Family Stories
Everyone Has A Story ...
Showing posts with label Surrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Surrey. Show all posts

Monday, 11 August 2025

Augustus Percival Bartley and Mary Henrietta Wilton

St Michael's Church Nave, Bray
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Len Williams - geograph.org.uk/p/4659618

Augustus Percival Bartley (b. 12 Jun 1865 in Paddington, London), son of Augustus Percival Bartley and Agnes Gallaway, married Mary Henrietta Wilton (b. 8 Feb 1871 in Bishop's Stortford), daughter of Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer of Stafferton Lodge, Maidenhead, on 11 Aug 1894 at St Michael's Church, Bray, by the Rev. T. H. Drake.

The Bartleys had seven children, all born in Marylebone:

  1. Alexander Henry Bartley b. 4 Aug 1895 S Qtr Vol 01A Page 631
  2. Esther Margaret Bartley b. 24 Nov 1896 D Quarter Vol 01A Page 616
  3. Catherine Mary Bartley b. 1899 M Quarter Vol 01A Page 617. Died aged 5 in 1904 J Quarter in EAST PRESTON Vol 02B Page 217
  4. Rosamund Agnes Bartley b. 1901 S Quarter Vol 01A Page 611
  5. Marietta Augusta Bartley b. 3 Nov 1904 D Quarter Vol 01A Page 581
  6. Edward Wilton Bartley b. 22 Jul 1907 S Qtr Vol 01A Page 555
  7. Barbara Betty Bartley b. 21 Feb 1912 M Qtr Vol 01A Page 1076
In 1901, at 20, Hamilton Terrace, St Marylebone, were Augustus P Bartley (35) Hunting and Military Boot Maker, Mary H (30), Alexander H (5), Esther M (4) and Catherine M (2), employing three servants: Annie N Gillespie (23), Housemaid; Ellen E A Lodge (23), Nurse and Margaret Gillespie (21), Cook.

In 1911, still at 20, Hamilton Terrace, St Marylebone, we find Augustus Percival (45), Mary Henrietta (40), Esther Margaret (14), Rosamund Agnes (9), Marietta Augusta (6) and Edward Wilton (3); Lina Frances Green (14) Visitor, and the three servants: Annie Naomie Gillespie (33), Parlourmaid; Sarah Grace Gillespie (20), Nursemaid and Elizabeth Mayo (33) Cook. The the 1911 Census confirms that, by then, the couple had six children, of whom five were living, during their 16 year marriage. Alexander Henry Bartley (15) was a Boarder at a school in Tonbridge, Kent, one assumes Tonbridge School.

In 1921, again at 20, Hamilton Terrace, St John's Wood, were Augustus Percival Bartley (56) Master Boot Maker; Mary Henrietta Bartley (50), Alexander Henry Bartley (25), Rosamond Agnes Bartley (19), Barbara Bartley (9) and three servants: Hannah Peacock (53) Cook; Elsie Edith Grey (20) Parlour Maid and Gertrude May Fillingham (19) Housemaid.

By 1939, the Bartleys had moved to 52 Hamilton Terrace, St John's Wood, where there were Augustus P Bartley (74), Master Boot - Maker, Mary H (68), Alexander H (44), Esther M (43), Marietta A (35) and Barbara B (27) with two servants: Elsie E Grey (38) and Norah W Hyland (24).

Hampstead News of 17 Aug 1944, under GOLDEN WEDDING, announced that, "Mr & Mrs Augustus Percival Bartley, of Hamilton Terrace, St John's Wood, celebrated their golden wedding on Friday. They were married at St Michael's, Bray, the bride being a Miss Mary Henrietta Wilton."

Mary Henrietta Bartley died, aged 75, on 13 Nov 1946 (1946 D Quarter in ST. MARYLEBONE Volume 05D Page 310).

Augustus Percival Bartley died on 14 Jan 1952, aged 86, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (1952 M Quarter in PADDINGTON Volume 05D Page 164). Probate was granted to their children, Alexander Henry Bartley, boot manufacturer and Esther Margaret Bartley, spinster. Augustus Percival Bartley left effects of £127,877 10s 9d (worth £4,611,534 in 2024).

In 1953 Peal & Co bought their Oxford Street neighbours, Bartley & Son.

Esther Margaret Bartley died in 1979 in Chichester, Sussex. Marietta Augusta Bartley died, in Sutton, Surrey, in April 2003 (DOR Q2/2003 in SUTTON (2541A) Reg A27B Entry Number 100). She will have been 98. Both had remained spinsters. Alexander H Bartley certainly married, but there are, unfortunately, several marriages to choose from. Rosamund appears to have married in 1929 and Barbara in 1939. Edward W Bartley married Mary Goldsmith in Marylebone in 1944, all of which require further research.

Augustus Percival Bartley inherited Bartley & Sons bootmakers in 1893

Tuesday, 5 August 2025

Nicholas Jones and Ellen Brennan (otherwise White)

Glenbrook from the R624 near Carrigalore
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian S - geograph.org.uk/p/5837006

Nicholas Jones, son of Thomas Jones and Mary Harty, married Ellen Brennan otherwise White, widow, on 5 Aug 1886, at Christ Church, Church of Ireland, Rushbrooke, Cobh - the church where his brother, David Jones, was Sexton. Nicholas' address was Rushbrooke and Ellen's Glenbrook. Witnesses to the marriage were a George Owens and Annie Jones - David and Nicholas' sister. Nicholas' rank or profession at that time was Able Seaman. 

