Inherited Craziness
A place to share all the nuts found on my family tree

Monday, 30 September 2024

Moses Doe and Harriet White

St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rodney Burton - geograph.org.uk/p/141922

Moses Doe (bap. 4 Feb 1821 in Little Canfield), son of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Doe, married Harriet White (bap. 6 Oct 1822 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Mark White and Rose/Rhoda Pickett, at St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch on 30 Sep 1844. Rhoda White was one of four witnesses to the marriage. (In 1841, Rhoda White (42) was in the household - presumably as a servant - of James Samms (67) at Manor Farm, Little Easton (Little Easton Manor). Mark White had been buried in 1834, in Little Easton.)

Moses and Harriet had three sons:
  1. Charles Doe b. 1845 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 278, bap. at Walthamstow, St John the Evangelist
  2. Benjamin Doe b. 1848, reg. 1849 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 320, bap. Walthamstow, St James the Great. Died, aged 13, in 1862 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 34, and is buried at Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin.
  3. William Doe b. 1851 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 317
In 1851, Moses Doe (30) Labourer from Essex was living in Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, West Ham, with wife Harriet (29) from Dunmow, Essex; Charles Doe (5), Benjamin Doe (1), William Doe (0) and Roda (sic) White (50) Widow, House Servant, Mother-in-Law from Fakenham, Norfolk.

In 1861, Moses Doe (40) Grocer, was at Sinkers Bridge, Walthamstow, West Ham, with Harriet Doe (36), Benjamin Doe (11), William Doe (10), Kate Stacks (2) Granddaughter from Middlesex and Elizabeth Martain (51) Widow, Lodger from Hackney. I've been unable to find Charles Doe, who would have been around 15 and probably out working. (There is a death of a Charles Doe in West Ham in 1861, but this record can be discounted as the deceased was aged 3.) With only three sons, who were too young, Kate Stacks cannot be the Doe's granddaughter so assume was the lodger's granddaughter.

In 1871, at Shern Hall Place, Walthamstow, West Ham were Moses Doe (50) Undergardener Domestic Servant from Little Canfield, Essex; Harriet Doe (49) from Little Easton and William Doe (20) Groom. (Shern Hall: stood in impressive grounds of more than 18 acres that contained landscaped gardens, a large T-shaped pond, orchards, meadowland, farm buildings and stabling.)

Harriet Doe died, at 52, in 1874 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 333 was buried on 7 Jan 1874 at St Paul's Church, Rusthall.

Moses Doe (53) Widower, Gardener, remarried to Mary Ann Norman (39) Spinster, on 7 Mar 1875 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.

Moses and Mary Ann added one further son:
  1. John Doe b. 1876 S Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 603, bap. at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.
In 1881, transcribed as Morris Deo (and the bad handwriting does look like that) living at Denny Bottom, Speldhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, were Moses Doe (60) Gardener; Mary Ann Doe (45) Wife of Gardner; John Doe (4) Scholar, plus 2 Lodgers: John P Norbury (32) Carpenter from Liverpool and Alfred Brown (20) Carpenter from Bradwell on Sea, Essex.

Mary Ann Doe died, aged 53 in 1888 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 439, and was buried on 13 Mar 1888, at St Paul's Church, Rusthall

Moses Doe died, at 67, on 24 Jun 1888 (1888 J Qtr in TUNBRIDGE Vol 02A Page 364) and was buried on 27 Jun 1888, also at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. Sadly, the gravestone mentions "a long and painful affliction".

St. Paul's Church, Rusthall Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/6408539

Sunday, 29 September 2024

William Goff and Sarah Jane Rowe

Mid Devon : Country Lane towards Ashill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3703994

William Goff (b. 1857), Mason, second son of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, married Sarah Jane Rowe (b. 24 Jun 1858), daughter of William Rowe, Game Keeper, and Sarah Bishop, on 29 Sep 1881 at the parish church of St Mary, Kentisbeare, Devon. Witnesses were John Goff and Ann Rowe.

William and Sarah Jane had seven children:
  1. Elizabeth Goff b. 1882 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 437, bap. 4 Jun 1882 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. Died at 17 months (1883 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 275) and was buried at St Mary, Kentisbeare on 7 Oct 1883, "by authority of the Coroner's Warrant."
  2. Mary Goff b. 1884 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 431, bap. 4 Jun 1884 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
  3. Bessie Goff b. 22 Jul 1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 414, bap. 12 Sep 1886 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
  4. Annie Goff b. 17 Sep 1888 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 404, bap. 9 Dec 1888 at St Mary, Kentisbeare
  5. Amy Goff b. 1891 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 408
  6. Nelson Goff b. 16 May 1893 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 417, bap. 2 Sep 1893 in Uffculme
  7. Frank Goff b. 6 Apr 1899 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 392, bap. 13 May 1900 in Uffculme
In 1891, at Ashill Moor, Ashill, Uffculme were William Goff (33) Mason; Sarah J Goff (32), Mary Goff (7), Bessie Goff (4) and Annie Goff (2).

In 1901, at 1, Prospect Place, Ashill, Uffculme, were William Goff (44) Mason; Sarah J Goff (42), Amy Goff (9), Nelson Goff (7) and Frank Goff (2). Mary Goff (16) was a kitchen maid at Craddock House, Uffculme; Bessie Goff (14) was a general servant at Foxhill [Farm], Uffculme and Annie Goff (12) was a visitor in the household of Sarah Ackland (48) in Ashill.

In 1911, at Ashill Craddock Cullompton: William Goff (53) Builder; Sarah Jane Goff (52), Bessie Goff (24) Dressmaker; Annie Goff (22) School teacher and Frank Goff (12). The 1911 census confirms that William and Sarah had seven children, with 6 then living, during their 30 year marriage. Mary Goff (26) birthplace "Devonshire Guddiford" [Goodiford] was a Parlourmaid at Hillfoot, Lovelace Road, Surbiton, Surrey; couldn't find Amy and Nelson Goff (16) was a Cattle lad on farm at Foxhill Craddock, Cullompton.

William Goff died, aged 59, in 1916 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 573.

In 1921, Sarah Jane Goff (62) Widow; Annie Goff (32) Assistant Teacher at Huntsham School; and Nelson Goff (28) Jobbing Labourer on Farm were living at Ashill Moor, Uffculme.

Nelson Goff, of Ashill, was fined 7s 6d for being drunk and incapable on July 24th, 1921. Meanwhile, Nelson Goff, labourer, of Ashill, pleaded not guilty of assaulting William Wright, a rabbit trapper, on January 26th, 1924. However, "Defendant was so drunk he could not stand still." He was fined 20s.

