Jacob Ridgway and Jane Bray

Parish Church of St. Gregory, Seaton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Maurice D Budden - geograph.org.uk/p/2942441

Jacob Ridgway (b. 3 May 1776, baptised at the age of 17 in Culmstock, on 27 Oct 1793), son of Thomas Ridgway and Sarah Leaman, married Jane Bray (bap. 8 Jul 1777 in Uffculme, Devon), daughter of James Bray and Jane Taylor, on 23 Nov 1802 at the parish church of St. Gregory, Seaton, Devon. One of the witnesses to their marriage was a William Salter.

On 14 Feb 1798, Jacob Ridgeway had married Mary Spurway, in Culmstock. There being no other Jacob Ridgway in the area, this appears to be Jacob's previous marriage. A death of a Mary Ridgeway between 1798 and 1802 would provide additional evidence, but I cannot find a record.

Jacob and Jane Ridgway had six children:

1. John Ridgway bap. 8 May 1803 in Seaton & Beer
2. Sarah Ridgway bap. 6 Jan 1805 in Seaton & Beer
3. Thomas Ridgway bap. 9 Mar 1806 in Seaton & Beer
4. Jacob Ridgeway bap. 13 Dec 1807 in Seaton & Beer
5. James Ridgeway bap. 22 Oct 1809 in Seaton & Beer
6. Jane Ridgway bap. 29 Nov 1812 in Ashbrittle, Somerset

In 1841, Jacob Ridgway (66) and Jane Ridgway (62) were living in Ashbrittle Village, Ashbrittle, next-door-but-two to John Lock and Mary Nott.

Jacob Ridgway died, at 69, in 1845 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 10 Page 322 and was buried on 14 Dec 1845 at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

In 1851, Jane Ridgway (76) Widow, from Uffculme, Devon, was a lodger in the household of Thomas Salter (32) Ag Lab from Wiveliscombe. Also lodging in his household were Mary Taylor (32) Widow and her five children. The youngest, James Taylor, then 2 months old, b. 1851 M Quarter in WELLINGTON (SOMERSET & DEVON) Volume 10 Page 523, shows his mother's maiden name was RIDGEWAY. (James Taylor married Mary Ridgway on 11 Sep 1836 in Ashbrittle, Somerset. In 1841, they were living at Bourden Gate Cottage, Hockworthy and James Taylor died, aged 31 - with the census on 30 March 1851, it must have been days before - with his death registered in 1851 J Quarter in WELLINGTON-SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 10 Page 367. Thomas Salter then married widow, Mary Taylor in the 4th quarter of 1851. James Taylor and Mary Ridgway, clearly were family. 

Jane Ridgway died, age estimated as 77, in 1853 M Quarter in WELLINGTON - SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 294 and was buried on 13 Feb 1853, also at St John the Baptist, Ashbrittle.

Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White

Adelaide Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen Richards - geograph.org.uk/p/6083118

Alfred Beamer (b. 29 Dec 1853 in Taunton, Somerset), son of James Beamer and Rose Anna Smith (half-brother of Loveday Jane Land and John Land), married Mary Ann White (b. 1851 in Plympton), daughter of Alfred Augustus Harker White and Mary Sorton, on 23 Nov 1879 at Saint George's Church, Stonehouse (bombed in WWII). Alfred Beamer's rank or profession was listed as Private RM (He'd enlisted in the Royal Marines on 29 Dec 1871.)

Alfred and Mary Ann had five children:

1. Alfred Beamer b. 28 Aug 1880 (1880 D Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 289) [a]
2. Ethel Annie Beamer b. 23 Feb 1883 (1883 J Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 299) [a]
3. William George Beamer b. 4 Jan 1886 (1886 M Quarter in EAST STONEHOUSE Volume 05B Page 303) [a]
4. Rosa May Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 (1893 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 408) [b]
5. Frederick John Beamer b. 7 Jan 1893 (1893 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 408) (Died 1896 M Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 288) [b]

[a] Alfred, Ethel Annie and William George were all baptised, on 19 Jan 1886, at the Anglican Church of Saint Matthew, located in Clarence Place, opposite the former Royal Naval Hospital at East Stonehouse, Plymouth.

