William Crow and Judith Doe

St Mary's, Great Canfield, Essex

William Crow married Judith Doe, daughter of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones, on 17 Mar 1814 in Great Canfield. Of that much, I'm sure. I think. 

Otherwise, this family is causing me the most trouble I've had with any of them so far, because there are, confusingly, several people in the area called William Crow, born around 1791, as our William Crow was. One of the others was born in Little Waltham, in 1791, who I can trace, later appearing in other places, so I know that one is definitely not our man. Unfortunately, on some websites online, the distinction has not been spotted and the two clearly conflated. Likewise with children: There is at least one other marriage of a William Crow and a Judith. In the other case, the wife's maiden name is Hay. However, I've found no less than 17 children attached to William Crow and Judith Doe and detached one because the mother's name was clearly given as Judith Hay. Most just list her as Judith, so it's not easy to separate them. 

Here are the ones I am pretty confident about: 

1. Elizabeth Crow bap. 7 Aug 1814 in Great Dunmow
2. William Crow bap. 24 Dec 1816 in Great Canfield
3. Henry Crow bap. 6 Apr 1817 in Great Canfield
4. Charlotte Crow bap. 25 Apr 1819 in Great Dunmow
5. Eliza Crowe (sic) bap. 18 Jun 1820 in Great Dunmow
6. Stephen Crow born 1837 (see 1861 census below)

Haven't been able to find them in 1841 and the 1851 Census returns for both Great and Little Dunmow are missing.

In 1861, we find William Crow (70) Agricultural Labourer, wife Judith (69) and son Stephen Crow (24) Agricultural Labourer living at Philpot End, Great Dunmow. The location is consistent with where we know these families were living and, equidistant to the churches at Great Canfield or Great Dunmow. 

There are other children who could fit into that gap between 1820 and 1837, but I cannot actually link any of them with any confidence until I can identify more precise locations of births or baptisms. The other thought that crosses my mind with 1837 being so late, is that Stephen could be a 'mid life surprise' or equally a daughter's son, being brought up as the grandparent's offspring to hide an illegitimacy, although that doesn't seem to have bothered people half as much as our modern sensibilities imagine it did, even in Victorian times. 

This William Crow died in the last quarter of 1861, in Great Dunmow.

Judith Crow died and was buried on 20 Feb 1868 in Great Dunmow.

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 a William J Peacock at Claremont, Lewisham Park, Lewisham, so one can't help being curious about how their paths would have crossed.

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

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

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 apparently 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.

William C J Truscott and Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake

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

Whilst neither of these are blood relations, having discovered that Beatrice lost her mother at the age of two and knowing of the tragic circumstances of the death of her half-brother (who was my cousin), I couldn't help wondering, what happened to Lewis William Kerslake's daughter. When the 1921 census is published next year, we may get clues as to who brought her up.

Beatrice Gwendolen Kerslake, daughter of Lewis William Kerslake and his first wife, Beatrice Hoare, married William Clarence James Truscott, son of Willie James Truscott and Eleanor Hilda Warren, in St Thomas, Exeter, in 1933. 

William Clarence James Truscott was born on 24 Dec 1909 and baptised, on 10 May 1910, at St Mark's, Ford, Plymouth. His parents had married, on 11 Mar 1909, at The Anglican Church of Saint James the Great, Devonport, Plymouth. Their marriage certificate shows 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.

HMS Thunderer 1912

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 right through 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)?

Bonhay Road houses, Exeter
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/4698532

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 born 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 born 5 Aug 1881
3. Alice Elizabeth Kerslake born 21 Jun 1883
4. Lewis William Kerslake born 16 Nov 1885, bap. 31 Dec 1885 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. At that time their residence was in Burlescombe.
5. Albert Henry Kerslake born 6 Dec 1887
6. Edwin Beedell Kerslake born 2 Jan 1890
7. Geoffrey Kerslake born 1892. (Died aged 3 months and was buried on 29 Jun 1892 in Washfield.)
8. Florence Ellen Kerslake born 1894, bap. 2 Dec 1894 in Loxbeare. On this baptism, the family's address was given as Buttermoor Farm, Washfield, where John Kerslake was a Dairyman Farmer.
9. Manuel Charles Kerslake born 17 Nov 1900, bap. 24 Dec 1900 at St George's Church, Tiverton. Their residence at that time is listed as Castle Barn (Castle Barn Farm, Exeter Hill.)
10. Frederick Kerslake born 5 Nov 1902, bap. 4 Dec 1902 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Their address then was East Bicknell Farm, Cove. Once more John's profession is listed as Dairyman.

Mid Devon : Cattle Grazing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3667023
Cattle grazing on a grassy hillside near Cadeleigh.

In 1881, John Kerslake (35) is 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, are John Kerslake (43) Farmer, Mary Kerslake (33), Jane Kerslake (11), John Kerslake (9), Alice Kerslake (7), Lewis William Kerslake (5), Albert Henry Kerslake (3) and Edwin Beedell Kerslake (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 are 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, was 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 working as a Cook to the family of Henry William Gould, Solicitor, at Compass Cottage, Stoke Hill, Heavitree.

In 1939, Jane Bowden (Jane Kerslake had married Frank Bowden in 1917) Widowed, was living with her mother, Mary Ann Kerslake, at 1 Castle View, Tiverton. Mary Ann Kerslake (née Beedell) died in 1951, aged 93.

Tiverton : The Works
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3491779
The Works road in Tiverton with the Baptist Church Hall in view.

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