Lieut R.N. Theodore George FENN [8]

   Cause of his death was chronic brights (kidney) and heart disease.

  General Notes:

Pastel at age 8 1851 by Sydney Buck in possession of Adrian Hopkins Vale View Marnhull Dorset 1998.

THEODORE GEORGE FENN
Birth year1846
Baptism year1846
Baptism day5
Baptism monthAug
ParishNAYLAND
Son of Thomas H & Maria
CountySuffolk
CountryEngland
Record setSuffolk Baptism Index (part 1)

Sponsors at Theodore's baptism were, Robert L Fenn, George Vanderzee [2062], Isabella Vanderzee.

Theodore appears to have been an engaging and well respected gentleman, sadly dying in his prime.

The Ipswich Journal Saturday, 27 June 1846.
Births.
19th inst., the lady of T Harrold Fenn, Esq., Surgeon, Nayland, of a son

He was educated at Merchant Taylor's School London, as was his father, being admitted 19 June 1846 son of Thomas and Maria Surgeon Nayland.
Ref Merchant Taylor Admissions - The Genealogist.

Nayland: Mr Theodore George Fenn 2nd son of Thomas Harrold Fenn Esq, passed examination for Masters Assistant at Royal Naval College, on 12 inst.
Essex Standard Friday, 15 March 1861.

Naval Appointments.
Asst Masters: Theodore George Fenn to the Esk.
Belfast Morning News 1 June 1863.

Theodore is mentioned in a letter by his Gt. Uncle Capt. William Liveing to his daughter Elizabeth.
Liveing Archive: Image Letter 30 a & b
7 Clifton Villas's
March 25/67
My dearest Child,
The last two or three days have been cold . . . . .
Page 3.
It was Bob Fenn who told me that Theodore had been to London about a Gunboat, to be not commander of her, but second in command, for any real furtherance of his future promotion and practical and scientific acquaintance with his peculiar department of his profefsion he might just as well apply for a Bumboat, Bob called on Monday . . . . .

Naval and Military Intelligence.
Admiralty March 27.
Promotions Appointments.
Masters Asst - Theodore George Fenn to the Neptune.
Ref: Morning Post Thursday 28 March 1861

Naval and Military Intelligence.
Admiralty May 27.
Promotions Appointments.
Masters Asst - Theodore George Fenn.
Morning Post Thursday 28 May 1863.

Naval and Military Intelligence.
Naval Appointments.
Navigating Sub Lt Theodore George Fenn to the Gnat at Devonport.
Ref: London Standard Monday 18 May 1868.

H M G V Gnat
The Gnat was wrecked on a reef off the Phillipines Island of Balabac in the South China Sea on Dec 6th 1868. Lieut T G Fenn RN was serving as Navigating Officer.
Naval Review 1960.
The Gnat was a composite screw gunvessel launched at Pembroke Dockyard (Wales?) on 26 November 1867 - see picture file.
Ref A A Fenn & Wikipedia.

Appointments made yesterday at the Admiralty:
Theodore G Fenn, Masters Asst to the Neptune.
The Times 28 Mar 1861

January 23 Theodore George Fenn promoted to the rank of Navigating Lieut in her Majesty's Fleet.
The Times 25 January 1873.

Naval and Military Intelligence.
Naval Appointments.
Navigating Sub Lt Theodore George Fenn to the Supply.
Ref: London Standard Saturday, 20 Dec 1873.

Theodore George Fenn
Marriage date1876
Marriage placeForest Row, Sussex, England
FatherThomas Harrold Fenn
SpouseMargaret Playford
Spouse's father George Frederick Playford
Residence Forest row, Sussex, England
Record setEngland Marriages 1538-1973

Naval and Military Intelligence.
Admiralty April 2.
Navigating Lt Theodore George Fenn has been placed on the retired list of his rank from 20th ult.
Ref: Morning Post Wednesday 4 April 1877

Stones Otago & Southland Directory; records Theodore as follows:
1884 - No record
1885 - Master mariner of Mid (Middle) Wd (Ward) P.C. Port Chalmers.
1886 - No record
1887 - R.N. of Ann St, Roslyn, Dunedin.
1888 - no record
1889 - Master mariner of Belle Knowes, Mornington, Dunedin.
1890 - Master mariner of Selkirk St, Roslyn, Dunedin.
Ref: McNab Room, Dunedin Library 2008

FENN, Theodore George b. Nayland 1846 C010404 London 1881 Extra 1881 vol. 32 1882, 1887; vol. 47 no voyages listed
Lloyd's Captains Register http://www.history.ac.uk/gh/capintro.htm - an index to most of the Lloyd's Captains Registers held by the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.

