Ephraim Reinhold Seehl and Sarah Perry

Photo © Glyn Baker (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Andrew Undershaft

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Ephraim Reinhold Seehl (b. ~1718 in Sweden) of Bromley St Leonard, Batchelor, aged upwards of twenty-seven years, Chemist, son of Captain Reinhold Seehl (apparently a German volunteer with the Swedish Army), married Sarah Perry (bap. 12 Mar 1721 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich), of the Parish of St Dunstan's, Stepney, Spinster, aged upwards of twenty-two years, daughter of Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming, at St Andrew Undershaft, City of London, (a rare example of a City church that survived both the Great Fire of London and the Blitz) by Licence, on 19 Nov 1745.

There is no evidence of any children being born to this couple.

Seehl was known as a manufacturer of Iron(II) sulfate (known since ancient times as copperas and as green vitriol) and was apparently leasing the Copperas Works from Sarah's brother, John Perry (and probably later from her nephew, John Perry). As we see here in An Account of the Hamlet of Poplar, in Middlesex, From "The Universal magazine" for June, 1795, "Not far from this dock, Mr. Perry has a copperas work, situate on the river Lea, near the Thames, in the parish of St. Leonard Bromley, and which, although not so large as his copperas works at Whitstable in Kent, and Walton-on-the-Naze, in Essex, is allowed to be the most complete work of the kind in England."

Ephraim Reinhold Seehl appears in various London directories from 1752, through until well after his death, listed as a chemist, or copperas merchant, to be found at Blackwall, or at one of the London Coffee Houses, such as the Bank Coffee House in Threadneedle Street. From 1765, he began to be listed at Blackwall and Baltic Coffee House, Sweeting's Alley (or Sweeting' Rents) and later, Cole's Coffee House, Ball Court, Cornhill, London.

The Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, 1710-1811, show that on 15 May 1749, Ephraim Reinhold Seehl of Blackwall, Middlesex, Copperas Maker, took as his apprentice one John Bridges Buckle. 

(As an aside, but this could have been the same chap previously apprenticed to Seehl, a John Bridges Buckle, Gent, was buried on 26 Apr 1756 at Saint Giles in the Fields, Holborn. The Proceedings of the Old Bailey dated 28 May 1756 explain the case where Buckle had been stabbed by a Mr Venables, who said in his defence, "I saw Mr Buckle upon my wife in the bed naked as I am to appear before God". Venables was found guilty of Manslaughter.)

The six pages of the Will of Ephraim Reinhold Seehl of the Parish of Bromley St Leonards in the County of Middlesex Chemist and Copperas Maker, which was originally drafted in 1757, has been one of the most difficult to read because of the quality of the squashed up handwriting. Nevertheless, he mentions therein, his loving wife Sarah; his brothers-in-law John Perry and John Brown; his sisters-in-law Elizabeth Brown, wife of John Brown; Susanna Gilbert, Widow; and Mrs [unreadable] Perry, Widow (certain this is Hellen Perry, widow of Philip Perry); as well as his niece Sarah Brown eldest daughter of the said John Brown; and Kitty Brown youngest daughter of John Brown (Kitty is either my misreading of the handwriting, a pet name for their youngest daughter, Helen, or a child I've not found records for). Seehl left most of his property to his 'dearly beloved wife Sarah' and appointed Sarah as sole Executrix. He seemed to make some changes to the Will in 1769, but added a Codicil, dated 29 Apr 1775, in which he began, "That as my two brothers-in-law and Mrs [unreadable] Perry are since the making of this Will dead ..." and changes the beneficiaries: in place of John Brown, is Kitty Brown and in place of Mrs [unreadable] Perry, was her daughter Susanna Taylor. Also mentioned is Mrs Sarah Clark. And, "... to my nephew John Perry and also to my niece Elizabeth Perry his wife ... as had given and bequeathed before in the Will to their fathers John Perry and John Brown". The Will also mentions his nephew Joseph Hankey (who was married to John Perry Sr's daughter, Ann); the Copyhold property in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex and the Copyhold estate in Bromley St Leonard. The Will was proved on 12 Sep 1783.

Ephraim Reinhold Seehl of Bromley was buried at Poplar, undoubtedly at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church) much used by the Perry family, on 6 Sep 1783, according to the Parish Register of St Dunstan's, Stepney.

Sarah Seehl died on 28 Apr 1804. The Commercial Chronicle of 1 May 1804 (Tuesday) reported "On Saturday last, at Limehouse, Mrs Sarah Seehl, relict of Ephraim Seehl, Esq." Sarah Seehl was buried on 4 Jun 1804. The Parish Register of St Dunstan's, Stepney lists the burial of, "Sarah Seehl of Poplar at Poplar", which I would assume to be once again at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church) - in her Will, Sarah stated her wish to be buried in the vault with her late husband - although there's also a record in the Parish Register of All Saints Church, Poplar on the same date of the burial of Sarah Seehl (86). 

Probate was granted on the Will (with three Codicils the last dated 3 Jun 1802) - which runs to 15 handwritten pages - of Sarah Seehl of Church Row, Limehouse, Widow, to the surviving Executor, John Perry, on 20 Jun 1804.

Philip Perry and Hellen Hubbard

St Dionis Backchurch

Philip Perry (b. 3 Oct 1710, bap. 22 Oct 1710 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich, son of Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming, married Hellen Hubbard at St Dionis Backchurch, on 20 Dec 1734 - the same church where Philip's sister, Elizabeth Perry married the following February. The record reads, "Philip Perry of the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney in the County of Middlesex Batchelor & Hellen Hubbard of the same parish (Spinster) were married (by Licence) on Friday the 20th Day of December 1734." There are no clues as to why both couples chose to marry in this church.

