Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Joseph Tiff and Eliza Blazey

Church of St James Norlands, Sunday, 29 April, 2007
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Joseph Tiff (bap. 6 Dec 1846, in Badby, Northamptonshire) (29) Bachelor, Greengrocer, son of John Tiff and Ann Watkins married Eliza Blazey (b. 16 Feb 1851 in Heigham, Norwich) (25) Spinster, daughter of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, on 2 Jul 1876, at St James' Church, Norlands. (Eliza's sisters, Elizabeth Blazey and Alice Blazey and their brother, Francis Robert Blazey also married in this church.) Both gave their address as 9 Union Terrace. One of the witnesses was Eliza's youngest sister, Alice Blazey.

In 1861, Joseph (14), one of 7 siblings still at home in Badby, like his father was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. His elder brother, Thomas, was a blacksmith. But by 1871, Joseph (24) servant unemployed, was lodging with a William Potter from Suffolk, in Adam St, Marylebone, London.

In 1881, Joseph Tiff (32) Green grocer and his wife Eliza (31) were living at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London with Francis Blazey (13) - Eliza's bother Samuel's eldest son - employed as their Shop boy.

And in 1891, still at Union Terrace, Kensington, were Joseph Tiff (42) Green grocer, Eliza (40), with four of their nephews: Francis Blazey (25) Dock Labourer; Walter White (21) Shop Porter (Hannah's son); Alfred Blazey (21) (Samuel's younger son) also a Dock Labourer and Joseph Tiff (11) from Badby, Northamptonshire (son of one of Joseph's brothers).

This couple don't appear to have had children of their own, but look to have played an important role in the lives of their nephews.

Joseph Tiff died, at 46, in 1894 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 74. 

In 1901, Eliza was presumably employed somewhere as a Housekeeper, but [so far] I've not found the relevant record. 

In 1911, Eliza Tiff (~56) Widow, was a Visitor in the household of George Hiscock (50) Coachman (married to Eliza's youngest sister, Alice) at Tichborne Stables, Tichborne, Alresford, Hampshire (undoubtedly Tichborne Park). 

In 1921, transcribed as Eliza Tift (sic) (70 years and 3 months) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk, Housekeeper retired, was visiting Percy Reginald Pocock at 124, High Street, Berkhamsted. She was originally listed as his Aunt, which was correct as Percy was the son of Eliza's sister Elizabeth

In 1939, with her date of birth correctly listed as 16 Feb 1851, Eliza Tift (sic) Domestic Servant Retired, was living with George Hiscock, Widower of her youngest sister, Alice, at 15 Heathfield South, Twickenham, Middlesex.

As yet, I can find no record of Eliza's death anywhere in the UK.