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Showing posts with label Kent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kent. Show all posts

Monday, 13 October 2025

Charles Frederick Burden and Sophia Baker

Watney Street and entrances to Shadwell Stations
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Brooksbank - geograph.org.uk/p/3999191

Charles Frederick Burden (b. 22 Oct 1858, bap. 15 Apr 1860 at Holy Trinity (built 1844, demolished 1963), Milton-Next-Gravesend, Kent), Customs Officer, then of 363 Cable Street, son of William Henry Burden, Customs Officer, and Mary Elizabeth Sharland, married Sophia Baker (b. 1858), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East, on 13 Oct 1878. Witnesses were Charles Richard Baker, the bride's brother, and an Elizabeth Pearson. (Charles' father's occupation was later listed as a Tidewaiter - who was a customs officer who boarded ships on their arrival to enforce the customs regulations.)

Charles and Sophia had six children:
  1. Amelia Mary Burden b. 1879 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 409. Died, aged 3, in 1883 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 275
  2. Jessie Edith Burden b. 1881 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 402
  3. Ethel May Burden b. 1883 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 411
  4. Hilda Irene Burden b. 1884 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 652
  5. Alfred Charles Burden b. 1886 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 48
  6. Christopher Frederick Burden b. 26 Nov 1887, Reg: 1888 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 57
All of the registrations show the mother's maiden name as Baker.

In 1881, Charles F Burden (22) Bricklayer was living at 27, Watney Street, St George in the East with wife Sophia Burden (22) and Amelia M Burden (1). Living there also were Dan and Sarah Jane Tompson (formerly Sarah Jane Baker, Sophia's sister); Eliza Louisa Tompson (my great-grandmother); Sarah Sophia Tompson, Mabel Grace Tompson and Mary Adcock Tompson.

In 1891, Chas Fredk Burden (32) Surveyor, Sophia (32), Jessie (9), Ethel (8), Irene (6), Alfred (5) and Christopher (3) were in Stamford Road, East Ham.

On 6 Apr 1892, Charles Frederick Burden, Architect, became a member of St. John Lodge (United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership).

Christine Miller at Gin and Genealogy tells us that Charles Burden had risen to the position of Superintendent of Works at Mile End Workhouse around 1884 and was appointed the Architect for the Guardians of the Poor in 1894. "Then, suddenly, the Eastern Post Newspaper of February 25th 1899, brings news of Charles Burden’s sudden resignation ..." Due to a sex scandal.

No longer surprising then, in July 1900, C F Burden (40) Architect, arrived in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, sailing from Liverpool on the SS Tunisian.

In 1901, Sophia Burden (42) Married, listed as head of the household was living in Daubeney Road, Hackney with Jessie E Burden (19), Ethel M Burden (18), Hilda J Burden (16) and Alfred C Burden (15). Christopher F Burden (13) was staying with his Aunt Amelia, his mother's sister. Having left the UK, Charles Burden was by that time lodging in Massey, Ontario, Canada.

In 1910, Charles Burden (~50), Architect, embarked in Montreal on the SS Barbadian (Leyland Line) travelling from New Orleans to Liverpool, arriving in Liverpool on 27 Oct 1910. Chas Fred Burden arrived in Canada again in Feb 1911, on the SS Sardinian, which I think also sailed from Liverpool, with destination Massey, Ontario and shows he'd previously lived in Canada for 10 years, from 1900 to 1910, which concurs with the 1900 record.

In 1911, Sophia Burden (52) Married and once again head of the household, was living in Lower Clapton, London with Alfred Charles Burden (25), Christopher F Burden (23) and Hilda Irene Burden (26). (Ethel May had married in 1902 and Jessie Edith in 1903). While, Charles F Burden (listed as 56) was again a Lodger in a household in Algoma East, Ontario, Canada.

In 1921, Chas Frederick Burden (62) was, a Boarder (presumably getting fed too) in a household in Algoma East, Ontario, Canada, living with Arthur Albert Hallett (41), Emily Hallett (35) and what appears to be their four children. Sophia Burden (62) Housewife, meanwhile, was living at 173, Chatsworth Road, Hackney, with three young gentleman boarders.

In 1931, C F Burden (~70) Architect, Married, was lodging, it appears still in the household of Arthur A Hallett in Massey, Ontario, Canada.

Sophia Burden died, aged 73, in 1931 D Qtr in HACKNEY Vol 01B 388.

Charles Frederick Burden, Architect, Widower, died, aged 77, in Massey, Ontario, Canada, on 14 Dec 1935 with cause of death given as chronic myocarditis (heart failure). The record specifies his length of residence in Canada as being 35 years, which again agrees with the record of him arriving in 1900. His obituary describes him as "a grand old man, liked by all". 

Saturday, 11 October 2025

Henry Hawkins and Sarah Ann Tooze

Alma Street, Sheerness
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4410976

Henry Hawkins (bap. 5 Apr 1846 in Rackenford, Devon), son of Edward Hawkins and Leah Courtis (Henry's father, Edward Hawkins, was a Game Keeper and Henry's maternal grandfather, George Courtis, was a Farmer Of 171 Acres), married Jessie Tooze (born Sarah Ann), daughter of Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers, on 11 Oct 1868, in West Ham.

Henry and "Jessie" had three children:
  1. Emily Louisa Hawkins b. 1869 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 132
  2. William Hawkins b. 4 Jun 1872 in Detroit, Michigan, Unites States
  3. Arthur Hawkins b. 1874 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A 791
In 1871, Henry Hawkins (25) Carpenter; Jessie Hawkins (24); Emily Hawkins (1) born in Notting Hill and Mary Tooze (68) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-law, were living at Durley Moor Cottage, Holcombe Rogus.

