GEORGIANA ROGERS: WHO WAS SHE?

Though the site I present to you outlines the correct biological ancestry and history of Georgiana Rogers, it is likely not the one Georgiana would approve of.  For Georgiana, her father was and is Milford Rogers…he raised her and was there in the role of “father.”  Consequently, if Georgiana were alive today, she might not approve of this biography.  However, it is an interesting story and is accurate history.  This is a story that Georgiana almost certainly knew little to nothing about.  While Milford Rogers passed Georgiana his virtues, morals, ethics, and principles, he did not contribute to her his genes.

Georgiana Rogers circa 1920

For me, this story started with a trip to Cameron, Louisiana in the early 1990s.  On an overcast day, as I remember, my grandmother Bertha Mudd-Drost took me to visit Ed Kelley.  Ed Kelley was not only her childhood friend, he was a cousin of her husband Jack Donald Drost.  Ed and Jack were both grandsons of Georgiana Rogers.  What Ed Kelley told me was that Georgiana Rogers was actually an illegitimate child!  In other words, Milford Rogers was not her biological father.  I asked him many times and he told me that for sure…Milford Rogers was not her birth father.  Disappointment sank in.  I was anxious to put together my biological pedigree, what made me the person that I am through DNA, and this would be a serious hindrance.

But I eventually, mainly because of necessity, came to terms with the Milford Rogers dilemma and planted him squarely on my pedigree chart.  Georgiana would be happy and of course I was happy too since I had no blank gaps on that section of the pedigree!  This all changed when I found and ordered the Civil War pension file for Milford Rogers from Washington DC.  The file was think and very informative.  The most interesting information was the Louisa Jones Rogers (wife of Milford Rogers and mother of Georgiana Rogers) affidavits required for her to receive a widow’s pension for his service in the Civil War. Surprise! Louisa stated that she had been previously married to a man named “Harry Nias.”

It seems from Louisa’s affidavit that she and this Harry Nias were married before 1867.  Louisa reported that on April 1867, this Harry Nias, a sailor, had left home and was working on a boat in the Gulf of Mexico.  According to a Mr. John Holmes (another sailor), Nias left the port of Corpus Christi, Texas in June 1867 on a small boat which capsized.  Harry Nias and two others reportedly drowned in the Gulf between Corpus Christi and Galveston. 

Louisa also provided, within her widow’s pension application, her marriage certificate to Milford Rogers.  Part of the early issue with the Rogers research was that Louisa and Milford were married prior to 1874 - when the Cameron Parish, Louisiana courthouse burned!  So previously, I had just figured Louisa and Milford were married in the early or mid-1860s in Cameron Parish and the record was lost.  It turns out that they were actually married in Galveston, Texas on 19 May 1870, according to that marriage certificate!  Four years after Georgiana "Rogers" was born.  

So, was Harry Nias, husband of Louisa Jones during 1867, the father of Georgiana?  And who was he? Where did he come from?  Louisa stated in her pension application that all her children were issue of Milford Rogers.  That was not true since the dates don’t jive…

Georgiana (last name unknown) was born 19 January 1866 Cameron Parish, Louisiana

Louisa Jones-Nias (mother of Georgiana) became a widow June 1867

Louisa Jones-Nias (mother of Georgiana, widow of Harry Nias) and Milford Rogers married 19 May 1870 Galveston, Texas

When I put this together, I felt sure that I had, amazingly, found the father of Georgiana.  My next step was obvious, search for evidence of Harry Nias prior to 1867.  After years searching, nothing.  Unfortunately, I was not even sure if I had the correct spelling - NIAS - since it was hard to read the hand written affidavit.  But finally, about ten years after my initial Nias identification, I found him.  And even better, I became 100 percent sure that Harry Nias was the father of Georgiana, based on what I found.  And…I also determined that Harry Nias did not die in 1867.  Read on and learn the amazing story.  It is a story that would make a dramatic tale in the form of a novel or movie!

