Charles Shirley & Rebecca Stevens: Highgate Cemetery

One day last summer [2016] I went to visit the grave of my 4 x Great Grandparents: Charles Shirley and Rebecca Stevens. Charles Shirley was born about 1784 in Uxbridge, Middlesex. On 3rd June 1810 he married Rebecca Stevens at St Mary, Hanwell [Ealing]. Note: The current St Mary, Hanwell church building only dates from 1841. Between 1814 and 1820 they were living at Coleman Street Buildings: Coleman Street runs parallel to Moorgate, South West of Finsbury Circus. Then, from at least 1822 to about 1830 they were living at 7 White Street, Finsbury in the City of London. These addresses are from their children's baptism records.

White Street: on right of map, below Ropemaker Street, which is highlighted in yellow.

I cannot find a baptism record for Frederick, but all the other children were baptised at St Stephen, Coleman Street.

St Stephen, Coleman Street: First built c1214 but burnt down in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Then it was rebuilt over a period of years by Sir Christopher Wren and finished in 1681. Then, destroyed again, by an incendiary bomb on 29th December, 1940. On the 1841 Census, Charles is living at Georges Place, St Mary Islington West. His age is stated as 45 [which is out by 10 years] Occupation: School Master. Also at the same address: wife Rebekah [sic] born 1796, age also incorrect, Eliza age 20 born 1821 [unable to read her Occupation], James age 18 born 1823, an Accountant, Matthew age 13 born 1828, Charles age 11 born 1830 and Frederick age 9 born 1832. No place of birth available on 1841 Census. On the 1851 Census: Charles is living at 18 William Street, Islington East with wife Rebecca. His age is 65 and his Occupation ? Schoolmaster Collector. Rebecca's age is 63 and it is stated that they were both born in Uxbridge, Middlesex. By 1861 Charles is living at 40 Windsor Road [Holloway] Islington, St Mary/Islington East. Charles is aged 77 and Rebecca 74. Charles's Occupation: "Proprietor of House” and again it states they were both born in Uxbridge. At the same address are James Henry age 38 born 1823 in Cripplegate [also Head of a household] and Marianne R., his daughter, age 16, born in 1845 in Shoreditch. James Henry is stated as married but his wife is not listed. The Will of Charles Shirley, formerly of Felix-terrace Liverpool-road in the Parish of St. Mary Islington but late of 40 Windsor-road Upper Holloway both in the County of Middlesex deceased who died 23rd June 1862 at Windsor road aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Rebecca Shirley of 40 Windsor-road aforesaid Widow Relict and the sole Executrix. Effects under 1,000 pounds. Here is a drawing from Gettyimages of St Mary's, Islington: "From Felix Terrace".

From a Street Directory: some information which seems to suggest Felix Terrace was absorbed into Liverpool Road [between Lofting Road and Barnsbury Street].

Rebecca Stevens was baptised at St Margaret, Uxbridge on 11th November 1787. Her parents were: John, a Shoemaker, and Rebecca. Rebecca died 13th February at Trinity Place, Reading, Berkshire and was buried on 21st February 1868 at "St James in Swain's Lane: in the Parish of St Pancras". She was 81 years old. Another researcher on the Internet said they had her death certificate on which it states the Trinity Place address and that she was the Widow of Charles Shirley, School Master. Will indexes state: Rebecca Shirley Effects under 800 pounds. The will with a Codicil of Rebecca Shirley late of Reading in the County of Berks Widow deceased who died 13 February 1868 at Reading aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oaths of George William Shirley of 6 Frederick-street Caledonian-road Islington in the County of Middlesex Gentleman and James Henry Shirley of 2 Bow-lane in the City of London Accountant the Sons the Executors. Note: Copies of their wills below.

Which brings me back to Highgate. The Headstone has fallen over a long time ago, not in the recent past. It is lying horizontally, sideways with half of the stone buried in mud. Cemetery staff were unable to move it.

Information from Highgate Cemetery:

Children of Charles Shirley and Rebecca Stevens: George William Shirley 1814 – 1886 My Ancestor. Eliza Anne Shirley 1816 - John Charles Shirley 1820 - James Henry Shirley 1822 – Robert bapt 1824 at St Margaret Lothbury died 1825 and buried at St Stephen’s, Coleman Street. Matthew Shirley 1828 - Charles Shirley 1829 - 1895 Frederick Shirley 1832 -