Henry is believed to have been the third child of Henry Alexander and his wife, Elizabeth Perry, probably being born towards the end of 1703. A mystery surrounds Henry’s baptism, as there are no less than three entries at the bottom of the second column of a page in the register of St. Giles, Mountnessing. (In a transcript of the parish registers carried out about a century ago, the transcriber included the comment that the state of the entries in the register left a lot to be desired! The first entry states that:
“Hen. ye sonn of Hen. Alexander was baptized Feb. 20 1703/4.”
After an unconnected entry, the second entry states:
“ Henry the son of Henry Alexander was baptized March 12 1703/4.”
Then follows another unconnected entry, and finally the third entry states:
“Henry ye son of Henry Alexander and Eliz. Miller his wife was bapt March 12 1703/4 ye daughter of Richard Miller.”
This is strange, as there is no record of a marriage between Henry Alexander and Elizabeth Miller, but there is a marriage between Henry Alexander and Elizabeth Perry in 1699 in Mountnessing, and as additional confirmation, in Henry’s will dated 1719, he refers to his son-in-law John Perry. (P/c of entries in baptism register)
It is assumed that Henry continued to live with his parents in Mountnessing up until the time of his father’s death in March 1722. This is the latest date for any event taking place in Mountnessing, at which time Henry would only have been aged eighteen. His father’s will was proven on 6th April 1722, in which he made the following bequests to Henry:
All that messuage or tenement containing by estimation ten acres known by the name of Broadmores in the parish of Stock, however, if Henry sold, mortgaged or let it for lease exceeding seven years, it was to be seized by the officers of the parish for the use of the poor for ever. Henry was also to inherit property in Downham after the death of his mother under similar terms as above. In addition, he was also to receive the sum of ten pounds. (P/c of will)
I have been unable so far to find out any information about Henry’s mother Elizabeth after the death of her husband, and so it is unclear where Henry may have been living before his marriage. The details concerning his marriage state that he was of Ingrave, but there is no information which confirms that he was living there for any particular time (see below).
On 28th January 1731/2 Henry obtained a marriage licence. This marriage bond is an early example of a licence as the opening two paragraphs are written in Latin. It confirms that Henry was of Ingrave in the County of Essex, a yeoman, and “John Doe” also a yeoman entered into a bond in the sum of two hundred ‘libris bona & legalis Monetae Magma Britannia.’ Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage bond)
The marriage allegation confirmed that Henry Alexander of Ingrave was a singleman and that he intended to marry Jane Laver also of Ingrave, a singlewoman aged about twenty eight, in the parish church of West Horndon or Ingrave. Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage allegation)
The marriage between Henry and Jane both of “Gingraff” (Ingrave) duly took place on 7th February 1731/2 at St. Nicholas Church, West Horndon, just a few years before the church was pulled down. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
As mentioned above, whether Henry had any ties with Ingrave is not known. However, we do know that with the birth of his first child, Jane, she was born and baptised in Upminster
After the birth of their daughter, Jane, Henry lost both his wife and the child within a matter of just three weeks during November and December 1732. (P/c of entries in burial register)
On 17th June 1733 Henry obtained another marriage licence. The marriage bond does not appear to have survived. (It was obtained from English Origins unlike some of the others which came from the Essex Record Office). The marriage allegation stated that Henry Alexander of North End in the parish of Upminster, a widower, intended to marry Susanna Meakins of Hutton, aged twenty-four and a widow. The marriage was to take place at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street, London. Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage allegation)
