Thomas Clark and Sarah Wilton

Part of the carriage drive in Southwark Park
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/2649163

Thomas Clark, son of Claudius Clark and Hannah Cornell, married Sarah Wilton, daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, on 3 Apr 1839 in Royston, Hertfordshire. Thomas was baptised on 15 Mar 1818 in Great Dunmow (where his parents were married on 27 May 1817). Claudius was a wheelwright. Thomas, like Sarah's brothers, was a Harness Maker.

Thomas and Sarah had ten children:

1. Thomas Clark Wilton b. 1838 S Quarter in ROYSTON Vol 06 Page 528
2. Ann Clark b. 1841 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 72
3. Emma Clark b. 1842 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 69
4. Sarah Wilton Clark b. 1845 M Quarter in BRAINTREE Vol 12 Page 26
5. Alfred Clark b. 1847 M Quarter in BRAINTREE Vol 12 Page 32
6. Robert Clark b. 1849 1849 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 525
7. Caroline Clark b. 1851 J Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 04 Page 84
8. Elizabeth Clark b. 1854 M Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 465 (Died at 13 in 1867 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 413)
9. Thomas William Clark b. 1857 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 433
10. Walter Edward Clark b. 1862 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 514 (Died at 18 in 1880 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 443)

In 1841, Thomas Clark (23) and Sarah (22) were living in Great Dunmow, with children Thomas (2) and Ann (0).

In 1851, they were at 4 South Place, Camberwell, with Thomas Clark (33) Coach Trimmer; Sarah Clark (32), Emma Clark (8), Sarah W Clark (6), Robert Clark (2), Caroline Clark (1 Mo), Ann Wilton (34) Visitor (Sarah's sister) and Stephen Wilton (3) Nephew (Ann's illegitimate son).

In 1871, in Camberwell, were Thomas Clark (53) Harness Maker, birthplace Dunmow; Sarah Clark (52), birthplace Royston; Robert Clark (22), Harness Maker, birthplace Southwark; Thomas Clark (13), Scholar, and Walter Clark (9), Scholar, birthplace Peckham. Also living with them were Ann Wilton (54), Needlewoman, birthplace Royston, wife's sister; Stephen Wilton (23), Harness Maker, birthplace Southwark, Nephew and Martha Wilton (10), Scholar, birthplace Peckham, Niece, both Ann's illegitimate children.

Then Thomas Clark died, in Camberwell, aged 59, in 1877 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Volume 01D Page 524.

In 1881, Sarah Clark (62), widow, was lodging in the household of her married daughter, Caroline Thornhill (30) at 57, South Street, Camberwell.

In 1891, Sarah Clark (72), widow, was employed as a General Servant Nurse in the household of Henry R Weller (29) in Kimberley Road, Lambeth.

Sarah Clark died at 84 in 1903 M Qtr in ST. PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 24.

Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt

Quaker Meeting House (1835), New Street, Great Dunmow

Richard Wilton (bap. 20 Mar 1811 in Royston, Hertfordshire), middle son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Catherine Byatt (bap. 4 Apr 1824 in Little Canfield, Essex), daughter of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, at the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House), New Street, Great Dunmow, on 25 Mar 1843, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Protestant Dissenters. Richard Wilton, who had been listed on the 1841 census, living in the High Street, Great Dunmow, as a harness maker (as he is on the marriage certificate), was 32 at the time of the wedding and Catherine Byatt, then 19, was listed as a minor. Witnesses were Richard's younger brother Joseph Wilton and Maria Staines (then 17) sister of Richard's brother, Henry's wives (both), daughters of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley. 

Richard and Catherine had seven children:

1. Ann Wilton b. 1844 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 76, mother's maiden name BYATE. (Died 27 Apr 1850 (1850 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56), aged 6, buried 2 May 1850)
2. Elizabeth Wilton b. 6 Aug 1847 (1847 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 69 1847 Q3 - the whole of volume 12 is missing except for the first page (about 3000 entries missing)
3. Richard Wilton b. 1848 (No GRO birth registration) (Died, aged 41, in 1889 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 322)
4. Walter Wilton b. 1850 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 79 (Died, aged 1, in 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 219)
5. Martha Wilton b. 1853 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 317 (Died, aged 1, in 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 209)
6. William Wilton b. 1855 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 311 (Died, aged 3, in 1858 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 223)
7. Ellen Wilton b. 1857 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 335 

On the birth registrations for Walter, Martha, William and Ellen, the mother's maiden name is correctly listed as BYATT.

Richard Wilton, Harness maker (journeyman), died on 3 Mar 1858, from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis). He was 46.

George Wilton, born in the Dunmow Union (Workhouse) on 3 Feb 1860 (1860 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 361), birth certificate says his mother's name was Caroline Wilton, no father listed, but I cannot find a Caroline Wilton in the area at any time. On later census returns George was listed as Catherine's new husband - John Eldred's - step-son, so George appears to have been Catherine's 'mystery' illegitimate son.

