William Carter and Lucy Hockley

St Mary, Stebbing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/398874

William Carter (bap. 11 Oct 1807 in Stebbing, Essex) son of Edward Carter and Mary Archer, married Lucy Hockley (bap. 26 Oct 1817 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, at St Mary, Stebbing, on 31 Oct 1834. Witnesses are faint, but look like William Byatt & Charles Cock.

William and Lucy Carter had seven children in total:

1. Jane Carter bap. 27 Sep 1835 in Stebbing
2. John Carter bap. 4 Nov 1838 in Stebbing
3. Eliza Carter b. 1841 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 75, bap. 7 Nov 1841. Died at 6 or 7 in 1848 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 54 and was buried on 17 Aug 1848 in Stebbing.
4. Edward Carter b. 21 Jan 1846 (1846 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 90), bap. 1 Mar 1846 in Stebbing. Died at 21 in 1867 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 248, buried on 16 Feb 1867 in Stebbing.
5. Mary Carter b. 26 Jan 1848 (1848 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 83), bap. 2 Apr 1848 in Stebbing
6. Unnamed Male Carter b. 1850 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 94
7. Emma Carter b. 1855 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 320. Died 1855 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 265

The mother's maiden name on all birth registrations is HOCKLEY.

In 1841, William Carter (25), Lucy Carter (20), Jane (5) and John (2) were living with William's widowed father, Edward Carter (55) at Stebbing Green.

In 1861, William Carter (listed as 52) Labourer; Lucy Carter (42), John Carter (22) and Edward Carter (15) were once again living at Stebbing Green with William's father, Edward Carter (79).

William Carter died at 53 in 1861 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 207 and was buried on 12 May 1861 in Stebbing.

Lucy Carter, Widow, married William Brand (b. 18 Feb 1823 in Stebbing, Essex), Bachelor, son of John Brand and Frances Cowell on 2 Jan 1865. 

In 1871, living in Stebbing were William Brand (47) Agricultural Labourer; Lucy Brand (52) and Henry Shuttlewood (21) from Bocking, Lodger.

Lucy Brand died at 63 in 1880 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 314 and was buried on 24 Feb 1880 also in Stebbing.

In 1881, William Brand (57) Widower, Ag Lab was still living in Stebbing.

There is a marriage of a William Brand in 1883 which may relate, but so far have been unable confirm this, or to locate a relevant death.

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

The mother's maiden name on all of the birth registrations is HOCKLEY. 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 so many others 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, in 1893 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 373 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, in 1907 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 424 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

Abraham Shelford and Caroline Kitty Collin

St James, Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2157513

Abraham Shelford (b. 28 May 1823, in Great Easton, Essex), son of William Shelford and Ann Stanes, married Caroline Kitty Collin in the Essex village of Tilty, on 31 Oct 1846, with whom he had a daughter, Mary Ann Shelford, b. 1846 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 88, bap. 17 Jan 1847 at St Mary the Virgin, Tilty. However, Caroline Shelford died, aged 27, in 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 219 and was buried, on 11 May 1854, at St John & St Giles, Great Easton. Their daughter, Mary Ann Shelford died, at 15, in 1862 M Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 424 and was buried, on 5 May 1862, in Hackney, Middlesex.

Abraham Shelford then married Sophia Mason, daughter of Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, in the 4th quarter of 1859, in Kensington, London.

Abraham and Sophia added three children:

1. William Shelford b. 1862 J Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 550, bap. 6 May 1862 at St James, Clerkenwell
2. Alice Shelford b. 1863 D Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 579, bap. 11 Dec 1863 at St James, Clerkenwell (Nothing after 1881)
3. Emily Shelford b. 1869 J Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 155. Died in 1870 M Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 149

In 1861, Abraham Shelford (35) Deputy turncock n r co and Sophia Shelford (34) Deputy turncock's wife - such was the importance of the office - were living at 27, Rodney Street, Clerkenwell, London. Abraham's daughter Mary, listed as 16, was a Domestic servant in the household of William Paton, Upholsterer at 88, Pentonville Road, St James, Clerkenwell.

Turncocks were an official employed to turn on the water for the mains supply. This was done on a schedule: in those times, the water supply was not running all of the time. 

Abraham Shelford's employer, 'n r co' was undoubtedly the New River Company. The History of the London Water Industry (PDF)

In 1871, Abraham Shelford (44) was living at 43 Gifford Street, St Leonard, Shoreditch. On this census, his occupation is listed merely as a Labourer, but I'm not sure I trust its veracity. His place of birth has been written as Great Eastern instead of Great Easton, which they've obviously confused with the SS Great Eastern, because, then someone has added 'At Sea' on the end of it, which is all that got transcribed. :) With him were wife 'Sarah' Shelford (44) from Broxted, Essex and William Shelford (9) and Alice Shelford (7), both born in Pentonville, Middlesex. (Pentonville, a sub-district in Clerkenwell, has a fascinating history.)

In 1881, living at 23, Mary Street, Shoreditch, London, were Abraham Shelford (56) this time his occupation is listed as Waterman, but I'm certain, given his history, that this is as in someone who works for the water company, not the ancient waterways taxi driver. With him were 'Sarah ' Shelford (54), William Shelford (19) Carpenter and Alice Shelford (17) Laundress.

Sophia Shelford died, at 56, in 1882 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 139.

In 1891, Abraham Shelford (69) Water turncock, Widower, was living at 69 Tottenham Road, Hackney, London with son, William Shelford (29) Water inspector; Alice Shelford (27) Daughter-in-law and grandchildren: Edith (7), William J (5) and Ernest Shelford (3). (William Shelford married his 1st cousin, Alice Mason, daughter of John Mason and Mary Ann Turner in 1883.)

