William Trick and Eliza Authers

H.M.S. Royal Adelaide lying at anchor in the Hamoaze at Devonport.

William Trick (b. 1858), son of William Trick and Elizabeth Blake, married Eliza Authers (b. 1861), daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, at Princes Street Congregational Chapel, Devonport, on 22 Jul 1883.

William and Eliza had one son:

1. William Henry Trick b. 14 Jun 1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 351.

William Trick, giving his date of birth as 16 July 1856 (this was later corrected to 16 Aug 1858, which agrees with the timing of his birth registration), had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 9 Aug 1871. If he had been born in 1856, this would have been close to his 15th birthday, which is probably significant. As it was, it was a whisker before his 13th birthday. At that time he was 4 ft 10½ in tall, with a fair complexion, dark hair and hazel eyes, weighing 99 lbs.

He was immediately assigned to HMS Cambridge (former HMS Windsor Castle (1858), renamed in 1869), gunnery ship off Plymouth, as a Boy 2nd Class. The training of naval ratings in the use of naval guns was carried out aboard HMS Cambridge. On 8 Dec 1872, she was driven ashore in a storm and refloated the next day. William was with this ship until 13 Jan 1873, so was presumably on her at the time of this incident. He was made up to Boy 1st Class in Oct 1872, so William appears to have shown early promise.

Most of William's assignments throughout his career were of short duration, joining HMS Cambridge on several different occasions; likewise HMS Royal Adelaide (1828) at various times, with his longest tour as a rating being with HMS Curacoa (1878), which he was with from 24 Feb 1880 until 27 Mar 1883, that served on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station.

In 1891, we find William Trick (34) Warrant Officer RN, living in Palmerson Street, Stoke [Damerel], Plymouth with Eliza Trick (30), William H Trick (6) and Susannah Authers (67) Widowed, Housekeeper, Mother-in-Law.

In 1901, William Trick (43) Gunner RN, Eliza Trick (40), William H Trick (16) Telegraphist and Mother-in-Law, Susannah (75) incorrectly listed as Trick.

William Trick was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 May 1909.

In 1911, still in Devonport, were William Trick (54) Lieutenant RN, Eliza Trick (50), William Engstrom Trick (2) Grandson, born in Fort William, Canada, as well as Margaret Watts (32) General Domestic Servant.

William Trick was placed on the retired list due to age on 16 Jul 1911 (not yet caught up with the 2 year 'discrepancy'), but was mobilised again, at the start of World War I on 1 Aug 1914, and assigned to HMS Impregnable (former HMS Howe (1860) school ship). He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 6 May 1917 and returned to the retired list on 1 Mar 1919.

In 1921, living at Model Farm, Wembdon, Somerset were William Trick (62) Lt Commander RN Retired; Eliza Trick (60), William H Trick (37) Farmer; Hulda N Trick (31) Daughter-in-law, birthplace Sweden; William E Trick (12) born in Canada; Henry D Trick (9), Eliza H Trick (8), Harold G Trick (6) and Dorothy H Trick (4). [William Henry Trick had married Hulda Naema Engstrom, in Ontario, Canada on 29 Aug 1908.]

In 1939, William Trick, Lieutenant Commander RN, Retired; Eliza Trick; William H Trick, Farmer; Hulda N Trick; Henry D Trick and two others, were living at Model Farm, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset. William Trick and his wife Eliza lived and died at Model Farm in Wembdon. Now a Country House, Guest House, it attracts some dubious visitors.

William Trick died on 19 Nov 1943, age estimated as 87, (1943 D Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 425). Eliza Trick died the following year at 83, in 1944 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 412.

W Trick is remembered on the War Memorial to St Georges Parishioners who served in both wars, inside St George's Church, Wembdon.

St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon

Eliza's parents, Henry Authers married Susannah Osmond at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon in the Q3 1851. Earlier that year, Susan Osmond (24) from Ashburton, Devonshire, had been living in Water Lane, Tiverton with an Eliza Osmond (24) from Tiverton as her Lodger. Both girls were employed as a Lace Hand, which infers that they will have worked for John Heathcoat's Lace Factory (Heathcoat Fabrics). Having not found birth or baptism records for either girl, it isn't clear if they are related, although one imagines so.

Ten years previously, in 1841, Susanna Osmond (15) had been living in Barrington Street, Tiverton, in the household of John Osmond (40). If this is the correct family, potential siblings are William, Catherine and John.

Both Henry and Susannah were born around 1827. Henry was reputedly born in Uplowman, Devon, but there is no baptism record for him either.

Henry and Susannah, however, had at least eight children:

1. William Henry Authers b. 1851 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 268, bap. at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Not seen after 1871, there is a burial of a W H Arter in Stoke Damerel, in 1879, which may relate.
2. Catherine Eliza Authers (Registered as Caroline Authers b. 25 Feb 1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), bap. as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth. My guess over this discrepancy is that she was always meant to be called Catherine.
3. Mary Jane Authers b. 20 Mar 1856 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277, bap. 13 Apr 1856 at St Mary's Devonport. Died 1860 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 233.
4. Eliza Authers b. 3 Jan 1861 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305, bap. 3 Feb 1861 at St Mary's Devonport.
5. Harry Authers b. 4 Mar 1863 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342, bap. 22 Mar 1863 at St Mary's Devonport.
6. John Nicholas Authers b. 1 Jun 1865 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 319, bap 16 Jul 1865. Died 1866 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277.
7. Emma Authers b. 6 May 1867 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 333, bap. 29 May 1867. Died  1868 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 221.
8. John Osmond Authers b. 20 Sep 1869 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 337, bap. 6 Oct 1869 at Devonport, St Mary.

