William Akers (buried 1912)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Akers
First name: 
William
Other Christian names: 
Iredale
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
674
Born: 
0/2/1852
Died: 
09/08/1912
Buried: 
14/08/1912
Occupation: 
Warehouseman; Colonial Drapery Buying Agent;
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NES
Cemetery row: 
2
Cemetery plot: 
19
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/shape.elder.agent
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone description: 
A variant of the Cross Pattee popular in Christian symbolism of late antiquity and the early medieval period. The Celtic Knots in the pattee cross came about in or around 450AD, before the Celts could be influenced by Christianity. Celtic culture took the form of knots, spirals, plait, braid, step and key patterns to depict richly symbolic seven creations. These creations were: man, mammal, plant, insect, bird, fish and reptile. Just as each of these symbolizes something important, so do the kinds of Celtic knots. This is why they are often used in Christianity to symbolize the Holy Trinity.
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of William Iredale Akers who passed away August the 9th 1912 in the 61st year of his age "At rest" Also of Caroline Ann wife of the above who died 26th Sept 1916 aged 68

Life story

Life story

William was born in Roydon, son of George Abraham Akers and his wife Mary. He was baptised at Roydon on 22 Feb 1852. His father was a farmer. William found employment in London as a warehouseman, living in one of the hostels run by Messrs Cook Son & Co. They were England's largest wholesale clothing traders and drapers. Their base since 1834 was in the Castle Baynard area near St Paul's. In 1891 employees living on the premises included 22 porters, 5 manservants, 10 housemaids, 50 clerks, 77 warehousemen and a house steward. William married Caroline Ann Wells at Holy Trinity Church, Newington on 23 Dec 1876. The couple set up home in Islington before moving to Camberwell. William set up his own business as a colonial buying agent in the drapery business. His office was at 9 Warwick Square, Newgate in 1902. By 1909, William and Caroline had moved to Worthing, living at 'Akerdene' in Belsize Road. William died at Bayford House, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, Kent on 9 Aug 1912. Probate was granted on 14 Sep to Caroline Ann Akers widow and Henry Herbert Akers gentleman. Effects £5215 7s 11d.

Burial researcher: 
Carol Sullivan

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/02/1852
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Caroline Ann
Spouse one last name: 
Wells
Marriage one date: 
23/12/1876
Marriage one address: 
Newington, Surrey, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
09/08/1912
Age (at time of death): 
61
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Bayford House, Sandhurst, Cranbrook, Kent, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Caroline Ann Akers status: Widow
Probate pounds: 
£5,215

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1861 census: 

Rush Green Farm, Roydon (Liberty of Little Amwell), Essex.

George aged 40, farmer of 150 acres employing 7 men and 1 boy. Mary aged 34. William aged 9. George aged 7. Henry aged 5. Thomas aged 1. Stanley aged 3 months. Mary aged 12. Julia aged 10. Plus 1 servant.

1871 census: 

6 Carter Lane + 10-15 Sermon Lane + 2,3,4 Knowles Court, Castle Baynard, London.

William aged 19, warehouseman, boarding in one of the hostels run by Messrs Cook Son and Co, wholesale clothing traders and drapers.

1881 census: 

39 Balfour Road, Islington.

William aged 29, commercial traveller. Carrie aged 33. Arthur Wells aged 37, brother-in-law, accountant. Plus 1 servant.

1891 census: 

104 Wood Vale, Camberwell.

William aged 39, merchant's clerk. Caroline aged 35. Plus 1 servant.

1901 census: 

16 Shadella Road, Camberwell.

William aged 49, colonial buying agent. Caroline aged 48. Plus 1 servant.

1911 census: 

"Akerdene" Belsize Road, Worthing.

William aged 59, commission agent. Caroline aged 63. Plus 1 servant.

Miscellaneous information

William Akers and William Paine
William Akers and William Paine

 William Akers and William Paine[/caption] A postcard produced to celebrate the coronation of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. These two were neighbours in Belsize Road and they are both buried at Heene. The one leaning on the gate at Akerdene is William Iredale Akers and the other by the Fernlea gate is William Paine. FoHC Acknowledge the Geoffrey Godden Collection and Worthing Library Service, for the permission to publish these photographs.