So, Abraham Shelford (64), Turncock with the New River Company, married for a third time to Sarah Maria Wilcox (48) Widow (of James Wilcox, whom she had married on 20 Jul 1863 at St John, Deptford), daughter of James Trimmer (a.k.a. Treamer), Mariner and Hannah Papworth, at Saint Paul, Homerton: Glyn Road, Hackney, on 7 Nov 1892. 

Then Abraham Shelford died, at 73, in 1897 M Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B 236 and was buried on 3 Apr 1897 at Islington and St Pancras Cemetery.

Sarah Maria Shelford (54) then remarried to a James Parsons (45) Widower, Dealer, at Saint Thomas, Baroness Road, Bethnal Green, on 27 Jun 1898. 

In 1901, James Parsons, General dealer from Hoxton, Middlesex and Sarah Parsons from Greenwich, Kent - both claiming to be 55 years old - were living at 58, St Peters Street, Islington, London. The address is still an Express Food and Wine, so has probably merely evolved from the store they kept.

However, in 1911, Sarah Maria Parsons (overstated at 72) Widow (again) was employed as a Housekeeper, at Overstrand, Derby Road, South Woodford.

There's a death of a Sarah Parsons, in Edmonton, in 1919 which may relate.

Samuel John Regelous and Emma Byatt

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5562692

Samuel John Regelous (b. 15 Jul 1848 in Saffron Walden, Essex), son of John Regelous, Policeman, and Sarah Pilstow, married Emma Byatt (b. 1847), daughter of William Byatt and Ann Poole, on 28 Oct 1866 at St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden - the largest non-cathedral church in Essex.

Samuel and Emma had four children, but only one survived infancy:

1. Sarah Emma Regelous b. 1867 S Qtr in SAFFRON WALDEN Vol 04A Page 401. Died 1867 D Qtr in SAFFRON WALDEN Vol 04A Page 229.
2. Charles John Regelous b. 19 Oct 1868 D Quarter in SAFFRON WALDEN Volume 04A Page 403, bap. 12 Mar 1871 in Saffron Walden.
3. Emma Elizabeth Regelous b. 1870 J Quarter in SAFFRON WALDEN Volume 04A Page 415, bap. 12 Mar 1871 in Saffron Walden. There was an Emily Elizabeth Regelous buried on 13 Aug 1872 in Hackney, Middlesex. (There was family in Mile End to place them in the area).
4. Henry John Regelous b. 1871 S Quarter in SAFFRON WALDEN Vol 04A Page 393. Listed as John Henry Regelous died, aged 2, in Kensington, in 1874 J Quarter in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 51.

In 1871, in Saffron Walden were Samuel Jn Regelous (22) Warehouseman; Emma (23) from Little Canfield; Charles J Regelous, Son was listed as 2 months (he'll have been 3 years) and Sarah E Regelous was listed as 4. I have no explanation why they listed Sarah who had died in the first three months of her life, but not listed Emma Elizabeth who'll have been a year old.

In 1881, at 53, Portland Road, Kensington, London, were Samuel Regelans (sic) (39) Carman; Emma Regelans (sic) (33) and Charles Regelans (sic) (12). 

In 1891, Samuel J Regelous (43) Servant Gardener and Emma Regelous (43) were living in Underhill Road, Camberwell, Southwark, London with Arthur Ralfe (15) Grocers Porter, who was listed as Adopted. 

Various records suggest they emigrated to Canada between 1891 and 1895.

In 1901, in Macdonald, Manitoba, Canada, were Sam J Regelous, Head; Emma Regelous, Wife; Charles J Regelous, Son; Margaret Regelous, Daughter-in-Law; William Regelous, Grandson; Edward Regelous, Grandson; Bessie Rowls (sic) (10), Lodger and Albert Rowls (sic) (6) Lodger. Arthur Regelous (24), also in Macdonald, Manitoba, was a Lodger in the household of Thomas R McCartney (whose sister, Evelyn, he later married.)

In 1911, Samuel Rebelous (sic) and Emma Rebelous (sic) were living in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada with Albert Rolls living with them, listed as being born in 1873 and as Adopted. 

Emma Regelous died on 15 Apr 1912 and is buried at Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, Manitoba, Canada.

Samuel John Regelous remarried on 7 Jul 1914 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada to an Elizabeth Elliot. (Found no further details for her.)

In 1916, Samuel J Regelous (67) Widowed, was living in North Norfolk, Neepawa, Manitoba. 

In 1926, Samuel John Regelous (78), father, was living in the household of Arthur Regelous (49), in Springfield, Manitoba, Canada. 

In 1931, Samuel J Regelous (83) Widowed, was again living with Arthur Regelous (54), Evelyn Regelous (49) and their son, Victor William Regelous (18), in East Kildonan Rural Municipality, Manitoba, Canada.

Samuel John Regelous died, aged 84, on 21 Aug 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and is also buried at Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, Manitoba, Canada.

