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Monday, 17 February 2025

Archibald Carl Heckmann and Daisy Rhoda Day

Brick Lane in the East End of London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/7049342

Archibald Carl Heckmann (b. 20 Jul 1883), son of Napoleon Joseph Heckmann and Susie Lane, married Daisy Rhoda Day (b. 10 Feb 1881), daughter of Arthur Stephen Day and Mary Ann Ray, at St Faith’s Church, Ebner Street, Wandsworth, on 17 Feb 1900. The bridegroom was then only 16, pretending to be 20. Archibald gave his address as 14 Coleford Road, Wandsworth and listed his father as Napoleon John Henry Heckman, Engineer (this was actually his brother). Daisy (19) listed her residence as 44 College Street, Putney and her father Arthur Stephen Day, Photographer. One of the witnesses to their marriage was Arthur Wilton Day, Daisy's brother.

Archibald Carl and Daisy Rhoda Heckman had two sons:

  1. Archibald Wilton Napoleon Heckmann b. 1901 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 785, bap. 24 Feb 1901 at St Faith's, Wandsworth. Died, aged 15, on 28 Jun 1916 (1916 J Quarter in ST. MARYLEBONE Volume 01A Page 639)
  2. Cecil Arthur Heckmann b. 25 Oct 1903 (1903 D Quarter in ONGAR Vol 04A Page 537), bap. 28 Dec 1903 at Chipping Ongar, St Martin of Tours and it appears was baptised again, listed as Cecil Arthur Heckman (with one less N) on 29 May 1917 at High Ongar, St Mary the Virgin. (Both baptisms specify his parents as Archibald Carl and Daisy Rhoda.)
In 1901, living at 60, Fullerton Road, Wandsworth, were Archibald Heckmann (21) - he was actually only 18 - Gas stove fitter from Loughton, Essex; Daisy Heckmann (20) and their elder son Archibald Heckmann, 2 months old.

In 1911, Archibald Wilton Napoleon Heckman (10) and Cecil Arthur Heckman (7) were staying with their grandparents. Daisy R Heckman (30) described as "Married Deserted 7 Yrs", was staying with her brother in Wandsworth.

The Chelmsford Chronicle of 30 Jun 1916 reported on the DEATH OF ARCHIE HECKMAN - "Archie Heckman, aged 15, eldest son of Mrs Heckman and grandson of Mr and Mrs A S Day, passed away in the Middlesex Hospital on Wednesday after a long illness. He had been a patient in the Hospital for 10 weeks. Previous to his illness he was employed by Mr J Surridge, motor engineer, Ongar. On June 27, while his mother and grandmother were in the Hospital with him, his youngest brother, Cecil, scalded himself badly by accidentally turning over a saucepan of boiling water. Much sympathy is felt for his mother and grandparents." The column then continued with ...

SCALDING ACCIDENT - An unfortunate accident occurred to Cecil Heckman, grandson of Mr Day on Wednesday at 8:30 am. The boy, who was removing a saucepan of water from the fire, where he had just boiled an egg, let it drop, and the water went over his leg, scalding the right thigh and left foot.

Daisy Rhoda Hickman (sic), daughter of Arthur Stephen Day, Photographer, married William Arthur Clancy at St Mary's Church, Leyton, on 25 Apr 1919. (Was Daisy divorced? Still 'married and deserted' in 1911, she almost certainly hadn't known Archibald Heckman had already married again in 1908, and, it was not until 1937 that desertion became a ground for divorce.)

William Arthur Clancy was born in Victoria, Australia around 1878 and had served in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War. William and Daisy must have left for Australia shortly after they married and were listed on the electoral register in Leitchville, Victoria, at least by 1924.

On 11 Mar 1921, Cecil A Heckman (17) Motor mechanic, embarked on the SS Euripides, in London, bound for Melbourne, Australia, giving his last address as c/o A Day, Photographer, High Street, Ongar. Cecil was also listed in Leitchville in 1925, so presumably settled there. Cecil Arthur Heckman married Bessie Henderson Soutar (b. 12 Apr 1909 in Scotland), daughter of John Dow Souter and Helen Robertson, in Victoria, Australia, in 1932.

William Arthur Clancy died in 1955 and Daisy Rhoda Clancy, daughter of Arthur Stephen Day and 'Polly Anna' Ray, died, aged 75, in Warrnambool, Victoria on 16 Jul 1956. She is buried at Warragul Cemetery.

Cecil (Art) Arthur Heckmann died on 28 Nov 1986 in Leeton, New South Wales, Australia and is buried at Leeton Cemetery. Bessie Henderson Heckman died on 6 Nov 2001 and is also buried at Leeton Cemetery.

So, what happened to Archibald Carl Heckmann?

He had first resurfaced, listed as Archibald Charles Hickman, in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a licence dated 20 Oct 1908, to marry Irene Kearney at the Laie Hawaii Temple (a Mormon Church - was this a deliberate choice, did he think he could avoid committing bigamy by marrying there?), Laie, Oahu, Hawaii, on 21 Oct 1908; giving his age as 29 (actually 25); his father as John H Hickman (his grandfather's Anglicised first names) and mother Susie Heckman. Irene, 23, with parents Victorio Silva Borba and Maria Ferriera, was Portuguese. (Presumably Kearney was a previous married name, but I've no idea if she was divorced or a widow and have also not found her either before or since.)

The couple had a daughter, Gladys Irene Hickman b. 21 Mar 1910 and the 1910 US Census shows Archibald Hickman (29) immigration year 1907; Irene Hickman (25) and Gladys I Hickman (1 month) living in Honolulu City.

Then the Honolulu Star-Bulletin of 2 May 1916 reported that, "Having been served in San Francisco, the divorce papers in the case of Archibald Hickman against Mrs Irene Hickman were returned here yesterday. The suit was filed here April 10. Hickman alleges desertion as the cause for the suit."

Wait, HE's alleging that SHE deserted him? Karma's a bitch, innit?

On 21 Sep 1917, Archibald Charles Hickman (40) is shown sailing from Honolulu, Hawaii to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. On 6 Oct 1917, in Toronto, Archibald Charles Hickman (40) of Hardesty Street, Honoulu, enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps for the duration of the war. (Archibald was actually only 34 in 1917 and his usual lie up to this point had been to claim to be four years older than he was, so by adding another two years was this to be too old to enlist or at least too old to be sent to the front line?)

On 18 Feb 1919, Arch Hickman, listed as 41 (really 36), Single (no comment), English, left Ontario, Canada, where his last residence had been in Toronto, and sailed from Vancouver, British Columbia on the SS Makura, bound for Honolulu, Hawaii, where he arrived on 26 Feb 1919. It said he that intended to remain in the US indefinitely, but not to become a citizen (see below).

In 1920, Archibald C Hickman (42) Single (again) was living in the household of Catarina A Wright (44) Divorced, in Honolulu, Hawaii. At this point he's listed at the bottom of the household, as a Lodger. On this census he gives his date of immigration to the US as 1903 (which is far more likely given the date his second son with Daisy was born and as she was listed as 'Deserted 7 Yrs' in 1911) and claimed a date of naturalisation 1919 (there's no evidence).

Not located Archibald, but in 1930 his daughter, Gladys I Hickman (20) Stenographer, was a boarder at "FernhurstYWCA Hostal in Honalulu City.

