Thomas Goodman and Mary Ann Pluck

The Deanery Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Bocking Churchstreet, Braintree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/2607258

Thomas Goodman (b. 7 Jan 1791, bap. 13 Feb 1791), son of William Goodman and Elizabeth Turner, married Mary Ann Pluck (bap. 12 Mar 1790 at St Mary the Virgin, Saffron Walden), daughter of John James Pluck and Elizabeth Coe, at St Mary the Virgin, Bocking, on 22 Jan 1813.

Thomas and Mary Ann Goodman had eight children:

1. Ann Goodman bap. 9 Nov 1814 at St. Michael's Church, Braintree
2. William Goodman bap. 16 Jul 1815 at St Mary the Virgin, Bocking
3. Mary Ann Goodman bap. 3 Aug 1817 in Bocking, Essex. Died Feb 1824 at Scott Street, Bethnal Green. Buried on 15 Feb 1824 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town (aka Globe Road Memorial Garden).
4. George Goodman b. 29 Apr 1819 (presumably born in Essex), bap. 25 Dec 1822 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green
5. Eliza Goodman bap. 16 Dec 1821 at St. Andrew's Church, Halstead
6. Phebe Goodman b. 6 Dec 1823, bap. 9 May 1824 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green. Died May 1824 at Scott Street, Bethnal Green. Buried 23 May 1824 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town.
7. Thomas Alfred Goodman b. 2 Mar 1825, bap. 25 Dec 1825 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green. Died July 1826 at Tent Street, Bethnal Green. Buried on 3 Jul 1826 at Globe Fields Burial Ground, Mile End Old Town.
8. Louisa Goodman b. 26 Feb 1827, bap. 18 Mar 1827 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green.

All of the baptisms specify the child's parents as Thomas and Mary and most also specify that Thomas Goodman's occupation was a Carpenter. They clearly moved into London some time between Eliza's baptism in Essex, on 16 Dec 1821 and that of George, in Bethnal Green, on Christmas Day 1822.

In 1841, in Carlisle Street, Bethnal Green, were Thomas Goodman (50), Mary Goodman (51), William Goodman (25) and Louisa Goodman (14). 

It is my belief that the death of Thomas Goodman, age estimated to 59, who died 1847 D Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 02 Page 25, relates. 

Mary Ann Goodman died, in 1849 in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 02 Page 16.

Joseph James Hockley and Nellie Radley

Holy Cross Church, Felsted, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Peter Stack - geograph.org.uk/p/2031193

Joseph James Hockley (b. 7 Mar 1881), illegitimate son of Elizabeth Hockley, married Nellie Radley (b. 19 Apr 1880 in Felsted), daughter of Jonah Radley and Jane Digby, on 2 Jan 1904 at Holy Cross Church, Felsted.

Joseph James and Nellie had six children, but tragically, only two survived:

1. Eleanor Lottie Hockley b. 1904 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 416
2. Doris Rose Hockley b. 1907 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 434
3. Austen Hubert Hockley b. 1909 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 407. Died in 1909 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 223
4. Annie May Hockley b. 1910 S Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 301. Died 1910 D Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 136
5. Neville Frederick Hockley b. 1910 S Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 301. Died 1910 D Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 129
6. Kathleen Nellie Hockley b. 1916 S Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 403. Died 1917 D Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 365

Annie May and Neville Frederick, clearly, were twins.

Joseph James Hockley from Felsted, had enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 20 Jun 1898. He said he was 18 years and 3 months old, so he'd added a year. He was a tall lad at 5ft 9in, weighing 133 lbs with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. The workhouse school had just about taught him to sign his name. In 1901, J Hockley (20) from Felsted, Essex, Pte foot guards, was at Pirbright Camp in Pirbright, Surrey. 

As James Hockley he served in Gibraltar in 1899 and twice in South Africa, once in 1900 and again in 1902, during the Second Boer War, for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal and 5 clasps including Diamond Hill, JOHANNESBURG (Doornkop), CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE and SOUTH AFRICA 1902. James Hockley was transferred to the Army Reserve on 5 Aug 1902 and discharged from the reserve on 18 Feb 1910 on promotion to the rank of Sergeant of Police. 

In 1911, Joseph Hockley (30) Metropolitan police sergeant, Nellie Hockley (30), Eleanor Hockley (6) and Doris Hockley (4) were living at 5 Weymouth Terrace, Acton Lane, Willesden. This census confirmed that, by that time, they'd had 5 children, of whom 3 had died, during their 7 year marriage.

Joseph James Hockley died, aged 38, in 1919 M Quarter in STEYNING.

In 1921, Nellie Hockley (41) Stationer & Confectioner was at 94, Portland Road, Hove, Aldrington, Sussex with Eleanor Lottie Hockley (16) Assisting Mother in Shop; Doris Rose Hockley (14) Clerk. There were two boarders, both Policemen for Hove Borough Police and two visitors, William Henry and Eleanor Theresa Sheppard (from London. Family maybe?).

In 1939, Nellie Hockley, widow, lived at 46 Marmion Road, Hove.

Nellie Hockley of 46 Marmion Road, Hove, died on 3 Aug 1958 at 26 Tugela Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, leaving her effects to Doris Rose Slade (wife of Samuel James Slade) and Leslie William Terry Judd chartered secretary. 

(Eleanor Lottie Hockley had married Leslie William Terry Judd in 1929, in Steyning, Sussex, while Doris Rose Hockley married Samuel James Slade in 1948, in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Uncertain if either couple had children).

Samms Sheppard Rudd and Mary Sarah Ann Walrond

St John the Evangelist Waterloo
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/1257876

Samms Sheppard Rudd (bap. 30 Nov 1834 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), son of Samms Rudd and Ann Johnson, married Mary Sarah Ann Walrond, who listed her father as William Walrond, Cabinet Maker [and Mary Scoines], at St John the Evangelist (St John's Church, Waterloo), on 29 Dec 1854. 

The couple had at least seven children:

1. Mary Ann Rudd b. 2 Nov 1855 D Quarter in THE SHOREDITCH DISTRICT Volume 01C Page 98, bap. 28 Dec 1856 at St John the Baptist, Shoreditch (St John the Baptist, Hoxton). The family's address was in Aske Street (named for parish's benefactor, City alderman and haberdasher Robert Aske) and her father's occupation, Waiter.
2. Emily Grace Rudd b. 8 Jul 1857 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 152, bap. 1 Aug 1858 at St. James', Westminster.
3. Alice Rudd b. 1859 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 100
4. Frederick William Rudd b. 1864 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 83
5. Albert Edward Rudd b. 1868 S Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 75
6. John Edwin Rudd b. 1872 D Qtr in HAMPSTEAD Vol 01A 603
7. Charles Rudd b. 1876 M Qtr in ST GILES Vol 01B Page 652

On the birth registrations for Mary Ann, Alice, Frederick William, Albert Edward and John Edwin the mother's maiden name is listed as WALROND. On that for Emily Grace, it's WABRONE and for Charles, WABROUD. With such random variations, it's difficult to know if all their children are included.