• Charles John Regelous married Margaret Rolls on 5 Nov 1896 in Carbery, Manitoba, Canada. In 1891, Margaret, with birth year listed as 1871, had been living with Thomas Rolls (b. 1864 in England) in Marquette, Manitoba, Canada, with their two children, Bessie Rolls (3) and Joseph Rolls (4m). I haven't found a birth record for Elizabeth (Bessie) Rolls in 1888, however, the birth record for Joseph H Kellaway Rolls on 16 Feb 1891 in North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada lists his mother as Margaret Stephenson, his father's name is left blank and his parent's marriage status given as unknown. I haven't found any record of a marriage, anywhere, between a Thomas Rolls and a Margaret Stephenson, so it may be that the couple were never married. On the 1901 Census, Margaret's year of birth is given as 1866, which is more reasonable, but either date, with only the information that she was born in England, it has not been possible to identify her origins. Charles and Margaret had a further two sons: i. Charles William Regelous b. 23 Aug 1897 in North Norfolk, Manitoba; ii. Edward Samuel Regelous b. 22 Apr 1899 in North Norfolk, Manitoba. On the birth record for Charles William, his mother is listed as Margaret Stephenson and this time, it is specified that his parents were married. In 1906, Charles J. Rylous (sic) (39) was living in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, with wife Margaret (36), Bessie Rolls (17) Daughter; Joseph Rolls (15) Son; Willie Rylous (sic) (8) Son; Edward Rylous (sic) (6) Son and R Davis (22) from England, Boarder. in 1911, in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada, were Charles Regelous, Margaret Regelous, William Regelous [Charles William], Son; Edward Regelous, Son; Elizabeth Rolls, Step-Daughter; Joseph Rolls, Step-Son, along with seven male lodgers.  Charles John Regelous died at 46, on 20 Sep 1915 and is buried at Sidney Cemetery, Sidney, Manitoba, Canada. In 1916, Margaret Regelous (46) Widow, was living in Tupper Street, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada with Bessie Regelous (26) Daughter; William Regelous (18) Son; Edward Regelous (16) Son and a Lidia Setter (22) Lodger. In 1926, Margaret's son, Joseph Roles (sic) (listed as 28) was living in Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada with wife Viola Doris (26) and son William Joseph (1). Grandsons, Charles William Regelous died on 3 Apr 1942 and is buried at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Edward Samuel Regelous died on 20 Dec 1944 and is buried with his brother at Brookside Cemetery. Joseph Kellaway Rolls died on 26 Nov 1955, aged 64, and is buried at Carberry Plains Cemetery, Carberry, Manitoba, Canada. 
• Adopted son, Arthur Regelous married Evelyn Matilda McCartney, presumably in Canada between 1901 and 1906. In 1906, Arthur Regelous (listed as 39) was living in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada with wife Evelyn M (24) and their family. In 1911, Arthur Regelous was living in Winnipeg with Evelyn (30), and three of their children. In 1916, Arthur Regelous (39 again) was living at 412 Victor St, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba with is wife Evelyn (34) and four children. Arthur Regelous died on 18 Feb 1949 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

William Butcher and Margaret Brown

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Mary, Broxted, Thursday, 14 March, 2013

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William Butcher (bap. 11 Mar 1721 in Wimbish, Essex), then of the parish of Tilty, son of John Butcher and Sarah Hill, married Margaret Brown (bap. 13 Mar 1719 in Broxted, Essex), of Broxted, daughter of Thomas Brown and Margaret Perry at St Mary's Church, Broxted on 26 Oct 1746.

William and Margaret Butcher had six children:

1. Margaret Butcher bap. 2 Aug 1747 at St Mary The Virgin, Tilty. Margaret Butcher, Infant, was buried 27 Oct 1747 at St Mary, Broxted
2. Rebecca Butcher bap. 28 May 1749 at St Mary The Virgin, Tilty
3. Margaret Butcher bap. 28 Apr 1751 at St Mary The Virgin, Tilty
4. William Butcher bap. 17 Dec 1752 at St Mary The Virgin, Tilty
5. Millicent Butcher bap. 24 Oct 1756 at St Mary The Virgin, Tilty
6. Elizabeth Butcher bap. 25 May 1760 at St Mary The Virgin, Broxted

William Butcher was buried on 5 Mar 1770 at St Mary The Virgin, Broxted.

As yet, I haven't found a burial for Margaret Butcher (née Brown).

James Hockley and Emma Parker

St. Mary’s Church, Great Canfield

James Hockley (bap. 5 Aug 1838 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), son of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, married Emma Parker (bap. 16 Jun 1839 at St. Mary’s Church, Great Canfield), daughter of William Parker and Jane Burton, at St Mary's, Great Canfield on 24 Oct 1863.

James and Emma had ten children:

1. Anne Hockley b. 1864 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 345, bap. Annie on 13 Nov 1864 at St Mary, Great Dunmow
2. Jane Hockley b. 1866 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 341, bap 9 Sep 1866 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
3. Fanny Hockley b. 1868 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 372, bap. 14 Jun 1868 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
4. George Hockley b. 1869 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 378, bap. 9 Jan 1870 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
5. Alfred Hockley b. 1872 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 416, bap. 14 Apr 1872 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow [1]
6. Emma Hockley b. 1873 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 394, bap. 8 Feb 1874 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
7. James Hockley b. 1875 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 412, bap. 12 Dec 1875 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
8. Alice Hockley b. 1877 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 444, bap. 9 Dec 1877 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
9. Kate Hockley b. 7 Jan 1880 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 511, bap. 11 Apr 1880 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
10. Mary Ann Hockley b. 24 Sep 1881 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 519, bap. 11 Dec 1881 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow

[1] The baptism record for Alfred Hockley lists the parents as William and Charlotte Hockley (James' elder brother and his wife), but he was James and Emma's son, as he appears on census returns with this family and the GRO registration shows his mother's maiden name as PARKER. Both brothers had numerous children baptised at St Mary the Virgin and one imagines both couples would have attended each other's children's christenings, so you can imagine how the curate could have been confused whose infant it was.

