Arthur Woodham and Mary Matilda Sweeney

St Dunstan's Church, Stepney
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/6294631

Arthur Woodham (b. 30 Nov 1878 in Limehouse), son of William Wesley Woodham and Mary Ann Poole, married Mary Matilda Sweeney (b. 11 Mar 1878), daughter of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, at the Parish Church of Stepney - St Dunstan's, Stepney - on 25 Dec 1904. Witnesses to their marriage were J Sweney (looks like the signature of the bride's father) and Alfred Woodham, the bridegroom's twin brother.

Arthur and Mary Matilda had four children:

1. Arthur Alfred Wesley Woodham b. 1906 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 409. Died 1906 M Quarter in STEPNEY Vol 01C Page 267
2. Elsie Woodham b. 1907 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 380. Died 1907 J Quarter in STEPNEY Volume 01C Page 237
3. Lilian Susannah Woodham b. 21 Sep 1908 Vol 01C Page 318
4. Ivy Maud Woodham b. 20 Jul 1910 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 01C 339

All four birth registrations have the mother's maiden name SWEENEY.

In 1911, Arthur Woodham (32) French Polisher; Mary Matilda Woodham (33), Lilian Susannah Woodham (2 yrs 6 mths) and Ivy Maud Woodham (8 mths), were living at 58 Conder Street, Limehouse, London. The information they provide on this census return confirms that they had four children, two who were living and two had died, during their then six year marriage.

In 1921, and still at 58, Conder Street, Limehouse, London, were Arthur Woodham (42) Labourer working for Messrs Stein Ltd, Wharfingers at Grosvenor Wharf, Newcastle Street, Cubitt Town; Mary Matilda Woodham (43), Lilian Susannah Woodham (12) and Ivy Maud Woodham (10).

In 1939, Arthur Woodham, General Labourer; Mary M Woodham, Lilian S Woodham and Henry Thomas Morris, Lead Smelter, were living at 11 Maroon Street, Limehouse. Ivy Maud Morris, Married, Evacuee, was staying in the household of Cuthbert Templeman, Retired Grocer, at Kingswood New Bristol Road, Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, with their daughter b. 1938.

Arthur Woodham died, at 70, in 1949 M Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 05D 757.

Mary Matilda Woodham died, at 78, in 1956 S Qtr in STEPNEY Vol 05D 522.

• Lilian Susannah Woodham died, in Tower Hamlets, in 2004
• Henry Thomas Morris (b. 19 Jan 1909) married Ivy Maud Woodham, in 1937. Henry Thomas Morris died, in Tower Hamlets, in 1983. Ivy Maud Morris died, in Tower Hamlets, in 2005

Arthur Edward Copeland and Alice Jane Hurry

All Saints, Shooters Hill, Plumstead, London SE18 - West end
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © John Salmon - geograph.org.uk/p/1955513

Arthur Edward Copeland (b. 19 Aug 1870 in Woolwich), son of Benjamin Copeland and Tamar Hockley, married Alice Jane Hurry (b. 1871 D Quarter in DEPWADE Volume 04B Page 223), daughter of Samuel Hurry and Jane Moyes, at All Saints Church, Plumstead, on 25 Dec 1894. 

Alice was the younger sister of Mary Ann Hurry, second wife of Tamar's younger brother, Daniel Hockley, who he'd married in 1891. Or, put another way, Arthur married his uncle's second wife's sister. Maybe they met at the uncle's wedding? This probably tells us is that they were in sufficient contact, despite living in different areas, to travel and attend family events.

Arthur Edward and Alice Jane Copeland had two children:

1. George Arthur Copeland b. 21 Aug 1896 (1896 S Quarter in WOOLWICH Volume 01D Page 1270), bap. 9 Sep 1896 at St George's Garrison Church, Woolwich
2. Edith Eleanor Copeland b. 1897 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 218, bap. 31 Oct 1897 at Plymouth, Crabtree Mission Church, when they were resident at 4 Gordon Terrace, Laira, Plymouth.

In 1901, Alice J Copeland (29) Daughter-in-law from Norfolk, England; George A Copeland (4) Grandson and Edith E Copeland (3) Granddaughter, were living with Arthur's parents, at 27, Llanover Road, Plumstead.

Arthur Edward Copeland joined the Royal Artillery, at 16, on 19 Nov 1886, in Woolwich. He was then 5ft 6in with a pale complexion, grey eyes and red hair. He was promoted to Bombardier on 1 Mar 1896; Corporal on 23 Oct 1897; reengaged to complete 21 years service on 15 Dec 1897; and promoted to Sergeant on 24 Oct 1899. He served in South Africa and China, but died at Hong Kong Station Hospital on 18 Aug 1901, of Heat Stroke, aged 30.

