Fifth Generation

43. William BLABER⁹⁸ was born on 14 January 1818 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^{33,34,185,186,187,188,189,190} He was born at 22 Dorset Gardens. He was christened on 25 March 1818 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.¹⁰² He was educated at a school "kept by ladies" in St James' Street before 1828 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³³ 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.³³ From 1839 to 1851 he was a Timber Merchant in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^{75,110,111,191,192,193,194} 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. In the 1861 Census he is described as 'Late Timber Merchant'.
Between 1840 and 1851 he was an Insurance Agent in Brighton, East Sussex, England.^195,196 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.¹⁹⁷ Post Office Directory has his business recorded as Timber, Slate and Coal merchant, at 148 Edward Street, Brighton. He lived at Dorset Gardens in Brighton, East Sussex, England in 1841.¹¹⁰ In the 1841 Census, William was described as a Merchant.
In 1849 he was a Churchwarden in St Nicholas' Church, Brighton, East Sussex, England.³³ William lived at 11 Dorset Gardens in Brighton, East Sussex, England in 1851.^74,75 He was unmarried at the 1851 census. The 1851 Post Office Directory states he was living at 22 Dorset Gardens. In 1852 he was a Vice Chairman of Brighton Waterworks Company in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³³ From 1854 to 1872 he was a Chairman of Brighton Waterworks Company in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³³ 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. William was described as over 6 feet tall, upright, and a thorough sportsman.³³ 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.¹⁹⁸ He lived at 22 Dorset Gardens in Brighton, East Sussex, England between 1861 and 1868.¹¹¹ William retired in 1872 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.³³ In 1881 he was a Retired Merchant.¹⁹⁹ He lived at 34 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1884 and 1903.^{33,200,201,202} At the 1891 & 1901 census, he was living on his own means. William died on 17 September 1903 at the age of 85 in Hove, East Sussex, England.^{33,34,203,204} He died at his residence. He was buried on 20 September 1903 in St Peter's Church, Preston, Brighton, Sussex, England.³³ He had his estate probated on 20 November 1903 in London, England.²⁰⁴ Probate was granted to his widow, Elizabeth BLABER, William Henry BLABER Solicitor and Percy Leonard BLABER Physician and Surgeon. Effects £34541 5s 10d.

William BLABER and Elizabeth MOON were married on 21 April 1868 in St Nicholas' Church, Brighton, East Sussex, England.^99,102,205 William was stated as a "gentleman" in his marriage entry. They^99,102,205 lived at the Beckworthy Estate in Lindfield, West Sussex, England from 1869 to 1884.^33,199,206 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^33,199,206 lived at Hillside, Black Hill in Lindfield, West Sussex, England in 1870–1871.^207,208 Elizabeth MOON⁹⁸, daughter of Henry MOON and Mary Ann HOOPER, was born about 1839 in Lewes, East Sussex, England.^{206,209,210,211,212,213} She lived at 34 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1891 and 1901.^200,201 She lived at 57 Cromwell Road in Hove, East Sussex, England between 1911 and 1922.^214,215,216 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.^33,215 She had her estate probated on 6 July 1922 in London, England.²¹⁵ Elizabeth left £795 5s. to her son William Henry BLABER.

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