John George Abraham was born on 20 September 1849 in Wapping, Middlesex (now Greater London), the second of the seven children of Valentine William Abraham (c.1823/4-1890) and Mary Walker Abraham née Abbot (1821-1903). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1849 in the St George in the East Registration District, Middlesex. On 21 October 1849 he was baptised in St John's Church, Wapping, where in the baptismal register his date of birth is recorded and shows his family were living at 10 Calvert Street, St George in the East, and that his father was a ship joiner. (Calvert Street has been subsequently renamed and is now called Watts Street).
In the 1851 census he is shown as aged 1 year, living at 48 Wapping Street, Wapping, with his parents, his elder brother Valentine James Abraham (1847-1904) and his maternal aunt Henrietta Abbot, aged 16 years. His father was described as a joiner.
He was shown as aged 11 years and a scholar in the 1861 census, residing at Stevenson's Cottages, Church Path, Stepney, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his parents and six siblings: Valentine James Abraham - a scholar; Robert Abraham (b.1851) - a scholar; Mary Ann Abraham (1853-1903) - a scholar; Elizabeth Frances Abraham (1854-1944) - a scholar; Alexander George Abraham (1856-1866) and Henrietta Gaskin Abraham (1858-1911). His father was recorded as a ship joiner.
When the 1871 census was undertaken he was shown as aged 22 years and a joiner, living at Percy Cottages, Leyton, Essex (now Greater London), with his parents and two sisters: Henrietta Gaskin Abraham - a scholar and Florence Amelia Jane Abraham (b.1864) also a scholar. His father was now described as a builder.
On 26 November 1872 he married Sarah Hope (b.1850) at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's, Stepney. In the marriage register he is shown as of full age, a bachelor and a builder living in Bromley, the son of Valentine Abraham, a builder, whilst his wife is described as of full age, a spinster also residing in Bromley, the daughter of William Hope, a pattern maker.
The 1881 census shows him as aged 31 years and a builder, living at 1, Mountgrove Road, Islington, Middlesex (now Greater London), with his wife and two children: Beatrice Lillian Abraham (b.1874) and John William Abraham (1875-1945), together with a female general domestic servant.
He was living at 80 Hanley Road, Islington, at the time of the 1891 census. He was described as aged 40 years and a surveyor residing with his wife and two children: John William Abraham - a pupil/electrical engineer and Montague George Abraham (1887-1952), together with a cook and a housemaid.
In the 1901 census he was listed as aged 51 years and a surveyor, living at Grove Lodge, Crouch End, Hornsey, Middlesex, with his wife, two of his children: Beatrice Lillian Abraham and Montague George Abraham, together with a cook and a housemaid.
The confirms that he was elected as a councillor in the Hornsey Division of Hornsey Council for 1907-1910 and was re-elected in 1910. He died in office and his death was registered as aged 62 years in the 3rd quarter of 1912 in the Edmonton Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London). Probate records confirm that he had two addresses: Grove Lodge, Muswell Hill and 80 Hanley Road, Stroud Green. These records show that he died on 5 July 1912 at Grove Lodge and that when probate was granted on 5 November 1912 to his son John William Abraham - an architect, his effects totalled £213,575-13s-9d. However, it was subsequently resworn downwards to £60,000.
He is shown as 'J. G. ABRAHAM ESQRE. HON. TREASURER' on the Hornsey Central Hospital's 1911 foundation stone at Hornsey Central Health Centre, 151 Park Road, London, N2.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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