Wife of Sir Francis Chantrey, born Mary Anne Wale.
Mary Ann Wale was born on 5 March 1787, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Wale. She was baptised on 3 May 1787 in St George's Church, Hanover Square, Westminster, Middlesex (now Greater London).
On 23 November 1809 she married her cousin Francis Leggatt Chantrey (1781-1841) in St Mary's Church, Twickenham, Middlesex (now Greater London). Her substantial dowry was instrumental in allowing her husband to establish his successful London studio.
Her husband was knighted in 1835 and she became Mary, Lady Chantrey.
When the census was undertaken on 6 June 1841 she was shown as residing in Lower Belgrave Place, Westminster, with her husband, together with three male and four female servants. Her husband was described as a sculptor. He died later that year on 25 November 1841.
She was described as aged 58 years and a fund holder in the census that was compiled on 30 March 1851. She was living at 2 Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, Middlesex (now Greater London), together with a butler, a housekeeper, a lady's maid, a cook, a footman, a housemaid and a kitchen maid.
She was listed as aged 71 years and widow in the census that was taken on 7 April 1861 and that showed her as a visitor at The Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond Hill, Petersham, Surrey (now Greater London).
When the census was undertaken on 2 April 1871 she was recorded at Marieanne Chantrey, aged 84 years and of independent means whom was living at 55 Brook Street, Westminster.
Her death was registered as aged 88 years in the 1st quarter of 1875 in the St George Hanover Square Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London). She was in fact aged 87 years. Probate records show that her will with three codicils was proved on 20 January 1875 by her two executors: Philip Charles Hardwick of 2 Hereford Gardens, Park Lane, Middlesex and Lewis John Berger of 21 College Hill in the City of London. These records show her as formally of Gloucester Square, Hyde Park Gardens, but late of 55 Lower Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, Middlesex and who died on 3 January 1875 at 55 Lower Brook Street. Her effects were recorded as less than £35,000.
Her on 7 January 1875 in , in Highgate Cemetery, Swain's Lane, London, N6 6PJ.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk and Andrew Behan.
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them