Job Sweeney and Eliza Louisa Tompson

Globe Road, Bethnal Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/4697355
Very much a part of the traditional East End, Globe Road runs north from Stepney Green station to Roman Road, and then on to this northern stretch up to Old Ford Road. 

Job Sweeney (b. 6 Feb 1870), son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Eliza Louisa Tompson (b. 24 Aug 1868), daughter of Dan Tompson and Mary Ann Green, on 5 Jan 1893, at the Parish Church of St Anthony, Globe Road, Stepney. (The church of Saint Anthony stood in the borough of Bethnal Green, but was part of the rural deanery of Stepney. It closed in 1936 and the building was demolished in 1937.) Both claimed to be 24 and both gave their address as 3 Monteagle Street, Stepney. 

Their only son, Job Thomas Sweeney (right), was born at 25 Monteagle Street, Stepney (which further research suggests was a boarding house) on 27 Aug 1897 (registered Job Thomas Sweney 1897 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 499, with mother's maiden name TOMPSON) and baptised at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, on 19 Sep 1897.

In 1901, Job Sweney (sic) (33) Warehouseman, Eliza Sweney (sic) (32) and Job Sweney (sic) (3), were living at 8, Repton Street, Limehouse. 

My mother always claimed that her father and grandmother, Eliza Louisa, had been living in Sidney Street at the time of the Siege of Sidney Street, or Battle of Stepney that took place in January 1911. Improbable, though not impossible, but I can find no records to support this. Eliza Louisa was well away from the area when Cable Street (where she was born) had it's own battle in 1936.

By the time of the census on 2 April 1911, the family were living at 102 Fore Street, in the City of London. They lived in a flat above the warehouse that came with the job, where Job Sweeney (41) was employed as Packer and Caretaker; Eliza Louisa Sweeney (41), Job Thomas Sweeney (13) and Amy Dobson (19) Domestic Servant, Friend (Amy Dobson b. 1892, was the sister of Ruth Christmas Dobson, wife of Job's brother Charles Sweeney.) 

In 1921, Job Sweeney (51) Packer, was still living and working at 102, Fore Street, City of London, for Hoffnung & Co Shipping Merchants; with wife, Eliza L Sweeney (52) and son, Job T Sweeney (23) Warehouseman, working for Wills & Co (W.D. & H.O. Wills) at their Holborn Viaduct factory (for whom he eventually worked for around 36 years.) (Calling herself Amy Margaret Dobson (29) Charwoman, in 1921 - no idea where the Margaret came from - living at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, this census tells us she was working for Messrs Hoffnung & Co Ltd at 102 Fore Street, City, E C.)

Press Gangs and the King’s Shilling: Job Sweney (sic) died, on 6 December 1924, aged 54 (1924 D Quarter in HENDON Volume 03A Page 374), and as family stories go, this has to be one of the best (as in the myth is about as far away from the truth as it's possible to get), but also one of the saddest. 

My mother won't have known her grandfather, as he had died when she was only a few months old, but throughout her life, she recounted this story so many times it would be impossible to count: The story went that Job Sweeney had been "press ganged" into the navy no less than three times. Once would be unlucky, you'd have thought. Anyway, this account, undoubtedly passed down to her by her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney, was further embellished with the assertion that Job liked his drink rather too much, hence was always in the pub and the worse for wear and, therefore, had been tricked, in serial fashion, into taking the King's Shilling. 

All absolute poppycock, of course, like most family stories are.

As I say, I'd heard and nodded along to the retelling of this story umpteen times, but never really considered or questioned it. It wasn't until I met the current 'him indoors' who knows his military history, who immediately said "wrong century", that it became obvious the whole thing was invention.

With hindsight, I can see where it will have come from. Job's father was a dock labourer (sometimes listed as a stevedore); his great-grandfather a mariner and many of their ancestors were sailors, ship's carpenters and shipwrights. Eliza Louisa's family ran pubs around the London docks. They'll have grown up with 'press gang' stories and other seafaring folklore.

Having spent his entire life in the East End, it was finding that his death had been registered in Hendon that made me dig further in order to solve the mystery. It even crossed my mind that holidays 'At His Majesty's Pleasure' might well have explained these absences that we were all led to believe were when he was 'at sea', but it was not so. Having ordered his death certificate, this confirmed that the actual place of death was Colindale Hospital.

Built originally as the The Central London District Sick Asylum in 1898-1900 - to provide care for the sick poor in London, separate from the workhouse - in 1919, it was taken over by The Metropolitan Asylums Board and used as male TB sanatorium. The cause of Job Sweeney's death was given as 'Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Certified by Marcus Patterson MD.' 

Dr. Marcus Sinclair Paterson (1870–1932) was the medical superintendent of the Colindale Hospital for Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Hendon. "Here Paterson made valuable innovations in the symptomatic treatment of advanced cases", says his obituary in the BMJ. He developed a system of treatment called 'graduated labour'. "He has described how his observations on out-patients led him to the idea of introducing manual work, as well as walking, into the sanatorium regime, with the hope of fitting his patients for immediate return to their work, and of successfully meeting the charge that sanatoriums turned out work-shy loafers." (Not unlike attitudes today, because victim blaming is a whole lot cheaper than doing research and actually treating the sick. Looks like we can see who was originally responsible for ideas that led to the much maligned, ineffective and harmful Graded exercise therapy (GET) too.)

So, we can deduce that the "press gang" story was made up to explain a series of absences, which were probably stays for 'treatment' - forced work when you're already too ill to do your normal work - at the sanatorium. And the saddest part is this tells us that, so strong was the social stigma attached to TB that families preferred to paint their nearest and dearest as 'feckless, drunken, work-shy', etc., rather than admit they had an infectious, then incurable, disease undoubtedly contracted through no fault of their own. 

Eliza Louisa Sweeney with her granddaughter, Ivy. Edited with ImageColorizer

The internet isn't just useful for looking up dry-and-dusty old genealogy records, there is so much more to discover. Take this for example. Among lots of family photos I inherited from my mother and hers before her was one of my mother and her grandmother, Eliza Louisa Sweeney (née Tompson), taken in the 1930s (my mother was 15 in 1939, so I estimate this is close to then). Only because there was a distinctive looking window on a building that looked like a church in the background behind them, it peaked my interest and I thought I would try to find out where the photo had been taken.

At that time, my mother, her parents and grandmother, still lived in the City of London, in Fore Street. It didn't look like anywhere I knew around there, but then it got a bit altered in the interim. I'd also tried the facility to Search with an image on Google, but it just told me it was a snapshot. Duh! 

Eventually, I asked the The East of London Family History Society Group for help, but whilst they weren't able to answer, members made many useful suggestions that led to more searches ... that finally turned up images of the Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea, which perfectly fit the round window, as well as other elements of the architecture. As confirmation, they sent me a link to this map of Clacton (Revision of 1939), which shows the position of the post box (marked L.B.) that you can see behind them. 

Trinity Methodist Church, Clacton-on-Sea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © JThomas - geograph.org.uk/p/2944160

Then and now: Clacton's Trinity Church in Rosemary Road in 1881 and 2015

So, from this, we can deduce that, since this church is in the background, then they must be walking down Pier Avenue (shown here in c. 1925), in the direction of the sea front and pier and, as they lived in the East End, they can only have been on a day trip (no, I don't suppose they were flush enough for a whole holiday!) to Clacton-on-Sea. I'd wondered what they were up to that was special enough - in those pre-selfie days - for a photo. Now I know.

Mind you, "... if you stood where they were walking now you'd get mown down by the traffic, those trees, hedges and post box long gone too."

In 1939, Eliza Louisa was still living at 102 Fore Street with her son Job and his wife, Elizabeth (Bet) and granddaughter, Ivy, and remained there until their home was destroyed in WWII, thought to have been on or around the night of 29–30 Dec 1940, the so-called Second Great Fire of London.

Eliza Louisa Sweeney, otherwise Sweney (as it says on her death certificate), died on 13 Feb 1953 (1953 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 05A Page 846) from coronary thrombosis, influenza, chronic bronchitis and old age, at 84.

Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker

St Mary, Broxted
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3374354

Samuel Mason (b. 2 Aug 1793, bap. 29 Sep 1793 in Great Easton, Essex), son of Richard Mason and Millicent Butcher, married Amelia Baker (bap. 12 Sep 1791), believed to be daughter of William and Elizabeth Baker, at the church of St Mary, Broxted on 3 Jan 1816. The year before, they had been witnesses to the marriage of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, Samuel's sister. Witnesses at this wedding were Rebecca Baker and Thomas Baker. 

Records suggest Samuel and Amelia Mason had six children:

1. Charles Mason b. around 1817
2. George Mason b. 1818-20 (calculated from age at death)
3. Richard Mason bap. 2 May 1824 at St Mary, Broxted
4. Sophia Mason bap. 30 Jul 1826 at St Mary, Broxted
5. John Mason bap. 27 Oct 1829 at St Mary, Broxted
6. Thomas Mason bap. 23 May 1833 at St Mary, Broxted

The baptism record for Richard, shows Samuel's occupation as Labourer.

In 1841, Samuel Mason (45) Agricultural Labourer was living at Browns End, Broxted, Dunmow, Essex with Amelia Mason (45), Charles Mason (20), George Mason (20), Richard Mason (17), Sophia Mason (15), John Mason (11) and Thomas Mason (8). The adults' ages being rounded down to the nearest five on this census, I'm assuming that they were listed in descending order of age and that Charles was older than George. 

Samuel Mason died, aged 62, in 1853 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 238 and was buried, on 21 May 1853, at St Mary, Broxted.

So far, I've not been able to find a record of Amelia's death.

Joseph James Hockley and Nellie Radley

Holy Cross Church, Felsted, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Peter Stack - geograph.org.uk/p/2031193

Joseph James Hockley (b. 7 Mar 1881), illegitimate son of Elizabeth Hockley, married Nellie Radley (b. 19 Apr 1880 in Felsted), daughter of Jonah Radley and Jane Digby, on 2 Jan 1904 at Holy Cross Church, Felsted.

Joseph James and Nellie had six children, but tragically, only two survived:

1. Eleanor Lottie Hockley b. 1904 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 416
2. Doris Rose Hockley b. 1907 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 434
3. Austen Hubert Hockley b. 1909 M Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 407. Died in 1909 J Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 223
4. Annie May Hockley b. 1910 S Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 301. Died 1910 D Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 136
5. Neville Frederick Hockley b. 1910 S Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 301. Died 1910 D Quarter in WILLESDEN Volume 03A Page 129
6. Kathleen Nellie Hockley b. 1916 S Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 403. Died 1917 D Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 365

Annie May and Neville Frederick, clearly, were twins.

Joseph James Hockley from Felsted, had enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on 20 Jun 1898. He said he was 18 years and 3 months old, so he'd added a year. He was a tall lad at 5ft 9in, weighing 133 lbs with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. The workhouse school had just about taught him to sign his name. In 1901, J Hockley (20) from Felsted, Essex, Pte foot guards, was at Pirbright Camp in Pirbright, Surrey. 

As James Hockley he served in Gibraltar in 1899 and twice in South Africa, once in 1900 and again in 1902, during the Second Boer War, for which he was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal and 5 clasps including Diamond Hill, JOHANNESBURG (Doornkop), CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE and SOUTH AFRICA 1902. James Hockley was transferred to the Army Reserve on 5 Aug 1902 and discharged from the reserve on 18 Feb 1910 on promotion to the rank of Sergeant of Police. 

In 1911, Joseph Hockley (30) Metropolitan police sergeant, Nellie Hockley (30), Eleanor Hockley (6) and Doris Hockley (4) were living at 5 Weymouth Terrace, Acton Lane, Willesden. This census confirmed that, by that time, they'd had 5 children, of whom 3 had died, during their 7 year marriage.

Joseph James Hockley died, aged 38, in 1919 M Quarter in STEYNING.

In 1921, Nellie Hockley (41) Stationer & Confectioner was at 94, Portland Road, Hove, Aldrington, Sussex with Eleanor Lottie Hockley (16) Assisting Mother in Shop; Doris Rose Hockley (14) Clerk. There were two boarders, both Policemen for Hove Borough Police and two visitors, William Henry and Eleanor Theresa Sheppard (from London. Family maybe?).