In 1939, Sarah J Goff, Widow and Nelson Goff, Cowman, were living at Prospect, Barton, Tiverton.

Nelson Goff died, at 52, on 6 Sep 1945 (1945 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 398), leaving £174 0s 11d to Arthur Goff, farmer.

Sarah Jane Goff died, aged 92, on 1 Oct 1950 (1950 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A  Page 811) and was buried on 4 Oct 1950 at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 6 Oct 1950 reported on the Kentisbeare Funeral. "The funeral took place in Kentisbeare Churchyard, on Wednesday, of Mrs Sarah Jane Goff, of Prospect Place, Ashill, whose death, at the age of 92, took place on October 1st. She was the widow of Mr William Goff, who died in 1916, and formerly lived at Kentisbeare. They went to live at Ashill 34 years ago. The Rev. F G Baker (rector) officiated and the mourners were: Mrs B Symons, Mr and Mrs W James, and Mrs A Smith (daughters and son-in-law); Mr R Smith, Mr and Mrs L Yendall and Miss B Dunn (grandchildren); Mrs B Dunn (sister); Mrs V Rugg and Mrs A Goff (nieces). The bearers were Messrs A Goff, E Goff and W Goff (nephews) and L G Leatt. Also present were Mesdames H J Middleton, T Dunn, J Dunster and S J Salter."

These newspaper reports are useful as confirmation. Among the mourners, Mrs B Symons is Bessie; Mr and Mrs W James is Annie and her husband William; Mrs A Smith is Amy; Mr R Smith is Amy's son Ronald; Mr and Mrs L Yendall is Bessie's daughter Vera and her husband Leslie. A granddaughter named Miss B Dunn is a mystery. Notable is that neither Mary nor Frank attended their mother's funeral. Frank, at least, was then alive.

  • Cannot find Mary Goff after 1911. Had she married a Dunn to produce the mystery granddaughter? Found no record of it.
  • Bessie Goff married William Henry Symons (b. 2 Feb 1887), son of William Symons and Eliza Jane Blackmore, at St Mary's, Kentisbeare on 18 Feb 1914. Their only daughter, Vera Symons, having arrived 'early' on 21 Jan 1914 (1914 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 657). In 1915, William Henry Symons enlisted in the Royal Engineers. In 1939, the three were living at Prospect, Barton, Tiverton. William Henry Symons (61) died on 17 Jul 1948. Bessie Symons (66) died on 12 Apr 1953.
  • Annie Goff married William Thomas James on 31 Dec 1930. The report in the Western Times of 2 Jan 1931, details: "At St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, on Wednesday, the marriage was solemnised between Miss Annie Goff, fourth daughter of Mrs and the late Mr W Goff of Prospect Place, Ashhill and Mr William Thomas James, fifth son of the late Mr and Mrs E James, formerly of Welsh Tenement Farm, Ashill, and Downhill, Bampton, Devon. The Rector (Rev. E S Chalk) officiated. The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr W H Symons, was gracefully attired in brown crepe de chine, with a brown tailor made cloth coat with wide collar and cuffs of lambswool with a hat to match. She carried a bouquet of bronze chrysanthemums and asparagus fern, which was later laid on the grave of the bride's father. There were no bridesmaids. Mr F Goff (brother of the bridegroom bride) was best man. A reception, which took place at the home of the bride's mother, was observed quietly, owing to the recent death of the father of the bridegroom. There was a large number of presents. Later in the day the happy couple left for their new home at Bampton. The bride is well known and highly respected in Huntsham, where she has been assistant mistress in the school for 16 years, which post she will be resigning on the complete recovery of the headmistress, Mrs Fitchett." The couple did not have children. In 1939, William Thomas James, Dairy Hand, and Annie James, were living at Comeytrowe Manor Farm, Trull, Taunton. Annie James died in 1972 and William Thomas James in 1982.
  • Amy Goff married Harry B Smith, in Tiverton, in 1920. They had one son, Ronald Smith b. 1920 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 648. Cannot identify further records.
  • Frank Goff married Hilda Mary Ferris (b. 2 Oct 1898), daughter of Henry Spearing Ferris and Florence Furnham, in Chard Somerset, in 1927. They had one son, John Ferris Goff b. 1930 D Quarter in CHARD Volume 05C Page 432. In 1939, they were at 62 Station Road, Ilminster. Frank Goff died on 20 May 1974 and Hilda Mary Goff on 26 Aug 1975, both in Paignton, Devon.

James Flew and Elizabeth Zelley

Tiverton : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/5054852

James Flew (bap. 26 Aug 1818 in Rackenford, Devon), son of Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines, married Elizabeth Zelley (bap. 27 Dec 1829 in Tiverton, Devon), daughter of Joseph Zelly and Susanna Serles, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton on 29 Sep 1852. Witnesses to their marriage were Joseph Zelley, who may have been the bride's father or brother and a Mary Ann Leigh.

James and Elizabeth had seven children:
  1. Emma Flew b. 21 Jun 1853 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 388, bap. 10 Jul 1853 at St Peter's, Tiverton
  2. Charles Flew b. 23 Mar 1855 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 397, bap. 15 Apr 1855 at St Peter's, Tiverton
  3. Fred Flew b. 1857 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 401, bap. Frederick Flew on 4 Jan 1857 in Loxbeare, Devon
  4. Susan Ellen Flew b. 1858 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 407. Died, aged 3, in 1862 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 259 and was buried in Withleigh, Devon
  5. Ann Eliza Flew b. 8 Feb 1860 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 443, bap. 18 Mar 1860 at St Peter's, Tiverton
  6. Mary Ann Flew b. 1 Jan 1862 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 457, bap. 26 Jan 1862 at St Catherine's Church, Withleigh
  7. Elizabeth Flew b. 29 Aug 1863 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 425, bap. 13 Sep 1863 at St Catherine's, Withleigh
In 1861, the household included: James Flew (38), Elizth Flew (32) Emma Flew (7), Charles Flew (6), Fredk Flew (4), Susan Flew (2) Anna E Flew (1) and Mary Southwood (75). Susan Flew (2) and Anna E Flew (1) were also listed as staying at Lower Wyke, Tiverton with Mary Elson (45).

James Flew died, at 44, in 1864 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 360.

Elizabeth Flew remarried to John Cann, 15 years her junior (b. 1844 in Sandford, Devon 1844 J Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 74), son of Robert Cann and Elizabeth Horrill, on 15 Jan 1871, at Cove, Devon. Elizabeth's children, Emma Flew & Charles Flew, were witnesses.

