Gay
& Son (aka William Gay & Son): History
The
Company
The
business that later became known as William Gay & Son was originally
established sometime between 1830[1]
and 1835 by William Gay. Although in an
advertisement in 1860[2]
this firm indicated it was established in 1820, it seems much more likely that
Mr. Gay started working as a basket maker that year. The company was first listed in a London city
directory in 1835[3]
as Wm. Gay, basket maker, 113 High Holborn, but by 1840[4]
the business type was recorded as a
brush maker at the same address. Then in
1845[5]
it was listed with the same name and address as a brush & basket maker
& turner. Sometime between 1845 and
1850 William Gay’s son, Frederick William Gay, joined his father’s business and
in 1850[6]
it was recorded as Wm. Gay & Son, brush & dressing case makers at 113
High Holborn. After William’s death in
1853 Frederick at first apparently wanted to change the company name as it was
listed as Fredk. Wm. Gay, dressing case maker at 113 High Holborn in 1860[7]. 
Apparently, Frederick later realized that was
not a good idea probably because the company was better known by its earlier
name, so it reverted back to Wm. Gay & Son by 1865[8],
a name it kept for the rest of its existence.
From 1865 until 1920[9]
the business was listed sometimes as dressing case makers and sometimes as
cutlers, however in 1880[10]
it was recorded as both “cutlery, dressing cases, travelling bags &c,
agents for Joseph Rodgers & Sons’ Sheffield made cutlery, also skate
makers”. By 1890[11] the
company had shops at 113 High Holborn and 93 Regent Street, but by 1910[12]
the 113 High Holborn shop no longer existed.
The two advertisements
seen here[13] provide
additional information about the products this firm sold and how sometimes they
advertised as Gay and Son and at other times as Gay and Sons. Four of Frederick William Gay’s sons, Sidney,
Horace, Oliver and Leonard, appear to have joined
their father in the business at various times and by 1881 all four were listed
with occupations related to the family business. After the eldest son Sidney died in 1883 and
the father Frederick died in 1895, the business was carried on by Horace, Oliver and Leonard.
Although Horace and Oliver retired by 1911, Leonard continued to work as
a dressing bag worker presumably with the business until it ceased to exist
something between 1920 and 1925 as it was no longer listed in the 1925[14]
city directory.
To date only one Avery
style needle case has been found with the Gay & Son name, the Quadruple seen
in the photographs pictured here.
Although this basic design was Avery’s most popular needle case, the Gay
& Son one is quite unique because it has the company’s G&S trademark
stamped on the outside. Only three other
firms in the London area had Quadruple style needle cases stamped with
customized designs unique to their companies.
These businesses were: Asser & Sherwin, Cook & Co. and
Copestake, Moore, Crampton & Co.
The
Gay Owners
The
William Gay who founded this company was born c1790 in Norwich, a town 111
miles northeast of London. At some point
prior to 1821 he moved to the London area where he married Alice Raymes in 1821 at St. Botolph Aldersgate, roughly half a
mile north of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Their son Frederick William was born a year later. By 1835[15]
the Gay family was living at 113 High Holborn, a mile northwest of St.
Paul’s. Most likely the family residence
was on the upper floors as William’s business was also at that same address,
presumably on the ground floor which was typical during this time
period. At first William worked
as a basket maker[16] or
brush maker[17] but by
1851[18]
was listed as a dressing case maker. It
is unclear whether William and Alice had any children other than their son
Frederick. There was a 20 year old woman named Emily Gay living with them in 1841
but not enough evidence has been found to determine if she was one of their
children or perhaps a relative. William
died at their home in 1853 at age 64 and was buried at St. James, St. Pancras
in the Camden section of London. His
will, which he wrote in 1852, was probated in 1854[19]. A transcribed version can be found below
which includes question marks in places where the original words could not be
deciphered.
