Sixth Generation  

11. Mary Dent STANGER [3552] (Mary DENT⁷, Joseph⁶, David⁴, Joseph², Richard¹) was born on 07 Jun 1806 in Tydd St Mary Lincolnshire England, died on 31 May 1874 in Tydd St Giles Cambridgeshire England at age 67, and was buried in Tydd St Giles Cambridgeshire England.

General Notes: SEARCH NOTES:
1. Await check of 1841 Census for Tydd-St.Giles in Cambs. If no sign of Dents or Stangers, try 1841 Census Records for Tydd-St.Mary in Lincolnshire. H.U.Smith, May 24, 1988.
Geoffrey Stanger, in his letter rec'd Aug.8,1989, provides an extract from the Will Indices in Somerset House as follows: 1874. 10 December. The Will of Mary Smith (heretofore wife of John Smith) late of March in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge widow who died 31st May 1874 at March was proved at Peter-borough by John Stanger Smith of March Merchant the Son and Edward Henry Edwards of 168 Adelaide Road in the Parish of St.John Hampstead in the County of Middlesex Stationer the Executor. Probate being granted under certain limitations. Effects under #1,000 H.U.SMITH, AUG.12,1989.

Mary married John SMITH [3551] [MRIN: 1600], son of John SMITH [3555] and Martha FRANK [3556], on 07 Jun 1832 in Wisbech St Peter Wisbech Cambridgeshire England. John was born on 04 May 1795 in Tydd St Giles Cambridgeshire England and died on 05 Jan 1870 at age 74.

General Notes: Father came from Tydd St.Giles in CAMBRIDGESHIRE. Son was a Corn Miller in March, CAMBS. John (this one) also probably lived in Tydd St. Giles. His third Wife, Mary Dent STANGER, was from Tydd St.Mary, LINCOLNSHIRE. However, Since his Son, John Stanger?-Smith was Married in St.Ives, and HIS first Child was Born Nth. Witchford, CAMBS. in late 1962, THEN during the period 1832 (when He and Mary Dent Stanger were Married) and 1862 the Family may have moved, possibly in stages from Tydd St.Giles to March.
NEXT STEPS:
1. Search 1841 If Family living there at that time, try 1851 Census for Tydd St.Giles. Also try 1841 Census of Tydd St.Mary, LINCS. for traces of Stangers. Furthermore look for any mention of John and Martha SMITH and Children. (unlikely) John and Mary Dent SMITH and Children; and for John Stanger-SMITH and Emma (ULPH) and Family after she left home and married in 1860. Note: Emma shows in the St.Ives Census Records for the ULPH Family in 1841 and 1851. Since she was Married in 1860, she is not shown in the St.Ives Census for 1861; but may appear in Nth. Witchford. Also look for the Stanger (or Dent) Families in Tydd St.Mary in LINCOLNSHIRE. 1841 Census Records for Tydd-St.Giles, Ref.241227, ordered from the Mormon Library at Greenwich, Apr. 23, 1988. As of June 7, 1841 Census does not show any trace of John Smith and Mary; but maybe??? includes John Smith Snr. Tydd-St.Giles Census is divided into two Sections. The first (Western) Section is O.K.; but the Second (Eastern) Section is mostly illegible. Details of Smiths recorded are listed under the File D:\Winword\Genealogy\Census Data\1841 Census.doc Access it through Word for Windows. The only John Smith in this Census who may be "ours" is the (very faint) J.S. living near "The Rectory". His age is recorded as 18; but may well be 78. The illegible Section of the Census is very hard to read. However, it is probable that MOST Family Names can be identified. There is about a 80-85% chance that our John Smith was not living there in 1841.
H.U.SMITH. Apr.22/May 24/June 8, 1988.
1841 Census Records for March (Doddington) Ref. No. 241228 was inspected at the Mormon Library Greenwich on Oct.28, 1988. The Film is HO 107-81 PRO 814, It reveals that John Smith, Wife Mary, and children Helen(16), Harriet(14) and John(7) were living with them at that time. Helen and Harriet were the Daughters of John and his second Wife, Helen Hill Rogers (d.1831) They lived at Whittle End, the Boundaries of which are described in the Census Book as follows: "All that Part of the Hamlet of March East of the Turnpike Road called Chequer Row, the houses South of the Turn- pike Road to the Premises of Thomas Grey, also all all that part of Whittle End North of the River and including the House of the said Thomas Grey." H.U.SMITH, Oct. 31, 1988. ...