Records suggest that the couple had three daughters:

1. Elizabeth Perry b. Friday, 7 Nov 1735, bap. 27 Nov 1735 (at 20 days old) at St Dunstan, Stepney. Elizabeth, daughter of Phil Perry of Pop[lar] & Hellen. She was buried on 20 Dec 1735. The record lists, "Elizabeth Perry of Pop[lar] to Poplar", indicating that she was more than likely buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church).
2. Elizabeth Perry b. Saturday, 24 Jan 1736 (Julian) 1737 (Gregorian), bap. 22 Feb 1736 (Julian) 1737 (Gregorian) (at 29 days old) at St Dunstan, Stepney. The baptism record for this child also specifies, "Elizabeth, daughter of Phil Perry of Pop[lar] Shipwright & Hellen."
3. Susanna Perry b. Sunday, 8 Jul 1739, bap. 31 Jul 1739 (at 23 days old). "Susanna, daughter of Phil Perry of Pop[lar] Shipwright & Hellen."

Philip Perry died, aged 35, and was buried on 30 Mar 1746. In the parish registers of St Dunstan's, Stepney is the record of the burial of "Philip Perry of B.Wall at Poplar", indicating that he too was buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church, built by the East India Company in 1654).

The only record of the birth of a Hellen Hubbard, around the relevant time, anywhere in the world - and it is with two LLs as it was upon marriage, as well as on the baptisms of all three of their daughters - is of a Hellen Hubbard b. 30 Jul 1701, bap. 3 Aug 1701 in Hardingham, Norfolk, the daughter of Robert and Mary Hubbard. (There no records whatsoever of a likely Helen Hubbard with the usual spelling with one L). It could be Hellen born in 1701, which would make her nine years older than Philip Perry, which is not unheard of. She would have been 33 when she married and, whilst late having children at that time, still of childbearing age. But, whilst it would seem reasonable, I cannot see a way to either confirm or refute this. There are no obvious clues either as to whether Hellen Perry remarried, nor of when she died, although she must have died before 29 Apr 1775, because a Codicil to the Will of her brother-in-law, Ephraim Reinhold Seehl, of that date stated she had died.

John Brown and Elizabeth Perry

St Dionis Backchurch

John Brown (b. ~1710) married Elizabeth Perry (bap. 27 Mar 1714/15 in Woolwich, Kent), eldest daughter of Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming, at the church of St Dionis Backchurch, located in the heart of the City of London on 13 Feb 1734 (Julian) 1735 (Gregorian). The record reads, "John Brown of the Parish of St Dunstan Stepney in the County of Middlesex Batchelor & Elizabeth Perry of the same parish Spinster were married (by Licence) on Thursday the 13th day of Feb 1734/5."

The records of five children can be attributed to this couple:

1. Sarah Brown b. Friday, 11 Jan 1740, bap. 5 Feb 1740 (at 25 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. Sarah, daughter of John Brown of Poplar Brewer & Elizabeth
2. Elizabeth Brown b. Wednesday, 3 Jul 1745, bap. 11 Jul 1745 (at 8 days old). In the records of St Dunstan's, Stepney, it says 'Elizabeth, daughter of John Brown of Poplar Brewer & Elizabeth at Poplar'. Being baptised 'at Poplar' may have been at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church).
3. Susanna Brown b. Tuesday, 21 Apr 1747, bap. 19 May 1747 (at 28 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. Susanna, daughter of John Brown of Poplar Brewer & Elizabeth.
4. John Ephraim Brown b. Wednesday, 14 Feb 1750, bap. 5 Mar 1750 (at 19 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. John Ephraim, son of John Brown of Poplar Brewer & Elizabeth.
5. Helen Brown b. Saturday, 12 May 1753, bap. 6 Jun 1753 (at 25 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney. Helen, daughter of John Brown Poplar Brewer & Elizabeth.

The baptisms all list their father as John Brown of Poplar, Brewer. Additional evidence that these are the children of this family: Sarah was the name of Elizabeth's aunt and sister; Elizabeth is obviously her own and her mother's name; Susanna was another of Elizabeth's sisters; John, clearly for his father, but Ephraim after his uncle, Ephraim Seehl, married to his mother's sister, Sarah; and Helen was the widow of Elizabeth's brother, Philip Perry.

John Brown had died before 29 Apr 1775, because a Codicil to the Will of his brother-in-law, Ephraim Reinhold Seehl, of that date stated he had died. Beyond this, Brown is not the easiest name to research. Without further clues, it isn't possible to determine which of many records are relevant. 

Philip Perry and Elizabeth Flemming

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Mary, Church Road, Little Ilford - Chancel

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Mr Philip Perry (b. ~1678) married Elizabeth Flemming (purportedly b. ~1685) at St Mary the Virgin, Little Ilford, Essex, on 6 Feb 1706.