In 1861, the widowed Catherine (surname transcribed as Wilson), was living with her brother, William Byatt, in Little Canfield. George Wilton, aged 1, was listed there as nephew to the head of the household. There was a Stephen Wilton (13) Baker, lodging in the household of Elizabeth Edwards (73) at Dunmow Down, Great Dunmow, however, I believe this was a pseudonym used by their son Richard Wilton (see 1884 below). While, the 13 year old Elizabeth and her 4 year old sister, Ellen (listed as being 6), were that year, listed as inmates in the Great Dunmow Union Workhouse.

Catherine then remarried to John Eldred, widower, on 27 Sep 1862 in Great Dunmow. (Various records list her previous surname as Walton or Wilson.)

John Eldred (bap. 10 Mar 1822 in Great Dunmow) son of William Eldred and Eleanor Fewell, had married for the first time to Harriett Page, on 20 Aug 1848, in Great Dunmow. John and Harriett Eldred had three sons: 

1. John Eldred b. 1849 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. (Died aged 10, in 1860 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 224)
2. Walter Eldred b. 1852 D Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 355, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. On the baptism, his father's occupation is listed as Brewer's Servant and address given as No 12 Smith Place High Street Wapping London. (Died, aged 18, in 1871 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 256)
3. Alfred Eldred bap. 12 Aug 1855 in Great Dunmow

But Harriet Eldred died aged 28, in 1855 D Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 312.

John Eldred remarried to Elizabeth Tennisse, Widow, daughter of John Pitts, Mariner, on 2 Nov 1856 at Christ Church, St George in the East. Elizabeth Pitts had previously married James Tennisse in 1854, in Bethnal Green. The pair had three children, all of whom died as infants: Maria Sophia Tennisse (1849-1853); James John Tennisse (1851-1856) and Sarah Tennisse (1853-1855). James Tennisse also died, at 32, in 1855, in Stepney.

John and Elizabeth Eldred had one daughter:

1. Thomazine Maria Eldred b. 24 Jul 1857 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413, bap. 4 Apr 1858 in the parish of St George in the East, Stepney. Her father's occupation was listed as Drayman and their address again as 12 Smith's Place.

Then Elizabeth Pitts Eldred died, aged 30, in 1859 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 271. 

So when Catherine Wilton married John Eldred, she became his third wife.

In 1871, living in Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, were John Eldred (44) Ag Lab, Catherine Eldred (42) both had lost 5 years; Walter Eldred (18) Son, Alfred Eldred (16) Son, Maria Eldred (13) Daughter, Ellen Wilton (14) Step-Daughter; George Wilton (11) Step-Son; and Alice Wilton (2) Granddaughter (Alice Catherine Wilton born 12 Feb 1869, to Elizabeth Wilton.)

Then John Eldred died, aged 49, in 1876 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 54. 

In 1881, Catherine Eldridge (sic) (56) Widow, Dressmaker from Cranfield (sic), Essex, was living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Richard Wilton (31) Labourer; George Wilton (21) Labourer; Ellen Wilton (24) Match Maker; Susan Robinson (21) Match Maker (Boarder) and four Lodgers: William Wardley (20) Labourer from Sudbury, Suffolk; Arthur Seatch (36) Labourer from Bromley; Frank Poulter (24) Carman from Cambridge and James Howard (18) Match Maker (Fusee) from Bromley.

Matchgirl strikers, several showing early symptoms of phosphorus necrosis. Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

White Slavery in London

Living little more than half a mile from the Bryant & May's factory in Bow, it's probably reasonable to assume this was where they were all employed, where conditions were especially bad. 

"The match girls worked from 6.30am (or 8am in winter) until 6pm, with just two breaks, standing all the time. “A typical case”, wrote Besant, “is that of a girl of 16, a piece worker; she earns 4s a week ..." (Worth around £26 in 2020).

"Conditions were appalling for the 1,400 women and girls who worked at Bryant and May's match factory in Bow, East London. Low pay for a 14-hour day was cut even more if you talked or went to the toilet, and 'phossy jaw' - a horrible bone cancer caused by the cheap type of phosphorus in the matches - was common." 

"If you handled white phosphorus or came into contact with it too much, then it caused serious damage to your health and you ended up with a terrible condition known as ‘Phossy Jaw’ – where you would get severe toothache followed by swelling of the gums. Abscesses would then form on the jaw-bone, and the facial bones would glow a greeny white in the dark. If untreated then ‘Phossy Jaw’ would develop into brain damage and ultimately multiple organ failure." As a result of these appalling conditions, the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888 started in the factory, which led to the establishment of the first British trade union for women. Match Girls Strike at Bryant and May Factory: The 1888 Uprising for Workers’ Rights in London

Having checked the records, I know my 2x great-grand aunt was not involved in the Matchgirls Strike in 1888, but it gives an insight into the conditions she must have endured. She could have been involved in an earlier, unsuccessful, strike in 1881. [As yet] I've found no verified record of Ellen Wilton after 1881, so she may have already become a victim of these circumstances.

