William Alexander Birch (1827 - 1892)

Born 15 Jan 1827 in Lewisham, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Isabella Phoebe (Hoggins) Birch — married 26 Aug 1854 in Saint George Hanover Square, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Died 12 Aug 1892 at age 65 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Penelope Shorne [send private message]

Biography

William Birch was born in Lewisham, Kent, England.

William Alexander Birch was born on 15 Jan 1827 in Lewisham, Kent, England, the son of George Birch and Elizabeth Greenlaw. Baptised 11 Feb 1828, St Luke, Charlton, Kent, England. ^[1] He was christened on 11 Feb 1828 in St Luke, Old Charlton, Kent, England.^[2]

In 1851, William A. Birch, aged 24, a gentleman, born in Lewisham, Kent, England, was living at 45 Chichester Place, St. Pancras, Middlesex, England, visiting in the home of Jane Greens, aged 38, a coffee house keeper.^[3]

William married Sarah Isabelle Phoebe Hoggins, 26 August 1854, St. George, Hanover Square, London, England. ^[4][5]

Children: Reginald Bathurst 1856.

Possible children: Bell and William A, born in 1873 and 1878 when his wife Sarah was 50 and 55; both died as infants.

On 14 January 1857, William Alexander Birch was initiated into the Enoch Lodge of the United Grand Lodge of England, passing on February 11, 1857 and raising on March 11, 1857. He was 30 years old, born in London, and was shown to be a vocalist, obtaining his certificates on September 2, 1958.^[6]

In 1861, William A. B. Birch, aged 32, a lecturer, was living in Gloucester, St. Nicholas, Gloucestershire, England, with his wife, Sarah I. P. Birch, aged 34, and son, Reginald Bathurst Birch, aged 4, boarding in the home of Richard Morse, aged 50, an accountant, and his family.^[7]

He served with the British Army^[8] and went to India c. 1862, as the manager of a river navigation company in Bombay.^[9] During that time his family stayed with his parents in the Isle of Jersey.

In March 1871, William A. Birch, aged 43, was living in Portman Square, St. Thomas, London, England, with his wife, Isabelle Birch, aged 45, a music teacher, and son, Reginald Birch, aged 14, a clerk. He was shown to be a lecturer.^[10][11]

He emigrated to the U.S., in June 1871, settling in San Francisco, and became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. on November 14, 1872 at the Northern District of California.^[12]

After his arrival in San Francisco, William partly supported himself by giving occasional entertainments of delightful little monologues, which he would make spicy with songs, stories, chat, odd little tricks and feats, etc.. He made wood-block theater posters with the help of his son, Reginald, and was employed as a copyist by the San Francisco Savings Union.^[13] Obituary:

