James Francis Helvetius Hobler

"In conversation Mr Hobler is highly intellectual and facetious, and the readiness of his repartee has long installed him par excellence the civic wit. In his family and amongst his personal friends he is greatly esteemed and beloved."  The Illustrated London News (1843)

What's in a Name?

James: English
Pronounced: JAYMZ
English form of Jacob which is derived from the Latin Jacomus.

According to Kabalarian Philosophy, a theology which implies that we are who we are because of the name imposed upon us at birth, those bestowed with the name of James are often destined to possess a natural interest in the welfare of others. Leaning towards professions in which they can better serve humanity, a James is often good natured, witty, and prone to providing good counsel. While the inclusion of such dogma in this overview in no way constitutes fact or personal preference, it could be said that these are indeed traits that marked the disposition of JFH Hobler. [Kabalarian Philosophy]

Francis: English
Pronounced: FRAN-sis
Derived from the Latin Francisciu meaning 'Frenchman'

Denoting originality, practicality and intelligence.  [ibid]

Helvetius: Roman
Pronounced: in roman times the v would have been pronounced as a u
Helvetius was a common nomen of Ancient Rome.

Denotes a patient, meticulous person who enjoys working in a detailed, systematic fashion. Habitual and opposed to change, those with the name Helvetius are said to prefer a lifestyle pattern dictated by routine. [ibid]

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Did James Hobler have an alternative name?

Yes.  James Francis Helvetius Hobler was predominately known as Francis Hobler. 

It is interesting to note that use of the nomen or second name as it is referred to today was a practice adopted by the ancient Romans. The praenomina or first name which was common to many in the same line was rarely used. The nomen on the other hand was considered the unique signature of the individual.

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When and where was JFH Hobler born?

January 1764 in Soho, London ENG

"Until the Great Fire of London in 1666, Soho was mainly composed of fields with a small number of cottages in the Wardour Street area. In the 1670's and 80's, the Soho of today was created, largely by 17th-century urban developer Gregory King to alleviate the overcrowding in the centre of London. During this period, a wave of settlers moved into the area. These were refugees fleeing from persecution in Europe, including Greek Christians fleeing Ottoman persecution and French Protestants, Huguenots (their church, St Patrick's, can be seen on Soho Square) fleeing Louis XIV's reign as well as Italians, Russians, Poles and Germans. Many were craftspeople, including furniture makers, tailors, painters and silversmiths, and went on to open shops in the area." [Source]

"During the latter half of the 18th century and the early years of the 19th century, the area was, quite simply, the centre of artistic life. Never can there have been so many skilled craftsmen, painters and sculptors working in one place at one time. The skills brought to England by the Huguenots in the late 17th century now showed themselves in hundreds of workshops - by the middle of the century almost every street had its master clockmaker, jeweller, toy maker or goldsmith. "Summer, Judith 1989, Soho; A History of London's Most Colourful Neighbourhood Bloomsbury Press" [Source]

Trivia: Living in Soho in the precise year that JFH Hobler was born was child prodigy Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who resided with his father in nearby Frith Street.

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Where and when was JFH Hobler baptised?

19 January 1764 at the First Swiss Protestant Church, London ENG

Note: His christening mug is now in the possession of descendant Liisa Hobler.

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When and where did JFH Hobler pass?

21 January 1844 (aged 78) at Pentonville, London ENG¹

At the time of JFH Hobler's death he was living at 17 Queens Row, Pentonville, Middlesex (London) ENG.

By 1859, Pentonville was de-suburbanising and George Augustus Sala's reflection on Pentonville's past provides a glimpse of what it was like at the time of JFH Hobler's residence.

