Essex Parish Registers Indexed

The Essex Record Office has announced that Parish Registers in their keeping have now been indexed making it even easier to search entries and ancestors: http://www.essexrecordofficeblog.co.uk/time-for-an-index-essex-record-office-in-partnership-with-ancestry-com/

Henry Fitzroy. Born Blackmore. June 1519

To commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of the birth of Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, in Blackmore a display has been mounted around the eight sides of the Font in the Priory Church of St Laurence telling his story and connection with the village.  The display will remain in place throughout the month following its 'unveiling' at the Blackmore Village Fayre over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend.  For those unable to see this in person, the eight panels are repeated below.

Henry Fitzroy

Born June 1519, Blackmore

Birth

Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII was born at Blackmore Priory in June 1519.  His mother, Bessie Blount, a lady in the retinue of Queen Catherine of Aragon, was one of the King’s mistresses.  “Without the birth of Henry Fitzroy, Bessie’s own affair would have probably gone unrecorded”.  When Bessie became visibly pregnant Thomas Wolsey discreetly dispatched her to Jericho House in Blackmore, the home of the prior Thomas Goodwyn.  “Bessie made her final appearance at court early in October 1518”.

Baptism

There is no surviving record of Henry Fitzroy’s baptism anywhere.  It is possible that the ceremony was held here at Blackmore around this Font.  Cardinal Wolsey was a godparent. He was absent from Court from 19 June to 29 June 1519.  Wolsey had been godparent for the boy’s half-sister Mary, the only surviving child born of Queen Catherine.   Could this font have been the place where the ceremony quietly took place?

Royal Visitor

Henry VIII is alleged to have been a frequent visitor to Jericho House where Bessie stayed after Fitzroy’s birth.  The King is said to have given orders not to be disturbed hence the expression used in Court, “He has gone to Jericho”.  The Priory was one of the King’s “Houses of Pleasure”.   (The present Jericho Priory was rebuilt c.1712.)   Bessie Blount may have later had a daughter by the King around 1520 at Blackmore.  She was married off to Gilbert Tailbois (or Tailboys), who hailed from a rich Lincolnshire family.  They may have married in April 1522 because “the king began to be conspicuously generous to Gilbert Tailboys”.

Henry Fitzroy Coat of Arms

Priory

Blackmore Priory was dissolved in 1527 because of its immoral goings-on.  In that year there were only four Canons in residence.   From “the records of the dissolution … it does appear that the prior was somewhat more worldly than he should have been”: its debts ran to one third of the annual income.   Perhaps the expenditure was higher than usual, sheltering a future King?  Cardinal Wolsey was granted the income from the dissolution.

Honours

Much admired and spoilt by Henry VIII, Henry Fitzroy was, by the age of six, created Duke of Richmond with the titles Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Somerset.   This placed Henry Fitzroy in an honoured position because the title held precedence over all other Dukes except potential legitimate sons of the King.   By doing so, Henry VIII had elevated his son’s position in society such that he would be a more eligible bachelor.   By the age of eight Henry Fitzroy was Admiral of England, Ireland and Normandy.

Early Marriage & Early Death

Thomas Howard was the 3^rd Duke of Norfolk, a very powerful and ambitious man in the court of Henry VIII.  He brought about the marriage to Henry VIII of his nieces, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard and for good measure his daughter Mary was married to Henry Fitzroy.  Henry Fitzroy died in 1536 of tuberculosis.  He was 17 years old.  His body was buried at Thetford Priory but later transferred to Framlingham Church in Suffolk, where it lies in an ornate tomb alongside other members of the Norfolk family.  Had he survived the course of English history could have changed and Fitzroy crowned Henry IX.

