#On This Day 25th December

On this day .!!!   .....  I thought I would share a few more memories of mine but relating to Christmas other than memories that I have mentioned last year which you can find here.

https://sussexheritage.blogspot.com/2023/12/advent-calendar-day-24.html

https://sussexheritage.blogspot.com/2023/12/advent-calendar-day-20.html

We always had christmas crackers at the tea table on Christmas Day.  I know a lot of families had them with their lunch. Our crackers used to be wrapped in coloured crepe paper and had a snap inside so that you pulled the cracker with a partner and when it went "bang" (like cap pistols used to ....oh another memory!!) the paper tore and out would fall a small present like a jumping frog or a cellophane fish that would curl in your hand, a coloured paper hat and a joke.  We loved the jokes as kids but I am sure the adults must have inwardly groaned at the same jokes year after year, as we do now!!

Boxing Day meeting at Battle Abbey.  You might find this offensive/cruel but it was part of normal life in the 50's and 60's.  The huntsman dressed up in their red jackets and the fox hounds at the horse's feet were quite a sight as they came through the archway. 

A Boxing Day meet of local huntsman (ai generated)

Crepe paper paper chains were twisted and hung in our dining room and living room.  It went from the corners to the central ceiling rose and then across to the other corner.  Then the two remaining sides were done to match.  We also had opened out folded decorations in the shape of  bell and a star.  We had other styles too in the 1950s

           

We always had a live Christmas Tree that was planted in a bucket of soil that we kept damp.  We would drape red or green crepe paper round the bucket and then put a bow round using the opposite colour to the bucket.  There were quite a few ornaments we weren't allow to hang as children because they were old and made of glass and woud have broken if they had been dropped.

Finally a memory from my late teens in the late '60's, when we were living in Radlett and I rang bells in the parish church.  I joined in with other bell ringers to go round carolling with handbells.  We called at Una Stubbs' house and given mince pies each.  We got quite a few mince pies by the end of that night!!!

#On This Day 24th December

Today we have the remarkable coincidence that Zebulon Clark, my 5x great grandfather and Zebulon Clarke 4x great grandfather - father and son - were both buried on the same day and in the same place, Icklesham, Sussex, England.  One in 1780 and the other in 1828.  To save any confusion I am just going to write about my 4x great grandfather buried in 1828.

There were several events in 1828 that are worth noting but I doubt any of them affected Zebulon's life in Sussex.

The Duke of Wellington succeeds Lord Goderich as Prime Minister.

Royal Free Hospital, established as the London General Institution for the Gratuitous Care of Malignant Diseases by surgeon William Marsden, opens.  He also founded the Free Cancer Hospital in 1851.

London Zoo opens in Regent's Park.

William Howley elected as Archbishop of Canterbury in succession to Charles Manners-Sutton.

St Katharine Docks opened in London. It lies just south of the Tower of London on the north bank of the River Thames.

 Mary Anning discovers Britain's first pterosaur fossil at Lyme Regis on the south coast.

Zebulon Clark was born in 1777 in Icklesham, Sussex, England, to Zebulon Clarke (1751, buried in 1780) and Eleanor Griffin (born 1746). He was baptized in Icklesham on January 5, 1777. Zebulon married Sarah Bates in Icklesham on April 11, 1799, and they had eight children. After Sarah's death in 1814, Zebulon remarried Mary Simmons in Icklesham on September 16, 1816. Together, they had seven children, including another son named Zebulon. Zebulon Clark passed away in 1828 and was buried on December 24, 1828, in Icklesham.

I am descended from Zebulon and Sarah's youngest son, Henry, born in 1812. 

Looking back through history, December 24 has seen several significant events:

1166: The birth of King John, youngest son of Henry II, who was forced by the barons to sign the Magna Carta.

1650: Edinburgh Castle surrendered to troops commanded by Oliver Cromwell.

1814: The War of 1812 between the US and Britain ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.

1818: The first performance of "Silent Night" took place in the Nikolauskirche in Oberndorf, Austria.

1914: World War I saw the beginning of the "Christmas truce."

1939: During World War II, Pope Pius XII made a Christmas Eve appeal for peace

Militia List 1812 - Line 51 is Zebulon's entry

#On This Day 23rd December

Today, we take a look at the story of James Clark and Annie Gardner, who married on this day in 1905, in Berkeley, Gloucestershire.  James is my great great uncle.

A range of events that happened in England in that year.

The Natural History Museum in London: The unveiling of "Dippy," an exact replica of the skeleton of the Diplodocus carnegii dinosaur, became a popular exhibit.

Cadbury Dairy Milk: The iconic chocolate bar was first produced in Bournville.

Literary Milestone: E. Nesbit wrote the well-known book, 'The Railway Children,' which became a classic in children's literature.

James Eldridge, son of William Eldridge (1843-1868) and Caroline Poile (1847-1927), was born on October 21, 1866, in Bodiam, Sussex, England. He was baptized in Bodiam on February 3, 1867. James was one of three children. He married Annie Gardner in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, on December 23, 1905. The marriage was witnessed by Alfred Gardner and Rose Gardner. After their marriage, James and Annie moved to Sussex. My research shows that they had one girl and four boys, born between 1906 and 1919: Rose, Alfred, Arthur, and Richard.

I have done little research on Annie, although I have found that she was born in 1872. It's intriguing to think about how James met and married someone from Gloucestershire. James died in Sussex in 1950, and I believe Annie died nine years later.

