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Stephen Wilton (b. 1848), illegitimate son of Ann Wilton (although he listed his father as an 'invented', non-existent John Wilton), married Sophia Watson, daughter of James Watson and Sophia Barker at St George's Church, Camberwell on 4 Sep 1871. Sophia's parents had also married in Camberwell, in 1843, although, Sophia was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1851, where her father was listed at that time, in Wellington Street, Westgate, as a Leather finisher and dyer. Stephen Wilton was a Harness Maker: a trade he undoubtedly learned while apprenticed to his maternal uncle Thomas Clark, who was one of the witnesses to Stephen and Sophia's marriage.
Stephen and Sophia had thirteen children, all born in Peckham:
- James Watson b. 1869 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 604
- Matilda Wilton b. 22 Nov 1871 (1872 M Qtr Vol 01D Page 737)
- Edward Wilton b. 1873 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 771
- Stephen Wilton b. 1875 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 794
- Sophia Ann b. 1878 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 834.
(Died 1878 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 516) - Rose Wilton b. 1879 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 804.
(Died, aged 1, in 1881 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 513) - Jane Wilton b. 1881 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 915
- William Wilton b. 1883 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 918
- Minnie Wilton b. 1885 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 917.
(Died 1886 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 500) - Robert Wilton b. 16 Apr 1887 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 962
- Florence Wilton b. 1891 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 882
- Maud Wilton b. 1893 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 943
- Edith Wilton b. 1895 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 860
We have a description of Stephen Wilton, Harness Maker: when he was 18 he was 5ft 3in with brown hair, blue eyes, a fresh complexion and a scar on his chest. On 5 Aug 1867 he was sentenced to 20 days in Wandsworth Prison and a £2 fine, for Assault. And again, on 19 Apr 1870, Stephen Wilton (21) Harness Maker, 5ft 6in, with one previous conviction, was sentenced to 1 month in Wandsworth Prison, also for Assault. This might explain the gap between the birth of a child late in 1869 and them marrying in 1871.
In 1881, at 29, Sumner Road, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (33) Harness Maker; with wife Sophia Wilton (30), Matilda Wilton (9), Edward Wilton (7), Stephen Wilton (5) and Jane Wilton (0).
In 1891, in Camden Grove North, Camberwell, we find Stephen Wilton (43), Sophia Wilton (40), Edward Wilton (17) Soldier - records show that Edward had joined the East Surrey Regiment in 1890 - Stephen (15) Tin plate maker, Jane (10), William (8) and Robert (4) - the last 3 at school.
In 1901, at 24, Middle Street, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (53), Sophia Wilton (50), Jane Wilton (20) Ironer; William Wilton (18) Tin worker; Robert Wilton (14) Van boy; Florence (9), Maud (8) and Edith Wilton (5).
In 1911, at 129 Camden Grove North, Peckham: Stephen Wilton (63) Harness Maker, Sophia Wilton (60), Robert Wilton (23) Deal porter - a dangerous job done by a specialist group of workers in London's docks - Florence (19), Maud (18) Ironer and Edith (15) Book folder. They list on this census that they'd had thirteen children during their 40 year marriage, with nine then still living and four having died. Initially, I could only find records for 12 children, under the surname Wilton. After exhaustive searches, the only logical conclusion left was that the 13th child was actually the 1st, born before the couple married and only one birth fits this theory, that of James Watson born near the end of 1869, with no mother's maiden name listed (i.e. illegitimate). It also makes perfect sense for this child to be named after Sophia's father. That they claim 13 children of this marriage in 1911, does pretty much confirm that Stephen Wilton was the child's biological father. Also, I'd found only three deaths among the Wilton offspring, yet the parents list that four had died. James Watson, nor indeed listed under James Wilton, appears on any census, nor can I find a record of a death under either name, however, if this child died in infancy, this would account for the 4th.
Stephen Wilton died aged 65, in 1913 D Quarter Volume 01D Page 833 and is buried at Camberwell Old Cemetery, Square 23, Grave 23241.
In 1921, Sophia Wilton (70) widow, was living at 62, Commercial Road, Peckham, with her daughter Florrie Wilton (28).
Sophia Wilton died aged 80 in 1931 J Quarter Volume 01D Page 660.