Edward Francis Meynell Cutler was born in the spring of 1847 in Kingston, Surrey, to Louisa Cutler (nee Freak).  While his birth certificate lists John Cutler (Louisa’s husband) as his father, we know that this is actually not the case.  He was born 4 years following his death.  His baptism in 1851 in Waltham, Surrey states that his mother was unmarried.

So who was his father?  His given names provide the clue.  Many unwed mothers used the biological fathers’ names in their children’s given names, a way to have them recognized as the son of, or to give them some sense of paternal identity.  How do we know Louisa did this for Edward?  Meynell was not a name which came from her family.  There were no Meynells in the tree.  So was the father Francis Meynell?

There are a few Francis Meynells hanging about England at the time of Edward’s birth.  Is one of them his father?  Hard to determine.

I did however find this article on newspapers dot com which mentions a Francis Meynell in the Royal Navy.  Compelling because Louisa’s brother in law was in the Navy, and her father had been a shipbreaker, with connections to the navy.  Puts him in her network – as a possible.

I will leave it there.

The Morning Chronicle, 5 Feb 1849

Court-Martial at Naples on Lieutenant Meynell, RN –  A court-martial was held at Naples, on the 23d ult, on board the Hibernia flag ship, to try Lieutenant Francis Meynell (1846), of the Bellerophon.  The following members composed the court: – Captains Sir James Stirling of the Howe, 120 (President); HW Bruce, of the Queen, 116; W Ramsay, of the Terrible, steam-frigate; RL Baynes, CB, of the Bellerophon.  It was in substance as follows:- That overhearing Lieutenant Meynell making observations on the multitude reports which he was obliged to receive from the master-at-arms, ship’s corporal, &c, he left his cabin, and took his place at the ward-room table, in the hope that his presence would put an end to remarks which he conceived to be highly subversive of discipline.  His presence, however, at the mess-table had not the effect he anticipated; whereupon Commander Randolph desired Mr Meynell to go on deck. The latter replied he would not; he had no notion of being ordered from his own mess table as if he were one of the mess servants, but if Commander Randolph would go on deck himself, and send for him (Lieutenant Meynell) he would then obey his summons.”  The court was occupied about six hours in the investigation, and finally found the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to be dismissed her Majesty’s ship Bellerophon, and to be placed at the bottom of the list of lieutenants.