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 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.

John Summers and Sarah Middleton

Uffculme: The Square and St Mary’s church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/839640

John Summers married Sarah Middleton, both of them born in Devon around 1774, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Uffculme, on 28 May 1799. 

Records suggest that John and Sarah Summers had at least five children:

1. Elizabeth Summers bap. 21 Jul 1799 in Uffculme
2. John Summers bap. 17 Aug 1801 in Uffculme
3. Mary Somers (sic) b. 10 Jun 1804, bap. 25 Dec 1804 in Halberton
4. Richard Summers b. 13 Aug 1807, bap. 25 Dec 1807 in Halberton
5. James Summers b. 26 Jun 1813, bap 1 Aug 1813 in Halberton

In 1841, we find John Summers (65) Agricultural Labourer, Sarah Summers (65) and Richard Summers (30), living at Selgars Mill, Halberton.

John Summers died, at 70, in 1844 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Vol 10 Page 182 and was buried on 30 Jun 1844 in Uffculme.

In 1851, Sarah Summers (76) Widow, Pauper, was living in Uffculme with her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tidborough (51) Widow, Worsted Warper.

Sarah Summers died in 1854 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 255.

Frederick Charles Stone and Rose Mary Braund

All Saints' Church, Clovelly, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/407424

Frederick Charles Stone (b. 1911), son of John Charles Stone and Elsie Alberta Wright, married Rosemary Braund (b. 3 Feb 1913), daughter of Albert Braund and Mary Elizabeth Wakely, at All Saints', Clovelly, on 28 May 1936.

From the Devon and Exeter Gazette, of Thursday April 9, 1936. CLOVELLY WEDDINGS - Miss Rosemary Braund and Mr Frederick C. Stone

A pretty wedding took place at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, between Mr Frederick Charles Stone (eldest son of Police Constable Stone, stationed at Clovelly), and Miss Rosemary Braund (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A Braund of North Hill, Clovelly). The Rev. R. J. Somers Cocks (Rector) officiated. The best man was Mr. W. Southwood, a cousin of the bridegroom and Mr Albert Braund gave the bride away. The bride's dress was of white windswept satin and lace, and she also wore an embroidered veil with lovers' knot, a coronet of orange blossom, and silver shoes. Her bouquet was of arum lilies, narcissi, hyacinths and trailing fern. There were three bridesmaids:- Miss Betty Braund (niece of the bride), Miss Nora Lamey (cousin of the bride), and Miss Rachel Crase (friend). Miss Braund wore a dress of pink taffeta, silver shoes, and a wreath of roses and silver leaves. Her bouquet was of pink tulips and maidenhair fern, tied with pink satin ribbon. The other bridesmaids wore dresses of pale green taffeta, with silver shoes, wreaths of roses and silver leaves, and carried baskets of pink tulips and fern, tied with green satin ribbon. The bride's mother wore a navy blue crepe-de-chine dress with hat to match, and dark brown shoes. The bride presented the bridegroom with a silver cigarette case, and the bridegroom presented the bride with a silver necklace. To the bridesmaids the bridegroom presented silver necklaces with pink stones. A reception was held at No 2 Underdown, Clovelly, the future home of Mr and Mrs F C Stone, who received useful and valuable presents.

In 1939, Rosemary Stone was living back at her parents' home at 31 North Hill, Mount Pleasant, Devon. Her father (76) and her brother (39), both named Albert Braund, being Coastal Fishermen. Her husband, Frederick Charles Stone, being then aged 28, we can probably assume had volunteered for service in World War II. We can be sure he returned from the war, as the couple had children in 1946 and 1948 (not listed as may still be living). 

However, Frederick Charles Stone died, aged just 37, 1949 S Quarter in BARNSTAPLE Volume 07A Page 227. 

Rose Mary Stone died on 25 Mar 2008, at the age of 95 (DOR Q1/2008 in DEVON (4231E) Reg 1E005 Entry Number 500818055).

William Wright and Caroline Masters

Photo © David Martin (cc-by-sa/2.0)

All Saints' Church, Weston, Wednesday, 23 October, 2024

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William Wright (bap. 9 Jul 1826 in Elford, Staffordshire), School Master, Bachelor, of the parish of Northfield, in the County of Worcestershire, son of Samuel Wright and Ann Bosworth, married Caroline Masters (b. 1837 in Southwark), Spinster, daughter of George Sparrow Masters and Mary Pope, after Banns, at All Saints' Church, Weston, Bath on 26 May 1861.

