Benjamin Tompson Soppit and Ida Lily Hepworth

St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset

Benjamin Tompson Soppit (b. 13 Nov 1884 in Bromley, Kent), son of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson, married Ida Lily Hepworth (b. 16 Sep 1891 in Exeter), daughter of Vincent Hepworth and Mary Ann (Annie) Rogers, at St Mary Major, Exeter, on 2 Jul 1913. Ida Lily Hepworth gave her residence as 3 Cathedral Yard, Exeter (now the address of Al Farid restaurant). Witnesses were Annie Adams (Ida's mother who remarried in 1908), H W (Henry Wood) Adams, her step-father, and John Soppit, presumably Benjamin's father.

The Church of St Mary Major, Exeter, formerly Exeter Minster, stood in Exeter Cathedral Yard, between the west front of the cathedral and next to The Three Gables, the building which now houses Al Farid restaurant. Having been rebuilt several times, St Mary Major was demolished in 1971.

In 1911, Ida Hepworth had been a Hospital Nurse at The Croydon Borough Hospital for Infectious Diseases (Waddon Hospital). The Hospital was extended in 1911 to include two isolation pavilions and a Nurses' Home.

Benjamin and Ida had two children:

1. John Vincent Soppit b. 15 Jul 1914 S Quarter in YORK Vol 09D Page 27
2. Ida Louisa Soppit b. 1916 M Quarter in PLYMPTON ST. MARY Volume 05B Page 293

In March 1916 Benjamin Tompson Soppit M2/115307 was serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Salonica [Thessaloniki] on the Macedonian front. He ultimately achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant and Adjutant.

In 1939, Benjamin and Ida were living at 46 Cambridge Drive, Lee, Lewisham.

Final resting place of Benjamin Tompson and Ida Lily Soppit

They later moved to 43 Barrack Row, Durweston, near to their daughter.

Benjamin Tompson Soppit died on 28 Jan 1969, aged 85. Ida Lily Soppit died on 3 Jun 1995, at the age of 103 years 9 months (DOR Q2/1995 in NORTH DORSET (4301) Reg 54 Entry Number 140). They're buried together in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset.

The inscription reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

BENJAMIN TOMPSON SOPPIT

WHO FELL ASLEEP

28th JAN 1969

Faithful in all things

ALSO OF HIS WIFE

IDA LILY

3rd June 1995

In her 104th year

• John Vincent Soppit married Olive Constance Archer in 1943 in Bromley, Kent. Listed in the 21 Jun 1945 edition of The London Gazette is Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) John Vincent SOPPIT (124996), Royal Army Service Corps (Beckenham, Kent). They had one daughter, Amanda Janet Soppit, born in 1946. John Vincent Soppit died in London in 1990. Olive Constance Soppit of 54 Greenways, Beckenham, Kent, died on 1 Dec 2010. Amanda Janet Soppit appears not to have married and died on 9 Apr 2015.
• 'Betty' I L [Ida Louisa] Soppit married Alfred Ernest Woodley, in Deptford, London in 1938. In 1939, Alfred E Woodley (b. 22 Jan 1913) School Master, and Betty I L Woodley were living at 77 Salisbury Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset. They had one son, born in Carlisle, Cumberland, in 1942. Alfred Ernest Woodley of The Old Bank House, Blandford, died, aged 30, on 17 Feb 1943 at Bewaldeth Village, Cockermouth, Cumberland. Betty I L Woodley then remarried to Harold Greenleaves in Blandford, Dorset in 1944. They had one son in 1945. Harold Greenleaves, born 1904, died in North Dorset, in 2003. Betty Ida Louisa Greenleaves died, on 29 Jul 2014. Both sons appear to be still living.

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.

Benjamin Copeland and Tamar Hockley

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lord - geograph.org.uk/p/3307085

Benjamin Copeland (b. ~1841 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland), Corporal Royal Artillery, Artillery Barracks, married Tamar Hockley (b. 1844 in Great Dunmow, Essex) daughter of George Hockley and Eliza Crow, then resident at Woolwich Common, at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, on 15 Jun 1869. Benjamin Copeland lists his father as Benjamin Copeland, Farmer and it's usually suspicious if a groom a) uses the same name as himself and b) says his father was a farmer, however, I've not found a birth record in Ireland to confirm or deny it. Witnesses were Joseph C Leopard and Ellen Leopard (who appear to be a local couple, but I don't know their connection).

