Richard John Goss and Martha Ayres

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Anne, Limehouse - East end, Friday, 3 July, 2015

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Richard John Goss (b. 16 Jan 1792, bap. 27 May 1792 at St Anne's Limehouse), batchelor, son of Francis Goss, Shipwright, married Martha Ayres (b. 4 Sep 1796, bap. 9 Oct 1796 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), spinster, daughter of Elnathan Ayres and Elizabeth Perry, by banns and with the consent of parents, at St Anne's Limehouse on 30 Jul 1815. They were married by the Rev. James Rudge. Witnesses were John May and Ann Fisher.

This couple had five sons:

1. George Richard Goss b. 17 Jun 1816, bap. 26 Jul 1818 
2. William Henry Goss b. 18 Aug 1821, bap. 2 Sep 1821
3. Thomas Hoskins Goss b. 22 Aug 1826, bap. 12 Nov 1826. Died, at 37, in 1861 D Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 455. Buried at the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery on 30 Dec 1861.
4. Richard John Goss b. 11 Jun 1827, bap. 30 Sep 1827 
5. Henry James Goss b. 25 Aug 1832, bap. 16 Sep 1832 

George and William were baptised at St Anne's Limehouse; Thomas, Richard and Henry, baptised at All Saints, Poplar. All of the baptisms list their father's occupation as Caulker and their parents as Richard John and Martha. 

In 1841, Richard Goss (45) Publican, was living at Ropemakers Fields, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney, London with Martha Goss (40), William Goss (15), Thomas Goss (10), Richard Goss (10), Henry Goss (5), Sarah Mason (20) F. S. [Female Servant]. Also, presumably boarding or lodging, were John Muir (20) Engineer; John Cook (25) Engineer; James Young (20) Shipwright; and James Jemmerson (40) Sail M[aker], all four from Scotland. Unfortunately, the census doesn't give the name of the pub, but there is evidence in London, England, Electoral Registers, 1832-1972, where Richard John Goss is listed at (another closed pub) The Three Mariners, Ropemakers Fields, in 1845.

In 1851, Richard Goss (59) had returned to being a Ship's Caulker and was residing at 7, Gates Street, Poplar, London with Martha Goss (55), Thomas Goss (26) Ship's Caulker and Henry Goss (19) Ship's Caulker. 

On 11 Jul 1853, Richard Goss, Caulker, from Limehouse, 63, 5ft 10in, was admitted to the Dreadnought Seamen's Hospital (Seafarers Hospital Society), which was then still housed in "a decrepit wooden warship, moored in the River Thames at Greenwich", the former HMS Dreadnought (1801). Richard Goss remained in hospital until 3 Aug 1853, having fractured some ribs while working on the ship Earl of Balcarres (a British East Indiaman, launched in Bombay in 1815, sold to the Somes Brothers in 1848, who operated the ship in the India trade for a while) at the Somes Dock at Blackwall. 

In 1861, living at 14, Alfred Street, Poplar, were just Richard Goss (69) Ship's Caulker and Martha Goss (65). 

Richard John Goss of Northumberland Street, Poplar, died, aged 74, in 1866 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 525 and was buried on 4 Mar 1866 at the City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery. 

Martha Goss died in 1870 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 346 and was buried at City of London and Tower Hamlets Cemetery on 10 Sep 1870.

John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey

John Henry Charles Sweeney
and Susannah Harvey.
Image provided by Jon Gilbert,
descendant of Rosina Sweeney

John Henry Charles Sweeney (b. 11 May 1839 in Ratcliff), son of John Sweeney and Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday, married Susannah Harvey (b. 5 Oct 1845 in Limehouse), daughter of John Harvey and Esther Glede, on 6 Jul 1862 at the church of St John the Evangelist, Limehouse (St John's Church, Halley Street, Limehouse). Susannah was 16 and John, a Seaman, 23. Witnesses were the bridegroom's father, John Sweney (sic) and his sister, Mary Ann Sweeney.

John and Susannah had eleven children:

1. Susannah Sweeney b. 5 Jun 1862 (1862 S Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 518), bap. 28 May 1863 at St John the Evangelist
2. John Sweeney b. 6 Apr 1864 (1864 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 552), bap. 5 May 1864 at St John the Evangelist. (Died 1866 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 610, aged 2)
3. Esther Ann Sweeney b. 1866 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 478 (Died 1866 J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 399, aged 0)
4. John Sweeney b. 12 Dec 1867 (1868 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 515), bap. 5 Jan 1868 at St John the Evangelist.
5. Job Sweeney b. 6 Feb 1870 (1870 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 531), bap. 11 May 1871 at St John the Evangelist.
6. Thomas Sweeney b. 25 Dec 1871 (1872 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 508), bap. 15 Feb 1872 at St John the Evangelist.
7. Henry Sweeney b. 13 Jan 1874 (1874 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 488), bap. 12 Mar 1874 at St John the Evangelist.
8. Mary May Sweeney b. 1876 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 483 (Died 1877 D Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 344, age 1)
9. Mary Matilda Sweeney b. 11 Mar 1878 (1878 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 451) (No further baptism records found.)
10. Charles Sweeney b. 17 Jul 1880 (1880 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 443)
11. Rosina Sweeney b. 4 Jun 1883 (1883 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 425)

With three having not survived infancy, this explains the eight listed in the family bible. There are no more civil registrations to support further reputed issue, though, of course, there could have been stillbirths or miscarriages.

Notice that the 3rd child has been named Esther Ann - these are the names of the two grandmothers, maternal first, paternal second - and I believe this is significant: there are suggestions that this is a pattern within the family.

In 1871, John Sweeney (63), carpenter - John Henry Charles' father - was still listed as the head of the household at Stephen Cottages, James Street, St Anne, Limehouse. Then there is John Henry Charles (31), labourer, wife Susan (26), daughter Susan (9), plus sons John (3) and Job (1).

In 1881, at Stephen Cottage, 1, Limehouse, Stepney, were John (41), Dock Labourer, wife Susannah (36), daughter Susannah (18), Tailoress, John (13), Tea Packer, Job (11), Thomas (9), Henry (7), Mary (3) and Charles (0).

In 1891, at Stephensons Cottages, Condor Street, Limehouse, Stepney (still the same place), were John (52), Labourer, Susannah (47), Job (21), Packer, Thomas (19), Labourer, Mary M (13), Charles (10) and Rosina (7).