James had a younger sister, my great-grandmother, Ellen Eldridge, who married George Clark. Their daughter, my grandmother, was named Rose Ellen. This makes me wonder if James and Annie's daughter was named after the wedding witness Rose Gardner or after James' niece, my grandmother, Rose Ellen.

There were several noteworthy events in England on this day:

1815: Jane Austen's novel "Emma" was published in London.  It is quite likely that Annie would have read this novel.

1888: The birth of J. Arthur Rank, a film magnate from Hull who founded the Rank Organisation, now known as The Rank Group Plc.  I am sure they will have watched a film produced by the Rank Organisation.

1922: The BBC began daily radio newscasts, a significant development in broadcast journalism.  Most people listened to the radio news until television became the favourite media later in the century.

1937: The first flight of the Vickers Wellington bomber, widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War.  The war would have made a big impact on James and Annie's lives and living in the South East would have seen and heard many planes flying overhead during the war.

Vickers Wellington Bomber

#On This Day 22nd December

On this day, we are reflecting on Emily Clark, my great-great-aunt, who was buried in Rye on December 22, 1876. Her story is somewhat short, as was her life.

The year Emily was born and died saw several major events:

March 7: Alexander Graham Bell received a patent for the telephone in the United States and made the first phone call on March 10.

May 1: The Settle-Carlisle Railway opened to passenger traffic, marking a significant development in transportation.

July 14: The British battleship HMS Thunderer experienced a boiler explosion during a full-power sea trial near Portsmouth, England, resulting in the deaths of 45 sailors and injuries to 40 others.

She was born in 1876 in Rye, Sussex, England, to Richard Douch Clark (1842-1905) and Margaret Anne Hoad (c. 1837-1907). She was baptized on October 9, 1876, and tragically passed away 2 months later. Emily was the twelfth of fourteen children in her family and had a twin brother named Ernest, who also died in 1876 and was buried on December 28. It's heartbreaking to think of the grief their parents must have felt losing both twins during the Christmas season. They named another daughter Emily, born in December 1877, and another son Ernest, born in May 1879.  It was quite common then to name the next child by the name of the one that has just died but it makes searching information on ancestors a challenge of not muddling records between the two.

Throughout history, December 22 has seen several notable events:

1880: The death of George Eliot (real name Mary Anne Evans), a leading novelist and poet of the Victorian era.

1919: The Government of Ireland Act of Power (Home Rule for Ireland) was signed by King George V, dividing Ireland into two parts, each with its own parliament.

1943: The children's writer Beatrix Potter passed away. Her house at Hill Top, Sawrey, is open to the public today.

It is obvious that Emily never had the chance to witness these events or read the works of these famous authors. Nonetheless, she is part of our family history.

Burial of Emily and Ernest Clark in Rye, Sussex

#On This Day - 21st December

On this "special day", I want to introduce you to one of my favorite ancestors, partly because her name is my middle name but also because as a child during the Christmas season, I always thought everyone saying "Merry Christmas" to me was actually saying "Mary Christmas!" So, without further ado, meet Mary Christmas who was baptised on this day in 1688!

Mary's  life was during a fascinating period in history, known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688-1689. This was a time when the reigning king, James II, was replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange. This significant event marked the keystone of Whig history in Britain, as it opposed a Catholic succession.

Mary Christmas, my 7x great-grandmother, was born around 1688. She was the daughter of John Christmas (born 1664) and Mary Morris (born c. 1664). Mary was baptized in Dallington, Sussex, England, on December 21, 1688. She married Thomas Sinden in Dallington on May 2, 1714. Together, they had six children that I've discovered so far, four boys and two girls, born between 1715 and 1730.

Looking back through history, several significant events occurred on this day:

1135: The crowning of King Stephen. After King Henry I died without legitimate heirs, his eldest daughter Matilda was named his heir. However, Stephen of Blois, Matilda's cousin, invaded England and had himself crowned in a coup d'état. This period of conflict became known as The Anarchy.

1715: The English pretender to the throne, James III, landed at Peterhead.

1882: Thomas Edison created the first string of Christmas tree lights.

 it's unlikely that these events had a direct impact on Mary Christmas' personal life. The crowning of King Stephen and the Glorious Revolution were significant events though that shaped the political landscape of England, while Edison's invention of Christmas tree lights adds a festive touch to her story I have shared today.

#On This Day 20th December

 John Wickes great 6x great uncle, was baptised on this day in 1719.

In the same year:

Jan 5 Britain, Hannover, Saxony-Poland and Austria sign anti-Prussian Russian pact

Apr 25 Daniel Defoe publishes "Robinson Crusoe", regarded as the 1st English novel.  

Jun 10 Jacobite Rising: Battle of Glen Shiel - Jacobite army defeated by British forces

While these events likely didn't have a direct impact on John's personal life, they provide a glimpse into the broader historical context of the time.

John Wickes, son of Richard Wickes (1685, bur.1753) and Barbara Wimble (c. 1690, bur.1727), was born c. 1719 in Brightling, Sussex, England. He was baptised in Brightling on 20 Dec 1719.

On this day in history:

On this day throughout history, several other significant events occurred:

1745: Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army reached the River Esk in North Yorkshire, far north of John's home in Sussex.

1780: Britain declared war on Holland.

1812: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published "Grimm's Fairy Tales" or "Children's and Household Tales" for the first time.

1879: Thomas Edison privately demonstrated his incandescent light bulb at Menlo Park, New Jersey.

It is through a Barbara Wickes that I am related to one of my best genealogy friends who I met quite by chance.  She lives in Lewes and I visit her.  You can see my connection via John and Barbara here.

John's link to me through my great grandmother, Ellen.

