Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Eliza Mims (233)

1831 –20/04/1893

Wife of James Mims; a dressmaker

Relatives

James Hawley Mims — husband

Alexander Berrill Mims — other

Jessie Mims — other

• Melanie Hilton

Eliza Mims (née Gee) (1831-1893)

Eliza was born 1831 in Newport Pagnell, Bucks, the daughter of John Gee, a saddler, and his wife Elizabeth. She married James Hawley Mims, a bricklayer from Fenny Stratford, on 4^th August 1851 in Shoreditch.

In 1861 they were living in Castle Street with their children  Margaret K (b.1853), Frederick Bosworth (b. 1855) and James Henry Hawley (b. 1859). They were still there ten years later with James, Ernest (b.1867) and John (b.1870). Eliza was working as a dressmaker.

In 1891 they had moved to the High Street and James had retired. Only Ernest was still living at home, and the little household could afford a general servant.

Eliza died 20^th April 1893. James survived her, dying in 1905, and is laid to rest with her here.

Also in this plot are their daughter-in-law Jessie and grandson Alexander Berrill Mims.

James Hawley Mims

27/09/1827 –25/03/1905

Bricklayer who settled in Berkhamsted

Relatives

Eliza Mims (233) — wife

Alexander Berrill Mims — other

Jessie Mims — other

• Melanie Hilton

 James Hawley Mims (1827-1905) 

James was born 27^th September 1827, Fenny Stratford, Bucks, the son of John Mims, bricklayer (born Earl’s Barton, Northants) and Harriet (née Hawley) the daughter of James Hawley, farmer, of Great Linford, Bucks.

His parents were dissenters and the birth is also recorded in the Register of Non-Conformist births at Dr William’s Library in London. James’s five older siblings, born between 1812 and  1826 are also listed in the Register.

In the census of 30^th March 1851 James, a bricklayer, was living with his father (who was still working in the same trade), his stepmother and his sister Sarah in Cross Street, Fenny Stratford. James married Eliza Gee at Shoreditch, 4^th August that year.

In 1861 James and Eliza were living in Castle Street with their children Margaret K (b.1853), Frederick Bosworth (b. 1855) and James Henry Hawley (b. 1859). They were still there ten years later with James, Ernest (b.1867) and John (b.1870). Eliza was working as a dressmaker.

In 1891 they had moved to the High Street and James had retired. Only Ernest was still living at home, and they could afford a live-in general servant.

Eliza died 20th April 1893 and was laid to rest here.

James died 25^th March 1905 at 60, Castle Street. His executor was his son Frederick Bosworth Mims, a tailor living and working near Savile Row, London. Frederick is buried in Plot x55, his wife Jessie lies in this plot.

Alexander Berrill Mims

1884 –07/06/1885

Young son of Jessie and Frederick Mims

Relatives

Frederick Bosworth Mims — father

Jessie Mims — mother

James Hawley Mims — other

Eliza Mims (233) — other

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 233: Alexander Berrill Mims (1884-5)

Alexander was born in August 1884 and registered in the district of St George’s, Hanover Square, London.                                                   

He died, aged only ten months, on 7^th June 1885 in Berkhamsted.

He was the oldest child of Frederick Bosworth Mims, who is buried in plot x55 and Jessie (née Compigne) Mims, who lies in this plot with her parents-in-law.

Jessie Mims

01/11/1856 –03/03/1922

Wife of Frederick Bosworth Mims (plot x55) , mother of Alexander Berrill Mims

Relatives

Frederick Bosworth Mims — husband

Eliza Mims (233) — other

James Hawley Mims — other

Alexander Berrill Mims — son

• Melanie Hilton

Jessie Mims (née Compigne)

Jessie was born November 1856 in Aldenham, the daughter of Alfred and Catherine (née Collins) Compigne. In the 1851 census Alfred was described as “proprietor of houses”. He had been born in Berkhamsted and Catherine in Northchurch.

In first census after her birth her parents were away from home. The address is difficult to decipher – perhaps Queensborough Lodge, Aldenham – and her brother Alfred G, aged 12, is given as Head of Household. His rank or occupation is “Son. Scholar”. Also listed are his brother Eugene (b. 1851, Bourne End) and sisters Catherine (b. 1853, Berkhamsted), Ellen (b.1855, Berkhamsted), Jessie and Roselle (b.1859, Aldenham). The household also included 16 year old Martha Roberts from the Isle of Man and 8 year old Michael Heath from London. They are described as “Wards” of the Head of Household and “scholars”. Also resident were a governess, a general servant and a nursemaid.

In the 1871 census the family were living in Highfield Road and Alfred was working for the water company. The children listed were Alfred G, Catherine, Jessie and Lionel (b. 1862 Aldenham). No resident domestic servants were employed.

Jessie married Frederick Bosworth Mims, an outfitter, in 1880 in the Marylebone registration district of London.

In the London Gazette, 15^th May 1885 Frederick is mentioned as an executor of a will and his address given as 48, Davies Street, Berkeley Square, London

By 1911 he was ladies’ tailor and an employer, resident at 9, New Burlington Street, London – just off Savile Row. Their son Cyril Chase Mims (b.1886, Westminster) was his father’s assistant. Five children had been born to the couple of whom one died (Alexander Berrill Mims 1884-5. He is buried here.) Living-in were a cook, kitchen maid, house maid and door porter.

In the 1919 electoral registers they were living at 37, Inverness Terrace, a very smart terrace.

By the time of the 1921 census Frederick had retired and he and Jessie had moved to 15, Meadow Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells. He was described as “retired managing director” and his business as “costume maker”, presumably referring to ladies’ costumes rather than theatrical ones.

Jessie died 3^rd March 1922 and was buried here with her father and mother-in-law.

Frederick lived until 7^th April 1937 and died at 20, Devonshire Place, London. His probate record describes him as “of Smedley’s Hydro, Matlock.” He is buried in Plot x55 with Jessie’s parents.