These ladies were rather difficult to trace, their surname has so many variations. Their father died in December 1870 and his death was announced in the Wrexham Advertiser. IHLER-On the 26th inst., at Stansty Villa, near Wrexham, G. J. Ihler, Esq., aged 88 years.
This gives him a birth date of about 1782. The obituary of his daughter’s states that he was from Alsace, but this may not be the case. A George James Ihler was baptised at All Saints, West Ham, Essex on 17 March 1782, his parents were Francis and Emily Ihler. It is true though that the Ihler name can be trace back to Alsace for many centuries.
George James had a son with the same name; they went into partnership as wine and spirit merchants and ships dealers. Over the years they had other partners in the company. Up until 1846 they were with Stephen Davidson.
In 1851 living in West Derby is George Ihler a widower, he is 69 and a wine merchant, he states he was born in England but declines saying where, The same applies to his daughters Emily 40 and Frances 35 who are with him, they haven`t been found in 1841.
A previous resident of Stansty Villa died in 1852.” In this county. July 7, at his residence, Stansty Villa, Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wm. Jones, Esq., aged 73.”
George James Ihler was in Wrexham by 1858 as this article was published in the Wrexham Advertiser on 18 June 1859.
“In the summer of last year, the Rev W. Davies, senior curate of Wrexham, Mr Oldham, of the Provincial Rink, and Mr Ihler, of Stansty Villa, resolved to make the attempt to originate another society. Mr Oldham, who consented to act as secretary, is an amateur gardener of considerable skill and taste. It refers to the Wrexham floral and horticultural society, which appeared from some unaccountable reason to have declined in our floricultural and horticultural tastes, for the society we have alluded to withered and died “. (Edited)
Over the years George James is mentioned frequently in the newspapers over his connection to the society.
In 1861 they are at Stansty Villa , George James Ihler is a retired wine merchant b Essex, Upton. With him are Emily 55 born London, Frances 49 born London, and his grand daughter Frances Ann Ihler aged 26 who was also born in London.
The family were very generous and donated to many causes in the town, at Christmas 1860 the sisters gave two pairs of trousers and six pairs of clogs for the children of the Ragged School. These gifts to the school continued for many years.
In 1866 George attended the laying of the foundation stone of the new fever ward of the Wrexham infirmary, and over the years he donated money for new beds and equipment etc. The family also supported the Poor relief funds, schools, the restoration of St Giles, and even the Rhos relief fund in 1878. This was when reports revealed that there were seventy families, representing 320 individuals, in extreme destitution, and in absolute want, of immediate relief. Even though the mines provided work for local people wages were very low. In 1878 there were reports of people starving in the streets as poverty caused great suffering in Rhos. In the previous three years several collieries and brickyards had closed resulting in about 1,200 men being made unemployed.
George James Ihler`s death was announced in the Wrexham Advertiser on 31 December 1870.
IHLER-On the 26th inst., at Stansty Villa, near Wrexham, G. J. Ihler, Esq., aged 88 years.
He died a wealthy man, and left effects of under £10,000 ( this was a figure for tax purposes ) the will was proved by his son George James Ihler of Back Goree , Liverpool, ship store dealer.
His daughters Frances and Emily continued to live at Stansty Villas until they died in January 1891 within a few days of each other. .
IHLER-January 21st, aged 72 years, at Stansty Villa, Wrexham, Frances, younger daughter ot the late George James Ihler, late of Liverpool. IHLER- January 25th, aged 81 years, at Stansty Villa. Wrexham. Emily, elder daughter of the late George James lhler, late of Liverpool.
A report on the funeral was printed in the x Advertiser.
A DOUBLE” FUNERAL.—On Wednesday, the unusual spectacle of a double funeral was witnessed in town. On Wednesday Miss Francis Ihler, of Stansty Villa, died, aged seventy-two, and on Sunday her sister, Miss Emily Ihler, who resided with her, also expired. The two deceased ladies, who were justly esteemed for their many virtues, were the daughters of the late Mr George James Ihler, formerly of the firm of Messrs Ihler and Bell, ship chandlers, Liverpool. Mr Ihler, who was a native of Alsace, entered the employment of a London bank, then removed to Dublin, and afterwards traded in Liverpool. The funeral took place, as was have said, on Wednesday, and the presence of two hearses in the cortege made the event memorable. Mr H. J. Collens, 10, Church-street, Wrexham, was the undertaker.
The sisters were both very well off, Frances left a personal estate £5326 15s 4d and Emily £4484 14s 9d.
Shortly after the contents of their home were put up for sale.
