Henry George Harcus and Susan Alice Tubb

Church of St. John the Divine, Chatham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/3850305
(St John's a Waterloo church built in 1821 and restructured in 1869, ceased being an active church in 1964, was then used as an art project and finally reopened in 2021.)

Henry George Harcus (b. 1848), son of John Harcus and Selina Patrick, married Susan Alice Tubb (b. 1852), daughter of Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey and younger sister of Elizabeth Tubb, at St John's Church, Chatham, Kent, on 29 Dec 1872. Henry George Harcus, 24 at the time of the marriage, occupation was listed as Publican. Witnesses were Selina Mary Ann Caddy (Henry George's sister, who had married in 1870) and George Vokes. 

The couple don't seem to have had any children.

On 8 Mar 1875 at Maidstone Assizes, Susanah Alice Harcus stood accused of Perjury, but the bill was ignored. I don't know the details of the case. 

That same year, on 21 Oct 1875, at Maidstone Quarter Sessions, Henry Harcus was tried for "Stealing £1, the money of George Miles, at Chatham, on 12th September, 1875". The Verdict of the Jury was "No Bill", which generally means there was not enough evidence to indict him on the alleged crime.

In 1881, Henry Harcus (32) Eating house keeper and wife listed as Alice S Harcus (27) from Portsmouth, Hampshire, were living at 7, Middle Street, Gillingham (7 Middle St, Chatham, Gillingham, close to both Chatham Dockyard as well as Brompton Barracks and Kitchener Barracks).

Henry George Harcus died on 20 Feb 1887, aged 39 (1887 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 276), at that time resident in St George in the East, Middlesex and was buried at Chatham, St Mary in the Chatham, Former St Mary's Burial Ground, now Town Hall Gardens. Records show he was interred in grave 319, with his father and sister. Now reinterred, on 5 Aug 1971, in the Borough Cemetery in Maidstone Road.

Susan Alice Harcus (34) Widow, daughter of Edward Tubb (deceased) married Samuel Walker (38), Batchelor, Commercial Traveller, son of Joseph Walker, Boot Manufacturer, at St Peter's Church, Cephas Street, Mile End Old Town, on 27 Apr 1887. Witnesses were Joseph Walker and Elizabeth Salter.

William Tubb and Sarah Chard

The nave at St Mary's, Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/1379010

William Tubb (b. 1785), son of William Tubb and Jane Bound, married Sarah Chard (bap. 2 Feb 1787 at St James' Church, Poole), daughter of George Chard and Ann Hellier, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 27 Dec 1807. 

The font at St Alban's, Copnor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre
geograph.org.uk/p/1493684

William and Sarah Tubb appear to have had eleven children, all baptised also in the first church of St Mary's. The font still exists, but is now located in St Alban's Church, Copnor.

1. William Tubb bap. 1 May 1808
2. James Tubb b. 30 Apr 1809, bap. 23 May 1809
3. Samuel Tubb bap. 16 Jun 1811
4. Sarah Jane Tubb b. 30 Sep 1812, bap. 3 Jul 1814 
5. Mary Tubb b. 15 Jan 1814, also bap. 3 Jul 1814 
6. John Tubb bap. 12 Feb 1816
7. Thomas Tubb bap. 24 Apr 1820 (Later records suggest he was probably born in 1818.)
8. Alfred Tubb bap. 2 Oct 1820
9. Hannah Tubb bap. 23 Nov 1823. Buried 27 Aug 1826, also at St Mary's.
10. Henry Tubb bap. 12 Jun 1825
11. Edward Tubb bap. 18 Nov 1827

The baptism records for Mary, John, Thomas, Alfred, Hannah, Henry and Edward all list their father as Ropemaker of George's Row.

This was the same period, same church (& font) in which Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Charles Dickens were baptised, in 1806 and 1812, respectively. Even though the Brunel family moved away to London in 1808 and the Dickens only moved into the area in 1809, the chance that this Tubb family and those of Brunel or Dickens - even if not moving in the same circles - being under the same roof at the same time, has to be quite high. 

Sarah Tubb of George's Row, died at 45, and was buried, on 4 May 1831.