In 1901, at Stephenson Cottages, 1, Limehouse, Stepney, were John Sweeney (63), Dock Labourer, Susannah (54), Thomas (29), General Labourer, Matilda (23), and Rosina (18), both Confectionery Packers.

And in 1911, the address as 1 Stephensons Cottages, Conder St, Limehouse, with all the kids having flown the nest, there were just John Henry Charles Sweeney (71), Night Watchman for the Borough Council and Susannah Sweeney (65). This census confirms that they had 11 children, of whom 8 were still living, with 3 having died, during their then 48 year marriage. Not located Thomas Sweeney, who would have been then 39, in 1911.

Susannah Sweeney died, aged 72, in 1918 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 480. 

In 1921, John Henry Sweeney (82) Caretaker Retired, widower, was living with his youngest son Charles at 102, Hind Street, Poplar. Thomas Sweeney (49 years and 6 months) was living, alone - listed as Single  - at 94, Lynvie Road, Bow, Poplar and working as a Deal Porter for Mr W Howard Bros Timbers Merchant of Canning Town at Crown Wharf.

John Henry Charles Sweeney died, aged 83, in 1922 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C  Page 352.

(Thomas Sweeney does not appear to ever marry and it would seem that he died, aged 58, in 1930 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 389.)

David Grant and Jane Gabedey

St Paul's Church, Shadwell. J Shepherd, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

David Grant (b. ~1736) Batchelor, married Jane Gabedey (b. 27 Sep 1740 in Limehouse Causeway, Shadwell) Spinster, daughter of Henry Gabbedy and Ann Causton, at St Paul's Church, Shadwell on 8 Dec 1756. Witnesses were George Si*dley (others have assumed / misread this as Gabedey, but the word begins with an S and the dot on the i is also clear) and Ann Pearson. As is obvious from the dates, Jane was just 16 at the time of her marriage.

David and Jane had at least six children:

1. David Grant bap. 17 Jun 1759, son of David & Jane of Darby Street, Rosemary Lane, at St Botolph's Aldgate, City of London. David, son of David Grant was buried, also at St Botolph's Aldgate on 5 Apr 1761
2. Ann Grant bap. 31 May 1761, daughter of David & Jane of Darby Street, Rosemary Lane, at St Botolph's Aldgate, City of London. Ann, daughter of David Grant was buried at St Botolph's Aldgate 26 Mar 1762
3. James Grant bap. 6 Mar 1763 son of David & Jane in Chambers Street, at Saint Mary, Whitechapel: Whitechapel High Street (St Mary Matfelon)
4. Thomas Grant bap. 6 Mar 1763 sons of David & Jane in Chambers Street, at Saint Mary, Whitechapel: Whitechapel High Street 
5. John Grant b. 6 Mar 1774, bap. 3 Apr 1774 (aged 28 days), son of David, Ropemaker’s Fields, & Jane, at St Anne's Limehouse
6. Rebecca Grant bap. 2 Mar 1777 at St Botolph's Aldgate, daughter of David & Jane of Dean Street East.

Baptised together as Thomas & James, sons of ... had to have been twins.

With such a long gap after the twins' birth and the next recorded birth, there could, of course, been other children that records don't survive for. Sadly, none of the records give any indication of David's occupation either.

Darby Street - described as "one of the less hospitable corners of the capital" - dropped down from Rosemary Lane, which ran west to east from behind the Tower, passing the Royal Mint before plunging into the areas around the docks. And if that wasn't bad enough, try An Anatomy of a ‘Disorderly’ Neighbourhood: Rosemary Lane and Rag Fair c.1690-1765, which says "In the imagination of both novelists and social investigators it was thought to be squalid, dangerous, dirty - the stereotypical ‘den of iniquity’."

It hasn't been possible to isolate a record of the death of David Grant.

Jane Grant (74) was buried on 30 Jul 1814 at St Leonard's, Shoreditch.

John Sweeney and Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday

St Leonard, Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2624832

John Sweeney married Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday (b. 23 Feb 1811), daughter of John Benbow Gabbedy and Isabella Cleghorn, on 11 Jun 1832, at St Leonard, Shoreditch (often known simply as Shoreditch Church - this is the church mentioned in the line "When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch" from the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons). Witnesses to the marriage were Anne's brother, Henry Gabbedy (sic), Ann Goose and Geo. Garrow.

Census listings consistently show John as having been born ~1809, in St George in the East, but I've not been able to find a baptism for him.

John and Anne had at least these five children: 

1. Maria Eliza Isabella Sweney, bap. 11 Jan 1835 at St Dunstan's, Stepney
2. Unnamed Male Sweeney b. 1838 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 390, mother GABBEDEY. Died 1838 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 493.
3. John Henry Charles Sweeney, b. 11 May 1839, at 1 George Place, White Horse Street, Ratcliff (1839 J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 466)
4. Mary Ann Sweeney, b. 10 Dec 1848, bap. 19 Jan 1860 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse
5. Matilda Sweeney b. 8 Sep 1851, bap. 19 Jan 1860 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse (Died, aged 16, in 1866 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 415)

On John Henry Charles' birth certificate, his father's occupation is Ship's Joiner. His mother is clearly listed as "Ann Sweeney, formerly Gabbedy". 

The dates of birth for the two youngest are as listed on the baptism records, as there appear to be no GRO birth registrations for the girls. 

In 1841 living in Pleasant Row, Brewers Place, Stepney were John Swaney (sic) (32) Carpenter; son John (2), wife, Ann (29) and daughter Maria (7). (Throughout her life, my mother had been most pedantic that her maiden name was spelled Sweeney “with three Es.” It should have occurred to me to ignore that and, indeed, most of the records before 1901 are listed with the spelling of Sweney, sometimes Sweeny and, as here, even Swaney.)

In 1851, in Ocean Street, Mile End Old Town, were John Sweeny (42), Carpenter, Ann (39), Maria (17), John (9), Mary Ann (5) and Matilda (0).

