Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304107

Daniel Hockley (bap. 21 Jan 1760 at St Mary's, Great Dunmow), Bachelor, of this Parish, son of Robert Hockley and Mary Watts, and Sarah Turner, Spinster, of the same [Parish] were married by John Howlett, Vicar, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, on 7 Jun 1786. The transcription of the parish register names the witnesses as James Button and Isabella Bird.

This couple had one daughter, Sally Hockley b. 7 Dec 1787, bap. 23 Dec 1787 in Great Dunmow, at 16 days old, who married Thomas Staines in 1812, and, because two of their daughters, Sarah Staines and Ann Staines, later married Henry Wilton, elder brother of my 3x great-grandfather, Richard Wilton, one way or another, I'm related to this Daniel Hockley.

This Daniel and Sarah Hockley are also reputed to have been the parents of this Daniel Hockley, but I'm just not buying it. There are no records I can find to substantiate this, and therefore seems (unless anyone can provide evidence to the contrary), merely an assumption based on his name. And it will probably be unpopular to say this, but this Hockley line are firmly of the "middling sort": merchants, artisans and tradesmen, living in the centre of Great Dunmow. The later Daniel Hockley was a Labourer, who arrived in the rural outskirts of Dunmow from Broxted. They're from two very different classes.

There was a burial of a Daniel Hockley, who died aged 56 (right sort of age, computes to an estimated birth year of 1761), in 1817, however, upon further investigation, that burial turned out to be in Thaxted. It could relate, but it's too much of a stretch to accept, because I cannot place him in Thaxted and, even if he died there, one would expect him to be brought back to Dunmow for burial. Others have ascribed a death in 1843. The deceased in this case was aged around 77, computing to a birth around 1766 and the burial was in High Roding. This 1843 death can be immediately refuted though, because the record, in Essex Monumental Inscriptions, shows that particular Daniel Hockley is buried with a wife named Elizabeth. Therefore, at the moment, I cannot, with any confidence, say when this Daniel Hockley died.

What I can say is that there are a LOT of people named Daniel Hockley. They may all be related, but it is absolutely not safe to assume that they are. 

There's also a death of Sarah Hockley, age estimated as 80, who died in 1838 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 53 and was buried on 14 Jul 1838 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Dunmow, which I feel could relate, but again, my confidence is not now high on this. With only one child, it's possible that either one or both of them died shortly after Sally was born. Then either could have remarried. It just isn't possible [yet] to be absolutely certain.

Ernest James Burch and Elizabeth Wykes

Amersham Road, New Cross
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4358069

Ernest James Burch (b. 1858), son of Henry Burch and Rebecca Martin, married Elizabeth Wykes (b. 10 Jun 1861), daughter of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, at All Saints, Rotherhithe, on 6 Jun 1881. (Ernest James' brother, Henry Charles Burch married Elizabeth's sister, Mary Ann Wykes.)

Ernest and Elizabeth had six children, all born in Greenwich:

1. Ernest William Burch b. 1882 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1015. Died, 1884 J Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569
2. Rose Mary Burch b. 25 Apr 1884 J Qtr Vol 01D Page 1029
3. Henry Charles Burch b. 6 Jun 1886 S Qtr Vol 01D Page 1030
4. Maria Elizabeth Burch b. 25 Apr 1888 J Qtr Vol 01D Page 1027
5. Florence Emma Burch b. 24 Jun 1891 S Qtr Vol 01D Page 1032
6. Ada Burch b. 18 Dec 1893, reg. 1894 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1043, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford

In 1891, Ernest J Burch (32) Stone Mason and wife Elizabeth Burch (30) were living at 20, Evelyn Street, St Paul Deptford with Rose Mary Burch (6), Henry Charles Burch (4), Maria Burch (2), Martha Buzzacott (38) Visitor [Elizabeth's sister], Maude Buzzacott (4) Visitor [Martha's daughter], James Green (17) Shoe Maker, Boarder and Hariett Armstead (30) Boarder.

By 1901, however, it's clear that the couple had separated, because Ernest J Burch (42) Stone Mason, was living in the household of his brother, Henry Charles Burch, at 2, Octavius Street, St Paul, Deptford, while Elizabeth Burch (39) Midwife nurse was living at 20, Albury Street, St Paul Deptford. In Elizabeth's household were Rose Mary Burch (16), Henry C Burch (14) Apprentice Stone Mason; Maria E Burch (12), Florence E Burch (9), Ada Burch (7), Elizabeth Doe (21) Tin Solderer, Boarder; Julia Taylor (43) Widow, Boarder [widow of Elizabeth's cousin, George Taylor]; Martha O'Toole (48) Visitor [Elizabeth's sister] and Lily Wykes (11), Willie Wykes (8) and Jessie Wykes (3) - all three were listed as visitors, born in South Africa [they were the children of Elizabeth's brother, John Thomas Wykes].