On 17th June 1733 Henry married Susanna at the Church of St. Mary Magdalen in Old Fish Street. Henry was recorded as a widower, living in North End, Middlesex whilst Susanna, a widow, came from Hutton also in Middlesex (!) (P/c of entry in marriage register)
During their twenty-three years of marriage, Henry and Susanna had nine children, all being baptised at St. Laurence’s Church, Upminster and all but one of them surviving into adulthood. (P/c of entries in baptism registers)
A poll book dated 1734 records Henry as being eligible to vote in the election of knights of the shire to represent the County of Essex. He is shown as residing in Upminster but was entitled to vote due to owning freehold property in the parish of Stock. (P/c of Poll Book)
Whilst researching the Cross family of Mountnessing (Charles Alexander married Martha Cross), an entry was found in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Thoby and Thoby Fee in Ginge Mountney and Ginge Margaret. At a General Court Baron held on 7th June 1781, it was presented that William Wood had died since the last Court. It went on to state that he had been admitted tenant on the surrender of Henry Alexander and Susanna his wife on 2nd January 1749 “to all that Messuage or Tenement with the Stable Buildings Outhouses and Appurtenances thereunto belonging And all that piece or parcel of Land formerly parcel of the Waste Soil of this Manor containing in Length fourteen Rods or thereabouts and in Breadth four Rods or thereabouts near adjoining to the said Messuage as the same Messuage Lands and Premises are situate lying and being in Mountnessing…and abutting upon the Kings Highway leading from Ingatestone to Brentwood in the said County with all the Ways Waters Rights and Appurtenances thereto belonging.” (It is not known when this property was originally acquired by Henry as the Manorial records are not deposited at the Essex Record Office for that time). (P/c of Court Roll)
After the baptism of their final child, John in 1750, and before February 1756, the family left Upminster and moved to Hornchurch.
In February 1756 Henry’s wife Susanna died and was buried in Hornchurch. (P/c of entry in burial register)
After the death of Henry’s second wife in 1756, Henry married for the third time in 1762. On 7th January 1762 Henry obtained a marriage bond. It stated that he was from Hornchurch and was a farmer. He entered into a bond in the sum of two hundred pounds and that he was a widower and intended to marry Mary Barker, a widow. Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage bond)
The marriage allegation dated the same date states that Henry Alexander of Hornchurch aged upwards of twenty-one years, a widower, intended to marry Mary Barker of Shenfield, also aged upwards of twenty-one years and a widow, at the parish church of Shenfield. Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage allegation)
The marriage duly took place on 11th January 1762 at St. Mary’s Church, Shenfield. The marriage entry states that Henry was a widower of Hornchurch, a yeoman, and Mary was a widow of Shenfield. Both parties signed their own names, and the witnesses were Stephen Crossingham and John Newman. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
Henry and Mary did not have any children, and from the age recorded on the burial entry for Mary which states that she was aged 74 in 1792, it would mean that she was aged about 44 at the time of her marriage. (P/c of entry in burial register)
Another poll book, dating from 1763, similarly shows that Henry was entitled to vote. By this time he was living in Hornchurch, but his ownership of property in Stock qualified him to vote. (P/c of Poll Book)
On 19th September 1765, Henry was one of the witnesses at his daughter Jane’s marriage to Robert Cook in Hornchurch. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
On 31st May 1768, Henry was one of the witnesses at his daughter Susannah’s marriage to Thomas Watton in Hornchurch. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
A third and final poll book from 1768 shows that Henry was still living in Hornchurch and was eligible to vote due to having freehold property in Stock. (P/c of Poll Book)
On 4th February 1783, Henry Alexander of Hornchurch made his last will and testament which contained the following bequests:
