Edward Crombleholme - Veterinary Surgeon, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] was the elder son of William Crombleholme [Cro0162] of Frome, it was his brother Richard Crombleholme [Cro0241] who moved to Weymouth, Dorset in the 1840's.

Birth & Early Life :

1817 - 3rd November : Edward Crumbleholme [Cro0243] was born on November 3rd 1817 and baptised at Horningsham on April 5th 1818 by Rev F Skurray . William Crombleholme [Cro0162] his father is recorded as a painter of Frome Selwood. (Source : Baptisms in parish of Horningsham No158 p20)

1828 - 11th February : William Crombleholme [Cro0162] his father, died and was buried in Horningsham. Edward would have been 11 years old.

1832 - 1837 : Between these approximate dates, Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] was apprenticed to Mr John Rutter of Shaftesbury just across the border in Dorset. He then trained as a Veterinary Surgeon at the Veterinary College, St Pancras in London and became a Member of the Royal Veterinary College and Licentiate Kings College London. In about 1837, he set up as a veterinary Surgeon and chemist in the High Street in Shaftesbury, Dorset when only about 20 years old. It is not known how his college attendance and veterinary practice were financed.

Marriage :

1836 - 4th May : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] married Eliza (Ridout ) [Cro0631] widow, at St Andrews Church, Clifton. Bristol. Both of this parish, married by licence and both signed the register. (Source : Bishops Transcript [1695-1868] p 227 entry 680 - St Andrews Clifton via Ancestry) Note : Edward was 23 years old

Children :

Only child : From Dorset OPC Shaftesbury, Dorset & Par Reg via Ancestry

Baptism : 15th May 1837 Edward Crombleholme [Cro0632] son of Edward & Elizabeth vet surgeon

Burial : 21st July 1837 Edward Crombleholme [Cro0632] infant Shaston St Peter, Shaftesbury, Dorset

Note : It appears that Eliza (nee Ridout) [Cro0631] had previously married Edward Ridout in Shaftesbury, Dorset in about 1829 and a son Edward Ridout was baptised on 12th September 1830. Edward Ridout’s occupation was given as draper. It is presumed that Edward Ridout (senior) had died prior to 1836. To be checked.

Edward's wife, Elizabeth (nee ???) [Cro0631] died aged 28 in 1840 - see below

To be checked : Date ?? Advert ..........Maria Naish, Jill Stert, the said county of Wilts and assisting her in the management of her farm Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] formerly apprentice to Mr John Rutter of Shaftesbury, Dorset, Druggist and stationer afterwards a student at the ......???

Hard Times :

Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] then fell on hard times or perhaps overstretched himself and was jailed as an insolvent debtor in 1840. In 1840, his practice, shop and contents were advertised for sale to pay his debts - this was not realised until March 1842 when only 2s 9d in the pound could be paid to his debtors. However, in April 1841, his father in law (Edward Ridout ??) had settled the debt of £166 and Edward was released from prison. He set up again in Tisbury, Wiltshire in December 1841 where he was until at least 1844. He appears to have moved to London at some time and a burial record there in 1849 has been found.

1839 - Robinson Directory : High Street, Shaftesbury : Chemists & druggists - Edward Crombleholme, Clarence Rutter & Thomas Henry (all same address). Note Clarence Rutter was probably John Rutter's son and continues to trade here for some time - features in 1861 census.

1840 - 14th May : Eliza Crombleholme [Cro0631] - abode Shaston, Shaftesbury age 28, buried at St Peters Church, Shaftesbury

1840 - 19th October : From Salisbury & Winchester Journal Debtors - Advert : The whole of the stock in trade, shop household furniture and other effects, late the property of Mr Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] , chemist and druggist, Insolvent The stock comprises general assortment grits, See, with show bottles, intent posts ...........

1840 - Monday 16th November : From the Salisbury & Winchester Journal : A notice that at a court in Salisbury on 8th December at Ten in the forenoon precisely Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] was to be heard as an insolvent debtor.

