Thomas Back and Elizabeth Mary Horn

Plymouth: Morice Square
cc-by-sa/2.0- © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/688016

Thomas Back (b. 15 Oct 1850 in Stoke Damerel), son of Thomas Back and Mary Drake married Elizabeth Mary Horn (b. 1859 in Okehampton, Devon), daughter of James Horn and Elizabeth Bolt, on 23 Oct 1884 at St Paul's Church, Devonport. (The Anglican Church of Saint Paul the Apostle was situated on the east side of Morice Square in Devonport, Plymouth.)

Born Thomas Drake (1850 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 429), as he was named Thomas, it did seem likely that he was the son of Thomas Back, who his mother married two years later. He started life in Stoke Damerel Workhouse, where he was in 1851 with his mother and his older (half) siblings, Mary and George. He was subsequently known as Thomas Back and on his marriage certificate in 1884, as Thomas Back, Stoker RN, lists his address as 40, Cannon Street, Devonport - the very same address where we find both his parents and his sister in 1881, so we can be sure it's him - and names his father as Thomas Back, Labourer. Of course, this could simply be because that was the man who was around as he was growing up, but actually being named after him at birth, seems to confirm what we're being told.

Thomas Back, DOB 15 Oct 1850 (agrees with the quarter of his birth registration), enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1865, volunteering at HMS Implacable (1805) - former Duguay-Trouin, turned training ship (exactly the same ship, on exactly the same day as my great-grandfather, David Jones). Thomas Back's naval career does not appear to progress at this point, there being no entries beyond enlistment. 

There is then a record of a Thomas Back from Devonport, with date of birth given as 14 Oct 1849 (one year and one day of difference and this time the year does NOT agree with his birth registration), but we know this is our man from other records (marriage, census), who joined the Royal Navy on 9 Jan 1873 and served for 21 years, until 27 Apr 1894. He began as a Stoker 2nd Class, moved up to Stoker, Leading Stoker and Leading Stoker 1st Class.

Both naval records list Thomas as having Black hair and Hazel eyes. He was 4 ft 10 in at 14 and grew to 5 ft 6 in as an adult, gaining a bunch of tattoos.

From May 1873 to Aug 1875, Thomas was with HMS Agincourt (1865) at Portland, Dorset and, during that time, spent 28 days in Dorchester Gaol (HM Prison Dorchester) - Pure Victorian detention in all it’s glory.

At the time of the census of 1881, Thomas Back (30) Stoker, was moored in Hong Kong aboard HMS Victor Emmanuel (1855), which ship he was assigned to from Jun 1880 to Jan 1882, Feb 1882 to Jan 1883 and again from Feb to Apr 1883 (transferring to HMS Pegasus (1878) for the month in 1882, also in China and HMS Albatross (1873) in Jan 1883).

Two days before his marriage, Thomas joined HMS Tamar (1863), commissioned at Devonport on 21 Oct 1884 and then, from 15 Jan 1885 until 22 Jan 1889, was with HMS Nelson (1876). She sailed for the Australia Station after commissioning and became the flagship there in 1885. She was in Sydney and Brisbane and at the Woolloomooloo Bay Regatta on 18 Apr 1885, remaining on station until returning home in January 1889.

Thomas and Elizabeth's only child was born later that year:

1. Lilian Mary Back b. 4 Nov 1889 D Q in STOKE DAMEREL 05B 340

Thomas spent time with HMS Magicienne (1888) in Portsmouth in 1890; HMS Goshawk (1872) took him to Gibraltar from May 1890 to Jun 1892 and while he was away, Elizabeth M Back (31) Wife Of A Stoker RN and Lilian M Back (1) were living in St Levan Road, Devonport. Thomas finished his career, from Dec 1892 to Apr 1894, at HMS Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport, before being pensioned.

In 1901, Thomas Back (50) Naval Pensioner was living in Avondale Terrace, Devonport with wife, Elizabeth M Back (41), daughter, Lilian M Back (11) and John Cornhill (29) General Labourer from Ireland, Boarder.

Thomas Back died in 1906 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 220. His age was estimated as 58 (he was 56), having gained yet another year on top of the one he added the second time he enlisted in the Navy.

In 1911, Elizabeth Back (51) Widow from Okehampton, Devonshire, was living in East Stonehouse. Living with her were recently married, son-in-law and daughter, Charles and Lilian Renshaw.

In 1921, Elizabeth Mary Back was still living with Charles and Lilian Renshaw (and their two daughters), at 7 Duckworth Street, Devonport.

Elizabeth Mary Back died, at 66, in 1926 M Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 457.

Henry John Leese and Marian Blanche Burgess

HMS President in London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Steve Daniels - geograph.org.uk/p/3352722
HMS President is a stone frigate, or shore establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve; on the northern bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge.

Henry John Leese (b. 5 Jan 1862 in Lewes, Sussex) Naval Schoolmaster, HMS Boscawen, Portland, son of John Leese and Caroline Bussey, married Marian Blanche Burgess (b. 1863 in Greenwich), daughter of William Burgess, Printer, at All Saints, Rotherhithe, on 22 Aug 1885. Witnesses were William Burgess and Christiana Elizabeth Burgess (the bride's younger sister).

Henry John Leese began his naval career on 5 Jan 1879, having previously attended Greenwich School, with school ship, HMS Impregnable (1810). From 1 Jan 1881, Henry John Leese (19) was an Ordinary seaman pupil teacher, stationed at HMS President (shore establishment).  