In 1911, it gets even more interesting, as Elizabeth Burch (49) Midwife, was living at 13 Amersham Road, New Cross, St Paul Deptford with Marie Burch (22), Florence Burch (19) Book keeper; Mary Weston (26) [Rose Mary Burch, as was]; Lily Weston (3) Granddaughter; William Barber (50) Lodger, Norah Barber (30) and Dora Barber (1). The 1911 Census confirms that Elizabeth had six children with five living. However, Ernest James Burch (52) Married, Stonemason was living at 20 South Crescent, Cold Bath Street, Greenwich with a whole new family: Alice Newman Burch (35) Single, 'Housekeeper' (a euphemism, clearly) born in Peckham; Dorothy Burch (12) born in Hackney; Ellen Burch (10) born in Lewisham and William Burch (5) born in Greenwich. The original 1911 Census lists that Ernest had been married 29 years (yes, but to Elizabeth Wykes, not Alice) and lists 4 children, of whom 3 were still living at that point, clearly referring to the children of this relationship.

Alice Newman it seems gave birth to five children:

1. Dorothy Alice Newman b. 14 Jan 1899 M Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 558, with no mother's maiden name listed, i.e. illegitimate.
2. Ellen Newman b. 1900 S Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1206, curiously, with BURCH listed as a mother's maiden name.
3. Edward William Burch b. 1902 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1075. Died, aged 1, in 1904 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 541
4. William Burch b. 20 Jan 1906 M Qtr Vol 01D Page 1117
5. Ernest George Burch b. 16 May 1912 J Qtr Vol 01D 1884

On the records for the 3 boys, the mother's maiden name is NEWMAN, so they were registered as if they were legitimate, though they were not.

In 1921, Elizabeth Burch (60) mother-in-law, Midwife, was listed in the household of Richard Charles Weston (38) - married to Rose Mary Burch - at 62, Florence Road, St Paul Deptford. One imagines she was there to assist with the birth of the couple's son, Charles Albert, then under one month old, as her usual place of work (and presumably residence) was in Tring, Herts. Ernest James Burch (62) Stonemason, was living at 58, Vanguard Street, Deptford with his 2nd family: Alice 'Burch' (44), William Burch (15), Dorothy Alice Burch (25), Ellen Burch (20) and Ernest George Burch (9).

Ernest James Burch died, at 73, in 1932 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1379.

Elizabeth Burch of 23 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire (daughter, Ada and her husband also lived in Tring) died, also aged 73, at 4 Whitehouse Terrace, Western Road, Tring, on 9 Jan 1935 (1935 M Quarter in BERKHAMPSTEAD Volume 03A Page 1240). Probate was granted to her surviving son, Henry Charles Burch, Stonemason, leaving effects of £459.

In 1939, Alice Burch [really Alice Newman] b. 13 Mar 1877, 'Widowed' was living at 3 Summerfield Street, Hither Green, Lewisham with youngest son, Ernest G Burch, of 'No Occupation Owing To Bad Health'. 

Listed again as Alice Burch, actually still Alice Newman, because I found no marriage between her and Ernest James Burch, not even a bigamous one, died at 74 in 1952 D Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 05D Page 16.

Of Ernest and Alice's children:

• Dorothy Alice Burch married Arthur Henry Bown, in Lewisham, in 1925. In 1939, they were living at 47 Scylla Road, Peckham, Camberwell. Arthur H Bown died, at 56, in Camberwell, in 1951. Dorothy Alice Bown of Templeton Nursing Home, Streatham Common died on 15 Sep 1987.
• Ellen Burch married James Joy, in Lewisham, in 1924. Ellen Joy b. 12 Aug 1900 (same quarter as birth registration) died in Bexley, Kent, in 1997.
• William Burch married Elizabeth Gardiner, in Lewisham, in 1933. In 1939, William Burch, General Labourer, Elizabeth and their son, William Edward Burch b. 31 Dec 1933 (reg. 1934 M Qtr in LEWISHAM Vol 01D  Page 1102), were living at 45 Battersby Road, Catford. William Burch died, in 1970, in Lewisham. 
• Ernest George Burch died, at 30, on 12 February 1943 (1943 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 923) and was buried at Hither Green Cemetery.

James Adcock and Mary Hill

Former Church of St Michael the Greater, Stamford, Lincolnshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Robinson - geograph.org.uk/p/6208532

James Adcock (bap. 31 Dec 1812), son of Joseph Adcock and Sarah Cook, married Mary Hill, listed as the daughter of William Hill, at All Saints Church, Pytchley, Northamptonshire, on 5 Jun 1838. James' profession was listed as Carpenter and Joiner and he was already living in Stamford, Lincolnshire at the time of their marriage. Witnesses were Edward Bryan and Louisa Cox.

James and Mary had five children, all born in in Stamford, Lincolnshire and baptised at the [former] church of St Michaels, Stamford:

1. John Adcock b. 1839 J Quarter in THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 553, bap. 14 Apr 1839
2. William Hill Adcock b. 1840 D Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 556, bap. 11 Dec 1840
3. Joseph Hill Adcock b. 1842 M Quarter in THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 582, bap. 20 Feb 1842
4. Mary Elizabeth Adcock b. 1844 M Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 605, bap. 6 Jun 1847 
5. James Adcock b. 1845 S Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 576, bap. 27 Feb 1847 (Died 1847 M Quarter in OF THE STAMFORD UNION Volume 14 Page 507)

In 1841, James Adcock (25), wife Mary (30), John (2) and William (0) were all living in the parish of St Michael, Stamford, Lincolnshire.

