At a glance
The Grave
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Death
Worthing Gazette 4th December 1901
“Death of Local Magistrate”
A member of Well-Known Military Family
It is with sincere regret that we have to place on record this week the death of Mr Charles Lennox Moore Teesdale JP who passed away at his residence St Rumbolds, West Worthing on Thursday afternoon.
The deceased gentleman who was in his eighty-sixth year formerly lived at Rumboldswyke near Chichester and his association with that neighbourhood was maintained in the name he bestowed upon the tow houses he successively bought and occupied here-first in Shelley Road and subsequently in Wordsworth Road at its junction with Rowlands Road.
He came of a family of military men; his father and brother having held military commands in her Majesty’s Army. The latter was the late General Teesdale, and another distinguished relative was the late Sir Christopher Teesdale V.C., K.C.M.G.; Master of Ceremonies to the late Queen. The gentleman whose death we are now recording had apparently no taste for a military career, for he entered the Civil Service and occupied at one time the important post of Postmaster of Exeter. Appointed a magistrate in 1884, Mr Teesdale continued to exercise his judicial functions after his arrival in Worthing some thirteen or fourteen years ago, and he found an outlet for his zeal in Church matters by acting for some considerable time as Churchwarden for the Parish of Heene. He was of a singularly kind and amiable disposition and was also prone to good deeds in a most unostentatious manner. He leaves a family of four daughters, one of whom is the wife of Canon Deane.
The Funeral
The burial took place yesterday afternoon, the deceased gentleman being laid by his wife’s side in Heene Cemetery. Many of the inhabitants of the parish testified their respect by attending the funeral and blind were drawn in most of the houses. Besides the relatives and members of the deceased’s household, there were present Lieut. Col T F Wisden (chairman), Lieut. Col. A Henty and Mr H Hargood, members of the Local Bench of Magistrates; Mr M Goodman, magistrate’s clerk; Mr E P Bisshopp-Smith, churchwarden; Mr H M Clark and Mr H W Hales, sidesmen; Mr C Fibbens, assistant overseer; Dr H Leeds Harrison; Rev. W R Nightingale of East Preston and many others including several ladies residing at Heene.
The coffin, which was of polished oak with massive brass furniture was covered with beautiful wreaths, one of which a token of affection from the daughters of the deceased, was lowered into the grave. Single flowers too were gently dropped upon the coffin by loving hands. The inscription of the plate bore the simple record “Charles Lennox Moore Teesdale born May 3rd 1816 died November 28th 1901.” The funeral arrangements were ably carried out by Mr W J Poland of Montague Street.
Census and miscellaneous information
South Chelsea Charles aged 25, clerk. Also listed are Louisa Teesdale aged 35 and Emily Teesdale aged 25.
1 Eton Place, Kensington. Charles aged 34, senior clerk at General Post Office. Emily aged 39. Emily C aged 4. Annie aged 3. Mary Jane aged 1. Plus a nurse, cook and 1 servant.
St Leonards Lawn, Exeter. Charles aged 44, Postmaster of Exeter. Emily aged 50. Emily C aged 14. Annie aged 13. Mary J aged 11. Charlotte aged 9. Georgina Teesdale aged 56, sister, fundholder. Isabella Dixon aged 52, cousin, companion. Plus a cook and 2 servants.
Handwell House, Exeter. Charles aged 54, Postmaster of Exeter. Emily aged 60. Annie aged 23. Mary J aged 21. Charlotte aged 19. Plus a cook and 3 servants.
Whyke House, Whyke Street, Rumboldswhyke. Charles aged 64, superannuated Postmaster, Civil Service. Emily aged 70. Emily C aged 34. Annie aged 33. Mary J aged 31. Charlotte aged 29. Plus a cook and 3 servants.
St Rumbolds, Rowlands Road/Wordsworth Road Charles aged 74, JP, retired civil servant. Emily C aged 44, dependant. Annie aged 43, dependant. Charlotte aged 39, dependant. Plus a cook and 2 servants.
St Rumbolds, Wordsworth Road, Worthing. Charles aged 84, retired civil servant. Emily aged 54, living on own means. Annie aged 53, living on own means. Charlotte aged 49, living on own means. Benjamin Wilfre, aged 64, visitor. Plus a cook and 3 servants.
1892 onwards
Vice-President of Worthing Horticultural Society. Charles specialised in growing chrysanthemums. By the time of his death, he had cultivated more than 16 new varieties including "Star of Whyke", "Miss Rose", "Nelly", "Oriflamme" and "Emily Teesdale". (Ref: International Society for Horticultural Science newsletter 53:1:2013 page 22/23)
Further information has been kindly shared by a descendant of Charles Lennox Moore Teesdale.
The largest number of Teesdale descendents now live in Australia and many of those still living in England do not have the surname Teesdale/Teasdale.
Charles Lennox Moore Teesdale's great grandfather Col. RM Christopher Teesdale born in Newcastle, 1699 - 1772. I believe I am an 8th generation ancestor of Col. RM. Christopher Teesdale.
Charles had a nephew: Maj.Gen.RA Christopher Charles Teesdale (Sir, KCMG, CB. VC.) 1833-1893. the nephew is buried at St. Mary's South Bersted.
The nephew was Equerry to Queen Victoria and at one point Prince Charles had Sir Christopher's portrait hanging in the gallery at Clarence House. There was a time when many Teesdale families/households seemed to have a photograph- same portrait, on display.