Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers

Halberton Church (St Andrew's)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/2860942

Thomas Tooze (b. 1801), son of Thomas Tooze and Joan Potter, married Mary Summers (b. 1804), daughter of John Summers and Sarah Middleton, at St Andrews Church, Halberton on Boxing Day, 26 Dec 1823.

This Thomas and Mary Tooze had 10 children:

1. James Tooze bap. 16 May 1824 in Holcombe Rogus
2. John Tooze bap. 16 Sep 1826 (Buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1827)
3. Charles Tooze bap. 30 Mar 1828 in Holcombe Rogus
4. Fanny Tooze bap. 16 Nov 1830 in Holcombe Rogus
5. John Tooze bap. 26 May 1833 (Buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1833)
6. Stephen Tooze bap. 20 Jul 1834 in Holcombe Rogus
7. John Tooze bap. 9 Feb 1840 in Holcombe Rogus
8. Jesse Tooze b. 1844 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 501, bap. 4 Jan 1844 in Holcombe Rogus
9. Sarah Ann Tooze b. 1846 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 509 (No baptism record found)
10. Eliza Tooze bap. 5 Aug 1849 in Holcombe Rogus

All of the baptisms list their father as Thomas Tooze, Thatcher.

The civil birth registrations of Jesse and Sarah Ann - the only two for whom these records exist - both show their mother's maiden name as Summers.

In 1841, Thomas Tooze (40) and Mary Tooze (35) were living at Tinckham, Holcombe Rogus - as was Thomas' younger brother, Richard Tooze, the Chairmaker - with Charles Tooze (12), Fanny Tooze (10), Stephen Tooze (7) and John Tooze (1). Eldest son, James Tooze (15) was living with his grandmother, Joan Tooze (70) by the New Inn, Holcombe Rogus. 

In 1851, Thomas Tooze, Thatcher, and Mary Tooze were in Holcombe Rogus with Stephen Tooze (17) Ag Lab; John Tooze (11) Thatcher's Boy; Jesse Tooze (7), Sarah Ann tooze (4) and Eliza Tooze (1). 

In 1861, Thomas Tooze (61) Thatcher, Mary Tooze (58) Lace Mender and John Tooze (21) Thatcher, were living at Rull Cottage, Higher Besley [Farm], Holcombe Rogus. Jesse Tooze (19) Carter, was employed by Mark Brown (24) Farmer at Higher Besley. And Eliza Tooze (12) was a servant in the household of Robert Brown (53) Inn Keeper at Halfway House, Willand.

Thomas Tooze died in 1868 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 255, age estimated to 68, buried on 22 Nov 1868, in Holcombe Rogus.

In 1871, Mary Tooze (68) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-Law was living in the household of Henry Hawkins (25) Carpenter at Durley Moor Cottage, Holcombe Rogus. (Henry Hawkins had married 'Jessie' Tooze, in 1868, so we can only conclude that this is what Sarah Ann was calling herself.)

In 1881, Mary Tooze (78) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-Law, was living in the household of Robert Gillard (34) Ag Lab in Fore Street, Holcombe Rogus. (Robert Gillard had married youngest daughter, Eliza Tooze.) On this census it incorrectly says that Mary was from Uffculme, however, this still makes sense as it's where her parents married and her elder siblings were born.

Mary Tooze died in 1884 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 253, with age estimated to 82.

Sampford Peverell : Grand Western Canal
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/2812039

Robert Gillard (bap. 9 Feb 1845 in Skilgate, Somerset), son of Robert Gillard and Jane Slowman, married Eliza Tooze (bap. 5 Aug 1849 in Holcombe Rogus), daughter of Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers, in 1870.

Between them, they had eleven children:

1. Emily Tooze b. 20 Feb 1869 M Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 403. Mother's maiden name blank - i.e. and illegitimate birth. Baptised, as Emily Gillard on 3 Sep 1871 in Sampford Peverell, her parents listed as Robert and Eliza. 
2. John Thomas Gillard b. 15 Apr 1871 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 437, bap. 3 Sep 1871 in Sampford Peverell.
3. Lucy Gillard b. 18 Jun 1875 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET Volume 05C Page 333, bap. 27 May 1877 in Holcombe Rogus
4. Bessie Tooze Gillard b. 11 Feb 1877 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET Vol 05C Page 346, bap. 27 May 1877 in Holcombe Rogus
5. Mary Jane Gillard b. 1879 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 339. Died 1879 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 202
6. Henry William Gillard b. 1880 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET Volume 05C Page 342, bap. 15 Aug 1880 in Holcombe Rogus
7. Mary Jane Gillard b. 1882 S Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 333, bap. 25 Jul 1883 in Holcombe Rogus
8. Alfred James Gillard b. 1884 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 315. Died, aged 20, in 1905 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 241 and was buried on 2 Feb 1905 in Holcombe Rogus
9. Rosa Annie Gillard b. 1886 J Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 333
10. Sidney Robert Gillard b. 1888 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 319
11. Loveday Fanny Jackson Gillard b. 1891 J Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 316

