Jane Bonnycastle1

#19394, (circa 1831 - 15 May 1917)

 
Jane Bonnycastle Pearse
c1831 - 1917

FatherHumphrey Bonnycastle1 b. 15 Mar 1795, d. b 14 Mar 1866
MotherJane Cottrell1 b. c 1796, d. 1867
Jane Bonnycastle|b. c 1831\nd. 15 May 1917|p19394.htm|Humphrey Bonnycastle|b. 15 Mar 1795\nd. b 14 Mar 1866|p51.htm|Jane Cottrell|b. c 1796\nd. 1867|p289.htm|John Bonnycastle|b. 29 Dec 1751\nd. 15 May 1821|p10.htm|Bridget Newell|b. 10 Apr 1754\nd. 19 Oct 1825|p11.htm|||||||

RelationshipGranddaughter of John Bonnycastle.

BirthJane Bonnycastle was born circa 1831 in Piccadilly, Middlesex. [This is most likely the parish St James Piccadilly also known as St James Westminster]2,3 
(Witness) Note.Humphrey and Jane were married in 1837 but on the 1841 census they had four children with them (relationships were not indicated on the 1841): Jane (age 10), Mary (6), Harry (8), and Emily (4 months), recorded in that order.
So, Emily was their child together but the first three were likely Humphrey's or Jane's from a previous marriage. It would not be unusual for a stepchild to use the stepfather's surname. Oddly, at their marriage, it was recorded that neither had been married before. Civil registration began in 1837, so there will not be birth certificates for the older chidlren. Baptism records would help - but where to look? 
(with Parents) 1841 CensusJane Bonicastle appeared on the 1841 Census of Lewisham, Kent in the household of Humphrey and Jane Bonicastle. She was 10 years old and not born in Kent.1 
MarriageShe married George Pearse on 14 Mar 1866 in the Register Office, Saint Luke RD, Middlesex.
Information from certificate: George Pearse, 50, widower, Stock Dealer, residence 8 South Street, Finsbury, father Peter Pearse (Decd), Gentleman;
Jane Bonnycastle, 32, Spinster, residence 1 South Place Finsbury, father John Humphrey Bonnycastle (Decd) Gentleman;
Married by the Registrar and witnesses were Catherine Quarrell, Mary Eleanor Bonnycastle.4 
Research Note Jane's sister Mary was visiting the Quarrell family in Weston Super Mare in the 1881 census, so the families must have been close. 
Photograph5
George & Jane Pearse
Source: Arab World Ministries
Note.In the year 1876 when Algeria was colonised by the French, a couple named George and Jane Pearse felt called to reach the occupying troops of this land, and so set off to fulfil this ‘calling’. On the first night of their stay, Jane looked down from the hotel window to see what appeared to be a pile of rags lying on the street. On closer inspection a Kabyle man with another lying close by. As it was late, the couple decided to leave further investigations until morning, but when that time came were heartbroken to discover that the two Kabyle men had died of starvation that very night.

The result of this discovery was that the Pearses became burdened with a desire to reach the people of Algeria. They soon returned to England and, sharing their story with Dr H. Grattan Guinness, were encouraged to spearhead a mission and were even given their first donation of £100! Continued encouragement from others eventually led to the formation of ‘the Mission to the Kabyles and Other Berber Races’. And a small group, including Pearse (then aged 65) and a man named Edward Glenny, who would later become leader of the mission, arrived to set up the first mission station in the village Djemma Sahridj. So began what would later be known as ‘North Africa Mission’ and is today ‘Arab World Ministries’.

As they returned home and shared all they had experienced, they were encouraged by Dr. & Mrs. H. Grattan Guinness to spearhead a mission – and received their first contribution of £100. Later to join them in the task would be Edward Glenny, who formed a part of the first group going out to an Algerian village named Djemma Sahridj. For the first few years of its existence AWM was called ‘The Mission to the Kabyles and other Berber Races’ before adopting the more memorable name ‘North Africa Mission’.6 
1901 CensusGeorge and Jane Pearse appeared on the 1901 Census of Hove, Sussex, at 171 Church Road, enumerated 31 Mar 1901. George was 85, a Retired Stockbroker, and was born in Hackney, Middlesex. Jane was 70 and born in London. They occupied 3 rooms.2 
1911 CensusJane Pearse appeared on the 1911 Census of Brighton, Sussex, at 3 Richmond Place. Jane was a boarder with the Charles Tully family. She was a widow, age 78, living on Private Means, and was born in Piccidilly [sic], London.3 
DeathJane died on 15 May 1917.7
 
ProbateHer estate was probated on 4 Aug 1917. Entry from the calendar:

Pearse Jane of 3 Richmond-place Brighton widow died 15 May 1917 Administration (limited) London 4 August to Arnold Trinder solicitor the attorney of Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett. Effects £784 7s 5d.7
 
ProbateHer estate was probated on 4 Aug 1917 in Principal Probate Registry. She died intestate and letters of administration were granted to the attorney of her nephew Edward Bonnycastle Archibald Barnett.8
Notice in the London Gazette
24 August 1917

Last Edited26 Aug 2010

Citations:

  1. Online image of the 1841 Census for England & Wales (Ancestry.com, www.ancestry.co.uk), HO107/484 Book 4 Folio 35.
  2. Online image of the 1901 Census for England & Wales (Ancestry.com, www.ancestry.co.uk), RG13/937 folio 8.
  3. Transcript of the 1911 Census for England and Wales (1911 Census.co.uk, http://www.1911census.co.uk/).
  4. Copy marriage certificate of George Pearse and Jane Bonnycastle, married 14 March 1866 in the Registration District of St Luke, transcribed by John Gould.
  5. Online, http://awm.gospelcom.net/int/article.php?pageid=229
  6. Online, http://awm.gospelcom.net/int/article.php?pageid=23
  7. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1861-1941. Images viewed at Ancestry.com, Jane Pearse, 1917.
  8. The London Gazette, online at www.gazettes-online.co.uk, Legal Notice re estate of Jane Pearse, Issue 30248, 24 August 1917, page 51.
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