Maria Smyth (buried 1912)

Maria was born in Newcastle, County Down, Ireland and was christened at Kilcoo, Co. Down on 17th April 1826. She was the daughter of John Row Morris and Mary nee Soady. John was a distinguished Royal naval officer from a naval family. His father was Master of the frigate "Narcissus". As Captain of the "Pioneer", John captured the French privateer "Indefatigable" on 9th May 1812 and reached the rank of Commander. Maria married Henry Smyth, a linen merchant on 20th May 1851 at Templerobin, Cork, Ireland. According to the 1911 census, the only one which could be found, the couple had 6 children (3 still living at the time). A son, Morris Henry was born in 1853. He joined the Royal Navy later becoming a Rear Admiral. A daughter Mary was born in 1858. Maria died aged 86 in a nursing home in Queens Road, Worthing. She was suffering from pneumonia and heart disease. Her daughter Mary, wife of Henry Kilgour of "Kilkec", Mill Road, Worthing was at her side. Maria was buried at Heene on 9th November 1912 and is also remembered on the Smyth family memorial in St Nicholas churchyard, Chiswick.