This is a PERRY Family History relating to my 'fathers' side of the family in Section ONE, my 'mothers' side is dealt with as Section TWO, and my wife's side as Section THREE.
Unless otherwise stated all the Male members of the family on 'fathers' side were Agricultural Labourers or their work was connected with the Land in one capacity or another. Whilst I was concerned with tracing lines from my parents, by the very nature of things all the brothers and sisters at each generation are shown on the Chart and also their marriages where these are known.
There is a videotape showing the Churches and general background to the places mentioned in this History.
Charts attached at the end of Section One: * Descendant's Chart.(Father's Line) and Trace Back Male Line. And end of Section Two: * Descendant's Chart (Mother's Line)
1558 Elizabeth I comes to the throne and people felt safer than under her sister Mary I who had reigned for five years previously. She was a Protestant and had managed to stay alive even though others were executed. We normally remember two events during the reign of Elizabeth, both of which are mentioned below. Firstly victory over the Spanish Armada and secondly the execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Sailors like Raleigh, Drake, Hawkins, Frobisher and many others sailed the Spanish Main and Virginia in America is still named after Elizabeth. In London regular theatres were built and plays by William Shakespeare and others produced. Although it was the age of art, poetry and music the other side of the coin was filthy towns and streets with open drains. There were no bath rooms in the mansions which noblemen built and even Elizabeth is said to have bathed only once a month! However it seems to have been an age when people were happier than they had been for a long time.
1570 Elizabeth I excommunicated by Pope Pious V
1580 Christopher Perrey married Ann Hornbye on 12.6.1580 at St Leonards Church, Lexden.Whilst not of my direct line they are subsequently connected in 1728 when Thomas brother of my 5th. Gt.Gr. George married Mary Perry, a cousin at Copford on 3.6.1728. Christopher and Ann had four children:- Christopher Bpt. 16.1.1584 Lexden GeorgeBpt. 23.2.1588 Lexden, and subsequently married Elizabeth George at Marks Tey 18.10.16.
Thomas Bpt. 28.1.1593 Lexden and married Elizabeth Rampton at Copford 6.4.1618 Susa Bpt. 26.12.1596 Lexden.
Mary Perry (the 'e' had been dropped from the name) was 3rd. Great-grand-daughter of Christopher and Ann and came through the line from the marriage of George Perrey and Elizabeth George at Marks Tey on 18.10.1610.
This is Lexden Church where the descendants of Christopher and Ann were baptised. Christopher and Ann were married here 12th. June 1580.
A brief discription of the church is given on page 9.
Lexden parish church, St.Leonards, is very old. It appears to have two sections built at different times. One is certainly Norman. The church has been shut during my visits due to vandalism. It has an extensive graveyard both at the front and also the rear. The next generation to those mentioned above, the grand-children of Christopher and Anne were also Baptised at Lexden Church.
Marks Tey parish church is also old and whilst again I could not enter there was a notice saying that the church was 800 years old. The balcony around the bell tower and bottom of the slate spire was Wood.
Copford Parish church is definitely Norman. There are paintings on the walls previously preserved with whitewash that are 800 years old and the Parish Chest is 14th. century. A large percentage of my ancestors have connections with Copford through Birth,Death or Marriage.
1587 Execution of Mary Queen of Scots
1588 Defeat of Spanish Armada
1600 East India Company formed
1603 Elizabeth I died and James I (James IV Scotland) became King. He was not popular. He was ungainly and slovenly in appearance. He was also untrustworthy and believed a king could do no wrong. He persecuted the Catholics and many plots were formed against him the best known being the Gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes. It was by order of James that the Authorised Version of the Bible was made. This is to his credit but his oppression of the Puritans caused a number of them to sail in the 'Mayflower' in 1620 and to found New England in North America.
Thomas, 8th.Gt,Gr. was born about this time and sub- sequently married an Anne circa 1627.IGI/PRshows they had three children, Ann 1628, Thomas 1630 and John who became my 7th Gt.Gr. in 1631. All three children were baptised at Copford Parish Church. (See page 12)
Copford Parish Church where some 70% of my ancestors were baptised, Married or buried, the most recent in the 1950s.
A brief description of the church is given on page 9.
Another view through the lych-gate of the church leading through the burial ground.
1605 The 'Gunpowder Plot' Guy Fawkes Day November 5th.
1620 'Mayflower' with Puritans aboard sailed to N.America.
1625 Charles I became King. He was executed in 1649 His attitude was very similar to his father James 1 but clothes of fashionable men were quite elaborate. James 1 had left the country very poor and Charles tried to raise money and had arguments with Parlia- ment. He was jeered openly by some citizens.
1640-1650 Civil War
1643 In this year cattle suffered much disease in Essex but no details are recorded
1653 Cromwell became ruler of the 'Commonwealth'. He was stern, dancing was considered wicked,and there were no theatres. Like Charles 1 he had trouble with Parliament. He ruled until 1658.
1660 Charles II. He went to France during Civil War and returned to the throne in 1660 after fall of the Commonwealth. He was the exact opposite to Cromwell and England was merry again under Charles 11.
John 7th.Grt. Gr. married a Hannah and had two children. Hannah in 1663 and John 1666 who was my 6th. Gt.Gr. This information from PR/IGI. Both children baptised at Copford Parish Church.
1665 Great Plague
1666 Great Fire of London
1667 'Burial in Wool' Act passed in an effort to help sheep farmers and the declining wool industry.
1684 was the year in which it was so cold that the Thames froze and horses, carts and coaches could cross over the ice.
1685 James 11, the younger brother of Charles was brave and intelligent but he was a Catholic. He attempted to make England a Catholic country and himself an absolute monarch. He failed in both.
1689 William III & Mary II. This is William of Orange. He and his wife Mary were cousins and both descended from Charles 1. Both were Protestants which was a relief to the nation but William was unpopular due to love for Holland being a Dutchman.
1692 circa. John married Mildred. They had two children, George 1695, my 5th Gt.Gr. and Thomas in 1698. This information from PR/IGI. Again baptism of both children took place at Copford Parish Church.
1693 A bad year for sheep disease but no details given.
1698 So cold in February that on the 8th.the sea off the Suffolk coast froze to a depth of 8 inches.
1701 War of Spanish Succession
1702 Anne became Queen. She was the younger sister of Mary. Popular but not very clever. Her reign is associated with the great General Duke of Marlborough who won great battles in France. Blenheim is one such battle and Anne built Blenheim Palace as a tribute to the Duke from the people of England.
