Joshua Barton and Mary Birch

Queensland, Australia [va Pixabay]

Joshua Barton (bap. 3 Jul 1886 at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge), son of Thomas Barton and Elizabeth Ann Fuller, by 16 Jun 1915, had emigrated to Australia, because that's the date he married Mary Birch (b. 1 Oct 1894, in Queensland, Australia) there, daughter of James William Birch and Albertine Augusta Bucholz. Joshua and Mary were second cousins because Joshua Barton's paternal grandmother was Ann Birch (1812-1885) while Mary Birch was the granddaughter of Ann's brother, James Birch (1815-1879).  

The couple had at least one son:

1. Thomas James Barton b. 27 May 1917 in Queensland, Australia

Joshua Barton died on 16 May 1968 and was buried at Caboolture Cemetery, Caboolture, Moreton Bay Region, Queensland, Australia. His widow, Mary Barton, died on 26 Jun 1989, is buried with him.

While unpicking the two families of another pair of brothers who married two sisters: Thomas Barton and Elizabeth Ann Fuller and Peter Barton and Annie Fuller, inevitably, I encountered Thomas and Elizabeth Ann's youngest son, Joshua Barton, who was born in 1886, to whose record at FamilySearch, someone had attached records of a birth in 1888, merely stating the reason for doing so was "Correct Information", but offering no justification for why they believed this to be so. This is the genealogical equivalent of a red rag to a bull, because that just couldn't be right, so I sought to solve the puzzle ...

These records belong to two different people, as the evidence shows. This Joshua Barton had already been registered in 1886, so there'd be no need to register him again in 1888. The person who attached the 1888 record, most likely someone related to Joshua Barton who went to Australia, had obviously missed the correct 1886 registration and, of course, if they ordered the birth certificate on the basis of the later one, they've got the wrong one. 

So, that just leaves us with the 1888 birth registration ... If it doesn't belong to this Joshua Barton, who does it belong to? The answer is, his nephew, illegitimate son of his older sister, Ann Jane Barton, baptised as such.

Charles Edward Puffett and Ann Jane Barton

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Mary, High Road, South Woodford - East end

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Charles Edward Puffett (b. 17 Jun 1867, bap. 11 Aug 1867 in Wanstead, Essex), son of Robert Puffett and Sarah Ann Brett, married Ann Jane Barton (bap. 7 Feb 1864 at Woodford Bridge), daughter of Thomas Barton and Elizabeth Ann Fuller, at St Mary's Church, Woodford on 9 Jun 1890.

Records identify 10 children of this couple (there were 11, see 1911):

1. Peter Barton b. 1886 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 238, bap. 12 Dec 1886 at Holy Trinity Church, Harrow Green, Leytonstone, son of Annie Barton, residence West Ham Union
2. Joshua Barton b. 1888 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 268, bap. 13 Dec 1888 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford, and the record clearly notes he was the child of Annie Barton, Single Woman
3. Florence Elizabeth Puffett b. 12 Mar 1890 (1890 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 274), bap. 16 Nov 1892 as Florence Elizabeth Barton, daughter of Ann Jane Barton, Single Woman (true at the time Florence was born) at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford
4. Roger Charles Puffett b. 23 May 1892 (1892 S Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 305), bap. 16 Nov 1892 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
5. Louisa Beatrice Puffitt (sic) b. 1895 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 347, bap. 5 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
6. George Puffett b. 29 Nov 1896 (1897 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 374), bap. 3 Oct 1897 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
7. Alfred Puffett b. 1898 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 416. Died 1898 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 236.
8. Charles Puffitt (sic) b. 31 Jul 1899 (1899 D Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 382), bap. 27 Aug 1902 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
9. Elsie Puffett b. 1902 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 491, bap. 27 Aug 1902 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford
10. John Puffett b. 1905 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 517, bap. 14 Jun 1905 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford

There's no mother's maiden name on the registrations of the first two, confirming that they were illegitimate births, however, after their parents married in 1890, from then on, they used their father's surname. From Florence onwards their mother's maiden name is listed as BARTON.