1841 Census shows as follows:
Census Return June 7, 1841. (PRO Microfilm HO/107/80)

at Whittle End. ...
NAME AGE POSITION BORN

John SMITH 46 MERCHANT Cambs.
Mary SMITH 35 Cambs.
Helen SMITH 16 ) Daughters of John SMITH &
Harriet SMITH 14 ) Helen Hill Rogers (1st. Wife) Cambs.
John SMITH 7 Cambs.

1851 Census shows as follos
Census Return April 7, 1851. (PRO Microfilm HO/107/1765)

at Whittle End. ...
NAME AGE POSITION BORN

John SMITH 55 Head, Miller & Merchant Tydd St.Giles
Mary D. SMITH [nee Dent] 44 Wife Tydd St.Mary
Harriett A. SMITH 24 Daughter of Previous Wife, Helen Hill Rogers?
March
John S.SMITH 17 Son, Assistant in Trade March
Mary J. SMITH 9 Daughter, Scholar March
William S. SMITH 4 Son Cambridge
Mary A. DAWSON 24 House Servant W.Walton, Norfolk

1861 Census shows as follows:
Census Return April 7, 1861. (PRO Microfilm RG/9/1043-4)

at Whittle End [119?], March. ...
NAME AGE POSITION BORN

John SMITH 65 Seed (Sand) & Coal Merchant Tydd St.Giles. CAMBS.
Mary (Dent) SMITH 54 Wife Tydd St.Mary. LINCS.
Mary J. SMITH 19 Unm. Daughter March.
Arthur F. SMITH 7 Scholar March.
Mary A. STANGER 15 Niece, Scholar South Africa.
Mary A. ACKWORTH 19 Gen'l. Servant Whittlesey.

Written to G.B.Stanger July, 1989. He may be able to provide further details of John and Mary Dent Smith (nee Stanger). Aug.2,1989. ...
Geoffrey Stanger in his letter, rec'd Aug. 8, 1989 provides details of Inscriptions on "Smith" Tombs and Headstones from the Station Road Cemetery in March, as follows: In Block J. completely concealed by a large tree, surrounded by a large and dense holly bush is a large tomb, about 7ft. long and 4ft, high. A rectangular box shape, headed by a solid triangle running the full length of the top. On the North Vertical Face is the Inscription:
IN AFFECTIONATE MEMORY OF JOHN SMITH BORN MAY 4th 1795 DIED JANry
5th 1870 AND OF MARY DENT SMITH HIS WIFE BORN JUNE 7th 1806 DIED MAY 31st 1874
Geoffrey also includes Extracts from Will Indexes in Somerset House as follows: 1870 6 July. the Will of John Smith late of March in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge Merchant deceased who died 5 January 1870 at March aforesaid was proved at Peterborough by the Oath of John Stanger Smith of March aforesaid the Son the Sole Executor. Effects under #3,000 This was a short will obviously made the same day as his death. It bequeathed nearly everything to his Son John Stanger Smith, "trusting that he will hold or distribute the same for the mutual benefit of my dear Wife and my other children......." Witness Robt Dewbarn Jnr. Solr. March and Wm. Burton, March.
H.U.SMITH, Aug. 11, 1989. ...
For Locations, See Shell Road Atlas of GB, P53 in the Area of "the Wash"

In a Journal kept by Harriette Anne Smith, his Daughter, Harriette said:-
John, the eldest, born May 2nd, 1795, was married in June 1821 to Ann Richardson, of Horncastle. they had one son, Frederick Pilkington, who died about a month old. Mrs. John Smith [Ann R.] died ..... ...... Mr. John Smith married again in 1823 to Helen Hill Rogers [my Mother], daughter of Rev. thomas Rogers [Baptist] of Fleet, Lincs. She died Jan. 4th 1831, leaving 4 children. [named]

Children from this marriage were:

+ 15 M    i. John Stanger SMITH [2652] was born on 02 Jul 1833 in probably Parish of Doddington Cambridgeshire, died on 09 Sep 1915 in probably in March Cambridgeshire at age 82, and was buried in probably in March Cambridgeshire.

   16 F    ii. Mary Jane SMITH [3627] was born on 01 Dec 1841 and died on 31 May 1905 at age 63.

General Notes: Geoffrey Stanger, in his letter, rec'd Aug. 8, 1989, provides details of Jane's Tomb as follows: (for details of the location and description of the tomb, see under John Smith, her Father) On the North Slope of the Tomb:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

MARY JANE SMITH DAU. OF THE LATE JOHN & MARY DENT SMITH OF MARCH
BORN DECEMBER 1st 1841 DIED MAY 31st 1905


H.U.SMITH, AUG. 11, 1989. ...