Whilst various records describe Henry as a Labourer, on the baptism for Mary Jane in 1856, he is listed specifically as a 'Labourer at Dock Yard'. On the baptism for Eliza in 1861, the family's address was 17 Bragg's Alley. 

In 1861, Henry Auther (sic) (34) from Uplowman, Devon, was listed as a Licensed Victualler at 1 Queen Street, "Lamb Inn", Stoke Damerel (although it says he was Cousin to the head of the household), with Susan Auther (sic) (34) from Ashburton, Devon; William Auther (10) born in Tiverton, Devon - Disability: Dumb - and Eliza (0) born in Devonport. They had nine visitors (incl. five Seamen R.N. and one Soldier), one Boarder and one Servant.

In 1862, the Licensee of The Lamb Inn is listed as Henry Arthur (sic).

On the baptism for Harry in 1863, his father is listed as a Licenced Victualler and the family's address listed as 1 Queen Street, which confirms that he was residing at The Lamb Inn, one of many Public Houses in Queen Street.

By 1865 and again in 1867, Henry Authers was once more a Labourer and the family were back at 17 Bragg's Alley, which was said to be full of 'wretched hovels and dilapidated buildings'. Bragg's Alley was a narrow thoroughfare that ran between Catherine Street and Dock Wall Street. "These warrens threatened to tumble around the ears of their occupants - persons so repellent that no citizen could enter without certainty of insult."

In 1869, the family were living at 16 Granby Street, Devonport.

In 1871, Susan Arthurs (sic) (b. 1827), William H (year of birth as 1852), Catherine (b. ~1855), Eliza (b. 1861), Harry (b. 1863) and John (b. ~1870) were living at 1 Braggs Alley, Stoke Damerel, with no less than seven Lodgers in the household, whilst I've not [yet] located Henry.

On 11 Oct 1875, Henry Authors, Labourer of 20 N Moore St, New York, became a naturalized American citizen. He was also there in 1878, when he witnessed the naturalization of his son-in-law, William Thomas Eastabrook, who spent around 5 years in the Lower Manhattan slums, before returning to the UK by 1879. Henry Authers also clearly returned.

In 1881, Susannah Arthure (sic) (53) from Ashburton, Devon, Wife, Head of the household - have not [yet] found her husband - was living at 3, Trafalgar Court, Devonport Stoke-Damerel. With her were son Harry (18) Mason's apprentice, plus Elizabeth Hill (22) and M A Starling (23), both lodgers.

Henry Authers, died, at 57, in 1885 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL. 

Susannah Authurs (sic) (60) of 18 John St, Devonport, her occupation listed as Nurse, was treated at The Royal Albert Hospital and Eye Infirmary, Devonport, between 10 Oct 1888 and 13 Nov 1888 for Eczema of leg.

In 1891, Susannah Authers (67) Widow was Housekeeper in the household of her son-in-law, William Trick (Eliza Authers had married William Trick in 1883), in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1901, incorrectly listed as Susannah Trick (75) Widowed Mother-in-Law from Ashburton, Devonshire, was still living with William and Eliza Trick in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

Susannah Arthurs died at 76 in 1903 M Quarter in DEVONPORT.

Royal Naval Memorial, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Christine Matthews - geograph.org.uk/p/3106428

Harry Authers (as Henry Authers), son of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, married Mary Ann Pellew Robertson (b. 17 Mar 1862 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 344, bap. 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great), daughter of Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters, in Plymouth, Devon, in the 2nd quarter of 1887. 

Harry and Mary Ann had two sons:

1. Harry Archibald Pellew Authers b. 13 May 1891 (1891 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 362), bap. 4 Jun 1891 at Devonport, St James the Great.
2. Archibald John Authers b. 31 Dec 1894 (1895 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 336). Died 1 Nov 1914 (See below).

Also listing himself as Henry Authers and his date of birth as 6 Mar 1863, Harry had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 15 Apr 1885, becoming a Stoker and progressing to Leading Stoker and ultimately to Acting Chief Stoker until he was invalided at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth on 5 Nov 1897. 

In 1901, Harry Authers (38) Pensioner, Stoker R.N., Mary Ann Authers (39) Laundress, Harry A Authers (9), Archibald J Authers (6), as well as a Sarah Godfrey (45) Widowed Machinist at H M Dockyard, Boarder, were living in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

Harry Authers died, aged 38, in 1901 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 193.

Mary Ann Pellew Authers then died, at 42, just two years later, in 1903 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 132.

Both of the boys joined the Royal Navy. Harry would have been only 12 when his mother died and Archibald just 9. Both were listed as having come from GH School, which I can only assume was the Greenwich Hospital School.

1. Harry Archibald Pellew Authers enlisted as a Boy 2nd Class on 6 Nov 1906, at just shy of 15. He progressed to the rank of Petty Officer, retired in 1931, was mobilised in 1938, finally being invalided in 1947. He married in 1946 and died, at 90, in Tavistock, Devon in 1982.
2. Archibald John Authers enlisted as a Boy Ship's Steward on 7 Dec 1909, also just shy of his 15th birthday. He was lost in HMS Monmouth (1901) on 1 Nov 1914, at 19, killed in action at the Battle of Coronel, off the coast of Chile. Ship's Steward Archibold John Authers, son of the late Harry and Mary Ann Authers, is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon.

