Tag Archives: united

19Mar/15

Sarah Tearle, 1823, Toddington, UK

Bedfordshire, UK, , , , , ,

In the 1841 census of Toddington, William 1796 and Catherine nee Fossey, along with Sarah, Moses and John are all bracketed as “Ag Lab” which simply means general workers of one sort or another, no matter how skilled the work might be. In 1843, Sarah had her own son, Joseph 1843 in Toddington, and he was baptised by her on 16 Apr 1843. In the 1851 Toddington census, the 8yr old Joseph is listed as “grandson” in William’s family of Catherine, Sarah, John and Joseph.

1851 = William 1797 Stbg Catherine 52 Sarah 26 John 18 Joseph gs 8 in Tod

Even at 8yrs, little Joseph is already a “Platter,” making Bedfordshire straw into little strips and then plaiting it into bundles to be made into hats.

Sarah married John Garner of Toddington on 03 Nov 1856 in Toddington and in the 1861 census they are living in Parsonage End, Toddington.

1861 = Joseph 1843 Tod w John and Sarah Garner in Tod

John and Joseph are classified as Ag Lab and Sarah is a laundress.

The 1871 census image is corrupt and won’t load, but in 1881 Joseph is out on his own (we’ll catch up with him shortly) and Sarah and John, still living in Parsonage End, have been joined by their 9yr old niece Martha. She is the daughter of Sarah’s brother, John 1831 Tod.

1881 = Martha 1872 Tod niece to John Garner 58 Sarah 56 in Tod

In 1891, same address, Martha and Sarah are both listed as laundress. Without rubber gloves, and with only Victorian soap to use (my mum used to make it herself, so I suppose they did, too) one can only imagine the state of their hands. This is not trivial.

1891 = Martha 1872 Tod niece to John Garner 71 in Tod

In 1901, now 78yrs old, Sarah is living in Station Road, on one side the blacksmith Harry Holman and on the other Ann Worthington, 74 of “own means.” On census night she records a visiting Washerwoman, Eliza Ann Smith 25. The enumerator notes that Sarah is “nearly blind” and there is no occupation recorded for her – not even parish relief.

19Mar/15

Moses Tearle, 1827, Toddington, UK

Bedfordshire, UK, , , , , ,

Barbara Tearle of Oxford has told us about Moses, who married the daughter of the Lord of the Manor of Toddington. I thought I’d have a look through the censuses to see if I could put together some of his story and with that lay the cornerstone of the rest of their family’s history. Here he is in 1841, living in Toddington with his father William 1796 of Stanbridge and his mother, Catherine nee Fossey. These are the only names I have for William and Catherine’s children, but Barbara has assured me that these are the only children whom William and Catherine had. You can see that Catherine had the last of her children at 49yrs. That’s pretty good going.

1841 = William 1791 Beds Catherine 60 Sarah 16 Moses 14 John 11 in Tod

By 1851 Moses had married Amelia Cooper Cooper, called himself Henry and moved to Speldhurst, Kent – with enough wealth to support four servants. I have called him Moses in the record, but in the census you have to find him under Henry Cecil, and sometimes with a double L. Goodness knows where they got the Cecill name from, but if I might be allowed to speculate, then perhaps from the Henry Cecil of Elizabethan court fame. Amelia’s father was William Dodge Cooper Cooper of Toddington Manor and Park House, Highgate, London.

1851 = Moses (Henry) 1825 Tod Amelia 35 Aubrey 4 Dodge 1 plus 4 servants in Speldhurst Kent

There does not appear to be any good reason why he should move to Speldhurst. Perhaps because of the Speldhurst spa, famous in Tunbridge Wells. His wife is from Highgate, Mdx and they must have spent some time in London because young Aubrey was born in Paddington while Dodge was born in Worthing, Sussex. Speldhurst is close to Sussex and in fact at one time the Speldhurst parish boundary ran along the Sussex border.

In the census he records himself as “No profession” so he may have gone to a spa either for its curative properties or because he knew the rich and famous went there and the family was trying to cultivate its contacts.

St Marys, Portsea, from their website

St Marys, Portsea, from their website

Barbara Tearle of Oxford has told us about Moses who married the daughter of the Lord of the Manor of Toddington. I thought I’d have a look through the censuses to see if I could put together some of his story and with that lay the cornerstone of the rest of their family’s history. Here he is in 1841, living in Toddington with his father William 1796 of Stanbridge and his mother, Catherine nee Fossey. These are the only names I have for William and Catherine’s children, but Barbara has assured me that these are the only children whom William and Catherine had. You can see that Catherine had the last of her children at 49yrs. That’s pretty good going.

1841 = William 1791 Beds Catherine 60 Sarah 16 Moses 14 John 11 in Tod

By 1851 Moses had married Amelia Cooper Cooper, called himself Henry and moved to Speldhurst, Kent – with enough wealth to support four servants. I have called him Moses in the record, but in the census you have to find him under Henry Cecil, and sometimes with a double L. Goodness knows where they got the Cecill name from, but if I might be allowed to speculate, then perhaps from the Henry Cecil of Elizabethan court fame. Amelia’s father was William Dodge Cooper Cooper of Toddington Manor and Park House, Highgate, London.

1851 = Moses (Henry) 1825 Tod Amelia 35 Aubrey 4 Dodge 1 plus 4 servants in Speldhurst Kent

There does not appear to be any good reason why he should move to Speldhurst. Perhaps because of the Speldhurst spa, famous in Tunbridge Wells. His wife is from Highgate, Mdx and they must have spent some time in London because young Aubrey was born in Paddington while Dodge was born in Worthing, Sussex. Speldhurst is close to Sussex and in fact at one time the Speldhurst parish boundary ran along the Sussex border.

In the census he records himself as “No profession” so he may have gone to a spa either for its curative properties or because he knew the rich and famous went there and the family was trying to cultivate its contacts.

Barbara points out that Amelia was 14 years older than Moses, so it is interesting to speculate about their relationship.

