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Saturday, 31 August 2024

Benjamin Bussey and Sarah Deed

The first Portsea Parish Church (St. Mary's) Built 1170 Demolished 1843.

Benjamin Bussey (b. ~1781) married Sarah Deed (b. ~1783) at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 31 Aug 1806. (This was at the same incarnation of St Mary's Church, Portsea where Isambard Kingdom Brunel was baptised that same year on 1 Nov 1806 and Charles Dickens on 4 Mar 1812.)

Benjamin and Sarah had at least three daughters:
  1. Mary Ann Bussey b. 16 Jan 1807, bap. 22 Feb 1807 at St Mary's
  2. Elizabeth Bussey b. 1 May 1812, bap. 24 May 1812 at St Mary's Church, Portsea (Buried 22 Jan 1813)
  3. Betsey Bussey bap. 20 Nov 1814 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
Sarah Bussey died, aged 37, and was buried on 17 Nov 1820.

So Benjamin Bussey, widower, married Elizabeth Bowen (b. ~1796) also at St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 28 May 1821.

Benjamin and Elizabeth then added five more children:
  1. Benjamin Bussey bap. 22 Mar 1822 at St Mary's Church, Portsea. Benjamin Bussey Jnr died, aged 34, and was buried on 7 Dec 1855.
  2. James Wilmot Bussey bap. 24 Mar 1824 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  3. Caroline Bussey bap. 6 Aug 1826 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  4. Hannah Bussey b. 1828
  5. Susannah Bussey b. 1832
There don't appear to be baptisms for the last two girls.

Daughter Hannah's marriage lists Benjamin as a butcher by trade.

Benjamin Bussey of Hereford St, Landport died on 10 Dec 1835 and was buried on 17 Dec 1835, the record says, at Portsea Cemetery.

In 1841, Elizabeth Bussey (45) was living in Chandos Street, Portsea with Benjamin (19), James (18), Caroline (15), Hannah (13) and Susannah (9).

In 1851, Elizabeth Bussey (56) widow, washer woman, was living with her son Benjamin (28) cattle drover, and staying with her were her then married daughter, Hannah Tubb (21) and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Tubb (0). James had married in 1845; Caroline Bussey (24) was that year a housemaid at Greenwich Hospital, London - permanent home for retired sailors of the Royal Navy. Susannah wasn't listed anywhere that I could find.

In 1861, Elizabeth Bussey (66) widow, was living at Landport View.

Elizabeth Bussey, widow, of Hailey Street, Fratton, died, aged 69-70, on 26 March 1867 (1867 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 335) and was buried on 29 March 1867 at Mile End Cemetery. This cemetery no longer exists and is now covered by a car park for the ferry terminal (Portsmouth International Port). A few interments were removed to other cemeteries in the area but most of the buried remain under the pavement. 

Thursday, 29 August 2024

Joseph Jerred and Sarah Elworthy

St Mary's Church, Stockleigh Pomeroy
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/160134

Joseph Jerred (b. ~1797) of the parish of Thorverton married Sarah Elworthy (bap. 18 Nov 1804 in Stockleigh Pomeroy) daughter of William Elworthy and Mary Dunn, on 29 Aug 1830 at St Mary's ChurchStockleigh Pomeroy (Joseph's surname is spelt Gerrard on the marriage record).

Records suggest Joseph and Sarah had six children:

  1. Mary Jerrard (sic) bap. 19 Jun 1831 at St Thomas a BecketThorverton
  2. William Jerrad or Jerrard (sic) bap. 12 May 1833 in Thorverton
  3. John Jerred (listed as Gerrard) bap. 15 Feb 1835 in Thorverton
  4. James Gerrard (sic) bap. 18 Dec 1836 at St Thomas a Becket, Thorverton
  5. Maria Gerrard (sic) bap. 23 Jun 1839 at St Thomas a Becket, Thorverton (Died 1842 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 178)
  6. Elizabeth Jerred b. 1842 M Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10  Page 287, mother's maiden name ELSWORTHY, bap. Elizabeth Jerrard (sic) on 20 Feb 1842 in Thorverton

In 1841, Joseph Jerred (44), Sarah Jerred (37), John Jerred (6), James Jerred (4) and Maria Jerred (1), were living at Willses, Thorverton. Mary Jerred (10) was in the employ of Richard Vinicombe at Lee Cross Farm, Thorverton. William (8) (listed as William Gerad) was visiting his grandparents, William and Mary Elworthy, at Village Cottage, Stockleigh Pomeroy.

Joseph Jerrard (sic) died - his age at death was estimated to 55 - in 1847 D Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 171 and he was buried on 18 Nov 1847, at St Thomas a Becket, Thorverton.

In 1851, Sarah Jerrad (sic) (48) Widow, from Stockleigh, Devonshire, was in Silver Street, Thorverton, with her occupation listed as 'Work in Fields'. William Jerred (17) Shoemaker (Apprentice) was still with his grandparents in Stockleigh Pomeroy; John Jerred (16) was employed as a farm servant to Samuel Kingdon, Farmer of 150 Acres, at Lynch House, Thorverton. (Lynch Farm, to the west of the village still exists); James Jared (sic) (14) was a Farm Labourer in the household of William Hosgood (76) at Starkisses Farm, Raddon, Thorverton, Devon and Elizabeth Jerred (9) Scholar, was living in the household of William and Elizabeth Wotton in Cheriton Fitzpaine Village, listed as their Niece. (Elizabeth Wotton née Elworthy, was Sarah's sister.)

On 7 Aug 1853 at the Parish church of Thorverton, Sarah Jerrard (sic) Widow, daughter of William Elsworthy (sic), married Thomas Walter (sic) Widower, both of Silver Street, Thorverton. Actually Thomas Walker, he had previously married Sarah Way, in Thorverton, on 27 Mar 1826. (Thomas wasn't going to get his wives first names mixed up, at least.) In 1851, Thomas wife, Sarah, was shown as being born 1802 in Poughill, Devonshire. There is a death of a Sarah Walters (sic) in 1852, aged 50, which would appear to relate.

In 1861, Thomas Walker (59) Ag Lab and 2nd wife Sarah Walker (56) born in Stockleigh, Devon, were still living in Silver Street, Thorverton. James Jerred (24) Carter was at Yellowford Farm, Yellowford Lane, Thorverton in the employ of Thomas Potter (58) Yeoman Farmer; Elizabeth Jerred (19) Dressmaker, was still living with her aunt and uncle in Cheriton Fitzpaine.