Alfred Tubb must have died around 1841. There is no death or burial record (abroad or at sea maybe?), the Index To Death Duty Registers list his father, William Tubb of 12 Bow Street, Landport, Portsea as Administrator.

In 1841, William Tubb (54) was living in the household of daughter Mary (27) and son-in-law, John Windel (37) in Bow Street, Portsea, along with his youngest two sons Henry Tubb (15) and Edward Tubb (13). 

 (The Portsmouth Encycopedia says, "Bow Street ran east from Commercial Road just north of the Railway Terminus (1847) (now Portsmouth & Southsea Station) to Dorset Street. Bow Street was later re-named Station Street.")

In 1851, William Tubb (64) Widower, Ropemaker was once more listed merely as a visitor, in the household of John and Mary Windel in Bow Street, Portsea, this time along with just his son Henry Tubb (25) Ropemaker.

In 1861, William Tubb (76) Superannuated Rope Maker (who said he was from Poole, Dorset, but this was actually where his late wife was from), was living at 33, Bow Street, Portsea and had gone back to being the head of the household after the death of his son-in-law, John Windell in January of that year. Living there with him were his daughter, Mary Windell (48) Widow; Thomas Noble (33) Coppersmith from Newport IOW, Grandson-in-law; Sarah A Noble (29) Wife of Coppersmith, Granddaughter-in-law (Sarah Ann Windell, as was, was Mary's step-daughter); Ellen Windell (17), Edward Windell (6) and Eliza Noble (2), also listed as a Granddaughter, but if we were being pedantic, she was actually William's step-great-granddaughter.

Son Samuel Tubb (58) Seaman of Bow Street, Landport, died on 19 Apr 1869 (1869 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 274, although that record put him at 62) and was buried on 22 Apr 1869 at Portsea Cemetery. 

In 1871, William Tubb (85) Rope Maker was still in Bow Street, Portsea, then in the household of Alfred John Rees (27), listed as his wife's grandfather. (Alfred's wife, Ellen, was the daughter of John and Mary Windel.) That year, Henry Tubb (45) Rope spinner from Landport, Hants was an Inmate at the Alverstoke House of Industry, Near Gosport. (The full title of the Alverstoke Workhouse was the House of Industry.) Henry then just disappeared.

William Tubb, Rope Maker of Bow Street, Landport, died on 19 Aug 1872, aged 87 (1872 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 293), and was buried on 23 Aug 1872 at Portsea Cemetery.

William Karl Tompson (Critzer) and Bertha Lilian Carter

York and King Streets, Toronto, Canada

William Charles Critzer (28) Bachelor, Sheet Metal Worker, married Bertha Lilian Carter (27) Spinster, Saleslady, in Toronto, on 27 Dec 1930. William listed his parents as Joseph Critzer and Sarah Sophia Thompson, from which we can clearly determine that we have the right man, despite the spellings. William, of 106 Elmwood Avenue, Toronto, listed his religion as Baptist and his father's birthplace as Germany. Witnesses were Alice Maud Carter, the bride's mother and Eric M Carter, the bride's brother. The marriage was solemnised by A J Reid of 946 St Clarens Ave, which appears to be a residential address, so the venue of the marriage is [so far] unknown.

Born in 1903, at sea, aboard the SS Kaiser Wilhelm II at Lat 40.45N/Long 56.52W, off the coast of North America, he had been baptised William Karl Tompson on 9 Dec 1903, at the church of St Matthew, Stepney. Then listed as 'Willie Thompson' (8) he had emigrated to Canada with his grandparents, Dan Tompson and Sarah Jane Baker, having sailed to Montreal from Liverpool aboard SS Corsican on 18 Oct 1912 with his grandmother, Sarah Jane, and his aunt Ivy. On the 1921 Census of Canada, this time listed as Willie Christie (18) he was living at 131 Morrison Avenue, Toronto, still living with his grandparents. (At Ancestry, there's a note saying he should be Critzer, which is obviously not quite true, but the spelling they later adopted).

