The Origins of Augustus George Stanley

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St.Andrew's nave, Monday, 3 August, 2015

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Augustus George Stanley's, great-granddaughter, Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail, actress, dancer and trapeze artist ... (and my grandmother's 2nd cousin), "claimed descent from the Earls of Derby". As the family name of the Earls of Derby, is Stanley, this was the obvious place to look, so the initial purpose of this research was to attempt to find out if there's any truth in that claim. While I haven't [yet] discovered a link, it's clear they came from the right sort of background, so it certainly can't be discounted. However, there have been so many other 'interesting' twists and turns to this story. You may, at this point, want to grab a beverage, but I think it's well worth the read ...

George Stanley (b. 24 Aug 1813, bap. 6 Oct 1814 at All Saints, West Ham), son of William Stanley Esquire and Lucy Chatfield, married Louisa Morgan (b. ~1809 in Russia), daughter of Stephen Morgan and Elizabeth Bannister, at St Andrew’s Church, Holborn (The largest Anglican parish church designed by Christopher Wren) on 30 Jun 1832. The record states "George Stanley Esquire of the Parish of West Ham in the County of Essex Bachelor and a Minor and Louisa Morgan of this parish Spinster were married by Licence and with the consent of Lucy Stanley Widow the natural and lawful mother of the said minor, by Gilbert Beresford Rector." At 19, George needed permission from his mum. Bless. Witnesses were Thomas Beard and James Cole.

Interesting that both George and his late father, William, were styled Esquire, which back then meant, "a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight." It will take much more research yet to find out what gave them that entitlement. William Stanley, who married Lucy Chatfield (bap. 7 Aug 1788 at Deptford St Nicholas), daughter of Francis Chatfield Esquire and Margaret Ambrose, on 10 Apr 1806 at All Saints, West Ham, lived at Maryland Point, Stratford, Essex, then a prosperous rural area; address that was listed on the baptisms of all their eleven children.

Louisa's parents, Stephen Morgan and Elizabeth Bannister married on 30 Apr 1806 at St Giles in the Fields, Holborn, Middlesex. They lived at Harefield Grove, a plain [but very GRAND] early 19th-century house to the north of the village [of Harefield] "In 1830 Stephen Morgan, described as a Russian merchant, purchased the estate, and he greatly improved the house and laid out the grounds." [Source] (You've probably seen Harefield Grove on TV as it was used in filming The Professionals and The New Avengers.) Elizabeth Bannister (bap. 23 Jan 1784 at St Paul's, Covent Garden) was the daughter of actor and theatre manager, John Bannister (1760 –1836) and Elizabeth Harper (1757–1849), who were both notable actors in their era. 

George and Louisa Stanley had four children:

1. Augustus George Stanley bap. 3 Jul 1833 at St Mary Abbots, Kensington
2. William Henry Stanley bap. 1 Jan 1835 at St Mary Abbots, Kensington
3. Anne Stanley bap. 4 Feb 1836 at Saint Mary, West Kensington
4. Horace Stanley b. 2 Jan 1837, bap. 11 Feb 1837 at Saint Mary, West Kensington. Died, aged 13, in 1850 M Quarter in SOUTH STONEHAM Volume 07 Page 173 (close to Southampton, Hampshire)

All of the baptisms list the family's address then as North End (now West Kensington). On Augustus' and William's baptisms, their father is listed as Esquire; on Anne's and Horace's as Gentleman (which probably suggests that even then the terms were already being used interchangeably and flexibly.)

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Carlton Crescent, Southampton. Saturday, 22 August, 2015

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

In 1841, George Stanley (25) Ind (of independent means), Louisa Stanley (25) - the adults' ages very rounded down - were living in Carlton Crescent, Southampton, with their four children: Augustus (8), William (6), Horace (3) and Annie (4). The family had three female servants living in. 

In Election Year 1847, Augustus George Stanley was in the Eton School Lists, as were his brothers, William Henry and Horace. Within the context of the school, "election" refers to the highly competitive examination process held in late April/early May to select King's Scholars. Those who win these scholarships receive free education and board and live in a dedicated house called "College". Usually admitted at the age of 13, Augustus would have been exactly the right age for this, but they may simply have registered all three boys for paid places. Either way, they must have had the social status.