Nicholas had been baptised on 17 May 1853 at the Catholic church of the Sacred Heart, Rath, near Baltimore (Rath And The Islands Parish), Cork. Sponsors were a James Hayes and Ellen Hart (sic) - his mother's sister. 

Ellen White, said to be born in 1854 D Quarter in EPSOM Volume 02A Page 4, civil record gives her mother's maiden name as Smith. On the record of her marriage to Nicholas, she gives her father's name as William Henry White, a farmer, but it hasn't been possible to find a marriage of a William White and someone whose surname is Smith in the right timeframe and area. I'd be quite well off if I had a quid for every illegitimate-born person who claimed that their father was a farmer, so this makes me suspicious. Nor has it been possible to locate Ellen's previous marriage to Mr Brennan.

Nicholas and Ellen had one daughter, Annie Jones, purportedly b. 30 Sep 1890 in London. On both the 1901 and 1911 Irish census returns Annie, 12 and 22, respectively, calculate to a year of birth of 1889/90 and state she was born in England. Annie's own daughter could never find a birth record for her, so I'm sure I can't and we're forced to conclude that Ellen probably didn't register the birth before leaving England, nor once she got back to Ireland.

What will we do with a drunken sailor? You honestly couldn't make this up, and fulfilling every stereotype in the book: Irish. Sailor. Drunk. On 1 Sep 1875, Nicholas Jones, Seaman appeared in court as a Defendant in Queenstown (Cobh). The Cork Constitution (newspaper) of 2 Sep 1875, reported on the previous day's Queenstown Petty Sessions: "Nicholas Jones for breaking a window in the house of Mrs Cotter, publican, Harbour Row, was fined 7s 6d., compensation, and 5s. additional for being drunk." The summons details that Nicholas was "Found drunk on the highway, town of Queenstown on the 3rd August 1875." And that he "Wilfully committed damage to a pane of glass the property of Complainant [Catherine Cotter, Widow] value seven shillings and six pence." "Defendant to pay a fine of five shillings + costs one shilling, or in default to be imprisoned for seven days in the County Jail. Said defendant to pay Catherine Cotter the sum of seven shillings compensation for breaking said pane of glass + costs 6d." 

However, on, 17 Jan 1888, the same newspaper reported:

MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF A CORK SAILOR

At two o'clock yesterday, Nicholas Jones, of 11 Harbour View, Queenstown, was made the recipient of a silver medal, presented by the French Government for his meritorious services performed under the following circumstances:- 

In March 1886, he was serving on board the steamship Sarah Ann of West Hartlepool, bound from Baltimore to Galway. When in the neighbourhood of the Grand Bank of Newfoundland they fell in with a French brig Dix Freres (Ten Brothers) of Martinique, in distress, with masts gone and decks swept, a very heavy sea running at the time. The steamer hove to, launched a boat, of which Nicholas Jones was one of the crew, and they, after great difficulty and risk, brought four of the French crew on board the Sarah Ann the remainder being subsequently rescued by another steamer. 

The medal, which was accompanied by a certificate of merit, bore the following inscription:- "A Nicholas Jones, matelot a bord du naviere Anglais Sarah Ann; services a la marine Française, 1886." (To Nicholas Jones, sailor aboard the English ship Sarah Ann; services to the French navy, 1886.)

Mr W Harvey, President of the Board of Trade, presided; and Alderman Scott and Capt. M Dermott were also present.

Mr Harvey, in presenting the medal said that [the] board had very frequently been applied to to perform duties of the present pleasing nature, and that, he thought, spoke very well for the bravery of Cork seamen. He had very great pleasure indeed in presenting Jones with the medal and certificate which was so justly awarded to him for his share in the meritorious rescue, and he heartily wished him a long and successful career.

Alderman Scott said he had only to endorse what had been said by Mr Harvey, and he thought he was expressing the opinions of the community when he said he was proud of the recipient, not alone for the favourable record he bore, but for his instrumentality in saving human life, which was a most commendable quality. Mr Jones, having returned thanks, the proceedings terminated.

It may be mentioned that the delay caused in presenting the medal was due to the fact of Mr Jones being at sea almost constantly since the occurrence.

This further report of the incident, from the Northern Daily Mail, March 27th, 1886, tells us more, "The lifeboat by which the rescue was affected was in the command of Mr Andrews, the mate & it was so severely damaged by the heavy sea running at the time that it was little short of a miracle that she ever got back to the steamer. The entire crew of the brigantine were Negroes & the master & mate were quite drunk & not only resisted all persuasion to leave the sinking vessel, with which they declared they would go down, but they most inhumanely prevented a small boy from being rescued with the other four."

Records of Shipping agreements and crew lists at the National Archives of Ireland suggest that Nicholas served on various vessels, including the following ships: SS Xema departing from Cork in Jun 1891, Dec 1891, Jun 1893, Dec 1893, Jun 1894 and Dec 1894; SS Rotterdam from Dublin in Dec 1896, Lee from Cork in 1898 and Blamey from Cork in Dec 1900.

In 1901, Ellen Jones (47), wife, and Annie Jones (12), scholar, were living in the Lower Glanmire Road, Cork City. Nicholas will have been at sea. 

In 1911, still in Lower Glanmire Road, were Nicholas Jones (57) Ship's Steward, Ellen Jones (57) and Annie Jones (22) Bookkeeper. The household also included three Boarders: Samuel Donald Dare (42), James Raynane (22), John Foley (25) and Hannah Healy (40), Domestic Servant, Visitor. 