[b] Registered at the GRO as Rosa May, this twin was baptised Rosa Mary, when she and Frederick John were both baptised "privately" on the same day they were born, 7 Jan 1893, in Halberton, Devon. Their address at this time was Valley House, Halberton and Alfred was employed as a labourer. (Private baptism: "This means the child wasn’t baptised at Sunday service, usually because it was thought too weak to survive until then. [...] but it can mean the child was baptised by the priest visiting the family home, or by the midwife attending the birth. In fact, according to Anglican practice, in an emergency, a baptism may be performed by anyone who is already themselves baptised.")

In 1881, Mary A Beamer (29), Marines Wife, was at 47, Adelaide Street, East Stonehouse, with son Alfred (0) and her sister Mary J White (19). (Mary Ann, who's mother was named Mary, and her mother before her was also Mary (her parents married, on 15 December 1850, when Mary Sorton was a minor (19), at St Mary’s Church Plympton) had a younger sister, named Mary Jane!)

Again in 1891, Mary A Beamer (38) was listed as the head of the household "Supported by husband", with children: Alfred (10), Ethel A (8) and William G (5), and were living at Union Place, East Stonehouse.

Alfred completed 21 years service in the Royal Marines, with a final date of 6 Jan 1893, however, both William George and Ethel Annie were registered in the National School Admission Registers a Halberton by Nov 1892.

In 1901, they were back in Plymouth at 19, Cecil Street, Stonehouse, with Alfred Beamer (46), Labourer at Victualling Yard, wife Mary (49) and their two daughters, Ettie (Ethel) (18) and Rosa (8). Son Alfred was away, having joined the Royal Marines, while William was away training in the Royal Navy.

And in 1911, at 40 Neswick Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth, were Alfred Beamer (57) Pensioner Royal Marine Labourer Royal William Victualling Yard, wife Mary Ann (59), Rose May (18) (There are no records beyond 1911 for daughter, Rosa May) and Mary Jane White (51), Mary Ann's sister.

Alfred Beamer died, at 68, in 1920 D Qtr in PLYMOUTH Vol 05B Page 329.

In 1921, Mary Ann Beamer (70) Widow, Mother-in-law, was living in what had then become the household of her son-in-law and daughter, Edward and Ethel Priddle, but still at 40, Neswick Street, Plymouth.

In 1939, Mary Ann, widow, was again living with son-in-law and daughter, Edward and Ethel Priddle, at 2 Glendower Road, Peverell, Plymouth.

Mary Ann Beamer of 2 Glendower Road, Peverell, Plymouth, died on 17 May 1950 (1950 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 07A Page 600). She was aged 99. A notice of her death had appeared in the Western Morning News on 19 May 1950 and Mary Ann was buried, on 20 May 1950, at The Parish Church of St Gabriel, Peverell Terrace, Peverell, Plymouth.

Joseph Edward Tipping and Grace Hannah Tubb

Ann Hathaway's Cottage, Shottery, Warwickshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Pagram - geograph.org.uk/p/1971660

Joseph Edward Tipping (b. 4 May 1856 in Tardebigge, Worcestershire), widower, son of Henry Tipping and Elizabeth Tarplee, married Grace Hannah Tubb (b. 9 Aug 1871 in Sheppey, Kent), daughter of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy, in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, on 22 Nov 1900. 

In 1861, Joseph (4) son of Henry Tipping (48) Farmer of 148 Acres at Upper Bentley, Bromsgrove; in 1871, at 14, he was a pupil boarder at Birch Abbey Lane Boys School, Alcester, Warwickshire and in 1881, while his father had upgraded to 230 acres at Banks Green Farm, Webheath, Bromsgrove; Joseph (25) was Farm Bailiff at Berrow Green Farm, Martley, Worcestershire.

Joseph's previous marriage, on 20 Oct 1884, at All Saints Church in the parish of Weston-on-Avon, then in Gloucestershire, was to Mary Ellen Wareing (b. 10 Aug 1857 in Fringford, Oxfordshire), with whom he had four children: 

1. Martha Elizabeth Tipping b. 1885 S Qtr in ALCESTER Vol 06D Page 624, bap. 4 Oct 1885 at St. Mary and All Saints, Haselor, died 1886 M Quarter Vol 06D Page 442 and buried on 25 Jan 1886 in Haselor. 
2. Elise Ellen Tipping b. 18 Aug 1887 S Quarter in ALCESTER Volume 06D Page 615, bap. 11 Sep 1887 at St. Mary and All Saints, Haselor.
3. Edward John Henry Tipping b. 1889 J Qtr in ALCESTER Vol 06D Page 657, bap. 4 Apr 1889 at St. Mary and All Saints, Haselor, died 1889 S Qtr Vol 06D Page 372 and buried on 10 Aug 1889 in Haselor.
4. Winifred Agnes Tipping b. 1890 S Quarter in ALCESTER Volume 06D Page 628, bap. 16 Jul 1890 at St. Mary and All Saints, Haselor.

