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

Monday, 25 May 2026

Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson

The "skull & crossbones" entrance to St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green Photo © Mike Quinn (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Daniel Botterill (bap. 20 Dec 1831 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (bap. 15 Dec 1833 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East in on 25 May 1856. Witnesses were Edward Taylor and Ann Taylor. Ann was both of the couple's aunt. Mary Botterill (née Thompson) - Daniel Botterill's mother - was the elder sister of Daniel Thompson - Sarah Elizabeth Thompson's father - and Ann Taylor (née Thompson) was their younger sister. Daniel Botterill and Sarah Thompson, therefore, were 1st Cousins.

Daniel and Sarah had five children:
  1. Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill, b. 1857 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 590, bap. 13 Sep 1857 at West Haddon
  2. Benjamin Adcock Botterill b. 1861 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 614, bap. 6 May 1861 at West Haddon. (Died, aged 1, in 1862 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 367.)
  3. John Benjamin Botterill b. 25 Aug 1864 (1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 643), bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford.
  4. Elizabeth Cox Botterill b. 1867 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 754, bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford. (Died, aged 4, in 1871 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 525.)
  5. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill b. 19 Apr 1870 (1870 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 773), bap. at Saint Nicholas, Deptford on 8 May 1870. 
In 1841, Daniel Botterill (10) was living with his parents in West Haddon, Northamptonshire, with his father, Stephen, then listed as a Publican.

Flagon Row 1880
In 1861, Daniel was living at 3, Wellington Street (formerly Flagon Row), St Nicholas, Deptford, listed as a "Boiler Maker Tobaconist" - between a Butcher and a Shoe Shop on one side and a Baker, a Greengrocer, a Chemist and a Clothes Dealer on the other. Emma Thompson (16) was listed as a Servant in his household, while his wife, Sarah, was visiting her brother George and their widowed mother, in Northamptonshire, along with sons Daniel (4) and Benjamin (0).

A report in The Era of 17 Nov 1867 lists the transfer of the licence for The White Hart, Deptford Green to Daniel Botterill. Situated at 33 Deptford Green, the pub closed c.1896 and has now been demolished. We find Daniel and Sarah Botterill there in 1869 and again on the 1871 census, where Daniel Botterill (39) is listed as a Licensed Victualler and living with him are his wife, Sarah E (37), sons; Daniel Stephen (14) and John (6), daughters; Elizabeth (4) and Mary (0), as well as Sarah's sister, Louisa Thompson (26), listed as "Barmaid" and Sarah's widowed mother, Mary Thompson (61).

(1) Houses In Old Flagon Row, North Side (2) Corner of Flagon Row (3) Deptford Green c.1897

In 1874, D Botterill was listed as the licencee of The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Broadway. Given the two following reports in the newspapers of the time, it would seem that this was probably a pretty rough establishment.

Kentish Mercury 9 May 1874: 
STEALING A DRINKING GLASS Jane Bartlett, about 70 years of age, a hawker, residing in Hales Street, Deptford, was charged with stealing a drinking glass, value 6½d., the property of Daniel Botterill, landlord of The Centurion, public house, Deptford Broadway. It appeared from the evidence of the barman that the prisoner came into the house on the previous evening, and remained there some time drinking with a navvy. After he had gone witness saw the prisoner place the glass under her arm, and upon speaking to her about it she dropped it. The prisoner, who denied any intention of stealing the glass, was sent to Maidstone gaol for seven days.

Kentish Mercury 6 Mar 1875: 
KICKING A LICENSED VICTUALLER James Chapman, of Wood's lodging-house, Mill Lane, Deptford, was charged with being drunk, and assaulting the landlord of the Centurion public house, Deptford Broadway. Daniel Botterill, the landlord, said the prisoner came into his house on Saturday night and annoyed the customers. He was ejected, but got in again, and commenced another row. Witness put him outside, when the prisoner ran at him, and kicked him several times. Mr. Patterson sentenced the prisoner to 14 days' hard labour, refusing his application for the imposition of a fine.

The Old Centurion Pub closed in 2004 and was converted into flats. 

(Top left) The White Hart, Deptford Green, (Top right) The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Boadway, (Bottom left) Clock House, Leather Lane, (Bottom right) Holly Tree Arms, Lewisham

On the 1881 census and in 1882, Daniel Botterill was listed as landlord of the Clock House (formerly Coach & Horses), in Leather Lane, Holborn. Sarah's sister, Louisa, who married John Soppit in 1875, was living there, but Sarah was not on census day. Instead, she was lodging in the household of John Snell, a Lodging House Keeper, in Torquay in Devon. The transcription of that record describes her as "Sister to wife". That doesn't make sense and I believe the original actually says "Licensed Victualler's Wife" which is what she was. Was this a relative, a business contact, a holiday or perhaps a health break?

By 1891, the Botterills were back south of the river at the Holly Tree Arms, then in Holly Tree Terrace, between Hither Green and Lewisham. Staying there at that time were Daniel (59), Licensed Victualler, wife Sarah E (57), daughter Mary L (20), grandson John (11), granddaughter Alice (6), Alice J Pretty (28) Domestic Servant General, niece Catherine S Soppett (15), Edmund Allen (16) Pot Boy and Catherine Hancock (59) Laundress. 

A report in the Woolwich Gazette on 16 Feb 1894, showed Daniel Botterill as the outgoing licensee in the transfer of the licence of the Holly Tree.

Given they only seem to stay in one place for a couple of years at a time, there may well be even more pubs in the years between these various records. 

In 1901, Sarah, 'Wife of occupier (away)', is living at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham along with daughter Mary L A (30) a Teacher of Dressmaking and grandson John (21) a Sign Writer, while Daniel Botterill (69), "Living on own means", was away in the household of his son, John Benjamin Botterill, in Croydon, where Daniel was listed as a 'Widower'. Clearly he wasn't. 

Daniel Botterill died, aged 76, on 12 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 724). 

Sarah Botterill died a month later, on 11 Mar 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 737), aged 74. Probate shows she left £2449 1s 3d (~£300,000 today) to her three surviving children. 

In 1911, Mary L A Botterill (40) was living at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham. Living with her was her nephew, John Botterill (31) Sign Writer.