In 1851, Louisa Stanley (35) [age still massaged down] Married, Annuitant, born in Russia, was living on the Romsey Road, Millbrook, South Stoneham, Hampshire with her daughter, Annie Stanley (15) Scholar at Home, born in Kensington, London. They still had three house servants. There are no clues to the whereabouts of her husband George, who was not in the household. 

Didn't find them anywhere in 1861, but in 1871, George Stanley (45) claiming he was from Southampton, Hampshire - whose occupation is unreadable - and Louisa Stanley (45) born in Russia, were living in Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, Kensington, London. Both had lost another 10 years, because by 1871, George will have been 58 and Louisa 62 (a gap they're probably trying to hide). They had one General Servant, Adelaide Boneville (28) from France. 

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NE side of Gloucester Terrace, London W2, Sunday, 13 May, 2012

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Louisa Stanley died on 25 Apr 1880 (1880 J Quarter in KENSINGTON Volume 01A Page 32), aged 71. The Morning Advertiser of 28 Apr 1880 carried the following announcement, "STANLEY - On the 25th inst., of acute bronchitis, Louisa, the beloved wife of George Stanley, Esq., of 41 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park." On 27 May 1880, Administration of the Personal Estate of Louisa Stanley (Wife of George Stanley, Esquire) late of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex who died 25 April 1880 at 41 Gloucester Terrace was granted at the Principal Registry to the said George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace. Her estate was valued at under £600.

In 1881, George Stanley, Widower with no occupation listed; his birthplace finally true as East Stratford, but his age listed as 60 - this would equate to a birth year of 1821, which is far too late, but 'consistent' with the previously massaged ages - was still living at 41, Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, Kensington, London with three servants: a Cook, a Housemaid and a Page. 

George Stanley died, aged 72, on Sunday, 7 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter in KENSINGTON Volume 01A Page 124). The West London Observer of 20 Mar 1886 reported on A FATAL FALL. "On Friday afternoon week Dr Diplock held an inquest at the "Crown" Hotel, High Street, Kensington, touching the death of George Stanley, aged 72, no occupation, who died on Sunday night at 13 De Vere Gardens, Kensington. It appeared that the deceased had suffered from chronic bronchitis. While going upstairs he fell backwards, causing internal injuries. Dr Stewart, of Redcliffe Gardens, South Kensington, stated that he was called and attended the deceased up to his death. The fall accelerated his death, and a verdict of Accidental death was recorded."

So now to take up the story of the two older sons, who in 1850, had both joined the army: The Bombay Gazette of 10 February 1851, under General Orders issued by the Commander in Chief, Head Quarters Bombay, 8th February, 1851: For the Infantry, To Rank from 9th December 1850, the day on which they passed their public examination, amongst the listings were William Henry Stanley, appointed 27th November and immediately afterwards, Augustus George Stanley, Overland 29th November. 

Retreat Beating at Poona by Robert Mabon

But in Allen's Indian Mail of 16 August 1855, was the report of a COURT-MARTIAL of ENSIGN A. G. STANLEY. (The same report had appeared in The Bombay Gazette of 23 June 1855.) Head Quarters, Poona (now Pune) June 23, 1855. - At an European General Court-Martial, assembled at Poona on Monday, the 18th Day of June, 1855, Ensign Augustus George Stanley, of the 3rd regiment Bombay European infantry, was arraigned on the following charge: Charge -- For highly disgraceful conduct, unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, and to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in the following instances:- First Instance - In having at Bombay (now Mumbai), on or about the 26th day of January, 1855, obtained a policy of insurance from Messieurs Nicol and Company, the treasurers of the Bombay Laudable Society, on passing his word of honour to the, that he (Ensign Stanley) would pay on the same afternoon, or at farthest before eleven o'clock the next day, the sum of Rs. 166, or thereabouts (being the amount of premium and subscriptions due for the said policy), or return the policy; neither of which acts he, Ensign Stanley, performed; thereby forfeiting his word of honour. Second Instance - In having failed to reply to a letter written to him by the aforesaid Messieurs Nicol and Company on or about the 29th day of January, 1855, wherein they required him, Ensign Stanley, to explain his conduct and make a remittance, or return the policy; he, the said Ensign Stanley, neither making remittance nor returning the policy. Third Instance - In having in a letter, dated on or about the 25th day of February, 1855, being an immediate reply to a letter from the said Messieurs Nicol and Company, dated the 23rd day of February, 1855, promised a remittance in the next pay list, a promise which he, Ensign Stanley, failed to fulfil. The above being in breach of the Articles of War. Finding - The Court, from the evidence before it, finds the prisoner, Ensign A. G. Stanley, of the 3rd Bombay Eur. Infantry, Guilty of the charge in the First Instance. Guilty of the charge in the Second Instance, with the exception of "highly disgraceful", in the charge. Guilty of the charge in the Third Instance. The Court having found the prisoner guilty, as above specified, which being in breach of the Articles of War, sentences him, Ensign A. G. Stanley, of the 3rd Eur infantry, to be dismissed the service. Camp, Poona, 21 June, 1855. Approved and confirmed. (Signed) H. Somerset, Lieut-General, Commander in Chief. Head-quarters, Poona, 23 June, 1855. The name of Ensign A. G. Stanley is to be struck off the strength of the army from the date of publication of this order at Poona, which is to be reported to the Adj. General of the Army. (An Ensign being a junior rank of a commissioned officer seems entirely compatible, in both age and social status, as an Eton boy.)

