Sunday, 27 July 2025

James Wilmot Bussey and Ellen Jane Munday

Saint Mary's Church, Alverstoke
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Parsons - geograph.org.uk/p/628752

James Wilmot Bussey (bap. 24 Mar 1824), son of Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen, married Ellen Jane Munday, (bap. 7 Dec 1824 in Bishop's Waltham), daughter of Jane Munday on 27 Jul 1845 in Alverstoke

James and Jane Bussey had 12 children:
  1. Sarah Ann Munday b. 2 Apr 1845 (1845 J Quarter in DROXFORD UNION Volume 07 Page 64), bap. 31 Jul 1853 at St Mary's Church, Portsea as Sarah Ann Bussey Munday. However, listing only her mother's name, Ellen Jane Munday, despite her mother having married, strongly suggests that James Wilmot Bussey was her not biological father.
  2. Hannah Jane Bussey b. 1847 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 131, bap. 31 Jul 1853 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  3. Caroline Bussey b. 1849 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 137, bap. 27 Nov 1853 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  4. James Bussey b. 1851 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 07 Pg 143
  5. Ellen Bussey b. 1853 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Pg 310
  6. Benjamin Bussey b. 27 Feb 1855 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 328, bap. 7 Oct 1855 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
  7. Susan Rhoda Bussey b. 1857 M Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Pg 371
  8. Francis Henry Bussey b. 1859 J Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B  Pge352
  9. Alice Bussey b. 1861 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B Page 360. Died 1861 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 229
  10. Elizabeth Bussey b. 1862 S Qtr in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B 324
  11. Richard Bussey b. 1864 S Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Vol 02B 370
  12. Mary Agnes Bussey b. 1867 S Quarter in PORTSEA Vol 02B Pg 387
The mother's maiden name on the civil registrations include: Munday, Monday, Mundy and even Munslay [iv]. Such variations are nothing unusual.

In 1851, James Bussey (26) Butcher, in Landport View, with Jane Bussey (25), Sarah Bussey (6) and Caroline Bussey (2). Hannah Jane Bussey (4) was staying with Thomas Churcher (52) a Sawyer from Titchfield, Hampshire, and his wife Ursula (53), in Church Lane, Botley, Hampshire, described as their niece. One surmises that these are relatives of Jane Munday's.

In 1861, at 213-215 Commercial Road, were James Bussey (36) Pork Butcher, Ellen Jane (35), James W (10), Benjamin (6) and Francis (2), but none of the girls. [Portsmouth Local History, Butchers, Meat Dealers (PDF)]

James Wilmot Bussey, butcher of Arundel Street, Landport, died, aged 47, on 10 Jun 1870 (1870 J Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND Volume 02B Page 318) and was buried, on 12 Jun 1870 at Mile End Cemetery, Portsea, Hampshire (possibly later reburied in Kingston cemetery, although there's at least an equal chance that he was just concreted and Tarmaced over when the city council converted the cemetery into a car park for the ferry port).

In 1871, at 81, Arundel Street, Portsea, Jane Bussey (46) Widow, is listed as a Pork Butcher, with son James (19) Assistant, Ellen (17), Benjamin (15), Susan (13), Frank (11), Elizabeth (9) and Minnie (4).

In 1881, Ellen J Bussey (55) widow, Formerly butcher's wife from Bishop's Waltham, was again at 81, Arundel Street, Portsea with her son Benjamin Bussey (26) Pork butcher employing 1 man and his wife Emily J (21).

Ellen Jane Bussey died, at 72, in 1897 J Qtr in PORTSEA Vol 02B Page 305.

Henry Ridgeway and Maud Emily Kemp

West Anstey: village
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/147405

Henry Ridgeway (b. 17 Mar 1876), Police Constable, son of Thomas Ridgway and Ann Tooze, married Maud Emily Kemp (b. 10 Aug 1872), daughter of William John Kemp and Mary Prouse, on 27 Jul 1899, at St Petrock's Church, West Anstey, Devon. Maud's father was also a Police Constable.

