Genealogy Chat

Hello Nell, it could be very possible Bexley is near to both Dartford & Crayford. Was this 1851? But why would he be a pauper in the workhouse and his wife & Kids be in West Ham that is my only worry. My hubby says that Leyton is close to West Ham so maybe he was in there temporarily as he was sick. Is this possible? Thanks for the links eveyone to the other sites. Best wishes Jenny

This chap is a printer by trade. Name: Thomas Baxter Age: 63 Estimated birth year: abt 1788 Married Relation: Pauper Where born: Bexley, Kent ED, institution: Union Workhouse Leyton Essex Reg district: West Ham Sub-regdistrict: Leyton Source information: HO107/1769 Folio: 192 Page: 4

Thanks Nell,Phonix & Heather for all your thoughts on this. Yes Nell I believe Thomas was alive in 1851 but had either been missed off by the enumerator hence no mention of Elizabeth as head or widow or Thomas looking for work had moved elsewhere. Phonix where would I get a copy of the Settlement examination that you mention. I obtained the removal order from Essex RO after seeing a mention of the family on A2A site. Many thanks again Jenny

I think it was you who told me Brenda, that they didnt have to be born in the parish just have worked there for at least a year? Still cant find my guy who had a settlement certificate being born in the place he was moving from.

If you look at Calico printers, rather than silk screen printers, there seem to be quite a few hits for West Ham.

http://www.bexley.gov.uk/localstudies/history_pdfs/22_crayford.pdf The above link has a bit of info on Crayford.

So its possible that Thomas is alive in 1851, but not with the family? nell

Hi Jenny There would have been a settlement examination as well, presumably taken in Waltham Cross, as that parish did not want the family. This would probably have stated where the man was born, whether he was apprenticed, who he worked for, as well as wife and names of children. It may well be that he was apprenticed in West Ham, which would have changed his place of settlement from wherever he was born. The silk screen industry is quite well documented. There are links at least between Mitcham in Surrey and Crayford in Kent. It may be worth having a good Google to see if you can find other centres of activity.

Hello Nell, I do have a copy of the settlement order it says'Thomas Baxter and Elizabeth his wife and their 7 children which it goes on to name and gives ages have come to inhabit in the said parish of Waltham Cross having not gained a legal settlement there nor having produced any certificate acknowledging them to be settled elsewhere and are actually chargeable to the said parish;WE,the justices upon due proof as well as on examination of Thomas Baxter upon oath do adjudge the place of legal settlement of Thomas ,his wife & 7 children to be in the parish of West Ham,Essex. They ask for the overseers of the poor of Waltham Cross to remove the family 3 days after christmas 1827 to West Ham. The youngest child is only four months old at this time. Elizabeth is 45 on 1841 census & Thomas is 50, both not of county. (West Ham). 1851 census I believe Thomas has been missed of as Eliz is not shown as head or widow. Eliz. age 59,Dartford,Kent, with children John 34,Crayford,William 24,Waltham Abbey,Julia 13 Cheshunt. All living at West Ham. 1861 Eliz. now a widow age 70,Dartford,with children Julia 23,Cheshunt,and William 32 still living in West Ham Hope this helps & thanks for your time Jenny

Have you seen the settlement order or do you just have a reference to it? I suspect you may need to go to the Essex Records office to find out more.

What is Thomas' age on the 1841 and what does it say for Elizabeth's age on the censuses?

The marriage would take place where this couple - or one of them - was living at the time. This won't necessarily be where either of them was born or where any of their children were born. The settlement order would be returning them to the father's place of settlement. This might be where he was born, but it could equally be where his father was born or for some other reason that it was felt this parish should support him. I will have a re-read of your info to see if I have any bright ideas.

Jenny Gr always crunches the first posting in a new thread, so I am going to see if I can make your message easier on the eye: Thomas Baxter a Silk Screen painter& Elizabeth have first child born Dartford,Kent 1813 next two children born 1815 and 1816 Crayford,Kent. Three children all seem to be born Stratford, Essex1819-1825. Two more 1826 & 1827 in West Ham final child 1838 in Cheshunt,Herts. On all census it says mother POB is Dartford. Father is only on 1841 which says he is not of county They were living in West Ham, Essex at this time. My question is why can't I find a marriage in Dartford for them 1810-1813? Found only one possible in East Wickham,Kent 1812 and where was father born?

Hello, I have a family the BAXTER's, first child is born Dartford,Kent 1813 to parents Thomas Baxter a Silk Screen painter& Elizabeth from Dartford,next child 1815 Crayford,Kent,next child again Crayford 1816. The following three children all seem to be born Stratford,Essex1819-1825. Then two more 1826 & 1827 born in West Ham and final child 1838 in Cheshunt,Herts. On all census it says mother POB is Dartford, father is only on 1841. Info for 1841 says Father not of county or Mother. They were living in West Ham,Essex at this time. My question is why can't I find a marriage in Dartford for them 1810-1813?Found only one possible in East Wickham,Kent 1812 and where was father born? Also found a removal order for family 1827 from Waltham Cross back to West Ham both in Essex. If the family are being sent to West Ham does it mean this is where the Father was originally from or did it mean they lived in West Ham prior to Waltham Cross? Hope someone can advise on this complicated family. Thanks for your time Jenny