The Essex Herald of 20 Oct 1884 reported on "WHOLESALE SHOP LIFTING. - Richard Wilton, a navvy, of Bromley-by-Bow, was brought up in custody charged with stealing a black rep cloth overcoat and 12 pairs of tanned leggings, value £1, from the shop of Edwin Joseph Wilton, in High Street, Dunmow on Saturday night last. Prisoner was further charged with stealing six twill jackets, value 24s, the property of Mr John Beard, of North Street, Great Dunmow, on Saturday night. Superintendent Ackers stated that the greater part of the property had been recovered and identified, and, it being believed that others were implicated in the robbery, he asked that the prisoner, who was only arrested on Sunday night, might be remanded. The prisoner was accordingly remanded for a week. Later reports, which (incorrectly named the perp as Stephen Wilton (36) Baker) noted that Mr Wilton stated the prisoner was his cousin. The prisoner was acquitted. (There were two cousins, to both Richard and Edwin, named Stephen Wilton [1] [2] - neither were angels - but I'm sure that this was not either of them.

Of Catherine's two surviving children and two step-children: her daughter Elizabeth Wilton; her son George Wilton; Alfred Eldred and Thomazine Maria Eldred ... all four gave the name Catherine as the first or middle name to their first child. In the case of her step-son, Alfred's wife's mother was also named Catherine to account for this, but for all of them to use the name, I think tells us far more about Catherine as a person than records usually can.

So far, I've not found a death for Catherine, but with so many incorrect names given throughout her life, it's not easy to guess what it might be listed under. There's also the chance, of course, that she remarried once again and therefore this is under yet another totally new name.

Charles Prior and Mary Wilton

Shops in Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/6483373

Charles Prior (b. 1812 in Great Dunmow), son of John Prior and Elizabeth Suckling, married Mary Wilton, daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, at an unknown venue, in Great Dunmow on Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 1833. 

Charles and Mary Prior had four children: 

1. Henry Prior b. 1835
2. Mary Prior b. 1838 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 71 (Mother's maiden name listed as WILSON.)
3. Elizabeth Prior b. 1840 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION  Volume 12 Page 73 (Mother's maiden name listed as HILTON.)
4. Ann Prior b. 1842 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 77 (Mother's maiden name, finally, listed correctly as WILTON.)

In 1841, Charles Prior (29) Basket Maker, Mary Prior (33), Henry Prior (6), Mary Prior (3) and Elizabeth Prior (1) were in the High Street, Great Dunmow. The census record reveals that the family monopolised this part of the High Street with Charles and Mary Prior being next door to John and Elizabeth Prior, Charles' parents, who in turn, were next door to Mary's brother, Henry Wilton (who had Henry Wilton Pryor in his household, apprentice tailor). The other side of them was their uncle Henry Wilton. The other side of Charles and Mary Prior was another of Mary's brothers, Richard Wilton. 

Charles Prior (and his father, John Prior) were listed as Basket Makers and Mary Prior as a Straw Hat Maker in White's Directory of Essex 1848.

In 1861, still in High Street, Great Dunmow, were Charles Prior (49) Basket Maker from Great Dunmow; Mary Prior (58) Bonnet Maker; Mary Prior (23) Bonnet Maker and Elizabeth Prior (21) Dressmaker.

In 1871, in New Street, Great Dunmow were Charles Prior (59) Basket Maker, Mary Prior (66) and Elizabeth Prior (30) Straw Bonnet Maker. 

In 1881, with address as High Street New Street, Great Dunmow (were they on the corner?), were Charles Prior (69) Basket Maker; Mary Prior (75) Basket Maker's Wife and Elizabeth Prior (40) Straw Bonnet Maker.

Mary Prior (née Wilton) died, aged 83, in 1887 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 319.

In 1891, in the High Street, Great Dunmow, were Charles Prior (79) Widower, Basket Maker and daughter, Elizabeth Prior (50) Bonnet Maker.

Charles Prior died, aged 79, in 1891 D Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 343.

(Elizabeth Prior died, aged 59, in 1899 D Quarter in RISBRIDGE Volume 04A Page 483. Ann Prior had married Charles Probart Keeble in 1865 and they had been living in Queen Street, Haverhill, Risbridge, Suffolk.)

Now, I realise they're hardly the Bennet Sisters (also from Hertfordshire), but the Wilton girls - who were born between 1804 and 1819 - will have come of age between 1825 and 1840 and it helps to look at the styles of their age.

Getting Dressed in the 1830s

John Pryor and Elizabeth Wilton and Edith Sell

Royston: early blossom in Kneesworth Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4814372

John Pryor (b. 22 Aug 1803 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of John Pryor and Lydia Bateson, married Elizabeth Wilton, second daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire on 4 Sep 1823. 