Bertha Lilian Carter b. 1903 D Quarter in GRIMSBY Volume 07A Page 587, mother's maiden name TINDALL, was the daughter of Alfred Charles Carter and Alice Maud Tindall, who had married at St James, Grimsby (now Grimsby Minster) on 28 Aug 1899, with Alice's father listed as William Major Tindall - this explains why Bertha's parents are listed on her marriage as Alfred Charles Carter and Alice Maud Major. It seems Alice used the surnames Major or Tindall interchangeably. Following her father's death on 24 Feb 1922, Miss Bertha Lilian Carter (18) sailed for Canada on the RMS Empress of Britain (1905), accompanied by her mother. Emigrating with them too was Bertha's 10 year old brother Eric Major Carter (b. 1911 S Quarter in BRADFORD Volume 09B Page 299, with mother's maiden name MAJOR.)

In 1931, William Critzer (sic) (28) Sheet metal worker and wife Bertha Lilian Critzer (27) were Lodgers at 98 Nairn [Avenue], Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The couple had one daughter, Barbara. (Dates to be confirmed.)

A newspaper report of her death informs us that "Bertha L Critzer (Bert) died at the North York Branson Hospital on Saturday, March 28, 1987. Bertha Lilian Carter, beloved wife of William Critzer and loving mother of Barbara (Mrs Douglas Trull). Dear sister of the late Eric M Carter of Waterloo, Ontario. Friends may call at the Trull Funeral Home, 2704 Yonge Street ..."

"William C Critzer (Bill) died the North York General Hospital on Saturday, October 17, 1992. Bill Critzer, in his 91st year, beloved husband of the late Bertha L Carter. Loving father of Barbara (Mrs B Trull). Dear brother of Mollie Melhuish of Ganges, B.C. Sadly missed by his cousins, Gaddie and Wally; Irene and Dick; Dorothy and Ruth. Friends may call at the Trull Funeral Home ..." (although it should be noted that his sister Mary Amelia [Mollie] Melhuish had actually pre-deceased him earlier that year, on 6 Jan 1992.)

(Birth, baptism and death information kindly provided by Christine Miller of the wonderfully named, GIN AND GENEALOGY.)

Ernest Richard Eastabrook and Edith Mary Pope

St George's Church in Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Steve Daniels - geograph.org.uk/p/5462454
Located almost opposite the entrance to Gunwharf Quays. The church is known as the shipwrights' church having been built by 15 shipwrights from the dockyard in 1753.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook (b. 15 Mar 1886) Engine Room Artificer, then of 42 Union St, Portsea, son of Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back, married Edith Mary Pope (b. 30 Sep 1889 on Portsea Island), daughter of Robert William Pope and Mary Georgina Robins, on 27 Dec 1909, at St George's Church, Portsea. Witnesses were both the bride and groom's fathers, Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Robert William Pope.

Ernest and Edith had one son:

1. Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook b. 17 Jun 1916 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 625 and baptised at Portsea, St George.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook from Devonport, Devon, born 15 Feb 1886, then 21, had joined the Royal Navy as a Fitter & Turner on 6 Dec 1907. He was then 5 ft 5½ in with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion.

In 1911, Edith Mary Eastabrook (21) was living at 13 Butcher Street, Portsea, with her widowed father, Robert William Pope (49) Plumber & Decorator, while her husband was at sea with HMS Liverpool (1909). 

From 19 Aug 1915 until 13 Apr 1917, Ernest Richard Eastabrook was assigned to HMS Barham (04), so that on 31 May - 1 Jun 1916, like his elder brother, he took part in the Battle of Jutland. HMS Barham was hit six times during the battle, five times by 30.5 cm shells and once by a 28.3 cm shell, suffering casualties of 26 killed and 46 wounded. Following repairs, HMS Barham was also involved in the Action of 19 August 1916, in which his brother's ship was one of those damaged and subsequently lost.

On 14 Apr 1917, Ernest Richard Eastabrook was promoted to Acting Artificer Engineer and on 6 Aug 1917 to Acting Mate (E).

In 1921, Ernest Richard Eastabrook (35) Engineer Leiutenant RN was living at 95 Shadwell Road, North End, Portsmouth with Edith Mary Eastabrook (31), Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook (5) and they were able to employ Gladys Mildred Saxby (15) General Domestic Servant.

In 1939, Edith Mary Eastabrook was at 12 Padwick Avenue, Portsmouth. She was listed as married, but her husband was not in the household.

Ernest Richard Eastabrook died, aged 87, in 1973, in Hampshire.

