My MACEY FAMILY History

By John Macey

The JAMES RAINSFORD Episode

George Macey died in January 1837, just a few months before the birth of his second son Edward. Maria  his widow was still only 20 years of age.

It is thought that Maria went to Ireland with her brother John. 

It is family folklore that  son Sidney Macey was educated by Jesuit priests in Cork but enquiries have suggested that there were no Jesuits in Cork at that time, so it is probable that he went to school in Dublin.

Maria  was said to have married a  James Rainsford, in fact she had a child by him and from that time  to the time of her death she was recorded as being Maria Rainsford, widow.  

Maybe Rainsford had Irish connections, took on Maria and her boys after the death of George Macey, perhaps they lived in Ireland for a while, that would explain the possibility of an education in Ireland. Knowing Irelands well known interest in 'Angling', It may also explain the 'fishing tackle business connection. that continued from that time through several generations

 

Both Maria and James Rainsford were listed as being  Fishing Tackle Manufacturers, a trade followed by at least one of the sons.

                                                                             

 

 

Maria Macey née Polden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEORGE RAINSFORD

Maria  gave birth to James Rainsford's  son  George  who was born in the Liberty of Saffron Hill circa 1849. Apparently the birth was never registered.

  Liberty of Saffron Hill at that time was not regarded as a very salubrious area. It was formerly a notorious rendezvous of thieves and a nest of receiving houses, and us such it is described by Dickens in his "Oliver Twist.                                                                           

 

More about Charles Dickens

 More about Workhouses

 

The Clerkenwell Workhouse

 

At the time of the  1851 census son George Rainsford was living  with Maria and her two sons by Edward Macey still in the Liberty of Saffron Hill.

The 1861 CENSUS  shows he was living with his widowed mother at 17 North Street, Pentonville aged 11.  

George Rainsford married Emily Parker in 1869 and was living at that time  at John Street, Islington  his father James Rainsford  was listed as a Fishing Tackle Maker as was his  mother Maria.

George was also described at times as a House Decorator. 

Step brother Sidney Macey witnessed their  marriage at Islington Parish Church.

Not much more is known about George or Emily although it is known that they  had three children.

ALICE born circa 1870    WILLIAM GEORGE born 1871    SARAH LOUISA born 11 May  1877

Middlesex                            Chiswick                                        Brentford, Chiswick

 

So that is the story so far about Maria  ....

 

 

 

 

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Updated  18/12/2005