Pyner, Clara Emily

Author: Tony McGarry

Clara Emily Pyner

Born: May 1824
Died: 11th October 1889
Buried: 14th October 1889

Clara’s parents

Clara Emily’s parents were Francis Pyner (sometimes spelt Payner) and Elizabeth, nee Davis. They were married on 10th October 1810 in Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire, which is 4 miles from Thame. Francis was a Lieutenant in the 58^th Regiment of Foot and Elizabeth was a Spinster.

The 58^th (Rutlandshire) Regiment of Foot was raised in 1755. In 1888, it was amalgamated with the 48^th (Northamptonshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Northamptonshire Regiment.

Francis Pyner (Snr.) was born on 6th March 1788. He was baptised the next day at the Church of St. Edmund the King and Martyr on Lombard Street, London. His parents were Francis and Martha.

On 7th May 1804, age 16, Francis matriculated at Jesus College, Oxford. His father, Francis, was described as a “gentleman of St. Edmund the King and Martyr London.”

Clara’s early life

Clara Emily was born in May 1824. She was baptised on 13th May 1824 in Shennington, Gloucestershire. (Though sometimes Shennington is described as being in Oxfordshire.)

Clara’s mother, Elizabeth, died in 1834, age 47. She was buried in Shalford, Surrey on 12th November. (The 1841 Census tells us she had borne 6 daughters.)

In the 1841 Census, some of the family were living in North Place East, Sandfield House, Stoke Next Guildford. Those present were:

Francis Pyner, age 50, listed as Head & Army – Adjutant 2nd Surrey Militia – and his daughters:

Anne, age 25
Helen, age 25
Julia, age 20
Laura, age 20
Clara, age 20
Fanny, age 10

Also, two servants:

Elizabeth Pearce, age 40
Mary Baltry, age 20

In this Census, ages for persons under 15 were accurate. Ages of persons over 15 were rounded down to the nearest 5. However, these rules were sometimes ignored.

Stoke Next Guildford was a civil parish to the south of Guildford.

Three other children from the Pyner family were living in Shennington, Gloucestershire, and listed in the 1841 Census:

Francis Pyner, age 25, listed as Army (mistranscribed as Ryner)
Emma Pyner, age 20
Marian Pyner, age 15

Three family servants:

Amery Tims, age 25
Ann King, age 20
Caroline Hands, age 15

Plus one male servant:

Thomas Milton, age 19

We do not know why these three Pyner children were living in Oxfordshire when their father and other siblings were living in Surrey.

Clara and her family in Stoke Next Guildford

In the 1851 Census, the Pyner family were at the same address in Stoke Next Guildford. Those present were listed as:

Francis Pyner, age 61, born London, listed as Army Captain (mistranscribed as Ryner)

His daughters:

H.S. Pyner, (Helen), age 30
E.R. Pyner, (Emma), age 32
C.E. Pyner, (Clara), age 29 (in fact, age ~27)
F.H. Pyner, (Fanny), age 23

The population of Stoke Next Guildford in 1851 was 2500.

The death of Clara’s father

Clara’s father, Francis, died in 1855, age 67. He lived in Stoke Next Guildford, Surrey, and was buried in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Shalford on 19th May 1855. Probate was granted in Guildford on 23rd July 1855. Francis left his whole estate to his “unmarried daughters” and appointed his daughters Helen and Emma as Executrixes.

A Certificate of “Persons Claiming Allowances from the Compassionate Fund”, was submitted to the War Office from the unmarried children of Captain Francis Pyner, deceased, of the 58^th Foot. Francis did not leave a Widow.

The children were:

Helen Sophia, born 14th December 1814
Emma, born June 1818
Clara Emily, born May 1824
Fanny Maria, born April 1830

The sisters were without any means of support. The claim was supported by three “Persons of Respectability”.

Clara, Emma, and Fanny are admitted to asylums

In the Census of 1871, Clara was living with two sisters on Stoke Road, Stoke, near Guildford. Those present were listed as:

Helen Pyner, age 56, born Chelmsford, Essex, listed as Head
Emma, age 51, born Doddington, Oxfordshire
Clara, age 40, born Guildford, Surrey (in fact, age ~46)

All were of Independent Means.

Also listed:

Emily Spragg, age 15, born Guildford, Surrey, listed as General Servant

On 26th September 1878, Emma Rebecca Pyner was admitted to Bethlem Asylum in London. She was recorded as “Discharged Recovered” on 2nd July 1879, age ~61.

In 1879, Clara Pyner was living on London Road, Bognor, Sussex. (This came to light as Clara proved the Probate record of her sister Emma Rebecca Pyner, who died on 27th November 1879 in Guildford. Clara’s address was given as Hill View, London Road, Bognor, Sussex.)

