"Charles went as a medical missionary to West Africa. His activities there having been cut short by a serious attack of malaria, he was placed on board ship for England; but at the last moment the captain refused to take him without a nurse. Adjouah, the native girl who had been attending him, immediately offered her services, but Charles, for propriety's sake, ill as he was, insisted upon marrying her: so the captain performed the necessary ceremony and they proceed forthwith to England. On arrival they went to Leatherhead, to Charles' sister Mrs. Newsom, who -- though she must have been somewhat surprised -- received her brother and his black wife kindly. Adjouah, though her manners, in Early Victorian Surrey, were unconventional -- she astonished her new relations by pouring the contents of her bedroom jug over her head -- was of a lovable nature, and they soon grew very fond of her; she was sent to school for three years, while Charles, recovered from his illness, returned to the Mission Field, and shortly afterwards died there. Adjouah, her education completed, also became a missionary and returned to West Africa to work amongst her own people." This is an excerpt from the book: Edward Lear, Landscape Painter and Nonsense Poet (1812-1888), by Angus Davidson, copyright 1938, page 6.
(Charles appears to have died before July 17, 1859, when his sister, Harriott, died.)
(Charles appears to have died before July 17, 1859, when his sister, Harriott, died.)
"Charles went as a medical missionary to West Africa. His activities there having been cut short by a serious attack of malaria, he was placed on board ship for England; but at the last moment the captain refused to take him without a nurse. Adjouah, the native girl who had been attending him, immediately offered her services, but Charles, for propriety's sake, ill as he was, insisted upon marrying her: so the captain performed the necessary ceremony and they proceed forthwith to England. On arrival they went to Leatherhead, to Charles' sister Mrs. Newsom, who -- though she must have been somewhat surprised -- received her brother and his black wife kindly. Adjouah, though her manners, in Early Victorian Surrey, were unconventional -- she astonished her new relations by pouring the contents of her bedroom jug over her head -- was of a lovable nature, and they soon grew very fond of her; she was sent to school for three years, while Charles, recovered from his illness, returned to the Mission Field, and shortly afterwards died there. Adjouah, her education completed, also became a missionary and returned to West Africa to work amongst her own people." This is an excerpt from the book: Edward Lear, Landscape Painter and Nonsense Poet (1812-1888), by Angus Davidson, copyright 1938, page 6.
(Charles appears to have died before July 17, 1859, when his sister, Harriott, died.)
(Charles appears to have died before July 17, 1859, when his sister, Harriott, died.)
Gravesite Details
It is not certain in which cemetery, in Sierra Leone, he is buried. He has been recorded here in order to make this family information available. Corrections are welcome.
Family Members
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