Walter James Baker and Laura Alice Stone

Combe Florey: village street
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/56115

Laura Alice Stone, Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land's eighth child, married Walter James Baker, in Tiverton, in 1923 and went to live in Combe Florey, Somerset, where Walter had been born and brought up.

Walter James Baker (b. 27 Feb 1898) was son of Andrew Baker (b. 1865) and Elizabeth Annie Coles (m. 1892 in Combe Florey). In 1901, Andrew Baker (36), Stockman on Farm, wife Elizabeth A (35), son George A (8), Mary L (6) and Walter J (3) lived at Yard Wood Cottage, Village Street, Combe Florey. 

By 1911, Walter James Baker (13), still living at home in Combe Florey, was a "Labourer in garden domestic". Then on 1 Nov 1915, aged 17, Walter enlisted in the Royal Marines and served until 6 Jan 1920. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 8 Jan 1920, from which he was discharged on 7 Jan 1925.

Walter and Laura had two children: 

1. Irene Venetta Baker (later Phelps) born 1 Jan 1925
2. Dennis Christopher Baker born 21 Dec 1925

In 1939, still living in Combe Florey, with wife Laura A and children Irene V and Dennis C, Walter was employed as a Civilian "Orderly At Military Camp".

Walter J Baker died in Taunton district, in 1965, aged 67.

Laura Alice Baker died five years later in 1970.

Sidney William Hitchcock and Florence May Stone

Bishops Lydeard
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tony Atkin - geograph.org.uk/p/246659
The crossroads on what could be called the village centre

Sidney William Hitchcock married Florence May Stone, daughter of Frederick James Stone and Loveday Jane Land, married , in Tiverton, in 1920. Without buying a copy of the marriage certificate - not economically attractive for any but direct ancestors - I have no more details on date or venue. 

This couple had at least one child:

1. Frederick Walter Hitchcock b. 1920 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B  Page 636

In 1921, Sidney William Hitchcock (22) Engine Driver Threshing and Hauling; Florence May Hitchcock (24) and son Frederick Walter Hitchcock 8 months, born in Cruwys Morchard, were living in Bishops Lydeard, Taunton.

Mrs F Hitchcock, was one of the family mourners at her nephew's funeral in 1932. That newspaper report also told us that she lived in Bishops Lydeard, which was useful data, because this family evaded the 1939 Register.

Sidney William Hitchcock died, in Taunton district, in 1952, aged 53.

Florence M Hitchcock died in 1967. She will have been 73.

Sidney William Hitchcock (b. 1899), was the son of Walter Simon Hitchcock and his wife Ann Stone. Is this yet another circular branch on the family tree? 

Walter Simon Hitchcock and Annie Stone had married in 1880 and had lived at Red Ball in 1881 and 1891. "W. S. Hitchcock, labourer, Redball" is listed under the Cottagers - a term, the meaning of which, has changed enormously in the intervening 127 years - in GREGORY'S DIRECTORY OF 1894. Back then, it had nothing to do with homosexual practices in public toilets, or following Fulham Football Club. A Cottager was a person who lived in a cottage, one of the levels of serfdom in feudal societies. 

In 1901, Walter Hitchcock (40) then a Traction engine driver, from Culmstock, Devon, still lived at Red Ball Cottages, 1, Nicholashayne in Culmstock. Wife Ann (38) was from Burlescombe.  

Walter Simon Hitchcock (b. 1858) was the son of William Hitchcock (b. 1827), Shoemaker, and his wife Susana. And this William Hitchcock was the son of William Hitchcock (b. 1798) Shoemaker, and his wife Sarah.

Ann Stone (b. 1862) was the daughter of William Stone (b. 1813) and Ann Croyden who had married on 15 Dec 1840, in Burlescombe. William Stone, Husbandman, was the son of Samuel Stone, Quarryman and his wife Grace. Ann Croyden, Seamstress, was the daughter of John Croyden, a Sawyer. But, if there's any link between Ann Stone and the rest, it's in earlier generations.

George Alfred Loud and Tryphena Davis

Axminster: Castle Hill
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mr Eugene Birchall - geograph.org.uk/p/3423227

George Alfred Loud (b. 1860), son of Edward Loud and Ann Phippen, married Tryphena Davis (b. 1 Jul 1863), daughter of John Davis and Charlotte Enticott, in 1882, in Axminster. In 1881, both the Loud and the Davis families had lived in Paradise Row, Axminster, so George married 'the girl next door'. "In the early 1920s there was disquiet amongst the members of the Axminster UDC about the very poor state of 7 small cottages known collectively as Paradise Row, including a report of a plague of rats. These cottages (which can be seen on the 1905 OS map) had been built many years before in an alleyway behind (in 2018) the former Axe Vale Social Club building."