Amelia died 1880, and Barbara has given me the flavour of her will and marriage settlement:

“Abstracts from Beds County Record Office of Cooper Cooper family documents including the marriage settlement of Amelia and Moses.

The marriage settlement tied up funds so that Amelia and Moses could only use the income.  Amelia and others, but not Moses, had control of it.  It was most unusual in those days for women to be in control of property.  If Amelia died before Moses, he was to have an income for life unless he re-married.  She died in 1880 and he went on to 1908, so he got his money’s worth.

Although the Cooper Cooper family in Toddington remained in contact with Amelia and her children, they did not acknowledge her marriage in things like Burke’s Landed Gentry.  I have a copy of the 1853 entry and Amelia is firmly shown as not married.”

I found Amelia Jnr – and she had married very well, a wealthy Scottish chap who made money from Dividends – and she has stayed close to her dad:

1881 = Amelia 1855 Worthing p1 James Marley 45 Amelia A 4 James C 3 in Portsea

1881 = Amelia 1855 Worthing p2 Gesugo E Marley 11m and 2 servants in Portsea

1881 Egerton DC Cecil 1854 Worthing Elizabeth DC Cecil 29 sis Ada A Cecil 26 wife in Acton

Egerton has married and is living with his sister and his wife in Acton. He says he is a Clerk in S&A.D – South Kensington.

Barbara has added for me:

“S & AD is the Science and Art Department, possibly of the Science Museum as he says in South Kensington.  The London Gazette posted notices of civil service appointments down to very humble levels (eg postmen) for many years.   In July 1891 Egerton Dodge Cooper Cecil was an Abstrator in the Science division (but it does not say which ministry) and in July 1891 he was transferred or promoted to the Science and Art Department.

But these don’t account for him in 1881.  Maybe appointments were not notified to the London Gazette then.

In 1902 he became a second division clerk but it does not say in which department.  Possibly internal promotion.

Egerton also appears in a cricketing magazine as playing for Hampshire in 1875, in one match and not exactly covering himself with glory.   Maybe he was better in village cricket than at county level.

The site gives biographical. details:  born 4 July 1853 Worthing. Died 25 September 1928 Mortlake. 

Elizabeth may be an interesting character.  I have her birth certificate: Elizabeth Dodge Cooper Cecill born on 1 July 1851 at 3 Marine Terrace, Worthing.  Father:  Henry Moses Tearl Cecill, gentleman.  Mother: Amelia Cooper Tearl Cecill formerly Cooper.

I found Dodge in Sussex and he is a “Retired Officer of the 47th Regiment,” which is why I couldn’t find him in the 1871 census – he was in Dublin. He is married and has his own little Aubrey and Amelia. Young Frederick was born in Dublin, I suppose while his dad was on active duty, taking his family with him. Dodge’s widowed father Moses is at last calling himself Moses, after all these years of calling himself Henry. I wonder if the T in his name is Tearle?

1881 = Dodge C Cecill 1850 Worthing Sophie J 30 Frederick W 10 Aubrey DC 8 Amelia TC 9m Moses T Cecill father 53 wid Tod in Sussex S Bersted

Barbara adds:

“The London Gazette is a great place for military (officer level) appointments and bursts Dodge’s pretensions of an army career.  It records that, as from 22 June 1870,  Dodge Cooper Cecill Cecill  Gent was an Ensign by purchase in the 47th Foot. Next year it records that Ensign Dodge Cooper Cecill Cecill “has been permitted to retire from the Service by sale of his commission.  Dated 7 October 1871.”  So he did not last long.”

Aubrey is also visible in the 1881 census – he is a boarder with a newish wife, Elizabeth nee Peadon and a 2yr old son

1881 = Aubrey C Cecil 1851 Tod Elizabeth 23 Aubrey BC Cecil 2 in Chiswick Mdx

He says he has “Private Income” and his son Aubrey was “Born at Sea.”

Barbara gives us this gem:

“To add to the information about Aubrey:

24 August 1878 Aubrey Cooper Cecil formerly Tearl married Elizabeth Peadon at All Saints Church, Southampton.

10 September 1878 birth of Aubrey Bruce Cooper Cecil on board ship, the “Scottish Prince”.  The certificate (which I don’t have: I think I saw it at Beds CRO) says that the last place of residence of the father, Aubrey Cooper Cecil, was Manor House, Toddington.

Don’t know where they were going, but they were back in England for him to play for Hants in 1876 and to be in the 1881 census.”

There is an interesting picture in the 1891 census. Moses is now head of the house, but lists his occupation as a solicitor’s clerk. I’m fascinated by that – I thought he didn’t have to work. Dodge and Sophia have sent their children off and there are just the three of them in the South Bersted house. And he’s calling himself Henry again.

1891 = Moses (Henry) T Cecil 1827 Tod Dodge C Cecil 41 son Sophie 40 DIL in Sussex S Bersted

Whether the enumerator got it wrong, or Egerton has changed his name a bit, he is at any rate in Wandsworth, London, in the 1891 census, and he has a 5yr old daughter, Louisa. He is in the Civil Service. I suppose, as government expanded, this became the new Ag Lab; although perhaps a little better paid and with slightly more status. Even today, Wandsworth is still largely occupied by the poor.

1891 = Egerton (Edward) 1854 Ada A 36 Louisa B 5 in Wandsworth Lon

By 1901, everyone in Moses’ house had retired: both Dodge, at only 51, and Moses at 74 are saying they are “living on own means.” The area must be fairly rural, because while they are living in Village Street, their neighbours on both sides are Ag Cattle and the neighbour two houses down is a farmer.