1. To Mary my dear beloved Wife the sum of Ten Pounds to be paid within five years after my death, and the Marriage Bond made good according to Contract
2. To Henry Alexander my Son the Land now in his possession in the parish of Downham, part copyhold and part free and the Sum of two Pounds
3. To my Son Thomas Alexander the Sum of Ten Pounds to be paid within three Years after my Death
4. To my Daughter Jane Taylor the Sum of Six Pounds within three Years after my Death
5. To my two Grand Children Rebecca and William Meakins the Sum of three Pounds three shillings each to be paid when they come to the Age of Twenty One
6. To my Daughter Susanna Watton the Sum of three Pounds three shillings to be paid three Years after my Death
7. To my Son Richard Alexander the Stock and Crops of Redden Court Farm with the utensils of Husbandry and the Brewing utensils
8. To my Son William Alexander the Sum of three Pounds three shillings to be paid at my Death
9. To my Grandson William Alexander the Son of Thomas Alexander the Sum of Ten Pounds Ten shillings to be paid three Years after my Death
10. To my Son William Alexander my farm called Broad Mores in the parish of Stock and to pay half the Legacies out of the said Farm
11. To my Son Richard Alexander the Sum of Five shillings to be paid at my Death and to pay half the Legacies out of the Stock at Redden Court
Henry appointed his sons Richard and William to be executors of his will. (P/c of will)
Henry died in August 1785 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch on 29th of that month, and according to the comment recorded in the register, he was aged 84. An Affidavit was produced on the same date that Henry was buried in woollen. (P/c of entry in burial register)
Henry’s will was proved at London on the 20th September 1785 at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury by the oaths of Richard and William Alexander. (P/c of will)
FIRST WIFE
JANE LAVER (c1703 – 1732)
Jane was probably born at the beginning of 1703, the daughter of Peter and Mary Laver. She was baptised on 1st March 1703 at the Church of St. Nicholas in Ingrave. A few years later in 1710, a description of the church was written stating that “the church lyes in a dirty bottom near Ingrave Hall.” It was demolished in 1734 and a new church was built in Ingrave after an Act of Parliament was obtained to unite West Horndon (which had also lost its church) and Ingrave. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
After her marriage to Henry in February 1732, she gave birth to a daughter also called Jane, was who born on 13th November of that year. Jane never recovered from childbirth and died shortly afterwards in Upminster, being buried on 28th November 1732 in the churchyard of St. Nicholas, Ingrave. (P/c of entry in burial register)
After the church was demolished, the ground later became part of a garden of a private house. No gravestones appear to have survived above ground, although there may be some which have been covered over.
CHILDREN
1. JANE ALEXANDER (1732 – 1732)
Jane was born on 13th November 1732 and baptised shortly afterwards on 3rd December at St. Laurence’s Church in Upminster.
Jane died a couple of weeks later in December and was buried at St. Laurence’s Church in Upminster on 20th December 1732, just three weeks after her mother had been buried.
SECOND WIFE
SUSANNAH MEAKINS (c1709 – 1756)
The only information known about Susanna at the moment comes from the details contained in the marriage allegation obtained prior to her marriage to Henry on 17th June 1733. It states that she was aged twenty-four, if this is accurate (and it may be as the person’s age was often recorded as being ‘upwards of twenty-one’) then it would mean that Susanna was born circa 1709. (P/c of marriage allegation)
At the time of her marriage, she was living in Hutton, but as she was a widow, her maiden name and the reason why she was living in Hutton remain a mystery.
Susanna (or Susan) died during February 1756 and she was buried on 16th February of that year in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch. She was described in the burial register as the wife of Henry, a farmer. (P/c of entry in burial register)
As there has not yet been a survey of monumental inscriptions carried out at St. Andrew’s, it isn’t known if there is a gravestone for Susanna.
