GEORGE BOLWELL DAVIDGE, Actor-Manager, 1793 - 1842

[MaidinEngland]

Hi

I came across this chap whilst looking for elusive Davidges in Bristol.  He was said to be the son of a Bristol undertaker and apprenticed to a printer. Apparently, he broke his apprenticeship to take up acting.

He moved to London where he married twice and enjoyed mixed fortunes both as an actor and theatre manager and died a very wealthy man.

He is buried at Norwood Cemetery.  His second marriage certificate states his father was Richard Davidge, Gent. There were no offspring from either marriage and I have not been able to find a link to the Bolwell name.

The information shared here comes from an online article by Bob Flanagan printed in the Friends of West Norwood Cemetery newsletter 59, May 2007.

I have drawn a blank here.  No trace of a baptism, apprenticeship, parent's marriage, siblings or offspring as yet. 

Any information/guidance gratefully received.

Tks

[Ashtone]

Bankrupt Directory 1820-1843

Year 1833
First name(s) George Bolwell
Last name Davidge
Birth year -
Street New Cut
Town Blackfriars
Occupation Printer

How odd that is his address at the time of his burial in 1842 is 1 Davidge Terrace, Kennington Road, Lambeth. Was the address named after him? 

Quite a lengthy obit for him in the English Chronicle and Whitehall Evening Post (12 Feb 1842).

[MaidinEngland]

Tks Ashtone

I didn't know that he actually went bankrupt.  Very interesting that when he died in 1842 he left over £30k in his will after allowing for donations to numerous hospitals and charities.

GBD owned and lived at Davidge Terrace, there was also a Davidge Street, SE1 and a further terrace built by him, Bolwell Terrace off Lambeth Walk, was destroyed in WW2.

[giblet]

There is a will for him in the National Archives uk. From what it appears you can register and sign in for obtain it for free??

Will of George Bolwell Davidge, Gentleman of Davidge Terrace Kennington Road , Surrey
Ordering and viewing options

Reference:   PROB 11/1957/314
Description:   Will of George Bolwell Davidge, Gentleman of Davidge Terrace Kennington Road , Surrey
Date:   23 February 1842

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D71161

[giblet]

British newspapers online have a number of articles on him. You can register and get the first 3 views free but have to pay after that.

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

[Watson]

For information about his performances on the boards, see British Library theatrical playbills: http://blplaybills.org/

There are a number of references to a Mr. Davidge, which you could look into.

[maddys52]

His will is on Ancestry. There is a reference to an aunt Sarah, can't quite make out her last name, PERRYMAN?

[maddys52]

A Sarah PERRYMAN died 1849 aged 88. Her will states she is of the same address on George Bolwell DAVIDGE's will. She mentions a daughter Ann STONE.

Modified to add:
A George STONE married an Ann PERRYMAN 26 Feb 1829 at St George Hanover Square. One of the witnesses is an Elizabeth PERRYMAN.

[mckha489]

Sarah Bolwell married Jonathan Perriman 20 Jun 1790. St James, Bristol