Pages 30 to 59

"An account of all the inhabitants of the Parish of Croydon
in the County of Cambridgeshire commencing from 1 January 1843"

by
Rev Francis Fulford 1803-1868
Rector at Croydon 1841-1845

Additional notes by Reverend R S B Sandilands, Rector 1845-1848
Commentary by David Ellison | Online edition by Steve Odell

Explanatory Notes

This is the annotated text of the "Speculum Gregis" pages 30 to 59 inclusive. This annotated version includes additional background material, family research contributions, excerpts from the 1841 census, and some related photographs.

The wording used in both versions is a distillation of three separate transcriptions of the original hand-written text. Where the texts differed, I have followed the majority unless historical evidence suggests I should do otherwise.

In the pages of the original "Speculum Gregis", two handwritings are apparent, that of Francis Fulford (entries from 1843 to 1845) and that of his successor, the Rev Sandilands (entries from 1845 to 1848). The notes by the Rev Sandilands have been shown in this online edition as RSBS: (dark blue text within round brackets) and sometimes identified as a later entry. Fulford generally devoted one page to each family; and I have retained his page numbers as serials for the entries. Crossings out are as in the original document. Information, notes and commentary additional to the original "Speculum Gregis" texts are shown in [grey italic in square brackets].

A national Census was taken on the 6 June 1841, three weeks before Fulford's arrival in Cambridgeshire and eighteen months before the "Speculum Gregis" was started. Details from the Croydon-cum-Clopton census have been added to page entries where appropriate. Note that the ages of adults were generally rounded to the nearest five years by the census enumerator and therefore they should not be taken as a reliable indication of age. The enumerator also reported that 26 Croydon labourers were "having left the district for the hay harvest in the neighbourhood of London", which would explain the absence of a number of the known heads of households.

Page 30

Next door
William and Sarah Pateman
They can neither read. He was a widower and has three sons by his first wife living in the parish, and one daughter, Mary, wife of James King. She has one son by her first husband [named Kidman presumably] who lives with them.

Allen Kidman aged 23
He is now in prison for theft and is a wild drinking fellow. He was christened in Croydon Church, where they were married; they are not often in Church.
[above paragraph is crossed through]

RSBS: (She is now dead, as is her son. Old Pateman comes now regularly to Church.)

[1841 Census: William Pateman (aged 55), agricultural labourer, and Sarah Pateman (50).]

[Contribution: William's first wife was Alice (nee Ingrey) - their children were Elizabeth baptised 1807, William 1809 (page 30), James 1813, Mary 1815 (page 60), and John 1817 (page 65). William and Sarah's children were Timothy 1822, Ann 1824 and Samuel 1826.]

[Two men named Kidman had taken part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and were both sentenced to seven year's transportation]

Page 31

Next door
Thomas and Martha Lyon
Can read, son of Christopher Lyon. She cannot. They were married in Croydon church where their son was Christened - they attend church occasionally, she more frequently. She a great talker
and gossip.
1. William Lyon, aged 18. Reads a very little - not a steady lad.

Lodging here.
Thomas Carter
Son of ____ Carter, a very drunken man, [who is] brother to Thomas Carter, Mr Ellis's shepherd. [This Thomas Carter is...] Aged 27, he can read, works for Mr Elliston. Attends Church regularly, and is a very respectable young man.

RSBS: (I believe he has changed his lodging.)

[1841 Census: Martha Lyon (aged 35) and Thomas Carter (25), agricultural labourer.]

Page 32

Next house up the village
Jonathan and Jane Chapman
They can both read. She is daughter of Jane Thacker (page 2). He is son of William and Mary Chapman next door. They appear quiet steady people - but poor owing to his not having had constant work lately. They are not constantly at Church.
1. Emma Chapman, aged 10. In the Sunday School.
2. William Chapman, aged 8.
3. Job Chapman, aged 4.
4. Charlotte Chapman, aged 2.

They were married and their children Christened in Croydon Church. They are always in distress and difficulty - but I don't know that he drinks - but some bad management. They are going to move down to the farm lately occupied by Mr Jackson.

[1841 Census: Jonathen Chapman (aged 25), agricultural labourer, wife Jane Chapman (25), Emma Chapman (8), William Chapman (4), Job Chapman (2) and Charlotte Chapman (10 months).]