In 1871, Thomas Walker (70) Agricultural Labourer and Sarah Walker (68) from Stockleigh Pomeroy, once more in Silver Street, Thorverton with James Jerred (34) Gardner listed as Son-in-law (often used as if interchangeable with Step-son) and John Nix (or Nex) (80) Widower, Ag Lab, Lodger.

Sarah Walker died, at 71, in 1875 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 291 and was buried on 14 Mar 1875, in Thorverton.

Thomas Walker died, aged 77, in 1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 299 and was buried on 6 Apr 1879, also in Thorverton.

Monday, 26 August 2024

Joseph Jackson and Charlotte Bland

St Paul's Church, Deptford from the south-east
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3929567

Joseph Jackson, Gardener, listed as son of Joseph Jackson, Mariner, married Charlotte Bland (b. 23 Feb 1820 and baptised on 30 Mar 1820 at St Alfege's Church, Greenwich - Henry VIII was baptised in a previous church on the site), daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bland (There's a note on her baptism, Pn, which denotes Poor Note, believed to be a note from the poorhouse to pay for the baptism. Greenwich's first parish workhouse was opened in 1724, next door to St Alfege's Church) at St Paul's, Deptford on 26 Aug 1838.

This marriage had produced two daughters:

  1. Julia Jackson b. 2 Nov 1839, bap. 4 Dec 1839 at St Paul's, Deptford. Died 1840 S Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 130
  2. Rebecca Jackson b. 1841 D Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 05 Page 184

In 1841, Charlotte Jackson (21) was living in Church Street, St Paul Deptford, with Elizabeth Millard (75) who may have been a boarder or lodger. On the original census schedule, next to Charlotte's name instead of an occupation, is written "Wife of Joseph Jackson", so we can be in no doubt this is her.

There is a death of a Joseph Jackson (26) in Greenwich in 1842 M Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 155.

William George Maslin (bap. 28 Mar 1819 in Deptford), son of John and Elizabeth Maslin, married the widowed Charlotte Jackson, by then 24, at All Saints Church, Poplar, in the second quarter of 1844.

William and Charlotte Maslin had six children:
  1. Joseph Maslin b. 3 Aug 1845, bap. 14 Sep 1845 at St Paul's, Deptford
  2. William George Maslin b. 13 Jan 1848 M Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 227, bap. 31 Oct 1852 in Deptford. (Baptism transcription put his birth in Jun, but this cannot be correct as his birth had been registered in the March quarter. Thus must be Jan.)
  3. Elizabeth Sarah Maslin b. 19 May 1850 in GREENWICH Volume 05 Page 205, bap. 4 Aug 1850 at St Paul's, Deptford.
  4. Unnamed female child b. 1852 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 476, presume died, or stillborn (no corresponding death found).
  5. Alfred Maslin b. 21 Jul 1854 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 486, bap. 8 Oct 1854 at St Paul's, Deptford
  6. James Maslin b. 12 Sep 1857 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 512, bap. 15 Nov 1857 at St Paul's, Deptford
Mother's maiden surname on the five with civil registrations is BLAND.

In 1851, at 2, Broadway South Side, St Pauls Deptford, Hatcham, were William G Maslin (32) Brass worker; Charlotte (31) Greengrocer; Rebecca Jackson (9) Step daughter; Joseph (5), William G (3) and Elizabeth S (1). In Charles Street, Deptford, were John Maslin (74) Greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth (66) Laundress, who appear to be William's parents.

In 1871, they were in Nile Street, St Paul, Greenwich with William Maslin (52) Greengrocer; Charlotte Maslin (51), Alfred Maslin (16) Apprentice to painter and James Maslin (14) Boy at Iron foundry (Deptford Foundry?)

And in 1881, at 4, Nile Street, St Paul Deptford - Vanguard Street (previously Nile Street and Nelson Street) was amongst the earliest streets to be developed in the area south of Deptford Broadway - were William G Maslin (63) Brass finisher; Charlotte Maslin (62) Laundress; William G Maslin (33) Plasterers labourer; James Maslin (23) Blacksmiths labourer; Jessie Maslin (21) Collar ironer (James' "wife") and Emily Padbury (10) Granddaughter.

Charlotte Maslin died, aged 71, in 1890 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 736.

William George Maslin died, aged 80, in 1898 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 574.

John Palmer and Esther Collins

Winchester - St John The Baptist Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Talbot - geograph.org.uk/p/2386190r

John Palmer (b. ~1776 in Bridestowe, Devon) married Esther Collins (bap. 15 Aug 1790 at St Bartholomew, Winchester), daughter of Benjamin Collins and Mary Heamer, at St John the Baptist, Winchester on 26 Aug 1811

John and Esther Palmer, it seems, had at least these four children:
  1. Charles Palmer b. 12 Jul 1812, bap. 24 Jul 1812 at St Mary's Church, Hinckley, Leicestershire. As unlikely as that location seems, on the 1851 census, Charles' birthplace is listed as 'Ionkley, Lancashire', which is surely a mis-transcription of Hinckley, Leicestershire. 
  2. James Palmer bap. 16 Sep 1821 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
  3. Elizabeth Palmer bap. 25 Nov 1827 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
  4. Henry Palmer bap. 18 Jul 1830 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
On James', Elizabeth's and Henry's baptisms, John's occupation is Tanner.

It's extremely likely there were other children born between those, but it's difficult to confirm, not knowing when or where and being too early for them appear on census returns together as a family for confirmation. 

In 1841, John Palmer (60) was living in York Street, Plymouth (as was son Charles, in a separate household), with Esther Palmer (50), Elizabeth Palmer (14) and Henry Palmer (11). There is a James Palmer (20), resident at Plymouth Citadel, in 1841, presumably there with the military.

In 1851, John Palmer (75) Tanner, from Bridestowe, Devonshire and Esther Palmer (61), from Winchester, were in Richmond Street, Plymouth.

John Palmer died, aged 78, in 1855 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 251. He is buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

In 1861, Esther Talmer (sic) Tanner's mother, widowed, from Winchester, Hampshire, was living in Vauxhall Street, Plymouth in the household of her son Charles - who it appears had taken over the trade from his father.

Esther Palmer died, aged 79, in 1868 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 145. She is also buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.

Thursday, 22 August 2024

Henry John Leese and Marian Blanche Burgess

HMS President in London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Steve Daniels - geograph.org.uk/p/3352722
HMS President is a stone frigate, or shore establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve; on the northern bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge.

Henry John Leese (b. 5 Jan 1862 in Lewes, Sussex) Naval Schoolmaster, HMS Boscawen, Portland, son of John Leese and Caroline Bussey, married Marian Blanche Burgess (b. 1863 in Greenwich), daughter of William Burgess, Printer, at All Saints, Rotherhithe, on 22 Aug 1885. Witnesses were William Burgess and Christiana Elizabeth Burgess (the bride's younger sister).