Before he had married, in Honiton, on 7 Mar 1881, George Loud of Castle Hill, Axminster, then aged 20, Labourer Out of Employ - which probably explains exactly why he did so - had enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment. He joined the Militia - reserve, equivalent of the TA - but there's no indication that he was ever deployed. At the time of his Attestation, he was 5ft 6in, with a 32in chest, a fresh complexion, dark grey eyes and dark brown hair.

Tryphena as a girl's name is of Greek origin meaning "delicacy". In the Bible, Tryphena appears in one of Paul's epistles to the Romans.

George and Tryphena had 14 children, all of whom survived infancy:

1. William Loud b. 1883 M Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
2. Alice Maud Loud b. 1884 S Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 8
3. Edward Loud b. 7 Nov 1885 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
4. Annie Loud b. 21 Jul 1889 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 7
5. Eva May Loud b. 20 Nov 1890 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 3
6. Frederick James Loud b. 1 Feb 1893 Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 27 Feb 1895
7. Walter George Loud b. 8 May 1894 Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 27 Feb 1895
8. Thomas Loud b. 1896 J Qtr in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 6, bap. 9 Aug 1896 in Axminster. Killed in Action 4 Sep 1918.
9. Sydney Loud b. 25 Jul 1898 in AXMINSTER Vol 05B Page 4
10. Bertie Loud b. 1900 M Qtr Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 9 Feb 1900
11. Elsie Mary Loud b. 1901 D Qtr Vol 05B Page 5, bap. 23 Feb 1902
12. George Alfred Loud b. 29 Mar 1903 Vol 05B Page 4, bap. 26 Jul 1903
13. Ellen Minnie Loud b. 6 Sep 1904 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 1 Jan 1905
14. Edith May Loud b. 8 Dec 1906 Vol 05B Page 3, bap. 22 Mar 1907

In 1891, living in Paradise Row, Chard Street, Axminster, were George Loud (30) General Labourer, Tryphena Loud (27) Brushmaker, William Loud (8), Alice M Loud (7), Edward Loud (5), Annie Loud (2) and Eva M Loud (0).

In 1901, in Castle Street, Axminster, we find George A Loud (39), Tryphena (36), William (18), Alice M (16), Edward (15), Annie (11), Eva M (10), Frederick (8), Walter G (6), Thomas (4), Sydney (2) and Bertie (1).

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 19 July 1907, reported that: "The Axminster Justices had imposed a fine of 10s and costs on a labourer, named George Loud, for making use of bad language. There were several previous convictions against the defendant." (Court would be even busier today.)

And The Western Times of 22 September 1909: "George Loud, labourer, Axminster, was summoned for using obscene language. PC Ridgeway stated the facts, and defendant, who did not appear, was fined £1 and costs." 

In 1911, in Castle Hill, Axminster, were George Loud (51), Tryphena (48), William (28), Annie (21), Eva May (20), Frederick (18) Milk Carrier, Walter George (16), Thomas (14), Sydney (12), Bert (11), Elsie Mary (9), George Alfred (8), Ellen Minnie (6) and Edith May (4). Annie, Eva May, Walter George and Thomas worked at the Brush Factory. (Brush Making in Axminster). Alice Maud Loud had married Herbert Edmund Davey in 1906: they were living in Chelsea, London. Edward Loud (25), in 1911, was a boarder in Teffont Magna, Wiltshire. In 1917, he married his landlady, Sarah Brockway.

In late 1880 it was reported that James Boon had “… let a portion of his mills at the bottom of Castle Hill to Messrs Coate, Bidwell & Co, tooth brush manufacturers of Chard and London”. It was estimated at the time that about 200 persons were likely to be employed in Axminster as a consequence.

In 1921, listed as George Albert Loud (62) General Labourer was living at 9, Stoney Bridges (on Castle Hill), Axminster Hamlets, Devon, with Tryphena Loud (58), Annie Loud (31) working for Bidwell & Co; Fred Loud (28) Mason's Labourer; Sydney Loud (21) General Labourer; Bert Loud (20), Elsie Loud (19), George Loud (18) Labourer; Ellen Loud (16) Laundry Hand; Edith May Loud (14), Percy Loud (3) Grandson and Lilian Loud (1) Granddaughter.

George Alfred Loud died, aged 64 and was buried on 3 Nov 1923 at Axminster Cemetery. 

Tryphena Loud died on 26 Jul 1933, aged 69.

Joseph Tiff and Eliza Blazey

Lane leading to a farm in Badby, Northamptonshire
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Rob - geograph.org.uk/p/104464

Joseph Tiff (bap. 6 Dec 1846, in Badby, Northamptonshire), son of John Tiff or Tift and Ann Watkins married Eliza Blazey (b. 1851), daughter of Francis Stephen Blazey and Hannah Minns, in 1876, in Kensington, London.

