John Rookley and Mary Ayres

Kentisbeare : Priest Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/3707225

John Rookley (bap. 9 Jan 1797 in Kentisbeare, Devon), son of James Rookley and Thomazin Salter, married Mary Ayres (bap. 13 Jun 1800 in Kentisbeare), daughter of Zachariah Ayres and Mary Farnell, on 24 May 1820 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare. Witnesses were William Ayres and Charles Knight.

Records suggest John and Mary Rookley had 13 children:

1. Mary Ann Rookley bap. 8 Oct 1820 (Residence: Picksey Pool)
2. John Rookley Jnr b. 1822 (No baptism found)
3. Jane Ayres Rookley bap. 18 Jan 1824 (Residence: Little Silver)
4. James Rookley bap. 20 Aug 1826 (Residence: Crosses)
5. Emma Rookley bap. 1829 in Kentisbeare
6. Elizabeth Ruckley (sic) bap. 13 Feb 1831
7. William Rookley bap. 3 Feb 1833 (Residence: Town)
8. Sarah Ruckley (sic) bap. 24 May 1835 (Residence: Little Silver)
9. Henry Ruckley (sic) bap. 18 Jun 1837 (Residence: Crosses)
10. Thomas Rookley b. 1839 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 257 bap. 14 Apr 1839.
11. Thomasin Rookley b. 1841 M Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 258 bap. 28 Feb 1841
12. Eliza Rookley b. 1843 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 250 bap. 30 Apr 1843
13. Anna Rookley b. 1845 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 266 bap. 1 Jun 1845

All Civil Birth registrations list the surname as Ruckley (doubtlessly, as a result of illiteracy and the Devon accent - on William's baptism the curate has written "Rookley, or as they say Ruckley") and the mother's maiden name as Ayres. On the baptisms of Mary Ann, Jane Ayres and James, John Rookley's occupation is described as a Husbandman (a person who cultivates the land; a farmer), obviously employed casually, but on those of Elizabeth, William, Sarah, Henry, Thomas, Thomasin, Eliza and Anna, he's a Labourer.

In 1841, John Ruckley (45) was in the Devon County House Of Correction, St David's, Exeter, having earned a 6 month sentence for Larceny. Mary and the children don't appear anywhere on this census that I can find.

We do find the family in 1851, when they are listed, unhelpfully, as living in "Village, Kentisbeare". John Rookley (56) is a Farmer of 22 Acres, with the household consisting wife Mary (52), William (19) and Henry (12) Employed on the farm; Thomas (10), Thomasin (8), Eliza (6) and Hannah (Anna) (4).

Mary Rookley died at 59 in 1859 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 282 and was buried on 27 Apr 1859 in Kentisbeare churchyard.

In 1861, listed as John Rockley (sic) (67), widowed, Retired Farmer, was living at Gaddford Hills, Kentisbeare, Devon.

In 1871, John Rookley (78), Farm Labourer, was living at "Moor, Kentisbeare" (Kentis Moor) in the household of James and Thomasin Ridgeway. 

John Rookely died, still said to be aged 78, in 1871 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 279 and was buried on 14 May 1871, in Kentisbeare.

Isaac Horn and Maria Agnes Thaxter

St. George-in-the-East
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Williams - geograph.org.uk/p/3844118

Isaac Horn (b. 21 Aug 1803, bap. 3 Aug 1806 in Thatcham, Berkshire), son of John Horn and Lucy Buckeridge, married Maria Agnes Thaxter (b. 6 Jan 1824 and bap. 21 Mar 1824 at St George in the East, Stepney), daughter of William Thaxter, Labourer in the East India Docks and his wife, Maria, at Christ Church Watney Street, St George in the East, on 24 May 1842. The groom, listed as a bachelor, will have been 39, while Maria was 18. Witnesses were James Massey and Amelia Thaxter, the latter I believe was Maria's sister.

Isaac and Maria had seven children:

1. William Horn b. 14 Oct 1842 D Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 02 Page 103, bap. 13 Nov 1842 at St George in the East
2. John Isaac Horn b. 18 Jul 1845 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 02 Page 109, bap. 31 Aug 1845, as John Isaac Robert Horn
3. George James Horn b. 16 Feb 1848 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 02 Page 132, bap. 5 Mar 1848. Died before his 1st birthday in 1849 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 02 Page 99
4. Edmund Horn b. 1851 M Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 02 Page 128. Died, aged 2, in 1853 M Quarter Vol 01C Page 340
5. Isaac Richard Horn b. 4 July 1856 S Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C Page 406, bap. 27 Jul 1856 at St George in the East
6. Lucy Ann Horn b. 1858 M Qtr in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Vol 01C 452
7. Maria Lucy Horn b. 1862 J Quarter in ST GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 452. Died in 1862 J Quarter Volume 01C Page 314

All of the GRO birth registrations confirm the mother's maiden name of THAXTER. On all of the baptisms, Isaac Horn is listed as a Plumber. On William's baptism in 1842, their address was 39 Lower Cornwell St and on John's in 1845, 29 Lower Cornwell St. On George's baptism in 1848, their address was 5 Back Road and on Isaac's in 1856, it was 5 China Place. 

