Will Extract
LEVY aka LAURENCE Selina Hannah aka Simha aka Esther Ann
Reference NA2309
Family Name LEVY aka LAURENCE
Forenames Selina Hannah aka Simha aka Esther Ann
Probate Date 1839 (16 Jan)
Address Usually residing at Bath Somerset but now Bury Court St. Mary Axe London
Occupation Widow
Spouse Zaccaria Levy (died 1828 age 73 Merchant of Bury Court St. Mary Axe and Stamford Hill. They were Married Bevis Marks records 10 October 1787). He was a merchant. ship owner and Lloyd’s underwriter granted Armorial Bearings in 1813. They also owned property at Regency Square Brighton.
Parents She was born 15 February 1767 Worlingworth Suffolk the 12th child of Moses Vita Haim Montefiore 1712-1789 (Will Extracts NA 343. Esther Hannah Racah 1735-1812 (Will Extracts NA 235). The family were from Livorno. Italy
Siblings Eliezer. Hannah. Lydia and others not named in her will
Children Justina 1788. Zaccaria 1789. John 1790. Joseph 1791. Benjamin 1794. Sarah 1795 (died in infancy). Jacob aka James 1796. Hannah 1798. Alexander 1800. George 1801. Louise 1803
Grandchildren Fanny. Harriet Laurence. Justina Barlee
Other Relatives Son in law Rev.Edward Barlee. her 3 daughter in laws Penelope. Caroline. Euphenia Laurence. Sister in law Anna Levi Roach. Brother in law G? Da Costa. Nephew Moses Montefiore
Bequests Late servant Taylor wife of? Cullum. Edward Hayes the younger. John Hayes. Esther Vanzetti
Executors, Administrators Her 2 sons Zaccaria and George Laurence
Witnesses Jas.Duneau 5 Fredericks Place. J W Ingate 9 Lime Street. H S Stokes notary
Notes Following the death of her husband all of their children were baptised and none remained in the Jewish custom. She was baptised Suffolk 12 March 1835. Her son Joseph was baptised 17 November 1814 St. Mary Woolworth London.When Joseph married Penelope Jackson her grandmother Penelope Laurence Jackson specified in her will 1824…”It is my earnest wish that they may change their names to my family name of Laurence and may use their best endeavours to obtain that change by authority of parliament”. Joseph agreed and changed his name by Deed Poll on 26 December 1826 – all his brothers adopted Laurence as their last name as did their mother.The Joseph Levy aka Laurence line links to Tim Laurence who married the Princess Royal in 1992.In her will provision was made by Selina for her son Alexander. He appears to have suffered from mental issues during his life and was cared for privately but later admitted to Camberwell Lunatic Asylum in 1856 and died in the institute in 1858.The family lines are well documented and include relatives who settled in Australia.Her husband Zaccaria is buried in the Novo Cemetery and a plot was reserved for his wife. However. she is buried as Mrs Selina Hannah Laurence in Stoke Newington Churchyard.
NA Cat Ref PROB 11/1905