Nicholas Jones, Sailor, died on 22 Jan 1930, ultimately from cardiac failure. His death was registered in the district of Carrigaline, KinsaleCounty Cork. The record said he was 72, but he will have been 76. 

Ellen Jones, Sailor's Widow, died on 23 Dec 1931, also in Carrigaline. She was 76. Her daughter, Annie King, was present at her death.

Tuesday, 22 July 2025

Charles Richard Baker and Ellen Linklater

Shadwell Basin
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4625222

Charles Richard Baker, son of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, married Ellen Linklater, daughter of John Linklater and Ellen Willett, on 22 Jul 1867 at Croydon, St John. Now The Minster Church of St John Baptist at Croydon, the record of the marriage lists that the marriage took place in the Temporary Parish Church. This was because on the night of 5 Jan 1867, a fire had broken out that had gutted the entire building. "During the period of rebuilding, services were held in a temporary "iron church", with seating for 700, erected in April 1868 in Scarbrook Road." Therefore, Charles and Ellen's marriage must have taken place in an even more temporary building, or one being used in the interim, before even that was erected. Both the bride and groom were then 19 and resident in Croydon. Ellen's father was a Mariner.

Charles and Ellen had seven children, of whom four died in infancy:
  1. Frederick Charles Baker b. 1867 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 472. Died 1867 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 348.
  2. Ellen Margaret Baker b. 1868 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 430. Died 1870 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 351.
  3. George John Baker b. 1870 S Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 442.
  4. Amelia Mary Ann Baker b. 1872 D Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 431. Died 1872 D Qtr in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 263.
  5. Annie Elizabeth Baker b. 1874 M Qtr in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 431
  6. Charles Hoile Baker b. 1876 M Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 442
  7. Amy Baker b. 1877 S Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 371. Died 1877 S Quarter in ST GEORGE Vol 01C Page 277.
(In 1851, the 3 year old Ellen and her mother - presumably her father was at sea - had been living in the household of Maximilian Bates (43) School Master and his wife Amy. Maximilian Bates had married Amy Willett in 1834. The youngest child, therefore, was almost certainly named for Ellen's aunt.)

In 1871, in Shadwell, Stepney: Charles Baker (23), Ellen Baker (22), George John Baker (8 m), Margaret Horlock (28) and Ann Watt (56), Lodgers.

In 1881, at 26, Lower Shadwell, Shadwell, Stepney, London were Charles Richard Baker (33) Plumber; Ellen Baker (32) born in Greenhithe, Kent; George John Baker (10), Annie E Baker (7) and Charles H Baker (5).

We don't find them again on any census and the next record is for the death of Ellen Baker, wife of Chas Baker on 5 Apr 1907, from Pleurisy, Emphysema and Heart Failure at the Sanatorium, Berea, Durban, South Africa. At that time Charles Richard Baker was her surviving spouse. The record of the death also lists their three surviving children and their address at 164 Old Dutch Road (now 164 Chris Ntuli Rd, Musgrave, Berea, 4001, South Africa).

Charles Richard Baker, returned to England. He died, aged 60, in 1909 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 479.

Thursday, 19 June 2025

Francis Blazey and Amy Rosa Joslin

Regent's Canal, Bow Common
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Pierre Terre - geograph.org.uk/p/129062

Francis Blazey (bap. 18 Oct 1867), son of Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins, married Amy Rosa Joslin (b. 5 Feb 1865 in Kensington), daughter of Robert Hurrell Joslin from Chelmsford, Essex and Anna Graver from Hemsby, Norfolk, on 19 Jun 1892, at Saint John The Evangelist, Golding Street, Saint George in the East, where their marriage service was performed by Daniel Radford, Curate. (The church was closed during the Second World War and demolished in 1964.) Witnesses were Valentine and Caroline Wolf.

Francis and Amy had six children, all born in St George in the East:

  1. Hilda Alice Eleanor Blazey b. 1892 S Quarter in ST. GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 370 (Died, aged 1, on 1 Jul 1894 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 205 and was buried at Margravine Cemetery, Hammersmith, Section 8 Letter K No. 7)
  2. Rosalie Hilda Blazey b. 7 May 1895 (1895 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 390)
  3. Alfred Hurrell Blazey b. 28 Jul 1898 (1898 S Quarter in ST GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 366), bap. 14 Aug 1898 at the church of St George in the East, in Cannon Street Road, Stepney.
  4. William Francis Blazey b. 27 Jan 1902 (1902 M Quarter in ST GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 345)
  5. Dorothy Alice Blazey b. 1904 M Quarter in ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 357. (Died 1904 D Quarter Volume 01C Page 243)
  6. Ida Winifred Blazey b. 24 Aug 1907 (1907 S Quarter in ST. GEORGE-IN-THE-EAST Volume 01C Page 325)
Their address at the time of Alfred's baptism was 35 Tarling Street, St George in the East and Francis Blazey's occupation was Dock Labourer. After double-checking through records, it seems he was the only child they baptised.

In 1901, living at 35, Tillman Street, St George in the East, were Francis Blazey (33) Labourer (civil service), Amy (33), Rosalie (5) and Alfred (2).

By 1911, they'd moved to 22 Upper Chapman St, St George in the East with Francis Blazey (44) described as "Leading Man Of Labourers", Amy Blazey (44), Rosalie Blazey (16), Alfred Blazey (13), William Blazey (10) and Ida Blazey (4). The information on this census confirms they had six children during their 20 year marriage, with four still living and two had died.

