Charles Sweeney and Ruth Christmas Dobson

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

Charles Sweeney (b. 17 Jul 1880), son of John Henry Charles Sweeney and Susannah Harvey, married Ruth Christmas Dobson (b. 25 Dec 1878) daughter of William Dobson and Sarah Ann Rowe, in Stepney in Q3 of 1906.

On 22 Jan 1896, Charles Sweeney of 1 Stephensons Cottages, Condor Street (his parents' address) had enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment, claiming to be 18 years and 6 months old. By my calculations, he was in fact, 15 years and 6 months old at that time. He was 5ft 5in tall, 116 lbs, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and black hair. On 19 Mar 1896 he transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment and they hadn't worked out that he was telling porkies about his age, because he was listed as 18 years and 8 months. He'd managed to gain 5lbs weight to 121 lbs and grow to 5ft 5½in in the interim.

Appointed Lance Corporal on 6 May 1896, Charles reverted to Private at his own request on 26 May 1896, but was reappointed Lance Corporal on 18 Feb 1898. He served in India with the 2nd Battalion, for four years from 10 Nov 1898 until 11 Dec 1902. Ultimately promoted to Corporal, transferred to the Army Reserve on 18 Mar 1903. 

Interestingly, among next of kin, he lists his father, John, his mother, Susan; his elder brother Henry in the Royal Marines with HMS Rapid and his brother John 'address not known'. (No mention of Job, Thomas, nor his sisters.)

Charles and Ruth had two sons, both born in Poplar:

1. Charles Stanley Sweeney b. 13 Oct 1906 Volume 01C Page 601
2. Edward John George Sweeney b. 1913 J Quarter Vol 01C 1032

In 1911, Charles Sweeney (30) Warehouse labourer was living at 102 Hind Street, Poplar with Ruth Sweeney (31), Charles Stanley Sweeney (4), George Thomas Dobson (30) Brother-in-law and William John Bradley (45) Lodger.

In 1921, and still at 102, Hind Street, Poplar, were Charles Sweeney (40) Caretaker of the All Saints Institute, Newby Place, Poplar, working for Rev. C R Cotter Parish Rector of All Saints Church, Poplar (Claud Rutledge Cotter); with Ruth Christmas Sweeney (41), Charles Stanley Sweeney (14) Errand Boy; Edward John George Sweeney (8) and John Henry Sweeney (82) Retired, formerly Caretaker of the Poplar Institute. We read that, "After 1913 the workhouse became known as Poplar Institution", so it may well be that they're referring to and it looks like Charles has taken over his position.

In 1939, Charles Sweeney, Caretaker in Charge of Public Hall, was in the household of brother-in-law, John Stone, at 12 Leith Road, Mile End. Ruth Sweeney remained at 102 Hind Grove, Poplar, with her sister, Amy Dobson.

Ruth Christmas Sweeney died, aged 65, in 1945 M Quarter in POPLAR Volume 01C Page 293.

It appears that Charles Sweeney remarried in the 3rd quarter of 1945, in Bethnal Green to a Katie Trotter. (It's not known if her dad ever had a yellow Reliant Robin.) Actually, I've been unable to find out whether this was her maiden or a previous married name. Likewise, haven't found her death.)

Charles Sweeney died, aged 88, in 1968 in Stepney.

Once more we have two brothers who marry two sisters:

• Charles Stanley Sweeney married Alice Agnes Coker (b. 22 Aug 1906) in Bethnal Green, in 1929. They had one son, Brian Charles Sweeney b. 6 Aug 1936. In 1939, Brian was evacuated to the Hall family at 1 Free Lane, Thwaite St Mary, Loddon, Norfolk. Brian Charles Sweeney of Toddington, Bedfordshire died at 40, on 27 Feb 1977, seemingly leaving a widow and three children. Alice Agnes Sweeney died in Luton, Bedfordshire, in 1997; Charles Stanley Sweeney died, also in Luton, on 7 Jan 2003, at 96. 
• Edward John George Sweeney married Daisy Annie Coker (b. 5 Mar 1912), also in Bethnal Green, in 1934. Daisy Annie Sweeney died, in Waltham Forest, in 1999. Edward I've not isolated records for.

