THE MILLER’s TALE

From Metal Bender to Shopkeeper

Part 1

I think that I’ll start with the appendix; -

Census

A census is taken every ten years in the UK and seeks information on every person in every household in the country. The first census was taken in 1841, but it wasn’t taken in all parts of the country. In 1851 it was a nationwide survey and it became a legal requirement for everyone to be recorded. To protect the privacy of individuals the information collected in a survey is not placed in the public domain until 100 years after the census was taken.

Enumerator

An enumerator is responsible for ensuring that everyone completes a census form correctly and assists those who are for any reason unable to complete it themselves (very necessary during the 19th and early 20th centuries when many people could not read or write). It was his job to visit every household in his given area and to ensure that the form was correctly completed, even if it meant filling it in himself. Back in his office he transferred the information from the forms into an “enumerators book” and this is where the information for any research work that citizens may wish to undertake comes from. Some enumerators had beautiful hand-writing and it is a pleasure to research these. Others had dreadful hand-writing and this makes it very difficult to decipher what they have written, particularly when they have watered down their ink and it is badly faded as a result. In many of the books it is just a scribble, probably because the work was hurried to such an extent that anything would do to finish the job (Friday afternoon job?).

During research, we have noticed that quite often some citizens would promote themselves when filling in the “occupation” column, etc. It probably made them feel more important – in the case of our great uncle Robert on one census he calls himself a “Clicker”, rather than a “Boot Makers Assistant” (read the story and you will find out).

Census Records (and many other records) are now available on line, making research much easier. However, the process of transferring the records from the enumerators book into the computer system has created its own mistakes – the mind numbing process of transcribing millions of pieces of information from a scribbled book is certain to contain many errors.

But the mere fact that they are available in alphabetical order, or in chronological order, where they’re correct (the vast majority of entries) they are brilliant.

Perseverance is necessary when conducting research of this nature.

Births, Deaths and Marriages (Hatched, Matched and Dispatched)

It was not compulsory to register Births, Deaths and Marriages until about 1870. Up until then the Church recorded these events and many of them are now on-line for anyone to peruse.

Accurate birth dates can be problematic in that they weren’t actually recorded. Baptisms were recorded and this ceremony usually took place as soon as a baby was born. Infant mortality during the first few hours of life was commonplace, so it was necessary for the church to capture a baby’s soul pretty dam quick.

However, at this time, it is the census records that are the easiest to research. Even then, it is quite often an educated guess that eventually leads one down the correct path.

2d

OK, this appears in the narrative just once, but for any youngsters or foreigners (American?) it means; two pre-decimal pennys, better known as “tuppence”. A pre-decimal penny was one, two hundred and fortieth of a pound ( 1/240 ) and the symbol for it was a lower case “d” (a throwback to Roman times when the coin was known as a “denarius”).

N.A.A.F.I.

The initial letters of the Navy, Army, Air Force Institute. This organisation is wholly owned only by members of the British armed forces, every member of which owns a single share. When someone leaves the forces, he gives up that share. The organisation ensures that wherever a man or woman is serving their country, at home or in a war zone, there will be somewhere where they can purchase everyday supplies. Where-ever the serviceman goes, the NAAFI goes.

Valerie Ann McEwan Ullman

Back in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’, family news back and forth across the Atlantic was slow. Phone calls were possible, but very expensive and had to be booked days in advance. This meant that writing letters in the old fashioned way were the easiest and

most economical way of transmitting information amongst the family. Even Air Mail letters were expensive to send with the cost being calculated by the overall weight of the letter and envelope, so special very thin paper and envelopes were used and this also was not cheap. Writing in this way was time consuming and only very few people corresponded on a regular basis with relations abroad and these tended to be those who were able to put their thoughts and news events into words with ease. Aunt Trixie was not a regular letter writer.

The information in the family history accompanying this missive is therefore not quite correct where Valerie is concerned. It is what we were led to believe at the time and as I originally started to write the Miller’s Tale many years ago, I have left it as it was then.

Henry MillerC1800 - 1852

HENRY MILLER

Henry Miller was born at 15 Bowling Green Buildings, St Pancras, Middlesex c1800.

Bowling Green Buildings were demolished long before the dawn of the 20 th century, but there was a bowling green not far from the end of Bell Street (shown on the 1794 map), so I think that it is safe to assume that Bowling Green Buildings were somewhere near there. There was also a Cricket Ground, roughly where Marylebone Station now stands (and these days Lords cricket ground is just a stones throw away). In 1800 the area was mostly farmland, but by the 1830’s the fields had all gone and the maze of streets that now covers the area had been built (and since then much of it rebuilt). It is just about possible to work out from the old map where modern day buildings and streets are by comparing it with the latest A to Z (some of todays roads follow the boundaries of the old fields).

Henry married Harriott Robinson (born Marylebone, Middlesex c1799) on 12th September 1825 at St James Church, Paddington.

So far, we have not been able to establish with any certainty who Harriot’s parents were. It is possible that they were Henry and Elizabeth Robinson, who had a daughter named Harriet, who was baptized on 2nd June 1799

Henry and Harriott had eight children -- seven sons and one daughter.

Philip born c1828 (note just the one “L” in Philip on this occasion)Henry born c1830William born c1831James born c1832Eliza born c1834John born c 1837Robert born c1840Thomas born c1841

It was common practice to name one’s first son after one’s father, so it is possible that Henry’s father was named Philip. Also, quite often the first son was named after his own father, so Henry’s father could instead have been a Henry -- more research is needed on this.

Henry was a Farrier/Smith and Veterinary (it was necessary for men who worked with horses like Henry did to be able to treat the animals ailments as part of their job).

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And now for a great big helping of educated guesswork, so bear with me for the next few paragraphs. Lots of “probably”, “possibly” and “maybe” coming up.

Henry probably learned his trade by being apprenticed at the family forge. An old family

photograph taken sometime during the late 1800’s of “MILLER’S Veterinary and Forge” in Bell Street, Marylebone, indicates that this business was established in 1771.

A possibility regarding this photograph is that William Miller (born c1831), Henry’s grandson, took the picture. He was an early camera owner towards the end of the 19 th century when it was very rare for a private individual to own a camera. However, the photograph album of William’s pictures that we have covers the time around the turn of the century (c1902 until c1919) and a copy of this picture is in his album and this would tend to indicate that the picture was taken quite near to 1902.

In his autobiography, George Edward Miller (31st March 1910 - 12th May 1993) refers to his Uncle William’s camera as his “great camera”. What he meant here was “great” in size, referring to it being a large piece of equipment made mostly of wood that had to be mounted on a tripod before a picture could be taken.

The difficulty with putting a sensible date on the picture is that by 1904 the building was in a dreadfully dilapidated condition and ready to be demolished, whilst our picture shows a very well maintained and neatly sign written frontage. Could it possibly have deteriorated so much in just two or three years?

There are two possible explanations that I can think of for the age of this picture. Firstly, it could have been taken several years before 1900 and a copy put in William’s later album. Secondly, the building could have been given a quick spruce up with whitewash to celebrate the new century in 1900 (maybe especially for the photo’) --- this is made more possible because by that time the family would in all probability have known that the building was soon going to be demolished and William would have wanted a family record. A quick whitewash would soon have washed off when it rained, revealing a dilapidated frontage.

But I’m getting way ahead of myself in the chronological order of things, because the picture was taken many years after Henry’s death, so doesn’t really come into this part of the family history. What it tells us is that the family business was established in 1771, and that is an important reference point.

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Bell Street as such did not exist in 1771, but that does not mean that the building was not already there when it became known as Bell Street. There was a Bell Lane and Bell Gardens, so it is highly likely that Bell Lane became Bell Street after it was extended to accommodate more housing.

It is unlikely, but the Farrier business could have moved to Bell Street from somewhere else.

What we do know is that Henry was born in St Pancras, Middlesex. This was the district where the Bell Street forge is situated.

It’s probably safe to assume that the business really had been established in the year shown

(1771), by one of the earlier Miller’s and that it remained in the same family throughout. By the time that Henry was born, the business would have been in existence for about 29 years, so it is just possible that his father started it after completing his own apprenticeship.

Let’s do some math’s. Assume that Henry’s father started the business in 1771 after he had completed his apprenticeship. By the time that he had learned his trade, he would have been about 20 years of age. That would make him about 50 years old by the time that Henry was born in c1800. This seems to be a bit old for someone to be having children, especially if his wife was of a similar age. It is unlikely that he would have been in a position to establish his own business (but not impossible) at such a young age.

What would be more likely is that Henry’s grandfather started the business, after he had been working for enough years to accumulate the capital and reputation required to purchase the land and set up the business.

This would make Henry the third generation to own the forge.

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In 1841, Henry and his family moved to 20 Little James Street, Marylebone (off Bell Street). Little James Street was demolished and redeveloped many years ago, but it followed a section of what is now Lisson Street.

The 1841 census has only just come “on line” and was a difficult one to decipher due to the very faded ink and the enumerator’s awful handwriting. He also didn’t write down the actual number of each property, so it’s a good job that we know that what is actually written there refers to the address that we know. I had to print out all of the pages for Little James Street and then make a careful check of each line until I found Henry, but the writing is very difficult to decipher.

Using my photograph editing software I was able to enhance the correct page in the enumerator’s book, making it easier to decipher.

I’m just guessing that what is written in the column headed “Profession, Trade, Employment or of Independent Means” is “Farrier”.

To make it even more interesting, the person who transferred the information from the book to the computer system in recent years has deciphered the surname as “Miker”. It was therefore impossible to locate our family using the alphabetical index part of the computerized system -- I should know, because I spent hours looking there. I don’t think we can lay too much blame at the feet of whoever transferred the information from the old book into the computer, because if I hadn’t known that it was Miller, I would have made the same mistake. I eventually managed to locate our ancestor by looking at every Henry, whatever the surname was, born in Marylebone between 1799 and 1801. There were lots of them.