#On This Day 19th December

I'd like to share the story of Walter George Eldridge as the only person in my database with an event listed today.

Walter George Eldridge, my first cousin twice removed, passed away on this day in 1989. There are many significant events to help us to appreciate the world he lived in.

In this year:

March: The Purley rail crash occurred in Surrey, the same county where Walter was living. Two trains collided, resulting in the tragic loss of six lives.

May: Our family moved from Gloucestershire to West Sussex, a significant personal milestone for us.

November: The fall of the Berlin Wall signaled the reunification of Germany, allowing Germans to travel freely between West and East Berlin. This historic event was marked by a visit from Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the day after the wall fell.

Walter George Eldridge was born in 1919 in Battle Registration District, Sussex, England. He was the son of James Eldridge (1866-1950) and Annie Gardner (1872-1959). In 1938, Walter married Violet Ransom, and they had at least one daughter, though there may have been more children I haven't researched yet. Walter passed away on December 19, 1989, in Surrey.

Walter's father, James Eldridge, was the older brother of my great-grandmother, Ellen Eldridge. Walter also had an older sister named Rose Ellen Eldridge, born in 1906. I wonder if she was named after Ellen's daughter, Rose Ellen Clark, my grandmother, who was born in 1892.

There are a few notable events that happened on this day throughout history:

1843: Charles Dickens published "A Christmas Carol," selling 6,000 copies. I wonder if Walter enjoyed reading classic literature like this.

1924: The last Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost was sold in London, England, a dream car for many during that time.

1958: The first radio broadcast from space took place. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent a Christmas message to all mankind, wishing for peace on Earth and goodwill to all.

1972: Apollo 17, the last of the Apollo Moon landing missions, returned to Earth, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Samoa.

#On This Day 18th December

On this day ...??? .... I didn't actually have anyone in my database so obviously need to get researching.  Instead I thought I would share my end of line ancestors; those who I haven't yet researched their ancestors or have not been able to find them ....yet!!!.

These are not the clearest of images I'm afraid.  Maybe you might have more information on them, in which case I would love to hear from you.

These are my father's paternal ancestors from Renfrewshire, Scotland.

And these are the paternal ancestors from Kent, England.

These are my maternal side who are all from Sussex, England.

#On This Day 17th December

Alan Clark, my first cousin once removed, was born on this day in 1912. His birth year saw several major events that shaped the world around him:

In this year, 1912, the following events happened.

The Sinking of the Titanic: One of the most tragic events of 1912 was the Titanic disaster, which I've mentioned earlier in this Advent Calendar.

James Callaghan, who later became a prominent Labour Party member and served as British Prime Minister from 1976 to 1979, was born in 1912. Alan would have been alive during Callaghan's tenure. It’s interesting to wonder if he supported the Labour Party.

Enoch Powell, another influential politician, was also born in 1912. He became a Member of Parliament for a Wolverhampton constituency as a Conservative. Perhaps Alan was a Conservative instead, or his political views were influenced by the broader political landscape of his time.

Alan was the son of Thomas Frederick Clark (1894-1975) and Mabel Stone (1894-1957). He was born on December 17, 1920, in Hastings, Sussex, England. The 1939 register shows him working as a Youth in Training for the Post Office Engineering Department in Hastings. In 1945, he married Mary R E Day, and together they had three children—two daughters and one son. Alan and Mary eventually settled in Surrey, where Alan passed away on October 9, 1976.

Thomas Frederick Clark was the brother of Rose Ellen Clark, which means Alan could have been present in family photos from events such as the wedding of Frank and Rose, mentioned in a recent post. My mother, Rose's daughter, often talked about Alan, who they saw regularly.

Several significant events throughout Alan's life would have impacted him:

1917: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first English woman physician, died and was buried in Aldeburgh, Suffolk. She founded the first hospital staffed by women, a significant milestone in medical history.

1936: The birth of Tommy Steele, an English singer and actor. I wonder if Alan enjoyed his music, given Tommy Steele's popularity during the 1950s and 1960s.

1954: The British Petroleum Company (BP) was formed, marking a significant development in the energy industry.

1967: Alec Rose, aboard Lively Lady, completed his solo 14,500-mile sail from Britain to Australia, having been at sea for 155 days. It was a remarkable achievement.

These events influenced the country during Alan's life and some could have had a direct impact on him. Reflecting on these moments helps us better understand the country during his lifetime.

Tommy Steele

#On This Day 16th December

On this day I have chosen another Newick, this time Harriet Ellen Newick who is my 1st cousin 2x removed.  She died in 1912 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA.  As we delve into her life and the significant events of her time, we gain a deeper understanding of her world and how she connects to the Newick and Weston families who we have met before in this Advent blog.

One of the most tragic events of 1912 was the sinking of the Titanic. The RMS Carpathia brought 705 survivors from the Titanic to New York City. This maritime disaster would have resonated deeply in a community tied to naval and shipbuilding industries, such as Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Harriet Ellen Newick, daughter of John Newick (1841-1916) and Elizabeth Ann Carter Legg (1848-1925), was born on 13 Jan 1882 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA. She married Alfred John Weston, a shipfitter in the Naval Dockyard, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on 27 Nov 1902.  

Alfred John Weston, son of Samuel Weston (1840-1939) and Jane Pilbeam (1845-1918) and grandson of Samuel Weston and Sarah Newick.  Their marriage links two families with histories of the maritime industry as both Newick and Westons emigrated and travelled by ship from England to America.