“I William Gay of No. 113 High Holborn in the
parish of Saint George Bloomsbury in the county of Middlesex make this my last
will and testament and I appoint my dear wife Alice Gay and my son Frederick
William Gay executrix and executor therefore I give devise and bequeath unto my
said wife for and during the term of her natural life all that my freehold
messuage and premises being No. 113 High Holborn aforesaid provided she shall
continue my widow and I also give and bequeath unto my said wife the sum of two
thousand pounds three pounds five shillings per real amenities part of the sum
in that store now standing in my name in the Book of the Governor and Company
of the Bank of England to and for her own absolute use and I also give and
bequeath unto my said wife all my household goods and furniture plate, linen, china, wine and other liquors and all other my effects in
my said dwellinghouse and used for domestic purposes to and for her own
absolute use and benefit and from and after the death or second
marriage of my said wife then I give and devise my said freeholds messuage and
premises No. 113 High Holborn aforesaid unto and to the use of my son the said
Frederick William Gay his heirs and assignees forever and I also give and bequeath unto my said son all the residue
of my trusted property and also the protectors of the policy for six hundred
pounds on my life in the Argus Life Assurance Office and also all my store in
trade book debt monies and all my Residuary Personal Estate and property
whatsoever and wheresoever to and for this sons absolute use and benefit I
revoke all former wills in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and fifty two -William Gay - signed published and declared by the said testator
William Gay as and for this last will and testament in the presence of us
present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence
of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses C. W. Roff
G. Houth Grays Inn solicitors.
W. G. Wakers his clerk
Proved
at London 1st March 1854 before the worshipful ?? a Thomas Pratt ?? of laws and
surrogate by the oaths of Alice Gay widow the relict and Frederick William Gay
the son of the deceased the executors to whom ?? was granted having been first
sworn duly to administer.”
After
her husband’s death Alice, the wife of William Gay, spent the rest of her life
living with her son Frederick and his family at 113 High Holborn. She died there 21 years after her husband in
1874 leaving an estate of under £3,000
to her son Frederick.
Frederick William Gay, the only known son
of William Gay and Alice Raymes, was born in 1822 at
Old Street, about a mile north of St. Paul’s and was baptized at neighboring St
Luke’s. By the time he was 15 years old
in 1841 he was working as a clerk presumably in his father business and by 1851
became a partner with his father.
Frederick married Caroline Draper in 1852 at St. Andrews on Holborn
Street not far from their shop/residence.
Frederick and Caroline had 6 children between 1853 and 1870: Sidney
William, Herbert Frederick Toynbee, Arthur Raymes,
Horace Charles, Oliver James and Leonard. Although Frederick was listed as a brush
manufacturer in his marriage record, by 1861 he was listed as a dealer of fancy
articles and in later years was most often listed as a dressing case
maker or a leather dressing case maker.
In 1891 he was recorded as a dressing case maker employer. Obviously, he continued the business his father
founded and remained in that position throughout his life. The family continued to live at their High
Holborn address and in 1881, while Frederick remained there, his wife Charlotte
and their 2 sons Sidney and Herbert visited Hastings most likely for a vacation
or perhaps for health reasons as both of these sons
died a couple years later. Frederick
died at his home in 1895 at age 73 and was buried at the Camden cemetery. When his estate was probated later that year
he was listed as a cutler indicating the business added cutlery to its
operations. Frederick left an estate
valued at £30,539 (£2,387,301 today[20])
to his sons Oliver and Leonard. After
his death Caroline moved to Wimbledon where she spent the rest of her
life. She died 11 years later in 1906
and was buried at the Camden Cemetery.
Part of her estate of £368
was left to her two sons Oliver who was listed as a cutler in the probate
documents, and to Leonard who was listed as a dressing bag maker.
Of
the 6 sons of Frederick William Gay and Caroline Draper, 4 appear to have
joined their father in his business, however 2 of the 6 sons died before their
father and another died only a few years after their father. The eldest son, Sidney William Gay, was born
in 1853 and by 1881 he was working as a manufacturer of dressing case and tea
goods presumably for his father. Sidney
died in 1883 at the family home at age 30.