Page 33

Next door
William and Mary Chapman
Both read a little. He works for Mr King of Tadlow at Hatley. The old people are not very comfortable together.
1. Sarah Chapman, aged 23 - has a base-born child, Eliza, aged 7 months, Christened in
Croydon Church.

RSBS: (since dead.)

In the same house.
Joseph and Mary Pell
He can't read. He is a very drunken man. She can a little. She's a quiet woman. He works at Wimpole for Lord Hardwicke.
1. Isaiah Pell, aged 4.
2. David Pell, aged 2.
3. Robert Pell, aged 4 months.
RSBS: (Dead. Robert died of inflammation in the chest 29 January 1843.)

They were married in Croydon Church and children Christened here. Pell belongs to Wimpole Parish*. Mary Pell is daughter of the above William and Mary Chapman.

[* Contribution: Banns read 17 May 1837 in Wimpole church - Joseph Pell, bachelor of this parish and Mary Chapman, spinster of Croydon.]

[1841 Census: William Chapman (aged 50), agricultural labourer, and wife Mary Chapman (50). In the same house: Mary Pell (20), Isaiah Pell (2) and David Pell (8 months).]

Page 34

Next door
James and Emma Chapman
They can both read - he is brother to the last-named William. He regularly attends a dissenting Meeting House in Morden. She attends Church constantly - she is a canting talker.
1. John Chapman, aged 28. Can read.
2. Thomas Chapman, aged 24. Can read. Lodges at Susan Titmus's.
3. Naomi Chapman, aged 20. Lately gone into service.
4. Edward Chapman, aged 12. In the Sunday school.
5. Jane Chapman, aged 8. In the Sunday school.

They were married and their children Christened at Croydon Church.
She is half sister to Susan Titmus.

RSBS: (John and Thomas are gone to Canada.)

[James Chapman was a prosecution witness in the trial of those involved in the 1832 Croydon Riot, testifying that Anderson Storey forced him and a fellow-labourer to join the party to break the threshing machine. ]

[1841 Census: James Chapman (aged 50), agricultural labourer, wife Emana Chapman (50), John Chapman (25), agricultural labourer, Edward Chapman (11) and Jane Chapman (8).]

Page 35

Next door
James and Catherine Lee
He can read very well. She a little. He is the son of Elizabeth Lee (page 68). They attend Church very regularly, and are respectable people. She is very dirty. He sings in the choir when he is well enough, but he has been ill for some months with a liver complaint - has now been in hospital and is now an outpatient.
1. Sarah Lee, aged 10. In the Sunday school. Disorderly girl.
2. Anne Lee, aged 8. In the Sunday school. Disorderly girl.
3. John Lee, aged 4.
4. Richard Lee, aged 2.

They were married at Wendy and their children were Christened in Croydon Church. Samuel [William?] Graves, who lodges at Susan Titmus', is her cousin and has his meals here.

He is now Sunday schoolmaster.

RSBS: (No longer such.)

RSBS: (Later: All filthy people.)

[1841 Census: James Lee (aged 25), agricultural labourer, wife Cathrine Lee (30), children Sarah Lee (8), Ann Lee (7) and John Lee (2).]

Page 36

Next door
Christopher and Ruth Lyon
He was a widower. Francis [Thomas?] Lyons is his son (page 31). He can't read, his wife can. She was a daughter of Mary Storey by her first husband (Chapman page 85). They have two children.
1. Mary Lyon, aged 26. Can read.
RSBS: (Married, see below)
2. Samuel Lyon, aged 23. Can read.
RSBS: (Dead, see below)

They were married and their children Christened in Croydon Church. He works and sleeps at Mrs Casbourn's. She is an abusive woman. The daughter Mary bears a most shocking bad character. She has been living with James Gates and has been 'asked' in Church, but the Banns have run out.

Samuel was a Carpenter, and a free-liver; has been ill with cough and inflammation which has turned to dropsy. I have visited him during a most painful illness, which he bore with great patience, and assumed to show an humble and penitent spirit.

RSBS: (Died 11th July 1843.)

RSBS: (Later: Mary Lyon was married to James Gates 30 January 1843, and they live with the old Gates Simpson, the late clerk.)

[1841 Census: Christopher Lyon (aged 60), carpenter, and Ruth Lyon (50).]