In 1871, living in a Cottage, Sampford Peverell, were Robert Gillard (25) Farm Labourer, Eliza Gillard (22) Labourer's wife and Emily Tooze (2) described as Wife's Daughter. My feeling is that baptising her as Emily Gillard later that year was an attempt by Robert to adopt her, but I think the wording on this census very much suggests that he was not Emily's biological father.

In 1874, Emily Gillard (b. 20 Feb 1869) was enrolled at Holcombe Rogus (Webber's) School, with her father listed as Robert Gillard. John Gillard was enrolled at the same school in 1877 and both Lucy and Bessie in 1880.

In 1881, in Fore Street, Holcombe Rogus, Devon were Robert Gillard (34) Ag Lab, Eliza Gillard (30), Emily Gillard (12), John Thomas Gillard (9), Lucy Gillard (5), Bessie Gillard (4), Henry William Gillard (0) and Mary Tooze (78) Mother-in-law - Eliza's widowed mother.

Mary Jane Gillard was enrolled at Holcombe Rogus (Webber's) School in 1885 and Rosa Annie Gillard in 1889.

In 1891, Robert Gillard (44) Agricultural Labourer, was living the the Village, Holcombe Rogus with Eliza Gillard (40), John Gillard (19) Agricultural Labourer; Henry W Gillard (10), Mary J Gillard (9), Alfred J Gillard (6), Rosa A Gillard (5) and Sidney R Gillard (3). That year Emily Gillard (21) was a General Servant in the employ of Nathaniel B Grigg (55) Surgeon General Practitioner at Pearclose, Holcombe Rogus; Lucy Gillard (16) was a General Domestic Servant in the household of William D Haddon (42) Draper at 71, High Street, Wellington and Bessie Gillard (14) was a General Servant to Joel Lee (62) Dairyman at Fenton Green, Holcombe Rogus.

Loveday Fanny J Gillard was enrolled at Holcombe Rogus (Webber's) School in 1894, again her father listed as Robert Gillard.

In 1901, Robert Gillard (54) Carter on farm; Eliza Gillard (50), John Gillard (29) Carter on farm; Jennie [Mary Jane] Gillard (18) Housemaid domestic; Frederick [Alfred James] Gillard (16) Blacksmith; Rose [Rosa Annie] Gillard (15) Servant domestic; Robert S [Sidney Robert] (13) Horseboy on farm and Loveday Gillard (9) were at 26, Village, Holcombe Rogus.

Eliza Gillard died at 55 in 1906 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 205 and was buried on 29 Jan 1906 in Holcombe Rogus.

In 1911, Robert Gillard (65) Widower, Carter on farm was at 24 Fore St, Holcombe Rogus with Robert Gillard (23) [Sidney Robert] Mason's labourer.

Robert Gillard died at 83 in 1928 J Quarter in WELLINGTON.

Harry Stone and Ellen Minnie Loud

Axminster: Church of St Mary and WWI War Memorial
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mr Eugene Birchall - geograph.org.uk/p/3423250

Harry Stone (b. 17 Nov 1902), youngest son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton, married Ellen Minnie Loud (b. 6 Sep 1904), 13th child of George Alfred Loud and Tryphena Davis, on 26 Dec 1929, in Axminster.

In 1939, Harry Stone, General Labourer and Ellen M Stone, Ironer (Laundry) lived at 12, North Street, Axminster. Living with them was Amelia M Stratchcombe (b. 1918), Domestic Servant. My feeling is that she was most likely to have been a boarder or lodger who worked elsewhere. 

Harry and Ellen had one son in 1948 (afaik, still living).

Ellen M Stone died on 15 Feb 1966, aged 61. 

Harry Stone died on 12 Apr 1982, aged 79.