Most of the plot begins in the Plymouth District at Devonshire, England

GEORGIANA DUINS: BIRTH 1808 THROUGH 1836

Georgiana Duins was born 30 August 1808 at Plymouth Dock, Stoke Damerel Parish, Plymouth District, Devonshire, England.  She was the first born child of Thomas Parlby Duins and his wife Mary Withecombe, both of the parish of Stoke Damarel in southwest Devonshire.  They had been married just two years earlier on 7 June 1806 at Stoke Damerel.  Thomas was trained in medicine and was a surgeon.  He provided surgical services for the Royal Navy (Familae Minorum Gentium, vol 1).  The link between the Duins family and the Royal Navy was probably forged a generation earlier by Georgiana’s grandfather Robert Duins, gentleman.  Grandfather Duins was a first clerk to the master shipwright at His Majesty’s Dock Yard in Plymouth Dock before Georgiana was born.  When she was an infant, her grandfather Robert Duins was living in London, where he would eventually die in about 1815.  Thomas Parlby Duins’ brother, Uncle Robert Duins, attended Lincoln College at Oxford in 1799.  Thomas also had a brother George Parlby Duins who served in the Royal Navy and would eventually reach the position of lieutenant.  

By 1700, the Royal Navy set up a dock yard in the Plymouth District of Devonshire.  The town that grew up around the dock yard housed the families of men working at the Navy dock yard and was known as Plymouth Dock.  In 1823, the name of the town, including the dock yard, was changed to Devonport.  "Dock Yard" is notated in this early map in yellow.

Stoke Damerel (yellow) is a parish in Plymouth district and includes Devonport town and dockyard, Morice Town, New Passage, Keyham Docks, Ford, Swilly, and the north-western suburbs of Plymouth.  This is a map showing Stoke Damerel in 1765.  A majority of the area shown on that side of the Hamoaze is in the Stoke Damerel Parish.

A rosewood box found in 2018 at a Scotland auction.  The box belonged to Georgiana Duin's Aunt Anne Duins, wife of her uncle George Parlby Duins, her father's brother.

Georgiana was the only daughter in her upper class family.  She had at least three brothers – Robert, Henry, and George.

Georgiana Duins – born 30 August 1808, baptized 9 August 1812 Devonshire

Robert Nepean Duins – baptized 25 July 1818 Devonshire

George Boydell Duins – born 31 October 1820, baptized 30 July 1823 Cornwall

Henry Frith Duins – born 13 December 1822, baptized 30 July 1823 Cornwall

Princes Street (yellow) in Devonport in an 1860 map

Georgiana was baptized when she was four years old at the Church of Christ, Princes Street-Independent Chapel, Devonport on 9 August 1812 (IGI LDS FHC).  Because her family was well-to-do, Thomas Duins was able send his daughter away to complete advanced education studies in both France and England (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6).  The Duins family was living at Perranuthnoe by 1823, a coastal city on the English Channel in the most extreme southwest corner of Cornwallshire, England.  In the same year, Georgiana’s father died at the age of thirty eight.  Georgiana was about 15 and her little brothers were all under 5. 

Perranuthnoe, Cornwallshire and Crediton, Devonshire are both parishes in southwest England

In 1830, twenty two year old Georgiana Duins was being courted by twenty eight year old Edward Warren Nias in Devonshire.  Their marriage took place 5 October 1830 at Crediton in central Devonshire on the River Creedy (IGI LDS FHC).  The following announcement was found:

Articles for the town of Crediton taken from Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post 1821-1840

Thursday 16 September 1830, Issue 3386 – Gale Document No Y3200664956

Exeter, Wednesday 13 October

Married – At Crediton, by the Rev, John Russell, E. W. Nias, Esq. of Bridgwater, to Georgiana Duins, only daughter of the late Thomas Duins, Esq., surgeon, R. N.

Edward Warren Nias was born in Soho, London, England (IGI, LDS FHC & 1851 England census) on 31 December 1801.  He was the third child of William Nias, esquire, and Elizabeth Warren, who were married on 14 March 1798 at Saint Anne’s Church in Soho, London, England (IGI LDS FHC). 

Young Edward was baptized within a month of his birth at the same location as each of his siblings – Blackfriars Presbytery at the corner of Carter Lane and Knightrider Court in London, England (IGI LDS FHC).  This church was identified as an independent chapel.  Elizabeth Warren Nias, Edward’s mother, was baptized, like her children, at Carter Lane in London (IGI LDS FHC).  Edward Nias lived later in Bridgwater then Lyncombe & Widcombe, Somersetshire where he was raised to adulthood.  For more information, see the Nias family historical account (Click here).

Christ Church Chapel in Bridgwater, Somersetshire

Just prior to the Nias-Duins marriage, Edward Warren Nias’ name was included on a 5 February 1830 lease of Christ Church Chapel or Meetinghouse with Vestry in Bridgwater, Somersetshire.    Many other men were included in the lease description, all being important and high class men who held titles of esquire, gentleman, elder, and merchant.  Edward Nias was listed as Edward Warren Nias, gentleman.  The lease took place in Somersetshire.