1901 = Dodge C Cecil 1850 Worthing Sophie 50 Moses (Henry) T Cecil 74 wid Tod in Sussex S Bersted

At last we find out that Ada’s middle name is Amelia and Louisa is now rather grandly called Harriet-Louisa Boyd Cecil, so perhaps that’s a clue to Ada’s maiden name. We find out that Egerton is in the Education Department and there is a visitor from the Admiralty staying with them. Speculating on how they would know someone from the Admiralty was interesting. And they have gone up in the world a bit, too, because Clarence Rd, Richmond is definitely better than Wandsworth.

Wendy Skelley of Auckland, New Zealand, has beautifully written and illustrated stories of Moses’ boys Aubrey and Egerton.

Barbara Tearle of Oxford has also written an excellent piece, which you can read here

18Mar/15

Edward Tearle, 1868, Preston, UK

Preston, UK, , , , , ,

As so often seems to happen, we simply “fall over” a Tearle incident and then we spend many hours in research and discussion trying to find out the story behind the incident. Edward’s story begins with a bottle and Richard tells it thus:

“Two or three years ago, I saw an old ginger beer stoneware bottle advertised on e-bay, which indicated that it ‘belonged’ to Edward Tearle of Oldham. I had never heard of him (we had not got the information about the Preston Tearles from CemSearch at that time). Nor was I entirely sure if ET was the maker of the bottle or the provider of the contents! Some token investigations revealed nothing and the matter became a ‘pot boiler’. Other – glass – bottles came up on offer, but still research fell on stony ground. Finally, about two months ago (Sept 07) one came up that I could afford but I was outbid. Every time one came up for auction, I would mail the seller and ask if they had any information about Edward – none of them knew anything. Many bottle experts and collectors were mailed, but I still no progress.

Vintage bottle

Vintage bottle

Out of the blue, a seller of a previous example offered to send me, free gratis, another bottle he had. I accepted gratefully and it duly arrived. At last I could see exactly what was on the bottle. The seller had dated the ir as 18th century, but this was clearly incorrect: the figures 1707 appeared on the base of the bottle and it would be easy to assume that this constituted a date. As it turned out, it was a maker’s mark. The maker’s name was ‘N & Co’ which I was able to establish as Nuttall & Co of St Helens. They were active in the mid 19th century until 1913 or so when they were absorbed by the United Glass Co.

The markings on the bottle were decisive: ‘Edward Tearle’ and ‘Oldham’ were prominent as was the trade mark – an 8 pointed star with ‘E.T’ and an embossed circle inside. Either side of the star were the words Trade and Mark – this helped establish that 1707 wasn’t a date as trade marks were not noted until the mid 19th century.

There was some speculation in the group as to whether this might have been, in fact, Ebenezer Tearle, who was a known brewer in the London area, and whether the trade mark had any connection with Thomas Tearle’s Star Brewery, also in London.

But a second bottle turned up in quick succession which was exactly the same except for the bottle makers – CS & Co – who were also based in St Helens.

For me, it was impossible to get away from the Lancashire connection and much renewed research began – but with little to add except to confirm the few things we already knew:

CS & Co seemed to have been active mostly between 1872 and 1916: United Glass Co was formed in 1913 by 4 companies, two of which were CS & Co and Nuttall and Co. CS & Co were also based in St Helens and one thing which comes up a lot is descriptions of bottles whereby the brewers (or whatever) have their marks and location on the side of the bottle, with the maker’s details on the base. The point of this is that it would now be fairly certain that Edward Tearle was active in Oldham as both bottles have that place on the side.”

We knew we needed local knowledge, but with none available, we could not conduct the enquiry any further.

We were contacted by Hazel Anderson of Preston, great-grand-daughter of Mary Ann in the photo above.  She volunteered some local research, a quite extraordinary note from Susan Smith of the Oldham Local Studies and Archives:

“Edward Tearle only appears in the Worrall’s 1895 Trade Directory of Oldham along with a Henry Tinsley trading as Tinsley and Tearle, Herb Beer Brewers. Edward’s home address was 14 Minton Street, Oldham and Henry Tinsley’s home address was 9 Firth Street, Oldham. Their business was located on Rink Road, off Union Street, Oldham. This may have been a short lived business as they do not appear in any other trade directory either as partners or as individuals brewing herb beer. In the 1891 census, there were many drapers living in Minton Street, but not Edward, so maybe the Edward Tearle living in Preston

is the man who brewed herb beer in Oldham, but whose later occupation was as a draper.

I have tracked his partner, Henry Tinsley in the Electoral Rolls and he was listed at 9 Firth Street in 1894 and his previous address was 15 Cromwell Street where he was living at the time of the 1891 census. Cromwell Street is very near to Rink Road. Henry’s occupation then was given as a carter. See attached census extract.

I could not find Edward Tearle in any Electoral Register.”

We had hardly drawn breath from this revelation when Hazel wrote again:

“I have been to Preston reference library today to find out where Sophia and Joseph’s grocers shop was. It seems they had two. One at 34 Maitland Street and one at 139 Ribbleton Lane. It looks like a lot of the Tearles owned businesses in Preston.

There was mention of Edward Tearle a draper at 91 Ribbleton Avenue, Preston”

As usual in these circumstances, Barbara Tearle of Oxford came up with the key:

“I’ve just consulted one of my favourite sources, the London Gazette, and come up with the following:

The Gazettes of 1892 and 1893 contain details of Joseph Tearle of Preston and Oldham going bankrupt.

Joseph Tearle, of 100, Wilbraham Street, Preston, trading at 139, Ribbleton-lane, Preston, also at Rimes-road, Union-street, Oldham as a Provision Dealer [at the first address] and as a Herb Beer Manufacturer [at the second address].

The words in brackets are my additions based on the layout of the page in the Gazette.

The Official Receiver at Preston dealt with this and Joseph managed to repay 1s 11d halfpenny in the pound of his debts.

Is Joseph, Edward’s father?”

Richard:

“it identifies our man quite a bit and may well point to your Edward being a one-time herb beer manufacturer, possibly before he became a draper….”