In 1903, Alice Copeland married Thomas Hurry back in Depwade, Norfolk. 

One could guess that they were cousins and records confirm this: Thomas Hurry (b. 1856 D Quarter in HARTISMERE Volume 04A Page 455) was the son of Barzillai Hurry and Ann Beales. Barzillai Hurry (bap. 13 Dec 1820) and Alice's father, Samuel Hurry (bap. 21 Jul 1831), were brothers, both sons of John Hurry and Susannah Elizabeth Diggens. (Their mother, Susan Hurry, was sentenced to 14 years transportation in 1836 and died in Australia.)

On 14 Feb 1878, Thomas Hurry, barman, enlisted for General Service Infantry. He served in Nova Scotia, Gibraltar and South Africa, transferring to the Army Reserve on 12 Apr 1884. At the completion of his 12 years service in 1890, he was 5ft 7in with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair.

Thomas Hurry was a widower when he married his cousin Alice, having first married Charlotte Francis (14 years his senior, born 1842), daughter of William Francis and Sarah Basham, at All Saints, Dickleburgh, on 15 May 1884. Charlotte Hurry died at 58 and was buried on 23 Mar 1899.

Thomas and Alice Hurry had two further children:

1. Ellen Hurry b. 1903 J Quarter in DEPWADE Volume 04B Page 238, bap. 11 Jun 1903 in Dickleburgh with Langmere, Norfolk
2. Samuel Jack Hurry b. 2 Aug 1906 (S Quarter in DEPWADE Volume 04B Page 218), bap. 5 Sep 1906 in Dickleburgh with Langmere 

In 1911, Thomas Hurry (52) Gardener was living at Dickleburgh Scole, Dickleburgh, Norfolk, with Alice Hurry (39), Ellen Hurry (7), Jack Hurry (4), George Copeland (14) Stepson; Edith Copeland (13) step-daughter and Jane Hurry (78) Widow (Alice's mother).

Alice Jane Hurry died at 42 in 1913 D Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 185.

In 1921, Thomas Hurry (62) Jobbing Gardner was living in Dickleburgh, Norfolk with Jack Hurry (14) Labourer and Ellen Hurry (17) Household Duties. There was a George Copeland (23) Bombardier, Royal Field Artillery at 30, Thomas Street, Woolwich (although his birthplace is listed as Kings Lynn, Norfolk); not located Edith Eleanor Copeland again anywhere.

Thomas Hurry died, at 79, in 1936 M Quarter in DEPWADE Volume 04B Page 311 and was buried in 26 Feb 1936, in Dickleburgh with Langmere.

Ellen Hurry died at 43 in 1946 J Quarter in DEPWADE Vol 04B Page 211.

Samuel Jack Hurry married Helen Joan Goodwin (b. 15 Dec 1908), daughter of James Goodwin, Licenced Victualler of the Kings Head Inn, Brockdish, Scole and Harriet Welton, in Depwade, Norfolk, in 1934. They had two children: Aldona Elizabeth Hurry b. 21 Apr 1935 (d. 26 Feb 2024 in Russellville, Pope, Arkansas, USA) and another in 1944. In 1939, Jack was a Licensee and Farmer in Rushall, Dickleburgh, Depwade. Jack Samuel Hurry died, in Rushall, on 9 May 1962 and is buried in St Mary Churchyard, Dickleburgh; Helen Joan Hurry died on 3 May 2006 in Waveney, Suffolk.

Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Bowerman

Holcombe Rogus, All Saints Church: Eastern aspect
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Michael Garlick - geograph.org.uk/p/6642104

Thomas Cotterell (bap. 27 Mar 1785 in Holcombe Rogus, Devon), son of Thomas and Agnes Cotterell, married Sarah Bowerman (bap. 21 Jun 1789 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), daughter of William and Susanna Bowerman, in Holcombe Rogus, on 24 Dec 1813.

Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Bowerman had four children:

1. William Cotterell bap. 17 Sep 1814
2. Susanna Cotterell bap. 18 Aug 1816
3. Sarah Cotterell bap. 28 Mar 1819
4. Thomas Cotterell bap. 18 Mar 1821

All four baptisms, in Holcombe Rogus, list their father as a Chairmaker.

Then there is a record of the burial of Sarah Cotterell, in Holcombe Rogus, in 1822, her age then estimated as 35. With potentially four young children to bring up, it's no wonder Thomas married again quickly. 