Passenger Lists of vessels arriving at New York, Unites States, show Henry Hawkins (26) Carpenter, Jessie Hawkins (26) Wife and Emily Hawkins (2) Child leaving from Liverpool on 14 Mar 1872, on the transatlantic passenger ship City of New York (1865) of the Inman Line. The streets presumably not being paved with gold, however, they were back in the UK by 1874.

In 1881, at 5, Lower James Street, Minster in Sheppey, were Henry Hawkins (35) Joiner from Rackenford, Devon; Jessie Hawkins (34) from Holcombe Rogus; Emily L Hawkins (11) born in Notting Hill; William Hawkins (8) born in the United States and Arthur Hawkins (6) born in Sheerness.

In 1891, Henry Hawkins (45) Ship's Joiner; Jessie Hawkins (44), Arthur Hawkins (16) and Emily L Ridler (21) were living in Alma Street, Minster in Sheppey. William Hawkins was in the Mediterranean with HMS Inflexible, (and 42 days in Malta Gaol, having joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 31 May 1888, until he was Invalided with Asthma on 4 Nov 1909). 

In 1901, Henry Hawkins (55) Joiner Ship Dock Yard from Rackenford, Devon was living in Delamark Road, Sheerness with Jessie Hawkins (54) and two boarders, Oscar Riche (29) Schoolmaster from Cambridge and Alfred J Middleton (30) Schoolmaster from Grimsby, Lincolnshire. William Hawkins was alternating between HMS VictoryHMS Vernon shore establishments and HMS Duke of Wellington (for all three, read Portsmouth.)

In 1911, Henry Hawkins (65) Pensioned Joiner was still living in Sheerness with Jessie Hawkins (64), William Hawkins (38) Naval Pensioner; John Tooze (71) Retired Thatcher (Jessie's older brother); and three boarders.

Henry Hawkins died, aged 73, in 1919 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 1782 and Jessie Hawkins died later in the same year, also aged 73, in 1919 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 1140.

Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Moses Doe and Harriet White

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

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

Moses and Harriet had three sons:
  1. Charles Doe b. 1845 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 278, bap. at Walthamstow, St John the Evangelist
  2. Benjamin Doe b. 1848, reg. 1849 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 320, bap. Walthamstow, St James the Great. Died, aged 13, in 1862 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 34, and is buried at Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin.
  3. William Doe b. 1851 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 317
In 1851, Moses Doe (30) Labourer from Essex was living in Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, West Ham, with wife Harriet (29) from Dunmow, Essex; Charles Doe (5), Benjamin Doe (1), William Doe (0) and Roda (sic) White (50) Widow, House Servant, Mother-in-Law from Fakenham, Norfolk.

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

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

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

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

Moses and Mary Ann Doe added one further son:
  1. John Doe b. 27 Aug 1876 (1876 S Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 603), bap. 26 Nov 1876 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church, son of Moses Doe, Gardener of Grove Cottages, Bishops Down
In 1881, transcribed as Morris Deo (and the bad handwriting does look like that) living at Denny Bottom, Speldhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, were Moses Doe (60) Gardener; Mary Ann Doe (45) Wife of Gardner; John Doe (4) Scholar, plus 2 Lodgers: John P Norbury (32) Carpenter from Liverpool and Alfred Brown (20) Carpenter from Bradwell on Sea, Essex.

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

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

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

Tuesday, 2 September 2025

Daniel Thompson Botterill and Jessie Elizabeth Maslin

St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green, SE8 - porch
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499613

Daniel Thompson Botterill (b. 1882), engineer, son of Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill and Mary Jane Harris, married Jessie Elizabeth Maslin (b. 27 Mar 1883), daughter of James Maslin and Jessie Elizabeth Dunford, at the church of St Nicholas, Deptford Green, on 2 Sep 1905. Witnesses were William Wilson and Florence Charlotte Maslin, the bride's younger sister.

Daniel and Jessie then had two sons: 
  1. Joseph Daniel Botterill b. 1907 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1203. Died 1908 M Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 761 and was buried on 25 Jan 1908 at Charlton Cemetery
  2. Daniel Thompson Botterill b. 1908 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1064
Both birth registrations list the mother's maiden name as MASLIN. The second boy, like David Copperfield, was a posthumous child, because Daniel Thompson Botterill had died, aged 26, in 1908 M Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 760, at 26 Inverine Road, Charlton and was buried, on 18 Jan 1908, also at Charlton Cemetery (Greenwich). 

Not unsurprisingly, Jessie Elizabeth Botterill remarried, in 1910, to Welshman, Evelyn John Gutton Budge. Confirming that I'd found the correct spouse, Jessie Elizabeth Budge was living with her son, Daniel Tompson Batterell (sic) (2), in 1911 in Gillingham, Kent. Her new husband, however, was boarding in the household of a Henry Webb in Chatham. That doesn't seem far enough away for him to be boarding there for work, so I'd suspected an estrangement, but I've found no evidence for a divorce.

In 1912, Jessie Elizabeth Budge was listed on the Electoral Register at 80 Queens Road, Peckham (2nd floor), a mystery in itself as she would not have had the vote until at least 1918 and only then if she had enough wealth.

Evelyn John Gutton Budge arrived in Quebec, Canada in Jun 1911 and appears to have travelled alone. In 1913, he crossed the border into the United States, where he appears to do Military Service during WWI and, in 1917, married nurse, Mabel Dorothy Morris. They applied for Naturalization in 1918 and he died in Los Angeles, California on 2 Sep 1969.

Jessie Budge (37) and son her Daniel (11) - listed incorrectly with his surname dittoed as Budge - are shown sailing on the RMS Empress of France (1913) from Liverpool to Quebec on 8 Jun 1921. Their last address in the UK was given as 5, Clarence Mansions, Bromells Road, Kent (Clapham, London) and their country of intended future residence as Canada.

