Biography:
Elizabeth Geill Watson
1847 –19/10/1929
Elizabeth Geill Watson
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"Henry Hilder, twin son of William and Mary Watson, 21st January
1858,aged 10 mo.
also of William Watson, father of the above died 22nd January 1869 aged 74.
Mary Watson wife of the above, died 7th January 1905 aged 90.
Elizabeth Geill Watson, their daughter, died 19th October 1929 aged 83"
Elizabeth Geill Watson’s parents married on 16th February 1843 at St Pancras Church. They were Mary Neilson Hyde of Berkhamsted, daughter of John Hyde, Gent, and William Watson, a gentleman of St Pancras and son of John Watson, also a Gent. The witnesses to their marriage were Mary’s father, John Hyde and William’s sister, Emma Mary Watson. Their marriage was reported upon by several local newspapers including the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette which stated:
MARRIED – February 16th, at St Pancras church, William Watson, esq, of Gordon Street, Gordon Square, London, to Mary Neilson, daughter of Joh Hyde, Esq., receiver of taxes, Great Berkhamstead.
Many professional people, such as William Watson, made Berkhamsted their home, whilst working in London, because of the railway. The first passenger train had passed through Berkhamsted on 16th October 1837, 59 minutes after leaving London, and this meant that travel to and from the capital was now relatively easy. William and Mary Watson’s first documented appearance in Berkhamsted was on 7th June 1845 when their son Augustus William was baptised at St Peter’s Church. He was followed by their only daughter, Elizabeth Geill Watson, who was baptised on 22nd July 1847. On 21st March 1849 Mary gave birth to twin sons, Charles Edward and Henry Hilder. Charles was baptised privately on 14th May 1849. The register states that he was the 3rd son of William and Mary Watson, gentleman. One can only assume that he was the second-born twin and may have appeared more sickly than his twin-brother, Henry, who was baptised on 25th October 1849. On the day that Henry was baptised his twin was admitted into the church. In a cruel twist of fate, it was the elder twin, Henry, who lived only 10 months and died on 21st January 1850.
Elizabeth’s grandfather, John Watson, died on 25th May 1845 at his home in Fitzroy Street, St Pancras, aged 75. Her father, William, proved his father’s will at the probate court in London on 25th June 1845. William’s father had made him one of three executors, with his mother Ann, and a family friend and wine merchant, Joseph Fanwick.
In 1851 the Watson family were living in some style with Elizabeth grandparents, John and Mary Hyde, who were now occupying the newly built Highfield House, at the top of what is now Highfield Road. This was a substantial villa with a conservatory and detached service buildings to the north. The landscaped grounds extended to Three Close Lane. John Hyde was able to employ five servants and entertain a guest, Stephen Lea Wilson, who later became the Vicar of Prestbury near Macclesfield in Cheshire. On 24th January 1858, William’s mother, Ann, died at her home in Fitzroy Street and once again William, as the sole executor, was called upon to prove the will.
By 1861 the family had moved to Berkhamsted High Street. The family consisted of Elizabeth’s parents and her two surviving brothers, Augustus William, and Charles in a household that included their cook, and a housemaid. At this time William was described as “Late RN and Sec.y to Corpn. Merchant Seaman’s Fund”. With William having held a post of such responsibility with contacts in the City of London, as well as having relatives, who were merchants and magistrates, it is no surprise that Elizabeth’s brothers attended university and had successful careers of their own. In July 1868 her eldest brother, Augustus William, was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Winchester, having previously obtained his B.A., from St John’s College, Cambridge.
On 30th January 1869 Elizabeth’s father, William died, and his death was reported upon in The Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times as follows: Jan. 22, at his residence, High Street, Great Berkhamstead, Mr William Watson, gentleman, aged 74. The deceased, who had been paralysed for many years, died almost suddenly. His will, proved on 22nd February 1869, named three executors: His widow Mary, his son the Reverend Augustus William Watson and his nephew John Harrison Watson (son of his sister Nancy) of 28 Queensborough Terrace, Bayswater, Middlesex. Amongst his effect were two sets of shares held on the Great Western Railway Company.
In 1871 Elizabeth was living with her widowed mother, Mary, her widowed grandmother, Mary Hyde and her unmarried aunt, Harriet Watson. The four ladies had one domestic servant living in with them in Berkhamsted High Street. On 19th April 1878 the Stamford Mercury reported on the death “At Great Berkhamsted, on the 14th inst., Mary widow of John Hyde of Gainsborough, aged 95”.
By 1881 Elizabeth and her mother were living in their house in Berkhamsted High Street, with just one parlour maid, 18-year-old Ellen Baker, from Chelmsford. Between 1881 and 1891 Elizabeth and her mother moved to Boxwell Road, and in their new home they were able to employ both a cook and a housemaid. Looking at the details of Elizabeth’s life, one would assume that they spent a quiet but comfortable life, however this appears not to be the case.