In 1851, at China Place, Back Road (so the addresses on George's and Isaac's baptisms was the same place), were Isaac Horn (46) Plumber, although it gave his birthplace a Chippenham, Wiltshire; Maria Horn (27) Coffee Shop Keeper; William Horn (8), John Horn (5) and Edwin [they mean Edmund] (0).

Coffee Houses were a thing of the 17th and 18th centuries, places that no “respectable” woman was able to enter and many were haunts for criminals and prostitutes. By the 19th century, coffee houses had declined.

In 1861, at 5, Back Road, St George in the East, were Isaac Horn (56) Plumber and Painter, again with his birthplace listed as Chippenham, Wiltshire; Maria Horn (listed as 51, but she was only 37); William Horn (18) Plumber; John Horn (16) Plumber; Isaac Horn (5) and Lucy Horn (3).

Maria Horn died, at 39, in 1862 D Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 367.

In 1871, Isaac Horn (67) Widower, was Coffee House Keeper at 333 Cable Street. Living with him were William Horn (24) Plumber; Isaac Horn (15) Plumber and Lucy Horn (14). At one time each part of the street bore different names, with Back Road being one of them, so it seems likely they'd been in the same premises since at least 1848. Isaac's birthplace is once again listed as Thatcham, Berkshire. Why it had previously been given as Chippenham, Wiltshire, isn't obvious, but twice isn't an error. The two places are around 50 miles apart. It does appear that Thatcham is correct, however, both of his parents had died by 1810, so perhaps he was brought up in Chippenham.

Isaac Horn, age overestimated to 75, died on 20 Mar 1874 (1874 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE IN THE EAST Volume 01C Page 328).

Robert Hawkins and Ann Shewbrooks

Richard Huish Homes
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Neil Owen - geograph.org.uk/p/3630521
One of Taunton's leading merchants of old, Richard Huish left money for the establishment of homes 'for 13 poor, needy, maimed, impotent and aged men'. The buildings were completed in 1615, the year Huish died; during the nineteenth century, much rebuilding was carried out. 

Robert Hawkins (b. 3 May 1803, bap. 29 May 1803 in Taunton, Somerset), son of Robert Hawkins and Mary Summerhays, married Ann Shewbrooks (bap. 31 Jul 1791, in Taunton), daughter of Edward Shoebrooks and Mary Sparke, at St Mary Magdalene (Taunton Minster), on 23 May 1824.

Robert and Ann had one daughter:

1. Mary Hawkins bap. 13 Jul 1828 at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton.

On Mary's baptism, Robert's occupation is listed as Bricklayer and their address given as Paul Street, Taunton.

In 1841, Robert Hawkins (37) Journeyman Mason, Ann Hawkins (49) and Mary Hawkins (12) were living in High Street, Taunton.

In 1851, we find Robert Hawkins (48) Mason and Ann Hawkins (60).

In 1861, at 3 Tailer Court, High Street, are Robert Hawkins (59) Bricklayer and Ann Hawkins (70) Glover (leather).

Ann Hawkins died at 72, in 1862 J Qtr in TAUNTON Vol 05C Page 279.

In 1871, Robert Hawkins (67) Widower, Mason was at Huishs Almshouse.

In 1881, Robert Hawkins (80) Widower, Mason, was still living at Huish Alms Houses (now Huish Homes), 2, Magdalen Street, Taunton.

Robert Hawkins died in 1886 D Qtr in TAUNTON Vol 05C Page 260.

John Jerred and Frances Ann Orchard

Thorverton: Cherry Tree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/404160

John Jerred (bap. 15 Feb 1835 in Thorverton) son of Joseph Jerred and Sarah Elsworthy, married Frances Ann Orchard (bap. 3 Jul 1831 in Dulverton, Somerset), daughter of James Orchard and Elizabeth How, on 20 May 1862, at the Parish Church of St Thomas a Becket, Thorverton, Devon, as both resided in the parish. John's occupation was listed on marriage as Cooper.

