William Watson and Mary Ann White

St Margaret, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ben Keating - geograph.org.uk/p/3638192

William Watson (bap. 9 Jul 1833 in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk), son of Mark Watson and Lydia Maria Fox, married Mary Ann White (bap. as Marianne, 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, on 7 Sep 1856, at St Margaret's Church, Norwich. On the marriage certificate, both parties are listed as 21, whereas Mary Ann was actually 30.

William and Mary Anne had four children:

1. Sarah White b. 20 Feb 1852, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
2. Mary Ann Watson b. 25 Aug 1857 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 183, bap. 20 Sep 1857 at Thorpe Episcopi
3. William Watson b. 1859 S Qtr in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 189
4. James Francis Watson b. 1862 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 125

Sarah was baptised as White, but was listed as Watson on Census.

In 1861, in King Street, St Julian, Norwich, were William Watson (27) General Labourer; Mary Ann Watson (34) from Mattishall; Sarah Watson (9), William Watson (1), William White (27) Market Gardener, Brother-in-Law (Mary Ann's brother); Susan White (32) (William White's wife) and Alice White (4). Second daughter, Mary Ann Watson (4) was staying with her grandfather, Mark Watson (60) at May Green, Little Ryburgh.

In 1871, William Watson (38) Farm Labourer from Little Ryburgh; Mary Ann Watson (44) from Mattishall; William Watson (11) and James F Watson (8) were living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew (as were Mary Ann's sister, Hannah and her husband). Sarah Watson (19) was staying with her Aunt Ann Martyn in in Lothian Street, Norwich, while Mary Ann Watson (13) was staying with her grandparents, William White and Ann Francis. 

In 1881, we find Mary Ann Watson (54) Laundress, listed as Married (Not located William) living at Rowena Buildings, Thorpe Next Norwich with Mary Ann Watson (23) Laundress and James Francis Watson (18) Labourer.

In 1891, listed as Mary Wilson (sic) (64) from Mattishall, Mary Ann was living with her brother-in-law and sister, George and Maria Woods, in Ipswich Road, Norwich. Mary was again listed as married, but no sign of William.

In 1901, Mary Ann Watson (74) Widow from Norwich, Norfolk was living in the household of her youngest child, James Francis Watson (38) Telegraph Foreman (railway) at 62, Glenny Road, Barking, Romford, Essex.

Mary Ann Watson died, at 75, in 1902 M Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 04A 304.

Nicholas Jones and Ellen Brennan (otherwise White)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MERITORIOUS CONDUCT OF A CORK SAILOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sydney George Blazey and Nelly White

Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panels 85 to 90.

Sydney George Blazey (b. 1 July 1888 in Fulham, London), son of William Blazey and Mary Anne Clarke, married Nelly White (b. 21 Feb 1891 in Westminster, London), the daughter of John Charles White and Sarah Elizabeth Saunders, reportedly on 30 May 1915 in Southwark.

The couple's only child was:

1. Edwin Sidney Blazey b. 14 Jan 1920 at Electric Light Station, Napier Road, Kensington (1920 M Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A Page 200)

Sidney George Blazey had served with the British Army during World War I, as very shortly after he and Nelly had married, on 18 Sep 1915, Bombardier Sidney George Blazey, Royal Field Artillery, his medal card shows, had disembarked in France. (The Royal Artillery in the First World War).

In 1921, at Holland Mews, Kensington were Sidney George Blazey (32), Substation Attendant, Electricity Supply, employed by Notting Hill Electric Lighting Co Ltd; Nellie Blazey (30) and Edwin Sidney Blazey (1).

In 1939, at 9 Holland Mews, West Holland Park, Kensington And Chelsea, were Sidney G Blazey, Electricity Sub Station Attendant; Nellie Blazey and Nancy W J Adams (b. 1909), Clerk To School Governors (Lodger?).

Petty Officer Supply Edwin Sydney Blazey (known as Eddie) served in the Royal Navy on board HMS Janus, Service No. P/MX 61137.

On 22 Jan 1944, HMS Janus "Provided naval gunfire support during assault phase" [of the Battle of Anzio]. On 23 Jan 1944, she was hit by torpedo during air attack off Anzio and sank with heavy loss of life when magazine exploded. 94 survivors were rescued, but 158 of ship’s company lost their lives. Eddie Blazey, who was my 2nd cousin twice removed, was one of those who died at sea that day, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial on Southsea Common, Panel 87, Column 1.

Sydney George Blazey of 29 Lymescote Gardens, Sutton, Surrey, died on 3 Jul 1969, just two days after his 81st birthday. Probate was granted on 11 May 1973, on his estate worth £819, which was after Nelly Blazey's death, on 3 Jan 1973. Probate on her estate of £700 had been granted the day before her late husband's, on 10 May 1973. Neither lists a beneficiary.

William White and Ann Francis

All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk

William White (bap. 20 Jul 1806 at St Margaret, Garvestone), only child, son of Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married Anne Francis (b. 3 Dec 1802 in Mattishall Burgh), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Homes, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk on 7 May 1826. 

