Joseph Hill Adcock and Martha Naseby

St Andrew's Church, Rugby
G-13114, CC BY-SA 4.0

Joseph Hill Adcock (b. 1842 in Stamford, Lincolnshire), son of James Adcock and Mary Hill, married Martha Naseby (b. 1850 in Rugby, Warwickshire), daughter of William Naseby and Eliza Thompson at St Andrew's Church, Rugby on 8 Apr 1869. Although the pair were not blood relatives, they were still 'keeping it in the family', because Joseph's father, James Adcock was the brother of Mary Adcock, wife of Daniel Thompson, who was the brother of Eliza Thompson, Martha's mother. Don't worry if you're still confused.

Joseph and Martha had four children: 

1. George Hill Adcock b. 1870 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 452, bap. 9 Oct 1870 at St Andrew's, Rugby
2. James William Adcock b. 1875 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 532, bap. 11 Jul 1875 at St Andrew's
3. Mary Elizabeth Mobbs Adcock b. 1877 M Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 612, bap 29 Apr 1877 at St Matthew's, Rugby
4. Louisa Cox Adcock b. 1880 D Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 514, bap. 26 Dec 1880 at St Matthew's, Rugby

In 1871, living in Rugby, we find Joseph H Adcock (29), Gardener from Stamford, Lincs; Martha Adcock (21) and son George H Adcock (0).

In 1881, living at Cemetery Lodge, Clifton Road, Rugby, Joseph Hill Adcock (39) was Cemetery Lodge Keeper. Living with him were wife Martha (31), George Hill (10), James William (5), Mary E (4) and Louisa C (0).

In 1891, in Clifton Road, Joseph Adcock (49) was Cemetery Manager. Listed also were Martha (41), George (20), William (15), Mary (14) and Louisa (10). 

By 1901, living in Oxford Street, Rugby, Joseph Adcock (59) was a Shop Keeper, Green Grocer - perhaps working for or with his father-in-law, William Naseby - with wife Martha (51) and James Bazely (15) Errand Boy.

Joseph Hill Adcock died on 25 Aug 1903, aged 61 (1903 S Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 307). Probate was granted on 5 Oct 1903 with Martha Adcock being the sole beneficiary. 

Martha Adcock died, aged 58, in 1908 J Quarter in RUGBY Volume 06D Page 301 and was buried, on 1 May 1908, at Newbold-on-Avon.

Rugby-Clifton Road Cemetery
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Rob - geograph.org.uk/p/749760

John Harcus and Selina Patrick

Gillingham Parish Church (St Mary Magdalen)
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/1146460

John Harcus (bap. 15 Jul 1821 at St Mary's, Chatham), son of George Frederick Harcus, Gunner RN, and Martha Buckledee, married Selina Patrick (bap. 26 Oct 1823 at St Mary's, Chatham), daughter of Richard Patrick and Mary Ann Davidson, at Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene on 7 Apr 1844.

John and Selina had six children:

1. Richard John Harcus b. 1845 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 354, bap. 20 Jul 1845 at St Mary's Church, Chatham 
2. Henry George Harcus b. 1848 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 398, bap. 15 Oct 1848 at St Mary's Church, Chatham
3. Selina Mary Ann Harcus b. 1850 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 05 Page 414, bap. 10 Mar 1850 at St Mary's Church, Chatham
4. Alice Martha Harcus b. 1858 J Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 323, bap. 30 May 1858 at St Mary's Church, Chatham, died aged 1 and was buried in the Former St Mary's Burial Ground.
5. John Edward Harcus b. 1860 J Qtr in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 340
6. George Frederick Harcus b. 1863 M Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 418 (reads John Edward, but can't tell where the error occurred.)

In 1851, John Harcus (29) Tailor, Selina Harcus (26), Richard Harcus (5), Henry Harcus (2) and Selina Harcus (1) lived in Whittaker Place, Chatham. Visiting them were Isabella Tennis (29) Seaman's wife and her daughter, Martha Tennis (5). As these are visitors, there's always a chance that they are family, however, there are no other records under the surname 'Tennis', which I think may be a transcription error, but the writing is difficult to discern.

In 1858, in Melvilles Directory, is listed as, "Harcus John, tailor, and Alma beerhouse and concert hall, High street" (Alma, 157 High Street, Chatham).

