Florence Jane (Beer) Paul (1864 - 1929)

Born 1 Mar 1864 in Tendring, Essex, England

Wife of Arthur Edmond Paul LRCPE MRCS — married 24 Jul 1907 (to 20 Apr 1909) in Paddington, Middlesex, England

Died 1 May 1929 at age 65 in London, Middlesex, England

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Biography

Florence was born on the 1st March 1864. Family sources say she was born in Essex, which appears to be borne out by the GRO entry for Florence Jane Beer, mother's last name Brackenborough (although that may be a misspelling (see research notes)), in the March Quarter of 1864, in the Tendring registration district of Essex.^[1]

Florence is listed as a 7 year old scholar on the 1871 census.^[2]

Florence is listed in the 1881 census as a 17-year old domestic servant in the household of one Edward R Holton, of Bensham Manor Rd, Croydon, Surrey, England.^[3]

Florence was already using the last name "Paul" in 1901, as at the time of the census she is listed as Arthur Paul's wife. Others in the house at the time were Arthur Paul (38, physician & surgeon), their son, Arthur (4), and a female servant, St Pancras-born Marion Walker (16). ^[4]

Florence married Arthur Edmund Paul LRCPE MRCS on the 24th July 1907, at Paddington, Middlesex.^[5]

Florence is mentioned in her father-in-law's will of 1909. Her children, Arthur Edmond, and Irene Gwendoline Florence, are also mentioned.^[6]
Florence's husband Arthur died 21 months after they married in 1907.
Both children were born before the wedding: Arthur Edmond, junior (in 1896), under his mother's family name of Beer, Irene (in 1902) under their father's name of Paul. Both children were the acknowledged offspring of Arthur Edmond (senior), as is shown by Arthur senior's father leaving them an inheritance. (It is unlikely he would have done this if they were not blood related, as his other children had children of their own and his legally-bent mind would not have allowed himself to cut his blood in favour of not-blood, especially in light of the short-lived nature of the marriage.) There is nothing in family records that says the children were NOT Pauls.

Florence died on the 1st May 1929, in the University College Hospital, St Pancras, Middlesex, England, two months past her 65th birthday.^[7] Probate of her estate, effects to the value of £2660 0s 9d, was granted on the 16th July to Arthur Edmund Beer Paul M.B.^[8]

Research Notes

With regard to the last name of Florence's mother, it has variously been rendered as Brackenborough (Florence Jane M qtr 1864), Blackenbury (Abraham George J qtr 1873), Beackenbury (Alfred William D qtr 1877), Brackenbury (John Edward D qtr 1877). Florence's sisters (Alice 1867, and Emma 1870) both appear in the 1871 census, but no birth registrations have been found. With the two registrations in the December quarter of 1877, they might be twins, or simply delayed registrations. (Brother Abraham, known as George, was born 1873, and christened in 1878.)

Sources

1. ↑ GRO UK online search Births: Name: BEER, FLORENCE JANE, Mother's Maiden Surname: BRACKENBOROUGH, GRO Reference:1864 M Quarter in TENDRING Volume 04A Page 253
2. ↑ Citing this Record "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VFFT-3KG : 26 April 2019), Florence Beer in entry for Gentry Beer, 1871.
3. ↑ Citing this Record "England and Wales Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK6B-17WL : 11 December 2017), Florence J Beer in household of Edward R Holton, Croydon, Surrey, England; from "1881 England, Scotland and Wales Census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing p. 5, Piece/Folio 820/76, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,408.
4. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1901," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X96M-QY1 : 20 May 2019), Florence Paul in household of Arthur E Paul, Willesden, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom; from "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing Willesden subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
5. ↑ FreeBMD UK online search Marriages Sep 1907: PAUL, Arthur Edmund, and BEER, Florence, Paddington, Volume: 1a, Page: 66
6. ↑ From the photocopy of the will obtained by me from the Queensland State Archives in 1992 and kept in my files. This includes a copy of the actual handwritten will, as well as a typed transcription.—Melanie G. Paul
7. ↑ Death Registration — England & Wales births, deaths and marriages registrations, General Register Office United Kingdom, Southport, England, HM Passport Office online search Deaths: Name: PAUL, FLORENCE; Age at Death (in years): 63; GRO Reference: 1929 J Quarter in ST. PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 19
8. ↑ Probate — UK Government Probate Service online search: Name: Florence Paul; Death Date: 1 May 1929; Death Place: Middlesex, England; Probate Date: 16 Jul 1929; Probate Registry: London, England

• Family records, family sources, BDM certificates, BDM records.

Florence Beer

England and Wales Census, 1871

Name: Florence Beer

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1871

Event Place: Frinton, Essex, England, United Kingdom

Enumeration District: 4

Gender: Female

Age: 7

Occupation: Scholar

Relationship to Head of Household: Daughter

Birth Year (Estimated): 1864

Birthplace: Kirby, Essex

Affiliate Image Identifier: GBC/1871/1678/0106

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

Gentry Beer Head Male 28 Thorp, Essex

Caroline Beer Wife Female 32 Kirby, Essex

Florence Beer Daughter Female 7 Kirby, Essex

Emma Beer Daughter Female 4 Kirby, Essex

Alice Beer Daughter Female 1 Kirby, Essex