A death of an Ann Sweeny, in Whitechapel, in the Jan-Feb-Mar Quarter of 1855, had been widely accepted as that of Anne Elizabeth, however, upon double-checking this at the GRO, it lists that this record relates to a baby girl aged 1. Another death in 1855 in Stepney that had been attributed was for a woman of 32 (would compute to birth year of 1823). Closer, but still not acceptable. Both youngest daughters were baptised in 1860, so I feel that may have been motivated by their mother's illness or death. As yet, I've been unable to confirm exactly when Anne died and I think there's a very good chance that her death wasn't registered, but it was clearly by 1861 ...

In 1861 at 107, North Street, Limehouse was John Sweney (52), Carpenter and Joiner, Widower, with Mary Ann (13) and Matilda (10), as well as son-in-law Richard Ford (27) Labourer Blacksmith, Maria Ford (24) and grandson, Richard Ford (6 months). There are records of a John Sweeney (22), lodging nearby, but none conclusively identified as John Henry Charles Sweeney.

In 1871, John Sweney (63), Widower, Carpenter, was head of the household at Stephen Cottages, James Street, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney, and living with him was his son John [Henry Charles] Sweney (31) Labourer; Susan Sweney (26), Susan Sweney (9), John Sweney (3) and Job Sweney (1).

John Sweeney died, at 71, in 1878 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 351. 

John Gabbedy and Elizabeth Travally

St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3477017

John Gabbedy (b. 20 July 1745, bap. 11 Aug 1745 at St Anne's Limehouse), son of Henry Gabbedy and Ann Causton, married Elizabeth Travally (b. 3 Oct 1742, bap. 14 Nov 1742 at St Anne's Limehouse), daughter of Winnall Travally and Elizabeth Benbow at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 11 Jun 1769. This pair of my 5th great-grandparents married, by licence, and, witnesses were the bride's father, Winnall Travally and James Bryant.

Information suggests that John and Elizabeth had four children:

1. William Travally Gabbedy b. 1770 in Limehouse, London.
   (Buried on 17 Nov 1770 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney.)
2. John Benbow Gabbedy b. 17 Nov 1771 in Risby's Rope Walk, Limehouse, bap. 8 Dec 1771 at St Anne's Limehouse
3. Thomas Gabbady b. 15 Jan 1773 in Risby's Rope Walk, Limehouse, bap. 7 Feb 1773 at St Anne's Limehouse. It looks as if Thomas was buried on 10 Jan 1781 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney.
4. Esther Gabbady b. 16 Feb 1775 in Limekiln Hill, Limehouse, bap. 18 Mar 1775 at St Anne's Limehouse

On the baptisms, John Gabbdey's occupation is listed as Shipwright.

John Gabbedy must have died before 1781, because Elizabeth Gabbedy remarried, at St George in the East, to Edward Penfold on 7 Aug 1781. Witnesses were R Soper and, again, the bride's father, Winnall Travally.

Elizabeth Penfold (74) was reported to have been discharged from St George in the East Workhouse on 27 Sep 1811, but readmitted on 1 Jun 1812.

Elizabeth Penfold (~85) was buried on 20 Mar 1825 at St Anne, Limehouse.

Henry Gabbedy and Ann Stewart (née Causton)

The east end of St. Katharine's Church, founded by Queen Matilda in 1150

Henry Gabbedy (b. Wednesday, 19 Sep 1705, bap. 7 Oct 1705 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), then from the parish of St Anne's Limehouse, Ship's Carpenter, son of Henry Gabbedy and Hannah Peters, married Anne Stewart, at the Collegiate Church of St Katherine By the Tower, City of London on 6 Sep 1737. (St Katharine by the Tower on map c. 1720. This church was demolished in 1825 to make way for St Katharine Docks, which were named after it.) The marriage record erroneously calls her Mary and Henry's occupation on the licence I'm sure is wrong and should say Ship's Caulker. The rest is true. Crucially, the record of their marriage and the licence make it clear that Henry was a widower, aged 32 and Ann was a widow, aged 30.

Ann Causton (b. 1707, bap. 15 Jan 1711 at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, aged 5 years), was the daughter of James Causton and Parthenia Clarke. ("Parthenia" is a Greek word meaning "virginity" or "maidenhood." It's derived from the Ancient Greek word "parthénos" (παρθένος), which means "virgo" or "virgin". Parthenia is sometimes used as a given name for girls, particularly those with Greek heritage.) Further proof of this link: Ann's sister, Parthenia Quick, left £5.00 in her will to her nephew, John Gabbaday. (It has been claimed that Ann had previously married at St Andrew, Holborn on 31 Oct 1727, however that marriage can be discounted, because Charles Stewart had, in fact, married Ann Barnes, Spinster.) The correct previous marriage, I believe, is that between James Stewart and Ann Coston (sic) at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's (more about this church here) - this church is also in the right area, where Holborn isn't - on 15 Jan 1729. It hasn't been possible to tell if the couple had children, nor to find James' death.

Henry Gabedey (sic) of the Parish of St Dunstan's, Stepney, Bat[chelor], had previously married Bridget Ward (said to be b. 1705, daughter of William Ward) of the same, Sp[inster], at St Botolph's Aldgate, on 22 Sep 1728.

Henry and Bridget Gabbedy had two sons:

1. Thomas Gabbedey b. Monday, 15 Sep 1729, son of Henry Gabbedey, Caulker, & Bridget, bap. 13 Oct 1729 (aged 28 days) at St Dunstan's
2. Henry Gabedy (sic) b. Sunday, 16 May 1731, son of Henry Gabedy (sic) of Pop[lar], Caulker, & Bridget, bap. 6 Jun 1731 (at 21 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney

As Henry and Ann later name another son Thomas and, as these are not mentioned in Henry's will, I have to assume that both died in infancy.

Bridget Gabeday was buried, in Stepney, on 2 Jul 1731.

