The EAST Family history society was launched in 1993, to bring together people researching ancestors with the name EAST and its variants.
Since that time a Journal called ' POINTS EAST ' which contains many interesting facts, information and articles has been produced twice yearly.
As the Society prepares to Celebrate 25 years next year We have decided to reproduce some articles from the early journals.
Since that time a Journal called ' POINTS EAST ' which contains many interesting facts, information and articles has been produced twice yearly.
As the Society prepares to Celebrate 25 years next year We have decided to reproduce some articles from the early journals.
From almost 25 Years Ago ......
'Whats in a name ? '
Question by J. C. East.
Published in Points East Journal Autumn 1995
There are theories about the origin of the name East about which I have grave doubts.
In several dictionaries of English surnames I have read that the name has a geographical flavour. For example a man from the east of the town or from a farm or hall to the east of a village would have had east as part of his name.
Similarly for other cardinal points. Or is it ? After all there are just as likely to be Norths, Souths and Wests and yet there are nothing like the same number of names for all four directions. If you have any doubts just look through three or four phone books. One would expect there to be roughly the same number of hamlets, farms, halls etc, in whichever direction you walk out from a village.
In several dictionaries of English surnames I have read that the name has a geographical flavour. For example a man from the east of the town or from a farm or hall to the east of a village would have had east as part of his name.
Similarly for other cardinal points. Or is it ? After all there are just as likely to be Norths, Souths and Wests and yet there are nothing like the same number of names for all four directions. If you have any doubts just look through three or four phone books. One would expect there to be roughly the same number of hamlets, farms, halls etc, in whichever direction you walk out from a village.
Why such a concentratin While I accept that the theory may be correct for some Easts, it seems strange that so many of our ancestors came from the East coast regions ( see the maps of distribution of the name taken from the phonebooks - published in the Autumn
1993 journal). For them anywhere to the east would have been in the sea!
I have a theory that 'William the Conquerer' had some mercenaries/allies with him from eastern parts, such as Gaul or Germany, who might have been referred to as 'that lot from the east' and someone who chose to stay here to share the loot may have been called East for that reason Its only a theory really, but does anyone know if William did have supporters from East of Normandy ?
But I hear you ask what about all those Easts from Bucks. and Oxon ?
Why such a concentration of East's in that area?
Perhaps they were all descended from the Estes of Radnage, they seem to have been pretty prolific. The original Este of Radnage may well have been one of those rewarded with land.
1993 journal). For them anywhere to the east would have been in the sea!
I have a theory that 'William the Conquerer' had some mercenaries/allies with him from eastern parts, such as Gaul or Germany, who might have been referred to as 'that lot from the east' and someone who chose to stay here to share the loot may have been called East for that reason Its only a theory really, but does anyone know if William did have supporters from East of Normandy ?
But I hear you ask what about all those Easts from Bucks. and Oxon ?
Why such a concentration of East's in that area?
Perhaps they were all descended from the Estes of Radnage, they seem to have been pretty prolific. The original Este of Radnage may well have been one of those rewarded with land.
We have encountered during our own research in East Anglia a nuand maybe this mber of variations of our name, Este, Estes and Eastes are easily explained but Veast, Yeast, Beast, Easter and Eastey ?
I was called Eastey when I went into the airforce and it is easy to imagine a lad growing up in a village thinking it might be his actual name. So what happened when he went to the village priest, who also probably knew him as Eastey, to be married ? Down in the register went his name mis-spelled, and not being able to read or write, the groom would not have noticed the mistake.
As for Veast, I have been so addressed after a clear introduction and maybe this also happened in times gone by when someone was hard of hearing.
As for Beast - Well I ask you ?
All right then - the name does have a geographical flavour !
I was called Eastey when I went into the airforce and it is easy to imagine a lad growing up in a village thinking it might be his actual name. So what happened when he went to the village priest, who also probably knew him as Eastey, to be married ? Down in the register went his name mis-spelled, and not being able to read or write, the groom would not have noticed the mistake.
As for Veast, I have been so addressed after a clear introduction and maybe this also happened in times gone by when someone was hard of hearing.
As for Beast - Well I ask you ?
All right then - the name does have a geographical flavour !
'The Will of Henry East '
Yeoman of Somerton
Made in 1863 - transcribed in 1986 by R. W. D. East
MS Wills Oxon 20/4/26
Henry East Yeoman of Somerton
31 December 1683.
Henry East Yeoman of Somerton
31 December 1683.
In the name of God Amen.
I Henrye East of Sommerton in the countye of Oxon yeaman, being sick and weak in my bodilye health butt yet of perfect sound memory and understanding for which I thank my Saviour Jesus, and haveing some little worldly substance to dispose of doe by hisbpermission, make this my last will and testament, in the manner and forme following, thatt is to say, first I recommend my soule into the hands of Almightye God hopeing and assureing myself thatt by the meritts of the death and passion of his onlye Sonne my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ shall I be pertaker of everlastinge blisse and happiness and that this my corruptible body shall rise in incorruption, and enjoy the Company of the Angells and Saintes in the Kingdom of Heaven, and for my bodye I leave itt to the earth to bee buried in such decent manner as my Executor shall think fitt.
As for my worldly substance / first I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife Elizabeth, her meat drink lodgeing and Apparell dureing the time of her full life, and all to bee provided for, at the proper cost and charge of my Executor, and if itt soe happen that my sayde wife, shall nott like of his usage and carryage towards her, thatt then sayde Executor shall paye unto my sayde wife five pounds of good and lawfull moneyes of England, everye year dureing her life, at two equal payments, thatt is to say fiftye shillings at the day of St. Michael the Archangell, and the other fiftye on the Annunciation day of our Blessed Ladye, att the now dwelling house of the sayde Henrye East, and then shee to provide for herself.
I Henrye East of Sommerton in the countye of Oxon yeaman, being sick and weak in my bodilye health butt yet of perfect sound memory and understanding for which I thank my Saviour Jesus, and haveing some little worldly substance to dispose of doe by hisbpermission, make this my last will and testament, in the manner and forme following, thatt is to say, first I recommend my soule into the hands of Almightye God hopeing and assureing myself thatt by the meritts of the death and passion of his onlye Sonne my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ shall I be pertaker of everlastinge blisse and happiness and that this my corruptible body shall rise in incorruption, and enjoy the Company of the Angells and Saintes in the Kingdom of Heaven, and for my bodye I leave itt to the earth to bee buried in such decent manner as my Executor shall think fitt.
As for my worldly substance / first I give and bequeath unto my loveing wife Elizabeth, her meat drink lodgeing and Apparell dureing the time of her full life, and all to bee provided for, at the proper cost and charge of my Executor, and if itt soe happen that my sayde wife, shall nott like of his usage and carryage towards her, thatt then sayde Executor shall paye unto my sayde wife five pounds of good and lawfull moneyes of England, everye year dureing her life, at two equal payments, thatt is to say fiftye shillings at the day of St. Michael the Archangell, and the other fiftye on the Annunciation day of our Blessed Ladye, att the now dwelling house of the sayde Henrye East, and then shee to provide for herself.
Item I doe farther order, and appointe, my sayde Executor for to bye, or cause to bee bought, for my Daughter Lucye, and her heires after her, some smalle parcell of ground, or house, to the value of fortye pounds purchase, and thatt the sayde house, or ground being soe bought shall bee settled uppon my sayde daughter dureing her life, and afterwards to her children, and thatt he then my sayde Executor, when he hath found out any such parcell of ground, as aforesayde, thatt then the sayde Executor shall paye the fortye pounds for the same. I doe farther order thatt my sayde Daughter shall give the settlement being soe made as aforesayde, unto my sayde Executor, for to keepe for her behest and her childrens.
And I doe farther order thatt the Husband of my sayde Daughter shall receive the yearly rent of such house or ground, as shall bee soe purchased as aforesaid, dureing the term of his life. I doe farther order thatt my Executor shall paye unto my said daughter, and her husband fiftye shillings yearly, till such time as he hath purchased the sayde house or ground afore mentioned.
And I doe farther order thatt the Husband of my sayde Daughter shall receive the yearly rent of such house or ground, as shall bee soe purchased as aforesaid, dureing the term of his life. I doe farther order thatt my Executor shall paye unto my said daughter, and her husband fiftye shillings yearly, till such time as he hath purchased the sayde house or ground afore mentioned.
Item I doe give unto my Daughter Elizabeth fifty five pounds.
Item I doe give unto my Grandson Edmond Moore, to bind him Apprentishe five pounds.
Item I doe give unto the Grandchildren of my sonne William ten ? shillings a peaice.
As for the remaineder of my goods, after my funeral charges, and Legacyes shall be discharged, I give and bequeath them unto my Sonne John, whom I nominate the sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, in witness whereof the sayde Henrye East doe sett hereunto my hand and seale, the 31 of December in the yeare 1683.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of Henrye East
William East his mark
Elizabeth East
Item I doe give unto my Grandson Edmond Moore, to bind him Apprentishe five pounds.
Item I doe give unto the Grandchildren of my sonne William ten ? shillings a peaice.
As for the remaineder of my goods, after my funeral charges, and Legacyes shall be discharged, I give and bequeath them unto my Sonne John, whom I nominate the sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, in witness whereof the sayde Henrye East doe sett hereunto my hand and seale, the 31 of December in the yeare 1683.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of Henrye East
William East his mark
Elizabeth East
MS Wills Oxon 20/4/26 Inventorie
Henry East Yeoman of Somerton
1684.