The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was an infantry regiment raised by the British East India Company in 1853. They were created originally for the defence of Bombay (Mumbai) and were stationed initially in Pune.

Unsurprisingly, the next encounter is in The London Gazette of 8 Jul 1856. East India House, July 2, 1856. The Court of Directors of the East India Company hereby give notice, that they have received a Bombay Gazette, containing notice that the undermentioned Insolvents have filed their Petitions in the Court for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors there, under the provisions of the 11th Victoria, cap 21: Petitions filed praying for Relief. William Henry Stanley, formerly a Lieutenant in the 17th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry (Bombay Army), at present unemployed, European, lately without the Fort, near Cowasjee Patell's Tank, at present in the Bombay Gaol, filed 8th May. Date of Gazette containing notice, May 22, 1856. Augustus George Stanley, formerly a Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment Bombay European Infantry at present unemployed, European, lately without the Fort, near Cowasjee Patell's Tank, at present in the Bombay Gaol, filed 8th May. Date of Gazette containing notice, May 22, 1856. (Once more we have William Henry Stanley and Augustus George Stanley listed together, in the same circumstances, and it's certainly clear that this is the same Augustus George Stanley.)

So far I can find no record of a marriage, but of the following children:

1. Louisa Susan Stanley b. 21 May 1857, bap. 25 Jun 1857 Poona (now Pune), India. The record states she was baptised in the Presbyterian church, presumably Christ Church (est. 1831), the daughter of George and Eliza Stanley and lists her father as being "at present unemployed". (When Louisa Susan Stanley (16) married Francis Stephen Blazey (41) in 1874, her father was listed fully as Augustus George Stanley. Clearly, Louisa was named after her grandmother, Louisa Morgan.)
2. Morgan Stanley b. 30 Apr 1859, bap. 4 Aug 1860 at the Church of Scotland, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), son of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley. Augustus George Stanley listed as Deputy Magistrate.
3. Rosina Gelstow Stanley b. 29 Oct 1860, bap. 27 Dec 1860 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley.
4. Augustus George Stanley b. 1862. Died, aged 3, on 6 Jun 1865 from Convulsions and was buried on 7 Jun 1865 in Cawnpore (now Kanpur, famous for the 1857 Siege of Cawnpore). The burial record lists him as the son of Mr Stanley, Tehsildar (A tehsildar is a tax officer accompanied by revenue inspectors, though I shall forever equate him with Joseph Sedley, the collector of Boggley Wollah in Vanity Fair.)
5. Mary Augusta Stanley b. 17 Apr 1863, bap. 24 Dec 1863 in Mirzapur, daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Stanley, abode Orai. Again, Augustus George Stanley is listed as Deputy Magistrate.

The third child having been given the middle name Gelstow, following a custom I've seen in many families, this could have been Eliza Jemima's maiden name, however, I've found no records to confirm it. Eliza Jemima Stanley, wife of G. Stanley, Esq., Tehsildar of Orai, died on 3 Sep 1867, aged 29, and was buried, in Orai, on 4 Sep 1867. Under cause of death: "Uncontrollable vomiting from Hepatic congestion brought on by hard drinking."

