3. Matilda LANE
Matilda was the eldest daughter of George Lane and Margaret.
Matilda and her husband raised a large family in a town located in the north of Ireland called Newtown Limavady in the county of Londonderry. Her husband William Lane had a flourishing medical practice in that town. Several of her sons became medical doctors.
Matilda's name is mentioned in a letter written by Dorothea Lane to her husband Alexander Lane. Alex was brother to Matilda.
William was of Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland. He was a well-known and popular physician and surgeon, who had a large practice in that town and neighbourhood; was the medical officer of the local workhouse and fever hospital from their institution to his death in 1876, and a coroner for the county. He was also, for a great number of years, Chairman of the Limavady Town Commissioners and a conservator of the fisheries of the district of Londonderry.
Dr. Lane was the elder brother of the late Mr. Hugh Lane, solicitor, of 13 Mountjoy Square, in the city of Dublin, and "The Umbra," Co. Londonderry". Benjamin Lane and Rosanna Dillon were the parents of this Hugh Lane. With the knowledge of this relationship, we know that William was also the son of Benjamin Lane and Rosanna Dillon.
13. Alexander LANE A.B., LL.B. (T.C.D.)
William became a member of Lincoln's Inn, London, in the spring of 1852, when he was twenty-two years of age, and in Michaelmas Term, 1853, was called to the Irish Bar, of which he was an old and popular member.
He was educated at private schools, by a county rector, and in Trinity College, Dublin, where he graduated A.B. in 1853, and took the degree of LL.B. some years later.
Mr. Alexander Lane is a descendant of a member of the family of Lane who, in the seventeenth century, came from staffordshire in England, and settled in County Londonderry, and he does not claim kinship or connection with any other family of the same name in Ireland (Taken from the Bench and Bar of Ireland, September 1906).
In the year 1854 Alexander joined the North West Bar, and during his circuit life has enjoyed the unbroken friendship of all its members, and notably of the late Mr. Baron Dowse, who was for some time M.P. for the city of Londonderry, the late Recorder of Cork, Mr. James P. Hamilton, Q.C., the late County Court Judge of Donegal, Down, and Mayo, Mr. Robert Carton, Q.C., Mr. David M. Colquhoun, Q.C., Mr. Richard M. Dane, K.C., the present Lord Chief Justice Holmes, P.C., and Mr. Justice Ross, P.C.
B.L. Judge of Limivady (source, Pedigree Chart created by the Wilsons). Died during a run war in Dublin.
14. George LANE
It appears that George was twin brother to Alexander Lane. George was most likely named in honor of his maternal grandfather George Lane who married Margaret. Nothing else is known about him.
16. William LANE
William's baptismal record states that his parents were William Lane and Matilda. It states that the parents were living on Linenhall Street at the time of his baptism.
Rosina's baptismal record states that that her parents were living on Main Street at the time of her birth. In addition, the record indicates that her name is Rosetta. I believe this is a mistake made by the person who typed the information from the original records. The baptismal date and the birth date are close enough to support this theory. The proper spelling of her name is Rosina as recorded on her death memorial card. Her death memorial card also states that she was the second daughter of the late William Lane, M.D. of Limavady, Ireland. It also says that she died at 9 Admiralty Street, Keyham, Devonport, 15th December, 1915.
Alexander Lane R.N.M.D. notes the following in his jornal: "Rosina came here on the 14th of July & left on the 23 of October". Rosina was the niece of Alexander by Alexander's sister Matilda.
I believe that Frances Margaret Lane Street's daughter "Rose Dillon Street" and Henry Stanley Lane's daughter "Rose Dillon Lane" were both named after Rosina Dillon Lane.
Alexander Lane R.N.M.D. wrote the following in his journal about his nephew Albert:
"1868 Jan 21. John (John William Lane, Alexander's son) sent me a note from my nephew (Nephew by Alexander's sister Matilda) Albert proposing marriage to my daughter Frances _ John is married to his (refering to Albert) sister (Matilda Ann Lane who is niece to Alexander and daughter to Matilda) & I do not approve of the very close alliances in blood tho Royalty sets the example."
Note that the information in parenthesis was not included in Alexander's journal entry. It is included to clarify who Alex was talking about.
A picture of Albert was found in a box with other genealogical treasures that had been maintained by Laura Cogswell, the grandaughter of Frances Margaret Lane. It belonged to Frances when she was living.
6. Dr. Alexander LANE Royal Navy Medical Doctor R.N.M.D.
The following is an article written by George Henry Wilson:
Writing at Michaelmas, 1874, in Douglas, Isle of Man, where he had come for the sake of the health of his youngest daughter, Emma, then aged 25, Alexander Lane, retired Royal Naval Surgeon, reflected: " It is a long time to look back. Sixty years, yes, sixty long, long years. I can well remember and this looks well - it looks but yesterday - and friends!!! all dead - all gone, except for a few, and very few relatives I care for or who care for me. Tis sad, yes, very sad . . . " He was then in his 72nd year. He had certainly lived a long and eventful life, visited many parts of the world in his naval career, he had lived beyond the allotted three score and ten, and he would still live another two and a half years.
For him it had all began on New Year's day 1803 - during the Napoleonic wars - when he had been born, the fifth child and third son of George and Margaret Lane, of Newton Stewart, County Tyrone, Ireland. His eldest sister, Matilda married a Doctor William Lane who practiced medicine in Newtown Limavady, County Londonderry, and was the grandmother of the future celebrated physician and surgeon, Sir William Arbuthnot Lane, Baronet (1856 - 1943). And John William appears to have served in the Royal Navy and died in Chile, South America in 1835.
Of Alexander's education we know nothing, although he may have studied in Dublin. He began his service in the Royal Navy as a qualified M.D. aged 18 1/2. He was assigned as an assistant surgeon to Her Majesty's Ship Iphigenia (November 1821) and spent the year 1822 cruising the coast of West Africa, and the naval station in the Caribbean, based in Jamaica.
During the next six years the vessels on which he served patrolled the waters around Nova Scotia and Bermuda, the Mediterranean (1824 -1826), the eastern end of the English Channel (the Downs) and the West Indies again (although on the latter tour on duty he missed his ship and had to sail to Jamaica aboard a merchant vessel!)His first leave home to Ireland was for four months in the spring and summer of 1829. Maybe he met his future bride at this time.
His next assignment took him to West Africa once more (cruising twice Ascension Island) and then followed ten weeks home leave (1831). Between 1832 - 1834 he had a further long tour to the West Indies and the coast of Central America. He sailed home on merchant ships via the St. Lawrence (with a trip to Lake Ontario), and then from Quebec to London.
Once back in Ireland (August 1834) he courted his beloved Dora, facing the opposition of her family in Armagh. Finally the couple "eloped" to Scotland, where a civil wedding took place in Glasgow, 30 October, 1834. Subsequently, early in November, their marriage was celebrated in the established Church of Ireland (perhaps in Armagh) presumably Dora's father having relented.
Marriage brought responsibilities of life on shore after twelve years a sailor. By 1837 he and Dora were living in Coleraine, where they had been blessed by the births of two sons (George, 1835, and John William, 1837). Meanwhile, his adventurous younger brother, John William, serving in the surgeon's department on HMS Challenger in the Pacific, had written recommending the advantages to a British doctor of emigrating to Peru. He even suggested that Alexander should bring Dora, because English women with social accomplishments were a rarity there (this was written June, 1834, before Alexander had returned on the home leave which led to the elopement!)
In 1838, with Dora expecting her third child, Alexander received an appointment to HMS Herald (on which he had already served in 1829). This time he was away in the East for nearly three years. He was present at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (1840) between the Maori chiefs and the representative of Queen Victoria, Captain Hobson, RN, by which New Zealand was to become a British colony. Now it was his turn to write home extolling the potential rewards of life in the New World. He even paid a deposit on two properties in the township of Victoria.
He had no liking for his captain on HMS Herald - as 'scoundrel' and a 'vagabond' - and he was soon able to transfer to HMS Buffalo. Unfortunately he was shipwrecked not long afterwards in Mercury Bay. A few days later Alexander began his six month long return voyage to England aboard a hired vessel.
Once home it appears that the family moved to Armagh (or may have already done so) since at least three of the children were born there (Harry 1842, Fanny 1843, Minnie 1845).
There was one brief further period of active service, three months to West Africa - this time on a steamship - HMS Penelope. And then in 1847, after twenty-five years' service, Alexander retired on pension, living in Rosstroon and Warrenpoint (on Carlingford Lough, near the mouth of the Newry river), before deciding to emigrate to Nova Scotia, where he had received a land grant from the British government.
