James Luxton and Hannah Maria Hawkins

St John the Evangelist, Lambeth Tom Morris, CC BY-SA 3.0 (interior)

James Luxton (b. 1841 in Taunton, Somerset), son of Charles Luxton and Charlotte Townsend, married Hannah Maria Hawkins (b. 20 Aug 1839 in Tiverton, Devon), daughter of James Hawkins and Susannah Babb, at St John the Evangelist, Lambeth, on 11 May 1874. The couple undoubtedly met in Tiverton, perhaps were even childhood sweethearts, as James' parents had moved to Tiverton by 1853, where his younger sister was born that year.

This couple had five children, all baptised at at St Peter’s Church Tiverton.

1. Charles Frank Luxton, b. 28 Jan 1876 (GRO Reference: 1876 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 451), bap. 12 Feb 1876
2. Alice Luxton, b. 11 May 1878 (GRO Reference: 1878 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 452), bap. 26 May 1878
3. Alfred James Massey Luxton, b. 1 Apr 1880 (GRO Reference: 1880 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 470), bap. 18 Apr 1880
4. Emily Luxton b. 22 Jun 1882, (GRO Reference: 1882 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 433), bap. 9 Jul 1882
5. Jessie Luxton, b. 27 Jun 1886 (GRO Reference: 1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 423), bap. 25 Jul 1886

On 29 Mar 1860, at the age of 19, James Luxton had enlisted in the British Army and served for 13 years, 320 days, in the 10th Reg Of Foot, until 16 Jul 1874, being promoted to Corporal in 1869 and attaining the rank of Sergeant in 1871. During that time, he spent over nine years serving abroad in the Cape of Good Hope, St Helena, Japan, China and the Straits Settlements.

James was discharged from the army in 1874, found unfit for further service, because of a valve disease of the heart. "Due to a constitutional cause, aggravated by service in hot climates", says the medical report on his service record. It went on to say that it was first noticed at Singapore in Nov 1872, when the patient was under treatment for another complaint. "He suffers from a most serious heart disease which he can never recover from. He can contribute to his maintenance by light work only", it concludes. 

In 1881, James Luxton (40), Grocer (Chelsea Pensioner) in Bampton Street, Tiverton, was living with wife Hannah M Luxton (40), Charles F (5), Alice (2), Alfred J M (1) and Bessie Hewett (14) Nurse domestic servant.

Sadly, but unsurprisingly given his medical history, James Luxton died, aged 45, on 2 Sep 1886 (1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 272). 

In 1891, Maria Luxton, widow, lived in Sewards Court, Leat Street, Tiverton, where she worked as a silk lace mender; Charles F Luxton (15) was a machine boy at the lace factory (Heathcoat Lace Factory, Tiverton, Devon), Alice (12) was employed as a silk winder at the lace factory and Alfred J M (10) was also a machine boy at the lace factory. Emily (8) and Jessie (5) were at school.

By 1901, Hannah M Luxton (59), widow, was still a silk lace mender; Alice Luxton (22) had moved up to silk lace finisher; Alfred Jas M (20) was employed as a cellar man at a wine & spirit merchants; whilst Emily (18) and her younger sister, Jessie (14), were silk winders at the lace factory.

In 1911, Anne Maria Luxton (71) was still in Tiverton, living with her son, Alfred (31) still employed as a cellar man for a wine and spirit merchant.

Hannah Maria Luxton died, in Tiverton, in 1912 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 418), aged 72.

Workers' housing and mill, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Allen - geograph.org.uk/p/2458956

Herbert Haselden and Mary Benbow

© Philip Halling (cc-by-sa/2.0geograph.org.uk/p/7164781
Hereford Cathedral

Herbert Haselden (bap. 26 Nov 1731 in Hereford), son of Robert Haselden and Magdalene Howorth, married Mary Bendbow (sic) (b. 13 Jun 1740 in Ratcliff, Stepney), only daughter of Samuel Benbow and his second wife, Mary, married in Stepney (venue is not listed), on 10 May 1757.

This couple had two daughters:

1. Mary Magdalene Haselden b. 22 Feb 1758, bap. 23 Feb 1758 (at 1 day old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney.
2. Frances Haselden b. Monday, 19 May 1760, bap. 9 June 1760 (at 21 days old) at St Dunstan's, Stepney.

Both were listed as daughter of Herbert Haselden, Grocer, and Mary.

