Elnathan Ayres and Elizabeth Perry

St Mary's, Whitechapel (St Mary Matfelon)

Elnathan Ayres (b. 17 Jul 1752) Bachelor, son of Elnathan Ayres and Martha Travally, married Elizabeth Perry (b. 28 Aug 1749) Spinster, daughter of John Perry and Ann Watlington, at St Mary's, Whitechapel (St Mary Matfelon), Whitechapel High Street, on 3 Oct 1771. Witnesses were William Dalton and Sarah Dalton; Esther Travally (Elnathan's aunt or cousin) and Ann Perry.

(Elnathan Ayres was my 1st cousin seven times removed, as our nearest common ancestors, Thomas Travally and Rachel Winnall, were his grandparents and my 7x great-grandparents. Sarah Dalton (née Travally) and her sister Elizabeth Travally, my 5x great-grandmother, were Elnathan Ayres' first cousins, daughters of Winnall Travally and Elizabeth Benbow (and yes, it does seem entirely likely she was related to the infamous Admiral John Benbow). Winnall Travally, my 6th great-grandfather, thus was Elnathan's uncle; his mother's brother. Elnathan and his father were both shipwrights and the Daltons later lived in a house built by John Perry (shipbuilder). In fact, William Dalton had to have been an officer in the shipyard to have lived there and all of the evidence suggests that he was Master Caulker at the Blackwall Yard, which built ships for the East India Company. So I was certain Elizabeth Perry was related and indeed she was John Perry's youngest sister.)

Elnathan Ayres had at least eight children with Elizabeth Perry:

1. Elnathan Boulton Ayres b. Saturday, 5 Dec 1772, son of Elnathan, Shipwright of Queen Street and Elizabeth, bap. 30 Dec 1772 at St Anne, Limehouse (at 25 days old). Elnathan Ayres of Queen St, aged 2 years, 6 months, was buried at St Anne, Limehouse on 4 Jun 1775
2. Elizabeth Ayres b. ~Jul 1774. Elizabeth Ayres of Queen Street was buried at St Anne, Limehouse on 21 May 1775, aged 10 months.
3. Elizabeth Ayres b. Friday, 25 Sep 1778, bap. 18 Oct 1778 (at 23 days old), as Betsey Ayres daughter of Elnathan Ayres (Shipwright, Ropemakers Fields) & Eliz, at St Anne's Limehouse 
4. Martha Travally Ayres bap. 8 Oct 1780 at St Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol
5. George Ayres bap. 31 Mar 1782 at St Mary, Redcliffe, Bristol
6. Charlotte Ayres bap. 9 Jun 1784 at St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe
7. Sage Boulton Ayres bap. 2 Jun 1786 at St Mary's, Rotherhithe
8. Martha Ayres b. Sunday, 4 Sep 1796, bap. 9 Oct 1796 at St Dunstan's, Stepney (baptism specifies that she was 35 days old)

For the last child in 1796 to be also named Martha, it's clear that Martha Travally Ayres born in 1780 must have died (not found record) and makes sense of the order the children are later listed on Elnathan Ayres' will.

Eldest son and daughter Sage, were given the middle name Boulton, which had to be significant. Richard Boulton was one of four partners - all retired sea captains who had worked for the East India Company and were members of London's shipping community - who had owned the Blackwall Yard (The Ownership of Blackwall Yard, 1724–79). Boulton, was a London merchant and an important figure in the East India Company, of which he was a director from 1718 to 1736 and on the Committee for Shipping from 1723 until 1726. He was a member of the Honourable Company of Shipwrights. During the 1720s Elizabeth's grandfather, Philip Perry, worked as manager for John Kirby and was later employed in a similar capacity by Collett and Boulton. (Blackwall Yard: Development, to c.1819). And her brother, John Perry, purchased the yard from Boulton, Gosfreight and partners. 

In 1784, Surrey, England, Land Tax Records, place Elnathan Ayres in Church Street, Rotherhithe (do they mean St Marychurch Street, In Old Rotherhithe), paying 12 shillings on a property belonging to Mr Searl, assessed at £3 p.a. Looks about average for the area, nothing fancy. In 1786 and 1787, we find Elnathan Aires (sic), still in Rotherhithe, in a property belonging to Reverend John Dewes. In 1788, Elnathan Aires (sic) has moved upmarket to a property owned by Lady Louisa Clayton; in 1789 and 1790, back to that of Reverend John Dewes. In 1791, however, he was occupying a property belonging to the estate of Countess Dowager Gower. In 1792, slumming it at the property of Lady Louisa Clayton again and in 1793 and 1795, back to Reverend John Dewes. In 1796 and 1798, once more a property in the estate of Countess Dowager Gower and Co (as was Nelson's protégé, William Layman, from 1798 to 1800, who married Elizabeth Perry's niece, also named Elizabeth Perry), although Elnathan Ayres appears to be living in the unattractively named Sluice Street, which I can only imagine is related to the Earl's Sluice, a culverted natural stream that divided Rotherhithe from Deptford. Where, we read that, "The land in front of many of the houses would have been used for ship building, repair or breaking." In 1800, Elnathan Ayres was listed at a property belonging to Atkinson Bush Esquire. Did the properties change hands, or did these people move from house to house each year? 

In 1805, Elnathan Ayres was listed among European inhabitants in Bengal, excluding those in the service of the East India Company or the Crown.

In 1810. Elizabeth Ayres appears in Surrey, England, Land Tax Records at a property in Charlotte Row, Westside, Rotherhithe, listed last in that location, immediately before Rotherhithe Street. The Boatswain and Call pub stood in Rotherhithe Street, from 1767 to 1810, at the junction with Charlotte Row. 

The will of Elnathan Ayres is a real eyebrow-raiser and probably creates more mysteries than questions it answers, but its highlights include:

In the Name of God: Amen: I Elnathan Ayres, Ship Wright of the Town of Calcutta Bengal being in bodily Health, and of sound and disposing memory; and considering the Evil, Dangers and other Uncertainties of this transitory life, do (for avoiding Controversies after my Decease) make, publish and declare this My last Will and Testament, in manner following:- that is to say, first I recommend my Soul to God, who gave it; and my body I commit to the Earth, or Sea, as it shall please God to order; and for and concerning all my Worldly Estate, I give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth; that is to say; First I Will, that all my just Debts and funeral Charges be paid and discharged by my Executors hereinafter named and Secondly that my House and all my Effects be turned into ready money as soon as conveniently may be and Disposed in the manner following, Viz, I leave and bequeath to my son James Ayres, born in Calcutta the Sum of Sicca Rupees [1] three thousand five hundred to be laid out by my Executors, at Interest on good Security, for his Education (which is not to be under the charge of his mother), the principal not to be given to him untill (sic) he becomes of Age the remainder of my property I leave to my Wife Elizabeth Ayres of the parish of St Mary's Rotherhiethe (sic) London and in case of her Death to be equally Divided between my four children in England, Viz: George Ayres, Charlotte Ayres, Sage Ayres and Martha Ayres, of the parish Aforesaid and to my Oldest Daughter Elizabeth Ayres, I only leave one Rupee and in case of the Death of my son James born in this country before he becomes of age, then the property left him to go to my Children in England, to be equally Divided as above, and I do hereby nominate and appoint James Horsburgh and George Watson of the Town of Calcutta to be Guardians of my Son James and Executors of this my last Will and Testament ... dated 7 Jul 1808.

