James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood

British Cemetery Graves, St Sever Cemetery Extension Photo: Giogo, Some rights reserved

James Edmond (b. 1888, in Prestonpans, Midlothian, Scotland), son of George Edmond and Helen Hardie, married Sarah Ann Wood (bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare) daughter of James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish, at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 8 May 1911. At that time, James Edmond was a Lodging House Keeper and Sarah was a Domestic Servant, both of Ponchydown, Kentisbeare (former Ponchydown Inn, Blackborough).

James and Sarah Ann had three children:

1. James Roland George Edmond b. 24 Jul 1912 in Scotland, bap. 29 Dec 1912 at Blackborough, Devon, although the family's address on the baptism record was given as 2 New St, Prestonpans.
2. Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond b. 23 Dec 1914 (1915 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 666)
3. Constance Mary Helen Edmond b. 11 May 1917 (1917 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 537)

On 23 Jun 1906, James Edmond enlisted for Short Service in the Scots Guards. He served until 23 Jun 1909 and was transferred to the reserve. However, he was mobilised again on 5 Aug 1914, the day after Britain declared war on Germany. James was promoted to Corporal in 1915 and Sergeant in 1916. His army record states that he embarked on the "SS Queen Alexandria", in Southampton on 9 Aug 1916, arriving in Le Havre the next day.

Admitted to hospital on 14 May 1918, dangerously ill, having received a gunshot wound to the head, James died of his wounds, at the No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, on 25 May 1918. Sgt James Edmond is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Plot: Q. I. A. 3.

In 1921, Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8), Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) and Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) were living with Sarah's mother, Mary Ann Wood, at Downlands, Kentisbeare.

Devington Park, Exminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sarah Charlesworth - geograph.org.uk/p/990195
A huge complex of apartments, housed in what was once the Devon Mental Hospital.

However, Sarah Ann Edmond, widow, of The Mental Hospital, Exminster (originally Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster), died at 48 on 4 Dec 1933 (1933 D Quarter in ST. THOMAS Volume 05B Page 76), leaving her effects to her son James Roland George Edmond, Guardsman.

In 1939, Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond was a Motor Driver, living at 3 Higher Summerlands, Whipton, Exeter. Constance M H Edmond, Incapacitated, was resident at the The Royal Western Counties Institution For Training And Treatment Of Mental Defectives, Starcross. Originally known as the Western Counties Idiot Asylum, this institution opened in 1864 in a house and land, rented from W.R. Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon. It later became known as the Western Counties Institution, Starcross, and was certified as 'a residential special school for mental defectives'. Residents were trained in carving, weaving, basketry, lace-making and carpentry, and worked on the institution's agricultural holdings. It was closed in 1986, and demolished. This dreadful terminology is very much 'of it's time', but reading between the lines, considering where she was living and the age, 32, she died my suspicion is that Connie may have been born with an extra chromosome. Constance M H Edmond died on 6 Aug 1949 (1949 S Quarter in DEVON CENTRAL Vol 07A Page 303) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

William White and Ann Francis

All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk

William White (bap. 20 Jul 1806 at St Margaret, Garvestone), only child, son of Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married Anne Francis (b. 3 Dec 1802 in Mattishall Burgh), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Homes, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk on 7 May 1826. 

Records exist for this couple having nine children:

1. Mariann White bap. 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall
2. Anne White bap. 16 May 1830 in Mattishall (assume died in infancy)
3. Anne White bap. 23 Oct 1831 in Mattishall 
4. William White (b. 1834) bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
5. Sarah White bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
6. Elizabeth White bap. 27 May 1838 in Mattishall
7. Hannah White bap. 23 Aug 1840 in Mattishall
8. Maria White bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall
9. Walter White, b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe (1845 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 13 Page 20) (Birth, marriage and death certs held.)

In 1841, William (35) and Anne (35) were living 'Near the Church, Mattishall' with children: Mariann - listed as Mary - (14), Ann (9), William (7), Sarah (5), Elizabeth (3) and Hannah (0), as well as an Ann Clark (55).