In 1851, in the parish of All Saints, Stamford, we find James Adcock (38), Joiner, wife Mary (43) - birthplace listed as Denford, Northamptonshire - John (12), William (10), Joseph (9) and Mary (7).

In 1861, in the parish of St George, Stamford, were James Adcock (48), Carpenter, Mary (50), and daughter Mary (17), Dressmaker. John had married that year and gone to live in Peterborough; William Hill Adcock was in London visiting his cousins, John and Maria Blackett; Joseph Adcock (19), Gardener, was a visitor in the household of Edwin Wright in Northampton. 

Mary Adcock died, aged 62, in 1867 M Quarter in STAMFORD UNION Volume 07A Page 210 and was buried on 18 Mar 1867.

In 1871, James Adcock (60), Carpenter, widower, was living with daughter Mary E Adcock (27), Schoolmistress and Jane Gilbert (13), Domestic Servant.

James Adcock died, aged 63, in 1876 S Quarter in STAMFORD Volume 07A Page 221 and was buried on 17 Aug 1876.

In 1881, Mary E Adcock (37) was living at 17, Belton Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire - which may well have been the address she had lived at with her parents - by this time she is described as "Invalid Formerly Teacher". 

Still in Belton Street in 1891, Mary E Adcock (47) was an Annuitant. 

In 1901, Mary Elizabeth Adcock (57), "Living on own means", address Milner's Row, Stamford. From the description it looks like this may well have still been the same place, "Part of this terrace remains although the houses nearest Belton Street have been demolished and replaced with a modern garage." 

Mary Elizabeth Adcock died, aged 63, in 1906 J Quarter in STAMFORD Volume 07A Page 188. She had never married.

Alfred James Lynch and Sarah Green

Duke of Norfolk, Stepney, E1. Image: Ewan Munro Some rights reserved

Alfred James Lynch (b. 26 Feb 1852, bap. 21 Mar 1852 at St George in the East), youngest son of John Lynch and Ann Wiltshire, married Sarah Green, (b. 15 May 1854, bap. 11 Jun 1854 at Christ Church, Watney Street, Shadwell), daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman, at the church of St Thomas that had stood in Arbour Square, Stepney, on 5 Jun 1871.

Alfred and Sarah Lynch had five children:

1. Alfred Arthur Lynch b. 1873 J Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 513, bap. 15 Jun 1873 at St Thomas, Arbour Square, Stepney
2. Albert William Lynch b. 29 May 1874 S Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 473, bap 5 Jul 1874 at St Thomas, Arbour Square, Stepney
3. George Edward Lynch b. 1876 D Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 588
4. Sarah Eliza Lynch b. 1879 S Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 569
5. Ada Lynch b. 1881 J Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 547

On the baptism records for their first two sons, Alfred Arthur and Albert William, Alfred James Lynch's occupation is listed as a Packer.

In 1881, at the Duke of Norfolk, 14 Norfolk Street, Mile End Old Town, we find A J Lynch (29) Licenced Victualler; S Lynch (27) Wife; sons A A Lynch (8), A W Lynch (7), G E Lynch (5), daughter S Lynch (2), E Turner (18) Female General Servant and the widowed mother-in-law, Eliza Green (59).

In 1891, Alfred Lynch (39), Beer & Wine Retailer, Sarah (36) and son Albert (16) Commercial Clerk, were living in Camberwell, Southwark, London.

By 1901, back at 291, Oxford Street, Mile End Old Town (which, I believe, later became Stepney Way), were Alfred Lynch (49) Laundry Man; Sarah (47), Albert (22) Railway Porter; Ada Lynch (19) Ironer; Emily Lynch (5) Granddaughter; and Eliza Ellis (20), General Domestic Servant.

Alfred James Lynch died, aged 55, in 1907 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 252.

In 1911, still at 291, Oxford Street, Mile End Old Town, Sarah Lynch (56), Widow, Laundress, was living with her married daughter, Sarah Pope (32) and grandchildren, Joseph Pope (8), Rosa Pope (2) and May Pope (0).

In 1921, Sarah Lynch (67) Widowed, was living at 12, Oley Place, Stepney, Mile End Old Town, London. Again at the same address was Sarah E Pope (42) Attendant Ladies Underground Convenience, for Stepney Borough Council; Joseph A Pope (18), Rosa V Pope (12) and May A Pope (11).

There are several death records that may relate to Sarah Lynch.

Charles Ponsford and Bessie Ann Stone

Uplowman: near Higher Coombe
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/151093
Looking east over the Lowman valley towards Houndsmoor Cottage (left) and Hill Farm (right)

Charles Ponsford (b. 23 Apr 1876, in Uplowman), son of John Ponsford and Jane Lock, married Bessie Ann Stone (b. 18 Jul 1882, in Uplowman), daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, on 4 Jun 1906 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. Witnesses were Frederick James Stone, either the bride's father or brother and Richard Ponsford, the bridegroom's elder brother. 