"A pleasant spot once was Pentonville, haunted by cheery memories of Sir Hugh Myddleton, the New River Head, Sadlers' Wells Theatre, and the 'Angel' at Islington - which isn't (at least nowadays, and I doubt if it ever was) at Islington at all. They began to spoil Pentonville when they pulled down that outrageously comic statue of George IV at Battle Bridge. Then they built the Great Northern Railway Terminus - clincher number one; then an advertising tailor built a parody of the Crystal Palace for a shop-clincher number two (I am using a Swivellerism). The pre-ordinate clincher had been the erection of the hideously lugubrious penitentiary. However, I suppose it is all for the best. The next step will be to brick up the reservoir, and take down that mysterious tuning-fork looking erection, which no doubt has something to do with the water supply of London, and the New River Head; then they had better turn the Angel into a select vestry-room or a meeting-house for the Board of Works; and then, after that, I should advise them to demolish the 'Belvidere'. Whose connection with grumbling you shall very speedily understand. At this famous and commodious old tavern, one of the few in London that yet preserve, not only a local but a metropolitan reputation, there is held every Saturday evening - ten o'clock being about the time for the commencement of the mimic Wittenagemotte - one of those meetings for political discussion, and the 'ventilation' of political questions, whose uninterfered with occurrence, not only here, but in Fleet Street, in Bride Lane, and in Leicester Square, so much did rouse the ire of the sbirri, and mouchards, and unutterable villainy of Rue de Jerusalem spydom, in the employ of his Imperial Majesty, Napoleon III.²  [Click Here to read complete text]

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When and where was JFH Hobler buried? 

23 January 1844 at Highgate Cemetery, London ENG

Highgate cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of London on 20th May 1839 with the first burial occurring on the 26th. It is the resting place of such famous names as Marx, Rossetti and of course Hobler!

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When and where was JFH Hobler educated?

Good question!  Anyone with an answer please feel free to email.  JFH Hobler spoke multiple languages, was articulate, very well educated and wealthy to boot ... I think it is safe to assume that he either went to a prominent school and/or was privately tutored.

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Did JFH Hobler speak another language besides English?

Yes.  JFH Hobler was fluent in English, French, Spanish, German and ancient Latin.

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What trade or profession did JFH Hobler undertake?

On leaving school JFH Hobler was assigned to the counting-houses of Messers Blanche (Sugar Brokers) Mincing Lane, London. His next position was as an assistant clerk to an eminent crown lawyer. He was assistant clerk from 1788 to 1803 and clerk to the Lord Mayor of London from 1803 to 1843.

He was first appointed as an assistant clerk in 1788 by the then clerk, Mr Evans. Corporation appointment followed in 1793³.  By 1800 he had been allocated to the position of clerk under the Aliens Act⁴.

Lord Mayors seated during this period were:

A reference made by George Augustus Sala (1859), when reflecting upon recent renovations to the Justice Room, provides insight into JFH Hobler's workplace environment:

"The old police-court-sacred to the manes of Mr. Hobler - was simply a Cave of Trophonius and Den of Despair. There was no light in it - only darkness visible; and when you peered at the misty prisoner in the dock, you were always reminded of Captain Macheath in his cell, when the inhuman Mr. Lockit wouldn't allow him any more candles, and threatened to clap on extra fetters in default of an immediate supply on the captain's part of 'garnish' or jail fees."⁶      [Click Here to read complete text]

JFH Hobler retired due to ill heath in 1843 (aged 77)7

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What occupational duties JFH Hobler undertake?

JFH Hobler was Principal Clerk to the Lord Mayor of London; this position was also referred to as Chief Clerk.  Duties were to provide informed counsel in the area of law and order. It required a comprehensive understanding of criminal law and advanced knowledge of the statues and civic customs of the city of London.

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What did JFH Hobler look like?

According to an article in the Illustrated London News (Popular Portraits) 1843, JFH Hobler was unique and distinguished in appearance.

"In personal appearance, Mr. Hobler is a fine, tall, upright, powdered-headed gentleman of the old school, always neatly, though somewhat eccentrically dressed, in a closely buttoned-up black coat, drab breeches and gaiters, which seem to be essential to, and form a part of his very existence."

He was obviously fairly fit in that he walked to and from work everyday up until his retirement. In a career spanning more than 50 years he missed less than three weeks work in total.

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How would you describe JFH Hobler's disposition?