Blackmore: Copyhold Farm. Reader's Request For Information

Hello  I am trying to find out some details of the Tucker family and Copyhold Farm, Blackmore.  The 1901 Census shows them as living in Cornwall.  The 1911 in Hertfordshire.  In 1903 there was a birth at Copyhold Farm, and two deaths one in 1905 and 1906.  I think that they may have leased the farm but any information that you may know would be greatly appreciated.  As I live in Western Australia, it is difficult for me to visit the Essex Records Office and I find their website unhelpful.

Many thanks

Kind Regards

Lyn Tucker

Ancestry DNA Result

The results are in. My wife bought me an Ancestry DNA kit for Christmas, perhaps to settle a query as to how much local heritage I have. Knowing that on all four sides of my family my relations were born within the last 200 years, probably, not further away from where I live in the Colchester area, Middlesex and Cambridgeshire there was always a question as to whether my family jumped the English Channel in 1066.  The results are as expected except an indication of Norwegian or Swedish heritage.

I don't usually share personal history on this blog, but know that family historians look by and might be interested in this topic.

Do please share any comments you have about DNA testing.  We are interested here to learn from those who have done the test, not the outcomes of paternity suits.

High Ongar: Wheatsheaf Pub Demolition

The public house formerly known as The Wheatsheaf, for some while derelict, is currently being demolished. This photograph taken just after 7.00am today.

Blackmore: Village Hall Golden Anniversary

Blackmore Village Hall is fifty years old.  It was officially opened on 22 January 1969.  These documents, from the archive of the then Vicar Revd. Montague Knott, show the agenda for the opening event and the prayers of dedication. The final document is a Newsletter of events coming up.

Blackmore. Festival of Nine Lessons with Carols. 22 December 1968

Fifty years ago, on Sunday 22 December 1968, Revd. Monty Knott led a traditional Carol Service at Blackmore.  This is the Order of Service.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (21) Arthur John Nash

Arthur John Nash
War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. A. Nash Essex Church Window: Arthur J Nash Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as A J Nash [ERO A10815]
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment. 2nd Battalion. Service No: 27552 [CWGC]
Service Details: Enlisted: Epping [WFA] No medal card for Arthur, John, Arthur John or John Arthur Nash in Essex Regt. [Ancestry.com]
Personal and family information: Son of Mrs Eliza Chumbley, Blakmore, Ingatestone, Essex [source: Essex Regiment Museum database] Born High Ongar in 1882, he was the son of Eliza Nash, who was probably widowed soon after his birth, and who in 1884 married William Chumbley of Blackmore.  Arthur John Nash was baptised 6th August 1882 at High Ongar. He was the son of John Henry and Eliza Nash. The father’s occupation is blank which suggests a death [ERO D/P 68/1/11].  There is no record of a burial at High Ongar [ERO D/P 68/1/24]. Walter Thomas, the son of William Thomas and Eliza Chumbley was baptised at High Ongar on 30th November 1884 [ERO D/P 68/1/11].  1881 Census: [possible record of Eliza’s first marriage] 15 Hind St. Poplar, London, Middlesex, England John H. Nash.  Married.  [Age] 24 . Railway Engine Stoker.  [Born] Poplar, Middlesex, England. Eliza Nash.  Wife.  [Age] 23. [Born] Ongar, Essex, England. 1891 Census. High Ongar, 15 High Ongar St. Thomas Chumbley.  Head.  Married.  [Age] 30.  Agri. Lab.  [Born] Chigwell. Eliza Chumbley.  Wife.  Married.  [Age] 33.  [Born] High Ongar. Arthur Nash.  Son.  [Age] 8.  Scholar.  [Born] High Ongar. Walter Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 6.  [Born] High Ongar. Wm. Jeremiah Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 2.  [Born] High Ongar. Emily Chumbley.  Dau.  [Age] 0.  [Born] High Ongar. 1901 Census. Blackmore: Arthur Nash not present. William Chumbley.  Head.  Married.  [Age] 40.  Lab [agr mach].  [Born] Bethnal Green. Eliza Chumbley.  Wife.  Married.  [Age] 43.  [Born] High Ongar. William Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 12.  [Born] High Ongar. Emma Chumbley.  Dau.  [Age] 10.  [Born] High Ongar. Alfred Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 8.  [Born] High Ongar. Bertha Chumbley.  Dau.  [Age] 6.  [Born] High Ongar. Leonard Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 2.  [Born] Stanford Rivers. Bertie Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 1.  [Born] Blackmore. 1911 Census. Blackmore Parish: William Chumbley.  Head.  Married 27 years.  [Age] 49.  Farm Labourer.  [Born] Bethnel Green. Eliza Chumbley.  Wife.  Married.  [Age] 53.  [Born] High Ongar Essex. Arthur Nash.  Son.  Single [Age] 28.  Farm Labourer.  [Born] High Ongar Essex. Walter Chumbley.  Son.  Single.  [Age] 26.  Farm Labourer.  [Born] High Ongar Essex. Alfred Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 17.  Farm Labourer.  [Born] High Ongar Essex. Bertha Chumbley.  Daughter.  [Age] 15.  Servant Domestic.  [Born] High Ongar Essex. Leonard Chumbley.  Son.  [Age] 12.  School.  [Born] Stanford Rivers Essex. Herbert Chumbley.  Son. [Age] 10.  School.  [Born] Blackmore Essex. Bertha Chumbley married Alfred Godding, another victim of the First World War also commemorated on the War Memorial at Blackmore.
Date of Death: 23rd October 1916
Age: 34
Where died: Killed in action France 23.10.1916  [source: Essex Regiment Museum database]
Place of Burial or Commemoration: Memorial: Thiepval Memorial. Pier & Face 100
List of Sources: Ancestry.com, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Essex Regiment Museum, Western Front Association.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (20) Ernest Charles Martin