In 1921, Mary L A Botterill was living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Her nephew, John Botterill (41) Sign Writer was still living with her, as well as an Evelyn L R Wadsworth (54) Working Companion, Boarder.

In 1939, and still living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham, were Mary L A Botterill and with her this time, Lucy E N Wadsworth (b. 1 Apr 1917). 

The Probate record for Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill, who never married, shows that at the time of her death on 4 Feb 1947 (1947 M Quarter in WATFORD Volume 04B Page 399), she was a resident at Leavesden Hospital (The Imbeciles Asylum). Leavesden Hospital was a mental health facility, which was called Leavesden Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles when it opened. Looking at the circumstances, I suspect there's a good chance Mary was born with Learning Difficulties. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill was buried, on 11 Feb 1947, with her parents and brother.

Sunday, 17 May 2026

William Thompson Wykes and Ada Doe

The Church of St. Nicholas, Deptford Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Lunn - geograph.org.uk/p/508224

William Thompson Wykes (b. 1869), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Ada Doe (b. 26 May 1867 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk), daughter of George Doe and Susannah Gates, at St Nicholas Church, Deptford Green on 17 May 1894. Ada was born at Garland Street, Bury St Edmunds (PDF), where the family still lived in 1871, and was baptised on 20 Sep 1868 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (parish church of St James).

William and Ada had three children:
  1. William Thompson Wykes b. 1895 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1073, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford
  2. Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes b. 15 Jan 1897 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1097
  3. Ada Florence Wykes b. 17 May 1905 J Quarter in SAINT OLAVE BERMONDSEY Volume 01D Page 232
All of the GRO birth registration have the mother's maiden name DOE.

In 1901, William Wykes (31) Light plater iron work, was at 5, Abinger Road, Deptford with Ada Wykes (33), William Wykes (6) and Daisy Wykes (4).

In 1911, William Wykes (41) Light iron worker was living at 12 Neckinger Street, Dockhead, Bermondsey with Ada Wykes (43), William Wykes (16) Printers layer on; Daisy Wykes (14) and Ada Wykes (5). 

William Thompson Wykes died, aged just 45, in 1915 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1586.

Private William Thompson Wykes 1st/22nd Bn London Regiment was killed in action, presumed on or since 30 Dec 1915 and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, located near the commune of Loos-en-Gohelle, in the Pas-de-Calais département of France. The memorial lists 20,610 names of British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who were killed in the area during and after the Battle of Loos, which started on 25 Sep 1915.

In 1921, Ada Wykes (53) Bath Attendant for Bermondsey Council was living at 35, St James's Road, Bermondsey, with Ada Wykes (16) Millinery and her brother, George Doe (51) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Out of Work. 

In 1939, Ada Wykes, Money Taker (Retired) (assume cashier, not criminal LOL) and Ada F Longhurst, Shop Assistant, were living at 23 Sylvan Grove, Peckham, with Stephen Mason in the household, presumably a lodger.

Ada Wykes died, aged 73, in 1940 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 1299.

  • Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes married Frank George Collins (b. 10 Mar 1887 in Rotherhithe), son of Thomas Dederick Collins and Amelia Martha Roberts, in Southwark, in 1920. They had three children: Frank William Collins b. 1 Oct 1920; William Thomas Collins b. 6 Feb 1923 and Joan Emily Collins b. 1926. In 1939, Frank G Collins, Paint Warehouseman; Daisy A E Collins, Frank William Collins and William T Collins were living at 76 Harp Road, Ealing, where the couple remained for the rest of their lives. Frank George Collins died on 10 Aug 1973 and Daisy Ann Elizabeth Collins, on 17 Sep 1975.
  • Ada Florence Wykes married Frederick Richard Longhurst (b. 1 Feb 1912), son of Frederick William Longhurst and Hannah Eliza Warner, in Deptford, London, in 1935. In 1939, Ada F Longhurst was living with her mother, in Peckham, while Frederick Richard Longhurst was serving in the Royal Artillery. They had one son, born in 1941. Frederick Richard Longhurst died, in Lambeth, in 1992. Ada Florence Longhurst died, also in Lambeth, in 2002.

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey

Sheppey - View along coastal path near Cheyney Rock
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rob Farrow - geograph.org.uk/p/7419462

Edward Tubb (bap. 18 Nov 1827), son of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, married Hannah Bussey, daughter of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 13 May 1850. (In the previous, second church, built 1843, not the current building, built in the 1880s.)

Edward and Hannah had three children:
  1. Elizabeth Tubb b. 1850 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 173, bap. 29 Dec 1850 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  2. Susan Alice Tubb b. 23 Jul 1852 Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 334, bap. 7 Oct 1855 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  3. Edward Tubb b. 1860 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 575, died, aged 2 in 1863 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 461, buried on 28 Mar 1863 at Sheppey Cemetery.
In 1851, Edward Tubb (23) Shipwright, was a visitor in the household of Jane Watsworth (40), Seaman's Wife in Nelson Street, Portsea, while Hannah Tubb (21) and their daughter, Elizabeth Tubb (0) were in the household of Hannah's widowed mother, Elizabeth Bussey (56).

Edward & Hannah must have moved to the Isle of Sheppey, Kent between 1855 and 1860, because in 1861, at 4 James Street, Minster in Sheppey, Sheerness were Edward Tubb (33), Shipwright from Portsmouth; Hannah Tubb (32), Elizabeth Tubb (10), Susan Tubb (9) and Edward Tubb (0).

Hannah Tubb died, at 33, in 1862 J Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 379 and was buried, on 27 Jun 1862, at Sheppey Cemetery.

Edward Tubb then married Sarah Elizabeth Joy (bap. 8 Mar 1829 at St. John The Baptist, Margate, Kent), daughter of Edward Joy and Harriet Mary Garling, in Thanet, Kent in Q3 1864. 

Edward and Sarah added another three children:
  1. Herbert Joy Tubb b. 8 Oct 1865 D Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 716
  2. Harriet Mary Tubb b. 21 May 1867 J Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 752
  3. Grace Hannah Tubb b. 9 Aug 1871 S Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 754
In 1871, living at 5 Rock Cottages, Minster, Sheppey, were Edward Tubb (43) Shipwright, Sarah E Tubb (42), H J Tubb (Herbert Joy) (5), HM Tubb (Harriet Mary) (3) and Harriet Curtis (13) Boarder. I've been unable to find either Elizabeth or Susan, who at 20 & 19, were presumably out working.