Henry and Marian Leese had nine children, three of whom died (numbers confirmed by Henry John Leese' own account on 1911 Census):

1. May Constance Leese b. 9 Jun 1886 (1886 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Page 228), bap. 23 Mar 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew.
2. Elsie Christine Leese b. 29 May 1890 (1890 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 479), bap. 3 Aug 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew. Presume died as an infant, possibly in Malta.
3. Henry John Leese b. 14 Dec 1892 in Valletta, Malta 
4. Maude Christiana Leese b. 13 Jul 1894 in Malta 
5. Marian Blanche Leese b. 6 Nov 1895 (1895 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 301), bap. 19 Jan 1896 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, died at 1 in 1896 D Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Pg 361
6. William Gordon Leese b. 17 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 560), bap. 19 Sep 1897 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
7. John Stanley Leese b. 2 Feb 1898 (1898 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 540), bap. 8 Feb 1898 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
8. Edward Lionel Leese b. 23 Feb 1900 (1900 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 568), bap. 10 Apr 1900 at Forton, Hampshire, died aged 3 in 1903 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 355
9. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese b. 10 Jun 1909 (1909 J Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 565), bap. 11 Jul 1909 in Forton (Gosport)

The family are not on the 1891 Census in England as Henry John Leese was stationed at Malta Dockyard between 14 Jun 1890 and 11 Dec 1894.

Henry John Leese was appointed Schoolmaster at Portsmouth Division Royal Marines, located at Forton Barracks, near Gosport in Hampshire, on 29 Jul 1896, position he appears to have held until 30 Apr 1917.

In 1901, Henry J Leese (39) Schoolmaster, Warrant Officer RMLI, born in Portobello, Sussex was living at 139 Forton Rd, Gosport), with wife Marian B Leese (37) born in Greenwich; May C Leese (14) born in Brighton, Henry J Leese (8) born in Malta; Maud C Leese (6) born in Malta; William G Leese (4), John S Leese (3) and Edward L Leese (1) born in Gosport. There are no further records of Elsie Christine after her baptism; she is not listed on this census and I can find no record of a death either, so the most logical explanation is that she must have died as an infant in Malta.

In 1911, Henry John Leese (49) Schoolmaster, WO RMLI, was still living in Alverstoke, Hampshire with Marian Blanche Leese (47), May Constance Leese (24), Maude Christania Leese (16), William Gordon Leese (14), John Stanley Leese (13) and Frank Alfred Leese (1). Son Henry J Leese (18) had joined the Royal Marines in 1910 and was that year listed in Walmer, Kent (Deal).

In 1921, Henry John Leese (59) Elementary School Teacher was living at 139, Forton Road, Gosport, Alverstoke, with Marian Blanch Leese (57), May Constance Leese (35), Maud Christine Leese (26) Elementary School Teacher; John Stanley Leese (23) Pattern Maker; and Frank Alfred Joseph Leese (12).

Henry John Leese died, aged 70, on 15 Apr 1932 (1932 J Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 734) and is buried at Clayhall Naval Cemetery (Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery).

Marian Blanche Leese died seven years later, on 15 Apr 1939 (1939 J Quarter in GOSPORT Volume 02B Page 822), aged 75.

The six surviving children: 

1. May Constance Leese died, unmarried, aged 81, in Portsmouth, in 1967.
2. Henry John Leese (70) was discharged dead from the Royal Marines, to which he'd obviously devoted his entire life, on 15 Nov 1962.
3. Maude Christina Leese died, aged 83, also still a spinster, in 1977.
4. William Gordon Leese enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Jul 1912, but was declared invalided on 8 Feb 1921 at Haslar Hospital. William G Leese died, aged 71, in 1968 in Gosport.
5. John Stanley Leese died, at 80, in 1979 in Stockport, Cheshire.
6. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese joined the British Army, Coldstream Guards in 1928. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese married Faith Kathleen Partridge in Acle, Norfolk in 1947. Frank died in 1990, in Norwich.

Charles Walter Street and Margaret Robertson

Former Devonport Market House, Duke Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5191618
Duke Street, Devonport, ran from the junction with Catherine Street and James Street to George Street and the bottom of Ker Street. Devonport Market was on the northern side.

Charles Walter Street (29) Fireman RN of 15 Moon Street, Devonport, married Margaret Robertson (b. 6 Jul 1865 in Stoke Damerel, Devon), of 11 Moon Street, daughter of Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters, at St James the Great, Devonport on 12 Aug 1894. 

Born Walter Charles Street in 1865 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 338, mother's maiden name COLLINGS, on his marriage certificate, Charles Walter lists his father as John Street (deceased), Sailor RN. Although I've not yet traced his parents, Margaret Street was reputedly his aunt.

Unlike her two older siblings, who were brought up by their step-grandfather, Daniel Pellew, Margaret Robertson, whose mother had died just 10 days after her birth, was brought up by Margaret Street, as her Foster Daughter. 

Charles and Margaret had two children:

1. Hilda Margaret Alice Street b. 7 Mar 1896 (1896 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 291), bap. 26 Nov 1897 at Devonport, St Mary.
2. Walter James Alfred Street b. 1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 283, bap. 1901 at Devonport, St John.

In 1901, Charles Street (36) Leading Stoker Royal Navy; Margaret (35), Hilda (5) and Margaret Street (62) Widow, Aunt lived in Duke Street, Devonport. 

In 1911, Margaret Street (45) Tailoress was living in Devonport with daughter Hilda (15) and son Walter (9). Charles will have been away, because on 25 Aug 1910, he was loaned to the Canadian Naval Service for 2 years.

Charles Walter Street, giving his date of birth as 21 Jan 1863 (gaining two years), enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16 Mar 1881. His previous trade listed as Waterman. He served for 21 years, until he was pensioned on 6 May 1902. He then joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 7 May 1902, from which he was discharged on 24 Aug 1910 in order to do his Canadian stint. He was redeployed, as a Stoker Petty Officer, from 2 Aug 1914 to 19 Oct 1914 at Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport.

Charles Walter Street died in 1917 D Qtr in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 376.

Margaret Street died in 1937 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 281.

• Hilda Margaret Alice Street married Ernest Harold Harding (b. 22 May 1899 in Mile End Old Town, London), Engine Room Artificer RN, son of Thomas Harding and Emily Scotcher, on 5 Mar 1923 at Devonport, St John. Hilda died, at 69, in 1965, in Plymouth. Ernest Harold Harding died in 1980, in Liskeard, Cornwall.
• Walter James Alfred Street died, at 36, in 1938 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 393.