Jessie Budge bearly stepped ashore when she married, for a 3rd time, to Gerald Foll (b. 30 May 1865), son of John Foll and Sarah Anne Linnell of Stowe, Northamptonshire, on 20 Jun 1921, in WinnipegManitoba. Gerald Foll died on 10 April 1947 and is buried at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg

Jessie Elizabeth Foll died on 24 Sep 1965 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Searches reveal that Jessie's first cousin, Arthur Andrew Maslin, son of her father's eldest brother, Joseph Maslin, died in Vancouver, British Columbia, on 26 Dec 1955, which may explain why she was in that area.

Daniel Tompson Botterill married Edith Evelyn Benson, in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1939. They had three children. Daniel died in Winnipeg on 18 Jul 1964.

Tuesday, 26 August 2025

Joseph Jackson and Charlotte Bland

St Paul's Church, Deptford from the south-east
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3929567

Joseph Jackson, Gardener, listed as son of Joseph Jackson, Mariner, married Charlotte Bland (b. 23 Feb 1820 and baptised on 30 Mar 1820 at St Alfege's Church, Greenwich - Henry VIII was baptised in a previous church on the site), daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bland (There's a note on her baptism, Pn, which denotes Poor Note, believed to be a note from the poorhouse to pay for the baptism. Greenwich's first parish workhouse was opened in 1724, next door to St Alfege's Church) at St Paul's, Deptford on 26 Aug 1838.

This marriage had produced two daughters:

  1. Julia Jackson b. 2 Nov 1839, bap. 4 Dec 1839 at St Paul's, Deptford. Died 1840 S Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 130
  2. Rebecca Jackson b. 1841 D Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 05 Page 184

In 1841, Charlotte Jackson (21) was living in Church Street, St Paul Deptford, with Elizabeth Millard (75) who may have been a boarder or lodger. On the original census schedule, next to Charlotte's name instead of an occupation, is written "Wife of Joseph Jackson", so we can be in no doubt this is her.

There is a death of a Joseph Jackson (26) in Greenwich in 1842 M Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 155.

William George Maslin (bap. 28 Mar 1819 in Deptford), son of John and Elizabeth Maslin, married the widowed Charlotte Jackson, by then 24, at All Saints Church, Poplar, in the second quarter of 1844.

William and Charlotte Maslin had six children:
  1. Joseph Maslin b. 3 Aug 1845, bap. 14 Sep 1845 at St Paul's, Deptford
  2. William George Maslin b. 13 Jan 1848 M Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 227, bap. 31 Oct 1852 in Deptford. (Baptism transcription put his birth in Jun, but this cannot be correct as his birth had been registered in the March quarter. Thus must be Jan.)
  3. Elizabeth Sarah Maslin b. 19 May 1850 in GREENWICH Volume 05 Page 205, bap. 4 Aug 1850 at St Paul's, Deptford.
  4. Unnamed female child b. 1852 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 476, presume died, or stillborn (no corresponding death found).
  5. Alfred Maslin b. 21 Jul 1854 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 486, bap. 8 Oct 1854 at St Paul's, Deptford
  6. James Maslin b. 12 Sep 1857 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 512, bap. 15 Nov 1857 at St Paul's, Deptford
Mother's maiden surname on the five with civil registrations is BLAND.

In 1851, at 2, Broadway South Side, St Pauls Deptford, Hatcham, were William G Maslin (32) Brass worker; Charlotte (31) Greengrocer; Rebecca Jackson (9) Step daughter; Joseph (5), William G (3) and Elizabeth S (1). In Charles Street, Deptford, were John Maslin (74) Greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth (66) Laundress, who appear to be William's parents.

In 1871, they were in Nile Street, St Paul, Greenwich with William Maslin (52) Greengrocer; Charlotte Maslin (51), Alfred Maslin (16) Apprentice to painter and James Maslin (14) Boy at Iron foundry (Deptford Foundry?)

And in 1881, at 4, Nile Street, St Paul Deptford - Vanguard Street (previously Nile Street and Nelson Street) was amongst the earliest streets to be developed in the area south of Deptford Broadway - were William G Maslin (63) Brass finisher; Charlotte Maslin (62) Laundress; William G Maslin (33) Plasterers labourer; James Maslin (23) Blacksmiths labourer; Jessie Maslin (21) Collar ironer (James' "wife") and Emily Padbury (10) Granddaughter.

Charlotte Maslin died, aged 71, in 1890 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 736.

William George Maslin died, aged 80, in 1898 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 574.

Friday, 22 August 2025

Henry John Leese and Marian Blanche Burgess

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

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

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

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

  1. May Constance Leese b. 9 Jun 1886 (1886 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Page 228), bap. 23 Mar 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew.
  2. Elsie Christine Leese b. 29 May 1890 (1890 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 479), bap. 3 Aug 1890 at Southsea, St Bartholomew. Presume died as an infant, possibly in Malta.
  3. Henry John Leese b. 14 Dec 1892 in Valletta, Malta 
  4. Maude Christiana Leese b. 13 Jul 1894 in Malta 
  5. Marian Blanche Leese b. 6 Nov 1895 (1895 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 301), bap. 19 Jan 1896 in Stoke Damerel, Devon, died at 1 in 1896 D Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Pg 361
  6. William Gordon Leese b. 17 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 560), bap. 19 Sep 1897 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
  7. John Stanley Leese b. 2 Feb 1898 (1898 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 540), bap. 8 Feb 1898 in Forton (Gosport), Hampshire
  8. Edward Lionel Leese b. 23 Feb 1900 (1900 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 568), bap. 10 Apr 1900 at Forton, Hampshire, died aged 3 in 1903 M Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Volume 02B Page 355
  9. Frank Alfred Joseph Leese b. 10 Jun 1909 (1909 J Qtr in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 565), bap. 11 Jul 1909 in Forton (Gosport)
The family are not on the 1891 Census in England as Henry John Leese was stationed at Malta Dockyard between 14 Jun 1890 and 11 Dec 1894.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, 18 August 2025

Joseph Daniel Soppit and Rachel Boad

St Nicholas Church, Deptford
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Joseph Daniel Soppit (b. 23 Sep 1877 in Deptford), son of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson, married Rachel Boad, daughter of Charles Boad and Elizabeth Short, in Milton-next-Gravesend, Kent, on 18 Aug 1907. 