In 1881, living at Cheyney Rock Cottages, Minster in Sheppey, were Edward Tubb (58); Sarah (51), Herbert (15), Harriet (13) and Grace (9). 

Edward Tubb died on 26 Jan 1884 (1884 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 534). He'll have been 56. He is buried at Sheppey Cemetery.

In 1891, Sarah E Tubb (61), widow, was a lodger in the household of John Parrett (31) Upholsterer in Trinity Road, Minster in Sheppey. Visiting were daughter, Harriet Mary Penfold (26), Harriet M Penfold (6) and George E Penfold (2). Herbert J Tubb (25) Merchant's Clerk, was in Cornwall. Grace Tubb (19) was a General Servant Domestic in the household of George Harper (49), Upholsterer & Auctioneer in Castle Street, Ashford, Kent.

Sarah Tubb, with her age estimated to 64, died in 1895 J Quarter in WEST ASHFORD Volume 02A Page 432. There is a record of a burial of a Sarah Tubbs (sic) in Ashford, on 10 May 1895, which presumably relates.

St Corentine's Church, Cury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Trevor Harris - geograph.org.uk/p/1817672

Herbert Joy Tubb (b. 1865), son of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy, married Ada Harriet Bartlett (b. 1870, bap. 8 Jan 1871 in Cury, Cornwall), daughter of John William Ginn Bartlett and Harriet Nanney, in the district of Helston in the 4th quarter of 1892. Baptised in Cury, brought up in Uny-Lelant, Ada was living at Boscawen, Mawgan in Meneage, Helston in 1891, where her father was a Farmer, so likely that was the venue for the marriage, where the parish church is dedicated to St Mauganus, a Welshman.

In 1891, Herbert J Tubb (25) Merchant's Clerk, had been a visitor in the household of Farmer, Samuel Trounson (58) at Penvores, Mawgan in Meneage, which was right next door to the Bartlett household.

Herbert and Ada had two children:
  1. John Bartlett Tubb b. 12 Jul 1893 in HELSTON Volume 05C Page 168
  2. Olive Joy Tubb b. 26 Jun 1898 in HELSTON  Volume 05C Page 169
In 1901, Ada H Tubb (30) was living at Boscawen Cottage, Mawgan in Meneage with son John B Tubb (7) at school and Olive J (2). 

In 1911, the family were living at 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth. Herbert Joy Tubb (44) Implement and machinery manager, Ada Harriet Tubb (39), John Bartlett Tubb (17) Apprentice Engineer and Olive Joy Tubb (12) at School.

Son, John Bartlett Tubb, Fleet Engineer, of 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth enlisted in the Territorial Force Royal Engineers, on 18 Sep 1914. At 21, he was 5ft 6in tall with a 36 in chest. In reserve until 23 Mar 1915, he was sent to Gibraltar on 24 Mar 1915, until 11 Nov 1916, where he picked up a dose of Gonorrhea (an occupational hazard?), treated in 1915 - this is well before the introduction of antibiotics that was not until the 1940's. (Gonorrhea: Historical outlook). He was discharged on 9 Jul 1919 at Ripon.

In 1921, Herbert Joy Tubb (52) Manager Engineering Department, Western Counties Agricultural Society, was living at 4, Athenaeum Street, Plymouth, Devon with Ada Harriet Tubb (48), John Bartlett Tubb (27) General Motor Hauler; Olive Joy Tubb (22), Clara Bartlett (40) Sister-in-law; James Lambrick (38) Visitor and Norah Ligette Lambrick (36) Visitor.

Olive Joy Tubb married Richard Donald Broad (b. 2 Feb 1896 in Liskard), son of William Nanscowan Broad and Louise Daniel, in Plymouth, on 27 Dec 1922.
Richard Donald Broad had enlisted in the brand new Royal Air Force (RAF) on 20 Apr 1918 and applied for a Temporary Commission. In Aug/Sep of that year he is listed at RAF & Army Co-Op School as 'Pilot for training'. In Nov 1918 he was assigned to 116 Squadron.
John Bartlett Tubb married Kathleen Margaret Coomb (b. 30 Sep 1896 in Truro, Cornwall), daughter of Arthur Bate Coomb (an Elementary teacher, born in Victoria, Australia) and Lucy Bennett, in Plymouth, on 28 Mar 1925.

Ada Harriett Tubb died, aged 62, in Plymouth on 1 Jul1932.

In 1939, Herbert Joy Tubb, Agricultural Engineer (Retired), widower, was living in the household of his son-in-law, Richard Donald Broad, Poultry, Pig and Fruit Farmer; daughter, Olive Joy Broad and grandson, David Broad (b. 12 May 1928), at Broadlands, Lifton, Tavistock, Devon. 
Also living at Broadlands, Lifton, in 1939, in the next household was William John Rundle (b. 7 Jun 1909), Agricultural Labourer and his wife. Presumably, Rundle was working for Richard Broad. If this William John Rundle is related to the Rundle clan from Luxulyan, Cornwall - not entirely unlikely given the proximity - then, in another of those monkey puzzle tree branches of my family tree that have ceased to surprise, we could have someone distantly related to my father's mother, working for someone distantly related to my mother's father. God forbid that they could actually be related to each other! 
Meanwhile, John B Tubb, Marine Engine Fitter and Kathleen M Tubb were living at 3 Goldington Avenue, Bedford in 1939.

Herbert Joy Tubb of Broadlands, Lifton, Devon died, aged 74, on 28 May 1940, leaving effects of £1052 3s 11d (circa. £63K in 2022) to Olive Joy Broad, wife of Richard Donald Broad. 

  • Olive Joy Broad died, in 1971, in Sodbury, Gloucestershire.
  • Richard Donald Broad died, in 1983, in Tavistock, Devon.
  • Kathleen Margaret Tubb died on 17 Mar 1988 in Plymouth.
  • John Bartlett Tubb died, in 1985, in Liskeard, Cornwall.
  • David Broad died, in 2005, also in Liskeard, Cornwall.