The press in Hawaii reported, Miss Gladys Irene Hickman, Head Stenographer at Maki-Ki Hotel, daughter of Archibald Charles Hickman and Irene Borba, married Stanley Abrams Cutter (b. 14 Sep 1906), son of Stanley Abrams Cutter and Minerva Fernandez, in Wahiawa, Hawaii on 15 Dec 1937

The couple had a son, Charles Hickman Cutter, born 29 Nov 1938.

In 1940, and still in Honolulu, Hawaii, Archibald Hickman (57) was head of the household with Catarina 'Hickman' (65) listed as his 'wife'. There was never a marriage and it's acknowledged here that she lived with a "Hickman". (Born Catarina Apiani Long (Hawaiian/Italian) on 16 Apr 1875, she had married Benjamin Haywood Wright in 1894. They had divorced.)

Archibald's World War II Draft Registration Card in 1942 gave him away and tied all the other records together: Listed as Archibald Charles Hickman, of 4020 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii; DOB 20 Jul 1884 (it was 1883, but may otherwise be correct), with place of birth, Loughton, Essex and names Gladys I Cutter as his daughter and person who'll always know his address.

Archibald Charles Hickman was naturalized in the US on 27 May 1943.

Catarina Apiani Wright died on 8 Jan 1949 (she is buried at Diamond Head Memorial Park), although Archibald seemed to have moved on already by 1946. He flew from Honolulu to San Francisco, California, with Pan American Airways, on 17 Apr 1946 and lived with Gladys from then onwards. 

In 1950, Archibald C Hickman (66) Father-in-law, Unable to work, was listed as living in the household of Stanley A Cutter Jr (43) with Gladys I Cutter (40) and their son, Charles Cutter (11), in Merced, California.

Archibald Charles Hickman died on 29 Oct 1958 in OaklandAlameda County, California and was interred at Mountain View Cemetery on 19 Nov 1958.

His obituary in Hawaii: Archibald Hickman Dies in California. "Archibald Charles Hickman, 73, who lived in the islands for more than 40 years, died Oct 29, in Oakland, Calif. Born in Essex, England, Mr Hickman worked for the gas company until World War I when he enlisted in the British army. Following his discharge he returned to the islands and spent many years in the automotive field as shop superintendent for Schuman Carriage Co. During World War II he worked for Hawaiian Contractors at Pearl Harbour. He had been living with his daughter, Mrs Stanley A Cutter Jr, for the past 11 years."

Gladys Hickman Cutter died on 1 May 2002 at the age of 92; Stanley Abrams Cutter Jr died on 1 Mar 2008 at the grand old age of 101. And their son, Charles Hickman Cutter died, aged 69, on 19 Jun 2008. His obituary was Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jun. 29, 2008 (Via)

CUTTER, CHARLES HICKMAN "On June 19, 2008, Charles H. Cutter passed away at his home in San Carlos at the age of 69. He succumbed after a March diagnosis of glioblastoma multi-forme. He was Associate Professor Emeritus of Humanities and Political Science at San Diego State University, where he had taught from 1968 to 2006, after which he remained actively engaged in travel, study, and research. Charles Cutter was born November 29, 1938, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and was raised in Merced, California. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in political science at UC Berkeley and his PhD in political science at UCLA. His doctoral studies took him to France, Senegal, Mali, and Dahomey. Subsequent interests were centered in African politics and art, for which he earned a Fulbright-Hays Foreign Language Fellowship to study Bamana. After an American Council of Learned Societies postdoctoral award in art history at Yale, he was appointed research fellow in 1973 and lecturer in 1974. He also taught at the University of Bristol in 1984. At SDSU Professor Cutter offered courses in African and American politics, was the first chair of the Humanities program, and taught African, European, and American humanities, in which he garnered an unchallenged reputation as an expert in art and classical music. He also taught art history at the Design Institute of San Diego. He served for a long time on the board of docents at the San Diego Museum of Art and was till his death a docent for the Timken Gallery. Until his death he also served many years as president to the Shadow Glen Homeowners Association. In addition to his scholarly papers, Professor Cutter curated a 1979 exhibition at the SDMA, and since 1997 he edited the annual scholarly review titled, Africa. After retirement he became intrigued with the work of the late Belgian-Argentine artist Victor Delhez, and having begun an association with him, Professor Cutter was mastering Spanish and writing a definitive biography when he was stopped short by his devastating illness. Charles Cutter loved theater and opera and often traveled to other cities to attend performances. He struck a dashing graybeard figure not only in professorial blazer and bow tie but also on the tennis court. Professor Cutter is survived by his life partner, Jack Albrecht, and family that extends from Hawaii to New York State. His mother, Gladys, died in 2002. In September 2006, family members gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of Stanley Abrams Cutter, Professor Cutter's father and patriarch of the family. Stanley Cutter died this past March at the age of 101. His extended family included lifelong friends and former students, with whom he continued to maintain close and enduring bonds. Many of these friends travelled great distances to visit him during his illness, proving the esteem and affection in which they held him and the influence he had on their lives. A memorial gathering is planned for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, August 2nd, at the SDSU Faculty-Staff Club. Gifts may be made in Professor Cutter's name to the Timken Gallery or the SDSU Department of Classics and Humanities."

Archibald Carl Heckmann's origins:

Firstly, his grandfather's petition for Naturalisation in 1846: Johan Heinrich Heckmann of No 5 John Street, Chicksand Street, Brick Lane in the Parish of Whitechapel, in the County of Middlesex, Fur Skin Dresser, states that he was born in Eissen, WarburgKingdom of Prussia. He'd been married for 13 years to Catharina Boss and had lived in Tower Hamlets for 15 years, so since around 1831. I've not found the record of the marriage so, we'll have to take his word for it, although banns were read at St Mary's, Whitechapel in Nov 1832, under the Anglicised names of John Hackman and Catherine Boss.

Johan and Catharina Heckmann had eleven children:
  1. Catherina Heckmann b. 1833 in Whitechapel
  2. Agnes Christina Heckmann b. 1835 in Whitechapel
  3. Helena Heckmann b. 1837 in Whitechapel
  4. Sophia Heckmann b. 1839 in Whitechapel
  5. John Frederick Ulerich Heckman b. 1842 M Quarter in WHITECHAPEL UNION Volume 02 Page 569 - mother's maiden name BASS
  6. Margaret Victoria Alice Heckman b. 1843 D Quarter in WHITECHAPEL UNION Volume 02 Page 546 - mother's maiden name BASS
  7. Napoleon Josephus Heckman b. 1846 M Quarter in WHITECHAPEL UNION Volume 02 Page 618 - mother's maiden name MOSS
  8. Anna Sophia Heckmann b. 1847 D Quarter in WHITECHAPEL UNION Volume 02 Page 557 - mother's maiden name, finally, BOSS
  9. Cleopatra Heckman b. 1849 D Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 02 595
  10. Louisa Heckman b. 1851 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Vol 02 Page 627. Died, aged 1, in 1852 S Quarter in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C Page 227 and was buried on 28 Jul 1852 at John St, Osborn St, Whitechapel
  11. John Theodore Heckmann b. 1855 J Qtr in WHITECHAPEL Vol 01C 356
In 1841, Johan Heckmann (30) Skin dresser, wife Cathe (30) and daughters, Helena (4) and Sophia (2) along with four others who were described as fur dressers, were living at John Street, Christchurch, Whitechapel.