In 1861, John Harcus (37) Inn Keeper, was at the Red Lion, 110, High Street, Chatham (images), wife Selina (37), Henry (12), Selina (11), John (1), William Holding (21) Innkeeper Assistant and Jane Hills (17) Domestic Servant.

This report is from the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 26 October 1861: Robbery of a Publican. Helen Reed, 23, was on Monday charged on remand, before the county magistrates, with having stolen half a pint of brandy, from the spirit bar of the "Red Lion" public house, Military Road, Chatham, where she was servant. The spirit was accidentally discovered hidden away, by Mrs. Harcus, the landlady, and on the prisoner being taxed with the robbery, she at once confessed that she had taken the brandy. The magistrates committed her for 3 months' hard labour.

John Harcus died on 9 Jul 1868, at 47 (1868 S Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 292) and buried in the Former St Mary's Burial Ground, now Town Hall Gardens. (The tombstone was amongst those removed from the Gardens and reinterred, on 5 Aug 1971, in the Borough Cemetery in Maidstone Road Chatham Section.) Probate was granted on 8 May 1869: "The Will of John Harcus late of the "Chest Arms" High Street Chatham in the County of Kent Victualler deceased who died 9 Jul 1868 at the "Chest Arms" aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Selina Harcus of the "Chest Arms" aforesaid Widow the Relict the sole Executrix".

In 1871, Selina Harcus (47) Licensed Victualler was at the Chest Arms, 55 High Street, Chatham, George (7), daughter Selina Caddy (21), Henry Caddy (24) Shipwright; Lydia Emill (16) and lodgers: William Smith (40) Pensioner from Cork and George Atts (31) Photographer from Germany.

Kellys Directory places Selina Harcus at the Chest Arms in 1874, then from From the Rochester and Chatham Journal and Mid-Kent Advertiser, Saturday, September 2, 1876: "Miscellaneous. The magistrates hear adjourned for some time to take of luncheon. On business being resumed the following persons, who had been convicted of various offences during the year, and his cases had been deferred in consequence, apply for the renewal of their licences. vis. Mrs. Harcus, "Chest Arms," Chatham ..." No idea what the offence was.

In 1881, son John Edward Harcus was the Licensed Victualler at the Dartmouth Arms, 257 High Street, Chatham (image), with widowed mother, Selina Harcus (56), Henrietta Golding (18) Domestic Servant, brother George Frederick (18) Mariner and Mary Ann Drago (23) Visitor, listed as wife of Wm Drago. (William Drago, Shipwright, had married Mary Ann Tester in 1876. One of the witnesses to this marriage was George Vokes, who had also been a witnesses for Henry George Harcus and Susan Alice Tubb in 1872.)

Now reinterred, on 5th August 1971, in the Borough Cemetery in Maidstone Road

Son Henry George Harcus died at 39, in 1887, then son John Edward Harcus died two years later on 12 Jun 1889, at 29 and was also buried at the Former St Mary's Burial Ground, now Town Hall Gardens, on 16 Jun 1889.

In 1891, Selina Harcus (66) widow, was Living on her own means at Pleasant Row, St Margaret, Medway, Kent.

In 1901, Selina Harcus (78) was living in the household of her youngest son, George F Harcus (37) Barge Captain at 18, Cecil Avenue, Strood, Kent, with Charlotte Harcus (34), Richard Harcus (13) and Nellie Harcus (12).

Selina Harcus died, aged 81, at Coburg House, Cliffe Rd, Strood and was buried on 28 May 1904 (1904 J Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 339) at Strood Cemetery, Section K Grave No. 3 (C). 

Strood Cemetery, Cuxton Road
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3602387

Tom Stone and Margaret Knapman

Royal Marines' Stonehouse Barracks, Durnford Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth

Tom Stone (b. 11 Dec 1861 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married and Margaret Knapman (b. 28 Aug 1863 at Mary Rows (Mary Rose?) Cottage, St Budeaux Devon), daughter of Thomas Knapman and Kitty Hern. There's a record of their marriage, in Q1 1889, however, the British Royal Marines Marriage Registers, lists it as the Register Office, East Stonehouse on 5 Apr 1893. As there was no such thing as a Register Office (until after 1929), I assume this was an administrative ratification, once permission was granted, of the ceremony that had taken place in 1889, although there are civil registrations for both dates.

