Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wales. Show all posts

Monday, 9 March 2026

Edward Oxford Palmer and Charlotte Emma Gloyne

The Melbourne Inn, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1777650
This pub on the corner of Cecil Street (left) and Wyndham Street, with its green glazed tiles, one of the toughest pubs in Plymouth, has been recommended for listing. Originally built in the 1700s, this Stonehouse pub was later named after British Prime Minister Lord Melbourne.

Edward Oxford Palmer, Seaman, son of Charles Palmer and Mary Oxford, married Charlotte Emma Gloyne, daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes at the The Church of the Holy Trinity on 9 Mar 1873. (The church was destroyed during the Blitz in 1941 and demolished.)

The couple had one child:
  1. Charles Edward Samuel Palmer b. 9 Sep 1874 (GRO Reference: 1874 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 248), bap. 4 Oct 1874, in the Parish of Charles, Plymouth. (Charles Church was destroyed during the night of March 21st/22nd 1941.) The family's address was 8 Devonshire Street, Plymouth and Edward's profession was again listed as Seaman.
Edward Oxford Palmer, born 31 May 1844, had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 25 Apr 1859, shortly before his 15th birthday, as a Boy 2nd Class. At that time he was 5 ft and ½ inch, with a Fresh complexion, Light brown hair and Grey eyes. He had a scar on the left side of his chin and weighed 110 lbs. The ship on which he entered service was HMS Impregnable. He remained in the service until 1882, achieving the rank of Petty officer first class.

In 1881, living at 67, Cecil Street, Plymouth, were Edward Palmer (36) Quarter master royal navy; Charlotte Palmer (27) and son Charles Palmer (6).

Although, in 1891, Edward O Palmer (46) General Labourer was living in Roath, Cardiff, Wales, with Charlotte A Palmer (36) and son Charles (16) Fitter's Apprentice. (Charlotte's sister Emma Jane married in Roath.)

By 1901, the family had returned to Plymouth and were living in Alexandra Road, Ford, Devonport, with Edward Palmer (56) General Labourer; Charlotte Palmer (46), Charles Palmer (26) Steam Engine Fitter and Emma Gloyne (74) Widow, Former Monthly Nurse, Charlotte's mother in the household.

In 1902, son Charles Edward Palmer married Alice Amy Gamblen.

In 1911 and still living in Devonport, were Edward O Palmer (66) Naval Pensioner and Charlotte Palmer (56). Son, Charles Palmer (36) Engine Fitter at Government Dockyard, was also living in Devonport, with wife Alice Palmer (36) and Cyril Gamblen (5), inexplicably listed as a Niece (not Nephew). 

Edward Oxford Palmer died in 1913, aged 69. (GRO Reference: 1913 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 392.)

(Then Edward and Charlotte's son, Charles Edward Palmer also died, on 17 Apr 1915, aged just 40 (GRO Reference: 1915 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 444). Probate was granted to Alice Palmer on 8 Jun 1915. The couple do not appear to have had any children. Alice Amy Palmer does not appear to have remarried and is listed in Plymouth in 1921 and again in 1939. She died, in Plymouth, in 1969, in what will have been her 95th year.)

In 1921, Charlotte Palmer (66) Widow was living at 5, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse, close to her sister, Maria Mullarkey in Admiralty Street and just a couple of doors from Margaret Stone, whose son, Frederick Thomas, married her niece, Kathleen Mullarkey, in 1923. There was quite a gathering of family and more so when my grandparents moved into 36 Admiralty Street.

Charlotte Palmer died, at 75, in 1930. (GRO Reference: 1930 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 401.)

Friday, 26 December 2025

Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines

Swimbridge: East Kerscott
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/441946

Arthur Flew (bap. 16 Sep 1789 in Rackenford), son of Richard Flew and Ann Kingdom, married Sarah Hines (reputedly b. around 1781 in Exeter. The only available baptism record is for a Sarah Hines bap. 11 Jun 1775, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hines, but I've been unable to confirm this is her), on 26 Dec 1814, in Tiverton (exact venue is not specified).

Records exist for three children of Arthur and Sarah, baptised in Rackenford:
  1. James Flew bap. 26 Aug 1818 
  2. Charlotte Flew bap. 3 Feb 1822
  3. Eliza Flew bap. 18 Oct 1829
In 1841, Arthur Flue (sic) (55) Ag Lab; Sally Flue (sic) (55) and Eliza Flue (sic) (12) were at Kerscott, Swimbridge. James Flew, listed as 20, was an Ag Lab in the employ of George Bexley, Farmer at South Coombe, Templeton; Charlotte Flew, listed as 15, was a Female Servant to Thomas Lake in Thelbridge.

In 1851, Arthur Flew (60) Ag Lab, Father-in-Law from Rackenford; Sarah Flew (70) Mother-in-Law, from Exeter and John Flew (8) Nephew, from Rose Ash, Devon. (John Flew bap. 23 Apr 1843 in Rose Ash, Devon was the base - illegitimate - son of Charlotte Flew) were living in the Village, Swimbridge, Barnstaple, Devon, in the household of Thomas Wilkey (28).

Sarah Flue (sic) died aged 72 in 1853 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 350 and was buried in Swimbridge, Devon.

Arthur Flue (sic) died age estimated as 75 in 1859 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 351 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales, where daughter Eliza and son-in-law Thomas Wilkey had moved to.

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Samuel Morcombe and Hephzibah Sarah Eastabrook

Victorian graves in Cathays Cemetery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Gareth James - geograph.org.uk/p/1405099

Samuel Sparrow Morcombe (b. 9 May 1851 in Briton Ferry, Glamorgan, Wales), son of William Morcombe and Mary Howe, married Hephzibah Sarah Eastabrook (b. 18 Sep 1852 in Stoke Damerel, Devon), daughter of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, on 27 Nov 1881, in Cardiff.

Samuel and Hephzibah had five children, of whom three died as infants:

  1. Mary Ellen Rose Morcombe b. 1885 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 283, died at 8 months on 27 Nov 1885 (Volume 11A Page 1760) and was buried at Cathays CemeteryCathays, Cardiff, Wales.
  2. William Samuel Morcombe b. 30 Jan 1887 in CARDIFF Vol 11A 319
  3. Margaret Mabel Morcombe b. 1891 J Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 409
  4. George Oswald Morcombe b. 1893 J Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 418, died in 1893 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 179.
  5. Lucy Eliza Morcombe b. 1895 M Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 310, died aged 1, in 1896 M Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 224.
In 1891, Samuel Morcombe (38) General Labourer, listed as Single, and William Morcombe (4) were visitors in the household of William Carder (56) Grocer in Cross Street, Cardiff. Meanwhile, Hephzibah S Morcombe (38) was living in Pritchard Street, Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales.

In 1901, Samuel Morcambe (sic) (49) Gardener was living in Manor Street, Central Cardiff with Hepzibah (47), William Samuel (14) Margaret Mabel (9), with Cyril Morgan (12) and John Morgan (8), from Bristol, Visitors.

In 1911, Samuel Morcombe (53 ish) from Neath, Glamorganshire, was once more a Labourer in Cemetery for the Corporation and still living in Central Cardiff with Hephzibah Sarah Morcombe (58), Margaret Mabel Morcombe (19) and a Robert Joseph Jones (38) Boarder.

