James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock

Ashbrittle Village with Court Place Farm (foreground left)
Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0)

James Ridgeway (bap. 22 Oct 1809 in Seaton & Beer), son of Jacob Ridgway and Jane Bray, married Mary Ann Lock (bap. 7 May 1809 in Ashbrittle), daughter of John Lock and Mary Nott, a pair of my 3rd great-grandparents, married, on 29 Apr 1833, at the Church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle. Witnesses to this marriage were Henry Vickery and Elizabeth Webber.

Mary Ann Lock, it appears, also had an illegitimate daughter prior to her marriage, Elizabeth Lock b. around 1830. There is no baptism record for her, however, I have DNA matches as half-relatives through three of Elizabeth Lock's sons, giving Mary Ann Lock as the common ancestor of all of us.

James and Mary Ann had a further seven children, with baptisms only of first two, Mary and James. Once civil registration had been introduced (in 1837), there are no more baptism records for the subsequent five children, but neither are there civil registrations until the sixth child, John, in 1847.

1. Mary Ridgeway bap. 28 Dec 1833 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
2. James Ridgeway bap. 25 Oct 1835 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
3. Jane Ridgeway b. ~1839
4. Harriet Ridgeway bap. 14 Feb 1840 in Ashbrittle
5. Thomas Ridgeway b. ~1844
6. John Ridgeway b. There are three potential birth registrations: 1847 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 501 with mother's maiden name listed as LOOK; 1847 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 411 Volume 10 Page 502 and/or 1847 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 411 with mother's maiden name LOCK (As John Ridgway, died aged 4 (1851 D Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 352) and had already been buried 6 Aug 1851 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle)
7. William Ridgeway b. 1850 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET Volume 10 Page 505, although mother's maiden name is not listed (Died aged 29, in 1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307.)

In 1841, James Ridgway (32) and Ann Ridgeway (33), were living in Ashbrittle Village, with children; Mary (7), James (5), Jane (2) and Harriot (0). 

And in 1851, still living in Ashbrittle Village, we find James (45) and Ann (45), with Harriot (10), Thomas (7), John (4) and William (1). Mary (19) was a Servant of William Sweet at Appley Court, Appley, Stawley; James (15) had also left home and was working as a Servant in the household of Robert Venn at Little Tadbeer Farm, Ashbrittle; while Jane Ridgeway (12), was a Servant in the household of Robert Johns of Kittisford at Stawley, Somerset. 

James Ridgeway died, aged 44, in 1854 J Qtr in WELLINGTON Vol 05C Page 235 and was buried on 18 Jun 1854 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle. 

James Marsh, Widower, son of Richard Marsh, married Mary Ann Ridgeway, Widow, daughter of John Lock, at the Parish church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, on 28 Nov 1859. Witnesses were Thomas and Harriet Ware.

James Marsh (bap. 31 Jul 1814 in Bampton, Devon) son of Richard and Mary Marsh, had married Mary Cruwys - also a widow - in Morebath, on 22 Mar 1840. They had one child, Mary Marsh, born 1841 and that year were living at Exbridge, Morebath, along with three children from Mary's previous marriage. In 1851, they were still there with Mary (9) and three more children Elizabeth (7), Martha (5) and James (2). Mary Marsh died in 1858. 

In 1861, James Marsh (46), Anne [Mary Ann] Marsh (51) and William Ridgeway (11) were living at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton'. Thomas Ridgeway (18), was employed as a Carter at Holcombe Barton, Holcombe Rogus. (Holcombe Barton Farm was part of the Manor of Holcombe Rogus of Holcombe Court, "the finest Tudor house in Devon.")

In 1871, still at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton', were James Marsh (60) and Mary Ann Marsh (62). William Ridgeway (21) Postman, was a lodger in Ashbrittle, in the household of William Cude (64) Carpenter & Builder. 

James Marsh died at 58 in 1871 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 273 and was buried, on 3 Jul 1871, in Bampton.

Mary Ann's son, William Ridgeway died, aged 29, and was buried on 15 Mar 1879, in Uplowman. "Administration of the Personal Estate of William Ridgway (sic) late of Uplowman in the County of Devon Letter Carrier a Batchelor who died 9 Mar 1879 at Uplowman was granted at Exeter to Mary Ann Marsh of Uplowman Widow the Mother and only Next of Kin."

In 1881, Mary Ann Mash (sic) (74), Widow, was living with her son, Thomas Ridgeway, in Whitnage, Uplowman. 

In 1891, Mary A Marsh (83), was living with her daughter, Harriet Were (sic) (50), in Chettiscombe.

Mary Ann Marsh died, at 86, in 1894 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 279.

Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns

St. Bartholomew's Tower, Heigham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/182191

Francis Stephen Blazey married Hannah Minns, daughter of Robert Marsh Minns and Mary Kett, on 28 Apr 1832 at this now lost church of St Bartholomew's, in Heigham, Norwich, Norfolk. Francis Stephen Blazy (or Blazey), born 26 Dec 1810, was baptised on 30 Dec 1810 at the church of St Martin at Oak, Norwich, son of Susanna Blazy and the baptism record makes it clear he was 'illegitimate born'. (Francis' mother married a John Maycock, also at St Martin at Oak, on 17 Jul 1811, but Francis never took this stepfather's name, so I do not think this was his natural father.) 

Francis and Hannah appear to have at least 10 children:

1. Harriet Blazy b. 30 Apr 1832, bap. 8 May 1832 at St Martin at Oak. Buried at St Bartholomew's, Heigham, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month. 
2. Francis Robert Blazey b. 1 Aug, bap. 4 Aug 1833 at St Martin at Oak
3. Samuel Blazey b. 13 Jul 1836, bap. 17 Jul 1836 at St Martin at Oak. Died, aged 5 and was buried on 27 Oct 1841. (This child's death was registered in 1842 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 205).
4. Harriet Blazey b. 11 Jan 1839, bap. 13 Jan 1839 at St Martin at Oak
5. Samuel Blazey bap. 7 Nov 1841 in the Parish of Heigham, Norfolk
6. Hannah Blazey b. 17 Jun 1845 (1845 S Quarter in NORWICH Vol 13 Page 284), bap. 7 Jul 1845 and on 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
7. Elizabeth Blazey b. 1847 (1847 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 249), bap. 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
8. Eliza Blazey b. 16 Feb 1849* (1851 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 324), bap. 21 Oct 1863 at St Bartholomew's. *DOB as stated on baptism record, although it's difficult to believe she was registered two years late and more likely was wrongly remembered ~12 years later.
9. William Blazey b. 7 Nov 1853 (1853 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 129), bap. 17 Nov 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham
10. Alice Blazey b. 6 Nov 1857 (1857 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 157). bap. 2 Oct 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham

Holy Trinity church, Heigham, was built in the 1860's and the parish records begin in 1867, so they were among the first to use this new church. 

