Thomas Staines and Sally Hockley

St Giles Church, Mountnessing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2444460

Thomas Staines (bap. 28 Mar 1790 in Mountnessing, Essex), son of Thomas Staines and Sarah Lewin, married Sally Hockley (bap. 23 Dec 1787 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Turner, on 20 Jan 1812 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. Witnesses were Robert Hockley, Sally's 1st cousin, and Benjamin Cheek (the latter was a Boot and Shoe Maker, according to Pigot's Directory of Essex 1823.)

Thomas and Sally had eleven children in total, who were all baptised at St Giles, Mountnessing, where the family settled for many years: 

1. Thomas Staines bap. 12 Dec 1813
2. Sarah Staines bap. 23 Jul 1815
3. William Staines bap. 23 Mar 1817
4. John Staines bap. 11 Apr 1819
5. George Staines bap. 10 Dec 1820
6. Robert Staines bap. 13 Oct 1822
7. Elizabeth Staines bap. 4 Apr 1824. Died at 17 in 1841 J Quarter in BILLERICAY Volume 12 Page 6 and was buried on 30 May 1841.
8. Mariah Staines bap. 6 Nov 1825
9. Mary Staines bap. 28 Oct 1827
10. Anne Staines bap. 31 Mar 1829
11. Charles Staines bap. 21 Jun 1831

On the baptisms of Thomas, Sarah, William and John, their father is listed as a Shop Keeper. On those of George onwards, he's listed as a farmer. He's also listed as a farmer on Sarah's marriage to Henry Wilton in 1838.

Farm Buildings, Woodlands Farm, Mountnessing
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Winfield - geograph.org.uk/p/37921

In 1841, Thomas Staines (50), Farmer, was residing at Woodlands Farm [Thoby Lane], Mountnessing with wife Sally and six of their children; George (20), Robert (18), Maria (15), Mary (13), Ann (11) and Charles (9). Eldest son Thomas Staines married Eliza Lee in 1835 and went to live in High Roding; Sarah Staines had married Henry Wilton in 1838 and they could be found in the High Street, Great Dunmow; a William Staines of the right age, who was born in Mountnessing, is a farmer of 79 acres in Navestock, Essex; John Staines also appeared to have left home and Elizabeth Staines, it would seem, sadly, had just died, aged 17, and was buried on 30 May 1841.

In 1851, Thomas Staines (61), Farmer of 130 Acres, Employing 4 Labourers and 2 Boys, at Woodlands Farm, Mountnessing, with wife Sally. Still at home were George (30), Maria (25) and Ann (22). Mary Ann Wilton (5) was listed as Niece (could be an easy mistake if one of children was completing the census or responding to the enumerator for their parents), but she was Thomas and Sally's granddaughter (daughter of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines), possibly staying with her grandparents as her mother had another child in 1851. 

By 1861, Thomas and Sally Staines had moved to Lord Peters (Sir William Petre) Alms Houses, Stone Field, Ingatestone, Chelmsford. Thomas (71) was then listed as being a Maltster and Corn Dealer. Still living at home were daughters Maria (32) and Anne (29) and visiting them were granddaughter, Elizabeth Staines (14) (daughter of William Staines) and their grandson, Henry Staines Wilton (20) (son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines).

Thomas Staines died, at 79, in 1870 (1870 M Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 134), and was buried, on 8 Feb 1870, in Ingatestone.

In 1871, Sally Staines, widow and annuitant, was living Nr The Maltings, Avenue Cottage with Anne (40), housekeeper and Fanny Hogg, boarder. 

Sally Staines (née Hockley) died, aged 87 in 1875 (1875 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 308), and was buried on 18 Mar 1875 at St Edmund and St Mary's Church, Ingatestone.

Ginge Petre Almshouses, Ingatestone (1840)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Julian Osley - geograph.org.uk/p/3493906

Stephen Botterill and Elizabeth Tubb

Shakespeare Road, Gillingham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/3889536

Stephen Botterill (bap. 3 Apr 1844 in West Haddon), younger son of Stephen Botterill and Mary Thompson, married Elizabeth Tubb (bap. 29 Dec 1850 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), daughter of Edward Tubb and Hannah Bussey, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East, on 20 Jan 1876. At the time of his marriage, Stephen was listed as a Police Constable in Chatham. One of the witnesses was Stephen's cousin and brother-in-law, Benjamin Tompson. Elizabeth's address was listed on the marriage certificate as 299 Cable Street, which was where Benjamin and Mary Tompson lived.

