Missing Comedian

Daft Bat

Daft Bat

Administrator. Chief cook & bottle washer!
Staff member
George Woods BRANDON had 2 sons that I know of: William James born 1887 and George Alfred born 1890. The boys were baptised together at St Anne's Church in Kew, Surrey, on 13th April 1890. Their mother was Eleanor Jane DAY (also just known as Jane) but I have yet to find a marriage for her and George.

In the 1891 census, Eleanor (who was born in Kew in 1866) and the boys are living in Watcombe Cottages, Kew (piece 622, folio 77, page 35) but George is not with them.

At the boys' baptism, George's occupation is recorded as "Comedian". Maybe he was away on tour in 1891, but I have yet to find him. It appears that he was born in 1867 in West Derby, Lancashire, but that is not helping, either. :headbang:

However....

I am unable to find any of the family after 1891, so if anyone is able to shed light on this lot or even the marriage of Eleanor and George, I would be grateful.

Thank you. :)
 
There is a will and codicil dated 1891 Cheshire Probate Records on Family Search of George Brandon of Liverpool. Wife Sarah Ann? Brother John is one of the executors.
 
Archie's Mum said:
There is a will and codicil dated 1891 Cheshire Probate Records on Family Search of George Brandon of Liverpool. Wife Sarah Ann? Brother John is one of the executors.
Click to expand...
Not sure that this is the right chap. He appears to have been born about 1840 and has hung around long enough to be in the 1891 census. His wife is Sarah Ann, as stated, but his occupation is that of Provision Merchant - no comedian in sight. :(
 
I don't think this is going to help, but, James Brandon, George Woods Brandon's father, married Elizabeth Williams

Liverpool Daily Post 24th November 1865
November 23 at St Stephen the Martyr's by the Rev Thomas Chambers M.A., Incumbent of Halewood assisted by the Rev. Dr Hodgins, Incumbent of St Stephen's. James Brandon Esq., of this town to Elizabeth, youngest daughter of John Williams Esq., Plas y Sarn, Llanengan, Carnarvonshire.

Then there is -
Liverpool Mercury 12th October 1880
Oct. 1, on board the steamer Algeria, from New York, off the Fastnet, Lizzie, wife of James Brandon, of this city.

followed by
Liverpool Mercury 28th May 1889
May 25 at his residence, Park-road, Liverpool, in his 52nd year, James Brandon. No cards.

I can't find a notice which refers to the Brandons having a son in 1867. I can't find anything which refers to a George Woods Brandon, comedian, in the papers. The nearest I came was -
The Stage 8th July 1881
Harry Parkes and George Wood, Negro Comedians, with good Knockabout business. London special concerts.
Permanent address - Harry Parkes, 129 Holloway Rd., N.
I take it 'negro comedians' means that they 'blacked up' to perform their act.

It's a bit odd that in the probate notice it describes George Woods Brandon as a 'Gentleman', if his occupation was that of a comedian :nailbiting::rolleyes: Of course, he may have performed under a stage name in which case......:(

I'm sure this is all very tenuous, but it kept me amused :D
 
Thanks @AnnB :)

It is Eleanor Jane DAY who is in my tree but I thought that trying to trace George might be more fruitful.

Back to the drawing board.... :headbang:
 
Still looking :reading: apologies if you already have the following.

I think this must be your Jane, as Watcombe Cottages border on Kew Green (within easy walking distance from TNA these days :D)

Surrey Comet 12th July 1890
Annie Wallis and Jane Brandon, two young women, residing at Kew-green, were summoned for having used abusive and insulting language to Charlotte Older, tea-house keeper, the Green, last Friday. Prosecutrix said that on the day in question defendants, who lived next door, called her names and made insulting remarks as to the character of her house. Defendants denied the charge, and each called witnesses to show that they were not at home at the time mentioned by Mrs Older. The Bench believed complainant's story, however, and fined defendants 10s each including coats.

In the Windsor and Eton Express 13th December 1873 page 3, there is a lengthy article about Jane's father (the address is 4 Waterloo Road) appearing at the petty sessions in connection with the ill-treatment of animals.

Goodness knows where the Brandons disappeared to.....:sceptical:
 
Thanks @AnnB :)

That sound like (Eleanor) Jane had a bit of a mouth on her!

I think that I am rather glad that I am only related to William through marriage. :sceptical: His wife Diana (née HILLS) was the sister of my 3 x great grandfather.
AnnB said:
Charlotte Older, tea-house keeper, the Green
Click to expand...
Interestingly, William died in 1881, missing out on appearing in the census, but Diana was recorded at 4 Waterloo Place... as a Tea House Keeper! :)
 
Daft Bat said:
Thanks @AnnB :)

That sound like (Eleanor) Jane had a bit of a mouth on her!

I think that I am rather glad that I am only related to William through marriage. :sceptical: His wife Diana (née HILLS) was the sister of my 3 x great grandfather.

Interestingly, William died in 1881, missing out on appearing in the census, but Diana was recorded at 4 Waterloo Place... as a Tea House Keeper! :)
Click to expand...
Yes, I wouldn't have wanted to be related to William either :( As for Diana, what goes around, comes around....I wonder if it was the same Tea House :D
 
Just wondering if this could be your Eleanor Jane in 1911 .....

Living at 26 Glenfield Terrace, West Ealing.

Eleanor Jane DANES (widow) 42, Boarding house keeper, born Kew Green, Surrey

+ x 2 lodgers and x 1 boarder

+ George Alfred DANES, son, 21, a conductor born Kew

I cannot find a birth for a George Alfred DANES

Eleanor Jane says:
married 25 years
3 children born alive, 2 still living and one had died.

I found a birth registration in the Dec Q. Richmond, Surrey, of a Male BRANDON (mmn DAY). Then a death registration in the same quarter, year and Reg. District for a Male BRANDON, age 0.

No luck as yet finding anything else under the surname DANES, but will keep looking.
 
Last edited:
Following on Jellylegs great find, I had a look at the 1921 census and found in the index an Eleanor Jane Claridge, born 1867 in Kew with other members of the household listed as Charles, George Alfred and 1 other :nailbiting:
 
AnnB said:
Following on Jellylegs great find, I had a look at the 1921 census and found in the index an Eleanor Jane Claridge, born 1867 in Kew with other members of the household listed as Charles, George Alfred and 1 other :nailbiting:
Click to expand...

I think I saw that one before I found the 1911 census @AnnB but wasn't sure without being able to see more details. Maybe she changed her surname every 10 years :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top