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Tuesday, 29 April 2025

James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock

Ashbrittle Village with Court Place Farm (foreground left)
Photo © Lewis Clarke (cc-by-sa/2.0)

James Ridgeway (bap. 22 Oct 1809 in Seaton & Beer), son of Jacob Ridgway and Jane Bray, married Mary Ann Lock (bap. 7 May 1809 in Ashbrittle), daughter of John Lock and Mary Nott, a pair of my 3rd great-grandparents, married, on 29 Apr 1833, at the Church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle. Witnesses to this marriage were Henry Vickery and Elizabeth Webber.

Mary Ann Lock, it appears, also had an illegitimate daughter prior to her marriage, Elizabeth Lock b. around 1830. There is no baptism record for her, however, I have DNA matches as half-relatives through three of Elizabeth Lock's sons, giving Mary Ann Lock as the common ancestor of all of us.

James and Mary Ann had a further seven children, with baptisms only of first two, Mary and James. Once civil registration had been introduced (in 1837), there are no more baptism records for the subsequent five children, but neither are there civil registrations until the sixth child, John, in 1847.
  1. Mary Ridgeway bap. 28 Dec 1833 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
  2. James Ridgeway bap. 25 Oct 1835 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
  3. Jane Ridgeway b. ~1839
  4. Harriet Ridgeway bap. 14 Feb 1840 in Ashbrittle
  5. Thomas Ridgeway b. ~1844
  6. John Ridgeway b. There are three potential birth registrations: 1847 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 501 with mother's maiden name listed as LOOK; 1847 M Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 411 Volume 10 Page 502 and/or 1847 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 411 with mother's maiden name LOCK (As John Ridgway, died aged 4 (1851 D Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 352) and had already been buried 6 Aug 1851 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle)
  7. William Ridgeway b. 1850 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET Volume 10 Page 505, although mother's maiden name is not listed (Died aged 29, in 1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307.)
In 1841, James Ridgway (32) and Ann Ridgeway (33), were living in Ashbrittle Village, with children; Mary (7), James (5), Jane (2) and Harriot (0). 

And in 1851, still living in Ashbrittle Village, we find James (45) and Ann (45), with Harriot (10), Thomas (7), John (4) and William (1). Mary (19) was a Servant of William Sweet at Appley Court, Appley, Stawley; James (15) had also left home and was working as a Servant in the household of Robert Venn at Little Tadbeer Farm, Ashbrittle; while Jane Ridgeway (12), was a Servant in the household of Robert Johns of Kittisford at Stawley, Somerset. 

James Ridgeway died, aged 44, in 1854 J Qtr in WELLINGTON Vol 05C Page 235 and was buried on 18 Jun 1854 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle

James Marsh, Widower, son of Richard Marsh, married Mary Ann Ridgeway, Widow, daughter of John Lock, at the Parish church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, on 28 Nov 1859. Witnesses were Thomas and Harriet Ware.

James Marsh (bap. 31 Jul 1814 in Bampton, Devon) son of Richard and Mary Marsh, had married Mary Cruwys - also a widow - in Morebath, on 22 Mar 1840. They had one child, Mary Marsh, born 1841 and that year were living at Exbridge, Morebath, along with three children from Mary's previous marriage. In 1851, they were still there with Mary (9) and three more children Elizabeth (7), Martha (5) and James (2). Mary Marsh died in 1858. 

In 1861, James Marsh (46), Anne [Mary Ann] Marsh (51) and William Ridgeway (11) were living at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton'. Thomas Ridgeway (18), was employed as a Carter at Holcombe Barton, Holcombe Rogus. (Holcombe Barton Farm was part of the Manor of Holcombe Rogus of Holcombe Court, "the finest Tudor house in Devon.")

In 1871, still at 'Cottage, Bampton Down, Bampton', were James Marsh (60) and Mary Ann Marsh (62). William Ridgeway (21) Postman, was a lodger in Ashbrittle, in the household of William Cude (64) Carpenter & Builder. 

