Emily Stanford (nee Davis) (30 Aug 1821 – 26 Mar 1856)

Emily Davis was born in Charlotte Street (called Union Street since 1912) in the Parish of Christ Church, Surrey, England on 30 August 1821 christened on 28 September 1821 at Lady Huntingdon’s Surrey Chapel on Blackfriars Road, Southwark, England by parents Abraham Hopkins Davis and Mary Ann Davis (nee Williams). 

Emily Davis Birth Certificate

The Surrey Chapel was an independent Methodist and Congregational church established in Blackfriars Road, Southwark, London in 1783 by its first pastor the Rev. Rowland Hill who was succeeded in 1833 by Rev. James Sherman, and in 1854 by Rev. Newman Hall. Its design attracted great interest, being circular in plan with a domed roof. When built it was set in open fields, but within a few years it became part of Central London. Recently the site itself has been redeveloped as an office block (currently occupied by the London Development Agency), and Southwark Underground Station has been built opposite.

The below letter was written by her father, Abraham Hopkins Davis, to his daughter Emily on 4 November 1826 from 27 Nelson Square, Southwark, London, England.

"My dear Emily 
So you want me to send you a letter like I did to your Sister. Well, little bird (?) here it is. I will fill it with pictures if I can. You are ? a little child yet you may be very good and I hope you will try to be so. The leaves will soon fall and the trees will be bare then the cold and snow will come, then the flowers will spring up then Summer and Autumn will come and you will be six years old. Now I hope you will learn well and behave well and then every body will love you.
To my little Emily
I am
Your affectionate Father
A H Davis"

Emily Davis aged 5 drawn by her father Abraham Hopkins Davis

Abraham's letter to Emily when she was 5.

For Emily's 11th birthday she receives a book from her father (see below).  The book is called "Cabinet of Youth" ... narratives, sketches and anecdotes printed in Edinburgh by Whyte & Co.  Inside the cover he wrote "To Emily Davis, a present from her Father on completing her 11th year - 30th August 1832". The book is now in the possession of Anne Partridge.

On 15 October 1837, Emily, her siblings and parents Abraham Hopkins Davis and Mary Ann Davis left Gravesend, London for Australia on a ship named “Lord Goderich” as part of the Wakefield Scheme. They travelled for 6 months. There were 157 passengers on board (111 adults and 46 children). Abraham, Mary and their children was given free passage to South Australia even though Abraham and Mary was too old to qualify. Abraham was 41. "At Sea, Lat. 37° 35'.

On the voyage out to Australia, Emily is listed as a Bonnetmaker.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The first we hear of Emily in Adelaide is on Saturday 13 July 1839 in the local paper.

In subscriptions towards the erection of a place of worship the following is listed:

Mr and Mrs Davis - 20 pounds
Miss and Mrs Williams - 6 pounds
Miss Davis - 1 pound, 1 shilling
Miss E Davis - 1 pound, 15 shillings

The family is listed in the newspaper on Saturday 30 May 1840 though this time Emily's mother and grandmother Mary Davis and Martha Williams are absent. The event is for a celebration of the Queen's Birthday.  Listed are:

A H Davis Esq. Secretary Chamber of Commerce
Miss Williams
Miss Davis
Miss E Davis

Emily is present in the newspaper on Saturday 24 October 1840 on a list of people present at the Opening of New Port.  Listed are:

A H Davis
Mrs Davis
Misses Davis
Mrs Williams
Miss Williams

The Williams and Davis' are always listed together at these functions.

Emily marries Thomas Stanford on 19 January 1848 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia.  She is 27 years old.

A photo of Thomas Stanford in later life

Thomas and Emily have 6 children.

1. James Stanford.  Born 3 December 1848 at South Road, Adelaide, South Australia.

Emily's grandmother Martha Williams dies on 21 May 1849 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia.

2. Kate Stanford.  Born 19 March 1850 at Goodwood Road, Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia. Married Friend Edwards.

3. Thomas Stanford.  Born 17 April 1851 at Goodwood Road, Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia.

4. Emily Harriet Stanford.  Born 24 June 1852 at Goodwood Road, Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia.

5. Mary Stanford.  Born 21 December 1853 at Goodwood Road, Goodwood, Adelaide, South Australia.

6. Frederick Stanford.  Born 18 March 1856 at Adelaide, South Australia.

8 days after Frederick was born Emily dies on the 26 March 1856 at Moore Farm, Reedbeds, Adelaide, South Australia.  She is 35 years old and is buried at West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia.

Frederick did two days later.

Emily had six children in the eight years she was married. 

Emily's children were cared for after her death by Thomas' third wife Julia Matilda Bowen who gave him a further seven children.

Emily Stanford newspaper death in South Australian Register