Family Stories
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Showing posts with label Shoreditch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shoreditch. Show all posts

Sunday, 12 January 2025

Charles Baker and Sarah Hoile

St Mary Aldermary, Bow Lane, London EC4 - West end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/885942

Charles Baker married Sarah Hoile in the parish of St Mary Aldermary with St Thomas the Apostle on 12 Jan 1822. Since the church of St Thomas the Apostle was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and not rebuilt, it's probably safe to assume that the venue was St Mary Aldermary

The couple had two children, baptised at St Leonard's, Shoreditch:
  1. Sarah Baker b. 1 Nov 1822, bap. 10 Jan 1823 
  2. Charles Hoile Baker b. 23 Aug 1825, bap. 9 Oct 1825
On the record of son Charles Hoile Baker's marriage, he describes his father's occupation as Waterman. I've not [yet] isolated further records for this pair.

Sunday, 29 December 2024

Samms Sheppard Rudd and Mary Sarah Ann Walrond

St John the Evangelist Waterloo
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/1257876

Samms Sheppard Rudd (bap. 30 Nov 1834 at St Dunstan's, Stepney), son of Samms Rudd and Ann Johnson, married Mary Sarah Ann Walrond, who listed her father as William Walrond, Cabinet Maker [and Mary Scoines], at St John the Evangelist (St John's Church, Waterloo), on 29 Dec 1854

The couple had at least seven children:
  1. Mary Ann Rudd b. 2 Nov 1855 D Quarter in THE SHOREDITCH DISTRICT Volume 01C Page 98, bap. 28 Dec 1856 at St John the Baptist, Shoreditch (St John the Baptist, Hoxton). The family's address was in Aske Street (named for parish's benefactor, City alderman and haberdasher Robert Aske) and her father's occupation, Waiter.
  2. Emily Grace Rudd b. 8 Jul 1857 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 152, bap. 1 Aug 1858 at St. James', Westminster.
  3. Alice Rudd b. 1859 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 100
  4. Frederick William Rudd b. 1864 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 83
  5. Albert Edward Rudd b. 1868 S Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 75
  6. John Edwin Rudd b. 1872 D Qtr in HAMPSTEAD Vol 01A 603
  7. Charles Rudd b. 1876 M Qtr in ST GILES Vol 01B Page 652
On the birth registrations for Mary Ann, Alice, Frederick William, Albert Edward and John Edwin the mother's maiden name is listed as WALROND. On that for Emily Grace, it's WABRONE and for Charles, WABROUD. With such random variations, it's difficult to know if all their children are included.

In 1861, listed as Samuel S Rudd (26) Waiter from Kentish Town, Middlesex, was living at 41, New North Street, Shoreditch with Mary S Rudd (26), Mary A Rudd (5), Emily G Rudd (4) and Alice Rudd (1).

In 1871, the family were in Islington, with Samms Sheppard Rudd (37), Mary Sarah Ann Rudd (36), Robert Cockare (19), Mary Ann Rudd (15), Emily Rudd (13), Alice Rudd (11), Fred Wm Rudd (7) and Albert Edwd Rudd (2).

In 1875 and 1876, Samms Sheppard Rudd was listed as the Licensee at the Globe, 58 New Compton Street WC2New Compton Street in the London Borough of Camden, runs to St Giles High Street in the north.

In 1881, apparently transcribed as Thomas Rudd (47) Licenced Victualler from Kentish Town, London, he was at the Prince of Wales, 17 Riley Street, Bermondsey SE1 with Mary A Rudd (43), Emily Rudd (23) Barmaid from Hoxton; Alice Rudd (21) Barmaid from Finsbury; Frederick Rudd (16) Clerk; Albert Rudd (12), Edwin Rudd (8) and Charles Rudd (5).

In 1882 and 1884, then The London 1891 Public House & Publican Directory and the Post Office Directory still place Samms Sheppard Rudd at the Prince of Wales, 17 Riley Street, Bermondsey SE1. Son Frederick William Rudd had taken this over by 1899 and his widow, Amelia, by 1901.

In 1891, Samms Sheppard Rudd (57) Retired Publican was living in Bayston Road, Hackney, with Mary Sarah Ann Rudd (56), Albert Edward Rudd (22), Charles Rudd (15) and Emma Nash (53) Sister, Widow. (There was a marriage, in 1865, in Shoreditch between Emma Walrond and Thomas Henry Nash, who had died, in Shoreditch, in 1876. I still cannot find birth registrations for either Mary Sarah Ann, nor Emma Walrond.)

In 1901, listed as James S Rudd (67) from Kentish Town, London, living on own means, was living in Albert Road, Croydon with Mary S Rudd (66). 

Mary Sarah Ann Rudd died, at 66, on 7 Jun 1901 (1901 J Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 173) and was buried at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.

In 1911, Samms Sheppard Rudd (b. 1838), was once more living in Croydon, with his sister-in-law, Jane Walrond (69). [1]

Samms Sheppard Rudd died, aged 81, on 3 Dec 1915 (1915 D Quarter in CROYDON Volume 02A Page 470) and was buried along with his late wife, on 8 Dec 1915, also at Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries.

[1] There are no birth/baptism records for Mary Sarah Ann nor Emma Walrond, however, their sister Jane Walrond b. 1841 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 405 was the daughter of William Walrond and Mary Scoines, who married in Stepney, on 20 Sep 1824. Jane Walrond died, aged 75, in Croydon, in 1918.

Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Henry Caddy and Selina Mary Ann Harcus

St Mary, Dock Road, Chatham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Kemp - geograph.org.uk/p/4674626
The church, now closed, is mainly late C19 but a few Norman features still remain.

Henry Caddy (24), Shipwright, son of John Henry Caddy and Sarah Orren, married, Selina Mary Ann Harcus (20), daughter of John Harcus and Selina Patrick, on 18 Dec 1870 at St Mary's Church, Chatham. Witnesses were her brother Henry George Harcus and Sarah Caddy, Henry's sister.

In 1871, Selina Caddy (21), Henry Caddy (24) Shipwright, were living with Selina's widowed mother, Selina Harcus (47) Licensed Victualler at the Chest Arms, 55 High Street, Chatham.

Henry and Selina Caddy then had one daughter: 

  1. Selina Sarah Caddy, b. 15 Jan 1872 (1872 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 470), bap. 11 Feb 1872 at St Mary's Church, Chatham.

Selina Mary Ann Caddy was one of the witnesses to the marriage of her brother Henry George Harcus and Susan Alice Tubb, on 29 Dec 1872.

Then on 18 Dec 1874, at All Saints Church, HaggerstonSelina Mary Ann Caddy (24), 'Widow' (no she wasn't, unless her father-in-law listed a ghost in 1881 - see below), who, nevertheless, listed her father (correctly) as John Harcus, Tailor, married Lewis Betjemann (31) Bachelor (nope), Sergeant in the Army, who named his father as John Jacob Betjemann, Gunsmith. 

John Jacob Betjemann, Gunmaker, had married Elizabeth Bull in 1825 and was in Whitechapel in 1841 and Bethnal Green in 1851. He died in 1853. Baptised Ernst Luy Ficktohr Betjeman (sic) on 3 Mar 1844 at Christ Church, Spitalfields, he was their youngest child, listed as Ernst (7) in his parents' household in 1851 and as Lewis Betjemann (17) Cabinet Maker, when living with his widowed mother, Elizabeth, in Haggerston, in 1861. 

As 'Herns' Lewis Betjemann, Cabinet Maker, he had previously married Mary Sarah Jane Blumson, daughter of Benjamin Blumson, Dyer, at St James', Shoreditch, on 5 Nov 1863. This couple had at least two daughters: Mary Ann Betjemann b. 1 Dec 1863 (1864 M Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 204), bap. 20 Dec 1963 at St Matthew's, Bethnal Green; and Caroline Betjemann b. 1866 M Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 182. When daughter Mary Betjemann (20) married on 2 Feb 1884, she listed her father as Lewis Betjemann, Cabinet Maker and George Christian Betjemann, who was Lewis' brother, was one of the witnesses at her marriage. Reverting back to Bachelor in 1874 was well fishy and lead me be certain they were both committing bigamy. That Mary Sarah Jane Blumson went on to have another four children with Henry Thomas Comte and lived until 1924, confirms it.

Selina claiming to be a Widow, one might assume Henry Caddy had died ... However, in 1881, we find Henry Caddy (34) Shipwright, alive, listed as married, living in the home of his father, John Henry Caddy (59) Joiner (he had been a Joiner at the Dockyard) and his second wife Elizabeth Caddy (61) at 50, Church Road, Gillingham, Medway, Kent, with no mention of Henry's wife or child. (Henry's mother, Sarah Caddy, had died in 1866 and John Henry Caddy had married widow, Elizabeth Fowler, on 26 Mar 1874).

After that I can find no more records for Henry Caddy, not even a death. Instinct makes me suspect he may have jumped on a ship and emigrated.

Selina Sarah Caddy doesn't appear on a census either, until 1891, when we find George Lewis (47) Caretaker from Mile End, Middlesex at James Allen's School, Townley Road, Camberwell (James Allen's Girls' School), with wife Selina Lewis (41) Housekeeper from Chatham, Kent; daughter listed as Selina Lewis (19) also from Chatham, Kent, with two Assistant caretakers. It's clear that Lewis Betjemann has Anglicised himself to George Lewis. Subsequent records, which I found first, show that these are the right people however.

On 13 May 1894, Selina Sarah Caddy (22) married William Slate (24) at the church of St Michael, Burleigh Street, Westminster (Initially a chapel within the parish of St. Martin in the Fields, closed 1905 and was demolished.)

William and Selina Sarah Slate had at least eight children:

  1. Victor Alfred William Slate b. 30 Nov 1895 in HOLBORN 01B 683
  2. Eleanor Selina Slate b. 11 Nov 1897 in HOLBORN 01B 687
  3. Alfred John Slate b. 10 Aug 1900 in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 469, bap 2 Sep 1900 at St. James' Church, Walthamstow
  4. Doris Margaret Slate b. 13 Oct 1904 in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 458, bap. 13 Nov 1904 at St. James' Church, Walthamstow
  5. Wilmet Geraldine Slate b. 24 Mar 1908 J Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 455, bap. 19 Apr 1908 at Walthamstow St. James the Greater. Died at 16 months in 1909 S Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 170 and buried on 21 Aug 1909 at Queen's Road Cemetery, Walthamstow.
  6. Lily Slate b. 12 Aug 1910 in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 474, bap. 9 Sep 1910 at St. James' Church, Walthamstow
  7. William Leonard Slate b. 1913 D Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 929
  8. Philip Albert Slate b. 1917 M Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 724
George Lewis was buried at Queen's Road Cemetery, Walthamstow, Grave 656A, on 14 July 1898 (there was a death of a George Lewis, aged 54, in 1898 S Quarter in LONDON CITY Volume 01C Page 8, which I'm sure relates), however the burial record shows that the purchaser of the plot was Selina Sarah Slate, confirming that this certainly was the correct burial.

