Stephen Wilton and Sophia Watson

St George's Church, Wells Way, Camberwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/2696927

Stephen Wilton (b. 1848), son of Ann Wilton (although his father was listed as an 'invented', non-existent John Wilton), married Sophia Watson at St George's Church, Camberwell on 4 Sep 1871. Sophia was the daughter of James Watson and Sophia Barker, who 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, however, I have only been able to identify records for 12 of them:

1. Matilda Wilton b. 1872 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 737
2. Edward Wilton b. 1873 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 771
3. Stephen Wilton b. 1875 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 794
4. Sophia Ann b. 1878 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 834. (Died 1878 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 516)
5. 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)
6. Jane Wilton b. 1881 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 915
7. William Wilton b. 1883 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 918
8. Minnie Wilton b. 1885 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 917. (Died 1886 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 500)
9. Robert Wilton b. 16 Apr 1887 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 962
10. Florence Wilton b. 1891 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 882
11. Maud Wilton b. 1893 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 943
12. Edith Wilton b. 1895 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 860

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. (Can only find records for 12.)

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.

London Docks - Deal Porters & Bag Work

Augustus Percival Bartley and Mary Henrietta Wilton

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

Augustus Percival Bartley and Mary Henrietta Wilton, daughter of Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer of Stafferton Lodge, Maidenhead, were married on 11 Aug 1894 at St Michael's Church, Bray, by Rev. T. H. Drake.

The Bartleys had seven children, all born in Marylebone:

1. Alexander Henry Bartley b. 1895 S Quarter Vol 01A Page 631
2. Esther Margaret Bartley b. 23 Nov 1896 D Quarter Vol 01A Page 616
3. Catherine Mary Bartley b. 1899 M Quarter Vol 01A Page 617. Died aged 5 in 1904 J Quarter in EAST PRESTON Vol 02B Page 217
4. Rosamund Agnes Bartley b. 1901 S Quarter Vol 01A Page 611
5. Marietta Augusta Bartley b. 3 Nov 1904 D Quarter Vol 01A Page 581
6. Edward Wilton Bartley b. 1907 S Quarter Vol 01A Page 555
7. Barbara Betty Bartley b. 1912 M Quarter Vol 01A Page 1076

In 1901, at 20, Hamilton Terrace, St Marylebone, were Augustus P Bartley (35) Hunting and Military Boot Maker, Mary H (30), Alexander H (5), Esther M (4) and Catherine M (2), employing three servants: Annie N Gillespie (23), Housemaid; Ellen E A Lodge (23), Nurse and Margaret Gillespie (21), Cook.

Catherine Mary Bartley (5) died in East Preston, Sussex in 1904.

In 1911, still at 20, Hamilton Terrace, St Marylebone, we find Augustus Percival (45), Mary Henrietta (40), Esther Margaret (14), Rosamund Agnes (9), Marietta Augusta (6) and Edward Wilton (3); Lina Frances Green (14) Visitor, and the three servants: Annie Naomie Gillespie (33), Parlourmaid; Sarah Grace Gillespie (20), Nursemaid and Elizabeth Mayo (33) Cook.

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

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

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

Mary Henrietta Bartley died on 13 Nov 1946. She will have been 75.

Augustus Percival Bartley died on 14 Jan 1952 at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington. Probate was granted to Alexander Henry Bartley, boot manufacturer and to Esther Margaret Bartley, spinster. Augustus Percival Bartley left effects of £127,877 10s 9d (worth £3,703,983 in 2020).

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

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

Augustus Percival Bartley inherited Bartley & Sons bootmakers in 1893

Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines and Ann Staines

St Peter, Colchester, Essex - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1862874

Henry Wilton, forth child and eldest son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Sarah Staines, daughter of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley on 9 Aug 1838 at St Peter's Church, Colchester, Essex.

Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines had at least eight children:

1. Henry Staines Wilton b. 14 Aug 1840 (1840 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 70), bap. 27 Sep 1840 at St Giles' Church, Mountnessing
2. Stephen Thomas Wilton b. 1841 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 68, bap. 29 May 1842 at St Giles, Mountnessing
3. Maria Wilton b. 19 Dec 1843 (reg. 1844  M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 76), bap. 24 Mar 1844 at St Giles', Mountnessing
4. Mary Ann Wilton b. 1846 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 82, bap. 29 Oct 1848 at St Giles's Church, Mountnessing. Died at 27 in 1873 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 239.
5. Still Born Child of Henry and Sarah Wilton buried 7 Jan 1850
6. William Hankin Wilton b. 1851 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12  Page 93 (at home on 1871 Census, nothing since)
7. Still Born buried 24 Jul 1854 (Dissenters)
8. Sarah Wilton b. 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 299. Died 1856 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 207. As 'Infant Wilton' buried 10 Jul 1856 (Dissenters)

These "Dissenters" or Non-Conformist Burials are listed at the Protestant Dissenters Burial Ground, which I assume to mean of the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House) in New Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1841, Henry Wilton (25) Saddler, Sarah Wilton (20), Henry [Staines] Wilton (10 months); Henry Prior (14) Apprentice Tailor; Henry Joice (17) Apprentice Saddler and Charlotte Lodge (14) Female Servant, were in the High Street, Great Dunmow, located next door to Henry's uncle Henry Wilton and his wife, Mary Barton, who, in turn, were next door to George Saich (25) Ostler (and his wife, Charlotte Thorogood). The other side of them was John Prior (55) Basket Maker, father-in-law of Henry's sister Mary. 