Henry John Leese began his naval career on 5 Jan 1879, having previously attended Greenwich School, with school ship, HMS Impregnable (1810). From 1 Jan 1881, Henry John Leese (19) was an Ordinary seaman pupil teacher, stationed at HMS President (shore establishment).  

Henry and Marian Leese had nine children, three of whom died (numbers confirmed by Henry John Leese' own account on 1911 Census):

  1. May Constance Leese b. 9 Jun 1886 (1886 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Page 228), bap. 23 Mar 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew.
  2. Elsie Christine Leese b. 29 May 1890 (1890 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 479), bap. 3 Aug 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew. Presume died as an infant, possibly in Malta.
  3. Henry John Leese b. 14 Dec 1892 in Valletta, Malta 
  4. Maude Christiana Leese b. 13 Jul 1894 in Malta 
  5. Marian Blanche Leese b. 6 Nov 1895 (1895 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 301), bap. 19 Jan 1896 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, died at 1 in 1896 D Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Pg 361
  6. William Gordon Leese b. 17 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 560), bap. 19 Sep 1897 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
  7. John Stanley Leese b. 2 Feb 1898 (1898 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 540), bap. 8 Feb 1898 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
  8. Edward Lionel Leese b. 23 Feb 1900 (1900 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 568), bap. 10 Apr 1900 at Forton, Hampshire, died aged 3 in 1903 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 355
  9. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese b. 10 Jun 1909 (1909 J Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 565), bap. 11 Jul 1909 in Forton (Gosport)
The family are not on the 1891 Census in England as Henry John Leese was stationed at Malta Dockyard between 14 Jun 1890 and 11 Dec 1894.

Henry John Leese was appointed Schoolmaster at Portsmouth Division Royal Marines, located at Forton Barracks, near Gosport in Hampshire, on 29 Jul 1896, position he appears to have held until 30 Apr 1917.

In 1901, Henry J Leese (39) Schoolmaster, Warrant Officer RMLI, born in Portobello, Sussex was living at 139 Forton Rd, Gosport), with wife Marian B Leese (37) born in Greenwich; May C Leese (14) born in Brighton, Henry J Leese (8) born in Malta; Maud C Leese (6) born in Malta; William G Leese (4), John S Leese (3) and Edward L Leese (1) born in Gosport. There are no further records of Elsie Christine after her baptism; she is not listed on this census and I can find no record of a death either, so the most logical explanation is that she must have died as an infant in Malta.

In 1911, Henry John Leese (49) Schoolmaster, WO RMLI, was still living in Alverstoke, Hampshire with Marian Blanche Leese (47), May Constance Leese (24), Maude Christania Leese (16), William Gordon Leese (14), John Stanley Leese (13) and Frank Alfred Leese (1). Son Henry J Leese (18) had joined the Royal Marines in 1910 and was that year listed in Walmer, Kent (Deal).

In 1921, Henry John Leese (59) Elementary School Teacher was living at 139, Forton Road, Gosport, Alverstoke, with Marian Blanch Leese (57), May Constance Leese (35), Maud Christine Leese (26) Elementary School Teacher; John Stanley Leese (23) Pattern Maker; and Frank Alfred Joseph Leese (12).

Henry John Leese died, aged 70, on 15 Apr 1932 (1932 J Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 734) and is buried at Clayhall Naval Cemetery (Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery).

Marian Blanche Leese died seven years later, on 15 Apr 1939 (1939 J Quarter in GOSPORT Volume 02B Page 822), aged 75.

The six surviving children: 
  1. May Constance Leese died, unmarried, aged 81, in Portsmouth, in 1967.
  2. Henry John Leese (70) was discharged dead from the Royal Marines, to which he'd obviously devoted his entire life, on 15 Nov 1962.
  3. Maude Christina Leese died, aged 83, also still a spinster, in 1977.
  4. William Gordon Leese enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Jul 1912, but was declared invalided on 8 Feb 1921 at Haslar Hospital. William G Leese died, aged 71, in 1968 in Gosport.
  5. John Stanley Leese died, at 80, in 1979 in Stockport, Cheshire.
  6. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese joined the British Army, Coldstream Guards in 1928. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese married Faith Kathleen Partridge in Acle, Norfolk in 1947. Frank died in 1990, in Norwich.

Francis Robert Blazey and Maria Emily Andrews

Church of St Thomas The Martyr, Oxford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/2030942

Francis Robert Blazey (b. 1 Aug 1833), son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, first married Maria Emily Andrews (bap. 22 Mar 1840 at St Thomas the Martyr, Oxford), daughter of Charles Andrews and Eliza Sparks, at St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Oxford, on 22 Aug 1859. Witnesses to their marriage were William Griffin and Mary Ann Griffin.

Francis Robert Blazey had five children with his three wives: 
  1. Francis Charles Blazey b. 1860 J Quarter in OXFORD Volume 03A Page 543, died aged 4 in 1864 S Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 418, buried 1 Aug 1864 at St Mary, Witney (with Maria Andrews)
  2. William James Blazey b. 1863 S Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 589. No further records found. Died an infant? (with Maria Andrews)
  3. Alice Maud Stanley Blazey b. 21 Dec 1875, bap. 31 Jan 1876, in Dinapore, India. (with Louisa Susan Stanley)
  4. Constance Ellen Blazey b. 1890 J Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 224, bap. 1 Jun 1890 in Holloway, Islington, with parents listed as Francis Robert Blazey, Licenced Victualler, and Margaret Matilda Eleanor Blazey, of 54 Hampden Road, Islington - formerly the address of the now demolished Royal Oak Tavern (with Elenora Audric)
  5. Harry Robert Blazey b. 5 Apr 1899 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 103, bap. 6 May 1899, son of Francis Robert, Retired Engineer, and Ellen Nora Blazey of 155 Holland Road (with Elenora Audric)
In 1861, Francis Robert Blazey (27) Fireman, wife Maria (20) Dressmaker and their son, Francis Charles (1) and Samuel Blazey (19), Francis' younger brother, were living at 2, St Pauls Street, Blockhouse, Worcester.

Son, Francis Charles Blazey, died in Witney, Oxfordshire, in 1864, aged 4.

The next record tells us Maria Andrews Blazey, wife of F. R. Blazey, Driver E.I.R. (East Indian Railway Company), died from Cancer on 4 Sep 1873, aged 32y 7m, and was buried on 5 Sep 1873 at Dinapore, Bengal, India. (Dinapore was a British garrison town in the 19th century, now called Danapur, it's about 10km NW of Patna, and 500km NW of Calcutta, now Kolkata.)