A true and pearfect Inventorie of all the Goods & Chattels of Henrye East of Sumerton desesed in the County of Oxford yeo taken the 14th day of January in the yeare of our Lord God 1683 Bye us whose names are under ritten.
£ S d
Imprimis his waring apparell and monny in his porse 05 - 00 - 00
Item lands bills and all Cassal depts we prayse att 80 - 00 - 00
In the hall Chamber one Chust 2 Chers 2 Stooles one
passell of wooll 05 - 00 - 00
In the parler Chamber 2 beds and furnyture one side
cubbard one stoole 02 - 00 - 00
In ye deary chese bords forms and bakken 01 - 00 - 00
In ye buttery drink barels & one cob 00 - 10 - 00
Item the linnen of all sorts 02 - 00 - 00
illegible on paper fold 2 flichs bakken 02 - 00 - 00
In the Kitching one Maltmill chese pres Coules pails
Churn and other lumber 02 - 00 - 00
In the stable 3 horses and harnes 06 - 00 - 00
Item Whete Maslin barly pease hay 30 - 00 - 00
Item one wagon 2 carts plowes harrows 08 - 00 - 00
Item 2 porkets 01 - 10 - 00
Item one hundred and seven shep 32 - 00 - 00
Item 11 cowes 2 calfs 23 - 00 - 00
Hay in the grounds 04 - 00 - 00
Item fierwood horstroufe Grinston and all other things
whatsoever nott menshoned we prayes att 02 - 00 - 00
The hole som 216 - 00 - 00
Wilum East
Henry Cuper
Henry East Yeoman of Somerton
1684.
A true and pearfect Inventorie of all the Goods & Chattels of Henrye East of Sumerton desesed in the County of Oxford yeo taken the 14th day of January in the yeare of our Lord God 1683 Bye us whose names are under ritten.
£ S d
Imprimis his waring apparell and monny in his porse 05 - 00 - 00
Item lands bills and all Cassal depts we prayse att 80 - 00 - 00
In the hall Chamber one Chust 2 Chers 2 Stooles one
passell of wooll 05 - 00 - 00
In the parler Chamber 2 beds and furnyture one side
cubbard one stoole 02 - 00 - 00
In ye deary chese bords forms and bakken 01 - 00 - 00
In ye buttery drink barels & one cob 00 - 10 - 00
Item the linnen of all sorts 02 - 00 - 00
illegible on paper fold 2 flichs bakken 02 - 00 - 00
In the Kitching one Maltmill chese pres Coules pails
Churn and other lumber 02 - 00 - 00
In the stable 3 horses and harnes 06 - 00 - 00
Item Whete Maslin barly pease hay 30 - 00 - 00
Item one wagon 2 carts plowes harrows 08 - 00 - 00
Item 2 porkets 01 - 10 - 00
Item one hundred and seven shep 32 - 00 - 00
Item 11 cowes 2 calfs 23 - 00 - 00
Hay in the grounds 04 - 00 - 00
Item fierwood horstroufe Grinston and all other things
whatsoever nott menshoned we prayes att 02 - 00 - 00
The hole som 216 - 00 - 00
Wilum East
Henry Cuper
'Neath The Mask'
The story of two Easts of the world of theatre'
An Excerpt From an article by John M East.
My mothers previous history is one of no ordinary kind and I feel a degree of pleasure in recording same and her many virtues.
Although possesed of an 'iron will' she was most faithful to her trust and duty to her children. I have never heard of one more so.
As Martha East of Brackley in the county of Northamptonshire, in her youth she was the toast of the neighbourhood. Her parents were children of farmers in Oxfordshire and in the said country, my grandfather East, being born at Doddington and my grandmother, Wyatt at Newbottle, held a large farm under the Cartwrights of Aynho, a family of great note in the county. I was told the family had been tenants on the same farm for 200 years, originally holding a free hold farm at Cropredy in the same county, dating as far back as records show, to the reign of charles the1st. They were Royalists and loyal to the spinal marrow. One of the Roundheads committed himself in his attention when they were deemed an insult. One of the sons cut him down with a spade and buried him in the hemp plot.
It is recorded that this land is still in the family rented for over 60 years to a Quaker family, as tenants of my mother and younger brother.
The Wyatts of Newbotttle were a well-to-do family a century and a half back. When dying he left his daughters, 5 in number, £1000 each which was more than equal to 10 times that amount in these times. A son of this wealthy Yeoman was my grandfather, his daughter Mary married a farmer Robert East, though it was a stolen love match and when it became known the old people were so indignant that they turned them out of doors. It was very cruel but perhaps the best thing that could of happened for they were devotedly attached and self reliant.
I have heard that they took a small thatched cottage in the neighbourhood of Whittlesey Forest, hardly habitable, that they had to sling the kettle over the fire, my poor grandfather had the baby tossed into his arms as she tried to make things
somewhat available. This baby was my mother Martha, their first child. The old lady I remember well, she was a grand woman, dying since my advent in the south aged 96.
For many years their life was one of almost want, but they never gave in. Having obtained work in the neighbourhood, Robert managed to hold his own and after a while with the assistance of a friend who knew his worth, they took a country Inn, 'The Wheatsheaf' at Brackley. Some years later he purchased the freehold, husbanding his savings, he was deternined to retrieve the whole and after many years he managed to accomplish it. Then working as a labourer and a carter he carried every brick that was used in its construction. Prior to taking this house after his marriage, he worked for a shilling a day and was very glad of it. He was a painstaking self reliant man and could turn his hand to anything, nothing daunted him and was ably accorded in all things by his wife, who was for her position, a glamourous woman.
They reared a large family of 13 and brought them up as decently as they could under those circumstances. They had little or no education, save what they could pick up at the parish school.
Although possesed of an 'iron will' she was most faithful to her trust and duty to her children. I have never heard of one more so.
As Martha East of Brackley in the county of Northamptonshire, in her youth she was the toast of the neighbourhood. Her parents were children of farmers in Oxfordshire and in the said country, my grandfather East, being born at Doddington and my grandmother, Wyatt at Newbottle, held a large farm under the Cartwrights of Aynho, a family of great note in the county. I was told the family had been tenants on the same farm for 200 years, originally holding a free hold farm at Cropredy in the same county, dating as far back as records show, to the reign of charles the1st. They were Royalists and loyal to the spinal marrow. One of the Roundheads committed himself in his attention when they were deemed an insult. One of the sons cut him down with a spade and buried him in the hemp plot.
It is recorded that this land is still in the family rented for over 60 years to a Quaker family, as tenants of my mother and younger brother.
The Wyatts of Newbotttle were a well-to-do family a century and a half back. When dying he left his daughters, 5 in number, £1000 each which was more than equal to 10 times that amount in these times. A son of this wealthy Yeoman was my grandfather, his daughter Mary married a farmer Robert East, though it was a stolen love match and when it became known the old people were so indignant that they turned them out of doors. It was very cruel but perhaps the best thing that could of happened for they were devotedly attached and self reliant.
I have heard that they took a small thatched cottage in the neighbourhood of Whittlesey Forest, hardly habitable, that they had to sling the kettle over the fire, my poor grandfather had the baby tossed into his arms as she tried to make things
somewhat available. This baby was my mother Martha, their first child. The old lady I remember well, she was a grand woman, dying since my advent in the south aged 96.
For many years their life was one of almost want, but they never gave in. Having obtained work in the neighbourhood, Robert managed to hold his own and after a while with the assistance of a friend who knew his worth, they took a country Inn, 'The Wheatsheaf' at Brackley. Some years later he purchased the freehold, husbanding his savings, he was deternined to retrieve the whole and after many years he managed to accomplish it. Then working as a labourer and a carter he carried every brick that was used in its construction. Prior to taking this house after his marriage, he worked for a shilling a day and was very glad of it. He was a painstaking self reliant man and could turn his hand to anything, nothing daunted him and was ably accorded in all things by his wife, who was for her position, a glamourous woman.
They reared a large family of 13 and brought them up as decently as they could under those circumstances. They had little or no education, save what they could pick up at the parish school.
Things were very different to the position at the latter end of the century, one that in bother my grandmother and her daughter comes out very prominent. Martha East was then a girl of about 12 and it was customary for the young and old to wear pockets and it was the desire of my mother to be in the fashion and she plied her mother to purchase half a yard of printed dimity to make them. The answer of the moment was 'Da Ratty', a phrase in those days softened down from 'God Rot You' ' Don't you see your brothers without shoes or stockings, How can you ask me this ?'
This was quite enough to still Matty. She was not to be without her pockets and she implored some of her aquaintances to save her the sweepings of the workroom at Mantua Makers and with the clippings obtained she managed to neatly put them together as a patch work, Her mother when this was acquired managed to buy her sufficient coarse calico for a lining, which pleased her very much and was ultimately the foundation for her future fortune, although she did not own a farthing in the world, so I am satisfied that it was her pockets that got her a husband.
This was quite enough to still Matty. She was not to be without her pockets and she implored some of her aquaintances to save her the sweepings of the workroom at Mantua Makers and with the clippings obtained she managed to neatly put them together as a patch work, Her mother when this was acquired managed to buy her sufficient coarse calico for a lining, which pleased her very much and was ultimately the foundation for her future fortune, although she did not own a farthing in the world, so I am satisfied that it was her pockets that got her a husband.
