This is the patriarch of my branch of the Remfry clan. Born into a family of
thirteen children in 1804 in Truro, Cornwall,
UK, his father was a successful building contractor and property owner. His
parents were Wesleyan Methodists and when John moved to London in 1828 he became
active in the Methodist movement and charities such as the Radnor Street Schools
and the early YMCA.
In 1845 John
married the daughter of Rev. Robert Young, an eminent Wesleyan minister. His profession on the marriage certificate was
"clerk". When his daughter was born his profession was "type
founder".
In 1852 he went to Calcutta,
India, where he joined many of his brothers and sisters. A
law firm still exists in Calcutta called Remfry and Sagar. John worked for
Messrs. Hamilton and Co., and became an honorary magistrate and Justice of
the Peace.
He returned to England
in 1873 and lived
near Clapham Common in London with his wife and family.
His children were:
Sarah Adeline
Remfry born 1847, who married John's friend and partner, Clifford James
Brookes
Robert Young Remfry
1852-1900 a Major in the Calcutta Rifles
Leonard Remfry
1860-1898 MD and surgeon, died of epilepsy
John Remfry continued
his interest in charities and Wesleyan Methodism until his death in 1884. He is
buried in the churchyard in Kenwyn, Truro, Cornwall, England.