In 1891, Charles E Puffett (24) Labourer, was living at 1, Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, West Ham, with Annie Puffett (27), Peter Puffett (4), Joshua Puffett (2) and Florence E Puffett (1).

The Eastern Mercury of 15 Mar 1892 reported on: WEIGHING COAL "BY GUESS" - At the Stratford Petty Sessions on Saturday, Charles Puffett, 24, a labourer of Hermon Hill, Wanstead, and Alfred Mead, 24, of George Lane, Woodford, [Alfred Mead was married to Eliza Barton, Ann Jane's sister] were charged on remand with stealing and receiving 295lb of coal, from Messrs Tanner's coal depot at George Lane, Woodford, on the 7th inst. The evidence showed that the prisoner, Puffett, had been employed by Messrs Tanner for some time past, and that in consequence of suspicion being aroused by the constant appearance of Mead at the depot early in the morning, suspicions were aroused. He was there sometimes before the yard was open, and on Monday last Detective Johnson was at the yard. As Mead was leaving, he was stopped and questioned, and said he had 3cwt [CWT is the abbreviation for hundredweight, which in the British imperial system, is equal to 112 pounds (50.8 kilograms)] of coal - that he had paid for one, and had a charity ticket for the remainder. He had however, 295lb in addition to the quantity he named and when Puffett, who supplied him, was questioned, he said he thought the ticket was for a sack, and that he weighed the coal "by guess" as the machine was a long way off. The prisoners were now each fined 20s and costs or three weeks imprisonment.

The Walthamstow and Leyton Guardian of 7 July 1899, reported on an ASSAULT AT WOODFORD - John Smith and Clara Smith, of Woodford, brother and sister, were summoned for assaulting Mrs Ann Jane Puffett, of 33 Oxford Terrace, with a horse whip and their fists. Clara Smith was discharged, and John Smith was fined 10s and 16s 6d costs.

In 1901, Charles Puffett (33) General Labourer; Ann Puffett (37), Peter Puffett (14), Joshua Puffett (13), Florrie Puffett (11), Roger Puffett (8), Louisa Puffett (6), George Puffett (4) and Charles Puffett (1) were, indeed, living at 33 Oxford Terrace, Chigwell Road, Woodford.

The Eastern Mercury of 29 Dec 1903, amongst other press, carried a story under the headline A PUGNATIOUS LITTLE POMPADOUR, "At Stratford, on Saturday, Joshua Puffett, 15, of 17, Oxford Terrace, and William Bass, 16, a private of the 2nd Essex Regiment, was charged with being disorderly and assaulting the police. Constable Sharp, 107J, said that at nine o'clock on Xmas Eve he found the two prisoners at Salway Hill, Woodford, in a fighting attitude. They were using very bad language, and when witness interfered, Bass struck him on the breast, saying "I belong to the 44th Pompadours; they are ----- to fight." Prisoners pleaded guilty; Bass saying he was home on leave and had had a little spree with some friends. Mr W W Glenny; "You may be a brave fighting little fellow, but don't interfere with the police, you are bound to get into trouble." Bass was fined 10s and costs, and Puffett 5s and costs." (While it was Bass who was charged with assaulting PC Sharp, before you sigh with relief, he was likely a cousin as my 4x great-grandmother, Joshua Puffett's 2x great-grandmother, was Elizabeth Bass.)

