Back

William Wensley

Lived at No 37 (then No 24) Sydney Buildings from 1841 to 1849.


No 37 as it is today

The 1841 census lists William Wensley (aged 80) at No 24 (now No 37) Sydney Buildings with his daughter, Emma Russell (40), and her children, Edwin Russell (11), Emma Russell (8) and a servant. According to the Post Office Directories William remained in this house for the next eight years until his death in 1849.

William's wife Frances had died in 1830. Two daughters only reached adulthood, Frances and Emma. Frances was born in 1797 and Emma two years later.

In 1820 the Ladies Monthly Museum magazine published an article on the up and coming London actress Miss Emma Wensley.

Emma Wensley

Emma married James Russell, a shakespearian actor in 1826.


Portrait of James Russell as Festo

In 1830 the elder sister, Frances, became the second wife of John Garratt who had been Lord Mayor of London in 1824. The wedding took place in October, a month before her mother died.

Frances and William have memorial palques in St Mary's church, Bathwick.

SACRED

TO THE MEMORY OF FRANCES,

THE BELOVED WIFE OF

WILLIAM WENSLEY ESQre

OF THIS PARISH,

WHO DIED NOVr 28th 1830:

AGED 69

Death is the crown of life:

Death gives us more than in Eden lost:

Death wounds to cure: we fall we rise we reign!

The King of terrors is the prince of peace.



SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF

FRANCES WENSLEY ESQre

OF THIS PARISH,

WHO DIED JUNE 29th 1849,

AGED 88 YEARS

Whether by chance, or contemplation led,

To trace these records of the mould' ring dead,

Reflect, frail mortal! that the hour is nigh-

That awful hour when "Thou shalt surely die":

When, this life passed, Death shall a scene disclose

Endless joys, or everlasting woes.

They are buried in St Mary's churchyard.


Family information email from Caroline Rogers,

the great great great granddaughter of William Wensley.

July 2010

Sydney Buildings History Group ©

Up
Back