Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond

St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon

Henry Authers married Susannah Osmond at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon in the 3rd quarter of 1851. Earlier that year, Susan Osmond (24) from Ashburton, Devonshire, had been living in Water Lane, Tiverton with an Eliza Osmond (24) from Tiverton as her Lodger. Both girls were employed as a Lace Hand, which infers that they will have worked for John Heathcoat's Lace Factory (Heathcoat Fabrics). Having not found birth or baptism records for either girl, it isn't clear if they are related, although one imagines so.

Ten years previously, in 1841, Susanna Osmond (15) had been living in Barrington Street, Tiverton, in the household of John Osmond (40). If this is the correct family, potential siblings are William, Catherine and John.

Both Henry and Susannah were born around 1827. Henry was reputedly born in Uplowman, Devon, but there is no baptism record for him either.

Henry and Susannah, however, had at least eight children:

1. William Henry Authers b. 1851 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 268, bap. at St Peter's Church, Tiverton. Not seen after 1871, there is a burial of a W H Arter in Stoke Damerel, in 1879, which may relate.
2. Catherine Eliza Authers (Registered as Caroline Authers b. 25 Feb 1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), bap. as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth. My guess over this discrepancy is that she was always meant to be called Catherine.
3. Mary Jane Authers b. 20 Mar 1856 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277, bap. 13 Apr 1856 at St Mary's Devonport. Died 1860 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 233.
4. Eliza Authers b. 3 Jan 1861 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305, bap. 3 Feb 1861 at St Mary's Devonport.
5. Harry Authers b. 4 Mar 1863 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 342, bap. 22 Mar 1863 at St Mary's Devonport.
6. John Nicholas Authers b. 1 Jun 1865 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 319, bap 16 Jul 1865. Died 1866 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 277.
7. Emma Authers b. 6 May 1867 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 333, bap. 29 May 1867. Died  1868 M Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 221.
8. John Osmond Authers b. 20 Sep 1869 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 337, bap. 6 Oct 1869 at Devonport, St Mary.

Whilst various records describe Henry as a Labourer, on the baptism for Mary Jane in 1856, he is listed specifically as a 'Labourer at Dock Yard'. On the baptism for Eliza in 1861, the family's address was 17 Bragg's Alley. 

In 1861, Henry Auther (sic) (34) from Uplowman, Devon, was listed as a Licensed Victualler at 1 Queen Street, "Lamb Inn", Stoke Damerel (although it says he was Cousin to the head of the household), with Susan Auther (sic) (34) from Ashburton, Devon; William Auther (10) born in Tiverton, Devon - Disability: Dumb - and Eliza (0) born in Devonport. They had nine visitors (incl. five Seamen R.N. and one Soldier), one Boarder and one Servant.

In 1862, the Licensee of The Lamb Inn is listed as Henry Arthur (sic).

On the baptism for Harry in 1863, his father is listed as a Licenced Victualler and the family's address listed as 1 Queen Street, which confirms that he was residing at The Lamb Inn, one of many Public Houses in Queen Street.

By 1865 and again in 1867, Henry Authers was once more a Labourer and the family were back at 17 Bragg's Alley, which was said to be full of 'wretched hovels and dilapidated buildings'. Bragg's Alley was a narrow thoroughfare that ran between Catherine Street and Dock Wall Street. "These warrens threatened to tumble around the ears of their occupants - persons so repellent that no citizen could enter without certainty of insult."

In 1869, the family were living at 16 Granby Street, Devonport.

In 1871, Susan Arthurs (sic) (b. 1827), William H (year of birth as 1852), Catherine (b. ~1855), Eliza (b. 1861), Harry (b. 1863) and John (b. ~1870) were living at 1 Braggs Alley, Stoke Damerel, with no less than seven Lodgers in the household, whilst I've not [yet] located Henry.

On 11 Oct 1875, Henry Authors, Labourer of 20 N Moore St, New York, became a naturalized American citizen. He was also there in 1878, when he witnessed the naturalization of his son-in-law, William Thomas Eastabrook, who spent around 5 years in the Lower Manhattan slums, before returning to the UK by 1879. Henry Authers also clearly returned.

In 1881, Susannah Arthure (sic) (53) from Ashburton, Devon, Wife, Head of the household - have not [yet] found her husband - was living at 3, Trafalgar Court, Devonport Stoke-Damerel. With her were son Harry (18) Mason's apprentice, plus Elizabeth Hill (22) and M A Starling (23), both lodgers.

Henry Authers, died, at 57, in 1885 S Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL. 

Susannah Authurs (sic) (60) of 18 John St, Devonport, her occupation listed as Nurse, was treated at The Royal Albert Hospital and Eye Infirmary, Devonport, between 10 Oct 1888 and 13 Nov 1888 for Eczema of leg.

In 1891, Susannah Authers (67) Widow was Housekeeper in the household of her son-in-law, William Trick (Eliza Authers had married William Trick in 1883), in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1901, incorrectly listed as Susannah Trick (75) Widowed Mother-in-Law from Ashburton, Devonshire, was still living with William and Eliza Trick in Palmerston Street, Stoke, Plymouth.

Susannah Arthurs died at 76 in 1903 M Quarter in DEVONPORT.

Albert William Horswell and Rosina Ann Gloyne

North Street, Greenbank, Plymouth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Tony Atkin - geograph.org.uk/p/449770
North Street is a narrow cobbled street which runs from Sutton Harbour up the hillside into the heart of the Greenbank District. It is reputed to be one of the oldest routes in Plymouth.

Albert William Horswell (b. 6 May 1865), son of William Horswell and Julia Hurrell, married Rosina Ann Gloyne, youngest daughter of Samuel Pascoe Gloyne and Emma Jane Coombes, in Plymouth in 1886. Inexplicably, but usefully, the bride's name was listed as Rosina Pascoe Gloyne. 

In 1891, Albert W Horswell (25) Steam Engine Maker Fitter and wife, Rosina A Horswell (25) were living in North Street, Plymouth.

But Rose Annie Horswell died, at just 31, in 1896 (GRO Reference: 1896 D Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 200).

By 1901, Albert Horswell (35) Steam Engine Maker Fitter, was living, in Ebrington Street, Plymouth with new wife, Bessie Horswell (34), although I can find no record of a further marriage of Albert Horswell to anyone.

Albert Horswell (45) Engine Fitter at Government Dockyard was still living in Plymouth with 'wife' Bessie Horswell (44) in 1911. 

In 1921, Albert W Horswell (56) Engine Fitter at HM Royal Dockyard and Bessie A Horswell were living at 7, Belmont Street, Stonehouse, Plymouth.

Albert William Horswill (sic) died at 74 in 1940 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 921.

William Thomas Eastabrook and Catherine Eliza Authers

Mulberry Street, New York City (c. 1900) Library of Congress

William Thomas Eastabrook (b. 1848), son of Richard Eastabrook and Susana Derry, married Catherine Eliza Authers, daughter of Henry Authers and Susannah Osmond, in the 3rd quarter of 1871, in Stoke Damerel, Devon.

Registered as Caroline Authers (1854 M Quarter in PLYMOUTH Volume 05B Page 253), born 25 Feb 1854 and baptised, as Eliza Caroline Authers, on 12 Mar 1854 at St Peter, Plymouth, she was 17 at the time of her marriage.

William and Catherine had at least thirteen children:

1. William Henry Authers Eastabrook b. 17 Apr 1872 J Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 308.
2. Susanna Eastabrook b. 11 Apr 1874 in Manhattan, New York, United States. Birth record states that she was the "Mother's 2nd child". Died, aged 2, on 2 Sep 1876 and was buried on 4 Sep 1876 at Evergreen Cemetery, on the borders Brooklyn and Queens, New York.
3. Unnamed male (Jack) Eastabrook b. 3 Aug 1876 in Manhattan.
4. John Samuel Eastabrook b. 21 Dec 1877 in New York, USA.
5. Catherine Eliza Eastabrook b. 1879 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 323, died at 8 months, on 30 Jan 1880 (1880 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 283), buried 8 Feb 1880 in Stoke Damerel.
6. Harry Eastabrook b. 1880 (listed here)
7. Susannah Catherine Easterbrook b. 20 Mar 1881 J Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 327, bap. 24 Jun 1881 at St Mary's Devonport.
8. Beatrice Alberta Eastabrook b. 28 Jul 1883, bap. 17 Aug 1883 at St Mary's Devonport. (Seem to have missed the GRO registration.)
9. Ethel May Eastabrook b. 16 Dec 1885 (1886 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 318), bap. 22 Jan 1886 at St Mary's Devonport.
10. Harry Clifford Eastabrook b. 17 Sep 1888 (1888 D Quarter in STOKE DAMEREL Volume 05B Page 305). (Not found baptism.)
11. Eliza Ellen Eastabrook b. 1891 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 308, died, in 1892 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 299.
12. Lawrence Aubrey Eastabrook b. 24 Nov 1897 (1898 M Qtr in STOKE DAMEREL Vol 05B Page 309), bap. 9 Jan 1898 in Devonport, Devon.
13. One further male child.