Herbert Frederick Toynbee Gay, the second son, was born in 1855 and was
working as a civil engineer in 1881. He
died a year later in 1882 at home at age 26 and was buried at the Camden
cemetery. The third son was Arthur Raymes Gay who was born in 1857. When Arthur married Adelaide Louise Cronch in 1879 he was listed as a traveler, however by 1891
he was living on his own means. Arthur
died sometime between 1901 and 1911 because his wife was first listed as a
widow in 1911.
The
three youngest children of Frederick William Gay spent much of their lives
working in their father’s business. Horace Charles Gay was born in 1859 and was
baptized at St George Bloomsbury, a church a couple blocks from their
home. At age 10 in 1871 he was attending
school in Margate, Kent, a town on the coast 73 miles south
east of London. Then in 1881 he
was working as an assistant while living with his parents and by 1891 as a
dressing case maker’s assistant. After
his father’s death in 1895 he moved to Wimbledon where he lived for a few years
with his mother. By 1901 Horace was
working as a cutler employer while living with his mother, presumably having
taken over his father’s business as by then the company added cutlery to its
operations. Later in 1901 at age 42 he
married Rosina Sarah Gayler, a 47-year-old spinster, at St. Michaels in
Westminster. At some point between 1901
and 1911 Horace decided to retire and he and Rosina moved to the Hove in
Sussex, a seaside resort 51 miles south of London, and then later moved to
Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, a town 40 miles east of London. Horace died there in 1917 and was buried at
the local cemetery. He left an estate
valued at £7,649 to his
wife and another man. Rosina died 23
years later in 1940 at age 90 leaving an estate of £5,051.
Oliver
James Gay was the fifth son of Frederick William Gay and Caroline Draper. He was born in 1862, was also baptized at St
George Bloomsbury and by 1881 at age 19 was working as a clerk to a shop’s
owner, presumably his father’s as he was living with him at the time. In 1894 he married Lillie Gardner in the
Fulham section of west London. At some
point after their marriage, they move to the Surbiton, a town 12 miles
southwest of central London not far from Wimbledon. Oliver and Lillie had no children
and he was working as a cutler employer in 1901, but by 1911 moved to
Warlingham, Surrey, 16 miles south of London, where he was listed as a retired
cutler. Later Oliver and Lillie moved to
Hanwell, 10 miles east of central London, where Oliver died in 1945 at age
82. He left an estate of £4,424. His wife Lillie died there 5 years later in
1950 at age 84 leaving an estate valued at £2,128.
The
youngest son of Frederick William and Caroline Draper was Leonard who was born
in 1870 and baptized at the same church as his older brothers. By age 20 in 1891 he was working as dressing
case maker’s assistant. Ten years later
in 1901 he was visiting Glasgow, Scotland and was listed with the occupation of
cutler and silver smith while living with the Montague Smith family which
included their daughter, Ethel Maud Smith, his future wife. This appears to have been an arranged
marriage as Glasgow is 386 miles northwest of London. Although the marriage record has not been
found, marriage bands indicate they were married sometime around 1901,
presumably in Scotland. By 1903 they
were living in the Kensington section of London where their first child, Doris
Kathleen Gay, was born. Six years later
they moved to Surbiton where Leonard’s brother lived at one time and where
their second child, Cyril Frederick Montegut Gay, was born in 1909[21]. While living there in 1911 Leonard was listed
as a dressing bag maker employer.
Leonard and Ethel remained in his area for the rest of their lives. Ethel died in 1933 at age 57 and Leonard died
at age 87 in 1958. Leonard was buried at
the Surbiton cemetery and his probate has not been found.
Gay
& Son (aka William Gay & Son): Genealogy
Generation 1:
William Gay (c1790-1853) and Alice Raymes
(c1798-1874)
· Born: c 1790 Norwich
(S4)
·
Baptized: not found.
· Marriage: May 10, 1821 St. Botolph Aldersgate, London (S1m). Listed as William Gay a bachelor ad Alice Raymes a spinster.
