Great x3 Uncle Walter Knott

My Great x3 Uncle Walter (1860 - 1916) was a private in the army, railway carman, father of seven, and the younger brother of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

Walter was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1860 in Morchard Bishop, Devon, to William Nott, an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 32), a wool weaver.

Walter and his older Frederick spelt their surname with a k - as in Knott -; whilst other members of the family spelt with without - as in Nott. 

Walter was the seventh of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

1861 Census: 

In 1869, Walter's older sister Eliza passed away, aged only twelve.

1871 Census:

On 15th January 1877, Walter (859) joined the army. He seems to have lied about his age, claiming to be nineteen, when he was in fact only sixteen. He enlisted as a private, in the 34th Brigade (infantry brigade).

Walter's service record gives a physical description of Walter: he was 5'5''/5'6'', had light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. His character was repeatedly described as 'very good'.

He served in England, from 16th January 1877 to 12th January 1878 (just short of one year); then in East India, from 13th January 1878 to 28th July 1880 (two and half years); then in Afghanistan, from 29th July 1880 to 8th May 1881 (nearly two years); then back in East India, from 9th May 1881 to 10th March 1883 (nearly two years); after six years active service, he was back at home from 11th March 1883 to 15th January 1889, transferring to the reserves on 22nd March 1883. He was discharged on 15th January 1889.

During his service: from 29th July 1880 to 8th May 1881, he fought in the Second Anglo-Afghan War. For which he was awarded the Afghanistan Medal.

Whilst in the army, Walter suffered from a series of illnesses...

Whilst still in England, for seven days, from 6th November 1877 to 12th November 1877, he had diarrhoea. 

Seventeen-year-old, Walter contracted gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection, three months after arriving in India. Sadly, this may well have likely been from an India woman, prostituted to/by the British army. 

Whilst out in India... For thirty-seven days, from 2nd April 1878 to 8th May 1878, he had gonorrhoea. For six days, from 19th March 1879 to 24th March 1879, he had ague (malaria or another illness involving fever and shivering). And again had ague for five days, from 8th September 1879 to 12th September 1879, and once more for seven days, from 24th November 1879 to 1st December 1879. 

Whilst out in Afghanistan... For thirteen days, from 24th October 1880 to 6th November 1880, had dysentery (for which he was treated with opium). For twenty-fives days, from 1st January 1881 to 25th January 1881, suffered from a general debility.

He became a carrier/carman from the railway in Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, in March 1883, but was also still a private in the army reserve, serving until 1889 (serving for twelve years).

On 28th December 1884, Walter (24), a army private and railway carman, married Esther Lovell (24), a native of Woolwich, London, in St Mary, Portsea, Hampshire. At the time of his marriage, Walter lived at 57 Surrey Street; whilst Esther lived at 67 Bishop Street. The marriage was witnessed by members of Esther's family.

Walter and Esther had seven children (three daughters and four sons):

• Esther  1885 
• Jessie  1887
• Mabel Grace  1890  
• Frederick  1892 - 1896  (4 years old)
• Walter  1892 - 1902  (10 years old)
• Henry 'Percy' Percy  1894 - 1917  (23 years old)
• William 'Willie' Edward  1897  

All seven children were born in Portsea Island/Portsmouth.

1891 Census:

Sadly, Walter and Esther's twin sons, Frederick and Walter (named for his father) passed away in childhood. In Jul/Aug/Sep 1896, Frederick passed away, at four years old, in Portsea Island. In Jul/Aug/Sep 1902, Walter passed away, at ten years old, in Portsea Island.

Come 1901, the family had lodgers.

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

In February 1916, Walter, suffering from ill health, which had led to depression, attempted to take his own life. He put his head in the gas oven and was rendered unconscious; however, his wife Esther alerted the local constable, who performed artificial respiration, which was successful. Walter was taken to hospital and then to the infirmary.

From the Portsmouth Evening News of 15th February 1916:

Three months later, on 3rd May 1916, Walter did pass away, aged fifty-five, after what is described as 'great' and 'much suffering' . At the time his abode was 6 Salem Street, Southsea.

From the Portsmouth Evening News of 6th May 1916:

Sadly, a year and half after Walter's death, his son Percy was killed in action, during the First World War. Percy (20953) was a private in the Coldstream Guards. He was killed on 27th November 1917 in France, aged twenty-three.

At the time of Percy's death, his widowed mother Esther lived at 37 Wingfield Street, Landport, Portsmouth.

Esther passed away, aged about 75, in Oct/Nov 1935, in the district of Portsmouth

Great x3 Aunt Eliza Lydia Nott

My Great x3 Aunt Eliza (1856 - 1869) was an elder sister of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

Eliza was born around 1856 in Bampton, Devon, to William Nott, an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 28), a wool weaver.

