Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00370)

Pedro,

Thanks for your reply.

In answer to my question: "What year was
C.W. Leadbeater born?", you reply in part:

=================================================

I really don't know, Daniel, as I have no means 
to ascertain it. Dr Tillet's comments are quite 
extensive, of course. Personally, on this matter 
I tend to agree with the opinion of the late Dr Hugh 
Shearman. I know a number of cases of people in 
Brazil, for example, who had their births registered 
much after the actual date of birth. Apparently, 
this happens in other countries in the world as well.

======================================================

So, Pedro, let me try to understand your reasoning
in this matter. You are telling the readers on this
forum that you have NO MEANS to ascertain anyone's 
birthdate? Or does this only apply to Leadbeater's
birthdate?

Let us take Annie Besant's birthdate. Are you
saying that maybe her birthdate as recorded in
the official records may not be correct? And that
you have NO MEANS to ascertain what year she
was born?

Moving on...

You make the point:

=================================================

I know a number of cases of people in 
Brazil, for example, who had their births registered 
much after the actual date of birth. 

==================================================

Well, that was in Brazil. Leadbeater was
born in England.

But even if we concede your POSSIBILITY that
Leadbeater's birth in 1847 was not recorded until
later and for some reason was then recorded as 1854,
you seem to IGNORE a fact brought forth by
Gregory Tillett. He writes:

"....the Charles Webster Leadbeater who was 
ordained as an Anglican priest by the Bishop 
of Winchester on St Thomas¹ Day, 1879,(and who 
was the nephew of William Wolfe Capes) gave as 
his birth date the one shown on the birth 
certificate available from the General Register 
Office in London: February 16, 1854."

If I understand this, Mr. Leadbeater himself in 1879
gave his own birthdate as 1854.

I look forward to your further comments on this
historical issue.

Daniel