As they all grew up the children all went to service and they have done wonderfully and my mother was not an exception. She was much respected, never gave herself airs, although as I have previously stated she was the pride of the neighbourhood and had many offers of marriage, keeping for years to her first love. When about 24 she was jilted by her first lover, Matty did not fret. she thought there was as good in the sea as had previously been netted. When nearly 26 years old news came from London, where she had 2 brothers in service, that one was taken with small pox and requesting if they could send someone to nurse him. In those days the disease was much dreaded but she knew no fear - made up her bundle and started to overtake the weekly wagon which had started the previous day early, then to get a lift to the great city where she arrived in due course. she then came to my grandfathers house and was shut up with her brother who was in the meantime progressing towards convalescence. After a while she was allowed to go down and take her meals with the servants and of course was much admired by the masculine portion of the household but with great jealousy on the part of the women who tried to make her position more uncomfortable, but the master's son, my father William Wood, took notice of her. He was a widower of the same age as herself. This riled the other girls but she heeded not. The old lady, my grandmother Jane Wood, a suspicious old woman ready to protect her son, noticed her son's attraction to the fair damsel and one day while she was down taking her meal, opened and examined the girls bundle and therein were the pockets, made some 14 years previously. She was so struck by the evident assurance of her industry, that she carried them down before replacing them to my father who was at home with the old gent and throwing them onto the table said 'There William, thats a wife for you'. He with this encouragement made opportunity to speak to her ... and proposed, the old lady coming forward at the time and backing him up. Not being engaged and it being a match far beyond her expectations said she would not mind if her mother and father were agreeable. To obtain their consent they took her down with post horses and obtained their consent and fixed the day a month later. The old people were at the fore and being of considerable means, insisted on paying all expenses and gave a grand spread in the town hall, to which were invited all of note in the neighbourhood.
It so happened that an officer who was marching with a portion of his regiment across the country, was billeted in the town. He was invited to the spread and danced with the bride in the evening. He afterwards became a man of great note - it was either Moore of Corruna or Picton of Waterloo, I forget which but it is mentioned in his memoirs. My mother's life after this was a great change for the better and on the whole, to the death of my father in 1815, was a fruitful and happy one.
It so happened that an officer who was marching with a portion of his regiment across the country, was billeted in the town. He was invited to the spread and danced with the bride in the evening. He afterwards became a man of great note - it was either Moore of Corruna or Picton of Waterloo, I forget which but it is mentioned in his memoirs. My mother's life after this was a great change for the better and on the whole, to the death of my father in 1815, was a fruitful and happy one.
'The Story of Martha East'
As Told By Her Son James.
From an article by Margaret Lake
My mothers previous history is one of no ordinary kind and I feel a degree of pleasure in recording same and her many virtues.
Although possessed of an 'iron will' she was most faithful to her trust and duty to her children. I have never heard of one more so.
As Martha East of Brackley in the county of Northamptonshire, in her youth she was the toast of the neighbourhood. Her parents were children of farmers in Oxfordshire and in the said country, my grandfather East, being born at Doddington and my grandmother, Wyatt at Newbottle, held a large farm under the Cartwrights of Aynho, a family of great note in the county. I was told the family had been tenants on the same farm for 200 years, originally holding a free hold farm at Cropredy in the same county, dating as far back as records show, to the reign of Charles the1st. They were Royalists and loyal to the spinal marrow. One of the Roundheads committed himself in his attention when they were deemed an insult. One of the sons cut him down with a spade and buried him in the hemp plot.
It is recorded that this land is still in the family rented for over 60 years to a Quaker family, as tenants of my mother and younger brother.
The Wyatts of Newbotttle were a well-to-do family a century and a half back. When dying he left his daughters, 5 in number, £1000 each which was more than equal to 10 times that amount in these times. A son of this wealthy Yeoman was my grandfather, his daughter Mary married a farmer Robert East, though it was a stolen love match and when it became known the old people were so indignant that they turned them out of doors. It was very cruel but perhaps the best thing that could of happened for they were devotedly attached and self reliant.
I have heard that they took a small thatched cottage in the neighbourhood of Whittlesey Forest, hardly habitable, that they had to sling the kettle over the fire, my poor grandfather had the baby tossed into his arms as she tried to make things
somewhat available. This baby was my mother Martha, their first child. The old lady I remember well, she was a grand woman, dying since my advent in the south aged 96.
For many years their life was one of almost want, but they never gave in. Having obtained work in the neighbourhood, Robert managed to hold his own and after a while with the assistance of a friend who knew his worth, they took a country Inn, 'The Wheatsheaf' at Brackley. Some years later he purchased the freehold, husbanding his savings, he was determined to retrieve the whole and after many years he managed to accomplish it. Then working as a labourer and a carter he carried every brick that was used in its construction. Prior to taking this house after his marriage, he worked for a shilling a day and was very glad of it. He was a painstaking self reliant man and could turn his hand to anything, nothing daunted him and was ably accorded in all things by his wife, who was for her position, a glamourous woman.
They reared a large family of 13 and brought them up as decently as they could under those circumstances. They had little or no education, save what they could pick up at the parish school.
Although possessed of an 'iron will' she was most faithful to her trust and duty to her children. I have never heard of one more so.
As Martha East of Brackley in the county of Northamptonshire, in her youth she was the toast of the neighbourhood. Her parents were children of farmers in Oxfordshire and in the said country, my grandfather East, being born at Doddington and my grandmother, Wyatt at Newbottle, held a large farm under the Cartwrights of Aynho, a family of great note in the county. I was told the family had been tenants on the same farm for 200 years, originally holding a free hold farm at Cropredy in the same county, dating as far back as records show, to the reign of Charles the1st. They were Royalists and loyal to the spinal marrow. One of the Roundheads committed himself in his attention when they were deemed an insult. One of the sons cut him down with a spade and buried him in the hemp plot.
It is recorded that this land is still in the family rented for over 60 years to a Quaker family, as tenants of my mother and younger brother.
The Wyatts of Newbotttle were a well-to-do family a century and a half back. When dying he left his daughters, 5 in number, £1000 each which was more than equal to 10 times that amount in these times. A son of this wealthy Yeoman was my grandfather, his daughter Mary married a farmer Robert East, though it was a stolen love match and when it became known the old people were so indignant that they turned them out of doors. It was very cruel but perhaps the best thing that could of happened for they were devotedly attached and self reliant.
I have heard that they took a small thatched cottage in the neighbourhood of Whittlesey Forest, hardly habitable, that they had to sling the kettle over the fire, my poor grandfather had the baby tossed into his arms as she tried to make things
somewhat available. This baby was my mother Martha, their first child. The old lady I remember well, she was a grand woman, dying since my advent in the south aged 96.
For many years their life was one of almost want, but they never gave in. Having obtained work in the neighbourhood, Robert managed to hold his own and after a while with the assistance of a friend who knew his worth, they took a country Inn, 'The Wheatsheaf' at Brackley. Some years later he purchased the freehold, husbanding his savings, he was determined to retrieve the whole and after many years he managed to accomplish it. Then working as a labourer and a carter he carried every brick that was used in its construction. Prior to taking this house after his marriage, he worked for a shilling a day and was very glad of it. He was a painstaking self reliant man and could turn his hand to anything, nothing daunted him and was ably accorded in all things by his wife, who was for her position, a glamourous woman.
They reared a large family of 13 and brought them up as decently as they could under those circumstances. They had little or no education, save what they could pick up at the parish school.
Things were very different to the position at the latter end of the century, one that in bother my grandmother and her daughter comes out very prominent. Martha East was then a girl of about 12 and it was customary for the young and old to wear pockets and it was the desire of my mother to be in the fashion and she plied her mother to purchase half a yard of printed dimity to make them. The answer of the moment was 'Da Ratty', a phrase in those days softened down from 'God Rot You' ' Don't you see your brothers without shoes or stockings, How can you ask me this ?'
This was quite enough to still Matty. She was not to be without her pockets and she implored some of her aquaintances to save her the sweepings of the workroom at Mantua Makers and with the clippings obtained she managed to neatly put them together as a patch work, Her mother when this was acquired managed to buy her sufficient coarse calico for a lining, which pleased her very much and was ultimately the foundation for her future fortune, although she did not own a farthing in the world, so I am satisfied that it was her pockets that got her a husband.
This was quite enough to still Matty. She was not to be without her pockets and she implored some of her aquaintances to save her the sweepings of the workroom at Mantua Makers and with the clippings obtained she managed to neatly put them together as a patch work, Her mother when this was acquired managed to buy her sufficient coarse calico for a lining, which pleased her very much and was ultimately the foundation for her future fortune, although she did not own a farthing in the world, so I am satisfied that it was her pockets that got her a husband.
