William Ball and Sarah Jane Tubb

St Mary's Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/692863

William Ball (b. 1806), Bachelor, married Sarah Jane Tubb (b. 1812), daughter of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 24 Apr 1832. Witnesses were Mary Ann Ball and William John Long.

William and Sarah Jane Ball had one daughter:

1. Sarah Louisa Ball bap. 29 Sep 1833 at St Mary's, daughter of William Ball, Seaman and Sarah of Lake Lane, Portsea.

The next time we find them is in 1851, when William Ball (45) Shipwright Greenwich Pensioner from Portsea, Hampshire; Sarah Ball (39) and Sarah Louisa Coombs (18) were living in Church Path, Portsea.

Sarah Louisa Ball (18) of Church Road, Portsea, daughter of William Ball, Carpenter, had married William Coombes (26) Seaman, HMS Illustrious, listed as son of John Coombs, Shipwright, also at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 11 Jan 1850. Witnesses to their marriage were Mary Ann Horner and William Ball. William and Sarah Louisa Coombes appear to have two children: William Coombs b. 1852 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 415 and Louisa Coombs b. 1853 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 359. I can find no further records for any of them.

William Ball, we must assume, died between 1851 and 1853.

In 1853-54 Sarah Jane Ball appears to receive payment related to Greenwich Hospital out-pensioners - a final pension payment perhaps?

On 24 Apr 1853, again at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Sarah Jane Ball, Widow, daughter of William Tubb, Ropemaker, married Joseph Leach, Blacksmith, Widower of Havant Street, listed as son of John Leach, Farmer. Witnesses were Mary Windel and Henry Tubb, Sarah Jane's sister and brother.

[So far] I've yet to find any further records for them.

James Prescott and Mary Ann Stone

Tiverton : Gold Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1658721

James Prescott (b. 1858 in Washfield, Devon), son of John Prescott and Jane Gage, married Mary Ann Stone (b. 1860, in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, at St Peter's, Tiverton, on 6 Mar 1882. Witnesses were Henry Stone and Harriet Stone, Mary Ann's sister.

By 1881, Mary Ann (21) had left home and had been working, as a General Domestic Servant, for Alfred T Gregory, Newspaper Proprietor, in Gold Street, Tiverton, hence marrying in the town. (Alfred Gregory was publishing titles such as the Tiverton Gazette and East Devon Herald, Western Observer and affiliated papers for South Molton and Crediton. (The Tiverton and District Directory for 1894-5 lists them as, Gregory, Son, and Tozer.)

However, this couple were married for little more than a year, when Mary Ann Prescott died, tragically aged just 23, on 14 Apr 1883, in Chapel Street, Tiverton, from Acute Phthisis Pulmonalis (Tuberculosis (TB) 18 days - I'd suspected this when reading that Mary Ann had been present at the death of her brother, John Stone, when he had died from Phthisis, in the August of 1882. Her mother-in-law, Jane Prescott, was present at Mary Ann's death. 

Not unsurprisingly, James Prescott remarried quite quickly, to a Jane Davey in the 1st quarter of 1884, also in Tiverton. Then, in the 3rd quarter of 1884, they had a son Charles, who, it appears was their only child. 

My connection was broken once Mary Ann died, but one can't help being curious: In 1891, James Prescott (32), Labourer, wife Jane and son Charles were living in Eglwysilan, Glamorganshire, Wales; in 1901, we find the trio - with James a Navvy Ganger - in Staines, Middlesex and then, in 1911, with James Prescott (56) Dock Labourer, at 15 Unicorn St, Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire with Jane Prescott (57) and five other dock labourers in the household, presumably boarders. Son Charles, also living in Unicorn Street, Portsmouth and a Railway Labourer, was by then married. You wouldn't expect labourers at that time to have moved around so much or so far.

James' parents, John and Jane Prescott, meanwhile, then aged 78 and 83, respectively, were still alive and still living in Tiverton in 1911.

James Prescott was buried on 22 Oct 1913, in Uplowman.

George Charles Mew and Sarah Jane Fudge

Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/2655103

George Charles Mew (24) married Sarah Jane Fudge (b. 25 Dec 1850 in East Stonehouse, Devon), of Bridport Street, Portsmouth, daughter of Thomas Fudge and Ann Beedle, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 3 Mar 1870. (This will have been in the second church on the site, built in 1843 and demolished 1887). Witnesses were Ann Fudge (bride's mother) and W Hatch.

The bridegroom, a Steward on HMS Asia, lists his father as George Charles Mew, Petty Officer RN. George Charles Mew was born on 31 Mar 1845 at Cove of Cork, now Cobh, Ireland. It's claimed he was baptised at St Colman's Cathedral, Cobh on 3 Apr 1845, but this cannot be true as construction of the cathedral was not even begun until 1868. The baptism record may well be held by the Cobh Parish Office, but was undoubtedly at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, which had stood on that site from 1810 to 1868 (where his parents and my 2x great-grandparents married the year before).

George and Sarah had eleven children in total:

1. Lucy Elizabeth Ann Mew b. 1870 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 478, bap. Lucia Elizabetha at Portsmouth, St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral in 1872. Died, aged 6, in 1876 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 324.
2. Mary Ann Mew b. 1872 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 452, bap. Maria Anna at Portsmouth, St John's RC Cathedral in 1872.
3. George Charles Mew b. 9 Dec 1874, reg. M Qtr 1875 in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 463, bap. 15 August 1877 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth. Died, aged 37 in 1912 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 663.
4. Annie Louisa Mew b. 18 May 1877 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 504, bap. 15 Aug 1877, at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
5. Henrietta Mew b. 18 Oct 1879 D Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 493, bap. 16 Nov 1879 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
6. Henry Michael Mew b. 10 Oct 1881 D Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B 522, bap. Henricus Michael in 1881, at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral.
7. Mabel Mary Mew b. 1884 S Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 480.
8. Lucy Maria Mew b. 1885 D Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 498, bap. Maria Lucia at St John's RC Cathedral, Portsmouth. Died age 1, in 1886 S Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 350.
9. Lucy Mary Mew b. 1887 D Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 511.
10. Margaret Marshall Mew b. 1889, reg. 1890 M Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 423, bap. Margarita Marshall in 1889 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth.
11. Andrew Samuel Mew b. 1892, reg 1893 M Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 458, bap. Andreas Samuel in 1893 at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral. Died, aged 2, in 1894 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 301, buried at Kingston Cemetery.