Thomas Cotterell, widower, married Sarah Tooze (bap. 19 Sep 1802 in Holcombe Rogus) daughter of Thomas Tooze and Jane Burton, on 11 Dec 1822 at the Church of All Saints, Holcombe Rogus. The record says 22, but Sarah was 20, still a minor. One of the witnesses was John Tooze.

Before marriage, Sarah Tooze had given birth to Elizabeth Tooze, bap. 14 Oct 1821, specifying that the child was the daughter of Sarah Tooze, Spinster. 

Thomas Cotterell and Sarah Tooze then added a further eight children:

1. James Cotterell bap. 21 Sep 1823
2. Jane Cotterell bap. 24 Dec 1826
3. Mary Ann Cotterell bap. 7 Dec 1828
4. John Cotterell bap. 25 Dec 1831
5. Caroline Cotterell bap. 16 Feb 1834
6. Robert Cotterell bap. 5 Jan 1837
7. Charles Cotterell bap. 7 Jul 1839
8. Richard Cotterell bap. 11 Apr 1847

On the baptisms for James, Mary Ann, John and Caroline, Thomas' occupation is listed as Labourer. On that of Jane's it was listed as Mason, but there is a note on that record that it had been copied, which gives the opportunity for error. On Robert's, Charles' and Richard's baptisms, Thomas Cotterell is once more described as a Chairmaker. The different occupations might suggest two different families, but as most of these children do appear with this family on census returns, that cannot be the case. Probably more likely that Thomas' first wife's death caused the temporary change in his circumstances.

In 1841, Thomas Cotterell (listed as 45) Chairmaker was living at Twitchen, Holcombe Rogus with Sarah Cotterell (35), Mary (12), John (9), Caroline (7), Robert (5) and Charles (2), as well as Elizabeth Tooze (20) Female Servant. Jane Cotterell (15) was a Female Servant at Widhays Farm, Uplowman.

In 1851, and still at Twitchen, we find Thomas Cotterell (62) Chairmaker, Sarah Cotterell (54 - she was only 49), Richard Cotterell (4) and John Cotterell (2) Grandson. Caroline Cotterell (17) was a House Servant in Sampford Peverell, Devon. Meanwhile, Robert Cotterell (14) was a House Servant to John Cork, Farmer of 132 Acres, in Holcombe Rogus.

In 1861, at Twitchen Cottage, were Thomas Cotterell (75) Chairmaker, Sarah Cotterell (64) and Richard Cotterell (14) Chairmaker. Charles Cotterell (21) Chairmaker was a visitor in the household of James Tristram (63) Gardener, at Lower Greenham, Ashbrittle. Charles married Emma Tristram that year.

Sarah Cotterell died, at 63, in 1866 S Quarter in WELLINGTON SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 227 and was buried in Ashbrittle, Somerset. This did not make sense. However, the first Sarah Cotterell (née Bowerman), had come from Ashbrittle. This, the second Sarah Cotterell (née Tooze) was born in Holcombe Rogus. Thomas Cotterell was 81 when his second wife died. Had he confused them and is this suggestive, perhaps, of dementia?

In 1871, Thomas Cotterell (84) Pauper, Widower, was living in the household of his son-in-law, Thomas Tooze - married to daughter Caroline [1].

Thomas Cotterell died at 93, in 1878 D Quarter in WELLINGTON Volume 05C Page 240 and was buried in Holcombe Rogus.

[1] Sarah Tooze (b. 1802) was the elder sister of Thomas Tooze (b. 1805). Her daughter, Caroline Cottrell, later married Thomas Tooze, son of William Tooze the younger brother of Thomas Tooze (b. 1801).

Charles Prior and Mary Wilton

Shops in Great Dunmow
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Stephen McKay - geograph.org.uk/p/6483373

Charles Prior (b. 1812 in Great Dunmow), son of John Prior and Elizabeth Suckling, married Mary Wilton, daughter of Stephen Wilton and Elizabeth Hankin, at an unknown venue, in Great Dunmow on Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 1833. 

Charles and Mary Prior had four children: 

1. Henry Prior b. 1835
2. Mary Prior b. 1838 M Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 71 (Mother's maiden name listed as WILSON.)
3. Elizabeth Prior b. 1840 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION  Volume 12 Page 73 (Mother's maiden name listed as HILTON.)
4. Ann Prior b. 1842 J Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 12 Page 77 (Mother's maiden name, finally, listed correctly as WILTON.)

