Simon Ranson (buried 1930)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Ranson
First name: 
Simon
Other Christian names: 
Mortlock Denys
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
Yes
Burial number: 
1458
Born: 
17/9/1842
Died: 
15/10/1930
Buried: 
18/10/1930
Occupation: 
Clergyman C. of E.
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
WB
Cemetery row: 
1
Cemetery plot: 
38
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy
Headstone inscription: 
In memory of Simon Mortlock Ranson died 15th October 1930 aged 88 years
Grave location map

Life story

Life story

Simon Mortlock Denys Ranson was born in Triplow, Cambridgeshire, on 17th September 1842; he was the son of John Daniel Ranson, 40yrs, Grocer, and Sarah, 32yrs, nee Miller. Simon had 3 older siblings, William b.1836, Mary Ann b.1839, and Martha b.1841.

Simon studied for the priesthood at St. John's College, Cambridge, gaining his BA in 1872, and being ordained in the same year. He was curate in Haresfield, Middlesex, St. Paul's, Covent Garden, and St. George's, Campden Hill, before being vicar at Pishill, Oxfordshire, Grosvenor Chapel, Audley Street, and in 1884 he was appointed as the first vicar of St. Alban's, Streatham, where he oversaw the building of the church, designed by his brother-in-law, E. H. Martineau, an architect.

In April 1877, Simon, 34yrs, married Maria Martineau, nee Wheeler, 37yrs, at St. George's, Hanover Square, she was a widow with 3 children under 10yrs. Simon and Maria had 2 children, a son, Denys Francis, b.1878, and Olive Mary, b.1881, both born in Kensington, London.

By 1911, Simon had retired and was living with Maria and 2 daughters in Crowborough, Sussex, he was widowed in 1918 and by 1921, aged 78yrs, had moved to Worthing, Sussex, where he lived with his unmarried son, Denys, at Glenaldon, Stoke Abbott Road. Simon died on 15th October 1930, aged 88yrs, probate was granted to his son, Denys Francis Ranson, Esq. and Philip Brian Martineau, solicitor, effects £30,335 14s. 11d. Value 2022 - £2.1m.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Gender: 
Male
Date born: 
17/09/1842
Address at birth: 
Triplow, Cambridgeshire
Parents
Mother
Mother's name: 
Sarah
Mother's maiden name: 
Miller
Mother's year of birth: 
1810
Mother's year of death: 
1882
Father
Father's name: 
John Daniel
Father's year of birth: 
1802
Father's year of death: 
1852
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Maria
Spouse one last name: 
Wheeler
Marriage one date: 
00/02/1877
Marriage one address: 
Hanover Square, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
15/10/1930
Age (at time of death): 
88
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Glenaldon, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Obituary

Norwood News – Friday 24th October 1930.

 

The announcement of the death of the Rev. S. M. Ranson will be received with deep regret by the older generation of Streatham residents, who will remember him as the first vicar of the parish of St. Alban, Streatham Park. He passed away last week at his residence in Worthing, at the ripe old age of 88 years. It was as long ago as 1884 that he was invited to take charge of a district of Streatham in which building was projected. Mr. Ranson. then a young man, full of vigour and energy, set to work immediately to provide a church worthy of such a neighbourhood, and by his ministry and personality he infected so many people with his own vision and enthusiasm that the nave of the new church was ready for consecration in 1887. Not satisfied to rest on their oars. they continued their efforts, and very soon the chancel was added. The architect was Mr. Ranson's brother-in-law. Mr. Martineau, and their joint efforts evolved a church which is to-day acknowledged to be one of the most beautiful in suburban London, with a design very uncommon, and an attention to detail which produced rich results. Feeling the weight of the growing neighbourhood more than his advancing years could bear, he resigned the living in 1907, But his interest remained, quick and eager to the end, and as recently as last month he was able to receive a visit from some of his old parishioners, who, happily, still retain an active connection with the church, and his delight at seeing them once more was obviously sincere. Simon Mortlock Ranson laid good and deep foundations, and the life of St. Alban's Church to-day is the best memorial of his work that man could desire. Many will thank God as they recall him.

Personal effects
Executors: 
Denys Francis Ranson status: Son: Philip Brian Martineau status: Solicitor
Probate pounds: 
£30,335

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

Living at Pavement, St. Ives, Huntingdonshire. John D. Ranson, 48yrs, Grocer, wife, Sarah, 42yrs, 4 children, William, 15yrs, Apprentice Grocer, Mary Ann, 12yrs, Martha, 10yrs, Simon, 8yrs, plus 1 visitor and 1 domestic servant.

1881 census: 

Living at Vicarage House, Pishill, Oxfordshire. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 38yrs, Vicar of Pishill, wife, Maria, 41yrs, 3 stepchildren, Florence Martineau, 14yrs, Gerald Martineau, 13yrs, Helen Martineau, 12yrs, son, Denys F. 3yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.

1891 census: 

Living at St. Albans House, Streatham Park, London. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 48yrs, Clerk in Holy Orders, wife, Maria, 51yrs, 3 stepchildren, Florence, 24yrs, Gerald, 23yrs, Articled Clerk, Helen, 22yrs, daughter, Olive 9yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.

1901 census: 

Living at St. Albans House, Streatham Park, London. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 58yrs, Clergyman, C of E, 2 stepdaughters, Florence, 34yrs, Helen, 32yrs, son, Denys, 23yrs, Tea Merchant/Grocer, daughter, Olive, 19yrs, plus 2 domestic servants.

1911 census: 

Living at Forest House, Aviemore Road, Crowborough, Sussex. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 68yrs, Clergyman retired, wife, Maria, 71yrs, daughter, Olive Mary, 29yrs, stepdaughter, Florence, 44yrs, plus 3 domestic servants.

1921 census: 

Living at Glenaldon, Stoke Abbott Road, Worthing, Sussex. Simon Mortlock Ranson, 78yrs, widower, Clergyman retired, son, Denys Francis, 43yrs, Retired Golf Club Secretary, plus 2 domestic servants.

Miscellaneous information

St. Alban's Church, Streatham Park
St. Alban's Church, Streatham Park

St. Alban's Church, Streatham Park

St Alban's church in Aldrington Road, Streatham Park was designed by E.H. Martineau and consecrated on 2nd April 1887. Having survived bomb damage in World War II, it was demolished after a fire in 1947.