Henry James Goss and Ann Wenman (née Costin)

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Holy Trinity, Morgan Street, Bow (now The HAC Bow)
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Henry James Goss (b. 25 Aug 1832, bap. 16 Sep 1832 All Saints, Poplar) Bachelor, Ship's Caulker, son of Richard John Goss, Ship's Caulker (Richard John Goss and Martha Ayres), married Ann Wenman, Widow, daughter of William Costin, Shipwright and Anne Merchant, on 7 May 1855 at Holy Trinity, Mile End Old Town (Holy Trinity Church, Morgan Street, Tredegar Square, Bow). Witnesses were Mark Jones and Sarah Davidson.

Ann Costin (b. ~1830) had previously married Peter Edward Wenman, widower, Shipwright, at St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham, Kent on 12 Jun 1853. And Peter Edward Wenman had previously married Anne Johnson, in Minster in Sheppey, Kent on 23 May 1847, with whom he had one son:

1. Peter John Wenman b. 19 Mar 1849 (1849 M Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 05 Page 519), mother's maiden name JOHNSON

Ann Wenman (née Johnson) died aged 25 in 1852 M Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 348.

Then Peter Edward Wenman died, aged 25, on 15 Jul 1853 (1853 S Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 318) and was buried on 19 Jul 1853 in Minster in Sheppey, just a month after his second marriage.

But not before the conception of his posthumous child:

2. Peter Edward Wenman b. 1854 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 552, mother's maiden name COSTIN. (Found no record after 1861)

Henry James Goss and Ann Costin then added a daughter:

3. Anne Goss b. 1856 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 555, mother's maiden name COSTIN. (Found no further records.)

Henry and Ann Goss were married for little more than a year, because he died, aged 24, in 1856 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 27.

In 1861, Ann Goss (31) Widow was living in the household of her father, William Costin (75) Widower, Shipwright, in Bromley[-by-Bow], Poplar and Peter [Edward] Wenman (8) Scholar, listed as William's grandson.

Ann's father, William Costin, died aged 78 in 1865 J Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 426, which may have precipitated the next event, as Ann Goss (31ish) daughter of William Costin, Shipwright, married a third time to Thomas Lewis (30) Batchelor, Bootmaker, son of William Lewis, Tool Maker, at St Michael and All Angels, Bromley-by-Bow on 19 Nov 1865.

There appears to be no record of his birth nor a baptism, but in 1841 a Thomas Lewis (4) was living with William Lewis (50) with several siblings including Caroline (2), among an enormous list of inhabitants of Pitts Place, St Giles in the Fields. St Giles in the Fields became known as the place where the Great Plague of 1665 originated, causing great mortality and leading to plague pits filling the churchyard. This doesn't sound like a very appealing place to live. Mind you, in 1851, Thomas Lewis (14) Pauper, from St Giles, was an inmate of the Union Workhouse in St Giles in the Fields.

Thomas and Ann Lewis then had two daughters:

4. Caroline Annett Lewis b. 1867 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 639, mother's maiden name wrongly, but usefully, GOSS.
5. Elizabeth Louisa Lewis b. 1870 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 501, with her mother's maiden name listed as COSTIER (closeish).

In 1871, living in Samuel Street, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney, were Thomas Lewis (34) Labourer at Works from St Giles, Middlesex; Ann Lewis (37); Caroline Lewis (4) and Elizabeth Lewis (10mts).

Meanwhile, also in 1871, in Rose Street, Minster, Sheppey, were Thomas Costin (claiming to be 50) Green Grocer from Sheerness; with Mary Costin (40); Caroline Costin (14), Alfred Costin (12) and William Costin (5).

Thomas Gaving Costin b. 8 Nov 1813, bap. 6 Feb 1814 in Sheerness, records show, was also the son of William Costin and Ann Merchant (who had married in Minster in Sheppey on 16 Jun 1810). Thomas Costin and Ann Lewis late Goss formerly Wenman (née Costin), therefore, were brother and sister.

