Mary Brittle (buried 1928)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Brittle
First name: 
Mary
Other Christian names: 
Gender: 
Female
Burial number: 
1356
Born: 
14/4/1854
Died: 
04/08/1928
Buried: 
09/08/1928
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Mary Brittle (buried 1928) headstone
Cemetery area: 
NB
Cemetery row: 
10
Cemetery plot: 
2
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/danger.empire.budget
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Mary Brittle aged 74 years died Augt 4th 1928 Also of her daughter Mary S S Brittle died Sept 24th 1948 "The Lord is my Shepherd"
Grave location map

Life story

Life story

Mary was born on 14th April 1854 to James and Sophia Mitcheson. Her Father was a Master Mariner and ship owner. In 1871 Mary was aged 16 and attending school in Wateringbury Canterbury 

She married John Richard Brittle on 17th May 1879 in Christchurch, Folkstone, Kent. 

The couple had moved to 270 Brockley Road Lewisham London by 1881 

They had 6 children (all girls)- 

Mary Sophia Sarah born 1880 

Frances Alice born 1882 

Margaret Elsie born 1883 

Bertha Louise born 1885 

Elizabeth Emma born 1886 

Edith Mitcheson born 1894 

John Richard Brittle gained a Whitworth Scholarship (for engineering) and enrolled in the Applied Science Department of King's college, London in 1869. He became a lecturer on engineering construction and surveying at the Hartley Institute, Southampton. In July 1873 he entered the cable department of Messrs. Siemens Brothers, where he remained to his death. He was placed in charge of the Cable repairing expeditions, and became responsible for most of the cable laying work by the firm. Having to spend so much time on board ship he took up the study of navigation, and acquired sufficient knowledge to obtain a first-mate's certificate. He was elected an Associate of the Institution (engineering), then the Society of Telegraph Engineers. 

The family were living at 9 Vanbrugh Hill Blackheath Greenwich, where they remained until after John's death on 25th February 1907 

Mary was still living at Vanbrugh Hill after her Husband's death with all 6 of her Daughter's in 1911. 

’Westbourne’ 45, Richmond Road, Worthing, Sussex
’Westbourne’ 45, Richmond Road, Worthing, Sussex

Sometime between 1911 and 1928 Mary moved to Westbourne 45 Richmond Road in Worthing Sussex, her Daughter Mary Sophia Sarah moved with her. 

The rest of her Daughter's all remained spinsters. 

Frances Alice moved to Algeria North Africa, where she died on 11th December 1925 

Margaret Elsie lived at 12 Princes Avenue Hove and died on 26th December 1956 

Bertha Louise Brittle lived at 22 Pembroke Avenue Hove she died on 10th July 1980 

Elizabeth Emma lived at 2 Colebrooke Road Bexhill on Sea she died 12 March 1963 

Edith Mitcheson lived at 101 Little Common Road Bexhill on Sea. She died on 12th July 1961 

Mary died on 4th August 1928 in Worthing and left an amount of £9287 11s (approx £381,000 today) to her Daughters

Burial researcher: 
Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
14/04/1854
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Mitcheson
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
John Richard
Spouse one last name: 
Brittle
Marriage one date: 
17/05/1879
Marriage one address: 
Folkestone, Kent, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
04/08/1928
Age (at time of death): 
74
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Westbourne, 45 Richmond Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Probate pounds: 
£9,287

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1871 census: 

Wateringbury Canterbury Mary is boarding/attending school

1881 census: 

270 Brockley Road Lewisham John Richard Brittle (Head) age 35, Mary Brittle (Wife) age 26, Mary S.S. (Daughter) age 6 months plus one servant

1891 census: 

9 Vanbrugh Hill Greenwich John R Brittle (Head) age 45, Mary (Wife) age 36, Mary S.S. (Daughter) age 10, Frances, (Daughter) age 8, Margaret (Daughter) age 7, Bertha (Daughter) age 5, Elizabeth (Daughter) age 4, plus 2 servants

1901 census: 

9 Vanbrugh Hill Greenwich John R Brittle (Head) age 55, Mary (Wife) age 46, Mary S.S. (Daughter) age 20, Frances, (Daughter) age 18, Margaret (Daughter) age 17, Bertha (Daughter) age1 5, Elizabeth (Daughter) age 14, Edith (Daughter) age 7, plus 2 servants

1911 census: 

9 Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, Greenwich
9 Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, Greenwich

9 Vanbrugh Hill Blackheath Greenwich Mary (Wife) age 56, Mary S.S. (Daughter) age 30, Frances, (Daughter) age 28, Margaret (Daughter) age 27, Bertha (Daughter) age2 5, Elizabeth (Daughter) age 24, Edith Mitcheon (Daughter) age 17 plus 2 servants

Miscellaneous information

OBITUARY - John Richard Brittle

John Richard Brittle was born on the 11th May 1845. He gained a Whitworth Scholarship and matriculated in the Applied Science Department of Kings College, London, in 1869, and on completing his course he became a lecturer on engineering construction and surveying at the Hartley Institute, Southampton. in July 1873 he entered the cable department of Messrs. Siemens Brothers where he remained until his death. At first he acted as an assistant to the late Mr Carl Siemens and the late Mr Ludwig Loeffer, but in November 1875, he was placed in charge of a cable-repairing expedition, and thenceforward he became responsible for most of the cable-laying carried out by the firm. For a time he also had charge of the electric lighting, and in January 1878, in conjunction with Dr Paget Higgs, he read a paper on "Some Recent Improvements on Dynamo-Electric Apparatus" before the Institution, for which the authors were awarded Telford medals and premiums. Having to spend much of his time on board ship he took up the study of navigation, of which he acquired sufficient knowledge to obtain a First Mates certificate. His sound theoretical attainments and extensive practical experience rendered his services of great value to the firm, whilst his success in surmounting difficulties and the conscientious manner in which he carried out all his work inspired confidence in his ability. He died at Blackheath on 25th February 1907.

Mr Brittle was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 5th May 1874, was subsequently placed in the class of Associate Members and was transferred to the class of Members on 1st March 1886.

Morning Post April 15th, 1907

Will of Mr John Richard Brittle, of Vanbrugh Hill, Blackheath, civil engineer, who died on February 25th, left estate of the gross value of £35,080 of which the net personally has been sworn at £33,871. He left to his wife Mrs Mary Brittle £1000, his freehold residence Farad Villa and all his household and personal effects and consumable stores. All other his property he left as to 1/10th for life to each of his sisters, Sarah Emma Brittle and Alice Mary Brittle, with remainder to follow the devolution of the remaining 8/10ths, which he left to his wife, for life, with remainder to his children in equal shares.