SENIOR (Richard) - West Indies

[Sivam]

Eric, thanks very much for your posts, if only we could find more about Julia as I think she must have been a resident of the West Indies. Not sure of your families but ours was always told we were descended from the Spanish. There was definitely the Spanish features in ours. How could we find about Julia?

[EricD]

Like you, I reckon the 71-year old Julia Senior who was buried in Kent in 1837 was Richard’s widow & that he met her in St Kitts. There’s no record of him marrying before he left for the W Indies & even if he did its highly unlikely the Army would have let him take a wife with him. I’m currently looking at whether there is anything more in Kent records which might help. Not sure how we would go about researching St Kitts records!

[Sivam]

Eric, Thanks so much for the reply, I'll also keep on researching.

[lynnC]

Hi Sivam,
Just re-reading the posts I realised that you and. I share the same great grandparents, Justus Whatley Hobbs and Alice Charlotte Harwood, who is descended from the Senior family. My mother Elizabeth is still alive aged 92 in NZ and is the daughter of Arthur Hobbs, Justus and Alice's son. I would love to know where you fit into the family Sivam?
Regards, Lynn

[lynnC]

Hi Sivam, just wondering which child of Justus and Alice you are descended from? My line is from Arthur Hobbs.
Lynn

[Sivam]

My grandfather was George Hobbs. Did any of your relatives live in Timaru in New Zealand?

[lynnC]

Hi Sivam,
Yes, we were all from Timaru, me included. We used to visit George in Timaru with my granddad Arthur Hobbs when I was a child. I now live in Werribee, Australia.

[Sivam]

Wow how amazing. We live in S.E. Queensland. We used to visit Uncle Arthur and Auntie Lizzie when were living in Oamaru, my cousins lived in Timaru as well as Pop (George), from memory we visited often and went to weddings there. Pleased you enquired.

[Sivam]

Lynne, Just another comment about our Grandfathers. You probably have it but I have a copy of a letter written to Uncle Arthur from Justus telling him of his leaving England to settle in Longridge. Sivam.

[lynnC]

Hi Sivam, yes my family has the letter. I'm sure it will be the same one. Who were your parents Sivam? Mine were Elizabeth Hobbs and Raymond Waddell who lived in Timaru. We have been researching our family for about 40 years we think but amazingly have just found out about the Harwoods and Senior side so it is very exciting. We always heard there was a Spanish connection somewhere and also that Susan Frost may have been a seamstress for Queen Victoria. Do you know if there is any truth to those stories?
Lynn

[Sivam]

thanks for your reply, we are going on holiday tomorrow so will be in touch certainly when we return. My parents were Nesta and Allan Hobbs. You mentioned Susan Harriet Frost who married Edward Harwood, her father William was a Queen's Marshalman so definitely worked for royalty. Maybe Susan did too. I'm interested to know if you have any photographs too, so lovely to have the opportunity to catch up on family.

[Sivam]

LynnC have you got the Hobbs family tree book, it has quite a bit information about Justus? I'd be interested to know if you have family photograps too. I remember visiting your grandad, my Uncle Arthur and in paricular he had a toby jog which played a tune, maybe he played that for you too. It must have been a clockwork windup. It's so nice to be able to chat on this forum.

[lynnC]

Hi Sivam, No, I don't have the Hobbs family tree book. Did someone in the family do it? Is it just one copy or are there other copies? My sister, myself and my Mum have been doing our own book for years so we have quite a lot of information and photos -in NZ though. Did you know that. Justus worked at a school in Chiswick London called Afton House? My sister and Mum were excited to hear that we had made contact with you and Mum was trying to work out which " child" of Allan and Nesta's you are. Mum knew your parents quite well. Yes, I loved that Toby Jug! I know it is still in the family and someone has it- maybe my cousin Paula. I will ask Mum where it is. I have just visited my daughter in New York hence the delay in replying to your post as I forgot my password to get in! While there I bought a gilt button on line which was from a uniform of one of Queen Victoria's Marshalmen since it now has some significance. It is quite ornate and very special to have it. It's a shame we can't put our personal details on this site but I'm sure you can track me down by other means. My surname is Craig. Looking forward to our next post. I hope you had a good holiday. Until next time then. Lynn.

[Sivam]

Good to hear from you, I'm Gillian. The book I have was compiled by Stuart Hobbs from Christchurch although I'm not sure whether he's still living there. I thought maybe he had made contact as he has a note that he visited Bessie in 2008, would that ring a bell? I will copy the book for you if you would like a copy, I'll have to do some sleuthing for your contact details. Paula nee Cox would be your cousin is that correct. I have Dad's photos and there is one of your Grandparents on their wedding day. Hope to hear from you soon. .p.s. didn't know that Justus worked at a school.

[Pauline]

Hello

Realising that it has been a while since spoken about Alice Senior West Indies.......she married William Harwood in Minster Isle of Sheppey 28-12-1806......has anyone been able to find out why she was born in West Indies 1790 dau of Richard Senior and Julia.......I am descended from the Harwoods.

Thanks Pauline