First Generation  

1. William CHESTERMAN [9478] was born about 1787, died on 9 Jul 1857 aged about 70, and was buried on 15 Jul 1857 in Abney Cemetery Stoke Newington Middlesex England.

General Notes: In an attachment to an email, dated June 28, 2003, Harold Chesterman states:-

William Chesterman (1787 [or 8] - 9 July 1857)
Watchmaker of 35 Bowling Gereen Lane (Source: Birth Certificate of Ezekiel Bickham Chesterman), and 37 Meredith Street Clerkenwell London at the time of his death (Source: An Account from Abney Park Cemetery). Interred 15 July at Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington.

In a letter, probably 1902, to her sister-in-law (Elizabeth Chesterman nee Clapton), Mary Jane Chesterman (Aunt Jeannie) writes: "I know no more of his (ie Ezekiel Bickham Chesterman's) Father, only that they were goldsmiths for some generations and came down very much in the world".

William married Elizabeth BICKHAM [9479], daughter of Ezekiel BICKHAM [9485] and Anna SMITHERS [9486], on 14 Aug 1814 in St Mary Newington Surrey England. Elizabeth was born on 22 Nov 1788 and was baptised on 21 Dec 1788 in St Olaves Southwark Kent England.

Noted events in her life were:

• Registration: 21 Dec 1788, St Olaves Southwark Kent England.

• Baptism: 25 Sep 1808, Fetter Lane.

Children from this marriage were:

   2 F    i. Elizabeth Anna CHESTERMAN [9480] was born on 12 Feb 1816, died on 16 Feb 1882 at age 66, and was buried on 20 Feb 1882 in Abney Cemetery Stoke Newington Middlesex England [grave 25005].

General Notes: In an attachment to an email, dated June 28, 2003, Harold Chesterman states:-

Elizabeth Anna Chesterman (12 February 1816 - 16 Feb 1882)
Did not marry (Source: Can't locate it at the moment!) Lived at 37 Meredith Street, St. Johns Street Road. Interred 20 February at Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, Grave No. 25,OO5. (Source: Memorial card and Account from Abney Park Cemetery.)

Noted events in her life were:

• Registration: Dr. Williamson's Library Redcross St Cripplegate London England.

   3 F    ii. Anna Bickham CHESTERMAN [9481] was born on 17 Oct 1817, died on 31 May 1884 at age 66, and was buried in Abney Cemetery Stoke Newington Middlesex England.

General Notes: In an attachment to an email, dated June 28, 2003, Harold Chesterman states:-

Anna Bickham Chesterman (17 Oct 1817 - 31 May 1884)
Did not marry. Lived and had a business at 67 Brixton Road. This business and stock willed to Mary Hannah(?) Cobb who "gave faithful and loving service for seven and half years". Interred at Abney Park Cemetery, SN. (Source: Copy of draft will and memorial card).

There is no clue as to the nature of the business in Brixton Road. Must have a look at Census records when I have time.

Noted events in her life were:

• Registration: Dr. Williamson's Library Redcross St Cripplegate London England.

   4 F    iii. Emma Austin CHESTERMAN [9482] was born on 5 Aug 1819.

General Notes: In an attachment to an email, dated June 28, 2003, Harold Chesterman states:-

Emma Austin Chesterman (5 Aug 1819 - ?)
Letter from Mrs Emily Smith 28 May 1902 says that she "Had but one son when she left England". An anonymous note says "Married and had two sons, in Australia now". She is mentioned in the will of Anna Bickham Chesterman (Apr 1875) where she is referred to as "Emma Austin Burry of Chapel St. Praheau(?), Melbourne Australia". This will indicates that she married twice, her first marriage producing two sons, "David and Charles Symes" According to George Jesse Chesterman's notes, she was alive when his father, Ezekiel Bickham Chesterman died (1891), and mentioned in his will, (a legacy of £100).

Noted events in her life were:

• Registration: Dr. Williamson's Library Redcross St Cripplegate London England.

   5 M    iv. William Thomas CHESTERMAN [9483] was born on 17 Sep 1821, died on 10 Apr 1854 at age 32, and was buried on 18 Apr 1854 in Abney Cemetery Stoke Newington Middlesex England [grave 10969].

Noted events in his life were:

• Registration: Dr. Williamson's Library Redcross St Cripplegate London England.

+ 6 M    v. Ezekiel Bickham CHESTERMAN [8509] was born on 9 Nov 1823 in London England, died on 19 Jan 1891 in 11 St Lukes Road Bath Somerset England at age 67, and was buried on 24 Jan 1891 in Locksbrook Cemetery.

   7 M    vi. Thomas CHESTERMAN [9484] was born on 6 Sep 1828, died on 12 Sep 1861 at age 33, and was buried on 12 Sep 1861.

General Notes: In an attachment to an email, dated June 28, 2003, Harold Chesterman states:-
Information relating to Thomas Chesterman comes from an anonymous note written in ink on two sides of half a sheet apparently torn from a book relating to the preaching of a sermon at St. Pauls. Was paper in such short supply! It reads: "Having seen my Cousin Miss Olivia Chesterman at East Sheen recently I heard she has made further enquiries at Mitcham and finds that 2 families (the) Pratts and Smiths are related to our ancestors by Marriage. I have no remembrance of Olivias Grand Father but remember the Death of her Father Thomas Chesterman who kept the Running Hare in Little Queen Street rather more than 50 years since. My parents took in one of the 3 daughters Sarah and Betsey and Olivia went to Mitcham to live with their Uncle Colman, Butcher and Aunt Sou-es(?), Spinster. Mr. Colman left no children, Sarah after being at our house in Clerkenwell for 8 years left and went also to Mr. Colmans. Shall be happy to give you any other information in my hands."

There is no further information relating to Sarah and Betsey, but it appears that Olivia did not marry. A letter from Mary Jane Chesterman (Aunt Jeannie), to Elizabeth Chesterman nee Clapton contains the following: "Ask Willie [ie my grandfather, also named William Thomas Chesterman] if he knows if Miss Olivia Chesterman is still living and where, for she had a lot of papers and only wanted one certificate to claim a lot of valuable city property. She was very old years ago and is probably dead".

It has always been a source of amusement, particularly to the current generation to think that a member of such a deeply religiousfamily should apparently be an innkeeper! I would just love to know more about The Running Hare. I believe that there is a Little Queen Street in modern London, but I doubt if it is the one referred to above. Any suggestions?

Noted events in his life were:

• Registration: Dr. Williamson's Library Redcross St Cripplegate London England.