These are the details shown in the census: -Henry Miller Aged 40

Harriett Miller Aged 40Philip Miller Aged 13Henry Miller Aged 12William MillerAged 10James Miller Aged 9Eliza Miller Aged 7John Miller Aged 5James Miller Aged 2Robert Miller Aged 1

The James aged 2 is almost certainly Thomas -- a definite mistake by the enumerator. You just can’t get the staff any more (although James could have been Thomas’s middle name).

Interestingly, at No.32 Bell Street, which was only a couple of doors from Millers Forge (or maybe on the opposite side of the road), there is a George “Bingham” and his family. George is shown as a Farrier. One wonders if he worked for Henry.

So far, we have rather assumed that the forge was owned and run by Henry. We have no written evidence of this, so it is possible that Henry was employed by his father, a brother or a close relation. Little James Street was not where the forge was situated. Unlikely though it is, the accommodation upstairs at the forge could have been left vacant, but my guess would be that it housed a family member -- not necessarily the head of the family who may have lived elsewhere at a better address (Little James Street?).

The ONLY definite information that we have, and here I mean information that can substantiated by written evidence, is the address where they lived, who his own immediate family was, their ages and the jobs that they did.

Everything else is educated guesswork (including where they worked).

The 1851 Census shows that the family still lived at the 20 Little James Street address. These are the details shown on the census record; -

Henry Miller Head Aged 51 Farrier employing 1 manHarriett Miller Wife Aged 51Philip Miller Son Aged 23 Farriers assistantHenry Miller Son Aged 21 Newspaper shop Errand boyWilliam MillerSon Aged 20James Miller Son Aged 19Eliza Miller Dau Aged 17 Servant out of placeJohn Miller Son Aged 14 Farriers assistantThomas Miller Son Aged 11 ScholarRobert Miller Son Aged 10 Scholar

Because the information from this census shows that Henry was a Farrier and also an employer tends to confirm that he was by this time definitely in charge of the business

Philip (Farriers assistant) is possibly the one man employed by his father.

Because of his age, John (Farriers assistant) is probably an apprentice to his father and will not be earning a wage and therefore will not count as an employee.

There is no indication as to what William and James do for a living. However, this is not unusual if one looks at the census returns, where there are many gaps in the “Rank, Profession or Occupation” column.

On the 9th February 1852, Henry died of “Disease of the Heart and Lungs”, an illness that he had suffered from for many years. Eliza was present at the death. Harriett by then aged 52 was left to look after the family by herself. She must have been a competent woman, because by the time that the 1861 census was taken she was recorded as a Farrier herself, but we suspect that she ran the “office” side of the business while her sons did the work in the forge.

In 1857, the family moved from Little James Street to 34 Bell Street. This was probably the address of the forge at that time, but the properties along this street have since then been renumbered (possibly on more than one occasion), so we cannot be sure. One day I’ll try to search this out if any record of postal address renumbering is kept anywhere.

The 1861 Census shows that they lived at the 34 Bell Street premises. These are the details shown on the census record; -

Harriett Miller Head Aged 61 FarrierJohn Miller Son Aged 24 “Thomas G. Miller Son Aged 21 “Robert Miller Son Aged 20 “

Harriett is not shown on any further census records, so we can assume that she died between 1861 and 1871

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We know that Henry and Harriett had eight children. Not counting any offspring that Eliza may have produced, they had 24 grandchildren. Not all of these survived to start their own families, but the genes have still managed to spread far and wide.

Here’s where they all come from; ------

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ALL of the following information comes solely from census records and has not been corroborated via Births, Deaths or Marriages records.

PHILLIP

Philip born Marylebone c1828In the 1851 census, he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. He was a “Farriers Assistant” probably in the employ of his father.

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By the time that the 1861 census was taken, he had married Lydia (born c 1829 in Lynn, Norfolk). They lived at 14 Huntsworth Terrace, Marylebone. This address will make another appearance later. Two “L’s” are used in his name in this census. Phillip was the Head of his own family and his children were; -

Phillip born c1852 is a “Scholar”Lydia born c1855 is a “Scholar”Emily born c1858 is a “Scholar”George born c1860

Four lodgers were also living at the same address; -William Tucker born c1831 from Devon is a “Painter”John Tucker born c1846 from Devon is a “Painter”Chas Lacey born c1832 from Bath is a “Upholsterer”Edward Mansell born c1835 from St Marylebone is a “Painter”

Phillip is now shown as a “Farrier”.

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There are some significant changes being made within this family. The 1871 census has him living at 61 High Street, Wandsworth, London and he is now a “China Dealer”. Lydia, his wife is still with him. Other members of the family living there are; -

Phillip born c1851 is a “China Dealers Assistant”Lydia born c1855Robert born c1863Margaret born c1865Alice born c1866

There is also a “Servant”; -Elizabeth S Hubbard (born c 1853 in Little Dunham, Norfolk).

Even although it looks like this branch of the family has come up in the world, two of the children are missing from the list; -

Emily born c1858 (she would be 13 by now)George born c1860 (he would be 11 by now)

In view of their ages, these two in all probability succumbed to some childhood ailment. They would have been much too young to have left home.

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The 1881 census has them living at the same address, but the family is dispersing.

Phillip is still a “China Dealer” and living with Lydia. Still at home with them are; -Margarett born c1865William born c1874

There is also a “Domestic Servant“; -Emma Cawthorn (born c1862 in Norfolk).

A visitor is there as well -- Jane Nash (born c1864 in Wandsworth), a “Dressmaker“. She was 17 years old, so probably unmarried and I wonder if this was one of Lydia’s relations.

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In the 1891 census they are still at 61 High Street, Wandsworth.

Philip (back to a single “L”) is now shown as a “Farrier Smith”.

Lydia is a “China Shop Keeper”.

William born c1874 is a “China Shop Assistant”.

The “Domestic Servant - General” is now Annie Woodrow (born c1871 in Yarmouth).

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There is no record of Phillip or Lydia in the 1901 census.

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HENRY

Henry born Marylebone c1830

In the 1851 census he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. He was a “Newspaper Shop Errand Boy”.

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In the 1861 census he is living at 15 Huntsworth Terrace (remember this address?) with his wife Mary born c1829 in Middlesex.

He was a “Farrier”

There are no children,

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In the 1871 census he has married Eliza (born c1845 in Marylebone). They live at 22 Crompton Street (just off Edgware Road).

He was a “Farrier”

There are still no children.

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I have not found any sign of them in any further census records

----- ”” -----

WILLIAM

William born Marylebone c1831

In the 1851 census he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. There is no indication as to what his job is.

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In the 1961 census, he is married to Caroline (born c1826 in Sundon, Wiltshire -- more likely to be Swindon). They are living at Seymour Mews, Marylebone (Just off Wigmore Street near Portman Square).

He is a “Coachman”

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In the 1871 census they are still at 11 Seymour Mews and he is still a “Coachman”

There are no children.

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In the 1881 census they are at the same address and his job is unchanged -- a “Coachman”.

And there are still no children.

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I have not found any sign of him or his wife in later census returns.

----- “” -----

JAMES

James born Marylebone c1832

In the 1851 census he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. There is no indication as to what his job is.

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From here on, it looks like James had bad luck.

In the 1861 census, he is living at 3 Davies Street (off Oxford Street, near Bond Street).

He is a “Saddler”.

He is living with his daughter Sarah (born Marylebone c 1859).

He also has two sisters-in-law living with him; Martha Cook (born St George Hanover Square c1832) and Sarah Cook (born Hanover Square c1833). It looks very much like his wife died giving birth to little Sarah, who was just 2 years old at the time that the census was taken.

I have tried to find James’s wife’s name by looking at Martha Cook and Sarah Cook in the 1851 census, but this hasn’t worked. Martha was at the Hanover Square address with a visitor. I can’t find Sarah anywhere. However, we can make an educated guess that James’s wife’s surname would have been Cook.

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In the 1871 census he is living at 115 Hall Place (parallel to Edgeware Road).

He is a “Harness Maker”.

He is living with his wife, Mary (born Woostenbridge, Wiltshire c1835).

His daughter Sarah now aged 12 is still with him.

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By the 1881 census, he is living at 30 Campbell Street, Paddington and he is still a “Harness Maker”.

His wife is now Martha (born Oxfordshire c1827 -- they’re getting older).

His daughter Sarah is a still with him and she is now a “Dressmaker”.

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In 1891 he is a “Harness Maker” living at the same address in Campbell Street.

There is no sign of a wife.

His daughter Sarah, now aged 32, still lives with him.

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There is no sign of either of them in the 1901 census. James would have been 69 years old if he was still alive and Sarah would have been 42.

If Sarah had married, her name would have changed, so could still be alive.

You have got no idea how much I hope that she found a husband and happiness in later life.

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ELIZA

Eliza born Marylebone c1834

In the 1851 census she was living with her parents and brothers at 20 Little James Street. She was at that time a “Servant out of Place”.

There is no sign of her under the name of Eliza Miller in later census records. Most likely, she married.

Just for the hell of it I tried looking up “Eliza” in the 1861 census, ignoring temporarily any surname..

There were 33 Eliza’s with assorted surnames born in Marylebone in 1834. None of them has Miller as a surname.

8 of them are shown as “daughter”, so we can discard them.1 is an unmarried “sister”, so we can discard her.1 is an unmarried “cook”, so we can discard her.1 is an unmarried “visitor”, so we can discard her.1 is a “daughter in law” living with mum-in-law and husband in Yeovil. This has a chance of being a possible, but it’s unlikely. However, a possible is still a possible.9 are “servant”; 8 are unmarried, so we can discard them.