Stephen and Elizabeth had seven children:

1. Alice Bottrill b. 1877 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 477
2. Mary Elizabeth Botterill b. 1881 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 586
3. Stephen Botterill b. 3 Sep 1883 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 556
4. John Botterill b. 20 May 1886 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 606
5. Grace Hannah Botterill b. 1888 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 603
6. Florence Botterill b. 1891 D Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 587
7. Gertrude Botterill b. 1894 M Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 608

In 1881, Stephen Botterill (39), Police Constable; Elizabeth (29), Alice (4) & Mary Elizabeth (0), were at 7 Unity Cottages, Gardiner Street, Gillingham.

In 1891, living at Hadden House (clearly named after Stephen's birthplace, which seems a bit pretentious), Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (50), Police Constable; Elizabeth Bottrill (40), Alice Bottrill (14), Mary Bottrill (10), Stephen Bottrill (7), John Bottrill (4) and Grace Bottrill (2).

In 1901, at 85, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, were Stephen Bottrill (58), employed as an Excavator, Elizabeth Bottrill (46), Mary Bottrill (19), John Bottrill (15), Grace Bottrill (11), Florence Bottrill (9) and Gertrude Bottrill (7). (Alice had married in 1899, while Stephen had joined the Royal Navy.)

Stephen Bottrill died on 30 May 1904, aged 63 (1904 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 375), although probate wasn't granted - to sons, Stephen and John - until 30 June 1933, after their mother had also died.

In 1911, Elizabeth Bottrill (57), widow, tailoress, was living at 80 Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, with her three youngest daughters: Grace Bottrill (22), Florence Bottrill (20) and Gertrude Bottrill (16).

In 1921, Elizabeth Botterill (71) widow, was living at 80, Shakespeare Road, Gillingham, Kent with son John Botterill (35) Leading Stoker, Royal Navy.

Elizabeth Bottrill died in 1932 J Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 982. 

Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis

All Saints' Church, Thorpe Malsor
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jonathan Thacker - geograph.org.uk/p/6620224

Solomon Thompson Jnr (bap. 15 Jun 1786 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), son of Solomon Thompson Sr and Ann Rawson, married Maria Willis (bap. 24 May 1789 in Thorpe Malsor, Northamptonshire), daughter of Thomas Willis and Mary Essex, at All Saints Church, Thorpe Malsor on 19 Jan 1807. 

Their 12 children, all baptised at St Andrew's Church, Cransley were:

1. Mary Thompson bap. 14 Dec 1807
2. Daniel Thompson bap. 30 Jul 1809
3. Thomas Thompson bap. 14 Apr 1811
4. Maria Thompson bap. 19 Dec 1814
5. Lucy Thompson bap. 18 Dec 1815
6. Anne Thompson bap. 20 Oct 1817
7. Eliza Thompson bap. 9 Jul 1820 (buried 14 Oct 1821)
8. Solomon Thompson bap. 4 Apr 1822
9. Eliza Thompson bap. 8 Feb 1824
10. William Thompson bap. 31 Dec 1825 
11. Martha Thompson, b. 1826, bap. 20 Dec 1831
12. Elizabeth Thompson b. 1828, bap. 20 Dec 1831 (at 3y 3m) 

Solomon Thompson Jnr, carpenter, died, aged 54 in 1839 D Quarter in KETTERING UNION Volume 15 Page 198 and was buried on 9 Dec 1839 at St Andrew's Church, Little Cransley.

By 1841, Maria Thompson (55), Pauper, was in the Hamlet of Cransley, as the head of the family with younger sons Solomon (20), Carpenter's Apprentice and William (15), and daughter Martha (14), as well as a John James (20) - presumably a boarder/lodger - also a Carpenter's Apprentice. 

In 1851, in Little Cransley, were Maria Thompson (66), Pauper, Carpenter's Widow, with son William (25) Mason's Labourer and Anne Thompson (5) (Elizabeth's child). Thomas Thompson (40), Carpenter, was staying as a visitor with his sister, Lucy Smith and her husband in Foleshill, Warwickshire. 

In 1861, Maria Thompson (74) widow, was still living in Little Cransley, with just her son William Thompson (31, actually 36) living with her. Thomas Thompson (50) Carpenter was living alone in Cransley.

By 1871, Maria (listed as Mary) Thompson (85) was living with her youngest daughter, Elizabeth Wykes, in Deptford. Thomas Thompson (60), was still a carpenter in Broughton. William Thompson (47) Farm Servant, was visiting his sister and brother-in-law, William Naseby and Eliza Thompson, in Rugby. 

Maria Thompson died, in 1873 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 461.