· 1841 Census: High
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Wm Gay age 51 a brush maker not
born in the county with Alice age 40 not born in the county and Fredk Wm age 15 a clerk born in the county and Emily age 20 not born
in the county.
· 1851 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as William Gay age 61 a dressing case
maker born in Norwich with wife Alice age 52 born in Norfolk and 1 child:
Frederick W. age 29 unmarried a partner with father born in Midd
X and 1 servant.
· Death: December
12, 1853 St. Giles in the Fields and St. George
Bloomsbury (S8d). Listed as William Gay
age 64 a dressing case maker who died of chronic bronchitis at 113 High
Holborn.
· Burial: December
17, 1853 St. James, St. Pancras, Camden
(S1burial). Listed as William Gay age 64
of 113 High Holborn.
· Probate: March 1, 1854 London (S6), Will: April 24, 1852 (S6). Listed as William Gay of 113 High Holborn in
the parish of Saint George Bloomsbury, Middlesex with his wife Alice Gay and his
son Frederick William Gay as the executors.
· 1861 Wife’s
Census: with son Frederick William Gay (S4).
Listed as Alice Gay mother of head a widow age
62 a freeholder born in Aylesham, Norfolk. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists her
relationship to the head of household as mother-in-law).
· 1871 Wife’s
Census: with son Frederick William Gay (S4).
Listed as Alice Gay mother a widow age 73 born
in Aylesham, Norfolk.
· Wife’s Death:
February 28, 1874 St. Giles (8d), listed as Alice Gay
age 76 the widow of William Gay a dressing case maker who died of paralysis at
113 High Holborn, St George Boomsbury with F. W. Gay
present at her death. February 28, 1874 113 High Holborn (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
April 24, 1874 Principal Registry (S6). Listed as Alice Gay late of 113 High Holborn,
Middlesex widow effects under £3,000
proved by Frederick William Gay of 113 High Holborn a dressing case
manufacturer the son the sole executor.
· Children:
1.
Possible
daughter. Emily Gay (c1821-??). 1841
Census: with William and Alice Gay, listed as Emily age 20 not born in the
county.
2.
Frederick
William Gay (1822-1895) – See Generation 2.
Generation 2: Frederick
William Gay (1822-1895) and Caroline Draper (c1827-1906)
· Born: March 4,
1822 (S1c).
· Baptized: May 12, 1822 St. Luke Old Street, Finsbury, London (S1c). Listed as Frederick William, son of William
and Alice Gay who resided at Old Street with father’s occupation listed as
basket maker.
· 1841 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Fredk Wm Gay age
15 a clerk born in the county.
· 1851 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Frederick W. Gay
age 29 unmarried a partner with father born in Midd
X.
· Marriage: July 22, 1852 St.
Andrew, Holborn, London (S8m). Listed as
Frederick William Gay a bachelor and brush manufacturer who resided in the parish of Saint
George Bloomsbury whose father was William Gay a brush manufacturer and
Caroline Draper spinster.
· 1861 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Fred Wm. Gay age 39 a dealer of
fancy articles born in St. Luke’s, Middlesex with wife Caroline age 34 born in
Islington, Middlesex and 4 children: Sidney Wm., Herbert Fred Loyaber, Arthur Raymes and H.
Charles, and 1 mother to head a widow Alice and 2 servants. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists the
son Arthur’s middle name as Raymer and the son H. Charles as W. Charles).
· 1871 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Frederick W. Gay age 49 a dressing
case maker born in St. Luke’s, Middlesex with wife Caroline age 43 born in
Islington, Middlesex and 5 children: Sidney W., Herbert F. T., Arthur R.,
Oliver J. and Leonard, and 1 mother a widow Alice, 1
cousin and 1 servant. (Note: the census
index incorrectly lists the son Oliver’s middle initial as I).
