Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason

St Mary, Broxted - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3374402

Daniel Hockley, Labourer, married Sophia Mason (b. 3 Dec 1796, bap. 1 Jan 1797 in Great Easton, Essex), daughter of Richard Mason and Millicent Butcher, on 17 Jul 1815 at the parish church in Broxted, Essex. Witnesses were Sophia's brother Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, his intended. 

For now Daniel is the earliest of my Hockley ancestors that I can follow a trail of records to and be fully confident are correct. He was reputedly the son of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner - and thus brother of Sally Hockley - but I've found no record of a birth (or baptism) to prove this. There is, however, a listing of a Daniel Hockley, baptised in Broxted on 21 Feb 1790, son of John and Mary Hockley, which looks to be a far more likely candidate. 

Daniel and Sophia had nine children:

1. George Hockley bap. 1 Oct 1815 in Broxted
2. Lucy Hockley bap. 26 Oct 1817 
3. Eliza Hockley bap. 23 Jul 1820 (died, aged 25, and was buried on 7 Jul 1845 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.)
4. Mary Hockley bap. 9 May 1824
5. Tamar Hockley bap. 8 Oct 1826. Tamar as a name: There are three characters in the Bible with this name. 
6. Sarah Hockley bap. 10 Aug 1828 (buried 14 Sep 1828)
7. Sophia Hockley bap. 14 Aug 1831
8. William Hockley bap. 15 Sep 1833
9. James Hockley bap. 5 Aug 1838

From Lucy onwards, they were baptised at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

Youngest child, James, falls within Civil Registration and, the General Register Office record confirms the mother's maiden name as MASON.

In 1841, at Halfway House, Great Dunmow, were Daniel Hockley (50), Sophia (45), George (25), Eliza (20), Tamar (15), Sophia (10), William (8), James (2) and Lucy (0), daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman [1]. Mary Hockley (18ish) was working as a Female Servant in the household of William Piper (30) Chemist & Druggist in High Street, Great Dunmow, Dunmow.

Sophia Hockley died, aged 46 - which agrees with a year of birth of 1796 - in 1842 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 55 and was buried, on 23 Oct 1842, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow.

In 1861, the widowed Daniel Hockley - age estimated to 62 - was living in the household of son William Hockley (27), married to Charlotte (née Cock) (27), their daughter Sarah C (1) and William's brother, James (23).

Daniel Hockley died, his age estimated to 81, in 1868 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 267 and was buried on 8 Jul 1868.

[1] Lucy Hockley (b. 1841 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 77), bap. 5 Mar 1841 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, daughter of Eliza Hockley, Single Woman. In 1861, Lucy Hockley (20) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Great Dunmow Union Workhouse. In 1871, Lucy Hockley (30) Domestic Servant was an Inmate of Dunmow Union Workhouse, but, in 1881 Lucy Hockley (36ish) was employed as a Domestic Servant by Charles Cook (70) in Chelmsford Road, Barnston, Dunmow. Lucy Hockley of Dunmow Union Workhouse died, aged 49, and was buried on 22 Nov 1890.

Francis Henry Flint and Ellen Wilton

Old Poplar Town Hall Built 1870. Now the Lansbury Heritage Hotel.
Photo: Maggie Jones Generously released to the Public domain

Francis Henry Flint (b. 18 Jan 1859, bap. 6 Mar 1861 in Camden Town), son of Henry Obadiah Flint and Mary Ann Riley, married Ellen Wilton (b. 21 Apr 1857), daughter of Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt, at the Register Office in Poplar, London, on 23 June 1878. (The Old Poplar Town Hall, located at 117 High Street, Poplar (E14), is a Grade II Listed Building dating back to 1870. This building likely served as the register office in 1878.) Witnesses to their marriage were Henry Flint and Mary A Flint, Francis' parents.

Registry office weddings, as we know them, became legally recognized in England and Wales with the Marriage Act of 1836, which came into effect on July 1, 1837, after the establishment of the General Register Office. 

Nevertheless, Register Office weddings were unusual and this is the earliest that I've encountered in my research to date. Professor Rebecca Probert, Professor of Law at University of Exeter, who is definitely the go-to expert on marriage law, writes that, "before the start of the twentieth century it was very much a minority choice" and suggests that, for some, "the greater privacy of the register office would have been the main attraction". So, if a church marriage was likely quicker and cheaper, there needed to be a good reason for Francis Henry Flint and Ellen Wilton to choose this route. Why?

This couple had three children:

1. Francis Henry Flint b. 1879 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 686, but who also died in 1879 S Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 422
2. Emily Flint b. 1882 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 623 with the mother's maiden name listed as FELTON. (Guess that's a bit like Wilton.)
3. Alice Flint b. 24 Jul 1883 in the Register of Births in the Poplar Union Workhouse (1883 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 676), bap. 10 Aug 1883 at All Saints Church, Poplar, daughter of Henry and Ellen

The 1st and 3rd GRO births show the mother's maiden name WILTON.

Henry Flint of the 2nd Dragoon Guards, aged 20, birthplace St Pancras, Middlesex, regimental number 2166, is listed among UK Military Deserters, having deserted at Dublin on 13 Sep 1879. This, unfortunately, looks to be him. Private Henry Finch #2166, who had enlisted in London, was, however, discharged from the 2nd Dragoon Guards on 22 Mar 1880 after what looks like only 114 days (about 16 weeks) in the service. The cause of discharge is 'Igny', which is shorthand for ignominy (public shame or disgrace).

The couple were not together in 1881 and were back with their respective families. Listed as Henry Flint (22) Labourer, purporting to be Single, was in the household of his parents at 34, Brunswick Road, Islington. While, listed as Ellen Wilton (mistake or deliberate?) (24) Match Maker, Married, was living back in her mother's household at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar. If these circumstances indicate a break up, one assumes the pair got back together again to have the two daughters as DNA links me to the younger of them. (Living little more than half a mile from the Bryant & May's match factory in Bow, it's probably reasonable to assume this was where Ellen was working. Conditions there at that time were so bad, it was dubbed "white slavery", which eventually motivated the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888.)

From seeing that Ellen's third child, Alice, although legitimate, was born in the Poplar Union Workhouse, leads me to suspect that Francis Henry Flint had again disappeared and that Ellen's mother, Catherine, had probably died.

Ellen then appears to have another two daughters with a John Finch:

1. Ellen Elizabeth Finch b. 1888 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 661
2. Jessie Finch b. 1890 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 608

Both are registered with the mother's maiden name as WILTON.

In 1891, John Finch (37) Carman was living at 4, Faronia Street, Bromley, Poplar, London, with Ellen Finch (35) from Dunmow, Essex; Emily Finch [Flint] (9); Alice Finch [Flint] (8); Ellen Finch (3) and Jessie Finch (1). They listed all of the children under the surname Finch. The five year gap between Alice and Ellen Elizabeth, does also suggest a different relationship, but clearly John is not Francis Henry; he's around five years older, born in a different place and has a different occupation. Originally, I'd found four of Alice's 12 children registered with the mother's maiden name as Finch and thought that was just a miss-hearing or misspelling of Flint, but now it becomes clear why there was this confusion. However, I can find no marriage between Ellen Flint, neither as Ellen Wilton, and John Finch so I'm sure they were just shacked up and Ellen thus avoided committing bigamy.

