Great x3 Aunt Harriet Yeo

My Great x3 Aunt Harriet (1872 - 1893) was a domestic servant, and the youngest sister of my Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Harriet was born in Apr/May/Jun 1872 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to George Yeo (about 37), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon) (about 33), a housewife.

Harriet was the youngest of six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Harriet also had an older half brother, Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) (67 years old), her mother Ann's illegitimate son born before her marriage. Joseph lived with his maternal grandparents.

In October or November 1872, when Harriet was only between four and seven months old, her older sister Emily Ann passed away aged only five years old. Emily Ann was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton. About three months later, Harriet's father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton. And about three months after that, Harriet's mother Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873 also in Okehampton. I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease. 

Unless relatives took them in, Harriet and her five remaining siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if the other older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work. 

1881 Census:

As a young woman, Harriet worked as a domestic servant at Hoe Grammar School, a boy's boarding school at 6 Lockyer Street, Plymouth, run by headmaster George Pearse Dymond. Dymond was later twice mayor of Plymouth.

1891 Census:

Harriet's employer, George Pearse Dymond, headmaster of Hoe Grammar School, 1906

Hoe Grammar School, Lockyer Street, Plymouth

It seems Harriet may have been suffering from Tuberculosis, as she passed away, aged only twenty-one, in October or November 1893, at St Barnabas' Home for Incurables, Brocket Hall, Haldon Road, Torquay. 'St Barnabas was a T.B. home (one of many in Torquay). It was run by the same Order of Nuns as St Lukes & St Raphaels, Torquay was chosen as it was widely believed that the climate and clean air was a cure for TB.' (source)

Harriet was buried on 1st December 1893, at Torquay Cemetery. 

Great x3 Aunt Ellen Yeo

My Great x3 Aunt Ellen (1869 - 1937) was a domestic servant, and a younger sister of my Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Ellen was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1869 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to George Yeo (35), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon) (about 30), a housewife.

Ellen was the fifth of six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Ellen also had an older half brother, Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) (67 years old), her mother Ann's illegitimate son born before her marriage. Joseph lived with his maternal grandparents.

1871 Census:

In October or November 1872, when Ellen was only three, her older sister Emily Ann passed away aged only five years old. Emily Ann was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton. About three months later, Ellen's father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton. And about three months after that, Ellen's mother Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873 also in Okehampton. I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease. 

Unless relatives took them in, Ellen and her five remaining siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if the other older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work. 

1881 Census:

As a young woman, Ellen lived and worked as a domestic servant for the Rich family, headed by farmer Richard Rich, at Westlake Farm, Inwardleigh. Her older brother Tom had previously lived and worked at Westlake Farm for Richard Rich, and can be found there on the 1881 Census.

1891 Census:

I can't presently find Ellen on the 1901 Census; however, by the 1911 Census, she was still (or once more) working for the Rich family, though now at Loveland Farm, Northlew.

On 1st August 1904, when Helen was about thirty-five, her older brother Tom, aged forty or forty-one, was sadly killed in a road accident. Having reportedly had a few drinks, Tom was riding his bike from their sister Annie's house in Bow, Devon; making his way to the Eggesford Flower Show with friend and fellow cyclist Thomas Rice. Whilst going down a steep decline, the pair met with a pair of horses being taken to the smith by a young farm lad. Rice road past the horses without issue; unfortunately one of the horses then became restive and Tom collided with it. He was throw violently from his bike onto the hard ground, striking his head, which rendered him unconsciousness. Rice quickly went to his friend and the young lad went to the doctor. Tom was taken back to Bow, but never regained consciousness, passing away about twelve hours after the accident.

1911 Census:

Two of Ellen's nephews served and died/were killed in the First World War.

Her half nephew James Henry Gliddon (the eldest son of her older half brother Joseph Gliddon) served as a seaman in the Royal Navy. He had enlisted before the war, in 1910, serving on many ships. He passed away in 1916, aged twenty-six, of cirrhosis of the liver, on board the hospital ship Somali.