Axminster: Castle Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mr Eugene Birchall - geograph.org.uk/p/3423227

George Alfred Loud (b. 1860), son of Edward Loud and Ann Phippen, married Tryphena Davis (b. 1 Jul 1863), daughter of John Davis and Charlotte Enticott, in 1882, in Axminster. In 1881, both the Loud and the Davis families had lived in Paradise Row, Axminster, so George married 'the girl next door'. "In the early 1920s there was disquiet amongst the members of the Axminster UDC about the very poor state of 7 small cottages known collectively as Paradise Row, including a report of a plague of rats. These cottages (which can be seen on the 1905 OS map) had been built many years before in an alleyway behind (in 2018) the former Axe Vale Social Club building."

Before he had married, in Honiton, on 7 Mar 1881, George Loud of Castle Hill, Axminster, then aged 20, Labourer Out of Employ - which probably explains exactly why he did so - had enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment. He joined the Militia - reserve, equivalent of the TA - but there's no indication that he was ever deployed. At the time of his Attestation, he was 5ft 6in, with a 32in chest, a fresh complexion, dark grey eyes and dark brown hair.

Tryphena as a girl's name is of Greek origin meaning "delicacy". In the Bible, Tryphena appears in one of Paul's epistles to the Romans.

George and Tryphena had 14 children, all of whom survived infancy:

1. William Loud b. 1883 M Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
2. Alice Maud Loud b. 1884 S Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 8
3. Edward Loud b. 7 Nov 1885 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
4. Annie Loud b. 21 Jul 1889 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
5. Eva May Loud b. 20 Nov 1890 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
6. Frederick James Loud b. 1 Feb 1893 Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 27 Feb 1895
7. Walter George Loud b. 8 May 1894 Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 27 Feb 1895
8. Thomas Loud b. 1896 J Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 9 Aug 1896 in Axminster. Killed in Action 4 Sep 1918.
9. Sydney Loud b. 25 Jul 1898 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 4
10. Bertie Loud b. 1900 M Qtr Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 9 Feb 1900
11. Elsie Mary Loud b. 1901 D Qtr Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 23 Feb 1902
12. George Alfred Loud b. 29 Mar 1903 Vol 05B Page 4, bap. 26 Jul 1903
13. Ellen Minnie Loud b. 6 Sep 1904 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 1 Jan 1905
14. Edith May Loud b. 8 Dec 1906 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 22 Mar 1907

In 1891, living in Paradise Row, Chard Street, Axminster, were George Loud (30) General Labourer, Tryphena Loud (27) Brushmaker, William Loud (8), Alice M Loud (7), Edward Loud (5), Annie Loud (2) and Eva M Loud (0).

In 1901, in Castle Street, Axminster, we find George A Loud (39), Tryphena (36), William (18), Alice M (16), Edward (15), Annie (11), Eva M (10), Frederick (8), Walter G (6), Thomas (4), Sydney (2) and Bertie (1).

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 19 July 1907, reported that: "The Axminster Justices had imposed a fine of 10s and costs on a labourer, named George Loud, for making use of bad language. There were several previous convictions against the defendant." (Court would be even busier today.)

And The Western Times of 22 September 1909: "George Loud, labourer, Axminster, was summoned for using obscene language. PC Ridgeway stated the facts, and defendant, who did not appear, was fined £1 and costs." 

In 1911, in Castle Hill, Axminster, were George Loud (51), Tryphena (48), William (28), Annie (21), Eva May (20), Frederick (18) Milk Carrier, Walter George (16), Thomas (14), Sydney (12), Bert (11), Elsie Mary (9), George Alfred (8), Ellen Minnie (6) and Edith May (4). Annie, Eva May, Walter George and Thomas worked at the Brush Factory. (Brush Making in Axminster). Alice Maud Loud had married Herbert Edmund Davey in 1906: they were living in Chelsea, London. Edward Loud (25), in 1911, was a boarder in Teffont Magna, Wiltshire. In 1917, he married his landlady, Sarah Brockway.

In late 1880 it was reported that James Boon had “… let a portion of his mills at the bottom of Castle Hill to Messrs Coate, Bidwell & Co, tooth brush manufacturers of Chard and London”. It was estimated at the time that about 200 persons were likely to be employed in Axminster as a consequence.

In 1921, listed as George Albert Loud (62) General Labourer was living at 9, Stoney Bridges (on Castle Hill), Axminster Hamlets, Devon, with Tryphena Loud (58), Annie Loud (31) working for Bidwell & Co; Fred Loud (28) Mason's Labourer; Sydney Loud (21) General Labourer; Bert Loud (20), Elsie Loud (19), George Loud (18) Labourer; Ellen Loud (16) Laundry Hand; Edith May Loud (14), Percy Loud (3) Grandson and Lilian Loud (1) Granddaughter.