Some of the baptisms give James' occupation as Labourer, others Painter.

In 1871, James Hockley (33) Farm Labourer was living at the 'End of New Street, Great Dunmow', with Emma Hockley (31), Annie Hockley (6), Jane Hockley (4), Fanny Hockley (2) and George Hockley (1). 

In 1881, at Minchin Farm, (Part Of), Great Dunmow, were James Hockley (42) Agricultural Labourer, Emma Hockley (41), Jane Hockley (14) Domestic Servant; Fanny Hockley (12), George Hockley (11), Alfred Hockley (9), Emma Hockley (7), James Hockley (5), Alice Hockley (3) and Kate Hockley (1). 

In 1891 they were at Minchin Farm, (Part Of), High Wood, Great Dunmow, with James Hockley (52) Agricultural Labourer, Emma Hockley (51), George Hockley (21) Agricultural Labourer, James Hockley (15) Agricultural Labourer, Alice Hockley (13), Kate Hockley (11) and Mary Ann Hockley (9).

In 1901, James Hockley (62) was a Horseman on farm at Gate House Farm, Great Dunmow, with Emma Hockley (61), with just James Hockley (25) Horseman on farm and Mary A Hockley (19) still at home.

In 1911, James Hockley (72) Farm Labourer, Emma Hockley (71) and Kate Hockley (31) were back at New Street, Great Dunmow.

In 1921, James Hockley (82) Old Age Pensioner; Emma Hockley (82) Old Age Pensioner; Emma Hockley (47) Useful Maid and Kate Hockley (41) were still living in New Street, Great Dunmow. 

James Hockley (84) died in 1922 S Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 621. 

Emma Hockley died the following year, aged 83, in 1923 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 844.

Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones

St Mary's, Great Canfield, Essex

Henry Doe (bap. 19 May 1754 in Great Canfield, Essex), son of John Doe and Jane Brand, married Elizabeth Stones (most likely bap. 14 Apr 1754 in Leaden Roding, Essex), which, if correct, would make her the daughter of John and Mary Stones, at St Mary's, Great Canfield on 20 Oct 1773.

Henry and Elizabeth appear to have had 7 children:

1. Elizabeth Doe bap. 16 Jan 1774
2. Eleanor Doe bap. 25 Dec 1774
3. Henry Doe bap. 20 Sep 1778
4. Sarah Doe bap. 9 Sep 1781
5. Jane Doe bap. 12 Apr 1795 (Said to have been born 1790)
6. Dinah Doe bap. 12 Apr 1795 (Born between 1784 and 1791)
7. Jude Doe bap. 12 Apr 1795 (Judith, born ~1792)

The first four children were baptised at Great Canfield and the last three, all baptised together at All Saints Church in Little Canfield on 11 Dec 1799, were also listed as being the children of Henry and Elizabeth Doe (and were born too early to be the children of son Henry Doe and his wife, also Elizabeth).

There are too many burials of an Elizabeth Doe to be certain which relates, however, instinct suggests considering one in Aythorpe Roding in 1797.

Henry Doe was buried at St Mary's, Great Canfield on 25 Jun 1825.

William Byatt and Ann Poole

All Saints, Little Canfield

William Byatt (bap. 6 Mar 1814) son of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, married Ann Poole (b. 1817) on 18 Oct 1834, in Great Dunmow, Essex. 

William Byatt and Ann Poole had ten children, all baptised in Little Canfield:

1. George Byatt bap. 3 Apr 1836 
2. Walter Byatt bap. 11 Mar 1838
3. Charlotte Byatt bap. 31 May 1840
4. Alfred Byatt bap. 25 Sep 1842
5. Henry Byatt b. 1845 M Quarter Volume 12 Page 81, bap. 2 Mar 1845
6. Emma Byatt b. 1847 J Quarter Volume 12 Page 78, bap. 18 Apr 1847
7. Charles Byatt b. 1849 J Quarter Volume 12 Page 22, bap. 10 Jun 1849
8. Mary Byatt b. 1852 M Quarter Volume 04A Page 318, bap. 21 Mar 1852
9. John Byatt b. 1854 J Quarter Volume 04A Page 321, bap. 2 Apr 1854
10. Rebecca Byatt b. 1856 M Quarter Vol 04A Page 343, bap. 27 Apr 1856

All of the baptisms list William's occupation as Labourer and the registrations, in DUNMOW UNION, list the mother's maiden name as POOLE or POOL.

In 1841, William Byatt (26) was living in Hickey's Lane, Little Canfield with Ann Byatt (24), George (5), Walter (3) and Charlotte (1).

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

Ann Byatt died, aged 42, in 1859 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 224 and was buried in Little Canfield on 6 Jan 1860.

In 1861, living in High Canfield Lane, Little Canfield were William Byatt (48) Agricultural Labourer, Widowed; George Byatt (25), Alfred Byatt (18), Charles Byatt (11), Mary (9), John (7) and Rebecca (5). George, Alfred and Charles were all working as Agricultural Labourers too, while Mary, John and Rebecca were at school. Living with them was William's sister, Catherine Wilton (35) Widow and George Wilton (1) Nephew. Henry Byatt (16) was a Carter on the farm of Thomas Bernard (59) at Little Hoddens, Little Canfield. Emma Byatt (14) Visitors Nurse Maid, was among a large number of staff at Gardeners Cottage, Little Easton (on the Easton Lodge estate).

William Byatt then remarried to Ann Vail (sic) on 18 Oct 1862. 