Johan Heinrich Heckmann was the victim in a case of theft heard at the Old Bailey on 18 Sep 1848. Some 180 rabbit skins that had belonged to him had been stolen from an outworker. The two suspects, Thomas Saul and Richard Bailey, were found guilty and sentenced to be transported for seven years.

In 1851, then listed as John H Heckmann (39) Skinner & furrier employing 20 men, still at 5 John Street, Christchurch Spitalfields, Whitechapel, with Chatherina (sic) (39) from Homberg, Hesse; Chatherina (sic) (18), Christina (16), Helena (13), Sophia (11), Margretha (10), Napoleon (5), Anna Sophia (3), Cleopatra (1) and Karl Boss (20) Brother-in-law, Fur skin dresser.

In 1861, J H Heckmann (49) Proprietor of houses, from Prussia, proudly listing himself as a Naturalized British Subject, had moved to 30, York Hill, Loughton, Essex, with Catherine (49), Catherine (27), Sophia (21), Margretha (17), Napoleon (15), Anne (13), Adelaide (12) [I'm sure this is Cleopatra], Theodore (5) and Adolf Leity (33) Visitor from Berlin, Prussia.

On 4 Jul 1865, John Henry Heckmann of John Street and Samuel Street, Spitlefields and of Loughton, Essex, Skin Dresser and Brewer, was declared bankrupt. He was discharged from bankruptcy on 5 Dec of the same year.

In 1871, John H and Katherine Heckmann were still at York Hill, Loughton, as they were also in 1881. John Henry Heckmann of York Hill, Loughton, died on 11 Sep 1887. In 1891, widow, Catherine Heckmann was still living at York Hill, Loughton with two of her daughters, spinsters, Catherine (56) and Anna (43) and one servant. Catherine Heckmann died, aged 86, in 1898.

Archibald's parents, Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (b. 1846), son of Johan Heinrich Heckmann and Catharina Boss, and Susie Lane (b. 31 Jan 1858 M Quarter in EDMONTON Vol 03A Page 155), daughter of Henry Lane and Mary Ann Fish, married at St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney, on 27 Feb 1879. Witnesses to their marriage were Septimus Swyer and Alice Swyer. 

Susannah Lane was brought up in High Beach (or High Beech), Essex, where her parents had kept the Owl [Public House], Lippet's Hill.

Napoleon Joseph and Susie Heckmann had three sons:
  1. Napoleon John Henry Heckmann b. 16 Sep 1879 (D Quarter in EPPING Vol 04A Page 181), bap. 23 Dec 1879 at Loughton, St John the Baptist
  2. Herbert Leopold Heckmann b. 5 Sep 1880 (1880 D Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 199), bap. 14 Oct 1880 at Loughton, St Nicholas. Died 20 Oct 1880 and is buried at Waltham Holy Cross Old Cemetery
  3. Archibald Carl Heckman b. 20 Jul 1883 S Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 223, bap. 4 Jun 1889 at Holy Innocents Church, High Beach.
Dr Septimus Swyer
In 1871, Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (25) 'wife's brother', had been living in the household of Septimus Swyer (35) at 32 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, Whitechapel. Dr Septimus Swyer, General Practitioner, had married Napoleon's sister, Agnes Christina Heckmann, in 1857. Much has already been written about this contentious character, from his apparent partnership with a medical fraudster Edward Morass who went under a number of aliases and his second wife's alleged bigamy, but most of all, in relation to Jack the Ripper, as a person of interest and a possible suspect. Circumstantially, at least. 

It's relevant, I feel, to mention that Septimus Swyer emigrated the United States and one of his sons emigrated to Australia and changed his name.

In 1881, Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (36) Living on income, Susie (22) and son Napoleon J (1), with a Domestic servant and a Nurse, were at York Hill.

Napoleon Joseph Heckmann died, at 45, on 24 Feb 1891 (1891 M Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 185), and was buried on 3 Mar 1891 at the Church of the Holy Innocents, High Beach. The Chelmsford Chronicle of 6 Mar 1891 reported on the FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR N J HECKMANN - "The remains of the late Mr Napoleon J Heckmann were interred on Tuesday last in High Beech Churchyard. Every sign of regret and respect was manifested by the residents of Loughton. Most of the tradesmen put their shutters up, and a large number of sympathetic friends surrounded the grave." He left a Personal Estate of £184 to Susie Heckman of York Hill, Widow.

In 1891, Susie Heckmann (30) Widow, was Living on her own means, still at York Hill, Loughton with her two sons, Napoleon (11) and Archibald (7). 

Susie Heckman (33), listed as daughter of James Lane, Licenced Victualler (deceased) (Henry Lane, but yeah ....), then remarried to William Edward Bright (30) Gentleman, at St James's Church, Clerkewell on 31 Oct 1893

This couple had produced a son, Charles Stanley Bright b. 1894 S Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 347, bap. 28 Aug 1894 at Loughton, St Nicholas, who died at one month old on 29 Aug 1894 (1894 S Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 159) and was buried on 3 Sep 1894 in High Beech.

The year before they married and reported nationally: "William Edward Bright (29), described as a gentleman of independent means, was charged at North London Police Court on Wednesday with shooting with a revolver at five constables. It appeared from the evidence that on Tuesday night the accused went home at midnight, when the housekeeper heard three shots fired. Not knowing what had happened she opened a window and blew a police whistle. Five constables assembled in the garden, and tried to open the door. Prisoner appeared at a window and shouted "Who's there? Police?"; and on receiving an answer in the affirmative and a request to open the door, he replied, "If you don't clear out of my garden I will shoot you." Thereupon he fired five shots in rapid succession - fortunately without hitting anyone. Prisoner now said he would not have fired had he not thought the constables were burglars. His housekeeper said he was a very excitable man, had a dread of burglars, and always slept with a revolver under his pillow. Asked if he was intoxicated, she said she was no judge of such matters. Prisoner was committed for trial."

Incredibly, he was found not guilty of shooting to do grievous bodily harm and assault. However, the excitable gentleman next turns up being admitted to Bethlehem Hospital - otherwise known as Bedlam - psychiatric hospital in Bromley, London, on 7 Feb 1900, the supposed cause of his insanity being alcohol. The record states that he was married, but living separate from his wife, pursuant to a deed of separation. William Edward Bright died, aged 39, in 1901 J Quarter in WESTMINSTER Volume 01A Page 313.

In 1901, Susie Bright (38) Widow, Living on own means, was living in Frith Lane, Kings Lane, Great Missenden, Amersham, Buckinghamshire with A C Heckman (16) Son, Single, Mechanical Engineer from Loughton, Essex. (There is no subsequent birth in 1885, so I can only assume this is her 18 year old son, Archibald Carl Heckmann. If so, he was double-counted, pretending to be 21 with his wife in Wandsworth. Had he not told his mother he married?) And John Edward Edmonds (40), who has been transcribed as Brother, but I'm sure he was then a Boarder. Well, I certainly hope so, because ...

In 1903, John Edward Edmonds married Susie Bright, in Marylebone, London.

In 1911, John Edward Edmonds (52) Clerk in Shipping from Loughton, Essex, was living in Horndon on the Hill, Essex, with Susie Edmonds (50) and visiting them were John Henry Napoleon Heckmann (32) Marine Engineer and Dorothy Emily Heckmann (28) (As John Henry Hickman and Dorothea Emily Thorne, they had married at New Ferry, Cheshire on 27 Apr 1904.)