In 1891, Joseph E Tipping (34) Farmer was living at Rolls Wood, Water Lane, Haselor, Alcester, Warwickshire with wife Mary E (33), Elise E (4), Winifred (0), Gertrude M Tipping (7) Niece and Charles Shirley (14) Farm Servant.

Mary Ellen Tipping died, at 38, on 13 Apr 1896 (1896 J Qtr in STRATFORD ON AVON Vol 06D Page 384), and buried on 17 Apr 1896, in Haselor.

Grace Hannah Tipping became step-mother to Joseph's two surviving daughters and the couple went on to add five further children: 

5. Reginald Henry Tipping b. 6 Mar 1901 (Volume 06D Page 691)
6. Ernest Edward Joy Tipping b. 30 Nov 1902 (Volume 06D Page 703)
7. Marjorie Tipping b. 28 Sep 1904 (Volume 06D Page 679)
8. William Tarplee Tipping b. 18 Nov 1907 (Volume 06D Page 676)
9. Herbert Roy Tipping b. 13 Jan 1910 (Volume 06D Page 679)

In 1901, living at Miles Bush, Old Stratford and Drayton, Stratford on Avon, were Joseph E Tipping (44) Labourer on farm with Grace H Tipping (29), Elise E Tipping (13), Winifred A Tipping (10) and Reginald H Tipping (0).

In 1911, still at Miles Bush, Alcester Road, Stratford-on-Avon, were Joseph Edward Tipping (55) Castrator and general labourer; Grace Hannah Tipping (37), Reginald Henry Tipping (10), Ernest Edward Joy Tipping (8), Marjorie Tipping (6), William Tarplee Tipping (3) and Herbert Roy Tipping (1). Winifred Agnes Tipping (20), was Domestic Servant to Mary Louisa Flower (47) Widow, at Woodville, Gordon Road, Camberley, Frimley, Surrey. 

In 1921, Joseph Edward Tipping (65) Gardening 'Own Account' was still living at Miles Bush, Stratford on Avon, Old Stratford & Drayton, Warwickshire with Grace Hannah Tipping (46), Reginald Henry Tipping (20) Saddler & Harness Maker; Ernest Edward Joy Tipping (18) Boot repairer; Marjorie Tipping (16) Mother's help; William Tarplee Tipping (13) and Herbert Roy Tipping (11).

Grace Hannah Tipping died, aged 56, on 15 Aug 1928 (1928 S Quarter in STRATFORD ON AVON Volume 06D Page 704).

In 1939, Joseph E Tipping, Market Gardener, widower, was living with his son Edward E (Ernest), at 40 Shottery Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Joseph Edward Tipping died, aged 84, in 1941 M Quarter in STRATFORD-ON-AVON Volume 06D Page 1792.

• Elise Ellen Tipping married William John Bushnell in Ontario, Canada on 15 Sep 1913. They had a son, William Bushnell (1914-2007). Elise Ellen Bushnell died in Ontario, in 1982.
• Reginald H Tipping married Marjorie Robinson (b. 11 Jun 1905), in Warwick, in 1932. In 1939, Marjorie Tipping, married, was living with her parents, Henry and Rosina Robinson, at Brook Cottage Barford Hill, Barford, Warwick. Reginald H Tipping died, in Warwickshire, in 1985. Marjorie Tipping died in Nov 1992. 
• Ernest E J Tipping married Gladys Maud Dyde (b. 18 May 1908), in Stratford-on-Avon, in 1930. In 1939, were living at 40 Shottery Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Gladys M Tipping died in 1989. Ernest Edward J Tipping died, in 2003, at 100.
• Marjorie Tipping married Charles Henry Cooke (b. 18 Jul 1903), in Shottery, in 1929. In 1939, were at 35 Justins Avenue, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Charles Henry Cooke died on 10 Sep 1977 in Long Itchington, Warwickshire. Marjorie Cooke died in 1990.
• William T Tipping married Grace Agnes Kathleen Worrall (b. 16 Oct 1909), in Stratford-on-Avon, in 1931. In 1939, lived at 11 College Street, Stratford-Upon-Avon. William Tarplee Tipping died, in Stratford on Avon, in 1969. Grace Agnes K Tipping in 2002.
• Herbert R Tipping married Agnes Mary Bullingham (b. 16 Jan 1913) on 6 June 1936, in Shottery (famous for Anne Hathaway's Cottage). In 1939, were at 4 Church Road, Shottery, Stratford-Upon-Avon. Herbert Roy Tipping died, in Stratford on Avon, in 1981. Agnes Mary Tipping died on 24 Jun 2001.

