Friday, 28 February 2025

Thomas Tubb and Louisa Wearn

King Street, Portsmouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Jaggery - geograph.org.uk/p/3754148

Thomas Tubb (b. ~1818, bap. 24 Apr 1820 at St Mary's Church, Portsea), Bachelor, Labourer from Bow Street, Portsea, son of William Tubb and Sarah Chard, married Lousia Wearn (b. ~1824), daughter of John Wearn and Mary Billinger, at St Mary's Church, Portsea on 28 Feb 1841

Thomas and Louisa had nine children in total:
  1. Thomas Alfred Tubb b. 1841 S Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 07 Page 120. Died, aged 1, in 1842 D Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 07 Page 101 and was buried on 30 Oct 1842 at St Mary's, Portsea.
  2. Louisa Ann Tubb b. 1843 S Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 131
  3. Mary Tubb b. 1845 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 128
  4. Sarah Tubb b. 1848 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 07 Page 140
  5. Samuel Henry Tubb. b. 1852 M Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 02B Page 402. Died, aged 19, in 1871  D Quarter in PORTSEA Volume 02B Page 246 and buried on 29 Oct 1871 at St Mary's, Portsea. See below.
  6. Hannah Tubb b. 1854 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 364. Daughter of Thomas & Louisa Tubb of Bow Street, Landport, died aged 1, and was buried on 9 May 1856 at Kingston Cemetery.
  7. Emma Jane Tubb b. 24 Mar 1857 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 383
  8. Frances Tubb b. 1860 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 371. Died, aged 47, in 1907 D Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B Page 273.
  9. Charlotte Elizabeth Tubb b. 1863 M Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 457
In 1841, Thomas Tubb (22) Brush Maker and Louisa Tubb (20) were living in the Borough of Portsmouth, Parish of Portsea (Exact address unreadable).

In 1851, Thomas Tubb (33) Labourer was living at 18, Bow Street, Portsea (Bow Street was later re-named Station Street) with Louisa Tubb (27), Louisa Tubb (8), Mary Tubb (6), Sarah Tubb (3), John Silkcrialk (81) Visitor and his daughter Ann Silkcrialk (36) and Charles Collins (44) Lodger.

In 1861, living at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, were Thomas Tubb (45) Brush maker; Louisa Tubb (39) Stay maker; Louisa A Tubb (17) Stay maker; Sarah Tubb (13), Samuel H Tubb (9), Emma J Tubb (4), Frances Tubb (1), as well as Mary Wearn (82) Widow, who was Louisa's mother (who died in 1869).

In 1871, still at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, were Thomas Tubb (54) Brush maker; Louisa Tubb (49) Monthly nurse; Samuel Tubb (19) Sawyer; Emma Tubb (14), Fanny [Frances] Tubb (11) and [Charlotte] Elizabeth Tubb (7). Among those also living at that address at that time was John Johnson (50) Ship's Caulker from Sidlesham (nr Chichester), Sussex, Lodger.

Many newspapers nationally carried the story, on 27 Oct 1871, of A FATAL CASE OF SOMNAMBULISM. "An inquest was held before the Portsmouth coroner (Mr W H Garrington) on Tuesday evening on the body of Samuel Henry Tubb. The deceased, a young man of 19 years of age, was an inmate of the Workhouse, his intellect being impaired, and he was in the habit of walking in his sleep. A few evenings ago the attendant in his ward heard a noise, and on going outside found the deceased lying on the ground in a state of insensibility. The window of the ward had been unfastened, and it is supposed that the deceased then got out, falling onto the yard, a depth of sixteen feet. The medical officer (Dr Page) was called, but the deceased never recovered sufficiently to give and account of the occurrence, and died from concussion of the brain. The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death."

The Hampshire Advertiser, on 28 Oct 1871, reported it as FATAL ACCIDENT TO A LUNATIC and added the detail that, "Louisa Tubb, the wife of Thomas Tubb, a hawker, residing in Bow Street, Landport, having identified the body as that of her son, said he was a labourer and lived at home with her. In July of last year he was admitted to the lunatic ward of the workhouse, and never complained of the treatment he received there. She and other members of the family were allowed to visit him, and they were all satisfied that he was well cared for." Dr Page added, "the deceased was very inoffensive, and did not require restraint. He was classed among the imbecile patients ..."

Thomas Tubb, Brush maker, with his address listed as Union House Portsea (Workhouse, later St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth), died aged 56 and was buried from St Mary's church on 2 Aug 1874, at Kingston Cemetery.