James Marsh died at 58 in 1871 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 273 and was buried, on 3 Jul 1871, in Bampton.

Mary Ann's son, William Ridgeway died, aged 29, and was buried on 15 Mar 1879, in Uplowman. "Administration of the Personal Estate of William Ridgway (sic) late of Uplowman in the County of Devon Letter Carrier a Batchelor who died 9 Mar 1879 at Uplowman was granted at Exeter to Mary Ann Marsh of Uplowman Widow the Mother and only Next of Kin."

In 1881, Mary Ann Mash (sic) (74), Widow, was living with her son, Thomas Ridgeway, in Whitnage, Uplowman. 

In 1891, Mary A Marsh (83), was living with her daughter, Harriet Were (sic) (50), in Chettiscombe.

Mary Ann Marsh died, at 86, in 1894 D Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B 279.

Monday, 28 April 2025

John Benbow Gabbedy and Isabella Cleghorn

St Bride, Fleet Street, London EC4 - East end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1213706

John Benbow Gabbedy (b. 17 Nov 1771 in Limehouse, London) son of John Gabbdey and Elizabeth Travally, married Isabella Cleghorn (b. 7 Jul 1771 in Shadwell), daughter of Anthony Cleghorn and Margaret Jane Murray on 28 Apr 1795 at St Bride's, Fleet Street - the church with the famous "wedding cake" spire, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The record states they were married by banns and were both of the parish. Witnesses were John Brown and Martha Masters. What were these "Eastenders" doing up west?

John and Isabella Gabbedy had these seven children:
  1. William Anthony Gabbedey b. 5 Feb 1796, bap. 8 May 1796 at St Dunstan's, Stepney at 93 days old.
  2. John Cleghorn Gabbedey b. 25 Feb 1798, bap. 8 Apr 1798 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich
  3. Margaret Elizabeth Gabbady (sic) b. 30 May 1800, bap. 6 Jul 1800 at St Mary Magdalene Woolwich 
  4. Charles Gabbedey b. 23 Dec 1803, bap. 5 Apr 1812 at St Dunstan's
  5. Mary Gabbady (sic) b. 19 Aug 1805, bap. 11 Sep 1805 at St Mary Magdalene, Woolwich
  6. Henry Ralph Gabady (sic) b. 18 Dec 1807, bap. 17 Jan 1808 at St Dunstan's, Stepney
  7. Anne Elizabeth Gabbaday, b. 23 Feb 1811, bap. 14 Apr 1811 at St Anne's Limehouse 
In the Register of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures, on Friday, 30 Dec 1785, when he'll have just turned 14, John B Gabbedey was apprenticed to Owen Temple of Poplar in the County of Middlesex, Shipwright.

On William Anthony's baptism, the family's address was given just as 'Rat' (Ratcliff, between Limehouse and Shadwell), son of John, a Shipwright and Isabella. In 1808, John Benbow Gabbedy's occupation was again listed as Shipwright and on Henry Ralph's baptism, their address was Poplar. In 1811, John's occupation was listed as a Mariner, living in Gill Street, Limehouse. At the time of Charles' baptism in 1812, their address was listed as M.E.O.T. (Mile End Old Town) and John was again described as a Shipwright.

It seemed a strange career change for John to suddenly become a Mariner, when he already had a skill as a Shipwright, especially as he was 40. However, there's a record in British Royal Navy Allotment Declarations in 1811, where he's listed as John Gabidy (sic), with rank Co Mate, allotting part of his pay to his wife, Isabella. This record shows that he was with HMS Tortoise, an ex-East Indiaman, Sir Edward Hughes (1784 EIC ship). "Between March and July 1808 Tortoise was at Woolwich being fitted as a storeship for the Royal Navy." It would make total sense if he was involved in that conversion.