The two older sons remained behind - George, now at 14 a midshipman in the Royal Navy, and John William, apparently left in the care of his uncles, John Stanley, Armagh, and Dr. William Lane, Limavady (one of whose daughters, Tillie, he was to marry nine years later). He graduated as an M.D. from Dublin, and commenced medical practice in Bellaghy, a village just north of Lough Neagh, in the middle of Ulster.
Meanwhile the Lanes - with five youngsters ranging in age from 10 3/4 to 2 1/2 years, and a seven month old baby (Emma) - sailed from Glasgow at the end of August, arriving in Halifax three weeks later. The journey ended in tragedy, for the young Alexander died within a fortnight of landing, just before his eleventh birthday, of "sea-sickness".
The Lanes spent the winter in Halifax, and in June 1850 sailed the two day voyage to Mahone Bay, their future home. Our ancestor, Henry Stanley Lane (always known as Harry) was eight years old. What an exciting time it must have been for him!
The land grant was in New Germany, about twenty miles inland from Lunenburg and Bridgewater, up the LaHave river - and still forested. Eventually it passed to the youngest son, Edward ('Ned') - who had been born in 1847 while his father was on his last naval voyage.
The Lanes found the beauty of Mahone Bay so attractive that with part of Dora's inheritance they purchased a 30 acre property alongside the road from the town of Mahone to Mader's Cove and Lunenburg, fronting the southwestern shore of the harbour. They named the house "Lanesborough Villa" - and it still stands today (1991). Here Harry, who later inherited the property, was to make his home for nearly four score years, and it remained in the family until 1954 - over a century. I remember a golden summer there in 1941, and an idyllic holiday in 1937 - but these are childhood impressions. Harry's own children carried the happiest memories of growing up there, although all left early in adult life.So the first decade in this New World setting was devoted to raising the family, practicing medicine, and becoming involved in the life of the community. Towards the end of the fifties came word of John Williams marriage (St. Patrick's Day 1858) and the first child, named after his grandfather, the following year. And then the sad tidings of the death in March, 1859, in the forests of Upper Assam, northwestern India, of George, the young naval officer, aged 24.
In 1860 Alexander paid a visit to Ireland accompanied by his seventeen year old daughter, Fanny. His brother-in-law, John Stanley, was managing the balance of Dora's inheritance. (Some years later it transpired that he embezzled most of it - at least £ 1,000). He provided a home for Fanny for a time. She and her mother appear to have made several crossings of the Atlantic in the early sixties. Fanny's cousin, Albert Lane (son of Dr. William Lane) even wrote to Alexander (January 1867) asking, in vain, for his cousin's hand in marriage!
In September 1860 Alexander returned via Quebec to Nova Scotia, and almost immediately set off with his youngest son, Edward, then aged 13, to spend the winter in Boston. Later Edward was to acquire a medical diploma at Harvard (1866/7). He received his schooling at Horton Academy, Hortonville, near Windsor, Nova Scotia, and Harry had been sent there too, but could not stand it, and ran away.
In 1866 a financial crisis seems to have occurred (referred to as the "Fish affair") and Alexander left in some haste, never to return, although with the gradual settlement of his outstanding debts he was encouraged to contemplate coming back again. In some ways his life in Shropshire, England, was a kind of exile. And in the eleven remaining years of his life his chief concern became the welfare of his unmarried daughters, and the future of his sons, Harry and Edward.
Bishop's Castle, Shropshire, England, was his first home. Here his son, John William, had developed a flourishing practice. It lay near the Welsh border in a farming community, with a noted cattle market, and was about thirty miles southwest of Shrewsbury. At this time John and Tillie had four small children.
Alexander's first concern was to begin settling his debts, and this he hoped to affect partly out of his wife's inheritance, which his brother-in-law controlled. In this he was to be disappointed. After spending the winter with his son, he moved northward to Worthen, nearer to Shrewsbury. Later he rented in this small village a house (or two cottages made into one dwelling) which was to be the Lane home until May 1869. But it was a village with little social life: "only one gentleman - and no ladies".
Now his eldest daughter, Fanny, became engaged to a widower, Jerome Charles Street, a doctor from St. Andrews, New Brunswick; and on 6 August, 1868, they were married at Mahone. Emma joined the household (she was 19) which included a seven year old son, Arthur, from the earlier marriage. Minnie had already joined her father, and Dora followed early in September. Uppermost in her mind must have been the recovery of the balance of her inheritance, and to this end she spent some months with her brother in Armagh - but seems to have obtained only £70! Before leaving Nova Scotia she had unwisely pleged the Mahone property as security with one of her husband's creditors, and Alexander had to deal with a threatened foreclosure through Harry during the last months of 1868.
Meanwhile Edward, who had qualified in medicine at Harvard, although able to practise in England lacked the possibility of being able to sue for non-payment of fees because he could not be registered with only an American diploma. His father wished him to study for an Apothecary's Certificate in London, but was unable to afford it. Eventually he did qualify as an M.D. at Glasgow (1870) and thereafter practised for nearly twenty years in Shropshire, at first with his brother, and then on his own, at Enfield House, Clun (where for a time Minnie was his housekeeper).
In May, 1869, Alexander had moved to Clun, some six miles south of his son John at Bishop's Castle. And in the early part of this year the Streets and Emma joined Harry at Mahone, where the Streets remained for about six years, and where their first four children were born.
At this time Harry expressed thoughts of marrying Jerome's sister, Susan, but bowed to the family's pressure. During the summer of 1870, Dora and Minnie went to Ireland to tackle John Stanley again; Minne became very ill (pneumonia & pleurisy?) recovering through the care of Edward (but wiping out much of her father's savings!) Edward at this time was working with his brother at a salary of £ 1 weekly.
In May, 1872, The Lanes moved to Ludlow (a Shropshire market won on the highway between Shrewsbury and Hereford) for the sake of providing Minnie with a better social milieu. However, in the same summer Harry seems to have visited England, and returned before September to Mahone accompanied by Minnie. She came back some months later with her sister Emma, and nephew Lionel Street (aged 4 years in 1873), whose ealy education was to be supervised by his grandparents and conducted by Emma. After a brief stay in the small village of Bucknell, the Lanes settled in Clun once more.
At the end of the summer, 1874, Alexander went to the Isle of Man, partly for the sake of Emma's health (she had suffered some attacks of Erysipelas), and also to encourage Edward to support himself and develop his practice in Clun. His mother reamined with Edward at first, to help with the housekeeping, and she was later replaced by Minnie, who had gone with Emma and Lionel to Douglas, Isle of Man.
In June, 1875, there was a brief return to Clun, but in the late fall the Lanes took up permanent residence in Douglas. Alexander and Dora needed the sea air and bracing climate found there. And here Alexander died, 5 May 1877, his last months in correspondence with Harry at Mahone, full of suggestions and advice concerning the property, and the need for his son to find a good wife!
Dora survived her husband by twenty years, dying in Douglas in August, 1897, nine times a great-grandmother.
John William later moved from Shropshire to Milford, Pambrokeshire - the southwest tip of Wales - and then to Weymouth, Dorset, where he died in September, 1913 (Tillie predeceasing him in 1906). Two of his sons became doctors. The eldest Alexander (1859 - 1939), who had a practice in Presteigne, Radnor, Wales (about 30 miles from Bishop's Castle) lost his wife in her 28th year, after the birth of five children. (He never remarried, and died in Bournemouth); two of his daughters emigrated to Canada, married farmers, and their decendants live today in Canada and USA. The younger son, George (1872 -1907), died tragically in India, leaving a young widow and four little children, each of whom later was to have a single child, whose families live in England. Of John' daughters, Sybil, who had begun family life in Devon, emigrated to Australia after her second marriage, and her descendants are living there.
Harry, our ancestor, married in January, 1879, and brought up a family at Mahone Bay, dying in Watertown, Massachusetts, in 1929 during a regular winter visit - a few days before his 87th birthday.
Fanny lived to be 90, dying in 1933, leaving a flourishing family in Massachusetts.
Minnie established a brief career for herself a a champion swimmer, conducting a successful and well patronized swimming college in Douglas, and gave exhibitions and demonstrations of her skill in different parts of the country in the eighties. She died in 1922 while visiting her sister in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Edward returned to Nova Scotia about 1889, married a widow a few years later, and died in Isaac's Harbour, Guysborough County (the eastern shore) in 1896.
Emma married and lived in Pembrokeshire (1879) and died in 1930, leaving a married daughter, Gwendolyn (1881 - 1967), who had no children of her own.
Could one not say that the adventurous early life of Alexander Lane was complemented by the spread of his descendants to various parts of the globe? Certainnly he had led a most interesting life, of which I have tried to sketch an outline, and despite setbacks and disappointments he seems to have shown great optimism and resourcefulness, judging from the letters that have survived. Although sometimes disappointed at the occasional seeming ingratitude of children, his overriding concern was always the welfare of his family.
