01. Introduction
Robert was my great-great grandfather and he was the ancestor who moved from Essex and led to the following three generations being born in London. All documents, except two, so far found record his name simply as Robert. The two exceptions are his death certificate and the entry in the burial register for Brockley Cemetery. In both these instances he was recorded as Robert Charles, presumably this information was provided by his wife Charlotte.
02. Birth and Baptism
The baptism register entry states that Robert was born on Friday 6th February 1829 in the Essex parish of Mountnessing and subsequently baptised in the Church of St. Giles on Sunday 17th May later that same year. His parents were Charles and Martha (née Cross), and Charles was recorded as being a yeoman. Two other children were baptised on the same day by John Thomas, who was curate of the church. (Earlier in the year on the same page, he recorded that he was the vicar of nearby Great Burstead, and also as John Thomas A.M. licenced curate of Mountnessing). (P/c of baptism register)
Robert was the eighth and final child of Charles and Martha, at which time his father was aged about 46 and his mother was about 43. All his elder siblings had been born in Mountnessing, and at the time of his birth, his siblings were aged as follows: Betsy 13; Charles 12; Frances 9; Caroline 7; George 5 and Susan 2. On the same day that Susan had been baptised, 11th June 1826, another brother had also been baptised by the name of Robert. He may have been a twin of Susan, but as their dates of birth were not recorded in the baptism register, there is no way of proving this. It would appear certain that this first Robert must have died sometime between the date of his baptism and the birth of the second Robert in February 1929. Unfortunately, the burial register for Mountnessing remains silent on this issue, leaving only conjecture. The family bible may have recorded the details, but even if it has survived, its whereabouts is unknown.
03. Mountnessing
At the time of Robert’s birth, Mountnessing was a small village lying on the old Roman road leading from London to Chelmsford and Colchester, now known as the old A12. At that time, the parish covered an area of around 1,940 acres (785 hectares).
In the 1801 census, the population was recorded as 381. This grew rapidly during the next ten year and the 1811 census records the population as 609. Over the next couple of decades, there was a more gradual increase in the population until, in 1831, the census records the population as 796, comprising 158 families, occupying 153 buildings, with a further 7 being vacant.
From the information contained in the following table showing a breakdown of the 1831 population into occupational groups, it can be seen that Mountnessing was a predominantly agricultural parish, with almost 75% of the working population engaged in agriculture. It is likely that Charles Alexander would have been classified as one of the 23 in the “farmers employing labourers”.
The 1831 population figures have been broken down as follows (Table 1):
Table 1: 1831 Mountnessing breakdown of occupations
A full breakdown of the information contained in the 1831 census is as follows (Table 2):
Table 2: Breakdown of the population of Mountnessing from the 1831 census
Pigot’s Directory of 1839 contains the following entry:
“In the same hundred as the preceding villages [Fryerning and Margaretting], about two miles from Ingatestone, is Mountnessing, a village agreeably situated on a rising ground, surrounded by diversified and pleasing scenery, embellished by several elegant residences. Its small church, dedicated to St. Giles, stands about a mile and a half from the village; the benefice is a discharged vicarage, in the presentation of the family of Bramston. Population, about 800.”
Table 3 lists those inhabitants of Mountnessing together with their occupations contained in the directory.
Table 3 Inhabitants of Mountnessing, Pigot’s Directory 1839
04. Growing up in Mountnessing
The Tithe Map of 1838 clearly identifies the location of the property where the Alexander family resided, however, a map dated circa 1820 showing Roman Road as it passed through Mountnessing depicts an empty stretch of ground abutting the road at this location. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, to know precisely where the family were living between 1816 (when Charles and Martha married) and 1838.
When Robert was born, the Alexander family were living in a property situated on the Roman Road
On 6th June 1841 a census was carried out and this shows that Robert was aged 12 and living at the Fox Beer House in Mountnessing with his parents, sisters Caroline and Susan, and brother George. (Copy of census)
The next time that Robert appears in any documents was in the census conducted on 30th March 1851, where he is recorded as aged 22 and worked as a butcher and agricultural labourer. He is still living in Mountnessing with his widowed father, sisters Caroline and Susan, and brother George. (Copy of census)
There is now a further gap of six years. Robert’s father, Charles, had died in March 1857 and this may have meant that the family home in Mountnessing came to an end, with his sisters and brother moving into the schoolhouse.