On 9 Apr 1874, in Dinapore, India, Francis Robert Blazey, 41, married Louisa Susan Stanley, who was 16 (b. 21 May 1857 and bap. 25 Jun 1857, at Poona (now Pune), India), daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley. 

Louisa's siblings: Morgan Stanley and Rosina Gelstow Stanley were born in Allahabad in 1859 and 1860, respectively, and Mary Augusta Stanley was born in Mirzapur in 1863. Brother, Augustus George Stanley, born 1862, died aged 3, from "Convulsions" on 6 Jun was buried on 7 Jun 1865, in Cawnpore (now Kanpur, famous for the 1857 Siege of Cawnpore). On the burial record, Augustus George Stanley's occupation is given as Tehsildar (A tehsildar is a tax officer accompanied by revenue inspectors, though I shall forever equate him to Joseph Sedley, the collector of Boggley Wollah in Vanity Fair.) Eliza Jemima Stanley, had died on 3 Sep 1867, aged 29, and was buried the next day, in Cawnpore. Under cause of death: "Uncontrollable vomiting from Hepatic congestion brought on by hard drinking." The death of an Augustus George Stanley in Bombay, India on 28 Apr 1878, may relate.

Alice Maud Stanley Blazey, daughter of Francis Robert Blazey and Louisa Susan Stanley, b. 21 Dec 1875 and bap. 31 Jan 1876, in Dinapore. Both the marriage record for Francis and Louisa and the baptism record for Alice Maud Stanley Blazey give their residence as Khagoul (now Khagaul). 

Louisa Susan Blazey died, aged 27, on 2 Mar 1884, at sea, from Softening of the Brain (Cerebral softening, also known as encephalomalacia).

Francis Robert Blazey (51), Widower, Gentleman, of 9 Union Terrace, then married Elenora Matilda Audric (24) at St James' Church, Norlands on 23 Apr 1885. The bride, of 161 Holland Road [Islington], listed as a Spinster, named her father as John [Jean] Baptiste François Audric, Cabinet Maker. 

In 1891, at The Swan Inn, The Common, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire were Francis R Blazey (57) Publican; Margaret M Blazey (30) from Whitehaven, Cumberland; Alice Maud Blazey (15), Constance Blazey (0), Elizabeth Stiles (28) and Elenor E Stiles (1) Visitors and Maud Millers (9) Stepdaughter. 

The Eastern Post of 3 Nov 1894 under Transfer of Licences in Tower Hamlets, "in the Parish of St Mary, Stratford, Bow: Milford Castle, Cadogan Terrace, Baptiste de Bolla to Francis Robert Blazey." This was a typo as it was the Mitford Castle, 129 Cadogan Terrace, Bow E9, a pub that, now gone, was already infamous then as the public house to which the victim, Thomas Briggs, was brought when his body was found on the tracks behind the pub on July 9 1864. He would later die and become the first ever murder victim on a British train. (An oddly ironic, if darkly appropriate, pub for an ex-train driver!)

In 1901, at 31, Sinclair Gardens, Hammersmith, were Francis R Blazey (68) Retired Engineer, Norah Blazey (39), Constance E Blazey (10), Harry R Blazey (2), daughter Alice Maud Trevail (25) - Alice married Herbert Fleming Trevail - Winifred S Trevail (0) Granddaughter, Katherine Pye (56) Boarder, Thomas R Cox (24) Boarder, Nellie Kent (19) General Domestic Servant, Margaret Bennet (56) Visitor and Kate Eames (47) Visitor - Sick nurse.

Francis Robert Blazey is said to have died around 1905. Although I can find no record to confirm this, he doesn't appear to be on the 1911 Census.

Norah Blazey died in 1909 M Quarter in ST MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 442, with her age then estimated as 45.

Wednesday, 21 August 2024

Charles Provart Keeble and Ann Prior

High Street, Haverhill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/5816659
 This part has been called Market Hill, but the premises are numbered in the High Street sequence and there is no apparent name plate. Beyond Peacocks, the continuation is called Queen Street.

Charles Provart Keeble (bap. 20 Oct 1844 at St Edmund, Bromeswell, Suffolk), son of John Keeble and Emma Cockle Provart, married Ann Prior (b. 1842), daughter of Charles Prior and Mary Wilton, on 21 Aug 1865. Scanning back through the record images leads me to believe that the marriage took place in the Congregational Church in New Street, Great Dunmow.

Charles and Ann had seven children:
  1. Charles Prior Keeble b. 1866 Q4 Vol 4A Page 401 in Risbridge
  2. Robert Hankin Keeble b. 1868 J Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A Page 410
  3. Edith Mary Keeble b. 1870 J Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A Page 430
  4. Alfred Keeble b. 1874 J Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A Page 468
  5. Kate Keeble b. 1876 J Qtr in RISBRIDGE Volume 04A Page 483
  6. Gertrude Wilton Keeble b. 1879 D Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A 508
  7. Henry Keeble b. 1881 D Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A Page 543
In 1871, Charles Keeble (26) Grocer and Draper was living in Haverhill, Suffolk, with wife Ann Keeble (29), Charles P Keeble (4), Robert H Keeble (2) and Edith M Keeble (0). In the household also were three Boarders: Edward Hewes (19) Grocer & Draper's Shopman; William J Devine (16) Grocer's Shopman and Esther Gray (16) Domestic Servant.

In 1881, in Queen Street, Haverhill, were Charles Provart Keeble (36) Grocer and Draper employing 2 men and 1 boy; Ann Keeble (40) Draper; Edith Mary Keeble (10), Alfred Keeble (6), Kate Keeble (5), Gertrude Wilton Keeble (1) and Emma Taylor (16) General Servant. Charles Keeble (14) Draper's Apprentice was a boarder at 33, Milton Street, St Marylebone, London, while Robert Keeble (12) was a boarder at New St School, Great Dunmow. 

By 1891, Charles Keeble (46) had become a Farmer at Burton End, Haverhill with Ann Keeble (49), Edith M Keeble (20), Gertrude W Keeble (11) and Henry Keeble (9) in the household. Robert H Keeble (22) Draper's Assistant was a Boarder in St John's Street, Woodbridge, Suffolk; Alfred Keeble (16) was a Grocer and Draper in The Street, Tolleshunt D'arcy, Essex. Kate Keeble (16) was a Draper's Assistant in the Chiswick High Road.

Ann Keeble died, at 53, on 12 Apr 1895 J Qtr in RISBRIDGE Vol 04A 387.