Charles Richard Baker and Ellen Linklater

Shadwell Basin
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4625222

Charles Richard Baker, son of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, married Ellen Linklater, daughter of John Linklater and Ellen Willett, on 22 Jul 1867 at Croydon, St John. Now The Minster Church of St John Baptist at Croydon, the record of the marriage lists that the marriage took place in the Temporary Parish Church. This was because on the night of 5 Jan 1867, a fire had broken out that had gutted the entire building. "During the period of rebuilding, services were held in a temporary "iron church", with seating for 700, erected in April 1868 in Scarbrook Road." Therefore, Charles and Ellen's marriage must have taken place in an even more temporary building, or one being used in the interim, before even that was erected. Both the bride and groom were then 19 and resident in Croydon. Ellen's father was a Mariner.

Charles and Ellen had seven children, of whom four died in infancy:

1. Frederick Charles Baker b. 1867 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 472. Died 1867 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 348.
2. Ellen Margaret Baker b. 1868 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 430. Died 1870 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 351.
3. George John Baker b. 1870 S Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 442.
4. Amelia Mary Ann Baker b. 1872 D Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 431. Died 1872 D Qtr in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 263.
5. Annie Elizabeth Baker b. 1874 M Qtr in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 431
6. Charles Hoile Baker b. 1876 M Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 442
7. Amy Baker b. 1877 S Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 371. Died 1877 S Quarter in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 277.

(In 1851, the 3 year old Ellen and her mother - presumably her father was at sea - had been living in the household of Maximilian Bates (43) School Master and his wife Amy. Maximilian Bates had married Amy Willett in 1834. The youngest child, therefore, was almost certainly named for Ellen's aunt.)

In 1871, in Shadwell, Stepney: Charles Baker (23), Ellen Baker (22), George John Baker (8 m), Margaret Horlock (28) and Ann Watt (56), Lodgers.

In 1881, at 26, Lower Shadwell, Shadwell, Stepney, London were Charles Richard Baker (33) Plumber; Ellen Baker (32) born in Greenhithe, Kent; George John Baker (10), Annie E Baker (7) and Charles H Baker (5).

We don't find them again on any census and the next record is for the death of Ellen Baker, wife of Chas Baker on 5 Apr 1907, from Pleurisy, Emphysema and Heart Failure at the Sanatorium, Berea, Durban, South Africa. At that time Charles Richard Baker was her surviving spouse. The record of the death also lists their three surviving children and their address at 164 Old Dutch Road (now 164 Chris Ntuli Rd, Musgrave, Berea, 4001, South Africa).

Charles Richard Baker, returned to England. He died, aged 60, in 1909 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 479.

William Ruff and Martha Preston

Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, or Portsmouth Cathedral
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/2872284
St Thomas, the Anglican Cathedral, which was built in Old Portsmouth in 1180.

William Ruff (b. ~1763) married Martha Preston (b. 22 Mar 1773, bap. 28 Apr 1773 at St Thomas, Portsmouth), daughter of Benjamin Preston and Ann Carter, at St Thomas church (now Portsmouth Cathedral) on 20 Jul 1794.

Records show that William and Martha had seven children:

1. James Ruff bap. 4 Jun 1797 at St Thomas, Portsmouth
2. George Ruff bap. 23 Jun 1799 in Portsea, Hampshire
3. William Evans Ruff bap. 27 Sep 1801 in Portsea, Hampshire
4. Isaac Ruff bap. 8 Apr 1804 in Portsea, Hampshire
5. James Ruff bap. 11 May 1806 in Portsea, Hampshire
6. Sarah Ruff bap. 15 Jul 1808 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
7. Jane Ruff bap. 18 Nov 1810 in Portsea, Hampshire

All of the baptisms in Portsea will have been at St Mary's. As there's a James Ruff born in 1806, it seems highly likely that the James born in 1797 didn't survive infancy, although I have not found a record to confirm this. 

William (78) and Martha (67) were in Greetham Street, Portsmouth in 1841.

William Ruff died, aged 80, in 1843 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 107 and was buried on 19 Feb 1843 at St Mary's, Portsea.

Martha Ruff died in 1846 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 90, age estimated as 76, and was buried in Portsea on 1 Mar 1846.

Charles Sweeney and Ruth Christmas Dobson

Photo © Peter Thwaite (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St George's Town Hall, E1, Thursday, 1 January, 2009

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

On the south side of Cable Street, to the rear of St George's in the East Church, is St George's Town Hall. The Mural on the building commemorates the 1936 'Battle of Cable Street'.

Charles Sweeney (b. 17 Jul 1880), Bachelor, Canteen Assistant, son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Ruth Christmas Dobson (b. 25 Dec 1878), Spinster, Machinist, daughter of William Dobson, Bricklayer, and Sarah Ann Rowe, both of 26 Caley Street, Limehouse, at The Register Office, Stepney on 18 Jul 1906. Witnesses were Esther Susan Stevens and Maria Penny. (The Register Office in Stepney at that date, I'm sure will have been what's now St George's Town Hall. Completed in 1860, this became Stepney Town Hall in 1900. And indeed, having been recently renovated, the building still has two ceremony rooms for marriages.)