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.

Herbert Joy Tubb and Ada Harriet Bartlett

St Corentine's Church, Cury
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Trevor Harris - geograph.org.uk/p/1817672

Herbert Joy Tubb (b. 1865), son of Edward Tubb and Sarah Elizabeth Joy, married Ada Harriet Bartlett (b. 1870, bap. 8 Jan 1871 in Cury, Cornwall), daughter of John William Ginn Bartlett and Harriet Nanney, in the district of Helston in the 4th quarter of 1892. Baptised in Cury, brought up in Uny-Lelant, Ada was living at Boscawen, Mawgan in Meneage, Helston in 1891, where her father was a Farmer, so likely that was the venue for the marriage, where the parish church is dedicated to St Mauganus, a Welshman.

In 1891, Herbert J Tubb (25) Merchant's Clerk, had been a visitor in the household of Farmer, Samuel Trounson (58) at Penvores, Mawgan in Meneage, which was right next door to the Bartlett household.

Herbert and Ada had two children:

1. John Bartlett Tubb b. 12 Jul 1893 in HELSTON Volume 05C Page 168
2. Olive Joy Tubb b. 26 Jun 1898 in HELSTON  Volume 05C Page 169

In 1901, Ada H Tubb (30) was living at Boscawen Cottage, Mawgan in Meneage with son John B Tubb (7) at school and Olive J (2). 

In 1911, the family were living at 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth. Herbert Joy Tubb (44) Implement and machinery manager, Ada Harriet Tubb (39), John Bartlett Tubb (17) Apprentice Engineer and Olive Joy Tubb (12) at School.

Son, John Bartlett Tubb, Fleet Engineer, of 4 Athenaeum Street Plymouth enlisted in the Territorial Force Royal Engineers, on 18 Sep 1914. At 21, he was 5ft 6in tall with a 36 in chest. In reserve until 23 Mar 1915, he was sent to Gibraltar on 24 Mar 1915, until 11 Nov 1916, where he picked up a dose of Gonorrhea (an occupational hazard?), treated in 1915 - this is well before the introduction of antibiotics that was not until the 1940's. (Gonorrhea: Historical outlook). He was discharged on 9 Jul 1919 at Ripon.

The family, with Herbert, Ada, John and Olive were still in Plymouth in 1921.

Olive Joy Tubb married Richard Donald Broad (b. 2 Feb 1896 in Liskard), son of William Nanscowan Broad and Louise Daniel, in Plymouth, in 1922.

Richard Donald Broad had enlisted in the brand new Royal Air Force (RAF) on 20 Apr 1918 and applied for a Temporary Commission. In Aug/Sep of that year he is listed at RAF & Army Co-Op School as 'Pilot for training'. In Nov 1918 he was assigned to 116 Squadron.

John Bartlett Tubb married Kathleen Margaret Coomb (b. 30 Sep 1896 in Truro, Cornwall), daughter of Arthur Bate Coomb (an Elementary teacher, born in Victoria, Australia) and Lucy Bennett, in Plymouth, in 1925.

Ada H Tubb died, aged 62, in Plymouth in 1932.

In 1939, Herbert Joy Tubb, Agricultural Engineer (Retired), widower, was living in the household of his son-in-law, Richard Donald Broad, Poultry, Pig and Fruit Farmer; daughter, Olive Joy Broad and grandson, David Broad (b. 12 May 1928), at Broadlands, Lifton, Tavistock, Devon. 

Also living at Broadlands, Lifton, in 1939, in the next household was William John Rundle (b. 7 Jun 1909), Agricultural Labourer and his wife. Presumably, Rundle was working for Richard Broad. If this William John Rundle is related to the Rundle clan from Luxulyan, Cornwall - not entirely unlikely given the proximity - then, in another of those monkey puzzle tree branches of my family tree that have ceased to surprise, we could have someone distantly related to my father's mother, working for someone distantly related to my mother's father. God forbid that they could actually be related to each other! 

Meanwhile, John B Tubb, Marine Engine Fitter and Kathleen M Tubb were living at 3 Goldington Avenue, Bedford in 1939.