The 1881 Census listed those present at Hill View as:

Clara E. Pyner, age 49, born Guildford, Surrey, listed as Head & Daughter of an Army Captain (in fact, age ~57)
Fanny M. O ‘Callaghan (nee Pyner), age 40, born Shalford, Surrey, listed as Sister & Widow of a Physician

The Hill View house no longer exists.

The end of Clara’s life

Clara was admitted to the Sussex County Asylum, Haywards Heath, on 26th March 1889, age ~65. Her sister Fanny Maria O’Callaghan (nee Pyner) was admitted to the Sussex County Asylum on 16th May 1889, age ~59.

Fanny died there, 5th September 1889, age 59. Clara died there, 11th October 1889, age 65. From May to September, the sisters were both in the Sussex Asylum.

Fanny was buried in the Sussex Asylum Burial Ground on 9th September 1889. Clara was buried there on 14th October 1889. Their bodies were not claimed by their family or friends, so they were buried as Paupers in unnamed graves, which remain unmarked today.

The National Probate Calendar announced: “The Administration of the personal estate of Clara Emily Pyner, late, of Hill View, London Road, Bognor, who died 11th October 1889 at the Sussex County Asylum, was granted at the Principal Registry to Julia Caroline Frost, Widow, 1 Rose Hill Villa, Old London Road, Hastings, Sussex, sister, and one of the next of kin”.

Clara’s siblings

Anne Elizabeth

Anne was born in 1812. In the 1841 Census, she was said to be 25. She died in 1845 and was buried in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Shalford on 2nd September. She was 33.

Helen Sophia

Helen was born in 1814. She was baptised on 14th December 1814 in Shennington, Gloucestershire. (The preceding page in the Baptism Register shows that Martha Frances Pyner was baptised at the same church on 13th May 1813. Martha is listed as daughter of Francis – 58th Regiment – and Elizabeth Pyner. Martha may have died as a very young child.)

Helen died age 62 on 1st July 1878. She was buried on 5th July at St. Mary the Virgin Church, Shalford, Surrey.

Probate was granted on 12th August 1878. The National Probate Calendar recorded:

“Estate under £600. The Will with a Codicil of Helen Sophia Pyner, late, of Guildford Spinster who died at 29 Stoke Road, Guildford, was proved by the Principal Registry by Emma Rebecca Pyner, of 29 Stoke Road, Spinster, the sister of one of the Executrixes.”

Helen was recorded in the Censuses of 1841, 1851, 1861, and 1871.

Francis Richard

Francis was born in 1813. He was baptised on 23rd April 1816 in the Parish Church of Shenington, Gloucestershire.

On 29th December 1841, in the Parish church of Warton, Lancashire, Francis married Alice Jane Davison, a widow. Francis’ profession was noted as “Captain in the Army”. Both were residents of Warton and both were of age. The marriage was attended by the fathers of both bride and groom, John Balden Esq. and Capt. Pyner.

On 23rd July 1846, Francis, Captain of 5^th Fusiliers, married Mary Wilson Gray, the widow of John Baker, at Templeport, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

On 8th May 1847, Mary Helen Frances Pyner was born, the daughter of Francis – Captain 5th Fusiliers – and Mary Pyner (John Baker’s widow). On 30th May 1847, Mary Allen Pyner was baptised in the Citadel Chapel, Plymouth, Devon.

On 24th October 1848, Captain F. R. Pyner was admitted to the Military Lunatic Asylum, Great Yarmouth. A certificate dated 8th June 1850, from the Staff Surgeon at the Military Lunatic Asylum, stated:

“Captain F. R. Pyne, on half pay, age 35, was admitted to the Military Lunatic Asylum on 24th October 1848. He died on 21st May 1850”.

The burial record shows that Francis was buried on 24th May 1850 at Great Yarmouth, age 37.

(The Royal Naval Hospital in Great Yarmouth was established in 1811. It was also known as the Military Lunatic Asylum. In 1958, after military use, it became a Psychiatric Hospital called St. Nicholas Hospital. It closed in 1993.)

Mary Pyner, who married Francis in 1846, applied to the Army for a pension on 6th June 1850. The application was supported by the Colonel of the 5th Regiment Fusiliers, which Francis had belonged to. This later became the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Emma Rebecca

Emma was born in 1817. She was recorded in the 1841, 1861, and 1871 Censuses.

There is a record in the Lunacy Patients Admissions book regarding an Emma R. Pyner, who was admitted to the Bethlem Asylum, Lambeth Road, Southwark, on 26th September 1878. Emma was listed as a Private Female Patient (as opposed to a Pauper) and was discharged as “Recovered” on 2nd July 1879.