Page 37

Next door
William and Ruth Endersby
He can read and is the son of John and Mary Endersby [page 57].
She can't read, and is daughter of Mary Clarke (page 81).

She had a base-born child [Charles Clarke?] by some other man before her marriage, which lives with her mother, but it is cause of disquietude now at times between her and her husband. She appears a very clean person. He is often out of work, and is of a surly dogged temper.
1. John, aged 6 months.

They were married and their child Christened in Croydon Church.

[1841 Census: William Edersby (aged 25), no occupation given, and Ruth Edersby (20).]

[Contribution follows:

William and Ruth Endersby, and sons John and Alfred Endersby, emigrated to Australia in 1954 arriving in 1855. With them was Charles Clarke said to be Ruth's son. When they arrived, William changed the family name from Endersby to Ensbey. The family settled in Lawrence, on the banks of the Clarence River near Grafton on the New South Wales north coast and he became a very successful farmer as well as establishing the Baptist Church in the area. The first services of this church were held in William and Ruth's home and he later donated the land for a church building. The original farm is still in the possession of one of William's descendants.]

Page 38

Next door
John and Edith Hopkins
He can read. He works for Mr Jackson. She cannot. She is daughter of Anne Thomas widow.
1. Mary Hopkins, aged 11. In the Sunday school.
2. Samuel Hopkins, aged 4.
3. Rebecca Hopkins, aged 1.

They were married and their children Christened in Croydon Church. She has bad health and her husband is not kind to her.

RSBS: (She is a most fretful tiresome woman. The husband drinks - seldom at Church.)

[John Hopkins had taken part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and was sentenced to six month's imprisonment]

[1841 Census: John Hopkins (aged 40), agricultural labourer, wife Eaddy Hopkins (30), and children Mary Hopkins (9) and Samuell Hopkins (2). Also living with them was Ann Thomas (50).]

Page 39

Over the way - at the shop
William and Eliza Lyon
- and sundry children.
They keep a village shop, are of late very regular at Church. The family are rather boisterous and rough. Eliza Lyon is the daughter of John Simpson, the late clerk.

RSBS: (Very seldom at church now, and, as I consider, a very ill-conditioned family.)

[1841 Census: William Lyon (aged 35), baker, wife Eliza Lyon (35), children Izabell Lyon (12), Ellen Lyon (10), Hezikeih Lyon (male)(8), Emma Lyon (4) and Ellias Lyon (2).]

Grave in Croydon Churchyard.
"In memory of
Eliza the beloved wife of William Lyon
who died September 2 1868 in her 62nd year.
also of William Lyon
who died July 19 1873 aged 73 years"

Page 40

Next house up the village to Hopkins
William and Anne Chapman Law
They can both read. He works for Mr Haydon. They have two daughters married out of the parish. They belong to Arrington. He generally attends Eversden meetings, and she Wendy Church. She is the most extraordinary talking old woman in the parish.

RSBS: (Both her daughters are dead. She and her husband are very steady, honest old people, formerly Dissenters, and now of that cast of mind.)

[1841 Census: William Law (aged 60), agricultural labourer, and wife Ann Law (60).]

Page 41

James Bartle
An old man, father of Samuel who now keeps the "Carpenters Arms". A Communicant, and a very good old man, I believe. Can read.

There is a prayer meeting held in his house, which has been purchased by Mr Hopkins of Bassingbourn, an Independent.

[1841 Census: James Bartell (aged 75), agricultural labourer, and Sarah Bartell (70).]

Page 42

Next door
William and Mary Newman
Can't read, either of them. He is working for Mr King of Tadlow at Hatley. He is a very quiet and respectable man. She is of a most violent temper. He left her for three or four years some time on account of her temper. They were married at Wendy and children Christened there. Kezia Law and Harriet Greaves are her sisters; he has been in the habit of attending Eversden Meeting, and is a decided dissenter, but comes occasionally now and then to Church. She attends Church.
1. Charlotte Newman, aged 13.
2. Richard Newman, aged 10. In the Sunday school.
3. William Newman, aged 3.
4. Jane Anne, aged 2 months.

