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Fanny

1868 - 1963 

Fanny was born on the 30th October 1868 to Joshua and Elizabeth; their last and 8th child.

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she was baptised on the 6th December and recorded in the 1871 census at Rysted Lane (Burston's Corner). Rysted Lane was later Croydon Road, running from the H High Street, although a Rysted Lane still runs from Croydon Road to the Churchill Primary School - this section did not exist in 1868. The few houses close to Westerham were all close to the High Street, as is confirmed by the maps of the late Victorian era.

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Fanny had quiet better childhood, although her mother's death when she was 18 would have been untimely. She married on the 5th February 1888 to Alfred Nicholas, and in 1891 was living at 4 Croydon Road with husband and her eldest son Albert. At number 7 was her widowed father Joshua, and possibly next door (at number 6) were Alfred and Catherine Nicolas, Fanny's father and mother in law. It would appear Fanny married her near neighbour. The 1881 census is not street numbered, but it confirms that the Nicholas family were enumerated close to the Mitchenall family.

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In the 1901 census, the family had moved to 19 High Street, and in 1911 were in Woodville Cottage. Woodville Cottage was apparently situated between Roseville and the Warde Arms, Roseville is to the left, the Warde Arms to the right, in this modern picture. It is possible Woodville Cottage is now Cormorant House.

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Woodville Cottage Westerham.jpg

Fanny and Alfred remained at Woodville Cottage when the 1939 census was taken, the census confirming that Woodwille was between the Warde Arms and Roseville. At the age of 68, Fanny and Alfred (both over 70) were retired, and son Alfred (42) lived with them working as a postman. The illustration below tells their story - published in the local newspaper in 1958 on their diamond (60th) wedding anniversary - as well as I could.

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Fanny and Alfred Nicholas Diamond Weddin

As the article says, the couple had a large family of 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls, and remain remembered in Westerham. Their eldest, Albert Alfred (1889-1950) pre-deceased the couple, Hephzibah (1892-1982), Thomas (1893 - 1972), Elsie (1895-1987) all outlived their parents. Alfred Joshua (1897-1962) predeceased his mother, Ellen (1899-1990) lived to to her nineties. the two youngest, Dorothy (1901-1976 and Frederick (1903-1970) also outlived their parents.

 

Alfred died during the year of the Diamond Wedding, and Fanny in 1963.

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