And so, Louisa Ann Tubb (52) Widow of Bow Street, daughter of John Wearn, married John Johnson (52) Carpenter, Bachelor, also of Bow Street (i.e. the Lodger), son of Henry Johnson, at St Mary's, Portsea on 14 Apr 1875.

In 1881, at 45, Bow Street, Portsea, John Johnson (60) Carpenter from Chichester, Sussex, was then head of the household, with Louisa Johnson (59), Emma Tubb (23) Machinist sempstress; Fanny Tubb (21) Stay boner; Elizabeth Tubb (18) Dress maker (apprentice) - all listed as Daughter-in-law, when they are really Step-daughters, but these terms were often used interchangeably in this period - and [Samuel] Henry Tollervey (9) Grandson - son of Louisa Ann Tubb, who had married John Tollervey in 1853.

In 1891, John Johnson (70) Naval pensioner; Louisa Johnson (68) and Emma J Tubb (33) Stay machinist, were living at 4, King Street, Portsea. Fanny Tubb (30) Charwoman, was a Lodger in the household of William J Morgan (68) Tailor in Upper Church Path, Portsea.

Fanny Tubb (33), then of 13 Upper Church Path, Portsmouth, was admitted to St James' Hospital, Portsmouth, still a mental health facility, on 12 Jan 1894, suffering from Delusional Insanity, where she died on 21 Oct 1907.

There is a record of the death of John Johnson (75) in 1897 M Quarter in PETWORTH Volume 02B Page 227. He could have still had family in Sussex, but my feeling is that being old and perhaps infirm and unable to work and needing healthcare, he could have been sent back to the nearest workhouse to his place of birth, which may well have been the Workhouse in Petworth.

In 1901, Louisa Johnson (78) Widow, Living on Parish relief, was living at 2, King Street, Portsmouth, with Emma Tubb (43) Stay machinist and Charles Coles (73) Widower, Carpenter (retired) from Boxgrove, Sussex, Boarder. 

Louisa Ann Johnson died, aged 81, in 1905 S Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 266.

Robert Gollop and Sophia Underdown

St Cuthbert's church, Widworthy
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/443571

Robert Gollop (b. 8 Dec 1805, bap. 6 Apr 1806 in Shute, Devon), son of Robert Gollop and Jane Horton married Sophia Underdown, daughter of Thomas Underdown and Susannah Underdown (also her maiden name, so were possibly cousins), on 28 Feb 1837 at St Cuthbert's church, Widworthy. (Sophia, whose parents had married in Southleigh on 27 Apr 1795, was born on 20 Jan 1809 and baptised, on 22 May 1809, in Colyton, Devon.)

Robert and Sophia had four children:
  1. Charles Benjamin Gollop b. 1837 D Quarter in AXMINSTER UNION Volume 10 Page 7, bap. 7 Jan 1838 in Widworthy
  2. Amos Robert Gollop b. 1839 D Quarter in AXMINSTER UNION Volume 10 Page 7, bap. 15 Dec 1839 in Widworthy, Devon
  3. Emanuel Gollop b. 30 Jan 1842 (1842 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 10 Page 125), bap. 25 Mar 1842 in Offwell
  4. Sophia Gollop b. 1844 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 10 Page 120, bap. 9 Jan 1848 in Offwell
Their residence at the time of Charles Benjamin's baptism was Dalwood, Dorset (now in East Devon). Robert's occupation was Shoemaker.

In 1841, living in Wilmington Street, Offwell, were Robert Gollop (30), Sophia (30), Charles (3), Amos (1) and Robert Salter (15), Apprentice. 

Sophia Gollop died, aged 38, in 1848 M Quarter in HONITON Volume 10 Page 99 and was buried on 4 Jan 1848 in Offwell.

In 1851, Robert Gollop (44) Widower, was living in his mother's household in Widworthy, as were his three youngest children: Amos (11), Emanuel (9) and Sophia (7), while Charles Gollop (14) was employed as a Farm Servant by Abraham Cottey (63) Farmer of 80 acres at West Colwell, Offwell. 

Robert Gollop died at 45 in 1851 S Quarter in HONITON Volume 10 Page 76 and was buried on 10 Sep 1851, in Widworthy, Devon.

James Orchard and Elizabeth Howe

Church of All Saints, Dulverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marika Reinholds - geograph.org.uk/p/6070176

James Orchard (bap. 25 Dec 1808 in Luxborough, Somerset) son of John Orchard and Elizabeth Darch, married Elizabeth How (sic) (bap. 27 Jul 1807 in Exton, Somerset), daughter of Joseph How and Mary How, on 28 Feb 1831 at the church of All SaintsDulverton, Somerset. Not the church seen today, but in the previous 15th Century building (the tower survives), largely rebuilt in the 1850s. Witnesses were Jane How and James How.