In 1901, Charles P Keeble (56) Widowed Farmer was still in living in Haverhill with two of the children, Henry Keeble (19), Gertrude W Keeble (21) and Elizabeth Holden (15) General Domestic Servant.

In 1911, Charles Provart Keeble (68) Retired Farmer, was staying with son Alfred Keeble (42) Farmer and Coal Merchant in Duxford, Cambridgeshire.

Charles Provart Keeble died, at 68, on 20 Jun 1913 (1913 J Quarter in CHELTENHAM Volume 06A Page 477).

Sunday, 18 August 2024

Joseph Daniel Soppit and Rachel Boad

Beckenham Lane
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © DS Pugh - geograph.org.uk/p/3780404

Joseph Daniel Soppit (b. 23 Sep 1877 in Deptford), son of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson, married Rachel Boad, daughter of Charles Boad and Elizabeth Short, in Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent, on 18 Aug 1907. 

Six years previously, in 1901, Joseph D Soppit (23) Beer and Wine Retailer, had been living at 60, Beckenham Lane, Bromley (confirmed in the Kent 1903 Beer Retailer Directory, later Refreshers Independent Wine Merchant), with Rachel Boad (28), listed as his Servant and Housekeeper.

Joseph and Rachel Soppit had three children:

  1. John Soppit b. 11 Jan 1908 (GRO Reference: 1908 M Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 536)
  2. Elizabeth Louisa Soppit b. 5 Jun 1909 (GRO Reference: 1909 J Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 588)
  3. Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit b. 8 Apr 1916 (GRO Reference: 1916 J Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 947)
All three children were born in South Hetton, Easington, Durham, where Rachel had family. Rachel's late father, Charles Boad, had been a stone mason in a colliery there. Joseph's father, John Soppit, also had links with South Hetton and both John and his father had also worked in the collieries, so we must entertain the idea that these families already knew one another.

In 1911, living at 57 Holbeach Road, Catford, were Joseph Daniel Soppit (33) an Engineer's Fitter at the Manganese Bronze and Brass Co at Millwall, Propeller makers [Manganese Bronze Holdings], along with his wife Rachel Soppit (38), John Soppit (3) and Elizabeth Louisa Soppit (1).

On 7 Aug 1917, Joseph Daniel Soppit (39), then a Commercial Traveller, enlisted in the Army's Royal Flying Corps (RFC), transferring to the Royal Air Force (RAF) upon it's formation on 1 Apr 1918. At time of enlistment, Joseph was 5ft 5in tall with a chest measurement of 35 inches. He then transferred to the RAF Reserve on 21 Mar 1919 and was discharged on 30 Apr 1920.

In 1921, Joseph Daniel Soppit (43) Commercial Traveller was living at 175, George Lane, Lewisham with Rachel Soppit (49), John Soppit (13), Elizabeth Louisa Soppit (12) and Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit (5). John Winship Soppit (39) Commercial Traveller - both brothers worked for C Chancellor & Co Ltd, 13 Clerkenwell Rd, Paint & Enamel Manufacturers - was visiting.

Joseph Daniel Soppit died, aged 58, in 1936 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1231.

In 1939, the widowed Rachel Soppit (b. 16 Jun 1872) was living with her widowed sister-in-law, Louisa A Broome, Laundry Director, at 57 Ladywell Road, Ladywell, Lewisham, with John Soppit, Wholesale Drapery Salesman; Elizabeth L Soppit, Civil Servant and Catherine S W Soppit, Railway Clerk.

Rachel Soppit, of 33 Shirley Park Rd, Addiscombe, Croydon, died, aged 76, on 27 Jul 1948 (1948 S Quarter in CROYDON Volume 05G Page 89) at The General Hospital, Croydon. Probate was granted to son John Soppit.

Andrew Ephire King and Annie Jones

The former St. Luke's church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/5436811

Andrew Ephire King (b. 10 Nov 1894), Chief Yeoman, United States Navy, son of Joseph Damos King and Josephine Martel, married Annie Jones (b. 30 Sep 1890), only daughter of Nicholas Jones and Ellen White, at St Luke's Church, Cork, Ireland on 18 Aug 1919. Witnesses were Frederick Joseph Lee and Nelly Jones. The couple met in 1917, wrote their daughter, Margery, later "... when Dad was on one of the destroyers sent by the US Navy to patrol the south coast of Ireland and convoy supply and troop ships to English and French ports." Later, "When Cork became "out of bounds" to the crews of the US Fleet when the Sinn Féiners attacked them, Dad asked Mum to come down to Rushbrooke / Queenstown to visit him. In this way, Dad became acquainted with Nellie and the rest of her family, often going to Rushbrooke for tea when he had a few hours liberty when his ship was in port." 

From Andrew's diary: April 24, 1918: "Liberty was granted today. I went ashore at 4:30 p.m. and went to see Nellie Jones. Today was her 24th birthday. She had made a chocolate cake and some cookies so we had a quite nice little tea party. I gave her a gold pendant for a gift. Novak came up about 7:30 with a fruit cake that his sister in Portland, Oregon had sent him. We had cocoa and some of the cake. Returned to the ship at 10:30 p.m."

After they married, Annie King applied for permission to depart for the United States, expecting to sail on USS President Grant on 6 Sep 1919, giving her future address in the US as 31 Chapel Street, Dover, New Hampshire.

Andrew and Annie King had three children:
  1. Douglas Andrew King b. 23 Mar 1921 in Norfolk, Virginia
  2. Edith Mary King b. 22 Feb 1923 in Brooklyn, New York
  3. Margery Ellen King b. 6 Apr 1927 in Cork, Ireland
In 1920, Andrew King (25) and Annie King (29), were living in Duval, Florida.

In 1921, Annie King applied for a US Passport for herself, accompanied by her minor child, Douglas Andrew King.

In 1930, in Norfolk, Virginia, were Andrew E King (36), Annie King (40), Douglas A King (9), Edith M King (7) and Margery E King (3). In 1935, they lived in Portsmouth, Virginia. A record shows that on 7 Jul 1935, Douglas Andrew King (14) travelled from Cobh (Queenstown), on the RMS Laconia, arriving in Boston in 14 Jul 1935. Margery remembered them visiting the family in Rushbrooke in the 1930's.

And by 1940, they had moved out to San Diego, California, with Andrew E King (45), Annie King (49), Edith M King (17) and Marjory E King (12).

Andrew Ephire King sailed from Pearl Harbor on 7 Aug 1942, on USS Henderson, while she did service as a transport between California and Hawaii during World War II, arriving in San Francisco, California on 15 Aug 1942. He was still serving in WWII. Was he in Pearl Harbour the year before?