Charles and Bessie Ann had three children:

1. Charles James Ponsford b. 18 Feb 1907 (1907 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 367), bap. 22 Feb 1907 in Uplowman. 
2. Frederick John Ponsford b. 13 Jun 1908 (1908 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 350), bap. 19 Jun 1908 in Uplowman. 
3. Florence May Ponsford b. 2 Jan 1910 (1910 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 340), bap 30 Jan 1910 in Uplowman. 
   

In 1911, at Staple Gate, Uplowman, were Charles Ponsford (34) Farm Labourer, Bessie Ann Ponsford (29), Charles James Ponsford (4), Frederick John Ponsford (3) and Florence May Ponsford (1).

In 1921, Charles Ponsford (45) Farm Labourer was still living at Staplegate, Uplowman, Devon with Bessie Ponsford (38), Charles Ponsford (14) Farm Lad; Frederick Ponsford (13) and Florence Ponsford (11).

By 1939, Charles Ponsford appears to be in ill health. He and Bessie, as well as son, Frederick John, were living at Houndsmoor Cottage, Uplowman, along with their daughter Florence May and her husband, John Baker.

Charles Ponsford died in 1952 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A Page 869. 

Bessie Ann Ponsford died in 1966, aged 83.

• In 1930, Charles James Ponsford married Marjorie Florence Chidgey (b. 29 Jul 1900), who's mother's maiden name was also Lock. In 1939, they were living in Triangle Cottage, Broadclyst. (Charles gave his birth year as 1903, making himself older by four years.) Charles James Ponsford died in 1980. Marjorie Florence Ponsford died in 1987.
• Frederick John Ponsford, of 1 Crosses Cottage, Uplowman, died on 19 May 1970. He doesn't appear to ever marry. 
• Florence May Ponsford married John Baker (b. 13 Nov 1910), in Tiverton, in 1931. 

William Naseby and Eliza Thompson

St. Andrew's Church, Cransley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6663331

Mrs Eliza Naseby (née Thompson)
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7688

William Naseby (bap. 16 Apr 1815 in West Haddon), son of William Naseby and Charlotte Wood, married, Eliza Thompson (bap. 8 Feb 1824 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), then a minor at 17, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's Church, Cransley on 3 Jun 1841. Witnesses were George Naseby and Ann Naseby.

They had a baker's dozen of children:

1. Emma Naseby b. 1842 S Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 222, bap. 18 Dec 1842 in West Haddon
2. William Naseby b. 1844 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 245
3. Clara Ann Naseby b. 1846 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 268
4. James Naseby b. 1848 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 500, bap. 6 Aug 1848 at Saint Andrew, Rugby. (Died, aged 1, in 1849 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 16 Page 354)
5. Martha Naseby b. 1850 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 523, bap. 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
6. Eliza Naseby b. 1851 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 536, bap. 5 Dec 1851 at St Matthew's Church, Rugby
7. Ruth Naseby b. 1853 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 356, bap. Kate Ruth, 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
8. Maria Naseby b. 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 365, bap. 16 Oct 1855 at Saint Matthews, Rugby. (Died at 2 days 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 219, buried 19 Oct 1855)
9. Edith Naseby b. 1857 J Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D 396, bap. 9 Jun 1857 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died, aged 1, in 1859 S Qtr Vol 06D 268)
10. Owen William Thompson Naseby b. 1859 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 429, bap. 3 May 1859 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died 1859 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 253 and buried on 14 May 1859)
11. Naomi Naseby b. 1860 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 425
12. Amy Maria Naseby b. 1862 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 411, bap. 28 Oct 1868 in Rugby, Warwickshire
13. Rebecca Naseby b. 1865 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Pag, bap. 9 Jan 1865 Privately

Mother's maiden name on birth registrations is THOMPSON - with the H.

In 1841, William Naseby (20ish) and Eliza Naseby (17) were living in West Haddon. (Two of Eliza's sisters also lived in West Haddon at that time, Mary Botterill, then of The Bell Inn and the infamous jailbird Lucy Smith.)

By 1851, William and Eliza had moved to 5, Riley's Court, Rugby, Warwickshire, with William Naseby (31ish) Ag Lab; Eliza Naseby (25); Emma Naseby (9), Clara A Naseby (5) and Martha Naseby (1).

In 1861, at 58, North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (46) Fruiterer; with Eliza Naseby (37); Emma Naseby (18) and Martha Naseby (11), Eliza Naseby (9) and Kate Naseby (9) Scholars and Naomi Naseby (1). Clara A Naseby (15) that year was a pupil, boarding at an industrial school in Rugby under the care of matron, Mary Potton (50) widow.

In 1871, in North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (55) Gardener; Eliza Naseby (49), Eliza Naseby (19), Naomi Naseby (10), Amy M Naseby (8), Rebecca Naseby (6) and Eliza's brother, William Thompson (47) Visitor.

