Samuel Webber and Harriet Lock

Uplowman : The Redwoods Inn
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/7503704

Samuel Webber (b. ~1815 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset), listed on the marriage certificate as the son of William Webber, Farmer (often used inaccurately), married Harriet Lock (bap. 19 Jun 1814 in Ashbrittle), daughter of John Lock and Mary Nott at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman on 17 Dec 1850. The witnesses to their marriage were Richard Frankpitt and Jane Parr.

In 1841, Harriet Lock (25) had been a Female Servant in the household of Edward Chave (35) at Burrow Farm, Ashbrittle [the same Edward Chave who was at Widhayes Farm, Uplowman in 1861 and 1871] and at the same time Samuel Webber (~20) had been a Male Servant on Burrow Farm.

In 1851, Samuel Webber (33) Victualler from Wiveliscombe, Somerset and Harriet Webber (37) Victualler's Wife from Ashbrittle, Somerset were living at, and clearly running, the Redwoods Inn, Uplowman (confirmed there).

Samuel and Harriet had one daughter:

1. Elizabeth Webber b. 1851 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 273, mother's maiden name confirmed as LOCK, but can identify no further records for this child and fear she most likely died as an infant.

However, Harriet Webber died, at just 38, in 1853 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 283 and was buried in Uplowman on 9 Apr 1853.

Samuel Webber (36), Widower, again listed as son of William Webber, Farmer, wasted no time in remarrying, also at St Peter’s, Uplowman, on 14 Jul 1853 to Jane Cruze (40), Widow, listed as daughter of John Lake, Sawyer.

In 1861, Samuel Webber (46) Farmer of 16 acres was at Lowman Cross Way, Uplowman, Tiverton, in a property next door to Hugh Redwood, Wheelwright and Innkeeper, who then ran the Redwoods Inn. Living with Samuel were Jane Webber (48), Sarah Cruze (23) Bonnet Maker from Bampton, Devon; Sarah Jane Cruze (6) and Ann Elizabeth Cruze (0) - Jane's granddaughters.

Jane appears to have been 'massaging' her age: In 1851, Jane Cruse (sic) (46) Annuitant and Sarah Cruse (sic) (14) had been living in Barrington Street, Tiverton. It hasn't been possible to find a record of Jane's previous marriage, however, there was a baptism of an Ann Cruze in Bampton, Devon on 12 Sep 1830, the daughter of James and Jane and the death of a James Cruze, aged 32, in 1837 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 177 and buried on 10 Sep 1837 in Bampton, who, I feel, was almost certainly her first husband. (There was also a burial of a Caroline Cruze, aged 4, in Bampton on 31 Dec 1837, and fear this may well have been this couple's child also.)

No birth or baptism records come up for either Jane Lake or her daughter, Sarah Cruze, however, Sarah Jane b. 1856 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 395, bap. 12 Aug 1856 in Uplowman, the daughter of Sarah Cruze, Single woman and Ann Elizabeth b. 1859 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378, were both Jane's daughter Sarah's illegitimate daughters.

Samuel Webber died, aged 55, in 1869 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 323 and was buried on 20 Mar 1869, in Uplowman. (In sad irony, the very next burial record was for Samuel's best man, and presumably friend, Richard Frankpitt, on 17 Apr 1869, who died, at 60, on 11 Apr 1869.)

In 1871, Jane Webber (60) Widow, Dairy Keeper, was living at Lowman Cross Farm Houses, Uplowman with Sarah Short (28) Dressmaker and Milliner; Sarah J Carew (14), Ann E Carew (11) and a then unnamed 2 day old Female Infant - later registered Edith Margaretta Hannah Short b. 1871 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 436 and bap. Edith Margaret Hannah Short on 1 May 1871 in Uplowman. You might think that Carew was an error, however, Jane's daughter, Sarah had married as Sarah Jane Carew in 1869 to Thomas Short (bap. 25 Jan 1843 in Northam, Devon), son of Thomas Short and Margaret Webb, in Bristol, so it seems to have been intentional. The mother's maiden name on Edith's birth registration was also listed as CAREW. On Edith's baptism, Thomas Short is described as a Railway Clerk.

