Selina Kent was born on 27 October 1821 in Abingdon, then Berkshire, England, the youngest child of John Kent and his wife Ann (née Smith). The Kent family lived in Ock Street and were Baptists, worshipping at the Lower Meeting House, later the Baptist Chapel. Infant baptism was not an essential custom at Oct St. Chapel but Selina was christened as a baby on 1 December 1821. The previous year 7 of her siblings were baptised all together in one ceremony, the eldest already aged 12.
Ock Street Abingdon c1890 with Baptist Chapel on the right (image source: English Heritage Archive, Fair Use applicable)
Abingdon Canal with the bridge and church, 19thC painting by William Havell
Selina was one of at least 9 children and her father, John Kent, operated a carrier's business, transporting goods for local farmers. The railways did not arrive until 1856, so her father most likely used the local canal system as well as roadways. Despite bankruptcies in 1816 and 1825, he recovered his position and by 1837 was a coach proprietor and one of Abingdon's four magistrates. He died suddenly in 1842, aged 57, after which the family business continued under his son John, Selina's older brother. Taking advantage of the new railways, John junior expanded the business to include furniture transportation. He also became an agent for the Great Western Railway taking coal to a depot in London. He became a town councilor and was Mayor of Abingdon in 1874–75
Selina's connection with the School for Sons of Missionaries (SSM), a boarding school run by the London Missionary Society (then in Camden), began before her marriage. The school's visitors' book records a "Miss Kent" from Abingdon visiting in November 1852, when the young William George Lemon had only recently become headmaster. She returned in June 1853 with her sister and others, likely representing Abingdon’s Baptist congregation which supported the school funding. Fifty years later, the SSM's obituary for Selina stated that she had been "in charge of the schoolhouse in Mornington Crescent from its opening in 1851."
Undoubtedly Selina’s visits on charitable errands for the Baptists provided her first introduction to William George Lemon. An influential member of the SSM Ladies Committee, Ms. Elizabeth Peek (of the famous biscuit-making families Peek and Frean), appears to have helped bring the couple together. Despite WGL being a ‘Congregationalist’ (a different ‘flavour’ of non-conformist), this was clearly not a serious impediment. In fact, from a school politics viewpoint it was a useful alliance. Whether it was calculated political pragmatism or a love match made in heaven, the wedding gift Ms. Peek gave William and Selina remained a personal treasure to them both. They were married on 6 July 1855 at the Baptist Chapel in Ock Street, Abingdon. There was quite an age difference between the two. William was 24 and Selina 33.
Probably the first photograph of Selina Lemon taken c1860 for the school album. (Photo courtesy Eltham College)
The School and Home for the Sons and Orphans of Missionaries (SSM) rented the two houses (far right) at the north end of Mornington Crescent, Camden
Selina moved to London with her new husband. They lived at Nos. 1& 2 Mornington Crescent, Camden, the same somewhat cramped premises rented by the school and fitted with classrooms and dormitories. Selina became closely involved with William George's work at the school which was not only an educational facility but a home to boys with parents overseas. Some had lost one or both of their missionary parents, and many others had no home in Britain - mothers and fathers were far-away in India, the Caribbean or other such colony where the heathen 'needed' saving from their idolatrous un-Christian ways. The school was to be a sanctuary from both diseases of the tropics and corruptions of the soul. On Sundays, Selina took the Baptist boys to a newly built Baptist chapel in Camden Road, while WGL and most of the boys attended Rev. J.C. Harrison's Congregational 'Park Chapel' in nearby Arlington Road.
Even when the school enlarged and moved to Blackheath in 1857, Selina appears to have played an important but unpaid role for many years in its domestic life. As the headmaster's wife she helped oversee the care and boarding arrangements, sometimes in conflict with the salaried matron, the widowed and over-zealous Mrs. "Glory" Flowers. In 1863, when William George moved his growing family into their own house nearby (adjacent the green expanse of Blackheath), the school committee formally acknowledged Selina's "gratuitous services" and presented her with a copy of Moral Emblems to express their esteem. (That book choice points to the values they knew she held close). Later they remembered Mrs. Lemon as the first lady to take charge of the new schoolhouse in Blackheath when it opened - one who exercised "a gracious influence" over the boys. They also sacked the aformentioned matron! For subsequent headmaster posts, after WGL resigned in 1865, the requirement was for the wife to help with accommodation duties.
The new SSM (aka “The Mission School Blackheath) purpose built and opened in 1857 immediately next to the railway station and Congregational Chapel. (Image courtesy of Eltham College archivist).