George Charles Mew had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1863. From 29 Apr 1863 until 31 Dec 1866, he was assigned to HMS Asia (1824), which, by that time was flagship of the Admiral-Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard. For much of that time George Charles Mew was a Warrant Officer's Servant or Cook. With HMS Rodney (1833) from 1 Jan 1867 to 4 May 1868, George was back with HMS Asia from 28 May 1868 to 31 Dec 1872 and engaged again from 1 Jan 1873 to 20 Feb 1874. His record in 1873 lists him as being 5ft 3in with brown hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion.

In 1871, Sarah Mew (20) was lodging in Hertford Street, Portsea with her daughter Losie [Lucy] (0) and Anne Bailey (11) Visitor. This will have been her niece, Luisa Anne [Annie] Bailey, who was actually 13. She is also listed with her grandparents, so possibly being counted twice on a temporary visit.

From 21 Feb 1874 to 21 Mar 1874, George became the 4th of my relatives to serve, albeit briefly, on HMS Duke of Wellington (1852). From 6 May to 24 Aug 1874, he was with HMS Newcastle (1860) and his final posting was with HMS Endymion (1865) - which may have taken him to as exotic a location as Hull - from 25 Aug 1874 to 9 Aug 1875, when he was Invalided.

In 1881, George Charles Mew (36) then a Tailor's porter, was a Lodger in the household of his in-laws, Thomas Fudge (72) Navy Pensioner and Ann Fudge (68) at 33, Bridport Street, Portsea, along with wife Sarah Jane (29), Mary Ann (9), George Charles (7), Annie Louisa (4) and Henrietta (1).

Sarah Jane, was baptised as Sara Joanna Mew - listed as a convert - at St John's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Portsmouth, on 3 Jul 1882.

In 1891, in Clarence Street, Portsea, were George Mew (47) Tailor's trimmer, Sarah Mew (40), Mary A (19) Tailoress; George Mew (16) Shoemakers apprentice; Annie Mew (13) Dressmakers apprentice; Henrietta Mew (11), Mabel Mew (7), Henry Mew (9), Lucy Mew (4) and Maggie Mew (1).

George Charles Mew of Clarence Street, Landport died, aged 48, on 8 Apr 1893 and was buried, on 13 April 1893, at at Kingston Cemetery, in a Catholic Slot, 4th Row, 12th Grave, in Unconsecrated Ground.

In 1901, Sarah Mew (50) Widowed, at 46, Clarence Street, Portsmouth with Harry Mew (19) Stableman; Mabel Mew (16) Corset Maker; Lucy Mew (13); Maggie Mew (11), daughter Henrietta Hazzard (21), George Hazzard (22) Son-in-law, Journeyman Bricklayer and James Eyers (23) Blacksmith, Visitor. Son George Charles Mew (26) was a Stable Lad in the employ of Alfred Willson (50) Trainer of Race Horses in East Garston, Berkshire.

In Q3 of 1905, in Portsmouth, Sarah Mew married James William Holdaway. This gentleman, I believe, was the son of William James Holdaway and Eliza Gardener, bap. 6 Nov 1864 at St Luke's, Southsea, who, at 19, on 24 Feb 1885, had joined the Hampshire Regiment. He served in India from 1886 to 1888; Burma from 1888 to 1891 and in India again from 1891 to 1892 and was discharged on 23 Feb 1897. On 11 May 1897, he had enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Hampshire Regiment and was in Malta from 1901 to 1903. On 23 Mar 1904, he enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery and served in South Africa from 1904 to 1905, being finally discharged on 4 Aug 1905. What happened to him after 1905, however, is [as yet] a mystery.

In 1911, Sarah Jane Mew (61) Widow, employed as a Stay Lacer in a Stay Factory was living at 40 Fyning Street, Fratton, Portsmouth and living with her were daughter Margaret Marshall Mew (21) Assistant Stock Keeper and Alec John Mew (1), who appears to have been Margaret's illegitimate child.

In 1921, Sarah Jane Holdaway (70) Widow, Wife's Mother, was living with her daughter Henrietta Hazzard (41) at 77, Middlesex Road, Eastney.

In The Portsmouth Evening News on 8 Oct 1936, was the following notice: HOLDAWAY (Mew) Sarah Jane. In loving memory of our dear Mother, who passed peacefully away on October the 7th, at 77, Middlesex Road, age 85 years. - From her sorrowing daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. - Will be sadly missed. Peacefully sleeping.

John Leese and Caroline Bussey

Looking down from Telscombe Cliffs
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6864973

John Leese (b. 1826), from Portsea, son of John Leese (although I've been unable to identify his birth or baptism), married Caroline Bussey, daughter of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Portsmouth, on 23 Feb 1852. In 1851, Caroline (24) was a housemaid at Greenwich Hospital, home for retired sailors of the Royal Navy. 

John and Caroline Leese had seven children:

1. Susan Caroline Leese b. 1852 D Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 646, baptised at All Saints Church, Lydd, Romney Marsh.
2. Margaret Hannah Leese b. 1857 J Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 677, baptised at All Saints Church, Lydd, Romney Marsh.
3. Henrietta Leese b. 1860 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 169, bap. 12 Feb 1860 in Telscombe, presumably St Laurence.
4. Henry John Leese b. 5 Jan 1862 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 164, bap. 7 Feb 1862, also in Telscombe.
5. Mary Jane Leese b. 1864 S Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 161
6. Elizabeth Leese b. 1867 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 178
7. William James Leese b. 1869 D Qtr in LEWES Vol 02B Page 182

In 1861, at Lower Bannings, Lewes Sussex (in the area of Saltdean) were John Leese (35) Coast Guard R N; wife Caroline (35), Susan C (8), Margaret H (4) and Henrietta (1). Being a coastguard explains why they were in Lydd earlier, of which is said, "As with much of the marsh, the town was a base for smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries."

In 1871, listed at the Coast Guard Station, Newhaven, Lewes, Sussex, were John Leese (44) Chief Boatman Coast Guard, Caroline Leese (44), Susan Leese (18), Henrietta Leese (11), Henry Leese (9), Mary J Leese (9), Elizabeth Leese (4) and William Leese (1). Margaret Leese (14) was a Servant in the household of John Sykes, Assistant Secretary Civil Service (father of Sir John Charles Gabriel Sykes (1869-1952) at 38 Kensington Square, Kensington.

