Alfred Lord Tennyson's valet? Census look up please

[ridban]

Hi there,

Wonder if anyone can help......?

I'm trying to help a friend who doesn't have a computer.

After his parents died, he found a little book of poetry written by William Beere, published by the The Gables Press, Haslemere, Surrey in 1904. William Beere was a ploughman, according to the blurb,  and wrote poetry eulogising Queen Victoria.

One of the Beeres (don't know if it was William) was supposed to have been a valet to Alfred Lord Tennyson, who had a house on the Isle of Wight (where the Beers came from)  and also a house in Haslemere, Surrey. I thought that was an interesting connection!

There were no Beeres with Lord Tennyson on the 1881, although a few of the servants came from the Isle of Wight. I wonder if anyone would be kind enough to look at Lord Tennysons establishment on a different census to check this.

Charles Beere, my friend's grandfather had an uncle William Beere b. about 1849 Cowes, IOW, but it could be a generation further back.

Any help much appreciated. Thanks.

[miss marple]

Hello

I've checked Alfred Tennyson on all the censuses from 1851-1891, and I'm afraid there was no Beere or Beer among his sizeable retinue of servants.

Of course, he could have been a valet in the years between the censuses.....

Sorry I couldn't find him.

Jane

[ridban]

Thanks so much Jane.

My friend has a very old postcard from one of his aunts saying about "great uncle" being Tennyson's valet. Perhaps as you say, it was between censuses, but I've just though it could equally well have been on  Grandma's side, rather than the Beeres, or it could just be family exaggeration.  At least the printed book of poetry by William Beere is  tangible evidence!

Thanks again so much for looking for me.