RSBS: (5. unbaptised)

[Richard Newman left Sunday School "Ceased to attend in the Autumn of 1846, had been a good boy, but latterly fell off. He had been admitted in April 1842 being ten years old." -
Rev R S B Sandilands)

Lives with them
Mary Howard
Mother of William Newman by her first husband. She goes out nursing, is a very straightforward respectable woman, attends Church at Croydon when at home. (see next page)

[1841 Census: William Newman (aged 30), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Newman (30), children Charlotte Newman (10), Richard Newman (9) and William Newman (1). Also living with them was Mary Howard (60).]

Page 43

Charles and Mary Titmus
He can't read, works for Mr Elliston. She can.
1. Simeon Titmus, aged 14. Has worked for us, is steady,
but very slow and dirty in his work. Attends Sunday school.
2. James Titmus, (aged 11). Attends Sunday school.
3. Mary Titmus (aged 8).
4. Anne Titmus, (aged 5).
5. Charles Titmus (aged 2).

They both attend Church. He is brother to Simeon Titmus (page 9).
These parties now live at the Limekilns [page 54] where Easy used to live before he went to Canada.

[Above entry completely crossed through]

[Simeon Titmus attended Croydon Sunday School. Was Confirmed 22 June 1844. "Entered the school January 1843 being 14 years old. Worked for my predecessor Mr Fulford, and left the school with a good character before I became Rector, upon entering the service of Mr Ellis." - Rev R S B Sandilands]

Live in the same house
Charles and Kitty Titmus
Father and mother of Charles above, also of Simeon and Mary Newman, widow. Attend Church. He is a very quiet old man. She goes out nursing and is a great talker.

RSBS: (Kitty died in 1846, having been taken ill whilst gleaning, since which Charles has become a communicant.)

RSBS: (Mary Howard (see preceding page) owns this house and now resides in it when not nursing.)

[1841 Census: Charles Titmus (aged 70), agricultural labourer, and wife Kitty Titmus (60). Also residing in the same house were: Charles Titmus (aged 40), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Titmus (40), and children Simeon Titmus (10), James Titmus (8), Mary Titmus (6) and Ann Titmus (3).]

Page 44

Robert and Charlotte Gates
He can't read, works for Mr George. She can read. She goes with a horse and cart to Cambridge as a carrier. They none of them come to Church scarcely ever - and are but irregular livers.
1. William Gates, aged 24.
Can't read, works for Mr Elliston. (Lately married to a Tadlow girl.)
2. James Gates, aged 21. Can't read. Married.
3. Maria Gates, aged 9. In the Sunday school.

RSBS: (James was married to Mary Lyon (page 36) 30th January 1843 and they are to live at Christopher Gates, all live together. No children in either of the son's families yet.)

RSBS: (Later: Robert Gates a steady man, a good workman - wife said to drink.)

[1841 Census: Robert Gates (aged 40), agricultural labourer, wife Charlotte Gates (40), William Gates (20), agricultural labourer, James Gates (20), agricultural labourer, and Maria Gates (7). Also residing at the house at the time of the census was Mary Lyon (25).

Page 45

Mary Warman
Her husband was transported for 7 years about 10 years ago, and she has not heard of him for several years. She goes out as a charwoman, and comes to the Rectory as a washerwoman. She is very constant at Church.
1. Elizabeth Warman, aged 12. In the Sunday school. Fetches our letters.

[Above entry completely crossed through]

RSBS: (Married and gone to Bourn. Her name is Sampson now.

In the same house.
Lucy Simpson
Unmarried, aged woman. Has has several baseborn children, is very ignorant, never seldom comes to Church.

RSBS: (Lodges elsewhere now.)

In the same house
Sarah Warden
Aged single woman. Has had some baseborn children. Used to be very regular at church. Has not been lately.

RSBS: (Passes for a witch.)

RSBS: (is in the Workhouse)

RSBS: (Now dead.)

[Above entry completely crossed through]

RSBS: (This house has been pulled down.)

[1841 Census: Mary Walmer (aged 30), Elizabeth Walmer (11). Also residing here at the time of the census were Sarah Ward (60) and Lucy Simpson (55).]

Page 46

Next door
John and Mary Presland
Can both read. He works for Mr Jackson. Attend church constantly - children all Christened in Croydon Church.
1. Alfred Presland, aged 14. Works for Mrs Casbourn.
2. Tamar Presland, aged 12. In the Sunday School.
3. William Presland, aged 9. In the Sunday School.
4. Rhoda Presland, aged 7. In the Sunday School.
5. Emily Presland, aged 5.
6. James Presland, aged 2.
[7. Abi Presland born/died 1843]

[Above entry completely crossed through]

RSBS: (Gone to Australia with his family.) [in May 1844 - see box below]

RSBS: (The Graves's mentioned page 18 live here now, having purchased the lease of the house.)