In 1861, listed as Samuel S Rudd (26) Waiter from Kentish Town, Middlesex, was living at 41, New North Street, Shoreditch with Mary S Rudd (26), Mary A Rudd (5), Emily G Rudd (4) and Alice Rudd (1).

In 1871, the family were in Islington, with Samms Sheppard Rudd (37), Mary Sarah Ann Rudd (36), Robert Cockare (19), Mary Ann Rudd (15), Emily Rudd (13), Alice Rudd (11), Fred Wm Rudd (7) and Albert Edwd Rudd (2).

In 1875 and 1876, Samms Sheppard Rudd was listed as the Licensee at the Globe, 58 New Compton Street WC2. New Compton Street in the London Borough of Camden, runs to St Giles High Street in the north.

In 1881, apparently transcribed as Thomas Rudd (47) Licenced Victualler from Kentish Town, London, he was at the Prince of Wales, 17 Riley Street, Bermondsey SE1 with Mary A Rudd (43), Emily Rudd (23) Barmaid from Hoxton; Alice Rudd (21) Barmaid from Finsbury; Frederick Rudd (16) Clerk; Albert Rudd (12), Edwin Rudd (8) and Charles Rudd (5).

In 1882 and 1884, then The London 1891 Public House & Publican Directory and the Post Office Directory still place Samms Sheppard Rudd at the Prince of Wales, 17 Riley Street, Bermondsey SE1. Son Frederick William Rudd had taken this over by 1899 and his widow, Amelia, by 1901.

In 1891, Samms Sheppard Rudd (57) Retired Publican was living in Bayston Road, Hackney, with Mary Sarah Ann Rudd (56), Albert Edward Rudd (22), Charles Rudd (15) and Emma Nash (53) Sister, Widow. (There was a marriage, in 1865, in Shoreditch between Emma Walrond and Thomas Henry Nash, who had died, in Shoreditch, in 1876. I still cannot find birth registrations for either Mary Sarah Ann, nor Emma Walrond.)

In 1901, listed as James S Rudd (67) from Kentish Town, London, living on own means, was living in Albert Road, Croydon with Mary S Rudd (66). 

Mary Sarah Ann Rudd died, at 66, on 7 Jun 1901 (1901 J Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 173) and was buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.

In 1911, Samms Sheppard Rudd (b. 1838), was once more living in Croydon, with his sister-in-law, Jane Walrond (69). [1]

Samms Sheppard Rudd died, aged 81, on 3 Dec 1915 (1915 D Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 470) and was buried along with his late wife, on 8 Dec 1915, also at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.

[1] There are no birth/baptism records for Mary Sarah Ann nor Emma Walrond, however, their sister Jane Walrond b. 1841 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 405 was the daughter of William Walrond and Mary Scoines, who married in Stepney, on 20 Sep 1824. Jane Walrond died, aged 75, in Croydon, in 1918.

William Edward Burton and Ellen Rosina Baker

St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3477079

William Edward Burton (b. 7 Jan 1865, bap. 18 Oct 1871 at St Luke, Millwall, West Ferry Road, Isle of Dogs), son of William Burton and Elizabeth Martin, married Ellen Rosina Baker (b. 1866), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney on 25 Dec 1888. Both gave their address as 46 Silver Street [Stepney] and witnesses were Ellen's brother, Charles Richard Baker and William's sister, Louisa Burton.

William and Ellen had four children:

1. Ellen Louisa Burton b. 1891 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 606
2. Ethel May Burton b. 1895 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 627
3. William Harry Burton b. 1897 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 595
4. Stanley Burton b. 1899 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 624

In 1891, William E Burton (26) Auctioneer's Clerk, Ellen R Burton (24) and Ellen L Burton (0) were living in Knapp Road, Bromley, Poplar. Staying with them also was Eliza L Tompson (22) Fancy Box Maker, listed as their niece. (She was Ellen's sister Sarah Jane's step-daughter.)

In 1901, in nearby Fairfoot Road, Bow were William E Burton (36) Commercial Clerk, Ellen R Burton (35), Ellen L Burton (10), Ethel M Burton (6), William H Burton (3) and Stanley Burton (1).

In 1911, William Edward Burton (46) Brewer's Delivery Clerk; Ellen Rosina Burton (45), Ellen Louisa Burton (20), Ethel May Burton (16), William Harry Burton (13) and Stanley Burton (11) were living in Bow Common.

In 1921, William Edward Burton (56) Brewery Clerk for Taylor Walker & Co, Brewers, was living at 119, Fairfoot Road, Poplar with Ellen Rosina Burton (55), Ellen Louisa Burton (30) Ladies Clothing Machinist; William Harry Burton (24) and Stanley Burton (22) Coppersmiths.

William Edward Burton died, at 65, in 1930 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 409.

Ellen Rosina Burton died on 23 July 1948 (1948 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 05D Page 197), with Probate granted to son Stanley Burton.

Jonah Ing and Elizabeth Tooze

St John of Jerusalem, Lauriston Road, South Hackney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2699966

Jonah Ing (bap. 17 Sep 1843 in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire), son of Thomas Ing and Sarah Kingsley, married Elizabeth Tooze (b. 10 Jan 1842) daughter of Thomas Tooze and Mary James, at the church of St John of Jerusalem, Lauriston Road, South Hackney, on 25 Dec 1865.

Jonah and Elizabeth had six children:

1. Ellen Mary Ann Ing b. 20 Dec 1866 (1867 M Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 441)
2. Jane Elizabeth Ing b. 1869 M Qtr in HACKNEY Vol 01B Page 446
3. Laura Ann Ing b. 1871 J Quarter in STAINES Volume 03A Page 17, bap. 18 Jun 1871 in East Bedfont, Middlesex.
4. George Levi Ing b. 1873 S Quarter in KENSINGTON Volume 01A Page 37, bap. 21 Mar 1875 in Hayes, Middlesex. Died, aged 13, in 1886 D Quarter in UXBRIDGE Volume 03A Page 21
5. Sarah Ann Ing b. 1876 J Quarter in UXBRIDGE Volume 03A Page 44
6. James Frederick Ing b. 1880 S Qtr in UXBRIDGE Vol 03A Page 41

In 1871, living in Bedfont, Staines, were Jonah Ing (28) Farm Labourer, Elizabeth Ing (29), Ellen Ing (4), Jane Elizabeth Ing (2) and two Lodgers: Jacob Barnes (28) from Hampshire and Jonah Markham (26) from Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, both Labourers.