Under the columns for "When Allotment Ceases", is "D 27 Sept 1811 Invalid". The single D, I think means Discharged (it's DD for Discharged Dead), but, particularly as they don't have any more children after 1811, I wonder if he died then, or maybe shortly afterwards. Maybe that prompted Charles' baptism in 1812? John Benbow Gabbedy had certainly died by 1841.

In 1841, Isabella Gaberdey (sic) (70) was living in Wade's Place, Poplar in the household of William Newton (60) Mariner and his wife Margaret (40).

In 1851, Isabella Gabedy (84) Widow, from Shadwell, was a Pauper Inmate of Poplar Union Workhouse, then her only option for health or elder care.

Isabella Gabadey (sic) died in 1852 M Quarter in POPLAR UNION Volume 01C Page 419, with her age over-estimated to 86 (she was 'only' 80), and was buried at All Saints Church, Poplar on 20 Feb 1852.

Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns

St. Bartholomew's Tower, Heigham
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/182191

Francis Stephen Blazey married Hannah Minns, daughter of Robert Marsh Minns and Mary Kett, on 28 Apr 1832 at this now lost church of St Bartholomew's, in Heigham, Norwich, NorfolkFrancis Stephen Blazy (or Blazey), born 26 Dec 1810, was baptised on 30 Dec 1810 at the church of St Martin at Oak, Norwich, son of Susanna Blazy and the baptism record makes it clear he was 'illegitimate born'. (Francis' mother married a John Maycock, also at St Martin at Oak, on 17 Jul 1811, but Francis never took this stepfather's name, so I do not think this was his natural father.) 

Francis and Hannah appear to have at least 10 children:
  1. Harriet Blazy b. 30 Apr 1832, bap. 8 May 1832 at St Martin at Oak. Buried at St Bartholomew's, Heigham, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month. 
  2. Francis Robert Blazey b. 1 Aug, bap. 4 Aug 1833 at St Martin at Oak
  3. Samuel Blazey b. 13 Jul 1836, bap. 17 Jul 1836 at St Martin at Oak. Died, aged 5 and was buried on 27 Oct 1841. (This child's death was registered in 1842 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 205).
  4. Harriet Blazey b. 11 Jan 1839, bap. 13 Jan 1839 at St Martin at Oak
  5. Samuel Blazey bap. 7 Nov 1841 in the Parish of Heigham, Norfolk
  6. Hannah Blazey b. 17 Jun 1845 (1845 S Quarter in NORWICH Vol 13 Page 284), bap. 7 Jul 1845 and on 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
  7. Elizabeth Blazey b. 1847 (1847 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 249), bap. 17 Oct 1860 at St Bartholomew's
  8. Eliza Blazey b. 16 Feb 1849* (1851 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 13 Page 324), bap. 21 Oct 1863 at St Bartholomew's. *DOB as stated on baptism record, although it's difficult to believe she was registered two years late and more likely was wrongly remembered ~12 years later.
  9. William Blazey b. 7 Nov 1853 (1853 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 129), bap. 17 Nov 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham
  10. Alice Blazey b. 6 Nov 1857 (1857 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 157). bap. 2 Oct 1867 at Holy Trinity, Heigham
Holy Trinity church, Heigham, was built in the 1860's and the parish records begin in 1867, so they were among the first to use this new church. 

[i] Harriet born in 1832 doesn't appear on the 1841 census, whereas the Harriet born in 1839 does. There's no record of a burial for a Harriet, but there is a record of a burial of a Hannah Blazey at St Bartholomew's, on 10 Jun 1832, aged 1 month, which I'm confident must relate to this child. 

Most of the baptism records list Francis' occupation as a Dyer. On those of William and Alice, he's described as a Labourer. One wonders what happened for him to give up a skilled trade to take up presumably unskilled work.

In 1841, incorrectly listed as Blazeby, the family was living at Union Square, Heigham - this address was on daughter Hannah's birth certificate in 1845 - with Francis (30), Hannah (25), Francis (8), Sam (5) and Harriet (2).