Six years previously, in 1901, Joseph D Soppit (23) Beer and Wine Retailer, had been living at 60, Beckenham Lane, Bromley (confirmed in the Kent 1903 Beer Retailer Directory, later Refreshers Independent Wine Merchant), with Rachel Boad (28), listed as his Servant and Housekeeper.

Joseph and Rachel Soppit had three children:

  1. John Soppit b. 11 Jan 1908 (GRO Reference: 1908 M Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 536)
  2. Elizabeth Louisa Soppit b. 5 Jun 1909 (GRO Reference: 1909 J Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 588)
  3. Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit b. 8 Apr 1916 (GRO Reference: 1916 J Quarter in EASINGTON Volume 10A Page 947)
All three children were born in South Hetton, Easington, Durham, where Rachel had family. Rachel's late father, Charles Boad, had been a stone mason in a colliery there. Joseph's father, John Soppit, also had links with South Hetton and both John and his father had also worked in the collieries, so we must entertain the idea that these families already knew one another.

In 1911, living at 57 Holbeach Road, Catford, were Joseph Daniel Soppit (33) an Engineer's Fitter at the Manganese Bronze and Brass Co at Millwall, Propeller makers [Manganese Bronze Holdings], along with his wife Rachel Soppit (38), John Soppit (3) and Elizabeth Louisa Soppit (1).

On 7 Aug 1917, Joseph Daniel Soppit (39), then a Commercial Traveller, enlisted in the Army's Royal Flying Corps (RFC), transferring to the Royal Air Force (RAF) upon it's formation on 1 Apr 1918. At time of enlistment, Joseph was 5ft 5in tall with a chest measurement of 35 inches. He then transferred to the RAF Reserve on 21 Mar 1919 and was discharged on 30 Apr 1920.

In 1921, Joseph Daniel Soppit (43) Commercial Traveller was living at 175, George Lane, Lewisham with Rachel Soppit (49), John Soppit (13), Elizabeth Louisa Soppit (12) and Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit (5). John Winship Soppit (39) Commercial Traveller - both brothers worked for C Chancellor & Co Ltd, 13 Clerkenwell Rd, Paint & Enamel Manufacturers - was visiting.

Joseph Daniel Soppit died, aged 58, in 1936 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1231.

In 1939, the widowed Rachel Soppit (b. 16 Jun 1872) was living with her widowed sister-in-law, Louisa A Broome, Laundry Director, at 57 Ladywell Road, Ladywell, Lewisham, with John Soppit, Wholesale Drapery Salesman; Elizabeth L Soppit, Civil Servant and Catherine S W Soppit, Railway Clerk.

Rachel Soppit, of 33 Shirley Park Rd, Addiscombe, Croydon, died, aged 76, on 27 Jul 1948 (1948 S Quarter in CROYDON Volume 05G Page 89) at The General Hospital, Croydon. Probate was granted to son John Soppit.

Monday, 11 August 2025

Philip Gilbert and Susanna Perry

View of St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich. Drawing by unknown artist, 1799.

Philip Gilbert of the Parish of Woolwich in the County of Kent, Widower & Susanna Perry (b. 1 Mar 1715 in Woolwich), daughter of Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming, of Poplar in the Parish of St Dunstan Stepney in the County of Middlesex, Spinster, were married, by Licence, at St Dionis Backchurch in the City of London [the same church were her brother Philip Perry and sister Elizabeth Perry had also married] on 11 Aug 1743.

Philip and Susanna Gilbert had four children:

  1. Philip Gilbert b. 18 Jun 1744, bap. 5 Jul 1744 at St Mary, Woolwich
  2. Susanna Gilbert bap. 16 Aug 1745 at St Mary's Church, Chatham, Kent
  3. Elizabeth Gilbert bap. 2 Jun 1748 at St Mary's, Chatham. Elizabeth Gilbert, an Infant, buried at St Mary's, Chatham on 8 Jul 1748.
  4. Ann Gilbert bap. 11 Sep 1751 at St Mary's, Chatham
On 13 May 1743, Philip Gilbert of Woolwich, Kent, Shipwright, took as an apprentice Will, son of Will Reed. And on 7 Mar 1744, Phillip Gilbert of Chatham, Kent, Shipwright, took apprentice, Rich, son of Henry Everall.

No ordinary shipwright, Phillip Gilbert, held the position of Assistant Master Shipwright at three major Royal Navy dockyards. Having been appointed Master Caulker at Woolwich Dockyard in 1730, he was appointed Assistant Master Shipwright at Woolwich in 1732; in 1740, he was appointed Assistant Master Shipwright at Deptford Dockyard, then again appointed Assistant Master Shipwright at Woolwich Dockyard. Finally, from 1744 until his death in 1751, he was Assistant Master Shipwright at Chatham Dockyard.

As stated on the marriage record, Philip Gilbert was a Widower when he married Susanna Perry. Philip Gilbert previously married Margaret Watkins at St Mary the Virgin, Lewisham on 5 Aug 1725. It appears that this couple had two daughters: Catherine Gilbert b. 30 Nov 1726, bap. 15 Dec 1726 at All Hallows-by-the-Tower and Sarah Gilbert bap. 17 Aug 1731 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich. Both baptisms list the parents as Philip and Margaret. However, "Margaret wife of Mr Phillip Gilbert Assistant [Ship]Builder at Woolwich" was buried at Saint Nicholas, Deptford on 13 Aug 1739.