Who was Margaret Street? Born Margaret Organ in 1838 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 428, there was no mother's maiden name on her birth registration. By the time of her baptism on 13 Jan 1839, her mother was listed as Sarah Organ, 'Widow'. Margaret Ann Organ (24) married Frederick William Street (28) Seaman RN on 21 Aug 1862. Frederick listed his father as William Street, Waterman. Margaret, meanwhile, listed her father as James Organ, Shipwright. I can find no record of the existence of this person. The assumption, therefore, would be that Charles Walter Street's father was Frederick's brother, but I cannot find any records to prove this. There is still no explanation to suggest why Margaret Street took in and perhaps even named, the orphaned Margaret Robertson.

Charles James Renshaw and Lilian Mary Back

Church of St Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5625215

Charles James Renshaw (b. 10 Feb 1884 in Rugby, Warwickshire) son of James Renshaw and Frances Elizabeth Green, married Lilian Mary Back (b. 4 Nov 1889), daughter of Thomas Back and Elizabeth Mary Horn, both of 11 St George's Terrace, at St Paul's Church, East Stonehouse on 29 Jul 1910.

Charles and Lilian had three children:

1. Dorothy May Renshaw b. 28 Jan 1913 (1913 M Q in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 519), bap. 13 Mar 1913 at St James, Devonport. Died, at 27, in 1941 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 1024. 
2. Margery Lilian Renshaw b. 31 Jan 1915 (1915 M Q in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 543), bap. 11 Jun 1915 in Stoke Damerel
3. Bernard Charles Renshaw b. 23 Jan 1923 (1923 M Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 515), bap. 1923 in Devon.

In 1911 Charles Renshaw (27) Engine Fitter at Government Dockyard, from Rugby, Warwickshire and Lilian Mary Renshaw (21) were living with Lilian's mother, Elizabeth Mary Back, at 36 Durnford Street, East Stonehouse.

In 1921, Charles James Renshaw (37) Engineer at the Royal William Victualling Yard; Lilian Mary Renshaw (31), Dorothy Mary Renshaw (8), Margery Lilian Renshaw (6) and Elizabeth Mary Back (61) Wife's Mother, were living at 7 Duckworth Street, Devonport.

In 1939, still at 7 Duckworth Street, Plymouth, were Charles J Renshaw, Fleet Engineer; Lilian M Renshaw; Dorothy M Renshaw, Incapacitated; Bernard C Renshaw, Fitter and Turner Apprentice; Howard J Ryall, RN Petty Officer; Margery L Ryall and one closed record (the Ryall's first daughter).

Charles James Renshaw died, at 73, 1957 J Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 07A 558.

Lilian Mary Renshaw died, in 1973, at 84.

• Margery Lilian Renshaw married Howard James Ryall (b. 23 Aug 1914 in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland) in 1938, in Plymouth. The couple appear to have had two daughters, born in 1938 and 1944. Both Margery and Howard Ryall died in 2006.
• Bernard Charles Renshaw married Valerie Frances Glanville in Plymouth in 1975. He doesn't appear to have married previously. Born Valerie Frances Bawden (b. 6 Sep 1913 in Barnstaple, Devon), she previously married Edgar Bruce Glanville, in 1936, in St. Germans, Cornwall, with whom she had two children, in 1940 and 1946, but presumably divorced, as Edgar Bruce Glanville (b. 11 Dec 1907), died at 81, in 1988. Valerie Frances Renshaw died, at 82, in 1995. Bernard Charles Renshaw died in 2004, at 81.

William Trick and Eliza Authers

H.M.S. Royal Adelaide lying at anchor in the Hamoaze at Devonport.

William Trick (b. 1858), son of William Trick and Elizabeth Blake, married Eliza Authers (b. 1861), daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, at Princes Street Congregational Chapel, Devonport, on 22 Jul 1883.

William and Eliza had one son:

1. William Henry Trick b. 14 Jun 1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 351.

William Trick, giving his date of birth as 16 July 1856 (this was later corrected to 16 Aug 1858, which agrees with the timing of his birth registration), had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 9 Aug 1871. If he had been born in 1856, this would have been close to his 15th birthday, which is probably significant. As it was, it was a whisker before his 13th birthday. At that time he was 4 ft 10½ in tall, with a fair complexion, dark hair and hazel eyes, weighing 99 lbs.

He was immediately assigned to HMS Cambridge (former HMS Windsor Castle (1858), renamed in 1869), gunnery ship off Plymouth, as a Boy 2nd Class. The training of naval ratings in the use of naval guns was carried out aboard HMS Cambridge. On 8 Dec 1872, she was driven ashore in a storm and refloated the next day. William was with this ship until 13 Jan 1873, so was presumably on her at the time of this incident. He was made up to Boy 1st Class in Oct 1872, so William appears to have shown early promise.

Most of William's assignments throughout his career were of short duration, joining HMS Cambridge on several different occasions; likewise HMS Royal Adelaide (1828) at various times, with his longest tour as a rating being with HMS Curacoa (1878), which he was with from 24 Feb 1880 until 27 Mar 1883, that served on the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station.

In 1891, we find William Trick (34) Warrant Officer RN, living in Palmerson Street, Stoke [Damerel], Plymouth with Eliza Trick (30), William H Trick (6) and Susannah Authers (67) Widowed, Housekeeper, Mother-in-Law.

In 1901, William Trick (43) Gunner RN, Eliza Trick (40), William H Trick (16) Telegraphist and Mother-in-Law, Susannah (75) incorrectly listed as Trick.

William Trick was promoted to Lieutenant on 6 May 1909.

In 1911, still in Devonport, were William Trick (54) Lieutenant RN, Eliza Trick (50), William Engstrom Trick (2) Grandson, born in Fort William, Canada, as well as Margaret Watts (32) General Domestic Servant.