Her nephew William Wallace Yeo (the son of her older brother Tom) served as private in the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry Plymouth Division. He had also enlisted before the war, in 1913. He served for two and half years on board the H.M.S Donegal, from late 1914 to early 1917; he also served with the Victory Brigade (or RM Brigade) in Belgium. He was killed in action in 1917, aged twenty-three, in Belgium.

Ellen never married. In newspaper articles of 1937, she is described as a spinster, late of Loveland Farm, Northlew. 

On 8th September 1937, Ellen passed away, aged about sixty-eight, at Loveland Farm. 

From the Western Times of 10th September 1937:

Having been orphaned as a toddler, spent her childhood in the workhouse, and then worked as a domestic servant on farms, it is unexpected that Ellen left an estate. There are newspaper notices to inform of such, which are replied to by her sister Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) and her nephew Leon Thomas Yeo (the eldest surviving son of her older brother Tom). 

From the Western Times of 17th September 1937:

From the Western Times of 12th November 1937:

Great x3 Aunt Emily Ann Yeo

My Great x3 Aunt Emily Ann (1867 - 1872) was the older sister of my Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Emily Ann was born in Jan/Feb/Mar 1867 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to George Yeo (33), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon) (about 27), a housewife.

Emily was the third of six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Emily Ann also had an older half brother, Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) (67 years old), her mother Ann's illegitimate son born before her marriage. Joseph lived with his maternal grandparents.

Emily Ann and her siblings grew up around Meldon, just outside Okehampton.

1871 Census:

In October or early November 1872, Emily Ann passed away, aged only five years old, in Okehampton. She was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton.

About three months later, Emily Ann's father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton.

And about three months after that, Emily Ann's mother also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873, in Okehampton.

I wonder if daughter and parents all succumbed to the same disease.

Unless relatives took them in, Emily Ann's surviving siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Emily Ann's youngest sisters Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if the older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work.

Great x3 Aunt Mary Gliddon Higerty (nee Yeo)

My Great x3 Aunt Mary (1865 - 1941) was a housewife, mother of three, and the older sister of my Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Mary was born on 8th August 1864 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to George Yeo (30), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon) (about 25), a housewife.

(Mary's name was registered at birth as Mary Gliddon Yeo; however, on a few records from around 1890, she puts her middle name as Anne (on her 1889 marriage certificate, her daughter Leonora's 1890 baptism record, the 1891 census). Fortunately, her record of burial gives her unusual middle name of Gliddon and usual married name of Higerty, thus confirming, though her name and place of birth change a little on different records, they still relate to our Mary.)

Mary was the second of six children (one son and five daughters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Mary also had an older half brother, Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) (67 years old), her mother Ann's illegitimate son born before her marriage. Joseph lived with his maternal grandparents.

Mary and her siblings grew up around Meldon, just outside Okehampton.

1871 Census:

In October or November 1872, when Mary was eight, her younger sister Emily Ann passed away aged only five years old. Emily Ann was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton. About three months later, Mary's father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton. And about three months after that, Mary's mother Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873 also in Okehampton. I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease. 

Unless relatives took them in, Mary and her five remaining siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Mary's youngest sisters Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if Mary and the other older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work. 

Sometime in the 1880's, as a young woman, Mary moved from her native Devon all the way to London.

On 7th December 1889, Mary (25) married Edwin Thomas Higerty (29), a leather gun case maker, at St Marks, Peckham, London.

Mary and Edwin had three children:

• Leonora Mary  1890 -
• Rose  1892 - 1892  (0 - 3 months old)
• William  1892 - 1892  (0 - 3 months old)

Sadly, their twins, Rose and William, passed away as very young babies. They were born and died in the same quarter - Oct/Nov/Dec 1892 in the district of Camberwell.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

On 1st August 1904, when Mary was thirty-nine, her older brother Tom, aged forty or forty-one, was sadly killed in a road accident. Having reportedly had a few drinks, Tom was riding his bike from their sister Annie's house in Bow, Devon; making his way to the Eggesford Flower Show with friend and fellow cyclist Thomas Rice. Whilst going down a steep decline, the pair met with a pair of horses being taken to the smith by a young farm lad. Rice road past the horses without issue; unfortunately one of the horses then became restive and Tom collided with it. He was throw violently from his bike onto the hard ground, striking his head, which rendered him unconsciousness. Rice quickly went to his friend and the young lad went to the doctor. Tom was taken back to Bow, but never regained consciousness, passing away about twelve hours after the accident.