Philip and Elizabeth Perry had eight children:

1. Thomas Perry b. 7 Dec 1708, bap. 14 Dec 1708
2. Philip Perry b. 3 Oct 1710, bap. 22 Oct 1710
3. John Perry b. 13 Dec 1712, bap. 1 Jan 1712/13
4. Elizabeth Perry b. 27 Feb 1714, bap. 27 Mar 1714/15
5. Susanna Perry b. 1 Mar 1715, bap. 27 Mar 1714/15
6. Fleming Perry b. 4 Jan 1717, bap. 12 Jan 1717. Fleming, son of Mr Philip Perry, buried 21 Oct 1720 at St Margaret's, Barking
7. Sarah Perry b. 27 May 1719, bap. 14 Jun 1719. Sarah, daughter of Mr Philip Perry, buried 26 May 1720 at St Margaret's, Barking
8. Sarah Perry bap. 12 Mar 1720 (Julian) 1721 (Gregorian). Sadly, the church official had stopped putting in the actual birth dates.

All of the baptisms were at the church of St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich. Elizabeth and Susanna, baptised together in 1714/15, were presumably born in different years, but the record doesn't show which years. Elizabeth is listed first on the baptism, as well as later in her father's Will, so I'm assuming she was the older of the two. St Margaret's Church, Barking a.k.a. the Church of St Margaret of Antioch is where Captain Jonathan Collett, to whom Philip Perry left a bequest, was baptised and later buried. Susanna Perry would seem to have been named after Collett's wife, Susanna Hill (whom he had married at Saint Helen Bishopsgate, City of London on 6 Jul 1706).

The Chronicles of the Blackwall Yard (PDF) by Henry Green and Robert Wigram (published 1881), claim that in 1708: "About this time the manager of Sir Henry Johnson's Yard was a certain Philip Perry, whose history and introduction to Blackwall has been given as follows. In or about the year 1690, Philip Perry was a carpenter on board of one of His Majesty's ships. During a severe storm the vessel was in much danger of foundering from a bad leak, but in consequence of Philip Perry's skill and ingenuity the ship was saved and brought safely back to port. The Commissioners of the Admiralty, to mark their appreciation of his service, gave him an important post at Plymouth Dockyard, whence he was transferred to Deptford, where he greatly increased his reputation. This position he is said to have relinquished to superintend Sir Henry Johnson's business at Blackwall."

Ship's carpenters went on voyages to make running repairs, so I suspect there may be some truth in the story, but it bears all the hallmarks of family making it sound more dramatic than reality. If we were to be really pedantic, the reigning monarchs in 1690 were William III and Mary II, who ascended the throne after the "Glorious Revolution" of 1688, so a reference in 1690 should have been to one of 'Their Majesties' Ships'. It seems more likely this event was after the death of Mary II in 1694, and before the accession of Queen Anne in 1702. Of course this could all just be a completely romanticised family myth. And Green & Wigram's chronology is decidedly suspect.

The earliest reports confirm that Perry's career began in Plymouth and this, I feel, helps make a case for him originally being from that area. Both British History Online and Three Decks think he was born in 1678 (the latter will have got the information from the former). If so, there's a potential baptism of Philip Perry, son of John Perry (and reputedly grandson of Philip Perry) in 1679, in Maker, Cornwall (just across the Tamar from Plymouth), which several people have accepted and I agree that, circumstantially, this looks incredibly reasonable, but may be unlikely to be absolutely proven.

"Perry, a working shipwright, was employed in the Naval Yard at Plymouth during the first years of the eighteenth century.", according to British History Online. He was then posted to Kinsale in 1702, where he was appointed Master Shipwright and there are references to substantiate him being in Kinsale from Mar 1702 until Jun 1705. He'd been sent to Ireland with other shipwrights for the purpose of 'their taking shipping there' at the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession. Records listed at The National Archives (not downloadable) also confirm these postings: on 18 Mar 1702 "Plymouth Officers on behalf of Philip Perry, Shipwright. A testimonial of the good service of Phillip Perry." Then on 25 Sep 1702 "Philip Perry, Shipwright, Kindsale, Petitioner. He asks to be registered at Kinsale as a skilled man and to receive a higher level of pay." And "Kinsale Officers for Philip Perry, Shipwright, provide a Testimonial on behalf of Phillip Perry, Shipwright."

Then on 6 Aug 1705, "Philip Perry, Sheerness. Regarding his service in Kinsale where he acted as Foreman and assisted in repairs to masts and boats. Requests an allowance to take into consideration his 13 years service, including two spells in Kinsale." And on 17 Aug 1705 "Philip Perry, Sheerness. Further request for acting foreman pay for his time at Kinsale."

The other question that arises is, where and when did he meet Elizabeth? He'd only been in the London area for eight months when they married, but could he have known her longer? Could she have been from Plymouth? It seems that I'm not the first person to suggest this, but no evidence was offered.

A view of the Thames and Woolwich Dockyard in 1698, prepared for King William III.
The church of St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich is on the mound to the left.

The church where all of their children were baptised, St Mary Magdalene Woolwich, is right next to Woolwich Dockyard, also known as The King's Yard, Woolwich, "where many ships were built from the early 16th century". It's some distance (~4 miles) from Deptford Dockyard, the nearest church to which is St. Nicholas, on Deptford Green, so surely attending the church in Woolwich suggested Philip Perry was employed at Woolwich? And indeed, confirmation is in a record listed at The National Archives (not digitised so not downloadable), dated 1708, "Folio 396: Philip Perry. Petition for employment as Boatbuilder at Deptford Yard. Places mentioned: Kinsale, Woolwich. People mentioned: Mr. Stacey, Mr. Philips, Commissioner Wright."