Sunday, 26 April 2026

William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson

Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499434

William Wykes (b. 29 Aug 1829 in Spratton, Northamptonshire, bap. 7 Jun 1830 at Great Creaton), son of Edward Wykes and Mary Davies, married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's, Cransley, Northamptonshire, on 26 Apr 1852. Witnesses to their marriage were Elizabeth's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson and her nephew, Daniel Botterill, first cousins who married four years later.

William and Elizabeth's family consisted:
  1. Anne Thompson b. 1846 in Spratton, Northamptonshire
  2. Martha Wykes b. 1853 M Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 106, bap. 22 May 1853 in Spratton, Northampton
  3. Mary Ann Wykes b. 27 Mar 1855 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 520, bap. 27 May 1855 at St Paul, Deptford, Kent
  4. Eliza Wykes b. 22 Mar 1857 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 533
  5. Edward William Wykes b. 30 Jun 1859, reg. S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 550, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
  6. Elizabeth Wykes b. 10 Jun 1861 in Cransley, reg. S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
  7. John Thomas Wykes b. 24 Oct 1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 648, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at St Nicholas, Deptford
  8. Maria Sarah Elizabeth Wykes b. 1868, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at Deptford. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 493
  9. William Thompson Wykes b. 1869 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 782
The GRO birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as THOMPSON.

By 1861 William Wykes (29), Elizabeth Wykes (32), Anne Wykes (15), Martha (8), Mary Ann (6), Eliza (4) and Edward W (1), Edward Dodd (21) Lodger and John Wykes (21), were living in Deptford (as were Daniel and Sarah Botterill). Anne Wykes (15) is certainly the Ann Thompson (5) who was staying with her grandmother, Maria Thompson, in 1851. It's clear she is Elizabeth's child, but not clear if William Wykes is her biological father, even though she is using his surname (no GRO registration under either).

In 1871, William Wykes (45) Labourer, Elizabeth (42), Martha (18), Mary Ann (16), Edward (11), [Sarah] Elizabeth (9), John Thomas (6) and William (0), were in Deptford, with Mary Thompson (85), Elizabeth's widowed mother. Eliza Wikes (sic) (14) was a Domestic Servant in the employ of Edward Allwright (40) Upholsterer, in New Cross Road, Deptford.

In 1881, William Wykes (51) with no employment, and son Edward William (21) Labourer, were living at 38, Deptford Green, while Elizabeth (52) was at 249, Evelyn Street, Deptford, with her occupation listed as Midwife. With her were married daughter Martha Buzzacott (28), Elizabeth Wykes (19) Assistant Nurse; John T (16) Apprentice Moulder and William T (11) Scholar.

In 1891, living in Evelyn Street, Deptford are William Wykes (63) Labourer, Elizabeth (62) Midwife and just William (21) Boiler Maker. 

William Wykes died, in Greenwich in 1892 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 831, aged 62. Elizabeth Wykes died, in Greenwich, in 1894 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 493, aged 65.

The Tigers Head, Bromley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/2523288

William Houseden Wood, son of George Wood and Harriet Goddard, (bap. 7 Jan 1855 at St Michael's ChurchEast Peckham where his father was Parish Clerk and Sexton) married Eliza Wykes (b. 22 Mar 1857), daughter of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, in Bromley, Kent in 1885.

William and Eliza had eight children:
  1. William Thompson Wood b. 1886 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 404. Died, aged 5, in 1892 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 901
  2. Frank Houseden Wood b. 25 May 1888 S Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A 388
  3. George Frederick Wood b. 1890 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1125. Died 1890 S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 607
  4. Harriet Elizabeth Wood b. 23 Jun 1893 S Qtr KENSINGTON 01A 104
  5. Eliza Kathleen Wood b. 4 Jul 1895 S Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 436, bap. 21 Jul 1895 in Bromley, Kent
  6. Edith Mary Wood b. 30 Nov 1896, bap. 27 Dec 1896, reg. 1897 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 440
  7. William Tompson Wood b. 1898 D Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 433, bap. 6 Nov 1898. Died 1899 M Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 303
  8. William Jeffrey Wood b. 23 Jan 1901 M Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A 472
In 1891, William H Wood (30) was at the Duke of Kent, 9, Point Hill, Greenwich with Eliza Wood (33), William Wood (5) and Frank Wood (3).

In 1901, William Wood (47) Licenced Victualler, was at the Tigers Head P H, Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent. (The Post Office Directory also places him here in 1903 and 1913.) Also listed there were Eliza Wood (44), Frank Wood (12), Harriet Wood (7), Kathleen [Eliza Kathleen] Wood (5), Edith Wood (4), William Wood (0) and Eva Bryant (20) Servant, Barmaid. 

In 1911, William Houseden Wood (56) Licenced Victualler was still at the Tiger's Head, 14 Masons Hill Bromley (More historyMore images. Now the Crown of Bromley) with Frank Houseden Wood (22) Quantity Surveyor; William Geoffrey (sic) Wood (10), Eliza Wood (55), Harriet Elizabeth Wood (17) Telephone operator; Eliza Kathleen Wood (15) and Edith Mary Wood (14) - note the sexist order. The 1911 census also confirms that the couple had eight children during their 26 year marriage, with five still living.

In 1921, William Houston Wood (sic) (66) Retired was at 14, Queen Road, Bromley, with Eliza Wood (64), Harriet Elizabeth Wood (27) Civil Service Telephone Asst Supervisor; Eliza Kathleen Wood (25) Teacher; Edith Mary Wood (24) Civil Service Clerk and William Jeffrey Wood (20) Bank Clerk.

William Houseden Wood died, at 77, in 1930 D Quarter in BROMLEY.

In 1939, Eliza Wood (b. 22 Mar 1857), Widow, Retired, Incapacitated, of Private Means, was living at 10 Hawes Lane, Bromley, Beckenham with Sarah M A Wise, Domestic Servant, who I assume was looking after Eliza.

Eliza Wood died, aged 82, in 1939 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 828.