John and Frances Orchard had two children:

1. Lewis Jerrad (sic) b. 19 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 434) in Silverton, Devon
2. Frances Mary Jerrad (sic) b. 3 May 1869 (1869 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 66)

In 1871, at Bishops Court Lodge, Sowton Village, St Thomas, Devon, were John Jerrad (sic) (35) Gardener (Bishop’s Court) from Thoverton, Devon; Frances A Jerrad (39) Ag keeper from Dulverton; Louis Jerrad (8) from Silverton, Devon and Frances M Jerrad (2) born in Heavitree, Devon.

In 1881, at Church Cottage, Halberton were John Jerred (46) Agricultural Labourer; Frances A Jerred (49), Frances M Jerred (11) and George Davey (14) from Uplowman, Devon, Lodger. Louis Jerred (18) was Baker's Apprentice in Angel Hill, Tiverton, to George Hannabus, Master Confectioner from Cadbury, Devon (shoulda named his business after his village). 

In 1891, John Jerred (56), still working as an Ag Lab, and Frances Ann Jerred (59) were living at Court Cottage, Corner, Halberton. Frances Mary Jerred (24) was Servant to Alfred T Gregory in Alsa Terrace, Tiverton.

In 1901, John (66), once more working as a gardener, and Frances Ann (69), had moved into the centre of Tiverton to 12, Hammetts Square. Frances Mary Jerred (31) was working as a Cook for Rev. Donald M Owen, Clergyman in the Church of England, at 25, Bampton Street, Tiverton. (That address is now an ugly modern building in use as the Royal Mail Tiverton Delivery Office.)

In 1911, John Jerred (78) and Frances Jerred (79), were living at 1 The Fords Homes, Old Blundells, Gold Street, Tiverton, Devon. (Alms Houses?) This confirmed they'd been married 49 years and had two children, both still living.

John Jerred died, aged 78, in 1911 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 263.

Frances Ann Gerrod (sic) died at 87 in 1919 M Qtr Vol 05B 693.

James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish

Broadhembury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Stowell - geograph.org.uk/p/6855

James Wood (bap. 2 Aug 1857 in Kentisbeare), son of James Wood and Harriet Gollop, married Mary Ann Melhuish (b. ~1864) on 20 May 1883 at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare. The spaces for Mary Ann's father are left blank on the marriage certificate who consistently said she was born in Clayhidon, Devon. (There was a Mary Ann Melhuish born illegitimately to an Elizabeth Melhuish, on 12 Mar 1863 (1863 J Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 445), but that birth was in Hemyock.) Were they connected to Mary Jane Melhuish, who James' elder brother Henry had married.

James and Mary Ann had 11 children:

1. Robert Wood b. 1883 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 404, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare (Baptised at 18 months old.) 
2. Sarah Ann Wood b. 1885 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 405, bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare
3. Edith Maud Wood b. 24 Jul 1887 (1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421), bap. 14 Aug 1887 in Kentisbeare
4. Harriet Mary Wood b. 23 Nov 1888 (1889 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 419), bap. 13 Jan 1889 in Kentisbeare
5. George Wood b. 30 Aug 1890 (1890 D Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 13), bap. 5 Oct 1890 in Broadhembury
6. Unnamed male Wood b. 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 16 (Died 1893 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14)
7. Eldred James Wood b. 15 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in HONITON Volume 05B Page 14), bap. 1 Apr 1894 in Broadhembury. 
8. Mabel Wood b. 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 385, bap. 8 Aug 1896, marked P.B. Private Baptism, presumably at home. (Died at 21 days old (1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 257), buried 23 Aug 1896, also in Kentisbeare)
9. Roland Ashford Wood b. 25 Jan 1898 (1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 384), bap. 13 Mar 1898 in Kentisbeare
10. Reginald Leonard Wood b. 8 May 1901 (1901 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378), bap. ? 1901 in Blackborough
11. Mabel Frances Wood b. 1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 380 (Died at 26 days old (1904 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 307), buried 17 Jan 1904 in Blackborough)

In 1891 the family were living in Broad Road, Broadhembury, Honiton with James Wood (32) Agricultural Labourer, Mary A (29), Robert (7), Sarah A (5), Edith M (3), Harriet M (2) and George (0).

In 1901, they were back in Kentisbeare at Hollis Green, with James Wood (43), Mary A (39), Edith (13), Harriet M (12), George (10), Eldred J (7) and Roland A (3). I've been unable to find either Robert or Sarah Ann. 

In 1911, at Cobblers Hall, Kentisbeare, were James Wood (53), Mary Ann (49), Sarah Ann Wood (25) Servant Cook, and Reginald Leonard Wood (9). They confirm on this census that they had 11 children during their 28 years of marriage, with 8 still living and 3 had died. Harriet Mary Wood (23) from Kentisbeare, Devon was Cook in the household of James Browning Young (63) Retired Captain Royal Navy at Wimborne Minster, Dorset.