[i] Harriet born in 1832 doesn't appear on the 1841 census, whereas the Harriet born in 1839 does. There's no record of a burial for a Harriet, but there is a record of a burial of a Hannah Blazey at St Bartholomew's, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month, which I'm confident must relate to this child. 

Most of the baptism records list Francis' occupation as a Dyer. On those of William and Alice, he's described as a Labourer. One wonders what happened for him to give up a skilled trade to take up presumably unskilled work.

In 1841, incorrectly listed as Blazeby, the family was living at Union Square, Heigham - this address was on daughter Hannah's birth certificate in 1845 - with Francis (30), Hannah (25), Francis (8), Sam (5) and Harriet (2).

In 1851, Francis Blazey (40) Labourer was a Lodger in the household of Mary Wright (46) Widow at 1, Manchester Buildings, Heigham, Norwich. (Mary was Hannah Blazey's older sister.) There also were Hannah (38) Wife of Lodger; Francis (18) Labourer; Harriet (12), Samuel (9), Hannah (5) and Elizabeth (3).

In 1861, in Chapel Street, Heigham: Francis (50), Labourer, Hannah (48), Elizabeth (14), Eliza (10), William (7), Alice (3) and Mary A Wright (22), dressmaker, niece. Samuel (19) was with his brother Francis at at 2, St Pauls Street, Blockhouse, Worcester; Hannah (16) was General Servant to Anne Clifford (78), Widow, and her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth Clifford (48), teacher, at Earlham Road Terrace, Heigham, Norwich. (Today Earlham Road is part of the so-called Golden Triangle in Norwich, "The Golden Triangle's terraces house professionals, families and many students from the nearby University of East Anglia; its friendly atmosphere has resulted in the Golden Triangle being dubbed the Norwich version of London's Notting Hill.")

By 1871, Francis Blazey (60), Hannah (57), with just William (17) and Alice (13) still at home, were living at 16 Globe St, Heigham. In 1872, still in Globe Street, Francis Blazey is listed on the Norfolk Register of Electors. 

Hannah Blazey (née Minns)

Francis Stephen Blazey died, aged 62, in 1873 M Quarter in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 111. 

In 1881, the widowed Hannah (67), was living at 3, Duke Street, Norwich Heigham, with son Samuel (35), Sam's son Alfred (11) and daughter Hannah's two children, Walter White (11) and Laura White (10). 

(It is also apparently written on the back of the image of Hannah that she looked after her older sister Mary Ann Wright's children.)

In 1891, Samuel (49) and his daughter, Elizabeth (17), were still living with Hannah (78) in Manchester Street, Norwich.

In 1901, Hannah (90) and Samuel (57), still resided in Manchester Street.

Hannah Blazey died, aged 91, in 1903 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B 95.

Francis Stone and Frances Mary Jerred

Cottages, High Street, Halberton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/1177578
44 High Street, Halberton, is the blue cottage in the centre

Francis Stone (Frank) (b. 1 Feb 1867) son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married Frances Mary Jerred (b. 3 May 1869), daughter of John Jerred and Frances Ann Orchard, always known to my father as "Aunt France", although if we were being pedantic, she was his father's aunt, his great-aunt. The couple married at St Peter’s Church Tiverton on 9 Apr 1902. Witnesses were the bride's father, John Jerred and a Bessie Louisa Corrick. Francis and Frances, at 34 and 33, respectively, married late by the standards of the day, and this may have been a factor toward the couple not having children.

In 1911, Frank Stone (42) Farm Labourer and Frances Mary Stone (42) were living at Middle Pitt, Sampford Peverell. 

In 1921, still at Middle Pitt Westleigh, Wellington, Sampford Peverell, Devon were Francis Stone (53) Farm Carter and Frances Mary Stone (52).

Francis Stone, of Middle Pitt Cottage, Sampford Peverell, died on 18 Nov 1937, aged 70 (1937 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 502), leaving £517 13s 11d to his widow, Frances Mary Stone. 

In 1939, Frances Mary Stone, Old Age Pensioner, was living at 2 Sunnidale, Willand, Devon.

Frances Mary Stone, of 44 High Street, Halberton, Devon died on 11 Aug 1962 at the ripe old age of 93. She didn't have much money left (~£75). 

Francis and Frances are buried together in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Grave of Francis Stone and Frances Mary Jerred in Uplowman Churchyard

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 (bap. 15 Mar 1818 in Great Dunmow), son of Claudius Clark and Hannah Cornell, married Sarah Wilton (b. 1819 in Royston), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, on 3 Apr 1839 in Royston, Hertfordshire. 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 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 Clark (22) were in Great Dunmow, with Thomas Clark [dropped the Wilton] (2) and Ann Clark (3m).

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 again 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.

James Ridgway and Harriet Stone

Inside the Grade II* Listed St Peter’s Church in Uplowman

James Ridgway (b. 1866 in Uplowman), son of Thomas Ridgeway and Ann Tooze, married his first cousin, Harriet Stone (bap. 2 Apr 1865 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle), daughter of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, on 1 Apr 1895, at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman. Witnesses to their marriage were Harriet's brother, Francis Stone, and younger sister, Lucy Jane Stone.

Children of this blended family included:

1. Francis Stone b. 25 Dec 1887 (1888 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 407), bap 10 Feb 1888 at Uplowman, described as the "Base born son of Harriet Stone, Labourer's daughter."
2. Charles Ridgway b. 3 Mar 1895 (1895 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 393), bap. 1 May 1895 at Uplowman as "Charles Stone or Ridgway, son of Harriet Stone alias Ridgway. Married after birth of child."
3. Nellie Ridgway b. 7 Jan 1897 (1897 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 398), bap. 28 Feb 1897 at Uplowman.
4. Emily Ridgeway b. 31 Aug 1899 (1899 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 375), bap. 29 Oct 1899 (Died, aged 3, in 1903 S Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 233, buried 3 Aug 1903, in Uplowman)
5. James Ridgway b. 10 Feb 1904 (1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 382), bap. 1 Apr 1904 at Uplowman.

In 1901, at Greengate, Uplowman, James Ridgway (34), Farm Labourer, had become the head of the family; Harriet Ridgeway (35), Francis Ridgeway (13), Charles Ridgeway (6), Nellie Ridgeway (4) and Emily Ridgeway (1). Living with them was Harriet's widowed father, Henry (71) (listed incorrectly as Henry Ridgway), working as a Labourer on Roads, as well as Harriet's brother, Francis Stone (again, incorrectly listed under the surname Ridgeway). Whether the two older boys were James Ridgway's sons or not, they were also both listed with the surname Ridgway, but this all looks most likely to be a simple case of the enumerator getting carried away with Ditto marks.

In 1911, at Road Crosses, Sampford Peverell, Tiverton, were James Ridgway (44), Farm Labourer, Harriet (46), Nellie (14), Domestic Servant, James Ridgway (7). However, Frank Stone (23) and Charles Stone (16), were relegated the bottom of the list and both described as James' stepsons.