Theodore died on the 20th December 1889 aged 43 at his home at Gads Hill Littlebourne Dunedin after seven years in NZ.
"On the 20th Dec., at Dunedin New Zealand, NAVIGATING-LIEUT. THEODORE GEORGE FENN, R.N. (retired) second son of the late Thomas Harrold Fenn Esq., of Nayland Suffolk, in his 44th year. (by cable)

OTAGO DAILY TIMES 21 Dec 1889 :
Flags at the Harbour, Union Steamship Co, and other offices, and of all the vessels at Dunedin and Port Chalmers were displayed half mast yesterday as a mark of respect to the late Captain Fenn who commanded the U.S.S. Coy's steamer Pukaki in the Fijian trade, and who was also for a long time Captain of the Beautiful Star.
The deceased gentleman was an officer in H.M. Navy and held the rank of Navigating Lieutenant. He retired on half pay a few years back and came out to settle in NZ, taking service under the Union Coy. Captain Fenn gained many friends by his genial and kindly manner, and his death will be deplored by all who had his acquaintance.
He leaves a widow and young family.

DUNEDIN. December 20.
The flags on the vessels in the harbour and the shipping offices were displayed at half-mast to-day, as a mark of respect to the late Captain Fenn, who commanded the Pukaki in the Fiji trade, and was for a long time captain of the Beautiful Star. Deceased had retired from the navy on half-pay, and came to New Zealand. He leaves a widow and a young family.
North Otago Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6921, 23 December 1889, Page 2

TELGRAMS.
Dunedin 20 December.
The flags on the vessels in the harbour and the shipping offices were displayed at half-mast to-day as a mark of respect to the late Captain Fenn, who commanded the Pukaki, and was for a long time captain of the Beautiful Star. The deceased had retired from the Navy on half -pay, and came to New Zealand. He leaves a widow and a young family.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 149, 21 December 1889, Page 2

Otago Witness
The flags at the Harbour, U.S.S. Company's, and other offices, and of all the vessels at Dunedin and Port Chalmers were displayed half-mast high on Friday as a mark of respect to the late Captain Fenn, who commanded the U.S.S. Company's steamer Pukaki in the Fijian trade, and was also for a long time captain of the Beautiful Star. The deceased gentleman was, an officer in H.M. Navy, and held the rank of navigating lieutenant. He retired on half pay a few years back and came out to settle in New Zealand, taking service under the Union Company. Captain Fenn gained many friends by his genial and kindly manner, and his death will be deplored by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. He leaves a widow and young family.
Otago Witness, Issue 1975, 26 December 1889, Page 32

OTAGO DAILY TIMES 23 Dec 1889.
FENN ; on December the 20th at Gad's Hill Littlebourne. Theodore George Fenn Lieut R.N. aged 43.

  Research Notes:

The Aus. PRO has an index of Unassisted entrants on their website at
http://proarchives.imagineering.com.au/>>
On board the "Fijian" I noticed this fellow:
FENN THEODORE GEO CAPT - MAR 1889 FIJIAN F 249 001
From Colin Fenn 2004.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 30 Mar 1851, Bear St Nayland SFK. Theodore is recorded as a son aged 4 born Nayland SFK

2. Census: England, 8 Apr 1861, HMS Marlborough. Theodore is described as a Masters Assistant aged 14 single born Nayland SFK

3. Census: England, 3 Apr 1881, Park Cottage Easeborne Midhurst SSX. Theodore's address was Park Cottage and he is described as Head of the family, a Naval Lieut R.N. Retired, Married, aged 54 (incorrect), born Nayland SFK.
Resident in the household were:
Elizabeth Woolgar, cook, 15yrs.
Harriet Coles, Housemaid, 13yrs.
Alice Goodyer, Nursemaid, 13yrs.

4. Theodore George Fenn: Images.

5. Theodore George Fenn: Ships Theodore served on.
Left to Right: HMGV Gnat, Union SS Co Beautiful Star, Union SS Co Waihora, Union SS Co Pukaki

VESSELS IN PORT.
The following vessels were in the harbour of Otago on the 21st : . . . . . Beautiful Star, 5.8., Captain Fenn ; . . . . .
Otago Witness, Issue 1922, 28 September 1888, Page 17

SHIPPING.
VESSELS IN PORT. The following vessels were in the harbour of Otago on Tuesday : At the Export Wharf. Steamers . . . . . Beautiful Star (Captain Fenn) . . . . .
Otago Witness, Issue 1928, 2 November 1888, Page 18

Evening Post
Wellington
Before the Waihora arrived in port from Sydney yesterday, Captain Fenn, who is in command of the vessel while Captain Popham is taking a holiday, was made the recipient of an address from the saloon passengers, who desired to testify their appreciation of his courtesy and kindness on the voyage across. The presentation was made by Mr. A. R. Guinness, M.H.R., and after several other passengers had given expression to their feelings, Captain Fenn's health was drunk with musical honours. A sum of money was collected in the saloon for the purpose of purchasing a souvenir for presentation to the genial skipper on the vessel's return from the South.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 134, 5 December 1888, Page 2