The year after the Duins-Nias marriage, the newspaper reported dissolved partnerships in the Commercial and Bankruptcy Register of the 30 August 1831 edition of the Law Chronicle in England.  In Bridgwater, Somersetshire on 19 August 1831, a group of iron founders and engineers ended their work together because of debts accrued by several of the partners, namely Thomas Howell Watson (Edward’s brother-in-law) and Edward Warren Nias.  Edward would certainly recall that at the age of 10, his father also went through a bankruptcy.

Two years after their marriage, Edward and Georgiana were in Bridgwater, Somersetshire (Familiae Minorum Gentium, vol 1), located on the River Parrett 10 miles from the Bristol Channel that separates southwest England from Wales.  Their son Raymond Nias was born in Bridgwater on 25 September 1832 (IGI LDS FHC).  Note: Raymond was likely named after Edward Nias' grandmother Mary Raymond-Warren (his mother's mother).  Within the next few years the small family was in Wales where child number two was born – Henry Nias (born circa 1834 in Wales from census records).  Their movements may have been the result of Edward Nias’ profession – he was a merchant (1836 emigration record occupation).  In 1835, Edward was found on Lower Market Street in Carmarthen, South Wales working in the “ironmonger and plumber” profession.  Other sources state Edward was indeed an ironmonger (Familiae Minorum Gentium, volume 1) like his grandfather and great-grandfather. 

During the short time Georgiana and Edward had been married, they agreed to take care of a young girl named Fanny Staples.  Fanny was born in England to parents of a large family.  Her parents were unable to care for her and placed her in the care of the Nias family.  Fanny became primarily the ward of Georgiana Nias and would be a part of the family, raised almost as an adopted child (Fanny Staples obituary – Cambridge Chronicle and Cambridge Tribune).

The Packet Ship Europe (bottom) left Liverpool, England in 1836 and arrived in New York City harbor 1837

A decision was made soon after the birth of Henry – they would move to America.  After Edward secured passage on a ship leaving Liverpool, the family began their two month trip across the Atlantic Ocean.  The packet ship, named Europe, left Liverpool 26 December 1836 bound for New York City (New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957).  It appears that Georgiana traveled pregnant as shortly after the Nias family arrived in America, a son was born.  He was named Howard Nias. (An excerpt in Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Volume 6 stated that Georgiana both separated from her husband and had a third child prior to emigration however, the emigration record listed Edward, Georgiana, Raymond, Henry, and Fanny only).

Within four years of landing in New York City, the small Nias clan would lose two family members.  

GEORGIANA NIAS AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: YEARS 1837 THROUGH 1839

We know four primary occurrences that marked Georgiana’s earliest time in America.  We know she separated from her husband, she gave birth to a son, she began working in Providence as a school teacher, and she lost a son.

Edward separated from his wife and children and returned to England by 1840 (Georgiana Nias was head of household in the 1840 census).  He was known to have been a “worthless man” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  By 1837, the Nias family (unknown if Edward Nias made this move) had arrived in Providence, Rhode Island (1840 Rhode Island census).  After the separation and according to Georgiana’s associates in Providence, her estranged husband was "known" to have been a Royal Navy captain.  However, this was untrue though he did have relatives that were associated with the Royal Navy.  The story was likely an acceptable ruse to lessen the embarrassment of being left by her husband.

During her early time in the new country, Georgiana had also given birth to a son Howard Nias.  This was likely to have occurred shortly after arrival in America, around 1836 or 1837.  Probably in 1837, Georgiana’s youngest son Howard passed away (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6).  Though Nias was reported to have been an “ideal mother figure,” she was not able to save her unhealthy infant:

“…‘dear Mrs. Nias’ was often confined at home with a sickly infant who was “taken with convulsive fits.” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

After the loss of a husband and the death of her child, her coworkers grew concerned for her well-being.

“the row felt a certain sympathy for Nias while also wishing her to marry an eligible bachelor, one who promised security and complacency instead of the single life.  The death of her child led to sober reflections by the row, assuaged by the headmaster, who told the subdued girls that the infant was ‘happier in heaven than it would be here.’” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

Greene Street (red) located in central Providence, Rhode Island

Georgiana Nias became an assistant teacher under the principal teacher Daniel Capron, whom she worked with during the years 1837 and 1838 as a teacher of drawing, dancing, and the French language.  The school was named the Greene Street School and catered to students of the upper class in Providence.  It began in June 1837 under the direction of Hiram Fuller and was dedicated by the famous poet Ralph Waldo Emerson.  The Greene Street School building was an architectural wonder, erected in the Greek Temple design, and featured velvet-covered desks, a library, piano, and busts of history’s famous scholars.

