2 yrs  "mulatto",creole(ie born in Jamaica); her mother Maria Kirkland 20  "sambo", her  grandmother Betty Ann Kirkland 38, "African"--- owner Philip P Kirkland, Parish of St George.The ages match up. In the 1829 return Betty has gone, Maria ("alias Mariah Kirkland") is 22, Eliza Minot is 3--both after then "manumised" ie freed.This would make Eliza Minot 23 in 1849 when she married GeorgeIII In 1925 Eliza's son Alfred Ernest Ffrench talks of his grandmother "Maria Shirley"--is this Maria Kirkland? 48 49 Returns of Slaves on Plantations 50 Dec 1803  Advertisement from the  Jamaica Royal Gazette for sale of Slaves   GeorgeIII's established issue with Eliza Minot in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica were 2 daughters & 4 sons; the only one whose baptism we have found is the first Robert who died young. Why? Were the records lost or were the children not baptized? Unlikely as later George is on the Anglican Church Finance Board 1849  Robert Burke Ffrench 5.1  died 1850 at 6 months 1853 Anna Maria Ffrench 5.2  d 1881 at 28 1855? Edward Shafto Burke(or Buchan) Ffrench,5.3  Joined Tax Dept 1873. d aft 1923 at 68+ 1856 Letitia Emily Ffrench 5.4  d 1869 of Typhoid at 13. 1858 Hedley John Cecil Ffrench 5.5 d 1864 at 6 23 Apr 1861, the Honorable Alfred Ernest Ffrench 5.6 He was JP, MP, and MBE. He got an MBE during WWI for work with the Red Cross. He was a member of the Legislative Council. He died 24 Apr 1926 at 65.  Long obit in Gleaner. We have traced many of his living descendants down to great grandchildren, living in Canada and Jamaica Only 2 sons from George & Eliza’s 6 children survived their parents. So could George III have fathered Arthur George in 1850—after losing his first born son—perhaps with another woman? By 1857 George III was also an Ensign in the volunteer militia army for Portland; by 1865 a lieutenant, then Captain. George III Ffrench’s name appears all over the Almanacs( to which he contributed for Portland), the Gleaner etc.  (Another George French owned  sugar estates, Queenhithe and Tobalskie(about 5500acres)in St Ann's on the North coast of Jamaica near Runaway bay and Ocho Rhios and Rooksby Park but he appears to be an absentee owner from Kent, England and unconnected) 1866   Eliza his wife, and their daughters Anna Maria 5.2 and Letitia Emily 5.4 were signatories to one of the  thank-you letters to the infamous Governor Eyre from the Ladies of Port Antonio and Manchioneal for saving them from the insurgents Rebellion.George III signs a similar letter of support for the Governor George III Ffrench 4.3 owned property in Portland, eg Mount Pleasant(805 acres), True Blue(300acres). 4 July 1867 "The Colonial Standard" reported on George's vain attempt to clear his land at Mount Pleasant, Portland of squatters. 51 Here is a photo of George III Ffrench 52 And here is Eliza Minot Ffrench 53 Plan of Port Antonio where they lived 7 January 1868 There is an amazing account of a shipwreck off Cuba over Christmas 1867 written by George III himself. 54 George III is ship-wrecked!  He writes he was with "his 2 sons". These were probably therefore Edward III Shafto(aged 13) and Alfred Ernest(aged 6+)  This remark probably rules out George III as Arthur George Ffrench's legitimate father. Arthur George would have been 17. When St George Parish was merged with Portland around 1867/8 George was offered Clarendon but successfully objected. He received a  pension. 55 George is to be transferred but refuses! 56 1870 Promoted to 2nd Class clerk    (aged 50) Feb 28 1870 In the Colonial Standard a valedictory address from the good & great of Port Antonio, "accompanied by bumpers of champagne" on George's promotion to Westmoreland parish "after an extended residence in Port Antonio of nearly a quarter of a century" (ie from 1846/7) 57 Valedictory Address  He remained at Sav la Mar, Westmoreland  for 10 years and became proprietor of a property there called “Blue Hole” & a lessee of Roslyn Lodge Pens. His salary was £400 per year plus a £50 housing allowance--a serious amount at the time. Dec 1879  he takes long leave on half pay along with Arthur George—to look after his dying brother Edward? Apr 1880 aged 60 he retired & moves to Kingston . He had been a JP, Captain of the Portland Volunteers, Parochial Board member, Clerk of the Vestry of the Parish of Portland, etc. and a well-respected worthy citizen.  1890 aged 70, & despite substantial pensions and assets, George III seems to have got into financial difficulties with foreclosures on properties he owned eg Mount Pleasant Estate, 805 acres in Portland. May 1891(aged 69) he is elected to the Kingston City Council 1893 He is defendant in a disputed Bill of Exchange for £331. Sept 17th 1896 per Gleaner He seems to have been somewhat cantankerous,  falling out with the mayor, but takes on a short-term role as acting clerk Portland Parish that year. 1897 A messy bankruptcy 7 May 1897 dies aged 78. No will has been found yet but he was bankrupt. He died at 2 Harbour St, Kingston. The informant was solicitor Thadeous Rudolph McMillan “who caused the body to be buried” –. Why no family present? 58 George III Ffrench’s death certificate  His son, the 36 years old Honorable Alfred E. Ffrench MP,JP, was his executor and had to sort out the mess.George’s widow  Eliza Minot Ffrench died a year later in 1898, also in Kingston.Here's George's obituary; 59 GeorgeIII Ffrench’s obituary from “The Colonies & India” Chapter 6 Generation 5-- Issue of George Ffrench III 4.3 & Eliza (Minot) Ffrench, 4.31 Apart from the baptism of their first child Robert (named after Geo's father) Burke Ffrench, we have been unable to find the baptism records of any of George and Eliza's other children in the LDS microfilm  records or in the RGD records or in the Jamaica Archives. We have put this summary together therefore largely from articles in the Gleaner and The Colonial Standard.   (All born in parish of Portland) 1) George & Eliza Minot Ffrench  were married 4 Jan 1849 (LDS  film 1291729 Vol 5 fo 254) by Rector John C Stone 2) Robert Burke Ffrench 5.1 was born  31 Oct 1849 bap 4 Jan 1850 abode Port Antonio (LDS film 1291717 vol 12 fo 257) Rector WJ Cavard. Robert died 4 May 1850 (buried Port Antonio churchyard). 60  Baptism of Robert Burke Ffrench in Portland Parish ( ie not St George) Perhaps as a result of Robert’s premature death George & Eliza lost their faith and failed to baptise their successive issue--but GeorgeIII ends up on the Diocesan Finance Board of the Church of England—so probably the records have just gone missing. 3) The Gleaner of Nov 19th 1869 "at Port Antonio on the 10th inst of Typhoid fever at the early age of 16 years Letitia(after George's mother) Emily 5.4 the second daughter of George Ffrench" . If she was 16  she was born 1853 but no baptism record found.   Burial record 11 Nov 1869  film 1291717 vol 7 fo 33 says age 13 so born 1856. POR 1856 ENF 1847-1870.Rector Wm Smith 4) In the letter to Governor Eyre of 1 Jan 1866(Google Books) there are signatures from "Eliza Ffrench, Ann M Ffrench & Emily Letitia Ffrench".  So Ann M(aria) Ffrench5.2 must have been first daughter—born say 1853 61 Letter to Governor Eyre from the Ladies of Port Antonio re the Mourant uprising 5) On May 6 1903 in a Gleaner  article on "The Portland Case" there is a witness called "EdwardIII Shafto(n) Ffrench 5.3, a son of Mr George Ffrench...His mother(ie Eliza Minot Ffrench) was half sister to the plaintiff(Miss Frances Champier)" “Edward lived with his father George Ffrench” Edward S Ffrench was in the Tax Dept joining 28 May 1873 as second class clerk St Ann per the Blue Book. If he was 18 then, E S Ffrench was born in 1855. Alternative names are Edward Shafto Burke/or Buchan Ffrench viz Gleaner 1 Mar 1913 "In the Supreme Court etc.....Gertrude Emily Ffrench the wife of Edward Shafto Buchan Ffrench...etc" In the Colonial Standard appear the following items; CS: 7th April 1864.  Page 2, col. 1 “DIED At Tichfield, Portland, on Thursday 31st ultimo, HEDLEY JOHN CECIL, third son of GEORGE FFRENCH, Esq. aged 6 years.” So Born about 1857/8 CS: 18th November 1869.  Page 2, col. 3 “DIED At Port Antonio on Wednesday the 10th instant, of Typhoid Fever, a the early age of 16 years, LETITIA EMILY, the second daughter of Mr. GEORGE FFRENCH.” CS: 19th January 1881.  Page 2, col. 2 "DIED At Port Antonio on the 10th instant ANNA MARIA, Eldest daughter of GEORGE & ELIZA FFRENCH in the 28th year of her age, much and deservedly regretted." Born about 1853 Colonial standard of 7th January 1868.  Page 2, cols. 4, 5 & 6 “Wreck of the Schooner Fanny of Port Antonio”. “Mr. Geo. Ffrench of Port Antonio arrived in Kingston on Friday last with his two sons and the Captain and crew of the Schr. “Fanny” which vessel was wrecked off Cuba on the 21st ultimo.” 6) The two ship-wrecked sons were probably Edward III Shafto5.3 and Alfred Ernest 5.6 & not Arthur George 7) In the Tri-Weekly Gleaner of Thursday Nov 18 1897(after George Ffrench had died 11 Feb 1897) there is reported a supreme Court Case where "A E Ffrench was the representative of the estate of George Ffrench, being the Administrator"."Mr Johnson said.(he)...represented George Ffrench up to his death....then he represented a son who became Administrator(A E Ffrench).Per Who's Who in Jamaica 1916  "Alfred Ernest Ffrench born Port Antonio  23 Feb 1861 Son of the late George Ffrench,Collector of Taxes and Eliza Ffrench. Staunch Roman Catholic.” Per ? 1923 Gleaner he is quoted when electioneering "Now stop a little, 39 years ago(ie 1884 aged 23) I married a dark Portland lady(Isadora Maud Burke Moodie 5.61 )....I have 8 children by that marriage...." Per death cert copy he died 24 Apr 1926 aged 60(?) certified by his son Shafto Moodie Ffrench 62 Isadora’s baptism &her marriage to Alfred-(both ceremonies Anglican)  We assume the following 3 boys are probably not related to George but... George Henry Ffrench born 8 Mar 1849 before George’s marriage.The mother is named as Ann Buckley  & the father unnamed-- & George Ffrench would have been known to the baptizing rector Cavard—but perhaps they were being discreet? 63 George Henry Ffrench’s baptism Frederick Horatio Ffrench  born 12 May 1850 mother “Elizabeth Minot”.This is too soon after Robert & no  father is  named on baptism. Rector Cavard again .Perhaps a child of EdwardII? 64 Frederick Horatio Ffrench's baptism Charles Arthur Ffrench, b 5 Nov 1869 Port Antonio, mother Mary Ann Bryan, bap 29 May 1870. Could he be an illegitimate son of GeorgeIII—or even of Arthur George then packed off to St Catherine's to join Tax Dept? (No Image) 65 Who can this George Ffrench be? Chapter 7 Originally we thought Arthur George Ffrench 5.7 must be the son of George III as his birth date of 1851 would put him neatly between Robert Burke1849 and Anna Maria 1853. Further he became a Tax Collector—like George III 1851 Arthur was born.   In the absence of a baptism we have established this from the 1891 English Census return—age 40, his English death certificate-54 in 1905 and the Freemasons records—25 in 1876 From the DNA match between my brother Simon and Michael Ffrench (documented descendant of George III Ffrench) we know  that we have a common ancestor. So Arthur  could be;- an illegitimate son of either George III or of Edward II(Edward did not marry till 1857) or; the legitimate/illegitimate son of any of their siblings Arthur I b 1813, Robert II b 1817 or Alexander Dunn b 1828 or of; even earlier parentage George II b 1777 Edward I b 1781 or Robert I b 1784 Perhaps his mother had died young which might explain his later penchant for older women We do not know where he was born other than “Jamaica” per the Census or where he schooled but he must have been smart Sep 1870. Arthur appears in the Jamaica Civil Service Annual Blue Books for the first time as 2nd class clerk, Tax Dept, Spanish Town,St Catherine when he would be aged 18 if born in 1851. So we are surmising  that he, like Edward III Shafto Burke/Buchan Ffrench 5.3, got the job through family connections eg  tax-collector “uncle/father?” George Ffrench III 4.3 or Edward II Ffrench 4.4   However George III seems the more likely as EdwardII had left the Tax dept by 1867 & had become bankrupt before 1870. 1st Jan 1873 Arthur George was promoted to 1st class clerk on. In Apr 1874 he was “ordered to Manchester to act as Asst Collector of Taxes” for 6 months where, aged 23, he met and 3 months later June 1874 impregnated  Frances(Fanny) Ann Glave 5.72, heiress, aged 29! Nov 1874 he was transferred back to Spanish Town. His daughter with Fanny, ie Kathleen was born in March 1875-illegitimate & “colored” . 1875 he appears in the Blue Books briefly as George  Arthur Ffrench. He is living in King Street Spanish Town, big houses just off the main square 66 67 68 69 70 King Street just off the main Spanish Town square plus King St houses. Jan 1876 Arthur  joined the Spanish Town Freemasons February 1876 despite the above, & aged 25, he impregnated my spinster great-grandmother Jane Victoria Smith 5.71 , aged 36, a local trader & businesswoman. 15th Nov 1876 Jane had son Ernest George Ffrench 6.2  (my grandfather).  She had him baptized by Rev Chas Douet-an establishment figure-- in SpanishTown where Arthur worked clearly naming him as the father “Clerk of Municipal Board” and giving the address Spanish Town although she was almost certainly living in Kingston at the time. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned etc….Perhaps she had been living with him as “Housekeeper” not knowing that his intended was “upcountry”? 29th Nov 1876 Arthur “Clerk of Municipal Board,St Catherines” aged 25 was married by Rev WJ Drought by licence to  Frances(Fanny) Ann Glave aged 31 in (the now ruined) Duppy Church, Mile Gully, Manchester! (Duppy is Jamaican for ghost).Witnesses Jno Sawers & FW Bonitto—ie no Ffrench’s 71 Arthur George Ffrench & Frances Ann Glave Marriage Record 1877 Gets Frances pregnant again(dau named Frances Eliza –Frances after her mother-- Eliza after Eliza Minot?) 1878 Arthur  is appointed Executor to the Estate of Sophia Galway of Mandeville, Manchester.  (Why?? Was there a family connection?) 1878 Attends inauguration new Custos Isaac Levy. HonSec Hamilton Lodge Mar 1879 Gets Fanny pregnant (son named St George Moore—there are many Irish “Arthur St George Ffrench”s—Moore after Auntie Maria Moore? Dec1879 Takes 6+ months leave on half-pay(same time as George III-coincidence?) Why? Paternity leave??!! Or looking after dying widower “Uncle/Father” Edward II? 25 Nov 1880 Elected Member of the Institute of Jamaica,Kingston Feb 1881 gets Fanny pregnant(son Arthur Peter Ffrench –named Arthur after father-Peter after ??)= Living Don & Donna Jones’ Grandfather 5 June 1883 Ridiculed in the Gleaner for his “Literary Society” 72 Arthur George Ffrench’s Literary Society March 1884 Gets Fanny pregnant(Stephen Shirley Glave Ffrench-why Shirley? That’s a name that appears in the Portland branch) 1884/5 Voted Master of the Freemasons Hamilton Lodge 6 Sept 1884 See this FundRaiser for the Masons where both GeorgeIII Ffrench & A G Ffrench are listed—was there a family connection? 73 Arthur & George Ffrench at a Masonic do 28 July 1885 His name appears on the advertised Tenders for the Parish of St Catherines. 22 July 1886 A letter to the Gleaner  about a suspicious theft of £300 from Arthur’s office—the money “later found in the possession of a young fellow whom Mr Ffrench entertains” . Implying what exactly? Oddly no further mention in the Gleaner.  74 A "bare-faced robbery" + a Railway tender Dec 1886 According to the Blue Books “ dismissed” . According to  the Colonial Standard (published in Kingston, Jamaica & Extracted and indexed  by Stephen D. Porter, from microfilm, at the Newspaper Library, Colindale, London.)  1887, Friday 28th January; page 2, col 5 "Official Announcements. In consequence of the absence from the island, without leave, of Mr. A. G. Ffrench, Clerk of the Parochial Board of St. Catherine, His Excellency the Governor has declared that office vacant." 1887, Tuesday 26th April; page 2, col 2 "Mr. A. G. Ffrench. It may prove of interest to some parties to learn of the whereabouts of the late Clerk of the Parochial Boards of St. Catherine. We are in a position to state that on the 28th ultimo, he was in London, but he intended leaving for Australia in the early part of the present month. Our information adds, that it may be some months before Mr. Ffrench returns to Jamaica." No immigration record of his arrival into the UK (or Australia) has been found but; 1891 UK Census shows an Arthur Ffrench aged 39 (born  1851 Jamaica, West Indies), clerk, "married" but living alone as a lodger in a mens' hostel in Whitechapel, East London called  The Charles William Mowl Victoria Home. 75  THE Victoria Working Men's Home, Commercial Street, c.1900 Per Wikipedia;- Large lodging house at 39-41 Commercial St, east London situated on the south-western corner with Wentworth St. Registered in November 1887, it was run at that time by Augustus Wilkie of 77 Whitechapel Road and was originally licensed to house 370 male lodgers, though expansion allowed for an increase in occupants within a short time. In 1888, a press report outlined its intentions and its initial success: "It was with a view to ameliorate the condition of the poor that Lord Radstock and other gentlemen, with a purely philanthropic motive, acquired two years since a warehouse of four floors in Commercial-street, at the corner of Wentworth-street, and converted it into a model lodging-house. The success of the venture led to the acquisition of the adjoining premises, and the number of beds now provided is 500. In every respect this lodging-house - the only one of its sort in London - deserves to be imitated. First, its charges are low - viz., 4d for a single bed, or 2s per week; and 6d for a "cabin," or 3s per week. Each bed has two blankets, two sheets, and a quilt; the bedstead is of iron, and a kind of shield at the head affords a certain degree of privacy. The floor space is partitioned into rooms, containing each ten or a dozen beds; whilst in the "cabins" there is only one. A "casual" ward for the reception of newcomers has lately been added, and probationers are transferred thence to floors above.  Many of the lodgers are regulars, but some are birds of passage purely. The lavatory, ventilating, and sanitary arrangements are on an enlightened scale. In the common kitchen food may be cooked at the great fire, or obtained at low charges at the bar, a dinner with vegetables for fourpence, or a bowl of soup for a penny. No known bad characters are admitted. Tickets for beds are issued from five p.m. until 12.30 midnight, and after that hour if a man wants to get in he must have a pass. It is by these rules, especially, and by the exclusion of women, that the Victoria Home is so greatly to be preferred to the most modern and "improved" of the lodging-houses which are strictly commercial undertakings." The rules of the home were such as to deter 'bad characters': 1) No person in a state of intoxication will be on any account admitted. 2) No swearing or obscene language will be tolerated; order and decorum are insisted in the kitchens; silence in the bedrooms. 3) No person will be admitted after one o'clock a.m. without a special pass. 4) Any lodger interfering with the comfort of others is at once ejected. 5) Lodgers who are fortunate enough to possess extra clothing or other personal effects, can leave them in charge of the deputy, who will give a receipt for the same. 6) Baths, warm or cold, can be had in the house. For a warm bath, the charge of one penny is made In April 1891 it was being run by Charles William Mowl and housed nearly 500 men. The Victoria Working Men's Home was totally destroyed during an air raid in the Second World War and the site remained empty for many years before being redeveloped as part of the New Holland Estate in the late 1960s.(Tyne Street redevelopment - plans 1964-71 (London Metropolitan Archives)                             How the mighty have fallen!  From Clerk of the Vestry of St Catherines to this!       The 1901 Census has Arthur Ffrench aged 46 (ie born 1855 but probably incorrect as would surely be  too young at 15  to join Tax Dept in 1870) born  in Jamaica, "single", Clerk in the  "Guardians Office”. 76 The 1891 and 1901 Censusses showing 1851 or 1855 as Arthur’s D.O.B. The Guardians was the name of the Wandsworth and Clapham Poor Law Administrators  They ran the WorkHouses in the Borough, looked after orphans—sending many to foster parents in rural Canada, sometimes aged just 10--, giving handouts and getting jobs to persons in need. Arthur first appears in the Guardian Office records as 4th Assistant Clerk in the Clerks Office from November 1895 up until August 1905 (when he died).Perhaps the Freemasons helped him secure the job? He was living alone  in one room at 61 Strathblaine Rd, Battersea,Wandsworth,SW11. This house still stands and is now a  nice substantial residence in a good area. The main occupiers in 1901 were a builder, his wife & 9th month old daughter--so Arthur was the "lodger". 77  61 Strathblaine Rd, Wandsworth, London Arthur was living in Clapham and described in the Censuses and his death cert as Poor Law Clerk Guardians’ Office.  The Guardians were the  Trustees appointed in each Borough to administer the Poor Law. They collected the “Poor Law rates” and used the funds to run the local WorkHouses where homeless, jobless local persons were employed; to help find homes for orphans(many at this time were shipped off to rural Canada to foster homes); to help place unfortunate young women in work and generally to administer handouts where needed. Extracts from records at London Metropolitan Archives Arthur was appointed 21 Nov 1895 as temporary 4th assistant clerk in the Clerk’s Office at a wage of 30 shillings a week. It is recorded in the Register of Officers 1890-99 ref WaBG194/2 of the Wandsworth & Clapham (Poor Law) Union and in Folio Vol 4 page 496 of the Minute Book of the Guardians, It was reported to the Local Government Board on 31 Dec 1895. His appointment letter was referenced “Form of Query LB6/408” but cannot be traced in the Form of Query files. His appointment was sanctioned by the Local Government Board 4 March 1896—Number of LGB letter 44 (not found). His salary was increased to 35 shillings a week 10 Mar 1898 per Minute Book 6 page 653 effective 11 March—LGB letter 92. On15 June 1900 a dinner allowance of £15 (p.a.?) in lieu of dinner was added No 166 SR Folio 88. The appointment was made permanent after the purchase by the Guardians of the Tooting Workhouse and he remained employed by the Guardians until his death in August 1905 He died of kidney/cardiac failure at 54--intestate but his estate of £62 was administered by his landlady Emily Ashelford (aged 46 married to a bricklayer 16 years older than herself) . So presumably somehow it reached his widow Frances Ann Glave Ffrench in Jamaica And here is his death certificate of 1905- a "Poor Law Clerk" in a poorer part of Clapham, London. He died at 54 of various unpleasant illnesses--fair enough after having messed up so many people's lives; 78 Arthur George Ffrench death Certificate providing 1851 as his D.O.B. This house 20 Oberstein Rd is only a few hundred yards from 61 Strathblaine Rd but in a much less attractive area and now very run down. 79 20 Oberstein Rd He had never returned to Jamaica and in a 1904 marriage announcement in the Gleaner for their 2nd daughter, Frances Ann Ffrench nee Glave had actually described him as the "late Arthur George Ffrench"  Perhaps that's why there's no further reference of him in the Gleaner.      What a rat he was!  Arthur must surely have been a bit of a disappointment to his father--but who was his dad?. Arthur had 5 children in all with Frances (Fanny) -listed in section 6.1 - 6.5 -the last when she was 39 and he 33. The first, daughter Kathleen, was recorded when  baptised as illegitimate, coloured. The others' colours are not recorded. They were all born in Heavitree, Mile Gully, Manchester, Jamaica. Heavitree Coffee estate had been  left to Frances by her father Stephen Sharpe Glave, born Yorkshire 1814 died 1 Apr 1873, Jamaica. Frances Ann Ffrench is shown in the 1910 Almanac as the owner of Heavitree. Her father’s “wife” was Kitty—the housekeeper? —so Frances was probably coloured too.  Another indication that Arthur was related to GeorgeIII is that GeorgeIII when in financial difficulties around 1890  mortgaged for pnds300 a property he owned to Eliza(beth) Glave b 1853 who was Arthur’s wife Frances’s sister--- ie Arthur's sister-in-law lent George III money. Why unless they were “family”? To summarise; Generation 6--Children of Arthur George Ffrench 5.7       with Frances Ann Glave, 5.72 6.1 Kathleen Ann Ffrench, b. 10 March 1875 in Heavitree, Manchester,recorded as colored. d ? 6.3 Frances Eliza Ffrench b 22 Mar 1878 d ? 6.4 St George Moore Ffrench, b. 9 Dec 1879 in Heavitree, Mile Gully, Manchester.d 16/12/1922 6.5 Arthur Peter Ffrench, b. 30 Nov 1881 in Heavitree, Mile Gully, Manchester, d 1968 6.6 Stephen Shirley Ffrench, b. 3 Sept 1884. d 16 Mar 1896 of tetanus    with  Jane Victoria Smith,5.71  Lt Col. Ernest George Ffrench 6.2,      (my hero!)     b. 15 Nov 1876 baptised in Spanish Town, Jamaica (ie not Kingston) Died 1937 in Kent, UK.  Ernest's maternal ancestors Chapter 8 Jane Victoria Smith 5.71 was born illegitimately 23rd Oct 1840 and baptised in St Catherine's Parish in January 1841.On her baptism record her father was named as"Lieut Smith 64th Regiment" and her mother as Eliza Grant.   Address 49 Wellington Street Spanish Town, St Catherine's. 80 (Extract) & 81 Jane’s Baptism record 82 What her Spanish Town home might have looked like---- Jane Victoria Smith's Parents; a) Jane's father-- Lieutenant Michael Edward Smith 4.6 On the 1839 Harts Army List of Officers,under the 64th(2nd Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot,which is shown as stationed then in Jamaica, is Michael Edward Smith (Ensign, promoted to Lieutenant Feb 1840). Smith  had purchased his commission--normal in those days.Michael Edward Smith b 10 Nov 1814 was the 5th child(of 15), 3rd son of Henry Jeremiah Smith 3.7 , JP, Dep Lord Lieutnt Co Meath,the latter's father being wealthy establishment figure Henry Smith of Beabeg 2.6; 83 Henry Smith of Beabeg Henry Smith's son Henry Jeremiah Smith had been a "cornet" or Ensign  in the 11th Light Dragoons(ie mounted on horseback) in 1809; 84 Army List 1809 85 Henry Jeremiah Smith of Beabeg & Annesbrook 86  Beabeg  His second wife,Michael's mother, was Elizabeth Radcliffe 3.71 87 Elizabeth Radcliffe Smith when young And Elizabeth's mother was Catherine Radcliffe, Michael's grandmother 88  Elizabeth Radcliffe’s mother Catherine Cox Radcliffe The family seat was Annesbrooke, Duleek, Co Meath just north of Dublin. Henry Jeremiah Smith had purchased this around 1803 from Mr Hamilton and extended it substantially. He was on social terms with King George IV  The following is taken from Mark Bence-Jones book ‘A Guide To Irish Country Houses’.  