Fanny de Crespigny

http://ayfamilyhistory.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/fanny-champion-cresp...

Fanny was the daughter of Philip Champion Crespigny and his third wife Clarissa Sarah née Brooke. She was Philip's ninth child (of 13) and Clarissa's fourth child. Clarissa died when Fanny was two years old. Fanny was born on 7 August 1779 and baptised 17 October at Walton-upon-Thames, Surrey.

A View of the Bridge at Walton upon Thames in Surry, distance Twenty Miles from London. 1752 Engaving A. Heckel delint. Grignion Sculpt. The first bridge over the River Thames at Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, here depicted, was constructed between 1748 and 1750, a timber structure that stood until 1783. Canaletto painted a picture of this bridge in 1754. Figures and horses in the foreground, a rower on the river approaching the bridge.1

In 1841, the first census where individuals are recorded, Fanny was living with Elizabeth Kenrick in Littlebourne Street, Littlebourne, Kent. Elizabeth's occupation was independant means as was Fanny's. There were five servants in the same household.2 Littlebourne is just over four miles east of Canterbury.

In 1851 and 1861 Fanny is still living with Elizabeth Kenrick but the address is given as the Stone House and the relationship between Elizabeth Kenrick and Fanny is described as inmate. In 1851 there is one other inmate, Mary Reuban, age 40, born about 1811, birthplace Dublin. All three women were of independent means. There were also six servants; none apparently remain from the previous decade.3 In 1861 Fanny was the only inmate. There were again six servants, two of the female servants were still there from 1851.4

On 5 February 1859 Fanny was executor to her sister Maria's estate. The effects were under £1500. Maria had been living in Canterbury having moved there from Devon some time previously.

5 

Fanny died in 1865 and is buried at St Martins, Canterbury. Her residence was the Stone House.

6 

Probate was granted on 10 May 1866 to Fanny's nephew, Richard Edward Thomson of Kenfield. Her effects were under £18,000.

5 

Richard Edward Thomson was the son of Fanny's sister Clarissa (1776 - 1836) who had married Edward Toker. Richard had taken his wife's maiden name in 1851 following a bequest from his wife's half-sister, Sarah Thomson.7

Fanny's carer Elizabeth Kenrick died aged 91 in 1868 and is also buried at St Martins.6 Her estate was under £25,000 and was proved to her niece.5

The Stone House later became the Borough Asylum, St Martins Hill, Canterbury. From Kelly's 1903 Directory of Kent "The Borough Lunatic Asylum, erected in 1902, on the road to Littlebourne, is available for 50 private and 200 pauper patients"8

I have not found a picture of the Stone House but these maps from the St. Martins Hospital Development Principles published by the Canterbury City Council show the evolution of the Stone House of Elizabeth Kenrick to the current hospital site. The original house does not survive.9