Edith Mary Eastabrook of St Mary's House, St Mary's Road, Portsmouth (former workhouse) died, aged 86, on 25 May 1975.

(Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook married Agnes May Phimister (Nancy) Mitchell (b. 30 Jul 1921) in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland on 10 Jun 1944. They had two daughters, born in Portsmouth. Ernest Kenneth Eastabrook died, at 77, in Q4/1993 in MARKET HARBOROUGH (6021) Reg 24B Entry Number 29. Agnes May Phimister Eastabrook died, at 83, on 20 Sep 2004, in 2004 in SOUTH AND WEST DORSET (4321A) Reg A7E Entry Number 178.)

Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers

Halberton Church (St Andrew's)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/2860942

Thomas Tooze (b. 1801), son of Thomas Tooze and Joan Potter, married Mary Summers (b. 1804), daughter of John Summers and Sarah Middleton, at St Andrews Church, Halberton on Boxing Day, 26 Dec 1823.

This Thomas and Mary Tooze had 10 children:

1. James Tooze bap. 16 May 1824 in Holcombe Rogus
2. John Tooze bap. 16 Sep 1826 (Buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1827)
3. Charles Tooze bap. 30 Mar 1828 in Holcombe Rogus
4. Fanny Tooze bap. 16 Nov 1830 in Holcombe Rogus
5. John Tooze bap. 26 May 1833 (Buried in Holcombe Rogus in 1833)
6. Stephen Tooze bap. 20 Jul 1834 in Holcombe Rogus
7. John Tooze bap. 9 Feb 1840 in Holcombe Rogus
8. Jesse Tooze b. 1844 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 501, bap. 4 Jan 1844 in Holcombe Rogus
9. Sarah Ann Tooze b. 1846 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 509 (No baptism record found)
10. Eliza Tooze bap. 5 Aug 1849 in Holcombe Rogus

All of the baptisms list their father as Thomas Tooze, Thatcher.

The civil birth registrations of Jesse and Sarah Ann - the only two for whom these records exist - both show their mother's maiden name as Summers.

In 1841, Thomas Tooze (40) and Mary Tooze (35) were living at Tinckham, Holcombe Rogus - as was Thomas' younger brother, Richard Tooze, the Chairmaker - with Charles Tooze (12), Fanny Tooze (10), Stephen Tooze (7) and John Tooze (1). Eldest son, James Tooze (15) was living with his grandmother, Joan Tooze (70) by the New Inn, Holcombe Rogus. 

In 1851, Thomas Tooze, Thatcher, and Mary Tooze were in Holcombe Rogus with Stephen Tooze (17) Ag Lab; John Tooze (11) Thatcher's Boy; Jesse Tooze (7), Sarah Ann tooze (4) and Eliza Tooze (1). 

In 1861, Thomas Tooze (61) Thatcher, Mary Tooze (58) Lace Mender and John Tooze (21) Thatcher, were living at Rull Cottage, Higher Besley [Farm], Holcombe Rogus. Jesse Tooze (19) Carter, was employed by Mark Brown (24) Farmer at Higher Besley. And Eliza Tooze (12) was a servant in the household of Robert Brown (53) Inn Keeper at Halfway House, Willand.

Thomas Tooze died in 1868 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 255, age estimated to 68, buried on 22 Nov 1868, in Holcombe Rogus.

In 1871, Mary Tooze (68) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-Law was living in the household of Henry Hawkins (25) Carpenter at Durley Moor Cottage, Holcombe Rogus. (Henry Hawkins had married 'Jessie' Tooze, in 1868, so we can only conclude that this is what Sarah Ann was calling herself.)

In 1881, Mary Tooze (78) Widow, Pauper, Mother-in-Law, was living in the household of Robert Gillard (34) Ag Lab in Fore Street, Holcombe Rogus. (Robert Gillard had married youngest daughter, Eliza Tooze.) On this census it incorrectly says that Mary was from Uffculme, however, this still makes sense as it's where her parents married and her elder siblings were born.

Mary Tooze died in 1884 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 253, with age estimated to 82.