Henry and Maud had three children:
  1. Harold Henry Ridgeway b. 23 Apr 1900 (1900 J Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 05B Page 106), bap. 3 Jun 1900 in Denbury, Devon
  2. Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway b. 8 Sep 1904 (1904 D Qtr in NEWTON ABBOT Vol 05B Page 108), bap. 22 Jan 1905 in Denbury, Devon
  3. Horace William Ridgeway b. 21 Feb 1911 (1911 M Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 05B Page 103), bap. 21 Apr 1911 in Kingsteignton
In 1901, Henry Ridgeway (25) Police Constable, Maud E (28) and Harold H (11 months) were living in East Street, Denbury, Newton Abbot.

In 1911, at 2 Yeoman Terrace, Kingsteignton, Devon, were Henry Ridgeway (35) Devon police constable; Maud Emily (38), Harold Henry Ridgeway (10), Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway (6) and Horace William Ridgeway (1 month). They confirm they had three children during their then 11 year marriage.

In 1921, Henry Ridgeway (45) Police Constable was living at 14, Hillmans Road, Newton Abbot, Wolborough with Maud Emily Ridgeway (48), Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway (16) and Horace William Ridgeway (10)

Henry Ridgeway, Retired police constable and Maud E Ridgeway, in 1939, were living at 5 Torquay Road, Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot.

Henry Ridgeway died, aged 74, in 1950 S Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 07A Page 448.

Maud E Ridgeway of Haytor House, Kingsteignton (her daughter, Gwendoline Williams' address), died on 28 Dec 1955, aged 83 (1955 D Quarter in NEWTON ABBOT Volume 07A Page 530). Probate was granted to Andrew John Williams, Dairyman and James Marshall, retired police officer.

  • In 1918, Harold Henry Ridgeway, had joined the Merchant Navy and married Doris Clark in Marylebone, London, in 1928. Harold Henry Ridgeway died in 1980, in Torbay, Devon, at 79. 
  • Gwendoline Maud Ridgeway married Andrew John Williams, in Newton Abbot on 29 May 1939. That year Andrew J Williams (b. 29 Dec 1904), Dairyman, Gwendoline M Williams and Wilfred H Green (b. 1890) Salesman Disabled War Pensioner, were living at Haytor House, Kingsteignton. Andrew John Williams of Cherry Trees, 22 Grosvenor Ave, Cadewell, Torquay died on 29 Oct 1993. Gwendoline Maud Williams died in Q1/2004 in TORBAY (4221A) Reg A93A Entry Number 106, at 99.
  • Horace William Ridgeway married Euphemia I Wilson, in Wetherby, Yorkshire, on 4 Jun 1938. The Aberdeen Press And Journal announced on 6 Jun 1938: RIDGEWAY-WILSON: At Wetherby Parish Church, Yorkshire on 4th June 1938, by the Rev. Milnes, Horace William, son of Mr and Mrs Ridgeway, of Torquay, South Devon, to Effie, younger daughter of the late James Wilson and of Mrs Wilson, 8 Victoria Crescent, Cullen. In 1939, Horace and Effie were at Devon Cottage, Wharfe View Estate, Wetherby. Horace was a "Sales Representative For Manager Of Glazed Tiles Fire Places", while Effie was "Private Secretary To Director Woollen Merchants". The record says Euphemia was born 8 Nov 1906, but found no birth record. Horace William Ridgeway died, at 85, in Q1/1996 in TORBAY (4221C) Reg C26A Entry Number 173. There was a death of an Effie Ridgeway, with birth year listed as 1908, in Q3/2007 in WIRRAL (0371B) Reg 1B002 Entry Number 42.