In 1747, Herbert Haselden, then 15, had been apprenticed, for a premium of £30 0s 0d to Thomas Hodgson, Grocer, in Warrington, Lancashire.

In 1761, Herbert Haselden, late of Broad Street, in the Hamlet of Ratcliff, in the Parish of St Dunstan, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex, Grocer and Tobacconist, was a Prisoner in Whitechapel Gaol, Debtors' prison. 

Did he pay off his debt, or did he die in debtor's prison? As yet, no idea.

In 1777, Frances Haselden was apprenticed to a Susanna Pingo, as a Milliner.

William Wood married Frances Haselden by licence dated 14 Apr 1787.

There was a possible marriage of Richard Webb to Mary Haselden, in Stepney, on 30 Aug 1788. Could this be the remarriage of Mary Haselden (née Benbow)? I cannot find a death under Mary Haselden, which might suggest that she remarried, but also cannot isolate records that confirm it.

Frances was mentioned in a Lease and Release with counterpart of release, dated 24 & 25 March, 1790: "William Wood of Little Russell Street, parish of Saint George, Bloomsbury, co. Middx., cider merchant and Frances his wife, only child and heir of Herbert Haselden late of Stepney in the fields, co. Middx., grocer and tobacconist, grand daughter and heir of Magdalen wife of Robert Haselden late of Over Hulton, co. Lancs., who was one of three devisees in fee under the will of Herbert Howorth of Burghill co. Hereford, and one of five sisters and co-heirs of Herbert Howorth."

Listing Frances as the only child and heir of Herbert Haselden suggests that her older sister had died, perhaps as an infant (not found a record), which further supports the 1788 marriage as possibly being that of her mother. 

Unfortunately, I can isolate no further records for this family.

(Herbert's parents, Robert Haselden and Magdalene Howorth, had married at Hereford Cathedral (St Ethelbert) on 8 May 1729. The record lists that the groom was from the parish of St Nicholas, Hereford and the bride was from Burghill. Magdalen Haselden, wife of Robert Haselden, was buried on 24 Jul 1763 in Winwick, Lancaster. Robert Hasleden of Over Hulton, Gentleman, appears to have died in 1768, as Probate was granted on 25 Apr 1768.)

John Hartley and Anna Rookley

Shops in Terrace Road, Plaistow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/4132776

John Hartley (b. 1846 in Bow, Middlesex), son of John Hartley and Mary Blundell, married Anna Rookley (b. 1845 in Kentisbeare, Devon), youngest daughter of John Rookley and Mary Ayres, at St Stephen's Church, Tredegar Road, Bow (damaged during WW2 and demolished) on 9 May 1869.

Records suggest that John and Anna Hartley had four children:

1. Arthur John Hartley b. 1869, died aged 0. Death registered 1869 D Qtr in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 595. Birth shows in the next quarter, 1870 M Qtr in GREENWICH Vol 01D Page 839.
2. Walter James Hartley b. 16 May 1872 (1872 J Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Pg 435), bap. 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare, Devon. Died in 1891 M Quarter in WEST HAM Vol 04A Pg 34, at 18.
3. Elias John Hartley (as it was on his birth registration) b. 14 Oct 1873 (1873 D Qtr in SOUTH SHIELDS Vol 10A Page 795), bap. John Elias Hartley on 4 Jul 1875 at St Mary's Church, Kentisbeare
4. Alice Anna Hartley b. 1878 M Qtr in PEMBROKE Vol 11A Page 870, bap. 13 Mar 1878 at St John the Evangelist, Pembroke Dock

In 1871, John Hartley (25) from Middlesex, England and Anna Hartley (25) from Devon, England, were lodging at Charlton Place, St Mary, Pembroke.

Walter James Hartley and John Hartley were enrolled at Bradninch National School in 1880, a note next to their names on the school register says, "on a visit to Bradninch from London". Their aunt and uncle James Ridgeway and Thomasin Rookley (Thomasin was Anna's sister), lived in Bradninch.

In 1881, John Hartley (35) Engine Fitter from Bow, London, wife Anna (36) from Devon and Alice A (4) born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, were living at 4, Edward Street, West Ham, London. Walter Hartley (8) from Portsmouth and John Hartley (7) from Wales (clearly confused his birthplace with his sister's) were still visiting James and Thomasin Ridgeway, in Bradninch.