Hazel:

“Edward Tearle is the son of Joseph and Sophia Tearle and therefore my great grandmother Mary Ann Tearle’s brother. The information you have found in the Gazette seems to prove that Edward Tearle of Oldham and Edward Tearle of Preston are one and the same person.”

Richard:

“Mystery solved. Although a small thing in Family History investigation, I feel that persistence, collaboration, lateral thinking and perhaps a little bit of luck have contributed to this story having a successful conclusion!”

We had uncovered the story of Edward, the herb beer maker of Oldham and seen into the life of Joseph and Sophia nee Kibble. We had been witnesses to a drama of the past and filled in some of the details we could only guess at from the 10-yr apart snapshots of the censuses.

Edward died in 1903 and a colourful chapter of Tearle history in Preston closed.

18Mar/15

Charles Walter Yule Tearle, 1919, Harlesden, UK

London, UK, , , , , , , , ,

Brian Tearle has asked me to see if I can find his Willesden ancestors. This is what I have found:

Brian’s father is Charles Walter Yule Tearle, b1919 in Harlesden, Willesden, Mdx.

In the years since I took up the quest to find out who this man and his family was, I had a good deal of help from, especially, Pat Field of Bedfordshire and Sue Albrecht of Auckland.

Brian sent me his father’s birth certificate, and that said his father was George Tearle and his mother was “Ellen Tearle formerly Rodgers”. Importantly, it also noted the address: 77 Carlysle Avenue, Harlesden and that he was “Private, Royal Army Medical Corps (General Carman).” That hit a note; G Tearle, the soldier in the National Roll, was also from the same address and had the same job in the army; they would be the same man.

Brian then sent me his father’s marriage certificate and it showed they were married in the Petersfield Registry Office in Nov 1940. Charles was a sapper in the Royal Engineers, as well as being a railway porter in civilian life. His father was George Tearle. The marriage certificate did not help me a lot, because the name George Tearle doesn’t tell us much.

I came across the medical records of all the Tearle men who had been injured, or at least came to the attention of an army hospital. The medical records were kept at Chelsea Hospital, and a George Tearle was amongst them. The Attestation page was crystal clear – George Tearle, 77 Carlysle Ave, Willesden. He was 34yrs in Dec 1915, (born 1881) and he was a labourer. The army gave him the number 331034, and put him in the Middlesex Regiment, and from there he was transferred to the 19th Coy, RAMC in Sep 1916. His infringements were relatively minor – 7 days confined to barracks for a guard duty error, and 14 days imprisonment for being 36hr late from leave.

And then I came across the page about his family:

Address 77 Carlysle Ave, Willesden

His “Platonic Wife” Ellen Yule and children:

Ellen Dorothy 1903

George 1912

Alan John 1913

Athol James 1914 and

Charles Walter Yule 1919.

Now I knew all this about him, and he definitely was Charles’ father, but I still didn’t know exactly who he was. And a platonic wife, with children, seemed an odd expression.

It was Pat who solved the problem when she found George’s marriage certificate of 1948; it was a revelation. His name was Otho George, he was 65, a bachelor and he was marrying Ellen Yule, aged 69, a widow. George’s father’s name was Jonathon Tearle and Ellen’s father was Alfred Rogers. We also found George’s baptism in St Michael and All Angels, Paddington, in Oct 1884, his name certainly was Otho George and his parents were Jonathon and Alice Tearle. Sue had also found a previous marriage for Ellen Rogers to William James Alfred Yule in 1897. She was finally allowed to marry George when William Yule died.

Otho George 1882, born in Willesden, was a son of Jonathon Tearle 1862 of Stanbridge and Alice nee Kearns, who were married in 1882. They had two boys in WW1, and one of them, James Harry Tearle 1891 of Willesden, was killed in the Somme in 1917. Jonathon was a son of William 1832 and Catharine nee Fountain, and traces his lineage back to John 1741. His father became my step-gg-grandfather when he married my gg-grandmother, Mary nee Andrews in Watford in 1893.

18Mar/15

Sarah Tearle nee Bishop, 1829, Oxon, UK

Buckinghamshire, UK, , , , , , , , ,

I am now going to have a look at the story of Sarah Bishop b1829 of Little Milton, Oxfordshire. I don’t have the 1841 census return because she would have been 12 so possibly at home in Little Milton and there are three Sarah Bishops there. Without the marriage certificate, I can’t be sure I have the right one.

HOWEVER – in 1851, Sarah is a servant for a farmer in Slapton, Bucks and there she meets our handsome John.

1851 = Sarah Bishop 1829 Oxon servt to Thomas Ginger Slapton

In 1861 Sarah and John have a lovely family, John is a maltster and Sarah looks like she can afford to stay home and look after the children.

1861 = John 1825 Dagnall Sarah 32 William 8 George 6 Jabez 5 Sarah A 3 Louisa B 1 in Slapton

John dies in 1867 and times get very difficult. William goes to live with Uncle George in Watford (John’s brother) while George becomes apprenticed to a grocer in Dunstable. By 1871 Sarah is called a victualler and has only Jabez, Sarah and Anna left at home, while Louisa is a nursemaid in the household of Alfred Gurney, a malster of Slapton. Perhaps he works for Sarah… But I suppose there is more than one pub in the village. Sarah is running the Carpenter’s Arms.

1871 = Sarah 1829 Oxon Jabez 16 Sarah A 13 Anna F 7 in Slapton

In 1881, Sarah is a publican and grocer. Another example of just how strong and determined our Victorian mothers were. It looks as though the business has grown. Sarah Ann is a dressmaker, possibly working from the store, as is Louisa, now back home with Mother. Anna is a pupil teacher. In the 1880s a pupil teacher was a teacher apprentice (sort of) and was working to get onto the teaching staff as opposed to an assistant teacher, who helped out, but would never become a teacher.

1881 = Sarah 1829 Oxon Sarah A 23 Louisa B 21 Ann T 17 in Slapton

In 1891, Sarah and dau Sarah Ann are running the business in Leighton Rd, Slapton in a property called a “public house and grocer” by the census enumerator. Sarah Ann is running her dressmaking business from the premises, probably helping Mother in busy times. Sarah calls herself an Innkeeper and grocer. She is 62, still working.