By 1851, they had moved to Thorpe Road, St Andrew Thorpe with William (44) Gardener, Anne (47), Ann (19), William (17), also employed as a gardener, Hannah (10), Maria (8) and Walter (5). Sarah White (15) Servant in the household of John Baker at 16 Victoria Street, Lakenham. Elizabeth White (13) was Servant to Susannah Balley (28) Gentlewoman, on Thorpe Road.

In 1861, at Red Lion Hill, Thorpe were William (54) Gardener, Anne (54), Hannah (26), Maria (18) and Walter (15).

In 1871, William White (64) Gardener, and Anne White (68) were in Thorpe Street, Thorpe St Andrew, with granddaughter, Mary Ann Watson (13).

William White died just 16 days after the 1871 census was taken, aged 64, on 18 April 1871 (1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 123) and was buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich, Plot D3/578.

16 Oct 1871: The will of William White late of Thorpe St. Andrew in the County of Norfolk, Gardener, who died 18 April 1871 at Thorpe St. Andrew was proved at Norwich by Francis Anthony Martyn of the City of Norwich Upholsterer one of the Executors. Effects under £100. (Francis Anthony Martyn was William's son-in-law, then married to daughter, Ann.)

In 1881, Ann White (78), widow, was living with her daughter Ann Martin (sic) (49), also then widowed, in Lothian Street, Norwich. 

Anne White died on 4 Nov 1889 (1889 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 92), aged 86 and is buried with her husband at Rosary Cemetery. 

After contacting a local history group for Thorpe St Andrew, I was contacted by former Sheriff of Norwich, Nick Williams, whose wife had seen my question and who provided photos and even a plan, which made the plot very easy to find. The Rosary Cemetery itself is notable, nay unique, as it was the first non-denominational cemetery in England. Laid out in 1819, it celebrated it's 200th Anniversary in 2019. Nick Williams, who is also involved in The Friends of the Rosary Cemetery, has now written several books on the site and here talks about The History of Rosary Cemetery. 

Headstone for William White and Ann Francis (left) Plot D3/578

Thomas Vickery and Jane Ridgeway

Tiverton : St Peter's Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4739285

Thomas Vickery (bap. 23 Nov 1834 in Sampford Peverell), son of James Vickery and Elizabeth Webber, married Jane Ridgeway (b. 1839 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of James Ridgeway and Mary Ann Lock, on 7 May 1865 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Witnesses were Jane's brother and his wife, Thomas and Ann Ridgeway. In March of that year, Thomas Vickery and Jane Ridgway had been witnesses to their marriage, also at St Peter's.

In 1871, Thomas Vickery (37) Farm Labourer, Jane Vickery (32) and George Coombe (37) Miller, Lodger, were living at Lands Mill, Uplowman.

Thomas Vickery died, aged 45, in 1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307 and was buried on 16 Apr 1879, in Uplowman.

In 1881, Jane Vickery (43) Widow, Laundress, was living with her brother-in-law and sister Henry and Mary Stone, still at Lands Mill, Uplowman.

Jane Ridgeway remarried to James Copp (b. 24 Feb 1832 and bap. 11 Mar 1832), son of Thomas Copp and Elizabeth Hall, at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman, on 24 Jun 1882. (Neither marriage produced children.)

In 1891, James Copp (59) Mason and Jane Copp (52) were living at Woods Tenement, Pinnex Moor, Tiverton. 

In 1901, James Copp (69) Mason and Jane Copp (62) were living at 67, Barrington Street, Tiverton.

Jane Copp died, at 66, in 1905 J Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 264. 

James Copp died, at 78, in 1911 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 339.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook and Eliza Back

The 'Odd Fellows Hall', Ker Street, Devonport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Lyne - geograph.org.uk/p/2771775

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook (b. 12 Dec 1849), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Eliza Back (b. 1853), daughter of Thomas Back and Mary Drake, at Saint Saviour's church that was located on Lambhay Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth, on 7 May 1876. Both gave their address as Lambhay Hill at the time of their marriage. (The church was destroyed during the Second World War but the Church Hall is still standing.)