Eliza's birth doesn't appear to have been registered; however, she was baptised on 28th December 1856, in Bampton, Devon. At the time of her birth, the family lived on the High Street.

Eliza was the fifth of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

When Eliza was very young, the family moved from Bampton to Morchard Bishop. There, the family can be found on the 1861 Census.

1861 Census:

Sadly, in Oct/Nov/Dec 1869, Eliza passed away, aged twelve (nearly thirteen), in the district of Crediton.

Great x3 Aunt Mary Emma Nott

My Great x3 Aunt Mary (1855 - ????) was a domestic servant, and an elder sister of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

Mary was born around 1855 in Bampton, Devon, to William Nott, an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 27), a wool weaver.

Mary's birth doesn't seem to have been registered; however, she was baptised on 15th July 1855 in Bampton, Devon. At the time of Mary's baptism, the family lived at somewhere called Higher Ladwell, in or near Bampton.

Mary was the fourth of nine children (four sons and five daughters) and the eldest daughter:

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

By the time of younger sister Eliza's baptism in December 1856, the family have moved from Higher Ladwell to the High Street, seemingly also in Bampton, for Eliza was too baptised in that village.

By 1859, the family had moved to Morchard Bishop.

1861 Census: 

As a teen, Mary was working as a domestic servant, living at St David's Hill, St David's, Exeter. For Trobridge family, headed by elderly John Trobridge, a master grocer.

I am presently struggling to find Mary on records after 1871. Did she move away, get married, pass away young?

Her employer, John Trobridge passed away in around July 1872 and his wife Mary Ann passed away in around October 1872. There was an auction of their household furniture in the September. Their daughter living at home, Jane, also married around this time. Teenage Mary would have had her employers' passing away, marrying and moving out, and the furniture of her place of work being sold off. What did she do after?

From the Express and Echo of 18th September 1872:

Great x3 Uncle Frederick Knott

My Great x3 Uncle Frederick (1854 - 1927), was a farm servant in Devon, a flax mill manager in New Zealand, a market garden in Newport Pagnell, father of two, and an elder brother of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

Whilst Bessie spelt her surname as Nott, Frederick spelt it as Knott. Spellings vary amongst the family.

Frederick was born in October 1853, in the district of Crediton, Devon, to William Nott (??), an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 25), a wool weaver.

Frederick was baptised on 30th October 1853, in Morchard Bishop, Devon. At the time of Frederick's baptism, the family resided at Lower Town.

Frederick was the third of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

1861 Census:

 

As a young man, Frederick lived with and worked as an indoor farm servant for the Horrell Family, headed by Henry Horrell, farmer of 250 acres, employing 2 men and 3 boys, at Moore Farm, Morchard Bishop.

1871 Census:

Frederick moved to New Zealand in 1874!

On 25th September 1874, twenty-year-old Frederick boarded a ship called the Crusader in Plymouth, Devon for New Zealand. Three months later, on New Year's Eve (31st December) 1874, Frederick stepped foot in Lyttelton, New Zealand. 

On 30th June 1888, Frederick (34) married fellow Devonian Fanny Dart (29) out in Amberley, Chirstchurch, New Zealand. 

The year before, Fanny had moved out to New Zealand with her sister Jane. The sisters must have been close for they emigrated together and lived together long into their adult lives.

Frederick and Fanny had two children:

• Minnie May  1889  Masterton, New Zealand
• Harry Percival  1898  Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire

Their daughter Minnie was born around 1889, out in Masterton, New Zealand.

By the time of the 1893 New Zealand Electoral Roll, Frederick was working at a flax mill, and living at Colombo Road, Masterton, New Zealand. 

In November 1892, Frederick's employers Mannings & Co took over Fittons Mill at Riverside, and appointed Frederick as manager at that mill. In March and again in July 1893, Riverside Mill was flooded by the Wairapa River and a large quanity of flax was lost.

I wonder if this loss was a key factor in Frederick and his family deciding to return to England later in 1893. On 30th November 1893, Frederick, Fanny, young Minnie, and Fanny's unmarried sister Jane boarded a ship called the SS Coptic for London.

In 1894, Frederick's then five-year-old daughter Minnie began attending infants school in Olney, near Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. At the time, the family lived on Station Road, Olney.

Soon settled in Newport Pagnell, Frederick worked as a market gardener for several years. 

The family lived with Fanny's unmarried sister Jane, a woman of private means, from the mid 1890's to the 1911 Census and beyond, at Lake's Lane, Newport Pagnell. There was also a boarder, assistant school mistress, Nellie Osborn, living with them on the 1901 Census, who may have inspired daughter Minnie to become a needlework and music teacher, by the time of the 1911 Census.

