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, youngest child of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, who, like generations of the family had grown up at Halfway House, married Annie Crow, daughter of James Crow and Ann Newcombe, who had grown up 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 be 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.

Annie Hockley died, aged 77, in 1955.

• 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.

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.

William Hockley and Mary Ann Day

The George, E14
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/2294862
Corner of the former East Ferry Road and Glengall Road, both now renamed Glengall Grove.

William Hockley, born William Crow, son of Eliza Crow, Single Woman, married Mary Ann Day (bap. 21 Jul 1844 at All Saints, Writtle, Chelmsford), daughter of Thomas Day and Rose Knight, in 1865 at St Matthias, Bethnal Green, London. The marriage is the first time William had used the surname Hockley. At 19 in 1861, he was still listed as William Crow, but it was finding Mary Ann looking after his brother Daniel's son, that led me to find him. 

William and Mary Ann had twelve children:

1. Tamar Rose Eliza Hockley b. 1866 S Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 524. Died, aged 15, in 1881 S Quarter in POPLAR
2. Frederick William Hockley b. 1868 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 624. Died, aged 5, in 1873  J Quarter in POPLAR
3. Alice Jane Hockley b. 1869 D Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 714
4. Laura Lucy Hockley b. 1871 D Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 675
5. Charles John Hockley b. 31 Mar 1873 J Quarter in POPLAR 01C 668
6. Hannah Elizabeth Hockley b. 1875 M Quarter in POPLAR 01C 746
7. Edith Caroline Hockley b. 1877 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 756, bap. 25 Feb 1877 at Christ Church Isle Of Dogs, Manchester Road
8. Ben Albert Hockley b. 1878 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 715. Died 1878 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 504
9. Maud Day Hockley b. 1879 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 757. Died, aged 1, in 1881 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 526
10. Daniel Hockley b. 1882 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 742
11. Arthur Hockley b. 27 Oct 1883 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 704, bap. 9 Dec 1883 at Christ Church Isle Of Dogs
12. William Hockley b. 13 Apr 1886 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C 688

In 1881, William Hockley (37) Labourer and M A Hockley (36) were at 55, Glengall Road, Poplar with Tama (sic) Hockley (14), Alice Hockley (11), Laura Hockley (10), Charles Hockley (8), Hannah Hockley (6) and Edith Hockley (4).

In 1891, at 75, Glengall Road, Poplar, London, we find Mary Ann Hockley (49) with Laura Hockley (19) Domestic servant; Charles John Hockley (18) Dock labourer; Daniel Hockley (10), Arthur Hockley (8), William Hockley (5), Christopher Hockley (2) Nephew - son of William's younger brother, Daniel - and John Parker (21) Dock labourer, Boarder. William is not listed in the household and [so far] I have no explanation for his absence.

In 1901, at 77, Glengall Road, Poplar, were William Hockley (59) General labourer, Mary A Hockley (58), Hannah E Hockley (26) Housemaid, Daniel Hockley (19) General labourer and William Hockley (14).

In 1911, still at 77 Glengall Road, Cubitt Town, Poplar, were William Hockley (68) Boro council pensioner - now we know who he had been labouring for - and Mary Ann Hockley (66). All of the kids had flown the nest.

William and Mary Ann Hockley were still in Poplar in 1921. 

William Hockley died, aged 82, in 1925 M Quarter in Poplar.

Mary Ann Hockley died in 1926 S Quarter in Poplar, also aged 82.

Pedigree of the Fullers

Many of us know where we are descended from one of George Fuller and Eliza Ellen Hockley's children, so here is a pedigree, showing just those of their direct ancestors I've been able to identify (each indent is a further generation). Click on the links and individual pages lead to other family members, offspring, siblings, etc., where I've researched them. This is a slower process than you could ever imagine, but at the same time, worth mentioning that pages will and do change when I add more research and link people to their relevant pages.

• George Fuller and Eliza Ellen Hockley

• James William Fuller and Maria Phillips
• Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley
• Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Bass
• Henry Bradley and Mary Thompson
• Thomas Bradley and Sarah Garton
• Isaac Phillips and Caroline Elizabeth Taylor
• Joseph Phillips and Ann Clarke
• James Hockley and Elizabeth Wilton
• George Hockley and Eliza Crow
• Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason
• William Crow and Judith Doe
• Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones
• John Doe and Jane Brand
• Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt
• Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin
• Richard Wilton and Mary Robinson
• Henry Wilton and Martha Douse
• Henry and Elizabeth Wilton
• John Byatt and Jane Stokes
• John Byatt and Sarah Pewter
• George and Grace Pewter
• Robert Stokes and Susanna Judd
• Robert and Prudence Stokes
• John and Susanna Judd

George Hockley and Eliza Crow and William Bloomfield

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304114

George Hockley, son of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, married Eliza Crow, daughter of William Crow and Judith Doe on 6 Nov 1843 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The marriage record shows that George, as well as both fathers' were labourers and witnesses were John and Jane Burton.