1911 Census:

Two of Mary's nephews served and died/were killed in the First World War.

Her half nephew James Henry Gliddon (the eldest son of her older half brother Joseph Gliddon) served as a seaman in the Royal Navy. He had enlisted before the war, in 1910, serving on many ships. He passed away in 1916, aged twenty-six, of cirrhosis of the liver, on board the hospital ship Somali.

Her nephew William Wallace Yeo (the son of her older brother Tom) served as private in the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry Plymouth Division. He had also enlisted before the war, in 1913. He served for two and half years on board the H.M.S Donegal, from late 1914 to early 1917; he also served with the Victory Brigade (or RM Brigade) in Belgium. He was killed in action in 1917, aged twenty-three, in Belgium.

1939 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1941, Mary passed away, aged seventy-six, in the district of Hendon, Middlesex.

Mary was buried on 29th March 1941 in Harrow, London. On her record of burial, her full name is given as Mary Gliddon Higerty, confirming it is our Mary, who left her surviving siblings behind in Devon, travelled all the way to London alone as a young woman, and made a new life for herself there, with her husband Edwin and their surviving daughter Leonora.

Her husband Edwin outlived Mary by six years. In Apr/May/Jun 1947, Edwin passed away, aged eighty-six, in the district of Hendon, Middlesex.

Great x3 Uncle Thomas 'Tom' Yeo

My Great x3 Uncle Tom (1863 - 1904) was a farm servant, general labourer, a nursery garden, father of about five, and the older brother of Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Tom was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1863 in the district of Okehampton, Devon, to George Yeo (29), an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Ann Yeo (nee Gliddon) (about 24), a housewife.

Tom was the eldest of six children (one son and five daughters) and the only son:

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Tom also had an older half brother, Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) (67 years old), his mother Ann's illegitimate son born before her marriage. Joseph lived with his maternal grandparents.

Tom and his younger siblings grew up around Meldon, just outside Okehampton.

1871 Census:

In October or November 1872, when Tom was eight, his younger sister Emily Ann passed away aged only five years old. Emily Ann was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton. About three months later, Tom's father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton. And about three months after that, Tom's mother Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873 also in Okehampton. I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease. 

Unless relatives took them in, Tom and his five remaining siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Tom's youngest sisters Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if Tom and the other older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work. 

Seventeen year old Tom can be found on the 1881 Census, living and working as an indoor farm servant at Westlake Farm in Inwardleigh, for farmer of 120 acres Richard Rich and his family.

1881 Census:

On 26th April 1886, Tom (22), a farm servant and labourer, married Elizabeth Ann Vallance (20), in Okehampton.

Elizabeth Ann had given birth to a son called Edgar, in January or Febuary 1886, in her native Northlew. On the 1891 Census, Edgar is described as Tom's son and has his surname of Yeo; however, when Edgar passed away, aged only eight, in October or November 1894, in Okehampton, his name was given on his record of death and burial as Edgar Yeo Vallance.

Tom and Elizabeth Ann had five or six sons (including Edgar):

• Edgar  1886 - 1894  (8 years old)
• Leon Thomas  1889 -
• Evelyn Stanley  1891 -
• Charley 1892 -
• William Wallace  1893 - 1917  (23 years old)
• Cecil  1896 -

Their middle son Charley only appears on the 1901 Census and, unlike his brothers, I cannot find record of his birth and he doesn't appear on any later censuses. It might well be passed away as a child; or the 1901 Census was incorrectly recorded, and 'Charley', given his age, was actually his own brother Evelyn.

1891 Census:

1901 Census:

In October 1901, when Tom was thirty-seven, his wife Elizabeth Ann passed away, aged only thirty-five, in Okehampton. Elizabeth Ann was buried on 25th October 1901, in Okehampton. Her burial was certified by Tom.

Newspaper articles from 1904 described Tom is his forties as working a nursery or jobbing gardener.