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

Daughter Minnie was a prodigal pianist. In 1907, aged only seventeen, she gained a Diploma of Association of the London College of Music. As reported in the Croydon Weekly Standard of 13th April 1907: 'We understand it is very expectational for one so young to gain the cap and gown of the A.L.C.M. Such a unique success is decidedly satisfactory, and reflects the greatest credit upon both pupil and teacher.'

From the Bucks Standard of 13th April 1907:

Frederick's son Harry (DM2/190874) served as a private, in the WO 329 company, of the Royal Army Service Corps, during the First World War. Thankfully he survived the war. After the war, he followed in his father Frederick's footsteps and worked as a market gardener, in Newport Pagnell.

The family had another border on the 1911 Census, Mark Gibbons, a coach (and then later motor) body maker, whom daughter Minnie later married in 1919.

Frederick's Daughter Minnie, aged 30, on her Wedding Day, 1919

Also living with the family on the 1921 Census were Jane and Fanny's half niece Nellie and her son Valentine (also born in New Zealand).

1921 Census:

In Apr/May/Jun 1924, when Frederick was seventy, his wife Fanny passed away, aged sixty-three, in Newport Pagnell.

In Oct/Nov/Dec 1927, Frederick passed away, aged seventy-four, in Newport Pagnell.

By the time of the 1939 Census, Frederick's adult children, Minnie and Harry, along with Minnie's husband Mark and their teenage son Maurice still lived at 64 The Lakes, Lakes Lane, Newport Pagnell.

Frederick's grandson and my 2nd Cousin 2x Removed, Maurice Gibbons, seems to have been an interesting gentleman...

As a boy, Maurice was a weekly border at Elmers School, Bletchley. Just prior to the outbreak of the Second War World, the grammar school building and grounds were requisitioned by the government, and became part of Station X at Bletchley Park - the then top-secret home of wartime codebreakers.

As a teenager, Maurice played tennis at County level - even playing at Wimbledon. He was also a keen follower of cricket, football and the grand prix.

On his eighteenth birthday, he joined the ATC (Air Traffic Control). He was also an member of the Home Guard, from 1940 until 1942, when he joined the RAF - travelling to Canada for training to be a pilot. He flew a number of missions as a Lancaster pilot for 170 Squadron over Germany. At the end of the war, he flew Lord Mountbatten and his staff; and also returned fellow countrymen, who had been prisoners of war, back to Britain.

As a boy he made many meccano models, and as a man model railways; he was also artistic and talented at drawing. He would have liked to have been an architect, or to have carried on flying after the war; however, under strong parental pressure, he joined Barclay's Bank - a steady job. 

Whilst working for a bank and later at different newsagents, he played an active role in amateur dramatics, as actor, director and props designer, which he continued into his old age. A group he was involved with, the West Niners, were to become one of the top amateur societies in London. When he moved to Lymington, later in life, he joined the Lymington players. He also took ballroom dancing lessons, whilst in London, and won two trophies in amateur competitions, meeting Vera Lynn at one of these events.

Frederick's grandson Maurice Gibbons, aged 87, 2010

(I must honour a key source in researching Frederick's and his descends lives was, my cousins, the Gibbons family's meticulously recorded family records: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/105764700/person/260050034406/facts. Xxx)

Great x3 Uncle John Henry Nott

My Great x3 Uncle John (1852 - ?), was an elder brother of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

John was born in Jul/Aug/Sep 1852 in the district of Crediton, Devon, to William Nott (??), an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 24), a wool weaver.

John was baptised on 19th September 1852, in Morchard Bishop, Devon. At the time of John's baptism, the family resided at Leigh.

John was the second of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

1861 Census:

I'm presently struggling to find John and his older brother William after the 1861 Census. Did they move away, pass away young, change their names?

Great x3 Uncle William Nott

My Great x3 Uncle William (1850 - ?), was the eldest brother of my Great Great Grandmother Bessie Staddon Edworthy (nee Nott) (1859 - 1919).

William was born in Apr/May/Jun in (Huntsham, according to 1851 census) the district of Tiverton, Devon, to William Nott (??), an agricultural labourer, and Grace Nott (nee Cobley) (about 23), a wool weaver.

William was baptised on 6th May 1850, in Huntsham, Devon.

William was the eldest of nine children (four sons and five daughters):

• William  1850 - after 1861
• John Henry  1852 - after 1861
• Frederick  1853 - 1927  (74)
• Mary Emma  1855 - after 1871
• Eliza Lydia  1856 - 1869  (12)
• Bessie Staddon  1859 - 1919  (about 60)
• Walter  1860 - 1916  (55)
• Jessie Rose 1864 - 1947  (83)
• Agnes  1866 - 1924  (57)

1851 Census:

William left home at a very young age. Aged only ten, he was working as a cowboy, working for and living with John Crocker, dairy keeper, at Lockehallis Dairy, Halberton.

1861 Census:

I'm presently struggling to find William and his next brother John after the 1861 Census. Did they move away, pass away young, change their names?