William Trick was placed on the retired list due to age on 16 Jul 1911 (not yet caught up with the 2 year 'discrepancy'), but was mobilised again, at the start of World War I on 1 Aug 1914, and assigned to HMS Impregnable (former HMS Howe (1860) school ship). He was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 6 May 1917 and returned to the retired list on 1 Mar 1919.

In 1921, living at Model Farm, Wembdon, Somerset were William Trick (62) Lt Commander RN Retired; Eliza Trick (60), William H Trick (37) Farmer; Hulda N Trick (31) Daughter-in-law, birthplace Sweden; William E Trick (12) born in Canada; Henry D Trick (9), Eliza H Trick (8), Harold G Trick (6) and Dorothy H Trick (4). [William Henry Trick had married Hulda Naema Engstrom, in Ontario, Canada on 29 Aug 1908.]

In 1939, William Trick, Lieutenant Commander RN, Retired; Eliza Trick; William H Trick, Farmer; Hulda N Trick; Henry D Trick and two others, were living at Model Farm, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset. William Trick and his wife Eliza lived and died at Model Farm in Wembdon. Now a Country House, Guest House, it attracts some dubious visitors.

William Trick died on 19 Nov 1943, age estimated as 87, (1943 D Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 425). Eliza Trick died the following year at 83, in 1944 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 412.

W Trick is remembered on the War Memorial to St Georges Parishioners who served in both wars, inside St George's Church, Wembdon.

Thomas Back and Mary Drake

Church of St Paul, Durnford Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5625201

Thomas Back (39) married Mary Drake (42) at the Chapel of St Paul, East Stonehouse on 22 Jun 1852. Both gave their address as 20 George Street, which is in Devonport. Thomas was listed as a Labourer, son of Thomas Back, Shipwright and Mary Drake as daughter of Thomas Drake, Shipwright. This, I believe, is all nearly true. Thomas Back, bap. 24 Oct 1813 in Stoke Damerel, was actually the son of John Back, Shipwright and Martha Norton. 

Mary Drake, b. 20 Apr 1810 and baptised in Stoke Damerel on 15 Dec 1812, was the daughter of Thomas Drake, Shipwright and Frances Poad.

In 1841, Mary Drake (30) had been among a long list of people residing in Hill Street, St Helier, Jersey, along with her mother, Frances Drake (75), Edward Drake (9) and Mary Drake (5). There is a baptism for this latter child, in St Helier, Jersey on 25 Jun 1837, illegitimate daughter of Mary Drake.

We next find Mary Drake (44) Unmarried, Tayloress (sic) in Stoke Damerel Workhouse in 1851, accompanied by Mary Drake (14) born in St Helier, Jersey; George Drake (8) and Thomas Drake (0). George Drake, was born 23 Jan 1843 and bap. 30 Jul 1843, illegitimate son of Mary Drake with abode given as Workhouse. Thomas Drake b. 1850 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 429, has no mother's maiden name (illegitimate). He was later known as Thomas Back and named Thomas Back as his father.

After their marriage in 1852, the couple added a daughter:

1. Eliza Back b. 1853 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 266

On the 1852 marriage, Thomas Back was listed as a Bachelor, however, it is my belief that he had previously married Eliza Stafford on 7 Aug 1837 at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth. On this marriage, Thomas Back was listed as a Mariner, son of John Back, Shipwright. (There is a Thomas Back b. 1813 listed among Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857.) In 1841, Thomas Back (25), Eliza Back (20), Eliza Back (2) and Mary Back (0) were among a long list of people (boarders perhaps) in Pembroke Street, one of Devonport's principal streets, with a great number of retailers and public houses.

In fact, they had the names of the their daughters transposed. Mary Ann Elizabeth Back was born in 1838 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 418 (mother's maiden name confirmed as Stafford). Eliza Ann Back, for whom I cannot find a birth registration, was born around Sep 1840 and died on 26 Aug 1842 (1842 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 332). This second child was buried on 30 Aug 1842, in Stoke Damerel.

In 1851, William Still (32) was living as husband and wife in Stoke Damerel with Eliza 'Still' (36) 'Wife', his three daughters (presumably from a previous relationship) and Mary A Back (12) described as his Daughter-In-Law - which I've often seen used interchangeably, as here, to mean Step-Daughter. While I can find no evidence of a marriage between Eliza and William Still, this does suggest, unless she had died by the following year, that Thomas Back may have been committing bigamy in 1852. As yet I've found no further records for Eliza Back or as Eliza Still to confirm or deny the situation. Although calling himself a bachelor and misnaming his father on the 1852 marriage might be seen as evidence of Thomas Back attempting deliberate subterfuge. It also didn't add up that Thomas and Mary's marriage took place in Stonehouse when they lived in Devonport and I think this is probably the reason why.

We lose sight of Thomas and Mary also until, in 1881, when Thomas Back (70) Labourer and Mary Back (72) Tailoress, were found living at 40, Cannon Street, Devonport, seemingly in a separate household, but the very same address as their daughter, Eliza and her husband, Samuel Eastabrook.

Mary Back died in 1883 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 226, with age estimated at 75. Thomas Back died five years later, in 1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 217, age given as 78.

