John Soppit and Louisa Tompson

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

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

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

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

John and Emma then had a further two children, who, given the same early dates in the same year, must have been twins.

1. Joseph William Soppit b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D  Page 476 and baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried, at St Nicholas Church, Hetton-le-Hole, on 27 Apr 1871. (1871 S Quarter in HOUGHTON LE SPRING Volume 10A Page 312).
2. Catherine Emma Soppit, b. 1871 M Quarter in GUISBROUGH Volume 09D Page 476, also baptised in Eston, Yorkshire on 17 Apr 1871. Buried on 30 April 1871, and the burial record says she was aged 2 weeks or months. The death is registered as 1873 S Quarter in DURHAM Volume 10A Page 240, which is either two years late, or there's an error.

In 1871, John Soppitt (sic), Engine Fitter, was living with wife, Emma, and children; Mary (5), Joseph Wm (0) and Catherine (0), and Elizabeth Turner (15), Servant, in Princess Street, Normanby, Guisborough, Yorkshire.

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

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

John Soppit and Louisa Tompson had another 6 children:

1. Catherine Sarah Winship Soppit b. 4 Apr 1876 (1876 J Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D 925), bap. 4 Jun 1876 at St Nicholas, Deptford.
2. Joseph Daniel Soppit, b. 23 Sep 1877 (1877 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 973)
3. John Benjamin Soppit, b. 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 941 (Died 1880 S Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 560)
4. John Winship Soppit b. 1 Mar 1882 (1882 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 943), bap. 10 Jun 1883 at Christ Church, Watney Street [Source]
5. Benjamin Tompson Soppit b. 13 Nov 1884 (1885 M Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 415), bap. 1 Mar 1885 at St Mary, Shortlands, Kent
6. Louisa Adcock Soppit b. 26 Oct 1887 (1887 D Quarter in BROMLEY Volume 02A Page 424)

In 1881, John Soppet (sic), 36, Engine Fitter, was a boarder in the household of Jane Granger (58) at 29, Donald Street, Stockton upon Tees. Louisa was at the pub with her brother-in-law, Daniel Bottrill, with Emma's daughter, Mary; daughter Catherine and son Joseph, while her sister was away in Devon. 

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

The following report of The Bromley Petty Sessions appeared in the Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser of 6 July 1893:

REFUSING TO QUIT. George Herbert, builder, of 19, Plaistow Lane, Bromley, was summoned by John Soppit, landlord of the Shortlands Tavern, Shortlands, for being disorderly and quarrelsome on licenced premises and refusing to quit the same, on June 27. Mr Gregory appeared for the complainant, and Mr L. Lewis for the defendant, who pleaded guilty. Mr Gregory stated that the defendant used fearful language towards the complainant. Mr Lewis stated that the defendant had not the slightest idea of having used any bad language until he received the summons. He urged that as the defendant had made this apology the magistrates should inflict a mitigated penalty. The Chairman said he had never heard such bad language. The defendant would be fined 40s with 8s costs, or 21 days' hard labour. Mr Lewis asked for time, but this was refused. 

The London (South) 1896 Suburban Publicans directory still lists John Soppit at the Shortlands Tavern, but by 1901, the family were residing in a quite grand double-fronted house at 20, Honley Road, Catford, Lewisham. John Soppit (56), Licenced Victualler, is listed with wife Louisa (56), sons John (19) and Benjamin (16) - who have followed their father's original trade as Joiners - daughter Louisa (13) and they can afford a General Domestic Servant. 

John Soppit had also been the licensee of the Princess Royal in Croydon, where he employed his nephew, John Benjamin Botterill, as his manager.

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

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

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

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

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

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

William Tidborough and Mary Hawkins

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

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

William Tidborough had previously married Jane Manley in the first quarter of 1852, in Wells, Somerset, with whom he had two children:

1. Sarah Tidberough (sic) b. 1852 D Quarter in WELLS Volume 05C Page 565, bap. 2 Jan 1853 at St Cuthbert, Wells, Somerset. Died in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 341.
2. John Tidberough (sic) b. 1854 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 380. Died in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 340.

Jane Tidberough (sic) also died, aged 27, in 1855 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 339; wife and both children dying in the same year.

William had two further children with Mary:

1. Anne Tidborough b. 1856 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 393. Died aged 14, in 1871 M Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 291 and was buried on 19 Jan 1871, at St Mary Magdalene.
2. Elizabeth Tidberough (sic) b. 1858 S Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 411, bap 12 Sep 1858 at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton. Died in 1860 J Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 291. The infant was buried on 6 Apr 1860, at St Mary Magdalene, Taunton.

Sarah's and Elizabeth's baptisms list their father's occupation as Miller.

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

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

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

Mary had one daughter with her second husband:

1. Henrietta Elizabeth Sully b. 1865 S Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 404, bap. 13 Jul 1865 at St Mary Magdalene. Died, aged 10, in 1875 D Quarter in TAUNTON Volume 05C Page 271 and was buried, on 22 Oct 1875, at St Mary Magdalene.

Henrietta's baptism lists her father as Deputy Governor Of Wilton Gaol. 

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

What do we know about Henry Sully?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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