1707 England, Wales and Scotland United
1709 Again a very cold winter. The mortality was high among cattle and sheep in the Essex marshes.
1714 George 1 became king. George was the Elector of Hanover. He was ruler of a small State, but his grandmother had been a daughter of James 1. He was a stupid man who could not speak Engish and did not want to learn the language. During his reign we had Constitutional Monarchy eastablished and we had our first Prime Minister. Newspapers started to appear and Daniel Defoe, who was born in 1659 was no doubt the first English journalist of any importance and his paper 'The Review' appeared three times a week. This year saw the first of three major outbreaks of Cattle Plague in Essex.This disease was the most serious illness of cattle that livestock farmers had to endure. Under Central Government control three Home counties, including Essex were instrumental in bringing about the end of the outbreak within six months.
1719 was so hot and dry, that there was a severe shortage of fodder, which resulted in cows changing hands for as little as thirty shillings, instead of the usual £5.
1720 George Perry was born about this date and subsequently married a Mary. They are not of my direct line but their grandson William bpt.22.6.1766 at Copford married Sarah Perry bpt. 1.2.1667 at Copford on 25.6.1792 also at Copford. She was the Grand-daughter of Thomas and Mary mentioned both above and below who married at Marks Tey in 1728. Edward Perry was also born about this time and married a Mary Bolbrook at Fordham 16.11.1744. They had three children, Mary bpt. 1.9.1745, Edward bpt. 26.4.1747, and John bpt. 13.4.1750. The family lived at Marks Tey and the children were baptised there. Mary subsequently married William Perry,son of George and Ann mentioned above and it was one of their four children, William, bpt. 22.6.1766 mentioned above who married Sarah Perry at Copford 25.6.1792. William and Mary's other children were James bpt. 8.11.1767, Thomas bpt. Dec 1775 and buried Copford 27.2.1831 and Samuel bpt. 8.8.1779
Weatherwise it was no better for the farmers. It was so wet this year that hay could not be made to feed the stock.
NOTE.We now have four 'starts to the Family Tree at the present time of research.
(1) My Direct line with Thomas and Ann circa 1603. (2) Christopher and Ann married 12.6.1580 (3) George and Mary circa 1720. (4) Edward and Mary circa 1720.
The 'joining points' are :- (1) Marriage of Thomas and Mary 3.6.1728 Copford (2) Marriage of William and Mary circa 1765, probably at Marks Tey and (3) Marriage of Sarah and William 25.6.1792 at Copford.
1727 George II on the throne. It was said that his greatest pleasure was counting his money piece by piece. During his reign the last invasion of England by the Scots took place in 1745; it was Prince Charles. The Scots got as far as Derby and were then made to retreat and it was on the way back to the Highlands that they were badly defeated at Culloden. It was during this reign that beautiful English furniture was made by Chippendale and Hepplewhite and also later by Sheraton. Many of the handsome London squares were also built during this Georgian period.
Chart showing two of the 'joins'
1728 Thomas, the brother of 5th.Gt.Gr. married a Mary Perry, Cousin, originating from another line of the family commencing as far as I can assertain at present with a Christopher and Ann who married at St.Leonards, Lexden 12.6.1580. See above. Thomas and Mary lived at Fordham and their children bpt. at Fordham Parish Church. As one sees from the chart on page 17 their descendants subsequently married into the Thurlow line and also married into a line originating from George and Mary who married circa 1742 at Copford.
1733 P.R. from Boyds Index show George Perry my 5th.Gt.Gr. married Abigail Cole at Mile End Colchester on 3.11.1733. This marriage was by Special License. Photocopies of the Affidavit and Bond in these records, pages19 and 20. On the Affidavit the occupation of George is given as a 'Hoopmaker' They had three children, Hannah,1736, George 1738,and John 1741, my 4th. Gt.Gr. These children were bpt. at Copford Parish Church.
This was a year of excess heat, when many horses died on the road and cattle had to be slaughtered due to lack of feed.
Here are the other two starts to the Tree.
Above we have the Pedigree of William from two different Perry Lines. He married Sarah whose Pedigree is shown below from Thomas, (brother of my 5th. g.grandfather George,) at Copford 25th. June 1792.
1745 Saw the Cattle Plague return and this time it lasted 12 years, since the Government were too preoccupied with Bonnie Prince Charlie and France. It was therefore left to the parishes to make their own control measures.
1746 England defeat Scots under Bonnie Prince Charlie at Culloden
1754 In October the Cattle Plague was reported in four Essex Parishes including FORDHAM. By the following month it had spread to a further fourteen parishes.
1757 Beginning of British Empire in India
1759 English defeat French at Quebec
1760 George III became King. He had an inherited disease from his far-off ancestor James I and at times he appeared quite insane. We lost the American Colonies and during the war the colonists lead by George Washington became a free people. Washington became the first President. There was a serious epidemic of influenza in horses in Essex and Suffolk; returning to the metropolitain part of Essex some 7 years later.
1765 P.R. John married Martha Crook at Wakes Colne in August. They had three children, George 1772, William my 3rd. Gt. Gr. 1775 and Mary 1779. When Martha died she was buried at Aldham 11.3.1828. The children were baptised at Wakes Colne Parish Church.
Wakes Colne Parish Church is built of flint and rubble chiefly in Norman style,the oldest part being the Norman Nave which still has the original doorway. The Nave and central tower were built in the 12th. century.The Font bowl is late 12th. century although the base is modern. NOTE: Edward the Black Prince, was born and grew up in the lands around Wakes Colne, which were Royal Forests.
1781 Mary Perry, another of the daughters of Thomas and Mary (nee Lay) married a Thomas Thurlow and as a result of correspondence with Donna in the States this line now continues through to my paternal Grandmother Butcher with her sister Mary Ann marrying a Walter Nice. One of the children of Thomas and Mary was a Maria(h) who subsequently married a Butcher and became my paternal grandmother's grandmother!! This now gives us another line back to Christopher and Ann (married 12.7.1580 at Lexden). I should add here that Donna's G.G.uncle married my Great Aunt so we are probably 3rd. cousins?R. Another result of the Mary Perry = Thomas Thurlow marriage and their daughter Mariah leads through Mariah's son Daniel to Dennis Beard and his wife Joan who live at the present time just a few doors from Kenneth and Pearl Hopping. Dennis, Kenneth and I are all related as second or third cousins!! See chart page 24-27.
1783 Summer hot and stormy. A peculiar rust coloured haze or fog was observed over the Eastern Counties lasting a number of weeks. Wheat went bad and flies swarmed so much on the lanes and hedges, that it frightened horses and made riding hazardous. It was attributed to a volcanic eruption in the sea off Norway.
1789 French Revolution
BASTARDY EXAMINATION RECORDS. Aldham.
5th Sept. Martha Perry (I can't identify her on my tree) claimed on oath that she was 18 weeks with child who would be born bastard chargeable to the parish, and that Thomas Pinman aka Thomas Harrard, late of Ramsoy? a farmer's servant, was the true and real father.