John Hartley was again registered at Bradninch National School in 1885, this time with James Ridgeway of Hele listed as his parent/guardian.

In 1891, at 4, Randolph Road, West Ham, were John Hartley (43) Marine Engineer; Annie Hartley (44), John Hartley (17) Smith and Alice Hartley (13).

John Hartley died, aged just 48, in 1895 M Quarter in WEST HAM Volume 04A Page 87. And in the same quarter of the same year, their 16-17 year old daughter, Alice Anna Hartley married John Watson Bell, in Poplar.

John Hartley (b. 1873 in Newcastle, Northumberland) enlisted in the Grenadier Guards, at 22, on 11 Nov 1895, at Horse Guards, London. The record lists his previous occupation as Blacksmith, his father John, mother Anna and sister Alice (the family's address listed as 26, Freemasons Road, Custom House); that he was then 5ft 9in with a fair complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair, with a small scar on his right cheek. Recalled in 1899; convicted of Drunkenness and spent 5 days in prison from 22nd to 27th Jun 1899; served in South Africa from 21 Oct 1899 to 21 Jul 1902 (for the entirety of the Second Boer War); re-transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 Mar 1903; reengaged in 1907 and finally discharged in 1911.

In 1901, Anna Hartley (55) from Kentisbeare, Devon, listed as married rather than widowed, was living in the household of her son-in-law, John Watson Bell (32) Shipping Clerk at 104, Terrace Road, Plaistow (West Ham), with Alice Bell (23), Alice (5), Grace (4), John (2) and Beatrice (0).

Anne (sic) Hartley died in 1909 S Quarter in ROCHFORD Volume 04A Page 290, with age (under) estimated as 62. She was buried, on 28 Aug 1909, at St Mary's Church, Great Ilford.

In 1911, Jack [John Elias] Hartley (38) born in Jarrow, Newcastle, a Ship Worker at the Docks, was a boarder in Plaistow. John Elias Hartley died, at 71, in 1945 S Quarter in ESSEX SOUTH-WESTERN Vol 04A Page 128.

James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood

British Cemetery Graves, St Sever Cemetery Extension Photo: Giogo, Some rights reserved

James Edmond (b. 1888, in Prestonpans, Midlothian, Scotland), son of George Edmond and Helen Hardie, married Sarah Ann Wood (bap. 12 Jul 1885 in Kentisbeare) daughter of James Wood and Mary Ann Melhuish, at St. Mary’s, Kentisbeare on 8 May 1911. At that time, James Edmond was a Lodging House Keeper and Sarah was a Domestic Servant, both of Ponchydown, Kentisbeare (former Ponchydown Inn, Blackborough).

James and Sarah Ann had three children:

1. James Roland George Edmond b. 24 Jul 1912 in Scotland, bap. 29 Dec 1912 at Blackborough, Devon, although the family's address on the baptism record was given as 2 New St, Prestonpans.
2. Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond b. 23 Dec 1914 (1915 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 666)
3. Constance Mary Helen Edmond b. 11 May 1917 (1917 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 537)

On 23 Jun 1906, James Edmond enlisted for Short Service in the Scots Guards. He served until 23 Jun 1909 and was transferred to the reserve. However, he was mobilised again on 5 Aug 1914, the day after Britain declared war on Germany. James was promoted to Corporal in 1915 and Sergeant in 1916. His army record states that he embarked on the "SS Queen Alexandria", in Southampton on 9 Aug 1916, arriving in Le Havre the next day.

Admitted to hospital on 14 May 1918, dangerously ill, having received a gunshot wound to the head, James died of his wounds, at the No 5 General Hospital, Rouen, on 25 May 1918. Sgt James Edmond is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, Plot: Q. I. A. 3.

In 1921, Sarah Ann Edmond (36) Widow; James Roland George Edmond (8), Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond (6) and Constance Mary Helen Edmond (4) were living with Sarah's mother, Mary Ann Wood, at Downlands, Kentisbeare.

Devington Park, Exminster
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Sarah Charlesworth - geograph.org.uk/p/990195
A huge complex of apartments, housed in what was once the Devon Mental Hospital.

However, Sarah Ann Edmond, widow, of The Mental Hospital, Exminster (originally Devon County Lunatic Asylum, Exminster), died at 48 on 4 Dec 1933 (1933 D Quarter in ST. THOMAS Volume 05B Page 76), leaving her effects to her son James Roland George Edmond, Guardsman.