In 1939, Nellie Hockley, widow, lived at 46 Marmion Road, Hove.

Nellie Hockley of 46 Marmion Road, Hove, died on 3 Aug 1958 at 26 Tugela Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, leaving her effects to Doris Rose Slade (wife of Samuel James Slade) and Leslie William Terry Judd chartered secretary. 

(Eleanor Lottie Hockley had married Leslie William Terry Judd in 1929, in Steyning, Sussex, while Doris Rose Hockley married Samuel James Slade in 1948, in Chippenham, Wiltshire. Uncertain if either couple had children).

William Francis and Mary Gunn

St Peter’s Church, Mattishall Burgh

William Francis and Mary Gunn, a pair of my 5th great-grandparents, were married, on 1 Jan 1771, at St Peter’s Church, Mattishall Burgh.

Records exist for the baptisms, also in Mattishall Burgh, of three children: 

1. John Francis bap. 19 Apr 1772
2. William Francis bap. 14 Nov 1773
3. Mary Francis bap. 28 Mar 1779

William and Mary were buried at All Saints' Church, Mattishall. Mary was buried on 14 Apr 1816. The record states that she was 73 and born in 1743. William was buried little more than a year later, on 18 May 1817. His burial record says he was 76, born in 1741, but I haven't located their baptisms.

Churchyard at All Saints' Church, Mattishall

Archibald Robertson and Mary Ann Thomas Butters

Devonport Dockyard - Figureheads
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/3856679

Archibald Robertson married Mary Ann Thomas Butters on 1 Jan 1861, in the parish of St James, Devonport. On the marriage certificate, Archibald Robertson, Stoker RN, age is given as 20 and his residence as HMS Indus, said to be son of Archibald Robertson, Iron Moulder. Mary Ann, who was 19 and lived at 8 Moon Street, Devonport, had no father listed. Archibald made his mark to sign the register, but Mary Ann was able to scrawl a signature. One of the witnesses to the marriage was a Daniel Pellew.

Archibald and Mary Ann had three children:

1. Mary Ann Robertson b. 17 Mar 1862 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 344, bap. as Mary Ann Pellew Robertson on 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great
2. Archibald John Robertson b. 18 Jun 1863 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 298, bap. as Archibald John Pellew Robertson on 18 Feb 1875 at Devonport, St James the Great
3. Margaret Robertson b. 6 Jul 1865 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 298, bap. 22 Sep 1870 at Devonport, St Stephen.

In 1861, Mary Ann Roberson (sic) (19) Seaman's Wife, was living at 6, Joll's Cottages, Devonport.

Mary Ann Robertson died, aged 23, on 16 July 1865 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 199. Given the date, I think we can guess what the cause of death was. Mary Ann Robertson of 47 Monument St, Devonport was buried on 20 July 1865, in the Parish of Stoke Damerel.

When he enlisted in the Royal Navy, on 26 Jan 1860, as a Stoker, Archibald Robertson said that he was born on 9 Jul 1837, in Glasgow. He was 5 ft 3 in tall, with a fresh complexion, red hair and hazel eyes. From 26 Jul 1860 to 6 Jul 1861, he was indeed assigned to HMS Indus. He then spent four years, until 1 Jun 1865, with HMS Geyser, Storeship at Devonport, a few months back with HMS Indus in 1865, and HMS Greyhound until 2 Nov 1866, when, at the end of the last line of his record in the cause of discharge column, it says "Ran at St Helena", which indicates that he deserted at St Helena. Where he went after that is anybody's guess, but it's unlikely he will have stayed long on the small island and far more reasonable to assume he jumped ship there and then lived somewhere far off, under a different name.

On their baptisms, all were listed as children of Archibald and Mary Ann, but were clearly baptised later by their respective foster families. On Mary Ann and Archibald's baptism, their address was listed as 9 Moon Street - Daniel Pellew's address. Margaret was living at 7 Mount Street and one of the Street family, baptised at the same time, was also listed at that address.

In 1871, Mary A Robertson (9) and Archibald J Robertson (8) were described as Orphans, living in the household of Daniel Pellew (63) Naval Pensioner and his wife, Charity, in Morice Town, Devonport. Meanwhile, Margaret Robertson (5) was a Boarder in the household of Sarah Organ (64) at 7 Mount Street, Stoke Damerel, along with her daughters, one of whom was Margaret Street.