The couple had six children, of whom three survived:

1. William Henry Wright b. 1862 M Quarter in KINGS NORTON Volume 06C Page 430, bap. 1 Sep 1862 in North Harborne, Stafford, England. Mother's maiden name is not listed on GRO birth registration. On the baptism transcript, the father isn't listed, but mother is Caroline.
2. Ernest William Wright b. 14 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in KINGS NORTON Volume 06C Page 455), bap. 3 May 1863 at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak. Died on 3 Jul 1863 and was buried on 7 Jul 1863, also at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak. The notice in the Birmingham Journal of 11 Jul 1863, reads: "On the 3rd inst., at Selly Oak, aged 4 months, Ernest William, son of Mr W. Wright, Schoolmaster."
3. Herbert George Wright b. 15 Mar 1864 (1864 J Quarter in KINGS NORTON Volume 06C Page 439), bap. 17 Jun 1864 at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak, again, son of William and Caroline Wright.
4. Alice Mary Wright b. 12 Jul 1865 (1865 S Quarter in KING'S NORTON Volume 06C Page 408), bap. 3 Sep 1865 at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak.
5. William Alfred Wright b. 9 Sep 1866 (1866 D Qtr in KINGS NORTON Vol 06C Page 445), bap. 4 Nov 1866 at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak.
6. Maria Ellen Wright b. 16 Nov 1867 (1867 D Quarter in KINGS NORTON Volume 06C Page 424), bap. 2 Feb 1868 at St Mary's Church, Selly Oak.

The mother's maiden name on the 2nd to 6th births is MASTERS.

William Wright died, aged 41, on 11 Nov 1867 (1867 D Quarter in KINGS NORTON Volume 06C Page 236), at St Mary's Schoolhouse, Selly Oak. One notice read, "On the 10th inst. (sic), very suddenly, Mr. Wm. Wright, of St Mary's Schools, Selly Oak." (St Mary's CofE Primary School, Selly Oak.) 

An inquest was held on 13 Nov 1867 and the opinion of Ralph Docker, Coroner for Worcestershire (a solicitor, not a doctor), was that Wright had died from Natural Causes 'Syncopal Asphyxia'. That term doesn't really exist medically: it's a portmanteau of syncope (fainting) and asphyxia (shortage of breath). Perhaps he had an underlying condition (heart problem maybe) that he wasn't even aware of and he simply did just 'drop down dead'.

Sixth child, Maria, was born posthumously, five days after her father's death.

The baptisms of Ernest William, Herbert George, Alice Mary and William Alfred list William Wright's occupation as Parochial Schoolmaster. On that for Maria Ellen, she is clearly listed as the daughter of William (deceased) and Caroline and the word 'late' has been inserted above her father's calling.

In 1871, Caroline Wright (34) Widow, Mantle Maker, was lodging at 301 Breck Road, Everton, West Derby, Lancashire, with Alce Mary Wright (5), William Alfred Wright (4), Maria Ellen Wright (3) and Mary Matthews (sic) [Mary Masters] (68) Widow, Annuitant (Caroline's mother). 

From 9 Aug 1875 until 8 Aug 1877, Maria Helen Wright (sic) was a pupil at Princess Mary Village Homes (former children's home for little girls), in Addlestone, Surrey. It seems an odd choice, given that these homes were set up, principally, for children whose parents had committed a crime.

In 1881, Caroline Wright (43) Widow, from Southwark, Surrey, Occupation Matron, was an Inmate of 7 & 8 House of Rest, 7, Cambridge Gardens, Willesden, Middlesex. My guess is this was one of The Houses of Rest for Christian Workers. [Haven't yet been able to locate the children.]

In 1891, Caroline Wright (52) from London, Living on her own means, Alice M Wright (25), William A Wright (24) Student of CofE Lay Worker; and Helen M Wright (23) [Maria Helen], birthplaces listed as Selly Oak, Worcestershire, were living at 66, Cornwall Road, Bexhill, Battle, Sussex.

In 1901, Caroline Wright (63) Widow, from Southwark, Surrey and Alice M Wright (35) from Selly Oak, Worcestershire, were living in Barrack Road, Bexhill, Battle, Sussex. Neither of them has an occupation listed. 

In 1911, Caroline Wright (73) Widow from Southwark, London and Alice Mary Wright (45) from Birmingham, Worcestershire, both of Private Means, were living at 13 Rutland Road, Hove, Sussex. On this census schedule, Caroline has listed that she had six children, of whom three had died and three were then still living. It seems obvious that for a son to be named William in 1866, his elder brother born 1862 must have died in infancy, but I have found no record of his death. Likewise, I have found no record of the death of the third child, Herbert George, either, but neither have I been able to find any sign of him alive, so I have to assume he also died as an infant.

Caroline Wright died, at 78, in 1916 J Qtr in STEYNING Vol 02B Page 388.

• In 1921, Alice Wright (55) from Selly Oak, Worcestershire, of no occupation, was living alone at 95, Trafalgar Road, Portslade by Sea, Sussex. Maria Helen Wright (53) from Selly Oak, Birmingham, was Housekeeper to Annette Jeckell (72) Widow at Milton House, Hollier's Hill, Bexhill, Sussex. Alice Mary Wright died, at 73, in 1939 M Quarter in HOVE Volume 02B Page 481. So far, I've found no further records for William Alfred or Maria Ellen.

William Stone and Temperance Hitchcock

Photo © Des Blenkinsopp (cc-by-sa/2.0)

All Saint's Church, Holcombe Rogus, Thursday, 16 May, 2024

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William Stone (bap. 3 Mar 1704 in Holcombe Rogus), son of Alexander Stone and Agnes Twitchings (m. 14 Nov 1702), married Temperance Hitchcock (bap. 30 Jan 1706 also in Holcombe Rogus), base born (illegitimate) daughter of Jane Hitchcock, at All Saints, Holcombe Rogus on 25 May 1728. 

(Temperance' mother, Jane Hitchcock bap. 12 Oct 1679, daughter of John Hitchcock, was buried in Holcombe Rogus, on 16 Oct 1709.)

Will and Temperance had seven children, baptised in Holcombe Rogus:

1. William Stone bap. 16 Feb 1729 (Buried 30 Aug 1730)
2. Agnes Stone bap. 24 Jul 1732
3. Mary Stone bap. 27 Dec 1739
4. Jane Stone bap. 24 Sep 1742 (Buried 18 Sep 1743)
5. Jane Stone bap. 3 Jul 1744
6. William Stone bap. 15 Nov 1749 (Buried 26 Nov 1749)
7. Joan Stone bap. 9 Sep 1751 (Died at 23, buried 21 Aug 1774)

William Stone was buried in Holcombe Rogus on 9 Aug 1789. 

Temperance Stone was also buried in Holcombe Rogus on 7 Nov 1790. 

Thomas Drake and Frances Poad

Ancient Dockyard
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © jeff collins - geograph.org.uk/p/1204244
This was the first Dockyard built at Devonport at a point just west of Mutton Cove.

Thomas Drake (allegedly bap. 24 Jul 1757 in Stoke Damerel, Devon), Shipwright, son of William Drake Jnr and Patience Coad, married Frances Poad (bap. 15 Jul 1764), daughter of John Poad and Honor Joll, in Stoke Damerel (Stoke Damerel Church, a.k.a. the Church of St Andrew with St Luke) on 25 May 1784. Record shows John Poad gave his permission for his daughter to marry, presumably as she was then a minor (under 21). 

Thomas and Frances Drake appear to have had 11 children:

1. Thomas Drake bap. 2 Jan 1785
2. Frances Drake bap. 14 Oct 1787
3. George Drake bap. 7 Apr 1790
4. Elizabeth Drake bap. 29 Jan 1792
5. John Poad Drake bap. 20 Jul 1794 [1]
6. Francis William Drake bap. 6 Mar 1796
7. James Drake bap. 10 Dec 1797. (Buried at 2 y 8 m on 19 Jul 1800.)
8. Hannah Drake b. 1799, bap. 3 Feb 1800 *
9. James Drake bap. 28 Dec 1801 *
10. Charles Drake b. 10 Oct 1802, bap. 15 Dec 1812
11. Mary Drake b. 20 Apr 1810, bap. 15 Dec 1812

* All were all baptised in Stoke Damerel, however, the venue for the baptisms of Hannah and James in 1800 and 1801 was listed as Princes Street Independent, presumably the Princes Street Congregational Chapel.