It also gives in interesting insight to his career : Apprentice to Mr John Rutter of Shaftesbury, druggist & stationer, afterwards a student at the Veterinary College, St Pancras lodging successfully in College Row St Pancras and Bayham terrace and St Paul’s Terrace, Camden Town, all in Middx; and late of Shaftesbury aforesaid Veterinary Surgeon, chemist & druggist.

Date ?? - (From the Jurist) : Court House, Salisbury Wiltshire December 8th at 10 : .......Edw Crombleholme,[Cro0243] Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, veterinary surgeon

Date ?? - (p 2270) Edward Crombleholme,[Cro0243] late of Shaftesbury, Dorset, Veterinary Surgeon - In the Gaol of Fisherton Anger.

1841 - January : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] countersigned a letter of complaint against the governor Mr Dowding of the prision relating to the ill treatment of a fellow prisioner in the debtor's section - a Mr Edward Cresswell a former Lt 3rd Dragoon Guards. This resulted in a visit by the inspector of prisions and Mr Cresswell had his room reinstated. (Source Dover Telegraph & Cinque Ports General Saturday 2nd January 1841) Note : No local papers seemed to carry this report

1841 - Monday 19th April : From the Salisbury & Winchester Journal (below) : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] is released from prison after his father in law paid off his debt of £166. His wife Elizabeth had died in May 1840.

1841 Census : Shaftesbury - Holy Trinity, Shaston St Peter Enumeration District 3 : High Street, Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] male aged 20 vet surgeon (not born in Dorset) (Note he would have been 24 ??) (Source 1841 Shaftesbury Dorset Census Ref HO 107/295). Note : He appears to be single and living with John Freke (a publican) and his family.

1841 - Monday 13th December : From the Salisbury & Winchester Journal : Under the title of Tisbury, Wilts. Horse and Cattle Infirmary Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] Veterinary Surgeon Member of the Royal Veterinary College and Licentiate Kings College London begs respectfully to return his grateful thanks to those friends who have so liberally supported him for the last four years at Shafetesbury, and to inform them and the public generally that he has just taken excellent and extensive premises at Tisbury where he intends carrying on his profession......

1842 - 12th March : Crombleholme E [Cro0243] : From Perry's Bankrupt Gazette, London England : Crombleholme E. Veterinary surgeon Shaftesbury 8th March - Div 2s 9d.

Insolvent Debtor - Divend - No 54,608 C. The creditors of Edward Crombleholme, late of Shaftesbury, Dorsetshire, Veterinary Surgeon and Chymist (sic), are informed that a dividend of two shillings and nine pence in the pound may be revived by applying to Mr G Harding of Shaftesbury, Painter, the assignee, on or after the 8th day of March instant. Bills & securities to be produced. All letters to be post paid.

1842 - Saturday 19th November : From the Salisbury & Winchester Journal - Amongst addresses where catalogues can be obtained .....

Mr Crombleholme [Cro0243] veterinary surgeon, Tisbury, Wiltshire. Note : Tisbury is about 10 miles to the east of Shaftesbury.

1844 - (25 Jan & 1 Feb) (From Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette) Advert : We, the undersigned and occupiers of land in Wiltshire request that the agriculturists and others of the County who are opposed to the Anti Corn Laws League and desire to maintain the present law relating to the importation of corn will meet at the Bear Hotel Devizes on Wed 7th Feb 1844 at noon to take in consideration and adapt the measures best calculated to give effect to these views

(amongst a long list of names) ........ Edward Crombleholme ??? (he would have been 27 years old)

Summary :

No more information has been found as yet but it appears that Edward Crombleholme after a promising start as a veteran surgeon, having married then lost a child, then his wife and at the same time becoming insolvent and being imprisioned for a short time managed to start to rebuild his life in Tisbury in Wiltshire from 1842. The burial found below, suggests that at some point, he moved to London where he died in 1849 aged only 32. It would seem that he had fallen on hard times again.

Death & Burial :

1849 - 5th December : Edward Crombleholme [Cro0243] aged 32, abode : Webb Street, Bermondsey, born 1817 buried at St Olave, Southwark, London (Source : Ancestry - FHL Film No 375318 - Ref ID 2260)

Note : At present, this is the only burial of an Edward C that can be found and fits his birthdate,