· 1881 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Fredk. Gay age 59 a married a
leather dressing case maker born in London and 2 children: Horace C. and Lewis
J. and 2 servants. (Note the census index incorrectly lists Frederick’s age as
50. Also the
son named Lewis appears to be a census taker error as he is the correct age to
be the actual son Leonard. Also,
Frederick Gay is listed twice in the 1881 Census with 2 children, one with a
different forename, and 2 servants whose names are similar to
the other 1881 listing).
· 1881 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Fredk. Gay age 59 a married leather
dressing case maker born in London and 2 children: Horace C. and Oliver J. and
2 servants. (Note: Frederick Gay is listed twice in the 1881 Census with 2
children, one with a different forename, and 2 servants whose names are similar to the other 1881 listing).
· 1881 Wife’s
Census: 214 Warrior Sq, Warrion House, Hastings,
Sussex (S4). Listed as Caroline Gay a
married boarder age 53 born in London with 2 children:
Herbert and Sidney. (Note: the census
index incorrectly lists her age as 58).
· 1891 Census: 113
Holborn, St. George Bloomsbury, Finsbury, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Frederick W. Gay age 69 a dressing
case maker employer born in St. Luke’s, London with wife Caroline age 64 born
in Islington, London and 2 children: Horace C. and Leonard and 1 visitor and 2
servants.
· Death: March 25, 1895 St. Giles, listed as Frederick William Gay age 73 a
cutler master who died of anemia at 113 High Holborn, St. George Bloomsbuty. March
25, 1895 (S6).
· Burial: March 28, 1895 Camden London (S1burial). Listed as Frederick William Gay.
· Probate: June 12, 1895 London
(S6). Listed as Frederick William Gay of
113 High Holborn, Middlesex, a cutler with effects of £30,539 to George Hogarth gentleman and Oliver James
Gay and Leonard Gay cutlers.
· 1901 Wife’s Census: 149 Queens Rd, Wimbledon, Surrey (S4). Listed as Caroline Gay head a widow age 74 living on own means born in Islington, London with 1
child: Horace Chas. and 2 servants.
· Wife’s Death:
December 21, 1906 Islington, Surrey (S8d), listed as
Caroline Gay age 79 the widow of Frederick William Gay a dressing case maker
master who died of senile decay at 149 Queens Road, Wimbledon with her son L.
Gay in attendance. December 21, 1906
(S6).
· Wife’s Burial:
December 24, 1906 Camden, London (S1burial). Listed as Caroline Gay.
· Wife’s Probate:
February 1, 1907 London (S6). Listed as Caroline Gay of Kimberley 149
Queen’s Road, Wimbledon, Surrey a widow with effects of £368 to Oliver James Gay a cutler and Leonard
Gay a dressing bag maker.
·
Children:
1.
Sidney
William Gay (1853-1883). Born: 2nd QTR
1853 St. Giles in the Fields & St. George Bloomsbury (S=GRO Online Index),
listed as Sidney William Gay with mother’s maiden name Draper. 1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents
(S4). 1881 Census: with mother (S4),
listed as Sidney Gay single age 27 a manufacturer of dressing case and tea
goods born in London. Death: May 16, 1883 St. Giles (S8d), listed as Sidney William Gay age 30 a
dressing case maker who died of phthisis at 113 High Holborn, St. George
Bloomsbury with his father F. W. Gay present at his death.
2.
Herbert
Frederick Toynbee Gay (1855-1882). Born:
3rd QTR 1855 St. Giles in the Fields & St. George Bloomsbury (S=GRO Online
Index), listed as Herbert Frederick Toynbee Gay with mother’s maiden name
Draper. 1861 and 1871 Censuses: with
parents (S4). 1881 Census: with mother
(S4), listed as Herbert Gay age 25 an engineer civil born in London. Death: May 7, 1882
St. Giles (S8d), listed as Herbert Frederick Toynbee Gay age 26 the son of
Frederick William Gay a dressing case maker who died of phthisis at 113 High
Holborn St. George Bloomsbury with his father F. W. Gay present at his death. Burial: May 9, 1882
Camden, London (S1burial), listed as Herbert Frederick T. Gay.