Herbert Joy Tubb of Broadlands, Lifton, Devon died, aged 74, on 28 May 1940, leaving effects of £1052 3s 11d (circa. £63K in 2022) to Olive Joy Broad, wife of Richard Donald Broad. There was an obituary in the Western Morning News of 30 May 1940 [yet to access].

• Olive Joy Broad died, in 1971, in Sodbury, Gloucestershire.
• Richard Donald Broad died, in 1983, in Tavistock, Devon.
• Kathleen Margaret Tubb died on 17 Mar 1988 in Plymouth.
• John Bartlett Tubb died, in 1985, in Liskeard, Cornwall.
• David Broad died, in 2005, also in Liskeard, Cornwall.

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

George Frederick Harcus and Charlotte Cooper

St Nicholas with St Mary Church, Strood
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Marathon - geograph.org.uk/p/3568896

George Frederick Harcus (b. 1863), youngest son of John Harcus and Selina Patrick, married Charlotte Cooper (bap. 25 Aug 1867 at St Nicholas Church, Strood), daughter of Henry Cooper and Mary Ann Willan, at St Peter’s Church (now demolished), Rochester, Kent in 1884.

George and Charlotte appear to have two children:

1. Richard John Harcus b. 1888 M Quarter in STROOD Volume 02A Page 555, bap. 27 Apr 1888 at St Nicholas Church, Strood
2. Nelly May Harcus b. 9 Aug 1889 in STROOD Volume 02A Page 545

None of them can be found on the 1891 census, anywhere.

In 1901, George F Harcus (37) Barge Captain was living at 18, Cecil Avenue, Strood Intra, Strood, Kent with Charlotte Harcus (34), Richard Harcus (13), Nellie Harcus (12) and George's widowed mother, Selina Harcus (78).

In 1911, George Harcus (47) Waterman barge captain, Charlotte Harcus (43) and Nellie Harcus (22), lived at 67 Kitchener Road Strood Rochester. 

George Frederick Harcus died, aged 69, on 31 Mar 1932 and was buried at Strood Cemetery in Section K Grave No. 3 (C), where his mother was buried. 

Charlotte Harcus died, on 10 Mar 1939, she will have been 71, at 67 Kitchener Rd, Strood and was buried on 16 Mar 1939, in the same plot with her husband. Probate was granted on 9 Jun 1939 to Nellie May Slater.

• Richard J Harcus married Elizabeth R Andrews, in Strood in the 4th quarter of 1917. There is a Richard John Harcus (b. 1888) in St Olave, Bermondsey, London in 1921, but with no Elizabeth in the household. Richard John Harcus died, aged 72, in 1960. 
• Nellie M Harcus married Ernest J Slater in Strood in the 3rd quarter of 1923. In 1939, Ernest J Slater (b. 5 Jul 1885) Gentleman's hairdresser, and Nellie M Slater were still living at 67 Kitchener Road, Rochester. Nellie May Slater died in 1979, aged 90.

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock

Paddington Station
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Malc McDonald - geograph.org.uk/p/5120568

Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock married, in Portsmouth, in 1922. Herbert William Proudlock's birth was registered in Paddington, London, in 1896. There's no mother's maiden name on the registration, so we must assume that his was an illegitimate birth. But, similarly, it hasn't been possible, without the certificate, to even identify his mother. 

There's no obvious Miss Proudlock born or living locally, so he may well have been found on said station and have had a penchant for marmalade.

In 1911, H W Proudlock (14) from Paddington, London, turns up in the household of a F W Rackley (38) General Labourer, at Westborough Road, Maidenhead, Bisham Bray, Berkshire, described as a Foster Son, but employed as a Page Boy. Not surprising then that he goes to sea. Herbert William Proudlock (b. 30 Apr 1896) enlisted in the Royal Navy, aged 15, on 9 Feb 1912. On his naval record, his previous occupation, "House Boy" was later crossed out and expressed as Domestic Servant. On 30 Apr 1914, his 18th birthday, he signed up for a further 12 years and spent the First World War doing short tours on a wide variety of ships. On 29 Apr 1936, Herbert was Pensioned. Then on 1 Apr 1938, was brought back into service again, served through World War II, being finally released on 17 Sep 1945.