From the will, I'm reading that Elnathan Ayres was acknowledging a - clearly illegitimate - child he fathered in India with someone other than his wife. Even without the details of his estate, we had to know he was wealthy enough to do so. There is a transcript of the baptism record of James Ayres, son of Elnathan Ayres, born on 3 Feb 1809 and baptised on 26 Feb 1809, in Bengal, India. The record doesn't say who the mother was. The Will must have been drawn up as soon as Elnathan knew she was carrying the child. Alas, there's also a transcript of a burial record for James Ayres described as "Poor Boy From Free School", Race: White (if one were to speculate, I'd bet his mother was a western woman and more than likely someone else's wife, hence Ayres was taking responsibility for the child's upbringing), on 1 Dec 1812 at Fort William, West Bengal, India. Sadly, I'm sure this was the same child.

[1] Sicca Rupee - a rupee issued in Bengal before 1836 weighing more than the rupee of the British East India Company.

One wonders what eldest daughter Elizabeth had done to deserve the indignity of being left only 1 Rupee!

Elnathan Ayres was buried on 25 Apr 1812, in Fort William, West Bengal, India. On the original record of 'Burials at Calcutta Fort William in Bengal A.D. 1812', it reads: "Mr E Ayres Ship Builder at Sulkea Shot Himself." One assumes this was not accidentally. Was it because of the scandal and shame of his indiscretion, or some other reason? I'm sure we'll never know.

(Sulkea (now Salkia), is a neighbourhood in Howrah of Howrah district in the Indian state of West Bengal, opposite Calcutta (now Kolkata). It is located on the west bank of Hooghly River, the westernmost distributary of the Ganges. Sulkea, originally a place where salt was brought and stored in warehouses, was one in a long list of shipyard locations on the Hooghly River in the early 19th century. The area was of truly global significance, enduring for centuries. Because of the rich textiles like muslin and silk, it attracted merchants, missionaries, mercenaries, statesmen, labourers and others from Europe and beyond, making it a mini 'Europe on the Hooghly'!)

His Executors presented his will before the Honourable Sir Henry Russell Knight Chief Justice at the Supreme Court in Fort William on 29 Apr 1812. The Executors produced an immensely detailed inventory of his possessions, dated 9 May 1812, right down to teaspoons and six pairs of cotton stockings and even 'a bag with salt'. It also showed that Elnathan Ayres' estate totalled £8282 3s 6d (well over a million pounds now), of which almost £5,000 was to be paid to the Ayres Family in England. Clearly he was no ordinary shipwright. Probate was granted in England on 2 Apr 1816.

It appears Elizabeth Ayres (née Perry) died, age listed as 61, and was buried on 6 Feb 1815 at St Anne, Limehouse, so probate had followed her death.

Even with this detail, I'm sure there's a much bigger story yet to uncover.

Francis Robert Blazey and Maria Emily Andrews

Church of St Thomas The Martyr, Oxford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/2030942

Francis Robert Blazey (b. 1 Aug 1833), eldest son of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, married Maria Emily Andrews (bap. 22 Mar 1840 at St Thomas the Martyr, Oxford), daughter of Charles Andrews and Eliza Sparks, at St Thomas the Martyr's Church, Oxford, on 22 Aug 1859. Witnesses to their marriage were William Griffin and Mary Ann Griffin.

Francis & Maria Blazey had two sons:

1. Francis Charles Blazey b. 1860 J Quarter in OXFORD Volume 03A Page 543, died aged 4 in 1864 S Quarter in WITNEY Volume 03A Page 418, buried 1 Aug 1864 at St Mary, Witney
2. William James Blazey b. 1863 S Quarter in WITNEY Vol 03A Page 589, bap. 13 Sep 1863 at St Mary the Virgin, Witney, Oxfordshire

In 1861, Francis Robert Blazey (27) Fireman, wife Maria (20) Dressmaker and their son, Francis Charles (1) and Samuel Blazey (19), Francis' younger brother, were living at 2, St Pauls Street, Blockhouse, Worcester.

The next record tells us Maria Andrews Blazey, wife of F. R. Blazey, Driver E.I.R. (East Indian Railway Company), died from Cancer on 4 Sep 1873, aged 32y 7m, and was buried on 5 Sep 1873 at Dinapore, Bengal, India. (Dinapore was a British garrison town in the 19th century, now called Danapur, it's about 10km NW of Patna, and 500km NW of Calcutta, now Kolkata.)

Francis Robert Blazey, 41, married Louisa Susan Stanley, 16 (b. 21 May 1857 and bap. 25 Jun 1857, at Poona (now Pune), India), daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley, on 9 Apr 1874, in Dinapore, India.

Francis & Louisa Blazey added a daughter:

3. Alice Maud Stanley Blazey b. 21 Dec 1875, bap. 31 Jan 1876, in Dinapore, India

Both the marriage record for Francis and Louisa and the baptism record for Alice Maud Stanley Blazey give their residence as Khagoul (now Khagaul). A record dated 13 Jul 1880, relating to Francis Robert Blazey, Engineman, having membership of the Pioneer Lodge of the Freemasons, lists his residence as being in Assensole (now Asansol).

Louisa Susan Blazey died, aged 27, on 2 Mar 1884, at sea, aboard the India of Glasgow (of the British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London), presumably on route to the UK, from Softening of the Brain (Cerebral softening, also known as encephalomalacia). The Inventory of the Estate of Mrs Louisa Susan Stanley amounted to three pages and a total of 6,463 (I assume pounds sterling, rather than Rupees) and included remittances to Francis Robert Blazey and for their daughter Alice Maud Stanley Blazey.

Francis Robert Blazey (51), Widower, Gentleman, of 9 Union Terrace, then married Eleanora Matilda Audric (24) at St James' Church, Norlands on 23 Apr 1885. The bride, of 161 Holland Road [Islington], listed as a Spinster, named her father as John [Jean] Baptiste François Audric, Cabinet Maker.

Francis & Elenora Blazey had two further children:

4. Constance Ellen Blazey b. 1890 J Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 224, bap. 1 Jun 1890 in Holloway, Islington, with parents listed as Francis Robert Blazey, Licenced Victualler, and Margaret Matilda Eleanor Blazey, of 54 Hampden Road, Islington - formerly the address of the now demolished Royal Oak Tavern
5. Harry Robert Blazey b. 5 Apr 1899 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 103, bap. 6 May 1899, son of Francis Robert, Retired Engineer, and Ellen Nora Blazey of 155 Holland Road

In 1891, at The Swan Inn, The Common, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire were Francis R Blazey (57) Publican; Margaret M Blazey (30) from Whitehaven, Cumberland; Alice Maud Blazey (15), Constance Blazey (0), Elizabeth Stiles (28) and Elenor E Stiles (1) Visitors and Maud Millers (9) Stepdaughter.

The Eastern Post of 3 Nov 1894 under Transfer of Licences in Tower Hamlets, "in the Parish of St Mary, Stratford, Bow: Milford Castle, Cadogan Terrace, Baptiste de Bolla to Francis Robert Blazey." This was a typo as it was the Mitford Castle, 129 Cadogan Terrace, Bow E9, a pub that, now gone, was already infamous then as the public house to which the victim, Thomas Briggs, was brought when his body was found on the tracks behind the pub on July 9 1864. He would later die and become the first ever murder victim on a British train. (An oddly ironic, if darkly appropriate, pub for an ex-train driver!)

