Name: Mary Alexander
Burial Number: 0975
Gender: Female
Occupation: Philanthropist
Distinction: Anti-slavery Benefactor
Born: 29/05/1836
Died: 03/01/1920
Buried: 07/01/1920
Story
Heene Hallmark
Mary Anne Alexander 1836 – 1920
Anti-slavery Benefactor
Mary Anne was born in Stoke Newington, the daughter of George William and Sarah Cleverley nee Horsnaill (his first wife). Her birth was recorded at the monthly meeting of the Quakers in Gracechurch Street. George was a member of a prominent Quaker family who were also brokers and philanthropists. The family lived in Kent and Mary Anne was sent to a private school in Brighton. On 20th August 1864, she was baptised as an adult at St Jude’s Church, Whitechapel. After her father was widowed, Mary Anne acted as his hostess at various formal occasions. George held meetings of the Foreign and Anti-Slavery Society at his home and many well known supporters would have attended the meetings including William Wilberforce. George was also mentioned by name in Thackeray’s novel Vanity Fair. When he died in 1890, Mary Anne inherited £50k (approx £4 million in today’s money). She was also given £10k to spend as she liked. In 1901, Mary Anne stayed at Fulmer House in Worthing. She liked the property so much that when it became available, she moved in with a companion and five servants. Mary Anne died on 3rd January 1920. Probate was granted on 3rd March to Robert Ernest Alexander and Philip Pembroke Alexander bankers and Sir John Watney knight. Effects £108669 3s 3d.
Researcher: Carol Sullivan
The Grave
Location in Cemetery
Area: WB Row: 1 Plot: 25
Exact Location (what3words): works.bigger.water
Ashes or Urn: Unknown
Headstone
Description:
No description of the headstone has been added.
Inscription:
Mary Anne Alexander eldest daughter of the late C.W. Alexander of Reigate born 29.5.36 died 3.1.20
Further Information
Birth
Name: Mary Anne Alexander
Gender: Female
Born: 29/05/1836
Town: Stoke Newington
County: Surrey
Country: England
Marriage
Maiden Name: Not applicable
No marriage information is available for this burial record.Information at Death
Date of Death: 03/01/1920
Cause of death: Unknown
Address line 1: Fulmer House
Address line 3: Boundary Road
Town: Worthing
County: Sussex
Country: England
Obituary
No obituary has been entered.
Personal Effects
Money left to others: £108669 3 s 3 d
Current value of effects: £3158000.00
Census Information
1841
Pipe’s Place, Shorne, Gravesham, Kent
George aged 35, bill broker. Sarah aged 35. Mary aged 5. Robert aged 3. William aged 1. Catherine aged 35, sister. Plus 5 servants
1851
27 Montpelier Crescent, Brighton
Mary Ann aged 14, pupil at school run by Miss Emilie Schnell
1861
Back of High Street, Lewes
Mary Ann aged 24, visitor, daughter of bill broker. Visiting the household of John Richman, coal merchant and family
1871
Mount Mascal House, North Cray, Kent
Mary Ann aged 34, visiting her brother Robert and his family. (they had 13 servants including a governess, two nurses, two nursemaids, butler, housekeeper, footman and kitchen staff)
1881
“The Willows” Paradise Row, Stoke Newington
George William aged 78, widower, banker. Mary Ann aged 44. Plus 9 servants including butler, housekeeper and cook
1891
Wellington Hotel, Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells
Mary Ann aged 54, visitor to the hotel
1901
Fulmer House, Boundary Road, Worthing
Mary Ann aged 64, own means, boarding at the house owned by James McManus
1911
Fulmer House, Boundary Road, Worthing
Mary Ann aged 74, private means. Louisa Caroline Strong aged 49, lady’s companion. Plus 5 servants