In 1901, Ellen Finch (listing herself as only 38, she was ~44), 'Widow', Charing (Charwoman) from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living at 17, Furze Street, Bromley, Poplar with Ellen Finch (13) and Jessie Finch (10).

Haven't been able to discover where John Finch came from, much less where he went, so I have no idea whether he really had died, or they had simply ended their relationship. There was a locally well-known John Finch, Carman & Contractor in Hackney, who advertised regularly in the Eastern Argus and Borough of Hackney Times around these dates, but I have no way of knowing if this is the same man. (Someone descended from one of these daughters might be able to confirm or refute the connection via DNA.)

Haven't been able to find Ellen, as Wilton, Flint, or Finch in 1911. There are, however, numerous records of an Ellen Finch being admitted and discharged into or out of Stepney Workhouse around this time and any one or all of them might relate to her. (Hardly a new experience: her first time was as an Inmate of Great Dunmow Union Workhouse at the age of four in 1861.)

In 1921, Ellen Finch (62) 'Widow' from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living alone at 3 Weston Street, Bow. She does not list any occupation.

As yet, I have not identified the correct death record for Ellen.

Photo © John Salmon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

St Saviour, Markhouse Road, Walthamstow

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

However, the man Ellen Wilton was still married to (there is, unsurprisingly, nothing listed for them in the Divorce Index), Francis Henry Flint (35) calling himself a Batchelor (and misnaming his father), married Ellen Battershall (21) Spinster, daughter of John Edward Battershall (John Edward Battershall and Ann Rawlings), both giving their address as 22 Arkley Crescent, at the church of St Saviour (Formerly St James), Walthamstow, Essex on 15 Aug 1896.

This couple had one daughter:

1. Elsie Alice Flint b. 23 Mar 1897 (1897 J Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 354), with her mother's maiden name BATTERSHALL.

In 1911, Ellen Flint (35) Married, Assistant caretaker schools, was at 114 Fleeming Road, Winns Avenue, Walthamstow with Elsie Alice Flint (14). This Ellen listed herself as having been married for 15 years and had one child.

Elsie Alice Flint married Walter James Welch, whose residence at the time was Birmingham, at St Mary's Church, Walthamstow, on 21 Nov 1915. In 1921, Walter James Welch (27) Compositor born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey and Elsie Alice Welch (24) were living with his parents, at 9, Chester Road, Walthamstow. While Ellen Flint (44) 'Widow' from Islington, London, Viewer of BSA Air rifles at the Birmingham Small Arms Factory, was living at 9, Labourer Villas, Poplar Road, Smethwick, Worcestershire. In 1939, Walter J Welch (b. James Walter Welch on 9 Feb 1894) Compositor and Elsie A Welch were living at 20 Whitethorn Gardens, Hornchurch, Essex.

Ellen Flint (née Battershall) died, aged 66, in 1941 D Quarter in ILFORD Volume 04A Page 569.

Elsie Alice Welch (née Flint) of 20 Whitethorn Gardens, Slewins Lane, Hornchurch, Essex (wife of James Walter Welch) died 13 June 1958 at Hornchurch Telephone Exchange Hornchurch Administration London 27 August to the said James Walter Welch printers compositor. Effects £1027 18s 6d. James Walter Welch died, in Romford, in 1962. It does not appear that this couple had children, so it looks as though the line ends here.

Meanwhile, the now doubly-errant Francis Henry Flint, it appears, earned a medal serving in South Africa in the Second Boer War with the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles, in 1901. The address for him on the Medal Roll is 3 Rufford Street, York Road, Kings Cross, which is about 350 meters from where he grew up in Wellington Square, St Pancras, so I'm sure this has to be him. There was a record of a Henry Flint enlisting in the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles, in Durban on 11 Dec 1901, where he claims his previous regiment as the 5th Lancers (no record found); his period served 8⅓ Years and his occupation Bricklayer. Height 5 Feet 10 Inches, weight 168 lbs, with hazel eyes and brown hair are close enough to the descriptions we have later. There's a note suggesting the medal was reissued on 22 Mar 1907.

The following reports show he was in Australia, from at least 1908:

The South Australian Police Gazette of 9 Feb 1910 reports on "Francis Henry Flint, laborer, 45 years of age, 5ft 9in high, dark hair, dark moustache (turning grey), brown eyes, dark complexion, wore blue serge coat, blue dungaree trousers, and soft white shirt, for non payment on fine, 6s (including costs), on a charge of drunkenness in a public place, at Port Adelaide, on January 21st, 1910. In default of immediate payment to be arrested and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for seven days."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 5 Apr 1911, "Francis Henry Flint, described as a laborer, 45 years of age, 5ft 8in high, medium build, fair complexion, grey hair, grey or blue eyes, grey moustache, wore brown tweed suit and grey felt hat, for non payment of fine, 5s, on a charge of drunkenness in a public place, at Adelaide, on March 16th, 1911. In default of immediate payment to be warrant and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for three days. Warrant filed at Detective Office, Adelaide."

In the South Australian Police Gazette of 10 Apr 1912, report of a theft, "Between 11 p.m. on the 6th an 8 a.m. on the 7th instant, from a bedroom of a dwelling-house, Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, an open-face Ansonia metal watch, ordinary hands, had attached a long Mexican silver chain, long and short links alternately, the property of Francis Henry Flint; identifiable."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 7 Jul 1915, "Henry Flint (alias Harry Johnson), tried at Renmark on March 18th, 1915, for unlawful possession; sentenced to six months' hard labor; native of London, England, 55 years of age, 5 ft 8in high, fair complexion, dark hair (turning grey), grey eyes, large nose (bent and thick at point), medium mouth, broad square chin. Small mole inside shoulder, right hand has been knocked about and bent, two scars on right elbow, burn mark inside wrist, scar on left elbow, large scar outside left forearm an one on wrist, several moles on chest, large scar in centre of back (on spine), large mole to left of scar, hanging mole on right shoulder-blade and three near armpit, large brown mark at base of right shoulder blade, scar on small part of back, one on left shin outside left knee, outside left ankle, across right knee, and across front of right leg, mole behind left knee, large scar on left calf, and one between the eyes. Indistinct irregular tattoo mark on right wrist. Vide Police Gazette 1908, page 241. "Prisoners Discharged." Freedom due July 27th, 1915."

From the South Australian Police Gazette of 3 May 1916, "Francis Henry Flint, described as about 40 years of age, 5ft 9in high, well built, dark hair, grey eyes, right hand deformed, a laborer, wore dark-grey clothes and grey soft felt hat; for non-payment of fine and costs (6s. in all) on a charge of drunkenness at Adelaide on February 19th, 1916. In default of payment, to be arrested and lodged in the Adelaide Gaol for three days. Warrant filed at Detective Office, Adelaide."

The South Australian Police Gazette of 17 May 1916 reports that "Francis Henry Flint, for non-payment of fine and costs on a charge of drunkenness, at Adelaide, on February 19th, 1916, has been arrested at Hummocks Hill by M.C. Lally; fine and costs have been paid."

The South Australian Police Gazette of 28 Jun 1916, Apprehensions During the Week, "Francis Henry Flint, by Det. O'Sullivan and F.C. Kennedy, for unlawful possession of two rugs and two blankets, the property of the Associated Smelters at Port Pirie; fined £10, in default six months."

And again the South Australian Police Gazette of 13 Dec 1916, published the "Descriptions of prisoners to be discharged from H.M. Gaols during the week ending December 23rd, 1916", including: "Francis Henry Flint, native of England, laborer, 57 years of age, 5ft 9in high, fresh complexion, dark hair (going grey), blue eyes, right hand crippled, bullet wound in left thigh. Tried at Port Pirie on June 22nd, 1916, for unlawful possession; six months."

There is one last potential sighting of Francis Henry Flint, Railway Employee, in Merthyr, Queensland on the Australia Electoral Roll in 1931 (by then he would be 72, so it's reasonable), living at 226 Kent Street, Teneriffe (an inner suburb of Brisbane). Living at the same address were Amelia Ellen Flint, Home Duties; Eva Maud Flint, Home Duties; and Frank Reginald Flint, New Farm, Insurance Agent. Could it be that he had formed a third family there?

John Benbow Gabbedy and Isabella Cleghorn

St Bride, Fleet Street, London EC4 - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1213706

John Benbow Gabbedy (b. 17 Nov 1771 in Limehouse, London) son of John Gabbdey and Elizabeth Travally, married Isabella Cleghorn (b. 7 Jul 1771 in Shadwell), daughter of Anthony Cleghorn and Margaret Jane Murray on 28 Apr 1795 at St Bride's, Fleet Street - the church with the famous "wedding cake" spire, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The record states they were married by banns and were both of the parish. Witnesses were John Brown and Martha Masters. What were these "Eastenders" doing up west?

John and Isabella Gabbedy had these seven children:

1. William Anthony Gabbedey b. 5 Feb 1796, bap. 8 May 1796 at St Dunstan's, Stepney at 93 days old.
2. John Cleghorn Gabbedey b. 25 Feb 1798, bap. 8 Apr 1798 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich
3. Margaret Elizabeth Gabbady (sic) b. 30 May 1800, bap. 6 Jul 1800 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich 
4. Charles Gabbedey b. 23 Dec 1803, bap. 5 Apr 1812 at St Dunstan's
5. Mary Gabbady (sic) b. 19 Aug 1805, bap. 11 Sep 1805 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich
6. Henry Ralph Gabady (sic) b. 18 Dec 1807, bap. 17 Jan 1808 at St Dunstan's, Stepney
7. Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday, b. 23 Feb 1811, bap. 14 Apr 1811 at St Anne's Limehouse 

In the Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, on Friday, 30 Dec 1785, when he'll have just turned 14, John B Gabbedey was apprenticed to Owen Temple of Poplar in the County of Middlesex, Shipwright.

On William Anthony's baptism, the family's address was given just as 'Rat' (Ratcliff, between Limehouse and Shadwell), son of John, a Shipwright and Isabella. In 1808, John Benbow Gabbedy's occupation was again listed as Shipwright and on Henry Ralph's baptism, their address was Poplar. In 1811, John's occupation was listed as a Mariner, living in Gill Street, Limehouse. At the time of Charles' baptism in 1812, their address was listed as M.E.O.T. (Mile End Old Town) and John was again described as a Shipwright.

It seemed a strange career change for John to suddenly become a Mariner, when he already had a skill as a Shipwright, especially as he was 40. However, there's a record in British Royal Navy Allotment Declarations in 1811, where he's listed as John Gabidy (sic), with rank Co Mate, allotting part of his pay to his wife, Isabella. This record shows that he was with HMS Tortoise, an ex-East Indiaman, Sir Edward Hughes (1784 EIC ship). "Between March and July 1808 Tortoise was at Woolwich being fitted as a storeship for the Royal Navy." It would make total sense if he was involved in that conversion.

Under the columns for "When Allotment Ceases", is "D 27 Sept 1811 Invalid". The single D, I think means Discharged (it's DD for Discharged Dead), but, particularly as they don't have any more children after 1811, I wonder if he died then, or maybe shortly afterwards. Maybe that prompted Charles' baptism in 1812? John Benbow Gabbedy had certainly died by 1841.

In 1841, Isabella Gaberdey (sic) (70) was living in Wade's Place, Poplar in the household of William Newton (60) Mariner and his wife Margaret (40).[1]

In 1851, Isabella Gabedy (84) Widow, from Shadwell, was a Pauper Inmate of Poplar Union Workhouse, then her only option for health or elder care.

Isabella Gabadey (sic) died in 1852 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 419, with her age over-estimated to 86 (she was 'only' 80), and was buried at All Saints Church, Poplar on 20 Feb 1852.

---

[1] It would be easy to assume that Margaret, wife of William Newton, with whom Isabella Gabbedy was lodging in 1841, could have been her daughter Margaret Elizabeth Gabbedy and, they are, coincidentally, of similar vintage. And at MyHeritage I found two trees where she listed as 'Margaret Elizabeth Newton (born Gabbadey)'. However, by researching methodically through this family, it became easy to prove that this assumption was wrong:

William Newton of this parish, Widower, and Margaret Jacobson, of this parish, Widow, were married at St Dunstan's, Stepney on 10 July 1826. As it shows that she was a widow, the next step was to see if a Margaret Gabbedy had married anyone named Jacobson. There was no such marriage. (Actually, the first clue that this Margaret was not Isabella's daughter, was because on the 1851 Census, Margaret Newton's birthplace is shown as South Shields, Durham.) The only marriage of a Jacobson and a Margaret, was that of John Jacobson of the Hamlet of Ratcliff, Batchelor, and Margaret Charlton, of the same, Spinster, also at St Dunstan's, Stepney, on 24 Jan 1820. 

 John and Margaret Jacobson had two daughters:

1. Mary Anne Jacobson b. 23 Feb 1822, bap. 4 Aug 1822 
2. Elizabeth Jacobson b. 2 Aug 1823, bap. 27 Aug 1823 

Both baptisms, which took place at St Anne's Limehouse, list their parents as John Jacobson, Mariner and Margaret.

It then appears that John Jacobson (46) - so born ~1777 - of Mile End Old Town, was buried on 5 Nov 1823 at at St Dunstan's, Stepney.

