Henry James Goss and Ann Wenman (née Costin)

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Holy Trinity, Morgan Street, Bow (now The HAC Bow)
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Henry James Goss (b. 25 Aug 1832, bap. 16 Sep 1832 All Saints, Poplar) Bachelor, Ship's Caulker, son of Richard John Goss, Ship's Caulker (Richard John Goss and Martha Ayres), married Ann Wenman, Widow, daughter of William Costin, Shipwright and Anne Merchant, on 7 May 1855 at Holy Trinity, Mile End Old Town (Holy Trinity Church, Morgan Street, Tredegar Square, Bow). Witnesses were Mark Jones and Sarah Davidson.

Ann Costin (b. ~1830) had previously married Peter Edward Wenman, widower, Shipwright, at St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham, Kent on 12 Jun 1853. And Peter Edward Wenman had previously married Anne Johnson, in Minster in Sheppey, Kent on 23 May 1847, with whom he had one son:

1. Peter John Wenman b. 19 Mar 1849 (1849 M Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 05 Page 519), mother's maiden name JOHNSON

Ann Wenman (née Johnson) died aged 25 in 1852 M Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 348.

Then Peter Edward Wenman died, aged 25, on 15 Jul 1853 (1853 S Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 318) and was buried on 19 Jul 1853 in Minster in Sheppey, just a month after his second marriage.

But not before the conception of his posthumous child:

2. Peter Edward Wenman b. 1854 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 552, mother's maiden name COSTIN. (Found no record after 1861)

Henry James Goss and Ann Costin then added a daughter:

3. Anne Goss b. 1856 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 555, mother's maiden name COSTIN. (Found no further records.)

Henry and Ann Goss were married for little more than a year, because he died, aged 24, in 1856 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 27.

In 1861, Ann Goss (31) Widow was living in the household of her father, William Costin (75) Widower, Shipwright, in Bromley[-by-Bow], Poplar and Peter [Edward] Wenman (8) Scholar, listed as William's grandson.

Ann's father, William Costin, died aged 78 in 1865 J Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 426, which may have precipitated the next event, as Ann Goss (31ish) daughter of William Costin, Shipwright, married a third time to Thomas Lewis (30) Batchelor, Bootmaker, son of William Lewis, Tool Maker, at St Michael and All Angels, Bromley-by-Bow on 19 Nov 1865.

There appears to be no record of his birth nor a baptism, but in 1841 a Thomas Lewis (4) was living with William Lewis (50) with several siblings including Caroline (2), among an enormous list of inhabitants of Pitts Place, St Giles in the Fields. St Giles in the Fields became known as the place where the Great Plague of 1665 originated, causing great mortality and leading to plague pits filling the churchyard. This doesn't sound like a very appealing place to live. Mind you, in 1851, Thomas Lewis (14) Pauper, from St Giles, was an inmate of the Union Workhouse in St Giles in the Fields.

Thomas and Ann Lewis then had two daughters:

4. Caroline Annett Lewis b. 1867 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 639, mother's maiden name wrongly, but usefully, GOSS.
5. Elizabeth Louisa Lewis b. 1870 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 501, with her mother's maiden name listed as COSTIER (closeish).

In 1871, living in Samuel Street, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney, were Thomas Lewis (34) Labourer at Works from St Giles, Middlesex; Ann Lewis (37); Caroline Lewis (4) and Elizabeth Lewis (10mts).

Meanwhile, also in 1871, in Rose Street, Minster, Sheppey, were Thomas Costin (claiming to be 50) Green Grocer from Sheerness; with Mary Costin (40); Caroline Costin (14), Alfred Costin (12) and William Costin (5).

Thomas Gaving Costin b. 8 Nov 1813, bap. 6 Feb 1814 in Sheerness, records show, was also the son of William Costin and Ann Merchant (who had married in Minster in Sheppey on 16 Jun 1810). Thomas Costin and Ann Lewis late Goss formerly Wenman (née Costin), therefore, were brother and sister.

