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Author: Usher, James

Biography:

USHER, James (1787-1846: ancestry.co.uk)

He was born on 19 Mar. 1787, probably at Barn Place, Old Ford Lane, Bethnal Green, East London, and baptised on 12 Apr. at St. Mary’s, Whitechapel, the son of William Usher, a white lead manufacturer with premises in Buckle Street, off Goodman’s Fields, and his wife Mary (maiden name unknown). A son of the same name, born to the same parents at a similar address, baptised on 9 Oct. 1784, was presumably an infant death. Nothing is known of his education. His father died in Aug. 1811 and left several thousand pounds in stock and goods to his widow and two children, who continued to live in Buckley Street. His business and premises were sold off. James Usher married Helena Cock on 21 Nov. 1809 at St. Mary’s, Whitechapel. They went on to have at least three daughters and three sons but there were at least two infant deaths. He became primarily known as a biblical translator and Hebrew Professor to the Eclectic Society although he also translated Horace and Anacreon. The two works listed here identify him as still living in Buckley Street. A New Version of the Psalms (1823) also contains a list of just under fifty, mostly local, subscribers. An Elegy on General Moore, and Other Elegieswas also published 1823-4 but no copy seems to have survived. An advertisement at the end of Buonaparté, The Royal Exchange, Odes of Horace, etc (1842) gives a list of his published and in-preparation works. A collection, Marriage, The Days of Delight, and Other Songs, appears to have been published but no copy has been located. A Version of the Song of Songs and A Version of the Book of Job and The Creation and Revelation of St. John the Divine, were announced as ready for the press in 1842 but do not seem to have proceeded to publication, possibly due to ill health. Usher died on 26 Mar. 1846 at the London Hospital with his residence given as Holly Cottage, Old Ford Lane, Bethnal Green, a property he probably inherited from his father. He was buried on 1 Apr. 1846 at St. Mary’s, Whitechapel. Helena Usher survived him and died in 1868. (ancestry.co.uk 28 Sept. 2022; Evening Mail 21 Aug. 1811, Public Ledger 28 Aug. 1811; Morning Advertiser 1 Apr. 1846; GRO death cert.) AA

 

Books written (3):

London: for the author by C. G. Dyer, J. Robins and Co., Robins and Son, Widow George, W. Benson, A. Edwards and G. Watkinson, J. Nunn, and Langdon and Harker, 1823
London: for the author by G. C. Dyer, J. Robins and Co., R. Miller, T. Wilson, Robins and Son, Mrs. George, W. Beeson, A. Edwards, J. Nunn, Langdon and Harker, J. Bishop, J. Chappell, and H. Robinson, [1824]
London: Sherwood, Gilbert, and Piper, Smith and Elder, and Setchel, 1833