On the baptisms of Susannah in 1881, Beatrice in 1883 and Ethel in 1886 William Thomas Eastabrook is described as Seaman R.N. and the family's address as 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke-Damerel. On that for Lawrence in 1898, R.N. and living at 42 Palmerston St, Stoke, Plymouth.

In 1871, just before his marriage, William Eastabrook (21) Butcher (as had been his father before him), was a Servant in the household of Sarah Payne (27) Butcher, in Morice Town, Devonport, Plymouth.

On 1 Jan 1873, William Thomas Eastabrook, from Stoke Damerel, Devonport, with birth date given as 10 Aug 1849 (his birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1848, so this seems to be a year out), joined the Royal Navy, as a Butcher. At that time being 5 ft 2 in, with brown hair, grey eyes and a ruddy complexion. He was assigned to HMS Audacious (1869), which from 23 Nov 1871 - 17 Mar 1874 served as a Coast Guard Ship at Hull, in the Humber. It appears that William Thomas "Run [at] Hull" (deserted) on 17 Apr 1873.

By Apr 1874, we find the couple in Manhattan, New York for the birth of their 2nd child. They had clearly emigrated and this, it must be remembered, is within a decade of the American Civil War. History of NYC - 1870s.

• Introduction to Immigration from 1870–1905
• Immigration to the United States, 1851-1900

The family's address on the burial record for daughter, Susanna, was 168 Mulberry St, New York. Mulberry Street, is a narrow thoroughfare that includes parts of Chinatown and Little Italy in The Five Points neighbourhood in Lower Manhattan, New York City. Five Points gained international notoriety as a densely populated, disease-ridden, crime-infested slum. "Nicknamed 'Death's Thoroughfare', it was here, where the street crooks its elbow at the Five Points, that the streets and numerous alleys radiated in all directions, forming the foul core of the New York slums." So notorious, Manhattan's Mulberry Street has been subject of books, films and music.

On 8 Oct 1878, William T Eastabrook became a naturalised American citizen. The record gives his address as 20 N Moore St, New York and his occupation as Milkman. Witnessing his naturalisation was Henry Authers (wife's father).

They had stayed in New York for around five years, but returned to the UK by the time of the birth of fifth child, Catherine Eliza Eastabrook, in 1879.

On 26 Feb 1880, William Easterbrook (sic) (leaving out the Thomas), from Devonport, Devon and giving his date of birth as 9 Aug 1856 - one day adrift from that on the previous naval record and having now lost eight years in age - joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class, this time advancing to Chief Stoker and serving for 20 years, until he was pensioned on 28 Feb 1900.

In 1881, transcribed as William I Easterbrook (sic) (32) Stoker RN (at sea) is listed at 26, St John Street, Devonport, Stoke Damerel with Catherine E Easterbrook (27), William H A Easterbrook (9), John S Easterbrook (4) born in the United States; ? Easterbrook (0) Daughter [later named Susannah Catherine]; K T Easterbrook (20) Sister [mystery - not identified birth] Nurse and Eliza Arthers (sic) (20) Tailoress - Catherine's younger sister.

In 1891, still in St John Street, Devonport, were Catherine Easterbrook (37) Dressmaker; William H A Easterbrook (19) Blacksmith; John S Easterbrook (14), Catherine Easterbrook (10) [Susannah Catherine]; Beatrice A Easterbrook (7), Ethel M Easterbrook (5), Harry C Easterbrook (2) and Eliza E Easterbrook (0). William was at sea with HMS Mildura from 18 Mar 1891 until 4 Nov 1891. She served primarily in Australian waters.

In 1901, William Esterbrook (sic) (49) Naval Pensioner Admiralty from Devonport, Devonshire, was living in North Road, Central Cardiff, with Catherine Eastabrook (47) Sub Postmistress; Catherine Esterbrook (20) Lady Clerk (Commercial); Beatrice Esterbrook (17) Post Office Assistant; Ethel Esterbrook (15) Apprentice to Stationer and Lawrence Esterbrook (3).

William Thomas Eastabrook of 80 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, died on 11 Jun 1908. His age was estimated as 52 - which would agree with the birth date in 1856 given on his second enlistment in the Royal Navy - he was actually 59 - and was buried in the parish of St John the Baptist Church, Cardiff. Probate was granted on 29 Jun 1908 to beneficiary, Catherine Eliza Easterbrook.