On 17th January 1885 the Hertford Mercury and Reformer reported upon Berkhamsted Cricket Club when “Entertainments were given on Monday and Tuesday to good audiences in the Town Hall, on behalf of this Club”. The accompanist for the vocal entertainment was Mrs Watson.
On 6th February 1886 the Hertford Mercury and Reformer reported upon The Mechanics’ Institute Entertainment which was held on Monday at the Town Hall where “a superior entertainment was given under the direction of Mr Bullock and Mr H.H. Cooper.” “Mrs Watson, a veteran player on particular occasions, took part as pianist”. The Programme included the Song “Peaceful slumber”, a cradle song performed by Miss Watson (most probably Elizabeth) and a pianoforte and viola duet performed by Mrs Watson and Mr S. Turpin.
By 1901 the family’s staffing levels had increased to a domestic nurse, a cook and a housemaid, Florence Puddiphat. The nurse, Ann Brown, was employed to look after Elizabeth’s mother, Mary, who was bedridden at home, 14 Boxwell Road, passing away there on 7th January 1905. Elizabeth was the executor to her mother’s will which was proved on 6th February 1905.
With her mother’s passing Elizabeth no longer required the services of a nurse, and in fact she also appears to have dispensed with her cook, as in 1911 her only live-in staff was Florence, the housemaid. It seems that the quiet life did not suit Elizabeth, for in 1921 she had taken in a boarder, Edmund George Ellison, who was a schoolmaster at Berkhamsted School. In addition to her boarder she had a visitor, Margaret Gertrude Bingay, wife of Major Hubert Lyle Bingay of the Royal Engineers. At this time Elizabeth employed just one domestic, Alice Holliday, who appears to have remained in her service until her death in 1929.
Elizabeth’s boarder, Edmund, remained with her for at least a year, as he appeared in the electoral roll with her in 1922. It is likely that he left Boxwell Road when he got married in July 1922. When Elizabeth died in 1929 the electoral roll shows three residents at 14 Boxwell Road, Elizabeth, her domestic servant, Alice Holliday and Hannah Eliza Plaire (nee Puddeford), a widow from Little Gaddesden.
Elizabeth’s will was proved on 21st November 1929 by her executrixes Evelyn Mary Emily Watson and Ada Maude Amenia Rankin, wife of Irvine Rankin. Evelyn Mary Emily Watson was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth’s brother, Rev Augustus William Watson, whilst Ada Maude Amenia Rankin (nee Watson) was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth’s brother, Dr Charles Edward Watson.
View this burial in the cemetery
“Henry Hilder, twin son of William and Mary Watson, 21st January
1858,aged 10 mo.
also of William Watson, father of the above died 22nd January 1869 aged 74.
Mary Watson wife of the above, died 7th January 1905 aged 90.
Elizabeth Geill Watson, their daughter, died 19th October 1929 aged 83″
Elizabeth Geill Watson’s parents married on 16th February 1843 at St Pancras Church. They were Mary Neilson Hyde of Berkhamsted, daughter of John Hyde, Gent, and William Watson, a gentleman of St Pancras and son of John Watson, also a Gent. The witnesses to their marriage were Mary’s father, John Hyde and William’s sister, Emma Mary Watson. Their marriage was reported upon by several local newspapers including the Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette which stated:
MARRIED – February 16th, at St Pancras church, William Watson, esq, of Gordon Street, Gordon Square, London, to Mary Neilson, daughter of Joh Hyde, Esq., receiver of taxes, Great Berkhamstead.
Many professional people, such as William Watson, made Berkhamsted their home, whilst working in London, because of the railway. The first passenger train had passed through Berkhamsted on 16th October 1837, 59 minutes after leaving London, and this meant that travel to and from the capital was now relatively easy. William and Mary Watson’s first documented appearance in Berkhamsted was on 7th June 1845 when their son Augustus William was baptised at St Peter’s Church. He was followed by their only daughter, Elizabeth Geill Watson, who was baptised on 22nd July 1847. On 21st March 1849 Mary gave birth to twin sons, Charles Edward and Henry Hilder. Charles was baptised privately on 14th May 1849. The register states that he was the 3rd son of William and Mary Watson, gentleman. One can only assume that he was the second-born twin and may have appeared more sickly than his twin-brother, Henry, who was baptised on 25th October 1849. On the day that Henry was baptised his twin was admitted into the church. In a cruel twist of fate, it was the elder twin, Henry, who lived only 10 months and died on 21st January 1850.
Elizabeth’s grandfather, John Watson, died on 25th May 1845 at his home in Fitzroy Street, St Pancras, aged 75. Her father, William, proved his father’s will at the probate court in London on 25th June 1845. William’s father had made him one of three executors, with his mother Ann, and a family friend and wine merchant, Joseph Fanwick.
