William Naseby and Eliza Thompson

St. Andrew's Church, Cransley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6663331

Mrs Eliza Naseby (née Thompson)
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7688

William Naseby (bap. 16 Apr 1815 in West Haddon), son of William Naseby and Charlotte Wood, married, Eliza Thompson (bap. 8 Feb 1824 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), then a minor at 17, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's Church, Cransley on 3 Jun 1841. Witnesses were George Naseby and Ann Naseby.

They had a baker's dozen of children:

1. Emma Naseby b. 1842 S Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 222, bap. 18 Dec 1842 in West Haddon
2. William Naseby b. 1844 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 245
3. Clara Ann Naseby b. 1846 J Qtr in DAVENTRY UNION Vol 15 268
4. James Naseby b. 1848 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 500, bap. 6 Aug 1848 at Saint Andrew, Rugby. (Died, aged 1, in 1849 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 16 Page 354)
5. Martha Naseby b. 1850 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 523, bap. 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
6. Eliza Naseby b. 1851 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 16 Page 536, bap. 5 Dec 1851 at St Matthew's Church, Rugby
7. Ruth Naseby b. 1853 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 356, bap. Kate Ruth, 2 Sep 1853 at Saint Andrew, Rugby
8. Maria Naseby b. 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 365, bap. 16 Oct 1855 at Saint Matthews, Rugby. (Died at 2 days 1855 D Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 219, buried 19 Oct 1855)
9. Edith Naseby b. 1857 J Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D 396, bap. 9 Jun 1857 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died, aged 1, in 1859 S Qtr Vol 06D 268)
10. Owen William Thompson Naseby b. 1859 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 429, bap. 3 May 1859 at Saint Andrew, Rugby (Died 1859 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 253 and buried on 14 May 1859)
11. Naomi Naseby b. 1860 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 425
12. Amy Maria Naseby b. 1862 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 411, bap. 28 Oct 1868 in Rugby, Warwickshire
13. Rebecca Naseby b. 1865 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Pag, bap. 9 Jan 1865 Privately

Mother's maiden name on birth registrations is THOMPSON - with the H.

In 1841, William Naseby (20ish) and Eliza Naseby (17) were living in West Haddon. (Two of Eliza's sisters also lived in West Haddon at that time, Mary Botterill, then of The Bell Inn and the infamous jailbird Lucy Smith.)

By 1851, William and Eliza had moved to 5, Riley's Court, Rugby, Warwickshire, with William Naseby (31ish) Ag Lab; Eliza Naseby (25); Emma Naseby (9), Clara A Naseby (5) and Martha Naseby (1).

In 1861, at 58, North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (46) Fruiterer; with Eliza Naseby (37); Emma Naseby (18) and Martha Naseby (11), Eliza Naseby (9) and Kate Naseby (9) Scholars and Naomi Naseby (1). Clara A Naseby (15) that year was a pupil, boarding at an industrial school in Rugby under the care of matron, Mary Potton (50) widow.

In 1871, in North Street, Rugby, were William Naseby (55) Gardener; Eliza Naseby (49), Eliza Naseby (19), Naomi Naseby (10), Amy M Naseby (8), Rebecca Naseby (6) and Eliza's brother, William Thompson (47) Visitor.

In 1881, in Hillmorton Road, Rugby, there were just William Naseby (65) Market Gardener; Eliza (60) and John Brand (16) Garden Labourer. Rebekah Naseby (sic) (16) was a Housemaid domestic servant in the household of William Collins, Schoolmaster at Alma House & School, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1891, with address at Naseby House, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, were William Naseby (75) Market Gardener; Eliza Naseby (67) and Eliza'a brother, William Thompson (64) listed as a Gardener Domestic Servant and six of their grandchildren, offspring of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby, Elizabeth A Johnson (16), Clara A Johnson (15), Ellen E Johnson (12), Charles Hy Johnson (9), George Wm Johnson (7) and Frederick Johnson (6). Rebecca Naseby (26) Nurse was a visitor in the household of Joseph Wood in Charlotte Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

In 1901, William Naseby (85) Market Gardener and Eliza Naseby (77) were living at 86, Hillmorton Road, Rugby, Warwickshire. Rebecca Naseby (36) Monthly Nurse was a boarder in the household of Martin O'Malley, Beerhouse Keeper from Ireland at 46, Chapel Street, Rugby, Warwickshire (it became O'Malleys, was the former Australian Arms now a Listed Building)

William Naseby
Reproduced from the
“Our Warwickshire” website
© Rugby Library
Reference: T, B NAS, img: 7687

From Our Warwickshire:

"William Naseby, green-grocer and market gardener, born in West Haddon in 1818 (sic), lived with his wife at Naseby Cottage, Hillmorton Road 1854-1905. Worked a large market garden on land developed by the Land Society, which became known as the "Naseby Estate". Lived for three years in a Lawrence Sheriff Almshouse prior to his death at 91 in 1907." William Naseby died on 16 Mar 1907 (1907 M Quarter in RUGBY Vol 06D Page 386).

Eliza Naseby (née Thompson) died on 19 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 395), aged 84.

In 1911, Rebecca Naseby (46) Maternity Nurse was living in the household of brother-in-law Thomas Wright at 67 Oxford Street, Rugby, Warwickshire.