Mary Drake's children:

1. Edmund Drake b. 7 Oct 1832, bap. 22 Jan 1849 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, son of Mary Drake, Single Woman. Mary's eldest illegitimate child was listed, in 1841, as Edward Drake, born around 1832 on the Isle of Jersey. On both of his marriages, Edmund named his father as Edmund Drake (often correct, but also common is saying the same as one's own name when the father is not known). He also lists his father as a Tailor. Mary was a Tailoress and again, when people make stuff up for the records, there's usually a grain of truth in it, as we can see here.
2. Mary Drake (bap. 25 Jun 1837 in St Helier, Jersey) died on 3 Jun 1878 (1878 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 261) with age estimated as 38 (she was 40). She was buried on 7 Jun 1878, with her abode on the burial record as 40, Cannon Street, Devonport.
3. George Drake b. 23 Jun 1843, bap. 30 Jul 1843. George Drake from Devonport, Devon, with date of birth listed as 23 Jun 1843 joined the Royal Navy at the Royal William [Yard] on 31 Jul 1857 as a Boy 2nd Class. In 1861, at 17, George was with the "Royal Navy At Sea And In Ports Abroad". He appears to have served until 13 Feb 1868, when he was invalided. He next turns up, in 1881, aged 39, as a boarder in the household of Cornwallis Johnson from Shelford, Cambridgeshire at 19, Pitt Street, Stansfield, Todmorden, Yorkshire, employed as Cellarman at cotton mill. After that, we lose sight of him unfortunately.
4. Thomas Drake, later known as Thomas Back b. 1850

Thomas Drake and Frances Poad

Ancient Dockyard
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © jeff collins - geograph.org.uk/p/1204244
This was the first Dockyard built at Devonport at a point just west of Mutton Cove.

Thomas Drake, Shipwright, married Frances Poad (bap. 15 Jul 1764), daughter of John Poad and Honor Joll, in Stoke Damerel on 25 May 1784. There's a record which appears to be John Poad giving his permission for his daughter to marry, presumably as she was then still a minor (under 21). 

Thomas and Frances Drake appear to have had 11 children:

1. Thomas Drake bap. 2 Jan 1785
2. Frances Drake bap. 14 Oct 1787
3. George Drake bap. 7 Apr 1790
4. Elizabeth Drake bap. 29 Jan 1792
5. John Poad Drake bap. 20 Jul 1794 [1]
6. Francis William Drake bap. 6 Mar 1796
7. James Drake bap. 10 Dec 1797. (Buried at 2 y 8 m on 19 Jul 1800.)
8. Hannah Drake b. 1799, bap. 3 Feb 1800 *
9. James Drake bap. 28 Dec 1801 *
10. Charles Drake b. 10 Oct 1802, bap. 15 Dec 1812
11. Mary Drake b. 20 Apr 1810, bap. 15 Dec 1812

* All were all baptised in Stoke Damerel, however, the venue for the baptisms of Hannah and James in 1800 and 1801 was listed as Princes Street Independent, presumably the Princes Street Congregational Chapel.

"Thomas Drake was for some time an official in the navy yard at Plymouth, and showed great independence of character, injuring his prospects by refusing to connive at malpractices, and consequently dying in obscurity in Jersey 20 May 1835." [Source] This explains why, in 1841, we find Frances Drake (75) Ind [presumably of Independent Means], living at 31 Hill Street, St Helier, Jersey, with youngest daughter, Mary Drake (30) Tailoress and two of Mary's illegitimate children: Edward Drake (9) and Mary Mary (5). 

Frances Drake is said to have died in 1848, presumably in Jersey.

[1] John Poad Drake (1794–1883) [he inserted the Poad], inventor and artist [this confirms], baptised 20 July 1794 at Stoke Damerel, Devonshire, was the son of Thomas Drake, by his wife, Frances Poad. Both the Wikipedia entry for John Poad Drake, as well as that for him at the Royal Museums Greenwich, claim that John Poad Drake was a descendant of Sir Francis Drake. 

The entry in the Dictionary of National Biography, however, calls that into question, saying that "Thomas Drake was fourth in descent from one John Drake (1564–1640), a farmer, who has been wrongly identified with a cousin of the admiral." This is the burial of that John Drake, who may or may not have been a page to Sir Francis (I'm reading that those duties were probably carried out by the cousin he was confused with). But as there always are with famous people though, there are so many hopeful, but plain wrong records cited, it's now impossible to completely separate the facts from the fiction.

What I can categorically say is that this isn't the Thomas Drake, bap. 1751, cited on one website, when it was even clearly stated on the baptism that the child had died within days. Still, when you're wishfully attempting to claim descent from the infamous Sir Francis, why allow such minor inconvenience (or pesky genealogical standards) get in the way? So what, if any, link is there between this Drake family and the famous Devon-born slaver, pirate / privateer, bowls player and trouncer of the Armada? Still absolutely no idea, but I can't disprove one [yet] either. What I did discover is that Drake is a surprisingly common name around Devon. Reckon he had a bike!

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.

Frederick William Penfold and Harriet Mary Tubb

Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda SeanMD80 (talk) (Uploads), CC BY-SA 3.0

Frederick William Penfold (b. 20 Jul 1863 in Hartfield, Sussex), son of William Penfold and Mary Ann Charlotte Gunn, married Harriet Mary Tubb (b. 21 May 1867 in Sheppey), daughter of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy at the Wesleyan Chapel, Tottenham on 12 May 1888.

Frederick and Harriet had five children:

1. Harriet Mary Penfold Tubb b. 1884 Q4 in CHELSEA Vol 01A Page 338
2. George Edward Penfold b. 7 Mar 1889 in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 892
3. Grace Joy Penfold b. 27 Aug 1892 in DOVER Volume 02A Page 982
4. Frederick William Penfold b. 8 Oct 1896 in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 305
5. Bert Penfold b. 14 Aug 1898 in ISLE OF WIGHT Vol 02B Page 599

Looking at this succession of birth locations: i. Frederick's mother, Mary Ann Penfold (55) died in in Chelsea, in 1886, so it may well have been to her that Harriet had gone; ii. Sheppey makes sense that Harriet was able to return to her own mother for the birth of her first legitimate child; iii. this is the year after Frederick left the navy, so unsure why Dover (Harriet's mother's family, perhaps); iv. Fulham is where Frederick's younger brother Charles lived and makes sense to go to his family for this birth, her own mother having died in 1895 and v. the Isle of Wight is where they'd moved in 1898.