William and Margaret Newton then had four children:

1. Margaret Newton b. 21 May 1827, bap. 14 Oct 1827
2. Eleanor Newton b. 3 Jun 1829, bap. 20 Sep 1829
3. Lawrence Newton b. 1 Jul 1831, bap. 15 Jul 1831. (Died at 27 in 1858 D Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 492.)
4. William Newton b. 16 Jul 1834, bap. 16 Nov 1834

All of these baptisms, which also took place at St Anne's Limehouse, list their parents as William Newton, Mariner, and Margaret.

In 1841, the household at Wades Place, All Saints Poplar, consisted of William Newton (60) Mariner; Margaret Newton (40), Margaret Newton (14), Ellen Newton (12), Lawrence Newton (10), Mary Bowers (40) and Isabella Gaberdey (sic) (70). All of them had Y in the column for being born within the county [in this case, Middlesex], which was not always correct. There are no indications of the relationships between the members in the household.

(John James Sebastian, Ship's Carpenter, had married Ellinor Newton (sic), Minor, daughter of William Newton, Mariner, at All Saints, Poplar on 13 Apr 1847. One of the witnesses was her mother, Margaret Newton.)

In 1851, living at 32, Wade Street, All Saints Poplar, were William Newton (72) General Dealer from Dorset, England; Margaret Newton (54) from South Shields, Durham; Margaret Newton (23) Dressmaker; Lawrence Newton (19) Engineer and Maria Salter (7) Granddaughter. (Born Emma Maria Salter on 2 Jan 1844 (1844 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 02 Page 495 mother's maiden name JACOBSON), bap. 21 Jan 1844, she was the daughter of Robert Salter, Joiner and Mary Anne Jacobson.)

Margaret Newton died, aged 54, in 1852 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 421. This suggests she was born around 1797/8.

In 1861, still at 32, Wade Street, All Saints Poplar, were William Newton (80) Widower, Milkman from Dorsetshire; Margaret Newton (32) Dress maker, Daughter and Frances Phillips (3) Granddaughter. (Born Frances Coudun Phillips in 1857 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 542 mother's maiden name JACOBSON, bap. 20 Sep 1857 in Stepney, she was the daughter of Alfred James Phillips and Elizabeth Jacobson.) 

(Wade Street in Poplar, East London, was part of the 19th-century Wade Estate developed to the north of Poplar High Street, historically characterized by two-storey brick terraces. The Wade Estate, including Wade Street and Wade's Place , was developed over 40 years starting around 1823.)

William Newton (83) was admitted to Poplar Workhouse on 8 Dec 1864 and discharged from that institution on 19 Dec 1867, it appears to Wapping. 

William Newton died, aged 88, in 1868 D Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 358.

Two of this Margaret's granddaughters being in the Newton households in 1851 and 1861, confirm the continuity and her maiden name of Charlton, and thus shows clearly that she was not Margaret Elizabeth Gabbedy. 

NB: I wasn't able to isolate Margaret Charlton's baptism in South Shields. William Newton, I believe, was probably bap. 23 Aug 1778 in Portland, Dorset, the son of James and Jane Newton. I haven't researched William Newton's previous marriage, as it did not seem crucial to this question. But, there does not appear to be any family connection between the Newtons and Isabella Gabbedy. Then going back to the children of John Benbow Gabbedy and Isabella Cleghorn, despite many attempts, so far I can find no further, verifiable, records for any of their first five children.

Richard Wilton and Catherine Byatt

Quaker Meeting House (Grade II Listed), New Street, Great Dunmow

Richard Wilton (bap. 20 Mar 1811 in Royston, Hertfordshire), middle son of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, married Catherine Byatt (bap. 4 Apr 1824 in Little Canfield, Essex), daughter of John Byatt and Jane Stokes, at the Independent Meeting House (Quaker Meeting House), New Street, Great Dunmow, on 25 Mar 1843, according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Protestant Dissenters. Richard Wilton, who had been listed on the 1841 census, living in the High Street, Great Dunmow, as a harness maker (as he is on the marriage certificate), was 32 at the time of the wedding and Catherine Byatt, then 19, was listed as a minor. Witnesses were Richard's younger brother Joseph Wilton and Maria Staines (then 17) sister of Richard's brother, Henry's wives (both), daughters of Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley.

Richard and Catherine had seven children:

1. Ann Wilton b. 1844 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 76, mother's maiden name BYATE. (Died 27 Apr 1850 (1850 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56), aged 6, buried 2 May 1850)
2. Elizabeth Wilton b. 9 Aug 1847 (1847 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 69). Many places, online and off, have listed Elizabeth's date of birth as 6 August, however, I've now obtained a copy of her birth certificate from the GRO and it clearly reads Ninth August 1847.
3. Richard Wilton b. 1848 (No GRO birth registration, under any name) (Died, aged 41, in 1889 J Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 322)
4. Walter Wilton b. 1850 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 79 (Died, aged 1, in 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 219)
5. Martha Wilton b. 1853 M Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 317 (Died, aged 1, in 1854 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 209)
6. William Wilton b. 1855 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 311 (Died, aged 3, in 1858 J Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 223)
7. Ellen Wilton b. 21 Apr 1857 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 335

On the birth registrations for Elizabeth, Walter, Martha, William and Ellen, the mother's maiden name is correctly listed as BYATT. On Elizabeth's birth certificate, her father is listed as Richard Wilton, Harness Maker and her mother, Catherine Wilton, formerly Byatt, Informant, made her mark.

Richard Wilton, Harness maker (journeyman), died on 3 Mar 1858 (1858 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 262), from Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis). He was 46. The informant, present at his death, at Dunmow Down, was Ann Whybrow. (Formerly Ann Chandler, she had married Thomas Whybrow, a Currier (specialist in the leather trade) in 1823.) Richard's burial on 8 Mar 1858, is in Non-Conformist Church Records, so may have been in the burial ground attached to the Quaker Meeting House in Great Dunmow (PDF), and listed his cause of death as Consumption. 

Photo © PAUL FARMER (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Doctor's Pond in Great Dunmow, Saturday, 4 July, 2009

It is thought that the doctors used to keep their supply of leeches in the Doctor's Pond.

Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Ellen's birthplace, listed on her birth certificate and also the place of death listed on Richard's death certificate was Dunmow Down. The Downs is a street in the town of Great Dunmow (see map), close to Doctors Pond.

George Wilton, born in the Dunmow Union (Workhouse) on 3 Feb 1860 (1860 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 361), birth certificate says his mother's name was Caroline Wilton, with no father listed (illegitimate), but I cannot find a Caroline Wilton in the area at any time (and this is about the third time I've seen Catherine and Caroline used as if interchangeably in wildly different parts of my tree). On later census returns George was listed as Catherine's new husband - John Eldred's - step-son, so George Wilton was certainly Catherine's 'mystery' illegitimate son.

(George can't have been Richard's son - unless sperm freezing was invented MUCH earlier than we've been led to believe - and an attempt to 'legitimise' this birth by suggesting a death of a Richard Wilton, in Whitechapel, in 1862, I can categorically refute, as now that the GRO provide a search facility, a quick look showed that this record was the death of a child, aged 1.)