William A. Birch, an aged copyist employed in the San Francisco Savings Union and a familiar character on the streets for twenty years, committed suicide some time yesterday morning by blowing his brains out with a pistol. Late in the forenoon he was found dead in his bed at 1616 Clay Street, by Lovell White, cashier of the bank, with whose family he resided. The deceased left the bank early on Thursday afternoon and went home. He was living alone in the house, as Mr. White and his family are sojourning at Mill Valley. When Birch failed to appear at the bank yesterday forenoon Mr. White went up to the house and found him dead. He had place the muzzle of a revolver in his mouth and pulled the trigger. The body was removed to the Morgue and an inquest was held. Mr. White testified that the deceased had been in very poor health, having been stricken with paralysis, and being compelled to carry a cane and a crutch. It was also stated that he had frequently threatened to take his own life. The jury returned a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane. The deceased was 60 years of age and a native of England. He had been a familiar figure on California streets and that part of town for twenty years. It is about that long ago since he came here from Australia with his wife and his young son. He had received a severe injury to his hip, and he always walked with a crutch and a cane and with a little bag swung over one shoulder by a strap. He was a polished gentleman, courteous and pleasant in his manner, but withal he maintained a reserve that prevented many confidential friendships. He was well educated and possessed of scholarly tastes. After his arrival here he partly supported himself by giving occasional entertainments at which he was the whole company. Many old residents remember his delightful little monologues, which he would make spicey with songs, stories, chat, odd little tricks and feats, etc. He soon obtained employment as an accountant, and during the rest of his career here he was employed in leading brokers' offices and financial houses. During the days of the mining boom he was for a good while in the office of James R. Keane, and his connection has always been with well known firms. For a stretch of several years, beginning about twelve or fifteen years ago, he and his wife and boy were almost daily visitors at the Mercantile library on Bush street. Many will remember them there on account of the little spaniel that was trained to visit the library. Nearly every afternoon after business hours Birch would limp down street to the library entrance with the spaniel trotting beside him. If Birch did not want to go up stairs for anything he would tell the dog to go and up the spaniel would dash, opening the swinging doors by springing against them. He would hunt around and if he saw his mistress he would dash back to the head of the stairs and bark, letting his master know she was there. If she was not there he would trot down stairs. Sometimes Birch would scribble off a note to his wife, which the dog would deliver. About two years ago, Birch received a notice from some new deputy official who didn't know any better to file a statement of his personal property. He saw some humor in it and he embodied it in a letter to the Assessor, which many will remember reading in the papers. The little boy who used to go to the Mercantile library so much was Reginald B. Birch, who grew up to be an artist. He was sent to Europe to complete his training and has already won fame as an illustrator of St. Nicholas, Life and other publications. He illustrated Frances Hodgson Burnett's works, particularly her "Little Lord Fauntleroy, and the costumes for the play of that name were patterned after those with which the artist's imagination and pencil clothed the pictured characters. This son is the only known surviving relative of the deceased. Mrs. Birth died about three years ago, and since then the old gentleman had been leading a lonely life, further clouded by his infirmities. For two or three years he had worked in the bank, and roomed at the residence of Mr. White. He evidently became simply weary of life, and decided to end it. He leaves some property in Marin county and was secretary of the Tamlapias and Water Company.

He then obtained employment as an accountant.^[14] During the rest of his career he was employed in leading brokers' offices and financial houses. During the days of the mining boom he was for a good while in the office of James R. Keane, and Secretary of the Tamalpais Land and Water Company.

At some stage William had received a severe injury to his hip, and he always walked with a crutch and a cane. He was a polished gentleman, courteous and pleasant in his manner, but withal he maintained a reserve that prevented many confidential friendships. He was well educated and possessed of scholarly tastes. he and his family were almost daily visitors at the Mercantile library on Bush street.

He died 12 Aug 1892 (aged 65), San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, USA. Obituary: ^[15]

William A. Birch, copyist employed in the San Francisco Savings Union and Secretary of the Tamalpais Land and Water Company, was found dead yesterday morning in his room in the home of Lovell White, the cashier at the bank, at 1616 Clay Street. He had committed suicide by placing the muzzle of a bulldog revolver to the roof his mouth and firing a bullet into his brain. Birch had been employed at the bank for five years and was a general favorite with all the officers and clerks. For years he had been subject to paralytic strokes and at times he was very despondent. He often expressed a wish to die and on several occasions he threatened to kill himself. He was at the bank Thursday afternoon until 2 o'clock, and when he was going away he said that he would return shortly. That was the last seen of him alive. He had been rooming with Cashier White for three years. The family in now in Mill Valley and he was in charge of the house. When Birch failed to report at the bank yesterday morning White feared that he was sick and went to the house to see him. He found the door of Birch's room open. The bed sheets were drawn up to the pillow, and when White drew them back he found Birch dead with a revolver in his right hand. He had placed the muzzle of it in his mouth and fired. Coroner Garwood held and inquest in the case yesterday afternoon, and a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane was rendered. The deceased was a native of England, sixty years of age, and a widower. His son, Reginald E. Birch, is an artist employed on 'Life' and 'St. Nicholas', and lives in New York City. He has been notified by telegraph of his father's death. Buried in the Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco.