James and Elizabeth had seven children, all baptised in Dulverton:
  1. Frances Ann Orchard bap. 3 Jul 1831 
  2. Thomas Orchard bap. 2 Feb 1834 
  3. Mary Elizabeth Orchard bap. 13 Jan 1837
  4. Ellen Howe Orchard b. 1839 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 238, bap. 6 Oct 1839
  5. Matthew Howe Orchard b. 1843 J Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 258, bap. 21 May 1843
  6. Anne Orchard b. 1846 D Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 263, bap. 10 Jan 1847
  7. Jane Orchard b. 1852 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 396, bap. 29 Aug 1852
The mother's maiden name listed on all the GRO birth records is HOWE.

In 1841, James Orchard (30) and Elizabeth Orchard (30), Thomas Orchard (7), Mary Orchard (4) and Ellen Orchard (1) were living in the household of Grace Hanford (65) at Castle Court, Dulverton. Frances (10), was living at West Broford, Dulverton, with her grandparents, Joseph and Mary How.

In 1851, in Dulverton, were James Orchard (42) Colt Breaker from Luxborough, Somerset; Elizabeth Orchard (43), Mary E Orchard (14), Ellen H Orchard (11), Matthew H Orchard (7), Ann Orchard (7) and Ann Badley (21) Lodger. Frances Ann Orchard (19) House Servant, was still living in the household of her grandfather, Joseph How, Farmer of 180 Acres, at West Broford, as was Thomas Orchard (17) Grandson, Farm Servant.

Elizabeth Orchard died, at 52, in 1860 J Quarter in DULVERTON Volume 05C Page 265 and was buried on 22 Apr 1860, at Dulverton.

In 1861, James Orchard (48) Colt Breaker, Widowed, was a Lodger in the household of John Holcombe (67) in Back Street, Dulverton. I've not been able to find Frances Ann. Thomas Orchard (27) was living in the household of his Father-in-law, George Staple (53), also there was his sister Ann Orchard (14). There was a Mary Orchard (22) Housemaid in Fore Street, Dulverton; an Ellen Orchard (24) Kitchenmaid at Calm John Cottages, Rewe, Devon; Matthew Orchard (17) Saddler was living in Bridgetown Village, Exton, in the household of James Clatworthy (44) Sadler and Jane Orchard (9) was a Visitor in the household of John Rudd (29) in Lady Street, Dulverton.

In 1871, James Orchard (65) Labourer, Widowed, from Luxborough, Somerset, was a lodger in the household of William England (50).

James Orchard died, aged 69, in 1878 D Quarter in DULVERTON Volume 05C Page 227 and was buried, on 14 Dec 1878, in Dulverton.

Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson

Northampton: St Giles
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4127502

Thomas Smith and Lucy Thompson (bap. 18 Dec 1815), daughter of Solomon Thompson Jnr and Maria Willis, married, on 26 Feb 1838, at St Giles Church, Northampton. Thomas Smith, Brickmaker, listed his father as Thomas Smith, Labourer. Both gave their address as "Butcher's Yard". One of the witnesses was Catherine Willis, who may have been related to Lucy's mother.

There is only one confirmed record of a child of this couple:
  1. Ann Smith b. 1841 D Quarter in DAVENTRY UNION Volume 15 Page 230, with mother's maiden name listed as TOMPSON
In 1841, Thomas (29) and Lucy (25), lived in West Haddon. Staying with them was Elizabeth Tompson (10) - actually 12 - who was Lucy's sister.

The Northampton Mercury of Saturday 13 April 1844, reported on the Northampton Borough Sessions of Tuesday 9 Apr 1844:

LUCY SMITH, wife of Thomas Smith, was indicted for stealing a quantity of ribbon, the property of Mr. T. S. Wright. Mr. Scriven appeared for the prosecution. Charles Goosey, one of Mr. Wright's assistants, saw the prisoner come in and out of the shop quite as many as twelve times on Saturday last. Some persons were looking at some ribbons, when the prisoner put her hand over the shoulders of the parties, took a piece of ribbon up, concealed it under her shawl, and ultimately put it in her basket. She had previously asked to be shown some net. Witness was engaged with a customer when she took the ribbon, and upon observing what had occurred, he went to the prisoner, and served her with some net, for which she tendered a shilling. Witness went under pretence of getting change and sent for a policeman, and she was given into custody. The ribbon was found in her basket.