Henry and Ann Gabbedy then went on to have a further seven children:

3. Henrietta Gabday (sic) b. Wednesday, 18 Apr 1739, daughter of Henry Gabday, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway and Anne, bap. 11 May 1739 (at 23 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. Henrietta, daughter of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, was buried 16 May 1739 at St Anne's Limehouse
4. Jane Gabedey b. Saturday, 27 Sep 1740, daughter of Henry Gabedey, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway and Anne was bap. 19 Oct 1740 (at 22 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
5. James Gabedey b. Wednesday, 10 Mar 1742, son of Henry Gabedy, Caulker, L.H. Causeway & Anne was bap. 4 Apr 1742 (at 25 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
6. Thomas Gabedey b. Tuesday, 23 Aug 1743, son of Henry Gabedey, Caulker of L.H. Causeway & Anne, bap. 18 Sep 1743 (at 26 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. Thomas, son of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, Rotherhithe, Drowned, buried 30 Aug 1749 at St Anne's Limehouse.
7. John Gabdey (sic) b. Saturday, 20 July 1745, son of Henry Gabdey, Caulker, Limeh[ouse] Causeway & Anne, was bap. 11 Aug 1745 (at 22 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse
8. George Gabedey b. Wednesday, 21 Jan 1747, son of Henry Gabedey, Caulker, Limehouse Causeway & Anne, bap. 14 Feb 1747 (at 24 days old) at St Anne's Limehouse. George, son of Henry Gabedey of Limehouse Causeway, buried 1 Mar 1747 at St Anne's Limehouse
9. Anne Gabady (sic) b. Wednesday, 23 Aug 1749, Anne of Henry & Anne Gabady, bap. 2 Sep 1749 (at 10 days old) at St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe. Not found burial, but presume died as an infant.

Ann Gabedy of Middle Turning [Shadwell] was buried at St Paul's Church, Shadwell (Burial ground. St Paul Shadwell) on 26 July 1753. (Others have suggested this as the burial of their child, but the church records consistently list deceased children as 'son/daughter of ...' and this doesn't, so I'm confident that it's the burial of Ann Gabedey, formerly Stewart (née Causton).

Henry Gabedey of the Parish of St Paul's Shadwell, Caulker, wrote his will on 10 Aug 1753, "being weak of body, but of sound and disposing mind ..." It seemed obvious that Ann had pre-deceased him when he left his estate to be divided equally between his three [surviving] children: Jane Gabedy, James Gabedy and John Gabedy. He appointed his sisters (Ann's sisters, his sisters-in-law) Parthenia Quick and Hester Causton as joint Executrixes.

Henry Gabbedy of Middle Turning was buried at St Paul's, Shadwell on 3 Oct 1753. Whilst there are no details on their causes of death, Ann will have been 46 and Henry 48. Henry "weak of body", was clearly ill. That both died within a short time of each other might point to a common pathogen. Consumption (Tuberculosis) always springs to mind, however, Smallpox was probably the single most lethal disease in eighteenth-century Britain, accounting for approximately 10% of all burials. The London Smallpox Hospital, one of the first of its kind in Europe, [coincidentally] was established in 1753.

"By the mid-eighteenth century, many houses in Shadwell had been rebuilt. "Seamen, watermen and lightermen, coalheavers and shopkeepers, and ropemakers, coopers, carpenters and smiths, lived in small lathe and plaster or weatherboard houses, two storeys and a garret high, with one room on each floor"; the average rent was £2/7/0." - Cox, Jane (November 2013). Old East Enders: A History of Tower Hamlets. [Via] A Land Tax Record in 1753 shows that Henry Gabedey was paying £5.00 in rent, so they were very much at the upper end of the average for the area - until illness struck them down.

There are indications to suggest that Hester took on the care of the children. Jane will have been 13, James 11 and John just 8, when their parents died.

Middle Turning was a narrow lane or alley in Shadwell, which existed in the 1750s or before. You can see it here on the map, running l-to-r between Shakespears Walk and Spring Street, south of the churchyard, below Upper Turning. "In the 1840s, half of the churchyard land was bought by the London Dock Company in a compulsory purchase order, in order to expand Shadwell Basin." [Source] This may mean that Henry and Ann are no longer resting there. However, you can also deduce by comparing to the present day map, that the area they were living in is now under the waters of the basin.

Photo © Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Shadwell Basin (with the spire of St Paul's Church, Shadwell behind)

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Job Sweeney and Eliza Louisa Tompson

Globe Road, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4697355
Very much a part of the traditional East End, Globe Road runs north from Stepney Green station to Roman Road, and then on to this northern stretch up to Old Ford Road. 

Job Sweeney (b. 6 Feb 1870), son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Eliza Louisa Tompson (b. 24 Aug 1868), daughter of Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green, on 5 Jan 1893, at the Parish Church of St Anthony, Globe Road, Stepney. (The church of Saint Anthony stood in the borough of Bethnal Green, but was part of the rural deanery of Stepney. It closed in 1936 and the building was demolished in 1937.) Both claimed to be 24 and both gave their address as 3 Monteagle Street, Stepney. 

Their only son, Job Thomas Sweeney (right), was born at 25 Monteagle Street, Stepney (which further research suggests was a boarding house) on 27 Aug 1897 (registered Job Thomas Sweney 1897 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 499, with mother's maiden name TOMPSON) and baptised at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 19 Sep 1897.

In 1901, Job Sweney (sic) (33) Warehouseman, Eliza Sweney (sic) (32) and Job Sweney (sic) (3), were living at 8, Repton Street, Limehouse. 

My mother always claimed that her father and grandmother, Eliza Louisa, had been living in Sidney Street at the time of the Siege of Sidney Street, or Battle of Stepney that took place in January 1911. Improbable, though not impossible, but I can find no records to support this. Eliza Louisa was well away from the area when Cable Street (where she was born) had it's own battle in 1936.

By the time of the census on 2 April 1911, the family were living at 102 Fore Street, in the City of London. They lived in a flat above the warehouse that came with the job, where Job Sweeney (41) was employed as Packer and Caretaker; Eliza Louisa Sweeney (41), Job Thomas Sweeney (13) and Amy Dobson (19) Domestic Servant, Friend (Amy Dobson b. 1892, was the sister of Ruth Christmas Dobson, wife of Job's brother Charles Sweeney.) 

In 1921, Job Sweeney (51) Packer, was still living and working at 102, Fore Street, City of London, for Hoffnung & Co Shipping Merchants; with wife, Eliza L Sweeney (52) and son, Job T Sweeney (23) Warehouseman, working for Wills & Co (W.D. & H.O. Wills) at their Holborn Viaduct factory (for whom he eventually worked for around 36 years.) (Calling herself Amy Margaret Dobson (29) Charwoman, in 1921 - no idea where the Margaret came from - living at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, this census tells us she was working for Messrs Hoffnung & Co Ltd at 102 Fore Street, City, E C.)