In 1921, living at Trucklegate Farm, Uplowman, Devon, were James Ridgway (sic) (54) General Farm Labourer; Harriet Ridgway (56), Francis Stone (33) Road Labourer and Charles Ridgway (26) General Farm Labourer. Nellie Ridgeway (24) was a General Domestic Servant to Thomas Richards Mills, Creamery Manager at Beechwood, Tiverton. James Ridgeway (17) was a House Man to George Thorne, Farmer at Tillbrook, Butterleigh, Devon.

James Ridgway died, at 62, in 1929 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 689.

Harriet Ridgway died, at 71, in 1936 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 585.

• In 1939, Francis Stone, Road Labourer, single, was at Pead Hill Cottage, Chevithorne. Francis died, in Tiverton, in 1965.
• Charles Ridgway married Alice Conibeer (b. 7 Apr 1890), in 1922. In 1939, Charles Ridgeway, Lorry Driver, and his wife Alice, were living at Copplestone Cottage, West Manley, Tiverton. Alice Ridgway died in 1949, aged 59. Charles Ridgway died on 19 May 1958, aged 63, leaving his effects to his sister, Nellie Burt.
• Nellie Ridgway married Charles Edward Burt, son of George Burt and Fanny Jerwood, in Tiverton, in 1925. In 1939, Charles Burt (b. 4 Dec 1887) Lacemaker Machinist, Nellie and their three children, were at 5 Queen Street, Tiverton. Charles Edward Burt died, in 1965, in Tiverton, aged 77. Nellie Burt died in 1976, in Exeter.
• James Ridgway married Evelyn Laura Howden (b. 30 Jul 1901 in Islington, London), daughter of John William Howden and Laura Purchase, in Edmonton, in 1934. In 1939, James Ridgway, Farm Carter, and Evelyn, lived at Rose Cottage, Stag Mill, Uplowman. Evelyn Laura Ridgway or Ridgeway, married woman, of Rose Cottage, Stag Mill, Uplowman, died at Tidcombe Hall, Tiverton (the Early 19th century house, shown as Tidcombe Rectory on late 19th century OS map, was once a Marie Curie daycare unit), on 1 Oct 1960, aged 59, leaving her effects to her brother, Charles Edwin Howden, retired postman. James Ridgeway died in 1976.

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 (bap. 5 Feb 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, the 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 August 1882. Her mother-in-law, Jane Prescott, was present at Mary Ann's death.

My connection was broken once Mary Ann died, however:

Not unsurprisingly, James Prescott remarried quite quickly, to a Jane Davey (b. ~1858) in Q1 of 1884, also in Tiverton. James and Jane had one son Charles Prescott b. 1884 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 435.

In 1891, James Prescott (32) Labourer, wife Jane Prescott (33) and son Charles Prescott (7) were living in Eglwysilan, Glamorganshire, Wales.

In 1901, James Prescott (44) Navvy Ganger; Jane Prescott (44), Charles Prescott (17), with Berty Snooke (31), Albert Tilley (22) and John Jenkins (31) - the three being lodgers - were living in Staines, Middlesex.

Charles Prescott married Elizabeth Ann Long (b. 1880 in Barton Regis), daughter of Richard Long and Mary Ann Lewis, in Bristol, in 1907.

Charles and Elizabeth Prescott had three children:

1. Dora Jane Prescott b. 1907 D Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 221, bap. 21 Nov 1907 at Westbury on Trym, Holy Trinity
2. Charles James Prescott b. 1909 J Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 491, bap. 25 Apr 1909 in Portsea St John. Died, aged 3, in 1912 J Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 598
3. George Richard Prescott b. 15 Mar 1910 (1910 J Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 483), bap. 13 Apr 1910 in Portsea St John

The mother's maiden name on the three births was LONG.

In 1911, James Prescott (56) Dock Labourer, was at 15 Unicorn St, Portsea, Portsmouth, with Jane Prescott (57), and six Dock Labourers (presumably boarders/lodgers): Alf Smith (49), George Bailey (31), Art Bailey (27), Charles Bailey (23), Fred Andrews (29) and George Hopkins (35). Charles Prescott (26) Railway Labourer was living at 11 1/2 Unicorn Street, Portsmouth with Elizabeth Prescott (29ish), Charles J Prescott (2) and George Prescott (1). Dora Jane Prescott (3) was a Visitor in the household of her grandmother, Mary Ann Long (69) Widow, Laundress in Westbury-on-Trym. (James' parents, John and Jane Prescott were still living in Tiverton.)

James Prescott died at 57 in 1913 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 480 was buried on 22 Oct 1913, in Uplowman. (James predeceased both his mother who died in 1914 and father who died in 1916.)

In 1921, Jane Prescott (62) Widow, was Housekeeper to William Talley Wood (79) Gentleman at Gaddon House, Gaddon, Uffculme, Devon. Charles Prescott (36) Pile Driver was living in Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire with Elizabeth Prescott (40) and George Prescott (11). Dora Prescott was also still living in Bristol, along with her grandmother, Mary Ann Long.

Charles Prescott died at 43 in 1928 J Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 56, predeceasing his mother by around 9 months. Jane Prescott (née Davey) died at 71 in 1929 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 691. Elizabeth Ann Prescott died at 58 in 1939 M Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 46.

Dora Jane Prescott had married Walter Henry Tudball (b. 30 Sep 1906) in Bristol, in 1931. Dora Jane Tudball died, at 57, in 1964. 

George Richard Prescott died in Bristol, in 1995.

Henry John Kingsbury and Elizabeth Lancey

St Mary's church, Pilton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/3513540

Henry John Kingsbury (bap. 17 May 1849 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset) son of John Kingsbury and Matilda Lawrence, married Elizabeth Lancey (bap. 31 Aug 1845 in Pilton, Devon) daughter of James Lancey and Mary Scamp, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton on 26 Feb 1879. At the time of their marriage, both were Servants and Henry was resident at "Exbury, in the County of Southampton". (Exbury House on the Solent, was rented by Conservative MP for Barnstaple, Devon, Colonel Sir George Stucley, to pursue his pastime of yacht-sailing. Kingsbury was his Butler.) One of the witnesses to the marriage was Eliza Lancey, Elizabeth's sister. Both fathers, John Kingsbury and James Lancey were listed as being Gardeners.