The Woodford Times of 25 Sep 1908 with HAWKER AND DOG then informs us that, "At the Stratford Petty Sessions on Thursday, 17th inst., Joshua Puffett, 20, hawker, 25, Oxford Terrace, Chigwell Road, Woodford, was charged with having in his possession a dog wearing a leather collar, supposed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. P C Smith, 692K, said he saw the prisoner in Nelson road, Wanstead, late on Wednesday night, leading the dog with a pocket handkerchief attached to it's collar. Witness asked prisoner if the dog belonged to him, and he replied in the negative, and stated he did not know to whom it belonged. He added, "A man gave it to me at the Duke of Edinburgh public house, and I was going to take it home and bandage its leg up." Prisoner now adhered to this statement and called Henry Godsalve, potman at the Duke of Edinburgh, Wanstead, who stated that the dog had been hanging about the house for three or four days, and he told the prisoner he might have it. The bench stopped the case, and discharged prisoner."

Coincidentally, or not, it was in 1908 that Joshua Puffett (20) of Woodford, Essex, joined the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

In 1911, Charles Edward Puffett (44) Fish Hawker unable to work was at 20 Oxford Terrace S Woodford with Ann Jane Puffett (47) Laundress; Roger Puffett (18) Fish Hawker; Louisa Beatrice Puffett (16) Step Cleaning; George Puffett (15), Charles Puffett (12), Elsie Puffett (9) and John Puffett (6). On this census, they have filled out the information that they had been married for 21 years, but that they'd had 11 children born alive, of whom 9 were alive and 2 had died. So there is still one child missing from the list I was able to identify, which sadly relates to one of those who didn't make it. Meanwhile, Joshua Puffett (22) was with his regiment in Neemuch, India. 

By Aug 1914 the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were in Nowshera, India (which is now in Pakistan). Research carried out by Adrian Lee and Redbridge Museum reveals that "On 16th September 1916 he [Puffett] was admitted to hospital suffering from Malaria, but on 23rd September 1916 he underwent an operation for an appendicitis. Unfortunately he died from the effects of this condition on 26th September 1916." Records show that Joshua Puffett was buried on 27 Sep 1916, with his cause of death listed as Apendicitis and Malaria. His grave, as are the others in Nowshera Military Cemetery, is one that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission can no longer maintain, so he's formally remembered on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). J Puffett is also listed on the WW1 Board at Holy Trinity Church, South Woodford, the church where he was baptised (as Joshua Barton).

In 1921, Charles Edward Puffett (56) Invalid unable to work was living at 68, Chigwell Road, Woodford, Essex with Anne Jane Puffett (58), George Puffett (24) General Labourer; Charles Puffett (21) General Labourer; John Puffett (16) Green Grocer; Henry Green (39) Rag & Bone Dealer, Son-in-law; Florence Elizabeth Green (31) Daughter; Florence Elizabeth Green (14) Granddaughter; Henry Green (13) Grandson; John Frederick Green (7) Grandson; Charles Edward Green (5) Grandson; James Smith (36) General Dealer, Boarder and Frederick John Smith (31) Jobbing Carman, Boarder.

Charles Edward Puffett of 68 Chigwell Rd Woodford died, aged 67, in 1933 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 283 and was buried on 2 Aug 1933 at Holy Trinity, Barkingside.

Ann Jane Puffett of 117 Sutton[s] Lane, Hornchurch, Essex (this was the address of the former St George's Hospital, a home for the elderly that had opened in 1938), died at 75 in 1939 J Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 519 and was buried on 8 Jun 1939 at Holy Trinity, Barkingside.

The India Gate War Memorial, New Delhi, India
Photo: Vikram Siingh Via Pixabay

Peter Barton and Annie Fuller

St Paul, Cross Road, Woodford Bridge - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3015817

Peter Barton (b. 23 Mar 1851), son of Thomas Barton and Ann Birch, married Annie Fuller (bap. 23 Jan 1853 in Woodford), daughter of Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge on 25 Dec 1873. Peter Barton was the younger brother of Thomas Barton who married Annie's older sister, Elizabeth Ann Fuller. The two brothers marrying two sisters, with obviously, the same surname and mother's maiden name pair, in the same area, created a nightmare sorting out which couple children belong to.