Dorothy May Shilcock, meanwhile, was the daughter of Alfred Eli Shilcock and Florence Ada Poat, who married at St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 6 Nov 1902. Dorothy May Shilcock, born 2 Oct 1901, was baptised on 27 Sep 1908 at St Bartholomew's Church, Southsea (no longer standing?), along with her sister Rosa Louisa and brother Alfred Eli, who had been born on 10 Aug 1908. In 1911, the family, living at 3 Addison Road Southsea, Portsmouth, consisted Alfred Shilcock (38) Engine Fitter, Florence (31), Dorothy (9), Rosa (7), Doris (5), Alfred (2) and Ernest (0). (Although they listed the boys first.)

Herbert and Dorothy had three sons:

1. Frederick William Eli Proudlock b. 5 Nov 1923
2. Stanley Victor Proudlock b. 25 Dec 1928
3. (Further son born 1934 may be still living)

In 1939, Dorothy M Proudlock was living at 75 Lovett Road, Portsmouth with her three sons, while her husband was at sea. Frederick had become a Shop Assistant at a Pawnbroker. (Frederick died, in Portsmouth, in 1997).

Herbert William Proudlock of 34 St. Chad's Avenue, North End, Portsmouth, died on 19 Feb 1970. Dorothy May Proudlock died on 20 Jul 1974.

Cornelius Walter Jones

Cornelius Walter Jones, born 2 Jan 1893 in Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland, eldest son of David Jones and his second wife, Laura Elizabeth White, was my grandmother's elder brother. We've never been able to find his military record, but know he enlisted in the Army and served during World War I. His first cousin's husband, who was in Queenstown with the US Navy, kept a detailed diary and had written that Cornelius (Con) was leaving for Egypt in 1917. 

The image above, which I admit I downloaded some years ago (the page no longer exists) [1], is dated 10.11.1917 EGYPT. The taller man (that makes perfect sense too as his grandfather, Thomas Jones, had been 5' 9½", which was tall for his time), second from right, back row, is so much like my father it's literally like looking straight into his eyes. His stance, his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, brow line and, above all, hair, are all identical. It's so close a resemblance that it's eerie and uncanny and, unless someone can prove otherwise, I feel sure this has to be my great-uncle, Cornelius Jones.

Though our cousin had thought that Con didn't return from the war, I now know he did, probably suffering shell-shock, for which one of his younger siblings described him as "daft" - such was the lack of understanding. 

Not expecting to find him there in Ireland, we were quite shocked when we read the listing of his burial at the Old Church Cemetery (Cobh). 

Cornelius Jones, late of Rushbrooke, Cork, died on 21 Apr 1926 at the Cork District Hospital (now St. Finbarr's Hospital, with its origins in the Cork Union Workhouse and Infirmary). He was a bachelor, previously employed as a labourer. The record says 30, but he was 33 and died from Pneumonic Phthisis (tuberculosis, also known as consumption), after 8 months in hospital. The informant was Helena Lynch, "Inmate" Cork Union. 

Cornelius Walter Jones was buried on 24 Apr 1926, in the family plot at Old Church Cemetery (Cobh), along with his mother, who had died in 1917.

[1] The file name of the image above, b4croad3 matches the file name of the now defunct page at the former Royal Munster Fusiliers website at http://royalmunsterfusiliers.net/b4croad3.htm (also mentioned here) appertaining to a Private Frederick R Croad, 2nd R. Munster Fus, who I believe is also in the image. We have no record of what unit Cornelius joined or when, however, two Extra Reserve Battalions of the Royal Munster Fusiliers were mobilised at Queenstown (Cobh). The 6th (Service) Battalion certainly sailed on 9 Sep 1917 from Salonika for Alexandria in Egypt.

John Land and Loveday Flew

West Street, Bampton
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Derek Harper - geograph.org.uk/p/2450185

There's no record of a marriage, anywhere, between John Land (bap. 29 May 1791 in Bampton, Devon), son of John Land and Sarah Melhuish and Loveday Flew (bap. 14 Oct 1804 in Rackenford, Devon), daughter of Richard Flew and Jane Wright (Loveday Flew, was therefore the great-aunt of William Flew, who married Jane Middleton), but they must have got together by 1823.