Rebecca Naseby of 88 Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warwickshire, died on 30 Jan 1915, aged 50, at 19 The Drive, Phippsville, Northampton (presumably her place of employment). Probate was granted on 8 Apr 1915 to her sister Naomi Wright (wife of Thomas Wright). Rebecca is buried at Clifton Road Cemetery, along with her niece Clara Johnson (daughter of Charles Johnson and Eliza Naseby), who had died aged 31 on 21 Sep 1906.

Post card of Lawrence Sheriff Almshouses in Church St Rugby ca. 1900s
Reproduced from the “Our Warwickshire” website under Creative Commons Licence CC BY NC
© Warwickshire County Record office: PH352/152/128

Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Thompson

The "skull & crossbones" entrance to St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green Photo © Mike Quinn (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Daniel Botterill (bap. 20 Dec 1831 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (bap. 15 Dec 1833 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East in on 25 May 1856. Witnesses were Edward Taylor and Ann Taylor. Ann was both of the couple's aunt. Mary Botterill (née Thompson) - Daniel Botterill's mother - was the elder sister of Daniel Thompson - Sarah Elizabeth Thompson's father - and Ann Taylor (née Thompson) was their younger sister. Daniel Botterill and Sarah Thompson, therefore, were 1st Cousins.

Daniel and Sarah had five children:

1. Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill, b. 1857 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 590, bap. 13 Sep 1857 at West Haddon
2. Benjamin Adcock Botterill b. 1861 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 614, bap. 6 May 1861 at West Haddon. (Died, aged 1, in 1862 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 367.)
3. John Benjamin Botterill b. 25 Aug 1864 (1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 643), bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford.
4. Elizabeth Cox Botterill b. 1867 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 754, bap. 27 Jan 1867 at Saint Nicholas, Deptford. (Died, aged 4, in 1871 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 525.)
5. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill b. 19 Apr 1870 (1870 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 773), bap. at Saint Nicholas, Deptford on 8 May 1870. 

In 1841, Daniel Botterill (10) was living with his parents in West Haddon, Northamptonshire, with his father, Stephen, then listed as a Publican.

In 1861, Daniel was living at 3, Wellington Street (formerly Flagon Row), St Nicholas, Deptford, listed as a "Boiler Maker Tobaconist" - between a Butcher and a Shoe Shop on one side and a Baker, a Greengrocer, a Chemist and a Clothes Dealer on the other. Emma Thompson (16) was listed as a Servant in his household, while his wife, Sarah, was visiting her brother George and their widowed mother, in Northamptonshire, along with sons Daniel (4) and Benjamin (0).

A report in The Era of 17 Nov 1867 lists the transfer of the licence for The White Hart, Deptford Green to Daniel Botterill. Situated at 33 Deptford Green, the pub closed c.1896 and has now been demolished. We find Daniel and Sarah Botterill there in 1869 and again on the 1871 census, where Daniel Botterill (39) is listed as a Licensed Victualler and living with him are his wife, Sarah E (37), sons; Daniel Stephen (14) and John (6), daughters; Elizabeth (4) and Mary (0), as well as Sarah's sister, Louisa Thompson (26), listed as "Barmaid" and Sarah's widowed mother, Mary Thompson (61).

(1) Houses In Old Flagon Row, North Side (2) Corner of Flagon Row (3) Deptford Green c.1897

In 1874, D Botterill was listed as the licencee of The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Broadway. Given the two following reports in the newspapers of the time, it would seem that this was probably a pretty rough establishment.

Kentish Mercury 9 May 1874: 

STEALING A DRINKING GLASS Jane Bartlett, about 70 years of age, a hawker, residing in Hales Street, Deptford, was charged with stealing a drinking glass, value 6½d., the property of Daniel Botterill, landlord of The Centurion, public house, Deptford Broadway. It appeared from the evidence of the barman that the prisoner came into the house on the previous evening, and remained there some time drinking with a navvy. After he had gone witness saw the prisoner place the glass under her arm, and upon speaking to her about it she dropped it. The prisoner, who denied any intention of stealing the glass, was sent to Maidstone gaol for seven days.

Kentish Mercury 6 Mar 1875: 

KICKING A LICENSED VICTUALLER James Chapman, of Wood's lodging-house, Mill Lane, Deptford, was charged with being drunk, and assaulting the landlord of the Centurion public house, Deptford Broadway. Daniel Botterill, the landlord, said the prisoner came into his house on Saturday night and annoyed the customers. He was ejected, but got in again, and commenced another row. Witness put him outside, when the prisoner ran at him, and kicked him several times. Mr. Patterson sentenced the prisoner to 14 days' hard labour, refusing his application for the imposition of a fine.

The Old Centurion Pub closed in 2004 and was converted into flats. 

(Top left) The White Hart, Deptford Green, (Top right) The Old Centurion Pub on Deptford Boadway, (Bottom left) Clock House, Leather Lane, (Bottom right) Holly Tree Arms, Lewisham

On the 1881 census and in 1882, Daniel Botterill was listed as landlord of the Clock House (formerly Coach & Horses), in Leather Lane, Holborn. Sarah's sister, Louisa, who married John Soppit in 1875, was living there, but Sarah was not on census day. Instead, she was lodging in the household of John Snell, a Lodging House Keeper, in Torquay in Devon. The transcription of that record describes her as "Sister to wife". That doesn't make sense and I believe the original actually says "Licensed Victualler's Wife" which is what she was. Was this a relative, a business contact, a holiday or perhaps a health break?