In 1901, Selina Lewis (51) Widow, General shop dealer, from Chatham, Kent, was living at 52, Gladstone Road, Walthamstow, West Ham. William Slate (32) Bookbinder, was living at 81, Gladstone Road, Walthamstow, West Ham with Selina Slate (29) from Chatham; Victor (5), Selina (3) and Alfred (0).

In 1911, at 23 Camden Road Walthamstow, Walthamstow, were William Slate (41) Bookbinder, Selina Slate (39) from Chatham, Kent; Victor Slate (15) Junior clerk; Eleanor (13), Alfred (10), Doris (6), Lily (0) and Selina Lewis (61) Mother, Widow, Dressmaker from Chatham, Kent.

In 1921, William Slate (51) Book Binder; Selina Slate (49), Violet Slate (25), Eleanor Slate (23), Alfred Slate (20), Doris Slate (16), Lily Slate (10), William Slate (7), Philip Slate (4) and Frederick Crisp (30) Visitor were all at 13 Forster Road, Walthamstow. (Frederick Crisp later married Eleanor Slate.) Selina Ana Lewis (71) was a boarder at 89, Hartington Road, Walthamstow.

Selina M A Lewis died, aged 88, at 13 Forster Road, Walthamstow and was buried at Queen's Road Cemetery, Walthamstow on 26 Sep 1938.

In 1939, William Slate (b. 1 Jul 1869), Groundsman and Sarah Selina Slate (b. 15 Jan 1872) were at 13 Forster Road, Walthamstow. William Slate died, at 89, in 1958 and Selina S Slate died, at 95, in 1966, in Waltham Forest.

Monday, 9 December 2024

Job Thomas Sweeney and Elizabeth Fuller

St Helen & St Giles, Rainham - Sanctuary
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4530086

Job Thomas Sweeney (b. 27 Aug 1897 in Mile End, London), son of Job Sweeney and Eliza Louisa Tompson, married Elizabeth Fuller (b. 22 Mar 1901 in Rainham, Essex), daughter of George Fuller and Eliza Ellen Hockley, at the church of St Helen and St Giles, Rainham, Essex on 9 Dec 1923.

There were no wedding photos, I was told, because of the obviously expected arrival of their only child, Ivy Elizabeth Sweeney b. 5 Mar 1924 (1924 J Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 31). My mother didn't have her birth certificate, the original having been lost when their home was bombed in WWII (she would not hear that copies could be obtained) and had always been adamant that she was born in one of the Peabody Buildings. Had she ever obtained a copy, then she'd have discovered that she was, in fact, born at 35 Gladstone Buildings, Willow Street, Shoreditch. (And therefore missed out on a historical 'claim to fame' too, because Police Sergeant James George Byfield, witness in one of the Jack the Ripper murders, had lived in Gladstone Buildings, Shoreditch in 1881.)

Built in 1868, the Gladstone Buildings, were demolished in 1977. The site today is, ironically, the location of the Luxury Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch. The previous building on that site certainly wasn't luxury, however, as the Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch in 1879 details:

GLADSTONE BUILDINGS, WILLOW STREET.—"In these model dwellings there are 168 suites of apartments, each suite having a separate water supply, and closet accommodation, situate in the scullery. None of the closets were properly supplied with water, so as to flush the pans effectually. The cisterns in which drinking water was stored were all uncovered, placed over the closets close to the ceilings, and immediately under the closet of the apartments above. Several of the tenants complained that their drinking water was polluted with foul liquids dripping from the ceilings, by reason of defective closet arrangements, and many of the ceilings bore evidence as to the fact."

This Charabanc excursion must presumably date to 1925.
Joe and Bet, with baby Ivy on her lap, are in the rear seats of the vehicle.

It must have been after the death of Job's father on 6 Dec 1924, that they moved back to 102, Fore Street, City of London, where Eliza Louisa Sweeney, continued as Housekeeper for Hoffnung & Co Shipping Merchants. 

My mother frequently claimed she was Confirmed at St Paul's Cathedral, but I've been unable to confirm (pun intended) if this is true. And even if it were, it should have been unlikely, as there's no record of her ever being baptised - a not-at-all uncommon omission with a baby's such 'premature' arrival. 

They were still in Fore Street in 1939, with Eliza L Sweeney, Housekeeper; Job Thomas Sweeney, Supervisor Tobacco Packing (employed by W.D. & H.O. Wills); Elizabeth Sweeney; Ivy E Sweeney, Shop Assistant and James Edward Bird, Police Constable (who I can only assume was lodging with them) and remained until their home was destroyed in WWII, thought to have been on or around the night of 29–30 Dec 1940, during the so-called Second Great Fire of London. They were away from home that day, so suffered no physical injury, but lost their home and every material possession they'd owned. 

They then moved out to Hornchurch and in the 1960's, Bet & Joe 'retired' to Pitstone, in the countryside of Bedfordshire. There, granddad carried on his hobby of fishing and was a bailiff on the nearby Grand Union Canal; he did detailed woodwork, inlay and marquetry; embroidered hassocks that were (maybe still are) in the church of St Mary the Virgin in Ivinghoe and grew very tidy rows of vegetables in his garden.

(Right: Bet and Joe on the seafront at Weymouth in the early 1960's.)