In 1901, at 31, Sinclair Gardens, Hammersmith, were Francis R Blazey (68) Retired Engineer, Norah Blazey (39), Constance E Blazey (10), Harry R Blazey (2), daughter Alice Maud Trevail (25) - Alice married Herbert Fleming Trevail - Winifred S Trevail (0) Granddaughter, Katherine Pye (56) Boarder, Thomas R Cox (24) Boarder, Nellie Kent (19) General Domestic Servant, Margaret Bennet (56) Visitor and Kate Eames (47) Visitor - Sick nurse.

Francis Robert Blazey, listed as Frank Blazey, died in 1902 M Quarter in RICHMOND SURREY Volume 02A Page 309. Whilst the age at death appears to be 10 years adrift, this could indeed be a subtraction error, or seeing he had a couple of much younger wives, he may have been massaging his age.

Norah Blazey died on 14 Mar 1909 (1909 M Quarter in ST MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 442), age estimated as 45. Probate was granted on 20 April to Thomas Robert Cox Carpenter, the record lists, "BLAZEY, Margaret Matilda of Brook Side, Cat Hill, East Barnett, Middlesex, widow died 14 March 1909 at Middlesex Hospital, Gower Street, Middlesex. Effects £649 5s."

William James Blazey and Emma Greaves Marshall

St Bartholomews Cathedral Entrance - 86 Middle Road - Barrackpore - Kolkata
Biswarup Ganguly, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

William James Blazey (28) (bap. 13 Sep 1863 in Witney, Oxfordshire), Batchelor, Mechanic, younger son of Francis Robert Blazey and Maria Emily Andrews, married Emma Greaves Marshall (17) (b. 9 Jul 1874, bap. 15 Sep 1874 in Vepery, Madras (Chennai), India), Spinster, daughter of Robert Greaves Marshall and Jessie Charlotte Twigg, on 15 Jul 1891 at St Bartholemew's Church (now St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral), Barrackpore, Bengal, India. (Barrackpore Trip Guide – A walk down the forgotten history of the Oldest Cantonment). Both parties gave their address as Ishapore (later site of the Rifle Factory Ishapore). Ishapore was located near Barrackpore, outside of Calcutta (Kolkata), West Bengal. The first Arms Manufacturing facility on the site was a gunpowder factory, which makes complete sense to locate them both there as at the time of Emma's baptism, her father's occupation was described as 'Supervisor Gun Powder Manufactory'.

The couple had one son:

1. Frank Kenneth Blazey b. 27 Oct 1907, bap. 9 Dec 1907 at the Sibpur College Chapel (Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST, Shibpur), Shibpur. The university was founded as the Civil Engineering College in 1856. The baptism record lists his father's position as Foreman Instructor, C. E. College Sibpur.

Unusual for a first child to be born after 16 years of marriage, but after extensive searches, there is no evidence of any other children.

However, William James Blazey, Foreman Instructor, Civil Engineering College, Sibpur, died on 13 Jan 1908 at Howrah General Hospital from an aortic aneurysm. He was buried at the General Episcopal Cemetery, Calcutta (Kolkata) on 14 Jan 1908. The records list his widow and child, and inform us that both his parents were dead and that he had one brother and three sisters in England. The brother will have been his younger half-brother, Harry Robert Blazey; the half-sisters being: Alice Maud Stanley Blazey from his father's second marriage and Constance Ellen Blazey from his father's third marriage; the third sister must have been Maud Millers, his father's step-daughter.

Unsurprisingly, Emma Greaves Blazey (34) Widow, then remarried to William Altmore Christian Hughes (26) (reportedly b. 1884 in Wales), Batchelor, Assistant Foreign Office, said to be son of William Le Maistre Hughes, at St. Stephen’s Church, Kidderpore on 7 Feb 1910.

But only 18 months later, William Altmore Christian Hughes, Clerk, Government of India, Foreign Department, died, aged 28, on 21 Sep 1912 from gangrene and consequent septicemia and was buried on 22 Sep 1912 at Simla, West Bengal. The record states that his mother was still alive and that he had a wife and one child (which will have been his step-child).

There is evidence to suggest that young Frank, then going by his step-father's surname as Frank Kenneth Hughes, was still in India, as the The Civil and Military Gazette of 4 Feb 1922 lists him among the school exam results (he would then have been 15) at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla.

A report in the Derby Daily Telegraph of 17 Apr 1930, concerning a man being knocked down by a motor-cycle names, "Frank Kenneth Hughes, aged 22, electrical engineer, of Codnor, the cyclist, escaped with slight injuries, but suffered from shock." Subsequent records persuade me this is 'our man' and suggests he therefore came to England between 1922 and 1930.

Initially, I hadn't found further records, but knowing that Blazey has been mis-spelled so many ways, I searched the 1939 register for 'Frank' with no surname and just his date of birth and found him as Frank K Hughes (b. 27 Oct 1907) Electrical Engineer, Sound Engineer & Cine Engineer, Married; Ida Hughes (b. 18 Aug 1912) [Frank K Hughes had married Ida Channon in Oxford, in 1936] and Frank's mother, Emma G Hughes (b. 9 Jul 1874) Government Clerk (Retired), Widow, at 15 Mayfair Road, Oxford.

Emma Greaves Hughes of 24 Lime Grove, Shepherds Bush, London, died, at 74, on 27 Nov 1948 (1948 D Quarter in HAMMERSMITH Volume 05C Page 805). Probate was granted to Frank Kenneth Hughes, electrical engineer. Emma left effects valued at £1250 8s 10d (almost £60K today).

(Frank Kenneth Hughes of 17 Welbeck Gardens, Toton, Nottinghamshire, died on 24 Oct 1976; Ida Hughes died on 5 Dec 1990, leaving a daughter.)

The Origins of Augustus George Stanley

Photo © Richard Croft (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St.Andrew's nave, Monday, 3 August, 2015

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Augustus George Stanley's, great-granddaughter, Winifred Constance Stanley Trevail, actress, dancer and trapeze artist ... (and my grandmother's 2nd cousin), "claimed descent from the Earls of Derby". As the family name of the Earls of Derby, is Stanley, this was the obvious place to look, so the initial purpose of this research was to attempt to find out if there's any truth in that claim. While I haven't [yet] discovered a link, it's clear they came from the right sort of background, so it certainly can't be discounted. However, there have been so many other 'interesting' twists and turns to this story. You may, at this point, want to grab a beverage, but I think it's well worth the read ...

George Stanley (b. 24 Aug 1813, bap. 6 Oct 1814 at All Saints, West Ham), son of William Stanley Esquire and Lucy Chatfield, married Louisa Morgan (b. ~1809 in Russia), daughter of Stephen Morgan and Elizabeth Bannister, at St Andrew’s Church, Holborn (The largest Anglican parish church designed by Christopher Wren) on 30 Jun 1832. The record states "George Stanley Esquire of the Parish of West Ham in the County of Essex Bachelor and a Minor and Louisa Morgan of this parish Spinster were married by Licence and with the consent of Lucy Stanley Widow the natural and lawful mother of the said minor, by Gilbert Beresford Rector." At 18, George needed permission from his mum. Bless. Witnesses were Thomas Beard and James Cole.

Interesting that both George and his late father, William, were styled Esquire, which back then meant, "a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight." It will take much more research yet to find out what gave them that entitlement. William Stanley, who married Lucy Chatfield (bap. 7 Aug 1788 at Deptford St Nicholas), daughter of Francis Chatfield Esquire and Margaret Ambrose, on 10 Apr 1806 at All Saints, West Ham, lived at Maryland Point, Stratford, Essex, then a prosperous rural area; address that was listed on the baptisms of all their eleven children.