However, at least 14 children can be attributed to Peter and Annie:

1. Emily Eliza Fuller b. 27 Jan 1869 (1869 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 68), birth certificate lists her mother as Annie Fuller, with no name of father, bap. as Emily Eliza Barton at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge on 6 Jun 1869, listing her father as Peter Barton and mother Annie, despite the fact that her parents weren't married.
2. Ada Fuller b. 1871 J Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 196, bap. as Ada Barton on 2 Nov 1873 at St Paul's, Woodford Bridge
3. Peter Barton Fuller b. 1873 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 103, bap. as Peter Barton Barton on 2 Nov 1873 at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge. Died 1874 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 56 and was buried at Woodford Bridge.
4. Annie Eliza Barton bap. 17 Feb 1875 at St Paul's, Woodford Bridge
5. Peter Barton b. 1876 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 04A Page 138, bap. 5 Mar 1876 at St Paul's, Woodford Bridge. Died at 15 in 1891 J Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 162 and buried on 13 May 1891
6. Florence Barton b. 1878 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 155, bap. 7 Apr 1878 at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge
7. Frederick George Barton b. 1879 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 170, bap. 6 Jul 1879 at St Paul's, Woodford Bridge
8. Eleanor Barton b. 1880 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 171, bap. 2 Jan 1881 at St Paul's Church, Woodford Bridge
9. Jane Barton b. 1882 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 198. Died 1883 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 101. (By elimination as Thomas and Elizabeth had a daughter Jane already and Elizabeth had given birth in the March quarter of 1882.)
10. Ernest Barton b. 1884 M Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 243, bap. 11 Mar 1884 at St Paul's, Woodford Bridge. Died 1884 S Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 135 and buried on 5 Sep 1884.
11. William John Barton b. 1886 J Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 448, bap. 28 Mar 1887 in Woodford
12. Maud Barton b. 1887 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 271. Buried 8 Jun 1887 at Woodford Bridge. (Attributed by elimination because Elizabeth Ann had a child in the previous quarter.)
13. Charles Barton b. 1889 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 281, bap. 12 Aug 1891 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford
14. Lily Barton b. 1893 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 331, bap. 7 May 1893 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford.

The reason I began to research this family was finding Emily Eliza Fuller (2) listed as 'daughter' in the household of her grandparents, Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley, in 1871. Having a child at 54 was very unlikely, naturally, so I ordered the birth certificate to discover the truth. 

From the Essex Newsman on 1 Sep 1877, we read, "Peter Barton, labourer, of Woodford-bridge, who received the character of notorious poacher, for carrying a gun without a licence on the marshes at Loughton, was fined £2 10s" It seems he was a 'frequent flier' at the Petty Sessions, often being fined for some misdemeanour that was reported on the pages of the local press, and if it wasn't for this, it was for drunk and disorderly. On one such occasion, with several other defendants, it was said that "... all had been previously convicted for poaching, trespassing, drunkenness and assaults."

In 1881, with address listed merely as Woodford Bridge, Woodford, West Ham, were Peter Barton (32) Labourer, Annie Barton (30) Laundress; Emily Barton (12), Ada Barton (9) (Ada Fuller (9) Granddaughter was also listed in the household of her grandparents, Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley, so she was double-counted), Annie Barton (6), Peter Barton (5), Florence Barton (3), Frederic (sic) Barton (1) and Nelly [Eleanor] Barton (0).

In 1891, at 1, Granville Road, Woodford were Peter Barton (40) General Labourer; Annie Barton (38), Emily Barton (22), Ada Barton (19), Peter Barton (15), Frederick Barton (12), Ellen [Eleanor] Barton (11), William Barton (6) born in Kent and Charles Barton (2). Annie Barton (16) was a visitor in the household of Charles Birch (39) Dairyman, as was Peter Barton (14) who looks to have been counted twice. Couldn't locate Florence.