Harry Stone and Ellen Minnie Loud

Axminster: Church of St Mary and WWI War Memorial
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mr Eugene Birchall - geograph.org.uk/p/3423250

Harry Stone (b. 17 Nov 1902), youngest son of Charles Stone and Emma Middleton, married Ellen Minnie Loud (b. 6 Sep 1904), 13th child of George Alfred Loud and Tryphena Davis, on 26 Dec 1929, in Axminster.

In 1939, Harry Stone, General Labourer and Ellen M Stone, Ironer (Laundry) lived at 12, North Street, Axminster. Living with them was Amelia M Stratchcombe (b. 1918), Domestic Servant. My feeling is that she was most likely to have been a boarder or lodger who worked elsewhere. 

Harry and Ellen had one son in 1948 (afaik, still living).

Ellen M Stone died on 15 Feb 1966, aged 61. 

Harry Stone died on 12 Apr 1982, aged 79.

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill and Mary Jane Harris

Skull & crossbones on the gatepost at the entrance to
St. Nicholas' Church, Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499463

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill (bap. 13 Sep 1857), son of Daniel Botterill and Sarah Elizabeth Tompson, married Mary Jane Harris (b. 1858), daughter of Alfred Richard Harris and Jane Elizabeth Jones, at Christ Church Watney Street, on 26 Dec 1878. Dan, a fitter, gave his address as 225 Cable Street. Mary Jane's address was 34 Deptford Green, where her father was a baker by trade. Dan had spent his early years in Deptford Green too, when his parents kept The White Hart, which the census records show was next door to the bakery. Witnesses were Alfred Richard Harris - who could have been Mary Jane's father or her brother - and Eliza Ann Harris, the bride's sister.

Dan and Mary had eight children: 

1. John Botterill b. 1880 M Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 742
2. Daniel Thompson Botterill b. 1882 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 987, baptised at 18 on 22 Mar 1900 at St James Hatcham
3. Alice Botterill b. 1884 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 981
4. Kate Elizabeth b. 1886 J Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1008
5. Bessie Botterill b. 1 Aug 1888 S Quarter in HOLBORN Vol 01B 756
6. Esther Botterill b. 31 Jan 1891 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 1089
7. Alfred Botterill b. 31 Oct 1894 D Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 1045
8. Florrie Botterill b. 1900 M Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 1072

In 1881, they were living at 16, Duke Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich, with Dan (24), Engine Fitter, Mary (22) and their eldest child, John (1).

In 1891, living in Bentham Street, St Paul Deptford, Greenwich, we find Dan (34), Steam Engine Fitter, Mary (32), Daniel (9), Bessie (2) and Esther (0), as well as Thomas Thompson (54), a blacksmith and Janet Thompson (51), visitors, from Monkwearmouth, Durham. John (11) and Alice (6) were visiting their Botterill grandparents at the Holly Tree Arms in Lewisham, while Kate was staying with her Harris grandparents at The Green, Deptford.

In 1901, still at Bentham Street, Deptford, were Dan (44), Marine Engine Fitter, Mary Jane (42), Daniel (19), Alice (19), Kate (14), Bessie (12), Esther (10), Alfred (6) and Florrie (1). John (21), Sign Writer, was staying with his grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Botterill at 49, Wisteria Road, Lewisham. 

By 1911, they'd moved to 65 Childers St, Deptford, with Dan (54), Marine and General Fitter, Mary (52), Alice (26), Seed Packer, Bessie Standing (22) (married in 1909), Esther Botterill (20), Seed Packer, Alfred Botterill (16), Pattern Maker Apprentice, Florrie Botterill (11), Thomas Harris (31), Boiler Makers Rivetter (Mary Jane's brother) and George Standing (0), visitor. John Botterill (31), was still at 49 Wisteria Road, Lewisham with his aunt, Mary Louisa Adcock Botterill. Daniel Thompson Botterill had died in 1908, aged just 26. Kate Botterill, in 1911, was working as a Housemaid at 50 Pall Mall, St James Westminster, London. The 1911 Census confirmed that Dan and Mary Jane had eight children, with seven then still living.

Dan Stephen Thompson Botterill died on 16 Apr 1917, aged 60 and is buried in Brockley and Ladywell Cemetery together with his parents.