Great x3 Aunt Mary 'Polly' Harris Greenslade (nee Edworthy)

My Great x3 Aunt Mary (also known as Polly) (1869 - 1938) was a domestic servant, housewife, mother of nine, and the youngest sister of my Great Great Grandfather William Edworthy (1852 - 1911).

Mary was born in Jan/Feb 1869 in East Worlington, Devon, to William Edworthy (about 48), a farm labourer, and Mary Edworthy (nee Harris) (about 45), a housewife.

On Valentine's Day 1869, Mary was baptised in East Worlington.

Mary was the youngest of eleven children (four daughters and seven sons):

• Ann  1841 - 1882  (41)
• John  1844 - 1910  (65)
• Elizabeth  1849 - 1917  (about 68)
• William  1852 - 1911  (about 59)
• George  1854 - 1876  (22)
• Samuel  1856 - 1920  (64)
• Ellen  1858 - 1934  (75)
• Lewis  1861 - 1943  (82)
• Frederick  1863 - 1943  (79)
• Frank  1866 - 1929  (63)
• Mary Harris  1869 - 1939  (69)

Mary and her siblings grew up at Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage, thatched cob cottage built in the early 1600s, in East Worlington.

(You can read more about the structure of the property here.) 

Edgelake/Oddislake Cottage

1871 Census:

1881 Census:

On 25th March 1886, Mary (just 17 - though she gives her age as 19), a servant, married John Greenslade (22), a labourer, in East Worlington.

Mary and John had 9 children:

• William Henry Hopper Stoneman (adopted) 1889 - 

• Lucy  1893
• Frederick 'Fred' John  1895
• Florence 'Flo' Mary 1898
• Ernest 'Ern' 1901
• Thomas 'Tom'  1903
• Alice  1906
• Charles 'Charlie'  1909
• Frank G 1911

Though she married so young, it wasn't because she was pregnant. In fact, Mary and John didn't have any children in the first 7 years of their marriage. Perhaps they had trouble conceiving.

Sometime before 1891, the young married couple took in baby William. William is listed as a border on the 1891 Census, but by the 1901 Census is listed as an adopted son, though he retains his birth name (not taking the surname of Greenslade). I wonder if William's mother was Charlotte Stoneman, an unmarried domestic servant living two doors down from the Greenslade family on the 1891 Census.

When William, twelve, attended Crediton Hayward School for one month in June 1902, his parent/guardian is listed as Mr W W Smith and his address is given as (Credition) Union (Work) House. He leaves to attend Shobrooke Board(ing?) School in July 1902, as he is sent to another Union (Workhouse). Could Mary and John no longer look after him? He had been with them seemingly since a baby, over a decade, until the age of about twelve. They may have been the only 'parents' he had known. Yet it did strike me that he never takes their name of Greenslade; and on the 1891 Census baby William is listed as a border, and it is specifically stated he is an adopted son on the 1901 Census. By the 1911 Census, William, a young man, is a patient at the Axbridge Union Workhouse and Infirmary, at Axbridge, near Weston Super Mare, Somerset. Interestingly he is there as a patient and not as an inmate. His infirmity or illness is not recorded. Did he suffer from a lifelong illness that required a degree of care that Mary and John could no longer provide? I can't find records of William after 1911.

1891 Census:

In the early 1890's, the young family moved to Shobrooke, where the children were born. 

The family lived at Westacott Cottage, a thatched cob cottage built in the late 1600s/early 1700s, in Shobrooke for many years. 

Westacott Cottage, Shobrooke

(You can read more about the building's structure here.)

1901 Census:

1911 Census:

Mary and John's son Fred (11042) enlisted on 7th September 1914 (war have been declared only just over one month earlier), aged nineteen, as a private, in the 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. It seems he had tried to apply before, but was dismissed because of leg trouble. Again he was discharged on medical grounds - less than one month later - on 2nd October 1914, as he had 'a severe flat foot'. 

His service record gives a brief physical description of Fred as a young man: in addition to being flat-footed, he was 5'10'', had fair hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion.

1921 Census:

In 1921, Mary's eldest daughter Lucy (28) had an illegitimate daughter - Margaret Nina Greenslade. Lucy brought Gilbert Gutsham of Tiverton to court for child maintenance in July 1921. He was ordered to pay 10s a week, until the child reached sixteen. 

From the Western Times of 15th July 1921:

On 23rd August 1921, Mary and John's son Tom, aged 19, enlisted in the Royal Marines. He was away serving twelve years later when his father passed away.

In 1933, Mary's husband John passed away, whilst visiting Ide. 

From the Western Times of 7th April 1933:

In Oct/Nov 1938, Mary passed away, aged 69, in Smallbrooke, Newton St. Cyres.

From the Western Times of 18th November 1938: