Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond

St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon

Henry Authers married Susannah Osmond at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon in the 3rd quarter of 1851. Earlier that year, Susan Osmond (24) from Ashburton, Devonshire, had been living in Water Lane, Tiverton with an Eliza Osmond (24) from Tiverton as her Lodger. Both girls were employed as a Lace Hand, which infers that they will have worked for John Heathcoat's Lace Factory (Heathcoat Fabrics). Having not found birth or baptism records for either girl, it isn't clear if they are related, although one imagines so.

Ten years previously, in 1841, Susanna Osmond (15) had been living in Barrington Street, Tiverton, in the household of John Osmond (40). If this is the correct family, potential siblings are William, Catherine and John.

Both Henry and Susannah were born around 1827. Henry was reputedly born in Uplowman, Devon, but there is no baptism record for him either.

Henry and Susannah, however, had at least eight children:

1. William Henry Authers b. 1851 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 268, bap. at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Not seen after 1871, there is a burial of a W H Arter in Stoke Damerel, in 1879, which may relate.
2. Catherine Eliza Authers (Registered as Caroline Authers b. 25 Feb 1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), bap. as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth. My guess over this discrepancy is that she was always meant to be called Catherine.
3. Mary Jane Authers b. 20 Mar 1856 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277, bap. 13 Apr 1856 at St Mary's Devonport. Died 1860 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 233.
4. Eliza Authers b. 3 Jan 1861 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305, bap. 3 Feb 1861 at St Mary's Devonport.
5. Harry Authers b. 4 Mar 1863 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342, bap. 22 Mar 1863 at St Mary's Devonport.
6. John Nicholas Authers b. 1 Jun 1865 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 319, bap 16 Jul 1865. Died 1866 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277.
7. Emma Authers b. 6 May 1867 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 333, bap. 29 May 1867. Died  1868 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 221.
8. John Osmond Authers b. 20 Sep 1869 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 337, bap. 6 Oct 1869 at Devonport, St Mary.

Whilst various records describe Henry as a Labourer, on the baptism for Mary Jane in 1856, he is listed specifically as a 'Labourer at Dock Yard'. On the baptism for Eliza in 1861, the family's address was 17 Bragg's Alley. 

In 1861, Henry Auther (sic) (34) from Uplowman, Devon, was listed as a Licensed Victualler at 1 Queen Street, "Lamb Inn", Stoke Damerel (although it says he was Cousin to the head of the household), with Susan Auther (sic) (34) from Ashburton, Devon; William Auther (10) born in Tiverton, Devon - Disability: Dumb - and Eliza (0) born in Devonport. They had nine visitors (incl. five Seamen R.N. and one Soldier), one Boarder and one Servant.

In 1862, the Licensee of The Lamb Inn is listed as Henry Arthur (sic).

On the baptism for Harry in 1863, his father is listed as a Licenced Victualler and the family's address listed as 1 Queen Street, which confirms that he was residing at The Lamb Inn, one of many Public Houses in Queen Street.

By 1865 and again in 1867, Henry Authers was once more a Labourer and the family were back at 17 Bragg's Alley, which was said to be full of 'wretched hovels and dilapidated buildings'. Bragg's Alley was a narrow thoroughfare that ran between Catherine Street and Dock Wall Street. "These warrens threatened to tumble around the ears of their occupants - persons so repellent that no citizen could enter without certainty of insult."

In 1869, the family were living at 16 Granby Street, Devonport.

In 1871, Susan Arthurs (sic) (b. 1827), William H (year of birth as 1852), Catherine (b. ~1855), Eliza (b. 1861), Harry (b. 1863) and John (b. ~1870) were living at 1 Braggs Alley, Stoke Damerel, with no less than seven Lodgers in the household, whilst I've not [yet] located Henry.

On 11 Oct 1875, Henry Authors, Labourer of 20 N Moore St, New York, became a naturalized American citizen. He was also there in 1878, when he witnessed the naturalization of his son-in-law, William Thomas Eastabrook, who spent around 5 years in the Lower Manhattan slums, before returning to the UK by 1879. Henry Authers also clearly returned.