Annesbrook, Duleek, Co. Meath. A 2 storey 3 bay Georgian house with ground floor windows set under relieving arches and a large rusticated and fanlighted doorway;  to which an impressive portico of 4 fluted Ionic columns and a single-storey wing containing a charming Georgian-Gothic “banqueting room” were added early in c19 by Henry (Jeremiah) Smith. According to the story, he made these additions 1821 for when George IV came over to dine with him while staying with Lady Conyngham at Slane Castle; the monarch, however never saw the banqueting room, preferring to dine out of doors.   Then under the entry for Slane Castle he states that ‘George IV stayed in Slane Castle as Prince of Wales, and again as King 1821; the wife of 1st Marquess being the Lady Conyngham who was his favourite.  The dead straight road from Dublin to Slane is said to have been made specially for him. 89 Annesbrook Michael Edward Smith inherited this in 1892 after the death of his elder 2 brothers. 90  Dining at Annesbrook 91 The Hunt at nearby Duleek; 92  Here’ s a Smith family get-together about 1900 for a wedding! The item  following summarises Michael Edward Smith's life, mostly compiled around 1910 by a niece of Michael, Emily Gertrude Cox(Nee Smith) , daughter of Richard Jeremiah Smith, younger brother of Michael,  when she researched the family tree--she knew both  Michael & his wife Jane Grace Syme 93  Emily Cox Smith— the author of the following story Emily’s writing is mainly  in italics with  further comments from Brenda McKeever  underlined    --additional items have also been added by Keith/Nancy Atkinson, or where there are conflicts in details; this includes details of Michael's military career extracted from the quarterly Regimental Muster Rolls at The National Archives, Kew, England ) Michael’s father was Henry Jeremiah Smith, J.P., Dep Lieut Co Meath, Ireland, born 28 Nov 1783; He married; firstly 28 Dec 1802 Margaret Osbourne  by whom he had 2 sons—Henry Jeremiah and Francis Edward; secondly; Elizabeth Radcliffe of Tinnakilly, Co Wicklow with whom he had 7 sons and 5 daughters. 94 Elizabeth Radcliffe Smith when older Michael Edward Smith was the 3rd son 5th child of Elizabeth Radcliffe & was born on the 10th November 1814 at the house of his great-grandmother Lady Catherine Cox, 13 Molesworth Street,  Dublin; he was baptized round the corner  at St. Anne’s Church, Dawson Street. Lady Cox was also his godmother, his godfather being the Hon. Edward Taylor Massey, his mother’s cousin.  He was called Michael after his great-grandfather the Rev. Sir Michael Cox Bt. Of Dunmanway and Edward after his godfather.The date of his birth is given at November 10th in the entry made by his mother in the family bible; on the monument erected to his memory in Duleek Church the date is given at November 8th, which must be a mistake.  (Unfortunately Duleek church is no longer used as a church and most of the memorials in the church were vandalized, ) 95 Duleek Church 96 Duleek church plaque-- Henry Jeremiah Smith Michael Edward Smith was educated at Dundalk Grammar School, the Headmaster at that time being a Dr. Donaldson.  Later on(about 1833 ?) he was sent, with Richard Jeremiah, his brother, born 1817, to Switzerland, where they read with Dr. Caesar Malan, a well known divine in his day, and afterwards with Merle D’Aubigny, who was engaged in writing his world-famed “History of the Reformation” when they lived with him in Geneva .In common with many other "third sons" who joined either the Army or the Clergy In November 1837 aged 23 Michael Edward obtained (ie purchased) a commission as an Ensign  in the 40th ( incorrect--was 64th) Regiment of Foot--The North Staffordshires or Prince of Wales. And it was the first one signed by young Victoria after she came to the throne. Michael starts at the 64th's UK base or "Depot" in Dundee. 1838 Michael spends 4 months in Dundee before making a 6 day foot march from May 4-9 with the Company from Dundee to Paisley(Near Glasgow) 90 miles with an allowance of 5 shillings a day. He signs the allowance slip for 1 pound 10 shillings! During 1838 he is stationed in Londonderry where in Dec 1838 he is ordered to join the main regiment in Jamaica. 1839 He sets sail in the "Hopewell" on Feb 2nd . Here is the Lloyds Shipping Register extract 97 The "Hopewell" It regularly sailed from Londonderry although other officers seem to have sailed from Cork. It takes 45 days to reach Jamaica. Michael receives a ration allowance of 3 pence per day on the ship--and he disembarks on 18th March 1839. The 64th in Jamaica at that time consisted of 25 officers,32 seargeants,26 corporals,9 drummers, pipers & fifers and 461 privates. He is initially based with a detachment at Stony Hill, just northwest of Kingston. Onshore his ration allowance is 2.5 pence per day. By this time he has a fulltime servant/batman. Michael has 1.5 pence per day stopped from his pay to cover the servant's rations. 98 Michael’s Marching Allowance and stoppages for his batman’s food 99 Harts Army List early 1839 The Regiment, along with others including the 8th(The Kings),56th(West Essex) & 68th(Durham) had been sent to Jamaica in 1837 in case of a violent outburst after the end of slavery August 1st, 1838. In the event it passed peacefully.20 Dec 1839 aged 25 he is  made up to Lieut(commission purchased). 1840 In April he is stationed in Kingston--in June Fort Augusta. Between July and September he is commanding a Company--for which he signs for pounds 280-16-5 3/4 for the mens' Pay and Beer Money for the quarter 100  Harts Army List July 1840 On 23 Oct 1840 Jane Victoria Smith is born to " Lieut Smith of the 64th Regiment" and Eliza Grant; Jane is baptized in St Catherine's Jamaica. Address given was 49 Wellington Street Spanish Town--was Michael billetted there? 101 49 Wellington St  today! Today it’s a hairdressing salon & not the original building! Perhaps Michael had succumbed to yellow fever, convalesced at "Blundells Hall" then being run by Mary Jane Seacole née Grant and met Eliza Grant there?  Is Eliza in fact Louisa Grant, Mary Seacole's sister?  But why St Catherines, not Kingston? The other baptisms on the register are for tailors, bricklayer, cook, butler, labourers, servants, “collector of petty debts” Perhaps Eliza was there just to have her baby ? Or was it their love nest-- in which case he would not have been ignorant of the pregnancy.  But in any case Michael-aged 26- has already sailed off to Halifax, Canada on October 12th 1840--just 2 weeks before his daughter is born. It tales 18 days to reach Halifax where he remains for 2 years. 102  Harts Army List Oct 1841 1841  During this time there were many deserters from the 64th.Did they fancy life in Canada or were they keen to get back to the warmth--but disease--of the Caribbean? The alternative might have been the famine in Ireland. 1842  Aged 28  On 17th August Michael is put in charge of a shipload of invalids returning to Europe.This task done he takes a 6 month leave to 31 March 184 1843  On 31 March he exchanges into the 78th Highlanders (The Seaforths) a regiment he was much attached to and very proud of . Perhaps he did not wish to return to Halifax with the 64th? He does not actually join the 78th till 27th November when he leaves for India initially with a detachment of the 78th in Bombay. 1844 On 9th January he leaves Bombay for "Kurachee" till June. Between July and August he is at Sukker Camp in Scinde Province. "In 1839" (This cannot be correct—the niece’s story conveniently  overlooks the whole Jamaica period!) he took part in the fatal march from Kureelie to Sukher and was one of the few survivors.  Through some blunder the regiment had been ordered to Sukher in the height of the hot weather with the result the seven hundred of the men lost their lives!  My uncle was taken very ill with internal inflammation and left for dead in his tent but he rallied and later on was able to read the Burial Service over many of the victims.He is at River Indus in September & on leave in December 1843  Britain subdues Sindh province under General Chas Jas Napier. There’s a statue of Napier in Trafalgar Square 1845 In April Michael is in Bombay then Camp Poona. 103  Harts Army List 1845 1846 Michael  is on leave 15th Feb to 31st March At Poona Apr-Dec 1847 January to May he is at Belgaum going on local leave May 24th when  he went up on three weeks leave in the Neilgherry Hills.  On the Sunday after his arrival he saw a lady in church whom he admired immensely and he often told me that he made up his mind there and then to win her for his wife if possible. A night or two afterwards a ball was given by a regiment stationed at Octacamund and my uncle was invited.  There he was introduced to the girl he had seen on the previous Sunday.  She was Miss Jane Grace Syme 4.62  (daughter of William Ireland Syme of Ryedale, Kirkudbrightshire (Mr. Syme's father, John Syme, was the friend and executor of Robert Burns) and his wife Lilian daughter of Revd. Charles Maitland Babington) who was on a visit to her sister, the wife of Major Phillott an officer in the regiment which was giving the ball.  After a few days acquaintance my Uncle had proposed and been accepted.  They were married on 8th Sept 1847 before his leave of three weeks had expired and his wife returned with him to the regiment. 104 Allen’s Indian Mail Marriage announcement On part of the return journey, when the bride was being carried by a ‘dhoolie’ by native bearers the latter took fright at something, and leaving their burden down, fled into the Jungle, and it was only after great delay and inconvenience that the party could proceed. 105  Young Jane Grace Syme….. 106  “ young” Michael…I think he got the better deal--dont you! Nov 1-21st 1845 he is Absent Without Leave!(AWOL)  Uncle Michael brought his wife home to Annesbrook, where she remained for some time, whilst he completed his time in India. See appendix for an extract of Leo Coopers History of the 64th Regiment-Jamaica to India 107 Annesbrook 1848 He's at Belgaum --takes 2 short leaves in April & May 1849/50/51 He is on home leave Jan 2nd to 31st March 1851. In Apr 51 he's in Aden. 1852 From March 26th he's on leave until December when he is made up to Captain "Unattached"  1853 In July he's appointed Staff Officer Pensioners Paisley 1854 On July 7th he exchanges into the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) at their Depot in Galway. He is based with a detachment at Castlereagh just north of Galway.The main 40th Regiment is in Melbourne Australia where they are escorting the gold being mined just outside Melbourne--during their 5 years posting the escort pounds 53,529.368 of gold! There's been a 19 month service period on half pay--in between regiments? 108 HART's Army List 1855-- With the 40th 1 July 1858 aged 44   Apptd staff officer Pensioners in Cambridge(unattached) 1 Dec 1864 aged 50       Ditto Paisley as a Major(unattached) "He retired as Major in 1864" But per the Army Lists he did not retire until 19 June 1872  aged 58. 109 Staff Officers of Pensioners  Paisley,Scotland 110  Army List of Majors 1873 On the same list of Majors is his younger brother Frederick Augustus Smith VC! 111 112 113 FA Smith VC The VC which he earned in New Zealand  is now in Lord Ashcroft's collection on display at the Imperial War Museum London and is shown here with his other medals by kind permission of Lord Ashcroft 114 115 Frederick Augustus Smith’s War Medals Victoria Cross Crimea War Medal 1854-1856 New Zealand Medal 1845-1866 Turkish Crimea Medal Per the 1871 Scottish census Major Michael Edward Smith( aged 56 born Co Meath Ireland) and wife Jane(42) had lodgings at 26 Granville Street, Glasgow Barony, Lanarkshire. Perhaps they just retained these lodgings  while he spent his last few Army years as Staff Officer Pensioners? For some years he lived near Kingstown, (now Dun Laoghaire, Dublin) easy ferry to Glasgow  where my aunt Mrs. Faulkner (probably his sister Matilda Cox Smith married 14 Sept 1865  to Francis MacNamara Faulkner. ) was also living at the same time but after his mother’s death (ie Elizabeth Radcliffe)  he went over to live in England.  (His mother, Elizabeth Radcliffe, daughter of Lt. Colonel William Radcliffe of Tinakilly, Co. Wicklow and of his wife Catherine only daughter of the Rev. Sir Michael Cox, Bt. Of Dunmanway, Co. Cork and his wife Elizabeth daughter of Hugh, 1st Lord Massy and sister of Lord Clarin.) (Elizabeth  was  born 1790 approx  died March 5th 1872) In 1875  Mrs. Smith wrote a novel “Tit for Tat” & in 1876 a three volume novel(900 pages!) entitled “It Might Have Been” into which she brought many members of the Smith Family, and their immediate friends and neighbours, which caused a great flutter in the County at the time and the book was in great demand. Michael’s name appears as co-author! Keith & Nancy have a copy on disk Later Mrs. Smith wrote several other novels “The Pity of It”(1884 ),“, “Love and Liking”(1887)etc.  (Publication years as per the British Library which holds all these books)  After they had monetary losses she took up Journalism and was for many years a well-known figure in the literary world in London and had her office in the Strand.  