In 1881, Mary A Robinson (19) Laundress and Archibald J Robinson (17) General Porter, were again living in the household of Daniel Pellew (70) Naval Pensioner and his wife, Charity, at 9, Moon Street, Devonport Stoke-Damerel. This time they were described as his granddaughter and grandson. That year Margaret Robertson (15) General Domestic Servant, was living in the household of Margaret Street (41) Widow, Charwoman at 21, Cross Street, Devonport Stoke-Damerel, described as her Foster Daughter.

Archibald John Pellew Robinson enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 17 Aug 1881, giving his date of birth as 2 March 1866. Making himself three years younger, 15 instead of 18, probably meant he was accepted for training. He rose to the rank of Petty Officer, before being Discharged Dead at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia on 4 Nov 1898, from a Tumour of the Brain. He is buried at Rookwood General Cemetery.

Who was Daniel Pellew? He claims to have been from Gillingham, Kent, although the only baptism record of a Daniel Pellew is in 1812, at St Mary's Church, Portsea, son of William Pellew and Elizabeth Keeler. 

Daniel Pellew, Able Seaman, married Elizabeth Pike, in Northfleet, Kent on 26 Dec 1844. Daniel Pellew, Widower, Mariner HMS Bellerophon, then married Ann Leach, Widow, who lists her father as James Butters, Fisherman, in Stoke Damerel, in September 1851. Daniel Pellew, Widower, Mariner HMS Impregnable, married for the third and final time to Charity Horn on 16 Dec 1855, in Stoke Damerel. Mary Ann Thomas Butters, bap. 27 Mar 1842 in Torpoint, Cornwall, was the illegitimate daughter of Daniel's second wife, Ann Leach (née Butters) and therefore, he was step-grandfather to Mary Ann and Archibald John, who he brought up and who added Pellew to their names at baptism. Without blood ties (and many times even with), others would have sent those children to the workhouse. Despite three wives, Daniel Pellew, seems to have no biological children, which might explain why.

Daniel Pellew (73) of 9 Mount Street, died on 17 Mar 1882 and was buried on 25 Mar 1882, in Stoke Damerel. In 1891, Charity Pellew (68) Widow, Laundress, was still living in Moon Street. Charity Pellew (70), of 11 Moon Street, died on 1 Dec 1894 and was buried on 4 Dec 1894.

Thomas Chapman and Lucy Hockley

Felsted: Holy Cross Church: The nave from the west
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/4540484

Thomas Chapman, listed on the marriage certificate as son of John Chapman, Farm Bailiff, married Lucy Hockley (b. 1852), daughter of George Hockley and Eliza Crow, at Holy Cross Church, Felsted on Leap Day 29 Feb 1876. At the time of their marriage Thomas was resident in Camden Town and in 1871, Lucy Hockley (19) had been a Housemaid in nearby Belsize Park.

Thomas and Lucy had one daughter:

1. Ellen Eliza Hockley Chapman b. 1877 M Quarter in PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 201. Died in 1877 S Quarter in PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 80

There were no further children to this couple in Britain in the following 20 years; I was also unable to find them on any subsequent census.

Albert William Horswell and Rosina Ann Gloyne

North Street, Greenbank, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tony Atkin - geograph.org.uk/p/449770
North Street is a narrow cobbled street which runs from Sutton Harbour up the hillside into the heart of the Greenbank District. It is reputed to be one of the oldest routes in Plymouth.

Albert William Horswell (b. 6 May 1865), son of William Horswell and Julia Hurrell, married Rosina Ann Gloyne, youngest daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, in Plymouth in 1886. Inexplicably, but usefully, the bride's name was listed as Rosina Pascoe Gloyne. 

In 1891, Albert W Horswell (25) Steam Engine Maker Fitter and wife, Rosina A Horswell (25) were living in North Street, Plymouth.

But Rose Annie Horswell died, at just 31, in 1896 (GRO Reference: 1896 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 200).

By 1901, Albert Horswell (35) Steam Engine Maker Fitter, was living, in Ebrington Street, Plymouth with new wife, Bessie Horswell (34), although I can find no record of a further marriage of Albert Horswell to anyone.

