The Australian Dance and Norbury Family

 

Descendants of Giles Dance (1670-1751) of London, the son of James Dance

 

 

 

 

Information and tree by Michael Norbury

 

Listed below are the descendants of James Dance. 

 

 

 

George William Dance (No. 13), the son of pastry cook George Wilmer Dance and Alice Eleanor Deeker, was born on the 20th of April 1871 in Islington, London, and died 13th of May 1962 at Caulfield, Victoria, Australia. 

He married Fanny Brooks, daughter of James Brooks and Elizabeth Barnard, on the 18th of May 1893 at Mile End Old Town, London. She was born 9th of August 1870 at Colchester, Essex and died 17th of June 1957 in Caulfield, Victoria, Australia.

George and Fanny arrived with their family on the SS Commonwealth  at Port Melbourne in June 1912.  You will see the attached arrival record. Michael has  identified his descendants. They all live in Australia.

 

George Wilmer Dance 1838-84

 315 Wick Road -  Bakers shop. The bakery operated by George Wilmer Dance and then his widow Alice. After her death it was taken over by their second son Edward.  

 

 

 

SS Commonwealth

The Dance family from the SS Commonwealth's 1912 passenger list

 

 

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The attached family photo is of (from left) Percy, Fanny, George, Ruth, George William and Eva Dance, I think in 1911, just prior to leaving England. Michael

George William Dance was a carpenter. In 1901 the family were living at the sea-side town of Clacton in Essex. Before leaving England he was employed as a builder's foreman at Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. The 1911 census indicates that the family had probably been there for at five years as their daughter Eva was born at nearby Thetford. 14 year old son George was listed as a joiner's apprentice. TB

 

 

 

A photo of the extended Dance family taken at Christmas 1954 believed to be at the home of Percy Dance in Caulfield, Victoria (suburban Melbourne).  Michael Norbury is the baby being held second from right first seated row, by his grandmother Eva Dance/Norbury.  His mother (Joan Petty/Norbury) is next to her on the right, Eva's parents, George William Dance and Fanny Brooks/Dance on her left.  At the far left with the bow tie is his grandfather Harold Norbury holding Michael's cousin Gary Norbury.

Front row from left is Percy Dance, George Dance (with grandson David Douglas between legs) and on the right Alan, son of George & Jean.

Back row from left is Marion Gibson/Norbury (wife of Bruce Norbury who is the photographer), Ruth Dance, Jean Brown/Dance (wife of George Dance), Margaret Dance/Douglas (d of Jean and George), Rose Patterson/Dance (wife of Percy), Brian Norbury (son of Harold and Eva, Michael's father), then in the floral shirt Murray Dance  (son of Jean and George) twins are John and Alan Scott, friends of the Dance boys, and Allan Dance right up the back at right.


A Terry Dance also lives in Melbourne.  We are not exactly sure where he fits, but he is a descendant of George Wilmer Dance, father of George William Dance.  He emigrated after WW2.

 

Photos kindly supplied by Michael Norbury

 

 

 

 

 

Descendant's Report for James Dance  supplied by Michael Norbury

 

 

Generation 1

1 . James Dance

Child of James Dance and :

2 . i Giles Dance B: 1670 D: 6 July 1751

 

The IGI index shows -

JAMES DAUNCE    Marriages:      Spouse:  SAREIE WALDERNE    JULY 1664  Saint Maurice, Winchester, Hampshire, England

GYLES DAUNCE  Christening:         05 SEP 1670        Saint Maurice, Winchester, Hampshire, England.       Father: JAMES DAUNCE 

JAMES DANCE    Christening:         04 JUN 1665       Saint Maurice, Winchester, Hampshire, England .    Father: JAMES DANCE

Tom

 

 

 

 

Generation 2

2 . Giles Dance was born 1 1670 and died 6 July 1751 . He married (unknown) (unknown) 1693 in London, ENG. married (2) Sarah Brett 13 April 1722 in London.

Children of Giles Dance and (unknown) (unknown) :

3 . i (unknown) Dance

4 . ii George Dance the Elder B: 1695 D: 11 February 1768

iii Hester Dance B: 1697 M: Richard Horne D: 1766

* Note by Tom - Richard Dance's (b1985) research has Sarah Brett from Carshalton, Surrey.   