1860's "Moral Emblems. Aphorisms, Adages, and Proverbs of all Ages and Nations" (a token of gratitude to Selina from the SSM Board)
It was the Victorian era, so motherhood of a large family was an equally major part of Selina's life. Her first child, Selina Theodora, had been born at the Camden school in 1856 but died the following year. Two more daughters and three sons were born over the next 10 years, all (except Arthur) in the Master's accommodation above the school and under its neo-gothic spire. All survived to adulthood. The Lemon Family Archives include a letter, in the form of a poem, from their pastor James Sherman, written after the birth of daughter Esther which warmly blessed the baby, mother, father, pupils and household. This was a very large family.
Certainly, there were close religious and personal relationships around the family and school community. In the large new family home, Selina's husband took on a few private pupils so her role as caregiver to others continued into the 1870s. By 1887, the deaths of her older brothers and sisters had left her with only younger sister Hephzibah – now there’s a great name! Before that she gave a home to one of her widowed sisters and later for her niece Emily Burchett, a retired governess who was living with the Lemon family by 1891. Daughters Ettie and Annie never married so Selina presumably had some help. The 1880s and 90s saw the family taking annual holidays together at various coastal resorts around England or Scotland with Emily joining. Selina's adult sons usually came along so the family was close.
Montpelier Lodge, the house on the right, as named by WGL (originally known as No.20 The Square House) in Montpelier Row, Blackheath c1880 opposite the All-Saints (Anglican) church of the foreground.
There is a photo portrait of Selina in later life, circa 1885, appearing serene, ornate and contented. This is very different to the austere, disciplinarian countenance that glares out from the school album created c1865. Back then Selina had been marshalling 5 children of her own plus about 10 boarders in her own home as well as the almost 100 boys (including orphans) over in the school dormitories. In about 1895 William George bought the lease on two new adjacent terraced homes across the Heath which he called 'The Retreat'. He died in 1897. Selina survived (though only just) into the new century and died at The Retreat on 2 January 1900, aged 78. Her funeral service included passages from Deuteronomy and Corinthians and she was buried beside William George at Ladywell Cemetery in Lewisham. Under her name on their shared gravestone is the fitting inscription: "He Giveth Quietness."
Carte de Visite portrait of Selina taken by Wayland studios of Blackheath, circa 1885 (Lemon family archive)
The inscription reads "In Loving Memory of William George Lemon J.P. of Blackheath, Died 26th May 1897 aged 66. His end was peace. Also of his wife Selina who feel asleep 2nd Jan'ry 1900 aged 78. He giveth quietness." Their two spinster daughters were later buried here, and this photo was likely taken at Esther's funeral in 1927 before her memorial inscription was added. Sister Annie died in 1953. (Photos from Lemon Family Archive)
Selina in an undated photo, probably 1890s.
WILLIAM KENT-LEMON V.D., F.I.A., 1858–1923
eldest son of William George & Selina Lemon
William Kent-Lemon (aka WKL here) was the eldest child of Selina and William George Lemon, both profiled in some depth on this website. William George had four areas of professional expertise - in education, law, insurance and local government. His sons followed one or more of these to greater depth in their own careers. In the case of WKL, it was as an actuary working at executive level in several City-based life insurance companies. WKL was also a keen territorial army officer who played a prominent part in the civic and social life of Blackheath and Greenwich. He lived most of his life in Blackheath before moving in 1917 to a substantial country house in Ascot where he died suddenly and unexpectedly at the relatively young age of 64 - something of an irony given that his career was founded on successfully assessing life expectancies.
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Born on 28 July 1858 in Blackheath William Kent was actually his parent's second child but the first to survive infancy. His father was then headmaster of an all-boys boarding school, The School for Sons of Missionaries, and his mother gave birth in the family flat furnished above the newly opened school building (just below a tall gothic spire). He was given the middle name 'Kent', his mother's maiden name - not an uncommon practice within evangelical non-conformist families (see Note-1). William's early education appears to have begun at this 'Mission-School', which included an infants' department. In 1870, aged 12, he was sent to board at the non-conformist Mill Hill School north of London and then, from 1872, to King's College School alongside the Thames, presumably as a day boy. By then his father had changed career and the school was within a 5-minute walk from his father's law chambers at Lincolns Inn. WKL went on to spend a period of time at Heidelberg University, becoming fluent in German (see Note-2). The decision to send him to Germany may have been related to his father's legal mentor Fred Tomkins who had recently studied at Heidelberg. The university was at the forefront of translating, interpreting and teaching the arcane field of Roman Law for application in modern jurisprudence, a topic that Tomkins and WKL's father had brought to England in their 1869 reference book "The Commentaries of Gaius". Heidelberg's Professor Karl Adolph von Vangerow was the foremost expert in the field and famous for his brilliance as a teacher. WGL talked (in later years) of having studied exceptional teaching methods used abroad so he may well have been referring to Vangerow and have accompanied his son to Heidelberg to study under the great professor.