Albert Horswell (45) Engine Fitter at Government Dockyard was still living in Plymouth with 'wife' Bessie Horswell (44) in 1911. 

In 1921, Albert W Horswell (56) Engine Fitter at HM Royal Dockyard and Bessie A Horswell were living at 7, Belmont Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth.

Albert William Horswill (sic) died at 74 in 1940 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 921.

William Thomas Eastabrook and Catherine Eliza Authers

Mulberry Street, New York City (c. 1900) Library of Congress

William Thomas Eastabrook (b. 1848), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Catherine Eliza Authers, daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, in the 3rd quarter of 1871, in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

Registered as Caroline Authers (1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), born 25 Feb 1854 and baptised, as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth, she was 17 at the time of her marriage.

William and Catherine had at least thirteen children:

1. William Henry Authers Eastabrook b. 17 Apr 1872 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 308.
2. Susanna Eastabrook b. 11 Apr 1874 in Manhattan, New York, United States. Birth record states that she was the "Mother's 2nd child". Died, aged 2, on 2 Sep 1876 and was buried on 4 Sep 1876 at Evergreen Cemetery, on the borders Brooklyn and Queens, New York.
3. Unnamed male (Jack) Eastabrook b. 3 Aug 1876 in Manhattan.
4. John Samuel Eastabrook b. 21 Dec 1877 in New York, USA.
5. Catherine Eliza Eastabrook b. 1879 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 323, died at 8 months, on 30 Jan 1880 (1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 283), buried 8 Feb 1880 in Stoke Damerel.
6. Harry Eastabrook b. 1880 (listed here)
7. Susannah Catherine Easterbrook b. 20 Mar 1881 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 327, bap. 24 Jun 1881 at St Mary's Devonport.
8. Beatrice Alberta Eastabrook b. 28 Jul 1883, bap. 17 Aug 1883 at St Mary's Devonport. (Seem to have missed the GRO registration.)
9. Ethel May Eastabrook b. 16 Dec 1885 (1886 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 318), bap. 22 Jan 1886 at St Mary's Devonport.
10. Harry Clifford Eastabrook b. 17 Sep 1888 (1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305). (Not found baptism.)
11. Eliza Ellen Eastabrook b. 1891 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 308, died, in 1892 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 299.
12. Lawrence Aubrey Eastabrook b. 24 Nov 1897 (1898 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 309), bap. 9 Jan 1898 in Devonport, Devon.
13. One further male child.

On the baptisms of Susannah in 1881, Beatrice in 1883 and Ethel in 1886 William Thomas Eastabrook is described as Seaman R.N. and the family's address as 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke-Damerel. On that for Lawrence in 1898, R.N. and living at 42 Palmerston St, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1871, just before his marriage, William Eastabrook (21) Butcher (as had been his father before him), was a Servant in the household of Sarah Payne (27) Butcher, in Morice Town, Devonport, Plymouth.

On 1 Jan 1873, William Thomas Eastabrook, from Stoke Damerel, Devonport, with birth date given as 10 Aug 1849 (his birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1848, so this seems to be a year out), joined the Royal Navy, as a Butcher. At that time being 5 ft 2 in, with brown hair, grey eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was assigned to HMS Audacious (1869), which from 23 Nov 1871 - 17 Mar 1874 served as a Coast Guard Ship at Hull, in the Humber. It appears that William Thomas "Run [at] Hull" (deserted) on 17 Apr 1873.

By Apr 1874, we find the couple in Manhattan, New York for the birth of their 2nd child. They had clearly emigrated and this, it must be remembered, is within a decade of the American Civil War. History of NYC - 1870s.

• Introduction to Immigration from 1870–1905
• Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900

The family's address on the burial record for daughter, Susanna, was 168 Mulberry St, New York. Mulberry Street, is a narrow thoroughfare that includes parts of Chinatown and Little Italy in The Five Points neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Five Points gained international notoriety as a densely populated, disease-ridden, crime-infested slum. "Nicknamed 'Death's Thoroughfare', it was here, where the street crooks its elbow at the Five Points, that the streets and numerous alleys radiated in all directions, forming the foul core of the New York slums." So notorious, Manhattan's Mulberry Street has been subject of books, films and music.

