Abigail Jonathan (buried 1940)

At a glance

At a glance
Abigail Jonathan (buried 1940) portrait
Surname: 
Jonathan
First name: 
Abigail
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
1727
Born: 
0/0/1877
Died: 
19/09/1940
Buried: 
23/09/1940
Occupation: 
Doctor
Distinction: 
Indian born Doctor
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
WB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
20
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/safe.bike.scuba
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Mary Amelia Layton who passed away December 13 1927 aged 86 years. Also of Abigail Jonathan died Sept. 19th 1940 aged 63 years.

Life story

Life story

Heene Hallmark

Abigail Jonathan 1877 - 1940

Indian born Doctor 

Abigail Jonathan as a young woman
Abigail Jonathan as a young woman

Abigail Jonathan was born in Lahore, India, in 1871. In 1889, aged 18yrs, she was in Buckinghamshire, where she was described as a missionary of the Zenana Society, having been an assistant teacher in the Punjab. Abigail studied medicine at Lahore Medical College, then at Edinburgh University, passing the third part of her examinations in 1910. 

Photo of San Marcos House, Shelley Road
Photo of San Marcos House, Shelley Road

Her first official appearance in English records is in the 1911 census when she is a visitor, staying with Mary Amelia Layton, spinster, 70yrs, at San Marcos, 50, Shelley Road, Worthing, Sussex; she was a medical student. In 1921 they are still living at the same address, Abigail is still listed as a visitor, with no occupation, and she appears to have remained living with Mary, who died, aged 86yrs, on 13th December 1927. The following October 1928, Abigail sailed from Liverpool to Bombay, India on the Anchor Line vessel California. Abigail returned to Liverpool on the Anchor Line Circassia and is listed as a doctor. Miss Sheila Peters returned on this journey at the age of 8 years and is also listed as living at San Marcos, Shelley Road. (See photo) 

Abigail was granted probate of Mary's estate and continued to live at San Marcos until her own death, aged 69yrs, on 19th September 1940. Probate was granted to Percival Reader, retired bank overseer, and Norman Edward Kelly, solicitor, effects £5637 7s 4d. Value 2022 - £336,231.

Burial researcher: 
Sue Standing

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1877

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
19/09/1940
Age (at time of death): 
63
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
San Marcos, 50 Shelley Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Percival Reader status: Retired Bank Overseer: Norman Edward Kelly status: Solicitor
Probate pounds: 
£5,637

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1911 census: 

Living at San Marcos, Shelley Road, Worthing Mary Amelia Layton 70yrs single Private Means, Abigail Jonathan 40yrs Visitor Medical Student, Elsie Warren 28yrs Visitor Medical Student, Maud Louisa Holden 30yrs Domestic Servant, Winifred Edney 18yrs Domestic Servant

1921 census: 

Living at San Marcos. Shelley Road, Worthing, Sussex.

First name(s) Last name Relationship to head Sex Birth year Age in years Birth place Occupation Employer
Mary Amelia Layton Head Female 1841 80 London, London, England None -
Abigail Jonathan Visitor Female 1871 50 United Provinces, India None -
Annie Lewis Cook Female 1867 54 Hackney, Middlesex, England Domestic Service Private
Winifred Mustdin Maid Female 1901 20 Findon, Sussex, England Domestic Servic
Miscellaneous information

Sheila Peters - adopted by Abigail Jonathan

In November 2017 we were very excited to meet Sheila Peters, aged 96 years, and show her the grave of her benefactor. Sheila had very fond memories of the person who adopted her and brought her to England for a better start in life.