Mr. Stacey was Richard Stacey, English shipbuilder and ship designer. In 1695, Stacey was Master Boat Builder at Plymouth Dockyard; "In 1698 he transferred briefly to Kinsale (until Apr 1705). He then worked for a few months at Sheerness Dockyard in 1705 before being appointed Master Shipwright at Woolwich Dockyard in November 1705." From 1709 until 1715, Richard Stacey was Master Shipwright at Portsmouth Dockyard and this is the only time Perry doesn't go with him. Then in 1715, Stacy was Appointed Master Shipwright at Deptford Dockyard. Stacey, being around 15 years older than Perry could have been his master (with whom Perry served his apprenticeship), or Perry was a highly trusted employee, but they must have known each other and Perry generally went where Stacey went. 

Did Philip Perry work at Deptford perhaps with Stacey after 1715?

The Master Shipwrights House at Deptford, "... was rebuilt in 1708 for master shipwright Joseph Allin who, dissatisfied with his existing house, persuaded the Navy Board to invest in a remodelling. However, Allin overspent on the house and, amidst rumours of corruption, he was dismissed in 1715." [Source]. That's when Richard Stacey was appointed Master Shipwright at Deptford Dockyard, a position he held until 1742, so he will have lived and worked in this magnificent house for 27 years. British History Online, also tells us that, "In the mid-1730s, when it was rumoured that Philip Perry was about to desert Blackwall for Deptford, he was described as 'the Great Builder'." You can quite imagine this rumour being taken seriously. Philip Perry must have visited there during that time and may have worked there too. And Philip Perry's son-in-law, Philip Gilbert, certainly must have done so, as he was briefly Assistant Master Shipwright at Deptford Dockyard in 1740.

Inside The Master Shipwright’s House

"During the 1720s he [Perry] worked as manager for John Kirby and was later employed in a similar capacity by Collett and Boulton." (As an aside, but nevertheless important to note, Philip Perry's granddaughter, Elizabeth Perry and her husband (my cousin) Elnathan Ayres, gave the middle name Boulton to two of their children.) The baptisms in Woolwich suggest the Perrys were still there until around 1720/1, which confirms the statement, "there is no evidence of his being at Blackwall before 1722". By 1722 Perry was living in Blackwall Yard, where he occupied the mansion house 'and garden adjacent with the garden and terrace walk on the east side of the same'. 

In the parish registers of St Dunstan's, Stepney is the record of the burial of Elizabeth Perry on 21 Apr 1734. I'm certain this is Mrs Philip Perry, because it says "Elizabeth Perry of B'Wall to Poplar", indicating that she was buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church) built by the East India Company in 1654, where her husband, sons and grandson were also later buried.

In his Will, drafted on 20 Jun 1741, "Philip Perry the Elder of Blackwall in the Parish of Stepney in the County of Middlesex Shipwright" ... directed, "My body I commit to this earth to be decently buried by walking burial in as frugal a manner as conveniently may be at the discretion and management of my sons Philip Perry and John Perry and my Son-in-Law John Brown (whom I herein make Executors ...)" A walking burial, I assume, is his coffin taken in procession on foot, without hiring expensive carriages. Philip left £120 to Abraham Cropp Esq., "by borrowing securities to him for my late son Thomas Perry deceased". (Thus Thomas must have died before 1741, but I've not found when or where). He made bequests to his said son Philip Perry the Younger; his son John Perry; Son-in-Law John Brown; Captain Jonathan Collett; Captain Richard Gosfreight (Collett and Gosfreight were the principal ship's husbands for whom he'd built many ships); his sister Sarah Price, Widow; Philip Littlepage* (grandson of my said sister Sarah Price ten pounds to put him out apprentice); George Case the Clerk of Blackwall Yard; and his three daughters Elizabeth Brown, Susanna Perry & Sarah Perry. Philip Perry makes no mention of his wife in his Will, suggesting she pre-deceased him, adding circumstantial confirmation to the above. There are various stipulations as to how his estate should be divided among his children, depending upon what the total amounted to and it's obvious he was pretty well off.

*(Philip Littlepage bap. 3 Jul 1734, was the son of Sam Littlepage of Poplar, Gent, and Sarah Price, who married on 7 Feb 1728 at St John At Hackney, but I've been unable to find a marriage of a Sarah Perry to anyone named Price.)

The Chronicles of the Blackwall Yard (PDF) claims that John Perry and his brother, Philip Perry, became Yard Managers at Blackwall when their father, "Philip Perry, died on the 26 Sep 1732, at the age of sixty-one years, and was buried near the first Sir Henry Johnson, in the ground adjoining the East India Company's, or Poplar, Chapel, as it was now called. After his death the business was carried on by his son, who, as we learn from local records, had become by this time a person of considerable influence in the neighbourhood." Philip Perry died in 1742, not 1732 (although I suspect he retired in 1732, as John Perry was managing the yard from then), and this is probably just a 'typo', but it's also not the first time details in Wigram & Green's account just don't add up and, at best, have probably been wrongly remembered.

Philip Perry died on 26 Sep 1742 and was buried on 2 Oct 1742. The parish records of St Dunstans, Stepney lists, "Philip Perry of Blackwall at Poplar", indicating he too was buried at Poplar Chapel (St Matthias Old Church).

Thomas Sapsford and Mary Ann Sweeney

Church of St John the Baptist, Leytonstone
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4863853

Thomas Sapsford (bap. 14 Aug 1842 at St Mary the Virgin, Hatfield Broad Oak), son of James Sapsford and Susannah Kye, married Mary Ann Sweeny (sic) (b. 10 Dec 1848 in Limehouse), daughter of John Sweeney and Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday, on 10 Jul 1865, at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse. The groom was 23 and the bride just 16, which was not unusual then.

