Henry Prior and Eliza Ellen Seymour

Former St Peter's Church, Cephas Street, Mile End Old Town
Photo: Julian Walker. Some Rights Reserved

Henry Prior (b. 1835), son of Charles Prior and Mary Wilton, married Eliza Ellen Seymour (b. 1838, registered: Ellen Eliza Seymour 1838 D Quarter in MALDON Volume 12 Page 131), daughter of John Seymour and Susannah Howell, on 16 Aug 1869 at the church of St Peter, Mile End Old Town.

In 1861, Eliza Seymour (22) had been a visitor in the household of her brother-in-law, Charles Lambson (30) Wine Clerk - married to Eliza's older sister, Jane Seymour (bap. 27 Oct 1822) - in Chesterford Terrace, Stanley Road, Hackney, which would explain her presence in that area. 

Henry and Eliza Prior had seven children, all born in Maldon, Essex: 

1. Florence Annie Prior b. 7 May 1870 J Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 261
2. Agnes Prior b. 1872 M Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A  Page 274. Died, aged 1, in 1873 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A  Page 164
3. Rosa Jane Prior b. 19 Dec 1873 (1874 M Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 274)
4. Alice Gertrude Prior b. 1876 J Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A Page 308. Died, aged 19, in 1896 M Qtr in CAMBRIDGE Vol 03B Page 314
5. Alfred Edwin Prior b. 10 Jun 1878 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 325
6. Ada Ella Prior b. 10 Aug 1880 S Qtr in MALDON Vol 04A 355
7. Eleanor Winifred Prior b. 24 Dec 1884 (1885 M Qtr Vol 04A 463)

In 1871, on Market Hill, Maldon, Essex, Henry Prior (36), was a basket maker. The original census return shows him to have been in the household alone. One imagines Eliza may have returned to her family for the birth of their first child, but neither she nor the infant appear to be listed anywhere.

Market Hill, Maldon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stefan Czapski
geograph.org.uk/p/4223421

In 1881, Henry Prior (46), was listed as a Furniture Dealer on Market Hill, Maldon, Essex. Living with him were Eliza (42), Florence (10), Rosa (7), Alice (5), Alfred (2) and Ada (0).

In 1891, Henry Prior (57) Furniture Dealer was in Bridge Street, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire with Eliza Prior (53), Gertrude Prior (15), Alfred Prior (12), Ella Prior (10) and Winifred Prior (6). Florence A Prior (20) Drapers Apprentice and Rosa J Prior (16) Drapers Apprentice were living in Castle Road, Bedford.

In 1901, Henry Prior (66), House Furnisher, was living at 172 East Road, Cambridge, with wife, Ellen (62) and their five children: Florence (29), Rosa (24), Alfred (22), Ella (20) and Minnie (16). (Alice Gertrude Prior had died in 1896, aged 19.) Also listed was Daniel Seymour (67), Congregational Minister, widower, visitor (Daniel George Seymour b. 12 Jun 1833, was Eliza's brother.) 

In 1911, Henry Prior (76) was still listed as a House Furnisher, living at 172 East Road, Cambridge, with wife Eliza Prior (72), Florence Prior (40) Book keeper in the business; Rosa Prior (37), Alfred Prior (32) Assisting in the business and Winifred Prior (26). The 1911 census confirms that they had been married for 42 years, had 7 children born alive and 5 still living.

The Cambridge Daily News of 10 Mar 1916 reported on "SIX MONTHS EXEMPTION. Alfred Edwin Prior, 173 East Road, partner and manager in a firm of house furnishers, carried on by him for his father and self under the style of H. Prior and Son, applied for absolute exemption [from Military Service] on the grounds that he was an only son, and his father was in his 82nd year and his mother was 79. His parents had no income apart from the business, which must come to a standstill and the support of the whole family, including two unmarried sisters, must fail should he be called away. Six months exemption so long as the condition remain the same was granted."

In 1921, Henry Prior (86) House Furnisher was still at 172, East Road, Cambridge, with Eliza Prior (82), Florence Prior (51) Assisting In The Business; Rosa Prior (47) & Alfred Prior (43) Partner In The Business. Ada Ella Prior (pretending to be 35) was a Shop Assistant at 85, High Street, South Norwood, Croydon. (Eleanor Winifred had married in 1913.)

Eliza Ellen Prior died, aged 89, on 19 Nov 1926 (1926 D Qtr Vol 03B 509) and was buried on 23 Nov 1926 at All Saints' Church, Cambridge.

On 4 Jan 1930, Ada Ella Prior (50) Spinster of 172 East Rd, Cambridge, daughter of Henry Prior, House Furnisher, married Isaac Collins, Auctioneer, Bachelor of The Hectorage, Tunbridge, Kent, son of Thomas Collins, Land Agent, by Licence at St Andrew the Less (now Christ Church Cambridge).

Henry Prior of 221 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, died at the age of 95 on 1 Oct 1930 (1930 D Quarter in CAMBRIDGE Volume 03B Page 478) and was also buried, on 6 Oct 1930, at All Saints' Church, Cambridge. Probate was granted, on 17 Nov 1930, to Alfred Edwin Prior and Florence Annie Prior.

Richard Benbow and Grace Beer

Site of the former St James', Dukes Place
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/921191
A former church, demolished in 1874.

Richard Benbow (b. 1659) Bachelor, married Grace Beer (b. 1663) Spinster, at the church of St James, Duke's Place, City of London, on 15 Aug 1686. Nicholas Poor is listed presumably as a witness to the marriage. Described variously as "Aldgate’s own version of Gretna Green" and the church that defied convention, St James's was "the place where people could get hitched while bypassing the irksome rules and regulations that would normally apply", with no need to wait for banns to be called; no need for a licence and, best of all, parental consent was not required to tie the knot there. Why this couple, a pair of my 8x great-grandparents, chose to marry there, isn't obvious.

They appear to have been the parents of at least four children:

1. Richard Benbow b. around 1690
2. Sarah Benbow b. around 1690
3. James Benbow b. around 1699
4. Samuel Benbow b. around 1699

Birth years are very approximate and mostly calculated from ages at death. There are no baptism records for any of their children, as they were Quakers and Quakers don't practice baptism. There could, therefore, have been other children, that we just don't encounter records for or cannot link to them.

