William Crow and Judith Doe

St Mary's, Great Canfield, Essex

William Crow (b. ~1789) married Judith Doe (b. ~1792), daughter of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones, on 17 Mar 1814 at St Mary, Great Canfield. 

Confusingly, there were several people called William Crow, born around 1789-1791. One of the others was born in Little Waltham, in 1791, who I can trace, later appearing in other places, so that one is definitely not our man. Unfortunately, on some websites, the distinction has not been spotted and the two conflated. There was a William Crow bap. 29 Mar 1789 at St Mary the Virgin, Broxted, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Crow, who I believe to be a possibility, but this would need much more evidence for confirmation.

The following 15 children, however, can be attributed to this couple: 

1. Elizabeth Crow bap. 7 Aug 1814 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
2. William Crow bap. 24 Dec 1816 in Great Canfield
3. Henry Crow bap. 6 Apr 1817 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Canfield
4. Charlotte Crow bap. 25 Apr 1819 in Great Dunmow
5. Eliza Crowe (sic) bap. 18 Jun 1820 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
6. Jane Crow b. 21 Apr 1822, bap. 29 Apr 1825 at Dunmow Chapel
7. John Crowe (sic) b. 16 Nov 1823, bap. in Great Dunmow [1]
8. George Crow b. 17 Sep 1825, bap. in Great Dunmow [1]
9. Thomas Crow b. 9 May 1827, bap. in Great Dunmow [1]
10. Stephen Crow b. ~1830, said to have been bap. 10 April 1831
11. James Crow b. 10 Nov 1830, bap. 10 Apr 1831 in Great Dunmow
12. Robert Crow b. 16 Mar 1832, bap. 27 May 1832. Died, aged 2, and was buried on 7 Feb 1834 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
13. Matilda Crow b. 8 Oct 1833, bap. 29 Jun 1834 in Great Dunmow
14. Mary Crow b. 28 Mar 1835, bap. 8 Sep 1835. Died, aged 4 in 1840 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 63 and buried on 17 Jan 1840.
15. Sarah Crow b. 20 Jul 1836, bap. 5 Oct 1837 in Great Dunmow

[1] John, George and Thomas' baptisms were listed together with birth dates in what appear to be the Non-Conformist (presumably the Congregational Chapel) records, so they may have also been baptised together, clearly after Thomas' birth, the most likely date appearing to be 14 Dec 1828. 

In 1841, William Craw (sic) (50) Ag Lab was living at Philpot End, Great Dunmow with Judyth (sic) (40), Henry (20), Jane (20), John (20) - ages rounded - George (17), Thomas (13), Stephen (11), James (9), Matilda (6) and Sarah (4). William Crow (25) was a M. S. [Male Servant] in the household of Thomas Smith (30) Farmer at Mudwall Farm, Bishop's Green, Dunmow.

The 1851 Census returns for both Great and Little Dunmow are missing.

In 1861, we find William Crow (70) Agricultural Labourer, with his birthplace given as Great Dunmow; wife Judith (69) and son Stephen Crow (24) Agricultural Labourer still living at Philpot End, Great Dunmow. 

William Crow died, at 72, in 1861 D Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 214 and was buried on 23 Nov 1861 at St Mary The Virgin, Great Dunmow.

Judith Crow (70/71) died in 1868 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 218 and was buried on 20 Feb 1868 in Great Dunmow.

Baptisms and Marriages on Christmas Eve

Stapleford church on a winter morning
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/2841826

Baptisms on Christmas Eve: 

• Henry Wilton 1769 in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire
• William Crow 1816 in Great Canfield, Essex
• George Prior 1820 in Great Dunmow, Essex
• Jane Cotterell 1826 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon
• Manuel Charles Kerslake 1900 at St George's, Tiverton, Devon

Marriages on Christmas Eve: 

• Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Bowerman 1813 in Holcombe Rogus
• Mary Wilton and Charles Prior 1833 in Great Dunmow, Essex 
• George Woods and Maria White in 1863 in Norwich, Norfolk

Tiverton : St George's Parish Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1655750

Daniel Hockley and Sarah Skinner and Mary Ann Hurry

Aythorpe Roding Post Mill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Trolove - geograph.org.uk/p/3392678
Aythorpe Roding Windmill near to Roundbush Green, Essex

Daniel Hockley (b. 1845), son of George Hockley and Eliza Crow, married Sarah Skinner (b. 1855), daughter of Samuel Skinner and Margaret Smith (née Harrison), on 23 Dec 1876, at St Mary's Church, Great Canfield. 