Evening Post
Wellington
Just before we went to press this afternoon Captain Fenn, who is in charge of the Waihora during the absence on leave of Captain Popham, was presented with a beautiful gold locket as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by the saloon passengers who came from Sydney last trip. The locket, which was made by Mr King, of Cuba Street, has an excellent representation of the Waihora on one cover, and on the other is neatly engraved the following inscription: " Presented by the saloon passengers, as a mark of esteem, to Capt. T. G. Fenn, s.s. Waihora, Sydney to Wellington, Dec, 1888."
Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 141, 13 December 1888, Page 3

Evening Post
The rules of the Union Steam Ship Company prevent any of their officers receiving public presents without the direct permission of the directors, and as this has not been obtained by the saloon passengers by the Waihora on her last trip from Sydney a hitch has occurred in presenting Captain Fenn with the gold locket subscribed for by them. The subscribers intend to make the necessary application to the directors at once, and if permission is received the presentation will be made on the Waihora's return from Sydney.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 142, 14 December 1888, Page 2

Evening Post
Wellington
It will be remembered that some time ago a presentation to Captain Fenn, of the Waihora by a number of passengers from Sydney was interrupted by the discovery that it was against the rules of the Union Company. We learn that the consent of the managing director has now been obtained to the presentation being made, and the gift- a handsome gold locket- has been sent to Dunedin to be handed to Captain Fenn.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11, 14 January 1889, Page 2

BY TELEGRAPH.
Bluff. 28th January
. . . . . Captain Fenn has received the command of the Fijian,
Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 24, 29 January 1889, Page 2

Evening Post
The steamer Pukaki, which arrived at Lyttelton from Newcastle on Friday, is in command of Captain Andrew Anderson, who has for some considerable time occupied the position of chief officer on board. Captain Fielding, who was in command when the vessel left on her last voyage, received instructions when in Sydney to proceed to Melbourne to take charge of the steamer Fijian, Captain Fenn being unwell.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 83, 8 April 1889, Page 2

Shipping
Port of Wellington
For Melbourne via Hmith. Passengers: Cabin- Misses Fulton, Pettit, Weeks and Greenwood, Mesdames Fulton, Stephens and Ayres. Captain Fenn, Messrs Leary, Moult, Allen, Black, Gordon, Jolly and Woods ;
Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 49, 26 August 1889, Page 2

Evening Post.
Owing to indisposition, Captain Fenn, of the s s. Pukaki, has been temporarily relieved by Captain Oliver, of the Mawhera, and Captain Dawson, late of the Maitai, fills the latter's position on the Mawhera.
Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 52, 29 August 1889, Page 2

6. Theodore George Fenn: Will, 1877.
Will of Theodore George Fenn
This is the last Will and Testament of me Theodore George Fenn of Easebourne in the County of Sussex Navigating Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. I devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my dear Wife Margaret Fenn absolutely. And I appoint my said Wife sole executrix of this may Will. In Witness whereof I have hereunder set by hand this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven
Theo G Fenn
Signed by the said Theodore George Fenn the testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Edwin Albery Sol. Midhurst
William Middlefield his Clerk
This is the paper writing mark with the letter "A" referred to in the affidavit of Margaret Fenn sworn this third day of January one thousand eight hundred and ninety and produced and Sian to her at the time of her swearing the said affidavit before me
P Duncan
Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand.

Theodore's will was filed for probate at Dunedin 6 Jan 1890 No 1841
NZSG Index.

7. Theodore George Fenn: Grave in Dunedin NZ Southern Cemetery.
Dunedin NZ Southern Cemetery Records: 702.
Plan: Block 8 Plot 60B
Book: Capt. T. George FENN. Jan 1887. Roslyn. Two burials.
Stone 1: I.L.M.O. Theodore George FENN R.N. d. 20 Dec 1889 aged 43. "So he bringeth them unto their desired haven."
Stone 2: I.L.M.O. Alan Playford FENN who d. 10 Jan 1887 aged 3 years 3 months. The youngest is this day with our father."
Site: 1st stone. White marble base secure, cross fallen.
2nd stone. Small white marble cross. No surround. - H. Palmer -

Theodore married Margaret PLAYFORD [9] [MRIN: 3], daughter of George Frederick PLAYFORD of Highfields Forrest Row SFK [1594] and Lucy STEELE [1595], on 1 Nov 1876 in Forrest Row Sussex. (Margaret PLAYFORD [9] was born on 20 Dec 1847, baptised on 8 Mar 1848 in Worth SSX and died on 26 Sep 1921 in Chichester SSX.)