We know that Richard Benbow is their child from a London Apprenticeship Abstract record, which lists him as the "son of Richard Bendbow (sic), Stepney, Middlesex, bricklayer". To confirm that link, James, also listed as son of Richard and a Bricklayer, later left three houses to Richard's daughter, Elizabeth Travally. Sarah is identified as his sister in James' will, as were his nieces Ann and Mary, daughters of Samuel. In the absense of the usual records, these are all we have to be able to glue this family together.

Richard Benbow, of Ratcliff, in the Parish of Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Bricklayer, aged about 64 years, died the 26th day of the month called April, 1723. Buried in Friends Burying Ground Ratcliff. [In The London Burial Grounds, by Isabella M. Holmes, is the information "There was a little meeting-house with a burial-ground attached in Wapping Street, which seems to have been used until about 1779, but was then demolished, the worshippers moving to the meeting in Brook Street, Ratcliff."]. Richard Benbow was reported to have died "of a Dropsy" (Edema, also spelled oedema, also known as fluid retention, dropsy, hydropsy and swelling).

A tax record places Grace Benbow in Brooke Street, Ratcliff, in 1730.

Grace Benbow died, aged about 83, of old age. The record says she died (well, one version said she 'dyed' and one wonders what colour) on the 4th day of the 10th month called December and was buried on the 7th day of said month, 1746, also at the Friends Burying Ground at Ratcliff. (December was then the 10th month. Until 1752, the new year in England still began on Lady Day, March 25th. In addition, Quakers sometimes used a Calendar that differed from both the English custom of beginning the year on March 25 and from the Scottish custom of beginning the year on January 1. Many Quakers, such as George Fox and William Penn, began the year on March 1.)

Sarah Benbow, Spinster, and John Warber, Bachelor, both from the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney, married at St Clement Danes, Westminster (the first church in the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons) on 22 Dec 1724. However, John Warber, Pensioner (undoubtedly military), was buried at St Dionis Backchurch, City of London, on 23 Feb 1739. Sarah Warber married James Terney at Newington St Mary (Surrey) on 9 Sep 1740. This is the surname listed in James Benbow's will. James and Sarah Terney had a daughter, Elizabeth Terney bap. 19 Jun 1741 at St George in the East. This suggests that Sarah was probably a little younger than we're being told. There was a burial of a Sarah Turney (sic) at St James, Piccadilly on 30 Nov 1768.

James Bendbow (sic) of Ratcliff, Bricklayer, son of Richard Bendbow of the same place and trade deceased, married Frances Stalker, daughter of Thomas Stalker of Sotheringby, Cumberland, Carpenter, deceased, at the Monthly Meeting of Peel's Court, John Street, Westminster on 27 Nov 1740. Relatives present: Samuel and Mary Bendbow, Sarah and James Terney, Hannah Preston [1]. (Many considered Quaker couples to be living in sin because they didn't have clergy to officiate.) James Benbow of Brook Street in the Parish of Stepney, aged about 62 years, died on 23 Apr 1761, of convulsions. He was buried on 26 Apr 1761 at the Friends Burying Ground at Ratcliff. The will of James Bendbow (sic) of St Dunstan's Stepney, Bricklayer, left everything (including 11 freehold houses) to his wife Frances to dispose of, as mentioned above, with bequeaths to his sister Sarah Terney, and nieces (he'd said cousins) Elizabeth Travally, Ann Benbow and Mary Haselden [2]. Frances Bendbow (sic) of Brook Street, Ratcliff in the Parish of Stepney, aged about 66 years, died on 17 May 1766, of a Dropsy, and was buried on 23 May 1766 at the Friends Burying Ground, near School House Lane, Ratcliff.

Samuel Benbow married Mary Breeden at St Mary's Church, Bromley St Leonard's, on 10 Jan 1723. Samuel and Mary Benbow had eight children:

1. Sarah Benbow b. 18 Jan 1724, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer and Mary, bap. 7 Feb 1724 (at 20 days old), at St Dunstan's, Stepney
2. Grace Benbow, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer was buried on 1 Apr 1726, at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney. Assuming she had been born that same year and died at birth, or shortly thereafter.
3. Joseph Benbow, son of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 21 May 1727 and buried on 28 May 1727, in Stepney, Middlesex
4. John Benbow, son of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 19 May 1728
5. Elizabeth Benbow, daughter of Samuel Benbow and Mary, bap. 18 Jan 1729; died aged 13 and was buried on 20 Nov 1742 in Stepney
6. Ann Benbow b. Friday, 12 May 1732, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 4 Jun 1732 (at 23 days)
7. Joseph Benbow b. Monday, 14 Oct 1734, son of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 10 Nov 1734 (at 27 days). Died just before his first birthday, on 2 Oct 1735.
8. Mary Benbow b. Sunday, 5 Oct 1735, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Rat (Ratcliff) and Mary, bap. 2 Nov 1735 (at 28 days old), at St Dunstan, Stepney. Mary, daughter of Samuel Benbow was buried at St Dunstan, on 30 Sep 1737, just short of her 2nd birthday.

Mary Benbow, wife of Samuel Benbow was said to have been buried at St Dunstan, Stepney on 26 Feb 1735. Unfortunately, relying on a transcription of this record only, I feel it's most likely that this was actually 1736.

Samuel Benbow, Widower, then married Mary Hudson, Widow, both of the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney at St Botolph's Aldgate, on 24 Feb 1738. It hasn't been possible to narrow down a possible previous marriage to determine what this Mary's maiden name and parentage was.

In 1739, tax records place Samuel Benbow in Brooke Street, Ratcliff.

Samuel Benbow and his second wife had one daughter:

1. Mary Benbow b. Friday, 13 Jun 1740, daughter of Samuel Benbow, Bricklayer of Ratcliff and Mary, bap. 29 Jun 1740 (at 16 days old).

In 1746, tax records place Samuel Benbow on Cock Hill (The Highway).