JFH Hobler was punctual, compassionate and intelligent.  He was a man who endeared himself to both the rich and poor alike. It would appear that he also possessed a sense of humour and a concise memory, as evidence by the newspaper item below:

"One illustration of Mr. Hobler's vividness of recollection is very amusing. A daring young thief having been brought up at the Mansion-house on a charge of burglary, the old gentleman eyed him through his glass, and said, "we have seen each other before now." "No, we haven't, old boy," was the impudent reply, upon which, quietly turning on his seat, Mr. Hobler said, "I think I've an invite of yours," and opening a drawer took out and read, to the great merriment of his listeners, a card printed in the hand writing of the prisoner in red ink, soliciting the four of his friends' attendance at a public-house in the Borough, to get "gloriously drunk," and which had been taken from his person on a commitment to Bridewell, many years before, as a rogue and vagabond."⁸

It is also interesting to note in the piece above that JFH Hobler was most probably short sighted - "the old gentleman eyed him through his (eye) glass".

Another excellent example of his wit was noted in Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, 20 November 1841: 

"Good heavens Sir Peter," said Hobler, confidentially, to our dearly beloved Alderman, "How could you have passed such a ridiculous sentence upon Jones, as to direct his hair to be cut off?" 

"All right, my dear Hobby," replied the sapient justice; "the fellow was found fighting in the streets, and I wanted to hinder him, at least for some time, from again.

Later that same week ....

"Well," said Hobler the other morning, "I should think you will be denied the entrée to the Palace after your decision of Saturday."  

"Why so?" inquired the knight of leather. 

"For fear you should cut off the heir to the Throne!" screamed Hobler, and vanished. 

.... Then there is this extract which was published in Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, 27 November 1841:

It is said that the Duke of Wellington declined the invitation to the Lord Mayor's civic dinner in the following laconic speech:

"Pray remember the 9th November, 1830."

"Ah!" said Sir Peter Laurie, on hearing the Duke's reply, "I remember it. They said that the people intended on that day to set fire to Guildhall, and meant to roast the Mayor and Board of Aldermen."

"On the old system, I suppose, of every man cooking his own goose," observed Hobler dryly.

Hobler appears a few times in the Complete Works of Punch (Volume One).  [Click Here to read the series]

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Who were JFH Hobler's parents and what did they do?

Charlotte Elizabeth Claudon (b.1729 ENG - d. date unknown)
The daughter of Paul Claudon born Morges SWZ and second wife Marie Anne Duvivier. Paul in turn was the son of Marie Henrion and Paul Snr. a shoemaker or 'cordonnier' from Conde-en-Barrois, Meuse in France.

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Was JFH Hobler married and, if so, to whom?

No, not officially although he did have a common law wife named Mary Furby (b.abt.1764 - d.1846 ENG)

According to his Last Will & Testament, Mary Furby was not his legal wife quote "due to circumstance". However they did cohabitate as a common law couple and by all intents and purposes were in a committed de-facto relationship.  Mary was the mother of his four children.

It is interesting to note that in the Illustrated London News (1843), James Francis Helvetius Hobler was suppose to have been married at an early age. As he was not married to Mary, and given that he was already in his late twenties when his first child was born, it is quite feasible that he may well have been married as a young man but for one reason or another had never divorced.  During the Victorian era, divorce involved two years of character trial before a decree would be issued. Even then one usually had to prove adultery by the other party in order for the judge to grant a dissolution of marriage. While such an accusation in today's socially liberal society would barely raise an eyebrow, moral values in Victorian England dictated that adultery (proven or otherwise) equated with a decline in social standing. Divorce was extremely public. Matters of a personal nature were voiced in an open court in front of pauper and aristocrat alike. When considering a divorce one's station in life was always taken into consideration as a scandal could make or break a respectable family.

If JFH Hobler had been married at any early age, a lack of a divorce would have been deemed significant circumstance not to wed the mother of his four children. If JFH Hobler was not married, then perhaps it was Mary who had previous bonds? And if neither had been previously married, then perhaps religious incompatibility came into play? 

