CARVER, Samuel Robert (1839-1926) — London
Map engraver.
Born in Lambeth and baptised 17 Nov 1839 at St. Mary Lambeth, the son of Samuel Ebenezer Carver above and his wife Mary Brown (1807?-1881?). Active as an engraver from at least 1861. Married Charlotte Galton (b.1843), daughter of a saddler, with whom he had eight children, at St. Mary Marylebone 1 Nov 1862. Referred to specifically as a map engraver on the 1881 and later census returns, working from home on his own account in 1901 and 1911. By 1881, he and his wife were living apart and a divorce on the grounds of her adultery with a chemist was finalised 27 Jan 1885 (papers in NA). “Mr Samuel Robert Carver the petitioner, an engraver, married the respondent on the 1st of November, 1862, and they afterwards lived together in the Old Kent-road, there being eight children of the marriage. In 1879 Mr. and Mrs. Carver agreed to live apart, as the petitioner did not like the influence she had over the children. He continued to visit her and supply her with money. It was stated that in the early part of 1880 she Induced him to stay with her, and the following August a child was born. She said that the child was his, but he denied it. Not wishing. however, to have any public shame, he agreed to have the child registered in his name. In 1882 she went to live with the co-respondent in the Seven Sisters-road. and there he offered her marriage. She refusing, he had a suspicion that she was a married woman, and employed a private detective to make enquiries. and it was in consequence that the petitioner found out that his wife had been living with Cowin — His lordship granted a decree nisi, but without costs” (Greenwich & Deptford Observer, 27 Jun 1884). By 1891, his son Frederick Galton Carver (1872-1939) was serving an engraving apprenticeship. Carver had retired by 1921 and died at home 24 Oct 1926, from “chronic bronchitis and natural causes” (Brockley News, 29 Oct 1926). Probate on effects of £210 was granted to his daughter and housekeeper Alice Carver 25 Oct 1927.
26 Commercial Road, Camberwell — 1861
4 Queen’s Terrace, Peckham — 1867
13 Cleveland Road, Islington — 1871
16 Theberton Street, Islington — 1875-1884
48 Gayford Road, Islington — 1891-1901
66 Highbury New Park — 1911-1921
102 Plumstead Common Road, Plumstead — 1926
BNA. Census 1841-1921. NA.