Benjamin and Tamar Copeland had four children:

1. Arthur Edward Copeland b. 19 Aug 1870 (1870 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 858), bap. 25 Sep 1870 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich and also entered into the register at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich, by which time Benjamin Copeland had been promoted to Sergeant Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery. (Died 1901.)
2. Alice Lucy Copeland b. 15 Nov 1872 (1872 D Qtr in WOOLWICH Vol 01D Page 947), bap. 27 Dec 1872 at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich. Died, at 14, in 1887 M Qtr in WOOLWICH Vol 01D 728.
3. Edith Tamar Copeland b. 16 Jun 1878 (1878 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1057), bap. 17 Jul 1878 at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich. Benjamin Copeland was Sergeant Major R A. Died, aged 5, in 1883 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 275 and was buried on 22 Jul 1883 at St Mary's Church, Great Canfield.
4. Eleanor Elizabeth Copeland b. 30 Sep 1881 in Gosport, Hampshire (1881 D Qtr in FAREHAM Vol 02B Page 577). (No baptism found.)

In 1871, Benjamin Copeland (30) Sergeant Royal Artillery from Ireland was living at Royal Artillery Cottages, Charlton, Woolwich with Tamar Copeland (25) from Great Dunmow, Essex and Arthur E Copeland (7 months).

In 1881, Benjamin Copeland (40) Master Gunner Royal Artillery (SLDR) from Enniscorthy, Ireland was at Fort Grange, Gosport, with Tamar Copeland (34), Arthur Copeland (10), Alice Copeland (8), Edith Copeland (2) and two soldiers, William Chappell (37) and Frederick Hide (23).

Benjamin Copeland from the parish of St Mary's, Enniscorthy, Ireland, formerly a Clerk, had enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Liverpool at the age of 21, on 17 Jan 1862, at which point, his military record notes, he was 5ft 5⅜in tall, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He was awarded a silver medal for long service & good conduct, as well as a Gratuity of £5, and discharged, on 23 Jan 1883, after 21 years service, at Portsmouth, with his intended residence on discharge recorded as Great Canfield, Essex.

In 1891, however, Benjamin Copeland (50) Writer Royal Arsenal, was living at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (45) and Eleanor E Copland (9). Arthur Edward Copeland (22) Acting bombardier, was at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Artillery Place, Woolwich.

In 1901, Benjamin Copeland (59) Pensioner and Writer in Royal Arsenal, was still living at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (57), William E Doyle (63) Army Pensioner from Liverpool; Alice J Copeland (29) Daughter-in-law from Norfolk, England; George A Copeland (4) Grandson born in Plumstead and Edith E Copeland (3) Granddaughter, born in Devon.

In 1911, Benjamin Copeland (72) Army Pensioned Master Gunner Royal Artillery was still living at 27 Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (67) and William Sayle Edwards (74) Army Pensioner Warrant Officer, Boarder. The 1911 Census confirms that they had been married for 41 years and had four children, of whom one was living and, sadly, three had died.

Benjamin Copeland died on 15 May 1913 (1913 J Quarter in WOOLWICH Vol 01D Page 1191) and was buried on 20 May 1913 in Greenwich.

Tamar Copeland died in 1925 M Qtr in HAMMERSMITH Vol 01A 301, at 82.

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

James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish

Broadhembury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Stowell - geograph.org.uk/p/6855

James Wood (bap. 2 Aug 1857 in Kentisbeare), son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Ann Melhuish (b. ~1864) on 20 May 1883 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare. The spaces for Mary Ann's father are left blank on the marriage certificate who consistently said she was born in Clayhidon, Devon. (There was a Mary Ann Melhuish born illegitimately to an Elizabeth Melhuish, on 12 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 445), but that birth was in Hemyock.) Were they connected to Mary Jane Melhuish, who James' elder brother Henry had married.

James and Mary Ann had 11 children:

1. Robert Wood b. 1883 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 404, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare (Baptised at 18 months old.) 
2. Sarah Ann Wood b. 1885 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 405, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare
3. Edith Maud Wood b. 24 Jul 1887 (1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421), bap. 14 Aug 1887 in Kentisbeare
4. Harriet Mary Wood b. 23 Nov 1888 (1889 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 419), bap. 13 Jan 1889 in Kentisbeare
5. George Wood b. 30 Aug 1890 (1890 D Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 13), bap. 5 Oct 1890 in Broadhembury
6. Unnamed male Wood b. 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 16 (Died 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14)
7. Eldred James Wood b. 15 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14), bap. 1 Apr 1894 in Broadhembury. 
8. Mabel Wood b. 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 385, bap. 8 Aug 1896, marked P.B. Private Baptism, presumably at home. (Died at 21 days old (1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 257), buried 23 Aug 1896, also in Kentisbeare)
9. Roland Ashford Wood b. 25 Jan 1898 (1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 384), bap. 13 Mar 1898 in Kentisbeare
10. Reginald Leonard Wood b. 8 May 1901 (1901 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378), bap. ? 1901 in Blackborough
11. Mabel Frances Wood b. 1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 380 (Died at 26 days old (1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307), buried 17 Jan 1904 in Blackborough)

In 1891 the family were living in Broad Road, Broadhembury, Honiton with James Wood (32) Agricultural Labourer, Mary A (29), Robert (7), Sarah A (5), Edith M (3), Harriet M (2) and George (0).