In 1851, Francis Blazey (40) Labourer was a Lodger in the household of Mary Wright (46) Widow at 1, Manchester Buildings, Heigham, Norwich. (Mary was Hannah Blazey's older sister.) There also were Hannah (38) Wife of Lodger; Francis (18) Labourer; Harriet (12), Samuel (9), Hannah (5) and Elizabeth (3).

In 1861, in Chapel Street, Heigham: Francis (50), Labourer, Hannah (48), Elizabeth (14), Eliza (10), William (7), Alice (3) and Mary A Wright (22), dressmaker, niece. Samuel (19) was with his brother Francis at at 2, St Pauls StreetBlockhouse, Worcester; Hannah (16) was General Servant to Anne Clifford (78), Widow, and her unmarried daughter, Elizabeth Clifford (48), teacher, at Earlham Road Terrace, Heigham, Norwich. (Today Earlham Road is part of the so-called Golden Triangle in Norwich, "The Golden Triangle's terraces house professionals, families and many students from the nearby University of East Anglia; its friendly atmosphere has resulted in the Golden Triangle being dubbed the Norwich version of London's Notting Hill.")

By 1871, Francis Blazey (60), Hannah (57), with just William (17) and Alice (13) still at home, were living at 16 Globe St, Heigham. In 1872, still in Globe Street, Francis Blazey is listed on the Norfolk Register of Electors. 

Hannah Blazey (née Minns)
Francis Stephen Blazey died, aged 62, in 1873 M Quarter in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 111. 

In 1881, the widowed Hannah (67), was living at 3, Duke Street, Norwich Heigham, with son Samuel (35), Sam's son Alfred (11) and daughter Hannah's two children, Walter White (11) and Laura White (10). 

(It is also apparently written on the back of the image of Hannah that she looked after her older sister Mary Ann Wright's children.)

In 1891, Samuel (49) and his daughter, Elizabeth (17), were still living with Hannah (78) in Manchester Street, Norwich.

In 1901, Hannah (90) and Samuel (57), still resided in Manchester Street.

Hannah Blazey died, aged 91, in 1903 S Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B 95.

Sunday, 27 April 2025

Richard Gollop and Hester Litten

Honiton : St Michael's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/5740951

Richard Gollop (bap. 25 Dec 1746 in Kilmington, Devon), son of William Gollop and Mary Sellwood, married Hester Litten (bap. 7 Sep 1741 in Offwell), the 'Bast' (Bastard, obvs) child of Dinah Litten, on 27 Apr 1770, in Honiton on Otter, which today is just called Honiton and, well, it's close to the River Otter. Not at St Paul's Church, High Street, as that wasn't built until 1835, so probably at the former parish church of St Michael's (now closed), but not as we see it now, as it was rebuilt in 1911/12 after a fire.

Richard and Hester had six children, all baptised in Offwell:
  1. William Gollop bap. 26 Aug 1770 (Presume died in infancy)
  2. Robert Gollop bap. 17 May 1772
  3. John Gollop bap. 8 Apr 1774 (Buried 6 Nov 1776)
  4. Elizabeth Gollop b. 3 Apr 1776, bap. 12 May 1776
  5. Dinah Gollop b. 12 Jul 1780, bap. 22 Oct 1780
  6. William Gollop b. 24 Apr 1783, 18 May 1783
Richard Gollop was buried on 15 Jun 1800 and Esther Gollop, Widow, was buried on 11 Dec 1808, both in the parish of Widworthy.

James Alfred Garnett and Mabel Shotter

Pizza Hut on corner of Kingston Crescent and Gamble Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/770407

James Alfred Garnett (b. 1881), son of John William Garnett and Margaret Mary Coleborn, married Mabel Shotter (b. 1879), daughter of William Thomas Shotter and Hannah Jane Bussey, at St Mark's church, North End, Portsmouth (demolished in the 1970s) on 27 Apr 1908. The groom was Licence Holder at The Fairy Queen, Grosvenor Street, Southsea at the time of his marriage.