In 1921, at Brig-Y-Don, Orsett Road, Horndon on the Hill, Essex, were John Edward Edmonds (59) Clerk, and Susie Edmonds (59).

Napoleon John Henry Heckmann pre-deceased his mother, on 19 Aug 1933.

In 1939, John Edmonds (b. 11 Oct 1859) Documentary Clerk Retired and Susie Edmonds, were living at 36 Basildon Drive, Basildon.

John Edward Edmonds died, age estimated as 83, in 1944 J Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 329 and was buried on 17 Jun 1944 at the church of the Holy Innocents, High Beach. There's an amusing note on the burial record which states "In the grave of Mrs's first husband. West End Church." 

Susannah Edmonds of Beech View, Lippett's Hill, High Beech, Loughton, Essex, died the following year, aged 86, on 23 Jan 1945 (1945 M Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 439) and was buried on 27 Jan 1945, also at High Beach. She left £599 1s 3d. Probate was granted on 1 Nov 1945 to Grace Vivian Garrett (wife of William Thomas Garrett) attorney of Archibald Carl Heckman. This suggests she knew her son was alive, all along.

Sunday, 16 February 2025

Thomas Tooze and Jane Burton

Pound Hill, Holcombe Rogus
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2508490

Thomas Tooze (b. 1776), listed as Jnr, son of Thomas Tooze and Dorothy Woodbery, married Jane Burton (b. 1766), at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus on 16 Feb 1800. Both parties were of the parish, but I've found no baptism for Jane Burton to trace who her parents may have been.

Thomas and Jane appear to have had at least these six children:
  1. Elizabeth Tooze bap. 12 Oct 1800 in Holcombe Rogus
  2. Sarah Tooze bap. 19 Sep 1802 in Holcombe Rogus
  3. Thomas Tooze b. 5 Jan 1805, bap. 20 Jan 1805 in Halberton
  4. Eleanor Tooze b. 23 Mar 1807, bap 21 Jun 1807 in Halberton
  5. Jane Tooze b. 15 Oct 1809, bap. 5 Nov 1809 in Halberton
  6. John Tooze bap. 21 Feb 1813 in Willand
In 1841, Thomas Tooze (65) Maltster and Jane Tooze (75) were listed as living on Hart's Hill, Holcombe Rogus.

Jane Tooze died at 82 in 1848 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Vol 10 Page 351 and buried on 16 Apr 1848, in Holcombe Rogus.

In 1851, Thomas Tooze (75) Widowed, Pauper Formerly A Maltster, was a Lodger in the household of William Govier (27) and his wife Sarah (née Norman), on Pound Hill, Holcombe Rogus.

It appears that Thomas Tooze died, aged 77, in 1853 M Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 298.

Saturday, 15 February 2025

John Soppit and Louisa Tompson

The Shortlands Tavern, Station Road, Shortlands, Bromley
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/2255969

John Soppit (bap. 6 Oct 1844 in Longbenton, Northumberland), son of Joseph Soppit and Catherine Winship, married Louisa Tompson (bap. 15 Dec 1844 in Cransley, Northamptonshire), daughter of Daniel Thompson and Mary Adcock, at Christ Church, Watney Street, St George in the East, on 15 Feb 1875. One of the witnesses was Benjamin Tompson (Louisa's brother). 

This was not John's first marriage, however, because John Soppit had first married Emma Smith (23) (bap. 5 Apr 1848) - daughter of Martin Smith, Coal Miner, and Mary Picken (m. 1827) - in East Rainton on 12 Dec 1869

Mary Smith, illegitimate daughter of Emma Smith, had already been born in Houghton Le Spring and baptised on 11 Mar 1866 in West Rainton, Durham. Whether Mary was his natural daughter or not, John Soppit must have brought the child up as his own as she subsequently took his surname. 

John and Emma then had a further two children, who, given the same early dates in the same year, must have been twins.
  1. Joseph William Soppit b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D  Page 476 and baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried, at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole, on 27 Apr 1871. (1871 S Quarter in HOUGHTON LE SPRING Volume 10A Page 312).
  2. Catherine Emma Soppit, b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D Page 476, also baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried on 30 April 1871, and the burial record says she was aged 2 weeks or months. The death is registered as 1873 S Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 240, which is either two years late, or there's an error.
In 1871, John Soppitt (sic), Engine Fitter, was living with wife, Emma, and children; Mary (5), Joseph Wm (0) and Catherine (0), and Elizabeth Turner (15), Servant, in Princess Street, Normanby, Guisborough, Yorkshire.

Emma Soppit (née Smith) died, aged 26, 1871 J Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D Page 405 and was buried on 17 Apr 1871, in Eston, Yorkshire. It looks very likely that she had died after giving birth to the twins, who were both baptised on the same day as their mother's funeral. 

John Soppit must have immediately taken the babies back to the home of his father, as his residence was listed at that time as South Hetton, Durham. At just weeks old, son, Joseph William Soppit died and was buried, at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole on 27 Apr 1871. And just three days later, on 30 Apr 1871, his presumably twin sister, Catherine Emma Soppit, was buried, also at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole. Heartbreaking.

John Soppit and Louisa Tompson had another 6 children:
  1. Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit b. 4 Apr 1876 (1876 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 925), bap. 4 Jun 1876 at St Nicholas, Deptford.
  2. Joseph Daniel Soppit, b. 23 Sep 1877 (1877 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 973)
  3. John Benjamin Soppit, b. 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 941 (Died 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 560)
  4. John Winship Soppit b. 1 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 943), bap. 10 Jun 1883 at Christ Church, Watney Street [Source]
  5. Benjamin Tompson Soppit b. 13 Nov 1884 (1885 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 415), bap. 1 Mar 1885 at St Mary, Shortlands, Kent
  6. Louisa Adcock Soppit b. 26 Oct 1887 (1887 D Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 424)
In 1881, John Soppet (sic), 36, Engine Fitter, was a boarder in the household of Jane Granger (58) at 29, Donald Street, Stockton upon Tees. Louisa was at the pub with her brother-in-law, Daniel Bottrill, with Emma's daughter, Mary; daughter Catherine and son Joseph, while her sister was away in Devon. 

Emma's daughter, listed as Mary Soppit, died, aged 24, in 1891 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 295. Then confirmed in the Kent 1891 Public House Directory Listings, by the time of the 1891 Census, John Soppett (sic); wife Louisa (46), sons John Winship (9), Benjamin Thompson (6), daughter Louisa Adcock (3) and John Thompson (25), nephew, barman, were living at The Shortlands TavernStation Road, Beckenham, Bromley

The following report of The Bromley Petty Sessions appeared in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser of 6 July 1893:
REFUSING TO QUIT. George Herbert, builder, of 19, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, was summoned by John Soppit, landlord of the Shortlands Tavern, Shortlands, for being disorderly and quarrelsome on licenced premises and refusing to quit the same, on June 27. Mr Gregory appeared for the complainant, and Mr L. Lewis for the defendant, who pleaded guilty. Mr Gregory stated that the defendant used fearful language towards the complainant. Mr Lewis stated that the defendant had not the slightest idea of having used any bad language until he received the summons. He urged that as the defendant had made this apology the magistrates should inflict a mitigated penalty. The Chairman said he had never heard such bad language. The defendant would be fined 40s with 8s costs, or 21 days' hard labour. Mr Lewis asked for time, but this was refused. 
The London (South) 1896 Suburban Publicans directory still lists John Soppit at the Shortlands Tavern, but by 1901, the family were residing in a quite grand double-fronted house at 20, Honley Road, Catford, Lewisham. John Soppit (56), Licenced Victualler, is listed with wife Louisa (56), sons John (19) and Benjamin (16) - who have followed their father's original trade as Joiners - daughter Louisa (13) and they can afford a General Domestic Servant. 