CHILDREN
2. HENRY ALEXANDER (1734 – 1735)
The first child of Henry and his second wife Susannah, was Henry, who was born on 22nd May and baptised on 9th June 1734 at the Church of St. Laurence in Upminster, and would have been named after either his father or his grandfather. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Henry must have died one year later, as the burial register states that he was buried on 9th June 1735 in the churchyard of St. Laurence in Upminster. (P/c of entry in burial register)
3. HENRY ALEXANDER (1736 – 1795)
Henry was born around the beginning of 1736 and baptised on 29th February 1736 at the Church of St. Laurence in Upminster. In order to continue the line of descent, he was baptised with the same name as his recently deceased older brother who had been named after his father and grandfather. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Henry grew up in Upminster until the family moved to Hornchurch, but by 1764, he had moved to Downham. On 3rd March 1764 Henry obtained a marriage licence and the marriage bond stated that he was a farmer of Downham. He entered into a bond in the sum of two hundred pounds stating that he was a bachelor and that he intended to marry Mary Collins a spinster from the parish of Runwell. Henry signed the document. (P/c of marriage bond)
On the same day, Henry signed the marriage allegation which stated that he was of the parish of Downham and aged upwards of twenty four and a bachelor. He intended to marry Mary Collins, a spinster of Runwell and was also aged upwards of twenty four year. The marriage was to take place in the parish church of Downham. (P/c of marriage allegation)
The marriage duly took place in the Church of St. Margaret’s, Downham on 9th March 1764. The details add little to what is already known, except that both parties signed their own names, Mary actually signed her named Collings. The witnesses were Henry’s younger sister Jane and Henry Salmon. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
A poll book, dating from 1763, shows that Henry was entitled to vote. It confirmed that Henry was living in Downham and that he owned land there. (P/c of Poll Book)
Similarly, the poll book of 1768 records Henry living in Downham and also having a freehold property there, thus entitling him to vote. (P/c of Poll Book)
Through a chance discovery on the Internet, I discovered someone researching the surname Kirby and he had lodged a query concerning the Alexander family of Downham. Following up on this lead, I discovered a settlement examination of John Kirby, labourer dated 28th November 1805. Whilst being examined, John stated that he was about 40 years old and was born in Great Burstead. About seventeen years previously, he had been hired by _______ Alexander in the parish of Downham “to be his servant in husbandry for the term of one year at the wages of seven pounds or thereabouts and under such hiring duly served the said _______ Alexander one full year in Downham aforesaid and received all his wages.” Although not named, it is believed that this refers to Henry. (P/c of Settlement Examination)
In March 1785, Henry’s wife Mary died and she was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s in Downham. (P/c of entry in burial register)
Henry died on 18th September 1795 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s in Downham on 22nd September. (P/c of entry in burial register)
Although Henry was head of this branch of the Alexander family who settled in Downham, no gravestone has survived for him, although there are several gravestones commemorating other members of the family (see below).
Henry did not leave a will, however, the Church Court Records contain details of an administration (or admon). On 30th October 1795, Henry’s son, also named Henry, attended a Church Court and alleged that his father, a widower, had died on 18th September intestate, and that he was the son and one of the next-of-kin. Administration was granted to Henry having stated that the value of his father’s goods, chattles and credits amounted to one thousand pounds. Henry then entered into a bond in the sum of two thousand pounds along with Edward Collings of Runwell and Samuel Archer of Wickford, both farmers, duly to administer the estate. (P/c of bond)
There is also an entry dated 30th November 1795 which in the Church Court Records stating that Henry’s son, also called Henry, was granted a commission to administer the goods, chattles and credits of his late father, the value of which was estimated to be under £1,000. (P/c of Church Court Records)
Children:
Henry and Mary had four children, although two of them died in infancy.
1. Mary was born during 1764 and was baptised at St. Margaret’s Church, Downham on 16th October of that year. She died in February of the following year and was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s, Downham on 16th February 1765. (P/c of entries in baptism and burial registers)
2. Mary was born towards the end of 1765 and was given the same name of her deceased sister when she was baptised on 17th December 1765 at St. Margaret’s Church, Downham. Nothing more is known about Mary. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
3. Henry was born around the end of 1766 or the beginning of 1767, being baptised on 15th February 1767 at St. Margaret’s Church, Downham. Henry subsequently died in July of that year and was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s in Downham on 12th July 1767. (P/c of entries in baptism and burial registers)
4. Henry was born during 1769 and was baptised on 15th June 1769 at St. Margaret’s Church, Downham. Again, it can be seen how important it was in those days to perpetuate a family name. (P/c of entry in parish register)
On 25th March 1994, Henry Alexander of the parish of Downham, farmer, and Samuel Archer of the parish of Wickford, also a farmer entered into a bond in the sum of one hundred pounds when Henry obtained a marriage licence. The marriage bond states that Henry was a bachelor and intended to marry Susan Archer, a spinster and a minor, (i.e. under the age of twenty-one). Both Henry and Samuel Archer, Susan’s father, signed the document. (P/c of marriage allegation).
