George Saunders (buried 1915)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Saunders
First name: 
George
Other Christian names: 
James
Gender: 
Male
Burial number: 
782
Born: 
0/0/1837
Died: 
23/04/1915
Buried: 
27/04/1915
Occupation: 
Merchant
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
18
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/levels.rents.lives
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Emily wife of George James Saunders died April 1st 1912 aged 71 "Your life is hid with Christ in God" Also of George James Saunders husband of the above who died April 23rd 1915 aged 77

Life story

Life story

George was born in St Pancras c1837. It is not known who his parents were. George was a boarder at Church House School, Merton in 1851. Also at the school was Jeesie Flight, a governess. The Flight family lived in Mitcham and it was her sister Emily that George married. The wedding took place at St Nicholas Church, Chiswick on 13th August 1863. George was employed as a merchant's commercial clerk. The family lived in Greenwich for many years but moved to Worthing in 1895 when Emily's health deteriorated. They lived at Chappell Croft, a large house in Mill Road. 

Chappell Croft
Chappell Croft

 Emily died in 1912. The same year, George's son George Walter married Agnes, the daughter of Henry Beckles the late rector of Heene. George died on 23rd April 1915. Probate was granted on 28th May to George Walter Saunders and Thomas Saunders gentlemen. Effects £42370 16s 5d (approx £2.5 million in 2020). 

After George's death, his son Thomas offered Chappell Croft to the British Red Cross for use as a hospital for the duration of the war.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/00/1837
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Emily
Spouse one last name: 
Flight
Marriage one date: 
13/08/1863
Marriage one address: 
Chiswick, Middlesex, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
23/04/1915
Age (at time of death): 
77
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
The Chappell Croft, Mill Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Worthing Gazette 5th May 1915

In the May number of Heene Parish Magazine, tribute is paid to the late Mr George James Saunders of the Chappell Croft who recently passed away aged 77. he was described as "old attached and highly respected member of the congregation". Mr Saunders bought The Chappell Croft about nineteen years ago as a home for his then invalid wife. He was then in business in London and had a house in Greenwich and had been a church warden during the incumbency of Rev. Brooke Lambert. At Heene he preferred not to take any prominent part in the Church but was always ready to do his share and always took an interest in Church life, subscribing generously to charities and funds. The magazine further stated "all who came into contact with him recognised a man of high character and a true Christian". Some years ago Mr Saunders retired from business and shortly after that he lost his wife who for many years had been a great sufferer.

"Latest Wills"

George James Saunders of Chappell Croft, West Worthing.

Left £500 to his former housekeeper Elizabeth Vickers; £200 to his wife's companion Agnes Hilda Marchall; £50 to his coachman Charles Batten; £50 to his late gardener E Selmes; £100 and wearing apparel to Ada West if serving; and £100 to Lucy Kent and E A Sharp if serving.

Personal effects
Probate pounds: 
£42,370

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

Church House, Merton, Surrey

George aged 13, boarder at school .

1871 census: 

11 Circus, Greenwich.

George J aged 33, merchant's commercial clerk. Emily aged 30. George W aged 4. Thomas aged 1. Plus 2 servants.

1881 census: 

5 Gloucester Place, Greenwich.

George J aged 43, mercantile clerk. Emily aged 40. George W aged 14. Thomas aged 11. Ethel main aged 11, visitor. Plus 2 servants.

1891 census: 

5 Gloucester Place, Greenwich.

George J aged 53, merchant. Emily aged 50. George W aged 24. Thomas aged 22. Plus 2 servants.

1901 census: 

Chappell Croft, Worthing.

George J aged 63, retired merchant. Emily aged 60. George aged 34. Thomas aged 31. Plus 3 servants.

1911 census: 

Chappell Croft, Mill Road, Worthing.

George J aged 73, private means. Emily aged 70. Thomas aged 41. Plus a sick nurse and assistant, three servants.