In 1921, still living at 22, Upper Chapman Street, St George in the East, London, were Francis Blazey (54) Charge Man & Labourer employed by the Admiralty; Amy Blazey (53), Rosalie Blazey (25) Clerk; Alfred Blazey (22) Clerk for the Admiralty; William Blazey (19) General Labourer for the Admiralty; Ida Blazey (13) and Annie Wood (24) Cook, Boarder.

Frances Blazey of 22 Chapman Street, E1, died on 18 Apr 1938 aged 70 (1938 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 267) and was buried at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets, London. Probate was granted on 22 Jul 1938. Francis left £313 9s 7d to his widow, Amy Rosa Blazey.

In 1939, Amy Blazey was living with her married daughter, Ida Jarvis, at 30 Warren Road, Merton, Surrey. Rosalie Blazey, Coal Merchant's Clerk, was still living at 22 Chapman Street, Shadwell, Tower Hamlets, Stepney.

Amy Rosa Blazey died on 1 Apr 1941, aged 75 (1941 J Quarter in SURREY MID-EASTERN Volume 02A Page 246) and was also buried at Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, Tower Hamlets, London.

  • Rosalie Hilda Blazey of 4 Queensbridge Drive, Herne Bay, Kent died, on 2 Jul 1981, aged 86. She had never married.
  • 2nd Lieutenant Alfred Hurrell Blazey served in the The Duke Of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) during World War I and on 21 Feb 1922 was appointed to the Civil Service, Admiralty, as a Writer in HM Dockyards and Naval Establishments. In 1925 Alfred Hurrell Blazey married Violet Catherine Petrie, in Poplar. They appear to have two sons, born 1928 and 1930 (in 1939 could be evacuees). In 1939, Alfred and Violet were living at 4 St James's Avenue, Bromley, Kent. Alfred H Blazey died, at 61, in 1959, in Bromley, Kent. Violet Catherine Blazey (b. 1 Nov 1898), of 4 St James's Avenue, Bromley, Kent, died at 93, on 19 Jan 1991.
  • William Francis Blazey married Lilian Selina Martin (b. 25 May 1898) at St. George in the East, in 1922. They had one daughter, Lilian Ida Blazey (b. 1923 - d. 20 Dec 2016 in Herne Bay, Kent). In 1939, William F Blazey, Crane Driver, his wife and daughter were living at 36 Boundfield Road, Hither Green, Lewisham. Lilian S Blazey died, at 68, in 1966, in Lewisham; William Francis Blazey died, at 66, on 24 Jan 1969, in Bromley, Kent.
  • Ida Winifred Blazey married Herbert James Valentine Jarvis (b. 8 Feb 1910), in 1935, in Stepney. They had a daughter, Doreen Ann Jarvis (b. 22 Dec 1936 - d. 31 Aug 2017) and a son in 1948. In 1939, Herbert J Jarvis, Fishmonger's Shop Assistant, Ida W Jarvis, Doreen A Jarvis and Amy R Blazey, were living at 30 Warren Road, Merton, Surrey. Herbert James V Jarvis died in 1978 and Ida Winifred Jarvis died on 6 Apr 1984, both in Crawley.

Saturday, 17 May 2025

William Thompson Wykes and Ada Doe

The Church of St. Nicholas, Deptford Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Lunn - geograph.org.uk/p/508224

William Thompson Wykes (b. 1869), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Ada Doe (b. 26 May 1867 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk), daughter of George Doe and Susannah Gates, at St Nicholas Church, Deptford Green on 17 May 1894. Ada was born at Garland Street, Bury St Edmunds (PDF), where the family still lived in 1871, and was baptised on 20 Sep 1868 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (parish church of St James).

William and Ada had three children:
  1. William Thompson Wykes b. 1895 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1073, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford
  2. Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes b. 15 Jan 1897 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1097
  3. Ada Florence Wykes b. 17 May 1905 J Quarter in SAINT OLAVE BERMONDSEY Volume 01D Page 232
All of the GRO birth registration have the mother's maiden name DOE.

In 1901, William Wykes (31) Light plater iron work, was at 5, Abinger Road, Deptford with Ada Wykes (33), William Wykes (6) and Daisy Wykes (4).

In 1911, William Wykes (41) Light iron worker was living at 12 Neckinger Street, Dockhead, Bermondsey with Ada Wykes (43), William Wykes (16) Printers layer on; Daisy Wykes (14) and Ada Wykes (5). 

William Thompson Wykes died, aged just 45, in 1915 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1586.

Private William Thompson Wykes 1st/22nd Bn London Regiment was killed in action, presumed on or since 30 Dec 1915 and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, located near the commune of Loos-en-Gohelle, in the Pas-de-Calais département of France. The memorial lists 20,610 names of British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who were killed in the area during and after the Battle of Loos, which started on 25 Sep 1915.

In 1921, Ada Wykes (53) Bath Attendant for Bermondsey Council was living at 35, St James's Road, Bermondsey, with Ada Wykes (16) Millinery and her brother, George Doe (51) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Out of Work. 

In 1939, Ada Wykes, Money Taker (Retired) (assume cashier, not criminal LOL) and Ada F Longhurst, Shop Assistant, were living at 23 Sylvan Grove, Peckham, with Stephen Mason in the household, presumably a lodger.

Ada Wykes died, aged 73, in 1940 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 1299.

  • Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes married Frank George Collins (b. 10 Mar 1887 in Rotherhithe), son of Thomas Dederick Collins and Amelia Martha Roberts, in Southwark, in 1920. They had three children: Frank William Collins b. 1 Oct 1920; William Thomas Collins b. 6 Feb 1923 and Joan Emily Collins b. 1926. In 1939, Frank G Collins, Paint Warehouseman; Daisy A E Collins, Frank William Collins and William T Collins were living at 76 Harp Road, Ealing, where the couple remained for the rest of their lives. Frank George Collins died on 10 Aug 1973 and Daisy Ann Elizabeth Collins, on 17 Sep 1975.
  • Ada Florence Wykes married Frederick Richard Longhurst (b. 1 Feb 1912), son of Frederick William Longhurst and Hannah Eliza Warner, in Deptford, London, in 1935. In 1939, Ada F Longhurst was living with her mother, in Peckham, while Frederick Richard Longhurst was serving in the Royal Artillery. They had one son, born in 1941. Frederick Richard Longhurst died, in Lambeth, in 1992. Ada Florence Longhurst died, also in Lambeth, in 2002.

Sunday, 11 May 2025

James Luxton and Hannah Maria Hawkins

St John the Evangelist, Lambeth Tom Morris, CC BY-SA 3.0 (interior)

James Luxton (b. 1841 in Taunton, Somerset), son of Charles Luxton and Charlotte Townsend, married Hannah Maria Hawkins (b. 20 Aug 1839 in Tiverton, Devon), daughter of James Hawkins and Susannah Babb, at St John the Evangelist, Lambeth, on 11 May 1874. The couple undoubtedly met in Tiverton, perhaps were even childhood sweethearts, as James' parents had moved to Tiverton by 1853, where his younger sister was born that year.

This couple had five children, all baptised at at St Peter’s Church Tiverton.
  1. Charles Frank Luxton, b. 28 Jan 1876 (GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 451), bap. 12 Feb 1876
  2. Alice Luxton, b. 11 May 1878 (GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 452), bap. 26 May 1878
  3. Alfred James Massey Luxton, b. 1 Apr 1880 (GRO Reference: 1880 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 470), bap. 18 Apr 1880
  4. Emily Luxton b. 22 Jun 1882, (GRO Reference: 1882 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 433), bap. 9 Jul 1882
  5. Jessie Luxton, b. 27 Jun 1886 (GRO Reference: 1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 423), bap. 25 Jul 1886
On 29 Mar 1860, at the age of 19, James Luxton had enlisted in the British Army and served for 13 years, 320 days, in the 10th Reg Of Foot, until 16 Jul 1874, being promoted to Corporal in 1869 and attaining the rank of Sergeant in 1871. During that time, he spent over nine years serving abroad in the Cape of Good HopeSt HelenaJapan, China and the Straits Settlements.

James was discharged from the army in 1874, found unfit for further service, because of a valve disease of the heart. "Due to a constitutional cause, aggravated by service in hot climates", says the medical report on his service record. It went on to say that it was first noticed at Singapore in Nov 1872, when the patient was under treatment for another complaint. "He suffers from a most serious heart disease which he can never recover from. He can contribute to his maintenance by light work only", it concludes. 

In 1881, James Luxton (40), Grocer (Chelsea Pensioner) in Bampton Street, Tiverton, was living with wife Hannah M Luxton (40), Charles F (5), Alice (2), Alfred J M (1) and Bessie Hewett (14) Nurse domestic servant.

Sadly, but unsurprisingly given his medical history, James Luxton died, aged 45, on 2 Sep 1886 (1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 272). 

In 1891, Maria Luxton, widow, lived in Sewards Court, Leat Street, Tiverton, where she worked as a silk lace mender; Charles F Luxton (15) was a machine boy at the lace factory (Heathcoat Lace Factory, Tiverton, Devon), Alice (12) was employed as a silk winder at the lace factory and Alfred J M (10) was also a machine boy at the lace factory. Emily (8) and Jessie (5) were at school.

By 1901, Hannah M Luxton (59), widow, was still a silk lace mender; Alice Luxton (22) had moved up to silk lace finisher; Alfred Jas M (20) was employed as a cellar man at a wine & spirit merchants; whilst Emily (18) and her younger sister, Jessie (14), were silk winders at the lace factory.

In 1911, Anne Maria Luxton (71) was still in Tiverton, living with her son, Alfred (31) still employed as a cellar man for a wine and spirit merchant.

Hannah Maria Luxton died, in Tiverton, in 1912 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 418), aged 72.

Workers' housing and mill, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/2458956

Monday, 31 March 2025

Charles Trevail and Mary Fleming

St Margaret, Westminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4749411

Charles Trevail (b. 2 Aug 1851 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), son of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, married Mary Fleming (b. 1853), daughter of Henry Fleming and Edith Arding, at St Margaret's, Westminster on 31 Mar 1874. Both listed their address at the time of the marriage as 3 Artillery Terrace. Witnesses were Henry Fleming, bride's father and Dahlia Trevail, groom's sister.