“At four o’clock the pupils and teacher assembled at Mr. Farley’s meetinghouse for the dedication.  [Ralph Waldo] Emerson rose to deliver his good words, words about Mammon and chaste imaginations, immediate emolument and patient learning, Eastern mysticism, Kant and Fichte. ‘What is thrice-wreathed mysticism?’ Miss Ahorn whispered.  Mrs. Nias shrugged her shoulders and mentioned something about Germano-Sartor-Resartus-ism. ‘Here in Providence, we have not acquired the taste for such verbiage.’ [Margaret Fuller] looked at Mrs. Nias, who was adjusting a flower on her bonnet.  Mrs. Nias had triumphed no doubt with a smile.  She would win with her mind.  The Greene Street School had been dedicated.” (The Life of Margaret Fuller by Stern)

Artist rendition of the Greene Street School in 1837 Providence

Georgiana Nias worked with Margaret Fuller while at Greene Street School.  Fuller, best known for her work as a literary critic and women’s rights advocate in the 1840s, was hired as an assistant teacher in April 1837 for the unusually high salary of $1000 per year.  She began work in June and continued her employment there for a year and a half, until December 1838.  During the 1837 and 1838 years, both Margaret Fuller and the Georgiana Nias family lived in a house outside of town with Miss Susan Ahorn, the mother of Frances Ahorn, another teacher at Greene Street School (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  Margaret Fuller and Georgiana Nias (with her family) shared a common parlor in the home. Georgiana’s family included her children Raymond, Harry, and Howard (who was likely deceased by the time Fuller arrived) and her female ward Fanny Staples (who was about 13 in 1837).  Also living at the home were Ahorn’s relatives, grandchildren, and other boarders.  The large home was clean but small and dingy.

While Margaret Fuller taught in a more scholarly fashion, Nias and Ahorn educated in a way that was more typical of the “Dame School” teachers of the era (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  “Margaret Fuller was [not] graceful in Georgianna Nias’s soft way” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  Nias was considered the antithesis to Margaret Fuller.  Fuller purportedly stated that Nias “might have once been worth educating” to indicate her disapproval for Nias’ pedagogical methods (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  Georgiana Nias is mentioned in several books written about Fuller:

“[When Fuller arrived in Providence], the ladies watched while Margaret unpacked.  Miss Ahorn was impressed by the books and microscope she removed from her boxes and placed upon the table.  Mrs. Nias was more interested in the bonnets and muslin gowns.  Mrs. Nias, Margaret thought, would be a more serious rival in the Greene Street School.” (The Life of Margaret Fuller by Stern)

“[Margaret Fuller] was interested in the school above all things and immediately plunged into a discussion of the ways of the younger pupils. Mrs. Nias was different.  English, French, and American blood had united in her to form a person of grace and beauty.  She looked like a Pari, Margaret though; that ornament she wore in her hair was charming; surely her smile had captivated the scholars already.  Mrs. Nias mentioned her drawing and French classes, but when Margaret spoke of her own classical studies, she was silent, smiling, but never answering.  She may be clever, Margaret concluded, but surely she has not had much training.  Obviously she preferred talking about her two little boys, who attended the school, to discussing Virgil.  Later Mrs. Ahorn told Margaret that a third child had died and that Mrs. Nias was separated from her husband and never mentioned him.” (The Life of Margaret Fuller by Stern)

“[Mrs. Georgiana Nias’] charm of manner and beauty of face, with her consequent admiration, seem to have been allurements to the green monster (envy) sometimes shown by Margaret Fuller’s yearning heart.” (The Critic, Volume 43, edited by Gilder and Gilder)

Margaret Fuller

A student later reminisced of a time at Greene Street School (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6):

“During class one day, Mrs. Nias, whom there was no more highly educated, refined and accomplished lady in Providence, made a particularly bright remark.  Another teacher Miss Fuller turned to her and said, ‘Why Mrs. Nias, you would have been worth educating.’”