On 22 Jan 1896, Charles Sweeney of 1 Stephensons Cottages, Condor Street (his parents' address) had enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment, claiming to be 18 years and 6 months old. By my calculations, he was in fact, 15 years and 6 months old at that time. He was 5ft 5in tall, 116 lbs, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair. On 19 Mar 1896 he transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment and they hadn't worked out that he was telling porkies about his age, because he was listed as 18 years and 8 months. He'd managed to gain 5lbs weight to 121 lbs and grow to 5ft 5½in in the interim.

Appointed Lance Corporal on 6 May 1896, Charles reverted to Private at his own request on 26 May 1896, but was reappointed Lance Corporal on 18 Feb 1898. He served in India with the 2nd Battalion for four years from 10 Nov 1898 until 11 Dec 1902. Ultimately promoted to Corporal, transferred to the Army Reserve on 18 Mar 1903. 

Interestingly, among next of kin, he lists his father, John, his mother, Susan; his elder brother Henry in the Royal Marines with HMS Rapid and his brother John 'address not known'. (No mention of Job, Thomas, nor his sisters.)

Charles and Ruth had two sons, both born in Poplar:

1. Charles Stanley Sweeney b. 13 Oct 1906 Volume 01C Page 601, bap. 4 Nov 1906 at St Stephen's Church in East India Dock Road. The baptism record lists the child's date of birth and his father as Charles John Sweeney, Warehouseman. Charles didn't have a middle name, but John was his father's first name and this is not the first time I've seen a father's name appended as a middle name. At the time, this may have been an affectation, but it's also now often useful.
2. Edward John George Sweeney b. 5 Apr 1913 J Quarter Vol 01C 1032, bap. 29 Sep 1916 at St Saviour's Poplar, his father listed as Soldier.

In 1911, Charles Sweeney (30) Warehouse labourer was living at 102 Hind Street, Poplar with Ruth Sweeney (31), Charles Stanley Sweeney (4), George Thomas Dobson (30) Brother-in-law and William John Bradley (45) Lodger.

Clearly as he was a Soldier in 1916, Charles Sweeney served in WWI, but I suspect he may have volunteered afresh giving the correct age. It's likely only a medal card will have survived and there are none with either of the service numbers on his 1896 records, so without knowing the new service number or his unit, impossible at the moment to isolate the correct record.

In 1921, and still at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, were Charles Sweeney (40) Caretaker of the All Saints Institute, Newby Place, Poplar, working for Rev. C R Cotter Parish Rector of All Saints Church, Poplar (Claud Rutledge Cotter); with Ruth Christmas Sweeney (41), Charles Stanley Sweeney (14) Errand Boy; Edward John George Sweeney (8) and John Henry Sweeney (82) Retired, formerly Caretaker of the Poplar Institute. We read that, "After 1913 the workhouse became known as Poplar Institution", so it may be that they're referring to and it looks like Charles has taken over his dad's position.

In 1939, Charles Sweeney, Caretaker in Charge of Public Hall, was in the household of brother-in-law, John Stone, at 12 Leith Road, Mile End. Ruth Sweeney was at 102 Hind Grove, Poplar, with her sister, Amy Dobson.

Ruth Christmas Sweeney died, aged ~65 (nearer 67), in 1945 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 293.

Charles Sweeney remarried on 9 Jul 1945 in Bethnal Green to Katie Trotter. Katie Trotter b. 12 Oct 1886 (1886 D Quarter in SHARDLOW Volume 07B Page 491) was bap. 14 Nov 1886 in Ockbrook, Derbyshire, daughter of William Alexander Trotter and Millicent Coulson. (It's not known if her dad, a Gardener, ever owned a yellow Reliant Robin.) Katie, 58 at the time of her marriage, was a Spinster, having spent a lifetime 'in service'. In 1901, Katie Trotter (14) Kitchen Maid was at the The Vicarage, Kings Norton; didn't find her in 1911; however, in 1921, Kate Trotter (34) was Cook in the Larkworthy household at 14, Brondesbury Park, Willesden, Middlesex; and in 1939, Katie Trotter was Cook Housekeeper, still to the Larkworthys, at Coopers Bridge, Woolmer Lane, Bramshott, Hampshire. It's the 1939 Register that gives us Katie's date of birth, the fact that she later became Katie Sweeney and lists the date of marriage in the left margin. Katie Sweeney died, at 65, her death was registered in 1952 S Quarter in NUNEATON Volume 09C Page 627.

Charles Sweeney died, aged 88, in Q3 of 1968 in Stepney (Vol 5E Page 138).

Once more we have two brothers who marry two sisters:

• Charles Stanley Sweeney married Alice Agnes Coker (b. 22 Aug 1906) in Bethnal Green, in 1929. They had one son, Brian Charles Sweeney b. 6 Aug 1936. In 1939, Brian was evacuated to the Hall family at 1 Free Lane, Thwaite St Mary, Loddon, Norfolk. Brian Charles Sweeney of Toddington, Bedfordshire died at 40, on 27 Feb 1977, seemingly leaving a widow and three children. Alice Agnes Sweeney died in Luton, Bedfordshire, in 1997; Charles Stanley Sweeney died, also in Luton, on 7 Jan 2003, at 96. 
• Edward John George Sweeney married Daisy Annie Coker (b. 5 Mar 1912), at St John on Bethnal Green, on 22 Dec 1934. Edward John Sweeney died, aged 75, in Waltham Forest, in 1988. Daisy Annie Sweeney also died in Waltham Forest, in 1999. 