Less the three years after his wife's death, on the afternoon of Wednesday 1st August 1904, Tom himself was killed, aged only fortyor forty-one, whilst riding his bike near the farm of Clannaborough Barton, Bow. He was on his way from visiting his younger sister Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) in Bow, and making his to the Eggesford Flower Show with friend and fellow cyclist Thomas Rice. Annie thought Tom had been drinking, but could not say he was drunk; she had asked him not to go. The two men were descending a steep decline near Clannaborough Barton, when they met a couple of horses being taken to the smith by a lad called Cecil Ward. Cecil was riding one horse and leading the other; when he saw the cyclists coming, he pulled in. Rice was in front and passed the horses safely. One of the horses then became restive, and our Tom, unable to stop his bike it time, ran it straight into the horse, his petal reportedly getting caught one of the horse' hind legs. Tom was throw violently onto the hard ground, striking his head, rendering him unconsciousness. Rice immediately went to assist his friend and young Cecil went for the doctor, but it was all too late: though taken to Bow, where he received every attention by Dr Haycroft, Tom never regained consciousness and passed away about twelve hours later.

From the Western Evening Herald of 2nd August 1904:

The above article says Tom leaves a widow and four young children; however, records show Elizabeth Ann pre-deceased Tom, and I cannot find record of Tom remarrying. It might well be that only four of his sons were alive on his death: if the Charley recorded on the 1901 Census, was not in fact an additional son, but his other son Evelyn mis-recorded.

From the Western Times of 3rd August 1904:

From the Western Times of 5th August 1904:

Tom's death left his surviving sons, aged eight to fifteen, orphans. It seems a sad case of history repeating itself, as Tom and his siblings had themselves been left orphans, thirty years before, when their parents passed away at a similar age. Whilst back in the 1870's, Tom's younger siblings had ended up in the workhouse, and the older siblings were separated, sent out to work on different farms; thankfully in the early 1900's, Tom's sons were taken in by their maternal grandparents, Thomas and Selina Vallance. Thomas was a farmer at Heath Farm, at Northlew. The 1911 Census shows Thomas and Selina have many of their grandchildren living with them in the farm, including Leon, William and Cecil Yeo, who are shown to work on the farm.

Over a decade after Tom's death, his son William would serve and sadly be killed in the First World War. He had enlisted before the start of the war, on 26th August 1913, as a private (service number Ply/16358) in the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry Naval Division. On 1st January 1914, he transferred to the Plymouth Division. From 27th to 31st August 1914, he was with the Plymouth Division at Ostend, a coastal city in Belgium. From 7th October 1914 to 6th February 1917, he served on the H.M.S Donegal. He was back with the Plymouth Division from 7th February to 8th May 1917. On 9th May 1917, he joined the Victory Brigade (or RM Brigade). He was killed on 26th October 1917 in Belgium, aged twenty-three. His name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Zonnebeke, Arrondissement leper, West Flanders, Belgium. After his death, his medals were issued to his older brother Leon.

His Service Record gives a physical description of William as a young man: he was 5'3 1/4'', had a fresh complexion, fair hair and blue eyes. His character is repeatedly described as 'very good' and his ability 'satisfactory'. I wonder if William was like his father.

Great x3 Half Uncle Joseph Gliddon

My Great x3 Half Uncle Joseph Gliddon (1860 - 1928) was an agricultural labourer, railway labourer and ganger, father of twelve, and the older half-brother of my Great Great Grandmother Annie Sandford (nee Yeo) (1868 - 1948).

Joseph was likely born between 20th November and 10th December 1860, in Okehampton, Devon, the illegitimate son of Ann Gliddon (20 or 21), a farm servant.

Joseph was baptised on 10th December 1860, in Okehampton. He was likely named for his maternal grandfather of the same name.

(Joseph's birth was not registered until Jan/Feb/Mar 1861; however we know he was born before that, as he was baptised on 10th December 1860. In the past, like today, parents had a period of forty-two days to register a birth, and assuming Ann registered her son's birth within these forty-two days, in January 1861, that would put his birth between the 20th November and 10th December 1860. Still there is the possibility, especially as late fines would not be introduced until the 1874 Act brought in tighter and tougher legislation, that Ann was late registering baby Joseph's birth and he was born prior to 20th November 1860. Yet his age given on censuses implies a birth year of 1861; thus his being born in the tale-end of 1860, and yet to have his birthday each census year, seems very likely.)