John and Elizabeth Cann added one son:
  1. William Cann b. 11 May 1871 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 447, bap. 27 Dec 1871 at St Paul's Church, Tiverton
In 1881, living in Hammetts Lane, Tiverton were John Cann (36) Shoemaker from Sandford, Devon; Elizabeth Cann (51) Laundress; William Cann (9) Scholar; Emma Flew (27) Step-daughter, Dressmaker; Fred Flew (24) Step-son, Whitesmith; Eliza Flew [Ann Eliza] (21) Step-daughter, Laundress; Mary A Flew (19) Step-daughter, Laundress and Frank Leigh (15) Boarder. Charles Flew had married in 1877. Bessie Flew [Elizabeth] (17) was Shop Assistant to John Harwood, Baker & confectioner in Fore Street, Tiverton.

In 1891, John Cann (46) Bootmaker was in Fore Street, Tiverton with Elizabeth Cann (61), William Cann (19) Blacksmith; Emma Candy (37) Married, Step-Daughter, Dressmaker and William E Heath (9) Grandson. 

In 1901, we find John Cann (56) Shoemaker in Hammett's Square, Tiverton with Elizabeth Cann (only 68) Laundress; William Cann (30) Blacksmith and Emma Candy (48) Married, Laundress.

In 1911, John Cann (66) Formerly Boot and Shoe Maker of No Occupation, and Elizabeth Cann (81) were still living in Tiverton.

Elizabeth Cann died at 85 in 1915 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 731.

John Cann died in 1916 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 531.

Friday, 27 September 2024

John Mason and Mary Ann Turner

St Mary, Broxted - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3374364

John Mason (bap. 27 Oct 1829) son of Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, married Mary Ann Turner (bap. 28 Jul 1839), daughter of Henry Turner and Elizabeth Batty, on 27 Sep 1856 at the parish church of St Mary, Broxted.

John and Mary Ann Mason had thirteen children over 29 years:
  1. Emily Mason b. 1856 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 310, bap. 14 Dec 1856 at St Mary, Broxted
  2. George Mason b. 1859 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 382, bap. 19 Jun 1859 at St Mary, Broxted
  3. Unnamed female Mason b. 1861 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 347
  4. Alice Mason b. 1863 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 383, bap. 9 Aug 1863 at St Mary, Broxted
  5. Harriet Mason b. 1866 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 395, bap. 11 Mar 1866 at St Mary, Broxted
  6. Eliza Mason b. 1868 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 383, bap. 12 Jul 1868 at St Mary, Broxted
  7. Ellen Mason b. 1871 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 381, bap. 10 Sep 1871 at St Mary, Broxted
  8. Mary Susan Mason b. 1874 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 417, bap. 12 Apr 1874 at St Mary, Broxted
  9. Ada Mason b. 1876 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 465, bap. 9 Jul 1876 at St Mary, Broxted
  10. Edith May Mason b. 1879 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 488, bap. 13 Jul 1879 at St Mary, Broxted. Died, aged 1, in 1881 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A  Page 269
  11. Charles Alfred Mason b. 1880 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 487, died in 1880 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 295
  12. Francis Mason b. 1882 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 546, bap. 12 Mar 1882 at St Mary, Broxted
  13. Alice Sophia Mason b. 1885 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 568, bap. Sophy Mason on 13 Sep 1885 at St Mary, Broxted
The mother's maiden name on all of the birth registrations is TURNER.

In 1871, at 3 Browns End, Broxted, Dunmow, Essex were John Mason (40) Ag Lab with Mary Mason (32), George Mason (12), Alice Mason (7), Harriet Mason (5) and Eliza Mason (3). Emily Mason (14) from Broxted, was working as a Servant to George Leech at the Village Back Street Shop, Little Easton.

In 1881 at (Cottage), Browns End Road, Broxted, Dunmow were John Mason (51) Ag Lab, Mary A Mason (41), George Mason (22), Eliza Mason (12), Ellen Mason (9), Mary S Mason (7), Ada Mason (4) & Edith M Mason (1).

In 1891, still at Browns End, Broxted, were John Mason (62) Agricultural Labourer, Mary Ann Mason (51), Ada Mason (15) Domestic servant out of place, Frank Mason (9) and Sophia Mason (5).

Mary Ann Mason died, at 62, in 1901 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 459.

In 1901, John Mason (72) Widowed Ordinary Agricultural Labourer was still living in a Cottage Browns End, Broxted, Dunmow with son Frank Mason (19) Ag Lab and daughter Sophia Mason (16) 'At home with father'.

John Mason died, at 80, in 1908 D Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 422.

Francis Anthony Martyn and Anne White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

Francis Anthony Martyn, widower, son of Frederick Martyn, Clerk, married Anne White (bap. 23 Oct 1831), spinster, daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 27 Sep 1852 at the Parish Church of St. Margaret, Norwich.

Francis had previously married Mary Anne Jeffries on 17 Mar 1835 at St Benedict's Church, Norwich and in 1841, Francis Martyn (26) Upholsterer and Marianna Martyn (28) had lived at Ten Bell Lane, St Swithin, Norwich. 

In 1851, Francis Martin (sic) (35) Upholsterer and Marianne Martin (40) were in Three King Lane, Saint Margaret's, Norwich. Then Mary Ann Martyn died, at 38, and was buried, on 21 Oct 1851, at St Martin at Oak, Norwich.

In 1871, Francis Martyn (55) Upholsterer, Ann Martyn (39) and Sarah Watson (19) Niece (Sarah was the daughter of Ann's elder sister, Mary Ann) were living in Lothian Street, St Benedict, Norwich.

Francis Martyn died at 65-66, on 20 Dec 1880 and was buried on Boxing Day 1880 at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich.

In 1881, Ann Martin (sic) (49) Widow, was still living in Lothian Street, Norwich St Benedict, Norwich with her widowed mother, Ann White (78).

Ann Martyn died at 52 in 1884 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 129 and, it appears from the inscription on the stone, was buried with her husband.

Neither of Francis Martyn's marriages had resulted in any children.

Thursday, 26 September 2024

William Henry Bailey and Jane Reeby

Edgcumbe Street, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Rothery - geograph.org.uk/p/4817390

William Henry Bailey (b. 1856) Seaman RN, son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married Jane Reeby (b. 1861), daughter of John Reeby and Mary Francis, at St. GeorgeStonehouse, Plymouth on 26 Sep 1889

William and Jane had two children:
  1. Lucy Mary Bailey b. 1890 D Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 272
  2. Samuel William Bailey b. 1893 J Q in EAST STONEHOUSE Vol 05B 302
In 1891, William Bailey (33) Seaman Royal Navy, Jane Bailey (27) and daughter Lucy M Bailey, were living in the household of William's mother, Lucy Bailey (53), in Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse.