George and Eliza's children included: 

1. William Crow bap. 17 Nov 1842 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
2. Tamer (sic) Hockley born 1844 (Tamar as a female given name) 
3. Daniel Hockley born 1845, bap. 12 May 1850 
4. Elizabeth Hockley born 1847, bap. 9 Aug 1857 
5. James Hockley born 24 Apr 1849, bap. 10 Jun 1849
6. Emma Hockley born 1851, bap 13 Apr 1851
7. Lucy Hockley born 1852, bap. 8 Aug 1852
8. Charles Hockley born 1854, bap. 9 Jul 1854
9. Alice Hockley born 1855, bap. 11 Nov 1855
10. Sarah Ann Hockley born 1857, bap. 9 Aug 1857

On the baptism record for William, son of Eliza Crow, Single Woman, her address was listed as "Dunmow Union House", i.e. the workhouse. Listed as William Crow, at 19, he married as and thereafter used William Hockley. 

Tamer's (sic) birth is listed at the GRO with the mother's maiden name as Crow, but there are no further mentions of her: not on a census, no baptism, nor record of a death, but my hunch is that this child died in infancy. 

The only Daniel Hockley registered in Dunmow in 1845 has the mother's maiden name listed as "Cross". Probably just a transcription error.

George Hockley, Agricultural Labourer, died on 12 Jul 1857, aged just 42, at Halfway House, from the all-too-common cause then, Phthisis (Tuberculosis (TB)) and was buried on 17 Jul 1857, in Great Dunmow.

In 1861, we find widow, Eliza Hockley (40), living at Phreaders Green, Great Dunmow with sons, William Crow (19) and Daniel Hockley (14), both Agricultural Labourers, seemingly supporting their mother and their younger siblings: Elizabeth Hockley (12), James Hockley (10), Emma Hockley (8), Lucy Hockley (7), Charles Hockley (6), Alice Hockley (5) and Sarah (3). 

In 1871, at High Street, Park Corner, Great Dunmow, there were Eliza Hockley (39) - erm, nope, she was 50 - Charwoman, with Charles Hockley (16) Farm Lab and Sarah Hockley (12) Domestic Servant. Daniel Hockley (21) Groom, was living at The Cottage, Great Canfield, Dunmow. Emma Hockley (19) was General servant to Samuel Knight, Architect at Maitland Park Villas, St Pancras, London. Lucy Hockley (19) was a Housemaid at 38 Upper Park Road, Belsize Park. Alice Hockley (14) was working as a domestic servant to William Stacey, Photographer and Florist, in The Causeway, Great Dunmow.

On 20 Apr 1872, Eliza Hockley, daughter of William Crow, Labourer, married William Bloomfield, widower, son of Robert Bloomfield, in Felsted.

It hasn't been possible to find William Bloomfield's baptism, however, he had previously married Mary Ann Harsant (bap. 1 Apr 1821 in Peasenhall, Suffolk), in 1839, in Blything registration district. In 1841, William Bloomfield (20) Blacksmith, Mary Ann (20) and their daughter Lucy (1) were in the High Street, Moulsham, Chelmsford. In 1851, William Bloomfield (32) Blacksmith, with Mary Ann (30) and Lucy (11) were back in Stoven, Blything, Suffolk. In 1861, William Bloomfield (43) Jobbing smith (with wife listed as Maria and daughter as Lizzie: probably misheard) were living at Bridge End Road, Great Bardfield, Dunmow. And by 1871, William Bloomfield (50) Blacksmith, Mary Ann (49) and Lucy (29) had moved to Church End, Great Dunmow. Then Mary Ann Bloomfield died, aged 49, and was buried, on 26 Aug 1871, at Holy Cross, Felsted.

In 1881, William Bloomfield (62) Blacksmith, born in Dunwich, Suffolk, and Eliza Bloomfield (55), were living at Cottage Farm, Banister Green, Felstead.

In 1891, William (73) and Eliza Bloomfield (64) were at Cock Green, Felsted. 

William Bloomfield died, aged 76, in 1893. 

In 1901, Eliza Bloomfield (it claims 75) widow living on children, Felsted. 

Eliza Bloomfield died in 1906. She will have been 86.