In 1881, in Hillmorton Road, Rugby, there were just William Naseby (65) Market Gardener; Eliza (60) and John Brand (16) Garden Labourer. Rebekah Naseby (sic) (16) was a Housemaid domestic servant in the household of William Collins, Schoolmaster at Alma House & School, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1891, with address at Naseby House, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, were William Naseby (75) Market Gardener; Eliza Naseby (67) and Eliza'a brother, William Thompson (64) listed as a Gardener Domestic Servant and six of their grandchildren, offspring of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby, Elizabeth A Johnson (16), Clara A Johnson (15), Ellen E Johnson (12), Charles Hy Johnson (9), George Wm Johnson (7) and Frederick Johnson (6). Rebecca Naseby (26) Nurse was a visitor in the household of Joseph Wood in Charlotte Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1901, William Naseby (85) Market Gardener and Eliza Naseby (77) were living at 86, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire. Rebecca Naseby (36) Monthly Nurse was a boarder in the household of Martin O'Malley, Beerhouse Keeper from Ireland at 46, Chapel Street, Rugby, Warwickshire (it became O'Malleys, was the former Australian Arms now a Listed Building)

William Naseby
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7687

From Our Warwickshire:

"William Naseby, green-grocer and market gardener, born in West Haddon in 1818 (sic), lived with his wife at Naseby Cottage, Hillmorton Road 1854-1905. Worked a large market garden on land developed by the Land Society, which became known as the "Naseby Estate". Lived for three years in a Lawrence Sheriff Almshouse prior to his death at 91 in 1907." William Naseby died on 16 Mar 1907 (1907 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 386).

Eliza Naseby (née Thompson) died on 19 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 395), aged 84.

In 1911, Rebecca Naseby (46) Maternity Nurse was living in the household of brother-in-law Thomas Wright at 67 Oxford Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

Rebecca Naseby of 88 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire, died on 30 Jan 1915, aged 50, at 19 The Drive, Phippsville, Northampton (presumably her place of employment). Probate was granted on 8 Apr 1915 to her sister Naomi Wright (wife of Thomas Wright). Rebecca is buried at Clifton Road Cemetery, along with her niece Clara Johnson (daughter of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby), who had died aged 31 on 21 Sep 1906.

Post card of Lawrence Sheriff Almshouses in Church St Rugby ca. 1900s
Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire” website under Creative Commons Licence CC BY NC
© Warwickshire County Record office: PH352/152/128

George Charles Breame and Alice May Howes

Spire of Holy Trinity, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - 
geograph.org.uk/p/167498

George Charles Breame (b. 20 Nov 1890), son of Robert Breame and Caroline Bell, married Alice May Howes (b. 31 Oct 1899), daughter of William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey at Holy Trinity church, Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk on 3 Jun 1922.

(Alice May Howes was my grandmother's 2nd cousin and is exactly the same age and is related to her in the same way as the singing, dancing, Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail, about whom I'm certain we knew nothing. Three very different women, brought up in three very different countries.)

George and Alice had two sons, born at 23 Manchester Street, Heigham:

1. George Charles Breame b. 31 July 1923 (1923 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 246)
2. William Robert Breame b. 21 Nov 1924 (1925 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 207)

In 1939, living at 15 Henderson Road, Norwich, Norfolk were George Charles Breame Snr, Builder's Labourer; Alice May Breame; son George Charles Breame, Saw Mill Labourer, and William Breame, Shoe Finisher.

In the 3rd quarter of 1945 (around the same time as my parents married), George Charles Breame Jnr married Anna Thornton in Cleveland, Yorkshire. This couple had three daughters - who are my 4th cousins (all young enough to still be alive) - who I remember meeting once when I was a child.

In 1946, William Robert Breame married Doris Buck, in Norwich.

George Charles Breams (sic), but date of birth quoted correctly as 20 Nov 1890, died in the second quarter of 1974. He will have been 83.

Alice May Breame died in Q4/1984 in EAST DEREHAM (6341) Volume 10 Page 1088. She would have celebrated her 85th birthday that October.

George Charles Breame Jnr died, aged 74, in Q1/1998 in NORWICH (6391D) Reg D21B Entry Number 46. Growing up, I'd met "Cousin George from Norwich", George and Alice's son, a few times, but had no idea whose cousin he was or how we were connected. This is why I had to follow this line down to work out that he was my father's 3rd cousin. You have to go right back to Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, my 3rd great-grandparents, to find our common ancestor. From this, I am presuming that contact was maintained (for all these generations) because George's direct ancestor, Samuel Blazey, it appears had taken financial responsibility for his sister Hannah (my 2x great-grandmother)'s children after she died.

William Robert Breame died on 21 Aug 2007 (DOR Q3/2007 in NORWICH (6391A) Reg 1A002  Entry Number 110).

John Perry and Ann Watlington

Entrance to St Giles' Church, Reading
Bill Nicholls (cc-by-sa/2.0) geograph.org.uk/p/3278759

John Perry (b. 13 Dec 1712), son of Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming, married Ann Watlington (bap. 26 Apr 1716 at St Giles, Reading), daughter of Samuel Watlington and Ann Monke, at St Giles, Reading on 2 Jun 1737.