Louisa Soppit died, aged 57, in 1902 S Qtr in CROYDON Vol 02A Page 117. 

John Soppit (58) married Marian Johnson (39) Spinster, who listed her father as Thomas Johnson, Tripe Dresser, at St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey, on 27 Jul 1903. Witnesses were Elizabeth Johnson and Henry Rugg Johnson.

In 1911, John Soppit (66), Retired Licenced Victualler, was still living at 20, Honley Road, with new wife Marian (46), Benjamin (26) and Louisa (23). 

In 1921, John Soppit (76) Retired Engineer and Marion Soppit (51) from Poplar, were still living at 20, Honley Road, Lewisham.

John Soppit of 20, Honley Road, Catford, died on 24 Jan 1924 (1924 M Quarter in LEWISHAM Volume 01D Page1544) at 390, High Street, Lewisham (University Lewisham Hospital, the former Lewisham Workhouse). He left £3467 18s 1d (£212,166 in 2020) to his widow, Marian Soppit and a further £2208 to son, Benjamin Tompson Soppit, engineer. 

Marian Soppit died, at 78 in 1943 D Qtr in BOURNEMOUTH Vol 02B 1045.

Friday, 14 February 2025

William Tidborough and Mary Hawkins

Taunton: former County Gaol
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4529457

William Tidborough (b. 27 Sep 1829 in Uffculme, Devon), widower, son of John Tidborough and Elizabeth Summers, married Mary Hawkins (27), spinster, daughter of Robert Hawkins and Ann Shewbrooks, at St George's Church, Fons GeorgeWiltonTaunton, Somerset on 14 Feb 1856.

William Tidborough had previously married Jane Manley in the first quarter of 1852, in Wells, Somerset, with whom he had two children:
  1. Sarah Tidberough (sic) b. 1852 D Quarter in WELLS Volume 05C Page 565, bap. 2 Jan 1853 at St Cuthbert, Wells, Somerset. Died in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 341.
  2. John Tidberough (sic) b. 1854 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 380. Died in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 340.
Jane Tidberough (sic) also died, aged 27, in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 339; wife and both children dying in the same year.

William had two further children with Mary:
  1. Anne Tidborough b. 1856 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 393. Died aged 14, in 1871 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 291 and was buried on 19 Jan 1871, at St Mary Magdalene.
  2. Elizabeth Tidberough (sic) b. 1858 S Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 411, bap 12 Sep 1858 at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton. Died in 1860 J Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 291. The infant was buried on 6 Apr 1860, at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton.
Sarah's and Elizabeth's baptisms list their father's occupation as Miller.

William Tidberough (sic) died, aged 30, in 1860 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 323 and was buried on 25 Mar 1860, in Wilton, Somerset.

In 1861, Mary Tidborough (32) Widow, was an Assistant Matron of County Gaol (Wilton (Taunton) County Gaol and House of Correction). Annie Tidborough (4) was living in the household of James Northalt (64) Beer House Keeper at the Shuttern County Inn, Taunton, described as Niece.

Mary Tidborough, Widow, married Henry Sully, Widower. Well, the records of the Banns of the marriage list her as Mary Tidborough, Widow, however, the record of the marriage itself, which took place at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton on 2 Sep 1862, lists her as Mary Hawkins, Single, daughter of Robert Hawkins, Mason. Obviously incorrect, but useful confirmation.

Mary had one daughter with her second husband:
  1. Henrietta Elizabeth Sully b. 1865 S Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 404, bap. 13 Jul 1865 at St Mary Magdalene. Died, aged 10, in 1875 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 271 and was buried, on 22 Oct 1875, at St Mary Magdalene.
Henrietta's baptism lists her father as Deputy Governor Of Wilton Gaol

Mary Sully died, aged 38, in 1868 J Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 237 and was buried on 10 Apr 1868 at St Mary Magdalene.

What do we know about Henry Sully?

Henry Sully was baptised on 27 July 1817, son of Henry Sully, Labourer and Hannah Burrows. At the time of his first marriage to Mary Burston, bap. 19 Oct 1817, daughter of John Burston, Fishmonger and his wife, Jane, on 22 Nov 1838, Henry Sully's occupation was listed as Mariner. Two of their sons later had Naval careers. Henry and Mary went on to have at least 10 children, the last of whom was baptised on 30 Oct 1860. Then first wife, Mary Sully, died, at 43, in 1860 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 259. 

On many of the children's baptisms, Henry is described as Guard At Wilton Gaol. In 1851, Henry had been Chief Turnkey Of Wilton Gaol, as he was in 1861. By 1865, he was Deputy Governor Of Wilton Gaol.

Henry then married Mary Tidborough (née Hawkins) and had the one further daughter with her, before he was widowed again in 1868.

So Henry married for a third time to Elizabeth Morgan, bap. 30 Aug 1828 in Pitminster, Somerset, daughter of William Morgan, Green Grocer, and Mary Dymond, on 13 Aug 1868, at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton. On this marriage, Henry Sully's occupation was listed as Inn Keeper. Henry's son by his first wife, Samuel Sully, later married Elizabeth's younger sister, Camilla Morgan.

In 1881, with address listed as Market House, Taunton, at 63, Henry Sully's occupation was listed as Hall Keeper. With his previous experience with the prison service, he may well have been caretaker of Taunton Shire Hall

Elizabeth Sully, of Wilton Cottage, died, at 73, in 1900 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 286 and was buried on 5 Mar 1900.

Henry Sully died in 1903 M Qtr in TAUNTON Vol 05C 219, at 86.

Loveday a girl's name meaning "beloved day"

Loveday is the Middle English form of the Anglo-Saxon name Léofdæg, derived from the Old English lēof ' "dear, loved"+ dæġ 'day'. Léofdæg was in use before the Conquest of 1066 and managed to survive to good use in the Middle Ages as Loveday and with the alternative pronunciation Lowdy. 

The term "loveday" is also a literal translation of dies amoris, a day of reconciliation on which enemies met to settle disputes and the name was sometimes given to babies who were born on such a day. By the 16th century, the given name was predominantly used in Cornwall and Devon and mostly for girls. Over the course of the 19th century, Loveday was fairly consistent in use, averaging around eight births per year. It declined by the 1930s.

The earliest record [so far] in the family was that of Loveday Flew, daughter of Richard Flew and Jane Wright, who was baptised in Rackenford, Devon in 1804. She married John Land and they named one of their daughters Loveday Land. They were also the parents of James Land, who, with his second wife, Rose Anna Beamer, named their daughter Loveday Jane Land (b. 1864).

Loveday Jane Land, along with her husband (my great-grand uncle), Frederick James Stone, named their third daughter Loveday Jane Stone (b. 1884). 

And in turn, Loveday Jane Stone, with her husband, James Shopland, named their only daughter, born on 14 Feb 1907, Loveday Jane Shopland. The name is nothing to do with Valentine's Day, but that was a happy accident.