1795 25th February. Also at Aldham, Susannah Holiday claimed on oath she was big with child, 32 weeks gone and that it would be born bastard chargeable to parish and that George Perry, late ofAldham is true and real father. He has since enlisted into his Majesty's service in the Bedfordshire Militia. I must check the Parish Overseers report regarding 'Maintenance'. (This could be George, brother of my 3rd grt.grandfather.) George bpt.11.10.1772 at Wakes Colne, married, as a widower, a Hannah Brand at Mt.Bures 7.10.1823. He died and was buried at Aldham 10.4.1831 and Hannah was buried at Aldham 21.11.1839.
1798 William married Mary Bailey at Aldham on 28.10.1798 William died 1855 and Mary died 1857. Both buried at Aldham. After marriage they lived in Fordham and had six children,all baptised at Fordham Parish Church. These were; John my 2nd. Gt.Gr. 1804, Sarah 1808, Elizabeth 1812. George 1816, Thomas 1817 and Samuel 1820. Thomas married a Mary and had seven children.Maria 1828 Thomas James 1847 who lived only three months, Mary Anne 1849, another Thomas James 1850, Elizabeth Anne 1853, Rebecca Anne 1854, Louise Harriet 1856, Samuel married a Hannah who came from Slotham Suffolk and they had two children, Samuel James 1846 and a William Peter in 1848 who subsequently married an Esther Hankin and had two children, Emily 1877 and Ernest 1880. George the brother of 2nd.GtGr. married a Sussannah. They had a child, Ephraim in 1861.
Aldham Parish Church is mostly 600 years old. The timber porch is 14th. century. The church was moved to its present site about 150 years ago, stone by stone. Originally it was a 1/2 mile down the road. Note. Have seen Bishop's Transcripts at Essex R.O.which said that William Perry, my 3rd.Gt.Gr. see above was the first person to be buried in the new grave-yard after the church was moved to its present site. He was buried 4.11.1855.
Fordham Parish Church is almost on Fordham Heath. There are Roman bricks in this 14th Century church. It was given a new aisle and porch by Tudor builders. The relatively modern pulpit has carved panels 300 years old.
Apart from my 2nd.Gt.Gr. and his brothers and sisters mentioned above, Thomas, a cousin of my 4th.Gt.Gr. married a Mary Lay there on 29.7.1760 and all their children were baptised there. My grandfather and grandmother were married there.
1800 There was a bad outbreak of liver disease in sheep in the low-lying areas near East Horndon,the common at Bulver(Bulphan) and Orsett Fen.
1804 Bonaparte declares himself Emperor
1805 Trafalgar. We beat the French and Spanish
1806 Excessively hot with temps. reaching 95 degrees taking its toll of livestock.
1814 English defeat French. Napoleon to Elba
1815 Napoleon returns. Waterloo. Napoleon to St.Helena.
1816 Copford Parish Chest shows the following payments to the poor :-
8.2.1817 To Gruny Perry? (sic) being ill 2s-6p
8.2.1817 Old Perry one week 3s-0p
22.2.1817 Old Perry one week 3s-0p
1.3.1817 -ditto-3s-0p
8.3.1817 -ditto-3s-0p
22.3.1817 Old Perry two weeks 6s-0p
7.4.1817 Widow Perry one week 3s-0p
She was paid 2s-6p a week onwards and I did not go through the book to see when she died which I ought to have done. One can assume the 'Old Perry' paid 3s-0p a week was her Husband although I have no record of a Perry dying at this time. Of course she could have come into the parish to live with relations.
1820 George IV on the throne. He was even more unpopular than his father. He was selfish and vain as evidenced by the Pavilion he had built at Brighton. Steam engines were invented, see below. Most travelling was being done by horse-drawn coaches or on horseback.
1824-1826 The Copford Parish Chest shows the following payments to poor :-
20.12.1824. To William Perry. Poor rates to Fordham. 2s-0p
6.6.1825. To Sarah Perry ill.1s-6p
18.7.1825 To William Perry for tobacco 6p
12.9.1825 To make William Perry smart!!! 1s-0p
3.10.1825 To William Perry. 1 quarters shaving!! 1s-0p
2.1.1826 To William Perry. Out of work much
time 1s-6p
12.6.1826 To Samuel Perry. Ill 2s-6p
? To William Perry. Ill. 1s-0p
13.11.1826 To Family Perry. Out of work 4s-0p
I think the foregoing relates to William and Sarah Perry (married 1792) family.
1825 First railway for passengers
Another hot year, when horses dropped in the roads, cows lost their milk and butter would not harden.
1828 John married Harriot Bailey at Lt. Horksley on 17.2.1828. Harriot was buried in 1877 and John in 1884. Both are buried at Aldham.They had six children whilst living in Copford, John my Gt.Gr.1830, William 1833, Maria 1828 and Mary Ann 1851. The first child, a Maria was born in 1828 but must have died before the 1841 census because she is not shown on it. These children were baptised at the Fordham Independent Chapel (Countess of Huntington Connexion) which was part of the Non-conformist Church of those days. John and Harriot were obviously members of this Independent Chapel.
FORDHAM Independent Chapel has a history of its own and there is a thick file of some 100 A4 sheets in the filing cabinet about it. Briefly, it started in a Barn, and photostats of letters to the Justices at Essex Sessions circa 1789 specify it will be used by Protestant Dissidents for worship. Subsequently the Countess of Huntingdon arranged for a Chapel to be built. The history of the Chapel is all written down including its first Pastor. Pictures and plans show it as it was and developed in the 1800s including a school building ex- tension. It remained a Chapel until the 1970s and is now a private house although the small graveyard remains.
1830 William IV on the throne. Had been a sailor and chief interest was the Navy. He was a timid man and as King he was a failure. Two notable things happened during his reign. (1) 1832 everyone paying £10 a year rent could vote for M.P. at elections and (2) 1833 slavery was abolished by law.
1834 P.R. for St.Boltophs Colchester mentions that a number of people have died of a Cholera Epidemic in the area during August, September and October this year.
1837 Victoria is Queen. She reigned through a period of tremendous change in Britain. We became the centre of an Empire ruling one quarter of the globe, railways ran all over the country, telegraph and telephones had been invented and the beginning of the gramophone and moving pictures had been invented by Edison in America.
1841 Census.Copford. Shows William and Mary (3rd. Gt.Gr.) aged 65 & 63 resp. with son George born 1816 (now aged 25) living in the same street but in un-numbered house as John 2nd. Gt.Gr. and Harriot aged 37 & 35 resp. with their sons John aged 10, who was to become my Gt.Gr. and William aged 5.
