John Ansted, Jr. was my great-great-great grand uncle. His sister Dionysia was my great-great-great grandmother. John intrigues me because he was the eldest of a family of seven and he was the only son. He worked with his father at the family business (Clark, Ansted & Co., fruit brokers) until his death a year before his father’s passing. The business then was handed down to his two sons.
According to his baptismal record, John Ansted, Jr. was born on May 21, 1821. He was baptized on December 28 of the same year at Saint Botolph Aldgate in Middlesex, London. John’s mother, Dionysia (Northeast) Ansted passed away shortly after the birth of her second daughter (my great-great-great grandmother) in 1827. John’s father married Jane Ann Mary Sharpe on January 15, 1829, when John was about 8. John appears with his father and step-mother on the 1841 census. They were living at Portland Place on Clapham Road in Lambeth, Surrey. John, Jr. is listed as a clerk.
The Saturday, October 30, 1847, Times of London included a marriage announcement for John Ansted, Jr. and Harriett Elizabeth Burton:
On the 27th inst., by the Rev. W. H. Beauchamp, John Ansted, jun., Esq., of the Grove, Clapham-road, to Harriett Elizabeth, second daughter of Thomas Burton, Esq., of the Grange, Langley, Norfolk.
According to FreeBMD records, the couple was married in Norfolk. Harriet’s brother, Thomas Burton, Jr., married John’s sister Dionysia about six months later.
In 1851, John is listed on the census with his wife and young family. They are living at 15 The Grove in Lambeth, Surrey. John (29) and Harriet (29) are living with their son Edward (2). Also living with the family are Harriet’s sister Emily (35) and a cook (Emma Nicholls), housemaid (Hannah Hussey), and nurserymaid (Maryann Hussey).
In 1861, the family was living at Balham Terrace, Streatham, London. John (39) and Harriet (39) now have five children: Edward (12), Dionysia Mary (9), Alfred (7), Ernest (3), and Florence (1). Also with the family are four servants. Sadly, Ernest passed away in November 1861 at four years of age. Florence died in 1865.
I have also discovered that there were two other children born to John and Harriet. Laura Harriet Ansted died at 6 months old in 1856 and Burton Ansted died at 7 weeks old in 1861. The thought of losing four of seven children saddens me – I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for them. Obviously, childhood mortality was much higher in the mid-1800s than it is today and losing one child or several would have been much more common. However, the Ansteds were quite well-to-do and one would have thought that would offer some protection over those living in more reduced circumstances.
In 1871, the family was living at the Lodge, Upper Tooting, Streatham. John (49) was listed as a fruit broker. Harriet (49) is listed as a ‘fruit broker’s wife’. The only child at home now is Alfred (17). The family also has three servants.
On April 7, 1876, John passed away at his home. All of his effects, as outlined in the National Probate Calendar, passed to his wife.
 
ANSTED John. Effects under £2000.
19 June. Administration of the effects of John Ansted the Younger late of the Lodge Upper Tooting in the County of Surrey Fruit Broker who died 7 April 1876 at the Lodge was granted at the Principal Registry to Harriet Elizabeth Ansted of the Lodge Widow the Relict.
In 1881, Harriet (59) is heading the household, which still resides at the Lodge in Upper Tooting. Living with Harriett are her unmarried son Edward (32, fruit broker) and her unmarried daughter Dionysia (29). Also in the home are son Alfred (27), also a fruit broker, and his wife Mary Bridger (30). Harriett’s sister Annie Burton (50) is also living with the family. They employ three servants.
In 1891, Harriet (69) continues to head the household at the Lodge. Edward (42) and Dionysia (39) are both still unmarried and living with their mother. Harriet’s sister Annie Burton, a schoolmistress, continues to board with them. The family employs two servants.
In January 1901, Harriet passed away. She was buried in the Norwood Cemetery in Lambeth.
The 1901 census later that year shows Edward (52) and Dionysia (49)Â living together. They now reside at 292 Balham High Road in Streatham. Also living with them is Ellen Lund (22). I am not sure how she is connected to them. They employ two servants. That same year, Alfred (47) is living with his wife Mary (50) at 7 Nevern Manor, Kensington. They employ two servants.
Dionysia Mary died on March 26, 1907.
In 1911, Edward (62) is living with his aunt Annie Burton (81) at 292 Balham High Road. The household employs three servants. Also that year, Alfred (57) and Mary (60) are shown as living at 7 Nevern Mansions. The census return indicates it is a flat with 7 rooms. They have two servants. The saddest part of their census return is the notation that they had one child born living, but the child died.
Edward was the first of the two brothers to die. He passed away on September 17, 1917 and his considerable estate went to his brother:
ANSTED Edward of Eastcheap-buildings Eastcheap London died 17 September 1917 at 292 Balham High-road Surrey Probate London 3 November to Alfred John ansted equire. Effects £14970 3 s. 7d.
Alfred’s wife Mary Bridger (Philby) Ansted died on May 9, 1927 and Alfred died on October 4, 1936. As they had no living children, his estate was probated to, I believe, one of his nephews and to a director of the company. I am uncertain if there is any other relationship there.
ANSTED Alfred John of 7 Nevern-mansions Nevern-square Middlesex died 4 October 1936 at 251 Leigham Court-road Streatham Surrey Probate London 30 November 1936 to Alfred Walker Frank Burton civil servant and Daniel Charles Benwell company director. Effects £20485 9s 6d.
And there ends the Ansted name – at least for this branch of the family. If anyone ‘out there’ knows differently, I would love to hear from you!