In 1901, they were back in Kentisbeare at Hollis Green, with James Wood (43), Mary A (39), Edith (13), Harriet M (12), George (10), Eldred J (7) and Roland A (3). I've been unable to find either Robert or Sarah Ann. 

In 1911, at Cobblers Hall, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (53), Mary Ann (49), Sarah Ann Wood (25) Servant Cook, and Reginald Leonard Wood (9). They confirm on this census that they had 11 children during their 28 years of marriage, with 8 still living and 3 had died. Harriet Mary Wood (23) from Kentisbeare, Devon was Cook in the household of James Browning Young (63) Retired Captain Royal Navy at Wimborne Minster, Dorset.

James Wood died at 61 on 11 Nov 1918 (1918 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 833) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

In 1921, Mary Ann Wood (58) Widow, was living at Downlands, Kentisbeare, Devon with Roland Ashford Wood (23) & Reginald Leonard Wood (20) Farm Labourers; Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8) Grandson; Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) Grandson; Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) Granddaughter and Robert Wood (37) Visitor (eldest son).

In 1939, Mary Ann Wood, Widow, was living at 15, Blackborough with her youngest son, Reginald Leonard, then employed as a Rabbit Trapper. 

Mary Ann Wood died ~91 on 6 Jan 1955 (1955 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A Page 1000) and buried with her late husband at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.

• George Wood died on 29 Dec 1953 and is buried at St Mary's, Kentisbeare, with his brother Reginald and niece, Connie Edmond.
• Eldred James Wood served in the Devonshire Regiment during World War I and married Margaret Evans in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales in 1916. Eldred James Wood died on 19 Aug 1967 in Weymouth, Dorset and was buried back at St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare. Margaret Wood died on 8 Jul 1975 and was buried with her late husband.
• Roland Ashford Wood married Cicely Butt in 1939. That year they were living at Bodmiscombe Wood, where Roland was a Farmer. Roland Ashford Wood died on 28 Feb 1975. Cicely Wood died on 23 Oct 1981. They are buried together at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
• Reginald Leonard Wood of 15 Blaydon Cottages, Blackborough, 53, died on 18 Jun 1954 (1954 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 725) at Tiverton and District Hospital. As he left his effects to his widowed mother, he probably hadn't married. 

William George Beamer and Elsie May Carver

HMS Impregnable in the Hamoaze off Devonport Dockyard

William George Beamer (b. 4 Jan 1886 in East Stonehouse), son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Elsie May Carver (b. 22 Nov 1894, bap. 16 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity Church), daughter of Charles Frederick Carver from Clerkenwell, London and Frances Rundle, native of Plymouth, at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, which church was located in Southside Street/Friars Lane, Barbican, Plymouth, on 17 May 1916. (This church no longer exists because it was was destroyed in the Second World War.)

At 16, in 1901, William George Beamer had been a member of the crew of HMS Impregnable 1st Rate (Training Ship For Boys), in the Hamoaze, Devonport off Maker, St Germans, Cornwall. (HMS Impregnable became the Royal Navy's second boys' training ship at Devonport in 1862.)

Having signed up for a further 12 years in the Royal Navy, on 4 Feb 1903, William was discharged, invalided, on 8 Jun 1905. Then on 9 Sep 1905, he enlisted in the British Army in the Devonshire Regiment. One wonders what condition was classed as invalid for the Navy, but still fit for the Army.

Next we find William George Beamer (26), in 1911, with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, stationed at Saint Georges Barracks, Malta. (Part of the Pembroke Army Garrison, at Pembroke, Malta, near St. Julian's.)

William George Beamer was the recipient of a Silver War Badge, having been discharged from the Machine Gun Corps on 30 Mar 1917, under King's Regulation 392 (xvi) “No longer physically fit for war service". "He has a Ministry of Pensions record card which shows him as 22105 MG, residing at 13 Walsdon Rd, Plymouth. He was discharged on 30.3.17. Cause - deafness. He was entitled to the Silver War Badge number 197170." (The Silver War Badge was designed to be worn on civilian clothes after early discharge from the army. The accompanying certificate will have read, "Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on ...")