Samuel Benbow of Ratcliff, Bricklayer, aged about 51 years, died on the 14 Nov 1750. (Actually, the original record says 1751, however, the deaths either side of his were in 1750 and Probate was granted on 20 Dec 1750, so I believe the record keeper saw his age of 51 and made a slip up in the year.) Samuel reportedly died of convulsions and was buried on 18 Nov 1750, at the Friends Burying Ground near Schoolhouse Lane. He left everything to his 'affectionate wife Mary Benbow' and appointed her sole Executrix.

[1] Found no other records of Hannah Preston to know how she was related.

[2] Mary Bendbow (sic), daughter of Samuel Benbow and his second wife, married Herbert Haselden, in Stepney, on 10 May 1757. This couple had a daughter, Mary Magdalen Haselden b. 22 Feb 1758, daughter of Herbert Haselden, Grocer, and Mary, bap. 23 Feb 1758 (at 1 day old) at St Dunstan, Stepney. They also had a daughter, Frances, bap. 9 June 1760, mentioned in this Lease and Release with counterpart of release, "William Wood of Little Russell Street, parish of Saint George, Bloomsbury, co. Middx., cider merchant and Frances his wife, only child and heir of Herbert Haselden late of Stepney in the fields, co. Middx., grocer and tobacconist, grand daughter and heir of Magdalen wife of Robert Haselden late of Over Hulton, co. Lancs." 

William Wood and Frances Haselden had married, by licence issued on 14 Apr 1787. In 1777, there had been a Frances Haselden apprenticed to a Susanna Pingo, as a Milliner, which would also suggest a year of birth around 1760.

• Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers
• The History of Brick Building in England
• Brickwork: Historic Development
• Stepney: Protestant Nonconformity to 1689
• Quakers around Shoreditch

George Bawden and Mary Baker

Knowstone : Cottage & Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3980875

George Bawden (bap. 9 Dec 1821 in Knowstone, Devon), son of John Boaden (sic), Shoemaker and Ann Marshall, married Mary Baker, illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Baker, at St Peter's church, Knowstone on 15 Aug 1845.

George and Mary appear to have had seven children:

1. George Bawden b. 1845 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 286. Died 1845 D Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 133.
2. John Bawden b. 1847 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 Page 205
3. Mary Ann Boaden (sic) b. 1850 J Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 10 216
4. George Boaden (sic) b. 1854 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 426. George Bawden aged 1 was buried on 26 Dec 1855
5. Grace Boaden (sic) b. 1857 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 415. Died at 16 months in 1858 J Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 302 and was buried on 2 May 1858 in Knowstone
6. Grace Bawden b. 1860 S Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B Page 417
7. George Bawden b. 1863 M Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B Page 480

The mother's maiden name on all of these births was BAKER.

In 1851, George Boaden (sic) (29) Farm Labourer and Mary Boaden (30) were living in Knowstone Town, with John Boaden (3) and Mary Anne Boaden (0).

In 1861, George Boaden (sic) (39) Labourer and Mary Boaden (40) were living at West House, West Village, Knowstone with Mary Boaden (10) and Grace Boaden (0). John Bouden (sic) (13) was a Farm Servant at Allshire, Higher Sour Hill, Brushford, Dulverton, Somerset.

In 1871, George Bawden (49) and Mary Bawden (50) were living at Bawden Cottage, Knowstone with George Bawden (8) and Elizabeth Middleton (71) Annuitant, Lodger, but who was in fact, Mary's widowed mother. Grace Bawden (10) was a Domestic Servant at Beaples Barton, Knowstone.

George Bawden died at 51 in 1872 D Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 301 and was buried on 20 Oct 1872 in St Peter's churchyard.

Mary Bawden, Widow, then remarried to Thomas Marshall, Widower, son of Edward Marshall and Elizabeth Sellick, at St Peter's, Knowstone on 9 Jun 1875. The next wedding to take place in that church and listed on the same page of the register, was that of Mary's half-sister (and my 2x great-grandmother), Jane Middleton to William Flew, on 2 Sep 1875. And Thomas Marshall was the brother of James Marshall, who had married William Flew's sister, Mary Elworthy (née Flew) in 1856. In addition to that, Mary Baker's first husband, George Bawden's mother, Ann Marshall, was the sister of her 2nd husband, Thomas Marshall's father, Edward Marshall, so her two husbands were first cousins. What a small gene pool they had in these villages. Honestly, an episode of Soap would be easier to follow! 

Thomas Marshall had previously married Hannah Kingdom (bap. 26 Aug 1827 in Knowstone) daughter of John Kingdom and Mary Marley, in Knowstone, on 31 Mar 1847. Thomas and Hannah had four children. Hannah Marshall died at 46 on 25 Feb 1875 (1875 M Quarter in SOUTHMOLTON Volume 05B Page 378) and was buried that same day in Knowstone churchyard.

In 1881, Thomas Marshall (61) Ag Lab and Mary Marshall (60) were living in Knowstone Village. Grace Bowden (sic) (20) was Servant to Charles Williams, Grocer at 1, Queen Street, South Molton; and George Bowden (sic) Jnr (18) was an Ag Lab (indoors) at Whitefield Farm, Knowstone.

Have been unable to find them [as yet] in 1891, nor a death for Mary.

Thomas Marshall died at 77 in 1896 S Qtr in SOUTH MOLTON Vol 05B 275.

Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green

Junction of Cable Street and Watney Street, Shadwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Stott - geograph.org.uk/p/6067988

Dan Thompson (b. 12 Oct 1848 in Broughton, Northamptonshire), son of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at 19, married married Mary Ann Green (b. 3 Jul 1849 in Bethnal Green), 18, daughter of Edward Green and Eliza Goodman, at the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, Limehouse (bombed in 1940 and since demolished) on 15 Aug 1867. Witnesses to their marriage were Robert Davis and Harriet Blundell (in 1861, Harriet, then 12, had been a visitor in the household of Mary Ann's parents, so may have been family.)

Dan and Mary Ann had two children:

1. Eliza Louisa Tompson b. 24 Aug 1868 at 299 Cable Street (1868 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 417)
2. Dan Edward Green Tompson b. 12 Mar 1870 (1870 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 466). Died 1870 J Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 288.