"Thomas Drake was for some time an official in the navy yard at Plymouth, and showed great independence of character, injuring his prospects by refusing to connive at malpractices, and consequently dying in obscurity in Jersey 20 May 1835." [Source] Thomas Drake, aged 76y 6m, was buried at the Parish Church of St Helier on 26 May 1835. [Source]

In 1841, Frances Drake (75) Ind [of Independent Means], was at 31 Hill Street, St Helier, Jersey, with daughter, Mary Drake (30) Tailoress and two of Mary's illegitimate children: Edward Drake (9) and Mary Drake (5). 

Frances Drake is said to have died in 1848, presumably also in Jersey.

[1] John Poad Drake (1794–1883) [he inserted the Poad], inventor and artist [this confirms], baptised 20 July 1794 at Stoke Damerel, Devonshire, was the son of Thomas Drake, by his wife, Frances Poad. Both the Wikipedia entry for John Poad Drake, as well as that for him at the Royal Museums Greenwich, claim that John Poad Drake was a descendant of Sir Francis Drake. 

The entry in the Dictionary of National Biography, however, calls that into question, saying that "Thomas Drake was fourth in descent from one John Drake (1564–1640), a farmer, who has been wrongly identified with a cousin of the admiral." This is the burial of that John Drake, who may or may not have been a page to Sir Francis (I'm reading that those duties were probably carried out by the cousin he was confused with). But as there always are with famous people though, there are so many hopeful, but plain wrong records cited, it's now impossible to completely separate the facts from the fiction.

What I can categorically say is that this isn't the Thomas Drake, bap. 1751, cited on one website, when it was even clearly stated on the baptism that the child had died within days. Still, when you're wishfully attempting to claim descent from the infamous Sir Francis, why allow such minor inconvenience (or pesky genealogical standards) get in the way? So what, if any, link is there between this Drake family and the famous Devon-born slaver, pirate / privateer, bowls player and trouncer of the Armada? Still absolutely no idea, but I can't disprove one [yet] either. What I did discover is that Drake is a surprisingly common name around Devon. Reckon he had a bike!

John Byatt and Elizabeth Leaper

St. Mary's Church and churchyard, Churchgate, EN8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/4220309

John Byatt (bap. 3 Oct 1819 in Little Canfield, Essex) son of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, married Elizabeth Leaper (b. 10 Sep 1825, bap. 9 Oct 1825 in Aldenham, Hertfordshire) daughter of John Leaper and Mary Hayes at St. Mary's Church, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on 25 May 1845.

John and Elizabeth had ten children:

1. John Edward Byatt b. 23 Mar 1846 J Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03 Page 141, bap. 12 Apr 1846 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
2. George Byatt b. 3 Jan 1848 M Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03 Page 132, bap. 13 Feb 1848 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
3. William Byatt b. 20 Jan 1850 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03 Page 144
4. Charles Byart b. 1 Aug 1852 S Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 149
5. Elizabeth Byart b. 1854 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 125
6. Jane Byart b. 3 Nov 1856 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 140
7. Emma Byart b. 1859 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 338
8. Thomas Byart b. 1861 J Quarter in ISLINGTON Vol 01B Page 290
9. Louisa Byart b. 1863 D Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 323
10. Ellen Byart b. 1866 J Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 329

The first three children were registered correctly under the surname Byatt, then thereafter they changed the spelling to Byart. Their mother's maiden name is consistently LEAPER (misspelled on William's as LEARPER). 

In 1861, John Byart (42) Carman from Dunmow, Essex, was in City Gardens, Islington with Elizabeth Byart (36) from Watford, Hertfordshire; John E Byart (15) Lucifer Match Maker (the production of Lucifer matches later caused the Bryant & May Match Workers Strike); George Byart (13), William Byart (11), Charles Byart (9), Elizabeth Byart (6), Jane Byart (4) & Emma Byart (2).

In 1871, John Byart (51) Carman was living in Mile End Old Town with Elizabeth Byart (48), John Byart (25) Engine Driver; Charles Byart (19) Horse Keeper; Thomas Byart (17) Scholar; Elizabeth Byart (16), Jane Byart (14), Louisa Byart (8) and Helen (sic) Byart (4).