White's Directory of Essex 1848, also lists Henry Wilton as a saddler in the High Street, Great Dunmow (as had been his uncle Henry).

In 1861, Henry Wilton (50), Saddler; Sarah Wilton (42), Stephen Wilton (19) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (15), William Wilton (10) and apprentices; Charles Gandey (18) and Charles Knight (14) were still in High Street, Great Dunmow. Henry Staines Wilton (20) was staying with his grandparents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley in Ingatestone, Chelmsford.

In 1871, Henry Wilton (62) Sadler employing 1 man and 1 boy was still in the High Street, Great Dunmow with Sarah Wilton (54), Stephen Thomas Wilton (29) Cabinet maker; Mary Ann Wilton (25), William H Wilton (20) and Edith Mary Fuller (6) Granddaughter (Daughter of Maria Wilton). 

Sarah Wilton died, aged 56, 1872 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 226.

It's what happens next that's interesting, because the widowed Henry Wilton then married Ann Staines in the 3rd quarter of 1873, in Chelmsford. 

Without ordering the actual marriage certificate, I cannot be sure of the venue for this marriage, but it was presumably openly in Ann's own parish, because her parents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley, had moved to Lord Peter Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford by 1861. As you may have deduced, Ann Staines (bap. 31 Mar 1829 in at St Giles, Mountnessing) was the younger sister of Henry's deceased wife, Sarah Staines. And marrying the sister of a deceased wife was illegal in Victorian England and this remained the case until the Deceased Wife's Sister's Marriage Act 1907.

In England the list of forbidden marriages was drawn up by the Church of England in 1560 and from then a marriage between a widower and his wife’s sister was valid but voidable - on the grounds of a passage in Leviticus, which suggested that such a relationship was incestuous (the same biblical extract Henry VIII had used to cast doubt on his marriage to Catherine of Aragon).

However, it was not explicitly illegal until the passing of the Marriage Act in 1835. The 1835 bill said that the marriages that had already happened could no longer be voided, but from then on, "such marriages could no longer take place in the United Kingdom and colonies at all". It went on to say that these marriages would have to take place abroad, a solution available only to the rich. Au contraire, Henry and Ann's marriage did take place in England, in 1873, and thus, was not lawful. When the vicar came to the bit about "any lawful impediment", either they didn't know, or everybody kept schtum.

In 1881, Henry Wilton (69) Saddler, and his new wife, Annie Wilton (52), with Henry Fuller (14) Grandson; Charles Fuller (10) Grandson (both sons of Charles William Fuller and Maria Wilton); Martha Palmer (52) Boarder [older sister of Henry Staines Wilton's wife, Amelia Palmer) and Mary Smith (14) General Servant from Good Easter, were living in High Street, Great Dunmow, where Henry had his business for many years.

Henry Wilton died on 9 May 1890, leaving £180 (£23,000 in 2020) to his son, Henry Staines Wilton.

In 1891, Ann Wilton (62) Living On Own Means, Widowed, was living in New Street, Great Dunmow and still boarding with her was Martha Palmer (63). 

In 1901, Ann Wilton (72) and Martha Palmer (72) were back living in the High Street, Great Dunmow and they had one General Domestic Servant looking after them, Emily E Lee (15) from Boston, Lincolnshire.

In 1911, Ann Wilton (82) was still in Great Dunmow with one General Domestic Servant, May Bird (19). (Martha Palmer had died in 1909.)

In 1921, Ann Wilton (92) was still in the High Street, Dunmow, Great Dunmow, Essex, still employing May Bird (29) Domestic Servant.

Ann Wilton, widow, died at 93, on 13 Apr 1922, leaving £757 19s 10d (worth £43,299 in 2020), also to Henry Staines Wilton, who was, of course, both her nephew and step-son (although, presumably, they'd not remained in contact, or she'd have known that he'd pre-deceased her in 1915.)

Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer

Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Bill Boaden - geograph.org.uk/p/6410237

Henry Staines Wilton, (bap. 27 Sep 1840 at St Giles, Mountnessing), son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines, Harness Maker, married Amelia Palmer, daughter of William Palmer and Henrietta Crabb of Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford at St Michael, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, on 4 Aug 1868. Witnesses were the bride's father, William Palmer, the bridegroom's parents, Henry and Sarah Wilton and Martha Palmer, the bride's older sister.