Thomas Costin son of William Costin, had married Mary Ann Taylor in Minster in Sheppey, Kent on 4 Jun 1852. Thomas and Mary Ann had six children:

1. Thomas Gaven Costin b. 1853 J Quarter in THE SHEPPEY UNION Volume 02A Page 513, bap. 27 Apr 1853 at Holy Trinity, Sheerness. Died at 18 and was buried in Sheppey Cemetery on 26 Mar 1871
2. Caroline Costin b. 1856 S Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 534
3. Alfred William Costin b. 1858 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 584. Died, aged 16, in 1875 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 580 and was buried in Sheppey Cemetery on 28 Feb 1875
4. William John Costin b. 1860 S Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 573. Died, aged 3, and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 20 Sep 1863
5. Mary Ann Costin b. 1863 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 665. Died, aged 4, in 1868  M Quarter in SHEPPEY  Volume 02A  Page 450 and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 9 Feb 1868
6. William Costin b. 1866 J Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 682

Thomas Costyn (sic) died at 59 in 1872 S Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 438.

There is a death of an Annie Lewis, aged 42, in 1873 M Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 49, which I'm certain relates.

Because then, Thomas Lewis married his late wife's brother's widow Mary Ann Costin in Medway, Kent in 1876. Convoluted enough? (Actually, this nearly tripped me up, because Ann Lewis late Goss formerly Wenman (née Costin) and Mary Ann Lewis formerly Costin (née Taylor) were the same age, with the same birthplace. And with no birth or baptism record for Ann, one could almost be forgiven for assuming that Mary Ann earlier called herself Ann and later used Mary and that they were one person. This highlights the need to check all of the members of a household for clues. Only researching Mary's children and working backwards unpicked this immense puzzle.)

In 1881, Thomas Lewis (46) Greengrocer from Middlesex, London was living in Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey with Mary Lewis (50); Elizabeth Lewis (11) from Poplar; William Coston (sic) (15) Green Grocer's Assistant listed as Son and William Newman (17) Servant. Caroline Lewis (14) was working as a General Servant for Peter May in Trinity Road, Minster in Sheppey.

The Sheerness Guardian and East Kent Advertiser of 22 Dec 1888 reported that: "Henry Brend, of Alma Street, Marine Town, was summoned for unlawfully assaulting and beating Thomas Lewis, on dec 12th. The defendant pleaded Not Guilty. The complainant deposed that he was a greengrocer, and resided at Alma Road, Marine Town. About 11:30 on Wednesday night, the 12th inst., he was asleep in bed, when his daughter came and awoke him. She stated that she heard a noise at the front door, and he came down to ascertain the cause. His wife was standing at the door and he saw Brend standing there; but before he had time to ask what he wanted, Brend gave him a heavy blow on the left cheek. Witness closed the door and returned to his room to finish dressing, after which he went in search of a policeman, because he thought that would be the best course to adopt. He met PC Skinner coming towards his house, and just before his arrival, defendant ran away. The constable pursued him, but could not overtake him. Defendant: I did not hit him; I only shook him. His Worship: Shaking him is an assault. Mr Lewis said he did not wish to deal harshly with the defendant on account of his youth; but he would leave the matter in His Worship's superior judgement in the hope it would act as a warning to him. By his Worship: My son is a cab driver, and my wife was sitting up for him. She is so unwell that she can't attend here today. Replying to his Worship, Sergt Highwood said the constable did not see the defendant. William Costin, the complainant's son-in-law [step-son], said that between 11:30 and 12 p.m. He was taking the cushions from his cab to the shop, when defendant came along Alma Road and struck him. He had just passed a policeman and thought it prudent to go for him after the assault was committed. Defendant struck Mr Lewis in his absense. By his Worship: The defendant was formerly in my employ, and I have not spoken to him since he left me. He brought an action against me in the County Court for wages, and it was heard at the November court. The Judge gave a verdict in my favour. Mr Lewis: I saw the corporal on the night of the assault and showed him a mark on my cheek. PC Spencer Clarke, in answer to his Worship, said he saw a slight mark on the cheek, apparently caused by a blow. He saw it shortly after midnight. His Worship said it was clear that the defendant committed the assault out of spite on account of the proceedings at the County Court. He would have to pay a fine of £1 and 10s costs, or to go to prison for 14 days' hard labour. The money was paid."

