Thomas Bryer 1836-1916
Thomas Bryer was born in Bierton, Buckinghamshire in 1836. He was the oldest child of James and Elizabeth Bryer. On the 27th July 1867 Thomas married Amy Castle Chapman at St John The Evangelist Church, Charlotte Street, Camden. Amy was the youngest daughter and second youngest child of Thomas Chapman and Sarah Chapman (Nee Hitchin).
Amy Castle Bryer Nee Chapman 1841-1916
Thomas was a school teacher and the couple lived what appeared to be a comfortable middle class life around Lewisham and Forest Hill areas. They had five daughters and by 1911 Thomas was 75 and working as a private tutor, living with his three unmarried daughters. Although he is recorded as married on the census Amy is no longer living in the family home and I was unable to find where she was living. Her cemetery records following her death in January 1916 shed light upon the sad reason. Amy’s address at her time of death was recorded as The London Asylum, The Heath Dartford near Bexley. She is buried in Erith Cemetery. Thomas died just a few short months later on the 29th August 1916 and is buried with his wife Amy in Erith Cemetery.
The only photo of any of their five daughters I have is of their second eldest daughter, Edith.
Edith Bryer Born 1870
Edith Bryer was born in 1870 in Stoke Newington, London. In the 1901 Census she was living with her parents in Sydenham and her occuaption was recorded as “Lady Clerk”. On the 10th November 1905 Edith embarked on the 160 day journey, aboard the SS Johannesburg to Natal. South Africa, giving her occupation as Shorthand Typist she appeared to travel alone. On the 12th September 1907 Edith married Victor Powers at Doornfontein, Klerksdorp, Transvaal, South Africa.