Frederick Charles Stone and Rosemary Braund

Clovelly church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Philip Halling - geograph.org.uk/p/407424

Frederick Charles Stone (b. 1911), son of John Charles Stone and Elsie Alberta Wright, married Rosemary Braund (b. 3 Mar 1913), daughter of Albert and Mary Braund, at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, Devon, on 28 May 1936.

From the Devon and Exeter Gazette, of Thursday April 9, 1936. CLOVELLY WEDDINGS - Miss Rosemary Braund and Mr Frederick C. Stone

A pretty wedding took place at All Saints' Church, Clovelly, between Mr Frederick Charles Stone (eldest son of Police Constable Stone, stationed at Clovelly), and Miss Rosemary Braund (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A Braund of North Hill, Clovelly). The Rev. R. J. Somers Cocks (Rector) officiated. The best man was Mr. W. Southwood, a cousin of the bridegroom and Mr Albert Braund gave the bride away. The bride's dress was of white windswept satin and lace, and she also wore an embroidered veil with lovers' knot, a coronet of orange blossom, and silver shoes. Her bouquet was of arum lilies, narcissi, hyacinths and trailing fern. There were three bridesmaids:- Miss Betty Braund (niece of the bride), Miss Nora Lamey (cousin of the bride), and Miss Rachel Crase (friend). Miss Braund wore a dress of pink taffeta, silver shoes, and a wreath of roses and silver leaves. Her bouquet was of pink tulips and maidenhair fern, tied with pink satin ribbon. The other bridesmaids wore dresses of pale green taffeta, with silver shoes, wreaths of roses and silver leaves, and carried baskets of pink tulips and fern, tied with green satin ribbon. The bride's mother wore a navy blue crepe-de-chine dress with hat to match, and dark brown shoes. The bride presented the bridegroom with a silver cigarette case, and the bridegroom presented the bride with a silver necklace. To the bridesmaids the bridegroom presented silver necklaces with pink stones. A reception was held at No 2 Underdown, Clovelly, the future home of Mr and Mrs F C Stone, who received useful and valuable presents.

In 1939, Rosemary Stone (b. 3 Feb 1913) was back at her parents' home at 31 North Hill, Mount Pleasant, Devon. Her father (76) and her brother (39), both named Albert Braund, being Coastal Fishermen. Her husband, Frederick Charles Stone, being then aged 28, we can probably assume had volunteered for service in World War II. He returned from the war, as the couple had children in 1946 and 1948 (not listed as may still be living). 

However, Frederick Charles Stone died, in 1949, aged 37. 

Rosemary Stone died on 25 Mar 2008, at the age of 95.

John Summers and Sarah Middleton

Uffculme: The Square and St Mary’s church
cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martin Bodman - geograph.org.uk/p/839640

John Summers married Sarah Middleton, both of them born in Devon around 1774, at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Uffculme, on 28 May 1799. 

Records suggest that John and Sarah Summers had four children:

1. Elizabeth Summers bap. 21 Jul 1799 in Uffculme
2. John Summers bap. 17 Aug 1801 in Uffculme
3. Mary Somers (sic) b. 10 Jun 1804, bap. 25 Dec 1804, in Halberton
4. Richard Summers b. 13 Aug 1807, bap. 25 Dec 1807, in Halberton

In 1841, we find John Summers (65) Agricultural Labourer, Sarah Summers (65) and Richard Summers (30), living at Telgers, Halberton.

John Summers died, age given as 70, in 1844 S Quarter in TIVERTON AND DULVERTON Volume 10 Page 182.

In 1851, Sarah Summers (76) Widow, Pauper, was living in Uffculme with her eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tidborough (51) Widow, Worsted Warper.

Sarah Summers died in 1854 S Quarter in TIVERTON Volume 05B Page 255.

Benjamin Bussey and Elizabeth Bowen

The first Portsea Parish Church (St. Mary's) Built 1170 Demolished 1843.

Benjamin Bussey (b. 1781) married Elizabeth Bowen (b. 1796) at the first St Mary's Church, Portsea, on 28 May 1821. (Benjamin was a widower at the time of this marriage, having first married Sarah Deed at that same church on 31 Aug 1806, who had died, aged 37, and buried on 17 Nov 1820.)

Benjamin and Elizabeth had five children: 

1. Benjamin Bussey bap. 22 Mar 1822 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
2. James Wilmot Bussey bap. 24 Mar 1824 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
3. Caroline Bussey bap. 6 Aug 1826 at St Mary's Church, Portsea
4. Hannah Bussey b. 1828
5. Susannah Bussey b. 1832

There don't appear to be baptisms for the last two girls.

Benjamin Bussey of Hereford St, Landport died on 10 Dec 1835 and was buried on 17 Dec 1835, the record says, at Portsea Cemetery. 

In 1841, Elizabeth Bussey (45) was living in Chandos Street, Portsea with Benjamin (19), James (18), Caroline (15), Hannah (13) and Susannah (9).

In 1851, Elizabeth Bussey (56) widow, washer woman, was living with son Benjamin (28) cattle drover, and staying with her were her then married daughter, Hannah Tubb (21) and her granddaughter, Elizabeth Tubb (0). James had married in 1845; Caroline Bussey (24) was that year a housemaid at Greenwich Hospital, London - permanent home for retired sailors of the Royal Navy. Susannah isn't listed anywhere that I can find.

Benjamin Bussey Jnr, aged 34, died or was buried on 7 Dec 1855, in Portsea.

In 1861, Elizabeth Bussey (66) widow, was living alone at Landport View.

Elizabeth Bussey died, aged approx. 69, in 1867, in Portsea.

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.