In 1881, Thomas Thompson (70), carpenter, may have become too old or infirm to work or manage on his own, because he was listed as an inmate at Kettering Union Workhouse (later St Mary's Hospital, Kettering). His brother William Thompson (55), was also an inmate in the Kettering Union Workhouse. It appears that Thomas Thompson died, in Kettering, in 1886 S Quarter in KETTERING Volume 03B Page 103. Neither he nor William ever married. In 1891, William Thompson (then 66), single, Gardener Domestic Servant, was back living with his sister and brother-in-law in Rugby. William Thompson died, at 76, in 1901 J Qtr in RUGBY Vol 06D 346.

William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton

Watling Street, Thaxted

                         cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robin Webster - geograph.org.uk/p/4308377

All of the buildings here are listed at grade II.

William Thomas Jarvis married Sarah Ann Wilton (b. 1842), daughter of Joseph Wilton and Ann Thurlbourn, in Great Dunmow, on 17 Jan 1866. On the marriage record, William Thomas Jarvis is listed as the son of John Jarvis, a Grocer, but I've been unable to find a grocer called John Jarvis anywhere. It's a bit suspect that Sarah worked for a grocer and he 'coincidentally' choses this trade, and feels to me like another case of a father invented for the marriage certificate. There are plenty of those. Neither have I found a record of a birth or baptism of William Thomas Jarvis, because he doesn't appear on any census in this period either to get clues to verify when or where he was born. 

Whoever he was, nevertheless, the couple had two children:

1. Kate Jarvis b. 1867 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 392
2. William Thomas Jarvis b. 1868 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 387. Died aged 17, on 4 Oct 1885 (1885 D Quarter in CHELMSFORD Volume 04A Page 209) and was buried on 9 Oct 1885, in Chelmsford, with father listed as Thomas Jarvis.

In 1861, Sarah A Wilton (19), Milliner, had been a boarder in the household of Alfred Sprent, Draper & Grocer, in Watling Street, Thaxted. 

By 1871, Sarah Jarvis (28), Dressmaker, was listed as widowed - although I've been unable to find a record of William Thomas Jarvis' death - living with her two children and her sister Clara Jane in High Street, Great Dunmow. 

Sarah Ann Jarvis died at 31, in 1874 M Qtr in DUNMOW UNION Vol 04A Page 271, from Consumption (Tuberculosis) and was buried on 8 Jan 1874.

In 1881, [William Thomas] Tom Jarvis (13) Cashier Clerk, Nephew was living with two of his maiden aunts, his mother's sisters, Eleanor Wilton (29) and Clara Wilton (27) at 3, Duke Street, Chelmsford, Essex.

Then William Thomas Jarvis died on 4 Oct 1885, aged 17.

There were two girls called Kate Jarvis born 1867 in Dunmow

There were, however, two people called Kate Jarvis, both born in the March quarter of 1867 and both registered in Dunmow. One of the births lists the mother's maiden name as Wilton - thus she was daughter of William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton - while the other birth lists the mother's maiden name as Patient - she was the daughter of John Jarvis and Ann Patient. Have not yet determined what, if any, relation they were to one another.

In 1881, a Kate Jarvis (14) was a general servant in the household of Susan F Sprent (38), widow, in Town Street, Thaxted, Dunmow, Essex. Therefore, while it would be tempting to think that the Kate Jarvis who is working for Susan Sprent in 1881 would be the daughter of Sarah Ann Jarvis (née Wilton) who had worked for Alfred Sprent 20 years earlier, in reality, and especially if they are related, it's impossible to tell which one this was.

There are, actually, no verifiable records of the Kate Jarvis the daughter of William Thomas Jarvis and Sarah Ann Wilton beyond 1871. 

(The Kate Jarvis who married William Hockley, in Dunmow, in 1890 was the daughter of John Jarvis. She definitely wasn't the daughter of Sarah Ann Wilton, as this erroneous listing suggests. Neither can I find how this William Hockley is related - if he is - to the rest of my Dunmow Hockleys. The family were living in Thaxted, in 1901. Then this William Hockley died, aged 36, in 1902. In 1911 the widowed Kate Hockley (44) was in Thaxted with her two children and then on 2 Mar 1912, the widowed Kate Hockley married a John Jarvis (was he her relation?) and, once again, became Kate Jarvis. It is therefore this Kate Jarvis, daughter of John Jarvis and Ann Patient, rebooted, listed in Thaxted in 1921 and in Dunmow Road, Thaxted in 1939, who died, aged 79, in 1947 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A  Page 801.)

Joseph Phillips and Ann Clarke

St Mary Magdalene, North Ockendon - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2657540

Joseph Phillips married Ann Clarke (b. ~1782) at the church of St Mary Magdalene, North Ockendon, Essex on 12 Jan 1801.