Records exist for this couple having nine children:

1. Mariann White bap. 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall
2. Anne White bap. 16 May 1830 in Mattishall (assume died in infancy)
3. Anne White bap. 23 Oct 1831 in Mattishall 
4. William White (b. 1834) bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
5. Sarah White bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
6. Elizabeth White bap. 27 May 1838 in Mattishall
7. Hannah White bap. 23 Aug 1840 in Mattishall
8. Maria White bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall
9. Walter White, b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe (1845 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 13 Page 20) (Birth, marriage and death certs held.)

In 1841, William (35) and Anne (35) were living 'Near the Church, Mattishall' with children: Mariann - listed as Mary - (14), Ann (9), William (7), Sarah (5), Elizabeth (3) and Hannah (0), as well as an Ann Clark (55).

By 1851, they had moved to Thorpe Road, St Andrew Thorpe with William (44) Gardener, Anne (47), Ann (19), William (17), also employed as a gardener, Hannah (10), Maria (8) and Walter (5). Sarah White (15) Servant in the household of John Baker at 16 Victoria Street, Lakenham. Elizabeth White (13) was Servant to Susannah Balley (28) Gentlewoman, on Thorpe Road.

In 1861, at Red Lion Hill, Thorpe were William (54) Gardener, Anne (54), Hannah (26), Maria (18) and Walter (15).

In 1871, William White (64) Gardener, and Anne White (68) were in Thorpe Street, Thorpe St Andrew, with granddaughter, Mary Ann Watson (13).

William White died just 16 days after the 1871 census was taken, aged 64, on 18 April 1871 (1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 123) and was buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich, Plot D3/578.

16 Oct 1871: The will of William White late of Thorpe St. Andrew in the County of Norfolk, Gardener, who died 18 April 1871 at Thorpe St. Andrew was proved at Norwich by Francis Anthony Martyn of the City of Norwich Upholsterer one of the Executors. Effects under £100. (Francis Anthony Martyn was William's son-in-law, then married to daughter, Ann.)

In 1881, Ann White (78), widow, was living with her daughter Ann Martin (sic) (49), also then widowed, in Lothian Street, Norwich. 

Anne White died on 4 Nov 1889 (1889 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 92), aged 86 and is buried with her husband at Rosary Cemetery. 

After contacting a local history group for Thorpe St Andrew, I was contacted by former Sheriff of Norwich, Nick Williams, whose wife had seen my question and who provided photos and even a plan, which made the plot very easy to find. The Rosary Cemetery itself is notable, nay unique, as it was the first non-denominational cemetery in England. Laid out in 1819, it celebrated it's 200th Anniversary in 2019. Nick Williams, who is also involved in The Friends of the Rosary Cemetery, has now written several books on the site and here talks about The History of Rosary Cemetery. 

Headstone for William White and Ann Francis (left) Plot D3/578

William White and Susan Lynes

St John the Baptist & All Saints, Lakenham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/153352

William White (b. 1834, bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall), son of William White and Ann Francis, married Susan Lynes, on 21 Apr 1856, at St John the Baptist, Lakenham, Norwich. Susan lists her father as Thomas Lynes, Gamekeeper. In 1851, Susan Lynes, then giving her age as 26, from South Creake, Norfolk was Servant to the Curate of Thorpe, Thorpe St Andrew. 

William and Susan had three children:

1. Alice White b. 27 Feb 1857 (1857 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 126), bap. 3 May 1857 in Thorpe Hamlet
2. Henrietta Frances White b. 1860 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 155
3. William Francis White b. 1862 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 143

In 1861, William White (27) Market Gardener; Susan White (32 ish) from South Creake, Norfolk and Alice White (4) were living in the household of William Watson (27) in King Street, St Julian, Norwich. (William Watson was married to Mary Ann White, William White's older sister.)

In 1871, William White (36) Gardener; Susan White (claiming to be only 39), Alice White (14), Henrietta White (11) and Francis White (9) were living in Trory Street, Lakenham, Norwich.

Susan White died, said to be 54, on 7 Mar 1881 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 102 and Susan the wife of William White, was buried at Rosary Cemetery, Norwich (along with Francis Martyn, the husband of William's sister Ann White.)

In 1881, William White (45) Widower, Gardener from Mattishall, Norfolk; Alice White (24) Labourer Gardener; Henrietta White (21) Housekeeper and William F White (19) Gardener were living at Ivory Street, Norwich Lakenham, Norwich.

William White died, at 50, in 1885 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 95.

Walter White and Hannah Blazey

Thorpe St Andrew Parish Church
The church, which was once reported to be the smallest church in Norfolk, was the subject of a Vestry meeting in 1862. It was decided at this meeting that the church needed to be enlarged and then in 1864 it was a agreed that a new one should be built. The new church was consecrated on 31st May 1866 by the Bishop of Norwich [just in time for Walter and Hannah's wedding the following year]. The remains of the medieval church still exist in front of the Parish Church.

Walter White (b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe, Norfolk), youngest son of William White and Ann Francis, married Hannah Blazey (b. 17 Jun 1845 in Heigham, Norfolk), daughter of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns on Sunday, 31 Mar 1867 at the Parish church of St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich. Witnesses to their marriage were Samuel Blazey, the bride's brother, Hannah White, the bridegroom's sister and an Elizabeth Blazey (unsure which).

