Robert Marsh and Hannah Piggin

A Fine Day in February (Hellesdon) - John Middleton (Before 1856)

Robert Marsh, widower, married Hannah Piggin (bap. 9 Feb 1734 at St Edmund's Church, Norwich) single woman, then of the parish of Bauberg (Bawburgh), daughter of John and Mary Piggin, by Licence, at St Mary's Church, Hellesdon, Norfolk on 25 Feb 1758. No witnesses are listed. 

Let's hope it was a fine day for them!

Robert was a widower at the time of his marriage to Hannah. Although I've not [yet] located the earlier marriage, records show the burial of Sarah Marsh, wife of Robert Marsh, in Hellesdon, on 24 Dec 1755, with whom he'd had several children, including these baptised / buried in Hellesdon: 

1. Mary Marsh buried 20 Nov 1735
2. Keziah Marsh bap. 7 Jan 1738. Buried 9 Jan 1738
3. Samuel Marsh bap. 27 Oct 1740. Buried 30 Oct 1740
4. Robert Marsh bap. 6 Sep 1741. Buried 25 Oct 1741
5. Kerenhappuch Marsh bap. 5 Mar 1744. Buried 11 Mar 1744

Keren-happuch (Hebrew: קֶרֶן הַפּוּךְ‎ Qeren Happūḵ, "Horn of kohl") was the youngest of the three beautiful daughters of Job, named in the Bible as given to him in the later part of life, after God made Job prosperous again. Keren-happuch's older sisters are named as Jemima and Keziah. (Clearly, they knew their bible, but I didn't find a record for a Jemima anywhere.)

Robert Marsh's second marriage only seems to have produced one child: 

1. Hannah Marsh bap. 18 Feb 1759

Then it appears that Robert Marsh of Hellesdon Old Hall, Farmer, died and was buried in Hellesdon on 23 Jun 1762.

Richard Flew and Ann Hagley

St Margaret's Church, Stoodleigh
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/5579894

Richard Flue (sic) (bap. 29 Jun 1794 in Rackenford, Devon) of Loxbeare, son of Richard Flew and Jane Wright, married Ann Hagley (b. 14 Jan 1799, bap. 9 Jun 1799 in Stoodleigh), daughter of William Hagley and Mary Gale, at St Margaret's Church, Stoodleigh on 25 Feb 1827. Both parties made their mark with an X. Witnesses were Richard Greenslade and William Jordan.

Richard and Ann had four children:

1. Mary Flew bap. 26 Mar 1828 in Oakford
2. Ann Flew bap. 5 Jun 1831 in Rackenford
3. William Flew bap. 16 Nov 1834 in Rackenford
4. Jane Flew bap. 20 Aug 1837 in Rackenford

All of the baptisms list Richard's occupation as Labourer. On Jane's baptism, it is noted that their residence was again in Oakford.

In 1841, at Whitnoll Cottage, Stoodley (sic) were Richard Flew (47), Ann Flew (43), Mary Flew (12), Ann Flew (9), William Flew (6) and Jane Flew (3).

In 1851, with address listed merely as "Cottage, Rackenford, South Molton", were Richard Flew (58) Ag Lab, Ann Flew (54) and Jane Flew (10). Mary Flew had married in 1850; William Flew (15) was Boots & Farm Servant to Richard Veysey, Farmer and Victualler at the Bell Inn, Rackenford. (The word 'Boots' came from, ‘boot boys’, an occupation in the 1830s and 40s requiring young men to clean the boots of hotel guests. Later, the occupation had become simply known as ‘boots’, and duties included odd-jobs.) 

In 1861, still at Cottage, Village, Rackenford, were Richard Flew (69) Pauper and Ann Flew (65) Pauper. (Was unable to locate William.)

Richard Flew (75) died in 1868 M Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 312 and was buried on 23 Feb 1868 in Rackenford.

In 1871, Ann Flew (72) was living in Rackenford with her son William.

Ann Flew (75) from Union, South Molton (South Molton Workhouse), died in 1873 S Quarter in SOUTH MOLTON Volume 05B Page 271 and was buried on 22 Aug 1873 in Rackenford, presumably at the expense of the parish.