1851 Census Copford. Shows William and Mary aged 76 & 74 resp. both retired and living on the Parish at 71 Halstead Rd. Next door at 70 Halstead Rd. we have John 2nd Gt.Gr. with his wife Harriot, now both 10 years older and their children John aged 20, William aged 17, George aged 8, and Mary Ann 3 months. There is also a Maria according to PRs who is not shown on the census. She was bpt. 21.9.1828. All the baptisms were carried out at the Fordham Indep- endent Chaple (Countess of Huntingdon)
1853 Crimea War starts
1857 P.R. show that John Gt.Gr. married Jael Everitt at Fordham on 17th.Oct. They had six children after they married and one before they married named Ann Angelina Everitt born at Lexden District workhouse while Jael was still unmarried. She was registered at Stanway while the rest of the children were bpt. at Copford. They were Rose Anna 1859, William my Gr.1861, Walter 1864, George 1865, Charles 1868 and Ephraim.
1861Census Copford.
John Snr.aged 57
Harriet wife55
William son 27
Mary Ann dau. 10
all living at 9 Colne Rd.
John Jnr. aged 31
Jael wife25
Ann Everitt 5
Rose Anna 3
all living at 24 Colne Rd.
William and Mary, my 3Xg.grandparents had died since the 1851 census.
1861 American Civil War starts
1865 Return of the Cattle Plague to Essex. There were heavy losses lasting two years.1871 Census Copford. John Snr. and family as above But 10 years older. Now living at 8 Halstead Rd.
His son living close by:-
John Jnr.aged 41
Jael wife 30
Rose Anna dau.13
William son 10
Walter son 7
George son 5
Charles son 3
There is no mention of Ann Everitt who would be 15. I subsequently found that she had left the area but married a local person named Lawford. I found them on the 1881 census living in Deptford with two children
The family are now living at 19 Halstead Rd. The Rose Anna above had an illegitimate child Frances Jael at the end of 1875. It was bpt. 1.1.1876 at Stanway and later that year Rose Anna married a Joseph Waters. (by coincidence he had a brother Francis!!)
1881 Census Copford.Nothing shown for Perry family
Where have John and Jael gone with their children?
West Bergholt They are now living at:-
51 Cooks Hall Lane.
John aged 49? b.Aldham
Jael aged 47? b. W.Bergholt
William aged 19 b.Copford
George aged 15b.- " -
Charles aged 13 b.- " -
Ephraim aged 10 b.- " -
The last child is new to our list. He is shown as a scholar the rest of the males as Ag.Labs.
I visited Cooks Hall Lane earlier this year (1994) and there is no number 51. At Cooks Hall Farm where John may well have worked as it is the only Farm thereabouts. I spoke to the father of the present farmer who told me he had been there since 1906 when his father ran the farm and could not remember any houses in the Lane in those days other than the two cottages near the farm and one other cottage halfway to the main road. Records at the farm did not go back to 1881 so he could not confirm that my Gt.Gr. worked there.
West Bergolt church is not used now but is kept as a consecrated building by The Redundant Church Trust. There is archaeological evidence that parts are pre-Norman although it looks Norman. It is very old and there are notices within the church in Latin with English translations giving historical details and extracts of Reports from the P.C.C. during the last 300-400 years. Well worth a visit.
Census at other parishes show various Perrys which have been added to the list on Perry2.file. These are obviously relatives of some connection but further research is required to make this connection.
Fordham census
Thomas Butcher aged 51
Sarah wife 47 Tailoress
Sarah Maria dau. 18 "
Mary Ann dau. 12
Living at 44 Heath Lane.
1882 U.K. invades Egypt
1884 William Gr. married Sarah Maria Butcher at Fordham on 24.5.1884.They had three children whilst living at Fordham, Annie Maria 1884, Frederick George 1888, Edith Kate 1890. Subsequently moved to Potash Farm, Manuden where my father Charles Thomas was born 1896. My Uncle and two Aunts were baptised at Fordham and my father was baptised at Manuden Parish Church.
Grandad died 1932 and Grandma died 1939. Both buried at Bishops Stortford as are my two Aunts Annie Maria and Edith Kate who died in 1933 and 1944 respectively.
1888 George Perry, grandads brother and my great-uncle married Caroline Bunting at Fordham, 26.8.1888.They had 12 children one of whom is still alive as I write this (25.1.1999) In Nursing Home but still mentally active. Details of the children are shown on the tree in 'Generations' programme. One of them Mary Ann married a Frederick Hopping 25.10.1924 at Copford and I arranged to visit their son Kenneth and his wife Pearl this Saturday, 30.1.1999. During this visit I met Dennis and Joan Beard (see page 19) and also visited cousin Maud in a Colchester Nursing Home. She remembered my visit with my father to see her mother in 1938, and mentioned visits with her mother to see Polly ( this was Mary Ann Butcher who married Walter Nice) and Sally who turned out to be my grandmother Sarah Maria (nee Butcher). Her and Mary Ann were of course sisters.
1891 Census. Copford. Jael is now living with her son Charles aged 23 years, Railway Labourer in Fordham Road. John has obviously died between the '81 and '91 census. Subsequent checks at St. Cats. showed he died on 19.11.1886 of Cardiac Disease at Copford aged 56. Both John and Jael are buried at Copford. She died in 1915 in Stanway workhouse, so was a widow for nearly 30 years.
Fordham. The Butcher family as for 1881 but without Sarah Maria BUT WITH a son Thomas aged 33! Where had he come from? (Subsequently I find he was living with HIS Grandparents on previous census.) . Living at 51 Heath Lane
The Perry family were living at 53 Heath Lane and comprised
William aged 29
Sarah Maria Wife 28
Annie Mariadau.6
Frederick G. son 2
Edith Kate dau 3 months
Dad, Charles Thomas had not yet been born.
It has been subsequently found (correspondence with Donna in US ) that Mary Ann Butcher, grandma's sister married a Walter Nice at Fordham 4.2.1893 and that the Nice and Thurlow families together with the Butchers were all neighbours of my ancestors from around the 1851 census. Nice and Thurlow lines have been added to my tree and as Donna's G.Great-Uncle Walter Nice married my Great-Aunt Mary Ann Butcher we must be related! More research is being done at present (1998).
1891-1896 Grandad moved the family to the Potash Farm Manuden where Dad was born in 1896.The reason for the move is at present unknown.
The family lived at the Potash Farm until Grandad retired in the late 1920s. School was at Manuden, a two mile walk. I have written to the present owners to enquire if they have any records available but they have no records nor have the original owner's living relatives who have replied to my enquiries.
1899 Boer War starts
1901 Edward VII on the throne. He had not been allowed by his mother to involve himself in the affairs of state and his main interests were sport and travel. He has been called the Peacemaker and he did a great deal to bring friendship between Britain and France. One point of note during his reign,---- Bleriot flew across the channel 25.7.1909. This was a 'first'.