Philip Gilbert was buried at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich on 29 Sep 1751.

The Will of Philip Gilbert of Woolwich had been drawn up in 1736, before the death of his first wife. In it he had left one pound one shilling to his brother Samuel Gilbert. The remainder of his possessions he left to his then 'loving wife Margaret Gilbert' and after her decease 'to my children born of her body to be equally divided between the then surviving children'. He had also appointed Margaret executor. Susanna's brother, John Perry and her brother-in-law, John Brown, appeared on her behalf and accordingly Administration of the Will was granted to Susanna Gilbert, Widow on 7 Oct 1751.

In her own Will, drafted on 16 Nov 1774, Susana Gilbert Widow and Solo Administrator of Philip Gilbert late of Chatham in the County of Kent Assistant [Ship]Builder at His Majesty's Yard there, left a Silver Tankard to her son Philip Gilbert; she also left bequests to her grandson, John Gilbert; her daughter Susanna Nuttall (including a pair of silver salts and salt spoons, a diamond ring that belonged to her late father, Philip Perry and another diamond ring from her late brother, John Perry); and to her daughter Ann Gilbert. She also left 'South Sea Annuities' to her nephew John Perry of Blackwall Esquire. She appointed her nephew John Perry and her sister Sarah Seehl as joint executors. Witnesses to her Will were E Brown (her sister Elizabeth, or Elizabeth's namesake daughter) and Joseph Hankey (who was married to her niece, Ann Perry, daughter of her late brother John).

The parish records of St Dunstan Stepney state that Susanna Gilbert of Poplar at 'Do' (Ditto, the same), was buried on 22 Jul 1777, presumably with her parents and siblings at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church).

Thursday, 7 August 2025

William Hill Adcock and Annie Dear

On Whitechapel Road, London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian S - geograph.org.uk/p/6376642

William Hill Adcock (bap. 11 Dec 1840), son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Anne Dear (bap. 16 Jun 1844), daughter of Stephen Dear and Catherine Baugh, at Christ Church, Watney Street, on 7 Aug 1864.

William and Annie had thirteen children: 
  1. Annie Eliza Adcock b. 1865 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 393
  2. Mary Elizabeth Adcock b. 1868 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 84
  3. Louisa Catherine Adcock b. 1869 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C 354
  4. William James Adcock b. 1870 D Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 359 (Died 1872 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 266)
  5. Flora Adcock b. 1872 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 356
  6. Minnie Adcock b. 1874 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 371
  7. Ada Alice Adcock b. 1876 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 380
  8. Charles William Adcock b. 1877 J Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 350 (Died 1878 J Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 229)
  9. Albert Henry Adcock b. 29 Jul 1878 (1878 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 347), bap. 13 Oct 1878 in Whitechapel
  10. Walter Charles Adcock b. 16 Aug 1880 (1880 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 329), bap. 26 Sep 1880 in Whitechapel
  11. William Ernest Adcock b. 24 Jul 1882 (1882 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 331), bap. 1 Oct 1882 in Whitechapel. (Died 1883 J Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 226)
  12. Emily Marie Adcock b. 1884 S Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 55 (Died, aged 2, 1886 S Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 370)
  13. Edwin John Adcock b. 1891 J Qtr in DARTFORD Vol 02A Page 483
In 1871, living in Whitechapel, were William Adcock (30) Tobacconist Shopman, wife Annie Adcock (26) birthplace Winterslow, Wiltshire; Annie (5); Louisa (2) and William (0). Mary Elizabeth, then 3, was not listed. 

In 1881, at 4 Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, we find William Adcock (40), Manager to Tobacconist; Annie Adcock (36); Mary E (13), Louisa (11), Flora (8), Minnie (6), Ada (5), Albert (2) and Walter (0). 

In 1891, living in Victoria Street, Erith, Kent, were William Adcock (50) then employed as a Machinist. Living with him were wife Annie (46), Louisa (21), Albert (12), Walter (11) and Edwin (0).

And in 1901, still in Victoria Street, we find William Adcock (60) a Machine Minder in a Gun Works - presumably the Vickers Works, Erith - with wife Annie (56), Albert (22), Walter (20) and Edwin (10). 

Annie Adcock died, aged 58, in 1902 S Qtr in DARTFORD Vol 02A Page 268.

In 1911, William Adcock (70) was an inmate at Dartford Union Workhouse.

William Adcock died, aged 79, 1920 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 601.

Dartford Union Workhouse
Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0

Monday, 4 August 2025

Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey

St Paul Street, Plymouth (number 9 is the darkest caramel coloured one)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2333440

Frederick Thomas Stone (b. 20 Jan 1892 in Stonehouse, Devon), Leading Signalman, H.M.S. Sandhurst, of 9 St Paul's Street, East Stonehouse, son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Kathleen Mullarkey (b. 17 Jan 1896 in Stonehouse, Devon), tailoress, of 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, daughter of Anthony Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, at the King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on 4 Aug 1923. Witnesses were Frederick's first cousin, Charley Stone (best man); Rosina Kathleen Stone, the bridegroom's younger sister (bridesmaid?), and Anthony Charles Mullarkey, the bride's elder brother who probably gave her away. The couple's fathers, Tom Stone and Anthony Mullarkey (both deceased), had both been Royal Marines, as were Charley Stone and Anthony Charles Mullarkey. 

Frederick and Kathleen had two sons: 

  1. Frederick Anthony Stone b. 25 July 1924 (1924 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 417)
  2. Douglas John Stone b. 27 Sep 1927 (1927 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 404)
Frederick Thomas Stone had enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy of 15, on 6 Jul 1907 and served for 21 years until 25 Nov 1928, by which time he was a Yeoman of Signals. He re-entered service with the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service (RNSSS) on 30 May 1932 as a Signalman. As he was still living at Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages at the time of his death, at 65, in 1957, he must have remained with the service through both World Wars.