Joseph and Ann had at least five sons:

1. James Phillips bap. 12 Feb 1804 (buried 21 Nov 1804) both events at St. Nicholas, South Ockendon
2. Thomas Phillips bap. 25 May 1806 at St. Nicholas, South Ockendon
3. James Phillips bap. 17 Jul 1808 at St. Nicholas, South Ockendon (buried 2 Oct 1814 at St Michael, Aveley)
4. William Phillips b. 25 Dec 1810, bap. 20 Jan 1811 at St Michael's, Aveley. (There is a burial of a William Phillips, aged 31, on 25 Apr 1841 in Rainham that may relate.)
5. Isaac Phillips bap. 26 Dec 1813 at St Giles & All Saints, Orsett

There was a burial of an Ann Phillips (37) in Grays Thurrock on 18 Apr 1819. 

[As yet] I've been unable to confirm what happened to Joseph.

Charles Baker and Sarah Hoile

St Mary Aldermary, Bow Lane, London EC4 - West end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/885942

Charles Baker married Sarah Hoile in the parish of St Mary Aldermary with St Thomas the Apostle on 12 Jan 1822. Since the church of St Thomas the Apostle was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and not rebuilt, it's probably safe to assume that the venue was St Mary Aldermary. 

The couple had two children, baptised at St Leonard's, Shoreditch:

1. Sarah Baker b. 1 Nov 1822, bap. 10 Jan 1823 
2. Charles Hoile Baker b. 23 Aug 1825, bap. 9 Oct 1825

On the record of son Charles Hoile Baker's marriage, he describes his father's occupation as Waterman. I've not [yet] isolated further records for this pair.

Benjamin Blackmore and Mary Goff

Culmstock : The Culm Valley Inn
The former Railway Hotel, now the Culm Valley Inn
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/7381769

Benjamin Blackmore (bap. 3 Feb 1856 in Kentisbeare, Devon), Blacksmith, son of Samuel Blackmore and Elizabeth Jeffery, married Mary Goff (bap. 6 Nov 1859 in Kentisbeare), daughter of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, at the parish church of St Mary's, Kentisbeare, on 11 Jan 1882.

Witnesses were John Goff and Hannah Goff, latter who was most likely to have been Mary's younger sister, Anna - she was also listed as Hannah on the 1881 census. The marriage record is on the same page and is therefore presumably the first wedding celebrated in the church since that of Mary's brother, William Goff and Sarah Jane Rowe, the previous September.

Ben and Mary had four daughters:

1. Lilian Elizabeth Blackmore b. 9 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 334) Couldn't find a baptism, presumably because of the proximity to the wedding.
2. Florence Annie Blackmore b. 18 Oct 1885 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Vol 05C Page 310, bap. 15 Nov 1885 at All Saints Church, Culmstock
3. Amy Goff Blackmore b. 1889 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 313, bap. 7 Apr 1889 at All Saints Church, Culmstock
4. Gladys May Blackmore b. 17 Sep 1890 S Quarter in WELLINGTON Vol 05C Page 307, bap. Gladys Mary, 19 Oct 1890 at All Saints, Culmstock

The three baptism records all list their father's occupation as Blacksmith.

In 1886, Benjamin Blackmore of Culmstock won a prize for skill in shoeing.

In 1891, Benjamin Blackmore (34) General smith, was living in Station Road, Culmstock, with Mary Blackmore (32), Lilian Elizabeth Blackmore (9), Florence Annie Blackmore (5), Amy Goff Blackmore (2), Gladys May Blackmore (0) - 6 months - and William Windson (19) Apprentice.

R. D. Blackmore, the famous novelist best known for Lorna Doone, lived in Culmstock from 1835-1841 [Source], while his father, John Blackmore, was Curate of All Saints Church, Culmstock. In 1894, "Culmstock became the Perlycross in Blackmore's novel of that name. Perlycross includes detailed descriptions of local places and living conditions at that time." [Source] 

In Gregory's Directory of Culmstock, also of 1894, Ben Blackmore, is listed as "smith & machinist". In Richard Doddridge Blackmore's 1894 novel, "The only man with a clue to the mystery is a blacksmith who has been called up late at night by a mysterious party with a cart." Was there any link between Benjamin Blackmore and R D Blackmore? :) That would be research for another day.

(The Project Gutenberg EBook of Perlycross - Perlycross, R.D. Blackmore - Culmstock, Devon - Literary Sites on Waymarking.com)

In 1901, Benjamin Blackmore (45) was Innkeeper and Blacksmith at the Victoria Hotel, Culmstock with Mary Blackmore (42), Florence Blackmore (15), Amy Blackmore (12), Gladys Blackmore (10), Edith Brown (19) General domestic servant; Jonas Hooper (22) Blacksmith and Samuel Blackmore (17) Nephew, Blacksmith Apprentice. Lilian E Blackmore (19) Dressmaker, was a boarder at the Girls Friendly Society Lodge, 32, East Southernhay, Exeter.