William Hockley and Jane Pye and Sarah Stokes

The Chequers Public House - formerly The Chequers Inn,
a coaching inn, 27 Stortford Rd, Great Dunmow, Essex

William Hockley (bap. 16 Feb 1766), Bachelor, son of Robert and Mary Hockley, married Jane Pye (bap. 12 Jul 1772), Spinster, daughter of Joseph Pye and Mary Guyver, on 24 Feb 1795 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, by Banns, in the Presence of George Nye and John Gunn.

William Hockley was described as Hostler at the Chequers Inn. The Hostler may have been the innkeeper, but certainly will have been responsible for the horses. The building is Grade II Listed, parts of which may date back to the 14th Century or even earlier, so one can probably presume that much of what one sees today is still fundamentally as it was in William Hockley's time.

William and Jane Hockley had two children:

1. William Hockley b. 7 Jun 1795, bap. 3 Jul 1795, Age: 3 Weeks & 5 Days
2. Jane Pye Hockley bap. 30 Jul 1797. Died aged 9 months, and was buried on 14 Mar 1798.

It would appear that Jane likely died as a result of giving birth to their daughter, as she was buried at St Mary's on 6 July 1797, aged 25. 

William then remarried to Sarah Stokes (bap. 27 Dec 1778 in Little Canfield) daughter of William Stokes and Mary Judd, on 7 Sep 1800, also at the church of St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, not before they'd had their first child however. William and Sarah went on to have at least eight children:

1. Jane Hockley b. Feb 1800 "Bastard Child of William Hockley and Sarah Stokes", it states, was baptised, aged 9 weeks, on 13 Apr 1800
2. Robert Hockley bap. 2 Oct 1802 (Died aged 3 weeks, 3 days and was buried 15 Oct 1802)
3. Robert Hockley bap. 11 Mar 1804
4. Sarah Hockley bap. 29 Dec 1805
5. Mary Ann Hockley bap. 26 Feb 1809
6. Elizabeth Hockley bap. 25 Aug 1811
7. Anne Hockley bap. 8 Dec 1816 (where William is still listed as Hostler). (Died 1819, aged 2 and buried 16 Sep 1819)
8. Henry Hockley bap. 25 Apr 1819. [Sources]

In 1841, William Hockley (74), wife Sarah (65) and youngest son, Henry (20), were living in Star Lane, Great Dunmow. 

William Hockley died, aged 76, in 1844 D Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 12  Page 55 and was buried at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow on 20 Oct 1844. 

In 1861, Sarah Hockley (83) Widow, was still living in Star Lane.

Sarah Hockley died, aged 90, in 1867 S Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 215. 

Star Lane in Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/1503881

Alfred Blazey and Margaret Jane Webb

St Peter's Church, St.Peter's Square, Hammersmith
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Peter Trimming - geograph.org.uk/p/1790156

Alfred Blazey (b. 8 Oct 1869 in Drayton, Norfolk), second son of Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins, married Margaret Jane Webb (b. 2 Feb 1877 in Battersea, London), daughter of Frederick Potter Webb and Alice Mary Allen, on 24 Feb 1901, at St Peter's Church, Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith. Witnesses were Frederick Potter Webb, bride's father and Eleanor Wood.

At the time of the 1901 census, Alfred Blazey (32) Unemployed, and wife Margaret (24) were living at 15, Standish Road, Hammersmith.

Then, on 1 Nov 1906, Alfred and Margaret Blazey embarked, in Liverpool, on the RMS Empress of Britain, bound for Quebec, Canada.

Alfred and Margaret Blazey next surface, on the 1911 Census of Canada, living in Red Deer, Alberta, described as settlers. 

The couple didn't have any children of their own, but took in a child, who was thereafter known as Frank Blazey. From FamilySearch, "Frank was born in 1911 in Red Deer Alberta. He was the son of Arthur Sheraton Reed and Jane Thomas. Jane passed shortly after his birth, and Frank was given to childless neighbors to look after while his father and brothers re-arranged their life. Frank was taken by Alfred Blazey and Margaret Webb to Ontario without his family's knowledge and was "lost" until making contact with them again in about 1965. He was overjoyed to be re-united with his 4 brothers, and many other family members after being raised as a seemingly "only child".

Margaret Blazey (52) Housewife, sails, again (appears to have been travelling alone) from Liverpool to Quebec, this time on the SS Letitia, on 19 Oct 1929, giving 10 Piggot Street, Limehouse, London as her last address in the UK.

