William Hockley and Charlotte Cock

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304086

William Hockley (b. 1833), son of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, married Charlotte Cock (bap. 19 Oct 1834), daughter of Timothy Cock and Sarah Mead, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 24 Sep 1859.

William and Charlotte had nine children:

1. Sarah Charlotte Hockley b. 5 May 1860 Vol 04A 333, bap. 8 Jul 1860 
2. Edith Hockley b. 3 Aug 1861 Volume 04A Page 340, bap. 13 Oct 1861
3. William James Hockley b. 1863 Vol 04A Page 370, bap. 12 Apr 1863, died, aged 16, and was buried on 16 Nov 1879 at St Mary the Virgin.
4. Elizabeth Hockley b. 1865 Volume 04A Page 389, bap. 9 Apr 1865
5. Sophia Hockley b. 1866 Volume 04A Page 370, bap. 9 Dec 1866
6. Martha Hockley b. 1869 Volume 04A Page 406, bap. 13 Jun 1869
7. Harry Hockley b. 27 Jun 1871 Vol 04A Page 373, bap. 14 May 1874 
8. Mary Emma Hockley b. 27 Apr 1874 04A Page 432, bap. 14 May 1874
9. Charles Hockley 27 Apr 1876 Vol 04A Page 453, bap. 30 Apr 1883

The mother's maiden name on the registrations for Sarah Charlotte, Edith, William James, Sophia, Martha and Mary Emma is listed correctly as COCK. On those of Elizabeth, Harry and Charles it has been written as COX.

All of the baptisms, except those for Harry and Mary Emma in 1874, which are listed in records for England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records [venue unknown], were at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

(There's a baptism, on April 14, 1872, of "Alfred son of William and Charlotte Hockley", listed here. Whilst I have every faith that those records are correctly transcribed, he was not a child of this family. He does not appear on any census with this family, but he does appear as the son of William's younger brother, James Hockley and Emma Parker. The only registration of an Alfred Hockley, in Dunmow, in 1872, has the mother's maiden name PARKER.)

In 1861, William Hockley (27) Agricultural Labourer, Charlotte (27), Sarah C (1), James (23) - William's brother - and their father, Daniel Hockley (age incorrectly shown as 62) were living at Halfway House, Great Dunmow. 

(This adjacent Halfway House Cottage, was that used by the labourers on the farm, which has included several generations of our family.)

In 1871, William Hockley (36) is joined by Charlotte (35), Sarah C (11), Edith (9), William J (8), Elizabeth (6), Sophia (4) and Martha (2).

In 1881, at Halfway House Cottage, Great Dunmow, were William Hockley (41), Charlotte Hockley (39), Martha (13), Harry (10), Emma Mary [Mary Emma] (6), Charles (4) and granddaughter, Alice Hockley (2)**. Sarah Charlotte Hockley (20) was working as a Domestic Servant in the household of Amelia Hockley (32) widow (if any relation I've yet to discover), Lodging house keeper at Hockerill, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire. Edith Hockley (19) was a Domestic servant in the household of William Henry Cox (33) Farmer at Elms Farm, Great Canfield; and Sophia Hockley (14) was a Domestic Servant to John Sayer (63) Farmer at Bedfords, Great Dunmow.

**Alice Jane Hockley b. 1879 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 472, bap. 14 Sep 1879 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Charlotte Hockley. Alice Jane Hockley died, aged 8, in 1887 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 314.

In 1891, we find William Hockley (57), Charlotte (56) with Charles (15).

In 1901, William Hockley (68), Charlotte (67) and Charles (24).

Charlotte Hockley died, at 67, in 1902 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 396.

In 1911, William Hockley (79), widowed, was still at Halfway House as an Old Age Pensioner Farm Labourer. (The "Old Age Pension" was introduced in 1909 in the United Kingdom. Following the passage of the Old-Age Pensions Act 1908 a pension of 5 shillings per week (25p, equivalent, using the Consumer Price Index, to £26 in present-day terms), or 7s.6d per week (equivalent to £39/week today) for a married couple, was payable to persons with an income below £21 per annum (equivalent to £2200 today), The qualifying age was 70, and pensions were subject to a means test.)

William Hockley died, at 83, in 1916 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 869.

Henry Wilton and Mary Barton

The King's Head (closed), Great Dunmow. Photo © Robin Webster (cc-by-sa/2.0)

This pub and hotel on North Street has been closed and boarded up for some years, with signs of abandoned or postponed building work. It is grade II listed, the oldest parts from the 15th century. Conflicting reports suggest it has since been demolished or converted into flats.

Henry Wilton (bap. 30 Oct 1768 St Mary's, Sawston, Cambridgeshire), widower (not yet found records of his previous marriage), son of Richard Wilton and Mary Robinson, married Mary Barton, spinster - both were then "Of This Parish" - at St Mary's church, Great Dunmow, on 20 Sep 1810. 

In 1783 Henry had been apprenticed to Matthew Norris in Shelford, as a Collarmaker. In Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823, under Taverns and Public Houses, is listed 'Henry Wilton, King's Head'. Also listed at the King's Head is William Cock, who was listed as the Licensee or Tavernkeeper from 1815 until at least 1829, so it isn't clear what role Henry Wilton played in this business.

In 1841, Henry Wilton (73) Ind (Independant means?) and his wife Mary (61) were living alongside his nephew, Henry Wilton, saddler in the High Street, Great Dunmow. They were one side - of Geo. Saich, ostler (most likely of the Saracen's Head Hotel) - on the other was Robert Hockley, tailor and draper.

Henry Wilton died in 1846 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 49. He will have been 78.

In 1861, Mary Wilton (80) with birthplace given as Ruislip, Middlesex, was a Lodger in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

Mary Wilton died, at 81, on 8 Nov 1861 (1861 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 214). Probate was granted to John Barnard, Grocer and Sole Executor. John Barnard (1799-1872), was a grocer (later wine & spirit merchant) in the High Street, Great Dunmow. It's not known if there was any familial link or what the reason was for appointing him.

Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines

St Peter, Colchester, Essex - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1862874

Henry Wilton (bap. 15 Jan 1809 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Sarah Staines (bap. 23 Jul 1815 at St Giles, Mountnessing), daughter of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley on 9 Aug 1838 at St Peter's Church, Colchester, Essex.

Henry and Sarah Wilton had at least nine children:

1. Henry Staines Wilton b. 14 Aug 1840 (1840 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 70), bap. 27 Sep 1840 at St Giles' Church, Mountnessing
2. Stephen Thomas Wilton b. 1841 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 68, bap. 29 May 1842 at St Giles, Mountnessing
3. Maria Wilton b. 19 Dec 1843 (reg. 1844  M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 76), bap. 24 Mar 1844 at St Giles', Mountnessing
4. Mary Ann Wilton b. 7 Jan 1846 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 82, bap. 29 Oct 1848 at St Giles's Church, Mountnessing. Died at 27 in 1873 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 239
5. Laura Elizabeth Wilton b. 1848 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73. Died aged 1 in 1849 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 58
6. Still Born Child of Henry and Sarah Wilton buried 7 Jan 1850
7. William Hankin Wilton b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12  Page 93 (at home on 1871 Census, nothing since)
8. Still Born buried 24 Jul 1854 (Dissenters)
9. Sarah Wilton b. 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 299. Death registered 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 207. As 'Infant Wilton' buried 10 Jul 1856 (Dissenters)

All of the GRO birth registrations have the mother's maiden name STAINES. 