Haven't yet been able to confirm a naval record, nor a death for William Henry Bailey, but it's clear that he died between begetting his son in 1893 and 1901, when Jane is listed as widowed. There are no deaths in Plymouth that could relate, however, there's a record in British Armed Forces And Overseas Deaths And Burials, of a William Bailey (40), in 1894, which may be relevant. On the marriage certificates for both Lucy in 1912 and William in 1914, they describe their father's rank as having been Chief Petty Officer RN.

By 1901, Jane Bailey (39) was widowed, still living in Edgcumbe Street, East Stonehouse, with Lucy M Bailey (10) and Samuel W Bailey (8). (Living at the same address was Thomazine Francis (69) Widowed, described as her Aunt. Thomazine was the widow of Samuel Francis, Sail Maker, who had died in 1898, who was the younger brother of Mary Francis, Jane's mother.)

In 1911, Jane Bailey (49) Widowed, was still in East Stonehouse, with William Bailey (18) Merchant's Clerk at a Coal Merchant, Lucy Bailey (20) and Tamasine Francis (80) Widow, Boarder. (Who died, at 86, in 1917).

Jane Bailey (b. 1861) was still living in Plymouth, at 20 Clarence Place, in 1939, but I've found no record of a relevant death. (There was a family notice in the Western Morning News - yet to access, so I cannot confirm if this is the right person - in 1942, of a death of a Jane Bailey on 21 Apr 1940.)

Wednesday, 25 September 2024

Elnathan Ayres and Martha Travally

The east end of St. Katharine's Church, the chapel of the hospice founded by Queen Matilda.

Elnathan Ayres (b. 1724), bachelor, married Martha Travally (b. 29 Jan 1716), spinster, daughter of Thomas Travally and Rachel Winnall at the Collegiate Church of St Katherine By the Tower, on 25 Sep 1748. (St Katharine by the Tower on map c. 1720. The church was destroyed in 1825 to make way for the new St Katharine Docks.) The licence says that Elnathan was 24 years old, and a Shipwright from the parish of St Anne's Limehouse. He paid a bond of £200, a huge sum at that time. Martha's age was listed as twenty-five. 

The only record of a child of this couple was their son:

  1. Elnathan Ayres b. 17 Jul 1752, bap. 19 Jul 1752 son of Elnathan Ayres, Shipwright of Pump Yard (Pump Yard, Ratcliffe cross, was parallel to Narrow Street, as shown on the map here at In Search of Old Ratcliffe) and Martha, at St Anne, Limehouse (2 days old)
The burial of Martha Ayres at St James, Piccadilly on 6 Mar 1755 appears to relate. Not [yet] found any further records for Elnathan Ayres Snr.

(Elnathan Ayres b. 1724 would fit very neatly into this family - and I've seen suggestion that Martha's husband was born in America. It's such a distinctive name that it's hard to imagine he WASN'T connected, but we cannot assume and if he did, you'd think someone would have already found a record.)

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

William Hockley and Charlotte Cock

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304086

William Hockley (b. 1833), son of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, married Charlotte Cock (bap. 19 Oct 1834), daughter of Timothy Cock and Sarah Mead, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 24 Sep 1859.

William and Charlotte had nine children:
  1. Sarah Charlotte Hockley b. 5 May 1860 Vol 04A 333, bap. 8 Jul 1860 
  2. Edith Hockley b. 3 Aug 1861 Volume 04A Page 340, bap. 13 Oct 1861
  3. William James Hockley b. 1863 Vol 04A Page 370, bap. 12 Apr 1863, died, aged 16, and was buried on 16 Nov 1879 at St Mary the Virgin.
  4. Elizabeth Hockley b. 1865 Volume 04A Page 389, bap. 9 Apr 1865
  5. Sophia Hockley b. 1866 Volume 04A Page 370, bap. 9 Dec 1866
  6. Martha Hockley b. 1869 Volume 04A Page 406, bap. 13 Jun 1869
  7. Harry Hockley b. 27 Jun 1871 Vol 04A Page 373, bap. 14 May 1874 
  8. Mary Emma Hockley b. 27 Apr 1874 04A Page 432, bap. 14 May 1874
  9. Charles Hockley 27 Apr 1876 Vol 04A Page 453, bap. 30 Apr 1883
The mother's maiden name on the registrations for Sarah Charlotte, Edith, William James, Sophia, Martha and Mary Emma is listed correctly as COCK. On those of Elizabeth, Harry and Charles it has been written as COX.

All of the baptisms, except those for Harry and Mary Emma in 1874, which are listed in records for England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records [venue unknown], were at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

(There's a baptism, on April 14, 1872, of "Alfred son of William and Charlotte Hockley", listed here. Whilst I have every faith that those records are correctly transcribed, he was not a child of this family. He does not appear on any census with this family, but he does appear as the son of William's younger brother, James Hockley and Emma ParkerThe only registration of an Alfred Hockley, in Dunmow, in 1872, has the mother's maiden name PARKER.)

In 1861, William Hockley (27) Agricultural Labourer, Charlotte (27), Sarah C (1), James (23) - William's brother - and their father, Daniel Hockley (age incorrectly shown as 62) were living at Halfway House, Great Dunmow

(This adjacent Halfway House Cottage, was that used by the labourers on the farm, which has included several generations of our family.)

In 1871, William Hockley (36) is joined by Charlotte (35), Sarah C (11), Edith (9), William J (8), Elizabeth (6), Sophia (4) and Martha (2).

In 1881, at Halfway House Cottage, Great Dunmow, were William Hockley (41), Charlotte Hockley (39), Martha (13), Harry (10), Emma Mary [Mary Emma] (6), Charles (4) and granddaughter, Alice Hockley (2)**. Sarah Charlotte Hockley (20) was working as a Domestic Servant in the household of Amelia Hockley (32) widow (if any relation I've yet to discover), Lodging house keeper at Hockerill, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire. Edith Hockley (19) was a Domestic servant in the household of William Henry Cox (33) Farmer at Elms Farm, Great Canfield; and Sophia Hockley (14) was a Domestic Servant to John Sayer (63) Farmer at Bedfords, Great Dunmow.

**Alice Jane Hockley b. 1879 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 472, bap. 14 Sep 1879 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Charlotte Hockley. Alice Jane Hockley died, aged 8, in 1887 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 314.

In 1891, we find William Hockley (57), Charlotte (56) with Charles (15).

In 1901, William Hockley (68), Charlotte (67) and Charles (24).

Charlotte Hockley died, at 67, in 1902 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 396.