Mary Blackmore died, aged 45, in 1905 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET & DEVON Volume 05C Page 197 and Mary Blackmore (née Goff), wife of Benjamin Blackmore, Innkeeper, of The Railway Hotel, Culmstock, was buried, on 5 Apr 1905, in her native Kentisbeare.

So, Benjamin Blackmore (49), Widower, Licensed victualler, son of Samuel Blackmore, Farm Bailiff, married Clara Blackmore (47) Widow, daughter of Charles Dennett, in Wellington, Somerset on 23 Sep 1908. Clara gave her address as 26 Rockwell Green, Wellington (this address is a Post Office). Another Blackmore! That can't just be coincidence, can it? 

Clara Dennett bap. 21 Apr 1861, at Gussage All Saints, Dorset, daughter of Charles Dennett and Eliza Robertson, had married her first husband, John Tom Blackmore (b. 1860 in Gillingham, Dorset), son of Charles Blackmore and Mary Ann Wadman, at Gussage All Saints on 16 May 1887. 

In 1891, listed as Thomas Blackmore (33) Coachman from Gillingham, Dorset and Clara Blackmore (30), they were living at 114, Pavilion Road, Chelsea, (a mews just off Sloane Square). In 1901, Thomas Blackmore (40) Coachman and Clara Blackmore (40) were listed, along with a long list of coachmen, grooms, etc., at 1, Blue Ball Yard, St James Westminster. "The earliest reference to Blue Ball Yard itself dates to when the site was sold by King Charles II in 1672, by which time it was already a developed site of stables and housing, probably for servants working in the palace." It's clear from the addresses that John Tom Blackmore had worked in some high places.

Then John Tom Blackmore died, aged 45, in 1905 D Quarter in HATFIELD Volume 03A Page 360 and was buried, on 11 Dec 1905, in The Parish of Bishops Hatfield (St Etheldreda), Hertfordshire. This church is in the old village of Hatfield, "close to the walls of Hatfield House, once a royal palace [...] so is exceptionally grand for a parish church." His abode was listed as Hatfield Park. One assumes he'd brought dignitaries there. He may have been in the employ of James Gascoyne-Cecil, 4th Marquess of Salisbury.

But what link there could be between the Dorset Blackmore families and their Devon counterparts, if there was one, I've not found anything to indicate it.

In 1911, Benjamin Blackmore (53) Hotel Proprietor was at the Railway Hotel Millmoor, Culmstock with Clara Blackmore (50), Amy Blackmore (22) Draper's Assistant; Gladys Blackmore (20) Miliner; Rose Troake (16) Servant and Thomas Walls (29) Stonemason, Boarder. Florence Blackmore (28) was a Domestic cook in the household of Maurice Michael (58) Watch importer at 19 Lydford Road, Cricklewood NW, London.

In 1921, Benjamin Blackmore (60) Hotel Proprietor & Clara Blackmore (58) were at the 17th Century Coaching House, the The White Hart Hotel in Wiveliscombe, with Lydia Mary Furze (41) and John Reginald Furze (11) Visitors and Violet Gladys Chandler (25) & Ivy May Taylor (22) Servants.

Clara Blackmore died, at 66, in 1927 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 307. And Benjamin Blackmore died the following year, at 69, in 1928 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 329.

• Lilian Elizabeth Blackmore married George Henry Hansford, in Wellington (Somerset), in 1906. That same year, they emigrated to Canada. They appear to have had two children. Lilian Elizabeth Hansford died, at 92, in Victoria, British Columbia, in 1975.
• Florence Annie Blackmore married William Herbert Owen Denness in Hendon, Middlesex, in 1912. They had three children. In 1939, William H O Denness, Hotel Proprietor, Florence A Denness were at 10-11 St George's Place, Llandudno - a quite grand, sea front location. Their younger daughter, Gladys, was Hotel Receptionist; also living in were a Hotel Boots, two Waitresses, a Chambermaid and a Cook. Florence Annie Denness died, aged 73, on 2 Dec 1958 and was buried, on 5 Dec 1958 in Llanrhos, Caernarvonshire.
• Amy Goff Blackmore married Douglas Wilfred Brentnall, in Wellington (Somerset), in 1917. They had one son quite late after their marriage, John Douglas Brentnall (1934-2010). Amy G Brentnall died, aged 77, in Weston-Super-Mare, in 1967.
• Gladys May Blackmore married Henry Cowper Giles (b. 12 Aug 1889, in Bristol), son of Francis Frederick Giles and Florence Maria Avent, in Wellington (Somerset), in 1917. They had one son, Roland Henry Giles (1918-1968). In 1939, Henry C Giles, Sports Outfitter and Gladys May Giles were living at 56 Chepstow Road, Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. Gladys May Giles died on 11 Apr 1992, at the grand old age of 101 years 6 months and is buried at Holy Trinity Church, Christchurch Road, Newport, Wales.