In 1921, Samuel Morcombe (69) Labourer at Cardiff Cemetery and Hephzibah S Morcombe (68) were living at 27, Newfoundland Road, Llandaff, Wales.

Samuel Morcombe died, at 73, in 1926 D Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 298.

In 1939, Hephzibah S Morcombe, Old Age Pensioner, was living with her daughter Margaret M Whitaker and her husband at 20 Kyle Avenue, Cardiff

Hephzibah S Morcombe died, at 89, in 1942 in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 338.

Monday, 17 November 2025

Edmund Drake and Eliza Dixon


Plymouth : Plymouth Gin Distillery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/1185248
The Plymouth Gin Distillery (the Black Friars Distillery) is the only gin distillery located in Plymouth in what was once a Dominican Order monastery built in 1431 and opens on to what is now Southside Street. It has been in operation since 1793.

Edmund Drake (b. 5 Oct 1831) Seaman, upon marriage, listed his father as Edmund Drake, Tailor (he was the illegitimate son of Mary Drake, Tailoress), married Eliza Dixon at the Parish church, Stoke Damerel on 17 Nov 1857

Their only son:
  1. Edmund George Drake b. 21 Jan 1858 (1858 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 285), bap. 4 Feb 1858 in Stoke Damerel
However, Eliza Drake died in the same quarter as the birth, aged just 22 (GRO Ref: 1858 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 231).

Edmund Drake, Widower, Seaman, then married Esther Elizabeth Palmer, daughter of Charles Palmer and Mary Amelia Oxford at Holy Trinity Church, Plymouth on 7 Dec 1860. (The Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity was in Southside Street/Friars Lane, The Barbican, Plymouth. It no longer exists.) Edmund Drake gave his address at this time as HMS Jason (1859).

Edmund and Esther Drake had a further six children:
  1. Edward Charles Drake b. 1861 S Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 239
  2. Florence Esther Drake b. 1867 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 252. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 181. Buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.
  3. Mary Amelia Drake b. 1869 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 247
  4. Edith Esther Drake b. 1873 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 239
  5. Annie Eliza Drake b. 1875 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 342
  6. Eliza Ellen Drake b. 1876 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 329. Died, aged 1, in 1877 S Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 200
In 1861, Edmund and Esther Drake don't seem to be listed anywhere, but Edmund Drake (3), Edmund's son from his first marriage, was boarding with Charles and Mary Palmer, Esther's parents, in Vauxhall Street, Plymouth.

In 1865, there is a record of Shipping agreements and crew lists, suggesting that Edmund Drake (32), birthplace Jersey, was serving on a Merchant ship named Hantoon that departed from Wexford, Ireland.

In 1871, Esther Drake (35) was in Vauxhall Street, Charles, Plymouth, with [Edmund] George Drake (13), Edward Drake (9), Mary Drake (1) and her brother, James Palmer (31) Porter. Edmund was presumably at sea.

In 1881, Edmund Drake (48) Coal Tipper was a boarder in the household of William Brooks (31) Railway Guard at 6, Inchmarnock Street, Roath, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. Edmund Drake was listed as being from Plymouth, Devon, which is probably, simply, what his landlord assumed. Meanwhile, Esther Drake (44) Sailor's Wife, was then residing at 27, Rendle Street, Plymouth with her son Edward Drake (19) Iron Moulder; Mary Drake (11), Edith Drake (7), Annie Drake (5) and Alfred Nelson (1) Boarder.

In 1891, Edmund Drake (59) Pensioner from Jersey, Channel Islands, was living at 10, Moira Street, Cardiff with Esther Drake (56), Edward Drake (28) Iron Moulder; Mary Drake (21); Edith Drake (19); Annie Drake (16); Emma Drake (29) and granddaughters, Esther Drake (3) and Gladys Drake (1).

In 1901, Edmund Drake (69) Boxman Coal Tipper from St Helier, Jersey, was living at 12, Seymour Street, Roath, Cardiff, with wife Esther Drake (65) and granddaughter, Esther Drake (13).

Esther Elizabeth Drake died at 72 in 1907 S Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A 149.

In 1911, Edmund Drake (80) Widowed, Father-in-law from St Helier, Jersey, was living in the household of Fred and Annie Silby at 30 Romilly Road, Cardiff. (Annie Silby, of course, being Annie Eliza Drake, as was.)

In 1921, Edmund Drake (90) Widower, Father-in-law, Able Seaman Retired HM Navy, from Jersey, Channel Islands, was still living with his daughter and son-in-law, Fred and Annie Silby, at 67, Forrest Road, Cardiff.

Edmund Drake died at 91 in 1922 M Qtr in CARDIFF Vol 11A Page 707.

Thursday, 18 September 2025

Thomas Wilkey and Eliza Flew

Church of St James, Swimbridge
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/3512831

Thomas Wilkey (bap. 7 Jul 1822 in Bratton Fleming), son of John and Mary Wilkie married, Eliza Flu (sic), daughter of Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines, at The Church of St. James, Swimbridge, on 18 Sep 1848. Their marriage service was conducted by the famous Vicar of Swimbridge, John Russell (The Rev. John "Jack" Russell, who first bred the Jack Russell Terrier).

Thomas and Eliza Wilkey had four daughters, of whom only one survived:
  1. Lucy Wilkey b. 1849 S Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 10 Page 21, bap. 19 Aug 1849 at St James, Swimbridge. Died, aged 2, in 1852 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 361 and was buried on 21 Mar 1852, also at St James, Swimbridge.
  2. Rhoda Wilkey b. 1852 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 461, bap. 30 May 1852 at St James, Swimbridge.
  3. Lucy Wilkie b. 1855 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 404. Died aged 5 in 1860 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 289 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales
  4. Sarah Wilkie b. 1858 J Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 455. Died aged 1 in 1859 J Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 296.
In 1851, in the Village, Swimbridge, Barnstaple, Devon, were Thomas Wilkey (28) Ag Lab from Bratton, Devon; Eliza Wilkey (24) from Rackenford, Devon; Lucy Wilkey (1) born in Swimbridge; Arthur Flew (60) Ag Lab, Father-in-Law from Rackenford; Sarah Flew (70) Mother-in-Law, from Exeter and John Flew (8) Nephew, from Rose Ash, Devon. (John Flew bap. 23 Apr 1843 in Rose Ash, Devon was the base - illegitimate - son of Charlotte Flew.)

Eliza Wilkie died, aged 31, in 1859 J Qtr in NEATH Vol 11A Page 301.

On 8 Apr 1860Thomas Wilkie, Widower, married Mary Thomas, Widow, daughter of Thomas Lewis, at St Cynwyd's Church, Llangynwyd.

In 1861, Thomas Wilkins (sic) (38) Shearer; Mary Wilkins (sic) (39) and 9 year old daughter [Rhoda] were living in the household of George Ley, also from Bratton, Devon, in Brown Street, Llangynwyd, Glamorgan, Wales.

In 1871, Thomas Wilkey (47) Labourer, Mary Wilkey (listed as 40) and Roda Wilkey (19) as well as three boarders, were living in Cwm Du, Glamorgan, Wales, where inhabitants were employed chiefly in iron and coal works.