In 1939, Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond was a Motor Driver, living at 3 Higher Summerlands, Whipton, Exeter. Constance M H Edmond, Incapacitated, was resident at the The Royal Western Counties Institution For Training And Treatment Of Mental Defectives, Starcross. Originally known as the Western Counties Idiot Asylum, this institution opened in 1864 in a house and land, rented from W.R. Courtenay, 11th Earl of Devon. It later became known as the Western Counties Institution, Starcross, and was certified as 'a residential special school for mental defectives'. Residents were trained in carving, weaving, basketry, lace-making and carpentry, and worked on the institution's agricultural holdings. It was closed in 1986, and demolished. This dreadful terminology is very much 'of it's time', but reading between the lines, considering where she was living and the age, 32, she died my suspicion is that Connie may have been born with an extra chromosome. Constance M H Edmond died on 6 Aug 1949 (1949 S Quarter in DEVON CENTRAL Vol 07A Page 303) and is buried in St Mary's Churchyard, Kentisbeare.

William White and Ann Francis

All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk

William White (bap. 20 Jul 1806 at St Margaret, Garvestone), only child, son of Jacob White and Rose Bunkall, married Anne Francis (b. 3 Dec 1802 in Mattishall Burgh), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Homes, at All Saints' Church, Mattishall, Norfolk on 7 May 1826. 

Records exist for this couple having nine children:

1. Mariann White bap. 8 Oct 1826 in Mattishall
2. Anne White bap. 16 May 1830 in Mattishall (assume died in infancy)
3. Anne White bap. 23 Oct 1831 in Mattishall 
4. William White (b. 1834) bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
5. Sarah White bap. 26 Jun 1836 in Mattishall
6. Elizabeth White bap. 27 May 1838 in Mattishall
7. Hannah White bap. 23 Aug 1840 in Mattishall
8. Maria White bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall
9. Walter White, b. 16 Nov 1845 in Thorpe (1845 D Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 13 Page 20) (Birth, marriage and death certs held.)

In 1841, William (35) and Anne (35) were living 'Near the Church, Mattishall' with children: Mariann - listed as Mary - (14), Ann (9), William (7), Sarah (5), Elizabeth (3) and Hannah (0), as well as an Ann Clark (55).

By 1851, they had moved to Thorpe Road, St Andrew Thorpe with William (44) Gardener, Anne (47), Ann (19), William (17), also employed as a gardener, Hannah (10), Maria (8) and Walter (5). Sarah White (15) Servant in the household of John Baker at 16 Victoria Street, Lakenham. Elizabeth White (13) was Servant to Susannah Balley (28) Gentlewoman, on Thorpe Road.

In 1861, at Red Lion Hill, Thorpe were William (54) Gardener, Anne (54), Hannah (26), Maria (18) and Walter (15).

In 1871, William White (64) Gardener, and Anne White (68) were in Thorpe Street, Thorpe St Andrew, with granddaughter, Mary Ann Watson (13).

William White died just 16 days after the 1871 census was taken, aged 64, on 18 April 1871 (1871 J Quarter in BLOFIELD UNION Volume 04B Page 123) and was buried at the Rosary Cemetery, Norwich, Plot D3/578.

16 Oct 1871: The will of William White late of Thorpe St. Andrew in the County of Norfolk, Gardener, who died 18 April 1871 at Thorpe St. Andrew was proved at Norwich by Francis Anthony Martyn of the City of Norwich Upholsterer one of the Executors. Effects under £100. (Francis Anthony Martyn was William's son-in-law, then married to daughter, Ann.)

In 1881, Ann White (78), widow, was living with her daughter Ann Martin (sic) (49), also then widowed, in Lothian Street, Norwich. 

Anne White died on 4 Nov 1889 (1889 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 92), aged 86 and is buried with her husband at Rosary Cemetery. 

After contacting a local history group for Thorpe St Andrew, I was contacted by former Sheriff of Norwich, Nick Williams, whose wife had seen my question and who provided photos and even a plan, which made the plot very easy to find. The Rosary Cemetery itself is notable, nay unique, as it was the first non-denominational cemetery in England. Laid out in 1819, it celebrated it's 200th Anniversary in 2019. Nick Williams, who is also involved in The Friends of the Rosary Cemetery, has now written several books on the site and here talks about The History of Rosary Cemetery. 

Headstone for William White and Ann Francis (left) Plot D3/578