Diss Family History Group

This is the brief three part story of an artist and her association with a family of doctors that had connections to Diss. If anyone has any further information about the characters in this story and is willing to share it with us please get in contact through the Diss Family History Group

Select section:
1. The Story 2. Timeline 3. Newspapers

Part 1 - The Story

‘A Self Portrait’

Catherine (Cathinca) Caroline Engelhart was a Danish born painter whose main claim to fame was through portraiture. She travelled widely around Europe, creating a number of works of significant historical interest. Around 1869 she began exhibiting in Düsseldorf and Copenhagen. She married an Englishman, physician Thomas Howes Edward Amyot, in Paris. From about 1879 to 1890 she often exhibited in the Paris Salon and at London's Royal Academy of Arts.

Royal Academy of Arts

Catherine was born in Copenhagen on 6th Feb 1845 and was an adopted daughter of the National Bank official Christian Engelhart and his wife Nathalie. She spent her early years in Copenhagen where she was tutored in drawing and painting by the Danish painter Carl Bøgh (3rd Sep 1827 - 19th Oct 1893). She always liked to keep up with the latest artistic developments, so she travelled abroad, moving first to Brussels in 1867. Later she settled in Düsseldorf for seven years where she studied under the Swiss artist Benjamin Vautier (27th Apr 1829 - 25th Apr 1898) and the German Karl Ferdinand Sohn (10th Dec 1805 - 25th Nov 1867).

Benjamin Vautier

From 1869, Catherine exhibited in Copenhagen’s Kunsthal Charlottenborg as well as in Düsseldorf. It was thought that the most successful painting she exhibited in Copenhagen was ‘Ingen roser uden torne’ (No Roses without Thorns), painted in1874.

‘Ingen roser uden torne’ (1874)

In 1875 she travelled to Christiania (re-named Kristiania in 1877 and now known as Olso since 1925) and then on to Stockholm where she painted two portraits of the deceased King Carl Johan of Norway. They were commissioned by King Oscar II and one can now be seen in Oslo in the Bernadotte Parlour in the Royal Palace.

King Carl Johan of Norway (1875)

Catherine returned to Denmark for a short stay in Copenhagen but soon after went on a study trip to Paris. Here, from 1876, she studied under William-Adolphe Bouguereau (30th Nov 1825 - 19th Aug 1905) and was thought to be one of his best students.

Whilst in Paris she met an English medical doctor, Thomas Howes Edward Amyot, whom she married on 16th May 1878. The couple moved to England where they settled first in Norfolk, where their 3 children were born, and then from about 1882 in London and then Margate. Many of her later paintings were of her daughter Catherine Florence as the model and, looking at the age of the subject, some were possibly painted in Diss.

‘A Treat for the Puppy’ (1887)

Although no direct connection can be proven to any of the Amyots in this document, it is thought that they all came from Huguenot stock, several of whom had settled in and around Norwich in the C17th and were initially involved in the wool trade. Research into the Amyot name revealed that over time there has been a significant concentration within Norfolk, and particularly in Norwich.

The Diss, Norfolk connection is that Thomas and Catherine settled there upon their arrival in England, living in Mount Road (probably now known as Mount Street). They had three children, all of whom were born in Diss: Thomas Englehart (12th Jun 1879 - 1954), Catherine Florence (27th Aug 1880 - 2nd Apr 1966), Noel Ethel (24th Dec 1881 - 15th May 1943). After Diss, there are records of the Amyot family living in Kensington (1891) and in Margate (1901).

Thomas Edward Amyot, Thomas Howes Edward’s father, was for quite some time a physician living in Diss shown by successive Census returns, described as a general practitioner and a surgeon. His wife was Elizabeth Howes. They married on 20th Oct 1847 in Norwich Cathedral. From Census Returns it appears he lived most of his life in Diss and is where Thomas Howes Edward was born in about 1849/50 and baptised there on 19th Mar 1850. The Thomas’s only found sibling was Jane Elizabeth (1851 - 12th Mar 1930), born in Diss but died in France.

Thomas Engelhart Amyot, Thomas and Catherine’s son, was the third generation who was known to be a doctor, shown in the 1911 Census. In the previous Census he was a medical student living in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne living with his widowed great uncle William H AMYOT, a barrister at law. He was on active service during The Great War as a doctor in the Royal Army Medical Corps, promoted to temporary lieutenant in 6th Dec 1914 and a temporary Captain in 14th Sep 1918. He left the service on 14th Mar 1922 and retained the rank of Captain.

Thomas, Catherine’s husband, died on 22nd October 1903 in Margate, Kent. Very little is known about Catherine’s later life after Thomas’s death, but it is thought she moved to Paris in around 1904 where she continued painting.