It is not until Sunday 19th September 1858 that Robert re-appears in the records. Whilst living in Mountnessing, he met Charlotte Philpot, the daughter of another beer seller in the village. On this date Robert and Charlotte married at the Church of St. Leonard’s in Shoreditch. (P/c of marriage register)
Banns had previously been published, but they have not survived. The couple gave the following address, 6 Wormwood Street This short road still exists and is midway between the National Westminster Tower and Liverpool Street Station, although it has obviously been redeveloped. (Alan Godfrey Map No.63: Whitechapel 1873)
On the marriage form, it states that Robert was aged 30 and his occupation was as a butcher. Charlotte was aged 23 and a dressmaker. Both signed their own names. The witnesses were Henry and Emily Wilton, who according to the 1861 census, lived in Shoreditch where Henry was a parish clerk and undertaker.
The address in Wormwood Street may have just been a temporary residence to enable the banns to be published, as it is not known if Robert and Charlotte continued to live there
Robert and Charlotte's first child, a son, was born on 6th April 1859. This means that Charlotte would already have been pregnant at the time of their marriage in September 1858. As the child died on 21st May 1860, he does not apper in the 1861 Census. (Birth and Death Certificates)
On 7th April 1861 the next census was carried out and this shows that Robert and Charlotte had moved to 118 Church Street, Bermondsey, also known as New Church Street. Robert was aged 33 and worked as a butcher, whilst Charlotte was aged 25. There were no children listed, however, it is known that Charlotte gave birth just six days later, in which case there may have not been any earlier children who had died before the census was taken. (Copy of census)
New Church Street branches off Jamaica Road and lay between two long rope-manufacturing buildings. By analysing later censuses, it would appear that 118 New Church Street lay on the eastern side of the road, not too far from the junction with Jamaica Road. (Alan Godfrey Map No.77: Bermondsey 1872
It is worth noting that the 1861 census for New Church Street shows that Charles Martin and his family were also living in the same building as Robert and Charlotte. Charles’ two sons, Charles and Edwin will both appear later in the story.
During the next few years at this address, Robert and Charlotte had six children, five sons and one daughter. Robert’s occupation was described as a journeyman butcher on the birth certificates of his first four children, and as a butcher on the final two certificates.
The 1871 census, carried out on the night of 2nd April shows Robert, aged 42, and Charlotte, aged 34, still living at 118 Church Street, Bermondsey. With them were three of their sons, Herbert aged 7, Arthur aged 4 and Wallace aged 1. By this time, the Martin family had moved away. (Copy of Census)
On 13th April 1872. Robert died of Phthisis and exhaustion, aged 43 and a butcher, at 118 New Church Street. He was recorded as Robert Charles, the second name being after his father, although this was the only known occasion that he was recorded under these two names. The informant was M. Philpot of 120 New Church Street and was the wife of Robert’s brother-in-law – John Philpot. (Death Certificate)
Robert was buried on 20th April 1872 in the Brockley Burial Ground, in the Parish of Deptford St. Paul's, in Plot J/274 in unconsecrated gound. The ceremony was performed by R. Blackburn. Robert was recorded as a butcher journeyman, aged 44 years, late of 118 New Church Street, Bermondsey. (P/c of Burial entry.)
WIFE
CHARLOTTE PHILPOT (1835 - 1916)
Charlotte was born c1835, the daughter of Charles Philpot and his wife Ellen neé Fewell. She was baptised on 31st May 1835 at St. Mary’s Church, Great Canfield. At this time Charles worked as a labourer. (P/c of baptism register)
On 6th June 1841, the census records the family under the name of Phillips and living in Dagenham (exact address unclear at the moment). Charles was working as an agricultural labourer aged 30, with him were his wife Ellen aged 20, and children Sarah aged 10, Charlotte 5 and John 2. (NB. In this census ages were often rounded down to the nearest five for adults). (Copy of Census)
By the time of the next census, dated 30th March 1851, the family were living at the Pineapple Beer House in Mountnessing. Charles was employed as a railway labourer aged 44. His wife Ellen, aged 38 ran the beer shop, and their children were: Charles aged 17 (this is almost certainly meant to be Charlotte, as there is another son called Charles, see below), John aged 13, Walter aged 9, Emma aged 8, Charles aged 6, Henry aged 4 and Celina (sic) aged 10 months. (Copy of Census)
On 19th September 1858 Charlotte married Robert Alexander at Shoreditch St. Leonard’s, and together went on to have seven children. (See above) On 13th April 1872 Robert died and Charlotte was left alone to bring up three their surviving children.