1 is married and is a possible.12 are “wife” and all are possible.

Our Eliza could be any one of the 14 possibles, although I tend to lean towards one of the 9 “wife’s” living around the Marylebone area. It would require a lot more research to get any further down this path and I think that I’ll leave that to someone else.

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JOHN

John born Marylebone c1827.

In the 1851 census he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. He is shown as a “Farriers Assistant”. At 14 years of age, he was probably apprenticed to his father.

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He was still at home in 1861, now living at 34 Bell Street. However, by then his father had died and his mother had taken over as head of the family. By now he was a “Farrier”.

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By the time that the 1871 census was taken, he had his own family. They lived at 14 Huntsworth Terrace (haven‘t I seen this address somewhere before?). His wife was Ellen (born c1839 in Limerick, Ireland).

Their children were; -Mary A. born c1860 is a “Scholar”John born c1863 is a “Scholar”Edward born c1867 is a “Scholar”Rose H. born c1869

He is still working as a “Farrier”

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By 1881 his family has grown and they are living at 32 Hethpool Street, Paddington (Hethpool Street worried me for quite some time, because I couldn’t find it on any map and in other places in the records, it’s called Heathpool Street. I can now confirm that Hethpool is the correct spelling. It isn’t shown on any modern street maps, but I managed to find it on a pre-war street map that we bought for 50p at a car boot sale. It was a short street running parallel to Edgeware Road and leading of Crompton Street).

John and Ellen’s children are; -John born c1863 is a “Farrier”Edward born c1866 is a “Farrier”Rose born c1869 is a “Scholar”Phillip born c1871 is a “Scholar”Ellen born c1873 is a “Scholar”Alice born c1876 is a “Scholar”

Mary A. Miller born c1860 is no longer there. She would be 21 by this time, so she had probably married and left home.

Also at this address are; -A lodger, Joseph J.Brooks born c1847 in Sanderstead, Surrey. He is a “Police Constable”And Pamela Webber born c1856 in Burbage, Wiltshire. She is shown as a “Wife”. I

wonder whose?

John is still a “Farrier.”

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The 1891 census returns show that John is still living at the Hethpool Street address, but his wife is no longer with him.

However, some of his children are still with him; -Philip born c1871 is now a “Farrier/Smith”.Ellen born c1873 is shown as a “Housekeeper”.Alice born c1876 is a “Dressmaker”

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By 1901 the household in much reduced, but still at 32 Hethpool Street.John now aged 64 is a “Master Farrier/Blacksmith”. He employs his son Phillip who is a “Farrier/Blacksmith”.

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THOMAS

Thomas born Marylebone c1841

In the 1851 census he was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. He was a “Scholar” at that time.

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In 1861 he still lived at home (and is referred to in the census as Thomas G. Miller). By then his father had died and his mother Harriett was head of the household. Thomas was now a “Farrier” who probably worked for his mum.

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By 1871 he was married and had his own family. His wife was Louisa born c1846 in St Marylebone. They lived at 50 Bell Street.

Just to make things interesting ------ in this census, the head of the household was William Paddick and Thomas is shown as his stepson. This was a definite mistake and should have been son-in-law (in the 1861 census, William Paddick born c1821 is the father of Louisa Paddick born c1846 and they lived at 50 Bell Street).William Paddick was a Coachman, so would have known the Miller family well, quite apart from the fact that he lived just down the road.

The children of Thomas and Louisa; -Charles born c 1865Agnes born c1866Louisa born c1868Frederick born c1870

Also living at this address were; -Jesse Eliza Brooks, a lodger born c1849 in MiddlesexJemina Hancock, William Paddick’s Daughter born c1846 in PaddingtonGeorge Hancock, William Paddick’s son-in-law born c1840 in Middlesex.

William Paddick must have been a tolerant man to have so many various relatives living under his roof.

There is no occupation shown for anyone at this address.

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The 1881 census shows Thomas and Louisa living at 60 Bell Street, Marylebone.

Thomas is shown as a “Coachman/Ironmonger”.

Their children are; -Charles H. Miller born c1865. He is a “Bricklayers Laborer”.Robert W. Miller born 1866. He is an “Ironmongers Porter”.Ada A. Miller born c1873. She is a “Scholar”William W. Miller born c1877. He is a “Scholar”Benjamin L. Miller born c1880. Although it doesn’t say it, he was a baby.

Missing from this list are: -Agnes born 1866 (she would be 15 years old by now)Louisa born c1868 (she would be 13 years old by now)Frederick born c1870 (he would be 11 years old by now)

And where did Robert W. Miller born c1866 appear from? He wasn’t shown on the 1871 census.

----There is no sign of Thomas or Louisa in any further census records.

----- “” -----

ROBERT

Robert born Marylebone 1840.

Robert gets the next chapter to himself.

ROBERT MILLER1840 - 1909

ROBERT

Robert Miller was born in Marylebone on the 18th July 1840. His father was Henry Miller, a farrier, who plied his trade from the family forge premises in what is now Bell Street, Marylebone

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Robert Miller 1901

On the 20th December 1868, Robert married Alice Maud Mary Withers at All Saints Church,

Paddington. She was the daughter of Edward Withers, a coach trimmer. Alice was born c1845/6 in Marylebone.

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Alice Maud Mary Miller 1902

Robert and Alice had 8 children (they actually had 11 but 3 didn’t survive birth); -Robert born c1870

Alice born c1873William born c1882Edith born c1877Arthur born 1884Florence born 1875Albert Edward born 1887Frank born c1892

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Standing left to right; Arthur, Frank, Alice, William, Albert, Robert (jnr)Sitting left to right; Florence, Robert (snr), Alice, Edith

This picture was taken in 1905

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This picture, and some of those that follow, were taken by William Miller. He obviously owned a camera by then and this was very early in photographic terms for anyone other than a professional photographer to own one. Such an advanced gadget would have been relatively expensive. His pictures give us an insight into our family that would not normally have been possible (who else do you know who can boast of such a good collection of early family photographs?).

Just like his father, Robert was a farrier and veterinary. He had learned his trade from his father and worked all his life at the family forge, established in 1771 and situated in Bell Street, Marylebone, Middlesex.

The year that this picture was taken is not known. Robert Miller is standing second from the left. It’s possible that one or more of the others are his brothers, whilst the rest would be employees. We are lucky to have such an early picture of these premises and the fact that we can identify even one of the people in it makes it so interesting to our family.

Note the planked off area on the right, with the crowd of onlookers in front of it. The “Green Man” public house stands here. It would be interesting to know just when the Green Man was built, because it could give some indication as to when the forge was built. Or maybe it won’t.

Now just a quick word about early photography --- In many old photographs that one sees there are people standing about looking at the camera. How do they get themselves into a picture?

Photographers (like William Miller) had large wooden cameras built like sheds. They had to mount them on top of a hefty tripod and then get themselves under a dark sheet to focus the camera though the lens before inserting the plate (negative) in the back of the apparatus. All this took time. The subjects stood in their places while this was going on and any bystanders would try to latch on to somewhere at the edge of the scene so that they could be included in the picture. Although cameras were quite a rare sight, most people knew what they were when they saw one. They also knew that they had to keep quite still while the picture was being taken. There was very little chance that they would ever see the finished product, but the thought of having ones picture taken was a great attraction to them and there was always a chance that they would indeed get a chance to see themselves immortalized in a photograph.

This picture of the forge workers was taken in 1903. Robert Miller isn’t among them and it’s probable that he had retired by then. I get the impression that the chap with his arms folded is probably fairly high up in the chain of command.

Because of its date, this picture poses a bit of a puzzle. Within a few months of it being taken, the Bell Street forge was demolished.

The inscription under this picture from William’s album is “All struck work” and I wonder if this is some sort of inference that the forge had just closed down? With the exception of the chap on the right, who could almost be smiling, they all look pretty grim. And what would the chap third from the left, wearing a collar and tie, be doing in a forge?

Perhaps we will find out more as time and research progresses.

Although none of Robert’s children followed him into the farrier trade, close links with the forge must have been maintained for some time.

Here we have this picture of the Bell Street property taken by the local council on 27 th March 1904, shortly before it was demolished and re-developed as Edgeware Road tube station (Bakerloo Line). Even then they were taking pictures for the archives.

Compare the dilapidated condition of the building with the previous picture taken from virtually the same place. It would have taken quite a few years for it to deteriorate this far. The Green Man is now more recognizable as a public house, but the small part of it that we see here could have been added after the previous picture was taken (to cover up the pipes that were behind the wooden boards). The gas lamppost is now leaning at a bit of a drunken angle. Maybe some revelers from the Green Man have been using it to hold themselves up.

As far as I can make out, the writing on building on the far side of the forge says;-???? COCOAFACTORY

CHIEF RETAIL DEPOT310 EDGEWARE ROAD

OPPOSITE ?????AND

BRAN?????

Where this cocoa factory once stood is now Burne House, a telephone exchange, and right next

to the forge building is the entrance to Edgeware Road tube station underground car park.

----- “” -----

CENSUS RECORD FINDINGS

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In the 1851 census, Robert was living with his parents, brothers and sister at 20 Little James Street. He is shown as a “Scholar”.

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In the 1861 census, he is now 21 years old and still at home with his mother, who is now head of the family, at 34 Bell Street. Robert is now a “Farrier” working for/with his mother.

It’s not certain that at that time No.34 Bell Street is the forge. It looks like the family owned more than one property in Bell Street and the numbering system changed as the area expanded. This needs to be checked.