 

 

 

Generation 3

3 . (unknown) Dance

Children of Giles Tottingham and ( unknown) Dance :

i Giles Tottingham

ii John Tottingham

iii Elizabeth Tottingham

4 . George Dance the Elder was born (3) 1695 and died 11 February 1768 . He married Elizabeth Gould daughter of James Gould 1 March 1719 in Hackney, London, ENG. She was born 1697 and died 1762 .

Richard Dance's tree has Giles Tottingham's wife as Ann Dance (1699-1746) TB       

http://genforum.genealogy.com/dance/messages/314.html

 

 

Children of George Dance the Elder and Elizabeth Gould :

i William Dance

5 . ii James "Love" Dance B: 17 March 1721 D: 29 January 1774

iii Ann Dance

iv Elizabeth Dance B: March 1727 D: 3 April 1730

v Sarah Dance B: April 1729

vi Giles Dance M: Mary Wibrough , 1 July 1768 , Shoreditch, London, ENG

vii Nathaniel Dance B: 18 May 1735 M: Harriet Dummer , 17 July 1783 , , London, , ENG D: 15 October 1811 Winchester,  ENG

6 . viii William Dance B: 28 February 1736 D: 28 September 1830 Holloway, London, ENG

7 . ix George Dance the Younger B: 20 March 1741 D: 14 January 1825 , London, , ENG

x Hester Dance B: 1742 M: Nathaniel Smith , 4 December 1764 D: 1812

 

 

 

Generation 4

5 . James "Love" Dance was born 17 March 1721 and died 29 January 1774 . He married Elizabeth Hooper August 1739 in Cripplegate, London, ENG. and married Catherine de l'Amour in 1751 . She died 1807 .

Child of James "Love" Dance and Elizabeth Hooper :

i Sir Nathaniel Dance Kt B: 9 June 1747 D: 25 March 1827

Child of James "Love" Dance and Catherine de l'Amour :

8 . i William Dance B: 20 December 1755 D: 5 June 1840 Brompton, , , ENG

6 . William Dance was born (4) 28 February 1736 and died (5) 28 September 1830 in Holloway, London, ENG.

 

 

Children of William Dance and Mary Dance :

9 . i William Dance B: 1796

ii William Dance B: 1783 High Holborn, London, ENG

10 . iii George Wilmer Dance B: 1788 D: 2 December 1850 London, ENG  Artist & miniature painter.

iv Mary Ann Dance B: 20 November 1790 D: 19 January 1864 Islington, London, , ENG

v John Nathaniel Dance B: 1792 D: December 1847 Islington, London, , ENG

vi Hester Dance B: 1794 M: Benjamin Waters

7 . George Dance the Younger was born 20 March 1741 and died 14 January 1825 in , London, , ENG. He married Mary Gurnell 24 March 1772 . She died 1791 .

 

Children of George Dance the Younger and Mary Gurnell :

i Thomas Dance B: 1773 D: 1813

ii Mary Dance

iii George Webb Dance D: 1813

11 . iv Sir Charles Webb Dance KH D: 1844 Taunton, Dorset, ENG

(the Wilmer addition to later names appears to come from the Gurnell/Wilmer family connection) TB

 

Generation 5

8 . William Dance was born 20 December 1755 and died 5 June 1840 in Brompton,  ENG. He married Jane Beeson 29 November 1780 in Soho, London, ENG.

Child of William Dance and Jane Beeson :

George Dance 1776 born London. Married Mary Hilliard at St Marylebone, London in September 1809

Edward Dance 1778-1863 married Sarah Brittania Juxon (1799-1884)

Henry Dance 1782

William Townsend Dance RN B: 1789-1857     M: Helena Barbara Roper B 1808

Charles Dance 1794-1863 (playwright) married twice. First wife Jane Knyvet (1799-1854) 

Louisa Sophia Dance 1802-1879. Married Edward Dane Roper at Kensington & Chelsea in January 1842.

