Robert Chignell (buried 1925)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Chignell
First name: 
Robert
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1191
Born: 
30/5/1837
Died: 
10/02/1925
Buried: 
14/02/1925
Occupation: 
Barrister; Head Teacher; Author
Distinction: 
J.M.W. Turner Biographer
Heene Hallmark: 
Yes
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SES
Cemetery row: 
9
Cemetery plot: 
24
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/feed.likely.vines
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy. Supply spring and flowering plants among roses
Headstone inscription: 
Here rests the body of Marion the beloved wife of Robert Chignell born May 24 1840, married July 28th 1863, died December 10 1908."Vivit Semper anima beata" "I know that my redeemer liveth" And here the body of her husband Robert Chignell sometime of Castlemount, Dover. Later of Stoneleigh. Last of Heene. born May 30 1837 died February 10 1925 "Much loving, much beloved"

Life story

Life story

Robert Chignell 1837 - 1925 

Barrister, Robert Chignell, was also a school principal and the author of two biographies. The Life and Paintings of Vicat Cole by Robert Chignell was published in 1898. Chignell was Vicat Cole's brother-in-law. Written in 1902, the biography of J.M.W. Turner was described as having a "modern approach" towards the artist.  

Biography 

Robert Chignell was born on 30th May 1837 in Colchester, Essex to accountant, Thomas Chignell and his wife Elizabeth Slythe.  He lived in Mile End, Colchester with his 5 brothers and 2 sisters and Robert was still a scholar at the age of 23. 

Robert married Marion Street in July 1863 at St. Pancras, London. Marion was the daughter of George Horatio Street, a bookseller and Elizabeth Arthur. 

By 1871 they were living in the Priory, St. Mary's, Dover with daughters, Marion and Ethel. Robert was the principal of a private school called St. Martin's Hill House. He prepared the sons of noblemen and gentlemen for Eton, Harrow and other public schools. 

Castlemount School, Dover
Castlemount School, Dover

Robert moved his school to Castlemount Dover, a school specially built by Mr. Adcock. Robert frequently opened this school to the public on Sundays and work hard for amenities in Dover. He was responsible for the laying out of Connaught Park and pioneered the building of housing for working people. He also financed the Pier's Workmen's Recreation Room. 

By 1991 Robert had moved to East Grinstead and worked as a barrister until his retirement when he became the biographer of two great artists. In 1898, after the death of his brother-in-law, Vicat Cole R.A., he carefully collated his work in a 3 volume biography. The biography was a great success which prompted Robert to write the biography of the much lauded landscape painter, J.M.W. Turner in 1902. 

In the early 1900's, Robert moved to St. Martens, Bath Road, Worthing. Marion died in 1908 and in 1911 the widowed Robert lived with his daughters, Marion and Mildred in Bath Road. 

Robert died in 1925 and was buried in Heene Cemetery alongside his wife, Marion. His daughter Marion, was also buried in the family plot at Heene in 1927.

Burial researcher: 
Pat Brownbill

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
30/05/1837
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Marion
Spouse one last name: 
Street

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
10/02/1925
Age (at time of death): 
87
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
St. Martens, Bath Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Marion Elizabeth Chignell: Vicat Cole status: Artist
Probate pounds: 
£19,373

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1841 census: 

Living at Botolph Street, St. Botolph, Colchester,  Thomas (40) baker, Elizabeth his wife (41) , Mary Ann (12) daughter, Sarah (10) daughter, Heindrick Agnis (8) , George (6), Albert (4) and Alfred (2).

1851 census: 

Living at Botolph Street, St. Botolph, Colchester,  Thomas (50) a clerk and master baker, Sarah (21) daughter, Heinrick (18) son a student, George (16) son and baker, Robert (14) son and scholar, Alfred (11) son and scholar and Rhoda and Joseph Winfield (both aged 18) servant and errand boy.

1861 census: 

Living at Farm House, Mile End, Colchester, Robert (23) a tutor, his mother, Elizabeth (61) and father Thomas (60) and servant Eliza Kettle (15)

1891 census: 

Living at Stoneleigh, Grinstead Lane, East Grinstead, Robert ( 53) barrister, Marian, (50) wife, Marian E (24) daughter, Ethel A (22) daughter, Mildred E Cole ( 25) niece, Lizzie A Jell (25) servant, Emily E Apps (19) servant.

1901 census: 

Living at 58 Clifton Road, Brighton with his son in law and daughter, Robert (63) barrister, Thomas H Fowler (32) managing director, Ethel A Fowler, (32) and Elizabeth Elphick (23) servant.za

1911 census: 

Living at St. Martens, Bath Road, Worthing, Robert (73) widowed retired barrister, Marion Elizabeth (44) daughter, Mildred Eleanor (39) daughter, Florence Lidbetter ( 26) servant, Mildred Holder (25) servant and Elizabeth Budgen (22) servant.

1921 census: 

Robert Chignell was a guest at The Sandrock Hotel, Isle of Wight.