In 1881, Jonah Ing (38) Threshing machine labourer from Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire was living in Wood End Green, Hayes, Middlesex, with Elizabeth Ing (39) from Clapton, Middlesex; Jane (12) born in Homerton, Middlesex; Louisa [Laura] (9) born in Bedfont, Middlesex; George (7) born in Paddington, Middlesex; Sarah (4) and James (0), the last two both born in Hayes, Middlesex. Ellen Mary Ann will have been 14 and thus was most likely out at work somewhere, but I've not found her on the census.

In 1891, still living at Wood End Green, Hayes, Middlesex, were Jonah Ing (48) Threshing machine labourer; Elizabeth Ing (49), Laura A (19), Sarah A (14) General Servant and James Frederick (10).

Jonah Ing died, at 48, in 1891 D Qtr in UXBRIDGE Vol 03A Page 23.

In 1901, Elizabeth Ing (60) Widow, Laundry General Worker, was living in Wooden Row, Wood End Green, Hayes, Middlesex with just her youngest son James (20), General Labourer, still at home.

Elizabeth Ing died, at 61, in 1902 S Qtr in PADDINGTON Vol 01A 34.

John Walter Harris and Alice Catherine Wilton

Kingsley Hall, Powis Road, Bromley-by-Bow

John Harris (21) Batchelor, Engineer, who listed his father as Charles Harris, Blacksmith, married Alice Wilton (20) Spinster, daughter of Elizabeth Wilton, at the Parish Church of Bromley St Leonard (St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's, more on this lost church here) on 25 Dec 1889. Witnesses at the wedding were W Wardley (there was a William Wardley lodging in her grandmother's household in 1881) and Hannah Smith. Alice had listed her father as "James Wilton, Carman", an invention, presumably "for appearances sake", which seems to be a portmanteau of James for James Hockley, her putative father; Wilton her mother's maiden name and her own birth surname; and Carman, which was the occupation of her half-uncle, George Wilton.

Because Alice was born on 12 Feb 1869 and her mother married James Hockley in 1870, it's generally assumed that James was Alice's biological father. In 1871, while James and Elizabeth Hockley were living on the Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, Alice (2) was next-door-but-one with her grandmother, Catherine Eldred, which made sense as Elizabeth was then about to have another baby. In 1881, Alice was on the census with James and Elizabeth Hockley, in Hornchurch, listed as Alice Hockley (14), leading many to assume she lived with them and used that surname thereafter, but I wonder if this was just a case of not challenging the use of dittos, nor wanting to explain why your kid had a different surname. Alice certainly didn't use that surname to marry and the fact that she married in the area her grandmother had lived, rather than where her mother lived, I feel, is also significant.

John and Alice Harris had ten children:

1. Elizabeth Harris b. 7 Mar 1890 (1890 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 578), mother's maiden name listed as WILTON. (No baptism found, which is not really surprising given her 'premature' arrival.)
2. Ellen Harris b. 28 Dec 1891 (1892 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 633) with her mother's maiden name listed as ALDRIDGE. Feeling that Aldridge could be a mis-hearing of ELDRIDGE and Ellen being the name of Alice's Aunt, this looked likely, so I obtained the birth record which confirms that she was the child of "John Harris, Boiler Maker and Alice Harris, formerly Aldridge, of 39 Egleton Road, Bromley", bap. 31 Dec 1891 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. She did not survive and it looks likely she died 1896 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 364.
3. John Harris b. 25 Oct 1893 (1893 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 605) with his mother's maiden name listed as ELDRIDGE, bap. 30 Nov 1893 at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's
4. Mary Catherine Harris b. 7 Dec 1895 (1896 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 597) with her mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 22 Dec 1895 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's
5. Charles Harris b. 1898 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 581, with his mother's maiden name listed as HOCKLEY. (No baptism record found.) Died 1898 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 394
6. Charles Harris b. 15 Oct 1899 (1899 D Qtr POPLAR Vol 01C Page 569) mother's maiden name WILTON. bap. 26 Oct 1899 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. Died 1899 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 425
7. Albert George Harris b. 29 Sep 1901 (1901 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 578), mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 23 Oct 1901 at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's
8. Charles Douglas Harris b. 13 Jun 1903 (1903 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 575) with his mother's maiden name listed as WILTON, bap. 5 Jul 1903 at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's
9. Percy Harris b. 1905 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 579 with his mother's maiden name listed as ELDRIDGE. (No baptism record found.) Died 1905 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 349
10. Florence Hannah Harris b. 8 Apr 1912 (1912 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 972), mother's maiden name WILTON, bap. 28 Apr 1912 as Florence Anna Harris at St Mary's, Bromley St Leonard's. Died 1912 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 605

On the baptism for the 6th child, Charles Harris in 1899, John is listed as John Walter. It appears this is correct. It did seem that Charles was important and probably a family name, having used this for three sons, and this did also suggest this was indeed John's father's name. Hannah, used as the second name of the last child also seemed significant. Born John Walter Harris on 27 Apr 1868 (1868 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 499), bap. 25 Feb 1869 at St Anne's Limehouse, he was the son of Charles John Harris and Hannah Harriet Camp. There's no record of a Charles Harris, Blacksmith in the area, ever, but Charles John Harris, Mariner and Rigger, later became a Labourer and, if that was at an Iron Foundry (as were his son and grandson later), then this is just the sort of 'upgrade' that would be given him to make a marriage certificate appear more posh. There are also many similarities between the naming of John and Alice's children and of his siblings.

If we needed clues that this is indeed Alice Catherine Wilton, Elizabeth Wilton's daughter and Catherine Byatt's granddaughter, there are the names given to the first two girls. Using HOCKLEY on one of the birth registrations adds another, but the use of ELDRIDGE on some of the birth registrations is strange, but extremely useful in providing evidence of her connections. Alice's grandmother, Catherine Wilton (née Byatt), married a second time to John Eldred. However, in 1881, Catherine (living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar), had listed herself as Catherine Eldridge, and her two step-children, John Eldred's son and daughter from his previous marriages, also later used this 'usefully wrong' surname. There is no logical reason that I can think of for Alice to use this surname, unless, as the clues seem to be pointing, she was actually brought up by her grandmother. It's almost as if Alice is leaving us a trail of clues, although I can't possibly imagine she did so consciously.