William Edgar Farthing and Ivy May Hepworth and Lieutenant Commander Derrick William Graham RN OBE

Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Voller - geograph.org.uk/p/3699730

Ivy May Hepworth (b. 3 Nov 1892), daughter of Vincent Hepworth and Mary Ann (Annie) Rogers, married William Edgar Farthing (b. 23 Dec 1892), son of Frederick William Farthing and Emily Maud Gidley, on 10 Jan 1913, at the church of Saint James the Less, Plymouth. They had one son:

1. Edgar Grahame Farthing, b. 15 Nov 1913 (1913 D Qtr in PLYMPTON Vol 05B Page 333), bap. 16 Apr 1914 at St Mary's Church Plympton. 

William Edgar Farthing, formerly a clerk at the Great Western Railway, who enlisted in July 1914 in the Royal Garrison Artillery, husband of Ivy May Farthing of 22 Atheneaum St, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon was invalided home and died at the London Hospital, Whitechapel on 8 Feb 1917, aged 24, of a disease contracted while on active service. Second Lieutenant William Edgar Farthing is buried at Ford Park Cemetery (Plymouth Old Cemetery). 

Ivy May Farthing remarried, on 29 May 1925, to Derrick William Graham. 

Derrick William Graham b. 8 Aug 1900, was the elder son of Charles William Graham a Silk Merchant born in Melbourne, Australia and his wife Edith Eleanor Clodd (m. 1899 in the City of London). In 1911, Derrick (10) and his younger brother, Geoffrey Edward (9) were boarders at Doon House Preparatory School for Boys, Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea. He entered service with the Royal Navy in May 1913, as an officer cadet, at Britannia Royal Naval College, at Dartmouth, Devon. 

Derrick and Ivy had two sons:

1. David William Graham b. 1926 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 423. Died 1926 D Quarter in DEVONPORT Vol 05B Page 395
2. Michael William Graham b. 5 Jan 1929 in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 1189

Derrick William Graham made Sub-Lieutenant in 1919; Lieutenant in 1921 and Lieutenant-Commander in 1929. His service record places him in Malta in 1928 and Ivy May Graham and son Michael, of 109 Broadfield Road, Catford, SE6, sailed to Malta with RMS Viceroy of India, in 1931.

In 1939, at West Lodge, Villiers Road, Portsmouth, were Ivy M Graham, listed with a birth year of 1896 - it was 1892 - admitting to be four years older than her husband, but not all eight, while Derrick W Graham RN, at that time, was attached to HMS Dolphin (shore establishment), home of the Royal Navy Submarine Service from 1904 to 1999, at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport.

On 1 Jan 1944 Acting Commander Derrick William Graham, Royal Navy (Portsmouth) was listed in The London Gazette, having been mentioned in despaches. His record states "Mentioned in Despaches for zeal, patience and cheerfulness in dangerous waters, and for setting an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, upholding the high traditions of the Royal Navy."

Graham got his OBE (which him indoors tells me stands for "Other Buggers' Efforts") in 1946 for distinguished services during the war in the Far East.

Acting Commander Derrick William Graham reverted to the retired list on 30 Jul 1948. The marriage between Derrick and Ivy was disolved on 23 Feb 1951 and Derrick William Graham immediately remarried, on 17 Mar 1951, to Margaret Hamilton Sterling in Natal, South Africa. Derrick William Graham of St. Paul Road, Vacoas, Mauritius died, at 59, on 28 Apr 1960.

Ivy May Graham died on 20 Oct 1978 in Portsmouth, just days short of turning 86. She is buried in the churchyard at St Nicholas Church, Durweston, Dorset, where her sister, Ida Lily Soppit, is also buried. Dorset Monumental Inscriptions lists her as "Mother of Grahame & Michael GRAHAM".

• Having joined The Royal Regiment Of Artillery in 1933, Edgar Grahame Farthing married Kathleen Lucy Downs (b. 29 May 1914), in Windsor, Berkshire, in 1949 and on 17 May 1957, they and their two children, of Officers Married Quarters, Andover, sailed to Canada on the RMS Empress of Britain. Edgar Farthing died on 3 Jan 2000 (aged 86) and is buried at the Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery, North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. Kathleen Farthing died on 17 Nov 2004 and is buried with her husband.
• Michael William Graham, formerly a Director of Rookery Estates Co, property management company, in Maidstone, Kent, married Rachel M Norman in 1952. He died at 69, in 1998.

