Three Surnames Genealogy

Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash

Dr John (Seymour) Batten 1848 – unknown

The story of Dr. John (Seymour) Batten began with the discovery of two interesting Belgian records:

  • Immigration File: Dossier No. 384863 – Inventory No. 48011 (dated 1881)1
  • Register of Seamen on Belgian Merchant Ships: No. 24188 (covering 1845-1886)2

These records offered glimpses into the fascinating and turbulent life of a man who led a diverse and controversial career.

Early Life and Education

John Batten was born on 1st August 1848 in Nigg, Kincardine, Scotland, to Abraham Batten, a commission agent and wine merchant, and his wife Isabella Machray. He was baptized on 31st August 1848.3 John was the eldest son and second child of 7.

The 1851 Scottish Census places the family at 102 Union Street, Aberdeen East Parish4, and by the 1861 Census, they had moved to 158 King Street, Aberdeen St. Nicholas Parish.5 John pursued a medical education, attending classes at the University of Aberdeen. On 28th  December 1869, he earned the Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh and the Licentiate of the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons Glasgow by passing the Double Qualification examination.6

Career Beginnings

By the 1871 English Census, John was residing at the Falmouth Hotel, Cornwall, listed as a physician and surgeon.7 The UK Medical Registers from the UK General Medical Council 8 have John living at various addresses in England, including Brookside House, Birtley, Durham, in 1872 and 3 Grosvenor Villas, Bartholomew Road, Tufnell Park, London, in 1873, (which was his parents’ home).

Personal Life and Move to South Africa

In 1872, John had a relationship with Charlotte Josephine Johanna Kuyler/Focks in Mossel Bay, Cape Colony, South Africa. Charlotte was the illegitimate daughter of Margaretha Maria Johanna Kuyler (and possibly Joseph Johannes Christoffel Focks). She was baptised in the South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church on the 24th August 1851.9

John and Charlotte’s son, Charles Fitzgerald Seymour Batten, was born there in 1873.10

Family lore claims he drowned crossing a swollen river, while attending a patient. However, rumours persisted that he staged his death. No body was ever found, fuelling speculation. Many believed he had simply returned to England.  The ‘widow’ Charlotte Batten subsequently went on to marry Archibald Campbell on the 1st November 1884.11  The marriage record states that Charlotte is a spinster and not a widow.

Meanwhile…..

John had returned to England and married Alice Sophia Amy Boutmy on 6th February 1874 in St. Pancras, London.12

Alice, born on the 23rd  January 1854 in Brussels and was the daughter of Eugene Adolphe Boutmy, a Belgian soldier, and Emily Burdett from Twickenham, Middlesex, England.13 Together John and Alice had two children:

  • Francis Burdett Walker Batten was born on the 4th December 1874 and baptised on the 23rd March 1875 in Mossel Bay.14
  • Seymour Willoughby Gerhard Bendett Batten was born on the 18th December 1876 and baptised on the 28th January 1877, St. Matthew’s, Riverdale, South Africa.15

Controversial Years in Mossel Bay

Dr. Batten practiced medicine in Mossel Bay from around 1874 to 1880, serving as Her Britannic Majesty’s District Civil Surgeon in South Aliwal. He also owned the Mossel Bay Dispensary, selling “genuine drugs” and patent medicines as well as toiletries. However, his time in the region was marked by controversy. He faced legal issues, including  allowing his pigs to roam freely in town, piling manure at his backdoor, accusations of assault, alleged malpractice and neglect. He was criticised severely for taking more than a day to respond to a call-out to a farm. It turned out that he was playing billiards and cards in a hotel instead of responding to the call as soon as possible.16

New Beginnings in Belgium and Beyond

John moved to Antwerp, Belgium, by himself, arriving on the 15th June 1881.17He lived at Falconplein 18, district 1, as recorded in the Antwerp population register.18 By 28th July 1881, he was working as a doctor onboard the Steamer Daniel Steinman under the command of Captain Henricus Desmet. 

His immigration file states that he was a Graduate of the Faculty of Dr Blas Goni and has a Diploma from the Edinburgh College of Physicians.

Dr D Blas Goni was a Priest and Professor of the Conciliar Seminary of Pamplona. He was a Doctor of Philosophy and Canon Law with published works such as:

  • GRAMATICA HEBREA – Theoretical-Practical Hebrew Grammar With A Brief Appendix Of Biblical Aramaic By Dr. D Blas Goni and Dr. D. Juan Labayen, Pamplona 1919, 316 Pages 19
  • GRAMATICA LATINA – Theoretical-Practical Latin Grammar by Dr D Blas Goni and Lic. D. Emeterio Echeverría, Pamplona 1939 20
  • GRAMATICA GRIEGA – Theoretical-Practical Greek Grammar by Dr D Blas Goni and and Atienza, Pamplona 1922 21

However, his medical credentials came under scrutiny, leading to correspondence between the Belgian authorities, Scotland yard and John’s father to verify his qualifications. The outcome was not recorded.

John left Antwerp for New York on the 11th May 1882, residing at 32 Broadway. Though the exact circumstances remain unclear, it could be due to the investigation. By 1883, he faced criminal charges in Belgium for practicing medicine or pharmacy illegally. 

Mystery and Legacy

The remainder of John’s life is shrouded in mystery, following his departure to New York. Was New York another fabrication for the Belgian authorities? 