This looks like a 'beneficial match' for Henry, because Amelia's Great Western Railway shares passed to her husband on their marriage. This is, of course, before the Married Women's Property Act 1882, when anything a woman owned, became her husband's by default, effectively becoming dowry.

Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer had five children:

1. William Palmer Wilton b. 19 Sep 1869 (1869 D Quarter in THE BISHOP STORTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 265), bap. 28 Nov 1869 at St Michael's, Bishop's Stortford. The Essex Herald of 28 Sep 1869 announced the birth, "WILTON: 19th inst, at Bridge Street, Bishop's Storford, the wife of Henry Staines Wilton, of a son."
2. Mary Henrietta Wilton b. 8 Feb  1871 (1871 M Quarter in OF THE BISHOP STORTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 282), bap. 30 Apr 1871 in Bishop's Stortford. Her birth was announced in the press.
3. Olive Martha Wilton b. 25 Dec 1872 (1873 M Quarter in BISHOP'S STORTFORD Volume 03A Page 295), bap. 28 Feb 1873 in Bishop's Stortford. (Olive Martha Wilton, artist, died, aged 45, on 14 Apr 1918 in Ringwood, Hampshire. She is not buried with the family.)
4. John Staines Wilton b. 17 Feb 1874 (1874 M Qtr in BISHOPS STORTFORD Vol 03A Page 295), bap. 24 Apr 1874 in Bishop's Stortford. (Died 6 May 1936 (1936 J Qtr in WESTMINSTER Vol 01A Page 521), at 62, buried on 11 May 1936 at Hampstead Cemetery.)
5. Margaret Staines Wilton b. 22 Dec 1876 (1877 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 365). (Died aged 81 in 1957 D Quarter in CHAPEL EN LE FRITH Volume 10A Page 932. She was buried, on 31 Dec 1957, in Hampstead Cemetery.)

In 1861, Henry Staines Wilton (20) had been staying with his grandparents, Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley at Lord Peters (Sir William Petre) Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford. He then set up business next door to his future father-in-law, in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford.

By 1871, Henry Staines Wilton (30), Saddler and Harness Maker, Employing 2 men, 2 apprentices and 1 boy in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford; Amelia Wilton (29), William P Wilton (1), Mary H Wilton (0). The household was completed with William Thorman (15) Saddler Apprentice; Martha Cornell (24) General Servant and Elizabeth Kitchener (16) Nurse.

In 1875, Henry Staines Wilton bought into an established saddlery company in Oxford Street and became associated with Henry Champion, and from the merger, the Champion & Wilton brand officially appeared. [Source]

Champion & Wilton Saddlers and Harness Makers by Royal Appointment

Champion & Wilton were the successors to two old-established firms of Oxford Street saddlers. One started out under the name of Matthew Wilson, in South Molton Street, moved around 1806 to Oxford Street, and became successively Wilson, Wilkinson & Kidd, then Wilkinson, Champion & Frewer and finally Champion & Wilton. Neighbouring saddlers, Samuel Blackwell, also long-established, was taken over by Champion & Wilton in the 1880s.

"Champion and Wilton [its predecessors, clearly] were founded in 1780 and had premises in Oxford Street, opposite Selfridges, in London’s West End. At one time they employed over one hundred saddlers making saddles, harness and other saddlery items and became, as holders of the Royal Warrant, the most highly respected firm in the country and I don’t doubt that many a stately home will still have a Champion and Wilton saddle tucked away somewhere in their tack room." - Keith Jenkin, SMSQF of Minster Saddlery

In their time, it is said that Champion & Wilton held Royal Warrants to Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as to the German Emperor, Queen Maud of Norway and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. 

In The London Gazette of 4 January 1878, there was a notice regarding a Patent application: Henry Staines Wilton, of Bishop's Stortford, in the county of Herts, Saddler, for an invention of "improvements in the construction of saddles and saddle girths."—Dated 24th December, 1874. Then in 1879: 

In addition to the quality of the product, the main peculiarity that distinguished the saddles of this brand, owed much to the invention made in 1879 by Henry Wilton, who patented the well-known safety system, still in use and much appreciated today, which represented a technical revolution. 

This was but one of many Patents that Henry Staines Wilton applied for, including: "An Improvement in Side Saddles" in 1893; for "Improvements in and connected with Saddle Bars", in 1895; "Improvements in Trace and Pole Chain Attachments" in 1896; "Improvements in the Heads or Pommels of Side Saddles" in 1903 and "An Improved Machine for Centrally Punching and Spacing Holes in Leather Straps, and for like purposes" in 1905, are those I can find records for. The first was just in his name, the rest were applied for by Henry Staines Wilton in conjunction with Benjamin Samuel Weston.

