Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey and Ada Mary Hartwell

Clifton Suspension Bridge

At almost 42, Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey (b. 1 Oct 1869), son of Thomas Bailey and Lucy Elizabeth Ann Fudge, married the 25 year old, Ada Mary Hartwell (b. 1886), daughter of Thomas Cooper Hartwell and Julia Adelaide Hodges, at St Paul's Church, Clifton, Bristol (photo) on 4 Sep 1911.

Thomas and Ada had two children:

1. Dorothy Ada Bailey b. 19 Sep 1912 D Quarter BRISTOL Vol 06A Pg 8
2. Stanley Thomas Bailey b. 1914 S Quarter in BRISTOL Vol 06A Page 7

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey had enlisted, at 14, in the Royal Marines on 22 Nov 1884, in which he served until 20 Feb 1896, having attained the rank of Corporal in 1894. On 21 Feb 1896, he signed up for 12 years with the Royal Navy, as a Ship's Corporal, from which he was pensioned on 16 Dec 1909.

In 1911, Thomas Bailey, from Stonehouse, Devonshire, listed as 40, was a boarder in the household of John Milton Mann (53) Fine Art Dealer, in Clifton, Bristol and was employed as a Toll Collector by the Clifton Suspension Bridge Company. Meanwhile, Ada Mary Hartwell (24), from Chadbury, Worcestershire, was in service as a domestic cook in Long Ashton, North Somerset, just outside the boundary of city of Bristol urban area.

Then along came the First World War and Thomas Bailey was re-engaged by the Royal Navy in Aug 1914, until his final discharge on 1 Mar 1919. 

In 1921, Thomas S O Bailey (51) Temporary Postman GPO, Out of Work; Ada Mary Bailey (34), Dorothy Ada Bailey (8) and Stanley Thomas Bailey (7) were listed as living at 44, Dearose Road, Plymouth.

Ada Mary Bailey died, aged 40, in 1927 in Plymouth Vol 05B Page 427.

In 1939, Thomas S O Bailey, Widowed, was listed at 25 Victoria Street, Plymouth, with his daughter Dorothy A Bailey.

Thomas Simon Oliver Bailey died, aged 79, in 1948 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 634.

• Dorothy Ada Bailey married Vincent Prete in Plymouth, in 1947.
• Stanley Thomas Bailey married Vera Muriel Helen Crabb, at Emmanuel Church, Plymouth, on 2 Aug 1941.

Stephen Wilton and Sophia Watson

St George's Church, Wells Way,Camberwell
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/2696927

Stephen Wilton (b. 1848), illegitimate son of Ann Wilton (although he listed his father as an 'invented', non-existent John Wilton), married Sophia Watson, daughter of James Watson and Sophia Barker at St George's Church, Camberwell on 4 Sep 1871. Sophia's parents had also married in Camberwell, in 1843, although, Sophia was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, in 1851, where her father was listed at that time, in Wellington Street, Westgate, as a Leather finisher and dyer. Stephen Wilton was a Harness Maker: a trade he undoubtedly learned while apprenticed to his maternal uncle Thomas Clark, who was one of the witnesses to Stephen and Sophia's marriage.

Stephen and Sophia had thirteen children, all born in Peckham:

1. James Watson b. 1869 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 604
2. Matilda Wilton b. 22 Nov 1871 (1872 M Qtr Vol 01D Page 737)
3. Edward Wilton b. 1873 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 771
4. Stephen Wilton b. 1875 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 794
5. Sophia Ann Wilton b. 1878 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 834. (Died 1878 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 516)
6. Rose Wilton b. 1879 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 804.
   (Died, aged 1, in 1881 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 513)
7. Jane Wilton b. 1881 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 915
8. William Wilton b. 1883 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 918
9. Minnie Wilton b. 1885 S Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 917.
   (Died 1886 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 500)
10. Robert Wilton b. 16 Apr 1887 J Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D 962
11. Florence Wilton b. 1891 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 882
12. Maud Wilton b. 1893 M Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 943
13. Edith Wilton b. 1895 D Qtr in CAMBERWELL Vol 01D Page 860