Henry and Elizabeth had five children:

1. Flora May Kingsbury b. 6 Jan 1880 J Quarter in SHAFTESBURY Volume 05A Page 246, bap. 6 Jun 1880 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset.
2. Matilda Mary Kingsbury b. 22 May 1881 J Quarter in SHAFTESBURY Volume 05A Page 239, bap. 26 Jun 1881 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset.
3. Alice Mabel Kingsbury b. 1882 J Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 523. (No baptism found)
4. Elizabeth Kingsbury b. 13 Dec 1884 (1885 M Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 498), bap. 1 Mar 1885 at St Mary, Bideford
5. Henry John Kingsbury b. 1889 M Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 501, bap. 24 Feb 1889 in Bideford

In 1881, Henry John Kingsbury (32) was Butler to Sir George Stucley (68) at Moreton House, Bideford, Devon, where the then 'Deputy Lieutenant for the Counties of Devon & Cornwall, Baronet, Justice of the Peace', his wife and two youngest sons were waited upon by no less than thirteen servants. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Kingsbury (35) Butler's wife and Flora M Kingsbury (0) were living at Moreton Cottage, 4, Higher Meddon Street, Bideford, Devon.

In 1891, Henry John Kingsbury (42) was still Butler to Sir George Stucley (79) Magistrate, although the then three members of the family were having to 'make do' with the reduced circumstances of having merely 10 servants. Elizabeth Kingsbury (45) was living at 7 River View, Bideford with Matilda M Kingsbury (9), Alice M Kingsbury (8), Elizabeth Kingsbury (6), Henry J Kingsbury (2) and Charles F Lancey (17) Nephew, Apprentice Gardner. Eldest daughter, Flora (listed as Florence) (10) was at that time, a Visitor in the household of Mary E Sanders (65) Widow, in Regents Park, Heavitree, Exeter, in whose household also was Eliza Lansey (sic), who was her aunt.

In 1901, Henry J Kingsbury (52) Retired Butler - Sir George Stucley had died in 1900 and presumably left his 'Retainer' in a position to be able retire early - was living at Higher Gunstone, River View Terrace, Bideford with Elizabeth Kingsbury (55), Alice M Kingsbury (18), Elizabeth Kingsbury (16) and Henry J Kingsbury (12). F M Kingsbury [Flora May] (20) was a Schoolroom Maid in Holcombe Burnell, Devon. While Matilda Kingsbury (19) was a Lady's Maid in the household of Harriet Compton (57) Widow, in Andover, Hampshire. (Harriet Granville married Henry Compton, Esq. on 28 Dec 1870. She and Sir George Stucley's second wife, Louisa Granville, were daughters of Bernard Granville, Esq of Wellesbourne Hall, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.)

In 1911, Henry John Kingsbury (62) Retired Butler, Elizabeth Kingsbury (65), Alice Mabel Kingsbury (28) and Elizabeth Kingsbury (26) were still living in Bideford. Flora May had married in 1903 and Matilda in 1908. Henry John Kingsbury (22) from Bideford, Devon was described as a WHOLESALE MANCHESTER WAREHOUSEMAN in Southwark, at 95 Southwark St and a curious note: (MilitaryDisposition) MESSRS. COOK'S EMPLOYEES, one assumes Thomas Cook & Son, who had transported the British Army up the Nile in 1884, so conceivable they were still undertaking military contracts. 

In 1921, Henry John Kingsbury (72) and Elizabeth Kingsbury (75) were living at 4, Lansdowne [Terrace], Bideford, Devon with their daughter, Elizabeth Kingsbury (36) School Teacher for Devon County Council at Church Infants' School, Bideford and Eliza Lancy (77) Visitor (Elizabeth's sister).

Elizabeth Kingsbury died at 78 in 1923 in BIDEFORD Vol 05B Page 456. 

Henry John Kingsbury died, also aged 78, on 27 Oct 1927 D Qtr in BIDEFORD Vol 05B Page 520, leaving his estate to daughter, Elizabeth Kingsbury. The notice in the Hartland and West Country Chronicle read, KINGSBURY - Oct 27th, at Lansdowne, Bideford HENRY JOHN KINGSBURY, formerly Stucley's butler, aged 78.

In 1939, Elizabeth Kingsbury, Elementary School Teacher, was living at 7 The Strand, Bideford with her sister, Matilda M Lancey, Widow.

Elizabeth never married and died, at 80, in Bideford, in 1965.

• Matilda Mary Kingsbury married Gerald Slayter on 20 Apr 1908. In 1911, Gerald Slayter (37) Butler and Mary Matilda Slayter (30) Cook-Housekeeper, were employed in the household of Francis Nicholas Blundell (30) Landowner and Farmer in Little Crosby, Lancashire. (Crosby Hall was the manorial home of the Blundell family, lords of the manor of Crosby since the Middle Ages.) Gerald Slayter died, at 48, in 1922, in Liverpool. Matilda Mary Slayter, Widow, married Charles Frederick Lancey, Widower, Gardner, who was her first cousin, at St Mary's Church, Grassendale, on 9 May 1927. Charles Frederick Lancey died, at 61, in 1935, in Liverpool South. Matilda Mary Lancey died in 1954, in Bideford, Devon.
• Alice Mabel Kingsbury married Clement Arthur Page (b. 29 Sep 1884) on 5 Aug 1912, in Bideford. They had one son, Ernest John Page, born in Frome, Somerset in 1913. In 1921, Clement A Page, Alice M Page and Ernest J Page were living in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Ernest John Page died, at 17, in Portsmouth, in 1931. Clement Arthur Page died, at 48, in Portsmouth, in 1933. Alice Mabel Page died, at 69, in 1951, in Bideford, Devon.

Thomas Henry Richards Gardner and Mary Ann Watkins

St George Hanover Square
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Richards - 
geograph.org.uk/p/7728390

Thomas Henry Richards Gardner, bachelor, servant, then of Brook Street, Mayfair (bap. 25 Dec 1825 in Dursley, Gloucestershire), who listed his father as Thomas Richards Gardner, Carpenter, but was actually the son of Mary Ann Gardener, Single woman (and very likely a Mr Richards), married Mary Ann Watkins (b. ~1829 in St George, Hanover Square), spinster of Swan Passage, daughter of James William Watkins, Coachman, and Mary Wells, at St George, Hanover Square, on 30 Jan 1854. Witnesses were James William Watkins and Mary Watkins, presumably the bride's parents.

Thomas Henry Richards and Mary Ann Gardner had seven children:

1. Thomas James Gardner b. 17 Mar 1854 (1854 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 171), bap. 28 May 1854 (as Thomas James Charles Augustus Gardner) at St George, Hanover Square. Evidence of a marriage in 1885. Died at 39 in 1892 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 612
2. Henry James Gardner b. 23 Jan 1856 (1856 M Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 01C Page 320), bap. 11 May 1856 (as Henry James William Gardner) at St George, Hanover Square. Died at 29 in 1885 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 416
3. Charles Albert Gardner b. 31 Mar 1859 (Registered 1859 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 183), bap. 7 May 1859 at St George, Hanover Square. (Died in 1901).
4. Ann Gardner b. 1862 M Qtr in POPLAR UNION Vol 01C Page 630. (No further records found, so assume died shortly after birth or in infancy.)
5. Albert Edward Gardner b. 1864 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 596. Died aged 3 in 1867 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 407
6. Mary Ann Gardner b. 1867 S Qtr in POPLAR UNION Vol 01C Page 604. Died at 63 in 1931 J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 240 
7. Albert Gardner b. 19 Jul 1870 in POPLAR UNION Vol 01C Page 623

On all of the registrations the mother's maiden name is WATKINS.