George Alfred Loud died, aged 64 and was buried on 3 Nov 1923 at Axminster Cemetery. 

Tryphena Loud died on 26 Jul 1933, aged 69.

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill and Mary Jane Harris

Skull & crossbones on the gatepost at the entrance to
St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499463

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill (bap. 13 Sep 1857), son of Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Tompson, married Mary Jane Harris (b. 1858), daughter of Alfred Richard Harris and Jane Elizabeth Jones, at Christ Church Watney Street, on 26 Dec 1878. Dan, a fitter, gave his address as 225 Cable Street. Mary Jane's address was 34 Deptford Green, where her father was a baker by trade. Dan had spent his early years in Deptford Green too, when his parents kept The White Hart, which the census records show was next door to the bakery. Witnesses were Alfred Richard Harris - who could have been Mary Jane's father or her brother - and Eliza Ann Harris, the bride's sister.

Dan and Mary had eight children: 

1. John Botterill b. 1880 M Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 742
2. Daniel Thompson Botterill b. 1882 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 987, baptised at 18 on 22 Mar 1900 at St James Hatcham
3. Alice Botterill b. 1884 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 981
4. Kate Elizabeth b. 1886 J Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1008
5. Bessie Botterill b. 1 Aug 1888 S Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B 756
6. Esther Botterill b. 31 Jan 1891 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 1089
7. Alfred Botterill b. 31 Oct 1894 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 1045
8. Florrie Botterill b. 1900 M Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1072

In 1881, they were living at 16, Duke Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich, with Dan (24), Engine Fitter, Mary (22) and their eldest child, John (1).

In 1891, living in Bentham Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich, we find Dan (34), Steam Engine Fitter, Mary (32), Daniel (9), Bessie (2) and Esther (0), as well as Thomas Thompson (54), a blacksmith and Janet Thompson (51), visitors, from Monkwearmouth, Durham. John (11) and Alice (6) were visiting their Botterill grandparents at the Holly Tree Arms in Lewisham, while Kate was staying with her Harris grandparents at The Green, Deptford.

In 1901, still at Bentham Street, Deptford, were Dan (44), Marine Engine Fitter, Mary Jane (42), Daniel (19), Alice (19), Kate (14), Bessie (12), Esther (10), Alfred (6) and Florrie (1). John (21), Sign Writer, was staying with his grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Botterill at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham. 

By 1911, they'd moved to 65 Childers St, Deptford, with Dan (54), Marine and General Fitter, Mary (52), Alice (26), Seed Packer, Bessie Standing (22) (married in 1909), Esther Botterill (20), Seed Packer, Alfred Botterill (16), Pattern Maker Apprentice, Florrie Botterill (11), Thomas Harris (31), Boiler Makers Rivetter (Mary Jane's brother) and George Standing (0), visitor. John Botterill (31), was still at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham with his aunt, Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill. Daniel Thompson Botterill had died in 1908, aged just 26. Kate Botterill, in 1911, was working as a Housemaid at 50 Pall Mall, St James Westminster, London. The 1911 Census confirmed that Dan and Mary Jane had eight children, with seven then still living.

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill died on 16 Apr 1917, aged 60 and is buried in Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery together with his parents.

In 1921, Mary Botterill (62) Widow, was still living at 65, Childers Street, Deptford with Kate Botterill (35) Dispatch Clerk Film Trade; Esther Botterill (30) Machine Hand Film Trade; Alfred Botterill (26) Engineers Pattern & Maker and Florrie Botterill (21) Purse Hand Leather Worker. John Botterill (41) Sign Writer, was once again living with his aunt, Mary L A Botterill at 69, Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Also living at 65, Childers Street, Deptford, were George and Bessie Standing and their two sons. Alice had emigrated.

Mary Jane Botterill died, at 65, on 12 Apr 1924, in 1924 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 761.