In 1881, listed as Thomas Wilkes (sic) (58) Plate Layer from Barnstaple, Devon and Mary Wilkes (sic) (52) from Cowbridge, Glamorgan, were living at 7, Treharne Row, Cwmdu, Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales. 

Thomas Wilkie died at 62 in 1883 M Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 380 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales.

Mary Wilkie remarried Thomas Adams on 10 Mar 1884, in Llangynwyd.

In 1891, Thomas Adams (50) from Berkshire, England and Mary Adams (listed as 60) were living in High Street, Glyncorrwg Late Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales with five lodgers in the household. 

Mary Adams died in 1894 M Qtr in NEATH Vol 11A  Page 491.

Ornate gates, Talbot Terrace, Maesteg
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/3005790
The gates have two oval motifs each depicting four daffodils.
Across the top of the gates is PUDDLER'S COTTAGE.

David Williams married Rhoda Wilkey, daughter of Thomas Wilkey and Eliza Flew, in Q2 1879 (Vol 11A Page 617), in Bridgend, Glamorgan. The marriage certificate should reveal the venue, as well as clues to David's origins.

David and Rhoda had four children:
  1. Thomas Williams b. 1880 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 513
  2. William Williams b. 1882 J Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 567
  3. John Williams b. 8 Jul 1884 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 610
  4. Eliza Mary Williams b. 1892 S Qtr in BRIDGEND Vol 11A Page 709
In 1881 living at 7, Treharne Row, Cwmdu, Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales, were David Williams (36) Puddler (An iron puddler (often merely puddler) was a worker in iron manufacturing who specialized in puddling, an improved process to convert pig iron into wrought iron. The strenuous labor, heat and fumes caused puddlers to have a short life expectancy, with most dying in their thirties.); Roda Williams (30) and Thomas Williams (0).

In 1891, David Williams (47) Colliery Labourer and Rhoda Williams (42) and two of their sons: William Williams (9) and John Williams (6) were living at Talbot Terrace, Cwm Du, Glamorgan, Wales.

In 1901, David Williams (64) Water Pumper (Colliery) Below, this time his birthplace is listed as Ystalafern, Glamorganshire (presumably Ystalyfera) was still living at Talbot Terrace, Cwm Du, Maesteg, Glamorganwith Rhoda Williams (listed as 50), William Williams (19), John Williams (16), Elizabeth [Eliza] M Williams (8) and Patsy Regar (19) (Male) Boarder.

Rhoda Williams, with age over estimated to 58, died in 1908 M Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 569. 

The rest of them are harder to locate going forward. Rhoda Wilkey was listed as the mother's name on a Social Security Application in the United States relating to John Williams in Mar 1937, which provided his date of birth and from which we can deduce that he had emigrated at some point.

Monday, 4 August 2025

Frederick Thomas Stone and Kathleen Mullarkey

St Paul Street, Plymouth (number 9 is the darkest caramel coloured one)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2333440

Frederick Thomas Stone (b. 20 Jan 1892 in Stonehouse, Devon), Leading Signalman, H.M.S. Sandhurst, of 9 St Paul's Street, East Stonehouse, son of Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman, married Kathleen Mullarkey (b. 17 Jan 1896 in Stonehouse, Devon), tailoress, of 8 Admiralty Street, East Stonehouse, Plymouth, daughter of Anthony Mullarkey and Maria Gloyne, at the King Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, on 4 Aug 1923. Witnesses were Frederick's first cousin, Charley Stone (best man); Rosina Kathleen Stone, the bridegroom's younger sister (bridesmaid?), and Anthony Charles Mullarkey, the bride's elder brother who probably gave her away. The couple's fathers, Tom Stone and Anthony Mullarkey (both deceased), had both been Royal Marines, as were Charley Stone and Anthony Charles Mullarkey. 

Frederick and Kathleen had two sons: 

  1. Frederick Anthony Stone b. 25 July 1924 (1924 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 417)
  2. Douglas John Stone b. 27 Sep 1927 (1927 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 404)
Frederick Thomas Stone had enlisted in the Royal Navy as a boy of 15, on 6 Jul 1907 and served for 21 years until 25 Nov 1928, by which time he was a Yeoman of Signals. He re-entered service with the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service (RNSSS) on 30 May 1932 as a Signalman. As he was still living at Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages at the time of his death, at 65, in 1957, he must have remained with the service through both World Wars.

At 18, Frederick Thomas Stone was 5ft 5½in with dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion. Among his numerous tattoos were an anchor, two female figures and a bird on his right forearm; Eagle, snake, Ensign, rose and thistle. Clasped hands and heart and 8 dots on left forearm.

In 1939, son Frederick Anthony Stone was a boarder at the Royal Hospital School (historically nicknamed "The Cradle of the Navy"). Frederick Thomas and Douglas John do not appear anywhere on the 1939 Register. The only entry for a Kathleen Stone of the right age is that detailed below.

On 11 Aug 1943, Douglas J Stone appears on a "List or Manifest of Aliens Employed on the Vessel as Members of the Crew" of the Marquesa, as an apprentice on his 1st trip to New York. He was 16, 5' 4" and 123lbs.

Frederick Thomas Stone of 5 Royal Naval Shore Signal Station Cottages, Old Folkstone Road, Dover, died on 11 Nov 1957, aged 65 (1957 D Quarter in DOVER Volume 05B Page 594), at Buckland Hospital, Dover, leaving effects of £960 12s 5d to Frederick Anthony Stone, Chief Electrician R.N. and Douglas John Stone, Laboratory Assistant. 

As she wasn't a beneficiary to Frederick's will, it would be easy to assume that Kathleen had pre-deceased her husband, but there was no death record in the relevant period and there looks to be another possibility: There are only two records (that I could find) of deaths of someone named Kathleen Stone, born 1896. One was in St Albans and there are other records in that area to prove that is a distinct person, so that death can certainly be discounted. 

The other is of a Kathleen Stone, born 1896, listed as married, who in 1939 was patient at the East Riding Mental Hospital, Beverley, Yorkshire

The later Probate record shows that this Kathleen Stone died there, at Broadgate Hospital, on 4 Feb 1968. My research hasn't discovered any other Kathleen Stone locally, for example, who this might have been. 

The East Riding Archives, searched the records they hold and were unable to link her to Frederick Thomas Stone, nor discount it either; there's no mention of family members, but they were able to tell me that this person "was admitted on the 31 Aug 1937, her care was being charged to Bridlington." Further searches produced no local person in the Bridlington area either. 

There was, however, a signal station at Flamborough Head, which is only around six miles from Bridlington. There is nothing on Frederick's records to suggest that he went there, but it would follow the usual pattern in the Royal Navy Shore Signal Service to be posted and move from station to station, so he might well have done, which might account for her presence in the area if this is her. This could be casting aspersions, but sadly, all of the circumstantial evidence does persuade me that it is still possible it was and, hopefully this information might lead to something that either confirms or refutes it.

  • Douglas John Stone died, at 58, in DOR Q1/1985 in KINGSBRIDGE (4111) Volume 21 Page 1587.
  • Frederick Anthony Stone married Barbara Matthews (1927-1999), in Newport, Wales, in 1950. Frederick Anthony Stone died, on 19 Mar 1985, in Newport, Wales (DOR Q1/1985 in NEWPORT (8362C) Volume 28 Page 994). He will have been 60. 