In 1881, living at 41, Ivory Place, Brighton, Sussex were John Leese (54) Naval Pensioner from Portsmouth, Hampshire; Caroline Leese (54); Margaret Leese (23) Dressmaker; Hetty Leese (Henrietta) (21) Confectioner's Assistant; Jane Leese (Mary Jane) (16) Pupil teacher and Elizabeth Leese (14). Susan Caroline Leese had married in 1877; Henry John Leese, who had joined the Royal Navy in 1879, was an "Ordinary seaman pupil teacher" at HMS President (shore establishment) in Poplar (Wapping), while William James Leese (11) was a pupil at Greenwich Hospital, School, Greenwich, Kent.

John Leese died, aged 55, in 1882 M Quarter in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 195.

Caroline Leese died, aged 62, in 1889 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 125.

Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin

High Street and the Assembly Rooms, Epsom, Surrey
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Hugh Craddock - geograph.org.uk/p/2361441
High Street, looking east from the junction with South Street and West Street.

Andrew Arthur Padbury (b. 1 Jul 1844, bap. 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey), son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin (b. 19 May 1850), daughter of William George Maslin and Charlotte Bland, in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869.

Andrew and Elizabeth had four children:

1. Andrew William Padbury b. 16 May 1869 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 699, bap. 12 Sep 1869 in Deptford, Kent.
2. Emily Ada Padbury b. 16 Dec 1870 in GREENWICH Vol 01D 763
3. Elizabeth Sarah Padbury b. 19 Dec 1872 in GREENWICH 01D 809
4. Edith Padbury b. 1874 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 828, died 1875 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 515

In 1871, in Tanners Hill, St Paul, Greenwich, were Andrew Padbury (26), Elizabeth Padbury (20), Andrew (1), Emily (0) and Alice, a Servant.

Andrew Padbury, Slipper maker, of 9 Glocks Cottages, Tanner's Hill died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875 at that address, leaving effects of under £100 to his widow, Elizabeth Sarah Padbury of 14A Victory Street, Deptford New Town.

In 1881, there is an Elizabeth Padbury (27), Widow, Laundress, living at 26, Cold Blow Road, St Paul Deptford, which may relate. Certainly, Emily Padbury (10), that year was living with her grandparents, William and Charlotte Maslin. While Elizabeth Padbury (8), had been admitted to the Union Workhouse, Infirmary, Green Lane, Greenwich. Someone, hopefully, must have taken the then 11 year old Andrew William in, but I've been unable to find him.

There are no further records of Elizabeth Sarah Padbury (née Maslin).

Five generations of Andrew Padbury:

1. Andrew Padbury, son of Thomas and Ann Padbury, bap. 7 Mar 1778 in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire. This Andrew Padbury married Ann Camshall, on 27 Sep 1801, in Epsom, Surrey. In 1841, Andrew Padbury (60) Grocer, Ann (55), son Andrew and daughter Ann, were living in New Inn Lane, Epsom. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (75) Grocer was in South Street, Epsom, with wife Ann (70) and two lodgers. He died, aged 83, and was buried at St Martin's church, Epsom on 17 Feb 1860.
2. Andrew Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Ann Camshall, bap. 22 Dec 1811, at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom. He married Sarah Zeal, again by Licence, on 20 Apr 1843, in Lambeth, Surrey. In 1845, The London Gazette published details of the Bankruptcy of Andrew Padbury the younger of Epsom, Grocer. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (40) Master Watchmaker, wife Sarah (31), Arthur A Padbury (7) and Emily (1), turn up in High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. But by 1871, he is found at Victory Street, St Paul, Greenwich, with wife Sarah and daughter Emily. This Andrew Padbury died in Greenwich, in 1877.
3. Andrew Arthur Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, was born on 1 Jul 1844 and baptised 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey. As above, he married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869 and died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875.
4. Andrew William Padbury, son of Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin, born 16 May 1869, in Deptford. Despite not locating him in 1881, Andrew Padbury (21) Printer machine minder turns up, in 1891, in Barnsbury Road, Islington, London, as a boarder in the household of Arthur Evans. Andrew William Padbury married Honora Rose Brown, in Islington, in 1894. In 1901, were living in 20, Perth Road, Hornsey, Edmonton, Middlesex. Honor Rose Padbury died in 1904, at 29, so he remarried, to Gertrude Annie Cole on 15 Oct 1905 at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow. In 1911, they were living at 19 Cairo Road, Walthamstow and in 1939, at Tudor Cottage, Shoebury Road, Southend-On-Sea. Andrew W Padbury died, aged 83, in Southend-On-Sea, in 1952.
5. Andrew Thomas William Padbury, son of Andrew William Padbury and Honora Rose Brown, was born in Islington, in 1894. He married Elsie May Payne at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow, on 27 Feb 1916. Andrew T W Padbury died, aged 72, in 1967, in Braintree, Essex.

In 1891, Emily Ada Padbury married George Philip Heath in St Pancras, London and Elizabeth Sarah Padbury married John Carpenter Wade also in St Pancras, London. Both marriages were in the third quarter of that year. 

In 1901, George P Heath (33) from Teignmouth, Devon and Emily A Heath were at 32, Winchester Road, Edmonton, Middlesex. Their third child, George P Heath, was born, in 1898, in Portsea, Hampshire. In 1911, they were living at 77 Fore St, Upper Edmonton, Edmonton. In 1939 they were at 65 Portland Crescent, Harrow. Emily A Heath died in Harrow, on 26 Feb 1960.

In 1901, John C Wade (29) Plumber and wife Elizabeth S, who also had 3 children then, were living at 24, Kingsdown Road, Islington, London. In 1911, they'd gone no further than 28 Kingsdown Road. Still in Islington in 1921 and 1939, Elizabeth S Wade died, aged 82, in Hendon in 1955.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook and Edith Mary Pope

St George's Church in Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Steve Daniels - geograph.org.uk/p/5462454
Located almost opposite the entrance to Gunwharf Quays. The church is known as the shipwrights' church having been built by 15 shipwrights from the dockyard in 1753.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook (b. 15 Feb 1886) Engine Room Artificer, then of 42 Union St, Portsea, son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back, married Edith Mary Pope (b. 30 Sep 1889 on Portsea Island), daughter of Robert William Pope and Mary Georgina Robins, on 27 Dec 1909, at St George's Church, Portsea. Witnesses were both the bride and groom's fathers, Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Robert William Pope.

