Edward Arthur White (1852-1919) & Anne Maude Jennings (1855-1948)
Edward Arthur White (sometimes ‘Ned’) was born on 3 June 1852 at 1:30am at The Woodlands, Stoke Holy Cross near Norwich, the third son of Richard White and Anne Maria Freeman. He attended Norwich Grammar School before studying medicine at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, where he was awarded a Batchelor degree in Medicine; he then worked at the Middlesex Hospital. He passed his examinations at Apothecaries Hall and received his certificate to practise medicine in May 1875. He joined the practice of Dr Joseph C S Jennings in Malmesbury in the late 1870s.
Anne Maude Jennings, the daughter of Joseph Cave Spicer Jennings (FRCS) and Catherine Mary Allcock, was born on 20 April 1855 in Malmesbury, where her parents lived at the Abbey House. Aged 15, she was a boarder at a school run by a Charlotte H Wilkinson at Park Terrace, Islington.
Anne Maude Jennings and Edward Arthur White were married at Malmesbury Abbey on 21 October 1880.
WHITE-JENNINGS. October 21, at Malmesbury Abbey, by the Rev. George Windsor Tucker, MA, the vicar, assisted by the Rev. C Duncan Forbes, BA, Edward Arthur White, MD, of Malmesbury, third son of Richard White, of Heathfield House, Norwich, to Anne Maude, only daughter of Joseph C. S. Jennings, FRCS, of Abbey House, Malmesbury, Wilts.
They initially lived at the Abbey Brewery in Malmesbury, and their three children were born and baptised at Malmesbury:
- Arthur Charles in 1882
- Richard Hubert in 1884
- Kathleen Gladys Maude in 1887
In 1888, Edward was awarded the Licentiate in Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. His son later wrote that Edward’s father’s “practice in Norwich was a very big and successful one, and I have no doubt that it was because my father remembered the money side of it that he decided to change from general practice and go into Dentistry when he wanted more money in order to educate his family”.
By 1890 the family had moved to 1 Highbury Place in North London, and Edward was listed as being a surgeon dentist in the 1891 Kelly’s Post Office London Directory and 1900 Dentists Register. In 1900 the Lancet also reported that a meeting in support of Dr J G Glover’s candidature for election to the General Medical Council was “held at the residence of Dr E A White, 1 Highbury Place”. In the 1901 census, Anne Maude’s father was staying with them, and they had three domestic servants, a housemaid, cook, and nurse.
In 1892 Arthur Charles, the eldest son of Edward Arthur and Anne Maude, was at Pelham House school in Folkestone when he died of diphtheria aged 10 years. He was buried at Folkestone cemetery.
Richard Hubert attended Bradfield College from January 1897.
Originally built in 1773-4, the house is now Grade II listed; from 1927-31 it was a studio and school of painting kept by Walter Richard Sickert (now recorded on a blue plaque).
The family maintained its connection with Malmsbury – there are family photographs of the Abbey House and other parts of Wiltshire and Somerset from family visits there.
Left: Photograph taken by Richard H White showed his father, Edward Arthur, driving “the car” c1905 at the Abbey House on excursions to Malmesbury and other places.
In 1902, Edward was still listed a shareholder in the Malmesbury Waterworks Company.
Moreover, he was an executor of his father-in-law’s will; this led him into conflict with his brother in law when the latter took action against him (unsuccessfully) – this centred on land and money in Malmesbury to which Edward’s brother-in-law felt he was entitled. The Abbey House was sold in 1906.
Edward retired from his dental practice, and he and Anne Maude with their daughter Gladys, moved to “Hilderstone” in St Peter’s Road, Broadstairs in the mid 1900s.
The town was a popular place for convalescence at the start of the 20th century and it partly mirrors the retirement of his parents to Dover, where they were buried – as well as being relatively close to Folkstone where their eldest son was buried.
In July 1907 alterations and additions to the “property called Hilderstone for Dr E A White” were approved by the local planning committee (East Kent Times). The house was in a relatively prominent plot (opposite St Peter’s church) – a storm in February 1910 “was felt with all its force” with only a little damage reported in Broadstairs but at “Hilderstone, St Peter’s road, a fir tree in the garden was uprooted and blown across Fordoun Road” (East Kent Times).
In the 1890s and 1900s Edward and his brothers were increasingly interested in, and started to research, their family history. Most of the anecdotal information came from Edward’s eldest brother, Richard W White, but there was a collective family interest.
Edward corresponded with the Heraldic Office (although it is unclear how they got to the point where they had identified a supposed family crest ) who pointed out that a crest of a hand holding a dagger had been incorrect represented, but proposing a correct version and also saying “ ‘persevera’ is a motto recorded to the name ‘White’ – I think you should retain it”. Edward seemed to have adopted this advice.
- 1) Drawing by Edward in a letter to Henry F White based on the advice
- 2) Heathfield House letterhead
- 3) monogram of Ernest William White
- 4) monogram of Henry Freeman White
Edward’s son, Richard Hubert White, was also interested in the family history and it is thanks to him that some letters about the White family history survive. One of these, dated 26 September 1912, from Ernest W White to his nephew mentions Edward: “Your father has been seedy again some bladder trouble, he writes that he is better but I fear he is too thin. I tell him he must fatten up – plenty of bacon, cheese, butter, cream, milk, porridge &c. I really think a spoonful or so of whisky twice or 3 times a day would do him a world of good aiding digestion and checking flatulence &c. Go down & see him & tell what I say.”
In March 1914 the engagement was announced between Richard Hubert White “only son of Dr E A White of Hilderstone, St Peter’s to Jenny Henshaw, the only daughter of Mr AM Henshaw FGS of Talke”.
Edward Arthur White died on 13 May 1919. The Thanet Advertiser noted “It is with deep regret we learn of the death of Dr Edward Arthur White, which occurred at his residence, Hilderstone, St Peter’s Road, Broadstairs, on Wednesday last, at the age of 66. Dr White, who had been a resident of the town for many years, was a well-known figure, and for some time had been in failing health. He was one of a family of medical men, and was also a fully qualified dental surgeon, but had never practiced in Broadstairs. The greatest sympathy will be extended to his wife and daughter in their bereavement. The funeral will take place today (Saturday) at Folkestone at 2 o’clock, where the remains will be interred in the family grave.”
Anne Maude remained living at Hilderstone with her daughter. In 1924, “Miss White of Hilderstone, St Peter’s Road, has asked the Broadstairs Council to remove one or two trees on each side of the entrance to her garage in Fordoun Road [at the rear of the garden], as she finds it difficult to avoid injuring her motor car when entering the garage.”
By 1927 Anne Maude had moved to Folkestone, where she lived with Kathleen at 3 Turketel Road. The occupation of both in later census records was “private means”. They advertised, from time to time for servants, such as a “house-parlour maid or cook general”
Anne Maude White died 20th April 1948 at Folkestone.
Kathleen Gladys Maude White remained unmarried and died on 26 May 1965.
In loving memory of Arthur Charles, the eldest son of Edward Arthur White of Highbury, London, N. Born 27th February 1882, died 19th March 1892. “For of such is the kingdom of heaven”
In loving memory of Edward Arthur White, the dearly beloved husband of Annie Maude White. Born June 3rd 1852. Died May 13th 1919. “From death unto life”
In loving memory of Annie Maude White. Born 20th April 1855. Died 20th April 1948.
Also of Kathleen Gradys Maude White only daughter of Dr and Mrs E A White 1887-1965.
