Our colleague, Andrew Behan, has researched the name of Howard Morley and is convinced this is our man.
Howard Morley was born on 8 November 1846, the fourth of the eight children of Samuel Morley (1809-1886) and Rebekah Maria Morley née Hope (1818-1888). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1846 in the Hackney registration district.
In the 1851 census he is shown residing in Clapton, Hackney, but the census return does not give a precise address. He was living there with his parents and six siblings: Rebekah Hope Morley (1842-1877), Augusta Morley (1843-1930), Samuel Hope Morley (1845-1929), Charles Joseph Morley (1847-1917), Arnold Morley (1849-1916) and Henry Hope Morley (1851-1891), together with a nurse and five other female domestic servants. His father's occupation was recorded as a general warehouseman.
The 1861 census, (that confirms his birth place as Clapton, Middlesex), shows him boarding at a school in Wimbledon, Surrey. On 6 October 1864 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in 1869 and Master of Arts in 1872. On 18 September 1869 he applied to be admitted into the Freedom of the City of London, by patrimony, in the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
In the 1871 census he is shown living at 22 Carlton House Terrace, Westminster, with his parents, six siblings: Rebekah, Augusta, Samuel, Charles, Henry and Mary Morley (1855-1917), together with a butler, a footman, a cook, three housemaids and a kitchen-maid. His father was listed as a Member of Parliament and a warehouseman. No entry of any occupation was given for him or his siblings.
The 1875 Post Office London Directory lists him at 18 Wood Street EC, 16 Upper Brook Street W and Hall Place, Tonbridge, Kent and their 1885 edition shows him at 34 Grosvenor Street W and Hall Place, Tonbridge. Their editions from 1900 to 1920 show him at 18 Wood Street, Cheapside, EC and 47 Grosvenor Street W.
The 1891 census shows him aged 44 years, single and a warehouseman visiting the home of Mrs Lydia Ridley and family at 'The Elms', Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex. The 1901 census shows him 10 years older, still single, a merchant warehouseman, visiting the Bedford Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton, Sussex. No census returns for either 1881 or 1911 could be traced.
On 6 March 1905 a case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, involving the theft of umbrellas from the premises of Howard Morley at 18 Wood Street, Cheapside.
Probate records show his two addresses as 18 Wood Street, London, and 47 Grosvenor Street, Middlesex and that he died, aged 73 years, on 1 February 1920 at 47 Grosvenor Street. Probate was granted on 27 April 1920 to the right honourable Samuel Hope baron Hollenden and the honourable Geoffrey Hope Morley and Charles Morley hosiery manufacturers. His effects totalled £1,539,429-12s-2d. (£70,579,530 adjusted for inflation in 2021).
He is also commemorated on the headstone of his parents' grave in Abney Park Cemetery, 215 Stoke Newington High Street, London, N16 0LH.
The painting is held by his old college, was commissioned the year after his death and is captioned with 'benefactor' which suggests to us that Morley left the college a bequest. Photo credit: Trinity College, University of Cambridge.
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