Louisa's parents, Stephen Morgan and Elizabeth Bannister married on 30 Apr 1806 at St Giles in the Fields, Holborn, Middlesex. They lived at Harefield Grove, a plain [but very GRAND] early 19th-century house to the north of the village [of Harefield] "In 1830 Stephen Morgan, described as a Russian merchant, purchased the estate, and he greatly improved the house and laid out the grounds." [Source] (You've probably seen Harefield Grove on TV as it was used in filming The Professionals and The New Avengers.) Elizabeth Bannister (bap. 23 Jan 1784 at St Paul's, Covent Garden) was the daughter of actor and theatre manager, John Bannister (1760 –1836) and Elizabeth May (1757–1849), who were both notable actors in their era. 

George and Louisa Stanley had four children:

1. Augustus George Stanley bap. 3 Jul 1833 at St Mary Abbots, Kensington
2. William Henry Stanley bap. 1 Jan 1835 at St Mary Abbots, Kensington
3. Anne Stanley bap. 4 Feb 1836 at Saint Mary, West Kensington
4. Horace Stanley b. 2 Jan 1837, bap. 11 Feb 1837 at Saint Mary, West Kensington. Died, aged 13, in 1850 M Quarter in SOUTH STONEHAM Volume 07 Page 173 (close to Southampton, Hampshire)

All of the baptisms list the family's address then as North End (now West Kensington). On Augustus' and William's baptisms, their father is listed as Esquire; on Anne's and Horace's as Gentleman (which probably suggests that even then the terms were already being used interchangeably and flexibly.)

Photo © Wayland Smith (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Carlton Crescent, Southampton. Saturday, 22 August, 2015

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

In 1841, George Stanley (25) Ind (of independent means), Louisa Stanley (25) - the adults' ages very rounded down - were living in Carlton Crescent, Southampton, with their four children: Augustus (8), William (6), Horace (3) and Annie (4). The family had three female servants living in. 

In Election Year 1847, Augustus George Stanley was in the Eton School Lists, as were his brothers, William Henry and Horace. Within the context of the school, "election" refers to the highly competitive examination process held in late April/early May to select King's Scholars. Those who win these scholarships receive free education and board and live in a dedicated house called "College". Usually admitted at the age of 13, Augustus would have been exactly the right age for this, but they may simply have registered all three boys for paid places. Either way, they must have had the social status.

In 1851, Louisa Stanley (35) [age still massaged down] Married, Annuitant, born in Russia, was living on the Romsey Road, Millbrook, South Stoneham, Hampshire with her daughter, Annie Stanley (15) Scholar at Home, born in Kensington, London. They still had three house servants. There are no clues to the whereabouts of her husband George, who was not in the household. 

Didn't find them anywhere in 1861, but in 1871, George Stanley (45) claiming he was from Southampton, Hampshire - whose occupation is unreadable - and Louisa Stanley (45) born in Russia, were living in Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington, Kensington, London. Both had lost another 10 years, because by 1871, George will have been 58 and Louisa 62 (a gap they're probably trying to hide). They had one General Servant, Adelaide Boneville (28) from France. 

Photo © Jaggery (cc-by-sa/2.0)

NE side of Gloucester Terrace, London W2, Sunday, 13 May, 2012

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Louisa Stanley died on 25 Apr 1880 (1880 J Quarter in KENSINGTON Volume 01A Page 32), aged 71. The Morning Advertiser of 28 Apr 1880 carried the following announcement, "STANLEY - On the 25th inst., of acute bronchitis, Louisa, the beloved wife of George Stanley, Esq., of 41 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park." On 27 May 1880, Administration of the Personal Estate of Louisa Stanley (Wife of George Stanley, Esquire) late of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex who died 25 April 1880 at 41 Gloucester Terrace was granted at the Principal Registry to the said George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace. Her estate was valued at under £600.

In 1881, George Stanley, Widower with no occupation listed; his birthplace finally true as East Stratford, but his age listed as 60 - this would equate to a birth year of 1821, which is far too late, but 'consistent' with the previously massaged ages - was still living at 41, Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, Kensington, London with three servants: a Cook, a Housemaid and a Page. 

George Stanley died, aged 72, on Sunday, 7 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter in KENSINGTON Volume 01A Page 124). The West London Observer of 20 Mar 1886 reported on A FATAL FALL. "On Friday afternoon week Dr Diplock held an inquest at the "Crown" Hotel, High Street, Kensington, touching the death of George Stanley, aged 72, no occupation, who died on Sunday night at 13 De Vere Gardens, Kensington. It appeared that the deceased had suffered from chronic bronchitis. While going upstairs he fell backwards, causing internal injuries. Dr Stewart, of Redcliffe Gardens, South Kensington, stated that he was called and attended the deceased up to his death. The fall accelerated his death, and a verdict of Accidental death was recorded."

So now to take up the story of the two older sons, who in 1850, had both joined the army: The Bombay Gazette of 10 February 1851, under General Orders issued by the Commander in Chief, Head Quarters Bombay, 8th February, 1851: For the Infantry, To Rank from 9th December 1850, the day on which they passed their public examination, amongst the listings were William Henry Stanley, appointed 27th November and immediately afterwards, Augustus George Stanley, Overland 29th November. 

Retreat Beating at Poona by Robert Mabon

But in Allen's Indian Mail of 16 August 1855, was the report of a COURT-MARTIAL of ENSIGN A. G. STANLEY. (The same report had appeared in The Bombay Gazette of 23 June 1855.) Head Quarters, Poona (now Pune) June 23, 1855. - At an European General Court-Martial, assembled at Poona on Monday, the 18th Day of June, 1855, Ensign Augustus George Stanley, of the 3rd regiment Bombay European infantry, was arraigned on the following charge: Charge -- For highly disgraceful conduct, unbecoming the character of an officer and a gentleman, and to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in the following instances:- First Instance - In having at Bombay (now Mumbai), on or about the 26th day of January, 1855, obtained a policy of insurance from Messieurs Nicol and Company, the treasurers of the Bombay Laudable Society, on passing his word of honour to the, that he (Ensign Stanley) would pay on the same afternoon, or at farthest before eleven o'clock the next day, the sum of Rs. 166, or thereabouts (being the amount of premium and subscriptions due for the said policy), or return the policy; neither of which acts he, Ensign Stanley, performed; thereby forfeiting his word of honour. Second Instance - In having failed to reply to a letter written to him by the aforesaid Messieurs Nicol and Company on or about the 29th day of January, 1855, wherein they required him, Ensign Stanley, to explain his conduct and make a remittance, or return the policy; he, the said Ensign Stanley, neither making remittance nor returning the policy. Third Instance - In having in a letter, dated on or about the 25th day of February, 1855, being an immediate reply to a letter from the said Messieurs Nicol and Company, dated the 23rd day of February, 1855, promised a remittance in the next pay list, a promise which he, Ensign Stanley, failed to fulfil. The above being in breach of the Articles of War. Finding - The Court, from the evidence before it, finds the prisoner, Ensign A. G. Stanley, of the 3rd Bombay Eur. Infantry, Guilty of the charge in the First Instance. Guilty of the charge in the Second Instance, with the exception of "highly disgraceful", in the charge. Guilty of the charge in the Third Instance. The Court having found the prisoner guilty, as above specified, which being in breach of the Articles of War, sentences him, Ensign A. G. Stanley, of the 3rd Eur infantry, to be dismissed the service. Camp, Poona, 21 June, 1855. Approved and confirmed. (Signed) H. Somerset, Lieut-General, Commander in Chief. Head-quarters, Poona, 23 June, 1855. The name of Ensign A. G. Stanley is to be struck off the strength of the army from the date of publication of this order at Poona, which is to be reported to the Adj. General of the Army. (An Ensign being a junior rank of a commissioned officer seems entirely compatible, in both age and social status, as an Eton boy.)