In 1861, Joseph (14), one of 7 siblings still at home in Badby, like his father was employed as an Agricultural Labourer. His elder brother, Thomas, was a blacksmith. But by 1871, Joseph (24) servant unemployed, was lodging with a William Potter from Suffolk, at Adam St, Marylebone, London.

In 1881, Joseph Tiff (32) Green grocer and his wife Eliza (31) were living at 9, Union Terrace, Kensington, London with Francis Blazey (13) - Eliza's bother Samuel's eldest son - employed as their Shop boy.

And in 1891, still at Union Terrace, Kensington, were Joseph Tiff (42) Green grocer, Eliza (40), with four of their nephews: Frances Blazey (25) Dock Labourer; Walter White (21) Shop Porter (Hannah's son); Alfred Blazey (21) (Samuel's younger son) also a Dock Labourer and Joseph Tiff (11) from Badby, Northamptonshire (son of one of Joseph's brothers).

This couple don't appear to have had children of their own, but look to have played an important role in the lives of their nephews.

Listed as Eliza Tuff (sic), died, aged 41 in 1892 M Quarter in HOLBORN Volume 01B Page 700.

Joseph Tiff died, at 46, in 1894 J Qtr in KENSINGTON Vol 01A 74. 

George Arthur Hockley and Evangeline Dowell

Long Grove Asylum

On 9 Jun 1897 George Arthur Hockley, Footman, b. 1879 in Great Canfield, Essex, enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Woolwich. At that time he was 18 years and 6 months old; 5ft 7½in, weighed 127lbs, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. The record lists his father as Daniel Hockley and siblings as Frederick, Beatrice and Rose, in Great Canfield, so there can be no mistake. However, only 35 days later, on 13 July 1897, he was discharged, having been found to have given a false answer at attestation. Among the questions on his application form, was "9. Have you ever been sentenced to Imprisonment by the Civil Power?" He said no, but George Arthur Hockley had been convicted of a felony, tried and imprisoned by Civil Power. 

A report of the Aylesbury Petty Sessions of Saturday, October 24th, in the Bucks Herald of 31 October 1896 provides some details:

THE ROBBERY AT THE LILLIES, WEEDON

George Arthur Hockley, footman, was brought up in custody charged with stealing £7 17s in money, the property of Mr G A Brittain, of The Lillies, Weedon. Supt. Pitson said that up to the present time the defendant had been a footman in the employ of Mr Brittain at The Lillies. On Friday morning, when the defendant got up at seven o'clock, he reported to his master that the house had been broken into. In consequence of this, Inspector Bunker and he (the Superintendent) went there and found that apparently someone had entered the house by the drawing-room window, opened the door into the hall, and then gone into the library, which had been completely ransacked, the drawers of a writing table having been forced open, and money amounting to £7 17s stolen. In consequence of the circumstances of the case, Inspector Bunker and P S Shore went there that morning to complete the inquiries, which resulted in the arrest of the defendant now charged with the offence. He asked for a remand until such time as he could go into the case. The Chairman: Can you name a time? Supt. Pitson said that he had to send to London over the case. He would ask for a remand until Wednesday. Defendant offered no objection to the remand, and the Bench adjourned the case until Wednesday, when Mr G Butcher further remanded the defendant until today (Saturday).

I haven't had access to a record of what happened next in the case.

The next event, in the 3rd quarter of 1904, George Hockley, son of Daniel Hockley and Sarah Skinner, married Evangeline Dowell (b. 17 Sep 1884), daughter of Edwin Dowell and Ellen Jane Jones, in Epsom, Surrey.

Evangeline was born in Dartmouth, Devon and brought up in Southsea, Hampshire, her father having been a Chief Band Master, Royal Navy.

In 1911, George A Hockley (33) was an Attendant at Long Grove Asylum, while Evangeline Hockley (26) was a Nurse at the same institution. 

Long Grove Hospital, formerly Long Grove Asylum, later Long Grove Mental Hospital, was a mental hospital in Epsom, Surrey, regarded as a showpiece and attracted excellent medical staff.  By 1911, four years after it had opened, there were 2127 patients - 1121 males and 1006 females.

In 1939, George A Hockley, Mental nurse (retired) and Evangeline Hockley, Nurse (retired) were living at 2 Marlow Road, Brighton, with Alfred G Russell, Professional Musician, and his wife Nellie,  Evangeline's sister.

George A Hockley died, age estimated as 86, in Brighton in 1966.

Evangeline Hockley died, at 87, in 1971, also in Brighton.