Christopher Sennett (buried 1906)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Sennett
First name: 
Christopher
Other Christian names: 
Andrew
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Unknown
Burial number: 
508
Born: 
12/8/1827
Died: 
23/09/1906
Buried: 
27/09/1906
Occupation: 
Furrier
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
5
Cemetery plot: 
1
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/pill.expand.trips
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
Sacred to the memory of Christopher Andrew Sennett of Seacroft, West Worthing who died at Crowborough Sept 23rd 1906 in his 80th year "His was peace" Also of Sarah Williams Sennett wife of the above died August 10th 1908 in her 82nd year "None shall be weary"
Grave location map

Life story

Life story

Born on 12 August 1827, Christopher Andrew Sennett was baptised on 2 September 1827 at Horselydown, St John Southwark. His parents were Christopher Sennett d 1844, a skinner and furrier with a large business near Blackfriars, and Elizabeth Jane Sennett, nee Dunford. 

Christopher joined his father's business with two of his brothers and took over when his father died. The Sennett Brothers supplied felts to hat makers. Their workforce was mainly women and girls whose job it was to pull hair from the skins before they were passed on to the "carroters". These women brushed the fur with a mix of mercury and nitric acid for a silk like finish. It had a toxic effect and this is where the saying "mad as a hatter" comes from. Christopher married Sarah Williams Baker in 1852. He left the business in 1879 and retired to Worthing.

When he first came to Heene he lived at 113, Lansdowne Road, however, in the1891 and 1901 Censuses he was at 'Seacroft', 9, Lansdowne Road, but this may have been a case of re-numbering of the houses. Christopher took part in local life, becoming a Parish Councillor.

‘Seacroft’, 9, Lansdowne Road
‘Seacroft’, 9, Lansdowne Road

He died on 23 September 1906 at 'Southview', a nursing home in Crowborough leaving the substantial sum of £14,860 15s to his widow and his son, Lt-Col Christopher Thomas Sennett. Sarah died in 1908.

Burial researcher: 
Angela Levy

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
12/08/1827
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Sarah Williams
Spouse one last name: 
Baker
Marriage one date: 
12/08/1852
Marriage one address: 
Southwark, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
23/09/1906
Age (at time of death): 
79
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Southview Nursing Home, Crowborough, Sussex, England
Usual address at death: 
Seacroft, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Elizabeth Jane Sennett status: Widow: Christopher Thomas Sennett status: Lieutenant Colonel - Son
Probate pounds: 
£14,860

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1841 census: 

Snowfields, Bermondsey,

Christopher Sennett, 50, head, skinner furrier; Elizabeth Jane Sennett, 48; Jane Elizabeth Sennett, 19; Christopher Sennett, 13; Richard Sennett, 7; John Walsduck?, 45, labourer; Caroline Walsduck?, 40, tayloress(sic);

1851 census: 

114, Snowfields, Bermondsey

Christopher A Sennett, 23, head, skinner and furrier; Richard Sennett, 16, brother, assistant; Jane Sennett, 27, sister, house keeper;

1861 census: 

6, ?  Cottage, St Mary Lambeth, Norwood

Christopher A Sennett, 33, head, furrier; Sarah W Sennett, 34, wife; Chistopher T Sennett, 5, son; Alfred Rich Sennett; 2, son; Sarah T/ J/ Hannaford, 46, married sister;

plus 1 servant

1871 census: 

109 Clapham Road  Lambeth

Christopjer A Sennett, 43, head, furrier; Sarah W Sennett, 44, wife; Alfred R Sennett, 12, son, scholar

plus 1 servant

1881 census: 

Lansdowne Road, Heene

Chris A Sennett, 53, head, retired fur cutter; Sarah W Sennett, wife; Alfred R Sennett, 22, son, civil engineer;

1891 census: 

Seacroft, 9, Lansdowne Road, Heene

Christopher A Sennett, 63, living on his means; Sarah W Sennett, 64, wife; Louisa Villars. 35, domestic companion;

plus a cook

1901 census: 

Seacroft , 9, Lansdowne Road, Heene

Christopher A Sennett, 73, furrier retired; Sarah W Sennett, 74, wife;

plus a cook and a housemaid