Not found on the 1881 Census, the Hertford Mercury of 15 Oct 1881, reported on "DAMAGING A WALNUT TREE. Samuel Cowland, John Curtis, John Bush and Arthur Shorter, all young men of Bishop's Stortford, were charged with maliciously breaking part of a walnut tree, growing on enclosed land at Whitehall Farm, Bishop's Stortford, the property of Mr Henry Staines Wilton ..." Of course, owning the farm doesn't mean he lived there.

In 1891, the family were living at Braywick, High Town Road, Bray, Cookham, Berkshire with Henry S Wilton (50) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (49), Olive Martha Wilton (18), John S Wilton (17) Saddlers Apprentice; Margaret Wilton (14), along with Sarah Asbridge (28) Cook from Margaret Roding and Kate Maydwell (23) Housemaid from Hornchurch, Essex. William P Wilton (21) Sadler, was that year [so far unaccountably] a Visitor in a household in Wanstead, Essex, along with three female servants. 

At the time of their daughter Mary Henrietta Wilton's marriage to Augustus Percival Bartley (of Bartley & Sons, Military and Hunting Bootmakers, of 493, Oxford Street), on 11 Aug 1894, at St Michael's Church, Bray, Berkshire, their address was then stately Stafferton Lodge, Braywick Road, Maidenhead. 

Fake news is not a new thing: Apparently, according to this document (PDF), in Vol IV No 5 of 'Saddlery and Harness' November 1894, a spurious claim appears, "p.101 Notable Members of the Trade: Mr H S Wilton (Champion and Wilton) Owner of Champion and Wilton. At 457/459 Oxford Street. One of the leading West End saddlery firms. Made Queen Victoria's first saddle when HSW was only 19 years old, some 63 years ago." [i.e. 1831] Complete and utter horse poop, of course, like so many family stories, and you have to laugh, as he wasn't even born until 1840! My feeling is the Oxford Street company that later became Champion & Wilton probably did make Queen Victoria's first saddle. It was Henry Staines Wilton's personal involvement that got tacked (pun intended) on as an embellishment to aggrandize himself.

In 1901, the family had moved back into town to 29, St Johns Wood Park, in the affluent community of Hampstead, where we find Henry S Wilton (60) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (59), William P Wilton (31) Sadler & Harness Maker; Olive M Wilton (28), John S Wilton (27) Sadler & Harness Maker; Margaret S Wilton (24), along with Mary J Howlett (23) Cook from Norfolk and Annie Fosbury (21) Housemaid, from Maidenhead.

In 1911, still at 29, St Johns Wood Park, Hampstead, were Henry Staines Wilton (70) Sadler & Harness Maker; Amelia Wilton (69), Olive Martha Wilton (37) Artist; John Staines Wilton (36) Sadler & Harness Maker; Margaret Wilton (33) attended by three servants: Emma Fosbury (61) Widow, Cook Housekeeper; Ellen Gorey (37) Parlourmaid and Alice Fordham (24) Housemaid. The original census schedule also confirms that the couple had been married for 43 years and had five children, all then still living.

The Rebuilding of Oxford Street

"Nos. 453–459 (odd) Oxford Street and Nos. 22 and 23 North Audley Street, a small but elegant set of shops with flats over, were designed by Herbert Read and Robert Falconer Macdonald and built by Holloway Brothers in 1900–2 (Plate 46b). The client was E. H. Wilton of Champion and Wilton, saddlers, of Nos. 457 and 459 Oxford Street. (There was nobody with the initials  E. H. Wilton, so I assume this is H. S. Wilton and an error.) The building had three storeys towards North Audley Street and five on to Oxford Street. The ground floor was of Doulting stone, the upper storeys of red brick with stone dressings, and the style a picturesque and effective Arts and Crafts treatment." This tells us where the Champion and Wilton premises were, on the diagonally opposite corner to where Selfridges was later built. The building is long gone and replaced, with currently, a branch of Zara on that corner. 

Henry Staines Wilton died on 31 May 1915 and his funeral took place on Thursday 3 Jun 1915. He is interred in Hampstead Cemetery (Camden) grave reference WE/222. He left his fortune to his two sons, William Palmer Wilton and John Staines Wilton, saddlers, and his son-in-law, Augustus Percival Bartley, bootmaker. The Probate record shows that he left £57,256 11s 4d, which is worth just shy of six million pounds today (£5,925,591 in 2020).