Sunday, 13 July 2025

William Stone and Hannah Westcott

Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1350345

William Stone (bap. 1 Apr 1821 at St Peter's ChurchLangford Budville), eldest son of William Stone and Mary Thorne, married Hannah Westcott (b. 8 Feb 1831), daughter of Thomas Westcott and Hagar (Ann) Mitchell, at the Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Wellington, Somerset, on 13 Jul 1850. One of the witnesses was Mary Ann Westcott, Hannah's sister. Hannah was baptised Anna Westcott (due to pronunciation, probably) on 19 Jun 1831, at the The Lower Meeting Independent Formerly Presbyterian, Wellington, Somerset and in 1841, Hannah Westcott (10) was living at Tone Wharf, Wellington Somerset with her parents, Thomas and Ann Westcott. 

Tracking down the children of this marriage has been proving difficult, with no birth records for half of them, but include the following half-dozen: 
  1. William Stone b. 1851 in Devon (listed on 1861 census)
  2. Mary Ann Stone b. 1854 in Ashbrittle, Somerset (on 1861 census)
  3. Hannah Maria Stone b. 1861 S Qtr in PONTYPOOL Vol 11A 122
  4. Thomas Stone b. 12 Aug 1864 in Usworth, Durham 
  5. Edith Ellen Stone b. 1866 D Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 428
  6. Isabella Stone b. 1870 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A 479
Those at the GRO, the mother's maiden name is listed as Westcott.

In 1851, William Stone (28), Agricultural Labourer, was at Whipples, Holcombe Rogus, with wife Anah (sic) (21). Whipples Farmhouse, Tracebridge, is a Grade II Listed Building. Living at Whipples also was Henry Tremlett, a Dairyman, for whom William was presumably working. 

In 1861, however, William Stone (40), married, Pitman from Holcombe, Devon was a lodger in the house of Elizabeth Archer (50), widow at Nailers Shops, New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham. While Hannah Stone (29) from Wellington, Somerset was living at Garndiffath, Trevethin, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales with son William Stone (10) born in Devon, England and daughter, Mary Ann Stone, born in Ashbrittle. 

In 1871, living at Washington New Row, Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham were William Stones (sic) (under estimated to 43) Miner from Somerset; Hannah Stones (39), William Stones (19) Miner; Anna Maria Stones (9), Thomas stones (5), Edith Ellen Stones (3) and Isabella Stones (11 m).

William Stone died at 55 in 1875 S Qtr in CHESTER LE STREET Vol 10A Page 356 and was buried on 24 Jul 1875 at Holy Trinity Church, Usworth.

In 1881, Hannah Stone (49) widow, mother-in-law, was living in the household of Miles Handy (35) Coal Miner from Wallsend, Northumberland and Mary A Handy (27) from Somerset, with Thomas Stone (16) Coal Miner (putter) born in Usworth, Durham, brother-in-law and Isabella Stone (10) born in Washington, Durham, sister-in-law and William Handy (25) Coal Miner, boarder, also from Wallsend, Northumberland, Miles' brother. 

In 1891, Hannah Stone (59), widow, was living on her own means in the household of William Handy (34) Coal Miner at New Rows, Little Usworth, Chester Le Street - her home, but he presumably became head as a man. In the household also were Hannah's daughter, Isabella Brack (20) and her husband John Brack (23) from Byker, Northumberland, Coal miner deputy.

In 1901, Hannah Stone (70), widow, mother-in-law, from Wellington, Somerset, was living in the household of John Robert Brack (34) Coal deputy overman and Isabella Brack (30), and their then five children, at 10, New Rows, Washington, Great and Little Usworth, Chester Le Street, Durham.

Hannah Stone died, aged 78, 1909 J Quarter in CHESTER LE STREET Volume 10A Page 317.

  • William Stone married Ann Jackson in Kelloe on 8 Sep 1873
  • Mary Ann Stone married Miles Handy in Chester Le Street, in 1872
  • Anna Maria Stone married John Hodgson in 1883
  • Thomas Stone married Polly Beaty in 1888
  • Edith Ellen Stone married William Brabbon Simpson in 1889
  • Isabella Stone married John Robert Brack in 1890

Saturday, 12 July 2025

Edward Charles Drake and Emma Jane Gloyne

Former entrance to Roath Basin, Cardiff
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/6404417

Edward Charles Drake, son of Edmund Drake and Esther Elizabeth Palmer, married Emma Jane Gloyne, daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, on 12 Jul 1886 in Roath, Glamorgan, Wales. 

Edward Charles Drake's mother, Esther Elizabeth Palmer, was the older sister of Edward Oxford Palmer, who was married to Emma Jane's older sister, Charlotte Emma Gloyne. So, Charlotte's husband was Emma's husband's uncle - or Emma's husband was Charlotte's husband's nephew. The two couples' respective children will have been double-cousins, once removed and once not, I think. Working out family relationships just got very complicated!

Edward and Emma had eight children:
  1. Esther Kathleen Drake b. GRO Reference: 1887 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 330
  2. Gladys Emma Drake b. GRO Reference: 1889 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 334
  3. John Gloyne Drake b. 6 May 1891, GRO Reference: 1891 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 342. Died 4 Jul 1915 (see below).
  4. Francis Oxford Drake b. GRO Reference: 1892 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 396
  5. Helen Palmer Drake b. 7 February 1895 in Plymouth. (No GRO record.)
  6. Fred Silby Drake b. GRO Reference: 1895 D Quarter in MONMOUTH Volume 11A Page 16. Died, aged 4, in GRO Reference: 1900 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 253
  7. Constance Edith Drake b. GRO Reference: 1899 J Quarter in BRISTOL Volume 06A Page 8
  8. Florence May Drake b. GRO Reference: 1902 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 255
In 1891, Edward Drake (28) Iron Moulder, Emma Drake (29) and their first two daughters, Esther (3) and Gladys (1) were living in the household of Edward's parents, Edmund and Esther Drake in Moira Street, Cardiff.

In 1901, Edward C Drake (39) Iron & Brass Founder, was resident in Durnford Street, East Stonehouse, with wife Emma J Drake (40), Gladys E Drake (11), John G Drake (9), Francis O Drake (8), Helen P Drake (6) and Constance E Drake (2). Eldest daughter, Esther Drake (13) was staying with her grandparents, Edmund and Esther Drake, in Seymour Street, Roath.

In 1911, Edward Drake (49) Iron and Brass Founder, was still in Plymouth with wife Emma Drake (50) and daughters, Gladys Drake (21), Helen Drake (17), Constance Drake (12) and Florence (9). Esther Kathleen had married in 1906 and was living in North End, Buckland, Portsmouth; John Drake (19) Stoker, was in Chatham, Kent; haven't yet located Francis.

Emma Drake died, in 1912, age given as 51 - she was 54 (GRO Reference: 1912 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 276).

Son John Drake died at HMS Vivid (shore establishment 1890), the Royal Navy barracks at Devonport. John Drake had joined the Royal Navy, at 18, on 9 July 1909, at which time he was 5 ft 3½ in with a 33¾ inch chest, light brown hair, light brown eyes and a fair complexion. At the time of his death he was assigned to Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport. The note on his naval record states that he was DD (Discharged Dead) on 4 July 1915 in Sick Quarters, Devonport Depot as result of cycle accident. Inquest verdict:- Accidental death through cycle accident. This was only weeks after his cousin, Charles Edward Palmer, Engine Fitter at the Government Dockyard, Devonport, also died, on 17 Apr 1915.