Walter and Hannah shortly added two children to the family:

1. Walter White b. 1869 S Qtr in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 179
2. Laura Elizabeth White b. 15 Oct 1870 (1870 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 185)

On 4 Jun 1870, The Norfolk Chronicle and Norwich Gazette reported that Walter White, of Thorpe St. Andrew's, gardener, was summoned by Hannah White, his wife, for unlawfully assaulting her on the 25th ult. [i.e. the previous month] Complainant said that she asked her husband for the money to pay the gas rate with, on which he flew into a violent passion, and beat and kicked her in the back. Defendant said he might have kicked her, but not to have hurt her, but it was under great provocation. Defendant was fined 5s, and 15s costs. 

In 1871, Walter White (26) Gardener, Hannah White (26), Walter White (1) and Laura White (5 months) were living at Thorpe Grove, Thunder Lane, Thorpe St Andrew. In the next-door household was a Robert Knivett (53), also a gardener. Also living at Thorpe Grove, was William Birkbeck (1832–1897), banker and landowner, whose former property in Thunder Lane, now named The Cottage is currently a pub and restaurant. One presumes these gardeners were employed on Birkbeck's then quite large estate.

Walter White, Gardener, of Globe Street, Heigham, Norwich, died, aged 26 on 5 Jan 1872 (M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 130) from Smallpox. The death certificate states that H White [Hannah] was present at his death. 

As yet, I've been unable to work out what happened to Hannah, whether she remarried; I've found no death record, but feel, sadly, that's more likely, as in 1881, Walter and Laura, were living with their maternal grandmother.

Walter White and Florence Mary Parsonage

St John the Baptist Church, Holland Road, London W14
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1292678

Walter White (b. 1869), Fruiterer, of 155 Holland Road, son of Walter White and Hannah Blazey, married Florence Mary Parsonage (b. 12 Aug 1875 in Hammersmith), of 157 Holland Road - the girl next door - daughter of Edward Parsonage, Builder's Foreman from Wem, Shropshire, and Eleanor Agnes Crosbie, at St John The Baptist, Kensington on 21 Feb 1898. (The same church that Walter's cousin, Alice Maud Stanley Blazey, married in later that same year.) Witnesses were Edgar Audric - who must have been related to Walter's Uncle Francis Robert Blazey's third wife - and Frank Read.

Walter and Florence had five children:

1. Dorothy Eleanor White b. 1899 M Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 246
2. Elsie Ivy Florence White b. 1902 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 262
3. Walter Edward White b. 1905 J Qtr in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 204
4. Pansy Alice White born 27 Sep 1908 (1908 D Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 247) in Steyning, West Sussex
5. Lilian Winifred White b. 1914 M Quarter in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 311. Died, aged 1 in 1915 M Quarter in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 420

All of the birth registrations show the mother's maiden name PARSONAGE.

In 1901, Walter White (31) Licenced Victualler's Assistant was living in Sherrard Road, East Ham (Forest Gate) with Florence M White (25), Dorothy E White (2), Mary Ann White (71) Widow, Boarder from Hackney, London (may be just coincidence) and George Ralph (25) Boarder. 

In 1911, Walter White (42) Conductor motor bus, wife Florence Mary (35), Dorothy Eleanor (12), Elsie Ivy (9), Walter Edward (5) and Pansy Alice (2), were living at 30 Percy Road W, Hammersmith. Percy Road is in Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

In 1921, Walter White (51) working for the London General Omnibus Co, was at 74, Becklow Road, Hammersmith, London, with Florence Mary White (44), Elsie Ivy White (19) Ledger Clerk and Pansy Alice White (12).

Walter White died, aged 64, in 1934 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 167. 

In 1939, Florence Mary White, widow, was living with her daughter, Pansy Alice Pearson, at 5 Lansbury Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex. 

Florence Mary White, died at 75 on 2 Feb 1951 (1951 M Qtr in MIDDLESEX SOUTH Vol 05F Page 97), leaving £6 19s, to Pansy Alice Pearson.

David Jones and Laura Elizabeth White

Christ Church Rushbrooke Cobh

My great-grandparents, David Jones (b. 10 Jul 1850 at Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire), son of Thomas Jones and Mary Harty, and Laura Elizabeth White (b. 15 Oct 1870 in Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk), daughter of Walter White and Hannah Blazey, married at Christ Church, Church of Ireland, Rushbrooke, Cobh (Queenstown, as it was then), Ireland on 17 Feb 1892. David Jones was then Sexton of this Anglican Christ Church. But this was not David's first marriage, so we have to rewind for the full story: 

David was baptised, on 1 May 1851, at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Kings Lynn, Norfolk and brought up in Baltimore, West Cork. He enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class, on 7 July 1865, just shy of his 15th birthday. His father, Thomas Jones, and mother, Mary, co-signed the papers. David was then 4ft 8½in tall, with a sallow complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Once he reached 18, his period of engagement was to last a further ten years, obviously intending to follow in his father's footsteps. At 14 he was assigned to HMS Implacable, which had become the Royal Navy's first training ship at Devonport in 1855. But instead of continuing his service as planned, David was discharged on 17 Oct 1866, when he will have been just 16. Under the Cause of Discharge, is the abbreviation for Invalided.

Because David always claimed to come from Wales, I almost missed his naval record. In fact, I'd dismissed it twice, because, although many other details seemed close enough, the boy was born in Lincolnshire, which didn't seem relevant. Then I found his father's posting to Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire and David's birth there and the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place.

