Fernand Chrestien (buried 1923)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Chrestien
First name: 
Fernand
Other Christian names: 
Francois
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1141
Born: 
15/3/1838
Died: 
03/10/1923
Buried: 
06/10/1923
Occupation: 
Mica Merchant
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Fernand Chrestien (buried 1923) headstone
Cemetery area: 
SB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
3
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/hooks.hulk.comet
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone 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

Life story

Life story

Fernand Francois Chrestien was born in Bengal in 1838, part of an extensive French clan in the area. F. F. Chrestian Ltd., in Bengal, became the Chrestien Mica Industries one of the oldest and largest mica producers in the world at that time. (Mica is a naturally forming silicate mineral, today it is widely used in cosmetics, paints, glue and varnish).

In Bengal, in 1876, he married Eliza Day, 23yrs, of Ilminster, Somerset. They had five children, details of only four of them are known: Paul Fernand 4th-27th April 1879, Fernand Edward 1882-1942, Marie Kate 1880-1957, both born in Calcutta, and Dora Marguerite 1885-1961, born in Marseilles.

In 1891, Fernand Francois remained in India while Eliza, with her daughters, a 15-year-old niece, Charlotte Hamly, from Wiltshire, and 2 female servants, was living at Egerton Lodge, Rowlands Rd., in Worthing. By 1911, Fernand Francois had returned from India, now aged 73yrs, and lived with Eliza, 57yrs, at Tisree, Richmond Road. In 1923, he died on October 3rd at Caer Gwent Nursing Home, Wykeham Road, Worthing, aged 85yrs.

Probate was granted to Fernand Edward Chrestien, merchant, Alan Lachlan, barrister-at-law, and Edgar Dudley. Effects - £118803 9s 8d Value 2020 - £7.2m.

Burial researcher: 
Liz Lane

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
15/03/1838
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Eliza
Spouse one last name: 
Day
Marriage one date: 
00/00/1876
Marriage one address: 
India

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
03/10/1923
Age (at time of death): 
85
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Caer Gwent Nursing Home, Wykeham Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Usual address at death: 
Tisree, Richmond Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Fernand Edward Chrestien status: Merchant: Alan Lachlan status: Barrister at Law: Edgar Dudley
Probate pounds: 
£118,803

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1911 census: 

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 census: 

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

Will of Mr. F. F. Chrestien.

Mr. Fernand Francois Chrestien, of Tisree, Richmond Road, Worthing, founder of Messrs. F. F. Chrestien & Co., mica miners, and a director of Indeuram Ltd., who died on October 3 last, aged 85, left gross estate of the value of £118,803 9s 8d, with net personalty £111,766 15s 10d. Fernand Edward Chrestien, of Tisree, son, Alan Lachlan Gordon Walker, of Tisree, and Edgar Dudley, of Copseham Rise, Oxhott, sons-in-law, are the executors.

Testator left to his wife £5,000 and an annuity of £1,500, and his household effects; £5,000 to his son, £9,000 each to his daughters (Mrs. Gordon Walker and Mrs. Dudley), £5,000 in trust for his daughter (Mrs. Gordon Walker), £200 each to his sons-in-law; £1,000 each to Rose Mitchell and Gladys Powell; and property at Hindhead to his wife for life and then for his daughter (Mrs. Gordon Walker), she paying £800 to her sister, Mrs. Dudley. The residue of his property as to one-third to his son and one third in trust for each of his daughters.

Worthing Journal February 2021 page 24

Death of Fernand Chrestien - "Born in India, he became a crack shot at an early age and often went hunting in the jungle, where, on one occasion, at the age of 12, he was almost killed by a tiger."