[John Presland (Presslin) took part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and was subsequently sentenced to six month's imprisonment]

[1841 Census: John Presland (aged 40), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Presland (30),
Tamar Presland (10), William Presland (8), Roheda Presland (5), Emelia Presland (3) and James Presland (6 months). Also residing here at the time of the census was Simeon Presland (aged 30), agricultural labourer.]

Page 47

Next door
Samuel and Mary Presland
Can both read. He works for Mr Ellis. They attend Church constantly tolerably.
1. Susan Presland, aged 1 year - Christened in Croydon Church.

RSBS: (They have 2 more children now.)

[1841 Census: Samuel Presland (aged 25), agricultural labourer, and wife Mary Presland (25). Also living here at the time of the census were Mary Newman (aged 35) and Mary Newman (12).]

Lives in the same house.
James Miller
Her father, a cripple with rheumatism. He belongs to Arrington, was formerly a post-boy at the "Hardwicke Arms", comes up to Church occasionally, is very ignorant. Lady Hardwicke generally gives him a Xmas present.

RSBS: (He died in 1847, and I buried him in Arrington churchyard. R.S.B.S.)

Page 48

William [and Ann] Miller
Can both read. He works for Mr Haydon. They attend Church.

RSBS: (& Ann is dead)

[1841 census: William Miller (aged 50), agricultural labourer, and wife Ann Miller (50).]

Live in the same house
John and Lydia Miller
He is son of the above and can read. She is daughter of William Hill (page 24). She can't read. They were married in Croydon in the Autumn 1842.
1. William Miller, aged 2 months - Christened in Croydon Church.

RSBS: (They have another child.)

RSBS: (Later note: He is just sent to prison for a month, for leaving his family [having left his wife on the parish?] in the summer in search of work. I think it was rather a hard case.)

[Contribution: Lydia Miller (née Lydia Hill) later married James Payne on 31 December 1852 and gave birth to Emma Payne the following year (baptised 29 May 1853).]

Page 49

[Ed note: Previous transcriptions refer to William and Elizabeth Martin or Warlin. It has to be assumed that this entry actually refers to Thomas and Elizabeth Worland (née Cooper) both of Wimpole Parish, married Wimpole 28 April 1822. Recorded Wimpole baptisms: Anne Worland 6 April 1923, Lydia Worland 11 July 1824, William Worland 18 January 1829 and Elizabeth Worland 20 January 1833.]

Thomas and Elizabeth Worland
He can read. She can read and write. Married at Wimpole, and Christened there, except two youngest at Croydon. Not very regular at Church.
1. William Worland, aged 14. In the Sunday school.
2. Elizabeth Worland, aged 10.
3. Emma Worland, aged 7.
4. Susan Worland, aged 4.

Lydia, an elder daughter, came home from service the beginning of February 1843, about which time all the rest of the above, and the Hills (underneath) went into Caxton Workhouse, leaving her alone in the house with [Kezia] Badcock.

RSBS: (The eldest daughter [Ann] married one of the Hills [Thomas], and is gone to Canada [see entry below]. The rest of the family are now at home. They are very bad managers, always in rags and wanting. Lydia is dead.)

[William Warland dismissed from Sunday School 1843. "[He was a]... very disorderly boy who had been used always to do as he pleased before I came, and would not submit to discipline and disturbed the school." - Rev Francis Fulford]

[1841 Census: Elizabeth Worland (aged 35), and children Ann Worland (15), William Worland (11), Elizabeth Worland (8), Emma Worland (5) and Susan Worland (2).]

In the same house
Thomas and Anne Hill
He can't read, and is son of William Hill (page 24). She can read a little, and is daughter of the above.
1. William Ilot Hill, aged 2 months - Christened at Croydon.
They were married at Croydon in the Autumn of 1843 [unlikely - they were both in Canada on October 1843 - see below]

[Above entry completely crossed through]

RSBS: (Gone to Canada.)