You gotta love a family story. There's always a grain of truth in them, but inevitably some embellishment. Family tradition was that David had "lost a hand in battle". We searched high and low for a naval battle in the right era and came up with nothing. "In battle" sounds more heroic, clearly. Maybe it also proved handy (pun intended) in attracting him two wives! My late cousin in Ireland recounted that her older sister had remembered visiting the family in Rushbrooke and seeing David's 'Sunday Best' gloved hand hanging up in the kitchen (such a creepy image) and continued that, apparently, he had a fork attachment for everyday - from which we may deduce that it was his left hand he lost - that attached to a metal pin that was inserted at his wrist. 

There not being more detail, nor medical records we can access, we have to surmise the rest of story. That he lost a hand is not in question. He was still in training, so there was no 'battle'. But, taking into consideration that this was 1866 - general anesthesia was still very much in experimental infancy - my feeling is that the only place that such a procedure as inserting a metal pin into his wrist was likely to be carried out was in a military hospital and at that time there was the the former Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse. That they did this and sent him off with a pension at the tender age of 16, suggests that the Navy was at fault and, my cousin's sister had recalled that this was as a result of an exploding gun, which also seems to confirm this theory.

After being pensioned off from the Navy, David Jones was next recorded at Castle Oliver in Limerick at the time of his father's death in 1873. Records of his Dog Licences then placed David at Castle Oliver in 1874 to 1877 too and, from 1878 onwards, man and dog were at Rushbrooke. Following the Dogs Act of 1865, every dog owner in Ireland had to go to the court and pay 2s 6d - to have the breed and colour of dogs written down in a ledger. It was hardly an exact science, because the same dog was described differently each year. Most of David's dogs were terriers, retrievers and spaniels, so I'm pretty sure he was using them to hunt. Nevertheless, we learned from these listings girl dogs were called 'Slut'. As if bitch wasn't bad enough!

On 5 Oct 1880, David Jones married Johannah Anne O'Callaghan at the Parish Church in Inchigeelagh, Cork, By Licence. Johannah's father, Cornelius O'Callaghan was a Schools Inspector and on a later census return pedantically listed himself as Church of Ireland, and a member of the 'Irish Truth Society - Protestant'. Interesting choice of father-in-law for "a nice Catholic boy".

David and Hannah had five children, all baptised at Christ Church: 

1. Thomas Jones b. 19 Oct 1881, bap. 19 Nov 1881. (Died 8 Jan 1891.)
2. Marcella Jones b. 10 May 1883, bap. 2 Jun 1883
3. Helena Jones b. 4 Mar 1885, bap. 14 Mar 1885 [1]
4. Anna Jones b. 14 Feb 1887, bap. 19 Mar 1887. (Died in 1902.)
5. Marion Jones b. 27 Aug 1889, bap. 21 Sep 1889 (Died 8 Mar 1891.)

By the time of the baptism of David and Hannah's first child in 1881, David was listed as "Sexton of Church". Rushbrooke had docks, a tradition of ship building and the Irish Naval Service nearby, so I don't suppose it hurt that he was a Naval Pensioner, but the timing and the fact that the pedantically detailed school records were held in the church, lead me to believe that his father-in-law's contacts may have secured David this position. 

David appeared before the Petty Sessions Court on 17 Oct 1884 and was fined three shillings, plus one shilling and sixpence costs, for trespass. This time the cause of the complaint reads, "Trespass: Defendant's goat trespassed on complainant's pasture land at Ringmeen, Queenstown on 15 Oct 1884." From this we can probably safely deduce that David kept a goat. 

And so things might have continued, but tragically Johannah Jones (35), wife of David Jones a Naval Pensioner, died of Typhoid fever, on 18 Feb 1891. Johannah was buried, on 20 Feb 1891 in the same plot as David's father, Thomas Jones (Section S, Row 9, Position 76), at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), where her son Thomas (9) had been buried little more than a month earlier, on 10 Jan 1891. Young Thomas' cause of death is listed as Enteric fever (another name for Typhoid fever) 1 month and Pneumonia 1 day. Youngest daughter, Marion (2), also died, on 8 Mar 1891, with her cause of death listed as Typhoid fever 14 days. There was no record in the church of Marion's burial, but I imagine she'll have been buried with her mother.

The kitchen at Fota House

So, on 17 Feb 1892 - 'scandalously' one day less than a year after Johannah's death - David Jones married Laura Elizabeth White. Witnesses were Ellen Jones (David's brother Nicholas' wife) and Annie Jones, David's sister. On the marriage certificate, Laura's address is given just as 'Fota', the island in Cork Harbour, just north of Great Island and Fota House & Gardens was (and is) probably all there was there, so perhaps Laura was employed at Fota House, which makes sense, because my gran had talked about them baking cakes for "the big house". We also know that the family from Fota House attended the Anglican Christ Church, which is obviously where David and Laura met.

