Robert Greenham nous a transmis et a transcrit les certificats suivants :
* Certificat de décès de David Barrie, le frère de James Matthew Barrie
1867. Deaths in the District of Bothwell in the County of Lanark.
No. /16/
Name and Surname. Rank or Profession, and whether Single, Married or Widowed. /David Ogilvy Barrie – (Single)
/When and Where Died. /1867 – January Twentyninth – 2h. A.M. – Bothwell Academy C______ Bothwell/
Sex. /M/
Age. /13 yrs/
Name, Surname, & Rank or Profession of Father. Name, and Maiden Surname of Mother. /David Barrie – Linen manufacturer – Margaret Barrie – M. T.
Ogilvy/
Cause of Death, Duration of Disease, and Medical Attendant by whom certified. /Inflammation of Brain – One week – As Cert. by Bruce Goff M.D./
Signature and Qualification of Informant, and Residence, if out of the House in which the Death occurred. /William Keith – Guardian and occupant of house in which death occurred – (Present)/
When and where Registered, and Signature of Registrar. /1867 – January 30th – at Bothwell – _________ (name) Registrar/
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : This shows that David died from inflammation of the brain, and that he had suffered from this for one week before he died. It doesn’t tell us how the inflammation was caused. But we were told by Barrie (in Margaret Ogilvy) that David was killed in a skating accident on the eve of his fourteenth birthday. How can we now believe what Barrie wrote? If we assume that David did indeed bang his head on the ice in a skating accident, then either he did so while suffering from inflammation of the brain (which seems unlikely), or perhaps he had his accident about a week before he died, and that was the cause of the inflammation. Perhaps Barrie had remembered incorrectly the incident first related to him when he was a child, or perhaps he had been misinformed by his elders (which seems unlikely to me). Or maybe he decided to bend the truth for some reason such as to achieve dramatic effect.
Traduction : Ceci montre que David est mort d’une inflammation du cerveau et qu’il en a souffert pendant une semaine avant son décès. Rien n’indique comment l’inflammation a été causée. Mais Barrie déclare (dans Margaret Ogilvy) que David a été tué dans un accident de patinage la veille de son quatorzième anniversaire. Est-il possible, à présent, de croire ce qu’a écrit Barrie ? Si nous supposons que David s’est effectivement cogné la tête sur la glace lors d’un accident de patinage, alors soit il est tombé alors qu’il souffrait déjà d’une inflammation du cerveau (ce qui semble peu probable), soit l’accident s’est produit environ une semaine avant de mourir, et c’est cela qui aurait causé l’inflammation. Peut-être que Barrie s’est trompé en se remémorant l’accident ou ce qu’on lui a raconté lorsqu’il était enfant, ou peut-être a-t-il été mal informé par ses aînés (ce qui me semble peu probable). Ou peut-être a-t-il décidé d’arranger la vérité pour une raison quelconque, pour produire un effet dramatique.
* Certificat de naissance d’Arthur Davies
Registration District: Marylebone
1863 – Birth in the Sub-district of Christchurch in the County of Middlesex
No.: 362
1 When and where born: Twentieth February 1863. 18 Blandford Square.
2 Name, if any: Arthur Llewelyn.
3 Sex: Boy
4 Name and surname of father: John Llewelyn Davies
5 Name, surname and maiden surname of mother: Mary Davies formerly
Crompton
6 Occupation of father: Rector of Christchurch
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: J. Llewelyn
Davies – Father – 18 Blandford Square, Marylebone.
8 When registered: Twentyfourth March 1863.
9 Signature of Registrar: G Gaisford – Registrar
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : In my opinion, Column 2 of this certificate proves that Arthur had two forenames: Arthur Llewelyn, and that his surname was Davies, and not the double-barrelled surname ‘Llewelyn Davies’ that he used after leaving Cambridge University. This is backed up by Column 5 where Arthur’s mother’s name is recorded as Mary Davies, not Mary Llewelyn Davies. In Column 7 we see that Arthur’s father signed his name ‘J. Llewelyn Davies’ – this had been his habit for several years but does not prove that he had a double-barrelled surname.