Bet Sweeney died on 22 Dec 1980. 

It was absolutely no surprise that, without his lifelong love, Job Thomas Sweeney died eight months later to the day, on 22 Aug 1981.

Wednesday, 27 November 2024

Harry Hockley and Fanny Ann Rootkin

St John the Baptist, Hoxton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/4892565

Harry Hockley (b. 27 Jun 1871), Horse Keeper, son of William Hockley and Charlotte Cock, married Fanny Ann Rootkin (bap. 10 Dec 1871 in Great Dunmow, Essex), daughter of William Rootkin and Louisa Sharp, at St John the Baptist, Hoxton on 27 Nov 1892. Both gave their address as 61 Napier Street. Witnesses were Henry Balden and Mary Emma Hockley, the groom's sister. The previous year, Fanny Rootkin (19) had been a General Domestic Servant in the household of a Henry Smith (45) in Friern Barnet.

Harry and Fanny Ann Hockley had 14 children in total:
  1. Frederick William Hockley b. 30 Oct 1892 in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 50
  2. Harry Charles Hockley b. 1894 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 699, bap. 18 Feb 1894 in Great Dunmow, Essex
  3. Annie Louisa Hockley b. 1896 S Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 397, bap. 2 Sep 1896 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  4. Alfred James Hockley b. 23 Aug 1897 S Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 425, bap. 26 Sep 1897 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died of wounds on 9 Oct 1916 in France & Flanders.
  5. George Hockley b. 1899 D Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 460
  6. Ernest John Hockley b. 15 Nov 1901 - assume they meant 1900 - (1901 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 515), bap. 28 Nov 1901 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died 1902 M Qtr Vol 04A Page 238 and was buried on 25 Feb 1902 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  7. Frank Sidney Hockley b. 28 Nov 1901 (1901 D Quarter in EPPING Vol 04A Page 516), bap. 28 Nov 1901 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died at 1 month (1902 M Quarter Volume 04A Page 235) and was buried on 13 Jan 1902 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  8. Arthur Thomas Hockley b. 15 Jan 1903 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 533, bap. 29 Mar 1903 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  9. Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley b. 14 Apr 1905 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A 519, bap. 6 Sep 1905 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  10. Florence Hilda Hockley b. 30 Oct 1906 D Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 521, bap. 27 Jan 1907 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  11. Edith Maud Hockley b. 17 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 545), bap. 27 May 1908 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill. Died 1908 D Quarter Volume 04A Page 210 and buried on 27 Oct 1908 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  12. Edward Hockley b. 17 Mar 1909 (1909 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A Page 512), bap. 19 May 1909 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
  13. Dorothy May Hockley b. 7 Oct 1910 (1910 D Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 465), bap. 3 Jan 1911 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill, residence 3 Gingells Cottages, Alfred Road
  14. Lily Charlotte Hockley b. 13 Mar 1915 (1915 J Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A  Page 939), bap. 28 Apr 1915 at St John the Baptist, Buckhurst Hill
The mother's maiden name on all of these registrations is Rootkin.

In 1901, Harry Hockley (28) Gas Stoker from Dunmow, Essex, lived in Alfred Road, Buckhurst Hill, with wife Fanny Ann Hockley (28), William Hockley (8) [Frederick William] born in Hoxton; Harry C Hockley (7), Annie L Hockley (4), Alfred J Hockley (3), George Hockley (1) and Ernest J Hockley (0). 

In 1911, Harry Hockley (39) Gas Stoker, was still in Buckhurst Hill with Fanny Ann Hockley (39), Harry Charles Hockley (17) Errand Boy for an Ironmonger; Annie Louisa Hockley (14) Domestic Servant; Alfred James Hockley (13) School and Milk Boy; George Hockley (11), Arthur Thomas Hockley (8), Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley (5), Florence Hilda Hockley (4), Edward Hockley (2) and Dorothy May Hockley (5 Months). This record confirms that, by then, they had 13 children, with 10 alive and 3 had died. Frederick Hockley (18) birthplace Hoxton, was a Boarder Servant in the household of James Archer, Dairyman at Kettles Cottages, Dagenham.

Private Alfred James Hockley G/11890 (19) of the 8th Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment), birthplace Buckhurst Hill, Essex, Died of wounds on 9 Oct 1916 in France & Flanders.

In 1921, Harry Hockley (50) Gas Stoker for the Gas Light & Coke Co, was still living at 70, Alfred Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex with Fanny Ann Hockley (49), Arthur Thomas Hockley (18) Brickmaker's Labourer; Alice Beatrice Emma Hockley (16) General Domestic Servant; Edward Hockley (12), Dorothy May Hockley (10) and Lily Charlotte Hockley (6).

Fanny Ann Hockley died at 62 in 1933 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 04A 550.

In 1939, Harry Hockley, Widowed, Gas Stoker, was living at 53 Loughton Way, Buckhurst Hill with William J Clarke, Master Carpenter; Alice B E Clarke (William J Clarke and Alice B E Hockley had married in 1932); Hilda F (Florence) Hockley, Kite Maker (Toy); Edward E P Ruhle, Secretary & Director Building Manufacture (Edward E P Ruhle and Florence H Hockley married later in 1939); and Phillip J Clarke (b. 31 Dec 1934).

Harry Hockley died at 75 in 1947 M Qtr in EPPING Vol 05A 138 and was buried on 17 Mar 1947, at St John the Baptist Church, Buckhurst Hill.