In 1881, at 16, Alma Road, Mile End Old Town, London misspelled again as John Byard (sic) (63) Carman from Essex; Elizabeth (58) from Hertfordshire; Jane (24), Thomas (20), Julia [Louisa] (18), Ellen (15), John (35) and Jane (39) (John [Edward] Byart had married Jane Dove, in Poplar, in 1876.)

In 1891, John Byart (72) birthplace wrongly listed as Brentwood, Essex, was living in the household of Josiah Ayris (32) Carman in St Ann's Road, Mile End Old Town. Josiah was his son-in-law, second husband of daughter Emma. This took some deciphering, because John Byart's wife is inexplicably listed as Sarah and Emma was listed as Ann. Were they or the enumerator drunk? 

John Byatt died at 72 in 1892 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 344 and Elizabeth Byart (sic) died at 73, in 1898 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 306.

Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson

The "skull & crossbones" entrance to St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green Photo © Mike Quinn (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Daniel Botterill (bap. 20 Dec 1831 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (bap. 15 Dec 1833 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East in on 25 May 1856. Witnesses were Edward Taylor and Ann Taylor. Ann was both of the couple's aunt. Mary Botterill (née Thompson) - Daniel Botterill's mother - was the elder sister of Daniel Thompson - Sarah Elizabeth Thompson's father - and Ann Taylor (née Thompson) was their younger sister. Daniel Botterill and Sarah Thompson, therefore, were 1st Cousins.

Daniel and Sarah had five children:

1. Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill, b. 1857 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 590, bap. 13 Sep 1857 at West Haddon
2. Benjamin Adcock Botterill b. 1861 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 614, bap. 6 May 1861 at West Haddon. (Died, aged 1, in 1862 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 367.)
3. John Benjamin Botterill b. 25 Aug 1864 (1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 643), bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford.
4. Elizabeth Cox Botterill b. 1867 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 754, bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford. (Died, aged 4, in 1871 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 525.)
5. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill b. 19 Apr 1870 (1870 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 773), bap. at Saint Nicholas, Deptford on 8 May 1870. 

In 1841, Daniel Botterill (10) was living with his parents in West Haddon, Northamptonshire, with his father, Stephen, then listed as a Publican.

In 1861, Daniel was living at 3, Wellington Street (formerly Flagon Row), St Nicholas, Deptford, listed as a "Boiler Maker Tobaconist" - between a Butcher and a Shoe Shop on one side and a Baker, a Greengrocer, a Chemist and a Clothes Dealer on the other. Emma Thompson (16) was listed as a Servant in his household, while his wife, Sarah, was visiting her brother George and their widowed mother, in Northamptonshire, along with sons Daniel (4) and Benjamin (0).

A report in The Era of 17 Nov 1867 lists the transfer of the licence for The White Hart, Deptford Green to Daniel Botterill. Situated at 33 Deptford Green, the pub closed c.1896 and has now been demolished. We find Daniel and Sarah Botterill there in 1869 and again on the 1871 census, where Daniel Botterill (39) is listed as a Licensed Victualler and living with him are his wife, Sarah E (37), sons; Daniel Stephen (14) and John (6), daughters; Elizabeth (4) and Mary (0), as well as Sarah's sister, Louisa Thompson (26), listed as "Barmaid" and Sarah's widowed mother, Mary Thompson (61).

(1) Houses In Old Flagon Row, North Side (2) Corner of Flagon Row (3) Deptford Green c.1897

In 1874, D Botterill was listed as the licencee of The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Broadway. Given the two following reports in the newspapers of the time, it would seem that this was probably a pretty rough establishment.

Kentish Mercury 9 May 1874: 

STEALING A DRINKING GLASS Jane Bartlett, about 70 years of age, a hawker, residing in Hales Street, Deptford, was charged with stealing a drinking glass, value 6½d., the property of Daniel Botterill, landlord of The Centurion, public house, Deptford Broadway. It appeared from the evidence of the barman that the prisoner came into the house on the previous evening, and remained there some time drinking with a navvy. After he had gone witness saw the prisoner place the glass under her arm, and upon speaking to her about it she dropped it. The prisoner, who denied any intention of stealing the glass, was sent to Maidstone gaol for seven days.