Hampstead News of 10 Jun 1915, reported on the:

Death of Mr H Staines Wilton

The funeral of Mr H Staines Wilton, of 18 Fitzjohn's Avenue, took place on Thursday morning at St Paul's Church, Avenue Road. The deceased gentleman, who was much respected, had long been a resident in the neighbourhood and a member of St Paul's Church, where he was a sidesman and a generous supporter of the church. He had been in failing health, but was in church on Sunday morning and died the following day. The service was conducted by the Vicar (Rev W H T N Rainey) and the Rev P B Phelps, who together with the choir met the cortege at the entrance gate to the church. Psalm 39 was chanted, and the hymn "Blessed are the pure in heart" was sung during the service, and as the coffin was carried from the church, preceded by the clergy and choir, the "Nunc Dimittis" was sung. The coffin, upon which rested a few floral tributes, was of polished oak with brass fitting and plate, which was inscribed "Henry Staines Wilton, born 14th August, 1840; died 31st May, 1915." The immediate mourners at the church were the widow and family, but a large congregation included Mr Boyton MP, the Rev W H Wilkins (a former curate), the staff and employees from 457 & 459 Oxford Street, and the household servants. The coffin was conveyed in an open car, and was immediately followed by the deceased gentleman's carriage filled with numerous and beautiful floral tributes. The interment was made at Hampstead Cemetery, where the service at the graveside was concluded by the Vicar. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs J Nodes & Co (M Nodes Lello) of 193 High Road, Kilburn; 23 Church Street, Grove End Road, etc.

Amelia Wilton died four years later, aged 77, and was buried, on 17 Dec 1919, in Hampstead Cemetery, along with her late husband. 

Neither Olive, John, nor Margaret ever married. I can find neither John, nor Margaret in 1921, however, in 1939, Margaret S Wilton (b. 22 Dec 1876) Single Female of Private Means, was at Lilybank Hydro, Chesterfield Road, Darley Dale, Matlock, Derbyshire (the last Hydro in Matlock to close in 1962). Described in the 1930's, "The establishment is not exclusively a sanatorium; it affords accommodation to families and others who desire to spend a holiday amidst the beautiful scenery of the English Switzerland and it is also a delightful winter resort for those delicate individuals who dread the severities of our English climate." As Margaret also died in Derbyshire, in 1957, we may reasonably assume she was using Lilybank as a residential care home.

Herbert Greey Taylor and Henrietta Staines Wilton

Holy Trinity, South Woodford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4815591

Herbert Greey Taylor (b. 18 Dec 1874 in Hackney), son of Robert William Taylor and Sarah Keene, married Henrietta Staines Wilton (bap. 16 Apr 1879 in Great Dunmow), daughter of Stephen Thomas Wilton and Sarah Anna Laver, at Holy Trinity South Woodford on 2 Jul 1900. 

Herbert and Henrietta had three children:

1. Herbert Leslie Taylor b. 1903 S Quarter in ROCHFORD Vol 04A 749
2. Robert William Taylor b. 1907 M Quarter in ROCHFORD Vol 04A 728
3. Henrietta Thora Taylor b. 1 Dec 1909 (1910 M Quarter in ROCHFORD Vol 04A 684)

In 1901, Herbert G Taylor (26) Commercial Traveller (Cloth) and Henrietta S Taylor (22) were living at 7, Gordon Road, Wanstead, West Ham.

In 1911, at Summerfield, Burnham Road, Leigh-on-Sea, were Herbert Greey Taylor (36) Merchant Italian Cloth; Henrietta Staines Taylor (32), Herbert Leslie Taylor (7), Robert William Taylor (4), Henrietta Thora Taylor (1) & two servants: Louisa Ellen Sargent (23) and Annie Garnish Threadgold (16).

In 1921, Herbert Greey Taylor (46) Italian Cloth Merchant; Henrietta Staines Taylor (42), Herbert Leslie Taylor (18), Robert William Taylor (14), Henrietta Thora Taylor (11), Dora Ella Taylor (18) General Domestic Servant and Ethel Maud Taylor (38) Sister-in-law were living at Hurst Lodge, Hadley Road, Monken Hadley, New Barnet.

In 1939, living at "Terra Nore" Longdown Lane South, Ewell, Surrey were Herbert G Taylor, Textile Merchant & Agent; Henrietta S Taylor and Henrietta T Colley, Private Secretary. (Henrietta Thora Taylor had married Henry Colley, in Ewell, Surrey, on 29 Oct 1938.)

Henrietta Staines Taylor died, aged 77, in Lewes, Sussex, in 1956.

Herbert Greey Taylor also died in Lewes, in 1970, at 95.

Henry Wilton and Maria Frogg

St Andrew, Stapleford, Cambridgeshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/334044

Henry Wilton (bap. 1733), son of Henry Wilton and Martha Douse, farmer, married Maria Frogg on 12 Jun 1762, in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire. 

They had 3 children, baptised in Stapleford:

1. Martha Wilton bap. May 1763
2. Henry Wilton bap. 24 Dec 1769
3. Maria Wilton bap. 29 May 1774

Henry and Elizabeth Wilton

Stapleford church on a winter morning. The remains of President Barack Obama’s ancestor might rest in this cemetery near St. Andrew's church in Stapleford, England. Mine certainly do.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/2841826

The earliest records I can find for my ancestors [so far], are for the baptisms of the children of Henry Wilton & Elizabeth (maiden name unknown) - that's 10 generations: they were my 7th great-grandparents - in Stapleford:

1. Sarah Wilton bap. 14 Jul 1695 (presume died in infancy)
2. Martha Wilton bap. 27 Dec 1696
3. Sarah Wilton bap. 14 Apr 1700
4. Henry Wilton bap. 12 Apr 1702
5. Richard Wilton bap. 7 Oct 1705

Elizabeth Wilton died and was buried on 15 Oct 1705. (I think we can guess the cause.) Henry does not appear to remarry and there are no other children listed born to a Henry in that period with a different mother. Henry Wilton Snr died and was buried on 30 Jun 1726, in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire.