Robert Hockley and Mary Watts

Photo © Robert Edwards (cc-by-sa/2.0)

The parish church of St. Michael the Archangel, Braintree, Saturday, 6 February, 2010

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Robert Hockley (b. ~1723) married Mary Watts (b. ~1727 at St. Michael the Archangel, Braintree, Essex) on 17 Jul 1754. (There is a possibly relevant baptism of a Mary Watts on 23 Jul 1730 at Braintree, St. Michael the Archangel, the daughter of Thomas and Judith Watts).

This Robert and Mary Hockley brought up several children, all of whom were baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow:

1. Robert Hockley bap. 20 Apr 1755
2. Mary Hockley bap. 23 Oct 1757
3. Daniel Hockley bap. 21 Jan 1760 
4. Elizabeth Hockley bap. 28 Dec 1763
5. William Hockley bap. 16 Feb 1766

There's one further child attributed to this couple, Mary Hockley bap. 28 Jan 1770, also in Great Dunmow. Mary would have been 43, so it isn't impossible, but I don't believe anyone would name another child Mary in 1770, when Mary, born in 1757, was then still very much alive. The child baptised in 1770 is listed as being the child of Robert and Mary Hockley, but was she really their child? My feeling is it's far more likely that daughter Mary gave birth to an illegitimate child at 13, with the grandparents baptising the child as their own to hide the truth, especially given the real mother's young age. 

Robert Hockley was buried on 25 Oct 1796, aged 73 (which would suggest a year of birth of 1723). The burial record lists his occupation as Weaver.

Mary Hockley died allegedly aged 88 and was buried on 1 Jan 1815.

• Mary Hockley b. 1757 married William Lammas of the Parish of St. Mary Whitechapel at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 13 Apr 1779. There are no records to substantiate this, either in Dunmow, or London, but I believe the William Lammas apprenticed to Robert Hockley, Tailor and Draper in 1799 could have been their son.
• Elizabeth Hockley b. 1763 married John Moss on 9 Apr 1782. They appear to have had a son William Moss bap. 20 Feb 1788.

John Maycock and Susanna Blazey

Photo © Evelyn Simak (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Martin at Oak, Norwich, Thursday, 7 October, 2010

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

John Maycock married Susanna Blazey (bap. 11 Jul 1792 in Wymondham), daughter of Samuel Blazey and Susanna Plunkett, at St Martin at Oak, Norwich on 17 Jul 1811. (They were married by Charles Tanqueray, Clerk [in Holy Orders] and one wonders if he was linked to the Charles Tanqueray of gin fame.) Witnesses were Samuel Rainbird and Stephen Codman.

Susanna Blazey came to this marriage with a son, Francis Stephen Blazey, who was born on 26 Dec 1810 and baptised on 30 Dec 1810, also at St Martin at Oak, Norwich. The baptism record makes it absolutely clear that Francis was 'illegitimate born'. He never took this stepfather's name, so I think it fairly safe to assume that Maycock was not Francis' biological father.

So far, I can find no other records for John Maycock, so I have no idea of his age, nor when or where he was born and neither can I find a record of his death. Similarly, I've not found any children born to this couple.

There are banns of a marriage between Thomas Bray and a Susan Maycock, Widow, also at St Martin at Oak, in November 1819, which might relate. However, I can similarly find no other records of Thomas Bray, nor any children of that marriage, nor a death of a Susan or Susanna Bray.

Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason

St Mary, Broxted - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3374402

Daniel Hockley, Labourer, married Sophia Mason (b. 3 Dec 1796, bap. 1 Jan 1797 in Great Easton, Essex), daughter of Richard Mason and Millicent Butcher, on 17 Jul 1815 at the parish church in Broxted, Essex. Witnesses were Sophia's brother Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, his intended. 

For now Daniel is the earliest of my Hockley ancestors that I can follow a trail of records to and be fully confident are correct. He was reputedly the son of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner - and thus brother of Sally Hockley - but I've found no record of a birth (or baptism) to prove this. There is, however, a listing of a Daniel Hockley, baptised in Broxted on 21 Feb 1790, son of John and Mary Hockley, which looks to be a far more likely candidate. 

Daniel and Sophia had nine children:

1. George Hockley bap. 1 Oct 1815 in Broxted
2. Lucy Hockley bap. 26 Oct 1817 
3. Eliza Hockley bap. 23 Jul 1820 (died, aged 25, and was buried on 7 Jul 1845 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.)
4. Mary Hockley bap. 9 May 1824
5. Tamar Hockley bap. 8 Oct 1826. Tamar as a name: There are three characters in the Bible with this name. 
6. Sarah Hockley bap. 10 Aug 1828 (buried 14 Sep 1828)
7. Sophia Hockley bap. 14 Aug 1831
8. William Hockley bap. 15 Sep 1833
9. James Hockley bap. 5 Aug 1838

From Lucy onwards, they were baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

Youngest child, James, falls within Civil Registration and, the General Register Office record confirms the mother's maiden name as MASON.

In 1841, at Halfway House, Great Dunmow, were Daniel Hockley (50), Sophia (45), George (25), Eliza (20), Tamar (15), Sophia (10), William (8), James (2) and Lucy (0), daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman [1]. Mary Hockley (18ish) was working as a Female Servant in the household of William Piper (30) Chemist & Druggist in High Street, Great Dunmow, Dunmow.