Quite how does a court-martialled, disgraced, insolvent, former army officer end up employed as a tax collector and deputy magistrate? Contacts, I guess. Bloody cheek comes to mind. An Eton education will have 'helped'!

An announcement appeared in the Englishman's Overland Mail of 8 February 1868, under the Marriages: STANLEY-JOHNSTON -- at Christ Church Bankipore, Patna, on Thursday, the 23rd instant (23 Jan 1868), under Special Licence, by the Revd. A. A. Norrish, Chaplain, Augustus George Stanley, Esq., Sub-Collector and Deputy Magistrate of Jellowa District, Jhansee (Jhansi) Division, Bundlekund, to Miss Annie Maria Johnston, second eldest daughter of D.J.C. Johnston, Esq., of Chujjoo Bagh [...], Bankipore, Patna. There are no records of any children of this marriage and Annie Maria Stanley died, aged 34 years and 6 days, on 16 Apr 1874 from Disease of the Heart and was buried on 17 Apr 1874, in Bankipore, Patna, India. Conspicuously absent, there is no mention of who she was, nor of her husband on her burial record. As Louisa Susan Stanley married on 9 Apr 1874, it looks like her father had disappeared, her step-mother had been looking after her and the marriage was arranged for her future care, knowing that Annie Maria was terminally ill.

When William Henry Stanley, School Master, had married Lavinia Macklin, daughter of Terrence Macklin and Hannah Newman, in Bombay on 16 Jan 1858, he listed his father as George Stanley. William Henry Stanley, about 38 [he will have been 42], 'Formerly Lieutenant Madras Army' [Bombay Army], died on 4 Oct 1877 from Carbuncle & Boils and the burial record says he was buried, on 5 Oct 1877, in the Anarkullie (I assume they meant Anarkali) Lahore (then in India, now in Pakistan) Church of England Cemetery. 

Both the Herts and Bucks Advertisers of 17 Nov 1877, under DEATHS, reported, "October 4, at Lahore, much regretted, William Henry Stanley, Esq., second son of George Stanley, Esq., grandson of late Stephen Morgan, Esq., of Harefield Grove, near Rickmansworth", confirming their pedigree.

(William Henry and Lavinia Stanley, had two children: Emily Agnes Malcolm Stanley b. 11 Jun 1859, bap. 1 Sep 1859 in Bombay, India and Charles William Vaughan Stanley, bap. 4 Sep 1864 at Saint Luke, Finsbury, London. On that latter baptism, William Henry Stanley's occupation is listed as Railway Contractor - so this suggests how his niece, Louisa Susan Stanley, may have met Francis Robert Blazey, a train driver on the Indian railway - who was the same age as her father - and my 2nd great-granduncle.)

On 30 Jan 1879, Administration of the Personal Estate (under £3000) of William Henry Stanley late of Lahore in the East Indies Bachelor who died 4 October 1877 at Lahore was granted at the Principal Registry to George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex Esquire the Father and Next of Kin. This administration was Revoked by Registrar's Order 19 December 1881. Another Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1882. And on the same date, 30 Jan 1879, Administration of the Personal Estate (under £3000) of Augustus George Stanley late of the City of Bombay in the East Indies Batchelor who died 14 April 1878 at the Presidency of Bombay was granted at the Principle Registry to George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex Esquire the Father and Next of Kin. This was Revoked by Registrar's Order 20 Jul 1882. (Obviously, neither was a bachelor.)

However, unlike with William Henry Stanley, there's no record of the death or burial of Augustus George Stanley, which is odd. It also seems strange that, after going to all the bother of announcing the second son's death and including pedigree, that the same wasn't done for the first-born. Difficult to know this far on whether George knew his sons had married or not and whether he was trying it on. Either way, George was never entitled.

