Archibald Carle Heckmann and Daisy Rhoda Day

Brick Lane in the East End of London
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/7049342

Archibald Carle Heckmann (b. 1883), son of Napoleon Joseph Heckmann and Susie Lane, married Daisy Rhoda Day (b. 10 Feb 1881), daughter of Arthur Stephen Day and Mary Ann Ray (and sister of Arthur Wilton Day), at St Faith’s Church, Ebner Street, Wandsworth, in the first quarter of 1900. 

The couple had two sons:

1. Archibald Wilton Napoleon Heckmann b. 1901 M Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 785
2. Cecil Arthur Heckmann b. 1903 D Quarter in ONGAR Vol 04A Page 537

In 1901, they were living at 60, Fullerton Road, Wandsworth, with Archibald Heckmann (21) - he was actually only 18 - Gas stove fitter from Loughton, Essex, Daisy Heckmann (20) and son Archibald Heckmann (0).

But in 1911, while Archibald Wilton Napoleon Heckman (10) and Cecil Arthur Heckman (7) were staying with their grandparents, Daisy R Heckman (30) described as "Married Deserted 7 Yrs", was staying with her brother.

Archibald Carle Heckmann must have left shortly after the second child was born and there's no sign of him after that: completely disappearing, as I've not found him under that name, on any subsequent records, neither census, nor electoral rolls, nor death, nor passenger lists going abroad.

Son Archibald W N Heckmann died, aged 15, in 1916, in Marylebone, London.

On 25 Apr 1919, Daisy Rhoda Heckmann, daughter of Arthur Stephen Day, Photographer, married William Arthur Clancy at St Mary's Church, Leyton. 

One can only hope she knew of the death of her first husband, because I also haven't found a record of a divorce, which would have been rare at that date, and it was not until 1937 that desertion became a ground for divorce.

So far, I've found no further trace of William Arthur or Daisy Rhoda Clancy.

On 11 Mar 1921, Cecil A Heckman (17) Motor mechanic, embarked on the SS Euripides, in London, bound for Melbourne, Australia, giving his last address in the UK as c/o A Day, Photographer, High Street, Ongar. 

Cecil Arthur Heckman married Bessie Henderson Soutar, in 1932, in Victoria, Australia, so we can probably safely assume he settled there. 

But whilst we don't yet know where Archibald Carle Heckmann went, we do have some information on where he came from: 

Firstly, we have his grandfather's petition for Naturalisation in 1846: Johan Heinrich Heckmann of No 5 John Street, Chicksand Street, Brick Lane in the Parish of Whitechapel, in the County of Middlesex, Fur Skin Dresser, states that he was born in Eissen, Warburg, then in the Kingdom of Prussia. He had been married for 13 years at that point, so married in 1833. His wife, also German, was Catharina Boss - the mother's maiden name on some of the children's births was Boss - and had lived in Tower Hamlets for 15 years, so since around 1831, when he would have been around 19 or 20. I've not found any record of his birth, or marriage so, we'll have to take his word for it.

In 1841, Johan Heckmann (30) Skin dresser, wife Cathe (30) and daughters, Helena (4) and Sophia (2) along with four others who were described as fur dressers, were living at John Street, Christchurch, Whitechapel.

Johan Heinrich Heckmann was the victim in a case of theft heard at the Old Bailey on 18 Sep 1848. Some 180 rabbit skins that had belonged to him had been stolen from an outworker. The two suspects, Thomas Saul and Richard Bailey, were found guilty and sentenced to be transported for seven years.

In 1851, now listed as John H Heckmann (39) Skinner & furrier employing 20 men, still at 5 John Street, Christchurch Spitalfields, Whitechapel, with Chatherina (sic) (39) from Homberg, Hesse; Chatherina (sic) (18), Christina (16), Helena (13), Sophia (11), Margretha (10), Napoleon (5), Anna Sophia (3), Cleopatra (1) and Karl Boss (20) Brother-in-law, Fur skin dresser.

In 1861, J H Heckmann (49) Proprietor of houses, from Prussia Naturalized British Subject, had moved to 30, York Hill, Loughton, Essex, with Catherine (49), Catherine (27), Sophia (21), Margretha (17), Napoleon (15), Anne (13), Adelaide (12), Theodore (5) and Adolf Leity (33) Visitor from Berlin, Prussia.

