James Goff and Sarah Ann Canniford

The triangle at the centre of Kentisbeare
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © David Smith - geograph.org.uk/p/2697345

James Goff (b. 1855 in Ashbrittle, Somerset), eldest son of Charles Goff and Elizabeth Lock, married Sarah Ann Canniford (bap. 18 Jan 1857 in Kentisbeare), daughter of William Canniford and Jane Baker, in 1876. 

James and Sarah Ann Goff had nine children:

1. William Goff b. 1877 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 428, and was initially baptised privately on 10 Mar 1877 and then again in the church of St Mary, Kentisbeare on 20 May 1877. Died, aged 6, on 18 Sep 1883 (1883 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 252) and was buried on 23 Sep 1883 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. [1]
2. Annie Goff b. 1879 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 433, bap. 5 Jan 1879 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. Died, aged 4, on 18 Sep 1883 (1883 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 252) and was buried on 23 Sep 1883 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. [1]
3. Tom Goff b. 1881 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 421, bap. 13 Mar 1881 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. Died, aged 2, on 23 Sep 1883 (1883  D Quarter in TIVERTON  Volume 05B  Page 275) and was buried on 25 Sep 1883 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. [1]
4. Beatrice Elizabeth b. 26 Oct 1882 (registered as Mary Jane in 1882 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 422 Occasional Copy: A), bap. as Beatrice Elizabeth Goff on 16 Mar 1883 at St Mary, Kentisbeare.
5. James Goff b. 1 Sep 1886 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 413, bap. 14 Nov 1886 at St Mary, Kentisbeare.
6. Henrietta Goff b. 22 Oct 1888 D Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 310 (no baptism found)
7. Anna Goff b. 1891 M Quarter in WELLINGTON, SOMERSET AND DEVON Volume 05C Page 318, bap. Annie Goff on 12 Nov 1893 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. 
8. Winnifred Goff b. 1893 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 389, bap. 4 Oct 1893 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. Died, aged 2, in 1895 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 259 and was buried on 1 Dec 1895 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. [2]
9. Agnes Augusta Goff b. 28 Aug 1900 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 347, bap. 25 Aug 1901 at St Mary, Kentisbeare.

[1] The newspaper report in Western Times of 28 Sep 1883 reads: "Sympathy is felt in this village with James Goff, who lost two children on the 18th instant - a boy aged six years and a girl aged four, dying within 10 minutes of each other.  This heavy bereavement was followed by another in the death of a boy aged two years on the 23rd instant, and now Mrs Goff has been taken seriously ill with dyptheria (sic). Foul water is assigned as the cause of the illness, and the Nuisance Inspector as well as the Medical Officer of Health have been called into consultation over this very serious affair."

[2] The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 6 Dec 1895 reported, "An inquest was held at Kentisbeare, on Saturday, upon the body of Winifred Goff, aged two years, the daughter of Mr. James Goff, Builder. Dr Tracey, of Willand, attributed death to diphtheria, and the jury returned a verdict accordingly."

Of course this was pre-vaccine, pre-antibiotics and pre-NHS.

In 1881, James Goff (26) Mason from Ashbrittle, Somerset was living in the Village, Kentisbeare, with Sarah A Goff (25) from Broadhembury, Devon; William Goff (4), Annie Goff (2) and Tom Goff (0). Beatrice E Goff (18) was working as a Parlourmaid in St Leonards, Weston Super Mare.

In 1891, in Burlescombe were James Goff (36) Bricklayer; Sarah A Goff (35), Beatrice E Goff (8), James Goff (4), Henrietta Goff (2) and Anna Goff (0).

On 19 Sep 1899, The Western Times reported, "The first meeting of Creditors of James Goff, Mason, of Colepark, Kentisbeare, was held in the Receiver's Office, Exeter, on Thursday. Debtor estimated his liabilities at £212 15s 6d and assets £75 9s 6d, leaving a deficiency of £137 6s. Causes of failure alleged by debtor were sickness of self and family ..."

In 1901, at Hollis Green, Kentisbeare, were James Goff (46) Mason; Sarah A Goff (45), James Goff (14) Mason; Henrietta Goff (12), Annie Goff (10) and Agnes Goff (0). 

James Goff, Mason, died, aged 53, at the Tiverton Infirmary and Dispensary in 1908 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 251 and was buried on 11 Nov 1908 at St Mary, Kentisbeare.

Sarah Ann Goff née Canniford, of Hollis Green, Kentisbeare, wife of the above James Goff, died, aged 52, in 1908 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 248 and was buried on 13 Dec 1908, also at St Mary, Kentisbeare.