Elsie's younger brother, Charles Frederick Carver (b. 1898), 5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment, son of Charles F. and Frances Carver, of 5, Artizan's Dwellings, Notte St., Plymouth, was killed in action on 20 Jul 1918 and is buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, France.

In 1921, William George Beamer (35) General Labourer for the Admiralty, and Elsie M Beamer (25) were living at 13, Wolsdon Street, Plymouth.

In 1939, William G Beamer, Skilled Labourer HM Dockyard, wife Elsie M Beamer and John F Carver (b. 1902), Road Repair Labourer (Elsie's brother), were still living at 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, Plymouth - buildings in that street were destroyed in the Second World War and demolished.

William George Beamer, of 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, died on 1 Jan 1956 (1956 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 834).

Elsie May Beamer died in the 4th quarter of 1973, aged 79.

James Luxton and Hannah Maria Hawkins

St John the Evangelist, Lambeth Tom Morris, CC BY-SA 3.0 (interior)

James Luxton (b. 1841 in Taunton, Somerset), son of Charles Luxton and Charlotte Townsend, married Hannah Maria Hawkins (b. 20 Aug 1839 in Tiverton, Devon), daughter of James Hawkins and Susannah Babb, at St John the Evangelist, Lambeth, on 11 May 1874. The couple undoubtedly met in Tiverton, perhaps were even childhood sweethearts, as James' parents had moved to Tiverton by 1853, where his younger sister was born that year.

This couple had five children, all baptised at at St Peter’s Church Tiverton.

1. Charles Frank Luxton, b. 28 Jan 1876 (GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 451), bap. 12 Feb 1876
2. Alice Luxton, b. 11 May 1878 (GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 452), bap. 26 May 1878
3. Alfred James Massey Luxton, b. 1 Apr 1880 (GRO Reference: 1880 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 470), bap. 18 Apr 1880
4. Emily Luxton b. 22 Jun 1882, (GRO Reference: 1882 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 433), bap. 9 Jul 1882
5. Jessie Luxton, b. 27 Jun 1886 (GRO Reference: 1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 423), bap. 25 Jul 1886

On 29 Mar 1860, at the age of 19, James Luxton had enlisted in the British Army and served for 13 years, 320 days, in the 10th Reg Of Foot, until 16 Jul 1874, being promoted to Corporal in 1869 and attaining the rank of Sergeant in 1871. During that time, he spent over nine years serving abroad in the Cape of Good Hope, St Helena, Japan, China and the Straits Settlements.

James was discharged from the army in 1874, found unfit for further service, because of a valve disease of the heart. "Due to a constitutional cause, aggravated by service in hot climates", says the medical report on his service record. It went on to say that it was first noticed at Singapore in Nov 1872, when the patient was under treatment for another complaint. "He suffers from a most serious heart disease which he can never recover from. He can contribute to his maintenance by light work only", it concludes. 

In 1881, James Luxton (40), Grocer (Chelsea Pensioner) in Bampton Street, Tiverton, was living with wife Hannah M Luxton (40), Charles F (5), Alice (2), Alfred J M (1) and Bessie Hewett (14) Nurse domestic servant.

Sadly, but unsurprisingly given his medical history, James Luxton died, aged 45, on 2 Sep 1886 (1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 272). 

In 1891, Maria Luxton, widow, lived in Sewards Court, Leat Street, Tiverton, where she worked as a silk lace mender; Charles F Luxton (15) was a machine boy at the lace factory (Heathcoat Lace Factory, Tiverton, Devon), Alice (12) was employed as a silk winder at the lace factory and Alfred J M (10) was also a machine boy at the lace factory. Emily (8) and Jessie (5) were at school.

By 1901, Hannah M Luxton (59), widow, was still a silk lace mender; Alice Luxton (22) had moved up to silk lace finisher; Alfred Jas M (20) was employed as a cellar man at a wine & spirit merchants; whilst Emily (18) and her younger sister, Jessie (14), were silk winders at the lace factory.

In 1911, Anne Maria Luxton (71) was still in Tiverton, living with her son, Alfred (31) still employed as a cellar man for a wine and spirit merchant.

Hannah Maria Luxton died, in Tiverton, in 1912 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 418), aged 72.

Workers' housing and mill, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/2458956

John Hartley and Anna Rookley

Shops in Terrace Road, Plaistow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/4132776

John Hartley (b. 1846 in Bow, Middlesex), son of John Hartley and Mary Blundell, married Anna Rookley (b. 1845 in Kentisbeare, Devon), youngest daughter of John Rookley and Mary Ayres, at St Stephen's Church, Tredegar Road, Bow (damaged during WW2 and demolished) on 9 May 1869.

