Name: Eliza Chrestien
Burial Number: 1555
Gender: Female
Distinction: Philanthropist
Born: 01/10/1853
Died: 04/02/1933
Buried: 08/02/1933
Story
Heene Hallmark
Eliza Chrestien 1853 – 1933
Philanthropist
Eliza Day was born in 1853 in Ilminster, Somerset, she was baptised on 23rd October. Her father was Uriah Day, 40yrs, Horse keeper, her mother, Sarah, 41yrs. She had three older sisters, Charlotte 8, Ellen 6, Susan 4, and a brother, David, was born in 1861.
In 1876, she married Fernand Francois Chrestien, 38yrs, in Bengal, India. He was born in Bengal to a French family and was the owner of Chrestien Mica Industries. They had five children, Fernand Edward, 1882, Marie Kate, 1880, both born in Calcutta, Dora Marguerite, 1885, born in Marseilles, and two who died in infancy.
Eliza was living in Worthing in 1891, with her daughters at Egerton Lodge, Rowlands Road, while her husband remained in India, and by 1901 had moved to ‘Tisree’ Richmond Road, an impressive property with substantial grounds. After her husband retired from India in 1908 they regularly hosted garden parties and summer fetes for local charities and good causes.
In the 1900 Heene Parish Magazine, Mrs. Chrestien is mentioned very regularly, as a giver of money, she lent the Church £50 towards the building of the Church Rooms and gave to the Poor Fund, she ran a Boys Club and Sunday School Class and was part of the team decorating the Church at Christmas and Easter and donating flowers.
Eliza was widowed in 1923, and ‘Tisree’ passed to her son, Fernand and his wife, and they too continued hosting charitable events. Eliza remained in Worthing and was living at 14, Shakespeare Rd. when she died, aged 79yrs, on 4th February 1933.
Probate was granted to Fernand Edward Chrestien, merchant, and Dora Marguerite Gordon Walker. Effects – £14365 12s 3d- Value 2020 – £1m.
Researcher: Maggi Martin
The Grave
Location in Cemetery
Area: SB Row: 2 Plot: 3
Exact Location (what3words): hooks.hulk.comet
Ashes or Urn: Unknown
Headstone
Description:
No description of the headstone has been added.
Inscription:
In loving memory Fernand Francois Chrestien born 15th March 1838 died 3rd October 1923 "The peace of God which passeth all understanding" also of Eliza his wife 1st October 1853 - 4th Feb 1933 "a loving mother and grandmother" Also in loving memory of Edgar Dudley died 5th October 1939 Marie Kate Dudley died 21st April 1957
Further Information
Birth
Name: Eliza Chrestien
Gender: Female
Born: 01/10/1853
Town: Ilminster
County: Somerset
Country: England
Marriage
Maiden Name: Not applicable
Marriage Date: //1876
Spouse First Name: Fernand
Spouse Second Name: Francois
Spouse Last Name: Chrestien
Town of Marriage: Unknown
County of Marriage: Unknown
Country of Marriage: India
Information at Death
Date of Death: 04/02/1933
Cause of death: Unknown
Address line 2: 14
Address line 3: Shakespeare Road
Town: Worthing
County: Sussex
Country: England
Obituary
No obituary has been entered.
Personal Effects
Money left to others: £14365 12 s 3 d
Current value of effects: £1000000.00
Census Information
1861
Living at Lilian Street, Ilminster, Somerset, Uriah Day, 47yrs, Horse keeper, wife, Sarah, 48yrs, 5 children, Charlotte 15, Ellen 13, Susan 11, Eliza 7, David 2months.
1891
Living at Egerton Lodge, Rowlands Road, Worthing. Eliza Chrestien, 37yrs, 2 children, Marie K.11yrs, Dora M., 6yrs, niece, Charlotte Hamly, 15yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.
1901
Living at ‘Tisree’, Richmond Road, Worthing, Eliza Chrestien, 47yrs, living on own means, daughter, Marie Kate, 21yrs, plus 3 domestic servants.
1911
Living at ‘Tisree’, Richmond Road, Worthing, Fernand Francois Chrestien, 73yrs, mica merchant, wife, Eliza, 57yrs, and grandson, Jack Dudley, 1yr, employing 5 domestic servants.
1921
Living at Tisree, Richmond Road, Worthng, Ssussex.
| Fernand | Chrestien |
Head
|
Male | 1838 | 83 | Merchant Retired | – | |
| Eliza | Chrestien |
Wife
|
Female | 1853 | 67 | Home Duties | – | |
| Dora Gordon | Chrestien |
Daughter
|
Female | 1884 | 36 | None | – | |
| Ethel | Blaker |
Servant
|
Female | 1887 | 34 | Domestic Servant Cook | Private | |
| Alice | Hoare |
Servant
|
Female | 1900 | 21 | Domestic Servant |
Miscellaneous Information
Worthing Herald – Friday 1st August 1941
Several hundred people assembled in the grounds of “Tisree” Richmond Road, the home of Mrs Chrestien, last Thursday for the summer sale in aid of Waifs and Strays Society. The opening ceremony was performed by the Mayor (Councillor J.A. Mason) who was accompanied by the Mayoress.
There were several stalls and an entertainment was given by the pupils of Kingsdene School. The garden produce stall was run by Miss Tower, Miss Stafford and Miss Machaitie; groceries and household: Mrs Clarke, Miss Scott, Mrs Bell and Mrs Walker; comforts for the troops: Miss Birkett, Miss K. Birkett and Miss Brabrook; children’s clothes: Miss Goome, Miss Chausier, Miss J.J. Talbot, Miss Mathews and members of St Hilda’s Working Party; Children’s Union Stall: Miss Gillespie, Mrs Hepworth, Miss Rawlinson and MRs Heas; white elephant stall: the Misses Crouch and Miss Pitullay; miscellaneous and stationary: Mrs Daines-Wood, Mrs Yates and Mrs Ghey; home cookery stall: Miss Peel-Law, Miss Duncan and Miss Brobell.
Teas were organised by Mrs Frank Roberts, the Misses Silverside and Miss Fisher, and competitions by Miss Wallington, Miss White, Mrs Penfold and Dr Slat.