Sophia Hockley died, aged 46 - which agrees with a year of birth of 1796 - in 1842 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 55 and was buried, on 23 Oct 1842, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

In 1861, the widowed Daniel Hockley - age estimated to 62 - was living in the household of son William Hockley (27), married to Charlotte (née Cock) (27), their daughter Sarah C (1) and William's brother, James (23).

Daniel Hockley died, his age estimated to 81, in 1868 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 267 and was buried on 8 Jul 1868.

[1] Lucy Hockley (b. 1841 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 77), bap. 5 Mar 1841 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman. In 1861, Lucy Hockley (20) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Great Dunmow Union Workhouse. In 1871, Lucy Hockley (30) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Dunmow Union Workhouse, but, in 1881 Lucy Hockley (36ish) was employed as a Domestic Servant by Charles Cook (70) in Chelmsford Road, Barnston, Dunmow. Lucy Hockley of Dunmow Union Workhouse died, aged 49, and was buried on 22 Nov 1890.

John Thomas Wykes and Mary Ann Mercury

Classic Trains South Africa
Image by Martin Hatchuel from Pixabay

John Thomas Wykes (b. 1864 in Deptford, London), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Mary Ann Mercury at Baptist Church, Cape Town, South Africa on 16 Jul 1889. John Thomas' job was listed as Waiter.

The couple had five children:

1. Elizabeth Lilian Wykes b. 13 Mar 1890, bap. (as Elizabeth Mary) on 28 May 1891 in Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa
2. William Ernest Wykes b. 7 Aug 1892 in Germiston, bap. 9 Oct 1892 in Transvaal, South Africa
3. Martha Ethel Wykes b. 12 Feb 1894 in Germiston, died aged 20 days and was buried, on 4 Mar 1894 in Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa
4. John Thomson Wykes b. 16 Sep 1896 in Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa, bap. on 26 Sep 1896 at St Boniface Church, Germiston
5. Jessie Harriet Wykes b. 18 Mar 1898 in Germiston, Transvaal, South Africa, bap. on 15 Apr 1898 at St Boniface Church, Germiston. Died, aged 3, in Apr-May-Jun 1901, Vol 1D Page 523, in Greenwich.

On the baptisms of the first four children, John Thomas' occupation was listed as Engine Driver, on Jessie's, as a Fitter. John Thomas Wykes' sister, Martha O'Toole, was a sponsor at John Thomson Wykes' baptism in 1896.

Mary Mercury Wykes of 62 Chapel Street, Cape Town, died, aged 34, on 21 Sep 1899 from Phthisis (Tuberculosis). The record of her death lists that she was from Saint Helena and was of mixed race.

In 1901, Lily Wykes (11), Willie Wykes (8) and Jessie Wykes (3) were in the household of John Thomas' sister, Elizabeth Burch, in Deptford, London. Also there was Martha O'Toole, who I imagine took the children to England.

John Wykes, widower, engineer, remarried, on 3 Oct 1901, to Esther Mercury at St Mark's, Cape Town. Born Esther Margaret Mercury on 19 June 1870 in Saint Helena, daughter of Francis Mercury and Rachel Michael, and it appears highly likely that she was either Mary Ann's sister, or her cousin.

But Esther Wykes (née Mercury) of 5 Osborne St, Cape Town, died, aged 33, on 21 May 1904, also from Phthisis (Tuberculosis). The record of her death confirms that she was also from Saint Helena and of mixed race.

In 1911, Elizabeth Wykes (21) Domestic and William Wykes (18) Stationer's Clerk, both born in South Africa, were Boarders in the household of John Trigg (59) Mantle Maker at 388 Evelyn St, Deptford.

John Thomas Wykes, South African Railway Pensioner on 72 Drake Road, Durban, died, aged 87, on 15 Apr 1951 at Addington Hospital Durban.

• Elizabeth Lilian Wykes married Walter James Fisher on 10 Feb 1916, at St Paul's, Deptford. Walter James Fisher (25) of 388 Evelyn St, Deptford, enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery on 29 Feb 1916. He survived two tours in France in 1917-18 and 1918-19. Their daughter, Peggie Irene Fisher was born on 9 Apr 1921 J Quarter in ST. OLAVE (BERMONDSEY) Volume 01D Page 298. In 1939, Walter J Fisher (b. 9 Apr 1890) Clothier Manager; Lilian E Fisher and Peggy I Fisher lived at 16 Sanderstead Road, Leyton, Essex. Walter James Fisher of 43 Greenhays Drive, South Woodford died on 17 Jan 1958. Lilian Elizabeth Fisher of 43 Greenhays Drive, South Woodford died on 17 Jun 1967.
• William Ernest Wykes married Martha Irene Griffiths (b. 23 Dec 1890) daughter of Seth Griffiths, Police Sargent and Elizabeth Harries, also in the 1st quarter of 1916, in Greenwich. They had four sons: Leonard William Wykes b. 31 Jan 1923; John Stanley Wykes b. 31 May 1924; Walter Seth Wykes b. 1 Nov 1926 and Alan David Michael Wykes b. 1 Nov 1934. In 1939, the two older boys were at home with their parents at 46 Canmore Gardens, Wandsworth, while the two younger ones were at the Pier Hotel, Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, Sussex, presumably evacuated. Their eldest son, Sergeant Leonard William Wykes, 466 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was killed in action on 22 Jan 1944 when his aircraft was shot down at De Lutte 2 miles east of Oldenzaal, Netherlands, close to the German border, during a raid on Magdeburg. Martha I Wykes died, at 66, in 1957 in Streatham. William Ernest Wykes died, in 1977, in Thanet, Kent.