James and Mabel had one daughter:
  1. Marjorie Mabel Garnett, b. 28 Feb 1915 (1915 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 767), bap 1 Apr 1915 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
In 1891, the ten year old James Alfred Garnett had lived at Public House, Stamshaw Road, Portsea (Derby Tavern, 47 Stamshaw Road, Landport), where his father, John William Garnett, was described as a Beer retailer.

In 1901, James Alfred Garnett (19) had been Assistant manager of the Fountain Hotel, London Road, Portsmouth (Fountain, 133 London Road, North End), held by Edward Gardner, Licensed victualler, his uncle.

In 1911, James Alfred Garnett (29) Licensed victualler and Mabel Garnett (31) Assisting in business, were at 90 Kingston Crescent, North End, Portsmouth (The Admirals Head, 90 Kingston Crescent, Landport), now a Pizza Hut. In 1916, James Alfred Garnett of The Admiral's Head, Kingston, Publican, appears on an Exemption Register of Portsmouth Military Tribunals, presumably exempting him from military service in World War I.

James Alfred Garnett of The Queens Hotel, 143 Queen's Road, Gosport, died, aged 55, on 22 Nov 1936 (1936 D Quarter in GOSPORT Volume 02B Page 796), leaving his effects to Mabel Garnett, Widow.

In the 3rd quarter of 1938, Mabel Garnett remarried to Walter John Morgan, widower, of 131 Queen's Road, Gosport, in Portsmouth and, in the same quarter, Marjorie Mabel Garnett married Bernard Connorton, in Gosport.

In 1939, Mabel Morgan and her daughter, Marjorie M Connorton were both living at 26 Lower Farlington Road, Portsmouth, while Walter J Morgan was listed in the household of his son-in-law and daughter, Ina G M Palmer, at 44 Bishop's Way, Andover. (I've been unable to locate Bernard.)

Marjorie M Connorton died, at 25, in 1940 M Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 1770. While a death in 1940 might be related to the Second World War, this was too early to be related to The Portsmouth Blitz, during which: "The three major raids took place on August 24th 1940 during the Portsmouth Blitz, January 10th 1941 and March 10th 1941."

Mabel Morgan died, at 68, in 1948 M Qtr in PORTSMOUTH Vol 06B 496.

Saturday, 26 April 2025

William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson

Deptford Green, SE8
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Quinn - geograph.org.uk/p/1499434

Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married William Wykes at St Andrew'sCransley, Northamptonshire, on 26 Apr 1852. William, son of Edward Wykes and Mary Davies, was born on 29 Aug 1829 in Spratton, Northamptonshire and baptised at Great Creaton on 7 Jun 1830. Witnesses were Elizabeth's niece, Sarah Elizabeth Thompson (daughter of Elizabeth's brother, Daniel) and nephew, Daniel Botterill (son of Elizabeth's sister, Mary), first cousins who married four years later.

William and Elizabeth's family consisted:
  1. Anne Thompson b. 1846 in Spratton, Northamptonshire
  2. Martha Wykes b. 1853 M Quarter in BRIXWORTH Volume 03B Page 106, bap. 22 May 1853 in Spratton, Northampton
  3. Mary Ann Wykes b. 27 Mar 1855 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 520, bap. 27 May 1855 at St Paul, Deptford, Kent
  4. Eliza Wykes b. 22 Mar 1857 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 533
  5. Edward William Wykes b. 30 Jun 1859, reg. S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 550, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
  6. Elizabeth Wykes b. 10 Jun 1861 in Cransley, reg. S Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 569, bap. 19 Oct 1862 in Deptford, Kent
  7. John Thomas Wykes b. 24 Oct 1864 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 648, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at St Nicholas, Deptford
  8. Maria Sarah Elizabeth Wykes b. 1868, bap. 23 Feb 1868 at Deptford. Died, aged 1, in 1869 S Quarter in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 493
  9. William Thompson Wykes b. 1869 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 782
The GRO birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as THOMPSON.