In 1861, Thomas Gardner (31) Ship builders labourer, Mary Ann Gardner (32), Henry Gardner (5) and Chares Gardner (3) were living in the household of Thomas' brother, James Gardner (28) Sawyer from Gloucestershire and his wife Barbara Gardner (24) from Norfolk, at 4, Maud Place, Bromley, Poplar. Thomas Gardner (7) was staying with his grandmother, Mary Watkins (67) Widow, at 5, Swan Cottages, St George Hanover Square.

(Didn't find any birth / baptism record for James Gardner, but he was presumably also a 'natural' son of Mary Ann Gardner. In 1871, James Gardner (38) Manager of Sawmills from Dursley, Gloucestershire, was living in Udimore Road, Rye, Sussex with Barbara Gardner (33). Then James Gardner died, aged 43, in 1876 M Quarter in RYE Volume 02B Page 3 and was buried on 6 Mar 1876, in Rye, Sussex. In 1881, Barbara Gardner (44) Widow, Laundress, was living in Cinque Ports Street, Rye, Sussex. Barbara Gardner died at 76 in 1913 M Quarter in HAILSHAM Volume 02B Page 137.)

In 1871, Thomas Gardner (42) Gas Fitter from Dursley, Gloucestershire was living in Guilford Road, Bromley, Poplar with Mary Ann Gardner (40), Thomas Gardner (17), Henry Gardner (14), Charles Gardner (11), Mary Ann Gardner (3) and Albert Gardner (8 months).

In 1881, at 34, Guildford Road, Bromley, Poplar, were Thomas Gardner (50) Gas Fitter; Mary A Gardner (49), Thomas Gardner (27) Gas Fitter; Henry Gardner (25) Slater; Charles Gardner (22) Slater; and Albert Gardner (11). 

In 1891, Thomas Gardner (62) Gas Fitter was at 12, Bloomfield Road, Mile End Old Town, with Mary Ann Gardner (66) and Albert Gardner (20) Printer.

In 1901, Thomas Gardner (75) Gas Fitter was living at 150, Queens Road, West Ham with Mary A Gardner (73) Shirt maker; Mary A Gardner (32) Shirt maker; and Albert Gardner (30) Post Office porter.

Thomas Henry Richard[s] Gardner died, aged 86, in 1907 D Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 51.

In 1911, Mary Ann Gardner (84) was living with son Alfred Gardner (40) Printer porter and his wife Susannah (40) at 268 Devons Road, Bow, Poplar (Alfred Gardner had married Susannah Mary Brown in 1908), with Mary Ann Gardner (42) Shirt machinist; and Albert and Susannah's daughter, Rosetta Mary Gardner (6 months). On this census it lists that Mary Ann Gardner had seven children, of whom five had died and only two were then still living. 

Mary Ann Gardner died at 88 in  1917 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 489.

Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway

Church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/5104522
A plaque near The Ancient Yew of Ashbrittle declares, "Generations of local people
have cherished this tree, one of the oldest living things in Britain."

Henry Stone (bap. 26 Oct 1828 in Langford Budville, Somerset), son of William Stone and Mary Thorne, married Mary Ridgeway (bap. 28 Dec 1833 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock, at her parish of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, on 24 Jan 1854. Witnesses were George Churly and Mary Ann Churly (who had married in 1853). Mary Ann Stone, as was, was Henry Stone's half-sister.

Henry and Mary Stone, a pair of my 2nd great-grandparents, had nine children. Frederick James was born in Stawley and the rest in Ashbrittle, Somerset. All were baptised at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

1. Frederick James Stone bap. 25 Dec 1854
2. Henry William Stone bap. 13 Jul 1856 
3. John Stone bap. 23 May 1858 (Died, aged 24, on 27 Aug 1882)
4. Mary Ann Stone bap. 5 Feb 1860 
5. Tom Stone b. 11 Dec 1861, bap. 4 Feb 1862
6. Harriet Stone bap. 2 Apr 1865 
7. Francis Stone b. 1 Feb 1867, bap. 3 Mar 1867
8. Charles Stone b. 8 Apr 1869, bap. 9 May 1869
9. Lucy Jane Stone b. 11 Apr 1872 (1872 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 374), bap. 26 May 1872

Lucy Jane's birth was the only one that was registered at the GRO and upon which her mother's maiden name was confirmed as RIDGWAY.

Court Place, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/3819462

In 1861, Henry (31) and Mary (27) were also living in a Private Cottage at Court Place, as were Henry's parents at that time. With Henry and Mary were the four children born to date; Frederick (6), Henry (4), John (3) and Mary Ann (1), along with Jane Ridgeway (28), Sister-in-Law (Mary's sister).

In 1871, with their address merely given as Cottage, Ashbrittle, were Henry and Mary with Mary Ann (12), Tom (9), Harriet (6), Francis (3) and Charles (1). Frederick Stone (16) Ag Lab Indoor', was working for Henry Oxenham at Chevithorne, Tiverton. Henry Stone (13), Indoor Agricultural Labourer working for Richard Poole (62) a Farmer at Bathealton, Somerset.

In 1873, aged 15, John Stone, was arrested and taken to the Devon County Prison, on 2 Jun, accused of "Attempting to ravish and carnally know Maria Disney on the 28th May, 1873, at Hockworthy." The committing magistrate was J. C. New, Esq., of Cullompton, but John wasn't tried: the bill was ignored for assault with intent to ravish, indecent assault and assault. No further details or clues as to why the case did not proceed, but as Peter Calver of Lost Cousins suggests, securing a conviction was difficult in those times. (On the 1871 census, Mariah Disney (then 12, so 14 at the time of the alleged assault), daughter of John Disney, farm labourer, was living at Hockford Barton, Hockworthy. John's sister, Harriet Stone, married their first cousin, James Ridgway. James Ridgway's mother was Ann Tooze, who's mother was Eliza Disney, so John was also "keeping it in the family"!)

In 1875, the family were living in Hill, Huntsham, according to son Francis Stone's school record, when he was enrolled at Huntsham County Primary School that year. At the time he left school in 1879, Francis was attending school in Chevithorne, so presumably the family had relocated there.