By 1891, the Botterills were back south of the river at the Holly Tree Arms, then in Holly Tree Terrace, between Hither Green and Lewisham. Staying there at that time were Daniel (59), Licensed Victualler, wife Sarah E (57), daughter Mary L (20), grandson John (11), granddaughter Alice (6), Alice J Pretty (28) Domestic Servant General, niece Catherine S Soppett (15), Edmund Allen (16) Pot Boy and Catherine Hancock (59) Laundress. 

A report in the Woolwich Gazette on 16 Feb 1894, showed Daniel Botterill as the outgoing licensee in the transfer of the licence of the Holly Tree.

Given they only seem to stay in one place for a couple of years at a time, there may well be even more pubs in the years between these various records. 

In 1901, Sarah, 'Wife of occupier (away)', is living at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham along with daughter Mary L A (30) a Teacher of Dressmaking and grandson John (21) a Sign Writer, while Daniel Botterill (69), "Living on own means", was away in the household of his son, John Benjamin Botterill, in Croydon, where Daniel was listed as a 'Widower'. Clearly he wasn't. 

Daniel Botterill died, aged 76, on 12 Feb 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 724). 

Sarah Botterill died a month later, on 11 Mar 1908 (1908 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page 737), aged 74. Probate shows she left £2449 1s 3d (~£300,000 today) to her three surviving children. 

In 1911, Mary L A Botterill (40) was living at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham. Living with her was her nephew, John Botterill (31) Sign Writer.

In 1921, Mary L A Botterill was living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Her nephew, John Botterill (41) Sign Writer was still living with her, as well as an Evelyn L R Wadsworth (54) Working Companion, Boarder.

In 1939, and still living at 69 Old Road, Lee, Lewisham, were Mary L A Botterill and with her this time, Lucy E N Wadsworth (b. 1 Apr 1917). 

The Probate record for Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill, who never married, shows that at the time of her death on 4 Feb 1947 (1947 M Quarter in WATFORD Volume 04B Page 399), she was a resident at Leavesden Hospital (The Imbeciles Asylum). Leavesden Hospital was a mental health facility, which was called Leavesden Asylum for Idiots and Imbeciles when it opened. Looking at the circumstances, I suspect there's a good chance Mary was born with Learning Difficulties. Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill was buried, on 11 Feb 1947, with her parents and brother.

William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson

Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499434

William Wykes (b. 29 Aug 1829 in Spratton, Northamptonshire, bap. 7 Jun 1830 at Great Creaton), son of Edward Wykes and Mary Davies, married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, at St Andrew's, Cransley, Northamptonshire, on 26 Apr 1852. Witnesses to their marriage were Elizabeth's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson and her nephew, Daniel Botterill, first cousins who married four years later.

William and Elizabeth's family consisted:

1. Anne Thompson b. 1846 in Spratton, Northamptonshire
2. Martha Wykes b. 1853 M Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 106, bap. 22 May 1853 in Spratton, Northampton
3. Mary Ann Wykes b. 27 Mar 1855 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 520, bap. 27 May 1855 at St Paul, Deptford, Kent
4. Eliza Wykes b. 22 Mar 1857 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 533
5. Edward William Wykes b. 30 Jun 1859, reg. S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 550, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
6. Elizabeth Wykes b. 10 Jun 1861 in Cransley, reg. S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
7. John Thomas Wykes b. 24 Oct 1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 648, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at St Nicholas, Deptford
8. Maria Sarah Elizabeth Wykes b. 1868, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at Deptford. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 493
9. William Thompson Wykes b. 1869 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 782

The GRO birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as THOMPSON.

By 1861 William Wykes (29), Elizabeth Wykes (32), Anne Wykes (15), Martha (8), Mary Ann (6), Eliza (4) and Edward W (1), Edward Dodd (21) Lodger and John Wykes (21), were living in Deptford (as were Daniel and Sarah Botterill). Anne Wykes (15) is certainly the Ann Thompson (5) who was staying with her grandmother, Maria Thompson, in 1851. It's clear she is Elizabeth's child, but not clear if William Wykes is her biological father, even though she is using his surname (no GRO registration under either).

In 1871, William Wykes (45) Labourer, Elizabeth (42), Martha (18), Mary Ann (16), Edward (11), [Sarah] Elizabeth (9), John Thomas (6) and William (0), were in Deptford, with Mary Thompson (85), Elizabeth's widowed mother. Eliza Wikes (sic) (14) was a Domestic Servant in the employ of Edward Allwright (40) Upholsterer, in New Cross Road, Deptford.

In 1881, William Wykes (51) with no employment, and son Edward William (21) Labourer, were living at 38, Deptford Green, while Elizabeth (52) was at 249, Evelyn Street, Deptford, with her occupation listed as Midwife. With her were married daughter Martha Buzzacott (28), Elizabeth Wykes (19) Assistant Nurse; John T (16) Apprentice Moulder and William T (11) Scholar.

In 1891, living in Evelyn Street, Deptford are William Wykes (63) Labourer, Elizabeth (62) Midwife and just William (21) Boiler Maker. 