Important Sale of valuable HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE and Effects at STANSTY VILLA, Rhosddu, Wrexham. MESSRS BEVAN & PHENNAH have received instructions from the executon of the late Misses Ihler, to SELL BY AUCTION upon the premises as above, on TUESDAY, MARCH, 17TH, l891, the whole of the superior HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Pictures, Books, China, Silver and Electro Plate, Jewellery, and effects, including the following: IN HALL.—Mahogany hat and umbrella stand, two mahogany hall chairs, small table, barometer, stone vase, hall lamp, brass stair rods, door mats, oilcloth and stair carpet. DINING ROOM.—Mahogany telescope dining room, table with three loose leaves, mahogany couch in hair cloth, eight mahogany dining-room chair in ditto, mahogany frame arm chair in ditto, wicker arm chair, mahogany bookcase, with ejeritoire and cupboards underneath, oak square card table, rocking chair, small square table, mahogany aise board (with two cuboards, collarette, drawers etc, brass mounted writing desk, paper marble inkstand, African monkey in case, French clock in glass shade, two lire screens (brass mounted), waste paper basket, fender with standard, steel fire irons, copper coal scoop, Brussels carpet, ditto hearthrug, 13 pictures, ornaments, cabinet of five trays, containing shells, and other sea curious, four oil lamps, wine decanters, gilt cornice, damask curtains, &c. DRAWING Room. -Piano in rosewood, by Collard and Collard, music stool, pedestal table, walnut couch, rose- wood chiffonier with shelf, round stool with worked top, seven small chairs in rosewood frames, with Damask one maple table, gentleman’s easy chair, folding screen, walnut cheffonier with plate glass back and door gipsy table, walnut table (two leaves, four tier whatnot, settee in green Damask, fire screen, coal vase, fender and steel fire irons, 12 pictures, three porcelain figures, pair of marble figures, old china, book case, pier glass, gilt cornice and curtains, etc. Also the whole of the Kitchen Utensils, and contents of six Bedrooms together with the Library of Valuable Books, and a large quantity of Silver and Electro Plate (including tea and coffee sets), 70 old Coins, Jewellery, two Gold Watches, two Silver ditto, Magnifying Glass, Box of Mathematical Instruments, and numerous other effects. Sale to commence at 11 o’clock a.m. Catalogues are in course of preparation, and may be had upon application to the Auctioneers four days before the Sale. Auctioneer’s ‘Offices Queen-street and Temple Row, Wrexham.
From the description it looks like the Stansty Villa was a large building, it was opposite the stone Stansty lodge which is still standing.
Also buried with the sisters is Charlotte Bowman Ihler who was the niece of the sisters, she has been born in August 1836 and baptised at St Mary , Newington Surrey. Her father was John Chrichton Ihler a clerk, her mother was Charlotte Bowman Barker. In 1864 John Chrichton filed for divorce from his wife, it was stated in the documents that she was of a violent and ungovernable temper, in front of her daughters servants she had been accusing him of seducing and committing adultery with diverse women. She had called him obscene names and repeatedly menaced him with the infliction of bodily harm and on many occasions had struck him. It was said that in 1848 she had stabbed him and attempted to murder him. In 1861 she tried to strangle him with a pair of tongs. The police were called. She had tried to set fire to the bed and assaulted him on further occasions. In 1862 Charlotte was sent to Maidstone gaol after defaulting bail to keep the peace. In September 1862 she was said to have quit the house and since lived separately from her husband. Even after all this abuse the petition for divorce was refused. John was ordered to take home and receive Charlotte as his wife and render his conjugal rights. John was to pay all the costs. (Poor man)
In 1871 when Charlotte snr was with her sister, she was still married, but an annuitant and separated from her husband. Charlotte Bowman was still with her father in Greenwich.
John Crichton Ihler died aged 62 in Greenwich in January 1873, his wife Charlotte was named as the administrator of his will. His death was announced in the Wrexham Advertiser.
IHLER—On the 15th inst., suddenly, John C. Ihler, third son of the late G. J. Ihler, Wrexham.
Charlotte died in 1894 aged 73, also in Greenwich.
Her daughter Charlotte turned up in Rhyl in 1881, she was at John St, 43 unmarried, an annuitant born Middlesex. Where she went after that is a mystery. She isn`t found again until she died aged 84 on 27 March 1920 at Queen Street, Chester.
Charlotte was buried with her Aunts Emily and Frances Ihler.
Researched by Annette Edwards. Aug 2019.
IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF EMILY AND FRANCES IHLER. WHO DIED AT STANSTY VILLA, WREXHAM. FRANCES JAN 21, 1891 AGED 79 YEARS. EMILY, JAN 25, 1891 AGED 83 YEARS. AND WERE INTERRED TOGETHER JAN 28, 1891. “THEY WERE LOVELY AND PLEASANT IN THEIR LIVES AND IN THEIR DEATH THEY WERE NOT DIVIDED”. CHARLOTTE BOWAN IHLER. DIED APRIL 22, 1920 AGED 84 YEARS.
Memorial Transcription
Grave ref: Wrexham Cemetery J-02332
