William Legh Boswell ISC (1859 - 1931)

Born 26 Apr 1859 in Ootacamund, Madras, India

Ancestors

Husband of Jessie Griffiths (Goddard) Boswell — married 14 Mar 1882 in Calcutta, Bengal, India

Husband of Anna Maria (Boyd) Boswell — married 16 Nov 1892 in St. Saviour's Church, Eastbourne, Sussex, England

Husband of Mahalla (Mallet) Boswell — married 24 Jul 1906 in Newhaven, Sussex, England

Died 25 Jul 1931 at age 72 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Alan Boswell [send private message]

Biography

Legh was born in 1859. He was the son of John Boswell and Amelia Minchin.

He was christened on 29 June 1859 at Ootacamund, Madras, India^[1].

The family moved back to Ireland because of his father John's ill health.

In 1863 his parents decided to return to India, leaving Legh and his three brothers with a cousin at Southgate. All four children contracted diptheria in 1867, and tragically his brother Hector died at the age of about 7.

UK Census Date 1871: Recorded in the household of Frances Lauzan in Southgate, Edmonton, Edmonton, Middlesex, England. Aged 11 and a Scholar. Also in the household were his two brothers Henry and John , a Governess and four other children.

He graduated from the Royal Military College. In 1878 he was promoted from Gentleman Cadet to Second Lieutenant and in 1880 to Lieutenant.

In 1881 he was appointed a Probationer for the Indian Staff Corps. Legh attained the rank of Major with the 33rd Punjab Infantry, Indian Army.

He married Jessie Griffiths Goddard on 14 March 1882 at Calcutta, Bengal, India.^[2]

They had no children and were probably later divorced.

In 1892 he married, secondly, Anna Maria "Zaddie" Boyd on 16 November 1892 in Eastbourne, Sussex, England^[3]:

MARRIAGES

At St. Saviour's Church on Wednesday, Captain W. Legh Boswell, of the Indian Service Corps, son of the late Mr. John Alexander Corrie Boswell, of the Indian Civil Service, was married to Zaddie, second daughter of the late Mr. James Boyd, of Avery Hill, Eltham, Kent, and of Mrs. Boyd, Hurstbury, Eastbourne, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. C. Leslie Norris, Rector of St. Thomas-at-Cliffe, Lewes and the Rev. Canon Whelpton, vicar of the parish. The service was fully choral and Dr. Sangster, who presided at the organ, played several pieces of music of a character suitable to the occasion.^[4]

The wedding breakfast was served at Hurstbury, and later a reception was held and was attended by nearly 200 people. The happy couple later left to honeymoon in Devonshire and Cornwall.

In the UK Census of 1901 he was recorded in the household of his uncle James Philip Boswell in Willesden, Middlesex, England. Aged 41 and married.

Occupation: Army Major

His ex-wife Jessie died in 1902 in Kent, England.

His third marriage was to Mahalla Mallet on 24 July 1906 at St Michael's Church, Newhaven, Sussex, England.^[5]

They honeymooned in Switzerland. They also appear to have remained childless.

UK Census Date 1911: Living with his wife Mahala and two servants in Tunbridge Wells, Tubridge Wells, Kent, England. Aged 51.

Occupation: Major Retired from the Indian Army

Legh lived at Auchinleck Lodge, 26, Frant-road, Tunbridge Wells. He died in 1931 at the age of 72, about after being knocked down by a passing vehicle^[6].

Kent & Sussex Courier 31 July 1931, Pg 12:

MAJOR'S DEATH AFTER ACCIDENT

REMARKABLE EVIDENCE AT INQUEST.

ECHO OF FALL FROM HORSE THIRTY YEARS AGO.

Remarkable evidence was given at an inquest at Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday on Major William Legh Boswell, retired Indian Army officer, 26, Frantroad, Tunbridge Wells, who died on Saturday following a fractured base of the skull, sustained in an accident on July 12th. It was disclosed how, 30 years ago Major Boswell, who was attached to the 33rd Punjab Infantry, was thrown from his horse, fracturing the base of his skull, and after lying unconscious for six weeks recovered.

Major Boswell was treated at the Tunbridge Wells General Hospital immediately following the accident on July 12th, and was allowed to go home. It was not until the ambulance had almost reached the house that the seriousness of his injuries became evident.

The Coroner (Mr. A.H. Neve), who held the inquest at Major Boswell's home, sat with a jury of which Mr. J.T. Ellis was elected foreman.

Mr. A.R. Hughes (from Sir Robert Gower's office) appeared for the driver of the car concerned.

FREQUENT ATTACKS

Francis Percy Elgee, of 18, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells, an old friend of the family, said that he had known Major Boswell for about 14 years, and during that time he was a physically strong man. He had suffered from sciatica and lumbago. He had good eyesight, although he wore glasses. Thirty years ago in India he was thrown from his horse and six weeks unconscious, suffering from a fractured base of the skull. Recently he had suffered from frequent attacks, when he was unconscious for some minutes at a time.

