Major Edward Grantham and
Mrs Edward Grantham
(1822-1908 and 1834-1885)
8 June 1861
Volume 4, page 42, sitting number 4237.
Identified verso as ‘Major Grantham,’ this is probably Major Edward Grantham of the 98th Foot.
Born at Scawby in Lincolnshire in 1822, he entered the Army as an Ensign on 5 October 1841. He eventually reached the rank of Major on 12 March 1864.
On 20 January 1857 in the parish church at Ecclesfield ‘Edward Grantham, Esq., Captain 98th Foot’ married Margaret Newton Dixon, who was born in Ecclesfield about 1834. She was the ‘fifth daughter of William Frederick Dixon, Esq., of Page Hall’ (Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 21 January 1857).
He appears on the 1871 census as a ‘Major late 98th Foot’ living with his wife Margaret at Spring Dale House in Conisbrough, Yorkshire. Also present on the night of the census were their children Catherine (aged 13), Margaret (aged 6), Alice (aged 3) and William (aged 1). Margaret and Alice were both born in India. Mrs Grantham had four domestic servants to help run her household.
Margaret Newton Grantham died, aged 51, on 24 May 1885 at 5 Lansdowne Crescent, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Her effects were valued at £5338.
In 1901 Major Grantham was living with his married daughter Margaret and her husband the Reverend Emlyn Jones at St Michael’s Vicarage in Great Torrington, Devon.
Major Grantham died, aged 85, on 1 June 1908 at Whaddon House, Bruton, Somerset. He was buried at Bruton on 3 June 1908. His effects were valued at £8121.
His obituary and a lengthy description of his funeral appeared in the Western Gazette (5 June 1908): ‘Born on the 13th September, 1822, at Sturton, in Lincolnshire [he always said ‘Scawby’ on the census] Major Grantham was the second son of Mr Henry Grantham, of that place. He was educated at Brussels and after leaving there obtained a commission in the 98th Foot, North Staffordshire Regiment, in 1842. During his military career he saw active service in the first China war, and received the medal. He married on January 20th, 1857, Margaret Newton Dixon, daughter of the late Mr W. F. Dixon, of Page Hall, Ecclesfield, whose twin sister married Hicks Pasha. Deceased was a good sportsman and took a lively interest in the annual sports at the King’s School. He leaves a son and four daughters to mourn his death, and with them great sympathy is expressed in their overwhelming sorrow. Major Grantham was 85 years of age.’