David and Laura added yet another six children: 

1. Cornelius Walter Jones (Con) b. 2 Jan 1893, bap. 22 Jan 1893 [2]
2. Ellen Jones (Nell) b. 23 Apr 1894, bap. 13 May 1894
3. Laura Mary Jones (Queenie) b. 2 Aug 1896, bap 28 Aug 1896 [3]
4. David Jones (Young Dave) b. 10 Nov 1898, bap. 9 Dec 1898
5. Alice Jones b. 26 Jul 1903, bap. 14 Aug 1903 [4]
6. Agnes Jones (Daisy) b. 27 Feb 1907, bap. 15 Mar 1907

Here I should mention that prior to going to Cobh in 2014, I'd only known that my grandmother had lived in Ireland growing up: we didn't know when or where she was born. There'd been some mention of her father marrying twice and I'd known of a younger sister. Getting to the church and being let loose with all the original records was a huge surprise: finding record after record until I had various marriages, all eleven children, every relevant baptism, school record and, where appropriate, burial, was quite a shock.

It's interesting that the first son by the 2nd wife is named after the 1st wife's father first and the 2nd wife's father second. (Irish logic?) David appears to be - less strictly with the girls - following the traditional naming pattern that was often used by Irish parents until the later 19th century, but it's clear that this is in the order of the father's 1st, 2nd, etc., child irrespective of which wife produced it. Did wives not matter? Yeah, that's probably rhetorical.

In 1901, David Jones (50), Laura (30), Helena (16), Cornelius (8), Ellen (6), Laura (4) and David (2) were living at Queenstown Urban, Cork. Marcella had already left home and was working as a servant in the household of Edward Gibbings, Rector of Kinsale, at Rampart's Lane (Kinsale Urban, Cork), while Anna (or Annie) (13), was staying with her grandfather O'Callaghan.

At the Cork Petty Sessions on Monday 9th September 1901: "Defendant was found unlawfully on the premises of one Zachariah Fox licenced for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail during a period during which said premises are required by law to be closed on Sunday the 1st September 1901."

Then on 13 Apr 1902, Annie Jones (14), Daughter of a Naval Pensioner, died from Tuberculous meningitis. Her grandfather was present when she died.

On Monday 13th May 1907: "Defendant was found unlawfully on the premises of one John Luddy licenced for the sale of intoxicating liquors by retail at Newtown during a period during which said premises were required by law to be closed to wit at the hour of 10.20 of PM on Tuesday 7th of May 1907." On this second occasion David was convicted and fined 1/- plus costs of 1/-, with the threat of 7 days imprisonment if he failed to pay up. 

In 1911, the household, still at Rushbrooke, included David (58), Laura (40), Cornelius (18), Ellen (16), Laura (14), David (12), Alice (7) and Agnes (4). 

On both census returns, David listed his birthplace - wrongly - as Wales, but I think we can all imagine reasons why being Welsh in Ireland was far more desirable than being English and with a name like Jones and his father supposedly born in Swansea, this was a perfectly believable fib.

Once more, David Jones was back before the courts, this time for the heinous crime of failing to obtain a dog licence. Friday 12th April 1912: "Defendant had in his possession at Queenstown on the 12th April 1912 one dog for which he omitted to take out a licence on or before the 31 March 1912."

He was ordered to take out a licence forthwith. (Records show he did.)

Laura Jones, wife of David Jones a Naval Pensioner, died, aged 46, on 17 Jan 1917 from Splenic Leucocythemia (or Leukemia) and Influenza. Laura was buried, on 19 Jan 1917 at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), in Section D, Row 6, Position 50. So David was widowed again. Daughter Ellen (Nell), then 23, (resentfully) looked after the house and younger children until she married, after which David's sister, Annie, took over as housekeeper. 

From the The Weekly Freeman on Saturday, January 18, 1919: Raid at Queenstown: "The sexton's lodge at Rushbrooke Church, near Queenstown, has been raided for arms, and a fowling-piece belonging to the sexton, David Jones, was taken away by the three men with their faces muffled, who presented revolvers." This was just days before the start of the Irish War of Independence. My grandmother had also told me this story, because she was there when the raid took place and specified the raiders were Sinn Féin.

On 7 Aug 1935, David Jones, widower, 79 (actually 85), Sexton of Church, died at Church Lodge from Hemiplegia 2 years (I'm reading that he probably had a stroke in 1933) and Cardiac failure. David was buried, on 10 Aug 1935, at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), in Section D, Row 6, Position 50, along with second wife, Laura, and their son Cornelius, who had died in 1926.

The Jones Family Church Lodge Rushbrooke at Rest, Section D, Row 6, Position 50
Old Church Cemetery (Cobh). Resting place of David Jones (1850-1935), Laura Elizabeth Jones (1870-1917), Cornelius Walter Jones (1893-1926) and David Jones (1898-1966).

Researching documents and discovering online records that go towards telling an ancestor's story is fascinating. Visiting the places where they were born, baptised, married, lived or worked really helps put those things into context, but there is something very emotive about finding a grave with a headstone to feel properly connected to family members, knowing a physical part of them is right there beneath your feet. But with cremation being the norm in the most recent generations and the majority being too poor for headstones, such moments are very rare and special. There are no graves for my parents nor grandparents, so the first would be for my great-grandparents. 

Old Church Cemetery, Cobh, Cork, Ireland

In 2014, we went to Cobh (formerly Queenstown), Cork, Ireland where my paternal grandmother had been born and brought up. While there, we were met by the late Jack Gilmartin, who used to provide free guided tours of the Old Church Cemetery, where there are a number of famous burials, particularly many of the victims of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. I don't know what I was expecting, but Jack took me totally by surprise, when he said, "I'll take you to your family's grave." It sent a shiver down my spine and completely took my breath away. And it still does.