Records suggest that John and Anna Hartley had four children:

1. Arthur John Hartley b. 1869, died aged 0. Death registered 1869 D Qtr in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 595. Birth shows in the next quarter, 1870 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 839.
2. Walter James Hartley b. 16 May 1872 (1872 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Pg 435), bap. 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, Devon. Died in 1891 M Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Pg 34, at 18.
3. Elias John Hartley (as it was on his birth registration) b. 14 Oct 1873 (1873 D Qtr in SOUTH SHIELDS Vol 10A Page 795), bap. John Elias Hartley on 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare
4. Alice Anna Hartley b. 1878 M Qtr in PEMBROKE Vol 11A Page 870, bap. 13 Mar 1878 at St John the Evangelist, Pembroke Dock

In 1871, John Hartley (25) from Middlesex, England and Anna Hartley (25) from Devon, England, were lodging at Charlton Place, St Mary, Pembroke.

Walter James Hartley and John Hartley were enrolled at Bradninch National School in 1880, a note next to their names on the school register says, "on a visit to Bradninch from London". Their aunt and uncle James Ridgeway and Thomasin Rookley (Thomasin was Anna's sister), lived in Bradninch.

In 1881, John Hartley (35) Engine Fitter from Bow, London, wife Anna (36) from Devon and Alice A (4) born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, were living at 4, Edward Street, West Ham, London. Walter Hartley (8) from Portsmouth and John Hartley (7) from Wales (clearly confused his birthplace with his sister's) were still visiting James and Thomasin Ridgeway, in Bradninch.

John Hartley was again registered at Bradninch National School in 1885, this time with James Ridgeway of Hele listed as his parent/guardian.

In 1891, at 4, Randolph Road, West Ham, were John Hartley (43) Marine Engineer; Annie Hartley (44), John Hartley (17) Smith and Alice Hartley (13).

John Hartley died, aged just 48, in 1895 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 87. And in the same quarter of the same year, their 16-17 year old daughter, Alice Anna Hartley married John Watson Bell, in Poplar.

John Hartley (b. 1873 in Newcastle, Northumberland) enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, at 22, on 11 Nov 1895, at Horse Guards, London. The record lists his previous occupation as Blacksmith, his father John, mother Anna and sister Alice (the family's address listed as 26, Freemasons Road, Custom House); that he was then 5ft 9in with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair, with a small scar on his right cheek. Recalled in 1899; convicted of Drunkenness and spent 5 days in prison from 22nd to 27th Jun 1899; served in South Africa from 21 Oct 1899 to 21 Jul 1902 (for the entirety of the Second Boer War); re-transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 Mar 1903; reengaged in 1907 and finally discharged in 1911.

In 1901, Anna Hartley (55) from Kentisbeare, Devon, listed as married rather than widowed, was living in the household of her son-in-law, John Watson Bell (32) Shipping Clerk at 104, Terrace Road, Plaistow (West Ham), with Alice Bell (23), Alice (5), Grace (4), John (2) and Beatrice (0).

Anne (sic) Hartley died in 1909 S Quarter in ROCHFORD Volume 04A Page 290, with age (under) estimated as 62. She was buried, on 28 Aug 1909, at St Mary's Church, Great Ilford.

In 1911, Jack [John Elias] Hartley (38) born in Jarrow, Newcastle, a Ship Worker at the Docks, was a boarder in Plaistow. John Elias Hartley died, at 71, in 1945 S Quarter in ESSEX SOUTH-WESTERN Vol 04A Page 128.

James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood

British Cemetery Graves, St Sever Cemetery Extension Photo: Giogo, Some rights reserved

James Edmond (b. 1888, in Prestonpans, Midlothian, Scotland), son of George Edmond and Helen Hardie, married Sarah Ann Wood (bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare) daughter of James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish, at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 8 May 1911. At that time, James Edmond was a Lodging House Keeper and Sarah was a Domestic Servant, both of Ponchydown, Kentisbeare (former Ponchydown Inn, Blackborough).

James and Sarah Ann had three children:

1. James Roland George Edmond b. 24 Jul 1912 in Scotland, bap. 29 Dec 1912 at Blackborough, Devon, although the family's address on the baptism record was given as 2 New St, Prestonpans.
2. Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond b. 23 Dec 1914 (1915 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 666)
3. Constance Mary Helen Edmond b. 11 May 1917 (1917 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 537)

On 23 Jun 1906, James Edmond enlisted for Short Service in the Scots Guards. He served until 23 Jun 1909 and was transferred to the reserve. However, he was mobilised again on 5 Aug 1914, the day after Britain declared war on Germany. James was promoted to Corporal in 1915 and Sergeant in 1916. His army record states that he embarked on the "SS Queen Alexandria", in Southampton on 9 Aug 1916, arriving in Le Havre the next day.

