Stephen Challen (abt. 1826 - 1903)

Born about 1826 in Petworth, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Maria (Edwards) Challen — married 1853 in St George Southwark district, Surrey, England

Died 13 Nov 1903 at about age 77 in High Street, Godalming, Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Biography

Stephen Challen was was at Arundel, Sussex and baptised at St Marys, Petworth, Sussex on 1 July 1827. He was the son of Stephen Savage Challen & Harriet Knight.^[1][2][3]

Stephen became a corn merchant. He married Maria Edwards 6th December 1853 in St George Southwark district, London. They were both of full age and living on White Street. The record of their marriage shows that Stephen's father was a Maltster also called Stephen^[4]. They had the following children:

1. Henry Stephen Challen, born 1854 in Godalming, Surrey^[5]
2. Henry Challen, born 1857 in Godalming, Surrey^[6]
3. Sarah Jane Challen, born 1859 in Godalming, Surrey^[7]
4. Stephen Challen, born 1862 in Godalming, Surrey^[8]
5. Anne Challen, born 1862 in Godalming, Surrey^[9]
6. George Challen, born 1863 in Godalming, Surrey^[10][11]

CHALLEN, STEPHEN EDWARDS GRO Reference: 1862 J Quarter in GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 58 CHALLEN, ANNE EDWARDS GRO Reference: 1862 J Quarter in GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 58 CHALLEN, SARAH JANE EDWARDS GRO Reference: 1859 D Quarter in GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 62

In 1861 Stephen and Maria were living in Godalming with their children James and Sarah Jane and a servant girl^[12]

In 1871 Stephen and Maria were living in Godalming with their children Sarah Jane and George^[13]

Maria died on 4 Apr 1878, aged 45, at their home in Ockford Rd, Godalming. She was buried on 9 Apr 1878 in Nightingale Cemetery, Godalming, in the consecrated section.

In 1881 Stephen was living on Godalming High Street with his son James. Both father and son were corn merchants^[14]

In 1891 Stephen was still living on Godalming High Street, now with his children George and Sarah Jane. Stephen now gave his occupation as Corn Merchant & Farmer and his birth location as Petworth, Sussex^[15]

In 1901 Stephen and his three children were all living on Godalming high street^[16]

Stephen died on 13 Nov 1903, aged 77, at his home in Godalming High Street^[17]. He was buried on 18 Nov 1903 with his wife.

Research Notes

Memorial Inscription

  In

  Memory of

  MARIA, WIFE OF

  STEPHEN CHALLEN,

  BORN SEPTEMBER 20TH 1832

  DIED APRIL 4TH 1878

  -+-

  'SALVATION BELONGETH UNTO THE LORD,

  THY BLESSING IS UPON THY PEOPLE.'

  Also of

  STEPHEN CHALLEN

  DIED NOVEMBER 13TH 1903,

  AGED 77 YEARS.

Sources

1. ↑ Sussex Family History Group Data Archive, Petworth St Mary 1559 - 1876: First names Stephen; Surname CHALLEN; Sex s; Baptism Date 01-Jul 1827; Father first names Stephen Savage; Father surname CHALLEN; Mother first names Harriet; Mother surname CHALLEN; Occupation Publican
2. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWX6-GG9 : 5 February 2023), Stephen Challen, 1827.
3. ↑ Sussex Family History Group, Extract from the Sussex Marriage Index: Place: Brighton, East Sussex, Date: 20 Sep 1824: Subject: Stephen Savage CHALLEN, bach Spouse: Harriet KNIGHT, sp botp (lic)
4. ↑ Marriage: "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938"
   London Metropolitan Archives; London, England; London Church of England Parish Registers; Reference Number: P92/GEO/198
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1623 #3459837 (accessed 16 October 2022)
   Stephen Challen marriage to Maria Edwards on 6 Dec 1853 in St George the Martyr, Southwark, England.
5. ↑ UK Birth Registration for Henry Stephen Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 50, December quarter of 1854, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
6. ↑ UK Birth Registration for Henry Stephen Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 50, September quarter of 1857, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
7. ↑ UK Birth Registration for Sarah Jane Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 62, December quarter of 1859, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
8. ↑ UK Birth Registration for Stephen Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 58, June quarter of 1862, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
9. ↑ UK Birth Registration for Anne Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 58, June quarter of 1862, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
10. ↑ UK Birth Registration for George Challen, District: GUILDFORD Volume 02A Page 64, December quarter of 1863, Mother's Maiden Surname: EDWARDS
11. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NY1P-Y51 : 4 February 2023), George Challen, 1863.
12. ↑ 1861 Census: "1861 England Census"
    Class: RG 9; Piece: 429; Folio: 70; Page: 16; GSU roll: 542636; ED, institution, or vessel: 4; Household schedule number: 89
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8767 #6771029 (accessed 16 October 2022)
    Stephen Challen (33) head of household in Godalming in Guildford registration district in Surrey, England. Born in Arundel, Sussex, England.
13. ↑ 1871 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1871"
    citing The National Archives of the UK
    FamilySearch Record: VRNF-KK6 (accessed 16 October 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Stephen Challen (43), married, Corn Merchant, head of household in Godalming, Surrey, England, United Kingdom. Born in Arundel, Sussex.
14. ↑ 1881 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1881"
    citing p. 6, Piece/Folio 780/5, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey; FHL microfilm 101,774,398.
    FamilySearch Record: Q277-K7PT (accessed 16 October 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Stephen Challen (53), widowed, Corn Merchant, head of household in Godalming in Guildford registration district in Surrey, England. Born in Arundel, Sussex, England.
15. ↑ 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
    citing PRO RG 12, Surrey county, subdistrict, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
    FamilySearch Record: QFJ7-YW2 (accessed 16 October 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Stephen Challen (64), widowed, Corn Merchant & Farmer, head of household in Godalming in Guildford registration district in Surrey, England. Born in Sussex, England.
16. ↑ 1901 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1901"
    citing Godalming subdistrict, PRO RG 13, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
    FamilySearch Record: X9XH-PP6 (accessed 16 October 2022)
    FindMyPast Image
    Stephen Challen (73), widowed, Corn Merchant, head of household in Godalming in Guildford registration district in Surrey, England. Born in Arundel, Sussex.
17. ↑ Probate: "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
    Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 1904 #5727233 (accessed 16 October 2022)
    Stephen Challen probate on 22 Jan 1904 in London, England. Died 13 Nov 1903 in Surrey, England.

• Marriage registration https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=ZShM0%2FdRN0ralL5Q3LaVhg&scan=1 & https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=YFVp5qQ7Zm%2BkytgDNVgkEg&scan=1

• Memorial Inscription (see photo)

• Burial: BURIAL RECORDS FOR NIGHTINGALE CEMETERY FROM 1857-2013 AND EASHING CEMETERY 1900 - 2013 IN SURNAME ORDER. Accessed on https://web.archive.org/web/20190829150838/http://www.godalming-jbc.gov.uk/uploads/CombinedEashingNightingaleSurnameOrder(Updated%20Dec%202013)-web%20ready.pdf