Frederick William Penfold, had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1878, at 15, as a Boy 2nd Class. His father had died in 1873, which may well have been motivation for going to sea. At that time he was 5ft tall, had dark brown hair, brown eyes and fair skin. He'd previously worked as a Gardener. Later, he grew to the lofty height of 5ft 5in and his complexion became ruddy. On 20 Jul 1881, his 18th birthday, Frederick signed up for a further 10 years.

Frederick William Penfold's Naval Career:

• 3 Sep 1878-27 Sep 1879 HMS Boscawen training establishment, then in Portland Harbour with training ship, HMS Trafalgar (1841). Promoted to Boy 1st Class on 10 Sep 1879.
• 28 Sep 1879-15 Dec 1882 HMS Northampton (1876), joins Signals and is working his way up the signals levels from Sig 3 to Sig 2 on 3 Jan 1882. HMS Northampton was brand new at that time, completed 7 Dec 1879, so Frederick must have joined the crew in preparation and in 1879 was at Chatham. She then became the flagship of the North America and West Indies Station.

In 1881, Frederick William Penfold (18), Signal boy from Hartfield, Sussex, was listed under Royal Navy At Sea, Ships and Overseas Establishments with HMS Northampton, in Camber, Bermuda (Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda)

• 16 Dec 1882-2 Apr 1884 HMS Duncan (1859) which had been flag ship at Sheerness since 1879. (Exactly the right time and place for Frederick to meet Harriet, who was born and lived in Sheerness. Harriet's father, Edward Tubb, died in Jan 1884. We might conclude that Harriet, 16, sought solace in Frederick.)
• 3 Apr 1884-30 Jun 1886 HMS Carysfort (1878), which in 1884 and 1885, landed men for the naval brigade at Sudan (during the Mahdist War, which claimed the life of Gordon of Khartoum). During this time, there is a note on Frederick's service record saying "Mily Gaol Alexandria 42 days" (Gabbari military prison, Alexandria, Egypt). Doesn't give the exact dates or what for, but 42 days is unlikely to be too serious. Drunk maybe? Apr 1886 Mediterranean. 8 May 1886 Serving in Greek Waters. 19 Jun 1886 Malta.

Crossing Malta's Grand Harbour by Water Taxi

• 1 Jul 1886-2 Apr 1888 HMS Hibernia (1804) which, from Apr 1886, had been in Malta - she became the flagship for the Royal Navy's base at Malta and stationed in the Grand Harbour. 
• 5 Apr 1888-14 Apr 1888 HMS Duke of Wellington (1852), in Portsmouth. (Three of my relatives have served on this ship, including my 2x great-grandfather, Thomas Jones and James Henry Tubb, who was Harriet Mary Tubb's cousin.)
• 15 Apr 1888-31 Mar 1889 HMS Duncan (1859), back at Sheerness. On 10 Aug 1888, Frederick became a Qualified Signalman. He and Harriet married in the previous quarter.
• 1 Apr 1889-17 Oct 1889 HMS Wildfire shore establishment established at Sheerness in 1889.
• 18 Oct 1889-26 Nov 1889 HMS Royal Adelaide (1828), depot ship at Devonport, Plymouth. On 18 Oct 1889, Frederick was promoted to the rank of Ship's Corporal 2nd Class.
• 27 Nov 1889-8 May 1890 HMS Iron Duke (1870), which had arrived in arrived Plymouth Sound, from the Baltic in the October. 13 Dec 1889, departed Plymouth for Portland, to join up with the other part of the Channel Squadron, arriving from Portsmouth. It was then planned that the Squadron would depart Portland for winter cruise, via Arosa Bay (Ría de Arousa), Vigo (Galicia, Spain), Port Mahon (Menorca), and Morocco, returning in April. On 18 Jan 1890, Frederick attained the rank of Leading Signalman. 20 Apr 1890, arrived at Plymouth from Arosa Bay (18th), having been sent home in advance of the rest of the Channel Squadron, having a case of scarlet fever on board. 8 May 1890, paid off at Portsmouth.
• 9 May 1890-14 Jun 1890 HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).
• 15 Jun 1890-12 Nov 1890 HMS Serapis (1866), in Portsmouth.
• 13 Nov 1890-25 Nov 1890 HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).
• 26 Nov 1890-9 Jul 1891 HMS Excellent (shore establishment), the Royal Navy "stone frigate" sited on Whale Island in Portsmouth Harbour. (The third relative - James Henry Tubb and William Henry Middleton - to have spent time here near the end of their careers.)
• 10 Jul 1890-20 Aug 1891 HMS Duke of Wellington (1852).

In 1891, Frederick W Penfold (27), Qualified signalman, married, was a 'Member of crew' of HMS Excellent in Portsmouth Harbour. Harriet Mary Penfold (26), Harriet M Penfold (6) and George E Penfold (2) were visiting Harriet's mother, Sarah E Tubb (61) in Trinity Road, Minster in Sheppey.

In 1898, George Edward Penfold, son of Frederick William Penfold, Commercial Agent, of 22 West Street, Newport, was enrolled at the Newport Board School in Newport, Isle of Wight. His previous school was Board School Southsea. But the next record we find, is on 22 Sep 1899, when George Penfold, aged 9, from Barnardo Homes, sails to Toronto, Canada on the vessel Arawa. We also read that, "According to the Barnardo records [Grace Joy] was admitted to the Barnardo's Homes in England on July 22, 1899 at the age of 7 with her brother George." [Source]

In 1901, Harriet M Penfold (32) listed as married, was at 49, Trafalgar Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, with Frederick W Penfold (4). George E Penfold (12) was listed as a Domestic in the household of a David White from Scotland, in Assiniboia East, Northwest Territories, Canada.

Frederick William Penfold, house painter (journeyman) of 2 Seagrave Rd, Fulham, died, aged 37, on 7 Apr 1901, of a cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) in Fulham Infirmary. His elder brother, John Robert Penfold of 52, Hogarth Buildings, Westminster is listed as the informant and was in attendance.

