Granny Mary Jane Tolkien (1833-1915)

The guest text by Constantin Pirozhkov (Russia) 

  This song's words are inscribed of the Tolkiens' from Birmingham grave
You know them from the "Titanic" soundtrack

On 13 February 1915 Mary Jane Tolkien, grandmother of the author, 81, died. She was baptised on the 8th of october 1833, being a daughter of John Sutcliffe Stowe, a commision agent from Grosvenor Place, Birmingham, of paedobaptist or independent denomination. 

Ancestry.co.uk

On 16 February 1856, aged 22, she married John Benjamin Tolkien, 48, in the parish church of All Saints in Birmingham. According to Ryszard Derdziński, it was his third marriage, his first (Emma Baker, m. 1832) and second (Jane Holmwood, 1806–1854, m. 1835) wives died, and his second wife was survived by their two of three daughters and son. Between 1841 and 1847 he moved to Birmingham where he was a piano-maker and music-seller. He also composed music himself. John Benjamin was a supporter of the United Brethren community (Moravian Brothers) and a philanthropist. 

His age more than doubled his brid's. She gave birth to ten children: Arthur Reuel (1857–1896), Mabel (1858–1937), Grace Bindley (1861–1904), Florence May (1863–1944), Frank Winslow (1864–1867), Marian Esther (1866–1934), Howard Charles (1866–1867), Wilfrid Henry (1870–1938), Mary (1871–1904), Lawrence George Hammond (1873–1941). 

Even more than the quarter of the century after their wedding John Benjamin was still writing verses "to my beloved wife Mary Jane". He was the author of many poems written for his domestic circle, including verses on the birth of their first son Arthur Reuel and of their grandson Ronald.

On 4 January 1892 Arthur wrote to Mary Jane, "My dear Mother, I have good news for you this week. Mabel gave me a beautiful little son last night (3 January). (…) In general effect immensely like a very fair edition of its Aunt Mabel Mitton." 

Mary Jane was interested in her grandson Ronald. Saturday night 4 March 1893 her daughter-in-law Mabel Tolkien wrote, 

"My dear Mr. and Mrs. Tolkien, I expect you all thinking very badly of me that I never write to any of you, or even answer your kind letters to me? I was very VERY pleased with the two lovely little pinafores, – so daintly made!’ Nevertheless, she continued, ‘The next door pet monkeys had been over & “eaten” 3 of Ronald’s pinafores & several other things into rags a few days before." 

In 1895 grandmother saw her grandsons, Ronald and his younger brother Hilary, taken at last, brought by Mabel to England, at last. But in January 1896, sad news were received from Africa, the boys’ father, her eldest son, died. Months later her husband died too, ‘of sorrow’ as it was said. The converting of her daughter-in-law and grandsons into Catholicism wasn't the pleasure to Mary Jane, but she remained a participant in their lives. 

In 1903 Mabel wrote to her, 

"Ronald is making his First Communion this Christmas – so it is a very great feast indeed to us this year. I don't say this to vex you - only you say you like to know everything about them.’ ‘You said you like one of the boys' drawings better than anything bought with their money so they've done these for you. Ronald has really done his splendidly this year – he has just been having quite an exhibition in Father Francis' room – he has worked hard since he broke up on December 16th’ 

She complained of her disease, and praised Ronald's success in languages and his artistic taste, and was grateful to her for her financial assistance. 

‘I found a postal order for 2/6 which you sent the boys some time ago – a year at least – which has been mislaid. They've been in town all afternoon spending this and a little bit more on things they wanted to give. – They've done all my Xmas shopping.’ 

2 shillings 6 pence mentioned consisted quite a bit of money in those era, you could buy 1.5 kg of bacon, or 2¼ kg of cheese, or 27 kg of potatoes for them. 

Mary Jane Tolkien survived her husband by 16 years and a half, and was buried in the same tomb. Their tombstone also has their first son Arthur’s name, despite he has been actually buried in South Africa. The tombstone inscription under her name was the first line from a famous hymn (particularly played by the musicians sinking with ‘Titanic’) ‘Nearer My God to Thee’. 

Sources:
Ryszard Derdziński’s blog,
‘J.R.R. Tolkien: The Biography’ by Humphrey Carpenter,
‘Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth’ by Catherine McIlwaine,
‘Tolkien: Life and Legend’ by Judith Priestman. 

The photo of the grave is taken from the site geni.com,
the marriage record from here
http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/2018/01/john-benjamin-tolkien-18071896.html.