Joseph would spend the first twenty-odd years of his life in living in Meldon, near Okehampton.

1861 Census:

On 26th March 1862, when Joseph was about fifteen months old, his mother Ann (24), a farm servant, married George Yeo (27), an agricultural and quarry labourer, in Okehampton.

Through his mother's marriage, Joseph gained six younger half siblings (one half-brother and five half-sisters):

• Thomas 'Tom'  1863 - 1904  (40 or 41 years old)
• Mary 'Mary Anne' Gliddon  1864 - 1941  (76 years old)
• Emily Ann  1867 - 1872  (5 years old)
• Annie  1868 - 1948  (80 years old)
• Ellen  1869 - 1937  (68 years old)
• Harriet  1872 - 1893 (21 years old)

Joseph lived not with his mother's new family, but remained living with his maternal grandparents, Joseph, an agricultural and quarry labourer, and Hannah Gliddon.

1871 Census:

In October or November 1872, when Joseph was eleven, his younger half-sister Emily Ann passed away aged only five years old. Emily Ann was buried on 8th November 1872, in Okehampton. About three months later, Joseph's step-father George passed away, aged thirty-nine, in 1873, in Okehampton. He was buried on 30th January 1873, in Okehampton. And about three months after that, Joseph's mother Ann also passed away, aged thirty-three or thirty-four. She was buried on 30th April 1873 also in Okehampton. I wonder if they all succumbed to the same disease. 

Unless relatives took them in, Joseph's six remaining younger half siblings (aged zero to nine) would likely have ended up in the workhouse. Indeed, in the next census (1881 Census), Joseph's youngest half sisters Ellen (11) and Harriet (9) can be found living in the Union Workhouse in Okehampton. I wonder if the other older siblings also entered the workhouse after their parents' early deaths, but by thirteen years old were deemed old enough to go out and work.

In Jan/Mar/Apr 1881, when Joseph was twenty-one, his guardian and grandfather of the same name passed away, aged seventy-three, in Okehampton.

1881 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1888, when Joseph was twenty-seven, his remaining guardian and grandmother, Hannah, passed away, aged eighty-five, in Okehampton. She was buried on 11th May 1888 in Okehampton.

In Apr/May/Jun 1889, Joseph (28), an agricultural labourer, married Lucy Ann Neno (17), in the district of Tavistock. Lucy gave birth to their first child, James Henry, on 17th October 1889, meaning, she was between three and five months pregnant, when she and Joseph married. When she conceived she may have still be sixteen, or else just turned seventeen.

Lucy Ann had been christened Louisa, but from at least the 1881 census, aged eight, if not before, went by Lucy Ann. The spelling of her unusual maiden name varies on different records: as Neno, Nino, Neus, Nono etc.

The couple's age gap of eleven years, and Lucy Ann being so young, might explain why on later censuses Joseph bumps he age down by five years or more.

Joseph and Lucy Ann had twelve children (five boys and seven girls):

• James Henry  1889 - 1916  (26 years old)
• John Francis  1891 - 1899  (7 years old)
• Winifred Harriet  1894 -
• Gertrude Charlotte  1896 -
• Dora Josephine  1898 -
• Ellen Maud (known as Maud)  1902 -
• John Francis  1903 -
• Ada  1905 -
• Harold Joseph (known as Joseph)  1907 -
• Elsie May  1909 - 1930  (20 years old)
• Florence Lucy  1911 -
• Reginald William  1913 -

The couple would settle and bring up their children in Lucy's native Bere Alston, a small village in the Tamar valley, nearly twenty miles south-west of Joseph's native Meldon. Bere Alston's 'origins lie in the once thriving local mining industry, including silver and lead, and the market gardening sector. At one time, the mainline trains to London would stop at the village to pick up locally grown produce destined for the capital.' Lucy Ann was herself from a mining family; and Joseph worked as railway labourer in Bere Alston.