In 1861, the widowed Catherine (surname transcribed as Wilson), was living with her brother, William Byatt, in Little Canfield. George Wilton, aged 1, was listed there as nephew to the head of the household. There was a Stephen Wilton (13) Baker, lodging in the household of Elizabeth Edwards (73) at Dunmow Down, Great Dunmow, however, I believe this was a pseudonym used by Catherine's son Richard Wilton (see 1884 below). While, the 13 year old Elizabeth and her 4 year old sister, Ellen (listed as being 6), were that year, listed as inmates in the Great Dunmow Union Workhouse.

Catherine then remarried to John Eldred, widower, on 27 Sep 1862 in Great Dunmow. (Various records list her previous surname as Walton or Wilson.)

John Eldred (bap. 10 Mar 1822 in Great Dunmow) son of William Eldred and Eleanor Fewell, had married for the first time to Harriett Page, on 20 Aug 1848, in Great Dunmow. John and Harriett Eldred had three sons:

1. John Eldred b. 1849 D Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. (Died aged 10, in 1860 J Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 224)
2. Walter Eldred b. 1852 D Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Volume 01C Page 355, bap. 10 Jul 1853 in Great Dunmow. On the baptism, his father's occupation is listed as Brewer's Servant and address given as No 12 Smith Place High Street Wapping London. (Died, aged 18, in 1871 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 256)
3. Alfred Eldred b. 1855 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE (IN THE EAST) Volume 01C Page 468 (for reasons unknown the mother's maiden name is listed as PORTER, but there does not appear to be another Alfred Eldred it could relate to) bap. 12 Aug 1855 in Great Dunmow

But Harriet Eldred died aged 28, in 1855 D Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 312.

John Eldred remarried to Elizabeth Tennisse, Widow, daughter of John Pitts, Mariner, on 2 Nov 1856 at Christ Church, St George in the East. Elizabeth Pitts had previously married James Tennisse (born Jacobus Teunisse on 8 Feb 1823 in Amsterdam, Netherlands) on 5 Jun 1854, in Bethnal Green. The pair had three children, all of whom died as infants: Maria Sophia Tennisse (1849-1853); James John Tennisse (1851-1856) and Sarah Tennisse (1853-1855). James Tennisse also died, aged just 32, in 1855, in Stepney.

John and Elizabeth Eldred had one daughter:

1. Thomazine Maria Eldred b. 24 Jul 1857 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 413, bap. 4 Apr 1858 in the parish of St George in the East, Stepney. Her father's occupation was listed as Drayman and their address again as 12 Smith's Place.

Then Elizabeth Pitts Eldred died, aged 30, on 1 Apr 1859 (1859 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 271).

So when Catherine Wilton married John Eldred, she became his third wife.

In 1871, living in Braintree Road, Great Dunmow, were John Eldred (44) Ag Lab, Catherine Eldred (42) both had lost 5 years; Walter Eldred (18) Son, Alfred Eldred (16) Son, Maria Eldred (13) Daughter, Ellen Wilton (14) Step-Daughter; George Wilton (11) Step-Son; and Alice Wilton (2) Granddaughter (Alice Catherine Wilton born 12 Feb 1869, to Elizabeth Wilton.)

Then John Eldred died, aged 49, in 1876 D Quarter in WEST HAM UNION Volume 04A Page 54.

In 1881, Catherine Eldridge (sic) (56) Widow, Dressmaker from Canfield, Essex, was living at 23, Powis Road, Bromley, Poplar, with Richard Wilton (31) Labourer; George Wilton (21) Labourer; Ellen Wilton (24) Match Maker (although listed as married); Susan Robinson (21) Match Maker (Boarder) and four Lodgers: William Wardley (20) Labourer from Sudbury, Suffolk; Arthur Seatch (36) Labourer from Bromley; Frank Poulter (24) Carman from Cambridge and James Howard (18) Match Maker (Fusee) from Bromley.

Matchgirl strikers, several showing early symptoms of phosphorus necrosis. Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

White Slavery in London

Living little more than half a mile from the Bryant & May's factory in Bow, it's probably reasonable to assume this was where they were all employed, where conditions were especially bad. 

"The match girls worked from 6.30am (or 8am in winter) until 6pm, with just two breaks, standing all the time. “A typical case”, wrote Besant, “is that of a girl of 16, a piece worker; she earns 4s a week ..." (Worth around £26 in 2020).

"Conditions were appalling for the 1,400 women and girls who worked at Bryant and May's match factory in Bow, East London. Low pay for a 14-hour day was cut even more if you talked or went to the toilet, and 'phossy jaw' - a horrible bone cancer caused by the cheap type of phosphorus in the matches - was common."

"If you handled white phosphorus or came into contact with it too much, then it caused serious damage to your health and you ended up with a terrible condition known as ‘Phossy Jaw’ – where you would get severe toothache followed by swelling of the gums. Abscesses would then form on the jaw-bone, and the facial bones would glow a greeny white in the dark. If untreated then ‘Phossy Jaw’ would develop into brain damage and ultimately multiple organ failure." As a result of these appalling conditions, the London Matchgirls Strike of 1888 started in the factory, which led to the establishment of the first British trade union for women. Match Girls Strike at Bryant and May Factory: The 1888 Uprising for Workers’ Rights in London

The Essex Herald of 20 Oct 1884 reported on "WHOLESALE SHOP LIFTING. - Richard Wilton, a navvy, of Bromley-by-Bow, was brought up in custody charged with stealing a black rep cloth overcoat and 12 pairs of tanned leggings, value £1, from the shop of Edwin Joseph Wilton, in High Street, Dunmow on Saturday night last. Prisoner was further charged with stealing six twill jackets, value 24s, the property of Mr John Beard, of North Street, Great Dunmow, on Saturday night. Superintendent Ackers stated that the greater part of the property had been recovered and identified, and, it being believed that others were implicated in the robbery, he asked that the prisoner, who was only arrested on Sunday night, might be remanded. The prisoner was accordingly remanded for a week. Later reports, which (named the perp as Stephen Wilton (36) Baker) noted that Mr [Edwin] Wilton stated the prisoner was his cousin. The prisoner was acquitted. (There were two cousins, to both Richard and Edwin, named Stephen Wilton [1] [2] - neither were angels - but I'm sure this was Richard and not either of them.

Of Catherine's surviving children and two step-children: her daughter Elizabeth Wilton; her son George Wilton; Alfred Eldred and Thomazine Maria Eldred ... all four gave the name Catherine as the first or middle name to their first child. In the case of her step-son, Alfred's wife's mother was also named Catherine to account for this, but for all of them to use the name, I think tells us far more about Catherine as a person than records usually can.

So far, I've not found a death for Catherine, but with so many incorrect names given throughout her life, it's not easy to guess what it might be listed under. 

Richard Bennett and Mary Richards

Morchard Bishop : St Mary the Virgin Church (Interior)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4509391

Richard Bennett (bap. 24 May 1790 in Morchard Bishop), son of Richard Bennet (sic) and Betty Hammet, married Mary Richards (bap. 17 Apr 1786 in Morchard Bishop), daughter of Peter Richards and Ann Cann, at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Morchard Bishop (the bells) on 29 Oct 1810.