1910 George V on the throne. The first Great War, see below. Great changes took place in Britain as well. Women were given the right to vote, pensions were granted to old people and widows by a government under Lloyd George and he also helped found The League of Nations.
1914-1918 Both Dad and Uncle Fred served during the war. Dad was in the Royal Engineers 28.6.1915 - 26.3.1919, but I do not know about Uncle Fred. Both Aunts remained Spinsters throughout their lives.
After the War Uncle Fred joined the L.N.E.R. and ultimately retired as a Guard on the Royal Train.
Dad Joined the Metropolitain Police 7.8.1919. Initially PC 313'M' in Southwark Division he then became PC 187'M' stationed at Tower Bridge and then from 17.10.1927 moved to Thames Police Court, Arbour Square, as an Assistant Warrant Officer (still a P.C.) and his number was PC 358'H' where he retired on 19.2.1951. He did a further 5 years as an Usher in Thames Court.
1924 Dad, Charles Thomas married Amelia Elizabeth Dorothy 23.11.1924 at St. James Church Jamacia Rd. Bermonsey, London. They had one son - ME. born 19.2.27 (my father was born 19.2.1896!). Dad died on 22.5.1965 and Mum on 15.3.1971. Both are buried at Basingstoke, Hants.
1926 When Grandad retired the family comprising grandma and my two aunts moved to a small cottage in Rye Street, Bishops Stortford. It had no main services other than Water. Lighting was by Oil Lamps and you took a bucket of water to the 'Loo'. It subsequently had a cistern and a cess pit.
1927 I was born on 19.2.1927 and lived at 1 Ryde Buildings, Webb St. Bermondsey, London SE1. My infants school was in Grange Walk, the other side of Grange Rd. and at 7 or 8 years of age I then went to Bacon's school in Grange Rd. At 11 years I failed the school exam for Gramar school but only just apparently because I was then sent to Bermondsey Central school in 1938. In 1936 we moved from the 'buildings' to 73A Dunton Rd. which was a maisonette next to a police station (not the one my father was stationed, as he was still at Thames Police Court which was next to Arbour Square P.S. in Stepney, off Commercial road, in the East End.
1936 Edward VIII king but Abdicated before Coronation.
1936 George VI on the throne.
I joined the 20th. Bermonsey Cub Pack attached to the very old Parish church, St.Mary Magdalen I think, situated at the junctions of Tower Bridge Road, Abbey St. and Bermondsey St.
1939-1945 2nd. Great War
Three days before the out-break of war dad sent my mother and I to Bps.Stortford to stay with Aunt Edie, the last remaining relative dad had at that place bearing in mind grandparents and Aunt Annie had previously died and Uncle Fred was living in Seven Kings Essex and had a family. We stayed for 6 months and then came back to Dunton Rd. in March 1940. The 'blitz' started in September and we were bombed out, and so went back toBps.Stortford where I then joined Bedewell Central school of Eastbourne which had recently been evacuated there as a result of the dangers of an invasion of our country by the Germans.
I re-visited Bermondsey in 1995. The block of Ryde Buildings was destroyed during the 'blitz'. 73a Dunton Rd, now fully repaired is a Social Services home for the elderly together with the maisonettes on either side as one large house. The police station which was completely destroyed together with the houses on one side has now been replaced by a block of flats. The 'Ship and Pilot' public house where mum lived with her parents before marriage on the wharf side at Cherry Garden Pier on the Thames was no longer there and I believed was a derelict building at the beginning of WW2 and a block of flats is now in its place. (see MUMS Line)
I left school in 1942 having finished my schooling in Bishops Stortford at the Bedewell Central school. We then lived in Senrab St. Stepney near dad's police station for a few months with friends before moving to 169 Eden Park Ave. Beckenham, Kent.
My first job was in a laboratory of W.Edwards & Co. (a High Vacuum Physics Company.) I was conscripted into the Army just before end of war and found myself in the R.E.M.E. where I reached the 'dizzy' heights of Staff Sergeant being demobbed in August 1948. Back to my original firm where I continued studies for Electrical Engr. and then to a Chemical Engr. Co. where I studied Mechanical Engr. Qualifying to Ch.Eng. Mechanical. I then joined another Chem. Engr. Co. and in 1972 left engineering to start my own small Insurance Brokerage from which I have now retired.
1951 I married Olive Smith at South Sheilds on 8.12.1951. We had two children, Andrew 1956 and Karen 1959. Olive died 30.7.1992 and her Ashes are in our local cemetery immediately behind our back fence. Karen is still single at present and lives at home looking after me! Andrew married and in 1989 after a disagreement with his mother and father has not been in touch with us. He did not attend his Mother's funeral.
During our married life Olive and I had holidays in various countries of Europe, Barbados in the West Indies and Cyprus. we also had a Cruise in the Eastern Med. visiting Rhodes, Eygpt (where I spent my last year of army service, 1947/8) and then Turkey,(Kusudasi) and Patmos.
1952 Elizabeth II became Queen
During the period 1952-1972 I travelled on business to France, Holland, Sweden, Germany, Yugoslavia, America, Denmark as well Nigeria and Ghana. (it was called the Gold Coast in those days.)
1959 The last known death of an ancestor on my father's line (other than my parents). George William Perry was the son of George Perry, a brother of my grandfather and therefore a cousin of my father. He lived at Eight Ash Green, just on the outskirts of Colchester and was buried at Copford Church on 19th.Aug.1959.(As a result of information from Joan Beard and my visit in Jan 1999 this is no longer true. A number of the other children of George and Caroline have died meantime the latest being Frederick in his 90s in early Jan 1999 and Cousin Maud is the last surviving child of that family.) I visited Cousin Maud twice at the Nursing Home in Colchester. She died 13th. June 2000.
I would add here that I was in correspondence with uncle Fred subsequent to my father's death. He was then living at a village outside Shrewsbury. My letters went unanswered from early 1980s and checking at St.Cats. I see he died in the middle of 1981. His son did not inform me of the death!
NOTE .I have completed the foregoing July 2004. I will add more information as it comes to hand putting it in the right date order. There is a book 'Family History' given me by Jean, Olive's sister which contains a number of photographs and other memoriabelia and information. In a small filing cabinet there is also a number of Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates. On computer disc Perry1.File is my Family Tree. On Perry2.file is some 300 Perrys I have noted from records, from the same parishes as my Ancestors and are obviously related in some way. Subsequent to my contact with Donna and Joan other files have been started covering names that now appear in my tree ie Thurlow, Cant, Keeble etc.
Copford Church where some 65% of my ancestors were Bpt. Married or Buried.
This is the Stanway Union Workhouse as it is today.
Jael Everett had her illegitimate daughter Ann Angelina here in 1856 before she married my great grandfather, John Perry in 1857.Jael died here in 1915.