Thomas Costin son of William Costin, had married Mary Ann Taylor in Minster in Sheppey, Kent on 4 Jun 1852. Thomas and Mary Ann had six children:

1. Thomas Gaven Costin b. 1853 J Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 513, bap. 27 Apr 1853 at Holy Trinity, Sheerness. Died at 18 and was buried in Sheppey Cemetery on 26 Mar 1871
2. Caroline Costin b. 1856 S Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 534
3. Alfred William Costin b. 1858 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 584. Died, aged 16, in 1875 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 580 and was buried in Sheppey Cemetery on 28 Feb 1875
4. William John Costin b. 1860 S Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 573. Died, aged 3, and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 20 Sep 1863
5. Mary Ann Costin b. 1863 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 665. Died, aged 4, in 1868  M Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 450 and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 9 Feb 1868
6. William Costin b. 1866 J Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 682

Thomas Costyn (sic) died at 59 in 1872 S Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 438.

There is a death of an Annie Lewis, aged 42, in 1873 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 49, which I'm certain relates.

Because then, Thomas Lewis married his late wife's brother's widow Mary Ann Costin in Medway, Kent in 1876. Convoluted enough? (Actually, this nearly tripped me up, because Ann Lewis late Goss formerly Wenman (née Costin) and Mary Ann Lewis formerly Costin (née Taylor) were the same age, with the same birthplace. And with no birth or baptism record for Ann, one could almost be forgiven for assuming that Mary Ann earlier called herself Ann and later used Mary and that they were one person. This highlights the need to check all of the members of a household for clues. Only researching Mary's children and working backwards unpicked this immense puzzle.)

In 1881, Thomas Lewis (46) Greengrocer from Middlesex, London was living in Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey with Mary Lewis (50); Elizabeth Lewis (11) from Poplar; William Coston (sic) (15) Green Grocer's Assistant listed as Son and William Newman (17) Servant. Caroline Lewis (14) was working as a General Servant for Peter May in Trinity Road, Minster in Sheppey.

The Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser of 22 Dec 1888 reported that: "Henry Brend, of Alma Street, Marine Town, was summoned for unlawfully assaulting and beating Thomas Lewis, on dec 12th. The defendant pleaded Not Guilty. The complainant deposed that he was a greengrocer, and resided at Alma Road, Marine Town. About 11:30 on Wednesday night, the 12th inst., he was asleep in bed, when his daughter came and awoke him. She stated that she heard a noise at the front door, and he came down to ascertain the cause. His wife was standing at the door and he saw Brend standing there; but before he had time to ask what he wanted, Brend gave him a heavy blow on the left cheek. Witness closed the door and returned to his room to finish dressing, after which he went in search of a policeman, because he thought that would be the best course to adopt. He met PC Skinner coming towards his house, and just before his arrival, defendant ran away. The constable pursued him, but could not overtake him. Defendant: I did not hit him; I only shook him. His Worship: Shaking him is an assault. Mr Lewis said he did not wish to deal harshly with the defendant on account of his youth; but he would leave the matter in His Worship's superior judgement in the hope it would act as a warning to him. By his Worship: My son is a cab driver, and my wife was sitting up for him. She is so unwell that she can't attend here today. Replying to his Worship, Sergt Highwood said the constable did not see the defendant. William Costin, the complainant's son-in-law [step-son], said that between 11:30 and 12 p.m. He was taking the cushions from his cab to the shop, when defendant came along Alma Road and struck him. He had just passed a policeman and thought it prudent to go for him after the assault was committed. Defendant struck Mr Lewis in his absense. By his Worship: The defendant was formerly in my employ, and I have not spoken to him since he left me. He brought an action against me in the County Court for wages, and it was heard at the November court. The Judge gave a verdict in my favour. Mr Lewis: I saw the corporal on the night of the assault and showed him a mark on my cheek. PC Spencer Clarke, in answer to his Worship, said he saw a slight mark on the cheek, apparently caused by a blow. He saw it shortly after midnight. His Worship said it was clear that the defendant committed the assault out of spite on account of the proceedings at the County Court. He would have to pay a fine of £1 and 10s costs, or to go to prison for 14 days' hard labour. The money was paid."