On 5 Apr 1945, Douglas Andrew King (24) married Daisy Mae Hadlock (19), daughter of Ivan Hadlock and Esther Smith, in Hampton, Virginia.

Margery and her mother travelled to Ireland and England, visiting Dave and Kitty in Rushbrooke, Queenie and Alice in Cork City, my grandparents in Birmingham and stayed with Marcella in Portsmouth, in 1946. Margery wrote that, "My mother had kept in touch with her cousins all through WWII while we were in the USA and was anxious to see them all again."

A licence had been applied for, for the marriage of Margery Ellen King to a Donald William Gemmel in January 1950, but this marriage never took place. Margery never mentioned this. No surprise. I always knew her as Mrs Margery Hamilton, but haven't been able to find any record of a marriage for her.

Edith Mary King married John Kenneth Crawford, in Cork, on 7 Aug 1950. Her parents went to Ireland for the wedding, and returned on RMS Franconia, leaving Liverpool on 21 Sep 1950, arriving in Quebec on 29 Sep 1950. The Crawfords had at least one son (name and birth date unknown, but thought to be still living in Ireland), as Margery often mentioned her nephew - to whom she said she had given all of Andrew Ephire King's detailed diaries.

Annie King of 28 Oceana Avenue, Ocean Park, Maine (wife of Andrew Ephire King, Retired Lieutenant Commander U.S.N.), died on 21 Dec 1950, at the Trull Hospital, Biddeford, Maine, aged 60, leaving her effects to her husband. Annie King is buried at, New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

On 26 Sep 1953, Margery King left Cobh on the MV Britannic, presumably for her father's marriage, on 24 Oct 1953, at the Methodist Church, Plymouth, New Hampshire, to divorcee, Elma Marguerite Wyman (née Dunphy).

Andrew Ephire King, who died on 1 July 1983, Lieutenant commander United States Navy Mexican Border, WWI & WWII, is also buried in the family plot at New Town Cemetery, Rollinsford, New Hampshire.

Douglas Andrew King died on 13 Mar 2002.

We visited Margery in Ireland in 2014. Her sister, Edith, had died not long before. Margery must have died in 2016, which, sadly, we only discovered when the Post Office returned my correspondence. Her contribution to this research has been invaluable: even when the family stories she was told weren't quite true, they provided valuable clues that I continue to pursue and hope that I can also answer some of the questions she left unanswered.

Friday, 16 August 2024

Henry Prior and Eliza Ellen Seymour

Former St Peter's Church, Cephas Street, Mile End Old Town
Photo: Julian Walker. Some Rights Reserved

Henry Prior (b. 1835), son of Charles Prior and Mary Wilton, married Eliza Ellen Seymour (b. 1838, registered: Ellen Eliza Seymour 1838 D Quarter in MALDON Volume 12 Page 131), daughter of John Seymour and Susannah Howell, on 16 Aug 1869 at the church of St PeterMile End Old Town.

In 1861, Eliza Seymour (22) had been a visitor in the household of her brother-in-law, Charles Lambson (30) Wine Clerk - married to Eliza's older sister, Jane Seymour (bap. 27 Oct 1822) - in Chesterford Terrace, Stanley Road, Hackney, which would explain her presence in that area. 

Henry and Eliza Prior had seven children, all born in Maldon, Essex

  1. Florence Annie Prior b. 7 May 1870 J Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 261
  2. Agnes Prior b. 1872 M Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A  Page 274. Died, aged 1, in 1873 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A  Page 164
  3. Rosa Jane Prior b. 19 Dec 1873 (1874 M Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 274)
  4. Alice Gertrude Prior b. 1876 J Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A Page 308. Died, aged 19, in 1896 M Qtr in CAMBRIDGE Vol 03B Page 314
  5. Alfred Edwin Prior b. 10 Jun 1878 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 325
  6. Ada Ella Prior b. 10 Aug 1880 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 355
  7. Eleanor Winifred Prior b. 24 Dec 1884 (1885 M Qtr Vol 04A 463)
In 1871, on Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, Henry Prior (36), was a basket maker. The original census return shows him to have been in the household alone. One imagines Eliza may have returned to her family for the birth of their first child, but neither she nor the infant appear to be listed anywhere.

Market Hill, Maldon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stefan Czapski
geograph.org.uk/p/4223421
In 1881, Henry Prior (46), was listed as a Furniture Dealer on Market Hill, Maldon, Essex. Living with him were Eliza (42), Florence (10), Rosa (7), Alice (5), Alfred (2) and Ada (0).

In 1891, Henry Prior (57) Furniture Dealer was in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire with Eliza Prior (53), Gertrude Prior (15), Alfred Prior (12), Ella Prior (10) and Winifred Prior (6). Florence A Prior (20) Drapers Apprentice and Rosa J Prior (16) Drapers Apprentice were living in Castle Road, Bedford.

In 1901, Henry Prior (66), House Furnisher, was living at 172 East RoadCambridge, with wife, Ellen (62) and their five children: Florence (29), Rosa (24), Alfred (22), Ella (20) and Minnie (16). (Alice Gertrude Prior had died in 1896, aged 19.) Also listed was Daniel Seymour (67), Congregational Minister, widower, visitor (Daniel George Seymour b. 12 Jun 1833, was Eliza's brother.) 

In 1911, Henry Prior (76) was still listed as a House Furnisher, living at 172 East Road, Cambridge, with wife Eliza Prior (72), Florence Prior (40) Book keeper in the business; Rosa Prior (37), Alfred Prior (32) Assisting in the business and Winifred Prior (26). The 1911 census confirms that they had been married for 42 years, had 7 children born alive and 5 still living.

The Cambridge Daily News of 10 Mar 1916 reported on "SIX MONTHS EXEMPTION. Alfred Edwin Prior, 173 East Road, partner and manager in a firm of house furnishers, carried on by him for his father and self under the style of H. Prior and Son, applied for absolute exemption [from Military Service] on the grounds that he was an only son, and his father was in his 82nd year and his mother was 79. His parents had no income apart from the business, which must come to a standstill and the support of the whole family, including two unmarried sisters, must fail should he be called away. Six months exemption so long as the condition remain the same was granted."

In 1921, Henry Prior (86) House Furnisher was still at 172, East Road, Cambridge, with Eliza Prior (82), Florence Prior (51) Assisting In The Business; Rosa Prior (47) & Alfred Prior (43) Partner In The Business. Ada Ella Prior (pretending to be 35) was a Shop Assistant at 85, High Street, South Norwood, Croydon. (Eleanor Winifred had married in 1913.)