• Beatrice Elizabeth Goff (24) Domestic Servant of Hollis Green, Kentibeare, daughter of James Goff, married William John Wyatt (21) Brakeman, of 22 Sutton Road, Newport, Monmouthshire, son of James Wyatt, on 31 Mar 1907 at St Mary, Kentisbeare. They had four children. Beatrice Elizabeth Wyatt died, in 1976.
• James Goff married Harriet Bennett, daughter of John Bennett, on 8 Apr 1911 at St John's Church, Maindee, Newport, Monmouthshire. They had four daughters. James Goff died, at 63, in 1949 in Newport (Monmouthshire).
• Henrietta Goff married George Hendy, son of George David Hendy and Jane Richards, in Tiverton, in 1908. In 1911, they were living at 6 Melbourne Street, Tiverton and living with them was Henrietta's younger sister, Agnes Augusta, then 10 and at school. George and Henrietta had one son, Leslie George Hendy b. 1921. Agnes was still living with them, at 1 John Street, Tiverton, in 1939. Henrietta Hendy died, in Tiverton, in 1980. 
• Annie Goff died, aged 40, in St Thomas, Exeter, in 1931.
• Agnes Augusta Goff died, in Tiverton, on 17 Jul 1982.

Frederick Southcott and Eliza Harris

Tiverton : Former Belmont Hospital
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/4587272
Now known as Perreyman Court, this used to be a hospital and workhouse.

Frederick Southcott, son of William Southcott and Temperance Cosway, married Eliza Harris in Tiverton, in 1879. They had five children:

1. Lucy Southcott b. 30 Aug 1880, bap. 13 Sep 1880 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. (Died in the first quarter of 1881, aged 0.)
2. Alice Southcott b. 22 Mar 1882, bap. 14 Apr 1882 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. (Died at the beginning of 1885, aged 3.)
3. Arthur Southcott b. 30 Jul 1883, bap. 9 Aug 1883 at St Peter's.
4. Frederick William Southcott b. 27 Feb 1886, bap. 28 Mar 1886 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. (Died in the 2nd quarter of 1886, aged 0.)
5. Bessie Southcott b. 1889, bap. 12 Feb 1892 at St Peter's, Tiverton.

In 1881, Frederick Southcott (29) Milk Carrier (these listings of Victorian Occupations 'helpfully' says this is "Someone who carries milk". No doubt from dairy to customer in a hand cart as shown here) and Eliza (25) were living in Kiddles Court, off Fore Street, Tiverton.

However, on the 1886 baptism, under what is usually the father's occupation, was listed "Inmate of Workhouse". And on Bessie's baptism in 1892, their address was also given as Tiverton Union, i.e. Workhouse.

In 1891, Frederick, Eliza, Arthur and Bessie were all Inmates at The Tiverton Union Workhouse, as the records explain that Frederick Southcott, former milk carrier, had become "Blind not from birth".

Without buying all the death certificates, it's not possible to know for sure, but the fact that two of the children died around the same time, in 1885 and 1886, tends to suggest that disease, rather than accident, was implicated. Smallpox was a common killer in nineteenth century Britain, and was responsible for a third of all human blindness. The risk of death after contracting the disease was about 30%, with higher rates among babies.

Arthur went to sea, joining the Royal Navy in March 1899, when he will have been 15½. While Bessie was enrolled in Elmore School in 1899, with her address on the school records once again listed as "Workhouse".

Bessie and her parents were still in the Workhouse in 1901, after which she just disappears. Art Southcott (17), in 1901, was a Boy 1st Class, part of the crew of HMS Nile, while she was the coast guard ship at Devonport.

Frederick Southcott died in 1906, undoubtedly still in the Workhouse. 

Arthur served in the Royal Navy until 4 Jun 1908, when he was Invalided, so by 1911, Arthur Southcott (27) was back in the Tiverton Union Workhouse. Eliza was still in the Workhouse in 1911 and died in 1913.

Utterly heart-breaking that accident or illness had consigned them to what was undoubtedly a miserable existence for the rest of their lives.

Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond and Mildred Hettie Dunn

Dunkeswell Bridleway
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2785192

Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond, younger son of James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood, in 1939, was a Motor Driver, living at 3 Higher Summerlands, Whipton, Exeter. At the end of 1940, he married Mildred Hettie Dunn. 

The Western Times, Friday 10th January, 1941, reports: 

CLAYHIDON WEDDING

The wedding took place at the Blackdown Mission Room, Clayhidon, of Miss Mildred Hettie Dunn (eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs H J Dunn of Ashill, Craddock) and Mr Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond of Stentwood Farm, Dunkeswell (youngest son of the late Sergeant-Major James Edmond, Scots Guards, and the late Mrs Edmond). Mr D W Brealey officiated. The organist was Mrs Venn of London. The bride, given away by her father, wore a navy striped costume and pink blouse, with a navy hat, shoes and gloves en suite. She carried a bouquet of shaded pink chrysanthemums and fern. There were no bridesmaids. The best man was Mr Ivor Colman, friend of the bridegroom. Mr Escott was usher. There was no reception. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Cecil Edmond went to their future home at Stentwood Farm, Dunkeswell. There were many presents.

In another prime example of how family stories so often contain exaggeration and "self-aggrandisement", the bridegroom's father has managed to progress two ranks, despite having been dead for over 20 years. Neat trick! 

Arthur Cecil Ronald Edmond died in 1974, at 59. Mildred Hettie Edmond died on 5 Jun 2012, in Hampshire. She will have been 93.

