Reference
Z439
Title
Documents relating to the Langley family, donated by Fergus Panton.
Date free text
c.1812-1969
Production date
From: 1812 To: 1969
Scope and Content
“Surgeon Langley”. Edward Langley was born at Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, in 1763, the son of a farmer who lived to 93.His mother, Susanna, attained the age of 93 or 94 and herself came of a long-lived family, for we are told that her father and grandfather were both centenerians. Her portrait by her grandson Charles Dickinson Langley survives. Edward Langley trained at St. Thomas’ Hospital, and came to Bedford circa 1790 as assistant to Mr. Anthony Pulley, a surgeon there. Langley moved to Royston as assistant to Mr. Crispin, but soon returned to be again assistant to Mr. Pulley for a short time, and then in 1800 set up his own practice at Riseley, his children being baptised at Riseley between 1801 and 1814. He seems to have had a house in Bedford St. Peter while the children were young, perhaps to allow them to attend the Harpur Schools, and some were buried as infants in the St.Peter’s graveyard. Surgeon Langley was also Surgeon to the Militia. He moved to 38 St. John’s Street Bedford but continued to work occasionally until 1853. He died in 1859 and was buried 2 February 1859 at the Cemetery. His first wife Sarah died 8 June 1816 and was buried aged 44 at St. Peter’s; his second wife, Ann Mingay, widow, died 9 February 1849 and was buried at Bedford St. John. By his first wife Edward Langley had nine children. His views were considered eccentric, and whatever their wishes, he did not allow any of his sons to enter the professions. His first son, Charles Dickinson Langley (baptised Riseley 4 January 1801, died 13 March 1873 aged 72) , eventually became an artist and portraits of himself and his grandmother survive. George Langley was articled to a draper; John Gace Langley, the third surviving son, became a grocer at Buckden in Huntingdonshire, and married Elizabeth Mann. The Mann family were of importance to his descendants, and some of their archive has survived. Of the children of John Gace and Elizabeth Langley [nee Mann], two unmarried daughters, Mary Ann or “Polly” and Sarah continued at Buckden, where they ran a shop. They were known as the Buckden Aunts , and appear in many photographs. Mary Ann was born at Baldock, Hertfordshire, circa 1843 and died at Bedford 1926, Sarah was born at Buckden 1845, and died in circa 1929
Level of description
fonds