Press Gangs and the King’s Shilling: Job Sweney (sic) died, on 6 December 1924, aged 54 (1924 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 374), and as family stories go, this has to be one of the best (as in the myth is about as far away from the truth as it's possible to get), but also one of the saddest. 

My mother won't have known her grandfather, as he had died when she was only a few months old, but throughout her life, she recounted this story so many times it would be impossible to count: The story went that Job Sweeney had been "press ganged" into the navy no less than three times. Once would be unlucky, you'd have thought. Anyway, this account, undoubtedly passed down to her by her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney, was further embellished with the assertion that Job liked his drink rather too much, hence was always in the pub and the worse for wear and, therefore, had been tricked, in serial fashion, into taking the King's Shilling. 

All absolute poppycock, of course, like most family stories are.

As I say, I'd heard and nodded along to the retelling of this story umpteen times, but never really considered or questioned it. It wasn't until I met the current 'him indoors' who knows his military history, who immediately said "wrong century", that it became obvious the whole thing was invention.

With hindsight, I can see where it will have come from. Job's father was a dock labourer (sometimes listed as a stevedore); his great-grandfather a mariner and many of their ancestors were sailors, ship's carpenters and shipwrights. Eliza Louisa's family ran pubs around the London docks. They'll have grown up with 'press gang' stories and other seafaring folklore.

Having spent his entire life in the East End, it was finding that his death had been registered in Hendon that made me dig further in order to solve the mystery. It even crossed my mind that holidays 'At His Majesty's Pleasure' might well have explained these absences that we were all led to believe were when he was 'at sea', but it was not so. Having ordered his death certificate, this confirmed that the actual place of death was Colindale Hospital.

Built originally as the The Central London District Sick Asylum in 1898-1900 - to provide care for the sick poor in London, separate from the workhouse - in 1919, it was taken over by The Metropolitan Asylums Board and used as male TB sanatorium. The cause of Job Sweeney's death was given as 'Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Certified by Marcus Patterson MD.' 

Dr. Marcus Sinclair Paterson (1870–1932) was the medical superintendent of the Colindale Hospital for Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hendon. "Here Paterson made valuable innovations in the symptomatic treatment of advanced cases", says his obituary in the BMJ. He developed a system of treatment called 'graduated labour'. "He has described how his observations on out-patients led him to the idea of introducing manual work, as well as walking, into the sanatorium regime, with the hope of fitting his patients for immediate return to their work, and of successfully meeting the charge that sanatoriums turned out work-shy loafers." (Not unlike attitudes today, because victim blaming is a whole lot cheaper than doing research and actually treating the sick. Looks like we can see who was originally responsible for ideas that led to the much maligned, ineffective and harmful Graded exercise therapy (GET) too.)

So, we can deduce that the "press gang" story was made up to explain a series of absences, which were probably stays for 'treatment' - forced work when you're already too ill to do your normal work - at the sanatorium. And the saddest part is this tells us that, so strong was the social stigma attached to TB that families preferred to paint their nearest and dearest as 'feckless, drunken, work-shy', etc., rather than admit they had an infectious, then incurable, disease undoubtedly contracted through no fault of their own. 

Eliza Louisa Sweeney with her granddaughter, Ivy. Edited with ImageColorizer

The internet isn't just useful for looking up dry-and-dusty old genealogy records, there is so much more to discover. Take this for example. Among lots of family photos I inherited from my mother and hers before her was one of my mother and her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney (née Tompson), taken in the 1930s (my mother was 15 in 1939, so I estimate this is close to then). Only because there was a distinctive looking window on a building that looked like a church in the background behind them, it peaked my interest and I thought I would try to find out where the photo had been taken.

At that time, my mother, her parents and grandmother, still lived in the City of London, in Fore Street. It didn't look like anywhere I knew around there, but then it got a bit altered in the interim. I'd also tried the facility to Search with an image on Google, but it just told me it was a snapshot. Duh! 

Eventually, I asked the The East of London Family History Society Group for help, but whilst they weren't able to answer, members made many useful suggestions that led to more searches ... that finally turned up images of the Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea, which perfectly fit the round window, as well as other elements of the architecture. As confirmation, they sent me a link to this map of Clacton (Revision of 1939), which shows the position of the post box (marked L.B.) that you can see behind them. 

Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © JThomas - geograph.org.uk/p/2944160

Then and now: Clacton's Trinity Church in Rosemary Road in 1881 and 2015

So, from this, we can deduce that, since this church is in the background, then they must be walking down Pier Avenue (shown here in c. 1925), in the direction of the sea front and pier and, as they lived in the East End, they can only have been on a day trip (no, I don't suppose they were flush enough for a whole holiday!) to Clacton-on-Sea. I'd wondered what they were up to that was special enough - in those pre-selfie days - for a photo. Now I know.

Mind you, "... if you stood where they were walking now you'd get mown down by the traffic, those trees, hedges and post box long gone too."

In 1939, Eliza Louisa was still living at 102 Fore Street with her son Job and his wife, Elizabeth (Bet) and granddaughter, Ivy, and remained there until their home was destroyed in WWII, thought to have been on or around the night of 29–30 Dec 1940, the so-called Second Great Fire of London.

Eliza Louisa Sweeney, otherwise Sweney (as it says on her death certificate), died on 13 Feb 1953 (1953 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 05A Page 846) from coronary thrombosis, influenza, chronic bronchitis and old age, at 84.

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 Street, St 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.

Richard Ford and Maria Eliza Isabella Sweeney

St Matthew, St Matthew's Row, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2636777

Richard Ford (b. ~1834 in Limehouse), married Maria Eliza Isabella Sweeney (b. 1834), daughter of John Sweeney and Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday, at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green on 25 Dec 1857. Both gave their address as 127 North Street. Witnesses were James Richardson and William Ames. Richard Ford listed his occupation as Smith and his father as Richard Ford, Carpenter, however, he appears to have been the son of John Robert Ford, Shipwright, and Harriet Showell, but his father died in 1837 when he was a small boy.