After publication of banns (which have not survived), Charlotte married Charles Frederick Martin at St. Anne’s Church, Bermondsey on 21st June 1873. She was aged 34 and a widow whilst Charles was aged 24, a bachelor working as a lighterman. Their address was given as 118 New Church Street. Both parties signed their names. The witnesses were Charles Beauchamp and his wife Emily who may have been neighbours. (P/c of marriage register)
Charles Frederick Martin, the son of Charles Churchill and his wife Mary, was born on 11th February 1850, his birth being registered in the March Quarter of that year in the Whitechapel Registration District 2 /600. He was baptised at St. Mary’s Whitechapel on 1st April 1850. (P/c of baptism register)
On 12th April 1864 Charles was bound for five years to his father as a lighterman apprentice. He gained his freedom on 13th July 1869. (Lighterman Records at the Guildhall Library)
In the 1881 census dated 3rd April, Charlotte, aged 42, and Charles, aged 32, were living at 143 Drummond Road, Bermondsey, a couple of doors away from the junction with Banyard Road. (Alan Godfrey Map No.77: Bermondsey 1872)
With them were Charlotte’s sons Herbert and Wallace. On the census, their surnames had been altered from Martin to Alexander. They were aged 17 and 11 respectively. Wallace was described as a scholar, whilst Herbert was an apprentice lighterman, having taken up his stepfather’s profession. There is no sign of Arthur in this census, despite exhaustive searching. It is feasible that he was staying elsewhere on the night of the census. Alternatively, it might just be an error on the part of the enumerator when he was copying the details from the cards left at the houses on to the census forms. There is no evidence that Charlotte had any children with Charles. (This has now been confirmed by the 1911 census which stated that there were no children as a result of this marriage). (Copy of Census)
By the time of the 1891 census conducted on 5th April, Charlotte was still living at 143 Drummond Road. She is shown as the head of the household and there is no sign of her husband Charles. A search of the census index has failed to find him. With Charlotte, was her son Wallace aged 21 who worked as a lighterman. Next-door at No.141 lived William Hampton, also a lighterman, and he will feature later in this story. (Copy of Census)
The next census carried out on 31st March 1901, shows Charlotte and Charles living at 255 Rotherhithe New Road. Charles was a lighterman foreman aged 51 and Charlotte was aged 62. (Copy of Census)
255 Rotherhithe Street is thought to have been on the south side of the road, near the junction with Catlin Street opposite. (Alan Godfrey Map No.90: Old Kent Road 1914)
The 1911 census, held on the night of 2nd April shows Charles Frederick aged 61 and employed as a lighterman journeyman, whilst Charlotte was aged 74. Charles stated that they had been married for 27 years and had had no children together. The address Charles wrote on the form was 255 Rotherhithe New Road. (Copy of Census)
Charles died on 6th February 1912 aged 61 and his death was registered in the March Quarter of that year in the St. Olave RD 1d/222. His place of burial is unknown. He left a will and probate was granted on 17th February 1912 to Louisa Jane Middleton and Kate Lilian Giddy, his sisters. He left the sum of £106 16s 1d. (P/c of Calendar of Wills)
Charlotte died on 6th December 1916 at the Bermondsey Infirmary of senile decay and chronic bronchitis. She was aged 78 and a widow, living at 456 Southwark Park Road, Rotherhithe with her brother John Philpot who was the informant. (Death Certificate)
Charlotte was buried at Nunhead Cemetery on 9th December 1916 (aged 77), Square 167, Grave No.32548. This is a common grave without any gravestones. (Cemetery Records plus photograph of the location)
CHILDREN
1. HARRY CHARLES ALEXANDER (1859 - 1860)
Harry was born on 6th April 1859 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was his mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 13th May 1859. it is assumed that he acquired his middle name from his grandfather, Charles Alexander. (Birth Certificate)
A record of Harry’s baptism has not been found.
Harry died on 21st May 1860 at 118 New Church Street aged thirteen months from Pertussis (a form of whooping cough), and Dentition (perhaps a fever resulting from an infection whilst teething). The informant was his mother who registered the death on 25th of May 1860. (NB: The death certificate actually states that the informant was Charles Alexander, but this is an error). (Death Certificate)
It is not known where Harry was buried.
2. WALTER ROBERT ALEXANDER (1861 - 1862)
Walter was born on 13th April 1861 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was his mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 24th May 1861. (Birth Certificate)
Walter was baptised on 27th October 1861 at Christ Church, Bermondsey. (P/c of baptism register)
Walter died on 14th June 1862 at 118 New Church Street aged one year of Laryngismus Stridulus (a form of whooping cough), the informant was his mother who registered the death on 21st June. (Death Certificate)
It is not known where Walter was buried.