Sessions House, Northampton
StJaBe, CC BY 3.0,
via Wikimedia Commons
Prisoner comes from West Haddon, and a Mrs. Hoole of that place, said she had an excellent character. Her sister, Mrs. Bottrill, a respectably dressed person, who cried bitterly, also said she had always borne a good character. The distress of her sister affected the prisoner who had hitherto exhibited no signs of emotion.

The jury found the prisoner Guilty.

There were two other indictments against her, one for stealing a pair of shoes, the property of Henry Freeman, and the other for stealing 14 yards of cotton print, the property of J. Phipps, both on the same day. At the suggestion, however, of the Recorder, no evidence was offered in either of these cases. After a feeling address, the Recorder sentenced the prisoner to Six Months' Imprisonment.

The Cast of Characters:
  1. Thomas Wright (35) was a Draper at Waterloo House, 21 Market Square, Northampton in 1841 and had a Charles Goosey (15), Draper's Apprentice, listed in his considerable household (employ) of 27 people.
  2. Mr. Thos. Scriven, of the Town of Northampton, Solicitor, according to the 1841 census, when he was aged 40, lived in St Giles Square.
  3. Mrs. Hoole: Ann Hoole, wife of Thomas Hoole, Brazier, in 1841 lived next door to Stephen and Mary Bottrill, of The Bell Inn, West Haddon.
  4. Henry Freeman (35), Shoemaker, in 1841, resided at Great Russell Street, Northampton. (Great Russell Street, Northampton, in 1974 waiting to be demolished.) Perhaps he sold his wares in the market?
  5. In 1841 there was a John Phipps (40), Draper, in Albion Place, Northampton and a John Phipps (15), Draper, in Gold Street, Northampton. We can assume it was one of these.
  6. The Recorder was N. R. Clarke, Esq., Sergeant-at-Law.
Presumably, Lucy will have served her sentence at the Northampton Borough Gaol and House of Correction, at that time located at Fish Lane (now Fish Street), Northampton. Built in 1792–4 this gaol and bridewell were erected to the south of the County Hall and held 120 prisoners. She was lucky that her punishment wasn't transportation, still very much in use at that time.

In 1851, we find them in Matildia Place, Foleshill, Warwickshire - literally 'Sent to Coventry', it would seem after Lucy's stint behind bars. Well, Thomas Smith was listed as James Smith (40) - this could be an error or it might be deliberate - Brickmaker and it's clearly Lucy Smith (36), birthplace Cransley, Northamptonshire. Listed with them was Lucy's older brother, Thomas Thompson (40), Carpenter and Ann Smith (9), born in West Haddon.

So far, I've found no further evidence of this family.

Henry John Kingsbury and Elizabeth Lancey

St Mary's church, Pilton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Searle - geograph.org.uk/p/3513540

Henry John Kingsbury (bap. 17 May 1849 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset) son of John Kingsbury and Matilda Lawrence, married Elizabeth Lancey (bap. 31 Aug 1845 in Pilton, Devon) daughter of James Lancey and Mary Scamp, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton on 26 Feb 1879. At the time of their marriage, both were Servants and Henry was resident at "Exbury, in the County of Southampton". (Exbury House on the Solent, was rented by Conservative MP for Barnstaple, DevonColonel Sir George Stucley, to pursue his pastime of yacht-sailing. Kingsbury was his Butler.) One of the witnesses to the marriage was Eliza Lancey, Elizabeth's sister. Both fathers, John Kingsbury and James Lancey were listed as being Gardeners.

Henry and Elizabeth had five children:
  1. Flora May Kingsbury b. 6 Jan 1880 J Quarter in SHAFTESBURY Volume 05A Page 246, bap. 6 Jun 1880 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset.
  2. Matilda Mary Kingsbury b. 22 May 1881 J Quarter in SHAFTESBURY Volume 05A Page 239, bap. 26 Jun 1881 in Sutton Waldron, Dorset.
  3. Alice Mabel Kingsbury b. 1882 J Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 523. (No baptism found)
  4. Elizabeth Kingsbury b. 13 Dec 1884 (1885 M Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 498), bap. 1 Mar 1885 at St Mary, Bideford
  5. Henry John Kingsbury b. 1889 M Quarter in BIDEFORD Volume 05B Page 501, bap. 24 Feb 1889 in Bideford
In 1881, Henry John Kingsbury (32) was Butler to Sir George Stucley (68) at Moreton House, Bideford, Devon, where the then 'Deputy Lieutenant for the Counties of Devon & Cornwall, Baronet, Justice of the Peace', his wife and two youngest sons were waited upon by no less than thirteen servants. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Kingsbury (35) Butler's wife and Flora M Kingsbury (0) were living at Moreton Cottage, 4, Higher Meddon Street, Bideford, Devon.