She wrote for the London Globe, The Newcastle Chronicle, Liverpool Daily Post, Leeds Express, Manchester Guardian, Weekly Scotsman, Cheltenham Examiner, Calcutta Statesman and many other well known papers in all parts of the world.  She was one of those who started “The Salon” a literary and Artistic Society whose members held monthly receptions at the Royal Institute of Painters in Piccadilly, or similar art galleries and under whose auspices many, who have since become famous, made their first appearance.  At one time most of the best known people in literary and artistic circles were to be seen at these gatherings, amongst them Sir Frederick Leighton, Marie Corelli, Sir James Crichton Browne, Mrs. Craig, (author off John Halifax, Gentleman) Mrs. Alexander (author of The Wooing O’t, etc.)  Mrs. L. B. Walford, Madame Melba, “The Decca” Mrs. Lynn Linton. 116 117 118 Jane Grace Smith In later years as the original members of the Committee dropped off, from one cause of another, the Society went down considerably and finally came to an end.  I enjoyed the privilege of being a member in the old days when I was an Art Student and look back with great pleasure to these gatherings and the many friends made there. At that time my aunt used to have invitations for all the “Private Views” “First Nights” etc and used to constantly take me with her. ‘Academy Sunday’ I always looked forward to particularly when I accompanied my aunt to the various studios, Sir Frederick Goodall’s, Solomon Soloman’s, Charles Sainton’s etc. We cannot find Michael in the 1881 England Census(back in Ireland?) but Jane G Smith(52) is visiting her sister Leleas Phillotts (53 widow of Major Phillotts) and her (unmarried? mother) daughter Margaret(30 born East Indies) and her child Lucy Phillotts(6) at 43 Sutherland Gardens, Maida Vale,Paddington. In the 1891 census Michael (76 retired Army Major, born Dublin) and Jane(62 journalist author)  are living at 8 Oxford Gardens, Ladbroke Grove, North Kensington with 2 live-in domestic staff, sisters Amy, a 21 yr old cook from Scotland and Annie a 16 yr old housemaid 119 Oxford Gardens Ladbroke Grove, London today 120 121  Michael Edward Smith of Annesbrook After Uncle Michael inherited Annesbrook in 1892 and the properties of his brothers, Stephen, St George and Frederick Augustus V.C., He returned to Ireland, taking a house on Ailesbury Road (35) near Dublin (it is Dublin now! Many embassies are on this road) See the 1901 Irish Census showing Michael & Jane plus their 4 house servants—all Church of Ireland—no Catholics! 122 IRISH CENSUS 1901 123 Here's a house for sale now on Ailesbury Road (14) for euros 6 million! 124 125   Number 35 Ailesbury Rd today--run down &unoccupied Aunt Fanny .(Francesca Helen Mary Bouchier Savile!)– Uncle Stephen’s widow, still continuing to reside at Annesbrook.In Nov 1901 Michael auctioned 230 acres of Annesbrook land. Was to to raise cash or to avoid it beig grabbed? 126 127 128 Annesbrook Uncle Michael died May 19th 1903 at the advanced age of 88 and was buried at Duleek in the family vault.  There is a monument erected in the church to his memory. He had been keenly interested in genealogy and spent a great deal of time, when in London, in the Reading Room of the British Museum looking up old records etc.In fact it was owing to him that I first took up research work. He was a great favourite with all of us and his companionship in the latter years of my Father’s life was a source of the greatest pleasure to both.  They used to take long walks together, returning to our house for dinner – we were living at Putney at this time – after which they would have great talks about the old days of their boyhood at Annesbrook and Geneva.  My father pre-deceased him by eleven years and it was not until after my father’s death that Uncle Michael went over to live in Ireland. After Michael’s death the properties of the four brothers went to their nephew Fitz Henry Augustus Smith, the eldest son of the next brother, William Thomas, who had predeceased his brothers. (March 15th 1884) And the final note on Michael Edward:  My grandfather (Henry Jeremiah Smith b 28th November 1783 d 15th February 1857), had bought Annesbrook sometime in the early 1800s) (1803 from Mr Hamilton) was very handsome as a young man with aquiline nose, clear blue eyes, and beautifully shaped mouth – perhaps a little wanting in firmness.  He was tall and distinguished looking with a great charm of manner.  His nine sons took after him, in being very tall and good-looking, the smallest of them – Major Michael Edward Smith – having been five feet nine inches in height. Jane Victoria Smith was 6ft tall apparently! No trace of Michael Edward Smith's Will survives but the 1903 Calendar of Wills and Administrations has an abstract;  “Effects of £7615 7s 2d with probate granted to Jane G Smith the Widow” We cannot therefore tell whether there was a legacy to Jane Victoria or Ernest George Ffrench,--but  see below.  Aunt Jane returned to England after her husband’s death and lived at 15 Greville Place, Maida Vale, where I stayed with her shortly before her death. 129 15 Greville Place, Maida Vale, London today   She died very suddenly in the street, quite close to her home, from heart failure, on the way back from visiting some very old friends on March 17th 1913; she was in her 84th year.  Up to the very end she continued some of her journalistic work and was keenly interested in all that was going on at the moment. 130  Jane Grace a few days before her death. Uncle Michael and Aunt Jane had no family. (I have been curious about that phrase since you started contacting me, it could suggest that she might have known more about Uncle Michael! Brenda ) And a final note on Michael Edward’s illegitimate daughter Jane Victoria Smith of Kingston, Jamaica and her own illegitimate son, then Major, Ernest George Ffrench. Jane Grace Smith left her estate of £2500 to her nephews and nieces. So she had gone through £5000 of Michaels estate of £7600 between 1903 & 1913, a large sum of money then—could Michael have left, or could she possibly have given, some to Michael’s daughter Jane Victoria Smith and her son Ernest George Ffrench? There is a ship leaving Jamaica for Bristol in July 1903 with Ernest Ffrench and "Miss Smith" on board. ie just after Michael Edward's death in May 1903. Ernest had only just arrived in Jamaica in April 1903 from the Boer War so what made him travel back so quickly? And why did the Army allow it? Was it the death of his grandfather? So perhaps Michael had been in touch with his daughter all these years?  ……One further clue. In my father Geoffrey Ffrench's notes about Annesbrook, written around 1978, he refers to a photo of the Victoria Cross won by Frederick Augustus Smith as "hanging in our home"--presumably 66 Harley Street. He goes on  "must have been taken by EGF when he visited, about 1902?"  Was it in fact taken when Ernest & Jane visited from Jamaica after Michael's death? And did Jane Grace Syme give him or her a bequest from Michael's estate? How else would a Medical Officer in the RAMC afford to buy a Harley Street lease a few years later? 131 Michael’s £7615 estate; compare with much smaller sums for the other Wills listed! Presumably the Real Estate was “entailed” & excluded from the Probate Value? (My late father, ie the son of Ernest, Dr Geoffrey Ffrench  d 1980 had always understood (perhaps deliberately misled by his father?) that Jane's ancestors were the Smith family living at Annesbrook, Co Meath,--tho presumably he was not told she was illegitimate!-- so the appearance of Michael Edward Smith, 5th child, 3rd son of Henry Jeremiah Smith JP Deputy Lieut Co. Meath etc and Elizabeth Radcliffe clearly confirms this. Another of Ernest's grandsons Robin Davis had understood Jane was Scottish, which might confirm that  Michael, though Anglo-Irish, lived a long time in Paisley, Scotland,or alternatively might  imply a connection with Mary Seacole’s Scottish father "James?" Grant--see below.    Chapter 9 Eliza (&/or Louisa) Grant.4.61 We think Eliza may be a cousin or sister of Mary(Jane or Ann) Seacole (Nee Grant) 4.7-- or in  even be Louisa Maria Grant, Mary Seacole's younger sister. Mary Seacole was known as  “The Black Florence Nightingale” for her nursing mission in the Crimean War. Her fame continues to spread and she is now called “The Greatest Black Briton”. But mystery surrounds her parentage and upbringing. 132 Speculation about Mary Seacole’s origins 133 Is this the Seacole family Tree ?   Mary & Louisa Grant's presumed  father was Scottish "James?" Grant 3.8 ; There are a number of Officers named Grant with British Army Regiments stationed in Jamaica in the early 1800's as well as Grants in the local Militia. We have succeeded in excluding a few of them;  a) James Grant of the 60th Regiment of Foot the “Royal Americans”  (suggested by biographer Jane Robinson)-- as the Battalion he served in (2nd)  never visited Jamaica. He died in Scotland 1815 134 James Grant death  b) James Colquhoun Grant-- as his (quadroon) daughter Mary married in Scotland c) James Grant of the 20th Dragoons—as he died in 1811 before it is thought Mary’s younger sister was conceived. There are several possible baptism records for Mary—this one looks a possibility 135 Mary’s baptism? (Its mARY ANN NOT MARY JANE...) The mother of Mary( &  sister Louisa)  kept a lodging-house/convalescent home called Blundell Hall at 8 East Street, Kingston, where they were brought up. 136 Map of Kingston 1745 showing East St & water Lane 137 138 Kingston just before the 1843 fire 139 140 King St & Church Street c1844 –by a.duperly We have not yet found pictures of Blundells but an adjacent rival establishment at 10 East Street was Date Tree Hall—where the Library of Jamaica is now, 141  Date Tree Hall in 1904 Before Eliza's child Jane Victoria Smith was born in Oct 1840, Mary Grant Seacole had been married (on 10 Oct 1836, aged 31) and had gone with her husband Edwin Horatio Hamilton Seacole to BlackRiver,Southwest Jamaica, where they were running a general store. When Edwin became sick, Mary returned in the early 1840s to Blundell Hall,helping run it with her mother & sister Louisa. In 1843  Blundell Hall was badly damaged by fire, Edwin died in Oct 1844, and about the same time their mother  died as well. Mary & Louisa took over. By 1844 Mary Seacole(39) and Louisa Grant(29) had rebuilt Blundells at 8 East Street & they continued to run it until summer 1851 when Mary (then 46) went off on her travels returning  in 1853, when a major Yellow Fever outbreak occurred in the Army garrison. Mary was requested by the Army to help set up a hospital at the Up Park Camp Army Barracks leaving Louisa(38) in charge of Blundells. In 1854 Mary went off on her "Wonderful Adventures"  to the Crimean War and Louisa continued to run Blundells. In 1858 Anthony Trollope stayed at "Blundles" and met "one(sic) of Mary Seacole's sisters";  NOTE “SISTERS” PLURAL 142   “Blundles” An Old Type By Anthony Trollope on his 1860’s visit 143 “The Inns of Jamaica”  by Godfrey Turner “ Blundle Hall” 144  145 Extracts from “Letters from Jamaica; - Land of Streams & Woods” 1873 RE BlundlEs "Louisa boasted of Mary's celebrity" to him (Jane Robinson's life of Mary Seacole  ) In 1866 Louisa M Grant signed one of the many thank-you letters to the infamous Governor Eyre.   In 1867, Louisa(52) placed the following notice in the Gleaner; 146  Blundell Hall Gleaner advert signed by Louisa Grant  The 1875 Kingston Almanac frustratingly  lists just "Miss Grant" as proprietor of Blundells but we know its Louisa at that time from the advert. In 1877 Louisa aged 63 moves the lodging house business across the road to New Blundell Hall 7 East Street 147 148  “New Blundell Hall” Perhaps because of financial difficulties--it seems by then she was not the owner of “Old” Blundell Hall. 149 150  Mary Seacole    Mary died in 1881 151 plaque commemorating Blundell Hall East Street 152 153  On Mary Seacole’s grave  North London... 154 Mary’s probate notice 155 156  Mary Seacole’s neighbourhood in downtown Kingston, Jamaica She left to her half-brother Edward Ambleton's son (also named Edward Ambleton, a house at 111 Duke St.(known as Seacole Cottage), Kingston for life, then to his heirs and if none to Louisa Grant  and her heirs. Was this just a legal phrase or did Louisa have children? As Louisa was 66 by then, to have had heirs, surely she must have had at least one child by the time Mary wrote her will? So was this Jane Victoria Smith? If not who were Louisa's heirs? No "Eliza Grant" was mentioned. Will in Appendix 10 The Handbook of Jamaica was published from 1881 onwards, replacing the Almanacs; in 1882 it started listing Lodging Houses, their proprietors and rates charged. There was a major fire in Dec 1882 in downtown Kingston and 7 East Street is not listed in that edition; in the 1883 edition the Proprietor of 7 East Street is Miss "Eliza" Grant--not Louisa.  7 East Street  is listed  from 1883 to 1892 as owned by Miss "Eliza" Grant. From 1893 to 1907, when an Earthquake destroyed downtown Kingston, 7 East Street is shown as owned by "Miss Jane Smith". From 1907 onwards 7 East St disappears as a lodging house address but seems to have continued as "Jane Smith's depot" for a wholesale dairy/grocery etc food  business probably till Jane's death in 1927. So was Eliza actually Louisa? Perhaps Eliza was her baptised name but she preferred to be called Louisa---officialdom using her baptised name for the Handbooks? Or were the Handbooks simply incorrect?  If Eliza was Louisa she would have been about 25 when she had Jane Victoria Smith. Could Eliza be a sister of Mary & Louisa? Or even a daughter of Mary (Seacole)--the elusive Sarah in her autobiography?(But surely then she would have been mentioned in Mary's Will?) Or was she a cousin of Mary & Louisa? The offspring of another "James" Grant liaison?   In Jane Robinson's biography, she writes re 1853 when Mary was off on her travels " It was no less than her sisterly duty to arrange for one of her cousins to help Louisa with the management of New Blundell Hall" and "Things quietened down considerably for Louisa and her cousin...." Was this cousin Eliza? As Paulette Kerr wrote in her chapter "Women Lodging House keepers of Jamaica" in "Engendering History"   "If a business was profitable it made sense to prepare a daughter or sister, or some other close relative to take it over". In 1886 there are advts in the Gleaner by the Victoria Mutual Building Society for the sale of properties over which the bank had a charge(presumably for non-payment); one is 54 East Street, just up the road from "Eliza's" New Blundell's but stated to be owned by Louisa M Grant. Was she in financial trouble? Had she sold out 7 East Street to a Grant cousin ie Eliza? 157 Louisa Grant 1895 “Disorderly Conduct” ? Louisa Maria Grant’s Will--she died "a spinster" in 1905-- might shed some light but we have not yet found one. 158  Louisa Grant’s death certificate 159  Seacole Cottage at 111 Duke Street in 2010-- its for sale...US$30,000! We have yet to find any death record at all for an “Eliza” Grant despite exhaustive search from 1889 to 1930—did she therefore exist at all—or was she in fact “Louisa”?. In any case it seems likely that my grandfather Ernest grew up, at 7 East Street, in a semi-medical atmosphere. 160 Present day waterfront Kingston jamaica   Chapter 10 Jane Victoria Smith herself 5.71 Jane’s illegitimate son Ernest George Ffrench was described at his baptism as "colored". Mary Seacole & Louisa Grant  were quadroons.So Jane Victoria Smith was probably coloured--an "octroon".If Arthur George Ffrench is a son of Robert 3.3 and Letitia Ffrench  3.31 "free persons of colour" Arthur may have been coloured as well.Jane was born in 1840. The earliest Gleaner reference we have found for Jane is an advert in 1881, She was 41,Ernest would be 5. She is selling milk from German House, 64 Harbour Street,Kingston, ie just down the road from 7 East Street. 161 Baptism jane Victoria smith 162 Jane’s Gleaner advert for sale of milk 163 Geography of Kingston 1890 Kingston was very concentrated around the Harbour. 64 Harbour Street is still a fine building & still in use as a Food Company's facility 164 64 Harbour Street, Kingston today Subsequent Gleaner adverts in 1883 and later show her selling ice, cheese & milk at 7 East Street, Kingston. Gleaner News items referred to people staying at   "Miss Jane Smith's" place.  Writing( much later) about the 1904 period local lawyer,historian  and raconteur Ansell Hart wrote; “Cost of lodging also varied in Kingston and throughout the country. Mrs. Hannan, wife of red-headed and bearded politician Hannan at Marble Hall, Rae Town and Miss Jane Smith at the corner of East Street and Water Lane, Kingston, charged 2/- or 2/6 for bed, 2/- for breakfast, 1/6 for lunch and three or four shillings for dinner. The Hannans produced brainy progeny of the scholastic type, Miss Jane left a son, who became Colonel French of the West India Regiment (R.A.M.C.), and later a Harley Street physician. In Jamaica, he had been educated at Morrison’s Collegiate. He was a genial man of fine physique. While stationed at Up Park Camp in Jamaica, he might often be seen of an afternoon on his Mother’s Water Lane verandah in affectionate companionship with her. An officious brother Officer, smelling a scandal sounding in "conduct unbecoming in an Officer," had the records of applications for appointment as an officer in the Army searched, but found only "answers (to awkward questions) waived by Orders of Lord Roberts….           (General Lord Roberts was i/c Boer War 1900-1902 in which grandfather Ernest was a civil surgeon . Presumably Lord Roberts knew, but the officer did not, that Jane was actually Ernest's mother.) Question;  why are these remarks in parentheses? It’s as if they are quotes from somewhere--where?  Where is Ernest’s army application held? 165 Lord Roberts of Kabul & Kandahar-- by John Singer Sargent, 1906 Jane Victoria Smith-my great grandmother-- was clearly a hard working businesswoman. A letter to the Gleaner dated 4 May 1920 from a Newark dairy farmer refers to him having sold during 1914," 16000lbs of butter to Miss Jane Smith." According to my father who aged 8 visited her with his father in 1925 “She lived in a marvellous old house on the corner of Harbour St and ?King Street (an error it was East street) in Kingston; it was orange coloured, square and you entered through a high, arched double-doorway into a courtyard. Outside on the pavement at the corner was an ancient cannon, but this one was stuck nose down into the ground with about 3 feet of it showing….it was said to have come there…during the 1907 earthquake. Inside the courtyard was a cobbled yard with clackers and other assorted wheeled carts and all around the courtyard was a wooden balcony on the first floor.”   166 167   Harbour & King before & after the 1907 earthquake-- from Rebecca Tortello's Pieces of the Past   168 Map of Kingston showing the extent of 1907 fire damage-just missing east st The last definite Gleaner reference we have found for Jane before her death is 17 Sep 1919 “Fresh Newark butter from Miss Jane Smith’s depot corner of East Street and Water lane” According to Jamaica’s National Land Agency Jane Victoria Smith sold the 7 East Street property to her son Lt Col Ernest G Ffrench in 1921 for £400. Perhaps she needed the money—but where did he get it from?  Not the Army! In 1914 Ernest & his wife visited Kingston-to introduce Adele to Jane Victoria? 169 Miss Smith’s depot A Harbour St property transaction dated 24 July 1924 describes the land as “butting north on land in the possession of Jane Smith ”. This could be her property at 68 Water Lane. Ernest had bought 7 East St from her. Ernest George Ffrench's  last visit to Kingston was Oct 1925 with Adele, their daughter Violette & my 8 year-old father Geoffrey 7.2-----Liverpool-New York-Jamaica and back; 170 171 172 ernest George Ffrench & family’s last trip to Jamaica Jane Victoria Smith died 12th May 1927 ; her Gleaner notice said:- 173 jane'S DEAth notice  “She was also very kind to the poor” Her Will, which we found in an emotional visit to RGD Archives in  Spanish Town, left 68 Water Lane to Mrs Julia Whannel  for her life and then together with all her other real and personal estate to her son "Lt Col E.G Ffrench R.A.M.C. London" Clearly though they had only met twice in 20 years they were very much in touch. Sadly no letters however have been found. 174 Jane’s Last Will & Testament She left everything to son Ernest. He sold 7 East Street in 1929 to Linnell Keith Brandon for £1900 “for the land”. “ It is on record that Mr Ffrench’s percentage profit after less than 6 years(?-s/b 8) of ownership was one of the highest in the country” per the Land Agency. Chapter 11      Ernest George Ffrench 6.2, his wife Adele Carvalho and his life Ernest was baptized by  175  Rev Charles F Douet  of St Catherine’s on 20 Dec 1876 Ernest’s baptism record describes him as illegitimate &  coloured. Probably because either or both his parents(Arthur & Jane) were "coloured". 176 Ernest’s baptism record We know little of Ernest's early life. We are not aware of any contact between him and Arthur his father(my father actually wrote that he had understood Arthur had died around the time Ernest was born) and we must assume his single-mother Jane Victoria Smith brought him up.According to Edinburgh University he spent 5 years(from age 11 therefore) at Kingston Collegiate School (also known as Morrison’s Collegiate). He is on an 1892 Gleaner Collegiate School prize list aged 15; 177  Kingston Collegiate School Prize List Special prize for scripture 178 East Street and Harbour Street —c 1890; Ernest  must have been a bright pupil as he appears to have travelled at 15+  to Bishops College in Canada to take a course(between Sept92 and Aug 93?) or preliminary entrance examinations to Edinburgh University which he entered as a medical student aged just 16 in (Sept?) 1893.This was perhaps his only journey outside Jamaica up to then. Edinburgh University wrote "His subjects were many including Botany, Natural History, Physics,Chemistry,Anatomy,Pathology, surgery, Midwifery,Diseases of children etc". We wonder if growing up in Blundells, East Street, a lodging house with the medical atmosphere left by Jamaica's Florence Nightingale, Mary Seacole, had influenced his choice of a medical career.Certainly neither Arthur nor Jane appear to have been medically inclined. Who paid for his Edinburgh University education?  Jane? The extended Ffrench family in Jamaica?  Or did Jane's father Major Michael Edward Smith keep in touch with his only daughter and her son and contribute?  Ernest  graduated M.B.,Ch.B,Edin Univ in 1898. The Gleaner wrote; 179 Educational—cutting from Gleaner He then won (from 20 candidates)  a 6 month house physician post at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh@ a salary of pnds180 pa under distinguished doctor Francis Caird and then a further 6 months at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Brighton where he wrote his thesis on scoliosis in Apr 1900.He then volunteered in May 1900 as a civil surgeon for the Boer War. He was attached to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment(1st Battalion, West Riding) where he saw action in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony 7 the Transvaal including the 29 Nov 1900 Battle of Rhenester Kop where " he saw men mowed down in long waves" & earned the Queen’s & the King’s South African medals + 5 clasps. One of his obituaries says he had been made a life member of the mess!        He does seem to have been a popular young man. He was commissioned 28 May 1901 and joined the British Army’s Medical Service(RAMC).The Boer War ended in May 1902 and Ernest was then stationed at the Army Training Centre, Aldershot. On 6 Apr 1903 he was returned to Jamaica, stationed at Up Park Camp garrison, Kingston, first as a Captain then Lieutenant. In May 1903 Michael Edward Smith, Ernest's grandfather died in Ireland. An Ernest Ffrenc(sic) and a Miss Smith are on the ship Port Antonio from Kingston, arriving Bristol 8 July 1903. 180  Ernest Ffrench & “Miss Smith” sail to Bristol So did Ernest take his mother to England--or even more intriguingly Ireland-- to find out whether Michael had left them anything? My father Geoffrey noted a visit by Ernest to Annesbrook in “1902 or 3” 181 Up Park Camp, Kingston  Back soon at Up-Park Camp in Jamaica, he  helped deal with a yellow fever outbreak there affecting over 100 officers and men and successfully treated "all but one officer, who insisted on playing tennis while the fever was still active". His grandson, my brother Jonathan Ffrench, has the tankard he won when on the Garrison’s polo team in 1904! He gave medical evidence in a court martial (8 Nov 1904) and he party'd! He was then 27, good-looking, an Officer and a Doctor--every mother's dream companion for her daughter--except that he was illegitimate, "coloured" and penniless! There are various references to him in the Gleaner at this time including his attendance at balls in particular one fancy dress ball dressed as a Toreador, & singing and playing the piano at musical concerts at the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club and the Theatre Royal! "Young Ffrench plays the piano well, has a good voice and sings with taste and ease. I am proud of him as a Jamaican" Letter to the Gleaner 182  Portrait of Lieut Ernest G Ffrench RAMC 183 EGF’s medical progress per the Gleaner On 15th Sep 1904 he visited the USA for the 1st time, sailing from Jamaica to New York on SS Sarnia(with $200 in cash) and staying at the Imperial Hotel. 184 Ernest sails from Kingston to New York  At that time he met widowed David Nunes Carvalho 5.8(through a Jamaican Carvalho contact?), and his eldest daughter Adele Miriam 6.21, who was looking after David after his wife/her mother Annie Carvalho (Nee Abrams)5.81  had died.   (There is no sign of Ernest's return to the UK when his father Arthur George Ffrench died in Clapham in 1905--if indeed Ernest even knew of Arthur’s  existence). Ernest's Army record states he was in Jamaica from 1903--1906 and on 8 Sept 1906 the Gleaner reports him being appointed Adjutant at the RAMC training at the Camp, Brighton, England. Ernest married Adele Miriam Carvalho on 9 Dec 1907 at St Michael's Church in Manhattan, NYC, NY .   