• John Botterill, died, unmarried, at 55, in Deptford in 1936
• Daniel Thompson Botterill, married in 1905 and died in 1908
• Alice Botterill married Edwin Cruttenden in New Zealand
• Kate Elizabeth Botterill died, at 80, in New Zealand, in 1966
• Bessie Botterill married George Hemens Standing on 23 Oct 1909
• Esther Botterill married William Henry Cross (b. 10 Apr 1888) on 23 Nov 1921, at St Paul's, Deptford. They had one son, Robert Henry Cross b. 8 Jul 1922, who married, in Thurrock, in 1947. Esther Cross died, at 52, in Stepney, in 1943; William Henry Cross died in Thurrock in 1964. Robert Henry Cross died in 2004.
• Alfred Botterill married Margaret Ellen Pilling in 1923, in Dartford, Kent. Alfred Botterill is listed among Civilian War Dead, having died on 25 Oct 1940. Son of the late Daniel Botterill; husband of Margaret Ellen Botterill, of 24 Roseveare Road, Grove Park. Injured at the London Power Company; died same day at Miller Hospital.
• Florrie Botterill also emigrated to New Zealand, where, on 28 May 1927, she married John Kenneth Gordon Apperley.

Postcard sent to Alice Botterill at 65 Childers Street, Deptford

John Oxford and Elizabeth Lang

Charles Church, the second most ancient parish church in Plymouth.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5218300

John Oxford (bap. 26 Dec 1777), son of Henry and Mary Oxford, married Elizabeth Lang (bap. 24 Aug 1778 in Stoke Damerel), daughter of James Lang and Mary Smart, on 4 Sep 1803 at Charles Church, Plymouth.

John and Elizabeth had at least the following children, all baptised at Plymouth, Charles the Martyr (Charles Church, Plymouth):

1. John Oxford b. 7 Sep 1804, bap. 7 Apr 1805. With a subsequent child also named John, it is likely this child died as an infant and there's a burial of a John Oxford, although the age is not listed, on 28 Oct 1805
2. John Lang Oxford b. 29 Nov 1807, bap. 6 Jan 1808
3. Elizabeth Ann Mills Oxford b. 22 Aug 1808, bap. 27 Aug 1809. Died, aged 12, and was buried at Charles Church, Plymouth on 15 May 1820
4. Henry Lang Oxford b. 13 Aug 1810, bap. 28 Oct 1810
5. Mary Amelia Oxford b. 29 Nov 1811, bap. 15 Jun 1817. Baptism lists her as Mary Emilia (sic) and John's occupation as Shipwright
6. Edward Oxford b. ~1821
7. Emma Oxford b. ~1826

Found no baptism records [yet] for Edward or Emma, however, they were on 1841 Census and Emma's marriage, in 1847, confirms her father as John Oxford, Shipwright. With significant gaps, there may have been others.

By 1841, John Oxford (60) was resident in Devonport Workhouse (previously Stoke Damerel Parish Workhouse). Elizabeth Oxford (~65) was living in what looks like a boarding house, in Old Town Street, Plymouth St Andrew, along with Edward Oxford (20) and Emma Oxford (15). 

Elizabeth Oxford died, in Stoke Damerel, on 22 Dec 1845 (1845 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 262) and was buried, in the parish of Stoke Damerel, on 26 Dec 1845. Her age, estimated to 60 (she was 67), is likely just a wild guess by the overseers. Her residence at the time of death was 'Workhouse'. "Until the National Health Service was established in 1948, the Workhouse Infirmary was one of the few places where medical care could be obtained free of charge. As a result, many babies were born in the Workhouse and many older people ended their days there." [Source] Inside Plymouth's dismal Workhouses which housed the poor and disabled.

In 1851, John Oxford (74) Widower, is again listed at the Workhouse in Stoke Damerel, proudly listed as "Shipwright Employed Thirty Men".

John Oxford died, aged 76, on 16 Aug 1853 (1853 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 184). Once more, the record of his burial, on 20 Aug 1853, in that parish, gives his last address as 'Workhouse'.

Con Colleano and Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail

Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail and Con Colleano

Cornelius Sullivan (b. 26 Dec 1899 in Lismore, New South Wales), Theatrical, son of Cornelius Sullivan and Julia Robinson, married my grandmother's 2nd cousin, Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail (b. 16 Sep 1900 in Lambeth, Surrey), Actress, daughter of Herbert Fleming Trevail and Alice Maud Stanley Blazey on 10 July 1926 in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan. The marriage licence states they were married by the Associate Pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, from which I deduce that the venue was the Central United Methodist Church (Detroit), although they were resident in Brooklyn, New York. Both stated they'd not been married before.

While researching, I found a record of a marriage of a Winifred C Trevail, in Victoria, Australia, in 1919 to a Leonard Mendoza. Even sounded like Winnie's "type" and I knew I would need to obtain the certificate to confirm, but just how many people named Winifred C Trevail were there likely to be, and in the same area? As expected, the record clearly tells us that the marriage between Leonard Mendoza (24) Bachelor, born in Melbourne, Victoria, son of Charles Mendoza, Carpenter and Annie Gordon, and Winifred Constance Trevail (19) Spinster, born in Brixton, England - both list their occupations as 'Theatrical' - in the Parish or Church District of Melbourne on 15 Aug 1919, lists her father as Herbert Trevail, Carpenter and mother as Alice Blazey, so there can be absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this was indeed 'our' Winnie.