Loveday Jane Shopland married Leonard Southcott. Their daughter, Loveday Jane Southcott, born in 1930, was probably one of the only ones by then.

Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin

High Street and the Assembly Rooms, Epsom, Surrey
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Hugh Craddock - geograph.org.uk/p/2361441
High Street, looking east from the junction with South Street and West Street.

Andrew Arthur Padbury (b. 1 Jul 1844, bap. 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey), son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin (b. 19 May 1850), daughter of William George Maslin and Charlotte Bland, in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869.

Andrew and Elizabeth had four children:
  1. Andrew William Padbury b. 16 May 1869 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 699, bap. 12 Sep 1869 in Deptford, Kent.
  2. Emily Ada Padbury b. 16 Dec 1870 in GREENWICH Vol 01D 763
  3. Elizabeth Sarah Padbury b. 19 Dec 1872 in GREENWICH 01D 809
  4. Edith Padbury b. 1874 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 828, died 1875 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 515
In 1871, in Tanners Hill, St Paul, Greenwich, were Andrew Padbury (26), Elizabeth Padbury (20), Andrew (1), Emily (0) and Alice, a Servant.

Andrew Padbury, Slipper maker, of 9 Glocks Cottages, Tanner's Hill died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875 at that address, leaving effects of under £100 to his widow, Elizabeth Sarah Padbury of 14A Victory Street, Deptford New Town.

In 1881, there is an Elizabeth Padbury (27), Widow, Laundress, living at 26, Cold Blow Road, St Paul Deptford, which may relate. Certainly, Emily Padbury (10), that year was living with her grandparents, William and Charlotte Maslin. While Elizabeth Padbury (8), had been admitted to the Union Workhouse, Infirmary, Green Lane, Greenwich. Someone, hopefully, must have taken the then 11 year old Andrew William in, but I've been unable to find him.

I can find no further records of Elizabeth Sarah Padbury (née Maslin).

Five generations of Andrew Padbury:
  1. Andrew Padbury, son of Thomas Padbury and Ann Edney, bap. 7 Mar 1778 in Bishop's Waltham, Hampshire. This Andrew Padbury married Ann Camshall, on 27 Sep 1801, in Epsom, Surrey. In 1841, Andrew Padbury (60) Grocer, Ann (55), son Andrew and daughter Ann, were living in New Inn Lane, Epsom. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (75) Grocer was in South Street, Epsom, with wife Ann (70) and two lodgers. He died, aged 83, and was buried at St Martin's, Epsom on 17 Feb 1860.
  2. Andrew Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Ann Camshall, bap. 22 Dec 1811, at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom. He married Sarah Zeal, again by Licence, on 20 Apr 1843, in Lambeth, Surrey. In 1845, The London Gazette published details of the Bankruptcy of Andrew Padbury the younger of Epsom, Grocer. In 1851, Andrew Padbury (40) Master Watchmaker, wife Sarah (31), Arthur A Padbury (7) and Emily (1), turn up in High Street, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. But by 1871, he is found at Victory Street, St Paul, Greenwich, with wife Sarah and daughter Emily. This Andrew Padbury died in Greenwich, in 1877.
  3. Andrew Arthur Padbury, son of Andrew Padbury and Sarah Zeal, was born on 1 Jul 1844 and baptised 10 Nov 1844 at St Martin of Tours church, Epsom, Surrey. As above, he married Elizabeth Sarah Maslin in Deptford, Kent, on 14 Feb 1869 and died, aged 30, on 5 Jan 1875.
  4. Andrew William Padbury, son of Andrew Arthur Padbury and Elizabeth Sarah Maslin, born 16 May 1869, in Deptford. Despite not locating him in 1881, Andrew Padbury (21) Printer machine minder turns up, in 1891, in Barnsbury Road, Islington, London, as a boarder in the household of Arthur Evans. Andrew William Padbury married Honora Rose Brown, in Islington, in 1894. In 1901, were living in 20, Perth Road, Hornsey, Edmonton, Middlesex. Honor Rose Padbury died in 1904, at 29, so he remarried, to Gertrude Annie Cole on 15 Oct 1905 at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow. In 1911, they were living at 19 Cairo Road, Walthamstow and in 1939, at Tudor Cottage, Shoebury Road, Southend-On-Sea. Andrew W Padbury died, aged 83, in Southend-On-Sea, in 1952.
  5. Andrew Thomas William Padbury, son of Andrew William Padbury and Honora Rose Brown, was born in Islington, in 1894. He married Elsie May Payne at St Mary the Virgin, Walthamstow, on 27 Feb 1916. Andrew T W Padbury died, aged 72, in 1967, in Braintree, Essex.
Emily Ada Padbury married George Philip Heath in St Pancras, London on 5 Sep 1891; and on the very same date, Elizabeth Sarah Padbury married John Carpenter Wade also in St Pancras, London. Double wedding?

In 1901, George P Heath (33) from Teignmouth, Devon and Emily A Heath were at 32, Winchester Road, Edmonton, Middlesex. Their third child, George P Heath, was born, in 1898, in Portsea, Hampshire. In 1911, they were living at 77 Fore St, Upper Edmonton, Edmonton. In 1939 they were at 65 Portland Crescent, Harrow. Emily A Heath died in Harrow, on 26 Feb 1960.

In 1901, John C Wade (29) Plumber and wife Elizabeth S, who also had 3 children then, were living at 24, Kingsdown Road, Islington, London. In 1911, they'd gone no further than 28 Kingsdown Road. Still in Islington in 1921 and 1939, Elizabeth S Wade died, aged 82, in Hendon in 1955.

Saturday, 8 February 2025

William Harman Howes and Violet Rose Matilda Cheer

St Mark's church in Lakenham - the apse
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak - geograph.org.uk/p/2056898
Built in 1843 "for the poor and very populous" district of Lakenham

William Harman Howes (b. 14 Dec 1895), son of William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey, married Violet Rose Matilda Cheer, on 8 Feb 1920, at St Mark, Lakenham, a district on the south of Norwich, Norfolk. Both were 24. One of the witnesses was William's sister, Alice May Howes

William and Violet had three children:
  1. Joyce Mary Howes b. 1920 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 380
  2. Pauline Margaret Howes b. 1924 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 239
  3. Son b. 1932 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 234 (potentially living)
The mother's maiden name on all three birth registrations is CHEER.

On the marriage certificate, Violet gave her father's name as Edmund Cheer, deceased. The only birth registration of a Violet Cheer (simply as Violet, with no other given names) was in 1895 S Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 122. Her mother's maiden name was left blank. Violet Cheer doesn't appear anywhere on the 1901 or 1911 census. The only record of a Violet Rose Matilda anything, anywhere, ever, was the baptism of Violet Rose Matilda Fox, at St Martin At Oak, Norwich, on 8 Oct 1896, as daughter of Robert and Mary Fox. There was no GRO birth registration under this name. The answer, therefore, had to be that the illegitimate child born Violet Cheer in 1895 was baptised a year later as Violet Rose Matilda Fox and, upon marriage, reverted to her birth surname. They were the same person.

Robert Fox (49) widower, son of James Fox and Frances Blake, married Mary Cheer (45) widow, said to be daughter of William Chant, on 1 Feb 1896 at St Martin at Oak, Norwich. (Robert Fox had previously married Mary Ann Rayner in Great Melton, Norwich on 29 Jan 1876. Mary Ann Fox died in 1894.)