William Wykes died, in Greenwich in 1892 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 831, aged 62. Elizabeth Wykes died, in Greenwich, in 1894 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 493, aged 65.

The Tigers Head, Bromley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/2523288

William Houseden Wood, son of George Wood and Harriet Goddard, (bap. 7 Jan 1855 at St Michael's Church, East Peckham where his father was Parish Clerk and Sexton) married Eliza Wykes (b. 22 Mar 1857), daughter of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, in Bromley, Kent in 1885.

William and Eliza had eight children:

1. William Thompson Wood b. 1886 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 404. Died, aged 5, in 1892 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 901
2. Frank Houseden Wood b. 25 May 1888 S Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A 388
3. George Frederick Wood b. 1890 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1125. Died 1890 S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 607
4. Harriet Elizabeth Wood b. 23 Jun 1893 S Qtr KENSINGTON 01A 104
5. Eliza Kathleen Wood b. 4 Jul 1895 S Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 436, bap. 21 Jul 1895 in Bromley, Kent
6. Edith Mary Wood b. 30 Nov 1896, bap. 27 Dec 1896, reg. 1897 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 440
7. William Tompson Wood b. 1898 D Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 433, bap. 6 Nov 1898. Died 1899 M Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 303
8. William Jeffrey Wood b. 23 Jan 1901 M Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A 472

In 1891, William H Wood (30) was at the Duke of Kent, 9, Point Hill, Greenwich with Eliza Wood (33), William Wood (5) and Frank Wood (3).

In 1901, William Wood (47) Licenced Victualler, was at the Tigers Head P H, Masons Hill, Bromley, Kent. (The Post Office Directory also places him here in 1903 and 1913.) Also listed there were Eliza Wood (44), Frank Wood (12), Harriet Wood (7), Kathleen [Eliza Kathleen] Wood (5), Edith Wood (4), William Wood (0) and Eva Bryant (20) Servant, Barmaid. 

In 1911, William Houseden Wood (56) Licenced Victualler was still at the Tiger's Head, 14 Masons Hill Bromley (More history. More images. Now the Crown of Bromley) with Frank Houseden Wood (22) Quantity Surveyor; William Geoffrey (sic) Wood (10), Eliza Wood (55), Harriet Elizabeth Wood (17) Telephone operator; Eliza Kathleen Wood (15) and Edith Mary Wood (14) - note the sexist order. The 1911 census also confirms that the couple had eight children during their 26 year marriage, with five still living.

In 1921, William Houston Wood (sic) (66) Retired was at 14, Queen Road, Bromley, with Eliza Wood (64), Harriet Elizabeth Wood (27) Civil Service Telephone Asst Supervisor; Eliza Kathleen Wood (25) Teacher; Edith Mary Wood (24) Civil Service Clerk and William Jeffrey Wood (20) Bank Clerk.

William Houseden Wood died, at 77, in 1930 D Quarter in BROMLEY.

In 1939, Eliza Wood (b. 22 Mar 1857), Widow, Retired, Incapacitated, of Private Means, was living at 10 Hawes Lane, Bromley, Beckenham with Sarah M A Wise, Domestic Servant, who I assume was looking after Eliza.

Eliza Wood died, aged 82, in 1939 J Qtr in BROMLEY Vol 02A Page 828.

• Frank Houseden Wood married Hilda Pyrke, in Bromley, in 1915. In 1918, he was listed as an Absent Voter from 97 Masons Hill, Bromley, being A/sgt Major in the 1st London (City of London) San Co. Hilda Wood died, aged 36, in 1926, in Bromley. Frank H Wood then married Annie Stella Gould (b. 6 Jan 1898), daughter of Hugh Tyler Gould and Isabel Barker, at St. Martin, London (which I take to mean St Martin-in-the-Fields), in 1929. In 1939, Frank H Wood, Chartered Quantity Surveyor and Annie S Wood were living at Whiteleaf, Edward Road, Bromley. Frank Houseden Wood died, in Bromley in 1970 and Annie Stella Wood also died, in Bromley in the last quarter of 1970. Neither marriage produced issue.
• Alan Roy Taylor (b. 30 Sep 1893), son of Frederick George Taylor and Phoebe Harrison Player, married Harriet Elizabeth Wood, in Bromley, Kent in 1921. In 1939, Alan R Taylor, Banker's Clerk and Harriett E Taylor were living at 14 Hawes Lane, Bromley. Alan Roy Taylor of Bourne Cottage, High Halden, Kent, died at Ashford Hospital, on 26 Oct 1959, aged 66. There is a death of a Harriet Taylor, aged 70, in Maidstone, Kent, in 1964, which may relate.
• Maurice Edward Taylor (b. 14 May 1897), also son of Frederick George Taylor and Phoebe Harrison Player, married Eliza Kathleen Wood in Bromley, Kent, in 1922. In 1939, Maurice E Taylor, Bank Clerk, was living alone at 11 Links Road, Bromley, while Eliza K Taylor was in the household of John Westacott, Farmer, at Pleystowe Farm, Capel, Dorking, Surrey. Maurice Edward Taylor of 37 Wordsworth Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, died on 3 Apr 1972. Eliza Kathleen Taylor of Lynton, Totteridge Common, High Wycombe, died on 22 July 1986.
• Henry Robert Turnock (b. 31 Jul 1898 in Bromley, Kent), son of Frederick Thomas Turnock and Isabel Harlow, married Edith Mary Wood, in Bromley, Kent, in 1922. In 1939, Henry R Turnock, Insurance Company Clerk and Air Raid Warden, was alone at 2 Tudor Gardens, Bromley, while Edith M Turnock was a Patient at the Royal Free Hospital, Camden. Both Edith Mary Turnock and Henry Robert Turnock died in the 2nd quarter of 1983, Henry died on 26 Jun 1983, in the district of Hastings & Rother.
• William Jeffrey Wood married Elsie Buxton Phillips (b. 19 Jan 1888 in St Pancras), thirteen years his senior, daughter of James Raper Phillips and Louisa Buxton, in Camberwell, London in 1927. In 1939, William J Wood, Chief Bank Clerk and Elsie B Wood were living at 177 Crofton Road, Locksbottom, Orpington, Kent. Elsie Wood died in 1972, in Tonbridge, Kent and William Jeffrey Wood died the following year, 1973, in Southwark, London.