Alfred Blazey, Painter and Decorator, of 99 Barton Avenue, Toronto, died, aged 63, on 24 Aug 1933 and was buried, on 26 Aug 1933 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. Cause of death was given as Carcinoma of Stomach (Stomach cancer) with Endocarditis as a contributing factor. 

Margaret Blazey (née Webb) died on 27 Jun 1962, aged 85 and is also buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto (Plot P, Sec. 23, Lot 9).

The death notice in The Toronto Star for their adopted (kidnapped) son Frank Blazey, mentions brothers, Art Reed, Creston, B.C. and Ernie Reed, Red Deer, Alberta, and and a cousin, Ernest Blazey (son of Frederick John Blazey and grandson of William Blazey, Alfred's father, Samuel's youngest brother.)

Memorial for Alfred Blazey and Margaret Jane Webb

PS: It really is a small world

Alfred Blazey's brother, Francis Blazey - both cousins of my paternal grandmother - had ended up in the very next street to where various members of my maternal grandfather's family had lived in London's East End, which was surprising enough given that - so we thought - the two sides of my family came from very different parts of the UK and Ireland. That Alfred's - my paternal grandmother's cousin - final address should be little more than a ten minute drive from where my maternal grandfather's grandfather, Dan Tompson, had lived and died only nine years earlier, is astonishing.

John Leese and Caroline Bussey

Looking down from Telscombe Cliffs
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6864973

John Leese (b. 21 Oct 1826, bap. Joannes Leese on 12 Nov 1826, in Portsmouth), son of John Leese and Maria McCarthy, married Caroline Bussey (bap. 6 Aug 1826 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), daughter of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Portsmouth, on 23 Feb 1852. (In 1851, Caroline (24) had been a housemaid at Greenwich Hospital, home for retired sailors of the Royal Navy.)

John and Caroline Leese had seven children:

1. Susan Caroline Leese b. 1852 D Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 646, baptised at All Saints Church, Lydd, Romney Marsh.
2. Margaret Hannah Leese b. 1857 J Quarter in ROMNEY MARSH Volume 02A Page 677, baptised at All Saints Church, Lydd, Romney Marsh.
3. Henrietta Leese b. 1860 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 169, bap. 12 Feb 1860 in Telscombe, presumably St Laurence.
4. Henry John Leese b. 5 Jan 1862 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 164, bap. 7 Feb 1862, also in Telscombe.
5. Mary Jane Leese b. 1864 S Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 161
6. Elizabeth Leese b. 1867 M Quarter in LEWES Volume 02B Page 178
7. William James Leese b. 1869 D Qtr in LEWES Vol 02B Page 182

In 1861, at Lower Bannings, Lewes Sussex (in the area of Saltdean) were John Leese (35) Coast Guard R N; wife Caroline (35), Susan C (8), Margaret H (4) and Henrietta (1). Being a coastguard explains why they were in Lydd earlier, of which is said, "As with much of the marsh, the town was a base for smuggling in the 18th and 19th centuries."

In 1871, listed at the Coast Guard Station, Newhaven, Lewes, Sussex, were John Leese (44) Chief Boatman Coast Guard, Caroline Leese (44), Susan Leese (18), Henrietta Leese (11), Henry Leese (9), Mary J Leese (9), Elizabeth Leese (4) and William Leese (1). Margaret Leese (14) was a Servant in the household of John Sykes, Assistant Secretary Civil Service (father of Sir John Charles Gabriel Sykes (1869-1952) at 38 Kensington Square, Kensington.

In 1881, living at 41, Ivory Place, Brighton, Sussex were John Leese (54) Naval Pensioner from Portsmouth, Hampshire; Caroline Leese (54); Margaret Leese (23) Dressmaker; Hetty Leese (Henrietta) (21) Confectioner's Assistant; Jane Leese (Mary Jane) (16) Pupil teacher and Elizabeth Leese (14). Susan Caroline Leese had married in 1877; Henry John Leese, who had joined the Royal Navy in 1879, was an "Ordinary seaman pupil teacher" at HMS President (shore establishment) in Poplar (Wapping), while William James Leese (11) was a pupil at Greenwich Hospital, School, Greenwich, Kent.

John Leese died, aged 55, in 1882 M Quarter in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 195.