Joseph Wilton and Ann Thurlbourn

High Street, Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © William Metcalfe - geograph.org.uk/p/388676

Joseph Wilton (b. 1815 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Ann Thurlbourn (b. 9 Sep 1820 in Cambridge), daughter of John Thurlbourn and Rhoda Poarcher, in Cambridge in Q2 of 1841, and brought his new wife to Great Dunmow, where in 1841, we find Joseph Wilton (25) Tailor and Ann Wilton (20) in the High Street, where his uncle, eldest sister and two brothers already lived. If one could take a time-machine back to Great Dunmow in 1841, imagine how long it would take to get any shopping done after greeting all the family en route!

Joseph and Ann Wilton had thirteen children:

1. Sarah Ann Wilton b. 1842 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 84 
2. Edwin Joseph Wilton b. 1843 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
3. Eleanor Wilton b. 1845 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 77
4. Kate Wilton b. 1846 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 75 (d. 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294)
5. Clara Jane Wilton b. 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 67
6. Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton b. 1850 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 87 
7. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 316 (d. 1854 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 242)
8. Lydia Ann Wilton b. 1853 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 273
9. Alice Maria Wilton b. 1855 S Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 297
10. Herbert Charles Wilton b. 1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 304 (d. 1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 261)
11. Fanny Wilton b. 1859 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 372
12. Marion Louisa Wilton b. 1860 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 308 (d. 1861 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 228)
13. Frederic John Wilton b. 1862 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 334 (d. 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 234)

Most of the registrations correctly spell the mother's maiden name as THURLBOURN, so someone in the family must have been literate.

Having often joked that I come from a long line of Essex girls (white stilettos optional), little did I know quite how much influence on 'Essex style' (stop thinking TOWIE), my relatives may have had, having served the clothing needs of the population in Great Dunmow for probably three centuries or more.

Robert Hockley (bap. 1775), who may also have been my relative, was listed as a tailor in Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823 and as a tailor and draper in the High Street in 1841. They may have been in competition, but as Robert Hockley was then 65, there also exists the possibility that my Wilton relatives took over the business from my Hockley ones. Joseph Wilton was once again listed in White's Directory of Essex 1848, as a Tailor and Draper.

The difference between tailor and draper is that tailor makes, repairs, or alters clothes professionally, especially suits and men's clothing while draper is one who sells cloths; a dealer in cloths; as, a draper and tailor. And a clothier is a person or company that makes or sells clothes or cloth, while an outfitter is a shop selling men's clothing.

As the census returns for 1851 in Great Dunmow are missing, we have to wait until 1861 - when Joseph's occupation is described as Tailor And Clothier - to encounter them again. That census locates Joseph's premises three-doors-down, on the same side of the road, from the The Saracen's Head Hotel, with a confectioner and a clockmaker between them and a draper and grocer on the other side, with eight of the nine then surviving children still at home.

In 1871, Joseph Wilton, Clothier, employing 3 men and 1 boy, was still in the same position with the Willis brothers next door (although the clockmaker had changed career to become an insurance agent) and then the Parker family, confectioners. In the Wilton household were Joseph (56), wife Ann (50), Edwin Joseph (27), Eleanor (25), Arthur (20), Lydia Ann (17), Alice Maria (15), Fanny (12) and Frederick (8). Clara Jane (21) was living with her sister, Sarah Ann Jarvis (28), also in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

Joseph Wilton died, aged 58, on 11 Aug 1873 (1873 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 242), leaving effects valued 'Under £600'. 

Ann Wilton died at 56 in 1876 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 248. 

Kate Wilton died, aged 23, in 1870 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 294; Sarah Ann Jarvis died at 31, in 1874 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A  Page 271 and Frederick John Wilton died, aged 17, in 1879 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 234. The level of loss in this family between the 1850's and 1870's is heart-breaking. 

In 1881, it fell to Edwin Joseph Wilton to carry on the Outfitters Shop, High Street, Great Dunmow, assisted by his brother Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (30) Clothier. Eleanor Wilton (29 ish) Tobacconist; Clara Wilton (27) Tobacconist, Tom Jarvis (13) Cashier Clerk, Nephew born in Thaxted [William Thomas Jarvis son of Sarah Ann Jarvis] and a Lodger were at 3, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex. Alice Marie Wilton (25) Governess and Fanny Wilton (22) Governess were elsewhere in the High Street, Great Dunmow.