There are records for the following children of John and Ann Perry:

1. Philip Perry b. Monday, 18 Dec 1738, bap. 23 Dec 1738 (at 5 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. The Chronicles of the Blackwall Yard lists Philip's birth year as 1739, but I don't see this as an inconsistency, as it was probably calculated from age. Philip Perry, eldest son of the late Mr. Perry, died (unmarried) at the age of thirty-seven, in 1776 (purportedly on 5 Jul 1776) and buried on 10 Jul 1776, at St Dunstan's, Stepney
2. Ann Perry b. Friday, 16 May 1740, bap. 6 Jun 1740 (at 21 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney
3. John Perry b. Sunday, 12 Sep 1742, bap. 14 Oct 1742 (at 32 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. Reputedly died on 23 Nov 1742
4. John Perry b. Tuesday, 4 Jan 1743, bap. 25 Jan 1743 at St Dunstan's, Stepney (at 21 Days Old). [1]
5. Thomas Perry b. Tuesday, 2 Apr 1745, bap. 23 Apr 1745 (at 21 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. 
6. Samuel Perry b. Wednesday, 6 May 1747, bap. 2 Jun 1747 (at 27 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney.
7. Elizabeth Perry b. Monday, 15 Aug 1748, bap. 8 Sep 1748 (at 24 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. (This child must have died as an infant: there is a potential burial on 3 Dec 1748 in Whitechapel)
8. Elizabeth Perry b. Monday, 28 Aug 1749, bap. 15 Sep 1749 (at 18 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney.

All baptisms list the parents as John Perry, Shipwright, and Ann of Poplar.

[1] At first there appears not to be enough time between John b. 1742 and John b. 1743 for them to have been of the same mother, however, the second John - the only one of these births falling in the first part of the year - was born in 1743 to him, but this is 1744 by our modern (Gregorian) calendar, meaning that there were around 16 months between the two births. The year difference before 1752 is due to the use of the Julian calendar, where the year began on March 25th, not January 1st. Thus entries between January 1st and March 24th of a given year would be one year behind our calendar. 

Ann Perry is reputed to have died on 6 Aug 1752 in Reading, Berkshire. While there is no doubt to this, I have not personally seen confirmation. Similarly, I have yet to find her burial record, but I'm sure it is correct (and this would be logical) that she is buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church).

John Perry married Catherine Gibson on 3 Dec 1754 at St Dunstan-in-the-West. The marriage record reads: "John Perry of Blackwall in the Parish of Saint Dunstan Stepney Widower in the County of Middlesex and Catherine Gibson of this Parish Spinster were Married in this Church by Licence this Third day of December, in the year One Thousand and seven hundred fifty four, by leave of the Vicar by me John Gibson, Clerk." The Reverend John Gibson, was Catherine's elder brother. Witnesses were Bartholomew Gibson and William Gibson, her other two brothers. Catherine Gibson (bap. 11 May 1720 at St Paul's, Covent Garden) was the daughter of John Gibson and Dorcas Shower (m. 4 Sep 1716 at St John the Baptist, Pinner.)

John Gibson senior was until about 1720 a jeweller in Bow Street. In 1718 he inherited property at Bury Pond Hill in Pinner from an aunt, Elizabeth Darden, and in 1720 his wife inherited Islips Manor Farm in Northolt, and property at Pinner Hill. She was Dorcas, only daughter and heiress of William Shower, and, through him, of her uncle, Sir Bartholemew Shower, recorder of London. [Source] "one of the most vilified and despised Tories of his generation."

Mrs Catherine Perry was buried on 20 Dec 1766 on St John the Baptist, Pinner, Harrow, Middlesex. The Will of Katherine Perry formerly Gibson states that she was the wife of Mr John Perry of Blackwall, Shipwright. It mentions her house at Pinner: she left "the house, called the White House and all the land surrounding the house to my husband, John Perry, together with the furniture that is mine." The rest of my fortune that my father John Gibson left me and all that has been left me or given to me by other friends Mr Perry has given me the Liberty to Dispose of it at my Death ..." These included bequests to her brothers William Gibson, Barth[olemew] Gibson and John Gibson and to her sisters Elizabeth Gibson and Dorcas Gibson. 

The Chronicles of the Blackwall Yard (PDF) says, ''John Perry died [listed in various locations as on 20 Jan 1771] at Blackwall, and was buried with his wife and father in the grounds of Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church)." His grandson, Mr. Richard Perry, writes of this:— "My grandfather was of a very religious turn, and was supposed by the family to have passed away while engaged in his devotions ('Beatus ille!'). He had retired to his chamber one evening for that purpose, and was found dead upon the floor; the candle had fallen from his hand, and had providentially become extinguished." Mr. Perry left two sons and several daughters. His eldest son Philip died shortly afterwards, and his second son John succeeded him in business. By his will, dated 1772, "Mr. John Perry, of Blackwall, shipbuilder, left the interest of £200 to be given half-yearly in bread to the poor of the hamlet."