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In about 1875, at only 17 years of age, William Kent became an Associate of the Institute of Actuaries, an unusually early achievement in a demanding profession. His father's best friend and gifted actuary and businessman John Coles no doubt provided some guidance. By 1876 William was working for the Clerical, Medical and General Insurance Company in the City, again with some help from John Coles whose uncle owned the company. In 1887 WKL became a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and moved to the North British and Mercantile Insurance Company. After a further move to the City of Glasgow Life Insurance Company, he became Secretary of the newly established National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation by 1892, later becoming its manager.
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On June 23rd 1887 William married a girl from a well-to-do local (Blackheath) family, Helen Mary Pembroke. He was friends with her brothers through army volunteering (fellow officers) and there were many social occasions and prize-giving dinners organised around this patriotic activity. At one fancy dress ball, in connection with Blackheath Art Club which WKL's father had helped establish, WKL dressed as a Crusader, Helen as a Reaper. Helen did not attend a non-conformist church, such as Blackheath Congregational Chapel where the Lemons spent part of their Sundays, which suggests that WKL's parents were not so evangelical that they expected an equally evangelical match for their eldest son. In fact, William's wedding took place at the prominent Anglican All-Saints Church directly opposite his parents' house (a mere 115m away) on the edge of the heath. Previous to courting, Helen must have passed by the Lemon household every Sunday on the way to Church. We do not know when the couple became engaged but in August 1886 William spent a few days on vacation with the whole Pembroke family in Eastbourne, staying on the Grand Parade. Helen was Edward Pembroke's eldest daughter so this needed to be a good match.
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A friend of WKL's father, the Rev. Thomas W. Lemon, gave the newlyweds the gift of a handsome portrait depicting the late Sir Charles Lemon M.P. for Cornwall. The Reverend Lemon was a distant relative of this distinguished Cornish family which still owned one of England's finest country homes in an estate called Carclew. With this implied blessing, WKL and Helen subsequently named their first home Carclew. The gesture may also have been a nod to Helen's parents who lived nearby in Cornwall House. The association no doubt cemented the Lemon family's respectability.
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Helen was the eldest daughter of Edward Pembroke, a highly successful ship owner and broker and a prominent Blackheath resident. William Kent and Helen first lived at Carclew in Hardy Road, before moving in 1892 to the much grander 1 Vanbrugh Terrace, overlooking Blackheath. They had three children: Clara (Queenie), Arthur Leslie and Edward Noel. By the 1890s WKL was firmly established in professional and social circles. He belonged to the Bath Club and the Blackheath Club and owned a holiday house at Sheringham in Norfolk. Unlike his father and younger brother, he does not appear to have had an interest in freemasonry or the Livery companies in the City where he worked. This was no barrier to him doing well financially and he had offices in the Royal Exchange building.
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William Kent's father had become a barrister mid-career after resigning his headmaster position, and it seems WKL eventually came to appreciate the potential advantages of having 'Esquire' after his name and a deeper knowledge of corporate law. So, 20 years after starting his actuarial career William was called to the Bar in 1898, aged 40, though sadly too late for his father to welcome him to Chambers (William George died in 1897). Subsequently, just like his father, WKL was involved in settling a number of estates and in charge of liquidating at least two failed insurance businesses. However, it seems he did not put his new legal credentials to extensive or specific use.
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All three of William George Lemon's sons gave much of their lives to public service, as he himself had done. Eldest son William Kent joined the Second Volunteer Battalion of the Royal West Kent Regiment in 1881, becoming Lieutenant-Colonel in 1901 and eventually received the Volunteer Decoration (V.D.). This involved drills, marches, rifle practice and war-exercises with the 'West Kent Tactical Society'. It was not all serious soldiering - in 1891 WKL took part in an 'officers donkey race' on Blackheath, being duly thrown (as were his fellow riders) on the first lap. We can surmise that he took some pride in his public duty as a soldier - the majority of his formal photographs show him in uniform. His eldest son Arthur pursued a military career as soon as leaving school, and both WKL's sons were involved as officers in the First World War.
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WKL also served on Greenwich Borough Council, and was usually referred to as 'Major Kent-Lemon'. He stood for election to the London County Council in 1901, though unsuccessfully. The latter is a little surprising given that his father had been elected for two terms a decade earlier. His father had been a staunch Liberal and Gladstonian until the late 1880s after which he joined the more Conservative-leaning 'Liberal Unionists' a new break-away party of Liberals who opposed Gladstone's gradual concessions to Irish independence. WKL followed his father and helped found the Greenwich Liberal Unionist Association, serving as its first chairman in 1899. Like his father, WKL was clearly an Empire man. In the early 1900s, his younger brother Arthur was already a colonial administrator in Singapore and Malaya.