John and Elizabeth appear to have seven children:

1. Lydia Pryor b. 17 Jun 1824, bap. 24 Jun 1837
2. Henry Wilton Pryor b. 14 Nov 1827, bap. 24 Jun 1837
3. Francis Pryor b. 4 Mar 1830, bap. 24 Jun 1837
4. Matthew John Pryor b. 14 Nov 1832, bap. 26 Jun 1837 (died 1838)
5. Elizabeth Pryor b. 9 Dec 1834, bap. 24 Jun 1837 (died 1841)
6. William Bateson Pryor b. 1837 S Qtr in ROYSTON UNION Vol 06 400
7. Alfred John Pryor b. 1839 J Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 600

All baptisms took place at the New Meeting House, Royston. Maybe they felt the need to catch up before Civil Registration came in on 1 Jul 1837.

It looks very much like Elizabeth Pryor (née Wilton) died in 1840. 

Elizabeth Pryor, aged 6, died in 1841 D Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 396.

Elizabeth's sister, Martha Wilton (30), was living in John Pryor (35)'s household, in High Street, Royston, in 1841, along with Lydia Pryor (17), William B Pryor (3) and Alfred Pryor (2). Henry Wilton Pryor (listed as Henry Prior) (14) Apprentice Tailor, was living in the household of his Uncle Henry Wilton (his mother's brother) in High Street, Great Dunmow; Francis Pryor (11), it appears was in the household of Benjamin Batt (55) in Padler's Lane, Therfield, Hertfordshire, but I don't know in what capacity.

John Pryor remarried, in Royston, on 25 Aug 1842 to Edith Sell, daughter of Tempest Sell and Sarah Docwa, with whom he had two further children:

1. Edith Sell Pryor b. 1843, bap. 25 Aug 1844
2. Tempest Simeon Sell Pryor b. 1846

"Edith Fossey Prior, daughter of Tempest Sell, who departed this life, April 5th, 1850, aged 37 years", was buried on 12 Apr 1850 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn. (There are monuments to Tempest Sell at Bassingbourn Parish Church, Edith's brother and ancestors.) 

John Pryor appears to have died, in 1850 too, because, in 1851, son Alfred (12), Edith (7) and Tempest (5), surname spelt Prior, were all resident at the Bassingbourn Union Workhouse (Royston Union Workhouse).

Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines and Ann Staines

St Peter, Colchester, Essex - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1862874

Henry Wilton, forth child and eldest son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Sarah Staines, daughter of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley on 9 Aug 1838 at St Peter's Church, Colchester, Essex.

Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines had at least eight children:

1. Henry Staines Wilton b. 14 Aug 1840 (1840 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 70), bap. 27 Sep 1840 at St Giles' Church, Mountnessing
2. Stephen Thomas Wilton b. 1841 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 68, bap. 29 May 1842 at St Giles, Mountnessing
3. Maria Wilton b. 19 Dec 1843 (reg. 1844  M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 76), bap. 24 Mar 1844 at St Giles', Mountnessing
4. Mary Ann Wilton b. 1846 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 82, bap. 29 Oct 1848 at St Giles's Church, Mountnessing. Died at 27 in 1873 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 239.
5. Still Born Child of Henry and Sarah Wilton buried 7 Jan 1850
6. William Hankin Wilton b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12  Page 93 (at home on 1871 Census, nothing since)
7. Still Born buried 24 Jul 1854 (Dissenters)
8. Sarah Wilton b. 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 299. Died 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 207. As 'Infant Wilton' buried 10 Jul 1856 (Dissenters)

These "Dissenters" or Non-Conformist Burials are listed at the Protestant Dissenters Burial Ground, which I assume to mean of the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House) in New Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1841, Henry Wilton (25) Saddler, Sarah Wilton (20), Henry [Staines] Wilton (10 months); Henry Prior (14) Apprentice Tailor; Henry Joice (17) Apprentice Saddler and Charlotte Lodge (14) Female Servant, were in the High Street, Great Dunmow, located next door to Henry's uncle Henry Wilton and his wife, Mary Barton, who, in turn, were next door to George Saich (25) Ostler (and his wife, Charlotte Thorogood). The other side of them was John Prior (55) Basket Maker, father-in-law of Henry's sister Mary. 

White's Directory of Essex 1848, also lists Henry Wilton as a saddler in the High Street, Great Dunmow (as had been his uncle Henry).

In 1861, Henry Wilton (50), Saddler; Sarah Wilton (42), Stephen Wilton (19) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (15), William Wilton (10) and apprentices; Charles Gandey (18) and Charles Knight (14) were still in High Street, Great Dunmow. Henry Staines Wilton (20) was staying with his grandparents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley in Ingatestone, Chelmsford.