A daughter of John and Jael, Rose Ann Perry also had an illegitimate daughter here at the end of 1875 and was bpt. at Stanway 1.1.1876. Rose Ann subsequently married a Joseph Waters 25.12.1876 at Copford. I also have another ancestor who died in the Workhouse and was buried at Copford.
Ann Angelina subsequently went to London after the 1861 census and married a Thomas R. Lawford Dec. Quarter 1880 in the Lewisham R.D. The 1881 census shows them at Amersham Vale, Deptford. His occupation is show as 'Stoker on Railway'
The following information is the extent of knowledge as at 30th. May 2005.
1715. On 31st. March Nathaniel Edgehill born at High St. WELLS SOM and christened at St.Cuthberts Wells on 5th. April 1715.
1717. William Lewis married Mary Morgan 5.3.1717 at Barnwell SOM. They had two children, Mary born April 1718 and Dinah born 1720. Both at Barnwell. We find that Mary Lewis (nee Morgan) died a widow 1722 and the children were put with 'foster parents' who were probably related to them, aunts and uncles, because Overseers reports show payments made to Robert Morgan, Goodie Morgan and widow Morgan until each girl was 10 years old when they would be sent out to learn to become domestic servants.
1741. On 22nd April 1741 Nathaniel married Mary Lewis who was to become my 5th. g.grandmother at Shipham, not far from Axbridge on the border of DEV/SOM. She was from Axbridge. They had a total of 8 children.
John born July 1742 bpt. Axbridge 28.7.1742
William born May 1744 bpt. Axbridge13.5.1744
Ann my 4th. g.grandmother, born 3.6.1746 Grope Lane, Wells, bpt. 8.6.1746 St. Cuthberts Wells,
Mary born 21.5.1748 Grope Lane Wells, bpt.8.6.1748 St.Cuthberts Wells
Betty Lewis born 8.7.1750 High St. Wells, bpt. Jul 1750 St.Cuthberts Wells died Febuary 1753 and buried at St.Cuthberts 14.2.1753.
Rebecca Lewis born 7.3.1753 High St. Wells, bpt. 22.4.1753 St. Cuthberts Wells
Sarah born 20.5.1755 High St. Wells, bpt. 26.5.1755 St.Cuthberts Wells
James born 29.8.1757 High St. Wells, bpt.4.9.1757 St.Cuthberts Wells.
As you can see after the birth of his first two children, both sons, he must have moved back to Wells where his remaining children were born.
1742 circa William Pratten born.
1767 William Pratten married Ann Edgehill at Nunney SOM. 16.6.1767 after banns had been read on the last three Sundays in May. The parish records show them both as 'sojourners'. William and Ann had four children at Nunney. Daughter Sarah, my direct line bpt.25.5.1769, died and buried Nunney 16.1.1835, William bpt. Nunney 26.4.1771 who married Elizabeth Burge Nunney 7.3.1791 and whose line I have from correspondents to middle 1800s, John bpt. Nunney 27.5.1773 about whom I know no more, and James bpt. Nunney 27.8.1774 who married a Mary Wilmot and whose line I have from a correspondent to the present day. James died and was buried Nunney 27.12.1827.
1789 Sarah Pratten, 3 x Gt.Grandmother married John Dallimore (born 13.10.1768 Ashwick,Sommerset) at Ashwick on 1.6.1789. They had seven children according to IGI/PR:- Bpt. dates:-
Betty 1790
Benjamin 25.12.1791 (It should be noted that he married twice)
Jacob 6.1.1795
Sarah 26.3.1799
Charles Nelson 13.4.1806
Hannah 8.7.1804 (my 2x Gt.Gr.mother)
William 12.4.1807
All the children were born at Nunney (SOM) some 5 miles or so from Ashwick
1825 Hannah married a James Maidment at Nunney on 13.10.1825 and they had six children that can be found on the 1841 census for East Knoyle Wilts. where they moved to shortly after they married. They are also at East Knoyle for the 1851 census.(ages shown are for the 1841 census)
Henry b.c. 1827
John b.c.1830
William b.c. 1832
Joseph b.c.1834
Charles b.c.1836
Jane 5 months old.
All the above at the 1841 census
Jane was to become my maternal greatgrandmother. Hannah is shown as a widow and PRs show that James died and was buried at East Knoyle (Wilts) on 3.11.1835 so that Jane was illegitimate. East Koyle, Wilts.
It should be noted that whilst James and Hannah were married at Nunney(SOM) and their first two children, Henry and John were also born there, the family moved to East Knoyle (WILTS) and the remaining children including Jane were born there. Jane's birth cert. shows she was born on 11.12 1840. Enquries are in hand to see if Jane was baptised because this may show who the father 'was purported to be------'!
1851 Census as above at East Knoyle except everybody 10 years older. Hannah still a widow.
1864 Jane married Henry Oliver Wilkins at St.Giles, Cripplegate, City of London. Her address at marrriage given as 52 Fetter Lane, off Holborn. This was the Swan Public House at the time. It is interesting to note that her father is shown as James Maidment! (although dead at the time and obviously not her father). Henry's father was Charles. Jane's age given as 24. Details obtained from PRs at Guildhall, City of London.
1871 Census shows Jane and Henry Oliver living at 35 Fetter Lane, City of London and they have three children:-
Henry aged 6
Amelia 3(to become my grandmother)
William 6 months
Amelia, my grandmother was born 14.12.1867 Her father Henry Oliver was a journeyman Bookbinder.
1877 Jane died of consumption at 35 Fetter Lane. Present at her death was E.Maidment, presumably, sister-in-law.
1881 Census shows Henry Oliver as widower and the three children 10 years older. There is a Joseph aged 7 who is no doubt the William mentioned above so his given names were William Joseph I presume. See details below.
For the same years census at East Knoyle Hannah is still alive and shown as "pauper aged 78". Close by is the second eldest son John, shown as a shepherd aged 51 with a wife Emma aged 44 and four children.
Jane aged 15
Ann L. 10
Maria 7
William J.4
1881 Census The Wilkins Family still at same address, 35 Fetter Lane, Holborn.
Henry Wilkins Head Widr 40 Bookbinder
Henry C Son 16 Boy Sorter
Amelia Daur 13 Scholar
Joseph Son 10 and
Frederick Son 7
(Jane had died on the 23rd. December 1877).
1893 Grandmother, Amelia Wilkins, married William George Dorothy at Poplar Parish Church on 7.2.1893.They had four children, my Mother, Amelia Elizabeth born 8.8.1893, William Frederick 1895, May Annie born circa 1896 and Edward Phillip 1897.My mother was born at 53 Canonbury Road, Islington and her father is noted under occupation as Bar-man. My grandparents had moved during this time from East to North London.