Traduction : Selon moi, la colonne 2 de ce certificat prouve qu’Arthur avait deux prénoms : Arthur et Llewelyn, son nom de famille était Davies, et non le nom composé Llewelyn Davies dont il a usé après avoir quitté l’université de Cambridge. Cela est corroboré par la colonne 5, où le nom de la mère d’Arthur est inscrit comme Mary Davies, et non Mary Llewelyn Davies. Dans la colonne 7, on voit que le père d’Arthur a signé J. Llewelyn Davies — c’était son habitude depuis plusieurs années, mais cela ne prouve pas qu’il portait un nom de famille composé.
* Certificat de mariage de Mary Ansell et James Matthew Barrie
1894. Marriages in the Parish of Kirriemuir in the County of Forfar.
No.: 22
When, Where and How Married:
1894. on the Ninth day of July at Strathview, Southmuir, Kirriemuir, After Banns according to the Forms of the Free Church of Scotland.
Signatures of Parties – Rank or Profession, Whether Single of Widowed, and Relationship (if any):
(Signed) James Matthew Barrie M.A. – Author – (Bachelor) – – (Signed)
Mary Ansell – (Spinster)
Age: 34 – 27
Usual Residence: Strathview, Southmuir, Kirriemuir – Strathview, Kirriemuir
Name, Surname and Rank or Profession of Father – Name, and Maiden
Surname of Mother:
David Barrie, Mercantile Clerk (Retired) – Margaret Barrie, M.S. Ogilvy
– –
George Ansell, Esquire (Deceased) – Mary Ansell, M.S. Kitchen
If a regular Marriage, Signatures of Officiating Minister and Witnesses.
If irregular, Date of Completion, Decree of Declaration, or Sheriff’s
Warrant:
(Signed) David Ogilvy, Minister of Free Church, Dalziel –
(Signed) W.H. Winter, Witness – Sara M. Barrie, Witness
When and Where Registered, and Signature of Registrar:
1894, July 11th, at Kirriemuir. James S Brown, Asst. Registrar
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : Mary Ansell did not state a profession; this indicates that she had finished being an actress. Mary gave her age as 27, but we know from her birth certificate that by the time of her marriage to Barrie she was actually 33. There is no doubting that the Mary Ansell who is the subject of the birth certificate is the same person as the one who married Barrie because, in both certificates, we see that her father’s name was George Ansell, and her mother’s maiden name was Mary Kitchen. Thus Mary deceived the minister and the registrar and, probably, Barrie.
Traduction: Mary Ansell n’a pas indiqué de profession ; ceci montre qu’elle avait cessé d’être actrice. Elle a déclaré avoir 27 ans, mais nous savons grâce à son acte de naissance qu’au moment de son mariage avec Barrie, elle avait en réalité 33 ans. Il ne fait aucun doute que la dénommée Mary Ansell mentionnée dans l’acte de naissance est la même personne que celle qui a épousé Barrie, car, dans les deux documents, le nom de son père est George Ansell et le nom de jeune fille de sa mère est Mary Kitchen. Ainsi, Mary a menti au pasteur et à l’officier d’état civil — et probablement aussi Barrie.
* Certificat de mariage de Mary Ansell et Gilbert Cannan
1910. Marriage solemnized at the Register Office, in the District of
Holborn in the County of London.
No.: 5
1 When Married: Twentyeighth April 1910.
2 Name and Surname: Gilbert Cannan – Mary Barrie formerly Ansell, Spinster.
3 Age: 25 years – 41 years
4 Condition: Bachelor – The divorced wife of James Matthew Barrie
5 Rank or Profession: Author –
6 Residence at the time of Marriage:
7 New Square, Lincolns Inn – Black Lake Cottage, Farnham, Surrey
New Grove House, Hampstead
7 Father’s Name and Surname:
Henry Cannan – George Ansell, deceased
8 Rank or Profession of Father: Independent means – Independent means
Married in the Register Office by Licence before me, W.J. Darch, Deputy
Registrar
(and) Arthur W. Hill, Superintendent Registrar.
This marriage was solemnized between us: Gilbert Cannan – Mary Barrie,
in the presence of us, Elizabeth Worsley – Douglas Mackeurtan
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : On this certificate we see that Mary Barrie (nee Ansell) stated her age
as 41 when she was actually 49. Presumably she was still lying to everybody about her age, including her new husband, and by now she was 8 years older than her stated age.
Traduction : Sur ce certificat, on constate que Mary Barrie (née Ansell) a déclaré avoir 41 ans, alors qu’elle en avait en réalité 49. On peut supposer qu’elle continuait à mentir à tout le monde au sujet de son âge, y compris à son nouveau mari, et qu’elle avait désormais 8 ans de plus que l’âge qu’elle prétendait avoir.