[Ann Hill (nee Worland) wrote a letter to her mother Elizabeth Worland from Canada dated October 1843 and extracts were later published in the Cambridge Chronicle (this last was probably Fulford's doing!). Ann, Thomas and young son William were well and living in a rent free house 30 miles from London in upper Canada. The text will be included in a new page on Croydon Emigration.]

Lodges in the same house
Kezia Badcock
A single friendly woman aged about 35.

[1841 Census: Kisiah Badcock (aged 30).]

Page 50/1

John Simpson
A widower, formerly the Parish Clerk. Has one son unmarried .
1. Hosea Simpson, aged 21. Can read.

RSBS: (is lately married to Mary Spencer - he went to Canada before his marriage.)

Lives in the same house
Isaiah and Sarah Simpson
Can both read. He is the eldest son of the above, and they have one child.
1. Ziniri [Zimor?] Henry Simpson, aged 3.

RSBS: (They were married and their child Christened in Poplar Church, London, from wence she came. She takes in needlework. They went to Canada, but returned and are now in London.)

[Above entry completely crossed through]

[1841 Census: John Simpson (aged 50), agricultural labourer, son Isiah Simpson (20), agricultural labourer, Isiah's wife Sarah Simpson (21) and Zimor Simpson (male)(1).]

Page 50/2 (Reverse)

William and Edith Pateman
He can read. She can a little. Married at Hatley. They are not happy together and he is given to drinking - they seldom attend Church and she is said to be not immaculate. He has been in prison two or three times for beating his wife from jealousy.
1. Marianne Pateman, aged 5. Christened at Caxton.
2. Josiah Pateman, aged 2 months. Christened at Croydon.

RSBS: (Has left her chargeable on the parish.)

[*Contribution: William is son of the William Pateman on page 30 and first wife Alice, nee Ingrey. This William married Edith, nee Leonard with children Marianne (1837), Josiah (1842-1844), James (1843), and James (1845).]

Lives in the house.
Sarah Page
Her husband was transported about 3 years since.
1. John Page, aged 11. In the Sunday school.
2. Samuel Page, aged 10. In the Sunday school.
3. James Page, aged 7. In the Sunday school.
She attends church often - goes out washing etc.

[John and Samuel Page attended Croydon Sunday School.
John: "Entered the school April 1842, aged ten years and left of his own choice May 1845. He could read very little and was not a very orderly boy." - Rev Francis Fulford]
Samuel: "Entered the school April 1842 being nine years old, but never attended after I became Rector" - Rev R S B Sandilands.]

[1841 census: At the time of the census Sarah Page and family were lodging with Bersheba Chapman at an unidentified house. Details were: Sarah Page (aged 30), and children John Page (9), Samuel Page (7) and James Page (4).]

Page 51

John and Elizabeth Spencer
He can read and works at Pearman's. She can read. He is brother to Henry Spencer (page 66), and she is daughter of Mary Storey (page 85) by her former husband, and sister to Ruth Lyon (page 36). They hardly ever attend Church.
1. Caroline Spencer, aged 8.

RSBS: (Elizabeth now dead.)

[John Spencer was a prosecution witness in the trial of those involved in the 1832 Croydon Riot]

[1841 Census: John Spencer (aged 45), agricultural labourer, Elizabeth Spencer (45) and daughter Carioline Spencer (6).]

Old widow [Mary] Storey lives with her - she is a most chattering, canting old woman, used to be a communicant, uses a great deal of Laudanum [opium in liquid form].
[See also page 85].

RSBS: (Is now in the Caxton workhouse.)

Lives in the same house
Martha Spencer
Wife of [James] Spencer, son of the above; he has enlisted lately, having run himself much in debt. She is daughter of James and Jane Thacker (page 2).

RSBS: (She was confined on 28 January 1843.)

RSBS: (Later: She lives now in the Walnut Field with Old [James] Chapman, and has lately had a bastard child*, which is since dead.) [see page 86]

RSBS: (Later again: She has now returned to her husband's father, having heard of her husband being alive at St Helena, January 1847.)

[*Contribution: Croydon Parish Records, Baptisms, "25 December 1845: Spencer, Charlotte Thacker, illegitimate daughter of Martha. Wife of James, formerly of the 30th foot, now of the St Helens regiment (note: Martha Spencer, mother of the child is a married woman, deserted by her husband, who left her for two years before the birth of the child, of which W. Chapman is the acknowledged Father.")]