  • Frank Houseden Wood married Hilda Pyrke, in Bromley, in 1915. In 1918, he was listed as an Absent Voter from 97 Masons Hill, Bromley, being A/sgt Major in the 1st London (City of London) San Co. Hilda Wood died, aged 36, in 1926, in Bromley. Frank H Wood then married Annie Stella Gould (b. 6 Jan 1898), daughter of Hugh Tyler Gould and Isabel Barker, at St. Martin, London (which I take to mean St Martin-in-the-Fields), in 1929. In 1939, Frank H Wood, Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Annie S Wood were living at Whiteleaf, Edward Road, Bromley. Frank Houseden Wood died, in Bromley in 1970 and Annie Stella Wood also died, in Bromley in the last quarter of 1970. Neither marriage produced issue.
  • Alan Roy Taylor (b. 30 Sep 1893), son of Frederick George Taylor and Phoebe Harrison Player, married Harriet Elizabeth Wood, in Bromley, Kent in 1921. In 1939, Alan R Taylor, Banker's Clerk and Harriett E Taylor were living at 14 Hawes Lane, Bromley. Alan Roy Taylor of Bourne CottageHigh Halden, Kent, died at Ashford Hospital, on 26 Oct 1959, aged 66. There is a death of a Harriet Taylor, aged 70, in Maidstone, Kent, in 1964, which may relate.
  • Maurice Edward Taylor (b. 14 May 1897), also son of Frederick George Taylor and Phoebe Harrison Player, married Eliza Kathleen Wood in Bromley, Kent, in 1922. In 1939, Maurice E Taylor, Bank Clerk, was living alone at 11 Links Road, Bromley, while Eliza K Taylor was in the household of John Westacott, Farmer, at Pleystowe Farm, Capel, Dorking, Surrey. Maurice Edward Taylor of 37 Wordsworth Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died on 3 Apr 1972. Eliza Kathleen Taylor of Lynton, Totteridge Common, High Wycombe, died on 22 July 1986.
  • Henry Robert Turnock (b. 31 Jul 1898 in Bromley, Kent), son of Frederick Thomas Turnock and Isabel Harlow, married Edith Mary Wood, in Bromley, Kent, in 1922. In 1939, Henry R Turnock, Insurance Company Clerk and Air Raid Warden, was alone at 2 Tudor Gardens, Bromley, while Edith M Turnock was a Patient at the Royal Free Hospital, Camden. Both Edith Mary Turnock and Henry Robert Turnock died in the 2nd quarter of 1983, Henry died on 26 Jun 1983, in the district of Hastings & Rother.
  • William Jeffrey Wood married Elsie Buxton Phillips (b. 19 Jan 1888 in St Pancras), thirteen years his senior, daughter of James Raper Phillips and Louisa Buxton, in Camberwell, London in 1927. In 1939, William J Wood, Chief Bank Clerk and Elsie B Wood were living at 177 Crofton Road, Locksbottom, Orpington, Kent. Elsie Wood died in 1972, in Tonbridge, Kent and William Jeffrey Wood died the following year, 1973, in Southwark, London.

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

John Harcus and Selina Patrick

Gillingham Parish Church (St Mary Magdalen)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/1146460

John Harcus (bap. 15 Jul 1821 at St Mary's, Chatham), son of George Frederick Harcus, Gunner RN, and Martha Buckledee, married Selina Patrick (bap. 26 Oct 1823 at St Mary's, Chatham), daughter of Richard Patrick and Mary Ann Davidson, at Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene on 7 Apr 1844.

John and Selina had six children:
  1. Richard John Harcus b. 1845 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 354, bap. 20 Jul 1845 at St Mary's Church, Chatham 
  2. Henry George Harcus b. 1848 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 398, bap. 15 Oct 1848 at St Mary's Church, Chatham
  3. Selina Mary Ann Harcus b. 1850 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 414, bap. 10 Mar 1850 at St Mary's Church, Chatham
  4. Alice Martha Harcus b. 1858 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 323, bap. 30 May 1858 at St Mary's Church, Chatham, died aged 1 and was buried in the Former St Mary's Burial Ground.
  5. John Edward Harcus b. 1860 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 340
  6. George Frederick Harcus b. 1863 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 418 (reads John Edward, but can't tell where the error occurred.)
In 1851, John Harcus (29) Tailor, Selina Harcus (26), Richard Harcus (5), Henry Harcus (2) and Selina Harcus (1) lived in Whittaker Place, Chatham. Visiting them were Isabella Tennis (29) Seaman's wife and her daughter, Martha Tennis (5). As these are visitors, there's always a chance that they are family, however, there are no other records under the surname 'Tennis', which I think may be a transcription error, but the writing is difficult to discern.

In 1858, in Melvilles Directory, is listed as, "Harcus John, tailor, and Alma beerhouse and concert hall, High street" (Alma, 157 High Street, Chatham).

In 1861, John Harcus (37) Inn Keeper, was at the Red Lion, 110, High Street, Chatham (images), wife Selina (37), Henry (12), Selina (11), John (1), William Holding (21) Innkeeper Assistant and Jane Hills (17) Domestic Servant.

This report is from the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 26 October 1861: Robbery of a Publican. Helen Reed, 23, was on Monday charged on remand, before the county magistrates, with having stolen half a pint of brandy, from the spirit bar of the "Red Lion" public house, Military Road, Chatham, where she was servant. The spirit was accidentally discovered hidden away, by Mrs. Harcus, the landlady, and on the prisoner being taxed with the robbery, she at once confessed that she had taken the brandy. The magistrates committed her for 3 months' hard labour.

John Harcus died on 9 Jul 1868, at 47 (1868 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 292) and buried in the Former St Mary's Burial Ground, now Town Hall Gardens. (The tombstone was amongst those removed from the Gardens and reinterred, on 5 Aug 1971, in the Borough Cemetery in Maidstone Road Chatham Section.) Probate was granted on 8 May 1869: "The Will of John Harcus late of the "Chest Arms" High Street Chatham in the County of Kent Victualler deceased who died 9 Jul 1868 at the "Chest Arms" aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Selina Harcus of the "Chest Arms" aforesaid Widow the Relict the sole Executrix".

In 1871, Selina Harcus (47) Licensed Victualler was at the Chest Arms, 55 High Street, Chatham, George (7), daughter Selina Caddy (21), Henry Caddy (24) Shipwright; Lydia Emill (16) and lodgers: William Smith (40) Pensioner from Cork and George Atts (31) Photographer from Germany.

Kellys Directory places Selina Harcus at the Chest Arms in 1874, then from From the Rochester and Chatham Journal and Mid-Kent Advertiser, Saturday, September 2, 1876: "Miscellaneous. The magistrates hear adjourned for some time to take of luncheon. On business being resumed the following persons, who had been convicted of various offences during the year, and his cases had been deferred in consequence, apply for the renewal of their licences. vis. Mrs. Harcus, "Chest Arms," Chatham ..." No idea what the offence was.