Samuel and Eliza had six children:

1. Ellen Hepzibah Derry Easterbrook (sic) b. 9 Feb 1877 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B  Page 347, bap. 29 Jun 1879 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport. Died, aged 2 y 10 m, in 1879 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 249, buried 2 Jan 1880.
2. Thomas Samuel Eastabrook b. 19 Feb 1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 343), bap. 11 Apr 1880 at St Aubyn's Church, Devonport.
3. William Ebenezer Eastabrook b. 28 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
4. Amelia Elizabeth Eastabrook b. 24 Jun 1884 (1884 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 335), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
5. Ernest Richard Eastabrook b. 15 Mar 1886 (1886 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 326), bap. 13 Aug 1886.
6. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook b. 18 Sep 1889 (no birth record found).

In 1881, Samuel Eastabrook (31) Labourer, Eliza Eastabrook (26) Tailoress and Thomas Eastabrook (1) were living at 40, Cannon Street, Devonport.

In 1886, William Ebenezer, Amelia Elizabeth and Ernest Richard were all baptised together at The Anglican Church of Saint Mary (St Mary's Church, Devonport). It no longer exists. Their father's occupation then was listed as Storehouse man and their address given as 19, Ker Street, Devonport.

In 1891, Eliza Eastabrook (37), Thomas S Eastabrook (11), William E Eastabrook (9), Amelia E Eastabrook (6) and Ernest R Eastabrook (5) were listed in Baring Street, Plymouth. Neither Samuel is listed anywhere.

In 1901, both Thomas S Eastabrook and William E Eastabrook are listed with the Royal Navy at Sea and in ports abroad, but I've not been able to locate records for any other members of the family, anywhere in the world.

On 6 Oct 1903, we find Samuel Eastabrook (54), Ellen Eastabrook (51), Emelia (sic) Eastabrook (19) and Samuel Eastabrook (14), arriving at Ellis Island, New York from Bermuda on the ship Pretoria (USS Pretoria (1897). The record gives their nationality as Great Britain, English and their residence as Bermuda. It also states Samuel's occupation as "late of Civil Service". One might speculate, therefore, that Samuel had been working at the Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda. It says they were arriving in New York, en route to England and that Samuel Sr had last been in the US 10 years previously. Their onward address in the UK was c/o 22 Union Street, Portsmouth, England. Interestingly, the record specifies that Samuel paid for his own passage, that Eliza's was paid for by her husband and both Amelia's and Samuel Jnr's were paid for by their father - which is how we can identify him as their child.

Eliza Eastabrook died at 53, in 1907 M Qtr in LAMBETH Vol 01D Pg 256. 

In 1911, S E D (Samuel Ebenezer Derry) Eastabrook (61) Widower, Railway Storekeeper was in Stockwell, London with A E (Amelia Elizabeth) Eastabrook (26) Daughter and E E (Ellen Elizabeth) Barker (64) Widow, Sister.

In 1921, Samuel E D Eastabrook (71) Pensioner, Admiralty, Widower; Amelia E Eastabrook (37) and Ellen K Eastabrook (15) Granddaughter (daughter of Thomas Samuel Eastabrook and Esther Kathleen Drake), were listed as living at 36 Llanishen Street, Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales.

In 1939, Samuel E Eastabrook, Pensioner, and Amelia E Eastabrook, House Keeper to Father, were listed at 25 Norham Avenue, Southampton.

Samuel Ebenezer Derry Eastabrook died, aged 93, in 1943 D Quarter in WINCHESTER Volume 02C Page 196.

Amelia Elizabeth Eastabook died, aged 62 (1946 S Quarter in SOUTHAMPTON Volume 06B Page 480). "EASTERBROOK Amelia Elizabeth of 25 Norham-Avenue Shirley Southampton spinster died 22 August 1946 at the Borough Hospital Southampton Administration Winchester 14 November to Samuel Patrick Eastabrook motor car driver. Effects £442 11s. 11d."

There are many records of a Samuel Eastabrook of the correct age crossing the Atlantic in the 1920s, which suggest that Samuel Patrick Eastabrook worked as a First Class Waiter on vessels such as the RMS Mauretania, once Cunard’s most luxurious ocean liner. No records suggest that he ever married. Samuel Patrick Eastabrook died, aged 81, in 1970, in Winchester. 