Also, the following descriptions are found of Georgiana Nias:

“…Mrs. Georgiana Nias, a woman of Anglo-American birth with French alliances, noted for her great beauty, taught drawing, dancing, and other accomplishments.” (The Critic, Volume 43, edited by Gilder and Gilder)

“Mrs. Georgianna Nias, another of the assistant teachers, was a bright young English lady, highly educated in France as well as in her own land…She was very handsome and graceful in person, and winning in her manners, and was a great favorite with the scholars, who progressed well under her teaching.  She taught the junior class in English and French, also drawing and dancing, and assisted Miss Ahorn in the primary department.” (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6)

“Georgianna Nias was beautiful, graceful, and possessed of a “Swanlike neck,” a model nineteenth-century woman-as-flower figure.” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

“’Beautiful’, ‘refined’, and ‘kind’ several students exulted to their families, ‘she has perfect manners – no one more graceful ever existed.” (Margaret Fuller: An American Romantic Life Volume 1 by Capper)

“Georgiana Nias…represented all that was soft, graceful, and feminine in New England.  She was admired by the row for her beauty and an exotic past…” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

“She is a most lovely woman, she has the most perfect manners, no one more graceful ever existed.  She is an English lady, she has lived in France...” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

A patron commented on Georgiana Nias’ “great beauty” (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren)

“…her image rises before me – a woman as graceful and as beautiful as a Perl, and she could smile-ye gods! How she could smile.” (From Book Notes: Consisting of Literary Gossip, Criticisms of Books…Volume 10)

“Georgianna Nias, a young, French-educated, Unitarian English woman.  Nias [was] beautiful, refined, and kind, several students exulted to their families – she has perfect manners – no one more graceful ever existed.” (From Margaret Fuller: An American Romantic Life Volume 1: The Private Years)

“The flower or bright jewel in Mrs. Nias’ dark tresses was worth imitating.” (The Life of Margaret Fuller by Stern)

Nias continued to teach at Greene Street School in 1839.  After school hours, Nias taught private French lessons (From “Minerva and the Muse: A Life of Margaret Fuller” by Von Mehren).  

GEORGIANA NIAS AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND: YEARS 1840 THROUGH 1857

Capitalizing on her education and her experience as a teacher, Georgiana Duins continued teaching after her tenure at the Greene Street School ended. 

“After a few years’ service under Mr. Fuller, she took a house on Congdon Street, where she had a very successful school for young ladies” (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6)

“[Mrs. Georgiana Nias] was later a successful preceptress of her own school which followed the lines of progress chosen by Mr. Fuller [of the Greene Street School]. (The Critic, Volume 43, edited by Gilder and Gilder)

The location of Greene Street compared to Westminster Street (perpendicular to Greene) and Congdon Street (east of the river)

The above presented ruminations omitted a short time period during which she taught at another location.  She was teaching and probably running her own private school on 133 Westminster Street in Providence between the years 1841 and 1844.  She then either moved or started a new school at 9 Congdon Street, also in Providence.  Georgiana began at Congdon Street in or before 1847 and was definitely teaching French at this location.  The Westminster and Congdon schools were most likely small and managed by Georgiana since she advertised for these education services in local and regional business directories (Providence Directories and New England Mercantile Union Business Directory).

During her time at 9 Congdon, which was then known as the Congdon Street School (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6), she taught children in and around Providence to speak the French language.  Though French was not necessary to function in Providence or America, speaking another language was a status symbol for the wealthy and upper class. Therefore, a majority of her patrons were from affluent Providence families.  In 1850, there were only three French teachers advertising their service to the Providence citizenry.  Of the three, Georgiana Nias was the only female, and certainly the most attractive and cultured.

Three of the pupils Georgiana Nias taught included her two children Raymond and Henry, along with her ward Fanny Staples.  By 1850, Raymond Nias had become an adult and was certainly interested in art and science (as he soon would become an artist and then an early photographer).  Henry Nias appeared to be less interested in school and instead felt the pull of the nearby sea.  Even at the age of 15, he was considered to be a mariner by occupation (1850 census). 

By 1853, Georgiana Nias French lessons were being taught at a new location, though the move was short.  Her new setting was at 21 Congdon Street.  From Providence records, it does appear that she was teaching French lessons from her home as she was taxed on the property which was classified as her place of abode.  She paid taxes in person for the last time in 1856 and was then gone.  She packed her things, boarded a boat, and set sail.  Her destination…to the east…back to England.

