Name: Maria Smith
Burial Number: 0750
Gender: Female
Occupation: Private means
Distinction: Vicar's daughter
Born: 14/10/1831
Died: 23/7/1914
Buried: 27/07/1914
Story
Maria was born in Warminster, Wilts, the daughter of Rev. William Dalby and his wife Harriet nee Byard. She was baptised at St Denys with St Lawrence church, Warminster on 9th November 1831.
Her father was the local vicar. Harriet died at the vicarage in 1840.
By 1851, William was the rector at St Swithin’s church in Compton Bassett. His son William Byard Dalby followed his father into the church. William Snr died on 3rd December 1861. William Jnr died aged just 34 on 16th February 1865. He had been admitted to Kingsdown Lunatic Asylum at Box in Wiltshire the previous May.
On 13th December 1865, Maria married Rev. John Finch-Smith at the church of St Philip and St James in Oxford. Two years later, it was announced in the local newspaper that Maria’s sister had become a Roman Catholic.
By 1871, John Finch-Smith was working as chaplain in residence at Leavesden Asylum in Watford. John’s next appointment was as vicar of Stropsley, now part of Luton.
The family later moved to Edensor near Stoke on Trent when John was appointed vicar. The name “Edensor” became the house name wherever the family moved to. John died on 29th November 1907.
Their son Ernest who was rector of Snodland in Kent died in January 1909 after a period of ill health. Maria and her daughter Katherine moved to West Malling, Kent with Dorothy Campbell Smith daughter of Maria’s son Arthur Percy.
The family moved to Worthing at the beginning of the war in 1914, living at “Edensor” in Harrow Road. Maria died on 23rd July 1914. Katherine and Dorothy moved to Brighton soon after Maria’s death. Probate was granted on 2nd November to Katherine Stuart Finch-Smith spinster. Effects £84 18s.
Researcher: Carol Sullivan
The Grave
Location in Cemetery
Area: EB Row: 5 Plot: 4
Exact Location (what3words): slide.exam.angel
Ashes or Urn: Unknown
Headstone
Description:
Maria Smith is buried under the headstone for Sophie, Nelson and Ethel Pyecroft
Inscription:
In loving memory of our dear mother Sophie Pyecroft died 10th June 1939 and of her son Nelson Ernest Pyecroft died 7th March 1950 and of her daughter Ethel Jane Pyecroft died 22nd Jan 1952
Further Information
Birth
Name: Maria Stuart Finch Smith
Gender: Female
Born: 14/10/1831
Town: Warminster
County: Wiltshire
Country: England
Marriage
Maiden Name:Dalby
Marriage Date: 13/12/1865
Spouse First Name: John
Spouse Last Name: Finch-Smith
Town of Marriage: Oxford
County of Marriage: Oxfordshire
Country of Marriage: England
Information at Death
Date of Death: 23/7/1914
Cause of death: Unknown
Address line 1: "Edensor"
Address line 3: Harrow Road
Town: Worthing
County: Sussex
Country: England
Obituary
No obituary has been entered.
Personal Effects
Money left to others: £84 18 s d
Current value of effects: £8119.00
Census Information
1851
Rectory, Compton Bassett, Wilts
William aged 58, widower, rector. Harriet Shepherd Dalby aged 20. Maria Stuart Dalby aged 19. Elizabeth Pearson aged 18. Louise Churton Dalby aged 13. Charlotte Augusta King aged 33, visitor. Plus 3 servants.
1861
Hewton House, Clevedon, Somerset.
William aged 68, rector of Compton Bassett. William Byard Dalby aged 31, clergyman without care of souls. Maria S aged 29. Elizabeth aged 28. Margaret aged 26. Plus 4 servants.
1871
Chaplain’s Residence. Leavesden Asylum, Watford.
John aged 30, chaplain in residence. Maria aged 36. Ernest Dalby Finch-Smith aged 3. Louisa Knight aged 21, nurse. Plus 1 servant.
1881
3 Lansdown Terrace, Luton, Beds.
John aged 39, vicar of Stopsley. Maria aged 45. Katie aged 9. Percy Arthur aged 8.
1891
Edensor Vicarage, Stoke on Trent, Staffs.
Maria aged 59, clergyman’s wife. Katherine aged 19. Clara Bakewell aged 16, visitor. Plus 1 servant.
1901
Edensor Vicarage, Stoke on Trent, Staffs.
John aged 58, clergyman C of E. Maria aged 66. Katherine aged 27. Dorothy Campbell Smith aged 1, grand daughter. Plus 1 servant.
1911
“Edensor” West Malling, Kent.
Maria aged 77, widow. Katherine aged 36. Dorothy aged 11, grand daughter. Plus 2 servants.