 

 

Children of William Townsend Dance and Helena Barbara Roper (added by TB with help from Michael Norbury)

Arthur Townsend Dance, Bapt at Perth, West Australia  26th of January 1831. (bn August 1830)

Amy Margaret Roper Dance, Bapt 25th of July 1833 at St James, Westminster. Residence Caroline Place, Regents Park

Martin Thomas Frederick Dance,  Bapt 10th of November 1834 at ANGLICAN PROTESTANT CHAPEL,SAINT-SERVAN-SUR-MER,ILLE-ET-VILAINE,FRANCE

Harriet Helena Dance,  Bapt 25th of September 1835 at ANGLICAN PROTESTANT CHAPEL,SAINT-SERVAN-SUR-MER,ILLE-ET-VILAINE,FRANCE

Helena Campbell Dance,  Bapt December 19th 1836 at ANGLICAN PROTESTANT CHAPEL,SAINT-SERVAN-SUR-MER,ILLE-ET-VILAINE,FRANCE

Richard Douglas Dance, Bapt 21st June 1840 at St Lukes, Chelsea. Residence Queen Street. (bn May 14th.)

Sophie Gertrude Dance,  Bapt March 20th 1844 at St Matthews, Brixton

 

Child of William Dance and Hephzibah Waters :

i William H Dance

 

10 . George Wilmer Dance son William & Mary Dance was born (1) 1788 and died (6) 2 December 1850 in London, ENG. He married Sarah Shillingford 21 May 1831 in London, ENG. She died 29 March 1849 in Clerkenwell, London, ENG.

Children of George Wilmer Dance and Sarah Shillingford :

i William Dance B: 3 May 1832 Clerkenwell, London, ENG D: 3 February 1896 West Hackney, London, ENG.  Solicitor.

ii Hester Maria Dance B: 30 January 1834 Clerkenwell, London, ENG D: 13 March 1896 Stoke Newington, Hackney, , ENG

12 . iii George Wilmer Dance B: 28 April 1838 Clerkenwell, London, ENG D: 1884

11 . Sir Charles Webb Dance KH died 1844 in Taunton, Dorset, ENG. He married Isabella Ann Cooper 17 December 1816 in , London, , ENG.

 

Child of Sir Charles Webb Dance KH and Isabella Ann Cooper :

i Charles Whitworth Allen Dance B: 1819 D: 10 February 1840 Cuddalore,  India

 

 

 

Generation 6

12 . George Wilmer Dance was born 28 April 1838 in Clerkenwell, London, ENG and died 1884 . He married (7) Alice Eleanor Deeker daughter of Thomas Smith Deeker 26 June 1870 in West Hackney, Middlesex, ENG.

Children of George Wilmer Dance and Alice Eleanor Deeker :

13 . i George William Dance B: 20 April 1871 Islington, London, ENG D: 13 May 1962 Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

ii Edward J Dance B: 1873 Shoreditch, London, ENG

iii Hester Alice Dance B: 4 May 1875 Haggerston, London, , ENG

14 . iv Eleanor "Cissie" Dance B: 27 March 1879 Kingsland, London, ENG D: 1962

v Margaret "Daisy" Dance B: 1 November 1880 Hackney, London, ENG M: Charles Clark

15 . vi Charles Dance B: 29 March 1882 Hackney, London, ENG D: 1963

vii Ernest Wilmer Dance B: October 1884 D: December 1884

 

 

Generation 7

13 . George William Dance was born 8 20 April 1871 in Islington, London, ENG and died (9) 13 May 1962 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. He married (10) Fanny Brooks daughter of James Brooks and Elizabeth Barnard 18 May 1893 in Mile End Old Town, London, ENG. She was born (11) 9 August 1870 in Colchester, ENG and died (12) 17 June 1957 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS.

Children of George William Dance and Fanny Brooks :

16 . i George Dance B: 28 June 1896 Homerton, London, ENG D: 13 May 1959 Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

ii Ruth Dance B: 13 September 1898 Homerton, London, ENG D: 28 March 1979 South Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

iii Percy Dance B: 29 June 1901 Clacton-On-Sea, ENG M: Rose Patterson , 19 January 1928 , Elsternwick,

Victoria, AUS D: 22 June 1983 South Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

17 . iv Eva Dance B: 27 November 1906 Thetford, Norfolk, ENG D: 31 August 1975 Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

14 . Eleanor "Cissie" Dance was born 27 March 1879 in Kingsland, London, ENG and died 1962 . She married (13) William Bennett Grover son of Samuel Thomas Grover and Annie Dow 10 May 1903 in Swan River, Manitoba, CAN. He was born (13) 1875 in Kent, ENG.