Thursday, 24 July 2025

Edwin James Farr and Margaret Wilton

Streatham: Tower of Immanuel Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Dr Neil Clifton - geograph.org.uk/p/3051240

Edwin James Farr (b. 6 Feb 1896 (1896 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 823)), son of Edwin James Farr and Julia Fellows, married Margaret Wilton (b. 21 Jul 1891 in Poplar, London), daughter of George Wilton and Susan Robinson at Immanuel Church, Streatham Common on 24 Jul 1919. At the time of this marriage, Edwin (23) was a Shunter on the LBSCR (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway), living at 18A Edgington Road, Streatham, while Margaret (27), a Domestic [Servant] gave her address as 10 Edgington Road and confirms her father as George Wilton, Carman, Deceased. Witnesses were Caroline Wilton (Margaret's older sister, Catherine) and William Farr, who was Edwin's older brother.

Edwin and Margaret had four sons:
  1. Edwin James Farr b. 16 Feb 1921 in WANDSWORTH Vol 01D 1140
  2. Arthur William Eric Farr b. 1924 S Qtr in WANDSWORTH Vol 01D Page 1016. Died, aged 2, at 4a Edgington Rd., Streatham, in 1927 J Qtr Vol 01D Page 488, buried on 7 Jun 1927 at Streatham St Leonard
  3. Ronald Kenneth Farr b. 3 Apr 1927 in WANDSWORTH Vol 01D 891
  4. Sidney Farr b. 9 Oct 1928 in WANDSWORTH Vol 01D Page 817
In all cases, their mother's maiden name is shown as WILTON.

Edwin James Farr had lived in that area all of his life and had been registered at Immanuel Church Of England Primary School, Streatham Common in 1900. His parents had also married at Immanuel Church on 22 Oct 1894, although his father was from Birmingham and his mother from Dudley. In 1913, aged 17½, when he was already 5ft 9in tall, Edwin James Farr had joined the Royal Field Artillery6th London Brigade. He appears to have been assessed as fit and accepted for training, but there are no further entries on this record, nor evidence of active service. Records in 1913 and again in 1927, show that Edwin was a member of the National Union of Railwaymen.

In 1921, Edwin James Farr (25) Railway Guard for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway at Victoria Station was living at 27, Edgington Road, Streatham with Margaret Farr (28) and Edwin James Farr (4 months).

In 1939, Edwin James Farr, Railway Guard, was living at 95 Eardley Road, Streatham with Margaret Farr and their three surviving sons: Edwin J Farr, Butcher's Errand Boy; Ronald K Farr and Sidney Farr, both At School.

Margaret Farr (née Wilton) died, aged 56, in 1947 D Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 05D Page 620.

Edwin J Farr died, aged 68, in 1964, in Westminster.

  • An Edwin J Farr married Olive E Barnes in Westminster, in 1948. It's not clear whether this was father or son. It appears that son Edwin James Farr died, in Cheam, Surrey, on 19 Dec 1983.
  • Ronald K Farr married Violet E Hammond, in Wandsworth, in 1950. Ronald Kenneth Farr died, in Lambeth, in 1987.
  • Sidney Farr married Phyllis Ross, in Wandsworth, in 1951. Sidney Farr died in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, in 2005.

Wednesday, 23 July 2025

Samuel Blazey and Susanna Plunkett

The Norman nave of Wymondham Abbey, Wednesday, 19 August, 2015
Photo available for reuse under this Creative Commons licence.

Banns were read in Wymondham on 23 Jun 1782 and 30 Jun 1782, for the marriage of Samuel Blazey (bap. 12 Sep 1761 in Wymondham), of this parish, bachelor, son of Paul Blazey and Mary Day, and Susanna Plunkett (bap. 27 Jan 1763 in Wymondham), of the same parish, Spinster, daughter of John Plunkett and Mary Bale, but on the third date the record states that they were not published. Unfortunately, I can't read the reason written on the record and to be fair, nor could various online OCR tools, the best of which, channelling it's inner Stanley Unwin (that'll date me) came up with, "at the men's steather and he had vermed astotter from herden which forted the going on". Indeed. What I interpret the situation to be is that Samuel had requested them not to be published as the couple had separated. If so, only temporarily, because after the banns were recalled on 8th, 15th and 22nd Jun 1783, Samuel Blazey and Susan Plunkett were married at Wymondham Abbey on 23 Jul 1783. Witnesses at this wedding were Sam Taylor and Jeramiah Forster.

