Hello again. This is a long story. My barber told me his cousin had told him that he (the barber) had an ancestor called Edward B Crichton who was a contortionist who had travelled widely and often been photographed. He went on to say that his (the contortionist) photo was part of the personal collection of the famous American photographer Richard Avedon and that it could be seen in an on-line slide sequence on the lensculture web site. Code: https://www.lensculture.com/articles/richard-avedon-richard-avedon-s-private-collection-of-photographs The shot is titled Harlequin, but it's easy to spot, it's a contortionist. Away from the hurly-burly of the barber's shop I looked at the photo and its caption again and it became clear that there had been a misunderstanding. The 1st name in the caption for each slide is actually the photographer and the 2nd name is the subject. So, in fact, it's the photographer that is Edward B Crichton not the contortionist. My barber said there was a Crichton forebear on his Mum's side and he'd be interested in seeing if there was a family connection, even if Edward was not a renowned contortionist after all. I offered to have a look. I found Edward B Crichton (in my barber's tree I guarantee), it was hard. Ancestry has him mis-transcribed as "Edward Blrichton" in the 1871 census at 94 Shrubland Grove, Dalston, Hackney. In 1881 him and his family (minus daughter Louise) are living in 40 Parkholme Road, Dalston, Hackney which is a pub called the "Prince George". It's still there. Edward is the "licensed victualler". No signs of photography in 1871 or 81. However there is something unusual about his household. Three of the children were born outside the UK. In the 1871 census Louise (Louisa) (17yrs) has the birthplace Breslau,Prussia (which is now Wrocław in Poland), Alexander (13yrs) was born in Russia and Harriett (9yrs) was born in France additionally there is a "Visitor" whose name is unreadable who is also from Russia. In 1881 Alexander's birthplace is refined to "Russia , St Petersburg" and Harriett's to "France, Paris". Why might this be? Initially I thought Edward and his wife, Agnes, were "citizens of the world" and she had given birth in 3 different countries. But this is highly unlikely. I don't think they are their children. So, what's going on? Adopted orphans? The Crimea War lasted from 1853 to 56 and the Franco-Prussian War from 1870 to 71. If Edward was just the cheery local landlord why did he have children from all over the globe living in his household? What were they all living on in 1871 when he wasn't running a pub? Any suggestions gratefully received. NOTES *There is no photographer called Edward B Crichton as far as I can see. There is a Thomas B Chrichton who produced "cartes de visite" in the 1860s. Maybe the curators of the exhibition just made a mistake. *1871 - Registration district : Hackney, Sub-registration district : West Hackney, ED, institution, or vessel : 14b, Household schedule number : 335, Piece : 323, Folio : 80, Page Number : 64 *1881 - Registration district : Hackney, Sub registration district : West Hackney, ED, institution, or vessel : 17b, Neighbors: (etc), Piece : 301, Folio : 5, Page Number : 3
Marriages Mar 1852 Crichton Edward Barnes Shoreditch 1c 265 Wardrop Agnes Shoreditch 1c 265 A copy of this marriage is on Ancestry. Edward's occupation is given as Artist. Children from both census, but not the French born one. CRICHTON, AGNES WARDROP GRO Reference: 1864 D Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 385 CRICHTON, MAUDE WARDROP GRO Reference: 1867 S Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 413 CRICHTON, WILLIAM EDWARD WARDROP GRO Reference: 1870 J Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 438 CRICHTON, DELIA GEORGIANA LENTON WARDROP GRO Reference: 1873 M Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 512 CRICHTON, EDITH WARDROP GRO Reference: 1875 D Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 523 From FMP Russia Births & Baptisms. Alexander Crichton Mother's Agnes Wardrop Father's name Edward Crichton Birth date 02 Aug 1857 Baptism date 03 Oct 1857 The Baptism place is British Chaplaincy, St Petersburg, Russia Amy Crichton Mother's Agnes Wardrop Father's name Edward Crichton Birth date 05 Jan 1860 Baptism date 30 Jan 1860 The Baptism place is British Chaplaincy, St Petersburg, Russia Possible death of Edward, but not sure as the death is in Hampshire.OK think they got the County wrong in the transcription. NAME: Edward Barnes Crichton ESTIMATED BIRTH YEAR: 1828 REGISTRATION YEAR: 1891 REGISTRATION QUARTER: Apr-May-Jun AGE AT DEATH: 63 REGISTRATION DISTRICT: Christchurch INFERRED COUNTY: Hampshire VOLUME: 2b PAGE: 484
His probate on Ancestry says he died in Bournemouth. He retired to Hampshire. 1891 census Place: Bournemouth, Holdenhurst, Hampshire, England Sub reg district: Christchurch ED, Institution or Vessel: 13 Piece: 903 Folio: 129
I have had a look for him, careerwise, maybe the Editor in Chief will come up with something in a newspaper
An Edward B Crichton applied for a passport in 1862. If it's him it's a bit weird as his Russian born children were born in the 1850's.
A good thought as well. There is a baptism in the Same place in St Petersburg for another baby in 1860 father William Crichton. Brothers?
Looks like William Crichon Scottish engineer may be the brother of Edward. His biography has him with brothers Edward and Alexander. He was arrested during the Crimean War and was transferred to St Petersburg, released a short time later with the help of family connections. Their father was a Scottish shipowner. His children are, Louisa 1856, George 1858, William 1860, Alexander Owen 1862, Anne Mary 1864, John Allan 1865, Alfred 1868, Rurik 1870, James Dunlop 1874, Margaret Jemima 1876, Fanny Julin 1879. In 1850 he moved to Turku to lead a steam engine construction project. His grand uncle was Sir William Crichton who was a doctor to Grand Duke Nicolas before he became Tsar Nicolas. Wikipedia. Some of these children may have come back with Edward to England for their education. Williams wife was Annie Owens
This from the Hackney and Kingsland Gazette 29th June 1891 On the 25th inst., at Bournemouth, Edward Barnes Crichton, of Claremont, Osbaldeston Road, Stoke Newington, late of Dalston, aged 63. Interment at Abney Park Cemetery tomorrow (Tuesday) at 2 o’clock.
Sporting Life 13th January 1885 The Parkholme Musical Club The members of this club held their first smoking concert of the new year on the 8th inst., at the Prince George, Parkholme Road, Dalston. There follows a list of performers which includes Mr E. B. Crichton concluded the first part by singing “What will you do, love?” There are a lot of adverts along the following lines Hackney and Kingsland Gazette 19th April 1878 The Prince George, Park Road, Dalston Entire Charge The Best of Everything Reid’s Celebrated Stout 8d per pot do Porter 3½d per pot do Ale 4d per pot The only appointed agent in the neighbourhood for the Sale of Sir E. Lacon’s Yarmouth Ale, this in quality and brilliancy is far superior to Ales usually retailed at Sixpence per pot – 4d per pot. Spirits on Draught Booth’s Old Tom and Unsweetened Gin, Lorne Scotch Whisky, Dunville’s Irish Whisky, Mantell’s and Hennessey’s Brandies. Billiards, Pyramids & Pool Subscription Room. Players should enquire for particulars as this offers many advantages to ordinary Public Rooms. E. B. Crichton, Proprietor
From the National Archives website So he would not have needed one (perhaps it was a status 'thing' so he got one)