Ernest and Edith had one son:

1. Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook b. 17 Jun 1916 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 625 and baptised at Portsea, St George.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook from Devonport, Devon, born 15 Feb 1886, then 21, had joined the Royal Navy as a Fitter & Turner on 6 Dec 1907. He was then 5 ft 5½ in with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion.

In 1911, Edith Mary Eastabrook (21) was living at 13 Butcher Street, Portsea, with her widowed father, Robert William Pope (49) Plumber & Decorator, while her husband was at sea with HMS Liverpool (1909). 

From 19 Aug 1915 until 13 Apr 1917, Ernest Richard Eastabrook was assigned to HMS Barham (04), so that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, like his elder brother, he took part in the Battle of Jutland. HMS Barham was hit six times during the battle, five times by 30.5 cm shells and once by a 28.3 cm shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. Following repairs, HMS Barham was also involved in the Action of 19 August 1916, in which his brother's ship was one of those damaged and subsequently lost.

On 14 Apr 1917, Ernest Richard Eastabrook was promoted to Acting Artificer Engineer and on 6 Aug 1917 to Acting Mate (E).

In 1921, Ernest Richard Eastabrook (35) Engineer Leiutenant RN was living at 95 Shadwell Road, North End, Portsmouth with Edith Mary Eastabrook (31), Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook (5) and they were able to employ Gladys Mildred Saxby (15) General Domestic Servant.

In 1939, Edith Mary Eastabrook was at 12 Padwick Avenue, Portsmouth. She's listed as married, but her husband is not in the household.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook died, aged 87, in 1973, in Hampshire.

Edith Mary Eastabrook of St Mary's House, St Mary's Road, Portsmouth (former workhouse) died, aged 86, on 25 May 1975.

(On 10 Jun 1944, Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook married Agnes May Phimister (Nancy) Mitchell (b. 30 Jul 1921) in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland. They had two daughters, born in Portsmouth. Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook died, at 77, in 1993 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. Agnes May Phimister Eastabrook died, aged 83, on 20 Sep 2004, in Dorchester, Dorset.)

William Tubb and Sarah Chard

The nave at St Mary's, Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/1379010

William Tubb (b. 1785), son of William Tubb and Jane Bound, married Sarah Chard (bap. 2 Feb 1787 at St James' Church, Poole), daughter of George Chard and Ann Hellier, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 27 Dec 1807. 

The font at St Alban's, Copnor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre
geograph.org.uk/p/1493684

William and Sarah Tubb appear to have had eleven children, all baptised also in the first church of St Mary's. The font still exists, but is now located in St Alban's Church, Copnor.

1. William Tubb bap. 1 May 1808
2. James Tubb b. 30 Apr 1809, bap. 23 May 1809
3. Samuel Tubb bap. 16 Jun 1811
4. Sarah Jane Tubb b. 30 Sep 1812, bap. 3 Jul 1814 
5. Mary Tubb b. 15 Jan 1814, also bap. 3 Jul 1814 
6. John Tubb bap. 12 Feb 1816
7. Thomas Tubb bap. 24 Apr 1820 (Later records suggest he was probably born in 1818.)
8. Alfred Tubb bap. 2 Oct 1820
9. Hannah Tubb bap. 23 Nov 1823. Buried 27 Aug 1826, also at St Mary's.
10. Henry Tubb bap. 12 Jun 1825
11. Edward Tubb bap. 18 Nov 1827

The baptism records for Mary, John, Thomas, Alfred, Hannah, Henry and Edward all list their father as Ropemaker of George's Row.

This was the same period, same church (& font) in which Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Charles Dickens were baptised, in 1806 and 1812, respectively. Even though the Brunel family moved away to London in 1808 and the Dickens only moved into the area in 1809, the chance that this Tubb family and those of Brunel or Dickens - even if not moving in the same circles - being under the same roof at the same time, has to be quite high. 

Sarah Tubb of George's Row, died at 45, and was buried, on 4 May 1831.

Alfred Tubb must have died around 1841. There is no death or burial record (abroad or at sea maybe?), the Index To Death Duty Registers list his father, William Tubb of 12 Bow Street, Landport, Portsea as Administrator.

In 1841, William Tubb (54) was living in the household of daughter Mary (27) and son-in-law, John Windel (37) in Bow Street, Portsea, along with his youngest two sons Henry Tubb (15) and Edward Tubb (13). 

 (The Portsmouth Encycopedia says, "Bow Street ran east from Commercial Road just north of the Railway Terminus (1847) (now Portsmouth & Southsea Station) to Dorset Street. Bow Street was later re-named Station Street.")

In 1851, William Tubb (64) Widower, Ropemaker was once more listed merely as a visitor, in the household of John and Mary Windel in Bow Street, Portsea, this time along with just his son Henry Tubb (25) Ropemaker.

In 1861, William Tubb (76) Superannuated Rope Maker (who said he was from Poole, Dorset, but this was actually where his late wife was from), was living at 33, Bow Street, Portsea and had gone back to being the head of the household after the death of his son-in-law, John Windell in January of that year. Living there with him were his daughter, Mary Windell (48) Widow; Thomas Noble (33) Coppersmith from Newport IOW, Grandson-in-law; Sarah A Noble (29) Wife of Coppersmith, Granddaughter-in-law (Sarah Ann Windell, as was, was Mary's step-daughter); Ellen Windell (17), Edward Windell (6) and Eliza Noble (2), also listed as a Granddaughter, but if we were being pedantic, she was actually William's step-great-granddaughter.

Son Samuel Tubb (58) Seaman of Bow Street, Landport, died on 19 Apr 1869 and was buried on 22 Apr 1869 at Portsea Cemetery. 

In 1871, William Tubb (85) Rope Maker was still in Bow Street, Portsea, then in the household of Alfred John Rees (27), listed as his wife's grandfather. (Alfred's wife, Ellen, was the daughter of John and Mary Windel.) That year, Henry Tubb (45) Rope spinner from Landport, Hants was an Inmate at the Alverstoke House of Industry, Near Gosport. (The full title of the Alverstoke Workhouse was the House of Industry.) Henry then just disappeared.

