| Notes |
- PRIVATE
- Elizabeth Peachey was born in Surrey, England in 1819 the daughter of a "proctor's clerk" i.e. her father worked for a solicitor/lawyer/proctor doing the paper work.
In «b»1841«/b» the family was living on the High Street, at St Giles, Camberwell, borough of Lambeth (Greater London). As James, Elizabeth's father was already 61 years old it is quite possible that he had other children who had left home by the time this first available census gives us a record of the family. The family consists of both parents and the children: Elizabeth (22), Rebecca (14) and Sarah (26).
Also living with them was Henrie/Henry Ellson(5). The 1841 census did not list the relationships but ten years later John D Ellson, a nephew, was living with the family so it is fairly safe to assume that Henrie was also a nephew.
No occupation is given for any of the daughters and they had a female servant so we can assume they were relatively prosperous.
In «b»1848«/b», at the age of 28, Elizabeth «b»married Robert Best«/b» at Newington, Surrey, England. What Robert Best was doing in Surrey is a bit of a mystery. Their first child was born in «b»1849«/b», in Kirkham, Lancashire where Robert was the Independent Minister at the Zion Chapel.
By the «b»1851«/b» they had two young children: Frances William and George, and a house servant.
Ten years later, in «b»1861«/b», the boys were both at boarding school and two daughters, Rebecca (8) and Mary Forsaith (7) were living at home. For the first time they have no servant recorded, and appear to have a lodger staying with them. They also have Elizabeth's widowed father, «b»James Peachey«/b» who was 81years old, living with them. He died later the same year.
Elizabeth's sister, Rebecca, had married Septimus Fletcher in 1852 and by 1861 they were living in Cressent Rd, Cheetham, Manchester, Lancashire. Rebecca had 2 very young children and was herself working, as a teacher of pianoforte; so that is probably why Grandpa went to live with Elizabeth in his declining years.
In «b»1867 Elizabeth «/b»lost her eldest son, Frances William Best, who died at the age of 18, in Bolton, Lancashire.
In «b»1871«/b» when the Census was taken Robert and Elizabeth's two daughters were both away from home. Rebecca was a "governess" at the Marlborough House Ladies Boarding School in Exeter, Devon. Her 17-year old sister, Mary T Best is a "student" at the same school.
Three years later in «b»1874«/b», her second son, «b»George«/b» «b»emigrated«/b» to the United States of America where he is next found in the 1910 United States Federal Census, aged 59, and living in Denver Ward 8, «b»Denver, Colorado«/b».
In «b»1877 Elizabeth's«/b» elder daughter, «b»Rebecca«/b» married «b»John Lundie«/b» and went out to Africa to be a missionary. Rebecca was a prolific correspondent and no doubt her brother's emigration and her own, had a lot to do with that.
The «b»1881«/b» census shows the younger daughter, «b»Mary«/b» living at home with both her parents, still in Bolton. No occupation is given for Mary, and the family once again has a house servant. In this same census a young man by the name of James Johnston is registered as a theological student in Bolton - a protégé of Robert's perhaps? In «b»1883 James Johnston«/b» married Elizabeth's daughter, «b»Mary«/b» and they went to live in Halliwell, Lancashire.
This is the last record we have of Elizabeth for she «b»died in Bolton, in 1890«/b» before the next census. Her husband, Robert Best had died in 1887. It is not known where she spent her last years for her daughter Mary Johnston lived over a 100 miles away in Lancashire.
In summary, both of Elizabeth's daughters married ministers of religion, as she had done. Two of her children had emigrated: George to the USA and Rebecca to Africa. Her eldest son had died early.
From: «i»Womans Tempernce Journa«/i»l (London England) March 1 1890 p 36 Issue 87 and 3 Accessed 18 apr 2011 from Gale New Vault Database.
«u»In Memorandum«/u»
The cause of temperance in Bolton has sustained a severe loss in the death of Mrs. Best, widow of the late Rev. Robert Best, for many years pastor of Mawdsley Street Chapel. The loss will be felt most by the Branch of the British Women's Temperance Association, of which Mrs. Best had been President since its formation in 1877. She was one of the prime movers in the establishment of coffee taverns in Bolton, and was greatly interested in the local branch of the National Traveller's Temperance Union. For many years she conducted a class or working men, and was active in the organisation of Sunday morning services for cabmen.
Her pen was frequently at work. An interesting paper "«i»Only«/i»" was printed and circulated in pamphlet form; and a paper entitled "«i»Medical Orders«/i»" was read some time since at the Memorial hall, London.
She was greatly attached to the late Mrs. Lucas, and the intelligencer of her decease affected her so deeply that it is feared it accelerated her own death. She was almost the same age as Mrs. Lucas - a few months younger.
She died on Saturday Feb 8th, and the funeral took place on the Thursday following at the Tong Cemetery, her remains being laid to rest beside those of her husband. There was a large attendance of relatives and friends. The coffin was covered with floral offerings, from the Branch of the B.W. T.A, from Miss Millington (Sec. of the Traveler's Temperance Association), and from a large number of schools, societies, and sympathisers. Two hymns of which the deceased was particularly fond were sung in the course of the service. On the following Sunday afternoon a special memorial service was conducted by the members of the British Women's Temperance Association in the Mawdsley Street Chapel.
|
1819 - 1890 (71 years)