In 1871, Henry Wilton (62) Sadler employing 1 man and 1 boy was still in the High Street, Great Dunmow with Sarah Wilton (54), Stephen Thomas Wilton (29) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (25), William H Wilton (20) and Edith Mary Fuller (6) Granddaughter (Daughter of Maria Wilton). 

Sarah Wilton died, aged 56, 1872 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 226.

It's what happens next that's interesting, because the widowed Henry Wilton then married Ann Staines in the 3rd quarter of 1873, in Chelmsford. 

Without ordering the actual marriage certificate, I cannot be sure of the venue for this marriage, but it was presumably openly in Ann's own parish, because her parents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley, had moved to Lord Peter Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford by 1861. As you may have deduced, Ann Staines (bap. 31 Mar 1829 in at St Giles, Mountnessing) was the younger sister of Henry's deceased wife, Sarah Staines. And marrying the sister of a deceased wife was illegal in Victorian England and this remained the case until the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907.

In England the list of forbidden marriages was drawn up by the Church of England in 1560 and from then a marriage between a widower and his wife’s sister was valid but voidable - on the grounds of a passage in Leviticus, which suggested that such a relationship was incestuous (the same biblical extract Henry VIII had used to cast doubt on his marriage to Catherine of Aragon).

However, it was not explicitly illegal until the passing of the Marriage Act in 1835. The 1835 bill said that the marriages that had already happened could no longer be voided, but from then on, "such marriages could no longer take place in the United Kingdom and colonies at all". It went on to say that these marriages would have to take place abroad, a solution available only to the rich. Au contraire, Henry and Ann's marriage did take place in England, in 1873, and thus, was not lawful. When the vicar came to the bit about "any lawful impediment", either they didn't know, or everybody kept schtum.

In 1881, Henry Wilton (69) Saddler, and his new wife, Annie Wilton (52), with Henry Fuller (14) Grandson; Charles Fuller (10) Grandson (both sons of Charles William Fuller and Maria Wilton); Martha Palmer (52) Boarder [older sister of Henry Staines Wilton's wife, Amelia Palmer) and Mary Smith (14) General Servant from Good Easter, were living in High Street, Great Dunmow, where Henry had his business for many years.

Henry Wilton died on 9 May 1890, leaving £180 (£23,000 in 2020) to his son, Henry Staines Wilton.

In 1891, Ann Wilton (62) Living On Own Means, Widowed, was living in New Street, Great Dunmow and still boarding with her was Martha Palmer (63). 

In 1901, Ann Wilton (72) and Martha Palmer (72) were back living in the High Street, Great Dunmow and they had one General Domestic Servant looking after them, Emily E Lee (15) from Boston, Lincolnshire.

In 1911, Ann Wilton (82) was still in Great Dunmow with one General Domestic Servant, May Bird (19). (Martha Palmer had died in 1909.)

In 1921, Ann Wilton (92) was still in the High Street, Dunmow, Great Dunmow, Essex, still employing May Bird (29) Domestic Servant.

Ann Wilton, widow, died at 93, on 13 Apr 1922, leaving £757 19s 10d (worth £43,299 in 2020), also to Henry Staines Wilton, who was, of course, both her nephew and step-son (although, presumably, they'd not remained in contact, or she'd have known that he'd pre-deceased her in 1915.)

Robert Hankin and Elizabeth Edwards

Kneesworth Street, Royston, Herts
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ruth Sharville - geograph.org.uk/p/6687304

Robert Hankin (bap. 7 Jan 1742 in Royston), son of Thomas and Elizabeth Hankin, married Elizabeth Edwards, in Royston, on 15 Oct 1767.

Robert and Elizabeth had eight children:

1. Robert Hankin bap. 30 Jan 1769
2. Sarah Hankin bap. 26 Jun 1770
3. Joseph Hankin bap. 23 Sep 1772
4. Ann Hankin bap. 8 Mar 1775
5. Elizabeth Hankin bap. 28 Aug 1777
6. William Hankin bap. 28 Oct 1779
7. Mary Hankin bap. 29 Nov 1781
8. Unnamed child bap. Feb 1786

All of these Non-Conformist baptisms took place at the Royston, Old Meeting (Independent) House, which had existed in Middle Row, Kneesworth Street, since 1706. [Source] In 1790, a dispute arose over doctrine and a group withdrew from the Old Meeting, to form a new Meeting. In 1791 a New Meeting house was built on another site in Kneesworth Street. 

There are probable deaths for Robert Hankin in 1812 - seems likely as it is in the record set England & Wales Non-Conformist Burials in Royston - and a burial of an Elizabeth Hankin in 1817, estimating her birth to 1747.