Richard and Mary Bennett had eight children baptised in Morchard Bishop:

1. Mary Bennett bap. 24 Mar 1811
2. William Bennett bap. 4 Apr 1813 (residence Heathfield Moor)
3. Richard Bennett bap. 15 Oct 1815, their residence listed as Spire Lake
4. Ann Bennett bap. 29 Jun 1817 (residence listed as Spire Lake)
5. John Bennett bap. 21 May 1820 (residence Sharland)
6. Jane Bennett bap. 22 Dec 1822 (residence Lower Town)
7. Sarah Bennett bap. 6 Aug 1826 (residence New House)
8. George Bennett bap. 15 Mar 1829 (residence Heathfield Moor)

In 1841, Richard Bennett (50) was living in Lower Town, Morchard Bishop, Crediton, Devon with Mary Bennett (55), John Bennett (20), Jane Bennett (16) and George Bennett (12). Mary Bennett had married in 1834; William Bennet had married in 1835; Richard Bennett had married in 1839; was unable to locate Ann Bennett; Sarah Bennett (14) appears to have been out working - original census is hard to read, but appears to be at Town Barton, with numerous other youngsters, undoubtedly all parish 'apprentices'.

Richard Bennett died in 1844 D Qtr in CREDITON UNION Vol 10 Page 63. 

In 1851, Mary Bennett (69) Widow, Mother, Pauper hand loom weaver (serge) was living at Courtlage, Morchard Bishop, Crediton, Devon in the household of her eldest son, William Bennett.

Mary Bennett died in 1852 S Quarter in CREDITON Vol 05B Page 244.

Their daughter, Jane Bennett, never married but had four children:

1. Robert Bennett b. 1842 J Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 79, bap. 15 May 1842 in Morchard Bishop, clearly stating he was the son of Jane Bennett of Lower Town, Single Woman. Died aged 4 in 1846 M Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 59.
2. Sarah Bennett b. 16 Jun 1845 in Crediton Workhouse (1845 J Quarter in CREDITON UNION Volume 10 Page 79) Her birth was registered by a Mr Leach, Master of the Workhouse, Crediton, on 20 Jun 1845.
3. Mary Jane Bennett b. 10 Oct 1853 D Qtr in CREDITON Vol 05B 369
4. Ellen Bennett b. 12 Aug 1858 S Qtr in CREDITON Vol 05B 357

In 1851, Jane Bennett (26) was a visitor in the household of her sister, Sarah Sharland, at Pitt Farm, Puddington, Crediton, while Sarah Bennett (6) was living with Jane's brother, William, at Courtlage, Morchard Bishop.

In 1861, Jane Bennett (34ish) Servant, was an Inmate at Crediton Union Workhouse, Bramble Lane, Crediton, Devon, along with Mary J Bennett (7) and Ellen Bennett (2). Sarah Bennett (17) was House Servant to William Davy, Farmer and Miller at Stone Mill, Leverton Road, Chawleigh.

In 1871, Jane Bennett, Servant, was again an Inmate at Crediton Union Workhouse. Her age was listed as 56, clearly 10 years too many. Mary J Bennett (17) was a Dairymaid at Furze, Cruwys Morchard, Tiverton.

Jane Bennett died, aged estimated to 59, in 1880 M Quarter in CREDITON Volume 05B Page 354 and was buried on 25 Mar 1880, in Crediton.

Isaac Phillips and Caroline Elizabeth Taylor

St Margaret, The Broadway, Barking - Chancel
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2974985

Isaac Phillips (bap. 26 Dec 1813 in Orsett, Essex), son of Joseph Phillips and Ann Clarke, married Caroline Elizabeth Taylor (purportedly b. ~1813 in Woolwich, Kent) on 16 Sep 1832 at St Margaret's Church, Barking.

Isaac and Caroline had 12 children:

1. Henry Phillips bap. 29 Sep 1833
2. Isaac Phillips bap. 16 Apr 1835
3. Maria Phillips b. 19 Aug 1837 (unnamed on reg 1837 S Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 153), bap. 17 Sep 1837
4. James Davis Phillips, b. 1841 M Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 223, bap. 26 Jan 1841 (Died in 1841 M Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page and was buried on 31 Jan 1841)
5. Alfred Davis Phillips b. 1842 S Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 12 Page 203, bap. 14 Aug 1842 (Died in 1842 S Qtr in ROMFORD Vol 12 Page 147)
6. Jacob Phillips b. 1844 J Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 226, bap. 26 Mar 1844
7. Rebecca Phillips b. 1846 S Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 224, bap. 13 Aug 1846
8. Abraham Phillips b. 1849 M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 243, bap. 23 Feb 1849
9. Anne Phillips b. 1851 S Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 12 Page 229
10. Thomas Phillips b. 1854 M Qtr in ROMFORD UNION Vol 04A Page 88, bap. 26 Mar 1854
11. Hester Phillips b. 1857 M Qtr in ROMFORD UNION Vol 04A Page 97
12. Alfred Phillips b. 1861 M Qtr in ROMFORD UNION Vol 04A Page 103

Baptisms all took place at St Helen and St Giles, Rainham.

The mother's maiden name on all of the GRO birth registrations is TAYLOR. The use of Davis as a middle name for both James and then Alfred leads me to believe that this may have been Caroline's mother's maiden name - it's a convention I've seen used frequently in this period - however, I've been unable to find Caroline's baptism, nor a marriage between a Taylor and a Davis. Rebecca's baptism in 1846 lists her father's occupation as Shepherd.

In 1841, the family, living in Rainham, consisted of Isaac Phillips (25) Ag Lab, Caroline (25), Henry (8), Isaac (6) and Maria (4). Also living with them were Elizabeth Parker (75) and Mary Taylor (60). The 1841 census doesn't give us relationships, but could this latter have been Caroline's mother?

In 1851, in the Upminster Road, Rainham, we find Isaac Phillips (38) Shepherd, Caroline Phillips (38) birthplace Woolwich, Kent; with children: Henry (17) Ag Lab, Isaac (15) Ag lab, Maria (13), Jacob (7), Rebecca (5) and Abraham (2). They also had a lodger, Henry Neville (18), also an Ag Lab.

In 1861, with their address listed as Fran House, Cottage, Rainham, there are Isaac Phillips (48) Ag Lab, Caroline (48), Jacob (17) Ag Lab, Rebecca (14), Abraham (12) Ag Lab, Thomas (7) Ag Lab, Esther (sic) (4) and Alfred (0).

In 1871, at Back Street Cottage, Rainham (Back Lane/Street becoming part of Upminster Road, these different addresses are probably all the same place), this time are Isaac Phillips (58) Ag Lab, Caroline (58), Thomas (17) Ag Lab, Hester (14) Domestic Servant and Alfred (10) Ag Lab.