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson

Northampton: St Giles
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4127502

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson (bap. 18 Dec 1815), daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married, on 26 Feb 1838, at St Giles Church, Northampton. Thomas Smith, Brickmaker, listed his father as Thomas Smith, Labourer. Both gave their address as "Butcher's Yard". One of the witnesses was Catherine Willis, who may have been related to Lucy's mother.

There is only one confirmed record of a child of this couple:

1. Ann Smith b. 1841 D Quarter in DAVENTRY UNION Volume 15 Page 230, with mother's maiden name listed as TOMPSON

In 1841, Thomas (29) and Lucy (25), lived in West Haddon. Staying with them was Elizabeth Tompson (10) - actually 12 - who was Lucy's sister.

The Northampton Mercury of Saturday 13 April 1844, reported on the Northampton Borough Sessions of Tuesday 9 Apr 1844:

LUCY SMITH, wife of Thomas Smith, was indicted for stealing a quantity of ribbon, the property of Mr. T. S. Wright. Mr. Scriven appeared for the prosecution. Charles Goosey, one of Mr. Wright's assistants, saw the prisoner come in and out of the shop quite as many as twelve times on Saturday last. Some persons were looking at some ribbons, when the prisoner put her hand over the shoulders of the parties, took a piece of ribbon up, concealed it under her shawl, and ultimately put it in her basket. She had previously asked to be shown some net. Witness was engaged with a customer when she took the ribbon, and upon observing what had occurred, he went to the prisoner, and served her with some net, for which she tendered a shilling. Witness went under pretence of getting change and sent for a policeman, and she was given into custody. The ribbon was found in her basket.

Sessions House, Northampton
StJaBe, CC BY 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons

Prisoner comes from West Haddon, and a Mrs. Hoole of that place, said she had an excellent character. Her sister, Mrs. Bottrill, a respectably dressed person, who cried bitterly, also said she had always borne a good character. The distress of her sister affected the prisoner who had hitherto exhibited no signs of emotion.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty.

There were two other indictments against her, one for stealing a pair of shoes, the property of Henry Freeman, and the other for stealing 14 yards of cotton print, the property of J. Phipps, both on the same day. At the suggestion, however, of the Recorder, no evidence was offered in either of these cases. After a feeling address, the Recorder sentenced the prisoner to Six Months' Imprisonment.

The Cast of Characters:

1. Thomas Wright (35) was a Draper at Waterloo House, 21 Market Square, Northampton in 1841 and had a Charles Goosey (15), Draper's Apprentice, listed in his considerable household (employ) of 27 people.
2. Mr. Thos. Scriven, of the Town of Northampton, Solicitor, according to the 1841 census, when he was aged 40, lived in St Giles Square.
3. Mrs. Hoole: Ann Hoole, wife of Thomas Hoole, Brazier, in 1841 lived next door to Stephen and Mary Bottrill, of The Bell Inn, West Haddon.
4. Henry Freeman (35), Shoemaker, in 1841, resided at Great Russell Street, Northampton. (Great Russell Street, Northampton, in 1974 waiting to be demolished.) Perhaps he sold his wares in the market?
5. In 1841 there was a John Phipps (40), Draper, in Albion Place, Northampton and a John Phipps (15), Draper, in Gold Street, Northampton. We can assume it was one of these.
6. The Recorder was N. R. Clarke, Esq., Sergeant-at-Law.

Presumably, Lucy will have served her sentence at the Northampton Borough Gaol and House of Correction, at that time located at Fish Lane (now Fish Street), Northampton. Built in 1792–4 this gaol and bridewell were erected to the south of the County Hall and held 120 prisoners. She was lucky that her punishment wasn't transportation, still very much in use at that time.

In 1851, we find them in Matildia Place, Foleshill, Warwickshire - literally 'Sent to Coventry', it would seem after Lucy's stint behind bars. Well, Thomas Smith was listed as James Smith (40) - this could be an error or it might be deliberate - Brickmaker and it's clearly Lucy Smith (36), birthplace Cransley, Northamptonshire. Listed with them was Lucy's older brother, Thomas Thompson (40), Carpenter and Ann Smith (9), born in West Haddon.