In 1881, Susannah Arthure (sic) (53) from Ashburton, Devon, Wife, Head of the household - have not [yet] found her husband - was living at 3, Trafalgar Court, Devonport Stoke-Damerel. With her were son Harry (18) Mason's apprentice, plus Elizabeth Hill (22) and M A Starling (23), both lodgers.

Henry Authers, died, at 57, in 1885 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL. 

Susannah Authurs (sic) (60) of 18 John St, Devonport, her occupation listed as Nurse, was treated at The Royal Albert Hospital and Eye Infirmary, Devonport, between 10 Oct 1888 and 13 Nov 1888 for Eczema of leg.

In 1891, Susannah Authers (67) Widow was Housekeeper in the household of her son-in-law, William Trick (Eliza Authers had married William Trick in 1883), in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1901, incorrectly listed as Susannah Trick (75) Widowed Mother-in-Law from Ashburton, Devonshire, was still living with William and Eliza Trick in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

Susannah Arthurs died at 76 in 1903 M Quarter in DEVONPORT.

Walter James Baker and Laura Alice Stone

Combe Florey: village street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/56115

Laura Alice Stone, Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land's eighth child, married Walter James Baker, in Tiverton, in 1923 and went to live in Combe Florey, Somerset, where Walter had been born and brought up.

Walter James Baker (b. 27 Feb 1898) was son of Andrew Baker (b. 1865) and Elizabeth Annie Coles (m. 1892 in Combe Florey). In 1901, Andrew Baker (36), Stockman on Farm, wife Elizabeth A (35), son George A (8), Mary L (6) and Walter J (3) lived at Yard Wood Cottage, Village Street, Combe Florey. 

By 1911, Walter James Baker (13), still living at home in Combe Florey, was a "Labourer in garden domestic". Then on 1 Nov 1915, aged 17, Walter enlisted in the Royal Marines and served until 6 Jan 1920. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 8 Jan 1920, from which he was discharged on 7 Jan 1925.

Walter and Laura had two children: 

1. Irene Venetta Baker (later Phelps) born 1 Jan 1925
2. Dennis Christopher Baker born 21 Dec 1925

In 1939, still living in Combe Florey, with wife Laura A and children Irene V and Dennis C, Walter was employed as a Civilian "Orderly At Military Camp".

Walter J Baker died in Taunton district, in 1965, aged 67.

Laura Alice Baker died five years later in 1970.

George Alfred Loud and Tryphena Davis

Axminster: Castle Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mr Eugene Birchall - geograph.org.uk/p/3423227

George Alfred Loud (b. 1860), son of Edward Loud and Ann Phippen, married Tryphena Davis (b. 1 Jul 1863), daughter of John Davis and Charlotte Enticott, in 1882, in Axminster. In 1881, both the Loud and the Davis families had lived in Paradise Row, Axminster, so George married 'the girl next door'. "In the early 1920s there was disquiet amongst the members of the Axminster UDC about the very poor state of 7 small cottages known collectively as Paradise Row, including a report of a plague of rats. These cottages (which can be seen on the 1905 OS map) had been built many years before in an alleyway behind (in 2018) the former Axe Vale Social Club building."

Before he had married, in Honiton, on 7 Mar 1881, George Loud of Castle Hill, Axminster, then aged 20, Labourer Out of Employ - which probably explains exactly why he did so - had enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment. He joined the Militia - reserve, equivalent of the TA - but there's no indication that he was ever deployed. At the time of his Attestation, he was 5ft 6in, with a 32in chest, a fresh complexion, dark grey eyes and dark brown hair.

Tryphena as a girl's name is of Greek origin meaning "delicacy". In the Bible, Tryphena appears in one of Paul's epistles to the Romans.