By 1861 William Wykes (29), Elizabeth Wykes (32), Anne Wykes (15), Martha (8), Mary Ann (6), Eliza (4) and Edward W (1), Edward Dodd (21) Lodger and John Wykes (21), were living in Deptford (as were Daniel and Sarah Botterill). Anne Wykes (15) is certainly the Ann Thompson (5) who was staying with her grandmother, Maria Thompson, in 1851. It's clear she is Elizabeth's child. It's not clear if William Wykes is her biological father, even though she is using his surname (no GRO registration).

In 1871, William Wykes (45) Labourer, Elizabeth (42), Martha (18), Mary Ann (16), Edward (11), [Sarah] Elizabeth (9), John Thomas (6) and William (0), were in Deptford, with Mary Thompson (85), Elizabeth's widowed mother. Eliza Wikes (sic) (14) was a Domestic Servant in the employ of Edward Allwright (40) Upholsterer, in New Cross Road, Deptford.

In 1881, William Wykes (51) with no employment, and son Edward William (21) Labourer, were living at 38, Deptford Green, while Elizabeth (52) was at 249, Evelyn Street, Deptford, with her occupation listed as Midwife. With her were married daughter Martha Buzzacott (28), Elizabeth Wykes (19) Assistant Nurse; John T (16) Apprentice Moulder and William T (11) Scholar.

In 1891, living in Evelyn Street, Deptford are William Wykes (63) Labourer, Elizabeth (62) Midwife and just William (21) Boiler Maker. 

William Wykes died, in Greenwich in 1892 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 831, aged 62. Elizabeth Wykes died, in Greenwich, in 1894 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 493, aged 65.

Michael Kritzer and Maria Agatha Hall

Interior of the Catholic parish church of St. Johann, Donaueschingen, Baden, Germany. 
H.Helmlechner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Michael Kritzer (b. 28 Sep 1805), son of Sebastian Kritzer and Rosina Tritshler, married Maria Agatha Hall (b. 29 Mar 1822), daughter of Johann Hall and Brigitta Engesser, at St. Johann, Donaueschingen, on 26 Apr 1841.

Michael and Agatha (as she appears to have been known) had five children, all also baptised at Donaueschingen's Catholic church of St. Johann.
  1. Rosina Kritzer b. 12 Mar 1842, bap. 14 Apr 1842 
  2. Wilhelm Kritzer b. 10 Jan 1844, bap 14 Jan 1844
  3. Wilhelmina Kritzer b. 8 May 1845, bap. 18 May 1845
  4. Anna Kritzer b. 6 Jun 1849, bap. 10 Jun 1849
  5. Augusta Brigitta Kritzer b. 19 Aug 1858, bap. 29 Aug 1858
Michael Kritzer died, aged 61, in Donaueschingen on 1 Apr 1867.

Anna Kritzer and three of the children of Wilhelm Kritzer came to England. 

Rosina Kritzer married Josef Johann Baptist Seemann, in Donaueschingen, on 30 Sep 1869 and Wilhelmina Kritzer married Carl Emil Boll, again in Donaueschingen, on 29 May 1873. This last couple had at least seven children, giving the potential for further family still remaining in the area. There are no further records showing up for Augusta Brigitte Kritzer. There's evidence of this family, in this parish, right back to the 16th Century.

The German surname Kritzer, it is said, is derived from the Old German word "Kretscham," meaning "inn." The name was most likely first borne by an innkeeper. An alternative suggestion is as a South German occupational name for a coiner, from krüzer Kreutzer.  