Family folklore suggests that Mary was descendant from a Spanish Countess. As Spain was predominately Catholic and JFH Hobler was a prominent Protestant, religious boundaries may have forbade them from marriage?  Protestant and Catholic dissension was strong during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In 1606 for example, attempts were made to have Catholics banned from being baptised as Catholics, and from 1754 to 1837 English law forbade Catholics from marrying in Catholic churches.

Theories abound but unfortunately evidence does not! For the moment one can only speculate what "due to circumstance" may have meant.

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Who were the children of JFH Hobler?

Francis Hobler (b.abt.1793 ENG - d.1868 ENG)
A well respected crown attorney in London, Francis married Jane Boreham (daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Boreham of Sussex) in 1832.  So far three children have been identified, Eleanor Jane born 1833 (who married Edward Chippendale), John in 1835 (committed suicide) and Francis Helvetius in 1838.  Francis attended the exclusive Classical Academy, a boarding school housed in the grounds of Guise House in Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire. According to an article in the Bedfordshire Magazine Volume 5 (pages 342-5), the school had been in existence since about 1720. It closed in 1864 and was sold off ten years later.  The Headmaster at that time, after closing the school, stayed on in Guise House. A wall was built down the middle of the property and the playground, schoolrooms, dormitory and offices were sold to a builder, later to become Powage Press which it remains to this day.  Chain House is joined to the press by a coaching arch and was originally built for a schoolmaster of the Classical Academy⁹.

Charlotte Elizabeth Hobler (b.abt.1795 ENG - d. date unknown)
Sometimes referred to as Charlotte Ann, married Dr. William Spry on 6 September 1826. They migrated to Canada and had two children, Charlotte and William.

An Australian pioneer who supposedly introduced the first Devon cow to Australia, George spent his latter years seeking opportunities in the United States.  Married in 1822 to Ann Turner (descendant of the Turner and Fursdon families of Cadbury, Devon), George had eleven children - Mary (b.1823); Francis Helvetius (b.1825); George (b.1827); John Turner (b.1829); Emily Denton (b.1830); Elizabeth Ann (b.1832); Edward Turner (b.1834); Charles James (b.1836); Albert (b.1837); Ada Louise (b.1840); and Louis William (b.1844).  During the course of his life George experienced both the best and worst in circumstances. An opportunist, he travelled from one situation to another in the firm belief that the grass was always greener on the other side.

An excellent overview of George's life and personality has been provided by the late Ocker Creelman and (AUS) descendant Liisa Hobler. For further details please visit George Hobler's listing in the The Family Tree where notes and acknowledgments have been provided.

Mary Ann (b.abt.1810 - d.1850)
Mary Ann was ten years junior to her elder siblings and it would appear that JFH Hobler had quite a soft spot for his youngest daughter. Single at the time of his death, Mary was well provided for according to his Last Will & Testament. 

What is interesting to note is that Mary is suppose to have married Thomas Knight exactly one month after his death.  Death in Victorian culture was bound by strict social codes of etiquette. To flout such values (which were an integral part of Victorian life) would bring social disrepute for all concerned. A daughter mourning the death of her father for example, would be required to mourn for a period of one year. Six months in black crepe with nil adornment, followed by three months in black with minimal adornment, followed by a further three months in black but with elaborate coloured trim and a variety of jewels. During the mourning period, social activities were curbed and the more outlandish events discouraged. Dancing was frowned upon, while mirrors were covered to avoid encountering an apparition of the dead.

Thus begs the question, is the date of marriage correct? The date listed is 23 February 1844.¹⁰  According to the IGI Index, the first child Marianne was born in November of 1945. Perhaps the marriage date should read 1845 as opposed to 1844. This would certainly align with the required period of mourning whilst providing ample opportunity to conceive a child within wedlock. This is a matter yet to be resolved.

Descendants of Mary Ann and Thomas Knight may wish to contact fellow descendant Mary L. Patch (in the USA) for further information on this particular line.

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Sources