William shouldn't have been able to forget his wedding anniversary. 

Baptised Mary Ann Vale on 3 Nov 1833 in Little Canfield, daughter of Robert Vale and Mary Dubry, she was listed as Ann Vale when living with her parents at Frogs Hall, Takeley, Essex (presumably, her father was working there on the farm), in 1841. In 1861, she had been listed as Mary Vale (28) House Servant to Joseph Sweeting (64) at Beelfords, Great Dunmow.

William Byatt and Ann Vale had two sons, but neither survived:

1. William Byatt bap. 20 Apr 1864 in Little Canfield. Died in 1864 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 236
2. David Byatt b. 1865 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 349, mother's maiden name VALE, bap. 17 Aug 1865, in Little Canfield. Died in 1865 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 226.

In 1871, William Byatt (58) Ag Lab and Ann Byatt (40) were living in High Cross Lane, Little Canfield.

In 1881, William Byatt (68) and Ann Byatt (50) were still living in High Cross Lane, Little Canfield.

In 1891, William Byatt (81) Agricultural Labourer Retired, had accelerated time, while Ann Byatt (50) had succeeded in making time stand still.

William Byatt, said to be 81 (actually 77), died in 1891 S Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 296 and was buried in Little Canfield on 19 Aug 1891.

[Mary] Ann Byatt died, at 68, in 1897 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 385.

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 (bap. 17 Nov 1842 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), as 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, at St Matthias, Bethnal Green, on 16 Oct 1865. William Hockley made his mark with an X, while Mary Ann was able to sign her name. Witnesses were Sarah Burton and Tamar Hockley. The marriage is the first time William had used the surname Hockley on official records and lists his father as George Hockley. Whilst it is certainly true that George Hockley is who brought him up, I don't think this is conclusive proof of paternity. At 19 in 1861, William was still listed as William Crow, and it was only finding Mary Ann looking after his brother Daniel's son, that led me to locate 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. (All three being family given names.) Died, aged 15, in 1881 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 446
2. Frederick William Hockley b. 1868 M Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 624. Died, at 5, in 1873 J Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 409
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 Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C 668
6. Hannah Elizabeth Hockley b. 1875 M Qtr in POPLAR Vol 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've found 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, but they stated on this census that they'd had 12 children in total, of whom seven were then still living and five had died, during their 45 year marriage. (I'm sure they knew their own family, but I can only find four deaths by that point.)

In 1921, William Hockley (78) and Mary Ann Hockley (77), both retired, were still living at 77, Glengall Road, Poplar.

William Hockley died, at 82, in 1925 M Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 511.

Mary Ann Hockley died in 1926 S Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 324, also 82.

Thomas Willis and Mary Essex

All Saints' Church, Thorpe Malsor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6620224

Thomas Willis (bap. 19 Jan 1752 in Thorpe Malsor), son of William and Elizabeth Willis, married Mary Essex on 13 Oct 1778 at All Saints Church, Thorpe Malsor, Northamptonshire. Thomas and Mary had nine children, all of whom were baptised at Thorpe Malsor, All Saints:

1. William Willis bap. 2 Jan 1780
2. Elizabeth Willis bap. 7 Apr 1782
3. Mary Willis bap. 18 Jul 1784
4. Ann Willis bap. 26 Mar 1786
5. Maria Willis bap. 24 May 1789
6. Joseph Willis bap. 25 Apr 1791
7. Thomas Willis bap. 11 Feb 1792
8. John Willis bap. 24 May 1795
9. Lucey (sic) Willis bap. 15 Jan 1797

It is clear that they named the first two children after Thomas' parents and therefore appear to follow common family convention on naming. Particularly interesting and unusual is that there are both a Mary and a Maria - that these are NOT interchangeable to the same person. Maria Willis and her husband, Solomon Thompson, do this too and re-use many of these same names, adding another reason for accepting this as the correct family.

Mary Willis, wife of Thomas Willis, was buried on 10 Feb 1799.

Thomas Willis was buried in Thorpe Malsor on 25 Feb 1814.

Henry Stock and Charlotte Byatt

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

All Saints, Little Canfield - Chancel, Wednesday, 30 April, 2014

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Henry Stock (bap. 30 Dec 1838 at All Saints, Little Canfield), son of James Stock and Elizabeth Gunn, married Charlotte Byatt (bap. 31 May 1840 also at All Saints, Little Canfield), daughter of William Byatt and Ann Poole, at All Saints, Little Canfield on 13 Oct 1860. (Having read about the brutal assault on Charlotte earlier that year by her Uncle George Byatt - for which he was sentenced to what seems like a very lenient 3 months' hard labour - I was keen to see that she had survived - hopefully relatively intact.)

Charlotte came to this marriage with an illegitimate son, registered as William Moreton Byatt in 1859 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 350 and bap. 5 Jun 1859, as the son of Charlotte Byatt. With this customary naming pattern used, it's probably pretty safe to assume that a Mr Moreton had something to do with it. And while I could be casting aspersions, there was indeed a John Moreton, who was born in Little Canfield in 1840, who looks like the prime suspect. This John Moreton married an Emma Stock in 1862. After Charlotte married, this child was known as William Stock.