Derrick William Graham's father, Charles William Graham, had also died at a relatively early age, 52, in London on 14 Jan 1924. The Probate record quotes him as being of 42 Gutter Lane, London and Mirabelle, Carshalton, Surrey. 42 Gutter Lane was the address of Messrs Courtauld and Co.

William Edgar Farthing's father, Frederick William Farthing, died in 1936 and his obituary in the Western Morning News was interesting: Former G.W.R. Inspector Dies at Plymouth. As well as detailing his 49 year career with the railway, it mentioned a son (Frederick Arthur) who was in the Customs at Southampton and that his wife's sisters, Alice and Lilian Gidley, were formerly headmistresses at Stonehouse. As my father, who had left Plymouth in 1936, had been to school in Stonehouse, means there's a possibility my father's headmistress had been a very distant relative by marriage to my mother.

David Huke and Hannah White

St Andrew, Thorpe St Andrew
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/4006187

David Huke (bap. 3 Jun 1838 in Burgh, St Peter, where he'd lived with his parents at Hukes Corner), Shoemaker, son of Edward Huke, Blacksmith, and Ann Taylor, married Hannah White (bap. 23 Aug 1840), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, at Thorpe St Andrew on 10 Jan 1869. The witnesses were Walter White and Hannah White, the bride's brother and his wife.

Hannah already had an illegitimate daughter, registered as Alice Roxby White in 1864 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 196. When Alice married in 1884, she listed her father as James Roxby. (There was one James Roxby in Norfolk, born in 1850. I'll do the maths for you: it would have involved Hannah 'seducing' a 13 year old lad. Not impossible, but I feel unlikely.) However, at her sister Maria's wedding in 1863, Hannah White was one of the witnesses, the other was a John Roxby, who is a much more likely prime suspect. There was a John Roxby, born around 1831-3, who would fit. He appears to have married someone else in 1865 and died in his 40's in 1875. If this is the man, then he won't have been around while Alice was growing up and that would account for the confusion in naming him.

David and Hannah Huke added four children:

1. Lucy Ann Huke b. 1869 S Quarter in BLOFIELD Volume 04B Page 180, bap. 1 Feb 1870 in Thorpe-next-Norwich (Thorpe St Andrew).
2. Minnie Huke b. 18 Apr 1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 191, bap. 28 Jun 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died in Reigate, Surrey, in 1914 (see below).
3. Herbert Huke b. 1872 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 197, bap. 11 Apr 1874 at Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew). Died at 1½ in 1874 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 132 and was buried on 24 Apr 1874, also in Thorpe Episcopi.
4. Albert Huke b. 16 Mar 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 195, bap. 17 Mar 1875 in Thorpe Episcopi. Died aged 3 weeks in 1875 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 141 and was buried in Thorpe Episcopi on 10 Apr 1875.

Alice, born 18 May 1864, was also baptised on 28 Jun 1874 in Thorpe Episcopi (Thorpe St Andrew), her surname listed as "White or Huke", which I take to read as David Huke's intention to 'adopt' Hannah's daughter.

The baptisms confirm David Huke's occupation as Shoemaker.

In 1871, living at Thorpe Road (Dale's Place), Thorpe St Andrew, Blofield, Norfolk, were David Huke (32) Shoemaker from Burgh, St Peter; Hannah Huke (30) from Mattishall, Alice Huke (6) and Lucy Huke (1).

David Huke died, at 41, in 1879 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 131 and was buried at St. Andrew Episcopi on 1 Oct 1879.

In 1881, Hannah Huke (40), Widow, Washwoman from Mattishall, was living at Red Lion Square, Thorpe-Next-Norwich, with Alice White (16) Washwoman; Lucy Huke (11) and Minnie Huke (9).

Hannah Huke died, at 47, on 3 Feb 1888 M Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 153 and was buried on 8 Feb 1888, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

The Downham Market Gazette of 15 May 1880, reported that Arthur Ellgood, Labourer, of Thorpe St Andrew's was summoned by Alice White for assaulting her on 1 May 1880. The defendant did not appear, and the case was heard in his absense. He was fined 5s and costs of 16s 6d. So, it was some surprise to read that, Alice Roxby White (20) married Arthur Elgood (23) Labourer, son of William Elgood, Lime Burner at Thorpe St Andrew on 22 June 1884. 

The couple had one daughter, Lucy Hannah Elgood b. 16 Mar 1888 J Quarter in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 218 and bap. 15 Apr 1888 at Thorpe Episcopi.