The "Dissenters" or Non-Conformist Burials are listed at the Protestant Dissenters Burial Ground, which I assume to mean of the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House) in New Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1841, Henry Wilton (25) Saddler, Sarah Wilton (20), Henry [Staines] Wilton (10 mts); Henry Prior (14) Apprentice Tailor; Henry Joice (17) Apprentice Saddler and Charlotte Lodge (14) Female Servant, were in the High Street, Great Dunmow. (Next door were Henry's uncle Henry Wilton and his wife, Mary Barton, who, in turn, were next door to George Saich (25) Ostler (and his wife, Charlotte Thorogood). The other side of them was John Prior (55) Basket Maker, father-in-law of Henry's sister Mary.)

White's Directory of Essex 1848, also lists Henry Wilton as a saddler in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

In 1861, Henry Wilton (50), Saddler; Sarah Wilton (42), Stephen Wilton (19) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (15), William Wilton (10) and apprentices; Charles Gandey (18) and Charles Knight (14) were still in High Street, Great Dunmow. Henry Staines Wilton (20) was staying with his grandparents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley in Ingatestone, Chelmsford.

In 1871, Henry Wilton (62) Sadler employing 1 man and 1 boy was still in the High Street, Great Dunmow with Sarah Wilton (54), Stephen Thomas Wilton (29) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (25), William H Wilton (20) and Edith Mary Fuller (6) Granddaughter (Daughter of Maria Wilton). 

Sarah Wilton died, aged 56, 1872 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 226.

The widowed Henry Wilton then married Ann Staines (bap. 31 Mar 1829 at St Giles, Mountnessing), who was also the daughter of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley and younger sister of Henry's deceased wife, Sarah Staines, in the 3rd quarter of 1873, in Chelmsford. Without ordering the marriage certificate, I cannot be sure of the venue, but it was presumably openly in Ann's parish, because her parents had moved to Lord Peter Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford by 1861. This was despite the fact that marrying the sister of a deceased wife was illegal in Victorian England and remained the case until the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907.

In England the list of forbidden marriages was drawn up by the Church of England in 1560 and from then a marriage between a widower and his wife’s sister was valid but voidable - on the grounds of a passage in Leviticus, which suggested that such a relationship was incestuous (the same biblical extract Henry VIII had used to cast doubt on his marriage to Catherine of Aragon). 

However, it was not explicitly illegal until the passing of the Marriage Act in 1835. The 1835 bill said that the marriages that had already happened could no longer be voided, but from then on, "such marriages could no longer take place in the United Kingdom and colonies at all". It went on to say that these marriages would have to take place abroad, a solution available only to the rich. Au contraire, Henry and Ann's marriage did take place in England, in 1873, and thus, was not lawful. When the vicar came to the bit about "any lawful impediment", either they didn't know, or everybody kept schtum.

In 1881, Henry Wilton (69) Saddler, and his new wife, Annie Wilton (52), with Henry Fuller (14) Grandson; Charles Fuller (10) Grandson [both sons of Charles William Fuller and Maria Wilton]; Martha Palmer (52) Boarder [older sister of Henry Staines Wilton's wife, Amelia Palmer] and Mary Smith (14) General Servant from Good Easter, were living in High Street, Great Dunmow, where Henry had his business for many years.

Henry Wilton died on 9 May 1890, leaving £180 (worth around £28,987 today) to his eldest son, Henry Staines Wilton.

In 1891, Ann Wilton (62) Living On Own Means, Widowed, was living in New Street, Great Dunmow and still boarding with her was Martha Palmer (63). 

In 1901, Ann Wilton (72) and Martha Palmer (72) were back living in the High Street, Great Dunmow and they had one General Domestic Servant looking after them, Emily E Lee (15) from Boston, Lincolnshire.

In 1911, Ann Wilton (82) was still in Great Dunmow with one General Domestic Servant, May Bird (19). (Martha Palmer had died in 1909.)

In 1921, Ann Wilton (92) was still in the High Street, Dunmow, Great Dunmow, Essex, still employing May Bird (29) Domestic Servant.

Ann Wilton, widow, died at 93, on 13 Apr 1922 (1922 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 839), leaving £757 19s 10d (worth £53,908 today), also to Henry Staines Wilton, who was, of course, both her nephew and her step-son (although he'd actually pre-deceased her in 1915.)

Ebenezer Hockley and Betsey Mumford

St Mary, Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3988756

Ebenezer Hockley (b. 6 Jun 1804 in Great Dunmow), son of Robert Hockley and Mary Hayward married Betsey Mumford (bap. Elizabeth on 29 Mar 1807 in Great Dunmow), daughter of James Mumford and Mary Stubbings, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 7 Aug 1827. They were married in this Church by License with Consent of Guardians and Parents. In the Presence of Simon Mumford, Charles Mumford, Mary Elizabeth Mumford, John Tuck and Eleanor Hockley. (There on 27 Dec 1827, Ebenezer and Betsey Hockley witnessed the marriage of John Tuck and Mary Elizabeth Mumford.)

Ebenezer and Betsey Hockley had four children:

1. Emma Hockley b. 10 Mar 1829, bap 15 May 1829 
2. Robert Hockley b. 5 Oct 1830, bap. 7 Nov 1830
3. Joseph Hockley b. 23 Jul 1832, bap. 28 Aug 1832,
   (d. 22 Sep 1832, buried 28 Sep 1832)
4. Joseph Hockley b. 5 Jan 1835, bap. 26 Jul 1835

All were from "England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records".

In 1841, Ebenezer Hockley (30) [rounded down] was living in Ingatestone Street, Fryerning with Robert Hockley (10), Joseph Hockley (6), Simon Mumford (15) and Elizabeth Rolph (20). Betsey was not listed in the household and I was unable to find her elsewhere. Could just be an omission. That year there was an Emma Hockley (13) in a large household (all female, school maybe) in High Street, Witham, Essex that may relate.

On 6 Jul 1841, the Essex & Herts Mercury reported, "Charles Grant 40 charged with having stolen 50 yards of diamond cotton the property of Ebenezer Hockley, Fryerning— One month’s hard labour."

In 1851, Ebenezer Hockley (44) Draper and Tailor from Great Dunmow was still in Ingatestone Street, Fryerning with Betsey Hockley (43), Emma Hockley (22) and Robert Hockley (20). While, Joseph Hockley (16) from Ingtestone, Essex was an Apprentice in the household of Samuel Hurrell (41) Tailor and Hatter in South Street, Bishop's Stortford. 

Ebenezer Hockley died at 50 in 1854 S Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 120.

On 11 Feb 1858, Betsey Hockley, Widow then resident in Felsted, Essex, daughter of James Mumford, Saddler, married James Laver, Widower, son of Joseph Laver, in Fryerning, Essex.