3.
Arthur
Raymes Gay (1857-between 1901-1911). Born: 1st QTR 1858 St. Giles & St.
George (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Arthur Raymes
Gay with mother’s maiden name Draper, December 12, 1857 (S1c). Baptized: January 16, 1858
St. George, Bloomsbury, Camden (S1c), listed as Arthur Raymes
son of Frederic and Caroline Gay who resided at High Holborn with father’s
occupation listed as dressing case maker.
1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4). Marriage May 3, 1879
All Saints, Fulham, Hammersmith (S8m), listed as Arthur Raymes
Gay age 21 a bachelor and traveler who resided at Fulham whose father was
Frederick William Gay a brush factor and Adelaide Louise Cronch
age 21 a spinster. (Note: the marriage index incorrectly lists his middle name
as Rayman). 1881 Census: 7 Station Road,
Leyton, Essex (S4), listed as Arthur R. Gay age 23 a tea & coffee dealer
born in Bloomsbury, Middlesex with wife Adelaide L. age 23 born in Whitechapel,
Middlesex and 1 child: Ethel A. and 1 servant. 1891 Census: 74 High St. Charing, Kent (S4),
listed as Arthur R. Gay age 33 living on own means born in St. George
Bloomsbury, London with wife Adelaide L. age 33 born in Algate
or Ilford, London and 4 children: Francis R., Hilda M., Sidney H. and Florence C. 1901 Census: not found. 1901 Wife’s Census: 8 Perry Rd, Hammersmith,
London (S4), listed as Adelaide Gay age 41 married born in Aldgate with 2
children: Sidney M. and Florence C. Death: not found. 1911 Wife’s Census: 58 Rylett
Rd, Shepherd’s Bush, Hammersmith, London (S4), listed as Adelaide Louis Gay age
52 a boarder and widow living independently born in Ilford which indicated she
was married for 33 years and had 5 children all still living.
4.
Horace
Charles Gay (1859-1917). – See Generation 3.
5.
Oliver
James Gay (1862-1945). – See Generation
3.
6.
Leonard
Gay (1870-1958). – See Generation 3.
Generation 3:
Horace Charles Gay (1859-1917) and Rosina Sarah Gayler (c1850-1940)
· Born: 3rd QTR 1859
St. Giles (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Horace Charles Gay with mother’s
maiden name Draper. August 28, 1859
(S1c).
· Baptized:
September 17, 1859 St. George, Bloomsbury, Camden
(S1c). Listed as Horace Charles son of Frederick William and Caroline Draper Gay who
resided at High Holborn with father’s occupation listed as dressing case maker.
· 1861 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as H. Charles Gay
age 1 born in Bloomsbury. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists his
forename as W.).
· 1871 Census: 12
Zion Place, Bath House Academy, Margate, Kent (S4). Listed as Horace Gay age 10 a pupil and
scholar born in Holborn, London.
· 1881 Census: with
father (S4). Listed as Horace C. Gay age
21 unmarried an assistant born in London.
· 1891 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Horace C. Gay
single age 31 dressing case maker assistant worker born in Bloomsbury.
· 1901 Census: with
mother (S4). Listed as Horace Chas. Gay
single age 41 a cutler employer born in Bloomsbury.
· Marriage: July 4, 1901 St. Michael’s, Chester Square, Westminster, London
(S8m). Listed as Horace Charles Gay age
42 a bachelor and dressing case maker who resided at 149 Queens Road, Wimbledon
whose father was Frederick William Gay deceased a dressing case maker and
Rosina Sarah Gayler age 47 a spinster.
· 1911 Census: 10
Vallance Road, Hove, Sussex (S4). Listed
as Horace C. Gay age 62 living on private means born in High Holborn with wife
Rose age 60 born in Camden Town, London and 1 servant. Indicated they were married 10 years and had
no children.