Ernest Charles Martin

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. E. Martin Essex Church Window: Ernest C Martin Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as E C Martin [ERO A10815]

Rank: Private

Regiment: Essex Regiment. 11th Battalion. Service No: 14241 [CWGC]

Service Details: Born:  Holloway, Middlesex, Enlisted:  Warley, Essex Residence:  Blackmore, Essex [Military genealogy.com] No military record found 100114 Medal cards of two Ernest Martins exist, but both show that they were demobilised at the end of the war.  An Ernest Charles Martin was discharged due to sickness 6/1916, and so cannot be a candidate.

Personal and family information: Blackmore Ernest Martin baptised 9th August 1886 (born 15/12/1880). His parents were Charles, an agricultural machine owner, and Emma [ERO D/P 266/1/11]. 1881 Census. Blackmore Charles Martin.  Engine Proprietor & Driver (Agric). [Age] 47. [Born] Gt Baddow Emma Martin. Wife. [Age] 42. [Born]. Ripley, Surrey Henry Martin. Son. Ag Lab. [Age] 18. [Born] Gt Baddow Cornelius Martin. Son. Scholar. [Age] 13. [Born] Writtle, Essex Walter Martin. Son. Scholar. [Age] 10. [Born] Writtle, Essex Arthur Martin. Son. Scholar. [Age] 5. [Born] Writtle, Essex Ernest Martin. Son. [Age] 3m. [Born] Blackmore No record of family on 1891 or 1901 census in Blackmore. Charles Martin, Proprietor of steam thrashing machines Kelly's Directory 1890 and 1906

Date of Death: 27th September 1916

Age: 35

Where died: Wounded 9/15. Killed in action. France. 27.9.1916. No known grave. [source: Essex Regiment Museum database]

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Memorial: Thiepval Memorial. Pier & Face 10D

List of Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Essex Regiment Museum. Soldiers who Died in the Great War.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (19) Herbert Charles Game

Herbert Charles Game

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. H. Game E. Surrey Church Window: Herbert C Game Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as H C Game [ERO A10815]

Rank: Private

Regiment: East Surrey Regiment. 9th Battalion. Service No. 1040.  [CWGC]

Service Details: Medal rolls: E Surrey R Pte 1040 K in A Victory/British E 263 B p. 145 15 star E/1/4 B1 p. 56 First served [1] France 25/8/1915.  No contact address.