Could she be Clara’s sister?

Emma died on 27th November 1879, age 62, at Weston Cottage, Woodbridge Road, Guildford, Surrey.

The National Probate Calendar for 17th December 1879 recorded:

“Estate under £600. The Will of Emma Rebecca Pyner, late, of Guildford Surrey, Spinster, who died on 27th November 1879 at Weston Cottage, Woodbridge Road, Guildford, was proved at the Principal Registry by Clara Emily Pyner of Hill View, London Road, Bognor, Sussex, Spinster, the sister one of the Executrixes “

Emma was buried in St. John the Evangelist Church, Stoke, on 1st December 1879.

Julia Caroline

Julia was born in 1818. She appears in the 1841 Census, age 20. In April 1847, Julia married Thomas Frost in Plymouth. Their daughter Fanny Julia Mary Frost was baptised on 19th July 1849 in Shere, about 6 miles south-east of Guildford, Surrey.

The 1851 Census records the family living at 96 Shere Street, Shere:

Thomas Frost, age 54, born Shere, listed as Head
Julia C., age 32, born Deddington, listed as Wife
Fanny J. M., age 2, born Shere, listed as Daughter
Thomas P., age 7 months, born Shere, listed as Son

They had two servants:

Eliza, age 17
Emma, age 14

In this Census, Thomas Frost is apparently 22 years older than his wife.

The 1861 Census shows the family had moved to No. 2, Villiers Place, St. Saviour, Jersey. In this Census, Thomas is now apparently 30 years older than his wife. Present were:

Tho. Frost, age 65, born England, listed as Head & Of Independent Means
Julia, age 35, born England, listed as Wife

Their children:

Fanny J., age 12
Tho. P., age 10
Francis, age 9
Clara, age 6
Henry, age 4
Arthur, age 2

All the children were born in Surrey.

On 6th July 1867, Julia’s daughter Fanny Julia Mary married John Henry O’ Callaghan, Gentleman of Kilgobbin, Ireland. Fanny was 18 and John was 21. The wedding took place in St. Luke’s Church, Chelsea. Fanny’s father, Thomas Frost, was deceased.

John Henry O’Callaghan was a brother of Dr. William O’Callaghan, who had married Fanny’s aunt, Fanny Maria Pyner, in 1862. John Henry O’Callaghan was also a brother of Daniel Eugene O’Callaghan, who married Fanny’s aunt, Laura Blanche Pyner, in 1864.

In the 1871 Census, Julia and the family were recorded living at 4 Willow Terrace, White Horse Road, Croydon. Present were:

Julia C. Frost, age 45, listed as Head, Widow, & Of Independent Means
Fanny O’ Callaghan, age 22, born Shere, Surrey, listed as Daughter & Married
Thomas Frost, age 22, listed as Son & No Occupation
Arthur, age 11, listed as Son
Emily C., age 8, born Jersey, listed as Daughter
James O’Callaghan, age 2, born Jersey, listed as Grandson

On 6th April 1878, Julia’s daughter Fanny was admitted to the Wandsworth Asylum. She was released on 1st February 1884, recorded as “not improved”. The Asylum had opened in 1841 as the Surrey County Lunatic Asylum. It was later renamed the Wandsworth Asylum.

Fanny was admitted (as a transfer) to a Surrey County Lunatic Asylum in Coulsdon (Cane Hill Hospital) on 1st February 1884. The hospital had opened in 1882. In 1889, when the London County Council (LCC) was founded, it became a London County Asylum, managed by LCC.

Fanny was released on 19th September 1899, recorded as “not improved”. She was transferred to the Fisherton Asylum, near Salisbury, the same day.

In 1903, Fanny was discharged from Fisherton, again recorded as “not improved”.

Fanny Julia died in 1914. Her death was registered in the September quarter at the Godstone Surrey Registration District.

Fanny’s mother, Julia Frost, died in 1909, age 91. Her death was registered in the March quarter in the Portsmouth Registration District.

Laura Blanche

Laura was baptised on 5th November 1819 in Bloxham, Oxford.

On 7th August 1849, she married George Silvester, a Draper at the parish Church of Stoke Next Guildford. Both were over 21. George was about 20 years older than Laura. Fanny Maria Pyner was a witness.

George Sylvester died in 1861, age 62 . He was buried on 19th February 1861 in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Stoke Next Guildford.