Some of the listed buildings at Widhayes

By 1881, the family had moved to Lands Mill, Uplowman (Now demolished, Lands Mill, was part of the Widhayes estate, so assuming Henry was employed by Edward Chave at Widhayes Farm. The stable block, barn, linhay, gate house and farmhouse at Widhayes are Listed Buildings) with Henry (51) and Mary (49), Harriet (16), Francis (14), Charles (11) and Lucy Jane (8), granddaughter, Ellen Snow (2) and widowed Sister-in-Law, Jane Vickery (43). Visiting were Mary Ann Tarr (27) and Jane Tarr (22), General Servants. Widening the area of search, I eventually found John Stone on the 1881 census living in the household of Henry Payne, Railway Tunnel Miner, at Railway Hut, Hurst Green, Oxted, Godstone, Surrey. Living there were Henry Payne (31), his wife, four children aged 5 to 11, as well as nine men, all boarders, all railway tunnel labourers. And at the bottom of the long list was John Stone (22), Tunnel Miner's Labourer, born in Somerset. The Oxted Tunnel - on the Oxted line, which passes under the North Downs in two tunnels, and then splits into two branches at Hurst Green, adjoining Oxted in Surrey - opened in 1884. Living in such horrendous conditions, with so many people crammed into an overcrowded space, lacking in facilities, will have been a perfect environment for transmitting infectious diseases ...

Because one year later, John Stone, "Labourer on Railway", died, aged just 24, on 27 Aug 1882, in Uplowman. His sister, Mary Ann Prescott, was present at his death. Wondering if he'd been killed in an accident, I'd ordered his death certificate, but John had died of the all-too-common Phthisis (Tuberculosis). He was buried, on 3 Sep 1882, in the churchyard at Uplowman.

Mary Stone died, aged 52, on 28 Dec 1885 (1885 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 306) and was buried on 3 Jan 1886, also in Uplowman. 

In 1891, Henry Stone (63), Widower, was living at Greengate Cottage in Uplowman, with daughter Harriet (25), son Francis (23), granddaughter, Ellen Snow (12) (Henry's daughter) and grandson Francis (3) (Harriet's son).

In 1901, Henry (71), Widower (listed incorrectly as Henry Ridgway), working as a Labourer on Roads, was still living at Greengate, Uplowman, this time in the household of James Ridgway (34), who was married to Harriet Stone.

Henry Stone died, aged 72, on 26 Nov 1901 and was buried on 30 Nov 1901 at Uplowman. Henry and Mary are buried together in Uplowman Churchyard along with their son, John. Finding their grave was something I came across quite by accident online, thanks to the magnificent work of Janice Dennis, contributing at Find A Grave. We'd even been to the church and didn't bother to look, because we didn't expect the family to have had the resources.

Grave of John, Mary and Henry Stone in Uplowman Churchyard.

William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton

Watling Street, Thaxted

                         cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/4308377

All of the buildings here are listed at grade II.

William Thomas Jarvis married Sarah Ann Wilton (b. 1842), daughter of Joseph Wilton and Ann Thurlbourn, in Great Dunmow, on 17 Jan 1866. On the marriage record, William Thomas Jarvis is listed as the son of John Jarvis, a Grocer, but I've been unable to find a grocer called John Jarvis anywhere. It's a bit suspect that Sarah worked for a grocer and he 'coincidentally' choses this trade, and feels to me like another case of a father invented for the marriage certificate. There are plenty of those. Neither have I found a record of a birth or baptism of William Thomas Jarvis, because he doesn't appear on any census in this period either to get clues to verify when or where he was born. 

Whoever he was, nevertheless, the couple had two children:

1. Kate Jarvis b. 1867 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 392
2. William Thomas Jarvis b. 1868 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 387. Died aged 17, on 4 Oct 1885 (1885 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 209) and was buried on 9 Oct 1885, in Chelmsford, with father listed as Thomas Jarvis.

In 1861, Sarah A Wilton (19), Milliner, had been a boarder in the household of Alfred Sprent, Draper & Grocer, in Watling Street, Thaxted. 

By 1871, Sarah Jarvis (28), Dressmaker, was listed as widowed - although I've been unable to find a record of William Thomas Jarvis' death - living with her two children and her sister Clara Jane in High Street, Great Dunmow. 

Sarah Ann Jarvis died at 31, in 1874 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 271, from Consumption (Tuberculosis) and was buried on 8 Jan 1874.

In 1881, [William Thomas] Tom Jarvis (13) Cashier Clerk, Nephew was living with two of his maiden aunts, his mother's sisters, Eleanor Wilton (29) and Clara Wilton (27) at 3, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex.

Then William Thomas Jarvis died on 4 Oct 1885, aged 17.

There were two girls called Kate Jarvis born 1867 in Dunmow

There were, however, two people called Kate Jarvis, both born in the March quarter of 1867 and both registered in Dunmow. One of the births lists the mother's maiden name as Wilton - thus she was daughter of William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton - while the other birth lists the mother's maiden name as Patient - she was the daughter of John Jarvis and Ann Patient. Have not yet determined what, if any, relation they were to one another.

In 1881, a Kate Jarvis (14) was a general servant in the household of Susan F Sprent (38), widow, in Town Street, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex. Therefore, while it would be tempting to think that the Kate Jarvis who is working for Susan Sprent in 1881 would be the daughter of Sarah Ann Jarvis (née Wilton) who had worked for Alfred Sprent 20 years earlier, in reality, and especially if they are related, it's impossible to tell which one this was.

There are, actually, no verifiable records of the Kate Jarvis the daughter of William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton beyond 1871. 

(The Kate Jarvis who married William Hockley, in Dunmow, in 1890 was the daughter of John Jarvis. She definitely wasn't the daughter of Sarah Ann Wilton, as this erroneous listing suggests. Neither can I find how this William Hockley is related - if he is - to the rest of my Dunmow Hockleys. The family were living in Thaxted, in 1901. Then this William Hockley died, aged 36, in 1902. In 1911 the widowed Kate Hockley (44) was in Thaxted with her two children and then on 2 Mar 1912, the widowed Kate Hockley married a John Jarvis (was he her relation?) and, once again, became Kate Jarvis. It is therefore this Kate Jarvis, daughter of John Jarvis and Ann Patient, rebooted, listed in Thaxted in 1921 and in Dunmow Road, Thaxted in 1939, who died, aged 79, in 1947 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 801.)

John King and Dinah Doe

St Martin's Church, Little Waltham, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Wayland Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/7173888

John King married Dinah Doe, daughter of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones, at St Martin's Church, Little Waltham, Essex on 20 Nov 1810.

John and Dinah had four children: 

1. John King bap. 7 Apr 1811 in Little Waltham, Essex
2. Elizabeth King bap. 21 Mar 1813 in Little Waltham, Essex
3. James King bap. 14 Jan 1816, died aged 1 and was buried on 20 May 1818, both events at St Mary & St Lawrence, Great Waltham, Essex
4. George King bap. 5 Jul 1818 in Great Waltham, Essex

Elizabeth's baptism record lists her father's occupation as Labourer.

There is a record of the burial of John King, aged 47 (b. 1790), in Great Waltham, Essex, on 22 Feb 1837, at the end of the reign of William IV.

In 1841, Diana (sic) King (50) Servant and her youngest son, George King (20) Servant - ages rounded - were employed in the household of Robert French (60), Farmer, in Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex.