Thursday, 31 October 2024

Abraham Shelford and Caroline Kitty Collin

St James, Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London EC1
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2157513

Abraham Shelford (b. 28 May 1823, in Great Easton, Essex), son of William Shelford and Ann Stanes, married Caroline Kitty Collin in the Essex village of Tilty, on 31 Oct 1846, with whom he had a daughter, Mary Ann Shelford, b. 1846 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 88, bap. 17 Jan 1847 at St Mary the Virgin, Tilty. However, Caroline Shelford died, aged 27, in 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 219 and was buried, on 11 May 1854, at St John & St Giles, Great Easton. Their daughter, Mary Ann Shelford died, at 15, in 1862 M Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 424 and was buried, on 5 May 1862, in Hackney, Middlesex.

Abraham Shelford then married Sophia Mason, daughter of Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, in the 4th quarter of 1859, in Kensington, London.

Abraham and Sophia added three children:
  1. William Shelford b. 1862 J Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 550, bap. 6 May 1862 at St James, Clerkenwell
  2. Alice Shelford b. 1863 D Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 579, bap. 11 Dec 1863 at St James, Clerkenwell (Nothing after 1881)
  3. Emily Shelford b. 1869 J Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 155. Died in 1870 M Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 149
In 1861, Abraham Shelford (35) Deputy turncock n r co and Sophia Shelford (34) Deputy turncock's wife - such was the importance of the office - were living at 27, Rodney Street, Clerkenwell, London. Abraham's daughter Mary, listed as 16, was a Domestic servant in the household of William Paton, Upholsterer at 88, Pentonville Road, St James, Clerkenwell.

Turncocks were an official employed to turn on the water for the mains supply. This was done on a schedule: in those times, the water supply was not running all of the time. 

Abraham Shelford's employer, 'n r co' was undoubtedly the New River Company. The History of the London Water Industry (PDF)

In 1871, Abraham Shelford (44) was living at 43 Gifford Street, St Leonard, Shoreditch. On this census, his occupation is listed as Labourer, but I'm not sure I trust its veracity. His place of birth has been written as Great Eastern instead of Great Easton, which they've obviously confused with the SS Great Eastern, because, then someone has added 'At Sea' on the end of it, which is all that got transcribed. :) With him were wife 'Sarah' Shelford (44) from Broxted, Essex and William Shelford (9) and Alice Shelford (7), both born in Pentonville, Middlesex. (Pentonville, a sub-district in Clerkenwell, has a fascinating history.)

In 1881, living at 23, Mary Street, Shoreditch, London, were Abraham Shelford (56) this time his occupation is listed as Waterman, but I'm certain, given his history, that this is as in someone who works for the water company, not the ancient waterways taxi driver. With him were 'Sarah ' Shelford (54), William Shelford (19) Carpenter and Alice Shelford (17) Laundress.

Sophia Shelford died, at 56, in 1882 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C 139.

In 1891, Abraham Shelford (69) Water turncock, Widower, was living at 69 Tottenham Road, Hackney, London with son, William Shelford (29) Water inspector; Alice Shelford (27) Daughter-in-law and grandchildren: Edith (7), William J (5) and Ernest Shelford (3). (William Shelford married his 1st cousin, Alice Mason, daughter of John Mason and Mary Ann Turner in 1883.)

In 1892, Abraham Shelford married Sarah Maria Wilcox in Hackney. 

Abraham Shelford died, at 73, in 1897 M Qtr in ISLINGTON Vol 01B 236.

Sarah Maria Shelford remarried, in Bethnal Green, in 1898. 

Sunday, 6 October 2024

John Blackett and Maria Thompson

Church of St John at Hackney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/5660501

John Blackett (b. 27 Jul 1811, bap. 15 Aug 1811 at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch), son of Joseph and Frances Blackett, married Maria Thompson (bap. 19 Dec 1814 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St John-at-Hackney, on 6 Oct 1833.

Records suggest that the couple had at least two children:

  1. Maria Blackett b. 16 Mar 1834, bap. 29 Jun 1834 at St Mary's, Whitechapel. Maria Blackett, aged 2 years 2 months, was buried on 19 Jun 1836 (Mile End New Town (Independent): Burials)
  2. Henry Blackett b. 1847 (mentioned only on 1851 census)
In 1841, Maria Blackett (25) Dressmaker - no sign of John or any child - was staying with her brother Daniel, in Cransley, Northamptonshire.

In 1851, John Blackett (39), Butcher; Maria Blackett (38); Henry Blackett (4), birthplace Northamptonshire and George Collins (24), Carpenter, Widower, Lodger; John Nursey (18) Lodger and John Grant (25) Lodger were living in Wellington Place, Back Road, St George in the East.

In 1861, at 4, Back Road, St George in the East, were John Blackett (49) Butcher; Maria (47); William Hill Adcock (21) Bookseller's Assistant, Visitor (Maria's brother Daniel's wife's brother's son); Benjamin Thompson (19) Bricklayer, Nephew (her brother Daniel's son) and Henry M Thompson (10), Sugar Maker, Nephew, born Stepney [don't yet know whose son he was].

John Blackett died, aged 54, on 9 Feb 1866 (1866 M Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 354), leaving his effects to Maria Blackett.

In 1871, Maria Blackett (56) Widowed, Coffee-Shop Keeper from Cransley, Northamptonshire was living at Star Corner, Bermondsey (near the Leather Market), with George S Taylor (12) Nephew from Stepney, Middlesex.