· Death: November 10,
1917 Rochford, Essex (S8d). Listed as Horace Charles Gay age 58 a retired ivory
and ebony merchant who died of stricture of urethra and consecutive nephritis
at 1 Biarritz Court, Crowstone Road North,
Southend-on-Sea with Rose Gay the widow of the deceased present at his death. November 10, 1917.
· Burial: Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
(S1burial). Listed as Horace Charles Gay
who was born in 1860 and died on November 10, 1917.
· Probate: January
22, 1918 London (S4).
Listed as Horace Charles Gay of 1 Biarritz Court, Crowstone
Road, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with effects of £7,649 to Rosina Sarah Gay widow and William Robert
Cubitt builder.
· Wife’s Death:
September 16, 1940 Surrey Mid
Eastern (S8d). Listed as Rosina Sarah
Gay age 90 the widow of Horace Gay a cutler who died of intestinal obstruction,
jaundice and carcinoma of the head at 47 Newbury Gardens,
Cuddngton, Epsom and Ewell. September 16, 1940 at
47 Newbury Gardens, Stoneleigh, Surrey (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
December 14, 1940 Llandudno (S6). Listed as Rosina Sarah Gay of Medina 27 Eastwood
Lane, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex widow with effects £5,051 to John Stewart McFloride
company director.
· Children: none.
Generation 3:
Oliver James Gay (1862-1945) and Lillie Gardner (c1866-?1950)
· Born: September
13, 1862 (S1c). 4th QTR 1862 St. Giles
(S=GRO Online Index), listed as Oliver James Gay with mother’s maiden name
Draper.
· Baptized: October
6, 1862 St. George, Bloomsbury, Camden (S1c). Listed as Oliver James
son of Frederick William and Catherine Gay who resided at High Holborn with
father’s occupation listed as dressing case maker (Note: his mother’s forename
appears to be a church recorder’s error).
· 1871 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Oliver J. Gay
age 8 born in Bloomsbury.
· 1881 Census: with
father (S4). Listed as Oliver J. Gay age
19 a clerk to shops owner born in London.
· 1891 Census: not found.
· Marriage: August
17, 1894 Fulham (S8m).
Listed as Oliver James Gay age 32 a bachelor and cutler master who
resided at 14 Bishops Terrace, Fulham Palace Road, Fulham whose father was
Frederick William Gay a cutler master and Lillie Gardner age 28 a widow.
· 1901 Census: 16 Rambury, Surbiton, Tolworth, Kingston, Surrey (S4), listed
as Oliver J. Gay age 37 a cutler employer born in Holborn, London with wife
Lillie age 35 born in Pennenton, Yorkshire and 1 step-son, 1 brother-in-law and 1 servant.
· 1911 Census: Crossmount, Warlingham, Godstone, Surrey, listed as Oliver
James Gay age 48 a
retired cutler born in High Holborn, London with wife Lillie age 45 born in
Penistone, Yorkshire and 1 servant, indicated they were married 17 years and had
no children.
· 1939 Register: not found.
· Death: February
21,1945 Brentford, Middlesex (S8d), listed as Oliver James Gay age 82 a
silversmith retired who died of myocardial degeneration and senility at 3
Jersey Road, Hanwell. February 21, 1945
(S6).
·
Burial: not found.
· Probate: July 19, 1946 London (S6).
Listed as Oliver James Gay of 3 Jersey Road, Hanwell, Middlesex with
effects £4,424 to Midland
Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited.
· Wife’s Death: October 7, 1950
Ealing, Middlesex (S8d), listed as Lillie Gay age 84 the widow of Oliver James
Gay who died of coronary occlusion at 3 Jersey Road, Hanwell with her
daughter-in-law A. R. Gardner in attendance. October 7, 1950 (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
January 30, 1951 London (S6). Listed as Lillie Gay of 3 Jersey Road,
Hanwell, Middlesex widow with effects £2,128 to Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited.
· Children: none.
