Stephen Wilton and Sophia Watson

St George's Church, Wells Way, Camberwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/2696927

Stephen Wilton, son of Ann Wilton, married Sophia Watson at St George's Church, Camberwell on 4 Sep 1871. Sophia was the daughter of James Watson and Sophia Barker, who had also married in Camberwell, in 1843, although, Sophia was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1851, where her father was listed at that time, in Wellington Street, Westgate, as a Leather finisher and dyer. Stephen Wilton was a Harness Maker: a trade he undoubtedly learned while apprenticed to his maternal uncle Thomas Clark, who was one of the witnesses to Stephen and Sophia's marriage.

Stephen and Sophia had a dozen children, all born in Peckham:

1. Matilda Wilton b. 1872
2. Edward Wilton b. 1873
3. Stephen Wilton b. 1875
4. Sophia Ann b. 1878 (died 1878, aged 0)
5. Rose Wilton b. 1879 (died 1881, aged 1)
6. Jane Wilton b. 1881
7. William Wilton b. 1883
8. Minnie Wilton b. 1885 (died 1886, aged 0)
9. Robert Wilton b. 16 Apr 1887
10. Florence Wilton b. 1891
11. Maud Wilton b. 1893
12. Edith Wilton b. 1895

In 1881, at 29, Sumner Road, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (33) Harness Maker, Sophia Wilton (30), Matilda Wilton (9), Edward Wilton (7), Stephen Wilton (5) and Jane Wilton (0).

In 1891, in Camden Grove North, Camberwell, we find Stephen Wilton (43), Sophia Wilton (40), Edward Wilton (17) Soldier - records show that Edward had joined the East Surrey Regiment in 1890 - Stephen (15) Tin plate maker, Jane (10), William (8) and Robert (4) - the last 3 at school.

In 1901, at 24, Middle Street, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (53), Sophia Wilton (50), Jane Wilton (20) Ironer; William Wilton (18) Tin worker; Robert Wilton (14) Van boy; Florence (9), Maud (8) and Edith Wilton (5).

And in 1911, at 129 Camden Grove North, Peckham: Stephen Wilton (63) Harness Maker, Sophia Wilton (60), Robert Wilton (23) Deal porter - a dangerous job done by a specialist group of workers in London's docks - Florence (19), Maud (18) Ironer and Edith (15) Book folder.

Stephen Wilton died in 1913, in Camberwell, aged 65.

Sophia Wilton (née Watson) died in 1931, aged 80. 

London Docks - Deal Porters & Bag Work

Joseph Soppit and Catherine Winship

St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bill Henderson - geograph.org.uk/p/3641043

Joseph Soppit (bap. 19 Oct 1806 in Ovingham, Northumberland), son of Joseph and Bridget Soppit, married Catherine Winship (bap. 9 Sep 1804), daughter of John Winship and Mary Daggett (m. 22 Oct 1796) on 1 Apr 1838 at All Saints' Church, Newcastle upon Tyne. 

Joseph and Catherine Soppit had three children, all baptised at St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton, Northumberland; 

1. Bridget Soppit bap. 3 Mar 1839
2. Winship Soppit bap. 27 Mar 1842
3. John Soppit bap. 6 Oct 1844

Longbenton had some notable residents, among them English physician and scientist, Thomas Addison, footballer Peter Beardsley and actor Jimmy Nail. 

The late wife and infant child of engineer, George Stephenson (1781 - 1848), are buried at St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton. George Stephenson having worked as a brakesman and later appointed as engine-wright in 1812, in 1814, Stephenson constructed his first locomotive, 'Blucher', for hauling coal at Killingworth Colliery. (See Killingworth locomotives). This may even have been an influence, as later, John Soppit became an Engine Fitter. 

In 1839, the Soppit family were living in Killingworth, with Joseph's occupation listed as Waggonman. In 1841, Joseph Sopwith (sic), Banksman, wife Catherine, daughter Bridget and Bridget Elias (with the change of name, I assume she remarried, but found no record) were living at Killingworth, Longbenton, Tynemouth. Longbenton has a long history of coal mining. 

(Banksman: In Irish and British civil engineering, a banksman is the person who directs the operation of a crane or larger vehicle from the point near where loads are attached and detached.)

By 1851, Joseph Soppit (44), a Colliery Labourer, Catherine (45), Bridget (12), Winship (9) and John (6), as well as Joseph's mother, Bridget (70), were all living at Hazbrigg, Longbenton, Tynemouth. 

They moved to Durham, as Bridget Elias, died in Houghton Le Spring in 1855. 

In 1861, Joseph Soppit (55), Labourer, Catherine (56), Winship (19), Blacksmith at Colliery, and John (14), Joiner at Colliery were living at Four Lane Ends, Hetton Le Hole (where coal has been mined since Roman times).

Catherine Soppit died, aged 66, and was buried on 9 Jan 1871 at St Nicholas, Hetton Le Hole. 

On the 1871 census, Joseph Soppitt (64), Labourer, and son Winship (29), Blacksmith, along with Isabella Hepple, Servant, were living at Lyons, Hetton-Le-Hole, Houghton Le Spring, Durham. 

In 1881, Joseph Soppit (74), a Retired Coal Miner, was living in Caroline Street, Hetton-Le-Hole. 

Joseph Soppit died, aged 76, in 1882, in Houghton Le Spring.