Thomas and Mary Ann had eleven children:

1. Mary Ann Sapsford b. 28 Jul 1866 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 464, bap. 16 Aug 1866 in Limehouse, London
2. Thomas Sapsford b. 18 May 1868 (J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 503), bap. 9 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Leytonstone
3. James Sapsford b. 30 Jun 1871 (S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 04A Page 70), bap. 9 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Leytonstone
4. Henry Sapsford b. 1873 J Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 603. Died 1873 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 481
5. John Sapsford b. 1 Oct 1874 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 655
6. Charles Sapsford b. 28 Mar 1878 J Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 625
7. Richard Sapsford b. 14 Jul 1880 S Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 634
8. Maria Elizabeth Sapsford b. 14 Mar 1883 in POPLAR Vol 01C 656
9. Louisa Sapsford b. 1885 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 626
10. Susan Sapsford b. 1889 D Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 584
11. Joseph George Sapsford b. 23 Oct 1892 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C 590

The mother's maiden name on all of the births is SWEENY or SWEENEY.

In 1871, Thomas Sapsford (28), Mary A Sapsford (23), Mary (5) and Thomas (3) were living in Eastward Street, Bromley St Leonard, Poplar.

In 1881, at 4, Leigh Build[ing]s, Bowncom Lane, Bromley, Poplar, were Thomas Sapsford (39) Bricklayer's Labourer; Mary A Sapsford (35), Mary A Sapsford (14) Works in jute factory; Thomas Sapsford (12), James Sapsford (9), John Sapsford (6), Charles Sapsford (3) and Richard Sapsford (0).

In 1891, at 3, Thomas Street, Bromley, Poplar, were Thomas Sapsford (49) Scaffolder Bricklayer; Mary Ann Sapsford (44), [Mary] Ann Sapsford (24) Twin spinner hemp; Thomas Sapsford (22) Bricklayer's labourer; James Sapsford (19), John Sapsford (17), Charles Sapsford (12), Richard Sapsford (10), [Maria] Elizabeth Sapsford (7), Louisa Sapsford (4) and Susan (1).

In 1901, at 4, Ascot Street, Canning Town, were Thomas Sapsford (59) Builder's labourer; Mary Sapsford (55), Charles Sapsford (23) General labourer; Richard Sapsford (20) Builder's labourer; Louisa Sapsford (15), Susan Sapsford (12) and [Joseph] George Sapsford (8).

Mary Ann Sapsford died on 20 Jul 1902 S Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 24, with age estimated to 59. She'll actually have been 54).

In 1911, Thomas Sapsford (66) Widower, Street Hawker, was living at 25 Star St, Canning Town with son-in-law, Frederick Morton (27) - married to [Maria] Elizabeth Sapsford (28) - also living with them were James Sapsford (40) Street Hawker and [Joseph] George Sapsford (18) Labourer in iron yard. Charles Sapsford (32) Dock Labourer was Lodging at 12 Tidal Basin Road.

Thomas Sapsford died on 28 Aug 1912 in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 75.

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.

Francis Henry Flint and Ellen Wilton

Old Poplar Town Hall Built 1870. Now the Lansbury Heritage Hotel.
Photo: Maggie Jones Generously released to the Public domain

Francis Henry Flint (b. 18 Jan 1859, bap. 6 Mar 1861 in Camden Town), son of Henry Obadiah Flint and Mary Ann Riley, married Ellen Wilton (b. 1857), daughter of Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt, at the Register Office in Poplar, London, on 23 June 1878. (The Old Poplar Town Hall, located at 117 High Street, Poplar (E14), is a Grade II Listed Building dating back to 1870. This building likely served as the register office in 1878.) Witnesses to their marriage were Henry Flint and Mary A Flint, Francis' parents.

Registry office weddings, as we know them, became legally recognized in England and Wales with the Marriage Act of 1836, which came into effect on July 1, 1837, after the establishment of the General Register Office. 

Nevertheless, Register Office weddings were unusual and this is certainly the earliest that I've encountered in my research. Professor Rebecca Probert, Professor of Law at University of Exeter, who is definitely the go-to expert on marriage law, writes that, "before the start of the twentieth century it was very much a minority choice" and suggests that, for some, "the greater privacy of the register office would have been the main attraction". So, if a church marriage was likely quicker and cheaper, there needed to be a good reason for Francis Henry Flint and Ellen Wilton to choose this route. 

This couple had three children:

1. Francis Henry Flint b. 1879 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 686, who also died in 1879 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 422
2. Emily Flint b. 1882 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 623 with the mother's maiden name listed as FELTON. (Guess that's a bit like Wilton.)
3. Alice Flint b. 24 Jul 1883 in the Register of Births in the Poplar Union Workhouse (1883 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 676), bap. 10 Aug 1883 at All Saints Church, Poplar, daughter of Henry and Ellen

The 1st and 3rd GRO births show the mother's maiden name WILTON.

Henry Flint of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, aged 20, birthplace St Pancras, Middlesex, regimental number 2166, is listed among UK Military Deserters, having deserted at Dublin on 13 Sep 1879. This, unfortunately, looks to be him. Private Henry Finch #2166, who had enlisted in London, was, however, discharged from the 2nd Dragoon Guards on 22 Mar 1880 after what looks like only 114 days (about 16 weeks) in the service. The cause of discharge is 'Igny', which I think is shorthand for ignominy (public shame or disgrace).

