Thomas Charles Lenton to Australia

[maddys52]

There are quite a few mentions in newspapers of "Professor Lenton" a ventriloquist and conjurer who seems to have been from London but travelled around England performing (many after 1893). In 1911 there is a report of an "Electric Picture Theatre" opening at Wellington Hall and Professor Lenton was there as part of the entertainment.
   Friday,  Mar. 3, 1911
Publication: Dover Express

Can't see a death notice, however the latest mention in newspapers I can see for "Professor Lenton" is 1925. (Surrey Mirror 16 Jan 1925).

[maddys52]

Meant to add yesterday:

Thomas LENTON (45, entertainer, exhib, born Spitalfields)  in 1901 is lodging at the house of Isaac DEWHURST (licensced victualler) at 20 Main Rd, Woodland, Durham.
RG13/4655 pg 4

His wife Elizabeth and daughter Jessie are visiting at the house of John STRONG in Pelton, Durham
RG13/4700 pg45

[maddys52]

I have been wondering why I couldn't find a marriage or birth records for the children of Thomas LENTON and Elizabeth (presumably nee LEACOCK, from her sisters' names in the 1891 census).

I found a freemason record for Thomas LENTON, entertainer. It has his name originally as Thomas BRAHAM, crossed out and a note hard to read but looks like "... known as Thos Lenton". (Membership Register for the Royal Savoy Lodge, initiation 26 Feb 1900, aged 44, of 3 Coleridge Rd.)

The children are then to be found registered under BRAHAM (mmn LEACOCK):

1889  Frank Thomas (Islington 1b/288)
1891  Jessie Mabel (Paddington 1a/57)
1892  Harold Bertram (Islington 1b/392)
1893 Ernest Henry (Islington 1b/407)  (died 1893 Islington 1b/298)
1895  Arthur John (Islington 1b/405)
1897  George Nelson (Islington 1b/378) (died 1898 Islington 1b/299)

These all fit perfectly with the 1911 census.

Still can't find a marriage though.

[maddys52]

I don't have a subscription to findmypast, but can see Thomas and Elizabeth LENTON (and daughter Jessie) in the 1921 census at Wood Green.

The electoral roll for 1925 has a Thomas and Elizabeth LENTON at 63 Schubert Rd, Wandsworth.

There is a death for an Elizabeth LENTON at Wandsworth in 1934 (1d/597) aged 68.

And a death for a Thomas LENTON at Wandsworth in 1939 (1d/762) aged 83.

Just possibilities, though they are the right ages.

[maddys52]

A bit more detail:


Frank Thomas BRAHAM bap 19 May 1889 at St Paul, Islington. Parents - Thomas (entertainer) and Elizabeth, of 51 Richmond Rd.

Jessie Mabel BRAHAM baptised 5 July 1891 at St Thomas, Islington. Parents - Thomas (french polisher) and Elizabeth, of 178 Drayton Park.

There is a Thomas BRAHAM, 20, bach, french polisher married Lucy FLYNN, 19, spin, on 24 May 1874 at St Jude, Bethnal Green. (His father - James BRAHAM, picture framer).

Probable 1871 then at Bethnal Green:
James BRAHAM  43  Spitalfields   (gilder)
Morgan                 38  Mile End
James                  20
Thomas                15  Spitalfields  (french polisher)
George                 13
Ann                       10
William                    1 Bethnal Green
RG10/477/63 pg 19

I can't see a suitable death for Lucy BRAHAM (nee FLYNN). This could be a reason why there is no marriage for Thomas and Elizabeth LEACOCK.

[maddys52]

Oh, this could be the first wife -  Sadly there is a City Road workhouse, Holborn admission for Lucy BRAHAM aged 31 in 1886 "insane". Discharged to Banstead Asylum. In 1939 she is in Tooting Bec Hospital. Lucy BRAHAM died in 1941 Wandsworth (1d/492) aged 86.

[Nevthedigger]

Thanks maddys52 :-)