George Victor Wimshurst, 2, Rink Mews, Grove Hill-road, Tunbridge Wells, a taxi-driver, said that on July 12th he was driving a hackney carriage down the High Street, intending to go to Frant-road. At the bottom of High-street he turned to the right. When he first say him the major was in the centre of the road on the white line, walking across diagonally towards the post office. He sounded the horn on turning the first bend, but Major Boswell did not appear to hear it until witness was within six feet of him. he then suddenly turned round, saw him, and ran back towards the corner.

STRUCK HIS HEAD

Witness said his speed was about 15 miles per hour. He put on his brakes, swerved to the left and his two nearside and front offside wheels went on to the path. The nearside wheel of the car was on the path when he struck Major Boswell with the offside front wing. He fell on his back, striking his head on the road. Witness pulled up in rather less than his own length after he had struck him. He went to Major Boswell who was unconscious.

WIDOW'S THANKS FOR POLICE

P.C. Dawson said that it was approximately 15ft. from the curb to the white line at the spot where the major fell. The car's skid marks began three feet on the driver's nearside of the white line.

Dr. Christopher Elliot, Mount Ephraim-road, said that the cause of death was pneumonia and paralysis, following a fractured base of the skull. Major Boswell must have hit his head very heavily on the road, but the car could only have struck him a light blow.

Returning a verdict of "Accidental Death", the jury exonerated the driver from all blame.

The Coroner, jury and the driver expressed sympathy with the family, and a letter was received from Mrs. Boswell, who was too ill to attend, thanking the police and ambulance officers for their kind treatment of her husband and their thoughtful consideration when breaking the news to her.

The funeral took place yesterday (Thursday) at North Crawley, Bucks.^[7]

His will was proved on 14 October 1931 at London to Mahala Boswell, widow.^[8] Effects: £3651 11s. 6d. Resworn £3647 5s. 10d.

Burial

St Firmin Cemetery, North Crawley, High Street, North Crawley, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England^[9]

Inscription:

IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF

MAJOR WILLIAM LEGH BOSWELL

LATE 33RD PUNJAB INFANTRY I.C.S.

THE DEARLY BELOVED HUSBAND OF

MAY BOSWELL

AND 3RD SON OF

JOHN ALEXANDER CORRIE BOSWELL I.C.S.

WHO ENTERED INTO LIFE ETERNAL

JULY 25TH 1931

UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY

ALSO OF MAY

HIS LOVED AND LOVING WIFE

WHO FOLLOWED HIM ON DECEMBER 17TH 1941

EVERYONE THAT LOVETH IS BORN OF GOD. 1 JOHN 4.7.

Sources

1. ↑ "India Births and Baptisms, 1786-1947," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG4T-D2R : 10 February 2018), William Legh Boswell, 29 Jun 1859; citing Ootacamund, Madras, India, reference v 40 p 65; index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 521,850.
2. ↑ "India Marriages, 1792-1948 ," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGNB-FVY : 10 February 2018), William Legh Boswell and Jessie Griffiths Amesbury, 14 Mar 1882; citing Calcutta, Bengal, India; index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 510,867.
3. ↑ "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 20 March 2020. From "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006." Database. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : 2012. Citing General Register Office, Southport, England. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2DJH-L3T
4. ↑ Eastbourne Gazette 23 November 1892, Pg 3, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
5. ↑ "England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837-2005," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2D8H-62V : 13 December 2014), William Legh Boswell, 1906; from "England & Wales Marriages, 1837-2005," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing 1906, quarter 3, vol. 2B, p. 417, Newhaven, Sussex, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
6. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 13 January 2021. From "England & Wales Births, 1837-2006." Database. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : 2012. Citing General Register Office, Southport, England. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVHL-RW44
7. ↑ Kent & Sussex Courier 31 July 1931, Pg 1, https://search.findmypast.co.uk/
8. ↑ "England and Wales, National Index of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1957," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7XXJ-G4PZ : 25 February 2019), William Legh Boswell, 14 Oct 1931; citing Probate, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, United Kingdom, Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Great Britain.; FHL microfilm .
9. ↑ https://billiongraves.com/grave/William-Legh-Boswell/28724286

Census Records

• "England and Wales Census, 1871", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VF6Z-251 : 10 December 2017), William Legh Boswell in entry for Frances Lauzan, 1871.

• "England and Wales Census, 1901." Database. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 21 May 2019. From "1901 England, Scotland and Wales census." Database and images. findmypast. http://www.findmypast.com : n.d. Citing PRO RG 13. The National Archives, Kew, Surrey. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X96W-MK2

• "England and Wales Census, 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XWDP-MQ6 : 21 December 2018), William Legh Boswell, Tunbridge Wells, Tubridge Wells, Kent, England; from "1911 England and Wales census,"