On the same day in:

1907: As a gesture of the US's new presence as a world power, President Theodore Roosevelt sent the 'Great White Fleet', a group of 16 US Navy battleships on a round-the-world cruise, visiting ports internationally. This event would have been particularly significant given Alfred John Weston's role in the Naval Dockyards.

1912: The first US postage stamp picturing an airplane, a 20-cent parcel post stamp, was issued. It makes me wonder if Harriet ever had the chance to fly or if she marveled at the technological advancements during her lifetime. 

#On This Day 15th December

This blog post will be slightly different, and longer, as I have already shared a lot about Robert in last years #Advent Calendar 2023 but I wanted to add some memories of him too.

On this day Robert White was born in 1918 in Hastings, Sussex, England. 

In the year Robert was born, 1918,  there were many significant English events:  The  Armistice to end the First World War was signed; the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service merged to form the Royal Air Force (which Robert served in during World War Two); the Spanish Flu epidemic in 1918-1919 claimed over 228,000 lives in Britain; secondary education became compulsory for all up to 14 years and finally men over 21 and women over 30, got the right to vote.  

This is what I posted last year.  First is the main one

https://sussexheritage.blogspot.com/2023/12/advent-calendar-day-18.html

You can see where he fits on the family tree here in my piece of cross stitch

https://sussexheritage.blogspot.com/p/blog.html

He died in 2006, just 3 days short of his 60th wedding anniversary and five months before his 88th birthday.  He might be long dead but he is never forgotten and has a place on my photo wall in the hallway.  As I sit here now I have memories of when he came to stay in this house with us just as though it was yesterday.  They have brought a smile to my face.

One of my favourite Christmas memories that showed so much love and I know was really appreciated was the year I made and gave that cross stitch family tree embroidery, linked above, to my parents.  Funnily enought it was a memory I was retelling to a group of friends today at our sewing community group.  I started, after I had been doing research in previous years, early in 2000 when I was working full time and tired most evenings. I would sit working on it in my chair in the evenings and also try and snatch time during the day when I was not at work.  I had the threads colours all sorted and in a project box ready for use beside me and also had a photocopy of the pattern so that I could mark off when I had done each stitch.  For the first time I learned how to use blending filaments of different colours together with the embroidery thread.  The butterflies are a good example as it was a sort of shimmery blending colour that made the butterflies sparkle.  I also had to learn how to make ribbon roses and incorporate into the stitches.  I still have some of that blending filament and ribbons in my stash.  It took over 300 hours work, each one a labour love for my parents although I knew my Mum would cry and Dad would have tears forming in his eyes when they opened it.  

I couldn't just wrap it up and give it to them, it would have felt too matter of fact.  So in the true "White sense of humour" I created little packets of clues for them to try and guess their present.  Amongst them was a packet of Twiglets and the last one was a box of tissues....it was needed by all of us.  After Christmas I took them to a local shop that arranged for the canvas to be stretched, mounted and framed with the colour mount and frame that they chose.  

When Mum moved into a care home several years after Dad had died that framed embroidery went with her and she would proudly show it to the staff and visitors to her room.  Alongside it she had a photoframe we did for her one year that displayed herself and Dad and some of each of my sister's family and ours.  When she moved into the Nursing Home section she gave me the embrodiery because she didn't want it knocked and damaged.  

It now sits on my bedroom wall where I see it every day.  I also have her photoframe hanging amongst our grandchildren in our "Rogues Gallery" in the hall and in that gallery is also a photoframe that was given to my husband from his side of the family.  All a very special memory of what family means to us.

#On This Day 14th December

Today, I am reflecting on Ann Weston, my 4x great-aunt and sister to my 3x great-grandfather, Zachariah Weston. Ann was baptized on December 14, 1764, in Etchingham, Sussex, England.  

The year Ann was born saw several significant developments in England:

• House Numbering Introduced in London: Although house numbering was introduced in London in 1764, this urban innovation would not have reached the rural areas like Etchingham for many years. The agricultural landscape of Ann's home meant that identifying houses relied more on local knowledge and cottage names than formal numbering systems.
• James Hargreaves and the Spinning Jenny: James Hargreaves perfected the Spinning Jenny in 1764, revolutionizing the textile industry. While it's possible that Ann might have encountered spinning in her daily life, it's unlikely that the advanced technology of the Spinning Jenny made its way into her rural community during her lifetime. 

Her parents William Weston (circa 1739, buried 1825) and Elizabeth Skinner (circa 1740, buried 1834), she was part of a small family of five children. Ann's siblings included Nathaniel (born in 1759), Samuel (born in 1762), Susannah (born in 1768), and Zachariah (born in 1770). Records from the 1700s and early 1800s can be sparse and it makes it more difficult to  piece together aspects of her life and the world she lived in.

Several notable events happened on December 14th but unfortunately after the time in which Ann lived:

1861: Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria, died at Windsor Castle. This event marked a period of mourning for the nation and had profound effects on Queen Victoria's reign.

1895: King George VI was born. He succeeded to the throne when his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated.

These events highlight the continuity and changes within the British monarchy.

Ann's life in Etchingham, a rural parish in Sussex, was tied to the land and the changing seasons. Her father, William, likely worked as an agricultural laborer, a common occupation in rural England at the time. The community would have been small, with close ties between neighbors and family members.

Despite the challenges of limited records, it is possible to form a picture of her world through events that happened in the country she lived or even better from events of the county that she lived.

The Weston family have lived in Etchingham and surrounding area right back to the late 1600s/early 1700s and maybe even further back.

Etchingham Parish Church. 
Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

#On This Day - 13th December

On this day my ........ oh hang on, I don't have any occurrence in my family on this day.  Is this a new research goal!!!

I thought I would give a bit more of a pictorial style data about my ancestors but also a memory or rather, the lyrics to a Christmas Hawaian song..

The image shows back to my 3xgreat grandparents and the counties there were born in.  Most of the blank spaces are because I have no baptism record or census record for them that show their birthplace but a few are a brickwall, particularly the Renfrewshire ones.. 

This is very clearly split between both sides of my family and just stand out like a sore thumb!!!

Christmas is very important to me in more ways than one and so although I did post this in last year's Advent Calendar I am including it in this years too.  The true meaning of Christmas is so important to me and these lyrics to a Hawaian Christmas song sum it up nicely.

What would Christmas Be?

What would Christmas be without a tree?

The little girl asked innocently

Presents tied in pretty bows, don’t forget the mistletoe

Mommy, tell me what would Christmas be?

What would Christmas be without the toys

sent by Santa for all us good little boys

We take a few weeks off from school,

that makes Christmas really cool

Mommy, tell me what would Christmas be?

His mother smiled and drew him near,

holding back a little tear

And chuckled at the words her son had said

Christmas is the time of year

we celebrate the yuletide cheer

But honey don't forget why we were here

Christmas is the day Christ was born

Sent to earth to rescue the forlorn

A precious gift from God above,

He promised His eternal love

And sent to us His one and only Son

Now little ones you know it's true

how tenderly I care for you

A parents' loves is more than words can say

To know that God so loved us so,

He sent his son to earth below

Without Him, tell me what would Christmas be?

#On This Day - 12th December

On this day I found that December 12, 1830, was the baptism of Sarah Friday in Westwell, Kent, England. This quaint ancient parish, nestled northwest of Ashford, served as the backdrop for Sarah's early life.

The year 1830 was a significant one in history, marked by notable events and changes in leadership: Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, leading the first Whig government.  Also, King George IV of England passed away, and his brother, William IV, ascended to the throne, heralding a new era of monarchy.

Sarah, my 3x great-aunt, was the daughter of William Friday (1808-1886) and Sarah Chambers (1808-1885). Growing up in Westwell, her life was influenced by the changing seasons and agricultural rhythms, given her father's profession as an agricultural labourer.

On November 15, 1857, Sarah married Daniel Linkins in Westwell. Shortly after, they relocated to Throwley, Kent, where Daniel worked as an agricultural laborer. This marked the beginning of Sarah's life in Throwley, which lasted until her passing on February 12, 1889.

Interestingly, Daniel's elder brother, Robert Linkins, married Sarah's older sister, Jane, creating a further link between the two families. Jane and Robert are my 2x great grandparents on my father’s side. 

On This Day: December 12th :

In 1808: Joseph Grimaldi, the famous English actor and clown, first performed his iconic white-faced clown character "Joey" at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London. This marked a new era in theatrical makeup and clowning, with Grimaldi's distinctive look becoming a lasting symbol of the clown profession. As a daughter and wife of agricultural labourers, it is unlikely Sarah ever saw a white-faced clown at a performance.

In 1868, The Oaks explosion in the Barnsley seam in Yorkshire claimed the lives of 361 coal miners. A subsidiary explosion the following day killed 27 rescuers. Another incident with my family connection to coal  with my grandfather who was a coalman who delivered coal around the villages where he lived and had a coalyard in Robertsbridge Station's goods yard. 

In 1889: Robert Browning, the renowned English poet, died. He was buried in Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, and his grave now lies immediately adjacent to that of Alfred Tennyson. This was the same year Sarah passed away. I wonder if Sarah liked reading poetry like I do; could she even read? Many people of her age in those times were not able to.

St Mary's Church, Westwell, Kent

#On This Day - 11th December

Today, my 8x great grandfather, John Christmas was baptized in 1664 in Dallington, Sussex, England.  

The same year he was baptized, England witnessed a significant political shift with the passing of the Triennial Parliaments Act, which mandated that Parliament be called at least once every three years.

John was the son of Richard Christmas (circa 1626, buried 1680) and Susan Baucombe (circa 1624- ). On June 1, 1686, he married Mary Morris in Battle, Sussex, England. Together, they had seven children, one of whom was Mary Christmas. You'll hear more about her later in this Advent Calendar 2024.

On December 11, 1688, a significant event occurred when King James II was captured in Kent. He was attempting to flee to France following William of Orange's landing in England. Local fishermen in Faversham detained him and held him for three days before authorities took him into custody. This event was part of the larger context of the Glorious Revolution, which changed the course of English history by ending the reign of James II and bringing William and Mary to the throne.

John Christmas lived through a time of great political and social change. Rural working men, like John, did not gain the right to vote until at least the 1880s. It's a reminder of how long the journey toward democratic rights has been.While he might not have been directly affected by the high-stakes drama of kings and parliaments, his life in Sussex would have been  inevitably influenced the society he lived in from the laws that governed him to the shifting monarchies.

There is a Christmas Farm on the main road from Dallington to Battle.  I wonder if there is any connection?  Another item for the To Do list!!

Christmas Farm in 2013

You might be interested to visit this fairly new Dallington One Place Study website and thanks go to the OPS owner for supplying the fact about Christmas Farm.   https://dallingtonhistory.uk/

#On This Day - 10th December

Today I remember Sarah Weston my 2x great aunt, who was born on this day in 1852 in Etchingham, East Sussex, England.   The year Sarah was born saw the Great Ormond St Hospital for Sick Children, London, admitting it's first patient; the Great Northern Railway openning London King's Cross station, the largest in Europe at this time. and finally the last fatal duel on English soil took place on Priest Hill, between Englefield Green and Old Windsor.

Sarah was the daughter of Samuel Weston (c. 1806-1894) and Sarah Newick (1818-1897). She was baptized in Etchingham on February 6, 1853.  She was an older sister of my great grandfather, Albert Weston who I have mentioned before during this Advent Blog.  Sarah was 2 years old when Albert was born.  She lived a long life, reaching the age of 94 years and 8 days, passing away in December 1946. She never married.

Burial image for Etchingham Parish Church Register

On this Day:

1868: The world's first traffic lights were installed in Parliament Square, Westminster, London. During the day they worked by semaphore and at night by colored gas lamps. They symbolized the progress of technology but Etchingham was a small rural village and was unlikely to have had them.

The political landscape of England saw a significant change during her lifetime. The Earl of Derby resigned as Prime Minister following the defeat of his budget, and the Earl of Aberdeen took his place. While Sarah's early years were spent in the quiet village of Etchingham, the country around her was experiencing shifts in leadership that would shape its future.

#On This Day - 9th December

On this day in 1821 Ann Yielding was buried in Battle, East Sussex, England.  1821 was an eventful year so I am highlighting two English events.  Firstly George IV was crowned king of the United  Kingdom on July 19th and secondly John Constable completed his famous painting, The Hay Wain, in April/May . It's doubtful Ann knew about Constable or his paintings, considering her simple country life.

Ann Yielding, the daughter of Richard Yielding (c. 1770- ) and Elizabeth Sinden (1766-1843), was baptised in Battle on 24 May 1799. 

Ann was my 5x great aunt on my grandmother's father's side and also my 4th cousin 6x removed through the same grandmother's mother's side!

On this same day, December 9, in 1608, John Milton was born in Cheapside, London. Milton is most famous for his epic poem "Paradise Lost," published in 1667, well before Ann's time. He was also a strong supporter of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Additionally, Milton served as a civil servant under Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth of England. 

The Hay Wain

I really don't know much at all about Ann as she desn't appear in any census records which came after she died so I thought I would expand the post to talk about the traditions we had when I was a child. 

We always had our Christmas dinner in the middle of the day; it didn't matter if we had been to midnight service, my Mum still got up really early to get the turkey into cook so there was plenty of time later on for my Dad to carve the turkey whilst she was cooking roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, roast parsnips, stuffing and yorkshire puddings.  The extras that got added to our plates were a few crisps or Pringles when they were popular, bread sauce, a lovely home made flavoursome gravy, cranberry sauce and vegetables which were always carrots and sprouts and had been cooked on top of the hob.  Afterwards we had a home made Christmas Pudding to which had been added "old ale" from the pub and brandy butter.  When we were very small we were given custard and the adults had brandy butter.  We were only allowed that as teeenagers!!

#One This Day - 8th December

Today, I'm thinking about the life and times of my great grandparents, Albert Weston and Annie Gadd, who married on this day in 1877 in Etchingham, Sussex, England. Their marriage was witnessed by Philip Goodwin and Louisa Keely, Annie's mother's sister.

In this year Anna Sewell's novel, Black Beauty, was published.  Were they readers like me?  

That year also witnessed the devastating Blantyre Mining disaster in Scotland, which left 92 widows and 250 fatherless children. Although the Westons were not miners, this tragic event adds to our family's historical connection to the coal industry through Frank Weston, a coalman.  He was my grandfather and Albert and Annie's son. The mining disasters of the time remind us of the harsh realities faced by many working families in the 19th century.

Albert and Annie were both born in Etchingham. Between 1886 and 1891, they moved to Salehurst, living at Park Farm with their four children and Annie's parents. By 1901, they had relocated to Redlands Farm in Salehurst, where Albert worked as a carter. This move from Etchingham to Salehurst and the subsequent shifts within the village reflect the mobility and adaptability required by rural families during that period. Between 1921 and 1931, they moved once more, this time to Lodge Farm, where Albert  passed away. Annie lived for another year and died at 3 Council Cottages in Robertsbridge. Their journey from one farm to another signifies the agrarian lifestyle that was their existence.

On this day in 1864, the Clifton Suspension Bridge was opened. While it is unlikely that Albert and Annie ever traveled over this iconic bridge, as they were simple country folk, it stands as a testament to the engineering marvels of their era.

Fast forward to the same day in 1980, and we find a family coincidence. Nearly fifty years after the deaths of Albert and Annie, their great great grandson was born in England, though far from Sussex. This date also marks the tragic death of John Lennon, a significant cultural figure whose influence on music and society was profound.

You can find out a little more about Albert and Annie  here and see a photo of them.

#On This Day - 7th December

Today, I think about William Henry Clark, my great x 2 great uncle, who was baptized on this day, 7th December, in Udimore, Sussex, England. William was the younger brother of my 2x great grandfather, Richard Douch clark.

William Henry Clark was born in 1845, a year marked by noteworthy events in Sussex. During the construction of the Brighton, Lewes, and Hastings Railway, a cutting was made across the Priory site in Lewes, where the burial cists of William de Warenne and his wife Gundrada were found. This discovery provided a unique glimpse into the medieval history of the region. The railway construction itself was part of a broader effort to connect towns and cities, boosting trade and communication. Lewes, approximately 40 miles from Udimore.  Maybe William would have become aware of the importance railways played in econmic growth when the line extended through to the nearby town of Rye in the 1850s and later extended through to Ashford in Kent.