Daniel and Sarah Hockley had nine children:

1. George Arthur Hockley b. 1 Dec 1877, reg. 1878 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 453, bap. 30 Dec 1877 at St Mary's, Great Canfield
2. Beatrice Margaret Hockley b. 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 466, bap. 31 Aug 1879 at St Mary's, Great Canfield
3. Samuel Frederick Hockley b. 1880 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 488, bap. Frederick Samuel Hockley (which he was known by thereafter) on 26 Sep 1880 at St Mary's, Great Canfield
4. Rose Hockley b. 1882 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 523
5. Herbert Hockley b. 1884 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 558
6. Ernest Hockley b. 1885 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 559
7. Amy Hockley b. 1886 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 594
8. Christopher Hockley b. 1888 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 596
9. Margaret Hockley b. 1890 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 657, but who died in the same quarter, 1890 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 398 and was buried on 27 Feb 1890 at St Mary's, Great Canfield with the burial record giving her age as 17 days.

In 1881, calling himself Daniel George Hockley (32) Coachman was living at Fitzjohns, Great Canfield, Dunmow. He didn't have that middle name, but it was his father's name and this is the 2nd time this week I've found someone adding their father's name as a middle name, so I wonder if it was a 'thing'? And it was useful later on. Fitzjohns, it appears from the census schedules, is next door to the cottage he lived in ten years previously, so he may have been with the same employer. With him were wife Sarah Hockley (25), George Arthur Hockley (3), Beatrice Margaret (1) and Samuel Frederick Hockley (0).

Sarah Hockley died, aged 33, and was buried, also at St Mary's, Great Canfield, six days before her last child, on 21 Feb 1890. It probably doesn't require a medical degree to work out what contributed to her cause of death.

In 1891, Daniel Hockley (40) Coachman, Widower, was still living at Fitzjohns, Lodge Gates, Great Canfield, Dunmow, Essex with George A Hockley (13), Betsy M Hockley (11), Frederick Hockley (10), Rose Hockley (8), Herbert Hockley (6), Ernest Hockley (5) and Amy Hockley (4). Meanwhile, Christopher Hockley (2) was being looked after by his aunt, Mary Ann Hockley (wife of Daniel's elder brother, William Hockley) in Poplar, London.

Unsurprisingly, Daniel Hockley then remarried, to Mary Ann Hurry (b. 31 Jul 1861 in Depwade, Norfolk), daughter of Samuel Hurry and Jane Moyes, also at St Mary's, Great Canfield, on 25 Jul 1891. At the time of the 1891 census (5 Apr), Mary Ann Hurry (29) had been employed as a General servant in the household of William J Peacock at Claremont, Lewisham Park, Lewisham.

Daniel and Mary Ann added a further three children:

10. Daniel Samuel Hockley b. 14 Feb 1894 M Quarter Vol 04A 700
11. Alice Jane Hockley b. 7 Jan 1898 M Quarter Vol 04A Page 750
12. Stanley Hockley b. 24 Dec 1902, reg. 1903 M Quarter Vol 04A 893

In 1901, Daniel Hockley (49) had moved to Near Pennyfeathers, High Roding, where he was employed as a Coachman gardener, living with Mary A Hockley (39), Ernest Hockley (15) Farmer's servant; Amy Hockley (14), Christopher Hockley (12), Daniel S Hockley (7) and Alice J Hockley (3).

In 1911, living at Round Bush Green, Aythorpe Roding, were Daniel Hockley (65) Stockman, Mary Ann Hockley (51), Daniel Samuel Hockley (17) Labourer; Alice Jane Hockley (13) and Stanley Hockley (8) At School.

Daniel George Hockley, of Round Bush Green, Aythorpe Roding, died aged 73, and was buried on 10 Sep 1918 at St Mary's Church, Great Canfield. 

In 1921, Mary Ann Hockley (60) Widow, was still at Round Bush Green, Aythorpe Roding, Dunmow, with Daniel Samuel Hockley (26) and Stanley Hockley (18), both Farm Labourers at Brook End, Little Dunmow.

In 1939, Mary Ann Hockley, widow, lived at 4 Round Bush Villas, Braintree with son Stanley Hockley and his wife, Emily, and son Daniel S Hockley.

Mary Ann Hockley died, aged 81, and was buried on 27 Aug 1942 at St Mary's Church, Aythorpe Roding.

George Prior and Mary Hockley

St Mary, Little Easton, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/339750

George Prior (bap. 24 Dec 1820 in Great Dunmow), son of William Prior and Sarah Shed, married Mary Hockley, daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton, on 31 Oct 1845.