On the same day, Henry and Samuel Archer signed the marriage allegation which stated that Henry Alexander of Downham was aged upwards of twenty one years and was a bachelor, and that he intended to marry Susan Archer of the parish of Wickford aged upwards of twenty years, a minor, with the consent of Samuel Archer her natural and lawful father. The marriage was to take place in the parish church of Downham. In addition to the normal allegation, there is a handwritten postscript whereby Samuel Archer of Wickford alleged that he was the natural and lawful father of the said Susan Archer the Minor and that he was consenting to the above intended marriage. (P/c of marriage allegation)
The marriage duly took place on 27th March 1794 not at St. Margaret’s Church in Downham as stipulated, but at St. Catherine’s Church in Wickford. Both parties signed their own names and the witnesses were Samuel Archer and Mary Rivers [?] (P/c of entry in marriage register)
Susan, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah Archer, was born in 1773 and baptised at St. Catherine’s Church, Wickford on 19th December 1773. (P/c entry of baptism register)
Susan died on December 1833 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s in Downham on 31st December. The register confirms that she had lived in Downham and was aged 59 years. (P/c of entry in burial register)
A double gravestone was erected in the churchyard, the left hand panel stating “Sacred to the memory of Susannah Alexander who died the 20th Dec 1833 aged 59 years.” (Photograph)
Henry died a couple of months after his wife Susan, on 6th February 1834 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Margaret’s in Downham on 18th February 1834. The register confirms that he had lived in Downham and was aged 62 years. (P/c of entry in burial register)
A double gravestone was erected in the churchyard, the right hand panel stating “Sacred to the memory of Henry Alexander who died the 6th Feb 1834 aged 63 years.” (Photograph)
4. SUSANNAH ALEXANDER (1737 – 1792)
Susan[nah] was born in early 1737 and she was baptised at the Church of St. Laurence in Upminster on 28th April 1737, and named after her mother. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Having moved with her family from Upminster to Hornchurch sometime between 1751 and early 1756, Susannah was living there when Thomas Watton obtained a marriage licence form the Vicar General’s Office on 26th May 1768. In the marriage allegation, Thomas stated that he was of the parish of Hornchurch and a widower, and intended to marry Susannah Alexander of the same parish aged twenty-one years and upwards at the parish church of Hornchurch. Thomas signed the document. (P/c of marriage allegation)
Susannah and Thomas were duly married at the church of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch on 31st May 1768. Both parties signed their own names and the witnesses were Henry Alexander, probably Susannah’s father and William Carter. (Note: There is a marked difference in the formation of the letter ‘H’ as written by her father Henry, as compared with that of her brother Henry). (P/c of entry in marriage register)
Thomas was baptised on 4th October 1704 at St. Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch, the son of John Watton Junior. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Susannah and Thomas had two children. Joseph was born in 1770 and was privately baptised on 8th June, and then subsequently publicly baptised at St. Andrew’s Church in Hornchurch on 10th June. Joseph died a few weeks later and was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s on 18th August 1770. He was described in the register as the son of Thomas and Susannah and an affidavit was produced on the following day confirming that he had been buried in woollen. Sarah was privately baptised on 27th December 1772 and publicly baptised on 20th January 1773. It is not known what happened to Sarah after the death of her parents. (P/c of entry in baptism and burial registers)
Thomas made his will on 24th May 1784 and described himself as a carpenter. The will was proven on 8th January 1788 in London at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. His wife Susannah and brother-in-law were the Executors. In his will, he bequeathed the messuage or tenement in which he lived near Butts Green, Hornchurch to Susannah for the term of her natural life, after which it was to pass to his daughter Susannah (from his previous marriage) if his daughter Sarah had previously died. In addition to the building in which he lived, Thomas also owned two more messuages at Butts Green and a further four at Hadley Green. All these he left to Sarah, or if she should die without ‘issue lawfully begotten’, then they should pass to various members of the Watton family. (P/c of will)
In August 1785 Henry Alexander died, leaving the sum of three pounds three shillings to be paid to Susannah three years after his death. (P/c of will)
Thomas died during September 1787 and was buried on 9th September in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch. The register states that he had formerly been the parish clerk and was “aged almost 83.” An affidavit confirming that he had been buried in woollen was provided two days later. (P/c of entry in burial register)
Susannah died in November 1792 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch on 11th November. The register states that she was aged 55 and that an affidavit confirming that she had been buried in woollen was finally produced on 5th May 1793. (P/c of entry in burial register)
5. THOMAS ALEXANDER (1738 – 1803)
Details provided previously.