In 1881, son John Edward Harcus was the Licensed Victualler at the Dartmouth Arms, 257 High Street, Chatham (image), with widowed mother, Selina Harcus (56), Henrietta Golding (18) Domestic Servant, brother George Frederick (18) Mariner and Mary Ann Drago (23) Visitor, listed as wife of Wm Drago. (William Drago, Shipwright, had married Mary Ann Tester in 1876. One of the witnesses to this marriage was George Vokes, who had also been a witnesses for Henry George Harcus and Susan Alice Tubb in 1872.)

Now reinterred, on 5th August 1971, in the Borough Cemetery in Maidstone Road

Son Henry George Harcus died at 39, in 1887, then son John Edward Harcus died two years later on 12 Jun 1889, at 29 and was also buried at the Former St Mary's Burial Ground, now Town Hall Gardens, on 16 Jun 1889.

In 1891, Selina Harcus (66) widow, was Living on her own means at Pleasant Row, St Margaret, Medway, Kent.

In 1901, Selina Harcus (78) was living in the household of her youngest son, George F Harcus (37) Barge Captain at 18, Cecil Avenue, Strood, Kent, with Charlotte Harcus (34), Richard Harcus (13) and Nellie Harcus (12).

Selina Harcus died, aged 81, at Coburg House, Cliffe Rd, Strood and was buried on 28 May 1904 (1904 J Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 339) at Strood CemeterySection K Grave No. 3 (C)

St Nicholas with St Mary Church, Strood
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3568896

George Frederick Harcus (b. 1863), youngest son of John Harcus and Selina Patrick, married Charlotte Cooper (bap. 25 Aug 1867 at St Nicholas Church, Strood), daughter of Henry Cooper and Mary Ann Willan, at St Peter’s Church (now demolished), Rochester, Kent in 1884.

George and Charlotte appear to have two children:
  1. Richard John Harcus b. 1888 M Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 555, bap. 27 Apr 1888 at St Nicholas Church, Strood
  2. Nelly May Harcus b. 9 Aug 1889 in STROOD Volume 02A Page 545
None of them can be found on the 1891 census, anywhere.

In 1901, George F Harcus (37) Barge Captain was living at 18, Cecil Avenue, Strood Intra, Strood, Kent with Charlotte Harcus (34), Richard Harcus (13), Nellie Harcus (12) and George's widowed mother, Selina Harcus (78).

In 1911, George Harcus (47) Waterman barge captain, Charlotte Harcus (43) and Nellie Harcus (22), lived at 67 Kitchener Road Strood Rochester

George Frederick Harcus died, aged 69, on 31 Mar 1932 and was buried at Strood Cemetery in Section K Grave No. 3 (C), where his mother was buried. 

Charlotte Harcus died, on 10 Mar 1939, she will have been 71, at 67 Kitchener Rd, Strood and was buried on 16 Mar 1939, in the same plot with her husband. Probate was granted on 9 Jun 1939 to Nellie May Slater.

  • Richard J Harcus married Elizabeth R Andrews, in Strood in the 4th quarter of 1917. There is a Richard John Harcus (b. 1888) in St Olave, Bermondsey, London in 1921, but with no Elizabeth in the household. Richard John Harcus died, aged 72, in 1960. 
  • Nellie M Harcus married Ernest J Slater in Strood in the 3rd quarter of 1923. In 1939, Ernest J Slater (b. 5 Jul 1885) Gentleman's hairdresser, and Nellie M Slater were still living at 67 Kitchener Road, Rochester. Nellie May Slater died in 1979, aged 90.

Monday, 23 February 2026

John Leese and Caroline Bussey

Looking down from Telscombe Cliffs
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6864973

John Leese (b. 21 Oct 1826, bap. Joannes Leese on 12 Nov 1826, in Portsmouth), son of John Leese and Maria McCarthy, married Caroline Bussey (bap. 6 Aug 1826 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), daughter of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Portsmouth, on 23 Feb 1852. (In 1851, Caroline (24) had been a housemaid at Greenwich Hospital, home for retired sailors of the Royal Navy.)

John and Caroline Leese had seven children:
  1. Susan Caroline Leese b. 1852 D Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 646, baptised at All Saints ChurchLyddRomney Marsh.
  2. Margaret Hannah Leese b. 1857 J Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 677, baptised at All Saints ChurchLyddRomney Marsh.
  3. Henrietta Leese b. 1860 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 169, bap. 12 Feb 1860 in Telscombe, presumably St Laurence.
  4. Henry John Leese b. 5 Jan 1862 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 164, bap. 7 Feb 1862, also in Telscombe.
  5. Mary Jane Leese b. 1864 S Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 161
  6. Elizabeth Leese b. 1867 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 178
  7. William James Leese b. 1869 D Qtr in LEWES Vol 02B Page 182
In 1861, at Lower Bannings, Lewes Sussex (in the area of Saltdean) were John Leese (35) Coast Guard R N; wife Caroline (35), Susan C (8), Margaret H (4) and Henrietta (1). Being a coastguard explains why they were in Lydd earlier, of which is said, "As with much of the marsh, the town was a base for smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries."

In 1871, listed at the Coast Guard Station, Newhaven, Lewes, Sussex, were John Leese (44) Chief Boatman Coast Guard, Caroline Leese (44), Susan Leese (18), Henrietta Leese (11), Henry Leese (9), Mary J Leese (9), Elizabeth Leese (4) and William Leese (1). Margaret Leese (14) was a Servant in the household of John Sykes, Assistant Secretary Civil Service (father of Sir John Charles Gabriel Sykes (1869-1952) at 38 Kensington Square, Kensington.

In 1881, living at 41, Ivory Place, Brighton, Sussex were John Leese (54) Naval Pensioner from Portsmouth, Hampshire; Caroline Leese (54); Margaret Leese (23) Dressmaker; Hetty Leese (Henrietta) (21) Confectioner's Assistant; Jane Leese (Mary Jane) (16) Pupil teacher and Elizabeth Leese (14). Susan Caroline Leese had married in 1877; Henry John Leese, who had joined the Royal Navy in 1879, was an "Ordinary seaman pupil teacher" at HMS President (shore establishment) in Poplar (Wapping), while William James Leese (11) was a pupil at Greenwich Hospital, School, Greenwich, Kent.