As they all grew up the children all went to service and they have done wonderfully and my mother was not an exception. She was much respected, never gave herself airs, although as I have previously stated she was the pride of the neighbourhood and had many offers of marriage, keeping for years to her first love. When about 24 she was jilted by her first lover, Matty did not fret. she thought there was as good in the sea as had previously been netted. When nearly 26 years old news came from London, where she had 2 brothers in service, that one was taken with small pox and requesting if they could send someone to nurse him. In those days the disease was much dreaded but she knew no fear - made up her bundle and started to overtake the weekly wagon which had started the previous day early, then to get a lift to the great city where she arrived in due course. she then came to my grandfathers house and was shut up with her brother who was in the meantime progressing towards convalescence. After a while she was allowed to go down and take her meals with the servants and of course was much admired by the masculine portion of the household but with great jealousy on the part of the women who tried to make her position more uncomfortable, but the master's son, my father William Wood, took notice of her. He was a widower of the same age as herself. This riled the other girls but she heeded not. The old lady, my grandmother Jane Wood, a suspicious old woman ready to protect her son, noticed her son's attraction to the fair damsel and one day while she was down taking her meal, opened and examined the girls bundle and therein were the pockets, made some 14 years previously. She was so struck by the evident assurance of her industry, that she carried them down before replacing them to my father who was at home with the old gent and throwing them onto the table said 'There William, thats a wife for you'. He with this encouragement made opportunity to speak to her ... and proposed, the old lady coming forward at the time and backing him up. Not being engaged and it being a match far beyond her expectations said she would not mind if her mother and father were agreeable. To obtain their consent they took her down with post horses and obtained their consent and fixed the day a month later. The old people were at the fore and being of considerable means, insisted on paying all expenses and gave a grand spread in the town hall, to which were invited all of note in the neighbourhood.
It so happened that an officer who was marching with a portion of his regiment across the country, was billeted in the town. He was invited to the spread and danced with the bride in the evening. He afterwards became a man of great note - it was either Moore of Corruna or Picton of Waterloo, I forget which but it is mentioned in his memoirs. My mother's life after this was a great change for the better and on the whole, to the death of my father in 1815, was a fruitful and happy one.
It so happened that an officer who was marching with a portion of his regiment across the country, was billeted in the town. He was invited to the spread and danced with the bride in the evening. He afterwards became a man of great note - it was either Moore of Corruna or Picton of Waterloo, I forget which but it is mentioned in his memoirs. My mother's life after this was a great change for the better and on the whole, to the death of my father in 1815, was a fruitful and happy one.
'The Story of Mary East'
From an article found by Eric Este
A member Eric Este sent us this interesting story about a woman who spent her life masquerading as a man. The subject of this article is among the numerous females who might be mentioned who have, for a long series of years, sustained the character and devoted themselves to the occupations and pursuits of men.
We have seen them attaining the highest distinction in the republic of letters, intrusted with important diplomatic conditions and rising with deserved eminence in military careers. Their examples seem to prove that, with the same education, women might be able to acquit themselves with equal credit in professions exclusively assigned to the other sex.
Mary East was born about 1715 and when very young was courted by a man for whom she conceived the strongest affection. This man, afterwards falling into bad courses, resolved to try his fortune on the highway, but it was not long before he was apprehended for a robbery, for which he was condemned to die. However the sentence was changed to transportation. This circumstance, which happened about the year 1731 so deeply affected the mind of Mary East that she determined that ever after she would remain single. In the neighbourhood of her residence lived another young woman, who likewise having met with several disappointments in her experience of passion, had formed a similar resolution. As they were intimate they communicated their intentions to each other and at length concluded to live together.
We have seen them attaining the highest distinction in the republic of letters, intrusted with important diplomatic conditions and rising with deserved eminence in military careers. Their examples seem to prove that, with the same education, women might be able to acquit themselves with equal credit in professions exclusively assigned to the other sex.
Mary East was born about 1715 and when very young was courted by a man for whom she conceived the strongest affection. This man, afterwards falling into bad courses, resolved to try his fortune on the highway, but it was not long before he was apprehended for a robbery, for which he was condemned to die. However the sentence was changed to transportation. This circumstance, which happened about the year 1731 so deeply affected the mind of Mary East that she determined that ever after she would remain single. In the neighbourhood of her residence lived another young woman, who likewise having met with several disappointments in her experience of passion, had formed a similar resolution. As they were intimate they communicated their intentions to each other and at length concluded to live together.
Having consulted on the most prudent method of proceeding, it was decided that one should put on man's apparel and they should live as man and wife in some place where they were not known. The only difficulty was deciding who should be the man which was decided by lot in favour of Mary East, who was at the time about sixteen years of age and her partner seventeen. The sum of money they possessed between them was about £30 with which they set out and Mary, after purchasing a man's habit, assumed the name of James How by which we shall be obliged to distinguish her. In their progress they chanced to stop at a small public house at Epping, which was to be let. This house they took and lived in it for some time.
At about this time a quarrel, the cause of which we are not informed, took place between James How and a young gentleman against whom James entered an action and obtained a verdict of £500 damages. With this sum our couple sought a place in a better situation and took a very good public house in Limehouse-hole, where they live many years as man and wife, in good credit and esteem and by their industry and frugality, contrived to save a considerable sum of money.
Leaving the last mentioned situation they removed to the White Horse in Poplar, which as well as several other houses, they later purchased. In this manner they had lived about eighteen years, when a woman who was acquainted with Mary East in her youth and was in the secret of her metamorphosis, knowing in what creditable circumstances she now lived, thought this a favourable opportunity to turn her knowledge to her own advantage. She accordingly sent to Mr How for £10 at the same time intimating at the same time that in case of refusal, she would disclose all she knew concerning the affair. Fearful of her executing the threat James, in compliance with her demand sent her the money.
For a considerable time they remained free of any demands of a similar nature. How with her supposed wife continued to live in good credit till the year 1764. She had served all the parish offices of Poplar, excepting that of a constable and church warden from the former of which she was excused by a lameness in her hand occasioned by the quarrel above mentioned and the functions of the later she was to
have performed the following year. She had several times been foreman of juries, though her effeminacy was frequently remarked. About Christmas 1764 the woman who had practiced the former piece of extortion, resolved again to have recourse to the same expedient and with like menaces obtained £10 more. Flushed with her success and emboldened to prosecute her depredation, a fortnight had not elapsed before she repeated her demand for the same sum, which James happened not to have in the house, but still fearing discovery, sent her back £5. About this time the supposed wife of James How was taken ill and died.
The woman now planned to increase her depredations and for this purpose she procured two fellows to assist her in its execution, one of these, a coloured man, passed as a police officer and the other equipped with a pocket staff as a constable. In these characters they repaired to the White Horse and enquired for Mr How, who answered to the name. They informed her that they were come from Justice Fielding to apprehend her for a robbery committed thirty years before and they were acquainted with the secret of her sex. She was terrified to the highest degree on account of the discovery, but conscious of her innocence with regard to the robbery, and an intimate acquaintance, Mr Williams, a pawnbroker, happening to pass by and she called him in and acquainted him with the business of the two men, adding that she really was a woman but that she was innocent of the crime with which she was charged. Mr Williams, as soon as he recovered from the surprise occasioned by the disclosure, told her that she should not be carried before Justice Fielding, but before her own bench of Justices, adding that he would just step home and return in a few minutes to accompany her. On his departure the ruffians renewed their threats, but at the same time told her, if she would give them £100 they would cause her no further trouble, if not she would be hanged in six days and they would receive £40 each for bringing her to justice. Not withstanding their menaces she firmly resisted their demand, waiting with the utmost impatience for the return of Mr Williams. Persisting in her refusal they at length forced her out of the house, carried her through the fields and conveyed her Garlick Hill and the house of their employer, where with threats they obliged her to give a draft at a short date to Mr Williams. She was then set at liberty. When Mr Williams came back he was surprised to find her gone and immediately set off to the bench of justices to see if she was there. Not finding her he immediately went to Sir John Fielding and not succeeding there he went home, where James soon after returned and related what had happened.
At about this time a quarrel, the cause of which we are not informed, took place between James How and a young gentleman against whom James entered an action and obtained a verdict of £500 damages. With this sum our couple sought a place in a better situation and took a very good public house in Limehouse-hole, where they live many years as man and wife, in good credit and esteem and by their industry and frugality, contrived to save a considerable sum of money.
Leaving the last mentioned situation they removed to the White Horse in Poplar, which as well as several other houses, they later purchased. In this manner they had lived about eighteen years, when a woman who was acquainted with Mary East in her youth and was in the secret of her metamorphosis, knowing in what creditable circumstances she now lived, thought this a favourable opportunity to turn her knowledge to her own advantage. She accordingly sent to Mr How for £10 at the same time intimating at the same time that in case of refusal, she would disclose all she knew concerning the affair. Fearful of her executing the threat James, in compliance with her demand sent her the money.
For a considerable time they remained free of any demands of a similar nature. How with her supposed wife continued to live in good credit till the year 1764. She had served all the parish offices of Poplar, excepting that of a constable and church warden from the former of which she was excused by a lameness in her hand occasioned by the quarrel above mentioned and the functions of the later she was to
have performed the following year. She had several times been foreman of juries, though her effeminacy was frequently remarked. About Christmas 1764 the woman who had practiced the former piece of extortion, resolved again to have recourse to the same expedient and with like menaces obtained £10 more. Flushed with her success and emboldened to prosecute her depredation, a fortnight had not elapsed before she repeated her demand for the same sum, which James happened not to have in the house, but still fearing discovery, sent her back £5. About this time the supposed wife of James How was taken ill and died.
