“…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 13th, 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.