John Leese died, aged 55, in 1882 M Quarter in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 195.

Caroline Leese died, aged 62, in 1889 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 125.

Saturday, 14 February 2026

Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin

High Street and the Assembly Rooms, Epsom, Surrey
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Hugh Craddock - geograph.org.uk/p/2361441
High Street, looking east from the junction with South Street and West Street.

Andrew Arthur Padbury (b. 1 Jul 1844, bap. 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey), son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin (b. 19 May 1850), daughter of William George Maslin and Charlotte Bland, in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869.

Andrew and Elizabeth had four children:
  1. Andrew William Padbury b. 16 May 1869 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 699, bap. 12 Sep 1869 in Deptford, Kent.
  2. Emily Ada Padbury b. 16 Dec 1870 in GREENWICH Vol 01D 763
  3. Elizabeth Sarah Padbury b. 19 Dec 1872 in GREENWICH 01D 809
  4. Edith Padbury b. 1874 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 828, died 1875 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 515
In 1871, in Tanners Hill, St Paul, Greenwich, were Andrew Padbury (26), Elizabeth Padbury (20), Andrew (1), Emily (0) and Alice, a Servant.

Andrew Padbury, Slipper maker, of 9 Glocks Cottages, Tanner's Hill died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875 at that address, leaving effects of under £100 to his widow, Elizabeth Sarah Padbury of 14A Victory Street, Deptford New Town.

In 1881, there is an Elizabeth Padbury (27), Widow, Laundress, living at 26, Cold Blow Road, St Paul Deptford, which may relate. Certainly, Emily Padbury (10), that year was living with her grandparents, William and Charlotte Maslin. While Elizabeth Padbury (8), had been admitted to the Union Workhouse, Infirmary, Green Lane, Greenwich. Someone, hopefully, must have taken the then 11 year old Andrew William in, but I've been unable to find him.

I can find no further records of Elizabeth Sarah Padbury (née Maslin).

Five generations of Andrew Padbury:
  1. Andrew Padbury, son of Thomas Padbury and Ann Edney, bap. 7 Mar 1778 in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire. This Andrew Padbury married Ann Camshall, on 27 Sep 1801, in Epsom, Surrey. In 1841, Andrew Padbury (60) Grocer, Ann (55), son Andrew and daughter Ann, were living in New Inn Lane, Epsom. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (75) Grocer was in South Street, Epsom, with wife Ann (70) and two lodgers. He died, aged 83, and was buried at St Martin's, Epsom on 17 Feb 1860.
  2. Andrew Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Ann Camshall, bap. 22 Dec 1811, at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom. He married Sarah Zeal, again by Licence, on 20 Apr 1843, in Lambeth, Surrey. In 1845, The London Gazette published details of the Bankruptcy of Andrew Padbury the younger of Epsom, Grocer. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (40) Master Watchmaker, wife Sarah (31), Arthur A Padbury (7) and Emily (1), turn up in High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. But by 1871, he is found at Victory Street, St Paul, Greenwich, with wife Sarah and daughter Emily. This Andrew Padbury died in Greenwich, in 1877.
  3. Andrew Arthur Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, was born on 1 Jul 1844 and baptised 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey. As above, he married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869 and died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875.
  4. Andrew William Padbury, son of Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin, born 16 May 1869, in Deptford. Despite not locating him in 1881, Andrew Padbury (21) Printer machine minder turns up, in 1891, in Barnsbury Road, Islington, London, as a boarder in the household of Arthur Evans. Andrew William Padbury married Honora Rose Brown, in Islington, in 1894. In 1901, were living in 20, Perth Road, Hornsey, Edmonton, Middlesex. Honor Rose Padbury died in 1904, at 29, so he remarried, to Gertrude Annie Cole on 15 Oct 1905 at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow. In 1911, they were living at 19 Cairo Road, Walthamstow and in 1939, at Tudor Cottage, Shoebury Road, Southend-On-Sea. Andrew W Padbury died, aged 83, in Southend-On-Sea, in 1952.
  5. Andrew Thomas William Padbury, son of Andrew William Padbury and Honora Rose Brown, was born in Islington, in 1894. He married Elsie May Payne at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow, on 27 Feb 1916. Andrew T W Padbury died, aged 72, in 1967, in Braintree, Essex.
Emily Ada Padbury married George Philip Heath in St Pancras, London on 5 Sep 1891; and on the very same date, Elizabeth Sarah Padbury married John Carpenter Wade also in St Pancras, London. Double wedding?

In 1901, George P Heath (33) from Teignmouth, Devon and Emily A Heath were at 32, Winchester Road, Edmonton, Middlesex. Their third child, George P Heath, was born, in 1898, in Portsea, Hampshire. In 1911, they were living at 77 Fore St, Upper Edmonton, Edmonton. In 1939 they were at 65 Portland Crescent, Harrow. Emily A Heath died in Harrow, on 26 Feb 1960.

In 1901, John C Wade (29) Plumber and wife Elizabeth S, who also had 3 children then, were living at 24, Kingsdown Road, Islington, London. In 1911, they'd gone no further than 28 Kingsdown Road. Still in Islington in 1921 and 1939, Elizabeth S Wade died, aged 82, in Hendon in 1955.

Tuesday, 20 January 2026

Stephen Bottrill and Elizabeth Tubb

Police section house, Chatham Dockside, Tuesday, 13 December, 2011
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Stephen Bottrill (b. 16 Jan 1841, bap. 3 Apr 1844 in West Haddon), son of Stephen Bottrill and Mary Thompson, married Elizabeth Tubb (bap. 29 Dec 1850 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), daughter of Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East, on 20 Jan 1876. One of the witnesses was Stephen's cousin and brother-in-law, Benjamin Tompson. Elizabeth's address was listed as 299 Cable Street, which was where Benjamin and Mary Tompson then lived. On the marriage certificate, Stephen was listed as a Police Constable in Chatham and, on the 1871 Census, Stephen had been listed among a list of Metropolitan Police constables at the Police Station Dockyard Extension, Gillingham, Kent. 