The 3rd Bombay European Regiment was an infantry regiment raised by the British East India Company in 1853. They were created originally for the defence of Bombay (Mumbai) and were stationed initially in Pune.

Unsurprisingly, the next encounter is in The London Gazette of 8 Jul 1856. East India House, July 2, 1856. The Court of Directors of the East India Company hereby give notice, that they have received a Bombay Gazette, containing notice that the undermentioned Insolvents have filed their Petitions in the Court for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors there, under the provisions of the 11th Victoria, cap 21: Petitions filed praying for Relief. William Henry Stanley, formerly a Lieutenant in the 17th Regiment Bombay Native Infantry (Bombay Army), at present unemployed, European, lately without the Fort, near Cowasjee Patell's Tank, at present in the Bombay Gaol, filed 8th May. Date of Gazette containing notice, May 22, 1856. Augustus George Stanley, formerly a Lieutenant in the 3rd Regiment Bombay European Infantry at present unemployed, European, lately without the Fort, near Cowasjee Patell's Tank, at present in the Bombay Gaol, filed 8th May. Date of Gazette containing notice, May 22, 1856. (Assume in prison for their debts.)

So far I can find no record of a marriage, but of the following children:

1. Louisa Susan Stanley b. 21 May 1857, bap. 25 Jun 1857 Poona (now Pune), India. The record states she was baptised in the Presbyterian church, presumably Christ Church (est. 1831), the daughter of George and Eliza Stanley and lists her father as being "at present unemployed". (When Louisa Susan Stanley (16) married Francis Stephen Blazey (41) in 1874, her father was listed fully as Augustus George Stanley. Clearly, Louisa was named after her grandmother, Louisa Morgan.)
2. Morgan Stanley b. 30 Apr 1859, bap. 4 Aug 1860 at the Church of Scotland, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), son of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley. Augustus George Stanley listed as Deputy Magistrate.
3. Rosina Gelstow Stanley b. 29 Oct 1860, bap. 27 Dec 1860 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Jemima Stanley.
4. Augustus George Stanley b. 1862. Died, aged 3, on 6 Jun 1865 from Convulsions and was buried on 7 Jun 1865 in Cawnpore (now Kanpur, famous for the 1857 Siege of Cawnpore). The burial record lists him as the son of Mr Stanley, Tehsildar (A tehsildar is a tax officer accompanied by revenue inspectors, though I shall forever equate him with Joseph Sedley, the collector of Boggley Wollah in Vanity Fair.)
5. Mary Augusta Stanley b. 17 Apr 1863, bap. 24 Dec 1863 in Mirzapur, daughter of Augustus George and Eliza Stanley, abode Orai. Again, Augustus George Stanley is listed as Deputy Magistrate.

The third child having been given the middle name Gelstow, following a custom I've seen in many families, this could have been Eliza Jemima's maiden name, however, I've found no records to confirm it. Eliza Jemima Stanley, wife of G. Stanley, Esq., Tehsildar of Orai, died on 3 Sep 1867, aged 29, and was buried, in Orai, on 4 Sep 1867. Under cause of death: "Uncontrollable vomiting from Hepatic congestion brought on by hard drinking."

Quite how does a court-martialled, disgraced, insolvent, former army officer end up employed as a tax collector and deputy magistrate? Contacts, I guess. Bloody cheek comes to mind. An Eton education will have 'helped'!

An announcement appeared in the Englishman's Overland Mail of 8 February 1868, under the Marriages: STANLEY-JOHNSTON -- at Christ Church Bankipore, Patna, on Thursday, the 23rd instant (23 Jan 1868), under Special Licence, by the Revd. A. A. Norrish, Chaplain, Augustus George Stanley, Esq., Sub-Collector and Deputy Magistrate of Jellowa District, Jhansee (Jhansi) Division, Bundlekund, to Miss Annie Maria Johnston, second eldest daughter of D.J.C. Johnston, Esq., of Chujjoo Bagh [...], Bankipore, Patna. There are no records of any children of this marriage and Annie Maria Stanley died, aged 34 years and 6 days, on 16 Apr 1874 from Disease of the Heart and was buried on 17 Apr 1874, in Bankipore, Patna, India. Conspicuously absent, there is no mention of who she was, nor of her husband on her burial record. As Louisa Susan Stanley married on 9 Apr 1874, it looks like her father had disappeared, her step-mother had been looking after her and the marriage was arranged for her future care, knowing that Annie Maria was terminally ill.

When William Henry Stanley, School Master, had married Lavinia Macklin, daughter of Terrence Macklin and Hannah Newman, in Bombay on 16 Jan 1858, he listed his father as George Stanley. William Henry Stanley, about 38 [he will have been 42], 'Formerly Lieutenant Madras Army' [Bombay Army], died on 4 Oct 1877 from Carbuncle & Boils and the burial record says he was buried, on 5 Oct 1877, in the Anarkullie (I assume they meant Anarkali) Lahore (then in India, now in Pakistan) Church of England Cemetery. 

Both the Herts and Bucks Advertisers of 17 Nov 1877, under DEATHS, reported, "October 4, at Lahore, much regretted, William Henry Stanley, Esq., second son of George Stanley, Esq., grandson of late Stephen Morgan, Esq., of Harefield Grove, near Rickmansworth", confirming their pedigree.

(William Henry and Lavinia Stanley, had two children: Emily Agnes Malcolm Stanley b. 11 Jun 1859, bap. 1 Sep 1859 in Bombay, India and Charles William Vaughan Stanley, bap. 4 Sep 1864 at Saint Luke, Finsbury, London. On that latter baptism, William Henry Stanley's occupation is listed as Railway Contractor - so this suggests how his niece, Louisa Susan Stanley, may have met Francis Robert Blazey, a train driver on the Indian railway - who was the same age as her father - and my 2nd great-granduncle.)

On 30 Jan 1879, Administration of the Personal Estate (under £3000) of William Henry Stanley late of Lahore in the East Indies Bachelor who died 4 October 1877 at Lahore was granted at the Principal Registry to George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex Esquire the Father and Next of Kin. This administration was Revoked by Registrar's Order 19 December 1881. Another Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1882. And on the same date, 30 Jan 1879, Administration of the Personal Estate (under £3000) of Augustus George Stanley late of the City of Bombay in the East Indies Batchelor who died 14 April 1878 at the Presidency of Bombay was granted at the Principle Registry to George Stanley of 41 Gloucester Terrace Hyde Park in the County of Middlesex Esquire the Father and Next of Kin. This was Revoked by Registrar's Order 20 Jul 1882. (Obviously, neither was a bachelor.)

However, unlike with William Henry Stanley, there's no record of the death or burial of Augustus George Stanley, which is odd. It also seems strange that, after going to all the bother of announcing the second son's death and including pedigree, that the same wasn't done for the first-born. Difficult to know this far on whether George knew his sons had married or not and whether he was trying it on. Either way, George was never entitled.