On 4 Jul 1865, John Henry Heckmann of John Street and Samuel Street, Spitlefields and of Loughton, Essex, Skin Dresser and Brewer, was declared bankrupt. He was discharged from bankruptcy on 5 Dec of the same year.

In 1871, John H and Katherine Heckmann were still at York Hill, Loughton, as they were also in 1881. John Henry Heckmann of York Hill, Loughton, died on 11 Sep 1887. In 1891, widow, Catherine Heckmann was still living at York Hill, Loughton with two of her daughters, spinsters, Catherine (56) and Anna (43) and one servant. Catherine Heckmann died, aged 86, in 1898.

Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (b. 1846), son of Johan Heinrich Heckmann and Catharina Boss, married Susie Lane at St John of Jerusalem, South Hackney, in 1879. Susie claimed to be from High Beach (or High Beech), Essex, but I've not found a record of her birth and cannot identify her parents. 

Dr Septimus Swyer

In 1871, Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (25) 'wife's brother', had been living in the household of Septimus Swyer (35) at 32 Brick Lane, Spitalfields, Whitechapel. Dr Septimus Swyer, General Practitioner, had married Napoleon's sister, Agnes Christina Heckmann, in 1857. Much has already been written about this contentious character, from his apparent partnership with a medical fraudster Edward Morass who went under a number of aliases and his second wife's alleged bigamy, but most of all, in relation to Jack the Ripper, as a person of interest and a possible suspect. Circumstantially, at least. It's relevant, I feel, to mention that Septimus Swyer emigrated the United States and one of his sons emigrated to Australia and changed his name. 

In 1881, Napoleon Joseph Heckmann (36) Living on income, Susie (22) and son Napoleon J (1), with a Domestic servant and a Nurse, were at York Hill.

Second son, Archibald Carle Heckman, born 1883 S Quarter in EPPING Volume 04A Page 223 and baptised at High Beech, Essex on 4 Jun 1889.

Napoleon Joseph Heckmann died, at 45, in the first quarter of 1891 and was buried on 3 Mar 1891 at the Church of the Holy Innocents, High Beach. 

In 1891, Susie Heckmann (30) Widow, was Living on her own means, still at York Hill, Loughton with her two sons, Napoleon (11) and Archibald (7). There's a record of Susie Heckmann remarrying in the 4th quarter of 1893, in Holborn, London, but I've been unable to establish to whom.

If one were to follow every line, there might be more clues, but it's clear there's a laundry list of circumstances that might be motivations for disappearance in this family and they have practice: I'm not hopeful.

Arthur Wilton Day and Louisa Jane James

South Beach, Weston-super-Mare
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Ian Capper - geograph.org.uk/p/6392467
South Beach at Weston-super-Mare with Birnbeck Pier

Arthur Wilton Day (b. 29 Dec 1879 in Chipping Ongar, Essex), son of Arthur Stephen Day and Mary Ann Ray, married Louisa Jane James (b. 31 Jan 1880 in Highbridge, Somerset), daughter of Joseph James and Emily Young, at St Stephen's church, Villa Street, Walworth, in the 4th quarter of 1900. The former St Stephen's Anglican church, was a large church (allegedly seating 2000), built c. 1866 (architect H Jarvis) and demolished c. 1956.

Ebner Street, Wandsworth
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper
geograph.org.uk/p/3069437

This couple did not have children.

In 1901, they were living at 23, Ebner Street, Wandsworth, with Arthur Day (21) Gas Fitter, Louisa Day (21) Lilian James (17) - Louisa's sister - an Incandescent Mantle Packer and Henry White (22) Window Cleaner, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Boarder. 

In 1911, still at the same address at 23, Ebner Street, Wandsworth, we find Arthur W Day (31) Gas Fitter, Louisa J Day (31), Cecil A Day (24) Clerk Columbia Phono Corp - Arthur's brother - and his sister, Daisy R Heckman (30) described as "Married Deserted 7 Yrs".

In 1921, Arthur Wilton Day (42) Electrician and Louisa Day (42) were living at 69, Richmond Road, Bristol, Gloucestershire.