Thomas Tooze and Joan Potter

Holcombe Rogus, All Saints Church: Eastern aspect
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/6642105
The church stands next to Holcombe Court 'the finest Tudor house in Devon'.
Interior, of All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus

Thomas Tooze (bap. 5 Jun 1770), son of William Tooze and Joan Cood, married Joan Potter (bap. 21 Jan 1771), daughter of James Potter and Jane Stone, on 6 May 1795, at All Saints Church, Holcombe Rogus, Devon. One of the witnesses to this marriage was a Samuel Tooze.

Thomas and Joan had seven children, all baptised at Holcombe Rogus: 

1. Robert Tooze bap. 29 Jan 1797 (Buried on 21 May 1797)
2. Thomas Tooze bap. 17 May 1801
3. Richard Tooze bap. 24 Jul 1803
4. John Tooze bap. 25 Dec 1806
5. William Tooze bap. 3 Apr 1809
6. Samuel Tooze bap. 8 Mar 1812. (Buried on 4 Jul 1813)
7. Elizabeth Tooze bap. 15 May 1814

On Elizabeth's baptism, her father's occupation is listed as Thatcher.

Thomas Tooze died, aged 70, in 1840 (GRO Reference: 1840 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 10 Page 367) and was buried on 1 Mar 1840.

In 1841, Joan Tooze (70) was living by the New Inn, Holcombe Rogus, with James Tooze (15), her grandson, son of Thomas Tooze and Mary Summers. I've not [yet] found any further records for Joan nor of her death.

Richard Flew and Joan Thorne

Rackenford : Village Sign & Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3011542

Richard Flew (bap. 10 Feb 1743 in Stockleigh English), son of Richard and Jane Flew, then of the Parish [of Rackenford], Labourer, married Joan Thorne (bap. 16 Mar 1749 in Rackenford, Devon), daughter of Robert and Mildred Thorne, Spinster, on 6 May 1765 at All Saints Church, Rackenford. The witnesses to this marriage were John Way and Christopher Kingdom. 

Richard and Joan Flew had four children:

1. Richard Flew bap. 29 Sep 1765
2. Thomas Flew bap. 12 Jun 1768. There was a burial on 21 Mar 1778.
3. John Flew bap. 4 Mar 1772. (Assume died in infancy.)
4. Elizabeth Flew bap. 19 May 1775 

The same day as Elizabeth was baptised, 19 May 1775, Joan Flew was buried.

Richard Flew remarried to Elizabeth Tommas (sic), also at All Saints Church, Rackenford, on 27 May 1776. Witnesses to this marriage were John Way and Arthur Saunders. There was a baptism of an Elizabeth Thomas on 4 Mar 1749, in Thelbridge, Devon, the daughter of Robert and Joan Thomas.

Richard and Elizabeth added three more children:

5. Jane Flew bap. 25 Nov 1776
6. Hugh Flew bap. 28 Feb 1779
7. John Flew bap. 30 Jan 1781. Burial on 4 Feb 1781.

Then Elizabeth Flew was buried on 7 Dec 1783, also in Rackenford.

Richard Flew, of this Parish, Husbandman, married for the 3rd time to Ann Kingdom, of Rackenford, Spinster, on 14 May 1787. Once again, John Way was one of the witnesses. The other looks like William Griffin. Ann Kingdom (bap. 17 May 1761 in Rackenford), was the daughter of Christopher Kingdom (who was a witness at Richard's first marriage) and Mary Taylor.

Richard and Ann added 7 further children, bringing his total to 14:

8. Mary Flew bap. 30 Mar 1788
9. Arthur Flew bap. 16 Sep 1789
10. Sarah Flew bap. 22 May 1792. Infant, buried 3 Jun 1792. Pauper.
11. Ann Flew bap. 28 Dec 1794. Infant, buried 15 Feb 1795.
12. John Flew bap. 20 Mar 1796
13. Ann Flew bap. 21 Jan 1798. Buried 19 Feb 1798.
14. Ann Flew bap. 24 Aug 1800. Buried 14 Sep 1800.

Richard Flue (sic) Snr was buried in Rackenford on 26 Feb 1809.

It's unclear when 3rd wife, Ann Flew, died.