Charles and Mary Trevail had five children:
  1. Charles Frederick Trevail b. 1874 D Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 481
  2. Herbert Fleming Trevail b. 1877 M Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 503 
  3. Edwin Fleming Trevail b. 1880 J Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 486
  4. Lily Mary Trevail b. 11 Apr 1885 J Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Page 426
  5. Daisy Fleming Trevail b. 23 Apr 1893 J Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D 439
In 1881, Charles Trevail (29) Engine Fitter, was living at 13, Meadow Terrace, Lambeth (at that time Charles' brother, Joseph, lived at 6, Meadow Terrace) with Mary (26), Charles F (6), Herbert F (4) and Edward (sic) F (0). (On the 1881 census, Mary claimed to be from Barnstaple, Devon, born around 1855. In 1891, London; in 1901, Westminster and 1911, London City. One would normally trust the earliest records, but it transpires her father, Henry Fleming, tailor, was from Barnstaple, while her mother, Edith was from Middlesex, City (i.e. London). On the 1871 census where Mary (17) was living with her parents at Artillery Terrace, St Margaret, Westminster, says she was born in Soho, Middlesex. She was listed in Strand Registration District.)

By 1891, they had moved to Osborne Terrace, Lambeth. With Charles (38) Engine Fitter, were Mary (36) Pattern Maker, Charles F (16), Herbert F (14) Messenger, Edwin F (10) Scholar and Lily M (5).

And in 1901, at 195, South Lambeth Road, Lambeth, we find Charles Trevail (48) Engine Fitter, Mary (46), Edwin (20) Carpenter, Lily (15) and Daisy (7). 

In 1911, Charles Trevail (59) Engineer, Mary (57), Frederick (37) widower (he married Charlotte Ada Land in Camberwell, in 1898), Daisy (17) and Arthur Trevail (11) Grandson, had moved to 10 Elgin Road, Wallington, Surrey.

Former Netherne Hospital administration building, converted to housing in 2002.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Capper - geograph.org.uk/p/5962277

Mary Trevail died on 28 July 1938, aged 85 (1938 S Quarter in SURREY MID-EASTERN Volume 02A Page 194). The probate record says Mary Trevail of 62 Milton Road, Wallington, Surrey (wife of Charles Trevail) died at Netherne Hospital (formerly The Surrey County Asylum or Netherne Asylum: a psychiatric hospital), Coulsdon, Surrey, leaving effects of £300 to Charles Trevail of no occupation and Lord Harold Graves, builder. (Lord was a given name, not a title - he married Daisy Fleming Trevail in 1917.)

In 1939, Charles Trevail, Refridgerating Engineer Retired, was living with his daughter, Lily M Townsend (she had married William Dring Townsend in Croydon, in 1904) at 23 Dalmeny Road, Sutton, Surrey. 

Charles Trevail died, aged 94, in 1946 M Quarter in SURREY MID-EASTERN Volume 02A Page 255.

Saturday, 15 February 2025

John Soppit and Louisa Tompson

The Shortlands Tavern, Station Road, Shortlands, Bromley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/2255969

John Soppit (bap. 6 Oct 1844 in Longbenton, Northumberland), son of Joseph Soppit and Catherine Winship, married Louisa Tompson (bap. 15 Dec 1844 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East, on 15 Feb 1875. One of the witnesses was Benjamin Tompson (Louisa's brother). 

This was not John's first marriage, however, because John Soppit had first married Emma Smith (23) (bap. 5 Apr 1848) - daughter of Martin Smith, Coal Miner, and Mary Picken (m. 1827) - in East Rainton on 12 Dec 1869

Mary Smith, illegitimate daughter of Emma Smith, had already been born in Houghton Le Spring and baptised on 11 Mar 1866 in West Rainton, Durham. Whether Mary was his natural daughter or not, John Soppit must have brought the child up as his own as she subsequently took his surname. 

John and Emma then had a further two children, who, given the same early dates in the same year, must have been twins.
  1. Joseph William Soppit b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D  Page 476 and baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried, at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole, on 27 Apr 1871. (1871 S Quarter in HOUGHTON LE SPRING Volume 10A Page 312).
  2. Catherine Emma Soppit, b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D Page 476, also baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried on 30 April 1871, and the burial record says she was aged 2 weeks or months. The death is registered as 1873 S Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 240, which is either two years late, or there's an error.
In 1871, John Soppitt (sic), Engine Fitter, was living with wife, Emma, and children; Mary (5), Joseph Wm (0) and Catherine (0), and Elizabeth Turner (15), Servant, in Princess Street, Normanby, Guisborough, Yorkshire.

Emma Soppit (née Smith) died, aged 26, 1871 J Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D Page 405 and was buried on 17 Apr 1871, in Eston, Yorkshire. It looks very likely that she had died after giving birth to the twins, who were both baptised on the same day as their mother's funeral. 

John Soppit must have immediately taken the babies back to the home of his father, as his residence was listed at that time as South Hetton, Durham. At just weeks old, son, Joseph William Soppit died and was buried, at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole on 27 Apr 1871. And just three days later, on 30 Apr 1871, his presumably twin sister, Catherine Emma Soppit, was buried, also at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole. Heartbreaking.

John Soppit and Louisa Tompson had another 6 children:
  1. Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit b. 4 Apr 1876 (1876 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 925), bap. 4 Jun 1876 at St Nicholas, Deptford.
  2. Joseph Daniel Soppit, b. 23 Sep 1877 (1877 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 973)
  3. John Benjamin Soppit, b. 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 941 (Died 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 560)
  4. John Winship Soppit b. 1 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 943), bap. 10 Jun 1883 at Christ Church, Watney Street [Source]
  5. Benjamin Tompson Soppit b. 13 Nov 1884 (1885 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 415), bap. 1 Mar 1885 at St Mary, Shortlands, Kent
  6. Louisa Adcock Soppit b. 26 Oct 1887 (1887 D Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 424)
In 1881, John Soppet (sic), 36, Engine Fitter, was a boarder in the household of Jane Granger (58) at 29, Donald Street, Stockton upon Tees. Louisa was at the pub with her brother-in-law, Daniel Bottrill, with Emma's daughter, Mary; daughter Catherine and son Joseph, while her sister was away in Devon. 