185 186 187  Ernest & Adele’s marriage certificate & announcement 188 Portrait of young Adele None of the Carvalho family came to the wedding and Adele’s  father David never spoke to Adele again--although he lived a further 18 years.Other of his offspring married in churches so was his disapproval because he had discovered Ernest’s humble Jamaican origins? Ernest  avoided the 1907 Kingston earthquake which seems to have ended Jane Victoria Smith’s career as a Lodging House Keeper at 7 East Street-- but not her dairy and other businesses there. From 1907 to 1908 Ernest held the post of surgeon for the Royal Engineers,at their Chatham, Kent HQ. He was then appointed surgical specialist for Scottish Command based at the Edinburgh Garrison. On 22nd July 1909 he was elected Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, proposed by Francis Mitchell Caird (his old mentor & later President of the College),seconded by William Leslie Bennett. rather intriguingly he put his "Country address" as Co.Wexford Ireland!     Why? 189  Membership of Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh He was then posted to India(with Adele) between 1910-1913 where he was i/c of the special VD Hospitals in Poonamallu, Madras and Ahmednagar, the Deccan. He said he found the life "dull and monotonous", "playing tennis & bridge" and he accumulated his annual leaves until he had 8 months due to him. Adele wished to see her family in the US and so in 1913 they travelled to NYC.While there he became acquainted with specialists in mental and spinal disorders at the Rockefeller Institute and also visited John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore where he observed, and spent 4 months of his leave researching, new developments in this field.He also did post-graduate work in the genito-urinary field and in dermatology while in NYC After New York, in Apr 1914 ,and now a Major,  he sailed to Kingston with Adele to see his mother Jane—still living at 7 East Street. On 5 May 1914 he returned via New York on the SS Trent. 190  Ernest & Adele  USA Immigration record He is described on the US immigration schedule as "37, 6 foot,and  Adele as 32, 5’6”, both fair, blue eyes, brown hair, last in New York 1911(?), last permanent address “Jamaica”.Next of kin "J V Smith, 7 East St, Kingston. They sailed back on the Mauretania to Liverpool arriving 1 June 1914 “en route back to India”.But he was then put in command of the Military Hospital, Rochester Row, Westminster which treated the Brigade of Guards. His duties included training junior RAMC officers for active service in WW1. His daughter Violet 7.1 was born at 44 Ashley Gardens, a mansion block just 100 yards from Westminster (RC) Cathedral in Westminster on 22 June 1916--Ernest was 40, Adele 35. In 1916 at a time of general Irish unrest, he was posted to Irish Command, Dublin where he was in charge of enlarging a special military hospital. They had son Geoffrey Ernest Ffrench 7.2, my father, on 25th Nov 1917. Coincidentally (or not?) , while living in Dublin, Ernest and Adele were at Ailesbury Park, a block away from 35 Ailesbury Road where Michael Edward Smith & Jane Grace had lived In 1917,while WW1 still raged, he acquired for £660 a 35 year lease on 66 Harley Street in London together with its stables at 32 Weymouth Mews; 191 192 66 Harley Street & 32 Weymouth Mews Where did the money come from? Michael Edward’s Will?  Between 1917 and the end of 1919, as Lt Colonel he was commanding 51 and 56 Field Hospitals at Etaples, France also Vimy Ridge, Bethune & Arras "He directed the work of patching up maimed and wounded soldiers" &  was twice mentioned in despatches. He retired from the RAMC in July 1920 with the British War medal and Victory medal. He became a M.R.C.P London and went into private practice,  In April 1923 the Gleaner wrote; 193 Gleaner  re Col Ffrench “distinguished son of Jamaica” 194  Portrait Ernest George Ffrench  post WW1 He co-authored a medical book which drew heavily on his military medical experiences; 195  Syphilis & Venereal Diseases On 29th June1925 David Carvalho died.  Ernest, Adele, Violet & Geoffrey sailed from Liverpool to New York Ellis Island records show him as leaving Liverpool, England 20th July 1925 on the ship “Caronia” and arriving in New York on 2 Aug 1925. He was described as aged 48, a surgeon, of British nationality, sailing with Adele Miriam his wife, age 48(s/b 43), an American, & with daughter Violette, age 8 and son(my father) Geoffrey Ernest, age 7. The family paid a short visit from New York to Jamaica in Sept/Oct to see Jane Victoria before returning on SS Carillo Oct 10th to New York. Many years later my father Geoffrey wrote of meeting his grandmother Jane when he was aged "8"—he headed it “Just a slip of a Girl!”; “She was still an upright, tall old lady, still over 6 feet its said, and certainly to a small boy of 8 she had a presence. I remember the first time I entered being rather terrified, one at having to meet my ancient granny and two, on looking up at the balcony to see three or four enormous negresses, leaning over and grinning, with delight or what I wasn’t able to say. My greeting from my grandmother has oddly left no impression, overwhelmed no doubt by the warmth and affection immediately lavished on my sister, a year older, and myself from the moment the old dears upstairs got hold of us”. This was Ernest’s last visit to his mother Jane who died in Kingston in 1927. In 1928 he extended to 999 years  the lease of 66 Harley Street and 32 Weymouth Mews at a cost of £3250.Ground Rent £110 p.a. Where did he get the money? The profit on the sale of 7 East St? If kept they would now be worth £5-6 million! Ernest's daughter Violet was presented at Court--ie she was a "debutante" and son Geoffrey went to one of England's top private schools, Harrow, then Cambridge. How proud Jane their grandmother from downtown Kingston, Jamaica would have been! In 1933 when presumably Jane's friend Julia Whannel died, Ernest obtained probate of her Jamaica Will and presumably disposed of the Water Lane premises. In Dec 1934 Ernest, Adele and Violet returned to New York for 3 months when he was appointed Associate Professor New York Polyclinic and Postgraduate School. The family stayed with Adele's sister Maie Sturhahn in Hartford, Connecticut and during that time Ernest gave an interview to the Hartford Courant-- [10] --about his life--Appendix 1 and copy attached. He made no reference to his humble birth and upbringing in Jamaica--somewhat surprisingly but these were different the times. Despite being recorded at birth as coloured, his photos show him as quite pale and European featured & none of his 30+ descendants to date over 4 generations show any African features or colour—although, one or two are quite olive skinned, which previously we had put down to Adele’s Jewish genes. 196  Studio photo of Ernest G Ffrench Ernest continued to practice at 66 Harley St, London till he died of a coronary thrombosis in 1937 at 61 at his house Shernover, Broad Oak, Brenchley, Kent, England. Here he is with Adele 197 Ernest and Adele 198 Death of Col Ffrench per Gleaner His estate was valued at pnds20,000 less debts(mortgage on Harley Street?) of pnds 10,000. Adele apparently had difficulty in disposing of the Harley St lease in 1937 and claimed “ financial difficulties” Although Ernest had carefully constructed his will to limit Adele’s access to the capital, setting up a trust fund, nothing was left when she died 20 years later. 199  Ernest’s Estate per Gleaner Chapter 12   Ernest's in-laws the Carvalho's, a Jewish-American family The Carvalhos deserve a book of their own--Indeed several have been written. The most illustrious of all the family  was nineteenth century  Solomon II Nunes Carvalho 4.8. He was an early photographer in the mid 1850's and the story of his epic journey on horseback across the United States with Colonel  Fremont's expedition has been written about many times--particularly by his grand-daughter, my late cousin  Joan Sturhahn. 200 Joan Sturhahn photo There is also a proposal for a TV documentary "Carvalho's Journey"  See  http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/pdf/Fiscal%20Sponsorship/Carvalho_proposal.pdf A few family photos and portraits are included here to give a flavour of the exotic family into which Ernest married-despite the disapproval of his wife Adele's father. The appendix includes the Carvalho timelines but the earliest we have identified so far is Isaac Nunes Carvalho in London about 1690.Clearly as Spanish-Portuguese Sephardic Jews the Carvalho’s must have been refugees from the Inquisition—around 1490-1550. The Carvalho’s stayed in London until David Nunes Carvalho emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina in 1811 to join his older brother Emanuel, a Hazan there. David then saw service in the Volunteer militia defending the city against the British—the ingrate! This is how the Carvalho family fits in;  201  Adele Carvalho’s family tree SolomonII Nunes Carvalho4.8's father was 202  David I  Nunes Carvalho 3.9; 205  Solomon as a young man in the fashionable silhouette style of the time 204  A self-portrait by Solomon 205  Here's a painting he made of his wife Sarah Miriam Solis Description: Sarah Solis Carvalho (Painting). Solomon Nunes Carvalho, artist, daguerreotypist and portrait painter, was a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He later resided variously in Barbados, Philadelphia, Baltimore and finally New York. Carvalho helped establish a Sephardic congregation, Beit Israel, in Baltimore. This is a portrait of his wife Sarah Miriam Solis (1824-1894). The pair were married in 1845 by the groom's friend, Reverend Isaac Leeser (1806-1868), hazzan of Congregation K.K. Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. Sarah Carvalho was founder and President of the Baltimore Hebrew Sunday School Association. Carvalho's sources for the composition (the rich drapery swag to the sitter's left, and the non-specific view through the window to her right) and tonality of this portrait lie ultimately in eighteenth century European painting, filtered through such American painters as Gilbert Stuart and Thomas Sully, with a touch of Victorian sentimentality. It is interesting to note that Carvalho's experience with photographic portraits did not influence this portrait of his wife. Creator: Solomon Nunes Carvalho    Object Origin: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. Date: ca. 1856   Medium: oil on canvas Repository: Yeshiva University Museum, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011 206  Sarah’s parents Jacob & Charity When he fell for Sarah, her father had died so Solomon  wrote to her brother (also Solomon!) for his consent to the match;                                                                           Philadelphia, July 16,1845 To; Solomon Solis Esq, New York City Dear Sir,            Altho personally unknown, I take the liberty to address you on a subject of much moment, and importance to me. I shall try to explain my views and purport of this letter in as few words as possible.            I arrived here a short time since from Barbados, in company with my honored Parents and Sisters with whom you are already acquainted. Your good family with their usual hospitality received them as well as myself. Since which I have availed myself of their kind invitations and  their society has afforded me much pleasure.            For your esteemed sister, Sarah, I have conceived other than mere commonplace feelings. Her amiability, sweetness of temper, together with a congeniality of disposition and I dare hope a reciprocity of sentiment, have awakened in my bosom feelings of a deep and ardent affection and as her guardian and Elder Brother, I deem it a duty I owe you, to acquaint you with my pretentions, and to obtain your sanction, that I may make her Honorable proposals of Marriage, the consummation of which would render me most happy.            To my Family connections, you can make no reasonable objections. My personal character, although not entirely free from all the little piccadeleos of youth still I hope displays some remains of those honourable feelings which have won for myself a respectable standing in Society. It is, of course, open to your strictest investigation and you would then be but only exercising the same prerogative I should myself assume were I in your situation.            My pecuniary means are sufficiently ample to offer to a wife all the comforts and necessaries of life if not all its luxuries.            Should I be so fortunate as to receive your sanction to my suit, I need hardly say I will cherish for your Sister those feelings which I should wish a Husband to have for my own sisters.             Trusting that you may have arrived safely and that you may have a happy meeting with your loved family and friends.        I subscribe myself,        With much consideration,        Yours Respectfully,        Solomon N. Carvalho, 207  Solomon Carvalho  was a striking young man Per the US Library of Congress; “Solomon Nunes Carvalho was born in Charleston,South Carolina, into a Jewish family of Spanish-Portuguese descent. Carvalho worked as both a painter and a photographer. During the winter of 1853-54, Carvalho accompanied the explorer John C Fremont through the territories of Kansas,Colorado and Utah searching for a railroad route to the Pacific.The daguerrotypes that Carvalho took on this expedition no longer exist. 