[1841 Census: James Spencer was living at Mrs Casburn's at the time of the census. Martha does not appear to be living in the parish.]

Page 52

Limekilns
Isaac and Sarah Thompson
Can both read. He works for Mr Jackson, on the roads: she has bad health. He was a widower and has one daughter by his first wife.
1. Anne Thompson, aged 15.
Can read, grand-daughter to widow [Mary] Edwards (page 64).
He sings in the choir, was married to his present wife at Wimpole*. She is a Wimpole woman. Steady respectable people. She comes from Cheshunt.

[* Contribution: "Wimpole Registers: 12 December 1831. Isaac Thomson (x) of Croydon cum Croydon and Sarah Maser (x) of this parish. Witnesses: John Moule and Mary Hewitt (x)"

[Isaac Thompson had taken part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and was sentenced to six month's imprisonment]

[1841 Census: Isac Thompson (aged 30), agricultural labourer, wife Sarah Thompson (25) At the time of the census, daughter Ann Thompson (aged 13) was a servant at Thomas and Mary Jackson's (page 63).]

Page 53

[The Limekilns?]
William Lee
(Mentioned page 17) now lives here. His first wife died of typhus fever about two years since. His sister Lydia keeps house for him, but it is said he is about to marry Henry Spencer's youngest daughter, Ann. [Pencilled in:] was married 9th November.

RSBS: (Lydia Lee is a leading person in Church Choir and is a communicant.)

RSBS: (Later: gone to live with her mother.)

[1841 Census: Thomas Lee (aged 25), agricultural labourer, Lydia Lee (15). At the time of the census William Lee was married to Mary and living elsewhere (see page 17 for details).]

Page 54

[The Limekilns?]
Dinah Storey
A widow, can read; goes out working.
Her husband [Anderson?] was a son of John and Mary Storey (page 85) and was killed about two years since in the falling in of a quarry [Downing College records indicate suicide]. She is sister to John Lowrings (page 56).
1. William Storey, aged 14. Works for Mr C King. In the Sunday school but William attends very irregularly and can read very little.
2. Mary Storey, aged 12. In the Sunday school.
3. John Storey, aged 4. In the Sunday school.

[William Storey attended Croydon Sunday School. "Emigrated to Canada June 1843 having been a year in the School. An unruly boy." - Rev Francis Fulford]

She used to attend Church very constantly, but has not been for some Sundays. She has a man called John Easy living with her now, by whom she had two children, twins, some years ago, whilst her husband was in prison. He is brother of Emma Thacker - is lately become a widower, having two children now in Yorkshire, where he has been living some years and where his wife died. All her children have been Christened in Croydon Church.

RSBS: (Later: She married Easy, and they are gone to live in Canada. Charles and Mary Titmus, entered on page 43, now live here.)

[A man called Anderson Storey had taken part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and was sentenced to seven year's transportation - possibly Dinah's first husband?]

[1841 Census: Dinah Story (aged 30), and children William Story (12), Mary Storey (10) and John Story (2).]

Page 55

[Editorial note: Joseph Dellar was born in Wrestlingworth in Bedfordshire. In the Wimpole marriage register he is shown as Joseph Darnell and he married Mary Worland on October 13 1834. In the 1841 census for Croydon-cum-Clopton he was recorded as Joseph Darlow. In the "Speculum Gregis" he seems to be either Joseph Darter or Joseph Darler depending on the transcription. In the 1851 census he was recorded as Joseph Darlow again. I have chosen to use Darlow in this edition but to index all five variations.]

Joseph and Mary Darlow
He can read, she a very little. They were married at Wimpole.
He used to plays the clarinet at Church, but has been very ill lately. Is now in the hospital - has been much given to drinking.

RSBS: (Later: He is well again.)

1. William, aged 14. Reads a little, in the Sunday School, Christened.
2. Joseph, aged 8. Not christened; in the Sunday School.
3. Jane, aged 5. Christened.
4. Elizabeth, aged 3. Christened.
5. Samuel, aged 3 months. Not Christened.

She hardly ever attends Church. He is a very civil man, but I fear drinks still. They are always in want, though they earn very high wages amongst them. She is a women not to be trusted.