He was not a passenger or crew member listed on the Daniel Steinman when the steamer sank off of Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 21st June 1884.22

The 1891 England census has Alice declaring she is a widow. Alice remarries Ralph Molesworth Gurnell on the 26th July 1893 in Croydon, Surrey.23

To be continued……

(c) Emma Devroey – Three Surnames Genealogy

Sources

Main Image – Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash

  1. John Batten – Immigration file/Vreemdelingendossiers #384863 – National Archives of Belgium (NAB) – accessed 13 Mar 2024 ↩︎
  2. John Batten – Matriculation Register of seamen on Belgian merchant ships – World/Stamboeken – No. 24188 – State Archives of Antwerp (1845-1930) – accessed 21 June 2024 ↩︎
  3. Baptism Record for  John Batten – Scotlandspeople – Old Parish Registers – Births – Ref: 40/227 – www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk – accessed 14 March 2024 ↩︎
  4. John Baton – 1851 Scotland Census – www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk – original data: General Register Office for Scotland – 1851 Scotland Census – Ref: 168/A 38/ 7 – accessed 14 March 2024 ↩︎
  5. John Battin – 1861 Scotland Census – www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk – original data: General Register Office for Scotland – 1861 Scotland Census – Ref: 168/1 48/ 37 – accessed 14 March 2024  ↩︎
  6. John Batten – UK and Ireland, Medical Registers, 1859-1943 – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; The Medical Register; Ref: TMR/1870 Page 28 – accessed 13 March 2024 – Confirmed by email Library and Heritage Manager – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and Assistant Librarian – Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh- 11 and 15 October 2024 ↩︎
  7. John Batten – 1871 England Census – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: The National Archives of the UK, Public Record Office – Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871 – Ref: RG10/2293/39/10 – accessed 14 March 2024  ↩︎
  8. UK and Ireland, Medical Registers, 1859-1943 – www.ancestry.co.uk – – original data: Royal College of Physicians of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; The Medical Register; Ref: TMR/1870 – accessed 13 March 2024  ↩︎
  9. Baptism record for Charlotte Josephina Johanna Kuyler – www.familysearch.org – South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives), 1660-1994 – www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:62N3-HS51 – accessed 24 June 2024 ↩︎
  10. Death Notice for Charles Fitzgerald Seymour Batten – www.familysearch.org – South Africa, Transvaal, Probate Records from the Master of the Supreme Court, 1869-1961 -www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QRLC-BL2M – accessed 24 June 2024 ↩︎
  11. Marriage record for Charlotte Foks and Archibald Campbell – www.familysearch.org – South Africa, Civil Marriage Records, 1801-1974 – www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:8GFF-MK6Z  – accessed 24 June 2024 ↩︎
  12. Marriage Announcement – News article – Morning Post 12 February 1874 page 7 column 6 – www.findmypast.co.uk – original data: British Library Newspaper Collection – accessed 14 March 2024 ↩︎
  13. Alice Sophie Amy Boutmy – Belgian Birth certificate – www.agatha.arch.be – original data: National Archives of Belgium (NAB) – Belgian Birth certificates Brussel / Bruxelles (1854 – 1854) – Ref: 368 – accessed 24 June 2024 ↩︎
  14. Francis Burdett Walker Batten – Baptism record – www.familysearch.org – South Africa, Dutch Reformed Church Registers (Cape Town Archives), 1660-1994 – www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6LP3-GMJK – accessed 26 September 2024 ↩︎
  15. Seymour Willoughby Gerhard Bendett Batten – Baptism record – www.familysearch.org – South Africa, Church of the Province of South Africa, Parish Registers, 1801-2004″, – www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KYJD-7HD – accessed 26 September 2004 ↩︎
  16. John Batten – Die Laat-Victoriaanse Mosselbaai 1870-1902 – PhD Thesis by Helena Maria Scheffler published by Stellenbosch University – https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/e5e13902-835b-430c-80b3-52d6b91e4c1f – accessed 24 June 2024 ↩︎
  17. John Batten – Immigration file #384863 – National Archives of Belgium (NAB) – accessed 13 March 2024 ↩︎
  18. Population Register / Bevolkingsregisters 1880-1890 – Wijk 1 – Dries 2-Guldenberg – Ref: MA-BZA-B#248 – Felixarchive – https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be – accessed 13 March 2024  ↩︎
  19. GRAMATICA HEBREA – Theoretical-Practical Hebrew Grammar With A Brief Appendix Of Biblical Aramaic By Dr. D Blas Goni and Dr. D. Juan Labayen, Pamplona 1919, 316 Pages – https://archive.org/details/GRAMATICAHEBREATEORICO-PRATICOCONUNBREVEAPENDICEDEARAMAICOBIBLICOPORLOSDR.BLASGO/mode/2up ↩︎
  20. GRAMATICA LATINA – Theoretical-Practical Latin Grammar by Dr D Blas Goni and Lic. D. Emeterio Echeverría, Pamplona 1939 – https://archive.org/details/gon-i-blas-echeverri-a-emeterio-gramatica-latina-teorico-pratica-1939/page/n1/mode/2up ↩︎
  21. GRAMATICA GRIEGA – Theoretical-Practical Greek Grammar by Dr D Blas Goni and and Atienza, Pamplona 1922 – https://www.abebooks.co.uk/GRAMÁTICA-GRIEGA-TEÓRICO-PRÁCTICA-Blas-Goñi-Atienza/31157348374/bd ↩︎
  22. Wreck of the Steinman– News article – www.newspapers.com – The Sedalia Weekly Bazoo – Sedalia, Missouri – 8 April 1884 – Page 1 – www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-weekly-bazoo-wreck-of-the-st/2589155/?xid=637 – accessed 30th December 2024 ↩︎
  23. Alice Batten – 1891 England Census – www.ancestry.co.uk – original data: The National Archives of the UK, Public Record Office – Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891 – Ref: RG12/5/4/1 – accessed 27 September 2024 ↩︎

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