   17 M    iii. William Stanger SMITH [3628] was born on 31 Mar 1847 and died on 29 Aug 1872 at age 25. The cause of his death was an accident.

General Notes: Geoffrey Stanger, in his letter, rec'd Aug. 8, 1989 gives details of the Inscription on William's (and his Parents) Tomb in Station Road Cemetery, in March (a description of the Tomb will be found in the Notes on his Father, John) as follows: On the East Gable end:

ALSO OF THEIR SON

WILLIAM STANGER SMITH

BORN MAR 31st 1847

DIED AUG 29th 1872


H.U.SMITH, AUG. 11, 1989.

+ 18 M    iv. Arthur Frank SMITH [3629] was born on 27 Apr 1853 in March Cambridgeshire England and died in 1930 at age 77.

13. Sarah STANGER [3872] (Mary DENT⁷, Joseph⁶, David⁴, Joseph², Richard¹) was born on 20 Sep 1809 in Tydd St Mary Lincolnshire England, died about 1876 aged about 67, and was buried in Fleet Baptist Chapel Fleet Hargate Lincolnshire England.

General Notes: Sarah appeared on the 1871 Census as being on that night in the House of John Cole (Partner of Joseph Smith). She is recorded as a Visitor, She is shown as a Lady, Widow, born at Tydd St.Mary, LINCS.

Sarah married John COLE [3604] [MRIN: 2262], son of John COLE [3875] and Sarah EVERITT [3886], in 1846 in Wisbech Cambridgeshire England. John was born on 21 Jan 1802 in March Cambridgeshire England and died on 08 Mar 1873 in Nottingham Nottinghamshire England at age 71.

Children from this marriage were:

   19 F    i. Hannah Stanger COLE [3876] was born about 1850 in Nottingham Nottinghamshire England.

+ 20 M    ii. John Stanger COLE [3877] was born about 1855 in Nottingham Nottinghamshire England and died about 1904 aged about 49.

14. William STANGER [3874] (Mary DENT⁷, Joseph⁶, David⁴, Joseph², Richard¹) was born on 27 Sep 1811 in Tydd St Mary Lincolnshire England, died on 11 Mar 1857 in Durban Natal South Africa at age 45, and was buried about 1857 in Fleet Baptist Chapel Fleet Hargate Lincolnshire England.

General Notes: Mary Stanger's Brother, First Name at present un-known is believed to have been Surveyor General in Natal, South Africa. ... H.U.SMITH, from letter from "Betty" SPENDER, dated July 7, 1988. ...
It is also thought that he was a member of the "Niger Expedition of 1841" (see Betty Spender's letter of 12/3/1989) H.U.SMITH, Mar 28, 1989. ...
University of N.S.W. have vols. I to III of a set of Books Titled Dictionary of South African Biography. William Stanger is recorded in Vol.II, which still has to be inspected at the University Library. H.U.S. Aug.2,1989.

In an Email, dated June 17, 2004, Chloris Mary "Tombi" Peck stated:
"Dr. William Stanger 1st Surveyor General, Natal 1845 - 1854

The following Snippet comes from 'To the Shores of Natal' T.V. Bulpin
..."Few of the officials were exempt from these bickerings. The technicians, like William Stanger the surveyor, were the best of the bunch for they were kept too busy to indulge in quarrels. In any case Stanger who had come to Natal fresh from exploring the Niger River and was well pickled with tropical diseases died in Durban on the 14th March 1854.
Dr. Peter Cormack Sutherland who had originally set up a medical practice in Durban in 1853 was then appointed to the position of Surveyor".

STANGER: The Town.
In 1870 the town was non-existent. Only two years later was the magistracy then known as the Tugela Division of Victoria County removed there from Umhlali. A large African hut served as the magistrate's office. In March 1873 the Surveyor-General Dr. P.C. Sutherland laid out a town and named the place Stanger after his late predecessor"
"Of the older places Stanger became a town on the 13th October 1920 and a borough on the 1st August 1949....
In the Encyclopaedia of South Africa it refers to it as "A town on the North Coast of Natal named after Dr. William Stanger"...."