[William Darler attended Croydon Sunday School. "Entered April 1842 aged 12 years and left of his own choice May 1845. He could read very little. Was not an ill behaved boy and civil." William was also a candidate for Confirmation in June 1844 but did not proceed due "Was absent haymaking near London" - Rev Francis Fulford. ]

[Contribution: Mary Worland was born in Wimpole and baptised on 28 November 1809, illegitimate daughter of John Pratt and Lydia Worland, although her parents later married on 2 November 1812.]

[1841 Census: Joseph Darlow (aged 30), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Darlow (30), children William Darlow (10), Joseph Darlow (5), Jane Darlow (3) and Elizabeth Darlow (6 months). Also living here was Jane Worland (aged 60).]

Page 56

John and Dinah Lowrings
Very constant at church. They have three daughters, two very respectable servants, the second at home. The youngest lives at Mr Merry's, a very pleasing steady girl.
He is ignorant and rather given to drink. They are well off; she goes out nursing, is a clean tidy woman, but a great talker.

RSBS: (Going to live in a cottage behind Mr Gape's farm which Merry has just taken [page 79?]. The eldest daughter is just married to a Tadlow man.)

[1841 Census: Thomas Lowins (aged 40), agricultural labourer, wife Ann Lowins (40) and Sarah Lowins (10). No other Lowins/Lowrings identifiable in census.]

Page 57

John and Mary Endersby
He can't read, works on the road. She can read a little. She is a sister to John Green next door, the clerk. They have one son married (page 37).
1. Stephen Endersby, aged 27. Reads a little.
2. Richard Endersby, aged 25. An idiot.
3. David Endersby, aged 18. Reads a little.

They were Christened at Tadlow. They attend Church. A very disorderly set the sons - and all very ignorant. She has had a attack of paralysis.

RSBS: (But is much better.)

RSBS: (Later: She died suddenly in February 1848.)

[1841 Census: John Endersby (aged 50), agricultural labourer, wife Mary Endersby (50), Stephen Endersby (25), agricultural labourer, Richard Endersby (25), agricultural labourer, and David Endersby (15), agricultural labourer.]

Page 58

John and Susan Green
He can read. She can't. He was formally transported [but see note below] for being very active in the agricultural riots, is now a very steady man, sings in the choir at Croydon Church, and is a Communicant. He was a widower and she a widow. (She had a family before; one son has recently enlisted.)
1. John Green, aged 20. Lives with Mr Thorpe of Hatley
2. Lydia, aged 15. Can read. Lately left the Sunday School and is gone to service.
3. John, aged 12. Now in the Sunday school.
4. Anne, aged 4.

They attend Church and are steady respectable people.

RSBS: (They now live down in Mr Jackson's old farm (see page 91).)

[John Green had taken part in the 1832 Croydon Riot and was formally sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. He returned to Croydon after his sentence but it is now believed he served his 'time' without leaving England. ]

[John was 36 in 1832 when he was sentenced, therefore he would have been 47 the year Fulford started his "Speculum Gregis". Although it is not mentioned on this page, there are references elsewhere recording that a John Green used to be the Parish Clerk.]

[1841 Census: Susan Green (aged 25), Lydia Green (15), John Green (10), Ann Green (3). Also living here, John Walduck (aged 15), agricultural labourer.]

James and Biddy Hagger
Now live here [see page 83]. He is a sad and drunken fellow, and has a 'worthy' son by his first wife. Biddy is an Irish Woman and, as far she knows, a Roman Catholic. She has a son and a silly daughter of the name of Nelson, by a former husband. The old people not often at Church.

Page 59

Lives at Clopton Farm
William Fitzjohn
Aged and rather infirm - he formerly rented this estate - but was cheated by his own relations, and is now employed as bailiff by Mr Elliston. He can read and write.

Sarah Fitzjohn
His sister, lives with him. She is also very aged and infirm and has not left the house for ten or eleven years. She can read and is a Communicant.

Mary and Hannah Cockerell
Two nieces of the old people live with them.

[All the above entries are crossed through]

RSBS: (All dead or removed.)

[See also page 60 for Clopton Farm "under the same roof".]

[1841 Census: William Fitzjohn (aged 70), agricultural labourer, sister Sarah Fitzjohn (75), Charles Fitzjohn (30), agricultural labourer. Also here: Mary Cockrell (25) and Hannah Cockrell (15).]

Back to Croydon | Introduction | Pages 1-29 | Pages 30-59 | Pages 60-91 |