With an inscription on the cross-shaped headstone reading, "The Jones Family, Church Lodge, Rushbrooke, At Rest", this is the final resting place of my great-grandfather, David Jones (1850-1935), my great grandmother, his second wife, Laura White (1870-1917) and their two sons, Cornelius Jones (1893-1926) and David Jones (1898-1966) (Young Dave.)

What I didn't fully appreciate until later is there's also an earlier family grave in this cemetery, where the inscription reads, "Erected by David Jones In memory of his beloved father Thos. Jones Who died Jan. 8th 1873 aged 56 years Also his beloved son Thomas Who died Jan. 8th 1891 Aged 9 years and 3 months And his beloved wife Johanna Who died Feb 18th 1891 Aged 35 years."

There also is the grave of Catherine Jones (Kitty), wife of Young Dave. 

And I wouldn't have known about any of those, had it not been for Jack giving me a pair of A4 sheets, listing all the Jones' burials there. It was so sad to read about Jack's death less than a year after we'd met him, but lovely to know that he has been buried in the Old Church Cemetery. You can listen to Jack talking about the cemetery and some of the stories of his co-occupants here.

[1] The last record I have that mentions Helena Jones is where she was witness to the marriage of her sister, Marcella to Edward John Bicknell, in Portsmouth, in 1906, so we know she was in England then. There are also records of voyages to America for a Helena Jones of the right age.

10.11.1917 EGYPT

[2] We've never been able to find a military record for Cornelius Walter Jones, but know he enlisted in the Army and served during World War I. His first cousin's husband, who was in Queenstown with the US Navy, kept a detailed diary and had written that Cornelius (Con) was leaving for Egypt in 1917. 

The image above, which I admit I downloaded some years ago (the page no longer exists), is dated 10.11.1917 EGYPT. The taller man (that makes perfect sense too as his grandfather, Thomas Jones, had been 5' 9½", which was tall for his time), second from right, back row, is so much like my father it's literally like looking straight into his eyes. His stance, his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, brow line and, above all, hair, are utterly identical. It's so close a resemblance that it's eerie and uncanny and, unless someone can prove otherwise, I feel sure this has to be my great-uncle, Cornelius Jones.

Though our cousin had thought that Con didn't return from the war, I now know he did, probably suffering shell-shock (PTSD), for which his sister Agnes had later described him as "daft" - such was the lack of understanding. So not expecting to find him there in Ireland, we were quite shocked when we read the listing of his burial at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh). His death certificate tells us Cornelius Jones, late of Rushbrooke, Cork, died on 21 Apr 1926 at the Cork District Hospital (now St. Finbarr's Hospital, with its origins as the Cork Union Workhouse and Infirmary). He was a bachelor, previously employed as a labourer. The record gave his age as 30, but he was 33 and died from Pneumonic Phthisis (tuberculosis, also known as consumption), after 8 months in hospital. The informant was Helena Lynch, "Inmate" Cork Union. Cornelius Walter Jones was buried on 24 Apr 1926, in the family plot at Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), along with his mother.

The file name of the image above, b4croad3 matches the file name of the now defunct page at the former Royal Munster Fusiliers website at http://royalmunsterfusiliers.net/b4croad3.htm (also mentioned here) appertaining to a Private Frederick R Croad, 2nd R. Munster Fus, who I believe is also in the image. We have no record of what unit Cornelius joined or when, however, two Extra Reserve Battalions of the Royal Munster Fusiliers were mobilised at Queenstown (Cobh). The 6th (Service) Battalion certainly sailed on 9 Sep 1917 from Salonika for Alexandria in Egypt.

[3] Laura Mary (Queenie) Jones was alive and unmarried in 1942, when she and her sister Alice were both witnesses at their brother Dave's wedding.

[4] As with her sister, Laura Mary, I've found no records that I can definitely attribute to Alice Jones beyond 1942. My belief is she stayed in Ireland, as when I was a child, my gran used to have shamrocks sent to her for St. Patrick's Day and I'm sure I remember them coming from an Alice, in Ireland. Family stories - we know how reliable those are - alleged that Laura and Alice had been thrown out of the family home and sent to the workhouse as they both had children out of wedlock. We were unable to find records of them entering the Cork workhouse. My late cousin had said they had lived at the Cork County Hospital for years and visited them there in 1946. Unfortunately, without an admission date, the Health Service in Ireland couldn't (wouldn't) make a search of the records for me to be able to confirm.

David Huke and Hannah White

St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4006187

David Huke (bap. 3 Jun 1838 in Burgh, St Peter, where he'd lived with his parents at Hukes Corner), Shoemaker, son of Edward Huke, Blacksmith, and Ann Taylor, married Hannah White (bap. 23 Aug 1840), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, at Thorpe St Andrew on 10 Jan 1869. The witnesses were Walter White and Hannah White, the bride's brother and his wife.