George and Mary had five children:

1. William Prior b. 1848 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 74, bap. 5 May 1848 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
2. Sarah Prior b. 1849 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 75, bap. 18 Dec 1849 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
3. Emma Prior b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 91, bap. 23 Feb 1851 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
4. George Prior b. 1853 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 273, bap. 10 Nov 1853 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton
5. Edith Prior b. 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 299, bap. 27 Jul 1857 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton. Died aged 1, in 1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION  Volume 04A Page 262 and buried on 17 Mar 1858 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Easton

On Edith's baptism, her father's occupation is listed as Gardener.

In 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891, the family lived in Park Road, Little Easton. They look to have lived at the same address for almost 50 years, which is rare and suggests also that George had steady employment from one employer, rather than moving from farm to farm yearly as many did.

In 1861, George Prior (40) Garden labourer, Mary Prior (36), William Prior (13) Farm work; Sarah Prior (11), Emma Prior (10) and George Prior (7).

In 1871, George Prior (50) Gardener, Mary Prior (45) and just George Prior (17) Coal Porter left at home.

In 1881, just George Prior (60) Garden labourer and Mary Prior (58).

In 1891, George Prior (69) Garden labourer with Mary Prior (65).

George Prior died, aged 72, and was buried on 28 Mar 1893 at Little Easton.

In 1901, Mary Prior (79) Widow, was living at the Alms Houses, Little Easton.

There had been Almshouses, near the church-yard, built by Lord Maynard, in about 1716, for the residence of four poor widows to be appointed by his heirs. The current Grade II listed former almshouses, were built in 1895. The date and a 'W' are placed centrally. The 'W' perhaps stands for Warwick, as apparently Frances, the Countess of Warwick, had them built. By 1902 they were accommodating six old people - one of whom was Mary Prior. Perhaps George Prior had worked for the Countess in the gardens of Easton Lodge. 

Mary Prior died, aged 85 and was buried, on 28 May 1907, at Little Easton.

Former Almshouses, Church Row, Little Easton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/4985490

Henry Wilton and Maria Frogg

St Andrew, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/334044

Henry Wilton (bap. 1733), son of Henry Wilton and Martha Douse, farmer, married Maria Frogg on 12 Jun 1762, in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. 

They had 3 children, baptised in Stapleford:

1. Martha Wilton bap. May 1763
2. Henry Wilton bap. 24 Dec 1769
3. Maria Wilton bap. 29 May 1774

William C J Truscott and Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake

Beatrice Avenue, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1776659

Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake (b. 1909), daughter of Lewis William Kerslake and Beatrice Hoare, married William Clarence James Truscott, son of Willie James Truscott and Eleanor Hilda Warren, in St Thomas, Exeter, in 1933. Whilst neither are blood relations, having discovered that Beatrice lost her mother at the age of two and knowing the tragic circumstances of her half-brother's death (who was my cousin), I couldn't help wondering, what happened to Lewis William Kerslake's daughter from his first marriage. 

William Clarence James Truscott (b. 24 Dec 1909, bap. 10 May 1910, at St Mark's, Ford, Plymouth), parents had married, on 11 Mar 1909, at The Anglican Church of Saint James the Great, Devonport, Plymouth. Their marriage certificate details that Willie James Truscott, Shipwright RN, was the son of James Robert Truscott, a fitter at the RN Dockyard, whilst Eleanor was the daughter of William Henry Warren, Pensioner RN.

Willie James Truscott (b. 7 Jul 1883) enlisted in the Royal Navy on 11 Jul 1899, just after his 16th birthday. He was assigned to HMS Thunderer on 15 Jun 1912 - the day she was commissioned - and remained with this ship until 24 Jan 1921, which means, of course, that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, Willie James Truscott, Shipwright 1st Class, took part in the Battle of Jutland.

From 25 Jan 1921 to 28 Feb 1922 Willie James Truscott was assigned to HMS Colleen depot ship at Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland - at the same time my grandfather was at this same establishment. Small world. Again. Although, even if they met, they'll have had no idea of a family connection in the future.

Willie James Truscott retired from the Navy on 6 Jul 1923.

There was a strong naval tradition in this family: at the time of the marriage of Eleanor Hilda Warren's parents, William Henry Warren (b. 29 Jun 1857 in Maker, Cornwall) and Jane Ann Pearce, in Stoke Damerel on 8 Nov 1882, the groom was listed as Seaman, HMS Agincourt (1865) - which allowed me to find his naval record from a Boy on 1 Jan 1873 through until 30 Jun 1895). It also lists the bridegroom's father as a Pensioner (unlikely to be anything other than military at that time) and the bride's father, Charles Pearce, as a Seaman.

Could these even be related to Admiral William Truscott (1734 - 1798)?

In 1939, Beatrice G Truscott was living at 91 Bonhay Road, Exeter, with the couple's two children (still living), while her husband, William C J Truscott was lodging with his uncle and aunt, Alfred C and Phyllis Warren (his mother's younger brother) at 95 Beatrice Avenue, Plymouth. William Clarence James had followed in his uncle's and grandfather's footsteps as an engine fitter.