George and Tryphena had 14 children, all of whom survived infancy:

1. William Loud b. 1883 M Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
2. Alice Maud Loud b. 1884 S Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 8
3. Edward Loud b. 7 Nov 1885 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
4. Annie Loud b. 21 Jul 1889 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
5. Eva May Loud b. 20 Nov 1890 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
6. Frederick James Loud b. 1 Feb 1893 Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 27 Feb 1895
7. Walter George Loud b. 8 May 1894 Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 27 Feb 1895
8. Thomas Loud b. 1896 J Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 9 Aug 1896 in Axminster. Killed in Action 4 Sep 1918.
9. Sydney Loud b. 25 Jul 1898 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 4
10. Bertie Loud b. 1900 M Qtr Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 9 Feb 1900
11. Elsie Mary Loud b. 1901 D Qtr Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 23 Feb 1902
12. George Alfred Loud b. 29 Mar 1903 Vol 05B Page 4, bap. 26 Jul 1903
13. Ellen Minnie Loud b. 6 Sep 1904 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 1 Jan 1905
14. Edith May Loud b. 8 Dec 1906 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 22 Mar 1907

In 1891, living in Paradise Row, Chard Street, Axminster, were George Loud (30) General Labourer, Tryphena Loud (27) Brushmaker, William Loud (8), Alice M Loud (7), Edward Loud (5), Annie Loud (2) and Eva M Loud (0).

In 1901, in Castle Street, Axminster, we find George A Loud (39), Tryphena (36), William (18), Alice M (16), Edward (15), Annie (11), Eva M (10), Frederick (8), Walter G (6), Thomas (4), Sydney (2) and Bertie (1).

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 19 July 1907, reported that: "The Axminster Justices had imposed a fine of 10s and costs on a labourer, named George Loud, for making use of bad language. There were several previous convictions against the defendant." (Court would be even busier today.)

And The Western Times of 22 September 1909: "George Loud, labourer, Axminster, was summoned for using obscene language. PC Ridgeway stated the facts, and defendant, who did not appear, was fined £1 and costs." 

In 1911, in Castle Hill, Axminster, were George Loud (51), Tryphena (48), William (28), Annie (21), Eva May (20), Frederick (18) Milk Carrier, Walter George (16), Thomas (14), Sydney (12), Bert (11), Elsie Mary (9), George Alfred (8), Ellen Minnie (6) and Edith May (4). Annie, Eva May, Walter George and Thomas worked at the Brush Factory. (Brush Making in Axminster). Alice Maud Loud had married Herbert Edmund Davey in 1906: they were living in Chelsea, London. Edward Loud (25), in 1911, was a boarder in Teffont Magna, Wiltshire. In 1917, he married his landlady, Sarah Brockway.

In late 1880 it was reported that James Boon had “… let a portion of his mills at the bottom of Castle Hill to Messrs Coate, Bidwell & Co, tooth brush manufacturers of Chard and London”. It was estimated at the time that about 200 persons were likely to be employed in Axminster as a consequence.

In 1921, listed as George Albert Loud (62) General Labourer was living at 9, Stoney Bridges (on Castle Hill), Axminster Hamlets, Devon, with Tryphena Loud (58), Annie Loud (31) working for Bidwell & Co; Fred Loud (28) Mason's Labourer; Sydney Loud (21) General Labourer; Bert Loud (20), Elsie Loud (19), George Loud (18) Labourer; Ellen Loud (16) Laundry Hand; Edith May Loud (14), Percy Loud (3) Grandson and Lilian Loud (1) Granddaughter.

George Alfred Loud died, aged 64 and was buried on 3 Nov 1923 at Axminster Cemetery. 

Tryphena Loud died on 26 Jul 1933, aged 69.

James Beamer and Mary Jane Snell

Old Toll House, Briton Street, Bampton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Milestone Society - geograph.org.uk/p/6114414

James Beamer (b. 1855), son of James Beamer and Rose Anna Smith, brother of Alfred Beamer and half-brother of Loveday Jane Land and John Land, married Mary Jane Snell (b. ~1857) - that's the maiden name listed on several of their children's birth registrations - in Exeter, in 1876. The transcript of the marriage record lists them as James Bemer and Mary Jane Smale, which made this record difficult to find. Only because, in 1911, they said they'd been married for 34 years, was there finally a clue to the period to look in.

Mary Jane is listed on census records as being from Devonport, Plymouth, but it hasn't been possible to find records of her birth or early years.