In 1891, Alice Wilton (31) Schoolmistress; Fanny Wilton (28) Schoolmistress; Eleanor Wilton (38) Dressmaker; Clara Wilton (36) Dressmaker and Lillie Wilton [Lydia Ann] (32) Governess. The last three were visitors in the household of the first two in the High Street, Great Dunmow. 

In 1901, Eleanor Wilton (claiming to be 45) Dressmaker and Clara Wilton (42 ish) were living in Fairfield Road, Chelmsford; Arthur T Wilton (50) Clothiers Assistant, was a Lodger at The Brook, Great Dunmow. Lydia A Wilton (42), Alice M Wilton (41) and Fanny Wilton (37) were all listed as Teacher Private School and living together in New Street, Great Dunmow.

Alice Maria Wilton died at 51 in 1906 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A 385. Essex Newsman of 9 Jun 1906: "MISS ALICE WILTON, of New Street, Dunmow, died very suddenly on Friday last. The deceased lady was in her usual health until the previous Wednesday afternoon, when she was seized with pain, and on the doctor's arrival it was found necessary for her to undergo and operation without delay. This was carried out, but death followed very soon afterwards, from heart failure. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church Burial Ground on Tuesday, when a large number of fiends attended, The mourners were Mr E J Wilton of Brighton and Mr Arthur Wilton, brothers; Messrs J W Beard, L Saville, A Dennis ad J V Mackenzie, Mr James Mackenzie, Mr & Mrs Scarfe, Mr & Mrs Dennis, the Choral Society, the Choir, the Misses White (old pupils), Mr & Mrs Budd, of Chelmsford, and the pupils of the school. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev D B Thomas.

In 1911, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (60) Outfitter, was a Boarder in Market Street, Great Dunmow; Eleanor Wilton (55 ish) Dressmaker and Lets Apartments was still living in Chelmsford with sister Clara Jane Wilton (51) and two Boarders; Lydia Ann Wilton (47) School Mistress and Fanny Wilton (42 ish) Music Teacher were still in Great Dunmow. 

Clara Jane Wilton died at 70 in 1919 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD.

In 1921, Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton (70) Formerly Clothier, was an Inmate in Severalls Mental Hospital, Colchester (Severalls Hospital: the Evil Inside The Asylum); Eleanor Wilton (72) Lodging house keeper; Lydia Ann Wilton (56) and Fanny Wilton (52) were at 10, Fairfield Road, Chelmsford with Thomas Cunnington (23) Accountant Clerk from Gorleston on Sea, Boarder.

Arthur Thurlbourn Wilton died at 72 in 1923 M Quarter in COLCHESTER Vol 04A Page 772; Fanny Wilton died at 67 in 1926 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 620; Lily Wilton [Lydia Ann] died at 74 in 1928 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 724 and Eleanor Wilton died at 82 in 1928 J Quarter in CHELMSFORD Vol 04A Page 684. 

None of them, other than Sarah Ann and Edwin Joseph, ever married.

Martha Wilton and James Pearce

Melbourn High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/6508075

In 1849, Martha Wilton (42), third daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married widower, James Pearce and gained a ready-made family. 

James Pearce, bap. 29 Apr 1804, son of William and Elizabeth Pearce, in the parish of Foulmire (Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire), had previously married Hannah Jackson, on 10 Nov 1829, in Guilden Morden, Cambridgeshire. 

In 1841, when Martha was looking after her late sister Elizabeth's children, James and Hannah Pearce were living in Kneesworth Street, Royston. 

Then Hannah Pearce died in 1848, aged 42. 

In 1851, James and Martha Pearce were in Melbourn, Hertfordshire, with James (47) Wool-stapler (a wool-stapler buys wool from the producer, sorts and grades it, and sells it on to manufacturers), Martha (43), and James' six children: William Pearce (19) also a wool-stapler, Hannah Jackson Pearce (13) dressmaker, Mary (11), James (9), Samuel (7) and Thomas (5).

In 1861, living in Baldock Road, Bassingbourn, Royston, were James (57), Martha (53), with James (19), Samuel (17) and Thomas (15) still at home.

James Pearce died in 1868, aged 64.

In 1871, Martha Pearce (62) was in West Terrace, Baldock Road, Bassingbourn, with step-sons James (29) and Samuel (26).

In 1881, Martha Pearce (70), widow, annuitant, was living alone at Alms House, 8, Kneesworth Street, Royston.

In 1891, at Alms House, Kneesworth Road, Bassingbourne, Royston.

In 1901, Martha was at Mill Yard, Alms House, Kneesworth Street, Royston.