In the 2nd quarter of 1871, Maria Blackett remarried to widower, William Kenward, in St. Olave Southwark.

In 1881, William Kenward (73) House Agent from Hartfield, Sussex, was living at 17, Douglas Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich with Maria Kenward (68) from Cransley, Northamptonshire and George S Saville (22), Nephew, Schoolmaster, from Stepney. [See how Taylor transforms into Saville.]

Maria Kenward wife of William Kenward, late of 17 Douglas Street, Deptford, died, age estimated to 76, in Greenwich on 28 Oct 1888 (1888 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 589). Her will was proved on 13 Dec 1888, by Benjamin Tompson (her nephew), the sole executor.

In 1891, William Kenward (83) House Agent, was still at 17 Douglas Street, Deptford. His grandson, Robert Hy Murray (26) was living with him.

William Kenward died at 86, in 1893 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 750.

Monday, 30 September 2024

Moses Doe and Harriet White

St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Rodney Burton - geograph.org.uk/p/141922

Moses Doe (bap. 4 Feb 1821 in Little Canfield), son of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Doe, married Harriet White (bap. 6 Oct 1822 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Mark White and Rose/Rhoda Pickett, at St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch on 30 Sep 1844. Rhoda White was one of four witnesses to the marriage. (In 1841, Rhoda White (42) was in the household - presumably as a servant - of James Samms (67) at Manor Farm, Little Easton (Little Easton Manor). Mark White had been buried in 1834, in Little Easton.)

Moses and Harriet had three sons:
  1. Charles Doe b. 1845 S Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 278, bap. at Walthamstow, St John the Evangelist
  2. Benjamin Doe b. 1848, reg. 1849 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 12 Page 320, bap. Walthamstow, St James the Great. Died, aged 13, in 1862 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 34, and is buried at Walthamstow, St Mary the Virgin.
  3. William Doe b. 1851 J Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Vol 12 Page 317
In 1851, Moses Doe (30) Labourer from Essex was living in Black Horse Lane, Walthamstow, West Ham, with wife Harriet (29) from Dunmow, Essex; Charles Doe (5), Benjamin Doe (1), William Doe (0) and Roda (sic) White (50) Widow, House Servant, Mother-in-Law from Fakenham, Norfolk.

In 1861, Moses Doe (40) Grocer, was at Sinkers Bridge, Walthamstow, West Ham, with Harriet Doe (36), Benjamin Doe (11), William Doe (10), Kate Stacks (2) Granddaughter from Middlesex and Elizabeth Martain (51) Widow, Lodger from Hackney. I've been unable to find Charles Doe, who would have been around 15 and probably out working. (There is a death of a Charles Doe in West Ham in 1861, but this record can be discounted as the deceased was aged 3.) With only three sons, who were too young, Kate Stacks cannot be the Doe's granddaughter so assume was the lodger's granddaughter.

In 1871, at Shern Hall Place, Walthamstow, West Ham were Moses Doe (50) Undergardener Domestic Servant from Little Canfield, Essex; Harriet Doe (49) from Little Easton and William Doe (20) Groom. (Shern Hall: stood in impressive grounds of more than 18 acres that contained landscaped gardens, a large T-shaped pond, orchards, meadowland, farm buildings and stabling.)

Harriet Doe died, at 52, in 1874 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 333 was buried on 7 Jan 1874 at St Paul's Church, Rusthall.

Moses Doe (53) Widower, Gardener, remarried to Mary Ann Norman (39) Spinster, on 7 Mar 1875 at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.

Moses and Mary Ann added one further son:
  1. John Doe b. 1876 S Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 603, bap. at Tunbridge Wells, Congregational Church.
In 1881, transcribed as Morris Deo (and the bad handwriting does look like that) living at Denny Bottom, Speldhurst, Tonbridge, Kent, were Moses Doe (60) Gardener; Mary Ann Doe (45) Wife of Gardner; John Doe (4) Scholar, plus 2 Lodgers: John P Norbury (32) Carpenter from Liverpool and Alfred Brown (20) Carpenter from Bradwell on Sea, Essex.

Mary Ann Doe died, aged 53 in 1888 M Quarter in TUNBRIDGE Volume 02A Page 439, and was buried on 13 Mar 1888, at St Paul's Church, Rusthall

Moses Doe died, at 67, on 24 Jun 1888 (1888 J Qtr in TUNBRIDGE Vol 02A Page 364) and was buried on 27 Jun 1888, also at St Paul's Church, Rusthall. Sadly, the gravestone mentions "a long and painful affliction".

St. Paul's Church, Rusthall Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/6408539

Saturday, 7 September 2024

John Hurley Coombe and Mary Jane Southcott

East side of St Peter's Church, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/6219976

John Hurley Coombe (b. 1845 in Tiverton, Devon), son of James Coombe and Sarah Hurley, married Mary Jane Southcott (b. 1854 in Tiverton), daughter of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, on 7 Sep 1869. On the marriage certificate both are listed as being of 'full' age, however, Mary Jane, registered in the 2nd quarter of 1854, may have been 15. Witnesses to the marriage were James Coombe and Mary Bawden.