Arthur Wilton Day died, aged 58, in 1938, in Bristol.

In 1939, Louisa Jane Day, widowed, was a Paid Companion, living in the household of Charles and Julia Burnett at 141 Richmond Road, Bristol.

Louisa Jane Day returned to her Somerset roots in her retirement, it seems, as she died, aged 79, in 1959, in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset.

William George Shotter and Annie Louisa Mew

The Newcome Arms
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © N Chadwick - geograph.org.uk/p/6667175

William George Shotter (b. 21 May 1876), son of William Thomas Shotter and Hannah Jane Bussey, married Annie Louisa Mew (b. 18 May 1877), daughter of George Charles Mew and Sarah Fudge, with the venue for the marriage listed as Portsmouth Register Office, in 1898. 

William and Annie had four sons:

1. William George Shotter b. 11 May 1899 in PORTSEA Vol 02B 459
2. Sydney Edgar Shotter b. 18 Jun 1901 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 490
3. Alfred Hector Shotter b. 11 Mar 1903 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 485
4. Thomas Bailey Shotter b. 2 Sep 1904 in PORTSMOUTH Vol 02B 465

In 1901, at 215, Lake Road, Portsmouth, were William George Shotter (25) Butcher shopkeeper and Annie Louisa Shotter (24), William George Shotter (2) and George Shotter (17) Butcher's assistant, William George's brother.

In 1911, still at 215 Lake Road, Landport, were William George Shotter (34) Master Butcher, Annie Louisa (33), William George (11), Sydney Edgar (9), Alfred Hector (8), Thomas Bailey (6) and Norah Annie Gossell (20) Servant.

In 1911, William George Shotter is also listed in Public Houses, Inns & Taverns, at the Newcome Arms, 189 Newcome Road, Kingston, Portsmouth.

In 1917, at age 40, William George Shotter, of 215 Lake Road, Butcher and Publican, was granted conditional exemption from military service. 

In 1939, William George Shotter, Licensed Victualler and Annie Louisa Shotter, were living at 34 Chichester Road, Portsmouth.

Annie Louisa Shotter of 36 Colville Road, Cosham, Portsmouth (wife of William George Shotter) died on 22 Aug 1960 at St Christopher's Hospital (formerly Fareham Union Workhouse), an elderly care hospital, leaving her effects to William George Shotter, retired Licensed Victualler.

William George Shotter also then of 36 Colville Road, Cosham, died on 25 Apr 1965 at the Yarborough Medical Home, North End, Portsmouth. 

Their sons and grandson:

• William George Shotter, formerly a telegraphist, enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve on 15 Oct 1917, from which he was discharged on 16 Feb 1919. On 15 Nov 1922, he married Bessie Isabel Spencer, in Portsmouth. Their only child, William George Shotter, was born on 23 Apr 1923. Then on 18 Feb 1924, William George Shotter (24) enlisted in the Royal Artillery, from which he was discharged on 5 Dec 1938. In 1939, William George Shotter, Overseer General Post Office, and Bessie I Shotter were living at Leamengton, Pound Farm Road, Chichester. Their son followed his father into the Royal Artillery. Gunner William George Shotter, son of William George and Bessie Isabel Shotter, of Chichester, Sussex died, aged 19, on 21 Jan 1943 and is buried at Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, near Majaz al Bab, Tunisia. (During World War II, Tunisia was the scene of Operation Torch (8 November 1942 – 13 May 1943), which was the Allied invasion of North Africa. CWGC Commonwealth War Graves in Béja & Medjez-el-Bab, Tunisia, North Africa.) William George Shotter of St James Hospital, Locksway Road, Milton, Portsmouth, a mental health facility, died on 24 Feb 1986.
• Sydney Edgar Shotter married Sylvia Mary Owens, in Portsmouth, in 1926. They appear to have two children, born in Southampton. In 1939, Sydney E Shotter, Deputy Supt Mercantile Marine Office Board Of Trade, and Sylvia M Shotter, were living at 13 Lansdowne Avenue, Grimsby. Sylvia Mary Shotter died in 1975 and Sydney Edgar Shotter died on 21 Apr 1981, both in Nottingham.
• Alfred Hector Shotter (23) Civil Servant, married Marjorie Alice Marchant (26) on 5 Jun 1926 at St Mary's Church, Merton, Surrey. They had one son, born in Kingston upon Thames, in 1929. Alfred Hector Shotter died, in Kingston upon Thames, in 1977.
• Thomas Bailey Shotter married Nora Winifred Carter in Portsmouth, in 1930. They had one son, born Derbyshire, in 1934. In 1939, Thomas B Shotter, Civil Servant Unemployed Assistance, and Nora W Shotter, were living at 132 Whitton Dene, Hounslow. Thomas Bailey Shotter died, on 12 Feb 1984, in Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire.

