Elizabeth Mary Matthews

Ebenezer of 32 Sellons-avenue Willesden, probate London 25 October to Elizabeth Mary Kevan widow. Effects £1987 11s 10d

<p>“Ebenezer, Nathaniel, Phoebe and Phyllis Kevan were all cousins of Thomas Bearman 111 on his mother's side and Nathaniel, in particular, was a life-long friend of his. In 1881 the Kevanfamily was living at 10, Tudor Road, Hackney, London next door to the Bearmans, where 20 years later, the Middlemiss family were living.</p>

<p>“Nathaniel Kevan (1844/45 - ?) settled at Deal, where he had a house in Blenheim Road. He became a well-known f igure in the town and can be seen on many old photographs taken on the beach, the pier or the Parade. He married his cook , Elizabeth (1841/42 - ?) who, I understand, was a shy person and always kept very much in the background. They had just one daughter, Caroline, generally known as Doris, who married but I never heard whether she had any children. The sisters Phoebe and Phyllis lived in the Blenheim Road house for many years after Nathaniel died.</p>

<p>“They also were a well-known sight in Deal - two old ladies in black, always together. The interior of their house was, in the 30s, still a cosy Victoriana museum, with big aspidistras and knick-knacks. Phoebe (1852/53- 1939) was an upright lady with a strong, somewhat gaunt face, a deep voice and a precise way of speaking. She appeared to be the dominant sister; Phyllis(1857/58- ?) was a round-faced, more compliant sort of person.”</p>

<p><a href="http://www.sredburn.free-online.co.uk/bearman/bearman02_2008.html" target="_blank">Dr Frank Middlemiss’s online notes</a></p>

Marjorie Barclay of 32 Sellons-avenue, spinster, died at St Anthonys Hospital North Cheam Surrey. Probate 4 March to Ebenezer Kevan retired inspector and Elizabeth Mary Kevan (wife of said). Effects £393 17s 4d