Personal and family information: Charles, the father of Herbert Charles, was born Q3 1868 Cockfield [FreeBMD], and was living there in 1881 [census].  He married Martha Kate Campen Q1 1890 in Cosford RD, which includes Cockfield [FreeBMD].  Martha’s birth was also registered Q3 1871 Cosford.  The 1911 Census records: Charles Games. Head. Married. [Age] 43. “Farm Labrour”. [Born] Suffolk Capfield. Martha Kate Games. Wife. Married 21 [years]. [Age] 41. [Born] Suffolk. Capfield Herbert Charles Games. Son. Single. [Age] 19.  Cow Boy.  [Born] Suffolk. Capfield Robert Henry Games. Son. Single. [Age] 17.  Cow Boy.  [Born] Suffolk. Capfield Jane May Games.  Daughter.  [Age] 12. School. [Born] Suffolk Capfield Alfred Thomas Games.  Son. [Age] 8.  School.  [Born] Blackmore Essex Ross Cocksedge. Nephew. Single.  [Age] 22.  Horseman.  [Born] Suffolk Shimpling For Capfield read Cockfield, near Lavenham. The 1910 Electoral Roll for Blackmore has Charles Games as a voter living at Swallows Cross. Colin Game (a descendant) says that Jane May Games should read Iona May Game. Herbert Game is a name occurring more than once. Another, Herbert Game (H C Game’s uncle), fell in the Essex Regiment. He was born Cockfield, in Suffolk; lived at Brentwood; and, enlisted at Warley. A/Sgt Game was killed in action in France, aged 38, on 15th October 1916.  He was the son of Robert and Sarah Ann Game and husband of Alice Louisa Game of Farnborough in Kent [source: Essex Regiment Museum database].

Date of Death: 16th August 1916

Age: 25

Where died: Killed in action at the Battle of the Somme [CWGC]

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Thiepval Memorial.  Pier and Face 6B. [CWGC]

List of Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Regiment Museum, Free BMD, Colin Game a descendant of the person commemorated.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (18) William Edward Rudling

William Edward Rudling

War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. W. Rudling. Church window: William E Rudling. Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as W E Rudley, (probably on account of the fact that it was several years after the conclusion of the Great War that the Hospital was built) [ERO A10815].

Rank: Private

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment. 2nd Battalion.  Service No: 27046. [CWGC]

Service Details: Born: Blackmore, Essex Enlisted: Epping [SDGW] Medal card: Victory/British K/1/103 B15 p. 2956 [Ancestry.com]

Personal and family information: Brother of Mr. A. Rudling, of 10, Elm Park, Brixton Hill, London. [CWGC] The name does not appear on the 1881 census for Blackmore, or having been born in Blackmore.  Perhaps a later resident. William Edward Rudling was baptised on 27th April 1879 at St Michael’s Church, Thorpe-le-Soken (Tendring district), Essex.  His parents were William (a painter) and Sarah.  The priest records the place of residence as ‘Thorp’ [ERO D/P 8/1/6]. The 1901 census lists William Rudling, age 22, as a grocer’s assistant.  He gives his birthplace as Thorp-le-Soken, and lived in Church Street with John Martin (also born Thorpe-le-Soken) and family, in what is now Longbeam Cottage.  1911: Living in Blackmore, age 30 (so was 8 years older than in 1901!)

Date of Death: 16th August 1916

Age: 38

Where died: Killed in action in the Battle of the Somme.

Place of Burial or Commemoration: Thiepval Memorial.  Pier and Face 2A.