William George Maslin and Charlotte Jackson (née Bland)

Poplar, All Saints' Church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Mike Faherty - geograph.org.uk/p/3763422

William George Maslin (bap. 28 Mar 1819 in Deptford), son of John and Elizabeth Maslin, married Charlotte Jackson, then 24, at All Saints Church, Poplar, in the second quarter of 1844. The mother's maiden name on the registrations of their children, however, is listed as Bland. So, delving deeper, we find that Charlotte Bland, at 18, had previously married Joseph Jackson at St Paul's, Deptford, in 1838. That marriage had produced one child, Rebecca Jackson, born 1841 and registered in the Greenwich Union. 

Charlotte Bland, born 23 Feb 1820 and baptised on 30 Mar 1820 at St Alfege's Church, Greenwich (Henry VIII was baptised in a previous church on the site), was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Bland. There's a note on her baptism, Pn, which denotes Poor Note, believed to be a note from the poorhouse to pay for the baptism. Greenwich's first parish workhouse was opened in 1724, next door to St Alfege's Church, so it's possible that Thomas and Sarah were inmates of the institution and Charlotte was born there.

In 1841, Charlotte Jackson (21) was living in Church Street, St Paul Deptford, with Elizabeth Millard (75) who may have been a boarder or lodger. On the original census schedule, next to Charlotte's name instead of an occupation, is written "Wife of Joseph Jackson", so we can be in no doubt this is her. That, in turn, infers Joseph Jackson is alive and living elsewhere and, there is a likely Joseph Jackson (20) listed at that time as stationed at the Royal Artillery Barracks, 7th Battalion, Woolwich. There is also a death of a Joseph Jackson (26) - given that 1841 census ages are rounded down, I feel this is acceptable - in Greenwich in the first quarter of 1842. These records may well relate.

Deptford Broadway
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2393904
Looking across the width of the broadway from Chesham House. The five white stucco frontages in the centre, numbers 17-21, are "probably all of late C17 origin". They are slightly set forward from the rest of the terrace. On the right, the frontage curves into Deptford Church Street.

William and Charlotte Maslin had six children:

1. Joseph Maslin b. 3 Aug 1845, bap. 14 Sep 1845 at St Paul's, Deptford
2. William George Maslin b. 13 Jan 1848 M Quarter in GREENWICH UNION Volume 05 Page 227, bap. 31 Oct 1852 in Deptford. (Transcription put his birth in Jun, but this cannot be correct as his birth had been registered in the March quarter. Thus must be Jan.)
3. Elizabeth Sarah Maslin b. 19 May 1850 in GREENWICH Volume 05 Page 205, bap. 4 Aug 1850 at St Paul's, Deptford.
4. Unnamed female child b. 1852 D Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 476, presume died, or stillborn (no corresponding death found).
5. Alfred Maslin b. 21 Jul 1854 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 486, bap. 8 Oct 1854 at St Paul's, Deptford
6. James Maslin b. 12 Sep 1857 in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 512, bap. 15 Nov 1857 at St Paul's, Deptford

Mother's maiden surname on the five that have civil registrations is Bland.

In 1851, at 2, Broadway South Side, St Pauls Deptford, Hatcham, were William G Maslin (32) Brass worker; Charlotte (31) Greengrocer; Rebecca Jackson (9) Step daughter; Joseph (5), William G (3) and Elizabeth S (1). In Charles Street, Deptford, were John Maslin (74) Greengrocer, and his wife Elizabeth (66) Laundress, who appear to be William's parents. 