“In 1856 or 1857 she went on a visit to England, and while there married a Judge Tyrrell, and never returned to this country.”  (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6)

EDWARD WARREN NIAS: YEARS 1840 THROUGH 1854

Georgiana Nias’ estranged husband Edward was not quite as easy to follow through the years following their separation.  A divorce certainly occurred but it is not know when or where that occurred (presumed to be England since they were married there).  As intoned before, there is a discrepancy as to Edward Nias’ occupation.  In several sources, primarily from those who knew Georgiana after the separation, he was said to have been in the British Royal Navy:

“…having separated from her husband, Captain Nias (who I think was a naval officer)…” (From “Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6”)

“Nias had recently separated from her British naval officer husband…” (From Margaret Fuller: An American Romantic Life Volume 1: The Private Years)

West Hoathly, Sussexshire

According to other sources, which are sources that present information provided directly by Edward Nias himself, he was a merchant and an ironmonger prior to 1836.  No information was found concerning his occupation after his return to England.  In 1851, Edward was living in West Hoathly, Sussex as a lodger with Henry and Fanny Hobden (1851 England census).  His occupation was listed as “annuitant” which is a person who is entitled to receive benefits from an annuity or pension.  This could refer to someone who was retired from a military position.  But, his annuity likely came from family money as his sisters also lived as annuitants.  However, his father was still alive and would remain so until after Edward’s death.  Interestingly, Edward Nias remarked in the 1851census record that he was married…but living without his wife.  Either his second wife (who he would have married after returning to England) was living elsewhere or, and most likely, he was still married to his first wife Georgiana.  Note: This is almost certainly why Georgiana remained single in America.

Though it is considered completely unlikely that there was any credibility to the implications regarding Edward Nias’ relationship to the Royal Navy, the following is provided.  An Edward Nias served in the Baltic War between 1845 and 1855 on the HMS Neptune.  Though he was listed during this time frame, ship book records reveal he served 538 days.  This service took place in Crimea during the Crimean War (1853-1856).  For this service, Edward Nias was awarded the Baltic Medal (UK Naval and Medal Awards).  A Henry Nias (Edward Warren Nias had a brother named Henry Nias) also served at the same time and same location on the ships HMS Snake and HMS Agamemnon. 

Edward Nias was transferred to the HMS Majestic on 6 May 1857 and is on record serving in China during the Second China War between 1856 and 1860 on the HMS Elk.  For this service he received the China Medal.  In the HMS Elk logbooks, it appears that this Edward Nias died on 28 July 1858 while cruising off Amoy.  The body was committed to the deep then once word returned to England, his death was registered in Middlesex.  Again, Henry Nias was active during the same campaign, serving on the HMS Highflyer.  Henry may have been killed as records state he was delivered to his mother on 15 December 1862.

Cottages and the church at Offham, circa 1910

St. Peters Church at Hamsey with gravestones in the foreground

Edward Warren Nias remained in Sussex after 1851 but died there in January 1854 (England and Wales Death Index, Sussex County, volume 2b, page 95).  His obituary in Gentleman’s Magazine, dated 13 January 1854, read “Aged 52, Edward Warren, third surviving son of William Nias, esq. of Bath.”  Nias was buried in the West Churchyard at The Church of St. Peter, located on a hillock in a deep curve of the River Ouse, Hamsey village, Hamsey Parish, north of Lewes in East Sussex.  The inscription on his stone grave monument read “Sacred to the memory of Mr Edwd Warren Nias, who died at Offham in this parish January 13^th, 1854 aged 52 years.”  In his death, it seems that Georgiana Nias was granted her official separation (if their separation had not been legalized).  A report of his death likely took time to reach her ears in Providence, Rhode Island.  Note: If the information reached her some time in 1854, she likely planned for a marriage/return in 1855, and then sailed to England in 1856.  Finally, the beautiful, successful, and lonely Georgiana Duins-Nias could find legal companionship to live her remaining days, comforted in the arms and safety of a male companion.  The feelers were out, or maybe they already had been.

GEORGIANA NIAS: YEARS 1857 THROUGH 1887

By 1856, Raymond Nias and Henry (now regarded as Harry) Nias had moved on from Providence, leaving Georgiana devoid of family.  A relative remarked of Georgiana’s children some years later that she “believe(s) that her sons, Raymond and Harry, emigrated to the west.” (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Volume 6)  The boys did not move west together but did go west, though in completely different western lands.  Those stories will be resumed after following Georgiana back to England.

Fanny Staples, Georgiana Nias’ ward, remained in Providence.   She helped run Georgiana Nias’ school and appeared to, later, take control as manager, proprietor, and principal (Fanny Staples obituary).  By 1870, Staples was single and running a children’s school in a one-story building at 195 Benefit Street, the location almost directly opposite of Thomas Street.  The school was known as “Benefit Street Pageant.”  In the 1880s, Fanny moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts and opened a school on Concord Avenue.  She died single and retired in Cambridge just before Christmas 1909 (Cambridge Tribune and Cambridge Chronicle).

