Daughter of Robert Ackland and Mary Ann Howlett, Rebecca Isabella Ackland was born on 8th September 1846 in Kenninghall, Norfolk. On the 1851 Census she is living with her Uncle George Howlett and Grandmother Mary Ann Howlett in Church Street, Attleborough, Wayland, Norfolk.
In 1861 she is listed as Rebecca Shaw [sic] a general servant at 267 City Road, Finsbury [St Luke, Old Street]. The head of the household is a Corn Dealer. Despite the transcription error I believe it is her as the age is correct: 16 years old and place of birth Kenninghall, Norfolk. 1871 and listed as Rebecca Snow, she was working as a Housekeeper at 7 Seymour Street, St Marylebone. Head of House Louisa Hastings is 88 years old and described as the "relict of Admiral ? Hastings". By the time of the 1881 Census in which she is listed as Rebecca I A Snow, she is a cook at 32 Sussex Gardens, Paddington. The head of the Household is a Wine Merchant. Rebecca married Heinrich Heck (Courier and Widower) on 5th March 1887 in the Parish Church, Paddington. His address at the time was 12 Bury Street, St James and hers 32 Sussex Gardens. In 1891 despite now being married: listed as Rebecca A Heck and status married, she is still at 32 Sussex Gardens and Housekeeper to the "Retired Merchant" William Gonne. Heinrich, now going by the name of Henry is at 174 Tufnell Park Road.
Occupation: Courier Travels with Gents, born in Germany and a British Subject. In 1901 at 39 St James Place, Westminster (Pall Mall/Strand)
Rebecca, Lodging House Keeper with servants and presumably guests: a "Retired Gent ? Army Officer" who is listed as a Visitor, and a Solicitor, listed as a Boarder.
I cannot find Heinrich [Henry] on the 1901 Census but as he was a travelling salesman it is possible he was out of the country at the time.
1901 Electoral Register [above]
St James's Place, number 39 to left of the light coloured house in the centre of the picture.
Copyright LMA: https://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Grace, daughter of Rebecca's sister Henrietta, said that “Auntie Rebecca was rich and had a guesthouse in the St James area of London”. This ties up nicely with the entries for her on the 1901 and 1911 census.
Interestingly, numbers 40 to 44 St James's Place were also Lodging Houses. The Head of the Household at number 45 though states he is a "Private Hotel Proprietor"! The 1911 Listing for 39 St James Place:
Various Directories, Tax Records and Electoral Rolls show Rebecca at the St James Place address up until 1917.
Dorothy Mitchell said: "Aunt Rebecca had one Son, he died since 1945". to be continued . . . .
Photo: 39 St James's Place in the 21st Century - presuming the building is the same as it was in Rebecca's time.