Walter White and Florence Mary Parsonage

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

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

Walter and Florence had five children:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thomas Mason and Charlotte Dixon

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

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

Thomas and Charlotte Mason had nine children:

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

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

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

Thomas Mason must have died between 1875 and 1881.

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

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

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

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

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

Stephen Thomas Wilton and Sarah Anna Laver

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

Stephen Thomas Wilton (bap. 29 May 1842 at St Giles, Mountnessing), Batchelor, Cabinet Maker, son of Henry Wilton and Sarah Staines, married Sarah Anna Laver (b. 1854) on 21 Feb 1874 at the church of St. John the Baptist, Hoxton. Both listed their address as 9 Alma Street, Hoxton. Reported in The Essex Standard, West Suffolk Gazette, and Eastern Counties' Advertiser of Friday, February 27, 1874, it states that Sarah Anna was the second daughter of the late Mr. John Laver, of Felsted [and his wife Caroline Stevenson]. Witnesses were Robert Laver and Caroline Harrison (Sarah Anna's mother, who had remarried to James Harrison in 1868.)

Stephen and Sarah Wilton had five children:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essex Newsman 21 June 1884:

DISTRESSING SUICIDE OF A TRADESMAN

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

Hackney and Kingsland Gazette 16 June 1884 

Report from the Hackney and
Kingsland Gazette 16 June 1884

SAD SUICIDE AT CLAPTON 

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

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

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

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

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

David Minns and Hannah Marsh

St Remigius Church, Hethersett, Norfolk

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

Records can be identified for seven children of this family: 

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

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

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

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

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

James Wood and Harriet Gollop

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

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

Records suggest that James and Harriet had seven children: 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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