It's said that Winnie met Con, in Melbourne, Victoria, when she was 22. What can have happened to Leonard Mendoza in those 3 years? If he'd died, or they divorced, Winnie would have listed that she was a widow or a divorcee when she married Con, so I'm certain Winnie was committing bigamy in 1926.

We also know Winnie was in Melbourne before that first marriage, because in the Victoria Police Gazette of 11 Apr 1918, appeared the following report: "TREVAIL, WINNIE theatrical, 7 McKenzie Street, Melbourne, reports stolen from the dressing-room, Bijou Theatre, Bourke Street, Melbourne on the 3rd inst. a diamond cluster ring, diamond in the centre set with other stones around, the centre stone is set a little to side, gold band at side of setting is wavy. Value £8." There can be no doubt who made this report either. 

Several articles mention that Winifred "claimed descent from the Earls of Derby" and it appears the source is her brother, Eric, so I assume the story was perpetuated within the family. It's very tempting to dismiss this entirely as theatrical fantasy, but as Winnie's great-grandfather on her mother's side, Augustus George Stanley, came from a quite well off background, and the family name of the Earls of Derby, is also Stanley, who knows? On the other hand, I can confirm that Winnie was a cousin of Silvanus Trevail, famous architect and former Mayor of Truro. Her great-grandfather, Joseph Trevail, was the younger brother of Philip Trevail, Silvanus Trevail's grandfather.

Known professionally as Con Colleano, Cornelius Sullivan, was the most famous and highest paid "swashbuckling circus performer with matinee idol looks" of his time, “The Australian Wizard of the Wire”. A member of the Circus Hall of Fame, Con Colleano is in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person to prefect the forward somersault on the tight wire. 

"Mrs. Winnie Colleano (neé Trevail) was herself a well known Australian Vaudeville Soubrette", dancer and trapeze artist." One article says that Winnie Trevail began appearing on the stage in Sydney as a child, but actually, she was performing before that in New Zealand. There in Lyttelton, New Zealand in 1909 - where her father's aunts, Ellen Higgs and Mary Ann Burn Trevail Bawden then lived - reports in the Lyttelton Times in Oct 1909 detail that Miss Winnie Trevail was appearing in one of the principle roles in a production staged by the Garrick Juvenile Opera Company, at the Opera House there. 

Trevail abandoned her own career in 1924 to travel with her husband.

Con Colleano on a slack-wire, circa 1920

Con Colleano, was of Aboriginal, Anglo-Irish and West Indian descent and adopted a Spanish persona and a costume of a ‘toreador’ or bullfighter.

Colleano’s Indigenous heritage was unknown to his fans – which included one of history’s most infamous racists - "Few people are aware of the fact that in the 1930’s, Adolf Hitler issued an Aboriginal Australian tightrope walker with a German passport so he could come and go as he pleased."

Passenger lists reveal that Cornelius Sullivan and Winifred C. S. Trevail left Southampton, England on 13 Sep 1924, on the RMS Berengaria (former SS Imperator), The first Cunard "Queen". This was their first trip to the US, so their port of arrival was the infamous Ellis Island, New York. Clearly they were let in. Various sources tell us that, in 1924, Con made his debut at the New York Hippodrome before returning to the circus with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

There's also record of Cornelius and Winifred C Sullivan Colleano travelling from Southampton to New York, on the Berengaria, on 24 Feb 1937.

On 7 Jan 1938, Cornelius and Winifred (Sullivan) Colleano, left Sydney, bound for California, on the luxury ocean liner, SS Mariposa (1931).

On 8 Sep 1939, Cornelius and Winifred Sullivan, listed as British, boarded the Italian ocean liner, SS Rex, leaving Genoa, bound for New York.

In 1940, they are shown arriving in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

These, I'm sure are just the tip of a globe-trotting iceberg, but it was finding these records of voyages that led me to discover more of their story.

The former Albion Hotel (pub) at Forbes, New South Wales, Sheba, CC BY-SA 2.0

"Sadly Con and Winnie ultimately lost all their money indulging in a luxurious lifestyle, giving it away to friends and making a disastrous investment in a pub in outback Australia in the 1950s (what were they thinking?)."