Haven't been able to find them in 1891 and think they eluded the census.

In 1901, John Harris (30) General Labourer from Limehouse, Middlesex was living at 14, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar with Alice Harris (29ish), Elizabeth Harris (11), John Harris (7) and Mary Harris (5). On this census, Alice's birthplace is listed - curiously and wrongly - as Bromley, London.

In 1911, John Harriss (sic) (40) General Labourer at Iron Foundry from Limehouse was living (in 2 rooms) of 24 Norris Road, Bow, London, with Alice Harris (42) whose birthplace this time is listed as Rainham; Jack Harris [John Jnr] (17), Albert Harris (10), Charles Harris (8), Lizzie Harris (21) and Mary Harris (16). On this census they confirm that they had been married for 21 years and had 9 children of whom 5 were then still alive and 4 had died.

On 18 May 1920, Charles Douglas Harris, son of John Harris of 24 Norris Road, Bromley-by-Bow, London E3, enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps, the record saying he had previously served with the 5th Dragoon Guards. He was, however, discharged on 14 Jun 1920, "Having made a mis-statement as to age on enlistment." He'd said he was 18, when he was only 17. (So many had done this during WWI and the services weren't so fussy about it then.)

In 1921, weirdly listed as John Alfred Harris (52) Labourer from Limehouse, Middlesex, still living at 24, Norris Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Alice Harris (53) who had finally remembered that she was born in Dunmow, Essex; and Charles Harris (18) Labourer. Also listed on the transcript is Albert Harris (20) Seafarer, although on the original census schedule, there is a line through his name as in the r/h column of the listing, in brackets states (away at sea).

Albert George Harris (right) born 29 Sep 1901 in Bromley-by-Bow, had indeed joined the Merchant Navy in 1918. On 1 Apr 1919, he had joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, described then as being 5ft 5in, with light brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion and a 34½ in chest, from which he was demobbed on 8 Apr 1920. It appears Albert had joined the ship "Woodarra" at Victoria Docks, London on 4 Feb 1921.

Alice Harris died, aged 61, in 1931 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 479.

In 1939, John W Harris (b. 27 Apr 1868) Skilled Labourer (Pensioner), Widower, was living at 774 Old Ford Road, Bow, Tower Hamlets.

John Walter Harris died, aged 80, in 1949 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 05D Page 322. It is reported that he died on 10 Mar 1949 at St Andrew's Hospital (St Andrew's Hospital, Devons Rd, Bow).

Henry George Case and Amelia Elizabeth Baker

Disused railway bridge over Rotherhithe New Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Craven - geograph.org.uk/p/2426607

Henry George Case (b. 1851 on Alderney, Channel Islands) son of Henry Case and Elizabeth Symes married Amelia Elizabeth Baker (b. 1854), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, on 23 Dec 1877, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East. Henry's address was 23 Cowley Street and his profession was Stone Mason. Witnesses were Amelia's older brother Charles Richard Baker and Sophia Baker, her younger sister.

Henry and Amelia had seven children:

1. Henry Charles Case b. 1879 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 567
2. Elizabeth Amelia Case b. 1880 S Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 518
3. Frederick John Case b. 1882 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 561. Died in 1883 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 374
4. Frederick William Case b. 1885 J Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 878. Died in 1885 J Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 493
5. Ellen Rosina Case b. 1887 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 989
6. John Frederick Case b. 1889 S Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 1D Page 895. Died 1891 M Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 673
7. George Alfred Case b. 1891 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 959

In 1881, Henry George Case (30) Oil & colorman (shop) from Alderney, Guernsey, Channel Islands, was living at 107, Ernest Street, Mile End Old Town with Emelia Eliz (sic) (26), Henry C Case (2) and Elizabeth A Case (1), as well as Matilda Pearson (29) Sewing Machinist, Lodger.

In 1891, Henry George Case (39) Oil & General Stores, from Guernsey, Channel Islands was in Bramcote Road, Camberwell, Southwark with Amelia E Case (36), Henry C Case (12), Elizabeth A Case (10) and Ellen R Case (4).

In 1901, Henry George Case (50) General Shop Keeper from Alderney, Channel Islands, was living at 80 Bramcote Road, Camberwell with Amelia E Case (47), Henry C Case (22), Elizabeth A Case (22), Ellen R Case (14), George A Case (9) and Christopher F Barden (sic) (13) Visitor. (Christopher Frederick Burden, b. 1888, was son of Amelia's sister, Sophia.)

In 1911, Henry George Case (60) Painter and Paperhanger from Alderney, Channel Islands, was living at 331 Rotherhithe New Road, Bermondsey with Amelia Elizabeth Case (58), George Alfred Case (19) Engineering Clerk; Elizabeth Amelia Case (30), Ellen Rosina Case (24) both Shirt Machinists; Edward M Leslie Mead (21) Boarder and Peter Washington (78) Widower, Retired Ship's Carpenter from Guernsey, Channel Islands, Visitor.

In 1921, George Henry Case (70) Stone Mason retired, was living at 23, Balham Hill, Wandsworth with Amelia Elizabeth Case (68), Elizabeth Amelia Case (41) and Elsie Whitford (34) Dressmaker from Guernsey, Boarder.

Amelia Elizabeth Case died, at 69, in 1922 J Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 666.

Henry George Case of 13 Lynette Avenue, Clapham, died, aged 79, on 28 Feb 1930 (1930 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 581) and was buried on 6 Mar 1930 at Streatham Cemetery. Probate was granted on 1 Apr 1930 to his eldest son, Henry Charles Case, Law Stationer.

George Wilton and Susan Robinson

The 'Blind Beggar', Whitechapel Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dr Neil Clifton - geograph.org.uk/p/594557
If one must have a stereotypical image from Bethnal Green.

George Wilton (b. 3 Feb 1860) illegitimate son of Catherine Wilton (but who 'invented' a father, George Wilton, Carman, for the certificate), married Susan Robinson (b. 1860), who listed her father as William Robinson, Carpenter, at St Thomas, Bethnal Green, on 21 Dec 1884. (Undoubtedly, she'll have been the same Susan Robinson, Match Maker, born in Bromley, Middlesex, who had been a boarder in George's mother's household in Poplar, in 1881.) Witnesses were William Campling and Maria Campling, George's step-sister. 

