Harriet LIVEING [227]

   Cause of her death was a diseased heart,1 year certified.

  General Notes:

In 2017 family letters revealed some of the mystery that had pervaded for over 200 yrs regarding her marriage to Robert Fenn. Robert's reprehensible behaviour is clearly seen to have upset Harriet's righteous mother Harriet. But daughter Harriett's view remains unknown, although some 40 plus years later, she names Robert Fenn gent as her husband, on her tombstone.
Her father Thomas clearly put her inheritance beyond the reach of Robert, when he wrote his will in 1833.

Alston Fenn writes in the 1950,'s "I have a nice water colour of our Gt Grandmother Harriet Liveing (now in the possession of E L Fenn 2017) who married Robert Fenn and whose mother was Harriet Harrold. It was given me by Dolly (Cotes). I wish I could find out something about Robert Fenn, we know he left Harriet but where he came from or where he went is a closed book"
It was not of course, much is now known of Robert and some of his life.

Harriet is mentioned in many letters written by her mother Harriet, she later lived at various family address's, when she was separated from Robert.
1861 Census lists for 31 Bear St Nayland; Harriet Fenn Widow 70yrs Fund holder. Head of house. Sarah Daniel visitor un 60yrs.Companion. Eleanor E Cousins un 21. Servant.
Harriet was identified by family letters living as follows:
1828 15 July Harwich "Harriet is but poorly having cough and cold and continues to live almost without victuals she will be happy to hear from you (Catherine Liveing nee Downing) when ever you find opportunity to write". 1828 4 Dec Harwich : letter
1831 Harwich. Harriet's mother writing to Edward her son says " Harriet is very poorly she is so pale she vexes me when I look at her . . . . . she will fret . . . . . fearing that Robert will lose the situation . . . . . should the Reform Bill pass we . . . . . we can to make her hope for tho. . . . . as . . . . . To leave the . . . . . to God. I have observed to her that even if it . . . . . had in it it might not eventually be best. I want her to lean more on God and less on man. Charles writes that he is much liked and he has no doubt but he will do well, and if Clerks are appointed it is most likely he will be established".
1831 18 Dec. Harriet is very poorly - looks about the colour of a turnip I think she much want some pills like those Edwd ordered for Miss Beaumont - she puts me in pain to see her - our new troubles have not made her better
1832 10 Feb Nayland? possibly with her brother, her father offers her money : letter
1836 April? Harwich. Harriet's mother writing to her daughter-in law Catherine Liveing (Katy) mentions Harriet in connection with buying some pigeons "knowing you and Edward are fond of them Harriet bespoke half a dozen when they could be obtained, these I have now sent were brought this morning, they are wood birds as you will see, Harriet thinks the flavour of them is higher than the tame pigeons".
1836 10 June Harwich : letter
1839 (abt) London (C/o National Debt Office where her son Robert worked)
1842 Sept. Horksley Park. Francis Liveing writes to her mother from Tom Fenn's, Rushall refering to Robert Fenn proposing to visit his mother at Horksley Park (Essex?)
1848 21 & 24 Aug Kelvedon ESS. Robert while travelling Nth writes two letters to his mother C/o T C Harrold Esq Feering Nr Kelvedon Essex. Robert visited Fortescue & Mrs Knotterford at Alveston Manor 3 miles from Stratford

Harriet Liveing nee Harrold writes 5 Sep 1825 Liveing Archive 52a LT6
. . . . . Aunt Downes has been with us nearly a fortnight - Harriet is gone home with her - they left us last Tuesday - on Friday they hired a donkey and cart and went to Denham? To see Uncle and Harriets children - they heard from Edwards account to me that Uncle was not at all likely to come and see us this summer as he is so lame so my Aunt wishing very much to see him took that mode of convenience . . . . .

Harriet is named a beneficiary in her fathers will dated 5 Oct 1833 and described as the wife of Robert Fenn. However her legacy is placed in trust for her and "her present or any after taken husband" specifically denied any benefit from the proceeds.

The 1851 Census records Harriet as a widow.

Her grave in St James Churchyard Nayland reads "In memory of Harriet widow of Robert Fenn gent who died March 28th 1864 aged 74 years. What doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God"

Death Cert No 477 Dist Sudbury-Bures, registered 13 Mar 1864. confirms age at 74 yrs. Occupation " Widow of Robert Fenn landed proprietor". Informant "The mark of Eliza Burrows present at the death Nayland".

Will dated 27 Feb 1864 was proved 2 May 1864, at under 1000pds by sons Robert Liveing Fenn Gent of The National Debt Office and and Thomas Harrold Fenn Surgeon of Nayland, executors and sole beneficiaries in equal shares.

Portrait of Harriet in possession of E.L. Fenn Auckland N Z 1998.
*

  Other Records

1. Marriage of Harriet & Robert, 18 May 1813, St Nicholas Harwich ESS.
Marriage Register, St Nicholas Harwich Essex.

2. Census: England, 7 Jun 1841, Rushall WIL. Harriet is described as aged 50 of independant means not born in Wiltshire

3. Census: England, 30 Mar 1851, 14 The Green Camberwell Dulwich SRY. Harriet is recorded as head of house widow aged 61 no employment born Harwich ESS

4. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, 31 Bear St Nayland SFK. Harriet is described as head of house a widow aged 70 fundholder born Harwich ESS Also in the house was Sarah Daniel a companion aged 60 and a general servant.

5. Harriet's Death, 28 Mar 1864.
Harriet in old age, Headstone in Nayland Churchyard, Death Certificate
Image of grave courtesy Ed Hutchings - 2021

Harriet married Robert FENN Capt [198] [MRIN: 76], son of Simon FENN [4546] and Elizabeth UNDERWOOD [4547], on 18 May 1813 in St Nicholas Harwich ESS. (Robert FENN Capt [198] was baptised on 2 Oct 1785 in Coddenham SFK, died on 27 Mar 1844 in Coddenham SFK and was buried on 3 Apr 1844 in Coddenham SFK.). The cause of his death was dropsy.