James Wood died at 61 on 11 Nov 1918 (1918 D Quarter in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 833) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

In 1921, Mary Ann Wood (58) Widow, was living at Downlands, Kentisbeare, Devon with Roland Ashford Wood (23) & Reginald Leonard Wood (20) Farm Labourers; Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8) Grandson; Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) Grandson; Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) Granddaughter and Robert Wood (37) Visitor (eldest son).

In 1939, Mary Ann Wood, Widow, was living at 15, Blackborough with her youngest son, Reginald Leonard, then employed as a Rabbit Trapper. 

Mary Ann Wood died ~91 on 6 Jan 1955 (1955 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 07A Page 1000) and buried with her late husband at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.

• George Wood died on 29 Dec 1953 and is buried at St Mary's, Kentisbeare, with his brother Reginald and niece, Connie Edmond.
• Eldred James Wood served in the Devonshire Regiment during World War I and married Margaret Evans in Pontypridd, Glamorgan, Wales in 1916. Eldred James Wood died on 19 Aug 1967 in Weymouth, Dorset and was buried back at St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare. Margaret Wood died on 8 Jul 1975 and was buried with her late husband.
• Roland Ashford Wood married Cicely Butt in 1939. That year they were living at Bodmiscombe Wood, where Roland was a Farmer. Roland Ashford Wood died on 28 Feb 1975. Cicely Wood died on 23 Oct 1981. They are buried together at St Mary's, Kentisbeare.
• Reginald Leonard Wood of 15 Blaydon Cottages, Blackborough, 53, died on 18 Jun 1954 (1954 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 07A Page 725) at Tiverton and District Hospital. As he left his effects to his widowed mother, he probably hadn't married. 

William Thompson Wykes and Ada Doe

The Church of St. Nicholas, Deptford Green
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Lunn - geograph.org.uk/p/508224

William Thompson Wykes (b. 1869), son of William Wykes and Elizabeth Thompson, married Ada Doe (b. 26 May 1867 in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk), daughter of George Doe and Susannah Gates, at St Nicholas Church, Deptford Green on 17 May 1894. Ada was born at Garland Street, Bury St Edmunds (PDF), where the family still lived in 1871, and was baptised on 20 Sep 1868 at St Edmundsbury Cathedral (parish church of St James).

William and Ada had three children:

1. William Thompson Wykes b. 1895 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1073, bap. 22 May 1895 at St Paul's, Deptford
2. Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes b. 15 Jan 1897 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1097
3. Ada Florence Wykes b. 17 May 1905 J Quarter in SAINT OLAVE BERMONDSEY Volume 01D Page 232

All of the GRO birth registration have the mother's maiden name DOE.

In 1901, William Wykes (31) Light plater iron work, was at 5, Abinger Road, Deptford with Ada Wykes (33), William Wykes (6) and Daisy Wykes (4).

In 1911, William Wykes (41) Light iron worker was living at 12 Neckinger Street, Dockhead, Bermondsey with Ada Wykes (43), William Wykes (16) Printers layer on; Daisy Wykes (14) and Ada Wykes (5). 

William Thompson Wykes died, aged just 45, in 1915 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1586.

Private William Thompson Wykes 1st/22nd Bn London Regiment was killed in action, presumed on or since 30 Dec 1915 and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, located near the commune of Loos-en-Gohelle, in the Pas-de-Calais département of France. The memorial lists 20,610 names of British and Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave who were killed in the area during and after the Battle of Loos, which started on 25 Sep 1915.

In 1921, Ada Wykes (53) Bath Attendant for Bermondsey Council was living at 35, St James's Road, Bermondsey, with Ada Wykes (16) Millinery and her brother, George Doe (51) from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Out of Work. 

In 1939, Ada Wykes, Money Taker (Retired) (assume cashier, not criminal LOL) and Ada F Longhurst, Shop Assistant, were living at 23 Sylvan Grove, Peckham, with Stephen Mason in the household, presumably a lodger.

Ada Wykes died, aged 73, in 1940 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 1299.