Emma's daughter, listed as Mary Soppit, died, aged 24, in 1891 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 295. Then confirmed in the Kent 1891 Public House Directory Listings, by the time of the 1891 Census, John Soppett (sic); wife Louisa (46), sons John Winship (9), Benjamin Thompson (6), daughter Louisa Adcock (3) and John Thompson (25), nephew, barman, were living at The Shortlands TavernStation Road, Beckenham, Bromley

The following report of The Bromley Petty Sessions appeared in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser of 6 July 1893:
REFUSING TO QUIT. George Herbert, builder, of 19, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, was summoned by John Soppit, landlord of the Shortlands Tavern, Shortlands, for being disorderly and quarrelsome on licenced premises and refusing to quit the same, on June 27. Mr Gregory appeared for the complainant, and Mr L. Lewis for the defendant, who pleaded guilty. Mr Gregory stated that the defendant used fearful language towards the complainant. Mr Lewis stated that the defendant had not the slightest idea of having used any bad language until he received the summons. He urged that as the defendant had made this apology the magistrates should inflict a mitigated penalty. The Chairman said he had never heard such bad language. The defendant would be fined 40s with 8s costs, or 21 days' hard labour. Mr Lewis asked for time, but this was refused. 
The London (South) 1896 Suburban Publicans directory still lists John Soppit at the Shortlands Tavern, but by 1901, the family were residing in a quite grand double-fronted house at 20, Honley Road, Catford, Lewisham. John Soppit (56), Licenced Victualler, is listed with wife Louisa (56), sons John (19) and Benjamin (16) - who have followed their father's original trade as Joiners - daughter Louisa (13) and they can afford a General Domestic Servant. 


Louisa Soppit died, aged 57, in 1902 S Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 117. 

John Soppit (58) married Marian Johnson (39) Spinster, who listed her father as Thomas Johnson, Tripe Dresser, at St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, on 27 Jul 1903. Witnesses were Elizabeth Johnson and Henry Rugg Johnson.

In 1911, John Soppit (66), Retired Licenced Victualler, was still living at 20, Honley Road, with new wife Marian (46), Benjamin (26) and Louisa (23). 

In 1921, John Soppit (76) Retired Engineer and Marion Soppit (51) from Poplar, were still living at 20, Honley Road, Lewisham.

John Soppit of 20, Honley Road, Catford, died on 24 Jan 1924 (1924 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page1544) at 390, High Street, Lewisham (University Lewisham Hospital, the former Lewisham Workhouse). He left £3467 18s 1d (£212,166 in 2020) to his widow, Marian Soppit and a further £2208 to son, Benjamin Tompson Soppit, engineer. 

Marian Soppit died, at 78 in 1943 D Qtr in BOURNEMOUTH Vol 02B 1045.

Friday, 14 February 2025

Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin

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

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

Andrew and Elizabeth had four children:
  1. Andrew William Padbury b. 16 May 1869 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 699, bap. 12 Sep 1869 in Deptford, Kent.
  2. Emily Ada Padbury b. 16 Dec 1870 in GREENWICH Vol 01D 763
  3. Elizabeth Sarah Padbury b. 19 Dec 1872 in GREENWICH 01D 809
  4. Edith Padbury b. 1874 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 828, died 1875 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 515
In 1871, in Tanners Hill, St Paul, Greenwich, were Andrew Padbury (26), Elizabeth Padbury (20), Andrew (1), Emily (0) and Alice, a Servant.

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

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

I can find no further records of Elizabeth Sarah Padbury (née Maslin).

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

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

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

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, 25 December 2024

Harry Martin and Mabel Grace Tompson

St Giles, Cripplegate, London EC2
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1209117

Harry Martin (b. Jan 1883 in WestbourneEmsworth, Hants, son of William Henry Martin and Mercy King, married Mabel Grace Tompson (b. 6 Aug 1878), daughter of Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Baker, at St Giles-without-Cripplegate, on 25 Dec 1913. Witnesses were Daisy Kritzer (Mabel's sister, Sarah Sophia) and Job Sweeney (husband of Mabel and Sarah's elder half-sister, Eliza Louisa, who lived in Fore Street, close to this church).

In 1911, Mabel Grace was Lady's Maid in the household of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, 2nd Baronet, one of the Waterlow baronets, then Chairman of Waterlow and Sons, at 24 Carlton House Terrace, St Martin in the Fields. Listed as 29, she was actually in her 30s and presumably maid to Lady Waterlow, Sir Phillip's second wife, Laura Marie (née Jones). Meanwhile, Harry Martin, then 26, was a Motor Car Driver, residing at The Stables, Trosley Towers Near Wrotham, Stansted, Kent. Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow had inherited the Trosley Towers (more images) estate from his father (part is now the Trosley Country Park), which confirms that both Mabel and Harry worked for the Waterlows, which is undoubtedly how they met.

The couple had one daughter:
  1. Laura May Martin b. 27 May 1920, registered in Malling, Kent (J Quarter, Volume 02A Page 1800, with mother's maiden name THOMPSON), was baptised on 22 Jun 1920, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Westminster.
That Mabel may have named her daughter after Lady Waterlow might indicate that there had been a particular friendship between employer and employee.