List of Sources: Ancestry.com, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Soldiers who Died in the Great War,

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Last Chance to See Moving Tribute

The Poppy Trail and Display in the churchyard of St Laurence, Blackmore, has attracted many visitors over the last fortnight.  Many have commented that it is a "moving tribute" to those who served in the First World War, whose Centenary of its ending was marked on 11 November.  Photographs taken this afternoon.  This is the last opportunity to see the work before it is dismantled on Wednesday 21 November. Can be seen during the shortening daylight hours.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (17) Albert Edward Barker

Albert Edward Barker
War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: Pte. A. Barker Essex Church window: Edward Barker Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as E Barker [ERO A10815]
Rank: Private
Regiment: Essex Regiment. 2nd Battalion.  No. 32975 [CWGC]
Service Details: There are several men by the name of Albert Edward Barker who served in the Essex Regiment.  Blackmore’s fallen victim is: Albert Edward Barker Essex Regiment 2nd Battalion Born: Romford Lived: Blackmore Enlisted: Epping Killed in action. France. 10.10.1917 No Known Grave  [Source: Essex Regiment Museum database]
Personal and family information: Son of Edward and Amy Barker; husband of Lily Quilter (formerly Barker), of 2, Marion Villas, Oldchurch Rd., Romford. [CWGC] 1911 Census.  This Romford born man was an off licence holder in Camberwell, South East London.  His wife, Lily, three years older than him, aged 32, assisted him in the running of the business. At that time they had two children, Lilian Amy, aged 7, and Edward Leslie, aged 5, who were both at school.  Staying with them on the night of the census was a visitor and monthly nurse, Emma Langstone, aged 64, from Maldon Essex.  The family were all born in Romford.  1881 Census. Records Lilly Langstone b. 1879 Dagenham, daughter of George & Emma, living Chigwell. Listed (erroneously) as absent voter at The Bull on the 1918 Electoral Register (because he had died) [ERO C/E 2/1/1]. Baptism of daughter at St Laurence Blackmore: 31st January 1913.   Doris Emma, daughter of Albert Edward & Lily Barker, Licensed Victualler [ERO 266/1/17] Kelly’s Directory 1914 records the landlord of The Bull Blackmore as Albert Edward Barker.  In 1917 we find the landlady as publican: Mrs Lily Barker. [http://www.deadpubs.co.uk/EssexPubs/Blackmore/bull.shtml].  Given the trade undertaken in the 1911 census this appears to be the link between the man and Blackmore. After Albert’s death Lily remarried and moved presumably from Blackmore back to Romford. Her surname was Quilter.
Date of Death: 10th October 1917 [CWGC]
Age: 38
Where died: Died at Peolcappelle. [CWGC]
Place of Burial or Commemoration: Commemorated on Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
List of Sources: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, deadpubs.co.uk, Essex Record Office, Essex Regiment Museum.

Blackmore. Remembrance 100. Twenty-one days. Twenty-one names. (16) Ernest Maynard