Richard and Maria had ten children:

1. Richard John Ford b. 26 Sep 1860 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 506, bap. 24 Jan 1861 in Limehouse, London
2. Maria Ford b. 12 Mar 1862 J Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 501, bap. 8 May 1862 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse (St John's Church, Halley Street). Died aged 1 in 1863 J Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 364
3. Ellen Eliza Ford b. 12 Sep 1863 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 481, bap. 5 Nov 1863 in Limehouse
4. Robert Charles Ford b. 3 Nov 1866 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 507, bap. 31 Jan 1867 in Limehouse. Died aged 1 in 1867 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 366
5. Arthur James Ford b. 3 Sep 1868 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 485, bap. 13 Feb 1871 in Limehouse
6. Matilda Elizabeth Ford b. 1870 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 483. Died at 11 months in 1871 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 407 and was buried on 17 Feb 1871 at Victoria Park Cemetery, Hackney (family's address, 6 Manning Street, Hackney.) ('The Resort of Thieves and Harlots'; Victoria Park Cemetery, Bethnal Green.)
7. Mary Ann Elizabeth b. 1872 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 505
8. Elizabeth Ford b. 1874 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 486
9. Charles Ford b. 1 Nov 1876 D Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 497
10. Jane Ford b. 1 Nov 1876 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 497. Died aged 4 in 1881 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 353

All of the birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as SWEENEY and all of the baptisms lists the parents a Richard and Maria. They appear to give up on baptisms after 1871. The last two, born in 1876, were clearly twins.

In 1861, Richard Ford (27) Labourer Blacksmith from Limehouse, Middlesex and Maria Ford (24) birthplace St George in the East and Richard Ford (6 months) were living at 107, North Street, Limehouse, Stepney, with Maria's widowed father and her two sisters Mary Ann (13) and Matilda (10).

In 1871, Richard Ford (34) Blacksmith was living in Manning Street, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney with Maria Ford (34) Laundress; Richard Ford (10), Eleanor [Ellen Eliza] Ford (7) and Arthur Ford (2).

Eldest son, John Richard Ford, then 19, joined the British Army on 12 Jul 1879. He was 5ft 5½in with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair and his service record lists his father as Richard Ford of North Street, Limehouse. Richard John Ford served in the East Indies (India) from 20 Dec 1879 until 29 Nov 1884, where (like every other soldier) he acquired gonorrhea in Madras, in 1882. He was discharged from the army on 10 July 1891.

In 1881, at 135, North Street, Limehouse, Stepney were Richard Ford (44) Labourer in iron works; Maria Ford (43), Ellen Ford (18), Arthur Ford (13), Eliza [Elizabeth] Ford (7) and Charles Ford (4). 

In 1891, Richard Ford (57) Dock Labourer was at 17, Whitethorn Street, Bromley, Poplar, with Maria Ford (54) and Charles Ford (14) Van Boy.

Richard Ford died, age estimated as 68, in 1900 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 280.

In 1901, Maria Ford (65) Widow, was living at 65, Conder Street, Limehouse, Stepney with her youngest son, Charles Ford (25) General Carman.

Maria Ford died at 72, in 1906 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 327.

Charles Albert Gardner and Susannah Sweney

St Anne, Limehouse - Entrance
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4559397

Charles Albert Gardner (b. 31 Mar 1859, bap. 7 May 1859 at St George's, Hanover Square), son of Thomas Henry Richards Gardner and Mary Ann Watkins, married Susan Sweney (sic) (b. 5 Jun 1862 in Mile End), daughter of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, at St Matthew, Salmon Lane, Limehouse Fields (the church was gutted by an incendiary bomb in 1941 and demolished) on 25 Dec 1884. Both gave their address as 1 Condor Street. Witnesses were John Sweney and Mary Ann Gardner.

Charles and Susannah had eight children:

1. John Charles Gardner b. 1885 D Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 420
2. Henry Gardner b. 1888 J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 420
3. Florence Rose Gardner b. 1890 J Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 412
4. Thomas Albert Gardner b. 1892 J Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 440
5. James Gardner b. 1894 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 439
6. Arthur Gardner b. 1896 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 431
7. Rose Lily Gardner b. 1898 S Qtr in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 411
8. May Matilda Louisa Gardner b. 1901 J Qtr Vol 01C Page 420

The mother's maiden name on all the birth records is SWENEY.

In 1891, the family living at 13, Maroon Street, Limehouse, Stepney, were Charles Gardner (32) Slater; Susannah Gardner (29), John Charles Gardner (5), Henry Gardner (2) and Florence Rose Gardner (1).

In 1901, at 34, Maroon Street, Limehouse, were Charles Gardner (41) Slater and tiler; Susan Gardner (39), John C Gardner (15) Credit draper's assistant (Tallymen and ‘Perambulating Scotchmen’ to Credit Drapers' Associations, c.1840–1914); Henry Gardner (12), Florence R Gardner (11), Thomas A Gardner (9), James Gardner (7), Arthur Gardner (5) and Rose L Gardner (3).

Charles Gardner died, aged 42, in Q4 1901, in Whitechapel (Vol 1C 192).

In 1911, Susan Gardner (47) Charwoman at the London Hospital, Widow, was living at 37 St Thomas's Road, Mile End Old Town, London with Thomas Gardner (19) Printer's cutter; James Gardner (17) Clerk; Arthur Gardner (15) Errand Boy; Rose Gardner (13) and May Gardner (10). The census confirms that Susannah had eight children, all then living. Also living at 37 St Thomas's Road, Mile End Old Town in 1911 were Archibald Campbell (39) Slater and tiler, Widower, along with his four surviving daughters: Jessie Campbell (16), Lizzie Campbell (14), Millie [Amelia] Campbell (12) and Esther Campbell (10). Seemingly, at least at this time, these were two separate households.

Susan Gardner (47) Widow, daughter of John Sweney, Dock Labourer, then remarried to the aforesaid Archibald Campbell (39), Widower, son of Archibald Campbell and Elizabeth Desmond, at St Anne, Limehouse, on her birthday, 5 Jun 1911. (Archibald Campbell had previously married Ellen Keating in Mile End, in 1893, with whom, according to the 1911 Census, he'd had ten children (only found records for nine), six of whom had already died. Archibald's first wife, Ellen Campbell, had died, at 38, in 1909.)

Archibald's daughter, Esther Campbell also died, aged 10, in 1912.

