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Ancestors & Descendants of James Francis Helvetius Hobler  (1765-1844)

< Back to the Biography Index | James Francis Helvetius Hobler :: 1765-1844

Baptism :: James Francis Helvetius Hobler was the son of Swiss Immigrant Jean Francois Hobler and Charlotte Elizabeth Claudon.  He was baptised Jaques Francois Helvetien Hobler in the newly established Eglise Helvétique (Swiss Protestant Church) in Castle Street, Leicester Field on 11 August 1765.

James Francis Helvetius Hobler was legally known as Francis Hobler.  It is interesting to note that use of the nomen or second name was a practice adopted by the ancient Romans. The praenomina or first name which was common to many in the same line was rarely used. The nomen on the other hand was considered the unique signature of the individual.

Education :: Little is known about JFH Hobler's early life.  Given his family's financial status, it fairly safe to assume that he either attended a prominent school or was privately tutored.  Fluent in English, French, Spanish, German and ancient Latin, JFH Hobler was a qualified legal counsellor who articulated at an early age.

Employment :: On leaving school JFH Hobler was assigned to the counting-houses of Messers Blanche (Sugar Brokers) Mincing Lane, London. From 1788 to 1803, he served his articles to an eminent lawyer and at a young age was appointed clerk to the magistrates at Guildhall.  First appointed as an assistant clerk in 1788 by the then clerk, Mr Evans, corporation appointment followed in 1793.  By 1800 he had been allocated to the position of clerk under the Aliens Act.  In 1803, following the promotion of Mr. William Lewis Newman to city solicitor, JFH Hobler was promoted chief clerk to the chief magistrate, Mansion House Justice Room.^¹

This position was held during numerous changes to the civic chair.  Lord Mayors seated during this period were:

As Principal Clerk to the Lord Mayor of London, also known as Chief Clerk, JFH Hobler's duties were to provide informed counsel in the area of law and order. It required a comprehensive understanding of criminal law and advanced knowledge of the statues and civic customs of the city of London.  In 1835 an interesting article titled 'Corporation Reform' appeared in The Monthly Repository.  It provides an indication as to the level of responsibility held by Francis Hobler in his position as Chief Clerk:

JFH Hobler was a respected legal professional of considerable standing who, as indicated by the passage above, was salaried by the Corporation of London as the 'legal' voice of the Lord Mayor.

Mansion House Exterior, 1750 Click to Enlarge	Mansion House Exterior, 1777 Click to Enlarge	Mansion House Egyptian Hall, 1808 Click to Enlarge
Mansion House Exterior, 1830 Click to Enlarge	Mansion House Egyptian Hall, 1843 Click to Enlarge	Mansion House Royal Banquet, 1844 Click to Enlarge

The Justice Room was immediately left of the main entrance.  A reference made by George Augustus Sala (1859), when reflecting upon recent renovations to the Justice Room, provides insight into JFH Hobler's workplace environment:

A sample listing from the Proceedings of the the Old Bailey featuring Francis Hobler, Snr.

According to an article in the Biographical Treasury of Eminent Persons (1851), JFH Hobler's abilities as a chief clerk were beyond reproach:

Magistrates attended at Mansion House daily from 12 pm, excluding Sunday.  JFH Hobler retired due to ill heath in November 1843, aged 77.  He died the following year.

Family Life ::  James Francis Helvetius Hobler's significant other was Mary Furby born circa 1764; died 1846.  According to his Last Will & Testament, Mary Furby was not his legal wife quote "due to circumstance". They did, however, cohabitate as a common law couple and by all intents and purposes were in a committed de-facto relationship.  Mary was the mother of his four children.

George, born in 1800, was a gentleman farmer and Australian pioneer.  He married Ann Turner (descendant of the Turner and Fursdon families of Cadbury, Devon).  Together, they had eleven children Mary, Francis Helvetius, George, John Turner, Emily Denton, Elizabeth Ann, Edward Turner, Charles James, Albert, Ada Louise and Louis William.  During the course of his life George experienced both the best and worst in circumstances. An opportunist, he travelled from one situation to another in the firm belief that the grass was always greener.

Mary Ann, born circa 1810, was the youngest child.  Born ten years junior to her elder siblings, she was her father's favourite.  Single at the time of his death, Mary was well provided for according to her father's Last Will & Testament.  Mary married Thoms Knight (of the Knights of Lea Castle in Worcestershire).  Mary and Thomas had two daughters, Mary & Isabella.

Residence :: In 1815, Peter Tuff was convicted of stealing sheets belonging to Francis Hobler.  During his trial at the Old Bailey, a description of Hobler's garden was tended as evidence.  

The information provides an interesting insight into how the home my have appeared from the back.  Behind the house was a field which was divided from the back garden by a nine foot fence.  Hobler mentions "shelves for green house plants" suggesting the home may have had a green house or garden conservatory.

Disposition :: According to an article in the Illustrated London News (Popular Portraits) 1843, JFH Hobler was unique and distinguished in appearance:

He was obviously fairly fit in that he walked to and from work everyday up until his retirement. In a career spanning more than 50 years he missed less than three weeks work in total.  Punctual, compassionate and intelligent, he was a man who endeared himself to both the rich and poor alike. It would appear that he also possessed a sense of humour and a concise memory, as evidence by the newspaper item below:

It is also interesting to note in the piece above that JFH Hobler was most probably short sighted - "the old gentleman eyed him through his (eye) glass".  

Another excellent example of his wit was noted in Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, 20 November 1841: 

Then there is this extract which was published in Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 1, 27 November 1841:

Hobler appears a few times in the Complete Works of Punch (Volume One).

Death :: James Francis Helvetius Hobler died aged 78 on the 21st of January, 1844 in Pentonville, London ENG.  At the time of JFH Hobler's death he was living at 17 Queens Row, Pentonville, Middlesex (London) ENG.  He is buried at Highgate Cemetery on 23 January, 1844.

Highgate cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of London on 20th May 1839 with the first burial occurring on the 26th. It is the resting place of such famous names as Marx, Rossetti and of course Hobler!  According to an 1896 review, the grounds were designed to appear larger than they actually were, a prominent feature being the circular road and cedar of Lebanon. Highgate Cemetery is currently a Grade II listed Park, situated in Swains Lane, London N6.

Publications :: featuring James Francis Helvetius Hobler or an aspect of his life and/or surroundings; listed in chronological order.

Sources

1.  Corporation of London Records Office (CLRO) Reference: Repertory 198 pp. 22-8; 205 pp. 37-8; 207 p.604; 247 pp. 355

Acknowledgements

Original family photos of James Francis Helvetius Hobler are courtesy of descendant Liisa Hobler (AUS), 2002. (Digitally rendered by Erica Rowyn, 2002-2008)
Original photo of the Hobler Coat of Arms is courtesy of Terry J Heard, Archivist, City of London School, 2007. (Digitally rendered by Erica Rowyn, 2008)