As yet, I've been unable to identify any further records for Jane Webber.

In 1881, Thomas Short (39) [Profession infuriatingly unreadable] from Northam, North Devon was living at a fancy sounding address, Kennett Villa, [Royal] Albert Road, Westbury upon Trym, Barton Regis, Gloucestershire with wife Sarah J Short (39) - she must have been 44 - Edith Short (10) born in Uplowman, Devon; William H Short (6) born in the United States and Thomas Short (3) born in Clifton, Gloucestershire. (Thomas Short b. 1877 J Quarter in BARTON REGIS Volume 06A Page 79, mother's maiden name CREW.)

Annie Elizabeth Cruise (sic), it appears, married John Lake Fry in 1887.

Thomas Pearce and Sarah Hall

St. Mary's Church - Alverstoke
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Babb - geograph.org.uk/p/1093207

Thomas Pearce married Sarah Hall on 14 Dec 1797 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. Witnesses to their marriage were Ann Deadman and Robert Hills.

Thomas and Sarah appear to have had five children:

1. Mary Ann Pearce b. 19 Dec 1798, bap. 21 Dec 1800
2. Robert Pearce bap. 21 Dec 1800, in the parish of Portsea St Mary
3. Thomas Hooper Pearce b. 30 Aug 1806, bap. 2 Sep 1806 (some transcripts say 7 Sep 1806) in the parish of Portsea St John
4. James Pearce b. 9 Jan 1809, bap 19 Jan 1809, St Johns Chapel
5. Sarah Pearce b. 16 Dec 1810, bap. 24 Mar 1811 at Portsea, St Mary

Sarah Pearce of Sandwich Street, Portsea (Sandwich Street was in the "New Buildings" taken into the Dockyard in 1847, The Portsmouth Encyclopedia) died, age estimated to 69, in 1840 D Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 07 Page 95 and buried on 15 Nov 1840 at St Mary's, Portsea.

In 1841, Thomas Pearce (65) Shopkeeper was in Sandwich Street, Portsea with Thomas Postings (30) Navy; Mary (30) & Thomas Postings, 17m.

In 1851, Thomas Pearce (74) Widower, Wife's Father, Retired Grocer, was living at 22 Upper Church Road, in the household of James Tubb.

Thomas Pearce, listed as Thomas Hooper Pearce, of Church Road, age given as 78, died in 1853 M Quarter in PORTSEA ISLAND UNION Volume 02B Page 269 and was buried on 2 Jan 1853 at St Mary's, Portsea.

Alfred Beamer and Emily Luxton

Castle Street, Tiverton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Roger Cornfoot - geograph.org.uk/p/6587133

Alfred Beamer (b. 28 Aug 1880 in East Stonehouse, Devon), Private RMLI of Cecil Street, Plymouth, son of Alfred Beamer and Mary Ann White, married Emily Luxton (b. 22 Jun 1882 in Tiverton), daughter of James Luxton and Hannah Maria Hawkins, on 14 Dec 1905, at St Paul's Church, Tiverton. Emily's address at the time was Heathcoat Square, Tiverton and her younger sister, Jessie Luxton, was one of witnesseses (bridesmaid perhaps).

Alfred and Emily had two children:

1. Alfred James Beamer b. 15 Mar 1908 (1908 J Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 241), bap. 29 Mar 1908 at St Peter’s Church, Stonehouse, Plymouth. But the infant died, in 1908 S Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 174, at bearly six months of age.
2. Evelyn Beamer b. 1909 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 365, who also died in 1909 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 227

Alfred Beamer, who had enlisted in the Royal Marines on 15 Aug 1896, just shy of his 16th birthday, was discharged, invalided, on 15 Oct 1908. On 7 Mar 1909, Alfred Beamer (29) Labourer of 40 Neswick St, Plymouth, was admitted to the Devon and Cornwall Sanatorium for Consumptives Didworthy. Consumption was another name for Tuberculosis. When he was discharged from the sanitorium on 15 Jun 1909, the record shows Alfred developed the disease 7 months previously, which ties in with the date he was discharged from the Royal Marines. In the notes it says, "light work - dead". What kind of light work the dead can do, is what I would like to know! Alfred Beamer died, at 29, in 1909 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 183. 