William was the son of Henry Clark (1812-1908) and Ann Maria Douch (1820-1882). His father, Henry, lived to the remarkable age of 96, passing away in Ore Workhouse in 1908.  Henry was buried in an unmarked communal grave as a pauper. It made me wonder about why Henry suffered these  hardships, living in poverty. Did he go into the workhouse because there was no family to help him? I know some of his children had died but not all of them.  More research needed!!

On December 7:

1872, HMS Challenger departed from Sheerness on the north Kent coast, embarking on an expedition to explore the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the deep sea. This trip was important for oceanography and scientific exploration.

In 1909, Bakelite, invented Leo Baekeland , was patented.  It was the first thermosetting plastic that could be set into a shape permanently. This invention started the plastics industry and changed manufacturing and daily life for many people.  The original Bakelite was brown and was still in use in homes during my childhood.  Once a bakelite telephone junction box in my childhood home was shattered when lightening hit the telegrap pole outside the house and the lightening travelled to earth along the telephone wire into our house.  It was quite  bang and there were bits of bakelite scattered in the hallway.

In 1916, David Lloyd George replaced H. H. Asquith as British Prime Minister, leading a coalition Conservative government. His leadership during World War I was crucial in navigating the country through one of its most challenging periods.  Was William still alive at this time?  I have yet to research him further.

Udimore Church

#On This Day - 6th December

Today, let's reflect on the life of my great grandmother on my maternal side, Ellen Eldridge, who was born on this day in 1868 in Bodiam, Sussex, England.

The last public hanging of a woman in Britain happened in 1868. Frances Kidder was hung outside Maidstone Prison by William Calcraft for drowning her stepdaughter.

Ellen Eldridge was the daughter of William Eldridge (1843-1868) and Caroline Poile (1847-1927) and was baptised a month later in Bodiam on 3 Jan 1869.  Before marriage she was a domestic servant and had lived in Stonegate. She married George William Clark, a postman in Salehurst on 28 Sep 1889 when he was 20 and she was 20. One of the marriage witnesses was William Good who was her step father; her mother Caroline having married him after her first husband, William Eldridge had died.  George and Ellen built their life together in Hastings, where they raised their children until Ellen's untimely death in June 1905. My mother often recounted how her mother, Ellen's only daughter, had to care for her brothers until George remarried in 1907.

On this same day in 1882, the renowned English novelist and poet Anthony Trollope passed away. I often wonder if Ellen enjoyed reading his novels and whether she passed on a love of literature through the generations. 

It's unlikely that Ellen ever visited London, but on December 6, 1897, London became the world's first city to host licensed taxicabs. This innovation in transportation marked a milestone in the modernization of urban life, a world away from the rural settings where Ellen lived.

George and Ellen

#On This Day - 5th December

Today, I want to share the story of my 2x great grandmother on my maternal side, Caroline Poile, who was baptized on this day in 1847 in Salehurst, Sussex, England.

The year 1847 was a challenging time, marked by a devastating typhus epidemic that claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people. This epidemic primarily affected Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine, who crowded onto unsanitary ships known as "coffin ships" to escape to North America and Canada. These dire conditions facilitated the spread of typhus, adding to the suffering of already desperate families.  The epidemic mainly affected the larger towns and cities in England.

Amidst this, Caroline Poile entered the world on June 25, 1847, in Salehurst. She was the daughter of Thomas Poile (c. 1813- ) and Harriet Stapley (c. 1818-1853).

Caroline's life was a real mix of emotions. She married William Eldridge on September 1, 1866, in Bodiam.  William died just two years into their marriage, leaving Caroline to raise their three children with help from his parents. Despite this, Caroline stayed strong and remarried William Good in 1871. She lived the rest of her life in Sussex and passed away in Battle in November 1927.

It is interesting to note that Christina Rossetti, one of the most important English women poets, was born on this day in 1830. I often wonder if Caroline, like me, enjoyed reading Rossetti's poetry.

Other historical events that occurred around this time were: 

In 1848, the California Gold Rush was officially acknowledged when U.S. President James K. Polk announced to Congress the discovery of significant quantities of gold in California. This event sparked a massive migration and economic upheaval that would have been the talk of the world, even in distant England.

On December 5th, 1952, London experienced the beginning of the Great Smog, a catastrophic air pollution event which caused the city to come to a standstill for four days, resulting in an estimated 4,000 fatalities.

I have a photo from my grandparents wedding in 1920 where they are decked out in their "Sunday Best" and sitting out on the cricket ground in Hastings for their group photo with the people who attend.  I have identified a few people including Frank's parents and also amongst them is Rose's father and her grandmother Caroline.  Next to her is a gentleman of the same sort of age and a natural conclusion to draw is that he was her second husband, William Good.

#One This Day - 4th December

Today, I reflect on the life of my 1st cousin 3x removed on my maternal side, Harriett Newick, who was baptised on 4th December 1853 in Etchingham, Sussex, England.  In this year and the following year that cholera claimed the lives of more than 10,000 people in London and spread further afield.  This epidemic would have had impact on families like the Newicks, who lived relatively close to the capital.

She was the daughter of John Newick (1816-1853) and Mary Sinden (1822-1853) and was born on 17 Feb 1851 in Etchingham, Sussex, England. She married Edward Pope in Eastbourne, Sussex, England in 1880.  Together they joined the Newick family members who had emigrated to America and lived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire where she died  on 24 Jul 1901. 

Tragically, both of Harriett's parents passed away in the year of her baptism, 1853, leaving her orphaned as a small child. This must have been an incredibly difficult period for her.  She was living with an aunt and uncle in the 1861 census record. 