In 1891, Thomas Lewis (56) Bootmaker (his original trade) was living at 12, Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey with Mary Lewis (60); William Costin (24) Cab Driver from Sheerness, Kent, Wife's Son; Amy H Symond (sic) (14) Grandchild born in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Henrietta Amy Simmonds was the daughter of Charles James Simmonds and Caroline Costin); and William J Pointing (15) Servant General help to cab driver. Elizabeth Lewis (18 - she was 21) from Poplar, London, was General domestic servant to George Watson, Shipwright, next door at 14, Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey.

Mary Ann Lewis formerly Costin (née Taylor) died on 12 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 557), and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 18 Jan 1897. The notice in the press read "LEWIS Jan 12, at 12 Alma Road, Sheerness, Mary Ann, wife of Thomas Lewis, aged 67 years."

Thomas Lewis was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 24 Apr 1916.

John Walter Harris and Alice Catherine Wilton

Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, Bromley-by-Bow

John Harris (21) Batchelor, Engineer, who listed his father as Charles Harris, Blacksmith, married Alice Wilton (20) Spinster, daughter of Elizabeth Wilton, at the Parish Church of Bromley St Leonard (St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's, more on this lost church here) on 25 Dec 1889. Witnesses at the wedding were W Wardley (there was a William Wardley lodging in her grandmother's household in 1881) and Hannah Smith. Alice had listed her father as "James Wilton, Carman", an invention, presumably "for appearances sake", which seems to be a portmanteau of James for James Hockley, her putative father; Wilton her mother's maiden name and her own birth surname; and Carman, which was the occupation of her half-uncle, George Wilton.

Because Alice was born on 12 Feb 1869 and her mother married James Hockley in 1870, it's generally assumed that James was Alice's biological father. In 1871, while James and Elizabeth Hockley were living on the Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, Alice (2) was next-door-but-one with her grandmother, Catherine Eldred, which made sense as Elizabeth was then about to have another baby. In 1881, Alice was on the census with James and Elizabeth Hockley, in Hornchurch, listed as Alice Hockley (14), leading many to assume she lived with them and used that surname thereafter, but I wonder if this was just a case of not challenging the use of dittos, nor wanting to explain why your kid had a different surname. Alice certainly didn't use that surname to marry and the fact that she married in the area her grandmother had lived, rather than where her mother lived, I feel, is also significant.

John and Alice Harris had ten children:

1. Elizabeth Harris b. 7 Mar 1890 (1890 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 578), mother's maiden name listed as WILTON. (No baptism found, which is not really surprising given her 'premature' arrival.)
2. Ellen Harris b. 28 Dec 1891 (1892 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 633) with her mother's maiden name listed as ALDRIDGE. Feeling that Aldridge could be a mis-hearing of ELDRIDGE and Ellen being the name of Alice's Aunt, this looked likely, so I obtained the birth record which confirms that she was the child of "John Harris, Boiler Maker and Alice Harris, formerly Aldridge, of 39 Egleton Road, Bromley", bap. 31 Dec 1891 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. She did not survive and it looks likely she died 1896 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 364.
3. John Harris b. 25 Oct 1893 (1893 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 605) with his mother's maiden name listed as ELDRIDGE, bap. 30 Nov 1893 at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's
4. Mary Catherine Harris b. 7 Dec 1895 (1896 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 597) with her mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 22 Dec 1895 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's
5. Charles Harris b. 1898 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 581, with his mother's maiden name listed as HOCKLEY. (No baptism record found.) Died 1898 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 394
6. Charles Harris b. 15 Oct 1899 (1899 D Qtr POPLAR Vol 01C Page 569) mother's maiden name WILTON. bap. 26 Oct 1899 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. Died 1899 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 425
7. Albert George Harris b. 29 Sep 1901 (1901 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 578), mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 23 Oct 1901 at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's
8. Charles Douglas Harris b. 13 Jun 1903 (1903 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 575) with his mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 5 Jul 1903 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's
9. Percy Harris b. 1905 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 579 with his mother's maiden name listed as ELDRIDGE. (No baptism record found.) Died 1905 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 349
10. Florence Hannah Harris b. 8 Apr 1912 (1912 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 972), mother's maiden name WILTON, bap. 28 Apr 1912 as Florence Anna Harris at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. Died 1912 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 605