In 1901, Peter Barton (50) General Labourer was living in Cross Road, Woodford Bridge, with Annie Barton (48), Frederick Barton (22), William Barton (15), Charles Barton (11) and Lily Barton (8).

In 1911, I found Annie Barton (59) Married, with Lily Barton (19) Domestic Servant, living at 2 Sherwood Cottages, Victoria Road, South Woodford, but could not locate Peter. Given his record, he could have been in prison. Annie had filled in the details on this census to say that she had been married for 43 years (actually, only 38, but I can see why if you count to a year before the first child), had 15 children, of whom 9 were living and 6 had died, so there is still potentially one missing, for whom I haven't [yet] located a record.

Annie Barton died, age listed as 66, in 1916 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 55 and was buried on 30 Sep 1916, in Woodford Bridge.

In 1921, Peter Barton (70) General Labourer (Retired) was living with Charles Birch (70) Beer House Keeper (Retired) and his wife Emma Birch (74), listed as his Brother-in-law, at 25, High Road, Woodford Bridge, Woodford, Essex.

Peter Barton died, aged 81, in 1933 J Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 342 and was buried on 15 Apr 1933 at Woodford Bridge.

Henry Wilton and Mary Barton

The King's Head (closed), Great Dunmow. Photo © Robin Webster (cc-by-sa/2.0)

This pub and hotel on North Street has been closed and boarded up for some years, with signs of abandoned or postponed building work. It is grade II listed, the oldest parts from the 15th century. Conflicting reports suggest it has since been demolished or converted into flats.

Henry Wilton (bap. 30 Oct 1768 St Mary's, Sawston, Cambridgeshire), widower (not found previous marriage), son of Richard Wilton and Mary Robinson, married Mary Barton (b. ~ 1780 in Ruislip, Middlesex), spinster, both "Of This Parish" of St Mary's, Great Dunmow, on 20 Sep 1810.

In 1783 Henry had been apprenticed to Matthew Norris in Shelford, as a Collarmaker and, as with his brother, Stephen Wilton, this will have meant collars for horses. [Horse Collar Making, Draught Harness and Horse Collar Making] In Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823, under Taverns and Public Houses, is listed 'Henry Wilton, King's Head'. Also listed at the King's Head is William Cock, who was listed as the Licensee or Tavernkeeper from 1815 until at least 1829, so it isn't clear what role Henry Wilton played in this business.

Henry Wilton wrote his Will on 4 Apr 1839 and appointed his wife Mary and his friend Charles Prior, Basket Maker, Executor and Executrix. His bequests included: to his nephew Henry Wilton of Great Dunmow, Saddler and Harness Maker; to his wife Mary; to Elizabeth Wilton, widow of his late brother Stephen Wilton; to Charles Prior; to his niece Mary Prior, wife of Charles Prior; Henry Prior, son of Charles Prior; to Richard, Joseph, Elizabeth, Martha, Eleanor, Ann & Sarah, sons and daughters of his late brother, Stephen; and to his sister Martha Root (Martha Wilton, who had married John Root). Probate was not granted until 7 Nov 1854, for reasons I'm not yet aware.

In 1841, Henry Wilton (73) Ind [Independant means] and his wife Mary (61) were living alongside his nephew, Henry Wilton, saddler in the High Street, Great Dunmow. They were one side of Geo. Saich, ostler (most likely at the Saracen's Head Hotel), on the other was Robert Hockley, tailor and draper.

Henry Wilton died at 78 in 1846 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 49, and was buried on 8 May 1846 in Great Dunmow (England and Wales, Non-Conformist Record Indexes).

In 1861, Mary Wilton (80) with birthplace given as Ruislip, Middlesex, was a Lodger in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

Mary Wilton died, at 81, on 8 Nov 1861 (1861 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 214). Probate was granted to John Barnard, Grocer and Sole Executor. John Barnard (1799-1872), was a grocer (later wine & spirit merchant) in the High Street, Great Dunmow. It's not known if there was any familial link or what the reason was for appointing him.