1891 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1899, when Joseph was thirty-eight, his second son John Francis passed away, aged only seven, in the district of Tavistock. Joseph and Lucy Ann would name their next born son after him.

1901 Census:

On the night of 4th July 1906, a 'stout elderly woman' called Elizabeth Hope was caught by a policeman stealing flowers from Joseph's garden. Joseph had previously made complaint of flowers being missing. Elizabeth was 'let off on undertaking to pay the complainant 5s'.

From the Cornish & Devon Post of 14th July 1906:

1911 Census:

As a young man, Joseph and Lucy Ann's eldest son, James, joined the Royal Navy. He enlisted on the 3rd June 1910, aged twenty, for a period of twelve years. James served as a seaman on many ships, with names such as: SS Vivid, Euryalus, Active, Impregnable and Powerful. His character is repeatedly given as 'very good', his ability improves within a few years from 'very good' to 'superior'.

Sadly James died in the middle of the First World War. On 7th January 1916, he passed away, aged only twenty-six, of cirrhosis of the liver, on board the hospital ship Somali. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by long-term liver damage. The main cause of cirrhosis is drinking too much alcohol over many years; however it is not the only cause, and James' cause of death doesn't necessarily mean he was a heavy drinker, but it is a possibility.

His Service Record gives a physical description of James as a young man: he was 5'6 3/4'', had a dark complexion, black hair and dark brown eyes. With such dark colourings, I wonder if James was black or had a black parent or grandparent. The identity of James' paternal grandfather, Joseph's father, is unknown - was he was black man? Was Joseph dark? Or James' colouring could be from his mother's side: his mother, Lucy Ann's maiden name of Neno, though a very Devonshire surname, with records of 'Neno's in Devon from at least the late 1500's, there is also a 'tradition' that the surname is Spanish in origin. Was James' dark colouring the result of distant Spanish heritage?

In Apr/May/Jun 1928, Joseph passed away, aged sixty-seven, in the district of Tavistock.

He left behind a widow in Lucy Ann and ten surviving children, aged fifteen to thirty-four. Sadly, his daughter, Elsie, would only outlive her father by two years. In Apr/May/Jun 1930, Elsie passed away, aged only twenty, in the district of Tavistock.

Lucy Ann would outlive her husband by almost thirty years, passing away, aged eighty-four, in Jul/Aug/Sep 1957, in the district of Tavistock.

Great x3 Uncle Henry 'Harry' Sandford

My Great x3 Uncle Harry (1884 - 1917) was a general labourer, horseman on a farm, corporal in the First World War, and the younger brother of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

Harry was born in Jan/Feb/Mar 1884, in Zeal Monachorum, Devon, to George Anley Sandford (40), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis) (about 43), a lacemaker and housewife.

On his record of birth, as well as on censuses, his forename is recorded as Harry. In his case, it seems Harry was likely not short for Henry. Yet on his Army Service Record and the Bow War Memorial, his foreman is given as Henry.

Harry had two older half siblings, his mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1868 - 1937  (69)

William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents.

Harry was the youngest of five children born to George and Sarah Ann (two sons and three daughters):

• Mark  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary  1873 - after 1911  (at least 38)
• Alice  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan  1881 - after 1939  (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

Sometime in the late 1880's, when Harry was but a boy, the family moved from Zeal Monachorum, five miles east to Morchard Bishop.

In the 1880's and 1890's, Harry's older half-brother William Willis served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He would served for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gabraltar.

1891 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Harry was only thirteen, his mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

By 1901, Harry and his family had moved to Bow, where some members of the Sandford family live to this day.

1901 census:

In the 1890's and early 1900's, both Harry and his older brother Mark, like their older half-brother William before them, served in the army. In 1896, twenty-four year old Mark enlisted as a private in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He served for three years. On 17th June 1901, eighteen year old Harry enlisted as a private, also in the 4th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. Harry completed a 49 day drill on enlistment. He gave his religion as congregational.

Mark and Harry seemingly looked alike as young men: their Army Service Records reveal both had fresh complexions, fair hair and blue eyes. Both were also on the small side: Mark was 5'5 1/4'' and 9st 6lb, and Harry was 5'4 3/4'' and 8st 6lb. Whilst Mark had a scar on his forehead, Harry had a large scar on his left forearm.