George and Susan Wilton had three daughters:

1. Catherine Wilton b. 10 Dec 1886 (1887 M Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 632), bap. 20 Jan 1887 at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's
2. Elizabeth Wilton b. 1888 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 600
3. Margaret Wilton b. 21 Jul 1891 (1891 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 588), bap. 5 Dec 1909, at 18, at St Mark's, Battersea Rise

The birth registrations all have the mother's maiden name ROBINSON and both of the baptisms found list their parents as George and Susan Wilton.

In 1891, living at 6, Tibbatts Road, Bromley-by-Bow (Poplar) were George Wilton (29) Carman (as had been his mother's brother, his Uncle John Byatt), with his wife (wrongly) listed as Catherine Wilton (30) from Essex, with Elizabeth Wilton (4) and Catherine Wilton (2), whose ages have been transposed. Nevertheless, I have no doubt that this is the correct family, but with that many mistakes, I'm wondering if they'd been on the sauce.

George Wilton died at 30, in 1892 S Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 356. 

In 1901, all three girls, Catherine (14), Elizabeth (12) and Margaret (9), were listed as Inmates of Forest Gate District School, which functioned as an industrial school, orphanage or workhouse for children, in West Ham. 

There's a record of a Susan Wilton, birth year listed as 1865, from the parish of Bromley-By-Bow, being discharged from Poplar Workhouse at her own request on 24 Aug 1901. There is then an entry on the Register of Deaths in Poplar Workhouse of a Susan Wilton (37), again from Bromley, who died there on 15 Jul 1902 and was buried in the East London Cemetery. There's no corresponding civil record of the death at the GRO. Susan Wilton was not a common name at the time, so, sadly, I believe these records relate.

In 1911, Caroline Kathleen Wilton (24) from Bromley-by-Bow was a General Domestic Servant in Tooting Bec Gardens, Streatham. (Margaret Wilton married in Streatham, in 1919, which places the girls in that area and there are several instances, in various different parts of the tree, where Catherine and Caroline are used interchangeably, including that the girls' grandmother was listed as Caroline on their father's birth certificate); In 1921, again as Caroline Wilton (34) was a Domestic Servant at 68, Herne Hill, Lambeth; In 1939, Caroline Wilton, who gave her date of birth as 10 Dec 1887 - one year out - was a Housemaid at 75 Ashburnham Road, Southend-On-Sea. Catherine Wilton died, at 85, in Southend-on-Sea in 1971.

[So far] I've been unable to isolate further records for Elizabeth Wilton.

William Butterfield and Martha Dalton

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Mary & Holy Trinity, Bow Church, Wednesday, 1 May, 2013

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William Butterfield, Batchelor, married Martha Dalton (b. 2 Oct 1780 in White Horse Street, Stepney), Spinster, daughter of William Dalton and Sarah Travally, on 18 Dec 1800, according to (London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1940 at Ancestry) at All Saints, Poplar. There's just a small problem with that: All Saints wasn't even a parish until 1817 and All Saints Church, Poplar, wasn't built until 1821-3, so it was impossible for them to have married there. Pallot's Marriage Index, 1780-1837, has stamped the venue on their record as "T St My Stfdle Bow", which I interpreted as St. Mary, Stratford, Bow (Bow Church), where Martha's parents married. That they were married by A H Eccles, Rector (Allan Harrison Eccles who is listed as a Rector of Bow Church and died in post in 1801), would confirm it. Both were of the parish at the time, but I've not [yet] been able to confirm anything about William Butterfield's origins. Witnesses to the marriage were Samuel Wardall, Sarah Dalton (Martha's mother or sister) and Ann Wardall.

William and Martha, it appears, had two daughters:

1. Sarah Ann Butterfield b. 6 Jan 1804, bap. 5 Feb 1804. Sarah Ann Butterfield, daughter of William & Martha died on 24 Jan 1808.
2. Eliza Butterfield b. 4 Nov 1805, bap. 24 Nov 1805

Both girls were baptised at Gravel Lane, Old, (Independent) - Old Gravel Lane Independent Chapel, Wapping, Middlesex, a Congregational church. These baptisms list the family's address simply as St George in the East.

Eliza Butterfield b. 4 Nov 1805, was baptised again on 10 Feb 1819 at the Anglican church of St George in the East. This baptism lists her address as Old Gravel Lane and her father's occupation as a Tailor. Eliza will then have been 14. Occasionally, one sees a baptism just prior to marriage and clearly this will not have been the case here. The reasons are not yet clear, but I wonder if Eliza was baptised prior to Confirmation in this church. (Her grandmother's Will was proven in 1818, so this might have been a factor too.)

Old Gravel Lane in Wapping, was a historic street, originally a route for hauling sand and gravel from the river, later becoming Wapping Lane, it ran south from the Ratcliff Highway towards the river (see 1750 map).

William Butterfield was presumably alive and certainly trusted as one of the executors of Sarah Dalton's Will, which was drawn up in 1813, but so far, I've been unable to find any further verifiable records for this family.

William Campling and Thomasine Maria Eldred

Wennington Green, Bow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Gillett - geograph.org.uk/p/4580083

William Campling (b. ~1855), son of John Campling and Elizabeth Brown, married Thomasine Maria Eldred (b. 24 Jul 1857 in St George in the East), daughter of John Eldred and Elizabeth Pitts, at St Thomas's Church, West Ham, the now lost church in Rokeby Street, on 8 Dec 1878. (The transcript lists her as Thomas Ziner M Eldred, but I'm figuring this was not the family's first same-sex marriage!) Witnesses were John James Fairbairn and Flora Fairbairn (née Campling, William's sister, who married in the same quarter of 1878). Thomazine was the half-sister of Alfred Eldred, step-daughter of Catherine Byatt and thus, also step-sister of Elizabeth Wilton.

William and Thomasine Maria Campling had six children:

1. Florence Catherine Campling b. 19 Dec 1879, reg. 1880 M Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 226
2. John William Campling b. 1882 J Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 575. Died, aged 1 in 1883 J Qtr in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 143
3. John William Campling b. 3 May 1884 in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C 234
4. Frederick Henry Campling b. 24 Dec 1886, reg 1887 M Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B 377
5. Sidney Edwin Campling b. 1888 S Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B 344. Died 1889 M Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B 241
6. Sidney Edwin Campling b. 1890 M Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B 382

All the birth registrations have the mother's maiden name as ELDRIDGE, but this has been used before by her half-brother, on the registration of his first daughter and it's the surname their step-mother was listed under in 1881.