And in a further 'interesting coincidence', I'll mention Augustus George Stanley's 1st cousin - son of George Stanley's youngest sister Jane Stanley - General Sir Malcolm Henry Stanley Grover b. 19 Jul 1858. According to The Peerage, this chap died on 23 April 1912 at age 53 at Simla, India (he certainly served and married in India), which information, apparently, came from the Grover family. Except he didn't. You can see a photo of the jolly old General, resplendent with all his braid and medals, looking older than 53, on the page listing his actual death and burial, at the ripe old age of 87, on 17 Nov 1945, where he can be found resting in Putney Vale Cemetery (also known as Wandsworth Cemetery and Crematorium.) Is it also coincidental that Augustus George Stanley washes up in Wandsworth borough?

Yet on 4 Feb 1879 in The London Gazette appeared two notices:

WILLIAM HENRY STANLEY, Esq., Deceased. Pursuant to the Statute 22  and 23 Victoria, chapter 35. Notice is hereby given, that the creditors of William Henry Stanley, late of the Bombay Army, Esq., deceased (who died on the 14th day of October, 1877), are, on or before the 1st day of May next, to send particulars of their debts or claims to the undersigned, the Solicitors to George Stanley, of 41, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, in the county of Middlesex, Esq; and that the said George Stanley, as administrator, will after the said 1st of May next, proceed to distribute the estates of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he then shall have had notice.- Dated this 1st day of February, 1879. E and F BANNISTER and FACHE, 13, John Street, Bedford Row, Solicitors for the said Administrator.

AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, Esq., Deceased. Pursuant to the Statute 22 and 23 Victoria, chapter 35. Notice is hereby given, that the creditors of Augustus George Stanley, late of the Bombay Army, Esq., deceased (who died on the 12th day of April, 1878), are, on or before the 1st day of May next, to send particulars of their debts or claims to the undersigned, the Solicitors to George Stanley, of 41, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, in the county of Middlesex, Esq; and that the said George Stanley, as administrator, will after the said 1st of May next, proceed to distribute the estates of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he then shall have had notice.- Dated this 1st day of February, 1879. E and F BANNISTER and FACHE, 13, John Street, Bedford Row, Solicitors for the said Administrator.

Later, the following two new Administrations were granted: 

On 27 Jan 1882, Administration of the Personal Estate of William Henry Stanley (value £4,832 9s 6d) late of Lahore in the East Indies who died 4 October 1877 at Lahore was granted at the Principal Registry to Lavinia Stanley of Queen's Road in the City of Bristol Widow the Relict. The Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1879 having been revoked. (In 1881, Lavinia Stanley (41) Widow had been Superintendent of the "Asylum For the Blind" Queens Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire.)

On 10 Nov 1882, Administration of the Personal Estate of Augustus George Stanley (value £4,962 15s) late of the City of Bombay in the East Indies Widower who died 28 April 1878 at Aligarh in the North-West Provinces of British India was granted at the Principal Registry under the usual Limitations to Charles Sanderson of 46 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London Gentleman the lawful Attorney of Louisa Susan Blazey (Wife of Francis Robert Blazey) the Daughter and only Next of Kin now residing in the East Indies. The Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1879 having been revoked. 

The Daily Telegraph on 16 Mar 1883 published the following notice: AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, Deceased - Pursuant to Act of Parliament of the 22nd and 23rd Vic., cap 35, instituted "An Act to further amend the law of property and to relieve trustees," Notice is Hereby Given, that all creditors and other persons having any debts, claims, or demands against the ESTATE of AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, late of the city of Bombay, in the East Indies, formerly Deputy Magistrate of Talomi and Orai (who died on the 28th day of April, 1878, intestate, and letters of administration were granted by her Majesty's High Court of Justice, at the Principal Registry attached to the Probate Division thereof on the 10th Day of November, 1882, to Charles Sanderson, the lawful attorney of Louisa Susan Blazey, wife of Francis Robert Blazey, who now resides in the East Indies, the natural and lawful daughter and only next-of-kin of the said deceased), are hereby required to send in the particulars of their debts, claims, and demands to the said administrator, at the office of her solicitor, Mr Frederick Catesby Holland, No 46, Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, on or before the 1th day of April next, after the expiration of which time the said administrator will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims and demands of which the administrator shall then have had notice, and that the said administrator will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person of whose debt, claim, or demand he shall not have had such notice as aforesaid. Dated this 14th day of March, 1883. F CATESBY HOLLAND, Solicitor to the said Administrator.