In 1891, Thomas Lewis (56) Bootmaker (his original trade) was living at 12, Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey with Mary Lewis (60); William Costin (24) Cab Driver from Sheerness, Kent, Wife's Son; Amy H Symond (sic) (14) Grandchild born in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Henrietta Amy Simmonds was the daughter of Charles James Simmonds and Caroline Costin); and William J Pointing (15) Servant General help to cab driver. Elizabeth Lewis (18 - she was 21) from Poplar, London, was General domestic servant to George Watson, Shipwright, next door at 14, Alma Road, Minster in Sheppey.

Mary Ann Lewis formerly Costin (née Taylor) died on 12 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 557), and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 18 Jan 1897. The notice in the press read "LEWIS Jan 12, at 12 Alma Road, Sheerness, Mary Ann, wife of Thomas Lewis, aged 67 years."

Thomas Lewis was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 24 Apr 1916.

Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey

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

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

Edward and Hannah had three children:

1. Elizabeth Tubb b. 1850 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 173, bap. 29 Dec 1850 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
2. Susan Alice Tubb b. 23 Jul 1852 Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 334, bap. 7 Oct 1855 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
3. Edward Tubb b. 1860 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 575, died, aged 2 in 1863 M Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A Page 461, buried on 28 Mar 1863 at Sheppey Cemetery.

In 1851, Edward Tubb (23) Shipwright, was a visitor in the household of Jane Watsworth (40), Seaman's Wife in Nelson Street, Portsea, while Hannah Tubb (21) and their daughter, Elizabeth Tubb (0) were in the household of Hannah's widowed mother, Elizabeth Bussey (56).

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

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

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

Edward and Sarah added another three children:

4. Herbert Joy Tubb b. 8 Oct 1865 D Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 716
5. Harriet Mary Tubb b. 21 May 1867 J Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 752
6. Grace Hannah Tubb b. 9 Aug 1871 S Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 754

In 1871, living at 5 Rock Cottages, Minster, Sheppey, were Edward Tubb (43) Shipwright, Sarah E Tubb (42), H J Tubb (Herbert Joy) (5), HM Tubb (Harriet Mary) (3) and Harriet Curtis (13) Boarder. I've been unable to find either Elizabeth or Susan, who at 20 & 19, were presumably out working.

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

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

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

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

Frederick John Jago and Emily Louisa Hawkins

Sheppey - Minster Abbey church from the east
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rob Farrow - geograph.org.uk/p/7395731
The Abbey of St Mary and St Sexburga, Minster-in-Sheppey

Charles Ridler (bap. 17 Jul 1864 in Luxborough, Somerset), son of William Ridler and Fanny Howe, married Emily Louisa Hawkins (b. 22 May 1869 in Notting Hill, London), daughter of Henry Hawkins and Sarah Ann Tooze, in Strood, Kent in 1890, with whom she had three children:

1. Eva Ridler b. 1 Mar 1892 J Qtr in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 591
2. May Ridler b. 20 May 1893 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 616
3. Arthur Ridler b. 16 Oct 1898 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 644

In 1891, Charles Ridler (26) Constable of Metropolitan Police from Somersetshire, was at the Police House at H M Dockyard, Sheerness, while Emily L Ridler (21) was still living at her parents' home in Sheerness.