William Tubb, Rope Maker of Bow Street, Landport, died on 19 Aug 1872, aged 87, and was buried on 23 Aug 1872 at Portsea Cemetery.

Thomas Pearce and Sarah Hall

St. Mary's Church - Alverstoke
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Babb - geograph.org.uk/p/1093207

Thomas Pearce married Sarah Hall on 14 Dec 1797 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. Witnesses to their marriage were Ann Deadman and Robert Hills.

Thomas and Sarah appear to have had five children:

1. Mary Ann Pearce b. 19 Dec 1798, bap. 21 Dec 1800
2. Robert Pearce bap. 21 Dec 1800, in the parish of Portsea St Mary
3. Thomas Hooper Pearce b. 30 Aug 1806, bap. 2 Sep 1806 in the parish of Portsea St John
4. James Pearce b. 9 Jan 1809, bap 19 Jan 1809, St Johns Chapel
5. Sarah Pearce b. 16 Dec 1810, bap. 24 Mar 1811 at Portsea, St Mary

Sarah Pearce of Sandwich Street, Portsea (Sandwich Street was in the "New Buildings" taken into the Dockyard in 1847, The Portsmouth Encyclopedia) died, age estimated to 69, in 1840 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 95 and was buried on 15 Nov 1840 at St Mary's, Portsea.

In 1841, Thomas Pearce (65) Shopkeeper was in Sandwich Street, Portsea with Thomas Postings (30) Navy; Mary (30) & Thomas Postings, 17M.

In 1851, Thomas Pearce (74) Widower, Wife's Father, Retired Grocer, was living at 22 Upper Church Road, in the household of James Tubb.

Thomas Pearce, listed as Thomas Hooper Pearce, of Church Road, age given as 78, died in 1853 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 269 and was buried on 2 Jan 1853 at St Mary's, Portsea.

Thomas Tubb and Louisa Wearn

King Street, Portsmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/3754148

Thomas Tubb, Bachelor, Labourer from Bow Street, Portsea, son of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, married Lousia Wearn, daughter of John Wearn and Mary Billinger, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 28 Feb 1841. 

Thomas and Louisa had nine children in total:

1. Thomas Alfred Tubb b. 1841 S Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 07 Page 120. Died, aged 1, in 1842 D Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 07 Page 101 and was buried on 30 Oct 1842 at St Mary's, Portsea.
2. Louisa Ann Tubb b. 1843 S Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 131
3. Mary Tubb b. 1845 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 128
4. Sarah Tubb b. 1848 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 140
5. Samuel Henry Tubb. b. 1852 M Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 02B Page 402. Died, aged 19, in 1871  D Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 02B Page 246 and buried on 29 Oct 1871 at St Mary's, Portsea. See below.
6. Hannah Tubb b. 1854 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 364. Daughter of Thomas & Louisa Tubb of Bow Street, Landport, died aged 1, and was buried on 9 May 1856 at Kingston Cemetery.
7. Emma Jane Tubb b. 24 Mar 1857 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 383
8. Frances Tubb b. 1860 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 371. Died, aged 47, in 1907 D Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 273.
9. Charlotte Elizabeth Tubb b. 1863 M Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 457

In 1841, Thomas Tubb (22) Brush Maker and Louisa Tubb (20) were living in the Borough of Portsmouth, Parish of Portsea (Exact address unreadable).

In 1851, Thomas Tubb (33) Labourer was living at 18, Bow Street, Portsea (Bow Street was later re-named Station Street) with Louisa Tubb (27), Louisa Tubb (8), Mary Tubb (6), Sarah Tubb (3), John Silkcrialk (81) Visitor and his daughter Ann Silkcrialk (36) and Charles Collins (44) Lodger.

In 1861, living at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, were Thomas Tubb (45) Brush maker; Louisa Tubb (39) Stay maker; Louisa A Tubb (17) Stay maker; Sarah Tubb (13), Samuel H Tubb (9), Emma J Tubb (4), Frances Tubb (1), as well as Mary Wearn (82) Widow, who was Louisa's mother (who died in 1869).

In 1871, still at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, were Thomas Tubb (54) Brush maker; Louisa Tubb (49) Monthly nurse; Samuel Tubb (19) Sawyer; Emma Tubb (14), Fanny [Frances] Tubb (11) and [Charlotte] Elizabeth Tubb (7). Among those also living at that address at that time was John Johnson (50) Ship's Caulker from Sidlesham (nr Chichester), Sussex, Lodger.

Many newspapers nationally carried the story, on 27 Oct 1871, of A FATAL CASE OF SOMNAMBULISM. "An inquest was held before the Portsmouth coroner (Mr W H Garrington) on Tuesday evening on the body of Samuel Henry Tubb. The deceased, a young man of 19 years of age, was an inmate of the Workhouse, his intellect being impaired, and he was in the habit of walking in his sleep. A few evenings ago the attendant in his ward heard a noise, and on going outside found the deceased lying on the ground in a state of insensibility. The window of the ward had been unfastened, and it is supposed that the deceased then got out, falling onto the yard, a depth of sixteen feet. The medical officer (Dr Page) was called, but the deceased never recovered sufficiently to give and account of the occurrence, and died from concussion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death."

The Hampshire Advertiser, on 28 Oct 1871, reported it as FATAL ACCIDENT TO A LUNATIC and added the detail that, "Louisa Tubb, the wife of Thomas Tubb, a hawker, residing in Bow Street, Landport, having identified the body as that of her son, said he was a labourer and lived at home with her. In July of last year he was admitted to the lunatic ward of the workhouse, and never complained of the treatment he received there. She and other members of the family were allowed to visit him, and they were all satisfied that he was well cared for." Dr Page added, "the deceased was very inoffensive, and did not require restraint. He was classed among the imbecile patients ..."

Thomas Tubb, Brush maker, with his address listed as Union House Portsea (Workhouse, later St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth), died aged 56 and was buried from St Mary's church on 2 Aug 1874, at Kingston Cemetery.