Ann Wilton (James Wevell and Martha Wilton)

Nazareth Gardens, Peckham Rye
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Anstiss - geograph.org.uk/p/2620932
In 1878 Gordon Road Workhouse was built in the grounds of Nazareth House

Ann Wilton (b. ~1817 in Royston, Hertfordshire), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, despite never marrying, had two children: 

1. Stephen Wilton b. 1848 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 461
2. Martha Wilton b. 1860 J Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 469

In 1851, Ann Wilton (34) Visitor and Stephen Wilton (3) Nephew, were staying with her brother-in-law and younger sister, Thomas and Sarah Clark, at South Place, Saint Giles Camberwell, Camberwell, London.

On 5 Aug 1867, Stephen Wilton (18) Harness Maker, 5ft 3in with brown hair, blue eyes, a fresh complexion and a scar on his chest, was sentenced to 20 days in Wandsworth Prison and a £2 fine, for Assault. Again, on 19 Apr 1870, Stephen Wilton (21) Harness Maker, 5ft 6in, with one previous conviction, was sentenced to 1 month in Wandsworth Prison, also for Assault.

In 1871, Ann Wilton (54), Needlewoman, 'wife's sister' was again living with Thomas and Sarah Clark, in Blakes Road, Camberwell, with her children, Stephen Wilton (23), Harness Maker, and Martha Wilton (10) Scholar. 

In 1881, Ann Wilton (64), was listed as an inmate at the Workhouse Gordon Road, Camberwell. (With Thomas Clark, having died in 1877 and sister, Sarah then lodging with her own daughter, options must have run out for Ann.) Martha Wilton (21), in 1881, was a General Servant to John Newlands (61) Warehouseman Fancy Goods, at 16, Talfourd Road, Camberwell.

James Wevell (b. 1861 M Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 92), son of William Wevell and Mary Searle, married Martha Wilton, daughter of Ann Wilton, at St George's Church, Wells Way, Camberwell, on 17 May 1884. (As had her brother, Martha listed her father as an 'invented' John Wilton.)

On 8 Oct 1884, James Wevell (23) and Martha Wevell (24) embarked on the SS Duke of Westminster at Gravesend, under Queensland Assisted Immigration, arriving in Brisbane on 8 Dec 1884. 

This report in the Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), Wed 10 Dec 1884. Vessels in Harbour, details the whole voyage: "The Duke of Westminster, under the command of Captain D C Long, left London on the 7th October, on her third voyage to Queensland, embarked her passengers at Gravesend next day and proceeded on her voyage the same night. On the following day, at noon when abreast the Isle of Wight she encountered a strong gale from the south west, which continued until she was nearly through the Bay of Biscay; passed through the Straights of Gibraltar at 7 am on the 14th; arrived at Malta at daylight on the 19th, where she coaled and took in fresh provisions, leaving at 5 pm the same day. Throughout the Mediterranean she experienced fine weather, with light wind and pleasant temperature; arrived in Port Said on October 22nd at noon, and commenced coaling immediately; she also took on board sixty tons of cargo for Queensland ports; entered the Canal on the following morning; had a successful passage through, arriving at Suez on the 24th at 1 pm, the passage through the Red Sea was hot and sultry, with light following breezes; arrived at Aden on the 31st October at 10 am, leaving same evening at 7 o'clock; arrived at Colombo on the 8th November at noon; filled up with coals, discharged and took in cargo, leaving the next morning at daylight; throughout the Indian Ocean had thick cloudy weather, accompanied by a considerable amount of rain, and experienced a continuance of contrary currents; arrived at Batavia [present-day Jakarta, Indonesia] on November 17th at 8 am, discharged 200 tons cargo; left again at dawn on the 18th; passed through Sunda Straights at 8 pm on the 20th, and arrived at Thursday Island on November 21st at 8 am; left again in the afternoon after discharging cargo into the hulk. She arrived in Cooktown November 30th, at noon; Townsville December 2nd, at daybreak; Bowen on the 4th, at 6 am; Mackay same day at 9 pm; left at midnight, and anchored in Port Alma at 6:30 pm on the 5th. The Duke of Westminster has had an exceedingly successful voyage from England and the health of the passengers has been exceptionally good. She had on board altogether 456 passengers for the Queensland Ports, and 3000 tons of cargo. She landed 67 passengers, and 400 tons of cargo for Rockhampton, and left at 5 am on the 7th for Brisbane." 

They had one son, John Henry Wevell, born in Queensland on 20 Apr 1885. 

However, Martha Wevell died on 5 Oct 1885, from Typhoid. She is buried at the Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia, Section 5, Grave 1409. John Henry Wevell died, at 8 months, on 25 Dec 1885, from Gastric Fever, and was also buried at Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery, Section 5, Grave 1482. 

In 1891 Ann Wilton (73) was again an Inmate in Camberwell Workhouse.

She must have left the workhouse at some point, because the Workhouse Admission and Discharge Records show Ann Wilton (77) being (re)admitted to Camberwell Workhouse on Thursday, 18 Jul 1895.

In 1901, Ann Wilton (83) Pauper was once again at Camberwell Workhouse.