At 18, Frederick Thomas Stone was 5ft 5½in with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. Among his numerous tattoos were an anchor, two female figures and a bird on his right forearm; Eagle, snake, Ensign, rose and thistle. Clasped hands and heart and 8 dots on left forearm.

In 1939, son Frederick Anthony Stone was a boarder at the Royal Hospital School (historically nicknamed "The Cradle of the Navy"). Frederick Thomas and Douglas John do not appear anywhere on the 1939 Register. The only entry for a Kathleen Stone of the right age is that detailed below.

On 11 Aug 1943, Douglas J Stone appears on a "List or Manifest of Aliens Employed on the Vessel as Members of the Crew" of the Marquesa, as an apprentice on his 1st trip to New York. He was 16, 5' 4" and 123lbs.

Frederick Thomas Stone of 5 Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages, Old Folkstone Road, Dover, died on 11 Nov 1957, aged 65 (1957 D Quarter in DOVER Volume 05B Page 594), at Buckland Hospital, Dover, leaving effects of £960 12s 5d to Frederick Anthony Stone, Chief Electrician R.N. and Douglas John Stone, Laboratory Assistant. 

As she wasn't a beneficiary to Frederick's will, it would be easy to assume that Kathleen had pre-deceased her husband, but there was no death record in the relevant period and there looks to be another possibility: There are only two records (that I could find) of deaths of someone named Kathleen Stone, born 1896. One was in St Albans and there are other records in that area to prove that is a distinct person, so that death can certainly be discounted. 

The other is of a Kathleen Stone, born 1896, listed as married, who in 1939 was patient at the East Riding Mental Hospital, Beverley, Yorkshire

The later Probate record shows that this Kathleen Stone died there, at Broadgate Hospital, on 4 Feb 1968. My research hasn't discovered any other Kathleen Stone locally, for example, who this might have been. 

The East Riding Archives, searched the records they hold and were unable to link her to Frederick Thomas Stone, nor discount it either; there's no mention of family members, but they were able to tell me that this person "was admitted on the 31 Aug 1937, her care was being charged to Bridlington." Further searches produced no local person in the Bridlington area either. 

There was, however, a signal station at Flamborough Head, which is only around six miles from Bridlington. There is nothing on Frederick's records to suggest that he went there, but it would follow the usual pattern in the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service to be posted and move from station to station, so he might well have done, which might account for her presence in the area if this is her. This could be casting aspersions, but sadly, all of the circumstantial evidence does persuade me that it is still possible it was and, hopefully this information might lead to something that either confirms or refutes it.

  • Douglas John Stone died, at 58, in DOR Q1/1985 in KINGSBRIDGE (4111) Volume 21 Page 1587.
  • Frederick Anthony Stone married Barbara Matthews (1927-1999), in Newport, Wales, in 1950. Frederick Anthony Stone died, on 19 Mar 1985, in Newport, Wales (DOR Q1/1985 in NEWPORT (8362C) Volume 28 Page 994). He will have been 60. 

Saturday, 12 July 2025

Edward Charles Drake and Emma Jane Gloyne

Former entrance to Roath Basin, Cardiff
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/6404417

Edward Charles Drake, son of Edmund Drake and Esther Elizabeth Palmer, married Emma Jane Gloyne, daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, on 12 Jul 1886 in Roath, Glamorgan, Wales. 

Edward Charles Drake's mother, Esther Elizabeth Palmer, was the older sister of Edward Oxford Palmer, who was married to Emma Jane's older sister, Charlotte Emma Gloyne. So, Charlotte's husband was Emma's husband's uncle - or Emma's husband was Charlotte's husband's nephew. The two couples' respective children will have been double-cousins, once removed and once not, I think. Working out family relationships just got very complicated!

Edward and Emma had eight children:
  1. Esther Kathleen Drake b. GRO Reference: 1887 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 330
  2. Gladys Emma Drake b. GRO Reference: 1889 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 334
  3. John Gloyne Drake b. 6 May 1891, GRO Reference: 1891 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 342. Died 4 Jul 1915 (see below).
  4. Francis Oxford Drake b. GRO Reference: 1892 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 396
  5. Helen Palmer Drake b. 7 February 1895 in Plymouth. (No GRO record.)
  6. Fred Silby Drake b. GRO Reference: 1895 D Quarter in MONMOUTH Volume 11A Page 16. Died, aged 4, in GRO Reference: 1900 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 253
  7. Constance Edith Drake b. GRO Reference: 1899 J Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 8
  8. Florence May Drake b. GRO Reference: 1902 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 255
In 1891, Edward Drake (28) Iron Moulder, Emma Drake (29) and their first two daughters, Esther (3) and Gladys (1) were living in the household of Edward's parents, Edmund and Esther Drake in Moira Street, Cardiff.

In 1901, Edward C Drake (39) Iron & Brass Founder, was resident in Durnford Street, East Stonehouse, with wife Emma J Drake (40), Gladys E Drake (11), John G Drake (9), Francis O Drake (8), Helen P Drake (6) and Constance E Drake (2). Eldest daughter, Esther Drake (13) was staying with her grandparents, Edmund and Esther Drake, in Seymour Street, Roath.

In 1911, Edward Drake (49) Iron and Brass Founder, was still in Plymouth with wife Emma Drake (50) and daughters, Gladys Drake (21), Helen Drake (17), Constance Drake (12) and Florence (9). Esther Kathleen had married in 1906 and was living in North End, Buckland, Portsmouth; John Drake (19) Stoker, was in Chatham, Kent; haven't yet located Francis.