In a Stanger Family File received from Mark Ward in April 2008, he included the following:
The Times, 22 January 1842
LONDON, SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 1842.
We transcribe, in another column, from a morning contemporary, what it justly calls "the afflicting intelligence" respecting the Niger expedition, and which is considered to be the official anti-slavery account of the matter. The result of that enterprise has been sadly correspondent with what all reasonable men must have augured, and what we ourselves hare always predicted. Three vessels have gone about 320 miles up the Niger and Chadda, and have come down again. A model farm some 300 miles from the coast has been bought, stocked, and abandoned; treaties have been made with the two negro Princes of Eboe and Iddah for the abolition of the slave trade and of human sacrifices, and then they have been left to their own practices; and this at an expense of health and life which is not indeed distinctly stated, but may well be divined from the account given by our contemporary, to whose statement we will add an extract from a letter written on board the Ethiope on the 21st of October :-
"We entered the Nun on the 10th inst., and proceeded up the river the next morning, and fell in with the Albert on the evening of the 13th inst. at Stirling Island, about 24 miles below Eboe. We found her in a worse state than the Wilberforce; all hands down with fever but Drs M'William, Stanger, a scientific gentleman, a marine, the boatswain's mate, and a servant. Captain Trotter very weak, Captain Bird Allen (who is since dead) very low; no engineers; Dr. Stanger was endevouring to work the engine the best way he could. We sent our head engineer on board, and the Albert followed the Ethiope to the coast. Captain Becroft then went on board the Albert, and took her to Fernando Po. The people at the model farm, including its manager, Mr. Carr, were all sick, and have been brought down by the Albert."
The Times, 27 January 1842
THE NIGER EXPEDITION.
REPORT OF CAPTAIN TROTTER.
On the 5th of October Mr. Willie weighed and dropped down the river, but was soon prevented by sickness from carrying on duty; and Dr. M'William, assisted by only one white seaman, lately recovered from fever,took charge of the vessel, not thinking it right, in my state of fever, to report Mr. Willie's illness.
From want of engineers we should have had to drop down the whole length of the river without steam, had not Dr. Stanger, the geologist, in the most spirited manner, after consulting Tredgold's work on steam, and getting some little instruction from the convalescent engineer, undertaken to work the engine himself. The heat of the engine-room affected the engineer so much as to throw him back in his convalescence, and prevent him rendering any further assistance, but Dr. Stanger took the vessel safely below Eboe, without anything going wrong with the machinery, while Dr. M'Willam, in addition to his enormous press of duty, as a medical officer, conducted the ship down the river in the most able and judicious manner. I may here remark that the Doctor steered the ship entirely by Commander William Allen's excellent chart of the Niger, of the correctness of which we had a good opportunity of judging on ascending the river, and which proved eminently useful on the passage down; and Mr. Brown, clerk, a native of Africa, who had been up the river before, also rendered, him considerable assistance in the pilotage.
When about 100 miles from the sea Captain Becroft happily made his appearance in the Æthiope, steamer, having been requested to ascend the river and communicate with us by Commander William Allen of the Wilberforce; and it was really a providential mercy that he arrived when he did, for had any accident, however trivial, happened, to the engines, they could not have been worked any longer, as Dr. Stanger had no knowledge of the manner of rectifying it. Fever still prevented my going on deck, and there was no executive officer to take the vessel over the bar, and only one convalescent sailor doing duty, and no black sailor who could properly take the helm. Captain Becroft, however, came onboard with an engineer, and not only took the vessel over the bar but brought her all the way across to this anchorage (a distance of 160 miles), where we arrived in safety on the 17th inst.
I have already alluded to Dr. Stanger's praiseworthy conduct in his acquiring a knowledge of the steam-engine, by which we were enabled to get down the river so much more speedily than we otherwise could have done; but this gentleman was, if possible, still more useful in the medical assistance which he rendered to Dr. M'William, who latterly had no assistant-surgeon to relieve him in his duties. I am sorry to say that Dr. Stanger is beginning to feel the effect of his exertions, having had fever (although slightly) within the last two days.

• Occupation: Surveyor General, 1845-1854, Natal South Africa.

William married Sarah HURSTHOUSE [3395] [MRIN: 1713], daughter of Unknown and Unknown, on 27 Sep 1842 in Lowestoft Suffolk England. Sarah was born about 1809 and died in Mar 1853 in Holbeach Lincolnshire England aged about 44.

Children from this marriage were:

   21 F    i. Mary Alice STANGER [3394] was born in 1845 in Pietermaritzburg Natal South Africa and died in 1930 at age 85.

+ 22 M    ii. William Harry STANGER [2853] was born in 1847 in Pietermaritzburg Natal South Africa and died in 1903 in Sydney NSW Australia at age 56.

+ 23 F    iii. Harriett Edith STANGER [3390] was born in Sep 1851 in Wisbech Cambridgeshire England and died in 1937 at age 86.

+ 24 M    iv. William Hursthouse STANGER [2793] was born in Dec 1852 in Wisbech Cambridgeshire England and died in 1931 in Sydney NSW Australia at age 79.