In 1861, James Laver (73) Farmer Of 130 Acres Employing 6 Men 3 Boys from Cressing, Essex was living at Bannister Green, Felsted, Essex with Betsey Laver (55) Farmer's Wife; William Suckling (15) Farmer's Servant and Martha Murage (18) General Servant.

It would appear that James Laver died, aged 79, in 1868 J Quarter in BRAINTREE Volume 04A Page 202 and was buried in Shalford, Essex.

In 1871, Betsey Laver (64) Widow, was living in the household of Lawrence Orpen (75) Farmer, in Rivenhall, Essex, described as his "Friend". 

Betsey Laver died at 71, in 1878 M Qtr in BRAINTREE Vol 04A Page 269.

Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer

Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bill Boaden - geograph.org.uk/p/6410237

Henry Staines Wilton (b. 14 Aug 1840 in Great Dunmow, Essex), son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines, Harness Maker, married Amelia Palmer (bap. 15 Oct 1841 in Bishop's Stortford), daughter of William Palmer and Henrietta Crabb of Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford at St Michael, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, on 4 Aug 1868. Witnesses were the bride's father, William Palmer; the bridegroom's parents, Henry and Sarah Wilton; and Martha Palmer, the bride's older sister. This looks like a 'beneficial match' for Henry, because Amelia's Great Western Railway shares passed to him on their marriage. (This was before the Married Women's Property Act 1882).

Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer had five children:

1. William Palmer Wilton b. 19 Sep 1869 (1869 D Quarter in THE BISHOP STORTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 265), bap. 28 Nov 1869 at St Michael's, Bishop's Stortford. The Essex Herald of 28 Sep 1869 announced the birth, "WILTON: 19th inst, at Bridge Street, Bishop's Storford, the wife of Henry Staines Wilton, of a son."
2. Mary Henrietta Wilton b. 8 Feb 1871 (1871 M Quarter in OF THE BISHOP STORTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 282), bap. 30 Apr 1871 in Bishop's Stortford. Her birth was announced in the press.
3. Olive Martha Wilton b. 25 Dec 1872 (1873 M Quarter in BISHOP'S STORTFORD Volume 03A Page 295), bap. 28 Feb 1873 in Bishop's Stortford. (Olive Martha Wilton, artist, died, aged 45, on 14 Apr 1918 in Ringwood, Hampshire. Curiously, she's not buried with the family.)
4. John Staines Wilton b. 17 Feb 1874 (1874 M Qtr in BISHOPS STORTFORD Vol 03A Page 295), bap. 24 Apr 1874 in Bishop's Stortford. (Died 6 May 1936 (1936 J Qtr in WESTMINSTER Vol 01A Page 521), at 62, buried on 11 May 1936 at Hampstead Cemetery.)
5. Margaret Staines Wilton b. 22 Dec 1876 (1877 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 365). (Died aged 81 in 1957 D Quarter in CHAPEL EN LE FRITH Volume 10A Page 932. She was buried, on 31 Dec 1957, in Hampstead Cemetery.)

In 1861, Henry Staines Wilton (20) had been staying with his grandparents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley at Lord Peters (Sir William Petre) Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford. He then set up business next door to his future father-in-law, in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford.

By 1871, Henry Staines Wilton (30), Saddler and Harness Maker, Employing 2 men, 2 apprentices and 1 boy in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford; Amelia Wilton (29), William P Wilton (1), Mary H Wilton (0). The household was completed with William Thorman (15) Saddler Apprentice; Martha Cornell (24) General Servant and Elizabeth Kitchener (16) Nurse.

In 1875, Henry Staines Wilton bought into an established saddlery company in Oxford Street and became associated with Henry Champion, and from the merger, the Champion & Wilton brand officially appeared. [Source]

Champion & Wilton Saddlers and Harness Makers by Royal Appointment

Champion & Wilton were the successors to two old-established firms of Oxford Street saddlers. One started out under the name of Matthew Wilson, in South Molton Street, moved around 1806 to Oxford Street, and became successively Wilson, Wilkinson & Kidd, then Wilkinson, Champion & Frewer and finally Champion & Wilton. Neighbouring saddlers, Samuel Blackwell, also long-established, was taken over by Champion & Wilton in the 1880s.

"Champion and Wilton [its predecessors, clearly] were founded in 1780 and had premises in Oxford Street, opposite Selfridges, in London’s West End. At one time they employed over one hundred saddlers making saddles, harness and other saddlery items and became, as holders of the Royal Warrant, the most highly respected firm in the country and I don’t doubt that many a stately home will still have a Champion and Wilton saddle tucked away somewhere in their tack room." - Keith Jenkin, SMSQF of Minster Saddlery

In their time, it is said that Champion & Wilton held Royal Warrants to Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as to the German Emperor, Queen Maud of Norway and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. 

In The London Gazette of 4 January 1878, there was a notice regarding a Patent application: Henry Staines Wilton, of Bishop's Stortford, in the county of Herts, Saddler, for an invention of "improvements in the construction of saddles and saddle girths."—Dated 24th December, 1874. Then in 1879: 

In addition to the quality of the product, the main peculiarity that distinguished the saddles of this brand, owed much to the invention made in 1879 by Henry Wilton, who patented the well-known safety system, still in use and much appreciated today, which represented a technical revolution. 

This was but one of many Patents that Henry Staines Wilton applied for, including: "An Improvement in Side Saddles" in 1893; for "Improvements in and connected with Saddle Bars", in 1895; "Improvements in Trace and Pole Chain Attachments" in 1896; "Improvements in the Heads or Pommels of Side Saddles" in 1903 and "An Improved Machine for Centrally Punching and Spacing Holes in Leather Straps, and for like purposes" in 1905, are those I can find records for. The first was just in his name, the rest were applied for by Henry Staines Wilton in conjunction with Benjamin Samuel Weston.

Not found on the 1881 Census, the Hertford Mercury of 15 Oct 1881, reported on "DAMAGING A WALNUT TREE. Samuel Cowland, John Curtis, John Bush and Arthur Shorter, all young men of Bishop's Stortford, were charged with maliciously breaking part of a walnut tree, growing on enclosed land at Whitehall Farm, Bishop's Stortford, the property of Mr Henry Staines Wilton ..." Of course, owning the farm doesn't mean he lived there.

In 1891, the family were living at Braywick, High Town Road, Bray, Cookham, Berkshire with Henry S Wilton (50) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (49), Olive Martha Wilton (18), John S Wilton (17) Saddlers Apprentice; Margaret Wilton (14), along with Sarah Asbridge (28) Cook from Margaret Roding and Kate Maydwell (23) Housemaid from Hornchurch, Essex. William P Wilton (21) Sadler, was that year [so far unaccountably] a Visitor in a household in Wanstead, Essex, along with three female servants. 

At the time of their daughter Mary Henrietta Wilton's marriage to Augustus Percival Bartley (of Bartley & Sons, Military and Hunting Bootmakers, of 493, Oxford Street), on 11 Aug 1894, at St Michael's Church, Bray, Berkshire, their address was then stately Stafferton Lodge, Braywick Road, Maidenhead. 

Fake news is not a new thing: Apparently, according to this document (PDF), in Vol IV No 5 of 'Saddlery and Harness' November 1894, a spurious claim appears, "p.101 Notable Members of the Trade: Mr H S Wilton (Champion and Wilton) Owner of Champion and Wilton. At 457/459 Oxford Street. One of the leading West End saddlery firms. Made Queen Victoria's first saddle when HSW was only 19 years old, some 63 years ago." [i.e. 1831] Complete and utter horse poop, of course, like so many family stories, and you have to laugh, as he wasn't even born until 1840! My feeling is the Oxford Street company that later became Champion & Wilton probably did make Queen Victoria's first saddle. It was Henry Staines Wilton's personal involvement that got tacked (pun intended) on as an embellishment to aggrandize himself.

In 1901, the family had moved back into town to 29, St Johns Wood Park, in the affluent community of Hampstead, where we find Henry S Wilton (60) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (59), William P Wilton (31) Sadler & Harness Maker; Olive M Wilton (28), John S Wilton (27) Sadler & Harness Maker; Margaret S Wilton (24), along with Mary J Howlett (23) Cook from Norfolk and Annie Fosbury (21) Housemaid, from Maidenhead.

In 1911, still at 29, St Johns Wood Park, Hampstead, were Henry Staines Wilton (70) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (69), Olive Martha Wilton (37) Artist; John Staines Wilton (36) Sadler & Harness Maker; Margaret Wilton (33) attended by three servants: Emma Fosbury (61) Widow, Cook Housekeeper; Ellen Gorey (37) Parlourmaid and Alice Fordham (24) Housemaid. The original census schedule also confirms that the couple had been married for 43 years and had five children, all then still living.

The Rebuilding of Oxford Street

"Nos. 453–459 (odd) Oxford Street and Nos. 22 and 23 North Audley Street, a small but elegant set of shops with flats over, were designed by Herbert Read and Robert Falconer Macdonald and built by Holloway Brothers in 1900–2 (Plate 46b). The client was E. H. Wilton of Champion and Wilton, saddlers, of Nos. 457 and 459 Oxford Street. (There was nobody with the initials  E. H. Wilton, so I assume this is H. S. Wilton and an error.) The building had three storeys towards North Audley Street and five on to Oxford Street. The ground floor was of Doulting stone, the upper storeys of red brick with stone dressings, and the style a picturesque and effective Arts and Crafts treatment." This tells us where the Champion and Wilton premises were, on the diagonally opposite corner to where Selfridges was later built. The building is long gone and replaced, with currently, a branch of Zara on that corner. 

Henry Staines Wilton (74) died on 31 May 1915 (1915 J Quarter in HAMPSTEAD Volume 01A Page 819) and his funeral took place on Thursday 3 Jun 1915. He is interred in Hampstead Cemetery (Camden) grave reference WE/222. He left his fortune to his two sons, William Palmer Wilton and John Staines Wilton, saddlers, and his son-in-law, Augustus Percival Bartley, bootmaker. The Probate record shows that Henry Staines Wilton left £57,256 11s 4d, which is now worth over seven million pounds (£7,376,323 in 2024).

Hampstead News of 10 Jun 1915, reported on the:

Death of Mr H Staines Wilton

The funeral of Mr H Staines Wilton, of 18 Fitzjohn's Avenue, took place on Thursday morning at St Paul's Church, Avenue Road. The deceased gentleman, who was much respected, had long been a resident in the neighbourhood and a member of St Paul's Church, where he was a sidesman and a generous supporter of the church. He had been in failing health, but was in church on Sunday morning and died the following day. The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev W H T N Rainey) and the Rev P B Phelps, who together with the choir met the cortege at the entrance gate to the church. Psalm 39 was chanted, and the hymn "Blessed are the pure in heart" was sung during the service, and as the coffin was carried from the church, preceded by the clergy and choir, the "Nunc Dimittis" was sung. The coffin, upon which rested a few floral tributes, was of polished oak with brass fitting and plate, which was inscribed "Henry Staines Wilton, born 14th August, 1840; died 31st May, 1915." The immediate mourners at the church were the widow and family, but a large congregation included Mr Boyton MP, the Rev W H Wilkins (a former curate), the staff and employees from 457 & 459 Oxford Street, and the household servants. The coffin was conveyed in an open car, and was immediately followed by the deceased gentleman's carriage filled with numerous and beautiful floral tributes. The interment was made at Hampstead Cemetery, where the service at the graveside was concluded by the Vicar. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs J Nodes & Co (M Nodes Lello) of 193 High Road, Kilburn; 23 Church Street, Grove End Road, etc.

Amelia Wilton died four years later, aged 77 (1919 D Quarter in PADDINGTON Volume 01A Page 77), and was buried, on 17 Dec 1919, in Hampstead Cemetery, along with her late husband. 

Neither Olive, John, nor Margaret ever married. I can find neither John, nor Margaret in 1921, however, in 1939, Margaret S Wilton (b. 22 Dec 1876) Single Female of Private Means, was at Lilybank Hydro, Chesterfield Road, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire (the last Hydro in Matlock to close in 1962). Described in the 1930's, "The establishment is not exclusively a sanatorium; it affords accommodation to families and others who desire to spend a holiday amidst the beautiful scenery of the English Switzerland and it is also a delightful winter resort for those delicate individuals who dread the severities of our English climate." As Margaret also died in Derbyshire, in 1957, we may reasonably assume she was using Lilybank as a residential care home.

Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason

St Mary, Broxted - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3374402

Daniel Hockley, Labourer, married Sophia Mason (b. 3 Dec 1796, bap. 1 Jan 1797 in Great Easton, Essex), daughter of Richard Mason and Millicent Butcher, on 17 Jul 1815 at the parish church in Broxted, Essex. Witnesses were Sophia's brother Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, his intended. 

For now Daniel is the earliest of my Hockley ancestors that I can follow a trail of records to and be fully confident are correct. He was reputedly the son of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner - and thus brother of Sally Hockley - but I've found no record of a birth (or baptism) to prove this. There is, however, a listing of a Daniel Hockley, baptised in Broxted on 21 Feb 1790, son of John and Mary Hockley, which looks to be a far more likely candidate. 

Daniel and Sophia had nine children:

1. George Hockley bap. 1 Oct 1815 in Broxted
2. Lucy Hockley bap. 26 Oct 1817 
3. Eliza Hockley bap. 23 Jul 1820 (died, aged 25, and was buried on 7 Jul 1845 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.)
4. Mary Hockley bap. 9 May 1824
5. Tamar Hockley bap. 8 Oct 1826. Tamar as a name: There are three characters in the Bible with this name. 
6. Sarah Hockley bap. 10 Aug 1828 (buried 14 Sep 1828)
7. Sophia Hockley bap. 14 Aug 1831
8. William Hockley bap. 15 Sep 1833
9. James Hockley bap. 5 Aug 1838

From Lucy onwards, they were baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

Youngest child, James, falls within Civil Registration and, the General Register Office record confirms the mother's maiden name as MASON.

In 1841, at Halfway House, Great Dunmow, were Daniel Hockley (50), Sophia (45), George (25), Eliza (20), Tamar (15), Sophia (10), William (8), James (2) and Lucy (0), daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman [1]. Mary Hockley (18ish) was working as a Female Servant in the household of William Piper (30) Chemist & Druggist in High Street, Great Dunmow, Dunmow.

Sophia Hockley died, aged 46 - which agrees with a year of birth of 1796 - in 1842 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 55 and was buried, on 23 Oct 1842, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

In 1861, the widowed Daniel Hockley - age estimated to 62 - was living in the household of son William Hockley (27), married to Charlotte (née Cock) (27), their daughter Sarah C (1) and William's brother, James (23).

Daniel Hockley died, his age estimated to 81, in 1868 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 267 and was buried on 8 Jul 1868.

[1] Lucy Hockley (b. 1841 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 77), bap. 5 Mar 1841 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman. In 1861, Lucy Hockley (20) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Great Dunmow Union Workhouse. In 1871, Lucy Hockley (30) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Dunmow Union Workhouse, but, in 1881 Lucy Hockley (36ish) was employed as a Domestic Servant by Charles Cook (70) in Chelmsford Road, Barnston, Dunmow. Lucy Hockley of Dunmow Union Workhouse died, aged 49, and was buried on 22 Nov 1890.

William Cloughton and Alice Hockley

Holy Cross, Felsted, Essex - Porch
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1303810

William Cloughton (b. 1855), son of Thomas Clowton (the surname, as it sounds) and Lydia Byatt, married Alice Hockley, daughter of George Hockley and Eliza Crow on 6 Jul 1879 at Holy Cross church, Felsted. This surname has probably had more variations than any other I've encountered: When William's parents married it was Clowton; on the 1841 census they were listed as Clouten; William was registered and baptised - on 6 Jan 1856 in Felsted - as Clowton; by the time he married Alice it was Cloughton, which it was then mostly or sometimes Claughton, Clawghton and even Claighton.

William and Alice had two daughters:

1. Lizzie Cloughton b. 1879 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 469, bap. 26 Oct 1879 at Holy Cross, Felsted
2. Ellen Cloughton b. 28 Jan 1882 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 536, bap. 26 Mar 1882 at Holy Cross, Felsted

In 1881, William Cloughton (25) Farm labourer from Felsted, Essex, Alice Cloughton (24) and Lizzie Cloughton (1) were at Banaster Green, Felstead.

Alice Cloughton died, aged 27 in 1883 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 298, and was buried on 30 Jun 1883, at Felsted.

William Cloughton then remarried, in the 3rd quarter of 1884, to widow, Hannah Lewis, at the church of St Michael the Archangel, Braintree. 

Born Rose Hannah Gowers on 12 Dec 1850, bap. 5 Feb 1851, she was the daughter of Thomas Gowers and Hannah Gowers (Cousins?) Hannah had previously married George Lewis in 1868, with whom she had two daughters. George died, aged 35, in 1883. William and Hannah didn't have any further children together, but they did bring up William and Alice's daughters.

In 1891, William Claughton (sic) (35) Agricultural Labourer, Hannah Claughton (40), Elizabeth Claughton (12) and Ellen Claughton (9) were living at Church End Farm, Brockley Road, Runwell, Chelmsford. 

In 1901, William Claughton (49) Farm labourer and Hannah Claughton (55) were living in Billet Road, Little Heath, Hainault, Romford. Elizabeth Clawghton (sic) (21) Domestic Cook from Felsted, Essex, was a Visitor in the household of Alfred Pottinger, Stocker at nursery, at 256, High Street, Cheshunt (Herts). Younger daughter, Ellen Claighton (strangest version yet) (19) from Felsted, Essex, was working as a General domestic servant to John Cull, Nurseryman and florist, at 36, College Road, Cheshunt (Herts).

So far, I've found no further records for Lizzie (Elizabeth) after 1901.

Nellie Claughton married Herbert Holton Hearn (b. 11 Aug 1880), son of Thomas Hearn and Elizabeth Holton, on 13 Jun 1908, in Cheshunt.

In 1911, William Claughton (55) Carman and nursery worker was living in the household of his son-in-law, Herbert Hearn (30) Nursery hand, and Nellie Hearn (29) at 13 Lordship Road, Cheshunt. Also living with them was Herbert's widowed mother, Elizabeth Hearn (60). Hannah Cloughton (62), meanwhile, was, seemingly alone, at 112 Birkbeck Road, Leytonstone.

Hannah Claughton died, at 65, in 1914 M Qtr in COLCHESTER Vol 04A 889.

There's a death of a William Clowton in 1935 J Quarter in WARE Volume 03A Page 910, within 5 years from his correct age, which would seem to be him.

In 1939, still at 13 Lordship Road, Cheshunt, were Herbert H Hearn, Nurseryman glasshouse food producer and Nellie Hearn. 

Herbert Holton Hearn of 37 Lordship Road, Cheshunt, died, on 20 Oct 1962, at Western House, Ware, Hertfordshire (Western House Hospital, the former Ware Union Workhouse). Probate was granted to Ellen Hearn, Widow.

Ellen Hearn died, aged 82, in 1964, in Edmonton, Middlesex.

Robert Hockley and Elizabeth Cramphorne

St Mary, Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3988759

Robert Hockley (bap. 20 Apr 1755 at St Mary, Great Dunmow), son of Robert and Mary Hockley, married Elizabeth Cramphorne (bap. 4 May 1755 at St Mary, Great Dunmow), daughter of George and Anne Cramphorne, on 28 Jun 1775, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. One of the witnesses was Mary Hockley, who could have been the bridegroom's mother or sister.

Records exist for four children of this couple:

1. Robert Hockley bap. 1 Oct 1775
2. Elizabeth Hockley bap. 8 Sep 1776
3. Mary Hockley bap. 4 Jan 1778
4. William Hockley bap. 4 Apr 1779

All were baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

Robert Hockley died at 52 and was buried at St Mary, Great Dunmow on 23 Oct 1807. The burial record tells us he was a Seedsman (seed merchant).

Elizabeth Hockley died, age estimated to 75 (she'll have been 73), and was buried at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 11 Nov 1828.

Benjamin Copeland and Tamar Hockley

Church of St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lord - geograph.org.uk/p/3307085

Benjamin Copeland (b. ~1841 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland), Corporal Royal Artillery, Artillery Barracks, married Tamar Hockley (b. 1844 in Great Dunmow, Essex) daughter of George Hockley and Eliza Crow, then resident at Woolwich Common, at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich, on 15 Jun 1869. Benjamin Copeland lists his father as Benjamin Copeland, Farmer and it's usually suspicious if a groom a) uses the same name as himself and b) says his father was a farmer, however, I've not found a birth record in Ireland to confirm or deny it. Witnesses were Joseph C Leopard and Ellen Leopard (who appear to be a local couple, but I don't know their connection).

Benjamin and Tamar Copeland had four children:

1. Arthur Edward Copeland b. 19 Aug 1870 (1870 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 858), bap. 25 Sep 1870 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich and also entered into the register at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich, by which time Benjamin Copeland had been promoted to Sergeant Coast Brigade, Royal Artillery. (Died 1901.)
2. Alice Lucy Copeland b. 15 Nov 1872 (1872 D Qtr in WOOLWICH Vol 01D Page 947), bap. 27 Dec 1872 at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich. Died, at 14, in 1887 M Qtr in WOOLWICH Vol 01D 728.
3. Edith Tamar Copeland b. 16 Jun 1878 (1878 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1057), bap. 17 Jul 1878 at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich. Benjamin Copeland was Sergeant Major R A. Died, aged 5, in 1883 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 275 and was buried on 22 Jul 1883 at St Mary's Church, Great Canfield.
4. Eleanor Elizabeth Copeland b. 30 Sep 1881 D Quarter in FAREHAM Volume 02B Page 577. (No baptism found.)

In 1871, Benjamin Copeland (30) Sergeant Royal Artillery from Ireland was living at Royal Artillery Cottages, Charlton, Woolwich with Tamar Copeland (25) from Great Dunmow, Essex and Arthur E Copeland (7 months).

In 1881, Benjamin Copeland (40) Master Gunner Royal Artillery (SLDR) from Enniscorthy, Ireland was at Fort Grange, Gosport, with Tamar Copeland (34), Arthur Copeland (10), Alice Copeland (8), Edith Copeland (2) and two soldiers, William Chappell (37) and Frederick Hide (23).

Benjamin Copeland from the parish of St Mary's, Enniscorthy, Ireland, formerly a Clerk, had enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Liverpool at the age of 21, on 17 Jan 1862, at which point, his military record notes, he was 5ft 5⅜in tall, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. He was awarded a silver medal for long service & good conduct, as well as a Gratuity of £5, and discharged, on 23 Jan 1883, after 21 years service, at Portsmouth, with his intended residence on discharge recorded as Great Canfield, Essex.

In 1891, however, Benjamin Copeland (50) Writer Royal Arsenal, was living at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (45) and Eleanor E Copland (9). Arthur Edward Copeland (22) Acting bombardier, was at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Artillery Place, Woolwich.

In 1901, Benjamin Copeland (59) Pensioner and Writer in Royal Arsenal, was still living at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (57), William E Doyle (63) Army Pensioner from Liverpool; Alice J Copeland (29) Daughter-in-law from Norfolk, England; George A Copeland (4) Grandson born in Plumstead and Edith E Copeland (3) Granddaughter, born in Devon.

In 1911, Benjamin Copeland (72) Army Pensioned Master Gunner Royal Artillery was still living at 27 Llanover Road, Plumstead, with Tamar Copeland (67) and William Sayle Edwards (74) Army Pensioner Warrant Officer, Boarder. The 1911 Census confirms that they had been married for 41 years and had four children, of whom one was living and, sadly, three had died.

Benjamin Copeland died on 15 May 1913 (1913 J Quarter in WOOLWICH Vol 01D Page 1191) and was buried on 20 May 1913 in Greenwich.

Tamar Copeland died in 1925 M Qtr in HAMMERSMITH Vol 01A 301, at 82.

Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304107

Daniel Hockley (bap. 21 Jan 1760 at St Mary's, Great Dunmow), son of Robert and Mary Hockley, married Sarah Turner on 7 Jun 1786, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. Witnesses were James Button and Isabella Bird. We know that Sarah was "of the parish" at the time of the marriage, but don't know when or where she may have been born nor who her parents were.

Daniel and Sarah had one daughter, Sally Hockley bap. 23 Dec 1787, who later married Thomas Staines and, in turn, two of their daughters, Sarah Staines and Ann Staines, later married Henry Wilton, elder brother of Richard Wilton. So, one way or another, I'm related to this Daniel Hockley. 

There is a burial of a Daniel Hockley, aged 56, on 21 May 1817.

And a death of Sarah Hockley, age estimated as 80, who died in 1838 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 53 and was buried on 14 Jul 1838 at St Mary the Virgin, Little Dunmow, which I think relates.

(This Daniel and Sarah Hockley are also reputed to have been the parents of this Daniel Hockley, but I'm just not buying it. There are no records I can find to substantiate this, and therefore seems (unless anyone can provide evidence to the contrary), merely an assumption based on his name. And it will probably be unpopular to say this, but this Hockley line are firmly of the "middling sort": merchants, artisans and tradesmen, living in the centre of Great Dunmow. The later Daniel Hockley was a Labourer, who arrived in the rural outskirts of Dunmow from Broxted. They're from two very different classes.)

Isaac Archer and Sophia Hockley

Church End, Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/127523

Isaac Archer (bap. 12 Oct 1828), son of Samuel Archer and Ann Enifer, married Sophia Hockley (bap. 14 Aug 1831), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, on 13 May 1848 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The bride was only 16. Witnesses were James Archer and Emma Archer.

But Sophia Archer died, aged 17 (1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 55) and was buried on 13 Nov 1848, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The reasons for such early marriage and the cause of her death are easy to work out: Sophia had given birth to a daughter, Esther Archer in 1848 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73, bap. 13 Sep 1848. The infant Esther Archer also died in 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56 and was also buried on 13 Nov 1848.

In 1851, Isaac Archer (20ish) Ag Lab, born in Dunmow, Essex, was a lodger in the household of a Henry Peters (30) in Navestock, Essex.

No surprise that Isaac Archer (24), Widower, married Hannah Morrill (19) (bap. 5 Jan 1834 in High Roding), Spinster, daughter of Charles & Elizabeth Morrill, at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock, on 23 May 1852.

Isaac and Hannah Archer had four daughters:

1. Esther Ann Archer b. 13 Feb 1853 (1853 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 62), bap. 3 Apr 1853 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
2. Emily Eliza Archer b. 1855 D Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 60, bap. 30 Dec 1855 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
3. Sarah Eliza Archer b. 1859 S Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 73, bap. 31 Jul 1859 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
4. Eliza Archer b. 1861 (1862 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 73), bap. 11 Feb 1862 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock

In 1861, Isaac Archer (29ish) Ag Lab from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living On the Road by Sabines Green, Navestock, Ongar, Essex with Hanah Archer (27), Esther Archer (8), Emily Archer (6), Sarah Archer (2) and Charles Morrill (74) Widower, Father-in-law. (Charles Morrell (sic) (77) of the Union House Dunmow was buried on 13 Jul 1866 in High Roding.)

Then Hannah Archer died at 26 in 1862 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 46, presumably in giving birth to her fourth daughter, and was buried on 16 Feb 1862, at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock.

So, Isaac Archer married for a 3rd time to Eliza Stokes on 17 May 1863 in Theydon Bois, Essex. It was her third marriage also; born Eliza Juniper (b. 19 Sep 1810, bap. 14 Oct 1810), daughter of Timothy Juniper and Ann Pearce, she married Joseph Sweeting on 5 Nov 1830 in Great Dunmow. 

Joseph and Eliza Sweeting had five children:

1. Rachel Sweeting bap. 30 Oct 1831 in Great Dunmow
2. George Sweeting bap. 12 Oct 1834 in Great Dunmow
3. Susan Sweeting bap. 30 Jul 1837 in Great Dunmow
4. Moses Sweeting b. 1839 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 67, bap. 7 Apr 1839 in Great Dunmow
5. Cornelius Sweeting b. 1841 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 70, bap. 18 Apr 1841 in Great Dunmow

On both birth registrations their mother's maiden name is JUNIPER.