In 1911, William Hockley (79), widowed, was still at Halfway House as an Old Age Pensioner Farm Labourer. (The "Old Age Pension" was introduced in 1909 in the United Kingdom. Following the passage of the Old-Age Pensions Act 1908 a pension of 5 shillings per week (25p, equivalent, using the Consumer Price Index, to £26 in present-day terms), or 7s.6d per week (equivalent to £39/week today) for a married couple, was payable to persons with an income below £21 per annum (equivalent to £2200 today), The qualifying age was 70, and pensions were subject to a means test.)

William Hockley died, at 83, in 1916 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 869.

John Winship Soppit and Mary Ellen Bradley

Sangley Rd, Lewisham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/3162332

John Winship Soppit (b. 1 Mar 1882 in Greenwich), son of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson married Mary Ellen Finch, at St Lawrence, Catford (built in 1887, demolished in 1968) on 24 Sep 1904. Born Mary Ellen Bradley in 1872 M Quarter in YORK Volume 09D Page 12, she was the illegitimate daughter of Mary Elizabeth Bradley. Following her mother's marriage to George Henry Finch she was known as Mary Ellen Finch. [Source]

John and Mary Ellen had three daughters:

  1. Dorothy Louisa Soppit b. 18 Aug 1906 in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 471
  2. Hilda Mary Soppit b. 14 Aug 1908 in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 477
  3. Kate Winship Soppit b. 12 Oct 1910 in Lewisham 
The records for the first two girls show the mother's maiden name as Finch

In 1911, living at 78 Sangley Road, Lewisham, were John Winship Soppit (29) Joiner from Deptford; Mary Ellen Soppit (36) with birthplace listed as York; Dorothy Louisa Soppit (4) birthplace Brixton; Hilda Mary Soppit (2) birthplace Brixton and Kate Winship Soppit (0) born in Catford.

In 1917, then actually 35 (not 33 as listed) John Winship Soppit enlisted (was probably conscripted) into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) at the 4th General Hospital, Birmingham. [See more at: Birmingham’s Military Hospitals] At the time of his discharge he was a nursing orderly. [Source]

In 1921, John Winship Soppit (39) Commercial Traveller was a visitor in the household of his brother, Joseph at 175, George Lane, Lewisham; while Mary Ellen Soppit (39ish) was living at 107 Reservoir Rd, Erdington, Birmingham with George Alfred Finch (41) Commercial Traveller (Brother), Dorothy Louisa Soppit (14), Hilda Mary Soppit (12) and Kate Winship Soppit (10).

Mary Ellen Soppit died, aged 51, in 1924 D Quarter in BIRMINGHAM NORTH Volume 06D Page 486 and was buried 13 Oct 1924 at the church of St Barnabas, Erdington, Birmingham.

John Winship Soppit (46), Widower, Commercial Traveller of 107 Reservoir Rd, Erdington, Birmingham, then remarried to Mary Baker (née Morrell), Widow (43), daughter of William Jabez Morrell and Sarah Waldron, at the Parish Church in Erdington, Birmingham (St Barnabas' Church, Erdington) on 8 Dec 1928. (Her first husband Samuel Horatio Baker had died in 1925 and she had at least two sons from that previous marriage.)

Second wife, Mary Soppit, died, aged 65, on 13 Jul 1950 (1950 S Quarter in BIRMINGHAM Volume 09C Page 15).

John Winship Soppit died, in Birmingham, on 6 May 1969. The death notice in The London Gazette gives his address as 15 Homecroft Rd, Yardley, Birmingham. It's ironic that growing up in Birmingham in the 1960's, at times we'd have been mere streets from there, while my mother felt as 'a fish out of water' in that city. If only she'd known she had blood relatives so close.

  • Dorothy Louisa Soppit died in DOR Q2/1989 in BIRMINGHAM (0611K) Volume 32 Page 1041
  • Hilda M Soppit married James F Lawless, in Birmingham, in 1933. James Frederick Lawless (bap. Jacobus Fredericus Lawless at the Roman Catholic parish of Most Holy Sacrament & St Osburg, in Coventry, in 1908.) The couple don't appear to have had children. In 1939, they lived at 286 Chester Road, Hardwick (286 Chester Road, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield). James Frederick Lawless died in 1980 in Carmarthen. Hilda Mary Lawless of 15 Homecroft Road, Yardley, Birmingham died, aged 86, on 18 Mar 1994 at Lapworth Nursing Home, Chessetts Wood Road, Solihull and was buried at Yardley Cemetery & Crematorium, on 25 Mar 1994.
  • Kate Winship Soppit died in DOR Q3/1998 in SOLIHULL.
It's evident, therefore, that neither Dorothy, nor Kate ever married.

Alfred Eldred and Frances Amelia Godfrey

Ponders End High Street at the junction with South Street 
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Nigel Cox - geograph.org.uk/p/678890

Alfred Eldred, son of John Eldred and Harriett Page, married Frances Amelia Godfrey, daughter of William Godfrey and Catherine Astor Oxenham, at St Thomas's Church, West Ham on 24 Sep 1917. They'd already been together for close to 40 years and brought up seven offspring. How very modern!

Alfred Eldred was half-brother of Thomazine Maria Eldred, step-son of Catherine Byatt and thus, also step-brother of Elizabeth Wilton.

Records suggest that Alfred and Frances had 7 children:
  1. Catherine Ellen Eldridge (sic) b. 1879 J Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Pg 674
  2. Alfred John Eldred b. 1881 S Quarter in EDMONTON Vol 03A Pg 321
  3. Mary Ann Margaret Eldred b. 1885 (no birth registration found)
  4. Rachel Maria Amelia Eldred b. 1890 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 630. Died, aged 1, in 1891 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 443
  5. Walter William Eldrett (sic) b. 1892 M Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 605
  6. Elizabeth Alice Eldrett (sic) b. 1895 S Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A 199
  7. John Edward Phillip Eldrett (sic) b. 1899 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A 4
Despite all the different spellings and variations of the family surname, on the GRO birth registrations, the mother's maiden name is consistently GODFREY.

In 1881, in South Street, Enfield [Ponders End], were Alfred Eldrett (sic) (26) Labourer, Francis (sic) Amelia Eldrett (sic) (23) and Catherine Hellen (sic) Eldrett (sic) (1). It says that their daughter was born in Bromley, Kent, but this too is yet another error as she was born in Bromley-by-Bow, Poplar

In 1891, Alfred Eldrett (sic) (36) Gas Labourer was living at 29, Donald Street, Bromley, Poplar with Francis (sic) Eldrett (33), Katherine Eldrett (12), Alfred Eldrett (10) and Mary Ann Eldrett (6).