Let Minnie have the last word: "Our best friend is gone from us and we are alone indeed . . . I closed his dear eyes and mouth; and laid him out for his last home. God gave me strength whien I did most need it." GHW
What follows is the transcription of a group of letters that offer insight into the Alexnder's life.
The first letter lists the names and birth dates of Alexander's siblings. It was written in 1809 by an unknown author and addressed to his mother Mrs. Margaret Lane:
Mrs. Margaret Lane
Woodrook
Newtown StewartGeo. & Margaret Lane married March the 30th 1793
William Lane born May the 19th 1795
Matilda Lane born May the 2nd 1797
Eliza Ann Lane born February the 21st 1799
Robt Lane born February the 17th 1801
Alexander Lane born January the 1 1803
John Lane born March the 10th 1805
Margaret Lane born July the 8th 1808
Note: It is not clear which year Margaret Lane (child) was born. It is either 1808 or 1809.
Second is a letter written by John Stanley to, I believe, Alexander Lane who desired the hand of John's daughter, Dorothea, in marriage:Armagh, 19 January 1832
Dear Sir,
Your letter to Miss Stanley of the 6 inst has been handed to me. I must say from your unsettled situation in life, I can not give you any encouragement at present. Mrs. and Miss Stanley deserve the best.
To you ____ and I am Dr Sir
Your most
John StanleyNext is a series of letters written by Alex to his wife Dorothea:
Mrs. Doctor Lane
Coleraine
IrelandWe sail for India about the 2nd of August
To write directHer Majesty's Ship Herald, Portsmouth 24 July 1838
My dearest Dorothea and most beloved wife. I wrote you yesterday by Post and enclosed a five pound note. This will make L 45 which I have sent you. I hope you will ______ it safe. ________ has left us to day and is gone to London on ten days leave of absence. His uncle is governor of the tower. He is to make it a point to call on Sir John Churchill to do all he can for me and Lord John is the bosom friend of His Royal Highship the Duke of Sussex. So you see if he succeeds, there may be something good yet in store for us. ________ and I are like brothers, so you see I am not a bad fellow after all, as we have not been long known to each other but long enough to make him fast interested in your kind husband. Our 2nd ______ insists on taking _______ place. He is a good fellow, is heir to £ 20,000 a year, and I think, indeed, I am sure he will be my chum. He has sent for his gun/gin which is to be at my disposal should I go out. I am to have change he is _______ out his cabin in a ________ expert style, so if I do go, I will have a friend in the ship after all. I regret __________ leaving as we understood each other to al little. 27th. I must go. We are busily employed painting ship. have all our ______ on board and go ___________ of Harbor to Spithead on Friday next. We will be paid two months advance the Monday following and in all probability sail the next day. So my love, you must by ______ the post, else I shall not hear from you again. When you write to me in India, put on top of your letter "To be sent by the quickest conveyance" or "To be sent overland". I think the former will be the best. i must get half a dozen cheap white trousers here, as I will not have enough for the voyage. I will come home as soon as possible and try the Admiralty again. I expect to hear from ______ tomorrow, but I do not like to lose this night. ________ as there is no post tomorrow night ____ you shall hear, be the news good or bad. I have stowed away all our wine, brandy. I provision for the voyage and am quite timed. I cannot fill this letter and I am sorry for it as I know you like to have one well filled. Thank God I enjoy the best health, my cold is quite gone, and if I was once more at home with you I would be quite happy. I will sacrifice much ere I leave you again. Pleasures and enjoyments past ________ my imagination continually. It is conciliatory to know that they are pleasing. My mind is wholly and intensely given up to thinking of you and our beloved children, but you Dora, you chiefly engross my thoughts by day and dreams by night. My beloved wife, if it is pleasing to God, we shall meet again ____ ____. I hope in _____ would _____ ______. May God grant it. It is my fondest hope.
This world would be to me a dreary waste if you were not here. It is strange, and yet to true. Give my love to my mother. Kiss my sons for me and believe me to be my beloved wife. Your most affectionate husband.
Alexander Lane
Should you remove from Coleraine have directions at the Post Office to have your letters forwarded to you. Do not forget "Tricomallee" East Indies. I suppose you will have to post pay the ______ postage.
Just dined and drank your health in a ___________ of splendid Sherry. God Almighty bless you all and keep your life. Your affectionate husband.
Alexander Lane
Her Majesty's ship Herald, Portsmouth - 1st August 1838
My dearest wife, your letter dated July 19 laid exactly nine days at the house of our friend "Litton" as it was franked on the 29th - 2nd. We are now all on board, the first _________ has joined. We go out to _________ tomorrow ____________ if the weather is at all favorable, the wind I mean; It has been blowing a south west gale all day with rain. I send you now fifteen pounds which makes in all sixty five pounds. So there will be no fear of my beloved wife wanting for at least one long year. This will _________ you how much I love you, and our dear children; and that I am not spending much money. My __________ up to the 29th _________ has been £ 4.8.8, an average of 11/ a week, wine and all included, and please ____________ it will now cost me four lbs as when once at sea. I will neither drink or smoke - except in the former case _________ __________ days. I hope we will not sail out tomorrow as I will then have to come in from _____________. I think I will go on shore to night and I _________ the port - My cabin is very comfortable and I have every thing ____________ stowed away - ___________ promised both ____________ McKay and Pat Kane that he would pay me my charge - however get what you can. If they are all there on my return I will ____________ them - Do not forget my ___________. I sent you five pounds on the 23rd and five more on the 31st ________. Should you be confined soon let me know as if the wind continues south westerly we cannot go to sea, you ought to receive this on Monday morning or Sunday - If you answer this same day I will receive it before we sail, as we cannot sail before tomorrow week, and be sure write, you know it will lessen my anxiety. _____________ has got his _________ and _________ which is at my service - _____________ bought __________ soap 2 handkerchiefs, 5 cotton ones at 1/2 each - a thin dark jacket at 6/6. You might have sent me a lock of your own hair postage free, but I do not require any memento to keep you in my remembrance. 6 p.m. Dinner is coming on the table so I must say good bye until it is over, then I will go on shore - I have now no time to spare as the post goes out from ________ in 15 minutes and than 5 minutes back. Good bye. Give my love to my mother. Hug the dear children again for their father, and _____________ me my kindest Dora and most beloved wife your most affectionate Husband,
Alexander Lane
The Cover page of the letter was written as follows:
You might write to John Bynan - but no I'll write myself.
£ 10 - No a/9 68540
4 Jan 1838
£ 5 - B/C 74519 3 July 1838
Fox Bay,
22nd August 1838
Post Paid
Mrs. Doctor Lane
Coleraine
IrelandA Lane
Her Majesty's Ship Herald, At Sea, 19th August 1838
My beloved wife. Here we are, tossed about the Bile of Portland 10 o'clock of a Sunday night - fine and clear;- Wind foul - I dined with the Capt. to day and met Major General Sir Rolf Arbuthnot, (letters signifying credentials - can't read). If I had not known him, I should had taken him to have been a good natured, rosy faced country farmer with very little to say for himself. We sailed from Spithead yesterday at noon. I wrote you through "Litton" - also Wm & Uncle. Do not forget to write me shortly after your _____________, overland, as we touch at ________, Yencriffe, Rio Janiero & the Cape of Good Hope, touching at these places will necessarily put us at least a month later in our arrival at Tricomallee. There, on my arrival, I hope to find a letter from you, and as the distance is great, and the time long, I fondly hope it will be well filled with an accurate account of our two eldest sons, & a faithful description of the one that is coming, perhaps it has arrived __________ this - and whether a son or daughter; if the former call him for myself, if the latter, call her Dora, for she must be good if she follows the steps of her mother - I __________ to visit Van biernen's land if possible. I am told it is far superior in soil and climate to _____ South Wales it being at all ______ farther to the South land & her sometimes ________. It is now 10 1/2 by my watch, which has turned out a good one so as I will have time enough to finish this tomorrow. I will bid my love good night and may God Almighty protect you all.
22nd - Lying in Fox Bay where we have put in from a foul wind and bad weather and as the wind is likely to continue foul for a week and we must lay here and remain some days at Plymouth. I will be enabled to hear from you. So write by immediate return of Post if you have been confined which I expect you have. and should we finally sail before its arrival, it will be returned to you for postage, which of course you will refuse, adieu. God bless you all your affectionate Husband.
Alexander Lane
We are rather leaky - direct. "Plymouth, England" in haste. Give my love to my mother and kiss the children for me.