Henry and Charlotte Stock went on to have a further eight children:

1. Walter Stock b. 8 Sep 1861 (1861 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 341), bap. 10 Oct 1861 in Little Canfield. On the 1939 Census, Walter listed his DOB as 8 Sep 1862, but the birth registration proves that it had to have been the previous year.
2. Sarah Ann Stock b. 1864 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 367, bap. 28 Aug 1864 in Little Canfield
3. Alice Stock b. 1866 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 340, bap. 7 Aug 1866. Died at 3 wks and was buried on 19 Aug 1866
4. Jane Stock b. 1867 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 70, bap. 3 Nov 1867 at St Leonard's, Shoreditch. Died, aged 2, in 1870 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 552, and was buried on 17 Jan 1870 at Hackney, Victoria Park Cemetery ('The Resort of Thieves and Harlots'; Victoria Park Cemetery, Bethnal Green), later Meath Gardens.
5. Rose Stock b. 7 Jul 1872 (1872 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 712), bap. 24 Feb 1874 at St Matthew's Church on City Road, Islington. The baptism record alleges she was born on 7 Jul 1873, but the birth registration proves that she was born a year earlier.
6. Henry James Stock b. 1874 D Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 787
7. Alfred John Stock b. 1876 J Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 809
8. Unnamed female Stock b. 1879 S Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 345. Died 1879 S Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 191.

All of these birth registrations have the mother's maiden name BYATT.

On 7 Apr 1861, at 4, High Cross Lane, Little Canfield, Dunmow, Essex, were Henry Stock (22) Ag Lab; Charlotte Stock (20), and William Stock (2) - obviously, the child registered as William Moreton Byatt in 1859.

In 1871, living at Wharf, Macclesfield St, Holborn, Middlesex, were Henry Stock (~29) Horse Keeper; Charlotte Stock (~28), William Stock (~9), Walter Stock (~8) and Sarah A Stock (~5). At least they were fairly consistent in making everyone's ages around 2 to 4 years younger than they were.

In 1881, at 80, Commercial Road, Lambeth, London, were Harry Stock (41) Horse Keeper from Dunmow, Essex; Charlotte Stock (40), William Stock (21) Book gilder (binder); Walter Stock (19) Boot finisher; Rose Stock (8), Henry Stock (6) and Alfred J Stock (4). 

In 1891, at 80, Commercial Road, Lambeth, were Henry Stock (51) Horse Keeper; Charlotte Stock (50), Henry Stock (16) Coachman; Alfred Stock (14), and Edward Davies (3) Grandson (son of Sarah Ann).

In 1901, still at 80, Commercial Road, Lambeth, were Henry Stock (63) Horse Keeper; Charlotte Stock (61) and Alfred Stock (23) Carman at dust wharf.

Henry Stock died, at 66, in 1904 J Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 158.

Charlotte Stock died, at 65, in 1905 S Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 151.

James William Fuller and Maria Phillips

St Mary, High Road, South Woodford - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2975185

James William Fuller (bap. 16 Mar 1834 in Chigwell, Essex), son of Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Ann Bradley, married Maria Phillips (b. 19 Aug 1837, bap. 17 Sep 1837 at St Helen and St Giles, Rainham), daughter of Isaac Phillips and Caroline Elizabeth Taylor on 9 Oct 1859 at St Mary's Church, Woodford. James' grandparents, Robert Fuller and Elizabeth Bass, had married in the previous, medieval, incarnation of this church, but this marriage will have taken place in the building, dating from 1816, which stands today.

James and Maria had 9 children, baptised in Rainham, St Helen and St Giles:

1. William James Fuller b. 1860 S Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 04A Page 97, bap. 6 Sep 1860
2. Emily Elizabeth Fuller b. 1862 D Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 04A Page 113, bap. 30 Nov 1862
3. James Fuller b. 1864 D Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 04A Page 119, bap. 27 Nov 1864
4. George Fuller b. 19 Oct 1866 (1866 D Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 04A Page), bap. 18 Nov 1866
5. John Fuller b. 1869 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 140, bap. 31 Jan 1869
6. Frederick Fuller b. 1871 J Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 140, bap. 4 Jun 1871
7. Elizabeth Fuller b. 1873 S Quarter in ROMFORD ESSEX Volume 04A Page 167, bap. 7 Sep 1873
8. Annie Fuller b. 1876 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 210, bap. 5 Mar 1876 (died at 9m in 1876 D Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 101 and buried, on 12 Nov 1876, at St Helen and St Giles)
9. Alfred Robert Fuller b. 1880 S Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 253, bap. 8 Aug 1880

All of the GRO registrations give the mother's maiden name PHILLIPS.

(There had been a 10th child, Ellen Fuller, born 1867, attributed to this family, but this can be discounted. Checking the GRO entry for her birth, that child's mother's maiden name is listed as WHITTAM. Her baptism, on 8 Dec 1867, in Upminster, lists the mother's first name as Eliza. Ellen died, aged 1, in 1868 and was buried on 11 Oct 1868 at St Helen and St Giles, Rainham. There was a marriage of a James Fuller to an Eliza Witham, in South Weald, in 1855, who were most likely the unfortunate Ellen's actual parents.)

In 1861, James Fuller (25) Agricultural Labourer, Maria (23) and their 3 month old son, William, were listed at 'Cottage, Rainham, Essex'. 

In 1871, in Back Street, Rainham, were James Fuller (36) Ag Lab, Maria (34), William (11), Emily (9), James (7), George (5), John (2) and Frederick (0). 

In 1881, address upgraded to Village Back Street, Rainham, were James Fuller (46) Ag Lab, Maria (43), sons James (17), George (15), John (13) all Ag Labs, Frederick (10) and Elizabeth (8) were at school and, Alfred (0).

And in the same place in 1891, James Fuller (57) Ag Lab, Maria (53) and just George (24) and Alfred (11) still at home. They'd taken in two lodgers instead: Charles Valentine (24) and David Joslin (46), both Ag Labs.