Thursday, 24 April 2025

William Ball and Sarah Jane Tubb

St Mary's Portsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Basher Eyre - geograph.org.uk/p/692863

William Ball (b. 1806), Bachelor, married Sarah Jane Tubb (b. 1812), daughter of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 24 Apr 1832. Witnesses were Mary Ann Ball and William John Long.

William and Sarah Jane Ball had one daughter:
  1. Sarah Louisa Ball bap. 29 Sep 1833 at St Mary's, daughter of William Ball, Seaman and Sarah of Lake Lane, Portsea.
The next time we find them is in 1851, when William Ball (45) Shipwright Greenwich Pensioner from Portsea, Hampshire; Sarah Ball (39) and Sarah Louisa Coombs (18) were living in Church Path, Portsea.

Sarah Louisa Ball (18) of Church Road, Portsea, daughter of William Ball, Carpenter, had married William Coombes (26) Seaman, HMS Illustrious, listed as son of John Coombs, Shipwright, also at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 11 Jan 1850. Witnesses to their marriage were Mary Ann Horner and William Ball. William and Sarah Louisa Coombes appear to have two children: William Coombs b. 1852 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 415 and Louisa Coombs b. 1853 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 359. I can find no further records for any of them.

William Ball, we must assume, died between 1851 and 1853.

In 1853-54 Sarah Jane Ball appears to receive payment related to Greenwich Hospital out-pensioners - a final pension payment perhaps?

On 24 Apr 1853, again at St Mary's Church, Portsea, Sarah Jane Ball, Widow, daughter of William Tubb, Ropemaker, married Joseph Leach, Blacksmith, Widower of Havant Street, listed as son of John Leach, Farmer. Witnesses were Mary Windel and Henry Tubb, Sarah Jane's sister and brother.

[So far] I've yet to find any further records for any of them.

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Thomas Phillips and Mary Ann Wright

St Margaret’s Church, Barking
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Richard Rogerson - geograph.org.uk/p/1562917

Thomas Phillips, son of Joseph Phillips and Ann Clarke, brother of Isaac Phillips, married Mary Ann Wright on 23 Apr 1826 at St Margaret's Church, Barking, where his brother married six years later. Census records from 1841 to 1881, show these brothers living next door to one another. 

Thomas and Mary Ann had six children, all of whom were also baptised at the church of St Helen and St GilesRainham:
  1. Hester Maria Phillips bap. 8 Mar 1829
  2. William Thomas Phillips bap. 21 Aug 1831
  3. Richard Wilkinson Phillips bap. 16 Mar 1834
  4. Angelina Caroline Phillips b. 1837 S Quarter in ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 153, bap. 1 Sep 1837
  5. Ellen Jane Eliza Phillips b. 1841 M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 224, bap. 31 Jan 1841
  6. Joseph Phillips b.  1844 M Quarter in THE ROMFORD UNION Volume 12 Page 231, bap. 3 Mar 1844
The mother's maiden name on the three GRO registrations is WRIGHT. Wilkinson as a second name may indicate Mary Ann's mother's maiden name.

In 1841, in Rainham, were Thomas Phillips (35) Ag Lab, Mary (35), Hester (12), William (10), Richard (8), Angelina (4) and Ellen (0). Living with them were an Esther Wilkinson (40) who I'd guess was a relative of Mary Ann's; Martha Ward (50) and William Marlow (35) Ag Lab.

In 1851, address listed as Upminster Road, Rainham, were Thomas Phillips (46) Ag Lab, Mary Ann (45), William Thomas (19) Ag Lab, Richard (17) Ag Lab, Angelina (13), Ellen (10) and Joseph (7). They had two lodgers: Edmund Earnel (38) and Hezekiah Dowset (26), both Ag Labs.

In 1861, Thomas Phillips (56) Ag Lab, at Fran House, Cottage, Rainham, with Mary Ann (55) and just Joseph (17) Ag Lab still at home. With three lodgers: James Wood (32), George Whitbread (22) and John Simpson (18), Ag Labs.