On 8 Oct 1878, William T Eastabrook became a naturalised American citizen. The record gives his address as 20 N Moore St, New York and his occupation as Milkman. Witnessing his naturalisation was Henry Authers (wife's father).

They had stayed in New York for around five years, but returned to the UK by the time of the birth of fifth child, Catherine Eliza Eastabrook, in 1879.

On 26 Feb 1880, William Easterbrook (sic) (leaving out the Thomas), from Devonport, Devon and giving his date of birth as 9 Aug 1856 - one day adrift from that on the previous naval record and having now lost eight years in age - joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, this time advancing to Chief Stoker and serving for 20 years, until he was pensioned on 28 Feb 1900.

In 1881, transcribed as William I Easterbrook (sic) (32) Stoker RN (at sea) is listed at 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke Damerel with Catherine E Easterbrook (27), William H A Easterbrook (9), John S Easterbrook (4) born in the United States; ? Easterbrook (0) Daughter [later named Susannah Catherine]; K T Easterbrook (20) Sister [mystery - not identified birth] Nurse and Eliza Arthers (sic) (20) Tailoress - Catherine's younger sister.

In 1891, still in St John Street, Devonport, were Catherine Easterbrook (37) Dressmaker; William H A Easterbrook (19) Blacksmith; John S Easterbrook (14), Catherine Easterbrook (10) [Susannah Catherine]; Beatrice A Easterbrook (7), Ethel M Easterbrook (5), Harry C Easterbrook (2) and Eliza E Easterbrook (0). William was at sea with HMS Mildura from 18 Mar 1891 until 4 Nov 1891. She served primarily in Australian waters.

In 1901, William Esterbrook (sic) (49) Naval Pensioner Admiralty from Devonport, Devonshire, was living in North Road, Central Cardiff, with Catherine Eastabrook (47) Sub Postmistress; Catherine Esterbrook (20) Lady Clerk (Commercial); Beatrice Esterbrook (17) Post Office Assistant; Ethel Esterbrook (15) Apprentice to Stationer and Lawrence Esterbrook (3).

William Thomas Eastabrook of 80 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, died on 11 Jun 1908. His age was estimated as 52 - which would agree with the birth date in 1856 given on his second enlistment in the Royal Navy - he was actually 59 - and was buried in the parish of St John the Baptist Church, Cardiff. Probate was granted on 29 Jun 1908 to beneficiary, Catherine Eliza Easterbrook.

In 1911, Catherine Easterbrook (57), Widowed, Sub Postmistress from Plymouth, Devonshire, was still living in Central Cardiff with Harry Easterbrook (22) Railway Clerk; Ethel Easterbrook (25) Postal Assistant; Frank Powell (26) Boarder, Kitty Murrell (30) and Kitty Murrell (1) Visitors. (Daughter Susannah Catherine, known as Catherine and clearly also as Kitty, had, as Catherine Susannah, married Charles Murrell in 1907.)

In 1921, C E [Catherine Eliza] Easterbrook (66) Sub Postmistress from Devonport, was at 102, Whitchurch Road, Cathays, Cardiff with L A Easterbrook (23) Clerk, Pension Office and four boarders, who were actually daughter E M [Ethel May] Vanner, her husband and two children.

Catherine Eastabrook or Easterbrook (as it says on the Probate record) of 42 Llanishen St, Cardiff, died, aged 80, on 29 Jun 1934 J Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 853 and was buried at Cardiff, All Saints, leaving her effects to sons, William Henry Eastabrook and Harry Clifford Eastabrook.

Easterbrook family genealogy

George Frederick Harcus and Charlotte Cooper

St Nicholas with St Mary Church, Strood
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3568896

George Frederick Harcus (b. 1863), youngest son of John Harcus and Selina Patrick, married Charlotte Cooper (bap. 25 Aug 1867 at St Nicholas Church, Strood), daughter of Henry Cooper and Mary Ann Willan, at St Peter’s Church (now demolished), Rochester, Kent in 1884.