Emma Drake died, in 1912, age given as 51 - she was 54 (GRO Reference: 1912 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 276).

Son John Drake died at HMS Vivid (shore establishment 1890), the Royal Navy barracks at Devonport. John Drake had joined the Royal Navy, at 18, on 9 July 1909, at which time he was 5 ft 3½ in with a 33¾ inch chest, light brown hair, light brown eyes and a fair complexion. At the time of his death he was assigned to Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport. The note on his naval record states that he was DD (Discharged Dead) on 4 July 1915 in Sick Quarters, Devonport Depot as result of cycle accident. Inquest verdict:- Accidental death through cycle accident. This was only weeks after his cousin, Charles Edward Palmer, Engine Fitter at the Government Dockyard, Devonport, also died, on 17 Apr 1915.

Edward Charles Drake (55) married Helen or Ellen Saull (48) on 23 Dec 1916, in Roath, Glamorganshire, Wales. 

In 1921, Edward Drake (59) Iron Moulder and wife listed as Norah Drake (54) from Plymouth, Devon, were living at 41, Harold Street, Roath, Cardiff.

Edward Charles Drake died, at 74, in 1935 (GRO Reference: 1935 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B  Page 403).

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Benjamin Tompson Soppit and Ida Lily Hepworth

St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset

Benjamin Tompson Soppit (b. 13 Nov 1884 in Bromley, Kent), son of John Soppit and Louisa Tompson, married Ida Lily Hepworth (b. 16 Sep 1891 in Exeter), daughter of Vincent Hepworth and Mary Ann (Annie) Rogers, at St Mary Major, Exeter, on 2 Jul 1913. Ida Lily Hepworth gave her residence as 3 Cathedral Yard, Exeter (now the address of Al Farid restaurant). Witnesses were Annie Adams (Ida's mother who remarried in 1908), H W (Henry Wood) Adams, her step-father, and John Soppit, presumably Benjamin's father.

The Church of St Mary Major, Exeter, formerly Exeter Minster, stood in Exeter Cathedral Yard, between the west front of the cathedral and next to The Three Gables, the building which now houses Al Farid restaurant. Having been rebuilt several times, St Mary Major was demolished in 1971.

In 1911, Ida Hepworth had been a Hospital Nurse at The Croydon Borough Hospital for Infectious Diseases (Waddon Hospital). The Hospital was extended in 1911 to include two isolation pavilions and a Nurses' Home.

Benjamin and Ida had two children:

  1. John Vincent Soppit b. 15 Jul 1914 S Quarter in YORK Vol 09D Page 27
  2. Ida Louisa Soppit b. 1916 M Quarter in PLYMPTON ST. MARY Volume 05B Page 293
In March 1916 Benjamin Tompson Soppit M2/115307 was serving with the Royal Army Service Corps in Salonica [Thessaloniki] on the Macedonian front. He ultimately achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant and Adjutant.

In 1939, Benjamin and Ida were living at 46 Cambridge Drive, Lee, Lewisham.

Final resting place of Benjamin Tompson and Ida Lily Soppit

They later moved to 43 Barrack Row, Durweston, near to their daughter.

Benjamin Tompson Soppit died on 28 Jan 1969, aged 85. Ida Lily Soppit died on 3 Jun 1995, at the age of 103 years 9 months (DOR Q2/1995 in NORTH DORSET (4301) Reg 54 Entry Number 140). They're buried together in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset.

The inscription reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
BENJAMIN TOMPSON SOPPIT
WHO FELL ASLEEP
28th JAN 1969
Faithful in all things
ALSO OF HIS WIFE
IDA LILY
3rd June 1995
In her 104th year

  • John Vincent Soppit married Olive Constance Archer in 1943 in Bromley, Kent. Listed in the 21 Jun 1945 edition of The London Gazette is Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) John Vincent SOPPIT (124996), Royal Army Service Corps (Beckenham, Kent). They had one daughter, Amanda Janet Soppit, born in 1946. John Vincent Soppit died in London in 1990. Olive Constance Soppit of 54 Greenways, Beckenham, Kent, died on 1 Dec 2010. Amanda Janet Soppit appears not to have married and died on 9 Apr 2015.
  • 'Betty' I L [Ida Louisa] Soppit married Alfred Ernest Woodley, in Deptford, London in 1938. In 1939, Alfred E Woodley (b. 22 Jan 1913) School Master, and Betty I L Woodley were living at 77 Salisbury Street, Blandford Forum, Dorset. They had one son, born in Carlisle, Cumberland, in 1942. Alfred Ernest Woodley of The Old Bank House, Blandford, died, aged 30, on 17 Feb 1943 at Bewaldeth Village, Cockermouth, Cumberland. Betty I L Woodley then remarried to Harold Greenleaves in Blandford, Dorset in 1944. They had one son in 1945. Harold Greenleaves, born 1904, died in North Dorset, in 2003. Betty Ida Louisa Greenleaves died, on 29 Jul 2014. Both sons appear to be still living.

Friday, 6 June 2025

Ernest James Burch and Elizabeth Wykes

Amersham Road, New Cross
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4358069

Ernest James Burch (b. 1858), son of Henry Burch and Rebecca Martin, married Elizabeth Wykes (b. 10 Jun 1861), daughter of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, at All Saints, Rotherhithe, on 6 Jun 1881. (Ernest James' brother, Henry Charles Burch married Elizabeth's sister, Mary Ann Wykes.)