So far, I've found no further evidence of this family.

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), bap. 2 Dec 1877 at St Nicholas, Deptford
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 Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 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 Smith'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, in 1891, 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 Tavern, Station Road, Beckenham, Bromley. Daughter, Catherine S Soppett (15) was staying with her aunt and uncle, Daniel and Sarah Botterill, at the Holly Tree Arms, Lewisham; While Joseph D Soppit (listed as 18, he was 14) was a boarder at the Kent Coast College, High Street, Herne, Kent which was run by Samuel Neal Mobbs (57) Schoolmaster from Pytchley, Northamptonshire. (Louisa's aunt, her mother's sister, Lydia Adcock, had married Samuel Mobbs. Samuel Neal Mobbs was his nephew.)

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. 

John Soppit had also been the licensee of the Princess Royal in Croydon, where he employed his nephew, John Benjamin Botterill, as his manager.

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.

The Castle, Farringdon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Andrew Abbott - geograph.org.uk/p/5107529
The Castle Tavern used to be the only pub in England with a pawnbroker's licence

Carl Bose (b. 18 May 1874), Licenced Victualler, son of Henry Bose and Anna Kracke, married Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit (b. 4 Apr 1876) daughter of John Soppit and Louisa Thompson, in Lewisham, in 1898. Carl's parents, both born in Germany, ran the Blue Anchor, in Dock Street, Wapping. Records show the pub had been in the family from at least 1881 until 1921.

Carl and Catherine Bose had six children:

1. Anna Louisa Bose b. 1899 D Quarter in PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 10
2. Charles Bose b. 1903 M Quarter in ST.PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 24
3. Stanley Bose b. 1904 J Quarter in ST. PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 9
4. Robert Bose b. 1909 D Quarter in ST. PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 28
5. Kathleen Bose b. 1912 M Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 1110
6. Edith Bose b. 1915 S Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 862

In 1901, at The Victory (a previous incarnation of the pub to the one pictured), 152, Albany Street, St Pancras, we find Carl Bose (26) Licenced Victualler, Catherine S W (24) and their daughter Anna L (1) with Lavinia C M Dwyer (20) Barmaid and Octavia R Andrews (24) Domestic Servant. 

Post Office Directories also place Carl Bose at The Victory in 1906 and 1910.

In 1911, the family were living at 15 Berlin Road, Catford S E. Carl Bose (36) Licensed Victualler, Catherine Sarah Winship (34), Anna Louisa (11), Charles (8), Stanley (7) and Robert (1), as well as Mary Maud Everest (21) Domestic General Servant. On the census return, Carl is described as "Son", Catherine as "Daughter-in-law" and each of their children is listed as "Grandchild" in relation to head of the household, so I think we may assume that this was Henry Bose' house, although there is no evidence of him residing there at that time. And one wonders what they will have thought of the road being renamed, given that Henry and Anna Bose were born in Germany. 

The Post Office Directory of 1915 shows Carl Bose as the landlord of the Castle, 34 & 35 Cowcross Street, EC1 (The Castle, Farringdon), which explains the registration of the last two children in Holborn. 

In 1921, at the Blue Anchor, 21, Dock Street, Wapping, we find Carl Bose (47) Licenced Victualler; Catherine Sarah Winship Bose (45), Charles Bose (18), Stanley Bose (17) and Blanche Good (41) Barmaid. That year the Post Office Directory also lists Carl Bose as the licensee at the Blue Anchor.

In 1939, Carl Bose, having Anglicised himself to Charles Bose was a Club Steward living at 9A Clarence Square, Brighton And Hove, Sussex with his wife, Catherine SW Bose. (Clarence Square - then & now.)

Catherine S W Bose died in 1945, in Brighton, aged 69.

Charles Bose also died in Brighton, in 1962, aged 87.

Canadian Avenue (formerly Berlin Road), Catford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4610261
This road used to be called Berlin Road but the name was changed during the
first World War because of the Anti-German sentiments felt at the time.

Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis

All Saints' Church, Thorpe Malsor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6620224

Solomon Thompson Jnr (bap. 15 Jun 1786 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Solomon Thompson Sr and Ann Rawson, married Maria Willis (bap. 24 May 1789 in Thorpe Malsor, Northamptonshire), daughter of Thomas Willis and Mary Essex, at All Saints Church, Thorpe Malsor on 19 Jan 1807. 

Their 12 children, all baptised at St Andrew's Church, Cransley were:

1. Mary Thompson bap. 14 Dec 1807
2. Daniel Thompson bap. 30 Jul 1809
3. Thomas Thompson bap. 14 Apr 1811
4. Maria Thompson bap. 19 Dec 1814
5. Lucy Thompson bap. 18 Dec 1815
6. Anne Thompson bap. 20 Oct 1817
7. Eliza Thompson bap. 9 Jul 1820 (buried 14 Oct 1821)
8. Solomon Thompson bap. 4 Apr 1822
9. Eliza Thompson bap. 8 Feb 1824
10. William Thompson bap. 31 Dec 1825 
11. Martha Thompson, b. 1826, bap. 20 Dec 1831
12. Elizabeth Thompson b. 1828, bap. 20 Dec 1831 (at 3y 3m) 

Solomon Thompson Jnr, carpenter, died, aged 54 in 1839 D Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 198 and was buried on 9 Dec 1839 at St Andrew's Church, Little Cransley.

