The Ward Family

Emily Mason (Ward) Risley

Emily Mason (Ward) Risley
Emily Mason (Ward) Risley
photograph courtesy of Robert King
Birth: 1825/6, in Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England
Emily is recorded as aged 52 at her death on 8 April 1878, indicating birth in 1825/6, and listed as aged 35 in the 1861 census, also indicating birth in 1825/6
At her immigration to South Africa, arriving in Durban on 1 February 1867, Emily is recorded as aged 38, indicating birth in 1828/9, and if my identification in the 1851 census is correct, then Emily would have been 20 in 1851, indicating birth in 1830/1, which latter dates are more in line with her parents marriage in 1828.

Father: Thomas Ward

Mother: Margaret (Mason) Ward

Inscription in the bible of Emily Mason Ward
Inscription in the bible of Emily Mason Ward from William Risley, dated 7 February 1850
photograph courtesy of Robert King
Married: William Risley on 22 June 1851 in St Michael Chester Square in the parish of St George Hanover Square, Middlesex
William Risley is recorded as a bachelor, of full age, the son of Joseph Risley, gardener. William is a gardener, resident at Besborough Lodge, Putney. Emily Mason Ward is recorded as a spinster, of full age, the daughter of Thomas Ward, clerk. She is resident at 31 Eaton Square. They were married after banns by J. H. Hamilton, witnessed by George Delang and Alicia Gandy.
Banns of the marriage between William Risley, bachelor of the parish of St Mary Putney, Surrey, and Emily Mason Ward, spinster of the parish of St Luke Chelsea, Middlesex, were published on the previous Sundays, 1 June 1851, 8 June 1851 and 15 June 1851.

Children: Notes: Emily emigrated to Natal aboard the Natal Star, arriving in Durban on 1 February 1867. She is recorded as aged 38, and surety was stood by her husband, William Risley, who had emigrated earlier, and her brother-in-law, Joseph Risley, both of Pietermaritzburg. Accompanying Emily on the Natal Star were her children Emily, Arthur, Alice, William J., Fred H., John E., Clara and Joseph.
An article about William Risley mentions Emily's contribution to charitable works in Pietermaritzburg.
The Natalian - September 11, 1908
     A Great Bereavement
In 1878 William Risley suffered an irreparable loss in the death of his wife who had so bravely struggled with him in days of poverty, and who had so nobly helped him towards prosperity. His family lost a dearly-loved mother, and the whole community lost a true friend and a grand example. The death of Mrs. Risley made a breach in the charitable ranks of Pietermaritzburg which was hard to fill. Her charity was "not as sounding brass" - it was unostentatious, unassuming, and kindly. Her left hand hardly knew what her right did, but to this day many can testify to the many solid acts of true Christian kindness of one who had well bourne her burden and share in the hard work, and difficult struggles, in the early days when Natal was in the making. The late Mrs. Risley did the present writer many a little kindness in his early days in this colony, and he salutes her memory with deep respect. May she rest in peace!

Death: 8 April 1878, at Church Street, Pietermaritzburg, Natal, aged 52
Emily Risley is recorded as the wife of William Risley, seedsman of Pietermaritzburg.
The cause of death is listed as acute bronchitis.

Census:
(possibly) 1851: Saint Mary Lambeth, Surrey: Emily Ward is an unmarried servant in the house of George Bates, a dairy man. She is aged 20, born in Pimlico, Middlsex
1861: Blyth (West Side), Blyth, Nottinghamshire

Sources:

George Mason Ward

Birth: 10 March 1831

Baptism: 7 April 1831, in Shoreditch St Leonard, Middlesex, England
George is recorded as the son of Thomas and Margaret Ward. Thomas is a warehouseman, resident at Winkworth Buildings.

Father: Thomas Ward

Mother: Margaret (Mason) Ward

Sources:

Thomas Ward

Married (2nd): Margaret Mason on 4 April 1828 in St Luke Old Street, Middlesex, England
Thomas Ward is recorded as a widower of the parish of St Luke. Margaret Mason is recorded as a spinster of the parish of St Luke. The marriage, by banns, was officiated by John Howard Rice and witnessed by Baryre Mason and Matilda Mason.

Children: Occupation: Warehouseman (1831); Clerk (1851)

Addresses:
1828: parish of St Luke Old Street, Middlesex   (marriage record)
1831: Winkworth Buildings, City Road, Middlesex   (baptism record of son George)

Sources: Return to Chris Gosnell's Home Page

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