George and Charlotte appear to have two children:

1. Richard John Harcus b. 1888 M Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 555, bap. 27 Apr 1888 at St Nicholas Church, Strood
2. Nelly May Harcus b. 9 Aug 1889 in STROOD Volume 02A Page 545

None of them can be found on the 1891 census, anywhere.

In 1901, George F Harcus (37) Barge Captain was living at 18, Cecil Avenue, Strood Intra, Strood, Kent with Charlotte Harcus (34), Richard Harcus (13), Nellie Harcus (12) and George's widowed mother, Selina Harcus (78).

In 1911, George Harcus (47) Waterman barge captain, Charlotte Harcus (43) and Nellie Harcus (22), lived at 67 Kitchener Road Strood Rochester. 

George Frederick Harcus died, aged 69, on 31 Mar 1932 and was buried at Strood Cemetery in Section K Grave No. 3 (C), where his mother was buried. 

Charlotte Harcus died, on 10 Mar 1939, she will have been 71, at 67 Kitchener Rd, Strood and was buried on 16 Mar 1939, in the same plot with her husband. Probate was granted on 9 Jun 1939 to Nellie May Slater.

• Richard J Harcus married Elizabeth R Andrews, in Strood in the 4th quarter of 1917. There is a Richard John Harcus (b. 1888) in St Olave, Bermondsey, London in 1921, but with no Elizabeth in the household. Richard John Harcus died, aged 72, in 1960. 
• Nellie M Harcus married Ernest J Slater in Strood in the 3rd quarter of 1923. In 1939, Ernest J Slater (b. 5 Jul 1885) Gentleman's hairdresser, and Nellie M Slater were still living at 67 Kitchener Road, Rochester. Nellie May Slater died in 1979, aged 90.

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock

Paddington Station
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/5120568

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock married, in Portsmouth, in 1922. Herbert William Proudlock's birth was registered in Paddington, London, in 1896. There's no mother's maiden name on the registration, so we must assume that his was an illegitimate birth. But, similarly, it hasn't been possible, without the certificate, to even identify his mother. 

There's no obvious Miss Proudlock born or living locally, so he may well have been found on said station and have had a penchant for marmalade.

In 1911, H W Proudlock (14) from Paddington, London, turns up in the household of a F W Rackley (38) General Labourer, at Westborough Road, Maidenhead, Bisham Bray, Berkshire, described as a Foster Son, but employed as a Page Boy. Not surprising then that he goes to sea. Herbert William Proudlock (b. 30 Apr 1896) enlisted in the Royal Navy, aged 15, on 9 Feb 1912. On his naval record, his previous occupation, "House Boy" was later crossed out and expressed as Domestic Servant. On 30 Apr 1914, his 18th birthday, he signed up for a further 12 years and spent the First World War doing short tours on a wide variety of ships. On 29 Apr 1936, Herbert was Pensioned. Then on 1 Apr 1938, was brought back into service again, served through World War II, being finally released on 17 Sep 1945.

Dorothy May Shilcock, meanwhile, was the daughter of Alfred Eli Shilcock and Florence Ada Poat, who married at St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 6 Nov 1902. Dorothy May Shilcock, born 2 Oct 1901, was baptised on 27 Sep 1908 at St Bartholomew's Church, Southsea (no longer standing?), along with her sister Rosa Louisa and brother Alfred Eli, who had been born on 10 Aug 1908. In 1911, the family, living at 3 Addison Road Southsea, Portsmouth, consisted Alfred Shilcock (38) Engine Fitter, Florence (31), Dorothy (9), Rosa (7), Doris (5), Alfred (2) and Ernest (0). (Although they listed the boys first.)

Herbert and Dorothy had three sons:

1. Frederick William Eli Proudlock b. 5 Nov 1923
2. Stanley Victor Proudlock b. 25 Dec 1928
3. (Further son born 1934 may be still living)

In 1939, Dorothy M Proudlock was living at 75 Lovett Road, Portsmouth with her three sons, while her husband was at sea. Frederick had become a Shop Assistant at a Pawnbroker. (Frederick died, in Portsmouth, in 1997).

Herbert William Proudlock of 34 St. Chad's Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, died on 19 Feb 1970. Dorothy May Proudlock died on 20 Jul 1974.