Caroline Leese died, aged 62, in 1889 S Qtr in BRIGHTON Vol 02B Pg 125.

Walter White and Florence Mary Parsonage

St John the Baptist Church, Holland Road, London W14
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1292678

Walter White (b. 1869), Fruiterer, of 155 Holland Road, son of Walter White and Hannah Blazey, married Florence Mary Parsonage (b. 12 Aug 1875 in Hammersmith), of 157 Holland Road - the girl next door - daughter of Edward Parsonage, Builder's Foreman from Wem, Shropshire, and Eleanor Agnes Crosbie, at St John The Baptist, Kensington on 21 Feb 1898. (The same church that Walter's cousin, Alice Maud Stanley Blazey, married in later that same year.) Witnesses were Edgar Audric - who must have been related to Walter's Uncle Francis Robert Blazey's third wife - and Frank Read.

Walter and Florence had five children:

1. Dorothy Eleanor White b. 1899 M Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 246
2. Elsie Ivy Florence White b. 1902 J Qtr in WEST HAM Vol 04A Page 262
3. Walter Edward White b. 1905 J Qtr in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 204
4. Pansy Alice White born 27 Sep 1908 (1908 D Quarter in STEYNING Volume 02B Page 247) in Steyning, West Sussex
5. Lilian Winifred White b. 1914 M Quarter in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 311. Died, aged 1 in 1915 M Quarter in FULHAM Vol 01A Page 420

All of the birth registrations show the mother's maiden name PARSONAGE.

In 1901, Walter White (31) Licenced Victualler's Assistant was living in Sherrard Road, East Ham (Forest Gate) with Florence M White (25), Dorothy E White (2), Mary Ann White (71) Widow, Boarder from Hackney, London (may be just coincidence) and George Ralph (25) Boarder. 

In 1911, Walter White (42) Conductor motor bus, wife Florence Mary (35), Dorothy Eleanor (12), Elsie Ivy (9), Walter Edward (5) and Pansy Alice (2), were living at 30 Percy Road W, Hammersmith. Percy Road is in Shepherd's Bush in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

In 1921, Walter White (51) working for the London General Omnibus Co, was at 74, Becklow Road, Hammersmith, London, with Florence Mary White (44), Elsie Ivy White (19) Ledger Clerk and Pansy Alice White (12).

Walter White died, aged 64, in 1934 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 167. 

In 1939, Florence Mary White, widow, was living with her daughter, Pansy Alice Pearson, at 5 Lansbury Avenue, Feltham, Middlesex. 

Florence Mary White, died at 75 on 2 Feb 1951 (1951 M Qtr in MIDDLESEX SOUTH Vol 05F Page 97), leaving £6 19s, to Pansy Alice Pearson.

Thomas Mason and Charlotte Dixon

St Pancras Old Church, Pancras Road, London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Peter Trimming - geograph.org.uk/p/1673070
 Believed to be one of the oldest sites of Christian worship in England, and is dedicated to the Roman martyr Saint Pancras, although the building itself is largely Victorian.

Thomas Mason (bap. 29 May 1833 in Broxted, Essex) son of Samuel Mason and Amelia Baker, married Charlotte Dixon (bap. 29 Dec 1833 in Broxted), daughter of John and Elizabeth Dixon, on 21 Feb 1857 at St Mary, Broxted, creating the family's very own Mason–Dixon line (sorry, couldn't resist).

Thomas and Charlotte Mason had nine children:

1. Ellen Mason b. 1857 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 346, bap. 14 Jun 1857 at St Mary, Broxted
2. Thomas Mason b. 1859 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 329, bap. 11 Dec 1859 at St Mary, Broxted
3. Isabella Mason b. 1862 J Quarter in CLERKENWELL Volume 01B Page 551, bap. 6 May 1862 at St James, Clerkenwell
4. Evelyn Mason b. 2 May 1864, bap. 22 Jun 1864 at Old St Pancras, died in 1865 M Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 106
5. Evelyn Mason b. 18 Dec 1865, reg. 1866 M Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 127, bap. 19 Jan 1866 at Saint Pancras, London
6. Samuel Mason b. 30 Apr 1868 J Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 58, bap. 8 Jun 1868 at St Pancras Old Church, Saint Pancras, London
7. Frederick William Mason b. 9 May 1871 J Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 77, bap. 14 Jun 1871 at Saint Peter, Saint Pancras, London
8. Charlotte Elizabeth Mason b. 21 Dec 1873, reg. 1874 J Quarter in PANCRAS Volume 01B Page 61, bap. 21 Jan 1874 at Saint Peter, Saint Pancras, London. Died, aged 7, in 1881 J Quarter in HOLBORN.
9. Edith Millicent Mason b. 1876 S Qtr in HOLBORN Vol 01B Page 659

