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 uncle Thomas Clark (his mother's sister Sarah's husband), 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 born 1872
2. Edward Wilton born 1873
3. Stephen Wilton born 1875
4. Sophia Ann born 1878 (died 1878, aged 0)
5. Rose Wilton born 1879 (died 1881, aged 1)
6. Jane Wilton born 1881
7. William Wilton born 1883
8. Minnie Wilton born 1885 (died 1886, aged 0)
9. Robert Wilton born 16 Apr 1887
10. Florence Wilton born 1891
11. Maud Wilton born 1893
12. Edith Wilton born 1895

Sophia Watson (née Barker) died in 1873, in Southwark, aged 52.

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

In 1891, in Camden Grove North, Camberwell, we find Stephen Wilton (43), Sophia (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, they were to be found at 24, Middle Street, Camberwell, where Stephen Wilton (53), Sophia (50) have Jane (20) Ironer, William (18) Tin worker, Robert (14) Van boy, Florence (9), Maud (8) and Edith (5) still at home.

And in 1911, at 129 Camden Grove North, Peckham: Stephen Wilton (63) Harness Maker, Sophia (60), Robert (23) Deal porter - a demanding and 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 Soppit and Bridget (b. 1781) [maiden name unknown] 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 has 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 had remarried, but found no corresponding 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, wife Catherine (45), daughter Bridget (12), sons 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, wife Catherine (56) and sons 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.