Ernest Albert Maynard
War Memorial: Place and inscription Blackmore War Memorial: L/Corp. E Maynard Essex. Church window: Ernest A Maynard. Ongar & District War Memorial Hospital Roll of Honour (Blackmore) as E A Maynard [ERO A10815].
Rank: Lance Corporal
Regiment: Bedfordshire Regiment "A" Coy. 8th Battalion (formerly 27282 Essex)  Service No: 33237 [CWGC]
Service Details: Enlisted: Warley. [WFA] Medal card shows roll ref for Victory/British medals as K/2/104 B11 p. 744.  No reference to L/cpl rank. [Ancestry.com]
Personal and family information: The Baptism Register [ERO D/P 266/1/11] confirms that Ernest Albert Maynard was baptised on 4th May 1890. His parents were George, a builder, and Emma. Ernest Albert Maynard is recorded in the Sunday School ‘Scholars’ Admission Book’, baptised May 4 1890 [ERO D/P 266/28]. In the 1901 census Ernest Maynard was living in the Chelmsford Road with his parents, George and Emma,  and 4 older children: Fred W, Joseph H, Eleanor and Edgar. In 1911 census his parents lived in Chelmsford Road, Blackmore. George, a bricklayer born Blackmore was aged 62, and Emma, his wife of 40 years, born Mile End, was 58 years old. In the 1911 census Ernest Maynard (then aged 21) was a “domestic gardener” living with his sister Gerlinda [Gertrude] Sankey (aged 26) and her husband, William Sankey (aged 28, a “groom domestic”) at Ivy Cottage, Stondon Massey.  William Sankey is recorded on the War Memorial as coming through the war.  Ernest Maynard worked in the garden at Stondon Massey Rectory before going to war.  George Maynard died, aged 63, and was buried at Blackmore on 20th March 1912 [Burial Register –original in Church Safe]. Revd. Edward Reeve, Rector of Stondon Massey, was a keen recorder of events during the First World War. He wrote [source: ERO T/P 188/3]: 7th February 1916 Gardeners of military age who can pass the medical tests will now of course be unknown.  William Penson, gardener at Stondon Rectory, went in November 1914 to do his part.  He was engaged for some five months at Stratford, and then proceeded for a rather longer period to Chelmsford where he was employed in guarding Marconi Wireless electric apparatus, and in patrol work of divers kinds.  More recently he has been removed to Manningtree. His place has been filled by Ernest Maynard, a Blackmore lad who has been learning under him, but he too will now be in request for home service. 7th March 1916 Our younger garden helper, Ernest Maynard, has now been called up, and is to join his company for duty on March 15th at Epping. 6th July 1917 We have received news of the death of Ernest Maynard killed on the French Front, formerly a helper in the Rectory Garden.  It appears that he was attached to a Machine Gun which was doing good service when a shell burst among those manning it, killing most of them instantaneously.” Reeve kept a number of letters relating to local men serving on the Western Front. Two letters relate to Ernest Maynard [ERO D/P 98/28/18] 1.            A black edged letter “Fingrith Hall Road, Blackmore. July 13 [1917] The Rev Reeve Dr Sir. so sorry to write to tell you the sad news of the death of our dear brother Ernest Maynard who was killed in action June 27. Mother has received a very nice letter referring to his noble death also that he was buried in a cemetery.  Yours truly J H Maynard” 2.            a second letter, dated 8th August 1917 “Dr Sir. Thankyou very much for letter received so sorry but we were unable to answear before as Mother was waiting the captains letter so I have enclosed same My brother was in the Essex drafted to the Bedfords and he was also a Lewis gunner untill he met his death again thanking you for your kind letter. Yours truly J Maynard”. Reeve noted on the letter, “He was hit by a shell and died instantly. Buried at the British Cemetery at Philosophe. G W Brewster. Captain”. [ERO D/P 98/28/18] Revd. Reeve records that Ernest Maynard “joined at Epping in March [1916] the 12th Essex” [ERO T/P 188/3 f745] Following the War Revd Reeve wrote of the deliberations of names to be included on the War Memorial at Stondon Massey: “The six names are all that we could fairly include, though Ernest Maynard, a Blackmore lad who worked in the Rectory garden here up to the time of enlisting, was well known, and almost eligible; and Fred Garnham, who fell in the Mons retreat, had been brought up in the village, but had married and joined from Radley Green, Writtle.  R J Ellis was living at Norton [Mandeville] when he died, but was included as being a true Stondon lad, and with his old parents still in the parish” [ERO T/P 188/3 f860-863] His name is not recorded on the Essex Regiment Museum database. [Essex Regiment Museum]. Following the war his mother always laid a wreath at the War Memorial every Armistice Day to his memory [Mary Coller].
Date of Death: 27th June 1917
Age: 27
Where died: Killed in action  [WFA]
Place of Burial or Commemoration: I. S. 19. Cemetery: Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe.  [CWGC]
List of Sources: Ancestry.com, Mary Coller “Blackmore My 1920s Wonderland”, Church Safe with grateful acknowledgment to the Vicar and churchwardens, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Essex Record Office, Western Front Association