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The 1871 Census records details for 34 Bell Street as; -Robert Miller Head Aged 30Alice Miller Wife Aged 25Robert Miller Son Aged 1

Whoever transcribed the information from the enumerators book to computer, spelt Miller as Mitter -- something of a bitch when one is searching through an alphabetical list. As a result, I had to trawl through hundreds of incorrect pages trying to find our Robert. To add insult to injury, they made it difficult for me to trace the family through Alice by calling her “Mere Maud Mitter” when they transferred the information from the enumerator’s book to the computer. How on earth did someone manage to read Alice as Mere? I eventually found them by trawling through dozens of pages of the scanned enumerators books. Perseverance paid off.

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By 1881, the family have moved to 26 Heathpool Street (should be Hethpool). The census records show; -

Robert Miller Head Aged 40 FarrierAlice M.M. Miller Wife Aged 36Robert Miller Son Aged 11 ScholarAlice M. Miller Dau Aged 8 ScholarFlorence E. Miller Dau Aged 6 ScholarEdith H. Miller Dau Aged 4 Scholar

Quite by accident, during my search through the census records I found living at No.36 Bell

Street a Robert Miller (born Marylebone c1862). He was a “Farrier” living on his own. He doesn’t seem to appear anywhere in the alphabetical list, so someone was having a really bad day at his computer. As far as I can tell, this particular Robert is nothing to do with our Robert. Perhaps he comes from one of Henry’s brothers (if he had any? -- one day I‘ll find a bit more on this chap).

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The 1891 census shows that the family has moved to an address at 16 Canterbury Terrace. Further away from the forge, but Robert was investing his earnings from the forge by buying up property and it may have been at the time a “nicer” area. These are the census record details; -

Robert Miller Head Aged 50 Farrier SmithAlice Miller Wife Aged 46Robert Miller Son Aged 21 Boot Maker - ClickerFlorence Miller Dau Aged 16Edith Miller Dau Aged 14 ScholarWilliam MillerSon Aged 9 ScholarArthur Miller Son Aged 7 ScholarAlbert Miller Son Aged 3

Alice born c1873 is not on the list. She would be 18 years old by now. As far as we’re aware she never married, so she probably lives where she works. More later.

And what on earth is a “Clicker”? Find out later.

Living next door at No.15 Canterbury Terrace is another family of Millers. So far, I have not been able to establish a link.

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By the time of the 1901 census, they have moved to 92 Glengall Road, Kilburn, only a short distance from the Canterbury Terrace property. This property is in a terrace of houses and was almost certainly a “nicer” area than the Canterbury Terrace property (Canterbury Terrace has been completely redeveloped since WWII).

Robert Miller Head Aged 60 FarrierAlice Miller Wife Aged 56Edith Miller Dau Aged 24 Fishmongers ClerkWilliam MillerSon Aged 19 Railway ClerkArthur Miller Son Aged 17Albert Miller Son Aged 13Frank Miller Son Aged 9

Arthur has a job, but I haven’t been able to decipher the enumerators scrawl.

In March 1909, Robert aged 68 died. He was buried in Paddington Old Cemetery (Grave No.12717. Section 2.3A). During the time that he was a veterinary/farrier, he blended an

ointment to be rubbed on horses joints when they became rheumaticy. This prescription was a great success, but he kept the formula secret and it was never passed on.

Alice Maud Mary lived on for another 22 years, living off the rental from the various properties that Robert had accumulated and possibly the occasional sale of one. She was therefore financially fairly comfortably looked after. She was visited by her children and she visited them.

According to George Edward Miller, her grandson, she was a grim and unsmiling woman who he did not like. On the occasions that she came to stay with his family, her leaving couldn’t come quick enough. As far as he was concerned, she was a miserable old woman.

She died on 19th May 1931 aged 86, at the 92 Glengall Road property and was interred with her husband on 21st May 1931. The headstone from this grave was removed in recent years under a

clearance scheme and everything was grassed over.

----- “” -----

During the late 1890’s or early 1900’s, the farrier business in Bell Street closed down. The London Underground Railway wanted the Bell Street property as part of its Edgeware Road station and it’s unlikely that there would have been any possibility of arguing with them. Actually, it’s quite likely that they gave a fair price for the property (maybe even a good price). We have no records of the business moving to a different address, so it was certainly wound up. Although the horse was still the main form of local and personal transport, the underground railway would have started to cut down on the amount of horse drawn traffic going into London.

From the mid-1800’s, steam traction engines were being used to transport goods by road and the bigger farms were using steam engines for ploughing, threshing, etc. Also, the motor car had been invented c1885/6 and by 1900 they would have been fairly commonplace (at least amongst Robert‘s wealthier customers). The writing was certainly on the wall for anyone who relied on maintaining horses for their living.

By 1900, Robert would have been 60 years of age.

Looking back to Robert’s father Henry; all of his sons at some time worked with horses, either as farriers or as harness makers/saddlers. None of Robert’s children had learned the farrier’s trade, so he was the last one to do so in this branch of the family. Perhaps he realized that there were more than enough farriers in the area with, amongst others, his brothers carrying on the trade. Or maybe he wanted something different for his children.

It’s interesting to note that from of a family that had done so well out of bending metal and nailing it to horses hoofs, only three of Henry’s grandsons learned the trade and carried on the tradition. They were the sons of John (born c1827).

----- “” -----

The birth of Alice Maud Mary Withers was not registered -- although Births, Deaths and Marriages were officially registered from 1836/37, it was not compulsory to do so until the 1870’s. However, on census returns from 1871 and later her birth year is shown as c1846.

Alice Maud Mary Withers has been one of the difficult ones. Even now we are working with a best guess with the information that we have been able to find.

To start with and to make things more difficult, we didn’t know where she was born, so can’t trace her from the “other end”. We also didn’t know where she was living before she married Robert (we can guess at somewhere relatively near Marylebone) and to make it even more difficult we didn’t know how old her father was, where he was born, or where he was living. We didn’t even know who he was married to (Alice’s mother)

What we did know for certain is that Alice married Robert on 20th December 1868 at All Saints Church, Paddington. Their marriage certificate tells us that her father was Edward Withers, a “Coach Trimmer” and the witnesses were Mary Ann Withers and John Miller.

We know who John Miller is -- if you’ve been paying attention up to this point.

Mary Ann Withers was probably a relative of Alice, most likely a sister.

I thought it might prove to be a useful to try to find out a bit about Alice before she married Robert and looking for Alice Withers in the 1851 and 1861 census’ seemed to be a good way to find out something, Census records don’t usually have all of a persons Christian names unless the head of the house was meticulous about it, so just using Alice seemed a good way to go.

In spite of a trawl through hundreds of entries, there isn’t a single Alice Withers that’s even a close match in either the 1851 census or the 1861 census. It was almost like she had appeared out of nowhere.

OK, so I looked for her father Edward Withers. All I could go on was that he was male, probably lived somewhere near Marylebone, was a “Coach Trimmer” and had a daughter named Alice. I guessed at his birth date as being somewhere between 1800 and 1820

I looked at hundreds more entries and couldn’t find a single one with an Alice in the household. Forget the Maud Mary bit.

Or maybe not.

When census records started 150 odd years ago, people weren’t as clever as us smart arses. Many people couldn’t read or write, so the enumerator wrote the details for them. All the enumerator wanted to do was get enough details to fill the form and get away to the next door neighbour. Unless he was super conscientious, because he had dozens of addresses to visit in a day he wouldn’t have been very interested in the finer details. In all probability he would just ask for the surname and then the first name.

If Edward usually referred to his daughter as Alice, that’s what he would tell the enumerator. But my own sister-in-law has always been called by her second name Jean, even although her first name is Berenice. If Edward usually called his daughter Maud and that’s what had been put on the form, I’d been looking in the wrong place.

Back at the computer I searched through lots more entries under Maud Withers, but found nothing anywhere near close enough. I then went back and did the same search with Mary Withers and Bingo, I found her. And she was even the daughter of an Edward Withers that I’d already discarded quite early in the search because he didn’t have a daughter called Alice.

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Let’s start with 1841 census. We start with another mistake made by whoever entered the details

into the computer, because they wrote Wethers instead of Withers. The enumerators book has it correctly spelt; -

Edward Withers born c1817 in Marylebone “Coach Trimmer”Elizabeth Withers born c1821 St Giles’s “House Servant”Sarah Withers born c1843Mary Withers born c1845Maria Withers born c1850

Also at this address are; -Heinrich Fick born c1800 in Germany Dr of Philosophy. ??? of

LanguagesHarry Smith born c1841 in Marylebone A visitor at the house

They live at 3 Ledbury Terrace, Kensington

Heinrich Fick is the “Head” of the household. In this census, Edward and Elizabeth are both shown as “Serv” in the “Relation to Head of Family” column. We assume that they are husband and wife working for Heinrich.

We now have an Edward Withers born in the right time frame, living (and even born) in the right area, with the right job, with a daughter of the correct age that just about fits with Alice Maud Mary Withers.

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In the 1861 census this family is living at 40 Stephen Street, Marylebone; -Edward Withers born c1817 in Marylebone “Coach Trimmer”Elizabeth Withers born c1821 in St LukeMary Withers born c1845Maria Withers born c1850Edward Withers born c1853Charles Withers born c1860

Sarah is not shown on the list. She would be 18 years old by this time so could have moved to her place of employment, got married or died.

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In the 1871 census they are living at 6 Stephen Street; -Edward Withers born c1817 in Marylebone “Coach Trimmer”Elizabeth Withers born c1821 at St Luke “Dressmaker”Maria Withers born c1851 “Artificial ?????”Charles Withers born c1859

There is also a lodger; -Mary Phillips born c1852 in Upminster “Dress Maker”

It looks like Edward (junior) has left home or died.

Mary (Alice Maud Mary) isn‘t there any more -- we should know where she has got to.