Kentish Mercury 6 Mar 1875: 

KICKING A LICENSED VICTUALLER James Chapman, of Wood's lodging-house, Mill Lane, Deptford, was charged with being drunk, and assaulting the landlord of the Centurion public house, Deptford Broadway. Daniel Botterill, the landlord, said the prisoner came into his house on Saturday night and annoyed the customers. He was ejected, but got in again, and commenced another row. Witness put him outside, when the prisoner ran at him, and kicked him several times. Mr. Patterson sentenced the prisoner to 14 days' hard labour, refusing his application for the imposition of a fine.

The Old Centurion Pub closed in 2004 and was converted into flats. 

(Top left) The White Hart, Deptford Green, (Top right) The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Boadway, (Bottom left) Clock House, Leather Lane, (Bottom right) Holly Tree Arms, Lewisham

On the 1881 census and in 1882, Daniel Botterill was listed as landlord of the Clock House (formerly Coach & Horses), in Leather Lane, Holborn. Sarah's sister, Louisa, who married John Soppit in 1875, was living there, but Sarah was not on census day. Instead, she was lodging in the household of John Snell, a Lodging House Keeper, in Torquay in Devon. The transcription of that record describes her as "Sister to wife". That doesn't make sense and I believe the original actually says "Licensed Victualler's Wife" which is what she was. Was this a relative, a business contact, a holiday or perhaps a health break?

By 1891, the Botterills were back south of the river at the Holly Tree Arms, then in Holly Tree Terrace, between Hither Green and Lewisham. Staying there at that time were Daniel (59), Licensed Victualler, wife Sarah E (57), daughter Mary L (20), grandson John (11), granddaughter Alice (6), Alice J Pretty (28) Domestic Servant General, niece Catherine S Soppett (15), Edmund Allen (16) Pot Boy and Catherine Hancock (59) Laundress. 

A report in the Woolwich Gazette on 16 Feb 1894, showed Daniel Botterill as the outgoing licensee in the transfer of the licence of the Holly Tree.

Given they only seem to stay in one place for a couple of years at a time, there may well be even more pubs in the years between these various records. 

In 1901, Sarah, 'Wife of occupier (away)', is living at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham along with daughter Mary L A (30) a Teacher of Dressmaking and grandson John (21) a Sign Writer, while Daniel Botterill (69), "Living on own means", was away in the household of his son, John Benjamin Botterill, in Croydon, where Daniel was listed as a 'Widower'. Clearly he wasn't. 

Daniel Botterill died, aged 76, on 12 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 724). 

Sarah Botterill died a month later, on 11 Mar 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 737), aged 74. Probate shows she left £2449 1s 3d (~£300,000 today) to her three surviving children. 

In 1911, Mary L A Botterill (40) was living at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham. Living with her was her nephew, John Botterill (31) Sign Writer.

In 1921, Mary L A Botterill was living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Her nephew, John Botterill (41) Sign Writer was still living with her, as well as an Evelyn L R Wadsworth (54) Working Companion, Boarder.

In 1939, and still living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham, were Mary L A Botterill and with her this time, Lucy E N Wadsworth (b. 1 Apr 1917). 

The Probate record for Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill, who never married, shows that at the time of her death on 4 Feb 1947 (1947 M Quarter in WATFORD Volume 04B Page 399), she was a resident at Leavesden Hospital (The Imbeciles Asylum). Leavesden Hospital was a mental health facility, which was called Leavesden Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles when it opened. Looking at the circumstances, I suspect there's a good chance Mary was born with Learning Difficulties. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill was buried, on 11 Feb 1947, with her parents and brother.

Joseph Kritzer and Sarah Sophia Tompson

St Wilfrid's, Chelsea

Joseph Kritzer (b. 30 Oct 1877 in Donaueschingen, Germany), son of Wilhelm Kritzer and Flora Gleichauf, married Sarah Sophia Tompson (b. 9 Oct 1876 in Mile End Old Town, Stepney), eldest surviving daughter of Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Baker, on 24 May 1905 in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.

The couple had two children:

1. William Karl Tompson b. 1903 aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II at Lat 40.45N/Long 56.52W, bap. 9 Dec 1903, at St Matthew, Stepney.
2. Mary Amalie Kritzer b. 21 Feb 1906. (No baptism found.)