1891 = Sarah 1829 Oxon Sarah A 35 in Slapton

In 1901 Sarah and Sarah Ann are in Ivinghoe! Sarah, at 72 is now a retired grocer and Sarah Ann is still a dressmaker “on own account” meaning she is not on parish relief. They are living next door to George and Susan Ginger. He is a lock-keeper on the canal and I wonder if it is this pair who has drawn Sarah to Ivinghoe. We may never know, but Sarah has well deserved a quiet and gracious retirement.

1901 = Sarah 1829 Little Milton Oxon Sarah Ann 43 in Ivinghoe.

Here is the last chapter in the story of Sarah nee Bishop. Pat Field sent me this picture from the Ivinghoe Churchyard. She says:

“Have today found a Tearle Gravestone in Ivinghoe. The details on the stone were “In Loving Memory of Sarah Ann Tearle who died Aug 19th 1910 aged 52yrs also Sarah Tearle Mother of above who died Oct 5 1915 aged 87yrs.”

She certainly did have a nice long retirement.

Sarah Tearle headstone, Ivinghoe

Sarah Tearle headstone, Ivinghoe

18Mar/15

Louis/Lewis, 1890, Edlesborough

Edelsborough, UK, Tearle Stories UK, , , , , , ,

I have uncovered the story of Louis Tearle. I have previously researched Jane Tearle, nee Draper, and now it was the turn of Louis. I started with this headstone: Louis, died 1935 aged 45, so born 1890, had a wife Mary Jane and a son Aubrey, born 1910.

1901 = William 1852 Edles Ann 49 Louis 11 in EB

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I started with the 1901 census and there Louis was, 11 years old, born in Eaton Bray, (EB) living next door to the Baptist Chapel (built 1835) in Edlesborough with father William 1853 Edles and his wife Ann 1852 Edles. William was a “cattleman on a farm” and the enumerator’s overseer added William to the generic group Ag Cattle.

In the 1891 census for Eaton Bray, there he was, one year old, son of William 1853 Edles and Ann 1852 Edles as well as an older brother, Albert, 17yrs, so it would seem that William and Ann had been in Eaton Bray for at least 17 years. Both father and son were Agricultural Labourers while Ann supplemented the family income as a Straw Plaiter.

1891 = William 1853 Edles Ann 39 Albert 17 Louis 1 in Eaton Bray

I looked up the 1881 census for Eaton Bray and the family was there; William 1853 Edlesborough, Ann 1852 Edles, Albert 7, so 10 years younger, but there was a Louisa, aged 2. Well. This probably means that Louisa had died by 1891, and in trying to keep the name alive, William and Ann named their new boy Louis. I paused for thought and asked one of my colleagues at work. He didn’t think it was at all odd – names are often recycled, he said.

1881 = William 1852 Edles Ann 29 Albert 7 Louisa 2 in EB

Louis’ mother was Ann nee Bird and William his father was the first son of George 1831 of Eaton Bray and Hannah Maria nee Janes, who were married 13 Nov 1852 in Edlesborough. George was the son of Jabez 1792 of Northall and Mary nee Green. Jabez was the son of William 1749 of Stanbridge and Mary nee Prentice. Thus, Louis is of the branch William 1749.

You will notice that Jeffery 1891, of the Dunstable WW1 memorial, and Louis share the same grandparents; Louis and Jeffery are first cousins.

18Mar/15

Tearle, Frank, 1898, Eaton Bray, UK (RASC)

Edelsborough, UK, Tearle Stories UK, War Stories WW1, , , , , , , ,

Tearle, F  Private, RASC

This is Jeffrey’s brother, Frank, born in Eaton Bray in 1898, son of George 1861 of Edlesborough and grandson of George 1831 of Eaton Bray and Hannah Maria nee Janes. The parents for George 1831 were Jabez 1792 and Mary nee Green and Jabez’ parents were William 1749 and Mary nee Prentice.

Here is what National Roll of the Great War  says:

Tearle Frank RASC National Roll

Below is his army medals card:

Frank Tearle M279390 WW1 army medal rolls

Frank Tearle M/279390 record card from the WW1 army medal rolls

You can see that it is woefully thin. He has served in the army from 3 Aug 1916 until 12 Sep 1919 and he gets no recognition at all. He will have been separated from his family for some time, on army duty, but because he was never posted overseas, all of this counts for nothing. Now, what I cannot do, is guess what his sickness was, but we know from this card that he was given a Para 392 discharge as “Not fit enough to be an efficient soldier.” He will have been sent to England, and possibly his own home, some time before 12 Sep 1919, because when it was determined that a Para 392 discharge was applicable, he would probably have been allowed to return to his own home, but still tied to army regulations until his discharge date.

What National Roll does not say was that Frank was the recipient of the Silver War Badge, which was given to those who, through injury or sickness, caused by active service, were unable to continue in active service. This is what the army recorded:

  • Name:  Frank Tearle
  • Discharge Unit:  R.A.S.C
  • Regiment Number:  M/279390
  • Rank:  Pte
  • Badge Number:  B307103
  • Unit: Royal Army Service Corps (Woolwich)
  • Piece:  3226
  • List Number:  RASC 4351-4600
  • Record Group:  WO
  • Record Class: 392
Frank Tearle WW1 Silver War Badge

Frank Tearle 1898 WW1 Silver War Badge

The central column in blue ink records the serial number of the War Badge that was awarded to him, and the right-most column reinforces the clear inference from his army medals card that he never served “overseas”. Ireland was counted as Home, not overseas, so it never counted as war service.

Frank married Selina Gore in 1921 and they are the parents of Peter Frank Tearle, whose headstone is in the graveyard of Edlesborough Church.

18Mar/15
Susanna Tearle, 1827 Dagnall headstone in Dunstable Cemetery.