Admitted to hospital on 14 May 1918, dangerously ill, having received a gunshot wound to the head, James died of his wounds, at the No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, on 25 May 1918. Sgt James Edmond is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Plot: Q. I. A. 3.

In 1921, Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8), Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) and Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) were living with Sarah's mother, Mary Ann Wood, at Downlands, Kentisbeare.

Devington Park, Exminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sarah Charlesworth - geograph.org.uk/p/990195
A huge complex of apartments, housed in what was once the Devon Mental Hospital.

However, Sarah Ann Edmond, widow, of The Mental Hospital, Exminster (originally Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster), died at 48 on 4 Dec 1933 (1933 D Quarter in ST. THOMAS Volume 05B Page 76), leaving her effects to her son James Roland George Edmond, Guardsman.

In 1939, Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond was a Motor Driver, living at 3 Higher Summerlands, Whipton, Exeter. Constance M H Edmond, Incapacitated, was resident at the The Royal Western Counties Institution For Training And Treatment Of Mental Defectives, Starcross. Originally known as the Western Counties Idiot Asylum, this institution opened in 1864 in a house and land, rented from W.R. Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon. It later became known as the Western Counties Institution, Starcross, and was certified as 'a residential special school for mental defectives'. Residents were trained in carving, weaving, basketry, lace-making and carpentry, and worked on the institution's agricultural holdings. It was closed in 1986, and demolished. This dreadful terminology is very much 'of it's time', but reading between the lines, considering where she was living and the age, 32, she died my suspicion is that Connie may have been born with an extra chromosome. Constance M H Edmond died on 6 Aug 1949 (1949 S Quarter in DEVON CENTRAL Vol 07A Page 303) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

Charles Awton and Mary Maurice

St Michael, Awliscombe, Devon - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1726261

Charles Awton (bap. 1735 in Broadhembury, Devon) married Mary Maurice (b. 1737) at the church of St Michael and All Angels, Awliscombe, East Devon on 13 Apr 1762. The family name was probably, and it certainly became, Horton, but I'll reproduce what was written undoubtedly as a result of the Devonshire accent and the precedent set by the spelling of the village name.

Charles and Mary had at least ten children, all baptised in Awliscombe:

1. Betty Awton bap. 6 Jun 1762
2. John Awton bap. 7 Apr 1765 (John, son of Charles and Mary, was buried on 10 Feb 1782. He will have been 16.)
3. William Awton bap. 22 May 1768
4. Charles Awton bap. 9 Sep 1770
5. Mary Awton bap. 18 Apr 1773
6. Nancy Awton bap. 2 Jul 1775
7. Jenny Awton bap. 19 Apr 1778 (Later calling herself Jane)
8. Henry Awton bap. 14 Jan 1781 (Presume died as an infant)
9. John Awton bap. 11 Feb 1782
10. Henry Awton bap. 9 Jan 1785

Charles Awton reputedly died in 1810, however, I've found no evidence.

There is a burial of a Mary Auten (sic), on 21 Jun 1837 - the day after Queen Victoria ascended to the throne - in Awliscombe, who had lived to 100. 

Reenactors in the uniform of the 33rd Regiment of Foot (Wellington's Redcoats), who fought in the Napoleonic Wars between 1812 and 1816. (Slightly later than William Horton's time.)
“The 33rd Regiment was unquestionably the best trained regiment in the British Army at this time (1765 -1795).” [Source] WyrdLight.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Most of the Awtons/Hortons I've been unable to trace forward, however, William Horton, living with his sister, Jane Gollop, in Widworthy, in 1841 and 1851, described as a Chelsea Pensioner, who had served with Marquess Cornwallis' 33rd Regiment of Foot (the real one, not the reenactors, but this does help to visualise him in his red coat, looking like an extra in a Jane Austen drama). He was discharged on 21 Apr 1796: William Horton, Private of the Aforesaid Regiment, born in the parish of Orliscomb (sic), in or near the Market Town of Honiton, in the county of Devon, aged twenty-six years (ish) and by Trade a Labourer, hath served honestly and faithfully in the said Regiment, five years and eight months, but being lame of the right arm from a Wound received at Bois-de-duk (sic) on the 15th October 1794, which renders him unfit for service ... The regiment took part in the disastrous Flanders Campaign during the French Revolutionary Wars (War of the First Coalition). In 1794, Bois-le-Duc (French) ('s-Hertogenbosch a.k.a. Den Bosch, Netherlands) was taken by French troops of the newly created young republic. The Siège de Bois-le-Duc (1794) took place from 23 Sep to 5 Oct 1794, so it's clear that William Horton was there around that time.