And in a further 'interesting coincidence', I'll mention Augustus George Stanley's 1st cousin - son of George Stanley's youngest sister Jane Stanley - General Sir Malcolm Henry Stanley Grover b. 19 Jul 1858. According to The Peerage, this chap died on 23 April 1912 at age 53 at Simla, India (he certainly served and married in India), which information, apparently, came from the Grover family. Except he didn't. You can see a photo of the jolly old General, resplendent with all his braid and medals, looking older than 53, on the page listing his actual death and burial, at the ripe old age of 87, on 17 Nov 1945, where he can be found resting in Putney Vale Cemetery (also known as Wandsworth Cemetery and Crematorium.) Is it also coincidental that Augustus George Stanley washes up in Wandsworth borough?

Yet on 4 Feb 1879 in The London Gazette appeared two notices:

WILLIAM HENRY STANLEY, Esq., Deceased. Pursuant to the Statute 22  and 23 Victoria, chapter 35. Notice is hereby given, that the creditors of William Henry Stanley, late of the Bombay Army, Esq., deceased (who died on the 14th day of October, 1877), are, on or before the 1st day of May next, to send particulars of their debts or claims to the undersigned, the Solicitors to George Stanley, of 41, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, in the county of Middlesex, Esq; and that the said George Stanley, as administrator, will after the said 1st of May next, proceed to distribute the estates of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he then shall have had notice.- Dated this 1st day of February, 1879. E and F BANNISTER and FACHE, 13, John Street, Bedford Row, Solicitors for the said Administrator.

AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, Esq., Deceased. Pursuant to the Statute 22 and 23 Victoria, chapter 35. Notice is hereby given, that the creditors of Augustus George Stanley, late of the Bombay Army, Esq., deceased (who died on the 12th day of April, 1878), are, on or before the 1st day of May next, to send particulars of their debts or claims to the undersigned, the Solicitors to George Stanley, of 41, Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, in the county of Middlesex, Esq; and that the said George Stanley, as administrator, will after the said 1st of May next, proceed to distribute the estates of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims of which he then shall have had notice.- Dated this 1st day of February, 1879. E and F BANNISTER and FACHE, 13, John Street, Bedford Row, Solicitors for the said Administrator.

Later, the following two new Administrations were granted: 

On 27 Jan 1882, Administration of the Personal Estate of William Henry Stanley (value £4,832 9s 6d) late of Lahore in the East Indies who died 4 October 1877 at Lahore was granted at the Principal Registry to Lavinia Stanley of Queen's Road in the City of Bristol Widow the Relict. The Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1879 having been revoked. (In 1881, Lavinia Stanley (41) Widow had been Superintendent of the "Asylum For the Blind" Queens Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire.)

On 10 Nov 1882, Administration of the Personal Estate of Augustus George Stanley (value £4,962 15s) late of the City of Bombay in the East Indies Widower who died 28 April 1878 at Aligarh in the North-West Provinces of British India was granted at the Principal Registry under the usual Limitations to Charles Sanderson of 46 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London Gentleman the lawful Attorney of Louisa Susan Blazey (Wife of Francis Robert Blazey) the Daughter and only Next of Kin now residing in the East Indies. The Administration granted at the Principal Registry January 1879 having been revoked. 

The Daily Telegraph on 16 Mar 1883 published the following notice: AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, Deceased - Pursuant to Act of Parliament of the 22nd and 23rd Vic., cap 35, instituted "An Act to further amend the law of property and to relieve trustees," Notice is Hereby Given, that all creditors and other persons having any debts, claims, or demands against the ESTATE of AUGUSTUS GEORGE STANLEY, late of the city of Bombay, in the East Indies, formerly Deputy Magistrate of Talomi and Orai (who died on the 28th day of April, 1878, intestate, and letters of administration were granted by her Majesty's High Court of Justice, at the Principal Registry attached to the Probate Division thereof on the 10th Day of November, 1882, to Charles Sanderson, the lawful attorney of Louisa Susan Blazey, wife of Francis Robert Blazey, who now resides in the East Indies, the natural and lawful daughter and only next-of-kin of the said deceased), are hereby required to send in the particulars of their debts, claims, and demands to the said administrator, at the office of her solicitor, Mr Frederick Catesby Holland, No 46, Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London, on or before the 1th day of April next, after the expiration of which time the said administrator will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims and demands of which the administrator shall then have had notice, and that the said administrator will not be liable for the assets, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person of whose debt, claim, or demand he shall not have had such notice as aforesaid. Dated this 14th day of March, 1883. F CATESBY HOLLAND, Solicitor to the said Administrator.

Then on 14 Sep 1883, in India, Administration of the Estate of Augustus George Stanley, Deputy Magistrate, was granted to the Admin General of Bengal 'for the time being', listing Sanderson & Co Attorneys. 

So, we now have this uncertainty; three different potential dates of Augustus George Stanley's alleged demise in India of 12th, 14th or 28th of April 1878, but other than the notices to do with the Administration/Probate, there are still no death or burial records confirming his death in 1878. Where did the death information originate, I wonder? Is it possible that he had disappeared and someone attributed an unidentified death, whether in good, or bad faith, to clear up his affairs and get access to his estate? Notwithstanding, this should have been where Augustus George Stanley's story concludes.

Except ... Augustus George Stanley had married Caroline Frost on 28 Sep 1868 (1868 Quarter 3 in Amersham Volume 3A Page 549) in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. The transcript of the marriage record says that Augustus George Stanley, claiming to be 28, Shoemaker, giving his father's name as Robert Stanley, Whitesmith, married Caroline Frost (22), Spinster. Caroline's father wasn't listed. Witnesses were William Bailey and Lucy Worley. 

Born Caroline Yelding in 1846 M Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 06 Page 331, her mother, Charlotte Yelding, had married Charles Frost on 18 Jan 1846. Charles Frost apparently died on 24 Apr 1849 at The Fever Hospital, St Giles in the Fields and St George, London, England. In 1851, Caroline Frost (5) Granddaughter, her widowed mother and brother, were living in the household of Thomas Yelding (54) 'Traveller with an exhibition' from Hull, Yorkshire in Windsor Street, Beconsfield. Clearly, Caroline grew up using the Frost surname, but Charles Frost may have been a step-father.

What makes me feel this is the same Augustus George Stanley? Much of this is circumstantial / speculation, but my reasoning includes: He's claiming an age not far off the one we know, who'd have been 35 in 1868; This marriage is eight months after the one to Annie Maria Johnston, who he seems to have deserted, ample time to travel back from India; Beaconsfield is just nine miles from Harefield where his grandparents had lived; A traveller family could be a perfect place to hide if you're absconding and committing bigamy; And there are not only no other records of the birth of any other Augustus George Stanley in that timeframe, he also does not 'exist' anywhere previously on census records: nobody called Augustus George nor George Stanley existed in that area before this marriage; nobody called Augustus George nor George Stanley was born in Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, which he later claims; Nobody called Robert Stanley, who he alleges is his father, was ever recorded as a Whitesmith, nor existed in Wisbeach; Nobody called Robert Stanley ever registered or baptised a son called Augustus George nor George Stanley. The only thing here that doesn't entirely sit right, is an Eton posh boy claiming to be a Shoemaker, which you'd imagine would be hard to fake. But basically, either he was parachuted into Beaconsfield from outer space, or to quote Arthur Conan Doyle, “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

'This' Augustus George Stanley had six children with Caroline Yelding/Frost:

1. Ann Stanley b. 1869 D Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 03A Page 438, mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 2 Jan 1870 in Beaconsfield
2. Lizzie Stanley b. 1871 M Quarter in AMERSHAM Volume 03A Page 458, mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 7 May 1871 in Beaconsfield (as Elizabeth Stanley, daughter of Augustus George and Caroline Stanley)
3. Charles Britain Stanley b. 1873 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 561, mother's maiden name YELDING, bap. 18 Apr 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham (as Charley Stanley, son of George (Shoemaker) and Caroline Stanley, of Clapham, the Polygon
4. Thomas Henry Stanley b. 1875 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 581, mother's maiden name YELDING, bap. 18 Apr 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham (son of George (Shoemaker) and Caroline Stanley, of Clapham, the Polygon). Died in 1875 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 356
5. Emma Maria Stanley b. 1878 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 593, mother's maiden name FROST. Emma Stanley, died, aged 1, in 1880 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH  Volume 01D  Page 351
6. Lucy Stanley b. 4 Nov 1881 (1881 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 565), mother's maiden name FROST, bap. 6 Nov 1881 at Holy Trinity Church, Clapham, daughter of George and Caroline Stanley. Father's occupation Photographer, address Acre Square.