In 1911, Emily Beamer (28), widow, was living at 1 Melbourne Street, Tiverton and working at the Heathcoat Lace Factory, as a spinner. Although she was a widow, Emily helpfully completed the fields on this census to confirm that she had two children born alive and that both had died.

In 1912, Emily Beamer remarried to a John Heard, in Tiverton.

In 1921, John Heard (49) Labourer from Oakford Devon, Emily Heard (39), and John's two children from his previous marriage (to Lily Holmes in 1901, who died in 1911), Beatrice Lily Heard (19) Lace Folder (at Heathcoat) and Sidney John Heard (13) were living at 125, West Exe South, Tiverton.

John Heard died, aged 59, in 1930 D Quarter in EXETER Vol 05B Page 94.

In 1939, Emily Heard, widow, was living with a single lady, Beatrice E Gollop, at 26 Castle Street, Tiverton.

Emily Heard died, in Tiverton, in 1962, aged 79.

Edward John Bicknell and Marcella Jones

Portsmouth Cathedral
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6829155

Edward John Bicknell married Marcella Jones (b. 10 May 1883 in Rushbrooke, Cobh (Queenstown, as it was then), Ireland), daughter of David Jones and Johannah Anne O'Callaghan, at St Jude's Church, Southsea on 12 Dec 1906. Among the witnesses was Marcella's younger sister, Helena Jones. At the time of this marriage, Edward John Bicknell was a Corporal RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) and was then stationed at Southsea Castle. On the marriage certificate, Bicknell's father is 'invented' as Edward Bicknell, a farmer.

Their only child was:

1. David Nicholas Bicknell b. 20 Jan 1909 at 15 Gold Street, Southsea (1909 M Quarter in PORTSMOUTH Volume 02B Page 491), bap. 10 Feb 1909, at St Thomas of Canterbury (now Portsmouth Cathedral).

There is no birth, nor baptism of an Edward John Bicknell. The only likely record is a birth of an Edward Bicknell, in 1879 D Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 46. The birth certificate lists that the child, born on 19 Nov 1879, in the Village, Withycombe Raleigh (which certainly falls within St Thomas Registration District), was the illegitimate son of Rose Creasley Bicknell, Domestic Servant, Cook. His birth was registered by his mother, on 9 Dec 1879 and the name of the deputy registrar on the certificate was Edward John Carter. Is that where the Edward John came from? That and naming their son after Marcella's father and uncle and not after Bicknell's ancestors, leads me to be certain Edward had no idea who his father was and, as is so often done, just made one up for appearances on the marriage certificate.

There was a Rose Cressly Bicknell b. 1859 M Quarter in TOTNES Volume 05B Page 173 and baptised on 2 Jan 1859 at St Saviour's Church, Dartmouth, Devon, clearly listed as the base child of Elizabeth Bicknell (and a bloke named Cressly, I wouldn't be surprised). Edward John was described as Elizabeth's nephew, but it's obvious she was actually his grandmother.

Records show that Henry Palmer had married Elizabeth Fanny Bicknell, at St Margaret's, Westminster, London, in 1873. In 1881, they had been living at Church End, Tempsford, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where Henry was Under butler. Elizabeth Bicknell (bap. 5 Jan 1834), listed in Withycombe Rawleigh in 1841 and 1851, certainly had a brother named Edward, born in 1830. However, he had died in 1870, so could not have been the boy's father. In fact, there were very many people named Edward Bicknell, in Withycombe, going right back to the 17th Century. Not one of them were farmers.

In 1891, Edward Jno Bricknell (sic) (10), 'nephew', had been living with Henry Palmer (42) Butler domestic and Elizabeth F Palmer (54) from Withycombe, Devon, at Hencroft Street, Upton with Chalvey, Eton, Buckinghamshire.

On 17 Dec 1895, Edward John Bicknell, listed originally as aged 14 years, 11 months (although the 14 appears to have been over-written as 15 on the 2nd page), from Withycombe [Withycombe Raleigh], Exmouth, Devon, formerly a Telegraph Messenger, had enlisted for Long Service in the Royal Artillery, at Slough, Bucks. The name and address of his next of kin was given as Mrs F E Palmer, 18 Hencroft Street, Sough, Bucks. (In 1901, Elizabeth F Palmer (60) Tailoress, from Withycombe, Devon, was still listed at that address.)