Samuel and Susanna Blazey had at least five children:
  1. William Blazey bap. 5 Oct 1783 in Wymondham
  2. Elizabeth Blazey bap. 28 Mar 1785 in Wymondham
  3. Paul Blazey bap. 4 Apr 1790 Private Baptism in Wymondham
  4. Susanna Blazey bap. 11 Jul 1792 in Wymondham
  5. Mary Blazey b. 12 Aug 1797, bap. 20 Aug 1797 in Wymondham
On Elizabeth's and Susanna's baptisms, their mother's name is Susanna Blazey (late Susanna Plunkett) and on Paul's, it's Susan Blazey (late Plunkett).

So far I've not found a record of the death of this Samuel Blazey. There are various records that could relate to Susanna (a further marriage included), but, so far, I've been unable to confirm if any of them are relevant.

Henry William Stone and Sarah Snow

Huntsham : All Saints Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/6039979

As William Henry Stone (bap. Henry William on 13 Jul 1856 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), son of Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway, married Sarah Snow on 23 Jul 1879 at All Saints' Church, Huntsham. Witnesses were John Voisey and Marrianne (Mary Ann) Stone, the bridegroom's sister. 

Their only daughter had arrived a tad early: 
  1. Ellen Stone Snow b. 27 Feb 1879 (1879 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 425) at Putson Cottages, Blundells Road, Tiverton, to Sarah Snow, Domestic Servant. 
Sarah Stone, wife of Henry Stone, Farm Labourer, died, aged 25, on 22 Jan 1880 (1880 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 377), from Phthisis acuta (Acute tuberculosis), at Huntsham

In 1881, Henry Stone, was a widower, aged just 24, living alone at Little Fair Oak, Uplowman, while his daughter Ellen was living with her grandparents. Also in 1881, in Henry Stone and Mary Ridgeway's household were two visitors: Mary Ann Tarr (27) and Jane Tarr (22), who were daughters of William Tarr, a Hostler, and his wife, Jane Wood, of Marsh Bridge Road, Dulverton, Somerset. Clearly they were there preparing for a wedding, because in Q2 of 1881, William Henry Stone married Jane Tarr.  

Henry and Jane Stone had four further children: 
  1. Frederick Harry Stone b. 1885 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 420, bap. 26 Apr 1885, Frederick Henry, son of Henry and Jane, at St Mary’s churchUffculme (Died, aged 2, in 1887 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 267, see report below.)
  2. Francis Albert Stone b. 17 May 1886, bap. 15 Aug 1886 in Halberton, son of William Henry and Jane (1886 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 417, as Albert Stone with mother's maiden name TARSE.)
  3. Louisa Jane Stone b. 1888 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 406, bap. 26 Feb 1888 as Louisa Mary Jane Stone, at St Mary’sUffculme.
  4. Emma Katie Stone b. 3 Feb 1890 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 432, bap. 12 Feb 1892 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, the abode on the baptism record was Tiverton (Union), i.e. Workhouse
On 29 July 1887 The Western Times reported on the inquest into the accidental death of Frederick Henry Stone, 2½ yrs old, of Wellington Road, Uffculme, whose clothes caught fire, causing burns over his whole body, as did the Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. This report of the inquest, which was held in the cottage where they lived, is hard reading.