In 1871, George Stanley (30) Boot maker, from Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire, was in Windsor Street, Beaconsfield, Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Caroline Stanley (25), Ann Stanley (1) and Lizzie Stanley (0).

In 1881, George Stanly (sic) (54) Letter Carrier, once more claiming to be from Wisbeach, Cambridgeshire; Caroline Stanly (sic) (52) - clearly both are seriously over-stating their ages (only dare assume in error) - Annie Stanly (sic) (11), Elizabeth Stanly (sic) (10) and Charles Stanly (sic) (8) were living at 1, Little Acre Court, Clapham, Wandsworth, London. 

Augustus George Stanley, Commercial Agent, died, age listed as 39 (he'll have been 49), on 19 Apr 1882 (1882 J Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 362). The death certificate specifies that he died at The Cottage, Acre Square, from Intestinal Obstruction, Carcinoma 8 months, Pelvic Abscess, Perforation of bladder, certified by JJM Dunbar MD. (Whatever else we think of him, that's an awful way to die.) E Hannaford of 30 Clapham Park Road was present at the death. He was buried on 25 Apr 1882 at West Norwood Cemetery, in the London Borough of Lambeth, Grave Reference 30/18969. (Details from Deceased Online FEES APPLY.) There were no further clues in the burial record, but this is clearly 'our' Augustus George Stanley with the address that agrees with that on Lucy's baptism and the 1881 Census.

Shoemaker didn't seem right, but having since been listed as a photographer, a letter carrier and finally as a commercial agent, these all sound much more likely and show that he was hardly a settled character, which certainly fits in with the previous behaviour. Bit of a coincidence that died in 1882 and his daughter Louisa was then granted the Administration of his Estate, but she seemed genuinely to still be under the impression that he'd died in 1878.

(To hopefully eliminate one further complication: a newspaper report in 1886 suggested that a man called Augustus Stanley had escaped from Holloway Gaol and committed suicide. Listed in other reports as Adolphus Augustus Stanley, he had been detained, charged with stealing from St Olave's Union, Rotherhithe (i.e. the Workhouse). In 1879, it was reported in the press that Adolphus G Stanley had been appointed Porter at Rotherhithe by St Olave's Guardians; Another named the appointee as Augustus G. Stanley. The crime reports said he did not live in and, in 1881, Adolphus G Stanley (40) Widower, Lighterman Porter from Camberwell, Surrey, was lodging in the household of George Kettel (30) Plasterer at 6, Suffolk Place, Rotherhithe, St Olave Southwark, London. It's niggling that the name Augustus keeps cropping up in this regard, but this does seem to be a different person entirely.)

Caroline Stanley gave birth to another daughter, Caroline Stanley b. 27 Jan 1884 (1884 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 676), with mother's maiden name FROST. Despite the way she has been registered, as she was born in January 1884, it is impossible for Augustus George Stanley who was buried on 25 Apr 1882 to have been her biological father.

In 1891, Caroline Stanley (44) Widow, Dressmaker, born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was living at 5, Lithgow Street, Battersea, with Annie Stanley (21) Confectioner's Assistant; [Elizabeth Stanley had married in 1890]; Charles Stanley (19), Lucy Stanley (9), Caroline Stanley (7), Charlotte Pettigrew (sic) (64) [Caroline's mother had remarried to Travelling Showman, Richard Pettigrove in 1852]; and Thomas Lewis (39) Photographer, Boarder, Married, from Bethnal Green along with his son, George Lewis (11).

In the 2nd Quarter of 1895, in Wandsworth, London (Volume 1D Page 1196), Caroline Stanley married her boarder, Thomas Lewis. (Boarder could have been a merely financial transaction, but as the distinction is between a Lodger with their own room and a Boarder having their meals provided, there may be a chance that they were already in a relationship before 1891.)

In 1901 and still living at 5, Lithgow Street, Battersea, Wandsworth, London, were Thomas Lewis (48) General Labourer; Caroline Lewis (55), Charles Stanley (28), Lucy Stanley (19), Carrie Stanley (17) and Alfred Anglan (sic) (25) Builder's Foreman from Deptford. [Alfred Angling married Caroline Stanley Jnr in the 4th Quarter of 1901, in Wandsworth.]

In 1911, living at 81 York Road, Battersea, were Thomas Lewis (58) Decorator house, from Bethnal Green and Caroline Lewis (65) born in Beaconsfield, Bucks, with none of the children. Wrongly, but usefully, they'd completed the section of the return that was supposed to refer to the present marriage, claiming they'd been married for 43 years - it will have been 43 years since Caroline's previous wedding to Augustus George Stanley in 1868 - confirming that she had 7 children born alive, of whom 2 had died.

Caroline Lewis died, aged 66, in 1912 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 442. And Thomas Lewis died, aged 60, in 1912 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 512.

Charles Edward Puffett and Ann Jane Barton

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Mary, High Road, South Woodford - East end

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Charles Edward Puffett (b. 17 Jun 1867, bap. 11 Aug 1867 in Wanstead, Essex), son of Robert Puffett and Sarah Ann Brett, married Ann Jane Barton (bap. 7 Feb 1864 at Woodford Bridge), daughter of Thomas Barton and Elizabeth Ann Fuller, at St Mary's Church, Woodford on 9 Jun 1890.

Records identify 10 children of this couple (there were 11, see 1911):

1. Peter Barton b. 1886 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 238, bap. 12 Dec 1886 at Holy Trinity Church, Harrow Green, Leytonstone, son of Annie Barton, residence West Ham Union
2. Joshua Barton b. 1888 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 268, bap. 13 Dec 1888 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford, and the record clearly notes he was the child of Annie Barton, Single Woman
3. Florence Elizabeth Puffett b. 12 Mar 1890 (1890 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 274), bap. 16 Nov 1892 as Florence Elizabeth Barton, daughter of Ann Jane Barton, Single Woman (true at the time Florence was born) at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford
4. Roger Charles Puffett b. 23 May 1892 (1892 S Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 305), bap. 16 Nov 1892 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
5. Louisa Beatrice Puffitt (sic) reg. 1895 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 347, bap. 5 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
6. George Puffett b. 29 Nov 1896 (1897 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 374), bap. 3 Oct 1897 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
7. Alfred Puffett b. 1898 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 416. Died 1898 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 236.
8. Charles Puffitt (sic) b. 31 Jul 1899 (1899 D Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 382), bap. 27 Aug 1902 at Holy Trinity, South Woodford
9. Elsie Puffett b. 1902 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 491, bap. 27 Aug 1902 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford
10. John Puffett b. 1905 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 517, bap. 14 Jun 1905 at Holy Trinity, Hermon Hill, South Woodford

There's no mother's maiden name on the registrations of the first two, confirming that they were illegitimate births, however, after their parents married in 1890, from then on, they used their father's surname. From Florence onwards their mother's maiden name is listed as BARTON.