“To [Mrs. Georgiana Nias], [Fanny Staples] was ever devoted, full of clever entertainments, and longing to gain [her] affection.” (The Critic, Volume 43, edited by Gilder and Gilder)

Georgiana Nias left Sarah S. Jacobs in charge of operations at Congdon Street School (Publications of the Rhode Island Historical Society, Vol 6).  It is unknown as to whether Georgiana expected to return to Providence.  However, she did retain control of operations and the school until the Civil War broke out in the early 1860s.  Regarding her journey back to England, it is impossible to understand the situation.  Had a marriage been arranged for through mail or did it just happened during her visit?  Regardless, on 12 August 1857 Georgiana Nias married Judge John Tyrrell in Topsham, Devonshire.  Recall, Devonshire is the family home of Georgiana’s Duins clan.

A marriage record from the Exeter Flying Post in Exeter, England edition 20 August 1857

Judge John Tyrell, born in Ireland, was a 67 year old widow, having recently lost his third wife.  And so, 49 year old Georgiana became the fourth wife of a successful county court judge and magistrate in Devonshire.  They would live at Newcourt House in Topsham and raise the judge’s three young children – Arthur Tyrrell (5), Walter Tyrrell (4), and Louie Tyrrell (2).  Three boys, perfect for Georgiana who had birthed three boys and raised two to adulthood.  She would have help.  In 1861, three servants lived with the Tyrrell family – Emma Arscott, Prudence Green, and Mary Ann Headon.

Topsham is a suburb or Exeter, Devonshire

A July 1868 obituary for Judge Tyrrell appeared in many different England newspapers

After nearly 11 years of marriage, Georgiana's comfortable life was suddenly and abruptly interrupted by the passing of 78 year old Judge Tyrrell on 10 July 1868.  His will was proven in July 1868 at Exeter in Devonshire by his executrix Georgiana Tyrrell.  His probate described him as an esquire Barrister at Law and his will left about 16,000 pounds in effects from his estate (England and Wales National Probate Calendar 1868 page 233).

Though it did not happen immediately, Georgiana eventually married for a third time.  Thomas Ensor, esquire, had recently lost his wife Harriet (16 May 1869) in Exeter, Devonshire.  Together Thomas and Harriet had been the parents of ten children.  62 year old Thomas and 62 year old Georgiana were married by 1870 and at that time were living at St. Leonard’s Cottage in St. Leonard, Exeter, Devonshire.  Ensor was a retired manufacturer and land owner.  St. Leonard’s Cottage was the home to three servants – Emma Basten, Matilda Taylor, and George Leed.  Also in the home was a Thomas Ensor child, 29 year old Rosa Ensor, and Walter Tyrrell, who was living with his former stepmother while going to school to be a dental surgeon.

 From a Cardiff, Wales newspaper dated 19 May 1869

From the Exeter Flying Post newspaper dated 5 January 1870

St. Leonard was just up river from Topsham in Exeter, Devonshire

Again, the companionship provided by her third husband did not last.  Thomas Ensor, at the age of about 67, died on 10 June 1875 at Sussex House Hammersmith in Middlesex County, though he was still considered of St. Leonard’s Cottage.  Ensor left about 30,000 pounds in assets to his family which was divided by his sons Thomas and Robert, executors (England and Wales National Probate Calendar 1875 page 273-274).

From the Exeter Flying Post dated 16 June 1875

By 1881, Georgiana had elected to retire with her portion of the Ensor estate (which would have been lost if she had elected to remarry).  She was living at The Bungalow, situated beside St. Leonard’s Cottage in St, Leonard, Devonshire.  She was 72 and enjoying the comforts of a large and wealthy estate.  Helping her was a domestic servant named Sam Hall.  Though she was comfortable, she was forced to work and her occupation involved maintaining income and bonds for the railway (1881 England census).

Georgiana’s son Raymond stayed in touch with his mother, though thousands of miles separated them.  In 1883, Raymond’s daughter Georgiana Nias was in Devonshire and married a Devonshire man in 1883 (her biography). 

Georgiana’s story ends on 26 September 1887 at the age of 79.  Her death occurred in St. Leonard’s, Exeter, Devonshire, where she had made her home for nearly 20 years.  A simple notice, among many others, was found in the London Magnet on 3 October 1887:

“26th Sept., at The Bungalow, Exeter, GEORGIANA ENSOR, in her 80th year.”

Her will was proven in November 1887 by John Gould King of Belle Vue House and her personal estate was found to be worth nearly 1,500 pounds (England Wales National Probate Calendar 1861-1941) (England and Wales Free BMD Death Index 1837-1915, vol 5b page 63).