We have a description of Stephen Wilton, Harness Maker: when he was 18 he was 5ft 3in with brown hair, blue eyes, a fresh complexion and a scar on his chest. On 5 Aug 1867 he was sentenced to 20 days in Wandsworth Prison and a £2 fine, for Assault. And again, on 19 Apr 1870, Stephen Wilton (21) Harness Maker, 5ft 6in, with one previous conviction, was sentenced to 1 month in Wandsworth Prison, also for Assault. This might explain the gap between the birth of a child late in 1869 and them marrying in 1871.

In 1881, at 29, Sumner Road, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (33) Harness Maker; with wife Sophia Wilton (30), Matilda Wilton (9), Edward Wilton (7), Stephen Wilton (5) and Jane Wilton (0).

In 1891, in Camden Grove North, Camberwell, we find Stephen Wilton (43), Sophia Wilton (40), Edward Wilton (17) Soldier - records show that Edward had joined the East Surrey Regiment in 1890 - Stephen (15) Tin plate maker, Jane (10), William (8) and Robert (4) - the last 3 at school.

In 1901, at 24, Middle Street, Camberwell, were Stephen Wilton (53), Sophia Wilton (50), Jane Wilton (20) Ironer; William Wilton (18) Tin worker; Robert Wilton (14) Van boy; Florence (9), Maud (8) and Edith Wilton (5).

In 1911, at 129 Camden Grove North, Peckham: Stephen Wilton (63) Harness Maker, Sophia Wilton (60), Robert Wilton (23) Deal porter - a dangerous job done by a specialist group of workers in London's docks - Florence (19), Maud (18) Ironer and Edith (15) Book folder. They list on this census that they'd had thirteen children during their 40 year marriage, with nine then still living and four having died. Initially, I could only find records for 12 children, under the surname Wilton. After exhaustive searches, the only logical conclusion left was that the 13th child was actually the 1st, born before the couple married and only one birth fits this theory, that of James Watson born near the end of 1869, with no mother's maiden name listed (i.e. illegitimate). It also makes perfect sense for this child to be named after Sophia's father. That they claim 13 children of this marriage in 1911, does pretty much confirm that Stephen Wilton was the child's biological father. Also, I'd found only three deaths among the Wilton offspring, yet the parents list that four had died. James Watson, nor indeed listed under James Wilton, appears on any census, nor can I find a record of a death under either name, however, if this child died in infancy, this would account for the 4th. 

Stephen Wilton died aged 65, in 1913 D Quarter Volume 01D Page 833 and is buried at Camberwell Old Cemetery, Square 23, Grave 23241.

In 1921, Sophia Wilton (70) widow, was living at 62, Commercial Road, Peckham, with her daughter Florrie Wilton (28).

Sophia Wilton died aged 80 in 1931 J Quarter Volume 01D Page 660.

London Docks - Deal Porters & Bag Work

John Pryor and Elizabeth Wilton

Royston: early blossom in Kneesworth Street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Sutton - geograph.org.uk/p/4814372

John Pryor (b. 22 Aug 1803 in Royston, Hertfordshire), son of John Pryor and Lydia Bateson, married Elizabeth Wilton (b. 1805, bap. 25 Feb 1807 in Royston) daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, in Royston, Hertfordshire (the transcript does not specify venue) on 4 Sep 1823. 

John and Elizabeth appear to have seven children:

1. Lydia Pryor b. 17 Jun 1824, bap. 24 Jun 1837
2. Henry Wilton Pryor b. 14 Nov 1827, bap. 24 Jun 1837
3. Francis Pryor b. 4 Mar 1830, bap. 24 Jun 1837
4. Matthew John Pryor b. 14 Nov 1832, bap. 26 Jun 1837 (Died, aged 5, in 1838 M Qtr in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Vol 06 Page 454)
5. Elizabeth Pryor b. 9 Dec 1834, bap. 24 Jun 1837 (Died aged 6, in 1841 D Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 396)
6. William Bateson Pryor b. 1837 S Qtr in ROYSTON UNION Vol 06 400
7. Alfred John Pryor b. 1839 J Quarter in ROYSTON Vol 06 Page 600

All baptisms took place at the New Meeting House, Royston. Maybe they felt the need to catch up before Civil Registration came in on 1 Jul 1837.

Listed as Elizabeth Pryer (sic) she died, aged 35, in 1840 S Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 361. 

In 1841, John Pryor (35) Tailor was living in in High Street, Royston, with Lydia Pryor (17), William B Pryor (3) and Alfred Pryor (2), Martha Wilton (30) Housekeeper (Elizabeth's sister); John D Tier (18) and Charles Robinson (15) Apprentices. Henry Wilton Pryor (listed as Henry Prior) (14) Apprentice Tailor, was living in the household of his Uncle Henry Wilton (Elizabeth's brother) in High Street, Great Dunmow; Francis Pryor (11), was in the household of Benjamin Batt (55) in Padler's Lane, Therfield, Hertfordshire.

John Pryor remarried, in Royston, to Edith Sell, daughter of Tempest Sell (Veterinary Surgeon) and Sarah Docwa, on 25 Aug 1842. 

They had two further children:

1. Edith Sell Pryor b. 1843 J Quarter in ROYSTON & BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 555, bap. 25 Aug 1844
2. Tempest Simeon Sell Pryor b. 1846 J Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 607

"Edith Fossey Prior, daughter of Tempest Sell, who departed this life, April 5th, 1850 (1850 J Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 407), aged 37 years", was buried on 12 Apr 1850 at the Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Bassingbourn. (There are monuments to Tempest Sell at Bassingbourn Parish Church, Edith's brother and ancestors.) 

John Pryor died, aged 47, in 1850 D Quarter in ROYSTON AND BUNTINGFORD Volume 06 Page 385. 

In 1851, Alfred (12), Edith (7) and Tempest (5), surname spelt Prior, were all at the Bassingbourn Union Workhouse (Royston Union Workhouse).

(Alfred John Pryor died, in Hackney, London in 1898; in 1861, Edith [Sell] Pryor was visiting her maternal aunt Sarah Hitch in Bell Lane, Fen Stanton, Huntingdonshire. Edith Pryor married James Clements Howard in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1867 and died, aged 43, in 1886; Tempest Simeon Sell Pryor died on 28 Feb 1929 in Uralla, New South Wales, Australia.)

John Oxford and Elizabeth Lang

Charles Church, the second most ancient parish church in Plymouth.
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/5218300

John Oxford (bap. 26 Dec 1777), son of Henry and Mary Oxford, married Elizabeth Lang (bap. 24 Aug 1778 in Stoke Damerel), daughter of James Lang and Mary Smart, on 4 Sep 1803 at Charles Church, Plymouth.

John and Elizabeth had at least the following children, all baptised at Plymouth, Charles the Martyr (Charles Church, Plymouth):

1. John Oxford b. 7 Sep 1804, bap. 7 Apr 1805. With a subsequent child also named John, it is likely this child died as an infant and there's a burial of a John Oxford, although the age is not listed, on 28 Oct 1805
2. John Lang Oxford b. 29 Nov 1807, bap. 6 Jan 1808
3. Elizabeth Ann Mills Oxford b. 22 Aug 1808, bap. 27 Aug 1809. Died, aged 12, and was buried at Charles Church, Plymouth on 15 May 1820
4. Henry Lang Oxford b. 13 Aug 1810, bap. 28 Oct 1810
5. Mary Amelia Oxford b. 29 Nov 1811, bap. 15 Jun 1817. Baptism lists her as Mary Emilia (sic) and John's occupation as Shipwright
6. Edward Oxford b. ~1821
7. Emma Oxford b. ~1826

Found no baptism records [yet] for Edward or Emma, however, they were on 1841 Census and Emma's marriage, in 1847, confirms her father as John Oxford, Shipwright. With significant gaps, there may have been others.

By 1841, John Oxford (60) was resident in Devonport Workhouse (previously Stoke Damerel Parish Workhouse). Elizabeth Oxford (~65) was living in what looks like a boarding house, in Old Town Street, Plymouth St Andrew, along with Edward Oxford (20) and Emma Oxford (15). 

Elizabeth Oxford died, in Stoke Damerel, on 22 Dec 1845 (1845 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 09 Page 262) and was buried, in the parish of Stoke Damerel, on 26 Dec 1845. Her age, estimated to 60 (she was 67), is likely just a wild guess by the overseers. Her residence at the time of death was 'Workhouse'. "Until the National Health Service was established in 1948, the Workhouse Infirmary was one of the few places where medical care could be obtained free of charge. As a result, many babies were born in the Workhouse and many older people ended their days there." [Source] Inside Plymouth's dismal Workhouses which housed the poor and disabled.

In 1851, John Oxford (74) Widower, is again listed at the Workhouse in Stoke Damerel, proudly listed as "Shipwright Employed Thirty Men".

John Oxford died, aged 76, on 16 Aug 1853 (1853 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 184). Once more, the record of his burial, on 20 Aug 1853, in that parish, gives his last address as 'Workhouse'.

William Harman Howes and Elizabeth Eliza Blazey

St. John the Theologian, Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Graham Hardy - geograph.org.uk/p/160332
St. John's at the junction of Ber Street and Finkelgate in 
Norwich is historically known as St. John Sepulchre.

William Harman Howes (b. 15 Jul 1874), son of John Robert Howes and Martha Burrows Woodhouse married Elizabeth Eliza Blazey (b. 8 Jan 1874), daughter of Samuel Blazey and Elizabeth Wiggins, both of 3 Butchers Arms Yard, Ber St, on 2 Sep 1895 at St John Sepulchre, Norwich. Witnesses were William Walter Tillett and Martha Elizabeth Hunt, the groom's sister.

William and Elizabeth had three children:

1. William Harman Howes b. 14 Dec 1895 (1896 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 119). (Unusually, no evidence of baptism.)
2. Alice May Howes b. 31 Oct 1899 (1899 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 174), bap. 16 Mar 1910 at Holy Trinity, Heigham, Norfolk
3. Maggie Dorothy Howes b. 4 Apr 1910 (1910 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 146), bap. 1 Jun 1910 at Holy Trinity, Heigham

The mother's maiden name on all three registrations is BLAZEY.

In 1901, Elizabeth Howes (27) was living at 15, Manchester Street, Heigham, Norwich, with William (5) and Alice (1). Meanwhile, William Harman Howes (miss transcribed as William H Howne) (26) from Norwich, Norfolk, Married, Plasterer's Labourer, was a Boarder in a household in Epsom, Surrey. 

By 1911, William Howes (37), Elizabeth (37), William (15), Alice (11) and Maggie (0), had moved to 19 Manchester St, Norwich, where her father and grandmother had lived. (Alice May Howes had been born at this address.)

In 1921, still at 19, Manchester Street, Norwich, were William H Howes (46) Bricklayer's Labourer for Norwich Corporation; Elizabeth E Howes (47), Alice M Howes (21) Chocolate Moulder at Caleys Ltd; and Maggie D Howes (11).

And in 1939, still living at 19 Manchester Street, Norwich, Norfolk, were William Howes, Builder's Labourer Retired and wife Elizabeth.

William Harman Howes died on 27 Nov 1944, aged 70 (1944 D Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 199), at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. 

Eliza Elizabeth Howes (née Blazey) died, aged 78, from Cerebral thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, on 19 Jan 1951 (1951 M Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 919) at 60 Suffolk Street, Norwich, Norfolk.

(William Harman Howes in the Howes Family One Name Study).