When not in the army, as a young man, Harry lived and worked as horseman at Burrow Farm in Bow, for widowed farmer R.I. Gibbings.

1911 Census:

Having served a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), Harry was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, in the First World War. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915, and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915.

Sadly, Harry was killed in action, aged about thirty-three. His date of death is given as 25th March 1917.

The war diary of the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment shows that on 25th March 1917, they weren't fighting, but at 'road work' - as they had been the previous few days. However, over the following few days "the division edged forward towards the Hindenburg Line in the wake of the German retirement" (from Visiting the Fallan Arras-South (2015) by Peter Hughs) and on 26th experienced nine casualties at Mory. It seems likely Harry was one of these casualties. His exact place of burial was not known and the 25th may have been the last day he was known to have been alive.

He has a headstone at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France. His headstone is listed as a special memorial - a special memorial is placed when the person's exact place of burial is unknown. However, his records state he was known to be buried (somewhere) in that cemetery. The badge of the Devonshire Regiment appears at the top of Harry's headstone.

My mother says her uncle, Bert Sandford, Harry's great nephew has visited the French cemetery to pay his respects.

'6687 Corporal
H Sandford
Devonshire Regiment
25 March 1917

Their glory shall not
Be blotted out'

Harry's headstone, Mory Abbey Military Cemetary, Pas-de-Calais, France

His name also appears on the Bow War Memorial at St Bartholomews Church, Bow.

Bow War Memorial, 2015

Great x3 Aunt Susan Hall (formerly Chapman; nee Sandford)

My Great x3 Aunt Susan (1881 - after 1939) was a housemaid, housewife, mother of four, step-mother of nine (eight surviving), and a younger sister of my Great Great Grandfather Mark Sandford (1872 - 1945).

Susan was born in Apr/May/Jun 1881 in the district of Honiton, Devon, to George Anley Sandford (about 38), a farm labourer, and Sarah Ann Sandford (nee Willis) (about 41), a lacemaker and housewife.

Susan was baptised on 5th June 1881 in Payhembury.

Susan had two older half siblings, her mother's illegitimate children born before her marriage:

• William Willis  1864 - 1922  (58)
• Mary Willis  1868 - 1937  (69)

William and Mary lived with their maternal grandparents.

Susan was the fourth of five children born to George and Sarah Ann (two sons and three daughters):

• Mark  1872 - 1945  (73)
• Jane Mary  1873 - after 1911  (at least 38)
• Alice  1877 - 1943  (65)
• Susan  1881 - after 1939  (at least 57)
• Henry 'Harry'  1884 - 1917  (32 or 33)

When Susan was a young baby, the family made a big move, moving about twenty-six miles west from Payhembury to Zeal Monachorum.

They moved again the late 1880's, five miles east from Zeal Monachorum to Morchard Bishop.

In the 1880's and 1890's, Susan's older half-brother William Willis served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. We would serve for twelve years, including six years (from 1886 to 1893) in Gabraltar.

1891 Census:

In Jul/Aug/Sep 1897, when Susan was only sixteen, her mother Sarah Ann passed away, aged fifty-seven, in the district of South Molton.

At some point in her teens, Susan made a big move from her native Devon all the way to Heston in Middlesex (now absorbed by London). There she worked as a housemaid for Stanley family - retired Royal Navy Captain George Stanley, his wife Catherine and their three grown-up daughters. Susan was one of only two live-in servants (the other a cook).

1901 Census:

In Jan/Feb/Mar 1902, Susan (20), a housemaid, married Emery Oscar Chapman (about 25), a house painter from Pimlico, in the district of Brentford, Middlesex. Susan was very heavily pregnant (or had just given birth) when she married, for her eldest son Arthur was born on 25th February 1902.

Susan and Oscar had four children (two sons and two daughters):

• Arthur Jack  1902 -
• Edward 'Eddie' George  1910 -
• Marie Joyce  1918 -
• Ruby G  1923 - 

In 1902, when their eldest son Arthur was baptised, the family lived on Wellington Road; but by the time of their second son Edward's baptism in 1910, they had moved to 9 Albion Road, Hounslow. Susan would continue to live at this address for at least the next thirty years.

