Name: Edward Billingshurst
Burial Number: 0683
Gender: Male
Occupation: Domestic Gardener
Born: 00/00/1844
Died: 18/10/1912
Buried: 23/10/1912
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Story
Edward’s parents were George an agricultural labourer and Rhoda nee May. He was born in Mereworth, Kent in the Spring of 1844. He became a domestic gardener and married Margaret Ann Hotton on 11th November 1873 at St Mary’s church, St Marylebone, London. By 1881 they were living at Grange Lodge, Slaugham, Sussex but 10 years later, they were living in Colebrooke Park, Tonbridge, Kent and had 5 children: Rhoda b 1875, George b 1877, Rachael b 1879, William b 1881 and Henry b 1886. In 1911, the family were living at 14 Elm Grove, Worthing. Edward was working as an under gardener for Mr Rodocanachi at Cecil’s in Manor Road. He was found dead in the garden shed apparently having taken poison used to kill wasps. Although the local papers thought it was possible that Edward had died of natural causes, the jury at the inquest decided that he had died by suicide but there was no evidence of his state of mind. See below for further details. The full inquest was printed in the Worthing Gazette on 23rd October 1912. No probate.
Researcher: Angela Levy
The Grave
Location in Cemetery
Area: EB Row: 3 Plot: 12
Exact Location (what3words): toned.prime.steps
Ashes or Urn: Unknown
Headstone
Description:
Buried with Mary and William Roberston
Inscription:
in dearest memory of Mary Elizabeth Robertson a devoted wife and mother who fell asleep in Jesus April 2nd 1929 aged 78 years "Sleep on beloved" Also William Proctor Robertson husband of the above aged 86 1935 "Christ my rock, hope and life eternal"
Further Information
Birth
Name: Edward Billingshurst
Gender: Male
Born: 00/00/1844
Town: Known
County: Kent
Country: England
Marriage
Maiden Name: Not applicable
Marriage Date: 11/11/1873
Spouse First Name: Margaret
Spouse Second Name: Ann
Spouse Last Name: Hotton
Town of Marriage: Marylebone
County of Marriage: Middlesex
Country of Marriage: England
Information at Death
Date of Death: 18/10/1912
Cause of death: Unknown
Address line 1: 14
Address line 3: Elm Grove
Town: Worthing
County: Sussex
Country: England
Obituary
No obituary has been entered.
Personal Effects
Money left to others: No value recorded
Current value of effects: Not calculated
Census Information
1851
King Street, Mereworth, Kent
George aged 37, ag lab. Rhoda aged 35. George aged 13, farm labourer. Adelaide aged 10. Edward aged 6. Alfred aged 5. Charles aged 2. Henry aged 1.
1861
Mereworth, Kent.
George aged 47, ag lab. Rhoda aged 46. Mary Ann aged 18, living at home. Edward aged 17, ag lab. Alfred aged 15, ag lab. Charles aged 13, ag lab. Henry aged 10. Arthur aged 7. Ellen aged 2.
1871
Cashisbury Gardens, Watford, Herts.
Edward aged 26, gardener (domestic servant). Thomas Arnold aged 20, lodger, gardener (domestic servant).
1881
Grange Lodge, Slaugham, Sussex.
Edward aged 37, gardener, domestic. Margaret aged 38. Rhoda aged 6. George E aged 4. Rachael M aged 2. William aged 2 months.
1891
Colebrooke Park, Tonbridge, Kent.
Edward aged 47, gardener. Margaret aged 49. Rhoda aged 16. George aged 14, grocer’s shopman. Rachael aged 12. William aged 10. Henry Charles aged 5.
1901
Gardener’s Cottage, Colebrooke Park, Tonbridge, Kent.
Edward aged 57, gardener (domestic). Rachael Curtis aged 22, daughter. Henry aged 15, gardener.
1911
14 Elm Grove, Worthing, Sussex.
Edward aged 67, gardener (domestic). Margaret aged 69. Rhoda aged 36.
Miscellaneous Information
The Argus 19th October 1912
Tragic Discovery: Worthing
Another tragic discovery was made at Worthing yesterday, a gardener named Edward Billinghurst aged 68 who lived at 14 Elm Grove being found dead in the shed in the gardens at The Cecils in Manor Road where he was employed. A man named Baker caught sight of the deceased lying on his side in the shed about two o’clock and called PC Rapley who found that the old man was quite dead. Dr Hide was summoned but was unable to give a definite opinion as to the cause of death. In the shed not far from the deceased’s feet was found a glass mineral water bottle which was labelled “poison” and contained a certain amount of fluid which had been used it is understood by the gardeners for killing wasps. At present there is no evidence to show whether this had any bearing on the death, which may have been due to natural causes.