In 1871, they were in Nile Street, St Paul, Greenwich with William Maslin (52) Greengrocer; Charlotte Maslin (51), Alfred Maslin (16) Apprentice to painter and James Maslin (14) Boy at Iron foundry (Deptford Foundry?)

And in 1881, at 4, Nile Street, St Paul Deptford - Vanguard Street (previously Nile Street and Nelson Street) was amongst the earliest streets to be developed in the area south of Deptford Broadway - were William G Maslin (63) Brass finisher; Charlotte Maslin (62) Laundress; William G Maslin (33) Plasterers labourer; James Maslin (23) Blacksmiths labourer; Jessie Maslin (21) Collar ironer (James' "wife") and Emily Padbury (10) Granddaughter. 

Charlotte Maslin died, in Greenwich, aged 71, in 1890.

William George Maslin died, aged 80, in 1898.

James Maslin and Jessie Elizabeth Dunford

Batavia Road, New Cross
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Chris Whippet - geograph.org.uk/p/4358143

There appear to be no records of a marriage between James Maslin and Jessie Elizabeth Dunford (or any Jessie, anywhere, for that matter), but they were living as husband and wife in the home of James' parents, William George Maslin and Charlotte Bland, in 1881. James (23) was a Blacksmiths Labourer from Deptford; Jessie (21) Collar Ironer, reputedly hailed from Southwark.

James and Jessie had three children:

1. Jessie Elizabeth Maslin b. 1883 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 994, bap. 6 Jul 1883 in Hatcham, presumably Hatcham, St James
2. Florence Charlotte Maslin b. 1886 J Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1021, bap. 23 Jan 1890 at Hatcham, St James
3. James Thomas Maslin b. 1890 M Quarter in GREENWICH Volume 01D Page 1032, bap. 23 Jan 1890 also at Hatcham, St James

(Hatcham largely corresponds to the area around New Cross.)

The mother's maiden name on all three registrations is listed as Dunford. On Jessie Elizabeth's baptism, her mother's name is given also as Jessie Elizabeth (on those of Florence and James, it is listed only as Jessie), so I'm taking in on trust, although as that's the only place the middle name of Elizabeth appears, it leads me to think it's just assumed and to doubt that the mother actually had this middle name. Those birth and baptism records are the only sources for identifying who she was: I found no birth records of a Jessie or Jessie Elizabeth Dunford anywhere, let alone near Southwark ~1860.

In 1891, one of two families living at 15 Batavia Road, New Cross were James Maslin (33) Blacksmiths Labourer, Jessie Maslin (31), Jessie (8), Elizabeth (5) - clearly, they mean Florence Charlotte - and James (1).

Then Jessie Maslin died, at just 35, in 1895 M Quarter in Greenwich.

In 1901, James Maslin (43), listed as single, and employed as a Potman (a man employed in a public house to collect empty pots or glasses), was living at the (Common Lodging House), (formerly Brunswick House), 124, Tanners Hill, St Paul Deptford. Eldest daughter, Jessie E Maslin was employed as a General domestic servant in the household of Sydney T Wayment (33) Grain merchant at 194, High Street, St Nicholas Deptford. Cannot be sure of where Florence Charlotte was in 1901, but at 15, she was almost certainly also in a situation somewhere as a domestic servant. Son, James Maslin (11) from New Cross, Surrey, was a boarder in the household of Edward Cheeseman (39) Potman (public house) at 4, Morden Street, Greenwich.

Common Lodging Houses, also known as the doss-house, were an option for those who could scrape together a few pence to stay out of the workhouse, though they were scarcely any better and notorious for overcrowding.

It's no surprise that James Maslin died, aged 44, in the 4th quarter of 1901.

• In the second quarter of 1910, Florence Charlotte Maslin married Albert Robert Williams, in Woolwich. In 1911, Albert Robert Williams (25) Soldier A S Corps, Sergeant, from Clonmel, Tipperary; Florence Charlotte Williams (24) from Deptford and their one-and-a-half month old son, Robert Ronald Williams, were living at Caxton House, Godfrey Hill, Woolwich. 2nd child, Irene Dorothy Williams, was born, in Woolwich, in 1912.
• James Maslin (21), in 1911, born in New Cross, Kent, was with the 2nd Battalion The King's Shropshire Light Infantry, in Trimulgherry (Tirumalagiri), India.