Probate was granted on 1 Feb 1771. In his will John Perry of Walthamstow in the County of Essex Esq, indeed states that "it is my will and desire to be buried in my vault in Poplar Church Yard." John Perry left his eldest son "Philip Perry the sum of five thousand pounds part of my four percent consolidated bank annuities and the five thousand pounds part of my three percent consolidated bank annuities to and for his own use which sums I direct shall be transferred within two months after my decease in the names of my two sons Philip and John Perry and of my sister Sarah Seehl wife of Mr Ephraim Rinhold Seehl." He left his share of the partnership trade of a shipwright in the Great Yard at Blackwall to his son John. He also left John his share of the capital stock in the trade of Ropemaker. To his daughter Ann Hankey (wife of Joseph Hankey), "I give to my said daughter Ann my best Tea Equipage at Walthamstow ... the Carved Rosewood Table and the set of China Tea Chest Spoons and Cannisters belonging to the same and the Silver Tea Kettle Lamp ... used therewith and also the large case of silver spoons." The Will lists his three sisters Sarah Seehl, Susanna Gilbert and Elizabeth Brown.

The statement that "Mr. Perry left two sons and several daughters" suggests that Thomas and Samuel had predeceased him, or didn't count if they weren't involved in the shipbuilding business, however I've not found evidence to confirm either way. They were certainly not mentioned in their father's will, but I have seen suggestions (not yet researched them) that either one or both lived to be adults. And "several daughters" would also suggest there were more than the two I've found records for, but only Ann was mentioned by name in his will. There have been numerous inconsistencies and, given that Wigram & Green published the Chronicles of the Blackwall Yard in 1881 - over 100 years and at least three generations of Perry's had passed - that, while I have faith in their account of the shipbuilding (there'll be ledgers and other records for those), most of the family information however is only about half right when it comes to the males directly involved in the shipbuilding business and decidedly shaky for all the rest and should not be relied upon.

Henry Wood and Mary Jane Melhuish

Kentisbeare: St Mary's churchyard
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/4624352

Henry Wood (b. 1842), son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Jane Melhuish (b. 1847 in East Stonehouse, Plymouth), daughter of William Melhuish, Marine, and Sarah Lake, at St. Mary's Church, Kentisbeare on 31 May 1866. Witnesses were William Melhuish and Jane Bond.

Henry and Mary Jane had ten children:

1. Charles Henry Wood b. 1866 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 388, bap. 19 Aug 1866 at All Saints, Blackborough (Demolished 1994)
2. William Wood b. 1869 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 458, bap. 27 Mar 1869 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare
3. Emma Jane Wood b. 15 Aug 1871 (1871 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 413), bap. 3 Sep 1871 in Kentisbeare
4. Alice Wood b. 1874 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 419, bap. 18 Jan 1874 in Kentisbeare. (Died 1874 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 311, at 3 weeks and was buried on 25 Jan 1874.)
5. Henry Wood b. 1875 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 415, bap. 3 Feb 1875 in Kentisbeare
6. Amelia Wood b. 1877 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 427, bap. 3 Jun 1877 in Kentisbeare
7. Walter Wood b. 1879 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 414, bap. 25 Dec 1879 in Kentisbeare
8. Alice Mary Wood b. 1882 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 433, 4 Jun 1882 in Kentisbeare
9. Ellen Wood b. 1887 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 411, bap. 9 Mar 1887 in Kentisbeare
10. Frederick Wood b. 1889 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 405, bap. 11 Aug 1889 in Kentisbeare

All with mother's maiden name MELHUISH. On Charles Henry's baptism in Blackborough, Henry and Mary Jane are described as "Tinkers in Kentisbeare", an archaic term for an itinerant tinsmith who mends household utensils.

In 1871, they were living in the 'Village, Kentisbeare' with Henry Wood (28) Farm Labourer from Kentisbeare, Devon, wife Mary Jane (24), with Charles Henry (6), William (2) as well as Henry's father, James Wood (57), mother, Harriet (51), brother James (12) and sister, Sarah (8). 

In 1881 and still living in the Village, Kentisbeare, were Henry Wood (38), Mary J (34), William (12), Harry (6), Amelia (4) and Walter (1). Charles Henry (15) had already left home and was working as a Farm Servant (indoors) for William Snell (48) Farmer of 118 Acres at Bishops Farm, Kentisbeare, while Emma Jane (9) was staying nearby with her grandmother, Harriet. 