By 1841, Maria Thompson (55), Pauper, was in the Hamlet of Cransley, as the head of the family with younger sons Solomon (20), Carpenter's Apprentice and William (15), and daughter Martha (14), as well as a John James (20) - presumably a boarder/lodger - also a Carpenter's Apprentice. 

In 1851, in Little Cransley, were Maria Thompson (66), Pauper, Carpenter's Widow, with son William (25) Mason's Labourer and Anne Thompson (5) (Elizabeth's child). Thomas Thompson (40), Carpenter, was staying as a visitor with his sister, Lucy Smith and her husband in Foleshill, Warwickshire. 

In 1861, Maria Thompson (74) widow, was still living in Little Cransley, with just her son William Thompson (31, actually 36) living with her. Thomas Thompson (50) Carpenter was living alone in Cransley.

By 1871, Maria (listed as Mary) Thompson (85) was living with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Wykes, in Deptford. Thomas Thompson (60), was still a carpenter in Broughton. William Thompson (47) Farm Servant, was visiting his sister and brother-in-law, William Naseby and Eliza Thompson, in Rugby. 

Maria Thompson died, in 1873 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 461.

In 1881, Thomas Thompson (70), carpenter, may have become too old or infirm to work or manage on his own, because he was listed as an inmate at Kettering Union Workhouse (later St Mary's Hospital, Kettering). His brother William Thompson (55), was also an inmate in the Kettering Union Workhouse. It appears that Thomas Thompson died, in Kettering, in 1886 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 103. Neither he nor William ever married. In 1891, William Thompson (then 66), single, Gardener Domestic Servant, was back living with his sister and brother-in-law in Rugby. William Thompson died, at 76, in 1901 J Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D 346.

Job Sweeney and Eliza Louisa Tompson

Globe Road, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4697355
Very much a part of the traditional East End, Globe Road runs north from Stepney Green station to Roman Road, and then on to this northern stretch up to Old Ford Road. 

Job Sweeney (b. 6 Feb 1870), son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Eliza Louisa Tompson (b. 24 Aug 1868), daughter of Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green, on 5 Jan 1893, at the Parish Church of St Anthony, Globe Road, Stepney. (The church of Saint Anthony stood in the borough of Bethnal Green, but was part of the rural deanery of Stepney. It closed in 1936 and the building was demolished in 1937.) Both claimed to be 24 and both gave their address as 3 Monteagle Street, Stepney. 

Their only child, Job Thomas Sweeney (right), was born at 25 Monteagle Street, Stepney (which further research suggests was a boarding house) on 27 Aug 1897 (registered Job Thomas Sweney 1897 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 499, mother's maiden name TOMPSON) and was baptised at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 19 Sep 1897.

In 1901, Job Sweney (sic) (33) Warehouseman, Eliza Sweney (sic) (32) and Job Sweney (sic) (3), were living at 8, Repton Street, Limehouse. 

My mother always claimed that her father and grandmother, Eliza Louisa, had been living in Sidney Street at the time of the Siege of Sidney Street, or Battle of Stepney that took place in January 1911. Improbable, though not impossible, but I can find no records to support this. Eliza Louisa was well away from the area when Cable Street (where she was born) had it's own battle in 1936.

By the time of the census on 2 April 1911, the family were living at 102 Fore Street, in the City of London. They lived in a flat above the warehouse that came with the job, where Job Sweeney (41) was employed as Packer and Caretaker; Eliza Louisa Sweeney (41), Job Thomas Sweeney (13) and Amy Dobson (19) Domestic Servant, Friend (Amy Dobson b. 1892, was the sister of Ruth Christmas Dobson, wife of Job's brother Charles Sweeney.) 

Son, Job Thomas Sweeney, must have served during WWI and these photographs tell us that this was in the British Army. His cap and epaulette badges are for the Royal Engineers, so it would seem that he was a sapper. There is a medal card for a Thomas J Sweeney, a sapper in the Royal Engineers, later in the Middlesex Regiment, The Queens Regiment, Royal Army Service Corps and then back to the Royal Engineers. Never heard him to have been known as Thomas, but it's possible, so I can neither confirm nor refute that this record is his. 

His ID discs, visible in both photos, could hold the key, but neither are sufficiently clear to reveal any detail. The major fire and bombing raid on the War Office Record Office in London's Arnside Street during the September 1940 Blitz destroyed about 60% of British Army WWI service records, and his must have been among those completely destroyed.

In 1921, Job Sweeney (51) Packer, was still living and working at 102, Fore Street, City of London, for Hoffnung & Co Shipping Merchants; with wife, Eliza L Sweeney (52) and son, Job T Sweeney (23) Warehouseman, working for Wills & Co (W.D. & H.O. Wills) at their Holborn Viaduct factory (for whom he eventually worked for around 36 years.) (Calling herself Amy Margaret Dobson (29) Charwoman, in 1921 - no idea where the Margaret came from - living at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, this census tells us she was working for Messrs Hoffnung & Co Ltd at 102 Fore Street, City, E C.)

Press Gangs and the King’s Shilling: Job Sweney (sic) died, on 6 December 1924, aged 54 (1924 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 374), and as family stories go, this has to be one of the best (as in the myth is about as far away from the truth as it's possible to get), but also one of the saddest. 