Hannah already had an illegitimate daughter, registered as Alice Roxby White in 1864 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 196. When Alice married in 1884, she listed her father as James Roxby. (There was one James Roxby in Norfolk, born in 1850. I'll do the maths for you: it would have involved Hannah 'seducing' a 13 year old lad. Not impossible, but I feel unlikely.) However, at her sister Maria's wedding in 1863, Hannah White was one of the witnesses, the other was a John Roxby, who is a much more likely prime suspect. There was a John Roxby, born around 1831-3, who would fit. He appears to have married someone else in 1865 and died in his 40's in 1875. If this is the man, then he won't have been around while Alice was growing up and that would account for the confusion in naming him.

David and Hannah Huke added four children:

1. Lucy Ann Huke b. 1869 S Quarter in BLOFIELD Volume 04B Page 180, bap. 1 Feb 1870 in Thorpe-next-Norwich (Thorpe St Andrew).
2. Minnie Huke b. 18 Apr 1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 191, bap. 28 Jun 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died in Reigate, Surrey, in 1914 (see below).
3. Herbert Huke b. 1872 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 197, bap. 11 Apr 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died at 1½ in 1874 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 132 and was buried on 24 Apr 1874, also in Thorpe Episcopi.
4. Albert Huke b. 16 Mar 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 195, bap. 17 Mar 1875 in Thorpe Episcopi. Died aged 3 weeks in 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 141 and was buried in Thorpe Episcopi on 10 Apr 1875.

Alice, born 18 May 1864, was also baptised on 28 Jun 1874 in Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew), her surname listed as "White or Huke", which I take to read as David Huke's intention to 'adopt' Hannah's daughter.

The baptisms confirm David Huke's occupation as Shoemaker.

In 1871, living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew, Blofield, Norfolk, were David Huke (32) Shoemaker from Burgh, St Peter; Hannah Huke (30) from Mattishall, Alice Huke (6) and Lucy Huke (1).

David Huke died, at 41, in 1879 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 131 and was buried at St. Andrew Episcopi on 1 Oct 1879.

In 1881, Hannah Huke (40), Widow, Washwoman from Mattishall, was living at Red Lion Square, Thorpe-Next-Norwich, with Alice White (16) Washwoman; Lucy Huke (11) and Minnie Huke (9).

Hannah Huke died, at 47, on 3 Feb 1888 M Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 153 and was buried on 8 Feb 1888, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

The Downham Market Gazette of 15 May 1880, reported that Arthur Ellgood, Labourer, of Thorpe St Andrew's was summoned by Alice White for assaulting her on 1 May 1880. The defendant did not appear, and the case was heard in his absense. He was fined 5s and costs of 16s 6d. So, it was some surprise to read that, Alice Roxby White (20) married Arthur Elgood (23) Labourer, son of William Elgood, Lime Burner at Thorpe St Andrew on 22 June 1884. 

The couple had one daughter, Lucy Hannah Elgood b. 16 Mar 1888 J Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 218 and bap. 15 Apr 1888 at Thorpe Episcopi.

Arthur Elgood died, aged 29, 1889 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 126 and was buried on 4 Dec 1889, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

In 1891, Alice Elgood (26) Widow, Laundress, was at Tan Yard, Thorpe Next Norwich, with daughter, Lucy Elgood (3) and Minnie Huke (19) Sister. 

Alice Elgood (27) Widow, married Walter Henry Lane (27) Bachelor, again at Thorpe Episcopi, on 12 Apr 1892. This time she listed her father as David Huke, Shoemaker (Deceased). Walter Henry's occupation was 'Agent'.

On 1 Feb 1883, aged 19, at Great Yarmouth, Walter Henry Lane had joined the Norfolk Regiment. He deserted on 16 Jun 1883; re-joined on 7 Sep 1883 and was imprisoned, but eventually settled down to achieve 5 years 83 days service and promotion to Corporal. He served in India, was awarded a medal with clasp, Burma 1887-89 and was pensioned on 17 Sep 1890.

In 1901, Walter Henry Lane (36) Carpenter, Alice Lane (36) and Lucy Lane (13) [Elgood], were living at 30, Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, Edmonton.

In 1911, still at 30 Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, were Walter Henry Lane (listed as 50) Carpenter; Alice Lane (48) Charwoman; Lucy Hannah Lane (23) Boot boxer and William Smith (22) Door Man at Boot Shop, Lodger.

Lucy H Elgood married William H Smith, in Edmonton, in Q4 1911. 

Walter Henry Lane died at 49, in 1914 J Qtr in EDMONTON.

In 1921, Alice Lane (57) Widow, whose occupation was listed as 'Washing', was living at 19, Highweek Road, Tottenham. Also at that same address were Lucy Smith (33) Widow (one imagines that her husband, William H Smith, had been lost during WWI); Minnie Smith (9) and William Smith (7).

In 1939, Alice Lane (b. 18 May 1864), Widow, of Private Means, was living, at 15 Highwood Road, Tottenham.

Alice Lane died at 77, in 1942 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03A Page 1157.

• Minnie Huke of The Brabazon Home Reigate (Brabazon Home of Comfort. Founded to care for chronic or incurable invalids among the members of the Girls' Friendly Society who might otherwise face ending their days in the workhouse infirmary) died aged 43, in 1914 J Quarter in REIGATE Volume 02A Page 252 at was buried on 24 Apr 1914 at St Mary's Church, Reigate.
• Lucy Huke was listed in 1914-1915 at 13 Stonebridge Road, Tottenham. Lucy Ann Huke, died at 61, in 1932 M Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03A Page 934, having never married.