Mary Chant had previously married [Edmund Thomas] Edward Cheer, on 14 Dec 1879 at Saint Mark, Old Street, Shoreditch and in 1881, Edmund Cheer (42) Ostler (huntsman) from Shepperton, Middlesex, wife Mary Cheer (27) Charwoman from Wilton, Wiltshire were living at 218 Old Street, Holborn (Holborn Restaurant, 218 High Holborn), with four children from his previous marriage to Eliza Cass (m. 1853 Kensington), who had died in 1878. 

Edmund and Mary Cheer added two children: Henry Richard Cheer b. 1880 D Quarter in SHOREDITCH Volume 01C Page 66, but who died 1881 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 523; and Alice Louisa Cheer b. 1884 D Quarter in MILE END OLD TOWN Volume 01C Page 506.

By 1891, however, Mary Cheer (36) Widow, was employed as Officers Cook at Bakers Row Infirmary Whitechapel Union (Whitechapel And Spitalfields Union Workhouse), although the record suggests that Mary herself was 'on the parish' (receiving charity from local authorities). Clearly, her husband had died in the interim and the death of Edmund Cheer (58) in 1890 M Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 373, I believe relates. 

In 1901, Robert Fox (56) Farm Labourer from Eaton, Norfolk was living at Hudson Buildings, Norwich; with wife Mary Fox (48) from Wilton, Wiltshire; Violet R Fox (5) Daughter; Kate L Fox (0) Daughter (Kate Lucretia Fox b. 1900 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 165) and Alice L Cheer (16) Step-Daughter, born in Whitechapel

This still leaves the question as to whether Edward / Edmund Cheer was Violet's father, as she claimed on her marriage, which is highly unlikely in 1895, when it is certain he was dead before 1891, or was it Robert Fox, who claimed her as his daughter in 1896. It appears possible it was neither.

In 1911, at 52 Coburg Street, Norwich, were Robert Fox (63) Gardner labourer; Mary Fox (57) Charwoman; Violet Rose Fox (15) Chocolate Maker (guessing at Norwich's chocolate factory, A J Caley and Son); Lucretia [Kate Lucretia] (10) and Dora Bush (4), who was also listed as their daughter. (Born Alice Louisa Bush in 1907 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 114, 'Dora' was actually Mary's granddaughter, the daughter of Alice Louisa Cheer, who had married George Bush, in Norwich on 23 Jul 1905.) On the 1911 Census Mary Fox (formerly Cheer, née Chant) says that she had 4 children in total, with 3 living and 1 who had died. The information asked for was supposed to relate to the then current marriage, but clearly - wrongly, but usefully - she had also included those from her previous relationships. 

In 1921, William Harman Howes (25) Cordial Maker at A J Caley and Son, was living at 3, The Elms, Unthank Road, Norwich, Norfolk with Violet Rose Matilda Howes (25) and Joyce Mary Howes (b. 1920).

In 1939, William Harman Howes (b. 14 Dec 1895), Mineral Maker, Violet Rose Matilda Howes (b. 10 Aug 1895), Joyce Mary Howes and two others were living at 49 Unthank Road, Norwich, Norfolk. 

We can assume that William and Violet had met working for the same employer: Albert Jarman Caley had begun selling a range of mineral waters and soft drinks in Norwich in 1863. He diversified to produce cocoa (1883), chocolate (1886) and Christmas crackers (1898). Caley’s bought The Elms, 49 Unthank Road which became the HQ of the Recreational Association with space for 250 people plus six grass tennis courts and a large bowling green and was also the location of almshouses for retired workers of John Mackintosh's chocolate factory. A J Caley chocolate company in Norwich, had finally been bought by Yorkshire confectioner, Mackintosh's, in 1932.

William Harman Howes died in the 2nd quarter of 1977, aged 81.

Violet Rose Matilda Howes, died in 1978, aged 82.

Friday, 7 February 2025

John Tidborough and Elizabeth Summers

Halberton : St Andrew's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6184972

John Tidburrow (sic) married Elizabeth Summers (bap. 21 Jul 1799 in Uffculme), daughter of John Summers and Sarah Middleton, at St Andrews Church, Halberton, on 7 Feb 1823. One of the witnesses was Thomas Tooze, who later that year married Elizabeth's younger sister Mary.

John and Elizabeth had at least two sons:
  1. John Tidborough bap. 17 Aug 1823 in Uffculme
  2. William Tidborough b. 27 Sep 1829, bap. 26 Oct 1829 at the Uffculme, Crosslands or Cold Harbour Chapel, Devon (Independant)
It seems that John Tidborough Snr must have died before 1841, as that year we find Elizabeth Tidborough (40) Lab[ourer] Wool Fact[ory] and William Tidborough (10) Agricultural Labourer were living in the household of William Nation (30) and his wife Mary (née Marshall) in Coldharbour, Uffculme. Son John Tidborough was in the household of John Perry in Uffculme.

In 1851, Elizabeth Tidborough (51) Widow, Worsted Warper, was living in Uffculme, with her mother, Sarah Summers (76). William Tidborough (21) Journeyman Miller, was a lodger in Tucker Street, Wells, Somerset.

Fox Brothers, Coldharbour
Mill, Uffculme

cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Paul Stephens
geograph.org.uk/p/97156
Working with wool and in a factory, I think it is safe to assume that Elizabeth was working at Coldharbour Mill, now the Coldharbour Mill Working Wool Museum - one of the oldest woollen textile mills in the world, in continuous production since 1797, although there has been a mill of some description near the Coldharbour site since Saxon times.

In 1861, Elizabeth Tidborough (62) Formerly Warper was a lodger, still living in Coldharbour, Uffculme.

Elizabeth Tidborough died in 1866 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 370.

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Thomas Fossey and Esther Elizabeth Evans

St George the Martyr, Southwark
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Craven - geograph.org.uk/p/1733209

Thomas Fossey (b. 1789 purportedly in Poplar, Middlesex) married Esther Elizabeth Evans (b. 20 Jan 1793), daughter of William Evans and Esther Gabbaday, at St George the Martyr, Southwark on 6 Feb 1810.

As far as I can tell, Thomas and Esther had 12 children:
  1. William Fossey b. 4 Dec 1810, bap. 20 Jan 1811 at St Dunstan's, Stepney, son of Thomas Fossey and Elizabeth
  2. Thomas Fossey b. 10 May 1812 (reputedly, still to see confirmation)
  3. Sarah Fossey b. 26 Mar 1814, daughter of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman, and Esther Elizabeth, bap. 25 Apr 1814 at St Dunstan's, Stepney
  4. Charles Henry Fossey b. 26 Feb 1816 in Poplar, son of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman and Esther, bap. 5 May 1816 at All Saints Church, Poplar
  5. Edward Fossey b. 3 Feb 1818, son of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman and Esther, bap. 26 Apr 1818 at All Saints, Poplar. (Assume died in infancy).
  6. George Edward Fossey b. 15 Feb 1820, son of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman and Esther, bap. 11 Jun 1820 at All Saints, Poplar
  7. Edward Fossey b. 2 Dec 1821, son of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman and Esther, bap. 20 Jan 1822 at All Saints, Poplar
  8. Esther Fossey b. 10 Jun 1824, daughter of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman, and Esther Elizabeth, bap. 25 Jul 1824 at All Saints, Poplar
  9. Anna Eliza Fossey, daughter of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman, and Esther Elizabeth, bap. 11 Feb 1827 at All Saints, Poplar
  10. Walter Fossey b. 27 Sep 1828, son of Thomas Fossey, Lighterman and Esther, bap. 2 Nov 1828 at All Saints, Poplar
  11. John Henry Fossey b. 23 Jan 1831 (reputedly, still to see confirmation)
  12. Julia Fossey b. 2 Apr 1833, daughter of Thomas Fossey, Timber Merchant, and Esther Elizabeth, bap. 22 May 1833 at All Saints, Poplar
Records of Thames Watermen & Lightermen confirm that on 2 Feb 1804, Thomas Fossey, had been bound as an apprentice to William Fossey.

