Elizabeth Hephzibah Henry1

#20816, (c 1786 - 1855)
FatherRichard Henry2,3 (1765 - 1807)
Pedigree

Family

Augustus Thomas Watson (1778 - 1832)
Children
  • Thomas Richard Henry Watson12 (1807 - 1810)
  • Lewis Thackeray Watson13 (1808 - 1838)
  • Emily Watson14 (1810 - )
  • Cecil Augusta Watson11 (c 1811 - 1897)
  • Thomas Watson15,16 (c 1817 - 1872)
  • George Henry Grindall Watson17 (1818 - 1853)
  • Frances Penelope Watson18 (1820 - 1858)
  • Lucy Amelia Watson11,19 (c 1821 - 1857)
  • Elizabeth Caroline Watson20 (1822 - 1876)
  • Isabella Jane Henry Watson21 (1827 - 1865)

Life Events

BirthElizabeth Hephzibah Henry was born circa 1786 in India.
In his will, her father referred to her as Elizabeth Kelly.4,5 
(Heir) WillElizabeth was named an heir in the will of her father Richard Henry dated 25 Jan 1798. In it he provided for her support until becoming apprenticed as becomes a natural [illegitimate] child. In the codicil a few days before his death in 1807, he altered her inheritance now that she had married well. Read details in the following link.2
MarriageElizabeth Hephzibah Henry married Augustus Thomas Watson on 5 Mar 1806 in Dinapore, Bengal, India.
From the parish register: "Augustus Thomas Watson Bachelor of the Hon'ble Company's Military Service to Elizabeth Hephzibah Henry Spinster."6,4,2 
(Widowed) DeathAugustus's death in Aligarh, India, on 29 Oct 1832 left Elizabeth a widow with several young children.7 
Item On 26 Nov 1836 in Hatton Garden, England, Elizabeth Watson, attested to her son Lewis Thackeray Watson's birthdate and that she did not pay any consideration for his application to be an Assistant Surgeon for the East India Company.8 
1841 CensusEliz Watson appeared on the 1841 Census of Bathwick Parish, Bath, Somerset, at Belle Vue House, enumerated 6 Jun 1841. She was 55, independent, and not born in Somerset. Her children Cecil Augusta, Lucy Amelia, Frances Penelope, Elizabeth Caroline and Isabella Jane Henry were living with her, as well as Caroline (age 30) and Fanny (3) Sisson. [Caroline was her cousin]. Note that the 1841 census records ages rounded down to the nearest 5 years, does not record relationships, and only indicates whether or not the person was born in the county.9 
1851 CensusElizabeth Hephzibah Watson appeared on the 1851 Census of Bathwick, Bath, Somerset, at 1 Woodland Place. Elizabeth was a widow, age 65, annuitant, and born in the East Indies. Her children Cecil Augusta, Lucy Amelia and Isabella Jane Henry were living with her, along with 3 visitors - (her cousin) Caroline Hephzibah Sisson, Henrietta Nearbor (married, 37, born East Indies), E F Brown (unmarried, female, 24, born East Indies), a cook and a house servant.10 
WillElizabeth Hephzibah Watson wrote a will dated 14 Sep 1855.
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Watson of Bathwick Hill Bath Widow sometimes called and known by the names of Elizabeth Hephzibah Watson.

I give devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and over which I now or hereafter may have any disposing power unto all and every my daughter and daughters who shall survive me and be unmarried at the time of my decease if more than one in equal shares and proportions to and for her or their own absolute use and benefit

And I appoint my daughters Lucy Amelia Watson and Cecil Augusta Watson Executors In Trust of this my Will And I revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty five - Elizabeth Watson - Signed and declared by the said Elizabeth Watson the Estatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of us present at the same time who in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names and witnesses - Emma -onson 2 Bathwick Terrace Bath - Edmund Boull Surgeon 14 Alfred Street Bath.11
 
DeathElizabeth died on 5 Oct 1855 in Bath, Somerset.4,7
 
BurialElizabeth Watson was buried in Bath Abbey Cemetery. Details from the burial register: Elizabeth Watson, age 69, buried here, monumental inscription, born in India. There is a photograph of the stone.
Also buried in this plot were [Elizabeth's daughters] Frances Penelope Watson and Jane Isabella Henry Watson.5 
ObituaryHer obituary was published in Nov 1855.

Oct. 5 - At her residence, Bath, aged 69, Elizabeth, relict of Col. Augustus Thomas Watson, E.I.C.S.4
 
ProbateHer estate was proved at London 17th November 1855 before the worshipful George Edward Hughes Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Lucy Amelia Watson Spinster the daughter one of the Executrixes to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to Cecil Augusta Watson Spinster the daughter also the other Executrix when she shall apply for the same.11 
Last Edited27 Jan 2022

Citations

  1. Website International Genealogical Index, parish register extraction (www.familysearch.org).
  2. Will and Administration of Richard Henry of London, 25 January 1798, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 22 August 1841.
  3. Index to India Office Family History Search, online at http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Home.aspx, c1600-1949, compiled by British Library India Office, London, England, 1970s onward, Military Department Records, L/MIL/9/107 f.30 & Bengal baptisms, marriages and burials, N/1/7 f.196, Hodson IV p.402 noted to be reputed dau of Richard, Bengal Army).
  4. Edward Cave and others, "Gentleman's Magazine" (publication, London, 1731-), viewed on Google Books, Elizabeth Watson obituary.
  5. Bath Burial Index online, Bath Record Office. Elizabeth Watson, 1855.
  6. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Augustus Thomas Watson & Elizabeth Hephzibah Henry marriage, Dinapore, Bengal Presidency, 1806.
  7. Index to India Office Family History Search, online at http://indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Home.aspx, c1600-1949, compiled by British Library India Office, London, England, 1970s onward, Military Department Records, L/MIL/9/107 f.30 & Bengal baptisms, marriages and burials, N/1/7 f.196, Hodson IV p.402.
  8. Images of original documents held at the British Library and viewed at Find My Past. Lewis Thackeray Watson Assistant Surgeon appointment papers, 1836.
  9. 1841 Census for England & Wales, HO107/931 book 6 folio 9.
  10. England & Wales 1851 Census. HO107/1940/445 page 22.
  11. Will and Administration of Elizabeth Watson of Bathwick Hill, Bath, 14 September 1855, proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 17 November 1855.
  12. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Thomas Richard Henry Watson baptism, Cawnpore, Bengal Presidency, 1807.
  13. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Lewis Thackeray Watson baptism, Cawnpore, Bengal Presidency, 1810.
  14. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Emiily Watson baptism, Cawnpore, Bengal Presidency, 1810.
  15. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations),1858-1966. Images viewed at Ancestry.com. Thomas Watson, 1872.
  16. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Thomas Watson baptism, Fort William, Bengal Presidency, 1817.
  17. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. George Henry Grindall Watson baptism, Meerut, Bengal, 1820.
  18. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Frances Watson baptism, Meerut, Bengal, 1820.
  19. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Lucy Amelia Watson baptism, Berhampore, Bengal, 1825.
  20. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Elizabeth Caroline Watson baptism, Pooree, Bengal Presidency, 1822.
  21. British India Office Ecclesiastical Returns viewed at Find My Past. Isabella Jane Henry Watson baptism, Cawnpore, Bengal Presidency, 1827.