The woman now planned to increase her depredations and for this purpose she procured two fellows to assist her in its execution, one of these, a coloured man, passed as a police officer and the other equipped with a pocket staff as a constable. In these characters they repaired to the White Horse and enquired for Mr How, who answered to the name. They informed her that they were come from Justice Fielding to apprehend her for a robbery committed thirty years before and they were acquainted with the secret of her sex. She was terrified to the highest degree on account of the discovery, but conscious of her innocence with regard to the robbery, and an intimate acquaintance, Mr Williams, a pawnbroker, happening to pass by and she called him in and acquainted him with the business of the two men, adding that she really was a woman but that she was innocent of the crime with which she was charged. Mr Williams, as soon as he recovered from the surprise occasioned by the disclosure, told her that she should not be carried before Justice Fielding, but before her own bench of Justices, adding that he would just step home and return in a few minutes to accompany her. On his departure the ruffians renewed their threats, but at the same time told her, if she would give them £100 they would cause her no further trouble, if not she would be hanged in six days and they would receive £40 each for bringing her to justice. Not withstanding their menaces she firmly resisted their demand, waiting with the utmost impatience for the return of Mr Williams. Persisting in her refusal they at length forced her out of the house, carried her through the fields and conveyed her Garlick Hill and the house of their employer, where with threats they obliged her to give a draft at a short date to Mr Williams. She was then set at liberty. When Mr Williams came back he was surprised to find her gone and immediately set off to the bench of justices to see if she was there. Not finding her he immediately went to Sir John Fielding and not succeeding there he went home, where James soon after returned and related what had happened.
It was now the month of July, 1763. On Monday the 14th the woman to whom the draft was given, went to Mr Williams with it to enquire if he would pay it as it would be due the following Wednesday. He replied that if she would bring it when due, he should know better what to say. In the mean time he applied to the bench of justices for advice and on the Wednesday a constable was sent with orders to be in readiness in his house. The woman punctually attended with the draft bringing the coloured man with her. They were immediately taken into custody and carried before the justices sitting at The Angel in Whitechapel, wither Mr Williams repaired, attended by Mary East, in the proper habit of her sex. The awkwardness of her behaviour occasioned by the alteration of her dress, was such as to afford considerable diversion.
In the course of the examination the woman denied having sent for the sum of £100, which the men had demanded, but the coloured gentleman declared that if she had not sent him on such an errand, he would never have gone. By their numerous contradictions they completely unfolded the villainy of their designs and the strongest proof of being adduced of the extortion and assault. They were both committed to Clerkenwell till the sessions, to be tried for the offences. The other man who was involved in this nefarious transaction, would have been included in this punishment had he not by flight evaded the arm of justice.
It should have been observed that before the supposed wife of James How died, finding herself indisposed, she went to her brothers in Essex for the benefit of the air and after some stay, perceiving that she was near her end, sent for her husband to come to her. As How neglected to comply with her request, she informed her brother that the person with whom she had cohabited was not her husband, but a woman, that they were partners in the business by which they had acquired three or four thousand pounds, part of which had been laid out in bank stock. As soon as the supposed wife was dead and buried, her relations had set out for Poplar to claim her share of the property, which was accordingly delivered to them by Mary East.
It is remarkable that during the thirty four years in which they lived together, neither the husband nor the wife was ever observed to dress a joint of meat, nor had they ever any meetings, or the like at their house. They never kept any maid or boy but the husband, Mary East, always used to draw beer, serve, fetch and carry out the pots, so extremely solicitous were they that their secret might not be discovered.
After she had disposed of her house and settled her affairs, Mary East retired into another part of Poplar, to enjoy with quiet and pleasure, that property she had acquired by fair and honest means and with an unblemished character. She died in January 1781 aged sixty four years and left her fortune to a friend in the country and a young woman who lived with her during her retirement as a servant, except for ten shillings a year to the poor of Poplar, 50 shillings to a working gardener and her gold watch to Mr Curry an eminent distiller at Poplar.
In the course of the examination the woman denied having sent for the sum of £100, which the men had demanded, but the coloured gentleman declared that if she had not sent him on such an errand, he would never have gone. By their numerous contradictions they completely unfolded the villainy of their designs and the strongest proof of being adduced of the extortion and assault. They were both committed to Clerkenwell till the sessions, to be tried for the offences. The other man who was involved in this nefarious transaction, would have been included in this punishment had he not by flight evaded the arm of justice.
It should have been observed that before the supposed wife of James How died, finding herself indisposed, she went to her brothers in Essex for the benefit of the air and after some stay, perceiving that she was near her end, sent for her husband to come to her. As How neglected to comply with her request, she informed her brother that the person with whom she had cohabited was not her husband, but a woman, that they were partners in the business by which they had acquired three or four thousand pounds, part of which had been laid out in bank stock. As soon as the supposed wife was dead and buried, her relations had set out for Poplar to claim her share of the property, which was accordingly delivered to them by Mary East.
It is remarkable that during the thirty four years in which they lived together, neither the husband nor the wife was ever observed to dress a joint of meat, nor had they ever any meetings, or the like at their house. They never kept any maid or boy but the husband, Mary East, always used to draw beer, serve, fetch and carry out the pots, so extremely solicitous were they that their secret might not be discovered.
After she had disposed of her house and settled her affairs, Mary East retired into another part of Poplar, to enjoy with quiet and pleasure, that property she had acquired by fair and honest means and with an unblemished character. She died in January 1781 aged sixty four years and left her fortune to a friend in the country and a young woman who lived with her during her retirement as a servant, except for ten shillings a year to the poor of Poplar, 50 shillings to a working gardener and her gold watch to Mr Curry an eminent distiller at Poplar.
'A Trip to Points East'
Article by John & Andrée East
In what I think is a fitting tribute in our 25th Anniversary Year I have chosen an article called 'A Trip to Points East' by John & Andrée East, the Founders of the Society. The article was first published in the 2nd Journal published by the Society. Published in the Autumn of 1993.
When arranging to visit my sisters in South Australia the itinerary became rather more complicated than originally envisaged. To Start with we were seduced by the argument that it was just as easy to fly out to Adelaide, and carry on Eastwards round the world, instead of simply flying back Westwards, In the end we flew out via Singapore, which made a very interesting 'stopover' before arriving at Adelaide at 5 o'clock one morning with the prospect of a round the world trip before us.
Adelaide had changed a lot since my last visit. The city centre has come into the 20th century with a bang and the suburbs spreads much further out. My sisters had not changed much since their last visit to see us in England and we were rapidly absorbed into the new family represented by all the nephews and nieces and their children. All the papers and photographs found eventually after the clearing up of my late parents effects, came out for inspection, and we were very glad to be able to bring away some of them.
We introduced ourselves to Helen Jennings, member of the EFHS, and of the South Australian Family History Society, who have a fine headquarters building, with impressive library and racks and racks of records. A pity, but we did not have anything like enough time to do justice to these facilities, but we did quite a lot of research concerning the Easts of Mallalla. (More came to light later in Sydney). They were said to be connected in some way with my father's going out to Australia in 1922, but then they do not seem to have their origins anywhere near Essex, where
Dad came from.
We went to the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide, where many thousands of immigrants arrived. No convicts were sent to South Australia to help settle and develop the new country, and the settlers included many from Germany. Some of their descendants now produce superb wine after more than a century of experience. The computerised records of settlers makes it easy to check on one's own family, but unfortunately there are gaps, so although my Mother's arrival is recorded the year of Dads is not, It is always possible that he arrived elsewhere in Australia, of course finishing up in Adelaide after exploring the possibilities in Victoria. if only I had asked Dad about this when he was alive!
Adelaide had changed a lot since my last visit. The city centre has come into the 20th century with a bang and the suburbs spreads much further out. My sisters had not changed much since their last visit to see us in England and we were rapidly absorbed into the new family represented by all the nephews and nieces and their children. All the papers and photographs found eventually after the clearing up of my late parents effects, came out for inspection, and we were very glad to be able to bring away some of them.
We introduced ourselves to Helen Jennings, member of the EFHS, and of the South Australian Family History Society, who have a fine headquarters building, with impressive library and racks and racks of records. A pity, but we did not have anything like enough time to do justice to these facilities, but we did quite a lot of research concerning the Easts of Mallalla. (More came to light later in Sydney). They were said to be connected in some way with my father's going out to Australia in 1922, but then they do not seem to have their origins anywhere near Essex, where
Dad came from.
We went to the Maritime Museum in Port Adelaide, where many thousands of immigrants arrived. No convicts were sent to South Australia to help settle and develop the new country, and the settlers included many from Germany. Some of their descendants now produce superb wine after more than a century of experience. The computerised records of settlers makes it easy to check on one's own family, but unfortunately there are gaps, so although my Mother's arrival is recorded the year of Dads is not, It is always possible that he arrived elsewhere in Australia, of course finishing up in Adelaide after exploring the possibilities in Victoria. if only I had asked Dad about this when he was alive!
After the excitements and joys of seeing the 'family' and visiting parts of South Australia, we moved onto New South Wales. There we were made more than welcome by Society members Joan & Ralph Stilgoe, of Como just south of Sydney. They had insisted that we stay with them rather than at an hotel in the city. Their hospitality was marvellous, and they new so much about the lesser tourist spots as well as the obvious ones, that we had a wonderful time. We had a most enjoyable day tripping round Sydney Harbour with another member Joan Ransom & her husband, a Presbytarian minister and mine of information on the history of the area. The next day we met Madge Hargreaves at North Sidney, another member of our Family History Society and definitely related to Robert East and descended from the Estes of Radnage. Madge is a fund of information and the hours spent in her company passed very quickly. she gave us notes about the Easts of Mallalla, which should help our research in England. One evening we went to the Botany Bay Family History Society meeting, and Andrée talked to them about 'one name studies' and our own particular experiences. Several of the audience came up to us with queries about East ancestors, to be delighted by getting answers straight away from Andrée.
some of them joined the EFHS on the spot. We met Mignon Tamsitt, another East researcher with whom we had already corresponded, also a EFHS member. One highlight of our visit to NSW was a long trip down the coast to Woolongong and Kiama, where we had a surprise visit to the Easts of East's beach. A total surprise for us, that is, for Ralph & Joan had earlier contacted Robert East, who turned out to be a descendant of the 'Estes of Radnage', Bucks. Their family origins going back to the 16th century was news to Robert, but Andrée had all the details in her head once the connection was established. We came away with a copy of the family history as produced for an East Reunion on Kiama some years ago.