Peter Calver at Lost Cousins, potentially provides the explanation, as these rules would almost certainly apply to Marines too, "... soldiers needed the permission of their commanding officer if they wanted the marriage to be recognised (which is why you will sometimes come across a couple who married each other twice)." Either date was a little late and, in the haste to legitimise their eldest, may have forgotten to ask permission of the CO. 

On 11 Mar 1880, Tom Stone, then 18, enlisted in the Royal Marines, at that time was 5' 6¾", with a fair complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. His record states, "Right little finger amputated through second phalanx." As well as various stints at Plymouth Division, from 1881 to 1884 Tom was with HMS Mallard (1875), a Forester-class composite screw gunboat; from 3 Oct 1889 until 3 Jan 1893, he was assigned to HMS Himalaya (1854). 

In 1881, Tom Stone (19) Private RMLI was in Devonport, Stoke Damerel; There were a Thomas and Catherine Knapman in Tamerton-Foliott in 1881, who I believe to have been Margaret's parents. (Catherine was from Waterford, Ireland.); and Margaret Knapman (16) was a General Domestic Servant to Henry Couch (58) Farmer at Hays End, Tamerton-Foliott.

Tom and Margaret had six children:

1. Archer Henry Stone (Archie), b. 28 Mar 1889 (1889 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 223), bap. 21 May 1889, at the Wesleyan Methodist church, Tamerton Foliot. Died, at 18, on 11 Nov 1907, in Gillingham, Kent (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Vol 02A Page 393). Commemorated in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia.
2. Frederick Thomas Stone, b. 20 Jan 1892 (1892 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 297)
3. Beatrice May Stone, b. 14 Mar 1894 (1894 J Quarter in PLYMPTON ST MARY Volume 05B Page 189), bap. 27 May 1894 in Hooe, Plymouth
4. Bertram Charles Stone, b. 24 Feb 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 273) Died 16 Jun 1899 (1899 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 211)
5. Leslie Victor Stone, b. 21 Feb 1901 (1901 J Quarter in DEVONPORT Volume 05B Page 273)
6. Rosina Kathleen Stone, b. 14 Apr 1903 (1903 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 238)

In 1891, Margaret Stone (25) and Archer H Stone (2) had been staying with her sister, Lucy Hoskins (23) in Star Lane, Tamerton Foliott.

In 1901 the family were living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse, with Tom Stone (39) listed as a Marine Pensioner. (Tom served in the Royal Marines for 21 years (+ 2 days), from 11 Mar 1880 until 13 Mar 1901, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 3 Jul 1901.) Also listed were Margaret (35), Archie (12), Frederick (9), Beatrice (7) and Leslie (0).

Archer Henry Stone enlisted in the Royal Marines, at 14, on 11 Nov 1903.

Tom Stone, General Labourer and Marine Pensioner, died, aged 43, at 3 Ashley Place, Plymouth, on 2 May 1905 (1905 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 171), from Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

On 11 Nov 1907, Archie Stone (18) died at the Royal Naval Hospital (Medway Maritime Hospital) in Gillingham, Kent, of a Tubercle of the lung (Tuberculosis again) and cardiac failure (1907 D Quarter in MEDWAY Volume 02A Page 393). Initially, it didn't make sense that there was a commemorative stone to Archer Henry Stone in Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, Australia (albeit as Arthur H. Stone, Bugler, R.M.L.I. - his mates may not have known that Archer really was the given name he was registered and baptised with). However, this would appear to be one of many memorials to shipmates who died elsewhere. A closer look at Archer's Royal Marines record shows that in Feb/Mar 1907 Archie was with HMS Powerful (1895) that became the flagship of the Australia Station. He then transferred to HMS Prometheus (1898) and finally to HMS Pioneer, at that time a drill ship with the Australian Squadron. Archie's last line with Pioneer says he was 'on passage', which presumably means he was being brought home. 

In 1911, Margaret Stone, widowed and in receipt of Parochial Relief, was living in East Stonehouse, with Leslie V (10) and Rosina K (7). Frederick had enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1907 and Beatrice (17) was working as a Servant for Samuel Reed, Hairdresser and Tobacconist, in Devonport.

On 11 Apr 1919, aged 18, Leslie Victor Stone joined the Royal Tank Corps.