The following is a letter written by Alexander Lane to his wife Louisa Dorothea:Mrs Doctor Lane Coleraine post mark
Coleraine Dated DE10
Ireland 183925 July - My Love we are off on the 27th to China in H.M.S. Herald
consequence of a ________ we have 20 July 1839
with the Chinese New South WalesMy dearest Dora and most beloved wife,
A few days ago whilst conversing with some of the officers of the 50th on shore, who should I meet but Daniel McClosky's wife whom you may recallest living by the rivers side, and whom I twice attended. She tells me you and all of you were in good health when she left and that you had a daughter. I have not heard from you since the letter I received by the Apollo, but the very sight of this woman has been consolatory. As soon as our time is up on this station if I possibly can I will _________. This place is full of retired Naval Medicine officers, all of whom are doing well and making fortunes - Should I not succeed in _______ I will join the _____ line as there is some money to be made by it. and I will be my own master. I am most unhappy in this ship. I never was more uncomfortable and I trust in God I will soon be home with you. Doctors John & Alick Osborne and Harry have fine properties in the district of _________ and are making rapid fortunes. They live near each other and about 50 miles from Sydney. James Osborne lives 40 miles beyond them. James West is doing well at Parramathaas this country is fast filling with English, Irish and Scotch in a few years those who come out will have to go further along the coast and further into the interior, but there is great expense attending a family's first settling down - If I had a Convict ship, I would be my own master here, and could soon pick out a spot. The expense of living at Sydney are enormous, and house rent is most exorbitant. The house you are in would let £300 a year - and in a good street £500 - You cannot get anything decent to put your head into under £ 150 - Everything here without a capital you see is nothing short of madness. I must endeavour to leave this ship as soon as possible as the captain is a most unprincipled cowardly ruffian and if I can get once into the convict line, all will do well. Money is to be made here with great ease. A young man with say £ 4000 pays £ 1000 out in sheep - puts £ 2000 in the bank at 10 per cent which return him £ 200 a year, and with the other starts and provides himself for the bush; 5000 sheep return you about 800 a year - there is no doubt that there are fortunes to be made here. I only wish we were settled down somewhere for life as I am perfectly tired of roaming about and having nothing by for old age or the children. Alick Osborne's eldest daughter was married a few months ago - I have little or no news for you except that I trust I will see you before the middle of winter. I hope you have received safely the quarterly bill I sent you from Tricomallee, as it with what you have will keep you snug until my return. I have two quarterly bills now past due which I intend to cash as I will get 4 per cent for them - so for my £ 100 - I will get £ 108 - and this will pay a quarters mess money the extra £ 8. I have four handsome Latin wood picture frames and a Lattin wood ______ missing ______ in frame. I with you had them recollect and call the baby, if it really is a girl after yourself - "Dora" you may add any other name you wish. I have enjoyed my good health, but I am left ______ ______ ______ the East Indies - The winter here is truly delightful ______ night and morning are cold. the summer is very hot _______ any pension to pay my passage home. I will assuredly go. Disease of the mind is worst than disease of the body, in some cases, and _________ ______ has _____ then me for a _____ life. I am certain I would get on anywhere provided I was allowed to remain. I suppose you received the box of shells per Apollo. I have two pretty boxes for holding tea. They will be more ornaments then useful - Also several beautiful birds. I hear Lord George has grown a fine boy. I dare say I will know none of them, and poor fellows. They will not I am afraid know their Papa - and gentle little Jonny must also be wonderfully improved. I suppose my mother suffered from the last winter as I hear it was unusually severe, and you had several severe storms.
God bless you my beloved wife, give my love to my mother and kiss my dear children for their papa, my poor _____ twill be some time _______ they see him after all ____. May the Almighty God protect, bless and keep you all and believe me to be my beloved wife.
Your most affectionate Husband
Alexander LaneI am so annoyed by being compelled to remain here, that I can scarcely write to you, but you know how strong the tie is that binds me to you. that you cannot for a moment either doubt my affection, or my anxiety in abscense - If your brothers were out here with a couple of thousands each, they would come make rapid fortunes, as they are single they could go out and squat on line in the bush (on nights remain in town, and their ship and oxen could in a few years make them rich men.
Again, another letter from Alexander to Dorothea:
DE26
39Mrs Doctor Lane India Letter
Coleraine Liverpool
IrelandH.M.S. Herald - Torres Straits - Wednesday
My beloved wife 14 August 1839
I wrote you from Madras, and from Tricomalee from which latter place I sent you overland a quarterly bill of mine which I hope you have received safe. I sent the duplicate by the Apollo with proper directions should the original not arrive safe. I have the triplicate in my possession. I wrote you from Sydney, which place we left on the 29th of last July, but _____ think this will reach you before the one I wrote you from Sydney. That is if I fall in with a ship going direct home from Sincapoor, whether we are now bound in consequence of a dispute with the Chinese. We have been sent on this ______ by Sir Gordon Brenner of the Alligator. _______ and he has some dispute about who should be Senior Officer _____ the consequence has been that Brenner who is the ______ officer took the command. ______ has only an Admirals order and made a fool of himself as he most undoubtedly is, and the most consummate scoundrel besides. If me fall in with the Admiral I will _____ him and go home if I possibly can. Unless there has been some great increase of pay or time allowed by the commission, as I see they have increased the Seamans pay and made several new ratings. They must do something for the officers. I enjoy good health, thank God, but I am so unhappy in being so far from home, and not having heard nor likely to hear from you for a long period and I am so anxious about the children. I trust you take care of them and prevent _________.
September 2, 1839 - Straits of Lunda, between the Islands of Java and _____ - _______ large ship is be calmed close to us, which I hope is homeward bound and will take this. I will also write from Sincapoor through Sir Robert Arbuthnot. We were watering ship all day yesterday, and I saw a very large Rhinocerous, but could not get a shot at him. I am getting _____ and in hope to find the Admiral at Sincapoor as I will endeavor and go home, for I am uneasy about the future and providing for the children. If we could get out to some place in _______ _______ land, and should we live for a _______ years we would leave there in comparative ________ _______ my whole mind in concentrates in their welfare, for myself personally you know how little I can _____ wealth, in anxiety as far as regards its making those whom I love happy and comfortable. I have _____ if there ever be an opportunity of writing from Sincapoor you will have that letter before either of these I have written. I wrote Litton to try and get me made a Physician of the Navy and to try his utmost - and I _______ write to Sir R. Arbuthnot to see what he will do, or if he can do anything. I do not leave a stone unturned - at all events home I must get by Hook and by crook. The weather is awfully ______ and hot & also _____. I dreamed last night that I saw my mother going to a very large party at Guthries. I do not recallest seeing you there at all, or any of the children, and I thought I heard an ______ woman whom I did not know, because she hid her face, say there goes old mother Lane - the party was _______ and I thought it strange. I was too ill to go, and had decided on not going but I was there with dirty shirt and trousers - you will think me stupid in writing such nonsense to you, particularly as you know my opinions full are on such matters, however, I trust my mother will live till I get home and ________ if God pleases - I (ripped portion of the letter) thinking how fortunate I was to meet (ripped portion of the letter) wife in Sydney - She told me you were all (ripped portion of the letter) you had a daughter and were looking (ripped portion of the letter) health and all that sort of thing. Give (ripped portion of the letter) my mother; and remember me to all (ripped portion of the letter) me. Kiss my dear children for their Father's _______ and believe me to be your most affectionate Husband
Alexander Lane
I have written John twice.
Victoria - New Zealand
13th February 1840Sirs,
I hereby acknowledged to have received from you the sum of eleven pounds sixteen shillings being the amount of deposit - on two allotments of land purchased by you in the Township of Victoria - at the second public sale of allotments held in the Irish Township- the numbers being (No 5 & 15. Five and Fifteen in section B - and also a bill for forty seven pounds four shillings starting bearing interest to be paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum for two years - being the balance of the purchase money of the said allotments
The title deeds will be sent to myAlexander Lane Esq.
Surgeon R.N.
H.M. Ship Heraldmy agents in Sydney _________ - James Frew and Company who will deliver over the same to any person appointed by you to receive them - and to pay the bill with the interest due at the date of payment.
I have the ____________ to be
Sir
Your most
Humble Servant
James BurleyThe following is the inscription on Alexander Lane's Tombstone:
SacredTo the Memory of
Alexander Lane M.D.
Staff Surgeon R.N.
who departed this life May 5th 1877
aged 75 years
AlsoGeorge Lane N.B.
His Eldest Son
who fell by a poisoned arrow
Nobly doing his duty in the Indian Mutiny
in 1859
Aged 23 years
His remains lie beneath a Tablet in
Upper Assam
Also
Alexander
third Son
who died from Sea-Sickness on landing
at Nova Scotia in 1849
Aged 11 years
and
Edward Stanley Lane M.D. L.F.P.S., L.M.