And so, Louisa Ann Tubb (52) Widow of Bow Street, daughter of John Wearn, married John Johnson (52) Carpenter, Bachelor, also of Bow Street (i.e. the Lodger), son of Henry Johnson, at St Mary's, Portsea on 14 Apr 1875.

In 1881, at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, John Johnson (60) Carpenter from Chichester, Sussex, was then head of the household, with Louisa Johnson (59), Emma Tubb (23) Machinist sempstress; Fanny Tubb (21) Stay boner; Elizabeth Tubb (18) Dress maker (apprentice) - all listed as Daughter-in-law, when they are really Step-daughters, but these terms were often used interchangeably in this period - and [Samuel] Henry Tollervey (9) Grandson - son of Louisa Ann Tubb, who had married John Tollervey in 1853.

In 1891, John Johnson (70) Naval pensioner; Louisa Johnson (68) and Emma J Tubb (33) Stay machinist, were living at 4, King Street, Portsea. Fanny Tubb (30) Charwoman, was a Lodger in the household of William J Morgan (68) Tailor in Upper Church Path, Portsea.

Fanny Tubb (33), then of 13 Upper Church Path, Portsmouth, was admitted to St James' Hospital, Portsmouth, still a mental health facility, on 12 Jan 1894, suffering from Delusional Insanity, where she died on 21 Oct 1907.

There is a record of the death of John Johnson (75) in 1897 M Quarter in PETWORTH Volume 02B Page 227. He could have still had family in Sussex, but my feeling is that being old and perhaps infirm and unable to work and needing healthcare, he could have been sent back to the nearest workhouse to his place of birth, which may well have been the Workhouse in Petworth.

In 1901, Louisa Johnson (78) Widow, Living on Parish relief, was living at 2, King Street, Portsmouth, with Emma Tubb (43) Stay machinist and Charles Coles (73) Widower, Carpenter (retired) from Boxgrove, Sussex, Boarder. 

Louisa Ann Johnson died, aged 81, in Portsmouth, in 1905.

John Windell and Mary Tubb

Church of St Mary's, Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6667290

John Windell (b. 29 Jun 1805), son of John Windel and Mary Smith, first married Sarah Exell (bap. 22 Apr 1804), daughter of Joseph Exell and Jane Hawks, at St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 6 Feb 1831.

John and Sarah had two daughters:

1. Sarah Anne Windell bap. 21 Aug 1831
2. Mary Jane Windell bap. 13 Apr 1834. Died at 3M on 8 Jul 1834, buried 13 Jul 1834, of John & Sarah Windell of Spring Gardens, Landport

Both baptised at St Mary's, Portsea, with John's occupation listed as Joiner.

Sarah Windell (30), wife of John Windell of Spring Gardens, Landport, died on 28 Mar 1834 and was buried on 6 Apr 1834, at Portsea Cemetery.

Meanwhile, Mary Tubb (b. 1814) daughter of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, had married John Fleming (b. 1810), Mariner, at St Mary's Church, Alverstoke, on 20 Feb 1832. Only six months later, John Fleming (22), Midshipman died at Haslar Hospital (Royal Hospital Haslar), Alverstoke and was buried from St Luke's Chapel, Haslar, on 22 Aug 1832. Mary was six months pregnant.

John and Mary Fleming had one daughter:

1. Mary Ann Fleming b. 6 Nov 1832, obviously, her father's posthumous child, bap. 15 May 1836 at St Mary's, Portsea

Therefore, it was Mary Fleming, widow, who married widower, John Windell at St Mary's, Portsea on 8 Aug 1835. Witnesses to this marriage were Eliza Windell and a Benjamin Franklin (probably not this one).

John and Mary Windell produced another eight children:

1. John William Windell bap. 15 May 1836 at St Mary's, Portsea
2. Eliza Emma Windell b. 1838 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 124
3. Henry Alfred Windell b. 1842 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 144
4. Ellen Windell b. 1844 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 141
5. Louisa Elizabeth Windell b. 1846 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 152. Died, aged 6 in 1852 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION  Volume 02B  Page 241 and buried on 8 Aug 1852 at St Mary's
6. Amelia Windell b. 1848 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 149. Died aged 8M, in 1848 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 110 and was buried on 17 Oct 1848 at St Mary's, Portsea
7. Thomas Edward Windell b. 1850 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 153. Died at 2M in 1850 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 118 and was buried on 17 Feb 1850 at St Mary's, Portsea
8. Edward Charles Windell reg. 1855 M Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B 388.

Baptisms were abandoned once Civil Registration is introduced.

In 1841, John Windell (37) Joiner, was living in Bow Street, Portsea, with Mary Windell (27), Sarah Windell (9), Mary Windell (8)*, John Windell (6), Eliza Windell (3), William Tubb (54) Ropemaker (Mary's widowed father); Henry Tubb (15) and Edward Tubb (13) - Mary's brothers.

In 1851, at 21, Bow Street, Portsea, were John Windell (46) Joiner H M D Y; Mary Windell (37), Sarah Windell (19), Mary Windell (17)*, John Windell (15), Eliza Windell (13), Henry Windell (9), Ellen Windell (6), Elizabeth Windell (4), William Tubb (64) Ropemaker; Henry Tubb (25) Ropemaker.

* Listed as Mary Windell, this is actually Mary Ann Fleming (b. 1832).

John Windell, age estimated as 58, of Bow Street, Landport, died on 4 Jan 1861 and was buried on 13 Jan 1861 at Portsea Cemetery.

In 1861, Mary Windell (48) widow, was living at 33, Bow Street, Portsea, with her father William Tubb (76), then the head of the family after her husband's death, with Ellen Windell (17) and Edward Windell (6).

Mary Windell, Widow, of Bow Street, Landport, died aged 53 on 15 Sep 1867 and was buried on 19 Sep 1867, at Portsea Cemetery.

• Youngest son, Edward Windell, joined the Royal Navy as a stoker on 7 Apr 1873, giving his date of birth as 25 Dec 1851, making himself three years older than he was. He was assigned to HMS Asia (1824) then and on several other occasions throughout his career. In 1881, Edward Windell (29) Leading Stoker, Royal Navy At Sea, Ships and Overseas Establishments was with HMS London (1840) in Zanzibar, East Indies. He was with HMS London from 1 Sep 1880 to 22 Jan 1883, during which time she was involved in the suppression of the slave trade in the area. The London Evening Standard on Sat, 6 Sep 1884 reported, "The Lords Commissioners for the Admiralty have awarded medals for long service and good conduct to the following men:-  Edward Windell leading stoker of the Asia ..." Edward was shore pensioned in 1891 and discharged in 1893. In 1891, Edward Windell (36) Brass moulder, was living with his sister, Ellen Rees at 125, Wingfield Street, Portsea. Edward Windell, aged 48, died on 21 Feb 1903 and was buried from St Mary's, Portsea on 26 Feb 1903, having never married.