THE SHOCKING DEATH OF A CHILD NEAR UFFCULME

The inquest touching the death of the child, Frederick Henry Stone, aged 2½ years, son of a labourer residing at Brickyard Cottage, Wellington Road, near Uffculme, was held by Mr. F. Burrow, district coroner, on Saturday, when the evidence of the mother, Mrs Potter, a neighbour, and Dr. Morgan, of Uffculme, was taken. It appeared that about 8 a.m. on Friday the mother, having lighted the kitchen fire, placed the child, which was wearing its night-dress, in a chair by the side of it. Her back was turned for a few moments, and in the meantime the nightdress, a long one, became ignited by a burning stick which fell out of the grate. On hearing the child scream the mother ran into the kitchen, and finding the nightdress in flames, endeavoured to smother them by throwing some woollen material around the child. Failing, however, in this attempt, she and her little girl called for assistance, Mrs Potter then came in and, according to her statement, found the child in the middle of the floor, getting up into its knees and enveloped in "a mass of flames from head to foot." With the exception of fragments, the nightdress and undergarments were then completely charred. She extinguished the flames upon what remained and then, with the assistance of other neighbours, the burns were treated with linseed oil and lime water. In the meantime Dr. Bryden, of Uffculme, was sent for, as also was Dr. Morgan. The latter arrived first, but not until the child had expired. In his evidence, Mr. Morgan said he entirely approved of the remedies applied and even had he been there more could not have been done. The extent and nature of the burns, involving as they did the whole body were sufficient to cause death. -- The father of the child was present at the earlier part of the enquiry, but as he persisted in interposing remarks he was ordered by the Coroner to withdraw. Subsequently he was recalled and allowed to make a statement, the Coroner holding that he was not in a fit state to be sworn. Stone complained very strongly that Dr. Bryden although called twice and promised to come down did not do so until it suited his convenience in the course of his usual round as parish doctor, which was an hour or more after death. Mentioning incidentally that Dr. Bryden had attended on previous occasions he said he owed him 7s 6d, which he declared he would never pay. -- The Coroner remarked that that was a matter between himself and Dr. Bryden. -- It transpired that the child was insured in the Prudential Insurance Company. -- The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental death."
William Henry Stone, Farm Labourer of Halberton, died, aged 33, on 11 Aug 1889, at the Infirmary Tiverton from Cardiac disease and oedema of the lungs (Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure.) 

In 1891, Jane Stone (32), Francis Albert Stone (5), Louisa Mary Jane Stone (4) and Emma Katie Stone (1) were all listed as Inmates at the Tiverton Union Workhouse. Ellen Snow (12) was again living with her grandfather, going by her mother's surname, even though her parents subsequently married. 

Jane Stone, Widow, married William Staddon at Uffculme Parish Church on 11 Oct 1899. William Staddon, Widower, son of William Staddon and Jane Babbage, had been blind from birth. (He'd previously married Leah Parr, in Halberton, on 30 Mar 1871. Leah Staddon died, at 51, in 1897.)

In 1901, William Staddon (51), Jane Staddon (42), Lucy Stone [Louisa Mary Jane] (13), Emma Stone (11) and Richard Takel (59) Boarder were living in Bridge Street, Uffculme. Ellen S Stone (22), was a Domestic Cook at a Private Girls School at 19, St Peter Street, Tiverton, Devon.

In 1911, in Kitwell Street, Uffculme were William Staddon (52?) Basket Maker, from Uplowman, Devon, with Jane Staddon (52) from Dulverton, along with his son Tom Staddon (32) and Henry Wright (45) Boarder. 

In 1921, with address just listed as 'Halberton' were William Staddon (73) Basket Maker (retired); Jane Staddon (62) and Doris Irene Harding (11) Granddaughter - actually Jane's granddaughter, daughter of Emma Katie Stone, who had married Reginald Herbert Harding in 1909.

William Staddon died in 1925 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 466.

There's a death of a Jane Staddon of the right age who died, at 78, in 1937 J Quarter in MERTHYR TYDFIL Volume 11A Page 598, which may relate (if one of the children moved to that area perhaps), but so far I'm unable to confirm.