‘La Soirée Parisienne’ (1904)

Catherine died in Sèvres, southwest of Paris, in 1926 and is thought to be buried there.

Sèvres Cemetery

Part 2 - The Timeline

1817, 28 Jan - birth of Thomas Edward AMYOT. [from memorial inscription]

1818, 24 Apr - baptism of Thomas Edward AMYOT in St. Margaret, Westminster.

1847, 20 Oct - marriage of Thomas Edward AMYOT and Elizabeth HOWES in Norwich, St. Mary in the Marsh. [NFHS]

1850 - birth of Thomas Howes Edward AMYOT. [Civil Registration, 1850 Q1 Depwade Vol 13 Page 30]

1850, 19 Mar - baptism of Thomas Howes Edward AMYOT in Diss. [NFHS]

1851, 10 Feb - baptism of Jane Elizabeth AMYOT in Diss. {NFHS]

1871 - Thomas Howes Edward AMYOT, 21, a medical student, lodging with the Laurence MACKENZIE and family at 13 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn, London. [National Census, RG11 Piece 372 Folio 47 Page 24]

1878, 16 May - marriage of Thomas Howes Edward AMYOT to Catherine Caroline ENGLEHART in the British Embassy, Paris. [British Armed Forces and Overseas Banns and Marriages, Ref RG33/76 Page 188]

1879, 12 Jun - birth of Thomas Englehart AMYOT, in Diss. [Actual date from baptism record, Civil Registration, 1879 Q3 Depwade Norfolk Vol 4B Page 217]

1879, 6 Aug - baptism of Thomas Englehart AMYOT in Diss at St. Mary’s Church, Diss. [NFHS]

1880, 27 Aug - birth of Catherine Florence AMYOT in Diss. [From baptism record]

1880, 15 Oct - baptism of Catherine Florence AMYOT in Diss at St. Mary’s Church, Diss. [NFHS]

1881 - AMYOT family living at Mount Road, Diss, Norfolk; Thomas H (31, General Practitioner), Caroline C (36), Thomas E (1), Catherine F (under 1), Mary A WRIGHT (23, nursemaid), Ann FULLER (20, domestic cook), Alice ROPER (13, under nursemaid). [National Census, RG11 Piece 1966 Folio 60 Page 10]

1881, 24 Dec - birth of Noel Ethel AMYOT in Diss. [From baptism record. Civil Registration, 1882 Q1 Depwade Norfolk Vol 4B Page 245]

1882, 31 Jan - baptism of Noel Ethel AMYOT in Diss at St. Mary’s Church, Diss. [NFHS]

1891 - AMYOT family living at Penywern Road, Kensington, London; Thomas H (40, Registered General Practitioner), Caroline C (46, artist painter), Thomas E (11, scholar), Catherine F (10, scholar), Noel E (9, scholar), Ada R MASCALL (governess), Emily A WHITE (22, domestic house maid), Martha M BRAINE (30, domestic cook). [National Census, RG12 Piece 33 Folio 70 Page 13]

1895, 15 Dec - death of Thomas Edward AMYOT [from memorial inscription: “To the glory of God / by many friends in loving memory of / Thomas Edward AMYOT FRCS / of this parish / born 28th January 1817 / married Elizabeth daughter of Rev Francis Howes / minor canon of Norwich / died 15th December 1895 / Lover of nature and of natures God / peace and new life await thee in the grave” Civil Registration, 1895 Q4 Depwade Norfolk Vol 4B Page 154]

1895, 19 Dec - burial of Thomas Edward AMYOT in Diss. [NFHS]

1901 - AMYOT family living at 14 Dalley Square, Margate, Kent; Thomas H E (head, 51, Physician and surgeon), Caroline C (wife, 56, retired artist), Noel E (daughter, 19), K R EVANS (visitor, 20), Alison N HODGES (servant, 20, domestic cook), Florence G FEAKINS (servant, 27, domestic housemaid). [National Census, RG13 Piece 823 Folio 61 Page 18]

1903, 22 Oct - death of Thomas Howes E AMYOT age 53 years. [Death Duty Register, 1903 page 21; Civil Registration, 1903 Q4 Thanet Kent Vol 2A Page 571]

1911 - Thomas Engelhart AMYOT living at 2 Duckworth Grove, Bradford, Yorkshire, 32, single, a room tenant living in the household of medical practitioner James PHILLIPS. [National Census, RG14 PN26782 RD498 SD3 ED19 SN152]

1930, 12 Mar - death of Jane Elizabeth AMYOT in Avenue de Bell View, S&‌egrave;vres, France. [From Probate record]

