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b.1893-d.1918
Frank’s parents
Frank Ernest Cresswell (sometimes spelt Creswell) was born on 9 February 1893. He was baptised on 26 March 1893 at St. Paul’s church Camden. His parents were Frederick Randal Cresswell, a merchant, and Florence Mary.
Frank’s birth was registered in the March quarter of 1893, reference Islington 1b 246.
Frank’s father married Florence Mary Snow on 17 March 1881 at St. Peter’s church, Brockley. He was a merchant and they both lived in Breakspears Road.
The 1880s
In the 1881Census at 216 Brockley Road Greenwich were living Frederick R. Cresswell, head, age 24, a traveller for sponges, born Paris (British subject), Florence M. his wife, age 24, born London,and one servant.
The 1890s
In the following Census of 1891 at 49 Hilldrop Crescent Islington, were living Frederick Cresswell head age 29 (sic) a sponge importer and merchant born Paris (British subject), Florence, his wife, age 31, born London, and their children Harold age 9, Ralph age 7, Olive age 4. All were born in London. The family had a servant and a nurse.
In May 1892 the Cresswell Bros. Company was involved in the shady sale of the Aegina Treasury to the British Museum for £4000.
In the 1894 London Electoral Register Frank’s father was registered at 49 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden Road.
Florence Cresswell died on 20 April 1898. The National Probate Calendar reads, “Florence Mary Cresswell of Highland House, 235 Camden Road (wife of Frederick Randal Cresswell) died on 20 April 1898. Probate London 9 May to Frederick Randal Cresswell a sponge merchant £955”, (equivalent to £85,800 today).
Frank’s father married Johan Young in the December quarter 1898, reference Eastbourne 2b 188.
Frank’s father died on 10 October 1904. The entry in the National Probate Calendar reads “Frederick Randal Cresswell of 22 Elmbourne Road Upper Tooting died on 10 October 1904 at Jurys Hotel, College Green, Dublin. Probate London 12 November, to Johan Crosswell widow £2804” (equivalent to £238,370 today).
The 1910s
I could not find the family in the 1901 Census but in the Census of 1911 at 78 Chelverton Road Putney were living, Edwin Henry Gorton, head, age 40, born City of London, Elizabeth May his wife, age 40, born Wimbledon, Edwin Alfred Percy Gorton, son, age 9, born Putney, Ivy May Webb, niece, age 16, born Norwood, Ralph Frederick Randal Cresswell, lodger, age 27, born Brockley, Frank Ernest Cresswell, lodger, age 18 born Islington, Kenneth Lutwyche Watrelow, lodger, age 27, born Camden Town. Frank and his brother Ralphwere both commercial clerks in the sponge business.
Long Grove Asylum and death
Frank died in 1918 age 24 in Long Grove Asylum. His death was registered in the June quarter of 1918, reference Epsom 2a 64. He was buried in Horton cemetery on 2 May 1918.
The on-line records of the Lunacy Patients Admission Register cover the period 1846- 1912 so Frank must have been admitted between 1912 and 1918.
After Frank’s death
In 1925 Frank’s brother Ralph committed suicide.
In the 1950 National Probate Calendar there is the following entry “Frank Ernest Cresswell of 45 Upper Tooting Road Tooting, died 26 April, 1918 at Epsom Surrey. Administration London 25 January to Olive Hyde widow effects £337. It is a mystery why Probate took so long. Olive was Frank’s sister. On 15 November 1913 she married William Grantly Hyde at St. Luke’s church Battersea.
The company Cresswell Brothers Sponge Importers and Merchants was still in business in 1951.