* Certificat de mariage de Sylvia et Arthur Davies
1892. Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of
Hampstead in the County of London.
No.: 27
1 When Married: August 15th 1892.
2 Name and Surname: Arthur Llewelyn Davies – Sylvia Jocelyn Busson du
Maurier.
3 Age: 29 – 25
4 Condition: Bachelor – Spinster
5 Rank or Profession: Barrister at Law
6 Residence at the time of Marriage: 18 Craven Terrace, London W. –
New Grove House, Hampstead
7 Father’s Name and Surname: John Llewelyn Davies – George Louis
Palmella Busson du Maurier
8 Rank or Profession of Father: Vicar of Kirkby Lonsdale – Artist
Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church after banns by me, J. Llewelyn Davies, Vicar of Kirkby Lonsdale.
This marriage was solemnized between us: Arthur Llewelyn Davies – Sylvia Jocelyn Busson du Maurier, in the presence of us, Henry James – Henry Crompton – G.L.P.B. du Maurier – T.A. Lamont – H.G. Roscoe – T. Armstrong
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : In my opinion, the way the names were entered on the certificate in Columns 2 and 5 suggests that both Arthur and his father John regarded their surname as Davies, not Llewelyn Davies.
Traduction : Selon moi, la façon dont les noms ont été inscrits sur le certificat dans les colonnes 2 et 5 suggère qu’Arthur et son père John considéraient tous deux que leur nom de famille était Davies, et non Llewelyn Davies.
* Certificat de décès d’Arthur Davies
Registration District: Berkhamsted
1907. Death in the sub-district of Berkhamsted in the County of Hertford
(Tabulation)
No.: 294
1 When and where died: Nineteenth April 1907 – Egerton House,
Berkhamsted U.D.
2 Name and surname: Arthur Llewelyn Davies
3 Sex: Male
4 Age: 44 years
5 Occupation: Barrister-at-Law
6 Cause of death: Sarcoma Alveolar 10 months – Coma 7 hours.
Certified by J.B. McBride L.R.C.S.
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: Beatrix Millar –
Sister-in-law –
Felldene, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempsted.
8 When registered: Twentieth April 1907
9 Signature of registrar: Harry Holloway – Registrar
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : In the right hand margin there is a note made later by the Superintendent Registrar which is of little consequence, although of some interest to us. It certifies that a clerical error which had been made in Column 2 (where we see what looks like Llewelyn crossed through with a line) was subsequently corrected several years later, in 1924. For what it’s worth, I believe that Harry Holloway had probably been given Arthur’s full name incorrectly by the informant, that is that Beatrix Millar had supplied the name Llewelyn twice, perhaps mistakenly thinking that Llewelyn was both Arthur’s second Christian name and also the first part of his supposed compound surname. By crossing out the second of the two Llewelyns the Superintendent Registrar seems to have indicated, correctly in my opinion, that Arthur’s surname was simply Davies.
Traduction : Dans la marge de droite figure une note ajoutée plus tard, qui a peu d’importance, bien qu’elle présente un certain intérêt pour nous. Elle certifie qu’une erreur administrative commise dans la colonne 2 (où l’on voit ce qui semble être Llewelyn rayé d’un trait) a été corrigée plusieurs années plus tard, en 1924. Pour ce que cela vaut, je pense qu’Harry Holloway avait probablement reçu le nom complet d’Arthur de manière incorrecte de la part de la personne ayant fourni les informations, c’est-à-dire que Beatrix Millar avait peut-être indiqué Llewelyn deux fois, pensant à tort que Llewelyn était à la fois le deuxième prénom d’Arthur et la première partie d’un nom de famille composé. En barrant le second Llewelyn, le Superintendent Registrar semble avoir indiqué — à juste titre selon moi — que le nom de famille d’Arthur était simplement Davies.
* Certificat de décès de Sylvia Davies
Registration District: Barnstaple
1910. Death in the sub-district of Lynton in the County of Devon
No.: 455
1 When and where died: Twentysixth August 1910 – Ashton Farm,
Countisbury R.D.
2 Name and surname: Sylvia Jocelyn Llewelyn Davies
3 Sex: Female
4 Age: 43 years
5 Occupation: Widow of Arthur Llewelyn Davies a Barrister
6 Cause of death: Malignant Tumour of Posterior 18 months –
Mediastinum involving left lung, trachea and oesophagus – Wasting and
Exhaustion. Certified by A.H. Spicer M.D.