1930, 29 May - probate for Jane Elizabeth AMYOT, “AMYOT Jane Elizabeth of Diss Norfolk and of 22 Avenue de Belle Vue Sevres France spinster died 12 March 1830 at 22 Avenue de Belle Vue Probate Norwich 29 May to Brereton Knyvet Wilson retired solicitor and Susan Tayloe widow. Effects £10943 0s. 10d. Resworn £11484 1s. 6d.” [Probate Death Index, 1930 Page 51]

1939 - Thomas Engelhart AMYOT living at 18 Westward Road, Chester, Cheshire, a physician. [National Registration, Ref: RG101/3930A/020/33 Letter Code: LBBD]

1951, 9 Nov - probate for Noel Ethel, “AMYOT Noel Ethel of Le Roumanieu Notre Dame des Routes Toulons Var France spinster died 15 May 1943 Administration (with Will) (limited) London 9 November [1951] to Bertie Frederick Browne solicitor attorney of Catherine Florence Amyot. Effects £7629 18s. 4d. in England. New Grant 26 October 1955.” [National Probate Calendar, 1951 page 110]

1951, 26 Nov - probate for Noel Ethel, “AMYOT Noel Ethel of Le Roumanieu Notre Dame des Routes Toulons Var France spinster died 15 May 1943 Administration (with Will) (limited) London 26 October [1955] to Westminster Bank Limited attorney of Catherine Florence Amyot. Effects £6345 8s. 1d. in England. Former Grant P.R. 9 November 1951.” [National Probate Calendar, 1955 page 105]

1954 - death of Thomas Engelhart AMYOT. [Civil Registration, 1954 Q3 Chester Cheshire Vol 10A Page 139]

1966, 2 Apr - death of Catherine Florence AMYOT in Paris. [from Probate record]

1966, 7 Nov - probate for Catherine Florence AMYOT, “AMYOT Catherine Florence of Le Roumanieu Notre Dame des Routes Toulons Var France died 2 April 1966 Probate London 7 November to Westminster Bank Limited. £18371 in England.” [Probate Death Index, 1966 page 126]

Part 3 - In The Newspapers

There were a great many references in newspapers to the Amyots whilst living in Diss. The Bury and Norwich Post, The Diss Express and other papers often had articles with reference to them. Some are:

The Bury and Norwich Post - 27 October 1847 Page 3

NORWICH. OCT. 25.
MARRIED. On Wednesday last, at St. Luke's Chapel, in the Cathedral, by the Rev. T. Howes, of Morningthorpe, Thomas Edward Amyot, Esq., of Diss, eldest son of Thos Amyot, Esq., of James-street, Westminster, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Rev. F. Howes, of the Precincts, in this city.

The Bury and Norwich Post - 15 January 1867 Page 8

DISS. On Thursday last Mr. Thomas Edward Amyot, of Diss, having been elected at a previous meeting of the Council, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.

The Bury and Norwich - Post 9 March 1869 Page 6

Accident. On Friday week, as Mrs. Heffill, wife of H. Heffill, Esq., Diss, was coming out of Mr. S. Bobby’s shop, on the Market-hill, she fell down and fractured her leg. Mr. T. E. Amyot, surgeon, was in prompt attendance, and the unfortunate lady is going on well.

The Ipswich Journal - 25 May 1878 Page 7

MARRIAGES.
AMYOT-ENGLEHART. - 16th inst., at the Chapel of the British Embassy, at Paris, Thomas Howes Edward Amyot, of Diss, Norfolk, to Cathinca, elder daughter of Herr Englehart, Chef de Bureau of the National Bank, Copenhagen.

The Bury and Norwich Post - 16 Mar 1880 Page 5

Chess Match. - On Thursday last a return match between the Bury and West Suffolk and the Diss Chess Clubs was played at the Crown Hotel, Diss. By the kind invitation of T. E. Amyot, Esq., President of the Diss Club, the Bury players partook of breakfast at that gentleman’s residence on their arrival by the early morning train, and were most kindly and hospitably entertained, occupying a brief interval of leisure in the inspection of some admirable paintings, including a replica of one (the work of Mrs. T. H. E. Amyot) which deservedly attracted much notice at the last exhibition of the Royal Academy, being as remarkable for its artistic merits as for the touching tenderness of its pathos. The match commenced at ten o’clock, and was continued until about half-past one, when the visitors were handsomely entertained at luncheon by their antagonists, and many expressions of friendly feeling were interchanged. Play was then resumed, and completed in all but two cases, the Rev. J. F. Bateman and Mr. T. E. Amyot being unable to play their final games in consequence of pressing engagements elsewhere. The following was the result of the play:-