Edward Charles Drake (55) married Helen or Ellen Saull (48) on 23 Dec 1916, in Roath, Glamorganshire, Wales. 

In 1921, Edward Drake (59) Iron Moulder and wife listed as Norah Drake (54) from Plymouth, Devon, were living at 41, Harold Street, Roath, Cardiff.

Edward Charles Drake died, at 74, in 1935 (GRO Reference: 1935 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B  Page 403).

Friday, 9 May 2025

John Hartley and Anna Rookley

Shops in Terrace Road, Plaistow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/4132776

John Hartley (b. 1846 in Bow, Middlesex), son of John Hartley and Mary Blundell, married Anna Rookley (b. 1845 in Kentisbeare, Devon), youngest daughter of John Rookley and Mary Ayres, at St Stephen's Church, Tredegar Road, Bow (damaged during WW2 and demolished) on 9 May 1869.

Records suggest that John and Anna Hartley had four children:
  1. Arthur John Hartley b. 1869, died aged 0. Death registered 1869 D Qtr in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 595. Birth shows in the next quarter, 1870 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 839.
  2. Walter James Hartley b. 16 May 1872 (1872 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Pg 435), bap. 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, Devon. Died in 1891 M Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Pg 34, at 18.
  3. Elias John Hartley (as it was on his birth registration) b. 14 Oct 1873 (1873 D Qtr in SOUTH SHIELDS Vol 10A Page 795), bap. John Elias Hartley on 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare
  4. Alice Anna Hartley b. 1878 M Qtr in PEMBROKE Vol 11A Page 870, bap. 13 Mar 1878 at St John the Evangelist, Pembroke Dock
In 1871, John Hartley (25) from Middlesex, England and Anna Hartley (25) from Devon, England, were lodging at Charlton Place, St Mary, Pembroke.

Walter James Hartley and John Hartley were enrolled at Bradninch National School in 1880, a note next to their names on the school register says, "on a visit to Bradninch from London". Their aunt and uncle James Ridgeway and Thomasin Rookley (Thomasin was Anna's sister), lived in Bradninch.

In 1881, John Hartley (35) Engine Fitter from Bow, London, wife Anna (36) from Devon and Alice A (4) born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, were living at 4, Edward Street, West Ham, London. Walter Hartley (8) from Portsmouth and John Hartley (7) from Wales (clearly confused his birthplace with his sister's) were still visiting James and Thomasin Ridgeway, in Bradninch.

John Hartley was again registered at Bradninch National School in 1885, this time with James Ridgeway of Hele listed as his parent/guardian.

In 1891, at 4, Randolph Road, West Ham, were John Hartley (43) Marine Engineer; Annie Hartley (44), John Hartley (17) Smith and Alice Hartley (13).

John Hartley died, aged just 48, in 1895 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 87. And in the same quarter of the same year, their 16-17 year old daughter, Alice Anna Hartley married John Watson Bell, in Poplar.

John Hartley (b. 1873 in Newcastle, Northumberland) enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, at 22, on 11 Nov 1895, at Horse Guards, London. The record lists his previous occupation as Blacksmith, his father John, mother Anna and sister Alice (the family's address listed as 26, Freemasons Road, Custom House); that he was then 5ft 9in with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair, with a small scar on his right cheek. Recalled in 1899; convicted of Drunkenness and spent 5 days in prison from 22nd to 27th Jun 1899; served in South Africa from 21 Oct 1899 to 21 Jul 1902 (for the entirety of the Second Boer War); re-transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 Mar 1903; reengaged in 1907 and finally discharged in 1911.

In 1901, Anna Hartley (55) from Kentisbeare, Devon, listed as married rather than widowed, was living in the household of her son-in-law, John Watson Bell (32) Shipping Clerk at 104, Terrace Road, Plaistow (West Ham), with Alice Bell (23), Alice (5), Grace (4), John (2) and Beatrice (0).

Anne (sic) Hartley died in 1909 S Quarter in ROCHFORD Volume 04A Page 290, with age (under) estimated as 62. She was buried, on 28 Aug 1909, at St Mary's Church, Great Ilford.

In 1911, Jack [John Elias] Hartley (38) born in Jarrow, Newcastle, a Ship Worker at the Docks, was a boarder in Plaistow. John Elias Hartley died, at 71, in 1945 S Quarter in ESSEX SOUTH-WESTERN Vol 04A Page 128.

Wednesday, 7 May 2025

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back

The 'Odd Fellows Hall', Ker Street, Devonport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Lyne - geograph.org.uk/p/2771775

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook (b. 12 Dec 1849), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Eliza Back (b. 1853), daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, at Saint Saviour's church that was located on Lambhay Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth, on 7 May 1876. Both gave their address as Lambhay Hill at the time of their marriage. (The church was destroyed during the Second World War but the Church Hall is still standing.)

Samuel and Eliza had six children:

  1. Ellen Hepzibah Derry Easterbrook (sic) b. 9 Feb 1877 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B  Page 347, bap. 29 Jun 1879 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport. Died, aged 2 y 10 m, in 1879 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 249, buried 2 Jan 1880.
  2. Thomas Samuel Eastabrook b. 19 Feb 1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 343), bap. 11 Apr 1880 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport.
  3. William Ebenezer Eastabrook b. 28 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
  4. Amelia Elizabeth Eastabrook b. 24 Jun 1884 (1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 335), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
  5. Ernest Richard Eastabrook b. 15 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 326), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
  6. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook b. 18 Sep 1889 (no birth record found).
In 1881, Samuel Eastabrook (31) Labourer, Eliza Eastabrook (26) Tailoress and Thomas Eastabrook (1) were living at 40, Cannon Street, Devonport.

In 1886, William Ebenezer, Amelia Elizabeth and Ernest Richard were all baptised together at The Anglican Church of Saint Mary (St Mary's Church, Devonport). It no longer exists. Their father's occupation then was listed as Storehouse man and their address given as 19, Ker Street, Devonport.

In 1891, Eliza Eastabrook (37), Thomas S Eastabrook (11), William E Eastabrook (9), Amelia E Eastabrook (6) and Ernest R Eastabrook (5) were listed in Baring Street, Plymouth. Neither Samuel is listed anywhere.

In 1901, both Thomas S Eastabrook and William E Eastabrook are listed with the Royal Navy at Sea and in ports abroad, but I've not been able to locate records for any other members of the family, anywhere in the world.

On 6 Oct 1903, we find Samuel Eastabrook (54), Ellen Eastabrook (51), Emelia (sic) Eastabrook (19) and Samuel Eastabrook (14), arriving at Ellis Island, New York from Bermuda on the ship Pretoria (USS Pretoria (1897). The record gives their nationality as Great Britain, English and their residence as Bermuda. It also states Samuel's occupation as "late of Civil Service". One might speculate, therefore, that Samuel had been working at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. It says they were arriving in New York, en route to England and that Samuel Sr had last been in the US 10 years previously. Their onward address in the UK was c/o 22 Union Street, Portsmouth, England. Interestingly, the record specifies that Samuel paid for his own passage, that Eliza's was paid for by her husband and both Amelia's and Samuel Jnr's were paid for by their father - which is how we can identify him as their child.

