Caroline Gaffyne - widow?

[DebNZ]

Hi Everyone
I am looking for some info about Caroline Gaffyne who was the mother of Henry Alexander Smith Gaffyne b. 1889 Teddington.  On Henry's baptism record there is just a dash where his father's name should be which indicates he is illegitimate.

However, the only Caroline Gaffyne I can find in any UK census is first "m" indicating married in 1891 and then "widow" in 1911.  The 1911 census has her living with her nephew, Montague Westlake aged 20, a solicitors clerk, born in Marylebone, at 61 Church Ave in Mortlake - I can't find any other definite reference to him either.

Caroline's death is recorded in 1927 and probate is granted to Peter Cecil Gaffyne (her brother in law?, brother? who?) who was a manufacturer.  Funny it wasn't left to her son. 

These are the only clues I have!  Does anyone have any ideas about how to progress with Henry's parentage?  I have tried linking the nephew to no avail. 

Help!

DebNZ
Auckland, New Zealand

[AMBLY]

Hi

BIRTH: Registered Sep Qtr 1883, Richmond Surrey
Peter Cecil GAFFYN

1891: 12 Norfolk Terrace, Mortlake, Surrey
RG12 /  Piece: 623 /  Folio: 117 / Page  3
Head: Caroline NELHAMS 68, wid, Caretaker, Needlewoman, b Barnsby Gloucester
Grandson: Peter C GAFFYNE 7, b Richmond Surrey
Grandson: Harry WESTLAKE 10mths, b Marylebone, London

CENSUS 1901
Peter Cecil GAFFYN age 19
B abt 1882 Richmond, Surrey
A servant in Willesden, Hendon, London in 1901
RG13 /  Piece: 1221 /  Folio  164 /  Page / 4

BAPTISM: Henry Alexander Smith Gaffyne
Mother: Caroline Gaffyne
Baptised: , 17 Aug 1902 (dob 5 Apr 1899) Abode: Littleton, Strawberry Vale

I see Caroline GAFFYNE was born abt 1865 Richmond Surrey ? So Peter could also have been a son too??.

Cheers
AMBLY

[DebNZ]

I found Peter's baptism...his mum was Catherine. Caroline leaves her estate to Peter who I believe was her nephew as he is living with her Mum in 1891 as her mother's grandson. Also, Caroline says in 1911 that she has had one child.  mmmmm

Thanks for your input.

I have been working away at it and believe that Caroline's maiden name was Nelhams, her Mum Caroline Lane and her father Robert Nelhams.  But I can't find any reference to a marriage at all.  How the Gaffyne name came about is the mystery!

[AMBLY]

Hi Deb NZ

Snap  ,  was just about to post and suggest the younger Caroline below in 1901,  daughter of Walter Robert NELHAMS & Caroline LANE is your Caroline GAFFYN.

1901:  2 Duffas Almshouses (near The Vineyard), Richmond Surrey
RG13 / Piece 674 /  Folio  129 /  Page  2
Head: Caroline NELHAMS 79, Widow,  Living on Bishop Duffas Charity, b Ampney, Gloucestershire
Daughter: Caroline NELHAMS 36, Single, Sick Nurse, Richmond Surrey

I noticed Montague WESTLAKE was the name age, roughly, as Harry WESTLAKE!

Cheers
AMBLY

[DebNZ]

Me too!

[AMBLY]

Found all this:

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQRV-DMK
Peter Cecil GAFFYN age 31
Father: Ernest GAFFYN
Married  23 Aug 1914, St John, Egremont, Cheshire, to:
Stella Crane HUNT , father: Samuel HUNT

PROBATE: Peter Cecil GAFFYNE of 6 Glebe Road, Staines
Died 23 Feb 1960 at Windsor Hospital
Probate: Nottingham granted to Stella Crane GAFFYNE, widow
Effect £6382, 6s, 11d

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/32598/pages/1015
Peter Cecil GAFFYNE and his business partner Nathaniel Henry BROWN dissolved their partnership in Dec 1921. Their business was: DAVIDSON &  GAFFYNE, Wholesale Costumiers & Ladies Outfitters, Liverpool & London

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/41176/pages/5418
In 1957, in legal matters regards   the death of a Spinster, Minnie Flavell CRANE ( related to his wife)

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33671/pages/8225
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33819/pages/2706
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/33955/pages/4446
Bankruptcy Matters 1930 to 1932
Peter Cecil Gaffyne,  Twickenham, Mantle Manufacturer (clothing)

Did Peter's baptism name his father?

Cheers
AMBLY

[DebNZ]

Well done!  and thank you so much.

No, his baptism only named his Mum.

[jomcd967]

Ada Rosa Nelhams b1866 was Caroline's sister and the mother of Walthew Gaffyne Nelhams, born 1890 in Westminster, and at her death in 1931, her probate was left to her nephew Henry Alexander Smith Gaffyne. Interesting that Gaffyne was used in her sons name. Have you traced back beyond Caroline senior and Walthew Robert to see if this my be a family name that both girls used to cover the illegitimacy/unmarried status perhaps?

Jo 

[DebNZ]

Yes, I have gone back a few generations this afternoon but the name is an odd one and doesn't seem to show up much.

Just trying now to find some more about Robert Cecil's father (odd that he wasn't on the baptismal record) but no luck.