John Patchett has written here that, John Land, "Joined the Royal Marines in 1810 and served to 1814 then discharged for being undersize at 5ft 2.3/4 when he was 19 and 5ft 4 in 1822. Joined the 46th regiment of foot in 1815 and served in Australia and India until 1822 when discharged with chronic hepatitis. Total service 10 years 48 days. On leaving the army was given a pension of 6d per day which he received until death." John Land had joined the 46th Regt Of Foot on 14 Nov 1815, and the record of his discharge from that service in 1822, in consequence of the chronic hepatitis, confirms his previous service in the Royal Marines from 4 Sep 1810 until 14 Jul 1814.

It seems obvious that while John was useful to the Royal Marines during the Napoleonic Wars they kept him, but once they no longer needed the numbers, his height was used as an excuse to select him for discharge. Of the 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot, "When peace came in 1814, the regiment was sent to garrison New South Wales for three years and escort convicts. It moved to India for the first time in 1817 ..."

John Land already had two children from a previous relationship with Sarah (b. 1794). Again, it hasn't been possible to locate a record of a marriage:

1. Richard Land b. 6 Oct 1816 At Sea, off the coast of Botany Bay, bap. 5 Jan 1817 at St Philip's Church, Sydney, Australia
2. Jane Land b. 25 Apr 1818 also born At Sea, off Botany Bay, bap. 3 Aug 1818 at Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle, New South Wales

Likewise, there are no records that explain what happened to Sarah.

John Land had a further nine children with Loveday Flew:

3. John Land b. 1823
4. Harriet Land b. 1827
5. James Land b. 1828
6. Elizabeth Land bap. 25 Jun 1830 at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Bampton, Devon
7. Loveday Land b. 1833. Died at 18 in 1851 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 191.
8. George Land b. 1836
9. Eliza Land b. 1839 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 239. Died at 19 in 1859 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 291.
10. Maria Land b. 1841 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 249. Died at 25 in 1867 J Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 298.
11. Eleanor Land b. 1845 D Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 10 Page 249, bap. 26 Nov 1845 in Bampton, daughter of John and Loveday. Address given as Westgate and John was described as a Pensioner.

The birth registrations for Eliza and Maria confirm the mother's maiden name as FLEW. On Eleanor's it is merely mis transcribed as FLEX. 

In 1841, living in Gate Street, West, Bampton, were John Land (50) Loody Land (sic) (35), Jane Land (20), John Land (18), Harriet Land (14), James Land (13), Elizabeth Land (9), Loody Land (8), George Land (5) and Eliza Land (1).

In 1851, in West Street, Bampton, Devon, we find John Land claiming to be 46 (he was 60) Pauper (ag lab), Loveday Land (47), James Land (23) Ag Lab; Loveday Land (18) Invalid; George Land (14) Ag Lab; Eliza Land (11), Maria Land (9) and Eleanor Land (5) the last three all at school. 

Loveday Land died at 47 in 1851 J Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 10 Page 191.

John Land died on 22 Sep 1857 (S Qtr in TIVERTON Vol 05B Page 275) from chronic bronchitis, with his age at death over estimated to 71 (66). 

Stanley Victor Proudlock and Theresa Margaret Clancy

Downtown Orangeville Municipal Affairs and Housing, CC BY 2.0

In 1951, Theresa Margaret Clancy, daughter of Patrick Michael Clancy and Rosina Kathleen Stone, married Stanley Victor Proudlock (b. 25 Dec 1928), son of Herbert William Proudlock and Dorothy May Shilcock, in Portsmouth. 

This couple had twin boys in 1953 and on 14 May 1954, Stanley V Proudlock (25) a Riveter of 87 Eastney Caravan Site, Portsmouth embarked in Southampton on Cunard's RMS Samaria, bound for Quebec. On 11 Jun 1954, Theresa Proudlock (26) and their two 8 month old sons followed, also on RMS Samaria. 

The couple later added a daughter.

Theresa Margaret Proudlock (née Clancy), "passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at the age of 87." [Source] Stanley Victor Proudlock died on 8 May 2015. They are buried together at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.