208 Solomon Carvalho  Artist-hero of the Wild West 209 210  Maps of Col Fremont’s expedition through the Rockies 1853-4 On his journey, Solomon met Brigham Young, the Utah State Governor & founder of Salt Lake City, and the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints(The Mormons or LDS). Curiously Col Fremont had earlier been the first European to visit in Sept 1843 what became the site of Salt Lake City. Much later the LDS records of births,marriages and deaths became a major resource for this family history. This is the portrait Solomon painted of him 211 Solomon with col Fremont in the rockies 212 Brigham Young, Salt Lake City 1854 Solomon Carvalho also painted this portrait of Abraham Lincoln! 213 Abe Lincoln by Solomon Carvalho 214 Solomon self-portrait 1849 215 Solomons children-david & charity abt 1854 216 217 Solomon's gallery in Baltimore 1870 218 Sarah in later life, 1871-3 And here is a delightfully dramatic  photograph; 219 Solomon with his son David Nunes Carvalho 220  solomons son Jacob 221 Sister Miriam with solomons brothers in law 222 Solomons niece –a d’azevedo? 223  Solomon with a friend He was obviously a popular grandfather. David’s daughter Maie wrote later;  “ I remember my darling grandfather, when I was small….wearing a black velvet smoking jacket; and as we were greeted with a hug and a kiss, and a whisper of “put your hand in my pocket” and we did that AT ONCE and pulled outa soft VERY CRUSHED chocolate cream candy; but its taste was marvelous….he entertained us royally. We all loved to visit him, and Grandmother too. She….always seemed to be able to change the temper of her grandchildren intoa pleasing one, without any change of voice—as we all had (and still have) the hot impatient tempers which we all claim we inherit from …our Portuguese & Spanish forebears”   224  the last picture we have of Solomon David II Nunes Carvalho 5.8, Solomon's son, became famous in his own right as a Handwriting expert. He testified in many trials as an expert witness and contributed greatly to the acquittal of Dreyfus in the famous trial in Paris 225 David Nunes Carvalho Solomon had a friendship of many years with Julian Abrams, who married an Englishwoman, Elizabeth Lumly and gone abroad.One of their children was Annie, the charming little girl whose portrait was painted by Carvalho when she was two years old   226 Little Annie Abrams   According to Maie, when the Abrams children were almost grown, the family returned to the US renting a house in Whitestone, Long Island and met up again with the Carvalho’s. One day , Maie later wrote,  Annie was playing the piano and the young people were dancing. Annie “looked across the room and there stood an Adonis, so handsome, a large opera cape flowing over his shoulders—she was frozen. He came across the room and said  “this must be the girl the whole family are in love with. Come on lets dance”  “ I cannot” said Annie “ its my turn to play the piano”  “ Nonsense” said David “ Let someone else do it” And without any music he waltzed her around the room. David and Annie became Maie’s parents of course.   227 228 David Nunes Carvalho 229 Carvalho’s in New York Society— a (Christian) family wedding for Daughter Maie Carvalho David and his wife Annie(Nee Abrams)5.81 Carvalho and their children  lived in the early 1900's at Breezy Point, Far Rockaway (near present day JFK airport) and were very much part of the New York (Sephardic) Jewish society set.The New York Eagle & other newspapers carry many stories about the Carvalho daughters' social calendar  In Crime in Ink,Adele’s younger sister  Claire Carvalho 6.18 described her father, making note of his Portuguese ancestry and the time he spent in Brazil: My father's constant association with the problems of proof worked curious changes in his character. As a young man he went to South America. His ancestry was Portuguese and in Brazil he found a sympathetic background for every one of his artistic tendencies. Then he wore a tender little moustache and on the curve of his chin, just under his lower lip, a tiny tuft of black beard. His disposition was romantic anyway, and when he returned from South America his friends saw him in a black cloak like those that are worn in Spain and Portugal and in countries influenced by them.... A Don Juan, my father's friends said of him when he returned to the United States; but if he was, he had a complete recovery except for a certain careless elegance. He worshipped my mother, who died when I was a small girl, but after her death he would not have a woman around his house other than his daughters. Chapter 13 Generation 7 Children of Ernest George Ffrench 6.26. & Adele Miriam (Carvalho) Ffrench 6.21, 7.1 Violet Ffrench 7.1, b. 15 June 1916. d California,31 July 2003. Violet was presented at Court in 1934  ie she was a "Debutante" Not bad for the daughter of an illegitimate coloured immigrant! 230 Violet with her mother Adele 231 Adele with her son Geoffrey Ffrench, my father, in RAF uniform 232 In Adele's old age with Geoffrey 233 Dr Geoffrey Ffrench , my father (b 25 Nov 1917 d Jan 1980), Generation 8 This was me, Nancy Ffrench8.1 when I married Keith Atkinson8.11 in 1970.    Keith researched & wrote most of this Ffrench Family History. 234 Nancy Atkinson nee Ffrench 235 236 237 These are my 3 siblings around the same time; Jonathan, Susan & Simon. Finally here is a fascinating interview dated 1935  with Ernest George Ffrench just before he died, conducted by the Hartford Courier. 238 239 240 241 From the Hartford Courier That's the story so far…….     Appendices;- 1) Arthur George Ffrench—A Life   1851Born.1891 UK census says age 40, born West Indies,Jamaica; the 1901 census says 46, Jamaica; his death cert in Aug 1905 says 54 ie born 1851The Freemasons say aged 25 in 1876   1870 Sept  Appted 2nd Class Clerk Internal Revenue Dept St Catherine’s @ £80 pa Per Blue Book.   Security  Bond of £300 provided by Jamaica  Civil Service  Mutual Guarantee Assoc.   1872 ditto @£85 pa   1873      1 Jan 1st Class Clerk @ £100 pa + £10pa as Treasury Clerk + 10s per trip visiting Branch Savings Bank   1874      Apr 20th. Ordered to Manchester as Asst Collector with half own salary half Asst Collector (Mr Kennedy)s salary               Aged 23 gets Frances Ann Glave pregnant age 29 (prob coloured) of Heavitree Estate,               Mile Gully, Manchester.   1875      Jan 25th  Apptd Acting Clerk to Parochial Boards (St Catherines) as “G A Ffrench”               Mar 10th Kathleen Glave Ffrench born @ Heavitree coloured Illegitimate               Nov 4th   Returns St Catherine’s as First Class Clerk @£105 + £10 +10s per trip   1876      Jan Joins Freemasons Hamilton Lodge,Spanish Town aged 25               Clerk to Parochial Boards @ £135pa . Residence King Street, Spanish Town                March Aged 25 gets spinster Jane Victoria Smith aged 36  pregnant               15th Nov Ernest George Ffrench born Spanish Town               29 Nov Age 25? Marr Frances Glave Age 31 Duppy Church,St George, Mile Gully                by Rev WJ Drought by Licence Both “Full age”  Occ Clerk of Municipal Board                Witnesses John Sawyers & FW Bonitto               20 Dec Ernest  bap Spanish Town by Rev Chas F Douet Father AGF               Clerk of Municipal Board Mother  JVS Address Spanish Town “Illegitimate  Coloured”           1877       ditto @ £150 June gets Frances(Fanny) Ann Glave Pregnant   1878       ditto Attends inauguration new Custos Isaac Levy                22 Mar Frances Eliza Glave Ffrench born Heavitree                Secretary Hamilton Lodge Freemasons Spanish Town   1879       ditto March gets Fanny pregnant                May/June Executor to Sophia Galway, Widow,decd.                Dec 9th St George Moore Glave Ffrench born                On leave half-salary 8th Dec to 24th July 1880(Coffee crop picking?-caring for Edward?)   1880        ditto salary On long leave again from1st Sept 1880                 Nov 25th Elected Member of Jamaica Institute(with other VIPs)   1881        ditto salary March gets Fanny pregnant                 On leave half-pay to 27th May 1881                  Nov 30 Arthur Peter born(Grandfather Don & Donna Jones)   1884        ditto salary plus £12 Chief Almoner                 March gets Fanny  pregnant                 Master of Freemasons Hamilton Lodge                 Sep 6th At Theatre Royal Kingston as a Jamaica Masonic Benevolence “Brother”                 with  GeorgeIII Ffrench-family connection?                 St Catherine’s Institute.Square Spanish Town, Committee of Management Secretary                 Dec 3 Stephen Shirley Glave Ffrench born Fanny is 39   1885        ditto  salary 1886        ditto Masonic “District Grand Lodge Steward”                 July 26th Bare-faced robbery of £300 from his office by “a young fellow Mr Ffrench      entertains”   1887         Per Colonial Standard 28th Jan “In consequence of the absence from the island, without leave, of Mr A.G.Ffrench,   Clerk of the Parochial Board of St Catherine, H.E. the Govnr has declared that office vacant.”   & 26th April “ It may prove of interest to some parties to learn of the whereabouts of the late Clerk of the Parochial Boards of St Catherine. We are in a position to state that on the 28th(March) he was in London, but he intended leaving for Australia in the early part of the present month. Our information adds, it may be some time before Mr Ffrench returns to Jamaica” He abandons wife + 5 children aged 2-11(& Ernset+ Jane Victoria)Dismissed eff December 1886   1891         per England Census resident Chas Wm Mowl Victoria Home for Working Men                  Occupation  Clerk age 40 married   1895        Nov 21 appointed 21 Nov 1895 as temporary 4th assistant clerk in the Clerk’s Office of the Poor Law Guardians’ Office at a wage of 30 shillings a week. It is recorded in the Register of Officers 1890-99 ref WaBG194/2 of the Wandsworth & Clapham (Poor Law) Union and in Folio Vol 4 page 496 of the Minute Book of the Guardians, It was reported to the Local Government Board on 31 Dec 1895. His appointment letter was referenced “Form of Query LB6/408” but cannot be traced in the Form of Query files. His appointment was sanctioned by the Local Government Board 4 March 1896—Number of LGB letter 44 (not found). The Guardians were the  Trustees appointed in each Borough to administer the Poor Law. They collected the “Poor Law rates” and used the funds to run the local WorkHouses where homeless, jobless local persons were employed. 1896         16 March son Stephen Shirley Glave Ffrench dies aged 11   1898          Mar 10th salary was increased to 35 shillings a week 10 Mar 1898 per Minute Book 6 page 653 effective 11 March—LGB letter 92. On15 June 1900 a dinner allowance of £15 (p.a.?) in lieu of dinner was added No 166 SR Folio 88. The appointment was made permanent after the purchase by the Guardians of the Tooting Workhouse and he remained employed by the Guardians until his death per records at London Metropolitan archives   1901          per England Census resident 61 Strathblaine Rd Clapham London Occ Clerk in Guardian’s office Single 46   1904     Dec 15th Frances Eliza Glave Ffrench “2nd dau of the late Arthur George Ffrench” marries   1905        Aug 8th dies 20 Oberstein Rd, Battersea, age 54  Kidney/cardiac failure Informant E Ashelford landlady   1906        Admon Calendar Estate of £62-17-10 by executrix E Ashelford to widow Frances Ann Ffrench,Jamaica.     2) CARVALHO Timelines & Locations   The Carvalho’s came from Spain-Portugal-- Sephardic Jews who fled the Inquisition(1450-1520), migrating to the Canaries, Holland, London, British West Indies, South America & USA.  The main sources are the Bevis Marks London synagogue(BM) records & US censuses   A)SAMUEL NUNES CARVALHO (b Netherlands d 1728 London)   B)ISAAC NUNES CARVALHO (1690/d1733 bur Novo Jewish Cemtry London BM)  WILL s/b in UK Probate records Dec A 1735 July A Born where? Married who?? 1715 Son Samuel Nunes born LondonBM   C) SAMUEL NUNES CARVALHO (1715/??) 18 Feb1739 Kent,UK m1 BATHSHEBA de Solomon deMEZA (abt 1720/abt1790)BM 1740 son Solomon(Selomoh) born London BM 10 Aug 1757 m2 Est(h)er de Isaac Alvarez BM   D) SOLOMON I NUNES CARVALHO (1740/1835?) 1740 born London 1761-1784  Working in London in coral & amber 5 Apr 1765 m Judith Henriques Pimental London BM (b 1744/ d 23 Jun 1805?BM) 3 Aug 1768 Bathsheba born BM 14 Nov 1770  Emanuel Nunes born BM (died  1817) 1779 Rebecca Nunes bornBM 1780 Twins born is one Rebecca? 10 Aug 1781 Isaac Nunes born BM 2 Nov 1783 Sarah Nunes born BM 4 Nov 1785 DavidI Nunes born BM 1 May 1789 Benjamin Nunes born BM 1 Dec 1791 Abraham Nunes born London BM 1800 on? sons schooled at Bevis Marks synagogue London? 1822 address 18 West Place,City Rd &/or 18 John’s Row, St Luke’s London per Baines History & Directory(?) 1835 died prob London,England-no doc found   Dr EMANUEL NUNES CARVALHO(DavidI’s older brother & SolomonII’s uncle) 14 Nov 1770 bornLondon 1790 marr Sarah Rodrigues Moreira of London 1799 left England after religious dispute Became  Hazzan in  Barbados 1808/11 Res New York. 1810 Taught at Polonies Talmud Torah School 1810 census numbers family inc 3 slaves!In NYC! 1811-1814 Emanuel Hazzan Beth Elohim Congregation,Charleston 1814 resigned then to Philadelphia 1815 Published first Hebrew Grammar by an American Jew 20 Mar1817 died Philadelphia while compiling Hebrew-English dictionary (WILL ref AJHS Vol XXVII +  EN A(dler) 24 Jan 1831 wife Sarah died Philadelphia E) DAVID I NUNES CARVALHO  (1784/1860) ENGLAND 4 Nov 1785 born London BM 1800? Schooled at Bevis Marks synagogue? CHARLESTON,S CAROLINA 1811 Left UK for Charleston where brother  Emanuel was living 1812 In Charleston Merchant. Service with volunteers fighting  British 1814 M Sarah d’Azevedo 1793/1864(Dau of ?) 