In 1861, Thomas Mason (27) Dock labourer was living at 6, Thornhill Street, St Marys Islington, Islington, London with Charlotte Mason (26) and their two children to date: Ellen Mason (3) and Thomas Mason (1).

In 1871, living at Speedy Place, St Pancras, London, were Thomas Mason (37) Deputy turncock (as had been his sister's husband, Abraham Shelford), Charlotte Mason (36), Ellen Mason (13) Cartridge Maker; Thomas Mason (11), Isabella Mason (9), Evelyn Mason (5), Samuel Mason (2).

Thomas Mason must have died between 1875 and 1881.

In 1881, Charlotte Mason (47) Widow, Charwoman (unemployed) was living at 27, Green Street, St Andrew Holborn Above the Bars and St George the Martyr, Holborn with son Thomas Mason (21) Labourer; Isabella Mason (19) Florist artificial; Evelyn Mason (15) Domestic servant; Samuel Mason (12), Frederick William Mason (9) and Charlotte Elizabeth Mason (7).

In 1891, Charlotte Mason (57) Charwoman was living in Hastings Street, St Pancras, London, with her three sons: Thomas Mason (31) General labourer; Samuel Mason (22) Ostler and Frederick Mason (19) General labourer.

In 1901, Charlotte Mason, (60ish) was listed as Widow, Charwoman, Mother-in-law, living with William J Uttridge - married to Ellen Mason - at 5, Brantholme Place, St Pancras, along with Samuel Mason (32).

It appears that Charlotte Mason died in 1908 S Quarter in ISLINGTON Volume 01B Page 154.

(In 1911, Samuel Mason (42) was no longer living with the family and was a Porter and Salesman at Gray's Inn, Gray's Inn Road, St Pancras, London.)

Stephen Thomas Wilton and Sarah Anna Laver

St John the Baptist, Crondall Street, Hoxton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/2624595

Stephen Thomas Wilton (bap. 29 May 1842 at St Giles, Mountnessing), son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines, married Sarah Anna Laver (b. 1854) on 21 Feb 1874 at the church of St. John the Baptist, Hoxton. Reported in The Essex Standard, West Suffolk Gazette, and Eastern Counties' Advertiser of Friday, February 27, 1874, it states that Sarah Anna was the second daughter of the late Mr. John Laver, of Felsted [and his wife Caroline Stevenson].

Stephen and Sarah Wilton had five children:

1. Thomas Stephen Wilton b. 5 Feb 1875 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 429, bap. 9 Apr 1875 in Dunmow
2. Miriam Stevenson Wilton b. 1877 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 443, bap. 13 Jun 1877 in Dunmow
3. Henrietta Staines Wilton b. 1879 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 474, bap. 16 Apr 1879 in Dunmow
4. Ethel Maud Wilton b. 1882 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 524, bap. 15 Oct 1886 in Barking
5. William Laver Wilton b. 1883 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 556, bap. 15 Oct 1886 in Barking

The last two baptisms list their father with his original trade of Cabinet Maker. In 1861, Stephen Wilton (19), in the High Street, Great Dunmow was listed as a Cabinet Maker. Still there in 1871, Stephen Thos., aged 29, was once again described as a Cabinet Maker. The Post Office Directory of Essex 1874 also listed Stephen Thomas Wilton as a cabinet maker.

In 1881, Stephen T Wilton (39), Upholsterer, at the Furnishing Warehouse, High Street, Great Dunmow, with wife Sarah A (26), Thomas S (6), Miriam S (4) and Henrietta S (2) and Lizzie Turner (15), General Servant.