• Daisy Ann Elizabeth Wykes married Frank George Collins (b. 10 Mar 1887 in Rotherhithe), son of Thomas Dederick Collins and Amelia Martha Roberts, in Southwark, in 1920. They had three children: Frank William Collins b. 1 Oct 1920; William Thomas Collins b. 6 Feb 1923 and Joan Emily Collins b. 1926. In 1939, Frank G Collins, Paint Warehouseman; Daisy A E Collins, Frank William Collins and William T Collins were living at 76 Harp Road, Ealing, where the couple remained for the rest of their lives. Frank George Collins died on 10 Aug 1973 and Daisy Ann Elizabeth Collins, on 17 Sep 1975.
• Ada Florence Wykes married Frederick Richard Longhurst (b. 1 Feb 1912), son of Frederick William Longhurst and Hannah Eliza Warner, in Deptford, London, in 1935. In 1939, Ada F Longhurst was living with her mother, in Peckham, while Frederick Richard Longhurst was serving in the Royal Artillery. They had one son, born in 1941. Frederick Richard Longhurst died, in Lambeth, in 1992. Ada Florence Longhurst died, also in Lambeth, in 2002.

William George Beamer and Elsie May Carver

HMS Impregnable in the Hamoaze off Devonport Dockyard

William George Beamer (b. 4 Jan 1886 in East Stonehouse), son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Elsie May Carver (b. 22 Nov 1894, bap. 16 Dec 1894 at Holy Trinity Church), daughter of Charles Frederick Carver from Clerkenwell, London and Frances Rundle, native of Plymouth, at the Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity, which church was located in Southside Street/Friars Lane, Barbican, Plymouth, on 17 May 1916. (This church no longer exists because it was was destroyed in the Second World War.)

At 16, in 1901, William George Beamer had been a member of the crew of HMS Impregnable 1st Rate (Training Ship For Boys), in the Hamoaze, Devonport off Maker, St Germans, Cornwall. (HMS Impregnable became the Royal Navy's second boys' training ship at Devonport in 1862.)

Having signed up for a further 12 years in the Royal Navy, on 4 Feb 1903, William was discharged, invalided, on 8 Jun 1905. Then on 9 Sep 1905, he enlisted in the British Army in the Devonshire Regiment. One wonders what condition was classed as invalid for the Navy, but still fit for the Army.

Next we find William George Beamer (26), in 1911, with the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment, stationed at Saint Georges Barracks, Malta. (Part of the Pembroke Army Garrison, at Pembroke, Malta, near St. Julian's.)

William George Beamer was the recipient of a Silver War Badge, having been discharged from the Machine Gun Corps on 30 Mar 1917, under King's Regulation 392 (xvi) “No longer physically fit for war service". "He has a Ministry of Pensions record card which shows him as 22105 MG, residing at 13 Walsdon Rd, Plymouth. He was discharged on 30.3.17. Cause - deafness. He was entitled to the Silver War Badge number 197170." (The Silver War Badge was designed to be worn on civilian clothes after early discharge from the army. The accompanying certificate will have read, "Served with honour and was disabled in the Great War. Honourably discharged on ...")

Elsie's younger brother, Charles Frederick Carver (b. 1898), 5th (Prince of Wales's) Battalion (Territorials), Devonshire Regiment, son of Charles F. and Frances Carver, of 5, Artizan's Dwellings, Notte St., Plymouth, was killed in action on 20 Jul 1918 and is buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, France.

In 1921, William George Beamer (35) General Labourer for the Admiralty, and Elsie M Beamer (25) were living at 13, Wolsdon Street, Plymouth.

In 1939, William G Beamer, Skilled Labourer HM Dockyard, wife Elsie M Beamer and John F Carver (b. 1902), Road Repair Labourer (Elsie's brother), were still living at 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, Plymouth - buildings in that street were destroyed in the Second World War and demolished.

William George Beamer, of 5 Artizans Dwellings, Notte Street, died on 1 Jan 1956 (1956 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 834).

Elsie May Beamer died in the 4th quarter of 1973, aged 79.

James Wevell and Martha Wilton

Gill Street, Charters Towers, Australia - circa 1910 (Via)

James Wevell (b. 1861 M Quarter in BODMIN Volume 05C Page 92), son of William Wevell and Mary Searle, married Martha Wilton, daughter of Ann Wilton, at St George's Church, Wells Way, Camberwell, on 17 May 1884. As had her brother, Martha listed her father as an 'invented' John Wilton.

On 8 Oct 1884, James Wevell (23) and Martha Wevell (24) embarked on the SS Duke of Westminster at Gravesend, under Queensland Assisted Immigration, arriving in Brisbane on 8 Dec 1884. 

This very fulsome report in the Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), dated Wed 10 Dec 1884, under Vessels in Harbour, details the whole voyage: 

"The Duke of Westminster, under the command of Captain D C Long, left London on the 7th October, on her third voyage to Queensland, embarked her passengers at Gravesend next day and proceeded on her voyage the same night. On the following day, at noon when abreast the Isle of Wight she encountered a strong gale from the south west, which continued until she was nearly through the Bay of Biscay; passed through the Straights of Gibraltar at 7 am on the 14th; arrived at Malta at daylight on the 19th, where she coaled and took in fresh provisions, leaving at 5 pm the same day. 