Fort Rowner-Gosport
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Colin Babb - geograph.org.uk/p/704877

When he enlisted in 1895, Edward John was 5' 1⅝' tall, weighed 98lbs, had a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was then sent to Fort Rowner, Gosport on 21 Dec 1895. Initially passed as fit, he spent 29 days in hospital from 5 Feb 1896 to 4 Mar 1896, suffering from an illness referred to only by the initials V.D.H. (valvular disease of the heart and implies some organic disease or heart malfunction), of unknown cause and was discharged on 7 Mar 1896, as "Not being likely to become an efficient soldier."

On 19 Sep 1900, in London, at 18 years and 9 months, Edward John Bicknell, once again enlisted in the Royal Artillery. The record, again, says he was from Withycombe, Exmouth, Devon. Was he cured of his previous condition, or hopeful nobody would tie the two together (which they don't seem to do)?

In 1901, Edward John Bicknell (19) Gunner Royal Artillery, was listed on the census at Leith Fort, North Fort Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Part of Tigné Barracks, now incorporated in The Point Shopping Mall, Sliema, Malta.
(And yes, I did go to Sliema, Malta to track the location down. Would be rude not to!)

In 1911, Sergeant Edward John Bicknell (29), from Exmouth, Devon, was listed on the census of Overseas Establishments with 96th Company RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) at Fort Tigné, Malta. Also listed there at that time were wife, Marcella Bicknell (26) and son, David Nicholas Bicknell (2) (96th Company, I believe, remained in Malta for the duration of World War I.)

But on 27 Oct 1919, Edward John Bicknell, then a Battery Sergeant Major at Sandown Barracks, Sandown, Isle of Wight, filed for divorce from Marcella, citing her adultery with co-respondent, Harry Babb, a Fitter in His Majesty's Dockyard at Portsmouth, with whom she was allegedly residing at 34, Castle Road, Southsea. The final decree was granted on 29 Sep 1920 and Harry Babb was ordered to pay costs of £63 18s 4d (around £3,655 in 2025).

In 1920 and 1921, records show that Sergeant Major Edward John Bicknell was a member of Sandown Masonic Lodge on the Isle of Wight. 

Edward John Bicknell remarried, to Ida Gertrude Pressley, on 25 Mar 1921, on the Isle of Wight. Ida Gertrude Pressley (b. 31 Dec 1890 (1891 M Quarter in ISLE OF WIGHT Volume 02B Page 615)), was the daughter of Thomas Frederick Pressley (a Yacht steward) and Sophia Caroline Lobb (from Jersey, Channel Islands). In 1901, the family address was Grocer's Shop, 62, West Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight (now a branch of The Co-operative Food). In 1911, Ida Gertrude Priestley (20), had been employed as a Lady's Maid to a Mrs Winifred Walker at 10 Marmion Road, Battersea, London.

In 1921, Ida Gertrude Bicknell (29) Dressmaker & Costumer from the Isle of Wight was a boarder and Edward John Bicknell (38) Soldier, 9th Bde RGA (Attached 34th Bde RFA North Camp Aldershot) a visitor in the household of Ada Smith (55) at 177, Filbert Street, Leicester, Leicestershire.

Edward John Bicknell was discharged from the Army on 18 Sep 1921, at Dover, under Paragraph 392 (xxi) of the King's Regulations - the end of a period of engagement - and awarded a pension of 51½d per day for life. His address on discharge matches, as 177, Filbert Street, Leicester. 

However, Edward John Bicknell of 4 Burton Street, Leicester, Bank Messenger, died on 21 Apr 1922 (1922 J Quarter in LEICESTER Volume 07A Page 300), at Leicester Royal Infirmary from shock following an operation (stomach cancer, diagnosed 5-6 months previously). He was ~40. His death was registered by P H Priestley, Brother-in-law (Ida's younger brother).

34, Castle Road, Southsea, alleged address of these shocking adulterers.