Also living the family on the 1911 Census is three year old Maud Quinn Williams - I wonder if she was the daughter of a relative or friend.

1911 Census:

Susan's younger brother Harry served and was sadly killed in the First World War. Her nephew, Arthur Harry Gill, the son of her older half sister Mary Pike (formerly Gill; nee Willis) also served and was killed in action.

Her brother Harry, having served as a private in the early 1900's (service number 6687), was re-conscripted as a corporal (service number 3/6687) in the 8th Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment. He was listed as wounded on the casualty list of 31st January 1915 and again on the casualty list of 28th February 1915. He was killed in action on 25th March 1917, aged thirty-three. Harry's name appears on the Bow War Memorial; as well as at the Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Her nephew Arthur (service number 71781) was a private in the 5th Battalion (Territorials) of the Devonshire Regiment. He was killed in action on 27th September 1918, less than two years before the end of the war, aged twenty-three or twenty-four. Arthur's name appears on the Eggesford War Memorial; as well as on the Vis-en-Artois (British Cemetery and) Memorial at Haucourt, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

During the First World War, as well as losing her younger brother and nephew, Susan's father George also passed away. In Apr/May/Jun 1917, when Susan was about thirty-six, George passed away, aged seventy-four, in the Crediton district.

In Apr/May/Jun 1927, when Susan was about forty-six, her husband Oscar passed away, aged fifty, in the district of Brentford.

Eight years later, Susan remarried. In Jan/Feb/Mar 1935, Susan (54), a widow and mother of four, married widower and father of nine (eight living), James William Hall (about 59), then a boot repair instructor and former soldier, in the district of Brentford.

James was from Cliburn, a village all the way up in Cumbria (then Westmorland), in the very north-west of England. James had been a career soldier, serving from 1900 all the way to 1923! - including the First World War. He was a gunner and then a corporal in the Royal Artillery. (service number 1043298; former service number 11186)

With her second marriage, Susan gained nine (eight living) step-children, aged eleven to twenty-nine - James' children with his first wife Rose, who had passed away eight year earlier, in 1928, aged only forty-two - :

• Gladys Emily  1906 -
• William Alfred  1907 -
• May  1909 -
• Nora  1910 -
• Stanley  1911 - 1911  (2 days old)
• Francis 'Frank' Leslie J  1915 -
• Albert  1919 -
• Dorothy 'Dolly' Margaret  1922 -
• Grace  1923 -

Photographs of Susan's eldest four step-children (Gladys, William, May and Nora Hall), early 1910's

The 1939 Census shows James living at 9 Albion Road. He lives with four other persons, but unfortunately their records are closed. It is likely Susan's is one of these closed records; the other, three of his or her children.

Sadly, Susan and James' marriage lasted less than five years.

On Sunday 29th October 1939, when Susan was fifty-eight, James passed away suddenly, aged sixty-three, of pulmonary thrombosis, whilst at the Earl Russell public-house, Hasworth Road, Hounslow.

From Middlesex Chronicle of 4th November 1939:

James' funeral took place at Hounslow Cemetery on Friday 3rd November 1939.

From the Middlesex Chronicle of  11th November 1939:

Unfortunately, now with a common surname of Hall, it is presently proving difficult to pin down the later years of Susan's life. We leave her, widowed for a second time, in her late fifties, in her home of 9 Albion Road in Hounslow, at the beginning of the Second World War, surrounded by friends, her children and step-children.

A 1944 newspaper advertisement shows number 9 (along 11, 13 and 15 Albion Road) up for sale. The properties are described as 'freehold cottages' with 'each containing 3 bedrooms (2 with stoves), living room, kitchen and scullery and outside W.C., forecourt and rear garden'. It looks like Susan and her husbands rented their home, for the properties in 1944 are described as being 'let at low rentals of 9s 5d, 15s, 10s and 13s 4d'. If listed in order of house number, number 9's rent in 1944 was 9s 5d (presumably per month).