Re-post as it has disappeared from the website - Rebecca Isabella Ackland - Lodging House Keeper

Daughter of Robert Ackland and Mary Ann Howlett,

Rebecca Isabella 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.

George Howlett Head 22 Tin Plate Worker Employing 1 man born London

Mary Ann Howlett Mother 61Widow Banham Nfk

Rebecca Ackland Niece 4 Kenninghall

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 Rebecca's 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 Heck Head M 54 Lodging House Keeper Norf Kenninghall

Ellen Ryan Servant S 29 General Servant (dom) Ireland

Margaret ditto S 21 ditto ditto

Alfred Leach? Ditto S 20 ditto London Bermondsey

Also there is at the same address a "retired gent ? Army Officer" described as a Visitor,

and a Solicitor, listed as a Boarder. Presumably both are guests at the Lodging House.

I cannot find Heinrich/Henry on the 1901 Census but as he was a traveling salesman it is possible he was out of the country at the time.

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 entry for her on the 1901 and 1911 census.

The 1911 Listing for 39 St James Place:

BRACKENRIDGE William 55 Stock Exchange

CHRISTIAN, Gerard 43 Army Lieut Colonel Malta Resident

CORDALL, Hugh Hamilton 25 Diplomatic Service Hon Attached Richmond Surrey

All Boarders.

HECK, Rebecca Widow 64 Boarding Hse Keeper Employer Norfolk Kennington Hall [sic]

HECK, Lucia Granddau 7 School Clapham London

SCHONBECK, Charlotte Serv 32 Cook Boarding House Austria Strearemark

BROWN, Mary Serv 19 Housemaid House Gravesend Kent

There may have been another boarder but it is difficult to tell from the records. Interestingly, numbers 40 to 44 St James's Place were also Lodging Houses.

The Head of the Household at number 45 states he is a "Private Hotel Proprietor"!

Various Directories, Tax Records and Electoral Rolls show her at the St James Place address up until 1917.

Dorothy Mitchell said Aunt Rebecca had one Son, he died since 1945.

to be continued . . . .