54. Moses and Esther Le Brun of Jersey

Moses Charles Le Brun was born in 1859 in Trinity, Jersey. His parents were Pierre and Marie Le Brun. In 1871, Moses was living with his parents (now recorded as Peter and Mary) in St Helier, his father being a baker.

Esther Elizabeth De Gruchy was born in 1859 in St Helier. Her parents were John and Esther De Gruchy. In 1871, Esther was living with her parents in Portsea, Hampshire her father being a shipwright in Portsmouth, and of Jersey descent.

Esther in 1913

Moses and Esther were married in 1880 in Portsea, Hampshire. He had inherited the family home next to the Farmers Inn at Mont Cochon, and the bakery business. His older brother was a carpenter nearby, with his widowed mother being the head of the household. (There is a Le Blond next door!) The couple worked hard to develop the business, supplying the whole island with bread. In 1881, they employed two men and a boy.

However, Moses was known to like his drink; he was dead six years later, leaving Esther a widow at age 28.Moses and Esther had had four children in St Helier, Jersey:

• 59.2.1 - William Moses Le Brun (1882)
• 59.2.2 - John (Jack) De Gruchy Le Brun (1883)
• 59.2.3 - Isobel Jane Le Brun (1885)
• 59.2.4 - Elsie Mary Le Brun (1888). 

More on these individuals in Chapter 59.

Copy of Hand-Coloured Photograph of Jack, William, Elsie and Isabel c. 1892
(found and saved by Antoinette Herival)

Esther continued looking after the business, and the four children. Not the first nor last formidable woman in this line! John helped as soon as he was old enough, and in 1901 they kept a servant. For some of this time, they were at Waldeck House, opposite the bakery.

E. Le Brun Baker and Flour Dealer advertisement
 (credit: Island Wiki - recommended)

In 1911, it was William who was in Waldeck. He had been born in the house but did not join the bakery business, and had moved elsewhere. Esther, Elsie, Jack and his wife, Amy are listed at 'Brooklyn', which Antoinette tells us was behind the bakery. The names of the properties, certainly Waldeck, reflect the family's love of travel. Esther was sometimes taken as a companion by her sister-in-law Lydia, on trips to Europe, especially Germany, common amongst British middle classes prior to WWI.

Esther died in 1922; Jack continued the business.

Next (Moses' siblings)