Eliza Eastabrook died at 53, in 1907 M Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Pg 256. 

In 1911, S E D (Samuel Ebenezer Derry) Eastabrook (61) Widower, Railway Storekeeper was in Stockwell, London with A E (Amelia Elizabeth) Eastabrook (26) Daughter and E E (Ellen Elizabeth) Barker (64) Widow, Sister.

In 1921, Samuel E D Eastabrook (71) Pensioner, Admiralty, Widower; Amelia E Eastabrook (37) and Ellen K Eastabrook (15) Granddaughter (daughter of Thomas Samuel Eastabrook and Esther Kathleen Drake), were listed as living at 36 Llanishen Street, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.

In 1939, Samuel E Eastabrook, Pensioner, and Amelia E Eastabrook, House Keeper to Father, were listed at 25 Norham Avenue, Southampton.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook died, aged 93, in 1943 D Quarter in WINCHESTER Volume 02C Page 196.

Amelia Elizabeth Eastabook died, aged 62 (1946 S Quarter in SOUTHAMPTON Volume 06B Page 480). "EASTERBROOK Amelia Elizabeth of 25 Norham-Avenue Shirley Southampton spinster died 22 August 1946 at the Borough Hospital Southampton Administration Winchester 14 November to Samuel Patrick Eastabrook motor car driver. Effects £442 11s. 11d."

There are many records of a Samuel Eastabrook of the correct age crossing the Atlantic in the 1920s, which suggest that Samuel Patrick Eastabrook worked as a First Class Waiter on vessels such as the RMS Mauretania, once Cunard’s most luxurious ocean liner. No records suggest that he ever married. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook died, aged 81, in 1970, in Winchester. 

St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea), Saltcoats
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Leslie Barrie - geograph.org.uk/p/3379097

Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (b. 19 Feb 1880 in Devonport), eldest son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back, married Esther Kathleen Drake (b. 1887 in Cardiff), daughter of Edward Charles Drake and Emma Jane Gloyne, in the 2nd quarter of 1906 in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales. (Thomas Samuel Eastabrook's mother, Eliza Back, was the daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, who married in East Stonehouse, Devon in 1852, so undoubtedly we've just gone around in yet another circle.)

Thomas and Esther had four children:
  1. Ellen Kathleen Eastabrook b. 5 Jul 1906 S Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 351, bap. 29 Jul 1906 at St John the Evangelist ChurchCanton, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales
  2. Ronald Edmund Thomas Eastabrook b. 1908 M Quarter in LAMBETH Volume 01D Page 389
  3. Minnie Esther Eastabrook said to be born b. 26 May 1909, reg. 1910 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 371
  4. Richard Ernest Eastabrook b. 25 Oct 1911 D Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 748. Died 24 Nov 1941, see below.
In 1911, Esther Eastabrook (23) Married, was living at 124 Toronto Road, Portsmouth with daughter, Ellen Eastabrook (4) born in Roath Cardiff, Glamorganshire; Ronald Eastabrook (3) born in Brixton, London and Minnie Eastabrook (0) born in Buckland, Portsmouth. Thomas had previously been attached to HMS Victory II, a land based training establishment for stokers and engine artificers, based in Portsmouth, until January that year, however, at the time of the census in 1911, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook (31) was with HMS Speedwell (1889) in Sidmouth, Devon.

Having joined the Royal Navy on 23 Oct 1899, Thomas Samuel Eastabrook was lent to the Australian Government in 1912 and served with the Royal Australian NavyStoker Thomas Samuel Eastabrook of HMAS Brisbane (1915), was accidentally killed, aged 37, on 24 Feb 1917, it says from multiple injuries as the result of a fallThomas is buried in Plot C Grave 341 Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta (Kalkara Naval Cemetery) (Image courtesy of MilitaryImages.net). He is also commemorated on the Australian War Memorial, Campbell, Canberra.

Esther K Eastabrook then married William Lynch, in the 4th quarter of 1917, in Plymouth, Devon. 

Esther had one son with her 2nd husband:
  1. Hugh Lynch, b. 1917 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 337 (Mother's maiden name, wrongly, listed as EASTABROOK.)
In 1921, Ellen K Eastabrook (15) was living with her grandfather, Samuel E D Eastabrook and aunt, Amelia E Eastabrook at 36 Llanishen Street, Cardiff; Ronald Eastabrook (13) and Richard Eastabrook (9) were both pupils at St Vincents Home For Boys, Teignmouth Road, Torquay, Devon. Listed as an orphanage for Catholic boys, although the record is clear that their father was dead (inferring mother was alive). I've not found William Lynch, Esther Kathleen, nor Minnie Esther Easterbrook, nor Hugh Lynch.

William Lynch was said to have died around 1926.

Esther Kathleen Drake Eastabrook Lynch, however, married for the third time to Alfred William Gullick in 1928, in Saltcoats, Ayrshire. She's listed as Esther Kathleen Drake Easterbrook under Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages - this marriage likely took place at St Mary's (Our Lady Star of the Sea)Saltcoats. At Scotland's People (Ref: 576 / 1 / 32), this marriage is listed as being between Alfred William Gullick and Esther Kathleen Lynch.

Alfred William Gullick (b. 4 Jun 1882 in Stonehouse, Devon, reg. 1883 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 288, bap. 1883 as Alfridus Gulielmus Gullick at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Boniface, Plymouth), was the son of William Gullick, Private Royal Marines from Thrushelton, Devon and Hannah or Anna Maria Murphy from Ireland. Alfred William Gullick joined the Royal Navy in July 1899 as a Boy 2nd Class. He served until 1920 and, as was Esther's first husband, was lent to the Royal Australian Navy, in 1913, serving with HMAS Sydney (1912)HMAS Australia (1911)HMAS Melbourne (1912) and at HMAS Cerberus, before returning to HMA London Depot.

Esther's son by her first husband, Richard Ernest Eastabrook, Dick, was lost with the sinking of HMS Dunedin (HMS Dunedin Society), on Thu 24th Nov 1941. Plumber 3rd Class, Richard Ernest Eastabrook is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 56, Column 3. 

Alfred William Gullick died, at 74, in 1957, in Saltcoats. Esther Kathleen Gullick died, aged 88, in 1975, also in Saltcoats. Ref: 662 /1 95. If there was any doubt, her mother's maiden name is listed as Gloyne.


William Ebenezer Eastabrook, second son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back married Mary Connolly, in 1909. Listed in Scotland Roman Catholic Parish Marriages in Edinburgh, Restalrig, Midlothian, this is likely to have taken place at Ss Ninian & Triduana R C Church

William and Mary Eastabrook had four children:
  1. Mary Magdalen Eastabrook b. 1910 J Q in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 771
  2. Eliza Winifred May Eastabrook b. 1911 J Q in MEDWAY Vol 02A 782
  3. William Ebenezer Eastabrook b. 13 Jan 1913 in MEDWAY Vol 02A 1452
  4. Thomas James Eastabrook b. 1917 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 1178. Died 25 Jun 1917 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 999 and is buried at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham.
In 1911, William Eastabrook (29) Plumber Royal Navy, was living in Gillingham, Kent, with Mary Eastabrook (25) from Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, and Mary Eastabrook (0), born in Gillingham, Kent. 