Squire Day and Sarah Hobbs

St Mary's Church, Hitchin
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Lucas - geograph.org.uk/p/989956

Squire Day (bap. 28 May 1797 in Ickleford, Hertfordshire), son of George Day and Mary Watson, married Sarah Hobbs (b. 28 Feb 1796 bap. 29 Apr 1796 at the Hitchin, Back Street Meeting), the daughter of Samuel Emly Hobbs and Elizabeth Saunders, in Hitchin, on 5 May 1819.

Squire as a boy's name is of Middle English origin, apparently.

Squire and Sarah had 6 children, baptised at the Hitchin, Back Street Meeting (The Independent Meeting House at Back Street, Hitchin):

1. John Day b. 27 Dec 1820, bap. 25 Mar 1821 
2. George Hobbs Day b. 27 Feb 1822, bap. 31 Mar 1822
3. Martha Hobbs Day b. 26 Feb 1826, bap. 20 May 1827. Died, aged 12, in 1838 J Quarter in THE HITCHIN UNION Volume 06 Page 411
4. Alfred Day b. 17 Jun 1828, bap. 14 Sep 1828
5. Phoebe Emma Day b. 4 Mar 1830, bap. 18 Apr 1830
6. Elizabeth Hobbs Day b. 22 Jun 1833, bap. 26 Jan 1834

Sarah Day must have died between 1833 and 1837, but no record identified.

Squire Day, Widower, son of George Day, Carpenter, then married Mary Ann Dear, Spinster, said to be daughter of William Dear, Carpenter, both of Back Street, Hitchin, at the Parish Church of St Mary's, Hitchin, on 20 Jul 1837.

Squire and Mary Ann added another four children:

7. Martha Dear Day b. 1839 M Qtr in HITCHIN UNION Vol 06 Page 500
8. Mary Ann Day b. 1841 M Qtr in HITCHIN UNION Vol 06 Page 540
9. Squire Day b. 1843 S Qtr in HITCHIN UNION Vol 06 Page 534
10. Sarah Elizabeth Day b. 1846 M Qtr in HITCHIN Vol 06 Page 578

In 1841, in Back of Street, Hitchin, were Squire Day (40) Grocer [1], Mary Ann Day (35), John Day (20), George Day (18), Martha Day (3), Mary Ann Day (0), Mary Kofford (20) Female Servant and John Taylor (20), who in perfect nominative determinism, was a Tailor. They were living next door to John Gascoine, Victualler, but that's probably unremarkable because these streets appear to have been full of now lost pubs. Also among their closest neighbours were a Fish Monger, two Bakers and a Shoe Maker.

[1] First wife Sarah's father, Samuel Emly Hobbs, had also been a grocer, declared bankrupt in 1829, so he may have taken over this business.

Back of Street, or Back Street, is described in this document on Hitchin Conservation Area (PDF): "A subsidiary road developed parallel to the market place on the east side of the River Hiz, probably from the 12th century onwards. Formerly called Back Street, and at its southern end, Dead Street. Biggin Lane and Portmill Lane connected the market place with Back Street and Dead Street respectively. Their name was changed to the more salubrious Queen Street in the 19th century. Queen Street was also the site of many houses, cottages and other buildings which were located close to St Mary’s Church, and which were swept away in the slum clearance of the 1920s. 

In 1851, in Back Street, Hitchin, were Squire Day (52) Grocer from Ickleford, Hertfordshire; Mary Ann Day (47) from East Barnet, Hertfordshire; Martha Day (12), Mary Ann Day (10), Squire Day (8) and Sarah Day (5).

In 1861, Squire Day (63) Upholsterer and lodging house keeper was running the Travellers Rest, Back Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Mary Ann Day (56), Mary Ann Day (20) Bonnet Sewer; Squire Day (17) Boot and shoe makers apprentice; Sarah Day (15) Bonnet Sewer and 19 Lodgers.

In 1871, Squire Day (74) Upholsterer and lodging house keeper, was still in Back Street, Hitchin with Mary Ann Day (65), Mary Ann Day (29) Bonnet Sewer; Sarah E Day (25) Milliner; Alfred J Day (19) Reporter and Arthur S Day (15) Photographic Artist, these last two grandsons, sons of John Day.

Squire Day died, at 81, in 1878 S Quarter in HITCHIN Volume 03A Page 228.