As a genealogist, the task of piecing together the lives of our ancestors often involves solving their personal histories within the broader context of family events. Harriet was baptised 2 years after her birth and after both her parents died .... hmm, this needs further investigation!!  Perhaps her parents didn't want the baptism or couldn't afford it.  Maybe Harriett was already living with that aunt or uncle who wanted her baptised and could afford any expense.

Harriett and Edward joined other Newick family members who had emigrated to America, settling in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Harriett lived out her days there, passing away on July 24, 1901. Her journey from Sussex to New Hampshire shows the adventurous spirit of the Newick family.

Newicks married Westons in the early 1800s and my great great uncle Samuel Weston also emigrated with the family.  There are quite a contingent of them over there in New Hampshire.

In addition 4th December holds other remarkable milestones in America but after she died.  

1918: President Woodrow Wilson set sail for France to attend the Versailles Peace Conference.

1949:  Jeff Bridges, an American actor known for his laid-back personality and his versatility, was born.

#On This Day: 3rd December

Today, I reflect on the life of my 2x great grandmother, Alice Tilbee, who was baptized on this day, 3rd December in 1826 in the village of Charing, Kent. In this year the Menai Suspension Bridge connecting the Isle of Anglesey to the northwest coast of Wales opened. It is considered to be the world's first modern suspension bridge.

Alice Tilbee, the daughter of Henry Tilbee (c. 1798-c. 1866) and Dorcas Vant (c. 1795-c. 1884), was born in 1826 in Charing, Kent, England. She married Samuel White in 1842.  She died of Diseased Lungs; Bronchitis. in Egerton on 14 Mar 1877 aged 52. At that time she was living in Egerton and buried on 18 Mar 1877 in Egerton aged 52.

The name Vant always brings to mind the phrase by Charles Dickens, “Dorcas is willing!” that he used in his book, David Copperfield.  Alice lived her entire life in Kent, moving only as far as Egerton, a nearby village. It is more than likely that Alice couldn't read and so didn't read this book and appreciate the connection I made.

It was on this same day in 1836, a tragic event occurred far from Alice’s home in Kent. The first fatal railway derailment took place at Great Corby near Carlisle in Cumbria, resulting in the deaths of three people. At ten years old, Alice was living in a time when railways were not yet common in Kent. At that age it is likely that she was unaware of this mode of transportation that would soon revolutionize travel and industry.

She witnessed many changes throughout her life, which spanned from 1826 to 1877. Despite these changes, it's doubtful that she ever had electricity in her home or could have imagined the future invention of televisions, telephones and electric appliances.  

(Co-Pilot generated image)

#On This Day - 2nd December

On this day in 1893 my great aunt, Janet MacFarlane (nee Jackson) died in Foxbar, Renfrewshire, Scotland. She was the sister to my grandfather on my father's side.  In this year the Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford.

She was born on 1 Feb 1860 in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Scotland and was the daughter of Robert Jackson (1833- ) and Helen Telfer (c. 1834-1904).

Janet, like many members of the Jackson family, was involved in the weaving industry. Initially, the Jacksons worked from their homes, but as industrialization progressed, they moved closer to Paisley. This shift marked a big change in their lives, from home-based weaving to factory work with large looms and mechanization. 

Janet's life was filled with both happiness and sadness. She married William MacFarlane in April 1893, and they had a daughter later that year. Sadly, Janet died from puerperal fever just six days after giving birth, on December 2, 1893. It's hard to imagine the grief and heavy burden William faced as he was left to care for their newborn daughter alone

Janet's personal life was one of joy and tragedy. She married William MacFarlane in April 1893, and together they welcomed their daughter later in the year. Sadly, Janet passed away just six days after giving birth, on December 2, 1893, due to puerperal fever. It is difficult to imagine the grief and overwhelming responsibilities that William faced as he was left to raise their newborn daughter alone.

On this same day in 1893, the Royal Navy's first destroyer, HMS Havock, was undergoing sea trials in England, marking a pivotal moment in naval history. The HMS Havock was launched in August 1893 and commissioned in January 1894, and it helped show the significant advancements in naval history.

In addition 2nd December holds other remarkable milestones. For instance, on this day in 1972, the first permanent artificial heart transplant was performed, a groundbreaking surgery that took seven hours. More recently, on December 2, 2020, the UK legalized the use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, a critical step in combating the global pandemic.

#On This Day - 1st December

On this day in 1867 my 3x great uncle, John Eldridge, married Ellen Andrews in Bodiam, Sussex, England. John, a labourer by trade, and Ellen were both of full age.  In the same year suffrage groups began to be established across Britain when the London National Society for Women's Suffrage was formed.

John Eldridge was the son of Thomas Eldridge (1807-1884) and Maria Hawkings (1807-1871).  He was born about1829 in Ewhurst, Sussex, England.  He died in Ticehurst Reg Dist, Sussex, England in 1886.

John’s younger brother, my 2x great-grandfather William Eldridge, died at 24 from what we now think was anemia. He left behind a wife and two young children, with another on the way. William's death would have greatly affected John, highlighting the tough realities of health in the 19th century. Despite this, John lived into his late fifties, which was considered a good age given the times. John died in 1886.

John’s life covered important historical periods. On December 1, 1887, Arthur Conan Doyle published his first Sherlock Holmes novel, "A Study in Scarlet." This was part of the cultural developments of the time, but it's unlikely that John, an agricultural laborer, would have had the time or ability to read such literature.

Another notable event was the admission of Lady Nancy Astor as the first woman Member of Parliament on 1st December 1919. This landmark event in gender equality occurred after John's death but reflects the social changes that were beginning even in his lifetime.