Throughout the Mediterranean she experienced fine weather, with light wind and pleasant temperature; arrived in Port Said on October 22nd at noon, and commenced coaling immediately; she also took on board sixty tons of cargo for Queensland ports; entered the Canal on the following morning; had a successful passage through, arriving at Suez on the 24th at 1 pm, the passage through the Red Sea was hot and sultry, with light following breezes; arrived at Aden on the 31st October at 10 am, leaving same evening at 7 o'clock; arrived at Colombo on the 8th November at noon; filled up with coals, discharged and took in cargo, leaving the next morning at daylight; throughout the Indian Ocean had thick cloudy weather, accompanied by a considerable amount of rain, and experienced a continuance of contrary currents; arrived at Batavia [present-day Jakarta, Indonesia] on November 17th at 8 am, discharged 200 tons cargo; left again at dawn on the 18th; passed through Sunda Straights at 8 pm on the 20th, and arrived at Thursday Island on November 21st at 8 am; left again in the afternoon after discharging cargo into the hulk. 

She arrived in Cooktown November 30th, at noon; Townsville December 2nd, at daybreak; Bowen on the 4th, at 6 am; Mackay same day at 9 pm; left at midnight, and anchored in Port Alma at 6:30 pm on the 5th. The Duke of Westminster has had an exceedingly successful voyage from England and the health of the passengers has been exceptionally good. She had on board altogether 456 passengers for the Queensland Ports, and 3000 tons of cargo. She landed 67 passengers, and 400 tons of cargo for Rockhampton, and left at 5 am on the 7th for Brisbane." 

James and Martha had a son, John Henry Wevell, born in Queensland on 20 Apr 1885, so Martha was 2-3 months pregnant at the start of the voyage.

However, Martha Wevell died on 5 Oct 1885, from Typhoid. She is buried at the Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery, Charters Towers, Charters Towers Region, Queensland, Australia, Section 5, Grave 1409. John Henry Wevell died, at 8 months, on 25 Dec 1885, from Gastric Fever, and was also buried at Charters Towers Pioneer Cemetery, Section 5, Grave 1482. 

The town of Charters Towers was founded in the 1870s when gold was discovered by chance at Towers Hill on Christmas Eve 1871, so we can assume that James and Martha went there looking for gold and no surprise whatsoever to find a Cornishman in a mining town on the other side of the world. It looks like James Wevell returned to the UK and remarried, but astonishingly, there's more than one James Wevell in Cornwall, of his age, so further investigation is needed to untangle the records. One in particular however, later travels to South Africa, where he died in 1950. 

William Dalton and Sarah Travally

St Mary & Holy Trinity, Bow Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/3616000

William Dalton (b. 26 Dec 1742, bap. 16 Jan 1743 at St Paul's Church, Shadwell), son of Thomas and Mary Dalton, married Sarah Travally (b. 5 Aug 1739), daughter of Winnall Travally and Elizabeth Benbow. Entries in the Parish Register of St. Mary, Stratford, Bow in East London (Bow Church), obtained from the Greater London Record office (later London Metropolitan Archives and now The London Archives) and reported in The Journal of the Dalton Genealogical Society Volume 12 No. 2 page 8) [Source], state that Dalton, William, Batchelor and Sarah Travaly (sic), Spinster, both of this parish, were married in this church by banns on 15 May 1763. 

This couple had seven children: 

1. Elizabeth Dalton b. Friday, 13 July 1764, bap. 5 Aug 1764 (at 23 days old) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney
2. Winnall Travally Dalton b. Monday, 28 July 1766, bap. 24 Aug 1766 (the record says he was 27 days old) at St Anne's, Limehouse
3. William Benbow Dalton b. Sunday, 22 Nov 1767, bap. 20 Dec 1767 (at 28 days old) at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney. He was buried on 14 Jan 1768, also at St Dunstan and All Saints
4. Thomas Benbow Dalton b. 6 May 1770
5. Sarah Dalton b. 22 May 1778
6. Martha Dalton b. 2 Oct 1780
7. Ebenezer Dalton b. 16 Aug 1782

The baptism records list their father's occupation as Caulker, a person who caulks the seams of boats; to make (a vessel) watertight by filling the seams between the planks with oakum or other material driven snug. In the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Ezekiel refers to the caulking of ships as a specialist skill.