In 1921, Mary Botterill (62) Widow, was still living at 65, Childers Street, Deptford with Kate Botterill (35) Dispatch Clerk Film Trade; Esther Botterill (30) Machine Hand Film Trade; Alfred Botterill (26) Engineers Pattern & Maker and Florrie Botterill (21) Purse Hand Leather Worker. John Botterill (41) Sign Writer, was once again living with his aunt, Mary L A Botterill at 69, Old Road, Lee, Lewisham. Also living at 65, Childers Street, Deptford, were George and Bessie Standing and their two sons. Alice had emigrated.

Mary Jane Botterill died, at 65, on 12 Apr 1924, in 1924 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 761.

• John Botterill, died, unmarried, at 55, in Deptford in 1936
• Daniel Thompson Botterill, married in 1905 and died in 1908
• Alice Botterill married Edwin Cruttenden in New Zealand
• Kate Elizabeth Botterill died, at 80, in New Zealand, in 1966
• Bessie Botterill married George Hemens Standing on 23 Oct 1909
• Esther Botterill married William Henry Cross (b. 10 Apr 1888) on 23 Nov 1921, at St Paul's, Deptford. They had one son, Robert Henry Cross b. 8 Jul 1922, who married, in Thurrock, in 1947. Esther Cross died, at 52, in Stepney, in 1943; William Henry Cross died in Thurrock in 1964. Robert Henry Cross died in 2004.
• Alfred Botterill married Margaret Ellen Pilling in 1923, in Dartford, Kent. Alfred Botterill is listed among Civilian War Dead, having died on 25 Oct 1940. Son of the late Daniel Botterill; husband of Margaret Ellen Botterill, of 24 Roseveare Road, Grove Park. Injured at the London Power Company; died same day at Miller Hospital.
• Florrie Botterill also emigrated to New Zealand, where, on 28 May 1927, she married John Kenneth Gordon Apperley.

Postcard sent to Alice Botterill at 65 Childers Street, Deptford

Arthur Flew and Sarah Hines

Swimbridge: East Kerscott
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/441946

Arthur Flew (bap. 16 Sep 1789 in Rackenford), son of Richard Flew and Ann Kingdom, married Sarah Hines (reputedly b. around 1781 in Exeter. The only available baptism record is for a Sarah Hines bap. 11 Jun 1775, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hines, but I've been unable to confirm this is her), on 26 Dec 1814, in Tiverton (exact venue is not specified).

Records exist for three children of Arthur and Sarah, baptised in Rackenford:

1. James Flew bap. 26 Aug 1818 
2. Charlotte Flew bap. 3 Feb 1822
3. Eliza Flew bap. 18 Oct 1829

In 1841, Arthur Flue (sic) (55) Ag Lab; Sally Flue (sic) (55) and Eliza Flue (sic) (12) were at Kerscott, Swimbridge. James Flew, listed as 20, was an Ag Lab in the employ of George Bexley, Farmer at South Coombe, Templeton; Charlotte Flew, listed as 15, was a Female Servant to Thomas Lake in Thelbridge.

In 1851, Arthur Flew (60) Ag Lab, Father-in-Law from Rackenford; Sarah Flew (70) Mother-in-Law, from Exeter and John Flew (8) Nephew, from Rose Ash, Devon. (John Flew bap. 23 Apr 1843 in Rose Ash, Devon was the base - illegitimate - son of Charlotte Flew) were living in the Village, Swimbridge, Barnstaple, Devon, in the household of Thomas Wilkey (28).

Sarah Flue (sic) died aged 72 in 1853 M Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 350 and was buried in Swimbridge, Devon.

Arthur Flue (sic) died age estimated as 75 in 1859 M Quarter in NEATH Volume 11A Page 351 and was buried in Llangynwyd, Glamorganshire, Wales, where daughter Eliza and son-in-law Thomas Wilkey had moved to.

Christmas Day Weddings

Stapleford church on a winter morning
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/2841826

In his newsletter, Peter Calver of Lost Cousins had pointed to this article, Christmas weddings in Victorian England. Having come across various Christmas Day Weddings, I had surmised - and the article confirms - that one of the less romantic reasons would have been because it was one of the few days that workers had free. As they explain, "Christmas weddings certainly happened because people were poor and had little time away from their jobs." The other, related, reason was that, "churches often offered their services free or at reduced rates on Christmas, and a flip through marriage registers shows a definite spike in the number of ceremonies performed."