We were reluctant to leave the Stilgoes, who had made our visit to Sydney so memorable, but after a week we headed for Cairns and the Barrier Reef. In Brisbane we saw an old friend from more than 45 years ago, suffering the effects of the long drawn out drought up on the darling Downs, where she and her husband went to farm so many years ago. Next morning she rang to bid us 'Bon Voyage' and to say that over 2 inches of snow had fallen overnight. On then to New Zealand, specifically Auckland. Here again members of own FHS Noreen Newland & Rosanne Biddle, met us and once more we were shown around the city, and the area to the north, in a way we could never have forseen, and visited their homes. Rosanne's mother was an East, origins in South Shields.
In Rotorua we noticed the local office of their MP and yet another East, he was not in town but we got an introduction to his father Geoffrey down in New Plymouth, whom we contacted by phone. he is a keen genealogist, and we hope to have from him more data on New Zealand Easts and their origins in the Old Country.
In Vancouver we met another EFHS member, Joan Lehman, armed with questions and her East tree. There followed a trip around this beautiful city, such superb views from Stanley Park and the higher roads. Such hospitality, it is going to be difficult to match the kindness received from all the EFHS members that we met on this trip.
some of them joined the EFHS on the spot. We met Mignon Tamsitt, another East researcher with whom we had already corresponded, also a EFHS member. One highlight of our visit to NSW was a long trip down the coast to Woolongong and Kiama, where we had a surprise visit to the Easts of East's beach. A total surprise for us, that is, for Ralph & Joan had earlier contacted Robert East, who turned out to be a descendant of the 'Estes of Radnage', Bucks. Their family origins going back to the 16th century was news to Robert, but Andrée had all the details in her head once the connection was established. We came away with a copy of the family history as produced for an East Reunion on Kiama some years ago.
We were reluctant to leave the Stilgoes, who had made our visit to Sydney so memorable, but after a week we headed for Cairns and the Barrier Reef. In Brisbane we saw an old friend from more than 45 years ago, suffering the effects of the long drawn out drought up on the darling Downs, where she and her husband went to farm so many years ago. Next morning she rang to bid us 'Bon Voyage' and to say that over 2 inches of snow had fallen overnight. On then to New Zealand, specifically Auckland. Here again members of own FHS Noreen Newland & Rosanne Biddle, met us and once more we were shown around the city, and the area to the north, in a way we could never have forseen, and visited their homes. Rosanne's mother was an East, origins in South Shields.
In Rotorua we noticed the local office of their MP and yet another East, he was not in town but we got an introduction to his father Geoffrey down in New Plymouth, whom we contacted by phone. he is a keen genealogist, and we hope to have from him more data on New Zealand Easts and their origins in the Old Country.
In Vancouver we met another EFHS member, Joan Lehman, armed with questions and her East tree. There followed a trip around this beautiful city, such superb views from Stanley Park and the higher roads. Such hospitality, it is going to be difficult to match the kindness received from all the EFHS members that we met on this trip.
There were no more genealogical encounters during the remainder of the trip back to Gatwick. We did visit the city archives in Ottawa, but time was pressing. We checked for Easts in all the phone books we saw en route, listed names and addresses but Too late we learned that in Canada, the zip codes, which do not appear in the phone books are essential to the address. Without it, we were told, delivery simply does not take place. Strangely the biggest number of East's were in the Quebec phone book.
With what we learned on this occasion we feel far better equipped for a repeat trip, with genealogy again forming part of the interest.
With what we learned on this occasion we feel far better equipped for a repeat trip, with genealogy again forming part of the interest.
'An Ancestral East Branch'
Article by Janet R Rose.
Published in Points East Journals Spring 1994 & Spring 1995
Published in Points East Journals Spring 1994 & Spring 1995
Received wisdom stated that my great grandmother Ellen Wake née East, sometime Wighton, was brought up by an aunt in Boxmoor, Herts. where she learnt to plait straw for the hat trade, was on a short list of wet nurses to Queen Victoria, (but was rejected because her mother had died of milk fever, She was also "head cook" to the Queens Chef ( or Cook to the Queens Head Chef !).
She married Francis Henry Wake and bore him a second set of seven children. She had previously had two children by one Wighton, one of these being 'Jack' Wighton who lost an eye in the Boer War and who married 'Polly from Yorkshire'. I was also told that 'she was never 'registered', but it was unclear if this referred to her birth or her marriage! I assumed at first it was her birth and this was discovered when old age pensions started and she could not prove her age, but later decided it referred to her 'marriage' !
Later my uncle, first cousin Wake, said that she was a "canal child" but my aunt hushed him up at this point saying it was only a rumour! The subject was never mentioned again, or even remembered when I questioned it .
My Mother and her only sister ( aunt Nellie) remembered their grandmother well, as their mother was Ellen's youngest child and Ellen lived with them from time to time during their childhood. when researching my ancestry I confined myself to the families of my four grandparents, and only the parents of each newly acquired antecedent, through marriage in these four families. The one great grandparent I felt close to was Ellen and as I had this basic data going back to 1840 I thought she begged to be 'done'.
I started with Francis Henry Wake, referring to the family who had oral information about him. My aunt was able to tell me the names of all fourteen of his children, from both marriages and the children of my great grandmother's son Jack, also quite a lot about various cousins. a lot of the family had kept in touch with each other and many remained in the same geographical area. Francis Henry Wake made mathematical instruments and he was said to be descended from Hereward the Wake (*Editors Note - Hereward the Wake, the guerrilla leader who headed Anglo- Saxon resistance to William the Conqueror for five years has been called one of history's "greatest Englishmen".) The Wake family of Northamptonshire researched the possibility of their own descent from Hereward but found none. The only connection with any branch of the family may be with the Wake's house at Selbourne.
Ellen said she went to work for Francis Henry when he was widowed and subsequently married him. at that time she already had son Jack Wighton, so I looked in vain for a marriage Wighton / East at St Catherines. Much later I found the Wake / East marriage at Christ Church Marylebone, both their addresses being at Nottingham Street. Ellen was described as a spinster her father as William East, a Porter. Two of Francis's children were witnesses. I had been unable to find Ellen's birth at St Catherines many years ago, so came to the conclusion that she had been right about not being registered. Later in 1982 we moved to Hertfordshire and I decided to try to solve the problem whilst in the area. I started with a blanket search of the 1852 census of Boxmoor but this was negative, so I widened my search to Hemel Hempstead. There at the workhouse I found an Ellen, not quite the right age, but lacking any others in the area who fitted, I felt sure I had found her, plus two brothers, but no parents. In due course I found her birth registered as Helen, somewhat later than expected with her fathers name on the marriage certificate for Francis Henry Wake. so in fact she was 'registered' and was married to my great grandfather.
Helen Eliza East was born on the 9th March 1844 in Crouchfield parish, Hemel Hempstead, the daughter of William East, Labourer and Sophia East née Cheshire. This was about three years later than expected from the age quoted on her death, but otherwise fits all the known facts. William East of Two Waters, then a boatman (remember the canal child theory ?) of full age, married Sophia Cheshire, of Crouchfield, also of full age, on the 13th June 1842 in the parish church Hemel Hempstead. William's father was given as Joseph East, labourer and Sophia's as William Cheshire, labourer. Joseph East, Ellen's brother, was born on 4th February 1847 at Crouchfield, an area of Hemel Hempstead. The mother's name was given as Sylpha - the name becomes important later on. The father given as a labourer.
On the 1851 census for Hemel Hempstead at the Union Workhouse, Queen Street,
among other inmates were :
William East 7 scholar Hemel Hempstead
Ellen East 6 scholar Hemel Hempstead
Joseph East 4 scholar Hemel Hempstead
No adults were listed but there was another William aged 12 but of Kings Langley, Though not found at St Catherines, at the local registrars I found recorded Williams birth in Hemel Hempstead in 1844. There were many East's in that area, but I could not find Joseph, the younger of Ellen's brothers.
There are two Joseph East's marrying in Hertfordshire according to IGI at about the right period to be William's parents, but I have not pursued them further. I checked with the Waterways Index for William East, but drew a blank.
I have not found Ellen in the 1861 census and workhouse records have not survived. It appears that William deserted his family as a reward was offered for his apprehension. There are workhouse records at PRO Kew which I intend to search in the near future.
Going Back I found that on the 9th March 1849 Zilpha East, now in the workhouse 'is to be removed to Bedford Lunatic Asylum upon the Medical Officer giving the necessary medical certificate' On the 3rd may 1850 the clerk 'is to write to the Lunatic Asylum and request discharge of Zilpha East should the Medical Officer certify to that effect'. A letter in reply stated that release could not be recommended. Research at the Bedford RO. revealed that Zilpha remained certified for the rest of her life, dying in the three counties asylum in 1898 aged 80 years.
