Ursula Towers (buried 1935)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Towers
First name: 
Ursula
Other Christian names: 
Strachan
Gender: 
Female
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
1624
Born: 
24/3/1850
Died: 
20/11/1935
Buried: 
25/11/1935
Occupation: 
Governess
Distinction: 
Dau. of Royal Gardener
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
NWS
Cemetery row: 
2
Cemetery plot: 
13
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/mute.calls.allow
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
No
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of my dear husband Robert Towers Captain Royal Navy who died Feby. 15th 1907 aged 64 years. "Psalm XV" Also of his dearly beloved wife Ursula Stachan Towers who died 20th November 1935

Life story

Life story

 Ursula Strachan Ingram was born on 24th March 1850 in Old Windsor, Berkshire, she was the daughter of Thomas Frederick Ingram, 26yrs, Gardener to her Majesty Queen Victoria, and Ursula, 25yrs, nee Strachan. 

Ursula had 7 siblings, Thomas Henry b.1848, Margaret Hogg b.1851 (died 1859), Arthur b.1853, James b.1854, twins Robert and Alice b.1859, and Isabella b.1864. 

Ursula's grandfather, Thomas Ingram, Senior, was the Royal Gardener at Windsor Castle, appointed by William IV and later continuing in the same position for Queen Victoria. He became a valued member of her staff, and on retirement was granted a handsome pension by her Majesty, who frequently visited him up until his death in 1872. (See below for obituary). 

Ursula's father, also called Thomas, assisted his father at Windsor Castle, living at Frogmore Royal Gardens, and remained in employment there until his own retirement, having been twice overlooked to take over his late father's position as Head Gardener. (See below for story). 

In 1891, Ursula was employed as a governess to 6 children, at the residence of Reginald Ball, JP and landowner, at The Hall, Kirkgate, Thirsk, Yorkshire. Ursula married late in life, aged 45yrs, to Robert Towers, Captain R.N., 53yrs, on 29th August 1895 at All Saints, Burbage, Wiltshire. Shortly afterwards, in November 1895, her husband left the Royal Navy and they retired to Worthing, Sussex, living at Lansdowne Lodge, Heene. They then moved to Longships, Boundary Rd., where Ursula was widowed when Robert died, aged 64yrs, on 15th February 1907. 

By 1911 Ursula had moved to Rugby Road, Worthing, calling her new house, Longships, and in 1921 she was at 132, Rowlands Road, again calling her home, Longships. She died there on 20th November 1935, aged 85yrs, probate was granted to Edward Percy Smythe and John Smythe, solicitors, effects £260 16s 7d. Value 2023 - £23,600.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
24/03/1850
Parents
Mother
Mother's name: 
Ursula
Mother's maiden name: 
Strachan
Father
Father's name: 
Thomas Ingram
Father's year of birth: 
1801
Father's year of death: 
1872
Marriage
Maiden name: 
Ingram
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Robert
Spouse one last name: 
Towers
Marriage one date: 
29/08/1895
Marriage one address: 
Burbage, Wiltshire, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
20/11/1935
Age (at time of death): 
85
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
Longships, 132 Rowlands Road, Worthing, Sussex, England
Personal effects
Executors: 
Edward Percy Smythe status: Solicitor: John Smythe status: Solicitor
Probate pounds: 
£260

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1851 census: 

Living at Cedar Cottage, Old Windsor, Berkshire. Thomas Frederick Ingram, Hd. 27yrs, Gardener, wife, Ursula, 26yrs, son, Thomas Henry, 2yrs, daughter Ursula S. 1yr, Aunt, Elizabeth Hogg, 64yrs, Annuitant.

1861 census: 

Living at Queens Lodge, Albert Road, New Windsor, Berkshire. Thomas Frederick Ingram, Hd. 38yrs, Gardener, wife, Ursula, 36yrs, 5 children, Ursula S. 11yrs, Arthur, 7yrs, James, 6yrs, twins, Robert and Alice, 1yr, lodger, Margaret Hogg, 75yrs, Annuitant, plus 1 domestic servant.

1871 census: 

Living at Gate Lodge, Royal Gardens, New Windsor, Berkshire. Thomas Frederick Ingram, Hd. 47yrs, Florist, wife, Ursula, 46yrs, 6 children, Thomas, 22yrs, Accountants clerk, Ursula S. 21yrs, Arthur, 17yrs, Money merchants clerk, James, 16yrs, Clerk in Assay Office, Alice, 11yrs, Isabella, 6yrs

1901 census: 

Living at Lansdowne Lodge, Heene, Worthing, Sussex. Robert Towers, Hd. 58yrs, Retired Captain R.N., wife, Ursula S. 51yrs.

1911 census: 

Living at Longships, Rugby Road, West Worthing, Sussex. Ursula Strachan Towers, Hd. 61yrs, widow, plus 1 domestic servant.

1921 census: 

Living at Longships, 132, Rowlands Road, Worthing, Sussex. Ursula Strachan Towers, Hd. 71yrs, widow, Home Duties, plus 1 domestic servant.

Miscellaneous information

Reading Mercury – Saturday 16th March 1872

Thomas Ingram, Head Gardener at the Royal Gardens, Frogmore from 1816 to 1868.

Mr. Ingram, who was appointed by William IV to the superintendence of the whole gardens at Windsor, Cumberland Lodge, Cranbourne Lodge, the conservatory in the park, and at Virginia Water, died at his residence, Upton Lodge, Slough, on Saturday, in his 76th year.

He has been frequently visited by her Majesty since his retirement, and as late as Friday, the day before his death, the Queen paid her farewell visit. After 50 years of meritorious service a handsome testimonial was presented to him by his horticultural and private friends in acknowledgement of his labours.

Mr. Ingram, on his retirement on a handsome pension from her Majesty, was succeeded by Mr. Rose, formerly gardener to the Duke of Roxburghe at Floors Castle, Mr. Thomas Ingram, who assisted his father in every department, retains his appointment in the Royal gardens. 

Windsor Express – August 17th, 1872

 HER MAJESTY’S HEAD GARDENER.

A considerable amount of interest has been manifested by a large number of the inhabitants of Windsor and its neighbourhood, and indeed in more distant parts, as to the probable successor to the late Mr. Rose, who, after about four years’ service, died somewhat suddenly on the 5th of June last, at his residence in the Royal Gardens at Frogmore. Mr. Rose succeeded the late Mr. Ingram, and on that occasion great disappointment was occasioned to Mr. Thomas Ingram, who had long served her Majesty as next in command under his late esteemed father in the Royal Gardens and grounds. But much as Mr. Thomas Ingram must have felt on that occasion, it can bear no comparison to that which he must now feel by, we regret to say, the appointment of another chief over him.

We now learn that a Mr. Thomas Jones, gardener to Lord Leconsfield, of Petworth House, Sussex, has received the appointment. Mr. Thomas Ingram, with unimpeachable character, has served her Majesty in the Royal Gardens, loyally, faithfully, and skilfully for over 30 years; he was trained up under his father’s guidance so as to fit him for the post that his father hoped and expected he would someday fill, and thus remained, in spite of other tempting offers of place, in the Royal Gardens. So much is Mr. Ingram respected by all who know him, that a general feeling in his behalf has been manifested by all who know the circumstances of the case, and a hope expressed to see him in the position that he is so competent to fill, and to which his late father and himself desired he should attain, and the disappointment at the result, we are satisfied, will be very general. What the late Mr. Ingram’s successful management of the Royal Gardens and grounds was, would have been the son’s, for he was his father’s right hand in everything.