BURY AND WEST SUFFOLK CLUB					DISS CLUB
	Games			Tl.		Games			Tl.
F. Ford	1	0	1	2	T.H.E. Amyot	0	1	0	1
G.W. Richardson	½	1		1½	Rev. J. F. Bateman	½	0		½
Walton Burrell	½	1	1	2½	A. Bobby	½	0	0	½
Freeman Wright	1	1	-	2	T. E. Amyot	0	0
E. C. Thomas	0	½	0	½	C. Waterfall	1	½	1	2½
J. F. Paul	1	1	0	2	A. Hemstock	0	0	1	1
				-----					-----
Total				10½	Total				5½

The day was a most enjoyable one to the Bury players, who, although apparently superior in strength, have a wholesome respect for the skill of their opponents, and it is hoped that the latter may soon find an opportunity to take part in another friendly tourney at Bury St. Edmund’s.

The Globe - 19 Dec 1895 Page 7

DEATHS.
AMYOT. - On the 15th inst., at Diss, Norfolk, Thomas Edward Amyot, Esq., F.R.C.S., son of the late Thomas Amyot, Esq., F.R.S., F.S.A., ages 78.

The Ipswich Journal - 21 Dec 1895 Page 7

DISS: DEATH OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER. - Much regret is felt at the announcement of the decease of Mr. Thomas Edward Amyot, the senior medical practitioner of this town, which took place on Sunday. Mr. Amyot had a wide and influential practice, and was greatly esteemed by his patients. Owing to advancing years and infirmity, much of the active work of the practice had for the last few years devolved upon his partner, Mr. F. E. Hubbard, although up to within a few days of his death Mr. Amyot was able to attend some cases. The deceased was a great lover of chess, and well known among players of that game in the two counties. He took a great interest in local institutions, and his loss will be severely felt. The Times says: - “The family of Amyot is of French Huguenot descent. Thomas Amyot, great nephew of the celebrated Bishop Jacques Amyot, of Auxerre, translator of Plutarch, and tutor of Charles IX. and Henri III. of France, came to England at the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, and settled at Norwich. Mr. T. E. Amyot was the eldest son of Thomas Amyot, F. R. S., treasurer of the Society of Antiquaries. He was known to a wide circle of friends, not only for his professional acquirements, but also for his devotion to old English literature.”

The Ipswich Journal - 28 Dec 1895 Page 3

DISS: THE LATE MR. T. E. AMYOT. The remains of the late Mr. T. E. Amyot, surgeon (whose death we announced in our last issue), were laid to rest in Diss Cemetery on Thursday. Tokens of respect were noticeable on every hand, while the coffin was obscured from view by lovely wreaths and crosses (including one from Dickleburgh Orphanage, to which institution the deceased had gratuitously given his service for 20 years). The principal mourners were Mr. T. Amyot (son), Miss Amyot (daughter), Mr. H. Amyot (brother), Mrs. H. Wilson (sister), Mrs. Amyot, Mrs. H. Wilson, Mr. R. Wilson, Miss Howes, and Miss J. Howes. Several medical gentlemen living in the neighbourhood also attended, together with a large number of Diss tradesmen. The service was conducted by the Rev. Canon Manning (rector), assisted by the Rev. A. H. Harris (curate).

The Bury and Norwich - Post 12 July 1887 Page 5

DEATHS. Amyot. 3rd inst., at Diss, Norfolk, Elizabeth, wife of T. E. Amyot.

The Bury and Norwich Post - 13 Dec 1898 Page 7

A Prominent Woman Painter. Mrs. Amyot, the well-known artist, is the daughter of Norwegian parents, and the wife of Dr. Thomas Amyot, who formerly practised at Diss, in Norfolk, but who settled in London in 1882. She was born in Denmark, and inherited decided artistic talents from both father and mother. The former, Mr. Christian Engelhart, held an important position in the National Bank of Denmark, and was an accomplished wood carver, while the latter was skilled with brush and pencil. In 1866 Miss Engelhart commenced a regular course of study in Dusseldorf, and in the first year was so fortunate as to sell a picture to the Art Union of Christiania. Others purchased by the Berlin Photographic Society, were reproduced, and had a large sale in Europe and America. In 1874 she went to Norway for the purpose of painting several portraits of distinguished people in that country ; and was shortly afterwards summoned to Stockholm, and commissioned by King Oscar II to execute two historical paintings representing the founder of the present dynasty of Sweden, Carl Johann Bernadotte. One was placed m the Royal Palace of Christiania, and the other in the Palace of Trondheim. Among Mrs. Amyot’s best known works are “The Return of the Penitent”, “My Little Sweetheart”, “The Little Housewife”, and “Le Pauvre Amour!”. Mrs. Amyot has two young daughters and a son, who sometimes sit as her models.