James and Mary Jane had at least seven children:

1. Mary Jane Beamer born Q2 1884 in Tiverton, mother's maiden name SNELL. (Died and was buried, on 13 Apr 1884, in Bampton).
2. Ethel Anna Beamer (no civil reg), bap. 26 Apr 1885 in Bampton.
3. (Unnamed male child) Beamer born Q3 1886 in Tiverton, mother's maiden name SNELL. (Died in the same quarter, age 0.)
4. Sarah Jane Beamer born Q3 1887 in Tiverton, mother's name SMALE
5. Tom Beamer born Q3 1890 in Tiverton, mother's maiden name listed as SUELL. Bap. 3 Aug 1890 in Bampton.
6. Rosanna Beamer born Q1 1893 in Tiverton, mother's maiden name SNELL. Bap. as Rose Anna Beamer, on 30 Apr 1893, in Bampton. (Died, aged 16 months and was buried, on 22 Aug 1894, in Bampton.)
7. Mary Ann Beamer registered Q1 1896 in Tiverton, mother's maiden name listed as SNELL. Bap. 29 Dec 1895 in Bampton. (Died in Q2 1901, aged 5. Buried on 27 Apr 1901 in Bampton.)

There could be other children, particularly given the number of discrepancies in the information, such as the mother's maiden name, which could be errors in transcription, or registrars writing down what they heard. The parents don't help, because on the 1911 census they say they have only had 3 children with 3 then living, but various corroborating records prove that to be untrue.

In 1881, James Beamer (25) Railway Labourer and Mary Beamer (23) were living at Rose Cottage, Bampton, Devon.

Ethel Ann Beamer (3) "British King" from Liverpool

This curious record relates to an Ethel Ann Beamer, then age 3, sailing on the "SS British King" from Liverpool, arriving in Philadelphia on 29 May 1888. Their intended destination was Chicago. Taken alone, I'd have ignored this and assumed that this was another Ethel Ann Beamer entirely. HOWEVER, in the box at the top right, it says "Accompanied by" Sarah Jane 8 months and Mary Jane 30, both of which fit exactly. I've also found an equivalent record for Sarah Jane and both children appear on the passenger list, along with Mary Jane. It's hard to imagine them being able to afford to go to the US - and come back again - but equally hard to imagine the combination of those three names and ages cropping up together more than once. It's a mystery.

In 1891, James Beamer (39) Agricultural Labourer, wife Mary (35), Ethel A (6), Sarah J (3) and Tom (0), were living in Briton Street, Bampton. 

On 16 Oct 1894, James and Mary Beamer were both charged and bailed, accused of "Wilfully neglecting Rose Anna Beamer, a girl under the age of 16 years, to wit, 16 months, in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering and injury to health, at Bampton, on 15 August 1894, and on various other dates." They were found not guilty and acquitted. 

In 1901, James Beamer (48) General Labourer, Mary Jane (42), Ethel (15), Tom (9) and Mary A (5), were living on the Tiverton Road, Bampton. Sarah Jane (14), was employed as a General domestic servant, in the household of Henry Early, Watchmaker and jeweller, at 12, Angel Hill, Tiverton. 

In 1911, we find the family has "emigrated" ... to Wales. James Beamer (53) from Bampton, Devon was then a Coal miner hewer living at 4 Price Street, Pentre in the Rhondda Valley, Glamorganshire with Mary (49), Tom (20) also working as a Coal miner hewer; Ethel Cappell (25), William Cappell (25) Son-in-law, and grandchildren, William (3) and Ethel (1). (Ethel Ann Beamer had married William David Cappell on 24 Apr 1907, in Bampton.)

In 1921, James Beamer (69) Labourer (Surface) Ocean Cal Company Out Of Work; Mary Jane Beamer (63), William David Cappell (35) Labourer Corys Broks Coal Company Out Of Work; Ethel Ann Cappell (38), William David James Cappell (13), Ethel Ann Cappell (11) and Lawrence Earnest Cappell (5) were living at 1, Price Street, Pentre, Rhondda, Glamorganshire, Wales.

Mary Beamer died, aged 70, in 1927 in Taunton, Somerset. 

James Beamer died, in 1931, aged 77, also in Taunton. 

(William and Ethel Cappell lived in Rowford, Cheddon Fitzpaine, Taunton in 1939. No further records for Sarah Jane after 1901 nor Tom after 1911.)