----- “” -----

It’s now time to look at Robert and Alice’s children a bit more closely; -

----- “” -----

ROBERT

1905

Robert, born Marylebone c1870

Robert married Kate, but they had no children.

He became a bus driver and then a bus inspector.

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In the 1991 census, Robert is shown as a “Boot Maker -- Clicker”. It would appear that a “Clicker” is a “Foreman shoemaker who cuts out the leather and gives out work” (O.E.D. definition). Perhaps a bit ambitious for a 21 years old? But then again, what do I know about boot making?

Probably self-promotion to make himself appear more important then he really was. This is not the last time that Robert will do this. He is also not the only person to promote themselves in this

manner in his entries in the census records.

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The only Robert Miller (born c 1870 in Marylebone) that we have found in the 1901 census who nearly fit’s the bill isn‘t married to Kate, he is married to Ester C. (born c1871 in Marylebone).

They live at 4 Lynton Road, Willesdon. He is an “Omnibus Manager“. Near enough to a bus inspector I think and it looks like he gave himself a better job for the census return, just like he (probably) did when he was a boot maker.

Robert was 31 at the time of this census, so it is quite possible that he lost Ester after 1901 and married Kate at a later date.

More research is needed here.

Although he can’t be seen here, Robert Miller is the driver of this omnibus. It looks like the forerunner of the “B” Type London General buses, many of which were used to transport troops at the “front” during WWI. As a result of their war service, they became known as “Old Bill” buses.

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In the marriage records, I have found a Robert Miller who married Esther Catherine White in the September quarter of 1899 at Hendon district.

In the deaths records I have found an Esther Miller who died in the September quarter of 1901 (after the census was taken).

In the marriage records I have found a Robert Miller who married Kate Morris in the December quarter of 1908 at Poplar district.

These records may, or may not be our Robert. Further checking needed here, but it is more than likely that they are our Bob.

George Edward Miller remembered his Uncle Bob and Auntie Kate. “Robert had a large Walrus moustache which he constantly caressed. Auntie Kate claimed to have a “floating kidney” (George always burst into fits of laughter when recounting this) and she would for no reason whatever suddenly start to cry uncontrollably”.

ALICE

1902

Alice, born Marylebone c1873.

Never married.

She helped her mother and worked in a butchers office.

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She was not with the family in the 1891 census.

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I have found an Alice M. Miller (born c1872 in Marylebone) in the 1891 census who just about matches. She was a “Draper”s Assistant” living with her employer and his wife; John Chapman

(born c1843 in Rochester, Kent) and Sarah Chapman (born c1834 in Hythe, Kent). Their address is shown as 99 Lupus Street.

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In the 1901 census there is a Alice Miller (born c1873 in Paddington), living at her employer‘s residence. Arthur Burr (born c1866 in Marylebone) was a “Butcher“ at 96 North End Road. She is a “Servant” in the household, but is a “Clerk” in the occupation column. Another “Servant”, Marian Evans (born c1856 in Islington) is also living at the premises. This fits perfectly with our Alice.

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WILLIAM

William Miller 1903

William, born Marylebone c1882

Was known in the family as Bill.

He married Maud and they had a son named Robert.

Maud Miller 1903

Robert “Bobby” Miller 1905

William was a house decorator.

He died of T.B.

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In the 1901 census he is shown as a “Railway Clerk”

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William was the camera owner and took most of these pictures. He eventually gave his camera to my father, George Edward Miller.

EDITH

Edith Miller 1903

Edith, born Marylebone c1877

Was known in the family as Edie.

She married Jack Pearson and they had a son named Jack.

Jack Pearson 1902

Jack Pearson junior 1905

In the 1901 census, Edith is shown as a “Fishmongers Clerk”

ARTHUR

1902

Arthur, born Marylebone March 1884

Arthur married Monica in September 1906

Arthur’s wedding to Monica in September 1906Standing; Monica’s father and mother, Alice, Robert, Albert

Sitting; Monica and Arthur

Arthur and Monica had a son named Dennis.

It would seem that Monica was a bit of a flirt and this worried Arthur so much that they emigrated to Australia.

Dennis was sadly killed in 1922 in an accident involving a tram whilst in Sidney, Australia.

We have lost track of this branch of the family and do not know if they had any further children

Dennis Miller 1908

The toy LEHMANN’S AUTOBUS that Dennis has is a fair likeness of the bus driven by Robert Miller in the picture of Edgeware Road. The toy was manufactured in Germany by Ernst Paul Lehmann and would have been an expensive toy by the standards of the time – in mint condition now we would be looking at a high three figure sum, possibly even four figures, on the collectors market.

In this picture Dennis is wearing a dress. This was not uncommon back in those days. He would not have worn trousers for another year or two after the picture was taken.

FLORENCE

Florence, born Marylebone c1875

Florence never married.

She was an office worker.

ALBERT

Albert Edward, born Marylebone 1887

Albert gets the next chapter to himself.

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FRANK

Frank Miller 1902

Frank, born Marylebone c1892

Frank married May.

They had three children; Roy, Doris and Iris.

Iris, Roy and Doris 1919

Frank started his working life as a taxi driver

During World War 1 he joined the army and was caught up in a German gas attack when in the trenches and was sent home. He convalesced at Mount Vernon Hospital and made a fair recovery.

After the war he found employment working for Meredith & Drew (biscuit manufacturers) and eventually became area manager of the South West of England based in Exeter.

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.

ALBERT EDWARD MILLER

1887 - 1967

ALBERT EDWARD

We now turn to Albert Edward Miller, born 3rd August 1887 at 16 Canterbury Terrace, St Mary, Paddington. He was the fourth son of Robert Miller and Alice Maud Mary Miller.

At that time, his father was working in the family forge in Bell Street, Marylebone as a veterinary and farrier.

When he was just a baby, he was accidentally dropped and suffered a serious injury to his hip. This did not stop him from doing all the things that young boys do, but as time passed, one leg became progressively shorter than the other as his hip bone ground his pelvis away. Eventually his hip was operated on (one of the first of this type of operation) which cured the pain, but left the hip joint fused together. From then onwards, he was unable to move this joint and had a very pronounced limp. This operation today would result in a replacement hip joint, but back then this procedure was not possible.

He didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps (and neither did any of his brothers). When he finished his schooling he worked for a short time for a grocer and then secured a job as a Clerk in the offices of the Church of England Waifs and Strays Society at Kennington, London. He stayed with this organization for his entire working life and became a much trusted and valued employee.

On the 17th October 1909, Albert, now aged 22, married Kate Emily Webb at St Pauls Church, Kilburn.

Kate Emily Webb

Kate was the daughter of George James Webb and Eliza Ann Webb (nee Phillips). She was born

on 24th January 1888.

----- “” -----

We’ve already dealt with Albert’s father and grandfather, so we know where he came from. However, a diversion at this point into where Kate Emily originated from will not go amiss. It will be a long diversion, but makes interesting reading that is very sad in places, but eventually her path will converge with that of Albert.

The earliest census that we have traced this family back to is 1851, where there is an entry for James Webb, who was born c1820 at St Giles, Middlesex. He was a “Carpenter and Joiner”, living at 6 Norfolk Place, Mile End Old Town.

We know from research undertaken by Kathleen Alice Miller that he married Emma Matilda Withers on 18th October 1843.

The entry in the 1851 census is as follows; -James Webb born c1820 Head Carpenter and JoinerEmma Matilda Webb born c1818 WifeMaria Ann Webb born c1845 Dau ScholarGeorge James Webb born c1846 Son ScholarEmma Webb born c1848 Dau ScholarJames Webb born c1851 Son Scholar

Also at the same address are; -Ann Withers born c1791 Wifes Mother Under Parish Relief NurseAlfred Withersborn c1833 Wifes Brother PlastererCaroline Clark born c1818 Lodger Needlewoman

In the enumerator’s book, it states that Emma Matilda was born in Southampton, Devon. As we all know that Southampton is in Hampshire, so I think that we can safely assume that Devon was a mistake. We can also tell from this record that her maiden name was Withers (but definitely not a relation to the Alice Maud Mary Withers who married Robert Miller in 1868).

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The 1861 census has them living at the same 6 Norfolk Place address; -James Webb born c1820 Head CarpenterEmma M Webb born c1818 Wife MidwifeMaria A Webb born c1851 Dau ScholarJames H Webbborn c1849 Son ScholarLeonard W Webb born c1852 Son ScholarThomas A Webb born c1853 Son Scholar

Living with them is; -Charles Withers born c1819 Brother Carpenter

This census poses a couple of problems. It looks like they have got the dates of birth of the children wrong. On the census forms, it’s a person’s age that is entered, rather than the year of birth, which is why we always put the “c” in front of the year. Unless one knows for sure the birth date, the year can only be assessed. Up to a point, this will be affected by the date that the census was taken on. However, it really does look like they made a bigger cock up with these dates.

Note that George James, who would now be aged about 15, is missing from the list. Also, Emma, who would now be 13, is no longer there.

This census has Emma Matilda as being born in Rumsey Hampshire. There is no Rumsey, so this probably should be Romsey (more later).

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Things have changed by the time that the 1871 census was taken. It looks very much like James has died and that Emma is now head of the household. At this time they are living at 135 Malden Road; -

Emma Webb born c1818 Head MidwifeG H Webb born c1849 Son Plasterer(??) out of employMaria Webb born c1851 DauLeonard Webb born c1853 SonArthur Webb born c1862 Son Scholar

The writing in the enumerator’s book for this census is very faint and I have been unable to decipher the occupations of Maria and Leonard, whilst that of GH is probably correct. After a closer look at what is written in the book, I suspect that GH should be JH (James H) -- the year of birth would fit with this.

There’s still no sign of George James though, but let’s not give up yet.