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: Crompton Llewelyn
Davies – Brother-in-law – Present at the Death – 14 Barton Street,
Westminster, London
8 When registered: Twenty-eighth August 1910
9 Signature of registrar: Henry Reed – Registrar
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : This certificate shows that Sylvia adopted Arthur’s second forename, Llewelyn, as well as his surname, Davies. Arthur’s brother, Crompton, was also using ‘Llewelyn’ which, when he was born, was not registered as part of his surname. (The births of all the brothers were all registered under the surname of Davies, and in Crompton’s case his name was indexed as ‘Crompton L. Davies’). However, it seems that it was
Arthur and Sylvia who started the family habit of regarding their surname as double-barrelled; once married it seems they never referred to themselves as simply Davies. Of the major biographers of Barrie, only Denis Mackail indexed the members of the Davies family as simply ‘Davies’, and he was the closest to the Davieses as well as to Jim and Mary Barrie.
Traduction : Ce certificat prouve que Sylvia a adopté le deuxième prénom d’Arthur, Llewelyn, ainsi que son nom de famille, Davies. Le frère d’Arthur, Crompton, utilisait lui aussi Llewelyn, bien que ce nom n’ait pas été enregistré comme faisant partie de son nom de famille à sa naissance. (Les naissances de tous les frères ont été enregistrées sous le nom de famille Davies et, dans le cas de Crompton, son nom a été indexé comme Crompton L. Davies). Cependant, il semble que Arthur et Sylvia sont ceux qui ont instauré l’habitude familiale de considérer leur nom comme composé ; une fois mariés, il semble qu’ils ne se soient plus jamais désignés simplement comme Davies. Parmi les grands biographes de Barrie, seul Denis Mackail a indexé les membres de la famille Davies sous le simple nom de Davies, et c’est lui qui était le plus proche des Davies, ainsi que de Jim et Mary Barrie.
* Certificat de décès de J. M. Barrie
Registration District: St Marylebone
1937. Death in the sub-district of St Mary in the Metropolitan Borough
of St Marylebone
No.: 311
1 When and where died: Nineteenth June 1937 – 57 Manchester Street
2 Name and surname: James Matthew Barrie
3 Sex: Male
4 Age: 77 years
5 Occupation: of Adelphi Terrace Chambers, Westminster – Baronet, O.M.
– Author and Playwright
6 Cause of death: I (a) Broncho Pneumonia – II Prostatic Hypertrophy –
Certified by I. Mackay Huey *
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: Reginald Ward
Poole K.G., V.O. – Solicitor – Causing the body to be buried – 47 Great
Cumberland Place, W.1.
8 When registered: Twentyfirst June 1937
9 Signature of registrar: W.E. Lake – Deputy Registrar
I. Mackay Huey’s name is followed by two initials which are illegible
but are probably ‘M.D.’
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : This certificate reveals that the precise address where Barrie lived his last 8 days was 57 Manchester Street, Marylebone. (Denis Mackail stated that Barrie was transferred to a ‘bedroom in Manchester Street’, while Janet Dunbar said that Barrie was in a ‘nursing home in Manchester Square’) Adelphi Terrace Chambers was the informant’s name for the building within which Barrie’s precise address was 3 Adelphi Terrace House.
Traduction : Ce certificat révèle que l’adresse précise où Barrie a passé ses huit derniers jours était le 57, Manchester Street, Marylebone. (Denis Mackail affirmait que Barrie avait été transféré dans une « chambre à Manchester Street », tandis que Janet Dunbar disait qu’il se trouvait dans une « maison de repos à Manchester Square ».) Adelphi Terrace Chambers était le nom donné par le déclarant pour désigner l’immeuble dans lequel l’adresse exacte de Barrie était 3 Adelphi Terrace House.
* Certificat de décès de Mary Ansell (mère)
Registration District: Hastings
1905. Death in the sub-district of All Saints in the County of Hastings
No.: 164
1 When and where died: Eighth January 1905 – 45 Cornwallis Gardens,
Holy Trinity. U.D.
2 Name and surname: Mary Ansell
3 Sex: Female
4 Age: 84 years
5 Occupation: Widow of George Ansell, of Independent Means
6 Cause of death: Acute Bronchitis 11 days. Exhaustion and Cardiac
Failure.