In 1901, Alfred Eldret (45) General Carman was living in Church Street Buildings, 19, Church Street, Plaistow (West Ham), with Frances (41), Mary A Eldret (16), Walter W Eldret (9), Elizabeth Eldret (5) and John Eldret (2).

In 1911, Alfred Eldred (54) General Labourer, from Dunmow, Essex; Frances Eldred (50), Walter Eldred (19), Elizabeth Eldred (15) and John Eldred (12) were living at 41 Preston RoadStratfordWest Ham. They 'claimed' they'd been married for 32 years (corresponding with the birth of their eldest) and confirmed they'd had 7 children, of whom 6 were living and one had died.

In 1921, Alfred Eldred (64) General labourer for the Charrington City And Westminster Electric Light Company; Frances Eldred (60) and Walter William Eldred (29) Tallow Melter for Cockman Brothers Limited Tallow Melters And Bone Merchants, were still at 41, Preston Road, Stratford, West Ham.

Frances Amelia Eldred died, at 67, in 1927 M Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A 5. 

Alfred Eldred died, aged 74, in 1931 D Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A 1.

Saturday, 21 September 2024

William Henry Middleton and Alice Maud Osmond

Admiralty Mews, Deal
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/1407334

William Henry Middleton
(b. 4 Nov 1888), son of Emma Middleton, married Alice Maud Osmond, in Tiverton, on 21 Sep 1918. Alice Maud, known as Maud, (b. 2 Nov 1888, bap. 23 Dec 1888 at St. Mary, Willand), was daughter of cousins John Osmond (son of Henry Osmond from Halberton) and Annie Osmond (daughter of John Osmond of Willand).

William Henry "Bill" Middleton, giving his birth date as 10 Dec 1889, had enrolled in the Royal Marines on 4 Nov 1907, at Exeter (record says was underage between then and 9 Dec 1907), and was sent to Royal Marine Depot, Deal, until 2 Oct 1908, before Plymouth Division. William Henry was promoted to Corporal in 1911, and Sergeant in 1916 while serving on HMS Roxburgh (1904), which he was with from 4 Jun 1912 until 13 Aug 1916 - she was hit by a torpedo on 20 Jun 1915 but escaped with serious damage to her bow - latterly at the North America and West Indies Station.

From 13 Apr 1917 until 26 Nov 1918, Bill was with HMS Highflyer (1898), which means that he was present in Halifax, Nova Scotia during the Halifax Explosion on 6 Dec 1917. 

"Royal Navy cruisers in port sent some of the first organized rescue parties ashore. HMS Highflyer, along with the armed merchant cruisers HMS Changuinola, HMS Knight Templar and HMS Calgarian, sent boats ashore with rescue parties and medical personnel and soon began to take wounded aboard."

From 27 Nov 1918, Bill was transferred back to Plymouth Division, with a brief sojourn at HMS Excellent (shore establishment) near Portsmouth on 23 Dec 1918, but was Invalided on 25 Sep 1919. While I don't know the nature, can only surmise it may have been as a result of the Halifax blast.

Remarks on his marine's record say, "Has a good knowledge of semaphore ..."

In 1921, William Henry Middleton (32) Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and Alice Maud Middleton (32) were living at Lower Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Halberton, Devon.

In 1939, William H Middleton, Road Chargeman for Devon County Council, and wife Alice Maud were still at Trickey Cottage, Ash Thomas, Devon. Lodging with them was Frederick H Kerslake (20) Railway Clerk, nephew, son of Maud's sister Emily and her husband, Frederick James Kerslake.

Bill and Maud didn't have children, for what reason I'm unaware, but they had a cat named "Stripy" (a tabby, obviously), who, I was told, used to drink milk out of a jug on the windowsill, by dipping his paw in the jug (like Arthur from the Kattomeat ad). In our family, if you cleaned your plate at the end of a meal, someone would exclaim, "Poor old Stripy!", intimating that the poor cat, fed on scraps, would therefore go without. I only hope this was in jest!

Bill Middleton died on 23 Nov 1967. Alice Maud Middleton of Tidcombe Hall, Tiverton, died on 21 Sep 1982, just short of her 94th birthday. 

Tiverton : Tidcombe Hall
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6337380
Early 19th century house, shown as Tidcombe Rectory on late 19th century Ordnance Survey map. Much altered in late 20th century. The building was also once a Marie Curie daycare unit.

Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker

St Peters Church, Knowstone
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/6092409

Robert Medelton (sic) (b. ~1791) married Elizabeth Baker (b. ~1800) at St Peters ChurchKnowstone, Devon on 21 Sept 1821. Unfortunately, there are no baptism records to trace their origins further, however, Elizabeth Baker was from Knowstone and came to the marriage with an illegitimate daughter, Mary Baker, born ~1821, but for whom there's no baptism record either.

Robert and Elizabeth added seven children, baptised in Knowstone: 
  1. Elizabeth Medelton (sic) bap. 19 Jan 1823 (buried 23 May 1824)
  2. William Medelton (sic) bap. 13 Mar 1825 (buried 5 Jun 1825)
  3. Robert Medelton (sic) bap. 4 Jun 1826
  4. Jane Medelton (sic) bap. 15 Mar 1829
  5. Maria Middleton bap. 22 Jan 1832 (buried 21 Sep 1834)
  6. Harriot Medelton (sic) bap. 4 May 1834
  7. Thomas Middleton b. 1841 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 10 Page 209, mother's maiden name BAKER, bap. 25 Jul 1841
Spellings are always variable, but none more so than with Middleton / Medelton and it's variations, which I'm sure is as a result of the officiator writing down what they heard said in a thick West Country accent. 

The North Devon Journal of 25 Jun 1835 reported that "Farmer William Blackwell, of Knowstone, charged Robert Middleton, a labourer, with harbouring Mary Baker, his parish apprentice. It seemed that for some fault the farmer's wife had beaten her, not by any means with undue severity, and that she had run off to the defendant's (her father-in-law)[1], who, instead of taking her back to her master, had kept her at home a fortnight: this he had done on other occasions before. The defendant appeared to have acted under the idea that the child had been treated cruelly; but the magistrates warned him that supposing that had been the case, of which there was not the slightest proof, his duty was to apply to the overseers who would see that the parish apprentices were not subjected to any improper usage."

[1] On many occasions I've seen "in-law" used in place of "step".

In 1841, Robert (50), Agricultural Labourer, and Elizabeth (40), were living, as were many other families, in "Part of Lower High Building" in Knowstone, with Harriet (7) and Thomas (0). Robert Middleton Jnr (15) Ag Lab was out working, for William Follett at Bransford, Knowstone, while Jane Middleton (12), was similarly employed by John Bucknell at Beaple's Barton. 