On the baptism for the 6th child, Charles Harris in 1899, John is listed as John Walter. It appears this is correct. It did seem that Charles was important and probably a family name, having used this for three sons, and this did also suggest this was indeed John's father's name. Hannah, used as the second name of the last child also seemed significant. Born John Walter Harris on 27 Apr 1868 (1868 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 499), bap. 25 Feb 1869 at St Anne's Limehouse, he was the son of Charles John Harris and Hannah Harriet Camp. There's no record of a Charles Harris, Blacksmith in the area, ever, but Charles John Harris, Mariner and Rigger, later became a Labourer and, if that was at an Iron Foundry (as were his son and grandson later), then this is just the sort of 'upgrade' that would be given him to make a marriage certificate appear more posh. There are also many similarities between the naming of John and Alice's children and of his siblings.

If we needed clues that this is indeed Alice Catherine Wilton, Elizabeth Wilton's daughter and Catherine Byatt's granddaughter, there are the names given to the first two girls. Using HOCKLEY on one of the birth registrations adds another, but the use of ELDRIDGE on some of the birth registrations is strange, but extremely useful in providing evidence of her connections. Alice's grandmother, Catherine Wilton (née Byatt), married a second time to John Eldred. However, in 1881, Catherine (living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar), had listed herself as Catherine Eldridge, and her two step-children, John Eldred's son and daughter from his previous marriages, also later used this 'usefully wrong' surname. There is no logical reason that I can think of for Alice to use this surname, unless, as the clues seem to be pointing, she was actually brought up by her grandmother. It's almost as if Alice is leaving us a trail of clues, although I can't possibly imagine she did so consciously.

Haven't been able to find them in 1891 and think they eluded the census.

In 1901, John Harris (30) General Labourer from Limehouse, Middlesex was living at 14, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar with Alice Harris (29ish), Elizabeth Harris (11), John Harris (7) and Mary Harris (5). On this census, Alice's birthplace is listed - curiously and wrongly - as Bromley, London.

In 1911, John Harriss (sic) (40) General Labourer at Iron Foundry from Limehouse was living (in 2 rooms) of 24 Norris Road, Bow, London, with Alice Harris (42) whose birthplace this time is listed as Rainham; Jack Harris [John Jnr] (17), Albert Harris (10), Charles Harris (8), Lizzie Harris (21) and Mary Harris (16). On this census they confirm that they had been married for 21 years and had 9 children of whom 5 were then still alive and 4 had died.

On 18 May 1920, Charles Douglas Harris, son of John Harris of 24 Norris Road, Bromley-by-Bow, London E3, enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps, the record saying he had previously served with the 5th Dragoon Guards. He was, however, discharged on 14 Jun 1920, "Having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment." He'd said he was 18, when he was only 17. (So many had done this during WWI and the services weren't so fussy about it then.)

In 1921, weirdly listed as John Alfred Harris (52) Labourer from Limehouse, Middlesex, still living at 24, Norris Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Alice Harris (53) who had finally remembered that she was born in Dunmow, Essex; and Charles Harris (18) Labourer. Also listed on the transcript is Albert Harris (20) Seafarer, although on the original census schedule, there is a line through his name as in the r/h column of the listing, in brackets states (away at sea).

Albert George Harris (right) born 29 Sep 1901 in Bromley-by-Bow, had indeed joined the Merchant Navy in 1918. On 1 Apr 1919, he had joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, described then as being 5ft 5in, with light brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion and a 34½ in chest, from which he was demobbed on 8 Apr 1920. It appears Albert had joined the ship "Woodarra" at Victoria Docks, London on 4 Feb 1921.

