COMMEMORATIVE CLOCK – ALL HALLOWS CHURCH – TOTTENHAM

 

As so often happens, quite unexpectedly I received a most interesting message from a lady living in the Netherlands. It would seem that her family are in possession of a commemorative clock that had been presented to a former Curate at All Hallows Church, Tottenham back in 1883. They bought the clock in an auction in Eindhoven over 60 years ago and over time it has been lovingly restored back to its former glory.

This clock had been presented to the Reverend Augustin Starey by his faithful parishioners at All Hallows Church in recognition of his parochial duties and pastoral care. This was no ordinary clock as it stands at some 80cm high (2 Ft 8 inch in old money) and has a most remarkable chime.

 

 

 

FAMILY HISTORY - AUGUSTIN STAREY -  1849-1888
This prompted a need to discover more information about Augustin Starey and his family along with his Tottenham connections. Our research efforts were helped by searching one of the major genealogy sites and finding a ‘Family Tree’ that included Augustin Starey. This contained a section that summarised his life story and for the purposes of expediency this has been reproduced below:

 

 

 When Augustin Starey was born on 28 August 1849 in Kentish Town, Middlesex, his father, Benjamin, was 42 and his mother, Ann, was 36. He married Helen Mary Bradbury on 15 August 1878 in Streatham, Surrey. They had four children during their marriage. He died on 23 March 1888 in Bath, Somerset, at the age of 38.

 

 

  Birth

  Augustin Starey was born on 28 August 1849 in Kentish Town, Middlesex, to Ann Humphreys Butterfield, age 36, and Benjamin Helps Starey, age 42.

  28 Aug 1849 • Kentish Town

 

  Baptism

  30 Sep 1849 • Old Church, Saint Pancras, London, England

 

  Residence

  Augustin Starey lived in St Pancras, Middlesex, in 1851.

  Relationship: Son

  1851 • St Pancras, Middlesex, England  CENSUS

 

  Residence

  Augustin Starey lived in Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire, in 1861.

  Relationship: Son

  1861 • Milton Ernest, Bedfordshire, England  CENSUS

 

  Residence

  Augustin Starey lived in London, in 1871.

  Relation to Head: Lodger

  1871 • St Gabriel, London, England  CENSUS

 

  Marriage

  Augustin Starey married Helen Mary Bradbury in Streatham, Surrey, on 15 August 1878 when he was 28 years old.

   Helen Mary Bradbury  1852–1933

  15 Aug 1878 • St Peter, Streatham, England

  Residence

  Augustin Starey lived in Pembury Road, Tottenham, Middlesex, in 1881.

  Marital Status: Married; Relationship to Head: Head

  1881 • Tottenham, Middlesex, England  CENSUS

 

  Birth of Daughter

  His daughter Catherine was born in Tottenham, Middlesex

  Catherine Starey 1881-1919

  1881 • Tottenham, Middlesex, England

 

  Birth of Daughter

  His daughter Lucy was born in Tottenham, Middlesex

  Lucy Starey 1884-1907

  1884 • Tottenham, Middlesex, England

 

  Birth of Son

  His son Augustus Helps was born in Tottenham, Middlesex

  Augustus Helps Starey 1885-1966

  April 1885 • Tottenham, Middlesex, England

 

  Birth of Daughter

  His daughter Mary Helen was born in Charing, Kent

  Mary Helen Starey 1887-1964

  April 1887 • Charing, Kent, England

 

  Death

  Augustin Starey died on 23 March 1888 in Bath, Somerset, when he was 38 years old.

  23 Mar 1888 • Bath, Somerset 


 

                                    IMAGES OF KEY DOCUMENTS – AUGUSTIN STAREY


BAPTISM - ST PANCRAS
  1849


MARRIAGE TO

HELEN MARY BRADBURY

STREATHAM - 1878



DEATH AND PROBATE RECORD

 1888

 


 

ALL HALLOWS CHURCH TOTTENHAM


ALL HALLOWS CHURCH BY John Bonney c 1890

(This dates back to the time Augustin Starey was a Curate at All Hallows Church)

Courtesy of Bruce Castle Museum

ALL HALLOWS CHURCH – sketch c 1760

Courtesy of Bruce Castle Museum

We shared our information with the current minister at All Hallows Church to obtain an overview of what responsibilities a curate would have back in the 1880’s. I thought it would be nice if I could provide the family in Holland with a better picture of the man who had been presented with this clock.

He has confirmed that Augustin Starey would have officiated at services for some weddings or burials as well as some parochial duties. He would also participate in taking communion at Sunday Services. Curates would also visit the poor and sick as well as taking Services in the Church especially if the Vicar was absent

.

JUST TWO EXAMPLES OF MARRIAGES CONDUCTED BY AUGUSTIN STAREY

The Certificates also bear his signature


It is now evident that the clock had been presented to Augustin Starey as he was now moving to a new parish at Charing in Kent. Sadly, our research has revealed that he was to die just 3 years later at the age of just 39 years. He left a young widow named Helen Mary Starey and 4 children, 3 of whom were born in Tottenham.


ALUMNI OF TRINITY COLLEGE - CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY – DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT  1888 - AUGUSTIN STAREY M.A

 

PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE CLOCK DURING RESTORATION



 

PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE CLOCK FOLLOWING ITS RESTORATION




 

It’s remarkable that this beautiful clock that represents a part of Tottenham’s history from 140 years ago, still survives and is lovingly cared for by a family in Holland.

 

 

We acknowledge the permission received from Margot and Jan Karel Verhulst to reproduce their photographs.

Article prepared and designed by Alan Swain - December 2023