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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Leicestershire => Topic started by: roly on Tuesday 28 February 17 10:41 GMT (UK)

Title: Mrs. Christian
Post by: roly on Tuesday 28 February 17 10:41 GMT (UK)
Mrs. Christian was an actress and singer who appeared at the Leicester theatre during the early part of the 1830s.  These appearances are documented in the Leicester Chronicle of the time.

But, in the absence of any further documentation, I'm obliged to come back to Leicester (who - Huzza - beat Liverpool last night) as a starting point for an enquiry into Mrs. Christian's life-history.

I'd be grateful for any help.

roly
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:04 GMT (UK)
The Leicester Journal of 27 December 1839 (page 2) gives her address as 8 Regent Street, Welford Road (for ticket sales for a benefit performance of Cymbeline)
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:13 GMT (UK)
This from the Leicester Journal of 3 January 1840 suggests that she is the wife of T B Christian:
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:19 GMT (UK)
The wife of Thomas B Christian(book seller bn Leicester) in 1851 is Frances A Christian age 55 bn London
H0107/2088 f213 p20

also stepson Robert F Hale age 35
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:21 GMT (UK)
Thomas Berry Christian married Frances Anne Hall in Islington, London in 1827.

They were both pensioners at the Royal Dramatic College in 1871. Frances is described as a retired actress.



Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:26 GMT (UK)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Dramatic_College

I never knew about that place though it was much before my time in the area  ;D   ;D  I knew the area as the Lion Works - now Asda  ::)
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: roly on Tuesday 28 February 17 11:53 GMT (UK)
Thank you all for your prompt replies.  A life-history is emerging.  Mrs. Christian, I now know, was formerly Mrs. Hall.  Task is to look for maiden name...

roly
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 12:56 GMT (UK)
The marriage to Thomas Berry Christian was at St Mary, Islington on 31 December 1827. Witnesses Robert Younger and Sarah Elizabeth Younger.
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 14:56 GMT (UK)
A possibility for the marriage:

Frances Ann Bond and Godfrey Hall

8 September 1814
St Marylebone

Witnesses: Timothy Young and Mary Wicks   
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 15:16 GMT (UK)
It seems she was formerly a Miss Waldron:

Leicester Journal, 6 June 1862:
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 15:20 GMT (UK)
Marriage in Hull, 1 August 1813, to Robert Williams Hall

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N2JH-688

Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 15:25 GMT (UK)
The only Robert Williams Hall I can find died in Sussex in 1816 aged 23 (or 24, depending on source)

http://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=193493&scrwidth=1258
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: roly on Tuesday 28 February 17 15:31 GMT (UK)
Great stuff, Shaun.  Lofe in a sort of nutshell.  Many thanks

roly
Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 28 February 17 15:50 GMT (UK)
At Hull, Mr. R. W. Hall, son of Mr Hall of  Rivers-street, Bath, to Miss F. Waldron, both of the Theatres-Royal, York and Hull.

Cheltenham Chronicle 12 August 1813

Similar notices in Bristol and Hull papers

Title: Re: Mrs. Christian
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 28 February 17 17:19 GMT (UK)
Brilliant result Shaun  ;D