We read here that, "According to family hearsay Fredrick left the family at some stage prior to his death and Harriett could not keep the family together and it seems that her son George was put into a Barnardo’s Home and sent to Canada in 1899 at the age of 10." Sadly, the records do bear this out.

On 31 July 1904, G J Penfold (11) Female (Grace Joy) from Barnardo Homes sailed to Toronto, Canada on the vessel RMS Southwark.

Then on 3 May 1907, the youngest, Bert Penfold (8) from Barnardo Homes sailed to Toronto, Canada on the vessel SS Dominion.

So it wasn't just George who was sent to Barnardo Homes, but George, Grace and Bert, who became Home Children sent to Canada: "​From the late 1860s right up to 1948, over 100,000 children of all ages were emigrated right across Canada, from the United Kingdom, to be used as indentured farm workers and domestics. Believed by Canadians to be orphans, only approximately 12 percent truly were". "For the most part, these children were not picked up from the streets but came from intact families, who, through sickness or even death of one of their parents, had fallen on hard times."

In Oct 1910, Harriet Mary Penfold (40) Domestic and Frederick William Penfold (13) at School, made their way to Quebec, Canada (and apparently on to Bracebridge, Ontario) on the vessel Lake Manitoba, travelling steerage from Liverpool. Next to Harriet's name is the stamp, British Bonus Allowed, which was a commission paid by the Canadian government's Immigration Branch to steamship booking agents (not to the immigrants themselves).

In 1911, Fred Penfold (listed as born 1897 and immigration year 1910) was in Guelph, Wellington South, Ontario, Canada in a household with two English ladies: Letia Camocott (b. 1865) and Alice Merridon (b. 1873) Lodger. It doesn't say in what capacity, but as he would then be 15, presumably Fred was either working for them or elsewhere and boarding there. Meanwhile Bert Penfold (12) that year was a Boarder in the household of Canadian couple, George Gilbert (b. 1873) and his wife, Etta, in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada.

All three boys: George Edward, Frederick William Jr and Bert, it seems served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, during World War I.

Grace Penfold (23) married Benjamin Folie (24), son of George Folie, on 10 Aug 1914 in Toronto, Canada. On the marriage record however, in the space where her parents names should be, it has 'unknown' written across the space, so I think we have to assume that her mother had not reencountered her.

In 1916, H M Penfold (48) Female (Harriet Mary) - immigration year 1910 - was in the household of Englishman, Charles M C Westaway (32) in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, seemingly employed as Housekeeper.

Harriet Mary Penfold (née Tubb) died, aged 67, on 27 Aug 1934 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon.

• George Edward Penfold married Anne Jenette Stuart. George died on 24 Sep 1972, aged 83, and is buried at Cupar Cemetery, Cupar, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
• Grace Joy Fowlie (née Penfold) died, aged 61, on 11 Aug 1954, in Arthur, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada and was buried on 14 Aug 1954 in Greenfield Cemetery, in Arthur Ontario.
• Frederick William Penfold Jr married Lula Pearl Deacon in 1923. Fred died on 15 Dec 1985 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• Bert Penfold married Marjorie Anne Aspin on 11 Aug 1926, in Regina. Bert died, aged 69, on 28 May 1968 and is buried at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Their name liveth forever

William Trick and Elizabeth Blake

Mount Pleasant Redoubt
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5400394

William Eastman Trick (bap. 18 Apr 1834 in Monkleigh, Devon), Labourer, son of Elizabeth Trick, married Elizabeth Blake (bap. 27 Oct 1833 in Lawhitton, Cornwall), daughter of John Blake and Elizabeth Leigh, at the Church of St James the Great, Devonport on 12 May 1856. Both gave their address as 27 John Street, which was in Morice Town. Eastman was the surname of William's step-father. The space for his father had been left blank.

William and Elizabeth had two children:

1. Elizabeth Trick b. 1857 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Pg 320
2. William Trick b. 1858 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Pg 286

In 1861, wrongly transcribed as William Frick (sic) (27) Labourer In H.M.D.Yard, from Bideford, Devon; Elizabeth (27) Laundress, from Launceston, Cornwall; Elizabeth (4) born in Morice Town and William (2), born in Devonport, were living at 15 Marlborough St, Devonport.

Elizabeth Trick died, aged 35, in 1869 J Quarter in LAUNCESTON Vol 05C Page 21. She was buried in the parish of Lawhitton, on 22 Apr 1869.

William Trick, Widower (on this marriage certificate he specifies that his father is Not Known), remarried on 29 May 1871 to Caroline Rickard Osborn, Widow, at St George's church, East Stonehouse. One of the witnesses at this wedding was Pamela Wonnacott (née Eastman), William's half-sister.

Baptised Catherine Rickard Townshend in Stoke Damerel on 28 Jul 1833, his second wife was the daughter of John Townshend and Betsey Coram. Her father was listed on her baptism and again on the marriage certificate as a Mariner. In 1861, he was a Boatman Coast Guard. Caroline had previously married Richard James Osborn, Seaman RN, in Stoke Damerel in 1853 and the couple had one son, William John Osborn [1], b. 6 Oct 1857 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 303, bap. 20 Dec 1857 at St James, Devonport. In 1861, Caroline Osborn (27) Ship Stewards Wife, had lived in Navy Row, Stoke Damerel with her son, William (3). Richard James Osborn died on 2 Jul 1867 and was buried on 6 Jul 1867, in Stoke Damerel.

In 1871, William Trick (37) Widower, Labourer from Bideford, Devon, was living in Morice Town with daughter, Elizabeth Trick (14) [2] and son William Trick (12). Caroline Osborn (38) Widow, Milliner, meanwhile, was living with her brother, John Avery Townshend (27) Shipwright, also in Morice Town.

In 1881, William Trick (46) Labourer H M Dockyard, Caroline Trick (46) and William J Osborn (23) Assistant Ship's Steward RN, Stepson, were living at 12, Charlotte Row, Devonport Stoke-Damerel.