In 1851 the Watson family were living in some style with Elizabeth grandparents, John and Mary Hyde, who were now occupying the newly built Highfield House, at the top of what is now Highfield Road. This was a substantial villa with a conservatory and detached service buildings to the north. The landscaped grounds extended to Three Close Lane. John Hyde was able to employ five servants and entertain a guest, Stephen Lea Wilson, who later became the Vicar of Prestbury near Macclesfield in Cheshire. On 24th January 1858, William’s mother, Ann, died at her home in Fitzroy Street and once again William, as the sole executor, was called upon to prove the will.
By 1861 the family had moved to Berkhamsted High Street. The family consisted of Elizabeth’s parents and her two surviving brothers, Augustus William, and Charles in a household that included their cook, and a housemaid. At this time William was described as “Late RN and Sec.y to Corpn. Merchant Seaman’s Fund”. With William having held a post of such responsibility with contacts in the City of London, as well as having relatives, who were merchants and magistrates, it is no surprise that Elizabeth’s brothers attended university and had successful careers of their own. In July 1868 her eldest brother, Augustus William, was ordained as a deacon in the Diocese of Winchester, having previously obtained his B.A., from St John’s College, Cambridge.
On 30th January 1869 Elizabeth’s father, William died, and his death was reported upon in The Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times as follows: Jan. 22, at his residence, High Street, Great Berkhamstead, Mr William Watson, gentleman, aged 74. The deceased, who had been paralysed for many years, died almost suddenly. His will, proved on 22nd February 1869, named three executors: His widow Mary, his son the Reverend Augustus William Watson and his nephew John Harrison Watson (son of his sister Nancy) of 28 Queensborough Terrace, Bayswater, Middlesex. Amongst his effect were two sets of shares held on the Great Western Railway Company.
In 1871 Elizabeth was living with her widowed mother, Mary, her widowed grandmother, Mary Hyde and her unmarried aunt, Harriet Watson. The four ladies had one domestic servant living in with them in Berkhamsted High Street. On 19th April 1878 the Stamford Mercury reported on the death “At Great Berkhamsted, on the 14th inst., Mary widow of John Hyde of Gainsborough, aged 95”.
By 1881 Elizabeth and her mother were living in their house in Berkhamsted High Street, with just one parlour maid, 18-year-old Ellen Baker, from Chelmsford. Between 1881 and 1891 Elizabeth and her mother moved to Boxwell Road, and in their new home they were able to employ both a cook and a housemaid. Looking at the details of Elizabeth’s life, one would assume that they spent a quiet but comfortable life, however this appears not to be the case.
On 17th January 1885 the Hertford Mercury and Reformer reported upon Berkhamsted Cricket Club when “Entertainments were given on Monday and Tuesday to good audiences in the Town Hall, on behalf of this Club”. The accompanist for the vocal entertainment was Mrs Watson.
On 6th February 1886 the Hertford Mercury and Reformer reported upon The Mechanics’ Institute Entertainment which was held on Monday at the Town Hall where “a superior entertainment was given under the direction of Mr Bullock and Mr H.H. Cooper.” “Mrs Watson, a veteran player on particular occasions, took part as pianist”. The Programme included the Song “Peaceful slumber”, a cradle song performed by Miss Watson (most probably Elizabeth) and a pianoforte and viola duet performed by Mrs Watson and Mr S. Turpin.
By 1901 the family’s staffing levels had increased to a domestic nurse, a cook and a housemaid, Florence Puddiphat. The nurse, Ann Brown, was employed to look after Elizabeth’s mother, Mary, who was bedridden at home, 14 Boxwell Road, passing away there on 7th January 1905. Elizabeth was the executor to her mother’s will which was proved on 6th February 1905.
With her mother’s passing Elizabeth no longer required the services of a nurse, and in fact she also appears to have dispensed with her cook, as in 1911 her only live-in staff was Florence, the housemaid. It seems that the quiet life did not suit Elizabeth, for in 1921 she had taken in a boarder, Edmund George Ellison, who was a schoolmaster at Berkhamsted School. In addition to her boarder she had a visitor, Margaret Gertrude Bingay, wife of Major Hubert Lyle Bingay of the Royal Engineers. At this time Elizabeth employed just one domestic, Alice Holliday, who appears to have remained in her service until her death in 1929.
Elizabeth’s boarder, Edmund, remained with her for at least a year, as he appeared in the electoral roll with her in 1922. It is likely that he left Boxwell Road when he got married in July 1922. When Elizabeth died in 1929 the electoral roll shows three residents at 14 Boxwell Road, Elizabeth, her domestic servant, Alice Holliday and Hannah Eliza Plaire (nee Puddeford), a widow from Little Gaddesden.
Elizabeth’s will was proved on 21st November 1929 by her executrixes Evelyn Mary Emily Watson and Ada Maude Amenia Rankin, wife of Irvine Rankin. Evelyn Mary Emily Watson was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth’s brother, Rev Augustus William Watson, whilst Ada Maude Amenia Rankin (nee Watson) was the eldest daughter of Elizabeth’s brother, Dr Charles Edward Watson.
Military graves