6. REBECCA ALEXANDER (1741 – 1777)
Rebecca was probably born in early 1741 as she was baptised at the Church of St. Laurence in Upminster on 16th May of that year. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Between 1751 and early 1756, Rebecca moved with her family to Hornchurch. Then on Sunday 9th March banns of marriage were first published between Rebecca Alexander and William Meakins, both of the parish of Hornchurch. (P/c of entry in marriage banns)
The marriage between Rebecca and William duly took place on 10th April 1766 at St. Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch. The entry in the register states that both Rebecca and William were of Hornchurch. Both parties signed their own names, although Rebecca signed her name Rebekah, and the witnesses were Thomas Meakins and Thomas Watton. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
Although Rebecca’s mother was Susanna Meakins, she had married into the Meakins family. It is likely, however, that there is a connection between William, Thomas and Susanna once further research has been carried out. Thomas Watton had been a witness at three of the four marriages recorded on this page of the register, and was the church clerk. That being said, Rebecca’s older sister Susanna had married a Thomas Watton, and this may well be the same person.
William was the son of William and Sarah Meakins, and was baptised on 26th April 1728 at Romford St. Edward the Confessor. It isn’t known what happened to William after the death of Rebecca in 1777. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Rebecca and William had three children, all born and baptised in Hornchurch. Rebecca was baptised on 13th March 1767 and William was baptised on 18th September 1768. Both Rebecca and William were mentioned as the grandchildren of Henry Alexander in his will, and he left them each the sum of three pounds and three shillings to be paid when they obtained the age of twenty-one. The last child was Charles Mab[b] who was baptised on 25th March 1770. Charles subsequently died and was buried on 23rd August of the same year. The entry in the register confirms that he was the son of William and Rebecca, and that an affidavit was produced two days later to confirm that he had been buried in woollen. (P/c of entries in baptism and burial registers)
Rebecca died during late July 1777 and was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch on 2nd August. She was described as the wife of William Meakins. An affidavit was produced on the following day confirming that Rebecca had been buried in woollen. (P/c of entry in burial register)
7. JANE ALEXANDER (1743 – 1783+)
Jane was probably born in early 1743 as she was baptised at the Church of St. Laurence in Upminster on 11th February of that year. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Between 1751 and early 1756, Jane moved with her family to Hornchurch. On 9th March 1764 Jane was a witness at her brother Henry’s marriage which took place at Downham. (P/c of entry in marriage register)
Then on 16th September 1765, Robert Cook of the Chapelry of Hornchurch, a farmer along with William Guy, a labourer of Cranham, entered into a bond in the sum of two hundred pounds for Robert to marry Jane. The bond states that Robert was a bachelor and Jane was a spinster of Hornchurch. Robert signed the document. (P/c of marriage bond)
On the same date, Robert signed the marriage allegation which stated that he was a farmer of the Chapelry of Romford aged upwards of twenty-one and a bachelor intended to marry Jane Alexander of Hornchurch also aged upwards of twenty-one, a spinster, at the parish church of Hornchurch. (P/c of marriage allegation)
The marriage between Robert and Jane duly took place on 19th September 1765. The entry in the register states that Robert was of the Chapelry of Rumford and that Jane was of Hornchurch. Both parties signed their own names, and the witnesses were Henry Alexander, probably Jane’s father, and William Palmer. (Note: There is a marked difference in the formation of the letter ‘H’ as written by her father Henry, as compared with that of her brother Henry). (P/c of entry in marriage register)