Harry Martin served as a Motor Driver & Mechanic during the First World War, having enlisted on 22 May 1916 at Whitehall, aged 31, in the Army Service Corps (M.T.) At that time he was 5 ft 9¼ in, weighed 140 lbs.

In 1921, Harry Martin (37) Motor Car and Electric Light Attendant; Mabel Grace Martin (40) and Laura May Martin (1) were living at Dairy Cottage, Fairseat, Nr Wrotham, Stansted, Kent.

Harry Martin died, at 37, on 20 December 1921 and was buried, on Christmas Eve, at Stansted (Saint Mary the Virgin) Churchyard (Kent). His military record states that he had developed valvular heart disease after suffering pneumonia - for which he was admitted to Stourbridge Military Hospital in 1919 - and gives his cause of death as "Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Mitral Stenosis." 

One cannot help noticing a great similarity in the style of Harry's grave site and that of the later grave of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow (who died at Trosley Towers, Wrotham in 1931 and is also buried in Stansted Churchyard), which leads me to speculate that the Waterlows may have arranged their employee's burial. There is a note on the burial record, which says, "ex soldier died at Grosvenor Sanatorium, Kennington nr Ashford". It was used to treat Imperial soldiers & sailors suffering from tuberculosis during WW1.

Canadian Pacific Lines SS Montrose

On 30 Jun 1922, 'Grace Mabel Martin', Widow (43) and her daughter, Laura May Martin (2), sailed, 2nd Class, to Toronto on the SS Montrose. Mabel Grace said she was going to Canada "to join parents", listed as Dan and Sarah Tompson of 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, and that she intended to remain permanently in Canada. She listed her nearest relative back in the UK as her sister, Daisy Christie [Sarah Sophia Kritzer] of Trosley Towers, Withham, Kent (country home of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, Mabel's former employer, so presumably Daisy [Sarah] was then employed there.) Mabel responded "NO" to the question as to whether any of her family were Tubercular, which I suppose may have then been technically correct as Harry was deceased. Clearly Mabel and Laura didn't stay in Canada, however, because ...

Mabel Grace Martin (47) married Arthur John Stedman (51) in the parish of St James, Piccadilly, on 31 Jul 1926. Arthur John Stedman, bap. 7 Apr 1872 in Cobham, Surrey, was the son of John Stedman and Mary Ann (Marianne) Elvina Silvester (m. 1867 in Kingston, Surrey). Arthur's first wife, Harriet Jane Judge, who he married in Epsom, Surrey in 1909, had died on 18 Aug 1925 and is buried in Cobham Cemetery. Arthur John Stedman was a bricklayer.

Arthur John Stedman died, aged 66, on 5 July 1938 (1938 S Qtr in SURREY NORTH-EASTERN Vol 02A Page 57), leaving his estate to Mabel Grace.

In 1939, Mabel Grace Stedman, widowed, housekeeper, was living at 1 Pemry Villas, Elm Grove Road, Cobham, Surrey, with daughter, Laura May Martin, Ladies Hairdresser; Gerald Owen Weston (mechanic and lorry driver) and Mabel's sister, Sarah Sophia, 'Daisy' S S Kritzer, housekeeper.

Mabel Grace Stedman, formerly Martin, née Tompson, died in the 1st quarter of 1967, in the district of Surrey North Western, in her 89th year.

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

George Sparrow Masters and Mary Pope

St Peter's ChurchLiverpool Grove, Walworth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Peter Trimming - geograph.org.uk/p/5304270

George Sparrow Masters (bap. 26 May 1811 St Mary's, Rotherhithe), Batchelor, son of Benjamin Searle Sparrow Masters and Sage Boulton Ayres, married Mary Pope, Spinster, at St Peter's Church, Walworth, Surrey on 4 Dec 1833. There appear to have been four witnesses to their marriage: William Williams, Isabella [?], Caroline Sophia Say and Sam Barrow. 

George and Mary Masters had one daughter:
  1. Caroline Masters b. 1837 D Quarter in OF SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 107
In 1841, George Masters (25) Coach maker, Mary Masters (25) and Caroline Masters (4) were listed in New Canal Street, Birmingham.

In 1851, George Masters (40) Coach maker from Rotherhithe, Surrey; Mary Masters (45) and Caroline Masters (13) School teacher - both listed as from London - were at 41 New Canal Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire.

George Sparrow Masters died in 1860 S Quarter in BIRMINGHAM Volume 06D Page 91, though his age was listed as 55.

In 1861, Mary Masters (49) Widow, from Hampshire was a Lodging house keeper at 23, Daniel Street, Bathwick, Bath, Somerset and living with her were Caroline Masters (23) born in Southwark, Surrey; and Eliza Shell (19) House Servant from Bath, Somerset. Lodging at that address were Valentine Brown, a Captain (Unattached - i.e. between ships) from Galway, Ireland and his wife Fanny, from Dublin. (Widow Masters may be long gone, but you can still lodge at 23, Daniel Street, Bathwick, with Sykes Cottages.)

In 1871, Mary Masters (68) [although wrongly listed as Matthews] Lodger, Widow, Annuitant from Southampton, was living with her widowed daughter, Caroline Wright, at 301 Breck Road, Everton, West Derby, Lancashire.

Mary Masters died, her age listed as 72, in 1873 J Quarter in WEST DERBY AND TOXTETH PARK  Volume 08B Page 350.

© Stephen Richards (cc-by-sa/2.0) geograph.org.uk/p/3830761
19-36 Daniel Street, Bath