The couple were not together in 1881 and were back with their respective families. Listed as Henry Flint (22) Labourer, purporting to be Single, was in the household of his parents at 34, Brunswick Road, Islington. While, listed as Ellen Wilton (mistake or deliberate?) (24) Match Maker, Married, was living back in her mother's household at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar. If these circumstances indicate a break up, one assumes the pair got back together again to have the two daughters as DNA links me to the younger of them. (Living little more than half a mile from the Bryant & May's match factory in Bow, it's probably reasonable to assume this was where Ellen was working. Conditions there at that time were so bad, it was dubbed "white slavery", which eventually motivated the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888.)

From seeing that Ellen's third child, Alice, although legitimate, was born in the Poplar Union Workhouse, leads me to suspect that Francis Henry Flint had again disappeared and that Ellen's mother, Catherine, had probably died.

Ellen then appears to have another two daughters with a John Finch:

1. Ellen Elizabeth Finch b. 1888 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 661
2. Jessie Finch b. 1890 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 608

Both are registered with the mother's maiden name as WILTON.

In 1891, John Finch (37) Carman was living at 4, Faronia Street, Bromley, Poplar, London, with Ellen Finch (35) from Dunmow, Essex; Emily Finch [Flint] (9); Alice Finch [Flint] (8); Ellen Finch (3) and Jessie Finch (1). They listed all of the children under the surname Finch. The five year gap between Alice and Ellen Elizabeth, does also suggest a different relationship, but clearly John is not Francis Henry; he's around five years older, born in a different place and has a different occupation. Originally, I'd found four of Alice's 12 children registered with the mother's maiden name as Finch and thought that was just a miss-hearing or misspelling of Flint, but now it becomes clear why there was this confusion. However, I can find no marriage between Ellen Flint, neither as Ellen Wilton, and John Finch so I'm sure they were just shacked up and Ellen thus avoided committing bigamy.

In 1901, Ellen Finch (listing herself as only 38, she was ~44), 'Widow', Charing (Charwoman) from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living at 17, Furze Street, Bromley, Poplar with Ellen Finch (13) and Jessie Finch (10).

Haven't been able to discover where John Finch came from, much less where he went, so I have no idea whether he really had died, or they had simply ended their relationship. There was a locally well-known John Finch, Carman & Contractor in Hackney, who advertised regularly in the Eastern Argus and Borough of Hackney Times around these dates, but I have no way of knowing if this is the same man. (Someone descended from one of these daughters might be able to confirm or refute the connection via DNA.)

Haven't been able to find Ellen, as Wilton, Flint, or Finch in 1911. There are, however, numerous records of an Ellen Finch being admitted and discharged into or out of Stepney Workhouse around this time and any one or all of them might relate to her. (Hardly a new experience: her first time was as an Inmate of Great Dunmow Union Workhouse at the age of four in 1861.)

In 1921, Ellen Finch (62) 'Widow' from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living alone at 3 Weston Street, Bow. She does not list any occupation.

Ellen Finch (formerly Flint, née Wilton) died aged 73, in 1929 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 143, it would appear.

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Saviour, Markhouse Road, Walthamstow

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

However, the man Ellen Wilton was still married to (there is, unsurprisingly, nothing listed for them in the Divorce Index), Francis Henry Flint (35) calling himself a Batchelor (and misnaming his father), married Ellen Battershall (21) Spinster, daughter of John Edward Battershall (John Edward Battershall and Ann Rawlings), both giving their address as 22 Arkley Crescent, at the church of St Saviour (Formerly St James), Walthamstow, Essex on 15 Aug 1896.

This couple had one daughter:

1. Elsie Alice Flint b. 23 Mar 1897 (1897 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 354), with her mother's maiden name BATTERSHALL.

In 1911, Ellen Flint (35) Married, Assistant caretaker schools, was at 114 Fleeming Road, Winns Avenue, Walthamstow with Elsie Alice Flint (14). This Ellen listed herself as having been married for 15 years and had one child.

Elsie Alice Flint married Walter James Welch, whose residence at the time was Birmingham, at St Mary's Church, Walthamstow, on 21 Nov 1915. In 1921, Walter James Welch (27) Compositor born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey and Elsie Alice Welch (24) were living with his parents, at 9, Chester Road, Walthamstow. While Ellen Flint (44) 'Widow' from Islington, London, Viewer of BSA Air rifles at the Birmingham Small Arms Factory, was living at 9, Labourer Villas, Poplar Road, Smethwick, Worcestershire. In 1939, Walter J Welch (b. James Walter Welch on 9 Feb 1894) Compositor and Elsie A Welch were living at 20 Whitethorn Gardens, Hornchurch, Essex.

Ellen Flint (née Battershall) died, aged 66, in 1941 D Quarter in ILFORD Volume 04A Page 569.

Elsie Alice Welch (née Flint) of 20 Whitethorn Gardens, Slewins Lane, Hornchurch, Essex (wife of James Walter Welch) died 13 June 1958 at Hornchurch Telephone Exchange Hornchurch Administration London 27 August to the said James Walter Welch printers compositor. Effects £1027 18s 6d. James Walter Welch died, in Romford, in 1962. It does not appear that this couple had children, so it looks as though the line ends here.