In 1881, M A [Mary Ann] Day (76) Lodging house keeper was still running the Traveller's Rest in Back Street, Hitchin with Mary A Day (39) assistant; Susan White (44) General Servant, Henry White (10) and 13 Boarders.

Mary Ann Day died at 79 in 1884 M Qtr in HITCHIN Vol 03A Page 256.

John Lock and Mary Nott

St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1939290

John Lock (b. ~1781) married Mary Nott (b. ~1785) on 1 May 1806 at the church of St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, Somerset.

John and Mary Lock had eight children:

1. Elizabeth Lock bap. 7 Jun 1807 in Ashbrittle
2. Mary Ann Lock bap. 7 May 1809 in Ashbrittle
3. John Lock bap. 19 Jan 1812 in Ashbrittle
4. Harriet Lock bap. 19 Jun 1814 in Ashbrittle
5. William Lock bap. 7 Jul 1816 in Ashbrittle
6. James Lock bap. 13 Dec 1818 in Ashbrittle
7. Thomas Lock bap. 14 Jul 1822 in Ashbrittle
8. Eliza Lock bap. 14 Nov 1824 in Ashbrittle

Mary Lock died in 1839 J Qtr in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 333 and was buried on 28 Apr 1839 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle, age listed as 54, suggesting she was born around 1785.

In 1841, in Ashbrittle Village, were John Lock (58) Ag Lab with Eliza Lock (18) and Elizabeth Lock (10). DNA links confirm that Elizabeth Lock was his granddaughter, the illegitimate daughter of Mary Ann Lock. Harriot Lock (25) was at Burrow [Farm], Ashbrittle, working as a Female Servant.

John Lock died, aged 65, in 1847 M Quarter in WELLINGTON Vol 10 Page 426 and was buried at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle on 14 Feb 1847. The burial record lists John Lock of Wellington Union House, i.e. Workhouse.

William Palmer Wilton and Dorothy Agnes Dickins

Fitzjohn's Avenue, Hampstead
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1916588

William Palmer Wilton (b. 19 Sep 1869), son of Henry Staines Wilton and Amelia Palmer, married at 40 (in quite some style), to Dorothy Agnes Dickins (b. 21 Jul 1884 in Hampstead), daughter of Henry Percy Tavener Dickins and Charlotte Rebecca Fase, a St Paul, Hampstead, on Saturday, 30 Apr 1910.

Major Henry Percy Tavener Dickins VD Victoria Rifles was a wine and spirit merchant in Philpot Lane, in partnership with his brother Wyndham. This family was the Dickins known for the department store Dickins & Jones.

The Hampsted News of Thursday, 5 May 1910 reported on the Marriage of Miss D. A. Dickins and Mr W. P. Wilton: A very large congregation assembled at St Paul's Church, Avenue Road, on Saturday, on the occasion of the marriage of Miss Dorothy Agnes Dickins, daughter of Mr H. P. T. Dickins, of "Atherstone", Eton Avenue, and Mr William Palmer Wilton, elder son of Mr  H. S. Wilton of "Cotswold House", St John's Wood Park.

        The chancel of the church was handsomely decorated with giant palms and white flowers, and during the assembling of the guests an organ recital was given by Mr E. G. Croager.

        The Service was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop of British Honduras, assisted by the Ven. G. A. Ford (Vicar), and the Rev. A. Congreve-Pridgeon, who with the choir awaited the bridal party at the west door.

        The bride, who was given away by her father, wore an elegant gown of ivory white satin draped with ninon and trimmed with silver and silk embroidery, while the boddice was decorated with Brussels applique. Her veil of the same lace was arranged over a spray of orange blossoms, and she carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley and white heather. Eight bridesmaids - the Misses O & M Wilton [Olive and Margaret - bridegroom's sisters]; B. Beozley, V. Hall, B. Thompson, Esther Rosamond, Molly Bartley [bridegroom's niece] and Eileen Norris - were in attendance. The four elder maids were attired in gowns of white satin, draped with ninon with silver trimming and large silver roses, and large mauve hats veiled with stretched chiffon, trimmed with pale pink roses, and finished with long mauve velvet ribbon tied in a knot at the left side. They carried mauve silk sun-shades, with bouquets of pink roses attached to the handles. The four children wore white muslin dresses, and silver and white lace caps finished with pink chiffon rosette. They carried mauve sticks mounted with pink roses. 