Died 1st Nov 1896 inNotes: Alexander used to take a dip in the salt water all year round. They said he used to break the ice and dive in. Rose Dillon Nally said the way he used to teach my father to swim was he tossed him in the water, then dived and came up under him. She said Alexander tried to throw my father off but he clang on. After that he was no longer afraid of the water.
Alexander had a variety of swords. He had a sword with a crown, a sword with a lions head, a dress sword, and one other.
All of her records state that her name is Dorothea; however, Rose Dillon (Lane) Nally said that her full name was Louisa Dorothea. Also, the Wilson Pedigree Chart states that her name was Louisa Dorothea Stanley.
An International Genealogical Index record indicates that Louisa was born in Alderley, Cheshire, England, the daughter of John Thomas Stanley and Maria Josepha Holroyde. It indicates that her birth was about 1800. I do not know if this Louisa is the same as our ancestor. We do know that her father's name was John; however, we do not know her mother's name.
The following is the transcription of a letter written by Louisa Dorothea to her husband Alexander Lane:
My _____ dear husband,
August 5th, 1838I have just received your _____ and affectionate though short letter. I intended on writing again to night to warn you - as you said when you were at sea before you used to jump from the ship into the sea for a bath. I took thought of this when I was at Port Stewart yesterday and shuddered at the idea of you being lost - so I trust my dear husband will take care for all our sakes - I had a delightful bath yesterday and Johnny _____ said one word - George doesn't like it at all your mother _____ taking also as long as I continue but I _____ my shoulders and back very ill. I take care of my bowels for I fear I shall suffer much. I don't know why, but you are away, and I must bear all now my dear Alex - you are quite too anxious about my money matters, don't you. I shall not want, but I fear you are drawing bills and in this case you must pay for them _____. I have much peace since ____ and hope she will continue to improve - but like them all _____ and naked - Eliza and May shipped out _____ _____ this evening at my expense you may be sure they have my things _____, but it will make a bad turn out. Eliza told Kitty _____ _____, but her _____ _____, when I was in Armagh, Hollywood and his daughter Mary called with me yesterday just as I had got in from bathing, he seemed surprised you were to sail, and he said he thought papa might have thought it was only done to try him - or you won't get off again. Now my dear _____ _____ _____ best perhaps you won't be long out _____ he comes _____ _____ and you may soon return and _____ _____ not have _____ your friend and _____ _____ _____ for you when you return and we shall be comfortable and more separate certainly you are now more comfortable and live better than you did you have society which you often wanted - Men cannot always live in the society of a wife - such stupidity and _____ - they _____ except she is what I call a companion _____ _____ _____ of the word - George _____ which I write at my elbow - my pen and paper. I had to send _____ _____. I finished all and not expecting another until you would just be leaving England - so my dear _____ I but repeat my old "saying" - "you are too _____ and to kind". It may be long ere I hear from you. _____ you will take all opportunity coming to England _____ can send your next through an M.P. Lane postage _____ not _____ _____ _____ _____. There was an apology I sent it to London when Litton was in Ireland. I sent him to _____ _____ it. I suppose you will get it with this one. Your many letters have all come _____. This one is the 12th and 7/6 for postage _____ _____ besides mine to you. I was told you could get your foreign letters I marked at _____ office. Have you _____ there you could enclose them too. I could do the same. I must _____ pay all foreign letters. Margaret wrote to me to get ____ a day and they _____ come on Monday or next day, but I would not, they may show their kindness in another way - George loves his papa in his heart and says his mama must not go away - he love her too. John waited in his _____ last night for my getting ready for bed. When he came in he got my left hand between his, and fell asleep. He is a dear creature. You can write to John on _____ leaving England and _____ without papa _____ something _____ will not return if you think it right.
A. Lane Esquire - M.D.
Surgeon H.M.S. Herald
PortsmouthI'm beginning to be _____ that is _____ at night but I must keep the door locked - I keep John at night he is _____ - but sometimes troublesome if you write to _____ now he can enclose another to me _____ my dear husbank. and believe me your _____ affectionate and faithful wife.
Dora
The following is another letter written by Louisa Dorothea to her husband Alexander Lane:
COLOMRO
POST
25 FEB 25
1839Dr. Lane
H.M.Ship Herald
In the care of Jack Esq.
Surgeon
H.M.S. ApolloFor Dr. Lane
H.M.S. Herald
East Indies
TrincomaleeReceived at Trincomallee
1 March 1839My _____ husband and protector, Coleraine, Sept 11, 1838
I take up my pen much disappointed at your not receiving my last. It was returned under her Majesty's service not having post paid. This is now the 11th and still walking about but poorly. It cannot be long and as you ________ me to wish to ______ I purpose having this ready to send off in case I am better in _____ not to lose the opportunity. I thought all would have been done three weeks ago, but I kept quiet and they went off. However this day I took cold and had a serious attack for 24 hours just the same as before Johnny was born. Twas at night the shivering came on and I put clothing on and got well perspired. I ____ better in the morning but had breakfast in bed and _____ - but not able to leave the drawing room and that day I have not kept John since he sleeps with Kitty and I obliged to get a little girl on last Friday to _____ the boys and please them. I should let him out of the _____ _____. She is too young and _____ takes out the children where I wish they are both much suprised have not forgotten papa as yet. George is out growing his clothes and more like you every day, but I told _____ manage him as a flogging is of no use flattery _____ _____ so _____ always as your sister M______ came here on the thursday before you sailed and remained until monday morning with her nurse and child who ___ _______ ___. She heard your mother's house was to ______ as the priest ______ having it and wishes me to go _____ and the ______ will take the house anytime. I have _____ _____ and a few things. So if you think _____ _____ better before your return I can _____ and lodge on _____ few months _____ advantage me _____ wants the loft for his men to work _____ _____ he gets married in a month. He keeps very quiet not a word about the _____. I suppose it must be sacrificed _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ and Robt did and was obliged to take Matilda to see Margaret and instead I think that will ____ ____ ____ her Alex was in great ____ ____ ____ as they had a dinner party on the Tuesday before and made many ____ ____ her mother was there and she looked so lovely. I suppose she will be in again until after here confinement. Mrs. Hugh had a daughter on the 18 ____ ____ and a day younger than our eldest boy who is a credit to the Lanes. He is becomming most ____ and ____ at Johnny in a minute who is all good natured and so fond of me but after some time he will be able ____ ____ George. He is growing so tall and strong and goes up and down stairs, has two double teeth and getting more ____ knows your ____ ____ for after I ____ them ____ thought yours too much in the ____ and moved then ____ when the boys came in. I asked John where papa was he looked long at ____ ____ years had ____ ____ ____ looking to the other side of ____ had seen his ____ and poor darling took such a fit of ____ ____ ____ at ____ before it was sailed. I think he would had torn it had he got it away ____ ____ on it he never minded ____ ever since. Father paid me a visit about a fortnight ago twice ____ this (County or Country?) and sent at ____ ____ ____ ____ comes over soon as his (mother or brother) was with him. He could ____ but it looks ____. I told him he was very cold on the matter. I never called on the thoughts since ____ has been ____ Armagh three months. I have not heard from __ since (Edward?) was to have been up and a ____ ____ father ____ ____ opportunity. Eliza never answered my letter I wrote and ____ are off. Who will she get now. I don't intend to write ____ except I ____ ____ which I am ____. I want you ____ supplied ____ ____ ____ ____ 3-18 ea. The house ___ to talk was thought to sell well at 19-6 pound the ____ get it I have the ____ which won't spoil. Matilda got the ____ ____ 8 are paid one ____ to ____ for it she ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ mother thought it would ____ ____ I ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ the ____ would ____ ____ which I ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ McKeag when he gets ____ which he must. He is doing well (tear on this line of the letter) ____ ____ mother is ____ of the boys ____ ____ (tear on this line of the letter) sailed. She is quite well and ____ attention to me. I wish this was over and another son for my dear husband. ____ as you know I want the house. ____ and Eliza called on their way from the _____ way with Mr. & Mrs. _____. I am ____ out peoples thoughts _____ very ill or away on a visit as I kept the boys in _____ we have had fine weather for the last few days and the potatoes will be 2 ____ ton I hope on Saturday. _____ would not pay you _____ _____ could _____ _____ to say _____ afraid any change so he may wait until _____ return and I am sure he will remain here until you come back. No use in worrying. L to pay for lamp about 16 for other things. Case would give me 2-10 for ____ if I let it but as long as I have the _____ I cannot _____ Mothers thanks I may - but without her wish I would
page 4 complete
________ ______. Set a good example to your men as you are the most independent and have the least to do. Improve on the _____ and we shall be so happy on your return. Case has go the loft. There will be a man sleeping there at night which I am glad of and no annoyance. I do nothing without advice and I shall take all I can. I hope before the 20th to be well. John will be 18 months old tomorrow. Adieu my dear Alick.