Eliza Ellen Prior died, aged 89, on 19 Nov 1926 (1926 D Qtr Vol 03B 509) and was buried on 23 Nov 1926 at All Saints' Church, Cambridge.

On 4 Jan 1930, Ada Ella Prior (50) Spinster of 172 East Rd, Cambridge, daughter of Henry Prior, House Furnisher, married Isaac Collins, Auctioneer, Bachelor of The Hectorage, Tunbridge, Kent, son of Thomas Collins, Land Agent, by Licence at St Andrew the Less (now Christ Church Cambridge).

Henry Prior of 221 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, died at the age of 95 on 1 Oct 1930 (1930 D Quarter in CAMBRIDGE Volume 03B Page 478) and was also buried, on 6 Oct 1930, at All Saints' Church, Cambridge. Probate was granted, on 17 Nov 1930, to Alfred Edwin Prior and Florence Annie Prior.

Thursday, 15 August 2024

Richard Benbow and Grace Beer

Site of the former St James', Dukes Place
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/921191
A former church, demolished in 1874.

Richard Benbow (b. 1659) Bachelor, married Grace Beer (b. 1663) Spinster, at the church of St James, Duke's Place, City of London, on 15 Aug 1686. Nicholas Poor is listed presumably as a witness to the marriage. Described variously as "Aldgate’s own version of Gretna Green" and the church that defied convention, St James's was "the place where people could get hitched while bypassing the irksome rules and regulations that would normally apply", with no need to wait for banns to be called; no need for a licence and, best of all, parental consent was not required to tie the knot there. Why this couple, a pair of my 8x great-grandparents, chose to marry there, isn't obvious.

They appear to have been the parents of at least four children:

  1. Richard Benbow b. around 1690
  2. Sarah Benbow b. around 1690
  3. James Benbow b. around 1699
  4. Samuel Benbow b. around 1699

Birth years are very approximate and mostly calculated from ages at death. There are no baptism records for any of their children, as they were Quakers and Quakers don't practice baptism. There could, therefore, have been other children, that we just don't encounter records for or cannot link to them.

We know that Richard Benbow is their child from a London Apprenticeship Abstract record, which lists him as the "son of Richard Bendbow (sic), Stepney, Middlesex, bricklayer". To confirm that link, James, also listed as son of Richard and a Bricklayer, later left three houses to Richard's daughter, Elizabeth Travally. Sarah is identified as his sister in James' will, as were his nieces Ann and Mary, daughters of Samuel. In the absense of the usual records, these are all we have to be able to glue this family together.

Richard Benbow, of Ratcliff, in the Parish of Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Bricklayer, aged about 64 years, died the 26th day of the month called April, 1723. Buried in Friends Burying Ground Ratcliff. [In The London Burial Grounds, by Isabella M. Holmes, is the information "There was a little meeting-house with a burial-ground attached in Wapping Street, which seems to have been used until about 1779, but was then demolished, the worshippers moving to the meeting in Brook Street, Ratcliff."]. Richard Benbow was reported to have died "of a Dropsy" (Edema, also spelled oedema, also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling).

A tax record places Grace Benbow in Brooke Street, Ratcliff, in 1730.

Grace Benbow died, aged about 83, of old age. The record says she died (well, one version said she 'dyed' and one wonders what colour) on the 4th day of the 10th month called December and was buried on the 7th day of said month, 1746, also at the Friends Burying Ground at Ratcliff. (December was then the 10th month. Until 1752, the new year in England still began on Lady Day, March 25th. In addition, Quakers sometimes used a Calendar that differed from both the English custom of beginning the year on March 25 and from the Scottish custom of beginning the year on January 1. Many Quakers, such as George Fox and William Penn, began the year on March 1.)

Sarah Benbow, Spinster, and John Warber, Bachelor, both from the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney, married at St Clement Danes, Westminster (the first church in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons) on 22 Dec 1724. However, John Warber, Pensioner (undoubtedly military), was buried at St Dionis Backchurch, City of London, on 23 Feb 1739. Sarah Warber married James Terney at Newington St Mary (Surrey) on 9 Sep 1740. This is the surname listed in James Benbow's will. James and Sarah Terney had a daughter, Elizabeth Terney bap. 19 Jun 1741 at St George in the East. This suggests that Sarah was probably a little younger than we're being told. There was a burial of a Sarah Turney (sic) at St James, Piccadilly on 30 Nov 1768.

James Bendbow (sic) of Ratcliff, Bricklayer, son of Richard Bendbow of the same place and trade deceased, married Frances Stalker, daughter of Thomas Stalker of Sotheringby, Cumberland, Carpenter, deceased, at the Monthly Meeting of Peel's Court, John Street, Westminster on 27 Nov 1740. Relatives present: Samuel and Mary Bendbow, Sarah and James Terney, Hannah Preston [1]. (Many considered Quaker couples to be living in sin because they didn't have clergy to officiate.) James Benbow of Brook Street in the Parish of Stepney, aged about 62 years, died on 23 Apr 1761, of convulsions. He was buried on 26 Apr 1761 at the Friends Burying Ground at Ratcliff. The will of James Bendbow (sic) of St Dunstan's Stepney, Bricklayer, left everything (including 11 freehold houses) to his wife Frances to dispose of, as mentioned above, with bequeaths to his sister Sarah Terney, and nieces (he'd said cousins) Elizabeth Travally, Ann Benbow and Mary Haselden [2]. Frances Bendbow (sic) of Brook Street, Ratcliff in the Parish of Stepney, aged about 66 years, died on 17 May 1766, of a Dropsy, and was buried on 23 May 1766 at the Friends Burying Ground, near School House Lane, Ratcliff.

Samuel Benbow married Mary Breeden at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's, on 10 Jan 1723. Samuel and Mary Benbow had eight children:

  1. Sarah Benbow b. 18 Jan 1724, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer and Mary, bap. 7 Feb 1724 (at 20 days old), at St Dunstan's, Stepney
  2. Grace Benbow, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer was buried on 1 Apr 1726, at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney. Assuming she had been born that same year and died at birth, or shortly thereafter.
  3. Joseph Benbow, son of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 21 May 1727 and buried on 28 May 1727, in Stepney, Middlesex
  4. John Benbow, son of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 19 May 1728
  5. Elizabeth Benbow, daughter of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 18 Jan 1729; died aged 13 and was buried on 20 Nov 1742 in Stepney
  6. Ann Benbow b. Friday, 12 May 1732, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 4 Jun 1732 (at 23 days)
  7. Joseph Benbow b. Monday, 14 Oct 1734, son of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 10 Nov 1734 (at 27 days). Died just before his first birthday, on 2 Oct 1735.
  8. Mary Benbow b. Sunday, 5 Oct 1735, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 2 Nov 1735 (at 28 days old), at St Dunstan, Stepney. Mary, daughter of Samuel Benbow was buried at St Dunstan, on 30 Sep 1737, just short of her 2nd birthday.
Mary Benbow, wife of Samuel Benbow was said to have been buried at St Dunstan, Stepney on 26 Feb 1735. Unfortunately, relying on a transcription of this record only, I feel it's most likely that this was actually 1736.