3. HERBERT SIDNEY ALEXANDER (1863 - 1897)
Herbert (a twin) was born at 2.00 AM on 25th May 1863 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was his mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 2nd July 1863. (Birth Certificate)
Herbert was baptised on 21st June 1863 at Christ Church, Bermondsey. (P/c of baptism register)
From the records of the Company of Lightermen held at the Guildhall Library, Herbert was bound as an apprentice to his stepfather Charles Martin for seven years from 9th October 1877. He was given his freedom on 11th October 1884. (Lighterman Records at the Guildhall Library)
After banns were published, Herbert married Elizabeth Charlotte Shepherd on 18th August 1889 at Christ Church, Rotherhithe. He was aged 26 and worked as a lighterman. Elizabeth was aged 27, the daughter of John who was a smith. They gave their address as 16 Abbeyfield Road. Both parties signed their own names. The witnesses were John Shepherd and Caroline Esther Shepherd. John may have been an elder brother, or even her father. Caroline was her sister. (P/c of marriage register)
In the 1891 census, dated 5th April, Herbert and Elizabeth were living at 92 Drummond Road, Bermondsey. Herbert was aged 27 and was working as a lighterman, whilst Elizabeth was aged 28. (Copy of Census)
Herbert and Elizabeth had one known child, a daughter Hilda Rose whose birth was registered in the March Quarter 1892 in the St. Olave RD 1d/261.
On 18th October 1897, Herbert died at 129 Drummond Road, aged 34. His occupation was given as lighterman and he died of Phthisis Pulmonalis. The informant was his sister-in-law C. Jordan, who registered the death on the same day. (Death Certificate)
It is not known where Herbert was buried.
Elizabeth Charlotte Shepherd’s birth was registered in the September Quarter 1862 in the Bermondsey RD 1d/78.
On 31st March 1901, the census recorded Elizabeth and her daughter Hilda living at 139 Drummond Road. Elizabeth was aged 38 and worked as a collar turner (?). Hilda was 9 years old. (Copy of Census)
On 2nd April 1911, the next census shows that Elizabeth and Hilda were living at 46 Avignon Road, Deptford, sharing the building with Robert Stephen Jordan and his wife Caroline Esther, who would have been Elizabeth’s sister. Elizabeth was recorded as a widow aged 49 and Hilda was aged 19.
There is an entry in the marriage index of September 1923 for Hilda R. Alexander marrying Henry Albert D. B. Paton in the Greenwich Registration District (1d/2152), and so it is likely that this refers to Hilda Rose. No children have yet been found in the birth indexes. Henry was born in the St. Olave R.D. and his birth was registered in the March Quarter 1891. (1d/310)
4. GEORGE WILFRED ALEXANDER (1863)
George (a twin) was born at 2.20 AM on 25th May 1863 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was his mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 2nd July 1863. (Birth Certificate)
George was baptised on 21st June 1863 at Christ Church, Bermondsey. (P/c of baptism register)
George died on 7th July 1863 at 118 New Church Street aged six weeks from diarrhoea. The informant was his mother who registered the death on 11th July 1863. (Death Certificate)
It is not known where George was buried.
5. ARTHUR LEOPOLD ALEXANDER (1866 - 1938)
See entry for next generation.
6. WALLACE FRANK ALEXANDER (1869 - after 1892)
Wallace was born on 9th October 1869 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was his mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 18th November. (Birth Certificate)
A record of Wallace’s baptism has not been found.
From the records of the Company of Lightermen held at the Guildhall Library, Wallace was bound as an apprentice to his brother Herbert Sidney for seven years from 10th March 1885. He was given his freedom on 12th April 1892. (Lighterman Records at the Guildhall Library)
After 12th April 1892, Wallace appears to disappear from the records. The only possible sightings come from the Ellis Island Passenger Arrivals for the period 1892-1924. There are two listings for a Wallace Alexander, the first one is on the Trewellard that arrived in New York on 29th July 1920. He was aged 50 and was a steward, and the manifest states that he was English. The second one shows that he was on the Trevithick which arrived in New York on 11th March 1923. He was aged 52 and still a steward, but the manifest states that he was ‘Scotch’. So far I have been unable to find any other Wallace Alexanders born in either England or Scotland around 1870. (There may be one born in Scotland a couple of years later, but at the moment I believe he died within a few years – this needs to be checked on the Scotland’s People website). (Print outs from Ellis Island Passenger Arrivals)
It would now appear from other records which have been located that this is another Wallace Alexander, and therefore, what happened to Wallace Alexander after 1892 remains a mystery.
7. EMILY SARAH ALEXANDER (1871)
Emily was born on 2nd September 1871 at 118 New Church Street, the informant was her mother, Charlotte and the birth was registered on 12th October 1871. (Birth Certificate)
Thee is no record of Emily's baptism.
Emily died on 25th December 1871 at 118 New Church Street aged fifteen weeks from Pneumonia Convulsious. The informant was her mother who registered the death on 29th December 1871. (Death Certificate)
It is not known where Emily was buried.