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After the death of Helen's father in 1911, William Kent and Helen moved again, this time into the large Pembroke family home, the aforementioned 'Cornwall House', at Vanbrugh Park. Around 1912 the family began using the surname Kent-Lemon, incorporating WKL's middle-name Kent with a hyphen. It may have been that the media previously popularised this naming to distinguish WKL's public activities from those of his well-known father, also called William, (see Note-3).
Then just as the First World War was drawing to an end, WKL and Helen moved to Blythewood House at Ascot. This was a substantial house, with extensive grounds, domestic staff and a home farm. William enjoyed this prosperous lifestyle for 6 years.
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William died suddenly on 10 April 1923, after a short illness, possibly the result of a botched minor operation. At the time he was still manager of the National Insurance and Guarantee Corporation and a director of several companies. His probate estate was valued at approximately £23,584, a sum equivalent to the £12,570 left by his father 25 year earlier (that's over 2 million pounds today). WKL's funeral at All Saints, Englemere, Ascot, was attended by family, friends and representatives of the many business, military and public organisations with which he had been associated. William was survived by Helen and their three children. His sons both went on to distinguished careers. Brigadier Arthur Leslie Kent-Lemon C.B.E. served in both World Wars, while Lieut.-Colonel Edward Noel Kent-Lemon M.B.E., T.D., became an engineer and also served in both wars.
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WKL's daughter Queenie married engineer Archibald McCorquodale in 1913. He was Director-General of the Central Gharbia Drainage Projects in Egypt and in 1917 he received the Third Class Order of the Nile from the Sultan (on the authority of King George) for his services in Egypt. Archibald knew both Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter and was, apparently, one of the first people to enter the tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922 soon after its discovery. This anecdote is noteworthy knowing that Archibald died the following year of a heart attack, just 41 years old, perhaps as a lesser known victim of the Boy King's famous tomb curse. WKL's daughter Queenie therefore became a widow for the majority of her life. That death preceded the more well-known death in 1923 of Lord Carnarvon himself who died on April 5th of blood poisoning (septicaemia). Carnarvon's demise is always associated with the curse but could there be more?​...... It is thought that WKL also died of septicaemia - only five days after Lord Carnarvon. Can curses be that vengeful that they reach out to an offender's in-laws?​​
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Note-1: One of William George Lemon's pupils a few years before WKL's birth was Robert Moffat Livingston, son of the famous Africa explorer and his wife Mary, nee Moffat.
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Note-2: In his 2005 book 'A History of the Lemon, Kent-Lemon and Pembroke Families' WKL descendant David Kent-Lemon includes an anecdote that WKL later used his German language skills to interrogate German prisoners for the British Government during the First World
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Note-3: In his 2005 book 'A History of the Lemon, Kent-Lemon and Pembroke Families' WKL descendant David Kent-Lemon explores how, when and why the family formally adopted the hyphenation including the possibility of some obligation to the Kent family through Selina's inheritance or, more simply, a personal preference for a name that sounded more distinguished.
I am doubtful it was a request from the Kent family of Abingdon (Selina's mother or brother) as that family did not even have the custom to use a middle name. While the Lemon siblings in London were all christened with a middle name neither Selina nor her siblings had one (her parents also). I would suggest the first reason for creating "Kent-Lemon' as a surname was simply to distinguish WKL from his locally famous father in public life. During the 1870s William George Lemon had become very well-known for his work with the local vestry and Board of Works. His name was in brass above the door at the new town hall in Catford. Then, from 1889 he was known to all in the wider borough of Lewisham having been elected as their first-ever councilor for the newly created London County Council. In the 1880s and 90s both WKL and his father appeared in the local newspapers regularly, sometimes attending the same event. They shared the first name William, so it became usual for WKL to be described as W. Kent Lemon, and sometimes simply Major Kent Lemon. In the postal directory for Blackheath their names appeared together where, again, WKL was listed as "W. Kent Lemon".
In 1906, the wider family (WKL's siblings and Lemon in-laws) commemorated a large family event by creating a set of silverware with each name inscribed. They had not been born with Kent as a middle name but all of WKL's own family added (without the hyphen) into their names, as did wife Helen. It created a lot of extra work for the engraver but clearly the wider family had agreed they would make a distinction between their different branches. WKL himself signed "W. Kent Lemon" as had been his practice since the 1880s.
By 1912 the Kent-Lemons had begun to use the double-barrel in official registers. Notably, there was also another family named Lemon in Blackheath, originally from Liverpool - good cricketers but trades people (heaven forbid!). In the public mind Lemon was a rare name, "so both families must be kin" - that would have been the thinking. WKL appeared on the civic and social news pages of the Kentish Mercury, the other Lemons on the sports page. So, adopting 'Kent-Lemon' in public came naturally to a socially conscious Edwardian family during what was Britain's heady Gilded Age. When, in 1917, WKL and Helen moved to fashionable Ascot and a 16-bedroomed house near the racecourse their name would have mingled effortlessly with the other doubled barrels.
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