The Essex Newsman on 16 Sep 1882 reported that Mr Robert Low, livery-stable keeper and proprietor of the Dunmow Temperance Hotel (White Lion, High Street, Dunmow, now in retail use), was summoned for being drunk while in charge of a horse and cart on the highway at Great Dunmow on Wednesday, 30 Aug. [I'll wait while you ponder the irony of the proprietor of a temperance establishment being drunk.] The point of mentioning this case is that the horse and cart, we were told, were the property of Mr. Stephen Wilton. Stephen didn't have the best sort of friends, me thinks.

In 1883, John Stokes of Great Dunmow, thatcher, was charged with obtaining a hayfork, value 2s. 2d., from Mr. Stephen T. Wilton, ironmonger, at Dunmow on the 11th July. The prisoner went to plaintiff's shop and represented to a youth in charge that he was going to thatch Mr. H. Wilton's stack (complainant's father's), and was sent by him for a fork. A fork was supplied, and the statement was found to be false. The magistrate consented to the case being settled out of court on defendant paying the costs, 6s. 2d., which he gladly did.

So after many years working as a Cabinet Maker and then Upholsterer, it would appear that Stephen Wilton had changed his trade to ironmongery. Given his original trade was a solid one, it does seem he was unsettled.

Stephen Thomas Wilton, like his brother, Henry Staines Wilton, was my 1st cousin 4 times removed. Unlike his older brother, who died leaving a large fortune, Stephen Thomas Wilton committed suicide. The newspaper reports of the time give more graphic detail than we're used to today, so I feel it's fair to issue a trigger warning. Please DON'T read on if it may cause you distress.

Essex Newsman 21 June 1884:

DISTRESSING SUICIDE OF A TRADESMAN

On Saturday Dunmow was startled by the news that Mr. S. T. Wilton of 59, Maury Road, Stoke Newington, London, had died early that morning. The news was transmitted by telegraph to his father, Mr. Hy. Wilton, harness maker, and later it transpired that the deceased had risen about four o'clock that morning and cut his throat in his own kitchen. Mr. S. T. Wilton had for some years carried on the business of a cabinet maker at the Furniture Warehouse, High Street, Dunmow, until as late as the end of April, when his stock in trade was sold by auction by Mr. Jackson. It had been his intention to join with Mr. Robt. M. Low, of the Temperance Hotel, in taking a large mineral water business in London, but somehow the matter fell through; but deceased had the appointment of manager. The deceased leaves a widow (formerly Miss Laver, of Felsted) and five young children, the youngest an infant. The greatest sympathy is felt for his relatives at Dunmow, especially for his father, who has lived in the town all his life, and earned great respect.

Hackney and Kingsland Gazette 16 June 1884 

Report from the Hackney and
Kingsland Gazette 16 June 1884

SAD SUICIDE AT CLAPTON 

On Saturday morning a distressing suicide occurred at 59, Maury Road, Clapton. The occupier, Mr. Stephen Thomas Wilton, 42, lately gave up business as a cabinet maker and, it is stated, intended entering the mineral water trade. He appeared, however, to have suffered slightly from some form of mental derangement, and on Friday night was unusually restless. About four o'clock on Saturday he got up, and his wife asked him to make her a cup of coffee. He went downstairs, as she thought with this object, but as he did not return in a reasonable time, she also went down to the kitchen, and, to her horror, saw him standing over the sink, with the blood streaming from a large gash in his throat. A medical man was sent for, but death took place before he arrived.

"He appeared, however, to have suffered slightly from some form of mental derangement ...". FFS! If 'suffering slightly' ends up in suicide, I hate to think what the result might have been if he'd suffered greatly!  

Stephen Thomas Wilton died, at 42, on 14 Jun 1884 (1884 J Quarter in HACKNEY Volume 01B Page 293).

His widow, Sarah, didn't remarry. In 1901, we find her living at 1, Pulteney Road, Wanstead, with three of her children; Miriam, Ethel and William with hers and her daughters' occupations listed as Dressmaker. And in 1911, not far away at 35 Marlborough Road, South Woodford, with just Ethel remaining at home, who's occupation is given as "Assisting in Dressmaker business."

Sarah Anna Wilton died, aged 81, in 1936 J Quarter in ESSEX SOUTH WESTERN Volume 04A Page 244. 