Alice Harris died, aged 61, in 1931 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 479.

In 1939, John W Harris (b. 27 Apr 1868) Skilled Labourer (Pensioner), Widower, was living at 774 Old Ford Road, Bow, Tower Hamlets.

John Walter Harris died, aged 80, in 1949 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 05D Page 322. It is reported that he died on 10 Mar 1949 at St Andrew's Hospital (St Andrew's Hospital, Devons Rd, Bow).

Francis Blazey and Amy Rosa Joslin

Regent's Canal, Bow Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Pierre Terre - geograph.org.uk/p/129062

Francis Blazey (bap. 18 Oct 1867), son of Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins, married Amy Rosa Joslin (b. 5 Feb 1865 in Kensington), daughter of Robert Hurrell Joslin from Chelmsford, Essex and Anna Graver from Hemsby, Norfolk, on 19 Jun 1892, at Saint John The Evangelist, Golding Street, Saint George in the East, where their marriage service was performed by Daniel Radford, Curate. (The church was closed during the Second World War and demolished in 1964.) Witnesses were Valentine and Caroline Wolf.

Francis and Amy had six children, all born in St George in the East:

1. Hilda Alice Eleanor Blazey b. 1892 S Quarter in ST. GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 370 (Died, aged 1, on 1 Jul 1894 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 205 and was buried at Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith, Section 8 Letter K No. 7)
2. Rosalie Hilda Blazey b. 7 May 1895 (1895 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 390)
3. Alfred Hurrell Blazey b. 28 Jul 1898 (1898 S Quarter in ST GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 366), bap. 14 Aug 1898 at the church of St George in the East, in Cannon Street Road, Stepney.
4. William Francis Blazey b. 27 Jan 1902 (1902 M Quarter in ST GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 345)
5. Dorothy Alice Blazey b. 1904 M Quarter in ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 357. (Died 1904 D Quarter Volume 01C Page 243)
6. Ida Winifred Blazey b. 24 Aug 1907 (1907 S Quarter in ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 325)

Their address at the time of Alfred's baptism was 35 Tarling Street, St George in the East and Francis Blazey's occupation was Dock Labourer. After double-checking through records, it seems he was the only child they baptised.

In 1901, living at 35, Tillman Street, St George in the East, were Francis Blazey (33) Labourer (civil service), Amy (33), Rosalie (5) and Alfred (2).

By 1911, they'd moved to 22 Upper Chapman St, St George in the East with Francis Blazey (44) described as "Leading Man Of Labourers", Amy Blazey (44), Rosalie Blazey (16), Alfred Blazey (13), William Blazey (10) and Ida Blazey (4). The information on this census confirms they had six children during their 20 year marriage, with four still living and two had died.

In 1921, still living at 22, Upper Chapman Street, St George in the East, London, were Francis Blazey (54) Charge Man & Labourer employed by the Admiralty; Amy Blazey (53), Rosalie Blazey (25) Clerk; Alfred Blazey (22) Clerk for the Admiralty; William Blazey (19) General Labourer for the Admiralty; Ida Blazey (13) and Annie Wood (24) Cook, Boarder.

Frances Blazey of 22 Chapman Street, E1, died on 18 Apr 1938 aged 70 (1938 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 267) and was buried at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets, London. Probate was granted on 22 Jul 1938. Francis left £313 9s 7d to his widow, Amy Rosa Blazey.

In 1939, Amy Blazey was living with her married daughter, Ida Jarvis, at 30 Warren Road, Merton, Surrey. Rosalie Blazey, Coal Merchant's Clerk, was still living at 22 Chapman Street, Shadwell, Tower Hamlets, Stepney.

Amy Rosa Blazey died on 1 Apr 1941, aged 75 (1941 J Quarter in SURREY MID-EASTERN Volume 02A Page 246) and was also buried at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets, London.