Then on 14 Sep 1883, in India, Administration of the Estate of Augustus George Stanley, Deputy Magistrate, was granted to the Admin General of Bengal 'for the time being', listing Sanderson & Co Attorneys. 

So, we now have this uncertainty; three different potential dates of Augustus George Stanley's alleged demise in India of 12th, 14th or 28th of April 1878, but other than the notices to do with the Administration/Probate, there are still no death or burial records confirming his death in 1878. Where did the death information originate, I wonder? Is it possible that he had disappeared and someone attributed an unidentified death, whether in good, or bad faith, to clear up his affairs and get access to his estate? Notwithstanding, this should have been where Augustus George Stanley's story concludes.

Except ... Augustus George Stanley had married Caroline Frost on 28 Sep 1868 (1868 Quarter 3 in Amersham Volume 3A Page 549) in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. The transcript of the marriage record says that Augustus George Stanley, claiming to be 28, Shoemaker, giving his father's name as Robert Stanley, Whitesmith, married Caroline Frost (22), Spinster. Caroline's father wasn't listed. Witnesses were William Bailey and Lucy Worley. 

Born Caroline Yelding in 1846 M Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 06 Page 331, her mother, Charlotte Yelding, had married Charles Frost on 18 Jan 1846. Charles Frost apparently died on 24 Apr 1849 at The Fever Hospital, St Giles in the Fields and St George, London, England. In 1851, Caroline Frost (5) Granddaughter, her widowed mother and brother, were living in the household of Thomas Yelding (54) 'Traveller with an exhibition' from Hull, Yorkshire in Windsor Street, Beconsfield. Clearly, Caroline grew up using the Frost surname, but Charles Frost may have been a step-father.

What makes me feel this is the same Augustus George Stanley? Much of this is circumstantial / speculation, but my reasoning includes: He's claiming an age not far off the one we know, who'd have been 35 in 1868; This marriage is eight months after the one to Annie Maria Johnston, who he seems to have deserted, ample time to travel back from India; Beaconsfield is just nine miles from Harefield where his grandparents had lived; A traveller family could be a perfect place to hide if you're absconding and committing bigamy; And there are not only no other records of the birth of any other Augustus George Stanley in that timeframe, he also does not 'exist' anywhere previously on census records: nobody called Augustus George nor George Stanley existed in that area before this marriage; nobody called Augustus George nor George Stanley was born in Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, which he later claims; Nobody called Robert Stanley, who he alleges is his father, was ever recorded as a Whitesmith, nor existed in Wisbeach; Nobody called Robert Stanley ever registered or baptised a son called Augustus George nor George Stanley. The only thing here that doesn't entirely sit right, is an Eton posh boy claiming to be a Shoemaker, which you'd imagine would be hard to fake. But basically, either he was parachuted into Beaconsfield from outer space, or to quote Arthur Conan Doyle, “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

'This' Augustus George Stanley had six children with Caroline Yelding/Frost:

1. Ann Stanley b. 1869 D Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 03A Page 438, mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 2 Jan 1870 in Beaconsfield
2. Lizzie Stanley b. 1871 M Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 03A Page 458, mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 7 May 1871 in Beaconsfield (as Elizabeth Stanley, daughter of Augustus George and Caroline Stanley)
3. Charles Britain Stanley b. 1873 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 561, mother's maiden name YELDING, bap. 18 Apr 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham (as Charley Stanley, son of George (Shoemaker) and Caroline Stanley, of Clapham, the Polygon
4. Thomas Henry Stanley b. 1875 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 581, mother's maiden name YELDING, bap. 18 Apr 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham (son of George (Shoemaker) and Caroline Stanley, of Clapham, the Polygon). Died in 1875 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 356
5. Emma Maria Stanley b. 1878 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 593, mother's maiden name FROST. Emma Stanley, died, aged 1, in 1880 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH  Volume 01D  Page 351
6. Lucy Stanley b. 4 Nov 1881 (1881 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 565), mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 6 Nov 1881 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham, daughter of George and Caroline Stanley. Father's occupation Photographer, address Acre Square.

In 1871, George Stanley (30) Boot maker, from Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, was in Windsor Street, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Caroline Stanley (25), Ann Stanley (1) and Lizzie Stanley (0).