Caroline Phillips died, aged 67 in 1880 D Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 129, and was buried on 31 Oct 1880 in Rainham.

In 1881, still in the Village Back Street, Rainham, Isaac Phillips (68), widower, Ag Lab, is living with his daughter, Esther (sic) (24) as his housekeeper.

In 1891, Isaac Phillips (76), widower, Field Labourer, was an Inmate at the Workhouse in Romford. And he was still at the Romford Union House (later Oldchurch Hospital) at the time of his death in 1892 D Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 182, aged 78. He was buried, on 5 Nov 1892, in Rainham.

Oldchurch Hospital, Romford
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Winfield - geograph.org.uk/p/282543

John Hurley Coombe and Mary Jane Southcott

East side of St Peter's Church, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/6219976

John Hurley Coombe (b. 1845 in Tiverton, Devon), son of James Coombe and Sarah Hurley, married Mary Jane Southcott (b. 1854 in Tiverton), daughter of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, on 7 Sep 1869. On the marriage certificate both are listed as being of 'full' age, however, Mary Jane, registered in the 2nd quarter of 1854, may have been 15. Witnesses to the marriage were James Coombe and Mary Bawden.

John and Mary Jane had six children:

1. John William Southcott Coombe b. 1869 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 439. (Died at 7 in 1876 S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 270)
2. Sarah Jane Coombe b. 7 Nov 1871 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 133, bap. 19 May 1872 at St John the Baptist, Hoxton. (Died aged 5, in 1876 S Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 89, and was buried on 19 Sep 1876 at Victoria Park Cemetery, Hackney.)
3. Fanny Maria Coombe b. 1874 M Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 125
4. Frederick Coombe b. 1876 J Qtr in SHOREDITCH Vol 01C P 127
5. Charles Henry Coombe b. 1878 D Qtr in HOLBORN Vol 01B P 677
6. James Coombe b. 1883 S Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 659 (Died 1884 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 435)

In 1871, John H Coombe (24) Tailor, Mary J Coombe (18) and John H S Coombe (1) were living in Kiddles Court, Tiverton, Devon, with his father, James Coombe, who married Mary Jane's mother, Temperance, in 1866.

In 1881, John Hurley Coombe (35) Journeyman tailor from Tiverton, Devon, Mary Jane Coombe (28), Fanny Maria Coombe (7), Frederick Coombe (5) and Charles Henry Coombe (3) were at 10, Green Street, St Andrew Holborn. 

Then Mary Jane Coombe (née Southcott) died, aged 33, in 1887 J Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 408.

In 1891, John H Coombe (45) Widower, was in Leigh Street, Holborn, with Fanny Maria Coombe (17) Packer soap factory, Frederick Coombe (14) Printer's boy and Charles H Coombe (12).

In 1901, John H Coombes (sic) (55) Tailor Journeyman was living in Great Queen Street, Bloomsbury, London, with Frances Maria Coombe (26) Packer in soap factory; Fredrick Coombe (24) Porter Hotel kitchen and Charles H Coombe (22) Tailor journeyman.

In 1911, John Coombe (68) Tailor, Widowed was an Inmate of Holborn Union Workhouse, Mitcham, Surrey. (Dining Hall, Holborn Union Workhouse)

John Hurley Coombe died in 1913 J Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 469.

John Pryor and Elizabeth Wilton

Royston: early blossom in Kneesworth Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4814372

John Pryor (b. 22 Aug 1803 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of John Pryor and Lydia Bateson, married Elizabeth Wilton (b. 1805, bap. 25 Feb 1807 in Royston) daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire (the transcript does not specify venue) on 4 Sep 1823. 

John and Elizabeth appear to have seven children:

1. Lydia Pryor b. 17 Jun 1824, bap. 24 Jun 1837
2. Henry Wilton Pryor b. 14 Nov 1827, bap. 24 Jun 1837
3. Francis Pryor b. 4 Mar 1830, bap. 24 Jun 1837
4. Matthew John Pryor b. 14 Nov 1832, bap. 26 Jun 1837 (Died, aged 5, in 1838 M Qtr in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Vol 06 Page 454)
5. Elizabeth Pryor b. 9 Dec 1834, bap. 24 Jun 1837 (Died aged 6, in 1841 D Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 396)
6. William Bateson Pryor b. 1837 S Qtr in ROYSTON UNION Vol 06 400
7. Alfred John Pryor b. 1839 J Quarter in ROYSTON Vol 06 Page 600

All baptisms took place at the New Meeting House, Royston. Maybe they felt the need to catch up before Civil Registration came in on 1 Jul 1837.

Listed as Elizabeth Pryer (sic) she died, aged 35, in 1840 S Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 361. 

In 1841, John Pryor (35) Tailor was living in in High Street, Royston, with Lydia Pryor (17), William B Pryor (3) and Alfred Pryor (2), Martha Wilton (30) Housekeeper (Elizabeth's sister); John D Tier (18) and Charles Robinson (15) Apprentices. Henry Wilton Pryor (listed as Henry Prior) (14) Apprentice Tailor, was living in the household of his Uncle Henry Wilton (Elizabeth's brother) in High Street, Great Dunmow; Francis Pryor (11), was in the household of Benjamin Batt (55) in Padler's Lane, Therfield, Hertfordshire.

John Pryor remarried, in Royston, to Edith Sell, daughter of Tempest Sell (Veterinary Surgeon) and Sarah Docwa, on 25 Aug 1842. 

They had two further children:

1. Edith Sell Pryor b. 1843 J Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 555, bap. 25 Aug 1844
2. Tempest Simeon Sell Pryor b. 1846 J Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 607

"Edith Fossey Prior, daughter of Tempest Sell, who departed this life, April 5th, 1850 (1850 J Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 407), aged 37 years", was buried on 12 Apr 1850 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn. (There are monuments to Tempest Sell at Bassingbourn Parish Church, Edith's brother and ancestors.) 

John Pryor died, aged 47, in 1850 D Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 385. 

In 1851, Alfred (12), Edith (7) and Tempest (5), surname spelt Prior, were all at the Bassingbourn Union Workhouse (Royston Union Workhouse).

(Alfred John Pryor died, in Hackney, London in 1898; in 1861, Edith [Sell] Pryor was visiting her maternal aunt Sarah Hitch in Bell Lane, Fen Stanton, Huntingdonshire. Edith Pryor married James Clements Howard in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1867 and died, aged 43, in 1886; Tempest Simeon Sell Pryor died on 28 Feb 1929 in Uralla, New South Wales, Australia.)

New Street at the junction of Great Dunmow High Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Howard - geograph.org.uk/p/5359570

Henry Wilton Pryor (b. 14 Nov 1827), son of John Pryor and Elizabeth Wilton married Ann Hockley (b. 1830), in Cambridge in 1849. It will need a copy of the marriage certificate to discover more about Ann's origins. She claimed to have been born in Bethnal Green, Hackney and Brixton Hill on different censuses, but there are no relevant records in those areas.