In 1891, Henry John Kingsbury (42) was still Butler to Sir George Stucley (79) Magistrate, although the then three members of the family were having to 'make do' with the reduced circumstances of having merely 10 servants. Elizabeth Kingsbury (45) was living at 7 River View, Bideford with Matilda M Kingsbury (9), Alice M Kingsbury (8), Elizabeth Kingsbury (6), Henry J Kingsbury (2) and Charles F Lancey (17) Nephew, Apprentice Gardner. Eldest daughter, Flora (listed as Florence) (10) was at that time, a Visitor in the household of Mary E Sanders (65) Widow, in Regents Park, Heavitree, Exeter, in whose household also was Eliza Lansey (sic), who was her aunt.

In 1901, Henry J Kingsbury (52) Retired Butler - Sir George Stucley had died in 1900 and presumably left his 'Retainer' in a position to be able retire early - was living at Higher Gunstone, River View Terrace, Bideford with Elizabeth Kingsbury (55), Alice M Kingsbury (18), Elizabeth Kingsbury (16) and Henry J Kingsbury (12). F M Kingsbury [Flora May] (20) was a Schoolroom Maid in Holcombe Burnell, Devon. While Matilda Kingsbury (19) was a Lady's Maid in the household of Harriet Compton (57) Widow, in Andover, Hampshire. (Harriet Granville married Henry Compton, Esq. on 28 Dec 1870. She and Sir George Stucley's second wife, Louisa Granville, were daughters of Bernard Granville, Esq of Wellesbourne Hall, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire.)

In 1911, Henry John Kingsbury (62) Retired Butler, Elizabeth Kingsbury (65), Alice Mabel Kingsbury (28) and Elizabeth Kingsbury (26) were still living in Bideford. Flora May had married in 1903 and Matilda in 1908. Henry John Kingsbury (22) from Bideford, Devon was described as a WHOLESALE MANCHESTER WAREHOUSEMAN in Southwark, at 95 Southwark St and a curious note: (MilitaryDisposition) MESSRS. COOK'S EMPLOYEES, one assumes Thomas Cook & Son, who had transported the British Army up the Nile in 1884, so conceivable they were still undertaking military contracts. 

In 1921, Henry John Kingsbury (72) and Elizabeth Kingsbury (75) were living at 4, Lansdowne [Terrace], Bideford, Devon with their daughter, Elizabeth Kingsbury (36) School Teacher for Devon County Council at Church Infants' School, Bideford and Eliza Lancy (77) Visitor (Elizabeth's sister).

Elizabeth Kingsbury died at 78 in 1923 in BIDEFORD Vol 05B Page 456. 

Henry John Kingsbury died, also aged 78, on 27 Oct 1927 D Qtr in BIDEFORD Vol 05B Page 520, leaving his estate to daughter, Elizabeth Kingsbury. The notice in the Hartland and West Country Chronicle read, KINGSBURY - Oct 27th, at Lansdowne, Bideford HENRY JOHN KINGSBURY, formerly Stucley's butler, aged 78.

In 1939, Elizabeth Kingsbury, Elementary School Teacher, was living at 7 The Strand, Bideford with her sister, Matilda M Lancey, Widow.

Elizabeth never married and died, at 80, in Bideford, in 1965.

  • Matilda Mary Kingsbury married Gerald Slayter on 20 Apr 1908. In 1911, Gerald Slayter (37) Butler and Mary Matilda Slayter (30) Cook-Housekeeper, were employed in the household of Francis Nicholas Blundell (30) Landowner and Farmer in Little Crosby, Lancashire. (Crosby Hall was the manorial home of the Blundell family, lords of the manor of Crosby since the Middle Ages.) Gerald Slayter died, at 48, in 1922, in Liverpool. Matilda Mary Slayter, Widow, married Charles Frederick Lancey, Widower, Gardner, who was her first cousin, at St Mary's Church, Grassendale, on 9 May 1927. Charles Frederick Lancey died, at 61, in 1935, in Liverpool South. Matilda Mary Lancey died in 1954, in Bideford, Devon.
  • Alice Mabel Kingsbury married Clement Arthur Page (b. 29 Sep 1884) on 5 Aug 1912, in Bideford. They had one son, Ernest John Page, born in Frome, Somerset in 1913. In 1921, Clement A Page, Alice M Page and Ernest J Page were living in Portsmouth, Hampshire. Ernest John Page died, at 17, in Portsmouth, in 1931. Clement Arthur Page died, at 48, in Portsmouth, in 1933. Alice Mabel Page died, at 69, in 1951, in Bideford, Devon.