In 1881, William Campling (26) Pianoforte porter from Bethnal Green, was living at 4, Wennington Road, Bethnal Green. Thomasine Marie was unaccountably listed as Anne (24), with Florence Campling (1).

In 1891, William Camplin (sic) (36) Piano forte maker (??) was living in Carmarthen Street, Islington with Marie Camplin (32), Florence Camplin (11), John Camplin (6), Frederick Camplin (4) and Sydney Camplin (1).

In 1901, the census lists Thomas (sic) Campling (44) Labourer Starch Works born in Bromley, London in Queen's Road, Plaistow, West Ham with Mary (sic) Campling (43) born in Old Ford, London; Florence Campling (21) Box Maker born in Roman Road, London and Frederick Campling (14) Grocer's Boy born in Islington. Even with so many errors, I'm certain this is the correct family. John Campling (16) Cart Porter born in Old Ford, London, was a Boarder in Forest Gate. While Sidney Campling (11) was an Inmate in a school in Horton Kirby - Home for Little Boys, Farningham, Kent.

Thomasine Maria Campling died at 50, in 1908 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 91. Well, once more the record has mangled her name to Frances Ziner Maria Campling, but there can be no doubt this is her.

In 1911, Florence Campling (31) Card Board Box Maker, was living in South East Ham, West Ham with her youngest brother, Sidney Campling (21) Apprentice Linotype Operator and Thomas Steggles (54) Boarder. Both John William Campling and Frederick Henry Campling had emigrated to the United States. I haven't located William Campling in 1911, nor his death.

1. Florence Catherine Campling (34) emigrated to the United States, sailing from Liverpool on the RMS Franconia (1910) on 28 April 1914, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts. Florence Campling died on 1 Nov 1918 from Sarcoma of the Liver (Cancer). She was 38. She never married. She was buried, on 3 Nov 1918 in Sutton, Caledonia, Vermont, the permit for her burial having been issued to her brother John.
2. John William Campling married Edith Florence Sobey Milford (b. 1881 in Crediton, Devon), daughter of William Milford and Edith Mary Sobey, but I cannot find where or when their marriage took place. John and Edith had 3 daughters: Florence Maria b. 1910, Edith Frances b. 1912 and Marion Hazel b. 1914. Edith Milford Campling died on 31 Oct 1914 from Valvular Disease of the Heart. She was buried on 2 Nov 1914, in Sutton, Vermont. The 1950 Census shows that John was a Farmer. John W Campling died, on 15 Jun 1970, in West Burke, Vermont.
3. Frederick Henry Campling entered the US via Canada. He married Joan Fraser (b. 1872 in England) on 12 Jan 1914 in Sault Ste. Marie, Chippewa, Michigan. Joan Campling died in 1924 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit. Frederick remarried in Delaware, Indiana, on 19 Apr 1925, to Lenora Shuck (b. 21 Feb 1898 in Jennings County, Indiana, USA.) Lenora Campling died on 10 Dec 1926 and is also buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit. Frederick then remarried for a 3rd time to Chesba Lucille Wheatley, on 27 Jul 1927, in Gibson, Indiana, with whom he had at least four daughters. Frederick Henry Campling died, at 70, on 16 Feb 1957 and is buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana, USA. Chesba Campling died on 16 Feb 1981 and is also buried at Memorial Park Cemetery, Vincennes.
4. Sidney Edwin Campling married Beatrice Fell in the 1st quarter of 1915, in West Ham. In 1916, Sidney Edwin Camplin (sic) (26) enlisted for Military Service in the London Yeomanry. The couple don't appear to have any children. Sidney Edwin Campling died on 22 Jul 1941, in Ilford, Essex. Beatrice Campling remarried, in 1950, to Arthur Leonard Hemming. Beatrice Hemming died, in Romford, in 1960.

Captain William Layman RN and Elizabeth Perry

Photo © Nigel Brown (cc-by-sa/2.0)

HMS Victory, June 1987

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

William Layman (b. ~1765), then of the Parish of St George the Martyr, Southwark, Bachelor, married Elizabeth Perry (b. 15 Jan 1772, bap. 16 Jan 1772 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), of this Parish, Spinster, eldest surviving daughter of John Perry and Elizabeth Brown, by Licence, at St Dunstan's, Stepney on 8 Dec 1798. Witnesses were her father, John Perry, and her brother, Thomas Perry. (Elizabeth's father was John Perry, Shipbuilder of the Blackwall Yard, who built ships largely for the East India Company.)

William Layman by
Sir Thomas Lawrence

Confirming the above, in 1798, 1799 and 1800, the Surrey, England, Land Tax Records, 1780-1832, show that William Layman was paying ground rent to Countess Dowager Gower and Co, for a property in Rotherhithe (now within the London Borough of Southwark), an area known for its rich maritime history.

It would seem that the couple had at least one daughter, Mary Ann Layman, born around 1800. A reputed date of birth of 28 May 1801 has been suggested, but no primary source has been offered (nor found) to confirm this. Her burial record shows that she was buried on 13 June 1814, at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church), listed as Mary Ann Laman (sic) from Brompton (Chelsea), aged 14. 

Layman was a protégé of Lord Nelson, with whom he served in three ships. It's said that Layman entered the navy in 1782 on board the Portland [HMS Portland (1770)], served for four years (1782–6) in the Myrmidon, and a year and a half (1786–8) in the Amphion [HMS Amphion (1780)] in the West Indies. "In the end of 1796 he was for a few months in the Isis [HMS Isis (1774)] in the North Sea." (To have sight of the original ships' musters, etc., to confirm these, would require a visit to The National Archives.)

"He seems then to have gone into the merchant service, and was especially employed in the East India and China trade." This is confirmed in the UK, Registers of Employees of the East India Company and the India Office, 1746-1939, wherein, in 1797-1799, William Layman, Residence India, is named as the Commander of the ship Britannia [British Merchant merchantman 'Britannia' (1794)], which although privately owned made voyages for the East India Company. Layman appears to have made one voyage for the EIC as commander of this Britannia, from China in 1796, reaching The Downs (off the east Kent coast) on 9 Feb 1797.