In 1901, James Fuller (66) Farm Labourer, Maria (64) and just Alfred (20) Ag Lab still at home with one boarder, Albert Hardcastle (26) Farm Labourer.

In 1911, at Mitchells Cottages, Rainham, there were James William Fuller (77) no longer working, wife Maria (74). Albert Hardcastle (36), Boarder, had become a Platelayer on the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway. On this census, they confirm that they'd had nine children, with six then living and three had died: Annie in 1876; John in 1894 and James in 1899.

James Fuller died, at 76, in 1911 D Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A Page 543.

Maria Fuller died, aged 81, in 1919 J Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A Page 434.

Charles William Fuller and Maria Wilton

Photo © Tim Heaton (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Thursday, 19 October, 2023

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Charles William Fuller (bap. 4 Nov 1832 in High Easter), son of Benjamin Fuller and Mary Ann Mead, married Maria Wilton (b. 19 Dec 1843), daughter of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines, on 3 Oct 1862 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex. The announcement in the Suffolk Chronicle of 4 Oct 1862, read "On the 3rd at Great Dunmow Church, Essex, by the Rev. G. W. Lowe, Mr Charles William Fuller of Albion Mills, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, to Maria, eldest daughter of Mr Henry Wilton of the former place." 

Charles and Maria had six children:

1. Edith Mary Fuller b. 1864 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 341, bap. 28 Sep 1864 in Great Dunmow (venue unknown)
2. Annie Fuller b. 1865 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 363, bap. 7 Apr 1867 in Great Dunmow (venue unknown)
3. Henry Fuller b. 1867 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 384, bap 7 Apr 1867 in Great Dunmow (venue unknown)
4. Alfred William Fuller b. 21 Apr 1868 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 371, bap. 18 Nov 1868 in Great Dunmow 
5. Emily Maria Fuller b. 1869 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 362 (Died 1870 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 249)
6. Charles William Fuller b. 1871 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 382, bap. 24 Aug 1873 at Ingatestone, Essex. The baptism record lists his father's occupation as Corn Factor.

GRO birth registrations confirm the mother's maiden name as WILTON.

Charles William Fuller's father, Benjamin Fuller, was then a miller in High Easter. (There The Old Mill house, former roundhouse and trestle of postmill, is a listed building. The listing tells us that, Isaac Mead, author of 'The Life Story of an Essex Lad' 1923 was an apprentice here and inscribed his name in the main post. One imagines it likely he was related to Mary Ann Mead.)

The Albion Mills (which later lent their name to a pub) were a pair of 19th-century windmills (the North Mill and South Mill) that once operated along the windy Woodbridge Road hillside. The South Mill was last worked in 1864 by Charles Fuller and then stood vacant until demolition in 1876. [Source]

In 1871, Charles William Fuller (38), Corn Merchant's Clerk, was in High Street, Great Dunmow with wife Maria (27), sons Henry (4), Alfred (3) and Charles William (0), as well as Jane Philpott (56), Monthly Nurse. Edith Mary (6) was staying with her grandparents, Henry and Sarah Wilton, while Annie (5) was staying with her other grandparents, Benjamin and Mary Ann Fuller.

Maria Wilton

Very soon afterwards, however, Charles William Fuller died, aged 38, on 30 May 1871 (1871 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 256). The Essex Newsman of 3 Jun 1871, reported on his death "from a brief, but severe affliction". His death certificate, which lists his occupation as Cornfactor's Clerk, shows that he died from Rheumatic fever and Endocarditis. The informant was Anne Pepper, present at the death, High Street, Great Dunmow.

Just 5 years later, the unthinkable happened: Maria Fuller (née Wilton) died, on 18 Jun 1876 (1876 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 247), aged just 32. Her death certificate, which lists her as the widow of Charles William Fuller, Corn Merchant's Clerk, died from Phthisis pulmonalis 2 years (Phthisis pulmonalis is an archaic medical term for pulmonary tuberculosis), historically known as "consumption" due to the severe physical wasting it causes. No surprise, seeing how thin she appears in this photo of her (left). Henry Wilton, her father, was present at her death, also in High Street, Great Dunmow.

Of their children, in 1881, Edith M Fuller (16) was a Draper's Assistant to Joseph Parkhurst, Draper, in High Street, Chipping Ongar; Annie Fuller (15) was a Draper's Assistant to Denny Stone, Draper, in Market Place, Romford; Henry Fuller (14) and Charles Fuller (10), Scholars, were living with their maternal grandfather, Henry Wilton in Great Dunmow; while Alfred William Fuller (13), had been sent to the Infant Orphan Asylum, Wanstead (photo). (The building now houses Snaresbrook Crown Court, the busiest Crown Court in the UK.) Sad that the child was sent to such a place, when his paternal grandparents were still alive and living in Bishops Stortford, where the retired miller was then described as a 'Gentleman'. Both Alfred William Fuller and Charles William Fuller later emigrated to Australia. 

Photo of Maria Wilton via Kerry Johns @ Ancestry

John Doe and Jane Brand

All Saints Church, Little Canfield, Essex

John Doe (b. ~1730 in Great Canfield) and Jane Brand (b. ~1732 in Little Canfield), a pair of my 6th Great-Grandparents, married at All Saints Church, Little Canfield on 1 Oct 1750 to become John and Jane Doe. 

