Fifth Generation

43. William BLABER⁸⁶ was born on 14 January 1818 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^{32,33,155,156,157,158,159} He was born at 22 Dorset Gardens. He was christened on 25 March 1818 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.⁸⁹ He was educated at a school "kept by ladies" in St James' Street before 1828 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³² William was educated at a school for the sons of Gentlemen run by Rev Dr Thornton, Rector in 1828 in Wisborough Green, West Sussex, England.³² From 1839 to 1851 he was a Timber Merchant in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^{65,160,161,162,163} Business was in Manchester Street. He was continuing his father's business after his death in 1839, but retired early. The 1851 Post Office Directory also has a business recorded at Henry Street, Brighton. Between 1840 and 1851 he was an Insurance Agent in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^164,165 Phoenix (Fire), William Blaber, 11 Manchester Street, Brighton. Protector Life Association. 11 Manchester Street, Brighton, - Wm Blaber, agent. Eagle Life Insurance, William Blaber, 11 Manchester Street, Brighton. Between 1840 and 1851 William was a Slate Merchant in Brighton, East Sussex, England.¹⁶⁶ Post Office Directory has his business recorded as Timber, Slate and Coal merchant, at 148 Edward Street, Brighton. In 1849 he was a Churchwarden in St Nicholas' Church, Brighton, East Sussex, England.³² He lived at 11 Dorset Gardens in Brighton, East Sussex, England in 1851.^64,65 He was unmarried at the 1851 census. The 1851 Post Office Directory states he was living at 22 Dorset Gardens. In 1852 William was a Vice Chairman of Brighton Waterworks Company in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³² From 1854 to 1872 he was a Chairman of Brighton Waterworks Company in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³² Shortly after this, in addition, he became Managing Director. In 1872, the company was purchased by Brighton Corporation for £321,000 (possibly £821,000 - difficult to read).
He was a director of Sutton District Water Company for 33 years, being both Chairman and Vice-Chairman at different times. He was chairman of Falmouth Waterworks Company. He was a director, and for many years Chairman, of Antwerp Waterworks Company. He was director of the Seville Waterworks Company, and of the Guernsey Waterworks Company. He donated and erected a Drinking Fountain of red granite in the wall of the northern gate of Pavilion Gardens in 1859 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.¹⁶⁷ William lived at 22 Dorset Gardens in Brighton, East Sussex, England on 30 April 1868. He retired in 1872 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³² In 1881 he was a Retired Merchant.¹⁶⁸ William lived at 34 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1884 and 1903.^{32,169,170,171} At the 1891 & 1901 census, he was living on his own means. He died on 17 September 1903 at the age of 85 in Hove, East Sussex, England.^32,33,172 He died at his residence. He was buried on 20 September 1903 in St Peter's Church, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.³² William was described as over 6 feet tall, upright, and a thorough sportsman.³²

William BLABER and Elizabeth MOON were married on 21 April 1868 in St Nicholas' Church, Brighton, East Sussex, England.^87,89,173 William was stated as a "gentleman" in his marriage entry. They^87,89,173 lived at the Beckworthy Estate in Lindfield, West Sussex, England from 1869 to 1884.^32,168,174 William built "for himself a charming country mansion". After 1884, the property was let on lease. Listed in 1881 census as "Blaker". Census also states that they had six servants: a parlour maid; a governess; a housemaid; a cook; a nurse; and a nursemaid. They^32,168,174 lived at Hillside, Black Hill in Lindfield, West Sussex, England in 1871.¹⁷⁵ Elizabeth MOON⁸⁶, daughter of Henry MOON and Mary Ann HOOPER, was born about 1839 in Lewes, East Sussex, England.^{174,176,177,178,179,180} She lived at 34 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1891 and 1901.^169,170 She lived at 57 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1911 and 1922.^181,182 At the 1911 Census Elizabeth had live-in servants: a cook and a parlourmaid. Elizabeth died 57 Cromwell Road on 17 February 1922 at the age of 83 in Hove, East Sussex, England.^32,182 She had her estate probated on 6 July 1922 in London, England.¹⁸² Elizabeth left £795 5s. to her son William Henry BLABER.

William BLABER-1076 and Elizabeth MOON-1077 had the following children: