Showing posts with label Hockley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hockley. Show all posts

Monday, 6 July 2026

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) & Lizzie Cloughton (1) were at Bannister 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.

Sunday, 28 June 2026

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 Hockley and Mary Watts, 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.

Monday, 15 June 2026

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 in Gosport, Hampshire (1881 D Qtr in FAREHAM Vol 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 GrangeGosport, 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 BarracksArtillery 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.

Sunday, 7 June 2026

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), Bachelor, of this Parish, son of Robert Hockley and Mary Watts, and Sarah Turner, Spinster, of the same [Parish] were married by John Howlett, Vicar, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, on 7 Jun 1786. The transcription of the parish register names the witnesses as James Button and Isabella Bird.

This couple had one daughter, Sally Hockley b. 7 Dec 1787, bap. 23 Dec 1787 in Great Dunmow, at 16 days old, who married Thomas Staines in 1812, and, because two of their daughters, Sarah Staines and Ann Staines, later married Henry Wilton, elder brother of my 3x great-grandfather, Richard Wilton, one way or another, I'm related to this Daniel Hockley.

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.

There was a burial of a Daniel Hockley, who died aged 56 (right sort of age, computes to an estimated birth year of 1761), in 1817, however, upon further investigation, that burial turned out to be in Thaxted. It could relate, but it's too much of a stretch to accept, because I cannot place him in Thaxted and, even if he died there, one would expect him to be brought back to Dunmow for burial. Others have ascribed a death in 1843. The deceased in this case was aged around 77, computing to a birth around 1766 and the burial was in High Roding. This 1843 death can be immediately refuted though, because the record, in Essex Monumental Inscriptions, shows that particular Daniel Hockley is buried with a wife named Elizabeth. Therefore, at the moment, I cannot, with any confidence, say when this Daniel Hockley died.

What I can say is that there are a LOT of people named Daniel Hockley. They may all be related, but it is absolutely not safe to assume that they are. 

There's also 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 feel could relate, but again, my confidence is not now high on this. With only one child, it's possible that either one or both of them died shortly after Sally was born. Then either could have remarried. It just isn't possible [yet] to be absolutely certain.

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

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 an early marriage and Sophia's probable cause of 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 had also died in 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56 and was buried on the same day as her mother 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 [Workhouse] 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.

Monday, 11 May 2026

Joseph Wilton and Ann Thurlbourn

St.Andrew's Street Baptist Church
Photo available for reuse under
Joseph Wilton (b. 1815 in Royston, Hertfordshire), Bachelor, Tailor of Market Hill, Cambridge, son of Stephen Wilton, Harness Maker, and Elizabeth Hankin, married Ann Thurlbourn (b. 9 Sep 1820 in Cambridge), Spinster, School Mistress who gave her address as Park Street, daughter of John Thurlbourn, Glover, and Rhoda Poarcher, at the Baptist Chapel in the town of Cambridge (presumably St Andrew's Street Baptist Church) on 11 May 1841. Witnesses were William Thurlbourn and Sarah Thurlbourn, who I presume were Ann's brother and sister.

Joseph and Ann Wilton had 13 kids:
  1. Sarah Ann Wilton b. 1842 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 84
  2. Edwin Joseph Wilton b. 1843 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
  3. Eleanor Wilton b. 1845 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
  4. Kate Wilton b. 1846 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 75 (d. 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294)
  5. Clara Jane Wilton b. 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 67
  6. Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton b. 1850 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 87
  7. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 316 (d. 1854 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 242)
  8. Lydia Ann Wilton b. 1853 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 273
  9. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1855 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 297
  10. Herbert Charles Wilton b. 1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 304 (d. 1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 261)
  11. Fanny Wilton b. 1859 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 372
  12. Marion Louisa Wilton b. 1860 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 308 (d. 1861 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 228)
  13. Frederic John Wilton b. 1862 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 334 (d. 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 234)
Most of the registrations correctly spell the mother's maiden name as THURLBOURN, so someone in the family must have been literate.

Joseph brought his new wife to Great Dunmow, where on 6 Jun 1841, we find Joseph Wilton (25) Tailor and Ann Wilton (20) in the High Street, where his uncleeldest sister and two brothers already lived. If one could take a time-machine back to Great Dunmow in 1841, imagine how long it would take to get any shopping done after greeting all the family en route! Having often joked that I come from a long line of Essex girls (white stilettos optional), little did I know quite how much influence on 'Essex style' (stop thinking TOWIE), my relatives may have had, having served the clothing needs of the population in Great Dunmow for probably three centuries or more. Robert Hockley (bap. 1775), who was also my relative, was also listed as a tailor in Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823 and as a tailor and draper in the High Street in 1841. They may have been in competition, but as Robert Hockley was then 65, there also exists the possibility that my Wilton relatives took over the business from my Hockley ones. Joseph Wilton was once again listed in White's Directory of Essex 1848, as a Tailor and Draper.

The difference between tailor and draper is that tailor makes, repairs, or alters clothes professionally, especially suits and men's clothing while draper is one who sells cloths; a dealer in cloths; as, a draper and tailor. And a clothier is a person or company that makes or sells clothes or cloth, while an outfitter is a shop selling men's clothing.

As the census returns for 1851 in Great Dunmow are missing, we have to wait until 1861 - when Joseph Wilton (46) Tailor And Clothier; Ann Wilton (40) with eight of the nine then surviving children still at home: Edwin J Wilton (17) Tailor; Eleanor Wilton (15), Kate Wilton (14), Clara J Wilton (12), Arthur T Wilton (10), Lydia A Wilton (7), Alice M Wilton (6) and Fanny Wilton (2). The 1861 census locates Joseph's premises three-doors-down, on the same side of the road, from The Saracen's Head Hotel, with a confectioner and a clockmaker between them and a draper and grocer on the other side.

In 1871, Joseph Wilton (56) Clothier, employing 3 men and 1 boy, was still in the same position with the Willis brothers next door (although the clockmaker had changed career to become an insurance agent) and then the Parker family, confectioners. In the Wilton household also were Ann (50), Edwin Joseph (27), Eleanor (25), Arthur (20), Lydia Ann (17), Alice Maria (15), Fanny (12) and Frederick (8). Clara Jane (21) was living with her sister, Sarah Ann Jarvis (28), also in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

Joseph Wilton died, aged 58, on 11 Aug 1873 (1873 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 242) from Consumption (Tuberculosis) and was buried on 18 Aug 1873, leaving effects valued 'Under £600'. 

Ann Wilton died, at 56, on 15 Nov 1876 (1876 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 248) and was buried on 22 Nov 1876 in Great Dunmow. 

Kate Wilton had died, from Consumption (Tuberculosis) aged 23, in 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294 and was buried on 24 Jan 1870; Sarah Ann Jarvis died at 31, in 1874 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 271, again from Consumption (Tuberculosis) and was buried on 8 Jan 1874; and Frederick John Wilton died, aged 17, in 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 234 and was buried on 20 Aug 1879. The level of loss in this family is truly heart-breaking. 

In 1881, it fell to Edwin Joseph Wilton to carry on the Outfitters Shop, High Street, Great Dunmow, assisted by his brother Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (30) Clothier. Eleanor Wilton (29 ish) Tobacconist; Clara Wilton (27) Tobacconist, Tom Jarvis (13) Cashier Clerk, Nephew born in Thaxted [William Thomas Jarvis son of Sarah Ann Jarvis] and a Lodger were at 3, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex. Alice Marie Wilton (25) Governess and Fanny Wilton (22) Governess were elsewhere in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

In 1891, Alice Wilton (31) Schoolmistress; Fanny Wilton (28) Schoolmistress; Eleanor Wilton (38) Dressmaker; Clara Wilton (36) Dressmaker and Lillie Wilton [Lydia Ann] (32) Governess. The last three were visitors in the household of the first two in the High Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1901, Eleanor Wilton (claiming to be 45) Dressmaker and Clara Wilton (42 ish) were living in Fairfield Road, Chelmsford; Arthur T Wilton (50) Clothiers Assistant, was a Lodger at The Brook, Great Dunmow. Lydia A Wilton (42), Alice M Wilton (41) and Fanny Wilton (37) were all listed as Teacher Private School and living together in New Street, Great Dunmow.

Alice Maria Wilton died at 51 in 1906 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A 385. Essex Newsman of 9 Jun 1906: "MISS ALICE WILTON, of New Street, Dunmow, died very suddenly on Friday last. The deceased lady was in her usual health until the previous Wednesday afternoon, when she was seized with pain, and on the doctor's arrival it was found necessary for her to undergo an operation without delay. This was carried out, but death followed very soon afterwards, from heart failure. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church Burial Ground on Tuesday, when a large number of fiends attended, The mourners were Mr E J Wilton of Brighton and Mr Arthur Wilton, brothers; Messrs J W Beard, L Saville, A Dennis ad J V Mackenzie, Mr James Mackenzie, Mr & Mrs Scarfe, Mr & Mrs Dennis, the Choral Society, the Choir, the Misses White (old pupils), Mr & Mrs Budd, of Chelmsford, and the pupils of the school. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev D B Thomas.

In 1911, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (60) Outfitter, was a Boarder in Market Street, Great Dunmow; Eleanor Wilton (55 ish) Dressmaker and Lets Apartments was still living in Chelmsford with sister Clara Jane Wilton (51) and two Boarders; Lydia Ann Wilton (47) School Mistress and Fanny Wilton (42 ish) Music Teacher were still in Great Dunmow. 

Clara Jane Wilton died at 70 in 1919 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD.

In 1921, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (70) Formerly Clothier, was an Inmate in Severalls Mental Hospital, Colchester (Severalls Hospital: the Evil Inside The Asylum); Eleanor Wilton (72) Lodging house keeper; Lydia Ann Wilton (56) and Fanny Wilton (52) were at 10, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford with Thomas Cunnington (23) Accountant Clerk from Gorleston on Sea, Boarder.

Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton died at 72 in 1923 M Quarter in COLCHESTER Vol 04A Page 772; Fanny Wilton died at 67 in 1926 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 620; Lily Wilton [Lydia Ann] died at 74 in 1928 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 724 and Eleanor Wilton died at 82 in 1928 J Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 684. 

None of them, other than Sarah Ann and Edwin Joseph, ever married.

Sunday, 29 March 2026

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.

Wednesday, 25 March 2026

Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt

Quaker Meeting House (Grade II Listed), 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. 9 Aug 1847 (1847 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 69). Many places, online and off, have listed Elizabeth's date of birth as 6 August, however, I've now obtained a copy of her birth certificate from the GRO and it clearly reads Ninth August 1847.
  3. Richard Wilton b. 1848 (No GRO birth registration, under any name) (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. 21 Apr 1857 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 335
On the birth registrations for Elizabeth, Walter, Martha, William and Ellen, the mother's maiden name is correctly listed as BYATT. On Elizabeth's birth certificate, her father is listed as Richard Wilton, Harness Maker and her mother, Catherine Wilton, formerly Byatt, Informant, made her mark.

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. The informant, present at his death, at Dunmow Down, was Ann Whybrow. (Formerly Ann Chandler, she had married Thomas Whybrow, a Currier (specialist in the leather trade) in 1823.) Richard's burial on 8 Mar 1858, is in Non-Conformist Church Records, so may have been in the burial ground attached to the Quaker Meeting House in Great Dunmow (PDF), and listed his cause of death as Consumption

Doctor's Pond in Great Dunmow, Saturday, 4 July, 2009
It is thought that the doctors used to keep their supply of leeches in the Doctor's Pond.
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Ellen's birthplace, listed on her birth certificate and also the place of death listed on Richard's death certificate was Dunmow Down. The Downs is a street in the town of Great Dunmow (see map), close to Doctors Pond.

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, with no father listed (illegitimate), but I cannot find a Caroline Wilton in the area at any time (and this is about the third time I've seen Catherine and Caroline used as if interchangeably in wildly different parts of my tree). On later census returns George was listed as Catherine's new husband - John Eldred's - step-son, so George Wilton was certainly Catherine's 'mystery' illegitimate son.

(George can't have been Richard's son - unless sperm freezing was invented MUCH earlier than we've been led to believe - and an attempt to 'legitimise' this birth by suggesting a death of a Richard Wilton, in Whitechapel, in 1862, I can categorically refute, as now that the GRO provide a search facility, a quick look showed that this record was the death of a child, aged 1.)

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 Catherine's 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 (born Jacobus Teunisse on 8 Feb 1823 in Amsterdam, Netherlands) on 5 Jun 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, aged just 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, on 1 Apr 1859 (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 Canfield, Essex, was living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Richard Wilton (31) Labourer; George Wilton (21) Labourer; Ellen Wilton (24) Match Maker (although listed as married); 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

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 Richard and not either of them.

Of Catherine's surviving children and two step-children: her daughter Elizabeth Wilton; her son George WiltonAlfred 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. 

Friday, 20 March 2026

Charles Stephen Hockley and Esther Clark

St Helen & St Giles, Rainham
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Charles Richard Hockley (b. 1874 in Bromley-by-Bow, Poplar), born and baptised Charles Stephen Hockley, from marriage onwards Charles Richard Hockley, son of James Hockley and Elizabeth Wilton, married Esther Clark (bap. 23 Jun 1878 in Rainham, Essex), daughter of Abraham Henry Clark and Esther Shellito, at St Helen And St Giles, Rainham, on 20 Mar 1897.

Charles and Esther Hockley had six children:

  1. Rose Ellen Hockley b. 19 Jan 1898 (1898 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 525), bap. 20 Feb 1898 at St Helen & St Giles
  2. May Hockley b. 27 Sep 1901 (1901 D Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 613), bap. 4 Nov 1901 at St Helen & St Giles
  3. William Stephen Hockley b. 12 Jan 1907 (1907 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 626), bap. 17 Mar 1907 at St Helen & St Giles
  4. Richard Charles Hockley b. 12 Jan 1907 (1907 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 626), bap. 17 Mar 1907 at St Helen & St Giles
  5. Edith Florence Hockley b. 4 Jun 1911 (1911 S Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 1185), bap. 2 Jul 1911 at St Helen & St Giles
  6. Dorothy Mabel Hockley b. 29 Jul 1914 (1914 S Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 1226), bap. 13 Sep 1914 at St Helen & St Giles. Dorothy Mabel Hockley, of 1 Rosedale Terrace, Rainham, Essex, daughter of Charles Hockley, a Farm Labourer died on 7 Mar 1915 (1915 M Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 393), at the London HospitalWhitechapel from (1) Intussusception (2) Operation. She was buried on 13 Mar 1915 in Havering, London.
All of the birth registrations show the mother's maiden name of CLARK. All of the baptisms list them as the children of Charles Richard and Esther Hockley. Richard Charles and William Stephen, were identical twins. 

In 1901, Charles Hockley (27) Agricultural Labourer was living at 1, Rosedale Terrace, Rainham, Essex with Esther Hockley (22) and Rose Hockley (3).

In 1911, and still living at 1, Rosedale Terrace, Rainham, Essex, were Charles Hockley (37) Farm Labourer; Esther Hockley (34), Rose Ellen Hockley (13), May Hockley (9), William Stephen Hockley (4) and Richard Charles Hockley (4). On the 1911 census return the couple state that they'd been married 14 years and, by that time, had 4 children, with all four then still alive.

Charles Hockley (no middle name listed) died, aged 41 in 1916 D Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 620 and was buried on 17 Oct 1916.

In 1921, Esther Hockley (43) Widow, doing Agricultural Work at Brick House, Rainham, still living at 1, Rosedale Terrace, Rainham with Rose E Hockley (23) Carburettor Tester; May Hockley (19) Machine Minder Out Of Work; Richard C and William S Hockley (14) Farm Work; and Edith F Hockley (10).

In 1939, Esther Hockley (b. 28 May 1878), Widowed, School Cleaner, address was 100 Upminster Road, Rainham, and living with her were William S Hockley, Farm Worker; and Edith F Hockley, Machine Operator.

Esther Hockley died, aged 71, in  1950 J Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 05A Page 455 and was buried on 8 May 1950 in the district of Havering.

  • Rose Ellen Hockley married Edward Herbert Parker at St Helen And St Giles, Rainham on 12 Nov 1921. Rose Ellen Parker, of 136 Upminster Road South, Rainham, died on 7 Dec 1983 and was buried on 14 Dec 1983 in the district of Havering.
  • May Hockley married Archie Harold Patch (b. 6 Jun 1898 in Grays, Essex) at St Helen And St Giles, Rainham on 5 Jun 1926. May Patch died in 1930 M Quarter in ORSETT Volume 04A Page 645, aged 29, and was buried on 13 Mar 1930 in Havering, London.
  • William Stephen Hockley, does not appear to have married. He died aged 70 and was buried on 8 Jul 1977 in Havering, London.
  • Richard Charles Hockley married Beatrice Maud Deeks at St Helen And St Giles, Rainham on 18 Nov 1933. Richard Charles Hockley died at 84 in DOR Q2/1991 in BRENTWOOD (4662) Volume 9 Page 1679 and was buried on 11 Apr 1991 in Havering, London.
  • Edith Florence Hockley married John Cyril Peel (b. 7 Dec 1911 in Blackburn, Lancashire), in the district of Romford, Essex on 3 Sep 1945. John Cyril Peel died in Norfolk in 1983; Edith Florence Peel of 78 Clark Road, Ditchingham, Norfolk died on 7 Dec 1984.

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

William Hockley and Jane Pye and Sarah Stokes

The Chequers Public House - formerly The Chequers Inn,
coaching inn, 27 Stortford Rd, Great Dunmow, Essex

William Hockley (bap. 16 Feb 1766), Bachelor, son of Robert Hockley and Mary Watts, married Jane Pye (bap. 12 Jul 1772), Spinster, daughter of Joseph Pye and Mary Guyver, on 24 Feb 1795 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, by Banns, in the Presence of George Nye and John Gunn.

William Hockley was described as Hostler at the Chequers Inn. The Hostler may have been the innkeeper, but certainly will have been responsible for the horses. The building is Grade II Listed, parts of which may date back to the 14th Century or even earlier, so one can probably presume that much of what one sees today is still fundamentally as it was in William Hockley's time.

William and Jane Hockley had two children:
  1. William Hockley b. 7 Jun 1795, bap. 3 Jul 1795, Age: 3 Weeks & 5 Days
  2. Jane Pye Hockley bap. 30 Jul 1797. Died aged 9 months, and was buried on 14 Mar 1798.
It would appear likely Jane Hockley died as a result of giving birth to their daughter, as she was buried at St Mary's on 6 July 1797, aged 25. 

William then remarried to Sarah Stokes (bap. 27 Dec 1778 in Little Canfield) daughter of William Stokes and Mary Judd, on 7 Sep 1800, also at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, not before they'd had their first child however. William and Sarah went on to have at least eight children:
  1. Jane Hockley b. Feb 1800 "Bastard Child of William Hockley and Sarah Stokes", it states, was baptised, aged 9 weeks, on 13 Apr 1800
  2. Robert Hockley bap. 2 Oct 1802 (Died aged 3 weeks, 3 days and was buried 15 Oct 1802)
  3. Robert Hockley bap. 11 Mar 1804
  4. Sarah Hockley bap. 29 Dec 1805
  5. Mary Ann Hockley bap. 26 Feb 1809
  6. Elizabeth Hockley bap. 25 Aug 1811
  7. Anne Hockley bap. 8 Dec 1816 (where William is still listed as Hostler). (Died 1819, aged 2 and buried 16 Sep 1819)
  8. Henry Hockley bap. 25 Apr 1819. [Sources]
In 1841, William Hockley (74), wife Sarah (65) and youngest son, Henry (20), were living in Star Lane, Great Dunmow

William Hockley died, aged 76, in 1844 D Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12  Page 55 and was buried at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 20 Oct 1844. 

In 1861, Sarah Hockley (83) Widow, was still living in Star Lane.

Sarah Hockley died, aged 90, in 1867 S Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 215. 

Star Lane in Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/1503881

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley

St Giles Church, Mountnessing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2444460

Thomas Staines (bap. 28 Mar 1790 in Mountnessing, Essex)son of Thomas Staines and Sarah Lewin, married Sally Hockley (bap. 23 Dec 1787 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turneron 20 Jan 1812 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. Witnesses were Robert Hockley, Sally's 1st cousin, and Benjamin Cheek (the latter was a Boot and Shoe Maker, according to Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823.)

Thomas and Sally had eleven children in total, who were all baptised at St Giles, Mountnessing, where the family settled for many years: 

  1. Thomas Staines bap. 12 Dec 1813
  2. Sarah Staines bap. 23 Jul 1815
  3. William Staines bap. 23 Mar 1817
  4. John Staines bap. 11 Apr 1819
  5. George Staines bap. 10 Dec 1820
  6. Robert Staines bap. 13 Oct 1822
  7. Elizabeth Staines bap. 4 Apr 1824. Died at 17 in 1841 J Quarter in BILLERICAY Volume 12 Page 6 and was buried on 30 May 1841.
  8. Mariah Staines bap. 6 Nov 1825
  9. Mary Staines bap. 28 Oct 1827
  10. Anne Staines bap. 31 Mar 1829
  11. Charles Staines bap. 21 Jun 1831

On the baptisms of Thomas, Sarah, William and John, their father is listed as a Shop Keeper. On those of George onwards, he's listed as a farmer. He's also listed as a farmer on Sarah's marriage to Henry Wilton in 1838.

Farm Buildings, Woodlands Farm, Mountnessing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Winfield - geograph.org.uk/p/37921

In 1841, Thomas Staines (50), Farmer, was residing at Woodlands Farm [Thoby Lane], Mountnessing with wife Sally and six of their children; George (20), Robert (18), Maria (15), Mary (13), Ann (11) and Charles (9). Eldest son Thomas Staines married Eliza Lee in 1835 and went to live in High RodingSarah Staines had married Henry Wilton in 1838 and they could be found in the High Street, Great Dunmow; a William Staines of the right age, who was born in Mountnessing, is a farmer of 79 acres in Navestock, Essex; John Staines also appeared to have left home and Elizabeth Staines, it would seem, sadly, had just died, aged 17, and was buried on 30 May 1841.

In 1851, Thomas Staines (61), Farmer of 130 Acres, Employing 4 Labourers and 2 Boys, at Woodlands Farm, Mountnessing, with wife Sally. Still at home were George (30), Maria (25) and Ann (22). Mary Ann Wilton (5) was listed as Niece (could be an easy mistake if one of children was completing the census or responding to the enumerator for their parents), but she was Thomas and Sally's granddaughter (daughter of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines), possibly staying with her grandparents as her mother had another child in 1851. 

By 1861, Thomas and Sally Staines had moved to Lord Peters (Sir William Petre) Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford. Thomas (71) was then listed as being a Maltster and Corn Dealer. Still living at home were daughters Maria (32) and Anne (29) and visiting them were granddaughter, Elizabeth Staines (14) (daughter of William Staines) and their grandson, Henry Staines Wilton (20) (son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines).

Thomas Staines died, at 79, in 1870 (1870 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 134), and was buried, on 8 Feb 1870, in Ingatestone.

In 1871, Sally Staines, widow and annuitant, was living Nr The Maltings, Avenue Cottage with Anne (40), housekeeper and Fanny Hogg, boarder. 

Sally Staines (née Hockley) died, aged 87 in 1875 (1875 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 308), and was buried on 18 Mar 1875 at St Edmund and St Mary's Church, Ingatestone.

Ginge Petre Almshouses, Ingatestone (1840)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Julian Osley - geograph.org.uk/p/3493906