Samuel Benbow, Widower, then married Mary Hudson, Widow, both of the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney at St Botolph's Aldgate, on 24 Feb 1738. It hasn't been possible to narrow down a possible previous marriage to determine what this Mary's maiden name and parentage was.

In 1739, tax records place Samuel Benbow in Brooke Street, Ratcliff.

Samuel Benbow and his second wife had one daughter:
  1. Mary Benbow b. Friday, 13 Jun 1740, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Ratcliff and Mary, bap. 29 Jun 1740 (at 16 days old).
In 1746, tax records place Samuel Benbow on Cock Hill (The Highway).

Samuel Benbow of Ratcliff, Bricklayer, aged about 51 years, died on the 14 Nov 1750. (Actually, the original record says 1751, however, the deaths either side of his were in 1750 and Probate was granted on 20 Dec 1750, so I believe the record keeper saw his age of 51 and made a slip up in the year.) Samuel reportedly died of convulsions and was buried on 18 Nov 1750, at the Friends Burying Ground near Schoolhouse Lane. He left everything to his 'affectionate wife Mary Benbow' and appointed her sole Executrix.

[1] Found no other records of Hannah Preston to know how she was related.

[2] Mary Bendbow (sic), daughter of Samuel Benbow and his second wife, married Herbert Haselden, in Stepney, on 10 May 1757. This couple had a daughter, Mary Magdalen Haselden b. 22 Feb 1758, daughter of Herbert Haselden, Grocer, and Mary, bap. 23 Feb 1758 (at 1 day old) at St Dunstan, Stepney. They also had a daughter, Frances, bap. 9 June 1760, mentioned in this Lease and Release with counterpart of release, "William Wood of Little Russell Street, parish of Saint George, Bloomsbury, co. Middx., cider merchant and Frances his wife, only child and heir of Herbert Haselden late of Stepney in the fields, co. Middx., grocer and tobacconist, grand daughter and heir of Magdalen wife of Robert Haselden late of Over Hulton, co. Lancs." 

William Wood and Frances Haselden had married, by licence issued on 14 Apr 1787. In 1777, there had been a Frances Haselden apprenticed to a Susanna Pingo, as a Milliner, which would also suggest a year of birth around 1760.

George Bawden and Mary Baker

Knowstone : Cottage & Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3980875

George Bawden (bap. 9 Dec 1821 in Knowstone, Devon), son of John Boaden (sic), Shoemaker and Ann Marshall, married Mary Baker, illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Baker, at St Peter's churchKnowstone on 15 Aug 1845.

George and Mary appear to have had seven children:
  1. George Bawden b. 1845 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 286. Died 1845 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 133.
  2. John Bawden b. 1847 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 205
  3. Mary Ann Boaden (sic) b. 1850 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 216
  4. George Boaden (sic) b. 1854 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 426. George Bawden aged 1 was buried on 26 Dec 1855
  5. Grace Boaden (sic) b. 1857 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 415. Died at 16 months in 1858 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 302 and was buried on 2 May 1858 in Knowstone
  6. Grace Bawden b. 1860 S Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B Page 417
  7. George Bawden b. 1863 M Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B Page 480
The mother's maiden name on all of these births was BAKER.

In 1851, George Boaden (sic) (29) Farm Labourer and Mary Boaden (30) were living in Knowstone Town, with John Boaden (3) and Mary Anne Boaden (0).

In 1861, George Boaden (sic) (39) Labourer and Mary Boaden (40) were living at West House, West Village, Knowstone with Mary Boaden (10) and Grace Boaden (0). John Bouden (sic) (13) was a Farm Servant at Allshire, Higher Sour Hill, Brushford, Dulverton, Somerset.

In 1871, George Bawden (49) and Mary Bawden (50) were living at Bawden Cottage, Knowstone with George Bawden (8) and Elizabeth Middleton (71) Annuitant, Lodger, but who was in fact, Mary's widowed mother. Grace Bawden (10) was a Domestic Servant at Beaples Barton, Knowstone.

George Bawden died at 51 in 1872 D Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 301 and was buried on 20 Oct 1872 in St Peter's churchyard.

Mary Bawden, Widow, then remarried to Thomas Marshall, Widower, son of Edward Marshall and Elizabeth Sellick, at St Peter's, Knowstone on 9 Jun 1875. The next wedding to take place in that church and listed on the same page of the register, was that of Mary's half-sister (and my 2x great-grandmother), Jane Middleton to William Flew, on 2 Sep 1875. And Thomas Marshall was the brother of James Marshall, who had married William Flew's sister, Mary Elworthy (née Flew) in 1856. In addition to that, Mary Baker's first husband, George Bawden's mother, Ann Marshall, was the sister of her 2nd husband, Thomas Marshall's father, Edward Marshall, so her two husbands were first cousins. What a small gene pool they had in these villages. Honestly, an episode of Soap would be easier to follow! 

Thomas Marshall had previously married Hannah Kingdom (bap. 26 Aug 1827 in Knowstone) daughter of John Kingdom and Mary Marley, in Knowstone, on 31 Mar 1847. Thomas and Hannah had four children. Hannah Marshall died at 46 on 25 Feb 1875 (1875 M Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 378) and was buried that same day in Knowstone churchyard.

In 1881, Thomas Marshall (61) Ag Lab and Mary Marshall (60) were living in Knowstone Village. Grace Bowden (sic) (20) was Servant to Charles Williams, Grocer at 1, Queen Street, South Molton; and George Bowden (sic) Jnr (18) was an Ag Lab (indoors) at Whitefield Farm, Knowstone.

Have been unable to find them [as yet] in 1891, nor a death for Mary.

Thomas Marshall died at 77 in 1896 S Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B 275.

These pages are a work in progress. Follow That Page can monitor changes, as further research is done. Where something is unconfirmed, I've tried to make this clear, but include the information as it may provide further clues.

General Register Office (GRO) references for births and deaths, where appropriate, are quoted, so that you can more easily locate certificates. I do not routinely purchase certificates for any other than my direct ancestors, which I'm willing to share. If you have information, certificates, etc., you can offer, please get in touch.