Alms houses in Kneesworth Street are mentioned (with photo) in Royston Register of Buildings of Local Interest (PDF), as a building of local architectural and historic interest, which clearly illustrates important aspects of the social history of the town:

Mrs. Barfield’s Almshouses, Kneesworth Street

Mrs. Barfield was the widow of Reverend Barfield and purchased the land on the west side of Kneesworth Street for 4 Almshouses. These were built in 1833 for poor windows. At a later date 3 others were built opposite from the accumulation of funds with the fourth funded by C. Beldam Esq. The Almshouses were built in 1858 and are constructed of gault brick in Flemish Bond with hip slate roofs. Tall gault brick chimneys project at intervals along the roof line and out of the end hips close to the eaves. The Almshouses are designed as two single storey elongated blocks situated parallel to each other and orientated to end onto the road. A lower central outhouse block is situated at a central point at right angles between the two rows of houses, creating an 'H' shaped layout. The balance and symmetry of the layout, form and design of the Almshouses are key to their local architectural and historic interest and their design contribution within the street scene.

Martha Pearce died in Royston in 1904, at the grand old age of 97. 

Henry Wilton and Martha Douse

Saint Mary the Virgin, Great Shelford

Henry Wilton (bap. 12 Apr 1702), son of Henry and Elizabeth Wilton, farmer, married Martha Douse (bap. 8 Jul 1711), daughter of Philip and Constantia Douse in 1732 in Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire. Henry and Martha Wilton had the following children baptised in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire:  

1. Henry Wilton bap. 2 Sep 1733 
2. Richard Wilton, bap. 16 Oct 1737 
3. Martha Wilton bap. 21 Oct 1739

Henry Wilton died and was buried, on 21 Oct 1739, at Stapleford. Martha Wilton died and was buried on 24 Oct 1766, also at Stapleford.

John Day and Ellenor Hannah Wilton

View from Market Square in Hitchin, with St Mary's Church in the background

cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lucas - geograph.org.uk/p/989830

John Day (b. 27 Dec 1820, bap. 25 Mar 1821 in Hitchin) son of Squire Day and Sarah Hobbs, married Ellenor Hannah (Ellen) Wilton (b. 5 Aug 1812, bap. 11 Jan 1829 in Royston, Hertfordshire), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1842. 

John and Ellen Day had six children: 

1. Henry Wilton Day b. 1843 D Quarter in ROYSTON BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 563
2. Martha Hobbs Day b. 24 May 1845 (1845 J Quarter in CAMBRIDGE Vol 14 Page 12), bap. 17 Apr 1872 at St Mary The Great, Cambridge
3. Ellen Day b.  1847 S Quarter in THE HITCHIN UNION Vol 06 Page 487 (Died, aged 9, in 1857 M Quarter in HITCHIN Vol 03A Page 160)
4. Sarah Ann Day b. 1850 M Quarter in THE HITCHIN UNION Volume 06 Page 575. (Died 1850 D Quarter in HITCHIN Volume 06 Page 373)
5. John Alfred Day b. 4 Jan 1852 (1852 M Quarter in BIGGLESWADE Volume 03B Page 336)
6. Arthur Stephen Day b. 1855 J Quarter in HITCHIN Vol 03A Page 216

In 1851, John Day (30) Cabinet Maker Journeyman, Ellen Day (32ish) Dressmaker, Henry W (7), Martha H (5), Ellen (3), George Day (29) Master Tailor (John's brother) and Caleb Burrows (15), Lodger, lived in Dead Street, Hitchin - later renamed Queen Street, but that didn't improve it much. Dead Street was compared to the worst slums of London. Even in 1919: “Some houses had earth floors. The windows and doors were small and in a few cases the only window downstairs opened to a passage where there was no light and very little air. The only bedroom was like a stable loft, reached by a decrepit stairs or a ladder. Tea chests served as tables and 5 or 6 children in one bed was not unusual. It was very much survival of the fittest.”

In 1861, living in Church Yard, in the same squalid, underworld area, of which was said, "Although the area was central, the whole district was taboo for the rest of Hitchin’s inhabitants." ... were John Day (41) Cabinet Maker Journeyman; Ellen Day (46), Henry Day (17) Butcher Journeyman; Alfred Day (9) and Arthur Day (6). Martha Day (14) was a House Maid in the household of Frederick Gillum (27), Cabinet Maker, in Sun Street, Hitchin. 

In 1871, listed as Helen Day (sic) (57) Dressmaker, Married; and Martha Day (24) Dressmaker, were living in Melbourne Street, Royston, Hertfordshire, while Alfred J Day (19) Reporter and Arthur S Day (15) Photographic Artist, were living with their grandfather, Squire Day (74) Upholsterer and Lodging House Keeper, in Back Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

In 1881, Ellen Day (64) Widow, Dressmaker, Mother was living with Daniel Reeve (married to daughter Martha) in Water Lane, Kneesworth. (John Day had clearly died by 1881. It's possible he'd already died by 1871. Perhaps his death was the motivation for Martha's baptism in 1872, however, it hasn't been possible to isolate a suitable death in the relevant period.)

Subject to confirmation, it appears that Ellen Day died, with age estimated to 71, in 1889 M Quarter in HERTFORD UNION Volume 03A Page 278.