1924 By this time my grandparents had moved yet again and were tenants or licensees of 'The Ship & Pilot' public house in dockland of Bermondsey in Marigold Street. Grandfather had died (from a poisoned foot) and is shown as deceased on mother marriage cert. when she married Dad, Charles Thomas Perry, a policeman at Tower Bridge Police Station. The marriage took place at St. James Church, Jamacia Road, on 23.11.1924.
1933 Grandmother died 5.8.1933 and is buried in a family plot at Wood Grange Park Cemetry near Stratford, East London.
'The Ship and Pilot' pub was in Marigold St. Bermondsey on the Bermondsey Wall near Cherry Garden Pier on which there was a Fire-Station and from which a Fire-float operated. This part of London was heavily bombed during the Blitz. About 1932 as Grandmother got older Auntie May was running the pub but for a variety of reasons they retired and went to live at Parfitt Rd. South Bermondsey, where grandmother died.
Mum's sister (mentioned above), May Annie Dorothy who married a Joseph Olney born 1887. May Annie was born 1896. Joseph was a sergeant major in WW!. He obviously suffered mentally during the war and after the war when he had returned home he sometimes became violent and was 'sectioned' in 1922. He died in Banstead Hospital 1963. They had three children, Joseph 1916-1920, William born 1918 was wounded and was captured at Dunkirk in WW2. He was subsequently repatriated, married a Rosemary ???? and lived at Reading, Berks. Maisie born 1919 was in the Land Army during WW2 and married an Edward Lowe 1944. He was an Ambulance driver in Lewisham area. They had four children the oldest was Jean, then came Marion, David and Andrew.
May Annie Olney died 26.4.1954 and is buried at Nunhead Cemetry, S.E.London.
I was out of touch with the family for many years and then I had an e-mail From Maisie's daughter Jean who had seen my web site. Subsequently I found out further information regarding my cousins.
Edward (Ted) Lowe died Feb 1944 and was cremated. Maisie died 9th. June 2004 and was buried Hither Green Cemetery 21st. June 2004. I attended the funeral and met my cousins who I had not seen for over 30 Years.
Additional historical note: My grandmother Amelia Wilkins, was born at 35 Fetter Lane, City of London 14.12.1867 daughter of a journeyman bookbinder. On 7th. February 1893 she married William George Dorothy at Poplar parish church in East End of London. The marriage cert. shows his occupation as Licensed Victualler and his father as William Dorothy, labourer. At the time of the marriage the residence for both was given as 100 Sussex Street. I visited the present day Sussex St. and there was no number 100. I then learned of street name changes and the Sussex St. of the late 1800s is now Lindfield St near Burdett Road, off East India Dock Road.
My mother was born 8.8.1893 at Canonbury Road which is Islington in London and at that time William George is shown on the cert. as a Barman. I have visited that adress but it has changed considerably from the 19th. century house. Iit was modernised and had double glazing although it does have a basement which is occupied. There is a pub some 100 yards up the road but their records do not go back that far!!! Sometime within the following twenty years grandmother and grandfather moved to a Pub called the 'Ship and Pilot' at the end of Marigold Street Bermondsey, SE London which they ran. It was immediately on the wharfside and the address was 114 Bermondsey Wall. William George Dorothy died 5.4.1914 and is interred in family grave at Woodgrange Park Cemetery which is to the east of Stratford in East London. I have a memorial card on file. Grandmother then ran the pub until a year or so before she died in 1933. They moved from the pub to Parfitt Road, South Bermondsey. I have visited the site of the pub in Marigold St. and it is now a riverside council block of flats.
I did not know William George of course as he was dead long before my parents married. Grandma died when I was quite young so I did not know her too well but I do recall the 'adults' mentioning once that he died from blood poisoning where he had used a razor blade on his foot!! My mother would take me originally in a pram and push chair to see grandma at the pub. We lived in Bermondsey. I have photographs of my parent's wedding reception at the pub. William George Dorothy would have been born in 1870 from the memorial card or 1868 if you go by the marriage cert.
The Family Plot at Woodgrange Cemetery where grand-dad, grandmother and cousin Joey are buried.My mother and aunt May are at the burial
Olive came from the Tyneside at South Shields and all the ancestors I have found to date are 'up there'! Her father was illegitimate and has a short line so I have concentrated on her mother's parents lines.
A Catherine Proctor born Ogle, NBL. ca 1818 married a Robert/Robson Gray from North Shields, born ca 1820 at Jarrow parish church 1st. August 1843. (Cert. on file.)
1850 Census for Morpeth shows:-
Robert Gray, housepainter aged 31 Head, b. North Shields,
Catherine Gray wife aged 33 b, Ogle
John Gray son aged 2
Ann Gray daughter aged 8 months b, Morpeth. (Birth Cert. on file)
Subsequently found a daughter Elizabeth born June quarter 1846
Two further daughters born after 1851 census were Margaret Sept quarter 1852 and Mary circa 1853.
1868 The daughter Ann Gray, Olive's G.Grandmother married twice but for now we concentrate on the marriage to William Askew which took place at Holy Saviours, Tynemouth, 12.10.1868, (marriage cert. on file) and from that marriage Olive's Grandmother, an Elizabeth Ann Askew was born 15th December 1868. Ann is shown as a widow on 1871 census living in Tynemouth with Elizabeth, daughter aged 2 years and as William Askew was a seaman I assumed he died at sea because no death has been found for him to date. (2004)
1874 Ann's second marriage was around this date to a William Kerr. They Had four children that I know of:-
Georgina Askew Kerr b.ca 1874
William Kerr b,ca 1875
Margaret (Jenny) Kerr b, ca 1879
David Kerr born after the 1881 census.
Georgina married Robson Gray Westall, Olive's grandfather's brother, so step-sisters married brothers.
1898 Elizabeth Ann Askew married John William Westall 14th. December 1898 at St.Pauls church Jarrow and they then lived in South Shields. They had three children, Elizabeth 22.9.1901, who became Olive's mother, Alice 29.7.1907 and John 18.5.1911.
Elizabeth Westall had a son Laurence by a marimer named ??? Smith who was lost at sea. They were not married at this time. Another seaman, by coincidence, an Arthur Smith married Elizabeth at South Shields 12.2.1921 and they had a further seven children of that marriage of whom Olive is one.
As you can see from the chart Laurence and Leslie married twice. We will leave this family for the moment and go back to the line from which their grandfather, John William Westall came.
1786 David Westall was Olive's 3rd. maternal g.grandfather; born circa this period at Scott Common,
Oxfordshire. As a soldier in the 13th Light Dragoons he served in the Peninsular War and also at the Battle of
Waterloo. (Documents from the Dragoon's museum show the various battles he fought in the Peninsular War)
1824 David married a Catherine Atkinson on 20th. June at St. Clement Dane, Westminster. There are 6 children two of whom were
born before the marriage.