Susanna Tearle, 1827, Dagnall, UK

Bedfordshire, UK, , , , , ,

This is the memorial to Susanna, born 28 May 1827, in Dagnall, Bucks, not far from Edlesborough. Her parents were Abel 1797 Edlesborough and Hannah nee Frost. Abel was the son of the famous Fanny Tearle who is the ancestor of several families in Australia. Fanny is very likely to be the daughter of Thomas 1737 Stanbridge and Susannah nee Attwell. Thus Susanna, then, is of the branch Thomas 1737.

Susanna Tearle, 1827 Dagnall

Susanna Tearle, 1827 Dagnall

Susanna Tearle, 1827 Dagnall

Susanna Tearle, 1827 Dagnall, headstone in Dunstable Cemetery.

Here are the 19th Century census returns I have found for her: I’m afraid I can’t find her before 1861. The story of her brother Jabez is extensively told in John L Tearle’s groundbreaking book Tearle, A Bedfordshire Surname

1861 = Jabez 1837 Dagnall Susannah 30 housekeeper in Dunst

1871 = Susanna 1830 Dagnall serv for Benjamin Bennett in Dunst

1881 = Susanna 1827 Dagnall housekeeper in Dunst

I do wonder who erected this beautiful memorial to her.

I am still looking for the memorial to Thomas and Bethia. I have heard that their memorial is in the public cemetery, but I have not been able to find it

18Mar/15

Tearle, John Gates, 1890, Wolverton, UK

Northampton, UK, War Stories WW1, , , , , , , ,

I’d heard that there was a Tearle memorial in Cosgrove Church and it took me two trips there even to find it. However, the adventure was worth the trouble because this is a fascinating story. You can see below the memorial to “Those who served” in WW1 and amongst the names was John G Tearle.  His parents were Charles 1859 of Stanbridge and Lizzie nee Gates. They called him John Gates Tearle.  He had the service number 1469 and he fought with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

WW1 Memorial on the wall of St Peter and St Paul, Cosgrove

WW1 Memorial on the wall of St Peter and St Paul, Cosgrove

Now, Lizzie Gates was the daughter of Ephraim Gates and Sarah nee Tearle 1837 Stbg, and Sarah’s parents were Abel 1810 Stbg and Martha nee Emmerton. This means she is on the branch Joseph 1737 via William 1769 and Sarah nee Clark. You can see the marriages of both Abel and Sarah in the Stanbridge banns register.  Thus Lizzie is on the branch Joseph 1737.

Charles’ parents were William 1832 Stbg and Catharine nee Fountain. William was the brother of my gg-grandfather James 1827 Stbg so Charles was a cousin of my g-grandfather Levi, the blacksmith of Wing. This puts him on the branch John 1741.

You can see John just 10 months old, in the Wolverton census of 1891.

1891 = Charles 1860 Stbg Lizzie 32 Rose L 7 John G 10m in Wolverton. Charles is a railway worker, like his father, and is living amongst a group of railway employees, possibly employee accommodation.

And then we see them one last time in the Wolverton census of 1900.

1901 = Charles 1860 Stbg Lizzie 42 John 10 Nellie 6 in Wolverton. Charles is a railway platelayer and is living at 524 Glyn Sq, Wolverton. So I’m now fairly sure this was tightly-packed worker accommodation.

John married Violet Elmore in 1913 and they had a son in 1914 who they called Richard Elmore Tearle. This is where John’s story becomes very sad. Richard was working in Coventry during the Blitz of 1940 and he was tragically killed in a bombing raid. You can see his story on the WW2 page.

List of men from Cosgrove who served in WW1

List of men from Cosgrove who served in WW1

Detail of the list, showing John G Tearle

Detail of the list, showing John G Tearle

18Mar/15

Tearle Meet 2010

Tearle Meets, , , ,

We were delighted to welcome the grand-daughter of Henry James 1880 and Louisa nee Lees, Anne Tearle. Many of us have spent a great deal of time on the story of this family, spanning as it does two continents and two World Wars. It was a pleasure to meet her and to help show her where the pieces of the story are laid out in our documentation. By Ewart Tearle, photos by Elaine Tearle.

Alan Gibbs looks for Amos on the John 1741 branch

Alan Gibbs looks for Amos on the John 1741 branch

Another outstanding success, TearleMeet3 lived up to all my expectations and wishes for the day. It was a success primarily or the hard work done by Barbara and Elaine on the door, and from Pat and John who tirelessly offered refreshments for all the visitors. We can also thank Elaine for her most beautiful cookies. Richard was on top form, too, helping people to navigate their way around the various branches spread over the floor, and renewing old friendships. Dinner at the 5 Bells was also a lovely occasion, of which more later, but we can assure everyone that the food was delicious, hot and on time. Alan Gibbs and I laid out the branches of the Tree in various aisles and draped them across pews when the aisles became full. The longest branch is now that of John 1741 and it is 66 A4 pages wide and three pages deep. We also set up the projector we had borrowed from the vicarage.

David Tearle and Richard compare notes

David Tearle and Richard compare notes

People came from great distances, and that is always a humbling thought; we set up an event such as this, but it is the interest of our wide-spread family, and their willingness to make the journey to see us, that makes all the work worthwhile. It is also not possible to make the Tree grow, to be accurate and comprehensive as we all want it to be, without the tireless and ceaseless work of Richard, Barbara, Pat Field and Rosemary. It is a joy and a privilege to work with you.

Pat and John Field

Goff Tearle of Loughborough University has been corresponding with us for several years and he took great interest in the John 1741 branch to see where his family lay. Alan Gibbs joined him because he, too is on that branch; one of the Wing Tearles. We welcomed back Enid Horton and her daughter Lorinda from Rugby, who have attended all the Meets and are famous for their work for us on the Banns Register in the very first Meet. And one of our regular contributors to the forum, Jo Smith and her mother Doreen nee Gurney (a true Stanbridge girl, with an ancient Stanbridge name) gave us a few tips about the memorials around the church and how we could add to the list of Tearle memorials in our pamphlet.

