My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

Bruce

• References:
  • Manor House Asylum records, Wellcome Library, Euston Road, London.
    • Case book, male and female patients, 1870-1884. Closed stores WMS 2 MS.5725. Letitia Bruce is on p.111.
    • Case notes, female patients, 1884-1893. Closed stores WMS 2 MS.6225. No entry for Letitia Bruce.

Dr. William Bruce,
born 1787 or 1791, East Indies.
Some sources thought born India, but 1851 census says born East Indies.
He was educ Edinburgh, MD.
Physician in Madras Presidency (huge area of S India).
He mar 1stly in 1820, Madras Presidency, to Lucy Jameson.
1st wife dies: Lucy died June 1821.
William had issue by 1st wife:

1. Lucy Bruce,
   Lucy Charlotte Mary Bruce,
   born 1821, Madras.
   Living with her father in 1841 census, age 20.

He is described as "late of Madras" at 2nd mar in 1830.
He mar 2ndly, 1830, to Letitia Blennerhassett [possibly born post-1809].
2nd wife dies: Letitia fl 1838 (birth of daughter). She seems to have died before 1841. She may have died 1839.
(todo) Try death of Letitia Bruce, [GRO.UK], 4th qr 1839, Islington, vol 3 p 137.

William is listed (and p.2) in 1841 census at Inver Villa, New Road (now Goldhawk Rd), Stamford Brook, Hammersmith, London. See image from 1866 map. See modern map.
William's two daughters are with him in 1841 census, but no wife Letitia. She is probably dead.
(todo) (less likely) Try death of Letitia Maria Bruce, [GRO.UK], 2nd qr 1848, St. George Southwark, London, vol 4 p 331.
Letitia definitely died pre-1851.

William lived 15 Kensington Crescent, Kensington Rd, London, in 1851-59.
He is listed in 1851 census at "15 The Crescent", Kensington. He is widower, "MD Edinburgh, not practicing". He has 2 servants. His dau Letitia is with him, but not Lucy.
He fl 1859. Can't find him in 1861 UK census.
William had issue by 2nd wife:

1. Letitia Bruce,
   born 1838, France,
   age 3 in 1841 census,
   age 13 in 1851 census.

   She must be the following person:

   Letitia Bruce,
   Letitia Margaret Bruce,
   born 1837 or 1838 [census],
   1881 census says born "Kensington",
   1891 and 1901 and 1911 census say born in France, in "St.Germain" or "St.Germains".
   She suffered from mental illness. 1911 census says from the age of 18. But [Manor House Asylum record] says from birth.
   Never married.
   Admitted in Feb 1867 to Manor House Asylum (later Chiswick Asylum), Chiswick, London. This was a large private lunatic asylum in Manor House (later demolished), Manor House Lane (also called Chiswick Lane), Chiswick new town. See extract from 1873 map. The asylum later moved to Chiswick House in 1892.
   Letitia is listed in 1881 census as a "lunatic" patient at Manor House Asylum, Chiswick.
   She is listed in 1891 census as an "imbecile" and "Ward In Lunacy" boarding with the Huntly family at 8 Matson Villas, Marshgate Road, Richmond, London.
   She is listed in 1901 census as an "imbecile", boarding with the Huntly family at 56 Sheen Road, Richmond, London.
   She is listed in 1911 census as a "lunatic", boarding with the Wood (or Hood) family at 56 Sheen Road, Richmond, London.
   (todo) See death of Letitia M. Bruce, [GRO.UK] 3rd qr 1927, age 90 (born 1837), Richmond S., vol 2A p 485.

William Bruce listed at 15 Kensington Crescent, Kensington Rd, London, in [Post Office Directory, 1856].