Meanwhile, the now doubly-errant Francis Henry Flint, it appears, earned a medal serving in South Africa in the Second Boer War with the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles, in 1901. The address for him on the Medal Roll is 3 Rufford Street, York Road, Kings Cross, which is about 350 meters from where he grew up in Wellington Square, St Pancras, so I'm sure this has to be him. There was a record of a Henry Flint enlisting in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles, in Durban on 11 Dec 1901, where he claims his previous regiment as the 5th Lancers (no record found); his period served 8⅓ Years and his occupation Bricklayer. Height 5 Feet 10 Inches, weight 168 lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair are close enough to the descriptions we have later. There's a note suggesting the medal was reissued on 22 Mar 1907.

The following reports show he was in Australia, from at least 1908:

The South Australian Police Gazette of 9 Feb 1910 reports on "Francis Henry Flint, laborer, 45 years of age, 5ft 9in high, dark hair, dark moustache (turning grey), brown eyes, dark complexion, wore blue serge coat, blue dungaree trousers, and soft white shirt, for non payment on fine, 6s (including costs), on a charge of drunkenness in a public place, at Port Adelaide, on January 21st, 1910. In default of immediate payment to be arrested and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for seven days."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 5 Apr 1911, "Francis Henry Flint, described as a laborer, 45 years of age, 5ft 8in high, medium build, fair complexion, grey hair, grey or blue eyes, grey moustache, wore brown tweed suit and grey felt hat, for non payment of fine, 5s, on a charge of drunkenness in a public place, at Adelaide, on March 16th, 1911. In default of immediate payment to be warrant and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for three days. Warrant filed at Detective Office, Adelaide."

In the South Australian Police Gazette of 10 Apr 1912, report of a theft, "Between 11 p.m. on the 6th an 8 a.m. on the 7th instant, from a bedroom of a dwelling-house, Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, an open-face Ansonia metal watch, ordinary hands, had attached a long Mexican silver chain, long and short links alternately, the property of Francis Henry Flint; identifiable."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 7 Jul 1915, "Henry Flint (alias Harry Johnson), tried at Renmark on March 18th, 1915, for unlawful possession; sentenced to six months' hard labor; native of London, England, 55 years of age, 5 ft 8in high, fair complexion, dark hair (turning grey), grey eyes, large nose (bent and thick at point), medium mouth, broad square chin. Small mole inside shoulder, right hand has been knocked about and bent, two scars on right elbow, burn mark inside wrist, scar on left elbow, large scar outside left forearm an one on wrist, several moles on chest, large scar in centre of back (on spine), large mole to left of scar, hanging mole on right shoulder-blade and three near armpit, large brown mark at base of right shoulder blade, scar on small part of back, one on left shin outside left knee, outside left ankle, across right knee, and across front of right leg, mole behind left knee, large scar on left calf, and one between the eyes. Indistinct irregular tattoo mark on right wrist. Vide Police Gazette 1908, page 241. "Prisoners Discharged." Freedom due July 27th, 1915."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 3 May 1916, "Francis Henry Flint, described as about 40 years of age, 5ft 9in high, well built, dark hair, grey eyes, right hand deformed, a laborer, wore dark-grey clothes and grey soft felt hat; for non-payment of fine and costs (6s. in all) on a charge of drunkenness at Adelaide on February 19th, 1916. In default of payment, to be arrested and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for three days. Warrant filed at Detective Office, Adelaide."

The South Australian Police Gazette of 17 May 1916 reports that "Francis Henry Flint, for non-payment of fine and costs on a charge of drunkenness, at Adelaide, on February 19th, 1916, has been arrested at Hummocks Hill by M.C. Lally; fine and costs have been paid."

The South Australian Police Gazette of 28 Jun 1916, Apprehensions During the Week, "Francis Henry Flint, by Det. O'Sullivan and F.C. Kennedy, for unlawful possession of two rugs and two blankets, the property of the Associated Smelters at Port Pirie; fined £10, in default six months."

And again the South Australian Police Gazette of 13 Dec 1916, published the "Descriptions of prisoners to be discharged from H.M. Gaols during the week ending December 23rd, 1916", including: "Francis Henry Flint, native of England, laborer, 57 years of age, 5ft 9in high, fresh complexion, dark hair (going grey), blue eyes, right hand crippled, bullet wound in left thigh. Tried at Port Pirie on June 22nd, 1916, for unlawful possession; six months."

There is one last potential sighting of Francis Henry Flint, Railway Employee, in Merthyr, Queensland on the Australia Electoral Roll in 1931 (by then he would be 72, so it's reasonable), living at 226 Kent Street, Teneriffe (an inner suburb of Brisbane). Living at the same address were Amelia Ellen Flint, Home Duties; Eva Maud Flint, Home Duties; and Frank Reginald Flint, New Farm, Insurance Agent. Could it be that he had formed a third family there?

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).

William Eastman and Elizabeth Trick

St George's Church, Monkleigh
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/4437956

William Eastman (bap. 2 May 1790 in Monkleigh, Devon), son of Robert Eastman and Mary Morish, married Elizabeth Trick (bap. 12 Oct 1806, in Monkleigh, Devon), daughter of William Trick and Elizabeth Trick (yes, both were named Trick), at St George's Church, Monkleigh, on 18 Jun 1834.