Enid Horton and Lorinda

One of the highlights was welcoming the twin sisters of Michael and Rosemary: Maureen Rigby and Janette Harrison. They had travelled some distance to get here. I met them for the first time, and it was a happy occasion finally to meet the English family of the two people in New Zealand whom I have known for so long. Rosemary has been a huge help in many of our safaris into the stories of the families who populate the Tree. She has been an inspiration and a driving force in the group. It was very nice to be able to meet the people Michael grew up with.

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Barbara Ashley, Janette Harrison and Maureen Rigby

Barbara Ashley, Janette Harrison and Maureen Rigby

We were delighted to welcome the grand-daughter of Henry James 1880 and Louisa nee Lees, Anne Tearle. Many of us have spent a great deal of time on the story of this family, spanning as it does two continents and two World Wars. It was a pleasure to meet her and to help show her where the pieces of the story are laid out in our documentation.

Anne Tearle of Bristol

Anne Tearle of Bristol

Richard Nichols originally came to find some information on Tearle men who had been in the marines, but when he met Anne, he discovered that he, too was related to Henry and Louisa, and therefore to Anne. Here they are at lunch in the 5 Bells.

In the background of the picture above you can see the Redbourne contingent: Ian, Shaw and Alfred Tearle

Shaw and Alfred

Shaw and Alfred

The main event was the visit from Catherine Brunton-Green, her daughter Nicola, and her grand-daughters (lucky girl) Abby and Kelci. They brought a wonderful display of photos and letters all about the Soulbury families and as the niece of Norman Tearle of Soulbury, Catherine had a special tribute for the terrible sacrifice he was forced to make in WW2, when he lost his life in the Little Ships armada off the Dunkirk beaches.

Catherine Brunton-Green and the Soulbury display.

Abby, Nicola and Kelci at lunch with Catherine

Fay and Mike Shepherd arrived looking for Mark Tearle, and that led us to Mark 1878 and Mary nee Chew.

While I was finding her on the Tree, she told me she was an aunt of Oliver Mark Tearle, the author, of Loughborough University. She was fascinated that she was a Soulbury Tearle, and above you can see her talking with Nicola and Abby and examining the exhibition. They enjoyed their lunch at the 5 Bells – and they needed to. Mike had to rush off to Spain to collect F1 cars. He is a member of the Red Bull team. Small world. I printed a 10-page family chart for Fay and she took it to investigate her newly-found family.

Fay and Mike Shepherd arrived looking for Mark Tearle, and that led us to Mark 1878 and Mary nee Chew.

We also had a visit from the family of Jennie Pugh; John and Grace Tearle and John’s sister Sheila Leng. We all mourned the loss of one of the sweetest ladies anyone hope to meet. Jennie, John and Sheila have attended all the Meets so far, and it was sad to know we would never see Jennie again.

John and Grace Tearle

We were very fortunate to welcome again the Ashleys – David and Barbara, Ingrid Taylor and her family and Pete Minns and his family. The Ashleys have attended every Meet so far and it is always so nice to see them. They are close to Rosemary and Michael’s twig on their branch of the Tree.

Lis and Eleanor Minns with Ingrid Taylor, David Ashley and Greg Minns.

Lis and Eleanor Minns with Ingrid Taylor, David Ashley and Greg Minns.

When we retired to the 5 Bells for lunch, Barbara introduced a short section of the event, which was to recognise the members of the group who had died since the previous Meet. As a family history group it is right and proper that we should pause to remember those who had contributed much but who could no longer help us in person. She spoke movingly and passionately about John L Tearle, who was the inspiration for the Tearle group, and who has supplied the basic text we all work from when we explore the origins of the Tearles in Stanbridge: “Tearle, a Bedfordshire Surname.” She noted also the passing of Mavis Gertz of Australia and the contribution she has made to our knowledge of the Tearles in Tasmania and Victoria. Elaine then spoke about her life with Jennie Pugh and the lovely lady to whom we had to say goodbye since the last Meet.  Richard thanked everyone for their attendance and wished them all a safe return home.

Barbara talks with Richard Nichols

Barbara talks with Richard Nichols

It’s always sad when the event is over because it is 2 years in the making and six months in the planning and we renew our friendships at the same time as meeting new members of our family. The effort some people put in to attend is quite remarkable and we thank you very much.

Elaine Tearle, Maureen Rigby, Ewart, and Janette Harrison leaving the 5 Bells after lunch. Photo courtesy Pat Field

Elaine Tearle, Maureen Rigby, Ewart, and Janette Harrison leaving the 5 Bells after lunch. Photo courtesy Pat Field

Three memorable pictures that Norman Rigby sent me sum up the day beautifully…

The John 1741 branch just goes on and on.

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 Interior of the 5 Bells at lunch

Interior of the 5 Bells at lunch

Messages to the Meet

Photos courtesy Ray Reese

Because it was such an important occasion, we received many messages of support and good will from all over the world. Here is a selection:

On a crisp Brisbane day of barely 30C, Richard met with the Australian Tearles in a delightful and informal function. Ray Reese, whom we all remember from the previous Meet, sent me these pictures of the day.

His message:

Denice and I have great memories of the last meet and will be thinking of you as you meet this time. We would hope that everyone has an enjoyable time as we did last time.