Children of William Bennett Grover and Eleanor "Cissie" Dance :

i Charles Grover B: 1916 Thunderhill, Manitoba, CAN D: 2003

ii William Sidney "Bill" Grover 14 B: 27 October 1918 Thunderhill, Manitoba, CAN D: 10 June 2004 Swan River, Manitoba, CAN

15 . Charles Dance was born 29 March 1882 in Hackney, London, ENG and died 1963 .

 

Children of Charles Dance and Florence Elizabeth Lloyd :

i Robert Deeker (15)

18 . ii Roy Deeker (15) D: 1965

19 . iii Edith Deeker (15) D: 2001

20 . iv Walter Charles Deeker B: 19 April 1917 , , , ENG D: 3 March 1984

21 . v Ruth Deeker B: , , , CAN

 

 

 

Generation 8

16 . George Dance was born (16) 28 June 1896 in Homerton, London, ENG and died (17) 13 May 1959 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. He married (18) Mima Jean Service "Jean" Brown daughter of John Service Brown and Mima Lyon Alcorn 12 June 1926 in Elsternwick, Victoria, AUS. She was born (19) 1902 in Essendon, Victoria, AUS and died (20) 6 October 1984 in Mount Waverley, Victoria, AUS.

Children of George Dance and Mima Jean Service "Jean" Brown :

22 . i Margaret Jean Dance B: 31 July 1929 Elsternwick, Victoria, AUS

23 . ii George Alan "Alan" Dance B: 7 July 1931

24 . iii David Murray "Murray" Dance B: 11 July 1935 Elsternwick, Victoria, AUS

17 . Eva Dance was born (21) 27 November 1906 in Thetford, Norfolk, ENG and died (22) 31 August 1975 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. She married (23) (24) Harold William David Norbury son of William Joshua "Bill" Norbury and Berthelia Freeman 30 April 1927 in Caulfield, Victoria, Victoria, AUS. He was born (25) (26) 18 September 1902 in Alexandra, Victoria, AUS and died 27 1 June 1981 in South Caulfield, Victoria, AUS.

 

Children of Harold William David Norbury and Eva Dance :

25 . i Brian Harold Norbury B: (15) July 1927 D: 2 May 1985 Adelaide, South Australia, AUS

26 . ii Bruce William Norbury B: 28 November 1932 Caulfield, Victoria, AUS

18 . Roy Deeker (15) died (15) 1965 . He married (15) Erma Cickello (15) in , , , CAN.

Children of Roy Deeker and Erma Cickello :

i Robert Deeker (15) B: , , , CAN

ii Joanne Deeker (15) M: Chris Walsh

19 . Edith Deeker (15) died 15 2001 . She married (15) Roy Pepper (15) in , , , CAN. He was born (15) in , , , CAN.

Child of Roy Pepper and Edith Deeker :

i James Pepper (15)

Children of Harold River and Edith Deeker :

i Janet River B: , , , CAN M: J oe Pizzati , , , , CAN

27 . ii John River (15) B: , , , CAN

28 . iii Neil River (15) B: , , , CAN

iv Jennifer River M: John Horvath , , , , CAN

20 . Walter Charles Deeker was born (15) 19 April 1917 in , , , ENG and died (15) 3 March 1984 . He married Martha Bakker 8 May 1964 .

Child of Walter Charles Deeker and Martha Bakker :

i John Walter Deeker (15) B: 5 July 1967

21 . Ruth Deeker was born in , , , CAN.

Children of James Birmingham and Ruth Deeker :

29 . i Judy Birmingham B: , , , CAN

ii Todd Birmingham (15) B: , , , CAN M: S tacey (unknown) , , , , CAN

iii James Christopher Birmingham (15) B: , , , CAN D: 1997 , , , CAN

 

 

 

 

Generation 9

22 . Margaret Jean Dance was born 31 July 1929 in Elsternwick, Victoria, AUS. She married Alan Roland Douglas son of Sam Douglas and Grace Douglas (8) November 1952 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. He was born 20 August 1928 and died 23 May 1994 .

Children of Alan Roland Douglas and Margaret Jean Dance :

30 . i David Alan Douglas B: 31 August 1953 Brighton, Victoria, AUS

31 . ii Jeannette Margaret Douglas B: 6 January 1956 Brighton, Victoria, AUS

23 . George Alan "Alan" Dance was born 20 7 July 1931 . He married Barbara Rosemary Anne Down daughter of Alec James Down and Maida Amy Davies 7 November 1959 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. She was born 24 January 1938 in East St Kilda, Victoria, AUS.

