Instance plot

Location

Plot number (FHS)	942
Row	5
Section	35
Date

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Instance plot

Plot number:
5,35
Family name:
Instance
Burial date:

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Who is buried here?

Read about the lives of the 2 people buried here — click on a name to view a biography.

Clara Davey Instance

17/12/1872 –11/01/1949

domestic servant before marrying Richard Instance

17/12/1872 –11/01/1949

domestic servant before marrying Richard Instance

Relatives

Richard Instance (942) — husband

Research:

Melanie Hilton

Plot 942 Clara Davey Instance (1872-1949)

Clara was born 17 December 1872 in Shotley, Suffolk to Susannah Davey and Moses Innocent.

Unfortunately in 1871 Moses had been up before the Suffolk Assize Court charged with committing bigamy when he married Clara’s mother in July 1871, having previously married Hester Bibby in 1861. It was probably bad luck for Moses that Hester’s brother was a police constable who energetically chased up all the evidence. Moses’s defence was that Hester used to swear at him and abuse him and left of her own accord. He was under the impression that he was free to marry after seven years. The jury found him guilty and he served two months in prison.

In 1881 Moses was employed as an agricultural labourer at Clay Hall, Clacton, Essex.

Like many daughters of labouring families Clara became a domestic servant and in 1891was a live-in general domestic servant in the household of Henry Burn, a chemist and dentist at 45, Upper Marylebone Street.

She married Richard Instance, who was probably a cousin in some degree, on 17 July 1898, at St Augustine’s, Highbury, Islington

All their children were born in Highbury: Chloe Evelyn (1898), William George (1900), Winifred Clara (1904) and Richard (1911). One child died in infancy before 1911.

Richard joined the Royal Naval Air Service in October 1917. He served in France, but fortunately was able to return home unharmed after the war.

In 1921 the family lived at 29, Aberdeen Park, Islington and Richard worked for Liberty & Co. In the 1939 Register Richard, Clara and daughter Winifred were living at 66a, Aberdeen Park, Highbury.

It is not known when Richard and Clara moved to Berkhamsted, but they were living at 10, Hospital Close (close to Ashlyn’s) when Richard died 27 January 1941, aged 64.

Calara survived him until 11 January 1949 and is buried here with him.

Richard Instance (942)

21/12/1876 –27/01/1941

A stock keeper who served with Royal Navy Air Service in WWI

21/12/1876 –27/01/1941

A stock keeper who served with Royal Navy Air Service in WWI

Relatives

Clara Davey Instance — wife

Richard Instance (942) — other

Research:

Melanie Hilton

Plot 942 Richard Instance (1876-1941)

Richard was born 21 December 1876 in Highgate to Joseph and Eliza Instance. His father was a police constable born in Essex, his mother a dressmaker, also from Essex and they lived at 25, Highbury Road, Islington.

Richard became a stock keeper and married Clara Davey Instance, probably a cousin in some degree, on 17 July 1898, at St Augustine’s, Highbury, Islington.

All their children were born in Highbury: Chloe Evelyn (1898), William George (1900), Winifred Clara (1904) and Richard (1911). One child died in infancy before 1911.

In 1911 they were living at 123, Highbury Quadrant, Highbury.

On 8 October 1917 Richard joined the Royal Naval Air Service. His civilian occupation was recorded as “stock keeper” and he was described as 5’ 7 ½” tall with brown hair and blue eyes.

He was based at HMS President, a shore base, then served in France from 6 October 1918 until 2 December 1918. He transferred to RAF Reserve when the air forces amalgamated in 1919 and was discharged 30 April 1920

In the family lived at 1921 29, Aberdeen Park, Islington. Richard worked for Liberty & Co as stock keeper for oriental china.

In the 1939 Register Richard, Clara and daughter Winifred were living at 66a, Aberdeen Park, Highbury.

It is not known when Richard and Clara moved to Berkhamsted but he was living at 10, Hospital Close (close to Ashlyn’s) when he died 27 January 1941 aged 64.

Clara survived him until January 1949 and is buried here with him.

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Family name	Instance
Burial date	Not known
Burial capacity	2 (Full used)
Burial depth	Not known
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Burial visible (1991)?