Friends of Hastings Cemetery

George Charles Bovis was born in 1843 in Hastings, one of 11 children.

In 1851 aged 7, he was living at 4 Providence Row, Hastings, Sussex with parents, Joseph and Diana Bovis, and siblings. Name given as Charles. (He seems to have used this name throughout his life) In 1861, aged 18, he was living at 4 Providence Row, Hastings with father, Joseph Bovis, and two siblings. Name given as Charles.

George Charles married Elizabeth Jennette Giles, (also born in Hastings) on 8 August 1868 in Hastings. They had five children:

• Arthur Charles Belsey BOVIS 1869-1926
  Jessie Maude BOVIS 1874-1874
• Edith Jennette BOVIS 1875-1958
  Elizabeth Lucy BOVIS 1879-1945
• William Henry BOVIS 1884-

 1871 aged 27, living at 90a High Street, St. Clements, Hastings with his wife Elizabeth J 24 and son Arthur C aged 1.

 1881 aged 37, living at 15 Prospect Place, Hastings with his wife Elizabeth 34, children Arthur C 11, Elizabeth J (Edith J) aged 5 and Elizabeth L aged 2 months, also general servant Judith Russ 13.

 1891 aged 47, living at 11 Salisbury Road, Hastings St Mary Magdalene with his wife, Elizabeth aged 44, children - Edith 15, Elizabeth Lucy 11, William Henry 6 and widowed mother in law, Elizabeth R Giles 70.

Charles was a painter and a plumber and in the in the 1861 census he is shown as a painter, in the 1871 census he is listed as a plumber by 1881 he is a Plumber Master employing 10 men and 4 boys. By 1891 he is Plumber – Employer.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 22 June 1895
Baptist Church.- Ihis edifice, after being closed for six Sundays, will be re-opened to-morrow (Sunday), … The building has undergone a thorough renovation, both outside and inside, and exterior and interior now present a very improved and attractive appearance. …… The work has been carried out in most efficient manner by the contractors, Messrs. J. and C. Bovis, Prospect-place, Hastings

In 1901 Elizabeth is a widow aged 54, living at 17 Penrhyn Terrace, with her daughter Elizabeth L  then aged 21, working as a commercial clerk, her son William aged 16, her widowed mother Elizabeth Giles 80, (who was born in The Netherlands) and two other widows.

Elizabeth Lucy Bovis by 1911 was working as a Dress Maker at 13 Salisbury Road, St Leonards On Sea which was the home of the home of her widowed sister, Edith Jennette Cross, widowed grandmother, Elizabeth Phillips Giles and niece Gladys Edith Cross. Elizabeth was apparently a successful seamstress, advertising for apprentices.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 24 November 1945
Miss Elizabeth Bovis, who died at her home, 6a, Cornwallis-gardens, Hastings, on Tuesday last week, was a member an old Hastings family. She was the younger daughter the late Mr. G. C. Bovis and granddaughter of Mr. William Giles, organist of All Saints’ Church for 25 years. The funeral was at the Borough Cemetery on Saturday, the Rev. J. C. Poole (vicar of Holy Trinity) officiating.  Mrs. Cross (sister) and family desire to express their sincere thanks for the kind messages of sympathy and many floral tributes received.