In 1921, still at 37, St Thomas Road, Mile End Old Town were Archibald Campbell (49) General Labourer for Stepney Borough Council; Susan Campbell (56), Thomas Gardner (29) Step-son, Disabled General Labourer "Under Young Treatment Hospital"; May Gardner (20) Step-daughter; Amelia Campbell (21) daughter; Violet Gardner (11) Adopted Daughter (Violet was purportedly born in Stepney in 1910, but I've no idea if that was her birth name); plus Elizabeth Bryant (20) and Kate Bryant (15) both Visitors.

In 1939, Arch Campbell (b. 2 Sep 1872) Retired (Boro Council) and Susan Campbell (b. 5 Jun 1862) Retired, were living at 37 Apostle Road, Mile End, Stepney.

Archibald Campbell died, at 71, in 1944 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 184.

Susannah Campbell, pictured, clearly lived "to an age", but I've so far been unable to confirm exactly when she died (possibly later in 1944).

Arthur Woodham and Mary Matilda Sweeney

St Dunstan's Church, Stepney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6294631

Arthur Woodham (b. 30 Nov 1878 in Limehouse), son of William Wesley Woodham and Mary Ann Poole, married Mary Matilda Sweeney (b. 11 Mar 1878), daughter of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, at the Parish Church of Stepney - St Dunstan's, Stepney - on 25 Dec 1904. Witnesses to their marriage were J Sweney (looks like the signature of the bride's father) and Alfred Woodham, the bridegroom's twin brother.

Arthur and Mary Matilda had four children:

1. Arthur Alfred Wesley Woodham b. 1906 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 409. Died 1906 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 267
2. Elsie Woodham b. 1907 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 380. Died 1907 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 237
3. Lilian Susannah Woodham b. 21 Sep 1908 Vol 01C Page 318
4. Ivy Maud Woodham b. 20 Jul 1910 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 339

All four birth registrations have the mother's maiden name SWEENEY.

In 1911, Arthur Woodham (32) French Polisher; Mary Matilda Woodham (33), Lilian Susannah Woodham (2 yrs 6 mths) and Ivy Maud Woodham (8 mths), were living at 58 Conder Street, Limehouse, London. The information they provide on this census return confirms that they had four children, two who were living and two had died, during their then six year marriage.

In 1921, and still at 58, Conder Street, Limehouse, London, were Arthur Woodham (42) Labourer working for Messrs Stein Ltd, Wharfingers at Grosvenor Wharf, Newcastle Street, Cubitt Town; Mary Matilda Woodham (43), Lilian Susannah Woodham (12) and Ivy Maud Woodham (10).

In 1939, Arthur Woodham, General Labourer; Mary M Woodham, Lilian S Woodham and Henry Thomas Morris, Lead Smelter, were living at 11 Maroon Street, Limehouse. Ivy Maud Morris, Married, Evacuee, was staying in the household of Cuthbert Templeman, Retired Grocer, at Kingswood New Bristol Road, Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, with their daughter b. 1938.

Arthur Woodham died, at 70, in 1949 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 05D 757.

Mary Matilda Woodham died, at 78, in 1956 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 05D 522.

• Lilian Susannah Woodham died, in Tower Hamlets, in 2004
• Henry Thomas Morris (b. 19 Jan 1909) married Ivy Maud Woodham, in 1937. Henry Thomas Morris died, in Tower Hamlets, in 1983. Ivy Maud Morris died, in Tower Hamlets, in 2005

Winnall Travally Dalton and Ann Woolfe

© Peter Trimming (cc-by-sa/2.0 geograph.org.uk/p/6195470
Southwark Cathedral

Winnall Travally Dalton (b. 28 July 1766 in Limehouse), son of William Dalton and Sarah Travally, married Ann Woolfe (bap. 21 Jul 1769 in Hitchin, Herts), daughter of Thomas Woolfe and Martha Bray, at Southwark St Saviour (now Southwark Cathedral) on 30 Nov 1794. However, the banns of this marriage state that Winnall Dalton was Widowed. Winnall Travally Dalton then of the parish of St Paul, Shadwell, had first married Elizabeth Crutchfield then of the parish of St. Mary, Stratford le Bow, Spinster, by Licence, in the parish of All Saints, Poplar on 7 Aug 1792. We know that this marriage relates, as the witnesses included William Dalton and Sarah Dalton, the groom's parents. On 9 Oct 1792 an Elizabeth Dalton, described merely as 'Woman (Fever)' was buried at St Giles Without Cripplegate and this sadly appears to relate.

Winnall Travally Dalton and Ann Woolfe had ten children:

1. Winnall Thomas Dalton b. 14 Nov 1795
2. Ann Dalton b. 24 Jun 1797. She appears to have been christened at the Ratcliff Rose Lane Independent church in July 1797.[1]
3. William Dalton b. 26 Nov 1798
4. John Dalton b. 5 Jun 1800
5. Eliza Dalton b. 28 Jan 1802
6. Martha Dalton b. 15 Aug 1803
7. Henry Dalton b. 8 Oct 1804
8. George Dalton b. 10 Jul 1806
9. Mary Emma Dalton b. 6 Aug 1809
10. Phillip James Dalton b. 2 Aug 1813, bap. 24 Oct 1813 at St Anne's Limehouse.

[1] Rose Lane has been renamed at some time to Ratcliffe Lane which leads into Butcher Row (the old White Horse Street) and is about 250 yards from Ratcliffe Cross Street. [Source]

The birth records for the first nine children, all born in Church Lane, in the parish of St Anne Limehouse are of Non-Conformists - 'Dissenters'. These records, which list the maternal grandparents, are from Dr Williams' Library Registry; Registers of certificates, an early birth register of Protestant dissenters. (‘Dissenting’ tradition in Stepney.) Each birth has two witnesses: Sarah Dalton, I presume Winnall's mother, was one of the witnesses on most of the births. Ann Spokes was witness also to the first three; from John onwards, one of them was an Elizabeth Spinks and at Mary Emma Dalton's birth in 1809, one of the witnesses was Winnall's cousin, Esther Evans.

Phillip James' baptism record lists his father's occupation as Caulker.

In 1792, Winnall Dalton, Caulker, of Shadwell, Middlesex, took on James Carrington as an Apprentice; and in 1795 Winnall Dalton, Caulker, of St Paul Shadwell, records show, took on another Apprentice, Edward Barrow.