According to the Register of Deaths in the Constance Road Workhouse, Camberwell, Ann Wilton died there, on 18 Feb 1909, and was buried on 23 Feb 1909 at Camberwell Old Cemetery, Square 75, Grave 21367.

Joseph Wilton and Ann Thurlbourn

High Street, Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © William Metcalfe - geograph.org.uk/p/388676

Joseph Wilton (b. 1815 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Ann Thurlbourn (b. 9 Sep 1820 in Cambridge), daughter of John Thurlbourn and Rhoda Poarcher, in Cambridge in Q2 of 1841, and brought his new wife to Great Dunmow, where in 1841, we find Joseph Wilton (25) Tailor and Ann Wilton (20) in the High Street, where his uncle, eldest sister and two brothers already lived. If one could take a time-machine back to Great Dunmow in 1841, imagine how long it would take to get any shopping done after greeting all the family en route!

Joseph and Ann Wilton had thirteen children:

1. Sarah Ann Wilton b. 1842 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 84 
2. Edwin Joseph Wilton b. 1843 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
3. Eleanor Wilton b. 1845 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
4. Kate Wilton b. 1846 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 75 (d. 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294)
5. Clara Jane Wilton b. 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 67
6. Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton b. 1850 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 87 
7. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 316 (d. 1854 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 242)
8. Lydia Ann Wilton b. 1853 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 273
9. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1855 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 297
10. Herbert Charles Wilton b. 1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 304 (d. 1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 261)
11. Fanny Wilton b. 1859 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 372
12. Marion Louisa Wilton b. 1860 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 308 (d. 1861 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 228)
13. Frederic John Wilton b. 1862 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 334 (d. 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 234)

Most of the registrations correctly spell the mother's maiden name as THURLBOURN, so someone in the family must have been literate.

Having often joked that I come from a long line of Essex girls (white stilettos optional), little did I know quite how much influence on 'Essex style' (stop thinking TOWIE), my relatives may have had, having served the clothing needs of the population in Great Dunmow for probably three centuries or more.

Robert Hockley (bap. 1775), who may also have been my relative, was listed as a tailor in Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823 and as a tailor and draper in the High Street in 1841. They may have been in competition, but as Robert Hockley was then 65, there also exists the possibility that my Wilton relatives took over the business from my Hockley ones. Joseph Wilton was once again listed in White's Directory of Essex 1848, as a Tailor and Draper.

The difference between tailor and draper is that tailor makes, repairs, or alters clothes professionally, especially suits and men's clothing while draper is one who sells cloths; a dealer in cloths; as, a draper and tailor. And a clothier is a person or company that makes or sells clothes or cloth, while an outfitter is a shop selling men's clothing.

As the census returns for 1851 in Great Dunmow are missing, we have to wait until 1861 - when Joseph's occupation is described as Tailor And Clothier - to encounter them again. That census locates Joseph's premises three-doors-down, on the same side of the road, from the The Saracen's Head Hotel, with a confectioner and a clockmaker between them and a draper and grocer on the other side, with eight of the nine then surviving children still at home.

In 1871, Joseph Wilton, Clothier, employing 3 men and 1 boy, was still in the same position with the Willis brothers next door (although the clockmaker had changed career to become an insurance agent) and then the Parker family, confectioners. In the Wilton household were Joseph (56), wife Ann (50), Edwin Joseph (27), Eleanor (25), Arthur (20), Lydia Ann (17), Alice Maria (15), Fanny (12) and Frederick (8). Clara Jane (21) was living with her sister, Sarah Ann Jarvis (28), also in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

Joseph Wilton died, aged 58, on 11 Aug 1873 (1873 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 242), leaving effects valued 'Under £600'. 

Ann Wilton died at 56 in 1876 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 248. 

Kate Wilton died, aged 23, in 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294; Sarah Ann Jarvis died at 31, in 1874 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A  Page 271 and Frederick John Wilton died, aged 17, in 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 234. The level of loss in this family between the 1850's and 1870's is heart-breaking. 

In 1881, it fell to Edwin Joseph Wilton to carry on the Outfitters Shop, High Street, Great Dunmow, assisted by his brother Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (30) Clothier. Eleanor Wilton (29 ish) Tobacconist; Clara Wilton (27) Tobacconist, Tom Jarvis (13) Cashier Clerk, Nephew born in Thaxted [William Thomas Jarvis son of Sarah Ann Jarvis] and a Lodger were at 3, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex. Alice Marie Wilton (25) Governess and Fanny Wilton (22) Governess were elsewhere in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

In 1891, Alice Wilton (31) Schoolmistress; Fanny Wilton (28) Schoolmistress; Eleanor Wilton (38) Dressmaker; Clara Wilton (36) Dressmaker and Lillie Wilton [Lydia Ann] (32) Governess. The last three were visitors in the household of the first two in the High Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1901, Eleanor Wilton (claiming to be 45) Dressmaker and Clara Wilton (42 ish) were living in Fairfield Road, Chelmsford; Arthur T Wilton (50) Clothiers Assistant, was a Lodger at The Brook, Great Dunmow. Lydia A Wilton (42), Alice M Wilton (41) and Fanny Wilton (37) were all listed as Teacher Private School and living together in New Street, Great Dunmow.

