Helen Eliza Moody 1849 - 1906

Beloved wife of George Rebbeck R.N.

Helen Eliza Moody was born in Hale, Hampshire in 1849 and was the mother of 10 children of whom only 4 survived childhood. Five of her children died in succession, Alice Mabel was the only daughter and of her three sons, only the eldest, William George Rebbeck Moody was strong and healthy.

Little is known about Helen Eliza except that she was the beloved wife of George Rebbeck and was "houseproud". She certainly set up home in Portsmouth on finding herself pregant with her eldest son, William George Rebbeck Moody. She was also a sensible and resourceful woman - to confirm her son's parentage she gave him three first names in the absense of his father who was still abroad on the world's oceans - William George Rebbeck.

Among the treasures retained by her only daughter, Alice Mabel was a letter from her brother John Moody which states "and how my only brother is and your self dear sister and brother [in law]". Which suggested she had two living brothers. We now know that her other brother's name was Robert.

Her father was also Robert Moody and a Robert Moody married George Rebbeck's sister, Hester. Marriages of two brothers to two sisters was not uncommon in those days so it may have been her brother, or it could have been her father! Perhaps someone somewhere can throw some light?

Helen Eliza, having given birth to 10 children (or were there 11?) of which only 4 survived into adulthood died at the early age of 57. If this picture is finally verified (there is still doubt) she was a handsome woman with a strength of character that is not doubted.