William H Birch was listed in the California Mortuary and Cemetery Records, 1801-1932; "Burial Record - Birch, William H., a native of England. Died August 12, 1892, aged 60 years, Buried in Masonic Cemetery, San Francisco."^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ [https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58184a9fe93790ec8b188b54/william-alexander-birch-baptism-kent-charlton-greenwich-1828-02-11?locale=en Parish Register]
   St Luke, Charlton (Greenwich), Kent
   Baptisms solemnized in the Parish of Charlton in the county of Kent in the year 1828
   Feb 11th, born July 15th 1827, William Alexander, son of George and Elizabeth Birch, Abode: Blackheath, Lewisham, Quality, Trade or Profession: Surgeon, By Whom ceremony performed: Alex Greenlaw, LLD, Off Min (not the usual minister for the parish). Marginal note by the Rector reads: "This child by the parents account seems to have been born in 1828."
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NLYY-H2B : 19 September 2020), William Alexander Birch, 1828.
3. ↑ Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1851. Class: HO107; Piece: 1495; Folio: 203; Page: 77; GSU roll: 87826-87827
   45 Chichester Place, St Pancreas, Marylebone, Middlesex, England
   Jane Green; Head; Female; Single; 38, abt 1823; Coffee House Keeper; Brigg, Lincoln
   John Aistrope; Uncle; 50; Male; Married; abt 1801; Assistant; Thorest, Lincoln
   Jane Aistrope; Aunt; Female; Married; 60, abt 1891; Assistant; Uceln, Lincoln
   John Hunter; Servant; 37, abt Male; Single; 1814; Waiter; Middlessex
   Edward Pussaise; Servant; Male; 14, abt 1837; Errand boy; St. Allans, Islington
   Bridget Wallis; Servant; Female; Single; 22, abt 1829; House servant; Cork, Ireland
   Charles Frederick Whitewyh; Visitor; male; Single; 45, abt 1806; Civil Engineer; Cucold, Lincoln
   James Green Carlin; Visitor; Male; Married; 35, abt 1816; Accountant; Kingston upon Het
   William A Birch; Visitor; Male; Single; 24, abt 1827; Gentleman; Lewisham, Kent, England
   Civil Parish: St Pancras; County/Island: Middlesex; Country: England; Registration District: Pancras; Sub-registration District: Grays Inn Lane; ED, institution, or vessel: 04; Household Schedule Number: 446; Piece: 1495; Folio: 203; Page Number: 77
4. ↑ City of Westminster Archives Centre; London, England; Westminster Church of England Parish Registers; Reference: STC/PR/4/3
   Parish Register, St George, Hanover Square, London, Westminster, England
   1854. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of St. George Hanover Square in the County of Middlesex
   No: 300; August 26; William Alexander Birch; Full Age; Bachelor; Gentleman; Dean Street, Soho; Father: George Birch, R.N. to Sarah Isabella Phoebe Hoggins; Full Age; Spinster; Fitney Street; Father: Albany Hoggins, Gentleman
   Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church by Licence by me J.L. Roscall B.A. Fellow of Queen College Oxford
   This Marriage was solemnized between us: William Alexander Birch, Sarah Isabella Phoebe Hoggins in the presence of us: Henry William Looker, Hannah Hoggins.
5. ↑ Free BMD
   Marriages Sep 1854; Birch, William Alexander; District: St Geo. H. Sq.; Vol: 1a; Page: 396; HOGGINS, Sarah Isabella Phoebe; District: St Geo. H. Sq.; Vol: 1a; Page: 396
6. ↑ Membership registers 1751-1921 from the collection of the United Grand Lodge of England held by the Museum of Freemasonry. Images reproduced by courtesy of the Museum of Freemasonry, London. Rights reserved. Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England
   Freemasonry Membership Registers
   Description: Register of Admissions: London 'A', GSL-113; Date of Initiation: 14 Jan 1857; Date of Passing: Feb 11; Date of Raising: Mar 11; Birch, William Alexander Age: 30; Residence: London; Profession: Vocalist; Certificated: 2 Feb 1858; Lodge: Enoch Lodge; Lodge Number: 11; Folio Number: 83
7. ↑ Census Returns of England and Wales, 1861. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1861. Class: RG 9; Piece: 1765; Folio: 39; Page: 5; GSU roll: 542864