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In 1881, it gets a bit tricky with the census, the address is now 138 Malden Road, St Pancras; -Emma Webb born c1818 Head MidwifeCaroline M. Webb born c1867 Granddaughter

I wonder who’s daughter Caroline is.

At the same address, but entered as a separate household is: -James K. Webb born c1850 Son (Head) PlastererMary E. Webb born c1846 Step Daughter (see below)Marian E. Webb born c1878 GranddaughterWilliam G Webb born c1880 SonInfant Webb born c1881` Son

Also in this household is; -Charles Withers born c1819 Visitor Carpenter

It looks like Emma is struggling along on her own and now has to care for her granddaughter (well, wouldn’t you if it was necessary?). However, she does have her son nearby, but this is beginning to look a bit sad. Infant Webb has probably only just been born and doesn’t yet have a name and I suspect that his mother died during the process of bringing him into the world. Poor little sod. And poor James.

Mary E Webb, James’ step daughter, was born in New York, America and is 4 years younger than he is. This tends to suggest that he married an older woman, probably at least 20 years his senior. It takes all sorts. It would make her about 50 years old when she gave birth to Infant Webb and could this be a reason for her dying in childbirth.

And then there’s Marian E Webb, James’ granddaughter. We wonder if she was Mary E’s daughter, who James adopted (been there, seen it, done it, bought the T shirt -- but mine was younger).

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EMMA MATILDA WEBB

I’ll now take a short diversion into Emma Matilda Webb’s background. We have the information, so we should include it.

We have the information from the census records, which show that she was born in Southampton (1851) and Rumsey (Romsey?) (1861). Romsey isn’t far from Southampton. Either could be correct.

Her parents were Thomas and Ann Withers. Their marriage is recorded at Nursling, in Southampton, on 3rd September 1813. Ann’s maiden name was Hennem.

Thomas was an Organ Builder.

Emma must have been born c1818, but we have not found any record of this. By 1819, the family had moved to London. One wonders if she was perhaps born en-route between the two cities, which would make Romsey a likely place and would also explain the confusion between Southampton and Romsey being recorded as her birthplace. It would also explain why we have been unable to find any baptism records for her.

As far as we know, Emma had two siblings, a brother, Charles and a sister, Caroline Hennem.

----- “” -----

OK, I think I’ve just about gone as far as I need to down this branch line, so let’s get back to

George James Webb. Remember that he wasn’t with the family in 1861 census when he was 15 years old.

Family legend has it that he went to a Dame School at St Pancras, where he fell foul of one of the teachers by dropping a slate on her foot. There were Dame Schools dotted about all over the place and it would seem that a Dame School is one run by old ladies. This incident with the slate prompted him to run away to sea. One gets the feeling that he was possibly a bit of a problem child.

Let’s see if we can throw some light on this by using the census records.

In the 1861 census records, there are 2 possible candidates; -One was a George Webb, aged 15, who was a live-in “Errand Boy” for a Chemist &

Druggist at 77 Brewer Street, St Pancras.The other was a George Webb aged 15, who was a “relative” living with George Wheeler,

a Dock Labourer residing in Tower Hamlets. In spite of his young age, George is shown as a “Mariner”.

I have no idea who George Wheeler was, probably an uncle or cousin, but this George Webb looks very much like our ancestor to me. Living by the docks and a mariner as well, he has to be.

Going back to the earliest census and searching for the family in 1841 proved to be difficult. I have located a family of Webb’s living in Hyde Place, Tower Hamlets and this looks like our lot.

Richard Webb Aged 40 CarpenterCharlotte Webb Aged 40Mary Webb Aged 20James Webb Aged 20 Carpenter (were Mary & James twins?)William Webb Aged 15 Paper Stainer (maybe??)John Webb Aged 15 (do twins run in this family?)Sarah Webb Aged 10Samuel Webb Aged 5Charlotte Webb Aged 3Eliza Webb Aged 12 monthsWilliam Wheeler Aged 35 Carpenter

The 1841 census does not give any indication as to relationships between the various people in a household, so we don’t know what William Wheeler’s relationship with the family is, but the coincidence of the surname and the information in the 1861 census does indicate that the Wheeler’s were in fact blood relations.

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On to the 1871 census and I can find only one candidate; -

George Webb, born c1846, was an Able Bodied Mariner serving on the “Rachael” out of

Yarmouth. He was also “Married”.

I’m quite happy to accept that this is our George. However, “our” George married Eliza Ann Phillips in 1873, so the “Married” in this census poses a problem. This could be a mistake or maybe wishful thinking -- I’m inclined towards the wishful thinking. There is a possibility that Eliza Ann was his second wife and we cannot ignore that, but a lot more research would be needed to prove this one way or the other. There is no sign of a wife, anywhere, at the time of the census though.

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By the time of the 1881 census, he was back on dry land, living at 89 Queens Crescent, St Pancras. The “hue and cry” of his misdemeanour must have died down by now.

In this census we have; -George Webb born c 1846 Head Furniture SalesmanEliza Ann Webb born c1851 WifeGeorgina R Webb born c1875 Dau ScholarEliza M Webb born c1877 DauEveline M Webb born c1878 DauThomas A G Webb born c1880 Son

Eliza Ann was from Nash, Newport, Monmouthshire. George probably met her when in port there.

All this and there’s still no sign of Kate Emily. Things are about to change.

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In the 1891 census the family was living at 2 Crane Street, Greenwich. It‘s here that we see Kate for the first time; -

George Webb born c1845 Head Furniture SalesmanEliza A Webb born c1851 Wife DressmakerGeorgina R Webb born c1875 DauEliza M Webb born c1877 DauThomas H A Webb born c1880 SonKate Emily Webb born c1888 Dau

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By the time that the next census was taken in 1901, both George and Eliza had died and the family dispersed.

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Kate Emily was just 7 years old when her mother passed away and only 10 years old when her

father died. Her recollection of her father was that he was a very tall man, but we think that he was actually only of average height, but he would have appeared very big to a ten year old girl.

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One has the feeling that George and his father almost certainly weren’t the brightest lights on the Christmas tree. They both got their birth dates wrong. George confused those of his children, got his children’s names wrong and apparently, George even got his own name wrong.

It also seems fairly certain that George tried to give the impression that he was more important than he really was. I doubt that he was ever an engineer, marine or otherwise (and I will be pleased to be proved wrong about this).

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GEORGE JAMES WEBB

George James Webb was born on 6th December 1845 at 18 John Street, Stepney.

He married Eliza Ann Phillips at St Johns Church, Hampstead on 3 rd November 1873. She was the daughter of William Phillips of Shropshire, a farmer. George’s occupation was listed as “Engineer”, and his father James as “Carpenter”. The witnesses were William Sadler and Eliza Prichard.

In the 1871 census, George is shown serving as an Able Bodied Seaman on the “Rachel” out of Yarmouth. If he was indeed an engineer, he had obviously learned his engineering trade whilst at

sea -- during his last year or so as a mariner.

George and Eliza Ann set up home at 2 Grafton Terrace, Kentish Town, where their first child was born. Georgina Rebecca was born on 26th September 1874. On the birth certificate, George is shown as an “Engine Smith”.

Eliza Maria, always known as “Tizz” was the next to arrive, in 1876. She was followed by Evelyn Maud in 1878. A son arrived next, Thomas Henry Augustus, on 3rd February 1880.

Thomas Henry Augustus was born at 6 Warden Road, Kentish Town, so the family had moved during the last year or so of the 1870’s.

George is by this time a “Shop Salesman”, but is shown on the census records as “Furniture Salesman” --- guess what kind of shop he worked in? They were still living within easy reach of the river Thames, with its busy docks, so one wonders why George didn’t continue with marine engineering work. There should have been plenty of this type of work in shore based establishments and “Furniture Salesman” doesn’t sound like it would pay as well as an engineer. Or am I just guessing?

The next child to arrive was Emma Mary Ann on 25th February 1885 at 7 Allcroft Road, Kentish Town. Their next and last child was Kate Emily, born on 24th January 1888 at 2 Wellesley Road, Kentish Town. George is still selling furniture.

Shortly after this, the family moved to Greenwich. Kate Emily later said that at one time they lived in rooms at what had previously been the Trafalgar Hotel and that she used to sit on the window ledge and dangle her feet in the River Thames. However, this story can not be substantiated. The Trafalgar Hotel is certainly built right next to the river and it would indeed have been possible to sit on a window ledge just above the water level. But one would have needed very long legs for them to reach the level of the water flowing past.

However, the 1891 census has them living at 2 Crane Street, which runs along the back of the Trafalgar Hotel and just around the corner from Greenwich Royal Naval College. At this address they occupy 3 rooms. Eliza Ann was a dressmaker and probably taught her daughters to follow in her footsteps.

George at this time became a Coffee House Keeper in Woolwich New Road (so Starbucks is nothing new then?). Kate Emily once said that it was like a small grocers shop where he probably ground his own coffee.

The family then moved to 16 Park Row. This was in a row of terraced houses running from the foreshore to Greenwich Park (it was bombed during WWII and has since been rebuilt).

Sometime during 1894/95, Eliza Ann became very ill. Georgina Rebecca would have been 24 years old and had probably married and moved away. She had been apprenticed to a court dressmaker called Marian Ware. Eliza Maria (Tizz) was also training there, but had to leave to look after her mother. Eliza Ann died on 4th April 1895, aged 47 years. She had died of

“Epithelima” (cancer) of the Larynx. On her death certificate, George is listed as a Marine Engineer and Eliza Maria was present at the death.

Eliza Ann was buried in a public grave at Greenwich Cemetery, now called Well Hall Cemetery.

