Obituary of Professor John B. Wastell

PROF. WASTELL DEAD

The Famous Old Dancing Teacher

Gives Up the Ghost After a

Long Illness.

Prof. John B. Wastell, the well known teacher of dancing, died this morning at 11:15 o’clock at the family residence, 2005 West Market street. His demise was not unexpected, for it has been apparent for some weeks past that his days were numbered. About four months ago, after giving a lesson to a number of members of the Louisville Light Infantry, he was taken ill of a complication of disease. Daily he grew worse and the best medical attention failed to relieve him. For the past few days he had been unconscious, experiencing no pain, but slowly dying.

A few moments before his death he opened his eyes, looking lovingly at his family who were gathered about his bedside and then breathed his last. The funeral arrangements have not been made, but the interment will be at Cave Hill cemetery.

Prof. Wastell was one of the best known men in Louisville, and everybody will be sorry to learn of his death. He was born in London in 1819, and after receiving a first class education, his parents placed him in Her Majesty’s Theater, where he served a seven years apprenticeship. Then he left the stage and began giving dancing lessons. One of his classes was the Dickens Club, composed of twelve members, of which Charles Dickens was the President. Thackeray also belonged to it.

The new world offered bright inducements to the young men of the mother country and finally Prof. Wastell came to this country. After teaching in Canada, New York and Chicago a friend persuaded him to come to Louisville. This was thirty-seven years ago and since that time he had constantly been teaching. At a recent exhibition of his classes were ladies and gentlemen whose mothers and fathers he had taught to dance. They had also learned from him and he was ten teaching their children.

Among his pupils who acquired greatness on the stage were Charlotta Grisi and Tonlona. During Jenny Lind’s career before the public he was frequently called upon to assist at rehearsals and often appeared upon the stage with her himself. In addition to being highly educated in the area of Terpsichore he was also possessed of literary talent and frequently contributed to the daily press. He composed the “Tout le Monde quadrille” which he sent to France and it became very fashionable there.

He left a wife and three children, Miss Menie E., Ernest C. and Louis W.

The Louisville Times
Wednesday, Jun 12, 1889

Put the Sledge Hammer Down! John B. Wastell Has Parents

Oh, yes! Finally with lots of help from Gillian Wastell Ford and Howard Wastell, and spectacular research suggestions from Susan Goss Johnston, there is little doubt when and where John B. Wastell was born and who his parents were. After years and years and YEARS of looking, it was online databases that finally helped crack this mystery wide open.

The person that his descendants knew as John Barton Wastell was born John Bartlett Wastell on 8 March 1820, St. Dunstan, Stepney, Middlesex, London. John's parents were John Wastell and Martha Rebecca Lacey. The elder John was a M.?.O.I Revenue Officer.

Preliminary research has the following children born to John Wastell and Martha Rebecca Lacey:

• Charles Wastell, b. 22 Jun 1811, St. Dunstan, Stepney


• Ellen Wastell b. 2 Jun 1813, St. Dunstan, Stepney
• Louisa Wastell bapt. 28 May 1815, St. George in the East, Tower Hamlets

• Harriet Wastell b. 18 Sep 1816, St. Mary, Whitechapel , Tower Hamlets

• John Bartlett Wastell b. 10 Mar 1820 St. Dunstan, Stepney
• Elizabeth Wastell b. 27 Feb 1824 St. Mary, St. Marylebone Rd, St. Marylebone
 
A couple of key pieces of research to solving this mystery, were finding the first marriage record of John Bartlett Wastell and his first son's baptismal record. John Bartlett Wastell married Elizabeth Ann Barenger on 2 Aug 1846, The Holy Trinity Church, St. Margaret, Westminster, Islington. John's occupation was listed as teacher of music. Next, his son's John's baptismal record from 1 Aug 1852, John's occupation is listed as Dancing Master. Both were found on Ancestry.com.
 
What is not clear is if John Barton Wastell changed his name from John Bartlett Wastell or if his children or grandchildren recorded it wrong. There are still many unanswered questions about John B. Wastell. At this time, it appears that John left London sometime between 1849 and 1851 and came to either the United States or Canada. His wife, Elizabeth Ann, and son, John, remained in London.
 
Subsequent posts will discuss John's famous associates and those implications. Any Charles Dickens or Jenny Lind buffs lurking???