William born June 1821Surrey, London(Olive's 2nd g.grandfather)
Isobella born circa 1822 London MDX
Jerimiah born circa 1828 London MDX
Robert Atkinson born circa 1831 London MDX
David born circa 1833 London MDX died 1839 Pearon Row, South Shields
David born circa 1841 N.Shields. (the first David having died 1839) ( Birth information from Census)
After leaving the Army David and Catherine lived in North Shields, Catherine shows she was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in census. David became a Cartman and died 1873 at 37 Little Bedford St., North Shields.Catherine died in Albion St., N.Shields 1855
1841 William born 1821 married Mary Ann Moor of Alnwick in the 3rd. Quarter of this year (GRO index at FRC in London) They had 12 children. See chart below.
John Smith born circa 1841 N.Shields
David born circa 1842 N.Shields
Catherine born circa 1845 N.Shields
Robert born circa 1847 N.Shields
Alice born 2nd. Qu. 1848 N.Shileds. (Olive's g.grandmother, see below)
Jeremiah born 2nd Qu 1850 Tynemouth R.D. Died 1851 Church Way.
Mary born circa 1851 N.Shields
Isobella born circa 1854 N.Shields
Thomas born circa 1857 N.Shields Died 1859 Albion Terrace N.Shields
Richard born circa 1859 N.Shields
William born circa 1859 N.Shields
(Births from census returns)
Isobella born 1822 did not marry as faras I know at present.
1854 Jeremiah born 1828 married a Jane Unknown and had 6 children all in N.Shields/Tynemouth according to census returns.
Kate born circa 1856
David born circa 1857
Annie born circa 1858
Jane E. born circa 1862
Mary A. born circa 1863
George R. born circa 1869
Robert Atkinson Westall born circa 1831 married a Dora Unknown form N.Shields and had 3 children to my present knowledge all born N.Shields/Tynemouth according to census returns.
Dora born Mar. Qu. Tynemouth R.D. 1871
Harriet born circa 1875, Robert born circa 1878, married Sarah 'Nana' Mason and their grand- son,
Robert Atkinson Westall is the well known author of numerous books for both children and adults centred around the north shore of The river Tyne.
Back to Wiiliam and Mary Ann Moor. William was at different times a Labourer, Blacksmith and Coal merchant/Cartman. He died of cholera in 1866 at 100 Church Way N.Shields. Mary susequently married a ???? Dilleston, a seafarer. She died 1894 at 15 Nelson St. Tynemouth.
1871 John Smith Westall born circa 1841 married a Martha Jervis Mar. Qu. 1871 Tynemouth
R.D. They had 5 children:-
Minnie Hannah June Qu. 1868 Tynemouth R.D.
John William born 27th. Aug 1871 at 25 Church Way Tynemouth
Sarah A. born circa 1874 N.Shields
Kate Mary born Sep Qu. 1876 Tynemouth R.D.
James R. born circa 1879 N.Shields and died 17th.Nov 1929 at North Shields.
David born circa 1842 married an unknown Ellen and they had 7 children between 1868 - 1880 according to 1881 census.
Catherine born circa 1845 married a Gordon Unknown at Christ Church N. Shields 18.2.1867
Robert born circa 1847.I have not found any further information.
Jeremiah born 1850 died in 1851 at Church Way, N.Shields I know little of the remaining children,
Mary born 1851, Isobella born 1854, Thomas born 1857 died 1859 at Albion Terrace, N.Shields,
Richard born 1859 ( See note on the 'Wellesley' Training Ship) and
William born 1859
I have left Alice, Olive's great grandmother born 1848, until last because we know a little more about her. Birth registered at Tynemouth XXV 476 June Qu. 1848.
1871 census at shows her 102 Church Way Tynemouth. Living with ???? Gray . Family consists of, John William Westallborn 24. Aug. 1870 (Birth cert on file.This is Olive's grandfather.)
1881 census shows her living at 4 Queens St ,Tynemouth. as married to James Kerr. No marriage records found. Family consists of John Wlliam Westall, Robson Gray Westall born June Qu. 1872 and new baby James E.Kerr 1 year old. (Laurie, Olives eldest brother who is 80 years old remembers James E Kerr, when he, Laurie, was quite small. The John William Westall married Elizabeth Ann Askew in 1898 as mentioned earlier and is Olive's grandfather.
Note regarding the 'Wellesley' Training Ship. Training ships were designed to reform young offenders by teaching them a useful trade and instilling discipline - as well as keeping them off the streets, of course.
There were actually two training ships called "Wellesley" - the first was established under the Industrial Schools Act in the 1860s and was moored off the Albert Edward Dock at North Shields. This was in use until 1874 and then another ship was used, this one moored off Liddle Street, North Shields. Unfortunately it sank in 1914 and the establishment moved onto land, first to the Plaza at Tynemouth and then to a site on Links Road, Blyth. There, as the Wellesley Nautical School, it continued until recent years when it ceased to be a Home Office "penal" institution and became the "Wellesley Community Home with Education" operated, perhaps surprisingly, by Sunderland Social Services Dept.
I have documents showing Richard Westall born 1859 was ordered onto the 'Wellesley' on 4th. march 1870 and subsequently discharged on 26th. January 1875.There is no charge against his name such Begging, Stealing or Destitution etc. as is shown against other boys on the list supplied, so I do not know why he was Ordered on to the ship. We have now got both male and female sides of Olive's maternal line on record.
Olive's paternal line is quite short at present. We start with an Ebenezer Smith (Olive's great grandfather) with wife Jane and family as shown in 1881 census living at 941/2 Wentworth Street, Whitechapel. This road crosses Commercial St. between Spitalfields Market and Aldgate East as we know it today so we are in the East End of London.
Both Ebenezer and Jane were born at Spitalfields 1847 and 1849 respectively according to the census. He was a Hawker and she a Musician. I have recently found what I think is Ebenezer's death at Whitechapel Sept Quarter 1883. Age is given as 38. I shall be sending for the death cert. to confirm matters.
Of the 7 children shown on the chart below we are interest in the youngest, Sarah born circa 1880, Olive's grandmother, as she was to give birth to Olive's father, Arthur Richard Smith, in Nottingham 29.9.1899 whilst connected with theatre entertainment. The birth cert. for Arthur R. Smith shows the mother to be Sarah Smith and the father to be an S.Smith. Sarah must have followed her mother's occupation in a way as indeed did her eldest sister Anne who is also shown as a Musician on the 1881 census. Sarah is next found in the Tyneside area and subsequently married a George Bell and had two further children;-
Elsie born circa 1902 at South Shields
Ena born circa 1904 at South Shields.
Olive and her brothers and sisters remember these grandparents and also the two Aunts.
Arthur Richard Smith married Elizabeth Ann Westall at South Shield 12.2.1921 as shown above on the maternal line.