In 1841, there was an Ann Hockey (11) living at Park Corner, Great Dunmow in the household of Steel Lambert (65) and wife Elizabeth [formerly Willsher] (65). This Ann is of the right age, but what, if any, relation are the Lambert's? Steel and Elizabeth Lambert had a daughter, Ann Lambert (30), living with them. And Ann Lambert had been one of the witnesses at the marriage of HENRY HOCKLEY of the Parish of (Saint Andrew Undershaft in the County of Middlesex) and MARTHA LAMBERT of this Parish at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 18 Aug 1825. This Henry Hockley was a Tailor. The other witness was Ebenezer Hockley (Draper & Tailor), son of Robert Hockley, Tailor and Draper. Although I cannot find a baptism for Martha, there was a newspaper announcement in the Essex & Herts Mercury of 23 Aug 1825, which read: "18th at Great Dunmow, Mr Hockley of London to Miss Martha Lambert of Mr S Lambert ..." Mr S Lambert could be Steel Lambert. Either way, we certainly have this marriage link between the Hockleys and the Lamberts. This still doesn't prove exactly how Ann Hockley was related, but from this, I'm sure this was her in 1841 and that the Lamberts were family. And Henry Hockley (53), in 1851, was living in Bethnal Green.

In 1841, Henry Wilton Pryor, listed as Henry Prior (14) Apprentice Tailor, had been living in the household of his Uncle Henry Wilton (his mother's brother) in High Street, Great Dunmow. It seems entirely possible, he may have been apprenticed to another Uncle, Joseph Wilton, who was a Tailor.

Henry Wilton and Ann Pryor had eleven children:

1. Harry Pryor b. 1850 S Quarter in CAMBRIDGE Volume 14 Page 2, bap. 29 Jul 1855 in Felsted, Essex
2. Lydia Ann Pryor b. 1852 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 312, bap. 29 Jul 1855 in Felsted, Essex. Died, aged 21, in 1873.
3. Elizabeth Pryor bap. 29 Jul 1855 in Felsted, Essex. Died, aged 20, in 1874 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 271
4. William John Pryor b. 1855 D Quarter in BURY SAINT EDMUND'S Volume 04A. Died, at 19, on 28 Mar 1875 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 309 and was buried on 1 Apr 1875
5. Alice Pryor b. 1858 S Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 291. Died, aged 16, in 1875 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 305
6. Charles Thomas Pryor b. 1860 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 333. Died, aged 16, in 1877 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 268
7. Hubert Edwin Pryor b. 1862 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 357
8. George Joseph Pryor b. 1864 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 381
9. Fanny Pryor b. 1866 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 386. Died, aged 14, in 1880 J Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 270
10. Alfred Francis Pryor b. 1868 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 379. Died, aged 22, in 1890 J Qtr in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 144
11. Frederick Clarance Prior b. 1870 M Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A P414

All of the GRO birth registrations confirm the mother's maiden name as HOCKLEY. The 1855 baptisms list Henry Wilton Pryor as a Tailor.

In 1861, Henry Wilton Pryor (33) Master Tailor Employing 1 Man, from Royston, Hertfordshire was living in Great Dunmow, Essex, with Ann Pryor (31) birthplace listed as Bethnal Green, Middlesex; Harry Prior (10) birthplace St Andrew The Less, Cambridgeshire; Lydia A Pryor (9) and Elizabeth Pryor (7) both born in Felsted, Essex and William John Pryor (5) born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Obviously, the family had been moving around quite a bit in the previous decade before returning to Dunmow.

In 1871 and still in Great Dunmow were Henry W Pryor (43) Tailor; Ann Pryor (41) birthplace London; Elizabeth Pryor (17), Alice Pryor (13), Thomas Pryor [Charles Thomas] (11), Herbert Pryor [Hubert Edwin] (9), Joseph Pryor [George Joseph] (7), Fanny Pryor (5), Alfred Pryor (3) and Frederick Pryor (1).

If the level of loss in Joseph Wilton's family in the 1870's had been heart-breaking, in Henry Wilton Pryor's family, it was overwhelmingly cruel with the deaths of six of their children in a seven year period: Lydia Ann at 21 in 1873; Elizabeth at 20 in 1874; William John at 19 in 1875; Alice at 16 in 1875; Charles Thomas at 16 in 1877 and Fanny at 14 in 1880. Without seeing the death certificates, it's mere speculation, but for this pattern to be in both households it suggests an infectious agent and a close association. As the deaths are spaced over years, perhaps Smallpox or Tuberculosis.

Henry Wilton Pryor died, at 51, on 12 Oct 1879 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 277 and was buried on 17 Oct 1879. His burial is listed among "England, Essex Non-Conformist Church Records".

In 1881, Ann Pryor (51) Tailor's widow with birthplace this time listed as Hackney, Middlesex, Infirmity: Deaf was living in New Street, Great Dunmow with Alfred Pryor (13) and Frederick C Pryor (11). Harry Pryor (30) Drapers accountant was living in Hastings, Sussex; Herbert E Pryor (18) Draper's Assistant was at Messr Tarns Establishment, Newington, Southwark, London. The Elephant and Castle area became a thriving shopping area with its own department store, Tarns: "William Tarn and Co. were Linen drapers, silk mercers, boys' and ladies' outfitters, boot makers, carpet warehousemen, ironmongers, bedding, bedstead and general cabinet furniture manufacturers" of 165 to 173 Newington Causeway, London SE17. They were a kind of Department Store employing a large number of staff, of whom many were accommodated in a hostel or in dormitories provided by their employer. It housed 221 in total on 03 Apr 1881" [Source]

In 1891, Ann Pryor (61) Widowed, Living on own means was still living in New Street, Great Dunmow, with Frederick C Pryor (21) Solicitor's Clerk and Ann Trott (63) Widowed, Housekeeper Domestic Servant.

Ann Pryor died, at 61, in 1891 J Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 390.

• Lydia Ann Pryor married Porter Gentry in Dunmow, Essex, in 1871. Lydia Ann Gentry died, at 21, in 1873 S Quarter in BRAINTREE Volume 04A Page 232. (Porter Gentry remarried in 1895.)
• George Joseph Pryor married Emma Selina Piper on 7 Nov 1886. George Joseph Pryor died at 77 in 1941 D Qtr in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 261 and was buried on 26 Nov 1941, according to Essex Monumental Inscriptions, in Takeley, Essex.
• Herbert Edwin Pryor married Annie Stark on 9 Apr 1887 at St John the Evangelist, Smith Square, Westminster. He and his wife did not appear to have any children. When Herbert (84) died on 30 Oct 1946, his beneficiaries were his nephews, sons of George Joseph.
• Harry Pryor married Elizabeth Corps in Hastings, in 1890. Harry Pryor (64) died on 18 Sep 1914 S Qtr in HASTINGS Vol 02B P32.
• Frederick Clarance Pryor married Alice Blake Pitts in Dunmow, in 1897. Frederick Clarence Pryor died at 62, in 1932 J Quarter in BROMLEY [Kent] Volume 02A Page 696.