   118 Walpole Street, Gloucester, England
   Richard Morse; Head; Male; Married; 50, abt 1811; Accountant; Yockley, Gloucester
   Ann Morse; Wife; Female; Married; 44, abt 1837; Milliner; Easton, Devonshire
   Emily Morse; Daughter; Female; Single; 18, abt 1843; Milliner; Gloucester
   Frances J Morse; Daughter; Female; Single; 14, abt 1847; Gloucester
   Mariah Mar Morse; Daughter; Female; Single; 12, abt 1849; Gloucester
   Royson G Richd Morse; Son; Male; 10, abt 1851;
   Henry E Dening; Visitor; Male; Single; 23, abt 1838; Ironmonger; Bristol City
   Emma Riden; Visitor; Female; Single; 17, abt 1844; Dressmaker; Monmouthshire
   Sarah Ann Limbrick; Servant; female; Single; 16, abt 1845; servant; Monmouthshire
   Wm A B Birch; Boarder; Male; Married; 32, abt 1829; Instrumentalist; Lewisham, Kent, England
   Sarah J P Birch; Wife; Female; Married; 34, abt 1827; Lambeth, Surrey
   Rej Bather Birch; Son; Male; 4, abt 1857; Strand, London
   Fanny Clark; servant; Female; Single; 16, abt 1845; Servant; Camden Town, London
   Civil Parish: Gloucester St Nicholas; Town: Gloucester; County/Island: Gloucestershire; Country: England; Registration District: Gloucester; Sub-registration District: St Nicholas; ED, institution, or vessel: 2; Household Schedule Number: 22; Piece: 1765; Folio: 39; Page Number: 5
8. ↑ Family report
9. ↑ https://prabook.com/web/reginald.birch/3761536
10. ↑ The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1871 England Census; Class: RG10; Piece: 156; Folio: 76; Page: 28; GSU roll: 823298
    22 Shaye St, Marylebone, Middlesex, England
    William A Birch; Head; Male; Married; 43, abt 1828; Lecturer; Lewisham Kent England
    Isabelle Birch; Wife; Female; Married; 45, abt 1830; Teacher of Music; Middlesex, London
    Reginald Birch; Son; Male; 14, abt 1857; Clerk; Middlesex, London
    Civil parish: St Marylebone; Ecclesiastical parish: Portman Square St Thomas; Town: London; County/Island: London; Country: England; Registration district: Marylebone; Sub-registration district: Cavendish Square; ED, institution, or vessel: 5; Household schedule number: 193; Piece: 156; Folio: 76; Page number: 28
11. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRJM-Z7J : 25 June 2022), William A Birch, 1871.
12. ↑ Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. NAI: 6256867. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C. Year: 1871; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Line: 11; List Number: 525
    Ship Name: Abyssinia; Departure Port: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland; Arrival Port: New York, New York, USA; Arrival Date: 10 Jun 1871
    Mr. Wm A Birch; Male; 43 years; Engraver; Place of Origin: England; Eventual Destination: England; Ethnicity/ Nationality: English
    Mrs Birch; Female; 45 years; Wife; Place of Origin: England; Eventual Destination: England; Ethnicity/ Nationality: English
    Mr. Rged Birch; Male; 15 years; Gent; Place of Origin: England; Eventual Destination: England; Ethnicity/ Nationality: English
13. ↑ The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California), Saturday, August 13, 1892, page 7
14. ↑ California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 65; FHL Roll Number: 977624
    Register 9th Precinct, 32nd Assembly District, San Francisco, California, USA, 1888
    Birch, William Alexander; Age: 60; Nativity: England; Occupation: Bookkeeper; Residence: 15 Hopeton Terrace; floor: U; Naturalized: May 21, 1879, S.F. Cal., Cal., 4th Dist. Date of Registration: Set 24, 1888
15. ↑ San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California), 13 Aug 1892, Saturday, Page 12; San Francisco Call, Volume 72, Number 77, 16 August 1892
16. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185695897/william-alexander-birch: accessed 14 August 2022), memorial page for William Alexander Birch (15 Jan 1827–12 Aug 1892), Find A Grave: Memorial #185695897, citing Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma, San Mateo County, California, USA.

See also:

• Wikipedia Biography