The records for the last four children are unusual. Those in 'England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975' mention Saint Dunstan and All Saints Church, Stepney (as in parish), but they do not follow the usual format of Christian baptisms and specify the dates as birth dates, not of christenings. They each also include the information: "Maternal Grandfather's Name, Winnal Travaly and Maternal Grandmother's Name, Elizabeth", so we can have no doubt that these are the children of this couple and their pedigree. There were witnesses to all these birth records too, which in all four cases were Elizabeth Gabbedey and Esther Travally, both of whom were Sarah's sisters. Repeated in the record set, 'England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977', which specified each child's birthplace as "White Horse Street, St Dunstans Stepney, Middlesex." "White Horse Street was the main street of the medieval village of Stepney, centred around St Dunstan’s Church. Until the nineteenth century, although there were buildings along White Horse Street itself, the surrounding area was mainly open fields." [Source] These records are from Dr Williams' Library Registry; Registers of certificates, an early birth register of Protestant dissenters. 

William Dalton from Poplar died in his 57th year and was buried, on 9 Jul 1799, at St Anne's Limehouse. Probate was granted on 15 Jul 1799. The Will of William Dalton of Naval Row [1] Hamlet [of] Poplar Stepney, Middlesex tells us that he was leaving "to my loving wife Sarah Dalton all my household furniture, plate, silver, china and whatsoever else shall be in my house at my [unreadable] for her sole use and for her disposal as she may think fit, likewise all the interest arising from my property in the Funds at the Bank of England." He also mentions his children by name, viz: Elizabeth, Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton, Sarah, Martha and Ebeneezer. 

[1] The Naval Row Conservation Area was designated in January 1987 by the London Docklands Development Corporation. It is defined to the north by the listed perimeter wall of the former East India Docks. Laid out in the early 19th century, Naval Row takes its name from a small terrace constructed c. 1782 by John Perry (1743-1810), owner of Blackwall Yard, where he built ships largely for the East India Company. To live at that address, one assumes that William Dalton must have worked for John Perry. Caulking was certainly a skill he will have needed in building and maintaining ships. It's clear Dalton was not just an ordinary labouring caulker and it looks to have been a close association - not just from William Dalton's address and financial position - but also as William and Sarah Dalton were witnesses at the marriage of John Perry's sister, Elizabeth, to Sarah's (and my) cousin, Elnathan Ayres.

NB: Many family trees at Ancestry wrongly claim that Sarah Dalton died in 1792 in Lambeth. Wrong area. More importantly, William Dalton wouldn't be leaving his property to "his loving wife", if she'd died several years before him.

The Will of Sarah Dalton of the Hamlet of Poplar in the Parish of St Dunstans, Stepney, Middlesex, Widow - so we absolutely know William died first - also confirms this. Her Will is dated 15 Mar 1813 and the Probate date is 19 Feb 1818, so we can be pretty sure she died between Mar 1813 and Feb 1818, although, in her case, I haven't [yet] been able to find a corresponding burial. Sarah requests "to be directly buried as near to the remains of my late husband as possible and my funeral to be in the same manner" [one hopes therefore that she's also buried at St Anne's Limehouse); directs her goods and chattels to be sold; the property of her late husband William Dalton as it stands in the Bank of England viz one thousand four hundred pounds in the five per cents ... and one hundred pounds in the three per cents .... [2]  to be equally divided between my five children [3], namely Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton, Ebenezer Dalton and my daughters Sarah Dent and Martha Butterfield also give and bequeath my watch and rings to the said Martha Butterfield and five pieces of [unreadable] work to the said Sarah Dent also my wearing apparel and household linen to be equally divided between my said daughters Sarah Dent and Martha Butterfield. Lastly also nominate and appoint my said sons Winnall Travally Dalton, Thomas Benbow Dalton and my son-in-law William Butterfield to be joint Executors.

[2] These funds in the five percents and three percents, may be reasonably assumed to have been Consols (originally short for consolidated annuities, but subsequently taken to mean consolidated stock) were government debt issues in the form of perpetual bonds, redeemable at the option of the government. The first British consols were issued by the Bank of England in 1751. 

[3] Sarah names five children, which suggests Elizabeth pre-deceased her.

Isaac Archer and Sophia Hockley

Church End, Great Dunmow, Essex
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Robert Edwards - geograph.org.uk/p/127523

Isaac Archer (bap. 12 Oct 1828), son of Samuel Archer and Ann Enifer, married Sophia Hockley (bap. 14 Aug 1831), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, on 13 May 1848 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The bride was only 16. Witnesses were James Archer and Emma Archer.

But Sophia Archer died, aged 17 (1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW Vol 12 Page 55) and was buried on 13 Nov 1848, at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow. The reasons for such an early marriage and probable cause of death are easy to work out: Sophia had given birth to a daughter, Esther Archer in 1848 S Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 12 Page 73, bap. 13 Sep 1848, presumably posthumously, as the infant had also died in 1848 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 56 and was also buried on 13 Nov 1848.