In 1921, Margaret Erne Stone (57) Widowed; Frederick Thomas Stone (29) Royal Navy (Leading Signalman) and Rosina Kathleen Stone (18) were still living at 9, St Paul Street, East Stonehouse. Leslie Victor Stone (20) was with the Army Tank Corps at Pinehurst Barracks, Farnborough, Hampshire.

Margaret Erne Stone died (Erne - misheard with a dropped H - was in reference to Hern, Margaret's mother's maiden name), on 1 Sep 1921, aged 57 (1921 S Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 324), and probate was granted to her son, Frederick Thomas Stone, on 24 Dec 1921.

Adolphe Jacques Froissant & Emma Jane Rundle Trevail

St George's Church, Hanover Square, London W1
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1533353

Adolphe Jacques Froissant (b. 8 Feb 1844 in Binas, Loir-et-Cher, France), Bachelor, Cook of Belgrave Square, London, son of Pierre Jacques Alexandre Froissant and Victoire Honorine Langer, married Emma Jane Rundle Trevail (bap. 25 Feb 1843 in Luxulyan, Cornwall), daughter of Joseph Trevail and Jane Rundle, at St George's, Hanover Square on 4 Apr 1867.

The couple had one daughter:

1. Florence Emma Froissant b. 29 Nov 1871 (Registered 1872 M Quarter in ST GEORGE HANOVER SQUARE Volume 01A Page 346), bap. 21 Jul 1875 at Christ Church, Down Street, Mayfair.

In 1881, Adolphe Froissant (37) Cook (Unemployed) from France was living at 9, Worcester Street, London with Emma J Froissant (38) Wife, Lodging House Keeper from Cornwall, England; Florence E Froissant (9) Daughter born in Pimlico; Harry Keam (17) Joiner from Cornwall; Eliza Stevens (17) General servant; Henry Griffin (24) and William E Beckett (20) Lodgers.

Adolphe Jacques Froissant of 9 Worcester Street, Pimlico died, aged 47, on 26 Dec 1890 (1890 D Quarter in WINDSOR Volume 02C Page 288). Probate was granted to Emma Froissant, to whom he left an estate valued at £426.

In 1891, still at 9, Worcester Street, St George Hanover Square, London, were Emma J Froissant (48) Widow, Landlady; Florence E Froissant (19), Harry Keam (27) Joiner, Cousin; and Sarah A Day (19) Servant.

The Herts Advertiser of 22 Oct 1892 reported on, "... the temporary transfer of the licence of the Royal Oak, Windsor Street [Luton] to Mrs Emma Froissant of London. The references proving satisfactory, the application was granted." And on 8 July 1893, the Luton Reporter listed the Royal Oak transferring from Emma Froissant to Henry Mellins Ollivant.

In 1901, listed as Emily Froissant (57) Widow from Luxulyan, Cornwall, she was living at 14, Balfern Grove, Chiswick with Florence Froissant (27) Daughter and Harry Keam (37) Carpenter and Joiner. (At that same time, Emma's sister, Dahlia Orton, was living next door at 16 Balfern Grove.)

As 'Emily' Froissant, Emma Jane Rundle Froissant died, at 66, on 16 Feb 1909 (1909 J Quarter in BRENTFORD Vol 03A Page 54). Probate was granted to her brother, Charles Trevail & brother-in-law, Charles Archer.

In 1911, Florence Froissant (claiming to be 29) Actress from Belgravia, London was Boarding at 7 William St, Leamington, Warwickshire.

In the 2nd quarter of 1911, Florence E Froissant married a Henry E Wright, in Grantham, Lincolnshire. There are no clues to Henry Wright's origins.

In 1921, there was a Florence Emma Wright (52) Widowed, from Kensington, London at a Boarding House in Great Clacton, Essex, which could relate.

There was a picture of Florence Froissant on a page of "Stage Gossip" in the Leicester Chronicle of 4 Jul 1925, which carried the following item:

Chef to a King

A passion for Paris is confessed to by Miss Florence Froissant, of the "Chuckles" company. Her father was French, and was chef to King Edward VII, after holding similar high positions in Paris, where Miss Froissant was herself trained originally as a modiste. She had the nasty experience when playing once at the Coliseum, Portsmouth, of falling down eight flights of stairs, but just managed to go on and give her act. Florence tells me that among other things she has been pianist to R. G. Knowles.