George carried on for a couple more years, but life had taken its toll and he died on 24 th October 1898 at the Union Infirmary of “Ch, Intestinal Nephritis” (kidney infection). On his death certificate he is shown as a Coffee House Keeper of 10 Park Row (not 16, so they must have moved again – or more likely confusion between a 0 and a 6 written in longhand).

Kate Emily, a little 10 year old girl, later said that she was taken home on a hospital push cart when George fell into a coma -- there were no ambulances the and patients were wheeled to hospital by the Police or Hospital Orderlies.

George James Webb was buried in a public grave in Greenwich Cemetery, as Eliza Ann had been. But they are nowhere near each other. George is in Grave No.535 Section A and Eliza Ann Webb is in Grave No.748 Section B. None of any of the public graves have any sort of marker.

On George’s death certificate, Thomas Henry Augustus Webb of 13 South Street, Greenwich is shown as the informant of death.

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We’ll now have a quick look at the Webb children (Kate Emily’s brother and sisters) to see if we can find what happened to them.

GEORGINA REBECCA WEBB

Born 26th September 1874 at 2 Grafton Terrace, Kentish Town. Was apprenticed to Marian Ware as a dressmaker. Georgina is said to have had an illegitimate child who was adopted (the father was reputedly Uncle Ebeneezer, whoever he was).

She married Arthur Exall c1896 (in later years he was nicknamed “Bumble” by the Miller family because he wasn’t the quickest person in the world). Reputedly, he never did a days work in his life and was some sort of small time crook in the racing world (supposedly with the gang of Bob Seivies, a big time crook in the racing world). There was never any money from him and he would borrow from anyone, even his poor hard working brother-in-law. He died sometime around 1924.

Georgina kept her family together, earning a living as a dressmaker. Apparently she had a wealthy clientele. She was a dignified looking woman.

Her children were; -Lucy Married Arthur Price, Had 2 children. Divorced Arthur and married again.

Lucy Exall Dolly Exall

Madaline Married Sid Figg, divorced him and married Arthur Ducket.

Connie Married William White.

Twins;- Lord and Dolly. Both married but their spouses are unknown.

Lord was baptized “Lord”, because his father (Arthur Exall) claimed to be the illegitimate son of a Lord. This is of course unsubstantiated (and almost certainly not true, but it is quite possible that Arthur was looking to a future scam).

Georgina also adopted a boy, Edward, the illegitimate child of one of her wealthy clients (two illegitimate children have appeared in this part of our narrative -- could they possibly be one and the same -- is it possible that she adopted -- or claimed to have adopted her own illegitimate son and used this story as a cover?).

And as we shall see, she also took a hand in raising Kate Emily.ELIZA MARIA (TIZZ) WEBB

Eliza Maria (Tizz) Webb

Born in 1876 in Kentish Town. She was also apprenticed to Marian Ware, but had to leave to look after her mother in 1897/98.

She then married Earnest Townsend Major, who was a rep, of some kind. Occasionally, when he journeyed to the Continent, she would accompany him. This marriage failed and to keep herself and her family she went into service as a cook at a private school, probably somewhere in Hertfordshire.

She died young of cancer.

Eliza Maria had just one child, named Madge c1898. After her mother died she was cared for by various members of the family. She had a bad time with some of her Exall cousins, particularly Lucy. She found work at Holdrons of Peckham, a departmental store.

Madge married Aubrey Cordrey, but this was not a happy marriage. She never knew what he did with his money and sometimes had to pawn her wedding ring to get some cash. She had two children; Shirley (Bunty) and Roger. Aubrey died and Madge spent many years as a widow at Southend. She died sometime around 1986/87.

Shirley married twice and had a daughter by her first husband Claire Healey. She remarried and had other children. Shirley later became Mrs. John Wallace of Oxford and held a high position in the St John Ambulance Brigade.

Roger was also married twice and had a son.

EVELYN MAUD WEBB

Evelyn Maud Webb

Born in 1878 in Kentish Town. Married Fred Ransley who worked in the office of the China Department of Harrods. It is possible that Evelyn also worked at Harrods.

They had three children; -Freddy and twins;- Campbell and Winifred (Girlie)

The two boys married, but we have no information on them.

Winifred married a D.Wilkins and they had children. She spent her last years at 9 Bents View, Bent Green, Sheffield.

THOMAS HENRY AUGUSTUS WEBB

Born 3rd February 1880 at 6 Warden Road, Kentish Town.

His short life ended on 2nd April 1901 when he was only 21 years old. He was on his way to South Africa and the Boer War when he died of Pneumonia. He was buried at sea.

EMMA MARY ANN WEBB

Emma Mary Ann WebbBorn 25th February 1885 at 7 Allcroft Road, Kentish Town. She was 13 years old when her parents died and must have been cared for by other members of the family, probably Georgina.

Emma married Thomas Crocker, a Civil Servant at Whitehall, so she managed to break free of the poverty that dogged her older siblings. They had two children; Barbara and John.

She died of cancer, a disease that seems to have cursed this family.

Thomas married again, but had very little contact with the other members of the family after this.

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KATE EMILY WEBB

Kate Emily WebbBorn 24th January 1888 at 2 Wellesley Road, Kentish Town. She was 10 years old when her father died. She was sent to live with her uncle and aunt in Staffordshire.

The 1901 census shows her at 12 Weeford Village, Litchfield The entry is; -William Croome born c1843 Head ShepherdHannah M Croome born c1849 WifeHarry Croome born c1883 Son Carter on FarmFrancies Croome born c1885 Son Carter on FarmKate E Webb born c1888 Niece

Hannah M Croome was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, so she must have been Eliza Ann’s older sister. Hannah and William were in their 50’s and had probably assumed that they had finished with caring for young children and didn’t really want another, so Kate was very sad and unwanted. She was treated as a skivvy and was very unhappy, so much so that in later life she would not speak about it. However, there was just one occasion that she told of when she was ordered to walk to Litchfield, several miles away, to buy some sewing thread. When she arrived back at home with it, she had got the wrong colour and was made to walk all the way back into Litchfield to change it.

As soon as she left school, she left this unhappy place and went to live with her sister, Georgina. She was now 13 years old and must have been so happy to be back with her own people. She helped her sister, who taught her dressmaking.

After a year or so, she left Georgina and branched out on her own. She then met and fell in love with Albert Edward Miller, son of Robert Miller, a farrier. They married on 17th October 1909 at St Pauls Church, Kilburn. Albert was 22 years old, living at 35 Gascony Avenue, Kilburn. Kate was 21 years old and living at 19 Argyle Street, Kings Cross. The witnesses at the wedding were Georgina Exall and Robert Miller.

Albert and Kate set up home at 35 Sharsted Street, Newington South and began their long and happy life together. Kate’s standards were high, probably because her cruel childhood had taught her the determination to better herself.

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They had very little when they first set up home together and it must have been a struggle to make ends meet.

Albert and Kate had five children;-George Edward, born 31st March 1910

Beatrix Ella Averil, born 21st May1911Geoffrey Albert, born 14th January 1915John, born 11th June 1916

Jeanne Alison, born 1924

Note that George Edward was a very early arrival on 31st March 1910, just seven months after the wedding. He weighed 7½lbs at birth and always claimed to have been premature, but smiled when he said this.

Shortly after George was born, they moved their home to Hayford Terrace, Vauxhall, where their second child, Beatrix Ella Averil, was born on 21st May 1911.

Some time after this, they moved again to Stockwell Green, where Geoffrey Albert was born on 24th January 1915.

They then moved on again to 347 Kennington Road, where their fourth child, John, was born on 11th June 1916.

No.347 Kennington Road was the headquarters of the C of E Waifs and Strays Society and Albert and Emily must have been very grateful for the free accommodation. They were very poor with just Albert’s small wage and four children to feed and clothe. But Kate Emily was an excellent manager and never wasted a penny. She was also the boss of the household but was very diplomatic about it and Albert always thought that he was in charge. He was a mild and gentle man who was happy to leave most of the management of the house in his wife’s capable hands. She brought the children up with love, care and discipline. She also took in dressmaking work whenever she could to make ends meet.

After some years the family had the opportunity to rent a council house at Bellingham, Kent, on the border of South East London and right by the countryside. It had three bedrooms which were greatly needed by now. It was here that their fifth and last child, Jeanne Alison was born on 7 th

March 1924.

The children started to work as soon as they were old enough and then in 1931, the family moved again, this time to Willow House, 62 Kilmorie Road, Catford. Later still they made another move to a flat at 13 Duncombe Hill. The family was getting smaller as the children married and left home, so the space wasn’t needed so much.

The next move was to a house at 14 Cranston Road, but at the beginning of WWII this property was hit by a German bomb. Kate and Albert weren’t hurt, as they were safe in their shelter at the time, but they lost most of their belongings. They went as they were to stay for a few weeks with their eldest son George, then living in the safety of Oxford.

The C of E Waifs and Strays Society had evacuated themselves to the Harrow area, so Kate, Albert and Jeanne gathered up what belongings they had and moved to 32 Pinner Park Avenue in North Harrow. They made several moves in this area, to 57 Eastcote Road and to 71 Woodberry Avenue.

Albert (or Bert as Kate called him) had retired by now and they both joined the local Bowls Club. They enjoyed many years of well earned rest, visiting their children at home and abroad.

Then on 27th April 1967, Albert died of a Stroke. He was 80 years old.

Kate lived on for another 10 years, looked after by her daughter Jeanne, but never the same without her beloved Bert. She eventually went into a home for the elderly, Sandcroft Hall, Harrow Weald, where she was quite happy and often visited by her family. She developed cancer and died on 23rd December 1977 aged 89.

Both Albert and Kate were cremated.