William Thomas Shotter and Hannah Jane Bussey

Portsea, Kings Bench Alley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Faherty - geograph.org.uk/p/5440082
Footpath from Queen Street to Kent Street.

William Thomas Shotter (b. 20 May 1845, bap. 15 Jun 1845 at St Mary's, Portsea), Purveyor of Kent Street, son of William Shotter and Elizabeth Taylor, married Hannah Jane Bussey (b. 1847), daughter of James Wilmot Bussey and Ellen Jane Munday, at St Mary's, Portsea on 8 Dec 1867.

Witnesses to this marriage were Sarah Ann Bussey, the bride's elder sister and James Bussey, who will have been either her father or younger brother.

William's father, William Shotter, was a butcher at 31, Kent Street, Portsea in 1851 and at 55, Queen Street, Portsea in 1861. Hannah's father, James Wilmot Bussey, listed as a Cattle Dealer on the marriage certificate, at 213-215 Commercial Road, in 1861 was listed as a Pork Butcher. All are listed in Portsmouth Local History, list of Butchers, Meat Dealers (PDF). This must have been a marriage of Portsmouth meat royalty, with extra sausage!

William and Hannah had nine children:

1. Elizabeth Alice Shotter b. 1868 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 433, died, aged 22, on 3 Sep 1891 and was buried on 7 Sep 1891 at Portsea Cemetery (Kingston Cemetery)
2. Ellen Jane Shotter b. 1870 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 465, died aged 1, buried, on 15 Oct 1871, at Portsmouth, Kingston Cemetery
3. Emma Shotter b. 1871 D Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 414
4. Kate Shotter b. Dec 1874, reg. 1875 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 435, died aged 1, buried, on 17 Dec 1875, at Kingston Cemetery
5. William George Shotter b. 21 May 1876 in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 447
6. Mabel Shotter b. 23 May 1879 in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 459
7. Alfred Shotter b. 1882 S Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 486
8. George Shotter b. 1884 J Quarter in ALVERSTOKE Vol 02B Page 583
9. Ruby Beatrice Shotter b. 10 May 1886 in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 479

In 1871, at 31, Kent Street, were William Shotter (25) Master Butcher, Jane Shotter (24), Elizabeth (2), Ellen (1) and Charlotte Dadd (21) Servant.

In 1881, at 24, Butcher Street, Portsea (aptly named), were William Shotter (36) Master butcher; wife listed as Anna J (34), Elizabeth A (12), Emma (9), Mabel (1) and Alice E Booker (16) Servant. William (5) was staying with his aunt, Susan Baker, Hannah's sister, at at 37, North Street, Portsea.

In 1891, at 334, Fratton Road, Portsea: William T Shotter (46) Butcher, Jane Shotter (44), Lizzie (22), Mabel (11), Alfie (8), George (6), Rose (Ruby Beatrice) (4) and Anne Tolfrey (20) Servant. 

In 1901, William T Shotter (56) was 'Living on own means' (retired) at Laureldene, London Road, Portsmouth, with Anna J Shotter (53), Mabel Shotter (21), Alfred Shotter (18) Engineer Fitter and Ruby B Shotter (14).

Hannah Jane Shotter, wife of William Shotter, of Queen's Road, Buckland, died on 7 Jul 1902 and was buried on 9 Jul 1902 at Portsea Cemetery.

Then William Thomas Shotter (59), Cattle Dealer, widower of 161 Victoria Road North, Southsea, son of William Shotter, Butcher, married Rosina Jane Nash (45), widow, reputedly the daughter of Alfred George Dorman, Builder on 8 Sep 1904 at St Peter's Church, Southsea. (I can find no record, anywhere, of any marriage between Dorman and Nash; no birth of a Rosina Jane Dorman around 1859 and nobody named Alfred George Dorman of an appropriate age. Nor any records of a Rosina Jane Shotter after this.)

William Thomas Shotter of Queens Road, Portsea, died aged 62, on 15 Mar 1907 and was buried on 19 Mar 1907 at Portsea Cemetery.

James Henry Tubb and Susannah Bussey

HMNB Portsmouth and HMS Victory
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Dixon - geograph.org.uk/p/4091430

James Henry Tubb (b. 1 Apr 1834), son of William Tubb and Sarah Ruff, married Susannah Bussey, daughter of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen, on 10 Nov 1857, at the second, St. Mary's Church, Portsea. 

James and Susannah had six children: 

1. Sarah Elizabeth Tubb b. 1858 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 337, bap. 6 Feb 1859 at St Mary's Church, Portsea. (Sarah Elizabeth Tubb married Alfred Burgess Tregurtha on 12 Feb 1883. Sarah died on 25 Feb 1946. Both are buried at Williamstown Cemetery.)
2. James Alfred Tubb b. 24 Dec 1861, GRO Reference: 1862 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 424, bap. 23 Feb 1862 at St Mary's Church, Portsea. (James Alfred Tubb married Evelyn Winch. James Alfred Tubb died on  23 Nov 1918 (aged 56) and is buried at Williamstown Cemetery, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia.)
3. William Henry Tubb b. 1863 D Quarter in SOUTHAMPTON Volume 02C Page 8, bap. 1 Jan 1865 at All Saints' Church, Southampton (regularly attended by author Jane Austen while she lived in Southampton and Pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais was baptised there.) Not included in the family grave in Australia, there was, a William Henry Tubb of the right vintage, who may have returned to Portsmouth.
4. George Ernest Tubb b. 1866 J Qtr in SOUTH STONEHAM Vol 02C 65, bap. 8 Jul 1866, as George Emett Tubb, in Freemantle. Married Margaret Curtis, in Victoria, Australia in 1891. George Ernest Tubb, son of James Henry and Susan Tubb, died in Rylstone, New South Wales, in 1938.
5. Nelly Tubb b. 1868 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 471. (Nelly Tubb married Walter Beverley Wood in Victoria, Australia, in 1890. Nelly Wood died, aged 25-26, on 12 Apr 1895.)
6. Minnie Beatrice Tubb b. 1877 in Australia. (Minnie Beatrice Tubb married Henry John Manderson. Minnie died on 6 Jul 1967.)