In 1911, Catherine Easterbrook (57), Widowed, Sub Postmistress from Plymouth, Devonshire, was still living in Central Cardiff with Harry Easterbrook (22) Railway Clerk; Ethel Easterbrook (25) Postal Assistant; Frank Powell (26) Boarder, Kitty Murrell (30) and Kitty Murrell (1) Visitors. (Daughter Susannah Catherine, known as Catherine and clearly also as Kitty, had, as Catherine Susannah, married Charles Murrell in 1907.)

In 1921, C E [Catherine Eliza] Easterbrook (66) Sub Postmistress from Devonport, was at 102, Whitchurch Road, Cathays, Cardiff with L A Easterbrook (23) Clerk, Pension Office and four boarders, who were actually daughter E M [Ethel May] Vanner, her husband and two children.

Catherine Eastabrook or Easterbrook (as it says on the Probate record) of 42 Llanishen St, Cardiff, died, aged 80, on 29 Jun 1934 J Quarter in BRIDGEND Volume 11A Page 853 and was buried at Cardiff, All Saints, leaving her effects to sons, William Henry Eastabrook and Harry Clifford Eastabrook.

Easterbrook family genealogy

John Winnall, Thames Waterman of Blackwall

River Thames at Blackwall
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Nigel Cox - geograph.org.uk/p/792054

John Winnall (b. 1642), son of Augustine Wynnall and Elizabeth Knighte, and his wife Alice - I've yet to locate a record of their marriage - were the parents of the following children. All baptisms were at St Dunstan's, Stepney:

1. Elizabeth Winnall bap. 2 Jun 1669
2. Mary Winnall bap. 30 Jul 1671
3. Jo*** Winnum (sic) bap. 12 Sep 1672 (Transcribed as Joyce Winnum, however, on the original written document, although the first name isn't easily readable, it says SON of John Winnum of Blackwall, Waterman and Alice. So I definitely don't think it's Joyce, but I do think that Winnum is an error and this is a son of the same John Winnall. John for the first name would be the obvious choice, but it doesn't look like that.)
4. Alyce Winnall bap. 6 Mar 1673
5. Augustine Winnall bap. 16 Nov 1678
6. Anne Winnall bap. 16 Mar 1680
7. Rachel Winnall b. ~1680 (As yet not seen original baptism.)

Most say son or daughter of John Winnall of Blackwall, Waterman and Alice.

So, not only was John Winnall born the same year as the start of the English Civil War, this places him and Alice in the capital at the time of the Great Fire of London. They also lived through the plague (1665-6). Interesting times.

Samuel Pepys, who commuted by water from his home to his job at the Admiralty, refers to the death of his waterman in his diaries of 1665 revealing the particular vulnerability of Thames watermen to infection. 

On Sunday 20 August 1665, he writes, "And I could not get my waterman to go elsewhere for fear of the plague."

Thames watermen and ferries: "Wherries could be hired at many stairs that led down to the Thames. Watermen gathered at each, jostling for custom, crying “oars oars sculls”. Working a passenger wherry, ferry, or barge on the Thames in all weathers and tides required knowledge and skill, with tides used to achieve remarkably quick journeys up and down river. The men who operated such craft, as well as those who transported goods by barge or lighter, were a special breed, whose families undertook the same work for generations."  

Blackwall had a proud maritime tradition and both Raleigh and Nelson are said to have had homes here. The first colonists of Virginia sailed from Blackwall in 1606 and later the East India Docks - a group of docks in Blackwall, east London - brought thriving inter­na­tional trade. 

Blackwall Yard was famous for building East Indiamen, which vessels were often called Blackwallers. Built in 1614, it was the first wet dock in the port of London and was the East India Company's principal shipyard, "... residential development at Blackwall commenced in earnest during the 1620s and 1630s, and it continued throughout the century as both the shipyard and overseas trade prospered and the demand for labour in the area increased." 

Evidence suggests that John Winnall's father had come to London from Gloucestershire between 1627 and 1634. We don't know what his occupation was once he got to the capital, but he had been a labourer. We know he settled in this area, as his children were baptised at St Dunstan's, Stepney, so the area's development would seem to offer the perfect reason for arriving and finding work at that time. Many in this branch of my family settled in this area and made their living in some way related to either the river or the seas as watermen, dock labourers, ships' carpenters, shipwrights, sailors ...

The record of the burial of John Winnall, on 16 Nov 1693 at St Dunstan's, Stepney, also lists him as John Winnall of Blackwall, Waterman at Poplar.

In the records of Thames Watermen & Lightermen 1688-2010, there is a John Winnall listed, in Blackwall, apprenticed to a Master Winnall, in 1707. It would not be a surprise to find this was John Winnall's grandson.