The 1861 Census was taken on 7th April. Laura was a boarder with her sister Fanny in Hastings. Amongst those recorded at 3 York Buildings were:

William Catt, age 36, listed as Head & Railway Porter
Elizabeth, age 37, listed as Wife
Jemima, age 8, listed as Daughter
Alice, age 1, listed as Daughter
Laura B. Sylvester, age 39, born Bloxham, listed as Boarder Widow (Laura was in fact age ~41)
Fanny M. “Tyner”, age 28, born Shalford, listed as Boarder (Fanny was in fact age ~30)

Both Laura and Fanny were described as being Of Independent Means.

There were several other boarders and visitors present.

On 17th June 1864, Laura married Daniel Eugene O’Callaghan MD in Dublin. Daniel was a brother of Dr. William O’Callaghan, whom Laura’s sister, Fanny Maria, married in 1862.

Laura was about 20 years older than Daniel. Daniel O’Callaghan was also a brother of John Henry O’Callaghan, who married Laura’s niece, Fanny Julia, daughter of Julia Caroline Frost (nee Pyner), in 1867.

Laura died on 11th February 1872 at Brompton, London, according to the Belfast Newsletter newspaper. Her death was registered in the March Quarter of 1872 in Chelsea, London. Laura’s age at death was listed as 52.

Marianne

Marianne was born on 23rd March 1826, and she was baptised on 12th April at St. Nicholas Church, Guildford. On 8th January 1845, she married David Henry Alexander at Stoke Next Guildford.

David’s occupation was “Gentleman”. Marianne was under 21 (age ~19) and David was over 21.

In the 1851 Census, they were living in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Present were:

David Henry Alexander, age 36, born Alton Hants, listed as Head & Farmer of 80 acres
Marianne, age 25, born Guildford, listed as Wife

Also present was:

Jane Price, age 17, listed as House Servant

In the 1871 Census, they had moved to 1 Holland Villas Road, Kensington, London. Present were:

David Henry Alexander, age 56, listed as Head & Landowner
Marianne, age 45, listed as Wife

Also present were:

Elza Hamilton, age 23, born Buckland, Hertfordshire, listed as Cook
Marian Howes, age 23, born Pinner, Middlesex, listed as Housemaid

Today this is an extremely expensive area of London.

In 1874, David petitioned for divorce on grounds of frequent adultery between Marianne and Henry Brooke Ellis. The petition was granted with costs. The final decree was issued on 22nd June 1875.

On 6th July 1880, Marianne was admitted to the Bethlem Asylum, Southwark. She died there on 23rd September 1880.

Fanny Maria

Fanny was born in April 1830. She was baptised on 8th April 1830 in the Parish Church of Shalford (2 miles from Guildford). Her father’s occupation was listed as “Captain 58th Regiment”.

Fanny appeared with the family in the Censuses of 1841 and 1851.

In the 1861 Census, she was a boarder with her sister Laura in the house of William Catt in Hastings. She was 28 and of Independent Means. Her name is mistranscribed as “Tyner”.

On 26th July, 1862, aged ~32, Fanny married Dr. William O’Callaghan at St. Philips Church, Kensington. Before they married, William was a bachelor, age 24, of Abingdon Villas, Kensington. Fanny was a spinster living in Stoke Guildford.

William O’Callaghan was the brother of Daniel Eugene O’Callaghan and John Henry O’Callaghan, both of whom married into the family (as mentioned above).

In the next Census of 1871, Fanny Maria was recorded living at 10 Marlborough Road, Chelsea with her husband William O’Callaghan, Surgeon, born in Ireland. (The Census mistranscribes her name as Fanny M. O. Collingham )

William died on 21st June 1872 in Chelsea. He was only ~33 when he died.

In the Census of 1881, Fanny Maria was living with her sister Emily Clara Pyner in Bognor, Sussex. On 16th May 1889, Fanny Maria was admitted to the Sussex Asylum, and she died there on 5th September 1889. She was 59.

AUTHOR’S THOUGHTS

The Pyner siblings do not seem to have been short of money, so their father had left them well cared for.

Clara Emily never married and died in Sussex County Asylum. Her brother Francis died in the Military Lunatic Asylum in Great Yarmouth. Clara’s sister Fanny Maria was in the Sussex Asylum at the same time as Clara, and they both died there at similar times. Their sister Marianne died in the Bethlem Asylum in London.

Clara’s niece, Fanny Julia Mary (Julia’s daughter), spent several periods in different County Asylums and may have died in one in Surrey. Clara’s sister, Emma Rebecca, appears to have spent almost a year in Bethlem Asylum, London, from September 1878. She was then recorded as “Discharged Recovered”.

So, four of the Pyner family siblings died in Asylums. Were their mental health conditions caused by something genetic? Or were they caused by something acquired in life? Further research may help us find an answer.