In 1851, Diana King (64) widow, was still a General Servant in the household of Robert French (71) Farmer of 310 Acres, employing 12 Labourers, at Bulls Lodge, Boreham, Chelmsford, Essex (Grade II Listed Building).

In 1861, Diana King (73) widow, born in Great Canfield, Essex, was living at Wakerings Farm, Great Leighs, Essex with her daughter, Elizabeth King (46) and son George King (43) Agricultural Labourer.

Dinah King died, aged 83, in 1869 J Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 111 and was buried in Great Leighs, Essex.

It is worth noting that in 1881, George King (65) Agricultural Labourer and his sister, Elizabeth King (68) were living together, both still single, in Little Waltham. Elizabeth King died, aged 88, in 1900 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 383. George King died, aged 94, in 1915 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 884. Neither ever married.

Hugh Tapp and Harriet Middleton

Twitchen : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/7465149
The first church in Twitchen was erected in medieval times and
was rebuilt in 1844 by John Tapp, Churchwarden.

Hugh Tapp (bap. 22 Apr 1832 in Twitchen, Devon), son of Hugh Tapp and Ann Yendell, married Harriet Middleton (bap. 4 May 1834, in Knowstone, Devon), daughter of Robert Middleton and Elizabeth Baker, at St Peter's Church, Twitchen, on 10 Nov 1858, 'legitimising' their eldest at the same time.

At home with his parents at Marledge in 1841, Hugh Tapp was then eldest of three surviving children: Hugh (9), John (5) and William (2). His grandparents, Hugh (77) and Joan (84) also lived at Marledge. By 1851, Hugh Tapp (17) was one of the labourers employed by Roger Buckingham, Farmer Of 70 Acres 2 Laborers, in Twitchen. James Buckingham, Hugh Buckingham, William and Roger Buckingham, as well as a John Tapp and a William Tapp, were all listed as farmers in Twitchen in WHITE'S DIRECTORY OF 1850. At that time, Harriet Middleton (16) was employed as a general servant by George Gilliard at Sandyway, Exmoor, on the Devon & Somerset border.

Hugh and Harriett Tapp had eight children:

1. John Tapp Middleton b. 1858 (Registered at the GRO as John Meddleton (sic) in 1858 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 429) and bap. 10 Nov 1858 at St Peter's Church, Twitchen
2. Hugh Tapp b. 1860 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 432 bap. 16 Dec 1860 at St Peter's Church, Twitchen
3. Mary Ann Tapp b. 1863 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 457 bap. 22 Nov 1863 at Twitchen
4. William Tapp b. 1866 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 443, bap. 8 Apr 1866 at St Mary's Church, Molland (Died aged 4 in 1870 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 380)
5. James Tapp b. 1868 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 449, bap. 25 Dec 1868 at St Mary's Church, Molland
6. William Henry Tapp b. 1870 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 431, bap. 27 Nov 1870 at St Mary's Church, Molland
7. Harriet Jane Tapp b. 7 Apr 1873 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 446. (No baptism record found.)
8. Willie Tapp b. 1875 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 439. (No other records of any kind found.)

From Hugh onwards the mother's maiden name is quoted as MIDDLETON.

In 1861, at Hough, Twitchen were Hugh Tapp (27) Agricultural Labourer; Harriett Tapp (26), John Tapp (2) and Hugh Tapp (4 mts).

In 1871, at Brimley, Molland were Hugh Tapp, Ag Lab and Harriet Tapp - who both inexplicably gave their ages as 31 - with John Tapp (13), Mary Tapp (8), James Tapp (3) and William H Tapp (3 mts).

Hugh Tapp died at just 45 in 1877 S Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 281 and was buried on 3 Jul 1877 in Molland.

Widow Harriet Tapp married Henry Blackford in South Molton, in 1879. 

In 1881, Henry Blackford (62) Ag Lab; Harriet Blackford (48), [William] Henry Tapp (10) and Jane Tapp (8), were living at Headgate, Twitchen. John Tapp (22) and James Tapp (13) were both Farm Servants for James Buckingham (55) Farmer at Pulsworthy, Twitchen. Mary [Ann] Tapp (18) was a General Servant to William May (48) Farmer at Popham Farm, North Molton.

Henry Blackford died, aged 66, in 1883 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 267 and was buried on 16 Jul 1883 in Twitchen.

In 1891, Harriet Blackford (56) Widow, was employed as a female servant in the household of Charles Purchase in North Hensley, North Molton. 

Harriet Blackford married William Palfreman (bap. 15 Aug 1830 in Molland, Devon), son of Richard Palfreman and Susanna Bowden, in Q1 1894. 

William Palfreman then died at 69 in 1899 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 314 and was buried on 12 Feb 1899 in Molland.

In 1901, Harriet Palfreman (67) Mother-in-Law, Widow, was living in the household of Eli James Jones - who had married Harriet Jane Tapp in 1899 - at 11 Volis Cottages (Volis Farm), Kingston St Mary, Taunton, Somerset.

In 1911, Harriet Palfreman (77) Mother-in-Law, Widow, Old Age Pensioner, was still living with her son-in-law and daughter at Ivy Cottage, Parkersfield, North Petherton. (The "Old Age Pension" was introduced in 1909 in the United Kingdom with the Old-Age Pensions Act 1908. Pensions were means-tested and a pension of 5 shillings per week (25p), was payable to persons with an income below £21 per annum. The qualifying age was 70.)

Harriet Palfreman died, at 80, in 1915 J Qtr in BRIDGWATER Vol 05C 425.

George Hockley and Eliza Crow

St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, Essex - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1304114

George Hockley, son of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, married Eliza Crow, daughter of William Crow and Judith Doe on 6 Nov 1843 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The marriage record shows that George, as well as both fathers' were labourers and witnesses were John and Jane Burton.

George and Eliza's children included: 

1. William Crow bap. 17 Nov 1842 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
2. Tamar Hockley b. 1844 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 75 (Tamar as a female given name) (No baptism found)
3. Daniel Hockley b. 1845 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 71, bap. 12 May 1850  at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
4. Elizabeth Hockley b. 1847 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 79, bap. 9 Aug 1857 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
5. James Hockley b. 24 Apr 1849 (1849 J Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 22), bap. 10 Jun 1849 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
6. Emma Hockley b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 90, bap. 13 Apr 1851 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
7. Lucy Hockley b. 1852 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 283, bap. 8 Aug 1852 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
8. Charles Hockley b. 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 326, bap. 9 Jul 1854 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
9. Alice Hockley b. 1855 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 282, bap. 11 Nov 1855 St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow
10. Sarah Ann Hockley b. 1857 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 337, bap. 9 Aug 1857 St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow

On the baptism record for William, son of Eliza Crow, Single Woman, her address was listed as "Dunmow Union House", i.e. the workhouse. Listed as William Crow, at 19, he married as and thereafter used William Hockley. 

