By May Houghton. "My father was a cultured English gentleman, loving, patient and clever, and, though I am growing old myself now, I can truthfully say that in the course my life I have met very few people so worthy of admiration and love. He was tall and slight, with dark hair and brown eyes. I remember in winter evenings how we used to enjoy sitting round the fire while he told us tales of travel and adventure, sometimes from books he had read, and sometimes from his own experience. And in summer we spent the evenings in the garden, walking up and down the lawn or attending to the plants. He was always fond of gardening. He married twice, first to his cousin Catherine Watt. (See note below) They had five children, viz, George Warrand, Bertha Warrand, Rosina Warrand, Charles Warrand, and Clarence Warrand. Clarence died in infancy. Warrand was my grandmother's maiden name. Her father was either a Colonel or General in the Army. His second wife, my Mother, was the daughter of Captain William Boxer, R.N. My brothers and sisters were Sidney Alexander and Bernard, twins, Millicent Detta and Ethel. I come between Millie and Ethel.
By Violet Houghton. “My grandfather might be described as belonging to the class of landed gentry but he impoverished himself by investing in the business to do with the cochineal beetle in the Canary Islands. The production of cochineal was undercut by the introduction of artificial dye and my grandfather sold his Essex estate and went to live in Grand Canary with his wife and daughters. His move failed to save the business."
By his will, dated 23 March 1867, he arranged for his interest in the firm of Houghton, Smith and Company of 4, Jeffrey's Square, London, to continue as a loan to the firm on his death and for his son George Warrand Houghton to become a partner on reaching the age of twenty one. In a codicil to this will dated 17.7.73 he also appointed his eldest son, George Warrand Houghton, as an executor of his will and Guardian to his infant children (the children of his second marriage to Eliza Mary Boxer)
At one time he was British Vice-Consul at Las Palmas, Grand Canary
At the time of his death, he was a partner in the firm Houghton, Smith & Co. and gave his address as High Street, Leyton, Essex and 4, Jeffrey's Square, London (Presumably his business address)
On 10 1848 when Charles James was 30, he first married Catherine Mary WATT, from 3, Europe Place, Bridge Rd, Battersea. Born in 1830, Catherine Mary died on 31 3 1860 aged 30. She was the daughter of a surgeon. (His cousin, according to May Vickers, but I don't think so. She was his sister-in-law. Charles James's sister, Helen, married John Watt.)
Image credits
1. James Crick
No comments:
Post a Comment