So far it has not been possible to trace Jane any further, however, in her father’s will dated 1783, he bequeaths the sum of six pounds to his daughter Jane Taylor. This would imply that Robert Cook must have died sometime between 1765 and 1783, and that Jane must have married someone called Taylor. So far, no other source of information has been located. (P/c of will)
8. RICHARD ALEXANDER (1744 – 1821)
9. ELIZABETH ALEXANDER (1745 – 1775)
Elizabeth was born on 10th December 1745 and was baptised on the 30th of the same month at the Church of St. Laurence, Upminster. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
Elizabeth accompanied her parents when they moved from Upminster to Hornchurch at some point after the baptism of her younger brother John in October 1750 and prior to the death of her mother in February 1756. (P/c of entries in baptism and burial registers)
It seems that Elizabeth never married, as she died in Hornchurch during June 1775. She was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch on 8th June and an affidavit was provided two days later confirming that she had been buried in woollen. The burial register confirms that she was the daughter of Henry. (P/c of entry in burial register)
10. WILLIAM ALEXANDER (1748 – 1810)
Executor of Thomas Watton’s will 1784
11. JOHN ALEXANDER (1750 – 1773)
John was born during 1750 was baptised on the 1st October of that year at the Church of St. Laurence, Upminster. (P/c of entry in baptism register)
John’s baptism appears to be the last event which occurred in Upminster, as by the time of his mother’s death in February 1756, the family had settled in Hornchurch. (P/c of entries in baptism and burial registers)
It seems that John never married, as he died in Hornchurch during May 1773. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s in Hornchurch on 21st May and an affidavit was provided three days later confirming that he had been buried in woollen. The burial register confirms that he was the son of Henry. (P/c of entry in burial register)
THIRD WIFE
MARY BARKER (c1718 – 1719)
According to Mary’s age as recorded on her burial entry dated 1792, of 74 years, it would mean that she was born circa 1718. As she was a widow when she married Henry, her maiden name remains unknown together with her place of birth.
Mary was aged about 44 when she married Henry at Shenfield in 1762 which was where she was living at the time.
There was obviously a marriage contract drawn up at the time as in his will of 1783, Henry specifies that in addition to the sum of ten pounds to be paid to her within five years of his death, that the Marriage Bond should be made good according to Contract. This implies that Mary brought with her some property or belongings which were in her own name and would not be subject to his will. (P/c of will)
In the Overseers’ Disbursements for Hornchurch, South Ward Mary is mentioned four times. Despite the arrangements made in Henry’s will, it would appear that Mary fell upon hard times, as payments at the rate of 1s 6d were made for a total of 20 weeks from June until November 1792. The final entry dated 5th November states: “Rel[ieved] Wid. Alexander 3 weeks to this day and is Dead. 4s 6d.” (P/c of entry in Overseers’ Disbursements)
Mary died during October 1792 and was buried on 28th October of that year in the churchyard of St. Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch. The entry also gave her age as 74 years. An affidavit stating that Mary was buried in woollen was made on the same day. (P/c of entry in burial register)
As there has not yet been a survey of monumental inscriptions carried out at St. Andrew’s, it isn’t known if there is a gravestone for Mary.