In 1851, Dan (2) was with his parents, in Broughton. Following his father's death in 1854, by 1861, the 12 year old Dan was living in the household of his eldest brother, George Thompson (b. 1836), who appeared to have taken over the family carpentry business in Broughton, along with their widowed mother, Mary Thompson (née Adcock). Dan's brother Benjamin (19) was then living with their aunt and uncle, in St George in the East, Middlesex. So it's presumably as a result of this latter connection that Dan also went to London and it seems to be that when the brothers reach the East End they drop the aitch from Thompson. My mother always insisted it was Tompson.

Mary Ann Tompson, wife of Dan Tompson, Bricklayer (present at the death), died on 19 Mar 1870 at 363 Cable Street, St George in the East, after giving birth to their son. The causes listed on Mary Ann's death certificate state "Childbirth 7 days, Scarlet Fever 4 days, exhaustion". She was just 20.

In April 1871, the widowed Dan Tompson (22) was lodging in Cable Street, while his daughter Eliza Louisa (2) (listed as Thompson), was living with her widowed maternal grandmother, Eliza Green, then landlady at The King and Queen Public House in Tait Street, St George in the East (Wapping).

On 4 June 1871, Dan Tompson (23) remarried to Sarah Jane Baker (19), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, at Christ Church, Watney Street, Stepney (four of the five Tompson siblings married in this church). Witnesses were Charles Richard Baker, Sarah Jane's brother; Amelia Baker, who was either her mother or sister and Louisa Tompson, Dan's sister.

Dan and Sarah Jane went on to have a further TWELVE children:

1. Amelia Mary Tompson b. 1872 D Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 473 (Died, aged 1, in 1874 M Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C 399)
2. Jessie Elizabeth Tompson b. 1874 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 597 (Died, aged 1, in 1876 M Qtr in Vol 01C Page 433)
3. Sarah Sophia Tompson b. 9 Oct 1876 (1876 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 523), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon
4. Mabel Grace Tompson b. 6 Aug 1878 (1878 S Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 443), bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
5. Mary Adcock Tompson b. 1880 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 371 (Died, aged 1, in 1881 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 280)
6. Dan Baker Tompson b. 1882 D Quarter in ST: GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 385 (Died 1883 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 274)
7. Charles Frederick Tompson b. 1884 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 409 (Died, aged 3, in 1887 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 451)
8. George Daniel Tompson b. 1885 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 349, bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
9. Ernest Wilberforce Tompson b. 1888 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 641 (Died, aged 1, in 1890 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 81)
10. Amelia Mary Tompson b. 14 Nov 1890 (1890 D Quarter in AYLESBURY Volume 03A Page 648), bap. 25 Dec 1890 in Waddesdon
11. Ellen Hoile Folville Tompson b. 22 May 1893 (1893 S Quarter in MELTON MOWBRAY Volume 07A Page 323), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire
12. Ivy Maud Tompson b. 23 Feb 1895 (1895 J Quarter in AYLESBURY Volume 03A Page 761), bap. 5 Jun 1895 in Waddesdon

The mother's maiden name on all of these birth registrations is BAKER.

In 1881, Dan Tompson (32) and Sarah Jane Tompson (29) were living at 27 Watney Street, St George in the East, with Dan's daughter Eliza Louisa Tompson (12) - listed as Elizabeth L - Sarah Sophia Tompson (5), Mabel Grace Tompson (3) and Mary Adcock Tompson (0). (Living at the same address were Sarah Jane's younger sister, Sophia and her husband Charles Frederick Burden. Both couples followed similar naming patterns for their children, with Dan and Sarah Jane naming one son Charles Frederick, which suggests they were close. Burden went to Canada in 1900. Did this have a bearing on Dan and Sarah Jane's decision to emigrate in 1912?)

On 4 Oct 1886 Mabel Grace and on 1 Nov 1886 Sarah Sophia, daughters of Dan Tompson of 106 High Street, were enrolled at Bow High Street School (Closed in 1932). This record provides their actual birth dates.

Mabel Grace (b. 1878), George Daniel (b. 1885) and Amelia Mary (b. 1890), were all baptised on Christmas Day 1890, in Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire.

In 1891, in High Street, Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire were Dan Tompson (40) Bricklayer; Sarah Jane Tompson (39), Mabel G Tompson (12), George D Tompson (5) and Amelia M Tompson (0). Eliza Louisa Tompson (22) 'Fancy box maker' was living with William and Ellen Burton, in Knapp Road, Bromley, Poplar, listed as their niece (Ellen Burton (née Baker) was Sarah Jane' sister). Sarah Sophia Tompson was visiting her aunt Mary Thompson, widow of her father's brother, Benjamin, at the Spotted Cow, Hither Green, Lewisham.

St Michael & All Angels,
Waddesdon - Font
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon
geograph.org.uk/p/3267102

Sarah Sophia, Ellen Hoile Folville (b. 1893 in Ashby Folville, Leicestershire and Ivy Maud (b. 1895) were also baptised, in Waddesdon, on 5 Jun 1895. The denomination on all of the baptisms is listed as Anglican, so I assume this was at the church of St Michael & All Angels, Waddesdon. In later documents, Dan lists himself as Wesleyan and there is a Wesleyan Chapel in Waddesdon High Street.

In 1901, Dan Tompson (52) and Sarah Jane Tompson (49), were listed as living in Gracious Street, Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire with George Daniel (15) Bricklayer; Amelia Mary (10), Ellen T H (7) and Ivy Maud (6), plus lodger, William Warren (61), described as 'Draper But Not In Occupation'.

Dan's obituary details that, in 1904 he was elected to the Whittlesey Urban District Council and that "Mr Tompson came to Whittlesey in July 1896 and became landlord of the "King's Head" (now in residential use, see image) in, Gracious Street, which he kept until he left for Canada in 1911."

Gracious Street, Whittlesey (1897) A decorated house on Whittlesey’s Gracious Street during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations for Queen Victoria in 1897. Image Peterborough Images Archive

In 1911, Dan Tompson (63), Sarah Jane Tompson (60), Ellen Hoile Folville Tompson (18), Ivy Maud Tompson (16) and William Charles Kritzer (7), Grandson, were living at Lattersey Field, Whittlesey; Mabel Grace Tompson was a Lady's Maid in the household of Sir Philip Hickson Waterlow, 2nd Baronet (Waterlow and Sons) in Carlton House Terrace; Amelia Tompson (23) from Waddeston, Bucks was a Domestic Servant in the employ of James Hainsworth Ismay (son of Thomas Henry Ismay, founder of the White Star Line) at Iwerne Minster House, Iwerne Minster, Dorset.