Robert Middleton died, aged 50, and his death was registered in 1842 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 140. The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 19 Mar 1842 reports on the particulars. "SuicideOn Monday last the 14th inst., an inquest was held in the parish of Knowstone, before J Partridge, Esq., coroner on the body of Robert Middleton, a man of rather weak intellect, and a pauper of that parish, who had committed suicide, by lacerating his left arm with a razor, and bled to death. It appeared that on Saturday the 5th, he had received half-a-crown for labour, from a farmer of the parish, and that he went to a public house, and spent the greater part of it. In consequence of spending the money, an altercation took place between him and his wife. On the Sunday morning following he was heard to say that he would destroy himself, and one of his children observed that he took a razor and made a slight laceration in his arm, from which blood appeared; soon after which he left his house, and about nine o'clock the same morning, he was discovered lying upon his face in a barn, a few hundred yards distant from his cottage. He was desired to leave the barn, which he did, and walked in the direction of a coppice on the other side of the field, and was never seen alive afterwards. He was accidentally found on Sunday the 13th by his landlord, in the coppice towards which he had been walking. The body presented a most emaciated and wretched spectacle, being enveloped in rags and filth, with the same shirt in which he had left the Union [Workhouse] at Christmas. In the left arm were several slight lacerations, but one had divided the artery and caused death; in his waistcoat pocket was found a razor stained with blood. The Jury returned a verdict of Felo de se, and he was accordingly buried in the church-yard, between the hours of nine and twelve the same night."

Persons who were judged guilty of Felo de se (felon of himself) - it was then a crime - would forfeit their property (very doubtful Robert had any) and be subjected to 'a shameful burial'. Burials for felones de se typically took place at night, with no mourners nor clergy. In England and Wales, the offence of felo de se was abolished by section 1 of the Suicide Act 1961.

Then the following item appeared in the same newspaper of 2 Apr 1842. "KNOWSTONE AGAIN: Resurrectionists.- Several attempts have been made to steal the body of that poor unfortunate creature, Robert Middleton, who a short time since committed suicide, and was buried about midnight in the churchyard of this parish; but hitherto the villains have been disappointed. It was suspected that on a certain night an attempt would be made, and the grave was accordingly watched; when in the dead of the night two notorious characters of the parish were observed to remove the earth to within about a foot of the body, when finding they were discovered they made a most precipitate retreat, once more disappointed of their booty."

A Beginner’s Guide to Body Snatching, explains why the interest in his body: "In the early days of surgery, dissecting a corpse was seen as a heinous defilement of the body, akin to cannibalism in its vulgarity. But the growing field of surgical science demanded bodies for study. The gallows were the only place surgeons could get cadavers. Executed criminals were fair game to slice and dice, as were suicide victims, but not regular law-abiding corpses."

In 1851, Betty Medelington (sic) (46) Widow from Knowstone, Devon; Thomas Medelington (10) and Robert Medelington (24) were all Lodgers in the household of Thomas Chapple, Farm Lab, at Rock, Knowstone.

In 1861, Thomas Middleton (19) was a House Servant to James Perryman at Higher Radnidge Farm, Old Way Road, East Anstey, Devon.

In 1871, Elizabeth Middleton (71), widow and annuitant, was a lodger in the household of George Bawden, at Bawden Cottage, Knowstone, who was Elizabeth's son-in-law, married to her eldest daughter, Mary Baker.

Elizabeth Middleton died, aged 73 in 1873 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON and was buried on 31 Aug 1873, at St Peters Church, Knowstone.

Joseph Rundle Trevail and Eliza Thursby

Lambeth Palace, London SE1.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Hallam-Jones - geograph.org.uk/p/3972034
The redundant St Mary-in-Lambeth Church at the side.

Joseph Rundle Trevail, claiming to be 40 and a Bachelor, son of Joseph Trevail, Farmer, married Eliza Thursby (34) Spinster, listed as daughter of James Thursby, Butcher, at St Mary, Lambeth, on 21 Sep 1890. Just 5 days later, on 26 Sep 1890, Joseph R Trevail and Eliza Trevail embarked on RMS Ormuz, bound for Victoria, Australia, where they arrived in November.

However, Joseph Rundle Trevail (bap. 21 Jun 1847 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), son of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, had previously married Gertrude Augusta Shepherd (bap. 25 Apr 1845 in Colaton Raleigh in East Devon), illegitimate daughter of Eliza Shepherd, in Q1 of 1871 in St. George Hanover Square, London. Naturally, checked the National Archives for a record of a divorce, though it would be unlikely, and of course there wasn't one.

What's more, Joseph and Gertrude Trevail had five children:

  1. Charley Thomas Trevail b. 1871 D Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 35 (Died 1871 D Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 27)
  2. Charley Joseph Walter Radford Trevail b. 1872 D Quarter in ST. THOMAS Volume 05B Page 44
  3. Annie Gertrude Trevail b. 1875 M Quarter in ST. GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 435
  4. Kate Olivia Trevail b. 1880 D Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 442 (Listed as ALICE OLIVIA GERTRUDE Trevail at the GRO)
  5. Gertrude Augusta Trevail b. 1884 D Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 453 (Died 1885 S Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 266)
Mother's maiden name, in all cases, spelled SHEPPARD.

At the time of the 1871 census, Joseph Trevail (24) Engineer Fitter, was living in Denbigh Street, Westminster with wife Gertrude (25), brother Charles (20) Engineer Fitter, sisters Amy* (16) and Jane (12), as well as a visitor, Selina Rundle (20). (* Joseph didn't have a sister called Amy. Kate, maybe?)

In 1881, the family living at 6, Meadow Terrace, Lambeth, London, comprised: Joseph R Trevail (34) Engine fitter, Gertrude A (36), Charles J W R (8), Anne G (6), Kate O (0) and Eliza Sheppard (69) 'Relative' (Gertrude's mother).

In 1891, Gertrude Trevail (46) wife, married, mender of fine lace, was alive and well, at the family home in Meadow Terrace, Lambeth, with daughters Annie G (16) & Kate O (10), and her mother, Eliza Shepperd (78).

By 1901, Gertrude Trevail (55) Married [still], Honiton lace manufacturer, was living at 153, Kennington Road, Lambeth, with daughter Kate (20).

Meanwhile, Joseph Rundle Trevail, Engineer, was shown on the Australia Electoral Rolls in 1903, in Market Street, New South Wales, Australia.

Gertrude Trevail died, aged 58, in 1910 D Qtr in EPSOM Vol 02A Page 27.