(The only birth of a Mary Connoly (sic) - other records use Conley and even Connoloy - is in 1882 D Quarter in BERWICK Volume 10B Page 374, which does compute with age given at death, with mother's maiden name of MORAN. Although, I haven't [yet] found a corresponding family.)

William Ebenezer Eastabrook, born 28 Mar 1882, from Devonport, Devon, naval record shows that he enlisted in the Royal Navy on 20 Nov 1906, as a Plumber and served for 22 years, until 19 Nov 1928. Although there has to be an earlier record, as he was already with the Royal Navy At Sea and in Ports Abroad, Ships and Overseas Establishments, at 18, at the time of the Census of 1901. Notably during his career, he was assigned to HMS Falmouth (1910) from 23 May 1914 and from 24 Feb 1915 to 26 Aug 1916. HMS Falmouth was heavily engaged during the Battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, survived that, but sank off Flamborough Head, after being damaged during the Action of 19 August 1916. William was then assigned to HMS Pembroke (Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham) on 27 Aug 1916.

In 1921, William Eastabrook (40) Plumber Royal Navy was living at 19 Christmas Place, Gillingham, Kent with Mary Eastabrook (37), Mary Eastabrook (11), Winnie Eastabrook (10), William Eastabrook (8), Sarah McCrudden (15) Boarder and Bernard Marren (2) 'Nursing Child'.

However, Mary Eastabrook died, at 40, on 27 Mar 1923 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 902 and was buried, curiously, as Mary Ann Eastabrook, on 31 Mar 1923 at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham. 

William E Eastabrook remarried in 1933 to a May Cheeseman. They had a daughter, Rita Nancy Eastabrook, born in 1933, with the mother's maiden name of Yalden. Born May Yalden in 1893 in Medway, as Mary Yalden, she had married Henry Cheeseman in 1915. May had five children, born between 1913 and 1927, from her first marriage. Henry Cheeseman, born 1880, had died on 31 Dec 1930 and was buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham.

In 1939, William E Eastabrook and May Eastabrook were living at 147 Railway St, Gillingham.

William Ebenezer Eastabrook died, aged 78, on 15 Jul 1960 and is buried at Grange Road Cemetery, Gillingham

May Eastabrook, born 28 Jun 1893, died, also aged 78, on 29 Sep 1971. She is buried at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham.
  • Mary Magdalen Eastabrook married Henry J Cox, in Medway, in 1929. Mary Magdalen Cox died in Q1/1986 in CHILTERN AND BEACONSFIELD (3252) Volume 19 Page 1374.
  • Eliza Winifred May Eastabrook, listed as Winnie, living with the family in 1921. Winifred Easterbrook (40) sailed to New York from Southampton on the Queen Elizabeth on 15 Jun 1951. Winifred Eastabrook, born 11 May 1911, died at 84, in 1995 in Sutton, Surrey.
  • In 1928, William Ebenezer Eastabrook, born 13 Jan 1913, from Gillingham Kent, was a Greenwich School Boy (Royal Naval College, Greenwich). He transferred to the Royal Navy on 1 Jan 1929 and signed up for another 12 years from 13 Jan 1931, advancing to Yeo Sigs (Yeoman of signals), being re-instated in 1943 and again in 1944. William E Eastabrook married, in 1946, in the New Forest, Hampshire. In late 1946 and 1947, as William Ernest Eastabroook, with 17 years experience at sea with the Royal Navy, he was QM (Quartermaster) on the RMS Queen Elizabeth luxury liner service between Southampton in the United Kingdom and New York City in the United States. Also listed as William Ernest Eastabrook, but birth date of 13 Jan 1913 agrees, he died, aged 62, in Southampton, Hampshire in 1975.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook's parents, Richard Eastabrook (b. 21 Jul 1811, bap. 17 Nov 1811 in Stoke Damerel, Devon) son of William Eastabrook and Ann Lobb (m. 6 Nov 1796 in Stoke Damerel) and Susana Derry (bap. 18 Jul 1816 also in Stoke Damerel), daughter of Richard Derry and Mary Minns, had married, in 1845 in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

Richard and Susana had at least four children:
  1. Ellen Elizabeth Eastabrook b. 1846 D Q in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 09 433
  2. William Thomas Eastabrook b. 1848 S Q in STOKE DAMEREL 09 413
  3. Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook b. 12 Dec 1849 in STOKE DAMEREL
  4. Hephzibah Sarah Eastabrook b. 18 Sep 1852 in STOKE DAMEREL
In 1851, Richard Eastabrook (39) Butcher, was living in Cambridge Street, Plymouth with Susan Eastabrook (34), Ellen Eastabrook (4), William Eastabrook (2) and Ebenezer Eastabrook (1) [Samuel Ebenezer].

In 1861, Richard Eastabrook (47), Susanna Eastabrook (42), Ellen Eastabrook (14), William Eastabrook (12), Samuel Eastabrook (10) and Hephzibah Eastabrook (8) were in Mill Street, Stoke Damerel.

Susan Eastabrook died on 14 Mar 1866 and was buried on 19 Mar 1866.

Richard Eastabook, widower then remarried, to Elizabeth Lydia Fanny Best, who, despite being 50 at the time of this marriage was a spinster, on 16 Mar 1868 at the Parish church of Stoke Damerel. Elizabeth Lydia Fanny Best b. 5 Apr 1817 and bap. 16 Mar 1848 in Stoke Damerel, was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Best. Joseph was a Confectioner. 

In 1871, Richard Eastabrook (58) Butcher and Elizabeth Eastabrook (53) were living in Morice Town, Devonport. Ellen Eastabrook, listed as 21, from Davenport, Devonshire (sic) was a Housemaid in a household headed by Henry Keysell (43) Housekeeper in Queenhithe, City of London. William Eastabrook (21) Butcher, was also listed as a Servant in the household of Sarah Payne (27) Butcher, in Morice Town. While Hephzibah Eastabrook (18) was a Domestic Servant in the household of Eliza Bowden (39) China And Earthenware Dealer, also in the district of Morice, Stoke Damerel.

In 1881, Richard Eastabrook (68) Butcher and Lydia Eastabrook (63) were living at 15 Pembroke Street, Devonport Stoke Damerel.

Richard Eastabrook died at 74, on 12 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter Volume 05B Page 290) and was buried on 19 Mar 1886, in Stoke Damerel. 

Elizabeth Eastabrook (71) of Pembroke Street, died on 14 Apr 1889 and was buried on 20 Apr 1889, also in Stoke Damerel.

Ellen Elizabeth Eastabrook married a William Barker in Chester-le-Street, Durham, in 1892, with no clues to William's age or origins. Not found in 1901, William must have died in the past or following decade, as by 1911, E E (Ellen Elizabeth) Barker (64) Widow was living with her brother, Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook, in Stockwell, London. Ellen Elizabeth Barker died, aged 78, in 1925 J Quarter in CARDIFF Volume 11A Page 454.