Beatrice Gwendoline Truscott died in 1974, in Plymouth, aged 65.

William Clarence J Truscott died, also in Plymouth, in 1981, aged 71.

John Kerslake and Mary Ann Beedell

Mid Devon : Higher Pitt Farm
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3667038

John Kerslake married Mary Ann Beedell, in Tiverton, in 1880. The marriage record names her merely as Mary Beedle (sic), but on each of their children's baptisms, she's listed as Mary Ann and on each of the civil registrations of the births, her maiden name is Beedell (a name we've encountered before, when Temperance Southcott married her second husband, Francis Thomas Beedell.) So far, I haven't been able to find the births or parents for either John or Mary Ann to be able to establish the link (if there is one) between these people.

John and Mary Ann Kerslake had ten children: 

1. Jane Kerslake b. 19 Mar 1880, bap. 4 Jan 1881 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Their abode at the time of Jane's baptism was Clayhanger.
2. Ernest John Kerslake b. 5 Aug 1881
3. Alice Elizabeth Kerslake b. 21 Jun 1883
4. Lewis William Kerslake b. 16 Nov 1885, bap. 31 Dec 1885 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Residence was Burlescombe.
5. Albert Henry Kerslake b. 6 Dec 1887
6. Edwin Beedell Kerslake b. 2 Jan 1890
7. Geoffrey Kerslake b. 1892. (Buried 29 Jun 1892 in Washfield.)
8. Florence Ellen Kerslake b. 1894, bap. 2 Dec 1894 in Loxbeare. Address was Buttermoor Farm, Washfield, John Kerslake was Dairyman Farmer.
9. Manuel Charles Kerslake b. 17 Nov 1900, bap. 24 Dec 1900 at St George's Church, Tiverton. Residence was Castle Barn Farm, Exeter Hill.
10. Frederick Kerslake b. 5 Nov 1902, bap. 4 Dec 1902 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. At East Bicknell Farm, Cove, John was a Dairyman.

In 1881, John Kerslake (35) was a Farmer of 30 acres at Goldsmoor [Farm], Sampford-Peverell, with Mary Kerslake (25), Jane Kerslake (1), William Kerslake (4) Visitor and 'Eles' Biddle (13) Servant.

In 1891, at Higher Pitt Farm, Washfield, were John Kerslake (43) Farmer, Mary Kerslake (33), Jane Kerslake (11), John Kerslake (9), Alice Kerslake (7), Lewis William Kerslake (5), Albert Henry (3) and Edwin Beedell (1).

In 1894, five of the children were enrolled at Loxbeare Church of England School: Ernest John Kerslake, Elizabeth Alice Kerslake, Lewis William Kerslake, Albert Henry Kerslake and Edwin Beedell Kerslake. 

In 1901 at Castle Barn Farm, Tiverton, there were John Kerslake (55) Farmer, Mary A Kerslake (42), Jenny (Jane) Kerslake (21), William (Lewis William) Kerslake (15) Tailor's Apprentice, Edwin Kerslake (11), Florence E Kerslake (6) and Charles M (Manuel Charles) Kerslake (0).

(With so many changes of address, I have visions of them driving their cattle almost incessantly around the narrow lanes of Devon!)

John Kerslake, finally of Luttrell Farm, Bampton, Devonshire, died on 30 Nov 1903, leaving his effects of £271 5s (worth around £33,800 in 2021) to William Henry Beedell, Innkeeper. As yet, I don't know which inn he kept. One can perhaps assume that William Henry Beedell was a relative of Mary Ann's, but again, I've not been able to find out how they might be related. 

In 1911, Mary Ann Kerslake, Widow, Needle woman, living at 1 The Works, Tiverton with Edwin Beedell Kerslake (21) Gardener, Florence Ellen Kerslake (16) School teacher, Charles Emanuel Kerslake (10) and Frederick Kerslake (8). Jane Kerslake (listed as Jenny) (29) was Cook to the family of Henry William Gould, Solicitor, at Compass Cottage, Stoke Hill, Heavitree.

In 1921, Mary A Kerslake (62) Widow; Jane Bowden (40) Widow (Jane Kerslake married Frank Bowden in 1917); Lewis W Kerslake (34) Widower, Tailor; Emanuel C Kerslake (20) Motor Driver and Frederick Kerslake (18) Grocer's Assistant were living at 1, The Works, Tiverton, Devon.

In 1939, Jane Bowden was still living with her mother, Mary Ann Kerslake, at 1 Castle View, Tiverton.

Mary Ann Kerslake (née Beedell) died in 1951, aged 93.