Despite this, William Horton lived until the age of 84 and was buried, on 27 Mar 1853, in the churchyard of St Cuthbert's church in Widworthy.

Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman

Royal Marines' Stonehouse Barracks, Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth

Tom Stone (b. 11 Dec 1861 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married and Margaret Knapman (b. 28 Aug 1863 at Mary Rows (Mary Rose?) Cottage, St Budeaux Devon), daughter of Thomas Knapman and Kitty Hern. There's a record of their marriage, in Q1 1889, however, the British Royal Marines Marriage Registers, lists it as the Register Office, East Stonehouse on 5 Apr 1893. As there was no such thing as a Register Office (until after 1929), I assume this was an administrative ratification, once permission was granted, of the ceremony that had taken place in 1889, although there are civil registrations for both dates.

Peter Calver at Lost Cousins, potentially provides the explanation, as these rules would almost certainly apply to Marines too, "... soldiers needed the permission of their commanding officer if they wanted the marriage to be recognised (which is why you will sometimes come across a couple who married each other twice)." Either date was a little late and, in the haste to legitimise their eldest, may have forgotten to ask permission of the CO. 

On 11 Mar 1880, Tom Stone, then 18, enlisted in the Royal Marines, at that time was 5' 6¾", with a fair complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. His record states, "Right little finger amputated through second phalanx." As well as various stints at Plymouth Division, from 1881 to 1884 Tom was with HMS Mallard (1875), a Forester-class composite screw gunboat; from 3 Oct 1889 until 3 Jan 1893, he was assigned to HMS Himalaya (1854). 

In 1881, Tom Stone (19) Private RMLI was in Devonport, Stoke Damerel; There were a Thomas and Catherine Knapman in Tamerton-Foliott in 1881, who I believe to have been Margaret's parents. (Catherine was from Waterford, Ireland.); and Margaret Knapman (16) was a General Domestic Servant to Henry Couch (58) Farmer at Hays End, Tamerton-Foliott.

Tom and Margaret had six children:

1. Archer Henry Stone (Archie), b. 28 Mar 1889 (1889 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 223), bap. 21 May 1889, at the Wesleyan Methodist church, Tamerton Foliot. Died, at 18, on 11 Nov 1907, in Gillingham, Kent (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 393). Commemorated in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia.
2. Frederick Thomas Stone, b. 20 Jan 1892 (1892 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 297)
3. Beatrice May Stone, b. 14 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 189), bap. 27 May 1894 in Hooe, Plymouth
4. Bertram Charles Stone, b. 24 Feb 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 273) Died 16 Jun 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 211)
5. Leslie Victor Stone, b. 21 Feb 1901 (1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 273)
6. Rosina Kathleen Stone, b. 14 Apr 1903 (1903 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 238)

In 1891, Margaret Stone (25) and Archer H Stone (2) had been staying with her sister, Lucy Hoskins (23) in Star Lane, Tamerton Foliott.

In 1901 the family were living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse, with Tom Stone (39) listed as a Marine Pensioner. (Tom served in the Royal Marines for 21 years (+ 2 days), from 11 Mar 1880 until 13 Mar 1901, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 3 Jul 1901.) Also listed were Margaret (35), Archie (12), Frederick (9), Beatrice (7) and Leslie (0).

Archer Henry Stone enlisted in the Royal Marines, at 14, on 11 Nov 1903.

Tom Stone, General Labourer and Marine Pensioner, died, aged 43, at 3 Ashley Place, Plymouth, on 2 May 1905 (1905 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 171), from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

On 11 Nov 1907, Archie Stone (18) died at the Royal Naval Hospital (Medway Maritime Hospital) in Gillingham, Kent, of a Tubercle of the lung (Tuberculosis again) and cardiac failure (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 393). Initially, it didn't make sense that there was a commemorative stone to Archer Henry Stone in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia (albeit as Arthur H. Stone, Bugler, R.M.L.I. - his mates may not have known that Archer really was the given name he was registered and baptised with). However, this would appear to be one of many memorials to shipmates who died elsewhere. A closer look at Archer's Royal Marines record shows that in Feb/Mar 1907 Archie was with HMS Powerful (1895) that became the flagship of the Australia Station. He then transferred to HMS Prometheus (1898) and finally to HMS Pioneer, at that time a drill ship with the Australian Squadron. Archie's last line with Pioneer says he was 'on passage', which presumably means he was being brought home. 