My mother won't have known her grandfather, as he had died when she was only a few months old, but throughout her life, she recounted this story so many times it would be impossible to count: The story went that Job Sweeney had been "press ganged" into the navy no less than three times. Once would be unlucky, you'd have thought. Anyway, this account, undoubtedly passed down to her by her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney, was further embellished with the assertion that Job liked his drink rather too much, hence was always in the pub and the worse for wear and, therefore, had been tricked, in serial fashion, into taking the King's Shilling. 

All absolute poppycock, of course, like most family stories are.

As I say, I'd heard and nodded along to the retelling of this story umpteen times, but never really considered or questioned it. It wasn't until I met the current 'him indoors' who knows his military history, who immediately said "wrong century", that it became obvious the whole thing was invention.

With hindsight, I can see where it will have come from. Job's father was a dock labourer (sometimes listed as a stevedore); his great-grandfather a mariner and many of their ancestors were sailors, ship's carpenters and shipwrights. Eliza Louisa's family ran pubs around the London docks. They'll have grown up with 'press gang' stories and other seafaring folklore.

Having spent his entire life in the East End, it was finding that his death had been registered in Hendon that made me dig further in order to solve the mystery. It even crossed my mind that holidays 'At His Majesty's Pleasure' might well have explained these absences that we were all led to believe were when he was 'at sea', but it was not so. Having ordered his death certificate, this confirmed that the actual place of death was Colindale Hospital.

Built originally as the The Central London District Sick Asylum in 1898-1900 - to provide care for the sick poor in London, separate from the workhouse - in 1919, it was taken over by The Metropolitan Asylums Board and used as male TB sanatorium. The cause of Job Sweeney's death was given as 'Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Certified by Marcus Patterson MD.' 

Dr. Marcus Sinclair Paterson (1870–1932) was the medical superintendent of the Colindale Hospital for Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hendon. "Here Paterson made valuable innovations in the symptomatic treatment of advanced cases", says his obituary in the BMJ. He developed a system of treatment called 'graduated labour'. "He has described how his observations on out-patients led him to the idea of introducing manual work, as well as walking, into the sanatorium regime, with the hope of fitting his patients for immediate return to their work, and of successfully meeting the charge that sanatoriums turned out work-shy loafers." (Not unlike attitudes today, because victim blaming is a whole lot cheaper than doing research and actually treating the sick. Looks like we can see who was originally responsible for ideas that led to the much maligned, ineffective and harmful Graded exercise therapy (GET) too.)

So, we can deduce that the "press gang" story was made up to explain a series of absences, which were probably stays for 'treatment' - forced work when you're already too ill to do your normal work - at the sanatorium. And the saddest part is this tells us that, so strong was the social stigma attached to TB that families preferred to paint their nearest and dearest as 'feckless, drunken, work-shy', etc., rather than admit they had an infectious, then incurable, disease undoubtedly contracted through no fault of their own. 

Eliza Louisa Sweeney with her granddaughter, Ivy. Edited with ImageColorizer

The internet isn't just useful for looking up dry-and-dusty old genealogy records, there is so much more to discover. Take this for example. Among lots of family photos I inherited from my mother and hers before her was one of my mother and her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney (née Tompson), taken in the 1930s (my mother was 15 in 1939, so I estimate this is close to then). Only because there was a distinctive looking window on a building that looked like a church in the background behind them, it peaked my interest and I thought I would try to find out where the photo had been taken.

At that time, my mother, her parents and grandmother, still lived in the City of London, in Fore Street. It didn't look like anywhere I knew around there, but then it got a bit altered in the interim. I'd also tried the facility to Search with an image on Google, but it just told me it was a snapshot. Duh! 

Eventually, I asked the The East of London Family History Society Group for help, but whilst they weren't able to answer, members made many useful suggestions that led to more searches ... that finally turned up images of the Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea, which perfectly fit the round window, as well as other elements of the architecture. As confirmation, they sent me a link to this map of Clacton (Revision of 1939), which shows the position of the post box (marked L.B.) that you can see behind them. 

Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © JThomas - geograph.org.uk/p/2944160

Then and now: Clacton's Trinity Church in Rosemary Road in 1881 and 2015

So, from this, we can deduce that, since this church is in the background, then they must be walking down Pier Avenue (shown here in c. 1925), in the direction of the sea front and pier and, as they lived in the East End, they can only have been on a day trip (no, I don't suppose they were flush enough for a whole holiday!) to Clacton-on-Sea. I'd wondered what they were up to that was special enough - in those pre-selfie days - for a photo. Now I know.

Mind you, "... if you stood where they were walking now you'd get mown down by the traffic, those trees, hedges and post box long gone too."

In 1939, Eliza Louisa was still living at 102 Fore Street with her son Job and his wife, Elizabeth (Bet) and granddaughter, Ivy, and remained there until their home was destroyed in WWII, thought to have been on or around the night of 29–30 Dec 1940, the so-called Second Great Fire of London.

Eliza Louisa Sweeney, otherwise Sweney (as it says on her death certificate), died on 13 Feb 1953 (1953 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 05A Page 846) from coronary thrombosis, influenza, chronic bronchitis and old age, at 84.