R.M.S. Corsican Image: Eric Eggertson Some rights reserved

Family stories, at best, usually have a mere grain of truth in them, almost universally contain large measures of exaggeration and "self-aggrandisement" and sometimes, huge amounts of complete fiction. Researching family history, therefore, becomes an exercise in debunking the family myths. Some relatives are more prone to bigging themselves and their forebears up, so you learn to question (read completely disbelieve) their tales, so you could honestly have knocked me down with a feather when I found this one was mostly true.

My mother said that one of the Tompsons had gone to Canada and set up a business. The story wasn't without some exaggeration, as she did make it sound like they'd set up a massive corporation and given the impression that if one were to go to any place in that vast country and mention "Tompsons" everyone would instantly know the household name - when reality was a couple of self-employed brickies - but they do turn up in Canada.

To be fair, she will have got this story too from her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney (née Tompson), but my mother didn't seem to know who among the Tompsons had gone to Canada and the way the story came across is as if it was some distant relative, not Eliza Louisa's own father, Dan Tompson.

Dan's son George Daniel Tompson, had travelled, initially to the US, in 1908, but on 6 Jul 1912, Dan Tompson (63), with daughters Amelia (21) and Ellen (19), had embarked in London bound for Montreal on the R.M.S. Corinthian. Curiously, they're listed on the passenger list under "The Salvation Army Pantel", with Dan's Profession, Occupation or Calling listed as "Farming" and of the girls as "Domestic". They had all travelled 3rd class, or Steerage. Then separately, on 18 Oct 1912, wife Sarah Jane (listed as 36, although she was actually 61), youngest daughter Ivy (17) and Willie Thompson (8) - this has to be the grandchild listed on the 1911 Census as William Charles Kritzer - embarked in Liverpool aboard the SS Corsican, also bound for Montreal.

House on the left 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, Canada

The family set up home in the Earlscourt neighbourhood in Toronto, settled in 1906 by labourers from the British Isles. Even in 1914 it still had a “shack town” reputation. This article about the area, which talks of a "Building Boom", indicates why the Tompsons went there, "The modest sized lots on empty fields appealed to those looking for affordable land, low taxes and lax building regulations." Reading between the lines, my belief is that the family acquired one of the plots and split it between father and son. George Daniel initially lived in the house on the right of the picture, 133 Morrison Avenue and Dan settled in the house on the left, 131 Morrison Avenue. Given they were bricklayers, there's a good chance they built the houses themselves.

In the 1913 Toronto City Directory, Dan Tompson is listed at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, as a bricklayer. In the 1917 directory, Dan is listed at 73 Ashburnham Rd, Toronto, with George at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

On the 1921 Census of Canada, Dan (72), Sarah Jane (69), Amelia Mary (31), Ellen (29), Ivy Maud (27) and Willie Christie (18) - the grandson with the ever-changing surname - were all living at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

Dan Tompson died on Friday, 1 Aug 1924, at his home of 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto. The record of his death says it was from "Senility", although his obituary contradicts that saying, "He was 77 years of age, but his vigour of mind made him appear younger." He was actually only 75. Dan was buried on 3 Aug 1924 at Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Section 17, Plot 509. (Plan)

Grave of Dan Tompson at Prospect Cemetery in Toronto

August 23, 1924

DAN TOMPSON of WHITTLESEY

A Noted Builder's Death in Canada

Whittlesey Council Meetings of the Past

Old friends in the Whittlesey neighbourhood will learn with regret that Mr Daniel Tompson, formerly a well-known Whittlesey resident, of whom many will have lively and pleasing recollections, is dead.

The following is culled from the "Toronto Evening Telegram":- The Lloyd George of Earlscourt is dead. Dan Tompson he was to strangers, but Lloyd George to the hundreds of Earlscourt residents who saw a likeness to the British statesman in the shaggy crop of hair and the rugged, honest face - who watched him as he stood at rate payers' meetings denouncing some condition which he thought unjust - who heard his ejaculate "Shame!" at some big public gathering, when overpowering indignation forced a remark from him. Dan Tompson died on Friday at his home, 131 Morrison Avenue. He was 77 years of age, but his vigour of mind made him appear younger, and he rarely missed a meeting of his favourite organisation, the British Imperial Association. Born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, he lived over 30 years in London, and was nine years on the Whittlesey Urban Council. In 1912 he came to Toronto, and lived in Earlscourt for the last seven years. He was a member of the Church of England [?] And Royal Alexandra [?] No 2459. Surviving him are his widow, Mrs Sarah Jane Tompson; one son, George, 124 Hatherley Road; and six daughters, Mrs J Sweeney, Mrs J Christie and Mrs Mabel Martin, of England and Misses Amelia, Ellen and Ivy at home. He was always an outstanding figure at meetings. Head thrown back and blue eyes flashing, he could speak from his extensive experience on practically every subject which was under discussion.

The last paragraph of the above report is indeed a tribute to Mr Tompson's powers of expression and volubility.

His Whittlesey Associations

Mr Tompson came to Whittlesey in July 1896 and became landlord of the "King's Head" in, Gracious Street, which he kept until he left for Canada in 1911. Always original, and by no means hide-bound by convention, he combined the role of publican with that of a local preacher, truly a strange combination, and one not often seen nowadays. But "Dan" as he was intimately known to hundreds, could well sustain this dual role. There was one occasion when his dignity suffered a severe shock, and that was at Pond's Bridge. He had been invited over there in his capacity as a local preacher to take the service at the little chapel, which was given to the hamlet by Lord de Ramsey, and being unused to the pulpit, which was of [unreadable] design, he had no sooner got into it he tripped out!

