We are grateful to Angus Reid, great grandson of Rebecca Hannah, for providing information on this page
Rebecca Hannah Stone was the third child of Benjamin Stone & Rebecca Matthews born September 16th, 1839 at Aston, Birmingham & christened October 16th, 1839 at St Phillips, Birmingham.
In 1841 Rebecca was living at home at Lupin St, Duddeston, Aston, Birmingham
with her parents, sister & 2 brothers.
Rebecca was still living at home at Lupin St in 1851.
The family were still at Lupin St, no.89 & Rebecca was still at home.
Rebecca married Joseph Wainwright on March 20th, 1867 at St Peter & St Paul's, Aston, Birmingham. Witnesses at the wedding were Benjamin Stone & Rebecca's younger sister Clara Louisa. Joseph was born in 1832 at Birmingham & christened September 25th, 1835 at St. George, Birmingham, the son of Mary & Jonathan Wainwright, a jeweller.
In 1871 Rebecca & Joseph were living at Lazells Rd, Aston Manor, Birmingham & Joseph was a jeweller. They had 3 children at this time – Colbran (3), Arthur Stone (1) & Lucy Mary (1 month). They had a general servant & a nurse with them at the time of the census.
By 1881 the family had moved to 123 Soho Hill, Handsworth & Joseph was now described as a jeweller, gold & silver. Children at home were Colbran, Arthur, Nora J (7), Elsie B (6) & Shirley B (4). They had a nurse maid & house maid.
Rebecca & Joseph were still living in Handsworth in 1891, now at 147 Hall Rd & Joseph was a manufacturing jeweller. Son Colbran was a jeweller’s manager, Arthur was a clerk (commercial) & also at home were Nora & Elsie. They had 2 general domestic servants. Son Shirley was a boarder at Grammar School in Warwick, Rd, Solihull at the time of the census. The Headmaster was Rev. Robert Wilson. Shirley was to become a decorative artist by 1901.
The family had moved again by 1901 & were now living at 140 Hamstead Rd, Handsworth & Joseph’s occupation was the same. Daughters Nora Josephine & Elsie Brenda were still at home. They had a companion – Ealand (Margaret), aged 35 & a cook & a house maid. Joseph had established a very successful jewellery business in Warstone Lane & served as vice-president of the Jeweller’s Association. He also served as a magistrate & was a member of the Wretham Rd Swedenborgian Church. He was connected with the Handsworth Amateur Dramatic Association for over 40 years & took great interest in art & education.
Son Colbran had married Dora Ellen (known as Nell) Bragge by 1901& at the time of the census was a manufacturer of gold jewellery. His engagement or wedding gift to Nell in 1897 reputedly consisted of a set of jewellery that included a brooch, bracelet, pendant & pair of earrings of gold, enamel, green garnets & amethysts. This collection is now in the Birmingham Museum as an example of late Victorian jewellery.
Joseph died on June 29th, 1902 at ‘Bushwood’ Hamstead Rd, Handsworth, aged 70, & was buried on July 2nd, 1902 at Handsworth Old Churchyard next to his son Kenneth who died in 1890, aged 7. Probate of Joseph’s estate was granted on September 8th, 1902 to son Colbran Joseph Wainwright, a manufacturing jeweller, son Arthur Stone Wainwright, dealer in precious stones & Herbert Paul Bill, bank manager & his estate was £7,198.14s.
In 1911 widowed Rebecca was still at the same address in Handsworth & described as being of private means. Daughter Elsie was still living with her & they had a companion, Margaret Elizabeth Ealand, a 45 year old widow. They had 2 servants to help look after the 11-roomed house.
Son Colbran & his wife Nellie were living at 45 Handsworth Wood Rd, Handsworth in 1911 & he was described as a manufacturing jeweller. Colbran took over his father's jewellery business which he ran in Dale End, Birmingham until WW2. One of their 2 children was with them, Mary Faraday (6). As well as a manufacturing jeweller Colbran was also an entomologist throughout much of his life. On his death his extensive collections were given to the British Museum and to the Royal Entomological Society. He was a recognised expert in his field and was made a Fellow of both the Zoological Society and The Royal Entomological Society. He was a founder-member of the Birmingham Entomological Society. Tragically Colbran died in 1948 after a fall from a train in the south of England while on a fly catching expedition.
Son Arthur had married Millicent Holme in 1899 & by 1911 they were living at Southfield, Acocks Green, nr Birmingham & Arthur was a precious stone dealer. They had one son, Derek Holme, aged 6, but sadly had lost another child. Arthur’s cousin Roland Parker Stone [st.4.5.6] married Millicents’ sister Dora Holme in 1906.
In 1911 daughter Nora was a boarder at Templestowe, Cary Crescent, Torquay, Devon & described as being of private means.
Son Shirley Benjamin was boarding with Mr & Mrs Wells at Elm Lodge, Hampstead, London in 1911. He was described as a designer of furniture, woodwork & decoration working for a house furnisher & decorative contractor. Shirley was to marry Hannah Deeker in July-September 1913.
Rebecca died on June 14th, 1915 at 140 Hamstead Rd, Handsworth, aged 75 & was buried alongside her husband & son at Handsworth Old Church. Probate was granted on September 17th, 1915 to sons Colbran Joseph, a manufacturing jeweller, & Arthur Stone, a precious stone dealer. Her effects were £725.6s.4d.
The children of Rebecca Hannah Stone & Joseph Wainwright were:
4.6.1 Colbran Joseph Wainwright born December 23rd, 1867 at Lozells Rd, Aston Manor, & christened January 27th, 1868 at St Matthew, Duddeston; died October 6th, 1948 at Bournemouth, Hants
4.6.2 Arthur Stone Wainwright born May 7th, 1869 at Lozells, Rd, Aston, & christened July 8th, 1869 at St Matthew, Duddeston; died January 12th, 1942 at Northampton
4.6.3 Lucy Mary Wainwright born February 26th, 1871 at Lozells Rd, Aston, Birmingham & christened March 25th, 1871 at St Matthew, Duddeston; died July11th, 1871 at Aston, Birmingham
4.6.4 Nora Josephine Wainwright born April 8th, 1873 at the Hollies, Lozells Rd, Erdington, Warwickshire & christened May 17th, 1873 at St Matthew, Duddeston; died December 25th, 1915, buried at Kinver Church, Staffs
4.6.5 Elsie Brenda Wainwright born January 17th, 1875 at Hall Rd, Handsworth, Staffs & christened February 19th, 1875; died June 5th, 1946 at Boscombe, Bournemouth, Hants
4.6.6 Shirley Benjamin Wainwright born January 19th, 1877 at Cleveland, Soho Hill, Handsworth, Staffs & christened February 22nd, 1877 at St Matthew, Duddeston; died January 14th, 1942 at Patcham, Brighton, Sussex
4.6.7 Kenneth Wainwright born February 18th, 1883 at Cleveland, Soho Hill, Handsworth, Staffs & christened April 19th, 1883 at St Matthew, Duddeston, died November 12th, 1890 at Handworth, Staffs