Mr J R & Mrs Trevail (not) departed from London, on 17 Nov 1910, on the RMS China, this time bound for Sydney, via Freemantle, Adelaide and Melbourne, arriving in Fremantle, Western Australia on 20 Dec 1910.

Then, in 1911, Joseph Rundle Trevail married Eliza Thursby in Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia. Again. Non-bigamously this time.

On 27 Feb 1921, J R and Mrs Trevail left Sydney for Wellington, New Zealand, on the SS Marama, as tourists. Joseph's sister Mary Ann had just died and his sister Ellen was still in New Zealand.

The last will and testament of Joseph Rundle Trevail of 52 Market Street, Randwick, New South Wales, Gentleman, who died on 20 Jan 1934, aged 86, left the balance of his estate to his 'dear wife Eliza', after various other bequests. Among beneficiaries were a grandson, Arthur Waymark (daughter, Annie Gertrude Trevail had married Louis Charles Waymark in Lambeth in 1898); his sister Olivia Caldwell (Olivia Trevail had married Thomas William Colwill in 1886 in St George, Hanover Square); her daughter was Elsie Bates; a niece, Florence Wright; other bequests go to a John Edwards and to granddaughters, Amy Edwards and Edith Anderson (née Edwards) (daughter Kate Olivia Trevail had married Frank William Edwards in 1903). His estate was valued at £3,757 in 1934 (worth over £275,000 today).

Friday, 20 September 2024

Thomas Travally and Rachel Winnall

St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3477011

Thomas Travally (b. ~1676) [1] and Rachel Winnall (b. ~1680), daughter of John Winnall and Alice Woodin, married at the church of St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney, on 20 Sep 1704. The record lists Thomas Trevalle (sic) of RatcliffWaterman and Rachel Winnall of Blackwall, where her father was also a Thames Waterman. (St Dunstan's, known as the "Church of the high seas" because of the great number of sailors who lived there and "The Mother Church of the East End" has had an important role in my family history, from baptisms in the 1630s, to the baptism of my own grandfather in 1897.)

Thomas Travally and Rachel Winnall had six children:
  1. Elizabeth Travally b. Monday, 6 Aug 1705, daughter of Thomas and Rachel Travally of Ratcliff, Waterman was bap. 26 Aug 1705 (at 20 days old) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney [2] 
  2. Esther Travally daughter of Thomas and Rachell Travally of Ratc[liff] Waterman bap. 18 Jul 1709 at St Dunstan and All Saints (the edge of the page is missing that would have shown the number of days old) [3]
  3. Mary Travally b. Tuesday, 22 Jan 1712, [daughter] of Thomas and Rachel Travally Ratt Waterman bap. 30 Jan 1712 at St Dunstan (at 8 days old)
  4. Winnall Travally b. Tuesday, 26 Apr 1715, [son] of Thomas and Rachel Travally Ratt Waterman bap. 15 May 1715 at St Dunstan (at 19 days old)
  5. Martha Trevally (sic) b. Sunday, 29 Jan 1716, [daughter] of Thomas and Rachel Travally Ratc Waterman bap. 17 Feb 1716 (at 19 days old)
  6. Warden Travally b. Saturday, 1 Feb 1718, son of Thos Travally of Ratt Waterman and Rachel bap. 10 Feb 1718 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney (at 9 days old). As Warding (sic) son of Thomas Travally of Rat was buried at St Dunstan and All Saints on 1 Nov 1719.
According to the Binding Records of the Thames Watermen & Lightermen, Winnall Travally was apprenticed and therefore bound to his father, Thomas, on 18 Jul 1729. He would then have been around 14 and would be free on 20 Jan 1743, by which time he would have been 28 years old. That seems an inordinately long time. Did Thomas just not trust his son? Apprenticeships are still completed for those wanting to work on the river, offered through the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, lasting 5 years.   

"If watermen were the river’s taxi drivers, then lightermen drove the lorries."

Race for Doggett's Coat and Badge 
The World's Oldest Boat Race

Since 1715 the Race for Doggett’s Coat and Badge has been passionately rowed by apprentice river workers on the Thames. It is believed to be the oldest continually competed sporting event in the world. Thames Watermen compete to earn a coveted red Waterman's coat and badge. The race therefore dates, coincidentally, to the year of Winnall Travally's birth. Thomas and Winnall must surely have known about it. Could they even have taken part? (And little did I think that I might have been 'following family tradition' when I took part in the Dongola Race at Sunbury Amateur Regatta one year.)

Land Tax Records in 1736 and 1738 place Thomas Travally in Butcher Row and Ratcliff Cross, respectively. (Butcher Row on a 1795 mapThe Lost Hamlet Of RatcliffIn Search of Old RatcliffeRatcliffe Cross Stairs.)

On 22 Dec 1741, Martha Travally of Ratcliffe Cross, Master Milliner, is listed in the Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures (Premium £4 0s 0d), having taken an apprentice, Elizabeth Goffe, daughter of Joseph Goffe. (Apprentices usually being 14, there was indeed an Elizabeth Goffe, daughter of Joseph & Susannah Goffe, baptised at St Dunstan's, on 17 Dec 1727.)

Thomas Travally of Pump Yard [Ratcliff] (parallel to Narrow Street) was buried at St Anne, Limehouse on 14 Mar 1744 - St Anne's, Limehouse was consecrated in 1730. Prior to 1730, the parishioners were included in Stepney St Dunstan Parish. The parish includes Limehouse, the Regent's and ship building docks, and until 1838, part of the hamlet of Ratcliff.

Rachel Travally, Widow, also listed as being of Pump Yard, was also buried at St Anne, Limehouse, on 15 July 1755.
  1. A year of 1676 has been suggested for Thomas' birth and there's a baptism of a Thomas Travell (sic), son of Thomas and Mary Travell, on 24 Jul 1676, at St Botolph without Aldgate. Elsewhere, a 1685 birth has been inferred and the baptism that has been associated, at St James, Westminster, was for Thomas the son of Sr Thomas Travell - Sr is Sir - who was a Member of Parliament from the 1690s. Not impossible, but highly improbable that the son of an MP and knight of the realm, would become a waterman in the east end. However, there are no records to corroborate either and no indication of his age at death, but I'm more inclined to accept the former. It could, of course, be neither.
  2. It has been inferred that Elizabeth Travally died in 1709, however, the burial referred to is for an Elisabeth Travell of Wapp (Wapping) Spinster. Name has inconsistencies, wrong area and a four year old would not be considered a Spinster, therefore I'm unable to accept this record.
  3. In 1764, Esther Travally was listed in the Land Tax records at Painters Rents. There is a burial of an Esther Travally of Ratcliff, with age given as 65, at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 3 Feb 1779.

These pages are my notes on 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.