In 1800, William Layman returned to the navy under the patronage of Lord St. Vincent. "He passed his examination on 5 June 1800, when, according to his certificate, which agrees with other indications, he was thirty-two years of age." [Source] [1] (Unfortunately, I haven't seen the certificate, which again would require a visit to The National Archives.) He served for a few weeks in the Royal George [HMS Royal George (1788)], St. Vincent's flagship, in the blockade of Brest, and was promoted to be lieutenant of the Formidable [HMS Formidable (1777)] with Captain Thornbrough (Admiral Sir Edward Thornbrough) on 12 Sept. In December, at Lord Nelson's wish, he was appointed to the San Josef [HMS San Josef], and in February 1801 to the St. George [HMS St George (1785)]. "Nelson took up the cause of William Layman, who had been with him as a Lt. at Copenhagen" Battle of Copenhagen (1801) [Source]. In the battle of Copenhagen Layman was lent to the Isis, in command of a party of men sent from the St. George. 

On the recommencement of hostilities, Lord Nelson nominated Mr. Layman to be lieutenant of the Victory - position he held between 4 April 1803 and 16 October 1803, dates which are confirmed in the Ship's Muster Record for Victory, but as an officer, it reads "Per Commission" in the column where, for other ranks, it would list their place of birth - in which ship he sailed with his Lordship for the Mediterranean in May, 1804. In the way out, the Victory retook the Ambuscade frigate, of which Mr. Layman was sent in charge; and on the passage to Gibraltar, captured a French ship and Dutch vessel.

Soon after, re-joining Lord Nelson off Toulon, he [Layman] was appointed, in October, by his Lordship, to the command of the Weazle [HMS Weazel (1799)]; in which vessel Captain Layman was immediately despatched to watch the enemy's cruisers, and protect the trade of the Straits, as well as keep open the conveyance of provisions from the coast of Barbary for the supply of the garrison of Gibraltar. In February, 1805, Lord Nelson wrote to Captain Layman, signifying his high approbation of the manner in which the service of the Gut had been executed, and hoping soon to be able to give him a better ship; but this commendation Captain Layman did not receive till after the Weazle had been unfortunately wrecked. [Source] (Weazle was wrecked on 1 March 1804 off Cabritta Point near Gibraltar with the loss of one man of her crew of 70.) [The service of the Gut of Gibraltar refers primarily to the pivotal naval engagements, particularly the First and Second Battles of Algeciras (July 1801) during the French Revolutionary Wars, where the Royal Navy used the strategic narrow strait to challenge French and Spanish fleets attempting to reinforce Egypt. It also signifies the ongoing strategic role of Gibraltar as a Royal Navy base, controlling the gateway between the Atlantic and Mediterranean for centuries, with regular naval patrols and operations ensuring shipping safety.]

Mainly in consequence of the representations of the merchants of Gibraltar, warmly backed up by Nelson, Layman was nevertheless promoted to the rank of commander on 8 May 1804, and appointed a few months later to the Raven sloop, British sloop 'Raven' (1804), in which he sailed on 21 Jan 1805, with despatches for Sir John Orde and Nelson. On the evening of the 28th he arrived at Orde's rendezvous off Cadiz, and, not seeing the squadron, lay to for the night, during which the ship was allowed to drift inside the Spanish squadron in the outer road of Cadiz. Layman's position thus became almost hopeless, and the next morning in trying to escape the ship was driven ashore near Fort Sta. Catalina. HMS Raven was wrecked in Cadiz Bay, on 30 Jan 1805. Raven was built at his father-in-law's yard (John Perry retired in 1803, a year before HMS Raven was ordered). The circumstances and details of the Court Martial, on 9 Mar 1805, are already covered at the Wikipedia pages for William Layman and HMS Raven and in the Royal Naval Biography of Layman, William compiled by John Marshall, so I won't repeat all of it, except to note that the court-martial minutes include a note by an Admiralty official that said, "Their Lordships are of the opinion that Captain Layman is not a fit person to be entrusted with the command of one of H.M.'s ships."

Would Layman have been at Trafalgar in the October, had he not been Court Martialled in the March? And if he had, would he have survived that battle? Is it probable that if Nelson had lived, he would have continued to defend his protégé and gained him further employment? We will never know.

It seems incongruous that one moment, Nelson is strongly commending an officer who appears to be highly competent, but who then, in the next moment, is shown to have acted with a lack of caution. Despite promoting him, Nelson too seems to have been of the opinion that Layman let his mouth run away with him and Nelson is even reported to have said that the worst thing that happened to Layman was that he learned to write. There was a huge volume of correspondence (longwinded and flowery, which may have simply been the style of the period) from Layman leading up to the commissioning of the Raven, then there were the constant 'ideas' he would send to the Admiralty after his Court Martial. If we add in the circumstances of his demise, I have to say (and I would stress that I'm no expert), but what I'm reading sounds like someone who today we would say was bipolar.

Among his copious output of writings was "the syllabus of a contemplated maritime history from the earliest times (including the building, plans and navigation of the ark, with notes on the weather experienced) to the termination of the second American War." And in his biography, is written: "Perhaps the syllabus may be considered as indicating even then an aberration of the intellect which caused him to 'terminate his existence' in 1826."

On 4 July 1810, William Layman was writing (to the Admiralty, with one of his 'ideas') from Haywood House (sic) near Cobham, Surrey (Heywood House - ACS International School Cobham). There is very little history of the house and nothing to indicate why Layman was there, although a Thomas Baker (1793–1871) was linked to Cobham with East India connections. Baker, became a captain of East India Company ships trading with India and China in the 1820s. He and his wife inherited the house called Owletts in Cobham in 1835. Baker doesn't seem to have any direct link to Heywood House, but he surely was the same Thomas Baker, Carpenter on HMS Raven.

On 22 Jan 1811, Layman wrote (regarding the loss of HMS Raven), from 9 Queens Buildings, Brompton (Chelsea). The location "9 Queens Buildings, Brompton" appears to refer to a historical address, as the entire road frontage known as "Queen's Buildings" was renumbered and renamed to Brompton Road, London SW3 (Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) in 1864. 

Captain William Layman's house at
34 Hans Place, centre of picture.

From 1816 onwards, London, England, Land Tax Records, 1692-1932, show Captain William Layman paying ground rent to The Lords of the Manor in St Luke, Chelsea, Kensington and Chelsea, first as Sloane Street, then as 34, Hans Place (Hans Place is a garden square in the Knightsbridge district). It would be hard to find anywhere more 'fashionable'. Interestingly, 34 Hans Place is one of only a couple of houses of original construction left there (the six bed, six bath, Georgian townhouse last sold for £13,300,000 in 2023). Jane Austen's brother had lived at 23, Hans Place and the author had stayed there with him in 1814-15, while writing Emma. The Austens and the Laymans may have missed each other by a year, but as number 23 is one of the houses that was subsequently rebuilt, it is (unknowingly) William Layman's house that is used to show what Henry Austen's house would then have looked like.