Generation 3:
Leonard Gay (1870-1958) and Ethel Maud Smith (c1877-1933)
· Born: 4th QTR 1870 St. Giles (S=GRO Online Index),
listed as Leonard Gay with mother’s maiden name Draper. November 12, 1870 (S1c).
· Baptized: December
18, 1870 St. George, Bloomsbury, Camden (S1c). Listed as Leonard with parents Frederick
William and Caroline Gay of 113 High Holborn with father’s occupation listed as
dressing case maker.
· 1871 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Leonard Gay age
8 born in Bloomsbury.
· 1881 Census: with
father (S4). Listed as Lewis J. Gay age
10 a clerk born in London.
· 1891 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Leonard Gay
single age 20 dressing case maker assistant worker born in Bloomsbury.
· 1901 Census: 9
Roseberry Ter, Glasgow Maryhill, Lanarkshire, Scotland (S1). Listed as Leonard Gay age 30 a visitor who
worked as a cutler and silversmith who was living with the Montague and Mally
Smith family who had 3 daughters including one named Ethel M. Smith age 24.
· 1901 Marriage
Bands St. George, Bloomsbury, Camden, Middlesex (S3). Listed as Leonard Gay of thie
parish and of 113 High Holborn and Ethel Maud Smith of Maryhill parish,
Glasgow, Scotland. (Note: the marriage bands index incorrectly lists the year
as 1896).
· Marriage: not found.
· 1911 Census: 7 St.
Matthews Avenue, Surbiton, Surrey (S4).
Listed as Leonard Gay age 40 a dressing bag maker employer born in
Bloomsbury, London with wife Ethel Maud age 34 born in Glasgow, Scotland and 2
children: Doris Kathleen and Cyril Frederick Montague Gay and 2 servants.
Indicated they were married 9 years and had 2 children both still living.
· Wife’s Death:
December 16, 1933 Kensington (S8d). Listed as Ethel Maud Gay age 57 of 50 Eardley
Crecent wife of Leonard Gay leather goods dealer who died of acute peritonitis
and cholecystitis pancreatitis at Princess Beatrice Hospital, Kensington with
L. Gay widower of the deceased present at her death.
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
·
Wife’s Probate: not found.
·
1939 Register: not found.
· Death: February 1,
1958 Walton and Cherstsey, Surrey
North Western (S8d). Listed as Leonard
Gay age 87 a retired silversmith who died of myocardial degeneration at
Willerton, Bridgewater Road, Weybridge with his son Cyril F. M. Gay as the
informant.
· Burial: Surbiton
Cemetery, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London (S1burial). Listed as Leonard
Gay who was born in 1870 and died on February 1, 1958.
·
Probate: not found.
· Children:
1.
Doris
Kathleen Gay (1903-??). Born: 3rd QTR
1903 Kensington (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Doris Kathleen Gay with
mother’s maiden name Smith.
2.
Cyril Frederick Montague Gay (1909-??). Born: 2nd QTR 1901 Kingston (S=GRO Online
Index), listed as Cyril Frederick Montague Gay with mother’s maiden name
Smith. Baptism: June 27, 1909 St. Matthew, Surbiton, Surrey (S1c),
listed as Cyril Frederick Montague with parents Leonard and Ethel Maud Gay who
resided at Cintra, St. Matthews Ave, with father’s occupation listed as
silversmith.
Avery
Style Needle Case with the “Gay & Son 113 High Holborn, London” Name
Stamper on It
1.
Quadruple
- Gay & Son with GS trademark: Mechanical Patent #3517 dated November 19, 1868
registered
by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from
Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre,
London).
Items
Registered by Gay & Son or F. W. Gay of 113 High Holborn, London
1.
Tooth
brush guard:
Useful Registered Design # 3568 dated February 21, 1854 registered by Gay &
Son dressing case makers. (The National
Archives, Kew website).
2.
Tooth
and nail brush rack: Metal Registered Design #261181 dated March 15, 1872 registered by F. W. Gay (The National Archives, Kew
website).
