Edward Ovens
(1818-1869)
17 July 1861

Volume 4, page 226, sitting number 4975.

This is probably the Edward Ovens who appears on the 1861 census living at Bowdon in Cheshire. He was born in Ireland and at the time of the census was 43 years old. He gave his profession as 'magistrate and barrister in practice.' His wife, Sophia, born at Versailles in France, was 29 years old.

The announcement of the marriage, published in The Times on 7 December 1854 gives his wife's original name and parentage as 'Sophie, youngest daughter of Monsieur le General de Gaja, and grand-daughter of Lord Robert FitzGerald.'

Edward Ovens, Judge of the Manchester County Court, died on 18 February 1869 at Enville House, Bowdon, Cheshire. He left an estate valued at £6000. 

The following obituary appeared in the South London Chronicle (27 February 1869): 'We regret to announce the death of Mr Edward Ovens, the judge of the Manchester County Court, which occurred on the 18th inst. at his residence, Bowdon. The deceased gentleman was an Irishman, and came to this country in the same steamer with Lord Cairns, when the two learned gentlemen were about to commence practice in England; and in their conversation they compared their prospects. Mr Ovens elected to practice upon the Northern Circuit, which he did with considerable success until the death of Mr Foster, the chairman of the Salford Hundred Quarter Sessions, whom Mr Ovens succeeded. After occupying this post for three years, upon the decease of Mr Brandt, in 1862, Mr Ovens received from Mr Cardwell, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, the appointment of county court judge for circuit No. 8, which comprises the city of Manchester. This position he filled with great ability. His decisions were rarely appealed against, and when they were, in the majority of cases, his decisions were sustained. He last presided in the court on the 10th inst., when he was evidently ill, suffering from disease of the heart. He was attended by Drs Ransome and Roberts, of Manchester, and on the 14th by Dr Cumming, of Edinburgh. Mr Ovens was called to the bar in 1845, and at his death was about fifty years of age. He leaves a widow, but no family.'