27 Apr 1815 son SolomonII Nunes b 1816 Benvenuta Isabella Nunes b  (m 1834 Phineas Solomon, d 1915) 22 Mar 1817  Emanuel Nunes b ( m Caroline,Woolf 1 Dec 1841 he d 13 Mar 1883) 4 July 1819   Julia b (d 22 Jan 1887 unmar) in 1850 census 1820 census numbers family but no names 1822   dau Rachel b per1850 census(m Sep 1823  dau Sarah b (dies 1842) 1825 + others creates Reformed Society of Israelites, Seyles Masonic Hall on Meeting St 1826 dau Clara b per  1850 census 1827 son Benjamin b (dies 1842) 1827 Lecturer of Congregation. On “Corresponding Committee” Orator. BALTIMORE,MARYLAND 1828 Moved N to Baltimore as manufacturer of paper 1828 Sophia b on 1850 census 1830 Census numbers family but no names PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA 1835 Isaac born Jun dies Dec 10 Nov 1838  Miriam b  ( m 7 Nov 1866 Isador Osorio who d 1910) BARBADOS 1840? Family to Barbados—not on 1840 census 13 Nov 1842 Dau Sarah 19 dies Barbados Jan 1843 Son Benjamin  15 dies Barbados 28 Jan 1844 In Bridgetown Congregation Merchant MarblePaperManufacture 3 July 1844 On ship J Cohen Jr Turks Island to Philadelphia “Watchmaker” PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA 15 Oct 1845 Philadelphia per Solomon& Sarah’s marriage notice 1846 onwards resident 148 S Juniper St, Philadelphia. Business  at 21 St James St 1850Judge of the Court of Arbitration BALTIMORE,MARYLAND 1850 Census Occ Daguerian with 5 daus Julia, Rachel, Clara, Sophia, Miriam 9 Feb 1860 died. buried in Hebrew cemetery         CARVALHO HOUSEHOLD BALTIMORE MD per US CENSUS 1850 House                            Age/birth yr             Origin    Occupation 647 Carvalho D W           64 abt 1786   Male England  Occ Daguerian 647 Carvalho Susan W     54 abt 1796   Female South Carolina  s/b Sarah d’Azevedo 647 Carvalho Julia N        30 abt 1820   Female South Carolina 647 Carvalho Rachel N     28 abt 1822   Female South Carolina 647 Carvalho Clara N       24 abt 1826   Female South Carolina 647 Carvalho Sophia N    23 abt 1827   Female Maryland 647 Carvalho Miriam N   10 abt 1840   Female Pennsylvania 647 Carvalho Soloman N 35 abt 1815   Male South Carolina Occ Artist 647 Carvalho Sarah N      25 abt 1825   Female New York  Miriam Solis 647 Carvalho David N       2 abt 1848   Male Pennsylvania 647 Carvalho Charity N    0 abt 1850   Female Maryland   “Charrie” 647 Hamilton Mary         26 abt 1824   Female Ireland  Occ servant 647 Tripp Sarah J            15 abt 1835   Black Female Maryland  Occ Servant     F) SOLOMON II NUNES CARVALHO(1815/1897) CHARLESTON,South Carolina 27 Apr 1815 Born   Attended Charleston College? 1828 Parents left him @13?  to go to Baltimore 1833 Stayed in Charleston 1834 “Professional Artist” BARBADOS 1835onwards working for “Uncle” ie Emmanuel or David? 1840 “Child with rabbits” picture used on bank notes US & Canada 20 Mar 1841 visit to  Washington DC for silhouette portrait July 1843 in Bridgetown, Barbados with sister Julia 1844 Barbados self-portrait PHILADELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA 1845-50 Learned the daguerreotype process 16 Jul 1845 writes to Sarah’s brother re marriage 15 Oct 1845 M Sarah Miriam Solis (b 15 Oct1824/1894-Dau of Jacob daSilva Solis & Charity Hays who had been married by uncle Emanuel Carvalho—Sarah had royal ancestry from Portugal,Castile,Leon &Spain ie very establishment family) 1846 Shipwreck on honeymoon to the “Islands” 29 Sep 1848 son David born 1848 visits Washington Dinner with Prof Samuel F B Morse 1849 Exhibition of work.residence 144 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia(Delightful! Per Google Streetview) 1849/50 Officer Hebrew Education Soc BALTIMORE,MD July 1849 opens Gallery of Fine Arts at 205 Baltimore St.prev location of John Plumbe Jr 1850 Listed as Daguerian Washington DC & Baltimore.Advertised his gallery of “Ivory and other Daguerrotypes” at the Odeon, corner of 4-1/2 Street and Pennsylvania Ave, Washington. 12 Apr 1850  Occ Artist where dau Charity(Charrie) born 1850 census lists family 1850 Painted Little Miss Carvalho “VKA” An Azevedo or Emanuel’s dau?. Late 1850 moved his business  to Washington 1851 advertised in Baltimore as daguerrian & portrait painter CHARLESTON,SC 3 Feb 1851 Advt in Charleston Courier-- Gallery at 230 King Street 1852 Spec Ctee Shearith Israel Congregation Synagogue 1852 Listed himself  “Grand Sky-light Daguerrian Gallery @167 Meeting St Charleston 23 Sep 1852 Jacob Solis born (later “Uncle Jack) 1853 invented process for the transparent enamelling of daguerrotypes. 1853 Employed by Jeremiah Gurney NYC to utilise this process FREMONT EXPEDITION 5 Sep 1853 “Accompanied General John C Fremont on his expedition across the Rockies as the artist of the expedition. Lost for 6 months & mourned as dead, reached California …first ever to put the beauty of the Grand Canyon on canvas” Claire Carvalho 8 Feb Arrived Parowan,Utah -saved by the Mormon Heap family 1 Mar Arrived Salt Lake City—painted many portraits Made a great deal of money. 13 June 1854 arr Los Angeles  “Carvalho & Johnson” Los Angeles BALTIMORE,MD 1856 Portrait of wife Sarah Miriam Solis Sept 1856 Published “Incidents of Travel & Adventure…with Col. Fremont….” Chose $300 flat fee instead of 5 cents per book which would have paid 5 times as much! Jan 1856 Son SolomonIII Solis born 1856/7 listed as artist Baltimore directory resident at 35 South Gay St 1857 Founded Beth Israel synagogue, Sephardic Spanish & Portuguese customs 1857 Holiday with Sarah “Revisiting Bermuda” ? Barbados?? 1858/9 listed at 81 Liberty St Baltimore 1859 Paints “Little Annie Abrams”aged 2 (She becomes DavidII’s wife later) 1860 listed at 92 Saratoga St Baltimore 1860 father Solomon dies & Sarah & family move to NYC-David to New Orleans NEW ORLEANS,LA 1860/61 Setting up steam heating invention in New Orleans 1861-Civil War time-Carvalho family is not on 1860 Census NEW YORK CITY,NY 1862 Solomon joins family in NYC 1862 Res 177th St.,Tremont Studio at “Dodsworth’s 204 5th Ave  per Nat Acad of Design 1862 Paints son Jacob Solis 1864  studio at 59 East 13th St Paints sister Miriam”Mona Lisa” style 1864 Exhibits self-portrait at National Academy of Design entry 256 1865 Paints portrait Abe Lincoln marking 2nd inauguration March 4           1870 Census New York District 10         Solomon Nunes  Carvalho 53 Artist Portrait Painter Real Est $6500 Pers $500         Sarah Miriam Solis  Carvalho      42  keeps house         David Nunes  Carvalho                21  clerk in soap manfg         Charrie Solis Carvalho                 18  at home         Jacob Solis Carvalho                    17  Clerk lumber yard “Uncle Jack”          Solomon Solis Carvalho               14         Elizth Kell                                     19  servant   1870 With Sarah directed a religious school—part of Hand-in-Hand Congregation NYC 1871 Cataract operation 1872 Fall  Travelled to Martinique with son David. Picture of them both on voyage.Produced “Album of Martinique with 24 plates” Copies in New York Public Library and Schomberg Collection 1872/3 Paints wife Sarah 1877/8 Patents Steam HeatingSystem-awarded Medal of Excellence by American Institute in NYC. Office address 119 Liberty Street then to 107.Resident  177th,Tremont. Charity Carvalho and husband Adolf Marsheutz lived next door with their 4 children Jules,Solomon,Sarah & Ethel 1885 Res at 24 East 131st St, NYC 2 May 1894 Sarah died & Solomon went to live with Charity 21 May 1897 Solomon died New York City death cert 15519.  Solomon & Sarah were both buried in a plot belonging to The Congregation Shearith Israel in NYC,the Sephardic synagogue founded in 1654   “Jacob(Jack)  Carvalho,son of Solomon & Sarah, became president of a large lumber company in New York, married late in life to Susan Walker and built a lovely home in Lawrence,Long Island where they lived until their death.   “Another Carvalho son,Solomon Solis went into the newspaper business,first with Pulitzer, & then with Hearst, until his death.He also married late in life to a fellow newspaper worker,Helen Cuisak & they had 2 children.”Sol” was a connoisseur of Chinese porcelain. “the only surviving daughter Charity ( was there another?)  became a painter of miniatures in addition to being a loving daughter,wife & mother” Joan Sturhahn’s “Carvalho”     G) DAVID II NUNES CARVALHO(1848/1925) PHILADELPHIA,PENN 29 Sep1848 Born 1870? Visited South America “My father…started his career as a photographer…when all photographers wore flaring black silk ties,wide black slouch hats and…sought to have themselves associated…with art rather than science” Claire Carvalho NEW YORK 22 Mar 1876 M Annie Abrams 1857/1903(Dau of Julian Moses Abrams & English Lizzie Lumley(per Joan Sturhahn p 186) Per AmJewArchives Cecile”Lizzie”Myers 21 Dec 1876 Adele Miriam b May 1878 BertramI Nunes b 1880 Dayton Nunes b dies aged 1 19 May 1882 Maie Nunes b Nov 1885 Leslie Russell Nunes b( marries,dies auto accident) 1889 Claire b 1896 Res at Breezy Point, Far Rockaway, Jamaica Bay, NY 1901 Maie m Carl F Sturhahn at Far Rockaway 1903 Annie died(just 27 yrs married) 1904 Wrote “Forty Centuries of Ink” 9 Dec1907 Adele m Dr Ernest George FfrenchRAMC  NYC 1920?? David  resident 10th Street, close to 5th Ave, NYC  “He did not believe anyone else in the world in his limited profession was in a class with (himself)” Claire Carvalho 1925 Advt NYC Directory “Expert in Handwriting” 258 Broadway R409 29 Jun1925 died at his home New Rochelle,Westchester,NY  “ My father devoted a great deal of his time to a consideration of disputed Wills. …Others have (hidden) their wills in some queer cache (where)….they would not think of concealing even a small amount of money” “Long before his career had passed its zenith, my father estimated that he had affected the courts’ decisions as to….. propertyaggregating over £200million…a large share (being) will disputes”   “When my father died we children hunted high and low for signs of a Will. There was none in his safe-deposit box, nor among any of his papers. My sisters and brothers do not think he ever executed a will. I believe that he did and that he put it away for safe-keeping. Perhaps he had more than one deposit box. Somehow where a will is concerned men cannot help being secretive. When he died he was trying to tell us something but he could not force his lips and tongue to form the words. “Box” he said. “What is it father?”asked one of my brothers. “Box” he repeated. Then he ceased to be able to say anything”   Claire Carvalho Weiller 1929 from “Crime in Ink”   So the estate must have been administered as an intestate estate and an administrator appointed by the Surrogates Court, Westchester,NY to distribute the assets         H) ADELE MIRIAM CARVALHO (1876/1958)   21 Dec 1876 born NYC 9 Dec 1907 M Ernest George Ffrench (1876/1937) NYC 15 June 1916 Violet Anne born London(M George Davis D California) 1958 d Washington,DC   I) GEOFFREY ERNEST FFRENCH(1917/1980 25 Nov 1917 Geoffrey  born Dublin 1942  marries Marjory Grace Godfrey of St Johns, Newfoundland Jan 1980 dies Kent,England     J) CHILDREN OF GEOFFREY & MARJORY FFRENCH   Jonathan Ewart b 1944, Susan Adele b 1947 Nancy Rosalind b 1948 & Simon Geoffrey b 1950     SIBLINGS OF ADELE MIRIAM CARVALHO   BERTRAM NUNES CARVALHO(1879/??) 27 May 1878 born 1903 Marr Jesselyn Pierce(1875/1938) 1904 B John Bertram d1968 1906 B Adelaide P 1908 B Curtis Balton Pierce who married 28 June 1932 Melba Wyckoff 1911 B David III Nunes who marr 25 May 1940 Annette Philbrick d?? 1913 B Bertram Nunes Jnr(d 1994) 1975 dies Hartford,Connecticut   DAYTON 1881  dies at 1   MAIE(1882/1974) 19 May 1882 b Mar 1901 Carl F Sturhahn of Germanywho died 1939 1903 B Herbert Carl d CA 1939 1906 B Edward Marshall Snr 1905/6 marr 1929 Louise Dailey(1909/96) he  d 1992 14 Apr 1974 Maie dies Sarasota FL   Edward & Louise had Joan Sturhahn(1930/11 Apr2010) & Edward Marshall Jnr (1934/??) Joan marr Garland Mourning McNutt & had Marshall McNutt Sep 1956   LESLIE RUSSELL NUNES (1885/Dec1955 died auto accident) Abt 1914 married Sophia G Goodman(1890/??) 1915 B Paul D—died 1940 1920 B Anne           CLAIRE NUNES CARVALHO 1888/1970 13 Sep 1888 b NY 1902/3 “To my young friend of the House of Carvalho—Claire by name, in remembrance of the Many Happy hours spent under her father’s hospitable roof,where Claire(13?) fluttered from game to book,from book to play like the dear little butterfly she is. May the Almighty God Bless that household” General Molineux 1907 Adele marries and Claire becomes David’s “motherless housekeeper” 1913 m Herbert A Weiller Silk designer(1887/1967) 1913/14 2 daus Sylvia & Virginia?—Or were they one? 1929 Writes “Crime in Ink” Feb 1931 Writes “Paging Danger” a musical.Closes after 4 nights 27 Oct 1970 dies Sarasota,FL Appendix 3 Burke's Laned Gentry Beckfords (To follow) Appendix 4 Burke's Landed Gentry Smiths (To follow) Appendix 5 Burke's Landed Gentry--Ffrench of Monivea   A Appendix 6 Monumental Inscriptions Beckfords A Appendices 7 & 8 Maps of Kingston (To follow) Appendix 9 The 64th Regimental History-extract 1834-52 Jamaica-India  Appendix 10 Mary Seacole's Will(4 pages)      Appendix 11 Jane Charlotte Beckford's Will Inventory(3)

 

Appendix 12  The Beckford story