There is a record of Winnall Dalton being brought into custody and discharged at Marshalsea on 9 Oct 1820 in respect to a suit - presumably for a debt - brought by a William and Sarah Wright. This is the same Debtors' prison where Charles Dickens' father was committed four years later in 1824.

Winnall Travally Dalton died in 1825, aged 59 and was buried on 5 Jun 1825 at St Anne's Limehouse.

In 1841, Ann Dalton (70) Widow of Independent means was living at 16 Holmes Street, St Dunstan Stepney, with daughter Martha Dalton (35) Milliner; son Phillip James Dalton (25) Vellum Binder and a Jane Gray (20) Milliner, presumably a boarder. (All ages rounded down.)

Ann Dalton (80) of 16 Holmes St, Stepney, died in 1850 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 368 and was buried on 12 Jan 1850 in Tower Hamlets.

John Horn and Emma Green

St George in the East Church
  Steve Cadman / CC BY-SA

John Horn (John Isaac Robert Horn, b. 18 Jul 1845, bap. 31 Aug 1845 at St George in the East church in St George-in-the-East), son of Isaac Horn and Maria Thaxter, married Emma Green, daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman, at St Thomas' church, Arbour Square, Stepney on 4 Nov 1867. 

The couple had three children: 

1. Emma Eliza Horn b. 1868 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 417
2. Edward John Horn b. 1871 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 472. Died 1871 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 305
3. Albert William Horn b. 1872 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413. Died in 1905 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 316, aged 32.

After the death of Emma's father, Edward Green, landlord of the King and Queen in St George in the East, in 1870, her mother took over as landlady. In 1871, living with her was daughter, Emma Horn (22), Barmaid and Son-in-law, John Horn (23), Plumber, Emma Horn (2) and Edward J Horn (0).

In July 1875, John Horn was listed, by the East London Observer, as the Incoming Licensee at the Watermans Arms, Wapping High Street, E1, which he held until 22nd January 1876. Then on 20 May 1876, the same publication lists John Horn as the incoming licensee at the Salisbury Arms (The Salisbury Arms stood at 135 Eastfield Street, Limehouse, E14. Now demolished).

In 1881, at 135, Eastfield Street, Limehouse, Stepney, were John Horn (35), wife listed as J Horn (33) and children; Emma (12) and Albert William (8). 

There's a death of an Emma Horn who died, aged 37, in 1885 M Quarter in SAINT OLAVE SOUTHWARK Volume 01D Page 163. (Daughter Emma Eliza married in Southwark in 1888.) A death in St George in the East in 1886 has been suggested as an alternative, although the age does not compute on that record. We may deduce that Emma had died before 1889, because ...

In 1889, in London City, John Horn married Emily Grace Rudd (b. 8 Jul 1857), daughter of Samms Sheppard Rudd and Mary Sarah Ann Walrond. 

By 1891, John Horn (age listed as 33) was "Living on his own means" in Apsley Road, Croydon, Surrey, with new wife Emily Grace Horn (31) from Hoxton, and son, Albert William Horn (18) from his first marriage. 

John and Emily Grace added a further four children:

1. Emily Margaret Horn b. 10 Feb 1893 M Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A 277
2. William John Horn b. 1898 S Quarter in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 242. Died 1898 S Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 139.
3. Edward John Horn b. 23 Feb 1900 M Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A 298
4. Alfred George Horn b. 1 Jan 1902 M Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A 250

John Horn was at the Albert Tavern, 67 Harrington Road, South Norwood, in 1896. In 1901, John Horn (52) Retired Publican was living 6, Harrington Road, Croydon, Surrey, with wife, Emily Grace Horn (42), son Albert Horn (28) Labourer, daughter Emily Margaret (8) and son Edward John (1).

Grave of John Horn at
Dulwich Old Cemetery

John Horn died, on Leap Day, 29 Feb 1904 (1904 M Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 224), "After Long & Patient Suffering", aged 58. He is buried at Dulwich Old Cemetery, along with his second wife and his daughter, Emma Eliza, from his first marriage to Emma Green. Their son, Albert William Horn, died in 1905, at 32. 

In 1911, Emily Grace Horn (52), widow, was still living at 6, Harrington Road, Croydon, with daughter Emily Margaret (18) and sons Edward John (11) and Alfred George (9). 

In 1921, at 6, Harrington Road, Croydon, were Emily Grace Horn (60), Edward John Horn (21), Alfred George Horn (19) and Emma Nash (82) Visitor, Aunt.

Emily Grace Horn was also still at 6, Harrington Road, Croydon in 1939, aged 82, along with her granddaughter, Ivy Carter (24) Domestic Servant. 

Emily Grace Horn, of 19 Macclesfield Road, Woodside, Croydon, widow, died on 7 Aug 1950, at 93. Probate was granted to Edward John Horn, engineer, and Alfred George Horn, fitter. She was buried with her late husband. 

• Emily Margaret Horn married Bert Carter (b. 23 Feb 1893) at St Luke's Church, Woodside, Croydon, on 20 Dec 1914. Witnesses were Emily Grace Horn and Alfred Lawrence. The couple had at least six children between 1915 and 1926. In 1939, the family were living at 19 Macclesfield Road, Croydon. Emily Margaret Carter died, at 89, in Croydon, in 1982.
• Edward John Horn married Ivy Gladys Henderson (b. 3 Oct 1895 in Hackney), daughter of James Frederick Henderson and Alice Susan Hann, in Lewisham, in 1926. They had one daughter, born 1938. Edward J Horn, Electrical Engineer and Ivy G Horn were living at 73 Seekhurst Road, Beckenham in 1939. 
• Alfred George Horn (30) son of John Horn (Publican, deceased), married Ellen Doris Ball (b. 5 Aug 1905), daughter of Charles Ball and Alice Margaret Jackson, at St Mark's, South Norwood, on 22 Nov 1932. Witnesses were Emily Grace Horn and Alice Margaret Harman. Alfred and Ellen had one daughter, Janet Horn b. 1933. In 1939, they were living at 3 Cassland Road, Croydon, Surrey. Alfred George Horn (b. 1 Jan 1902) died in Tonbridge, Kent in the 1st quarter of 1971. Ellen Doris Horn (b. 5 Aug 1905) died in Chesterfield, Derbyshire in the 4th quarter of 1989.