In 1911, Joseph Kritzer (33), was butler to architect, Henry Louis Florence at 9 Prince's Gate, Knightsbridge, London. In that household also was a Rosina Christie, employed as a housemaid. She was listed as single, but her year of birth agrees with that of Sarah Sophia - 1876 - born in Whitechapel. (Sarah Sophia's birth was registered in Mile End Old Town, which is next door, both in Stepney; later, Sarah Sophia is referred to as Mrs J Christie in her father's obituary, and both of Joseph and Sarah's children later use Christie as an Anglicized version of Kritzer.) Therefore, I'm convinced that this is Sarah using this assumed name to hide the fact that she was married to Joseph, which was more than likely verboten for servants then. Sarah Sophia / Daisy Tompson / Kritzer / Christie isn't anywhere else in 1911. Mary Amalia Kritzer (5) was an 'Inmate' at St Wilfrid's Convent School in Cale Street, Chelsea.

On the census for Sarah's parents, Dan and Sarah Jane Tompson, in 1911, there was a 'mystery' grandchild listed as William Charles Kritzer (7) (although his surname was originally mis-transcribed at Findmypast as Roizen, which added to the confusion in tracking him down), who it says, was born in 1904 'At Sea'. The boy was born, actually in 1903, aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II at Lat 40.45N/Long 56.52W, off the coast of North America. (Launched at Stettin, Germany (now Szczecin, Poland), on 12 Aug 1902, the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II made regular trips between Germany and New York City.) Baptised, William Karl Tompson, on 9 Dec 1903, at the church of St Matthew, Stepney, on the baptism record, his mother is listed just as Daisy (as she appears to have called herself), with their abode listed as 3 Monteagle Street, Stepney - the same address given by her half-sister (my great-grandmother), Eliza Louisa, at the time of her marriage some 10 years earlier. There are lots of crossings out on the original baptism record, as it would appear that Sarah / Daisy had initially tried to baptise the child with the surname Kritzer, listing his father's forename as William and occupation as Valet. The church officials must have figured out the real situation and hence this information was redacted/corrected. (Birth and baptism information was provided to me by Christine Miller of the wonderfully named, GIN AND GENEALOGY.)

On 18 Oct 1912, Willie Thompson (8), sailed to Montreal from Liverpool aboard SS Corsican with his grandmother, Sarah Jane, and his aunt Ivy.

In 1915, Joseph Kritzer (37), was interned at Knockaloe Internment Camp Isle of Man as part of the mass internment of registered Enemy Alien men aged between 17 and 55 following the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915. Joseph’s Prisoner of War Information Bureau (POWIB) Index Card (available from the ICRC website), shows that he was interned on 31 Jul 1915. We still don't know when he was released nor what happened to him later, although, all the pointers are towards him being repatriated to Germany. "Former enemy aliens were to be deported, unless granted a licence to remain", however, hiding their marriage, in 1911 (albeit likely necessary for their employment), could have created the predicament that Joseph and Sarah will not have been able to demonstrate that they had lived together in a genuine relationship prior to the war, the result of which may have prevented Joseph from obtaining such permission to return to the UK upon his release.

As she had married a German national, Sarah Sophia had become German and would also have been subject to the restrictions of the Aliens Restriction Act 1914: As the law was at this time, British-born women who had married foreign nationals (who had not naturalised) - unlike his brother Karl, Joseph did not become naturalised British - acquired their husband’s nationality. Many British born women therefore found themselves to be enemy aliens during the war. Except in a very few cases women were not interned. [Source]

In 1921, Joseph Kritzer was not listed in England. Nor was Sarah Sophia, but Daisy Christie (39) Servant, Laundress, born in Stepney, London was at the Royal School For Deaf and Dumb Children, Margate, Kent, who I'm sure was her. On the 1921 Census of Canada, Willie Christie (18) was living at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, still with his grandparents. (At Ancestry, there's a note saying he should be Critzer, which is obviously not quite true, but the spelling they later adopted). [Mary Amalie] Molly Kritzer (15), was an Inmate at St Edwards Residential College, Totteridge, Middlesex (St Edward's School for Roman Catholic Girls), along with her cousin, Flora Kritzer (15).

On immigration documents (to Canada) for her sister Mabel Grace in 1922, Sarah Sophia was listed as 'Daisy Christie of Trosley Towers, Withham, Kent'. This was the country home of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, Mabel's former employer, so presumably Daisy [Sarah] was then employed there.