Con Sullivan died, in Miami, Florida, on 13 Nov 1973 and in his obituary in The Stage, the wife of Con's brother is quoted as saying, "His wife WINNIE has cabled that she is broken-hearted because she found my dear brother-in-law lying dead, obviously she is too shocked to tell me more."

Winnie returned to Australia, where she died, in Sydney, in on 5 Jan 1986. 

Con Colleano home movie: circus preparations (1928)

Sources (many of these links contain images):

1. Con Colleano From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2. “The Australian Wizard of the Wire”
3. AUSTRALIAN VARIETY THEATRE ARCHIVE
4. Inducted into the Ring of Fame: 1992
5. Meet the true circus wonders
6. Con Colleano: Australia's 'Wizard of the Wire'
7. Con Colleano: Wizard of the Wire
8. Colleano, Con (Cornelius) (1899–1973)
9. Circus pays homage to wire wizard
10. Interview with Eric Trevail, brother of Winnie Colleano
11. The Aboriginal tightrope walker who duped Hitler & Mussolini

Videos:

1. Con Colleano rehearsing his tight wire act at his home, circa 1939
2. COLLEANO, CON, Australia's tightwire wizard (USA, c.1929)
3. COLLEANO, CON, a life commemorated, (Australia, 2005)
4. COLLEANO, CON, mini-doco of tightwire artist (Australia, 1994)
5. Con Colleano home movie: circus preparations (1928)

Further reading: The wizard of the wire : the story of Con Colleano 

Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns

St. Bartholomew's Tower, Heigham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/182191

Francis Stephen Blazey (b. 26 Dec 1810, bap. 30 Dec 1810 at St Martin at Oak, Norwich), illegitimate son of Susanna Blazey, married Hannah Minns, daughter of Robert Marsh Minns and Mary Kett, at St Bartholomew's, in Heigham, Norwich, on 29 Apr 1832. (The church was largely destroyed by bombing in 1944.) Witnesses were John Hubbard and Mary Hubbard.

Francis and Hannah appear to have at least 10 children:

1. Harriet Blazy b. 30 Apr 1832, bap. 8 May 1832 at St Martin at Oak. Buried at St Bartholomew's, Heigham, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month. 
2. Francis Robert Blazey b. 1 Aug, bap. 4 Aug 1833 at St Martin at Oak
3. Samuel Blazey b. 13 Jul 1836, bap. 17 Jul 1836 at St Martin at Oak. Died, aged 5 and was buried on 27 Oct 1841. (This child's death was registered in 1842 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 205).
4. Harriet Blazey b. 11 Jan 1839, bap. 13 Jan 1839 at St Martin at Oak
5. Samuel Blazey bap. 7 Nov 1841 in the Parish of Heigham, Norfolk
6. Hannah Blazey b. 17 Jun 1845 (1845 S Quarter in NORWICH Vol 13 Page 284), bap. 7 Jul 1845 and on 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
7. Elizabeth Blazey b. 6 Oct 1847 (1847 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 249), bap. 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
8. Eliza Blazey b. 16 Feb 1851* (1851 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 324), bap. 21 Oct 1863 at St Bartholomew's. *Birth year stated on baptism record was 1849, but very unlikely she was registered two years late and more likely was wrongly remembered ~12 years later.
9. William Blazey b. 7 Nov 1853 (1853 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 129), bap. 17 Nov 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham
10. Alice Blazey b. 6 Nov 1857 (1857 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 157). bap. 2 Oct 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham

Holy Trinity church, Heigham, was built in the 1860's and the parish records begin in 1867, so they were among the first to use this new church. 

[i] Harriet born in 1832 doesn't appear on the 1841 census, whereas the Harriet born in 1839 does. There's no record of a burial for a Harriet, but there is a record of a burial of a Hannah Blazey at St Bartholomew's, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month, which I'm confident must relate to this child. 

Most of the baptism records list Francis' occupation as a Dyer. On those of William and Alice, he's described as a Labourer. One wonders what happened for him to give up a skilled trade to take up presumably unskilled work.

In 1841, incorrectly listed as Blazeby, the family was living at Union Square, Heigham - this address was on daughter Hannah's birth certificate in 1845 - with Francis (30), Hannah (25), Francis (8), Sam (5) and Harriet (2).