Arthur Elgood died, aged 29, 1889 D Qtr in BLOFIELD Vol 04B Page 126 and was buried on 4 Dec 1889, also in Thorpe Episcopi.

In 1891, Alice Elgood (26) Widow, Laundress, was at Tan Yard, Thorpe Next Norwich, with daughter, Lucy Elgood (3) and Minnie Huke (19) Sister. 

Alice Elgood (27) Widow, married Walter Henry Lane (27) Bachelor, again at Thorpe Episcopi, on 12 Apr 1892. This time she listed her father as David Huke, Shoemaker (Deceased). Walter Henry's occupation was 'Agent'.

On 1 Feb 1883, aged 19, at Great Yarmouth, Walter Henry Lane had joined the Norfolk Regiment. He deserted on 16 Jun 1883; re-joined on 7 Sep 1883 and was imprisoned, but eventually settled down to achieve 5 years 83 days service and promotion to Corporal. He served in India, was awarded a medal with clasp, Burma 1887-89 and was pensioned on 17 Sep 1890.

In 1901, Walter Henry Lane (36) Carpenter, Alice Lane (36) and Lucy Lane (13) [Elgood], were living at 30, Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, Edmonton.

In 1911, still at 30 Rangemoor Road, Tottenham, were Walter Henry Lane (listed as 50) Carpenter; Alice Lane (48) Charwoman; Lucy Hannah Lane (23) Boot boxer and William Smith (22) Door Man at Boot Shop, Lodger.

Lucy H Elgood married William H Smith, in Edmonton, in Q4 1911. 

Walter Henry Lane died at 49, in 1914 J Qtr in EDMONTON.

In 1921, Alice Lane (57) Widow, whose occupation was listed as 'Washing', was living at 19, Highweek Road, Tottenham. Also at that same address were Lucy Smith (33) Widow (one imagines that her husband, William H Smith, had been lost during WWI); Minnie Smith (9) and William Smith (7).

In 1939, Alice Lane (b. 18 May 1864), Widow, of Private Means, was living, at 15 Highwood Road, Tottenham.

Alice Lane died at 77, in 1942 M Qtr in EDMONTON Vol 03A Page 1157.

• Minnie Huke of The Brabazon Home Reigate (Brabazon Home of Comfort. Founded to care for chronic or incurable invalids among the members of the Girls' Friendly Society who might otherwise face ending their days in the workhouse infirmary) died aged 43, in 1914 J Quarter in REIGATE Volume 02A Page 252 at was buried on 24 Apr 1914 at St Mary's Church, Reigate.
• Lucy Huke was listed in 1914-1915 at 13 Stonebridge Road, Tottenham. Lucy Ann Huke, died at 61, in 1932 M Quarter in EDMONTON Volume 03A Page 934, having never married.

William Francis and Sarah Holmes

Mattishall, All Saints Church: The sanctuary
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/5792067

William Francis (bap. 14 Nov 1773 in St Peter, Mattishall Burgh), single man, son of William Francis and Mary Gunn, married Sarah Holmes (bap. 16 Feb 1776 at St Peter’s, Mattishall Burgh), single woman, daughter of James and Mary Holmes, on 8 Jan 1799, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall. Neither could write and both made their mark with an X. Witnesses were Mary Francis (who could have been William's mother or his sister) and a Wm. Dade.

Records suggest that this pair had at least five children: 

1. Anne Francis b. 3 Dec 1802, bap. 10 Apr 1803 at Mattishall Burgh
2. Sarah Francis b. 30 Apr 1805, bap. 19 May 1805 at Mattishall Burgh
3. Harriet Francis, b. 25 Jul 1813, bap. 19 Sep 1813 at Mattishall
4. Stephen Francis bap. 14 Mar 1816 (buried 8 Apr 1816) at Mattishall
5. Martha Francis bap. 9 May 1817 in Mattishall

With such gaps, there could have been others. The baptism records for Harriet, Stephen and Martha lists their father's occupation as Labourer.

In 1841, William Francis (65), Ag Lab, wife Sarah (60) and daughter Martha (20), were shown as living at Badley Moor, Mattishall. 

William Francis (75) died in 1848 D Qtr in MITFORD AND LAUNDITCH Vol 13 Page 152 and was buried on 13 Dec 1848 at All Saints', Mattishall. 

In 1851, Sarah Francis (76), widow, pauper, was lodging with John Durrant and his wife Martha (33) - her youngest daughter - in East Tuddenham. 

Sarah Francis died in 1852 M Quarter in MITFORD & LAUNDITCH Volume 04B Page 195, with her age listed at an under-estimated 75, and was buried, on 22 Feb 1852, at All Saints, East Tuddenham.