Ernest and Elizabeth had six children, all born in Greenwich:
  1. Ernest William Burch b. 1882 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1015. Died, 1884 J Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569
  2. Rose Mary Burch b. 25 Apr 1884 J Qtr Vol 01D Page 1029
  3. Henry Charles Burch b. 6 Jun 1886 S Qtr Vol 01D Page 1030
  4. Maria Elizabeth Burch b. 25 Apr 1888 J Qtr Vol 01D Page 1027
  5. Florence Emma Burch b. 24 Jun 1891 S Qtr Vol 01D Page 1032
  6. Ada Burch b. 18 Dec 1893, reg. 1894 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1043, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford
In 1891, Ernest J Burch (32) Stone Mason and wife Elizabeth Burch (30) were living at 20, Evelyn Street, St Paul Deptford with Rose Mary Burch (6), Henry Charles Burch (4), Maria Burch (2), Martha Buzzacott (38) Visitor [Elizabeth's sister], Maude Buzzacott (4) Visitor [Martha's daughter], James Green (17) Shoe Maker, Boarder and Hariett Armstead (30) Boarder.

By 1901, however, it's clear that the couple had separated, because Ernest J Burch (42) Stone Mason, was living in the household of his brother, Henry Charles Burch, at 2, Octavius Street, St Paul, Deptford, while Elizabeth Burch (39) Midwife nurse was living at 20, Albury Street, St Paul Deptford. In Elizabeth's household were Rose Mary Burch (16), Henry C Burch (14) Apprentice Stone Mason; Maria E Burch (12), Florence E Burch (9), Ada Burch (7), Elizabeth Doe (21) Tin Solderer, Boarder; Julia Taylor (43) Widow, Boarder [widow of Elizabeth's cousin, George Taylor]; Martha O'Toole (48) Visitor [Elizabeth's sister] and Lily Wykes (11), Willie Wykes (8) and Jessie Wykes (3) - all three were listed as visitors, born in South Africa [they were the children of Elizabeth's brother, John Thomas Wykes].

In 1911, it gets even more interesting, as Elizabeth Burch (49) Midwife, was living at 13 Amersham Road, New Cross, St Paul Deptford with Marie Burch (22), Florence Burch (19) Book keeper; Mary Weston (26) [Rose Mary Burch, as was]; Lily Weston (3) Granddaughter; William Barber (50) Lodger, Norah Barber (30) and Dora Barber (1). The 1911 Census confirms that Elizabeth had six children with five living. However, Ernest James Burch (52) Married, Stonemason was living at 20 South Crescent, Cold Bath Street, Greenwich with a whole new family: Alice Newman Burch (35) Single, 'Housekeeper' (a euphemism, clearly) born in Peckham; Dorothy Burch (12) born in Hackney; Ellen Burch (10) born in Lewisham and William Burch (5) born in Greenwich. The original 1911 Census lists that Ernest had been married 29 years (yes, but to Elizabeth Wykes, not Alice) and lists 4 children, of whom 3 were still living at that point, clearly referring to the children of this relationship.

Alice Newman it seems gave birth to five children:
  1. Dorothy Alice Newman b. 14 Jan 1899 M Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 558, with no mother's maiden name listed, i.e. illegitimate.
  2. Ellen Newman b. 1900 S Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1206, curiously, with BURCH listed as a mother's maiden name.
  3. Edward William Burch b. 1902 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1075. Died, aged 1, in 1904 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 541
  4. William Burch b. 20 Jan 1906 M Qtr Vol 01D Page 1117
  5. Ernest George Burch b. 16 May 1912 J Qtr Vol 01D 1884
On the records for the 3 boys, the mother's maiden name is NEWMAN.

In 1921, Elizabeth Burch (60) mother-in-law, Midwife, was listed in the household of Richard Charles Weston (38) - married to Rose Mary Burch - at 62, Florence Road, St Paul Deptford. One imagines she was there to assist with the birth of the couple's son, Charles Albert, then under one month old, as her usual place of work (and presumably residence) was in Tring, Herts. Ernest James Burch (62) Stonemason, was living at 58, Vanguard Street, Deptford with his 2nd family: Alice 'Burch' (44), William Burch (15), Dorothy Alice Burch (25), Ellen Burch (20) and Ernest George Burch (9).

Ernest James Burch died, at 73, in 1932 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1379.

Elizabeth Burch of 23 Western Road, Tring, Hertfordshire (daughter, Ada and her husband also lived in Tring) died, also aged 73, at 4 Whitehouse Terrace, Western Road, Tring, on 9 Jan 1935 (1935 M Quarter in BERKHAMPSTEAD Volume 03A Page 1240). Probate was granted to her surviving son, Henry Charles Burch, Stonemason, leaving effects of £459.

In 1939, Alice Burch [really Alice Newman] b. 13 Mar 1877, 'Widowed' was living at 3 Summerfield Street, Hither Green, Lewisham with youngest son, Ernest G Burch, of 'No Occupation Owing To Bad Health'. 

Listed again as Alice Burch - really she was still Alice Newman because I found no marriage between her and Ernest James Burch, not even a bigamous one - died at 74 in 1952 D Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 05D Page 16.

Of Ernest and Alice's children:
  • Dorothy Alice Burch married Arthur Henry Bown, in Lewisham, in 1925. In 1939, they were living at 47 Scylla Road, Peckham, Camberwell. Arthur H Bown died, at 56, in Camberwell, in 1951. Dorothy Alice Bown of Templeton Nursing Home, Streatham Common died on 15 Sep 1987.
  • Ellen Burch married James Joy, in Lewisham, in 1924. Ellen Joy b. 12 Aug 1900 (same quarter as birth registration) died in Bexley, Kent, in 1997.
  • William Burch married Elizabeth Gardiner, in Lewisham, in 1933. In 1939, William Burch, General Labourer, Elizabeth and their son, William Edward Burch b. 31 Dec 1933 (reg. 1934 M Qtr in LEWISHAM Vol 01D  Page 1102), were living at 45 Battersby Road, Catford. William Burch died, in 1970, in Lewisham. 
  • Ernest George Burch died, at 30, on 12 February 1943 (1943 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 923) and was buried at Hither Green Cemetery.