By the 1851 census William East had not been found as his and Sophia's children were still in the workhouse. Presumably they were eventually 'put out' to the aunt who lived on Boxmoor and taught Ellen straw plaiting. I looked on the 1861 census for Joseph as he would have been fourteen at that time and hopefully still with relatives on Boxmoor, but he was not to be found. I suppose he could have been apprenticed or working elsewhere by that time.
Ellen had a child jack Wighton and in 1871 after she married Francis Wake, he was described as 'son in law' aged 7 on the census and living at 4 St Martin's Place, St Martin's in the Fields. Therefore I searched for jacks birth also without success. As Ellen married Francis Henry in 1869 as Ellen East and not Wighton I decided to look for jack under the surname East. I found Jane Wighton East in the indexes, born in Berkhamstead in the March quarter of 1865, which was something of a surprise !
I wrote to the local registrar for a copy of the certificate, thinking that it should have been John and was astonished to find that it was Jane. There was a twin sister Emma - their date of birth the 20th February 1865. The mother was given as Ellen East, no father was recorded and they were born in the Union Workhouse, Berkhamstead. These twins would have been six years old in 1871 but they did not appear with Ellen and her newly acquired family. The next logical step was to 'kill them off' ! John Wighton was not found born in Berkhamstead the previous year.
I eventually found Jane East daughter of Ellen, no father, baptised on 31st May 1867 at St Martin's in the Fields, noted as having been born on the 27th July 1866, address : Castle Street. ( The workhouse was in Castle Street). The birth certificate gave the twins DOB as 20 Feb 1865 - were there more ?
The death index shows a Jane Wighton age 0 in the St Martin's index for June 1867 which is presumably the Jane baptised the previous July and also Emma Wighton East dying in St Martin's in December 1865, which must surely be one of the twins born in Berkhamstead ?
Searching for Jane's death I found John Wighton's, presumably the father of these children, who died aged 28 on the 18th July 1866 ( nine days before Jane was said to have been born !) his address given as 10 Cecil Court, St Martin's Lane, described as a Carpenter workman and his cause of death given as Acute Rheumatism over two months and Endo-Carditis (inflammation of the heart - common in acute rheumatism) for 24 days. The informant present at the death was Ellen Wighton !
No John Wighton was baptised at St Martin's or at St pauls ( the place of birth given in the 1871 Census.
Just round the corner at 4 St Martins Court, on the 8th May 1867, died the first wife of Francis Wake, leaving him with seven children, the youngest being nine years old. Presumably this was where Ellen stepped in as housekeeper as she had recently been 'widowed' herself.
The children of the marriage of Francis Henry Wake and Ellen were :
Elizabeth (Lizzie) - born 1870 - died 1964
Alfred William - born 28th Feb 1871 - died 1961 ( my uncles father)
Francis - born 1873 - died in childhood
Joseph - born Nov 1875 - died in India in the army 1896 - unmarried
Lilian - born about 1876
Robert - born 10th Jan 1877 - died 1977
Louise - born 30th May 1880 - died Oct 1925
Louisa was my grandmother and she was born in Havil Street Workhouse, and was poor all her life. She was married at seventeen to George Allen and had three children who survived. The first was auntie Nellie married to Alfred Wake, son of the above Alfred William. The second was George Charles Allen and the youngest was Rose Anne who married Cyril Norman Bond in 1933. They lived to be eighty nine, eighty six and seventy four old respectively. I will write more on this family in my Wake Chapter.
Ellen was living 'south of the river' in her later years and I have been unable to locate her in 1881, though her husband Francis was in the Camberwell Infirmary (now St Giles Hospital ). In 1883 her husband died in the workhouse infirmary of Tuberculosis, recorded as being 26 Ruby Street, a much nicer sounding place than it was, in fact it was off the Old Kent Road, near the canal.
The 1891 census finds her at 30 Ruby Street as an Ironer from Boxmoor Herts. a forty eight year old widow with her sixteen year old son Joseph an Oil shop Assistant and her ten year old daughter Louisa, a scholar. On 1st Feb 1899 she was living at 3 Princes Street, Peckham Rye, according to her son's Joseph's service record.
She was in and out of the workhouse herself and Nellie remembered going to see her there and having to take packets of tea and sugar, for a 'cuppa' when they visited. My Aunt had a horror of receiving tea as a gift for Christmas as she said it made her feel destitute!
Ellen died at Constance Road Infirmary, Dulwich, on the 16th August 1919 and was buried at Honor Oak.
Eleven children and a mother who lived long enough to have known all her grand children and some of her great grand children as well and I am sure Ellen didn't even know - she thought she had died of 'milk fever' as undoubtedly that's what she had been told. In and out of the workhouse all her life ! What a Life !!
She married Francis Henry Wake and bore him a second set of seven children. She had previously had two children by one Wighton, one of these being 'Jack' Wighton who lost an eye in the Boer War and who married 'Polly from Yorkshire'. I was also told that 'she was never 'registered', but it was unclear if this referred to her birth or her marriage! I assumed at first it was her birth and this was discovered when old age pensions started and she could not prove her age, but later decided it referred to her 'marriage' !
Later my uncle, first cousin Wake, said that she was a "canal child" but my aunt hushed him up at this point saying it was only a rumour! The subject was never mentioned again, or even remembered when I questioned it .
My Mother and her only sister ( aunt Nellie) remembered their grandmother well, as their mother was Ellen's youngest child and Ellen lived with them from time to time during their childhood. when researching my ancestry I confined myself to the families of my four grandparents, and only the parents of each newly acquired antecedent, through marriage in these four families. The one great grandparent I felt close to was Ellen and as I had this basic data going back to 1840 I thought she begged to be 'done'.
I started with Francis Henry Wake, referring to the family who had oral information about him. My aunt was able to tell me the names of all fourteen of his children, from both marriages and the children of my great grandmother's son Jack, also quite a lot about various cousins. a lot of the family had kept in touch with each other and many remained in the same geographical area. Francis Henry Wake made mathematical instruments and he was said to be descended from Hereward the Wake (*Editors Note - Hereward the Wake, the guerrilla leader who headed Anglo- Saxon resistance to William the Conqueror for five years has been called one of history's "greatest Englishmen".) The Wake family of Northamptonshire researched the possibility of their own descent from Hereward but found none. The only connection with any branch of the family may be with the Wake's house at Selbourne.
Ellen said she went to work for Francis Henry when he was widowed and subsequently married him. at that time she already had son Jack Wighton, so I looked in vain for a marriage Wighton / East at St Catherines. Much later I found the Wake / East marriage at Christ Church Marylebone, both their addresses being at Nottingham Street. Ellen was described as a spinster her father as William East, a Porter. Two of Francis's children were witnesses. I had been unable to find Ellen's birth at St Catherines many years ago, so came to the conclusion that she had been right about not being registered. Later in 1982 we moved to Hertfordshire and I decided to try to solve the problem whilst in the area. I started with a blanket search of the 1852 census of Boxmoor but this was negative, so I widened my search to Hemel Hempstead. There at the workhouse I found an Ellen, not quite the right age, but lacking any others in the area who fitted, I felt sure I had found her, plus two brothers, but no parents. In due course I found her birth registered as Helen, somewhat later than expected with her fathers name on the marriage certificate for Francis Henry Wake. so in fact she was 'registered' and was married to my great grandfather.
Helen Eliza East was born on the 9th March 1844 in Crouchfield parish, Hemel Hempstead, the daughter of William East, Labourer and Sophia East née Cheshire. This was about three years later than expected from the age quoted on her death, but otherwise fits all the known facts. William East of Two Waters, then a boatman (remember the canal child theory ?) of full age, married Sophia Cheshire, of Crouchfield, also of full age, on the 13th June 1842 in the parish church Hemel Hempstead. William's father was given as Joseph East, labourer and Sophia's as William Cheshire, labourer. Joseph East, Ellen's brother, was born on 4th February 1847 at Crouchfield, an area of Hemel Hempstead. The mother's name was given as Sylpha - the name becomes important later on. The father given as a labourer.
On the 1851 census for Hemel Hempstead at the Union Workhouse, Queen Street,
among other inmates were :
William East 7 scholar Hemel Hempstead
Ellen East 6 scholar Hemel Hempstead
Joseph East 4 scholar Hemel Hempstead
No adults were listed but there was another William aged 12 but of Kings Langley, Though not found at St Catherines, at the local registrars I found recorded Williams birth in Hemel Hempstead in 1844. There were many East's in that area, but I could not find Joseph, the younger of Ellen's brothers.
There are two Joseph East's marrying in Hertfordshire according to IGI at about the right period to be William's parents, but I have not pursued them further. I checked with the Waterways Index for William East, but drew a blank.
I have not found Ellen in the 1861 census and workhouse records have not survived. It appears that William deserted his family as a reward was offered for his apprehension. There are workhouse records at PRO Kew which I intend to search in the near future.
Going Back I found that on the 9th March 1849 Zilpha East, now in the workhouse 'is to be removed to Bedford Lunatic Asylum upon the Medical Officer giving the necessary medical certificate' On the 3rd may 1850 the clerk 'is to write to the Lunatic Asylum and request discharge of Zilpha East should the Medical Officer certify to that effect'. A letter in reply stated that release could not be recommended. Research at the Bedford RO. revealed that Zilpha remained certified for the rest of her life, dying in the three counties asylum in 1898 aged 80 years.