Children of George Alan "Alan" Dance and Barbara Rosemary Anne Down :

32 . i Geoffrey George Dance B: 16 April 1961 Malvern, Victoria, AUS

33 . ii Susan Margaret Dance B: 14 September 1961 Malvern, Victoria, AUS

24 . David Murray "Murray" Dance was born 11 July 1935 in Elsternwick, Victoria, AUS. He married Wendy Ann Duncan daughter of Reg Duncan and Irene (unknown) 23 May 1959 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. She was born 27 December 1936 .

 

Children of David Murray "Murray" Dance and Wendy Ann Duncan :

34 . i Stephen Francis Dance B: 11 February 1960 Malvern, Victoria, AUS

35 . ii Jennifer Ann Dance B: 8 August 1962 Malvern, Victoria, AUS

iii Caroline Antoinette Dance B: 28 July 1969 Malvern, , Victoria, AUS

25 . Brian Harold Norbury was born 15 July 1927 and died (28) 2 May 1985 in Adelaide, South Australia, AUS. He married 23 Joan Petty daughter of Frank Petty and Gertrude Eleanor Pye 14 November 1953 in Doncaster, Victoria, AUS. She was born (29) 26 November 1930 in Mitcham, Victoria, AUS.

 

Children of Brian Harold Norbury and Joan Petty :

36 . i Michael David Norbury B: 7 November 1954 Surrey Hills, Victoria, AUS

37 . ii Andrew James Norbury B: 28 September 1957 Box Hill, Victoria, AUS

38 . iii Meredith Anne Norbury B: 20 August 1963 Box Hill, Victoria, AUS

26 . Bruce William Norbury was born 30 28 November 1932 in Caulfield, Victoria, AUS. He married Marion Emily Gibson in Melbourne, Victoria, AUS. She was born 5 May 1932 in Melbourne, Victoria, AUS.

 

Children of Bruce William Norbury and Marion Emily Gibson :

39 . i Gary William Norbury B: 17 May 1953 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

40 . ii Kim Ellen Norbury B: 11 July 1956 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

iii Peter Anthony Norbury B: 13 November 1957 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

41 . iv Christopher Norbury B: 5 October 1959 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

42 . v Elizabeth Ruth Norbury B: 10 September 1961 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

43 . vi Catherine Anne Norbury B: 31 March 1963 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS

vii Richard Leigh Norbury B: 10 November 1969 Melbourne, Victoria, AUS D: 19 December 1995 Goa, IND

27 . John River 15 was born 15 in , , , CAN. He married (15) Rose Cepacerqua (15) in , , , CAN.

 

Children of John River and Rose Cepacerqua :

i Stephen River (15) B: , , , CAN

ii Jessica River (15) B: , , , CAN

iii Dylan River (15)

28 . Neil River (15) was born 15 in , , , CAN. He married (15) Erin McCabe (15) in , , , CAN.

Children of Neil River and E rin McCabe :

i Gregory River (15) B: , , , CAN

ii Cassandra River (15) B: , , , CAN

29 . Judy Birmingham was born (15) in , , , CAN. She married (15) Michael Jacques (15) in , , , CAN.

Child of Michael Jacques and Judy Birmingham :

44 . i Jodi Jacques (15) B: , , , CAN

 

 

 

Sources

1 . Date inferred from Christening

2 . Parish Record, St Antholin Budge Row, London: www.Ancesty.com Database: London,England, Baptism,Marriages and Burials,

1538-1812

3 . Stroud, Dorothy: George Dance Architect, Faber and Feber, London 1971

4 . Parish Record, St Luke's Old Street

5 . The Times: Thursday 30 September 1830

6 . Death Certificate, General Register Office, England

7 . Marriage Certificate, General Register Office, England: MXF 007892

8 . Birth Certificate, General Register Office, England: XCE 667325

9 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 8621/1962

10 . Marriage Certificate, General Register Office, England: 132/1893

11 . Birth Certificate, General Register Office, England: BXCE 616028

12 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 7076/1957

13 . Marriage Record-Vital Statistics Manitoba

14 . Newspaper obituary

15 . Information from Martha Deeker

16 . Birth Certificate, General Register Office, England: BXCE 646326

17 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 5307/1926

18 . Marriage Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Victoria: 5308/1926