In 1911, Margaret Stone, widowed and in receipt of Parochial Relief, was living in East Stonehouse, with Leslie V (10) and Rosina K (7). Frederick had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1907 and Beatrice (17) was working as a Servant for Samuel Reed, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, in Devonport.

On 11 Apr 1919, aged 18, Leslie Victor Stone joined the Royal Tank Corps.

In 1921, Margaret Erne Stone (57) Widowed; Frederick Thomas Stone (29) Royal Navy (Leading Signalman) and Rosina Kathleen Stone (18) were still living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse. Leslie Victor Stone (20) was with the Army Tank Corps at Pinehurst Barracks, Farnborough, Hampshire.

Margaret Erne Stone died (Erne - misheard with a dropped H - was in reference to Hern, Margaret's mother's maiden name), on 1 Sep 1921, aged 57 (1921 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 324), and probate was granted to her son, Frederick Thomas Stone, on 24 Dec 1921.

Charles Hockley and Annie Crow

Halfway House Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/231844

Charles Hockley (b. 27 Apr 1876), son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, like generations of the family grew up at Halfway House, married Annie Crow, daughter of James Crow and Ann Newcombe, who had lived virtually next door at Philpot End, in Great Dunmow, on 29 Mar 1902.

Charles and Annie Hockley had four children:

1. William Charles Hockley b. 7 Sep 1903 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 869, bap. 18 Oct 1903, in Great Dunmow
2. James Hockley b. 24 Oct 1909 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 842, bap. 28 Nov 1909 in Great Dunmow
3. Annie Hockley b. 14 Jan 1912 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 1696, bap. 25 Feb 1912 in Great Dunmow
4. Charles Francis Hockley b. 25 Mar 1915 J Quarter in DUNMOW 04A Page 1630, bap. 2 May 1915 in Great Dunmow

At Halfway House in 1911 were Charles Hockley (35) Farm Labourer, Annie Hockley (33), William Charles Hockley (7) and James Hockley (1).

None of the baptism records say where, but they do all confirm the family's residence at Halfway House. On the last baptism for Charles Francis in 1915, his father's occupation is given as Army Service Corps Serving in France. 

Despite about 60% of soldiers’ Service Records being irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombing in 1940 during the Second World War, Charles Hockley's record survives. Charles Hockley, Service number T4/041670 of Halfway House, Great Dunmow, Essex, had volunteered, age 38 years and 8 months, for 3 years service on 18 Jan 1915, at which time he was 5 ft 4¼ with a 37" chest. The record confirms the dates of birth of his four children, which it says were verified by certificates, but he'd incorrectly remembered the date of his wedding anniversary.

Charles was attached to the 452nd Horse Transport Company (he'd have been used to working with horses on the farm). See: Army Service Corps Horse Transport Companies. According to the list, pre-war, this was the 46th (North Midland) Division and his record does show him with the 46th Division Train - "the ‘workhorse’ of the Division in terms of carrying stores and supplies". Charles' embarked in Southampton on 18 Feb 1915, arriving in Le Havre the following day. It is recorded that the Division spent the first months in the Ypres Salient. Charles was in France until he was discharged on 22 Mar 1919. He received a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.

In 1939, at Halfway House Cottages, Great Dunmow, were Charles Hockley, Labourer Stockman; Annie Hockley; James Hockley, Farm Labourer and Charles Francis Hockley, Heavy Tractor Driver (Agricultural Contract Work).

Charles Hockley died, aged 76, in 1953 J Qtr in BRAINTREE Vol 04A 283.

Annie Hockley died, aged 77, in 1955 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 540.

• William Charles Hockley of Church Cottage, Tilty, had married Jessica Emma Trott, daughter of Robert William Trott, on 11 Feb 1928 in Tilty, Essex. In 1939, William C Hockley, Gardener, and Jessie E Hockley were living at The Fields, Stansted Mountfitchet. William Charles Hockley died, aged 86, in Bishops Stortford, in 1989. Jessie Emma Hockley died, aged 92, in Harlow, in 1998.
• James Hockley, of Halfway House Cottage, Ongar Road, Great Dunmow, died on 2 Oct 1979. He does not appear to ever marry.
• Annie C Hockley (she didn't have a second name, but the birth date agrees), married Fred Hardy in Great Dunmow in 1937. In 1939, Fred Hardy, Horseman on farm and Annie Hardy were living at Tolliday Cottages, Stebbing, Great Dunmow. Fred Hardy died, aged 80, in 1985 and Anny Hardy, aged 77 in 1989.
• Charles Francis Hockley died on 5 Sep 2012. He'll have been 97.