After the requisite pause for giggling at this unlikely combination of names, I wondered when and where the custom had began to call people who you couldn't identify, either John or Jane Doe, depending on gender. We mostly tend to hear the term when an unidentified corpse turns up in a US crime drama, but in fact, the origins are in medieval English law, beginning perhaps as early as the reign of King Edward III (1327–1377): "Originally, John Doe was a sham name used to indicate any plaintiff in an action of ejectment (a legal action to regain property) in civil court. Richard Roe was the counterpart, to indicate the defendant. These fake names were used in delicate legal matters, a practice that was abolished in English law in 1852. Since then, John Doe has been used to indicate any man of unknown name, with Jane Doe used for females." - The Old Farmer's Almanac. Quite why these particular names were picked, however, is lost in time. It may have been simply because they were among the most common names in use at the time.

It would appear that John and Jane Doe had four children (or at least there are records for four), all baptised at St Mary's Church, Great Canfield:

1. Henry Doe bap. 19 May 1754
2. Elizabeth Doe bap. 23 Apr 1758 
3. John Doe bap. 20 Sep 1760 (Presume buried 14 Nov 1761)
4. John Doe bap. 20 Dec 1761

There had also been a burial of a John Doe in Great Canfield on 7 Mar 1756. This doesn't mention the age of the deceased and there is no corresponding baptism, but this could have been a further child of this family. The burial, at St Mary's, Great Canfield, on 14 Nov 1761, is clearly stated to be for that of a John Doe 'Infant'. One must, sadly, assume therefore that the subsequent child was named John, immediately after his brother had died.

There was a burial of a Jane Doe in Great Canfield on 18 May 1768 and another in 1803. Either could relate, but there are no ages listed on the transcriptions to give any clues. There was another burial of a John Doe in Great Canfield on 10 Mar 1805. Again it does not mention an age at death, so we cannot be certain, but this could relate to John Doe Snr of this family.

Back in 1731, at this same church, there was a burial of a 4 year old John Doe, listed as 'son of John Doe'. These could simply be just very common names - all the more spectacular to be able to trace them back so far - or, I suppose one must entertain the idea that, once upon a time, there was a parish foundling, who the overseers named John Doe, whose descendants thereafter followed the common tradition of naming son after father ...

John Doe | Jane Brand

Moses Doe and Harriet White

St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rodney Burton - geograph.org.uk/p/141922

Moses Doe (bap. 4 Feb 1821 in Little Canfield), son of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Doe, married Harriet White (bap. 6 Oct 1822 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Mark White and Rose/Rhoda Pickett, at St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch on 30 Sep 1844. Rhoda White was one of four witnesses to the marriage. (In 1841, Rhoda White (42) was in the household - presumably as a servant - of James Samms (67) at Manor Farm, Little Easton (Little Easton Manor). Mark White had been buried in 1834, in Little Easton.)

Moses and Harriet had three sons:

1. Charles Doe b. 1845 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 278, bap. at Walthamstow, St John the Evangelist
2. Benjamin Doe b. 1848, reg. 1849 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 320, bap. Walthamstow, St James the Great. Died, aged 13, in 1862 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 34, and is buried at Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin.
3. William Doe b. 1851 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 317

In 1851, Moses Doe (30) Labourer from Essex was living in Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, West Ham, with wife Harriet (29) from Dunmow, Essex; Charles Doe (5), Benjamin Doe (1), William Doe (0) and Roda (sic) White (50) Widow, House Servant, Mother-in-Law from Fakenham, Norfolk.

In 1861, Moses Doe (40) Grocer, was at Sinkers Bridge, Walthamstow, West Ham, with Harriet Doe (36), Benjamin Doe (11), William Doe (10), Kate Stacks (2) Granddaughter from Middlesex and Elizabeth Martain (51) Widow, Lodger from Hackney. I've been unable to find Charles Doe, who would have been around 15 and probably out working. (There is a death of a Charles Doe in West Ham in 1861, but this record can be discounted as the deceased was aged 3.) With only three sons, who were too young, Kate Stacks cannot be the Doe's granddaughter so assume was the lodger's granddaughter.

In 1871, at Shern Hall Place, Walthamstow, West Ham were Moses Doe (50) Undergardener Domestic Servant from Little Canfield, Essex; Harriet Doe (49) from Little Easton and William Doe (20) Groom. (Shern Hall: stood in impressive grounds of more than 18 acres that contained landscaped gardens, a large T-shaped pond, orchards, meadowland, farm buildings and stabling.)

Harriet Doe died, at 52, in 1874 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 333 was buried on 7 Jan 1874 at St Paul's Church, Rusthall.

Moses Doe (53) Widower, Gardener, remarried to Mary Ann Norman (39) Spinster, on 7 Mar 1875 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.

Moses and Mary Ann Doe added one further son:

4. John Doe b. 27 Aug 1876 (1876 S Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 603), bap. 26 Nov 1876 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church, son of Moses Doe, Gardener of Grove Cottages, Bishops Down

In 1881, transcribed as Morris Deo (and the bad handwriting does look like that) living at Denny Bottom, Speldhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, were Moses Doe (60) Gardener; Mary Ann Doe (45) Wife of Gardner; John Doe (4) Scholar, plus 2 Lodgers: John P Norbury (32) Carpenter from Liverpool and Alfred Brown (20) Carpenter from Bradwell on Sea, Essex.

Mary Ann Doe died, aged 53 in 1888 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 439, and was buried on 13 Mar 1888, at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. 

Moses Doe died, at 67, on 24 Jun 1888 (1888 J Qtr in TUNBRIDGE Vol 02A Page 364) and was buried on 27 Jun 1888, also at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. Sadly, the gravestone mentions "a long and painful affliction".

St. Paul's Church, Rusthall Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/6408539