• Rosalie Hilda Blazey of 4 Queensbridge Drive, Herne Bay, Kent died, on 2 Jul 1981, aged 86. She had never married.
• 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Hurrell Blazey served in the The Duke Of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) during World War I and on 21 Feb 1922 was appointed to the Civil Service, Admiralty, as a Writer in HM Dockyards and Naval Establishments. In 1925 Alfred Hurrell Blazey married Violet Catherine Petrie, in Poplar. They appear to have two sons, born 1928 and 1930 (in 1939 could be evacuees). In 1939, Alfred and Violet were living at 4 St James's Avenue, Bromley, Kent. Alfred H Blazey died, at 61, in 1959, in Bromley, Kent. Violet Catherine Blazey (b. 1 Nov 1898), of 4 St James's Avenue, Bromley, Kent, died at 93, on 19 Jan 1991.
• William Francis Blazey married Lilian Selina Martin (b. 25 May 1898) at St. George in the East, in 1922. They had one daughter, Lilian Ida Blazey (b. 1923 - d. 20 Dec 2016 in Herne Bay, Kent). In 1939, William F Blazey, Crane Driver, his wife and daughter were living at 36 Boundfield Road, Hither Green, Lewisham. Lilian S Blazey died, at 68, in 1966, in Lewisham; William Francis Blazey died, at 66, on 24 Jan 1969, in Bromley, Kent.
• Ida Winifred Blazey married Herbert James Valentine Jarvis (b. 8 Feb 1910), in 1935, in Stepney. They had a daughter, Doreen Ann Jarvis (b. 22 Dec 1936 - d. 31 Aug 2017) and a son in 1948. In 1939, Herbert J Jarvis, Fishmonger's Shop Assistant, Ida W Jarvis, Doreen A Jarvis and Amy R Blazey, were living at 30 Warren Road, Merton, Surrey. Herbert James V Jarvis died in 1978 and Ida Winifred Jarvis died on 6 Apr 1984, both in Crawley.

William Dalton and Sarah Travally

St Mary & Holy Trinity, Bow Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3616000

William Dalton (b. 26 Dec 1742, bap. 16 Jan 1743 at St Paul's Church, Shadwell), son of Thomas and Mary Dalton, married Sarah Travally (b. 5 Aug 1739), daughter of Winnall Travally and Elizabeth Benbow. Entries in the Parish Register of St. Mary, Stratford, Bow in East London (Bow Church), obtained from the Greater London Record office (later London Metropolitan Archives and now The London Archives) and reported in The Journal of the Dalton Genealogical Society Volume 12 No. 2 page 8) [Source], state that Dalton, William, Batchelor and Sarah Travaly (sic), Spinster, both of this parish, were married in this church by banns on 15 May 1763. 

This couple had seven children: 

1. Elizabeth Dalton b. Friday, 13 July 1764, bap. 5 Aug 1764 (at 23 days old) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney
2. Winnall Travally Dalton b. Monday, 28 July 1766, bap. 24 Aug 1766 (the record says he was 27 days old) at St Anne's, Limehouse
3. William Benbow Dalton b. Sunday, 22 Nov 1767, bap. 20 Dec 1767 (at 28 days old) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney. He was buried on 14 Jan 1768, also at St Dunstan and All Saints
4. Thomas Benbow Dalton b. 6 May 1770
5. Sarah Dalton b. 22 May 1778
6. Martha Dalton b. 2 Oct 1780
7. Ebenezer Dalton b. 16 Aug 1782

The baptism records list their father's occupation as Caulker, a person who caulks the seams of boats; to make (a vessel) watertight by filling the seams between the planks with oakum or other material driven snug. In the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Ezekiel refers to the caulking of ships as a specialist skill.