In 1901, Charles Ridler (36) Constable Metropolitan Police from Somerset was living in Police Quarters, 12, Chattenden Lane, Frindsbury, Kent, with Emily Ridler (31), Eva Ridler (9), May Ridler (7) and Arthur Ridler (2).

However, Charles Ridler died, at 42, 1n 1907 J Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 369 and was buried at Sheppey Cemetery on 13 Apr 1907.

Frederick John Jago (27) Bachelor, Engine Fitter, son of John Edwin Jago and Harriett Eliza Philpott, then married Emily Louisa Ridler (40) Widow, at The Abbey Church of St Mary and St Sexburga (Seaxburh of Ely), now the parish church of Minster-in-Sheppey, on 23 Oct 1909. Witnesses were Arthur Hawkins, the bride's younger brother and Eva Ridler, her daughter.

Frederick John and Emily Louisa Jago added a daughter:

1. Doris Jago b. 16 Nov 1910 D Qtr in SHEPPEY Vol 02A Page 945

In 1911, at 4 Delamark Road, Sheerness, Kent, were Frederick John Jago (29) Engine Fitter, Emily Louisa Jago (41), Doris Jago (4 months), Eva Ridler (19) General Servant: May Ridler (17) Housemaid and Arthur Ridler (12).

In 1921, living at 2, Delamark Road, Sheerness, were Frederick John Jago (39) Engine Fitter at HM Dockyard Sheerness; Emily Louisa Jago (52), Doris Jago (10), William Henry Hawkins (50) Skilled Labourer at HM Dockyard Sheerness (Emily's brother); Eva Ridler (29) and Joan Ridler (4) (Born 1916 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 1289, she appears to be Eva Ridler's illegitimate daughter); and two boarders Daniel Ernest Winterflood Crosby (39) Shipwright at HM Dockyard Sheerness and Mabel Alice Crosby (37), as both are listed as married, one images they're husband and wife. Harold Wright (35) Marine Engineer for the Admiralty; May Wright (28) and Alan Wright (1) were living next door at 4, Delamark Road, Sheerness.

In 1939, still living at 2 Delamark Road, Sheerness, were Frederick John Jago (b. 2 May 1882) Engine Fitter; Emily Louisa Jago, Eva Ridler, Arthur Ridler, Boilermaker; and Joan Ridler, Waitress and Shop Assistant. And, still living next door at 4 Delamark Road, Sheerness were Harold J Wright, Marine Engineer Admiralty Fleet Fuelling; May Wright and Alan Wright.

Frederick John Jago died, on 29 Oct 1956 (1956 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 05B Page 650).

Emily Louisa Jago, died in Sheppey, Kent, on 26 Sep 1958.

• Eva Ridler died in 1981, having never married.
• May Ridler (23) had married Harold James Wright (30) on 1 Jun 1916 at Minster in Sheppey, Ss Mary & Sexburga. They had two sons, Leslie Wright b. Q4 1917, who died the same quarter and Alan Wright b. 15 Jul 1919, bap. 31 Jul 1919 at Holy Trinity, Sheerness. Harold James Wright died, in Sheerness in 1967; May Wright died in 1984 and Alan Wright appears to have died in 2019.
• Arthur Ridler, who served in the Merchant Navy, does not appear to have married. He died, in Kent, in 1976.
• Doris Jago died in 1987, in Sheppey, also unmarried.

Henry Hawkins and Sarah Ann Tooze

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

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

Henry and "Jessie" had three children:

1. Emily Louisa Hawkins b. 1869 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 132
2. William Hawkins b. 4 Jun 1872 in Detroit, Michigan, Unites States
3. Arthur Hawkins b. 1874 D Quarter in SHEPPEY Volume 02A 791

In 1871, Henry Hawkins (25) Carpenter; Jessie Hawkins (24); Emily Hawkins (1) born in Notting Hill and Mary Tooze (68) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-law, were living at Durley Moor Cottage, Holcombe Rogus.

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

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

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

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

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

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