The mother's maiden name is listed on the birth registrations as CROW, except Daniel Hockley, with mother's maiden name listed as "Cross". 

1851 Census returns for both Great and Little Dunmow are missing.

George Hockley, Agricultural Labourer, died on 12 Jul 1857, aged just 42 (1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 225), at Halfway House [Farm], from the then all too common cause, Phthisis (Tuberculosis (TB)) and was buried on 17 Jul 1857, in Great Dunmow.

Clearly Sarah Ann and Elizabeth were baptised after their father's death.

In 1861, Eliza Hockley (40), was living at Phreaders Green, Great Dunmow with sons, William Crow (19) and Daniel Hockley (14), both Agricultural Labourers presumably supporting their mother and their younger siblings: Elizabeth Hockley (12), James Hockley (10), Emma Hockley (8), Lucy Hockley (7), Charles Hockley (6), Alice Hockley (5) and Sarah (3). Tamar Hockley (16) was then a House maid in the employ of Francis Berrington Crittall (36) 'Ironmonger' (founder of Crittall Windows) in Bank Street, Braintree. 

In 1871, at High Street, Park Corner, Great Dunmow, were Eliza Hockley (39) - she was 50 - Charwoman, with Charles Hockley (16) Farm Lab and Sarah Hockley (12) Domestic Servant. Daniel Hockley (21) Groom, was living at The Cottage, Great Canfield, Dunmow; Elizabeth Hockley (20ish) and illegitimate daughter, Ada Elizabeth Hockley (1) (b. 1869 D Quarter in ISLINGTON, bap. 1 May 1873, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), were listed as Inmates of Dunmow Union Workhouse; Emma Hockley (19) was General servant to Samuel Knight, Architect at Maitland Park Villas, St Pancras, London. Lucy Hockley (19) was a Housemaid at 38 Upper Park Road, Belsize Park; while Alice Hockley (14) was a domestic servant to William Stacey, Photographer and Florist, in The Causeway, Great Dunmow.

Eliza Hockley, daughter of William Crow, married William Bloomfield, widower, son of Robert Bloomfield, in Felsted, on 20 Apr 1872.

(It hasn't been possible to find William Bloomfield's baptism, however, he'd previously married Mary Ann Harsant (bap. 1 Apr 1821 in Peasenhall, Suffolk), in 1839, in Blything registration district. In 1841, William Bloomfield (20) Blacksmith, Mary Ann (20) and their daughter Lucy (1) were in the High Street, Moulsham, Chelmsford. In 1851, William Bloomfield (32) Blacksmith, with Mary Ann (30) and Lucy (11) were back in Stoven, Blything, Suffolk. In 1861, William Bloomfield (43) Jobbing smith (with wife listed as Maria and daughter as Lizzie: probably misheard) were living at Bridge End Road, Great Bardfield, Dunmow. And by 1871, William Bloomfield (50) Blacksmith, Mary Ann (49) and Lucy (29) had moved to Church End, Great Dunmow. Then Mary Ann Bloomfield died, aged 49, and was buried, on 26 Aug 1871, at Holy Cross, Felsted. Lucy Bloomfield just disappears.)

Charles Hockley, then 23, Groom from Great Dunmow, Essex, enlisted in the 20th Hussars at London, on 2 Jul 1877. At that time being 5ft 6in, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair. He transferred to the 10th Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own) on 31 Oct 1879, which ultimately meant he saw action at the Battle of El Teb, 29 Feb 1884 (First and Second Battles of El Teb) during the Mahdist War in what was then Mahdist Sudan. This action earned him the Sudan Medal 1884 (Egypt Medal) with clasp El Teb, as well as a Khedive Star 1884. From 11 Dec 1879 to 18 Feb 1884, Charles had been in the East Indies, first in Rawalpindi and then Mian Mir: "The four-week march was arduous and hampered by lack of healthy camels. They had to cross the rivers Jhelum and Chenab, and camped several days at Shaddera near Lahore." In November, they were ordered to re-locate again, to Lucknow, where the 10th were located near the ruined Dilkusha Palace. "There was a large European population at Lucknow during the cooler months so that a good social life was enjoyed." [Source] As proof of that, in Nov 1881, in Lucknow, Charles was treated for a dose of that well-known soldiers' "recreational hazard", Gonorrhea. The 10th travelled to Sudan aboard HMS Jumna 1884 and disembarked on 19 Feb 1884, where Charles' record locates him until 21 Apr 1884. Amongst sprains and dislocations, Charles also suffered Jaundice in 1879, ague (malaria or another illness involving fever and shivering) on no less than four occasions in 1880 and 1881 and Dysentery while in Suakin in 1884. Charles' next of kin is listed as his mother, Eliza Bloomfield at Glengall Road, Poplar - the address of her eldest son, William Hockley (born Crow). Charles left the army in 1885.

In 1881, William Bloomfield (62) Blacksmith, born in Dunwich, Suffolk, and Eliza Bloomfield (55), were at Cottage Farm, Banister Green, Felstead. Elizabeth Hockley (28), Ada Hockley (12) and Joseph James Hockley (0) - born on 7 Mar 1881, Elizabeth's second illegitimate child - were all Pauper Inmates at the Union Workhouse, Great Dunmow. (Joseph James Hockley was baptised on 16 Jun 1882 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, with their address given at that time as Dunmow Union Workhouse Felsted.)

In 1891, William (73) and Eliza Bloomfield (64) were at Cock Green, Felsted. Elizabeth Hockley (38) Pauper inmate was once more at Dunmow Union Workhouse, with son, [Joseph] James Hockley (10). Charles Hockley (35) was working as a Valet and residing in Arlington Road, St Pancras, London.

William Bloomfield died, aged 76, in 1893 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 407. 

In 1901, Eliza Bloomfield (it claims she was 75) widow living on children, was still living in Felsted. Elizabeth Hockley (49) was Housekeeper to Walter Howland at Silverleys, Straits Lane, Felstead, while Ada Hockley (32) born in Islington was back in The Dunmow Union Workhouse as a Pauper Inmate; Charles Hockley (46) from Great Dunmow, Essex was a Boarder in the household of Robert Bailey a Cadet servant (military academy) at 10, James Street, Woolwich, London. (Robert Bailey, from Huddersfiled, Yorkshire had served, from 1867 to 1888, in the 109th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Infantry). Charles was an Arsenal labourer (Royal Arsenal, Woolwich).

Charles Hockley died, at 50, in 1904 D Qtr in SOUTHWARK Vol 01D 23.

Eliza Bloomfield died in 1906 M Quarter in BILLERICAY Volume 04A Page 319, with her age estimated as 84. She will have been 86.

In 1911, Elizabeth Hockley (64) and Ada Hockley (43) Domestic servants were once again Inmates at the Dunmow Union Workhouse. So far I've found no further records for Elizabeth nor Ada, who may have died there.