James Waterman and Tamar Hockley

All Saints, High Roding
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/5059359

James Waterman (bap. 5 Aug 1821 at Hatfield Broad Oak), son of Isaac Waterman and Jane Hasler, married Tamar Hockley (bap. 8 Oct 1826 at St Mary the Virgin, Great Dunmow), daughter of Daniel Hockley and Sophia Mason, on 22 Nov 1850 at All Saints, High Roding.

James and Tamar had two sons:

1. James Waterman b. 1852 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 303, bap. 30 Jan 1853 at All Saints Church, High Roding.
2. John Waterman b. 1857 D Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 319, bap. 25 Apr 1858 at All Saints Church, High Roding.

In 1861, James Waterman (40) Agricultural Labourer, Tamar Waterman (33), James Waterman (8) Scholar and John Waterman (3) were living in High Roden Street, High Roden (sic) (High Roding, obvs), Dunmow, Essex.

In 1871, living "In the Street, High Roothing, Dunmow, Essex" (hopefully, not too literally) were James Waterman (50) Groom, Tamar Waterman (45), James Waterman (18) Carpenter and John Waterman (13) Ag Lab.

In 1881, they had moved to Cannons Road (presumably Cannons Lane), Hatfield Broad Oak Aka Hatfield Regis, Dunmow, Essex. James Waterman (60) Groom; Fanny Waterman (55) from Great Dunmow (same age, I have no doubt this is Tamar) and John Waterman (23) Carpenter.

In 1891, on the Stortford Road, Little Canfield, Dunmow, Essex were James Waterman (69) General Labourer and Tamar Waterman (65).

Tamar Waterman died, aged 71, in 1898 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 445 and was buried on 14 Mar 1898  in Great Dunmow.

In 1901, James Waterman (79) Widower, Retired Groom from Hatfield Broad Oak, was living alone, still on the Stortford Road.

James Waterman died, aged 84, in 1905 M Quarter in DUNMOW Volume 04A Page 475.

Henry Sweney MBE and Mary Louisa Efford

Christchurch tramway

Henry Sweney (b. 13 Jan 1874) son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married divorcee, Mary Louisa Ansley, in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 22 Nov 1901. Born Mary Louisa Efford on 16 Sep 1869 in Torquay, Devon (Volume 05B Page 161), daughter of John Ash Efford Jnr and Louisa Fulford, she had previously married Frederick William Ansley (b. 23 Jan 1866 in Oldbury, Staffordshire), son of Alfred Ansley and Emma Cooper, also in Christchurch, New Zealand, on 1 Nov 1887, with whom she had three daughters: Mary Louisa Ansley, b. 16 Aug 1888; Rose Amelia Ansley (1889-90) and Emma Miriam Ansley b. 18 Apr 1891.

Henry Sweeney had joined the Royal Marines on 8 Apr 1889. He gave his date of birth as 8 Feb 1871, making himself three years older in order to enlist. He was actually only 15, but at already 5 ft 5⁷⁄₁₀in had been tall enough to get away with it. His record confirms his father as John, of 1 Stephensons Cottages, Condor Street, London. Henry grew to 5ft 9½in at final discharge; he had a fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes and a tattoo of a basket of flowers on his forearm. 