In 1841, Charles Prior (29) Basket Maker, Mary Prior (33), Henry Prior (6), Mary Prior (3) and Elizabeth Prior (1) were in the High Street, Great Dunmow. The census record reveals that the family monopolised this part of the High Street with Charles and Mary Prior being next door to John and Elizabeth Prior, Charles' parents, who in turn, were next door to Mary's brother, Henry Wilton (who had Henry Wilton Pryor in his household, apprentice tailor). The other side of them was their uncle Henry Wilton. The other side of Charles and Mary Prior was another of Mary's brothers, Richard Wilton. (It wasn't until years later when comparing all the records, order, location, that I was able to work out that Charles and Mary Prior were living in the exact property in the image above that I'd already chosen to represent them.)

Charles Prior (and his father, John Prior) were listed as Basket Makers and Mary Prior as a Straw Hat Maker in White's Directory of Essex 1848.

In 1861, still in High Street, Great Dunmow, were Charles Prior (49) Basket Maker from Great Dunmow; Mary Prior (58) Bonnet Maker; Mary Prior (23) Bonnet Maker and Elizabeth Prior (21) Dressmaker.

In 1871, in New Street, Great Dunmow were Charles Prior (59) Basket Maker, Mary Prior (66) and Elizabeth Prior (30) Straw Bonnet Maker. 

In 1881, with address as High Street New Street, Great Dunmow (were they on the corner?), were Charles Prior (69) Basket Maker; Mary Prior (75) Basket Maker's Wife and Elizabeth Prior (40) Straw Bonnet Maker.

Mary Prior (née Wilton) died, aged 83, in 1887 S Quarter in DUNMOW UNION Volume 04A Page 319.

In 1891, in the High Street, Great Dunmow, were Charles Prior (79) Widower, Basket Maker and daughter, Elizabeth Prior (50) Bonnet Maker.

Charles Prior died, aged 79, in 1891 D Qtr in DUNMOW Vol 04A Page 343.

(Elizabeth Prior died, aged 59, in 1899 D Quarter in RISBRIDGE Volume 04A Page 483. Ann Prior had married Charles Probart Keeble in 1865 and they had been living in Queen Street, Haverhill, Risbridge, Suffolk.)

Now, I realise they're hardly the Bennet Sisters (also from Hertfordshire), but the Wilton girls - who were born between 1804 and 1819 - will have come of age between 1825 and 1840 and it helps to look at the styles of their age.

Getting Dressed in the 1830s

George Woods and Maria White

St Julian's church in Norwich
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Evelyn Simak - geograph.org.uk/p/1958118

George Woods (bap. 25 May 1834 in Rackheath, Norfolk), son of John Woods and Elizabeth Waters, married Maria White (bap. 31 Jul 1842 in Mattishall, Norfolk), daughter of William White and Ann Francis, at St Julian's Church, Norwich on Christmas Eve, 24 Dec 1863. Witnesses to the marriage were listed as John Roxby and Hannah White (Maria's sister). 

George and Maria do not appear to have had any children.

In 1881, George Woods (46) Gardener and Maria Woods (38), were living at Mile Lane (Mile Cross Lane?), Eaton St Andrew, Norwich.

In 1891, living in Ipswich Road, Norwich, were George Woods (57) Market Gardener from Rackheath, Norfolk; Maria Woods (48) from Mattishall and Mary Wilson (sic) (64) Sister, Married, also from Mattishall, whose name was wrongly listed and was actually Maria's eldest sister, Mary Ann Watson.

George Woods died at 62 in 1896 J Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Page 83.

In 1901, Maria Wood (sic) (58) was Housekeeper to Henry Davy, Licenced Victualler at 78, St Benedict Court Street, Norwich (The Ten Bells). 

In the 4th quarter of 1905, Maria Woods married Thomas Scrivener. 

In 1911, Thomas Scrivener (78) Naval Pensioner from Houghton, Bedfordshire and Maria Scrivener (68) from Mattishall, Norfolk, were living in Back Lane, Banham, Attleborough, Norfolk.

Thomas Scrivener of 101 Glebe Road, Norwich died, aged 87, on 3 Apr 1920 (1920 J Quarter in NORWICH Volume 04B Page 149). Probate was granted on 15 Apr 1920 to Maria Scrivener, Widow, to whom he left effects of £318 16s 9d (around £18,000 in 2023).

In 1921, Maria Scrivener (78) was still living at 101, Glebe Road, Norwich, Norfolk with Theresa Wardle (43) and Murial Tuxford Wardle (8), Boarders.

Maria Scrivener died at 83 in 1926 M Qtr in NORWICH Vol 04B Pg 156.