Elizabeth Trick already had at least three illegitimate children before the marriage and added six more children with her husband:

1. Louisa Martin Trick b. 25 Oct 1827, bap. 26 Mar 1828 at Bideford, Methodist Circuit. The record makes it look likely that her father was Edward Martin. Perhaps the baptism was made in this manner to attempt to get him to take responsibility for the illegitimate child.
2. Thomas Trick bap. 12 Sep 1830 in Monkleigh, Devon, the record specifies that he is the son of Elizabeth Trick, Single Woman. 
3. William Trick b. 1834, bap. 18 Apr 1834 in Monkleigh, Devon, also makes the point that he's the son of Elizabeth Trick, Single Woman. William Trick leaves blank or states Not Known for his father on his subsequent marriages, so I'm convinced that he's not William Eastman's child, despite the proximity of his birth to his mother's marriage.
4. Mary Eastman bap. 22 May 1836 in Monkleigh, Devon.
5. Pamela Eastman b. 1838 D Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 65, bap. 28 Oct 1838 in Monkleigh, Devon.
6. Maria Eastman b. 1841 J Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 61, bap. 4 Apr 1841 in Monkleigh, Devon. Died, aged 10, in 1852 S Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 05B Page 324.
7. Rebecca Eastman b. 1843 D Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 71, bap. 28 Jan 1844 in Monkleigh, Devon.
8. John Trick Eastman b. 1846 S Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 59, bap. 23 Dec 1849 in Monkleigh, Devon. Died, aged 6, in 1852 S Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 05B Page 324.
9. Elizabeth Ann Eastman b. 1849 M Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 73, bap. 4 Apr 1849 in Monkleigh, Devon. Died 1849 J Quarter in THE BIDEFORD UNION Volume 10 Page 47.

In 1841, William Eastman (45) Agricultural Labourer, Elizabeth Eastman (30), William Eastman (7) [William Trick] - that he was listed as Eastman is most likely an unchallenged assumption and in no way infers parentage - Mary Eastman (5), Pamela Eastman (2) and Maria Eastman aged 3 months were living in Monkleigh Village. Meanwhile, Louisa Martin Trick (13) was living in the household of Thomas Fursman (25) in Bideford, where there is a Residence Note on the record which reads "Outhouse Bibery". Most likely she was a servant. There was a Thomas Trick (10) employed as an Agricultural Labourer by Christopher Quick (40) Farmer at Pickhoe, Monkleigh. 

In 1851, in Monkleigh were: William Eastman (62) Pauper Ag Lab; Elizabeth Eastman (48) Glover; Mary Eastman (16), Pamela Eastman (12) Glover, Maria Eastman (9), Rebecca Eastman (6) and John Eastman (3). Louisa Trick (23) from Bideford, Devon was a Nursemaid in the household of Samuel John Sayce (38) Stock Broker, in Aberdeen Place, Westbury-on-Trym, Gloucestershire. Thomas Trick (20) was a Farm Servant to Thomas Newcombe (30) Farmer of 65 Acres, in Monkleigh.

In 1861, and still in Monkleigh Village were William Eastman (71) Formerly Ag Lab, Elizabeth Eastman (53) Charwoman and Pamela Eastman (22) Glover (cotton). There was a Rebecca Eastman (16) House Servant in Marlborough Street, Stoke Damerel, Devon, which may well be relevant.

William Eastman died, at 72, in 1862 J Qtr in BIDEFORD Vol 05B 365.

In 1871, Elizabeth Eastman (64) Widowed Needle Woman from Monkleigh, Devon, Mother, was living with Louisa Martin Trick (42) Needlewoman, Single, Daughter from Bideford, Devon, in Mile End Old Town, Stepney. 

Elizabeth Eastman died, at 67, in 1874 M Qtr in LEWISHAM Vol 01D 560.

1. Pamela Eastman had married Albert Wonnacott in Great Torrington, Devon in 1861. Albert Wonnacott b. 1841 J Quarter in TORRINGTON UNION Volume 10 Page 269, was the son of George Wonnacott and Mary Bastard. Yes, that really was her surname, and her dad's. Albert and Pamela had three children: Louisa Wonnacott b. 1862 S Quarter in TORRINGTON UNION Volume 05B Page 499 (no further records); Mary Jane Wonnacott b. 1864 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 313 and Albert Wonnacott b. 1866 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 300 who died at a year old in 1867 D Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 345. Pamela Wonnacott was a witness at the marriage of her half-brother, William Trick, in 1871. Pamela Wonnacott died, aged 33, in 1872 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 243 - hence the widowed Albert married Pamela's elder half-sister, Louisa, two years later. 
2. Louisa Martin Trick, according to the record, married Alfred Wonnacott on 15 Apr 1874 at the church of Saint Philip The Apostle, Stepney, London. On the marriage certificate, 'Alfred' lists his father as George Wonnacott, Hatter. Louisa lists her father as Edward Trick, Doctor. (This adds weight to him being Edward Martin, but most likely not a Doctor.) When we catch up with them again on the 1881 Census, living at 66, Blair Street, Bromley, Poplar, London, it becomes clear this is Albert Wonnacott (39) Hatter (Unemployed) with Louisa Wonnacott (52) and Mary A Wonnacott (sic) (17) Daughter - she is Mary Jane Wonnacott, Albert's daughter with is first wife, Pamela Eastman (see above). If Louisa had been Pamela's full sister, this marriage would surely have been illegal. We lose sight of all three of them after this.
3. Mary Eastman married William Jones, in Bideford district, in 1856. They had six children in England, but by 1871, were living in Vaughan, York, Ontario, Canada. There they added at least three or four more children. William Jones died in 1915. Mary Eastman died on 28 Jan 1928. She is buried, along with her husband, at Richmond Hill Presbyterian Cemetery, Richmond Hill, Ontario. Mary's age at death was 91, not 93, so the headstone is wrong, despite being "set in stone". Also, she was baptised and married plain Mary and not Mary Elizabeth.