19 . Marriage Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Victoria: 5307/1926

20 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 23830/1984

21 . Birth Certificate, General Register Office, England: BXCE 646374

22 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 1975/20342

23 . Marriage Certificate

24 . Marriage Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Victoria: 1927/6038

25 . Military Records, Australian Archives: Item 4971919

26 . Birth Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Victoria: 1902/23108

27 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Mariages, Victoria: 1981/11786

28 . Death Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, South Australia: 682 A/ 03922

29 . Birth Certificate, Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages, Victoria: 5494/1930

30 . The Argus newspaper: Saturday, 3 December 1932 p 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Added by Tom Bint

 

 

Sourced from the Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, Burke's and Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Burke's Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies of England, Ireland, and Scotland

 

 

 

 

The surname of DANCE has the associated arms recorded in Sir Bernard Burkes General Armory. Colonel Sir Charles Webb Dance K.H. son of George Dance Esq. R.A. Architect to the City of London. The name was originally a baptismal name 'the son of Daniel'. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George Dance the Elder (1695 – 8 February 1768) was an English architect of the 18th century. He served as the City of London surveyor and architect from 1735 until his death.

Among his public buildings in London, the most important is the neo-Palladian Mansion House (1739–1752). He also designed churches, including St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate (1725), St Leonard's, Shoreditch (1736-1740), St Botolph-without-Aldersgate, Aldgate (1741-1744), St Botolph's Aldgate (1744), and St Matthew's, Bethnal Green (1743-1746).

St Luke's, Old Street, where Dance worshipped and was later buried, is sometimes attributed to him but is likely to have been designed by John James and Nicholas Hawksmoor; however, he designed the adjacent St Luke's Hospital in 1750-1751.

Further afield, Dance also designed the Town Hall of Coleraine in Northern Ireland (1743; demolished in 1859).

He had five sons, three of whom enjoyed fame in their own right. Eldest son James Love Dance (1722-1744) became an actor and playwright connected with Drury Lane theatre. Third son Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735-1811) was a notable painter. Fifth son George Dance the Younger (1741-1825) succeeded him as city architect.  Wikipedia

 

George Dance (1695-1768)

 

 

George Dance the Younger (1741-1825)

Born 20th March 1741 in Chiswell Street, Finsbury, London, he was an architect and surveyor. The fifth and youngest son of George Dance the Elder, he came from a distinguished family of architects, artists and dramatists. He was hailed by Sir John Summerson as "among the few really outstanding architects of the century", but few of his buildings remain.

He was educated at the St. Paul's School, London. Aged 17, he was sent to Italy to prepare himself for an architectural career and joined his brother Nathaniel, who was studying painting in Rome. George was a member of academies in Italy, showing much promise as a draughtsman, and much of his later work was inspired by Piranesi, with whom he was acquainted.

He succeeded his father as City of London surveyor and architect on his father's death in 1768, when he was only 27. He had already distinguished himself by designs for Blackfriars Bridge, sent to the 1761 exhibition of the Incorporated Society of Artists.

His earliest London project was the rebuilding of All Hallows-on-the-Wall church in 1767. His first major public works were the rebuilding of Newgate Prison in 1770 and the front of the Guildhall, London. His other London works include the church of St Bartholomew-the-Less (1797). In Bath he largely designed the Theatre Royal, built by John Palmer in 1804-5. Sir John Soane was a pupil.

Many of his buildings have been demolished, including the Royal College of Surgeons, Newgate Prison, St Luke's Hospital for Lunatics, the Shakespeare Gallery in Pall Mall, the library at Lansdowne House, the Common Council Chamber and Chamberlain's Court at the Guildhall, Ashburnham Place, and Stratton Park (demolished save for its Tuscan portico)

With his brother Nathaniel, he was a founder member of the Royal Academy in 1768, and its second professor of architecture, from 1798 to 1805. For a number of years, he was the last survivor of the 40 original Academicians.

His last years were devoted to art rather than to architecture, and after 1798 his Academy contributions consisted solely of chalk portraits of his friends, 72 of which were engraved and published (1808–1814). Many are now held by the National Portrait Gallery. He resigned his office in 1815, and died after many years of illness in 1825 at 91 Gower Street, London.  He was buried in St Paul's Cathedral.         from Wikipedia

 

 

 

Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland, 1st Baronet (8 May 1735 – 15 October 1811) was a notable English portrait painter and later a politician.