Joseph Sweeting had died at 36 in 1841 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 64 and was buried on 24 Feb 1841 in Great Dunmow.

In 1841, Eliza Sweeting (30) Widow and her five children were living at Halfway House, Great Dunmow. We're going round in circles again.

Eliza Sweeting (37), Widow, daughter of Timothy Juniper, married William Stokes (40) at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, on 12 Aug 1849.

William and Eliza Stokes had a son:

1.  Alfred Stokes b. 1850 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 78 (even if his mother's maiden name was amusingly mis-transcribed as JUMPER), bap. 10 Nov 1850 in Great Dunmow.

But William Stokes died, at 48, in 1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 227 and was buried on 19 Sep 1857 in Great Dunmow.

In 1861, Eliza Stokes (49) Widow for the 2nd time was living in Phreaders Green, Great Dunmow with her sons George Sweeting (26) and Alfred Stokes (10) (next-door-but-one to the also widowed Eliza Hockley).

In 1871, Isaac Archer (41ish) Ag Lab, Eliza Archer (56ish) from Little Sailing, Essex were living at Blunts Farm Cottages, Theydon Garnon, Epping, Essex, with Sarah Archer (11), Eliza Archer (10) and Alfred Stokes (20) Step-Son. Esther Ann Archer (19) was a Domestic Servant at Union Street (Gas Works), West Ham; Emily Archer (16) was General Domestic Servant to Matthias Dunstan, National Schoolmaster at High Street Chapel Lane, Epping.

Then Eliza Archer (65) died in 1873 D Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 66 and was buried on 5 Nov 1873 in Theydon Garnon.

For now, I've lost sight of Isaac Archer, however, all of his daughters appear to marry and relocate to Lancashire, some working in the cotton industry.

In 1881, Alfred Stokes (31) was an Inmate in the Union Workhouse, Great Dunmow. He died at 33 and was buried on 16 Sep 1884 in Great Dunmow.

Charles Hockley and Annie Crow

Halfway House Farm, near Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/231844

Charles Hockley (b. 27 Apr 1876), son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, like generations of the family grew up at Halfway House, married Annie Crow, daughter of James Crow and Ann Newcombe, who had lived virtually next door at Philpot End, in Great Dunmow, on 29 Mar 1902.

Charles and Annie Hockley had four children:

1. William Charles Hockley b. 7 Sep 1903 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 869, bap. 18 Oct 1903, in Great Dunmow
2. James Hockley b. 24 Oct 1909 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 842, bap. 28 Nov 1909 in Great Dunmow
3. Annie Hockley b. 14 Jan 1912 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 1696, bap. 25 Feb 1912 in Great Dunmow
4. Charles Francis Hockley b. 25 Mar 1915 J Quarter in DUNMOW 04A Page 1630, bap. 2 May 1915 in Great Dunmow

At Halfway House in 1911 were Charles Hockley (35) Farm Labourer, Annie Hockley (33), William Charles Hockley (7) and James Hockley (1).

None of the baptism records say where, but they do all confirm the family's residence at Halfway House. On the last baptism for Charles Francis in 1915, his father's occupation is given as Army Service Corps Serving in France. 

Despite about 60% of soldiers’ Service Records being irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombing in 1940 during the Second World War, Charles Hockley's record survives. Charles Hockley, Service number T4/041670 of Halfway House, Great Dunmow, Essex, had volunteered, age 38 years and 8 months, for 3 years service on 18 Jan 1915, at which time he was 5 ft 4¼ with a 37" chest. The record confirms the dates of birth of his four children, which it says were verified by certificates, but he'd incorrectly remembered the date of his wedding anniversary.

Charles was attached to the 452nd Horse Transport Company (he'd have been used to working with horses on the farm). See: Army Service Corps Horse Transport Companies. According to the list, pre-war, this was the 46th (North Midland) Division and his record does show him with the 46th Division Train - "the ‘workhorse’ of the Division in terms of carrying stores and supplies". Charles' embarked in Southampton on 18 Feb 1915, arriving in Le Havre the following day. It is recorded that the Division spent the first months in the Ypres Salient. Charles was in France until he was discharged on 22 Mar 1919. He received a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.

In 1939, at Halfway House Cottages, Great Dunmow, were Charles Hockley, Labourer Stockman; Annie Hockley; James Hockley, Farm Labourer and Charles Francis Hockley, Heavy Tractor Driver (Agricultural Contract Work).

Charles Hockley died, aged 76, in 1953 J Qtr in BRAINTREE Vol 04A 283.

Annie Hockley died, aged 77, in 1955 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 540.

• William Charles Hockley of Church Cottage, Tilty, had married Jessica Emma Trott, daughter of Robert William Trott, on 11 Feb 1928 in Tilty, Essex. In 1939, William C Hockley, Gardener, and Jessie E Hockley were living at The Fields, Stansted Mountfitchet. William Charles Hockley died, aged 86, in Bishops Stortford, in 1989. Jessie Emma Hockley died, aged 92, in Harlow, in 1998.
• James Hockley, of Halfway House Cottage, Ongar Road, Great Dunmow, died on 2 Oct 1979. He does not appear to ever marry.
• Annie C Hockley (she didn't have a second name, but the birth date agrees), married Fred Hardy in Great Dunmow in 1937. In 1939, Fred Hardy, Horseman on farm and Annie Hardy were living at Tolliday Cottages, Stebbing, Great Dunmow. Fred Hardy died, aged 80, in 1985 and Anny Hardy, aged 77 in 1989.
• Charles Francis Hockley died on 5 Sep 2012. He'll have been 97.

Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt

Quaker Meeting House (1835), New Street, Great Dunmow

Richard Wilton (bap. 20 Mar 1811 in Royston, Hertfordshire), middle son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Catherine Byatt (bap. 4 Apr 1824 in Little Canfield, Essex), daughter of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, at the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House), New Street, Great Dunmow, on 25 Mar 1843, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Protestant Dissenters. Richard Wilton, who had been listed on the 1841 census, living in the High Street, Great Dunmow, as a harness maker (as he is on the marriage certificate), was 32 at the time of the wedding and Catherine Byatt, then 19, was listed as a minor. Witnesses were Richard's younger brother Joseph Wilton and Maria Staines (then 17) sister of Richard's brother, Henry's wives (both), daughters of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley. 

Richard and Catherine had seven children:

1. Ann Wilton b. 1844 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 76, mother's maiden name BYATE. (Died 27 Apr 1850 (1850 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56), aged 6, buried 2 May 1850)
2. Elizabeth Wilton b. 6 Aug 1847 (1847 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 69 1847 Q3 - the whole of volume 12 is missing except for the first page (about 3000 entries missing)
3. Richard Wilton b. 1848 (No GRO birth registration) (Died, aged 41, in 1889 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 322)
4. Walter Wilton b. 1850 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 79 (Died, aged 1, in 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 219)
5. Martha Wilton b. 1853 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 317 (Died, aged 1, in 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 209)
6. William Wilton b. 1855 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 311 (Died, aged 3, in 1858 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 223)
7. Ellen Wilton b. 1857 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 335 

On the birth registrations for Walter, Martha, William and Ellen, the mother's maiden name is correctly listed as BYATT.