In 1851, Isaac Archer (20ish) Ag Lab, born in Dunmow, Essex, was a lodger in the household of a Henry Peters (30) in Navestock, Essex.

No surprise that Isaac Archer (24), Widower, married Hannah Morrill (19) (bap. 5 Jan 1834 in High Roding), Spinster, daughter of Charles & Elizabeth Morrill, at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock, on 23 May 1852.

Isaac and Hannah Archer had four daughters:

1. Esther Ann Archer b. 13 Feb 1853 (1853 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 62), bap. 3 Apr 1853 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
2. Emily Eliza Archer b. 1855 D Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 60, bap. 30 Dec 1855 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
3. Sarah Eliza Archer b. 1859 S Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 73, bap. 31 Jul 1859 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock
4. Eliza Archer b. 1861 (1862 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 73), bap. 11 Feb 1862 at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock

In 1861, Isaac Archer (29ish) Ag Lab from Great Dunmow, Essex, was living 'On the Road by Sabines Green', Navestock, Ongar, Essex with Hanah Archer (27), Esther Archer (8), Emily Archer (6), Sarah Archer (2) and Charles Morrill (74) Widower, Father-in-law. (Charles Morrell (sic) (77) of the Union House Dunmow [Workhouse] was buried on 13 Jul 1866 in High Roding.)

Then Hannah Archer died at 26 in 1862 M Quarter in ONGAR Volume 04A Page 46, presumably in giving birth to her fourth daughter, and was buried on 16 Feb 1862, at St Thomas the Apostle, Navestock.

So, Isaac Archer married for a 3rd time to Eliza Stokes on 17 May 1863 in Theydon Bois, Essex. It was her third marriage also; born Eliza Juniper (b. 19 Sep 1810, bap. 14 Oct 1810), daughter of Timothy Juniper and Ann Pearce, she married Joseph Sweeting on 5 Nov 1830 in Great Dunmow.

Joseph and Eliza Sweeting had five children:

1. Rachel Sweeting bap. 30 Oct 1831 in Great Dunmow
2. George Sweeting bap. 12 Oct 1834 in Great Dunmow
3. Susan Sweeting bap. 30 Jul 1837 in Great Dunmow
4. Moses Sweeting b. 1839 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 67, bap. 7 Apr 1839 in Great Dunmow
5. Cornelius Sweeting b. 1841 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 70, bap. 18 Apr 1841 in Great Dunmow

On both birth registrations their mother's maiden name is JUNIPER.

Joseph Sweeting had died at 36 in 1841 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 64 and was buried on 24 Feb 1841 in Great Dunmow.

In 1841, Eliza Sweeting (30) Widow and her five children were living at Halfway House, Great Dunmow. We're going round in circles again.

Eliza Sweeting (37), Widow, daughter of Timothy Juniper, married William Stokes (40) at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow, on 12 Aug 1849.

William and Eliza Stokes had a son:

1. Alfred Stokes b. 1850 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 78 (even if his mother's maiden name was amusingly mis-transcribed as JUMPER), bap. 10 Nov 1850 in Great Dunmow.

But William Stokes died, at 48, in 1857 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 227 and was buried on 19 Sep 1857 in Great Dunmow.

In 1861, Eliza Stokes (49) Widow for the 2nd time was living in Phreaders Green, Great Dunmow with her sons George Sweeting (26) and Alfred Stokes (10) (next-door-but-one to the also widowed Eliza Hockley).

In 1871, Isaac Archer (41ish) Ag Lab, Eliza Archer (56ish) from Little Sailing, Essex were living at Blunts Farm Cottages, Theydon Garnon, Epping, Essex, with Sarah Archer (11), Eliza Archer (10) and Alfred Stokes (20) Step-Son. Esther Ann Archer (19) was a Domestic Servant at Union Street (Gas Works), West Ham; Emily Archer (16) was General Domestic Servant to Matthias Dunstan, National Schoolmaster at High Street Chapel Lane, Epping.

Then Eliza Archer (65) died in 1873 D Quarter in EPPING UNION Volume 04A Page 66 and was buried on 5 Nov 1873 in Theydon Garnon.

For now, I've lost sight of Isaac Archer, however, all of his daughters appear to marry and relocate to Lancashire, some working in the cotton industry.

In 1881, Alfred Stokes (31) was an Inmate in the Union Workhouse, Great Dunmow. He died at 33 and was buried on 16 Sep 1884 in Great Dunmow.