The Crediton Gazette, 30 Jan 1886 reported on "A DISHONEST SERVANT GIRL. Emma Wood, servant, aged 15 years, was summoned for stealing a sovereign and a jet chain, together of the value of 32s, the property of Mr Henry Brown, farmer of Aylesbeare, Kentisbeare. Mrs Caroline Brown, wife of the prosecutor, said that on Saturday week she heard a noise at the top of the stairs, and saw the prisoner coming out of her bedroom without her boots, and with a lamp in her hand. She had no suspicions of the girl, and locked her door and returned downstairs. On the Thursday following her husband asked her for some money, and on looking in the box she found a sovereign, which she had placed there, missing. On making further search she missed the jet chain from her jewel case. She questioned the girl, who persistently denied all knowledge of the matter, but subsequently she admitted her guilt to her mother, who was, witness believed, innocent of any previous knowledge of the affair. The girl had been with her only a week. She said she had burnt the chain. PC Clatworthy said the girl had told him she burnt the chain in a kitchen fire, and on being questioned she said he had similarly destroyed the sovereign, and had seen it melt. [UNLIKELY: The melting point of gold is 1064°C, whereas the average house fire, or household wood fire, burns at around 600°C.] The ashes had been sifted, and he had found amongst them the fragments produced which appeared to be jet. Defendant pleaded guilty. Mr J Frost said he knew the girl's father to be a hard working man, and he believed he had a large family. The chairman pointed out to the girl the serious nature of the charge, and cautioned her as to her future conduct. She was fined £1, and the girl's mother was allowed a month for payment."

In 1891, living in a Cottage, Kentisbeare (quite possibly the same place as in previous decades), were Henry Wood (48), Mary J (44), Charles (24), Emma J (19), Henry (16), Milly [Amelia] (14), Walter (11), Alice (9) and Ellen (4). 

In 1901, listed again as the Village, Kentisbeare, there were Henry Wood (59) now a Carter on Farm, Mary Jane (55), Charles Wood (34) Single, also a Carter on Farm, Ellen Wood (14) and Henry Melhuish (44) Lodger.

Henry Wood died, aged 63, in 1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 310 and was buried on 13 Mar 1904 in Kentisbeare.

In 1911, Charles Wood (44) Waggoner on Farm was listed as the head of the household with, Mary Jane Wood (65) and Walter Wood (31) Farm Labourer. (On the original census, Charles Wood was first listed as single, then that was crossed out and Widower was written over it, which is what was then (rightly) transcribed, even though this is not true. Next Mary Jane is listed as Mother, Widow, lastly Walter is listed as 'Son'. Obviously, Walter was Mary Jane's son, not the son of the supposed head of the household and I believe this is key. There's no evidence of Charles marrying and indeed, in 1921 he was back to being single. What I think happened here was that despite Charles being listed as the head of the household, it was Mary Jane giving the information to the enumerator. Mother, Mary Jane, was still the head of the household really, but I'll bet some misogynist insisted a man had to be and then she had to look at the the relationships / conditions from a new, confusing, perspective.)

In 1921, Mary Jane Wood (73) and son Charles Wood (55) General Labourer, who was then employed by Henry Morish at Cotters Farm, Kentisbeare, were living at Church Cottage, Kentisbeare, Devon.

Charles Wood predeceased his mother and died, aged 68, in 1933 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 414.

Mary Jane Wood died, at 87, 1935 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 539.

Sydney George Blazey and Nelly White

Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panels 85 to 90.

Sydney George Blazey (b. 1 July 1888 in Fulham, London), son of William Blazey and Mary Anne Clarke, married Nelly White (b. 21 Feb 1891 in Westminster, London), the daughter of John Charles White and Sarah Elizabeth Saunders, reportedly on 30 May 1915 in Southwark.

The couple's only child was:

1. Edwin Sidney Blazey b. 14 Jan 1920 at Electric Light Station, Napier Road, Kensington (1920 M Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 200)

Sidney George Blazey had served with the British Army during World War I, as very shortly after he and Nelly had married, on 18 Sep 1915, Bombardier Sidney George Blazey, Royal Field Artillery, his medal card shows, had disembarked in France. (The Royal Artillery in the First World War).

In 1921, at Holland Mews, Kensington were Sidney George Blazey (32), Substation Attendant, Electricity Supply, employed by Notting Hill Electric Lighting Co Ltd; Nellie Blazey (30) and Edwin Sidney Blazey (1).

In 1939, at 9 Holland Mews, West Holland Park, Kensington And Chelsea, were Sidney G Blazey, Electricity Sub Station Attendant; Nellie Blazey and Nancy W J Adams (b. 1909), Clerk To School Governors (Lodger?).

Petty Officer Supply Edwin Sydney Blazey (known as Eddie) served in the Royal Navy on board HMS Janus, Service No. P/MX 61137.

On 22 Jan 1944, HMS Janus "Provided naval gunfire support during assault phase" [of the Battle of Anzio]. On 23 Jan 1944, she was hit by torpedo during air attack off Anzio and sank with heavy loss of life when a magazine exploded. 94 survivors were rescued, but 158 of ship’s company lost their lives. Eddie Blazey, who was my 2nd cousin twice removed, was one of those who died at sea that day, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panel 87, Column 1.

Sydney George Blazey of 29 Lymescote Gardens, Sutton, Surrey, died on 3 Jul 1969, just two days after his 81st birthday. Probate was granted on 11 May 1973, on his estate worth £819, which was after Nelly Blazey's death, on 3 Jan 1973. Probate on her estate of £700 had been granted the day before her late husband's, on 10 May 1973. Neither lists a beneficiary.