William James Blazey and Emma Greaves Marshall

St Bartholomews Cathedral Entrance - 86 Middle Road - Barrackpore - Kolkata
Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

William James Blazey (28) (bap. 13 Sep 1863 in Witney, Oxfordshire), Batchelor, Mechanic, younger son of Francis Robert Blazey and Maria Emily Andrews, married Emma Greaves Marshall (17) (b. 9 Jul 1874, bap. 15 Sep 1874 in Vepery, Madras (Chennai), India), Spinster, daughter of Robert Greaves Marshall and Jessie Charlotte Twigg, on 15 Jul 1891 at St Bartholemew's Church (now St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral), Barrackpore, Bengal, India. (Barrackpore Trip Guide – A walk down the forgotten history of the Oldest Cantonment). Both parties gave their address as Ishapore (later site of the Rifle Factory Ishapore). Ishapore was located near Barrackpore, outside of Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal. The first Arms Manufacturing facility on the site was a gunpowder factory, which makes complete sense to locate them both there as at the time of Emma's baptism, her father's occupation was described as 'Supervisor Gun Powder Manufactory'.

The couple had one son:

1. Frank Kenneth Blazey b. 27 Oct 1907, bap. 9 Dec 1907 at the Sibpur College Chapel (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST, Shibpur), Shibpur. The university was founded as the Civil Engineering College in 1856. The baptism record lists his father's position as Foreman Instructor, C. E. College Sibpur.

Unusual for a first child to be born after 16 years of marriage, but after extensive searches, there is no evidence of any other children.

However, William James Blazey, Foreman Instructor, Civil Engineering College, Sibpur, died on 13 Jan 1908 at Howrah General Hospital from an aortic aneurysm. He was buried at the General Episcopal Cemetery, Calcutta (Kolkata) on 14 Jan 1908. The records list his widow and child, and inform us that both his parents were dead and that he had one brother and three sisters in England. The brother will have been his younger half-brother, Harry Robert Blazey; the half-sisters being: Alice Maud Stanley Blazey from his father's second marriage and Constance Ellen Blazey from his father's third marriage; the third sister must have been Maud Millers, his father's step-daughter.

Unsurprisingly, Emma Greaves Blazey (34) Widow, then remarried to William Altmore Christian Hughes (26) (reportedly b. 1884 in Wales), Batchelor, Assistant Foreign Office, said to be son of William Le Maistre Hughes, at St. Stephen’s Church, Kidderpore on 7 Feb 1910.

But only 18 months later, William Altmore Christian Hughes, Clerk, Government of India, Foreign Department, died, aged 28, on 21 Sep 1912 from gangrene and consequent septicemia and was buried on 22 Sep 1912 at Simla, West Bengal. The record states that his mother was still alive and that he had a wife and one child (which will have been his step-child).

There is evidence to suggest that young Frank, then going by his step-father's surname as Frank Kenneth Hughes, was still in India, as the The Civil and Military Gazette of 4 Feb 1922 lists him among the school exam results (he would then have been 15) at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla.

A report in the Derby Daily Telegraph of 17 Apr 1930, concerning a man being knocked down by a motor-cycle names, "Frank Kenneth Hughes, aged 22, electrical engineer, of Codnor, the cyclist, escaped with slight injuries, but suffered from shock." Subsequent records persuade me this is 'our man' and suggests he therefore came to England between 1922 and 1930.

Initially, I hadn't found further records, but knowing that Blazey has been mis-spelled so many ways, I searched the 1939 register for 'Frank' with no surname and just his date of birth and found him as Frank K Hughes (b. 27 Oct 1907) Electrical Engineer, Sound Engineer & Cine Engineer, Married; Ida Hughes (b. 18 Aug 1912) [Frank K Hughes had married Ida Channon in Oxford, in 1936] and Frank's mother, Emma G Hughes (b. 9 Jul 1874) Government Clerk (Retired), Widow, at 15 Mayfair Road, Oxford.

Emma Greaves Hughes of 24 Lime Grove, Shepherds Bush, London, died, at 74, on 27 Nov 1948 (1948 D Quarter in HAMMERSMITH Volume 05C Page 805). Probate was granted to Frank Kenneth Hughes, electrical engineer. Emma left effects valued at £1250 8s 10d (almost £60K today).

(Frank Kenneth Hughes of 17 Welbeck Gardens, Toton, Nottinghamshire, died on 24 Oct 1976; Ida Hughes died on 5 Dec 1990, leaving a daughter.)

William Stone and Hannah Westcott

Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1350345

William Stone (bap. 1 Apr 1821 at St Peter's Church, Langford Budville), eldest son of William Stone and Mary Thorne - on the marriage certificate he lists his father as William Stone, Labourer - married Hannah Westcott (b. 8 Feb 1831), daughter of Thomas Westcott and Hagar (a.k.a. Ann) Mitchell, at the Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset, on 13 Jul 1850. One of the witnesses was Mary Ann Westcott, Hannah's sister. Hannah was baptised Anna Westcott (due to pronunciation, probably) on 19 Jun 1831, at the The Lower Meeting Independent Formerly Presbyterian, Wellington, Somerset and in 1841, Hannah Westcott (10) was living at Tone Wharf, Wellington Somerset with her parents, Thomas and Ann Westcott. 