Sept 14th - Still on foot so I send theis in the morning through Litton. ____ only (Franked or thanked) McKeag the 11th the day before yesterday. I trust you will take care of yourself for I happened to take up a book written by a Naval officer. He mentions Tricomallee as a place for Cholec. Such a change of temperature sudden so I hope you will be careful of damp - _____ _____ me should _____ ______.
Page 1 sideview February 25, 1839
do anything. I had a letter from __________ yesterday. _____ _________ _______He will deduct ____ shilling a week out of your pay and I have to pay 9-5-6 in December. McKeaghs is much disappointed you never wrote to him so when you have a private hand you can write. I have got all your letters your last paper was marked 12-6 because you had put more than the inscription on it, however I saw it and knew you were gone - Few changes here - two men showed on Friday last and only __________ yesterday. A _________ ________ and great _________ one pushed the other in __________ my _____________. So you see, men may traverse the sea and world and return and yet a simple thing as home may deprive them of life at home. !/2 past three __________ sliced off a beautiful piece of roast beef and cauliflower. 4 _______ ________ so tender years. Mother had ______ _______ of it two days _______ weight if it was not on her account much less to do _________ as I wish to have on _______ ______ for some time I have been much assigned with boils on my arms. A kind of ______ pox which is ______ _______ my arms were much inflamed up to the shoulders and kept constant bread and milk on ________ to them they made the boys very _______ and I hope my hand will soon be well of this as I have not got rid of it yet. I never had such a thing before and trust never will again. I had a large washing of cothes out
Page 2 sideview:
as I have not got rid of it yet. I never had such a thing before and trust never will again. I had a large washing of clothes out the other night and fortunately I sent Kitty out to hang things on the _____ when she spied two men or perhaps boys on the wall at past nine. She called _______ and they soon made off. He will live until he sees his master once more. He is let loose and plays with the children and kitty all ______ he has killed 4. We saw him kill but after eating one he was sick. I met Ch_____ the other day. He had only come from Boyle Park where he has been a week ______ 4. He won't call again I'm sure but he inquires of McKeag about you - not a word of George. Mrs Boyle has been very melancholy since her baby's birth and I had to take her down the coast for change of air. She has been much ______ by that woman he kept. When I shall get news to fill all my letters I know not. Mrs. Guthrie called yesterday ____ ____ monthly. She had been at the Port and I was not able _____ she returned to go see her. I was afraid I would have had no dinner to
Page 3 side view:
day - You must know I _____ have _____ _____ appetite the little _____ ____ _____ has _____ mother, father ____ mother mother and a prostestant with very little ______ clothes. (Kitty) I had to advance wages to put on her _____ _____ and they sent for money twice but I refused and will keep her out of any debt. She is doing very well and I have much peace. Your mother could give you all the news relative to your own as Matilda writes though now very seldom. Alex of A______ is never in town and if ______ he will lose the Dispensary if he is not more attentive. What would they do then. Everything is to pay ___ Newton yet ____ ____ I ____ his ____ could not bear my husband to be in debt. No I would want many things yet. I sleep very badly now but tomorrow my time is up and will all see after that. It _____ me when I think on it but it must be home and I trust in God my dear Husband with our dear little ones will meet again as also ______ your mother. I should know what I should do without her _______. She may finish this. So farewell my dear Alex. Your most affectionate wife. Dora.
The second letter was much more difficult to read. Dorothea wrote both directions on the letter. The underlines represent words that I could not read.
The following are letters written by George Lane to his parents:
H.M.S. Ganges
Malta Harbour
March 14th 50My dear Mother,
I received your kind letter of the 25 January and also that of my brother Jonnys. I hope that your Father, brothers and sisters are all quite well. I am quite well at present. My blue clothes are all complete except one pair of blue trousers which I lost on board. My pilot cloth pair are very good except in the front and knees and I am going to get them mended. My thin bule pair are very good except in the seat which is torn. My worst jacket "wantso to sleves but I don't know what to do with them. My day shirts I have lost 1 dozen of them. My white trousers are
all complete and in good order. I have lost all my pocket handkerchiefs are all gone the same day I bought a new cup here about one month ago for which I paid one pound. My servant costs me £ (scribble) £ 4-4-0 a year. My washing £ 7.4-0 a year on an average ______________ a month. My mess between £ 15 & 14 a year. A cap cost me one pound which at home would only cost _________ a pair of boots or shoes ___________ and uniform button from one penny to three pence. The mess have got a boatman who brings us up what ever we want and we each have to subscribe ______ a week which covers "too £ 2.12-0 a year. Besides we have to __________ __________ to newspapers _______ which come to _________£ 5 or 6 pounds a year. They wanted to get an oil cloth for the "(Cook? Coal Pit)o ________ to _________ ________ £ 1 0 0 but I would not subscribe to it we have between 60 and ____ sick "whenevero we come out here but we have discharged them all to the hospital except 3 or 4 who are not _______ bad. I hope that poor dear brother Alick is at rest with God and that he is happy. The
last I ever saw in this world was when he was asleep in his bed at "Wassenpointo. I am so sorry after him. I hope that you and Papa are quite happy. I am not happy. Nor I never will be happy till I get home. I don't at all like the Service for I very often stand a chance of getting myself _________ in a boat. Sometimes I am sent away a 10 _____- boat sometimes in a 14 _________ boat with noperson else but the boats crew and the ________. About 5 weeks ago the _________ was sent on shore to the _________ to water and in coming off the boat was _______ in a ________________ _________- was a Lieutenant and a Midshipman on the boat. Other boats crew were all drunk except one other. The Lieutinant and 9 of the crewman lost the Midshipman and the __________ 5 men got on shore on an which lot and of "Lipsao near Athens and they were found there days afterwards nearly _______
to death and past ___________ you have no idea how hard it was blowing we had to send down our "Torreso ____________ and Topmaster for 2 days. The "Galeo lasted and it was swaying all the time. I
have __________ to do at all. I have not looked at the Holy Bible more than twice since I left your house for where I take it up to read it the other boys come and anoy me tease me often. I have to put it away. I never go to school but once a day and that is for 2 hours but all I learn is Navigation and __________ and findo a great "losso "foro want of spelling & grammer & Latin etc. Thier is a new regulation come out from the Admirally that all Midshipman Naval ___________ Master's assistants and 2 Masters must pass in Navigation Engineering for Lieutenant Midshipmen 2 Masters & Masters. I don't like the ship at all and I wish you would for another ship for me. I would like very much to go out to the North American station where I would have a chance of seeing you. If you write to the Admirally I have no doubt that they would appoint me to another ship.Give my love to all my brothers and sisters. Give them all a kiss for me their dear brother George who is so far away from them. I remain my dearest Mother
your most affectionate son
George Lane R.N.