By trade he was a builder and a very efficient and reliable contractor too. Among works undertaken by him was the building of the New Whittlesey Brick Company, now known as the Victory Brickworks, and he also assisted in the building of the Gildenburgh Brick Works, now known as the United Brick Company. An employer of labour, he was most generous and paid his men liberally. Inclined towards Liberalism in politics, and delivered many stirring orations in his advocacy of the cause. As will be realised by "Sub Rosa's" accompanying article, a meeting at which Mr Tompson was present was never dull and although Dan's electioneering motto - or shall we say, battle-cry - was "Actions speak louder than words", he was never a believer in the quiet subdued style of advocacy, but went "all out" with a force that told.

Besides the wider realm of national politics, local government attracted him, and in 1904 he was elected to the Whittlesey Urban District Council, fourteenth on the list of the eighteen successful candidates. Again in 1907 and 1910 he was returned, improving his position each time, and he retained his seat on the Council until he left for Canada in 1911. Arrived in the Dominion, he carried on his business as a builder.

His wife, who, as the Canadian report states, survives him, was a charming lady, and made a host of friends in Whittlesey.

Their daughters must have travelled back to the UK, because on 17 Sep 1926, Amelia Mary Thompson (35) and Ellen Hoile Thompson (32), embarked in Liverpool, bound for Montreal on the R.M.S. Regina. Interestingly, they gave their last address in the United Kingdom as c/o Mrs Sweeney, 102 Fore Street, London (my great-grandmother, their half-sister).

On the 1931 Canada Census, Sarah Jane Tompson (81) widowed, arrival date 1912, was still listed at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto with Amelia Mary Tompson (41), Ellen Hoile Tompson (38) and Ivy Maude Tompson (36).

Then on 19 Sep 1931, Ellen (38) and Ivy Maud (36) made the crossing from Liverpool to New York, in transit to Canada, on the R.M.S. Adriatic. They stated they were citizens of Canada. (Until 1947, settlers from Britain were considered citizens of Canada without needing to naturalize.)

The three Tompson girls then all appeared in the Toronto Centennial City Directory of 1934 at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto.

Sarah Jane Tompson died on 4 Aug 1937 and was buried with her husband.

In 1939, the three spinster daughters were back in the UK, living together at Way Homesteads, Broadway, Yaxley, Cambridgeshire. Amelia and Ellen were dressmakers, while Ivy was a School Teacher (Technical). Their brother George Daniel's father-in-in law, George Oldfield's parents were, George Oldfield and Mary Haddon and, in 1851, Mary was listed as having been born in Yaxley, then in Huntingdonshire. This may well explain why the three sisters were in Yaxley after they returned to the UK from Canada. None of these three sisters ever married and they then returned to Whittlesey.

On 12 Sep 1939, Probate was granted to Amelia Mary Tompson and Ivy Maud Tompson on the estates of both Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Tompson. They left effects of £400 (worth around £26,000 today), hardly a fortune. 

Ellen died on 14 Jan 1976. She will have been 82. Amelia Mary Tompson of 81 Benwick Road, Whittlesey, died on 4 Mar 1986. She was 95. Ivy Maud Tompson of Keneydon House, 2 Delph Street, Whittlesey (a Residential Dementia care home) died on 12 Feb 1991, just eleven days before her 96th birthday. 

Ellen Hoile Tompson, Amelia Mary Tompson and Ivy Maud Tompson are buried in Whittlesey Cemetery.

William Henry Bridle and Emma Lucas

Interior of St Thomas a Becket's Church, Thorverton, Devon
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Voller - geograph.org.uk/p/4038111

William Henry Bridle (b. 1844 in Rockbeare, Devon), son of Thomas Parsons Bridle and Elizabeth Wills, married Emma Lucas (bap. 2 Sep 1849 in Thorverton, Devon), daughter of William Lucas and Eliza Bamsey, at St Thomas a Becket's Church, Thorverton, on 14 Aug 1870. 

The births of their four sons are widely spaced, but I found no others:

1. William Bridle b. 1871 M Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 71 in Brampford Speke
2. Mark Bridle b. 9 Jan 1876 (1876 M Quarter in CREDITON Volume 05B Page 428) in Newton St Cyres
3. John Lucas Bridle b. 11 Jun 1879 (1879 S Quarter in CREDITON Volume 05B Page 411) in Newton St Cyres
4. Harry Bridle b. 7 Aug 1887 (1887 S Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 57) in Stoke Canon

In 1871, Henry Bridle (26), Agricultural Labourer, Emma Bridle (21) and William Bridle (1) were living at Pound Cottage, Brampford Speke. 

In 1881, in Lilly Road, Newton St Cyres, were Henry Bridle (36) Railway Labourer; Emma Bridle (31), William (10), Mark (5) and John (1).

In 1891, at Barrow Cottages, 4, Barrow Road, Rewe, Stoke Canon, were William Henry Bridle (45) Agricultural Labourer; Emma Bridle (40), with Mark Bridle (14), John L Bridle (11) and Harry Bridle (3). William Bridle (20), Horse Driver, was a boarder in a household in Westexe South, Tiverton.

In 1901, at Hill Cottages, Netherene Village, Nether Exe (24 households in 1086), were Henry Bridle (56), Emma Bridle (51), and Harry Bridle (13). 

In 1911, in Stoke Canon, William Henry Bridle (66), Farm Labourer, and his wife, Emma Bridle (62), were living in the household of their son Mark Bridle and his wife, Maud Lucy Medcalf (who he married in St Pancras, London in 1905); with Harry Bridle (3) Nephew (son of Harry Bridle and Adeline Martha Coome) and Elizabeth Deroney (72), Boarder. 

In 1921, William H Bridle (76) described as 'Blind Retired' and Emma Bridle (71) were still living in Stoke Canon, Devon.

[William] Henry Bridle died, aged 84, on 22 Dec 1928 (1928 D Qtr in EXETER Vol 05B 114) and is buried at St Mary Magdalene, Stoke Canon. 

Emma Bridle died, aged 88, on 21 Jul 1937 (1937 S Quarter in EXETER Vol 05B Page 73) and was buried at St Mary Magdalene, Stoke Canon.

Solomon Thompson and Ann Turner

Old Bethnal Green Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/1332206

Solomon Thompson (48) widower, builder, son of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married Ann Burr (39), widow, on 14 Aug 1871, at St Jude's Church (Old Bethnal Green Road), Bethnal Green. Both gave their address as 8 Hare Street, Bethnal Green. Ann listed her father as William Turner, Paper Maker, which I have yet to confirm. Likewise, I've been unable to find the previous marriage of an Ann Turner to anyone named Burr.