John and Mary Jane had six children:

  1. John William Southcott Coombe b. 1869 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439. (Died at 7 in 1876 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 270)
  2. Sarah Jane Coombe b. 7 Nov 1871 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 133, bap. 19 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Hoxton. (Died aged 5, in 1876 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 89, and was buried on 19 Sep 1876 at Victoria Park Cemetery, Hackney.)
  3. Fanny Maria Coombe b. 1874 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 125
  4. Frederick Coombe b. 1876 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 127
  5. Charles Henry Coombe b. 1878 D Qtr in HOLBORN Vol 01B P 677
  6. James Coombe b. 1883 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 659 (Died 1884 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 435)
In 1871, John H Coombe (24) Tailor, Mary J Coombe (18) and John H S Coombe (1) were living in Kiddles Court, Tiverton, Devon, with his father, James Coombe, who married Mary Jane's mother, Temperance, in 1866.

In 1881, John Hurley Coombe (35) Journeyman tailor from Tiverton, Devon, Mary Jane Coombe (28), Fanny Maria Coombe (7), Frederick Coombe (5) and Charles Henry Coombe (3) were at 10, Green Street, St Andrew Holborn. 

Then Mary Jane Coombe (née Southcott) died, aged 33, in 1887 J Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 408.

In 1891, John H Coombe (45) Widower, was in Leigh Street, Holborn, with Fanny Maria Coombe (17) Packer soap factory, Frederick Coombe (14) Printer's boy and Charles H Coombe (12).

In 1901, John H Coombes (sic) (55) Tailor Journeyman was living in Great Queen Street, Bloomsbury, London, with Frances Maria Coombe (26) Packer in soap factory; Fredrick Coombe (24) Porter Hotel kitchen and Charles H Coombe (22) Tailor journeyman.

In 1911, John Coombe (68) Tailor, Widowed was an Inmate of Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey. (Dining Hall, Holborn Union Workhouse)

John Hurley Coombe died in 1913 J Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 469.

Wednesday, 7 August 2024

William Hill Adcock and Annie Dear

On Whitechapel Road, London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian S - geograph.org.uk/p/6376642

William Hill Adcock (bap. 11 Dec 1840), son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Anne Dear (bap. 16 Jun 1844), daughter of Stephen Dear and Catherine Baugh, at Christ Church, Watney Street, on 7 Aug 1864.

William and Annie had thirteen children: 
  1. Annie Eliza Adcock b. 1865 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 393
  2. Mary Elizabeth Adcock b. 1868 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 84
  3. Louisa Catherine Adcock b. 1869 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C 354
  4. William James Adcock b. 1870 D Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 359 (Died 1872 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 266)
  5. Flora Adcock b. 1872 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 356
  6. Minnie Adcock b. 1874 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 371
  7. Ada Alice Adcock b. 1876 M Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 380
  8. Charles William Adcock b. 1877 J Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 350 (Died 1878 J Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 229)
  9. Albert Henry Adcock b. 29 Jul 1878 (1878 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 347), bap. 13 Oct 1878 in Whitechapel
  10. Walter Charles Adcock b. 16 Aug 1880 (1880 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 329), bap. 26 Sep 1880 in Whitechapel
  11. William Ernest Adcock b. 24 Jul 1882 (1882 S Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 331), bap. 1 Oct 1882 in Whitechapel. (Died 1883 J Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 226)
  12. Emily Marie Adcock b. 1884 S Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 55 (Died, aged 2, 1886 S Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 370)
  13. Edwin John Adcock b. 1891 J Qtr in DARTFORD Vol 02A Page 483
In 1871, living in Whitechapel, were William Adcock (30) Tobacconist Shopman, wife Annie Adcock (26) birthplace Winterslow, Wiltshire; Annie (5); Louisa (2) and William (0). Mary Elizabeth, then 3, was not listed. 

In 1881, at 4 Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel, we find William Adcock (40), Manager to Tobacconist; Annie Adcock (36); Mary E (13), Louisa (11), Flora (8), Minnie (6), Ada (5), Albert (2) and Walter (0). 

In 1891, living in Victoria Street, Erith, Kent, were William Adcock (50) then employed as a Machinist. Living with him were wife Annie (46), Louisa (21), Albert (12), Walter (11) and Edwin (0).

And in 1901, still in Victoria Street, we find William Adcock (60) a Machine Minder in a Gun Works - presumably the Vickers Works, Erith - with wife Annie (56), Albert (22), Walter (20) and Edwin (10). 

Annie Adcock died, aged 58, in 1902 S Qtr in DARTFORD Vol 02A Page 268.

In 1911, William Adcock (70) was an inmate at Dartford Union Workhouse.

William Adcock died, aged 79, 1920 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 601.

Dartford Union Workhouse
Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 4.0

Tuesday, 11 June 2024

John Sweeney and Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday

St Leonard, Shoreditch High Street, Shoreditch - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2624832

John Sweeney married Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday (b. 23 Feb 1811), daughter of John Benbow Gabbedy and Isabella Cleghorn, on 11 Jun 1832, at St LeonardShoreditch (often known simply as Shoreditch Church - this is the church mentioned in the line "When I grow rich, say the bells of Shoreditch" from the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons). Witnesses to the marriage were Anne's brother, Henry Gabbedy (sic), Ann Goose and Geo. Garrow.

Census listings consistently show John as having been born ~1809, in St George in the East, but I've not been able to find a baptism for him.

John and Anne had at least these five children: 
  1. Maria Eliza Isabella Sweney, bap. 11 Jan 1835 at St Dunstan's, Stepney
  2. Unnamed Male Sweeney b. 1838 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 390, mother GABBEDEY. Died 1838 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 493.
  3. John Henry Charles Sweeney, b. 11 May 1839, at 1 George Place, White Horse Street, Ratcliff (1839 J Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 466)
  4. Mary Ann Sweeney, b. 10 Dec 1848, bap. 19 Jan 1860 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse
  5. Matilda Sweeney b. 8 Sep 1851, bap. 19 Jan 1860 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse (Died, aged 16, in 1866 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 415)
On John Henry Charles' birth certificate, his father's occupation is Ship's Joiner. His mother is clearly listed as "Ann Sweeney, formerly Gabbedy". 