Henry Finnimore and Louisa Beer

St Michael & All Angels church, Heavitree
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/1065240

Henry Finnimore (b. 1851), son of William Finnimore and Maria Pickard, married Louisa Beer (b. 1855), daughter of Thomas Beer and Mary Elson, in the district of St Thomas, Devon [Exeter] in the 1st quarter of 1877.

Henry and Louisa had seven daughters and one son:

1. Lily Eliza Finnimore b. 1877 S Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 63, bap. 2 Nov 1877 in Heavitree, Devon. On this baptism their address was White's Court and Henry's occupation was Coachman.
2. Florence Louise Finnimore b. 22 Mar 1880 J Quarter in ST THOMAS Volume 05B Page 62, bap. 12 May 1880 in Heavitree, Devon.
3. Alice Maud Finnimore b. 13 May 1882 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 58, bap. 14 May 1882 in Heavitree, Devon.
4. Beatrice Ellen Finnimore bap. 28 Dec 1883 in Heavitree, Devon, reg. 1884 M Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 59
5. Blanche Annie Finnimore b. 1886 J Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 61, bap. 21 May 1886 in Heavitree, Devon.
6. William Henry Finnimore b. 7 Jan 1889 M Quarter in SAINT THOMAS Volume 05B Page 62, bap. 1 Feb 1889 in Heavitree, Devon.
7. Ivy May Finnimore b. 12 Oct 1892 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 378, bap. 30 Nov 1892 at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman.
8. Elsie Beer Finnimore b. 1896 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 388, bap. 8 Sep 1896 at St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon. On this baptism, Henry Finnimore's occupation was again Coachman and the family's address was given as the Redwoods Inn, Uplowman.

In 1881, Henry Finnimore (26) Coachman was living at 17, Roseland Terrace, Heavitree with Louisa Finnimore (25), Lilie E (sic) (3) and Florence L (1).

In 1891, Henry Finnimore (37) Groom & Gardener, was living at Glebe Cottage, Coles Hill, Uplowman with Louisa Finnimore (36), Lily E Finnimore (13), Florence L Finnimore (11), Maude E [Alice Maud] Finnimore (8), Beatrice Finnimore (7), Blanche A Finnimore (4) and William Henry Finnimore (2).

In 1901, at Shoreditch, Scattered Houses, Pitminster, Taunton, Somerset, were Henry Finnimore (45) Domestic gardener; Louisa Finnimore (44), Alice M Finnimore (18) Housemaid; Beatrice E Finnimore (17) Housemaid; Blanche A Finnimore (14), Ivy M Finnimore (8) and Elsie B Finnimore (4). Florence Finnimore (23) was a Housemaid to James Cook (64) Retired Solicitor at Claire, Southside, Weston Super Mare. William Henry Finnimore (12) was an Errand Boy for Walter J Hunt (26) Butcher in Halse, Somerset.

In 1911, Henry Finnimore (59) Groom was living in North Petherton, Somerset with Louisa Finnimore (55), William H Finnimore (22) Farm Labourer and Elsie Finnimore (14). Ivy May Finnimore (19) at that time was working as a Housemaid in Kingston by Yeovil, Somerset.

Henry and Louisa were still living in North Petherton, Somerset in 1921.

Henry Finnimore died, aged 78, in 1930 M Quarter in BRIDGWATER.

Louisa Finnimore died in 1936 D Quarter in BRIDGWATER, aged 80.

1. Lily Eliza Finnimore died, aged 20, in 1898 M Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 340 and was buried at St Peter’s Church, Uplowman.
2. Florence Louise Finnimore married William Ridgeway, in 1903.
3. Alice Maud Finnimore married Arthur Beadon Butt in 1909. Alive Maud Butt died in 1970 and is buried at St James Cemetery, Taunton.
4. Beatrice Ellen Finnimore married Francis Samuel Atyeo in Taunton, in 1903. Beatrice Ellen Atyeo died in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1960.
5. Blanche Annie Finnimore married George Perry in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1910. Blanche Annie Perry died, in 1962, in Taunton, Somerset.
6. William Henry Finnimore died in Taunton, Somerset, in 1970. 
7. Ivy May Finnimore married Ernest Bartlett on 11 Jun 1911 in North Newton, Somerset. Ernest Bartlett died on 5 Feb 1927 and is buried at St. Peter's Churchyard, North Newton. Ivy May Bartlett remarried to William Henry John Dunn in 1947. Ivy May Dunn died on 8 Jan 1970 and is also buried at St. Peter's Churchyard, North Newton.
8. Elsie Beer Finnimore died in 1931 S Quarter in HOLSWORTHY Volume 05B Page 513 with age estimated as 33. She will have been 35.