The third son of architect George Dance the Elder, Dance (he added the 'Holland' suffix later in life) studied art under Francis Hayman, and like many contemporaries also studied in Italy. There he met Angelica Kauffmann, and painted several historic and classical paintings.

On his return to England, he became a successful portrait painter. With Hayman and his architect brother George Dance the Younger, he was one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768.

He was commissioned to paint King George III and his queen, plus Captain James Cook and actor David Garrick. His group portrait The Pybus Family (1769) is in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.

In 1790, he gave up his artistic career and became Member of Parliament for East Grinstead in Sussex. He served this seat until 1802 when he moved to Great Bedwyn, serving until 1806. In 1807 he returned to East Grinstead, serving until his death in 1811. He was made a baronet in 1800, which became extinct upon his death.

He was married to Harriet, the widow of Thomas Dummer (died 1781), for whom his brother had designed the house at Cranbury Park, near Winchester. They lived at Little Wittenham Manor in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). His wife survived him until 1825.

His nephew, Sir Nathaniel Dance (1748–1827), was a well-known commander of British East India Company ships.   (Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 



 

 Sir Charles Webb Dance (1785-1844), son of George Dance the Younger.Injured at Waterloo. He served as a Captain with the 23rd Dragoon Guards under the Duke of Wellington.

 

 

 

 

 

 Captain James Cook 1728-1779 as painted by Sir Nathaniel Dance-Holland

 

 

 

 

Sir Nathaniel Dance (20 June 1748 – 25 March 1827) was an officer of the Honourable East India Company who had a long and varied career on merchant vessels, making numerous voyages to India and back with the fleets of East Indiamen. He was already aware of the risks of the valuable ships he sailed on being preyed on by foreign navies, having been captured by a Franco-Spanish fleet in 1780 during the East Indies campaign of the American War of Independence. His greatest achievement came during the Napoleonic Wars, when having been appointed commodore of one of the company's fleets, he came across a French squadron under Rear-Admiral Charles-Alexandre Léon Durand Linois, which was raiding British shipping in the area. Through skilful seamanship and aggressive tactics he fooled the French commander into thinking that the British convoy was escorted by powerful naval forces, and the French decided not to risk attacking the convoy. 

Dance compounded the deception by taking his lightly armed merchants and chasing the French away, despite the considerable disparity of force. Having saved the convoy from almost certain destruction.

The achievement of a convoy of merchants not only escaping without loss from a French squadron, but going so far as to attack, drive off, and then pursue their would-be predators, was widely hailed as a signal victory.

Dance received £5,000 from the Bombay Insurance Company (approximately £338,000 in present day terms), a pension of £500 a year (approximately £34,000 a year in present day terms), plate worth 200 guineas from the Honourable East India Company, a ceremonial sword worth £100, and a silver vase.

 

His captains were also rewarded. Captain Timmins of the Royal George received £1000, a sword and plate, while the other captains received £500, and a sword and plate, with money being paid to the officers and seaman under their command, with an ordinary seaman receiving £6 (approximately £400 in present day terms). 

Nathaniel Dance was born in London on 20 June 1748, the son of James Dance and his wife Elizabeth. James Dance was a successful lawyer of the city, but shortly after the birth of Nathaniel, he abandoned his wife to live with an actress, and in time established himself as a successful actor and playwright in Drury Lane.

Elizabeth Dance and her family were instead cared for by James's father, and Nathaniel's paternal grandfather, George Dance the Elder, a prominent architect for the City of London.

Nathaniel lived with his grandfather until 1759, when he went to sea under the patronage of Nathaniel Smith, a high-ranking official in the Honourable East India Company. With Smith's support, Dance rose through the ranks of the service, having made made eight voyages to India, as well as one to the Mediterranean and one to the West Indies by 1780. 

While making his ninth voyage to India he and his ship were captured by a combined French and Spanish fleet. Dance was taken to Spain, where he spent six months on parole. He became commander of the Lord Camden in January 1787, making another four voyages to India aboard her, before being appointed commander of a new ship, the Earl Camden, in which he sailed to China in January 1803.  Wikipedia

 

William Dance was the grandson of the architect George Dance (c.1694–1768). His father was the actor James Dance (1721–1774) and his mother may have been James' wife Elizabeth or the actress Mrs Love.