In 1939 'Daisy' S S Kritzer, Housekeeper, still listed as married, was living at 1 Pemry Villas, Elm Grove Road, Cobham, Surrey with her widowed sister, Mabel Grace Stedman; Mabel's daughter, Laura May Martin, and Gerald O Weston, a mechanic and lorry driver, who may have been a lodger. 

Sarah Sophia Kritzer, of 2 Ashford Cottages, Tilt Road, Cobham, Surrey, wife of Joseph Kritzer, died, aged 68, on 20 Feb 1945 (1945 M Quarter in SURREY NORTH-EASTERN Volume 02A; Page 86). She left £595 13s (worth £25,849 in 2020) to her daughter, Mary Amelia Melhuish. 

Other than those last records in 1939 and 1945 relating to Sarah - where she's described as married and as his wife - thereby alluding to Joseph Kritzer still being alive, there's no further sign of him in Britain, once again supporting the theory that Joseph was probably deported back to Germany.

There are still so many questions that need to be answered.

• Internment in the United Kingdom during the First World War
• Forgotten: Britain’s civilian mass prison camps from World War I
• Knockaloe Centre for WW1 Internment, Isle of Man
• Enemy aliens in Great Britain 1914-1919

St Martin-in-the-Fields church, London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jeremy Bolwell - geograph.org.uk/p/6130198

Edward William Brown Todd (b. 4 Feb 1901 in Brentford, Middlesex), son of Charles Brown Todd and Mary Cole, married Mary Amalie Kritzer or Christie (the record says) (b. 21 Feb 1906 in the district of Peterborough, Northamptonshire), daughter of Joseph Kritzer and Sarah Sophia Tompson, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, in Q3 1933. 

In 1939, Mary A Todd, hairdresser, and her husband, Edward Todd, were living at 2 Ashford Cottages, The Tilt, Cobham, Surrey. (Her mother, 'Daisy' S S Kritzer, was then living nearby at 1 Pemry Villas, Elm Grove Road, Cobham.) Although the couple, we must assume, presumably subsequently divorced, because Mary A Todd or Christie (again, that's what the record says) then married Frederick C Melhuish in Surrey North Eastern, in 1942. 

(Edward Todd was, at that time still alive, because he died, aged 48, in 1949. Edward William Brown Todd of 25 Surbiton Hill Park, Surbiton, Surrey (the Todd family home) died on 27 Dec 1949 at 26 Wolverton Avenue, Kingston Hill, Surrey (then the address of Kingston Hospital). Probate was granted, on 9 Feb 1950, to Montague Charles Brown Todd (Edward's elder brother), manufacturer (C B Todd Magnesia Manufacturers). He left effects valued at £1051 17s 4d and was buried, on 2 Jan 1950, at Surbiton Cemetery.)

Frederick Melhuish was reputedly born on 8 Jul 1915 in British Columbia, Canada (perhaps he was in England with the Canadian forces in 1942?) and was the son of Alfred Wilfred Melhuish and Maud Marion Grayburn Brady (who had married in Cowichan, British Columbia, Canada on 20 Jun 1914). His paternal ancestors can be traced back to Alexander Atkins Melhuish and Mary Croydon, who married in Totnes, Devon on 10 Dec 1812, which accounts for this middle name which passed down their family.

The Canada Voters Lists in 1957, show Frederick Melhuish, Cafe Proprietor and Mrs Mary Melhuish in Third Street, Burnaby, British Columbia; in 1963, the Canada Voters Lists place Frederick Melhuish, Restauranteur and Mrs Mary Melhuish in Valour Drive, Burnaby; and in 1965, still in Valour Drive were Frederick C Melhuish, Restauranteur and Mrs Molly A Melhuish, Hairdresser. Mary Amelie was listed as Molly Kritzer when she was at school at 15 and hairdresser was her occupation listed on the 1939 Register.

On 6 Jan 1992, Mary Amelia Melhuish (formerly Todd, née Kritzer and sometimes Anglicized to Christie), died, aged 85, in Ganges, British Columbia, Canada. The record of her death confirms her husband as Frederick Croydon Melhuish and her parents as Joseph Kritzer and Sarah Tompson.

Frederick Croydon Melhuish reportedly died on 26 Apr 2001.