There was an Albert Edward Thompson born in 1872 M Quarter in BETHNAL GREEN Volume 01C  Page 334, with his mother's maiden name as Turner, but I've found nothing that would corroborate this as a child of this couple.

In 1851, Solomon Thompson (28) Carpenter, from Northamptonshire, alone, but listed as married, had been a Lodger in Mile End Old Town, Stepney.

In 1861, Solomon Thompson (37) Joiner, from Northamptonshire along with wife Jane (28) with her birthplace listed as Clifton, Cumberland, were living in Seabright Street, Bethnal Green. There are no clues to Jane's maiden name, nor can I find a record of their marriage. Neither can I find if there were any children of this marriage. One assumes Jane Thompson died between 1861 and 1871, but it also hasn't been possible to pinpoint the relevant death.

It appears that Solomon Thompson died, aged 49, in 1872 S Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 310.

Sadly, too many people named Ann Thompson to follow her forward.

Thomas Fudge and Ann Beedle

Church of St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5713509
The Minster Church of St Andrew, also known as St Andrew's Church, Plymouth.

Thomas Fudge (b. 1808), of the Royal Marines, married Ann Beedle (b. 1813), at St Andrew's Church, Plymouth on 12 Aug 1834. Neither could sign their own names. Witnesses were Catherine Murray and James Boulter.

Thomas and Ann had three children:

1. Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fuge (sic) bap. 7 Aug 1836 in East Stonehouse
2. Thomas James Fudge b. 1843 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 09 Page 341
3. Sarah Jane Fudge b. 25 Dec 1850, reg. 1851 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 09 Page 389

On Lucy Elizabeth Ann's baptism, her father's occupation is given as Drummer, Royal Marines. The registrations of Thomas and Sarah confirm their mother's maiden name as Beedle. Despite there being long gaps between each child, checking year by year through the records at the General Record Office did not reveal any others. Possibly because Thomas was often away at sea.

Navy Allotment Records list Thomas Fudge of 26 High Street, Stonehouse as a Fifer aboard HMS Endymion (1797) in 1841; in 1844 with HMS Mutine (1844) and HMS Mutche in 1845. In 1845, Thomas Fudge from Stonehouse was listed among Merchant Seamen, Merchant Navy & Maritime.

In 1841, Ann Fuge (sic) (25) (ish) was one of a very long list of people (too many for a private house) in Fore Street - with Louisa Fuge (sic) (4) - Lucy, clearly. Fore Street was the site of various establishments such as the Wesleyan Sailors' and Soldiers' Home and the Royal Sailors' Rest and Institute and it could well be one of these establishments they were staying in.

In 1851, Thomas Fudge (43) Greenwich Pensioner, his birthplace listed as East Stonehouse, Devonshire was living in Edgcumbe Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth with wife Ann Fudge (38), Lucy Fudge (15), Thomas Fudge (7) and baby Sarah Jane, incorrectly listed as Sarah Ann Fudge (sic) (0).

In 1861, at 10 Providence Place, East Stonehouse was Thomas Fudge (53) Seaman; Ann Fudge (47), Thomas Fudge (17) Rope Maker; Sarah Fudge (11) Scholar and Anne L Fudge (3) Granddaughter. (Who I believe is Louisa Ann Bailey, daughter of Lucy Fudge, who had married Thomas Bailey in 1856.)

In 1871, then living in Bridport Street, Portsea, Hampshire, were Thomas Fudge (64) Seaman Pensioner, Anne Fudge (58) and Anne Fudge (13) listed as their daughter, but must be their granddaughter, Louisa Ann Bailey.

In 1881, Thomas Fudge (72) Navy Pensioner was living at 33, Bridport Street, Portsea with wife Ann (68). Living with them were their son-in-law George Charles Mew, married to Sarah Jane, along with four grandchildren.

Ann Fudge died, aged 71, in 1885 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 352. Thomas Fudge died back in his native EAST STONEHOUSE, in 1888 J Quarter, Volume 05B Page 205, with his age estimated as 83.

Charles Walter Street and Margaret Robertson

Former Devonport Market House, Duke Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5191618
Duke Street, Devonport, ran from the junction with Catherine Street and James Street to George Street and the bottom of Ker Street. Devonport Market was on the northern side.

Charles Walter Street (29) Fireman RN of 15 Moon Street, Devonport, married Margaret Robertson (b. 6 Jul 1865 in Stoke Damerel, Devon), of 11 Moon Street, daughter of Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters, at St James the Great, Devonport on 12 Aug 1894. 

Born Walter Charles Street in 1865 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 338, mother's maiden name COLLINGS, on his marriage certificate, Charles Walter lists his father as John Street (deceased), Sailor RN. Although I've not yet traced his parents, Margaret Street was reputedly his aunt.

Unlike her two older siblings, who were brought up by their step-grandfather, Daniel Pellew, Margaret Robertson, whose mother had died just 10 days after her birth, was brought up by Margaret Street, as her Foster Daughter. 

Charles and Margaret had two children:

1. Hilda Margaret Alice Street b. 7 Mar 1896 (1896 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 291), bap. 26 Nov 1897 at Devonport, St Mary.
2. Walter James Alfred Street b. 1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 283, bap. 1901 at Devonport, St John.

In 1901, Charles Street (36) Leading Stoker Royal Navy; Margaret (35), Hilda (5) and Margaret Street (62) Widow, Aunt lived in Duke Street, Devonport. 

In 1911, Margaret Street (45) Tailoress was living in Devonport with daughter Hilda (15) and son Walter (9). Charles will have been away, because on 25 Aug 1910, he was loaned to the Canadian Naval Service for 2 years.

Charles Walter Street, giving his date of birth as 21 Jan 1863 (gaining two years), enlisted in the Royal Navy on 16 Mar 1881. His previous trade listed as Waterman. He served for 21 years, until he was pensioned on 6 May 1902. He then joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 7 May 1902, from which he was discharged on 24 Aug 1910 in order to do his Canadian stint. He was redeployed, as a Stoker Petty Officer, from 2 Aug 1914 to 19 Oct 1914 at Vivid II, the Stokers and Engine Room Artificers School in Devonport.

Charles Walter Street died in 1917 D Qtr in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 376.

Margaret Street died in 1937 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 281.

• Hilda Margaret Alice Street married Ernest Harold Harding (b. 22 May 1899 in Mile End Old Town, London), Engine Room Artificer RN, son of Thomas Harding and Emily Scotcher, on 5 Mar 1923 at Devonport, St John. Hilda died, at 69, in 1965, in Plymouth. Ernest Harold Harding died in 1980, in Liskeard, Cornwall.
• Walter James Alfred Street died, at 36, in 1938 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 393.

Who was Margaret Street? Born Margaret Organ in 1838 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 428, there was no mother's maiden name on her birth registration. By the time of her baptism on 13 Jan 1839, her mother was listed as Sarah Organ, 'Widow'. Margaret Ann Organ (24) married Frederick William Street (28) Seaman RN on 21 Aug 1862. Frederick listed his father as William Street, Waterman. Margaret, meanwhile, listed her father as James Organ, Shipwright. I can find no record of the existence of this person. The assumption, therefore, would be that Charles Walter Street's father was Frederick's brother, but I cannot find any records to prove this. There is still no explanation to suggest why Margaret Street took in and perhaps even named, the orphaned Margaret Robertson.

John Harvey and Esther Glede

Georgian Town Houses on Arbour Square, Stepney Casualguy, Public domain

John Harvey (b. ~1811 in Chingford, Essex) married Esther Glede (bap. 12 Nov 1829 at St Dunstan and All Saints), daughter of Morris Glede and Sarah Thorn, on 11 Aug 1849, at the church of St Thomas, Stepney, which had stood in Arbour Square: "a neat edifice of Suffolk brick, in the early English style, with two octangular turrets that was erected in 1837." It closed in 1940. The record of the marriage lists the bride's father as Morris Glede, the bridegroom's father as John Harvey and all three of them with the occupation of Labourer. John and Esther are listed as bachelor and spinster and "of full age". Witnesses were Eleanor Hooper and John P Hughlings. 

John and Esther already had three children and added six more:

1. Sarah Ann Harvey bap. 17 Dec 1843 in Chingford, Essex
2. Susannah Harvey, b. 5 Oct 1845 at 174 Eastfield Street, Limehouse (1845 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 02 Page 459)
3. Mary Ann Harvey b. 1848 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 02 Page 494, bap. 5 May 1850 at St Thomas, Stepney
4. John Harvey b. 1850 D Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 02 Page 576
5. Morris Harvey b. 1853 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 519, bap. 20 Feb 1853 at St Thomas, Stepney
6. Esther Harvey b. 30 Oct 1855 (1855 D Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 468), bap. 18Nov 1855 at St Thomas, Stepney
7. Job Harvey b. 5 Oct 1859 (1859 D Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 568), bap. 14 Dec 1859 at St Dunstan and All Saints (Died in 1859 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 408)
8. Job Harvey b. 6 Nov 1860 (1860 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 580), bap. 9 Jan 1861 at St Dunstan and All Saints
9. Lydia Harvey b. 26 Mar 1864 (1864 J Qtr in MILE END OLD TOWN Vol 01C Page 551), bap. 14 Apr 1864 at St John the Evangelist, Limehouse

The mother's maiden name on the civil registrations was GLEAD or GLEED.

In 1851, living in Fair Place, Stepney, were John Harvey (40), Labourer, born in Chingford, Essex; Esther (overestimated to 32), Sarah (8), Susannah (5), Mary Ann (3), both born in Limehouse and John (0), born in Stepney.  

John Harvey died, aged 56, in 1866 D Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 339.

In 1871, Esther Harvey (47), Widow, Trouser Finisher, was back in Eastfield Street, Limehouse, with John (21) Bricklayer's Labourer; Morris (19) Dock Labourer; Esther (16) Trouser Finisher; Job (12), Scholar, and Lydia (8).

In 1872, Esther Harvey remarried to Charles Staines at St James the Great, Bethnal Green (Where Reggie Kray and Frances Shea married).

In 1881, living at 23, Bow Common Lane, Bromley, Poplar were Charles Staines (42) Labourer from Stepney; Esther Staines (55), Job Harvey (21) Labourer, Stepson; Lydia Harvey (17) Stepdaughter and Samuel Passfield (18) Labourer, Grandson (Son of Samuel Passfield and Sarah Ann Harvey.)

Esther Staines died, age estimated as 63, in 1889 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 348.

Charles Staines died in 1908 J Qtr in MILE END Vol 01C Page 228, at 72.

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 (b. 12 Jun 1865 in Paddington, London), son of Augustus Percival Bartley and Agnes Gallaway, married Mary Henrietta Wilton (b. 8 Feb 1871 in Bishop's Stortford), daughter of Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer of Stafferton Lodge, Maidenhead, on 11 Aug 1894 at St Michael's Church, Bray, by the Rev. T. H. Drake.

The Bartleys had seven children, all born in Marylebone:

1. Alexander Henry Bartley b. 4 Aug 1895 S Qtr Vol 01A Page 631
2. Esther Margaret Bartley b. 24 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. 22 Jul 1907 S Qtr Vol 01A Page 555
7. Barbara Betty Bartley b. 21 Feb 1912 M Qtr 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.

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. The the 1911 Census confirms that, by then, the couple had six children, of whom five were living, during their 16 year marriage. Alexander Henry Bartley (15) was a Boarder at a school in Tonbridge, Kent, one assumes Tonbridge School.

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, aged 75, on 13 Nov 1946 (1946 D Quarter in ST. MARYLEBONE Volume 05D Page 310).

Augustus Percival Bartley died on 14 Jan 1952, aged 86, at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (1952 M Quarter in PADDINGTON Volume 05D Page 164). Probate was granted to their children, Alexander Henry Bartley, boot manufacturer and Esther Margaret Bartley, spinster. Augustus Percival Bartley left effects of £127,877 10s 9d (worth £4,611,534 in 2024).

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 (DOR Q2/2003 in SUTTON (2541A) Reg A27B Entry Number 100). 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