By the 1851 census William East had not been found as his and Sophia's children were still in the workhouse. Presumably they were eventually 'put out' to the aunt who lived on Boxmoor and taught Ellen straw plaiting. I looked on the 1861 census for Joseph as he would have been fourteen at that time and hopefully still with relatives on Boxmoor, but he was not to be found. I suppose he could have been apprenticed or working elsewhere by that time.
Ellen had a child jack Wighton and in 1871 after she married Francis Wake, he was described as 'son in law' aged 7 on the census and living at 4 St Martin's Place, St Martin's in the Fields. Therefore I searched for jacks birth also without success. As Ellen married Francis Henry in 1869 as Ellen East and not Wighton I decided to look for jack under the surname East. I found Jane Wighton East in the indexes, born in Berkhamstead in the March quarter of 1865, which was something of a surprise !
I wrote to the local registrar for a copy of the certificate, thinking that it should have been John and was astonished to find that it was Jane. There was a twin sister Emma - their date of birth the 20th February 1865. The mother was given as Ellen East, no father was recorded and they were born in the Union Workhouse, Berkhamstead. These twins would have been six years old in 1871 but they did not appear with Ellen and her newly acquired family. The next logical step was to 'kill them off' ! John Wighton was not found born in Berkhamstead the previous year.
I eventually found Jane East daughter of Ellen, no father, baptised on 31st May 1867 at St Martin's in the Fields, noted as having been born on the 27th July 1866, address : Castle Street. ( The workhouse was in Castle Street). The birth certificate gave the twins DOB as 20 Feb 1865 - were there more ?
The death index shows a Jane Wighton age 0 in the St Martin's index for June 1867 which is presumably the Jane baptised the previous July and also Emma Wighton East dying in St Martin's in December 1865, which must surely be one of the twins born in Berkhamstead ?
Searching for Jane's death I found John Wighton's, presumably the father of these children, who died aged 28 on the 18th July 1866 ( nine days before Jane was said to have been born !) his address given as 10 Cecil Court, St Martin's Lane, described as a Carpenter workman and his cause of death given as Acute Rheumatism over two months and Endo-Carditis (inflammation of the heart - common in acute rheumatism) for 24 days. The informant present at the death was Ellen Wighton !
No John Wighton was baptised at St Martin's or at St pauls ( the place of birth given in the 1871 Census.
Just round the corner at 4 St Martins Court, on the 8th May 1867, died the first wife of Francis Wake, leaving him with seven children, the youngest being nine years old. Presumably this was where Ellen stepped in as housekeeper as she had recently been 'widowed' herself.
The children of the marriage of Francis Henry Wake and Ellen were :
Elizabeth (Lizzie) - born 1870 - died 1964
Alfred William - born 28th Feb 1871 - died 1961 ( my uncles father)
Francis - born 1873 - died in childhood
Joseph - born Nov 1875 - died in India in the army 1896 - unmarried
Lilian - born about 1876
Robert - born 10th Jan 1877 - died 1977
Louise - born 30th May 1880 - died Oct 1925
Louisa was my grandmother and she was born in Havil Street Workhouse, and was poor all her life. She was married at seventeen to George Allen and had three children who survived. The first was auntie Nellie married to Alfred Wake, son of the above Alfred William. The second was George Charles Allen and the youngest was Rose Anne who married Cyril Norman Bond in 1933. They lived to be eighty nine, eighty six and seventy four old respectively. I will write more on this family in my Wake Chapter.
Ellen was living 'south of the river' in her later years and I have been unable to locate her in 1881, though her husband Francis was in the Camberwell Infirmary (now St Giles Hospital ). In 1883 her husband died in the workhouse infirmary of Tuberculosis, recorded as being 26 Ruby Street, a much nicer sounding place than it was, in fact it was off the Old Kent Road, near the canal.
The 1891 census finds her at 30 Ruby Street as an Ironer from Boxmoor Herts. a forty eight year old widow with her sixteen year old son Joseph an Oil shop Assistant and her ten year old daughter Louisa, a scholar. On 1st Feb 1899 she was living at 3 Princes Street, Peckham Rye, according to her son's Joseph's service record.
She was in and out of the workhouse herself and Nellie remembered going to see her there and having to take packets of tea and sugar, for a 'cuppa' when they visited. My Aunt had a horror of receiving tea as a gift for Christmas as she said it made her feel destitute!
Ellen died at Constance Road Infirmary, Dulwich, on the 16th August 1919 and was buried at Honor Oak.
Eleven children and a mother who lived long enough to have known all her grand children and some of her great grand children as well and I am sure Ellen didn't even know - she thought she had died of 'milk fever' as undoubtedly that's what she had been told. In and out of the workhouse all her life ! What a Life !!
Easts Down Under
Article by Geoffrey B Sharman, Evandale, Tasmania.
Published in Points East Journal Summer 1993
Published in Points East Journal Summer 1993
The Transported Easts
During its first 50 years as a British possession Tasmania was known as Van Diemens Land or V.D.L. and was a penal colony . Free Settlers also arrived during that time `but of the Europeans who came before 1853
70,000 were convicts. Thirteen bore the name of EAST.
Forenames and convictions were :
70,000 were convicts. Thirteen bore the name of EAST.
Forenames and convictions were :
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Ann
Charles Edward James James John John Thomas Thomas William William William William |
Ripon, Yorkshire
Buckinghamshire Quarter Sessions London Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) Middlesex Quarter Sessions Cambridge Quarter Sessions Aylesbury Special Commission Devon Assizes Oxford Assizes Berkshire Assizes Essex Assizes London Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) Cambridge Quarter Sessions Hereford Quarter Sessions |
Dec 1833
Dec 1839 Jan 1837 Oct 1830 Jan 1842 Jan 1831 Mar 1840 Mar 1824 Mar 1827 Jul 1810 Sep 1840 Oct 1841 Mar 1945 |
7 years
14 years 7 years 7 years 7 years 7 years 10 years Life Life 7 years 10 years 7 years 7 years |
John East 1809 - 1857
John was arrested on the 29th Nov 1830 being one of a mob of between 300 and 500 "swing" rioters outside the paper mill of W R Davis at Loudwater, near High Wycombe. The constable who arrested him said "John East was in the mill yard with the mob. He was fighting his way through the mob to face the special constables. He had nothing in his hand. When he came to us I took him into custody."
John was then 21 years old and as he was a mere 5ft 1in tall, and totally unarmed, his arrest cannot have presented much difficulty. He had married Charlotte Blizard at Harefield, Middlesex, on 22nd August 1830. Their son William, who John possibly never saw, was baptised at High Wycombe on 29th Dec 1830, while his father was in gaol awaiting trial.
On 12th January 1831 John East was acquitted when charged with having 'unlawfully assembled.... and ...having destroyed certain machinery at the paper mill of W R Davis'. The next day he was further indicted for 'having destroyed certain machines at Chapping Wycombe, the property of W R Davis' ( Bucks Gazette 15 Jan 1831). The authorities were presumably determines that none of the few arrested should escape punishment, although it must have been obvious that John could not have destroyed machinery at the Davis mill. he did not go into the mill at all, and was arrested before the machinery was broken, or at worst while it was being broken by those already inside. He was convicted without further trial and "judgment of death" was recorded, which was commuted by the Crown to 7 years transportation.
John East received a free pardon on the 1st August 1835 but it took time for the instructions from London to reach colonial authorities, so his pardon was not promulgated until 3rd Feb 1836. at the time he was on 'ticket of leave' and free to work anywhere in the Australian colonies. He was free to return to England and it may be that he chose not to do so because he had heard that his wife Charlotte had died.
On 22 May 1840, John married Sarah Hambury at St Matthews Church, New Norfolk, V. D. L. They had four children and thirty four grandchildren but only the first was born before John died.
John East was the grandfather of the author.
John was arrested on the 29th Nov 1830 being one of a mob of between 300 and 500 "swing" rioters outside the paper mill of W R Davis at Loudwater, near High Wycombe. The constable who arrested him said "John East was in the mill yard with the mob. He was fighting his way through the mob to face the special constables. He had nothing in his hand. When he came to us I took him into custody."
John was then 21 years old and as he was a mere 5ft 1in tall, and totally unarmed, his arrest cannot have presented much difficulty. He had married Charlotte Blizard at Harefield, Middlesex, on 22nd August 1830. Their son William, who John possibly never saw, was baptised at High Wycombe on 29th Dec 1830, while his father was in gaol awaiting trial.
On 12th January 1831 John East was acquitted when charged with having 'unlawfully assembled.... and ...having destroyed certain machinery at the paper mill of W R Davis'. The next day he was further indicted for 'having destroyed certain machines at Chapping Wycombe, the property of W R Davis' ( Bucks Gazette 15 Jan 1831). The authorities were presumably determines that none of the few arrested should escape punishment, although it must have been obvious that John could not have destroyed machinery at the Davis mill. he did not go into the mill at all, and was arrested before the machinery was broken, or at worst while it was being broken by those already inside. He was convicted without further trial and "judgment of death" was recorded, which was commuted by the Crown to 7 years transportation.
John East received a free pardon on the 1st August 1835 but it took time for the instructions from London to reach colonial authorities, so his pardon was not promulgated until 3rd Feb 1836. at the time he was on 'ticket of leave' and free to work anywhere in the Australian colonies. He was free to return to England and it may be that he chose not to do so because he had heard that his wife Charlotte had died.
On 22 May 1840, John married Sarah Hambury at St Matthews Church, New Norfolk, V. D. L. They had four children and thirty four grandchildren but only the first was born before John died.
John East was the grandfather of the author.
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