H.M.S. Ganges
Another letter was written to George's parents, Alexander Lane and Louisa Dorothea Stanley Lane, and reads as follows:H.M.S. F "Eu_alus"
Cruising off Helsingford July 3/54My dear Parents,
I suppose you have heard by this time that I have been to England in charge of a Prize which we took off Stockholm on the 16th of April. I took her to London & I was there 17 days before I could swear her in court; I rejoined my ship on the 17 June after being 2 months out of her, the happiest time I have had since I left my home. She was a small schooner of 96 tons and in Ballast. I had a very severe & bad passage across the North Sea but I arrive in London all safe having made the passage from Helsinor in 21 days. Since I have returned I am getting on a great del better than I did before I took the _______ home. _______ _______ ______ a watery grave twice going home. She was ______ leaky and the pumps were chocked with sand but I was quite happy __________. I should like very much to take another one home, and it might ______ a great way towards my promotion. The fleet are in Baro Sound & most of them have the cholora on board. They caught it when they were off _______ but as we have not been near them yet & the Admiral has taken a dislike ________ we have not caught it & I hope we never will. I never want to join the fleet as their is too much exercise. _____ _____ _____ officer _____ I don't think there is much liklihood _______ _____ much ______ as the Captain doesn't like it. The only thing we want to make us happy is our mails which we on board the Flag ship. This is the finest Frigate we have, but she has got a bad captain _________ were on a good ______ and by ourselves. We would be very happy. ______ is a ______ that we go to the Mediteranean to ______ the "Arethiesa" which has been a long time in Commission - the "Boscaiven" left as last Saturday for England to ______ out for North America as ______ ship & if you get the Admiral on the station to apply for me, nodoubt I would be able to get out and stand a good chance for promotion on passing. If I do go up the Straits - as soon as I pass in Seamanship, I will try & come home & have all my examinations as soon as possible so that I won't have anything to trouble my head about. I can't understand what _______ of a "War" they call this. The Russians are afraid to fire at us, & we at them. I fancy it will be all over this summer & we may expect to be in England about the latter part of September. There is in Baro Sound the finest fleet (English & French) that has been __________ since the world began. The Frenchmen are _____ _____ _____ & are my kind. There is a Russian fleet in Hellinsford consisting of 1 three decker ________ of battle ship and several smaller vessels. The rest of the Russian Fleet is at Cro______. ______ have as ships _________ up the _______. The winter is beginning _________ in & the weather is very changeable & it comes so sudden that it takes us all back. We are wearing blue and white trousers just according to the weather. But I hope we shall not remain here long as I don't like the cold weather. The weather here is very different from the coast, and if I had my choice again I would prefer the coast if I had the good luck to take and ______ ______ home I will never if I can help it rejoin this ship. There are plenty of smaller vessels setting out in England who are _______ ______ up for junior officers & I prefer a small vessel to any other. On the 9th of July a ______ of _______ was taken into Helmsford by Captain Sullivan of the Lightening andcame out the same evening but what meaning of it was we are all at a loss to find out, as we did not communicate with him when they passed. We have been within range of the guns at reach __________ but htey did not fire at us. We went to P______ _______ & sent our senior _________ on shore with a flag of truce to demand the 3 vessels we were inside the _______ _______. but he finding that they were _______ & __________ did not bring them out. We remained there 2 nights & days surveying the place "The Alban" in company the inhabitents were very civil, shaking hands and all that sort of thing but did not offer any resistence when we left for Baro Sound to join the Admiral & as soon as we came within signal distance we were ordered back to this place to ______ & how long we remain here it is very uncertain. July 13 - The Russians in Helsingford have had a white flag flying at the main _______& at noon they fired a salute, the meaning of which we do not know but I hope it will terminate without any shots being exchanged or even fired in anger. We have 5 Admirals up here. Sir Charles Napum, Corry & Plumridge, Chaels & Seymour. Besides Comm_____ Mas______. I think we are very well off for old officers but as for Napin, he might as well be in bed for all the good he does. Corry is the man who ought to have command & not an old woman like Napin ________nothing better he has had a ________ over the _________ two or 3 times since he has been out here. On account of the irregularity of the mails, and if he does not be careful, he will have anohter one. July 19th - We received our letters yesterday evening but there is no news from England as yet and now we have the overland-mail due. It was seen on board the "Wellington" and the Admiral has taken it all ______ him. He is gone with the remainder of the __________ _____ __________ __________. What for I don't know.
There is a port resort that he intend to attack ___________ Island the ______________. "__________" joined us yesterday & the Admiral has taken the remainder with him. I don't think we will be _____________ one month up here, as the _____________ is ___________ to a close, and the weather is very changeable. We have _______ & _______ the ship __________________ is the _______ all the Frigates outside only the "______________" takes the mails to the Admiral tomorrow and I fancy they will go overland by "_____________". I think I have given you all the news I know at present. I rec'd a letter from ___ave Brown about 3 weeks ago _______ are all well in Ireland. The last time I heard from the __________. I hpe you are all well at home. Tell Mama that I hpe to be able to see her & them all before this __________ 12 months I am going to apply for North America when we go home but I am not certain whether they will allow me to leave this ship or not. Give brothers & sisters all a kiss for their George who is far away. God bless you _____________ to meet under one roof again.From your affectionate son,
George Lane N.B.
If you direct to Johnny he will forward it to me.
GeorgeThis is another letter written by George to his parents, Alexander Lane and Louisa Dorothea Stanley Lane, and it reads as follows:
R.N. Hospital, February 1st, 1857 (?)
PlymouthI am under the care of an old friend of yours.
My Dear Parents
I wrote you the other day but I did not give you any news about my cruize up the Baltic, which I suppose you would like to know. We left _______ _______ the beginning of March/54 and arrived at ________ Sound on the 16th only 3 days on the passage. We were the first vessel there and we were joined soon after by many. The whole of the squadron under Sir H________ N________ we then started in earnest for the Baltic and we anchored every evening until we got to Kill Bay where we stopped 3 days. From there we went to _______ Bay close to Coppenhagen stopped there 12 days. ______ & as we made _____ our ______ we did not require any from the shore. We started from ______ & on the 12 April and _____ to the north on the evening of the 15th the Fleet ______ off _____ _____ and the greater part went towards _______ with S.C. Napin. We remaining behind under Admiral Corry in company with the "Neptune", "Bo______", "Hoyne", "Blenheim", "Cumberland", "Vulture", & "Dragon" - as the afternoon of the following day 16th April we were ordered to look out to _______ and about 3 p.m. we discovered a small sail away on the _____ bow and after giving 3 days ________ she ______ ________ hoisted Russian _______ our 2nd Lieutenant boarded & took possession of her and the next morning I was sent away in charge of her to take her to _______. I will now tell you my own cruize home. I had only 4 men sent with me ____ a crew besides 3 Russians they were very lazy fellows, but I made them work every evening at 8 p.m. when the watch was relieved. I always took precaution to make the man at the wheel wear a ships _____ & carry a loaded pistol in his belt and during the night they never went without besides having the musket loaded and the _____ of the _____ all ready in case of an accident. I arrived at ______ on the 20th and found there H.M.S. "__________" and a ______ to her _____ to the "__________" and one to the "_________" she took us all in tow and shaped a course for Copenhagen but when we were about 40 miles distant from it it came on to blow and the two leading _______ towing _________ carrying away I was obliged to cast off and make sail and get into Copenhagen on the 25th without the assistance of a pilot. I remained there until the morning of the 26th when the "______" took me up to Elinore and left me in the roads ready to start as soon as the wind would shift which it did next morning when I started in Company with about 100 sail of merchant vessels. I very nearly got on shore on the Island of ______ and in the afternoon it ________ on _______ with rain and by 8 p.m. it was as black as your hat, not a vessel in sight nor anything else and in the middle of the _______ one of the most dangerous places up there. I had no sleep until about 4 a.m. when I felt tired after being sitting in the cabin expecting to hear some thing _______- every minute as it was blowing nearly a gale of wind with a _________ ________ on, but I thank God we managed to get through that dreadful night without an accident. In the morning at 6:30 I was called and told we had ______ a leak, and when I went down in the hold all the land (Balled) the portside was washing about and _____ _____ of fresh water had capsized during the night and there having a fine game but soon put a stop on it. I got shovels and set the men at work and landing it as well as they could tried to _____ the water out but the sand choked the ______. Some had only one thing left to do, and that was bale it out by buckets - every watch night and day. I was ordered to ______ but had nothing but S.W. winds and I did not like to trust her on the banish coast so I made the best fit for any part of the English coast and I think I made the land about _____ after being 7 days on the passage across. I started with 21 days ______ for all hands and plenty of water, but not withstanding every precaution, I was obliged to put into Ha pool for water and provisions where 3 of my men ran away ________ I got from the _________ ___________ we called at "Elinore" and Copenhagen on our way out and I took the opportunity to visit ______ place which are well worth June 17th where I joined my ship. After being out of her two months. They were all glad to see me and I must say ______ ______ had _____ met a better ______- of ship & messmates. They have offered to lend me money when they saw I was in trouble on account of my mess _____ _____ but I never took any as I did not like to make a promise and then have to break it. My little _____ _____ the remainder of this year as we were cruizing off Helingsford & ______ from the 20th June until the 29th Sept when we went to Faro the fleet when to Kill Bay and we remained cruizing off Ha go Head, Da , and Faro until