Stephen and Elizabeth had seven children:
  1. Alice Bottrill b. 1877 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 477
  2. Mary Elizabeth Botterill b. 1881 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 586
  3. Stephen Botterill b. 3 Sep 1883 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 556
  4. John Botterill b. 20 May 1886 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 606
  5. Grace Hannah Botterill b. 1888 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 603
  6. Florence Botterill b. 1891 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 587
  7. Gertrude Botterill b. 1894 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 608
In 1881, Stephen Botterill (39), Police Constable from West Haddon, Northamptonshire; Elizabeth Bottrill (29) from Portsmouth, Hampshire, Alice (4) & Mary Elizabeth (0) both born in New Brompton, Kent, were living at 7 Unity Cottages, Gardiner Street, Gillingham.

In 1891, living at Haddon House (clearly named after Stephen's birthplace, which seems a bit pretentious), Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (50), Police Constable; Elizabeth Bottrill (40), Alice Bottrill (14), Mary Bottrill (10), Stephen Bottrill (7), John Bottrill (4) and Grace Bottrill (2).

Stephen Bottrill, Constable, resigned from the Metropolitan Police, Chatham Division, on 18 Jun 1893 (a somewhat early retirement as he was then 52) and his Police record shows he was then granted a pension of £55 9s 4d per annum, commencing on 19 Jun 1893. At that time he was 5ft 9½in tall, with brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. He was employed under the Admiralty at Chatham Dockyard at the time of his resignation. His address at that time was 85, Haddon Cottages, Shakespeare Road, New Brompton, Kent. (Police records kindly provided by Alan, Researcher at the The Huguenot Museum, Rochester and also at Chatham Dockyard.)

In 1901, at 85, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (58), employed as an Excavator, Elizabeth Bottrill (46), Mary Bottrill (19), John Bottrill (15), Grace Bottrill (11), Florence Bottrill (9) and Gertrude Bottrill (7). (Alice had married in 1899, while Stephen had joined the Royal Navy.)

Stephen Bottrill died on 30 May 1904, aged 63 (1904 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 375), although probate wasn't granted - to sons, Stephen and John - until 30 June 1933, after their mother had also died.

In 1911, Elizabeth Bottrill (57), widow, tailoress, was living at 80 Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, with her three youngest daughters: Grace Bottrill (22), Florence Bottrill (20) and Gertrude Bottrill (16).

In 1921, Elizabeth Botterill (71) widow, was living at 80, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, Kent with son John Botterill (35) Leading Stoker, Royal Navy.

Elizabeth Bottrill died in 1932 J Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 982. 

Shakespeare Road, Gillingham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/3889536

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

Benjamin Thompson and Mary Ann Botterill

The Spotted Cow (closed)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Craven - geograph.org.uk/p/2331664

Benjamin Thompson (bap. 3 Oct 1841 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, married Mary Ann Botterill (b. 1844 in West Haddon), daughter of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, at Christ Church, Watney StreetSt George in the East on 30 Dec 1866. Benjamin's sister, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson, had already married Mary Ann's brother, Daniel Botterill. Both sibling pairs, therefore, married their first cousins.

Records suggest that Benjamin and Mary had six children:
  1. Daniel Tompson b. 1872 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 460
  2. Benjamin Adcock Tompson b. 1874 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413
  3. Sarah Tompson b. 1879 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 398
  4. Thomas Tompson b. 1883 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 421
  5. Mary Tompson b. 1887 S Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 413
  6. Rose Tompson b. 1889 S Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 1114. Died 18 Feb 1891 (1891 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 810) and is buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries

In 1861, Benjamin Tompson (19), having dopped the haitch, bricklayer, had been living with his aunt and uncle, John and Maria Blackett

By 1871, Benjamin Tompson (29) Master Builder and Mary (27) were living at 299 Cable Street. (Benjamin's brother Dan and his wife Mary Ann Green were living there when their first child, Eliza Louisa was born there in 1868.) 

Then in 1879, Benjamin Thompson was listed as the incoming licensee at the Victoria, 46 Three Colt Street, Limehouse E14. (A Trip Down Three Colt Street | Houses in Three Colt Street.) 

In 1881, Benjamin Tompson (39) Licenced Victualler from Broughton, Northamptonshire, was still at 46 Three Colt Steet, Limehouse with Mary Tompson (36), Daniel Tompson (9), Benjamin Tompson (7), Mary Tompson (18)* Barmaid and C Taylor (19) Female Domestic Servant. *Mary Tompson is listed as their daughter, but in fact was Mary Elizabeth Tompson, daughter of Benjamin's late brother, George Thompson and Diana Shatford.

Benjamin was still listed at the Victoria, Limehouse in 1882 and 1884. 

Benjamin Tompson died, aged 48, in 1890 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 802. The Will of Benjamin Tompson of the "Victoria" Tavern, Three Colt Street, Limehouse in the County of Middlesex, but late of the "Spotted Cow", Hither Green Lane, Lewisham in the County of Kent, Licenced Victualler, who died 6 Feb 1890 [1] at the "Spotted Cow", was proved at the Principal Registry by Mary Tompson of the "Spotted Cow" Widow of the Relict and John Soppit of the "Railway" Tavern, Shortlands in the County of the Kent, Licensed Victualler the Executors. He left £1,140 17s 10d.

[1] The date of death on the probate record was listed as 6 Feb 1890, but on his grave, the date is given as 6 Jan 1890. The latter must be correct as Benjamin had already been buried (hopefully not alive) on 14 Jan 1890.

In 1891, Mary Tompson (46), widow, had become the Licenced Victualler of the Spotted Cow, Hither Green Lane, Lewisham. Living with her were her son, Daniel (19) Manager Public House; Benjamin (17), Cabinet Maker's Apprentice; daughter Mary (3); her niece Sarah Tompson (Dan Tompson's daughter), as well as a Sarah A Bunting (24), General Servant.

By 1901, Mary Tompson (55) was living at 44, Ringstead Road, Lewisham. With her were Benjamin Tompson (27), who had become an upholsterer; Thomas Tompson (17), Warehouseman; Mary Tompson (13), Sybil Thompson (2), granddaughter, and Ellen Guymer (20), General Domestic Servant.

Mary Tompson died, aged 58, on 7 Jun 1903 (1903 J Qtr in LEWISHAM Vol 01D 575) and she is also buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.