In 1881, George Stanly (sic) (54) Letter Carrier, once more claiming to be from Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire; Caroline Stanly (sic) (52) - clearly both are seriously over-stating their ages (only dare assume in error) - Annie Stanly (sic) (11), Elizabeth Stanly (sic) (10) and Charles Stanly (sic) (8) were living at 1, Little Acre Court, Clapham, Wandsworth, London. 

Augustus George Stanley, Commercial Agent, died, age listed as 39 (he'll have been 49), on 19 Apr 1882 (1882 J Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 362). The death certificate specifies that he died at The Cottage, Acre Square, from Intestinal Obstruction, Carcinoma 8 months, Pelvic Abscess, Perforation of bladder, certified by JJM Dunbar MD. (Whatever else we think of him, that's an awful way to die.) E Hannaford of 30 Clapham Park Road was present at the death. He was buried on 25 Apr 1882 in Lambeth. (Details are apparently available at Deceased Online FEES APPLY.) This is clearly the correct death for 'our' Augustus George Stanley, given the address, which agrees with that on Lucy's baptism and on the 1881 Census.

Shoemaker didn't seem right, but having since been listed as a photographer, a letter carrier and finally a commercial agent, all sound much more likely and show that he was hardly a settled character, which certainly fits in with the previous behaviour. Bit of a coincidence that died in 1882 and his daughter Louisa was then granted the Administration of his Estate, but she seemed to genuinely still be under the impression that he'd died in 1878.

(To hopefully eliminate one further complication: a newspaper report in 1886 suggested that a man called Augustus Stanley had escaped from Holloway Gaol and committed suicide. Listed in other reports as Adolphus Augustus Stanley, he had been detained, charged with stealing from St Olave's Union, Rotherhithe (i.e. the Workhouse). In 1879, it was reported in the press that Adolphus G Stanley had been appointed Porter at Rotherhithe by St Olave's Guardians; Another named the appointee as Augustus G. Stanley. The crime reports said he did not live in and, in 1881, Adolphus G Stanley (40) Widower, Lighterman Porter from Camberwell, Surrey, was lodging in the household of George Kettel (30) Plasterer at 6, Suffolk Place, Rotherhithe, St Olave Southwark, London. It's niggling that the name Augustus keeps cropping up in this regard, but this does seem to be a different person entirely.)

Caroline Stanley gave birth to another daughter, Caroline Stanley b. 27 Jan 1884 (1884 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 676), with mother's maiden name FROST. Despite the way she has been registered, as she was born in January 1884, it is impossible for Augustus George Stanley who was buried on 25 Apr 1882 to have been her biological father.

In 1891, Caroline Stanley (44) Widow, Dressmaker, born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was living at 5, Lithgow Street, Battersea, with Annie Stanley (21) Confectioner's Assistant; [Elizabeth Stanley had married in 1890]; Charles Stanley (19), Lucy Stanley (9), Caroline Stanley (7), Charlotte Pettigrew (sic) (64) [Caroline's mother had remarried to Travelling Showman, Richard Pettigrove in 1852]; and Thomas Lewis (39) Photographer, Boarder, Married, from Bethnal Green along with his son, George Lewis (11).

In 1895, in Wandsworth, London, Caroline Stanley married Thomas Lewis.

In 1901 and still living at 5, Lithgow Street, Battersea, Wandsworth, London, were Thomas Lewis (48) General Labourer; Caroline Lewis (55), Charles Stanley (28), Lucy Stanley (19), Carrie Stanley (17) and Alfred Anglan (sic) (25) Builder's Foreman from Deptford. [Alfred Angling married Caroline Stanley Jnr in the 4th Quarter of 1901, in Wandsworth.]

In 1911, living at 81 York Road, Battersea, were Thomas Lewis (58) Decorator house, from Bethnal Green and Caroline Lewis (65) born in Beaconsfield, Bucks. Wrongly, but usefully, they'd completed the section of the return that was supposed to refer to the present marriage, claiming they'd been married for 43 years - it will have been 43 years since Caroline's previous wedding to Augustus George Stanley in 1868 - and that she had 7 children born alive, of whom 2 had died.

Caroline Lewis died, aged 66, in 1912 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 442. And Thomas Lewis died, aged 60, in 1912 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 512.