In 1871 at Back Street Cottage, Rainham, Thomas Phillips (66) Ag Lab, Mary (65), with Mary Ann Searles (12) and William Searles (10), granddaughter and grandson, staying with them. (Angelina had married a George Searls in 1858.)

Then in 1881, at the infamous Village Back Street, Rainham, Thomas Phillips (75) General Labourer and Mary (74), had their grandson Edward Turben (22) Labourer in Manure Factory (Edward Turben was the son of Ellen Jane Eliza Phillips, who had married Henry Turben in 1858), living with them, as well as James Whiting (22) and Alfred Whiting (19), lodgers. 

Mary Ann Phillips died, aged 77 in 1884 M Quarter in ROMFORD Volume 04A Page 143 and was buried on 30 Mar 1884 in Rainham.

Thomas Phillips died, aged 81, and was buried on 21 Jul 1887.

Thomas Parsons Bridle and Elizabeth Wills

East Devon : Countryside Scenery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4625599
Looking out across the East Devon countryside with the church at Rockbeare in view.

Thomas Parsons Bridle (bap. 14 Jun 1812 in Rockbeare, Devon), son of John Bridle and Mary Trick, married Elizabeth Wills, daughter of William Wills and Elizabeth Chown, at St Mary with St AndrewRockbeare, on 23 Apr 1840

Thomas and Elizabeth had four sons:
  1. James Bridle b. 1841 M Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 251
  2. Thomas Bridle b. 1842 D Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 209
  3. William Henry Bridle b. 1844 D Qtr in ST THOMAS UNION Vol 10 254
  4. Mark Bridle b. 1850 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Vol 10 Page 248
In 1841, Thomas Bridle (25) Ag Lab, and Elizabeth Bridle (25), were living at Upcott, Rockbeare, St Thomas, Devon, with son, James, 5 months.

In 1851, living at Hill Cottages, Rockbeare, were Thomas Bridle (38) Farm Labourer, Elizabeth Bridle (36), James (10), Thomas (8), Henry (6) and Mark (0). Living next door to them were William Wills (73) Pauper and his wife Elizabeth Wills (76), who I assume to be Elizbeth's parents.

Then Elizabeth Bridle died, in 1852, aged 36. So, in 1853, Thomas Parsons Bridle remarried to Sarah Symons, with whom he had three more children:
  1. Edwin Symons Bridle b. 1856 M Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B 47
  2. Eva Bridle b. 1863 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 57
  3. Emma Bridle b. 1865 D Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 58
In 1861, Thomas Bridle (48) Agricultural Labourer, Sarah Bridle (36), Mark Bridle (10) and Edwin Bridle (5) were living at Ridgway, Rockbeare. James Bridle (20), in 1861, was a Carter at Coombe Farm, Broadway, Woodbury, St Thomas, Devon. Thomas Bridle Jnr (18) was working as a Mason's labourer to John Kenwood at Whimple Road, Whimple, St Thomas, Devon. 

By 1871, the family had moved to Whipton, Heavitree, where we find Thomas Bridle (58) Gardener, Sarah (45), Mark (20), Edwin (15), Eva (8) and Emma (5), as well as William Walters (11) Lodger.

In 1881, at 56, Sandford Street, Exeter, were, Thomas Bridle, Gardner, Sarah Bridle (56), Eva Bridle (17) Pupil teacher and Henry Chown (28) Boarder.

Thomas Bridle died, aged 78 in 1890 S Qtr in ST THOMAS Vol 05B Page 36.

In 1891, at Pinhoe Road, Heavitree, Eva, listed as Evangeline Bridle (27) Teacher of elementary school and has become the head of the household. Living with her were her widowed mother, Sarah Bridle (64), Emma Bridle (25) Sister, Eva Bridle (8) Niece and a William H Prall (26) Boarder. 

Sarah Bridle died, at 74, in 1901 M Qtr in EXETER Vol 05B Page 63.