        Mrs H. F. Dickins [1] was attired in a handsome gown of Irish lace mounted with white satin draped with moule ninon and wore a toque of Irish lace trimmed with moule and gold embroidery, and a plume and white feather. She carried a bouquet of roses.

        The bridegroom was accompanied by his brother, Mr J. S. Wilton, who performed the duties of best man.

        The service was fully choral, and included the hymns "The Voice that breathed o'er Eden" (sung in procession), and "Now thank we all our God". An anthem was sung during the signing of the registers.

        Subsequently a reception was held at "Atherstone", and later the bride and bridegroom left Hampstead en route for the South of England, where the honeymoon is being spent."

[1] Mrs H. F. Dickins was the bride's father's step-mother, second wife of Henry Francis Dickens, the former Agnes Haines Fase, the bride's mother's sister. She was the bride's aunt AND her step-grandmother and, as the bride's mother had died in 1902, we can assume she was standing in for her.

William and Dorothy had three daughters, all born in Hampstead: 

1. Frances Mary Wilton b. 31 Aug 1911 D Quarter Vol 01A Page 984 
2. Agnes Joan Wilton b. 1916 M Quarter Volume 01A Page 963 
3. Helen Margaret Wilton b. 1919 J Quarter Volume 01A Page 724 

In 1911, living at 117 Fellows Road, Hampstead, London, were William Palmer Wilton (41) Saddler & Harness maker, and Dorothy Agnes Wilton (26), employing two servants to look after them: Elizabeth Anne Crouch (35), Cook General Domestic and Ellen Friend (29), House Parlourmaid.

William P Wilton inherited Champion & Wilton on his father's death in 1915.

In 1921, at 18 Fitzjohn's Avenue, Belsize Park were William Palmer Wilton (52) Sadler & Harness Maker, Employer, with his place of work listed as 457, 459 Oxford St, London; Dorothy Agnes Wilton (36), Frances Mary Wilton (9), Agnes Joan Wilton (5), Helen Margaret Wilton (2) and five servants: Lucy Esther Same (40) Nurse; Elizabeth Ann Crouch (46), Agnes Roe Jack (18), Florence May Bass (21) and Alice Rowsell (20). Other than the nurse, William hasn't bothered to list what jobs each of them performed, but I would guess that Elizabeth Ann Crouch was still Cook and the rest were housemaids.

In 1939, still at 18 Fitzjohn's Avenue, Belsize Park, William P and Dorothy A Wilton were reduced to three staff: Florence M Kemcock, Domestic Cook; Leticia M Labrook, Housemaid and Eilan M Brown, Housemaid.

William Palmer Wilton died at the end of 1957 D Quarter in HAMMERSMITH Volume 05C Page 955, at the age of 88. He was buried, on 3 Jan 1958, in the family plot at Hampstead Cemetery, along with his parents, his brother John and sister Margaret. On his death, Major William Palmer Wilton left the company, Champion & Wilton, to his shop manager Reginald Arkell.

Amusing comment here: "In the early 1950s I met William Wilton who was pretty old then and died soon after. He told me his shop was on Oxford Street and that he lived in Hampstead. From the top floor of his shop he told me that he could see his home “until that man Selfridge built in the way”."

Dorothy Agnes Wilton died on 25 Oct 1965, aged 81.

William and Dorothy's Daughters

Records show that Frances Mary Wilton (42) and Agnes Joan Wilton (37), embarked in Southampton at the end of July 1953 and arrived in Quebec on 4 Aug 1953, aboard the T.S.S. Columbia and then crossed the border into the United States. They gave the address - presumably of where they were going to be staying - as 1725 Orrington Avenue, Evanston, IL.

Frances Mary Wilton died in August 1986, aged 75 and Agnes Joan Wilton died, in 2014 at the grand old age of 98, both in London. Neither married.

Helen Margaret Wilton, married in Hampstead, in 1954 to Kenneth Graeme Todd (b. 1909). Records suggest they had two children (in 1957 and 1960). Kenneth Graeme Todd died, in Surrey in 1994. Helen Margaret Todd died in 2017, in Exeter, Devon. Like her sister, she will have been 98.

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.