In 1891, William Trick (56) Retired Skilled Labourer from Monkleigh, Devon and Caroline R Trick were living at 23 Herbert Place, Devonport.

In 1901, William Trick (67) Caretaker at Mount Pleasant Redoubt (Plymouth Blockhouse or Mount Pleasant Redoubt) was still living in Herbert Place, Devonport with wife Caroline R Trick (66).

Caroline Rickard Trick died, aged 71, in 1904 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 227.

In 1911, William Trick (77) Retired Park Caretaker, Widower, was living in the household of his grandson, William Henry Trick (26) Dairyman in Chilton Trinity, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset.William Trick died at the age of 80 in 1914 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER Volume 05C Page 484.

1. William John Osborn (b. 1857), Caroline's son from her first marriage, William Trick's stepson, married Fanny Kelland, daughter of John Kelland and Betsy Maria Palfrey, in Stoke Damerel, in 1882. They had one daughter, Lilian Osborn b. 1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 359, who died, aged 4, in 1889 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 231. In 1901, William John Osborn was a Retired Ship's Steward, and in 1911, his occupation was Writer Naval Pensioner, seemingly employed at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, Plymouth. Fanny Osborn died at 81, in 1936 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 428. William John Osborn died, at 82, in 1939  M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 539. What is absolutely certain is that William John Osborn is NOT the same person as William's son, William Trick (b. 1858), which I saw claimed on one website! 
2. [So far] I've been unable to identify any further records relating to Elizabeth Trick (b. 1857), after 1871.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back

The 'Odd Fellows Hall', Ker Street, Devonport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Lyne - geograph.org.uk/p/2771775

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook (b. 12 Dec 1849), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Eliza Back (b. 1853), daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, at Saint Saviour's church that was located on Lambhay Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth, on 7 May 1876. Both gave their address as Lambhay Hill at the time of their marriage. (The church was destroyed during the Second World War but the Church Hall is still standing.)

Samuel and Eliza had six children:

1. Ellen Hepzibah Derry Easterbrook (sic) b. 9 Feb 1877 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B  Page 347, bap. 29 Jun 1879 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport. Died, aged 2 y 10 m, in 1879 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 249, buried 2 Jan 1880.
2. Thomas Samuel Eastabrook b. 19 Feb 1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 343), bap. 11 Apr 1880 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport.
3. William Ebenezer Eastabrook b. 28 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
4. Amelia Elizabeth Eastabrook b. 24 Jun 1884 (1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 335), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
5. Ernest Richard Eastabrook b. 15 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 326), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
6. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook b. 18 Sep 1889 (no birth record found).

In 1881, Samuel Eastabrook (31) Labourer, Eliza Eastabrook (26) Tailoress and Thomas Eastabrook (1) were living at 40, Cannon Street, Devonport.

In 1886, William Ebenezer, Amelia Elizabeth and Ernest Richard were all baptised together at The Anglican Church of Saint Mary (St Mary's Church, Devonport). It no longer exists. Their father's occupation then was listed as Storehouse man and their address given as 19, Ker Street, Devonport.

In 1891, Eliza Eastabrook (37), Thomas S Eastabrook (11), William E Eastabrook (9), Amelia E Eastabrook (6) and Ernest R Eastabrook (5) were listed in Baring Street, Plymouth. Neither Samuel is listed anywhere.

In 1901, both Thomas S Eastabrook and William E Eastabrook are listed with the Royal Navy at Sea and in ports abroad, but I've not been able to locate records for any other members of the family, anywhere in the world.

On 6 Oct 1903, we find Samuel Eastabrook (54), Ellen Eastabrook (51), Emelia (sic) Eastabrook (19) and Samuel Eastabrook (14), arriving at Ellis Island, New York from Bermuda on the ship Pretoria (USS Pretoria (1897). The record gives their nationality as Great Britain, English and their residence as Bermuda. It also states Samuel's occupation as "late of Civil Service". One might speculate, therefore, that Samuel had been working at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. It says they were arriving in New York, en route to England and that Samuel Sr had last been in the US 10 years previously. Their onward address in the UK was c/o 22 Union Street, Portsmouth, England. Interestingly, the record specifies that Samuel paid for his own passage, that Eliza's was paid for by her husband and both Amelia's and Samuel Jnr's were paid for by their father - which is how we can identify him as their child.

Eliza Eastabrook died at 53, in 1907 M Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Pg 256. 

In 1911, S E D (Samuel Ebenezer Derry) Eastabrook (61) Widower, Railway Storekeeper was in Stockwell, London with A E (Amelia Elizabeth) Eastabrook (26) Daughter and E E (Ellen Elizabeth) Barker (64) Widow, Sister.

In 1921, Samuel E D Eastabrook (71) Pensioner, Admiralty, Widower; Amelia E Eastabrook (37) and Ellen K Eastabrook (15) Granddaughter (daughter of Thomas Samuel Eastabrook and Esther Kathleen Drake), were listed as living at 36 Llanishen Street, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.

In 1939, Samuel E Eastabrook, Pensioner, and Amelia E Eastabrook, House Keeper to Father, were listed at 25 Norham Avenue, Southampton.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook died, aged 93, in 1943 D Quarter in WINCHESTER Volume 02C Page 196.

Amelia Elizabeth Eastabook died, aged 62 (1946 S Quarter in SOUTHAMPTON Volume 06B Page 480). "EASTERBROOK Amelia Elizabeth of 25 Norham-Avenue Shirley Southampton spinster died 22 August 1946 at the Borough Hospital Southampton Administration Winchester 14 November to Samuel Patrick Eastabrook motor car driver. Effects £442 11s. 11d."

There are many records of a Samuel Eastabrook of the correct age crossing the Atlantic in the 1920s, which suggest that Samuel Patrick Eastabrook worked as a First Class Waiter on vessels such as the RMS Mauretania, once Cunard’s most luxurious ocean liner. No records suggest that he ever married. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook died, aged 81, in 1970, in Winchester.