Her father was certainly French and a cook/chef. Living in Belgravia and dying in Windsor, I already felt sure he must have worked for the Royal Family or closely within their circle. However, Adolphe Froissant couldn't have worked for a king who ascended the throne in 1901, when he'd already died in 1890, but I suppose it possible he did so while Edward was still Prince of Wales. 

There are newspaper reports that confirm Florence worked with R. G. Knowles at least in 1911 and was appearing at the Empire (later Coliseum), Portsmouth in 1912. As to the rest, it's impossible to confirm or deny.

Florence Froissant, using her maiden (and professional) name, appears at theatres around the UK and Ireland through until the end of the 1920s. She appears in comedy, music hall, musical theatre, vaudeville and panto. She was appearing on South Parade Pier, Southsea, in "a lavish production in seven scenes" of Cinderella, which opened on Boxing Day 1927 and featured, a snow ballet and the parade of an "electrically illuminated crystal coach drawn by midget ponies". Florence Froissant, who played the Fairy Godmother, according to Keith Prowse featured the song Charmaine (written in 1926 and published in 1927, later made popular by The Bachelors in 1963). 

It hasn't [yet] been possible to discover what happened to her next, but I suppose her death would be registered under Florence Emma Wright, of whom there have been many, so without knowing where and what age she may have been claiming to be, impossible to isolate the relevant record.

Thomas Clark and Sarah Wilton

Part of the carriage drive in Southwark Park
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/2649163

Thomas Clark (bap. 15 Mar 1818 in Great Dunmow), son of Claudius Clark and Hannah Cornell, married Sarah Wilton (b. 1819 in Royston), daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, on 3 Apr 1839 in Royston, Hertfordshire. Thomas, like Sarah's brothers, was a Harness Maker.

Thomas and Sarah had ten children:

1. Thomas Clark Wilton b. 1838 S Quarter in ROYSTON Vol 06 Page 528
2. Ann Clark b. 1841 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 72
3. Emma Clark b. 1842 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Vol 12 Page 69
4. Sarah Wilton Clark b. 1845 M Quarter in BRAINTREE Vol 12 Page 26
5. Alfred Clark b. 1847 M Quarter in BRAINTREE Vol 12 Page 32
6. Robert Clark b. 1849 M Quarter in SAINT GEORGE THE MARTYR SOUTHWARK Volume 04 Page 525
7. Caroline Clark b. 1851 J Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 04 Page 84
8. Elizabeth Clark b. 1854 M Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 465 (Died at 13 in 1867 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 413)
9. Thomas William Clark b. 1857 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 433
10. Walter Edward Clark b. 1862 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 514 (Died at 18 in 1880 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 443)

In 1841, Thomas Clark (23) and Sarah Clark (22) were in Great Dunmow, with Thomas Clark [dropped the Wilton] (2) and Ann Clark (3m).

In 1851, they were at 4 South Place, Camberwell, with Thomas Clark (33) Coach Trimmer; Sarah Clark (32), Emma Clark (8), Sarah W Clark (6), Robert Clark (2), Caroline Clark (1 Mo), Ann Wilton (34) Visitor (Sarah's sister) and Stephen Wilton (3) Nephew (Ann's illegitimate son).

In 1871, in Camberwell, were Thomas Clark (53) Harness Maker, birthplace Dunmow; Sarah Clark (52), birthplace Royston; Robert Clark (22), Harness Maker, birthplace Southwark; Thomas Clark (13), Scholar, and Walter Clark (9), Scholar, birthplace Peckham. Also living with them again were Ann Wilton (54), Needlewoman, birthplace Royston, wife's sister; Stephen Wilton (23), Harness Maker, birthplace Southwark, Nephew and Martha Wilton (10), Scholar, birthplace Peckham, Niece, both Ann's illegitimate children.

Then Thomas Clark died, in Camberwell, aged 59, in 1877 D Quarter in CAMBERWELL Volume 01D Page 524.

In 1881, Sarah Clark (62), widow, was lodging in the household of her married daughter, Caroline Thornhill (30) at 57, South Street, Camberwell.

In 1891, Sarah Clark (72), widow, was employed as a General Servant Nurse in the household of Henry R Weller (29) in Kimberley Road, Lambeth.

Sarah Clark died at 84 in 1903 M Qtr in ST. PANCRAS Vol 01B Page 24.