Mulberry Street, New York City (c. 1900) Library of Congress

William Thomas Eastabrook (b. 1848), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Catherine Eliza Authers, daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, in the 3rd quarter of 1871, in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

Registered as Caroline Authers (1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), born 25 Feb 1854 and baptised, as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth, she was 17 at the time of her marriage.

William and Catherine had at least thirteen children:

  1. William Henry Authers Eastabrook b. 17 Apr 1872 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 308.
  2. Susanna Eastabrook b. 11 Apr 1874 in Manhattan, New York, United States. Birth record states that she was the "Mother's 2nd child". Died, aged 2, on 2 Sep 1876 and was buried on 4 Sep 1876 at Evergreen Cemetery, on the borders Brooklyn and Queens, New York.
  3. Unnamed male (Jack) Eastabrook b. 3 Aug 1876 in Manhattan.
  4. John Samuel Eastabrook b. 21 Dec 1877 in New York, USA.
  5. Catherine Eliza Eastabrook b. 1879 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 323, died at 8 months, on 30 Jan 1880 (1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 283), buried 8 Feb 1880 in Stoke Damerel.
  6. Harry Eastabrook b. 1880 (listed here)
  7. Susannah Catherine Easterbrook b. 20 Mar 1881 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 327, bap. 24 Jun 1881 at St Mary's Devonport.
  8. Beatrice Alberta Eastabrook b. 28 Jul 1883, bap. 17 Aug 1883 at St Mary's Devonport. (Seem to have missed the GRO registration.)
  9. Ethel May Eastabrook b. 16 Dec 1885 (1886 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 318), bap. 22 Jan 1886 at St Mary's Devonport.
  10. Harry Clifford Eastabrook b. 17 Sep 1888 (1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305). (Not found baptism.)
  11. Eliza Ellen Eastabrook b. 1891 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 308, died, in 1892 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 299.
  12. Lawrence Aubrey Eastabrook b. 24 Nov 1897 (1898 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 309), bap. 9 Jan 1898 in Devonport, Devon.
  13. One further male child.
On the baptisms of Susannah in 1881, Beatrice in 1883 and Ethel in 1886 William Thomas Eastabrook is described as Seaman R.N. and the family's address as 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke-Damerel. On that for Lawrence in 1898, R.N. and living at 42 Palmerston St, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1871, just before his marriage, William Eastabrook (21) Butcher (as had been his father before him), was a Servant in the household of Sarah Payne (27) Butcher, in Morice TownDevonport, Plymouth.

On 1 Jan 1873, William Thomas Eastabrook, from Stoke Damerel, Devonport, with birth date given as 10 Aug 1849 (his birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1848, so this seems to be a year out), joined the Royal Navy, as a Butcher. At that time being 5 ft 2 in, with brown hair, grey eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was assigned to HMS Audacious (1869), which from 23 Nov 1871 - 17 Mar 1874 served as a Coast Guard Ship at Hull, in the Humber. It appears that William Thomas "Run [at] Hull" (deserted) on 17 Apr 1873.

By Apr 1874, we find the couple in Manhattan, New York for the birth of their 2nd child. They had clearly emigrated and this, it must be remembered, is within a decade of the American Civil WarHistory of NYC - 1870s.

The family's address on the burial record for daughter, Susanna, was 168 Mulberry St, New YorkMulberry Street, is a narrow thoroughfare that includes parts of Chinatown and Little Italy in The Five Points neighbourhood in Lower ManhattanNew York City. Five Points gained international notoriety as a densely populated, disease-ridden, crime-infested slum. "Nicknamed 'Death's Thoroughfare', it was here, where the street crooks its elbow at the Five Points, that the streets and numerous alleys radiated in all directions, forming the foul core of the New York slums." So notorious, Manhattan's Mulberry Street has been subject of books, films and music.

On 8 Oct 1878, William T Eastabrook became a naturalised American citizen. The record gives his address as 20 N Moore St, New York and his occupation as Milkman. Witnessing his naturalisation was Henry Authers (wife's father).

They had stayed in New York for around five years, but returned to the UK by the time of the birth of fifth child, Catherine Eliza Eastabrook, in 1879.

On 26 Feb 1880, William Easterbrook (sic) (leaving out the Thomas), from Devonport, Devon and giving his date of birth as 9 Aug 1856 - one day adrift from that on the previous naval record and having now lost eight years in age - joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, this time advancing to Chief Stoker and serving for 20 years, until he was pensioned on 28 Feb 1900.

In 1881, transcribed as William I Easterbrook (sic) (32) Stoker RN (at sea) is listed at 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke Damerel with Catherine E Easterbrook (27), William H A Easterbrook (9), John S Easterbrook (4) born in the United States; ? Easterbrook (0) Daughter [later named Susannah Catherine]; K T Easterbrook (20) Sister [mystery - not identified birth] Nurse and Eliza Arthers (sic) (20) Tailoress - Catherine's younger sister.

In 1891, still in St John Street, Devonport, were Catherine Easterbrook (37) Dressmaker; William H A Easterbrook (19) Blacksmith; John S Easterbrook (14), Catherine Easterbrook (10) [Susannah Catherine]; Beatrice A Easterbrook (7), Ethel M Easterbrook (5), Harry C Easterbrook (2) and Eliza E Easterbrook (0). William was at sea with HMS Mildura from 18 Mar 1891 until 4 Nov 1891. She served primarily in Australian waters.

In 1901, William Esterbrook (sic) (49) Naval Pensioner Admiralty from Devonport, Devonshire, was living in North Road, Central Cardiff, with Catherine Eastabrook (47) Sub Postmistress; Catherine Esterbrook (20) Lady Clerk (Commercial); Beatrice Esterbrook (17) Post Office Assistant; Ethel Esterbrook (15) Apprentice to Stationer and Lawrence Esterbrook (3).

William Thomas Eastabrook of 80 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, died on 11 Jun 1908. His age was estimated as 52 - which would agree with the birth date in 1856 given on his second enlistment in the Royal Navy - he was actually 59 - and was buried in the parish of St John the Baptist Church, Cardiff. Probate was granted on 29 Jun 1908 to beneficiary, Catherine Eliza Easterbrook.

In 1911, Catherine Easterbrook (57), Widowed, Sub Postmistress from Plymouth, Devonshire, was still living in Central Cardiff with Harry Easterbrook (22) Railway Clerk; Ethel Easterbrook (25) Postal Assistant; Frank Powell (26) Boarder, Kitty Murrell (30) and Kitty Murrell (1) Visitors. (Daughter Susannah Catherine, known as Catherine and clearly also as Kitty, had, as Catherine Susannah, married Charles Murrell in 1907.)

In 1921, C E [Catherine Eliza] Easterbrook (66) Sub Postmistress from Devonport, was at 102, Whitchurch Road, Cathays, Cardiff with L A Easterbrook (23) Clerk, Pension Office and four boarders, who were actually daughter E M [Ethel May] Vanner, her husband and two children.

Catherine Eastabrook or Easterbrook (as it says on the Probate record) of 42 Llanishen St, Cardiff, died, aged 80, on 29 Jun 1934 J Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 853 and was buried at Cardiff, All Saints, leaving her effects to sons, William Henry Eastabrook and Harry Clifford Eastabrook.

Easterbrook family genealogy