Henry Babb (30 - only 26), Engine fitter at HM Dockyard, son of Levi Frank Babb (deceased), Antique Dealer, married Marcella Bicknell formerly Jones (34 - actually 37) 'the divorced wife of Edward John Bicknell', daughter of David Jones, Naval Pensioner, both of 34, Castle Road, Southsea, at The Register Office, St Michael's Road, Portsmouth, on 15 Dec 1920 (1920 Q4 Vol 2B Pg 1395). Witnesses were Maria Arnold and Edith Arnold.

The only relevant birth of a Harry Babb, was in 1894 D Quarter in BARNSTAPLE UNION Volume 05B Page 417, with his mother's maiden name given as Ware. There was a marriage of an Eli Francis Babb and Annie Ware on 21 Feb 1880, at St Martin-in-the-Fields, in The Strand, London. Harry was baptised on 25 Jan 1895 at Holy Trinity Church, Barnstaple and the baptism record gives his parents as Levi Frank and Annie Babb, with his father's occupation listed as 'Boots' at the Fortescue Hotel. (The word 'Boots' came from, ‘boot boys’, an occupation in the 1830s and 40s requiring young men to clean the boots of hotel guests. Later, the occupation had become simply known as ‘boots’, and duties included odd-jobs.)

In 1921, Henry Babb (30) - still adding 4 years - from Barnstaple, Devon, working for the Department (Engineering) H M Dockyard Portsmouth was again living at 34, Castle Road, Southsea with Marcella Babb (~36), step-son David Bicknell (12), four Boarders and one Domestic servant.

In 1939, Harry Babb (b. 17 Nov 1894), Marine Engineer, Marcella Babb, David N Bicknell and a lodger were living at 10 Wilberforce Road.

Marcella Babb of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 9 Oct 1963, at 80.

Henry Babb, also still of 1 Festing Grove, Southsea, died on 19 Nov 1967, just two days after celebrating his 73rd birthday.

David Nicholas Bicknell never married. He died of a cardiac arrest on 22 Jan 1987 (Q1/1987 in PORTSMOUTH (4971E) Volume 20 Page 1011), two days after his 78th birthday. The retired production controller still lived at 1 Festing Grove, Southsea. On his death certificate, his place of birth was listed as India. Records show that he was born in Southsea, so I wonder if his father spent time in India while he was growing up, or did David only think it was India, being just a small child in the Mediterranean heat of Malta?

Festing Grove, Southsea
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Kate Jewell - geograph.org.uk/p/3319369

Henry Doe and Elizabeth Doe

All Saints Church, Little Canfield, Essex

Henry Doe (bap. 20 Sep 1778), son of Henry Doe and Elizabeth Stones, married Elizabeth Doe (b. ~1779) at All Saints Church, Little Canfield on 11 Dec 1799. Either there were a lot of parish foundlings given the surname Doe, or we have to consider the possibility that these two were cousins.

This Henry and Elizabeth Doe had 11 children, baptised at Little Canfield: 

1. Sarah Doe bap. 19 Apr 1800
2. John Doe bap. 14 Feb 1802
3. William Doe bap. 22 Jan 1804
4. Edward Doe bap. 17 Nov 1805
5. James Doe bap. 24 Jan 1808
6. Elizabeth Doe bap. 28 Nov 1809
7. Jane Doe bap. 25 Nov 1810
8. Mary Doe bap. 11 Apr 1813
9. Charles Doe bap. 15 Oct 1815 
10. George Doe bap. 21 Sep 1817
11. Moses Doe bap. 4 Feb 1821

The last child was a posthumous birth, Henry Doe (40ish) having been buried at All Saints, Little Canfield on 28 Sep 1820. 

In 1841, Elizabeth Doe (61) was living in Little Canfield with her daughter, Sarah Gunn (41), George Doe (23), Moses Doe (20) and William Gunn (13). 

In 1861, Elizabeth Doe (80) - place of birth Great Easton, Essex - was living with her son, George Doe (43) at 11, The Village, Little Canfield.

Elizabeth Doe, died aged 83, in 1862 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 217, and was buried at Little Canfield on 3 Jun 1862.