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Kate Emily and Albert Edward at a function at the Criterion, London.1959

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Now it’s time to take a closer look at Albert and Kate’s children.GEORGE EDWARD MILLER

George Edward Miller, born on 31st March 1910 at 38 Sharstead Street, Newington South.

After various jobs he joined the staff of Meredith & Drew, biscuit manufacturers, at their depot in Exeter. George was to stay with this company until the early 1950’s.

He married Kathleen Alice Beaden on 4th June 1938 at St Margarets Church, Lee, Blackheath. They set up their first home together at St Leonards on Sea, Sussex and then later in the year they

moved to 54 Merewood Avenue, Sandhills, Oxford. This move was prompted by George being transferred by Meredith & Drew.

Just over a year after their wedding, WWII started, but as he was working in the food industry he was in what was known as a “reserved occupation”, so was not required by any of the armed services. By 1942 biscuits were considered to be a non-essential luxury item which made it a

whole new ballgame for George. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a ordinary seaman rating, but as soon as he had completed his basic training he was selected for promotion and further training as an officer. By the time that hostilities ended, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant. He spent his war service as a Gunnery Officer on various ships that were on Atlantic convoy protection duties.

During this time George and Kathleen produced their first child, a daughter who they named Geraldine. She was born on 26th February 1944.

A little more than a year and a half later on 26th July 1945 their second child came along. This was a son who they named Andrew.

Shortly after this, George won the war for Great Britain, so was able to return to his work with Meredith & Drew, this time in Leeds. Their new home was at 45 Spencer Place near Potter Newton Park. Whilst here, their third child, Daphne (later christened Daphne Caroline) was born on 3rd October 1946

After a year there, George was transferred to Northampton where they lived for a few years at “The Cloisters”, 7 Abbots Way.

In 1949 he was transferred again, this time to Ferniegair, near Hamilton, Lanarkshire, a good promotion as he was in charge of the companies Scottish operation. They stayed there for four

years.

Meredith & Drew was an old family run company and in about 1952 the younger members of the family took over control and decided to streamline the workforce. George was transferred to Southampton as a salesman rep’, but wasn’t happy with the demotion and the job that he had been given so he went into business on his own as a grocer at the Links Handy Store, 24 Links Road, Weymouth. They stayed there for 8 years while their children completed their schooling.

As his family grew up, he began to realize that such a small shop in such a poor area was never going to make much money. By 1962 Geraldine was apprenticed as a hairdresser and Andrew had joined the army, so George bought a caravan and sold the business.

Within a few years of this and after several changes of ownership, the shop business in Links Road had gone broke, closed down completely and the property converted into a private residence

During the following weeks, he considered his future and eventually went into partnership with Alf Evans and bought into a grocery business, the “Downclose Store”, in Merley Road, Wyke Regis. This was a more successful venture, but supermarkets were squeezing more and more small shops out of business, so in 1969 he sold up while the going was good. This shop also folded after a few years and has been converted into two private residences.

No one could run a shop like George could.

With the proceeds of the sale of the business he bought a house on Nottington Corner, Weymouth. He got a job working as a clerk in the Borough Treasurers department of Weymouth Council where he stayed for several years, but his boss didn’t like him, probably because George was a bit cleverer with the accounts than he was originally credited with. Let’s face it; he’d been doing the accounts for his own business for years, and for his employers before that (actually, I knew his boss quite well socially and as far as I’m concerned, the man was a total asshole, but his wife was a bit of a good looker!!!).

When he gave this job up, he went to work for Dorset County Council in the Education Department, where he stayed until he retired in 1975.

George and Kathleen were very happy in the house at Nottington Corner, but he could see that as he got older the maintenance of the property and upkeep of the garden would become too much for him. He sold the house and bought a small flat that had been newly built in Chelmsford Street, Weymouth, where he spent the rest of his days.

In about 1988/89 he became ill with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This is a rare ailment that limits the body’s ability to produce red blood cells and it meant that he needed regular “top-ups” of red blood cells (about every 5 or 6 weeks). This kept him going is reasonably good health for just about 5 years, but due to the transfusions, his immune system was not what it should have been. He deteriorated very quickly and after a week in hospital, he died on 12th May 1993

He was cremated and his ashes spread on Maiden Castle.

Kathleen carried on living in the flat in Chelmsford Street until December 2006, at which time she moved into Primrose Lodge Retirement Home, Dorchester Road, Weymouth.

George gets the next chapter to himself (and it was written by himself).

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BEATRIX ELLA AVERIL MILLER

Beatrix Ella Averil Miller born 21st May 1911 at Hayford Terrace, Vauxhall. She was always known a “Trix” in the family.

Beatrix became an office girl when she left school and worked her way up to being a secretary, mainly in the legal profession. She married twice. Her first husband who she married in early 1938 was Bernard (Bunny) Wynn. They were divorced c1947. The second marriage (in 1948) was to William McEwan Ulman (born 1908), an American G.I.Colonel who she met towards the end of WWII. They lived in Washington DC and had two children; a daughter (Valerie Ann McEwan Ulman) and a son (Timothy Webb Ulman).

William died in 1980 after a long illness.

Their daughter, Valerie Ann McEwan Ulman born on 23rd May 1948 -- in many ways she was a strange girl as she grew up. She left home and married a hippy, but we don’t know what his name was. She never contacted her parents again after this. They had two children, but we know nothing of them. She developed Motor Neurone Disease and died c1977.

Timothy Webb Ulman born on 5th August 1957. He has contact with his cousin Robert Neil Lintott (more about him later), but we don’t really know much about him at all.

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Beatrix died in 2008.

GEOFFREY ALBERT MILLER

Geoffrey Albert Miller born 14th January 1915 at Stockwell Green.

Geoffrey started to work for a living when he was 14, first as “egg boy” at Sainsburys and then at David Grieg. He joined the Catford & Utopian Operatic Society with his brother George.

Geoffrey Albert Miller 1942

When he was 21, he went to work for the N.A.A.F.I. After a short time training, in 1936 he was

sent to Cairo, Egypt as an Overseas Manager. He quickly adapted to this life and was there throughout WWII. During his time there he lost a leg, the result of a motor cycle accident.

After his recovery, he married Violette Mabel Lintott in Cairo in 1944. They returned to England and set up home in the Ewell area of Surrey. Geoffrey resumed work with the N.A.A.F.I. at their office in Kennington.

He died suddenly of a heart attack on 12th August 1977.

Violette lives in Maidstone, Kent.

They had three children; two daughters and a son; Patricia, Michael and Shelia Alison.

Patricia born 21st March 1946 married Roger Powell on 26th March 1966 at Ewell, but Patricia was unable to have any children. They adopted Wayne Roger who was born on 13 th July 1970. They eventually divorced. Pat now lives with her partner Bob in Ewell.

Michael born 21st October 1950 married Janet Millard on 19th January 1975. They have four children. Matthew Michael born 23rd December 1976. Lousia Virginia born 18th February 1980. Daniel Mark Albert born 20th October 1981 and Amy in 1985. They live in Millom, Cumbria.

Shelia Alison born 27 September 1954 married Colin Kostyrka on 5th January 1974. They have two children, a son and a daughter. Michelle Karen born 20 th January 1977 and Richard Colin born 16th April 1979.

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JOHN MILLER

John Miller born 11th June 1916 at Kennington.

John had various jobs and joined the Royal Air Force at the outbreak of WWII.

He married Peggy Eileen Doulin on 1st July 1940.

They had three children; an adopted son Dennis born 1942, and two natural sons; Geoffrey born 1946 and Gerald born 1948.

John was the odd one of the family and managed to get himself into a few scrapes. He didn’t seem to be very bright and was always trying to impress people by his actions, which were not very clever at the best of times. This only led to people looking down on him more.

When John was very young he was apparently a very good looking baby and was admired by all who saw him. People wanted to hold him and make a fuss of him – in short he developed into a spoilt brat. As he grew up the attention waned and this affected him badly and he tried various things to keep the attention on himself – none of which worked.

Geoffrey detested him with a vengeance, probably because of an incident that occurred when John was quite young. John had a bed wetting problem and Geoffrey teased him unmercifully about this whenever it occurred, really belittling John with his comments. One day John thought that he could get his own back by crawling under Geoffrey’s bed and piddling on the floor beneath it. He then called his mother to tell her in a loud voice that Geoffrey had wet his bed and that it had leaked through to the floor.

Poor John hadn’t thought that with the sheets being quite dry there was no way that anyone would believe him.

Events weren’t helped by the fact that Geoffrey was very intolerant of other peoples shortcomings.

After his marriage to Peggy, John had very little to do with the rest of the family, although I do remember meeting him on just one occasion (c1955) when we lived at Links Road when they spent a couple of days with us..

I get the impression that John always wanted Geoffrey’s forgiveness and approval and even named his son Geoffrey.

We know nothing of any of these children.

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JEANNE ALISON MILLER

Jeanne Alison Miller born 7th March 1924 at Bellingham, Kent.

She married Robert Lintott (Geoffrey’s wife’s brother) on 27th July 1946. Robert worked for the N.A.A.F.I. in Cairo, as did his father George. Jeanne and Robert lived overseas for many years in Malaya, Malta and Germany, but eventually settled in Suffolk when they retired.

They had two children, Robert Neil and Dyllis Averil.

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Robert Neil Lintott born 14th June 1947 at Pinner, Middlesex, married Jennifer Brewster and moved to Houston Texas, U.S.A.

They had three children; Kathrine born 30th ?? 1972, Victoria born 23rd September 1975 and David Alexander born 29th July 1977.

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Dyllis Averil Lintott born 12th September 1952 married Stephen Wretham in 1975. He turned out to be a not very nice piece of work and knocked her about. She eventually divorced him, but by then they had two children; Gareth Huw born 6th August 1976 and Johnathon Robert born 21st

May 1979.

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