After initial training at the Royal Marine Depot, Walmer (Deal, Kent) and at Portsmouth Division until 5 Dec 1890, ships that Henry Sweney served on included: HMS Agamemnon (1879) until 1892, while she was part of the Mediterranean Fleet; from 1892 to 1894, HMS Camperdown (1885), again with the Mediterranean Fleet. Henry will therefore have been aboard HMS Camperdown on 22 Jun 1893, when she collided with and sank the battleship HMS Victoria with 358 deaths, off Tripoli, Lebanon. The report here offers the explanation, "Following an order by the admiral to carry out a dangerous and near impossible manoeuvre, taking into account the positions of the vessels, the Camperdown rammed HMS Victoria, off the Lebanon, which sank with heavy loss of life. Camperdown was also badly damaged, but managed to limp into port." 

Henry's final ship was HMS Rapid (1883), then serving on the Australia Station and on 30 Sep 1897, was Discharged by Purchase at Sydney.

The Lyttleton Times on 13 Dec 1898, reported on: ANSLEY V. ANSLEY

This was a case in which Mary Louisa Ansley petitioned for the dissolution of her marriage with Frederick William Ansley of Wanganui on the grounds of cruelty and bigamy. Mr Cresswell appeared for the petitioner. The respondent did not appear, and was not represented by counsel. The evidence of the petitioner showed that she had lived six and a half years with the respondent, who had commenced to ill-treat her two days after the marriage. During the last six years they had been separated by mutual consent, owing to ill relations arising from the cruelty referred to. Amelia Stevens [1], sister of the petitioner, gave corroborative evidence. The written evidence of William T Clapham, clergyman, of Brisbane, taken by the Registrar on Nov 25, showed that he married the respondent to a woman in Brisbane on August 6, 1896 [2]. The respondent subsequently disappeared, and witness heard that he was already married and in New Zealand. His Honour granted the petitioner a decree nisi, with custody of the children and costs against the respondent.

[1] Amelia Efford married Archibald Stevens, in 1896. In 1911, Archibald and Amelia Stevens were listed on the New Zealand Electoral Roll at the Sailors Home Lyttelton, of which Archibald was the Superintendent.

[2] Frederick William Ansley (30) Bootmaker, who was listed on the Australia Electoral Roll in 1896 at 1 Downing Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane, Australia, married [Ellen] Nellie Ashton, in Queensland, Australia on 6 Aug 1896. Frederick, who died on 20 Apr 1956 (aged 90) and is buried at Aramoho Cemetery, Whanganui, [bio] appears to have been very partial to wedding cake, having had a total of five marriages (including the bigamous one).

In 1911, the New Zealand Electoral Roll places Henry Sweney, Hairdresser, at 89 Lower High Street, Christchurch East with Mary Louisa Sweney, Married, and Mary Louisa Sweney Jun (Jnr) (Mary Louisa Ansley). 

Step-daughter, Mary Louisa Ansley Sweney it appears married Herbert Charles Ford in 1916 and went on to have five children. [Source]

In 1925, Henry Sweney, Commission Agent, and Mary Louisa Sweney were listed at 64 Abberley Rd, St Albans, Christchurch.

Then Mary Louisa Sweney died, at 65, on 22 Jan 1934 and is buried at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, Block 31. Plot 14.

Some five years later, Henry Sweney remarried to Kathleen Elizabeth Hocking Raddon (b. 10 Mar 1892 in Christchurch, New Zealand), daughter of Captain Hugh Hocking Raddon and Elizabeth Ann Jackson, who was the widow of James Arthur Taylor, on 21 Feb 1939, in New Zealand. 

In the 1955 New Year Honours (New Zealand), Henry Sweney was awarded an M.B.E. for social welfare services. This bio offers some background: 

"Henry Sweney came to New Zealand in 1897 after purchasing a discharge from the Royal Marines after 8 1/2 years service. He was house manager of Christchurch Musical Society and Christchurch Harmonic Society and a worker for charity and patriotic funds for nearly 60 years.

In 1909 he and several others founded the Christchurch Competitions' Society. Henry worked as a stage manager and had his own concert party which gave charitable entertainment. He raised money for children's homes and was Justice of the Peace in Christchurch."

Henry Sweney died on 3 Jun 1963, aged 89, and was also buried, on 6 Jun 1963, at Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, Block 31. Plot 14.

Kathleen Elizabeth Hocking Sweney died on 5 Mar 1977, aged 85.

Photos of Henry Sweney provided by Jon Gilbert, descendant of Rosina Sweeney