Though Georgiana’s story had ended, an important portion of her life, though mostly unknown to her, remained to be told.  She made great sacrifices for her children, and their stories remain.  As Georgiana’s life after Providence was to the east, her children’s stories were to the west.

RAYMOND NIAS (1832 - after 1872)

Though Raymond Nias was born in England (25 September 1832 in Bridgewater, Somerset), he likely had no recollection of it, having immigrated to America when he was four years old.  However, he appeared to have been proud of his heritage as it was well-known later in life that he was an Englishman by birth.  He also probably had no recollection of his father as he was gone by the time Raymond was five.  Raymond grew up in Providence living at a school and with a well-educated teacher mother.  He certainly became well-educated himself.

By August 1850, 18 year old Raymond Nias was associated with the Mexican Boundary Commission.  He was an assistant to the Engineers and Surveyors in the field (Weekly National Intelligence. Washington DC, 10 August 1850).  His home was noted as Rhode Island.  The full commission boarded the steamboat Galveston in New York and departed in August 1850.  Their destination was Fort Lavaca, Texas.  Horses and mules were waiting their arrival.  Once their, the commission boarded a small steamboat and traveled up the Guadeloupe River to Victoria, Texas.  From their, they worked to fix the vast US-Mexico boundary and later returned with valuable information about a mostly unknown region.

Between 1852 and 1854, Raymond was married to Lyra Gilman.  Lyra was born in Massachusetts and the association between Nias and Gilman that brought them together is unknown.  Lyra Gilman was the daughter of John and Nancy Gilman, who ran a large hotel in Baltimore, Maryland in 1850 and later moved to Illinois to become farmers.  Raymond and Lyra Nias were in Kentucky by 1855 where their first child was born (census records note her birth location as Kentucky).  Raymond influenced the name of their daughter, she was named Georgiana Nias.  Two years later, the young Nias family was in St. Charles, Kane County, Illinois where Lizzie (circa 1857) and Tyram (1859, wonder if the name may have been Tyrell since the Raymond’s mother married Judge Tyrrell in 1857) were born.   In 1860, Raymond considered himself an artist, though the type of artist is unknown. 

Between 1860 and 1865 while in Illinois, Raymond and Lyra separated.  Raymond Nias moved to Sparta, Wisconsin by 1866.  The next year he married 23 year old Mary Smith on 5 June 1867 in Monroe County, Wisconsin.  Raymond and Mary Nias made their home in Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin and in 1870 and Raymond was working as a photographer.  His children remained in Illinois with their mother who married Alexander H. Merritt.  They were living in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in 1870 where Alexander was a boot and shoe salesman.  Georgiana and Lizzie were in school and their young brother seems to have passed away at some point in the 1860s. 

Ray Nias was found in the August 1863 Chicago Tribune and in many other editions to 1865

Ray Nias was found in the July 1864 Chicago Tribune

Raymond Nias was definitely one of the early photographers in the mid-west.  Nias was known to be operating a photographic parlor as early as 1862 and probably earlier.  His parlor was known as “Ray Nias Photographer” and advertised in the Chicago Tribune and as far away as Bloomington.  He left Chicago in 1865 and set up shop in Sparta by 1866.  Future photographers, such as James Birney Sabin, learned to be photographers as apprentices under Nias.

A photographer with his camera circa 1865

Raymond Nias and his children must have stayed connected.  Between 1880 and 1881, his daughter Georgiana Nias was sent to England to visit her grandmother Georgiana who was a widow living out of the estate of her late husband Thomas Ensor in St. Leonard, Devon, England.  The trip became more than a simple visit and two years later, she married widower Quentin Addison McConnell in Exeter, Devonshire, England.  Daughter Lizzie Nias was single in the 1880s and still living in Chicago, Illinois.  She also made a trip to Europe, presumably to visit her sister and grandmother, and returned to Illinois in October 1887.  She would later find out her grandmother Georgiana Duins Nias Tyrrell Ensor had passed away shortly after departing England.

Maude Raymond Nias

From census records, Raymond and Mary Nias must have had a daughter named Maude Raymond Nias in about 1871.  She was living with her grandfather James W. Smith, father of Mary Smith Nias, in 1880 Sparta, Wisconsin (and married Robert Foster West 16 December 1896).  Raymond Nias disappeared from records by 1873 and it can only be assumed that he passed away.

Everitt’s Art Gallery was located in Chicago, Illinois where Raymond Nias was an agent in and before 1865