The Times (May 27th 1826 page 3 column D) report of the coroner's inquest, held at The Swann Inn, Cheltenham, on 25 May 1826, into William Layman's death is reproduced in this thread (from 2006) at the forum, Admiral Lord Nelson & his Navy. That newspaper report details that Layman had killed himself on the previous Tuesday, which was 23 May 1826. He had been found in the bath, with his throat cut. Apparently, he had "undressed himself and had hung up his clothes in the greatest order." It confirms Layman's town residence as No.34 Hans Place, Sloane Street and that he had taken up residence at Woodland Cottage. The deceased is described as "about sixty years of age, a married man, without family." It seems he exhibited many strange behaviours in the lead up to his death. Not unsurprisingly, the Jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of "Insanity". 

Captain William Layman RN (the full title listed on the burial record), with abode listed as Cheltenham, was buried at Leckhampton (described as "a desirable, leafy suburb south of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire"), presumably at St Peter's Church, on 29 May 1826, with his burial, curiously, officiated by John Portis, Rector of Little Leighs, Essex. It was fortunate that he was not declared a Felo de se and given a "shameful burial" (at night with no clergy and no mourners), so I suspect that his and particularly his widow's social status had some bearing. His age at death was given as 61, which sounds like someone knew, rather than a guessed rounding to 60. 

[1] It is immensely frustrating that none of the records I can access, and I'm not convinced that the ones at the National Archives at Kew would yield anything more, do not give any clues to Layman's origins. It was said that he is listed as having been 32 years old in 1800, which would calculate to a birth year of 1768, and that 'other indications' agree. Those other indications, I assume are other parts of his naval record. Here's what I think: the age on that 1800 certificate is most likely calculated from the age he said he was when he joined his first ship in 1782. If he had been born in 1768, that would have made him 14 then. In the 1870's, "Boys for the Navy must be over 15 and not above 16½ years of age ..." Prior to that, I know boys could join earlier, because I have a 2x great-grandfather who went to sea at 10, but maybe the upper limit existed earlier. If Layman was born in 1765, the birth year that calculates from his age at death, he would have been 17 in 1782, probably already too old to be taken on for training. He would be far from the first, nor the last, to massage his age to what he needed it be, so I'm more apt to believe that he will have lied about his age to the Navy. IF he was indeed born in 1765, there's a potential baptism of a William Layman, son of John Layman and Joan Salter, in Plymtree, Devon on 9 Apr 1765, but I would caution that I cannot see a way to definitively prove or disprove that being relevant.

What we do know is that William Layman must have had some education to be able to read and write. Otherwise, he could have come from 'nowhere' and achieve this career in the Navy. I'm less likely to believe that John Perry would be happy to allow his eldest daughter to marry someone who did not come from some sort of a decent background, but what that was, if it was more than just his naval connections, we shall probably never know.

William Layman's Will, written on 24 April 1817, is short and to the point, it reads, "I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Elizabeth Layman the lease of my house at 34 Hans Place together with the furniture and all the other effects therein at the time of my [decease] and also all other [of] my personal property whatsoever in [unreadable] she shall survive me and I make my said wife Executrix of this my Will and Testament ..." It was proved at London on 23 Jun 1826 by the Oath of Elizabeth Layman Widow and Relict the sole executrix to whom administration was granted.

Elizabeth Layman, 64, abode Chelsea, reputedly died at 34 Hans Place, on 14 Jan 1837 - which was the day before her 65th birthday - she was buried on 20 Jan 1837, at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church), where her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were also buried.

There was never any doubt that this was Elizabeth Perry, daughter of John Perry, but this transcription of Elizabeth's will (as best I can, because a few words are indistinct), leaves absolutely no doubt as to who she was: 

"This is the last Will and Testament of me Elizabeth Layman of Hans Place in Middlesex Widow. I give the sum of eight thousand pounds that per Cout Consolidated Bank Annuities [2] bequeathed to me by the Will of my late Brother Philip or the Storks Funds and Securities on which the same are now or at the time of my [death/demise] may be invested unto my Sister Charlotte Bonney and Louisa Perry in equal shares and whereas under the Will of my late Brother John Perry I have a power of disposition after my [decease] by any writing under my hand over the sum of six thousand pounds Sterling or are the Storks Funds and Securities upon which the same may be invested. [Unreadable] of such power and in exercise thereof I do by the writing under my hand appoint the said sum of six thousand pounds or the said last mentioned Stork Funds and Securities after my decease unto between and amongst all and every [...] the children of my late Brother Thomas Perry who may be living at the time of my decease and in equal shares and whereas under a Deed of Covenant dated the fifth day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and made between my late father John Perry of the one part and my late husband William Layman and myself of the other part I have a power of appointment by my last Will and Testament duly executed over our ???? of a sum of four thousand pounds Sterling (which said four thousand pounds now invested in the sum of eight thousand five hundred and ninety pounds seventeen shillings and eight pence there by Cout Consolidated Bank Annuities in favour of such of my brothers and sisters as shall be living at my decease. Now by virtue of last mentioned power and in exercise thereof I do by this my last Will and Testament duly executed by me ????? Direct and appoint the said ???? Of the said sum of four thousand pounds or the Storks Funds and Securities whereon the same is now invested unto and to be equally divided amongst my four brothers and sisters George, Mary Ann, Charles and Amelia in equal shares and as to my house in Hans Place in which I now dwell and all other of my Real and Personal Estate whatsoever and wherever and all other Real or Personal Estate over which I may have any power of disposition I give and bequeath and appoint the same subject to the payment of my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses unto my brother Richard Perry executor of this my Will and hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made …. Etc. The Will was proved at London on 30 Jan 1837 by the oath of Richard Perry Esquire the Brother … (Note that Elizabeth makes no distinction between her full and half siblings.)

By my calculations Elizabeth was leaving funds worth at least £18,000 (about £2.5M today), plus the leasehold property in Hans Place, plus whatever else we don't even have a number for. A very considerable fortune.

[2] I assume Cout means Coutts & Company. Consolidated Bank Annuities, or "Consols," were perpetual British government bonds issued by the Bank of England starting in 1751, consolidating various debts into one perpetual stock with a fixed interest rate (initially 3%) and no maturity date, providing a reliable, if varying in value, income stream until the UK government redeemed the last outstanding consols in 2015, though the concept historically symbolized national debt management.