The records for the last four children are unusual. Those in 'England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975' mention Saint Dunstan and All Saints Church, Stepney (as in parish), but they do not follow the usual format of Christian baptisms and specify the dates as birth dates, not of christenings. They each also include the information: "Maternal Grandfather's Name, Winnal Travaly and Maternal Grandmother's Name, Elizabeth", so we can have no doubt that these are the children of this couple and their pedigree. There were witnesses to all these birth records too, which in all four cases were Elizabeth Gabbedey and Esther Travally, both of whom were Sarah's sisters. Repeated in the record set, 'England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977', which specified each child's birthplace as "White Horse Street, St Dunstans Stepney, Middlesex." "White Horse Street was the main street of the medieval village of Stepney, centred around St Dunstan’s Church. Until the nineteenth century, although there were buildings along White Horse Street itself, the surrounding area was mainly open fields." [Source] These records are from Dr Williams' Library Registry; Registers of certificates, an early birth register of Protestant dissenters. 

William Dalton from Poplar died in his 57th year and was buried, on 9 Jul 1799, at St Anne's Limehouse. Probate was granted on 15 Jul 1799. The Will of William Dalton of Naval Row [1] Hamlet [of] Poplar Stepney, Middlesex tells us that he was leaving "to my loving wife Sarah Dalton all my household furniture, plate, silver, china and whatsoever else shall be in my house at my [unreadable] for her sole use and for her disposal as she may think fit, likewise all the interest arising from my property in the Funds at the Bank of England." He also mentions his children by name, viz: Elizabeth, Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton, Sarah, Martha and Ebeneezer. 

[1] The Naval Row Conservation Area was designated in January 1987 by the London Docklands Development Corporation. It is defined to the north by the listed perimeter wall of the former East India Docks. Laid out in the early 19th century, Naval Row takes its name from a small terrace constructed c. 1782 by John Perry (1743-1810), owner of Blackwall Yard, where he built ships largely for the East India Company. To live at that address, one assumes that William Dalton must have worked for John Perry. Caulking was certainly a skill he will have needed in building and maintaining ships. It's clear Dalton was not just an ordinary labouring caulker and it looks to have been a close association - not just from William Dalton's address and financial position - but also as William and Sarah Dalton were witnesses at the marriage of John Perry's sister, Elizabeth, to Sarah's (and my) cousin, Elnathan Ayres.

NB: Many family trees at Ancestry wrongly claim that Sarah Dalton died in 1792 in Lambeth. Wrong area. More importantly, William Dalton wouldn't be leaving his property to "his loving wife", if she'd died several years before him.

The Will of Sarah Dalton of the Hamlet of Poplar in the Parish of St Dunstans, Stepney, Middlesex, Widow - so we absolutely know William died first - also confirms this. Her Will is dated 15 Mar 1813 and the Probate date is 19 Feb 1818, so we can be pretty sure she died between Mar 1813 and Feb 1818, although, in her case, I haven't [yet] been able to find a corresponding burial. Sarah requests "to be directly buried as near to the remains of my late husband as possible and my funeral to be in the same manner" [one hopes therefore that she's also buried at St Anne's Limehouse); directs her goods and chattels to be sold; the property of her late husband William Dalton as it stands in the Bank of England viz one thousand four hundred pounds in the five per cents ... and one hundred pounds in the three per cents .... [2]  to be equally divided between my five children [3], namely Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton, Ebenezer Dalton and my daughters Sarah Dent and Martha Butterfield also give and bequeath my watch and rings to the said Martha Butterfield and five pieces of [unreadable] work to the said Sarah Dent also my wearing apparel and household linen to be equally divided between my said daughters Sarah Dent and Martha Butterfield. Lastly also nominate and appoint my said sons Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton and my son-in-law William Butterfield to be joint Executors.

[2] These funds in the five percents and three percents, may be reasonably assumed to have been Consols (originally short for consolidated annuities, but subsequently taken to mean consolidated stock) were government debt issues in the form of perpetual bonds, redeemable at the option of the government. The first British consols were issued by the Bank of England in 1751. 

[3] Sarah names five children, which suggests Elizabeth pre-deceased her.

Samuel Benbow and Mary Breeden

© Marathon (cc-by-sa/2.0) geograph.org.uk/p/6294630
St Dunstan's Church, Stepney

Samuel Benbow (b. ~ 1699), son of Richard Benbow and Grace Beer, 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 (the previous Medieval church), on 24 Feb 1738. It hasn't been possible to narrow down a possible previous marriage to determine this Mary's maiden name and parentage.

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.

Winnall Travally Dalton and Ann Woolfe

© Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0 geograph.org.uk/p/6195470
Southwark Cathedral

Winnall Travally Dalton (b. 28 July 1766 in Limehouse), son of William Dalton and Sarah Travally, married Ann Woolfe (bap. 21 Jul 1769 in Hitchin, Herts), daughter of Thomas Woolfe and Martha Bray, at Southwark St Saviour (now Southwark Cathedral) on 30 Nov 1794. However, the banns of this marriage state that Winnall Dalton was Widowed. Winnall Travally Dalton then of the parish of St Paul, Shadwell, had first married Elizabeth Crutchfield then of the parish of St. Mary, Stratford le Bow, Spinster, by Licence, in the parish of All Saints, Poplar on 7 Aug 1792. We know that this marriage relates, as the witnesses included William Dalton and Sarah Dalton, the groom's parents. On 9 Oct 1792 an Elizabeth Dalton, described merely as 'Woman (Fever)' was buried at St Giles Without Cripplegate and this sadly appears to relate.

Winnall Travally Dalton and Ann Woolfe had ten children:

1. Winnall Thomas Dalton b. 14 Nov 1795
2. Ann Dalton b. 24 Jun 1797. She appears to have been christened at the Ratcliff Rose Lane Independent church in July 1797.[1]
3. William Dalton b. 26 Nov 1798
4. John Dalton b. 5 Jun 1800
5. Eliza Dalton b. 28 Jan 1802
6. Martha Dalton b. 15 Aug 1803
7. Henry Dalton b. 8 Oct 1804
8. George Dalton b. 10 Jul 1806
9. Mary Emma Dalton b. 6 Aug 1809
10. Phillip James Dalton b. 2 Aug 1813, bap. 24 Oct 1813 at St Anne's Limehouse.

[1] Rose Lane has been renamed at some time to Ratcliffe Lane which leads into Butcher Row (the old White Horse Street) and is about 250 yards from Ratcliffe Cross Street. [Source]

The birth records for the first nine children, all born in Church Lane, in the parish of St Anne Limehouse are of Non-Conformists - 'Dissenters'. These records, which list the maternal grandparents, are from Dr Williams' Library Registry; Registers of certificates, an early birth register of Protestant dissenters. (‘Dissenting’ tradition in Stepney.) Each birth has two witnesses: Sarah Dalton, I presume Winnall's mother, was one of the witnesses on most of the births. Ann Spokes was witness also to the first three; from John onwards, one of them was an Elizabeth Spinks and at Mary Emma Dalton's birth in 1809, one of the witnesses was Winnall's cousin, Esther Evans.

Phillip James' baptism record lists his father's occupation as Caulker.

In 1792, Winnall Dalton, Caulker, of Shadwell, Middlesex, took on James Carrington as an Apprentice; and in 1795 Winnall Dalton, Caulker, of St Paul Shadwell, records show, took on another Apprentice, Edward Barrow.

There is a record of Winnall Dalton being brought into custody and discharged at Marshalsea on 9 Oct 1820 in respect to a suit - presumably for a debt - brought by a William and Sarah Wright. This is the same Debtors' prison where Charles Dickens' father was committed four years later in 1824.

Winnall Travally Dalton died in 1825, aged 59 and was buried on 5 Jun 1825 at St Anne's Limehouse.

In 1841, Ann Dalton (70) Widow of Independent means was living at 16 Holmes Street, St Dunstan Stepney, with daughter Martha Dalton (35) Milliner; son Phillip James Dalton (25) Vellum Binder and a Jane Gray (20) Milliner, presumably a boarder. (All ages rounded down.)

Ann Dalton (80) of 16 Holmes St, Stepney, died in 1850 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 368 and was buried on 12 Jan 1850 in Tower Hamlets.