Hannah Blazey (née Minns)

In 1851, Francis Blazey (40) Labourer was a Lodger in the household of Mary Wright (46) Widow at 1, Manchester Buildings, Heigham, Norwich. (Mary was Hannah Blazey's older sister.) There also were Hannah (38) Wife of Lodger; Francis (18) Labourer; Harriet (12), Samuel (9), Hannah (5) and Elizabeth (3).

In 1861, in Chapel Street, Heigham: Francis (50), Labourer, Hannah (48), Elizabeth (14), Eliza (10), William (7), Alice (3) and Mary A Wright (22), dressmaker, niece. Samuel (19) was with his brother Francis at at 2, St Pauls Street, Blockhouse, Worcester; Hannah (16) was General Servant to Anne Clifford (78), Widow, and her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth Clifford (48), teacher, at Earlham Road Terrace, Heigham, Norwich. (Today Earlham Road is part of the so-called Golden Triangle in Norwich, "The Golden Triangle's terraces house professionals, families and many students from the nearby University of East Anglia; its friendly atmosphere has resulted in the Golden Triangle being dubbed the Norwich version of London's Notting Hill.")

By 1871, Francis Blazey (60), Hannah (57), with just William (17) and Alice (13) still at home, were living at 16 Globe St, Heigham. In 1872, still in Globe Street, Francis Blazey is listed on the Norfolk Register of Electors. 

Francis Stephen Blazey died, aged 62, in 1873 M Quarter in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 111. He was buried at Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich.

In 1881, the widowed Hannah (67), was living at 3, Duke Street, Norwich Heigham, with son Samuel (35), Sam's son Alfred (11) and daughter Hannah's two children, Walter White (11) and Laura White (10). (It is also apparently written on the back of the image of Hannah that she looked after her older sister Mary Ann Wright's children.) Elizabeth Blazey (32) Housekeeper from Norwich, Norfolk, was employed by A L Popham, Widow at Littlecott Hall, Ramsbury, Wiltshire. (Littlecote House).

In 1891, Samuel (49) and his daughter, Elizabeth (17), were still living with Hannah (78) in Manchester Street, Norwich.

In 1901, Hannah (90) and Samuel (57), still resided in Manchester Street.

Hannah Blazey died, aged 91, in 1903 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B 95. Hannah Blazey was also buried at Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich.

Joseph Hill Adcock and Martha Naseby

St Andrew's Church, Rugby
G-13114, CC BY-SA 4.0

Joseph Hill Adcock (b. 1842 in Stamford, Lincolnshire), son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Martha Naseby (b. 1850 in Rugby, Warwickshire), daughter of William Naseby and Eliza Thompson at St Andrew's Church, Rugby on 8 Apr 1869. Although the pair were not blood relatives, they were still 'keeping it in the family', because Joseph's father, James Adcock was the brother of Mary Adcock, wife of Daniel Thompson, who was the brother of Eliza Thompson, Martha's mother. Don't worry if you're still confused.

Joseph and Martha had four children: 

1. George Hill Adcock b. 1870 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 452, bap. 9 Oct 1870 at St Andrew's, Rugby
2. James William Adcock b. 1875 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 532, bap. 11 Jul 1875 at St Andrew's
3. Mary Elizabeth Mobbs Adcock b. 1877 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 612, bap 29 Apr 1877 at St Matthew's, Rugby
4. Louisa Cox Adcock b. 1880 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 514, bap. 26 Dec 1880 at St Matthew's, Rugby

In 1871, living in Rugby, we find Joseph H Adcock (29), Gardener from Stamford, Lincs; Martha Adcock (21) and son George H Adcock (0).

In 1881, living at Cemetery Lodge, Clifton Road, Rugby, Joseph Hill Adcock (39) was Cemetery Lodge Keeper. Living with him were wife Martha (31), George Hill (10), James William (5), Mary E (4) and Louisa C (0).

In 1891, in Clifton Road, Joseph Adcock (49) was Cemetery Manager. Listed also were Martha (41), George (20), William (15), Mary (14) and Louisa (10). 

By 1901, living in Oxford Street, Rugby, Joseph Adcock (59) was a Shop Keeper, Green Grocer - perhaps working for or with his father-in-law, William Naseby - with wife Martha (51) and James Bazely (15) Errand Boy.

Joseph Hill Adcock died on 25 Aug 1903, aged 61 (1903 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 307). Probate was granted on 5 Oct 1903 with Martha Adcock being the sole beneficiary. 

Martha Adcock died, aged 58, in 1908 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 301 and was buried, on 1 May 1908, at Newbold-on-Avon.

Rugby-Clifton Road Cemetery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Rob - geograph.org.uk/p/749760