In 1891, Charles E Puffett (24) Labourer, was living at 1, Nightingale Lane, Wanstead, West Ham, with Annie Puffett (27), Peter Puffett (4), Joshua Puffett (2) and Florence E Puffett (1).

The Eastern Mercury of 15 Mar 1892 reported on: WEIGHING COAL "BY GUESS" - At the Stratford Petty Sessions on Saturday, Charles Puffett, 24, a labourer of Hermon Hill, Wanstead, and Alfred Mead, 24, of George Lane, Woodford, [Alfred Mead was married to Eliza Barton, Ann Jane's sister] were charged on remand with stealing and receiving 295lb of coal, from Messrs Tanner's coal depot at George Lane, Woodford, on the 7th inst. The evidence showed that the prisoner, Puffett, had been employed by Messrs Tanner for some time past, and that in consequence of suspicion being aroused by the constant appearance of Mead at the depot early in the morning, suspicions were aroused. He was there sometimes before the yard was open, and on Monday last Detective Johnson was at the yard. As Mead was leaving, he was stopped and questioned, and said he had 3cwt [CWT is the abbreviation for hundredweight, which in the British imperial system, is equal to 112 pounds (50.8 kilograms)] of coal - that he had paid for one, and had a charity ticket for the remainder. He had however, 295lb in addition to the quantity he named and when Puffett, who supplied him, was questioned, he said he thought the ticket was for a sack, and that he weighed the coal "by guess" as the machine was a long way off. The prisoners were now each fined 20s and costs or three weeks imprisonment.

The Walthamstow and Leyton Guardian of 7 July 1899, reported on an ASSAULT AT WOODFORD - John Smith and Clara Smith, of Woodford, brother and sister, were summoned for assaulting Mrs Ann Jane Puffett, of 33 Oxford Terrace, with a horse whip and their fists. Clara Smith was discharged, and John Smith was fined 10s and 16s 6d costs.

In 1901, Charles Puffett (33) General Labourer; Ann Puffett (37), Peter Puffett (14), Joshua Puffett (13), Florrie Puffett (11), Roger Puffett (8), Louisa Puffett (6), George Puffett (4) and Charles Puffett (1) were, indeed, living at 33 Oxford Terrace, Chigwell Road, Woodford.

The Eastern Mercury of 29 Dec 1903, amongst other press, carried a story under the headline A PUGNATIOUS LITTLE POMPADOUR, "At Stratford, on Saturday, Joshua Puffett, 15, of 17, Oxford Terrace, and William Bass, 16, a private of the 2nd Essex Regiment, was charged with being disorderly and assaulting the police. Constable Sharp, 107J, said that at nine o'clock on Xmas Eve he found the two prisoners at Salway Hill, Woodford, in a fighting attitude. They were using very bad language, and when witness interfered, Bass struck him on the breast, saying "I belong to the 44th Pompadours; they are ----- to fight." Prisoners pleaded guilty; Bass saying he was home on leave and had had a little spree with some friends. Mr W W Glenny; "You may be a brave fighting little fellow, but don't interfere with the police, you are bound to get into trouble." Bass was fined 10s and costs, and Puffett 5s and costs." (While it was Bass who was charged with assaulting PC Sharp, before you sigh with relief, he was likely a cousin as my 4x great-grandmother, Joshua Puffett's 2x great-grandmother, was Elizabeth Bass.)

The Woodford Times of 25 Sep 1908 with HAWKER AND DOG then informs us that, "At the Stratford Petty Sessions on Thursday, 17th inst., Joshua Puffett, 20, hawker, 25, Oxford Terrace, Chigwell Road, Woodford, was charged with having in his possession a dog wearing a leather collar, supposed to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. P C Smith, 692K, said he saw the prisoner in Nelson road, Wanstead, late on Wednesday night, leading the dog with a pocket handkerchief attached to it's collar. Witness asked prisoner if the dog belonged to him, and he replied in the negative, and stated he did not know to whom it belonged. He added, "A man gave it to me at the Duke of Edinburgh public house, and I was going to take it home and bandage its leg up." Prisoner now adhered to this statement and called Henry Godsalve, potman at the Duke of Edinburgh, Wanstead, who stated that the dog had been hanging about the house for three or four days, and he told the prisoner he might have it. The bench stopped the case, and discharged prisoner."

Coincidentally, or not, it was in 1908 that Joshua Puffett (20) of Woodford, Essex, joined the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

In 1911, Charles Edward Puffett (44) Fish Hawker unable to work was at 20 Oxford Terrace S Woodford with Ann Jane Puffett (47) Laundress; Roger Puffett (18) Fish Hawker; Louisa Beatrice Puffett (16) Step Cleaning; George Puffett (15), Charles Puffett (12), Elsie Puffett (9) and John Puffett (6). On this census, they have filled out the information that they had been married for 21 years, but that they'd had 11 children born alive, of whom 9 were alive and 2 had died. So there is still one child missing from the list I was able to identify, which sadly relates to one of those who didn't make it. Meanwhile, Joshua Puffett (22) was with his regiment in Neemuch, India. 

By Aug 1914 the 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry were in Nowshera, India (which is now in Pakistan). Research carried out by Adrian Lee and Redbridge Museum reveals that "On 16th September 1916 he [Puffett] was admitted to hospital suffering from Malaria, but on 23rd September 1916 he underwent an operation for an appendicitis. Unfortunately he died from the effects of this condition on 26th September 1916." Records show that Joshua Puffett was buried on 27 Sep 1916, with his cause of death listed as Apendicitis and Malaria. His grave, as are the others in Nowshera Military Cemetery, is one that the Commonwealth War Graves Commission can no longer maintain, so he's formally remembered on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate). J Puffett is also listed on the WW1 Board at Holy Trinity Church, South Woodford, the church where he was baptised (as Joshua Barton).

In 1921, Charles Edward Puffett (56) Invalid unable to work was living at 68, Chigwell Road, Woodford, Essex with Anne Jane Puffett (58), George Puffett (24) General Labourer; Charles Puffett (21) General Labourer; John Puffett (16) Green Grocer; Henry Green (39) Rag & Bone Dealer, Son-in-law; Florence Elizabeth Green (31) Daughter; Florence Elizabeth Green (14) Granddaughter; Henry Green (13) Grandson; John Frederick Green (7) Grandson; Charles Edward Green (5) Grandson; James Smith (36) General Dealer, Boarder and Frederick John Smith (31) Jobbing Carman, Boarder.

Charles Edward Puffett of 68 Chigwell Rd Woodford died, aged 67, in 1933 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 283 and was buried on 2 Aug 1933 at Holy Trinity, Barkingside.

Ann Jane Puffett of 117 Sutton[s] Lane, Hornchurch, Essex (this was the address of the former St George's Hospital, a home for the elderly that had opened in 1938), died at 75 in 1939 J Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 519 and was buried on 8 Jun 1939 at Holy Trinity, Barkingside.

The India Gate War Memorial, New Delhi, India
Photo: Vikram Siingh Via Pixabay