Richard, Samantha, Alfie, Molly and Jamie

A group shot: Jamie, Samantha, Alfie, Molly, Richard, Douglas, Teresa, Ron and Norma, Noreen, Richard and Patsy, Deborah wife of Douglas, Denice, Maggie ptly obsc and Kevin, Bev Floyd

A group shot: Jamie, Samantha, Alfie, Molly, Richard, Douglas, Teresa, Ron and Norma, Noreen, Richard and Patsy, Deborah wife of Douglas, Denice, Maggie ptly obsc and Kevin, Bev Floyd

Bev, Teresa, Noreen and Ron

Bev, Teresa, Noreen and Ron

Patsy, Maggie, Kevin and Denice

Patsy, Maggie, Kevin and Denice

Kevin, Maggie and Douglas

Kevin, Maggie and Douglas

Hi Richard and Ewart,

It was a great pleasure to meet you today Richard, as well as Sam and her lovely family! It was also wonderful for me to meet my Mum’s Tearle cousins for the first time too! Douglas and Deborah put up a delicious spread for us all which was very much appreciated on this chilly day in Brisbane!

As you mentioned Richard, we also had the pleasure of meeting Bev Floyd. Bev’s Tearle family is somewhat of a mystery to me (as it is to her).

Once again Richard, it was fantastic to meet you today and I hope that the rest of your stay is a great one!

Teresa

Richard:

Teresa – thank you so much for those kind words: in return, you have no idea what a thrill it was for me to meet all of you – even more so now as I did not realise that you had not met your cousins! Bev did indeed do us all proud – but how could you call it chilly!!!!
I knew that we had done quite a bit on Minnie and Minnie Maud and I am absolutely delighted that it has been of great use to someone (Bev) and I do hope we can find out a little more for her. Ewart – I have some details from Bev and will show them to you on the 17th.

Brian:

Sadly I am unable to attend the meet this year (attending a 70th birthday party with the in-laws!). Just wanted to wish everyone a great Tearle day.

Sam:

I’m very sorry that I can’t make Saturday as I’m signing at a wedding in Sussex. I would love to have come and hope it goes really well.

Hi All

Sorry we can’t make it for the big meet … all the best and maybe next time. We hope to hear some tales …

From the Moses Tearle and Amelia Cooper Cooper branch in Waitakere, west of Auckland, New Zealand.

Tony & Wendy Skelley

Here are the pictures of the horseshoe I was telling you about. As I said it was made for Ruth’s 7th birthday back in 1890 if my maths is correct.

The ruler in the picture is placed with both metric and inch measures on it so hope you realise just how small it is.

Have been in e-mail contact with Jewelly.

Enjoy the gathering of the clans

As you rightly say it is tiny but exact in every detail, it must have taken a fair level of skill to produce.

Will raise a glass next Saturday, what time is the get together? I might be in bed bearing in mind the time difference (we are seven hours ahead at the moment), but will be thinking of you all.

Love Margaret Tearle nee Palmer, Doug & Buttons (the dog.)

Perth, Australia

Birthday present for Ruth Tearle 1883, dau of Levi 1850 and Sarah nee Blake. Wing, Bucks, 1890.

Birthday present for Ruth Tearle 1883, dau of Levi 1850 and Sarah nee Blake. Wing, Bucks, 1890.

Thanks we have received

Dear All,

Just to echo the thanks to Ewart, Elaine, Barbara, Richard for organising another successful day –  it was friendly, interesting, stimulating, respectful and emotional … I had a sore throat by evening I had spoken so much about the Soulbury/Luton Tearles.

Thank you too for the opportunity for me to be there to remember and honour Norman – who gave his life so bravely at a tender age.  I will be in touch

P.S. Elaine’s shortbread is just SO delicious!!

Catherine Brunton-Green

Richard Nichols:

Hi Ewart,

Thanks again for the great day on Saturday, it was one of those singular moments that don’t come often enough. Not only did I meet up with some of my distant relatives and gain an insight into where the Tearle family originated but also by chance had dinner with whom I found out was a much closer relation, Anne Tearle, coming from James (out of William – Stanbridge 1749).

Anne and my mother share the same Gt Grandfather!

As it was only on the spur of the moment that she decided to attend I feel particularly lucky!

Goff:

Just wanted to add my congratulations to Elaine and Ewart for organising the 2010 TearleMeet.

It was amazing to see the rows of paper laid out along the church depicting our heritage – a mark to the

success of the research that has been carried out.

I was so pleased to be able to be there this year and meet so many members of the very extended family.

Maureen Rigby and Janette Harrison

Dear Ewart and Elaine, just a note to say how much we enjoyed, attending the “Tearlemeet”. You must put so much hard work into it all; aren’t we lucky to have two people working so tirelessly to get a family together. We really did enjoy it, and were amazed at the amount of research you must have done to have produced so much information! Norman will be sending you some of the photos’ he took which he’s quite pleased with; they really do seem to capture the atmosphere. Thank you both very much again from the four of us; we look forward to seeing you again in two years time. Very best wishes from us all, Maureen, Norman,Jan., and Roy.

Rosemary and Michael

Firstly THANKS to you both for all that you have (yet again!) done towards the Meet. It just wouldn’t happen without you two. Hopefully the people who come and those like us who stay at home because we aren’t near-by make it all worthwhile.

Barbara

A big thank you to Ewart and Elaine for organising today’s Tearlemeet:  it was a great success.  Pity about the weather – a bit blowy and not as warm as it could have been, but what does that matter when you are enjoying yourself?  And thanks to Pat and John whose tea and coffee was welcome

Since the last meet the trees have grown so big that two of them could not be fully unrolled along the length of the nave – that shows how much work everyone has put into reconstructing our families since the last meet and how much Ewart has done in recording the research.

For those who weren’t able to be there, we also remembered three special people who have died since the last meet:

  • John L whose book started many of us off on our Tearle history
  • Mavis Gerdtz from Melbourne who put in so much work on the Australian Tearles
  • Jennie Pugh who attended the last two meets and who was a living link with the Wing Tearles from the late 19C.

Thank you Ewart & Elaine

Richard

Thank you, Barbara: I can only echo that except to add that you have done more than ‘your bit’ in making both the group and the Meets so successful..

I would also like to add my thanks to all who made it and gave us even more information, Catherine for her superb display of the Soulbury Tearles and new member Anne who only joined 2 days ago.

A great success again and we can start looking forward to 2012