Henry Charles Heffer

Henry Charles Heffer was born in Lambeth, Surrey in the June Civil Registration Quarter of 1848; the son of Henry & Hariet Heffer. His father was listed on the 1851 Census Returns as a 'Gentleman' born in Lambeth circa 1820. His mother was born according to the same source, in Southwark, London, during the same year. On Census Day 1851, the Heffer family were resident at 'Gay Villa', Beaulah Road, Thornton Heath. This being in the North of the London Borough of Croydon, but then in Surrey. Ten years later, and young Henry was being educated at the Thanet House Academy, Margate, Kent. In 1871, he was aged twenty-three and was lodging at the home of Henry and Elizabeth Croft, 'Clarville' Wimbledon. He was then listed on the Census as 'An Artist'.
It appears that Henry may have married in the June Registration Quarter of 1874 at Croydon, to one Fanny Elizabeth Gregory. I'm unable to confirm this one hundred percent, but a Fanny Elizabeth Heffer died at Lambeth R.D the following year. Thus it seems likely, as does the possibility that she died in child birth.
On 18th January, 1879 Henry certainly married Elizabeth Laura Wood, who had been born in Malta, at the Church of St Mary, Chatham, Kent. Towards the end of that year Elizabeth gave birth at Gillingham to their first child whom they named Eva Laura.
The family were also omitted from the 1881 U.K Census, and were abroad.
On Census Day 1891, the Heffers were living again in Croydon - at 19 Talbot Road, Thornton Heath / Selhurst. A property that still exists. With them now were their six young children: Eva Laura, Catherine, Blanche, Grace, Mabel and John. Henry Heffer appears to have been particularly artistically active during this period with many oils of Croydon being produced, especially of the town's Middle Street / Bell Hill / Middle Row slum district. Some of these, and other scenes in the borough, are presently held by Croydon's Museum Art Collection.
About 1899 the family appear to have resided for a while at Ponder's End. A further child, Ivy, being born there. They had moved to live in Edmonton by 1902, with Elizabeth giving birth to their daughter Ruby. In 1911 they were resident at number 61, Sebastapol Road, Edmonton - a building that appears to have been either demolished or destroyed in enemy action during World War Two. Again, Henry produced some very fine paintings of the surrounding area during this period, examples of which can be seen at Vestry House Museum.
Henry Charles Heffer died in the December Civil Registration Quarter of 1931, still resident in Edmonton. His wife died there also in 1936.

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