James Roland George Edmond and Elizabeth Thompson

Penywern Road, Earls Court
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © PAUL FARMER - geograph.org.uk/p/1266232

James Roland George Edmond, elder son of James Edmond and Sarah Ann Wood, married Elizabeth Thompson, in 1937, in Paddington, London. 

On 12 Feb 1932, James R G Edmond had enlisted in the Scots Guards. 

Spot the glaring error in this communication from the Recruiting Office in Exeter, writing to the Commanding Officer of the Scots Guards in Birdcage Walk, S.W.1.

"May this man be accepted please. He is a Bona-fide Scotchman. Wishes to serve in his Father's Regt. Father killed on service in the Great War. Father's Regt: Scots Guards. He is of a very respectable appearance and his acceptance is recommended."

In another communication, they'd also quoted the wrong service number and date of death for his father. And on another page, his nationality as Scottish (although for many it would be great news if that really was a thing.)

On 31 Mar 1935, James was in Civil Custody to be tried the next day, at Marylebone Police Court, for "taking and driving away" and this offence is noted on his military record. He was fined 45 Shillings (£2.25 in 1935 is worth £168 today.) From 1 Nov 1935 to 23 Nov 1936, he served in Egypt and transferred to Palestine on 24 Nov 1936 until 30 Dec 1936, for which he was awarded the General Service Medal with Clasp "Palestine". 

J R G Edmond was discharged from the guards on 13 Jan 1939 (under Paragraph 383 (xviii) of the Kings Regulations 1935), his services being no longer required. On discharge, his military conduct was listed as "FAIR" and described as "A clean and hardworking man. He is a good groom. Has also been employed as a saddler in which capacity he has done good work."

Given he was only 27 at the outbreak of World War II, it's strange he seems not to have been called back into service in some sort of capacity, but in 1939 we find James R G Edmond, Attendant Amusement, with wife Elizabeth (b. 25 Mar 1914) and George Thompson (b. 27 May 1917), Luggage Porter, at 25 Penywern Road, Earls Court (now the address of the Lord Jim Hotel). 

Elizabeth Edmond died in 2000 and James R G Edmond in 2001, both in Peterborough.

Mark King and Anna Kritzer

London : Kensington - Hyde Park Gate
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Lewis Clarke - geograph.org.uk/p/2112989

The three siblings, children of Wilhelm Kritzer and Flora Gleichauf: Amalia Kritzer, Karl Kritzer and Joseph Kritzer (who married my great-grandmother's half-sister), came to England to work in service, being employed in some very distinguished households. However, they were somewhat eclipsed by their aunt, their father's younger sister, Anna Kritzer (b. 1849), who could well be the inspiration for them coming to London to pursue these careers.

In 1881, Anna Kritzer (31) was Lady's Maid in the household of Hermann de Stern, described merely as a Merchant, from Germany at 4, Hyde Park Gate, Kensington. Baron de Stern (1815–1887), a member of the Stern family, originally from Frankfurt, was a German-born British banker and senior partner of the firm of Stern Brothers and one of the wealthiest businessmen in nineteenth-century Britain. His wife was Julia Goldsmid.

In 1891, Anna Kritzer (listed as 32, actually 42), was still a Lady's Maid at Hyde Park Gate. The head of the household is listed as Emily A Stern (76). However, I feel sure there are errors in this listing and that this is Hermann and Julia de Stern's daughter, Emily Theresa de Stern, born 1846.

In 1901, Anna Kritzer (47 with rebate), from Donaueschingen, Germany, was Lady's Maid to Lady Sherborne (38 - er, nope, she was 55) at Hyde Park Gate, who was Emily Theresa de Stern (1846–1905), daughter of Baron Herman de Stern, who had married Edward Dutton, 4th Baron Sherborne in 1894.

By 1911, Anna Kritzer (60 ish), now of independent means (retired) and listed as a Naturalised British Subject - for which I can find no evidence, the only record being for her nephew, Karl - was still living in South Kensington.

Then in the 3rd quarter of 1916, at 67, Anna Kritzer married, Mark King, a Bricklayer from Oxfordshire, widower, whose first wife, Elizabeth, had died in 1912. (The Kings had lived in Seymour Place, Kensington, since the 1880's.)

In the previous couple of years, Anna's nephew, Karl Kritzer, had been the butt end of the anti-German press, her other nephew Joseph had been interned as part of the mass internment of registered Enemy Alien men. Her niece, Amalia Kritzer, then in her early 40's, probably wouldn't have wished to pursue such an option, since marriage would have meant giving up her career, but I can see why Anna would find a gentleman to give her a non-German surname and, potentially, the British nationality that she was making claim to, but didn't have. Then Mark King died in early 1920, aged 68.

In 1921, there was an Annie King, Widow, claiming to be 66, but having avoided listing any birthplace whatsoever, working as a Housekeeper in a household at 60, Porchester Terrace, Paddington, London. Head of the household is a visitor, Max de Elin (70) followed by another visitor, Adda Merenberg, who was from Wiesbaden, Germany. This is just such as situation, I feel, in which we would find Anna King (née Kiritzer). 

Anna King died, aged 75, in the 1st quarter of 1925, in Kensington.