(Mary Thorne's mother was Eleanor Westcott, so there's a good chance they were 'keeping it in the family', which would be no surprise whatsoever.)

William and Hannah's children include the following nine: 

1. William Stone b. Apr 1851 in Devon, presumably at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, bap. 29 Jan 1854 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
2. Mary Ann Stone allegedly b. 2 Jan 1854 in Ashbrittle, Somerset, bap. 29 Jan 1854 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
3. Walter Stone allegedly b. 11 Jun 1856, bap. 12 Jun 1856 at St Michael's, Stawley. Died 1856 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 242 and buried on 15 Jun 1856
4. Charles Stone allegedly b. 2 Feb 1858 (1858 M Quarter in PONTYPOOL Volume 11A Page 131), with his mother's maiden name listed, incorrectly, as WESTGATE. Died, aged 4 Months, 1858 J Quarter in PONTYPOOL Volume 11A Page 93 and was buried on 12 Jun 1858 in Abersychan (presumably at St Thomas)
5. Leah Stone allegedly b. 6 Jan 1860, died aged 3 weeks and was also buried on 1 Feb 1860 in Abersychan
6. Hannah Maria Stone b. 1861 S Qtr in PONTYPOOL Vol 11A 122
7. Thomas Stone b. 12 Aug 1864 in Usworth, Durham 
8. Edith Ellen Stone b. 1866 D Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 428
9. Isabella Stone b. 1870 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 479

The others at the GRO, the mother's maiden name is listed as WESTCOTT.

The two infant burials in Abersychan were officiated by F Bluett, Incumbant. The Reverend F. Bluett (Francis Bluett) was the incumbent (vicar) of Abersychan in the mid-19th century. Historically, he is best known for his correspondence with the Dean and Chapter of Llandaff in 1854 regarding financial support for the parish, as well as for his official reports to the government detailing the social, moral, and marital conditions of the rapidly expanding industrial population in South Wales. According to Rev. Francis Bluett, vicar of Abersychan, 'Persons are often found here living together as man and wife for years, and supposed to be married'. Bluett cannot be a common surname and what's interesting is that the Bluett family was a prominent English landowning lineage closely associated with the Devon village of Holcombe Rogus. They held the manor for over 400 years and constructed the grand, Grade I Tudor manor house, Holcombe Court.

Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Mid Devon : Whipples Farm, Monday, 13 February, 2012

Whipples Farm on the road heading towards Tracebridge.

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

In 1851, William Stone (~28), Agricultural Labourer, from Langford [Budville], Somerset was living at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, with wife Anah Stone (sic) (21). With that spelling, I'd put money on someone saying, with the H dropped, 'annah wiv an haitch', meaning Hannah, but that's what was written down. Whipples Farmhouse, is a historically significant, Grade II listed building located in the rural hamlet of Tracebridge, near Holcombe Rogus and Ashbrittle on the Somerset/Devon border. Living at Whipples also was Henry Tremlett, a Dairyman, for whom William was presumably working. 

In 1861, however, William Stone (40), married, Pitman from Holcombe, Devon was a lodger in the house of Elizabeth Archer (50), widow at Nailers Shops, New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham. While Hannah Stone (29) from Wellington, Somerset was living at Garndiffath, Trevethin, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales with son William Stone (10) born in Devon, England and daughter, Mary Ann Stone, born in Ashbrittle. 

In 1871, living at Washington New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham were William Stones (sic) (under estimated to 43) Miner from Somerset; Hannah Stones (39), William Stones (19) Miner; Anna Maria Stones (9), Thomas Stones (5), Edith Ellen Stones (3) and Isabella Stones (11 m).

William Stone died at 55 in 1875 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A Page 356 and was buried on 24 Jul 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Usworth.

In 1881, Hannah Stone (49) widow, mother-in-law, was living in the household of Miles Handy (35) Coal Miner from Wallsend, Northumberland and Mary A Handy (27) from Somerset, with Thomas Stone (16) Coal Miner (putter) born in Usworth, Durham, brother-in-law and Isabella Stone (10) born in Washington, Durham, sister-in-law and William Handy (25) Coal Miner, boarder, also from Wallsend, Northumberland, Miles' brother. 

In 1891, Hannah Stone (59), widow, was living on her own means in the household of William Handy (34) Coal Miner at New Rows, Little Usworth, Chester Le Street - her home, but he presumably became head as a man. In the household also were Hannah's daughter, Isabella Brack (20) and her husband John Brack (23) from Byker, Northumberland, Coal miner deputy.

In 1901, Hannah Stone (70), widow, mother-in-law, from Wellington, Somerset, was living in the household of John Robert Brack (34) Coal deputy overman and Isabella Brack (30), and their then five children, at 10, New Rows, Washington, Great and Little Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham.

Hannah Stone died, aged 78, 1909 J Quarter in CHESTER LE STREET Volume 10A Page 317.

• William Stone married Ann Jackson in Kelloe on 8 Sep 1873
• Mary Ann Stone married Miles Handy in Chester Le Street, in 1872
• Anna Maria Stone married John Hodgson in 1883
• Thomas Stone married Polly Beaty in 1888
• Edith Ellen Stone married William Brabbon Simpson in 1889
• Isabella Stone married John Robert Brack in 1890