Christmas Day has been the most popular day for weddings in our family: 

1. Arthur Edward Copeland and Alice Jane Hurry
2. Arthur Woodham and Mary Matilda Sweeney
3. Charles Albert Gardner and Susannah Sweney
4. George Burt and Fanny Jerwood
5. George Fuller and Eliza Ellen Hockley
6. George Fuller and Elsie Elizabeth Sear
7. George James Hockley and Emily Jane Jiggins
8. Harry Martin and Mabel Grace Tompson
9. James Hockley and Elizabeth Wilton
10. John Daines and Sarah White
11. John Harris and Alice Catherine Wilton
12. John William Stone and Rosina Sweeney
13. Jonah Ing and Elizabeth Tooze
14. Lewis Jerred and Mary Elizabeth Williams
15. Lewis William Kerslake and Beatrice Hoare
16. Peter Barton and Annie Fuller
17. Richard Ford and Maria Eliza Isabella Sweeney
18. Robert Ware and Amelia Land
19. William Edward Burton and Ellen Rosina Baker

There have also been numerous Baptisms on Christmas Day, including: 

George Goodman, Thomas Alfred Goodman, Mabel Grace Tompson, George Daniel Tompson and Amelia Mary Tompson, Winifred May Ware, Stephen Wilton, Frederick James Stone, Mary Summers and Richard Summers, Eleanor Doe, Walter Wood, John Shatford, John Tooze, William Phillips, James Tapp, James Orchard, James Ridgway, Richard Land, Richard Gollop, Mary Ann Stone, Thomas Henry Richards Gardner.

The article, Christmas weddings in Victorian England, also mentions that Boxing Day was one of the days when churches often offered their services free or at reduced rates. That may well have come from the origins of the day itself, so named "Boxing Day", as "Charitable boxes – collections of money – would have been given out at the church door to the needy".

William Edward Burton and Ellen Rosina Baker

St Dunstan & All Saints, Stepney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3477079

William Edward Burton (b. 7 Jan 1865, bap. 18 Oct 1871 at St Luke, Millwall, West Ferry Road, Isle of Dogs), son of William Burton and Elizabeth Martin, married Ellen Rosina Baker (b. 1866), daughter of Charles Hoile Baker and Amelia Young, at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney on 25 Dec 1888. Both gave their address as 46 Silver Street [Stepney] and witnesses were Ellen's brother, Charles Richard Baker and William's sister, Louisa Burton.

William and Ellen had four children:

1. Ellen Louisa Burton b. 1891 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 606
2. Ethel May Burton b. 1895 M Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 627
3. William Harry Burton b. 1897 D Qtr in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 595
4. Stanley Burton b. 1899 J Quarter in POPLAR Vol 01C Page 624

In 1891, William E Burton (26) Auctioneer's Clerk, Ellen R Burton (24) and Ellen L Burton (0) were living in Knapp Road, Bromley, Poplar. Staying with them also was Eliza L Tompson (22) Fancy Box Maker, listed as their niece. (She was Ellen's sister Sarah Jane's step-daughter.)

In 1901, in nearby Fairfoot Road, Bow were William E Burton (36) Commercial Clerk, Ellen R Burton (35), Ellen L Burton (10), Ethel M Burton (6), William H Burton (3) and Stanley Burton (1).

In 1911, William Edward Burton (46) Brewer's Delivery Clerk; Ellen Rosina Burton (45), Ellen Louisa Burton (20), Ethel May Burton (16), William Harry Burton (13) and Stanley Burton (11) were living in Bow Common.

In 1921, William Edward Burton (56) Brewery Clerk for Taylor Walker & Co, Brewers, was living at 119, Fairfoot Road, Poplar with Ellen Rosina Burton (55), Ellen Louisa Burton (30) Ladies Clothing Machinist; William Harry Burton (24) and Stanley Burton (22) Coppersmiths.

William Edward Burton died, at 65, in 1930 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 409.

Ellen Rosina Burton died on 23 July 1948 (1948 S Quarter in POPLAR Volume 05D Page 197), with Probate granted to son Stanley Burton.