On 18 Sep 1816, The Proceedings of the Old Bailey inform us that a JOHN WILLIAMS was indicted for stealing, on the 10th of June, a pepper-box, value 10s. the property of Thomas Fossey. ESTHER FOSSEY: "I lost a pepper-box in the latter end of May last, out of our house; it had been in the parlour at the back of the shop. The prisoner had come for a hat, and had been asked into the parlour. After he was gone, it was missed." JOHN MACHIN: "I am a silversmith and jeweller. The prisoner brought this to me for sale; it was very much bruized (sic), and I gave him ten shillings for it." John Williams was found guilty, fined 1 shilling and discharged. From this, we can deduce that Esther Fossey kept a shop that sold hats and that they were doing well enough to own a pepper box that was still worth 10 bob, even battered.

The Binding Records of the Thames Watermen & Lightermen show that on 6 Apr 1820, Charles James Evans - Esther's brother, who would then have been the right age of 15 - was bound as an apprentice to Thomas Fossey.

Thomas Fossey (38) was on a List Of Free Watermen in Apr 1827.

In 1841, Thomas Fossey (~50) Timber Merchant, was living in Ferry Road, All Saints Poplar, with Esther Fossey (45), George Fossey (20), Edmund Fossey (15), Walter Fossey (12), Esther Fossey (15), Anna Fossey (14), John Mills (20) Clerk; Frederick Daycot (15) Apprentice and Elizabeth Weathursh (15) F.S. [Female Servant]. (Sarah and Charles having already left home.) Julia Fossey (7) was in the household of John and Eliza Jane Tolley in Lamb Street, Whitechapel (Eliza Jane was her aunt; her mother's youngest sister.)

The Morning Post of 25 Dec 1844, reported, under POLICE INTELLIGENCE, THAMES OFFICE- Yesterday Thomas Smith, a shipwright and barge builder, of Spratley's RowMillwall, Poplar, who is in affluent circumstances, and has long maintained the reputation of being a respectable tradesman, was brought before Mr Broderip for final examination, charged with stealing a quantity of deals from the premises of two of his neighbours, Mr Thomas Fossey, timber merchant, and Mr Thomas Snook, shipbuilder, both of Millwall.
Mr Pelham attended for the prisoner.
It appeared in evidence that the premises of the prisoner are about a hundred yards from Mr Fossey's. About the 7th instant Mr Fossey missed several deals from his wharf, and two days afterwards he missed three fifteen feet deals. On Saturday, the 14th instant, two deals, having the same marks as those he missed, a spruce batten and a pine plank were brought to Mr Fossey's yard to be cut up for a person named Philpot, who is a pattern maker, for castings, and lives at No. 7 Regent Street, Limehouse. On Mr Fossey identifying his own wood which had been returned to him in such a singular manner, he made inquiries of Philpot, who brought four deals of the prisoner on 3d (sic) of December, for 12s., and was to give him 12s more for a second lot, which he had not yet paid him. Mr Fossey waited on the prisoner, and on asking him to account for his possession of the property, he said he bought them of a man named Tom Kent, who said he had picked them up. Mr Fossey accompanied the prisoner to several houses in Narrow StreetRatcliff, where Smith alleged Tom Kent was in the habit of coming, but they could hear of no such person. This account did not tally with the one he gave to Mr Philpot when he sold the deals, and to whom he stated that a bargeman had been repairing his barge, and they were surplus deals, and at the same time he exhibited two more of the second lot in his boat shed in his premises. The prisoner had previously offered deals of a similar description for sale to various other persons. On being taken into custody on Monday the 16th instant, by Mr Evans, a Thames police inspector, he said the man of whom he bought the deals was a lighterman, about his own size and appearance, that he had known him for two or three years, and that he worked for Mr Gabriel, in the Regent's Canal. On the previous day, in a conversation with Webb, another inspector of Thames police, whom he called upon, he said he was in trouble about some deals which turned out to be stolen, and that he was in the Torrington Arms, Millwall, on the previous Thursday when a man came in and asked for Mr Smith, and said he had some deals for sale, and that he bought them for twelve shillings, and sold them for the same price. The prisoner said nothing about the other four deals sold to Mr Philpot until Tuesday morning, when he made some vague excuse. A man named Pink, in the employ of Mr Snook, the ship builder, said he missed four deals from a pile on his master's premises, and they were numbered on the ends. He afterwards saw two of them, 7 and 8, in the possession of the Thames police, who received them from Mr Fossey. The prisoner had been frequently on his master's premises.
Mr Thomas Ward, examined for the first time yesterday, said he had been fourteen years in the employ of Mr Gabriel, and that no person named Tom Kent was in his service during that time.
Mr Snook identified his property, and said he was very sorry to see the prisoner in such a position. Mr Smith had served his apprenticeship to his (Mr Snook's) father, and was afterwards employed by him for many years. He never heard anything against the prisoner's character before.
Mr Pelham contended that the second case was a very slight one indeed and not sufficient to send the prisoner for trial.
Mr Broderip said both cases must go to the sessions.
Mr Pelham said the two cases were made up principally of informers, and really they were not, prima facia, very strong to send before a Jury. He hoped, at all events, bail would be taken for the prisoner.
Mr Broderip was reluctant to say anything prejudicial to a prisoner, but he could not help saying the facts were very strong. He declined taking bail, and committed the prisoner for trial.

In 1851, Thomas Fossey (62) Retired Timber Merchant was living at 6, Burch Road, Northfleet, North Aylesford, Kent with Esther Fossey (59), Julia Fossey (18) and Mary Moon (27) General Servant from Cliffe, Kent.

Esther Fossey died, at 65, in 1858 J Quarter in NORTH AYLESFORD Volume 02A Page 187). Esther Elizabeth Fossey (née Evans) of Burch Road, Rosherville, was buried on 21 May 1858 at Gravesend Cemetery from St George's Church, Gravesend. (It appears that the grave stone suggests a date of death of 27 May 1858, but the burial date, in the correct sequence, on the original record clearly quotes the burial date being six days previously.)

In 1861, Thomas Fossey (71) Retired Timber Merchant, Widower was still living at 6, Burch Road, North Aylesford, Kent attended by Martha Hems (58) Widow, and Emily Taylor (18) both House servants.

Thomas Fossey died. at 73, on 6 Dec 1862 (1862 D Quarter in NORTH AYLESFORD Volume 02A Page 200) and was buried, on 12 Dec 1862, at Gravesend Municipal Cemetery, with his late wife.

Burch Road, Rosherville
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/3677977
The house 2nd from the left hand/far end is currently number 6.