Alice Maria Wilton died at 51 in 1906 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A 385. Essex Newsman of 9 Jun 1906: "MISS ALICE WILTON, of New Street, Dunmow, died very suddenly on Friday last. The deceased lady was in her usual health until the previous Wednesday afternoon, when she was seized with pain, and on the doctor's arrival it was found necessary for her to undergo and operation without delay. This was carried out, but death followed very soon afterwards, from heart failure. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church Burial Ground on Tuesday, when a large number of fiends attended, The mourners were Mr E J Wilton of Brighton and Mr Arthur Wilton, brothers; Messrs J W Beard, L Saville, A Dennis ad J V Mackenzie, Mr James Mackenzie, Mr & Mrs Scarfe, Mr & Mrs Dennis, the Choral Society, the Choir, the Misses White (old pupils), Mr & Mrs Budd, of Chelmsford, and the pupils of the school. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev D B Thomas.

In 1911, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (60) Outfitter, was a Boarder in Market Street, Great Dunmow; Eleanor Wilton (55 ish) Dressmaker and Lets Apartments was still living in Chelmsford with sister Clara Jane Wilton (51) and two Boarders; Lydia Ann Wilton (47) School Mistress and Fanny Wilton (42 ish) Music Teacher were still in Great Dunmow. 

Clara Jane Wilton died at 70 in 1919 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD.

In 1921, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (70) Formerly Clothier, was an Inmate in Severalls Mental Hospital, Colchester (Severalls Hospital: the Evil Inside The Asylum); Eleanor Wilton (72) Lodging house keeper; Lydia Ann Wilton (56) and Fanny Wilton (52) were at 10, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford with Thomas Cunnington (23) Accountant Clerk from Gorleston on Sea, Boarder.

Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton died at 72 in 1923 M Quarter in COLCHESTER Vol 04A Page 772; Fanny Wilton died at 67 in 1926 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 620; Lily Wilton [Lydia Ann] died at 74 in 1928 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 724 and Eleanor Wilton died at 82 in 1928 J Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 684. 

None of them, other than Sarah Ann and Edwin Joseph, ever married.

John Day and Ellen Wilton

View from Market Square in Hitchin, with St Mary's Church in the background

cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lucas - geograph.org.uk/p/989830

John Day (b. 27 Dec 1820, bap. 25 Mar 1821 in Hitchin) son of Squire Day and Sarah Hobbs, married Ellen Wilton (b. 1819), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1842. 

John and Ellen Day had six children: 

1. Henry Wilton Day b. 1843 in Buntingford, Hertfordshire
2. Martha Hobbs Day b. 2nd quarter of 1845 in Cambridgeshire
3. Ellen Day b. 3rd quarter of 1847 in Hitchin (died 1857, aged 9)
4. Sarah Ann Day b. Q1 of 1850 in Hitchin (died Q4 of 1850)
5. John Alfred Day b. 4 Jan 1852 in Henlow, Bedfordshire
6. Arthur Stephen Day b. 1855 born in Hitchin

In 1851, John Day (30) Cabinet Maker Journeyman, Ellen Day (32) Dressmaker, Henry W (7), Martha H (5), Ellen (3), George Day (29) Master Tailor (John's brother) and Caleb Burrows (15), lodger, lived in Dead Street, Hitchin - later renamed Queen Street, but that didn't improve it much. Dead Street was compared to the worst slums of London. Even in 1919, the cottages in the Queen Street area were described:  

“Some houses had earth floors. The windows and doors were small and in a few cases the only window downstairs opened to a passage where there was no light and very little air. The only bedroom was like a stable loft, reached by a decrepit stairs or a ladder. Tea chests served as tables and 5 or 6 children in one bed was not unusual.  It was very much survival of the fittest.”

In 1861, John and Ellen Day were living in Church Yard, but that was still in the same squalid, underworld area, of which was said, "Although the area was central, the whole district was taboo for the rest of Hitchin’s inhabitants." There we find John Day (41), Ellen Day (46), Henry Day (17), at that time a Butcher Journeyman, Alfred Day (9) and Arthur Day (6). Martha Day (14) was then a House Maid in the household of Frederick Gillum (27), Cabinet Maker, in Sun Street, Hitchin. (A Martha Day, year of birth given as 1847, daughter of John and Ellen Day, was baptised on 17 Apr 1872, in Cambridge.)

Found no further records anywhere for John and Ellen Day.

In 1871, Alfred J Day (19) Reporter and Arthur S Day (15) Photographic Artist, were living with their grandfather, Squire Day (74) Upholsterer and Lodging House Keeper, in Back Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.