James Tubb, from Landport, Hants, born 1 Apr 1834, 5ft 8in tall, with fair complexion, brown hair and grey eyes, had enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy First Class at 16, in 1850. James Tubb (16), Sailor was listed on the 1851 census in his parent's house, in Marylebone Street, Portsea.

James Henry Tubb's Naval Career: 

• HMS Victory - 15 Mar 1850 to 21 Jun 1851. Not the obsolete ship, but the Shore Establishment that was given her name.
• HMS Retribution (1844) - 22 Jun 1851 to 14 Dec 1851. A a wooden paddle frigate. [Naval Database] 21 Jun 1851 Orders received to prepare to take troops to the Cape of Good Hope with HMS Sidon (1846). 30 Aug 1851 Cape of Good Hope.

The Russian (Crimean War) War of 1854 - 1856:

• HMS Britannia (1820) - 15 Dec 1851 to 13 Mar 1855. Oct 1853 Circa. At the Dardanelles 970 men, Vice-Admiral J. W. D. Dundas. Captain T. W. Carter, with rest of Mediterranean Fleet. 17 Oct 1854 1st Bombardment / Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855)
• HMS Nile (1839) - 14 Mar 1855 to 20 Apr 1857. [Naval Database] Crimean War in the Baltic: On 18 September 1855, Nile's boats boarded and burnt some Russian vessels, reportedly near Hammeliski (possibly Humaliski on the island of Björkö, now called Primorsk, Leningrad Oblast) 20 Sep 1855 Nile and 3 gunboats detained the vessels Victoria and the Ottawa. 4 Feb 1856 Devonport. In Harbour. 24 Feb 1856 Devonport. 26 Feb 1856 arrived at Spithead from Plymouth to join the Baltic Fleet. 23 Apr 1856, Present at Fleet Review, Spithead; under Captain Mundy

This is the second of my relatives to have served in the Baltic during the Crimean War and also the second to have taken part in the 1856 Royal Fleet Review, Spithead. At the review, the HMS Duke of Wellington was at the head of the Port line, while, according to the report in the The Illustrated London News, 26 April 1856, "Abreast of the Port line the Royal George led the Starboard [...] Then came the Nile ..." So not only were both sides of my family represented at the 1856 Royal Fleet Review, they were on both sides of the line and their ships were almost side-by-side. Incredible.

• Still with HMS Nile until 20 Apr 1857, on the North America and West Indies Station. 29 Jan 1857 arrived Havana (Cuba) from Port Royal (Jamaica). 3 Feb 1857 departed Havana for Bermuda.
• On 21 Apr 1857 until 8 Feb 1858, James was assigned to HMS Excellent (shore establishment), the "stone frigate", sited on Whale Island near Portsmouth. (Again, not the only family member to have spent time at HMS Excellent.) It was while he was stationed here that James Henry Tubb had married Susannah Bussey.

HMS Marlborough in Valletta harbour, sometime between 1858 and 1864.

• From 9 Feb 1858 until 22 Mar 1861, HMS Marlborough (1855) which will have taken him back to the Mediterranean. Feb 1858 Commissioned, Delayed sailing 128 days due to a lack of men. 1860 Flag Ship, Mediterranean. 22 Mar 1861 Paid off.

In 1861, James Tubb (27) Seaman RN, was listed as living in Landport View, Portsea, with wife Susan Tubb (26) and daughter, Sarah Tubb (2).

• From 23 Mar 1861 to 14 Apr 1862 back at HMS Excellent.
• From 15 Apr 1862 through to 7 Aug 1866, James was with HMS Boscawen (1844), which from Feb/Mar of 1862 had been hulked as a Boys training ship in Southampton Water. (This explains son William Henry Tubb's baptism taking place in Southampton, in 1865.)
• A third stint at HMS Excellent from 8 Aug 1866 to 5 Oct 1867.

Taken at Williamstown, Victoria,
between 1870 and 1879.
Port broadside view of the wooden
steam battleship HMVS Nelson.

Then from 6 Oct 1867 to 14 Feb 1868, James was with HMS Nelson (1814). Given his history, I'd first thought they'd mean the shore establishment of the same name, but it was, in fact, an actual ship. Nelson was given to the colony of Victoria, and sailed for Australia in October 1867, thus James was on that handover voyage. Clearly, this also gave him the opportunity to see that part of Australia that the family would later make their home.

Back in Portsmouth between 15 Feb 1868 and 1 Mar 1869, James was, once more, assigned to HMS Victory shore establishment. 

James' final assignment, from 2 Mar 1869 until his retirement from the Royal Navy on 31 Dec 1870, was with HMS Duke of Wellington (1852), at which time she replaced HMS Victory as flagship of the Port Admiral at Portsmouth (with Victory becoming her tender), her duties consisting of firing salutes to passing dignitaries, such as Queen Victoria on her way to Osborne House. As a Gunner's Mate since 6 Sep 1860, James may even have helped fire those salutes.

In 1871, Susan Tubb (37) Seaman's wife, was living at 11 Besant Terrace, Portsea with Sarah (12), James (9), William (7), Ernest (5) and 'Millie' (Nelly) (3).

''Queen of Nations'' by Richard Ball Spencer

On 19 Mar 1873, Susan Tubb (38), Sarah E (14), James A (10), Wm Hy (9), George E (6) and Nelly (4), departed from Plymouth, Devon, England, on the clipper, Queen of Nations. They arrived in Melbourne after a journey of around 140 days. (I've [so far] not seen a record of how James Henry got back to Australia, but I wouldn't mind betting he worked his passage.)

Susan Tubb (née Bussey) died on 20 Aug 1912 and is buried in Williamstown Cemetery, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. She will have been 80.

James Henry Tubb died on 8 Nov 1922, and is also buried in Williamstown Cemetery, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. He will have been 88.

The Family Grave of J H Tubb at Williamstown Cemetery, Victoria, Australia Photo: Suzy & Rob