John Daines and Sarah White

St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4006187

John Daines (bap. 10 Apr 1837 in Langley, Norfolk), Shoemaker, son of Isaac Daines, Wheelwright, and Maria Atmore, married Sarah White (bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall), daughter of William White and Ann Francis at Thorpe Episcopi, Norfolk (Thorpe St Andrew) on 25 Dec 1859. Witnesses were William White (Sarah's father or brother) and Rebecca Arthurton.

John and Sarah Daines had six children:

1. Arthur George Daines b. 12 Apr 1860 (1860 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Vol 04B Page 188), bap. 6 May 1860 at Thorpe Episcopi
2. Annie Laurie Daines b. 1863 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 154
3. Maria Louisa Daines b. 1866 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 173
4. William Henry Daines b. 9 Apr 1871 (1871 J Qtr Vol 04B Page 160)
5. Emily Marella Daines b. 3 Jul 1873 (1873 S Qtr Vol 04B Page 148) 
6. Edith Marina Daines b. 1875 D Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 139

In 1861, living in Plumstead Road, Thorpe, Blofield, Norfolk, were John Daynes (sic) (23) Cordwainer - a shoemaker who makes new shoes from new leather - from Langley, Norfolk; Sarah Daynes (sic) (24) from Mattishall, and Arthur G Daynes (sic) (11 months) born in Thorpe St Andrew.

In 1871, John Daynes (sic) (33) Rivetter (Shoe) was living in Derby Street, Heigham, Norwich with Sarah Daynes (sic) (34); Arthur G Daynes (10), Anna L Daynes (7) and Maria L Daynes (5).

In 1879, William Henry Daines was registered at St Stephen's Boys School, Norwich and Emily Daines was registered at St Stephen's Girls School.

In 1881, John Daines (42) Boot Operator was living in Upper Rupert Street, Heigham, Norwich, with Sarah Daines (43), Arthur G Daines (20) Rivetter (Shoe); Anna L Daines (17) Boot machinist; Marie L Daines (15) Dress maker; William H Daines (9), Emily M Daines (7) and Edith M Daines (5).

In 1891, John Daynes (sic) (53) Shoe Operator was at 70, Heigham Road, Norwich, with Sarah Daynes (54), Emily M Daynes (17) and Emily M Daynes (15). Arthur Daines (32) Shoemaker was a lodger at The Crown, 117, St Benedick Street, Norwich (This pub was destroyed by bombing in 1942).

In 1901, at 70, Heigham Road, Norwich, were John Daines (64) Boot & shoe operator; Sarah Daines (65), Arthur G Daines (38) Boot & shoe rivetter; Emily M Minns (27), Aubrey G Minns (4) and Leslie H Minns (3) Grandsons.

Sarah Daines died at 68 in 1905 D Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 92.

In 1911, John Daines (74) Boot maker, Widower, was living at 21 Connaught Road, Norwich with his son Arthur G Daines (50) Boot printer.

In 1921, John Daines (84) Wife's father, Boot repairer, was living in the household of Arthur Frederick Browne (55), along with Edith Marina Browne (45) and Arthur G Daines (61) Boot maker (Wife's brother).

Eldest son Arthur George Daines never married and died at 64 in 1924 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B  Page 129.

John Daines died at 89 in 1926 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 148.

George Woods and Maria White

St Julian's church in Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak - geograph.org.uk/p/1958118

George Woods (bap. 25 May 1834 in Rackheath, Norfolk), son of John Woods and Elizabeth Waters, married Maria White (bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall, Norfolk), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, at St Julian's Church, Norwich on Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 1863. Witnesses to the marriage were listed as John Roxby and Hannah White (Maria's sister). 

George and Maria do not appear to have had any children.

In 1881, George Woods (46) Gardener and Maria Woods (38), were living at Mile Lane (Mile Cross Lane?), Eaton St Andrew, Norwich.

In 1891, living in Ipswich Road, Norwich, were George Woods (57) Market Gardener from Rackheath, Norfolk; Maria Woods (48) from Mattishall and Mary Wilson (sic) (64) Sister, Married, also from Mattishall, whose name was wrongly listed and was actually Maria's eldest sister, Mary Ann Watson.

George Woods died at 62 in 1896 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 83.

In 1901, Maria Wood (sic) (58) was Housekeeper to Henry Davy, Licenced Victualler at 78, St Benedict Court Street, Norwich (The Ten Bells). 

In the 4th quarter of 1905, Maria Woods married Thomas Scrivener. 

In 1911, Thomas Scrivener (78) Naval Pensioner from Houghton, Bedfordshire and Maria Scrivener (68) from Mattishall, Norfolk, were living in Back Lane, Banham, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Thomas Scrivener of 101 Glebe Road, Norwich died, aged 87, on 3 Apr 1920 (1920 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 149). Probate was granted on 15 Apr 1920 to Maria Scrivener, Widow, to whom he left effects of £318 16s 9d (around £18,000 in 2023).

In 1921, Maria Scrivener (78) was still living at 101, Glebe Road, Norwich, Norfolk with Theresa Wardle (43) and Murial Tuxford Wardle (8), Boarders.

Maria Scrivener died at 83 in 1926 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Pg 156.