Certified by ? George L. Allford L.R.C.S.
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: Mary Barrie,
Daughter –
Present at the death. Leinster Corner, Lancaster Gate, London W.
8 When registered: Ninth January 1905
9 Signature of registrar: George Hutchings – Registrar
Commentaire de Robert Greenham : It is possible that Barrie was with his wife at the time of her mother’s death, and it is known that they attended the funeral together, travelling in their chauffeur driven car, just two days later, on 10 January. Mrs Ansell’s body was buried at the Hastings Borough Cemetery, where the grave was purchased by Mary Barrie. It is also known that the Barries stayed in Hastings for a few days: on 19 January 1905 the Hastings Advertiser reported, somewhat strangely: “Everybody will hope that in coming on a visit to Hastings the great novelist and playwright, Mr J. M. Barrie, has got what he had been looking for – rest, recreation and renewed vigour. We hope to see him here frequently on the same errand.” I found no mention in the newspaper of the death or funeral of Barrie’s other-in-law.
Traduction : Il est possible que Barrie se soit trouvé avec son épouse au moment du décès de la mère de celle-ci, et l’on sait qu’ils ont assisté ensemble aux funérailles, se rendant sur place dans leur voiture avec chauffeur, seulement deux jours plus tard, le 10 janvier. Le corps de Mme Ansell fut inhumé au cimetière municipal de Hastings, où la tombe fut achetée par Mary Barrie. On sait également que les Barrie sont restés quelques jours à Hastings : le 19 janvier 1905, le Hastings Advertiser rapportait, de manière quelque peu étrange : « Tout le monde espérera qu’en venant passer quelques jours à Hastings, le grand romancier et dramaturge, M. J. M. Barrie, a trouvé ce qu’il cherchait – du repos, de la détente et un regain de vigueur. Nous espérons le revoir souvent ici, pour les mêmes raisons. » Je n’ai trouvé aucune mention dans le journal du décès ou des funérailles de la belle-mère de Barrie.
* Certificat de décès de Mary Ansell, ex-Barrie, ex-Cannan
Certificat de décès de Mary Ansell (fourni à ma demande par la Mairie de Biarritz – mille mercis pour leur diligence.)
On remarquera que le certificat ne rétablit pas la vérité quant à l’âge de Mary et son lieu de naissance !
Mary est enterrée au cimetière de Biarritz. L’histoire est assez triste. Je la raconte ici.
* Passeport de J. M Barrie
Le passeport de Barrie (extrait de la base de données d’Andrew Birkin) qui témoigne que Barrie n’était nullement aussi petit que ses biographes l’ont cru (j’ai moi-même commis cette erreur pendant un moment) ni aussi petit que Barrie semblait se présenter. Il mesurait environ 1,61 m.
*****************
* Certificat de naissance de Margaret Henley
Registration District: Brentford
1888 – Birth in the Sub-district of Chiswick in the County of Middlesex
No.: 414
1 When and where born: Fourth September 1888. 1 Merton Place, High
Road, Chiswick, U.S.W.
2 Name, if any: Margaret Emma
3 Sex: Girl
4 Name and surname of father: William Ernest Henley
5 Name, surname and maiden name of mother: Hannah Johnson Henley
formerly Boyle
6 Occupation of father: Journalist
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: H.J. Henley,
mother. 1 Merton Place, High Road, Chiswick
8 When registered: Eighth October 1888
9 Signature of Registrar : Chas. Lawrence – Registrar.
* Certificat de décès de Margaret Henley
Registration District: Croydon
1894 – Death in the Sub-district of Croydon in the Counties of Croydon
and Surrey
No.: 237
1 When and where died: Eleventh February 1894. Ashburton Lodge,
Ashburton Road, Croydon U.S.D. (U.S.D. = Urban Sanitary District)
2 Name and surname: Margaret Emma Henley
3 Sex: Female
4 Age: 5 years /
5 Occupation: Daughter of William Ernest Henley – Man of Letters
(‘man of letters’ is a man, usually a writer, who knows a lot about
literature)
6 Cause of death: Tubercular Meningitis 23 days. Certified by P.T.
Duncan M.D.
7 Signature, description and residence of informant: M. MacBride, Aunt
Present at the death – 10 Howard Place, Edinburgh
8 When registered: Twelfth February 1894
9 Signature of registrar: Edwin Bailey – Registrar