Richard Wilton, Harness maker (journeyman), died on 3 Mar 1858 (1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 262), from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis). He was 46.

George Wilton, born in the Dunmow Union (Workhouse) on 3 Feb 1860 (1860 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 361), birth certificate says his mother's name was Caroline Wilton, no father listed, but I cannot find a Caroline Wilton in the area at any time. On later census returns George was listed as Catherine's new husband - John Eldred's - step-son, so George appears to have been Catherine's 'mystery' illegitimate son.

In 1861, the widowed Catherine (surname transcribed as Wilson), was living with her brother, William Byatt, in Little Canfield. George Wilton, aged 1, was listed there as nephew to the head of the household. There was a Stephen Wilton (13) Baker, lodging in the household of Elizabeth Edwards (73) at Dunmow Down, Great Dunmow, however, I believe this was a pseudonym used by her son Richard Wilton (see 1884 below). While, the 13 year old Elizabeth and her 4 year old sister, Ellen (listed as being 6), were that year, listed as inmates in the Great Dunmow Union Workhouse.

Catherine then remarried to John Eldred, widower, on 27 Sep 1862 in Great Dunmow. (Various records list her previous surname as Walton or Wilson.)

John Eldred (bap. 10 Mar 1822 in Great Dunmow) son of William Eldred and Eleanor Fewell, had married for the first time to Harriett Page, on 20 Aug 1848, in Great Dunmow. John and Harriett Eldred had three sons: 

1. John Eldred b. 1849 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. (Died aged 10, in 1860 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 224)
2. Walter Eldred b. 1852 D Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 355, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. On the baptism, his father's occupation is listed as Brewer's Servant and address given as No 12 Smith Place High Street Wapping London. (Died, aged 18, in 1871 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 256)
3. Alfred Eldred b. 1855 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) Volume 01C Page 468 (for reasons unknown the mother's maiden name is listed as PORTER, but there does not appear to be another Alfred Eldred it could relate to) bap. 12 Aug 1855 in Great Dunmow

But Harriet Eldred died aged 28, in 1855 D Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 312.

John Eldred remarried to Elizabeth Tennisse, Widow, daughter of John Pitts, Mariner, on 2 Nov 1856 at Christ Church, St George in the East. Elizabeth Pitts had previously married James Tennisse in 1854, in Bethnal Green. The pair had three children, all of whom died as infants: Maria Sophia Tennisse (1849-1853); James John Tennisse (1851-1856) and Sarah Tennisse (1853-1855). James Tennisse also died, at 32, in 1855, in Stepney.

John and Elizabeth Eldred had one daughter:

1. Thomazine Maria Eldred b. 24 Jul 1857 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413, bap. 4 Apr 1858 in the parish of St George in the East, Stepney. Her father's occupation was listed as Drayman and their address again as 12 Smith's Place.

Then Elizabeth Pitts Eldred died, aged 30, in 1859 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 271. 

So when Catherine Wilton married John Eldred, she became his third wife.

In 1871, living in Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, were John Eldred (44) Ag Lab, Catherine Eldred (42) both had lost 5 years; Walter Eldred (18) Son, Alfred Eldred (16) Son, Maria Eldred (13) Daughter, Ellen Wilton (14) Step-Daughter; George Wilton (11) Step-Son; and Alice Wilton (2) Granddaughter (Alice Catherine Wilton born 12 Feb 1869, to Elizabeth Wilton.)

Then John Eldred died, aged 49, in 1876 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 54. 

In 1881, Catherine Eldridge (sic) (56) Widow, Dressmaker from Cranfield (sic), Essex, was living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Richard Wilton (31) Labourer; George Wilton (21) Labourer; Ellen Wilton (24) Match Maker; Susan Robinson (21) Match Maker (Boarder) and four Lodgers: William Wardley (20) Labourer from Sudbury, Suffolk; Arthur Seatch (36) Labourer from Bromley; Frank Poulter (24) Carman from Cambridge and James Howard (18) Match Maker (Fusee) from Bromley.

Matchgirl strikers, several showing early symptoms of phosphorus necrosis. Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

White Slavery in London

Living little more than half a mile from the Bryant & May's factory in Bow, it's probably reasonable to assume this was where they were all employed, where conditions were especially bad. 

"The match girls worked from 6.30am (or 8am in winter) until 6pm, with just two breaks, standing all the time. “A typical case”, wrote Besant, “is that of a girl of 16, a piece worker; she earns 4s a week ..." (Worth around £26 in 2020).

"Conditions were appalling for the 1,400 women and girls who worked at Bryant and May's match factory in Bow, East London. Low pay for a 14-hour day was cut even more if you talked or went to the toilet, and 'phossy jaw' - a horrible bone cancer caused by the cheap type of phosphorus in the matches - was common." 

"If you handled white phosphorus or came into contact with it too much, then it caused serious damage to your health and you ended up with a terrible condition known as ‘Phossy Jaw’ – where you would get severe toothache followed by swelling of the gums. Abscesses would then form on the jaw-bone, and the facial bones would glow a greeny white in the dark. If untreated then ‘Phossy Jaw’ would develop into brain damage and ultimately multiple organ failure." As a result of these appalling conditions, the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888 started in the factory, which led to the establishment of the first British trade union for women. Match Girls Strike at Bryant and May Factory: The 1888 Uprising for Workers’ Rights in London

Having checked the records, I know my 2x great-grand aunt was not involved in the Matchgirls Strike in 1888, but it gives an insight into the conditions she must have endured. She could have been involved in an earlier, unsuccessful, strike in 1881. [As yet] I've found no verified record of Ellen Wilton after 1881, so she may have already become a victim of these circumstances.

The Essex Herald of 20 Oct 1884 reported on "WHOLESALE SHOP LIFTING. - Richard Wilton, a navvy, of Bromley-by-Bow, was brought up in custody charged with stealing a black rep cloth overcoat and 12 pairs of tanned leggings, value £1, from the shop of Edwin Joseph Wilton, in High Street, Dunmow on Saturday night last. Prisoner was further charged with stealing six twill jackets, value 24s, the property of Mr John Beard, of North Street, Great Dunmow, on Saturday night. Superintendent Ackers stated that the greater part of the property had been recovered and identified, and, it being believed that others were implicated in the robbery, he asked that the prisoner, who was only arrested on Sunday night, might be remanded. The prisoner was accordingly remanded for a week. Later reports, which (named the perp as Stephen Wilton (36) Baker) noted that Mr [Edwin] Wilton stated the prisoner was his cousin. The prisoner was acquitted. (There were two cousins, to both Richard and Edwin, named Stephen Wilton [1] [2] - neither were angels - but I'm sure this was not either of them.

Of Catherine's two surviving children and two step-children: her daughter Elizabeth Wilton; her son George Wilton; Alfred Eldred and Thomazine Maria Eldred ... all four gave the name Catherine as the first or middle name to their first child. In the case of her step-son, Alfred's wife's mother was also named Catherine to account for this, but for all of them to use the name, I think tells us far more about Catherine as a person than records usually can.

So far, I've not found a death for Catherine, but with so many incorrect names given throughout her life, it's not easy to guess what it might be listed under. There's also the chance, of course, that she remarried once again and therefore this is under yet another totally new name.