Dance studied the piano under Theodore Aylward the elder (1730 - 1801) and the violin under K. F. Baumgarten. He later studied with the renowned Felice Giardini.

Dance played violin in the orchestra at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane from 1771 to 1774 and in the King's Theatre orchestra 1775–1793.

He was lead violinist at the Haymarket Theatre during the summer seasons (1784–90) and at the Handel commemoration in Westminster Abbey in 1790. Dance was not regarded as a soloist on the violin, however William Thomas Parke praised his "great taste and execution" on the piano.

Around 1800 he gave up public performances and became a notable teacher of music in London.

In 1813 Dance proposed a meeting that led to the foundation of the Philharmonic Society. He became a director and the treasurer of the society until his death.

Around 1812 he noticed Michael Faraday, then a bright but unknown young assistant at a Southwark bookshop who was interested in self improvement and science. Dance mentored him by providing tickets for him to attend lectures at the Royal Institution.  Wikipedia

 

 

 

William Dance (1832-1896) Solicitor

 He was a son of George Wilmer Dance (1788-1895) and Sarah Shillingford (1801-1849)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs Helena Dance and her part in Western Australia's History  

Born Helena Barbara Roper (1808-1863) she married Londoner William Townsend Dance (1789-1857) at Westminster in 1828. William was the son of another William Dance, a musician who is credited with forming the first London Philharmonic Society.

Lieut. William Townsend Dance  entered the Royal Navy in 1806 and became a full Captain in 1834.  In 1829 in command of HMS Sulphur he accompanied the  settlers under Captain James Stirling to Western Australia.

The origins of the present state had begun with the establishment of a British settlement at King George Sound in 1826 (later named Albany from 1832). The settlement was founded in response to British concerns about the possibility of a French colony being established on the coast of Western Australia.

In 1829, the Swan River Colony was established on the Swan River by Captain James Stirling. By 1832 the British settler population of the colony had reached around 1,500, and the official name of the colony was changed to Western Australia. The two separate towns of the colony developed slowly into the port city of Fremantle and the state's capital, Perth.

William's ship, HMS Sulphur, had sailed from England in early February 1829, and arrived on June 8th carrying Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Irwin, 57 crew and 69 troops, with 22 wives and 12 children. 

The soldiers were mainly from the 63rd Regiment and brought in to protect the settlers. The Sulphur was placed at the disposal of the colony and was to provide a useful service in all sorts of ways for the next 3 years. It returned to the UK in December 1832.

The couple had seven children. Their first child Arthur Dance was born on HMS Sulphur at Cockburn Sound on the 28th of August 1830, and baptised at Perth, WA on the 26th of January 1831. He was a clerk and ticket collector at Peterborough, Northants railway station for many years. Another child, William Dance bn 1848 at Saltash, Cornwall, also worked for the railways much of his life both at Enfield and West Ham.

This ceremony seems to be William and Helena’s only brush with fame. He did appear in the London Gazette in 1843 as being imprisoned for debt. 

For a period between 1834 and 1837 the family lived near St. Malo in France where three of his children were born. Most of his later years were spent in Devon and he was promoted to retired Rear Admiral in 1846 but without an increase in his Captain’s half-pay. William Townsend Dance died in 1857 and Helena in 1863.

 

 

 

 

 

The official ceremony depicted in this painting was held on a small hill overlooking the Swan River. As no stones were readily available, it was decided to mark the occasion by felling a tree. The only woman fit enough to accompany the party so far up the river from Fremantle, Mrs Helena Dance, was invited to strike the first blow. The Foundation of Perth depicts Mrs Dance holding the axe and about to make the first cut. Immediately to her right in the painting is an axe-man, waiting to complete the task. Other people depicted in the work include Lieutenant Governor James Stirling, Captain Charles Fremantle, Commander Mark John Currie, Captain Frederick Irwin, Captain William Dance, the Colonial Secretary Peter Broun, Dr William Milligan and the Surveyor-General Lieutenant John Septimus Roe.

 

 

 

 

 

Entries from Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go to the Norbury Web-site

 

 

 

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 tom.bint@tiscali.co.uk