David Minns and Hannah Marsh

St Remigius Church, Hethersett, Norfolk

David Minns (bap. 5 Sep 1755 in Hethersett, Norfolk), son of John Minns and Elizabeth Gardiner, married Hannah Marsh (bap. 18 Feb 1759, in Hellesdon, Norfolk), daughter of Robert Marsh and Hannah Piggin, on 20 Feb 1775, in the parish of Newington St Mary - or Newington-Butts, 'in the the hundred of Brixton and of the county of Surrey, 1¾ mile (S.) from London'. 

Records can be identified for seven children of this family: 

1. Robert Marsh Minns bap. 19 Nov 1776 in Hethersett
2. Mary Minns bap. 25 Oct 1778 in Bawburgh, Norfolk
3. John Minns bap. 21 Sep 1783 in Norwich, Norfolk
4. Hannah Minns b. 21 Feb 1792, bap. 12 Mar 1792 in Heigham
5. Sarah Minns b. 15 Nov 1793, bap. 1 Dec 1793 in Heigham
6. David Minns b. 5 Jan 1797, bap. 8 Jan 1797, buried 3 Jan 1798
7. David Minns b. 19 Jan 1799, bap. 20 Jan 1799 in Heigham

With such gaps between them, there may have been other children.

David Minns was buried on 13 Sep 1835 at St Martin at Oak, Norwich.

In 1841, Hannah Minns (83) was lodging in the household of James and Elizabeth Morrison, in Cross Lane, St George Colegate, Norfolk. 

Hannah Minns (86) died in 1843 J Quarter in NORWICH Vol 13 Page 187.

James Wood and Harriet Gollop

Kentisbeare: village stores and Post Office
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/4624324

James Wood (b. 4 Sep 1814 in Uffculme, Devon), son of Henry Wood and Sarah James, with residence in Bathwick, Somerset, married Harriet Gollop (bap. 24 Oct 1819 in Widworthy), daughter of Robert Gollop and Jane Horton on 19 Feb 1840 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare Devon. One of the witnesses was Robert Gollop, who must have been Harriet's elder brother.

Records suggest that James and Harriet had seven children: 

1. Mary Jane Wood b. 1840 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 10 Page 117, bap. 14 Jun 1840 in Widworthy. 
2. Henry Wood b. 1842 D Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 251, bap. 30 Oct 1842 in Kentisbeare
3. Ann Wood b. 1845 D Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Vol 10 Page 254. Died, at 5, in 1851 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 10 Page 177.
4. Charles Wood bap. 9 Sep 1849 in Kentisbeare, listed as son of James and Harriet Wood. (The only birth registration is 1849 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 252, but has the mother's maiden name LOCK, which is a mystery.)
5. Emma Wood b. 1852 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 370, bap. 4 May 1856 in Kentisbeare
6. James Wood b. 1857 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 384, bap. 2 Aug 1857 in Kentisbeare
7. Sarah Ann Wood b. 1862 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 413 bap. 5 Oct 1862 in Kentisbeare

The mother's maiden name (other than for Charles) is GOLLOP.

In 1841, Harriet Wood (20) and Mary (1) were in Harriet's mother's household at Lusehayne, Widworthy. It was common for women to go back to their mother's home to give birth to first babies. Not located James.

In 1851, James Wood (37), Harriet (32), Mary (9), Henry (8), Ann (5) and Charles (2) were at Lower Croyle, Kentisbeare. Mary Jane (10) was double-counted, listed as again staying with her grandmother in Widworthy.

In 1861, living in North Street, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (47), Harriet Wood (43), Charles Wood (10), Ann Wood (7) (Assume this was Emma) and James Wood (4). Henry Wood (18) was a Farm Servant to John Percey (37) Innkeeper and Farmer in West Street, Kentisbeare (presumably Keepers Cottage Inn, which appears to still be in the Persey family.)

In 1871, James Wood (57), Harriet (51), James (12) and Sarah (8) were living with son Henry Wood in Kentisbeare Village. Mary Jane Wood (30) born in Widworthy, Devonshire was a Lady's Maid in the household of Gilbert and Sophia Matthews in Colaton Raleigh, Devon, described as a Cousin. 

James Wood died in 1880 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 306, aged 65 and was buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

In 1881, Harriet Wood (64) Widow, Unemployed, was living in Kentisbeare Village with James (23) and granddaughter, Emma (9) [Henry's daughter].

Harriet Wood died in 1889 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 309 and was buried on 3 Jan 1889, also in Kentisbeare Churchyard.