The dates of birth for the two youngest are as listed on the baptism records, as there appear to be no GRO birth registrations for the girls. 

In 1841 living in Pleasant Row, Brewers Place, Stepney were John Swaney (sic) (32) Carpenter; son John (2), wife, Ann (29) and daughter Maria (7). (Throughout her life, my mother had been most pedantic that her maiden name was spelled Sweeney “with three Es.” It should have occurred to me to ignore that and, indeed, most of the records before 1901 are listed with the spelling of Sweney, sometimes Sweeny and, as here, even Swaney.)

In 1851, in Ocean Street, Mile End Old Town, were John Sweeny (42), Carpenter, Ann (39), Maria (17), John (9), Mary Ann (5) and Matilda (0).

A death of an Ann Sweeny, in Whitechapel, in the Jan-Feb-Mar Quarter of 1855, had been widely accepted as that of Anne Elizabeth, however, upon double-checking this at the GRO, it lists that this record relates to a baby girl aged 1. Another death in 1855 in Stepney that had been attributed was for a woman of 32 (would compute to birth year of 1823). Closer, but still not acceptable. Both youngest daughters were baptised in 1860, so I feel that may have been motivated by their mother's illness or death. As yet, I've been unable to confirm exactly when Anne died and I think there's a very good chance that her death wasn't registered, but it was clearly by 1861 ...

In 1861 at 107, North Street, Limehouse was John Sweney (52), Carpenter and Joiner, Widower, with Mary Ann (13) and Matilda (10), as well as son-in-law Richard Ford (27) Labourer Blacksmith, Maria Ford (24) and grandson, Richard Ford (6 months). There are records of a John Sweeney (22), lodging nearby, but none conclusively identified as John Henry Charles Sweeney.

In 1871, John Sweney (63), Widower, Carpenter, was head of the household at Stephen Cottages, James Street, St Anne Limehouse, Stepney, and living with him was his son John [Henry Charles] Sweney (31) Labourer; Susan Sweney (26), Susan Sweney (9), John Sweney (3) and Job Sweney (1).

John Sweeney died, at 71, in 1878 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 351. 

Saturday, 25 May 2024

John Byatt and Elizabeth Leaper

St. Mary's Church and churchyard, Churchgate, EN8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/4220309

John Byatt (bap. 3 Oct 1819 in Little Canfield, Essex) son of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, married Elizabeth Leaper (b. 10 Sep 1825, bap. 9 Oct 1825 in Aldenham, Hertfordshire) daughter of John Leaper and Mary Hayes at St. Mary's Church, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on 25 May 1845.

John and Elizabeth had ten children:
  1. John Edward Byatt b. 23 Mar 1846 J Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03 Page 141, bap. 12 Apr 1846 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
  2. George Byatt b. 3 Jan 1848 M Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03 Page 132, bap. 13 Feb 1848 in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire
  3. William Byatt b. 20 Jan 1850 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03 Page 144
  4. Charles Byart b. 1 Aug 1852 S Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 149
  5. Elizabeth Byart b. 1854 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 125
  6. Jane Byart b. 3 Nov 1856 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C Page 140
  7. Emma Byart b. 1859 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 338
  8. Thomas Byart b. 1861 J Quarter in ISLINGTON Vol 01B Page 290
  9. Louisa Byart b. 1863 D Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 323
  10. Ellen Byart b. 1866 J Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Vol 01C Page 329
The first three children were registered correctly under the surname Byatt, then thereafter they changed the spelling to Byart. Their mother's maiden name is consistently LEAPER (misspelled on William's as LEARPER). 

In 1861, John Byart (42) Carman from Dunmow, Essex, was in City Gardens, Islington with Elizabeth Byart (36) from Watford, Hertfordshire; John E Byart (15) Lucifer Match Maker (the production of Lucifer matches later caused the Bryant & May Match Workers Strike); George Byart (13), William Byart (11), Charles Byart (9), Elizabeth Byart (6), Jane Byart (4) & Emma Byart (2).

In 1871, John Byart (51) Carman was living in Mile End Old Town with Elizabeth Byart (48), John Byart (25) Engine Driver; Charles Byart (19) Horse Keeper; Thomas Byart (17) Scholar; Elizabeth Byart (16), Jane Byart (14), Louisa Byart (8) and Helen (sic) Byart (4).

In 1881, at 16, Alma Road, Mile End Old Town, London misspelled again as John Byard (sic) (63) Carman from Essex; Elizabeth (58) from Hertfordshire; Jane (24), Thomas (20), Julia [Louisa] (18), Ellen (15), John (35) and Jane (39) (John [Edward] Byart had married Jane Dove, in Poplar, in 1876.)

In 1891, John Byart (72) birthplace wrongly listed as Brentwood, Essex, was living in the household of Josiah Ayris (32) Carman in St Ann's Road, Mile End Old Town. Josiah was his son-in-law, second husband of daughter Emma. This took some deciphering, because John Byart's wife is inexplicably listed as Sarah and Emma was listed as Ann. Were they or the enumerator drunk? 

John Byatt died at 72 in 1892 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 344 and Elizabeth Byart died at 73, in 1898 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 306.