the 28th November in company with and under the orders of Capt. Watson in the ___________ and 11 other Frigates and smaller vessels all having steam power. About the beginning of November it began to snow and get very cold. Then standing at 40+ and getting lower by degrees until it got down to 19-13 below zero on Sunday at 7 p.m. the 12th of November we ran into the "________" and struck her on the portside abreast of her main mast. We lost our ______ cut water and everything from the cats head forward. A clean sweep. We had ______ fall out. _________ across at the time we thought several times that the foremast was coming down but we managed to _______ it and by midnight we had everything snug. I was in the main ______ 3 hours and once was very nearly knocked out of the top _____ _____ sent? as they can and I expect she will be out of ______ very soon. I don't know where they intend to send her this summer. I fancy the Baltic again when I was in London I spent L 15.10 out of which I had L 6.10 paid to me as part of my expenses and since I had the remainder L 6.8 paid to me my expenses in the prize which I sent to the agent amounted to L 12.18 the whole of which I have had paid. I have plenty of white clothes but I am very hard up for blues. I am going to set my ________ at work and get them somehow. I don't require much. I wrote to Hopkins a few days ago about them, but in his answer he says he does not think to get paid at all and I might pay him out of my prize money. I will pay him some day when I have the means but I intend to make him suffer first; he has a double barrelled gun of mine which I got out of the prize & he intends to keep it until he is paid which he may do as I intended to make him take it as past payment. I value it at L 5. How did you all spend your Christmas? I hope a happy one. I spent a very pleasant one. We had a play in the evening and everything passed off _____ enough. ________ on deck but I got it again for I sent a boy after it. I was asleep in the storage at the time and I thought we were on shore when I felt the shocks. It took us all that week to ______ a ______ ______ and get the ______ secured and then the ice was an inch thick on the forecast ___ the ____ from 25th to 31st when we had all secured it _____ ______ on to snow and freeze the bows covered with ice and snow and we were all ______ when we were ordered to ______ to join the Commander _____ _____. When we were ordered to England but we had to remain 12 days to wait for the "______" to have a court of inquiry and we started on the 11th December for Old England. as 4 was not enough. The Commander of the Coast Guard very kindly put me in the way of getting what I wanted and with the assistance of one of the ______ officers I got all I required. The same evening I had only 3 hands left to take us to our post so I took an old man as a pilot; and he was of great assistance to me as he had been the master of a ______ and knew every inch of the coast, so I had very little trouble. And we arrived at ______ at 10 p.m. on the 15th May. I started next day for the West India docks and went in and had the vessel secured and _____ put ______ on the 17th May being one month since I left my ship and I did not leave London until the 1 June when I went down and joined the "Waterloo" to wait passage to my own ship. On the 8th of the same month I started in the "Holy_____" steam transport we met with another accident off the Skaw for a merchant barque ran across our bows one evening and carried our ______ bow______ away but that did not detain us. _____ ______ another one next day _____ _____ _____ _____ topmast and we arrived at Spithead on Wednesday the 21st December we ______ and started the same evening for this place. We spent our Christmas in the Sound next day came ______ Harbour and shortly after we were Hulked and the vessel went into dock when it it was found that we had lost about 30 feet of our ______ and I had not been on board since. They are getting on with her as fast I hope I have made up for my silence in not writing as I thought to have done some months ago. If the Captain will give me my certificate I will be very thankful _____ _________ ____ going on the 14th last March and _______ gave it to me on the 16th of January when my mess and wine bill were paid. I hope you are all well and in good health. I am nearly well and will be out of this place in 8 to 10 days. _____ bye for the present and give them all a kiss for their brother George who is far away. If I have 15/. or more to spare I will in all probability send you my likeness. It will probably be a small one. I have a days ______ of which _____ I will send it through John.Forever affection
LoveGeorge
will know his station. We are getting ______ ready for action. The squadron in the Black Sea are _______ about with _____ ______ ______ all ready in action and Isappau will be the same in a few days. We sail tomorrow morning and must bid you good _____ for the present and I only pray to God that I may arrive safe in England again but I shall write to you every opportunity I have got, and let you know how _______ are getting on. God bless you all and may my maker spare me so that I shall be a comfort to you in your old age. Give all a kiss for their brother George who is far away and perhaps may never see them again. Good bye. God bless you all.
Your ____________ son
George Lane
The following is a letter written to George's brother, John William Lane, informing John of the death of his brother George:
To Dr. Lane
Bellaghy
County DerryDibroghur Upper Assam
Bengal Presidency
March 14th 1859My Dear Sir:
It is my most distressing duty to have to inform you of the death on the 10th inst of your brother Mr. George Lane living under the assumed name of William Brown in the Number 4 Detachment Indian Naval Brigade.
The committee appointed to administer to his estate opened his letters & papers for the purpose of communicating with his relatives and thus I discovered his relationship to you. The poor fellow acquired his death by a wound in the left iliac region of the abdomen from an arrow poisoned with aconite in an engagement on the 27th ult with some savage Indian Tribes on the Abor Hills on this frontier. I was close to him when wounded and I at once extracted the arrow and poison and although the hemorrhaging was terrific, I succeeded in stopping it completely in about half an hour by means of compression. He was than placed in a doolie and removed from the field when the fighting was over. He got on wonderfully for the first 4 or 5 days and was conveyed down to this station safely a distance of 40 miles. On the 6th day however symptoms of irritative fever set in and on the 11th he died from traumatic phlebitis. The external iliac vein had been wounded and by the compression kept us a clot had formed. This clot had no doubt been disturbed by the convoy and down in canoes & doolies and as a general result had broken up and become disorganized and the vein being such a large trunk caused the violent fever which his strength being so weakened from great loss of blood was not able to bear up against.
It will no doubt be some consolation to his family as this terrible affliction. I know that his conduct was most excellent and exemplary during the two years he was with the Brigade and he was most distinguished for his gallantry both in this and the action at Daua having got his wound whilst charging a stockade in the foremost ranks. From the first moment he gave himself up and even at times when I would attempt to cheer him he would shake his head and say that he felt convinced that he could not live. His death was most calm and serine and I have no doubt that he had made his peace with God and looked forward with hope to a happy eternity. I have nothing more to write that would be interesting to you. You will receive due information of this effect from the official channel the Administrator Gent. If there is anything you require to be done here relative to erecting a tombstone to his memory or otherwise, I shall be most happy to give my aid and assistance in every way. As I would feel it my duty not only for his sake, but also for your fathers and you who belong to the same profession & country.
I am
My dear Sir
Your very Sincerely
Mr. Berry White
Asst. Surgeon
Bengal Army
George apparently served on naval vessels from the age of fifteen years until his tragic death at the age of 23 years. He was killed by a poisoned arrow while serving Her Majesty in the Royal Navy in Dibropher, Upper Assam, India during an Indian mutiny.The following is a short note in a Nova Scotia newspaper listing the death of George:
"At Bangalore, Madras, on the 23rd July last, Lieut. George E. Lane, Adjutant of Her Majesty's 25th Regiment".
22. Alexander LANE
Died from sea sickness upon arrival in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
The following is a note in a newspaper listing Alexander's death:
"On Sunday morning last, in Gottingen Street, ALEXANDER LANE, aged 11 years, second son of Alexander Lane, Esq., M.D., Surgeon Royal Navy, and F.R.C.S. Ireland".
Note that Alex was the third son of Alexander Lane, not the second.
The following is a letter written by Mary Ogilby Fox Lane (Minnie) to her brother Henry Stanley Lane:
Enfield House
Clun, Salop
England
Marcch 17, 1878My dear Harry,
What sort of a quandary have you got into. Many a better fellow than you has never had a help-meet. What on earth you want to marry for and bring a family into poverty for I am at a loss to know. Indeed Emma has written you truely and wisely, and it will be well for you if you take warning. May is a nice young girl and worthy of being called wife. Your best place would be to take a _____ accross and pay tribute to your dear Father's grave. You can work your passage home wihtout paying for it. Another chance may not occur a day we know not what it may bring forth. Emma writes cheerfully enough, but little she knows of the world or it's ways. I pray you are not married Harry for your writings to me seem so strange and I dread the result. Emma and I have that place as our home if such is the case and I assure you truthfully we will occupy if so. Edward is paying me for house keeping and I have promised mother to pay for Father's headstone and railing £ 15. I long to visit that dear and hallowed spot and I hope to soon and pay that debt. Twill be the last. I closed his dear eyes and mouth and laid him out for his last home. God gave me strength when I did most need it. May God protect and guide you in your loneliness. From your loving sister, Minnie.
The following is taken from a Nova Scotia newspaper:
Mahone Bay - Miss Mary Lane, daughter of the late Dr. Lane, died in the United States last week and was buried on Thursday afternoon. The disceased was a lady of great note, swimming across the English Channel several years ago. Besides one sister Mrs. Dr. Street she leaves one brother Harry and several nieces.
26. Dr. Edward Stanley LANE L.F.P.S., L.M.
Married "Sadie or Ladie" who was the widow of Captain McNest. Marriage date taken from the Pedigree Chart created by the Wilsons. The marriage place was an educated guess. They were both living in Nova Scotia.
Came to Mahone Bay in November 1889. Had the gout. Liked to play cards. Lived in some other part of Nova Scotia after marrying. L.F.P.S. & L.M., M.D. L.N. & L.F., R.C.P.S.
Her name could be "Sadie or Ladie" who was the widow of Captain McNest. Information taken from the Pedigree Chart created by the Wilsons.